Rent Cast

Austin Stang (Roger) is so excited to be back at OCTA for RENT. Most recently he was in Smet Theatrics production of Sex With Strangers. When Austin isn’t on stage, he is slinging drinks behind the Lobby Bar at Hotel Kansas City or teaching youth theater with STAGES at the Jewish Community Center. Big thanks to Michael and Kathryn Stang for all the support over the years, and to Ashton Botts for putting up with him all the time.

Christoph Nevins (Mark) is thrilled to be working with OCTA for the first time! He has previously been seen in Heathers; JD, Newsies, Davey; The Rocky Horror Show; Rocky. He is honored to be sharing the stories of those living with HIV/AIDS to better educate our community. HIV is not, and will never, be a death sentence. He would like to thank the production team, his wife, Kristen, Robin and Love, and his family.

Joseph Johnson (Tom Collins) is beyond ecstatic to bring Collins to life for you all in this amazing production and can't wait for you all to enjoy the show! Joseph is also happy to be back at OCTA for his second show after A New Brain this spring. Previous roles include: Man (Songs for a New World, Barn Players), Peter (Company, Barn Players), Josh (If/Then, Barn Players [canceled - COVID]), Tarzan (Tarzan, GTIP) and Benny (In the Heights, TTIP).

Hewleek McKoy (Benny) is happy be here for their second OCTA show. Glad to be back on stage after playing Patrick in SpongeBob this summer at TTIP. They hope you all enjoy the show.

Aggie Williams (Joanne) is elated to be in RENT as Joanne for their OCTA debut. This has been a dream role of Aggie’s and they couldn’t have asked for a better cast, crew or directors. This show has meant a lot to Aggie and they hope that the audience can find something or someone in the the show that they can relate to. Aggie would love to thank their mother for always being the greatest support ever.

Austin Skibbie (Angel) is thrilled to be returning to OCTA for his third show. RENT is a dream show and Angel is a dream role; especially as a femme queer man. Representation Matters. His favorite roles include: Prince Topher (Cinderella, TIP), Gordon (A New Brain, OCTA), Will Bloom (Big Fish, Faust), Hunter (Title of Show, JCCC), and Puck (MND, JCCC). Special thanks to Aly, Darrington, Haley K, Emmy H, Michael De Voe and his family. Break-a-leg cast and crew! Follow his Instagram @AustinJSkibbie 💋

Kristen Altoro-Nevins (Mimi) returns to OCTA after her role as Dina in Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! in 2016. Just coming off of Little Shop of Horrors with Padgett Productions as Crystal, she is honored to have been chosen to share Mimi's story with you all. For the Latina and/or plus-sized queens out there, this is for you. Representation matters.

Josephine Pellow (Maureen) is thrilled to be making her OCTA debut in RENT! Some of Jo’s credits include: Carrie the Musical (Carrie White), Spring Awakening (Anna): Faust Theatre, Last Days of Summer (Rachel Panitz), A Christmas Carol (Belinda Cratchit): KCREP, Hana's Suitcase (Hana) and The Miracle Worker (Helen Keller): The Coterie Theatre. Jo would like to thank Amy and Matt for trusting her with Maureen, and this amazing cast and crew! :) Love is love is LOVE!

Michael Golliher (Ensemble, Mark u/s) Michael is thrilled to be singing the songs of Rent onstage for a change, instead of in his car. Some favorite past roles include Jeff in The Curious Savage at OCTA, Nicky in Avenue Q with TTIP, Dick in High Fidelity with The Barn Players, and Freddy in Carrie: The Musical with Egads Theatre Company. In his spare time, Michael designs outfits for the fabulous fish lady, Luna Laguna. Check her out! IG: @lunalagunaofficial

Matthew Harris (Ensemble, Collins u/s) is excited to be making his OCTA debut, after being seen in Hair: Then and Now at MTH and both Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors with Padgett Productions this summer. He is eternally grateful to be a part of this incredible cast and crew, and is so grateful for all of the love and support from the KC theatre community!

Tony Francisco (Ensemble, Benny u/s) is excited to return to OCTA for his second show. He recently played Richard in A New Brain, but you may remember him most from his hat dropping skills displayed in The Barn Players production of The Full Monty as Dave Buckatinsky. He is dedicating his performances to his Big Bro Jason Dockins. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. You never know when you will have your last moment with them.

Renée Blinn (Ensemble, Joanne u/s) is thrilled to be reuniting with OCTA, last seen in their production of Violet as the lounge singer. Other favorite credits include Shrek (Mama Bear/Dragon), The Addams Family (Alice Beineke), and Joseph…Dreamcoat (Narrator). All her love to her family and friends who continue to support her and love her despite her many flaws. “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Topher Michael (Ensemble, Angel u/s) is very grateful to be making his KC theatre debut with OCTA in this production. Topher was last seen as an Angel in Kinky Boots at Topeka Civic Theatre. He wants to thank his boyfriend for being so supportive, and his friends for always encouraging him to chase his dreams.

Kameron Cole (Ensemble, Mimi u/s) is a 20 year old artist from Burlington, Kansas. She is so excited to be making her OCTA debut! She has been seen in Alice’s Wonderland at The Coterie (Alice US/Queen US), Into the Woods with Smet theatrics (Lucinda), and Memphis with The J and BRKC (Ensemble). She would like to thank her family, her best friend Danni, and her partner Nick. Follow her on instagram @justkammy777

Taylor Arri (Ensemble, Maureen u/s) is thrilled to be a part of her first production with OCTA. Her favorite past roles have included Deb in Ordinary Days and Belle in Beauty and the Beast, both with Summit Theatre Group. Thank you to her family and friends for always supporting the creation of beautiful and meaningful art.

Anne Haines (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her debut on the OCTA stage! Other theatre credits include: Ensemble/Violin (Once), Kate McGowan (Titanic: The Musical), Plaza Lighting Octet Singer, Mrs. T (Avenue Q), TJ (Sister Act), Enid Hoopes (Legally Blonde), Eddie/Dr. Scott (The Rocky Horror Show). She received her BA in Theatre Performance from UMKC. Anne would like to thank all those who give their continual support, with special thanks to JSH.

Tressa Lee (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be in one of her dream shows here at OCTA. She was last seen as a Who/Hunch in Seussical with The Culture House and as Rapunzel in Into the Woods with Smet Theatrics. Thanks to all her family and friends for their love and support!

Olivia Hollan (Ensemble) is so stoked to be back on the OCTA stage. You might remember seeing her last season in Children of Eden as a storyteller. Olivia sends love and gratitude to her friends, family, and this marvelous cast, crew, and production team. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Sergio Guerra (Ensemble) is incredibly excited to be in his first show at OCTA! You could’ve seen him in Rent: School Edition (Mark Cohen): Spinning Tree Theatre; Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour Krelborn), Carrie the Musical (Freddy): Summit Theatre Group; The Spongebob Musical (Mr. Krabs), A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley Kowalski): Lee’s Summit West High School. He’d like to thank the entire company of this production for broadening his love for theatre and performance!