Disney's Frozen

Jessica Bennett (Ensemble) is very excited to perform on the Olney stage again! Her previous OLNEY THEATRE CENTER credits include: Beauty and the Beast (2021, 2022) Cabaret, Elf, and South Pacific. OFF BROADWAY: The Actor’s Temple: Honestly Abe. NATIONAL TOUR: We The People. REGIONAL: Fulton Theatre: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Millbrook Playhouse: Hairspray, New Hazlett Theatre: Ragtime. DC AREA: Kennedy Center: Shear Madness, Me...Jane, Ford’s Theatre: Shout Sister Shout, A Christmas Carol, Signature Theatre: After Midnight, Blackbeard, Baltimore Center Stage: Lookingglass Alice, Keegan Theatre: Chicago [2019 Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical], Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Christmas Story, Artscentric: Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Stillpointe Theatre: The Last Five Years, Iron Crow Theatre: The Wild Party, F***ing A. EDUCATION: Ithaca College, BFA Musical Theatre.

Ruth Eloise Benson (Young Elsa) is excited and proud for her first performance at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous credits: Studio Theatre: The Colored Museum (Young Girl); The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Finding Rhythm (Youth Ensemble). Ruth is a vivacious and talented tween with a zest for life, laughter, and good food. A passionate learner and avid reader, Ruth’s artistic journey spans over six years of piano study, recording studio sessions, and performances with her band, the Lumberjanes. Outside of theater, Ruth is a 7th-grade Montessori student who loves to listen to music, ride her hoverboard, and cuddle with her dog, Bixby. IG: @rutheloisebenson

Quadry Brown (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER stage. Olney Theatre: Beautiful (Drifter), Kinky Boots (Angel, Lola u/s). DC AREA: Toby’s Dinner Theatre: A Chorus Line (Richie), The Spongebob Musical (Plankton u/s), Spamalot (Patsy u/s), White Christmas, Shrek: The Musical (Donkey u/s, Ensemble swing), The Bodyguard; REGIONAL: Washington County Playhouse: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Clopin Trouillefou); ArtsCentric: Once on this Island (Erzulie u/s). He has also performed at the 2023 and 2024 Helen Hayes Awards. Instagram and TikTok: @qmbrown

Elise Chrappah (Young Anna) is delighted to be making her professional debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Elise has previously performed in her elementary school, John Eaton, on musicals, Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Newsies (Katherine Plumer). During her free time Elise enjoys reading mysteries, baking and crafting with her little sister.

Aliza Cohen (Young Anna) is thrilled to be making her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Recent credits include Classic Theatre of Maryland: Gypsy (Baby June), Little Theatre of Alexandria: Annie (Molly), French Woods Festival: 101 Dalmatians (Cruella de Vil). Previous credits include The Kennedy Center: Ballet West: The Nutcracker (Party Princess), The Washington Ballet: Sleeping Beauty (Queen’s Page), The United Ukrainian Ballet: Giselle (peasant child). Aliza is grateful for this opportunity to perform and for all the support from family, friends, and Headline Talent Agency!

Alex De Bard (Anna) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Kinky Boots, A.D. 16; DC AREA: Signature Theatre: Hair, Private Jones, Passing Strange, Into the Woods, Rent, Gun & Powder. Monumental Theatre Company: tick, tick…BOOM! (Helen Hayes Nominated- Outstanding Supporting Performer), 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche; Mosaic Theatre Company: Postmortem (workshop/documentary); NextStop Theatre: Little Women, First Date; Museum of the Bible: Amazing Grace; Adventure Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas, Blueberries for Sal. REGIONAL: Goodspeed Musicals: Private Jones (workshop). EDUCATION: The Catholic University of America, BM. IG: @alexdebardmusic / @alex_debard

Jared Michael Delaney (Duke of Weselton) is pleased to be making his debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. OFF-BROADWAY: 59E59. REGIONAL: Walnut Street Theatre, Fulton Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, New Jersey Repertory Company, PA Shakes. Festival, among many others. DC AREA: Folger Theatre. FILM: Hayride to Hell, Kinderwald, Love & Communication, Alice & the Vampire Queen, Universal Signs. TV: Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC) Mare of Easttown (HBO) Sinking Spring (Apple TV), Task (HBO) and a Maryland lottery ad. As a playwright, Jared’s plays have been produced across the country and internationally, with the 2019 production of Voyager One being named in “The Top Ten Productions of the Year” for New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger. Co-Host, When Doves Podcast, about the musician Prince. M.A., Villanova University; M.F.A., Queens University of Charlotte. Member: Dramatists’ Guild, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, New Play Exchange. Festival Director, Media Film Festival. Co-founder, 100th Meridian, independent theatre.

