JACOB RICHMOND (Playwright) has written several plays, including: The Qualities of Zero (Dora Award nomination, Montreal MECCA Award winner for Best Text); Small Returns (Theatre Passe Muraille); Legoland (SummerWorks Award for Best Text, Frigid Festival New York Favorite Production, Vancouver Fringe Favorite Award); From Canada to Canada (CBC Radio One Award, Best Comedy); and The Punch and Judy Show (Caravan Farm Theatre). Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he majored in history and performance at Concordia University (Montreal) and is co-founder of Atomic Vaudeville, a popular cabaret theater series in Victoria, BC.

BROOKE MAXWELL (Playwright) is a freelance musician, composer and educator based in Victoria, BC, Canada. In addition to Ride the Cyclone,he has underscored and sound designed several local and national works: Gruff (Puente Theatre), And Slowly Beauty (Belfry Theatre, National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre), A Tender Thing (Belfry Theatre) The Glass Menagerie, Long Day’s Journey into Night (Bluebridge Theatre), Joan (Theatre SKAM), Busted Up(Open Pit Theatre). brookemaxwell.com

CRAIG WILLIS (Director; Producing Artistic Director) has been at the helm of Oregon Contemporary Theatre since 2003. Craig has an MFA in Directing and a PhD in Dramatic Literature/Theory from the University of Oregon. In 2008, he received an Oregon Arts Commission fellowship to train with Anne Bogart and SITI Company. Craig’s OCT directing credits include: Stephen Trask & John Cameron Mitchell's Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Jonathan Tolins's Buyer & Cellar, Jen Silverman's The Roommate, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori's Fun Home, David Ives's Venus in Fur, Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter, Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, Aaron Posner's Stupid Fucking Bird, Nathan Alan Davis's Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Bruce Norris’s Clybourne Park, Nina Raine’s Tribes, Adam Gwon's Ordinary Days, Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s Next To Normal, Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty’s Avenue Q, Geoffrey Nauffts’s Next Fall, Itamar Moses’s The Four of Us, Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R & J, Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage, Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, David Auburn’s Proof and Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth. His scenic designs for OCT include: The Flick, Becky’s New Car, The Seagull, Ordinary Daysand I Am My Own Wife

MADELINE BRAUN (Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg) is excited to be back on the stage at OCT. You may have seen her most recently as Georgiana Darcy in OCT’s Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley. Other recent favorite roles include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Bard in the Quad) and Rosalinda in J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (OSU Lyric). Madeline is a graduating senior at Oregon State University, pursuing a BA in Music with a minor in Vocal Performance. She is excited to finish her undergraduate studies and looks forward to the next chapter of performing and life. She is extremely grateful for the continued support and guidance from her friends, family, professors, and collaborative artists. A special thank-you to Amy and Liz for their invaluable support. A huge hug to Elena, Ben, Allie, Nicky, Rachel, Mom, Dad, Gramme and Den–Madeline feels so lucky to be loved by these wonderful people.

ANNIE CRAVEN (Constance Blackwood) is excited to be back on the OCT stage! Select acting credits include: Witch (OCT) The Wolves, Once, A Christmas Carol (University Theatre); Hairspray, Freaky Friday The Musical and Once Upon a Mattress (TMTO); She has also directed After the Revolution and A Girl in School Uniform (Walks Into a Bar) at the Pocket Playhouse. Last June, Annie graduated from the University of Oregon’s Theatre Arts program. She holds a BA, and an additional certificate from the Robert D. Clark Honors College where she wrote and defended an undergraduate thesis. She hopes to return to school to pursue an MFA in directing. When she is not working in the theatre, you can find Annie cafe hopping, listening to music, or cuddling with her cat, Meelo.

AVERY EBERARDO (Noel Gruber) is excited to be making his Oregon Contemporary Theatre debut. After a few years away from the stage, he is very happy to be back. Avery would like to thank his wonderful cast and crew, and would like to give a special thank you to his grandmother, Jan, and his sisters, Annabella and Gabriela, for their continued support, love and encouragement. He would not be the performer he is today without them. He hopes you enjoy the show, and thanks you for coming out and supporting local theatre.

