Wiley Hausam, Director
Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts
PEAK Performances presents
RENT - In Concert
Sun., February 22, 2026, 3:00pm
ALEXANDER KASSER THEATER
About the Artists
Alex Lugo - Maureen (they/them) is a Black, Queer, & Nonbinary artist from Miami, FL. Seen on Broadway in the Tony Award winning, HADESTOWN, as Toby on HBOMAX’s And Just Like That, & on The Late Late Late Show with James Corden. For my family, Adreanna, Ben, & TNB2S+ pioneers. With endless gratitude to the DGRW Team.
@alexmarialugo alexmlugo.com
Kris Carrasco - Angel Latino sensation (and American menace), this marks their National Tour debut! Off Broadway: House Of Telescopes (Cartographer). Regional: Chasing Rainbows (World Premiere), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck, under the direction of Broadway’s Joe Barros), as well as many new musical workshops and readings in New York City. You can also hear Kris on the studio cast recording of SUEÑOS: Our American Musical (currently being developed for Broadway audiences) streaming now. To everyone with a dream NEVER give up. Thank you DGRW, Penn State University, the radical power of queer friendship, and every mentor past and present. This performance is dedicated to his brothers Nathan, Joseph, and Alex, and to the Black and Brown Queer and Trans Community. @KrisDCarrasco
Candice Marie Woods - Joanne (they/she) is thrilled to join the company of RENT in Concert, lending their voice as Joanne. Broadway & National Tour credits include 1776 Revival (Joseph Hewes/u.s. John Adams), Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (Diana Ross), The Book of Mormon (Ensemble/u.s. Nabulungi), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Flo/Ensemble), Catch Me If You Can (Ensemble), Hairspray(Dynamite), and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Swing), Legally Blonde (US Tour) (Pilar), Dirty Dancing (Ensemble/Female Lead Vocalist). Some international performances include Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (Korea Tour) Let's Broadway Camerata, (Brazil) -Featured Soloist. Recent regional credits include Becky in Waitress (Pioneer Theatre Company), Millie Davis in Trouble in Mind (Dallas Theatre Center), and Brenda in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse). On screen, Candice has been seen on Law & Order (Rachelle Jones) and as a soloist on the Kennedy Center Honors honoring Berry Gordy.
They send love to their family and friends for their continued support, with special Titi kisses for Jolie, Ava, and Sean.
Ruchir Khazanchi - Benny is an actor, writer, and musician originally from Omaha, Nebraska. As a musician and songwriter, he is currently working on his debut EP, entitled True American. His writing projects have been semifinalists for the National Musical Theatre Conference and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Conference. He is represented by Lohne/Graham Management. Theatre: Dolly: A True Original Musical (The Fisher Center for Performing Arts); Once (Syracuse Stage); Legally Blonde (Paramount Aurora); Mister Dickens' Hat (Northlight Theatre); Fiddler On The Roof (The Lyric Opera of Chicago); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (TheatreSquared); Guards At The Taj (Chester Theatre Company); The Apple Tree (Porchlight Music Theatre); Heaven Is A Place In The Sky (The Tank); Something In The Game (American Music Theatre Project); Kiss (Haven Chicago); Māyā (Symphony Space). Film: The Becomers (Dark Star Pictures); Thumb (Weed Road Pictures/Bluestone Entertainment). Northwestern Theatre Alum. Thank you to my friends, family, and teachers. Instagram: @ruchir.khazanchi www.ruchirkhazanchi.com
Tommy Kaiser - Mark (he/him) is over the moon to be touring with RENT in Concert following his performance in the production with the San Diego Symphony. He is also an alum of the 25th Anniversary National Tour of RENT (Swing, u/s Mark, u/s Roger). Other recent credits: Frozen (Hans), Jersey Boys (Swing, u/s Frankie Valli), Featured Artist on In Pieces: A New Musical (Highlights). Endless gratitude to Ally Taylor Artists & Zuri Agency, the RENT in Concert team, and to his friends and family for their boundless support. @tommykaiser_
Chicago-native, Jasiana Caraballo - Mimi, is thrilled to go back Out Tonight! Recent credits include: Rent in Concert (Segerstrom Center for the Arts), Pump Up the Volume (The Hudson Theatres), Cindy & the Disco Ball (Garry Marshall Theatre), Joseph…Dreamcoat (La Mirada), and Dogman: The Musical(National Tour.)
Jasiana is thankful for every role that allows her to explore a character’s heart and journey, and is continually inspired by the communities each show creates. She extends her heartfelt thanks to her team at Aperture Talent and Rothman Andres Entertainment for their dedication, and sends endless love to her family and all of her loved ones, whose support grounds and uplifts her every day. Welcome to the show! Let’s measure this night in love!
