Justin Lucero
Artistic Director

Email: justin@latteda.org

Regarded as a leader of the theater field and in theater education, Justin Lucero (he/him) has served as Artistic Director of Theater Latté Da since 2023. Previously, he was a tenure-track member of faculty at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama as a professor of Directing and Associate Chair for The John Wells Directing Program. Justin served as Artistic Director for eight of his fourteen seasons with El Paso Opera, in his hometown. He is the recipient of prestigious engagements such as a Directing Fellowship with Asolo Repertory Theatre (Florida), a Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Observership at South Coast Repertory (Los Angeles), a FAIR Assistantship with Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a Directing Attachment at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (London’s West End). He was named to the 2021-2022 BIPOC Leadership Circle by artEquity/David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, is a 2022- 2023 Theatre Communications Group Rising Leaders of Color awardee, and was selected as a member of the 2023 OPERA America Leadership Intensive cohort, a highly selective program which identifies and develops "leaders who will move opera forward for years to come." He served on the Blue Ribbon Panel with The American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League to select the 2023 Tony Award winner for Excellence in Theatre Education, and continues to be a grants evaluator for the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre where he now serves on its Board of Directors and co-chairs its New Works Committee. Training: London’s top-ranked East 15 Acting School (M.F.A. in Directing with Distinction).

Elisa Spencer-Kaplan
Managing Director

Email: elisa@latteda.org

A native of Minnesota and graduate of Carleton College, Elisa Spencer-Kaplan (she/her) has spent more than 20 years leading arts organizations around the county. She has served as Managing Director of Theater Latté Da since 2022. Previously, she served for five years as Executive Director of NYC-based The Acting Company, a Tony Award®-winning theater presenting Off-Broadway and nationally touring repertory seasons performed by recent graduates of the nation’s foremost acting programs. Prior to joining The Acting Company, she worked in leadership roles at York Theatre (Managing Director), Second Stage Theatre (Management Fellow), CAP21 Conservatory and Theatre Company (Managing Director), and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (Associate Director), also in New York City. Her career also includes work with Yale Rep, the Yale Cabaret, the Guthrie Theatre and Shattered Globe Theatre (Chicago, IL). She was a recipient of the Oliver & Natalie Rea Theater Management Fellowship at the Guthrie and is a former Board Member of the League of Chicago Theaters. She holds an M.F.A. in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama.

Elissa Adams
Associate Artistic Director & Director of New Work

Email: elissa@latteda.org
Phone: 612-339-3003

Elissa Adams (She/her) has spent her career developing new work. In her 19 seasons as Director of New Play development at Children's Theatre Company, she commissioned and developed more than 45 new plays and musicals that premiered at CTC and went on to productions across the country. She was Literary Manager/Dramaturg at La Jolla Playhouse and Director of Playwright Services at The Playwrights' Center, where she oversaw the Center's Jerome and McKnight Fellowships and served as Artistic Director of PlayLabs. She is a frequent dramaturg at the Sundance Theatre Lab, an Adjunct Professor at MCAD, a recipient of the McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship and a former Board Member at Open Eye Figure Theatre and TYA/USA. She holds an MFA in Dramaturgy from UC San Diego.

Maxwell C. Bolton
Director of Marketing & Communications

Email: maxwell@latteda.org

Maxwell (he/him) is a new addition to the Twin Cities, hailing from Detroit, MI, and has worked extensively in theater throughout the country. He holds a B.A. in Business/Supply Chain Management, a B.A. in Musical Theater Performance and an M.F.A. in Theater Management. Prior to joining Latté Da, Max worked as the Senior Marketing Manager for the Straz Center for the Performing Arts (Tampa, FL), the nation’s fifth largest performing arts venue, leading marketing for Broadway tours, internationally touring dance companies, celebrity performances and appearances and the Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory. He has also worked as Director of Marketing & Communications for Michigan Opera / The Detroit Opera House, New Orleans Ballet Association, Tipping Point Theatre, and others. Prior to a career in arts management, Maxwell worked extensively as a professional actor. His most memorable productions include CABARET (Emcee), A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Henrik), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Leaf Coneybear), ASSASSINS (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald) and others.

