Harris Center for the Performing Arts Program Guide March-June 2018

Buddy − The Buddy Holly Story Who's Who
Kelsey Gerdon (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Las Vegas,
Nevada resident, Northern Arizona University (NAU) alumnus,
who finished her studies at the University of Leeds in Leeds,
England. She is thrilled to be a part of the National Tour of
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, joining the legacy of people who
have brought this production alive to date. Kelsey loves all the
disciplines involved in theatre such as management, lighting,
costumes, and scenery. Some of her favorite past show credits
include: Hairspray, All Shook Up, Kiss Me Kate, The 25th Annual
Putnam Spelling Bee, Summer and Smoke, The Comedy of Errors,
and The School for Lies. She is grateful to have been a part of the
arts management team for the reopening of Surflight Theatre
in Beach Haven, New Jersey as well as acting as their house
manager. Kelsey would like to thank all of her supporters,
family, and friends who have always encouraged her to do
whatever she sets her mind to.
Hayley Hunt (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a part
of the Buddy tour. Previous tours include: Fame – The Musical
and The Lion (launched at MRT in Lowell, MA). Regional: Fellow
Travelers, Silent Night, Song from the Uproar, and others at
Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Opera, San Antonio Opera, Merrimack
Repertory Theatre, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and
Houston Shakespeare Festival. Hailing from Katy, Texas,
Hayley holds a B.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati - College
Conservatory of Music.
Keith Lambert (Wardrobe Supervisor) Keith started working
in theater in college. After finding his love for the craft, he
was led to Philadelphia where he is the Costume Director of
the largest haunted attraction in the United States outside of
an amusement park (Terror Behind the Walls @ Eastern State
Penitentiary), costuming over 250 actors each night. There he
and his staff build and maintain all showpieces.
Ben LoPreto (Production Manager) has been working In the
entertainment industry since the age of 16. He started in a
small community theatre on Long Island, working his way up
to do National Tours and music festivals all over the country.
Previously he has worked on the last National Tours of A Chorus
Line (2012-2013), Godspell (2013-2014) and Jekyll and Hyde
(2014-2015). He has also worked music festivals such as
Hangout Fest on the Gulf Shores of Alabama and the Telluride
Blues and Brews Fest in Colorado. He is excited to work
alongside the talented crew of Buddy.
James McCormick (Audio Engineer) Jim started in
entertainment in 1981 and was touring with Joan Jett and the
Blackhearts by 1984, supporting acts such as Deep Purple
and Ratt along with her personal tour. Jim went on to work
with other artists such as Expos'e, Taylor Dayne, Najee, Lisa
Lisa Cult Jam, Renaissance and others with his last touring
in 2007 as Aretha Franklin's audio engineer. In 2001, Jim
started an event production company providing sound system
and AV services. He is also a USA Hockey level 4 coach and
coached teams from New England to North Carolina where
he currently resides.
Colby Peterson (Assistant Sound Engineer) Born and raised in
Missoula, Montana, Colby (age 22) will be joining Buddy for his
second National Tour with the company. Throughout his career,
Colby has worked with multiple Grammy award-winning
artists, such as Hank Williams Jr. and Jerrod Niemann.
Furthermore, Colby has performed his craft in 12 different
countries, three of which came during his time as Head of Audio
with Carnival Cruise Line. There he worked with a stream of
nationally recognized comedians, including Jay Leno. Colby
has a passion for excellence and is excited to be a part of
bringing the production of Buddy to life!
Lacy Reily (Assistant Company Manager) is a New York based
Stage Director with a passion for new plays. Her previous
directing work includes world premieres of over 15 new
plays, which have been seen across the U.S. Most recently:
More (Unfringed Festival), Do You Dream In Spanish? (Fresh
Fruit Festival), Wild Imagination (Dixon Place), An Unexpected
Thing Happens (Fresh Grind Festival), I am, to you, A Stranger
(United Solo Festival), The Nose (MITF 2016 Award-Winner, Best
Musical), Down Among The Vultures (Cincinnati Fringe) and more.
She thanks her family and Mike for their endless support!
Bodie Tureson (Technical Director) grew up in the small town of
Lee Vining, California. After graduating high school he moved
to Reno, Nevada where he started working at the Eldorado
Showroom. There he ran tech for numerous shows and learned
all technical aspects of theater. From there Bodie moved to Las
Vegas, Nevada and now works all throughout the Vegas Strip.
Since moving to Las Vegas, Bodie has been a part of multiple
productions including: Island Heat, Crazy Girls, Paul Zerdin,
Franky Moreno, Americas Got Talent Live, and most recently
Magic Mike Live.
Steve Steiner (Company Manager) Steve works in all areas
of the Theatrical Industry. Actor BROADWAY: Anything Goes,
Buddy (original cast), State Fair, and the upcoming Diner by
Barry Levinson and Sheryl Crow. OFF B’WAY: Return To The
Forbidden Planet (Prospero), Annie Warbucks, and Honky-Tonk
Highway (also MD/Arranger). NATIONAL TOUR: Pirates of
Penzance (Pirate King), and Little Shop of Horrors. REGIONAL:
50+ roles, favorites include Carnival (Paul), Kismet (Poet).
Musical Director: 25 productions regionally, National Tours and
in New York. Artistic Director: 14 years (& counting) Surflight
Theatre, 8 (& counting), Jersey Shore Entertainment. Producer:
Boebe Productions LLC: 6 National Tours (Buddy, Titanic, Sweet
Charity). Director: 40+ productions, recently Laguna Playhouse,
CA (Buddy and Ring of Fire). Company Manager: Three tours of
Buddy. Past President of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance,
10 years AEA Councillor, proud recipient of NJ Theatre Alliance
Access Task Force INNOVATOR Award (forward thinking
practices in hiring actors with disabilities).
John Banister (Musical Supervisor) is an honours graduate of
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England. He began his
career as a classical musician playing with some of Britain's
top orchestras such as The Royal Philharmonic, Welsh National
Opera and Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet. As an actor/musician
he has appeared in several of London's West End shows such
as Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, Jailhouse Rock, Great Balls of
Fire and The Sound Of Music. He is now the Music Supervisor
for Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story through Buddy Worldwide
Ltd. and has directed and appeared in many productions
across Europe and North America. John was nominated for
22 SPRING 2018 PROGRAM GUIDE www.harriscenter.net