*** The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.***

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Tonya Huso Director’s Notes:

I feel that everyone has an inner explorer who has always wanted to hunt for treasure or just visit a far off land. Many of us grew up with the Indiana Jones franchise, and it has done much to spark that love of adventure in many of us. While we may poke fun at the various tropes that treasure hunting movies invoke, I hope this show still inspires some of that unknown wonder in you. 

Indianapolis Jones challenges us to travel to discover more about ourselves and the world around us. While our hero is trying to find the treasure to stop a horrible evil from being released, he also discovers other treasures along the way. Beyond being a show about treasure hunting, this story is about the importance of friends and families and their place in our lives.

I have loved working with these casts of amazingly talented people. It doesn’t feel like work when the people you get to work with make you laugh every day. Each of these actors brings something very special to this production, and together they are a force that even Pandora would be impressed by. I would love to say thank you to all of them for allowing me to take their time to make this show. 

I also thank my family for supporting me in my directing adventures. Being willing to try out new dance moves, talking through jokes, or just keeping me hydrated, I could not do it without you. So I thank my parents and sister who have been on this theatre journey with me since I was five. I also thank my husband, Nels, for understanding that I may not be home as often, but the end result will be worth it. You are all my greatest treasures! 

Now prepare for an adventure and enjoy Indianapolis Jones!

CAST BIOS

Bentley Andersen as Shortcake:

Bentley is excited to be back at OBT! This is Bentley’s 12th show and her 4th OBT show. She is excited to be in this with her family. She has had fun with her character Shortcake (cupcake). She loves making people laugh and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Brett Andersen as Indianapolis Jones/Caesar:

Brett is excited to be back with OBT. He is so grateful for the opportunity to perform with this cast and in particular his wife and children. He hopes that you are able to sit back, relax and enjoy some laughs even if it is just at him and not with him.

Kim Andersen as Vinaigrette:

Kim LOVES to make people laugh! Kim is a huge fan of the Off Broadway Theatre and is so excited to be part of this awesome company that brings joy and laughter to people’s lives. Kim is in this show with her hubby Brett & awesome daughters! Kim secretly wishes she was Elle Woods from Legally Blonde who spoke these wise words: “I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything.”

Kelly Bellis as Karla Kroft / Vinaigrette:

Kelly is so excited to be playing with the OBT again! This is her first ever leading role and her first time playing two pretty big roles in one show. She’d like to thank her family for their support through rehearsals and for sacrificing time with her so she could entertain all of you. She dedicates her performances in this show to her late father who loved parody comedy shows, always supported her music and theater aspirations, and always believed in her talent.

Kasey Capana as Indianapolis Jones:

This is Kasey’s fourth show with the OBT. He previously performed in How the Grouch Stole Christmas, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Frightmare Before Christmas. He also performed in The Robber Bridegroom with Titus Productions. Kasey thoroughly enjoys entertaining others, helping to brighten their day. He also plays guitar and co-sings in a band.

Chelsea Lyn Grant as Karla Kroft: 

Chelsea’s so excited to be back on the OBT stage! Some of her favorite OBT shows have been Jurassic Park City and Frightmare Before Christmas. She’s also performed at Desert Star Theater for 13+ years, at Draper Historic Theater in her favorite musical, Lucky Stiff, as well as on several other stages and theaters across Utah. Chelsea thanks her cutest son, Van, and her magnificent twin sister, Meg, for all of their love and support! You two are my favorites! 

Brynnlie Gurr as Helga:

Brynnlie loves to dance and act! She has been doing shows since she was two and loves it! This is her second OBT show and she is looking forward to doing more! She loves dancing and doing shows with her best friend Amelie.

Alina Hartvigsen as Pip:

Alina is thrilled to be performing in this production of Indianapolis Jones! Alina is 10 years old and loves acting! Some of her favorite roles have been small Alice in Alice in Wonderland, the Cat in Hickory Dickory Rock, Cindy Lou Who in Seussical the Musical, and a very cute zombie and leprechaun in Frightmare Before Christmas. She has had so much fun acting in this show alongside her dad who always makes her laugh.

Kenneth Hartvigsen as Speilberg/Marko/Snake/Gore-man guy/Knight/Scream Ghost:

Kenneth Hartvigsen is an art history professor at BYU. Before joining the faculty, he was the curator of American Art at BYU’s Museum of Art. In his spare time he paints mildly strange paintings (Instagram @hartvigsenk) and plays guitar. He is thrilled to be in this amazing show and to be acting alongside his daughter Alina for the first time! He wants to thank his wife, Emily, and their daughters, Alina and Esme, for their love.

