DEBORAH KASSNER - DIRECTOR
As an actress, writer, producer, director, and musician, Deborah has worked in the performing arts for more than 30 years. After several years working in TV and film production with Sonny Fox, PBS, David Eagle, and the USA Network, she toured the U.S. and Europe with the L.A. Jazz Choir, sang on their Grammy-nominated album, "Listen", and performed with a variety of jazz greats, including Richie Cole, Carmen McRae, and Al Jarreau.
She toured throughout Oregon for 4 years with the satirical a cappella quartet, The Fallen Angels; wrote and starred in her own one-woman show, "Romantic with Myself"; acted in commercials and film; taught and performed with Theatricum Botanicum's Shakespearean acting company in Los Angeles; and produced and directed the LA and Santa Cruz companies of "Prime: The Rock Musical" with Luke Lehman.
Deborah has a B.A. in Theater, a California Teaching Credential, and is a member of SAG/AFTRA. She has studied Comedy/Improv with Second City Improv/Toronto, and Creative Aging teaching strategies with the Wyoming Arts Council/Lifetime Arts. Deborah has been producing and directing musical theater for young actors since 1997. She taught for 7 years in L.A. Public Schools and spent 5 years leading children's programs at the Albany County Public Library in Laramie, Wyoming.
Deborah opened the Laramie Children's Musical Theater Workshop (aka Studio 253) in 2013. In addition to teaching courses in theater crafts, comedy/improv, Shakespeare, and sound/video production, Deborah has written the book, lyrics and music for nine musical productions: "Big Day for Little Bee", "The Trouble with Togas", "Return to Camp Wild!", "Mystery of the Stolen Sapphire", "Sing Out, Louise!", "The Faux News Blues," "A Pocketful of Dirt," "Lost in Laramie," and "Meet the Macbeths!" To date, she has produced soundtrack albums for all nine of these shows, and continues to write original theater pieces for her students to perform, including a comic adaptation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, "The Emperor and the Nightingale, and "Nevermore: A Poe Parody."
In 2020, "Kids, Crushes, Corona," a video play Deborah and her students co-wrote about their experiences during the Covid19 quarantine, was added to the WY State Archives' Covid19 Collection. The script is first-hand documentation of real kids during a very real time, and is also available for licensing in schools and theaters. Proceeds from licensing benefit the LCMTW Scholarship Fund.
Deborah's 2017 musical production, "The Faux News Blues," is being developed as a resource for Cybersafety and Cyberliteracy curricula.
In 2022, Deborah received a joint WAC/NEA grant to produce a series of musical/comedy educational videos, using local actors, on the subject of financial literacy for children ages 8-18. Entitled, "MoneyWork$," these programs were presented to public audiences in January, 2023 and are being developed into a strategic curriculum for school and community use, designed to inspire with the idea that Financial Literacy can be FUN!
Deborah's plays and musical theater works, including scripts, soundtrack albums, and sheet music, will be available for purchase and licensing for community, school, and national productions in the coming year via Act Two Publishing, LLC.
LCMTW/Studio 253 hosts music and theater opportunities for children to train and perform year-round, and has recently expanded to include Musical Theater and Improv classes for the 60+ crowd. Deborah also maintains a roster of private students of ALL ages, including those studying voice, acting, guitar, Shakespeare, and piano. She coaches performers preparing for auditions, History Day, and other special projects, leads Comedy/Improv workshops for families, businesses and organizations, and creates original works for privately-contracted music, stage, and video projects.
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From the Director:
Directing programs under the banner of Laramie Children's Musical Theater Workshop/Studio 253 is the culmination of a lifelong goal -- to encourage and support young artists in the development of their talents and the pursuit of their creative dreams. And as we pursue our artistic vision, we look forward to continued opportunities to develop partnerships and collaborative projects within our community.
