The Band

Jason Bailey (Music Director/Piano) aka The Bearded Maestro, is a Musician/Performer/Composer in Orlando. Jason teaches private voice, is the music director for Renaissance Theatre Company, and works as a freelance accompanist. His original show credits include arranger/orchestrator/music director for Gorgeous, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Bright Young Things (winning Critics Choice for Music Direction), From Here, and Flying Lessons, which played Off-Broadway. Jason has music directed for many theatre’s and schools including UCF, Rollins College, Osceola Arts, CFCArts, Wayne Densch, WPHS, and Trinity Preparatory School. He has taught musical theatre for DPAC, Orlando Rep, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and CFCArts. Jason has also performed with theatres around the country including Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, American Family Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Salem Repertory Theatre, and CFCArts. www.thebeardedmaestro.com

Haley Fye (Violin) was born and raised in Winter Park, Florida. Haley began playing violin at the age of nine, then switched to viola the following year. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music and Secondary Education from Rollins College, where she studied under Joni Roos and performed with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park. Haley is a private teacher for stringed instruments, including violin, viola, cello, and double bass. She is currently pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Music at the University of Central Florida, continuing her studies under Dr. Ayako Yonetani, and performing in the University of Central Florida Symphony Orchestra. Whether she is performing, teaching, or studying, Haley is thrilled to have many avenues to enjoy the world of music!

Bryce Hayes (Bass) is very happy to lend his talents to bring From Here back to the stage. Born and raised in Orlando, Bryce is very active in the local arts community, playing for productions at The Renaissance Theater, Theater West End, and also gigging with multiple different local musical acts. Bryce also starred in the recent Orlando Fringe hit, Bullock and the Bandits, by David Lee. He is a recent graduate of Rollins College BA in Music, and is aiming to use his knowledge to develop the Orlando music and arts scene. He wants to thank everyone at The Ren for being such a great team to work with, and for welcoming him into the family.

Aaron Iannitelli (Guitar) is a professional freelance musician based in Central Florida. He is pursuing a degree in Jazz Studies in order to continue expanding his reach in the industry at UCF. His passion has driven him to lead groups at the Thin Man Watts Jazz Festival and play in Pit Orchestras for Theater West End, Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, CFC Arts, Dr. Phillips Center, and Renaissance Theatre Company. He has also played with world class musicians including Ira Sullivan, Dick Oatts, Pasquale Grasso and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. He has toured the country with the acclaimed Chris McNeil Band, performing up and down Broadway in Nashville. He has studied under some of the best musicians in the industry including Jeff Rupert, Abe Alam, Larue Nickleson and Bobby Koeble.

Chris Kampmeier (Percussion) He’s also the co-founder of the company so read about him down there.

Karina Miranda (Cello) is making her first appearance in musical theater! A recent graduate of Stetson University, Karina has performed in operas, symphony concerts, as well as small chamber groups. In her free time, she loves practicing duets with her fiance and spoiling their two cats rotten.

The Crew

Donald Rupe (Producer) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company (with a lot of help from his friends). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, Donald has written a number of successful theatrical productions (mostly musicals with Jason M. Bailey), including: Bright Young Things; From Here (fromhere.com); Flying Lessons (featured in the New York Musical Festival in 2019); Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar; Once I Laughed; and others. Donald was also the founder of a community theatre program for Central Florida Community Arts, where for five years he ran a traditional season of productions with much success. Donald's numerous directing credits span the better part of twenty years and many wonderful companies throughout Central Florida. Rupe is also an accomplished educator, having served on the part-time faculty of Valencia College for over a decade and as an award-winning high school educator. Donald received his degrees in Theatre from New York University and Florida State University. 

Chris Kampmeier (credits go here) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company as well as a computer and sound engineer. He had the incredible fortune to be A Nearby Guitar Player just as Donald and Jason began their songwriting relationship with From Here at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2019, then Flying Lessons at the New York Musical Festival (drums and percussion), the first expanded run of From Here, and sound/music for many of the other original shows Donald listed above. Welcome to the Ren!

Jacob Lawhon (Stage Manager) Jacob is thrilled to be back working with the Renaissance Theatre Company. Previous productions include: Gorgeous, The Office Holiday Party Extravaganza Show, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Nosferatu, Bright Young Things, and Flying Lessons. Much Love to Donald and the hardworking staff of The Ren. 

Joseph Coombs (Scenic Designer) is an Orlando based scenic artist and designer. He previously took an internship at Ocala Civic Theater in their scenic shop before moving to Orlando to start schooling in UCF’s Theatre Design & Technology BFA program. Previous design credits include The Laramie Project, and [Title of Show] with the (F)ACTOR Theatre Company; Unboxing in Atlanta, an original production that premiered at the College of Central Florida; and Devon’s Hurt at Ocala Civic Theatre. Joey has been the charge artist for all productions he’s designed, as well as Assassins at the College of Central Florida, all of Ocala Civic Theatre’s shows for their 2019-2020 season, Indecent at UCF, and most recently for Beauty and the Beast at the Garden Theatre.

Philip Lupo (Master Electrician) is a regional Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer whose previous work at Renaissance includes Nosferatu and Office Holiday Party.  Other design credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Orlando Shakes), Monster Stomp (SeaWorld Orlando), and Into the Woods (DreamCatcher Theatre).  His non-theatrical lighting projects can be seen in television stations from Palm Beach to Las Vegas.  Philip also serves as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Florida State Junior Thespians, helping develop the performers and designers of tomorrow.  He  could not be more excited to be working with Renaissance to bring this exciting work to Central Florida audiences. Get in touch at www.philiplupo.com.

Stephen Jones (Sound Designer) is a recent transplant to Orlando, having recently moved from Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he worked for four years at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre as a company actor, sound engineer/designer, and teaching artist. Some credits include Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit (not the musical); Lurvy in Charlotte's Web; and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (again, not the musical). Stephen has also been known to moonlight as a film, television, and theatre critic. Bylines include The Source; TheKnockturnal.com; the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; and a couple of websites that folded! He is excited to be a part of this production and to have been welcomed into the Orlando theatre community.

Christopher Fahmie is overjoyed to be a part of Renaissance Theatre Company. He would like to thank Donald Rupe and Chris Kampmeier for this exciting opportunity to bring groundbreaking art to our hometown of Orlando. 

Rebekah Lugo (Ren Theatre Administrator) has been involved in the arts since elementary school and has always known she wanted to pursue her passion for the arts in one way or another. After working with Donald Rupe for the better part of 20 years on various projects and productions, Rebekah is super excited to be a part of the Renaissance Theatre Company as their “Admin God” and whatever else this exciting journey might bring. Rebekah hopes you enjoy your experience at the Renaissance.