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Melanie Lamoureux - Director/Producer
Melanie Lamoureux, 20, is one of the youngest experienced directors and producers in
Chicago. Having started BAMtheatregroup at the age of 13, she has directed many
broadway-acclaimed shows including: Fame, High School Musical, Honk!, Cinderella,
The Wizard of Oz and Seussical.
An accomplished performer, Melanie has had significant roles in many Chicago and
Toronto area productions including: Into the Woods (Cinderella), Little Shop of Horrors
(Audrey), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Cinderella (Cinderella), Crazy for You (Irene),
Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Hello Dolly (Irene), Beauty and the Beast (Babette),
Footloose (Rusty), American Girls (Felicity), Working (Newsboy), and many others.
Currently, she is studying Music Education with a concentration in Voice at the
University of Toronto. Melanie looks forward to spending a great summer working on
BAM's eigth season.
Melanie Lamoureux, 20, is one of the youngest experienced directors and producers in
Chicago. Having started BAMtheatregroup at the age of 13, she has directed many
broadway-acclaimed shows including: Fame, High School Musical, Honk!, Cinderella,
The Wizard of Oz and Seussical.
An accomplished performer, Melanie has had significant roles in many Chicago and
Toronto area productions including: Into the Woods (Cinderella), Little Shop of Horrors
(Audrey), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Cinderella (Cinderella), Crazy for You (Irene),
Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Hello Dolly (Irene), Beauty and the Beast (Babette),
Footloose (Rusty), American Girls (Felicity), Working (Newsboy), and many others.
Currently, she is studying Music Education with a concentration in Voice at the
University of Toronto. Melanie looks forward to spending a great summer working on
BAM's eigth season.
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Hannah VanNest - Intern
Hannah is SUPER DUPER excited for yet another year working with the BAM Jrs!! She
has been an active member of BAM Theatre for the past 3 years and this is her
second year as an Intern! She has been in past BAM productions as both Carmen
(FAME) and Sour Kangaroo (Seussical). In addition to BAM she is a part of LT's
Theatre program where she most recently played Tessie in "Crazy For You!" and she
also belongs to Theatre of Western Springs where she played The Steward in
"Cinderella." She is so excited for another CRAZY funfilled summer not only learning
more about putting on a show but having fun with her friends while doing it!!
Hannah is SUPER DUPER excited for yet another year working with the BAM Jrs!! She
has been an active member of BAM Theatre for the past 3 years and this is her
second year as an Intern! She has been in past BAM productions as both Carmen
(FAME) and Sour Kangaroo (Seussical). In addition to BAM she is a part of LT's
Theatre program where she most recently played Tessie in "Crazy For You!" and she
also belongs to Theatre of Western Springs where she played The Steward in
"Cinderella." She is so excited for another CRAZY funfilled summer not only learning
more about putting on a show but having fun with her friends while doing it!!
Shannon Russell - Intern
Shannon Russell is a senior at Hinsdale Central, and is honored to be interning for
Willy Wonka Jr. Shannon has also participated in BAM shows Honk!, Seussical, Fame,
and High School Musical. Outside of BAM, Shannon has been in the cast of
Thoroughly Modern Millie and High School Musical at Circle Theatre, and Seussical
and One at Hinsdale Central. Shannon also sings in Central's choir and ensemble,
and competes on the Forensics team.
Shannon Russell is a senior at Hinsdale Central, and is honored to be interning for
Willy Wonka Jr. Shannon has also participated in BAM shows Honk!, Seussical, Fame,
and High School Musical. Outside of BAM, Shannon has been in the cast of
Thoroughly Modern Millie and High School Musical at Circle Theatre, and Seussical
and One at Hinsdale Central. Shannon also sings in Central's choir and ensemble,
and competes on the Forensics team.
Jessica Paro - Intern
Jessica is very excited to be working with such a great group of kids!! She was simply
awestruck by the talent level of last year’s High School Musical that she couldn’t help
but want to be a part of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory this year! As well as
working behind the scenes, Jessica loves to perform on stage. You may have seen
her as “Carmen Diaz” in last year’s BAM Production Fame. She also performs in the
plays and musicals at Hinsdale Central High School such as, How to Succeed in
Business…, Once On This Island, and Seussical. Along with theatre Jessica is also a
football cheerleader for Hinsdale Central (Go Devils!), and is an editor for the school
yearbook.
