Justin Cerne
Producing Artistic Director
Cerne is an accomplished and visionary theatre artist, now in his 12th season as the Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (TWN), a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) located on the historic island of Nantucket. Under his leadership, TWN has flourished as a vibrant cultural institution, where he has directed, produced, curated, and collaborated on more than 100 theatrical productions. His directing highlights at TWN include bold and beloved titles such as Mamma Mia!, Boeing Boeing, Terms of Endearment, Meteor Shower, Into the Woods, and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (Female Version).
A multi-hyphenate artist, Cerne’s choreographic work can be seen in Damsels in Distress (Sony Pictures Classics), directed by Academy Award nominee Whit Stillman and starring Oscar nominee Greta Gerwig. In 2023, he premiered his stage adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series on Nantucket, delivering a sold-out, critically acclaimed run.
Before his tenure at TWN, Cerne built an extensive national career directing and choreographing across the country. He has worked with some of the most respected names in the industry, including Meryl Streep, and Broadway luminaries such as Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Liz Callaway, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Annaleigh Ashford.
As a playwright, Cerne’s original works include Truth or Consequences, March of the Isabelline Penguins, and Polar, in addition to his adaptation of Winter Street. He holds a BA from Marymount Manhattan College and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Idaho. A dedicated advocate for the performing arts, Justin is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC), SAG-AFTRA, and the Dramatists Guild.
Cerne is an accomplished and visionary theatre artist, now in his 12th season as the Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (TWN), a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) located on the historic island of Nantucket. Under his leadership, TWN has flourished as a vibrant cultural institution, where he has directed, produced, curated, and collaborated on more than 100 theatrical productions. His directing highlights at TWN include bold and beloved titles such as Mamma Mia!, Boeing Boeing, Terms of Endearment, Meteor Shower, Into the Woods, and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (Female Version).
A multi-hyphenate artist, Cerne’s choreographic work can be seen in Damsels in Distress (Sony Pictures Classics), directed by Academy Award nominee Whit Stillman and starring Oscar nominee Greta Gerwig. In 2023, he premiered his stage adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series on Nantucket, delivering a sold-out, critically acclaimed run.
Before his tenure at TWN, Cerne built an extensive national career directing and choreographing across the country. He has worked with some of the most respected names in the industry, including Meryl Streep, and Broadway luminaries such as Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Liz Callaway, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Annaleigh Ashford.
As a playwright, Cerne’s original works include Truth or Consequences, March of the Isabelline Penguins, and Polar, in addition to his adaptation of Winter Street. He holds a BA from Marymount Manhattan College and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Idaho. A dedicated advocate for the performing arts, Justin is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC), SAG-AFTRA, and the Dramatists Guild.
Bethany Oliver
Executive Director
Bethany Oliver is a seasoned leader in Nantucket’s nonprofit community, bringing over 20 years of experience to organizations working at the heart of the island’s cultural life. Since making Nantucket her home in 2000, Bethany has played a key role in strengthening some of the island's most valued institutions—helping them grow, adapt, and better serve the people who rely on them.
Bethany Oliver is a seasoned leader in Nantucket’s nonprofit community, bringing over 20 years of experience to organizations working at the heart of the island’s cultural life. Since making Nantucket her home in 2000, Bethany has played a key role in strengthening some of the island's most valued institutions—helping them grow, adapt, and better serve the people who rely on them.
John Shea
Artistic Director Emeritus
Primetime Emmy Award winner John Shea, one of the most versatile actors of his generation, has continually received critical acclaim for fleshing out a wide range of fully dimensional characters for stage, film, and television. After his film debut in Hussy opposite Helen Mirren, Shea burst onto the international scene in Costa-Gavras’ 1982 Academy Award winning political thriller Missing, which won the Palme D’Or at Cannes. He began a tradition of working with talented leading actresses in forty films shot around the world. Since his Broadway debut starring as a Yeshiva boy in Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singers’ Yentlas at age 27, he has starred in twenty productions of new and classic plays On and Off-Broadway and in London’s West End, where did Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart. Shea’s television work includes starring in five series, including international hits Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman as Lex Luthor, Mutant X for Marvel, and the original Gossip Girl as Harold Waldorf.