Eric Jensen as Dr. Harry Jones/Thrall/Whodaman/ Old Man Jones Ghost:

Eric has been doing shows at the Off Broadway Theatre since 1994. You may have seen Eric as Count Dracula in Frightmare Before Christmas last year. He has directed several shows at OBT as well as other theaters along the Wasatch Front. Eric is one of the founders of the Off Broadway Theatre with his wife, Sandy. The two of them run the business and consider it a labor of love. When he’s not performing, he is happily teaching music to Woods Cross Elementary kids or enjoying time with his son, Austinn Jensen.

Sabrina Jewell as Zippel: 

This is Sabrina’s third show at the OBT, and she just loves it here! You might have seen her recently as Dolly in Frightmare Before Christmas. Sabrina thanks her family and friends for their support (especially you, Mom and Dad!) She also thanks everyone in the cast and crew for their jokes, laughs, and smiles. Finally, she thanks the audience for all the laughs they give, too! We really couldn’t do it without you. So, to whoever is reading this, thanks a ton!

Aimee McPhie as Herzog:

Aimee is so excited to be back on the OBT stage, after branching out to other theaters over the past year. She has enjoyed being in productions such as The Robber Bridegroom, Galactic Battles (A Star Wars Parody), and Barefoot in the Park. She is really looking forward to implementing a new accent as one of the villain characters in this show. In her spare time, you can find Aimee doing karaoke for fun and competitively and working on her first original script. No matter where she goes, to her, the OBT will always be home.

Amelie North as Helga:

Amelie is super excited to do another show with OBT. This is only her second show with OBT, but she’s been doing theatre for years with other companies. Some of her favorite roles have been the title role in Frog and I as well as Sleeping Beauty, Scarlet Snitch in Arachnokid, and multiple ensemble and dance captain parts. Amelie enjoys dancing, singing, and spending time with her friends. She has loved being double cast with her best friend Brynnlie and loves spending as much time as she possibly can at the theatre!

Jeff North as Speilberg/Marko/Snake/Gore-man guy/Knight/Scream Ghost:

Jeff is super excited to be returning to the OBT stage for this classic show!! Jeff has enjoyed his previous OBT roles: Barky in Forever Dead, Grouch in How the Grouch Stole Christmas, and Raul Marriot in Phantom of the OBT. Jeff has recently enjoyed other roles as well: Baños in Arachnokid and Sam in A Few Good Men. Jeff thanks his amazing wife, Nikki, and his family for their constant support! We hope you enjoy this amazing adventure!

Daniel Peckham as Caesar/Lackey/G-man/Greeko/German Goon/Patrick Swayze Ghost:

Daniel sang and played saxophone throughout his school career before dedicating himself to ballet in 2017. He was a principal dancer, assistant director, choreographer, and teacher at En Pointe Ballet until retiring in January 2022. He performed in several Nutcrackers as Arabian, Sugar Plum Cavalier, Russian, and more, as well as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty. After closing the door on ballet, he is excited to be starting a new chapter in musical theater.

Jett Simmons as Lackey/G-man/Greeko/German Goon/Patrick Swayze Ghost:

In our world today, people are in need of a little entertainment…so why not give that all to a generation? To inspire them the same way that he was. Perhaps, in a way, he could make an impact and make the world fill with laughter, joy, and entertainment to all. He is quite honored and proud to perform to a group of all ages, to show them what he can do.

Ibrahim Singare as Pip:

Ibrahim Singare is a very passionate kid who wants to accomplish so much in his life. He has so much personality and enjoys everything he does. He is extremely excited about playing Pip in the comedy show Indianapolis Jones. He does various activities such as karate, piano, singing, clogging, tumbling, soccer, swimming and also musical theater. Most of all he loves acting in movies and commercials. Ibrahim is a third grader with big dreams. He is bright, enthusiastic, and determined and always has a big smile on his face.

Clarence Strohn as Schmidt:

For more than 25 years, and approximately one thousand one hundred sixty-two shows, Clarence has delighted OBT fans as a villain, hero, or insane side-kick. He hopes to do the same tonight. He’s got a whole tribe of people, some close, some far away, who love, support, and depend on him. He couldn’t be here without their love and support. 