Jessica is very excited to be working with such a great group of kids!! She was simply
awestruck by the talent level of last year’s High School Musical that she couldn’t help
but want to be a part of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory this year! As well as
working behind the scenes, Jessica loves to perform on stage. You may have seen
her as “Carmen Diaz” in last year’s BAM Production Fame. She also performs in the
plays and musicals at Hinsdale Central High School such as, How to Succeed in
Business…, Once On This Island, and Seussical. Along with theatre Jessica is also a
football cheerleader for Hinsdale Central (Go Devils!), and is an editor for the school
yearbook.
Katie Miller - Intern
Katie Miller has been with BAMtheatre since the beginning and has loved every minute
of it! When she's not singing in numerous choirs at Hinsdale Central High School,
she's working at Gateway Special Recreation summer camps. She could not be more
excited to start her second summer as a BAMintern.
Katie Miller has been with BAMtheatre since the beginning and has loved every minute
of it! When she's not singing in numerous choirs at Hinsdale Central High School,
she's working at Gateway Special Recreation summer camps. She could not be more
excited to start her second summer as a BAMintern.
Stephanie Jordan - Intern
Stephanie Jordan is a junior at Hinsdale Central where she is an active member in the
drama group. She has been seen in many of Central's productions including
Seussical (Mayzie), Comedy Sportz Improv, Play On! (Polly), Once on this Island
(Andrea), The Laramie Project (Narrator), How to Succeed in Business (Dancer), and
The People Versus Maxine Lowe (Eve Vijonne). In addition to high school theatre, she
has been actively involved in productions with BAMtheatre. These include Fame (Miss
Sherman), Seussical (Mayzie), Honk! (Bullfrog), and High School Musical
(Management Intern). Other shows include Honk! Jr. (Maggie Pie), Once on this Island
Jr. (Storyteller), Annie Jr., & Oliver. She is looking forward to another summer with
BAM!
Stephanie Jordan is a junior at Hinsdale Central where she is an active member in the
drama group. She has been seen in many of Central's productions including
Seussical (Mayzie), Comedy Sportz Improv, Play On! (Polly), Once on this Island
(Andrea), The Laramie Project (Narrator), How to Succeed in Business (Dancer), and
The People Versus Maxine Lowe (Eve Vijonne). In addition to high school theatre, she
has been actively involved in productions with BAMtheatre. These include Fame (Miss
Sherman), Seussical (Mayzie), Honk! (Bullfrog), and High School Musical
(Management Intern). Other shows include Honk! Jr. (Maggie Pie), Once on this Island
Jr. (Storyteller), Annie Jr., & Oliver. She is looking forward to another summer with
BAM!
Tom Horvath - Intern
Tom is thrilled to be an Intern this year for BAM! Tom is a member of Theatre Honors
Society in his school and devotes more than 300 hours to theatre each year. Tom
was recently seen in his school’s production of Beauty and the Beast playing the role
of the Beast. He absolutely loves acting, singing, and dancing and hopes that his
directing skills, which he learned from numerous workshops in different areas, will aid
the rehearsal process for Willy Wonka Junior. Tom would like to thank his family,
friends, and theatre directors for making this possible!
Tom is thrilled to be an Intern this year for BAM! Tom is a member of Theatre Honors
Society in his school and devotes more than 300 hours to theatre each year. Tom
was recently seen in his school’s production of Beauty and the Beast playing the role
of the Beast. He absolutely loves acting, singing, and dancing and hopes that his
directing skills, which he learned from numerous workshops in different areas, will aid
the rehearsal process for Willy Wonka Junior. Tom would like to thank his family,
friends, and theatre directors for making this possible!
Rebecca Woodle - Stage Manager
Rebecca Woodle is currently a sophomore at Illinois State University studying Choral
Music Education. While at school she has participated in many different ensembles
including the Illinois State University Concert Choir, Belle Voix (a Women's ensemble),
and Secondary Dominance (a women's a capella group). She recently performed in
the operetta The Merry Widow as Sylviane. Throughout her life she has performed in
various plays and musicals in schools and at the Children's Theater of Western
Springs where she took classes for 12 years. After graduating from college Rebecca
aspires to be an elementary school music teacher. She is so excited to be involved in
this season of BAM!
