An EDM rock opera composed by Lincoln Donner
The Milwaukee premiere of Gertrude Stein’s play
October 30 – November 8, 20268pm nightly · 10pm Saturdays
Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Avenue
With deep gratitude for making this production possible
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DonateWith heartfelt thanks, from all of us at Wisconsin Classic Stage.
Uncle Vanya
by Anton Chekhov
April 2027
Subscribe to our newsletterAntonio is so excited to be working with WCS, performing his second show since graduating from UW-Whitewater. Antonio would like to thank his family, friends, and girlfriend for their constant support and help: “You are all the reason I can be who I am today.”
To keep up with Antonio’s future productions, follow him on Instagram: @Antonio.jparra
Evan Smolik is a 24-year-old actor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has recently completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. His most recent credits include performing at the Legacy Dinner Theatre in Christmas in the Dells, Sneaky Pete’s Wild West Dinner Show, and Dracula in the Monster Mash Spooktacular. Some of his other credits include Chad in the Traveling Lantern Theatre’s production of The Quest for the Kakapo and a featured dancer in the 2024 Summerfest Gala.
Esther Akinsanya is a Senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but was born and raised in Nigeria, Africa. She is double majoring in Psychology and Theatre Arts and minoring in Criminology and Law Studies. She was previously seen on the Marquette stage as Keisha from the play Fairview. She is currently an undergraduate Lead Research Assistant in the Translational Affective Neuroscience lab. She would like to thank her mom, brothers, friends, and teachers for encouraging and supporting her aspirations. She hopes you enjoy the show.
Marty Alivo was last seen as Paul in Moon Over Buffalo at Waukesha Civic Theatre. Marty makes his Wisconsin Classic Stage debut as Dog in Gertrude Stein’s Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights.
In this topsy-turvy, inside-out world crystallized by Stein, even the familiar becomes strange. Marty is thrilled to be part of the WCS ensemble, and we’re delighted to have him.
Dylana Bauduin is thrilled to be making her Wisconsin Classic Stage debut as Marguerite Ida and Helena Annabel! Recent credits include Maleficent in Descendants, Cinderella’s Mother in Into the Woods, Lucy Westerman in Lochhead’s Dracula, Marie in R&H’s Cinderella, and Stargirl in Stargirl. She has also performed with Tulsa Opera in Tosca and La Traviata and is a passionate choral musician. Dylana would like to thank her family, friends, the production team, and everyone else who continues to support her artistic journey.
Austin Bock (Boy) is a recent graduate of Butler University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing Emphasis. Austin, a Muskego native, is ecstatic to present Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights.
Previous credits include THE WICKERMEN (Writer, Director, Actor), a self-devised piece; THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL (Sheldon J. Plankton), MACBETH (Macduff), THEY DON’T PAY? WE WON’T PAY! (Giovanni), EVERYBODY (Everybody), WAITING FOR GODOT (Lucky) and more with Butler Theatre, work with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and First Stage, & Theater Education with First Stage. He thanks his family and friends for their support.
Duleon Duran (Little Boy) is a Milwaukee-based actor, director, and producer. He is currently receiving his formal theatre training from UW-Milwaukee and is the artistic director of Trout Theatre. As an actor, some of his favorite credits include YOU ON THE MOORS NOW and MACBETH (Peck School of the Arts) as well as AS YOU LIKE IT, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and JULIUS CAESAR (Fox Valley Summer Shakespeare Theatre). His prior directorial credits include STAR TRAVEL WITH HER for the Inspiration Studios Original One Act Play Festival and TARTUFFE, with Trout Theatre. Some of Duleon’s film credits include supporting roles in “Lars and Tiberius Find Jesus” (Dir. Walter Barry), “Face to Face” (Dir. Tedros T. Adam) and “The ODD TV Show” (Dir. Caleb Lollis). Duleon someday hopes to be involved in a production of Arsenic and Old Lace.
Nessiah Grace (Girl) is a versatile and experienced performer, trained in Scene Study by Larry Moss Studios, Acting & Breathwork by Alexander Techworks Studios, and The Chubbuck Technique by Actor’s Craft in Kenosha, WI. She hopes her work will demonstrate impactful storytelling that compels the audience to enact change outside the theater. Nessiah stars in her next project, The Vill, which highlights the positive and untold true story of community and mentorship surrounding a youth Black basketball league in 1980s Chicago. She recently starred in Red Days with All in Productions and REEFER MADNESS with Outshirts Theatre Co.
