EXECUTIVE TEAM
KISKY HOLWERDA SHE/HER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kisky received her BA in Drama from Kenyon College in addition to studying under globally recognized instructors at schools including the Stella Adler Studio, the British American Drama Academy, and Interlochen Center for the Arts. As an actor Kisky has performed in Portland, New York City, and Bend. Highlights on the local stage include Spamalot! (Sir Robin), Something Rotten (Shakespeare), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again) (Player), and Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett). In addition to her work with Ponderosa Players, Kisky has worked as a choreographer for Summit High School (Little Shop of Horrors), and Theater in the Park (Mamma Mia) and as a director for The Greenhouse Cabaret (Tick, Tick... BOOM!) among others. She is also trained in ballet, Irish Dance, jazz, and aerial silks. If you want an ear-full, be sure to ask Kisky about First Folio technique in Shakespeare!
DASH HOLWERDA HE/THEY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dash has collaborated with almost every performance company in Central Oregon over the last 16 years, including Theater in the Park, Cascades Theatrical Company, Musical Impressions Studios, and Ellipse Theater Community. Highlights on the Central Oregon stage include Peter and the Starcatcher (Ted), Spamalot! (Patsy), Something Rotten (Minstrel), Fun Home (Joan), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again) (Player), and Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg). Dash has directed Oliver!, Little Women: The Musical, Legally Blonde Jr., The Last Five Years, and more, outside of Ponderosa Players! Dash has performed with honors choirs at Carnegie Hall and at the Sydney Opera House, and they have received awards in singing from NATS and Hal Leonard. Dash is also trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, and tap dance styles.
PRODUCTION TEAM
RACHEL ROBINSON SHE/HER
RESIDENT MUSIC DIRECTOR
Rachel Robinson (she/her) is thrilled to be the Resident Music Director for Ponderosa Players. Previous Ponderosa shows include Ride the Cyclone, Spring Awakening, and Once Upon A Mattress. Rachel makes a full-time career in the arts as a Director, Music Director, Educator, and occasional Actor. Rachel’s work as an artist has taken her all over the country - from being raised and beginning her professional career as a child in Washington, D.C., to attending college and spending seven years performing in New York, to a decade-long career in the San Francisco theatre scene, to her current chapter in Central Oregon. Some of her favorite recent credits have been directing and music directing The Wedding Singer (CTC), leading the band for The Rocky Horror Show at the Tower Theater (TMP), playing Claire Ganz in Neil Simon's Rumors (CTC), and, of course, her work with the stellar students and staff at Ponderosa Players. Rachel holds a degree in Music with a Musical Theatre concentration from New York University, and spends most of her days teaching voice and piano lessons to students of all ages. Visit rachelrobinsonmusic.com for more info.
DORA NOVAK SHE/HER
COSTUME DESIGNER: 2026-27 SEASON
Dora Novak grew up in Iowa and recently moved to Bend after a 10-year career in New York, NY. She is thrilled to be designing for Ponderosa Players and this truly amazing cast and unique theater. She started her love for design and dance with Iowa Dance Theater as a child and continues to serve on their board and work as an artistic director, choreographer, and stage manager. She attended SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory with a Composition Concentration and a minor in design construction. Dora has designed and constructed costumes in NYC and LA for over a decade. Dora continues her work as an artist by costuming and designing dance, film, and TV, and she joined IATSE in New York, Iowa, and Oregon. Most notably, she's worked at The Metropolitan Opera, in films The Irishman, West Side Story, TV shows The Gilded Age, and Vinyl.
LEIANA PETLEWSKI THEY/THEM
INTIMACY DIRECTOR: 2026-27 SEASON
Leiana Petlewski (they/them) is a Portland based actor, dancer, theatre maker, choreographer, musician, and intimacy director who is interested in creating work that explores universal experiences within particular circumstances. They hold BAs in Dance and Applied Theatre from Pacific University, as well as a certification from the Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble’s Institute for Contemporary Performance. Leiana has been a resident artist with From the Ground UP and The Verdancy Project, as well as a guest resident choreographer for Pacific University. They’re interested in using Intimacy Direction to collaboratively make art that is accessible, ethical, and centers on stories previously unheard.
CLARA WILLIAMS SHE/HER
STAGE MANAGER: 2026-27 SEASON
Clara Williams is so excited to be working with the Ponderosa Players cast & crew! Past shows she has stage-managed include The Little Prince, Guys and Dolls, Ride the Cyclone (High School Edition), Tuck Everlasting (Ponderosa Players, directed by Dash & Kisky), Cabaret, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop Of Horrors (TMP, directed by David Dacosta), Silent Mouth Sounds (Southern Oregon University Blackbox, directed by Jackie Apodaca), Dear Brutus (SOU Blackbox, directed by David McCandless), Newsies, Freaky Friday, Frozen Jr, and Children of Eden (TMTO, directed by Cailey McCandless & Andrea Hopscotch). Enjoy the show!