An award-winning filmmaker, he co-wrote, directed, and acted in the drama Southie. Shea also wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the romantic thriller Grey Lady set on Nantucket, both films distributed internationally by Lionsgate Films; he produced the soundtrack for both films. Shea trained at Bates College, where he played football and was captain of the debate team. Accepted debate team captain an actor at the Yale School of Drama, he graduated with an MFA in Directing. In New York, he worked with mentors Lee Strasberg at the Actor’s Studio, Joseph Papp at the Public Theatre, and Robert Kalfin at The Chelsea Theatre. While at Bates, Shea got his professional start at The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Many years later, he returned to direct, and act as Artistic Director, helping restore the TWN as a collaborative creative force. As Artistic Director Emeritus, recent work includes acting in Terms of Endearment, James Gallagher, and directing and playing Ahab for twelve seasons in Orson Welles’ Moby Dick Rehearsed. Shea is married to the artist and sculptor Melissa MacLeod.
Primetime Emmy Award winner John Shea, one of the most versatile actors of his generation, has continually received critical acclaim for fleshing out a wide range of fully dimensional characters for stage, film, and television. After his film debut in Hussy opposite Helen Mirren, Shea burst onto the international scene in Costa-Gavras’ 1982 Academy Award winning political thriller Missing, which won the Palme D’Or at Cannes. He began a tradition of working with talented leading actresses in forty films shot around the world. Since his Broadway debut starring as a Yeshiva boy in Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singers’ Yentlas at age 27, he has starred in twenty productions of new and classic plays On and Off-Broadway and in London’s West End, where did Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart. Shea’s television work includes starring in five series, including international hits Lois and Clark, The New Adventures of Superman as Lex Luthor, Mutant X for Marvel, and the original Gossip Girl as Harold Waldorf.
An award-winning filmmaker, he co-wrote, directed, and acted in the drama Southie. Shea also wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the romantic thriller Grey Lady set on Nantucket, both films distributed internationally by Lionsgate Films; he produced the soundtrack for both films. Shea trained at Bates College, where he played football and was captain of the debate team. Accepted debate team captain an actor at the Yale School of Drama, he graduated with an MFA in Directing. In New York, he worked with mentors Lee Strasberg at the Actor’s Studio, Joseph Papp at the Public Theatre, and Robert Kalfin at The Chelsea Theatre. While at Bates, Shea got his professional start at The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Many years later, he returned to direct, and act as Artistic Director, helping restore the TWN as a collaborative creative force. As Artistic Director Emeritus, recent work includes acting in Terms of Endearment, James Gallagher, and directing and playing Ahab for twelve seasons in Orson Welles’ Moby Dick Rehearsed. Shea is married to the artist and sculptor Melissa MacLeod.
Emily Dunn
Company Manager
It was on Cape Cod, at the Harwich Junior Theatre, where Emily discovered her love for the Performing arts. Throughout her schooling, she jumped at every opportunity to immerse herself in theatre. While in college, Emily was selected with her castmates of Agnes of God to compete at the KCACTF for the Irene Ryan Award. After receiving her BA in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in 2011, she promptly moved to NYC where she held various administrative and project management positions. She moved to Nantucket in 2016 with her now husband David and gave birth to their first son, Colin, last February. Emily has loved working in many capacities for the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket since 2017. She is thrilled to be back for the 2024 season and to be a part of this special organization.
It was on Cape Cod, at the Harwich Junior Theatre, where Emily discovered her love for the Performing arts. Throughout her schooling, she jumped at every opportunity to immerse herself in theatre. While in college, Emily was selected with her castmates of Agnes of God to compete at the KCACTF for the Irene Ryan Award. After receiving her BA in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in 2011, she promptly moved to NYC where she held various administrative and project management positions. She moved to Nantucket in 2016 with her now husband David and gave birth to their first son, Colin, last February. Emily has loved working in many capacities for the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket since 2017. She is thrilled to be back for the 2024 season and to be a part of this special organization.
