Our People

Rebecca Nussbaum

General Manager, is an administrator, educator and flutist. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Master of Music from the University of Maryland. She has been a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Opera Festival of New Jersey and the Amarillo Symphony. Rebecca has performed solo and chamber music recitals in a variety of venues including the Japanese Embassy, the Arts Club of D.C. and the Banff Centre for the Arts. In 2002, the ensemble Origins, which she co-founded, won the National Flute Association Chamber Music Competition. Rebecca has been a teacher and chamber music coach for over fifteen years. In 2004, with the generous sponsorship of the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, Rebecca was able to bring her love of performance and education together through researching, designing and developing the Open Dream Ensemble. In addition to her work with Open Dream, she is a Fellow for the A+ Schools Program where she assists in instructing professional development sessions on arts-integration for teachers and artists.

Mollye Maxner

Creative Director, was born in Massachusetts. When she was eight years old, she rode her green bicycle to her first dance class. At the age of fourteen, Mollye left her home to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts to study ballet and contemporary dance. After graduating, Mollye started her own physical theater company (Chimaera Physical Theater, named after the mythological beast) and has spent the last ten years traveling around the world performing and creating dances. She has spent the most time in Turkey, a country she loves so much she calls it her second home. Alongside her love of the arts, Mollye loves math, science, literature and history. She is particularly intrigued by quantum physics and the study of other cultures. Her favorite book is The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Her love of academics inspired Mollye to go to Mount Holyoke College, from which she graduated summa cum laud. In the past few years, Mollye has found a way of life that integrates her loves of arts and academics: as a theater director and choreographer Mollye gets to research a multitude of subjects and then transform what she discovers into the art of live performance. When she is not working, Mollye enjoys hiking, kite flying and spending time with friends and family.

Shona Simpson

Writer, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and as a child her family moved to England and New Zealand before finally settling in Dallas, Texas. After college at Duke University, she chose to go to graduate school in English Literature, much to the surprise of her family, who are all scientists. After finishing her Ph.D. and teaching literature at several universities, most recently at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC, she decided that she still wasn’t quite doing what she most wanted to do, which was to write stories and poems. So she stopped teaching and is now working on her first novel for children. She also plays the piano and is a long-distance runner, and she is never happier than when she is outside playing with her three daughters, Fiona, Ellie, and Jessie.

Brian Sutow

is a professional actor and writer, and the Co-Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company. As a native Chicagoan, Brian has performed professionally at Eclipse Theatre, Co., Apple Tree Theatre, Light Opera Works, American Theatre Co., and Wildbait Theatre Co.  Additional professional stage credits include work with Roanoke Island Festival Park, The Open Dream Ensemble and most recently the leading role of Guy in NRTC’s critically acclaimed production of “Some Girl(s).”  His film work includes appearances in High Fidelity, Train Wreck, A Bowl of Cherries (finalist at the Chicago TV Comedy Pilot Competition) The SunnySide Singers, the comedic webseries Assembly Required, as well as many industrial films for the military and the police. As a writer and lyricist, Brian’s work has been work-shopped and performed across the country.  His original comedic writing has been requested and reviewed by companies like Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, Turner Entertainment, Paradigm and William Morris. This summer, his adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut short story, “A Long Walk to Forever,” along with his original stage comedy, “Assembly Required: How to Write Produce and Stage a Musical – The Musical” will both appear at the 2010 Capitol Fringe Festival (both pieces are collaborations with longtime writing/business partner Joshua Morgan).  Brian holds a BFA in Drama from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  He is thrilled to be returning to work with the Open Dream Ensemble, where he previously co-wrote, “Peril on the Red Planet,” and performed lead roles in both of last seasons touring shows.

Joshua Morgan

As an actor, Joshua graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Judith Blazer’s 2005/2007 company of the Artist’s Crossing. Performance credits include roles in The Trojan Women, Godspell, Burn This, Comedy of Errors, Children of Eden, Othello, Show Boat, Sunday in the Park with George, The Good Doctor, Sweeney Todd..., The Laramie Project, and Les Miserables to name a few. Joshua has worked as a Musical Director/Rehearsal Pianist for many shows within the NY/NJ/DC tri-state area and coaches a handful of select students. The musical play, Definition of a Housewife, conceived and written by himself and Jeffery Self had a workshop production in the summer of 2006 at Columbia University. Most recently he directed three sold-out productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and became the Co-Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company which is based out of Washington, DC and Winston-Salem, NC.

Ren LaDassor

Costume Designer, has had a love of clothes since she first put them on. Some of her recent designs include 7 Days- (feature film) Those Guys That Girl Film Production; Launch of MUDasMAN- MUDasMan Productions; Baby With The Bathwater- GroundUP Productions; Kikibaby- (workshop) Primary Stages-Lonny Price; Adventures of Ezra Jack Keats- Weston Playhouse. Ren is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Design and Production.

