National Cast and Crew of Spring Awakening 2016
Grace Anolin (Chair of Rock): Rising Sophomore. DSA CREDITS: The Rest is Silence: Immersive Hamlet (Attendant), The Beauty Queen of Leeanne (US Maureen), The Producers (Ensemble), Enter Laughing (Wanda), Vocal major for three years, Tales from the Twilight Zone-2015 Stagecraft Senior Project (Mystery Woman/Child), and Hairspray (Lillian, Youth Council). Grace was accepted into the 2013, 2014, and 2015 All-State Honor Choirs. She would like to thank Ms. Hann for helping her grow and learn so much throughout this process!
Sonja Briney (Chair of Rock): Graduate, pursuing Digital Design and Communications at Seattle University. DSA CREDITS: Hairspray (Gym Teacher/Adult Ensemble), Macbeth3 (Lady Mentieth/Servant/Soldier), The Crucible (Ann Putnam/Sarah Good), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Writer/Ensemble), One-Act Play Festivals, and Intermediate Plays. Outside of acting, she was the head writer for the Class of 2016 Senior Project and a two-year officer of Thespian Troupe 5869. She is also an eight-year member of two RMCC choirs. To keep up with Sonja, follow her on Instagram @babyrhymes.
Jimmy Bruenger (Hanschen): Graduate, pursuing a BA in Administrative Leadership at The University of Oklahoma. Jimmy is beyond excited to be returning to the Festival stage after appearing in last years An Evening With Alan Menken. DSA Credits: Hairspray The Musical (Link Larkin), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou), Avenue Q (Nicky). Long Lake Arts Camp Credits: Les Miserables (Marius). Breckenridge Backstage Theatre: Spamalot (Male Swing), Oliver! (Dodger). The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013: Romeo and Juliet: Glee Inspired (Romeo). Broadway in Boulder Studios: 13 The Musical! (Archie). Town Hall Arts Center: Oliver! (Dodger), Arvada Center: Tarzan (Young Terk) Evita (Child), A Wonderful Life (Tommy), Les Miserables (Gavorche). Awards: Bobby G Nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Spring Awakening. 2015 City of Denver Mayors Youth Award for Excellence in the Arts. TrueWest Award 2015. To follow: @JBruenger3 www.JimmyBruenger.com
Amelia Corrada (Chair of Rock/ Understudy Ilse): Rising Senior. Amelia will be a seven year senior Theatre major. DSA CREDITS: The Rest is Silence: Immersive Hamlet (Gertrude), The Man of Mode (Mrs. Loveit), Hairspray (Penny), Incident at Vichy (The Major), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), A Glee-Inspired Romeo and Juliet (Juliet). Outside Credits: Benediction (Genevieve), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), The Ballad of Susie Pickford (Susie), Biloxi Blues (Daisy), Our Town (Stage Manager), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck). Amelia has been an active member of the International Thespian Society since 2010 and a member of the DSA Speech and Debate Team. She thanks her family for their unconditional love and Shawn Hann for her direction and enthusiasm. Visit her website: http://corradalaw.wix.com/ameliamariecorrada
Wyatt DeShong (Otto): Rising Junior. DSA CREDITS: The Beauty Queen of Leeanne (Assistant Director), The Producers (Ensemble), Flowers for Algernon (Charlie), Arcadia (Gus/Augustus, Let’s Go to the Movies (Billy), Mothers and Sons (Bud), The Man of Mode (Young Bellair). OUTSIDE CREDITS: Fiddler on the Roof (Nachum), Les Misérables (Gavroche), Lockdown (Jeremy). He is thankful for all of his teachers and experiences that have shaped him on stage and in life.
Danielle Erickson (Wendla Bergman): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: The Rest is Silence: Immersive Hamlet (Choreographer), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), On the Verge (Alex), The Country Wife(Margery Pinchwife), and she’s a part of the DSA Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Outside credits include, How I Became A Pirate (Jessica Jacob), Urinetown (Little Sally), Lumberjacks in Love (The Kid), and Peter Pan (Peter Pan). She would like to thank her mom, dad, and friends for all of their love and support.