CREW BIOS

Tonya Huso – Director:

Tonya is very excited to have had the chance to work with these wonderful casts of characters. She was last seen on stage at Off Broadway as a Jungle Animal in Seussical. The last show she directed with the Off Broadway was Forever Dead last fall. When not working with a show, Tonya has the opportunity to teach the best fourth graders around. She thanks her family and friends for their continued support through the years. A special thank you goes to her husband and kiddo for their love and understanding over the years. TNT Forever!

Lee Wailes – Stage Manager:

Indianapolis to me, is a show of growth. After eight years with the Off Broadway Theatre, it is also a great reflection point. I’ve changed, mostly for the better, and so have the returning cast members: personal improvements, career advancements, and one even made the jump to director. Like Indy, we’ve all decided to evolve, to change. In a way, this show is like greeting an old friend. I’m happy to see its improvements and grateful to show it the new me. Enjoy the show!

Ever Lord – Sound & Light Tech:

Ever has been involved in theater since middle school and has loved it ever since! They have been doing tech at the OBT since 2021 and hope you enjoy the show!

June 2 – June 24

August 4 – August 26

October 6 – October 30

November 3 – November 25

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Bing Fang, trustee and chair
Clarence Strohn, trustee and vice chair
Sandy Hubble Jensen, trustee and secretary
Jim Morgan, trustee
Christopher Cheeney, trustee 
Jeff Driggs, trustee
Ben Eddington, trustee
Kelly Wideman, trustee

OFFICERS

Eric R. Jensen, Co-Founder / Artistic & Technical Director
Sandy Hubble Jensen, Co-Founder / Executive Director
Bing Fang, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Hicks, Treasurer
Kelly Wideman, Marketing Director

CONSULTANTS

Aaron Bellis, consultant
Nic Brown, consultant
Austinn Jensen, consultant
Scott Hansen, consultant
Jeff Hunsaker, consultant
Daniel Gillette, consultat

ERIC R. AND SANDY HUBBLE JENSEN’S BIOS

Eric and Sandy are co-founders of the Off Broadway Theatre and Laughing Stock improv comedy troupe. They have worked closely over the past 26 years, dedicating much of their time to building and growing the Off Broadway Theatre. They have been married for 30 years and have one son, Austinn, who has grown up acting in numerous OBT and other productions.

Eric, the artistic and technical director for the OBT, grew up in Murray, Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in theater arts at the University of Utah and his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Phoenix. As executive producer and lead playwright, director, set designer, costumer, actor, and improviser, he guides many aspiring talents at the OBT. He teaches improv classes while mentoring up-and-coming playwrights, directors, stage managers, and set designers. His acting, writing, and directing experience has also been featured at Desert Star, Centre Point Legacy, Hale (both Orem and West Valley), and Egyptian theaters. He has taught and performed high school workshops and elementary school assemblies, as well as for some after school programs. Eric also teaches K – 6 as a fine arts specialist  in the Davis School District, inspiring children to love theatre, music, dance, and all things art. Under Eric’s leadership, OBT won the Best Community Theatre award from the Utah Theatre Association in 2000, recognizing the quality of the theatre and Eric’s work with high schools and the community.

Sandy serves as the executive director of the theatre, as well as executive producer, box office manager, and social media specialist, with more than 30 years of experience in small business management. She has an extensive acting background, including the OBT, Hale Centre Theatre WVC, The Grand Theatre, Sundance Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Pages Lane, and Stage Right Theater. Sandy continues to work tirelessly to grow volunteer opportunities at the OBT. She was born in Vietnam and has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with endorsements in ESL, STEM, and Gifted. She teaches 1st grade in the Davis School District. She has earned two Presidential Awards for Volunteering and has been recognized in Who’s Who of America.   

The Off Broadway Theatre has been said to have a feel of “family,” and that’s because it is. Eric and Sandy’s mission has always been to provide a place where people can come together and make laughter ring true and provide a safe place to hone skills and develop friendships. Through the art of live performances, the theatre has reached many new friends, and its charitable outreach program has provided wonderful opportunities to serve our community. 

Eric and Sandy also co-founded Laughing Stock Improv and have performed together on the OBT stage as well as at corporate and  school events. They are proud to have such a long-running improv show with some amazingly talented improvisers who have been with the company for a long time.

Thank you for your many years of support and patronage at the Salt Lake downtown location, and for following us here to Draper. Please continue to donate to help us forge another 25+ years of spreading laughter in Utah! Go to www.theOBT.org to donate today.