NOLO Bios

Cast Biographies

Elizabeth Blood, Barbara

Elizabeth Blood, soprano and composer, earned a degree in vocal performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. While she mainly stays within the classical realm, Elizabeth's curiosity leads her to do many unique artistic projects, from singing rock opera in the premiere of a 3D play (Fruition of a Delusion), to singing A cappella as the soundtrack for live dance (DanceCircus), to singing at festivals for social activism and fundraising (FemFest). Elizabeth has been honored to premiere works by many composers, including Amanda Schoofs, Sam Mullooly, Jonathan Smith, Tom Ford, and Alaric Coussons, and by way of Night of the Living Opera, Andrew Dewey. You may have seen Elizabeth in other Milwaukee Opera Theatre productions like L’Orfeo, Utterance, or Orsa ibernata. Elizabeth is excited to bring “Barbara” to life… or death…
in this operatic adaptation of horror film “Night of the Living Dead.”

Jerome Síbulo, Ben

Baritone Jerome Síbulo is an active performer, educator, and arts administrator in the Denver area. He was most recently seen as the title role of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the Pirate King in the Empire Lyric Players’ The Pirates of Penzance, a featured soloist in Opera on Tap – Colorado’s SEE/HEAR Illuminated Stories in Song concert, and as Guy in the world premiere of Nathan Hall’s kink opera, Unbound. He also sings with the Opera Colorado chorus, Central City Opera’s touring artists, and Soro and the Prince (a singing ukulele duo). When not performing, Jerome teaches voice lessons in his private studio and at Neighborhood Music School. He is also the Associate Director of the robust Music & Arts Ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver. Jerome received his BM and MM degrees in Vocal Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he also completed the coursework for a Doctor of Music degree.

Ben Yela, Johnny

A theatermaker and musician, Ben co-founded 1419, an interdisciplinary arts collective, in Minneapolis at the beginning of the 2010s. He then moved to Milwaukee in September 2012, becoming a founding member of Quasimondo Physical Theatre. Since, he has worked with several other Wisconsin companies as a performer, stage manager, and technician, including Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Theatre Gigante, Cooperative Performance, Danceworks, Optimist Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Music Theatre of Madison and others. This is his first production with MOT.

Nathan Wesselowski, Harry

Nathan Wesselowski, tenor, has been seen on stage with Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Cleveland Opera, The National Opera Company, Ash Lawn Highland Summer Festival, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, In Tandem Theatre, First Stage, Fireside Theatre and many other regional theatres. He received is Master of Music in voice performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music and Bachelor of Music from Baker University.

Nick Huff, Tommy

Kaisa Herrmann, Judy

Grammy nominated tenor Nicholas Huff's "Vocal and dramatic fearlessness” have brought him to leading roles at top companies across the country. Mr. Huff’s credits include Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni for Florida Grand Opera, “Impeccable control over fiato.” (El nuovo herald); Lucano (L’incoronazione di Poppea, Florentine Opera), “[The duet was] erotic, unabashed, dramatic...” (UrbanMKE); creating the role of Fabian Hart in Jake Heggie's 2019 If I Were You at Merola Opera; Mitch in Florida Grand Opera’s new production of A Streetcar Named Desire; Tamino in Opera Fort Collins’ production of Die Zauberflöte; and Nemorino in Miami Lyric Opera’s production of L’elisir d’amore, “An authentic bel canto singer [...], free, ringing high tones that stopped the show [... and] the melting lyric timbre, beguiling stage personality and theatrical aplomb to dominate the stage.” (South Florida Classical Review). From Kenosha, WI, Nicholas studied at Carthage College and the Eastman School of Music where he earned degrees in Vocal Performance & Literature.

Milwaukee-based mezzo-soprano, Kaisa Herrmann, completed her MM in Vocal Performance at CU Boulder under the instruction of Abigail Nims and received her BFA from UW Milwaukee, where she studied with Dr. Colleen Brooks. Her most recent performance with Milwaukee Opera Theatre was as Euridice in their collaboration with Aperi Animam on L’Orfeo. Other notable roles include Arsamene (Serse), Narciso (Agrippina), the Sandman (Hänsel und Gretel), Annio (La Clemenza di Tito), the Fox (The Little Prince), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), and Violetta (La Pèrichole). Partial roles include Tisbe (La Cenerentola), the Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Zerlina (Don Giovanni). Kaisa Herrmann has received various awards, including the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Scholarship, the St. David’s Society Music Scholarship, Friends of Music Scholarship, Moebius Merit Award, Dr. Henry and Julia Freund Scholarship, and the second-place prize at the 2019 West Central Region NATS Student Auditions.

