Applause, please, for the J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, the Fire Hall Theatre, especially Amy Lyste, Amy Driscoll, and Dave Dauphinais; Visit Greater Grand Forks, the City of Grand Forks Art Regrant, Myra Foundation, ND Council on the Arts, Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop, Rydell Auto.

Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein Cast

Alexandra Bailly (Ensemble) is celebrating their second production with the Empire Theatre Company. You may have seen them in Men on Boats last spring. Their favorite role has been Dunn in Men on Boats. Alexandra is originally from Grand Forks. Young Frankenstein has been on their bucket list to perform in, and they are super excited to be able to do so!

Ruby Castle (Ensemble, shadow tapper in “Puttin’ on the Ritz”) has been involved in three Empire Theatre Company shows in various capacities: During School of Rock, she served as a stagehand, and last season she worked side-by-side with her father to create the erupting volcano in SpongeBob, the Musical. She’s delighted to be on stage in Young Frankenstein, the Musical.

Robert Cooper (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein) is grateful to be performing in his 3rd show with the Empire Theatre Company. The last time you may have seen him was as the doctor in last winter’s Suddenly Last Summer. Before that he was Nikos in Legally Blonde. He was also Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest. When Robert isn’t performing, he has his nose in a book and a record playing. He would like to express his gratitude towards the community and hopes you enjoy the show. You may get to know Robert more on Instagram: @robbydcooper.

Hannah Diers (Inga) is thrilled to be returning to the Empire stage taking on the role of Inga in this hilarious production! Having spent much of her childhood laughing along with her family at the comedic genius of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, she is honored to be able to share the stage, for the first time in a theater setting, with her father, Mark (The Blind Hermit) in a show that holds such an important place their lives. You may have recently seen Hannah in Frog and Toad where she played several characters including the delightfully cheeky Turtle. Her favorite roles include Catherine in Proof and Marmee in Little Women.

Mark Diers (Hermit, Ensemble) is a longtime member of the Greater Grand Forks theater community, Mark has performed in roles such as Howard in The Full Monty, Maurice in Beauty and the Beast and JD Drew in Hands on a Hard Body. His favorite role was Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Mark’s most recent performance was with Frost Fire as Ike Skidmore in the musical Oklahoma! He is looking forward to his performance as the blind hermit in Young Frankenstein the Musical. When not performing on stage, you can find him performing with his two daughters in the acoustic trio “The Diers” as well as singing in the a capella quartet “Fallcreek.” It has been a pleasure to connect with old friends and make new friends among his fellow cast members! 

Anna Gust (Ensemble, Featured Dancer, Dance Captain) most recently appeared on the Empire’s stage as Miss Foxhill in Suddenly Last Summer. You may have also seen her in Fire Hall Theatre’s Shrek the Musical, The Play that Goes Wrong, or UND Theatre Arts production of All in the Timing. Most of her performance experience comes from her years with Dance, Etc. and she continues to adore all forms of dance and acrobatics. 

Grace Hanson (Ziggy/Ensemble) is originally from Fargo. This is her first Empire Theatre Company production. Previously, she enjoyed performing at the Fire Hall Theatre in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. When not on stage, she enjoys reading, video games, and anime.

Andrew Huovinen (Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Ensemble) likes acting, teaching, cats, and burritos. He has been in numerous local productions throughout the years.  In 2023, he was the Best Man in Tony & Tina’s Wedding, an Empire Theatre Company production.

Ginny Hutton (shadow tapper in “Puttin’ on the Ritz”) was last seen (you will only see her silhouette in this show) in the Empire Theatre Company’s 2023 production of SpongeBob, in which she played the title character. In 2022, she was in School of Rock, and in 2021 she played the title role in Annie at the Empire. The day after this show strikes, she is off

Jadeyn (Ensemble) is celebrating their 2nd production with the Empire Theatre Company. You may have seen them in Men on Boats last spring, and Tales of Mild Interest (a Mental Worx production). Some of their favorite roles have been Seneca in Men on Boats, and Foley Artist in Tales of Mild Interest. Jadeyn is originally from North Dakota.

Theresa Knox (Ensemble) has been acting in the Grand Forks area since 2012. Recent roles include Mrs. Phelps in Matilda in the summer of 2023 and John Wesley Powell in Men on Boats at the Empire Arts Center in March of 2024. She’s excited to be cast in the ensemble of Young Frankenstein.

J.P. Legerski (Ensemble) is appearing in his third Empire Theatre Company production as an actor. He was in School of Rock as a teacher/parent and the caterer in Tony n Tina’s Wedding. You may have also seen him over the last few years at the Empire hosting classic Film Noir series.

Juan Campos López (Ensemble, Werewolf) is originally from Mexico and is new to town! Juan is fluent in both English and Spanish. This is his first play and he is very excited to be in Young Frankenstein. He used to be in a Beatles tribute band called: “The Four Boys” and plays the bass. Fun fact: He got his “street cred” by being an 8-year-old magician.

Ryan Macleod (The Monster) has been seen as McNaught (Murder on the Nile) at the Fire Hall Theater, or as Thelonius (Shrek) at the Burtness, or even on the Empire stage as Rocky (Rocky Horror Picture Show). He loves physical gags, sight gags, and slapstick humor, so the Monster is a dream role for him. Ryan has an eclectic background in theatre, voice, and movement, and he is excited to show off all three in Young Frankenstein. 

Allee Mead (Elizabeth Benning) is celebrating her first time with the Empire Theatre Company. You may have seen her in Mental Worx Theatre Company’s Tales of Mild Interest at the Empire in August. Allee is originally from Hazen, ND.

