ARTISTIC STAFF
Michelle Bruno (Director) Recent performance credits include: Jewel (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Aunt March/Mrs. Kirk (Little Women), Armelia (Ain’t Misbehavin’ – WATCH nominated), Marley (Escape to Margaritaville.) Directing credits include: The Baker’s Wife, Beauty and the Beast (CTA -Ruby Griffith Award winner), Communicating Doors (WATCH nominated). Music Directing credits include: Young Frankenstein, Sister Act, Footloose. Other CTA favorites include: James and the Giant Peach JR (Music Director), Sleeping Beauty (Director), Bugsy Malone JR (Music Director). Thank you to her husband Ron for his continuous love and support. “There’s a place for us, A time and place for us.”
LeVar Betts (Music Director / Conductor) is a native of Mitchellville, MD, educated in the public school system in Prince George’s County. He attended Suitland High School and was a student in the school’s visual and performing arts program. Mr. Betts received his BA degree with a concentration in piano performance from Bowie State University in 2001. Previous music director credits include: The Color Purple, The Wiz, and Pearls and Diamonds (Tantallon Community Players); A Soulful Christmas (Winters Lane Productions); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (The Vagabond Players), Lady Day: At Emerson’s Bar and Grill and Beehive (Spotlighters); Miracle on 34th Street, Guys and Dolls, School House Rock, Godspell, The Lightening Thief, and Arsenic and Old Lace (Artistic Synergy of Baltimore), The Baker’s Wife (Colonial Players), Dream Girls and For Colored Girls (2nd Star Productions.) Mr. Betts is happy and honored to be serving as music director for Children’s Theatre of Annapolis’s production of West Side Story.
Katie Sheldon (Choreographer) is thrilled to be working with Children’s Theatre of Annapolis for the first time. Many thanks to Michelle for this great opportunity. Previous Choreographer credits include: Mean Girls, Urinetown, Curtains, Anything Goes, Full Monty, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, Shrek, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story. Katie thanks the cast for their patience and hard work in learning this difficult Jerome Robbins choreography. Hope you enjoy the show!
Melanie Gabel (Intimacy Coach / Fight Choreographer)
Atticus Cooper Boidy (Technical Director / Lighting Designer / Set Designer / Set Decorator) Atticus is an award winning arts educator with over 13 years of experience. He is so proud to be a staff member of Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. Outside of CTA, Atticus has directed and designed in a multitude of schools, community theaters, and professional venues. Thank you for supporting the arts and enjoy the show!
Zach Sexton (Sound Designer) – As an up and coming sound designer in the Annapolis and Baltimore area, Zach appreciates the opportunity to hone his skills at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis! His previous work includes Act of God & Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the M&T Exchange with Iron Crow Theatre (SD/A1), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Compass Rose Theatre, Spring Awakening (SD/A1), and Falsettos (SD/A1) with Maryland Theatre Collective. Zach sends his thanks to his mentors Jason Broadwater, Stephanie Condon, William D’Eugenio, and Nat Koren.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Technical Director: Atticus Cooper Boidy
Stage Manager: John Lyons
Assistant Stage Managers: Alicia Switzer, Arden Wyrick, Jeanie Defosse, Asher Schropp, Zachary Meneses
Stage Crew: Zachary Meneses, Ava Amali Brown, Sarabelle Stephens, Paul Stephens, Kristen Dombrowski, Bliss Wyrick, Jenny Wyrick, Eric Kempton, Michael McQuarrie, Adeline McQuarrie, Natalie Egna, Florencia Henry, Jojo Lengbeyer, Amy Haynes, Andy Lawrie, Ray Jung
Set Design: Atticus Cooper Boidy
Set Build Leader: Danny Martinek
Set Building Crew: Cecelia McConnon, Jennifer Herzog, Arden Wyrick, Bliss Wyrick, Jenny Wyrick, Michael McCord, Caeden McConnon, Theodore Defosse, Jeanie Defosse, Michelle Harmon Bruno , Steve Campbell, Adam Corn, Rosie McDaniel, Ray Jung, Ally Tierney, Eric Kempton
Set Decorator: Atticus Cooper Boidy
Set Decoration Crew: Cecelia McConnon, Kristen Dombrowski, Shannon Benil, Erin Ward, Daniel John, Theia John, Ashley Earp, Zoe Sommers, Madeline Gilbert, Stephanie Thompson, Jojo Lengbeyer, Sabina Lengbeyer, Sean O’Leary, Elliot Scar, Jon Marker, Cole Marker, Andy Lawrie, Ray Jung, Sue Tilberry, Evelyn Beal
Lighting Designer: Atticus Cooper Boidy
Lighting Crew: Cecelia McConnon, Rosie McDaniel, Elliot G Johnson, Cynthia Bischoff, Jack Magee, Cole Marker, Michael McQuarrie, Avery Lynch
Sound Designer: Zach Sexton
Student Sound Designer: Daniel Wilson
Sound Crew: Zach Sexton, Daniel Wilson, Abigail Bowders, Jacob Hall, Andrew Bowders
Props Coordinator: Eric Kempton
Props Crew: Scarlett Hlavek, Theodore Defosse, Holly Burkhardt
Costumes Coordinator: Erin Ward
Costume Crew: Dawn Bowders, Nicole Kempton, Rosie McDaniel, Stephanie Thompson, Melissa McCaw, Alicia Switzer, Ashley Sommers
Hair & Make Up Coordinators: Michelle Harmon Bruno & Jordyne Hebron Volunteer Coordinator: Tamika Bolling
Front of House Managers: Beth Wilson, Kelly Rollison
Front of House Volunteers: Vance Rogers, Jennifer Cornette, Sadella Stephens, Kristen Dombrowski, Stephanie Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, Jacob Thompson, James Cardillo, Chyrell Cardillo, Carter Rollison, Carrie Patterson, Nicole Kempton, Eric Kempton
Intimacy Coordinator / Fight Choreographer: Mel Gabel
Photography: Wendy Hickok Photography
Show Board: Wendy Hickok, Jason Kimmell
Show Logo, Show Poster, & Programs Designer: Jason Kimmell
Publicity: Jason Kimmell
STUDENT CREW MEMBER BIOS
Abigail Bowders (Sound Crew) is happy to be back at CTA. She was seen onstage as Chum (Finding Nemo JR) and has also appeared in multiple CTA workshops and summer camps. She is excited to be working behind the scenes for the first time and is looking forward to being a sound runner. She wishes the cast and crew the best of luck and hopes you enjoy the show!
