Back by popular demand! Let go of all your holiday show expectations and join us for a rollicking great time at DPT’s 2nd Annual Holiday Cabaret. We’re serving up a fresh mix of holiday tunes—some familiar, and some you really aren’t expecting. This ain’t your grandma’s Christmas Carol (but she might still love it). It’s a bold new tradition packed with laughter, heart, and a whole lot of sass. And the vocals? Absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD. So get holly, get jolly, and get tickets! DPT’s Holiday Cabaret will be THE celebration of the season!
DPT’s Holiday Cabaret 2024
Let go of all your holiday show expectations and join us for a rollicking great time at DPT’s 2nd Annual Holiday Cabaret.
Back by popular demand! Let go of all your holiday show expectations and join us for a rollicking great time at DPT’s 2nd Annual Holiday Cabaret.
Meet The Cast
Arielle Crosby
Arielle Crosby (she/they), whose journey with DPT began with the 2016 production of “Murder Ballad”, is honored to be back for a second holiday cabaret! They are so grateful for this reunion and for DPT’s continued relationship. Recent theatre credits include: Waitress (Becky, Arvada Center), The Bodyguard (Rachel Marron, Croswell Opera House), and The Color Purple (Celie, Short North Stage). Keep up with her at ariellecrosby.com!
Dev
Dev (they/them) a Detroit native, holds a Masters of Music (Voice) degree with a concentration in Musical Theatre from NYU Steinhardt where they studied under Dr. Scott Murphree and Alexander Gemingani. They also hold a BA in Commercial Music Performance (Voice) from the Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME) studying voice under Kisma Jordan-Hunter and DeAnna Johnson. Dev has shared the stage with artists such as Josh Groban, Elizabeth Stanley, Audra McDonald, and so on. They also toured with companies like Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. Dev would like to thank God, and the shoulders of the brillant, beautiful, Black and Queer folks who have come before them doing the important work. If you would like to continue to follow Dev’s journey, you can follow them on instagram @devbesangin .
Eric Gutman
Eric Gutman is thrilled to be back with DPT after last year’s Holiday Cabaret and Eight Nights (Season 9). Prior to that, he could also be seen as the MD/band leader for Hedwig…Inch (Season 5) and as Michael in Murder Ballad (Season 2). His one man show, From Broadway to Obscurity played in DPT’s inaugural season, as well as being filmed in conjunction with DPT and DPTV for PBS in 2020, which played in markets across the country.
Eric is currently developing projects for 2025, including a Neil Diamond tribute show with Artists Lounge Live and a full grunge orchestral show entitled “Grunge Symphonica” with Symphonica Productions.
Gutman holds a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and The American Federation of Musicians. IG: @theguter or ericgutman.com.
Bryana Hall
Bryana Hall is a Detroit-based musical theatre actor, and self-proclaimed walking Christmas Special. She is elated to make her return to DPT’s Holiday Cabaret, having had an absolute blast in last year’s show! Bryana received her training from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor (Go Blue!) Favorite regional credits include GODSPELL (IN A POOL!) (Day By Day), THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Dominique Dawes), SPRING AWAKENING (Ilse), BRIGADOON (Jean MacLaren), RAGTIME (Sarah), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Chiffon), AGNES OF GOD (Agnes), ANYTHING GOES (Reno standby), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Trix the Aviatrix), ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Mama Euralie), the world premiere of HASTINGS STREET (Naomi), and The Obsidian Theatre Festival. Follow her on social media @bryanahall (Instagram) or @bryanasings (tiktok). Bryana wishes everyone a Merry Everything, especially her family and new husband John!
Meet The Creative Team
Courtney Burkett
Director
Courtney is a member of the artistic leadership team at Detroit Public Theatre, where she regularly directs productions. In her role as Producing Artistic Director, she oversees production and marketing. Prior to co-founding DPT, Courtney was the Director of Theatre Programs with Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, directing the internationally-acclaimed Mosaic Acting Company. Courtney was a founding Artistic Partner with Breathe Art Theatre Project and also served as Managing Director of the CRLT Players at the University of Michigan, and as Business Manager for the University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company. Courtney is a fourth generation native Detroiter. She holds a BFA from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, and and MFA from Wayne State University’s Hilberry Theatre program
Eric Gutman
Music Director and Co-Creator
Eric Gutman is thrilled to be back with DPT after last year’s Holiday Cabaret and Eight Nights (Season 9). Prior to that, he could also be seen as the MD/band leader for Hedwig…Inch (Season 5) and as Michael in Murder Ballad (Season 2). His one man show, From Broadway to Obscurity played in DPT’s inaugural season, as well as being filmed in conjunction with DPT and DPTV for PBS in 2020, which played in markets across the country.
