The Producers
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.
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.
Arda Studios
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.
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.
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”.
Chris Steckel
Production Stage Manager
Chris Steckel is a graduate from Marymount Manhattan College. His notable works include Select Lighting Design credits: Sam’s Room (Cell Theatre), Wonderland (MMC), Forbidden Broadway (York Theatre), Wanna Dance With Somebody (Oceania Cruises), and Columbinus (MMC). Select Stage Manager credits: A Charlie Brown Christmas (US Tour), Crackskull Row (Irish Rep), Counting Sheep (Recklinghausen Festival), and Spamilton.
Wojcik Casting Team
Casting
WCT casts Off Broadway, developmental projects as well as international & national tours, readings and festival shows. As one of the largest regional theatre casting offices, WCT casts seasons as well as individual productions for an impressive list of venues around the country. Commercially , WCT excels in print casting, are experts in on-camera and VO and accomplished in real person sourcing.
Bob Scott Productions
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.
Tour Managers
Creative Booking Agency, Inc. (CBA)
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.