Alma has been involved with ITMP since 2014 as a volunteer parent for group dynamics, props and set design. Alma has been a performer, director and producer to different Community Theater groups and Catholic School Drama Programs for the past forty years both here in the United States and in the Philippines. Some of her favorite shows include Passion Play (Mother Mary), Rent (Mimi Marquez), and Les Miserables (Eponine). Alma has been attending Broadway Teachers Workshop since 2018 learning new teaching/directing methods and enhancing production skills and sharing her knowledge and experience to our local community theater. It is always a pleasure to see our performers blossom to their full potential in this production of Newsies. Currently, Alma has two daughters Arya the multi-talented one and Cupcake the gorgeous Silver Fox Yorkie.

Jamee Arseneault is thrilled to be working with ITMP to inspire young creative minds. Jamee has their Associates Degree in Theatre Arts, and is continuing their Bachelors in Arts with a Minor in Musical Theatre and Wayne State University. While they're unsure if they want to perform, direct, costume, or write plays, they're happy to be a part of such an amazing team of thespians. 

Dayna's love for theater has grown immensely ever since her two kiddos stepped on stage in their theatrical debuts of Finding Nemo Jr. and The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever. Dayna's background is in boring Human Resources and is a graduate from Michigan State University. However, she has always considered herself crafty and creative and looks forward to creating her kids' Halloween costumes every year.

Dayna began helping (and a lot of learning from) Kim in costumes and is so excited to get back to work on the next production. 

Dayna loves music, gardening and all things Doctor Who...and her family too! She genuinely loves working with the ITMP cast and crew and is so thankful to be a part of this amazing community.

Katherine Begley has been involved with In The Mitten Productions ever since her mom told her to be (Thanks, Kim Gearns!). She started her theater experience with the Farmington Hills Youth Theater in 5th grade with a production of School House Rock Jr. Now she continues her stage presence by bringing her love of learning and theater to beginners. A high school Special Education teacher during the day, Katherine works with our youngest group, the Rising Stars. She can also be seen running around the theater during showtime taking pictures of the amazing shows ITMP puts on!

Katherine is all grown up now, living with her wonderful wife, Jillian, in what she dubs "The Begley Zoo", 2 dogs (Koda & Harley), 3 cats (Cooper, "Queen" Valerie, & "3-legged" Ollie), and the occasional squirrel. Katherine plays hockey with her Arctic Foxes and serves on the board for the Michigan Senior Women's Hockey League (MSWHL).

Kathleen has been volunteering in the theatre program since 2015 when her daughters first began their love of the stage in Wizard of Oz. Since then Kathleen has helped in all manners behind the scenes but over the last few years has concentrated on helping Roberta and Kim in the costume department.

Katie (Catherine) Crombez uses she/her pronouns and is a musician who has been performing and directing in the metro Detroit area for more than 15 years. She graduated from Madonna University with a degree in Piano Performance in 2017 and is also a trained singer. Additionally, she plays the harp, violin, guitar, ukulele and drums. She has maintained a private lesson studio for more than 10 years and loves directing and teaching people of all ages with all abilities.

When she is not singing on stage or sitting at a piano, Katie is a Clinical Research Coordinator at University of Michigan and spends her free time going to concerts. oes here

Olivia Deane has been involved in theatre in various capacities for more than half of her life (much longer if you count the plays she started putting on in her family’s living room as a toddler). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Rochester University. She has directed a production of Steel Magnolias at her alma mater and several children’s programs at church. Some of her favorite acting credits include: Cressida (Troilus and Cressida), Katherine (Taming of the Shrew), Maria (The Sound of Music), and Chris (Dancing at Lughnasa). When not in the theatre, she enjoys doing puzzles, soap making, and going on adventures with her husband, Jordan, and their puppy, Magic.

Shelby Dragone has always loved music and is excited to share that with the performers and staff of ITMP. Shelby is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music and performs and teaches regularly in the southeast Michigan area. She has been working in children’s theater since 2018 and joined the ITMP team in 2021. When not behind a piano, you can find Shelby behind a good book!

Shannon has been involved in children's theater for over ten years, directing for Prelude Children's Theater, Pinckney Players Summer Camp, A Wilde Theater, and now In The Mitten Productions. Shannon also teaches a variety of theater and acting classes through Hartland Community Education.  Besides directing, she has worked as a stage manager, designer, and actor. Shannon holds a BA in Theater Arts from Nazareth College of Rochester and a teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University.  Her involvement in children’s theater is her passion, and nothing gives her more enjoyment than watching a kid fall in love with performing and seeing their pride and confidence grow because of it. Having been a particularly shy kid, Shannon strives to have kids use theater to find their silliness and embrace their creativity.  In her spare time, Shannon loves to read, watch movies, learn/explore new things & places, and spend time with her two teenage children. 

