Producing & General Management
Stephen Gabriel
Stephen Gabriel is a founding partner of Work Light Productions, where he also holds the title of President and Executive Producer. Since founding WLP in 2008, the company has grown into an industry leading producing, investment, general management, and technical supervision company with offices in Summit, NJ and Charleston, SC. Stephen is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and spent over a decade as a working musician before entering a successful career as a booking agent with The Booking Group and Columbia Artists Management. Stephen also spent 4 years creating and developing new works for young audiences prior to founding WLP.
Broadway co-producer credits include Ain’t Too Proud, Jagged Little Pill, Waitress, Hamilton, and Death of a Salesman. Current and upcoming touring productions include Ain’t Too Proud, the Olivier award winning productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tony award winning “Best Revival” Company, and Mrs. Doubt fire. Other recent touring productions include the RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, Mamma Mia!, An Officer and A Gentleman, Bandstand, White Christmas, Cinderella, Something Rotten!, Motown, American Idiot, In The Heights, and Avenue Q. Other developmental and producing credits include The Who’s TOMMY (Goodman Theatre), (West End), Clue, a new comedy based on the Paramount movie and Julie Andrews, The Gift of Music at The Hollywood Bowl and London’s O2 Arena. www.worklightproductions.com
Stephen Gabriel
Partner
Stephen Gabriel is a founding partner of Work Light Productions,...
Nancy Gabriel
Nancy co-founded Work Light Productions with her business partner & husband, Stephen Gabriel, in 2008 after spending nearly two decades in Artist Management. She has co-produced all of WLP’s shows since its inception, and manages the company’s Finances, Administration and HR. A graduate of the Hartt School/University of Hartford (Piano/Music Management) and New York University (Master of Public Administration), Nancy learned the business at IMG Artists, where she worked as a booking agent, artist manager and finally Senior VP & Director of the Dance Division. She believes that everything she learned from day one of music school through today goes into the incredible job of producing live theater, not the least of which are the lessons she has learned raising her 3 children – her proudest productions.
Nancy Gabriel
Partner
Nancy co-founded Work Light Productions with her business partner
Anièle Fortin-Perkell
Anièle joined Work Light Productions in 2012 after beginning her career in commercial theatre in Toronto at Dancap Productions working on the Canadian productions of Jersey Boys and The Toxic Avenger among many others. She was hired as WLP’s Resident Company Manager and served as Company Manager on the national tour of Traces by Les 7 Doigts. She then transitioned to General Management and has had the pleasure to oversee productions of RENT: 20th Anniversary Tour, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, MAMMA MIA!, American Idiot, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and the upcoming first national tour of An Officer And A Gentleman. A graduate of McGill University, she is a certified yoga instructor, a musical theatre nerd, and her favorite role to date, a mom.
Anièle Fortin-Perkell
Chief Operating Officer/Exec. Producer
Anièle joined Work Light Productions in 2012 after beginning her...
Noelle Hedgcock
Born and raised in New Jersey, Noelle had the opportunity to immerse herself in theatrical experiences from a young age. She holds a master’s degree in English from Syracuse University where her academic projects centered on nineteenth-century British literature and culture, and often investigated theories of performance, identity, and adaptation. While in graduate school, Noelle managed group sales for the Central New York Playhouse while also occasionally working as a director and actor at CNYP. In between her years at graduate school, Noelle spent the summer working as a marketing and box office intern for Premiere Stages in Union, NJ. Noelle initially joined the WLP team from October 2018 to November 2020. During the spring of 2020, she joined the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference’s Conservation Corps as an AmeriCorps Trail Outreach and Education Steward serving primarily in the Lower Hudson Valley region of New York. In that position, she was able to actively engage and educate hikers and state park visitors about how to responsibly and sustainably enjoy outdoor spaces and experiences. Noelle rejoined the Work Light family in November of 2021 and is absolutely thrilled to be back!
Noelle Hedgcock
Executive Assistant to Stephen Gabriel
Born and raised in New Jersey, Noelle had the opportunity...
Courtney King
Courtney joined Work Light Productions in 2017 after working in Development at American Repertory Ballet. She was WLP’s Assistant General Manager on productions such as; Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, RENT: 20th Anniversary Tour, MAMMA MIA!, Something Rotten!, among others. She was the Associate General Manager for the 1st National 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, the 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour of RENT, and West Side Story in Stage Around Tokyo. She is currently the General Manager of the First National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, 2nd National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the First National Tour of COMPANY! She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in both Theatre and English. She is a theatre-obsessed, wine enthusiast, and an organizer of all things.
Courtney King
General Manager
Courtney joined Work Light Productions in 2017 after working in...
