Meet The Team

Irina Zaurov (Director) is thrilled to be back at the Village Players. The latest productions she directed around the greater Toledo area include “Ben Hur” (a collaboration with ACT and the Village Players) and “Elf Jr.” (Sylvania Arts). Irina has more than 20 years of experience in acting, directing, and teaching. She was classically trained and holds many professional degrees in Performing Arts. She has directed more than 70 productions nationwide and has been the Artistic Director for the Sylvania Arts’ youth theatre program for the last 18 years. Irina is also a board member for the Village Players. She is very grateful to be working with this terrific cast and production team and would like to further extend a thank you to Kate Argow, Kathy Dowd, Dave Nelms, Alana Tobis, Scott Gage, Alyx Fisher, Bob Rae, Brad Riker, Brian Dario, Ken Wieland, Dabbie Marinik, Jennifer Wegman, Larry Farley, Jane Atwood, Evan James Copeland and her family for their endless support.

Robert Rae (Music Director)  With an illustrious career spanning over five decades in Northwest Ohio, Bob Rae has left an indelible mark as a pianist, organist, choir director, and accompanist. Retiring after an impressive 28-year tenure at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he led the choir's captivating melodies which resonated within the hallowed halls of Carnegie and the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, he is currently  embarking on his 34th year as the Accompanist and Choir Director at Temple Shomer Emunim. He gracefully infuses his passion for accompaniment while seizing opportunities to collaborate with musicians of diverse genres and performance styles.

Alyx Fisher (Choreographer) is a BGSU alumni with a degree in theatre. She has choreographed several children’s shows for Sylvania Arts including Addams Family Young@Part and Elf Junior. She has also performed in several community productions in the Bowling Green area. She wishes the best of luck to all the cast and crew of this wonderful show!

Alana Tobis (Production Stage Manager, Sound Design) is a skilled stage manager with a passion for bringing theatrical productions to life. Alana has worked on a wide variety of productions, both on stage and off stage. Her first taste of theatre was at the ripe young age of 8, when she played the mischievous Cat during theater summer camp. Alana is the theater chair for the Sylvania Arts Commission and most recently produced the sold-out show, Elf Jr. Alana would like to thank her family for always supporting her dreams and Irina for the opportunity to be production manager for Peter and the Starcatcher.

Kathy Dowd (Costumer) is thrilled to be participating in her third show with The Village Players, having previously designed the costumes for The Revolutionists and the lizard couple in Seascape. She has been designer with Epiphany Lutheran Church for over 20 years. Most recent productions include Seussical, The Sound of Music, Cinderella and Guys and Dolls. Kathy has over 30 years of experience as a Costumer in the Toledo area, having previously worked for the Toledo Rep, The Toledo Opera, St. Francis De Sales and Notre Dame Academy. With a Master’s Degree in Historic Apparel Design from BGSU, she has historic apparel designs in The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Kathy loves her role as the Curator for the Maumee Valley Historical Society, where she designs and mounts exhibits, participates in Living History programs and shares her passion for history as a historic apparel presenter, around the area. Kathy is always up for a unique design challenge. You may have caught her most recent design of a 5 foot long, prime rib submarine sandwich costume that she designed for American Hero. A collaboration between the Rep & ACT, just last month.

Brad Riker (Prop Master) Brad is also in the cast.  See his cast bio below.

Kate Argow (Rehearsal Stage Manager) Kate's acting experience ranges from Shakespeare to Gurney and Restoration Comedy to musical comedy.  Her backstage work includes: directing, stage managing, costuming, writing, and many more.  Her last work at The Village was a rehearsal stage manager for Bullshot Crummond.  Kate is excited about working with the terrific "Starcatcher" cast, and she thanks Irina for the opportunity.

Meet The Cast

Jordan Mizerek (Boy/Peter Pan) is thrilled to be in her first Village Players Production! Jordan does theatre in and out of her school and was recently in St. Ursula Academy’s The Phantom of the Opera as Confidante #2. She would like to thank Miss Irina for everything she has done, her parents, her sister and her friends. A message to the cast: Break a leg everyone! You’ve all been a treat to work with!