Tyler Dobies (Pabbie/Ensemble) happily makes his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! NEW YORK: Show Me Eternity (Austin Dickinson); We Must See These Things (Solo Performer). NATIONAL TOUR: Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Herb). SELECTED REGIONAL: Village Theatre: Songs for a New World (Man #2); Seattle Rep: Here Lies Love (Audience Wrangler); Intiman Theatre: The Race 2020 (Self); Showtunes Theatre Company: The Bridges of Madison County (Michael Johnson); Tacoma Musical Playhouse: Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! (Gerald the Elephant). DC AREA: Imagination Stage: Miss Nelson is Missing! (Adam), Nate the Great (Nate); Constellation Theatre Company: Desperate Measures (Sheriff Martin Green); Monumental Theatre Company: tick, tick…BOOM! (Michael) [2023 Helen Hayes Award Nom. Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical]. Hear Tyler on the podcast E-Ticket to Broadway bringing a special mouse to life. EDUCATION: BFA in Acting/Directing from Pacific Lutheran University; MM in Vocal Performance: Music Theatre from New York University: Steinhardt. tylerdobies.com

Taylor Esguerra (Young Elsa) is delighted and proud for her first performance at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous credits include Ford's Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Martha Cratchit), Rock Ridge Performing Arts: The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Ursula), Beauty & the Beast Jr. (Belle), The Lion King Jr. (Banzai), Lopez Studios, Inc.: Shrek Jr. (Young Fiona), Seneca Ridge Drama Club: Aladdin Jr. (Jasmine), Into The Woods (Cinderella). She is especially proud to have been part of the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta for two consecutive years with Lopez Studios, Inc. She was thrilled to represent SRMS in the 2024 All Virginia Honors Chorus in Richmond, having her audition ranked #1 out of 100 students who auditioned for Alto 2. She was also selected for the 2024 ACDA Voices United Children's Honor Chorus for our region. When not on stage, Taylor enjoys hanging out with her cousins, shopping, nail designs and eating good food. Her dream is to be on Broadway one day. She thanks her family for all their support! IG @taylor.esguerra

Crystal J. Freeman (Bulda) is excited to make her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. REGIONAL: Signature Theatre: Into the Woods (Granny, Cinderella's Mother, Step-Mother U/S). DC AREA: Toby's Dinner Theatre: Ghost (Clara, Oda Mae U/S). Shrek the Musical (Shrek's Mother, the Dragon).  ArtsCentric: Dreamgirls (Effie). EDUCATION: Bachelor of Vocal Music from Morgan State University. Facebook: @Crystal J. Freeman Tik Tok: @cfreeman1373 Instagram: @cfreeman1373 Website: www.crystaljfreeman.com

Jay Frisby (King Agnarr/Ensemble): OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Beautiful, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Matilda, The Royale, Miss You Like Hell, South Pacific, Annie, Mary Poppins. TOURS: South Pacific; Hong Kong Disneyland: Festival of the Lion King (Simba); Click Clack Moo; The Whiffenpoofs of Yale. REGIONAL: Connecticut Repertory Theatre: Smokey Joe’s Café; Ogunquit Playhouse: South Pacific; DC AREA: Ford’s Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors, Shout Sister Shout!, Grace; Imagination Stage: Cinderella, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Signature Theatre: The Color Purple, The Scottsboro Boys; Labor Heritage Foundation: Working; Rep Stage: Dorian’s Closet; Toby’s Dinner Theatre: The Buddy Holly Story, Miss Saigon. EDUCATION: BA in Theatre Studies Yale University.

Mia Goodman (Ensemble) is so excited to be making her mainstage debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous Olney Theatre Center credits include: Built For This [Workshop]. REGIONAL: The Milton Theatre: Legally Blonde (Serena), Goodspeed New Works Festival: Little Miss Perfect, Dunes Arts Foundation: Next to Normal (Natalie), Coeur D’Alene Summer Theatre: Footloose (Ariel). DC AREA: Round House Theatre: A Hanukkah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical [Workshop], Ford’s Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Arena Stage: The Music Man, Compass Rose Theatre: Diary of Anne Frank (Anne Frank). EDUCATION: BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory, 2023. Instagram: @miaagoodman

