The Staff

Rio Alberto is a Chicano artist and educator based in Spokane, Washington. Raised in central Washington, Alberto relocated to Chicago to work and study theatre and lighting. Since then, Rio has worked across the country as an artist and educator, and has performed in Man of La Mancha (Sancho Panza), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), and Titus Andronicus (Chiron). Most recently onstage in the world premiere of “Devilfish” from celebrated Tlingit playwright and author Vera Starbard, Rio is currently Associate Artistic Director for the Spokane Ensemble Theatre. 

Staff Bio

Joseph W. Biagini is an artistic producer and director hailing from Northern Virginia. Most recently, he was a part of the Artistic team at Baltimore Center Stage as the Producing and Community Programs Fellow. His work is driven by principles of anti-racism and anti-oppression, producing art with an eye towards civic and social relationships. He holds a love for the outdoors and a B.A. in Theatre and Economics from The College of William & Mary.  

Benjamin Brown has been Chairman of the Alaska State Council on the Arts since 2007, before which he was Vice-Chairman from 2004. He’s a lifelong Alaskan and company member at Perseverance Theatre, and has performed across the Last Frontier. Brown is an attorney-at-law and a member of the Alaska Bar Association since 2002. He’s worked for all three branches of Alaska State Government, and as an attorney in private practice for many years. In July 2019, Brown became Development Director at Perseverance Theatre. Brown served on the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) from 2012 through 2019, as Chairman for the last two years of this period. He is Chairman of the Board of Women & Children’s Health Associates (a nonprofit that provides scholarships to young Kenyans pursuing education in medical fields), Secretary of the Board of Alaska Public Media (a statewide public broadcaster based in Anchorage), and on the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Board. He has previously served on the boards of the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, Capital Community Broadcasting (Juneau’s public broadcaster), CoastAlaska (a consortium of Southeast Alaska public radio stations), and the Friends of the Alaska State Museum. Brown was educated at Palmer High School, the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and Northeastern University School of Law.

Sarah is a recent graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, an aspiring stage manager, director, and playwright. She is delighted to join Perseverance  Theatre as the production/stage management apprentice and the assistant stage manager for  Voyager One. She has previously acted as assistant stage manager for Chester Theatre Company, stage managed for the Melancholy Players, and produced and stage managed for Downstage Theatre Company. Sarah was the recipient of  The Greta Minsky  Prize for Stage Management in May of 2021 and can’t wait to continue to learn throughout Perseverance Theatre’s 2021-2022 season.

Bryan Bio

Josh Lowman is a writter, director, actor, photographer, filmmaker, projection designer, and occasional manager. Credits include Gordon/Dwight in Cyrano’s production of Dead Man’s Cell Phone; Projection Design for Rush at Everlasting, Treadwell Gold, and The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity for Perseverance Theatre; over 30 commercials over 30 years ago; Treasurer for Alaska Dance Theatre, and Alaska Film Forum; Branch Manager for Wells Fargo, and First National Bank Alaska; and writing and directing for the One-Minute Play Festival. Sometimes he also makes short films and takes pictures of things.

Irene Martinko is a dramaturg, writer, director, and performer and is thrilled to join Perseverance Theatre for her third season. Originally from Springfield, VA, she graduated from Muhlenberg College in May 2018 with a major in Theatre and minors in Music and Women and Gender Studies. Previous Perseverance credits include: With (Assistant Director and Dramaturg) and Silent Sky (Margaret). She also served as Dramaturg and Assistant Director for various productions with Florida Studio Theatre and the Adirondack Theatre Festival. Irene worked as a Staff Writer with Onstage Blog for which she wrote opinion pieces, theatre news updates, and artist profiles, and her children’s chapter books can be found on Amazon. Irene is most passionate about new play development and is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.

Jared Olin is Tl’eeyegge Hʉt’aane (Koyukon Athabascan), and grew up in Galena, Alaska. His most recent work has included performances as Sebastian for Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre’s run of Twelfth Night this summer and as Duane “Shadow” David for Perseverance Theatre’s run of The Winter Bear last spring. He graduated in December 2020 with a Film & Performing Arts- Theatre BA, and is looking forward to learning so much more about creative work. His most meaningful goal is to connect mental health with performance art as a way to bring awareness to mental health issues. He believes that storytelling is an impactful way of doing just that. Enaa baasee’ ghanee haneedaatł (Thank you very much for arriving!)

Staff Bio

Staff Bio

Staff Bio

Alexis is a graduate from St. Ambrose University with a degree in Theatre. She was transplanted to beautiful Alaska where she began her marketing career with a local nonprofit and was the sole marketer. There she dabbled in many different aspects of marketing and gained a passion for the field. She works for a local marketing agency during the day and helps with marketing for another theatre organization during the evening. She is always searching for her next Alaskan adventure with her cats, Lilley and Pumpkin. Sometimes that might mean hiking, trying a new restaurant, taking a road trip, or checking out a local brewery. You can call anything an adventure, right?

Staff Bio

ErinMarie is thrilled to be returning for their second season at Perseverance Theatre as the Company Manager and Stage Manager for Voyager One. They first made their premiere at Perseverance as the Stage Management and Production Apprentice in 2019 after graduating with a BFA in Design Technology from Wright State University. Their recent credits include Moonlight and Magnolias (Stage Manager), Devilfish (Asst. Stage Manager), and A Little Night Music (Stage Manager). During the pandemic, ErinMarie decided to pursue their non-theatre related passion and attend cosmetology school. They are honored to be a part of Perseverance Theatre’s first in person production of the 2021-2022 season! Follow their adventures on Instagram @erinmariecosmetology

Vera Starbard is a Tlingit and Dena’ina artist born in Southeast Alaska. She is the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence at Perseverance Theatre. Vera is also the editor of First Alaskans Magazine, and a writer for the PBS Kids animated children’s program “Molly of Denali.” She is the recipient of numerous writing and editing awards, including the 2018 Alaska Literary Award, and a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award. She currently lives in Anchorage with her husband Joe, and too many cats.

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.”

My story isn’t much different than many Juneauites, came to Juneau in the early 70’s and planned to stay for five years. Fell in love, started a family and never looked back. In 1990 I was asked to design and construct a life size Sebastian for Juneau Douglas High School performance of the Little Mermaid. I had so much fun I kept going. I spent the early years with children’s theatre.  In 1998 I received an invitation to design a show for Perseverance Theatre, “Jonny’s Girl”, and I was hooked. I have been designing and sewing ever since. I learned so much about theatre during my years with children and high school theatre. There are few things as rewarding as watching children grow into performers. It has been my pleasure to design for many of the community theatres and dance companies in Juneau and now I am feeling so lucky to be the Costume Shop Manager for Perseverance Theatre. It is a new chapter in my life, I get to go to work every day and do what I love and not have to worry about that pesky “real” job.