Artistic Staff
Robert Fitzsimmons (he/him)
Production Designer
"Rj" is co-owner of Bare Bodkins and the husband of Jayna Fitzsimmons. He has a B.F.A. in technical theatre and design from Western Kentucky University and has worked for Augustana University, the Black Hills Playhouse in South Dakota, Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, Jenny Wiley Theatre in Kentucky, and the Arundel Barn Playhouse in Maine.
Production Designer
"Rj" is co-owner of Bare Bodkins and the husband of Jayna Fitzsimmons. He has a B.F.A. in technical theatre and design from Western Kentucky University and has worked for Augustana University, the Black Hills Playhouse in South Dakota, Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, Jenny Wiley Theatre in Kentucky, and the Arundel Barn Playhouse in Maine.
Jeff Larsen (he/him)
Jeff is excited to be joining Bare Bodkins for his twelfth production with the company. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Augustana University in Theatre and Philosophy, and his Master of Fine Arts in Directing at the University of South Dakota. He is currently the Community Engagement and Education Program Coordinator for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has served as the Artistic Director for Monstrous Little Theatre Company and works with other area theatre companies. He is excited to be returning for another summer with Bare Bodkins and is continually inspired by the tremendous work of all around him. He would like to thank his family and loved ones for their never ending support and encouragement.
Nolan Wipf (he/him)
Nolan is joining for his 6th season with Bare Bodkins. He is a graduate of Augustana University, having majored in Vocal Music and Education. Nolan is a vocal music educator at Memorial Middle School, teaching mostly choir and theatre classes. Aside from the performing arts, Nolan enjoys spending time with his fiancée and four cats. He is looking forward to acting again with the Bare Bodkins Theatre Co.
Tatiana Chance
(she/her)
Tatiana is excited to spend another summer with Bare Bodkins. She is a graduate of Augustana University with a B.A. in Theatre and Elementary Education. In her free time, Tatiana loves to travel and she is the founder and executive director of Help 4 Huhas. She loves spending her summers sweaty for Shakespeare. She also works with the Spotlight Theatre Company (formerly Dakota Academy of Performing Arts) and Goodnight Theatre. She would like to thank her mom and her puppies for being her practice audience, and anyone in the audience with a big laugh.
Kale Hellman (they/them)
Kale is an Augustana University gradute with a BA in Theatre and English. You may have seen Kale in Bare Bodkin's productions of Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night. Kale was also in the Premiere Playhouse's production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. They would like to thank their friends and family for their support, especially Caleb for being the best off-stage scene partner ever. A huge thank you to the parks department for supporting this unique and joyful art, and to Jayna and R.J. for cultivating such a positive and special environment ❤️. Kale is enchanted to spend their 5th summer with you all at the Mill!
Jayna Fitzsimmons (she/her)
Artistic Director
Jayna is a professor in the theatre department at Augustana University where she directs productions and teaches courses in acting, theatre history, playwriting, improv, and theatre for social change. She also teaches a global studies course that explores performance in Central and Eastern Europe. She earned a B.A. in theatre arts from SMSU; an M.A. in theatre with emphases in theatre history and literature, directing, acting and early modern drama from USD; and a Ph.D. in critical studies in English literature with specialization in the intersection between metatheatre and theatre for social change. Jayna has received regional Kennedy Center honors for her directing, adaptation, new play development, and production response work. When she's not busy with Bare Bodkins, Jayna frequently collaborates with playwrights from across the region and country to develop new work, and she partners with Spotlight Theatre's youth Shakespeare and Plays for Living programs. Originally from the Sioux Falls area, Jayna grew up enjoying Bare Bodkins performances and joined the company as an assistant director and actor in 2006. Now in her 14th summer as Bare Bodkins' artistic director, Jayna is thrilled to collaborate with this season's incredibly gifted company!
