Columbia Gorge School of Theatre

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Staff - 2005 Staff Bios

SYLVIANNA ARNDT (Head Intern, Voice & Movement Instructor)

JT BUCK (Musical Director, Instructor)

KARISA CHAPPELL (Co-Camp Director)

JOHN EBENGER (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor)

RACHEL-CLARE HABER (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor)

MICHAEL HOLT (Intern, Lifeguard, Assistant to Executive Director)

MAC INGRAM (Intern, Assistant to the Artistic Director)

JAN JAMES (Executive Director)

JEN JENKINS (Dance Director, Instructor)

CHRISSY MAZZELLA (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor)

JESSE MERZ (Artistic Director, Meisner Acting Instructor)

JODY MERZ (Consultant)

LAUREL MERZ (Camp Director, Head of First Aid, Voice & Movement Instructor)

EMILY NEWMAN (Intern)

RUDY SCHUEPBACH (Camp Cousenlor, Production Team Member, Instructor, Lifeguard)

ERIKA WISNIEWSKI (Kitchen Intern)

BOB WOOD (Kitchen Intern)

ARIANA ZISKIN (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor)

SYLVIANNA ARNDT (Head Intern, Voice & Movement Instructor)) has been privileged enough to have the benefit of four previous summers at CGST as a student and apprentice. At camp and at her school she has enjoyed such roles as Peter in Peter Pan, Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, Tess in Crazy For You, and most recently Miss Hannigan in Annie while simultaneously costuming and choreographing the show. This June she will graduate from St. Mary's School and will attend New York University, Tisch School of the Arts in the fall. blueberry_4@hotmail.com

JT BUCK (Musical Director, Instructor) is a multi-disciplined artist working primarily at the crossroads of music and theatre. Fresh off an internship with Elizabeth I. McCann (Managing Producer of the Tony Awards and the current B'way revival of "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf"), he is thrilled to be joining CGST for the first time! His most recent projects as director/performer include "Prostheseus Unbound", a multimedia performance piece for Houston's Mitchell Center for the Arts as well as stagings of such diverse fare as "The Laramie Project", "State Fair" and Christopher Durang's "Titanic". As a musician, JT has helmed the pit for nearly 20 musicals, including "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", "Cinderella", "Godspell" and "Joseph....Dreamcoat", and spent two summers as music director for the Children's Theatre School summer program in Vail, CO. He recently produced the world premiere workshop of a new musical based on the novel "The Lovely Bones" and the 17th annual "Edward Albee New Plays Workshop" under the guidance of Pulitzer-winning playwright Lanford Wilson. Active as a composer/lyricist, he has penned music and lyrics for adaptations of "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Noah", as well as incidental music for numerous plays, pop and art songs, and more. This fall, Buck will dive into a different kind of "camp" with "The Gospel According to Tammy Faye", a new musical written with Fernando Dovalina, which will recieve a workshop at Houston's Unviersity of St. Thomas in September. JT holds a BA in Theatre with a Music Minor from The University of Akron, and will complete an MFA in Directing at the University of Houston this coming May. jtbuck@hotmail.com

KARISA CHAPPELL (Co-Camp Director) born in tiny Mt. Kisco, NY 20 years ago Karisa will be a junior in the fall at Barnard Women's College of Columbia University in Manhattan. She declared a double major in English and Computer Science last fall. In 1995 Karisa's family relocated from NY to Portland, OR where she graduated from the Catlin Gabel School. These days she divides her time between the thrilling Big Apple, her parents house in Portland, and the beautiful Blue Moon Ranch. Entranced with theatre and all that is CGST for nearly a decade now, this will be her 9th year at the camp and her fifth summer as a staff member. She made her stage acting debut with CGST in Godspell at age 12, and has since acted in and technically assisted on dozens of amateur shows. Love always to all of the diverse and amazing members of the CGST family. kc2127@barnard.edu

