Hannah Beaven (she/her) graduated from Northern Kentucky University in May 2023 with a BFA in musical theatre. Some of her favorite credits include Twelfth Night (Feste), Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly), Noises Off (Poppy), Three Sisters (Irina), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Page), and Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula/Messenger). Hannah is so excited to be member of ETC’s Professional Apprentice Program this year!

TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and is a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a BA major in general theatre. Some of her most recent roles include Narrator in The Calling: The Story of Judge U.W. Clemon and Sarah in Pink Clouds at Red Mountain Theater Company, as well as Kayla in Coin, Vanessa in Significant Other, and Kendall in Disconnect at UAB.

Maddi O’Connell (they/he), a Cincinnati native, is thrilled to be back in their hometown working as a Professional Acting Apprentice at Ensemble Theatre, a theatre company they have idolized since the age of three! They are a recent summa cum laude graduate and received a BFA in acting and minor in music from Baldwin Wallace University, where their credits include Julius Caesar (Julius Caesar), The Crucible (Mary Warren), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lady Bracknell), Everybody (Usher/God/Understanding), Men on Boats (Hawkins), Boeing Boeing (Berthe), and Uncle Vanya (Marya). Favorite local regional credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Heathers (Heather Chandler), Spring Awakening (Ilse), and Pinkalicious (Peter Pinkerton). As always, much love to Kim, Dan, and the besties for the never-ending support and fun.

KG Rucker is an artist, actor, and dancer from West Sacramento, California. They recently graduated with a BA in theatre and dance from Muhlenberg College, where they performed in many productions including The Bacchae (Bacchae Chorus), A List (Mary), Anything Goes (Angel Chastity), and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Ensemble), as well as performing in and choreographing several dance productions. They were a member of Muhlenberg’s tap ensemble, Copacetic Rhythms, and a founding member of a choreographic collective called Threading 3. In 2021, KG studied commedia dell’arte, clowning, and other forms of physical theatre at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. The following year, they became SAFD certified with recommendation in broadsword. Lately, KG has found a love for creating children’s theatre, having most recently played the Night Watchman in the Woodland Opera House’s production of Corduroy. They are ecstatic to be a member of ETC’s Professional Apprentice Program. Going forward, their goal is to make theatre that is stimulating, ephemeral, and accessible to all.

Jordan Whittaker (he/him) is originally from Morehead, Kentucky, and moved to the Greater Cincinnati region to pursue his passion for theatre. He recently graduated with a BFA in musical theatre and a BA in public relations from Northern Kentucky University, where some of his credits include Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Jekyll and Hyde (Gabriel Utterson/Hyde), New Year’s Eve at the Stop N’ Go (Jimmy), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Ensemble), and Three Sisters (Ferapont). Other recent credits include understudying for Comedy of Errors (Antipholus of Syracuse) at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and appearing in Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party (Ballroom Dancer/Party Guest) and Ersatz Express (Beryl Brown) for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s “Off the Grid” productions. He is immensely excited to be working with the fabulous people at ETC!

Torie Wiggins is a multi-hyphenate artist whose Cincinnati theatre credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Harry and the Thief, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; Mame, Crowns, and The Revolutionists, Human Race Theatre Company; To Kill a Mockingbird, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; To Kill a Mockingbird, Oliver Twist, A Raisin in the Sun, and Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 by Anna Deveare Smith, Diogenes Theatre Company. Her Ensemble Theatre credits include The Mountaintop, Violet, Alice in Wonderland, Around the World in 80 Days, Cinderella, Cinderella: After Ever After, and His Eye is on The Sparrow. Torie’s directing credits include We Are Proud to Present… and Good Kids, Miami University’s Department of Theatre; Dreamgirls and Proof, The Carnegie Theater; and Blues for an Alabama Sky, Falcon Theatre.

Brian c. Mehring (he/him) has designed more than 100 productions at Ensemble Theatre. His favorite productions include Thom Pain (based on nothing), Next to Normal, 33 Variations, Freud’s Last Session, and I Am My Own Wife. Mr. Mehring’s regional favorites for set design include The Last 5 Years and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Henry IV, Part 1, The Georgia Shakespeare Festival; and I Am My Own Wife, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Peterborough Players, and Florida Studio Theatre.

Hannah is in her second season at Ensemble Theatre as the costume shop manager. Hannah received her BFA in Costume Design & Technology at Northern Kentucky University and her MFA in Costume Technology from Ohio University. Her work has been seen on stage at Nashville Repertory Theatre, Monomoy Theatre, Playhouse on the Square, and The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, among many others. She is beyond grateful to be part of the ETC family.

Matt Callahan (he/him) was the Resident Sound Designer for Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons. Some of his most recent designs for Ensemble Theatre include Queen, Pipeline, Fortune, Fun Home, and Ripcord. He was also a co-creator/designer of Rock n’ Roll: The Reunion Tour. He spent two seasons as the Resident Sound Designer at The Eugene O’Neil Center for their National Playwrights Conference. He was formerly the sound engineer for Steppenwolf Theatre, the Assistant Engineer for Blue Man Chicago, and a member of the disbanded Defiant Theatre. He received a Jeff Citation for Red Dragon, a nomination for Fortinbras, and a Kevin Kline nomination for Sherlock Holmes.

Shannon Rae Lutz  (she/her) earned her Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in 1996 and became Properties Master at Ensemble Theatre. Trained as a performer, she first appeared on ETC’s stage during the 1988-1989 New Works Festival. In 1991, she was granted an ETC internship. Now the Director of Apprentice Programming, she is honored to guide ETC’s essential ensemble: The Professional Acting Apprentice Company. Shannon would like to thank D. Lynn Meyers, Ruth Sawyer, and the Cincinnati theatre community and patrons for their generous, supportive, and tenacious spirit.

Jacob Dowell (he/him) is thrilled to be in his second season at Ensemble Theatre, this time as technical director. Jacob is a graduate of Morehead State University where he received a BA in theatre. Some previous technical direction credits include Kinky Boots, The Who’s Tommy, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Jacob would like to thank his family, friends, and cat (Ronnie) for their continued support

Chris Lipstreu (he/him) is a concert and theatrical lighting specialist and project manager based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. He recently served as the lighting director for the national tour of Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet and served as the lighting designer for The Wild Party, Into the Woods, RENT, The Rocky Horror Show, and Spring Awakening at Short North Stage in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, he is the owner of Centerline Productions LLC, providing lighting services for numerous concerts, productions, festivals, and political and corporate events in the region. Chris received his BFA in lighting design from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in 2021. This is his first season as the Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician for Ensemble Theatre.

Danitza Piper (she/her) has a BA in theatre from the University of Kentucky. Some of her previous experiences include serving as stage manager for Radium Girls at the University of Kentucky, production assistant for the Know Theatre of Cincinnati (Season 22), and volunteer coordinator for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Danitza is excited to be a member of ETC’s 2023-2024 Professional Apprentice Program. She would like to thank all the people who continue to support her.

Sam Devlin (he/him) is overjoyed to have the opportunity to be the technical apprentice at Ensemble Theatre. Sam’s love of theatre began with acting in productions at Roger Bacon High School. However, he was quickly drawn in behind the scenes and found his true passion in technical theatre. Sam went on to work as the technical director for Roger Bacon, as well as McAuley High School. He studied theatre at Thomas More University and was also the technical director at Fairfield High School. Most recently, Sam worked at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park on the production of Shane as props/run crew. Some of his other interests include music, Muppets, and making elaborate Lego creations.