Richard Mason

RJ Christian is a Singer, Actor, Composer-Lyricist, and TikToker. He graduated from NYU Steinhardt with a BM in Vocal Performance and studied song writing under Joe Church. RJ is a member of BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop and the Theatre Now Writers Lab. His TikTok page @RJtheComposer gained over 100k followers during the pandemic from musical theater content. RJ was a composer and Lyricist on the Ratatouille TikTok musical and For You Paige, the first commissioned Tiktok Musical. As performer, RJ portrayed Jim Conley in American Theatre Group’s Parade and can be heard as Macgyver on the Macgyver the Musical Cast Album and can be seen as Ferb in Musical Without a Cool Acronym the Phineas and Ferb Parody Musical. RJ is a co-artistic director of The Hearty Meal, who produce regular accessible theater performances throughout NYC.

Robert

Dan Drew is thrilled to be doing his first show with Off-Brand Opera! Dan is a native of Newark NJ, and holds a degree from Rutgers University in Theater Arts and History. Following this production, he will be returning to his role as Choreographer, Principle Dancer, and Guest Vocalist with the National Tour of A Celtic Angels Christmas. Past Credits: Memphis (Huey), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), A Little Night Music (Henrik), Hairspray (Corny Collins), South Pacific (Cable), A Little Princess (Capt. Crewe), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince). IG: @dan_drew3 / www.danieldrewjr.com

Lady Ingram

Mezzo-soprano Christine Duncan has always been fascinated by the voice and the different ways it can sound, convey emotion and tell a story. Trained simultaneously in classical, world folk and musical theater, she has developed a passion for a diversity of vocal styles and projects that cross genre boundaries. Christine has worked with companies such as Grammy-winning Odyssey Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, New Amsterdam Opera, The Center for Contemporary Opera, Astoria Music Festival and the Narnia Festival. Favorite recent roles include Maurya in Riders To The Sea: The Musical, The Witch in Into The Woods and La Principessa Suor Angelica.

Grace Poole / Assistant Director

Kyra Gee is excited to be making her Off-Brand Opera debut! Kyra is an actor and director, and also works as a math and science tutor for middle and high school students. Previous performance credits include A Chorus Line (Maggie), A Few Good Men (Jo Galloway), and Mary Jane (Mary Jane). Previous directing and assistant directing credits include The Wizard of Oz, Nietzsche! The Musical, and Sweeney Todd. Kyra is a graduate of Yale University, where she double majored in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Theatre & Performance Studies. Website: kyragee.com.

Miss Scatcherd

Born and raised in New York, Tiffani is a business analyst-turned-actor, singer, and writer. She appeared in Off-Brand Opera's production of Carousel and couldn't be more excited to return for Jane Eyre! Tiffani holds a Bachelor's degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is an alum of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Recent performances include Fluffy the Pine (Forager Theater Company), Beatrice (the cell), and High School Musical (Yorktown Stage). She recently wrote a one-act play, A Salted Womb, and looks forward to its first installment, premiering this year as a staged reading.

Helen

Nicole Eve Goldstein is an NYC-based crossover artist with an affinity for both Opera and Musical Theatre. Nicole has had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Opera America and more. Credit highlights include: Iolanthe (Celia) and Anyone Can Whistle (High Soprano Soloist) at Carnegie Hall, Dogfight (Rose) and The Light in the Piazza (Clara u/s) at Red River Lyric Opera, & Aeterna (Aeterna) world premiere at The Narnia Vocal Arts Festival, On the Right Track (The Woman u/s) at AMT Theatre, Pietà (Francesca) with Off-Brand Opera, and singing with New York City Opera for the American premiere of Vessels of Light by Lera Auerbach. Nicole received her Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, as well as a Graduate Certificate from the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at The New York Film Academy.

Director

Hannah Gruendemann (she/her) is a director, composer, writer, and performer raised in Los Angeles, CA. She recently completed a year-long research fellowship studying the intersection of musical performance and the natural world in Spain, Italy, the UK, Indonesia, and Aotearoa New Zealand, which included producing and assistant directing the world premiere of a musical about reducing carbon emissions, working on a permaculture coconut farm, and walking 550 miles chasing music across Spain. Recent performance credits include Dame Hannah (Ruddigore) and Elizabeth Nietzsche (Nietzsche! The Musical), and she has had recent compositional premieres at the Northwestern Beinen School of Music, I/O New Music Festival, and the New Explorative Oratorio Voice Festival.

Trumpet

Benjamin Ray Haden is a trumpeter and Master of Music Candidate at The Juilliard School. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, where he studied Music and Religious Studies. Ben’s major teachers have included Dr. William Lawing (Davidson College), Alex Wilborn (Charlotte Symphony), Raymond Mase (The Juilliard School), and Christopher Martin (New York Philharmonic). Ben is the recipient of numerous grants supporting independent creative and research-based work, most recently including The Music and Reconciliation Project, exploring music’s intersections with the multifaceted work of healing personal, social, political, and ecological divisions.

