Nicholas Bartell graduated in 2009 from the Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma and has made theatre education, directing, and performing in the OKC Metro Area his career focus. Notable directing credits include: Some Assembly Required, Not-So-Grimm Tales, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Realm, Urinetown (Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy), An Extraordinarily Pleasant, Enjoyable, or Exciting Trip to the Museum, Ruddigore, The Gondoliers (Cimarron Opera), The New Word (Narmon Players Theatre). Nicholas has also written and directed dozens of original short works inspired by student ideas brought to life over nearly 20 year education career. From 2012-2018 Nick served as the Vice-Chairman of the Namron Players Theatre where he helped produce original works, 24 Hour Play Festivals, performed, directed, and helped grow the non-profit theatre company which is still producing theatre in Norman. He currently serves as Academic Advisor for the OU School of Visual Arts.

In 1996 Kevin was chosen by his mentor Thomas Carey to become music director of what was then known as Cimarron Circuit Opera Company. Since that time, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with hundreds of singers, several stage directors, and has racked up well over 1,000 performances of opera, operetta, children’s opera, Broadway and musical theatre shows, recitals, and special presentations. Kevin describes himself as “an incurable teacher” who strives to turn every situation into an opportunity for learning something new or reinforcing something already learned. In addition to Cimarron Opera, Kevin is also music director and private voice instructor at Lyric Theatre’s Thelma Gaylord Academy in Oklahoma City (since 2004), music director and tour accompanist with Lyric’s Interactive show since its inception in 2007 and has music directed numerous shows at Sooner Theatre, Carpenter Square, Poteet Theatre, Jewelbox, and Kids Alive, among others.

Mervin Tay received his Master in Music in Conducting and Trumpet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. Currently, he is serving as the composer and arranger for St. Luke’s Methodist Church and the resident music director for The Sooner Theatre. Previously he has served as music director to the OU Civic Orchestra, assistant music director to OU Symphony Orchestra and Opera, and conductor for Cimarron Opera’s summer production. A founding member of Boulevard Brass, the group exclusively performs his original compositions andarrangements. Besides the Boulevard Brass, several professional ensembles have performed his works locally as well as internationally.

KASSIE CARROLL DOWNEY was a New York based actress and director until she moved overseas to pursue her career in Sydney Australia a decade ago. She has been back in the OKC/Metro area directing, choreographing, teaching and performing for the last nine years and is so thrilled to have reconnected with some of her favorite artists but has loved getting to meet and work with some incredible new ones as well. Kassie is originally from Norman, Oklahoma. She graduated with a bachelor of music in musical theater from The University of Central Oklahoma. Since graduating she has been pursuing a career in musical theater on stage and off teaching, performing and directing for companies from Oklahoma, to New York to The Land Down Under. As a performer Kassie has performed Off-Broadway in New York, has toured and has performed in regional theaters all over the country. Most recently she performed in The Sooner Theatre’s annual murder mystery: The Mile Die Club as well as the 10th Anniversary Production of “Flipside the Patti Page Story” right here in OKC. She was also seen in “SCT Sings George and Ira Gershwin” and “SCT Sings Irving Berlin” with Springfield Contemporary Theatre. While living in Sydney, Australia she performed in Gilbert Sullivan Opera Sydney’s production of Gondoliers as well as Beauty and the Beast With Strathfield Musical Society. As far as directing and choreography goes, some of her favorite credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Gondoliers, Princess and the Pea, HMS Pinafore, Game of Chance, Iolanthe, Holly Jolly Jammin’, Big Fish, There’s No Business Like Snow Business, Sister Act, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Into the woods, Ruddigore, A Christmas Story, Newsies and Chicago. Favorite performance credits include, Flipside: The Patti Page Story, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Summer of ‘42, Beauty and the Beast, and SHOUT! The Mod Musical. Kassie is a proud member of actors equity the union for professional actors.

Jenna Norton is an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma with her Bachelor's in Fine Arts for Stage Management. Recent credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (OU University Theatre, SM), Young Choreographers' Showcase (OU University Theatre, Co-SM), and As You Like It (OU University Theatre, SM). This will be her fourth production with Cimarron Opera, having previously stage managed their 50th Anniversary Concert, The Gondoliers, and Ruddigore. She is always grateful to be working with Cimarron Opera and would like to send a huge thank you to Natasha, Nick, Kevin, and Kassie! Please enjoy the hard work of the entire cast and crew of The Pirates of Penzance!