Celena Flippen (Chair of Rock): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: The Producers (Hold Me, Touch Me), Before Wonderland (Ms. Poole), Tarzan: The Broadway Musical(Terk), Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical(Ensemble), Hairspray(Dynamite), Man of the Mode (Lady Woodvil), Six Character In Search of an Author(Second Leading Lady, The Producers(Hold Me, Touch Me), Thespian Troupe #5869. OTHER CREDITS: Law and Order: Fairytale Unit(Jackie). Special thanks to her mother and sister for their never ending support. http://celenaflippen.wix.com/celenaflippen
Dana Good (Martha): Graduate, pursuing a liberal arts education at University of Puget Sound. DSA CREDITS: TML: Slapped With Reality (actor/writer/director), The Laramie Project (Rebecca Hilliker/ Lucy Thompson/Anonymous), On the Verge (Alexandra Cafuffle), Hairspray (Nicest Kid: Kim, u/s Velma Vontussle), American Clock(Soloist/Ms. Ryan), Failure: A Love Story (Mae/Ensemble), Avenue Q (Trekkie’s Hand/Ensemble), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolen Fairfax), A Glee Inspired Romeo and Juliet (Apothocary/Ensemble), Medea (Chorus), and The Pajama Game (Child Ensemble).
Isa Harris (Chair of Rock): Rising Junior. DSA CREDITS: Judevine (Grace), The Clandestine Marriage (Trusty), Shrek: The Musical (Little Pig/Blind Mice, Queen Lillian, and a Rat Tapper), Kabuki Theatre, and the DPS Shakespeare Festival. Other Credits: The Secret Garden at David Geffen Hall, Manhattan Concert Productions (Chorus), Parade at Avery Fischer Hall, Manhattan Concert Productions (Chorus), Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids High School Musical 2 (Sharpay Evans). She has 12 years of dance training and is an avid photographer. She would like to thank her dad for his never-ending happiness, humor, and compassion, her mom for her bravery, endless love, and support, and lastly her wonderful cast and crew!
Alastair Hennessey (Adult Man): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: The Beauty Queen of Leeanne (PATO).
Michael Kosko (Moritz Stiefel): Graduate, pursuing BA (Hons) Professional Acting from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). DSA Credits: The Laramie Project (Jedadiah Schultz, Dr. Cantway, Matt Mickelson), Macbeth (Siward, Banquo US), Hairspray (Council Member, Corny Collins US), True West (Austin), and Nerve (Elliot), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Writer/Ensemble). Outside Credits: Brighton Beach Memoirs (Eugene Morris Jerome) at Miners Alley Playhouse, and Tigers Be Still (Zack) at Avenue Theater. Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Moritz with the Denver Center’s Bobby G’s. He encourages all to talk to someone: through the darkness there is always light, just be brave. For Brenda.
Keely Kritz (Anna): Graduate, pursuing a BFA in Theatre Studies at SMU. DSA CREDITS: The Crucible (Abigail), Six Characters in Search of an Author (Madame Pace), The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (Narrator), Reasons to be Happy (Steph), Orange Flower Water (Beth), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Writer/Ensemble) and It’s a Wonderful Life (Zuzu Bailey). This is Keely’s 5th and final year attending the International Thespian Festival. Keep up with her ‘Purple Summers’ on instagram: @keelykritz
Baris Loberg (Georg): Rising Junior. DSA CREDITS: Moon Over Buffalo (George), The Producers (Max Bialystock), The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (US Aaron McKinney, Russell Henderson, Dave O’Malley, George, Representative Cohee), The Clandestine Marriage (Sr. Sterling). Outside Credits: Willy Wonka Jr. (Mr. Bucket), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Hero), Young Frankenstein (Igor), The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet (Monk Larry). Baris would like to thank his family and friends for their loving support.
Aliza Saper (Chair of Rock): Graduate, pursuing a BFA in Theatre Acting and a minor in Arts Management at Illinois Wesleyan. DSA CREDITS: Incrementum (Phoebe/Patrice), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Ensemble), Nerve (Susan), Rabbit Hole (Izzy), The Crucible (Mary Warren), and Blithe Spirit (Madame Arcati). Outside Credits: Rent (Dancer), Man of LaMancha(Barber), Legally Blonde (Pilar), Footloose (Ariel), The Music Man (Amarylis), Bye Bye Birdie (Kim). Aliza has felt truly honored to be a part of this incredible production of Spring Awakening. It has been an exciting experience and process. She is thrilled to be able to travel with it and bring it to the 2016 International Thespian Convention. If you are interested in other projects that Aliza is involved in please visit http://lizielynns.wix.com/alizalynnsaper.
