Songs for a New World
February 7-16
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Conceived by Daisy Prince
Music Direction by Aaron Albin
Directed by Mark Albin
Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, and playwright, Jason Robert Brown tells the beautiful tale of strangers living in the most pivotal moments of their lives. Through melodies that are both captivating and complex, Songs for a New World brings to light the awe-inspiring experiences when reality is at a tipping point, and everything is at stake. Funny, intriguing, and heartwarming, this four person song cycle will lift you up with earth-shattering music.
Photo credits: Jamie & Eric Photography
The Cast
Michelle Miller……Woman 1
Amber Burgess…..Woman 2
Mark Albin…….……Man 1
Nathan Walz……….Man 2
UNDERSTUDIES
Karen Dickerson…Woman 1 & 2
Quin Wezeman……Man 1
Mark Albin………….Man 2
Directed by Mark Albin and Music Directed by Dr. Aaron Albin
MARK ALBIN
Mark Albin is a Chicago native and cofounder of Art 4. Select Chicago theatre performing credits include: Peter in the two-year run of Pinkalicious, and Temperance in Cinderella (Broadway in Chicago), Karl in the Jeff nominated production of The Christmas Schooner (Mercury Theatre), Dean in All Shook Up and the ensemble of the Chicago regional premier of Rent (Big Noise), and the title characters in the original cast of Ryan Scott Oliver’s The Frog Prince Continued (Emerald City) and Peter Pan (Circle Theatre). Select directing credits: [title of show], Seaside Cabaret, Next to Normal, Ghost Quartet (Art 4), A Doll’s House (Assistant Director to Michael Halberstam of Writer’s Theatre), Hansel and Gretel (South Bend Lyric Opera), The Little Prince (IHSA Regional Champion), Stage Door (Leyden Theatre), The Sound of Music (Windy City). Select choreography credits: 9 to 5, Peter Pan (Leyden Theatre), Once Upon a Mattress, Grease, Mulan (Hester Jr. High), Cinderella, Rent, Big Fish, The Addams Family, Children of Eden (Clay High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet), Hairspray (SummerFly), Big River (South Bend Civic Theatre).
AMBER BURGESS
Amber Burgess is the Managing Director of The Goshen Theater in Goshen, IN. She has a Bachelor's degree from Ashford University in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Theatre Research, and studied Musical Theatre at Millikin University. She has been a theatre professional, arts administrator, and musician for over two decades, and has been seen in national commercials, film, and television as a SAG actress and hand model. Amber plays a dozen musical instruments, and enjoys quilting, costume design, running, knitting, and reading in her spare time. She and her partner, actor/director Ryan Schisler, own a home in Nappanee and love time at home with their dogs Oxford and Rosie. Local roles include Aloysius in Doubt (Second Stage), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Donna in Mamma Mia, and LIlli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate (Round Barn Theatre). She would like says a special thank you to Ryan for encouraging her to audition for this production and for always supporting her.
KAREN DICKERSON
Karen Dickerson is a versatile soprano with a diverse repertoire. This is Karen's third production with Art 4, and was most recently seen in Ghost Quartet. She has performed several roles with South Bend Lyric Opera, including Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Mother in Hansel and Gretel, Sally in Die Fledermaus, Gianetta in L’elisir d’Amore, and Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor. Other local credits include Rosalind in As You Like It at the South Bend Civic Theatre. Karen holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Bethel College. Her solo credits include Handel’s Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Poulenc’s Gloria. A longtime lover of jazz, Karen can often be seen singing with some of her favorite musicians in and around South Bend.
MICHELLE MILLER
Michelle Miller is ecstatic to join Art 4 in this production of Songs for a New World! You may have seen Michelle recently in Godspell or as The Witch in Into the Woods: A Deaf Theatre Project, both with 574 Theatre; or as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors with Elkhart Civic Theatre. Michelle is a graduate of Bethel University (2015) with a degree in Vocal Performance. She currently resides in her hometown of Goshen, but plans to move to New York later this year. She would like to thank her parents for their constant love and support!
NATHAN WALZ
Nathan Walz is thrilled to finally take part in his first Art 4 production, as well as his first Jason Robert Brown show. Some favorite past roles include Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Anthony in Sweeney Todd, and Stuart in Caroline, or Change. More than performing onstage, though, Nathan often serves as Stage Manager and/or Sound Designer. He would like to thank his wife Olivia, with whom he is expecting their first child this Summer.
QUIN WEZEMAN
Quin Wezeman is a Tenor currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance at IUSB, studying under acclaimed Tenor, Emanuel Caraman. While he only recently got re-involved in theatre, he has quickly begun making a name for himself, performing with The South Bend Lyric Opera in their production of Rigoletto as well as performing as King Kaspar in IUSB’s production of Amahl and The Night Visitors. You can also catch him in composer Katie Madonna Lee’s premiere musical Irish Catholic this summer. Quin is extremely excited to be joining Art 4 for the first time and hopes to continue working with them in the future!
In addition to the theatrical and Operatic side of the stage, Quin has been heavily active in the underground music scene, collaborating with the band Delayed Signal, as well as performing extensively with The Dream Eels. He is currently in the midst of writing and recording his debut EP.
Quin would like to thank his girlfriend Haley, as well as his friends and family, for their constant love and support, as he pursues his passions.
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