Nicole E. Quam (Frau Blucher) is beyond thrilled to play Frau Blucher. Young Frankenstein their family’s favorite movie to watch and quote together. This is especially important to Nicole since losing her father last year. Nicole loved how he would laugh when the horses neighed at Blucher. She dedicates her performance to her family. 

Matt Stavens (Ensemble) is celebrating his 9th show with the Empire Theatre Company. You may have recently seen him in Mental Worx radio play Tales of Mild Interest or Murder on the Nile at the Fire Hall. Some of his favorite roles have been David in Company and Raynerd in Christmas Belles. Matt is a graduate of UND where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre and is a Grand Forks local.

James Tweedale (Inspector Hans Kemp) is a British-American actor with an MFA in Theatre from Western Illinois University, James is thrilled to be returning to the Empire Arts Center in Young Frankenstein! Most recent credits include Higgins in My Fair Lady at Cortland Repertory Theatre, Hannay in The 39 Steps with the Empire Theatre Company, and he has recently joined the improv comedy group Nine and Numb here in Grand Forks! BIG thank yous to the entire cast & crew of Young Frankenstein for making this such an amazing experience, but shoutouts go to Hilaree, Autumn, Kathy, Ryan and “Strong but Wrong”. Much love to Kim, Dan, Grandma, Mum, Dad, Amy, Reid, Ella, and baby Oliver!

Landon Wells (Igor) is ecstatic to be a part of Young Frankenstein. This is his second production with the Empire Theatre Company. Last spring he performed as Snail in Frog & Toad. He is in the local improv troupe, Nine and Numb, and recently performed in Tales of Mild Interest with Mental Worx. In his spare time, he plays DnD, goes to open jams, and enjoys performing karaoke.

Crew

Director – Hilaree Glenn
Music Direction – Ryan King
Stage Manager – Autumn Horton
Choreographer – Hilaree Glenn
Additional choreography – Ginny Hutton (see Cast)
Prop Master – Robb Tuma-Cook
Assistant Prop Mistress – Janice Tangen
Scenic Painting – Hilaree Glenn and cast members
Set Design – Hilaree Glenn
The Monster puppet – Martha Keifenheim (painting) Lylah Neppel, and Kathy Coudle-King (construction); Chris Gable, puppeteer
Set Construction – Todd Aleshire, Steven Brown, Eric Castle, J.P. Legerski, Jamie Travers, Marvin Roatch
Costumer - Mare Thompson
Sound Design & Operator - Tyler Smith
Light Design & Operator – Ian Mackenzie
Intimacy Coordinator – Gina Uhlir
Video Projections – David Kuznicki
Stagehands – Chris Gable, Eric Castle
Artistic Director – Kathleen Coudle-King

For our 13th season, the Empire Theatre Company is embracing the supernatural! We look under the bed for monsters, face our fears, and address our ghosts in musicals, dramas, and comedies by some of the most exciting playwrights of today and yesterday.

NEW WAYS TO ENJOY THE EMPIRE THEATRE COMPANY

Become a Season Ticket Holder
Enjoy the entire 13th season of the Empire Theatre Company with one ticket to each of its SIX shows (October 2024-May 2025)! This includes Young Frankenstein, The Thin Place, She Kills Monsters, Blithe Spirit, Becky Nurse of Salem, and Stellaluna. Take in professional theatre, and witness these incredible productions live at the Empire Arts Center!
As a Season Ticket holder, you will receive notice of the opening of ticket sales for each show and a special invitation to our first Friday Soiree - following the first Friday night performance. Mingle with the cast while you enjoy light refreshments. 

Enjoy an ETC Flex Pass
An Empire Theatre Company Flex Pass for 2024-25 gives the holder 4 tickets to use in any combination. 1 ticket for each of 4 different shows or multiple tickets (up to 4) for a single show. It's up to you!

Purchase your Season Ticket or ETC Flex Pass by September 1.

SEASON 13 SHOWS

Young Frankenstein (The Musical)

Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and a leggy lab assistant, Inga , Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.

October 4-6, 10-13.

The Thin Place

Everyone who ever died is still here, just in a different part of here. Linda can communicate with them. And if you believe, she can make you hear them, too — in The Thin Place, the fragile boundary between our world and the other one.

November 14-17, 21-24.

She Kills Monsters

When Agnes stumbles upon Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge.

January 24-26.

Blithe Spirit

A smash comedy hit on London and Broadway stages, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives offers wit, conflict and big laughs as a fussy, cantankerous novelist  finds himself haunted by the ghost of his late first wife.

January 31-February 2, 7-9.

Becky Nurse of Salem

A descendent of a woman accused of being a witch in Salem is now having struggles of her own. She looks to a local witch to help right her wrongs, but it only makes things worse. A look at how times have changed, or not, for women in America.

March 26-30.

Stellaluna

Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits.

April 25-27, May 2-4.

WHAT IS THE EMPIRE THEATRE COMPANY?

The Empire Theatre Company (ETC) is a professional theatre company in North Dakota,nproducing a full season of productions. Founded in 2012, our goal is to develop and grow new audiences for theatre with the creation of excellent plays and musicals, particularly works that have never or rarely been produced in North Dakota.

ETC contracts with local, regional, and nationally-based professional actors to produce a season of four or more full-length productions each season. Our season runs from October through May each year. ETC is the resident theatre company of the historic Empire Arts Center, where all productions take place.

TWELVE SEASONS UNDER OUR BELT

The Empire Theatre Company has been producing contemporary plays and musicals featuring professional actors, directors, and other theatre artists since 2012 with its inaugural production of the musical Xanadu. Now entering our 13th season, we are proud to have paid over 500 professional actors and theatre artists, as well seeing exponential audience growth.

2021-2022 SEASON SUPPORTERS