The Addams Family Creative

Director

Forrest Leder

Mr. Leder's experience in the community and professional musical theatre world has spanned more than two decades and multiple continents. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montana, and has been seen as a cast member at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, the Virginia City Players, and the internationally touring Continental singers. Now in his second season as the creative director for TPAC, he fulfills a childhood dream of sharing his passion and love for music and theatre with the next generation. He is immensely proud of what this community is becoming, and is excited to be leading the future of this program.

Music Director

Brian Soushek

Brian Soushek is a music director, teacher, pianist, vocalist, arranger and award-winning composer from Kent, WA. Brian has over 25 years' experience in directing instrumental, choral, and musical theater programs in the Federal Way area. He has been the music director of the Thomas Jefferson High School Theater program since 2007 and is excited to work on "The Addams Family". He is currently the worship leader at West Valley Community Church where he is able to fulfill his passion for worship music and the ministry. Brian has his own music studio where he teaches private piano and vocal lessons, and records and produces music. He is also the Associate Director of the Federal Way Chorale. Brian has been creating virtual music and productions since 2020. You can see some of his work on his YouTube channel listed under his name, Brian Soushek.

Choreographer

Meghan Courtney

Meghan Courtney, originally from Maryland, now lives in Kent with her husband Jon, and their greyhound Elwood. Currently she works as a physical therapist assistant at Lifestyle Medicine VMC in Renton. Prior to this, Meghan earned her BFA in dance with a choreography concentration from Marymount Manhattan College in New York. She was fortunate enough to have had a ten year professional career, performing with companies in the greater DC/Maryland/Virginia area, and then with independent choreographers in Seattle. She is thrilled to be back in the theater choreographing for these talented students.

Assistant Director/Producer

Triss Leder

Triss’ love of the stage began at the tender age of 3 at her church talent show. Since then, her performance highlights include older Cosette (Les Miserables), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Ado Annie (Oklahoma), and Elsa Schraeder (Sound of Music). She attended the University of Montana in her hometown of Missoula, studying voice and earning a BA in Theatre Performance and Production. Triss is thrilled to be working with the wonderful student cast/crew and the creative team at TPAC. Sharing her expertise, experience, and (most importantly) her love of theatre and music is one of her life’s passions. She is insanely proud of every single person involved in bringing Addam’s Family to life and the community of support and positivity they have created.

Costume Director

Linda Brown

Linda has been enjoying the challenge of costuming TJ productions since her own daughter was a freshman in 2005. Favorite shows have included "The Secret Garden", "Urinetown", "Anything Goes", and "Children of Eden"...but costuming "Addams Family" has been a dream of hers for years. She wishes each and every cast a crew member a fun and memorable show!

Stage Manager/Prop Master/Set Construction

Marissa Thompson

Marissa has been involved with theater from a young age. She participated in the theater program at TJHS for all 4 years of her high school career, favorite performances being The Secret Garden and one of the Yellow Brick Road in The Wiz! She graduated in 2009 and it didn’t take long for her to find her way back into the program as stage manager in 2015. She has loved watching everyone grow and learn from each theater experience they have, yes even the “Covid Years” and has loved watching this group of actors find themselves as performers and people under the awesome direction of Mr. Leder. Having a new director can be a difficult experience but Mr. Leder and Triss have made it such an amazing and fun experience not only for the actors but for the adult staff as well. Our team feels complete and we cannot imagine doing this show with 2 better leaders, no pun intended… Thank you to her best friend Jamie for always keeping her sane when she has taken on to many projects at once and special thanks to her mom Michelle for always stepping in when things need doing, and this year she stepped in a huge way! Please enjoy this amazing show!

Set Design & Construction

David Sonsteng

This is David's second year working with the cast and crew at TJHS. In high school David was heavily involved in the theater department at Chief Seatlh. Mostly doing tech work, but did make a few stage appearances. It's been more than 20 years since he has been involved with theater so when his daughter joined the cast last year it was a great time to volunteer. It has been such a wonderful experience getting to work on the set, and to be able to teach the students a little bit about set design and construction. A special thank you to Forrest for trusting me with this huge project, and to Michelle for being my partner in crime. To my wife Ruth, thank you for being so supportive and understanding with all the time and energy that this project took.

