Our Instructors
Artistic & Education Director
Kimberly Faith Hickman is a theatre producer, director and choreographer whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours and regional theatre productions across the country. Focusing on new and existing work by contemporary writers, including both plays and musicals, her directing and choreography work has been praised by Broadwayworld.com, Backstage and other news publications as "verbally and visually bursting with ideas", "never is there a wasted beat, nuance or moment", "undeniably stunning", "impeccable", "deft", "inventive and impressive" and "fast paced, emotionally riddled work."
On Broadway, Kimberly has worked on productions that earned 19 Tony® Award nominations combined. Off-Broadway she has worked on productions at Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre Company, Atlantic Theatre Company, Women’s Project, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Theatre Row and PTP / NYC at Atlantic Stage 2, as well as terraNOVA Collective, Horse Trade Theatre Group, Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, Tongue In Cheek Theater, Attic Theater Company, Origin Theatre Company, and Writopia Lab. She is also a co-founder of the New York based company, Bechdel Project, whose mission is to create work that passes the Bechdel test.
In June 2016, Kimberly served as the Artistic Director of Omaha Playhouse in Omaha, NE. During her tenure, Kimberly founded the Omaha Community Playhouse Henry Fonda Theatre Academy, a theatre education program teaching life skills through stage skills for youth and adults; created the Omaha Community Playhouse Directing Fellowship, a professional training program for early and mid-career stage directors; expanded audio described and American Sign Language accessible programming and began sensory friendly and Spanish translated programming for the Omaha metro community. In the wake of the Covid-19 shutdown, she produced three socially distanced, drive-in theatre events that followed health directives and made Omaha Playhouse the only theatre in the Omaha metro area that remained in production.
She began her tenure as Artistic & Education Director of Rave On Productions in 2021, where she also serves as the primary instructor for theatre and acting classes.
Derek Bird
Drums
Derek Bird is a big fan of the drums. He claims they are "the coolest" and "so rad that even YOU can learn how to play them!" And he's not lying - Derek has taught hundreds of beginners and longtime learners since his music performance studies at the University of Nebraska in 2013. Now he shares his love for percussion with others through travel, performance, teaching, and the desire to transform drumming's math & mystery into a feeling everyone can understand.
Abby Custer
Private acting, Smells like teen spirit, spring break camp
Abby Custer is a teacher, director, performer, artist, and playwright. For over six years, Abby has taught a variety of drama courses at both the high school and university level. One of her favorite courses to teach was History of Rock and Roll! She has directed numerous plays, one acts, and musicals with actors of all ages and abilities. In 2023, Abby was honored as a finalist in ThinkTank Theatre’s TYA Playwright’s Festival. She loves to laugh, attend live local music, and wants to encourage anyone to be bold with their creative spark.
Mia Demspey
Private art
Mia Dempsey is an Environmental Science and Studio Art student at UNO. She has an extensive art background with experience in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, face painting, and various forms of sculpture. She participated in the Kent Bellows mentoring program in Omaha, as well as Hastings College Open Space program. Mia’s favorite colors are pink and green and she love’s to make art inspired by the natural world.
JON HICKERSON
Voice
Jon is both a professional singer/actor, and a Group Sales Manager for The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Blackstone. Jon has worked with McGuigan Arts Academy and Rave On Productions on both “Willy Wonka” and as the Narrator in “The Rocky Horror Show”.
Jon’s other Omaha stage credits include Legionnaire in ”What the Constitution Means to Me” and “Holiday Hootenanny” (Bluebarn), Don in “Kinky Boots” and Ghost of Christmas Present in “Christmas Carol” (Omaha Community Playhouse), Ensemble in “Sweeney Todd” (Opera Omaha at The Orpheum), “Run for Cover” (Omaha Fringe), Maxie in “Murder at Calumet Social Club” (Theatre-To-Go at Joslyn Castle), and Harry in “Mamma Mia” (OEAA nomination), Man 2 in “World Goes Round”, “Ring of Fire ”, and “Christmas My Way” (all with PART Theatre).
