Hannah Eakin
Guest Artist
Mark’s Mom/Ensemble, RENT
Hannah is delighted to return to The Barn for their 80th Season and we are thrilled to have her back! Past Barn credits include Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, Mary in MARY POPPINS, Jane in TARZAN, Hodel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Irene Molloy in HELLO, DOLLY!, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS, Kathy Selden in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. She also had a featured role in Brendan Ragotzy’s “Raunch and Roll” film. Other theatre credits include THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, H.M.S. PINAFORE, TRIAL BY JURY, THE SORCERER, UTOPIA LIMITED, THE GONDOLIERS, and RUDDIGORE with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players; LES MISÉRABLES, MARY POPPINS, and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre; SISTER ACT at Westchester Broadway Theatre; and OUTSIDE OF EDEN at The New Ohio Theatre. Also a writer and filmmaker, Hannah is a two-time recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts Support for Artists grant: for her documentary THE WITCH OF ESPERANCE, and for her new musical adaptation of JANE EYRE. Her short film THE POET’S DAUGHTER – which she wrote, directed, and starred in – won Best Short Film in the Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival as well as an Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund grant. Currently, Hannah is working on THE SARA TEASDALE PROJECT, an ambitious poetry and film history project culminating in 92 short films. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and a graduate of Oklahoma City University. Connect with her at www.hannaheakin.com or IG: @hannaheeakin
Jamila Joiner
Guest Artist
Joanne, RENT
Jamila is excited to be back at The Barn Theatre in RENT! She was previously on the Barn stage in HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Some of her Principal credits include All American Boys at Stages Theater, Reboot at Walking Shadow Theater, The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Lyric Arts Theater, Mary Poppins at Artistry Theater, Cinderella at Sidekick Theater, Antigone at Park Square Theater, and The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. She was also in the ensembles of Gloria: A Life and Teen Idol: A Bobby Vee Story at History Theater, A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie Theater, Rigoletto at Minnesota Opera. Jamila graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a BA in Theater Performance Creation with a focus in Musical Theater. @jamilajoiner, www.jamilajoiner.com
Joshua ‘Jah-Jah’ Devour Mitchell
Guest Artist
Benjamin Coffin III, RENT
Jah-Jah is an American Actor, Singer/Songwriter born and raised in Chicago, IL. In high school Jah-Jah participated in Free Street Theatre, a Chicago arts initiative that helps develop young adult creatives through writing and music workshops. While there he was a contributing writer and original cast member of MAD JOY, a critically acclaimed performance art production featured at Chicago’s prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre and toured several cities throughout Germany. Jah-Jah went on to study at Northwestern University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Musical Theatre, Theatre & Psychology. Very soon after his undergraduate studies Jah-Jah moved to New York City where he earned Off-Broadway & Film credits, and Executive Produced his first independent solo album entitled, A Soul Progressive. Jah-Jah’s upcoming projects include the film, “The Love Factor.” He is super excited about making his Barn Theatre debut as Benny in RENT, working with the entire cast and crew on such a relevant piece of American Theatre. We are thrilled to welcome Jah-Jah to the Barn!
Byron Glenn Willis
Guest Artist
Collins, RENT
Byron Glenn Willis is happy to be returning to the Barn where he was previously seen in HEARTBREAK HOTEL, Hair, Big River, THE Civil War, as well as our 2017 production of RENT. Other credits include Smokey Joes Café, Alabama Story, The Full Monty, Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act, Dreamgirls, Once On This Island, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Porgy & Bess, Caroline or Change, Pullman Porter Blues, Purlie, and Ragtime. His TV/Film credits include Barbershop 2, Detroit 1-8-7, Chicago Code, Chicago P.D. Byron is proud member of AEA. “Much thanks to Brendan Ragotzy!! Thanks to the Creator of All for All.”
