Isaac

Kevin Rains

Kevin is a second year MFA Performance candidate here at USM. Kevin graduated from Young Harris College in the mountains of Young Harris, Georgia, where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre. He has most recently been seen as Benny Southstreet (Guys & Dolls), Will Parker (Oklahoma), Roland (Constellations), Lucentio (The Taming of the Shrew), and many more.

Nikolai

Travis Ascione

Travis Ascione is a Third Year Acting MFA candidate. He is from New Castle, Pennsylvania and has worked extensively in the Pittsburgh-Youngstown area. He received his BA in Theatre from Westminster College. USM credits include Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Aramis (Three Musketeers), and Cliff (Cabaret). Other credits: Harry MacAfee (Bye, Bye, Birdie), Escalus (Romeo and Juliet), Oberon (Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Trip (Other Desert Cities).

Yevgenia

Anna Carson Tyner

Anna-Carson Tyner is a senior B.F.A. Performance student and Honors Scholar at the University of Southern Mississippi. She has previously worked on USM’s productions of the Emerging Artists’ Series, Guys and Dolls (Martha, Sarah u/s), and Metamorphoses (Myrrha – cancelled due to COVID).

Vova

Cody Alexander

Cody Alexander is a former professional wrestler who received his B.F.A. in Acting from Ball State University. He is currently a M.F.A. Performance Candidate here at University of Southern Mississippi. Notable roles he has played in the past are Jamie in The Great God Pan, Santiago in Anna in the Tropics, Ron in Recent Tragic Events, Solyony in Three Sisters, Lennox in Macbeth, and most recently Lt. Brannigan in Guys and Dolls.

Urzula

Natalie Davis

Natalie Davis is a sophomore BFA Performance Major, and also a Dance Major. This will be her third performance on the USM mainstage, others being the Emerging Artists Series and Guys and Dolls. She has had previous roles of Nora in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Brooke in Noises Off, and Elena in an MFA showcase, The Purification by Tennessee Williams. She feels so blessed to be able to work with such a wonderful cast on such a special show.

Feliks

Alexander Billmayer

Alexander Billmayer is a first year performance grad at USM. This is his first show with the program. During his undergraduate time, Alexander played leading roles in Brilliant Traces, Cabaret, Reconciling, and Big Love. This is his first ever full-length virtual performance and he’s so grateful to be a part of it. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support as he pursues his graduate degree in performance.

Mariya

Elizabeth Beagley

Elizabeth Beagley is a senior BFA performance major at USM. Most recently she was an understudy for Ah, Wilderness, and before that she played #13 in The Wolves. Describe the Night has been a series of firsts and Elizabeth is thrilled to have been a part of such a brand new kind of performance.

Mrs. Petrovna

Jessica King

Jessi King – (Mrs. Petrovna) is a Senior theatre major from Hattiesburg, Mississippi pursuing her B.A. degree. This is Jessi’s first time performing in a mainstage production at USM. In the past, she has been an assistant stage manager for two of USM’s main stage productions, The Wolves and Ah, Wilderness!  She has also worked in the scene shop practicum and in the props crew for USM’s Much Ado About Nothing. She is also a member of Alpha Psi Omega, Lambda Nu chapter. She is thankful to be performing during such a difficult time in the world.

Clare Miceli

Clare Miceli is a senior BFA at the University of Southern Miss. She has been in four showcases including Marcus is Walking, directed by Aaron Brasher, God, directed by Josh Rapp, The Rover, directed by Raven McGowan, and Insanity of Mary Girard, directed by Joann Shaver. She has been in a main-stage production of The Wolves, directed by Caitlyn Herzlinger. Clare is extremely grateful and honored to be the female understudy for this production of Describe the Night, directed by Sam Buchanan.

Carter Lishen

A graduate of Long Beach High School, Carter is thrilled to act alongside his friends and mentors. As a junior B.A. student in theatre and journalism, when he’s not in rehearsal, he’s chasing a story for The Student Printz. Some of his roles at USM include Sam in A Modern Medieval Mystery (FST 2019) and Valère in The Imaginary Cuckold. Carter is thankful for his friends and family for helping him keep his head above water no matter how deep.

Director

Sam Buchanan

Sam Buchanan is a third year MFA directing student.  At USM, Sam directed the 2020 production of Robert Icke’s Oresteia.  He was the AD for 2018’s production of Cabaret, and I Hate Hamlet.  Other directing credits include Tennessee William’s The Glass Menagerie, Michael Frayn’s Noises Off, Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde, William McNulty’s Dracula, and David Auburn’s Proof.

Scenic

Aline Toloto

A native of Brazil, Aline Toloto studied Architecture, graduated in Education, and holds a specialization in Psychopedagogy. Currently, she is a second year student in the Master of Fine Arts Program in Scenic Design and Technology. As a graduate assistant, she is the head of properties of the theatre program for the 2020-21 season. Aline completed the design of Company for the 2020-21 season, which was cancelled due to Covid-19. The virtual environment she designed for the production of Describe the Night was exhibited at USITT-SE in October 2020.

Costume

Rebecca Earehart

Rebecca Earehart is a theatre artist originally from Tollesboro, Ky. She is a first year costume design graduate student. She has experience as a director, actor, costume designer, scenic designer, and as a dresser. She has performed in shows such as Einstein’s Dreams, Afflicted: Daughters of Salem, and Tartuffe. She has designed for Terra Nova, See How They Run, and [Title of Show]. She directed Morehead State University’s first virtual production of In the Next Room and was the assistant director for Terra Nova and This is My Heart for You.

