Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience Cast

Lyric-Coloratura soprano Christen May Mayer is an Oklahoma and Florida based artist active in opera, music theatre and arts outreach. She was a recent Arkansas District winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and is a current Education Committee Artist with Painted Sky Opera. Christen earned her Master’s of Music in Opera Performance from Oklahoma City University (2024) under Dr. Autumn West. Since then, Christen has performed as Sieglinde (Die Walküre) with Dramatic Voices Midwest, Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) with Opera DeMetro, Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia) with First Coast Opera, First Witch (Dido and Aeneas) Opera Kansas and has covered Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Painted Sky Opera, Clotilde (Norma) with New Jersey Opera Theatre, and Monica (The Medium) with Bold City Opera. Christen is excited to debut with Cimarron Opera this summer as Patience and her additional upcoming engagements are Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte) with Opera Arlington and covering Leonore (Fidelio) with Sotto Voce.

Taylor Reich is thrilled to be joining Cimarron Opera in his first operetta! Previous roles include Mr. Banks in “Mary Poppins”, Claude Frollo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Orient Express”. Many thanks to this cast and crew for allowing me to come and have fun with them. Love to my family and friends.

Native Oklahoman Karena S. Van Horn is thrilled to be making her operatic debut with Cimarron Opera as Lady Jane in this year's production of Patience. A sfogato soprano known for the exceptional versatility of her instrument, Karena is an active soloist across the Oklahoma City Metro Area and can be most often seen performing opera in unexpected places, from patisseries to coffee shops and beyond. In addition to her singing pursuits, she has also premiered three original works in as many years, the most recent being last year with OKC's Theatre Crude Fringe Festival: the multimedia, stage-combat-featuring, play-with-music extravaganza entitled Pirates & Clerics & Rangers, oh my! Karena wishes to extend her deepest thanks to her Patrons of the Arts over on her Patreon (@KarenaSings) for their continued support in her artistic endeavors as well as to her biggest fans: mom, dad, and big brother.

Singer, Actor, Composer, Kasey Dillon Yeargain has performed all across America with his “strong vocals” and “masterful portrayals.”Notable performances include Edward Ruttledge in 1776 at Wichita Grand Opera, the title role in Don Giovanni at Lawrence Opera Theatre, Zuniga in Carmen at Tulsa Opera, Guard 1 in Dead Man Walking at Des Moines Metro Opera, Jud Fry in Oklahoma! At Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, El Gallo in The Fantasticks at Festival 56, Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Forum with City Rep, and the title role in Sweeney Todd at Seagle Music Colony. This season Kasey will reprise the role of Jud Fry in Oklahoma! With TPAC Presents. An accomplished composer, his most recent composition The Dust Bowl Radio Hour: A New Musical has just released a concept album on all streaming platforms. @KaseyDillonMusic

Jarrett Cox is a tenor from the Oklahoma metro area and elementary music teacher in Norman. In the past Jarrett studied with Dr. Barbara DeMaio and Dr. Mark Johnson. He has been in multiple productions but some of his favorites are “Die Fledermaus,” “Orfeo ed Euridice,” “The Gondoliers,” “Notes on Viardot,” and “The Judgement of Paris.” Jarrett is thrilled to return to Cimarron Opera for their production of “Patience” and is thankful to get to perform with them once again. Jarrett thanks the cast and crew but especially Kassie Downey, Kevin Smith, and Nicholas Bartell for putting this show together. He would also like to thank his family, friends and God for their continual support and love. It means the world to him.

