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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

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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, 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

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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. 

 

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 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), The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz), Lurvy (Charlotte's Web), and Fairy Godmother (Bibbidi Bobbidi Cinderella).

Contact Hunter Ekberg at Hunter@OFCCreations.com

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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

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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

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Stephanie Roberts

Theatrical Costumer

Roberts is a born and raised Rochester native. She received her BFA in Theatrical Design and Production with a double concentration in Costume Design and Stage Management from Niagara University. She minored in studio arts, fine arts, and dance. ​

 

Since returning from college, Roberts has been a contracted costumer for OFC Creations and other theatres and schools in the area. Roberts is excited to be coming on board to create costumes that help to create the characters of the show. Roberts has costumed over 100 productions so far in her career including notable OFC credits: “Spongebob the Musical”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, and “The Golden Girls Musical.”

Contact Stephanie Roberts at Steph@OFCCreations.com

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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

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Kaitlyn Baldwin

Marketing Manager

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

Or by calling 585-667-0954 ext. 1

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Eric Schutt

Company Member & Theatre Arts Instructor

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

Teaching Artists & Production Assistants

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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

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Jonah Martin
Teaching Artist

Martin studied Musical Theatre at Lancaster Bible College and is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed in a myriad of shows all over the country. Credits include Almost Heaven: John Denver's America (Denver), Ring of Fire (Cash), Stand By Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story (George Ritchey), The Alaska Cabin Nite Theatre (Charlie McGonagall), the national tour of The Buddy Holly Story (Joe B. Mauldin), and Newsies (Jack Kelly). 

Contact Jonah Martin at Jonah@OFCCreations.com

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Mariah Smith

Production Assistant

Smith has just recently joined the OFC Creations community after moving 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

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Hadley Strelau
Teaching Artist

Strelau is a Rochester native and has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Nazareth College. No stranger to the stage, she can often be seen performing around the Rochester area in various productions and events, and as backup vocals for Josh Groban. As a teaching artist, Strelau strives to instill confidence and joy through the arts in all her students. Favorite performance credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy Gale), Newsies (Katherine Plumber), Little Women (Beth March), and Urinetown (Hope Cladwell)

Contact Hadley Strelau at Hadley@OFCCreations.com

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Nate Kelly-Dumont

Production Assistant

Kelly-Dumont ( he/they) is a multi-faceted theater artist. From directing, to choreographing, to stage managing he does it all. A recent graduate from Point Park University. Nate's theatre mission is to educate audiences with the art form of theatre. Nate believes that ignorance or hatred comes from a lack education or knowledge. Therefore reflecting someone's life on stage will allow the audience to see and learn from their story. Recent credits include: Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (assistant director), Birth of Paper (Productions Stage manager) , and Spring Awakening (assistant fight/intimacy coordinator). Current OFC credits include High School Musical jr. (Admin), Peter Pan jr. (Admin), Willy Wonka jr. (Admin), Beauty and the Beast jr. (Admin), and with many more to come. Nate is so thankful for this opportunity to work with OFC on their Broadway in Brighton series and can not wait to get started!

Contact Nate Kelly-Dumont  at Nate@OFCCreations.com

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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

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Holly Lowden
Teaching Artist

Lowden has a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University, and has dedicated her career to the education of young children. She has over 21 years of experience teaching and choreographing.

As a performer, favorite roles include Gloria (Damn Yankees), Kate Monster/Lucy (Avenue Q), Bet (Oliver), Martha (Spring Awakening) at OFC, as well as roles with Last Fool Productions, Out of Pocket, Neighborhood Acting Company, Webster Theatre Guild, Greece Performing Arts, and TRU ART Dance Factory.

Holly has directed and choreographed shows for all ages at OFC, RAPA, West Seneca Youth Theatre, Williamson Middle and High Schools, Spotlight Theatre Arts, STAGES, MT Ed, Williamsville Academy of Theatre Arts, Caulkins Road Middle School, and Asbury First United Methodist Church. She taught dance and gymnastics classes for ages 3-12, and developmental parent-child classes for families with children as young as 4 months old as the Gym Director of The Little Gym, and spent many years in a career as a Preschool Program Advisor of Expressive Beginnings Childcare.

Holly has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to learning, and utilizes this ideology in each and every teachable moment and interaction. She prides herself on being an advocate for early childhood education, and strives to offer the most fun, welcoming, and safe learning environment, so students can truly explore their relationship with theatre.

Contact Holly Lowden at Holly@OFCCreations.com

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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

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Rebecca Brink

Teaching Artist

Rebecca Brink is excited to join the OFC team and is a Rochester native with over two decades of teaching experience in the United States and abroad. She holds a MusB in vocal performance and a BA in linguistics, both from Boston University. Additionally, she has a MM in Music Education and MAT in Special Education from the Eastman School of Music and Morningside University, respectively.

 

As a performer, she has sung with and directed the International Belgrade Singers and Accragio international choir. In addition to various solo performances, she has appeared on stage with the International Players Accra and in the documentary Kalemegdan Kaddish.

 

Brink has been involved in various aspects of theatrical productions for children of all ages, including directing, musical directing, choreographing, costume design, and set design. Recent directing credits include Once on this Island (musical director), Into the Woods Jr. (director and musical director), and Madagascar Jr (director, musical director, choreographer).

Contact Michael King at Info@OFCCreations.com

Guest and Seasonal Artists

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

Front of House: Allan O'Grady Cuseo, John Ninfo, Mark DiNitto

"Welcome" Voice & Character Voice Overs: David Autovino

Bar Service & Concessions: CRB Beer and Wine Bar

Bakery Service: Tu Amor Cakery

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