Eric is currently developing projects for 2025, including a Neil Diamond tribute show with Artists Lounge Live and a full grunge orchestral show entitled “Grunge Symphonica” with Symphonica Productions.
Gutman holds a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and The American Federation of Musicians. IG: @theguter or ericgutman.com.
Sarah Ackerman
Stage Manager
SARAH ACKERMAN* (Production Stage Manager) [she/they] is a freelance stage manager from Warren, Michigan. She was previously the PSM for Fat Ham, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the last 3 iterations of Detroit’67 as well as the props designer for Clyde’s at DPT. Sarah has a BFA in stage management from Michigan State University. Their most recent credits include The Cook-Off (Nashville Opera) and It Happened in Key West (Fulton Theatre). Her event stage management credits vary with clients such as Mastercard, Ford, and The Detroit Jazz Festival. She teaches all aspects of theatre at Stoney Creek High School and freelances as a scenic painter, makeup/wig designer, guest lecturer and vocalist. Proud member of Actors Equity. Many thanks to Mom, Dad, Charlie, and the DPT Staff.
Jwymon Williams
Assistant Stage Manager
Jwymon is an audio designer and Detroit Public Theatre crew member from Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2022, majoring in Entertainment Design and Technology, with a minor in Simulation, Animation, and Gaming. Recently, Jwymon has done the sound design for Wayne State University’s production of “Almost, Maine” in October, BRED Hiphop Theatre Festival’s “The Vision”, “Shawty’s Blues”, “Another Place”, and “One Fine Detroit Day” in September, and Wayne State University’s “Blood At The Root” in June.
Badriyyah F. Wazeerud-Din
Rehearsal Stage Manager
Badriyyah is delighted to be part of the DPT family. She has been an SM (Clyde’s), and an ASM (Detroit ’67 On Tour, Passing Strange, DPT’s Holiday Cabaret 2023, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Fat Ham) at DPT, a stage manager/production assistant for the African World Festival, and a stage manager for the Obsidian Theatre Festival. Badriyyah is a captivating singer-songwriter/recording/voiceover artist who enjoys telling stories through music. Family and friends bring her the greatest blessings and joy. IG: @badriyyahthesinger
Owen Zabor
Lighting Designer
Owen Zabor is a lighting technician, designer, stagehand, and board operator at Detroit Public Theater. He has worked on many of their previous productions, such as Passing Strange, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Clyde’s, and Fat Ham. He would like to thank Courtesy Flag for giving him his start in the world of lighting, and to thank his fellow members of the build crew at DPT for their consistent companionship and hard work. He would also like to thank Sidney Lumet, John Steinbeck, Buster Keaton, Akira Kurosawa, Richard Wright, Werner Herzog, Nicholas Ray, Larry McMurtry, Jim Jarmusch, Robert Caro, and Martin Scorsese for making this a more interesting world.
Julie Bonema
Costume Designer
Julie is a costume designer for Detroit Public Theater. She is happy to be costuming her second show with the theater. She works for area high school theaters teaching costume design and construction for their productions throughout the year. She also currently works as a wardrober for the Fisher and Fox theaters, along with many others. She is thankful for the opportunity to work with a great production team and actors at DPT.
Brian E. Buckner
Production Pianist
Brian E Buckner is an extremely active pianist, vocal coach, and musical director in Southeast/Mid-Michigan. Specializing in the genre of musical theatre, Mr. Buckner is a four-time Wilde award winner, and very appreciative of Stephen and The J for the opportunity to perform here again! Recent credits include Souvenir (The Dio, Pinckney); Obsidian Theatre Festival (Detroit); Passing Strange (Detroit Public Theatre); Blues in the Night (Meadow Brook Theatre, Auburn Hills); and Gem of the Ocean (The Detroit Rep), as well as serving as music director for the Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale (Ann Arbor) and The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation (Ann Arbor).
Erik Hernandez
Choreographer
Selected credits include Clyde’s (Rafael), Power Book II: Ghost (Gordo Castillo), Disney’s Aladdin Nat’l Tour, Spamilton Off-Broadway, Rent (Collins), and M’ullaqatna: Saudi Arabia (Director). BFA in Musical Theatre from UC-CCM. Grateful for the love and support of Xavier, my parents, my family, and Larry Moss for showing me the importance of good writing, Beyoncé for the inspiration, and Harlem for the roots. ILYF.
