Kourtney is thrilled to be making her directorial debut at Avenue Arts. She has been directing for the past five years in Northeast Ohio. Some of her favorite productions she's brought to life are Sex with Strangers Dead Certain, and the 2015 production of Murder by the Falls at Chagrin Valley Little Theater in Chagrin Falls. She just directed the world premiere full length production of Matt's First (Real) Thanksgiving this fall and is set to direct the mysterious comedy, Women in Jeopardy in the summer. After years of being on stage, Kourtney found her passion for directing after co-directing a one act festival in 2015. It has been nonstop ever since. One of her favorite parts is seeing her vision come to life. "There is nothing more satisfying than experiencing what you've envisioned translate to stage and watching audiences fully engaged."

Susan works at The Timken Company as an Operations Analyst by day, but in the evenings, her passion recently has turned to backstage at the theater. Having never stepped on stage as an actor, she has filled many roles behind the scenes as part of the crew working up to being stage manager. With a degree in Business Management from Walsh University, she knows how to manage a theatrical show. Some of the shows she has been part of the team are Sister Act (2017), Memphis, Full Monty, and A Christmas Carol at the Player’s Guild and It’s a Wonderful Life at Avenue Arts. Watching actors grow into their characters over the course of several weeks and stay in character even out of the eyes of the audience has given Susan a new appreciation of every actor and show. For added fun, she enjoys sailing and woodworking.

Alyssa is 21 years old and currently attends Kent State University at Stark. In the past, you may have seen Alyssa in productions such as Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Mrs. Meers), Seussical the Musical (Bird Girl), and Shrek the Musical (Mama Bear/Ogre). Alyssa currently volunteers for Community Harvest and Tri County Restaurant Association every year for their Annual Celebrity Cuisine.

Katie is thrilled to join the Avenue Arts team as resident costume designer! She studied Theatre at CSU and was awarded a full scholarship in costume design during her time there. Since then, her designs have been seen throughout Ohio, Maryland and New York. Past professional design residencies include Rubber City Theatre and The Illusion Factory Children's Theatre in Akron. She has designed for: Cleveland Public Theatre, Hiram College, CSU, Garfield Players, Hudson Players, Northwest HS, Garfield Hts HS and Miller South. Awards include two Best Design Awards from Broadwayworld.com in 2014 for her designs for Steel Magnolias and Legally Blonde. She is currently the Assistant Artistic Director and Head of Education at Rubber City Theatre, a professional theatre just 30 minutes north in Akron. She currently runs the Youth Theatre Conservatory there it is an affordable professional theatre training program for grades k-12 taught by local professional directors and actors.

Brian Seckfort is honored to be making his Avenue Arts design debut in “Afterglow”. A current Graduate student for Scenic Design and Technology at Kent State University, Seckfort is pleased to be joining such a creative and adventurous cast and crew. Other Professional design credits include “The Revolutionists” and “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” at Rubber City Theatre. Professional credits also include work for STAGES St. Louis and McLeod Summer playhouse. Brian, as always, wants to thank his alma mater, Florida Southern College, and his parents for being so supportive in all of his artistic endeavors. For more details of Brian’s work please visit brianseckfort.com.

Hazen Tobar is excited to design sound again for Avenue Arts this season! He can usually be spotted behind the soundboard at Avenue Arts, Weathervane Playhouse, and Rubber City Theatre. Past sound credits include Bent, Noises Off, and the world premiere of Tame, respectively. Hazen also enjoys taking production photos for Avenue Arts and Rubber City Theatre, which can be seen at hazentobar.com.

Linda is 62 years old and currently serves as the Technical Director at Avenue Arts Marketplace & Theatre. Some of her most favorite productions in the past include August: Osage County (Violet Weston), Sordid Lives (Sissy), Beerthovans Ninth (Ex Wife), and Rubber City Blues (Drunk Woman). Linda considers herself a “chickenista” - having over 40 egg-laying chickens. She would like to thank her husband, George, who supports every hair brained idea that she comes up with and even helps make them happen.

David Lee has served as the Artistic Director at Avenue Arts Marketplace and Theatre since the conception of the theatre company in 2017. He has had the pleasure of working with a diverse group of actors including youngsters as the Director of the young actors workshop each fall and spring. Some of his favorite shows with the the Junior class are “Annie JR”, “Willy Wonka JR”and “Shrek JR”. David also understands the importance in the development of new works and has formed a company of actors called “Underground” that preforms staged readings of new works. He invites you to check out the season of new works at AvenueArts.org. David is a Canton, Ohio native and attended Malone University where he was trained in the Michael Chekhov Technique of acting and revived and B.A. in Communication, Visual and Preforming Arts.

Jared is 24 years old and currently works as the Event Manager for ArtsInStark while he pursues his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walsh University. Past stage credits include Hairspray (IQ), South Pacific (Professor), Leading Ladies (Butch Myers), Clybourne Park (Kenneth), Two by Two (Japheth, Grease (Kenicke) and Flowers For Algernon (Charlie Gordon). Jared would like to thank everyone for the continued support of growing the arts in the community.