2026 Equity Actors
Brendan Ragotzy
Artistic Director/Producer
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 several times, SHENANDOAH, THE CIVIL WAR, CINDERELLA, MAN OF LA MANCHA, Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM, AMERICAN IDIOT, ROCK OF AGES, WE WILL ROCK YOU, BONNIE & CLYDE and MAMMA MIA!, BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, THE WIZARD OF OZ, NUNSENSE, WOMAN IN BLACK, BOEING, BOEING, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, as well as his original works THE WHISTLE PIG’S REVENGE, DOUBLE “0” 69, and last season’s OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN. He staged his original musicals BILLY THE KID and OLD TIMER, the latter of which received a highly successful New York reading featuring several Barnies and a title role performed by Tom Wopat. Brendan’s first feature film, “Fish Mich,” got pre-festival screenings right here at the Barn in 2009. His musical RAUNCH AND ROLL, in addition to workshop productions here at the Barn, was made into a feature film, co-produced with Friel Films. Starring Barn actress and wife Penelope Alex with Michael Pare, “Raunch And Roll” the movie had its national release in June of 2021. Having received many favorable reviews, it is available for DVD purchase and can be viewed on streaming platforms. Brendan and Penelope are proud parents to Luke, Calli, Jacob, and Melina and giddy Grandparents to 2 year old Aria Penelope.
Penelope Alex
School Dean, Marketing, Equity/Staff/Apprentice Coordinator
In her 40 seasons, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. Last summer’s audiences saw her as Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, as the Inspector in THE GAME’S AFOOT and as Mary Surrat in Brendan Ragotzy’s new work OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN. 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. Penelope has done over 125 voiceovers and jingles and has appeared in a few feature films as well, including “Raunch and Roll,” a vehicle written for her by husband Brendan Ragotzy, has its national release in 2021. Her latest film project “Bone Hill,” had its release in April and will be streaming on all platforms soon. Other film projects in post-production include “Dormant Evil,” and “The Haunting of Pine Lake” written by her son, Luke! Along with her on stage work, Penelope has served as a judge for the prestigious Sutton Foster Awards for 7 years and has coached high school actors for their University auditions. At the Barn she also serves as School Dean, Marketing, and coordinates the hiring of each season’s apprentice company. Her longest-running roles are her dearest- wife to Brendan and mother to their children Luke, Calli, Jacob and Melina and Yiayia to Aria Penelope with whom she is obsessed. She’s a proud AEA, SAG-AFTRA member and alum of San Jose State University.
Luke Ragotzy
Bar Manager/Bar Show Director/Equity
Luke is so happy for the summer season to be here! 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. Last season’s audiences saw Luke in TWELVE ANGRY MEN, the mischievous Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL, and in the world premiere of OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN as John Wilkes Booth. Patrons undoubtedly remember Luke as Elvis in one of the nation’s first productions of HEARTBREAK HOTEL, Max in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and Bernard in BOEING BOEING. 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 our popular 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 the Barn. I truly can’t express how much it means to me and my family!”
Patrick Hunter
Managing Director/Box Office Manager/Equity
Patrick is thrilled to return to the Barn stage once again, where he has performed in 83 mainstage productions over the past 18 years. Some recent favorites include Horton in SEUSSICAL, Robert in BOEING BOEING, Ned Ryerson in GROUNDHOG DAY and Father Flynn in DOUBT. Patrick's favorite Barn directing credits include SEUSSICAL, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, GROUNDHOG DAY, 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. When he's not on the stage, Patrick is a Professor of Performing Arts and the holder of the Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Chair in the Arts at Louisiana State University of Alexandria. Patrick and his Barnie Bride, Melissa Cotton Hunter have two children: Christopher (11) and Cotton (9). Many thanks to Brendan and Penelope (my friend) for the opportunity to make more magic on the Barn Stage!
John Jay Espino
Bar Show Director/Equity
This is John’s 16th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Uncle Fester in ADDAMS FAMILY , Alfred P. Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, 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. John studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Emily Boomer
Assistant Stage Manager/Equity
Emily is excited to be returning to the Barn for her fifth 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. She studied Stage Management at Western Michigan University and continues to call Kalamazoo her home. Emily would like to thank her family and friends for their never ending love and support, her Barn family for welcoming her back with open arms each year, and to all of the patrons for their continued support.