Ricky Devon Hall (Kristoff) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER Debut! REGIONAL: Incendiary (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), The Colored Museum (Woolly Mammoth and Howard University). HOWARD UNIVERSITY: A Raisin in the Sun, Children of Killers. TV: Dangerous Acts, in partnership with The Lucille Lortel Theatre and WNET directed by Phylicia Rashad (2024 New York Emmy Nom). EDUCATION: BFA in Acting from Howard University, The British American Drama Academy, The Billie Holiday Theatre’s Black Arts Institute. Rep: BRS/Gage Talent Agency. Instagram: @rickydevonhall www.rickydevonhall.com

Angelo Harrington II (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. DC AREA: Toby’s Dinner Theatre: A Chorus Line (Mark); ArtsCentric: The Scottsboro Boys (Haywood), Cinderella (Ensemble). IG: @anjelloperez

Gabriela Hernandez (Elsa) is thrilled to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut as her favorite Disney Character! Previous theater credits include: REGIONAL: Anything Goes (Erma), Footloose (Urleen), Jekyll and Hyde (Red Rat Girl), Wizard of Oz (Ensemble), Clue: On Stage (Ensemble). EDUCATION: Gabriela graduated with her BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University. Instagram: @gabriela__hernandezz. Tik Tok: @gabrielahernandezzz. Website: www.gabriela-hernandezt.com

Noah Israel (Hans) is kvelling to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER after last year's production of A Nice Indian Boy. OTHER DC AREA CREDITS: Signature Theatre: HAIR; Rep Stage: The Glass Menagerie, The 39 Steps, Sweeney Todd; Keegan Theatre: Legally Blonde; Imagination Stage: Aquarium; Adventure Theatre: Big River; REGIONAL: La Jolla Playhouse: To The Yellow House; The Phoenix Theatre Company: Bandstand; San Diego Rep: The Whole Megillah; Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre: Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma!; OTHER: Solo Work: The Wunderlich; EDUCATION: MFA from UC San Diego. noahcisrael.com @noahcisrael

Stephen C. Kallas (Ensemble) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! NATIONAL TOUR: The SpongeBob Musical (Old Man Jenkins/ u/s Squidward/Electric Skates). SELECT REGIONAL: Engeman Theatre: Jersey Boys (Hank/ u/s Nick Massi); Legacy Theatre: Dame Julie Andrews’ The Great American Mousical (Curly); Playhouse on Park [CT]: Bandstand (Featured Dancer); Argyle Theatre: Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay/ u/s Bert); KC Starlight: Wizard of Oz; Fireside Theatre: Newsies (Davy), Grease, Joseph…Dreamcoat; AZ Broadway Theatre: Catch Me If You Can (Frank Jr Cover), The SpongeBob Musical (OMJ/Electric Skate/Dance Captain/Skateboarding Choreographer). ATB Talent | Wagner College Theatre | For PCRM | @StephenCKallas | StephenCKallas.com | @SpikemarKProducts | SpikemarKProducts.com

Kennedy Kanagawa (Olaf) is thrilled to be making his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut. Broadway: Into the Woods (Milky White) [Drama Desk and Clive Barnes nominations]. Off-Broadway: White Rose (Theatre Row), Dinner With Georgette (NYTW), Saturday Night (2nd Stage), the Good Swimmer (BAM), Lolita, My Love (York Theater Company). National Tour: Into the Woods. Regional: Rent (New London Barn Playhouse), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The Muny), Waitress (Ogunquit Playhouse), Tiananmen (Phoenix Theater Company), Eastbound (Village Theater), Gold Mountain (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Last Ship to Proxima Centauri (Portland Stage). Love to David. IG/TT: @thisiskennedy

Ariel Kraje (Ensemble) is honored to make her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. DC AREA: Synetic Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), The Madness of Poe, Dracula; Workhouse Art Center: Urinetown (Ensemble) [Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble], The Drowsy Chaperone, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. EDUCATION: BFA in Theater with a concentration in Musical Theater from George Mason University. arielkraje.com, IG: @ariel.kraje

Alex Mills (Sven) Local credits include Studio Theatre: Wig Out!, Torch Song Trilogy, 2-2 Tango, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Signature Theatre: Shakespeare’s R&J Synetic Theater: The Tell Tale Heart, The Tempest, Richard III, A Tale of Two Cities, The Man in the Iron Mask, Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog) (Helen Hayes Nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actor) Othello  (Helen Hayes Nomination: Outstanding Lead Actor) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helen Hayes Nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actor)

