Nicholas Bartell graduated in 2009 from the Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma and has made theatre education, directing, and performing in the OKC Metro Area his career focus. Notable directing credits include: Some Assembly Required, Not-So-Grimm Tales, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Realm, Urinetown (Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy), An Extraordinarily Pleasant, Enjoyable, or Exciting Trip to the Museum, Ruddigore, The Gondoliers, The Pirates of Penzance (Cimarron Opera), The New Word (Narmon Players Theatre). Nicholas has also written and directed dozens of original short works inspired by student ideas brought to life over nearly 20 year education career. From 2012-2018 Nick served as the Vice-Chairman of the Namron Players Theatre where he helped produce original works, 24 Hour Play Festivals, performed, directed, and helped grow the non-profit theatre company which is still producing theatre in Norman. He currently serves as Academic Advisor for the OU School of Visual Arts.

KASSIE CARROLL DOWNEY (choreographer ) was a New York based actress and director until she moved overseas to pursue her career in Sydney Australia a decade ago. She has been back in the OKC/Metro area directing, choreographing, teaching and performing ever since. Kassie is originally from Norman, Oklahoma. She graduated with a bachelor of music in musical theater from The University of Central Oklahoma. Since graduating she has been pursuing a career in musical theater on stage and off teaching, performing, directing and choreographing. As a performer Kassie has performed Off-Broadway in New York, has toured and has performed in regional theaters all over the country. Most recently she performed in The Sooner Theatre’s annual murder mystery, Cimarron Opera's 50th Anniversary Concert, and the 10th Anniversary Production of “Flipside the Patti Page Story” right here in OKC. She was also seen in “SCT Sings George and Ira Gershwin” and “SCT Sings Irving Berlin” with Springfield Contemporary Theatre. While living in Sydney, Australia she performed in Gilbert Sullivan Opera Sydney’s production of Gondoliers as well as Beauty and the Beast With Strathfield Musical Society. As far as directing and choreography goes, some of her favorite credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Gondoliers, Princess and the Pea, HMS Pinafore, Game of Chance, Iolanthe, Holly Jolly Jammin’, Big Fish, There’s No Business Like Snow Business, Sister Act, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Into the woods, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ruddigore, A Christmas Story, Newsies, Mary Poppins, She Loves Me, Matilda, Scrooge, and Chicago. Favorite performance credits include, Flipside: The Patti Page Story, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Summer of ‘42, Beauty and the Beast, and SHOUT! The Mod Musical. Kassie is a proud member of actors equity the union for professional actors.

In 1996 Kevin was chosen by his mentor Thomas Carey to become music director of what was then known as Cimarron Circuit Opera Company. Since that time, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with hundreds of singers, several stage directors, and has racked up well over 1,000 performances of opera, operetta, children’s opera, Broadway and musical theatre shows, recitals, and special presentations. Kevin describes himself as “an incurable teacher” who strives to turn every situation into an opportunity for learning something new or reinforcing something already learned. In addition to Cimarron Opera, Kevin is also music director and private voice instructor at Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy in Oklahoma City (since 2004), music director and tour accompanist with Lyric’s Interactive show since its inception in 2007 and has music directed numerous shows at Sooner Theatre, Carpenter Square, Poteet Theatre, Jewelbox, and Kids Alive, among others.

Mason Smith (Conductor) is a Junior Music Composition Major at the University of Oklahoma. This is his first production with Cimarron Opera. Mason has been conducting for almost 3 years now, currently serving as the conductor at St. Luke's Methodist Church. He has been with them for 2 years, conducting them through Christmas Concerts, Good Friday Concerts, and "St. Luke's on Broadway". Mason wishes to one day be a film composer and orchestral conductor.

Fabian J. Garcia (He/Him/His) is a distinguished lighting designer for theatre, dance, and events, based in Oklahoma. Born in Texas to Mexican immigrant parents, Fabian proudly integrates his Mexican American heritage into his creative process. AT CIMARRON: The Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, Ruddigore. REGIONAL THEATRE: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Theatre Under The Stars; Mary Poppins, King of Pangaea (World Premier), A Christmas Carol, Concerto (World Premier), Distant Thunder (World Premier), Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. OTHER THEATRE: Coming Home for Christmas, Music of Billy Joel, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Lizzie: The Rock Musical, Small Mouth Sounds, Southern Plains Production, Kinky Boots, 1776, Theatre Tulsa, Notes on Survival, Oklahoma Contemporary Museum. Fabian holds a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts from West Texas A&M University in Technical Theatre.

Gora Naik is a Set Designer originally from Mumbai, India and currently based in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has a background in theatre, film, and landscape design. Previous set design credits with Cimarron Opera include: The Gondoliers, Ruddigore and An Extraordinarily...Trip to the Museum.

Emerging mezzo-soprano Natasha Naik serves as the Programs Manager for Cincinnati Song Initiative. She first developed her love of opera in the Cimarron’s Summer Camp and honed her skills as a young artist, stage director, administrator, and props designer at the company. Previous Props Design credits with Cimarron Opera include: The Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, Gallantry, Ruddigore, An Extraordinarily...Trip to the Museum, Murder at the Opera, Sunday Excursion, A Gift of Song and Magazine Princess.

Nat Vorel is excited to be joining us for another show on our production team. Past credits include The Polar Express Train Ride (Production Manager, 2022, 2023, 2024, & 2025; Wardrobe Supervisor, 2021), Moulin Rouge! Nat’l Tour (Local Wardrobe Technician) Les Mis Nat’l Tour (Local Wig Technician) Hamilton Nat’l Tour (Local Wig Technician) The Prom at Lyric Theatre (Wig Technician) Hairspray National Tour (Wig Technician), Wardrobe Supervisor for Lyric Theatre’s 2022 Summer Season including Matilda, Carousel, and Kinky Boots, Cimarron Opera’s Sunday Excursion and Murder At The Opera (Lighting and Scenic Designer), An Extraordinarily Pleasant, Enjoyable, or Exciting Trip to the Museum (Costume Designer), Ruddigore (Costume Designer), The Gondoliers (Costume Designer) and Gallantry (Costume Designer). Nat holds a BFA in Technical Theatre with a minor in Dance from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is a proud member of IATSE Local 112.

Paeton Walker (Stage Manager) is a stage management junior from Mustang, OK. Credits: OU University Theatre: Associate Stage Manager, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Associate Stage Manager, The Turn of the Screw; Co-Stage Manager, Young Choreographer's Showcase. OU Drama: Stage Manager, Orlando, Contemporary Dance Oklahoma; Co-Stage Manager.

Blair Edwards (Programmer/Light Board Op/Costume Assistant) is a Lighting Designer and Technician from Piedmont, OK. Currently based in Arvada, CO, Blair works as a stage technician for The City of Lone Tree and enjoys swing dancing and rock climbing in their spare time. This is Blair's fifth year with Cimarron Opera, their previous credits with the company include Programmer/Light Board Op for Ruddigore, The Gondoliers, and The Pirates of Penzance.

Coming soon.

Alexandra Lee Johnson first became involved in Cimarron Opera as a youth performer in the 2011 Summer Opera Theatre Camp with the production of Iolanthe. Since then, Alex has been involved with Cimarron in various capacities as a camp counselor, performer, and now Artistic Director. Alex received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas in 2020.