Katy Feldhahn
Production Manager
Katy Feldhahn is thrilled to continue her work with Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, now in her fourth year with the company and her first year as Production Manager. She is a 2019 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned her BFA in Theatre Performance.
As an actor, Katy’s past credits include A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Emmy), The Wolves (#14), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Julia), The Three Musketeers(Milady de Winter), She Stoops to Conquer (Kate Hardcastle), and A Time to Kill(Ellen Roark). In recent seasons, she has proudly shifted her focus behind the scenes, working across production management, props design, set dressing, wardrobe, run crew, assistant stage management, and company support.
Katy is deeply grateful to collaborate with such a dedicated and creative team and is proud to help bring live theatre to Nantucket!
Katy Feldhahn is thrilled to continue her work with Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, now in her fourth year with the company and her first year as Production Manager. She is a 2019 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned her BFA in Theatre Performance.
As an actor, Katy’s past credits include A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Emmy), The Wolves (#14), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Julia), The Three Musketeers(Milady de Winter), She Stoops to Conquer (Kate Hardcastle), and A Time to Kill(Ellen Roark). In recent seasons, she has proudly shifted her focus behind the scenes, working across production management, props design, set dressing, wardrobe, run crew, assistant stage management, and company support.
Katy is deeply grateful to collaborate with such a dedicated and creative team and is proud to help bring live theatre to Nantucket!
Lucie Green
Technical Director
Lucie is ecstatic to be working at TWN as Technical Director. She previously worked on Mamma Mia! and A Grand Night for Singing during the summer of 2021, and returned in 2025 as Assistant Technical Director. Lucie graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME with a degree concentrated in creative writing and stage management, and went on to complete a company management apprenticeship at Portland Stage Company in Portland, ME. Lucie also works as an academic writing and SAT tutor, and maintains a deep love of literature, Legos, and lattes. She adores the people she works with, and is delighted to call Nantucket her home.
Lucie is ecstatic to be working at TWN as Technical Director. She previously worked on Mamma Mia! and A Grand Night for Singing during the summer of 2021, and returned in 2025 as Assistant Technical Director. Lucie graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME with a degree concentrated in creative writing and stage management, and went on to complete a company management apprenticeship at Portland Stage Company in Portland, ME. Lucie also works as an academic writing and SAT tutor, and maintains a deep love of literature, Legos, and lattes. She adores the people she works with, and is delighted to call Nantucket her home.
Peter Sendelbach
Technical Director
Pete is an avid local player and true “rude mechanical”. He has performed in dozens of productions at TWN over the last 13 years. Lately he has accepted a new role behind the scenes and is glad to join the production team and share his skills from 40 years as a carpenter to put on a show! Pete is the current artistic director of the Nantucket Short Play Festival and he cherishes all expressions of local theatre; from the high school Drama Club to Armchair Theater at the Saltmarsh Center. It is good to share live performances together!
Pete is an avid local player and true “rude mechanical”. He has performed in dozens of productions at TWN over the last 13 years. Lately he has accepted a new role behind the scenes and is glad to join the production team and share his skills from 40 years as a carpenter to put on a show! Pete is the current artistic director of the Nantucket Short Play Festival and he cherishes all expressions of local theatre; from the high school Drama Club to Armchair Theater at the Saltmarsh Center. It is good to share live performances together!
Johannah Johnson
Audience Engagement
Johannah Johnson is delighted to re-join the Theatre Workshop team! Johnson started performing
at a young age on island, and knew this was something she wanted to continue to foster and
develop. A graduate of Sacred Heart University (2021), she received a BA in Theatre Arts w/ a
concentration in MT. Some of her selected credits include: Mamma Mia!, Sense and Sensibility,
Falsettos, and Ordinary Days.
Johannah Johnson is delighted to re-join the Theatre Workshop team! Johnson started performing
at a young age on island, and knew this was something she wanted to continue to foster and
develop. A graduate of Sacred Heart University (2021), she received a BA in Theatre Arts w/ a
concentration in MT. Some of her selected credits include: Mamma Mia!, Sense and Sensibility,
Falsettos, and Ordinary Days.
