Academonic

Alec Berchem

Caleb
Alec is thrilled to be making his Madlads Productions debut in his third year with MN fringe. Soon Alec will be traveling to Edmonton Fringe with Clevername Theatre. If you feel like keeping up with his theatre, film, and general tomfoolery progress, give his IG a follow: alec.berchem

Amanda Barsness

Stage Manager
A Minneapolis-based stage manager, Amanda is thrilled to be returning to the MN Fringe Festival for her 3rd year. Past Twin Cities productions include The Book Club Play (Lakeshore Players Theatre), The Impresario & Circe on Superior (LOON), and Dial M for Murder (Yellow Tree Theatre). Amanda holds her B.A. in Theatre (Technical & Design) and Spanish Language from Augsburg University. She would like to thank her family, friends and partner for all their love and support. Find more at amandabarsness.com.

Brandon Hill

Lead composer

Jess Yates

Director, Co-creator
Embracing the weird in the wonderful, charming in the terrifying, and queer in the classic, Jess Yates is an artist who invites audiences and collaborators to play with multidimensional perspectives in theatre and new work development. In 2025, their directing and producing work led her to The Root Beer Lady at the History Theatre, The Book Club Play at Lakeshore Players Theatre, Naked Tuesdays at Renaissance Theaterworks, Academonic at Mixed Blood Theater for MN Fringe Fest, and at Collide Theatrical Dance Company. Upcoming: RED at Lakeshore Players Theatre, Rollicking at History Theatre & Skylight at The Hive through Wild Set Theatre Collective. Associate Member of SDC. Find more at jessyates.com

Kiran Arquin

The Demon, Exorcism Attendant
A home grown actor and writer from the twin cities, Kiran is delighted to return to the fringe with Madlads for the second time, as well as debut his first professional play. Over the last two years, Kiran has done puppetry with Open Eye Theater on their drive way tours,Dandemonium production’ “The Halloween Tree”, as well as playing the part of Bob in Sidekick Theater’s “The Fabulous Lipitones”. He hopes that everyone has a fantastic time this summer, and is so happy to perform for everyone.

Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green

Margot, Exorcism Attendant
Lyreshia Ghostlon-Green is a jack of all trades in the theater scene! With directing, lighting design and musical theatre performance under her belt. She is excited to be performing at Minnesota’s 2025 Fringe Festival. Lyreshia is a BFA graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Some recent productions include Significant Other at Lyric Arts and The Book Club Play at Lakeshore Players.

Ndunzi Kunsunga

Father Mordain
Ndunzi J.B. Kunsunga Jr or “Lulu” is a Minneapolis born dancer, visual artist, and actor. As a dancer and visual artist he works to reflect the values he has gained living in the twin cities as a member of the Twin Cities street dance community as well as a student of African Based dance forms. As an actor he has been in Macalester College’s productions of Distracted, Rocky Horror Picture Show, I’m Going to Go Back There Someday and Angels In America. He had his recent professional debut in Mixed Blood's production of The Ally and is excited to return for his Fringe debut in Academonic.

Quintin Michael

Exorcist, Ellen's Father
Quintin hails from St. Paul with a career in theater spaning over twenty years. His recent theater credits include the highly successful run of the Lyric Arts production of Sister Act (Eddie), "Wellstone: A Minnesota Musical" (Reverend Jesse Jackson), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Dr. Frederick Chausuble) and "It Wasn't Murder?" (Darren Russell). Aside from acting, Quintin occasionally sings with Minnesota's own three time grammy award winning Sounds of Blackness music ensemble (since 2015). When not performing, Quintin enjoys being Dad to his 5 year old son and having a good time (creative writing, bowling, watching movies, lazer tag, riding roller-coasters, zip lining, etc). "Academonic" might be Quintins' fourth appearance in the Fringe Festival (he's not the best at keeping track) and you can see him again in September for the staged concert of "Anyone Can Whistle" (Minneapolis Musical Theater). God bless and enjoy the show

Richard Graham

Sound designer
Richard Graham (he/him, sound designer) is a sound designer and engineer based in Minneapolis. He has made sounds at the Guthrie, Children’s Theatre Company, Latte Da, Park Square, Artistry, Theater Mu, Teatro del Pueblo, Walking Shadow, Fox & Beggar, and Unlabeled, among others. This year is his Fringe debut, with Academonic and Salt. Richard is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. www.richardgraham.net.

Tamira Rashid

Ellen Karass
Tamira Rashid is delighted to debut at MN Fringe Fest as Ellen Karras in Academonic. Recently, she's played Guildenstern in Save Hamlet at Eden Prairie Players, and external cover for Lily/Pundit in The Book Club Play at Lakeshore Players Theatre. Tamira is also the proud owner of one (1) plant that she hasn't killed and is really looking forward to seeing how long that lasts. She hopes you enjoy Fringe!