Donald Rupe (Director) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company with Chris Kampmeier (and a lot of help from their friends). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, Donald has written and helped to create a number of successful theatrical productions, including: Nosferatu; Bright Young Things; From Here (fromhere.com); Flying Lessons (critically-acclaimed at the New York Musical Festival in 2019); Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar; Once I Laughed; Lenox Ave. and others. Donald also founded a community theatre program at another company in Orlando, 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 was 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. 

Kathleen Wessel (Choreographer) is a movement artist, choreographer, director, writer, and educator from Orlando, Florida. She holds an MFA from Florida State University and a BA in Psychology from Emory University.  In 2007, she co-founded the Atlanta-based Staibdance and danced with the company for a decade. In addition, she served as the company's Managing Director and co-created the Staibdance Summer Intensive in Sorrento, Italy. Kathleen has performed and taught throughout the American Southeast, Las Vegas, New York, Italy, and Sweden. Currently, she is on the faculty in the Department of Dance Performance & Choreography at Spelman College in Atlanta where she served as Director of Spelman Dance Theater for five years.

Kathleen has been collaborating with Donald Rupe for over 15 years. Favorite musical theater credits include Metamorphoses, The Crucible, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Chorus Line, and The Apple, an original production she and Rupe created for the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2006. She has received two “Best of Theater: Choreography” awards from the Orlando Sentinel: in 2020 for the immersive walking play Bright Young Things produced by Creative City Projects and in 2021 for Nosferatu. This year marks her third time choreographing Nosferatu, and the Renaissance Theater Company continues to be one of her favorite places to imagine the impossible in collaboration with incredible artists. 

Jacob Lawhon (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back working with the Renaissance Theatre Company. Previous productions include: 54, Office Holiday Party Musical 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. 

Nick Bazo (Creative Director - VBar) is a Cuban American director, professor, and teaching artist, originally from South Florida. He wears many hats at the Ren including coordinating Fringe at the Ren and our queertastic after parties at The Afters, 54 and Vbar. Recently at the Ren he directed Milk and co-directed Office Holiday Party and The Late Night XXXmas Extravaganza Party. Other recent directing credits include Metamorphoses (Rollins College), Make Way for Ducklings (Orlando Family Theatre), and On Your Feet! (Garden Theatre). He is also apprenticeship coordinator and producer for the William Daniel Mills Theatre Company. 

Erin McNellis (Prop Acquisitions) She’s great. We love her. 

Abby Cash has a bio in the actors section, but she’s our marketing girlie and we love her. 

Joey Coombs (Scenic Charge) was originally brought on as general overhire, he has been part of the main staff since March of 2022 when he took over the responsibility of the scenic charge. As many others here do, Joey wears many hats at the Ren. Other than painting he also does some carpentry work, makes all the neon signs, does some design work, and oversees the lights and photo op sets for our weekly drag show, Off The Record (Wednesdays), as well as some other special events/projects. Some of Joey's previous work includes designing the Church and VBar for Nosfera2, the Cataco(o)mbs and the Conservatory for Nosf3ratu, and the Winter Wonderland for the Winter Late Night Party Drag Exxxtravaganza Show ("who names these?"); the photo op sets for both annual fundraisers, Money, Please; and lights for the internet-breaking RENAISSANCE @ the Renaissance drag show amongst other things.

IG: @poetictoast

Nick Erickson (Sound Design) born and raised on the west coast, Nick discovered sound design for theater at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. After graduating he spent his early career freelancing in Portland OR where he worked at theaters such as Third Rail, H2M, P.E.T.E., Profile Theatre.  Nick received his MFA in Sound Design for Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018, before moving to Florida, to become the resident sound and projections designer for the Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol.  Four years later, he's here, seeking new horizons in the wilds of Orlando! When he's not doing sound, Nick can be found holding his PS4 controller too tightly, watching his cats cuddle and rearranging his music studio. 

Stephen Jones (Sound Design)  is excited to return to the Ren after a couple of years away! Stephen is originally from Arkansas, where he was a company member at the former Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre for four seasons after graduating from NYU with a degree in film production. After moving to Orlando, he served as the resident sound designer at the Ren for its inaugural year. Stephen most recently worked at Orlando Family Stage as the Production Technology Manager. 

Philip Lupo (Lighting) 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.

Ben Lowe (Lighting Design) is an Orlando based lighting designer whose work can be seen in theatrical productions, opera, ballet, and themed entertainment. Previously with the Ren, Ben designed 54 After Hours, Winter Drag Extravaganza, and The Afters. Ben is currently with the show lighting and video teams at Universal Creative working to deliver another addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. BFA Theatrical Design

John Rawlins (Lead Carpenter) joined The Ren in 2022, having previously worked with Donald at CFCArts Theater. As Lead Carpenter, John helps to create unique sets for each production, converting all the different spaces of the Ren into new worlds. John leads the construction team in planning and executing Donald, Philip, and Joey’s crazy ideas. 

Rebekah Lugo(RENtals/Box Office/Production) is absolutely thrilled that her real life job is at the Renaissance Theatre Company. She has had a wonderful time working with this delightful cast and crew. She’d like to thank her friends and family for all of their support during this time in her life and she hopes you enjoy the shenanigans of the office. Previous Credits: All the backstage and front of house stuff at the Ren, Maggie in Beacon Street, Nurse in Dos Familias, Godmother/Giant in Into the Woods. There’s probably more but she performs sparingly. LOL.