A DOLL’S HOUSE

Creative Team Bios

KATE CHERRY — Director
As an Australian Creative Leader in Arts and Education, Kate Cherry has led 2 major cultural institutions, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Black Swan State Theatre Company. She was the Associate Director at Melbourne Theatre Company when it doubled subscriptions to over 20,000 people. She has programmed and produced over 100 productions, directed over 70 professional productions in opera and theatre internationally and nationally, and taught or directed at leading Performing Arts Institutions in the United States and Australia.  Her work has smashed box office records throughout Australia. Cherry was the first Artistic Director in Australia to initiate collaborations with the National Theatre of China and to simulcast a theatre production — both for Black Swan State Theatre Company (BSSTC). At BSSTC, in collaboration with Rio Tinto, Kate created the Rio Tinto Commissioning Fund and the $20.00 ticketing scheme to ensure accessibility for all.  She also established numerous programmes that created pathways between educational institutions and professional theatre companies and created numerous accessibility programmes.

Kate initiated the commissioning, development, and production of The Sapphires.  She later took the production to South Korea and London and was delighted when it was turned into a Hollywood film, giving witness to an Indigenous story that had hitherto been disbelieved by many. Kate’s collaborators include Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce and Greta Scacchii.  She has directed numerous world premieres including David Hare’s The Bay at Nice for Lincoln Center Theatre Lab and the Australian premiere of The Goat or Who is Sylvia? Under Kate’s innovative leadership, NIDA achieved an acclaimed growth in prestige when Hollywood Reporter moved its ranking from 16 to 10 amongst world-wide Performing Arts schools in 2018 and Black Swan State Theatre Company doubled subscriptions, achieved growth in prestige, finances, and audiences was recognised and rebranded as a state theatre company.

She has an MFA from UCLA in Directing, and a BA from Bard College.  She is a Williamson Leadership Fellow, a Drama League Fellow, a Member of the Advisory Panel for Shakespeare & Company’s Fellowship for Female Directors in honour of Tina Packer, and a Gielgud Award Winner for Best Emerging Director of the Classics.  Her theatre and opera productions have won numerous awards and nominations including Helpmann’s and Green Room Awards.  Kate is very happy to be back in her adopted home surrounded by her found family. She dedicates this production to her father, Wal Cherry. 

LULU BATZORIG (she/her) — Scenic Designer
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: A Doll’s House (Scenic Designer), Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding Are Induced to Murder (Scenic Designer), Cabaret (Assistant Scenic Designer), The Secret in the Wings (Scenic Artist). Big thanks to this production team, my mentors, family, and friends for their support throughout this journey!

AMAYA GONZALEZ-MOLLMANN (she/they) — Costume Designer
BFA ’25 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: How We Got On (Props Lead), Cabaret (Assistant Costume Designer), The Secret in The Wings (Assistant Props Lead), and The Wolves (Assistant Costume Designer). Emerson College credits: Frames Per Second’s Episode 51: The Dead Road Pt. 2 (Costume Designer); and Musical Theatre Society’s Heathers (Costume Designer). Thanks to my parents, Clark, and my wonderful friends.

LAUREN (SHODGE) HODGKINS (she/her) — Lighting Designer
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: The Loyals (Co-Lighting Designer), How We Got On (Production Sound Engineer), Three Romances (Production Electrician), Old Jake’s Skirts (Production Sound Engineer), The Wolves (Lead Electrician), As You Like It (Assistant Lighting Designer). Emerson College credits: Evvy’s 42 (Production Electrician), Kidding Around’s Snow Angel (Lighting Designer), Rareworks’ Buck Woods is a Good Man (Co-Lighting Designer). Thank you to my friends, family, and professors who have helped me grow through this program.

HENRY KACIK (any pronouns) — Sound Designer
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: How We Got On (Co-PE), Are You Someone to Somebody (Lighting Designer). Thanks to my mom, dad, and brother for all their support. henrykacik.com

AVA SCANLON (she/her) — Props Lead
BFA ’24 Theatre Design & Technology. Emerson Stage credits: Next to Normal (Props Assistant), Into the Woods (Wig Dresser), The Spitfire Grill (Scenic Assistant), The Secret in the Wings (Scenic Assistant), Cabaret (Scenic Charge), Bat Boy: The Musical (Scenic Designer). Emerson College credits: MTS’ La Cage Aux Folles (Hair and Makeup Designer), MTAG’s Rock of Ages (Hair and Makeup Designer/Scenic Designer), EVVYs ‘23 (Props Lead). Thank you to my parents Steve and Keith for the constant support and to Ryan Bates for all your help this semester!

BLAKE BERGGREN (he/him) — Stage Manager
BFA ’24 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: How We Got On (Production Supervisor), Cabaret (Assistant Stage Manager), The Secret in the Wings (Production Supervisor), The Spitfire Grill (Company Manager), The Wolves (Company Manager), RAGE (Assistant Stage Manager), This Girl… (Associate Production Supervisor & Assistant Company Manager), The Late Wedding (Assistant Company Manager), Everybody (Assistant Production Supervisor), Men on Boats (Production Assistant). Emerson College credits: EVVY42, EVVY43 (Production Manager), Full Fathom’s Mr. Burns… (Assistant Stage Manager). Regional Credits: Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Stage Management Intern), Contemporary American Theater Festival 2023 (Production Management Intern) and CATF 2022 Sheepdog (Production Assistant).

MINA-CLAIRE PAZ-LE DRAOULEC — Production Supervisor
BFA ’24 Stage & Production Management. Emerson Stage credits: Little Women (Stage Manager), The Loyals (1st Assistant Stage Manager), The Late Wedding (2nd Assistant Stage Manager), Marisol (Production Assistant), Old Jake’s Skirts (Associate Production Supervisor), Bat Boy: The Musical (Company Manager), Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder (Company Manager), The Spitfire Grill (Assistant Company Manager), The Wolves (Assistant Company Manager). Emerson College credits: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Stage Manager) for Mercutio Troupe; Big Fish (Co-Costume Designer) for Musical Theater Society. A big thank you to her family and friends, especially Grace, Jake, and Nars for their continued support and unconditional love. 

SAM EVANS (she/they) — Dramaturg
MFA ’25 Theatre Education & Applied Theatre. Emerson Stage Debut! Emerson College credits: TEGA’s If You Love Me For Me (Director & Playwright). Other dramaturgy credits: It Shoulda Been You and The Yellow Boat at Chapman University.