Mike was introduced to the performing arts at a young age by his parents, starting to play drum set at age 5. He participated with the elementary school concert band, and with his three piece “rock” band performed at talent shows. Mike also played for social holiday events throughout elementary school in New Jersey with his father and brother. Then, he continued in Arizona through Jr High and Highschool performing in concert band, jazzband, marching band and orchestra pits for various school plays. Combining his musical gifts with his faith, he has played drums, guitar and sings with his power praise band now for over 25 years.

Meeting his wife at Christ The King Parish in Mesa while part of the music ministry, he and Dana have four amazing boys that bless them abundantly! With his degree in Marketing and Graphic Design he has used his entrepreneurial experience to help with his father’s music store and to build a marketing department for a large car audio manufacturer where he was able to cultivate his diverse skills. As the Communications Director for the past 18 years at St Anne, Mike started the STAAGE ministry along with others to now grow what is the beginnings of FIAT Productions with his co-founders. God is truly inspiring this work to use our gifts and talents for His glory through the performing arts.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Saint John Paul II, Mike is encouraged to seek this work while bringing masculinity and femininity to the arts in a way that teaches and entertains everyone of the beauty, goodness and truths of our faith.

Elizabeth Sobczyk graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a degree in Theatre Education. There she studied voice, participated in multiple choirs, performed in 8 Main Stage productions and did set construction and lights for many others. Some of her favorite roles there were Hermia in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Lyubov Ranevskaya from The Cherry Orchard. She also performed in community theaters around the East Valley. Her most recent performance was with Fiat, playing Teresa in The Jeweler's Shop. She taught theater in the Paradise Valley School District, choreographed musicals at Highland High School, and for the past 13 years, she has been producing the Musical Theater Summer Camp for all ages. Aside from the performing arts, she loves helping with her family’s art business, The Signature Gallery and Sacred Art Gallery. She has also written and illustrated a children’s book, Rosie Posie Twinkle Toes.  Her desire is to shine the Light of Christ into her little corner of the art world here in Arizona, making it brighter and filled with truth, beauty, and goodness. Her favorite part of life by far, is being the most blessed wife in the world to Marcus, and homeschooling Gabriel (8), Rose (6), Caleb (4), and loving on Liliana (2), and baby Felicity! 

50 years ago I started in theatre as an Irish “Cinder-Riley,” in a topsy-turvy show, and I’ve been in love with live theatre ever since. Fast forward  through 10 high school productions,  many university projects & 3 years touring with The Encore Players, a Phoenix Community Theatre, I was privileged to help with drama at St Mary’s HS where I taught English, Spanish and Theology, and later, at Seton Catholic HS, Gilbert High School and St Anne Roman Catholic Parish, I volunteered 14 years as assistant director, choreographer, and dramaturge. Working with Handmaid Productions with my children and friends since 2012 has been an incredible gift to my life, and finally at St. Anne, I knew my theatre heart had found its home, where the heart of my Faith had always been! The rest Is STAAGE history. I am so happy to share it with all of you. Along with the other co-founders of Fiat Productions, I thank God, our families, and this amazing  community for helping to bring this joy to life! 

St John Paul II, pray for us!

Lauren Anderson has been performing her whole life. Growing up, her parents encouraged many musical opportunities through school and church. She was elected Choir President and received a Varsity Letter in her high school choir and continued her vocal training through music scholarships at Chandler Gilbert Community College and Grand Canyon University. There she performed in multiple choirs, participated in many mainstage productions and graduated with a degree in Vocal Performance in 2012. After graduating, Lauren performed professionally around the valley with several bands and in different musical theatre productions. She also worked as the theatre director at Christ the King charter school for 3 years, and volunteered as a Worship Leader in her church. She continues singing and praising God as a worship leader on Sundays and has been working with Elizabeth Sobczyk in producing the Musical Theater Summer Camp for the past 11 years. Outside of the performing arts, she has worked as a professional makeup artist, dog trainer, and business owner, and she enjoys knitting to her heart's content! She just celebrated a decade of marriage with her husband, Andy, and is a mother to two beautiful girls that she loves homeschooling.

Audrey Ryan, parishioner of St. Anne’s, is an excited newcomer to the Fiat team! Audrey is a local drama teacher, director, and comedian. Currently, she runs the drama program at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School. Audrey moonlights as a regular performer in Holy Smoke Catholic Improv & Sketch Comedy Troupe as well as Magnify Catholic Entertainment. Previously, Audrey was the Founding Director of Productions at Chandler Youth Theatre and performer at ImprovMania. Before CYT, Audrey had graduated summa cum laude in 2019 with a BA in Theater and a certificate in secondary ed from ASU and regularly performed on their Mainstage. Additionally, she obtained her license as an ASU Gammage Teaching Artist trained in the Kennedy Center Arts Integration method. Above all career endeavors, Audrey enjoys being wife to Owen Ryan (member of Stilicho, the local Irish Folk Band) and mother to two little girls.

Born and raised in Tempe, Riley has danced competitively from a young age through her time in college at ASU. Some of her fondest dance memories include annual performances of the nutcracker (particularly the face-paced, acrobatic Russian number) and salsa dancing classes with her supportive husband. Riley currently stays at home raising her 4 little ones with whom she shares her joy of dance with in the form of rigorous kitchen dance parties.

Mary Jane is from Mesa, Arizona and has lived all around the valley. She grew up dancing on and off until, in 2015 she began her training with Ballet Etudes, performing with them until 2023. There she performed in many of the companies ballets.  Her favorite was when she performed as the title role in the ballet, Sleeping Beauty.  This is her first year performing with Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company.

Aside from dancing, Mary Jane loves reading, writing, and sewing, among other creative ventures.

Renee Bielejeski is a wife and mother of three beautiful children. A lover of all things music and creativity, her parents put her into dance at a young age. She was a competitive dancer from age 5  through high school, where she then moved to Minnesota to be a Catholic Missionary and later attended a Catholic University in Minnesota. In college, Renee danced recreationally and continued to keep her love of the arts alive. She graduated with a degree in Catholic Studies, married the love of her life, and have had the blessing to have three children together this side of Heaven. Renee loves musicals, taking adult dance classes with Riley LeBeau (co- choreographer for the workshop ), and most of all Jesus. 

Laurianne has been dancing since she was 5 years old, teaching and doing choreography for almost as long! She competed and performed up to collegiate levels, and after raising her family in California and moving back to Arizona, Laurianne has been blessed to offer Christ-centered, one-on-one and small class dance instruction for ages 3 to adult in Gilbert. Laurianne is so grateful for the love and support of her husband and their four, young adult children, and she is so happy to be a part of this “Suite” Production, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

My journey with beatboxing began during my junior year of high school. I was part of an acapella jazz group, and my passion for beatboxing ignited when I attended an acappella competition between Stanford and Cal Berkeley. Hearing those incredible sounds took me back to my childhood, where I would mimic noises while playing with superhero characters. Realizing that I could replicate those sounds was a game-changer for me.

At the same time, I developed a love for underground hip-hop, often listening to beats and trying to imitate them. Beatboxing, much like singing or learning any instrument, requires dedication and practice to master.

Throughout my life, I have carried beatboxing with me around the world. As a Catholic missionary, I served youth and the poor in various places, and beatboxing became an instant icebreaker, helping me connect with people from all walks of life.

In my class, my hope is for attendees to learn the basics of beatboxing, build the courage to perform on stage with a microphone, and incorporate our faith and the unique gifts God has given us. Let's make some noise and celebrate our talents together!