Perseverance Theatre Staff

Leslie is a Yonsei, fourth generation Japanese American, debuted as an actor in Northwest Asian American Theater’s Breaking The Silence that raised legal defense funds for, WWII US Concentration Camp Resister, Gordon Hirabayashi and his Supreme Court Case. This standing room-only event featured the first play to publicly share the history and stories of Japanese American Concentration Camp survivors, resisters, and their descendants. Since then, Leslie has felt called to support storytelling that is the healing justice of Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) artists and the collective liberation of all.  As a director, community builder, and activist, Leslie is grateful to have worked with legacy BIPOC theatres; El Teatro Campesino, East West Players, Penumbra Theatre, Theatre Mu, and Native Voices. These artistic opportunities have informed her advocating in every initiative, space and creative process with which she curates and engages. (Service) Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists; National New Play Network; Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, E/D/I/A Committee; Anchorage Arts Alliance; Professional Non-Profit Theater Coalition; National Theatre Conference Member; artEquity; Tsuru For Solidarity. (Awards) United States Artist Fellowship, 2023; SDC Zelda Fichandler Director Award Finalist 2022; Teachers Making A Difference; New England Foundation for the Arts, Capacity Building Grant; Doris Duke Foundation National Theatre Grant; James P. Shannon Leadership Institute; Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival Integrity Award; SDC 2016, 2017 National Standout Recognition for championing equity/inclusion.  (228)

Rio Alberto is a Chicano storyteller, arts educator, and producer based on Dena’ina Ełnena in Anchorage, Alaska. Most recently on the Perseverance Theatre mainstage as understudy for Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy in Fun Home, other notable roles include Ernst in Spring Awakening, Oscar D’Armano in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Niko Argitako/Sundeep Padamadan in Legally Blonde, Winston in 1984, Tom Collins in RENT, and Yinihaat/Kashagoon in Vera Starbard’s Devilfish, directed by Leslie Ishii. Alberto is Artistic Director of Spokane Ensemble Theatre, a member of the Professional Nonprofit Theatre Coalition, which is currently producing a tour of John Kauffman’s According To Coyote to tribal communities throughout the Northwest.

Staff Bio

Gabriel A. Conesa Caquías is a proud Boricua. Born and Raised in Puerto Rico but working in Spokane Washington they are beyond honored to be a part of Perseverance Theatre. Whether on the Stage or behind the scenes, Theatre is their passion. They recently worked on Bright Comet Theatre's Production of Carrie as George, Bright Comet Theatre's Production of Hadestown Teen Edition as the Choreographer & Stage Left's World Premiere of Minister of Sorrow as the Stage Manager. Gabriel's passion started at a young age seeing their Mom on the stage acting & singing and ever since then they have strived to create Art that is meaningful and impactful. They are so grateful to have such a wonderful family that supports them with no hesitation and all the love - Paola & Hilda are the whole world for them. They are excited to see what the future holds and hope that you enjoy the beautiful stories being told at this Theatre. 

Todd Hunt spent his formative years in stage lighting running lights for the 80s cover band NEXXT in Louisville, KY and finally got some actual training while in graduate school for orchestral conducting at Indiana University. In Juneau, he has been Perseverance Theatre’s Master Electrician off and on since the 2000 production of Wild Nights with Emily, and often helps out other local companies. Todd’s lighting designs have been seen in Juneau most recently by the audiences of West Side Story, L’Orfeo, Alcina, La Bohème, and most recently with PT’s STAR performances this past summer.

Risa proudly serves as both Production and Company Manager for Perseverance Theatre. She has served as a stage manager for Perseverance's The Great Leap and has taught stage management for our STAR education program. She is passionate about advocating for social equity and supporting cultural institutions. As an Angeleno who now works with a wonderful Alaskan theatre, she is in awe of the beautiful community and kindness she has received and wants to continue to contribute positively back for the generosity.

Josh Lowman is a writer, director, actor, photographer, filmmaker, projection designer, and occasional manager. Perseverance Theatre credits include Co-Directing This Wonderful Life with Leslie Ishii; Projection Design for Rush at Everlasting, Treadwell Gold, and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity; as well as video capture and editing of several Perseverance productions for streaming. Acting credits include Gordon/Dwight in Cyrano's production of Dead Man's Cell Phone, Reggie Massy in The Beekeepers, various indie short films, and over 30 TV commercials over 30 years. Writing and directing credits include several plays for the One-Minute Play Festival and his short film Standards of Karen. Prior to joining Persevance Theatre he also had brief stints as a birthday clown, Branch Manager for Wells Fargo and National Bank Alaska, and board member for AIGA Alaska, and Alaska Dance Theatre.

Melody is a lifelong Alaskan, hailing from Southcentral and the Kenai Penninsula. Though she began singing on stage at a very young age, Melody discovered that psychology and shared connectivity through the arts is what truly sets her heart ablaze. Leaving the pursuit of a music degree, Melody instead obtained a PhD in Psychology with a focus in Media Effects. Now, she gets to do her favorite thing: consume incredible art of all forms and share its beauty and messages across the world. Melody is excited to share her passion for experiencing and exploring art in all of its forms with everyone in the Perseverance community.

Staff Bio

Staff Bio

Salissa Thole is a proud woman of Hawaiian, Black, and Filipino heritage. A local Juneauite, she feels blessed to call both Alaska and Hawaii her home. She is a singer, actor, dancer, and educator, as well as a wife and mother of two beautiful sons. Salissa has performed professionally for over 20 years, beginning with Perseverance Theatre in 2006. Since then, she has performed at other local community events like Taylor Dallas Vidic’s Album Release Showcase 2026, Mike Maas’ Blue Nagoon’s Album Concert 2026, and Juneau Drag’s GLITZ 2025. Salissa is a featured vocalist with High Costa Livin’ band (2015-Present), performing music gigs throughout Southeast Alaska and beyond. Select stage credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Bigfoot and Other Lost Souls, Yeast Nation, Much Ado About Nothing, The Last Five Years, The Who's: Tommy, and Hair (Perseverance Theatre); The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, The Detective Seau N. Sew Mystery Radio Play Series, War of the Worlds, and Sherlock Holmes Radio Mystery (Juneau Ghost Light Theatre); Witch and Hamlet (Theatre in the Rough); and Sisters of White Chapel and Neighborhood Cabaret (2021–2024) (Theater Alaska).

Laura hails from Port Arthur, Texas and Walnut Creek, California. She drove up to Juneau in 1995 with a friend who had designed hats for Perseverance. A three-month visit has turned into “forever.” She was told of the excellent plays Perseverance Theatre produced. She ushered for every show for the first 5 years and since spring of 2000, has been greeting patrons at every show.  Laura is excited to see all patrons come through the doors and watch the shows. She strives to make sure our guests’ needs are met whether it’s changing your seats or slipping you a cough drop. She likes to say "Perseverance feeds my soul."