Peoria Theatre People

*Content note: Today on Peoria Theatre People, Sarah and Nyk discuss issues surrounding mental health, depression, eating disorders, and more. Please know that you are not alone and see the resources below for support. Nyk Sutter-Downs is currently the Campus Director at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and was recently the Theatre Manager at Corn Stock Theatre. Nyk and Sarah initially worked together when he choreographed Great Expectations show choir through the Peoria Park District cir...

*Content note: Today on Peoria Theatre People, Sarah and Lisa discuss some of Lisa's early roles in shows like The King and I. As white people, Lisa and Sarah are both committed to aiming for better representation for people of color in theatre and working toward being more inclusive. Peoria theatre needs to make an effort to be welcoming to people of color. Now, Sarah and Lisa absolutely value roles being appropriately cast in shows such as The King and I.*Lisa White is no stranger to the Pe...

*Content note: Today on Peoria Theatre People, Sarah and Connie discuss some of Connie's early roles in shows like The King and I. As white people, Connie and Sarah are both committed to aiming for better representation for people of color in theatre and working toward being more inclusive. Peoria theatre needs to make an effort to be welcoming to people of color. Now, Sarah and Connie absolutely value roles being appropriately cast in shows such as The King and I.*Connie Tumminelli is a priv...

Alex Hunt is a music teacher in Wisconsin. After growing up doing theatre in Peoria with shows like Joseph and The Jungle Book (Sarah and Alex's first show together) he attended VanderCook in Chicago and became a music teacher. Whenever he can, he does theatre in the Peoria area and also currently runs competitive theatre at Dunlap High School with his mom. Peoria audiences have seen Alex in shows like Ragtime, Newsies, and Something Rotten. You can even watch Alex play video games on Twitch!...

Joel Shoemaker is the Library Director for the Illinois Prairie District. Joel grew up in the Champaign area and came to the Peoria theatre scene by way of Eureka College (where Sarah went, too)! Joel's experience with Peoria theatre involves both acting and directing with productions like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (director), Godspell ("We Beseech Thee" soloist/Disciple), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), Shrek (Lord Farquaad), Pippin, and many more. Joel ...

Taylor Walters Greer is no stranger to the Peoria theatre scene. Taylor balances many aspects of her life, including her upcoming meditation and self-love projects, and she still makes time for theatre when she can. Even though she currently doesn't live in Peoria, her connection to Peoria theatre runs deep. Peoria audiences have seen her in a variety of productions such as Tarzan (Terk), West Side Story (Francesca), Cinderella (Stepsister), and many others. Taylor even has an award named aft...

Mary Rose Smith (Mary Rose Williams) is a music teacher at St. Philomena School in Peoria. She currently serves on the board for Metamora Thespian Society with her husband Tyler. From a young age, Mary Rose got involved with theatre alongside her siblings, which fostered a love of musical theatre and the community it brings. She has graced the Peoria stage in productions like Cinderella (Cinderella), West Side Story (Maria), Camelot (Guinevere), Les Miserables (Cosette), and many more! Audien...

Nicki Haschke is the theatre manager extraordinaire of Peoria Players Theatre. Nicki writes grants, does graphic design, and runs the day-to-day operations of PPT. Nicki does a bit of everything! Her connection with Peoria theatre runs deep as she has grown up in the Peoria area and works tirelessly to make Peoria Players all that it has the potential to be. Today on Peoria Theatre People, Nicki and Sarah discuss everything from the Normies to PPT's 2018 record-breaker "Mamma Mia!" to Nicki's...

Willis Barber is a technology teacher at Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary school in Peoria, IL. Willis is no stranger to the Peoria theatre community. He grew up in Peoria and eventually attended Huntington University in Indiana. After a few years, he moved back to the Peoria area and continued to get involved in the theatre community. He currently serves as President of Community Children's Theatre, a local theatre nonprofit that works with children ages 8 to 18. In this episode, Sarah and Willi...