Matt Kunkel
Matt Kunkel
Assistant General Manager
Producer/Director/General Manager based in New York City.
Work Equity Action
Brian Harlan Brooks
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Teaneck, N.J. Dance training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre; Acting at William Esper Studios. Performing with Forces Of Nature, Philadanco, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, Deeply Rooted Chicago Dance Theater, Donald Byrd/The Group, Williams/Henry Dance Theatre, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance; In theatre: Vinnette Carol’s Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Oprah Winfrey presents The Color Purple first national Tour, One Third a Nation; In TV/Film Across the Universe: ‘Lifted’ a Fox searchlight film, Boardwalk Empire, Tormenting the Hen; Rehearsal director: Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Donald Byrd/The Group, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet (interim on tour). Teaching as a guest artist at multiple schools, colleges, and universities. Site Director at Ailey Camp, Missouri. Associate Artistic Director at Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance: Associate Choreographer for Motown the Musical on Broadway and all U.S. and U.K. tours and productions, choreographer re-stager for the U.K. tour. Associate choreographer on Born For This. Choreographer of First Noel at the Apollo. Co-director of One Harlem Night. Director of While I have the floor. Stage direct Jesus Christ Superstar promotional video. Currently resident director of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations Tour, Associate Director of the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th anniversary tour. As part of Brian’s ongoing passion to see art change lives he is also the director of Work Light Production’s Work Equity Action department.
Brian Harlan Brooks
Director of Work Equity Action
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Teaneck, N.J. Dance...
Finance
David Moore
David is thrilled to join the Work Light Productions team as Director of Finance.
He was born and raised in London, UK. Upon leaving school, David started his finance career in the City of London in International Banking. He soon realized he needed to follow his passion for music so he intertwined his skills in finance with an entry into the entertainment business at Metropolis Studios in London during its early years. He is proud that he had a chance to discover his passion at a start-up which is now the leading independent recording studio in Europe. He has also worked for Jazz Summers (manager for Wham! and Lisa Stansfield) as well as Big Life Records, Management and Publishing and later, Polygram Records.
Following a visit to New York City, David knew what his next goal was – to create a life for himself in the US. After 8 years of living in the US, David obtained his green card. Inspired by his husband, who was pursuing a theatre career, David pivoted his passion for the music industry to a new-found love of theatre arts. Again, opportunity came where David could intertwine his financial background with the arts community by joining Dramatists Play Service as Accounts Manager. With a lot of hard work and commitment David eventually became the Acting President VP of Finance & Administration for Dramatists Play Service.
David is committed to “diversity and inclusivity in theatre and the arts”. He now shares his home in New Jersey, with his family and a menagerie of pets. He loves dancing around the house and sharing his love of music with his daughter.
David Moore
Director of Finance
David is thrilled to join the Work Light Productions team...
Contracts
Carolyn Clark Smith
Carolyn joined the Work Light Productions team in 2013 after emerging from 4 fantastic years of being a stay at home mom, raising her son EJ and keeping husband Jon honest. Professionally, for nearly a decade she was the sole General Manager/Associate Producer for Big League Theatricals in NYC, overseeing touring productions (Peter Pan, Footloose, Titanic, The Music Man, Blast!, Blast II “Shockwave”, Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, The Who’s Tommy and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida) throughout North America, South America, Europe and Japan. Previously she was the Managing Director for The SITI Company, a Booking Agent for The Booking Group (under the direction of Stephen Gabriel), an Associate in International Touring at ICM Artists, and a player in the NYC downtown theatre scene. Carolyn is a Musical Theatre graduate of the Boston Conservatory with concentrations in vocal jazz and opera.
Carolyn Clark Smith
Contracts Manager/Special Projects
Carolyn joined the Work Light Productions team in 2013 after...
Production
Rhys Williams
Rhys has technically supervised every show that Work Light has ever produced – from the very first Broadway Junior show, then many more including Avenue Q, American Idiot, Mamma Mia!, and Motown, and now the exciting roster of shows WLP is currently producing including RENT, Ain’t Too Proud and Jesus Christ Superstar. Rhys is based in Charleston, SC where he runs “Work Light South”, the Production arm of WLP. In the early years of Work Light (and before), Rhys did some cool things like working at Spoleto Festival USA for 35 years (including 15 years as the Festival’s Director of Production), being the Assistant Production Manager on the original Broadway productions of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, working for over 20 years with Lee Breuer on shows including Peter and Wendy and Mabou Mines Dollhouse, and supervising the installation of dozens of shows on Disney Cruise Line ships. Rhys is a proud member of IATSE local #645. In his personal life he is an avid Philadelphia sports fan (Eagles and Sixers), loves cooking dinner for his family, and with the time allowed by the pandemic is working his way to earning his 2nd degree black belt in Kempo karate.