SAMANTHA HOLDEN (Virgil/Vocal Ensemble) is elated to be back on OCT’s stage for another thrilling adventure. She was last seen at OCT as Lydia in Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley. Other notable features for Sam include The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (Lydia), Bard in the Quad’s Comedy of Errors (Adriana), and ACT’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Sibella). Samantha is passionate about intimacy directing and is pursuing an MFA in Theatre. She wants to thank everyone for being here and supporting the arts. Along with her friends, family, and spouse for always believing in her.

ETHAN KEMPER (Ricky Potts) is excited to be working at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. They were last seen as Brian French in Grand Horizons (VLT). Other favorites include: Miles in She Kills Monsters (UO), Jake Underhill in As The World Caves In (Pocket Playhouse), Beethoven in Dog Sees God (Pocket Playhouse), and Svec in Once (UO). Special thanks to this wonderful cast and crew as well as their loving partner, Laura, friends, and family.

MATTHEW MICHAELS (Mischa Bachinski) is thrilled to be making his debut at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. His last appearance was at The Shedd Institute as the titular character of The Soldier’s Tale. Other performances include Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof (TSI) and Zacky Price in Big Fish (CT). Huge thank you to this incredible cast and crew, my family, and my wonderful partner.

BLAKE "TEDDY" NELSON (Carnie/Vocal Ensemble) is honored to be making their OCT debut! Teddy has done most of his performing with Cottage Theatre, where he’s been recently seen in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), The Book of Will (Crane), and Seeking Red (Det. Jacobs). He’s also been seen in CT productions such as Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Jean-Michelle), Treehouse (Oliver), and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged (Self). He would like to thank the diligent work of his castmates and everyone on the creative team, who have all been incredible to work with. Teddy would also like to thank all of the wonderful people at Cottage Theatre, as it is the experiences and support with that community that have let him get to this point.

LAURA TUFFLI (Jane Doe) Recently graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022, majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in Music. They have spent their time in theatre focusing on costumes, wigs, and makeup. Costuming credits include: Birds Flying Through, James and the Giant Peach, Wunderkammer (LCC), Man and Moon, What The Constitution Means To Me (Oregon Contemporary Theatre); Stage management credits include: The Thin Place, Every Brilliant Thing (OCT). Acting credits include: Once, The Complete works of William Shakespeare Abridged, Advance Man (UO). Laura is excited to be back on the stage!

LEE VOGT (The Amazing Karnak) is delighted to work with OCT for the first time. Lee was last onstage as Mr. Laurence in The Very Little Theater's first iteration of Little Women, the Musical, a production that made it to one preview performance before COVID protocols suspended its run. Lee has done most of his acting in the Bay Area before moving to Eugene in 2019. A graduate of the Boston University School of Fine Arts Acting program, Lee has also studied with many teachers including Jean Shelton and Rob Reece and Eugene's own Inga Wilson. His most important teacher of art was the Chilean poet David Rosenmann-Taub, without whom Lee wouldn't be here tonight.

RILEY ALLEN (Production Stage Manager) graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelors in Theatre Design and Production, with the official specialization tag of "jack of all trades". His stage management credits includes OCT's entire 2022-2023 season (though he would like to shout out Hedwig and the Angry Inch as calling that show gave him a few grey hairs), Holiday Inn & Lady Be Good (The Shedd Institute), and Dissent (CWU Ghostlight Lab). Riley is excited to not only be returning to use all facets of his degree this season, but to have the opportunity to manage and call such a popular, cutting edge, and dynamic musical.

JULIANNE BODNER (Assistant Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be making her OCT debut! Julianne received her B.A. in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Scenic Design from the University of Oregon in June 2023. Select credits include: Scenic and Lighting Designer for A Girl in School Uniform (Walks Into a Bar) (The Pocket Playhouse), Scenic Designer for Shooting Star (Ten Fifteen Theater), She Kills Monsters (University Theatre), Elephant's Graveyard (The Pocket Playhouse), The 39 Steps (The Pocket Playhouse), and Personal History (University Theatre). Julianne's work was nationally recognized when she was awarded the National Honorable Mention for Excellence in Scenic Design at KCACTF, 2023, for Personal History.

