New to show business, Phillip Beiser is a very experienced dancer and active member in the social dancing community. Phillip has been dancing for almost four years which consists of Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing. Phillip began learning how to dance a few years after his wife passed away from breast cancer when he met his dancing teacher, Rosie. With no dance studio nor adequate space to use, Phillip learned how to dance Ballroom, Latin, and Swing at his teacher’s house in her tiny kitchen. From there, Phillip continued into the social dancing space where he has met many great friends from the Latin, Ballroom, Swing, and West Coast Swing communities that have help expanded and refined his dancing skills and experiences.

Maddie Dramm is excited to be dancing her way onto the stage in her first production with The Forst Inn! Maddie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay this past May with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Dance. She has been involved in the Manitowoc theatre community for many years with organizations including The Masquers Inc., KB Productions, and Treehouse Theater. Maddie trained at Jean Wolfmeyer’s School of Dance where she performed in annual recitals and productions of The Nutcracker. She has also choreographed pieces for UWGB’s Showcase of Dance, Treehouse Theater, and the Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance.

Addison Fowler is so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a swinging musical! Addison was introduced to jazz music when she met her boyfriend, Sam Oswald, who is an extremely talented jazz musician. Ever since, she has fallen in love with it! She feels extremely lucky to be able to sing so many amazing jazz standards throughout the show, but her favorite would have to be Stomping at The Savoy! Being a part of this production has tested and challenged her, but all of the trials and tribulations were very much worth it! One of the most rewarding things, though, is getting to share the stage with her mom, Melissa Wendorf.

Phillip Jindra (Director) is very proud of what this ensemble has accomplished. Many of the dancers had never swing danced prior to joining this production. Swing is free and expressive, and Phillip wholeheartedly believes that everyone can swing dance. But don’t let that undermine the technical proficiency and hours of intense physical practice that went into the choreography for this production. Everyone on this stage–singers, dancers, and musicians–has pushed their limits and challenged themselves in new ways. Phillip played drums for jazz band in middle school and high school and solidified his love for jazz music and swing at Lawrence University.

Tessa Komorowski Jindra (Choreographer) is from the Manitowoc WI area and has been involved in many productions with Peter Quince Performing Company, Masquers, UW Manitowoc, The Forst Inn, and On the Spot Theater Company. Some of Tessa’s stand out roles include “Bakers Wife” In Into the Woods, “Gabby/Bobbi” in City of Angels, “Drowsy” in The Drowsy Chaperone, “Inga” in Young Frankenstein and “Carolyn Symons” in Murder In Green Meadows. Tessa has been swing dancing for over a decade with her husband and director Phillip Jindra.

Erin LaFond (Laura) fell in love with singing swing and jazz music when she was asked to be a guest soloist for the Lakeshore Big Band back in 2004. She is convinced that she was born in the wrong era, as she enjoys 1940s fashion, music, and history.  Erin’s favorite parts of this process were watching the dancers rehearse and getting to sing really tight, crunchy harmonies with Addison, Ash, and Sam. Erin would like to thank her sons, Archer and Jasper, for enduring all the car rehearsals they’ve been subjected to, and Jeff and Gary for being her biggest fans.

Karter Mueller is thrilled to be a part of the talented dance ensemble for Swing! the musical! Karter has been an avid actor , and production team member at The Forst Inn & other local theater companies for about 3 years now – being involved in over 30 shows! Although this is the first time he has participated in a show, solely dancing! Swing dancing is NOT something he ever thought he’d get into, much less be performing on stage for people to watch!

Jessica Oppeneer is incredibly excited to be a part of the Swing dance ensemble! Despite having very little dance training herself, Jessica has always been enchanted by dancers’ ability to convey stories and emotions just by moving their bodies to music. She has been fortunate to practice this skill as part of the ensembles of the Forst’s Young Frankenstein and Masquers’ Camelot and Something Rotten over the past year and a half, and she’s over the moon (and a little overwhelmed!) at how much more she’s learned as a part of Swing.

Sam Oswald is thrilled to take the stage in Swing! The Musical as one of the production’s featured vocalists, bandleader, and music director. Having participated in many shows at The Forst Inn, Sam feels particularly connected to this production because of his lifelong passion for jazz music.  Jazz has always been a wide and colorful umbrella, and within it, swing has held a special place in his heart.  Bringing this music to life in such a vibrant, theatrical setting is both a personal joy and a professional highlight.  In addition to performing, Sam has cherished the opportunity to work closely with both the singers and instrumentalists who make up the show’s musical core.

Jenna Schamburek is so excited to be swinging her way into her first Forst Inn show! She currently works in sterile processing at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital but in her free time, She likes playing games or watching Kpop content with her faming, dancing, acting, or singing. Shes also been involved in other organizations such as Treehouse Theatre, Masquers, Peter Quince Performing Company, Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance and the Manitowoc County Figure Skating Club.

Britt Simmer is always a sucker for a good dance ensemble, but is not a naturally gifted dancer. So learning more about the different styles of swing has been a fun challenge. Britt is grateful for Phill and Tessa encouraging them to audition for Swing! and for all of the extra rehearsals, videos, written descriptions and more that the pair provided. They’d also like to thank their dance partner Jessica, for being game to try anything and always keeping them both on the same wavelength. You may have seen Britt in past fall musicals at the Forst Inn such as Fun Home, Cabaret, Into the Woods, and RENT.

Joey Simmons is proud to return to the Forst Inn stage in Swing! The Musical, portraying the roles of Scott and Robert. He recently appeared at the Forst Inn as Dr. Bradman in Blithe Spirit. Prior to this production, Joey had no experience with swing dancing, and he has deeply enjoyed learning it through this vibrant celebration of the swing era. He is honored to be part of a show that pays tribute to the enduring legacy of this era of music and dance.

Asher Stokes is excited to to be part of this more unique show! Although he has a wide variety of theatre experiences under his belt from the last decade on the stage, swing music was admittedly NOT in his wheelhouse. Prior to this show the only swing music Ash had really been a part of was in highschool jazz band. That said, he is proud of what he has learned and how far he has come throughout this process. Ash would like to shoutout his fiance, Karter (dance ensemble) for keeping him sane everytime he said “I’m never going to get this right”.

Jacqueline Welsh is returning to the Forst Inn after making her debut this year with The Masquers in Camelot and the St John Players with Our Town.  Some of her favorite roles have been Emily Webb (Our Town), Lady Death aka Flores! and THE Nurse (A Streetcar Named Desire), a rather spicy Peaseblossom (A Midsummer’s Night Dream), & Lady Sybil and Shy Fairy, (Camelot). She’s happiest sharing her passion for the arts in all its many forms, singing, dancing and teaching. She’d like to thank her family, friends, directors and castmates for their guidance, love and support through this dancing journey.

Missie Wendorf is thrilled (and slightly out of breath) to be part of Swing! She’s embraced all the dancing—even if her knees sometimes disagree—and is especially grateful to her partner, Joey, for his patience with her lack of skill and memory. But being able to Share the stage with her daughter Addison makes every dizzying spin worth it. She hopes you enjoy the show.