She toured throughout Oregon for 4 years with the satirical a cappella quartet, The Fallen Angels; wrote and starred in her own one-woman show, "Romantic with Myself"; acted in commercials and film; taught and performed with Theatricum Botanicum's Shakespearean acting company in Los Angeles; and produced and directed the LA and Santa Cruz companies of "Prime: The Rock Musical" with Luke Lehman.
Deborah has a B.A. in Theater, a California Teaching Credential, and is a member of SAG/AFTRA. She has studied Comedy/Improv with Second City Improv/Toronto, and Creative Aging teaching strategies with the Wyoming Arts Council/Lifetime Arts. Deborah has been producing and directing musical theater for young actors since 1997. She taught for 7 years in L.A. Public Schools and spent 5 years leading children's programs at the Albany County Public Library in Laramie, Wyoming.
Deborah opened the Laramie Children's Musical Theater Workshop (aka Studio 253) in 2013. In addition to teaching courses in theater crafts, comedy/improv, Shakespeare, and sound/video production, Deborah has written the book, lyrics and music for nine musical productions: "Big Day for Little Bee", "The Trouble with Togas", "Return to Camp Wild!", "Mystery of the Stolen Sapphire", "Sing Out, Louise!", "The Faux News Blues," "A Pocketful of Dirt," "Lost in Laramie," and "Meet the Macbeths!" To date, she has produced soundtrack albums for all nine of these shows, and continues to write original theater pieces for her students to perform, including a comic adaptation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, "The Emperor and the Nightingale, and "Nevermore: A Poe Parody."
In 2020, "Kids, Crushes, Corona," a video play Deborah and her students co-wrote about their experiences during the Covid19 quarantine, was added to the WY State Archives' Covid19 Collection. The script is first-hand documentation of real kids during a very real time, and is also available for licensing in schools and theaters. Proceeds from licensing benefit the LCMTW Scholarship Fund.
Deborah's 2017 musical production, "The Faux News Blues," is being developed as a resource for Cybersafety and Cyberliteracy curricula.
In 2022, Deborah received a joint WAC/NEA grant to produce a series of musical/comedy educational videos, using local actors, on the subject of financial literacy for children ages 8-18. Entitled, "MoneyWork$," these programs were presented to public audiences in January, 2023 and are being developed into a strategic curriculum for school and community use, designed to inspire with the idea that Financial Literacy can be FUN!
Deborah's plays and musical theater works, including scripts, soundtrack albums, and sheet music, will be available for purchase and licensing for community, school, and national productions in the coming year via Act Two Publishing, LLC.
LCMTW/Studio 253 hosts music and theater opportunities for children to train and perform year-round, and has recently expanded to include Musical Theater and Improv classes for the 60+ crowd. Deborah also maintains a roster of private students of ALL ages, including those studying voice, acting, guitar, Shakespeare, and piano. She coaches performers preparing for auditions, History Day, and other special projects, leads Comedy/Improv workshops for families, businesses and organizations, and creates original works for privately-contracted music, stage, and video projects.
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From the Director:
Directing programs under the banner of Laramie Children's Musical Theater Workshop/Studio 253 is the culmination of a lifelong goal -- to encourage and support young artists in the development of their talents and the pursuit of their creative dreams. And as we pursue our artistic vision, we look forward to continued opportunities to develop partnerships and collaborative projects within our community.
We are pleased to be able to hire local talent for our productions.
Here are some of the wonderful people who have come to Studio 253 to work their magic:
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Here are some of the wonderful people who have come to Studio 253 to work their magic:
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2024 CD Recording Project "Lost in Laramie" and "Meet the Macbeths!"
Will Flagg is back as our Audio Engineer on our 2 latest albums.