JOHN EBENGER (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor)John (Johno) Ebenger has been involved in theatre since the 8th grade. He spent three years at CGST as a student and last year returned as a counselor. He recently graduated from University of Puget Sound with a BA in Theatre Arts. He is primarily interested in performance and stage combat (he served as a TA in both the Intro to Theatre and the Stage-Combat classes in college) but he has also written and directed several plays, in addition to doing tech work for various productions and student films. He's played everything from Achilles to Karl Marx to The Valentine Fairy. His interests outside of theatre include philosphy, military history, the martial arts and juggling. jebenger@ups.edu

RACHEL-CLARE HABER (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor) is ecstatic over her opportunity to return to CGST for a fifth time. She has finally progressed to the role of staff member, a promotion she couldn't be happier about. Rachel-Clare hails from her first year at Scripps College in Southern California where she plans to major in Mathematics with at a minor in Astro-physics. Despite this heavily science centered curriculum and the odd looks received from her physics professors, she continues to dedicate time to her original love, theatre. Rachel-Clare's onstage experience consists mostly of vocal and tap performances, with an inordinate amount of time spent back stage supplying all forms of technical support. She has worked on The Boyfriend, Pirates of Penzance, Children of Eden, College Night is Murder, The Cherry Orchard, As You Like It, Guys and Dolls, Dancing at Lughnasa, Kiss Me Kate, and Romeo and Juliet. She also dedicates her time to the study of Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art), Ba-gua (a Chinese internal martial art), baking, and the avocation of the extreme use of parenthesis (they have feelings too, you know). rhaber@ScrippsCollege.edu

MICHAEL HOLT (Intern, Lifeguard, Assistant to Executive Director) is pleased to be returning to CGST after a one year hiatus making smoothies at Jamba Juice. Michael spent three years as a camper from 1999-2001, and began working at CGST as an apprentice in 2000. Since that time he has been a Jr. intern, assistant to the artistic director, and video intern, among others. Over the past eight years Michael has appeared in over thirty five musicals and plays, professionally and in the community. His favorite roles include Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Bobby in Crazy for You, Ensemble in Les Miserables, Billy Ray Jr. in On Golden Pond, and Randolph Macafee in Bye Bye Birdie. Michael also made his directorial debut at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, directing Overtones. Michael has lived in Vancouver, Washington for the past eighteen years and recently graduated from the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, studying theatre and graphic design. Next year he will attend New York University, College of Arts and Science. Michael can be reached at Mikeywyan@hotmail.com.

MAC INGRAM (Intern, Assistant to the Artistic Director) is a currently a vagabond, actor, student and waiter currently between homes and lives in Kentucky, and soon-to-be college in St. Louis. Mac is extremely excited to be interning at CGST this summer after spending two incredible summers as a student. Mac's roles at CGST have included Tobias Doubt in Somewhere I Have Never Travelled and The Creator/Destroyer in Elemental Ensemble. Back in Kentucky, Mac's favorite roles have included Betram Cates in Inherit the Wind, Linus in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Assistant Director of The Baddest Angel Band, Stage Manager of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and many others. Mac can be contacted at his e-mail, mac@maysvilleplayers.com.

