About our Staff and Guest Designers

In 1954, Morgan Stock became the first Chair of the Theatre Department, followed by Peter DeBono and Gary Bolen. These men created a program and productions that reached deep within the community and that have served as the cornerstone of our theatrical community for decades. As the fourth Chair in the Theatre Department’s history, I am knowingly stepping into the very large shoes of the leadership that has come before me. My job is to galvanize our department and community as we embrace opportunities for growth, while redefining how we excel at providing our students with a professional theatre experience and education. Monterey Peninsula College and the Monterey community have a rich history of presenting quality, engaging theatre. I am honored to be joining that tradition here at MPC and look forward to embracing our patrons and community as we move forward.  Thank you for this opportunity and for your dedication and passion in supporting our Theatre Department. I look forward to our journey together.

Douglas Ridgeway is happy and proud to be the Technical Director for the MPC Theatre Arts Department. He is currently teaching the Stagecraft course, and would like to thank all the students who have contributed to the finish of this production. He has designed sets, lights, and sound for many theatrical productions, such as Brown Buffalo for Company of Angles in Los Angeles; Play, Action, The Bald Soprano, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Glendale College; Moby Dick Rehearsed and 7 Redneck Cheerleaders at Long Beach City College; and Inherit the Wind, Blood Wedding, and  All in the Timing, to name but a few of the productions presented at College of the Desert during his tenure. Doug was MPC Production Designer for last season's Scapin (2016) and this season's Evita (2016).

Peninsula native, Gloria, has been designing costumes for community theatre since 1968. She has designed for several theatre companies and directors in the bay area and locally. Most currently she has designed costumes for most MPC Theatre Company productions for the past several years, including: Anything Goes, RENT, Art, Grease, The Comedy of Errors, Oklahoma!, Sweet Charity, Evita, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, and Preset Laughter. Gloria has also served the local community by providing leadership for the following arts organizations: Arts Habitat, Artists Equity Central Coast Chapter, City of Seaside Art Commission and Monterey Bay Center for the Arts. For Gloria, creativity is the soul of a community.

Costume Shop - 831-646-4293

Kurt Schweickhardt - Instructor

Kurt got his B.A. in Acting and Directing from Cal State Hayward (now East Bay), and his M.F.A in Acting from the University of Minnesota.  After grad school he worked as an actor and acting instructor/coach in the Twin Cities.  He performed on most of the professional stages there, including The Guthrie, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, The Jungle, Park Square and others.  He has performed in movies and on TV as well, including featured roles in Amerika, Fargo, and Factotum.  He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is part of the Financial Core of SAG-AFTRA.  He taught a variety of Theatre courses at Normandale Community College in the Twin Cities for 34 years.  He returned home to CA in the Fall of 2017.

Susanne Burns has been an adjunct faculty member and acting teacher at Hartnell College. She has been a resident actor and director for The Western Stage, as well as TWS Young Company & Outreach Coordinator. Acting credits include; Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Lillie Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate and Agnes Gooch in Mame. Directing credits include; The Hostage, Rabbit Hole, Real Women have Curves, and The Arsonists. She was last seen on the MPC stage as Miss Hannigan in Annie (2005). Susanne directed The Ant and the Grasshopper (2012) and Huck Finn (2013) for MPC Storybook Theatre. She was Assistant Director for the MPC production of Almost Maine (2015) and Director of Scapin (2016.) Suzanne is currently a Director and Instructor, as well as  the company Casting Director at Pacific repertory Theatre in Carmel.

Henry studied theatre at Loyola Marymount University, receiving his B.A. in Theatre in 1984. He was a company member of The Western Stage  for several years, performing and working in the Production Office as  assistant to the Company Manager. He taught and performed at Staff Players Repertory Theatre and Children's Experimental Theatre in Carmel, and was Box Office Manager at Pacific Repertory Theatre from 1995 to1999, in addition to stage-managing and performing at other theatres around the Peninsula, including MPC. In 2000 Henry began working in the MPC Theatre Box office, and continued acting in various MPC productions. He became Box Office manager in 2007.

BO: 831-646-4213
Fax 831-372-1982

Eric graduated from MPC's Technical Theatre program, and then began his career here at MPC as a scene shop assistant. From Monterey he traveled to Las Vegas to work at the MGM Grand, among other venues, before landing a gig with Cirque du Soleil. With the Cirque he helped install and run Alegria in Biloxi, Mississippi. Eric returned to MPC to work as a carpenter, and then became the Master Carpenter in 2008. He has designed several sets, including Hansel and Gretel, Company, and Christmas Carol, among others.

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MPC Theatre Department Emeritus Staff

Gary Bolen, Chairman Emeritus - Theatre Arts Department

Mr. Beck began his theater career as a student at MPC, then transferred to San Francisco State where he received a double degree in Theater and Industrial Arts education. Dan was uniquely qualified for his role here as Technical Director for over 40 years. He was in charge of every technical aspect of the Main Stage and Studio Theatres. He also taught Theater Workshop and Lighting classes, and designed scenery and lighting. Dan over saw the 2013 renovation of the theatre, keeping his eye on the "experts" to make sure they got it right. Sweet Charity (2016) marked Dan's final show as Technical Director, and he retired on July 31, 2015. Department Chairman Gary Bolen has stated that "You cannot replace someone like Dan Beck, you can only hire a replacement for the position," to ensure that the legacy known as "BekTek" carries on.

Sky Rappoport has worked in Performing Arts administration for over 20 years. He became the MPC Theatre Company Box Office Manager and Special Projects consultant in 1989. In 2007 Sky became MPC Theatre Manager. Sky served in that position thorough June 30, 2014, at which time the position was dissolved due to state budget cuts and staff layoffs that drastically affected the MPC Theatre Department and MPC Theatre Company. Mr. Rappoport holds a Bachelors of Science degree in International Business from CSU Monterey Bay, where he was a founding ‘pioneer’ student, and served as the founding president for the CSUMB Alumni Association, also serving on the CSU state wide Alumni Council representing CSU Monterey Bay.  In addition to his past work with MPC, he is a general partner in Box Office Guys, a full service box office consulting and service business specializing in New Concepts Software and Boca Systems; He is a licensed California Tax Practitioner and maintains an accounting and tax practice, specializing in small business and non profits; Sky remains active on the Advisory Board of the MPC Theatre Company Trust.

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Fax: 831-372-1982

Sherri began her theatre career at MPC in 1975. She studied and performed in San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles for 8 years then returned to the Peninsula. She has been performing and choreographing ever since. Her favorite roles include The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Kathy in Company, and featured dancer in Tommy. She choreographed Musical of Musicals and assisted Susan Cable with Cabaret.

Rent, The Producers,  My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Urinetown and Evita (2016) are just a few of the many shows Susan has choreographed for MPC. She has choreographed throughout the United States and the Caribbean and has received the prestigious L.A. Drama-Logue Critics Award for choreography.  Recently Susan choreographed a tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As National Dance Director/Choreographer for the United States Men’s Olympic Gymnastic Team, she was invited to Italy to create their dance program. She has also coached in Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, and Spain and was selected US Delegation Leader for the Pan American Games held in Brazil. Her career as a professional dancer encompassed Broadway, National Tours, ballet companies, TV and nightclubs. Teaching credits include UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton, South Coast Repertory, Rancho Santiago College, Saddleback College and head of the Dance Department at Santa Catalina School.