Staff
Chuck Still is a native of Chattanooga and a graduate of Davidson College. He has an MFA from the North Carolina School of the Arts. He began his professional theatre career as Production Manager of the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival in High Point. Still has extensive experience in theatre management:
• He most recently was Executive Director of the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
• He was Founding Executive Director of the Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH) in Houston, Texas from 2015 to 2019.
• He was Founding Executive Director of the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook, Connecticut from 2008 to 2014.
• He has worked in production management at five different regional theatres. He has been involved in three successful capital campaigns and four building projects. Early in his career, he worked on Broadway as a production supervisor.
Debby has 25 years of experience in fundraising and business development.
Early in her career, Debby worked in the for-profit private sector, and public sector as a Regional Sales Manager and Account Executive with a Fortune 500 company. Most recently, she co-founded and sold Donor Haven, a digital platform designed to train functional areas of nonprofits for fundraising alignment. She’s been instrumental in developing and executing fundraising campaigns for myriad organizations. Her work has garnered national recognition; her ability to translate the importance of growing long-term donor relations for organizations has culminated in a philanthropic philosophy, and focus, on donor-centric fundraising.
Civic contributions include various leadership roles in nonprofit organizations including children’s causes, healthcare, homeless initiatives, and both the visual and performing arts. Debby is passionate about youth empowerment. Most recently, her focus has been promoting STEM programs that are currently playing a vital role in girls’ education. It is through her passion for giving children and young people the very best educational opportunities, and championing those causes, that she hopes to inspire, transform, and impact future generations.
She enjoys various outdoor pursuits, beach time, reading, painting, interior design and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Janelle Austin Parrish has been with The Lost Colony Box Office since 2012, becoming Box Office Manager in the fall of 2014. She enjoys being the first point of contact to patrons from around the globe. She is a second generation part of the production with her father pushing the boat backstage for a nickel a night. Her family now has four generations of involvement in this great organization.
Matt comes to Manteo from Cincinnati, Ohio. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Matt spent 4 summers as a performer in The Lost Colony, as an Actor Technician and as Father Martin. After college, Matt spent 4 years traveling as an actor, and has worked with Thunder Bay Theatre, Lexington Children’s Theatre, and Birmingham Children’s Theatre. In 2021, Matt was hired as the Guest Experience Ambassador for RIHA, and now proudly serves as the Marketing and Development Coordinator for the company. He and his wife Emmi are proud Keepers of the Dream.
Karin grew up on the outskirts of NYC and loved taking the train into the City for walking tours and Broadway shows. After a career in corporate accounting at Domino Sugar, Karin relocated to Kitty Hawk, NC. Karin fell in love with the area and now calls the beautiful Outer Banks her home. Karin volunteers at the Outer Banks SPCA on the weekends.
Greg grew up in McClean, Virginia and went into the Air Force for 7 years. After his time with the military he founded his own Fiber Optic company which he owned and operated for 22 years. He and his wife retired to the Outer Banks and he is proud to maintain the beautiful grounds of the Waterside Theatre and Morrison Grove.
Jeff Whiting
Director/Choreographer
Jeff Whiting is an award-winning director, choreographer, producer and entrepreneur with work on Broadway, TV/Film, and Concerts around the world. On BROADWAY, he was the Resident Director of The Scottsboro Boys (10 Tony nominations), Bullets Over Broadway (6 Tony nominations), Hair (Tony, Best Revival), Young Frankenstein (3 Tony nominations), Big Fish. On the WEST END, Jeff was the Resident Director of Little Dancer. Jeff has directed many CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS including James Taylor at Carnegie Hall (with special guests Bette Midler, Steve Martin, Sting, Tony Bennett), the New Victory Awards (starring hosts Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker) and multiple Disney productions around the globe. New works IN DEVELOPMENT include The Roads to Loch Lomond, In The Light (starring Jeremy Jordan), Echo & Narcissus, The 39 Widows, Single Wide. In FILM, Jeff was the Executive Producer of The Show Must Go On (Best Documentary – Cannes 2022). Jeff directed the NATIONAL TOURS of Bullets Over Broadway, Hairspray, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, The Rockin’ Road to Dublin, Christmas In Killarney.
