Queer VOICES
Authentically versus… a Queer VOICES Theater Project
Fall 2024 at TACAW
Authentically versus… is an original work of theater created by local queer artists and allies. Directed by Micha Schoepe, this project centers on the pain and gain of learning to be our most authentic selves. Through a full spectrum of artistic expression—music, storytelling, movement, and more—the show widens our understanding of who we are and how we can grow.
Watch the full performance of Authentically versus… here.
Photography by Samantha Freese
ENSEMBLE | ANISA LAVENDER (she/her) hails from the breathtaking wilds of Alaska. She is a vibrant, multifaceted artist whose unique perspective shapes her dynamic work. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and fluent ASL user, Anisa brings an unparalleled depth to her performances, weaving the beauty of American Sign Language into her artistry. Her autism and sharp wit infuse her work with creativity and humor, making this piece a brilliant exploration of the Queer experience. Whether she's performing music in ASL or crafting engaging narratives, Anisa's bright intelligence and inventive spirit shine through, offering audiences a fresh and compelling glimpse into a world where identity and creativity intersect.
ENSEMBLE | BLAKE NOVY (any/all) is so excited to be performing in their first-ever devised theatre piece! Born and raised in Glenwood Springs, they spent the last 4 years studying Musical Theatre at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and earned a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Jazz Dance. Recently, they were seen in SoL Summer Theatre’s Spring Awakening and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as dancing and modeling in the Carbondale Arts Fashion Show and the Aspen Cares Fashion Show. Blake plans to travel and explore different kinds of art and performance around the globe in 2025. They would like to thank Micha Schoepe and MinTze Wu for this amazing opportunity to share their authentically queer story.
ENSEMBLE | DAVE EMIG (he/him) hasn’t dabbled with the stage since college twenty plus years ago where he worked soundly behind the scenes as both a stage carpenter and showrunner. Having moved to the valley from the Midwest sixteen years ago, he loves to mountain bike and ski and has a rewarding career at the Aspen Skiing Company, where he has maintained the ski lifts for Buttermilk for the last eleven years. He is happily married to a wonderful wife of 14 years and is a proud father of a goofy and creative preteen daughter. Dave is looking forward to sharing his story!
ENSEMBLE & MUSICIAN | DELANEY MEYERS (she/they) an educator, performer, and non-profit arts administrator originally from Columbus, OH and currently based in Carbondale, CO. She is the Music Program Coordinator at the Basalt Regional Library, Director of Education with VOICES, and a teaching artist with the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra. Delaney is a passionate teacher and also maintains a regular studio of private violin/viola students. As a violist/violinist/fiddler, she enjoys performing and collaborating with a range of musicians, ensembles, and organizations in the valley. Delaney strives to create community through the arts and explore new creative endeavors with vulnerability, love, and humor. She holds a B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory and M.M. in Violin Performance from East Carolina University.
SOUND DESIGNER | GABRIELLE BAILES (she/her) is a theater artist from Louisiana and a Roaring Fork Valley resident. In the valley, she has performed or designed with TRTC and VOICES. Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Marietta College and is a Board Member of VOICES. She would like to thank everyone here for participating in the community, believing in the arts, and choosing to live those values.
STAGE MANAGER | KAYLA HENLEY (she/her) is a Roaring Fork native, born and raised in Carbondale, Colorado. She has a BA in English from the University of Denver and a Certificate in Publishing from the Denver Publishing Institute. Kayla is passionate about stories in their myriad forms. She has been working as a freelance book editor since 2018 as well as a dramaturg for Thunder River Theatre Company since 2023. In the spring of 2024, Kayla was an ensemble member of Women’s Voices Project Objects in Mirror.
ENSEMBLE | KEVIN MCMANAMON (he/him) is a Michigan native and moved to Aspen 14 years ago. He is currently the Executive Director of AspenOUT, a nonprofit that produces Aspen Gay Ski Week, their annual fundraiser. Kevin first became involved with the organization as a volunteer and later joined the board, then became president of the board. Seven years ago he became Executive Director. Kevin has two adult children who live in California and whom he loves to pieces. He has also been an interior designer for the last 40 years. Two years ago, AspenOUT was so happy to sponsor the first Queer VOICES Theater Project. This year, Kevin is honored to be part of the ensemble for the 2024 Queer VOICES Theater Project with AspenOUT back again as a sponsor.