Ryan Holifield (Ensemble) is excited to return to Wisconsin Classic Stage after appearing as Jakob Engstrand in GHOSTS this past summer. Recently, he also understudied the role of Dr. Sweet in BUG (The Constructivists) and portrayed Bjorn in a staged reading of LOCK OF THE IRISH (Hop Harvest & Vine). Ryan appeared in productions with numerous companies in his hometown of Atlanta, including the Alliance Theatre, Theatre Gael, Soul-Stice Repertory, Center Stage Theatre, Barking Dog Theatre, Down Right Theatre, and Stage Door Players. He thanks JP, Cole, and the Wisconsin Classic Stage team, his wonderful family and friends, and the Shorewood Association of Darts for their support!
William Molitor (Ensemble). Prior credits include: I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard (David Berryman U/S performance), A Very Deadly Constructivists Holiday, The Constructivists; The Persians (King Darius), Henry V (King Henry IV, Capt. Gower, King of France), Wisconsin Classic Stage; Annie (FDR/Ensemble), South Pacific (Captain Brackett), Forte Theatre Company; Goddess of The Drowned (Old Man), Renaissance Theaterworks; Stupid F**king Bird (Sorn), Placeholder Players; Rehearsal For Murder (Lloyd) and Other Desert Cities (Lyman Wyeth), Sunset Playhouse; Cymbeline (Cymbeline), Whirligig Productions; The Nativity Variations (Hank U/S) at The Milwaukee Rep; Things I Know To Be True (Bob Price), Kith & Kin Theatre Collective; Hamlet (Polonius) and Oedipus Rex (Tiresias) for Fleeing Artists Theatre; The Haunting of Hill House (Dr. Montague), The Bad Seed (Richard Bravo) for Waukesha Civic Theatre; The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Justice Shallow), An Inspector Calls (Arthur Birling), Hamlet (Polonius), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Egeus/Quince), Anne Of Green Gables (Matthew Cuthbert), On Golden Pond (Norman Thayer), Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Bennet), SummerStage of Delafield; Romeo and Juliet (Friar Laurence), The Tempest (Prospero), Medea (Creon), Voices Found Repertory; and The Book Of Will (William Jaggard) and Witness For The Prosecution (Mr. Myers), Lake Country Playhouse.
Tyler Stauffacher (Man From Over The Seas) is thrilled to join Wisconsin Classic Stage for the first time. Tyler is a recent graduate of UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting. Recent professional credits include the ensemble of Sparrows Fall by RG Productions & Theatre Gigante and understudying with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre on both Murder Girl and A Doll’s House. Notable college credits include Macbeth in Macbeth and Jason in Sweat by Lynn Nottage. Hailing from a small family in Green Bay, Tyler would like to thank those closest to him for the endless support and love.
Deborah Stencel (Country Woman) is delighted to return to Wisconsin Classic Stage after appearing as Mrs. Alving in Ibsen’s GHOSTS earlier this year. Deborah’s other recent stage credits include Atossa (u/s) in THE PERSIANS with Wisconsin Classic Stage; Other Charlotte (u/s) in MURDER GIRL with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre; Annette in GOD OF CARNAGE at Sunset Playhouse; and Mistress Quickly in WHIRLIGIG OF TIME with Sunstone Studios. Deborah is also a member of the professional improvisational company at ComedySportz-Milwaukee, an owner and improv performer with Interchange Theater Co-op, and a player with Boozy Bard, where Shakespeare is performed gloriously unrehearsed in a bar each month.
Cole Castine (WCS Artistic Director | Director and Designer of Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His Wisconsin Classic Stage credits include King Xerxes in Aeschylus’s The Persians and Pastor Manders in Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts.
His professional career began in Los Angeles, California, where he cut his teeth in the North Hollywood Arts District’s independent theatre scene as an actor/director while simultaneously studying Technical Theatre at Los Angeles Valley College. It was here that he began to develop his sense of aesthetic and core values of performance. He has spent the last five years honing his artistic approach, serving as Muskego High School’s Drama Director and Scenic and Lighting Designer for the High School’s Performing Arts Center.
While working as Production Designer for Water Street Dance Milwaukee from 2021–2025, Cole helped earn the company national acclaim as one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” through his innovative approach to designing for dance. Since his arrival at MHS, he has received several Jerry Awards and nominations, including Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, and Outstanding Musical.
Milwaukee credits include UWM’s 2026 Short Play Festival (Assistant Artistic Director), UWM’s The Day the Music Came Back (Assistant Director), Three Point Project Dance (Production Design, various productions), Waukesha Civic Theatre’s Moon Over Buffalo (Director), and Black Arts Milwaukee’s Black Nativity (Stage Manager).