Mychelle Hopkins
Equity/Choreographer
Mychelle is a native of Traverse City, Michigan where she lives with her husband, 2 children, and 3 dogs. Having been a company member here at the Barn in 2005- 2008, she has graced our staged many times in such roles as Ouiser in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Aunt Em in OKLAHOMA!, and Electra in GYPSY, starring Kim Zimmer, to name a few. Last season Mychelle returned for the summer, directing our hit MY FAIR LADY and delighting audiences with her surprising Miss Jones in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS, Madge in THE GAME’S AFOOT and in the Ensemble of OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN. A graduate of Western Michigan University’s Theatre Department in 1995, Mychelle received her MA in Shakespeare Studies as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Birmingham, England. She is thrilled to be back at the Barn for another exciting season and we are delighted, too!
Charlie King
Equity
Charlie is forever grateful to be with his extended Barn Family again this summer. He apprenticed from (91-94). Some of his favorite roles here include J.D. in JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, Mr. Green in CLUE, Woodson in THE GIFT, Uriah Jennings in WHISTLE PIG’S REVENGE as well as The Big Bopper in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Clem Rogers in Will Rogers FOLLIES, Brad/Dr Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Nick Valenti in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Eugene Krabs in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in BILLY THE KID, Kenny in both SLIPPERY SLOPE and IN HOT WATER and Max VonDiesel in DOUBLE O69. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed internationally with the Asylum Street Spankers (2007-2011) and Barnie Stephen Lynch, and has performed on American Idol Season 10 and America’s Got Talent. Charlie’s film roles include Chuck in “A Haunting in Cawdor,” LaCroix in “Raunch and Roll,” Jeremiah Godslight in “Dormant Evil” and most recently as the demon Mammon in Luke Ragotzy’s “The Haunting of Pine Lake” coming out soon! Charlie would like to thank the Ragotzys for making this Barn family bigger every year and his mother for her love, her support…and her basement.
Jerry McAllister
Stage Manager/Equity
This is Jerry’s 13th 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 Herbst Theatre & Brava Theatre in San Francisco, CA, Theatreworks USA and Kraine Theatre, in New York City. He is a founding member of Hope Theatre in NYC with siblings Heather and Kelly who was a Barnie from season ’90, where they produced the American professional premiere of Shakespeare’s EDWARD III. Jerry served as stage manager for 6 years at the NY International Fringe Festival. He was a resident director for Expanded Arts, inc. (Off Off Broadway) and Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot), NYC from 1995 - 2000. Some of his favorite shows as Producer/Director include MISHKIN’S PARADISE in New York, NY; LAST CALL at the New York International Fringe Festival, and MACBETH at Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot), NY. Acting roles include Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof & Cesar Rodney in 1776 here at The Barn, Henry in THE FANTASTICKS! at The Retrodome in San Jose, CA, and Julius Caesar in JULIUS CAESAR at Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot) in NYC.
Joe Pehrson
Equity
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. Joe is a native of Battle Creek and also a lifelong fan of the Barn Theatre. He is thrilled to be back at the Barn to help launch “Back Forty Pizza”. Audiences may remember his appearances last season as Juror #5 in 12 ANGRY MEN, Benjamin Burton Ovington in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, and John Lloyd in OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN.
Jake Ragotzy
Equity
Jake is pumped to return back to the Barn stage this season! In previous seasons, he has played the titular role in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, David Herold in OUR AMERICAN ASSASSIN, and Scotty Moore in HEARTBREAK HOTEL. He has also been a guitarist for 18 years and frequently plays in the orchestra pit for such shows as Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT, WE WILL ROCK YOU, RENT, and MAMMA MIA! He graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and a minor in Fiction Filmmaking. When he isn’t working at the Barn, he’s working on his television script, “Earthmover” which he hopes will be produced at some point before he leaves this mortal coil.
The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training promotes the concept that theatre artists, performers, designers, technicians, stage managers, directors, and art managers should have broadly based theatre exposure and experience. The school believes the exposure and experience gained as an Apprentice are the heart of an appreciative and creative relationship and comprise the core disciplines of any theatrical endeavor.