Kathryn Nichols - 2010 Bethel graduate
Kathryn (Katy) Nichols moved to Georgia right after graduation to sing and dance at Wild Adventures Theme Park in their country music review: Country Rocks Live! As soon as that contract was up she came home to Mishawaka to be in Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival's production of In Concert: Kiss Me Kate. After that, she got to go to Nashville, TN to be on the original cast recording for her next gig at the Blue Gate Theatre. Katy moved to Shipshewana, IN to originate the role of Rosie Taylor in the world premiere of The Confession, based on the bestselling books by Beverly Lewis. At Bethel, she had the honor to play several roles, including Jane in Jane Eyre the Musical, Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mrs. Linde in A Doll's House, and Charity Haze in The Butler Did It. While still in school, Katy worked at Amish Acres (Maude Dunlop in The Music Man) and was the third person ever to play the role of Lady Luck in The Great Santa Claus Bank Robbery at Big Country Dinner Theatre in Cisco, TX. In February, she attended the United Professional Theatre auditions in Memphis, TN and was blessed to receive 25 call backs. Katy is now waiting for God to lead her to her next adventure!
Asha Stichter - 2010 Bethel graduate
After graduating from Bethel, Asha moved to Seattle to work at Taproot Theatre. She is a member of Taproot Theatre's touring company, known as the Road Company. The Road Company travels all around Seattle, and outside of the city to elementary schools through high schools performing bullying prevention plays. The cast travels with 4 shows, 2 elementary shows and 2 middle and high school shows. The Road Company takes a couple week long tours outside of Seattle and outside the state.
Jessica Spencer - 2008 Bethel graduate
-BA in theatre arts
After graduation Jessica moved to San Antonio Texas where she began working with Arts Center Enterprises Inc. as House Manager for the Majestic & Empire Theatres. Shortly, after beginning her work as a House Manager she was promoted to Theatre Services Manager and began working with the incoming talent. During this time she worked closely with the San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Opera, Broadway Across America, Live Nation, Comedy Central, Disney and many other touring productions. In March of 2009 Jessica was promoted to Director of Theatre services and became the youngest Director in Arts Center Enterprises Inc. history. During her time in Texas she was able to be an extra for Friday Night Lights on several occasions, thanks to On Location Casting, and was featured twice. She also was able to work in Austin at Tex-Arts, work shopping an original musical piece, with music by Tony Award Winner Duncan Sheik. During this past summer she was part of the professional company at Fort Peck Summer Theatre, Montana, where her roles included Dolly Levi (Hello Dolly), Kate (Sylvia) and Cha Cha (Grease). She also taught Acting, Music, and the Joy of Props to elementary & middle school students at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre Arts Camp. During the Arts Camp Jessica was also the Music Director for the original production of Loompa Land! This winter Jessica will be joining the Midwest tour of A Christmas Carol produced by The Nebraska Theatre Caravan. Since February of 2008 Jessica has attended over 20 auditions and is happy to report that she has yet to be unemployed or out of the theatre!
Regina Warren - 2007 Bethel graduate
-BA in theatre arts, English education and communications M.A. in education
Regina was the Production Stage Manager and Educational Director at The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres in 2008. She also traveled to London as a Production Stage Manager for an up and coming musical entitled Take Too. At Bethel, Regina was very involved in acting and directing. Outside of Bethel Regina was seen on stage in Houston, Texas as the Evil Stepsister in Cinderella and as Miss Hannigan in Annie. She has also directed several productions for area schools and for South Bend Civic Theatre. Recently, Regina directed the productions of Willy Wonka and High School Musical 2 for the Joseph Stein Young Actors Studio at The Round Barn Theatre, Amish Acres.
Don Hunter - 2006 Bethel graduate
-BA in theatre arts
Don is currently pursuing his MFA in stage management at Wayne State University where he will graduate in May of 2010. Hunter is working on three main stage shows this year (2009-2010): The Fantasticks, Servant of two Masters, and Beaux Stratagem. He is also the production manager for a local professional theatre, Waterworks and summer of 2009 he worked on an original version of Alice in Wonderland. Last winter Don completed his first two lighting designs for his church and for Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music. He is also the worship director and leader at Royal Oak Missionary Church in Royal Oak, MI. When Don graduates he plans on pursuing a career in teaching theatre.
Mikel J. Wisler - 2004 Bethel graduate
-BA in liberal studies and philosophy with concentrations in writing, theatre, and cinematography
Mikel is an independent filmmaker and freelance videographer, now living in Boston. He has directed several short films since college, and three of those have gone on to gain film festival exposure nationally and internationally, and two of those have international distribution; most recently his short film Cold October, co-written with alum Andrew Gilbert, received the award for Best Screenplay at the Terror Film Festival. Wisler has also worked on feature films with roles ranging from Production Assistant to 1st Assistant Director. In 2009 he was the Final Editor for the feature film Silk Trees produced by Evermore Pictures. Currently Mikel is Associate Producer for a feature film called The Legend of Oak Swamp. He is also editing a short film directed by Andrew Gilbert for which he was the co-writer, producer, and cinematographer.
For more information on what Mikel is up to, you can check out his website: www.runawaypen.webs.com
Melissa Van Fleet - 2002 Bethel graduate
-BA in theatre arts
Melissa is currently the Director of News and Programming for Ken Lindner & Associates in Los Angeles, Calif., specializing in on-air news and host talent. Her responsibilities include finding up and coming anchors, reporters, weathercasters, etc. and hosts and helping to guide their career choices as they pursue their dreams. She currently represents talent at both the local and national levels. Upon graduating from Bethel, Melissa, moved to LA and found employment with a former internship, John Davis Entertainment, working as an assistant to a development exec. From there she spent a year working at a school for film and television makeup artistry, Joe Blasco. It was while working at Joe Blasco that Melissa met a group of aspiring film makers from Indiana, one of whom was the casting director for E! Entertainment Network. In 2004, she was introduced to Ken Lindner & Associates where she was then hired as the receptionist. She spent about four months at reception and was promoted to assistant under the CEO and the Chief Corporate Counsel. After approximately a year and a half as an assistant, Melissa was promoted as an AFTRA franchised agent. In 2007 she was promoted to the title of Director of News and Programming. As of February 2011, Melissa was promoted to Vice President.
