Chad Badgero, Founder & Artistic Director Chad is originally from Mason, MI, and became active in community theatre while still in High School. The summer before his freshman year of college, he founded the Peppermint Creek Players (to later become Peppermint Creek Theatre Company). Chad has earned a Bachelors Degree in English and Theatre/Speech, and a Masters in Theatre from Michigan State University. Chad has served on a number of theatrical committees, including Riverwalk Theatre's Play Selection committee and the MSU Summer Circle Advisory Board, as well as garnering numerous acting awards in the community.

Some awards include Best Actor in a Musical for his performances in Riverwalk Theatre's Big River and Lansing Civic Players production of Crazy For You, and Best Supporting Actor in a Play in Riverwalk's Lonely Planet, where he met Peppermint Creek's Executive Director, Louis Balestra. Chad spent time acting and gaining invaluable theatre experience in New York City, where he gained his Actors Equity status and worked professionally both in New York and on tour across the country. For Peppermint Creek, Chad has garnered Best Director recognition from the Lansing State Journal and City Pulse consistently since the inception of Peppermint Creek. Chad is a proud Big Brother through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in Lansing. Chad balances his theatrical endeavors with teaching theatre, at Lansing Community College.  Currently, Chad works through Americorps at the Old Town Commercial Association in Lansing, and was named "Ten Over The Next Ten" from the Lansing Chamber of Commerce in 2009.