PRODUCTION TEAM

CHRIS TABER, DIRECTOR

Chris has lived and breathed theatre for almost 45 years now (?!). She caught the acting bug in junior high when she was cast as Mrs. Scrooge in a holiday play and realized that pretending to be someone else was fun! She continued acting through college and beyond, including recent local productions with the Station Theatre, CUTC, and Parkland College. While teaching at Arcola High School, she developed and taught the school’s first ever drama class and directed several shows. For the past thirteen years, she has been teaching Theatre Arts and directing plays and musicals at Franklin STEAM Academy in Champaign. She also has had the pleasure of directing the Fall Play and Variety Show here at MSHS for 6 years. She’d like to thank her long-suffering husband Sterling (who drove a UHaul to Indianapolis to bring two large Audrey 2 puppets to Mahomet) and her kids Annie and Wyatt for their support of her long hours, bizarre props stored in the car, and show tunes being forever imbedded in their brains!

NICOLE KUGLICH, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Nicole fell in love with musical theatre at the age of 9 when cast as a witch in her 4th grade Halloween musical. Originally from Ohio, Nicole earned her music education degree from Ohio Northern University and landed her first job as a high school choral director just outside of Cleveland. She stayed in that position for fourteen years and loved every moment of it. She began her career at Mahomet-Seymour after relocating to Illinois in 2012 to be with the love of her life. (Fun fact—they met in Tokyo, Japan during their experience as a part of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund.) Nicole has directed and starred in numerous productions through the years. Favorite past directing experiences include “Urinetown”, “Seussical”, and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. Favorite acting roles include Mother in “Ragtime”, Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” and the Beggarwoman in “Sweeney Todd”. Shout out to my amazing husband Dan and daughter Anna for all their love and support!

Maggie Kinnamon, Choreographer

Maggie has lived in Mahomet for 20 years and has raised three children here, all of whom are active in the performing arts. The apples didn't fall far from the tree! Maggie was a serious "theater kid" growing up and has been able to make a career out of her passion. She has taught Drama and Dance in the Urbana School District for 29 years and also taught Dance at Mahomet's Twist and Shout studio for ten years. Her passion for choreography started in high school when she choreographed all the shows that she also performed in. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with the amazing students in this production who have been so focused and diligent at every rehearsal and have put everything they have into this production. As a parent of a senior cast member, she is very grateful he got to have one last high school musical. She is so proud of him and all the students involved!

Ellen Ericson, Producer

Much like her colleagues, some of Ellen's earliest memories are on stage. From her first role as a child in "Li'l Abner" asking her "'Pa, who was Jubilation T Cornporne?", playing Brigitta in "The Sound of Music," to Mrs. Higgins in "My Fair Lady," theater has always been a part of her life. Ellen accompanied her HS choirs and numerous other events after graduation. She continues to enjoy playing the piano in her free time. Ellen directed several productions at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School where she served as Drama Club Sponsor for several years. She most recently served as Drama Club Sponsor at MSHS from 2015-2020. Ellen is a Spanish Teacher who has taught at CUSD 3 for 14 years. Ellen is so proud to be a part of this production with her amazing colleagues and students alike. It is so rewarding to work alongside each and every one of them! Shout out to Bryan Ericson, Ellen's husband for the numerous hours he spent constructing the set of our show and being our general handyman! You're the best!

Laura Ledin, Intern

Laura is a 2016 MSHS Drama Alumni. She is currently studying Theatre Design at Illinois State University and plans to pursue her Master's in Scenic Design. Laura has loved working on this show in all areas, especially the first Audrey II puppet, which she made. She is so incredibly proud of all the students that have worked on this show, their drive and talent are truly inspiring. It is so wonderful to have live theatre back in our lives.