Performers on the albums include Teddy Hart, Abigail Buchanan, Mairin Sims, Keith Evashevski, Josie Miller, Chaitan Murthy, Truly Homer-Wambeam, Winnie Homer-Wambeam, Henry Kordon, and Kyriessa Lane. Betsy Bress is the talented artist providing graphics and CD liner notes. 2022 "MONEYWORK$"
Kyriessa Lane is back with us, this time as our Videographer/Editor/special effects wizard. Sean Thornton joins us as our Sound Tech, grip, 2nd Cameraman, and musical sound effects creator. (Kyriessa and Sean share their talents courtesy of their video services company, Xanadu Productions.) Marjorie Daley, author of "The New Adults' Guide to Basic Finances," is on board as our Financial Research specialist and Location Supervisor. Michael Lechner has signed on as our Audio/Recording Engineer, with a creative assist from Will Flagg. Scarlett Chavez joins the crew as our Choreographer. |
2022 Musical Theater Production "Meet the Macbeths!"
We welcome back Kyriessa Lane as our Backstage Assistant/Lighting Designer.
Sarah Weber returns as our Backstage Assistant/Choreographer.
We also welcome Henry Kordon, a long-time piano student, to our crew of Backstage Assistants. Henry is also featured as The Messenger and the trumpeting King's Herald in this production.
Sarah Weber returns as our Backstage Assistant/Choreographer.
We also welcome Henry Kordon, a long-time piano student, to our crew of Backstage Assistants. Henry is also featured as The Messenger and the trumpeting King's Herald in this production.
2020 Musical Theater Production "Kids, Crushes, Corona: Tales from 2020"
This 2020 production went straight to video and editor/videographer Kyriessa Lane added her magic touches to the final editing of this show.
This 2020 production went straight to video and editor/videographer Kyriessa Lane added her magic touches to the final editing of this show.
2020 Fall Musical Theater Mystery
Molly Bress has been a force at Studio 253 since we opened 9 years ago, studying voice and improv, and playing leading roles in our musical theater and Shakespeare productions. She is a recent graduate of Laramie High School, where she played a variety of roles in Theatre Guild and Musical Theater shows, including the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland" and Donna in "Mamma Mia!" We are thrilled to have Molly on board as our Director's Assistant for this new role-playing game.
Molly Bress has been a force at Studio 253 since we opened 9 years ago, studying voice and improv, and playing leading roles in our musical theater and Shakespeare productions. She is a recent graduate of Laramie High School, where she played a variety of roles in Theatre Guild and Musical Theater shows, including the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland" and Donna in "Mamma Mia!" We are thrilled to have Molly on board as our Director's Assistant for this new role-playing game.
2020 Musical Theater Production: Kids, Crushes, Corona
Reesie, Sean and Abigail will all be back working their magic backstage for our show about Teen Life.
Kyriessa Lane is also contributing her video editing talents to this direct-to-video production.
Reesie, Sean and Abigail will all be back working their magic backstage for our show about Teen Life.
Kyriessa Lane is also contributing her video editing talents to this direct-to-video production.
2019 Musical Theater Summer Camp
Ruby Novogrodsky is back with us this summer as our Camp Assistant. Ruby recently returned from Ireland, where she played violin with a group of young musicians from Laramie. She will be a Senior at Laramie High School in the Fall.
Ruby Novogrodsky is back with us this summer as our Camp Assistant. Ruby recently returned from Ireland, where she played violin with a group of young musicians from Laramie. She will be a Senior at Laramie High School in the Fall.
2019 Musical Theater Production "Lost in Laramie"
Kyriessa Lane will be joining us again, this time as our First Assistant Director. "Reesie" is currently a student at the University of Wyoming studying Musical Theatre. After graduating, her goal is to earn her PhD in Theatre and direct at the collegiate level. She is excited to be once again working with LCMTW on this awesome project and can't wait to present this show! Reesie also wrote, directed and edited the video segments for our show.
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Sean Thornton is joining us for the first time as our SR Backstage Assistant. Sean has many years of experience in the world of theatre as an actor, director, light technician, and stagehand. He has worked with youth as a substitute teacher, tutor, and camp counselor, and has worked with hundreds of students in the world of theatre, assisting in the running of K-12 productions. Sean also composed and played the music on the video segments of our show.