Robert Mintz (Ensemble) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Fiddler on the Roof, On The Town, Mary Poppins, Evita, The Producers (Carmen Ghia), The Little Mermaid (Jetsam).  NEW YORK: Actors Fund: Miracle on 34th Street; NYMF: Seeing Stars, Shine! REGIONAL: Riverside Theatre: 42nd Street; Walnut Street Theatre: Young Frankenstein. The Fulton: The Nutcracker; Gateway Playhouse: West Side Story.  DC AREA: The Kennedy Center: Children of Eden, Broadway: Three Generations (Girl Crazy, Bye Bye Birdie, Sideshow); Arena Stage: My Fair Lady; Signature Theatre: Crazy For You, The Visit; NextStop Theatre Company: Singin' in the Rain; Toby's Dinner Theatre: High School Musical, Kiss Me, Kate; Adventure Theatre: What's a Wolf to Do?  EDUCATION: BM from CUA. Instagram: @mintzterpiecetheater

Haley Nachlas (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back home and making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! A NYC artist and DMV native, Haley is elated to be performing in her hometown community after 7 years of performing globally. Favorite Credits include: Footloose (Ensemble/Onstage Swing; Norwegian Cruise Line), Elements (Principal Dancer; Norwegian Cruise Line), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Durla; Totem Pole Playhouse). Education: Pace University BFA commercial Dance NYC. IG: @halesnach

Stellamaris Orellana (Swing) is happy to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER Debut. Previous credits include: DC AREA: NextStop Theatre company: In the Heights (Carla) [Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Musical]; Overtures at Signature Theatre 2023; Catholic University: The Sound of Music (ensemble). EDUCATION: The Catholic University of America: Bachelor of Music 25’. Instagram: @stellaa.orellanaa

Sarah Anne Sillers (Queen Iduna/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER, where she’s been featured in Kinky Boots (Trish), The Music Man (Amaryllis), Singin' in the Rain, and Elf the Musical, as well as several Olney Outdoors concerts such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sounds of Judy, Sounds of Barbra, 90s Girl Groups, and ABBA Tribute. Select local credits include Signature Theatre: Sweeney Todd, She Loves Me, RENT; Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences: Through the Sunken Lands (Maggie), The Dragon King's Daughter, The Day You Begin; NextStop Theatre Company: The 39 Steps (Annabella/Pamela/Clown); Ordinary Days (Claire), 45 Plays for 45 Presidents, A Grand Night for Singing; Monumental Theatre Company: Songs for a New World (Woman 2), Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes); Avant Bard Theatre: Visible Language (Helen Hayes Award nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical). EDUCATION: Princeton University. Website: www.sarahannesillers.com. IG/TikTok: @sarah.anne.sillers

Jamie Smithson (Oaken) is thrilled to be making his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut. OFF-BROADWAY:  The Importance of Being Earnest (Bedlam,West End Theatre, Upcoming), Fall River Fishing (Bedlam, The Connelly), Persuasion ( Bedlam), Arcadia (Bedlam), Romeo and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors (The Acting Company) REGIONAL: A.R.T.: Sense and Sensibility; Guthrie: Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet; Everyman: Crimes of the Heart;  Portland Centerstage: Sense and Sensibility; Village Rep: A Flea in her Ear, Urinetown; Mile Square Theatre: Scapin. DC AREA: Studio Theatre: At the Wedding ; Theater J: The Wanderers; Ford's Theatre: Born Yesterday; Arena Stage: Newsies, Fiddler on the Roof, Holiday;  Shakespeare Theatre of DC: The School for Lies; Signature: Cake Off, An Act of God; The Kennedy Center: Twist Your Dickens; Folger Theatre: Sense and Sensibility [Helen Hayes Nomination Best Supporting Actor]; 1st Stage: Fly By Night [Helen Hayes Nomination Best Actor].  He has also worked with Roundhouse, WSG, Imagination, and No Rules. EDUCATION: MFA in Acting, Rutgers University, Mason Gross

Walker James Vlahos (Swing) is thrilled to be making his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut with Disney’s Frozen! DC AREA: Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Something Rotten!, Grease; NextStop Theatre Company: Reefer Madness, Ride The Cyclone. GMU: Footloose (Willard), The Boy Detective Fails (Fenton), Runaways, Rags (Hamlet), The Mason Cabaret. EDUCATION: George Mason University, BFA Musical Theater.

