First Year Event
First Year Event
Directed by Kikau Alvaro
PRODUCTION TEAM
Kikau Alvaro (Director)
Tom Fosnocht (Musical Director)
Joe Britt-Simpson (Assistant Director)
M. Rayne Smith (Stage Manager)
Toni Mitchelli (Lighting Coordinator)
Ethan Paone (Sound Coordinator)
CAST
Aidan Yates (he/him) is a Freshman Acting/DPP double major. UArts credits include Fun Home (ASM) and various film/animation school projects. Regional: Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Show, and R+H's Cinderella (WPA). Aidan facilitates drama and music education as a camp counselor in Arizona and New York. He thanks Kikau, Joe, and Tom for allowing him to play with this event and for conjuring such a comfortable rehearsal environment. @theaidanyates
Alex Farb (he/him) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. He is thrilled to make his UArts debut in the First Year Event this semester! He would like to thank his fellow castmates for a wonderful first performance and semester at UArts.
Allie Wahl (she/her) is a Freshman Acting Major. Past credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (UArts), Mean Girls Jr. (Community Through Song and Stage), Thirteen (Community Through Song and Stage), Clue (MN Drama), Matilda (MN Drama), Peter and the Star Catcher (MN Drama). All the thanks to her teachers Nicholas Harmantzis and Emi Aungst.
Bethany Rocktaschel (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past credits include Into The Woods (WHSAF), The Prom (GHAA), Something Rotten! (WHSAF), and Mamma Mia! (WHSAF). She thanks her mentors and is so grateful to be apart of UArts!
Carter Harvey
Cassidy Summerville (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Prior high school credits include Kinky Boots, Rocky, Alien8, and The Prom.
Chase Catling (he/him) is a Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. His past UArts credits include Assistant Stage Managing Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Chloe Davies (she/her/hers) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past credits include Ariel in Footloose, Cinderella in Cinderella, Serena in Legally Blonde, and Olive in Spelling Bee. Endless thanks to her family, friends, and the Brind School for their constant love and support along the way!
Chloe McNeese (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Past credits include Regional: Jo March (Little Women), Elsa (Frozen), Sharpay (High School Musical, Matilda (Dot and The Kangaroo -New York Workshop). So thankful to be part of the UArts family!
Christopher Picos is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Thank you to Brian and Melinda, God, Family and friends.
Daylin Ryer (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater Major. This is her first show at UArts! High school credits include Violet in 9 to 5, Morgan in Godspell, and Mama Bear in Shrek the Musical. Thanks to my family, friends, and wonderful cast mates!
Delaney McKay (she/they) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. High school credits include Shrek: The Musical, Seussical: The Musical, Alice in Wonderland, and High School Musical. Thank you to my dogs: Darby, Archie, and Wesley!
Eleanor Hannan (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is thrilled to be making her UArts debut. Favorite credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla Bergman), 42nd Street (Dorothy Brock), Heathers (Heather Duke), and Cinderella (Marie).
Ella MacLaren (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Recent past credits include Wendla in Spring Awakening, Pippin in Pippin, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. She'd like to thank her family for their endless support.
Erin Donovan (she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major. She transferred here this semester and is excited to be expanding at UArts. Her favorite roles include Pearl in Spongebob (MHSTC), Ann Putnam in The Crucible (MHSTC), and Sarah in Dining Room (MHSTC). She wants to thank her family and friends for supporting her:)
Giorgia Dallasta is a First Year Acting major. This is her first production with UArts. Prior to UArts: Anastasia, Newsies, and Addams Family at Quince Orchard High School
Guin Bortnicker Kiniry (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. This is her first time performing at UArts and she is ecstatic! Past credits of hers include A Chorus Line, Shakespeare in Love, Cabaret, and Pippin. Lots and lots of thanks to all friends and family who have supported her endlessly.
Jamar Felder (he/him) is a Freshman Acting major. It’s been five months since he stepped foot on stage and it’s really looking forward to take all that he’s learn this semester and put on a show for a new crowd.
Kalyn Paradis (she/they) is a Freshman Theatre Design & Technology major. Past UArts credits include Sleepy Hollow Haunts (Shirley). Kalyn has also been apart of other productions such as the following: Clue On Stage (Stage Manager), Shrek the Musical (Fiona), Beauty and the Beast (PR & Silly Girl). Kalyn sends endless thanks to her family and friends for their endless support.
Katey Megginson is a Musical Theater major from Lewes, Delaware. The First Year Event will be her first time performing with the Brind School. Her recent credits include Chicago, The Wizard of Oz, Seussical: The Musical, and Misery. She sends love her mom who supports her in everything she does.
Lainie Moniz (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major. Originally from California, she's made her way to the East Coast to continue her artistic training here at UArts. Notable past roles include Fiona in Shrek the Musical and Vivienne in Legally Blonde (CMTSJ). Many thanks to her family and supporters back home for always encouraging her to chase her dream.