Set Design and Construction

Michelle Thompson

Michelle has been volunteering with the TJHS musical theater program since 2005 when her oldest daughter, Marissa, started in the program. Michelle is a structural engineer and home designer so designing sets was a natural fit for her. Special thanks to David Sonsteng for working with me again this year. I wouldn't do it without you. This program provides a community of caring and support for both the students and the adults involved. You are all amazing people and so talented!!

Assistant Costumer

Ruth Sonsteng

Ruth is back for her third show at TJ, always eager to lend a hand wherever it's needed. Whether it's costumes, props, meals for the cast or any other task, she's ready to jump in and ensure everything runs smoothly. Outside of theater, she is a workaholic managing patient access for a local hospital and enjoys creating cosplay outfits for her kids and throwing elaborate parties. With two kids already in theater and her third planning to join next year, she's excited to continue helping out with future shows at TJ.

Makeup Designer

Kat Elliott

Kat Elliott is a TJ alum who graduated in 2017. You may have seen her in Anything Goes as Hope (2015), All Shook Up as Natalie (2016) or Cinderella as Crazy Marie the Fairy Godmother (2017). Since graduating, she has volunteered as a makeup artist for several shows such as Seussical, Working, The Lightning Thief, and now The Addams Family. Her approach to makeup is an educational one: teaching students the skills they may need in the world of professional musical theater. Although most shows require fairly basic makeup, The Addams family has been especially exciting due to the gray and rotting makeup of the Ancestors. She hopes you know how much work the cast, crew and band put into every show to make it exciting and enjoyable, especially the awesome volunteer adults and students working behind the scenes. A special ‘Thank You’ to director Forrest Leder for asking her back in his second year directing at TJ. She hopes to be back for many more! Enjoy the show!

Student Lighting Designer

Adiv Dholokia, Junior

A Junior this year, Adiv is designing his first show at TJ, this year.

Assistant Stage Manager

Maya Mattson, Senior

Maya Mattson is a Senior at TJ, and this is her 4th year of being in the Musical Theatre program! They are excited to be involved in lighting design and stage management, and love being a part of the crew here. Her favorite part of production this year was hanging out with other crew members and helping make the set. They hope you enjoy the show!

Sound Lead

Daron Muchow, Junior

My name is Daron Muchow and I am a Junior here at TJHS. I have been in theater for three years now as the Sound Tech guy. I first started with the sound board during our 2022 performance of “Working” and am very happy to be continuing with our 2024 performance of "The Addams Family: A New Musical." It's been so much fun working with all of my awesome classmates and friends that have come in to make this the best production yet. I'm looking forward to staying with the theater program for another year and seeing what we get to do next. GO RAIDERS!

Various

TJHS Technical Theater Class and Volunteer Crew

Ophelia Swogger, M. Swogger, Aryi Meek- Stage Hands Deanna Dmytruk, Willa Otto-Spotlight Operators Angel Contreras, Amariyah Steward-Lighting Assistants Lilly Newell- Sound Effects Prelliam Tui, Kadence Kirby, Jenna Karmel-Props Perlita and Edith- Makeup Assistants Ana Cortes Valdovinos, Hannah Tran, Hamidoune Diop, Israel Meshesha, Madison Somonski-Scenic Crew

Various

Orchestra

Brian Soushek - keyboard Austin Montgomery - drums Chris Woertink - bass guitar/acoustic bass Jack Prindle - trumpet/flugelhorn Lauri Lindberg - flute/piccolo/clarinet Janet Kirwan - clarinet/bass clarinet Lucas Speelmon - percussion Jeremy Jung - alto saxophone/tenor saxophone Emma Nguyen - violin Jon Mebrahtom - cello