THE TEAM
Lisa Sedares
President
Lisa Sedares is delighted to come on board as Conundrum’s President and Music Director. Lisa is a classically-trained pianist who began at an early age and eventually became involved in musical theater, choral directing, and composing. Some of the recent shows that she has been a part of are Putting It Together (music director), Beauty and the Beast (vocal director), Urinetown (pianist), Oklahoma! (pianist), and Into the Woods (pianist).
Originally from Arizona, Lisa moved to Maryland for school and spent 9 years on the east coast building a career in aerospace engineering while pursuing a double master’s in piano performance and space systems engineering. She recently relocated to Los Angeles for a change of scenery, a new job at NASA, and more professional musical opportunities. On the side, Lisa is currently working on a new musical that is at the intersection of her two passions: Rocket Science and Musical Theater.
JACKIE BRENNEMAN
Vice President
Jackie has been involved with theatre for most of her life as a performer, director, producer, and lyricist. Theatre has given Jackie confidence and killer memorization skills, has taken her across the globe, and most importantly, it has introduced her to life long friends. Jackie’s performing has taken her to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, New York University, and right here to Los Angeles. Jackie is passionate about bringing high-quality and innovative theater to Los Angeles.
Jackie moved to Los Angeles for law school. However, Jackie continues to perform throughout the Los Angeles area both on stage and screen. Some favorite roles include, Winifred (Once Upon a Mattress), Roxie Hart (Chicago), Charity Valentine (Sweet Charity), The Witch (Into the Woods), Marian Paroo (The Music Man), and Maria von Trapp (The Sound of Music). Jackie has been involved in all of Conundrum's productions and her most recent role with Conundrum was Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.
Jackie has a day job she loves as the General Counsel & Director of Industry Relations at the National Association of Theatre Owners and has two adorable kiddos. For more, visit jackiebrenneman.com.
Bryan Snodgrass
Treasurer/Fundraising Chair
Bryan is from Colorado Springs, CO. He started acting when he was in Kindergarten, playing the Prince in a school production of Cinderella. The stage has been his passion ever since, and he is thrilled to be part of Conundrum.
Bryan received his BA in Theatre Directing from the University of Northern Colorado. He currently works as the School Age Director for the Burbank Community YMCA.
Bryan has been a part of numerous productions, both on and off stage. He recently portrayed Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music. Some other acting credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Fuddy Meers (Kenny), and Grand Hotel. He has also directed A Company of Wayward Saints, Bringing It All Back Home, Love Letters, and The Sound Of Music.
When he has free time, Bryan likes to play the piano, read, and watch Disney animated movies.
Nikki Yates
Secretary
Nikki is a PhD candidate studying educational psychology at the University of Southern California. Her parents like to say she could sing before she could talk, which makes sense, given her love of performing. When she's not working on a research project or tearing up a karaoke bar (pre-COVID, of course), she enjoys playing with her dog, running while listening to podcasts, and baking overly complicated pastries.
Jess Jani
Marketing/Publicity Chair
Jess Jani has been surrounded by performers her whole life, which has only solidified her passion for the theatre. She made her stage debut at the age of twelve and was instantly hooked. In high school, Jess won an award at the Musical Theatre Competitions of America for her solo performance, was president of the thespian society, and ran the school's improv troupe. She was known for jumping into any role in which she was needed from stage managing, student directing, and even writing original material to perform. Jess was ready to wear any hat given to her.
She went on to study acting at The Lee Strasberg Institute for Theatre & Film. There she was able to star in several short films but ultimately decided the stage is where she felt most at home. Jess currently works at AV Squad, a company that creates movie trailers and, she has dedicated her off time to writing new musicals.
Jess is delighted to be on the board of Conundrum Theatre Company and looks forward to building a strong theatre community over here on the West Coast.
Mike Bowers
Production Chair
Mike Bowers is an actor, writer, director and producer living in Los Angeles. He has a BA in Theatre from Florida State University and has honed his extensive production training at many theatre companies, including Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and ACT Theatre. In Los Angeles, he has continued to work on creating innovative and inclusive theatrical productions that turn traditional ideas on their heads. He is excited to continue this work with Conundrum Theatre Company.
Jordan Kaiser
Membership Chair
Jordan Kaiser knew the first time she stepped onto the stage at age 7 that theatre was her passion. While continuing to perform, she also found a love for behind-the-scenes theatre work, taking on an Assistant Director job at her local community theater during her teenage years.
She later attended Chapman University, where she was both the president and publicity chair of their musical theatre student organization, performing in and producing musicals and cabaret shows on campus.
Jordan also found a love for comedy scene work and improvisation, and has been a member of ComedySportz LA and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Pursuing her other life passion for film, Jordan currently works as a film publicist at Sony Pictures Entertainment. She loves that Conundrum provides a home and outlet for artists who work full-time in other industries, and can’t wait to work with Conundrum to bring high-quality theatrical performances and opportunities to the community.
Kate Clarke
Education Chair
Kate Clarke is a classically trained soprano and earned her Bachelor of Music from the Thornton School of Music at USC. After graduating, she developed a passion for teaching and spent the last five years working as an elementary school teacher as well as developing her Dungeons and Dragons storytelling business.
Kate has been a performer all her life, and is thrilled to be a part of Conundrum and a part of bringing musical theater to Burbank. Some of Kate’s favorite credits include: Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Pirates of Penzance (Mabel), Hippolyte et Aricie (Cupid), The Miracle Worker (Annie Sullivan), Chocolate Cake (Annemarie), and The Foreigner (Betty).
Currently, Kate is involved as a voice over actor, small business owner, and is still enjoying teaching part time as a substitute in the North Hollywood area. She is looking forward to putting her creativity and love for education to good use as the Education and Outreach chair, and is eager to foster a love of live theater in the people of Burbank!