The Creative Team

Holly Rose (Founder/Managing Artistic Director/Guys and Dolls Director): Holly is thrilled to be able to work with such amazingly talented theatre artists and volunteers here at Rosebud!  Some of Holly's credits include performing in A Narrow Bed (Wings Theatre, NYC), dancing alongside Smashmouth (Radio City Music Hall, NYC) and playing “Benten” in the World Premiere of The Kyogen Rope (O’Malley Theatre, Chicago). You may have seen her locally as Aunt Rose in Wild Mushrooms (Renton Civic Theatre) or as Gabriella in Boeing Boeing (Tacoma Little Theatre). Some local directing credits outside of Rosebud include I Hate Hamlet (Knutzen Family Theatre), If Spiders Made Honey (Burien Little Theatre), and A Very Lovely Dress (Stone Soup Theatre). Holly also enjoys being involved in the vibrant Northwest film community. Some recent projects, Kanashimi and Waiting for Exit, are film festival nominees. Holly has directed numerous workshops and children’s theatre productions throughout Minnesota, Chicago, and NYC.  Holly is also the Drama teacher at Federal Way High School where she directs the fall plays and spring musicals as well as leads the Thespian Troupe to annual state contests.  A special thank you to all the participants and their families for helping to keep this dream of live theatre alive for everyone!

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University; Performance Certificate, American Musical & Dramatic Academy NYC; Masters in Business Administration with emphasis in Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management.

John Kelleher (There's A Monster in My Closet Director & Music Director): Director):  John is delighted to return to Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory for this, his tenth summer as director of the pre-teen show.  Some of John’s recent performing credits include Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Lyric Light Opera), LM in Pump Boys and Dinettes (Renton Civic/Bellevue Civic), Jacob in Joseph…(Second Story Repertory), The Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Redwood Theatre), Judge Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Mr. Mayor in Seussical (ManeStage Theatre),  Baron Bomburst in Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Thenardier in Les Miserables, Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone, Old Deuteronomy in CATS, and Fester in the National Award Winning, The Addams Family, A New Musical (Tacoma Musical Playhouse).  John is no stranger to the production side of theatre having been music director for several Renton Summer Teen Musical theatre productions, and recently was music director for Peter Pan (Lyric Light Opera). John has also served as music director and director for select shows for both Family Theatre, and Mainstage shows at Tacoma Musical Playhouse.  He was the founding director of Renton’s Youth Theatre Program that served students ages 7 – 12.  John’s day job is that of Music Specialist in the Lake Washington School District, and during his 34 years in that position, he has directed/music directed over 18 productions.  John co-founded the “Little Theatre Project” at his school to provide theatre performance experience for students Kindergarten – 2nd  Grade.

Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Elmhurst College, and Masters of Education in Technology in Education from Lesley University.

Megan Gonzalez (Guys and Dolls Music Director):   Megan is grateful for the opportunity to join Rosebud’s creative team to collaborate with its wonderfully skilled artists! She was last seen on stage as Jo March in Little Women (Rosebud CTC) and Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde (Rosebud CTC). Behind the scenes, she has written and music directed a one-act musical for the Bellarmine Prep 2019 Dramafest, interned as assistant director for Music Theater Wichita’s youth Encanto class, and stage managed Hairy Tale Rock with Rosebud CTC. Megan has always been fascinated with pit orchestras, and made her debut on alto saxophone, flute, and clarinet for Rosebud’s production of The Addams Family. She looks forward to making music with the young artists this summer!

Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Wichita State University.

Annie Toro! (Guys and Dolls Choreographer):  Annie is thrilled to be working with Holly and the Rosebud program.  She has previously worked with Holly at PSMT and TJHS. She treasures her time in Musical Theatre starting in her teenage years with Summer Stock and has danced in shows ever since as well as becoming a Choreographer early on. She has toured with the top Elvis impersonator on the west coast for 10 years as the choreographer and lead dancer and choreographed at most Seattle theatres over the years as well as theatres in Arizona, California and more.  She is thrilled to be able to pair her love of Musical Theatre and joy of teaching/working with kids on the same project. She has been in shows at and choreographed at many Seattle theatres over the years, but her greatest joy is creating a magical experience for these kids, doing shows and helping nourish the bond these theatre kids will have for the rest of their lives. 

Vanessa Wilson (There's A Monster in My Closet choreographer): Vanessa Wilson has been training in dance since she was 3 years old, and choreographing for shows since she was 15. She has choreographed for Decatur high school’s productions of Hello, Dolly! and The Drowsy Chaperone. There’s a Monster in my Closet is her first show with Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory, and she is excited to create a fun, playful show!

Ellie Rutt (Guys and Dolls Stage Manager): Ellie is excited to return to Rosebud as a part of the creative team! Most recently she stage managed Little Women and Legally Blonde for Rosebud CTC. She was last seen on the Rosebud stage as Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun. Ellie has worked in just about every facet of the theatre from performance to stage management, and has even tried her hand at writing.  Some of Ellie's favorite performance roles include Judith Bliss in Hay Fever (Decatur Theatre), The Wicked Witch of the West in Oz (Rosebud CTC), Syme in 1984 (Decatur Theatre), and Sara Jane Moore in Assassins (Decatur Theatre). Education: Ellie is a recent graduate of Decatur High School and will be attending Cornish College in the fall. 

Gayle Miller (There's A Monster In My Closet Stage Manager): Gale is a rising junior at Federal Way High School. They have worked as a Stage Manager for Rosebud Children’s Theatre’s production of Princess Whatsername, as well as Run Crew for Blithe Spirit and Mary Poppins. Jr, both with FWHS. Some of Gale’s hobbies include writing hyper-specific fanfiction, having arguments with their beta fish Bungo, and piecing together indie game lore. Gale would like to give a shout out to Lily Wright, for keeping them in check <3 and to Jacky/Acid. “Happy 3 year anniversary, I love you. Enjoy the show!”

Michele Graves (Costumer): This is Michele's third year providing costume design for Rosebud CTC.  She is currently the Resident Costume Designer at Tacoma Little Theatre and has worked with the theater for almost 30 years.  "The quality of the shows, casts, and crews make it a pleasure to be a part of RCTC.  Whether doing a period production, a contemporary piece,or a whimsical play, I enjoy costuming the many actors and getting to know the characters they portray."

Joseph Corey (Audio Technician): Joseph is a rising junior at Federal Way High School, where he was Audio Technician for Mamma Mia! and Dracula. Some of Joseph's hobbies include playing video games, watching tv, and being sick for every show :>. Joseph would like to give a shout out to all the people who forced him into theater because without them he wouldn't have decided to stick around and find out the fun he'd have here.

Melanie Downing (Front of House Coordinator/Run Crew): Melanie is a rising senior at Federal Way High School where she was costume coordinator for Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins. Jr., and Dracula. Some other roles she has done include operating the fly rail for Once Upon A Mattress with Rosebud Children’s Theatre. Some of Melanie’s hobbies include crocheting and photography. Melanie would like to give a shout out to her friends and family for supporting her so much in theater. Enjoy the show!