Alan Muraoka (Director) is thrilled to be returning to the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER for his 3rd production. Previous Olney Theatre Center directing credits include: Once On This Island (2014) and South Pacific (2018). Other Regional & International Theatre Credits: Kafka’s Metamorphosis: The Musical! (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Zac Efron(World Premiere-Token Theatre Chicago), Clue (Dallas Theater Center), Elf (Pioneer Theatre), Gold Mountain (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Awesomer & Awesomer!!! (Legacy Theatre). At the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City:The King and I, Xanadu, Disney’s High School Musical and Disney’s High School Musical 2. Disney's High School Musical (MUNY, Casa Manana), Urinetown (Trinity University), and Associate Director for Up In The Air (Kennedy Center). New York theatre credits include: Avenue Q (Off Broadway-Resident Director), The Report (NY Fringe), Kung Fu (Signature Theatre-Assistant Director),Elizabeth Ward Land: Still Within The Sound of My Voice (Green Room 42, Bistro Award- Best Tribute Show 2020) Ann Harada: American Songbook (Lincoln Center), Grand Hotel (NYU/Cap 21), Falsettoland (NAATCO), John Tartaglia AD-LIBerty (Joe's Pub). Television: 2 Emmy Awards for Directing and Producing for the iconic television series Sesame Street. As an actor, Mr. Muraoka has appeared in 7 Broadway shows, and has been a cast member of Sesame Street for the past 26 years, where he plays Alan, the proprietor of Hooper’s Store. Mr. Muraoka is a graduate of UCLA, where he received the Carol Burnett Musical Comedy Award for performance.  Website: www.alanmuraoka.tv Instagram: @alanathoopers

Christopher Youstra (Music Director/Director of Music Theater) As resident music director, Mr. Youstra has music directed and conducted over 50 musicals at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER, including Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Soprano, Fiddler on the Roof, Kinky Boots, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, A.D. 16, Cabaret, Matilda, Once, On the Town, In the Heights, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Carmen: An Afro-Cuban Jazz Musical, Carousel, Godspell, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and has also music directed at many of the other local theaters including Ford’s Theatre: Ragtime, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Studio Theatre 2nd Stage: Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Passing Strange; Studio Theatre: Adding Machine: A Musical; Round House Theatre: Next to Normal, Once on This Island, A Murder A Mystery A Marriage, The Summer of ‘42, and The World Goes ‘Round; Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Les Misérables, The Color Purple, Titanic, Beauty and the Beast; Imagination Stage; The Kennedy Center Theatre for Young Audiences; Arena Stage; Burn Brae Dinner Theatre; Montgomery College; American University; Musical Theatre Center; Signature Theatre; and Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts. He has also played for many theaters, including Guys and Dolls with the Kennedy Center Broadway Series.  Mr. Youstra has been nominated for thirteen Helen Hayes Awards and received the award for Titanic. He was director of music at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Columbia for 29 years, has worked with both Phoenix Productions and Troika Entertainment national touring companies and toured both Europe and Korea with Smokey Joe’s Café. As a composer, Mr. Youstra’s music has been heard throughout the area, including The Dancing Princesses at Imagination Stage, Big Nate: The Musical (with Jason Loewith), the Helen Hayes Awards, the 2014 Summer Hummer, and the opening gala of the ATLAS center.

Kelly Crandall d'Amboise (Choreographer) is happy to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous Olney Theatre Center credits include The Crucible. REGIONAL: CHOREOGRAPHER: SIGNATURE THEATRE: She Loves Me, *Helen Hayes Nominated, The Bridges of Madison County, Grand Hotel , Light Years, An Act of God. DIRECTOR- Motown 2, Entirely Elvis.  TELEVISION: DIRECTOR: PBS: National Philharmonic's 2020-21 Season *Emmy Nominated, Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas (starring Vanessa Williams), Broadway's Brightest Lights (starring Megan Hilty), We Are Family. LIVE CONCERTS: DIRECTOR: The 2023 World Cultural Festival on the National Mall, Lincoln Center Gala (starring Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Holliday), Kravis Night of Stars (starring Chita Rivera and Brian Stokes Mitchell), American Pops Orchestra concerts (starring Ariana Debose, Michelle Williams, Kathy Najimy, Betty Who, and Liz Calloway). ASSOCIATE work: SIGNATURE: Simply Sondheim, Crazy for You, Billy Elliot, La Cage, Cabaret, The Studio; CONNECTICUT REP: Newsies; SOUTH COAST REP: The Studio; LINCOLN CENTER: Babes in Toyland; TRINITY REP: You Never Know, WESTPORT COUNTY PLAYHOUSE: Hot 'n Cole. Performance credits include BROADWAY: The Boy from Oz (Original Cast), Chicago, Dirty Dancing (workshop), Last Dance (workshop). NATIONAL TOURS: Chicago, The Producers. NEW YORK: A Christmas Carol; NYC Opera: The Most Happy Fella. FILM: Disney’s A Christmas Carol, What Women Want. TV: TONY Awards, Academy Awards, Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. EDUCATION: The University of Michigan- Go Blue! Adjunct Professor at GMU and American University. Big Love to my fam! xo Roralai & Pluto Pie. kellydamboise.com

