Meet the Crew of Annie!
Set Builder/Set Painter/Props
Mo Benes
Mo is a Nebraska-based Technical Director and Props Artisan with a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology. Her recent credits include technical direction for Legally Blonde with Crane River Theatre; Rocketmen and Eminent Domain with Angels Theatre Company; Alice by Heart and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with Nebraska Wesleyan University; and The Flick with the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. She currently serves as Scene Shop Supervisor for the Theatre Department at Nebraska Wesleyan University and is thrilled to be spending her summer in the park with Pinewood.
Choreographer
Isabelle Bertrand
Isabelle is a junior high teacher who teaches 7th and 8th graders, not sixth graders. If she taught sixth graders, she would be a sixth-grade teacher. Comparably, had we said that she taught second graders, most would consider her a second-grade teacher. (Before you ask, no, she does NOT teach high school.) Isabelle is beyond excited to make her Choreographer debut out here at the Bowl! Previous roles include Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be in A Christmas Carol (NCP, 2025), Mrs. Potiphar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pinewood Performing Arts, 2025), and Choreographer for Guys and Dolls (NCP, 2026).
Costume Assistant
Makena Carlson
Makena is a musical theatre and data analytics student at Nebraska Wesleyan. She would like to thank her friends, family, and professors for their support! “That is art, to give all you have. And what have you? Your life - nothing more.” - Michael Chekhov
Production Manager
Michael Fortkamp
Michael holds a BFA in Theatre - Design & Technical Production from UNL (2013) and currently serves as the staff Technical Director for North Star High School’s theatre program here in Lincoln. He is excited to be a part of Pinewood Performing Arts for the first(ish) time, and tries to stay involved in the local theater scene when he can. Michael enjoys teaching stagecraft, creating meaningful art with his wonderful students, and sitting out on the deck with his dog.
Costume Designer
Hannah Hansen
Hannah isa Lincoln-based Costume Designer and graduate of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film with a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology. Some of her previous works include Angels Theatre Company’s Dove, I Carry Your Heart With Me, Eminent Domain, Pivot, and The Rocket Men, Nebraska Repertory’s Stop Kiss and Sense & Sensibility, Nebraska Wesleyan’s Alice by Heart; and Lincoln Community Playhouse’s The Fantasticks, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Newsies Jr., and Little Shop of Horrors. When she’s not designing, she serves as the Nebraska Wesleyan Costume Library Manager, as well as a Hair and Makeup Local at the Lied Center.
Graphic Designer
Soren Hargrove
Soren is a multi-disciplinary artist in Lincoln and is proud to be working with Pinewood for another summer (Her 5th!) She has previously done costuming for Nebraska Communities Playhouse and occasionally takes the stage.
Lighting Designer
Sheric W. Hull
Sheric currently spends most of his time as the Lighting Designer and Facilities Manager for Ballet Memphis ,in Memphis, TN. His design work spans theatre, ballet, special events, and film, with projects taking him throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to his work at Ballet Memphis, Hull maintains an active freelance lighting design practice throughout the greater Memphis area. Though his career has taken him to venues near and far, Lincoln, Nebraska at the Pinewood Bowl remains a favorite destination at which to create. He is delighted to be back for Annie and proud to celebrate his tenth year designing for Pinewood Performing Arts.
Set Builder/Set Painter/Props
Brad LaMotte
Brad is a Central Texas native whose theatrical work has taken him across the country. Regional credits include “Rocket Men” and “Pivot” (Angels Theatre Company), “The Wild Party” (Bluebarn Theatre), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Nebraska Communities Playhouse), and “The Flick” (Nebraska Repertory Theatre). Brad serves as Professor of Scenic Design at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where his recent productions include “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “The Gas Heart,” “Anastasia,” and “Christmas at Pemberley.” He is thrilled to be returning to the Bowl and sharing this production with local audiences. Charlotte and Penelope, thank you for being my greatest purpose— I love you both so much.
Director/Set Director
JD Madsen
JD currently serves as the Head of Entertainment Design and Production at University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he teaches scenic and environmental design for the entertainment arts, while mentoring emerging designers and artists in both the masters and bachelor degree programs. Whether sketching concepts, drafting scenery, or crafting staging and creative interpretations, he is happiest helping stories come alive onstage. His work blends bold visual storytelling with a love of texture, atmosphere, and imaginative stagecraft. He is grateful to his muse and partner Elena for her. love and support, as well as their children Huck, Harper Jo and Hemy for their willingness to share their time with their father with our community and fellow artists. Thank you to all of you who support the work of live theatre in our hometown.
Stage Manager
Samantha Willenbring
Pinewood Debut
Samantha is a Senior BFA Theatre Design Tech and BA History major at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Although this is her first Pinewood show she is not new to the theatre scene.
Her latest work includes Stage Managing Anastasia, The Tempest, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Music Director
Alex Wooten
Alex is a pianist and former choir teacher from Lincoln, NE. After eight years of teaching choir, the last three with the Crete Public School district, Alex now works for Bryan Health as part of the Epic Training Team. Alex spent the 25-26 school year accompanying for Lincoln Public Schools and Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre Department. Alex is also the pianist for the Hickman Presbyterian Church. A change of careers has offered more time for Alex to accompany, music direct, and perform in shows again and he is so excited to spend his summer with Pinewood Bowl!