Andrew Bowders (Sound Crew) is thrilled to be part of his second main stage production with CTA. Previously, he worked sound for the Finding Nemo JR production. He has also done sound for Shrek JR and Legally Blond JR summer camps. He wishes all the actors and crewmembers the best of luck on West Side Story!
Holly Burkhardt (Props) is thrilled to join the Props team for this show.
Jeanie Defosse (Assistant Stage Manager) is in 8th grade. She loves everything about the CTA theatre community – being a crew member, an actress, helping to paint and making people laugh – and she loves every other kind of art creation too (sculpting, scrapbooking, improv, storytelling, and saxamaphoning).
Natalie Egna (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior in the dance magnet program at Annapolis High. Previous performance credits include: Crazy for You (Follies Girl), Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble – CTA), The Addams Family (AHS Drama Company). Natalie recently worked tech for Descendants JR and Finding Nemo JR (CTA). She is a competitive Irish Step Dancer. In her spare time, Natalie likes to dance, read, and hang out with her friends. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Maddie Gilbert (Sound) Maddie is ecstatic to be returning to her 4th main stage CTA performance! Previous tech credits include: Sound (Tuck Everlasting, Alice in Wonderland – CTA), Lights (Cinderella – TMC), Spotlight (Witches?! In Salem?! – CrHS). When she isn’t at the theatre she’s practicing karate or crafting. Thanks to her parents for supporting her theatre passions, her dog for welcoming her home on late tech nights, her friends for listening to her yap about this show & its amazing crews, cast and production team she gets to work with! Enjoy West Side Story!
Jacob Hall (Sound Crew) is pleased to join the Tech Crew for West Side Story.
Florencia Henry (Stage Crew) is elated to be part of the WSS team.
Scarlett Hlavek (Props) is excited to take on props for this production.
Elliot G Johnson (Light Crew) is a 14-year-old actor and tech crew member. He has been actively involved with CTA for almost ten years and recently portrayed the White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland). One of his favorite roles was Grempkin (Peter and the Starcatcher). This is his fifth time working crew in a main stage production at CTA.
Jojo Lengbeyer (Stage Crew) proudly returns to CTA for another show!
Avery Lynch (Light Crew) is elated to join the Tech Crew for this show.
Rosie McDaniel (Costumes, Light Crew) is happy to be returning to CTA for yet another speCTAcular production.
Adeline McQuarrie (Stage Crew) is excited to be returning to CTA’s Tech team.
Jack Magee (Light Crew) is thrilled to be returning to CTA for another great show.
Cole Marker (Light Crew) is an 11-year-old fifth grader at Arnold Elementary School. This is his first main stage show at CTA. Cole has previously performed in many CTA educational workshops including as Roger (101 Dalmatians), Slightly (Peter Pan), and Sheldon (Finding Nemo). He is excited to be performing in the upcoming Shrek KIDS Workshop. Cole enjoys reading, creating/figuring out how things work, and riding thrilling roller coasters. He thanks his family for always bringing him to CTA.
Zachary Meneses (Assistant Stage Manager) is pleased to join the Tech Crew for West Side Story.
Asher Schropp (Assistant Stage Manager) is proud to return to CTA for yet another speCTAcular production.
Sarabelle Stephens (Stagehand) is 11 years old and excited to be working behind the scenes at CTA! She has been performing since age 4, is passionate about theater and singing, and loves to support her fellow thespians. She made her CTA main stage debut as Dory (Finding Nemo JR). Previous performance credits include Hei Hei (Moana JR) and Young/Middle Elsa (Frozen JR). In addition to singing and acting, she enjoys sewing and drawing. Sarabelle thanks her family for supporting her theater education and journey.
Daniel Wilson (Student Sound Designer), a 10th grade homeschooler, is excited to be a part of the crew for West Side Story. He has volunteered for many shows at CTA in different roles. When not volunteering, Daniel enjoys swimming and playing piano. Enjoy the show!
Arden Wyrick (Assistant Stage Manager) is a 15-year-old student at Chesapeake Montessori School. She enjoys climbing, reading, and volleyball. This will be Arden’s 8th show with CTA, and 7th as a member of the stage crew. She’s looking forward to being on headset as an ASM again, as well as dancing and mouthing the words to all the songs from the wings.
Bliss Wyrick (Stage Crew) is 11 years old and attends Chesapeake Montessori School. Previous CTA crew member credits include: Alice in Wonderland and Finding Nemo JR. In her spare time, Bliss reads books, takes gymnastics classes, and makes art of various types.