Paige Hathaway (Scenic Designer) is a DC-based scenic designer. Previous OLNEY THEATRE CENTER credits include: Dance Nation, South Pacific, Every Brilliant Thing, and Godpsell. REGIONAL: Arden: Assassins; Barrington Stage: A New Brain; Amphibian Stage: Miss Molly, Juan Garcia; Writer's Theatre: A Distinct Society; The Muny: Mary Poppins. DC AREA: Ford's: Little Shop of Horrors; Signature: Hair, Penelope, Rent, The Upstairs Department; Round House: Sojourners, The Mountaintop; Woolly Mammoth: The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes; Arena: The High Ground. EDUCATION: University of Oklahoma, BFA in Scenic Design, University of Maryland, MFA in Scenic Design. Website: paigehathawaydesign.com Instagram: @paigehathawaydesign

Kendra Rai (Costume Designer) received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Costume Design in 2012 for The Green Bird at Constellation Theatre, in 2015 for The Island of Dr. Moreau at Synetic Theatre, and in 2018 for Or’ at Round House Theatre. In addition, she has been a nominee for the award ten times. Kendra’s work has been seen all over the DMV at Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, Round House Theatre, Adventure Theater MTC, Opera Lafayette, Synetic Theater, Constellation Theatre, Theater J, Imagination Stage, UMD, and Catholic University. She is now so pleased to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER, where some of her last credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, Cabaret, Hay Fever, Proof, Elf, and King and I. Kendra is a Princess Grace Honorarium recipient and holds an MFA from Pennsylvania State University. She is currently the Head of Design at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and has held teaching posts at Howard University, University of Pittsburgh, and Gallaudet University. kendrarai.com

Christina Watanabe (Lighting Designer) is an award-winning designer and educator for theatre, dance, music, and events. With Mr. Muraoka: Clue (Dallas Theatre Center), Elf (Pioneer Theatre Company). Recent: Jersey Boys (Pioneer Theatre Company), Clyde’s (Alabama Shakespeare Festival and Arkansas Rep), Redeemed (CATF & 59E59), Laughs in Spanish (Denver Theatre Center), Henry V (Virginia Stage Company), La Broa, By The Queen, and Sueño (Trinity Rep), It’s A Wonderful Life, The 39 Steps (Rep St. Louis), This Bitter Earth (Theatreworks Hartford), Beautiful, Doubt, and Rent (Theatre Aspen), The Great Leap and The Antelope Party (OKC Rep), Carla’s Quince (virtual, Drama League nomination), As You Like It (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Peter and the Starcatcher (White Heron Theatre Company), The Hours are Feminine (INTAR), TV: Colin Quinn: Red State Blue State (co-design, CNN). Lincoln Center Festival (2013, 2015-2017). Faculty: UNLV. USITT Gateway Mentor. Knights of Illumination winner. MFA: NYU Tisch. Member USA 829. www.StarryEyedLighting.com

Matthew Rowe (Sound Designer) is proud to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Olney Theatre Center: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Soprano, Fiddler on the Roof, The World Goes ‘Round, Kinky Boots, The Music Man, Headwig and the Angry Inch, A.D. 16, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, Miss You Like Hell, Cabaret, Once, In The Heights, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line; Kennedy Center: Orphie and the Book Of Heroes, First You Dream, Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred!), Nobody’s Perfect. MetroStage: The Last Five Years; Signature Theatre: No Place to Go, Miss Saigon, Company, The Last Five Years, Shakespeare’s R&J, Dreamgirls, Dying City, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Xanadu, God of Carnage, Brother Russia, Really Really, Hairspray (Helen Hayes nomination), A Second Chance, Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South, The Boy Detective Fails, The Hollow, Side by Side by Sondheim, Art, And the Curtain Rises, Sunset Boulevard, Walter Cronkite is Dead, A Fox on the Fairway, Chess, Sycamore Trees, [title of show], Sweeney Todd, Show Boat, First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb, Dirty Blonde, Giant, The Little Dog Laughed, Les Miserables, Anyone Can Whistle in Concert, The Visit, The Happy Time, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Glory Days, Merrily We Roll Along, The Witches of Eastwick. Norwegian Cruise Lines: Million Dollar Quartet, Rock Of Ages.