Rebecca Woodle is currently a sophomore at Illinois State University studying Choral
Music Education. While at school she has participated in many different ensembles
including the Illinois State University Concert Choir, Belle Voix (a Women's ensemble),
and Secondary Dominance (a women's a capella group). She recently performed in
the operetta The Merry Widow as Sylviane. Throughout her life she has performed in
various plays and musicals in schools and at the Children's Theater of Western
Springs where she took classes for 12 years. After graduating from college Rebecca
aspires to be an elementary school music teacher. She is so excited to be involved in
this season of BAM!
Van Collins - Choreographer
Van Collins is happy to be returning to BAM for a second year. His unorthodox
teaching technique challenges and inspires to evoke the best artistic environment in
the studio. Van was awarded Best Choreography from the Black Theatre Alliance
Awards for the piece he choreographed for Dance Chicago 2000 entitled “3/5”. Van
has danced with such companies as Tyego Dance Company, Anatomical Theatre,
River North Dance Company, American Danz Theatre, Farago Dance Company, and
the Joel Hall Dancers, where he also held the position of Rehearsal Director. He has
also performed and directed the JHD outreach program D.I.A.L. (Dance Is A
Language). In April of 2002, Van founded his own company, RASA Dance Theatre.
Besides Van’s involvement with the dance community, he is also President and
Executive Director of Good Vibes Teen Prevention Theatre, founded in 1993 by
legendary performer Ben Vereen. Van is also on staff at numerous studios in Chicago
and Milwaukee and teaches master classes throughout the Midwest.
Van Collins is happy to be returning to BAM for a second year. His unorthodox
teaching technique challenges and inspires to evoke the best artistic environment in
the studio. Van was awarded Best Choreography from the Black Theatre Alliance
Awards for the piece he choreographed for Dance Chicago 2000 entitled “3/5”. Van
has danced with such companies as Tyego Dance Company, Anatomical Theatre,
River North Dance Company, American Danz Theatre, Farago Dance Company, and
the Joel Hall Dancers, where he also held the position of Rehearsal Director. He has
also performed and directed the JHD outreach program D.I.A.L. (Dance Is A
Language). In April of 2002, Van founded his own company, RASA Dance Theatre.
Besides Van’s involvement with the dance community, he is also President and
Executive Director of Good Vibes Teen Prevention Theatre, founded in 1993 by
legendary performer Ben Vereen. Van is also on staff at numerous studios in Chicago
and Milwaukee and teaches master classes throughout the Midwest.
Lucy Richert - Assistant Director
Lucy's experience includes establishing, directing and choreographing the Hinsdale
Central Show Choir. Lucy, 21, has also choreographed many children's groups and
clinics and worked for Rising Stars.
Along with performing in Footloose and Hello Dolly as a dancer, Lucy has performed in
such shows as How to Eat Like A Child (Andrea), Les Belles Soeurs (Des-Neiges
Verette), Daisy Pulls it Off (Claire Beaumont), and The Many Deaths of Danny
Rosales (Debbie Hall).
Just finishing her second year at Boston University, Lucy was in three productions
there including being a part of The Vagina Monologues. She was also a dancer in the
USA premier cast of Elie Wissel’s The Trial of God. Lucy continues to study dance
and voice both in Chicago and in Boston, and is thrilled to be a part of the BAM family
for another year.
Lucy's experience includes establishing, directing and choreographing the Hinsdale
Central Show Choir. Lucy, 21, has also choreographed many children's groups and
clinics and worked for Rising Stars.
Along with performing in Footloose and Hello Dolly as a dancer, Lucy has performed in
such shows as How to Eat Like A Child (Andrea), Les Belles Soeurs (Des-Neiges
Verette), Daisy Pulls it Off (Claire Beaumont), and The Many Deaths of Danny
Rosales (Debbie Hall).
Just finishing her second year at Boston University, Lucy was in three productions
there including being a part of The Vagina Monologues. She was also a dancer in the
USA premier cast of Elie Wissel’s The Trial of God. Lucy continues to study dance
and voice both in Chicago and in Boston, and is thrilled to be a part of the BAM family
for another year.
