Meet the Creative Team
Athena Louise Hyacinth (Producer) is the owner and producer of Bodhi Theatre. Athena's combined passions for social justice and the arts informed the formation of the company in 2016. They have several years’ experience acting, teaching theatre to youth, costume designing, and producing. They received their theatrical education in Boston, MA; currently work as a mental health professional in the Kansas City area; and will soon gain their Master of Social Work at the University of Kansas.
Athena's most recent theatrical development projects include BENEATH THE SKIN (creator/editor: Athena Louise Hyacinth, book: Zareh Artinian, music & lyrics: Melissa Carubia), a musical that shows some of the many ways mental illness impacts peoples’ lives, and MIRRORS (by Kaitlin Gould) a one act play in absurdist style about the realities of living with an eating disorder. Both projects have made their world premiere in Boston and Kansas City (respectively), with Mirrors’ premiere (with KC Public Theatre) nominated for "Best Play" in THE PITCH's Best of KC 2020.
Kevin Cloud (Writer) is a lifetime songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Graduating with a music degree from the University of Kansas, Kevin has performed as a jazz pianist, organist, guitarist and drummer for the last twenty-five years in the Kansas City area. Multiple bands have recorded and published Kevin’s songs. For the last two years Kevin has worked at the Culture House, a non-profit arts conservatory as the Director of New Works. Roar: The Musical represents Kevin’s first full length musical. Roar is a recipient of the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission Grant.
Allison Cloud (Writer) is a creative and contemplative residing in Kansas City, where she works as an actor, voice artist, singer, poet and writer. Recent shows include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (gypsy), 1940s Radio Hour (Connie) and Once on this Island (Madame Armand), with print and broadcast appearances via Starlight Theatre and Price Chopper. Allison performed with the John McKenna Band for many years throughout the Kansas City and Lawrence live music circuit. She is represented by Moxie Talent Agency. Musicals and microphones are Allison’s first loves, and Roar is her first full-length musical endeavor.
Heidi Van (Director) is an actor, creator, and producer of contemporary experimental live theatre. "A stalwart of the alternative theatre scene" (THE PITCH) Heidi challenges the way theatre meets its audience; installing performances anywhere but expected.
She is the founder and Artistic Director of Fishtank Theatre, a generator of new theatrical work, activism, and entrepreneurship. She is also the founder of The Black Box, an ever-evolving stage that acts as a spotlight in the world of theatre, shining a light on bold and provocative performances.
Directing credits include The Wolves and Project Dawn (UNICORN THEATRE), Shows For Days, Belfast Girls, Dry Land, Death By Shakespeare (FISHTANK THEATRE), MR. Popper’s Penguins, The Cat in the Hat (COTERIE THEATRE), My Fair Lady (MUSICAL THEATRE HERITAGE), Motherfreakinghood! The Musical! (MOONSHINE VARIETY CO).
Van is a graduate of Dell ‘Arte International School of Physical Theatre in Blue Lake, Ca. She is the recipient of the Charlotte Street Generative Performing Artist Fellowship, THE PITCH MASTERMIND AWARD and a proud recipient of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation SEED Grant. She is a graduate of Artist, Inc. and the Escholars program from The Block School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Find out more at www.fishtanktheatre.com.
Jeremy Watson (Music Director) is thrilled to be back to music directing musical theatre. Jeremy has his Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and for the past ten years, Jeremy has been performing and music directing for nearly every equity theatre in Kansas City. Jeremy had the privilege of performing-in and co directing the equity regional tour of Ms. Saigon before becoming the resident music director at Music Theatre Heritage. Jeremy recently worked as Assistant Music Director on Wizard of Oz at Starlight and Joseph at the New Theatre Restaurant before touring with Live On Stage with his good friend Ben Gulley. In addition to theatre, Jeremy is also an accompanist and choir director at Pembroke Hill private school, and a contemporary worship leader for Aldersgate United Methodist church, where he is the bandleader for their praise band First Light. Jeremy is still very active in the Kansas City theatre scene but has shifted his focus to being a present father and husband for his beautiful family. He couldn’t be more excited to be working on this gorgeous music and with this great production team
Kyle Brown (Percussionist) Kyle is a versatile percussionist covering a wide range of music from orchestral to jazz to experimental. Kyle earned his Bachelors of Music in Performance from Fort Hays State University where he specialized in keyboard percussion and drumset. He has been performing in the Kansas City area since 2010 and along with playing percussion, Kyle has been teaching percussion to students of all ages in his private studio and since 2013 has been a percussion instructor with Shawnee Mission West High School
Greg LaFollette (Orchestrations) is a songwriter and producer who has produced over one hundred records in his career. Greg's music and his contributions have been featured in multiple prominent podcasts and publications, and his records have garnered much attention across the United States. With over 2 million plays on Spotify, Greg is known for his vulnerable and veracious vocal approach, simple and effective production, and beautiful melodic sense.