Savanah Hernandez (Molly Aster) Her most recent role was Ariel in Footloose. Savanah would like to thank her director Irina, the cast, and family for all their help and support. She is excited to be doing her first show with The Village Players Theater!

Lila Brighton (Molly Aster) is so excited to be taking the stage as Molly Aster! Some of Lila’s past credits include Sister Sarah Brown, (Guys and Dolls, Croswell Opera House) Fantine, (Les Misérables, Croswell Opera House) and Meg March, (Little Women, Lenawee Christian School). Lila dedicates her performance to all the future Star Catchers out there, as well as Amy Slupe, Leslie Rubio, and the “LC4”! A special shout out also goes to Aiden Ketola for encouraging Lila to keep on dreaming and to reach for the stars! Enjoy!

Brian Dario (Black Stache) is honored to be back on the Village stage for the second time to be a part of such a wonderful show and playing such a memorable character. He is honored to be working with director Irina Zaurov and such an amazing, fun cast. This will be a show to remember! He'd like to thank everyone who was involved in giving him this opportunity, the theater community, and not least of all his stunningly beautiful, fabulous wife who has supported him every step of the way. His last appearance at the Village was as Clifford Anderson in “Deathtrap."

Mike Schmitz (Lord Aster) While this is Mike's first production at the Village Players, he's has done many productions with the Toledo Rep (including 6 years in A Christmas Carol), Issue Box Theater (Spring Awakening), and Actor's Collaborative Toledo (The Book of Liz, Middletown). Mike is thrilled to be playing Lord Aster in Peter and The Starcatcher and is looking forward to entertaining you as a mermaid as well.

Brad Riker (Mrs. Bumbrake / Teacher / ensemble) is no stranger to the stage. Brad having be gone for a number of years after breaking his back and doing fun things like learning to walk again. He spent most of his time behind the scenes, dressing and propping sets.

Brad is happy to be back on stage and working with a great cast and Director. Some of his favorite roles have been Leo in Chapter Two, Peter in Light Up the Sky, and Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace.

Brad is now employed at the Toledo Rep where he is the set and prop master and scenic artist.

Anthony Rivera (Smee) is excited to make his debut performance on the stage of the Village Players Theatre.  He is playing the role of Smee and has enjoyed making a fool of himself on stage. He was last seen as George Bailey in the musical It’s a Wonderful Life at the Encore Theater in Lima, OH. Past Toledo shows have included ensemble roles in, Rock of Ages, In the Heights, and A Christmas Carol. Anthony would like to dedicate this performance to his husband Matt for allowing him to spend so much time away from home to do something he loves.

Lane Hakel (Fighting Prawn, Grempkin, Mack, Sanchez) Sadly, Lane has not yet grown tired of performing on stages in Northwest Ohio even though he does so frequently over the past 20 years.  Also, this summer, he will appear in the Children's Theatre Workshop production of Ballonacy. This 45-minute, one actor show with no spoken dialog features a lonely old man trying and failing to celebrate his birthday.  That is until a red balloon appears at the window and won't leave him alone.  The production will make numerous appearances in parks, libraries, and other locations through December.  Visit ctwtoledo.org for additional information on viewing or even booking a performance.  Lane also recently appeared with Village Players in Ben Hur directed by Irina Zaurov and in Seascape directed by Fran Martone.  Lane also performs frequently at the Toledo Rep where he was Dr. Watson in the Sherlock Holmes Trilogy and Victor in A Flea in her Ear.  He recently performed in The Play That Goes Wrong as Chris Bean with Fremont Community Theater and as Prospero in The Tempest at the Hayes Center.  Lane is also active behind the scenes where he is the set builder for the up-and-coming Black Swamp Players in Bowling Green and is a current board member and past president.  When not on-stage Lane enjoys life as a retired middle school teacher with his wife, Heidi and together steal (borrow) one or both of their grandchildren as often as they can.