Pat Meirick has appeared in Cimarron Opera’s productions of Ruddigore (Despard, Old Adam), The Gondoliers (Don Alhambra, Duke of Plaza-Toro), Pirates of Penzance (Major General, Ensemble), Patience (Major Murgatroyd), HMS Pinafore (Carpenter’s Mate), and Iolanthe (Private Willis). He has also appeared locally in Carpenter Square Theater’s Clever Little Lies (Billy), Namron Theatre’s Spots and Stripes (King Zutan), and Poteet Theatre’s To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus). Other credits, from his teens and 20s in his native Minnesota, include The Mikado (Mikado), The Fantasticks (Matt), Once Upon a Mattress (King Sextimus), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Linus), and Angel Street (Inspector Rough). He also co-founded an improv group at Carleton College. He is a professor in OU’s Department of Communication. He and his wife, Christina McDougall, have two grown children, Ian McDougall and Lor Meirick, who are both alumni of Cimarron Opera Camp.

Braden Henson is a recent environmental sustainability graduate from the University of Oklahoma. He greatly enjoys performing in any sort of theatre he can when his schedule aligns and had a wonderful time playing Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance with Cimarron last year. Some of his favorite activities when not performing include being outside, reading, eating lettuce, and being employed.

Alix Golden is so excited to be a part of this fantastic show! Previous credits include Hal/Lady Carnarvon in How to Write A Regency Romance (Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park), Agnes in She Kills Monsters (Carpenter Square Theatre), Ivy in Mother Road and Charwoman in Lyric’s A Christmas Carol (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love (Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park), Rachel Brown in Inherit the Wind (3rd Act Theatre Company). She received a Gem Award for playing Lala Levy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Jewel Box Theatre). Alix earned her BFA in Theatre from Adelphi University. Thanks to Nick, Kevin, Kassie, Alex and the incredible team. Thank you mom for seeing every show!

Sarah Spurlin, soprano, earned her Master’s of Music at the Eastman School of Music. There she played Madame Lidoine in “Dialogues des Carmélites” and Enyo in Nkeiru Okoye’s “We’ve Got Our Eye on You." She played Casilda with Cimarron Opera in “The Gondoliers”, featured in the 50th anniversary concert, and was in the chorus for Pirates of Penzance. Behind the scenes, she serves as an outreach artist running opera club at the Norman Adult Wellness and Education center and participating in the AWEpera Chorus, and is the summer operetta camp director. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned her Bachelor’s of Music in voice performance. While there she played Le Coq in “The Golden Cockerel” and performed a wide range of repertoire from Mozart, to Janacek, to Argento, and Ticheli. She appears regularly with OK City Opera and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Annie Elliott is a local musician who holds a bachelor's in Vocal Performance from Houston Christian University, followed by a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of Oklahoma. A light lyric soprano voice that exudes brightness with a distinctive ping, Annie expertly emotes music of many styles. She is currently a staff soprano at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in downtown OKC. This is Annie's third season with Cimarron and she is so thankful to spend another summer with them; previous Cimarron appearances include Gallantry (Lola); The Gondoliers (Fiametta); The Pirates of Penzance (chorus). Other notable roles include The Golden Cockerel in The Golden Cockerel (OU), Mrs. Fiorentino in Street Scene (Varna International- Bulgarian Premier), The Nightingale in L'enfant et les Sortilèges (Varna International), featured off stage solo in La Rondine (Varna International). Outside of performing she can be found out in her garden wrangling feral cats and attending her local knitting circle. She would love to thank Cimarron Opera for their continued support and friendship, she enjoys every moment spent working with this community and hopes you all enjoy the show.

Jordan Apple is grateful to be back with the wonderful people of Cimarron Opera! Born and raised in Moore, Oklahoma. Jordan made his choral debut last year in Cimarron Opera’s own Pirates of Penzance! Jordan has recently appeared as one of the Three Little Pigs in Poteet Theaters’ Shrek the Musical and Sooner Theater’s Scrooge as Tom Wilkins. You may have also seen Jordan as Will Rogers in Lyric Theater of Oklahoma’s The Will Rogers Follies interactive program, touring and performing in public schools across Oklahoma!

