ABOUT OUR FABULOUS TEAM
OFC Creations is incredibly proud of our extensive team of talented individuals that make what we do possible. We can't wait to see you at the theatre!
The Full Time Team
Eric Vaughn Johnson
Owner
Executive & Artistic Director
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).
Johnson started OFC Creations in 2005 to offer professional theatrical entertainment, educational theatre programs, and immersive experiences to the Rochester region and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Contact Eric Vaughn Johnson at Info@OFCCreations.com
Hunter Ekberg
Director of Theatrical Experiences
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 three-year tenure at OFC Creations Theatre Center, Ekberg 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, Ekberg 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).
Contact Hunter Ekberg at Hunter@OFCCreations.com
Courtney W. Schutt
Operations Manager
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 sales, hospitality and public relations/marketing 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 is a performance educator for local organization Impact Interactive – a theatre-based training company that helps organizations create healthy, diverse and inclusive learning and working environments. Courtney has been fortunate enough to perform locally at JCC Centerstage, Blackfriars Theatre, Out of Pocket Productions, the Century Club of Rochester, Pittsford Musicals, Lyric Theatre and Kodak Center.
Contact Courtney Schutt at Courtney@OFCCreations.com
Or by calling 585-667-0954 ext. 3
Lauren Bowen
Patron Experience Manager & Interim Operations Manager
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.
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.
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.
Contact Lauren Bowen at Lauren@OFCCreations.com
Or by calling 585-667-0954 ext. 2
Caeli Carroll
Company Choreographer
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.
Contact Caeli Carroll at Caeli@OFCCreations.com
Sarah Trine
Cafe General Manager
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.
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
Contact Sarah Trine at Sarah@OFCCreations.com
Holly Lowden
Theatre Arts Instructor
Resident Stage Combat and Intimacy Director
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.
Contact Holly Lowden at Holly@OFCCreations.com
Minah Tucker
Theatrical Costumer
Smith-Tucker, recently relocated from her home town of Fayetteville Arkansas, is pleased to be returning to upstate New York for her OFC Creations debut as Costume Designer. Her previous work has been seen on stages across the US with design credits like; Legally Blonde: the musical, with the Cohoes City Music Hall. Hansel and Gretel: the opera with the South Arkansas Symphony, Sweeney Todd with Arts One Presents, Hansel and Gretel: the opera, with the university of Arkansas School of Music, A Midsummer Night's Dream with the Northwest Arkansas Shakespeare Festival, Clown Bar, with TheatreOCU, Into the Woods with New Threshold Theatre, and The Glass Menagerie with Fayetteville High-school.
She has also worked as an Assistant Designer on productions with TheatreSquared for, Skeleton Crew, The Wolves, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Once: The Musical, and Fault.
Other Assistant Design credits include: La Boheme, Little Women, and Abduction from the Seraglio with Opera in the Ozarks. Peter and the Star Catcher with TheatreOCU, La Rondine, OCU School of Music, and House of Atreus with TheatreOCU.
She has also had the privilege of working as a first hand for Haus of D'LEE designs ( designer most often featured in several seasons of RuPaul's drag race), Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and TheatreSquared.
She has also worked as a wardrobe supervisor for TheatreSqaured, Walton Arts Center, Lyric Theatre OKC, The Civic Center OKC, Opera in the Ozarks and the OKC Philharmonic (shows featuring Kelly O'hara and Kristin Chenowenth). She studied costume design at Oklahoma City University, and was most recently a staff Cutter/Draper for the University of Arkansas School of Theatre where she created custom patterns and garments for shows such as The Revolutionist, and Trojan Women.
Contact Minah Tucker at Minah@OFCCreations.com
Teaching Artists
Kaitlyn Baldwin
Teaching Artist
Baldwin is a seasoned Off-Broadway credited performer from Rochester, NY and serves as OFC's Marketing Manager. She manages and creates content for all of OFC's social media accounts, and also has a hand in creating unique merchandise sold at the theatre. Baldwin has been part of the Rochester Community Theater scene for over fifteen years and will be part of OFC's Broadway in Brighton Series in Kinky Boots (Lauren) and The Producers (Ulla).
She has written and directed original works for The Old Farm Cafe and the Main Stage such as: Bad Babes of Broadway, The Old Farm Tree Lighting Ceremony, Villain’s Family Fun Musical Brunch, Bosom Buddies: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury, Bonny Bunny's Easter Adventure and OFC's Princess Celebrations. Baldwin was also the first director in the Rochester area to take on the new musical: Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium. Baldwin has starred in many OFC productions, such as: Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), Oliver! (Nancy), Company (April), and Man of La Mancha (Aldonza). Kaitlyn also enjoys assisting with costumes, props, and children's programs.