Prior to directing, Jeff was an actor, most notably originating the role of Quasimodo in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney/MGM Studios). In BUSINESS: Jeff is the Owner of Open Jar Studios, Artistic Director of The Open Jar Institute, Founder and Creator of Stage Write Software, President of Stage Door Network, and Chair of The Stage Door Foundation. His TEDTalk entitled “Rising Beyond Limits with Open Jar Thinking” shares his philosophy of “Open Jar Thinking.” Jeffwhiting.com
Joey Cassella
Associate Director
Joey is thrilled to be returning to The Lost Colony for his 10th season with the company and 3rd season as the show’s Associate Director. A local from Kill Devil Hills Joey is honored to be apart of a show that is deeply woven into the fabric of the Outer Banks. A proud Alumnus of James Madison University, Joey has been acting professionally for the past decade in regional productions such as Anything Goes at The Wick, Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol at Virginia Stage Company. He’s also appeared in commercials for Dr. Squatch Soaps, Birdova Golf, Ameris Bank, Sun Heist Eyewear, Clip Hire, Comet Clip Flashlights, Access Health CT and Shocktop Beer. Recently, Joey has begun pursuing his Master’s in Sports Media and Communication at Sacred Heart University. While attending school Joey has been working as a sideline reporter for the school’s Football, Basketball and Hockey broadcasts which air on ESPN +, Amazon Prime and SNY. He also host’s the weekly sports show Sports Buzz. Joey would like to thank his parents for their continuous support of his dreams, Jeff Whiting for bringing him onto the creative team and empowering him to grow as an artist and leader, Jason Paul Tate for his mentorship and Lily for her love and support. Joey is dedicating his season to his one year old nephew Lincoln, who has been a light in his family’s life since he was born! Go Birds, Go Phils, Go Flyers and Go Sixers! joeycassella.com
Chelsea Langevin
Associate Choreographer
Chelsea is thrilled to continue bringing this beautiful production to life! Based on the Outer Banks, she is a dance educator & choreographer who loves to coach and encourage the next generation of artists. Chelsea graduated from the high school dance program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts before attending Oklahoma City University to complete her BFA in Dance Performance. Her performance credits include Ogunquit Playhouse, North Carolina Theatre, Theatre by the Sea, Fireside Theatre, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and several cruise contracts as a dancer and singer/dancer with Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Viking Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Chelsea was previously an Install Creative Supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Line and is currently the Choreographer & a Co-Director for the theatre program at First Flight High School here on the Outer Banks. Passionate about dance education, she can be found coaching & guest teaching in NC & VA, while also travelling throughout the U.S. as a judge for Platinum National Dance Competition & Inspire National Dance Competition. Chelsea is also on the roster of dance competition judges for Impact Dance Adjudicators. Thank you to Jeff Whiting and RIHA for allowing me to continue being a “keeper of the dream!” All my love to Keil, our dogs, and my parents. Enjoy the show!
Kaya Littleturtle
Cultural Advisor
Coming from a long line of cultural leaders that guided him on his walk as a traditionalist, Kaya Littleturtle is currently employed at the North Carolina Museum of History as the community programs and festivals coordinator. He is the lead singer of the championship drum group WarPaint who travels all over Indian country and he is an active member of his community’s traditional longhouse and belongs to Snipe clan one of the 7 traditional longhouse clans. Kaya is also the Program Manager of the Good Mind Initiative, through this program he is able to coordinate and help facilitate meaningful harm reduction and substance use disorder recovery services to tribal communities. He is an enrolled member of the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtehnuaka Territories.
