Actors and Musicians
The Outlaw's Daughter: Stephanie Storhaug was born and raised in Bismarck, ND and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2006 with a Major in Theatre with emphasis in Acting and Directing, and a Minor in Dance. After graduation, she spent a year touring the U.S. and Canada teaching, acting and directing with the Montana based company Missoula Children's Theatre. Stephanie relocated to the four corners area this fall from Chicago, IL to pursue a more peaceful way of life. Some of her past roles include Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Chrissy in HAIR. Most recently Stephanie was a chorus member in Sweeney Todd at San Juan Community College, and this summer can been seen in Sandstone Production's OKLAHOMA! in Farmington, NM. Stephanie feels honored to be working with so many talented people on this production and is excited to be a part of the world premiere of Twenty Four Pounds of Bullets and Steel.
To hear Stephanie sing 24 Pounds of Bullets and Steel, click on her image.
The Hanging Judge's Daughter: Rachel Pollack just transplanted to Durango this summer after living in Tulsa, OK for most of her life. Now a music major at Fort Lewis College, Rachel spends most of her time studying opera, choral music, and theatre. In January Rachel was selected as the winner of the Neil Berg’s Singing with the Stars production in Durango. Some of her past roles include Laurey in Oklahoma!, Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes, Maria in West Side Story, and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret for which she received an Irene Ryan nomination. Most recently she played the Spider Girl in FLC’s production of Seraphic Circus and was a featured soloist in the FLC’s performance of Mozart’s Solemn Vespares. Rachel is excited to begin rehearsing for Ado Annie in Oklahoma! as part of Sandstone Productions in Farmington, NM. Rachel is thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with local artists and wants to thank her family, friends, teachers, and the community of Durango for their support.
To see Rachel's audition video, click on her image.
Son of the Old Outlaw: Brady Wilson is a Colorado native and a born performer. Most recently Brady has been performing as lead vocalist for the reggae band "A-Dub-Rock-Band," which has headlined at Durango Oktoberfest, the San Juan Brew Fest, the Silverton Jubilee, the Dandilion Festival, Harvest Festival and countless other shows around the Southwest. Brady is a prolific performance poet, taking any and every opportunity to recite his work to audiences of all sizes. He is a regular showpiece at various open-mic nights and has spoken in classrooms and seminars to young poets. Growing up in Snowmass Village, Colorado, Brady was a member of the Roaring Fork Children's Choir and performed with the Aspen Community Theater as a child. His work led him to perform for Disney executives such as Michael Eisner. His other activities include snowboarding: Brady was USASA Colorado State Champion from 1994-1998 and was interviews on MTV for his snowboarding accomplishments. Brady is thrilled and honored to bring his skills to John Thomas's contemporary folk opera Twenty Four Pounds of Bullets and Steel.
To see Brady's audition video click on his image.
Hangin' Judge's Son: Colin Rooney is a guitar teacher, singer, band member, music director, and current band leader for Durango Salt Fire Circus. He is also a professional musician playing guitar, piano, drums, bass, glockenspiel, vibes, and children's accordian. Colin is a veteran Durango performer and former professional cyclist with international experience. Colin is grateful for the opportunity to be performing in the Cowgirl Opera.
Bad Old Outlaw: Dave Sime is very pleased to have the role of “The Bad Old Outlaw” in the Cowgirl Opera production. He started his career in show business as a young boy, presenting magic and puppet shows to his two younger sisters. Upon entering high school he starred in two plays acting as Steamboat Sam and he also played the butler in Arsenic and Old Lace. Dave credits, Les Paul and Mary Ford with changing his life. He saw their performance on television in the 1950s and ordered a guitar and amplifier from the Montgomery Ward catalog. He then proceeded to drive his parents and sisters crazy playing along with the radio late into the night. He entertained for twenty years in Montana honky tonk bars before twelve years playing concerts and dances throughout the west with his partner, Connie Morse. She is an accomplished artist and musician working in oil and Dave works in watercolor and sculpture at their Durango, Red Cliff Studio/Gallery.
Lead Dancer: Erika Wilson Golightly, a Colorado native and alumni of Fort Lewis College with degrees in communications and psychology. She has performed, choreographed and taught for almost 15 years in the region including a performing stint off Broadway. She was a principal dancer with 3rd Avenue Dance Company, a permanent fixture in the Skins Project and has directed and performed many works with FLC Theatre Department and several Animas Music Festival projects. She is a member of the Salt Fire Circus and currently teaches classical and contemporary dance at Durango Dance. Erika's ardent love for the Four Corners region inspires her to share many disciplines of the body including adventurous and powerful yoga at Yoga Durango. She also performs with the Asa Fire Tribe and Mysto's Magic Spectacular. More fun than any performance opportunity is the chance to collaborate with the wealth of brilliant artists in the area. To stoke and be stoked by those who explore the inner, imaginative world is the ultimate pleasure. Thus, with great enthusiasm, Erika jettisoned into '24 Pounds' and is very grateful for the opportunity.