Casey Sayre Boukus
Resident Costume Designer
Casey Sayre Boukus is a fabric artist, performer, dancer, ritual witch and massage therapist living year round on Nantucket. She has worked with TWN for many years, both on stage and behind the scenes. She has also worked with the Dreamland, On the Isle and NHS drama productions, as an actor, costumer and choreographer. A core thread woven through her life is the sacred art of make believe, and many of her creations reflect this whimsical fantasy element. Some fav TWN credits: Sense and Sensibility, A Christmas Carol, Meteor Shower, Mamma Mia, Rock of Ages, Oliver!. When not immersed in a pile of fabric or lengthy show list, she can be found with her family, hosting some magical pagan gathering, at The Rainbow Fleet or lost in book.
Casey Sayre Boukus is a fabric artist, performer, dancer, ritual witch and massage therapist living year round on Nantucket. She has worked with TWN for many years, both on stage and behind the scenes. She has also worked with the Dreamland, On the Isle and NHS drama productions, as an actor, costumer and choreographer. A core thread woven through her life is the sacred art of make believe, and many of her creations reflect this whimsical fantasy element. Some fav TWN credits: Sense and Sensibility, A Christmas Carol, Meteor Shower, Mamma Mia, Rock of Ages, Oliver!. When not immersed in a pile of fabric or lengthy show list, she can be found with her family, hosting some magical pagan gathering, at The Rainbow Fleet or lost in book.
Tony Wagner
Resident Sound Designer
Tony has over 30 years of experience in sound across various roles. On Nantucket, he has been the sound designer for TWN for three seasons and has designed over twenty Dreamland Stage Company productions. He has worked with multiple national concert tours, including Neil Diamond, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, and The Cure. His installation work includes iconic projects such as the Bellagio Fountains, Hard Rock Live, Universal Studios Orlando, and stadiums, including FedEx Field, Camden Yards, and PNC Park. Tony is the Executive Director of the Nantucket Community Music Center, serves on the Nantucket Cultural Council, and runs Nantucket Sounds, an event audio services company. He also mixes live shows at venues across the island, including the Gaslight and Cisco.
Tony has over 30 years of experience in sound across various roles. On Nantucket, he has been the sound designer for TWN for three seasons and has designed over twenty Dreamland Stage Company productions. He has worked with multiple national concert tours, including Neil Diamond, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, and The Cure. His installation work includes iconic projects such as the Bellagio Fountains, Hard Rock Live, Universal Studios Orlando, and stadiums, including FedEx Field, Camden Yards, and PNC Park. Tony is the Executive Director of the Nantucket Community Music Center, serves on the Nantucket Cultural Council, and runs Nantucket Sounds, an event audio services company. He also mixes live shows at venues across the island, including the Gaslight and Cisco.
Stephen Petrilli
Resident Lighting Designer
Stephen Petrilli (Lighting Designer) has been lighting shows for TWN since 2017, including Winter Street, Tick, Tick, Boom!, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia (2017 & 2021), Footloose, Virginia Woolf and Mathilda. He has also designed for Provincetown Theater, Gloucester Stage, Bridge Rep of Boson, Arlekin Players’ Theatre, The Pearl Theatre Company and The Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival in his hometown of Pittsburgh. In the dance community he has worked with Anikaya Dance Theatre, Prometheus Dance, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Pilobolus and Ailey II. He has a twenty-two year old son, Liam.
Stephen Petrilli (Lighting Designer) has been lighting shows for TWN since 2017, including Winter Street, Tick, Tick, Boom!, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia (2017 & 2021), Footloose, Virginia Woolf and Mathilda. He has also designed for Provincetown Theater, Gloucester Stage, Bridge Rep of Boson, Arlekin Players’ Theatre, The Pearl Theatre Company and The Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival in his hometown of Pittsburgh. In the dance community he has worked with Anikaya Dance Theatre, Prometheus Dance, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Pilobolus and Ailey II. He has a twenty-two year old son, Liam.