Accidental Hero
A devised performance
We play and sometimes create art as a result. Being open to The adventure of finding the story is the most important fun.
Dr. Gretchen Teague
devising is…the process of collaboratively creating a new work without a pre-existing script wherein the collaborators are also the performers.
Definition provided by THE KENNEDY CENTER
About the DOTS Ensemble
The DOTS Ensemble is created of performers with a variety of skills and experiences. We believe that what makes us different enhances our collaboration and creates diverse ideas and solutions.
Opportunities to join the DOTS Ensemble are available through workshops of original projects in the fall and auditions for Fringe projects in the spring. Our DOTS Ensemble also serve as teaching artists for classes and school workshops. Contact Gretchen at exec@dotheatre.org for more information.
Bennett Derossett
“Hero”
Bennett Derossett is excited to join DOTS as a performer with Another Life Story and Accidental Hero. Bennett is a sophomore at Central High School in Springfield, MO and was recently seen in Hadestown: Teen Edition as Orpheus, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Old Man and The Old Moon and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying as a part of the Central High Theatre Department.
Keilei Downer
“SCientist”
A graduate of Central High School in 2025, Keilei joined the DOTS ensemble for the workshop performance of Another Life Story and continues to perform and create with DOTS regularly before heading off to University in the fall. She is passionate about dance and physical theatre
She was recently seen as Persphone in Hadestown: Teen Edition, Veruca in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Old Man and the Old Moon, and How to Succeed in Business at Central High School. She also performed in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Springfield Little Theatre and Big Fish with Springfield Contemporary Theatre.
Keilei also serves as a DOTS Social Media manager.
Taylor Roberts
“medic”
Taylor’s bio is coming soon!
Moe Callahan
“Crew Member”
I am a maker in Springfield who loves out-of-the-box theater. Creating original art in my small hometown has been a necessary part of my creative journey. It’s through the artists in this community that I find my own beauty and humanity. DOTS (Devising Original Theater Springfield) represents passion in manageable doses. With the tension of everyday life, I get worn out and feel defeated by the constant grinding of the gears. But on the stage with my friends, I can be fully present and devoted to the energy of creativity and love. I am not just a piece in a large system. I can think critically about the struggles and victories in every story that we tell. I am not alone in this rigamarole.
During the fringe festival, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on the personalities that put this event together. These are your people and it’s where I belong too.
Kirstin Hildebrand
“Crew member”
Kirstin Hildebrand is a Drury University ’22 and Central High ’18 graduate that is pursuing her career as a Theatre Educator. She was seen in SCT’s production of Treasure Island as Anne Bonney. She has designed lights and set, as well as organized costumes in her career for a number of SPS, SCT, and Drury productions, but creating original works is her favorite process.
“I hope everyone can make it out to watch the beauty that comes from devising original theatre. My fellow actors and I have worked hard, so don’t miss out!!”
Anaya Colome-Sandoval
“First Mate”
Anaya’s bio is coming soon!
Jonah Drake
“Captain”
Jonah joins DOTS as a performer in multiple Fringe projects.
I played the big bad wolf in high school. Ever since I’ve had trouble prying myself from the stage. I’ve had the privilege to be in iconic plays from Arsenic and Old Lace to The Great Gatsby and A Few Good Men.
I returned to my hometown of Springfield to perform in SCT’s Treasure Island and following that, joined jumped with both feet into the 2024 Fringe festival by performing in Necrobroth’s I Hate Her and with the DOTS Ensemble in Another Life Story.
Gretchen Teague
Performer & Director
Gretchen is passionate about telling stories. She likes to explore all the ways the story can be told: physical theatre, movement, music, puppetry, and text. Devising original theatre continues to be a way she finds connections between all of these art forms and the community of artists
Collaborating with the DOTS ensemble on Accidental Hero has been at all times full of challenges to solve, community to build, stories to tell, and discovery of the best in us all. While laughing. Always.
Aubrey Smith
Lyricist & Collaborator
Aubrey comes from Springfield, Missouri. She has a Bachelor of Music Education in Voice from Drury University in Springfield, MO (2016). She completed a teaching assistantship in Choral Conducting with Dr. R. Paul Crabb at the University of Missouri (MU) in 2019 and a teaching assistantship in Vocal Performance with Prof. Steven Tharp (MU) in 2022. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Ozarks Technical Community College since 2019 and teaches music history, choir, and voice. In addition to her work at OTC, Aubrey teaches a private voice studio and is music director for many local musical projects. She studies voice with professional soprano Jennifer Forni and most recently sang the role Sandra Bloom in Springfield Contemporary Theatre’s production of Big Fish, the role of Mrs. Potts in Springfield Little Theatre’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and also covered the role of Donna Elvira in Ozarks Lyric Opera’s production of Don Giovanni.
Aubrey is excited to work with Devising Original Theatre Springfield to create new works and innovate existing material for modern audiences.
Bryan D. Arata
Composer
Bryan is known for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) and August Rush (2007). DOTS couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Bryan on Accidental Hero.
A Special Thank you!
DOTS would like to extend a very special thank you to Springfield Contemporary Theatre and Springfield Little Theatre Education Department for your continued support of our efforts to produce original theatre in Springfield Missouri.
We are also grateful to Springfield Regional Arts Council for believing in our mission.
Want to learn more aBout DOTS?
We would love to collaborate with you!
Watch
Check out our performances at the 2025 DOTS Fringe Festival July 10-13 and at the KC Fringe July 24-26. Or request a performance for your school or special event.
Collaborate
Join us by auditioning for our DOTS Ensemble and other upcoming productions, staged readings, Playwright’s Playground, Living Room Theatre, or volunteer for the DOTS Fringe
Learn
The teaching artists of DOTS are available for master classes or workshops on a variety of subjects relating to devising, playwrighting, music composition, and puppetry.