JAN JAMES is the Executive Director of CGST. She owns and runs the business with Jesse Merz, her son, who is the Artistic Director. Jan graduated from the University of Oregon (go Ducks!) with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology. After graduation she lived in the Hood River Valley for 24 years. During that time, Jan lived on an apple and pear orchard with her husband, and raised 2 children, Jesse and Jody Merz. Jan loved spending time with her children, and was involved in their many pursuits......she enjoyed watching them work on and finish their degrees in Acting and Psychology/Nursing respectively.
After Jan sold her last house in the Hood River Valley, she began to look for another place in the country. When she found the property outside White Salmon, Washington, the Blue Moon Ranch was born. Somehow, the idea for the Columbia Gorge School of Theatre was hatched with input from the whole family, and it was started by Jesse, Jody, and Jan.
CGST is a family business--at the present time, Jesse is the Artistic Director, his wife, Laurel is the Camp Director, and Jan is the Executive Director. Jan enjoys spending time with Laurel, her wonderful daughter-in-law, who has become very active in all aspects of the camp. She also gets to see her son, Jesse, every day in the summer, as well as at planning sessions other times of the year. Jody has gone on to become a nurse at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, a hospital that Jan lived in for 4 months in 1997 (more about that later).
Jan never really knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. She always supported her family members in their various pursuits, until the idea for CGST came into being. After the family decided to start the summer camp, the heart disease she had been diagnosed with became more serious, and she was placed on the Heart Transplant waiting list. During the first summer of camp, Jan was waiting at the hospital (OHSU) for 3 1/2 months, for a life saving heart transplant. Jesse and Jody ran a small version of CGST with 10 amazing campers, and a wonderful staff.
When the entire camp was at the Hood River County Fair, the pager notified Jesse and Jody that a heart was available. They left the campers in the capable hands of the rest of the staff, and rushed to Jan's side in Portland, just in time to give her some words of encouragement before she went into surgery. Jesse was helping his mom with some breathing exercises meant to relax her--she was never quite sure if those exercises were for Jesse, Jody, or herself!
Anyway, when Jan woke up in the recovery room with a strong, healthy heart, she was making plans for CGST. She was fortunate enough to get out of the hospital in time to see our first show - - Godspell. Because of the generosity of an anonymous donor family, Jan is alive and well, and able to fully enjoy our wonderful, amazing, summer theatre camp with her family! Every moment she remembers the heart donor and his unbelievable, generous, inspiring family!

Jan has a home office, and does administrative work year round. The camp has been a tremendous inspiration to her, and she loves talking to people from around the world about a great experience for kids -- CGST. The camp has changed the lives of everybody that has come in contact with it, and she is happy to tell people about how it has changed her life. Jan has finally found with she wants to be when she grows up. She can be reached at BlueMoon91@aol.com, or 800-405-3450.

JEN JENKINS (Dance Director, Instructor) Originally from Virginia Beach, VA Jen is thrilled to be spending her first summer at CGST. As a performer, Jen has worked with Broadway Directors Terrance Mann, John Rando, and Vince Pesce. Some of her favorite roles include Rizzo in Grease, Lola in Damn Yankees, and Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. Jen has spent the past year choreographing and teaching with Christopher Alan Productions in Cinncinatti as well as St. Mary's Theatre in New York. As a choreographer, Jen received the Evelyn Russell-Layton Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in theatrical dance and her jazz piece, "Feelin' Franky", was selected to be performed at the Professional Theatre Workshop in Manteo, NC. Jen holds a BA in Theatre and Dance with a concentration in Musical Theatre from James Madison University. jenjenkins80@hotmail.com


CHRISSY MAZZELLA (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor) is absolutely delighted to be rejoining CGST for her fourth year. She hails from New Port Richey, Florida (just outside of Tampa). She made her CGST debut in 2000 at the age of 16 and completely fell in love with it. She has since returned as an apprentice, and intern, and now a COUNSELOR. She is very excited to meet new faces and greet old ones. She is looking forward to spending an amazing summer with you. Pisceangel1620@cs.com

JESSE MERZ (Artistic Director, Meisner Acting Instructor) has directed over 40 productions in NYC and in regional theatre, including directing Tony-Winner Daisy Eagan in Suburban Dreams in NYC. He has produced over 160 theatre and film productions and has written half a dozen plays. As an actor, Jesse has performed off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, in regional theatre, summer stock, feature films, student films, on the radio and in 120 cities in 34 states nationwide. He is a member of the Actors Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Dramatists Guild (DG), the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC) and the Voice and Speech Teachers Association (VASTA). He was the Producing Artistic Director of Longview Stageworks from 2000 - 2003. He has been the Artistic Director of the Columbia Gorge School of Theatre and the Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre since 1996. Realizing that working with young people is his primary passion, he became the drama director and teacher at David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon in 2003. He holds a BFA in Acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he spent two years at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School (where he studied with Oscar nominees David Mamet and William H. Macy) and two years at the Meisner Extension. He received his Master of Arts in Teaching (Drama Endorsement) from George Fox University in April, 2005. Additionally, he has worked or studied with: Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives"), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol"), Charlie O'Connell ("The Bachelor", Dude Where's My Car), Alec Baldwin, Tony Randall, Lauri Peters (Tony Nominee The Sound of Music), River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Martha Plimpton, Gus Van Sant, Josh Hartnett, and many more. Jesse is happily married to Laurel and is the proud papa of Alana Fay! JesseMerz@aol.com

www.JesseMerz.com -- click here for his resume, biography and picture

JODY MERZ (Consultant) Jody has been with CGST since its beginning in 1997. She is currently a nurse at OHSU. JodyMerz@hotmail.com