Julianne Perkins, Helen

Julianne M Perkins, a Wisconsin native, has recently finished her Master of Music with a Concentration in Vocal Performance at the University of Denver (DU), Lamont School of Music. She recently made several role debuts, including: Micaëla (Carmen), Loathly Lady (The Loathly Lady), and Maman (L’enfant et les Sortilèges), and also performed Königen (Die Zauberflöte) and Laetitia (The Old Maid and the Thief). Julianne has performed with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Loveland Opera Theatre, Opera Fort Collins, Soulstice Theatre, Milwaukee Cooperative Performance, The World’s Stage Theatre and has sung with the Opera Colorado chorus (I Pagliacci, Tosca, and The Shining). Mx. Perkins was invited to be an Apprentice Artist with Milwaukee Opera Theatre in their 2012-2013 season and has been involved with other projects with MOT. Julianne studies with the illustrious international opera singer, Jennifer Rowley. Current coaches include Sahar Nouri, Bradley Moore, and Stefano de Peppo, respectively.

Becky Cofta, Zombie Chorus

Becky is so excited to be a part of this production! With MOT, you’ve seen her in Doc Danger and The Danger Squad and A Chorus Line. Additionally, she has worked with Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage, All In Productions, Milwaukee Irish Arts and more. She also choreographs and teaches in the greater Milwaukee area. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unconditional love and support!

Danielle Gedemer, Zombie Chorus

Shayne Steliga, Zombie Chorus

Danielle Gedemer, soprano, is thrilled to join MOT for Night of the Living Opera after having sung in the ensemble of L'Orfeo in June. Since graduating from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Vocal Performance, she has enjoyed working with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in their Connections program, writing a libretto for the Florentine Opera Company for their children’s show Cinderella, singing at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and annually composing songs with her mother for West Bend Parks and Rec Department's summer theatre show. In her free time, she loves spending time with her incredible family and friends.

Shayne, a Milwaukee native, has had an absolute blast working on Night of the Living Opera. He last worked with MOT on Ruddigore, which was produced collaboratively with Skylight. He was also a featured musical guest in Angry Young Men’s past production of Mixed Tape. After obtaining a B.A. in Theatre from UW-Green Bay and relocating back to Milwaukee, Shayne has worked on several fulfilling creative projects. One of his career highlights was co-hosting Public Television’s award-winning program, Cultural Horizons. Along with acting and working in higher education, he currently provides voice-over for the episodic podcasts Vigil, Tubular Teens with Titans and Masked Rider. He is also the lead vocalist and co-songwriter of Sorry, We’re Open.

Brett Sweeney, Zombie Chorus

Billy Ray Olsen, Zombie Puppeteer

Brett Sweeney is a Milwaukee-based performer with credits in opera, theatre, and concert work. Brett has had the joy of performing in various MOT projects including L’Orfeo, Carmina Burana, The Tales of Hoffmann, and L'enfant et les sortilèges. Other performing highlights include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (All In Productions), Little Women (Forte Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Skylight Music Theatre), La Cage aux Folles (Skylight Music Theatre), and as a vocalist for composer George Sarah’s live accompaniment of The Passion of Joan of Arc at The Milwaukee Film Festival. In addition, Brett has performed with Present Music, in collaboration with Danceworks and Chant Claire, at the Milwaukee Fringe Festival, and is a former member of the early music ensemble Aperi Animam. Brett holds a BFA in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and is an AmSAT certified teacher of the Alexander Technique.

Billy Ray Olsen is a Milwaukee based Puppeteer, Puppet maker, Writer, Illustrator, & Producer. He’s the founder & Artistic Director for Angry Young Men Ltd, the Milwaukee-based puppet mayhem troupe responsible for “Night of the Living Dead – The Puppet Show” & “Full Frontal Püppetry”. Billy Ray is also the creator and performer of Lumpy the Golem Boy, who was last seen at the Milwaukee Fringe Festival hosting the mobile talk show “Late Nite All Day”.
He’s excited to be working again with Milwaukee Opera Theatre, having last collaborated for the SistaStrings video “The Sound”. Cheers, Puppeteers and Thank You, Christine, for all of your Love & Patience.

Liz Getschow, Zombie Puppeteer

David Kaye, Zombie Puppeteer

Liz is very excited to work with the Milwaukee Opera Theatre again after such a great experience working with them in 2021. She graduated with a Theatre degree from Lake Forest College in 2005 and has worked with several theater companies in Milwaukee since then. She found her home with Angry Young Men around 2013 and is excited to be a part of this next chapter of Night of the Living Dead. Love
to Nickels and the other spooky creatures that inhabit our household.

