top of page

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 High Res 2 (2).jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

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-2023_06-web.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

Hunter E. Vaughn

Director of Theatrical Experiences

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).

Contact Hunter Vaughn at Hunter@OFCCreations.com

ofc-creations_308-Edit-3.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

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 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.

Contact Courtney Schutt at Courtney@OFCCreations.com
Or by calling 585-667-0954 ext. 3

Caeli-Carroll_024-web.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

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

image1.jpeg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

Mandi Lynn Griffith

Interim Company Choreographer

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

Contact Mandi Griffith at Mandi@OFCCreations.com

Lauren-Bowen462-Retouched.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

Lauren Bowen

Patron Experience 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

Holly-Lowden-_803-2.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

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

Headshots 5.jpg
OFC20-Square-Logo-SOCIAL.jpg

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

Teaching Artists & Production Team

Zimmer Laura - Headshot 2024.jpeg

Laura Zimmer

Social Media Manager, Teaching Artist

A Rochester native, Laura is thrilled to be working with OFC Creations! After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre, she spent four more years living and learning in New York City. During her time in New York she was fortunate enough to learn from artists such as John Kander, Boyd Gaines, Randy Graff, Christopher Jackson, David Loud and many more. She was also able to study Shakespeare abroad with the Prague Shakespeare Company, perform with Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, NY, Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY, and participate in the creation of Green Room 42’s I’ve Been Robbed: A Night of Riggory and Robbery. While Laura loves performing, she is always happy to help put on a show any way she can! Besides theatre, her hobbies include crocheting, reading, baking, writing, and most importantly, being a dedicated dog mom.

Contact Laura Zimmer at
Laura@OFCCreations.com

Kaitlyn-Baldwin_2-web.jpg

Kaitlyn Baldwin
Content Creator, Teaching Artist

Baldwin is a seasoned Off-Broadway performer from Rochester, NY and serves as OFC's Director and Writer of many events and family shows at The Old Farm Cafe. She also helps with OFC's social media, and has a hand in creating unique merchandise sold at the theatre. Baldwin has been part of the Rochester Theater scene for over fifteen years. She will be performing in the ensemble of Gypsy this year for the second season of Broadway in Brighton.

Baldwin’s original works for The Old Farm Cafe include: Villain’s Family Fun Musical Brunch, The Old Farm’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, Bonny Bunny's Easter Adventure, Bad Babes of Broadway, OFC's Royal Princess Brunches, and Bosom Buddies: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury. 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: The Producers (Ulla), Lauren (Kinky Boots), Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson), The Wizard of Oz (Glinda), Oliver! (Nancy), Company (April), and Man of La Mancha (Aldonza). She also enjoys assisting OFC with costumes, props, and children's programs.

Contact Kaitlyn Baldwin at Kaitlyn@OFCCreations.com

Noah Alexander Price (Wendell).jpg

Noah Alexander Price
Teaching Artist

Noah Alexander Price is a dancer, choreographer & instructor with over 22 years of experience. Noah's dance training began in a tiny pair of tap shoes when he was just 2 years old. He went on to train with Rochester City Ballet & Draper Center for Dance Education from 2013 to 2017, where he worked with instructors, choreographers & artistic directors from American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, Moscow Ballet, Broadway and more. His training includes master classes & instruction from Savion Glover, Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Parker Esse, the National Tour of 42nd Street, Paul Taylor Dance Company, the National Tour of Motown & many more. 

 In addition, Noah has danced as a guest artist in a variety of performances, such as H.T. Chen & Dancers, Raymonda Ballet at Hamilton College, Chelsea Opera's Jazz Nativity with Max Pollak, the founder of RumbaTap, and more. He directed, choreographed, and participated in ten productions of The Nutcracker Ballet throughout central and upstate New York over a ten-year period & danced eleven roles in that time. 

 Noah is a four time TANYS Award-Winning Choreographer & Actor for his choreography and performances in Cabaret, Anastasia, and Rock of Ages. Additionally, he was nominated for two 2024 BroadwayWorld Awards for his choreography and performances in Anastasia, Cabaret & Twisted.