Edward Rochester

Taiwan-born actor/singer/musician Wayne Hu has established himself as a true modern musical artist, deftly navigating across genres with his commanding vocals, nuanced musicality and magnetic stage presence. The 2013 graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and receipt of the Wilfred Bain Opera Fellowship has performed roles on the main stage of over 30 opera and theatre productions across the country. Former engagements include La Fanciulla del West (Bello) and Candide (Lion/Maximilian cover) with NYCO, Camelot (Sir Sagrimore) with The Glimmerglass Festival, Tosca (Scarpia) with New Rochelle Opera, Les Misérables (Enjorlas) with Amarillo Opera and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Gaston) with Theatre by the Sea.

Mrs. Fairfax

Michelle Jennings’ Off-Broadway appearances include Diva/Executive in A Sketch of New York (Producers Club), and Donatella in Mike and Mindy’s Wild Weekend Jam (Players Theatre). Most recently, she was Dee Dee in The Prom (Media Theatre, PA); Ariel in Grumpy Old Men (Fireside Theatre, WI); Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (Black Rock Theatre, CT); Ida in Titanic (Milwaukee Rep) and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in NYC. Michelle originated the roles of Thjodhild in the opera film, Freydis and Gudrid, releasing in 2024; and Pamela Hamilton-Ford in Divas Unleashed - The Benefit, an operatic comedy which she co-wrote and performs around the US. Thanks to my husband, Tom! @michellejenningssings

Music Director

Erin Kennedy is a music director, pianist, and singer originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her training in opera, musical theater, choral music, and collaborative piano come together to create an interdisciplinary style that blurs boundaries between genres and adapts traditional performance practices for modern audiences. She is a co-founder of Off-Brand Opera, where she previously music directed Carousel and Into the Woods. Recent music directing credits include the York Theatre, Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Green Room 42, and Don’t Tell Mama. More at erinkatkennedy.com!

Choreographer

An award-winning author, dancer, playwright, and scholar of religion, Kimerer (PhD, Harvard University) is an advocate for dance in everything she does. In addition to choreographing two solo dance concerts (Genesis and On Fire) and many musicals, she has written the book, lyrics, and music for two musicals (Nietzsche and Happy If Happy When); composed a song cycle; and written, directed and performed in six musical revues. Kimerer is also the author of six nonfiction books, including Nietzsche’s Dancers (Palgrave Macmillan) and Why We Dance (Columbia University Press). Her first musical appeared in New York City as part of the New York New Works Theatre Festival, the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, and fully produced for five performances at the Gene Frankel Theatre. Other performance venues include Harvard University, Swarthmore College, Southern Vermont Arts Center, American Academy of Religion, Dance Scholars Association, and the Fort Salem Theater (Cabaret & MainStage). LaMothe has received fellowships for her creative work from the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study; the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions, and the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (twice). www.kimererlamothe.com

Adele

Emily is a Latinè performer, writer, and activist. A proud child of immigrants, Emily is deeply connected to her Latin culture and indigenous roots and hopes, through her work, to be an advocate and activist for her community. This is her first show with Off-Brand Opera and she is thrilled! National Tours: Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure (TheatreWorksUSA), NYC Theatre: En Las Sombras (Parity Productions), The Oresteia (Gallery Players); Film: IN2U (Garage Productions). Education: BFA Acting ‘22 Ithaca College.

Cello

Anthime Miller (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed composer and performance artist based in Brooklyn. Anthime is the composer-in-residence for The Circle Theater of New York and a regular composer and actor with the National Theater of Luxembourg. Anthime is Principal Cellist of the Regina Opera Company and plays with New Amsterdam Opera, the Greenwich Village Orchestra and chamber ensembles across North America and Europe. They’re very excited to return to the stage with Off-Brand Opera! Recent Acting Credits: Alfred Stieglitz - Nearby, Faraway 2022, Bollingbroke/Jester - Richard II 2022, Ferryman - Strangers 2018, Fagin - Oliver! 2017.

St. John

Will is very excited to be joining Off-Brand Opera for Jane Eyre. Will has performed in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder with Lamplighters Music Theatre, Mayo (World Premiere) with the Crane Opera Ensemble, Wizard of Oz (Tinman) with Ocean City Theatre Co., Ring of Fire (Music Director and Man #3) with Round Barn Theatre, and in 18 productions with the College Light Opera Company including: All Shook Up (Dennis), Assassins (John Hinckley Jr.), and She Loves Me (Arpad). He would like to thank his friends, family, and Caitlin for all their love and support!

