The Little Dog Laughed

Sam Rush

Sam Rush (Director) is grateful to be directing for Live Theatre Workshop this season. His previous LTW directing credits include THE REALISTIC JONESES by Will Eno, WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD by Joe Calarco, THE OTHER PLACE by Sharr White, David Mamet’s BOSTON MARRIAGE, Annie Baker’s BODY AWARENESS, Tolstoy’s THE KREUTZER SONATA adapted by Nancy Harris, and DRY POWDER by Sarah Burgess. He has also directed for Scoundrel and  Scamps’s 24-7 Play Festival. Sam is a director and AEA actor who co-founded New Century Theatre in Massachusetts where he served as Producing Director for over two decades. As director, some of his favorite productions there include: MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, GOOD PEOPLE, RED, NOISES OFF, ARCADIA, SPINNING INTO BUTTER, DISTRACTED, and SHILOH RULES. Past acting credits with NCT include: WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, LITTLE FOXES, CLYBOURNE PARK THE QUALITY OF LIFE, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), and THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES. Film credits include LABOR DAY – Jason Reitman, director, BEGINNER’S LUCK – Frank Mouris, director, and THE GOD QUESTION. He is an accomplished teacher of acting and throughout the pandemic he has developed a thriving side business here in Tucson as a handyman.

Mike Levin

Mike Levin (Mitchell) is thrilled to be returning to the LTW stage after appearing in THE OTHER PLACE directed by Mr. Rush last season. Recent roles include Rosenberg in AMADEUS (Winding Road), Mephistopheles in FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN (Scoundrel and Scamp), Richard Dalloway in MRS. DALLOWAY and Toby Belch (Rogue Theatre), Malvolio, Polonius, and Bottom (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival), Ensemble in FIRE ON THE WATER and Albert Dussel in GOOD AT HEART (Cleveland Public Theatre). Mike is a Viola Award winner as part of the ensemble in GOD OF CARNAGEe at Theatrikos Theatre and Excellence in Education for his work at Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy.

Rhonda Hallquist

Rhonda Hallquist (Diane) is grateful and happy to appear again on the LTW Mainstage. She most recently played Marlafaye in THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY,  Margaret in WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD, directed STONES IN HIS POCKETS, and played Claire in BOSTON MARRIAGE. In LTW’s Pandemic Era, she played Phyllis in BODY AWARENESS, directed THE STANDBY LEAR, and appeared on the outdoor stage as both Andy and Melissa in LOVE LETTERS. Her favorite LTW roles include Toni in APPROPRIATE, Mary in WOMEN IN JEOPARDY, Emma in ANNAPURNA (2017 Mac Award Nominee – Actress, Drama), Fay in LOOT (2014 Mac Award Nominee – Best Actress, Comedy), Myra in REGRETS ONLY, Rachel in RECKLESS (2011 Mac Award nominee – Best Actress), and Lane in THE CLEAN HOUSE (2010 Mac Award nominee – Best Actress, Comedy).

Emily Fuchs

Emily Fuchs (Ellen) is thrilled to be participating in her first production with Live Theatre Workshop! Born and raised in Tucson, Emily received an Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Pima Community College in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from The University of Arizona in 2019. Recent credits include THE BOOKSTORE, DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE, and THE SABBATH GIRL at the Invisible Theatre, “She Told Him” in Flying Solo, and the Pastorela del Pueblo with Teatro de la Calle. Emily recently completed training in Shakespeare and classical acting with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where she played Andrew Aguecheek in TWELFTH NIGHT and Inkeep/Friar in ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE. Emily is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Studies of Global Media at the University of Arizona School of Journalism.

Sean Patrick

Sean Patrick (Alex) is thrilled to join the cast of THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED as his first Mainstage at Live Theatre Workshop. Sean is a Tucson based performer and director with an eclectic background performing and directing devised theatre locally, nationally and internationally. Locally, he has been seen in a recent production of HAMLET, frequents the stage at the Scoundrel & Scamp with featured roles in ADA AND THE ENGINE, BABEL, BLOOD WEDDING, the Rogue Theatre with roles in FRANKENSTEIN and THE AWAKENING, and several projects with Winding Road Theatre and Old Tucson studios. He is also a singer, having sung, performed, and written for Reveille Men’s Chorus, and performs regularly at Tucson’s Piano Bar at The Century Room and ATC.

Pam Rush

Pam Rush (Stage Manager) is happy to be back at LTW once again! Past favorites include SPACEMAN ZERO, ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, FOREVER PATSY CLINE, TILLY THE TRICKSTER, THE KREUTZER SONATA, and BOSTON MARRIAGE. This cast has been wonderful! We hope you enjoy the show!

Eleanor Brinckerhoff

Eleanor Brinckerhoff (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Tucson native and longtime lover of the performing  arts. They started performing in musicals when they were 10 years old with THE WIZARD OF OZ, and continued throughout middle school and high school in shows such as WHITE CHRISTMAS and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. After a few year hiatus from the theatre, she returned to work on Musical Theatre of Anthem’s production of SPONGEBOB: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL. She previously worked on MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS with Live Theatre Workshop and is so excited to continue her work with the theatre on THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED.

