Lesley Larsen
Inclusive, Consent-Based Theatre Maker
Rent Wayne Theatre Photo by Adam Holmes
Me in Above Ground at Silk Moth Stage. Written by Ginna Hoben directed by Heidi Winters Vogel, Assistant Directed by Sarah McClelland, Photos by Tiffany Showalter Photography
My Process
I'm a consent-based, collaborative theatre maker. That means that nothing happens in my rehearsal room, my classroom, my...anything without actor/creative team consent. Does this slow down the process sometimes? Heck yes, it does. Does it make the process infinitely better? You bet your bottom dollar. I am committed to improving the theatre that I grew up in. I love theatre passionately and want it to be better for everyone. But specifically, you.
Listen, let's talk small scale here. I believe I can change the world. One rehearsal room at a time.
Theatre, like love, only fully exists when it is shared.
Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical
Collin Wheeler and Claire Sauls
Photography Credit: Miscellaneous Media
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Becca Gustafson, Julia Robertson, Cleo Marcelline
Photography Credit: Richard Finkelstein Photography
Jane Austen's Persuasion adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
Rosemary Richards, Walker Hansen
Photography Credit: Joshua Donohue Photography
Singin' in the Rain
Collin Wheeler, Rhys McRoberts, Joshua Donohue, Kelsey Harrison
Photography Credit: Miscellaneous Media Photography
Cinderella Wayne Theatre, Photo by Richard Finkelstein Photography
Building strong, sustainable communities through theatre
Testimonials
"My theatre kid heart is forever healed because of your incredible direction. Thank you."
Actor, Rent!
"I hold you in such high regards as one of the best leaders I've ever worked with. The way you create dynamic, inclusive, thoughtful, collaborative spaces is extraordinary."
Actor, Jane Austen's Persuasion adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
"Each day, we can aspire to leave our mark on the world through revolutionary acts. What you have done for this community goes far beyond that. You have sent out glorious lighting in every directing by sharing your soul through the arts with us."
Actor, Scrooge! the Musical
Scrooge! The Musical Wayne Theatre Photo by Julia Weaver Photography
Theatre Portfolio
Some of my favorites.
Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical
2024
At its core, The SpongeBob Musical is a story about friendship, courage, and the belief that one person—or sponge—can make a difference.
Director: Lesley Larsen Music Director: Katey Hallock Choreographer: Corey Holmes Production Manager: Joshua Donohue Stage Manager: Becca Gustafson Assistant Stage Manager: Fenn Babb Youth Associate Director: Rhys McRoberts Lighting Designer: Drew Thompson Sound Engineer/Designer: Becca Gustafson Photography Credit: Miscellaneous Media Photography Spongebob Squarepants: Collin Wheeler Patrick Star: Claire Sauls Sandy Cheeks: Merab Yeomans Squidward Tentacles: Kayla Chonoles Sheldon Plankton: Kelsey Harrison Eugene H. Krabs: Jake Krug Pearl Krabs: Kathryn Carroll Karen the Computer: Cleo Marcelline Larry the Lobster: Sophia Stamm Gary: Violet Nesbit Mrs. Puff: Bailey Owens Old Man Jenkins: Brennen Gilbert Patchy the Pirate: Adam Holmes Perch Perkins: Robert Gotschall The Electric Skates: Jael Washington, Rebekah Joy Ober, Bobby Woodfin The Mayor of Bikini Bottom: Maddy Little-Thornton Foley Fish: Greg Hill Dance Captain: Kelsey Harrison Ensemble: Bryan Edson, Dodger Holmes, Adeline Hunter, Ash Hunt, Gabriella Johnson, Savannah Juarez Spongesemble: Jackson Almarode, Wallis DuMontier, Emily Edson, Dash Holmes,Lilly Juarez, Maddox Knorr, Olivia McKeever, Violet Nesbit, Hudson Northern, Zachary Sandercock, Avery Short, Cora Stout Team Guppy: Layla Garber, Audrey Matherly, Maxwell Roberson, Ellie Sandercock, Nicholas Saum
Ever the optimist, SpongeBob believes in himself and his friends. His optimism and faith in his community is truly inspiring. In the face of utter destruction Spongebob chooses to “make the best day ever.”
So while we should laugh and enjoy the various silly antics of the characters on stage, we shouldn’t dismiss it as mere frivolity. Rather, let’s remind ourselves that by embracing our diversity, believing in each other, and working together, we can overcome serious obstacles and create “the best day ever” every day.
SpongeBob handed the creative team & cast a free pass to create a world where anything is possible, everything is wonderful, and size really doesn't matter.
Rent
2025
The profound impact on our cast, crew, and creative team has been humbling. Together, we’ve built a community—one grounded in trust, vulnerability, and a shared passion for storytelling—that mirrors the world on stage.
Director: Lesley Larsen Assistant Director: Katey Hallock Music Director: Piper Gary Choreographer: Kayla Tornai-Alaniz Costume Designer: Rosemary Armato Production Manager/Set Build: Joshua Donohue Photography credit: Adam Holmes Photography Roger Davis: Logan Tudor u/sScotty Tiernan Mark Cohen: Ian Callahan u/sEzra Smith Tom Collins: Keenan France Benjamin Coffin III: Joshua Donohue u/s Cole Hertzler Joanne Jefferson:vKat McLean u/sMerab Yeomans Angel Dumott Schunard:Ethan Estrem u/sBobby Woodfin Mimi Marquez : Victoria Lynch u/sRiley Reynolds Maureen Johnson: Rhys McRoberts u/sKelsey Harrison Ensemble: Alice Cormier, Cole Hertzler, Kelsey Harrison *Dance Captain, Cleo Marcelline, Hudson McDaniel, Brianna Patten. Michael Perry, Riley Reynolds, Ezra Smith, M Stiffler, Scotty Tiernan, Bobby Woodfin, Merab Yeomans
In a world still grappling with collective trauma and change, this musical speaks directly to the heart—giving voice to those often marginalized and inviting us all to connect, celebrate, and rise together.
