Arthur & Friends Make a Musical

Arthur –

"Arthur" is played by Corbin Vitrell Griffin. Corbin has been in several memorable readings and on stage productions. With this show he hopes to inspire new and upcoming youth artists to be creative and be themselves. He made his debut at the Benson Theater in April of 2022 as David in "Choir Boy". After finishing "Dreamgirls" as CC this past March, he couldn't wait to be back on stage! He currently works as a full-time caregiver and hopes to work in theater full time in the near future! He thanks everyone who has supported him along the way!

D.W. –

Lux is honored to portray D.W. on the main stage at The Rose Theater! They have spent the last two years working on their craft as a member of Award winning Rose Junior Brigade Team, and has previously appeared in OPS productions Little Shop of Horrors, Rock of Ages, and Sideways Stories at Wayside School. Lux, aka Lucky, is a twin, and in their free time they love to paint, sew and spend time with their animals. Lux plans on continuing their work in theater and looks forward to a future job as a Rose Theater team member.

Buster / US Arthur –

Brannon Evans is delighted to be making her Rose debut in "Arthur"! Originally from Omaha, NE, Brannon Evans’ first love was storytelling and exploring the worlds she created in her mind and experienced on stage and in books. Music and theater is where she found community and the courage to walk in her truth.

Brannon is a recent theatre performance graduate from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in Lincoln, NE. Her recent credits include Dreamgirls at the Omaha Community Playhouse, Death of a Salesman at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, & Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea at the Black Repertory Theatre in St Louis. Brannon is passionate about empowering and cultivating the next generation of artists, as our youth are our future. Her motto is, “Expect nothing, appreciate everything." Peace and Love. insta: @brannon.evans

The Brain / Dad –

Isaiah Ruiz is a Director, Actor, and Community Engagement Director born and raised in California and now resides in Omaha, NE. Isaiah is the Director of Community Connections for The Rose Theater. Previously Isaiah served as a Resident Director and Outreach Director for Chino Community Children's Theater. Some of his directing credits include The Lion King, 13 The Musical, Annie, Frozen and most recently Last Stop On Market Street here on The Rose Stage. He has studied Communications and Political Science. Isaiah attended The Young Americans College Of The Performing Arts where he received a Certificate In Music Outreach. While with The Young Americans, he went on a National Tour performing and teaching all around the USA. Isaiah has also built a career in digital citizenship and safety for youth and is still a proud friend of #icanhelp. @theisaiahruiz

Muffy –

Sydney is thrilled to be making her mainstage debut in The Rose’s production of “Arthur and Friends Make a Musical”. Sydney is in 7th grade at Elkhorn Grandview Middle School where she has been active in show choir and the school play. She has always had a passion for anything musical theater and has been taking classes at the Rose since she was just 5 years old! She is currently a member of the Rose Brigade and loves the opportunity to perform whenever she can. Some of her past roles include Sponge Bob in SpongeBob Squarepants the Musical Jr, Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr, and King Julian in Madagascar the Musical Jr. Sydney would like to thank her family for all their love and support.

Francine / Mom –

Natalie Hanson is a multidisciplinary theatre, music, and dance artist from Tacoma, Washington, residing in Omaha. Natalie's choreographic and original musical composition was last featured in a collaborative performance art piece entitled Dollhouse, funded by Amplify Arts through their Generator Grant series. Natalie has been an actor with the Rose Theater in various productions since 2017, and has thoroughly enjoyed furthering her career this past year as the Associate Director of Early Childhood with the Rose Theater. Natalie has worked with Teatro Vista, Comedy Dance Chicago, and Matter Dance company in Chicago where she previously resided. Recently, Natalie's solo project, Facade Queen, was also nominated for "Outstanding Pop” for the OEA awards this past year, and she looks forward to continuing her musical practice with her band Twin Pages. To follow Natalie's artistic endeavors, her Instagram is @tacadequeen and her band’s instagram is @twinpagesband.

Mr. Ratburn –

Karl Houser is overjoyed to bring theater and art to children of every classroom as a giant rat. Karl produces a podcast, River Heights Radio, with his partner Hope. He would like to thank his band, The Tone Downs, for giving him so much time to pursue other interests. An alumni of both the local Backline Comedy Theater and Chicago's IO theater, Karl is a teacher and coach of the improvisational arts, as well as having founded the Nebraska Improvised Shakespeare Enterprise. As an improv coach, Karl would like to thank his teams, Franks N Follies and Chicken Party for their consistent willingness to reschedule. Karl aspires to be an instigator, rabble rouser, and leader in his community. Special thanks his family, Hope and Robert Busby.

George / US Ratburn/Buster/Brain/Dad –

Fern / US Mom/Francine/Muffy –

Roz Parr is thrilled to make her Rose debut in "Arthur"! She has fond memories of watching the TV with her brother before school. Some of her favorite past credits include: Jen in "The Cake" at the Omaha Community Playhouse; Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in "The 39 Steps" (Chanticleer); Greta in "Murder on the Orient Express" (OCP); and Pauline in "One Man, Two Guvnors" (OCP). Roz works in communications and as an adjunct professor of English and theater. Roz would like to thank her family for supporting her love of acting, especially when they served as audience members for her in-home performances as a kid.

Sue Ellen / US D.W. –

Charlotte is excited to make her Rose Theater debut! Previous theatre credits include A Christmas Carol at the Omaha Community Playhouse, along with Annie Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., and The Jungle Book Kids all at her school theater. She enjoys, playing violin and basketball, and spending time with friends and family.

Director –

Jackie (she/her) began at The Rose as a summer education intern and is delighted to return as the Director of Education. She has had the privilege of working as a theatre artist and teacher in communities across the country and world, including with Disney Musicals in Schools, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Bay Area Children’s Theater, Shanghai Children’s Art Theater, 7 Stages International Theatre, San Francisco Playback Theatre, Chattanooga Theatre Centre and StageWrite. Her work at The Rose Theater ignited her passion for theatre for social change and she went on to receive her Masters in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Since she has utilized theatre to facilitate dialogue for communities and organizations around topics such as harassment, immigration, veteran’s issues, LGBTQ+ pride and much more with San Francisco Playback Theater. Jackie has also brought drama therapy practices into schools in order to support students and families in building feelings of confidence, working through trauma and grief, fostering more positive relationships and preparing for big life transitions. Jackie is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the vibrant artistic community that so graciously and fruitfully supported her in her first steps out into the professional world of theatre education so many years ago.

Musical Director –

Jerry Brabec, tenor, is an Ordained Deacon on the clergy staff at Omaha Saint Paul United Methodist Church where he serves as Minister of Worship. His responsibilities include the overseeing of liturgical preparation for the congregation of 350. He also serves as choral director for Temple Israel’s Kol Rina. Awarded the Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska, he studied choral conducting with Dr. Cina Crisara and Dr. Z. Randall Stroope. As a chorister of the acclaimed Robert Shaw Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall, he sang for five years under the baton of the late Robert Shaw; was twice selected one of six participants in the Alice Parker Melodius Accord Fellowship Program; and frequently continues his conducting studies with Ms. Parker during January in New York. At The Rose Theater the past thirteen seasons, “Cinderella” marks his 51st show as a resident music director/vocal coach. He also serves as music director for the nationally acclaimed Rose Brigade, one of the award winning offerings of the “Broadway at The Rose” program. Formerly, Jerry taught at the high school level for Council Bluffs Community Schools, served as associate artistic director of the Omaha Clarion Chorale, and as artistic director for the Kanesville Chorus and Renaissance Faire of the Midlands.