Keith A. Truax
Lighting Designer
Keith A. Truax is thrilled to be returning to The Lost Colony for his fifth season. Additional Theatrical Designs for: Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Pittsburgh CLO, PICT Classic Theatre, Point Park University, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, PEAK Performances, Cape Rep Playhouse, Utah State University, 59E59, Penguin Rep Theatre, Cape Rep Theatre, Fordham University, Phoenix Theatre Company, Constellation Stage & Film, Red Mountain Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Utah Valley University, Timber Lake Playhouse & John W. Engeman Theatre. North American Tours: Dirty Dancing in Concert, The British Invasion Live, Syncopated Ladies 22 & Turning 15 On The Road to Freedom. Keith holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon University. For additional information please visit www.keithtruax.com & @keith.a.truax.lighting
Christopher Ash
Projections Designer
Christopher’s Broadway credits include New York, New York, Sunday in the Park with George, and Saint Joan. Opera credits include The Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, La Monnaie, Lausanne, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. Dance credits include Arizona Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Municipal de Santiago, Atlanta Ballet, Northern Ballet, Ballet Hispánico, and River North Chicago Dance. Regional theater work includes the Guthrie Theater, Wilma Theater, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Yale Repertory Theatre. His work has been seen in 19 countries and recognized with 17 awards. Christopher holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.
Jason Paul Tate
Fight Director
Jason Paul Tate is a director, choreographer, performer, and special effects designer. He loves to create abstract and deconstructed depictions of violence, and is passionate about consent-forward, radically inclusive theatre-making. Tate was the fight choreographer for the world premiere of Watch Night, the inaugural production at PAC-NYC. Other favorite collaborations include Les Misérables at Tuacahn, Alice in Wonderland with Havoc Movement Company, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at the Metropolitan Opera, The Play that Goes Wrong at Cleveland Playhouse, Arrabal at A.R.T., Othello at Classic Stage Company, and Love’s Labour’s Lost for Great Lakes Theatre and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Tate is the co-founder of Neutral Chaos, LLC, a nationally recognized movement company based in NYC. He is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), and serves as the current Vice President of the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), with whom he is also a Certified Teacher and Fight Director. Tate has been an educator for over a decade and currently serves as Professor of Movement at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. jasonpaultate.com
Nicholas Mahon
Puppet Designer
Nicholas Mahon is an Emmy-nominated puppet and theatrical designer specializing in performer-integrated puppetry and character creation. Since 2004, he has collaborated on projects for Michael Curry Design, Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Entertainment, Broadway, The Jim Henson Company, Blue Man Group, and 20th Century Fox, among others. His professional highlights include the 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (PyeongChang), Little Shop of Horrors (NYC, 2019), Sesame Street (2013–2017), and the Islamic Solidarity Games Opening Ceremony (Baku, 2017). He received a Daytime Emmy nomination for his scenic design work on the Baku 2015 European Games Opening Ceremony. However, his proudest professional highlight is his ongoing collaboration with The Lost Colony, where he continues to develop dynamic, story-rich puppetry with the incredible team on Roanoke Island.
Nicole Peckens
Costume Coordintor
A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nicole joins Lost Colony for her ninth season; starting in 2013 as a wardrobe stitcher and moving through the shop to become our Costume Shop Manager and Designer. This is her dream career in a dream location. We are Keepers of the Dream. Her resume includes a wide variety of film and theatre: My Brother, My Brother, and Me, America’s Feud: The Hatfield and McCoys, and such iconic shows as The Toxic Avenger, Avenue Q, The Producers, Marat/Sade, and The Arabian Nights. She received her MFA in Costume Technology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her BFA in Costume Design from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She sends a thank you to her Costume Shop Dream Team, her mother, her husband Murdoc, her furlings, and her brother and nephews for their love and support to keep her sane.
Sam Davis
Composer
Sam Davis’s Broadway credits as arranger, orchestrator, and/or music supervisor include: Death Becomes Her, New York, New York (Tony nom.), Smash, Company, An American In Paris, Holiday Inn, Side Show , Gigi, and Big Fish. Film and TV credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman (film score), Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Hail, Caesar!, “A Christmas Story Live,” and “Good Behavior.” Work on London’s West End includes Joseph…Dreamcoat (Palladium), Company, and the upcoming Little Dancer. As composer: The Penelopiad (Chicago’s Goodman Theater, Jeff Award winner for original music), The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare in the Park), Red Eye of Love (Off-Broadway), Winner of the Jonathan Larson Award and a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music.
