Meet the 2021 Staff for all of our theatre productions.
Our current positions are filled for 2021. But, please stay in touch and learn more about our apprentice program here. We begin accepting those applications in January of each year for the season.
Brendan Ragotzy
Producer / Director
Barn Producer/Director Brendan Ragotzy. 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 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, AMERICAN IDIOT, ROCK OF AGES, WE WILL ROCK YOU, BONNIE & CLYDE and MAMMA MIA!, and original comedies THE WHISTLE PIG’S REVENGE, and 2021 season’s DOUBLE “0” 69.
Penelope Alex
Equity
In her 35th season, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. Her resume here is highlighted by a series of compelling performances.
Last season’s Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD and Donna in MAMMA MIA! are additions to her favorites along with Golde in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Mona in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, (all opposite Robert Newman), and opposite Tom Wopat as Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
Penelope has appeared in several feature films including RAUNCH AND ROLL...
Troy Benton
Staff
This is Troy’s 21st season at the Barn Theatre. 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 OLD TIMER, RAUNCH AND ROLL, IN HOT WATER, and more.
Steven Lee Burright
Equity
Steven Lee is Baaaack for his fifteenth season, here, at the Barn! Steven began his apprenticeship and 30+ year career in entertainment here in 1987.
John Jay Espino
Equity
This is John’s 9th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Grimsby in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA.
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 twenty years.
Chris Gray
Musical Director
Chris started at the Barn Theatre with our outdoor Bar Show last summer and we’re thrilled that he has joined us as Musical Director.
Melissa Cotton Hunter
Equity
Melissa is celebrating her ten-year Barniversary this year and thrilled to be spending it back on the Main Stage!
Patrick Hunter
Managing Director
Patrick returns this summer for his tenth season on the Barn stage. Favorite Barn roles include Beadle Bamford in SWEENEY TODD, Vice Principal Douglas Panch in SPELLING BEE, The Preacher in BONNIE AND CLYDE, Warner Purcell in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, and Nicely Nicely Johnson in GUYS AND DOLLS, for which he won the Wilde Award for Supporting Actor in a Musical.
Charlie King
Equity
Charlie is “ALL CAPS” ABOUT RETURNING TO THE BARN THIS SEASON! He apprenticed from ‘91-’94. Some of his favorite roles at the Barn include The Big Bopper in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Clem Rogers in THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, Caiaphas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog in MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, Dr. Scott/Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Great Grandpa Alphonse in ESCANABA IN LOVE and Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in the world premiere of BILLY THE KID.
Jerry McAllistar
Stage Manager
This is Jerry’s 6th season at the Barn and we are ecstatic to have him back 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.
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.
Michael McShane
Lighting Design
Mike is a Chicago-based theatrical lighting designer. He earned his M.F.A. in Lighting Design from the University of Florida. At the Barn, he has been a Sound Designer in 2008, Sound and Projections Designer in 2016 and Lighting Designer in 2017 and 2018.
Eric Morris
Equity
Eric is elated to return to the Barn for their historic 75th season! Eric was an apprentice in 2007 and 2009, where Barn audiences saw him as the Lead Tenor in THE PRODUCERS, Tommy in THE WHO’S TOMMY, and Tom Sawyer in BIG RIVER.
Joe Neisen
Choreographer
Joe was an apprentice during our 1997 season. We happily welcome him back to the Barn! Joe is a San Francisco native and Las Vegas based Director-Choreographer.
Joe Pehrson
Staff
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.
Calli Ragotzy
Assistant
Calli has finished her first official year of Western Michigan’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program with two more years remaining. Even though she is not going down the traditional route of theatre or film like her siblings and family, she still is able to incorporate her creative side into her future profession through interventions and individualized care.
She is even planning on integrating theatre into her Capstone project at the end of the OT program.
Jake Ragotzy
Assistant
Jake is thrilled to be back at the theatre for another amazing summer!
Luke Ragotzy
Equity
Luke is so excited to be here with all of you this summer after a Covid layover that felt like much more than one Barn season. This summer, along with being a member of the Equity Company, Luke is the Bar Manager for the Rehearsal Shed and Miss Penelope’s Saloon, which was a Covid renovation that he worked on alongside Steven Lee Burright, Troy Benton and Jerry McCallister.
Luke has appeared on stage many times here at the Barn...
Samantha Rudy
Props
This will be Sam's fifth year with the Barn and she is so excited to be coming back again!
Melanie Wehrmacher
Costume Designer
This is Melanie’s first summer at The Barn, having designed costumes in the Twin Cities, regionally, and Off-Broadway.
Spencer Wooley
Sound Designer
Spencer is excited to be making his debut at the Barn Theatre this summer as the sound designer!