PATRICK W. LORD he/him (Projection Design) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: The World Goes ‘Round, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, A Christmas Carol.  NATIONAL TOUR: On Your Feet, Hairspray. NEW YORK: Lincoln Center: Where Words Once Were; White Plains Performing Arts Center: The Bodyguard.  DC AREA: The Kennedy Center: The Dragon King’s Daughter [Helen Hayes Nomination], Earthrise, Voyagers, Digging Up Dessa, Where Words Once Were; Signature Theatre: Hair, Private Jones; Shakespeare Theatre Company: Hamlet, Twelfth Night; Everyman Theatre: The World Goes ‘Round, Dinner and Cake; Gala Hispanic Theatre: On Your Feet: La Historia de Gloria y Emilio Estefan ¡En Español! [2023 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Projection Design], Fame: The Musical; 1st Stage: The Phlebotomist, Columbinus; Synetic Theatre: The Phantom of the Opera; Theatre Alliance: Mnemonic [Helen Hayes Nomination]. REGIONAL: Flatrock Playhouse: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Shawshank Redemption, Girl on the Train, Cinderella, West Side Story, South Pacific; People’s Light: Thurgood [Barrymore Award Nomination]; Resident Ensemble Players: In the Heat of the Night. EDUCATION: MFA, The University of Texas at Austin. www.patrickwlord.com Instagram: @pwlord

Kylie Clark (Puppet Design) is pleased to return to OLNEY THEATRE CENTER after previously fabricating puppets for Elf the Musical in 2019. Kylie has been working as a freelance properties artist for the last twenty years, with a primary focus on puppets. She has worked Off West End at the Arcola Theatre, Off Broadway at the Hiraeth Theatre Company, and regionally for Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Cadence Theatre Company, TheatreLab, Firehouse, and Riverside Center. Kylie holds a BA in Theatre from George Mason University, and an MA in Music Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (UK). Big gratitude to Devon, Zoë and Ollie! KylieClark.com

Ben Walsh (Production Stage Manager) Previous OLNEY THEATRE CENTER credits: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ken Ludwig's Lend Me A Soprano, The Brothers Paranormal, The World Goes 'Round, Kinky Boots, A Christmas Carol, The Music Man, The Amateurs, Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors, Labour of Love, Every Brilliant Thing, Thurgood, Fickle: A Fancy French Farce, The Diary of Anne Frank, Forever Plaid, Cinderella, Spring Awakening, Little Shop of Horrors, The Submission, Over the Tavern. MD/DC AREA: Everyman Theatre: The World Goes 'Round, The Lion in Winter; Signature Theatre: Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity; Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy for Classical Acting (2 Seasons); Maryland Lyric Opera; Peabody Opera; Urban Arias. REGIONAL: The REV; Gateway Playhouse; Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (Resident PSM, 2 Seasons); Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town (3 Seasons). Ben is an alumnus of Olney Theatre Center’s Apprentice Training Program, and the company's Resident Stage Manager.

Gillian Lelchuk (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to the DMV to work on Frozen. OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: Debut. OFF-BROADWAY: Here There are Blueberries. REGIONAL: Here There are Blueberries (La Jolla Playhouse); The Sound of Music (Musical Theatre West); A Midsummer Night's Dream, JAW New Play Festival 2023 (Portland Center Stage). DC AREA: Newsies (Theatre Lab), Daddy Long Legs (Monumental Theatre Company), A People's History with Mike Daisy (Capital Fringe Festival); American Moor (Anacostia Playhouse). MFA from UC San Diego. Thanks to Anna and Erika for being the best hosts I could ask for.

Rebecca Talisman she/they (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to return to Olney! Olney Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof; Williamstown Theatre Festival: Paris, ACTORS! (dir. Jack O’Brien), The Pillowman (dir. Lila Neugebauer), Three Sisters; The Second City: The Revolution Will Be Improvised!;  1st Stage: columbinus, Hero's Welcome, How the Light Gets In; Adventure Theatre MTC: Blueberries for Sal; Kennedy Center: Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume (tour), Super Cello!, Mosaic Theater: The Vagrant Trilogy, Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies, Paper Dolls, Queens Girl in Africa; Rorschach Theatre: Sing to Me Now; The Second City: The Revolution Will Be Improvised!; Theater J: Becoming Dr. Ruth, Hester Street, The Jewish Queen Lear, Love Sick, Occupant, Talley’s Folly, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, The Wanderers; UrbanArias: Glory Denied; The Juliet Letters, Why I Live at the P.O.; Washington National Opera: Il Trovatore. Up next: Leopoldstadt at Shakespeare Theatre Company.

