Megan Knowlton Balne
Fun Home 2024 [Helen] | Almost, Maine 2023 [Waitress/Gayle/Marci]
(She/Her) Megan is the Co-Founder of Masquerade Theatre and thrilled to be realizing her dream by serving as Artistic Director. Megan graduated from Ramapo College with her degree in Theatre and a concentration in directing. Megan is normally behind the table on Masquerade Productions. Megan was mostly recently seen on stage in Almost, Maine. Favorite roles include: Titania (Midsummer/Music Haas); Ruth Condomine (Blithe Spirit/HPP); Lilly St. Regis (Annie/BToP); Veronica (God of Carnage/HPP); and Zelda Zanders (Singin' in the Rain/Footlighters). Thanks to the cast and production team for their creativity and dedication. Above all, Megan thanks her husband, and co-founder of Masquerade, Tommy, without whom none of this would be possible.
Samuel Balne
Fun Home 2024 [CHRISTIAN BECHDEL]
(He/Him) is excited to be in his first Principal Series production at Masquerade, having performed in several of their Lights Up Education productions including Madagascar, Jr (Marty), James and the Giant Peach, Jr. (James), Peter Pan, Jr.(John). Other favorite roles include Seussical (Elephant Bird) and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). Sammy thanks his cast and the production team for a great experience.
Courtney Bird
Fun Home 2024 [Joan] | ALMOST, MAINE 2023 [Glory/Marvalyn/Rhonda] | Melancholy Play 2023 [JOAN]
(She/They) is back on the Masquerade stage after last being seen in Almost, Maine in December. Having received her BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of the Arts, she is the Outreach Coordinator and a Teaching Artist at Mainstage Center for the Arts, as well as a Director for the Lights Up Program here at Masquerade, and a Teaching Artist at Arts Play Theatre. As always, everything she knows she has learned from Tom Weaver, who she will continue to thank forever. <3
Tommy Foy
Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Visitor] |
Almost, Maine 2023 [East/Lendall/Man]
Thomas J. Foy - is excited to be back with Masquerade Theatre after debuting in Almost, Maine (East/Lendall/Daniel). Select previous credits include Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio at the Ritz, Mercutio at Main Stage Center for the Arts), Language of Angels (Seth), Treasure Island (Long John Silver), Spring's Awakening (Melchior). Peace, Love, and Light.
Greg Hedler
Next to Normal 2023 [Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden]
(He/Him) has been "diagnosed" with the passion for performance since he was 8 years old and has never looked back. He is fortunate to have performed in Urinetown (Hot Blades Hairy), Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince), Cabaret (Emcee), YAGMCB (Linus), and most recently in the role of Stage Manager/Producer for The Player's Club of Swarthmore's Matilda. It remains a privilege to share stories like Next to Normal through the craft of theatre in order to speak the truth of our humanity and the support needed to navigate life. He is grateful to Megan, Jonathan, and this stellar cast of performers for an experience long to be remembered.
Grant Knudson
Fun Home 2024 [JOHN BECHDEL]
(He/Him) is thrilled to make his Masquerade debut! Prior favorite roles include Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Sonny in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Walnut Street Theatre). He also enjoys dancing ballet at The Rock School for Dance Education where he has played a Party Boy in the classic, Nutcracker. Grant is a 2nd grader and likes to sing and perform with Collingswood Sound. Love and thanks to big sister Vienna, family, friends, teachers, and the Masquerade Theatre! @gregariousgrant
Stephen Kreal
Doubt 2024 [Father Flynn]| Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Schmendiman]
Stephen Kreal is excited to be back at Masquerade Theater after having appeared in Masquerade’s recent production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Schmendiman). Other recent credits include Epic Proportions at Playmasters Theater Workshop (September 2023), Sordid Lives (2023) and The Shadow Box (2022) at Haddonfield Plays and Players, Natural History performed at BCF in 2021, and the role of Mr. Wilson in Harvey at Village Playbox (2020). He is a school teacher with two adult daughters (Abigail and Victoria) and his son-in-law, Matthew. He would also like to thank Lisa Croce for her support and encouragement. Stephen would like to encourage everyone, if you have not done so already, to talk to your doctor about a cardiologist consultation: “The life you save could be your own”.
