SpongeBob The Musical Creative

Producer (Founder & Executive Director UTC)
Chris MoquistChris spent 15 years in corporate communications, crisis management and public relations for successful companies like Target Corporation, Honeywell International, Padilla, and CaringBridge. He then left the corporate world to create YoYo Donuts, an independent, award-winning donut shop. He ran and grew the business, winning virtually every local and regional award and honor – including an episode of Food Network’s cooking competition show ‘Donut Showdown.’ He’s proud of starting the ‘donut renaissance’ in the Twin Cities (according to James Beard Award-winning food journalist Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl.) He successfully ran YoYo Donuts for nearly 15 years, before selling the business in early 2023. His personal interest in disability began two decades ago, when his twin daughters were unexpectedly born as micro-preemies. As a lifelong theatre fan, he was thrilled when they were able to experience inclusive theatre as part of Edina High School’s ‘Theatre For All’ program. Realizing that the majority of those inclusive opportunities ended after high school, he founded Unlabeled Theatre Company in early 2023, where he serves as its Executive Director.

Director (Artistic Director UTC)
Jessica FroehlichJessica Froehlich holds a BFA in Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College as well as a Master’s degree in Education from St. Thomas University. She received dance training from an early age, working with Italian ballet masters as well as Broadway veterans. Jess taught theatre, dance and English at Edina High School for nearly 25 years. During that tenure, some of the favorite shows she directed and choreographed include CHICAGO, A CHORUS LINE, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, which all received numerous Spotlight awards from the Hennipen Avenue Theatre Trust. She is the co-founder of ‘Theatre For All,’ the groundbreaking inclusive theatre program at Edina High School, which has become a model for inclusive high school theatre. She retired from EHS in June 2023, and joined Unlabeled Theatre Company as Artistic Director. A lifelong music lover, she is a master tour guide and tour guide trainer at Paisley Park, where she also serves as a Master of Ceremonies for world-class musical events.

Director (Director of Programming & Innovation UTC)
Lisa HansonLisa taught special education at Edina High School for 20 years, working with students of all needs levels – from those with multiple/complex disabilities to neurotypical students. She is the other co-founder of ‘Theatre For All.’ Lisa created ArtWork Studios & ArtWork Kitchen, a vocational training program for students with disabilities. She was the founder and club advisor for Hornet Connections (later renamed Edina Unified,) the first program for students with and without disabilities at Edina High School. Lisa has been involved with Special Olympics Minnesota for 30 years – including as a coach, unified schools coordinator, team manager, and unified sports/youth leadership partner. She was head coach of the Edina Hornets, the first team with assisted athletes in Special Olympics MN. She established Hornet Connections / Edina Unified, which was one of the original four champion schools in Minnesota. Lisa was honored to be named Special Olympics MN Coach of the Year in 2002. She was also selected to coach the first MN United Unified Soccer team, in partnership with MN United FC. She also coached Team Minnesota, the basketball team for the first Special Olympics National Games.

Vocal Director
Natalie McComasMcComas is a prominent music director and accompanist in the Twin Cities, but has worked regionally in New York, Kansas, New Hampshire, and North Dakota. She also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Musical Theater portion of International Music Camp and further south, she music directs in Guatemala. In her free time, she enjoys building Lego sets, folding origami, and hanging out with her husband and two cats.

Light & Sound Design
Josh Barnd (River Bottom Production)
Prop & Set Pieces
Artists from the UTC Technical Theatre Arts Class