Sabrina Bettis is honored to be back at Cimarron Opera! She most recently performed here in “Pirates of Penzance”. She’s also active with Poteet Theatre and Sooner Theatre and just played Mama Bear in Poteet’s production of “Shrek the Musical” in May and Helen (Harry's Wife) in Sooner Theatre’s production of “Scrooge!” this last Christmas. Some other favorite past roles have been The Fairy Godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Cinderella” (Lawton Community Theatre) and Mrs. Potts in “Beauty and the Beast” (Cameron University Theatre). When she’s not singing, she’s catching fraud as a Financial Crime Investigator for a local bank. She is also the proud mom of 2 beautiful cats. I’d like to thank my family and friends for always being so supportive of me, and especially my husband, Christopher, who always shows much ‘patience’ with me! I love you, honey!

Rachael Bourn graduated from USAO in Chickasha with a degree in vocal music performance in 2006. She currently works at her dream job as an elementary music teacher to some amazing students in Moore. Since college she has performed in Cimarron Opera’s Ruddigore, Gallantry, The Gondoliers, and Pirates of Penzance. She also performed in Sooner Theatre’s A Christmas Story in December 2024. She absolutely loves acting, singing, and performing on stage. Rachael and her partner, James, have four children: Sage, Brady, Nevaeh, and Hayden. In her free time Rachael enjoys gardening, crafts, singing, learning to play her cello, dancing, and nature.

Kelsey Breon is a vocalist and flutist based in Norman, Oklahoma. She currently sings in Canterbury Voices in OKC. Kelsey received her Master of Music in Opera Performance from Wichita State University where she sang the title role in "Amelia Goes to the Ball", Serpetta in Mozart’s "La finta giardiniera" and participated in the Kansas premiere of Lori Laitman’s "The Scarlet Letter". She holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Flute Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she participated in many opera productions, including "Martha", "Pirates of Penzance", "Gianni Schicchi", "Speed Dating Tonight" and "The Ballad of Baby Doe". She also participated in the UCO Wind Symphony and Concert Chorale, performing stateside and internationally. She enjoys collaborating with her husband, composer and pianist Eli Breon, including premiering several pieces. Kelsey was in Cimarron Opera’s 2023 production of "Ruddigore" and is excited to be returning this summer.

Berlin Butzer (she/her) is a Vocal Performance major with an emphasis in music theory at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, where she studies with soprano Sue Wallin. She made her Baldwin Wallace Opera and Playhouse Square debut as the First Witch in Dido and Aeneas and recently appeared in BW’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Berlin participated in Baldwin Wallace Conservatory’s annual Bach Week focused on early music performance practice and has worked in masterclasses with clinicians including Jeannette Sorrell and soprano Olivia Greene. She previously performed with the University of Central Oklahoma Chorale Choir and has participated in the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus, Oklahoma All-State Chorus, and Canterbury Youth Chorus. She currently sings with the Baldwin Wallace Singers and the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church Choir in Cleveland, where she performs sacred choral repertoire.

Taylor Cavazos (she/her) Taylor is a junior BFA Acting major with a Directing minor at Oklahoma City University from Houston, Texas. Recent credits are Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s production of The Importance of being Earnest (Cecily Cardew), from OCU include Circle Mirror Transformation (Theresa US), Dos and Don'ts of Time Travel (Claire), Back When We Felt Clean (Co-Director), Oklahoma Children’s Theatre’s Maddi’s Fridge (Sofia US), and OCU’s The Government Inspector (Assistant Director). She would like to thank her amazing friends and family for their unconditional love and support!

Brianna-Jo Davis is a coloratura soprano and vocal music educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from East Central University. This summer, she is thrilled to return to Cimarron Opera House as a member of the ensemble in Patience, continuing her collaboration with the company after performing as one of General Stanley’s wards in last year’s production of The Pirates of Penzance. Her operatic experience includes Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Susanna in ECU Opera Scenes, and Josephine in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, and she has also appeared in a multitude of musical theatre productions, including Ermengarde in Hello, Dolly! and Joanne in Godspell. She serves as an elementary music teacher at Byng Public Schools. Brianna-Jo is excited to announce that she is getting married 3 days after the final showing of Patience.