Linnea Scott (Adult Woman): Graduate, pursuing a BFA in Acting at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. DSA CREDITS: Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Ensemble), The Laramie Project (Sherry Johnson/Narrator/Baptist Minister’s Wife), Macbeth (Malcolm), The American Clock (Fanny/Myrna), The Good Doctor (Girl/Wife), A Glee Inspired Romeo and Juliet (Peter), Blithe Spirit (Ruth), Pink Panther Strikes Again (Olga), The Grapes of Wrath (Ensemble), Ouroboros (Sixth Grader). DSA Production Credits: Incrementum (Director), Hairspray (Assistant Director), Avenue Q (Associate Producer). She is a running member of DSA’s Improv Troupe: Spontaneous Combustion (2011-2015). She would like to thank her parents for their continuous love and support, and her little sister for always taking part in new shenanigans and adventures!
Kenya Smyth (Thea): Graduate, pursuing a BFA in acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy NYC. DSA CREDITS: Blithe Spirit (Edith), Failure: A Love Story (Gramophone Understudy), The American Clock(Banks/Taylor/Soloist/Dr. Rosman/Toland), Macbeth3 (Lady Angus), Jack and Jill (Jill), Notes to Future Self (Calliope), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Writer/Ensemble), and Six Characters in Search of an Author (Mother). Outside Credits: The Pet Swindle directed by Phil Marabito, Relentless Dedication by Quadrid productions, The History Chanel’s United Stats of America, and Community at Converge directed by John Maikowski. She would like to thank Ms. Hann for giving her this opportunity and her parents for supporting her during this process. Website: http://kenyasmyth.wix.com/kenyasmyth
Meghan Stille (Chair of Rock): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: The Rest Is Silence: An Immersive Hamlet (Dramaturg/Original Score), The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, Kindertransport, Hairspray, and The Man of Mode. Recent Outside Credits: Dracula and Les Misérables. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and encouragement! http://meghanestille.wix.com/meghan-stille
Evan Sullivan (Chair of Rock/Male US): Rising Junior. DSA CREDITS: Moon Over Buffalo (Paul), Shrek: The Musical (Shrek), The Clandestine Marriage (Counsellor Flowers), and The Laramie Project (Male Understudy). Recent Outside Credits: At the Performance Now Theatre Company: Brigadoon (Stewart), at the Denver Center Theatre Company: The Giver (Asher), at the Town Hall Arts Center: The Secret Garden (Colin), and at the Buell Theatre with the National Touring Company: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Orphan). He would like to thank Ms. Hann, Mr. Stinar, Mr. Durfee, his family, and all his friends for their help and support. Enjoy the show!
Lydia Thompson (Chair of Rock/ Wendla US): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: The Rest Is Silence: An Immersive Hamlet (Player King), The Producers (featured Tapper), Arcadia (Chloe), The Country Wife (Alithea), Hairspray (LouAnn, Amber Von Tussle US), The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Associate Producer), and Beauty and the Beast (Wolf, Fork, Napkin). OTHER CREDITS: One Flea Spare (Morse), The Mess of Us (Original stage reading at University of Denver and stage reading at the Historic Elitch Gardens Theater – Ruby), Rent (Joanne), and is a member of the Colorado Youth Dance Theatre. She would like to thank her friends and family for putting up with her crazy schedule and supporting her through everything.
Serena Trainor (Ilse Neumann): Graduate, pursuing a liberal arts education at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. DSA CREDITS: Incrementum (Janice/Katie), Too Much Light: Slapped With Reality (Ensemble), The Laramie Project (Amanda Gronich/Kristin Price/April Silva), Keely and Du (Keely), Time Stands Still (Mandy), Macbeth3 (Lady Macduff), and Hairspray (Nicest Kid). Some of her favorite outside credits include: Do, Re, Me! (Logan Street), CHICAGO (Annie), The Phantom Tollbooth (Tock), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena). She would like to thank Ms. Hann, the production team, crew, and cast for all of their hard work. A big shoutout to her friends and family for their love and support. @serenalaine
serenatrainor.wix.com/theatre
Wyatt Warner (Melchior Gabor): Graduate, pursuing BA (Hons) Professional Acting from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). DSA CREDITS: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), The Crucible (John Proctor), The Good Doctor (Writer, Peter), Hairspray (Council Member/Link US), Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Writer/Ensemble), Senior Project: Incrementum (Associate Producer) . He couldn’t be more proud to have a final show like Spring Awakening for his career at DSA and thrilled to tell this story at Nationals.