This is Lincoln Donner’s first production with Wisconsin Classic Stage. He has worked closely with Cole Castine for several years, designing sound and composing original music for many of Cole’s productions. Most recently, Lincoln served as sound designer for Moon Over Buffalo at Waukesha Civic Theatre.
His previous work includes sound design for Muskego High School’s Drama Club productions of Camino Real, Julius Caesar, Check Please, The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza, Beautiful Noises, and The Proposal. For their production of The Crucible, Lincoln created a complete original soundtrack.
Tianna previously brought her talents to Wisconsin Classic Stage with makeup for Pastor Manders in GHOSTS and is excited to be costuming DOCTOR FAUSTUS LIGHTS THE LIGHTS.
Other projects include MOON OVER BUFFALO at the Waukesha Civic Theatre, and Muskego High School Drama Club’s productions of JULIUS CAESAR, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA, OEDIPUS THE KING, and ANTIGONE. Her most interesting project was turning an RC McLaren into a remote-controlled rat for SHREK! THE MUSICAL, but FAUSTUS has easily taken over the top spot!
Cat Sadler, they/them (Stage Manager), is excited to be back at Wisconsin Classic Stage for their third production! Previous stage management credits include Ghosts (SM, Wisconsin Classic Stage), Of Thread and Thorn (SM, Kith and Kin Theatre Collective), TWO DAY TOUR (SM, The Full Frontal Püppets), Henry V (SM, Wisconsin Classic Stage), Red, White, and Coup (SM, Quasimondo Physical Theatre), and Frish, Frie, Stark, Treu (ASM, Cabaret Milwaukee). You may have also seen Cat acting onstage or puppeteering with local companies including Kith and Kin Theatre Co, Cabaret Milwaukee, Kohl’s Wild Theatre, Quasimondo Physical Theatre Co, Shakespeare Raw, and The Full Frontal Püppets. Much love to everyone who supports them! Enjoy!
Instagram @cat_sadler · catsadler.com
Josh Pohja is the Founder and Executive Artistic Producer of Wisconsin Classic Stage (WCS), established in 2025. Bringing a distinctive creative vision to the company’s launch, Pohja has led the development of critically acclaimed productions including Henry V, Ghosts, and The Persians.
WCS’s 2026 Milwaukee premiere of Gertrude Stein’s Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights represents a particularly meaningful artistic milestone. A work Pohja has long dreamed of producing, the production has offered an opportunity to explore Stein’s radical theatrical language through an adventurous contemporary lens. Watching the cast embrace artistic risk, develop a shared vocabulary, and grow into a cohesive ensemble has been one of the greatest creative joys of his career.
From 2022–2024, Pohja co-founded and served as Artistic Director of another Milwaukee theatre company, directing My Name Is Rachel Corrie, Antigone, and three successive runs of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. His other Milwaukee directing credits include Hamlet, An Enemy of the People, The Skin of Our Teeth, The Laramie Project, Blue Stockings, Endgame, Much Ado About Nothing, Golden Child, and She Kills Monsters. He also co-produced Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s 2023 Young Playwrights Festival and assistant directed its widely praised production of Great Expectations.
Earlier in his career, Pohja founded Duende Collective in Los Angeles, developing actor training and contemporary approaches to classical theatre rooted in Viewpoints, Suzuki technique, Adler Technique, and Composition.
Pohja earned his BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, studying during the school’s Moscow Art Theatre residency. His formative teachers and collaborators included Anatoly Smeliansky, Andrei Șerban, Natalia Fedorova, Bulgarian director Mladen Kiselov, Ibsen scholar Brian Johnston, Victoria Santa Cruz, Gregory Lehane, Don Marinelli, and Don Wadsworth. Their work and mentorship helped shape his enduring interest in reimagining classical theatre for contemporary audiences.
As an educator, Pohja has mentored actors nationally and throughout Milwaukee through WCS Actors Studio and APEX (Advanced Performance Experience). His professional acting credits include performances with The Guthrie Theater, The Acting Company, The Old Globe, Alley Theatre, Judson Church, HERE Arts Center, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and the New York International Fringe Festival, among others.
Pohja is also an alumnus of the Wisconsin Directors Lab, the Saratoga International Theatre Institute (SITI), where he trained under Anne Bogart and the SITI Company, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He is a 27-year member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.
Contact: jp@wisconsinclassicstage.com