April E. Carter (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Her credits include: Olney: Proof (Take Over Wardrobe Crew). DC AREA: Signature Theatre: Passing Strange (Take Over Stage Manager), Mosaic Theater: Inherit the Windbag, Eureka Day, Theory, Fabulation, Les Deux Noirs, Hooded, Or Being Black for Dummies. (Stage Manager) Keegan: Womx On Fire Festival (Stage Manager). Imagination Stage: Oyeme´ (Stage Manager). Adventure Theatre: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr., The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe (Stage Manager). Mosaic Theatre: Oh, God!, The Devil’s Music: Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, (Assistant Stage Manager) Adventure Theatre: Aladdin, James and the Giant Peach (Assistant Stage Manager). Wooly Mammoth: An Octoroon, The Netter, The Kiss. (Wardrobe Supervisor). Kennedy Center TYA: Flower’s Stink. (Wardrobe Supervisor) NATIONAL TOURS: If This Hat Could Talk, Fabric of A Man, His Woman, His Wife. (Stage Manager – Television). What Goes Around, Comes Around, Suddenly Single, A Fool and His Money, Another Man Will, Addicted To You, You Can’t Hurry Love, Last Soul’s Café. (Stage Manager – Television) FILM: Couple’s Night (Art Director). EDUCATION: BFA in Theatre – Musical Theatre from Howard University. Instagram: @she_lovesprince, X (formerly known as Twitter): @luvdadimples

Shawna Walker (Associate Choreographer) is thrilled to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER! Assistant/Associate Choreography: CATS (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Pippin in Concert (Olney Theatre Center), Anything Goes, 9 to 5, Joseph...Dreamcoat (Alhambra Theatre and Dining), White Christmas (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts). Choreography: Crazy for You (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Brigadoon (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), My Fair Lady, and West Side Story (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts). Shawna has also appeared at Olney Theatre Center in the ensemble of Mary Poppins, On the Town, Singin’ in the Rain and Pippin in Concert. Thank you so much to the entire team and cast for this absolutely amazing experience!  Michael, Ivy and Poppy, I love you with all my heart!

 

Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Music and Lyrics) Broadway credits include: co-creator/writer of In Transit (Broadway's first a cappella musical) and Frozen. Other theatrical works include Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse), Finding Nemo: The Musical (Disney World, running since 2006). Film: Pixar's Coco (Oscar® Best Original Song win for "Remember Me"), Frozen (Oscar and Grammy Award® wins for "Let It Go"), Winnie The Pooh. TV: songs for 87th Academy Awards (Emmy® nomination), "The Comedians," "The Wonder Pets." 2014 recipient, and now proud board member, of the Lilly Awards. Williams College grad, BMI Workshop, Dramatists Guild council. She lives in Brooklyn with Robert and their two daughters.

Robert Lopez (Music and Lyrics) Broadway credits include co-creator/writer of The Book of Mormon (nine Tony® Awards including Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Musical), co-creator/songwriter of Avenue Q (three Tony Awards including Best Original Score and Best Musical). Other theatrical works include: Frozen (Denver Center), Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse), 1001 Nights (Atlantic Theater). Film: Pixar's Coco (Oscar® Best Original Song win for "Remember Me"), Frozen (Oscar Best Original Song win for "Let It Go"). TV: songs for The 87th Academy Awards, "The Simpsons," "South Park," "Scrubs," "The Wonder Pets." One of 12 artists to win Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar and Tony Awards (EGOT). Yale University grad, BMI Workshop, Dramatists Guild council. A NYC native, he lives in Brooklyn with Kristen and their two daughters.

Jennifer Lee (Book) is the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. She is the Academy Award®-winning writer of Walt Disney Animation Studio's Frozen, which she also directed with Chris Buck. It became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, worldwide. For her work on Frozen, Lee received numerous awards including a Golden Globe, a Critics' Choice Award, a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award®. She wrote the book for the Broadway stage adaptation of Frozen, receiving a Tony Award® nomination for Best Book of a Musical, and wrote and co-directed Frozen 2. Her Disney Animation career began as co-writer of the Oscar®-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. She also wrote the screenplay for Disney's 2018 release, A Wrinkle in Time.