Jenna DeVries is thrilled to perform in her first production with Cimarron Opera! It has been an honor to work alongside such a talented cast. Her favorite operatic productions include Sweethearts (Nanette) and The Merry Widow (Valencienne). Vocal ensembles include Soli Deo Gloria Chamber Chorus, Solace Chamber Choir, Oklahoma Christian Chamber Singers and Chorale. Jenna is currently working on her B.S. in Math and CS and her M.S. in Data Science at OC. Much love to her family, friends, vocal teacher Brianna Holt, and St Hildegard von Bingen. Cor ad cor loquitur <3

Tristan Fox is a sophomore music education major at the University of Central Oklahoma. Although he started as a percussionist, in college he found an interest in singing, and decided to take it up as well. This is his second production on the stage.

Promise Fried is a Music Education major at University of Central Oklahoma with a minor in History. Her performance background includes both instrumental and choral ensembles, with a primary focus in flute, studying under Dr. Emily Butterfield. In high school she performed in several plays and musicals, and is excited to take part in this production of Patience!

Helena Gay is ecstatic to make her Cimarron Opera debut! Originally from Dallas, TX, she is a rising Sophomore Musical Theatre Major at the University of Central Oklahoma with a minor in dance! She would like to thank her voice teacher, Professor Spurlin; her former voice teacher, Dr. Townsley; her former choir director, Joel Duarte; her parents; and her sorority sisters from Alpha Delta Pi for believing in her! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Karen Gillett is thrilled to be singing in Cimarron Opera's production of "Patience." Before she moved to Norman, OK to be closer to her kids and grandkids, she performed extensively in musical theater in California. Favorite roles include Anna in "The King and I," Marian in "The Music Man," Maria in "The Sound of Music" and Irene Molloy in "Hello, Dolly." Karen has also sung on cruise ships, in dinner theater, at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood--and even Dodger Stadium! As a newly-retired elementary music teacher, she is excited to be back on stage after a long hiatus.

Sara Lopez is excited to be performing with Cimarron Opera for the first time! She is currently majoring in vocal performance at the University of Central Oklahoma. There she covered and performed the role of Laetitia in “The Old Maid and the Thief” and was a chorus member in “The Gondoliers.”

Meg Loy is a soprano, actress, writer, and composer who is very glad to return to Cimarron this summer! She was a 2023 Kelli O’Hara Award finalist for playing Sibella in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Recent credits include The Pirates of Penzance (chorus/dancer), The Magic Flute (Pamina), Meg Loy: Striking, Ridiculous, Anomalous at 54 Below, Cats (Grizabella), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), The Addams Family (Alice). Many thanks to Kassie Carroll and the entire Cimarron team.

Aliya McCurry is a senior at Oral Roberts University studying Musical Theatre. She is thrilled to be making her Cimarron Opera debut. Originally trained in musical theatre, Aliya has developed a growing passion for classical voice and operatic repertoire, with a particular love for storytelling through music and movement. Her recent collegiate credits include ensemble and featured roles in productions and performances at Oral Roberts University, where she has studied vocal performance, acting, and stage movement. As an artist, she is especially drawn to emotionally driven work that explores human connection and vulnerability onstage. Aliya is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast and creative team, and she looks forward to continuing to grow as both a performer and storyteller.

Natasha Naik is a soprano originally from Edmond, OK. Notable roles include Amanda in In the room women come and go. Talking of Michelangelo with Maddalena/Mad Margaret/Duchess in Cimarron’s 50th Anniversary Concert, Inez in The Gondoliers (Cimarron Opera), Mad Margaret in Ruddigore (Cimarron Opera), Fenena in Nabucco (Opera Ithaca), Scribe/Maria Maddelena in Galileo Galilei (Cincinnati Conservatory MainStage), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (University of Oklahoma), Mercédès in Carmen (Cincinnati Conservatory French Opera Gala). She holds a Master of Music in Voice from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Music in Voice (summa cum laude) from the University of Oklahoma. In addition to her work as a performer, she is the Programs Manager for Cincinnati Song Initiative and the Stage Director for Cimarron’s Opera Camp.

