The Full Time Team

Johnson is an award-winning director and producer, set designer, and writer from Rochester, who has been at the forefront of countless theatrical and film productions both on- and off-stage. He has been described as "an influential part of Rochester Arts” (West Side News), as "one of the leading figures in Rochester's musical arts scene" (Pittsford Neighbors Magazine), featured as a Rochester “Extraordinary Person” (News 8 Now), and most recently as "transforming Rochester into a mecca of performance art," (Brighton Connections Magazine).

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Johnson started OFC Creations in 2005 to offer professional theatrical entertainment, educational theatre programs, and immersive experiences to the Rochester region and beyond.

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Johnson has devoted his entire life to artistic directing, starting at the young age of 12. He is most recognized for directing and co-writing the world premiere of Eddie Money's original stage show, Two Tickets to Paradise: The Musical, at the Kodak Center. Johnson worked directly with the late Money-Man writing and arranging a majority of the new script, breaking box office records at each performance. 

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Along with Two Tickets To Paradise, Johnson’s professional directing credits include West Side Story (2014 & 2024), Kinky Boots, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Oliver, Miracle on 34th Street, and the regional tour of A Year with Frog and Toad to name a few. Johnson's directing ability specializes in storytelling choreography and transforming a traditional story into a unique experience. 

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In addition to Two Tickets to Paradise, Johnson’s professional writing credits include Hocus Pocus The Drag Parody Musical, A Golden Girls Christmas Carol, and Dance Mums: The Musical, each of which Johnson also assembled and directed a professional cast of performers.

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Through the pandemic, Johnson conceived, designed, and opened the OFC Creations Theatre Center. Though arts were limited due to pandemic restraints, Johnson developed NYS approved policies and procedures for shows and theatre classes to continue safely. After proving successful with no COVID transmission, organizations across the state and neighboring states reached out to Johnson for assistance in reopening their theatres through a similar fashion.

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Thousands of students have had the opportunity to learn entertainment industry standards under Johnson's leadership, many of whom Johnson has featured in professional productions. Johnson established and revamped drama programs at local schools across the area including Plank South, Barker Road, Seton, World of Inquiry, St Joseph's, Harris Hill, and more. Many of Johnson's students have gone off to prestigious musical theatre colleges, booked talent agents, and have become entertainment industry professionals.

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Previously, Johnson served as the Program Director of Rochester Association of the Performing Arts, the Artistic Director of SNAP Musical Theatre, and the President of Greece Performing Arts. Johnson has managed numerous performing arts centers, namely the 2,000-seat Kodak Center for Performing Arts (formerly Theatre on the Ridge). Working closely with countless local and National show promoters, Johnson managed and coordinated concerts and events such as "The Beach Boys," "Vicki Lawrence," and "Kenny Rogers."

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On stage Johnson has starred in James and the Giant Peach, The Rocky Horror Show, and the wildly popular Golden Girls Parody Musical series as Dorothy. Johnson can also be seen in William Fichtner’s feature film Cold Brook.

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Johnson's mission is to continue enhancing the arts in the Rochester region and throughout the country through interactive experiences, creative partnerships, and launching innovative avenues of entertainment.

Vaughn (previously Hunter Ekberg), a native Minnesotan, serves as the Director of Theatrical Experiences of the OFC Creations Theatre Center where he can be seen in every aspect of theatrical design and execution from lighting and special effects to set construction and artistic direction. He received his Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language Interpretation from RIT and is a nationally-certified ASL-English Interpreter. He is also a member of Actors' Equity Association, the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers.

In his five-year tenure at OFC Creations Theatre Center, Vaughn has directed upwards of 75 full length musicals for kids and teens of all ages. In addition, he is a staple Musical Director for OFC's Broadway in Brighton Series and Think Outside the Box Series, having Music Directed nearly all major Broadway-style productions at the center since his breakthrough in 2022.

Notable Artistic Direction: Ride the Cyclone, Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line. Notable Music Direction: Billy Elliot, The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, Oliver! The Musical, Dance Mums: The Drag Parody Musical, bare: a pop opera, Hocus Pocus: The Drag Parody Musical, The Golden Girls Parody Series.

Onstage, Vaughn has enjoyed playing such roles as Phil Davis (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), The Artful Dodger (Oliver! The Musical), Rose Nylund (The Golden Girls Drag Parody Series), Sarah Sanderson (Hocus Pocus: The Drag Parody Musical), Snail (A Year With Frog and Toad), and The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz).

A Rochester native with her BFA in Theater Performance from Niagara University, Courtney has been involved both on and off stage with OFC Creations since 2016. Starting at OFC as a performer, her stage credits for the company include: The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta), two original cabarets at The Old Farm Cafe ("Charcuterie & Chardonnay" and "A Celebration of Carole King & Billy Joel Hits"), Chicago (Velma Kelly), A Chorus Line (Sheila), Company (Amy), Shout! The Mod Musical (Green Girl), Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne), Spring Awakening (2022 - Adult Woman, 2016 - Ilse), The Wild Party (Queenie) and Vanities (Mary). In 2018, Courtney became a teaching artist at OFC, annually directing school break and summer camps, as well as educational programming for elementary, middle school and teen age brackets, student cabarets, audition workshops and "Experiencing" series. Since joining the company full time in 2021, she has enjoyed bringing her love of the performing arts, as well as experience in the administrative, sales and hospitality industries to create new opportunities and memorable experiences at the OFC Creations Theatre Center and The Old Farm Cafe. She has coordinated business meetings, dance recitals, networking events, holiday and birthday parties, bridal/baby showers, bar mitzvahs, non-profit fundraisers and a wedding between OFC's two venues.

