Mitch Bean (Artistic Director) is serving in his 9th year as Artistic Director. He is a graduate of Central College and holds his Bachelors in Music and Theatre. Mitch shares the title of Artistic Director with his wife, Rachel Curtiss. Both have been working hard to continue BVT's long tradition of summer repertory as well as keeping BVT alive throughout the year with productions and events such as Willa Cather’s A Resurrection, BVT's Young Performer's Shows, BVT's Radio Theatre, the spring Young Performer's Workshop, and interactive murder mysteries performed by the BVT Mystery Troupe. You might remember seeing him as Tom in These Shining Lives, Grover in The Lightning Thief, or Jonny Warner in Zombie Prom. He believes collaboration and community are responsible for making the arts thrive and the arts are a necessary enrichment to our short lives on earth.
Rachel Kay Curtiss(Artistic Director, Resident Playwright) celebrates her 9th year as Artistic Director and her 15th year with the Brownville Village Theatre. She strives to embody a well-rounded theatre artist, having extensive experience in directing, acting, design, and playwriting. She holds her BFA in theatre performance from Wichita State University and her Masters in Playwriting from the University of Nebraska Omaha. 2025 playwright production credits include For the Protection of Girls at the Brownville Village Theatre, it's companion ten-minute play Now We are Protected at the One Day Play Festival at Hutchinson Community College and Sliced! An Interactive Murder Mystery at the River Inn Resort. Upcoming playwright projects in 2026 include: When Grandma Goes at the Brownville Village Theatre and Prom Y2Kill at the River Inn Resort. Rachel has performed in multiple locations in Nebraska, Kansas, and Chicago. She constantly challenges and progresses her abilities in the design sector, as a props, makeup and hair, and costume designer. Outside of the theatre, Rachel creates time to work as an art model and develop her skills at collage art and jewelry.
Lizzy Pegler(Associate Director) is celebrating ten seasons with BVT. When not in Brownville, Lizzy travels the world as a Wardrobe Supervisor with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and has been to over 70 countries. Lizzy would like to thank the entire Brownville community, including the Board, Mitch and Rachel, and all of our Contributors, for continuing to keep the arts alive in rural Nebraska. She also wants to dedicate this season to her mentor, Dr. Charles “Chet” Harper, lovingly referred to as Doc. Doc hired Lizzy back in 2015 which was the beginning of her professional journey as a theatre artist. He will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on in the lives of all who had the opportunity to know him. You can learn more about Lizzy on her website www.lizzypegler.com
Jarvis Jahner (Technical Director) has been a part of BVT since 2003 when he was hired to design 2 shows and act in 3. After spending the next 5 seasons as a full-time company member he took some time off to get his M.F.A. in Theatrical Design from the University of Oregon. After graduation he came back to BVT in the summer of 2012 to design scenery and has been happily a part of BVT every summer since. He is currently the Technical Director at Nebraska Wesleyan.
Cinda Goodrich(Musical Director/Accompanist) is beyond excited to bethe music director/ accompanist for Schoolhouse Rock Live Too! her 9th show with BVT. This long running career/ role began in 2019 with Zombie Prom. Her most recent shows have included String (2025), Between the Lines (2024). Two of those 9 shows included acting roles, Vera Sanders in Sander’s Family Christmas, and Mrs. Skimmons in A Resurrection. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every company member over the years and wants to thank Mitch and Rachel for asking her to be a part of BVT. When she’s not playing the piano, she enjoys singing, reading, gardening, golfing, hanging out with family and friends, and writing music. Her education consists of a Bachelors Degree in Music from PSC and a Masters Degree in Music Education from UNL. Special thanks and love to husband, Stacey, 3 children and their spouses Nate and Mandy; Becky and Pat; Tanner and Stephanie; and 8 grandchildren Connor, Ada, Miles, Cameron, Ally, Hudson, Sunny and Avalon.
Leighton Bimberg is going to into their senior year at the University of South Dakota. Some previous credits include Wickham/Mr. Collins/Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice, "All Good Gifts" in Godspell, Paul in Company, and Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. They would like to thank their family for the endless support! @leightonbimberg
Jack Danter has returned for BVT: the threequel! You might remember them as Nina (For the Protection of Girls), Lachesis (String), or Clown 2 (The 39 Steps). They hold a theater degree from Truman State University, a Marshall’s rewards card, and a dream. They would like to thank their amazing parents, the Brownville community, and their Artistic Directors! A big shout out to their dog (Sunny) and their friends! Local theater 4ever!!!