Grace Norbury is a soprano from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, currently earning her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her recent stage credits include Jane Doe/Penny Lamb in "Ride the Cyclone", ensemble in "I Love You Because", Sandy Cheeks in "SpongeBob The Musical", and Miss Pinkerton in "The Old Maid and The Thief". Grace has also performed with Lawton Community Theatre and Blue Moon Productions in productions such as "Cabaret," "Clue," "Mamma Mia," and "Trail to Oregon." In addition to performing, she has experience in theatre tech, including wardrobe, run crew, and light board operation. Outside of theatre, Grace works as a radio DJ for Magic 95 in Lawton. Grace is thrilled to be a part of Cimarron Opera for the first time and looks forward to this exciting opportunity.

Lauren Panichelli is an artist and performer from the East coast. Mostly a visual artist, this will be Panichelli's second performance on stage with a cast. Community theater is a budding passion, and one that she is very grateful to be involved in.

Adam Park is thrilled to be making his Cimarron Opera Debut. When Adam is not singing his heart out, he is running, and singing with ECU Showtime. Adam’s recent credits include Plastered Peter Pan with 3rd act theatre company, and the Roles Out of a Hat Cabaret in NYC, at Don’t Tell Mama. Adam cannot wait to see what we have in store here!!

Sebastiao Ribeiro, born in Harare, Zimbabwe, is a senior vocal performance major at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is delighted to be performing in “Patience” in the chorus and as the cover to Archibald Grosevener and. He appeared as Giuseppe Palmeri in UCO’s opera “The Gondoliers” and Bob in “Old Maid and the Thief", he was thrilled to portray both roles as they offered unique challenges to develop his art. Sebastiao is grateful for the opportunity to perform with such an amazing cast and crew and to Nicholas Bartell and Kevin Smith for their guidance. He would also like to thank his teacher, Dr Kevin Eckard, for his continued support and mentorship and to his family for their support.

Seth Riden is a baritone from Ada, Oklahoma, happily returning to perform with Cimarron Opera. He is a graduate of East Central University with a Bachelors in Vocal Performance. He is currently employed as an assistant for the Chickasaw Nation School of Music. Following a lifelong passion for music and performance, he is always looking for opportunities to hone his skills with music, both vocal and instrumental. Some of his previous roles include Curly McLain in Oklahoma!, Papageno in The Magic Flute, and Claude Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Rocky Roberson is a practicing optometrist as well as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who needs to practice. He has performed for many years with community bands, choruses, and theater groups including Cimarron Opera.

Kelsey Rogers is a performer & adventurer with a possibly unhealthy interest in comedy & physicality. Starting with Cimarron as a child with 'Kids Camps', the spirit & love brought forward by performing gave her life. She has performed as a dancer & stilt walker at Walt Disney World & Universal Studios Orlando, traveled the world for 4 years dancing on Princess Cruise Lines, and has performed in, choreographed, or dance-captained Off-Broadway shows in New York City. Pivoting into acting post-pandemic, her acting & voice over work includes commercials, TV, & podcasts. She has appeared dancing in the show 1923, and performed as an aerialist guest artist on a television talk show. A self-reported latin ballroom addict, she’s also danced for the modern dance & aerialist company PERPETUAL MOTION, on music videos, TV, and private party venues. A barbershop girl, she's sung with several choirs and is now in 6-person band singing backup & lead. As a human, she has backpacked across Europe, scuba-dived around the planet, hiked in over 20 countries, and traveled to 40 more on ships, getting to experience a wide array of ideas & cultures. Creator of a docuseries - HIKING THE DIVIDE, featuring thru-hiking down the Continental Divide Trail - now she’s finding film & television work a new adventure. Kelsey is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and thrilled to be part of this amazing show!