Kris Allen (DIRECTOR) Newsies is the first production KA has had the pleasure to direct at The Firehouse. He has been seen ON the stage in Matilda, The Wizard of Oz, Gypsy, The Music Man, Honk!, Seussical, Bye Bye Birdie, and Billy Elliot. KA received a Column Award nomination for his portrayal of Sam Carmichael in Brick Road Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia. The past two years took KA to Denison High School, but he is excited to return to Frisco ISD this fall as Head of Theatre at Liberty High School. Thanks ever so much to his long suffering wife Hilary for her constant reassurance when I so often doubted myself!
Kristal Seid (MUSIC DIRECTOR) is excited to be back at The Firehouse, this time as the Music Director of Newsies. Previously you might have seen her as Mrs. Potts, Grizabella, or the Bird Lady. She has 20 years of experience directing, music directing, performing, and teaching voice and acting in her private studio (KristalSeidStudio.com) and at Amy’s Studio of Performing Arts and Casa Manana. Kristal holds a BFA from Southwestern University and is certified in Somatic VoiceworkTM. “Thank you, Willie, for making all my dreams come true!” Romans 8:3
BETHANY LORENTZEN (CHOREOGRAPHER) is a performer, music director, choreographer, and voice teacher based in Dallas. She was last seen on the theatrical stage as Daisy in The Firehouse Theatre’s production of Side Show. Bethany is currently a frontline singer and choreographer for DFW’s #1 party band, the Emerald City Band. She is so grateful to have the opportunity to be back choreographing at her home theatre, The Firehouse Theatre. Professional Credits: A Chorus Line (Diana) – Uptown Players; Les Miserables (Fantine u/s), Spring Awakening (Thea), Hairspray (Tammy) – Phoenix Theatre; Miracle on 34th Street – Arizona Broadway Theatre. Other favorite credits: Gypsy (Dainty June), Oklahoma! (Laurey), Company (Kathy), Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Into the Woods (Cinderella). Choreography: Music Man, Seussical (Firehouse), 13! (Centerstage Youth), 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (NTPA Rep), Shrek, Cinderella, Guys and Dolls, Seussical, and Bye Bye Birdie (Educational). Music Dir: The Drowsy Chaperone, Daddy Long Legs, The Boyfriend, Grease (Firehouse), Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story (NTPA Rep), Addams Family (CORP). www.bethanylorentzen.com
Isaiah Christopher-Lord Harris (ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER) is excited to be back at The Firehouse and is looking forward to passing on his knowledge to the next generation of Dallas performers. He is a New Orleans Native who began teaching at the age of 11. During his years as a performer, Isaiah has trained in a multitude of styles. More recently Isaiah studied at the International College Of Musical Theater in London. As a dance teacher/choreographer, Isaiah feels that it is most important for his students to feel accepted, confident, and inspired at all times. “Break legs every night, my Newsies!!!”
Hannah Tolle (STAGE MANAGER) is excited to be back at The Firehouse for Saturday Night Fever! Hannah has previously stage managed The Firehouse Theatre’s productions of Saturday Night Fever, Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast, The Spongebob Musical, Catch Me If You Can, Big Fish, Bright Star: Concert Version, Elf The Musical, and A Year With Frog and Toad. Hannah is a Farmers Branch native and graduate of RL Turner High School where she also stage managed many productions. She has also spent time as a production assistant on many a set in Los Angeles. Thank you to KA, Bethany, Isaiah, and Kristal for being such a great team to work with!
Dayna Dutton (COSTUME DESIGNER) is excited to continue working with The Firehouse Theater as their resident Costume Designer extraordinaire having costumed Bright Star: Concert Version, Legally Blonde, and Elf in 2021, then Anything Goes, Big Fish, Violet, Catch Me If You Can, and Beauty and The Beast in 2022, and this season’s Spamalot, Hello, Dolly!, Into The Woods JR, and Saturday Night Fever. Also last summer she designed Shrek and Beauty and the Beast for Acting Studio Productions. A graduate of University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelors of Fine Arts emphasis in costume design, she has enjoyed working with The Firehouse Theatre, as well as Utah Festival Opera. Dayna is grateful for the love and support of her Husband and three children. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Garret Deutsch (LIGHTING DESIGNER) is excited about his opportunity to be a part of Newsies. This is his first show as a lighting designer at The Firehouse Theatre. He is currently pursuing an education in lighting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He would like to thank his family for the support and The Firehouse Theatre for this opportunity.
Michael Marbry (SOUND DESIGNER) is excited to be returning to The Firehouse Theatre. Previous shows he’s worked on include Saturday Night Fever, Catch Me If You Can, The SpongeBob Musical, Bright Star, Once on this Island, Oswald, and Cats. He studied theatre technical design at the University of North Texas graduated in Spring of 2022. He would like to thank Owen Beans for giving him the opportunity to work this production.