Mr. Johnson joined the Brighton Musical Theater Creative Team in 2012. He has conducted the orchestra and prepared the chorus for each of the past 12 shows. He is proud to share recognition for “Excellence in Music Direction” with the 2023 BMT team for Guys and Dolls, presented by the Sutton Foster Awards. Phil has conducted Brighton High School choirs at Michigan Youth Arts Festival/All State Festival multiple times. He is a 3-time State Honors Choir Director. Mr. Johnson received multiple nominations for “Teacher of the Year” through the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. He and his wife, Dianne, have three children, Ethan, Maxwell and Adeline, who enjoy family trips in their RV. Ethan is playing “King Agnar” and is in the chorus. Adeline just completed “Frozen Jr.” playing “Olaf” with Pinckney Players. When not making music in the BCPA, PJ stays busy coaching Max’s 7th grade flag football team, and serving as the music director for Scranton Musical. Be on the lookout for “Beetlejuice Jr.” here in the BCPA April 24-26! Mr. Johnson would like to thank the cast, crew, orchestra, parent volunteers, and creative team of “Frozen” for making this experience so Hygge!
Josh Holowicki
Josh’s passion for theater has brought him to the BCPA for his 16th show with the Brighton High School Musical Theater Program. He has over 25 years of lighting and scenic design experience, has designed numerous Audio, Video and Lighting systems globally, and has learned from or worked directly with top lighting designers, including Tony Award winner Ken Billington, Tony Fransen and more. Josh is founder and President of E2i Design, a lighting, audio, and video design firm based here in Brighton. Josh also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Brighton Center for Performing Arts. He would like to thank all of the hard working volunteer parents who have made this show a success; without you we could not pull this off. He would also like to thank the cast and student production team members for their tireless dedication to excellence; it’s never easy but always worth it! Additionally, he would like to thank his fellow Creative Team members for their unbelievable investment of time, talent, and energy to bring something unique and special to the BCPA stage! Lastly, and most importantly, he would like to give a BIG shout out to his wife Michelle whose commitment to this program is unlike anything he has ever seen in professional theater. Cheers to 16 incredible years!
Kristine Stuenkel
Kristine has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University and has been working in theater for over 15 years as a designer and producer. She has designed costumes/hair & makeup for Brighton High School plays and musicals since 2012. Kristine has also been acting as producer for Brighton Musical since 2021 and co-directs BHS Dramatic Arts (fall play) alongside her dear friend Sonja Marquis. When not working on productions at BHS Kristine lives and enjoys the beach in Siesta Key, Florida with her husband Mark. Special thanks to her creative team friends who have encouraged her when she felt pushed out of her comfort zone. She is extremely thankful for their obvious talents but even more so for their kind and supportive hearts and an environment that fosters not only creativity but growth and challenge. She is also grateful for the gift of mentoring the students who keep her heart full and her mind open. It truly is a gift to see them fly!
Sonja Marquis
Sonja is a professional actor, director, sound designer, and member of Actors’ Equity Association. Credits include: Purple Rose Theatre Company, Tipping Point Theatre, The Dio, Flint Repertory Theatre, Williamston Theatre, Encore Musical Theatre Company, Detroit Public Theatre, Detroit’s Music Hall, and the Geva Theater in Rochester, New York. She has received Best Actress Wilde Awards for her portrayals of Florence Foster Jenkins (Souvenir), Louise (Always Patsy Cline), Rosie (Mamma Mia), and Betty (The Great American Trailer Park Musical). Other awards include Wilde Award wins for Best Sound Design (Driving Miss Daisy) and Best Theatre for Young Audiences (Charlotte’s Web, Director). In addition to her professional credits, Sonja is a Lecturer with Oakland University’s Department of Theatre and has worked with young artists of all ages as a theater instructor, playwright, mentor, and director. Frozen is her 7th Brighton High School Musical production. She is also grateful to partner with Kristine Stuenkel directing BHS Dramatic Arts productions since 2022. Sonja loves this team, is grateful for the program’s incredible volunteers, and adores these creative, goofy, kind-hearted, amazing students. She thanks them for filling her cup and hopes their high school theater experiences inspire them to continue to create, explore, and support the arts!
Bella Rabold
Bella is a Brighton Musical alumni. With six years of competitive dance and four years of musical theater under her belt, she is elated to have the opportunity to help choreograph this show. Bella was on stage for multiple productions during her high school career, including Newsies and Cinderella. She began working behind the scenes on The Wizard of Oz as assistant choreographer. She worked on the last three Brighton Musical shows: Guys and Dolls, High School Musical, and Anastasia. Bella graduated Eastern Michigan University last spring, earning her Bachelor's in Secondary Education, English Language and Literature, with a minor in Teaching Psychology. Bella began her teaching career last fall at Saline High School. She would like to thank her fellow directors and cast members over the past five years. Her experience in the Brighton Musical Program will forever hold a place in her heart, and watching the students of the program grow has been nothing short of a privilege and honor.
Emilia Sawyer
Emi is in her 7th year of teaching at Brighton High School. Depending on the year, Emi can be found working in the special education department or the English department. She finds joy in both. This is Emi's 4th musical at BHS. She began helping with choreography with Newsies and has been in love with the program ever since. Emi and her husband, Derek, recently welcomed their first child. She is a beautiful and sweet baby girl named Allie. Emi would like to thank her family for supporting her through musical show season, even if it means that they miss out on some time with her. She would also like to thank the cast, crew, and directors for being so passionate and motivating.