Desiree Lara
Doubt 2024 [Mrs. Muller]
This is Desiree’s first production with The Masquerade Theatre. She most recently performed in Almost, Maine at The Blue Moon Theatre and in The Miracle Worker at Somerset Valley Players. She’s starred in various shows and theaters throughout NJ and PA, with upcoming productions in Harvey for For the Whim Productions and in Psycho Night at the Paradise Lounge for The Village Players at Hatboro. She’s extremely grateful to director Courtney Bundens for casting her in this powerful show.
Jodi Lawrence O’Connor
Fun Home 2024 [Alison]
(She/Her) is thrilled to be on stage with this amazing cast. Favorite productions include the Perry Award winning production of Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson) at the Grand, A Chorus Line (Maggie) at Triple Threat Productions; Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne), Baby (Lizzie), Secret Garden (Martha) at HP&P; Falsettos (Cordelia), Young Frankenstein ( Frau Blucher) at the Ritz; Always Patsy Cline (Louise Seger), Mary Poppins (Bird Woman/ Ms. Smythe), Sweeney Todd (Lucy Barker), Damn Yankees (Gloria), Annie (Hannigan), Joseph…(Narrator) and Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah) at the Pitman Broadway Theater for which she received a Perry Award Nomination. Jodi performed at the Baby Grand in Delaware as “Ethel Merman” in the premiere of Gershwin by George. Thanks to her family for allowing her to continue her love of the theater.
Noelle McLeer
Doubt 2024 [Sister James] | Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Germaine]
Noelle is so excited to be performing with Masquerade again after appearing as Germaine in their production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile! She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC). Some of her past roles include: I Hate Hamlet (Felicia), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy-Lou), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past/Janet), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew), To Kill a Mockingbird (Mayella Ewell), and The Fantasticks (Mortimer). As always, she is thankful for the incredible support from her wonderful family and her Alan!
Matthew Moorhead
Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Picasso] | Next to Normal 2023 [Henry]
(He/Him) is excited to be back at Masquerade doing his first non-singing play since high school. Recent credits include Young Frankenstein at the Players Club of Swarthmore (Igor), Next to Normal at Masquerade (Henry), and Assassins at Footlighters Theater in Berwyn (Charles Guiteau). He is incredibly grateful to Megan, Tommy, and the whole Masquerade crew for welcoming him back to this incredible space and for furthering his vendetta against Cole Porter. He hopes you all enjoy the show and in the words of Albert Einstein “I discovered at an early age that I am the kind of person who will always look eighty-six.”
Olivia Neiderer
Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Suzanne/Countess/Female Admirer]
Olivia is a Philadelphia based performing artist. She is a recent graduate from Temple University where she studied Theater with an Acting Concentration. Some of her favorite roles include Death in Everybody, Ella in Life Sucks, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Olivia is so pleased to be debuting at the Masquerade Theatre. When she’s not in the theatre, Olivia spends her time as a Personal and Group Trainer helping people achieve their fitness and wellness goals.”
David Nikolas
Fun Home 2024 [Bruce]
(He/Him) Performance credits include: Off-Broadway/NYC – Gemini (Fran, Lion Theatre @ Theatre Row), Sweat (Stan, The Seeing Place); Regional: God Of Carnage (Alan, Pegasus Theatre Project); Eagle Theatre – The Fantasticks (Hucklebee), Rock Of Ages (Hertz), Peter & The Starcatcher (Bill Slank/Hawking Clam); Walnut Street Theatre – Laughter On The 23rd Floor (Milt u/s), Arsenic & Old Lace (Jonathan u/s); Media Theatre – 1776 (Lyman Hall). Directing credits include The Sunken Living Room (2018, Breaking Through The Box), The Last Five Years (2019, Breaking Through The Box), American Idiot (2021, Music Mountain Theatre). Feature Films: Army Of The Dead (2021), The Finders (2016), It Had To Be You (2015). Two-day Jeopardy! champion, 2006. Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA DavidNikolas.com
Shawn O’Brien
Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Freddy] | The Fantasticks 2022 [El Gallo] | PJ’s Playbook 2022 [David]
Shawn was in Masquerade’s The Fantasticks and their New Works series production of PJs Playbook in 2022. Before that, he was Ebenezer Scrooge in Burlington County Footlighters production of a Christmas Carol. First & foremost he wants to send his love & overwhelming gratitude to the Balnes, especially Megan, for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank his family & friends for the loving & supporting way they love & support him. Lastly, he would like to sincerely thank you the patron. Without you, there is no us. Enjoy!!