Taryn Wintersteen

Taryn Wintersteen she/her (Technical Director/Scenic Designer) has been enjoying her involvement with the LTW mainstage shows. She graduated with a BFA in Theater Production with an Emphasis in Scenic Design from the University of Arizona in 2013 where she was the Properties Master for NINE and Scenic Designer for BOEING BOEING. She then explored the world of museum fabrication and motherhood for a few years before jumping back into theater with LTW. You can see some of her museum work in the Witte museum in San Antonio, TX and various other museums across the country. You also may have seen some of her scenic work in recent LTW mainstage productions. She would like to thank her husband and parents for wrangling kiddos to allow her get work done as well as the amazing staff here at LTW that offer so much support and talent.

Richard Gremel

Richard Gremel (Lighting Designer) has been lighting the LTW stage for the past 15 years. His lighting designs have also been seen on other Tucson stages in the past. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the Arizona Thespians Teacher of the year (2017-2018 & 2023-2024) and the OnMedia Tucson Arts Hero (2018-2019).  Aside from teaching, Richard acts, directs, and writes plays for the LTW stage. He currently has 11 published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, England, and Australia. www.richardgremelplaywright.com 

Mike Saxon

Mike Saxon (Sound Designer) was born in Tucson and majored in Theatre Education at the University of Arizona. He joined the Tucson theater community shortly after graduating high school and in that time has acted, directed, stage managed and sound designed for countless local companies. Some of his favorites include stage managing SNOOPY! for Live Theatre Workshop, portraying Ford in MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR for the EL Rio Theater Project, and sound designing MEN IN BOATS for Something Something Theater Company. He currently works as a theater teacher at the Academy of Tucson High School and, as a teacher himself, holds all the teachers in his life (including his mom) in the highest regard.

Gretchen Wirges

Gretchen Wirges (Costume Designer, Photographer) is beyond thrilled to be working as costumer on her first Live Theatre Workshop mainstage production. She has been featured as an actor, director, playwright and costumer on many of the stages throughout the Tucson community.  A lifelong love of sewing combined with an eternal passion for fashion and theatre brought Gretchen to costuming in recent years. As a costumer, Gretchen has been fortunate to work on several amazing family shows at Live Theatre Workshop, including ONCE UPON A FAIRYTALE, WAITING FOR DOGGO, and DJ IN WONDERLAND, several productions at Scoundrel and Scamp, SAPAC, and other independent production companies. It has been a joy for her to have had a hand in the creating the world of LITTLE DOG LAUGHED.

Matt Denney

Matt Denney (Intimacy Director), a mixed-race Filipino-American Intimacy Director, Director, and Educator, is dedicated to fostering consent in K-12 Theatre Education, activism, food justice, and performance. Formerly a High School Drama Teacher in Tucson, AZ, Matt currently serves as the Resident Intimacy Director for several Arizona Theatres. His impactful workshops have reached diverse platforms such as the Center for Creative Photography, Association for Acting Coaches and Educators, Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), East West Players, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and the Ottawa School of Theatre.

In addition to his role as a Teaching Artist and Curriculum Developer for Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC), Matt is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a focus on “Theatre for Social Change” at the University of Arizona. As a co-founder of Consent Creatives of Arizona, he actively contributes to creating safe, consent-driven environments for rehearsal spaces and communities across Arizona. Matt’s commitment to social justice extends to his role as a Committee Member for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Theatre and Social Change ATHE Focus Group. Recently, he was honored as one of the 2023 recipients of TheField NYC’s Fiscal Sponsorship for Social Justice Practitioners.

Gabrielle Rios

Gabrielle Rios (Asst. Intimacy Director) is an actress, dancer, educator, and intimacy director from Tucson, Arizona. After a decade in Oregon, Gabrielle is honored to serve the artistic community in her hometown.  In 2012, Gabrielle earned her BS in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. She quickly discovered her passion for education and went on to study Early Childhood Education at Lane Community College in 2014. Most recently, she worked as a sexual health educator at Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon. Her background in education greatly informs her work as a director. She educates instead of dictates and is eager to accommodate all learning styles during the artistic process.

In 2016, Gabrielle returned to the stage after a long hiatus and began performing in local plays and musicals. In 2022, she became a founding member of the No Scripts Society Improv troupe and a year later became their resident Intimacy Director. In 2023, she earned her Consent Forward Artist certificate from Intimacy Directors and Coordinators and is thrilled to continue to learn from her teacher and fellow Consent Creative, Matt Denney. Her artistic approach is characterized by distinctive creativity, playfulness, trauma informed practices, and a commitment to the radical acceptance and respect of all people. She is comfortable working with people of all ages and abilities and values intergenerational and interabled connections. Proudly neurodivergent, she champions inclusion and accessibility wherever she works. Gabrielle is a passionate and enthusiastic team mate and she looks forward to partnering with the many amazing artistic organizations in Arizona.

Karin Hupp

Karin Hupp (Props Master) has been the prop master for over eight years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK MYSTERY, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker’s VICIOUS CIRCLE and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.