Will Hastreiter - Roger is based in NYC, but is originally from Omaha, NE. He is so excited to be back in action with AMP! Previous credits include The Turning Workshop (Center Theatre Group at Open Jar Studios), Rent in Concert (Roger, Lied Center for Performing Arts), and Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio, Omaha Community Playhouse).
“Friends, Family, and loved ones: thank you for your love, patience, and unwavering support! Claire, I love you and I’m so proud of you! No day but today!” Rep: The Mine // Instagram: @willhastreiter
Terrance Lamont - Tom Collins is overjoyed to be reprising his dream role with RENT in Concert! His performance credits include: RENT(Collins) The Muny, The Kennedy Center, and Paper Mill Playhouse; BHANGIN’ IT(Jake) La Jolla Playhouse; & Dreamgirls (C.C. White) National/International Tour. He sends much love to his friends & family for their unending support!
Sara Brians is an award winning director and choreographer who loves developing new musicals in addition to directing and choreographing revivals. Sara’s Broadway credits include MATILDA, BILLY ELLIOT, WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, 42ND STREET, THE TERMS OF MY SURRENDER, and AFTER THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC. Regional directing credits include WAITRESS, ROCK OF AGES, GODSPELL, CABARET and MATILDA, and choreography credits include WHITE CHRISTMAS, ANYTHING GOES, MARY POPPINS, SUNSET BOULEVARD, GUYS AND DOLLS, SHREK, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and SPRING AWAKENING among others. She has directed and choreographed numerous industrials, concerts, and entertainment events world-wide, including additional choreography for BORN TO DANCE with Princess Cruise Line. She has performed, directed, and choreographed for prestigious institutions including The Radio City Rockettes, The Kennedy Center, New York City Center Encores!, Goodspeed Opera House, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Theatre Aspen and many more. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Hunter College and is an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at The University of Oklahoma’s Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre. Visit sarabrians.com for more.
Meet the Ensemble
Heidi Joosten (Music Director, Conductor) is a Jeff Award–winning music director, composer, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, and educator. Since 2014, she has contributed to 125+ new theatrical, comedic, and concert productions across the globe.
Her international national live-to-picture credits include The Witcher in Concert (Music Director/Conductor); Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert – 1st National & 20th Anniversary tours (Assoc. Conductor); Naruto: The Symphonic Experience (Assoc. Conductor, Orchestrator, Score Supervisor); Labyrinth in Concert (Orchestrator); Barbie: Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall (Assoc. Conductor, Score Supervisor); Tokyo Ghoul: 10th Anniversary Concert (Score Supervisor) and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Assoc. Conductor).
Chicago highlights include Children of Eden (Broadway in Chicago), Assassins (Theo Ubique, 2024 Jeff Award for Music Direction), American Psycho and Alice By Heart (Kokandy Productions, both Jeff-nominated), Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Don’t Quit Your Daydream (The Second City), Grease (Drury Lane Theater), and Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert with the Elgin Symphony.
An active classical and educational composer, her award-winning work has been performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. She holds composition degrees from UW–Eau Claire and CCPA and is a member of ASCAP and the Dramatists Guild. IG: @heidijoosten • www.heidijoosten.com
Chachi Delgado is super excited to return to Rent: In Concert! An Afro-Latino originally from the Bay Area, his credits include the recent 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert of In The Heights, directed by KO, multiple productions of Mystic Pizza, including at Paper Mill Playhouse and Riverside Theater, and regional productions of My Fair Lady, Choir Boy, Evita, Fun Home, A Chorus Line, Into the Woods, Follies, and Hello, Dolly! Television and film work includes Loop (Disney+), Freaky Tales (Lionsgate), and commercials for McDonalds and Toyota. Chachi was also a choreographer and dancer for the video game NBA 2K25. “Big shout out to Korsa Musical Theater, dear friends, big family, and Whole Artist Management. Dropout 20”
Joseph DePietro is an actor, singer, director, and teaching artist based in NYC. Broadway/ Tour: The Phantom of the Opera. TV: Law and Order. Select Regional and Concert Work: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical at The Kennedy Center, Altar Boyz, Hair, Jersey Boys, Ragtime, 1776. Joseph is passionate about his work with Co_Lab Theater Group, who use theatre to provide an artistic and social outlet to folks with developmental disabilities. Favorite role to date: uncle to the best nephews and niece imaginable. For more, visit www.josephdepietro.com or IG @josephdepietro . No day but today.