LAUREL MERZ (Camp Director, Head of First Aid, Lifeguard) grew up in Hood River, Oregon and lives Portland, Oregon with her husband, Jesse and daughter, Alana Fay. Professional acting credits include Sylvia in Sylvia, Ensemble in The Laramie Project, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Julie in Jake's Women and Robert Anne in Nunsense (Jake's Women and Nunsense were also performed in Vancouver at the Columbia Arts Center) with Longview Stageworks. She also played Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret and Sheila in Hair in community productions at Clark College directed by Ron Daum and Tony Bump, respectively. Additionally, Laurel has also worked as a director, stage manager, designer and in commercials on TV and on the radio. She toured the world in the musical Roads produced by Up with People, where she performed in 16 US states, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Chicago, as well as Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and Japan. Other favorite credits include Vicky/Brook in Noises Off, Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof, and Mrs. Webb in Our Town. She received her Associates of Arts with a Biology emphasis from Lower Columbia College. LaurelLMerz@aol.com

EMILY NEWMAN (Intern) has attended CGST four sessions in the past. After four years at the Washington Academy of Performing Arts, she is a student at the University of Washington. She studies and performs folk and classical harp, and has had plays produced with Idaho Repertory Theatre and Young Playwrights Inc. in New York City. zen@u.washington.edu

RUDY SCHUEPBACH (Camp Cousenlor, Production Team Member, Instructor, Lifeguard) After graduating Hood River Valley High School, Rudy decided that his college career was in the theatre. Deciding on Central Washington University, Rudy started at Longview Columbia College with intentions of changing his residency status. After graduating from LCC with a transfer degree in Theatre Arts, he did indeed transfer to CWU. Currently attending Central in Ellensburg, Washington, Rudy is specializing in performance (with special attention to directing and fight choreography). entrepeninja@gmail.com

ERIKA WISNIEWSKI (Kitchen Intern) is a new member of the CGST staff! Even though she has never attended CGST before, she adores theatre and is an experienced vocalist! Erika has lived in Vancouver, Washington for 18 years and has been involved with many activities in the area including Skyview High School Vocal Jazz, Portland Symphonic Girl Choir, Skyview Concert Choir, and the 1st place state champion Skyview Women's Ensemble. Among her choral groups, Erika also has a passion for theatre! Erika's favorite role she has ever played was "Narrator" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Erika will be attending Brigham Young University-Idaho this fall where she will be studying vocal music… and is anticipating an exceptionally pleasurable summer! queenerika13@yahoo.com

BOB WOOD (Kitchen Intern) is a Hood River, Oregon native who recently graduated from Hood River Valley High School. He attended CGST last summer as a camper at the beginning and a staff member at the end. Bob's first love was acting, but later on in his high school career he developed a greater love for stage managing and directing. He will attend the University of Oregon next year to study journalism, French, and, of course, theatre. lecanardcharmant@gmail.com

ARIANA ZISKIN (Camp Counselor, Production Team Member, Instructor) This will be Ari's 5th summer at CGST and she is very excited to finally get to be a counselor! She is currently a musical theatre major at Mesa Community College, a teacher at Studio One Performing Arts Center, and Company Director/Rehearsal Director for Gravity Jazz Dance Theatre. Her favorite roles include the Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha, The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, and Aunt March in Little Women. She can't wait to help make this summer, the best one CGST has ever had! ARiLuVsGrEeNDaY@aol.com

Click here for the Biography of Jesse Merz, Artistic Director

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"I felt a real sense of belonging." - Sarah, age 13, Japan