We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for exceptional work.
The Team
Luke Ryan
Artistic Director, Executive Producer
Co-Founder
Justine Verheul
Associate Artistic Director, Producer
Co-Founder
Luke is an NYC based artistic director, director, choreographer, and performer. With over a decade of experience in the industry spanning collegiate, conservatory, educational, non-profit, and professional theatre, Luke is excited to bring his experience and expertise to building a brand new theatre company in the valley he calls home. He has worked extensively as a performer and creative in both non-union and equity theaters across the country and has built incredible mentorships under Broadway and regional legends.
As a performer Luke has been seen onstage at world class theatres such as Theatre Aspen and The Argyle Theatre in New York. As a director and choreographer he has been nominated 3 times by the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, and Outstanding Production of a Musical for Cabaret. Before the transition into Silver Mountain Theatre, Luke helped grow SoL Summer Theatre from a Summerstock for collegiate performers into a New York industry recognized summer regional theatre in just two seasons.
Last season the theatre housed actors from Broadway National Tours and beyond and will continue to grow in the coming years under Silver Mountain Theatre. He is excited to once again connect with his roaring fork community by providing exceptional theatrical experiences and to bring Broadway, close to home.
Contact
luke@silvermountaintheatre.org
Justine is an actor, singer, director, choreographer, photographer, and creative leader with a career spanning regional theatre, Off-Broadway, education, and creative development. As a performer, she has worked professionally onstage while also building a diverse career behind the scenes as a director and choreographer.
Justine has spent several years working in educational theatre, directing and choreographing middle and high school productions and teaching dance. She is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young artists and fostering collaborative environments where creativity and confidence can grow.
In 2025, Justine co-founded Might Be Smart Productions, a company dedicated to developing new works and creating opportunities for artists and students. Its founding principle is simple: there are no bad ideas, artists deserve opportunities to be heard and seen, and art is meant to be shared.
Bringing together her experience as a performer, educator, director, choreographer, and creative, Justine is thrilled to serve as Associate Artistic Director at Silver Mountain Theatre. Balancing her love of performance with creative leadership, she considers being part of the Silver Mountain Theatre community a dream come true.
Contact
justine@silvermountaintheatre.org
Nakiri Gallagher Cave
Maura Fawley
Jennifer Austin Hughes
Grace Lamont
Francesca Seeman
Our Board Members
Jennifer Austin Hughes
Board Member, Producer
Co-Founder Emeritus
Jennifer graduated from Northern Michigan University in Michigan's Upper Penninsula with a BFA in Performance Theatre. After 12 years of working as a professional entertainer in over 10 states and two countries, Jennifer moved to the Roaring Fork Valley, which she has made her home.
Working at the Crystal Palace Dinner Theatre, as well as Aspen Community Theatre, and most recently Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale, Jennifer has been an active member of the RFV Theatre Community for over 20 years.
In addition, she received her Graphic Design Professional Certification from Colorado Mountain College, which has come in handy designing all of the marketing and online materials for SoL.
With Sol, Jennifer has co-directed and produced over 50 productions and camps. It has been a daily gift to make theatre with the beautiful, talented and diverse children and young adults of the Roaring Fork Valley the last 13 years.
Join Our Team