Contact Kaitlyn Baldwin at Kaitlyn@OFCCreations.com
Eric Schutt
Teaching Artist
Schutt is a Rochester native who graduated with a BFA in Acting from State University of New York at Fredonia. He’s been a happy part of the OFC Creations family since 2017, performing productions such as Tick, Tick…BOOM! (Jonathan); Forbidden Broadway; The Golden Girls and The Golden Girls: Christmas Carol Musical Parodies (Blanche); A Chorus Line (Mike); The Wild Party (Burrs). He has also worked as a teaching artist during the summers at OFC on a multitude of shows, including Something Rotten; Head Over Heels; Heathers; RENT; Jekyll & Hyde; Newsies; Sweeney Todd; Les Miserables; Spamalot; The Addams Family Musical. Other Rochester acting credits include JCC CenterStage’s The Hitmakers series; First Date: The Musical; Titanic, as well as Blackfriars Theatre’s Guys & Dolls (Harry); The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Joe); Hands on a Hardbody (Greg). Eric enjoys spending his offtime with the two loves of his life, Courtney Weather Schutt, and their daughter, PJ.
Contact Eric Schutt at ESchutt@OFCCreations.com
Mariah Smith
Teaching Artist
Smith moved to Rochester from the Pacific Northwest in 2018. She first shared the stage at OFC in their production of Avenue Q. Her Washington state credits include Curtains! (Georgia Hendricks), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette), Xanadu (Erato), The Music Man, Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, and many others. She also directed youth productions of Stuart Little and Lion King Kids, and is very excited to be back combining her theatre and education experience here at OFC. When not jumping in on a show or event at the theatre, Mariah works as a program instructor for Homesteads for Hope in Spencerport.
Contact Mariah Smith at Info@OFCCreations.com
Orlando Boxx
Teaching Artist
Boxx is currently in his first year as a second grade teacher, but still makes time to perform and direct outside of the classroom. The most recent shows he has been in were Sweet Charity (Brubeck), Avenue Q (Gary Coleman), Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Songs For a New World (Man 1) and Man of La Mancha (Anselmo) with OFC, Ragtime (Ensemble) and Newsies (Elmer/Brooklyn Newsie) at the JCC. He has been a Teaching Artist at OFC for 2 years now where he has Artistic Directed, Music Directed and Choreographed. He loves being able to teach students in the classroom and onstage! He strongly believes that music and education go hand in hand, and that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow.
Contact Orlando Boxx at Orlando@OFCCreations.com
Tripp Hanson
Teaching Artist
Hanson has appeared on Broadway as well as on concert stages all over the planet (including in each of the 50 United States!). On Broadway, he was in the original Tony Award winning Best Musical, ‘Crazy for You’, the Tony Award-winning Best Revival of ‘Kiss Me, Kate!’, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, ‘Boys from Syracuse’ and ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’. Tripp began his professional performing career singing and dancing with Mickey and Minnie during the summer between his junior and senior years at college as an ‘All American College Singer and Dancer’, before joining their professional promotional group, The Kids of the Kingdom. He appeared with Liza Minelli, Tommy Tune, Peter Allen, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Sutton Foster, Chita Rivera. He also did a stint as a back-up singer for old school country great, Eddie Arnold. Tripp has played Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Kennedy Center & The Hall of Columns in Moscow. Tripp also spent 15 years running his very successful NYC acupuncture practice.
Contact Tripp Hanson at info@OFCCreations.com
Michael King
Teaching Artist
King is super excited to be a part of OFC’s educational programs and Broadway in Brighton Series! Recently graduated from Nazareth College with a degree in Musical Theatre, he is excited to be working in the outside world while still being close to home. Recently Michael was seen in Dance Mums (Phyl); The Rocky Horror Show (Ensemble); and White Christmas (Mike/Mr. Snoring Man). Michael is so excited to hop on the train that is OFC and work with so many talented people on and off-stage. @michaellkingg
Contact Michael King at Info@OFCCreations.com
Hadley Strelau
Teaching Artist
Strelau is a Rochester native and has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Nazareth College. Strelau joined the OFC Creations team in 2020 as a private voice and piano teacher and has since music-directed a variety of kid's programs, including Lion King KIDS, Beauty and the Beast Jr, Shrek Jr, and many more. OFC performance credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy Gale), White Christmas (Betty Haynes), and Kinky Boots (Nicola U/S). Other performance credits include: Newsies (Katherine Plumber) with RCT, Little Women (Beth March) with Webster Theater Guild, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Betty, Cynthia U/S) with JCC Centerstage. She also performs as a backup vocalist for Josh Groban when he is in the upstate New York area, and has appeared several times with the Greater Rochester Women's Philharmonic as a featured soloist. When she's not at the theater, she can be found exploring the great outdoors with her husband, Jonah, and their dog, Denali.
Contact Hadley Strelau at Hadley@OFCCreations.com
Ariana Rivera
Teaching Artist
Rivera graded in 2021 from Montclair State University where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre. She has been seen performing in the area recently as Rosalia in West Side Story in OFCs Broadway in Brighton series, as well as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Wendla in Spring Awakening with The Company Theatre. She has a passion for education as well as performing, and she has teaching experience with students of all ages ranging from infancy through high school.
