Austin Is overjoyed to be returning to OCTA for a second time directing and his fifth show overall. Most recently, Austin directed the Buddy Award winning production of "A Man of No Importance" this past summer and has been seen on stage in OCTA's productions of "Children of Eden", "A New Brain" and "RENT". He is elated to have the opportunity to showcase his passion for the theatre not only on-stage but off-stage as well. Austin has previously directed Stage Right Performing Art's 2019 production of "Grease" and most recently their 2021 Production of "Mamma Mia!" His favorite roles include: each of his OCTA credits, Cowboy Bob ("Footloose", TIP) and Prince Topher ("Cinderella", TIP). Next up, He will be making his professional stage debut in "H.O.T the Musical" at Unicorn Theater, written by Shelly Verden who also happens to be the guitarist in the show. Special thanks to the OCTA Board for trusting him and to his creative team (aka of all his closest friends) for their unending support. Follow his Instagram @AustinJSkibbie

Darrington Clark is a professional actor, theater maker and educator with 10+ years of teaching experience. Born and raised in KCMO, Clark has traveled the Midwest performing at major Repertory theaters and contributing to theater education departments. He holds education from Kansas State University and the Emerging Professional Residency program at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Clark specializes in musical theater, new works, and youth education. This is his first time working at OCTA!

Aly is thrilled to join the "Daddy Long Legs" team as Co-Costume Designer, Stitcher and ASM. She has costumed more than 23 productions, highlights include: "Chess", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", "The Addams Family", "The Sound of Music", as well as co-designed with Austin Skibbie: "Les Miserables", "Urinetown", "Once On This Island", "Hairspray" and more. She would like to thank Austin, Darrington, Haley, Colton and Michael for being an amazing team to work with as well as great friends - with a shout out to Char for her behind the scenes help. Thank you to her friends, family and everyone coming out to support this beautiful show and community theatre. In her day job Aly works as the Marketing and Operations Director and occasional techie (costumer, director, etc) with Stage Right Performing Arts, a local youth theatre company. Enjoy this beautiful show!

Colton returns to OCTA for his third production (LD, "RENT"; 2023 Buddy Award Winner – Best Lighting and Set Design, "A Man of No Importance"). You may have seen his work on other productions in the metro area that include "Bat Boy" (Co-LD/Co-Set Designer, The Arts Asylum); "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (ME, The Arts Asylum); and "Bright Star" (Broadway World Regional Awards Best Lighting Design Nominee, STG). In addition to professional and community theatre projects, Colton works with area high schools as a Student Lighting Design Advisor, most recently working on this season’s Blue Star shows "The Spongebob Musical" (Gardner-Edgerton); "All Shook Up!" (Bishop Miege); and "Matilda the Musical" (Olathe Northwest). Colton was a scholarship recipient at Kansas State University where he pursued a degree in theatre with a focus on theatrical design. Colton would like to give a special “Thank you” to his favorite assistant, his daughter Charlynn. “I think the most important quality for any person to have is imagination. It helps people put themselves in other people’s shoes. It makes them kind and sympathetic and understanding. It ought to be cultivated in children. They should do nothing from duty – and everything from love.”

Michael returns to Olathe for his third production with OCTA. Michael is an elementary music teacher and scenic technician with recent community theatre credits that include "Bat Boy: The Musical" (Set Co-Designer, Arts Asylum); "Tartuffe" (Technical Director, OCTA); and the award-winning production of "A Man of No Importance" (2023 Best Set Design, OCTA). Michael holds a B.A. in Music, a B.S. in Education, and an M.S. in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University, and is a 2023 Kansas Master Teacher Award nominee.