Nora Eliff is beyond excited to be making her BVT debut in the 2026 summer season. Originally from Pennsylvania, she is pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre at Rockford University, Illinois. She is thrilled to be combining her love for performance, technical theatre, and spreading joy through theatre this season. Favorite on stage credits include Joseph…Dreamcoat (The Narrator), Describe the Night (Urzula), and Frozen (Anna). So much love and thanks to her RUPA community, family, and friends for their never ending support.
Colton Farmer is thrilled to be making his BVT debut in the 2026 season! Previous credits include Time Stands Still (Wichita State University), Charley’s Aunt (Kechi Playhouse), and The Rocky Horror Show (Roxy’s Downtown). Colton is currently pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Acting at Wichita State University. He gives thanks to the entire BVT team, and to his family and friends for their constant support. Enjoy the show! @coltonjnorris
Theresa Gygi is ecstatic to make her debut at BVT for the 2026 season! Although she is a Nebraska City native, she is a junior at Seton Hill University pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include Into the Woods (Jack’s Mom/Cinderella’s Mom), Mary Jane (Mary Jane), Small Mouth Sounds (Alicia), Trifles (Mrs. Peters), and you may have seen her in Beauty and The Beast (Belle) at the Lofte Community Theatre. Not only does she love to be onstage, she loves to be behind the scenes as well, having recently been the sound designer for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and assistant light designer for Twelfth Night. When she is not anywhere near a theatre, she enjoys listening to some good music while reading, playing video games, or painting. Theresa would like to thank all her friends and family near and far for encouraging and supporting everything that she does. You can check out more on her instagram: @tthe.tree
Payton Lawrence is a theatre artist based out of Kansas City Missouri. Recently he has graduated from the University of Central Missouri(UCM) with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Performance. While at UCM, Payton had the honor of playing the characters Virgil Blessing in Bus Stop and Miles in She Kills Monsters. This is Payton's first summer at the Brownville Village Theatre and he’s excited to meet all the new people. “I want to thank my friends and family for always supporting me."
Tucker McCann is ecstatic for her first season with BVT! Hailing from San Angelo, Texas, Tucker recently graduated from West Texas A&M University with her BA in theatre performance and a minor in graphic design. In past theatre experiences, her favorite roles included Artemisia (Artemisia), Ernie (Rumors), and Steve (She Kills Monsters). When she is off the stage, Tucker works as a freelance designer and artist as well as a voice actor. She would like to thank her family and friends for their over-the-top support!
Mady Ney is from West Union, IA, and a double-major in Performing Arts (acting/directing) and Digital Storytelling at Iowa State University. Most recently, Mady played Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists and supported the cast of Urinetown: The Musical as a vibrant ensemble member. When she isn't acting for ISU Theatre, Mady enjoys exercising her other performing arts skills: choreography, playwriting, and directing. She has directed two 10-minute plays, one of which at the Region 5 American College Theatre Festival, and even her own self-written one-act play, Victims of the Cellblock Tango. Mady is excited to be spending her summer doing what she loves and collaborating with new people at Brownville Village Theatre!
Jayce O’Quinn is very excited to be making his BVT debut! He is currently a student at The University of South Dakota with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of his past roles include Brightstar (Stanford), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Prince), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius). He wants to thank his family who have always been supportive of his dreams and his friends for always being there for him.
Kenzie Sanders is so excited to spend her second summer here at BVT. Last year she played as Maggie in Jake’s Women, Katherine (more notably Mary) in The BFG, and was in the Ensemble of String the musical. She is from Wichita, Kansas, and finishing her last semester at Doane University with her B.A in theatre. This year at Doane she performed as Shelby in I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire and Henrietta in the World Premiere of Scarlet the Musical. In her free time she loves painting, journaling, and reading (Current Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston). Most importantly thankful to her family, friends, and professors who have been her biggest supporters in life.
Parker Shinn joins BVT for his second season. In May, Parker graduated from Truman State University with degrees in theatre and English and a minor in musical theater. At Truman, he had diverse theatrical experiences on and off the stage. Behind the scenes, Parker specialized in directing, stage management, and sound design. His on-stage roles included Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Grover (The Lightning Thief), Brad (The Rocky Horror Show), Noel (Ride the Cyclone) and Herr Schultz in (Cabaret), in addition to being on the improv team. Parker is beyond thrilled to work with the talented directors and cast of BVT’s 59th season!