Come From Away

Cast and Creative Team

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors
and Stage Managers of the United States.
 
** Member, Charleston Stage Resident Acting Company

Cast biographies (In Alphabetical Order)

KIM BRUEGGEMANN (Bonnie Harris / Martha / Ensemble)
Kim is honored to return to the Dock Street Theatre in the Charleston Stage production of Come from Away. Previous performances here include Fiddler on the Roof (ensemble) and The Sound of Music (Sister Berthe). Prior to relocating to South Carolina in 2019, Kim had a theatre performance and production career spanning over 35 years. In the Bel Air, Maryland area, she directed and/or choreographed over 45 musicals in High School Theatre; College and Community Theatre; Children’s Theatre; and was the Founder and Advanced Tap Instructor at The Academy of Performing Arts & Dance on The John Carroll School campus. Kim’s history of performances began in Ithaca, NY; and ranged from Six Flags Over Mid America in St. Louis to Baltimore Regional Dinner Theatres and Community Theatres. Favorite credits include: Roxy Hart (Chicago); Dolly Levi (Hello Dolly); Cassie (A Chorus Line); Polly Baker (Crazy for You); Sister Hubert (Nunsense); and Adelaide (Guys and Dolls). Thanks to my family and friends for your support - God bless those who suffered tremendous loss on 9/11.

LEE HOLLIS BUSSIE (Kevin J / Ali / Ensemble)
Lee Hollis is thrilled to be returning to Charleston Stage having last been seen at the Dock as a Resident Actor in the 2010/2011 season. Past Charleston Stage credits include: Fred (A Christmas Carol) and Chip Tolentino (Spelling Bee). Lee Hollis is an award winning actor holding his B.F.A. in Music Theatre from Western Illinois University, and is a proud member of AEA. In 2015 he starred in the Broadway to Off Broadway production of Soul Doctor (Actor Temples Theatre) Off-Broadway: Whoopee! and Little Mary Sunshine (Theatre Row). Other selected credits include: Phoenix Theatre, The Barnstormers Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Creede Repertory Theatre, Bridge Street Theatre, Black Hills Playhouse, Second Avenue Theatre, Disney Cruise Line, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tibbits Opera House, and Festival Theatre. Favorite roles include: Shakespeare - Something Rotten (NHTA winner: Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical) Lockwood - History Boys, Lloyd Boateng - One Man, Two Guvnors, Professor Plum - Clue, and Jamie Wellerstein - The Last 5 Years. IG: @leehollisbussie Leehollisbussie.com

RYLEE COPPEL (Diane / Ensemble)
Rylee is Charleston Stage's Director of Education and Engagement and Artistic Associate. Rylee has a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance from Ramapo College of NJ and a Master's in Integrated Arts and Education from the University of Montana, and over 15 years of experience teaching voice, music, theatre, and dance. In addition to teaching, Rylee has performed regionally and internationally with such companies as: Sesame Street Live, Joey Casella Productions, Roxy Regional Theatre, and RWS and Associates. Charleston Stage credits include: Legally Blonde (Paulette), Fiddler on the Roof (Golde), Beautiful (Genie), Kinky Boots (Pat), Footloose (Vi Moore), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time (Judy), Mamma Mia! (Donna), White Christmas (Tessie/Mrs. Snoringman), Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick), and Avenue Q (Ensemble). Thanks to Ben and Vivian for being the best!

KAILEI HINTON (Janice / Flight Attendant / Ensemble)
Kailei is so grateful to be a Resident Actor here with Charleston Stage! She is originally from New Orleans, LA. Recently, she graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University receiving her B.F.A. in Acting. Some of her favorite previous credits include: Vanities: The Musical (Joanne), Sense and Sensibility (Fanny), and All My Sons (Ann Deever). Kailei sends all her love to her family, friends, and mentors who have helped nurture her dreams. Instagram: @kaileiannhinton 

MICHAEL OKAS (OZ / Ensemble)
Michael has been acting and directing in Charleston with the Footlight Players for many years and is absolutely overjoyed to make his debut with Charleston Stage in this beautifully poignant and powerful show. Directing credits include A Christmas Story (twice) and Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. His acting credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Monty), Proof (Hal), Head Over Heels (Musidorus), Jekyll and Hyde (Spider/Stride), The Minutes (Mr. Assalone) and Gutenberg! The Musical! (Bud). When not on stage, Michael works as a Biology Instructor at Trident Technical College teaching general biology and microbiology. He also creates a mean charcuterie board and loves spoiling his four pets and wonderful wife.

