2022 Guest Artists

We're looking forward to having several exciting Guest Artists on our stage this summer. You'll see some familiar faces, too. Check back for new additions to our guest artist line up soon.

Robert Newman headshot

Robert Newman

Robert has become a favorite guest star for the Barn the past decade. This season, we're thrilled to have him as Dennis Dupree in ROCK OF AGES!

In the 2021 season, he portrayed Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 and Sam in MAMMA MIA! Other recent Barn shows include the title role of SWEENEY TODD (opposite Penelope Alex) as well BIG: THE MUSICAL, THE CIVIL WAR, NOISES OFF, Edna in HAIRSPRAY, THE LION IN WINTER (opposite Kim Zimmer), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, LOVE LETTERS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Robert is perhaps best known for his 28-year run as Joshua Lewis on the longest-running program in broadcasting history, GUIDING LIGHT. The role garnered him 2 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Earlier this year, he played head-villain Ashland Locke on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.  He has recently guest starred on INVENTING ANNA, HOUSE OF CARDS, HOMELAND, CHICAGO FIRE, CRIMINAL MINDS, NCIS, and LAW AND ORDER: SVU, as well as EXTRAPOLATIONS, a new, soon-to-be released series from Apple TV+ with Kit Harrington and Diane Lane.

Kim Zimmer

Kim Zimmer

Kim has spent quite a few seasons here at the Barn thrilling audiences with performances in THE RAINMAKER, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, JAKE’S WOMEN, DAMN YANKEES, LOST IN YONKERS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, BLOOD BROTHERS, GYPSY, SUNSET BOULEVARD, HELLO, DOLLY!, THE LION IN WINTER in which she starred opposite Robert Newman.

Most recently, Barn audiences will remember her hilarious portrayal of Rosie in last season’s MAMMA MIA! as well as Ouiser in our 2019 production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

She is best known as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light where she received four Lead Actress Emmys along with 11 Nominations. Kim’s regional and off-Broadway credits include FOUR DOGS AND A BONE; LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, DIRTY BLONDE, and CURTAINS to name a few. Kim also toured nationally with Broadway’s WICKED as Madame Morrible. Look for her in 2023 starring opposite Ewan McGregor in “You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder,” her daughter-in-law’s first feature produced from DeuxDames.

Other television credits include...

Jack Austin - Guest Artist Headshot

Jack Austin

Jeb, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

We are thrilled Jack is making his Barn Theatre debut this summer!

A 2022 graduate of Lakeview High school, he will begin college at WMU in the fall working toward obtaining a BFA in musical theatre performance. Jack’s love of music lives beyond the stage as a recording artist as well. His debut single, ‘Give You My All,’ released in 2021 and his new single will be released in August 2022; available on all major streaming services.

Jack has also gained notable exposure on his social media where he predominantly shares music and theatre content. He has gained just over a million views on Tik Tok! Favorite roles on stage include Curly in OKLAHOMA!, Jack in INTO THE WOODS, and Diesel in WEST SIDE STORY. He is an active volunteer at his previous middle school theatre clocking in over 300 hours, and he has directed shows and assisted in vocals.

Jack would like to thank all of his amazing educators and directors who have shaped him to be not only the performer, but the person he is today.

 

Shinnerrie Jackson

Shinnerrie Jackson

Shinnerrie is delighted to be back at The Barn for her 6th season and we are equally delighted to have her back gracing the Barn stage! She earned her Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and her MFA at the University of Tennessee where she is currently Assistant Professor of Theater. She was in NBC’s hit sitcom 30 Rock and in Whit Stillman's feature film Damsels in Distress and has had a very busy regional theatre career as well. Previous Barn productions include performing in our annual Christmas Cabaret, CIVIL WAR, Motormouth Maybelle in HAIRSPRAY, Ode Mae Brown in GHOST: THE MUSICAL. Gary Coleman in AVENUE Q and Jewel in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Altamiece_Carolyn_Cooper (1)

