Lee Christianson

Francis

Lee is thrilled to be making his debut with Dakota Stage. His previous credits include "Misery" and "Diabolique" with TruNorth Theatre. He is incredibly grateful to Gil for the opportunity to join such a talented and welcoming group, who have made him feel right at home from the start. Lee would like to thank his wife, family, and friends for their constant support in helping him step outside his comfort zone.

Juan Gelpi

Otis

Juan is so excited to return to Dakota Stage. He has been seen in Bismarck in Sweeney Todd, Hamlet, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He had the role of Mr. Pendleton in Choir Boy at the Little Theatre of Norfolk. He was last seen in The Crucible at Dakota Stage. Juan divides his time between Bismarck and Virginia Beach. He would like to thank his beloved wife Barbara and his ridiculous wiener dogs Bruno and Berta.

Mark Hasbargen

Mr. Dunlap

Welcome to another wild ride at Dakota Stage! I'm so very pleased to be a part of this show and MORE than pleased to share this time and stage with this group of talented and fun actors. I've been a part of the Dakota Stage community for fourteen years. This is my eighteenth show with DSL, the most recent of which were last season's "A Christmas Carol", "The Underpants", and "Wait Until Dark". This is my escape from my day job (computer programmer at N.I.S.C. in Mandan) and I'm so glad you've come to spend this time with us.

Julie Wolf

Mrs. Osgood

Julie Wolf is delighted to appear as Mrs. Everett P. Osgood in “Suite Surrender,” which is her 45thperformance with Dakota Stage since 1988. She was last seen in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at TruNorth Theatre and “Church Basement Ladies” at DSL. Other favorite roles include Phyllis in “Twilight of the Golds” (where she won a Brady Award as Best Supporting Actress) and Florence Unger in “The Odd Couple-Female Version.” Julie has acted in and directed area Lenten dramas and has performed with Capitol Shakespeare, the Bismarck Civic Choir, Bismarck State College, and Players Dinner Theatre. Many thanks for the love and support of her husband, Brian; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sarah Wolf; and son, Dustin Wolf. Special thanks go to her beloved parents, Charles and Helen Stucy, who supported her in all her endeavors.

Samantha Schauer

Dora

Samantha Schauer stars as Dora Del Rio in Suite Surrender, marking her debut with Dakota Stage. With roots in Valley City's children's summer theater, Samantha has been passionate about acting since 2nd grade. After continuing her theater journey in high school, she's thrilled to return to the stage after over a decade away.

Samantha extends her gratitude to the director and cast for their warmth and support, as well as to her family, friends, and husband for always cheering her on.

Rebecca Wilhelmi

Claudia

Rebecca is happy to be back on the DSL stage for this hilarious production. She began acting in middle school, appearing in multiple shows through the years in her hometown of Pierre, SD. In Bismarck she has previously appeared in "Young Frankenstein" (2016), "First Date the Musical" (2020), "Marvin’s Room" (2023), "Sweeney Todd" (2023), and "Hamlet" (2024). She has also been an active member of the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus since 2015. She would also like to shout out her friends and family who support her!

TJ Doll

Pippet

TJ has been involved in several productions on and off stage. He loves the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities to learn. He is ceaselessly amazed at the talent in the community, and how strangers can come together in a few short weeks to accomplish the incredible as a team.

Brianna Mundt

Athena

Brianna Mundt is thrilled to be back on the Dakota Stage. Her previous experiences at DSL include "Boeing Boeing" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". She would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to the cast and crew for their warm welcome back to the theatre, as well as to her family and friends for their unwavering support.

Heather Christianson

Murphy

Heather Christianson is excited to showcase her debut performance here at Dakota Stage and is thrilled to work with such a great cast and crew on this amazing and funny show. Heather enjoys tennis, reading and her pets. She would like to thank her son Cooper for his never-ending love and support.

G.E. Kuntz

Director

Since 2012, Gil has been involved in nearly 40 productions in the Bismarck/Mandan area. With Dakota Stage, their previous credits include directing Greater Tuna (2020) and A Christmas Carol (2021) as well as original scores for A Doll's House: Part 2 (2021) and The Crucible (2025), and on stage in the cast of Crimes of the Heart (2023), among numerous other contributions. Originally from Dickinson, North Dakota, they are a software developer by trade and currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona.

Lex Belile

Stage Manager

Lex Belile is the current Administrative Assistant for Dakota Stage, and has been involved in theatre with Shade Tree and Dakota Stage since 2010. Her most recent shows include: Carrie (ensemble), Church Basement Ladies (Stage Manager), The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Choreographer), The Crucible (ensemble), and Beetlejuice Jr. in New Salem (choreographer). She also has a double masters degree in Business Administration and Philosophy, and currently teaches at BSC.