Jim Vollertsen
Producer
Premier Theater Productions founder Jim Vollertsen has over 40 years experience producing both touring musicals and regional theater productions. In the 1980’s, Vollertsen’s company produced both a non equity and then an equity national tour of “Annie”.
For over 30 years Vollertsen was President, and then CEO of the Rochester Association of Performing Arts. In 2013, in a collaboration with Premier Theater Productions, the company entered into an agreement with Eastman Kodak Company, to operate the Kodak Center in Rochester, New York.
The company has produced over 20 regional theater productions of major musicals, such as West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Grease, Mary Poppins, 42nd Street and Miracle on 34th Street.
In 2018 the company entered into a partnership with singer Eddie Money to write and produce the story of his life, “Two Tickets to Paradise”.
The musical debuted on the stage of the 2000 seat Kodak Center Theater in February of 2018.
After the untimely passing of Eddie Money, the companies subsidiary Premier Publications wrote and published the story of Eddie Money’s life, “Hold On, The Story of our Friend Eddie Money”.
Premier has spent the past two years assembling an extraordinary team to produce the first national Tour of Miracle on 34th Street.
Bruce Ha
Board/GM/Technical Advisor
As the Director and Research Associate of Kodak's optical storage division, Bruce commercialized Kodak's Picture CD technology. Bruce is an inventor and entrepreneur with multiple patents, publications, and licenses in this field, as well as the founder of several online platforms that offer archival and legacy preservation services. Last year Bruce assisted the Miracle Tour with marketing, props, sets, and designed the Video Wall.
Antoinette DiPietropolo
Director/Choreographer
Antoinette is a graduate of AMDA and has been working professionally for the last 20 years.. Some of her credits include: Choreographer for the National Tour of FAME; Director/Choreographer for the National Tour of VeggieTales; Choreographer/Associate Director BIG APPLE CIRCUS 2014, 2015, 2017; Director/Choreographer for MAMMA MIA, NUNSENSE & Choreographer for GREASE, THE FULL MONTY, PRODUCERS, and A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Anita LaScala/Rob Bissinger
Production Designers
ARDA Studio specializes in creative concepts, narrative and production design for live entertainment, events, broadcast and film. ARDA is comprised of Anita LaScala, Rob Bissinger, and an ever-evolving team of highly skilled hand and digital artists. Whether a world broadcast spectacle or an immersive entertainment experience, ARDA challenges conventional design, resources, and technology working closely with collaborators to bring innovative design to the global entertainment industry.
John Burkland
Lighting Designer
John Burkland is a graduate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Design & Production concentration in Lighting Design. His notable work includes “Charlotte’s Web”, “Mourning Becomes Electra”, and “Diary of a Madman”.
Andrew Haile Austin
Music Director
Andrew Haile Austin received his Doctorate in Music Composition (DMA) from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD where he studied with composer Kevin Puts. Andrew’s music focuses on clarity of ideas, playing with melody and tonality to form a cohesiveness between his love of early to mid-20th Century music.
Holly Buczek, HDB Casting
CSA, Casting Director
Holly Buczek, CSA (Casting Director) With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Holly Buczek brings unmatched passion and precision to the casting world. As the force behind HDB Casting, Holly has shaped the talent behind everything from Broadway’s The Little Prince to blockbuster national and international tours like Shrek, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kinky Boots, and Sesame Street Live. Known for her deep roots in regional theatre and branded live entertainment, Holly’s casting credits span hit Off-Broadway productions, thrilling immersive productions, cutting-edge new works, and acclaimed streaming and film projects. HDB Casting isn’t just a casting company—it’s a creative partner for theatres, producers, and storytellers seeking excellence across mediums.
HDB Casting The Little Prince (B-way) National & International tours: Shrek, Elf – The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar – 50th Anniversary Tour, Rent, Rock Of Ages, Something Rotten, Motown, Kinky Boots, Jekyll & Hyde, Dreamgirls, Annie, Wizard Of Oz, The Illusionists, Sesame Street Live, Daniel Tiger, PJ Masks, Charlie Brown Christmas, Blippi Live, Baby Shark, Live and more. Other Projects: 50 Shades, The Original Parody – off B-way and Touring Companies, Church & State and Othello, The Remix– off B-way, Mad Apple For Cirque Du Soleil Vegas. Regional Theatre Seasons: The John W. Engeman Theatre, Theatre Aspen, Theatre Raleigh, Tuacahn Performing Arts Center, Riverside Theatre, Arvada Center, Stages St. Louis, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse. New Works: This Is Not A Drill, The Independents for Fringe 2012 (winner Best-of-the Fest), iLLA, A Hip-Hop Musical, Deployed -The Musical, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die – In 3D, The Groove Factory and Pirates of Finance for NYMF, and for Bard SummerScape festival, The Ballad of Rom and Julz and Bitter Sweet. HDB Casting has been Casting in residence with J2 Spotlight Musical Theatre Company, Musicals Tonight!, Matt Murphy Productions, Vital Theatre Company & Resounding LLC. TV/Streaming: The Hunt With John Walsh on CNN and Blippi, Live on Netflix. Films: Naz & Maalik (SXSW), Diva and Symposium. Web: Commercials for Intel and Lipton, plus others.
Bob Scott
Marketing/Public Relations
Bob Scott Productions, Inc. is a full-service advertising, marketing, and public relations firm. Specializations include event creation & management, media platform creation with syndicated programming nationally and internationally. Visiting websites including www.BobScottProductions.com, www.fairracingnetwork.com, and www.thegeezerchronicles.com allows a sampling of various events with campaigns.
Christine L. Barkley
Creative Booking Agency, Inc
Creative Booking Agency, Inc. (CBA) is a full-service licensed talent agency founded by President & CEO Christine L. Barkley, a respected 25-year veteran and driving force in the entertainment industry. As a member of the prestigious IEBA Board of Directors, Broadway League and League of American Theatres and Producers, Pollstar Concert Industry Consortium (CIC), Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), Western Arts Alliance (WAA), Arts MidWest, NAPAMA (North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents), and ConSert (Consortium of Eastern Regional Theatres); Ms. Barkley is known as an entrepreneurial spirit who has dedicated her career to bringing world class talent to performing arts centers (PACS), arenas, casinos, fairs and festivals around the globe.
John Vassallo
Spice of Life Light and Sound
Spice of Life Productions is located in Rochester, New York specializing in the Motion Picture and Video Production business industry. Sound and LED Screens.