Contact Ariana Rivera at Info@OFCCreations.com
Guest and Seasonal Artists
Jay SimmonsSimmons is an actor, director, fight choreographer and private acting coach in Rochester. He has studied theatre for 31yrs and 26yrs+ experience in professional and regional theater locally and nationally. He has studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern and classical vocal training in opera for 15 yrs. He has created multiple summer camps, and has done over 100 master classes at area schools, programs and colleges. J was featured in the CITY paper's “Rochester 10”, one of his highest honors. | Marge MattioliMattioli last performed at OFC in 2 productions: Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree and the role of Gemma in The Tribute to Connie Francis. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a BA in English/Theatre. Marge received her Masters in English Secondary Education from SUNY Brockport and NYS Certification to teach. Marge has performed on stage and film for 35 years. | Courtney LarkinLarkin is a special education math teacher at Greece Athena. She holds a Master’s Degree in Adolescent Math Education from SUNY Brockport. Courtney has directed/choreographed previously for Athena Middle School, SNAP, Olympia, Odyssey, Artists Unlimited, RAPA, OFC, GAMS Show Choir, and Olympia’s Show Choir. She has taught dance at Danc’letics and RAPA and has performed in multiple community shows around Rochester. She also led a team of select students for Michael Buble’s “Higher.” |
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Kathleen CostaCosta has worked as a vocal instructor since '97. She studied Vocal Performance at the University of Windsor and Humber College for Vocal Jazz. as well as lessons with Marni Nixon (known for voicing the film roles of Maria in West Side Story and Eliza in My Fair Lady). She has worked as director, musical director, movement teacher, and acting coach on various productions. Kathy has training in Estill Voice, Feldenkreis and the LoVetri Method, which she uses in all aspects of her teaching. | Monique FranzFranz is an international songwriter, playwright, and theatre director whose programs have taken place across the Eastern globe. She is celebrated In Hong Kong as the head performing arts mentor of the former International Academy of Film/Television where she taught Hong Kong’s most phenomenal talent in onstage/on-camera acting, voice, and movement. Monique has held children’s enrichment workshops in Egypt, India, and Ethiopia, where she instructed hundreds of kids in the arts. | Rebecca KempKemp is a choral and music teacher at Barker Road Middle School in Pittsford where she works with students in 6th to 8th grade. She also serves as the vocal director for Barker Road Middle School’s 7th and 8th grade musical. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music therapy and music education from Nazareth College and a Master of Science degree in creative arts therapy. She currently performs around the Rochester area with Concentus Women’s Chorus. |
Marissa DelVecchioDelVecchio is a recent graduate of Niagara University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance. Most recently, she toured the United States and Canada with Missoula Children's theatre for which she directed and acted in their production of Peter and Wendy. Since returning to her hometown in Rochester, she is very excited to be a part of the theatre community that started her passion for the arts. | Liv ReinaReina recently graduated from Our Lady of Mercy. She will be attending Monroe Community College this fall for Theatre Arts & Photography. She has been working with OFC since 2020 and has directed Alice and Wonderland, Snow White and assisted on choreography for several shows. She also has the pleasure of directing at Mercy's Middle School. Some past credits include Jo March (Little Women), Ivy (Bare: A Pop Opera), Leading Player (Pippin), Thea (Spring Awakening), and Sheila (A Chorus Line). | Laura Jean (Smillie) DiekmannDiekmann is a graduate of SUNY Brockport with a degree in dance. In New York City she worked as a professional Dancer/Singer/Actress. Favorite Credits include: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Crazy for You (Sacramento Music Circus), Cabaret (Walnut Street Theatre), and Evita (Cherry County Playhouse). For the past 14 years she has been a private Voice Coach and has choreographed for Nazareth College and many Pittsford schools’ musicals and show choirs. |
Ella BarnardBarnard is currently a student at Nazareth University studying Communications & Media, along with a minor in Musical Theater. She has had the pleasure of assisting with many of OFCs Pint Sized Performer classes and camps, along with working as backstage crew for a number of shows. Ella is also a frequent performer with past credits including Fastrada (Pippin), Snoopy (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Shelby (The Prom), and The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). |
OFC is proud to have a range of behind the scenes team members who help us shine on and off stage!
Bookkeeper: Susan Gould
Legal: Underberg and Kessler
Graphic Design: Bil DeAscentiis
Web Optimization: YPC Media
Photography: SamperImages
Film & Video Services: BPM Video
Casting Director: Scott Charles Jr
Front of House: Allan O'Grady Cuseo, John Ninfo
"Welcome" Voice & Character Voice Overs: David Autovino
Bar Service & Concessions: CRB Beer and Wine Bar
Bakery Service: Tu Amor Cakery