Nat Vorel is excited to be joining us for another show on our production team. Past credits include The Polar Express Train Ride (Production Manager, 2022, 2023, & 2024; Wardrobe Supervisor, 2021), Moulin Rouge! Nat’l Tour (Local Wardrobe Technician) Les Mis Nat’l Tour (Local Wig Technician) Hamilton Nat’l Tour (Local Wig Technician) The Prom at Lyric Theatre (Wig Technician) Hairspray National Tour (Wig Technician), Wardrobe Supervisor for Lyric Theatre’s 2022 Summer Season including Matilda, Carousel, and Kinky Boots, Cimarron Opera’s Sunday Excursion and Murder At The Opera (Lighting and Scenic Designer), An Extraordinarily Pleasant, Enjoyable, or Exciting Trip to the Museum (Costume Designer), Ruddigore (Costume Designer), The Gondoliers (Costume Designer) and Gallantry (Costume Designer). Nat holds a BFA in Technical Theatre with a minor in Dance from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is a proud member of IATSE Local 112.

Fabian J. Garcia (He/Him/His) is a distinguished lighting designer for theatre, dance, and events, based in Oklahoma. Born in Texas to Mexican immigrant parents, Fabian proudly integrates his Mexican American heritage into his creative process. AT CIMARRON: The Gondoliers, Ruddigore. REGIONAL THEATRE: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Theatre Under The Stars; Mary Poppins, King of Pangaea (World Premier), A Christmas Carol, Concerto (World Premier), Distant Thunder (World Premier), Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. OTHER THEATRE: Coming Home for Christmas, Music of Billy Joel, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Lizzie: The Rock Musical, Small Mouth Sounds, Southern Plains Production, Kinky Boots, 1776, Theatre Tulsa, Notes on Survival, Oklahoma Contemporary Museum. Fabian holds a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts from West Texas A&M University in Technical Theatre.

Gora Naik is a Set Designer originally from Mumbai, India and currently based in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has a background in theatre, film, and landscape design. Previous set design credits with Cimarron Opera include: The Gondoliers, Ruddigore and An Extraordinarily...Trip to the Museum.

Blair Edwards (Programmer/Light Board Op/Costume Assistant) is a Lighting Designer and Technician from Piedmont, OK. Currently based in Arvada, CO, Blair works as a stage technician for The City of Lone Tree and enjoys swing dancing and rock climbing in their spare time. This is Blair's fourth year with Cimarron Opera, their previous credits with the company include Programmer/Light Board Op for Ruddigore and The Gondoliers.

ERICKA DODSON is a rising drama junior with a stage management emphasis at the University of Oklahoma. She is originally from Pryor, OK. Credits: OU University Theatre: Production Assistant, Oklahoma Festival Ballet - The Nutcracker 2023, Associate Stage Manager, Crazy for You. Associate Stage Manager, As You Like It. Co-Stage Manager, Contemporary Dance of Oklahoma 2025 School of Musical Theatre Downtown Series: Stage Manager, Bright Star. As well as Associate Stage Manager for the University of Oklahoma’s School of Dance’s production of The Nutcracker that performed at the Pikes Peak Center in 2024. This is her first time being on the production team for an opera and she has had a blast working with this creative team and cast!

Emerging mezzo-soprano Natasha Naik served for several years as Interim Executive Director before moving to the position of Artistic Director. In addition to her work with Cimarron Opera, she is the Programs Manager for Cincinnati Song Initiative. Natasha is delighted to be part of Cimarron’s 50th Anniversary season, as she first developed her love of opera in the Cimarron’s Summer Camp and honed her skills as a young artist, stage director, administrator, and props designer at the company. Previous Props Design credits with Cimarron Opera include: The Gondoliers, Gallantry, Ruddigore, An Extraordinarily...Trip to the Museum, Murder at the Opera, Sunday Excursion, A Gift of Song and Magazine Princess.