It started small in 2014, … since you are here, can you just help set teardown for Tarzan. The sneakily, hey, can you come help build a tower for Rapunzel? Oh, and these other set pieces? Oh, and can you work the right wing during show? Hey, can you help build set for Mary Poppins? Run the right wing crew? Great, now can you design and take build lead on Wizard of Oz? Perfect! Seussical’s next. Learn how to do basic Sound and Lighting (leave the shows to the experts!), calling shows, running show stage crews; Music Man (painting buildings) add teaching kids how to build sets, Shrek, Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast, High School Musical, Addams Family, Big Fish (make a river), Lion King jr (make a Sun that rises and sets), Elf jr (make it snow!), Annie jr, Anna Paints Trees, Alice in Wonderland jr, Honk jr, Schoolhouse Rock, Mamma Mia, James and the Giant Peach, Little Mermaid jr,… WAIT it’s COVID, cancel those last three. Learn to be a video and sound editor for On Line Shows, next add filming and editing for Shrek jr at outside locations (wind, rain, snow, float plane, wind, more wind!). Back to stage: Sponge Bob, Descendants, Mamma Mia (for real this time!), Oliver jr, look Mary Poppins again only bigger!, Lion King jr, High School Musical jr.

Kim started her theatre experience in 5th grade when she was cast to play Hamlet … the boys in the class couldn’t memorize all the lines! Fast forward to 2001 when her then 9 year old daughter auditioned for School House Rock. After helping with props … she was hooked. Kim worked with other production companies before starting In The Mitten Productions in 2016. Since 2016, ITMP has produced over 30 productions, including multiple creative endeavors during the pandemic, and have inspired over 1000 young performers.

Kim has a degree in computer engineering - which comes in handy in her role as Producer and Director. She enjoys learning and has participated in multiple Broadway workshops.

Kim has been married to Carl for 35 years. She continues to be inspired by the talented crew of ITMP and more by the amazing young performers that we work with.

Coming Soon

Maura Jones has always loved theatre, music and working with the next generation. She began performing and singing on stage in Elementary school, and fell in love with the way that theater can transform lives. Maura has worked with kids and youth for the past 20 years and brings her experience in theatre and teaching together in the hopes that the next generation will be impacted during their time with ITMP.

Maura began proudly volunteering with ITMP in 2014 when her children also began to express an interest in theater. Maura enjoyed many years creating costumes, painting sets and falling in love with the backstage side of productions before moving into directing. Maura looks forward to continuing to inspire and engage with performers in further productions with ITMP.

Maura lives in Farmington Hills with her husband Bill, and her three daughters Phebe, Samantha and Claire.

Coming Soon

Kerry has been involved with ITMP since 2014 when her daughter was part of the Camp Rock production. Over the years all 3 of her children have performed in various shows and she was always backstage helping out in some capacity. In addition to being a soccer/lacrosse mom to her sons, she was also a dance mom working on costumes and props behind the scenes for 15 years. 

Growing up as a competitive figure skater in New England she began coaching while in college and has been teaching and choreographing skaters of all ages since then, working on Ice Shows has always been her favorite aspect of her job. 

She is a graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with Business Communications degree and resides in Novi with her husband and 3 young adults. 

Skylar is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, studying movement science to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. She has been dancing for over 15 years, and doing it competitively for most of her life. In addition to dance, she has been involved with ITMP since the 3rd grade, where she was a camp rocker and continued doing shows and working backstage through the last decade. She has a passion for dance and movement and loves to share that passion with young performers! 

Karissa Phillips has over 12 years of dancing experience with a primary focus on ballet. She spent 2 years full-time performing with Light of The World Ballet in Syracuse, NY. She also danced in an International Dance Festival in China as part of a semester long cultural exchange program. She has been teaching ballet, jazz, and modern to students of all ages for 4 years. She loves teaching kids how to tell a story and express themselves through movement. Her favorite things about ITMP are the warm community and the diversity of talents.

Stefan Potter is a certified Social Studies teacher and has loved theatre his whole life. From performing in New York City with the professional improvisation group Erie Entertainment at the Jekyll and Hyde Club and Pub, to local community theatres around Michigan, he has pursued his passion for theatre and the performing arts. Like many, when his children became involved with "In The Mitten", he was amazed by how well the shows were put together, and wanted to be a part of that. So he decided to combine his love of teaching with his love of theatre, and couldn’t be happier with the opportunity.

Sarah has been directing with In The Mitten Productions for 6 years. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. When she is not teaching kids how to love the theater as much as she does, you can find Sarah spending time with her family up north, watching baseball, at the beach, reading or playing board games.

Daryl Treger has been working with the Farmington Hills Youth Theater for seventeen years. Initially roped back into the theatrical realm by his then first grade child Marleigh for Alice in Wonderland, he had not taken the stage since he was in high school. But once reacquainted, the theater bug bit him again! Daryl was a performer with his family in several productions, playing such roles as the Genie in Aladdin, Professor Porter in Tarzan, and Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins. For the last twelve productions he has been an assistant director, and will continue in this capacity for Legally Blonde. If you can cuh-CAW properly, he will admit you into Brown Cesario’s Wet Crows Fan Club.