Lighting

Katy Baronich

Katy T. Baronich is a second year MFA candidate for Lighting and Sound Design. Most recently she was the sound designer for Guys and Dolls. Her recent designs in lighting include Blues for an Alabama Sky and Gem of the Ocean. She recently won first place in lighting design and the Don Childs Award for Cross Discipline Collaboration at KCACTF Region 4 for Gem of the Ocean.

Sound

Tristan King

Tristan King (sound designer) is a first year Lighting and Sound Design MFA candidate. As an undergraduate, he worked on USM’s productions of The Wolves as the lighting designer and The Oresteia as the sound designer (show was cancelled due to COVID-19). He recently designed the sound for The Revolutionists.

Hair and Makeup Design

Grace Kolbo

Grace Kolbo is a Senior student working towards a BFA in Design and Tech. She is a self-taught artist hailing from Petal, Mississippi.

Production Stage Manager

Evan Cochran

More accustomed to the performance aspect of things, Evan is extremely excited to be working on this show on his debut as a Stage Manager here at USM. He has thoroughly enjoyed his time on the observant end of things, watching the cast bring the show to life through each rehearsal. As part of Evan’s performance history, he has done several shows with the USM Opera Theatre Company including The Drowsy Chaperone, as well as the Fall 2019 production of Guys and Dolls with USM Theatre.

Compositing Designer

Jax Wright

Originally from Chattanooga, Jax Wright graduated with his BA in Theatre from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. While he was completing his BA, Jax was a Charge Artist, the Scenic Designer for The Servant of Two Masters at his University as well as a Scenic Painting Intern for the Alliance Theatre. He is a first year graduate student in the MFA Program and the Paint Shop Supervisor for the 2020-21 season. Jax designed the virtual environment for The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play which was exhibited at USITT-SE in October 2020. For Describe the Night, Jax was Design Assistant and Compositing Designer for the virtual environment and live stream.

Production Manager

Craig Dettman

Voice and Dialect Coach

Robin Aronson

Robin Aronson (Vocal Coach) is a Professor of Voice and Acting in Theatre at Southern Miss and has served as the vocal dialect coach for the past eighteen years for the Southern Miss Theatre main stage productions.

Producer

David Coley

David Coley, Ph.D. is excited to join the faculty of USM Theatre this season as producer and Assistant Professor of Theatre. He graduated from LSU in 2012 and was Assistant Professor of Theatre at St. Gregory’s University. As a scholar, his work focuses on the intersection of live performance and film projection, and he is also a playwright. His highlights as a director include: The Tempest, The Firebugs, Electra, Wit, The Glass Menagerie, The 39 Steps, and Three Sisters.

Technical Director

Jay Morris

This is Jay Morris’ second year as Technical Director and Assistant Professor at USM. Previously he has worked as the Technical Director for University of Memphis Opera Department, The Honeywell Foundation in Wabash, Indiana, and Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN. He has also been the Assistant Technical Director for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera and Butler University. MFA ’19 University of Memphis, BA ’99 Indiana University.

Costume Shop Supervisor

Kelly James-Penot

Scene Shop Supervisor

Wes Hanson

Assistant Stage Manager

Abigail Johnson

Abigail Johnson is a 2nd year BA Theatre major at The University of Southern Mississippi. This is her first time helping with a show at USM Theatre directly as an Assistant Stage Manager. She has worked and volunteered for multiple shows before attending USM.

Assistant Stage Manager

Jaylon Gooden

Jaylon Gooden is a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is an ASM for his third show, Describe the Night.  Since Jaylon came to the school in the fall 2019, he’s been a part of three shows. He was also an ASM for Gem of the Ocean, and was cast in Metamorphoses. He is considering becoming a graduate student to study acting and performing.

Assistant Stage Manager

Talia Raine

Having graduated from Pearl River Community College, Talia transferred to USM as a sophomore going for her BFA in theatre design and tech. This is her first theater production at a collegiate level. This also her first time being an assistant stage manager. Talia is very grateful and excited for the experience.

Assistant Director

Peter Burgess

Peter is a BA Theatre major, with an English and Criminal Justice double minor. His work in scenic painting has included Three Musketeers, Guys and Dolls, and Gem of the Ocean. He was also assistant director on Oresteia. 

Assistant Producer

Travis Ascione

Assistant Voice and Dialect Coach

Bryan Peyton

Bryan Peyton is a 3rd year MFA Acting candidate from Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga with a BA in Theatre and minor in Music Performance. While attending USM, he has played Frau Farhenkopf in The Night of the Iguana, Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing, and Big Jule in Guys and Dolls.

Vocal Captain

Julia Smith

Julia Smith is a junior BA Theatre major here at USM. She has been involved in a number of shows at USM as a Wardrobe Supervisor, including Guys and Dolls and Ah, Wilderness!

Vocal Captain

Anna Carson Tyner

Props Supervisor

Aline Toloto

Costume Design Assistant

Olga Goupalova

Costume Crew

Rebecca Earehart
Madison Queen
Taylor Busch

Publicity

Alexander Billmayer
Shakiah Johnson

Theatre

Robin Aronson – Professor of Voice and Acting

Theresa Bush– Assistant Professor of Costume Design

David Coley- Assistant Professor of Theatre, Producer

Craig Dettman– Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound Design, Production Manager

Wes Hanson– Scene Shop Supervisor

Monica Hayes– Professor of Acting, Head of Performance

Caitlyn Herzlinger– Assistant Professor of Movement and Acting

Leketha Hughes– Administrative Specialist

Kelly James-Penot– Costume Shop Supervisor; Adjunct Faculty, Costumes

Stephen Judd– Professor of Scenic Design, Head of Design and Technology

Jay Morris– Assistant Professor and Technical Director

Louis Rackoff– Professor of Directing, Head of Directing

Sandra Whittington– Administrative Specialist

School of Performing and Visual Arts

Stacy Reischman Fletcher- Director