Lucia Carew
Guest Artist
Young Anna, Disney’s FROZEN
We are so delighted to welcome a new Barnie to our stage! Lucia is ten years old and is delighted to play Young Anna in Disney’s FROZEN. She loves being in musical theatre and played Middle Elsa in FROZEN Jr. at the Kalamazoo Civic last fall. When not in rehearsal, she also performs as a dancer and figure skater. She is excited for the opportunity to perform at the Barn Theatre and is grateful to her friends and family for their support.
Dahlia Potter
Guest Artist
Young Elsa, Disney’s FROZEN
Dahlia found a home on the stage early through dance. She has studied a variety of styles, but her heart lives with ballet, earning her pointe shoes this past November. Two of those years of dance, she was selected to be a part of her studio’s Performance Company. This spring, she made her theatrical debut as Hortencia in MATILDA Jr. She is extremely excited and honored to be playing Young Elsa in Disney’s FROZEN, and we couldn’t be happier to introduce Dahlia to Barn audiences!
Eric Parker
Guest Artist
John Adams, 1776; King Agnarr, Disney’s FROZEN
Eric is extremely grateful to mark season 29. Last season Eric happily enjoyed playing in THE GAME’S AFOOT, MY FAIR LADY, OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN and directing HOW TO SUCCEED…. A proud alum of the Barn's apprentice program, patrons will remember Eric from his roles in OKLAHOMA!, MISERY, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, LES MISERABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE FULL MONTY, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, SHREK, HAIR, SUNSET BOULEVARD, GROUNDHOG DAY, most of the roles in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and EVITA, among many others, as well as directing several mainstage productions and bar shows. An Adrian native, Eric has also proven valuable throughout the region, with multiple Wilde Award nominations (and occasional wins) to go with notable guest artist turns at the Encore Music Theatre in Dexter and the Croswell in his hometown as well as a solid career at most of Chicago's musical houses, too. A couple tours, records, TV appearances, and roles in Barn Films productions dot his resume, too.
Richard Marlatt
Guest Artist
John Dickinson, 1776; Bishop, Disney’s FROZEN
Barn audiences will recognize Richard as Colonel Pickering in our hit show MY FAIR LADY and as President Lincoln in OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN last season. In 2017 he was seen as Pulitzer in NEWSIES, and in 2015 he was Mr. Banks in our production of MARY POPPINS. In his first Summer here in 1980 he was featured as Sonny in GREASE. He’s played countless roles over four decades at Meadow Brook Theatre, and other Michigan credits include: Tipping Point, Detroit Opera, Boarshead, and Jewish Ensemble Theatre. His Chicago credits include Ravinia Festival as Jules in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, Light Opera Works as Tateh in RAGTIME, and wok with Marriott Theatre, Goodman, Paramount, Drury Lane, Theatre At The Center, Chicago Shakespeare, Chicago Dramatists (Associate Artist), and Shaw Chicago (Company Member). He’s amassed an impressive resume regionally, playing such roles as Hamlet, Scrooge, Falstaff, Dracula, Don Quixote, and Harold Hill, and working with Cincinnati Shakespeare, Madison Repertory, Nebraska Shakespeare, Little Theatre On The Square, Human Race Theatre, Nebraska Repertory, Peninsula Players, Fireside Theatre, and Actors Theatre of Louisville, among many others. He’s portrayed Abraham Lincoln in numerous productions of his own one man play, ABRAHAM LINCOLN CARVED IN STONE. As a Director, his many credits include acclaimed productions and work in Shakespeare and contemporary musicals, as well as the development of new works. Richard is also a Voice-Over artist, has worked in Independent Film, has a Fine Arts Degree as an Actor and Director, and studied with London’s Royal National Theatre, and New York’s National Shakespeare Conservatory.
