Meet the 2024 Staff for all of our theatre productions.
Brendan Ragotzy
Producer/Director
Brendan literally grew up in the business, from his walk-on debut in 1966's OLIVER! to his work as a stagehand, spot operator, stage manager, actor, director, assistant producer, and now Producer/Director. Combining his parents' attributes with his own practical expertise, the Barn has an ideal leader for its second generation of Ragotzy ownership. In 1989 he made his directorial debut with HAIR, followed by our soon-to-be all-time hit THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, PHANTOM, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, TOMMY, BIG RIVER, FOOTLOOSE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (also playing Pontius Pilate), ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SHENANDOAH, THE CIVIL WAR (one of his favorites), CINDERELLA, MAN OF LA MANCHA, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM, and AMERICAN IDIOT and ROCK OF AGES.
Penelope Alex
School Dean, Marketing, Equity/Staff/Apprentice Coordinator
In her 38 seasons, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. In that time she has seen a lot of fun on the Barn stage. Last summer’s audiences saw her in ANYTHING GOES as Evangeline Harcourt, THE WIZARD OF OZ as the Wicked Witch, NUNSENSE as Mother Superior, CLUE as Mrs. White, and in the world premiere of THE GIFT as The Teller. Other favorite Barn shows include Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, Donna in both of the Barn’s MAMMA MIA! productions, Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, (all opposite Robert Newman), Frau Blucher in MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
Patrick Hunter
Managing Director/Equity
Patrick is delighted to return to the Barn stage once again, where he has performed in 75 mainstage productions over the past 15 years. Some recent favorites include Sam Phillips in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Dr. Watson in BASKERVILLE A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, Ned Ryerson in GROUNDHOG DAY, Patrick Star in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL and Judah Ben Hur and many others in the comedic version of BEN HUR. Patrick's favorite Barn directing credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, BIG: THE MUSICAL and two hit productions of DISASTER!. Additionally, Patrick's two original Farces, IN HOT WATER, and A SLIPPERY SLOPE have been performed on the Barn Stage.
Luke Ragotzy
Bar Manager/Bar Show Director/Equity
Luke is so happy for the summer season to have returned! Audiences have seen Luke on the Barn stage literally all his life! Having filled many staff positions at the Barn, performing has now taken more of a focus. Attendees of last season may remember Luke as Elvis in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Tully in JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, and Remnar Soady in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT. Along with being a member of the Equity company, Luke is also the Bar manager of the Rehearsal Shed, Miss Penelope’s Saloon and he also directs the Bar Shows. Some of Luke’s past favorite roles include Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES, Gus in GROUNDHOG DAY, Agent Willcall in DOUBLE “O” 69, and Pepper in MAMMA MIA! “Thank you all so much for coming out and supporting this place, time and time again. I truly can’t express how much it means to me!”
Troy Benton
Sound Designer
Troy has been a vital member of the Barn Theatre since 1997. Though he can primarily be found in the orchestra pit he does come up for food, water, and to make guest appearances in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge. As a composer, he has penned music and songs for Barn Productions, such as BILLY THE KID, OLD TIMER, RAUNCH AND ROLL, IN HOT WATER, and more.
Emily Boomer
Assistant Stage Manager
Emily is excited to be returning to the Barn for her third summer as an Equity Assistant Stage Manager! She started her time at the Barn assisting for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in 2019 and 2021, and jumped at the opportunity to work her first full summer in 2022.
Brett Burradell
Technical Director
2024 will mark Brett’s third consecutive year as the Barn’s Technical Director, Projection Designer, and Scenic Design team member. He leads the scene shop and technical team—drawing upon his experience in music, graphic design, scenic design and construction, and video and projection design.
Steven Lee Burright
Scenic Designer/Painter, Equity
If it’s 2024, this must be Steven Lee Burright’s eighteenth season! Steven has appeared many, many times on the Barn stage in his tenure here. Last season Steven was proud to originate the role of John Semell in our premiere production of The Gift. Barn audiences also enjoyed his hilarious portrayal as the Mayor of Munchkinland in our hit production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.
