CREATORS
KRISTIN STOWELL, MUSIC & LYRICS
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Kristin Stowell is a composer, music director, pianist, music copyist, and educator living in Washington, D.C. Endometriosis is her first musical, written with lifelong BFF and collaborator Maria Bartholdi. She was recently music director for the regional premiere of The Cher Show and the world premiere of the new musical Mystic Pizza, both at the Ogunquit Playhouse, and she has worked as a music supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Lines for nearly a decade.
Teaching courses in musical theatre and music, she has served on the faculty and/or adjunct faculty at New York University, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Mississippi, and George Washington University. Kristin was born and raised in Minnesota and has taught at the Guthrie Theater and performed improvised piano accompaniment for the Bearded Company's 2019 Fringe production of Swords and Sorcery.
DIRECTOR
MARIA BARTHOLDI, BOOK & LYRICS
Maria Bartholdi is a real-life renaissance woman (all of the awesome stuff, none of the plague) living in Minneapolis, MN. She is a performer, writer, podcaster, esports host, and 10-time Upper-Midwest Emmy® Award winning video creator.
Maria is overjoyed to be debuting her first-ever musical, written with her BFF Kristin Stowell. She can most often be found performing at HUGE Theater, with short-form improvisational troupe ComedySportz, or creating epic improvised adventures with the Bearded Company.
Twitter/Insta: @MissMariapants, mariabartholdi.com
SHANAN CUSTER
Shanan Custer is a theater maker, actor, director, writer and improviser who has worked with the Brave New Workshop, Interact, Strike Theater, Ghoulish Delights, Theatre Pro Rata, DalekoArts, HUGE Improv Theater, Special When Lit, The Mystery Café, Mu Performing Arts, Full Circle Theater, Park Square Theatre and Theater in the Round, where she recently directed The Book Club [Play]. Shanan loves new work, so being able to work with the Endometriosis the Musical team is a real joy! Shanan’s own original works include The Bungalow Loft (produced with Fearless Comedy Productions), Not Fair, My Lady (with Colleen Somerville and Anita Ruth), At Christmas (with Jim Robinson), and Sometimes There’s Wine and 2 Sugars, Room For Cream(with Carolyn Pool). Shanan also performs monthly with The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society at the Bryant Lake Bowl and Crooners. She is currently producing a new series called Songversations with Rhiannon Fiskradatz that features storytelling and song to amplify intersectional feminism. Their 5th installment about allyship will land in June 2023 at the Bryant Lake Bowl! Shanan thanks you for reading all the way to the end. Cheers!
CAST
ABBY HOLMSTROM, JANE
Abby Holmstrom is just getting into the theatre scene in Minneapolis and most recently performed as Ariel in Lakeshore Players' production of Little Mermaid where she wore a wig on her head. She is honored to be in a show written and performed by truly brilliant humans. There is no better feeling than creating art with people who inspire you.
NORA SONNEBORN, GINA, et al
Nora Sonneborn is just so excited to be here. She was most recently seen as The Bank Manager in Once at DalekoArts. When not onstage, you’ll find Nora working a bunch of jobs from home, spending too much money on food delivery, and learning any and every instrument she can get her hands on. Thanks for supporting live theater!
TARA BORMAN, MIRANDA, et al
Opening new works is something Tara is incredibly passionate about, so she is overjoyed to be a part of the team for this exciting new musical! Tara is an original cast member of the midwestern phenomenon Church Basement Ladies having performed her role of Signe/Beverly over 3,000 times in various productions and tours. You can see her reprise her role in a brand new CBL production this fall at the Ames Center in Burnsville. Other notable credits include work with Sidekick Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre (Cabal), Yellow Tree Theatre, Artistry and 7th House Theatre Collective. In her free time, Tara enjoys a simple life at home in her downtown Minneapolis apartment with her beloved 10 year old Chihuahua “Happy”.
ALY O'KEEFFE, PRESIDENT, et al
Aly is so excited to hang up her wig(s) at the Theatre in the Round for Fringe this year! This is her third time participating in the Fringe festival and she couldn't be more excited to hang with this hilarious and talented crew. She's also been seen with Artistry and Minneapolis Musical Theatre where she most recently played Virginia in Hands on a Hardbody!
JOSEPHINE VAN ERT, ASHLEY, et al
Josephine Van Ert is thrilled to be a part of this incredible group of artists! Growing up near Minneapolis, she has always been interested in new musicals and feels so lucky to be able to work on one as special as this. She most recently played Vivienne in Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's production of Legally Blonde. Josephine is grateful for her family and friends who support her endlessly.
DREW TENENBAUM, DEREK, et al
Drew Tenenbaum is an artist, designer, and game developer born and raised in Minnesota! When the stars align, he can sometimes be found performing on stage around Minneapolis too! You might have caught glimpses of him performing with ComedySportz since 2011. Past fringe-goers could remember him from the 2017 "hit" Fringe musical RomCom Con. This year Drew is thrilled to be working with such talented writers and performers! When he's not working you can probably find Drew napping in bed under a cozy blanket
CHRISTIAN UNSER, BOSS, et al
Christian Unser (Boss) was most recently seen as "J.D. Drew" in Minneapolis Musical Theatre's production of Hands on a Hardbody, live inside Luther Cadillac in Roseville! This is his second Fringe show, having previously appeared as “Jeff Beyden” in the Fringe musical Atlas ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Favorite onstage roles include “Uncle Ernie” (The Who’s Tommy), "Harry" (Night of the Living Dead: The Musical) and “Max Von Mayerling” (Sunset Boulevard). Love to Jen, Gabe and Hannah for their constant understanding and support of the madness of live theater.
AARON DEETS, BRAD, et al
Aaron Deets is a recent graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin - Madison with his Master's in Business. GO BADGERS! He runs a social media content & strategy consulting business, helping organizations reach new audiences through creative and tactical marketing approaches. In his free time, you'll find Aaron coaching small group training classes at Life Time or listening to Adele & Léon on repeat.