OUR STAFF

A writer, director, actor and artist, Tyler has been with Community Players since 2011. His tenure as Managing Artistic Director, the chief executive of day-to-day operations, programming, and the organization’s artistic vision, began in 2023. He has directed over 40 productions, including Clue: On Stage, Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, The Lion in Winter, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the youth productions Disney’s Frozen JR., The Hobbit, and The Stinky Cheese Man.

His playwriting credits include the published plays Forest Paths (YouthPLAYS) and The Rest of the West (Pioneer Drama), as well as The Last Ticket out of Thistleberry Thicket and Ginger and Chase Across Time and Space, among others. His yearlong daily comic strip, Pandora’s Boxer Briefs can be read on his website, tylerjrinne.com, where you will also find his podcast, Film Foil, where he and his co-host discuss the last 100 years of movies. An award-winning actor, favorite onstage roles include appearances in Popcorn Falls, The 39 Steps, Hunter Gatherers, and Completely Hollywood (Abridged).

Tyler graduated from Johnson-Brock high school and then the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a degree in Film & New Media; he now lives in Beatrice. 

Mel's love for theatre has been their north star since they began performing at age 10. Now a director, intimacy director, and burgeoning lighting designer, Mel is excited to share their passion and talents with Community Players. Mel holds a bachelor's degree in theatre from Berea College. There, they served in props design, directed The Aleph Complex among other short works, and spearheaded informed-consent-based intimacy practices in the rehearsal space. While working with Looking for Lilith Theatre Company in Louisville KY, Mel's passion for working with youth and devised works was ignited. Social justice and diversity is at the core of Mel's work and they strive to use their work to bolster the voices of those who are often forgotten in mainstream performance. They are excited to return to CP after directing She Loves Me and stage managing Peter and the Starcatcher in the 2023-2024 season. 

When not in the theatre, you can find Mel with her dog Flynn, cooking up a mean meal or two, or exploring the Nebraska landscape they have come to enjoy. While Mel considers Kentucky home, they are proud to relocate Beatrice and become a true member of the community. 

Grace’s first 14 years of her life were spent being very active at Community Players whether onstage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. After another 14 years away from Beatrice, Grace has returned as the Patron Services Manager in the very space where her love for theatre was initially grown. 

While not living in Beatrice, she has still remained active in theatre in one way or another including working as an intern at a theater podcast in New York, a producing apprentice in Connecticut, a community engagement assistant in Omaha, and an avid audience member everywhere she goes. In her spare time, Grace enjoys hanging out with her friends, reading, and spending time with her cat, Leo. 

Lindsay’s love for costuming started at a young age, sewing together Halloween costumes with her Gram, which turned into a lifelong love of the artform. Love and respect for anything antique or vintage, especially clothing, makes her the perfect fit for our costume basement and as owner of Goldenrod Antiques & Vintage on the west side of Beatrice.

Lindsay started volunteering at Community Players in 2023 after relocating from Portland, OR. Her contributions so far include costuming Farce of Nature, Misery, and The Music Man, set painting and prop work for Murder on the Orient Express, crafting Artax for The NeverEnding Story, and spotlight and prop work for Puffs.