Outside of the doors of OFC, Courtney is the Vice President of the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and has been fortunate enough to perform locally at JCC Centerstage, Blackfriars Theatre, The Company Theatre, Pittsford Musicals, Out of Pocket Productions, the Century Club of Rochester, Lyric Theatre and Kodak Center. She resides in Brighton with her husband Eric and their two children, Parker & Nolan.

Carroll is a choreographer and dancer who graduated from Ithaca College in 2021 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts Management and Dance. During her time at OFC she has choreographed programs for all age groups as well as working on shows included in the Professional Season. Prior to arriving at OFC Carroll served as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer for two dance companies at Ithaca College, danced in the theatre department's Dance Concert, and worked as the Assistant Choreographer for the Theatre Department’s spring musical. She has also worked as a choreographer for Interlochen Center of the Arts Summer Academy, Cortland Repertory Theatre Summer Program, and multiple high schools and elementary schools. Carroll also received training from Dance Lab New York’s Broadway Choreography Intensive where she worked with some of the top professionals in the industry, including Josh Prince, Jeff Calhoun, JoAnn M. Hunter, and Al Blackstone. In both educational and professional programs, Carroll hopes to bring innovative choreography to the stage that challenges the performers while helping them grow as individuals. She strives to build meaningful connections with dancers in a supportive and fun environment.

Griffith holds a BFA in Dance with a Choreography specialty. She returns to OFC after previously choreographing countless OFC educational programs since 2014, OFC's 2016 production of Spring Awakening, and, while at the Kodak Center, Mandi choreographed the 2016 production of Miracle on 34th Street, 2017 production of Sister Act, and 2018 production of Oliver.

Griffith's background includes owning and directing New York Academy of Dance here in Rochester, as well as studying improvisational theatre in NYC. Over the past ten years, she has been involved in the Rochester theatre community as a choreographer, performer, and director for a wide range of organizations including here at OFC Creations. Other credits include Blackfriars Theatre, where she currently serves as Board President, JCC CenterStage, Last Fool Productions (co-founder), TYKES Children’s Theatre, SUNY Geneseo, and Nazareth University, where she teaches Dance for the Musical Theatre Department. In 2022 she originated choreography for the world premiere of RISE: A New Musical, for JCC SummerStage. Mandi Lynn is also proud to be a teaching artist for The Rochester Broadway Theatre League where she also choreographs for the Stars of Tomorrow finalists. www.mychoreolife.com

Bowen is so thrilled to be joining the OFC team (officially!). As a young teen, Lauren was involved with Eric and OFC in his adventures creating performances and short films-- creating and fostering her passion for all things theatre. And now, Lauren brings a wealth of experience in customer service and leadership to her role as Patron Experience Manager at OFC Creations Theatre Center. Originally from Brighton, Lauren embarked on a successful and rewarding career in retail after studying at Roberts Wesleyan University. For the past ten years, she has honed her skills at American Eagle Outfitters, where she served as a dedicated Store Team Leader.

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Driven by her passion for the arts and community engagement, Lauren made a deliberate career transition to the theatre industry. As Patron Experience Manager, she is committed to enhancing the theatergoing experience and fostering meaningful connections with patrons. Her dedication to customer satisfaction and her innate ability to lead teams make her a valuable asset to OFC Creations.

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Some favorite on stage credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), bare: a Pop Opera (Nadia), Hairspray (Prudy Pingleton), To Kill a Mockingbird (Maudie Atkinson), Forbidden Broadway (Company), Grease (Rizzo) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene). 

Outside of work, Lauren finds joy in spending time with her husband, Matt of twelve years, and their two sons; Jamie and Jack.

Lowden is a Rochester native, with decades of teaching experience with students of all ages. She originated OFC’s Pint Sized Performers program in 2016, and has brought the love and magic of theatre to multitudes of early childhood aged children. You may also see her working with youth as a director and choreographer as well. She has taught and directed at OFC, RAPA, Spotlight Theatre Arts, A Magical Journey Through Stages, MT Ed, and countless school, church, and rec programs.

Lowden is a certified Mental Health First Aid responder, and a trained Intimacy Coordinator through Theatrical Intimacy Education. She is actively pursuing her diploma in intimacy choreography. She is also a fight choreographer for youth and adults. She has studied and holds certifications with the Society of American Fight Directors.

As a performer, Holly has frequented the stages here at OFC, RAPA, Greece Performing Arts, Last Fool Productions, Webster Theatre Guild, Neighborhood Acting Company, Out of Pocket, and many Fringe Festivals. Favorite roles include Kate Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q, Babe in The Pajama Game, and Gloria in Damn Yankees. She is ecstatic to be a teaching artist here at OFC, and to have a front row seat to watch so many talented students (young and not so young) succeed, learn, and grow in the theatrical environment.

Trine is a native of upstate NY who has been working in area kitchens and theatres for the past 16 years. She is so proud and excited to join the OFC family! She loves honing her natural culinary skills, where she can specialize in menu planning, catering, and indulging a community's love of great food.

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When she’s not tending to her menagerie of animals at home - including a small cast of chickens - she can be found gardening fresh ingredients or testing new recipes. She looks forward to taking on her role as General Manager, and being part of such an inspiring ensemble, but most of all seeing everyone at The Old Farm Cafe. She is delighted to now call OFC home, as there’s truly no other place like it. Break a leg this season!    www.TheOldFarmCafe.com