Holland Community Opera Fellowship

Abz Cameron (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist and lifelong storyteller. With nearly two decades of acting experience on Omaha-area stages, Abz also works across visual mediums like charcoal, printmaking, sculpture, SFX makeup, collage, and digital design. Their creative practice is rooted in storytelling as a form of connection and resistance. In 2019, Abz was part of the ensemble behind Little Wars, a devised theater piece performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and Region 4 KCACTF. They also originated the role of Rachel in Dave Osmundsen’s More of a Heart at BLUEBARN Theatre. As an arts educator and former Artistic Specialist with the Ollie Webb Center, Inc., Abz builds accessible programming that centers creative freedom and community. Through diverse mediums, Abz seeks to inspire others to express their individual truth, depth, chaos, silliness, and joy. They love authentically representing the vast human experience through the exploration and healing power of collaboration.

Alice Franssen (she/her) is a teaching artist, music director, and performer originally from Nebraska. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Columbia College Chicago and has worked extensively with children and young people through theatre, music, and arts education programs. Passionate about creating welcoming and inclusive spaces, Alice has taught and music directed students of varying ages and abilities, helping young artists build confidence, creativity, and self-expression through the performing arts.
As a performer, Alice has appeared in productions and concerts throughout Chicago and New York City, including work with Epic Players and other new works and cabaret projects. Her artistic practice is rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and the belief that the arts can foster connection and belonging.
In addition to her work as an artist and educator, Alice has experience supporting individuals with disabilities, mentoring youth, and building meaningful relationships across diverse communities. She is excited to continue exploring how music, theatre, and creative expression can empower people to share their stories, celebrate their identities, and connect with one another.

Tobias J. Garcia (he/they) is a multifaceted theatre artist originally from Goshen, IN, with specializations in educational theatre, props design, and puppetry. Tobias has worked professionally with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival for 4 seasons, as a stage manager, props designer, and most recently as a puppet artisan and puppeteer in their production of As You Like It. Tobias has also done a variety of work at community level with the South Bend Civic Theatre and the Robinson Shakespeare Company to bring quality theatre education to youth in the South Bend region as a teaching artist in their outreach programs. Tobias hopes to continue their journey as a teaching artist through the amazing opportunity this fellowship offers. Eventually they will be looking to pursue an MFA in theatre education, while hoping to find a way to inject a little puppetry magic into their studies as well!

Chloe Janae Gormley (she/her) is a passionate Filipino-American teaching artist and visual artist. She is dedicated to using the arts to narrate perspectives of minorities and individuals with diverse backgrounds through her art. Having worked as a Creative Director for Bahay Sibol Inc., a children's home in her hometown, Chloe has gained insight into how art can be used as a tool for learning and transformation. Before graduating, Chloe interned for Filipino Visual Artists Marina Cruz and Rodel Tapaya under Istorya Studios Inc., where she was further encouraged to use her art to tell stories. She recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Chloe was recognized for her Thesis, which focused on visualizing the voices of both domestic and transnational Filipino adoptees to bring further awareness to the issues vulnerable and at-risk children face.