Tully Davis
Assistant Technical Director
We are so happy to have Tully with us for his first season here at the Barn. New to the theatre scene, Tully uses his experience in architecture and construction to help design and execute the wonderful sets at the Barn.
John Jay Espino
Bar Show Director/Equity
This is John’s 14th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Plankton in SpongeBob Squarepants: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, Cogsworth in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Moonface Martin in ANYTHING GOES, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA. John has also served as the Barn’s musical director for SUNSET BLVD, BLOOD BROTHERS, LEGALLY BLONDE, SOUTH PACIFIC, BIG RIVER, CHICAGO, and SPAMALOT. He will once again be musical directing our very popular nightly Rehearsal Shed bar show.
Jeannette Fischer
Costume Coordinator
Nettie (as she is known at the Barn) is an energetic, indispensable member of our team. As manager of our costume shop and storage, Nettie has kept that department running smoothly for over thirty years.
Her favorite show was CAUGHT IN THE NET, which she designed and built herself.
Melissa Cotton Hunter
Choreographer/Equity
Melissa is celebrating her lucky number thirteen-year Barniversary this year and is thrilled to be spending it back on the boards as actor and choreographer! Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember her recent roles as Miss Scarlet in CLUE, Woman 1 in Baskerville A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, Millie Braden in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Elizabeth Benning in MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Julia in THE WEDDING SINGER, Sophie in MAMMA MIA!, Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and a three-time Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (2012, 2019, and 2021).
Samantha Lallas
Staff
Sam is so thrilled to be spending her second summer at the Barn Theatre. She wears many hats at the Barn, including assisting in Marketing, Publicity, and Box Office. Though, Sam’s favorite role she plays here is performing in the nightly bar shows.
Jerry McAllister
Stage Manager
This is Jerry’s 11th season at the Barn, and we celebrate his many years of work with us! Jerry has served as stage manager at 3 Below Theatre and The Retro Dome in San Jose, CA as well as production managing. He has also stage managed at the Brava Theatre in San Francisco, CA, Theatreworks USA and Kraine Theatre, in New York City. He is a founding member of Hope Theatre with siblings Heather and Kelly (a Barnie from season ’90), where they produced the American professional premiere of Shakespeare’s EDWARD III.
Garrylee McCormick
Hair/Wig/Make-up Master
Garrylee has served as the hair and wig master for the Barn Theatre since 1961. In addition, he is the hair and wig master for Western Michigan University’s Theatre Department and is a freelance wig master for national tours playing at Miller Auditorium and DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids. He is a member IATSE Local 26, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
Joe Pehrson
Pizza Joe Back 40 Pizza
Joe was an apprentice at the Barn Theatre from 1994-1996. He appeared in many productions, his favorites being HAIR, LA CAGE…, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and the world premiere of BILLY THE KID.
Jake Ragotzy
Staff
Jake is ready, willing, and able to get back to business at the Barn! Whether it’s mowing the lawn, playing guitar in the bar show, bartending, or enjoying stage time with the company, Jake can’t wait for the season to start. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Film Studies and a Minor in Fiction Filmmaking.
Matt Shabala
Musical Director
Matt is thrilled to be returning to The Barn for the 78th season! Matt spends the off season at WMU working for the musical theater department, where most recently he has music directed GREAT COMET and THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL.
Melina Ragotzy
Staff
Melina has been a Barnie since birth! She’s enjoyed growing up watching productions at the Barn, and now gets to be full-time Barnie this summer before heading to her junior year at University of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania to major in Sports Management and play softball! Melina wears many hats, from souvenirs, to spotlight operator, to designated gardener.
Alexandria Szczotka
Costume Designer
Alex is a costume designer and sewing technician from Metro Detroit. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University and has had a lifelong love of theatre, both on and offstage. This is her first season with the Barn Theatre, and she is incredibly excited to work with the talented cast, crew, and production team during their 2024 season.