Meet the Cast and Crew

CAST & CREATIVES 

​

REESE BUCHERT (ORTENZIA) 

Reese Buchert is a New York City-based performer originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She recently graduated from Texas Christian University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Reese is a classically trained vocalist with a passion for jazz and rock. Regional credits include Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, Rusty in Footloose, Irene in Crazy for You, Dragon in Shrek, and Miss Sandra in All Shook Up.

Reese is thrilled to be making her New York debut and is so excited to be a part of Gorey Stories. Special thanks to the incredible team at SW Artists!

​

ANGELINA GONCHAROVA (PUPPETEER/EFFECTS/STAGEHAND) 

Angelina is a performer based in Lower Westchester, New York. She appeared in Cinderella, Avenue Q, Grease, and various music shows with the Eastchester Youth Council Summer Theatre, and played in the orchestra for their production of Guys and Dolls. She also performed with Studio Theatre "Golos" in Moscow, participating in productions of works by Shakespeare, Anouilh, Chekhov, and numerous Russian authors. She has also completed several semesters of Acting Technique training with the Howard Meyer Program under Dan Held.

​

MITCH HORN (E.F. EARBRASS / JASPER) 

Mitch Horn is delighted to make his Theatre in the Wood debut. Recent stage work includes 1776, in which he played Wilson in 2025 before returning to direct the production in 2026, as well as The Vagina Monologues and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. In early 2026, he appeared in Richard III as the Archbishop who gives the Princes sanctuary, then returned in Act IV as Sir James Tyrrell, who arranges their murder. He works across theatre, film, and television as an actor, producer, and arts administrator, and is currently developing new theatrical work. He is having an unreasonable amount of fun disappearing into Edward Gorey’s wonderfully peculiar universe.

 

JOEL KNOPF (HENRY / HAMISH) 

Joel is a performer and composer-lyricist who pairs honest lyrics with deceptive cadences. He’s thrilled to be performing with Theater in the Wood! He is the creator of the musical The Last Ibex (stream it on Spotify!), and co-wrote a 20-minute musical for youth that had its first workshop at New Era Creative Space. Indefatigably cheerful, he enjoys playing against type. @joelknopf 

​

EM SALZMAN (MONA) 

Em  (They/Them) graduated last spring with a BFA Musical Theatre from Emerson College. Professional credits:  Solstice Productions' Spooky Cabaret (Don't Tell Mama) Rep Book Roulette ( The Green Room 42) 13 Nights...( Calderwood Pavilion)  Let's Misbehave (Cambridge foundry). Emerson Stage: Sweet Charity (ensemble), Chantecler (Nightingale), Spelling Bee (Schwartzy), Limber (Tate). Singer/Songwriter Emulate on Spotify and Apple Music.

​

KATIE SCHMIDT FEDER (LADY CELIA/MARY/DIRECTOR/DESIGNER) Katie is the founder of THEATRE IN THE WOOD and thrilled and grateful to be presenting GOREY STORIES within the historic walls of Peter Pratt's Inn.  With over thirty years as a stage director, choreographer, designer, and arts administrator, Katie served as the Executive Director of Garrison Art Center from 2016-2021. Prior to that post, she was Co-founder & Executive Director of EMBARK|Peekskill, a performing & literary arts nonprofit. She has conceived and directed seven shows for Theatre in the Wood including Raise You Up! (Pride Cabaret), Halloween at Hall, and A Movable Musical Feast. Roles at nearby theatres include Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music for Arc Stages and Mr. Bennet/Charlotte in Pride & Prejudice at Elmwood Playhouse. She is an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab and NY’s Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Actor/Director Lab and has directed from Shaw to Shakespeare to Sondheim in New York and regionally. NY acting credits include Rosemary Kennedy in the play Rosemary (Abingdon Theatre Co.), Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (78th St. Theatre Lab) Regional credits include: Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Theatre Arlington), Squeaky Fromme in Sondheim’s ASSASSINS (Dallas, TX), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Lyric Theatre). Katie has also served as a costume and scenic designer for many productions. She holds a BA in Musical Theatre/Dance Minor – University of Northern Colorado, Graduate 2-year Meisner program - William Esper Studio (NYC). Masters in Arts Administration - Goucher College (2015).  www.katieschmidtfeder.com

​

JEREMY BECKER (PIANIST)  

Jeremy is a pianist and teacher based in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a Master of Music in piano performance from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in piano performance from Virginia Tech. Jeremy has taught students of all demographics and skill levels and has performed as accompanist, soloist, and chamber musician in venues around the world. Jeremy began studying piano at age eight in Montclair before pursuing a degree in music from Virginia Tech. Studying with Richard Masters and Hsiang Tu, he performed in numerous solo and group recitals and won Virginia Tech’s Inaugural Soloist Competition. He went on to earn his graduate degree from East Carolina University, studying with Kwan Yi and Keiko Sekino. In addition to performing recitals during this time, Jeremy was also active as a church pianist, chorus accompanist, chamber musician, independent private teacher, and was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2023 NCMTA Young Artists’ Piano Competition.

Since moving from North Carolina, he continued his career as a chamber pianist aboard a cruise ship, piano camp faculty, and pianist with New Jersey Performing Arts Center. 

​

​

CREW

 

​VICTORIA SAVANELLA (HOUSE & STAGEMANAGER) Vickie Savanella is a lifelong resident of Westchester and has been involved in community theater and arts organizations for many years. Having attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, she holds a degree in illustration and has worked in creative management and design development for costumes and publishing throughout her career. Vickie now lives in Tarrytown, NY and is excited to be involved in the production of Gorey Stories as the House and Stage Manager!

 ​

GENE PANCZENKO  (LIGHTING & PROJECTION DESIGN) 

GENE is a video artist, photographer, musician, and audio/visual specialist who lives in Peekskill. His work has been seen in many galleries and venues in the Hudson Valley and beyond. He is founder of P.E.A.C.E. (Peekskill Electroacoustic Ambient Chamber Ensemble). Gene created the stunning projections for DRACULA: THE JOURNAL OF JONATHAN HARKER BY JIM HELSINGER at Bannerman’s Island – in it’s second year.

​

AIDAN CAMPBELL (LIGHT ING OPERATOR) 

Aidan Campbell has been involved in theater for many years, both onstage and off. He prefers working behind-the-scenes and has done so for many productions since he was a young teen. In addition to tech set up and lighting, Aidan has also done stage construction and stage crew. He has worked with several theater groups including YCP TheaterWorks, HTM Players, CCMS Drama Club, EMBARK, and Children’s Acting Academy NYC.​​​​​​

​

MAX FEDER (TECH TRAINEE) 

Max is a recent graduate of Manhattanville University with a BS in Psychology and a Philosophy Minor.  He is also a percussionist and has a love for fashion - scollecting and styling vintage and modern pieces.  He enjoys creating electronic music. ​

​​