About The Show

Brooke is an advocate, trainer and writer. She has worked with Nonprofits, learning how to create positive change & fight for equality. In 2021, she was featured in the NY Times: The 'Double Closet' Why Some Bisexual People Struggle With Mental Health, and in 2023 was awarded JCI USA's Committee Member for her work on the USA National Diversity Council. She is on the Board for the Bisexual Resource Center, a member of JCI Kalamazoo, and Founder of Gamers Who Give Foundation. When Brooke is not working or volunteering, she is writing and acting. Brooke starred in Queer Theatre Kalamazoo and Face Off Theatre Company's collaboration of "eLLe". 

Karen Libman, MFA, BFA, recently retired after a 35-year career as a theatre professor, stage director, writer, and storyteller.  She joined the faculty of Grand Valley State University in 1999. Libman was named the 2010 Michigan Professor of the Year, and she received a 2016 Fulbright Fellowship in South Asia. She is currently Board President of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo, but this is her first time working with QTK as an artist. 

CoCo is a first-time stage manager, and is excited to be working with QTK on this production.  CoCo enjoys volunteering, reading mysteries, and covering things in glitter. Big hugs and gratitude to Fathead and Petunia for your love and support.  And warm fist bumps to Denise and Maggie for being such gracious losers at Uno. 

BIcycle is Kailin’s QTK debut production. Kailin’s recent previous roles include RJ in Addy and Uno, Naomi in She Persisted, and ensemble swing in RENT, all at Farmers Alley Theatre. They would like to profusely thank their parents for raising them on the stage, their friends for always hyping them up, and their grandpa Floyd for being their biggest theatrical cheerleader.

Long time performing arts collaborator Jen Hebben is grateful for the opportunity to participate in bringing marginalized stories to light. As Stella Adler attested 'The theater was created to tell people the truth about life and the social situation.'  She will be playing the role of the Narrator in the QTK play BIcycle.

Kate Harte-DeCoux is a Theatre Director, Actor, and Educator originally from Flint, MI, with a BA in Theatre Performance from WMU and an MFA in Directing Theater from CUNY Brooklyn College. In her 15 years in NYC, Kate worked as an actor, director, educator, stage combatant, playwright, producer, & monologue coach, and founded Mortal Folly Theatre. Since returning to Michigan in 2016, she has worked with the Civic Theatre, Bare Backstage Productions, Great Escape Stage Company, Skits & Giggles, QTK and Tibbits Opera House. She also currently teaches at WMU and Kalamazoo College.

Jake Burrell is proud to return to the QTK stage as Belle's dad. He is currently studying Cyber Defense at Davenport . His proudest role was as Marcellus in "Music Man” with Center Stage Theatre (2022). He's lived in Kalamazoo for most of his life.

This will be Luis's second production at QTK (Angel, Dance Again). Other favorite roles include Chip and Greg in Addy and Uno (Farmers Alley Theatre), The Fisherman in Big Fish (Kalamazoo Civic Theatre). They are a student at Western Michigan University where they're studying Acting and Musical Theater.

Raquel Hellenga is making her QTK debut. Favorite past productions include Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, and Rest Assured. She enjoys teaching dance, singing, and training at Crawlspace Eviction and The Civic. She’s excited to center queer narratives on stage at QTK. She gives a special thanks to Holly, Noah, and Raegan for being her biggest fans.