Travis McHale

Recently, designer Travis McHale has worked on lighting for MY FAVORITE THINGS starring Shirley Jones, directed by Lonny Price  (Colorado Festival of World Theatre), the world premiers of LOVE DRUNK by Romulus Linney and FREUDIAN SLIPS Off-Broadway (Abingdon Theatre Company) and has created scene design for the New York premier of Keith Reddin’s ALL THE RAGE (Manhattan Theatre Source). His Off-Broadway Scenic and Lighting work includes the premiers of THE PEOPLE VS. MONA (NY IT Award nom.), THE OPTIMIST, directed by Jace Alexander (Ground UP Productions), SHIRLEY AT THE TROPICANA (Access Theatre), MAKEOUT SESSION, GLASS JAW, and A STEADY RAIN (The Barrow Group).  He has worked on lighting design for Lonny Price’s KIKI BABY (Primary Stages), the Lincoln Center Institute, Partial Comfort Productions, Manhattan Theatre Source, Ground UP Productions, and Erica Essner Performance Co-Op.  Regionally his work is seen in A RAISIN IN THE SUN (tour), I AM MY OWN WIFE directed by Hal Brooks, NO CHILD…, A NUMBER (Weston Playhouse, VT) and for Colorado Festival of World Theatre, Auburn University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Ballet Spartanburg, Actor’s Repertory Theatre, and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.  Associate/Assistant design work includes the current national tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, starring Topol, CRIMES OF THE HEART (Roundabout), CAMELOT (NY Philharmonic), BROADWAY: THREE GENERATIONS (Kennedy Center), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Goodspeed), PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Indianapolis Opera).  Travis has toured extensively for The Kennedy Center, Game Show Network, and Weston Playhouse. He serves on the board of New York’s Ground UP Productions.  Travis is from Long Beach, CA, earned his BFA in lighting design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He lives in Manhattan.

Sanford Enslen (Sonny)

was born in California, grew up in North Carolina, lived in Wisconsin for 12 years, then decided that he was missing the mountains too much and moved back to North Carolina. All the while he has been playing the cello in orchestras and chamber groups, as well as teaching and coaching both willing and less-than-willing students. The cello has taken him all over the Midwest, the Southeast, and exotic places like Western Europe and a chicken coop in the Adirondacks, where he has played much of the standard repertoire, and has had the opportunity to be involved with a number of premiers. In addition to orchestral playing, he also regularly performs chamber music, and has the occasional solo recital. Though classically trained, Sonny enjoys and performs music of all ilks, and loves the collaboration that occurs when you get a group of people together with a common artistic goal. The Open Dream Ensemble is an exciting opportunity to expand horizons that are already wide and hopefully to reach audiences and ignite the interest of the artists and patrons of the arts of tomorrow. When away from the cello, Sonny likes to spend time with friends and family, cook, paddle, and try to kick friends in the head while playing capoeira.

Julianne Harper

was born and raised in Garland, Texas.  At the age of four she began her training in tap dance and continued to study the dance form intensively until high school.  She attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas where she was introduced to modern dance.  During this time she had the opportunity to perform in Donald McKayle's Games and Paul Taylor's Esplanade, as well as given the honor of being a finalist in the NFAA Arts Recognition and Talent Search for tap dance.  Julianne continued her training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she graduated with a BFA in contemporary dance in 2005. Upon graduation, she joined the premiere season of the Open Dream Ensemble.  Julianne also co-directed Clap If You're Confused, a multimedia experience performed in site-specific venues across North Carolina & California. Ms. Harper has performed throughout the nation, including Lincoln Center, the Supperclub, and various parts of Los Angeles as a street performer. She has had the honor of dancing with Gregory Hines and tapping for the premiere of his film Bojangles, as well as being selected for the casting bank of STOMP and Cirque du Soleil. She has recently performed with San Francisco's Bow & Sparrow, bringing rhythm and tap into their fantastical aerial productions. Julianne now resides in Winston Salem and is excited to be back with The Open Dream Ensemble for her second season, and whenever possible enjoys finding time to bang on her drums all day..

Ian Berthoin Antal

was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, as a French-American.  His love for theatre has allowed him to experience a variety of early-life experiences, including starring in the world-premieres of the musical rendition of Erich Kästner’s popular novel “Emil und die Detektive” and Elliot Carter’s modern opera by the name of “What Next?” at the Berlin State Opera.  It is difficult for Ian to specify which role was his true favorite thus far since they have all individually reserved very special places in his heart and development, including opportunities to inhabit the lives of idols such as Konstantin Stanislavski.  After arriving to the United States four years ago to discover what it really means to be an American citizen, Ian is greatly looking forward to using his UNCSA Drama training in a global setting, dreaming of potential projects across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Brandon Harris

started acting in 6th grade in his home town of Austin, Texas, singlehandedly mounting one-man stagings of some of Jim Carrey?s finest works in front of the acclaimed audience of his mom and a couple of her friends. After their glowing reviews in “The New Mom?s Friends Times,” Brandon knew he was destined for the stage. He spent the next 5 years working at the Sam Bass Community Theatre, acting and doing every technical or odd job imaginable. Brandon finally ended up at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he just graduated with his B.F.A. in Acting. Some of his favorite roles include Edwin Booth in Booth, Alan in Picnic, Hamlet in Hamlet, Hally in Master Harold and the Boys, Fanny Babbs in Charley?s Aunt, and “Himself” in The Compleat Works of Wllm Shakspr (abridged). When not acting, Brandon enjoys traveling, reading, playing games, working odd jobs... pretty much anything. Brandon loves life, and is thrilled to be working this year with Open Dream Ensemble this year. Vive la fête!

