Meet the Team
Ashley Chasteen
Owner + Creative Director
Michael Karp
Director of Sales + Technical Director
Madeline Brown
Dance Coordinator + Social Media Coordinator 
Ashley Chasteen
Owner + Creative DirectorAshley Chasteen is the founder and creative force behind Nightshades, leading the company with a lifetime of experience across the entertainment industry. Her career spans performing, choreographing, writing, directing, and producing high-impact live shows. After studying Business at the University of Georgia, Ashley traveled the U.S. for many years, performing and choreographing in some of the country’s most renowned venues, including the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
Rooted in top-tier live performance, Ashley brings both artistic firepower and sharp business expertise to every production. Her performance credits include the national tour of CATS, A Chorus Line, and Mamma Mia, with choreography credits spanning Jesus Christ Superstar, Waitress, and School of Rock. Additional highlights include serving as a dance competition adjudicator, choreographing for the Miss and Miss Teen pageant circuit, dancing in Little Women directed by Greta Gerwig, performing Shakespeare, and earning numerous choreography awards nationwide. Full resumes are available on her personal website.
As the creative head of Nightshades, Ashley leads each production to ensure every element works together to deliver a bold, immersive rock experience. She is proud to partner with collaborators Mike and Madeline, combining their collective passion, expertise, and vision to propel this venture forward.
Driven to take Nightshades worldwide, Ashley is focused on partnering with venues, festivals, theatres, and promoters to deliver bold, scalable rock productions that hit hard, push boundaries, energize audiences, and redefine what a rock show can be. The stage is set – let’s rock.
Michael Karp
Director of Sales + Technical DirectorConnection is the most important part of any enjoyable task, transaction or relationship. That connection is what drew Michael Karp to Nightshades. He felt an instant attraction; a desire to be involved with a group of such high energy, talented and professional performers. He is excited and honored to be the Director of Sales and Technical Director for Nightshades, taking the show to new places and venues while making and cultivating connections with both crowds and professionals behind the scenes.
Originally from Atlanta, Michael moved back to his hometown after a decade in San Diego where he graduated from the University of Ca, San Diego. Upon his return, he jumped into the local music scene where he has been a part of multiple live bands, had roles in musical theater and been a published songwriter.
As a multi-instrumentalist, performer and entrepreneur, Michael Karp is excited about working with Ashley & Madeline as a team and utilizing his talents while supporting their individual skills. Nightshades is a one-of-a-kind show that requires immense creativity, but our main focus is that audiences will walk away with simple feelings of enjoyment, excitement and connection.
Madeline Brown
Dance Coordinator + Social Media Coordinator Madeline Brown is the Dance Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator for Nightshades. Originally from Chicago, Madeline earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona and has since built a career that takes her across the country as a professional dancer and model.
Her experience spans multiple facets of the dance industry, including work as a dance convention assistant, dance competition backstage manager, choreographer, and featured performer. Madeline has collaborated with major brands such as Reebok, Aveda, Merrell, and more, blending athleticism, versatility, and stage presence in every project she takes on. In addition, she is the director of a competitive dance company in Tucson, Arizona, where she mentors and develops the next generation of dancers.
Madeline has been involved with Nightshades since the beginning and is passionate about bringing Nightshades to new audiences. She thrives on sharing the stage with incredible musicians and fellow dancers, helping shape a show that is as visually compelling as it is musically intense. Deeply invested in the band’s growth, Madeline is passionate about expanding Nightshades’ reach through intentional and creative social media, aiming to bring greater visibility to the group and help secure more and more performance opportunities.