Band

Andee Jones Jr. (Bass/Drums) is an Orlando native and is developing a career as a full time musician and multi-instrumentalist. Growing up in a musical family, he started playing instruments in his church, participating in band and orchestra in school, and starting his performance career in marching percussion with Infinity Percussion in 2014, STRYKE Percussion in 2016 and 2017. Andee has experienced instruction from a wide range of world class individuals and taken part in teaching the marching activity for almost 10 years. 

Now, the focus is solely on developing experience, proficiency and expression while surrounding himself with various musical people and settings. Otherwise, Andee enjoys spending time with family and friends, social dancing, and eating good food! He continues to hone his craft, exploring every musical experience that life brings and maintains that “music is a lifestyle” everyday.

Bryce Hayes (Bass) is very happy to lend his talents to bring “6 Guitars” 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.

Jordan “J Kelly” Kelly (Bass)

Noel Kunz (Bass) is a California-born session bassist with an undeniable thirst to be on the stage. With a big focus on stage presence, he has made his living holding down the rhythm for multiple acts, spanning pop, funk, rock, and soul. Noel is proof that a career path doesn't have to be linear, but if your mind is set on a goal and you're dedicated to your craft, any destination can be an adventure.

With a diverse musical career, Noel has played for several musical productions in the midwest including Anything Goes, The King and I, and West Side Story, and earning the Louis Armstrong Jazz Achievement Award out of school, awarding him acceptance into Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he would end up doing some commercial audio work on campaigns for JCPenney and State Farm Insurance.

A versatile talent, Noel made the National Top 15 for the Blue Man Group Drum-Off, which spun off into a full-fledged session music career in Central Florida. You can now find him bouncing around the theme parks, playing at Universal Orlando Resort, Disney Springs, and Seaworld, as well as hosting an Open Jam weekly to get both new and seasoned musicians playing out together and networking in order to keep the music scene thriving.

Charles English (Drums) has been in love with music since before he could walk or talk. He studied music since elementary school all the way through college and into adulthood, Graduating (with a Music Performance major) from Miami Dade College. With his primary instruments being drums and vocals, Charles has performed (playing and singing) at many clubs, breweries, restaurants, weddings, private parties and festivals, captivating audiences with high-energy performances, taking them through different eras such as Gospel, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Pop, Rock, etc. Some of Charles' many musical inspirations include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, PJ Morton, Jonathan Mcreynolds and Tori Kelly to name just a few, and he utilizes these inspirations to influence his own craft. Charles' main goal is to use the gifts God has blessed him with to bring Love, Joy and Peace to the world!

The Crew

Jay Hopkins (Director/Co-Writer) has been directing, acting, writing and improvising professionally since 1988. He has a BFA in Acting and Directing from UNC-Greensboro. In 1992 he joined SAK Theatre in Orlando, FL in the Core Ensemble, then as a Creative Producer and Head of Education, ultimately being inducted into the SAK Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2004 with his wife Diana, Jay formed Jester Theater where he has performed in and/or directed all of its shows including; A Tuna Christmas, Noises Off and the Southeast premiere of The Musical of Musicals: The Musical. In 2008, Samuel French, Inc. published his play The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 minutes or less which is being performed around the world. Jay works with Universal Studios Orlando, Walt Disney World, Florida Studio Theatre, Ideas to Go and TeamH Productions, to name a few. Helping develop shows is a passion and collaborating with Chase to create 6 Guitars has been one of Jay's most rewarding experiences in his theatrical career. More than anything Jay loves his wife Diana and all his family. Outside of work, Jay enjoys poker, traveling, movies, and music (although he currently plays no instruments).

Donald Rupe (Producer) 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 (mostly musicals with Jason M. Bailey), 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. 

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!

Philip Lupo (Lighting Design) 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.

Joey Coombs (Scenic Painting/Design) is a scenic artist and designer based in Orlando. Originally from Ocala, he has lived in Orlando for the last two years, and has been working for the Ren for one. He is thankful to the Ren staff, design team, and build crew for bearing with his chaotic routine, working around his messy paint supplies left everywhere, and in general for dealing with him being “too much”; but is especially thankful for all of their hard work and for making this iteration of Office Holiday Party possible. Previous paint charge credits include Beauty and the Beast at the Garden Theater and Indecent at the University of Central Florida. Joey has painted for all shows at the Ren (except for last year’s Nosferatu), most notably the lobby for Gorgeous, the mural in From Here, and the mural and turntable in Lenox Avenue, and the Church in Nosfera2. He has also helped create the photo op sets for our weekly drag show, Off the Record, highlights of which include Femmebot Fatale, Planet OTR (just the lights), Sweetener, and Renaissance at the Renaissance.

Nick Erickson (Sound Engineer) 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. 

Christopher Fahmie (Lead Construction guy) 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.