Elizabeth “Miss Liz” Tumminello is thrilled that The Mitten team chose “a girl like her” to assistant direct. She has been teaching and directing youth theatre for over a decade, and has had the pleasure of working with young performers all over southeast Michigan from preschool to high school age. Miss Liz directed 6 shows at Walled Lake Central High School and served as their youth chorus director for 4 years. She has a degree from Eastern Michigan University in theatre/ communication and education. She has performed in over a dozen collegiate and community productions, at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, studied voice for 7 years, and most importantly, loves sharing the art that is live performance with young actors. Helping performers discover the “possible” within themselves is her greatest wish and she feels so grateful for the opportunity here in Novi.

Tracey Turner is thrilled to join the In The Mitten Productions team! She earned her Bachelor’s of Vocal Music Education from Eastern Michigan University, and continued her studies at the University of Michigan in the Masters of Arts in Education program. Tracey’s 25 years of private vocal instruction has included students of all ages, primarily assisting high school students achieve top honors at festivals & competitions. Tracey is a long time resident of Farmington Hills, a soloist for North Congregational Church and an adjunct voice professor for Oakland Community College. Tracey adjudicates at Solo and Ensemble festivals for the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and also provides clinics and individual instruction for areas high school choral and musical theater programs. When she isn’t teaching or performing, she loves to spend time with her family.

Nikki Waananen joined ITMP in 2020. She came to the group, like many, after volunteering to help when her daughter first started in theatre. Nikki has been a preschool teacher for 22 years. This experience has been key to her success. with ITMP.

Nikki is proud to have been involved in many productions with ITMP including the filmed production of Shrek Jr and stage productions of SpongeBob, Descendants and Lion King Jr. Nikki loves continuing to learn more about theatre and inspiring the young performers in our area.

Nikki lives in Farmington Hills with her husband KC and daughter Sydney and dog Samson.

Sally Wenczel is a children’s book author and freelance illustrator in the realm of environmental education. She’s done artwork professionally for organizations like Michigan Lakes & Streams Association, Friends of the Rouge, and has most recently joined the team at “In the Mitten Productions” as a set artist. Sally also serves her community as a public servant and conservationist. In her free time she enjoys outdoor sports, gardening, reading and finding new coffee shops around Detroit in which to loiter.

Ms. Beth is in her 19th year of teaching and has taught both Choir and Band in both Whitmore Lake and, currently, Lincoln Park Middle School. She has also worked with a variety of community theaters including ages ranging from 5 to adults as a vocal director (and often music conductor). Ms. Beth has an Education Bachelors Degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Performance Masters Degree from Indiana both in the music realm and has an additional degree in Administration as well. She has taught classical voice and musical theater students both in school and privately since 2006 with great success as shown through competitions such as Festivals and Solo & Ensemble as well as confidence and understanding shown on the individual levels of her students. In lessons, Ms. Beth focuses on three main aspects: music reading and understanding, vocal placement and production, and character building to create a well-rounded musical theatre performer. In additional to being a teacher and vocalist, Ms. Beth also plays piano and flute professionally. She has also performed herself in many shows and some favorite roles include Carmen Bernstein in Curtains, Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins, and Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Michelle is a dedicated supporter of the arts with a deep appreciation for the power of live theater. She contributes her time and energy to help make performances possible and is driven by the belief that theater should be accessible and enriching for all. Michelle is proud to be part of a team that fosters creativity, connection, and cultural engagement.

When she’s not volunteering with ITMP, Michelle enjoys gardening, traveling, and attending local productions.

Denise Yapp's journey with In The Mitten Productions began when her daughter was just seven years old. Like many integral members of the current staff, Denise started by generously offering her time and talents in various capacities, contributing to costumes, sets, and showday operations. Her commitment and innate ability to lead became evident, and what began as volunteering swiftly blossomed into a directorial position. Denise now plays a pivotal role in shaping young performers, directing the "Little Stars" program in Farmington and the  ITMP Kids program in Novi. Through her guidance, countless children have not only developed their theatrical skills but also discovered a love for the performing arts within the supportive and creative environment of In The Mitten Productions.
Denise lives in Wixom with her husband David, son Kyle, and daughter Nicole

Coming soon.

As a performer, she has played Ella in the 1st National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, starred in Far From the Madding Crowd at New York City's Signature Theatre, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Roman Holiday at The Guthrie Theatre, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, et al., amongst her numerous concert and symphony work. Alexandra is deeply passionate about the arts and she truly believes that as arts instructors, we are teaching young minds to be empathetic, honest, joyful, and brave - all under the beautiful guise of music and theatre.