DIRECTOR | MICHA SCHOEPE (he/him) is a musical theatre performer from Germany. He is active with a variety of local music and theatre organizations as a performer, director, and stage manager. Micha also teaches private voice lessons, runs a charming Airbnb, and, alongside his husband of 13 years, Paul, serves as music co-director at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist congregation in Carbondale. In his spare time, Micha enjoys being in nature, (preferably singing and dancing), and exploring his new passion for playwriting. Micha thanks VOICES for the trust and opportunity to lead this production, Paul for an ear and a shoulder to lean on after long rehearsal days, and the entire cast for their bravery, vulnerability, and love.
ENSEMBLE | MYKI ANNSTELLA JONES (she/they) is returning to the word of theater as a first time VOICES participant! Born and raised in Grand County, CO, Myki has always been passionate about the arts, storytelling and spreading love everywhere she can. Having acted with the Teen Theater Academy of The Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, CO all through her youth, she is excited to return to a similar genre of theatre-making with the ensemble. As a bisexual woman, Myki has worked for many years to unpack what this part of her identity means to her. After many trials and tribulations, she is proud to share this experience with her castmates and reach the audience.
ENSEMBLE | MOLLY DEMARR (she/her) is a disability advocate in the space of outdoor recreation and a soccer coach. While she is the Director of Operations for Challenge Aspen, she is coming up on her fourth season as the Girls Varsity Soccer Coach for Basalt High School. She is also the lead soccer trainer at Elite Performance Academy. Her favorite part of coaching is creating a small goalkeeper community in the Valley. Creating community and teaching life skills through the worldly sport is what she aims to do on the soccer pitch. Molly is a Flint, Michigan native, residing in Carbondale with her wife and two dogs. They love to travel, see family and friends and do all the great things that come alongside living in this beautiful valley.
ENSEMBLE & MUSICIAN | OLIVIA PEVEC (she/they) is an artist of many media living in Meredith, CO. They value the binaries that bring the full spectrum of life and experience into being: Up, Down, In, Out, Open, Close, Masculine, Feminine. In early stages of the show, it was agreed that a coming out story was something the whole cast had in common. For Olivia, a certain queerness has always been taken for granted. They suppose this show is their coming out story.
ENSEMBLE | VALERIE SULLAN (she/her) and her wife, Barb, moved to the valley in 2005 to make Old Snowmass their home. She is a retired trial lawyer who enjoys sailing, skiing, cycling, as well as life with her three grown children, their spouses, and her six grandchildren.
LIGHTING & SCENIC DESIGNER | SEAN JEFFRIES (he/him) has a variety of talents, including technical direction, lighting, scenic and sound design, and fight choreography. Sean began his adventure in the Roaring Fork Valley in 2016 and has enjoyed the privilege of working with its wonderful artistic organizations. Previously, he worked with Fort Worth Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Seagle Festival in upstate New York and Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Sean holds an MFA in Lighting Design from Kent State University. He has been nominated for 13 CTG Henry Awards and has won for Outstanding Lighting Design Tier 2 for A View From the Bridge (2020) and for Equus (2018), Outstanding Sound Design Tier 2 for The Tempest (2017) and Outstanding Set Design Tier 2 for Jekyll and Hyde (2016).
COSTUME & PROPS DESIGNER | RICKI T. BOWDEN (she/her) is excited to help Authentically Versus . . . tell their stories through the visual impact of costumes. Her love of theater started at age 10 with the local production of Annie. After studying costuming in college, she combined that passion with her talent for sewing and moved off stage and into costume design. She has also designed other local productions such as Sopris Theater Company: Book of Will, Frankenstein and Uncle Vanya, Defiance Community Players: Les Miserable and Fiddler on The Roof, Thunder River Theater Company’s: Of Mice and Men and Bluenose. When not creating and designing for the stage, she can be found in her sewing studio, creating and sewing all kinds of creations from Cosplay to high end fashion.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Past Queer VOICES Theater Projects
Queer VOICES Theater Project 2022 | A Green Bird On Orange Trees