QUINN CONNELL (Assistant Projection Designer) most recently worked alongside Julianne Bodner on She Kills Monsters through UO theatre as a projections designer, which won a KCACTF award for scenic design. Aside from theatre, Quinn is a video editor, colorist and compositor who has worked with the Erb Memorial Union, the Youtube creator Disrupt, and edited the title sequence for the World Athletics Championships. His work can be found at quinnconnell.xyz

JEFFREY COOK (Scenic Designer) is a Washington native, living in Seattle and working throughout the Northwest since 1990. For Oregon Contemporary Theater: The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, Colonialism Is Terrible, But Pho Is Delicious, Marjorie Prime, Last Five Years, Good People, Clybourne Park, Next to Normal, Assassins. Seattle design work includes: The Seattle Children's Theatre (Directors Linda Hartzell, Steven Dietz), The 5th Avenue Theater (Directors Bill Berry, Phillip George), and designs for Harlequin Productions, Book-It, Tacoma Actors Guild, Village Theatre, and Profile Theatre in Portland (Pinter season). He has designed the official City of Seattle Winterfest experience at Seattle Center since 2008. National Work: Three years at the Denver Center Theatre design and production shops, and Thomas the Train Live on Stage. Website: JeffreyDesigns.net BFA Washington State University 1991, MFA University of Oregon 1995.

DELOS LEO ERICKSON (Music Director) is a pianist, composer, educator and performing artist with a diverse musical background. Currently receiving his Masters degree at UO's Jazz Studies program, Delos strives to be in the moment with every note played. With experience in teaching, Delos has taught at multiple camps, has a studio of students, and has led many bands under his name. From playing gigs around the world, to becoming a part of the local scene, all the way to being on the stage or behind the scenes, Delos has always loved performing and expressing himself through the arts. Delos has been the MD on previous OCT productions such as Hedwig and The Angry Inch, and the composer the plays Witch and Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.

ALEXANDER HOLMES (Choreographer) is, as always, delighted to be a part of an OCT production. You may have seen him on stage recently as Legionnaire/Mike (What the Constitution Means to Me) or as the Pink Hydrangea in one of last year’s NW10 shorts (Blue Hydrangea). He has gladly choreographed for many previous OCT productions including: The Great Gatsby, The Last Five Years, and Fun Home. He would like to thank Riley, Delos, and Craig for going on this ride with him, the beautiful and gracious cast of actors, Kristy & Amanda for Portia-sitting, and he sends loving gratitude to his family/friends for their unwavering support.

RYAN RUSBY (Video Designer) is a local Eugene-based designer who works with computer stuff by day while exploring artistic opportunities in the margins. Some of his favorite sound and media design work includes OCT's Fahrenheit 451, Boom, Tribes, The Understudy, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. You can also see his motion graphics work in selected music videos and live projection for New York-based band Zed Star Seven. He would like to thank media team Donovan and Quinn for their great work on this production!

DONOVAN SNIDER (Assistant Projection Designer) is a local filmmaker and theatre artist, and is happy to be joining the projection team on Ride the Cyclone. Hailing from a tiny theatre town in Alberta, Canada, Donovan has been creating music, films, photographs, and visual art his whole life. Most of his theatre experience has been as an actor and singer, as well as a composer and sound designer. Donovan graduated in 2023 with a BA Liberal Arts from Gutenberg College, and works as a freelance videographer, often partnering with his brother Weston to bring stories to life. More of his work can be found at donovansnider.com. Donovan has been thrilled to witness the creation of this show at the hands of so many talented artists, and hopes that the visuals transport you along the wild ride of Ride the Cyclone.

AMY WEINKAUF (Properties Designer) is part of a family of artists who love good storytelling. She has worked on and off the stage in support of a variety of productions within the local arts community. Her roles at OCT include property designer, NW10 acting and directing alum, and NW10 producer. 143.

ERIN WILLS (Costume Designer) has previously designed at OCT for Colonialism is Terrible, but Pho is Delicious, Something Clean, Alabaster, A Doll’s House Pt 2, Buyer and Cellar, Art, The Roommate, Thanksgiving Play, Fun Home, 39 Steps, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Lucky Me, Clybourne Park, A Bright New Boise, Tribes, Next to Normal and Fahrenheit 451. She graduated from the University of Oregon and completed MFA work in costume technology at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Additional credits include the Old Globe Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare Festival, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, New York City Center and Broadway productions.