MICHELLE MEJASKI - DIRECTOR

Michelle is an award winning tap dancer who has had the privilege to train with instructors from Hollywood Vibe, New York City Dance Allice, L.A. Dance Force, NRG, and Manhattan Dance Project. She also travels to NYC to train at the Broadway Dance Center with her favorite instructors. Michelle has had the privilege to tap internationally. She has attended, performed in, and trained with tap legends such as Michele Dorrance, Sam Weber, and Dianna Walker at the Vancouver Canada Tap Festival. She was the first and only American to be accepted into the Croatian Tap Festival where she trained with Chloe Arnold, Sara Reich, and Rueben Sanchez. Her most hilarious privilege was being a back-up dancer for Weird Al Yankovik!

Mayra Dennis - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Mayra discovered her love for theater as a child while attending shows with her mother at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. Local stage credits include CATS, and Mama Mia (with Thoroughly Modern Productions at the Tower Theater) and NINE, the Musical (with Mejcho Studio). She has volunteered with BEAT Children’s Theatre, has served as dramaturg and Spanish voice coach, and has made many props and costumes for local productions. Mayra is thrilled to have had the opportunity to lend her energy to this production, and is thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented director team, cast, and crew.

“Best to take the moment present s a present for the moment”
~ Stephen Sondheim,

SCOTT MICHAELSEN - VOCAL & MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Scott is a local pianist who has called Bend home for 28 years. He has been a music director for numerous productions in the Central Oregon area since 2012, with favorite highlights including Spamalot and Sweeney Todd (Stage Right Productions), Beauty and the Beast, Rock of Ages, Cats, and, most recently, Titanic (Thoroughly Modern Productions). This is Scott’s second show with Mejaski Choreography, following Kiss of the Spider Woman in January 2019. He has also in past years served as a music instructor for Trinity Lutheran School, played with the Central Oregon Mastersingers, accompanied students for various school and scholarship programs, composed and arranged music for plays and choirs, performed for Limelight Entertainment’s Cocktail Cabarets, and entertained the residents of retirement communities. In 2019-2021, Scott ventured away from home to serve as a music director at Post Playhouse in Crawford, Nebraska (Sister Act, A Year with Frog and Toad), Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, California (Grease, Camelot), and Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida (original cabarets Unchained Melodies and Three Pianos). He hopes to continue travelling for work like this in the coming years. Into the Woods is a favorite of Scott’s, and it is a true pleasure to bring this show to life amidst actual trees with many beloved friends and colleagues, new and old, of the local community.

Gary Loddo - Set Design & Construction

Gary moved here from London nearly 9 years ago, where he worked as a specialist access, cameras, and lights rigger on TV and major movies including Batman Begins, Harry Potter and Doctor Who. His Bend set designs include: Peter Pan, Rent, Mulan, Tarzan, In The Next Room, the Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Jesus Christ Superstar to name a few. Last year alone he was involved with twenty shows. He is currently on the board of BEAT Children’s Theater and started his film and stage set design and construction company Different Worldz. He is also the set designer for Theater in the Park. Full time, he is the co-owner/director of a program supporting adults with challenges and works one on one as a behavioral specialist. He loves soccer and writes, carves and volunteers his time in many areas of the community.

Tyler Haas - Costume Designer

Tyler’s passion is designing and creating elaborate outfits and costumes. This year he makes his debut in the theatre world as a costume designer! Professionally, Tyler is a jeweler with his own company, Tyler Haas Designs. He works in sterling silver and gold to create unique pieces of jewelry inspired by Lord of the Rings Elven Style. Tyler also teaches Argentine Tango here in Bend, with his wife Emma. They have competed in Swinging with the Stars the last two years. Tyler loves making beautiful pieces of wearable art, be it unique artisan jewelry, intricate leather suits of armor, or costumes for theatre productions!

Scott Schultz - Backstage Crew

Scott Schultz is ecstatic to be a part of this incredible team and show. Scott is a professional caregiver by day and is a director and thespian by night. His Bend directing credits include: Accomplice, Heather’s the Musical, Hand to God, and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche. Now sit back and enjoy Into the Woods!!!!

Jeannie Whittle - Backstage Manager

Jeannie is excited to help bring Into the Woods to beautiful Drake Park as part of Theatre in the Park. She has been working on every production with Mejco Productions since Jesus Christ Superstar. For Into the Woods she puts on the hat of Stage Manager to make sure everyone and everything is where it needs to be when the curtain goes up. Jeannie hopes you all enjoy this retelling of these fairy tales, hopefully as you remember them–but with a twist.

Alyshia Fath - Lead Hair Design

Alyshia has been in the hair business professionally for a decade but her love of cosmetology started at a very young age. Being able to be part of such a great production has been such a blessing especially after what 2020 brought. This is Alyshia’s second show with a Mejcho and she is looking forward to being a part of many more!

Katherine Havern - Lead Makeup Artist

Katherine Havern (Hair and Makeup) is a talented multi-media artist who graduated in Cosmetology in 2017, where she thrived in braiding and costume make up. Katherine spends most of her time creating in her fine-arts studio. She specializes in watercolor and her art is edgy and imaginative. Her type of art is quirky but her technique shows control as she pays particular attention to detail. Her style is clearly an extension of her energetic personality. This is her fifth production working with Mejaski Choreography and Productions. (Facebook@khaveheart )

Whiteny Cunningham - Backstage Crew

Whitney is thrilled to be stage hand for Into the Woods, bringing experience as a stage manager from shows like Hand to God, Disaster the Musical, RHPS Floor Show, 9 to 5, and assistant directing Heathers the Musical. Being primarily backstage has broadened her organizational skills, making her an adaptable player to any situation.