Riley Watson (Ernst): Rising Junior. DSA CREDITS: The Rest Is Silence: An Immersive Hamlet (Gravedigger’s Apprentice/US Laertes), Enter Laughing (David), Shrek The Musical (Lord Farquaad), Baba Yaga (Father/Tsar), The Countrywife (Sir Jaspar), Macbeth³ (Fleance). OTHER CREDITS: Moon Over Buffalo (Howard), The Velveteen Rabbit (Boy). He would like to thank the whole cast and crew, especially Ms. Hann for helping him fall in love with this show and giving him the opportunity to perform on the Nationals Mainstage.
Beau Wilcox (Adult Man US): Rising Senior. DSA CREDITS: Arcadia (Jellaby), Spring Awakening (Adult Male U.S), The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (Stephen Belber/Ben/Friend #1/Cowboy), The Man of the Mode (Old Bellair). OTHER CREDITS: Dark River (Ander), Over the Tavern (Eddie), The Hobbit (Thorin), Willy Wonka (Mr. Salt). He would like to thank his family for all of their love and support, and his amazing
cast.
Keegan Hovland (Stage Manager): Graduate; pursuing a Neuroscience degree at CU Boulder. Recent DSA stage management and designing credits include: Baba Yaga, Spring Awakening, On The Verge, and Telling Stories. Awards and honors: Superior rating for Costume Design at the International Thespian Convention. She would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew of Spring Awakening for being so amazing throughout this process. Enjoy the show!
Skylar Mabry (Associate Producer): Rising junior. DSA CREDITS: The Producers (Ensemble/Tapper), The Rest Is Silence: An Immersive Hamlet (Attendant), Moon Over Buffalo (Eileen), Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington), Les Miserables (Madame Thenardier). She would like to thank her family for introducing her to the deaf community, and Dramatics for making the evening interpretation a possibility, and hopes you enjoy the show.
Sammie Piel (Assistant Director): Graduate, pursing double majors in Theatre and Psychology at Drake University. DSA CREDITS: Six Characters in Search of an Author (Director) Too Much Light: Slapped with Reality (Ensemble), Macbeth (Warrior/ Servant), Hairspray (Ensemble), Incident at Vichy (Boy) Noises Off (Assistant Director), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble) and Waiting in the Wings (Estelle).
Owen Nuss (Hair/Makeup Design, Set Construction): Graduate/Stagecraft Major, pursuing a BA in Theatre at Denison University. Credits include set designing Noises Off, Assistant Stage Managing Hairspray, Designed the mask and armor for Macbeth, Stage manager for Laramie Project Ten Years Later and set designer for the three restoration series plays. He recently designed and directed his senior project, an adaptation of a Russian folk tale. He thanks his parents for supporting him.
MaryV Benoit (Costume Design): Graduate, pursuing a degree in photography at Parsons The New School of Design. She has done Becoming: Senior Project (Photo Gallery), Hairspray (Costume Crew), Twilight Zone (ASM), FIDM Fashion Show (ASM) and Macbeth (Prop Design). MaryV thanks Mrs. Kirksey for giving her this opportunity to work with her as a team. Much love to her family and friends as well for the conditional love and support. Enjoy the show! Xo
Skylar Arterburn (Hair/Makeup Design): Graduate, is a seven year senior in Stagecraft and Design at Denver School Of The Arts. Skylar has worked crew and designed for many shows including Pop show (2013), Opera Scenes: Confessions of a Fairy God Mother (2014), and her senior project: Becoming (2016). She is very excited for her future education, although she doesn’t exactly know where she will end up.
Orchestra Bios:
Ryan Durfee (Music Director, Piano/Keyboards) has a degree in Piano Performance from Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN. As of the Fall of 2014, he is the Staff Accompanist and Music Coach at Denver School of the Arts. In 1999, he won the NWC Concerto/Aria competition by playing Liszt Piano Concerto #1. In addition to performing solo piano, he has been involved as a music director or accompanist in numerous musicals and productions including Meet Me in St. Louis, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Godspell, The Pajama Game, 42nd Street, Avenue Q, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, and Spring Awakening.
Greer Ramsey-White (Violin) – Greer Ramsey-White has been attending DSA since the 6th grade as an Orchestra major and is heading into her senior year this upcoming fall. She has been playing the violin for 14 years and is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful production of Spring Awakening. DSA CREDITS: Hairspray (Orchestra) and Oliver! (Orchestra). She would like to thank her family and friends for their support throughout this experience.
Oli Cramer (Cello) has been playing the cello for 10 years. He is so excited to be a part of this amazing show. He is grateful to be part of such an awesome band and being able to play such amazing music. Oli enjoys dogs, making music, and reading. He hopes you enjoy seeing Spring Awakening as much as he enjoys playing in it.