David Kaye is writer/director/performer living in exotic West Allis, Wisconsin. He is also a multi award winning composer of music for short films, was once a judge at the world mustard championship, and formerly held the Guinness World Record for tallest stack of mattresses. In his free time, he sometimes plays with puppets.

Alice Hammers, Zombie Puppeteer

Miranda Pride, Zombie Puppeteer

If you recognize Alice from her many years portraying Barbara in "Night of the Living Dead: The Puppet Show", then she apologizes for being a bad puppeteer. Nonetheless she is delighted to be part of this exciting new vision.

Miranda has been working with Angry Young Men LTD since 2011. Previous entertainment experience includes small local theater, independent films, cable access, and the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Creative Team Bios

Josh Perkins, Librettist & Co-Stage Director

Josh has worn many hats in the theatre world, actor, director, designer, puppet builder, writer and on and on. He's directed an opera (Passion in Pigskin) for Opera On Tap Milwaukee and been a supernumerary for Opera Colorado's Tosca and Carmen. This is his first foray into writing an opera libretto so he stuck close to what he knows. He's a part of Angry Young Men LTD who has been performing "Night Of The Living Dead: The Puppet Show" for over 10 years in the MKE area. Theirs is a comedic take on the original George Romero film, this one is not. Enjoy the show!

Andrew Dewey, Composer

Andrew Dewey is a Denver-based composer. His music has been described as “funny and sad; strange and touching” and spans an array of works that range from fully staged operas to experimental performance art pieces; full orchestral concert works to dramatic solo studies; and pop-inspired musicals to podcast themes. His works have earned the Harry G. Archer composition award among other accolades. Dewey holds a Master of Music in Music Composition from the University of Denver.

Anne Van Deusen, Music Director & Keyboard

Anne Van Deusen loves creating music and storytelling whenever and wherever possible. She has over 25 years of experience as music director, vocal coach, production accompanist and pit musician. Her work spans all ages and skill levels – from 4-year-olds to ???-year-olds, from beginners to professionals, from educational programs to full-blown musical theatre and opera productions. Anne is thrilled to team up with MOT again, as they discover and share this new creation. In addition to her work in the theatre world, Anne is the Director of Music Ministries at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

Kevin Eberle, Double Bass

Kevin is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new show, Night of the Living Opera! Kevin has been involved with musical theatre since the age of 12 - he began acting on stage in shows like Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, and Peter Pan before moving underneath the stage to play in the pit orchestra. Since 2015, he has had dozens of opportunities to play bass for great shows like Music Man, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, to name just a few. Kevin graduated from Belmont University (Nashville, TN) in August 2022 with a double major in Music Performance (electric and upright bass) and Music Business. He currently teaches in the Jazz department, Choral program, and a Computer Assisted Music class at Marquette University High School (Milwaukee, WI) as well as offering private lessons to students of all experience levels.

Kat Pleviak, Shadow Puppetry

Kat Pleviak is the Artistic Director and founder of Sea Beast Puppet Company in Glen Ellyn, IL. She has an BFA in Directing from the University of Illinois (2002) and an MFA in Youth Theatre and Puppetry from the University of Hawaii Manoa (2009). Under Kat's direction Sea Beast has initiated a number of exciting puppetry projects including the Puppet Meltdown Puppet Slam, “The Shadow Puppet Conspiracy”, “The History of Light” and “Méfiez-Vous de la Vache-Garou”, which won best in show at the Chicago Fringe 2013. Her work has been featured all over the country including the Field Museum of Chicago, Illinois Wesleyan University, Fever Up, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, the Art Institute of Chicago the Detroit institute of Art, and the Skirball Cultural Center in California.

She has been a member of the Puppeteer of America since 2002 and was a featured artist in Puppetry International’s issue of “40 under 40.

Marge Frey, Stage Manager

Marguerite (Marge) Frey is excited to come out of stage manager “retirement” to work alongside her immensely talented sister and brother-in-law, Julianne and Josh Perkins, on Night of the Living Opera. She’s also no stranger to working with Angry Young Men, having stage managed NOTLD the Puppet Show and Milwaukee Fringe festival performances for them. While currently employed as a Project Coordinator for a Milwaukee-based media company, Marguerite previously worked as a stage manager at Milwaukee Repertory Theater where some of her favorite credits include Guys and Dolls, Rep Lab, McGuire, A Christmas Carol (2016 World Premiere), The Royale, The Color Purple, Harvey, The Amish Project, and staged reading of The Thanksgiving Play. Other notable stage management credits include Shipwrecked!, Becoming Dr. Ruth, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Red, and Always...Patsy Cline at Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and the regional premiere of the musical Tuck Everlasting with Children’s Theater of Madison.