Rent is loud, joyous, rebellious—but it also asks us to sit with complex truths: about illness, addiction, identity, love, and grief. Throughout our rehearsal process, we were incredibly fortunate to collaborate with two dramaturgs or researchers and experts who helped us navigate that complexity with care and authenticity.
Jonathan Larson’s Rent! is a clarion call to live fiercely and love wholly, reminding us that even in the face of grief, there is hope, and within chaos, beauty.
Jane Austen's Persuasion Adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
2026
This version does not simply retell Austen’s final completed novel; it deepens it. One of the most extraordinary gifts of this adaptation is that we are invited to witness Young Anne and Young Frederick—their first meetings, their first hopes, the bright, unguarded love that existed before persuasion ever entered the room.
Assistant Director: Garrett McCoy Choreographer: Rhys McRoberts Fall/Lift Choreographer: Corey Holmes Music Supervisor: Kat McLean Stage Manager:Rowan Walker Costume Designer: Yvonne Woods Lighting Designer: Drew Thompson Sound Engineer:Becca Wheeler Production Manager: Joshua Donohue Dramaturge: Dallin Lewis Set Builder:Joshua Donohue Photography Credit: Joshua Donohue Photography ANNE ELLIOT:Kelsey Harrison YOUNG ANNE: Rosemary Richards FREDERICK: Walker Hansen LADY RUSSELL: Julia Robertson SIR WALTER ELLIOT: John Rabasa ELIZABETH ELLIOT: Sara Conklin MRS. CLAY: Anna-Christina Kendall MARY MUSGROVE: Rosemary Armato CHARLES MUSGROVE: Bobby Woodfin HENRIETTA MUSGROVE: Grace Schneider LOUISA MUSGROVE: Alice Cormier CAPTAIN WENTWORTH: Robby Gotschall WILLIAM ELLIOT:Keenan France CAPTAIN HARVILLE: M Stiffler Captain Benwick: Aidan Cahill Mrs. Smith : Gina Anderson Ensemble: Courtney Bender, Vesa Franklin, Carolynn Unger
In rehearsal, we have leaned into restraint. Into breath. Into the tension of what is not said. Austen’s wit is here—sharp and observant as ever—but it never undercuts the humanity of these characters. The comedy sparkles because the stakes are real. The ache lands because we have glimpsed the joy that preceded it.
We are all in conversation with who we were. The question is whether we have the courage to honor that youthful heart while living with present wisdom.
If other Austen heroines burn brightly, Anne Elliot quietly glows. Her strength is not declarative; it is enduring
Singin' in the Rain
2026
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of this historic venue and the 10th anniversary of the Wayne Theatre’s theatrical company, it feels especially fitting to bring Singin’ in the Rain to this stage—a show that itself celebrates the magic of entertainment, the evolution of performance, and the joy of storytelling.
Director: Lesley Larsen Music Director: Kat McLean Choreographer: Corey Holmes Assistant Director: Merab Yeomans Stage Manager: Becca Wheeler Costume Designer: Rosemary Armato Wig Designer: Karman Boisset Lighting Designer: Drew Thompson Cinematographer/Video Editor: Julia Weaver Sound Engineer: Becca Wheeler Production Manager/Set Builder:Joshua Donohue Dramaturg: Garrett McCoy Photography Credit: Miscellaneous Media Photography Don Lockwood: Joshua Donohue Cosmo Brown: Collin Wheeler Kathy Selden:Rhys McRoberts Lina Lamont: Kelsey Harrison R.F. Simpson: Adam Holmes Roscoe Dexter: Jake Krug Rod: Keenan France Dora Bailey/Ensemble:Elaine Pfeil Miss Dinsmore/Ensemble: Christine Thalwitz Zelda Zanders/Ensemble: Victoria Lynch Olga Mara/Ensemble: Maddy Little-Thornton Mary Margaret/1st AD Ensemble: Katey Hallock 3rd AD/Ensemble: Erin Waddell Ensemble: Daniel Cole Lady-in-Waiting/2nd AD: Julia Weaver Villain/Ensemble: Dodger Holmes Young Don/Ensemble:Maddox Knorr Young Cosmo/Ensemble:Jackson Almarode Wardrobe Mistress/Orchestra Leader/Ensemble: Beth Aldrich Hairdresser/Ensemble:Katherine Megginson Sid Phillips/Ensemble: Sarah Butzen Male Diction Teacher/Butler/Policeman/Ensemble: Bobby Woodfin Sound Engineer/Ensemble: Cleo Marcelline Ensemble :Evalee Cole, Hannah Conover, Kelly Richardson,Emily Edson, Marina Johnson, Violet Nesbit
The show celebrates the resilience of artists, the thrill of innovation, and the enduring power of live performance. What better place to tell that story than in a theatre that has lived it?
They don't just survive the chaos of Hollywood's biggest transition, they find each other inside it. They build something new because they trust each other. Because they show up. Because the work matters to them more than the fear does.
Singin' in the Rain is one of those rare shows where the joy is simply baked in — like sunshine in every scene.