Asia Jones (Guitars) will begin her 7th year as a Guitar major at DSA this fall. Some of her recent DSA musical credits include Hairspray, Final Jam, and other guitar performances; she was a part of the orchestra that was awarded the Bobby G. Award for their amazing orchestra performance in Hairspray. She is very excited to be a part of this program and is grateful for the opportunity.
Caleb Theil (Drummer)- Caleb is a Stage Craft and Design Major at DSA who specializes in sound design and engineering, and has played the drums since he was a young child. Now, as a Junior, he has played many large events with his band, Last Minute including playing along with them at the Ogden theater.
Shawn Hann (Director/Set Design): This is Ms. Hann’s 16th year as the Director of Theatre at DSA. MA: Directing, Roosevelt University, BA Theatre/Speech Communication Education, Univ. of Northern Iowa. Recent DSA directing credits include: Moon Over Buffalo, Disney’s Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Country Wife, Annie Jr, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Crucible, Shrek the Musical, Avenue Q, Almost, Maine, Disney’s Tarzan the Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest, All-Female Hamlet, Of Mice and Men, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Awards and honors include: 2015 Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture, EdTA’s Theatre Educator of the Year 2011 and the Alliance for Colorado Theatre Middle School Educator of the Year 2005. She would like to thank Joel for support and love, Tihun for inspiration and Bruce and Sharon Hann for constant care.
Mr. Matthew Strang (Lighting Designer) Matthew attended Denver School of the Arts for seven years, and is now currently a BFA3 Lighting Designer at California Institute of the Arts. Wile Matthew mainly focuses on lighting he has also worked on video content and visuals for live performances. His most recent work was as a CG Lighting Designer for a show aboard the Norwegian Cruse line.
Technical Director
Mr. Brian Billings
Original Light Design
Ms. Jessica Buttery
Nationals Light Design
Mr. Matthew Strang
Costume Design
Ms. Lara Kirksey MaryV Benoit
Sound Design
Mr. Jonathan Howard
Set Design
Ms. Shawn Hann
Stage Manager
Keegan Hovland
Dramaturgs
Kiera Eriksen-McAuliffe Amani Batura
Assistant Stage Manager
Danielle Waldman
Assistant Director
Sammie Piel & Nadiya Jackson
Hair & Makeup Design
Skylar Arterburn & Owen Nuss
Prop Masters
Ryan Hunt & Elliot Walch
Stage Manager……………………………………………………………………………Keegan Hovland*
Assistant Stage Managers…………………………………..Sammie Piel*+, Danielle Waldman*
Costume Design…………………………………………………….MaryV Benoit, Ms. Lara Kriksey
Hair & Make-up Design……………………………………………Owen Nuss*, Skylar Arterburn
Original Lighting Design……………………………………………………………..Ms. Jessica Buttery
Nationals Lighting Design Matthew Strang
Scenic Design…………………………………………………………………………………Ms. Shawn Hann
Prop Masters……………………………………………………………………..Elliot Walch, Ryan Hunt
Assistant Lighting Designer……………………………………………………………..Sydney Arenas
Light Board Operator………………………………………………….Simone Elkins, Sam Theobald
Deck Electricians……………………………………………………………………Ava Beckman, Emma Price Spot Operation………………………………………………………………….Tanner Gardner,
Sound Board Operation……………………………. Keith Bliss, Lillian Beattie, Sean Virnich
Hair & Make-up
Costume Build Crew………………………………..Danielle Waldman*, Caroline Hernandez, Maclean Rozansky, Annie Litten, Owen Nuss*, Skylar Arterburn, MaryV Benoit, Paris Bankston, .Lillian Beattie, Renn Brogan, Natasha Clements,Tristin Cordova, Ruth Cover-Decker, Lydia Donato,.Acadia Ferrero-Lampron, Nasiya Gallegos-Lock, .Tyler Gerhart, Emma Price, Cera Rowe
Cello….Claudia Cramer
Violin………Greer Ramsey-White
Acoustic/Electric Guitar…………………………………..Asia Jones
Drums/Percussion………Caleb Theil
Piano/Keyboard……………………….Mr. Ryan Durfee
Fight Coordinator………………………………………………………………………….Mr. Geoff Kent
Dramaturg……………………………………………..Kiera Eriksen-McAuliffe*, Amani Batura*
Assistant Director………………………………………………Sammie Piel*+ & Nadiya Jackson*
Associate Producer………………………………………………………………………..Skylar Mabry*+