Meet the Cast of Drawing Lessons
Posted on November 1, 2024
Get ready to be inspired as you meet the talented cast of Drawing Lessons! This World Premiere play features stunning staging, projected illustrations, and live drawing that bring the story to life in captivating ways. With a mix of familiar faces from CTC and some exciting new talent, the cast is enchanting audiences more and more with every show.
Olivia Lampert as Kate
Olivia Lampert is a 12th grader at Wayzata High School. Previous CTC credits include: Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Bina’s Six Apples, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical. Other credits include: Anne of Green Gables (SOAR Arts), The Kung Fu Zombies Saga: Shaman Warrior and Cannibals (Theater Mu), Bina’s Six Apples (Alliance Theatre), We Will Rock You, Sound of Music (BWTC), and Descendants (Lundstrum Performing Arts). She is also a part of Stages Theatre Company’s Teen Mentorship Program 2024-2025.
What elements of your own culture do you bring to your artistry?
I feel very lucky to have told stories about different Asian cultures through theatre. I learn so much during every rehearsal and show with the other actors and artists telling these stories. I am grateful to have represented my own South Korean culture on stage a few times!
Mars Niemi as Kate
Mars Niemi (he/they) is ecstatic to make his CTC debut! They have previously performed in Circus Juventas’ production of Jangala, Youth Performance Company’s Youth Artist Council’s production of Puffs, YPC’s production of Little Women, and SPCPA’s productions of Alice by Heart and The Prom. He has performed with numerous organizations including Mixed Precipitation, and Stages Theatre Company.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope that audiences can see the world through Kate’s perspective and understand how her selective mutism affects her ability to do well in school, which is something I went through myself. I hope they can emphasize with her struggles of being compared to others and having trouble making new friends. I hope audiences will enjoy watching Kate rediscover true joy through drawing and share that joy with her throughout the show.
Malia Berg as Lia
Malia Berg is 16 years old from Woodbury and has enjoyed performing in productions such as Spamtown, USA, Bina’s Six Apples (Children’s Theatre Company), Disney’s Freaky Friday, Little Women (Merrill Arts Center), Disney’s Descendants (Phipps Performing Arts Center), School of Rock (Open Door Theatre and Zephyr Theatre), and many others. Malia loves to sing, play guitar, and write her own original songs.
How has your family shaped you as an artist, and as a human?
My family has helped to shape me as an artist and as a human, by being the biggest supporters of my passions for music and theatre. They are definitely my greatest support system, attending all of my shows and performances, driving me to all of my rehearsals, and encouraging me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful to them.
Katie Bradley as Gomo/Customer
Katie Bradley (she/her) was previously seen as Mulan in Mulan Jr. at Children’s Theatre Company. She is based in Minneapolis and has appeared onstage at the Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Pacific Conservatory Theatre. She is also a longtime artist with Theater Mu.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope they will experience the joy of Korean culture and understand a bit of the country’s history and the complicated relationships that can exist between immigrants and their children.
De’Anthony Jackson as Omar
De’Anthony Jackson is 15 years old and has had notable mentions on PBS National News. De’Anthony’s journey as a young actor is marked by passion, dedication, and a deep understanding of the power of storytelling. Through his roles in Something Happened in Our Town, A Raisin in the Sun, and Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, he has proven himself as a rising star with immense potential and a bright future ahead in the world of theatre.
How does it feel to be part of a World Premiere?
I love it. It will be my second one to make an impact on the community.
Jim Lichtscheidl as Paul
Jim Lichtscheidl (he/him) has recently performed at Yellow Tree Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, and Jungle Theater. His other acting credits include Guthrie Theater, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Berkeley Rep, Portland Centerstage, and Alley Theatre. He has served as choreographer, director, and creator at many regional theatres as well.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope audiences will be inspired to create with abandon; whether it be by drawing or any other creative form of artistic expression; and by doing so uncover more of their true essence.
Darrick Mosley as Jon/Mr. Daher
Darrick Mosley (he/him) is excited to be back after his role in Locomotion at CTC. Other credits include Wine in the Wilderness (Penumbra) and A Raisin in the Sun (Guthrie Theater). He has performed with Pillsbury House Theatre, History Theatre, and Yellow Tree Theatre. He holds a B.F.A. from Grambling State University.
What excites you about stepping into a story told in 90s Minneapolis?
I always love working on time–period pieces and it’s exciting to be a part of a story taking place in an era I grew up in.
Matt Park as Matt
Matt Park is a songwriter, guitarist, poet, and actor. He co-wrote music for Ma-Yi’s production of PEER GYNT and The Norwegian HAPA Band at ART/NY in the winter of 2016. He performed in Diana Oh’s My Lingerie Play at The Rattlestick Theater in the fall of 2017. He orchestrated the music for Rebecca Lee Lerman’s musical Her Hotel which was performed in the summer of 2020 at WT Fringe. He has performed live at Joe’s Pub, OBERON at American Rep Theater, The National Underground, and Parkside Lounge.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
The realization that anyone can make art if they want to.
Sophina Saggau as Miss Evans/Mrs. Larsen/Cool Art Student
Sophina Saggau (she/her) has performed in The History Plays (Guthrie Theater), Emilia (Ten Thousand Things), and Sherwood (Yellow Tree Theatre). She has also worked as an understudy, director, and stage combat assistant with various local companies. She holds a B.F.A from the UMN/Guthrie Acting program.