MARY OTT (Hannah / Ensemble)
Mary is thrilled to be joining Charleston Stage for their 48th season! Originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Mary is an experienced crossover artist who has performed with numerous ensembles nationwide. Previously, she completed her M.M. in Musical Theatre & Opera Performance at Arizona State University, and her B.M. in Vocal Performance at the College of Charleston. Over the years, Mary has delighted audiences in the roles of Emma Jones (Street Scene), Margaret Johnson (The Light in the Piazza), Jo March (Little Women), and Lucille Frank (Parade).

DANIEL POREA JR. (Bob / Ensemble)
Daniel is extremely excited to join the Resident Acting Company at Charleston Stage for Season 48. Previous credits include Collins (RENT), Renascence (FATHER), Don Pedro (Much Ado About Nothing) and Mr./Lee (Sunday in the Park with George). Daniel graduated with a degree in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. Much love to his friends, family, and mentors for helping him get to where he is at today. Interested in learning more about Daniel? Check out his website www.danielporeajr.com or on Instagram @danielporeajr.

KERRI ROBERTS (Beulah / Delores / Ensemble)
Kerri is thrilled to be performing with Charleston Stage. She holds B.M. and M.M. degrees in Vocal Performance from Columbia College and the University of South Carolina. Kerri has had the privilege of performing locally, regionally, and internationally in a variety of genres. Favorite roles include: Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, the title role in Mary Poppins, and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. Kerri and her husband Brent are the proud parents of five amazing (mostly adult!) children. Their family relocated to the Charleston area in 2023, where they lead Freedom House International, a global missions and discipleship ministry. Now happily settled in the Lowcountry, Kerri is grateful to be becoming part of the Charleston theater community and is honored to perform on the historic Dock Street stage. Soli Deo Gloria

XAN ROGERS (Nick / Doug / Ensemble)
Xan is an alumnus of the Charleston County School of the Arts and of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where he studied musical theatre and acting technique. Theatre credits include: Sense and Sensibility (Sir John Middleton), The Game’s Afoot (Simon Bright), Legally Blonde (Lowell/Ensemble), Fiddler on the Roof (Avram), The Trip to Bountiful (Roy), Clue: On Stage (Professor Plum), Spamalot (Dennis Galahad/Black Knight/Swamp King), The Full Monty (Jerry Lukowski), Wait Until Dark (Roat), Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (Berger), Head Over Heels (King Basilius), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Morris Barfée), Vanity Fair (Rawdon Crawley), Disaster! The Musical (Chad), and Pippin (Lewis). Film credits include: The Encounter and A Real Life (19 Pictures, 2023). Instagram @the_xan_rogers. Special thanks to Kayla, for everything.

JOE SPIOTTA (Claude / Ensemble)
Joseph is delighted to return to Charleston Stage for this powerful production of Come From Away. He has spent the past five years performing across the Lowcountry in shows including The Prom, The Full Monty, Legally Blonde, and A Christmas Story. Joseph is especially honored to help tell this remarkable story of hope, kindness, and the extraordinary things that can happen when strangers choose compassion and community. Endless love to the friends who have become family, and the family who have always been his biggest fans. Extra thanks to Mom, Dad, and Dylan for their constant support (and for putting up with the theater kid energy all these years). 

LARA SWALLEN (Beverly / Ensemble)
Lara has been performing with Charleston Stage since 2009. Favorite Charleston Stage credits include: The Prom (Dee Dee), Mamma Mia! (Tanya), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Noises Off (Belinda), Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde (2012), Young Frankenstein, and Cabaret. Lara performs with Village Repertory’s music tribute series, including five concerts at Charleston Music Hall. Some of her other Village Rep credits include: Daddy Long Legs (Jerusha), The Game’s Afoot (Aggie), The Angel Next Door (Margot), Lucy (Mary), Xanadu (Kira), and One Man Two Guvnors (Pauline). Other performances include: Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Footlight), Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Footlight), Charity in Sweet Charity (Flowertown), Laura in The Glass Menagerie (Threshold), Lily in Annie (Charleston Music Hall), and Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress (D.C.’s Lazy Susan). Lara is a stay at home mom to her's and her wonderful husband Ian’s beloved children, Abel and Hannah.

MATTHEW WILLINGHAM (Kevin T / Garth / Ensemble)
Matthew is delighted to be performing in another dream show with Charleston Stage! He was seen on the Dock Street stage last season in Legally Blonde and The 39 Steps. Other Charleston Stage credits include: Beautiful, The Prom, Elf, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, and others. When not performing with Charleston Stage he can be found around the corner with The Footlight Players. Past Footlight shows include: Cabaret (Emcee), The Minutes, Proof (Assistant Director/SM), A Gentleman's Guide..., The Wild Party, Spamalot, Ruthless!, and Footlight's Rocky Horror Experience. Matthew is also proud to say he serves as the Theatre teacher at West Ashley High School. He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support!

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