Rhys Williams
Vice President, Production
Rhys has technically supervised every show that Work Light has...
Mackenzie Foster
Mackenzie attended the College of Charleston where she graduated with a B.A. in Arts Management and a minor in Theatre. Post college, she moved to Chicago where she worked at Broadway In Chicago in the production department and assisted with all tours and shows at the Nederlander Theatre, Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, and the Broadway Playhouse. In 2013 Mackenzie moved back to Charleston to work with Rhys Williams’ company Technical Theatre Solutions. There she worked on shows such as American Idiot, Mamma Mia!, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. After taking a brief hiatus from the theatre world to act as Production Manager for a local A/V company, Mackenzie has loved being back with the Work Light family since 2016.
Mackenzie Foster
Director, Production Operations
Mackenzie attended the College of Charleston where she graduated with...
Tom Klonowski
Tom’s entrance into the business was through the 2010 Spoleto Festival USA, where he met Rhys Williams and subsequently worked for Technical Theater Solutions on numerous Disney cruise ship projects. He started touring in various technical positions with Work Light Productions’ shows beginning with American Idiot, and then continuing with Nice Work If You Can Get It and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Tom served as Production Carpenter for the First National Tour of Something Rotten! before joining the WLP team full-time as Associate Production Manager in 2017.
Tom Klonowski
Director of Technical Supervision
Tom’s entrance into the business was through the 2010 Spoleto...
Ryan George
Ryan started at Work Light Productions in late 2018. He joined the production team full time in Charleston, SC after touring with the company’s production of White Christmas. He is a proud product of Philadelphia, PA where he was born, raised, and attended college at Temple University receiving his B.A. in Theater. Some of Ryan’s favorite projects that he has been involved with technically are: WLP’s Bandstand, the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Ring Ceremony, Made in America Music Festival, and Shakespeare in Clark Park. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing golf, guiding jet-ski tours, and rooting for all Philly sports teams.
Ryan George
Production Manager
Ryan started at Work Light Productions in late 2018. He...
Hunter Storie
Hunter is pleased to join Work Light Productions full-time after receiving his B.S. in Theatre and Entertainment Technology from Michigan Technological University in 2019. He started with Work Light the prior summer as an intern after completing his time as a Special Projects Carpenter for Spoleto Festival USA. He has served as Technical Director for Pinckney High School, Lakes Elementary, and the show Agnes of God at Michigan Tech. He has spent a lot of time constructing scenery for the Terrorfied Forest, and proudly served as the Operations Coordinator for Sound and Lighting Services. In his free time, Hunter enjoys playing disc golf, hiking, and watching movies.
Hunter Storie
Production Manager
Hunter is pleased to join Work Light Productions full-time after...
Tiffany West
Tiffany is thrilled to join Work Light Productions full time after being the assistant wardrobe manager for the last year. Originally from North Carolina, Tiffany studied Theatre and Dance at East Carolina University. She has been performing locally in Charleston for the past 8 years and was company manager and assistant to the choreographer and costume designer during her time with them. Although her passion is being on stage, she has always had an interest in costumes and is delighted to be a part of the production side.
Tiffany West
Wardrobe Manager
Tiffany is thrilled to join Work Light Productions full time...
Joshua Bristow
Joshua (he/him/his) hails from Irmo, South Carolina (originally the land of the Cherokee people), where he first discovered his love of theater and dance. He received his BA in Arts Management from the College of Charleston where he interned with Charleston Stage Company and Spoleto Festival USA in various fundraising, management, and artistic departments.
He is now located on Kusso/Sewee land, Charleston, South Carolina, where he proudly serves as the Operations Assistant at Work Light Productions south office, Port City Technical. He also moonlights as Company Administrator for Company SBB//Stefanie Batten Bland, Organizer for PURPOSE Productions, and finds himself supporting other projects for dance companies along the east coast.
Prior to joining the Work Light team, he was the Marketing and Communications Manager for The Yard, a dance residency and performance center on Martha’s Vineyard (originally the land of the Wampanoag people), supporting dance and dance theater companies in the creation and development of new work.
In his free time, Joshua can be seen making Spotify playlists to accompany every situation, cooking an extravagant meal, seeing live performances, or nestled up with a book. Although he loves being behind the scenes he does return to the stage and dance studio when life permits.
Joshua Bristow
Operations Assistant
Joshua (he/him/his) hails from Irmo, South Carolina (originally the land...