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Learn
AbouT
Us
First thing's first...
This is Mr. Bingley, the heart and soul of Mesa Summer Theatre, affectionately known as the "Cast Pest" (unless someone manages to outdo him!). Our mascot and number one fan, you can't get to know MST without getting to know him!
What do we do?
1
Support local arts and cultural organizations
Creating jobs for local actors, designers, directors, and technicians
Strengthening a sustainable model for summer theatre production that doesn't rely on unpaid labor or burnout
2
Enrich the community of the grand valley
expanding access to theatre in a season when opportunities are limited
inviting broad community participation, including audiences who do not regularly attend theatre
contributing to cultural tourism by offering a high-quality summer arts event for visitors and residents alike
3
elevate excellence in the art and culture
Emerging artists and students will work alongside experienced professionals in a real production environment
modeling professional standards of rehearsal, production, and artistic collaboration
Meet
The
team
Margaret Knapp
Founder, Producer, Artistic Director
Margaret’s directing credits include Foxfinder by Dawn King for Interrobang Theater Project in Chicago which was nominated for seven Joseph Jefferson Awards including Best Director and Best Production, winning two for Best original music and Best scenic design. Other Chicago directing credits include Uncle Vanya, Honey Brown Eyes, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, Seven Days at Sea, and A Streetcar named Desire. A proud Equity member since 1992, Margaret has acted at theaters across the Midwest such as Remy Bumppo and the Apollo in Chicago, Drury Lane-Oakbrook, the Kansas City Rep and the Unicorn Theater in KC, MO, and The Human Race Theater in Dayton, OH. At CMU, her directing credits include Three Sisters and Knives in Hens. Margaret also teaches Acting, Theater History, and Script Analysis.
Jill Van Brussel is Associate Professor of Theatre, Costume Design at Colorado Mesa University. She received her MFA in Costume Design from Purdue University and has designed costumes and props in Chicago area theatres, including Light Opera Works, Northwestern University, Blindfaith Theatre, and Theo Ubique (where she received a Jeff Award Nomination for Taming of the Shrew). Regionally, she has worked with Tacoma Opera, Rogue Opera, Iowa City's Crooked Path and Riverside Theatres, Creede Repertory Theatre, and upstate New York's Chautauqua Opera, where she served two summers as Assistant Costume Supervisor.
Jill Van Brussel
Producer, Operational Advisor
Emma Gregory is an emerging artist who is acquiring her BFA in Acting/Directing and Technology/Design at Colorado Mesa University. Emma has performed in keystone roles like Irina in Three Sisters, Elmire in Tartuffe, and Viola in Twelfth Night. She has stage managed large-scale productions like Ride the Cyclone at CMU, Nutcracker with Colorado West Ballet, and the outdoor Twelfth Night with Mesa Summer Theatre. Emma serves as the resident stage manager for the summer Musical Theatre Intensive program with the Colorado Springs Conservatory, working recurringly with the program since its establishment in 2023. She currently serves as the scenic shop administrator and assistant production manager at CMU.
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