Noah strives to not only bring his best to the stage & studio, but to bring the best out of his students. He is dedicated to creating a fun, learning environment for all that ensures positive growth and product all can be proud of. 

Contact Noah Price at Info@OFCCreations.com

Karl-Erik Jansson Headshot.JPG

Karl-Erik Jansson
Teaching Artist

Mr. Jansson has been teaching in public schools since 1997 (the past twenty-three at Greece Olympia). Formerly, he taught in the Fairport CSD, directed the Hochstein Children’s Chorus, and directed the Rochester Mormon Choir. Mr. Jansson spent seventeen summers with the Pittsford CSD Middle School Theatre program. He was the co-founder of SNAP Musical Theatre, a summer program for middle-school students based in Greece. A lifelong fan of stage musicals, he started vocal directing when he was 15 and has participated in nearly 80 productions as an actor, vocal director, music director, artistic director, pit director/musician, or producer. He received his degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Nazareth College. Former guest conducting credits include Canandaigua, Wayne, Oswego, and Onondaga All-County choruses. He is a private vocal teacher, adjudicator, and arranger. He directs Olympia’s nationally honored contemporary a cappella group, JukeVox, who has been featured on dozens of media outlets and on college campuses. His family (wife: KayLee, and children: Erik, Morgan, Carter, and Kara) is his happiest dramatic venture!

Contact Karl-Erik Jansson at Info@OFCCreations.com

Tripp.jpg

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

Eric-Schutt_03-Edit-Retouched.jpg

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, directing for ages 7-18, teaching private voice and acting lessons and performing in productions such as Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio), Anything Goes (Billy Crocker), The Producers (Leo Bloom), Kinky Boots (Charlie Price), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), The Rocky Horror Show (Brad Majors), the Golden Girls musical parodies (Blanche), "A Celebration of Carole King & Billy Joel Hits" at the Old Farm Cafe, Tick, Tick…BOOM! (Jonathan), Forbidden Broadway, Dance Mums (Misty), A Chorus Line (Mike), The Wild Party (Burrs). Eric has also performed locally at JCC Centerstage, Blackfriars Theatre, Pittsford Musicals, Lyric Theatre and Kodak Center. He is a preschool teacher at Expressive Beginnings Child Care and enjoys spending his downtime with his wife and their two children.

Contact Eric Schutt at ESchutt@OFCCreations.com

Erica Mack (2).JPG

Erica Mack
Teaching Artist

Mack has been a constant in the local theater community for over 30 years. An accomplished vocalist and seasoned music educator with over 20 years of classroom experience in a variety of artistic arenas and arts administration, Erica continues to perform, direct/produce and develop cohesive arts education programs that adapt to the evolving needs of our local artistic community. Some recent performance credits with OFC include; The Sound of Music/Baroness 2022 & 2020, Company/JoAnne 2021 & My Son Pinocchio/The Blue Fairy 2016.

 

With a solid foundation of early music education from the Penfield Central School district and the Eastman CED, Erica then continued on to earn her B.A. in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Wagner College in 2003 (performing the role of the Countess in W.A. Mozart’s; The Marriage of Figaro, in both 1999 & 2003 and the Mother in Menotti’s; Amahl and the Night Visitors in 2000)  Mack then went on to earn her M.A. in Education from UB in 2007 and her degree in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport in 2011.  

 

Erica was blessed to find a home for the past 20 years as a director/educator/coordinator, in the Williamson Central School District where she served the community and many professional organizations such as NafMe, MENC, NYSSMA, WCMEA.  After an exciting career as a professional educator, Mack retired from public education in order to have more time to run her own property development business, manage her personal domestic empire and return to her original passionate roots surrounding performing.

 

Mack specializes in adaptive theatrical education and wholeheartedly believes that there is a place for everyone to play on stage.  Helping performers share their artistic gifts,  regardless of experience and with different facets of  talent and levels of ability is Erica’s wheelhouse.  Some recent favorites on the direction/production end of the spectrum include; Guys and Dolls, Williamson High School, 2024, In the Heights, RIT/NTID 2021, Matilda Williamson High School 2020 and South Pacific, Webster Theater Guild 2019.  Erica has a special gift for helping performers of all abilities to develop their own personal success story and share their light through the beautiful kaleidoscope of opportunities accessible through the dramatic arts. Erica couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with the skilled professionals at OFC to be creating opportunities for our community to participate as lifelong participants and creators of theater.

