2012 Ensemble

Artistic Director | David Mills-Low

Click here for David's Bio.

Musical Director | D.J. Gommels

D.J. has stood at the musical helm of over 200 productions of some ninety musicals, operas, tours, concerts, revues, and cabarets across the country and abroad. Pianist, conductor, music director, arranger, dance musician, actor, opera singer…his credits are myriad and span over 35 years. A much sought-after collaborator, he has had the privilege of working with Broadway’s Patti Cohenour, Jennifer Holliday, Jean Stapleton, Judith Ivey and Dixie Carter, as well as opera luminaries Samuel Ramey, Phyllis Bryn-Julson and Renee Fleming, to name but a few. As a composer, D.J. has scored the short films Through the Eyes of a Friend, The New American, and The Right to Dream. Recent projects include Judy Sings Judy (music director/conductor, U.K. and U.S. productions), To Broadway & Back (with Patti Cohenour), Lives Upon the Wicked Stage (Seattle/San Francisco). In his spare time, D.J. is the Principle Dance Musician at Seattle’s prestigious Cornish College of the Arts. He is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Opera House! Much gratitude & love to Tim & Claudette, the OHTC ensemble, and to Will.

Company Manager/Ensemble | Colleen Watson

Colleen Watson- Also known as Binky Mackay, this actress grew up in Anaconda MT where she did her first play in 5th grade at West Elementary School. She also was active in the Drama Club in highschool and went on to get a B.F.A. in Acting/Directing from the University of Montana in Missoula. While there, she toured four years with the Montana Repertory Theatre as well as spending time on the road with Missoula Children's Theatre. Two shows she holds near and dear to her heart are HARVEST and COWBOY, both tours with the Montana Repertory Theatre. Most recently Binky was seen as The Witch in INTO THE WOODS, Mama Noah in CHILDREN OF EDEN, and Velma Kelly in CHICAGO at Grandstreet Theatre in Helena MT. Having just spent several months in Arizona, she did her first movie, STUCK OUTSIDE OF PHOENIX, where she was afraid she might really get stuck...outside of Phoenix. She returns to Montana feeling a little bit like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. "And oh Auntie Em....there's no place like home!" She is especially happy to be in Philipsburg for her 8th season with OHTC.

Ensemble

- David Simmons

David Simmons, (Actor). An honors graduate of the University of Montana School of Music and recipient of the 2008 University of Montana “Odyssey of the Stars” award, David is excited to be returning to the stage in Montana after a 20 year absence. Mr. Simmons diverse career as an actor, director, music director, playwright, composer, teacher, guitarist, band leader and producer has taken him to all fifty states, fourteen countries and three continents. He has portrayed numerous characters from a larger-than-life teddy bear to the larger-than-life president for whom the toy was named, Theodore Roosevelt. David is the proud father of one son, Niko, (soon to be a college senior at the University of Minnesota, Morris), and he currently makes his home in Missoula, MT with his uber-talented wife Marilyn.

- Kati Pearson

Kati is extremely excited to be making her professional debut in her first season at the Opera House. From Toronto, Ontario, Kati holds a BMus in Voice from Queen's University and an MM in Musical Theatre performance from the University of Montana. A trained dancer in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, acrobatics, and musical theatre dance, Kati has competed across Canada and the United States, and her choreography has been featured in a number of shows and musicals. Favorite performances include Haley/Woman 2 in Edges, Betsy in Crazy for You, and The Voice in West Side Story.Other credits include Chicago, Guys and Dolls, The Producersand The Mikado. Kati would like to thank Opera House Theatre for this exciting opportunity, her family and friends for their never ending support, and you for contributing to live theatre! www.katipearson.com

- Camille Perry

Camille Perry is thrilled to be spending her first summer in Philipsburg! Montana born and raised, she has been living in Portland for almost a year, flexing her artistic muscles in a new community as a poet and vocalist. Prior to her Oregon adventures, Camille lived in Missoula, working with MAT and MCT on many different projects. She was a tour actor/director for Missoula Children's Theater, a cabaret girl for 6 months with MAT, a ghastly Transylvanian in The Rocky Horror Show, fifteen different characters in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and even an unwelcome visitor in the short film, Wednesday's Girl. Many thanks go to David Mills-Low for giving her the chance to live out her summer theater dreams, to the rest of the cast for their hard work, and to you, the audience, for supporting the world of theater. Enjoy the show!

- Landon Hansen

Landon Hansen is proud to be continuing his career in theatre with the Opera House Theatre in Philipsburg this summer and is fulfilling a long time goal by doing so. Now studying at the University of Montana with a focus in Theatre and Creative Writing, Landon has shifted his main course of study as well as his career focus away from acting; which is why the opportunity for him to join this stupendous company as an actor is such a delight. His previous work in the theatre has ranged from The Same Difference Theatre Co. in Butte, of which he is a founding member, that specializes in creating theatre for those with and without disabilities in an inclusive environment to working at the University of Montana. He has also had the great pleasure to work with the Vigilante Theatre Company for 2 years touring around the state. Currently, Landon is working diligently writing in various mediums and hopes to produce his first theatrical Avant Guarde works soon, as well as publish selections of his poetry and short stories. Landon loves biking and plans to do plenty while in Philipsburg!

Lights and Stage Manager | Kayla Long

Kayla Long is giddy with excitement for her first season at the Phillipsburg Opera House. Currently, she is majoring in Stage Management at the University of Montana.Kay’s backstage credits include The Cherry Orchard, You Can’t Take it With You, Direct, and most recently, West Side Story. She considers backstage her home-away-from-home and cannot imagine doing anything else. Kay would like to give a shout out to her family and friends for all their love and support.

Intern | Laura Barsotti

Laura Barsotti, a Philipsburg graduate of Granite High School, is in her third year at Rocky Mountain College, double majoring in Theatre Performance and Environmental Science. Before moving to Montana, Laura spent her childhood in Houston, Texas and Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She enjoys hiking, dancing, music, and sports of all kinds.