What is your favorite graphic novel?
In middle school, I loved “Queen Bee” by Chynna Clugston. It was about a high school girl with psychokinetic powers; think Mean Girls meets Matilda.
Anders Thielen as Jason
Anders Thielen has enjoyed roles in La Bohème (MN Opera) and A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater). In his free time, he enjoys tinkering and sketching designs for engines. He also enjoys singing and acting in school plays and professional plays.
What is your favorite creative outlet?
I enjoy singing. I love sketching designs of engines, planes and cars and apocalypse vehicles that have no use the real world.
Cullen Van Ranst as Justin/Anderson
Cullen Van Ranst (he/him) has enjoyed roles in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Finding Nemo, School of Rock, and A Christmas Carol. He has performed with the Guthrie Theater as well as several community theatres on the east side of the Twin Cities.
How does it feel to be part of a World Premiere?
It’s cool to know that I will be shaping a totally new character the world has never seen before.
Amir Byrd as Omar (Understudy)
Amir Byrd (he/him) is excited to be returning to the CTC stage for another show. He has performed in Elf The Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies Jr., and Head Over Heels at Ashland Productions. He has also been in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Locomotion, and Alice in Wonderland, previously at CTC. Amir is excited to share this amazing story with you and with his talented castmates, and hopes you enjoy the show!
What excites you about stepping into a story told in 90s Minneapolis?
Being able to wear the cool and awesome clothes they wore in the 90s.
Charlie Gold as Jason/Justin/Anderson (Understudy)
Charlie Gold Previous CTC shows include Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Theatre Arts Training Intensives The Garden and Be More Chill. Other credits include Matilda (Stages), Elf (Bunce), The Lightning Thief (Interlochen) and Fugitive Songs (SPCPA). He is currently a 10th grader at SPCPA. He dedicates his performance in memory of his sister Lizzie.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope audiences will be impacted by this story and its art and the amazing actors. And that it will have an impact on them when they craft their own art.
Dominique Jones as Jon/Mr. Daher (Understudy)
Dominique Jones (they/them) is a multiversed performance artist and mentor who has participated in many reputable performances through theatre, music, poetry, and dance. A slight Minnesota nomad originally from the Twin Cities, they’ve been grateful to be a part of various productions as a videographer, actor, producer/composer, and poet.
What excites you about stepping into a story told in 90s Minneapolis?
It is always cool to just be a part of a story you know the background of more in depth.
Jeannie Lander as Gomo/Customer (Understudy)
Jeannie Lander is thrilled to be making her debut with Children’s Theatre Company. Previous theatre performances include: The Name Jar (Stages Theatre/Theater Mu), Fast Company, Purple Cloud, Kung Fu Zombies vs Cannibals, Yellow Fever, Into the Woods (Theater Mu), 36 Views (Walking Shadow), Barefoot in the Park (5th Season Entertainment), and American Noise (Nimbus Theatre).
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope audiences get inspired to create art! In whatever medium speaks to them.
Ryan Nelson as Paul (Understudy)
Ryan Nelson (he/him) has previously appeared in Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical at Children’s Theatre Company. He’s performed with several other theatres, including Yellow Tree, The Jungle, Zeitgeist Arts, Brave New Workshop, and Science Live at the Science Museum of Minnesota. He holds a B.A. from Southwest Minnesota State University.
Is there a drawing or painting that you have seen (or created) that has had a profound effect on you?
As a lifelong comic book fan, the panoramic cover of X-Men #1 is still a favorite.
Addica Sharbono as Lia (Understudy)
Addica Sharbono (she/her) is making her Children’s Theatre Company debut! She has previously enjoyed roles in Finding Nemo Jr., Dragons Love Tacos: The Musical, and Spookley the Square Pumpkin at Stages Theatre Company. Addica is a PSEO student at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis College.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope audiences will be impacted by this story, its art, and the amazing actors. And that it will have an impact on them when they craft their own art.
Colleen Somerville as Miss Evans/Mrs. Larsen/Cool Art Student (Understudy)
Colleen Somerville (she/they) makes her CTC debut with Drawing Lessons! Other roles: Stepsister Grace in Cinderella (Ordway), Maureen in RENT (Cardinal Theatricals), and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Artistry). She is also a director, educator, and activist, creating feminist art through her company, Somerville Productions.
What excites you about stepping into a story told in 90s Minneapolis?
I didn’t move here until 2005, so getting to look back at this time is cool since I wasn’t here. Also, the fashion! I think Miss Evans would rock a big scrunchie.
Nikko Soukup-Raymo as Matt (Understudy)
Nikko Soukup-Raymo (he/him) has enjoyed roles in The Flower Drum Song (Theater Mu/Park Square Theatre), Princess’s Nightingale (Theater Mu), and Hairspray (Artistry). He holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and is an Early Childhood Montessori teacher at Hopkins Montessori School.
What do you hope audiences will experience during this performance?
I hope adult audiences will be inspired to embrace creativity in their children, while I also hope that children seeing the show will be inspired to use art in any form as an outlet to express themselves authentically.