2024 First-Year Apprentices
Justin Andrews
Justin (he/him) is so thrilled to be making his professional acting debut at the Barn! A recent graduate from Bowling Green State University, Justin majored in Theatre double specializing in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing. Some recent credits there include HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL where he played the Principal, Kurt’s dad, and Veronica’s dad, Jake in EVIL DEAD, PIPPIN in the Ensemble, and as Lewis’s understudy, and tap dancing in four dance concerts, all at BGSU. Outside of BG, Justin has been in THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Rolf at M.A.D. Factory, and JEKYLL & HYDE as Poole and ensemble at Western Reserve Playhouse. Justin also enjoys and has experience directing, hosting, and performing improv comedy. He would like to thank his friends, family, and mentors for all their love and support. (he/him)
Ben Carino
Ben (they/she/he) is overjoyed to be performing at the Barn Theatre! Ben is a recent graduate of Temple University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Ben’s regional credits include RENT as an Ensemble and the Angel Understudy at the Milton Theatre, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SNOOPY at Hedgerow Theatre as Woodstock, and Dance Captain. Ben’s select Temple Theaters credits include XANADU as Calliope, INTO THE WOODS as Jack, and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND as the Erzulie understudy. Thank you to everyone at the Barn for this opportunity! IG: @ben_carino
Brady J. Cunningham
Brady is a recent graduate of Coastal Carolina University’s BFA Musical Theatre program. While at CCU he portrayed Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammersteins CINDERELLA and Officer Barrel in URINETOWN. He was a soloist in IF YOU KNEW MY STORY at Quisisana Resort. He is elated for his first summer at the Barn!
Edward Doerr
Edward is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a BA in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre and is excited to get his first opportunities in the professional world as an actor. Previously, Doerr has performed in INTO THE WOODS as The Wolf and Cinderella's Prince at Appleseed Community Theatre and THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Friedrich Von Trap at La Crosse Community Theatre.
Kendall Grady
Kendall is a recent graduate from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, having studied within the Department of Drama’s New Studio on Broadway (NSB) and Experimental Theater Wing (ETW), both for two years. Some of her previous credits include Maureen in RENT, Veronica Sawyer in HEATHERS at Beyond The Page, Mama Murphy in BRIGHT STAR, and the premiere of the musical HYENA IN PETTICOATS in which she originated the role of Eliza Wollstonecraft. She composed and performed in her own piece, UNSENT MESSAGES for ETW’s Second Year Projects. Additionally, she has produced two solo cabarets alongside Stephen Murphy, a Carnegie Mellon and NYU graduate, at DON’T TELL MAMA’s in Midtown Manhattan. She’s come a long way since her elementary schools’ 4th grade production of THE LORAX in which she portrayed The Once-Ler! Kendall is delighted to become a Barnie this summer! Follow her on Instagram @imkendallgrady
Joe Kotze
Joe is an undergraduate at NYU Steinhardt, studying Vocal Performance in Musical Theatre. At NYU, Joe has performed with the Broadway Orchestra, and in the mainstage productions of IDOMENO, HEARTBREAKERS IN HELL, and TITANIC. Some of Joe’s performances at Lincoln Way East High School include Sweeney Todd in SWEENEY TODD, The Baker in INTO THE WOODS, and Herr Schultz in the Illinois All-State Musical, CABARET. As a senior, Joe was selected as the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards Best Actor award winner and was a nominee for the 2022 Jimmy Awards – the National HS Musical Theatre Awards.
Christian Lamantia
Christian is a University of Miami senior studying Theatre, Media Management, and Spanish. He is overjoyed to be working as an apprentice at the Barn this summer. Most recently, he has played Billy Boy Bill in URINETOWN at Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre. He sends his warm regards to his family, the creative team, and the audience. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Sadie Margolis
Sadie is thrilled to make her Barn Theatre School debut! A classically-trained soprano and Hartford-based actor, she’s performed globally, from La Traviata in Florence to a pop-rock cabaret at Barrington Stage Company’s 2023 Musical Theatre Conservatory. Studying under Dr. Polly Cornelius at Elon University, Sadie is pursuing a BA in vocal performance, entering her senior year this fall. She recently served as Music Director for her on-campus a cappella group. Blending opera, musical theatre, and pop, Sadie fuses traditional and fresh techniques onstage. Her favorite roles include Belle in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and a Bad Idea Bear in AVENUE Q. Contact: sadiemaemargolis.com.