Jesse Kissel
Music Director
Broadway: Chicago, The Visit, Days of Wine And Roses, The Cher Show, Leap Of Faith, Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, Cirque Du Soleil’s: Paramour, Bright Star, Ragtime (Avery Fisher Hall 15th Anniversary Concert). National/International Tour: Chicago. Regional: Kid Victory (Signature Theatre, DC), The Visit (Williamstown Theatre Festival), The Scottsboro Boys (Center Theatre Group, LA), Titanic, Cats (MUNY). Producer and Arranger of “The Randy Rainbow Show” on YouTube—2022 Emmy Nominated. Executive Producer and Arranger of “A Little Brains, A Little Talent” by Randy Rainbow—2023 Grammy Nominated Best Comedy Album. Cabaret/Concerts: Randy Rainbow, Live! (Live Nation Tour), Cabaret/Concert Work: TOVAH: Out Of Her Mind (Tovah Feldshuh), Aaron Lazar (The Kennedy Center, Birdland, 54 Below, and Joe’s Pub) Symphonic work: The Boston Pops; Naples Philharmonic. BFA Boston Conservatory, MM Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Orchestral Conducting.
Emily Holmes
Associate Music Director
Emily Holmes is a music director, visual artist, and design strategy consultant based in the Outer Banks. She studied vocal performance at Duke University before shifting her academic focus, and continued performing in the New York and New Jersey theater scene, including appearing alongside Stephen Schwartz in a revue of his work prior to the Broadway debut of Wicked. Since moving to the OBX in 2009, Emily has been actively involved with Theatre of Dare, most recently serving as music director for Into the Woods. She is delighted to be part of The Lost Colony.
Ashton Michael Corey
Sound Designer
The Lost Colony (2023-Present), LunaTique (Norwegian Cruise Line), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Bucks County Playhouse), The Lehman Trilogy (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Tick, Tick… BOOM! (Bucks County Playhouse), Press Your Luck Live (Norwegian Cruise Line), On Your Feet (National Tour; Associate), Constellations (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Million Dollar Quartet Christmas (Bucks County Playhouse), Make A Joyful Noise (Carnegie Hall), The Price Is Right Live (Norwegian Cruise Line), Million Dollar Quartet Christmas (National Tour; Associate), Soundtrack 63 (Lincoln Center), Medicine The Musical (Off-Broadway), Resident Designer for Hale Theatre Arizona since 2025.
Michael Rasbury
Digital Orchestral Track Production
Virginia Theatre Festival: Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Dear Jack Dear Louise, Little Women, Little Shop of Horrors, The 39 Steps, Into the Woods. Heritage Theatre Festival: Harvey, Chapatti, The Odd Couple, Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. The Transport Group (Off-Broadway) And Away We Go (Premiere), The Patsy, Hello Again, Being Audrey, Bury The Dead, Marcy in the Galaxy, Crossing Brooklyn, Dark at the Top of the Stairs. The Public: One Flea Spare. Actors Theatre of Louisville: One Flea Spare, Dinner With Friends, Like Totally Weird, Strange Encounters. Folger Theatre: Henry VIII (Helen Hayes Nomination), Henry V. Fort Mason Center (San Francisco), Eugene O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference, New York Musical Theatre Festival: Max Understood. The John Cage Trust: An Alphabet. Sugarloaf Mountain Ampitheatre: Tecumseh! (2022-2025), The Passion of Dracula, Frankenstein. Waterside Theatre: The Lost Colony (Sound Design/Composition 2006-2021), Other: Associate Professor in Sound Design, Director of Miller Arts Scholars, University of Virginia (2009-2025).
Elizabeth Wheless
Dialect Coach
Elizabeth Wheless is an OBX local who is proud to support The Lost Colony through dialect coaching. She is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina’s MFA in Acting program and tailored her training toward voice work. She has worked on several productions around NC and SC as a dialect and vocal coach, including An Inspector Calls with Theatre of Dare, Orlando and The Antelope Party with USC, Macbeth with PlayMakers Repertory Company and Guys and Dolls with Workshop Theatre. She is extremely grateful and happy to be a part of the Lost Colony this season and hopes you enjoy the show!
