A Note from AIP’s Artistic Director
Welcome! I am absolutely thrilled to welcome you to “Embers,” the first full-length production from All In Productions since the pandemic. As the Director and a proud member of the Milwaukee Community, I am thrilled to support a local playwright, a locally owned venue, and a local cast and crew with this incredible project.
“Embers” is a coming-of-age story that captivated me for numerous reasons. It resonated deeply with me both as someone who has navigated through many life transitions and as a parent witnessing my children experience similar journeys. This production has provided an extraordinary opportunity to work with a talented cast who are still in the early stages of their careers. Together, we have delved into the characters’ personalities, their relationships, and the intricate interactions depicted in the script.
The script is fun and relatable, and exploring the autobiographical elements from the playwright’s life has been such an energizing experience. Helping the cast bring these stories to life and making them their own has been a truly rewarding journey.
My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and hard work in bringing this production to fruition. I sincerely hope you enjoy “Embers” as much as we have enjoyed creating it for you.
Erica Case
Cast Bios
Chloe Attalla (Olivia) is thrilled to be making her debut with All In Productions. She is a Milwaukee based actress and UWM Alumni. Some theatrical credits include; Circle Mirror Transformation with Next Act Theatre, No Place with Milwaukee Irish Arts, Things I Know to be True with Kith and Kin Theatre, and Stop Kiss with Fleeing Artists Theatre. For work, she is a museum experience coordinator at Discovery World, creating fun experiences for families and the Milwaukee community to enjoy! In her free time she enjoys thrifting and painting. She hopes that you enjoy the show!
Jocelyn Dummert (Leah) is a local Milwaukee actor and musical theatre student at UW Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. Jocelyn currently works as an actor for both Milwaukee Dinner Detective and Fairytale Birthday Company. Her most recent performance was NEWSIES at Greendale Community Theatre. Coming up this semester, she will be appearing in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS PINAFORE at UWM, BING CROSBY’S CHRISTMAS ON THE AIR at Greendale Community Theatre, and RACHEL SANDLER’S SINGER SHOWCASE at Green Room 42 in NYC this fall! Follow her on Instagram @jocelyndummert_official to see what she’s up to next!
Patti Meadors, she/they (Sara) is a Milwaukee based actor, choreographer and coach. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Patti moved to Milwaukee in 2022 and has been seen across Milwaukee stages and screens since! Select credits include Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2022, 2023, 2024), as well as understudying BEEHIVE THE SIXTIES MUSICAL and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Claire in ORDINARY DAYS with Ghostlight Theatre, and has performed with Pink Umbrella, Bombshell Theatre, Kith and Kin and more. Thanks to her loved ones, Adam and you for supporting live and local theatre!
IG: @patti.meadors
www.pattimeadors.com
Wyatt Michaels (JJ) is thrilled to be making his All In Productions debut in Embers! He is currently a senior at Concordia University Wisconsin, pursuing a B.A. in Theatre. Previous theatre credits include Male Swing (Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley) with Acacia Theatre Company, Mr. Weston (Emma), and Sherlock Holmes (Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery) with Concordia University Wisconsin and Ben Song/Trash Monster/Monostatos/Ensemble u/s (Emily Song and the Queen of the Night) with First Stage. Wyatt is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this production and would like to thank his family, friends, and educators for always encouraging and supporting him in his theatre career.
IG: y_at_michaels
Graham Olen, he/they (Luke) is delighted to be making his AIP debut in the Milwaukee premiere of “Embers.” Graham is a proud queer + trans performer, and a recent graduate of Beloit College. His recent roles include Wilbur Turnblad in “Hairspray” (Pride Theatre Productions), Mendel in “Fiddler on the Roof” (Falls Patio Players), and Ensemble/Tobias U.S. in “Sweeney Todd” (Bombshell Theatre Co.). When not at karaoke bars or visiting horror conventions, Graham can also be found matchmaking at the Wisconsin Humane Society. But he would be nowhere without the support of his friends, family, and leopard gecko.
IG: @mister.cellophane
Lexi Rios-Olivares, she/her, (Anna) is an artist from Kenosha, Wisconsin and is excited to be making her Milwaukee debut with All In Productions! Lexi is an actress, singer, and aerialist who has always had a passion for the performing arts, as well as recently graduating from UW-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a certificate in Holistic Health. She currently teaches as an aerial yoga/arts instructor. Some of her favorite past productions include Cabaret (Helga) with the Racine Theater Guild, Sister Act (Michelle) with PM&L Theater, In the Heights (Nina) with KUSD Theater, and Addams Family (ancestor) with the Lakeside Players. She is grateful to be a part of such a great cast and production team for her first experience with All In Productions, and looks forward to sharing this story with you all! She would like to thank her family, friends, and boyfriend for their unconditional love and support!