Neema Muteti (she/her) is thrilled to be touring with RENT in Concert! She will be graduating from the University of Southern California this spring with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recent credits: Adelaide - Guys and Dolls (USC), Extraordinary Girl - American Idiot (workshop w/ Center Theatre Group + Deaf West), Mimi - Rent (USC), Ensemble - Rent in Concert (LA Premiere), Ensemble/Mimi us - Rent (Cape Playhouse), Atina - The Little Mermaid (McCoy/Rigby Entertainment), Ensemble - Reefer Madness LA Revival. In her spare time, Neema loves forcing her friends to tap dance with her and reading Percy Jackson books. Thank you Mom, Dad, Allan, Alfred, and Noelle for your love and support! All Glory to God <3 Insta: @neema.muteti
Nisa Mercado is thrilled to be back with AMP Worldwide for RENT In Concert. Her favorite credits include The Wiz- Virginia Repertory Theatre & A Chorus Line - Virginia Theatre Festival. She attended Shenandoah Conservatory for her B.F.A in Musical Theatre. She wants to thank her wife, mom, grandparents and friends for their endless love and support.
Rodney Mckinner is from Memphis, Tennessee. His passion for singing and performing began when he was a young child, and his love for the stage has only grown deeper over time. After receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Oklahoma in 2023, Rodney went on to complete two contracts as a lead vocalist with Royal Caribbean International. During this time, he had the opportunity to sing and travel all over the world, visiting over 25 countries. He would like to thank his friends, family, teachers, and wonderful agents at Henderson Hogan for their constant support. IG: @rodney.mckinner
PEAK Performances
Wiley Hausam | Director
Taliyah Bethea | Marketing Assistant
Susan Case | Program Book Coordinator
Patrick Flood | Graphic Designer, Art Director
Martin Halo | Website Development
Michael Landes | Membership Coordinator
Peg Schuler-Armstrong | General Manager
Jacob Stepansky | Company Manager
Blake Zidell Associates | Media Representative
College of the Arts
Daniel Gurskis | Dean
Ronald L. Sharps | Associate Dean
Christine Lemesianou | Associate Dean
Amanda Gonzalez Carcione | Assistant Dean
Zacrah S. Battle | College Administrator
Nicole Archer | Chairperson, Department of Art and Design
Shea Scruggs | Director, John J. Cali School of Music
Kathleen Kelley | Chairperson, Department of Theatre and Dance
Wiley Hausam | Director, Arts + Cultural Programming
Hillery Makatura | Director, Performance Operations
Patricia Piroh | Director, Broadcast and Media Operations
Megan C. Austin | Director, University Galleries
Staff Credits
College of the Arts
Performance Operations
Hillery Makatura | Director
Cubby Terry | Facilities and Events Manager
Marlene Hamm | Interim Production Manager
Colin Van Horn | Technical Director
Kevin Johnson | Senior Production Engineer
Jason Flamos | Lighting Supervisor
Laurel Brolly | Business Manager
Jeff Lambert Wingfield | Box Office Manager
Jade Thomas | Patron Services Manager
Rayne Collins | Front of House Coordinator
Aboubacar Cisse, Abigail Drueding, Jacqueline Mancia Hernandez, Shantel Maysonett, Ashley Wallis | Lead Ushers, Season 2025–26
Andrea Armando, Riona Askins, Aboubacar Cisse, Jacqueline Mancia Hernandez, Audrey Lassanske, Shantel Maysonett, Ben Renfrow | Box Office Lead Associates, Season 2025–26
We respectfully acknowledge that Montclair State University occupies land in Lenapehoking, the traditional and expropriated territory of the Lenape. As a state institution, we recognize and support the sovereignty of New Jersey’s three state-recognized tribes: the Ramapough Lenape, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, and Powhatan Renape nations. We recognize the sovereign nations of the Lenape diaspora elsewhere in North America, as well as other Indigenous individuals and communities now residing in New Jersey. By offering this land acknowledgement, we commit to addressing the historical legacies of Indigenous dispossession and dismantling practices of erasure that persist today. We recognize the resilience and persistence of contemporary Indigenous communities and their role in educating all of us about justice, equity, and the stewardship of the land throughout the generations.
Programs in this season were made possible, in part, by the Alexander Kasser Theater Endowment Fund and PEAK Patrons.
PEAK Performances develops, presents, and produces a broad range of world-class dance, film, master classes, music, opera and music theater, talks, and theater in the Alexander Kasser Theater on the campus of Montclair State University for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. We are building community through live performance. PEAK Performances is a program of the university’s Arts + Cultural Programming Department.