THE STAFF

Julia Glander - Producing Artistic Director

Julia has decades of experience as a professional actor, director, producer and educator. She has acted in film, Off Broadway, and at many regional theaters across the country including the Asolo Repertory Theatre and Alabama Shakespeare Festival, from tiny New York City venues to the massive Hollywood Bowl. Los Angeles brought an opportunity to work as an Associate Producer for an ABC- TV kid’s special, Rhythm and Jam, as well in many national commercials and voice-overs. As a young theater artist, she won the prestigious National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Award at the Kennedy Center and received her Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa. As a theater practitioner and educator, her work has taken her across the United States, Europe and Asia. Upon moving back to her home state of Michigan fifteen years ago, her first acting gig was in The Dinner Party in 2008 at the newly opened Tipping Point Theatre. Since then, her award-winning Michigan credits include: The Cake and Shirley Valentine at Williamston Theatre, Mary Stuart at Meadow Brook Theatre, Cabaret at the JET, and Lady With All The Answers, at Tipping Point Theatre. Her scrappy and joyous career has brought many opportunities and this latest as Producing Artistic Director at Tipping Point Theatre is a full circle moment in her life. Now an “empty nester” she is presented with the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to her. 

julia@tippingpointtheatre.com

Angela Nelson-Heesch – Development Specialist (consultant)

Angela Nelson-Heesch is a fundraising professional with over 15 years of experience in the cultural sectors of Canada and the United States. Most recently, Angela led the Development department at Detroit Opera and before coming to Michigan held leadership positions at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir. She has also worked with the Canadian Music Centre and Toronto’s Luminato Festival. Over this time Angela has found that her passion lies in working with organizations going through challenges and transitions. Angela holds a BA in Music from the University of Alberta and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Brian Sage – Company Manager

Brian Sage is a freelance actor, director, educator and theatre manager. He is a graduate of Wayne State University where he earned his MFA in Acting while performing as a member of the Hilberry Repertory Theatre Company. He is a certified and associate teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. Sage has taught at several institutions including Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Ohio Northern University where he served as an associate professor, chair, and director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.  He’s worked for a variety of local companies including Tipping Point Theatre, Williamston Theatre, The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Performance Network Theatre and The Jewish Ensemble Theatre.

Tracy L. Spada -  Resident Stage Manager

Tracy Spada is one of the original Tipping Point Theatre (TPT) founding members and served as its Resident Stage Manager from its inception. Spada is an Arts Management graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She spent 18 years programming arts, concerts and theater for the city of Wayne as Arts & Entertainment Director. In 2004 she laid the groundwork at The Milan Performing Arts Center, creating the school’s first drama program and Arts Booster Club. In 2009 she began directing at Northville High School and mentored their students in every aspect of play production until 2020. She has been instrumental in cultivating theatre for young artists for more than 25 years and is a 2013 Wilde Award winner for “Best Mentor.”  Spada was last seen on the stage in TPT's production of Mrs. Mannerly (2013 Member's Choice award "Best Actress" recipient) and is a 2013 Wilde Award nominee for “Best Stage Manager.” Her most recent work with Tipping Point Theatre was as Playwright for the season 15 closing show, Game. Set. Match! In addition to her work at TPT, she has worked professionally around Michigan, most recently at Flint Repertory Theatre (Songs About Stuff, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Rain on Fire). Tracy has been a proud member of The Actors’ Equity Association since 1999. 

Maxwell C. Bolton (Bolton Consulting Group LLC) – Marketing and Communications Specialist

Maxwell Bolton joined the Tipping Point team in late 2022 as the theatre’s Marketing and Communications Specialist.  Bolton began his Theatre Management career over a decade ago, earning his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management from Wayne State University and the Hilberry Theatre.  Following formal training, he spent 5 years with Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts, marketing Broadway tours, celebrity performances, international dance company performances, and the Center’s institutional marketing.  Bolton continued his career as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Detroit Opera House.  He is currently running marketing and communications for the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA), Tipping Point Theatre, and others.

Bill Van Gieson – Technical Director

Bill Van Gieson is very happy to mark a second season with Tipping Point Theater having completed the sets for The Light (T.D), Steel Magnolias (T.D.) and Game Set Match (Designer & T.D.). He is a semi-retired aerospace engineer (yes, he really does build rocket ships!), and has also worked as a general contractor/builder for custom home construction projects.  He has over a decade of experience in theatrical set design and construction, building sets for many theaters across the metro Detroit area.

Savanah Wright – Ticket Office and Groups Sales Manager

Savanah Wright is very excited to be a part of Tipping Point Theatre. She joined Tipping Point in the beginning of 2023 as an associate in the Ticket Office and slowly worked her way into the position of Ticket Office and Group Sales Manager. Wright graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2019 earning her Bachelor of Arts in both Theatre and Literature. In her time with the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company, she performed many roles both onstage and off. 

Elise Pannemann – House Manager

Elise Pannemann is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy and has experience both on stage and behind the scenes. It has been a joyful experience being around so many creative minds and story tellers at Tipping Point Theatre, and she is looking forward to many great things to come!