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Abigail Buchanan will be returning as our Backstage Assistant. Abigail has been performing with LCMTW since before it had a studio, and is excited to be back as staff. When she’s not reading, writing, or performing, Abigail enjoys spending time with her family, pursuing her Associate’s degree in English, and studying the Bible.
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Ruby Novogrodsky joined us at our February rehearsals as Cast Wrangler and Director's Assistant.
Ruby is an accomplished singer, actress and violinist. She studies voice with Deborah at Studio 253, and recently appeared as "Little Red Riding Hood" in the LHS production of "Into the Woods" and "The Queen of Hearts" in "Alice in Wonderland." She can be seen on stage this spring in the LHS production of "Pippin" as the Lead Player. |
Marjorie Daley is joining us once again as our graphic designer and PR assistant. In addition to being a terrific wordsmith, Marjorie is also our talented production photographer. She is an accomplished equestrian and a member of a horseback riding mountain rescue team.
Charles Johnson will be joining the team this year as our Costume Specialist. He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with his BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance. His passion is designing and creating clothing of all sorts for every type of person and is working towards opening his own clothing business one day.
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2018 Halloween Makeup Workshop
Guest Artist/Instructor: Kitty Haas
Guest Artist/Instructor: Kitty Haas
2018 Summer Theater Camp
Sage Weber is returning to assist with Sessions One and Two. Sage is currently earning her Master's Degree in the Philosophy of Education at Columbia University in New York.
We are excited to welcome new staff member Kyriessa Lane to the studio! Reesie has an Associates' Degree in film, recently completed an internship in Florida with Disney, and will be a Musical Theater student in the fall at UW.
Sage Weber is returning to assist with Sessions One and Two. Sage is currently earning her Master's Degree in the Philosophy of Education at Columbia University in New York.
We are excited to welcome new staff member Kyriessa Lane to the studio! Reesie has an Associates' Degree in film, recently completed an internship in Florida with Disney, and will be a Musical Theater student in the fall at UW.
2018 MUSICAL THEATER PRODUCTION - THE IRISH SHOW - "A Pocketful of Dirt"
Choreographer (Irish Dance) -- Sarah Parrish
Choreographer Ballet) - Sarah Weber
Gaelic Language Advisors - Donal O'Toole, Gerald Delahunty
Irish Music Consultant - Christopher Moody
Lighting Design and Tech: Cory Hill
Sound Design: Adam Bender
Sound Tech: Riley Shogren
Director's Assistant: Sarah Weber
Backstage Assistant: Kara Duggan
Pit Assistant: Abigail Buchanan
House Manager: Tiffany Holm
Graphics Design: Marjorie Daley
Photographer:
Videographer: Chris Moody
Fiddlers: Anna Chen, Xiner Luo
Accordionist: Blossom Lumley
Choreographer (Irish Dance) -- Sarah Parrish
Choreographer Ballet) - Sarah Weber
Gaelic Language Advisors - Donal O'Toole, Gerald Delahunty
Irish Music Consultant - Christopher Moody
Lighting Design and Tech: Cory Hill
Sound Design: Adam Bender
Sound Tech: Riley Shogren
Director's Assistant: Sarah Weber
Backstage Assistant: Kara Duggan
Pit Assistant: Abigail Buchanan
House Manager: Tiffany Holm
Graphics Design: Marjorie Daley
Photographer:
Videographer: Chris Moody
Fiddlers: Anna Chen, Xiner Luo
Accordionist: Blossom Lumley
2018 CD RECORDING PROJECT
We are delighted to welcome Will Flagg back as our Recording Engineer for the third straight year!
We are delighted to welcome Will Flagg back as our Recording Engineer for the third straight year!