Mr. Brocklehurst

Villains, cads, and rogues are the preferred repertoire for baritone Andres Perez. Known for his powerful yet artistic interpretations, Andres has both delighted and thrilled audiences. Performed roles include Scarpia (Tosca), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), Marcello (La Boheme), Germont (La Traviata), Silvio (I Pagliacci), Renato (Un Ballo in Maschera), Dr. Miracle & Dappertutto (Les Contes d’hoffmann), Valentin (Faust), Gianni (Gianni Schicchi), Papageno (The Magic Flute), Umberto (La Serva Padrona), Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Monterone (Rigoletto), Escamillio (Carmen’s Community), Boatswain (HMS Pinafore). Oratorio/Concert soloist in the Faure Requiem, Mozart Requiem, The Seven Last Words of Christ.

Violin

New York City-based violinist Thomas Purcell has enjoyed a versatile career as a performer and educator. He has performed in many prestigious concert halls around the United States and Europe. Dedicated to growth and development of contemporary music, Thomas has commissioned and premiered numerous solo violin and chamber music works. As a freelance violinist, he has performed in many shows and orchestras in the greater NYC area.

Young Jane

Emily is thrilled to be involved in her second OBO production! You may recognize her as Louise Bigelow from Off-Brand’s 2022 production of Carousel. Emily spent the summer in Narni, Italy performing in her first opera: Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (Dew Fairy/ Sandman/Featured Dancer). She also choreographed for APTC and Forestburgh Academy’s productions of Hercules and Spongebob The Musical. Immediately after, Emily prepared to tackle her favorite theatrical role to date: Regan MacNeil in the East Coast Premiere of The Exorcist. (Yes… head spin and all.) Emily adores this classic story, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Mrs. Reed

Lou Ann Salkin holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the Asolo Conservatory/Florida State University. Upon graduation, she performed in regional theater and at Radio City Music Hall. She founded Eccentric Theater Company with her daughter Veronica and loves creating art and producing magic. Thanks to Erin & Hannah for this great opportunity.

Blanche Ingram

Veronica Shea is a singer, actor, producer and digital marketer passionate about storytelling and sharing authentic onstage connection with audiences. Recent roles include Musetta in Light Opera of New Jersey’s production of La Bohéme, Juno in & Aeterna at the Narnia International Vocal Arts Festival, Rosalinda in Eccentric Theater Company’s Die Fledermaus, Mabel in both Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan’s and Summit Chorale’s The Pirates of Penzance, and Julie Jordan in Off-Brand Opera’s Carousel. She is a Founder of Eccentric Theater Company and Off-Brand Opera, and the Director of Marketing at The York Theatre Company. veronicashea.com

Jane Eyre

Known for her “sensual” and “strong” voice (New York Times), California-born mezzo soprano Devony Smith is known for her command of a wide variety of operatic and concert repertoire. Last season held a variety of role debuts for Devony including the title role in Rossini's Cenerentola with Opera Modesto, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with New York City Opera, the Rooster in a new orchestral arrangement of The Cunning Little Vixen with Opera Theater Freiburg, Sesto in Clemenza di Tito with Bronx Opera, Maddalena in Rigoletto with Boheme Jersey Opera, and Dido in Dido and Aeneas at Teatro Commuale di Giuseppe Manini di Narni. Devony frequently collaborates with composers and recently premiered Little River Songs by Grammy-award winning composer Jennifer Higdon with Lyric Fest in Philadelphia. This coming season, she sing the alto soloist in the premiere of Benjamin Wenzelberg's Christmas Oratorio with Lyric Fest and will also solo in the world premiere of Luna Pearl Woolf’s staged oratorio Number Our Days at the new Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center in New York City with Trinity Wall Street. Outside of the operatic repertoire, Devony is an established concert singer and recently made her Carnegie Hall debut as the alto soloist in Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo with Manhattan Concert Production and was the alto soloist in Vivalid's Gloria at Carnegie with MidAmerica Productions. She was also a featured recitalist with Carnegie Hall Citywide and sang her debut of Mahler's 4th Symphony with the Colburn Orchestra in Los Angeles.

Woodwinds

Noah Vece graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2011 under the tutelage of Sam Skelton. Since then his experience playing a variety of styles and instruments has made him an active member of the New York City music scenes. He has performed with numerous local theaters as a pit musician, as well as travelled the world with international tours to Australia, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and Canada. In addition to performing, Noah is passionate about teaching, and has spent years as a private teacher of saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He is also a Vandoren Artist-Clinician, and conducts clinics and masterclasses at schools, businesses, and conferences around the NYC area.

Bertha Rochester

Jenna is so excited to be playing Bertha in Jane Eyre! Jenna is a student at Pace University getting a BFA in Musical Theatre and is set to graduate in the spring! Jenna is so grateful for this opportunity and sends thanks and love to family and friends.