Susan Paschkes
Doubt 2024 [Sister Aloysius]
Susan Jami Paschkes is an actor, a director, and a teaching artist. She is thrilled and honored to be part of Masquerade Theatre’s troupe of players, and to have the chance to work with such a talented director and ensemble in Doubt. Her favorite roles as an actor are Josie Hogan in Moon for the Misbegotten, Dotty/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off!, Halie in Buried Child, and Joanne in Company. Her directing credits include Small Mouth Sounds, House of Blue Leaves, Lost in Yonkers, All My Sons, Pippin, Godspell and All in the Timing. As a teaching artist, Susan’s passion is in creating and delivering youth theatre arts workshops in BIPOC communities. She is most grateful to Ben for his unceasing support, and occasional push in the right direction.
Gabby Prince
Fun Home 2024 [Small Alison]
Gabby is thrilled to be making her debut at Masquerade Theatre in her hometown! Gabby began acting in 2022 and has been in eleven phenomenal productions: Aladdin, Jr. (Iago); ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Charity); Music Man, Jr. (ensemble); Pirates! The Musical (Stowaway); Number the Stars (Kirsti ’23, ensemble ‘24); Junie B. Jones, Jr. (Junie B.); Seussical (Cindy Lou Who); Annie, Jr. (Annie); Into the Woods, Jr. (Little Red); and Bonnie & Clyde (Young Bonnie). She would like to thank all the directors, cast and crew for this amazing experience and to her family and friends for their endless support.
Scott Reynolds
Next to Normal 2023 [Dan] | The Fantasticks 2022 [Bellomy]
Scott is very happy to be back on the Masquerade stage, having had so much fun playing Belomy in last year's The Fantasticks." He has been active in professional and community theater for almost 4 decades. Although Scott was (in his younger days) fortunate enough to have performed in several national and international tours, he now enjoys a simpler life in Barrington with his family and teaches in the Berlin Township school district. Scott would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew of Next to Normal. Working with them has been a wonderful, one-of-a-kind experience. Finally, as always, he would like to dedicate his performance to his son, Walter.
Jonathan Rose
Fun Home 2024 [PIANIST] | Next to Normal 2023 [Pianist] | The Fantasticks 2022 [Pianist]
(He/Him) Broadway: My Fair Lady, The King & I, Carousel, Pippin, End of the Rainbow, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Les Misérables, Next to Normal, Spiderman: Turn off the Dark, South Pacific, Les Miz, West Side Story, The Color Purple (original production). Off Broadway: The Secret Garden, Once on this Island, Miss Evers’ Boys, Little Shop of Horrors, Show Boat (NY Phil concert), Talk of the Town, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Feast in Time of Plague, Imbecile D’amour (Cabaret). Regional/Local: A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theater), The Fantasticks (Masquerade Theater), Rent (Rutgers), Next to Normal (Masq), Urinetown (Rutgers).
Rebecca Sisley
ALmost, Maine 2023 [Ginette/Sandrine/Hope] | The Fantasticks 2022 [The Mute]
Returning to the Masquerade Black Box Stage has been an amazing experience and getting to work with this amazingly talented cast and production team has been fantastic. Rebecca was last on stage at Masquerade in The Fantasticks as The Mute. She was also in Small Mouth Sounds (Alicia, Footlighters), The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily Cardew, Footlighters) and Significant Other (Kiki, Footlighters). Rebecca is grateful to the entire cast, CB, and Tommy and Megan for their love and support. A huge thanks to her husband, kids, and many friends who make it possible for her to continue to act and be on stage while caring for her family and working.
Jennifer Weir
Next to Normal 2023 [Diana]
Jennifer is thrilled to make her Masquerade Troupe debut in Next to Normal after serving as vocal director for The Fantasticks last season. She also works as vocal director for Masquerade’s Lights Up student production series. Jennifer has worked as a high school Choral Director in South Jersey for the past 16 years. Previous credits include Ragtime (Emma Goldman), The Secret Garden (Lily), Mame (Agnes Gooch), Carousel (Nettie), Hunchback of Notre Dame, Albert Herring (Lady Billows), Die Fledermaus (Adele), Le Nozze di Figaro (Cherubino). Much thanks to Megan for this amazing opportunity and to this incredible cast for their unending belief and support.