Sam Balzac
Guest Artist
Thomas Jefferson, 1776
Sam is extremely grateful to be back at the Barn! You may recognize him from our 2016 season as Princeton/Rod in AVENUE Q, Cosmo in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and the dancing waiter in GUYS AND DOLLS. His Off-Broadway credits include FIFTY MILLION FRENCHMEN at the York Theatre, UTOPIA, LIMITED and numerous other appearances with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and THE CHERRY ORCHARD starring Katrina Lenk in the Prospect Musical’s IGNITE concert series. A writer as well, Sam was featured in THE GUILD: THE MUSICAL, for which he also serves as lyricist, at Dynasty Typewriter in L.A. opposite TV/geek legends Felicia Day, Kirsten Vagsness, and Phil LaMarr. He is a two-time recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Support for Artists grant for his musicals EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS OF THE 21ST CENTURY and THE WRONG BOX. Other writing credits include The Other Palace’s MTFestUK with THE GUILD in London and the award-winning short musical film “You Don’t Say” in which he also co-starred; Select Regional theatre credits include TWELFTH NIGHT at the Pendragon Theatre, ROUGH CROSSING at the Cortland Rep, and LEND ME A SOPRANO at Shadowland Stages. Other film credits: “The Poet’s Daughter” (Best Short, Hot Springs International Film Festival) and many roles in Barnie Hannah Eakin’s “Sara Teasdale Project.” Sam is a Proud member of Actor’s Equity, the Dramatists Guild, and the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Look him up at www.sambalzac.com IG: @sambalzac
Jim Cummings
Guest Artist
Stephen Hopkins, 1776
Born in 1952, Jim showed early artistic promise and within weeks of graduating high school, he was touring full time. He’s toured the U.S. and other countries with Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Dick Wagner, The Tubes, Odyssey, the Coasters, The Four Tops, The Classics IV, Gregg Allman, and many others. He has performed at the L.A. Forum, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, Shea Stadium, Cob Hall, Joe Louis Arena, Whiskey a Go Go, The Troubadour, and many more. Although he still tours, he also started a world-class recording and production facility - Soundstage I Productions. He considers this his greatest accomplishment, providing services such as Radio, TV Industrial and Corporate Communications, Film/Video, Animation, Media Consulting, design and installation, National live sound design and touring systems. For many years he was the #1 producer of high-end musical theme songs and corporate soundtracks in the U.S. Some of his clients include Disney, PepsiCo, Toyota, Whirlpool, Ford, Honda, Chrysler, Kellogg, Upjohn/Pfizer, US Government, Post, Gibson, Birdseye, Delta, Nestle, Gerber, Amway, Archway, McDonald, Comerica...and many more. He also Co-produced a National Broadway Touring Company for 12 years. Mr. Cummings is also a professional actor appearing in regional and national productions including Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, The Voice of Audrey II in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, in MY FAVORITE YEAR, MISS SAIGON, RING OF FIRE, and more. He has also appeared in films and industrial videos. Jim has been and continues to be a National entity, consistently selling music Internationally. He is referred to as a “Legend” amongst the Show-Business people that know him and continues to stay on top of his musical craft, and his business daily. We welcome Jim to the Barn stage!
Bruce Hammond
Guest Artist
Da Jimmer, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT / Richard Henry Lee, 1776
A native Michigander from nearby Brooklyn, audiences will remember Bruce’s wonderful portrayal in last season's World Premiere production of Brendan Ragotzy's OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN, as well as the Barn's 2019 production of MAMMA MIA! Bruce was also featured in our 2014 season where he appeared in RAUNCH & ROLL, SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM as well as the musical extravaganzas THE RATPACK and NONSTOP DOO WOP. A proud graduate of Western Michigan University, Bruce apprenticed here ’91 - ’93. He returned as an Equity member in ’94 to play the title role in the original musical written by Brendan Ragotzy, BILLY THE KID as well. Bruce starred in Las Vegas as Frank Sinatra in “The Rat pack is Back,” “Shades of Sinatra,” and was featured as Bugsy Seagal in “The Las Vegas Mob Experience.” For the past few years, Bruce has been traveling around the world with Crystal Cruise Lines performing his Tributes to Sinatra, Neil Diamond, and Bobby Darin. We are thrilled Bruce is back at the Barn!