SUMMER Musical Theater Camp 2017
Dee Sullivan - Songwriting, Costume Construction
Tiara LeCheminant - Hula and Haka Dance Instructor
Dee Sullivan - Songwriting, Costume Construction
Tiara LeCheminant - Hula and Haka Dance Instructor
WINTER/SPRING 2017 "The Faux News Blues"
Dave Soules - Lighting Design
Christopher Stratton - Sound Technician
Stephen Cooley - Projectionist
Dee Sullivan - Backstage Assistant
Tiffany Holm - UW Intern/Director's Assistant
Sarah Weber - House Manager
Megan Marshall - Photographer
Marjorie Daley - Graphics
Dave Soules - Lighting Design
Christopher Stratton - Sound Technician
Stephen Cooley - Projectionist
Dee Sullivan - Backstage Assistant
Tiffany Holm - UW Intern/Director's Assistant
Sarah Weber - House Manager
Megan Marshall - Photographer
Marjorie Daley - Graphics
2017 CD PROJECT - "SING OUT, LOUISE!"
Recording Engineer - Will Flagg
Additional Mixing and Editing - Juliana Abas
Graphics - Betsy Bress
Liner Notes Design - Marjorie Daley and Madora Daley-Green
Recording Engineer - Will Flagg
Additional Mixing and Editing - Juliana Abas
Graphics - Betsy Bress
Liner Notes Design - Marjorie Daley and Madora Daley-Green
FALL 2016 - GUEST ARTISTS
Marjorie Daley - Kumihimo Weaving
Christopher Stratton - Sound and Light Technician
Sage Weber and Sarah Weber -- Backstage Assistants
Alex Coffey - Raven costume construction
Tara Collier - Raven masks
Will Flagg -- CD Recording Project Engineer
Chris Moody - Bones (percussion)
Marjorie Daley - Kumihimo Weaving
Christopher Stratton - Sound and Light Technician
Sage Weber and Sarah Weber -- Backstage Assistants
Alex Coffey - Raven costume construction
Tara Collier - Raven masks
Will Flagg -- CD Recording Project Engineer
Chris Moody - Bones (percussion)
SUMMER 2016 -- GUEST ARTISTS
Dane Oliver - Puppet Making
Kevin Inouye - Stage Combat
Dane Oliver - Puppet Making
Kevin Inouye - Stage Combat
SPRING 2016 - "SING OUT, LOUISE!"
Backstage Assistants: Dee Sullivan, Sage Weber, Sarah Weber
Sound: Christopher Stratton
Lights: David Soules
Backstage Assistants: Dee Sullivan, Sage Weber, Sarah Weber
Sound: Christopher Stratton
Lights: David Soules
WINTER/SPRING 2016 - CD RECORDING PROJECT
We were incredibly fortunate to have Will Flagg as our recording engineer, mixer, editor and guest artist.
Additional editing on the CDs was done by Julian Abas.
Graphics and liner notes were created by the unflaggable Betsy Bress, with additional input from Jay Bress @ Modern Printing.
We were incredibly fortunate to have Will Flagg as our recording engineer, mixer, editor and guest artist.
Additional editing on the CDs was done by Julian Abas.
Graphics and liner notes were created by the unflaggable Betsy Bress, with additional input from Jay Bress @ Modern Printing.
FALL 2015 - "THE STORY OF FERDINAND"
Costume Design/Construction and Backstage Assistant: Dee Sullivan
Guest Musical Director/Conductor: Kevin Hart, Director of Laramie Community Guitar
Guitarists: Jade Howdeshell, Keegan Miller, Chet Russell
Lighting Design: David Soules
Sound: Christopher Stratton
Prop Construction Assistant: Dane Oliver
Costume Design/Construction and Backstage Assistant: Dee Sullivan
Guest Musical Director/Conductor: Kevin Hart, Director of Laramie Community Guitar
Guitarists: Jade Howdeshell, Keegan Miller, Chet Russell
Lighting Design: David Soules
Sound: Christopher Stratton
Prop Construction Assistant: Dane Oliver
SUMMER 2015: "BIG DAY FOR LITTLE BEE" (2015 edition)
Matt Bress: Light and Sound Tech
Sage Weber: Director's Assistant
Sarah Weber: Backstage Assistant.
Matt Bress: Light and Sound Tech
Sage Weber: Director's Assistant
Sarah Weber: Backstage Assistant.