Jeremiah Stich
Guest Services Manager

After starting out a lifetime ago as an actor, then spending time in the corporate world and working in Special Education, Jeremiah (he/him) found his way back to the theater as the Guest Services Manager at Theater Latté Da. His goal is to create a special theater experience for Latté Da guests that starts as soon as they enter the theater, because The Ritz is a place to create special memories and experience life-changing performances. Jeremiah is thankful to be amongst creative artists, considering it a blessing to be able to work at his neighborhood theater.

Becky Welander
Box Office Manager

Becky Welander (she/her) moved to Minneapolis from rural Southeastern Minnesota to attend college. She has an A.A.S. in Apparel Technologies from Minneapolis College and a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. A former stage manager, she has also produced and directed shows for the Minnesota Fringe Festival and served on the Board of Directors for Theatre in the Round and Sandbox Theater. Prior to joining Theater Latté Da, she worked in libraries for 20+ years as well as in the Box Office at The Guthrie Theater.

Morgan Gray
Marketing Associate

Morgan Gray (she/her) has been part of the Theater Latté Da marketing team since 2023. She holds a B.A. in History from Lawrence University with minors in French and Film Studies, and has worked in Sales Development (Carnegie Learning) and Theater Education (Park Square Theatre) prior to working at Latté Da. Outside of marketing, Morgan has been a voiceover narrator for 3Play Media since 2021, providing audio description for dozens of film and television titles airing on HBO, AMC, NBC, Bravo and Showtime. She is also a head writer and editor of the Minnesota-based satire site, The Nordly. Morgan is grateful to be working with such a supportive and dedicated team of theatermakers.

Tré Miller
Front-of-House Associate

Tré (he/them) is a Minneapolis-based, international award-winning, headlining Burlesque and arts performer. They were first introduced to the Ritz theater via the Minneapolis Burlesque Festival in 2016 and have loved theater and the arts ever since. In April 2022, they started working as a Covid Specialist for their first Latté Da show, JELLY’S LAST JAM. Since then, they have been a Front-of-House Associate at Theater Latté Da, supporting patrons and artists while contributing to the vibrant local theater community. With a background in performance and a passion for live art, Tré brings creativity, professionalism and a deep appreciation for inclusive, audience-centered theater experiences.

Kathleen “Sully” Sullivan
Concessions Lead

Kathleen (she/her) began her theatre journey in 1970 as part of the Children’s Theatre’s first school, and her passion for performance has continued ever since. Her career has woven together acting and work in the service industry, both of which have shaped her deep appreciation for connecting with people. She loves being among the first to welcome Theater Latté Da patrons and takes pride in helping create a warm, enjoyable experience for every guest. Kathleen has been a valued member of the Latté Da team since 2017.

In addition to her work with Latté Da, Kathleen is the co-owner of 2001 A Space, a versatile arts venue in Northeast Minneapolis that hosts readings, exhibitions, classes, performances and a wide range of creative endeavors.

Sara Huelle
Director of Development

Email: Sarahuelle@latteda.org

Gillian Rosewell
Development Associate

Email: gillian@latteda.org

Gillian Rosewell (she/her) is a fundraiser and access coordinator by day and a Dialect Coach, Actor, and Musician by night. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia, Gillian made the Twin Cities her home after graduating from Luther College in 2017 with a B.A. in Theatre and minor in Music. Since then, she has worked professionally with various theaters including Latté Da (Dialect Coach for MY FAIR LADY and THE GLASS MENAGERIE), Frank Theatre, Park Square, Lyric Arts, Pro Rata, BARd Shakes, The Birth Play Project, Hypnic Jerk, Fearless Comedy, St. Croix Festival, Lakeshore Players and more. Gillian spent the first 18 months of her time at Latté Da as the Box Office Manager before transitioning into the Development Associate and Access Coordinator role. She is passionate about forging relationships within the Latté Da community and is committed to making our work accessible to all folks who want to experience its wonderful art.

