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 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 collaborator Jason M. Bailey 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), an expanded run of From Here, and several other collaborative projects with longer names since.
(Let’s switch to the first person this is silly) The 2021 Orlando Fringe Festival happened a couple months into the long process to buy this building and turn it into a theatre. I became so ensorcelled after seeing Ain’t Done Bad there twice that we found yet another motivation to start a new theatre here: to have a place in Orlando where the interesting artists behind shows like Ain’t Done Bad could develop their new works, and always come home to. Jakob’s show also heavily influenced our first show, Nosferatu. Thanks friends.

Amanda Lyon (Ain’t Done Bad Producer) is an event producer by trade, and is delighted to be supporting her best friends in putting on this amazing show. She grew up working as a stage manager for high school and local productions here in Orlando and loved being the HBIC so much that she moved to New York to pursue a career in live events. She's proud to have worked on some really cool sh*t, and won't brag about the specifics here but absolutely will if you ask. She recently relocated back to Orlando, and although she has lofty goals about learning to make pottery, in her free time you'll usually find her soaking up the sun or reading a book at a bar.

Joi Marchetti (Associate Director) is honored to be a part of the creative team behind Aint Done Bad. She grew up performing in the Orlando theatre community before studying opera at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She went on to sing for Cirque Du Soleil, Celebrity Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The artists on stage and behind the scenes of Aint Done Bad have always supported and encouraged her artistic endeavors, and she is so grateful to work with them. Joi is currently studying film and media scoring as a Technology and Applied Composition back at San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

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. 

Blake Schulte (Scenic Designer) is an artist originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a jack of all trades and the embodiment of the word "maker". His main focus is to constantly improve artistic conception and technique, acquire further knowledge, and to push the limits of his skills.

Philip Lupo (Lighting Designer) 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.

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.