Tyler Yard (Slank, Hawking Clam) is an upcoming Senior at Toledo School for the Arts and is excited to be featuring in this production of Peter and the Starcatcher by playing the parts of Slank and Hawking Clam! Tyler was most recently seen as Joseph Cottard (as well as a variety of other roles) in TSA’s production of “Amélie”. But some of his other favorite roles include, Lurch (The Addams Family) at TSA and SCAC, Young Scrooge (A Christmas Carol 2022) at The Rep, Oz (The Wizard of Oz) at The Rep, and Sheriff Earl (All Shook Up) at The Rep. Tyler would like to thank his friends, family, teachers, Irina and most especially his choir teacher, Jamie Dauel, for all of their undying support!

Conor Moore (Ted,  June 2, 3, 4) (Mre. Bumbrake, Teacher, June 8, 9, 10, 11) is absolutely thrilled to be a part of such a special production of Peter and the Starcatcher as both Ted and Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher. You may have seen him in various improv shows across town before this and he’d like to thank the incomparable cast of the show, his friends, family, and especially his girlfriend, Jill, who kept him sane during the process. Everything ends and so enjoy the show!

Noah Jankowski (Prentiss) is very excited to play the role of Prentiss in Peter and the Starcatcher. Prentiss is a smart and ambitious orphan who wants to be the leader of his group, but often clashes with Peter. Noah relates to Prentiss’ sense of logic and determination, as well as his occasional insecurity. Noah has previously appeared in only one other production, The Adam’s Family. He thanks his family, friends, and teachers for their support and encouragement.

Jayden Armitage (Ted) is thirteen years old, and is entering Sylvania Southview High School for his freshman year. He’s looking forward to playing Ted and Ensemble in Peter and The Starcatcher. He enjoys being with his friends, eating, and watching movies. He’s thankful for having been able to help build off of the older actors that he works with. Since 2019, Jayden has been in lots of productions, but his favorite roles were Fester in The Addams Family Young@part and Buddy the Elf in Elf Jr, both of which were with the Sylvania Arts Commission both directing by Irina Zaurov. He also enjoyed having been in the Gambler Ensemble in Guys and Dolls, which was his first adult show and where he learned a lot from working with more experienced actors. He would like to thank his family for bringing him into theater, everyone he’s worked with in the past for helping him grow as an actor, and everyone in his current cast for helping him continue to grow and making this show great, especially the production crew. (This show couldn’t be possible without you!) He would like to wish the entire cast to break a leg, and have fun!

Kenneth Wieland (Captain Scott) Ken is thrilled to be back at The Village and performing in the production of Peter Pan and the Starcatcher. Ken is playing the role of the legendary Capt. Robert Scott. With his many years of experience as a veteran performer in the Toledo area, he's sure to bring a wealth of skill and expertise to the production. And it's always exciting to see new talents emerge in the theater world, especially in a production like this that features young performers. It's important to support and encourage these budding stars, as they may very well go on to become the big names of tomorrow. So, for anyone attending the production, be sure to keep an eye out for these talented newcomers, and give them your applause and support. And of course, don't forget to enjoy the show!

John Batey (Alf) Having performed locally in Shrek and Damn Yankees with his alma mater, Saint Francis DeSales High School, John is excited to branch out. When he isn’t auditioning for new shows, John enjoys drawing and skateboarding. John would like to thank his parents, for supporting him in his theater endeavors, and his vocal instructor Jane Atwood, for encouraging him and molding him into a better singer as time goes on.

Albert Bryant (ensemble) I've Been Acting since I Was 13 Years Old. I'm currently 28 years old. I'm working on several personal projects at the moment. My Production Company AEB 5 Productions is working on a new film. I've Done Many TV projects and movies along with a handful of stage plays. I Enjoy getting back on stage to be in this stage production. I Have always enjoyed acting, writing and filmmaking. I'll be directing a new film this year. I Would like to Thank Miss Irina for having me in this stage production. I enjoy acting very much and I Can't wait for everyone to see all the hard work everyone has put into this play. I have always been a fan of Peter Pan. I really enjoy this stage play. It's a wonderful origin story Of Peter Pan (Peter and The Starcatcher) and I Hope You All Do Too.