Contact Erica Mack at Erica@OFCCreations.com

3U5A6414.jpeg

Genevieve Prinsen
Teaching Artist

Prinsen is so happy to be working with OFC again this summer! She is a sophomore majoring in Musical Theatre at Nazareth University who previously worked at OFC in the Café and helping around the theatre by teaching, ushering, working backstage, etc. She directed and choreographed Winnie the Pooh Kids with OFC last year and is so excited to be able to choreograph again! She has also performed on OFC’s stage in multiple productions as Wendla (Spring Awakening), Maggie (A Chorus Line), Ocean (Ride the Cyclone), Zoey (Dance Mums), Ensemble in White Christmas and Ensemble/Usherette in The Producers.

Contact Genevieve Prinsen at Info@OFCCreations.com

ARIANA RIVERA (ROSALIA).jpg

Ariana Rivera

Teaching Artist

Rivera graduated 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 Ariana@OFCCreations.com

Evan Bala.jpg

Evan Balasubramaniam
Choreographer, Teaching Artist

Balasubramaniam is an actor based in New York City. He graduated from NYU Tisch School of Drama this last May. He also has an interest in arts education and was fortunate enough to intern in a freshman drama class at Brooklyn High School of the Arts. Evan has had the pleasure of working OFC summer camps for three years. Evan is excited to connect with young actors, hone in their skills, and deepen their relationship with arts. 

Contact Evan Balasubramaniam at Info@OFCCreations.com

Hadley Headshots-3.jpg

Hadley Strelau
Teaching Artist

Strelau is a Rochester native and has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Nazareth University. She joined the OFC Creations team in 2020 and has since music-directed a variety of youth theatre programs, including The Lion King KIDS, Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Seussical Jr, and many more. Strelau recently completed Level I of Somatic Voicework: The LoVetri Method. OFC performance credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy Gale), White Christmas (Betty Haynes), and Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt). 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

Mariah Smith HS.jpg

Mariah Smith

Props Master, 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

Guest and Seasonal Artists

Jay Simmons

Jay Simmons

Simmons 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 Mattioli

Marge Mattioli

Mattioli 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 Larkin

Courtney Larkin

Larkin 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.”

Kathleen Costa

Kathleen Costa

Costa 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 Franz

Monique Franz

Franz 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 Kemp

Rebecca Kemp

Kemp 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.

Liv Reina

Liv Reina

Reina 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).

Greg Maddock

Greg Maddock

Maddock has worked at the REV Theatre Co; Red House Arts Center; Arlington Children’s Theatre; and A Magical Journey Thru Stages. He has toured with James and the Giant Peach (Grasshopper), designed & instructed workshops for children & adults with developmental disabilities, and adjudicated 3 seasons of high school musicals for RBTL’s Stars of Tomorrow. A former Walt Disney World cast member, he performed in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and has a B.A. in English Literature from UB.

Laura Jean (Smillie) Diekmann

Laura Jean (Smillie) Diekmann

Diekmann 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 Barnard

Ella Barnard

Barnard 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).

Lillian Jarzabek

Lillian Jarzabek

Jarzabek is so excited to be back at OFC this summer! She is a rising senior at Niagara University working towards her BFA in theatre performance and a minor in dance. Lillian has previously vocal directed for OFC (Descendants, Seussical Jr.), as well as working as a summer intern. Some of her past OFC performance credits include Sweet Charity (Rosie) and Into the Woods (The Witch). She has vocal training through Niagara University in addition to the Eastman Community School of Music.

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: Goat Factory Media

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 & Crooked Crumble

OFC-KodakWindowDisplays-Small-Jun22-1.jpg
shutterstock_474990655.jpg
Connect With Us
  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

3450 Winton Place

Rochester, NY 14623

Contact Us

585-667-0954

Call Now for Musical Theater Tickets!

Please view our full refund policy by CLICKING HERE

Please view our Terms and Conditions by CLICKING HERE.

OFCTC_logo-WhiteWithShadow.png
bottom of page