Jay Pfeifer (Music Transcriptions) received his classical training in piano at the UMKC Conservatory by concert artist Richard Cass. He performed and recorded with the band Waterdeep until 1998 and has been featured on 4 of the band's albums. Since his departure, Jay has split his time between teaching in Overland Park, KS, recording as a session musician on a number of albums, performing with local jazz bands, and composing and arranging music for dance, musical theater, and independent albums. Jay was the Director of the Culture House School of Music in Olathe, KS from 2004 - 2016 and is currently a piano teacher and freelance arranger.
Shayla Leggs (Stage Manager) is excited to be part of her first production with a local professional theatre. She has been involved in theatre since 2015 as an actress, technical support, and student director. She is very grateful and excited to be involved in the musical production ROAR.
Matthew Koehler (Stage Manager/Editor) steps behind the curtain as Stage Manager for his first Bodhi Theatre production. While he’s no stranger to gracing the stage, his love for theatre is as wide as it is deep. Matthew loves all assets of theatre no matter where we might be located in the production. He last participated as Assistant Stage Manager for The Black Box (Shows for Days) and Stage Manager for the Coterie (Young Playwright's Festival 2021.). Matthew would like to thank Ruby, Jennifer, Vanessa, and his many friends and family for their support, laughter, and love.
Erica Coleman (Production Assistant) is new to the Kansas City theatre scene although her love for the arts began when she became a licensed cosmetologist in 2013. Her debut role in theatre was in 2015 for a local church play. Currently, she obtained the lead female role in an up and coming independent film, ‘A Ridiculous Notion’ (written and produced by Chester Thompson). Erica has spent her entire life singing and continues to sing in her church choir and records vocals for gospel tracks. Erica is eager to pursue her acting career and is looking forward to what the future has in store.
Mark Johnson (Sound Designer) is excited to be working on sound for ROAR! A life-long KC resident, he has spent the better part of twenty years playing, writing, and producing with various musical groups and artists in the Kansas City area. He has been a part of incredible productions with The Living Room Theater, Late Night Theater, Black Repertory Theater Kansas City, Stuffed Buffalo Productions, Bohemian Cult Revival, Padgett Productions and Journeyman Theater. He is also resident sound designer at The Black Box.
Mark enjoys spending his free time doting on his talented Irish lady, and their menagerie of furry companions.
Meet the FRINGE Creative Team
Micah Thompson (Light Designer) steps behind the curtain as Assistant Stage Manager for his first Bodhi Theatre production. While he’s no stranger to gracing the stage, his love for theater is as wide as it is deep. Matthew loves all assets of theatre no matter where we might be located in the production. He last participated as assistant stage manager for The Black Box (Shows for Days) and the Coterie (Project Pride 2019.). Matthew would like to thank Jennifer, Vanessa, and his many friends and family for their support, laughter, and love.
Allison Uhlenhop (Grip) is absolutely ecstatic to be part of the filming crew for her first Bodhi Theatre Production! She is currently a sophomore at the University of Kansas majoring in Film and Media Studies with a minor in Theatre. She’s been involved in Lawrence/KC film productions for the past year and half working as a PA, Grip, Assistant Director and anything in between. She cannot wait to work with other passionate artists in the next couple weeks.
Nancy Tran (Grip) is thrilled to be back in the theater scene. She has been a part of technical theater in the past as light board operator and set construction crew. Currently, Nancy is a sophomore studying Film & Media at the University of Kansas. She has been on film productions in both Lawrence and KC working as a production assistant, boom operator, script supervisor, and editor. Nancy is excited to work with Bodhi Theatre and to meet other creatives. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support in all her endeavors.