Bryn Harris

has a degree in directing from University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she studied under Gerald Freedman, for whom she was Asst. Director and Fight Captain in Booth.  This past winter, she was Co-Choreographer & Asst. Director for Matt Cowart in the contemporary “rock” musical version of the Shakespearean play, Two Gentlemen of Verona.  While at UNCSA, she was Asst. Director and Co-Choreographer for Laura Henry in both Picnic and Ahh Wilderness!, and Directing Intern to Gerald Freedman for the 20th Anniversary of Sunday in the Park with George.  By the end of summer 2010, she will have completed two consecutive summers National SAFD Stage Combat Workshops taught by seven of the fourteen world's most prominent fight masters, working in eight different weapon categories.

James Stewart

started playing music when he was four years old. He took piano lessons through elementary school and started playing the saxophone in middle school. In high school James began to compose original music for his friends and for his high school band. When he was fifteen, James became a choir director at his local church. Also he played keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, and sang in several garage bands. All of this made James want to study music further. He graduated college in 2001 with a degree in Music Composition. Then James spent a year with a professional band traveling the US and the world. In 2007, James received his Master’s degree in music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Then he spent three seasons with the Open Dream Ensemble. James has written music for all five shows that ODE has staged! His music has been played by rock bands, chorales, choirs, chamber music ensembles, and the radio. Now, he is currently enrolled in the Hartt School of Music, in Hartford Connecticut to pursue his Doctorate in Music Arts in composition under the instruction of Dr. Robert Carl. James enjoys cartoons, reading, and playing with his five year old son, Jeremiah. James’ wife Meredith is expecting their second child sometime in September.

Peter Shanahan

started playing the flute when he was in the 7th grade and hasn’t stopped since! This is his third year with the Open Dream Ensemble. Peter is also a freelance musician in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. You can see him play with the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Western Piedmont, Salisbury, and Carolina Chamber Symphonies in this state, and with the Southwest Florida Symphony and Charleston Symphony when he feels like going to the beach for a vacation! Peter was born in Petersburg, Virginia; but they didn’t name the town after him like he thinks. He went to college at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and for graduate school he studied in the cornfields at Indiana University. He has no dogs, cats, or mountain goats.

Jon Odom

is a 2008 Drama graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Originally from Chicago, IL where he was involved with Good Vibes, a teen prevention show made up of a group of young artist who toured the Chicago land area. In Chicago, he was highly involved with both the show choir and choral competitions, along with the Theater, Speech, and Sketch Comedy offered in high school. In 2006 Jon worked with The Waughtown Children's Theater and traveled to New Orleans to hold a workshop for the children affected by hurricane Katrina, ending with a performance of an original play Bangin', which the company members and the children put up together, Jon playing the role of Tony. In 2007 Jon performed in rotation School House Rock, Two Gentleman of Verona, and a Cabaret event, at the Roanoke Festival at the Outer banks of North Carolina. Other roles include Darren in Take Me Out (Theater Alliance), Chino in West Side Story (dir. Gerald Freedman), Seilig in Gem of the Ocean (dir. Michelle Shay) and Ned Poins in Henry IV (dir. Gerald Freedman). Jon is currently living in New York City where he is a company member of the eco-friendly 9thirty Theater, and pursuing his career as an actor and playwright.

Haydee Thompson

Haydee Thompson is thrilled to be cast, once again, as a member of the Open Dream Ensemble.  In the past three years Haydee has played many roles in the ensemble, but is mostly remembered by her portrayal as the Pirate, the Dragon, and the Mad Hatter in The Amazing Adventure of Anna Marie.  Last year she stepped in mid-season to play the role of Katherine Wright in Dream Machines.  Haydee currently calls beautiful Winston-Salem, NC her home but lived for many years in New York City where she performed quite a few great roles including Hilda in Room Service, Cynthia in Baby with the Bath Water, and Sarah in the Broadway National Tour of Guys & Dolls. Haydee is inspired by her family, who has always been a great support especially by her Nanny (Jessie) who was a great radio and big band singer in the 30's and 40's. When she's not acting Haydee enjoys  time working in her flower garden and playing with her little cat Lily. This marks Haydee’s fourth season as a member of Open Dream Ensemble!