Altamiece Carolyn Cooper

Altamiece is blessed to be making her Barn Theatre debut. Altamiece is a professional actor who grew up in Battle Creek. She is a Lakeview High School graduate and has received a degree in Music Theater Performance from Western Michigan University. Shortly after leaving WMU she moved to New York City and landed a role in the 2006 national tour of "RENT" as Mrs. Jefferson which kick-started her professional acting career. She has since performed on many
stages all over the country and Canada and has shared those stages with so many talented stage and film actors. Her regional credits include: CHICAGO (Matron "Mama" Morton), HAIRSPRAY (Motormouth), CAROLINE, OR CHANGE (Caroline), INTO THE WOODS (Witch), SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ (BJ), ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE (Marley), MISBEHAVIN (Armelia). She has also toured nationally in DIARY OF A WORM...(Mrs. McBee). Altamiece would like to thank God, all of her family, and friends for their amazing love and support. To the Barn Theatre family, thank you so much for this awesome opportunity. Remember, LOVE has the power to change the world, so just do it!
Instagram:@altamiececarolyncooper

Headshot of True Chin Parker

True Chin-Parker

True is a senior musical theatre performance major at Western Michigan University. Recent credits include Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief, Emilia in Lady Anne/Lord Collins, and Marcy Park in The 25th Annual… Spelling Bee. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Eric Morris

Eric Morris

Eric is elated to once again return to the Barn! Last summer, he appeared in 9 to 5 & Mamma Mia! as well as portraying Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer. Eric also had the time of his life directing the musical that was “for everyone,” SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical! He apprenticed 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. Eric is currently based out of the Twin Cities.

Select credits include the World Premiere of Runestone! A Rock Musical at History Theatre, Guys & Dolls at the Guthrie Theater, Assassins at Theater Latte Da, and The Bridges of Madison County at Artistry Theater.

Other Twin Cities credits: Mill City Summer Opera, Out of the Box Opera, Nautilus Music-Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and Second Fiddle Productions. Regional: Dayton Opera, Beef & Boards, Gallery Players, and the Heritage Theatre Festival.

Eric is the Director of Production at the Old Log Theatre where he directed their critically acclaimed production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder and his production of Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville is currently running.  Other Old Log directing credits include The Play That Goes Wrong, Ghost: The Musical, Lend Me a Tenor, Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical, The Dixie Swim Club, How I Became a Pirate, Winnie-the-Pooh, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Eric holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Ithaca College.

Maile Beck Headshot

Maile Beck

Maile is a sophomore at Western Michigan University working toward her B.F.A in musical theatre performance. Not only is this her first time in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, but also her Barn Theatre debut! Previous credits include Julia in The Wedding Singer, Donna in Mamma Mia!, and was most recently a swing in The Lightning Thief. She is so excited to be here and hopes everyone has a great time at THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW!

Eric Parker

Eric Parker

Eric is elated to celebrate his 25th season here at the Barn. Favorite shows include Wilde Award-nominated turns in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and HANDS ON A HARDBODY as well as major roles in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, LES MISERABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE FULL MONTY, SHREK, and EVITA, among many others, as well as directing several productions. Formerly in Chicago, Eric for several years featured prominently in most of that city’s musical houses, including Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, and the Mercury. An Adrian native, Eric has proven valuable on the east side of the state, with numerous guest artist and directing turns at the Croswell Opera House in his hometown and a Wilde Award-winning performance as Jerry in THE FULL MONTY at the Encore Music Theatre in Dexter. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and at Siena Heights University in his hometown. Eric has numerous local commercials in his recent past, as well as appearances in GUIDING LIGHT and roles in Barn features FISH MICH, A HAUNTING IN CAWDOR, and RAUNCH AND ROLL.

Megan Irmen (1)

Meagan Irmen

We are thrilled to have Meagan joining the company for this production! She is a local business owner of Great Lakes Flooring in Galesburg where she is an integral part of design and administration. She is a proud wife and is mother of Henslee, Sophie, and Jamison. Along with performing in high school productions, Meagan was active in modeling as well and received an International Modeling and Talent Association’s Division title which garnered her a trip to NYC for the International competition.

Tommy Glodo Headshot

Tommy Glodo

Tommy is super stoked to be making his Barn debut! His recent credits include Grover in THE Lightning Thief, Ram in Heathers, and Amos in Chicago. He is currently a Junior Musical Theatre Performance major at WMU after transferring from Moraine Valley Community College. Next semester he can be seen as Jonathan in The Play That Goes Wrong at WMU.

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