Describe the Night

Kevin Otos

Kevin Otos is a Professor of Theatre. His areas of expertise include Meisner, Commedia, and Clown. His books include Applied Meisner for the 21st-Century Actor, and Acting and Directing Shakespeare’s Comedies: Key Lessons. Directing credits range from Shakespeare’s As You Like It, to Simon Stephens’s hypermodern Pornography, to new original works. Also an actor, he’s best known as the cardiologist on the popular CW series One Tree Hill. Prior to joining Elon in 2006, he led the Acting program at Oklahoma State University. 

Chris Rayis

Chris Rayis (Composer/Sound Designer) As pianist/conductor: Broadway: Frozen. National Tour: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elf, Man of La Mancha. Off-Broadway: Far From Heaven, Cruel Intentions. Film: The Last Five Years. As composer/lyricist: Deep Water Ballad (Elon Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Transcriber of Dreams (Original Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Jenny and the Paper Pirates (commissioned by The American School in Switzerland). Former student of Andrew Lippa and Ricky Ian Gordon. TV: Jeopardy!, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. Proud Assistant Professor and Music Director for Elon University Music Theatre. Belmont ’12. Penn State ’18.

Kim Shively

Kim Shively is an Associate Professor at Elon University, where she teaches acting and directs. She is also Guiding Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, a leading research and professional organization that trains and equips people in the best practices for staging intimacy for theatre, film, and TV. A member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, professional acting credits include Piedmont Shakes, Shakespeare Orange County, Laguna Playhouse, and the Asolo Rep; roles on both evening and daytime network television; and over a dozen national commercials. She is the co-Artistic Director of Piedmont Shakespeare Company, the region’s only professional theatre, dedicated to producing the works of Shakespeare for free throughout central North Carolina. Shively is also co-author of Applied Meisner for the 21st Century Actor (Routledge), and her peer-reviewed articles have been included in her discipline’s top research journals including Theatre Topics, The Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, and The Journal of Consent Based Performance. With over 50 professional and academic credits as an Intimacy Choreographer, Shively travels around the world working as a theatrical intimacy choreography educator and practitioner with an emphasis on working with minors.

Shively earned a BFA in Theatre Performance at Chapman University and an MFA in Acting at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Learn more at www.KimShivelyCreative.com and www.21CActor.com.

Jeff A.R. Jones

Jeff A.R. Jones (Fight Director) has staged fights and/or scenes of intimacy for over 200 shows in theatre, opera, and ballet. His fights have received rave reviews in The Washington Post and The New York Times. He is recognized as a Fight Director, Certified Teacher, and Theatrical Firearms Instructor by the Society of American Fight Directors. He is also a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. He is on faculty at Elon University and Meredith College. He also teaches weekly public stage combat classes through Collaborative Combat Movement Arts in Raleigh. www.jarjones.com

Kayla Higbee

Kayla Higbee (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in Theatrical Design and Technology. She has a BA in English from Centre College and an MFA in Production Design & Technology from Ohio University. Professionally, she has worked with Berkshire Theatre Group as wardrobe supervisor and Texas Shakespeare Festival as assistant costume designer. She was also resident costume designer and costume shop supervisor at Centre College for four years. At Elon, she is part of the Performing Arts Inclusivity Committee and serves as an Elon College Fellows mentor for multiple disciplines in Theatrical Design & Technology.

Michael Smith

Michael is an Associate Professor in the Theatrical Design and Technology program at Elon University. Michael has been designing in theatre for over 20 years, designing in professional, academic, regional and community theatre across the county. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and being in the outdoors.

Lachlan Apple

Lachlan Apple (Any Pronouns) is a sophomore Acting and Arts Administration major with minors in Business Administration and Theatrical Design and Technology. Lachlan is also an improviser with Instant Laughter Improv, working for the department as a house manager, and is on the team for First Year Showcase. Last year Lachlan was in the department’s production of The Grapes of Wrath and is excited to be returning to the stage.

Hailey Avari

Hailey is thrilled to be working on Describe the Night! She is a Junior studying Theatrical Design and Technology. Her past Stage Management productions include A Chorus Line (ASM), Legally Blonde (ASM), and 2025 Spring Dance (Stage Manager). She feels so lucky to be a part of such an incredibly talented company.

Claire Fellows

Claire Fellows is thrilled to be making her Elon main stage debut! She has enjoyed performing in previous productions including U/S Pa in The Grapes of Wrath, Della in The Gift of the Maji, and Jane in The Coast Starlight. She’d like to thank the cast, crew, and wonderful director Kevin Otos, as well as her parents and cat Tilly for their unwavering support!

Kelly Gillan

Kelly Gillan is a Senior BFA Acting major, and she’s thrilled and incredibly grateful to be performing in her fourth production at Elon! Previous credits include Paradise Lost (Eve), John Proctor is the Villain (Ivy), and Clue (Yvette Understudy). She sends heartfelt thanks to her friends and family for their constant love and support and, as always, to her dog Winnie. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Instagram: @KellyGillann

Gracie Guess

Gracie is a TDT major and a Leadership fellow. She is also a member of Instant Laughter, AXO, and a member of Renegade Productions Executive team. Previously with Elon MainStage: ASM on The Grapes of Wrath and ALD on Great Comet. She would like to thank all of her friends, TDT Faculty, and Fern for teaching her so much. Enjoy the show!

Claire Keel

Claire Keel is a senior BFA Acting major here at Elon University. Previous Elon credits include: Grapes of Wrath (Rose of Sharon), John Proctor is the Villain (Ensemble), and The Inferior Sex (Penny U/S). She is incredibly grateful to have been a part of this process, and for the support from her parents, sister, and Nonna.
instagram: c1airekeel

Josie Milner

Josie is a Junior Theatrical Design and Technology major and is thrilled to be the costume designer for a second Elon show after designing Paradise Lost last winter. Other Elon shows she’s worked on include; Spring Awakening, Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, and As You Like It. She would like to shout out Kayla and Heidi Jo for always having candy and good vibes.

Michael Mintz

This is Michael’s first production at Elon! In addition to BFA Acting, he will also be minoring in Music Production and double majoring in Music in the Liberal Arts. He has had an amazing time working with his fellow cast and production team members. Prior to Elon, he has portrayed roles such as Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, Earl in Waitress, Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, and Mr Green in Clue. November 14th through 16th, you can catch Michael as Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest through Renegade Productions. Please enjoy Describe The Night!

Carter Sindelar

Carter is thrilled to be back for his second main stage production here at Elon. He previously played Adam in Paradise Lost, directed by Dr. Shawyer. He would like to thank his family, the cast and crew of Describe the Night, and Professor Otos for giving him the opportunity to be a part of this amazing show. Enjoy!

Milo Timpanaro-Throop

I’m from Charleston, SC. I’ve been doing theatre for the past four years but danced before acting for eight years. I’ve been in such productions as The Awesome 80’s Prom, Alice by Heart, Love Labours Lost, and The Imaginary Invalid.

Sam Weiss

Sam Weiss is a BFA Acting major from Columbia, South Carolina. Sam has done many shows as an actor, but, this is one of the few times he has dipped his toes into the technical side of theatre. Sam has been an assistant stage manager once before for Beetlejuice Jr. at Workshop Theater of South Carolina over the past summer. Sam has been ecstatic to learn the intricacies of being an assistant stage manager and subsequently a stage manager and has grown a heightened appreciation for everything both parties do.

Jeffery Wilson

Jeffery is a Sophomore Acting BFA who is excited to portray the role of Vova. Debuting in the Elon Fine Arts Program, in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, he is excited to step into and share the heart of this captivating story.