Meet the Production Team

CLIFFORD BUTLER (Writer/Director/Co-Composer) has been directing and music directing musical theatre for over a quarter of a century, with past directing credits including Anything Goes, Man of La Mancha, The Fantasticks, A Little Night Music, CATS (twice!), EVITA (twice!), and a gender-blind 1776. Onstage, favorite roles include Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies, the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors (in German, so I guess it’s really Der Kleine Horrorladen), and Enjolras in Les Misérables (in English, so I guess it’s really The Miserables).Cliff is thrilled to return as writer, co-composer – and this time, director – for Lara Stone and the Lost Relics of St. Nick, his second collaboration with the brilliant Tyler Rouse in as many years. In fact, their first musical together, Once Upon a Christmas Card Movie, is playing across town at The Stage Austin—directed by his lovely wife, Mary Ellen Butler. He is endlessly grateful for such inspiring partners in art and in life.

TYLER ROUSE (Music Director/Co-Composer), began his music journey in the DFW metroplex at a young age where he was trained in classical music and musical theatre. Since moving to central Texas in 2018, Tyler has continued his musical passion through accompanying, directing, composing, and teaching. While accompanying students at Texas State University, University of Texas, and many school districts, he assisted in the creation and direction of two local outlets for the performing arts: RMT Music, LLC and Crown Theatre NGO. Aside from managing these organizations, he has also served as a music minister at Buda United Methodist Church since 2019. Tyler has creatively continued as the music director/composer for Austin Crown Theatre and has been honored to collaborate with La Fenice, Penfold Theatre Company, Different Stages, TexArts, Austin Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Paramount Theatre Education program. This is his second musical writing with Clifford Butler and he couldn’t be more thankful for his trust and partnership. 

DEVIN KEATING (Stage Manager) Devin Keating is so excited to be a part of her first Crown Theatre production. She is so grateful to the cast and crew for being so kind and welcoming to a new stage manager who joined part of the way through this process. She wants to thank her family for always supporting her. Next you can see Devin's directorial debut with the Scottish Rite this spring Miss Nelson is Missing 

CHARLY DANNIS (Dance Choreographer) Charly had a blast dancing through the caves with the LS cast and crew. A Texas native, she has been working professionally as a theater/filmmaker in state and abroad for the last decade and some change. Up next she is directing a TBA solo/dance piece devised here in Austin. Keep an eye out for announcements on IG at @charly.dannis

TOBIE MINOR (Adriaan Vanderbeerput/Fight Choreographer) is currently the Artistic Director of Austin Crown Theatre, and Associate Professor of Practice, Director of Stage Combat and Intimacy, and a movement and acting Instructor at The School Of Theatre, Dance, and Film at Texas State University. A few months ago he spent four weeks in Italy studying Comedia Del Arte Conivacio with Antonio Fava.  Tobie has been working professionally as an actor, fight and intimacy choreographer, and movement director in Austin for the last 18 years.  He is a company member with the Austin Playhouse, and La Fenice, and frequently performs with Hidden Room, Zach Theater, Austin Shakespeare, and Penfold Theatre.  Tobie is beyond excited to be in this show with his incredible wife, Amy, as well as both of his sons, Liam and Aiden and wishes you all a very merry holiday season.