Kyia Britts
Director of Production & Operations

Email: Kyia@latteda.org
Phone: 612.746.1783

Kyia (she/her) served as the Associate Production Manager at Theater Latté Da from August 2021 through September 2023, and is thrilled to be back as the Director of Production and Operations as of September 2025. Between her years at Latté Da, she was the Associate Production Manager/Company Manager at Children's Theatre Company. She also freelances as a Lighting Designer, working with many theater companies around the Twin Cities. She holds a B.S. in Theater Arts and Marketing Communications from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

Bethany Reinfeld
Technical Director

Email: bethany@latteda.org

Bethany Reinfeld (she/her) describes Technical Direction as "building worlds for characters to come to life in.” She holds an M.F.A. in Theater and Drama with a specialization in Technical Direction from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She also has a B.F.A. in Design Tech with an emphasis in Technical Direction and Scenic Design from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is a native to the Twin Cities and has done work with PIM Arts High School, Mixed Blood Theater, Normandale Community College, Yellow Tree Theater, Jungle Theater and Sesame Street Live/VEE Corporation, to list a few. She is thrilled to be continuing her artistic craft for over 35+ productions at Theater Latté Da.

Amber Brown
Costume Supervisor

Whitley Cobb
Carpenter

Madelaine Foster
Properties Supervisor

Madelaine Foster (she/her) is a Minneapolis based Properties and Scenic Artist who loves the way props span the technical, design, and rehearsal space. Before returning to Minneapolis and finding a home at Latté Da, she spent 5 years as the Assistant Prop Supervisor and Carpenter at Indiana Repertory Theater and worked in various summer stock prop shops including Peninsula Players, Theater at Monmouth and Shakespeare & Company. She holds a B.A. in Theater and English from The College of William and Mary.

Gamma Lister
Scenic Charge

Shelby Reddig
Production Stage Manager

Matthew Smith
Head Carpenter

Matthew / Maddie Smith (he/they/she) is an emerging theater artisan graduating with Honors from Auburn University in 2023 with a B.F.A. in Theatrical Design and Technology. In addition to their work with Latté Da, Matthew also has the pleasure of serving as Technical Director for Collide Theatrical Dance Company and Stage Manager for the UMN Ted Mann Concert Hall. Maddie enjoys being a Technical Director, bringing stories to life while tackling fresh challenges with each production.

Corinne Steffens
Sound Supervisor

Corinne (she/they) joined Latté Da full time as Sound Supervisor and Resident A1 in March, 2025, after working as a Tech Swing for 3 seasons. Outside of Latté Da, Corinne is the Technical Director for the MN Fringe Festival and works in sound design for theaters across the Twin Cities. She also enjoys studying stage combat and holds multiple fight and weapons skills certifications from the Society of American Fight Directors. Corinne received her B.M. in Percussion Performance and a B.Sc. (Physics) from Ithaca College with a focus and research in Sound Physics and Audio Technology.

Favorite Latté Da credits include: FUN HOME, SCOTLAND PA, FALSETTOS, JELLY’S LAST JAM, ALL IS CALM; Other favorites include: US National Tour: ALL IS CALM, EMOJILAND THE MUSICAL; Guthrie Theater: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, INTO THE WOODS, VIETGONE; Lyric Arts: BIG FISH, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER.

Peter Rothstein
Co-Founder

Peter Rothstein (He/Him) has directed 78 mainstage productions for Theater Latté Da, including 11 world premieres. He served as TLD’s artistic director for 25 years before joining Asolo Repertory Theatre as its producing artistic director in July 2023. Other collaborations include the Guthrie Theater, the Children’s Theatre Company, Minnesota Opera, Ten Thousand Things, Minnesota Orchestra, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater, the Zach Theatre, Boston Lyric Opera, and Asolo Rep. He is the creator of All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 which won the 2019 New York Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. Peter was named the 2015 Artist of the Year by the Star Tribune, Theater Artist of the Year by Lavender, and Best Director by City Pages. He has received nine Ivey Awards and has been awarded grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the McKnight Foundation. He holds a B.A. in Music and Theater from St. John’s University and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. www.Peter-Rothstein.com.

Denise Prosek
Co-Founder 

Denise Prosek (She/Her) has worked extensively as a music director, pianist, and arranger in the Twin Cities for the past twenty years, including over 40 mainstage productions for Theater Latté Da. She has also music directed for Children’s Theatre Company, the Guthrie, Park Square, Mu Performing Arts, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Hennepin Theatre Trust, and the Ivey Awards, among others. Denise holds a Bachelor of Music from St. Olaf College. She was named a Play­wrights’ Center McKnight Theater Artist Fellow in 2013-2014, Outstanding Musical Director in 2006 and 2008 from Star Tribune, Best Music Director in 2010 from Lavender, and Theater Artist of the Year in 2012 from Lavender.