Jon earned a BFA from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Chicagoland credits include “Promises, Promises” and “Sweeney Todd” (Porchlight), “The Fantasticks” (Metropolis), “Mikado” (Noble Fool), “Once Upon A Mattress” (Emerald City), “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” (Kokandy), and a season with Wagon Wheel Theatre in Indiana. Jon can be seen in several regional commercials and was a featured singer on “Quarantine Tonight” for News Channel Nebraska. Jon’s daughter also attends the McGuigan Arts Academy and loves it!
EJANAE HUME
VIOLIN, voice
Ejanae Hume has been playing Violin since the Fourth Grade. She has been a part of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra and helped to pioneer the Orchestra at Midland University. Ejanae Loves to dance, sing, and read as well as play the violin. Her favorite colors are yellow, blue, and glitter. Ejanae believes that the arts are for everyone and that you can add music into your life at any age. "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible" - Audrey Hepburn
BILLY MCGUIGAN
Voice over
Billy McGuigan is the owner and creative director of Rave On Productions. He has created and produced several award winning shows that actively tour North America including; Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience, and Pop Rock Orchestra. Touring North America since 2003, Billy’s shows have sold out countless performances and have broken box office and attendance records in several theaters across the country. Career highlights include performing with Buddy Holly’s contemporaries Tommy Allsup and Sonny West and headlining Las Vegas with Yesterday and Today, considered to be the world’s most innovative and interactive Beatles show. In 2020 Billy independently released his original album, billymcguiganTOGETHER which has been described as “one of the best albums of which I have had the privilege of listening”.
When not on tour Billy lends his talent to acting in industrial films and commercials, doing voice-over work and working with artists on show and brand development.
Billy has won countless awards for his work including the Spotlight Award for Best Actor in a Musical, an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for Yesterday and Today, a recipient of the Midland Business Journal’s 40 under 40 award, and the CPACS Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service awarded by the Faculty and Staff at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Billy started the Bill McGuigan Scholarship in memory of his Dad. The scholarship is awarded to a Bellevue East High School student each year who is continuing their education in an arts related field. Billy remains active with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and balances all this with the reason he’s doing it all; for his kids, Cartney and Ciaran.
MATTHEW MCGUIGAN
Guitar, Bass, voice, Songwriting
Matthew McGuigan is a graduate of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, where he studied musical theatre. He has been the Music Director of Rave On Productions for the last 10 years. Over the years, he’s had the privilege to tour all over the world with such shows as Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience and Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience. Some of his music directing credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Rocky Horror Show. When not touring and directing shows, Matthew fronts the local rock band Moses Prey. With 30 years of music experience, Matthew is here to help with voice, piano, bass and guitar.
Kait potter
private art
Kait Potter is a Graphic Design and Art History student at UNL, with a deep passion and love for creating in all forms of art. She has experience with painting, drawing, ceramics, print, digital art, and design. Kait’s favorite colors are green, blue, and pink. Some of her favorite artists are David Hockney and Jen Mann. Kait is a firm believer that art is not a talent, and a skill anyone can learn!
Belle rangel
happy feet
Belle Rangel is a recent Gretna High School Graduate. While in high school, she participated in four years of Show Choir, Speech Team, Spring Musical, and One Act. She was the secretary of the Drama Club and a member of Thespian Troupe 125. Belle is a 2 time Nebraska All State Choir qualifier. Belle played the role of Fiona in Shrek the musical her senior year. Outside of school Belle has found joy in performing in community theaters in the Omaha Metro area. A couple of her favorite roles include, Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank at the Rose Theater and Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at The Omaha Community Playhouse.
Belle is so stoked to have the opportunity to work with the students at the McGuigan Arts Academy! She hopes to make real connections and help the kids grow into whoever they want to be!
Charisa Ramsey
Acting
Charisa Ramsey is a teaching artist, actor, director, and playwright. She has a Bachelors in Theatre Performance and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Theatre Pedagogy. She is currently working as a community based teaching artist with Opera Omaha as a Holland Community Opera Fellow. Previously she has worked as a teaching artist at The Rose Theater, Omaha Community Playhouse, Lincoln Children's Museum, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She is excited to join in the fun at the McGuigan Arts Academy!