WINTER 2015: "THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN SAPPHIRE"
Lighting Tech and Design: David Soules
Sound Tech: Adam Bender - Benderuble Sound
The Band: Drums: Jeremiah Wright
Saxophone: Michael Peterson
Bass: Nick Lulias
Keyboards: Deborah Kassner
Rehearsal Musicians: Saxophone: Parker Knerr Drums: Tony Trent
Wardrobe Assistant: Dee Sullivan
Backstage Assistants: Christopher Stratton (Stage Manager), Chloe Skaggs, Dee Sullivan
Foley/Sound FX: Christopher Stratton
Graphic Design: Betsy Bress
Lighting Tech and Design: David Soules
Sound Tech: Adam Bender - Benderuble Sound
The Band: Drums: Jeremiah Wright
Saxophone: Michael Peterson
Bass: Nick Lulias
Keyboards: Deborah Kassner
Rehearsal Musicians: Saxophone: Parker Knerr Drums: Tony Trent
Wardrobe Assistant: Dee Sullivan
Backstage Assistants: Christopher Stratton (Stage Manager), Chloe Skaggs, Dee Sullivan
Foley/Sound FX: Christopher Stratton
Graphic Design: Betsy Bress
2014 - 2018 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE LAURA COX
Laura Cox has been writing and performing since she participated in her first theater production with Deborah Kassner in the third grade. Studio 253 is proud to have her as a part of the behind-the-scenes team! 2010 - Reeling Film Fest in Chicago 2011 - Writer, actor - “Records”, a film about sock puppets. Screened at the 2011 Associated Colleges of Midwest Arts Festival; Co-hosted “Deep-Fried Comedy on a Stick,” a weekly radio show on WMCN 2013 - B.A. in Media and Cultural Studies from Macalester College, Improv comedy at HUGE Theater in Minneapolis 2017 - MFA in Screenwriting at CSUN Ongoing - Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in L.A. , SHINE, Santa Monica |
FALL 2014: "The Emperor and the Nightingale"
Sound Technician and Backstage Assistant: Christopher Stratton
Lighting Designer and Sound Operator: David Soules
Graphic Design: Betsy Bress
Sound Technician and Backstage Assistant: Christopher Stratton
Lighting Designer and Sound Operator: David Soules
Graphic Design: Betsy Bress
SUMMER 2014: "RETURN TO CAMP WILD!"
SARAH WEBER: "Camp Counselor #1" and Backstage Assistant
SOPHIE MILLER: "Camp Counselor #2" and Backstage Assistant.
MATT BRESS: Light and Sound Tech
SPRING 2014 - "THE TROUBLE WITH TOGAS"
TARA COLLIER: Guest Artist, Costume Design
KHYRSTYN JACKSON, MELODY PARK, CHRIS STRATTON and LAURA MESTAS: UW interns
DAVID SOULES: Light Tech and Design
LUCAS WOODBURY: Sound Tech
SARAH WEBER: "Camp Counselor #1" and Backstage Assistant
SOPHIE MILLER: "Camp Counselor #2" and Backstage Assistant.
MATT BRESS: Light and Sound Tech
SPRING 2014 - "THE TROUBLE WITH TOGAS"
TARA COLLIER: Guest Artist, Costume Design
KHYRSTYN JACKSON, MELODY PARK, CHRIS STRATTON and LAURA MESTAS: UW interns
DAVID SOULES: Light Tech and Design
LUCAS WOODBURY: Sound Tech
SUMMER 2013
"GO FISH!" AND "BIG DAY FOR LITTLE BEE" GUEST ARTIST TIARA LE CHEMINANT - Hula Instructor SAGE WEBER: Director's Assistant ADELAIDE STEINKE - "Mother Nature" and Backstage Assistant SUMMER 2013 - "CAMP WILD!" SARAH WEBER: Director's Assistant TARA COLLIER: Guest Artist, African Mask Making WILLIAM FLAGG: Sound Tech MATT BRESS: Light Tech |