Lia Worth (she/her) is a Freshman Acting major. Past UArts Credits include Sleepy Hollow Haunts. Previous performances include The Sound of Music (Elsa), Decision Height (Virginia Hascall), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Quince). Much love and thanks to her family and friends for their support.
Lucy George
Luisa Gonzalez
Makiela Mauney-Brooks (she/her) is a Freshman Musical Theater major at UArts! (Singing “That’s Rich” from Newsies) She began her theater training in Washington D.C. at 4 years old through summer camp communities. Now a graduate of the Theater Department at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, she often performed in department showcases, volunteered as an usher, and assisted with costumes in various Ellington productions. Along with the occasional musical, she’s also performed at The Kennedy Center and The National Gallery of Art. In her theatrical career, she hopes to nurture her training, knowledge, and love for musical theater while collaborating with her peers.
Mark Simons is a first-year Musical Theater Major, at their first performance at the University of the Arts. Other recent performances include Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Women of Lockerbie. Mark gives his thanks to the endlessly supportive faculty, and to his peers for driving him forward.
Meredith Trzaskawka
Mikayla Tees (she/her) is a Freshman Acting Major at UArts. She started doing theatre in the 8th grade and fell in love with performing. That was when she knew that Acting was the path for her. She would like to thank all her family and friends who have supported her along the way!
Nat Perrell (they/them) is a Freshman Acting Major. Past local credits include Rent, Seussical, and Matilda. They have also worked as a student teacher for K-5th kids and send love and thanks to their former students, as well as their parents, cat Ginny, and Children’s Musical Theatre Inc. back home in Florida.
Quintin Frey (he/him) is a Freshman Musical Theater Major. Past Credits include Willard (Footloose), Nick (Great Gatsby), Cogsworth (Beauty and the Beast). He would like to thank his friends, family, and the whole University faculty for supporting him on his journey.
Rasheem McFall is a Freshman Acting major. He’s a Talented black actor with big goals, number one being to make it on the big screen. Endless thanks to Clear Talent group, Bloc Agency, and Binder casting
Samantha Herb (they/she) is a Freshman Theater Design and Technology major! Past credits include stage managing for RENT School Edition and Anything Goes as well as scenic design for Anything Goes and Amelie. Special thanks to her friends, family and teachers through the years who have supported her to be where she is today.
Samuel Smalls Jr. (he/him) is a Freshman Acting major from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is his first UArts production and he is excited for many more. He is thankful for every opportunity he has been blessed the teacher that finally showed him the path and every human who has supported, nurtured, taught or guided him on this journey since .
RUN CREW
Emerson Howard
Madison Luckey
Gia Marino
Special Thanks to: Chelsea Murphy, Tia Kemp, and Leo Mock
FIRST YEAR CLASS
Adam Tornielli
Aidan Yates*
Alex Farb*
Allie Wahl*
Allison Covone
Arianna Clark
Aubrey Gleeson
Bethany Rocktaschel*
Brandon Searle
Camden Westfall
Carter Harvey*
Cassidy Summerville*
Chase Catling*
Chloe Davies*
Chloe McNeese*
Christopher Picos*
Cyanie Jones-Wims
Cyrus Nasib
David Richardson
Daylin Ryer*
Delaney McKay*
Eleanor Hannan*
Emilia Horde
Ella MacLaren*
Erin Donovan*
Faith Jones
Frank Seitz
Gabrielle Breza
Giorgia Dallasta*
Guin Bortnicker Kiniry*
Jamar Felder*
Jamie Sheffer
Jillian Potter
Jillian Quintiliani
Kalyn Paradis*
Katey Megginson*
Lainie Moniz*
Lia Worth*
Lucy George*
Luisa Gonzalez*
Makiela Mauney-Brooks*
Marjorie Kalule
Mark Simons*
Meredith Trzaskawka*
Mikayla Tees*
Naia Morgan
Nat Perrell*
Pamela White
Quintin Frey*
Rasheem McFall*
Remy Abarbanel
Samantha Herb*
Samiya McLean
Samuel Smalls Jr.*
Theo Lemons
Tommie Wofford
* Participation in First Year Event
University of the Arts
Kerry Walk, President
Kikau Alvaro, Interim Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Aanika Allen, Assistant Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Madison Claus, Senior Administrative Assistant
Krista Apple, Program Director, Acting
Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting and Production
Thom Weaver, Interim Program Director, Theater Design & Technology
Jacob Brent, Interim Program Director, Musical Theater
Quinn Bauriedel, Program Director, Pig Iron School MFA in Devised Performance
Nick Embree, Associate Professor
Sarah Sanford, Assistant Professor
Issac Byrne, Visiting Assistant Professor
Kyle Metzger, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer
Joe Fasciano, Technical Director
Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician
Anna Sorrentino, Costume Shop Manager
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Chris Haig, Technical Practicum Instructor
Rebecca Kanach, Costume Practicum Instructor
Juliana Luber, Audience Services Coordinator