Dancer: Talia Bamerick has lived in Durango for 13 years. She graduated from Fort Lewis in 2000 with a bachelors degree in environmental biology. During her time as a student, she appeared in many FLC theatre productions such as "Taming of the Shrew" and "Skins". While in school, she co-created FLC Dance Co-Motion and choreographed and danced in numerous performances. Talia was a principal dancer in 3rd Avenue Dance CO. for years and has been involved in many local unaffiliated theatre and dance projects such as "Penumbra" and "Mandala". Currently, Talia is choreographing for the "Salt Fire Circus" and teaches modern dance at Dance in the Rockies. She loves snowboarding, bartending at the Wild Horse Saloon and cuddling with her fat black cat, "Monster".
Dancer: Samantha Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles California. She went to a performing arts high school where she studied theater and dance. She then went on to University of Colorado, Boulder where she majored in dance. After deciding to move back to California, Samantha joined a Micayahs Hip Hop Dance Company in San Francisco and performed in the 2001 Hip Hop Dance Festival. Samantha now lives in Durango and is a student at Fort Lewis College finishing a Cell and Molecular Biology Degree. She performed in the Fort Lewis production of Kinetic Kalidescope in 2007. Samantha is trained in ballet, jazz, modern, belly dance, hip-hop, african and salsa.
Dancer: Danielle Marco was born in Boston, Massachusetts but spent her teenage years in Northern New York where she discovered her passion for dance. She went to Johnson State College in Vermont where she minored in dance. Danielle has been a dancer in numerous musicals and performances as well as a choreographer and dance teacher for at risk teen dance programs in Arizona. She now lives in Durango and more recently performed in the Fort Lewis production of Kinetic Kaleidoscope in 2007. Danielle is trained in ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, african and salsa.
The Hangin' Judge: John Westrup: was born in Colorado and has lived in Durango for 14 years. The Cowgirl Opera represents an acting debut for Jon who has been a Musician most of his life. Jon is a composer of various genres of music and was attracted to the Opera because it's original music. Although it was the music which first attracted him, Jon has found immense enjoyment and intrigue in the opportunity to act while singing because of "the emotional connection it enables". Jon has been musically involved with several members of the band, and has worked with Teresa as a band member for the "As You Like It" production at Fort Lewis College. He is now looking forward to having this experience with new and old friends.
Outlaw's Brother: Aaron Beck has served as a performer, stage manager, designer, producer, dramaturg, and technical director on stage, as well as film and television in The USA, Denmark, and Spain. The most notable companies include Signa (Denmark), Looking Glass Theater (Chicago), and Harpo Studios (Chicago). Aaron is thrilled to be working on the Cowgirl Opera
Band Leader/Stand-up Bass: Jack Tallmadge, a retired Durango High School teacher. Jack was born and raised in eastern Tennessee where singing and playing instruments came into his life early. He plays in the Durango area with the Miserabillies and is well known for making home-made instruments. Jack has been instrumental in helping to set many of the rhythms of The Cowgirl Opera early in its life as an opera and is the band's spiritual and technical leader.
Violin: Paul Karmazyn was born in Gdansk, Poland and began playing violin at the age of seven. He moved to the United States in 1982 when his parents settled in Gainsville, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1993 and practiced music professionally , playing with symphonic ensembles and orchestras while teaching music in the public school system. He moved to Durango in 1996 and taught at Durango High and Miller Middle Schools as the Orchestral director. He now plays with several groups in the Durango area, is a successful real-estate developer, is married and has a young son. Paul has contributed greatly to the score of the Cowgirl Opera.
Drums: Todd Wright grew up in Boulder, Colorado and moved to Durango in 1996. He played drums with his high school band and played in various bands all through college. In Durango, Todd has played drums and mandolin with The Lindells and continues to play every chance he gets. He now has a wonderful family with wife Ashley, son Eliot, and daughter Ava and hopes they found a love for music in their lives. In his spare time he is a home inspector.
Stand-up Bass: Susan Colter, substituted for Jack Tallmadge during his recent absence during opening weekend. Susan spent 41 years in the trenches as a veterinarian but always did acoustic music as a hobby. She has been a participant in several music camps including Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp ,Greater Wyoming Music Camp (2 years), and Camp Bluegrass (5 years) She is currently working with the Stillwater Foundation in a Bluegraass music program for kids She plays several instruments and plays locally with The Silver Mountain String Band and the Animas City Slackers. She also plays with High Desert Bluegrass and Chokecherry Jam from Farmingtin, N.M. She started the weekly Bluegrass Jam at Durango Brewing Company which is in it’s second year. Previously she ran a jam in Colorado Springs at Poor Richards Restaurant that lasted 18 years. She was involved with Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado Springs as a board member and volunteer and started some of their ongoing programs. She was awarded a Lifetime Membership in that organization. She is a past President of Colorado Bluegrass Music Society and was recently inducted into their Hall of Honor which recognizes members who have made major contributions to the organization. One of those was organizing and running camping-,picking week-end at Elizabeth , Colorado called Pickin’ in the Pines for 10 years. This is her first time playing with a musical production although she has always loved live theater. It is challenging, but a lot of fun.