Christian shields
PIANO
Christian Shields is a vocal performance major at University of Nebraska at Omaha. Christian actively participates in ensembles at the university, at his church, and is the tenor section leader at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
He has been mentored in piano by Ms. Stacie Haneline, an instructor at the UNO School of Music. Teaching piano allows him the opportunity to teach others to explore music and appreciate it the way he does.
Outside of music he loves to travel, read, and spend time with friends and family.
COLLIN SMITH
GUITAR
Collin Smith is an accomplished guitar teacher looking forward to sharing his knowledge with students at the McGuigan Arts Academy. With a wealth of experience, Collin previously taught at the renowned School of Rock, honing his skills and inspiring aspiring musicians. He is an alumnus of both Metropolitan Community College and the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he studied his craft. Currently residing in Omaha, Nebraska, Collin brings his expertise and passion for music to his students, fostering their growth and helping them reach their musical potential.
ANDREW SPRAGUE
Woodwinds
Andrew Sprague is a saxophonist from Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, earning a bachelor's degree in music education! Andrew has been playing saxophone for 12 years, and plays the flute, piccolo, and clarinet as well. Additionally, he works as an instrument repair technician at Schmitt Music, where he primarily does saxophone repair. While Andrew mainly performs with the Fission Quartet, he also plays around town with other groups from time to time. As a hobby, Andrew likes to explore music production and mixing!
JAY SRYGLEY
Spring Break camp
Jay Srygley is an Omaha based actor, musician and producer. Jay has also been teacher of performing and creative arts for 15 years. When not on stage performing, his primary focuses are on audio and video production. He has produced hundreds of studio recordings and videos over the past 20 years for clients ranging from individuals and local schools and churches, to the Omaha Community Playhouse, First National Bank, and Mutual of Omaha. Jay produced all of the streaming content for the Omaha Community Playhouse during the pandemic with an expertise in multi-camera live capture, nonlinear editing, and audio mastering.
elaine stoner
Piano, voice
Vocalist and instrumentalist Elaine Stoner has been performing most of her life. A graduate of Papillion La Vista High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Elaine has long been a crowd favorite on concert, festival, and club stages and has been a featured vocalist on numerous recording projects. An experienced and captivating song stylist with versatility in pop, jazz, neo-soul, and the American Songbook has made her a much sought-after vocalist in diverse professional settings.
Elaine has 25 years of experience teaching beginning and intermediate piano and voice students and is currently the piano accompanist for the concert and show choirs at Papillion Middle School.
Without question, Elaine says her husband, children, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters are her greatest blessings.
brittney thompson
Chalk art
Brittney is a busy performer, artist and musician in Omaha. She has performed all over the city in recent roles as “Justice” in Rock of Ages and “Nettie” in The Color Purple. Other performance credits with Rave On Productions include “Transylvanian” in The Rocky Horror Show, being in the Ensemble for The Buddy Holly Story and being a lead performer in the 2020 production of Don’t Stop Me Now. Brittney is also happy to have been the artist behind the backdrop for 2021’s Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience hosted by the Slowdown.
MINDY ZIMMERMAN
VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO
With over 20 years professional experience, Mindy Zimmerman has performed for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Buble, Billy McGuigan, The Omaha Community Playhouse, The Rose Theater, Chanticleer Theater, Bellevue Little Theater, PART, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, and is principle cellist for the Metropolitan String Quartet.
As a clinician and adjudicator, she has worked with the Music For All Honors Orchestra of America, Nebraska Music Educators All-State Orchestra, Omaha Music Teachers Association, Millard Public Schools, and UNO String Olympics. During the day, Mindy is the Director of Orchestras at Omaha South High School, where she has been teaching since 2001. In addition to orchestra, she teaches music theory and AP Music Theory programs, and assists with the Advanced Orchestra at Marrs Middle School. She has maintained a small private cello studio for over twenty years.
Mindy earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where studied cello under Dr. David Low.