Dakota Moreno
Dakota (she/her) is ecstatic to be working with the Barn Theatre! She is a rising junior at Nazareth University, where she is studying Musical Theatre and Dance. Some of Dakota’s favorite credits include Laurey in OKLAHOMA!, Patsy in SPAMALOT, and Banquo in MACBETH. Most recently she served as the Fairy Swing in Nazareth’s Mainstage production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. This upcoming fall she will be studying abroad in London! She is so incredibly grateful for the opportunities and adventures this year has brought her. She thanks her family for all their love and support, she could not do it without them. IG: @the.dakota.moreno
Claire Oliver
Claire is delighted to be making her debut with the Barn Theatre! Claire is a senior at Bowling Green State University majoring in musical theater and acting/directing with a dance minor. Some of her past credits there include Heather McNamara in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, Tilly in SHE KILLS MONSTERS, and Jean MacClaren in BRIGADOON. She was also in JEKYLL & HYDE as Red Rat and Ensemble at Western Reserve Playhouse and Liesl in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The MAD Factory. Claire is also heavily involved in dance and has performed and choreographed for many dance concerts at BGSU. Claire would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.
Zoe Poulin
Zoe is a rising sophomore Music Theatre major at The Hartt School of Music. She is thrilled to be at the Barn this summer and can’t wait to start! Some of her favorite roles include Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT THE MUSICAL, Fiona in SHREK, both at Clarkstown High School North, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in THE NUTCRACKER at Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble. She also enjoys choreographing and crocheting when she finds herself off the stage! Coming from just outside New York City, she is overjoyed to share her love of theatre here in Michigan!
Liam Rogan
Liam is heading into his junior year at Temple University pursuing his BFA in musical theater. This is Liam's first season at the Barn Theatre and he's so happy to be spending the summer in Michigan! Some of his favorite roles include Karl the Giant in BIG FISH, and Skellig in SKELLIG at Temple University and Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ at Wayne Valley High School.
Addie Skillman
Addie is a Maryland native and rising sophomore Musical Theatre major at the University of Oklahoma's Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre. She is thrilled to be spending her summer in beautiful Michigan at the Barn! Recent favorite roles include ART in which she portrayed Marc, and she also appeared in The Music of Adam Guettel as a Soloist at the University of Oklahoma. Much love to her amazingly supportive family and friends!
Jenna Speer
Jenna is a recent Musical Theatre graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Her On-Stage credits at UW Parkside include Molly in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, Corky in Steve Martin's METEOR SHOWER, Thea in SPRING AWAKENING and #2 in THE WOLVES. Jenna has also served behind the scenes as an Assistant Stage Manager for THE ALIENS and THE LARAMIE PROJECT as well as the Stage Manager for Henrik Ibsen's WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN. Jenna is so happy to be making her Barn debut this summer and would like to thank her loved ones for all of their support!
Violet Way
Violet is ecstatic to make her debut on the Barn stage! Violet is a rising sophomore at Syracuse University pursuing a B.F.A in Acting and a minor in Marketing. She grew up in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Charlottesville, Virginia. In the fall, she will be portraying Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT at SU Drama. Some of her favorite previous roles include Heather MacNamara in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL at Live Arts and DeeDee Allen in THE PROM, Lady Macbeth in MACBETH. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for their endless support!
Mckinley Witt
Mckinley (she/her) is ecstatic to be making her professional performance debut at The Barn this summer! Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she earned a B.A in Theatre with Specializations in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing. Most recently, she performed in BGSU’s productions of POTUS as Dusty, HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL as Dance Captain, Young Republicanette, and was in the Ensemble, and was in the Chorus of ELECTRA. When she’s not performing, Mckinley enjoys traveling, eating Asian food, and spending time with her friends and family. Mckinley wants to thank all of her loved ones for their endless support. She can’t wait to see what this summer has in store!