Isiah Stewart, he/him, (Todd) is thrilled to be part of Embers with All in Productions. He is a performer and writer in the Milwaukee area. Isiah was last seen having recently done a series of shows with WAWM Theater and is more than thankful to all his friends and family who have supported his this far, and hopes you enjoy the show!
*We will announce before each performance if either swing is covering a role.*
Pip Buffington, they/them (Masc Swing) is delighted to be in their second show with All in Productions as the Masc. Swing in Embers, having appeared in the Nerd Cabaret this past August. Milwaukee locals may have seen Pip in Pink Umbrella Theater Company’s Kaleidoscope (2023) and Portraits (2024). They have also performed in the MSO’s “Sensory Friendly Concert” for the last two years. Pip is excited to be back on the Pink Umbrella stage for their “In the Spotlight” series this October which will feature work from the Disability Cohort Pip participated in to produce new original work for the disability theater canon. Despite being many years removed from college, and not simply a few weeks to months, Pip has found the message of Embers to deeply resonate with them, and they hope you enjoy the performance no matter how many days, months, or years removed from college you might be.
Layne Eklund, she/her (Femme Swing) is incredibly excited to make her Milwaukee and All In Productions debut with Embers! Layne received her Bachelor of Arts in theatre and psychology at Lawrence University and has performed in several productions at Lawrence University and in the Chicagoland area. Past credits have included ensemble in Cinderella, June/Ensemble in The Musical of Musicals The Musical, Hyacinthe/Julie in Molière Inspired and Prince Edward/ Lord Stanley/Blunt in Richard III. Layne is very grateful for her family and friends for always being there to support her in her passion in the performing arts. She would love to thank Erica Case, Zackary Henke, Alex Schuerell, and all the cast and crew for working so hard to put this amazing show together, and can’t wait for you all to see all the magic unfold around the fire.
Creative Team Bios
Erica Case, she/her (Director) is a Milwaukee native with over 10 years of local theater experience. She was an owner and founder of The Alchemist Theatre & Lounge, and is currently serving on the Board of Schmitz n’ Giggles. Erica has worked as a director, designer, performer and more. Erica has a passion for innovative perspectives to classic works and for pushing creative boundaries.
Zackary Henke (Stage Manager) is thankful to be joining All In Productions! While getting his BFA in Theatre, he had been seen on-stage in The Glass Menagerie (Tom), She Loves Me (Kodaly), Proof (Hal), and Freud’s Last Session (Freud). Since then, he has stage managed, acted, and directed with various companies around the greater Milwaukee area, including Acacia, Lake Country Playhouse, and Outskirts. He hopes you stay warm by the fireside tonight.
Alex Scheurell, he/him (Production Manager) is is one of the three founding members of All In Productions, and has served in an executive role with the company, first as Managing Director and currently as Executive Director, since its launch in 2014. Production staff credits with AIP include THE LAST FIVE YEARS, SHAPE OF THINGS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, DOGFIGHT, WILD PARTY, CONSTELLATIONS, and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Alex has also appeared as both an actor and worked on production staff for dozens of shows in Milwaukee.
Thanks as always to his wonderful wife, Katie, and his friends and family for all their continued love and support!
About the Playwright
Tim Backes is a Milwaukee-area educator, playwright, actor, and director. He is the artistic director at Greendale Community Theatre, and previously was an artistic associate with All In Productions, directing two productions with the company (NEXT TO NORMAL, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD). He independently produced the world premiere of his first full-length play, EMBERS, in 2023, and will be directing the world premiere of his second play, CAESURA, in October 2025 with Kith and Kin Theatre Collective. More information:
Graphic design for all Embers marketing materials is by Shu of Shujan Design
Special Thanks
The Brick House MKE
Kith & Kin Theatre Collective
Erico Ortiz and Inspiration Studios
Niko King
If you enjoyed what you saw tonight, please consider supporting our Season 10 Campaign! Your donation will go towards supporting projects like Embers, Press Play, and all the opportunities and resources we strive to provide to Milwaukee-area (and Wisconsin) theatre artists!