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Jay Ivey

Music Director

Jay Ivey (Music Director/Pianist) has been seen in such operatic roles as Rigoletto, Lescaut (Manon), the title roles of Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi, Morales (Carmen), and Maximillian in Candide with Jerry Hadley. Jay has also performed a number of oratorio and chamber works including the Brahms Requiem, Händel’s Messiah, Carmina Burana, Belshazzar’s Feast, and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella. He has been a district winner for the Metropolitan National Council auditions, a NATS winner at the state and regional levels, and a finalist in the Mobile Opera competition. Jay is a recipient of the Nancy Wustman Memorial accompanying award and the Joseph Schlanger memorial opera award from the University of Illinois. On the other side of the stage, he is an active director and accompanist, having recently directed several productions in the area. Nine marks his 73rd production.

Candace Dickens

Technical Director/Scenic Designer

Candace Dickens is the Technical Director, Scenic and Lighting Designer here at her alma mater. Her work can also be seen in many of the local community play houses.

Dickens’ designs include Dickens’ The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, Disney & McIntosh’s Mary Poppins, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Her lighting designs have included Manuel-Miranda’s In the Heights as well as numerous dance pieces.

Candace remains dedicated to her personal mission statement,

Helping to build stronger, more confident individuals, through the vehicle of technical theatre, enabling them to impact the world in a meaningful and positive way while simultaneously entertaining and educating audiences with quality theatrical experiences.

and is grateful for the platform that theatre provides for future generations.