Artistic Director
Jayna is a professor in the theatre department at Augustana University where she directs productions and teaches courses in acting, theatre history, playwriting, improv, and theatre for social change. She also teaches a global studies course that explores performance in Central and Eastern Europe. She earned a B.A. in theatre arts from SMSU; an M.A. in theatre with emphases in theatre history and literature, directing, acting and early modern drama from USD; and a Ph.D. in critical studies in English literature with specialization in the intersection between metatheatre and theatre for social change. Jayna has received regional Kennedy Center honors for her directing, adaptation, new play development, and production response work. When she's not busy with Bare Bodkins, Jayna frequently collaborates with playwrights from across the region and country to develop new work, and she partners with Spotlight Theatre's youth Shakespeare and Plays for Living programs. Originally from the Sioux Falls area, Jayna grew up enjoying Bare Bodkins performances and joined the company as an assistant director and actor in 2006. Now in her 14th summer as Bare Bodkins' artistic director, Jayna is thrilled to collaborate with this season's incredibly gifted company!
Macie Lupica (She/Her)
Macie is stoked to return to the Queen Bee Mill for her second Bare Bodkins production! She made her Shakespearean debut in 2024 as Viola/Cesario in their season 27 production of Twelfth Night. A Dakota Academy of Performing Arts (now Spotlight Theatre Company) alumni, Macie has been performing with local theater companies since 2018 including The Premiere Playhouse, Monstrous Little Theatre Company, Storytellers Anonymous, and the Mighty Corson Art Players. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Media Studies from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and works as a Senior Communications Specialist at Sanford Health/Good Samaritan. Macie would like to dedicate this season’s performance to Brian Schipper, whose Roman Empire was, well, the Roman Empire, and she thinks he would be tickled to know she had the chance to recreate this stylized moment in history. She hopes he’s resting easy and that she's making him proud!
2026 Acting Company
Aaron Allen (he/him)
Aaron Allen discovered his passion for performance during his time at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he first developed a love for the stage. Driven by that early inspiration, he went on to pursue formal training at the AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. His education provided him with a strong foundation in acting, voice, and movement, shaping his approach to both classical and contemporary work.
Aaron is thrilled to be performing with the Bare Bodkins Theatre Company for the first time. He is excited to collaborate with such a talented group of artists and to bring the tragedy of Julius Ceasar to life for audiences. Aaron remains dedicated to growing as a performer and is grateful for every opportunity to share his craft.
Suki Ford
(she/her)
Suki is super excited to spend her second summer with Bare Bodkins! Suki is a recent graduate of Augustana University with a degree in English Literature and Secondary Education and plans to pursue a career in the Sioux Falls school district. This is her third time performing Shakespeare, having played Horatio/Guildenstern in Hamlet with Bare Bodkins last summer and most recently, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing with the Stirling University Drama Society in Stirling, Scotland. She would like to thank the Sioux Falls community for continuing to support all the incredible performing arts this city has to offer!
Satchel Workman (any/all)
Satchel is overjoyed to be making their Shakespeare debut with Bare Bodkins this summer! Satchel is studying Classics at Augustana University, where you may have seen them in roles such as Steve in Almost, Maine; Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown; and Dave Riley in The Outsider. When they're not doing theater, Satchel enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction novels, looking up the etymology of words, and bowling. They would like to thank Jayna, RJ, and the cast for creating such a supportive and welcoming environment for a newcomer to Shakespeare.
Vaughn (he/him)
Vaughn Schneider is beginning his fourth year at Augustana University's theatre department. The first production he was involved with was DSU's Shakespeare in Love in 2022, and he's loved Shakespeare ever since. This is his second outing with Bare Bodkins since he played Orsino in Twelfth Night two summers ago. Previous credits at Augie include Death of a Salesman (scenic designer), Macbeth (Macduff), This is My Body (Heimer), This Apple is RED (playwright), Beneath Their Grin (Tyler), and To Be Continued (director). You may also have seen his work as a carpenter intern at the Black Hills Playhouse last summer! You can usually find him in/around the Augustana theatre lobby, spending time with his loved ones, and/or holed up in a dark chamber practicing the dark arts (that is, playing Dungeons and Dragons or building his next Magic: the Gathering deck). If you want to see more of his directing work, don't miss Constellations at Augie in April of next year! And, of course, he is very excited to be performing for you!
