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JPAS at JPAC 46th SEASON
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WESTWEGO CULTURAL CENTER 46th SEASON
WESTWEGO THEATRES
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Scott Sauber (Tyler) is proud to return to the JPAS stage after performing his knees off in SHReK as Lord Farquaad at the JPAC. His favorite roles at JPAS include Princeton in Avenue Q and Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2004 & 2009!) Last seen on the Westwego stage in Amadeus and as Claude, da Gator in the regional premier of Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood, he spent many a summer directing the JPAS Youth Program productions of Bye Bye Birdie, The Little Mermaid Jr. and Seussical Jr. here in Westwego. Mr. Sauber performs, directs and designs around town: at LePetite Theatre de Vieux Carre’, he won two Big Easy Awards for playing the Snail with the Mail in A Year with Frog and Toad and lighting the New Orleans premier of RENT and most recently danced on rooftops as Bert in Rivertown’s Mary Poppins. Mr. Sauber has spent three summers as a Patchwork Player at Rivertown Theater, three Decembers as the Conductor on the Polar Express Train Ride for Rail Events and 23 years teaching in the Talented Arts Program in St. Tammany at Slidell High School where he will direct the Slidell premier of NEWSIES! this October.
Enrico Cannella is always happy and humbled to return to the JPAS stage. After making his New Orleans theatrical debut as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2018), for which he won two Big Easy awards, Cannella has enjoyed a myriad of roles in the New Orleans theatre scene. Most recently on the JPAS stage, he had the honor of sharing his Gomez Addams in The Addams Family and Shrek in Shrek the Musical. Cannella received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University, and since has enjoyed a wide range of roles in many theatres from Berger in Hair (2017, for which he received Baton Rouge’s Beaux Arts Award for Best Actor) to King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors (2021 Opéra Louisiane). Outside of the theatre, Cannella enjoys teaching his wonderful voice students, and singing with his ensemble group The Opera Festa Singers.
Markis Blackwell is a singer/songwriter and actor currently based New Orleans. Raised in the snowy mountains of Scranton, PA, Markis grew up singing and performing with Act Out! theatre group (Moosic, PA) and Bethel A.M.E in his hometown. In 2018, Blackwell graduated with a B.A. in Musical Theatre with a strong emphasis on vocal performance at Marywood University. He moved to New Orleans in 2020 to continue teaching, performing and work towards a Masters in Vocal Performance. Since moving to New Orleans, Blackwell has performed on screen in features on Cherish the Day, F-Word, and National Champions. He has a wide range of performance experience, performing across the country in Die Zauberflore with the Pennsylvania Lyric Opera, Mozart’s Requiem with NEPA Chamber Choir, and New Orleans’ own Nova Chorale. Performance credits include: Oliver in As You Are, Elmore in King Hedley, Judas in Godspell, Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, Ivan in Die Fledermaus, Dwayne in Rocketman, Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Big Bad Wolf in Shrek: The Musical. Currently, Blackwell is teaching Voice and Piano at the River Ridge School of Music. He is excited to be performing with JPAS for a 2nd time and is thrilled to be returning to the stage after the Covid hiatus. He can be found on Instagram @markisablack and TikTok @marqueebe.
Aaron Richert is a New Orleans based performer and instrumentalist. Some favorite credits include Newsies (Race), Ragtime (Houdini), and Hunchback of Notre Dame (u/s Quasimodo). At JPAS you may have seen him in Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck). He is thrilled to be back on the JPAS stage, and would like to thank his mother for everything.
Alison returns to JPAS after appearing as Elaine in Arsenic And Old Lace. She has also been seen as Jacqueline Tempest in Viagra Falls and as Barbara DeMarco in Shear Madness with JPAS. Past credits in NOLA include: Adelaide in Guys And Dolls, Lady Mulligan in Camino Real, and Lurleen Wallace in All The Way. Logan is a Chicago native, and graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in Acting. She also graduated from The Second City Conservatory, studying improv and sketch. Thanks to Janet for being the best mentor a gal could ask for, and to JPAS for having me back!
Carlos M. Gonzalez is a local stage and film actor, photographer, and retired oil-patch engineer. He first embraced stage magic in 2002, performing in The Ritz at Le Petit, and is delighted to now work with JPAS for a third time. His favorite roles include Zelmo in A Member of the White Race, Agent Lane in The Good Negro, Judge Taylor in To Kill a Mockingbird, Kippy in Take Me Out, Murray in the Odd Couple, and Dale Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Gonzalez is humbled by the faith that Janet and the cast bestow upon him.
You may remember Reagan Lincoln as Annette in JPAS’ God of Carnage. She is thrilled to be back on the JPAS stage after working backstage for several shows and recently designing the costumes for JPAS’ production of Fly. She has been an educator for 18 years for all ages, specializing in English and gifted education. Currently she works for the Louisiana Department of Education in Data Strategy and Utility. Before becoming an educator, you may have seen her as Chip and Dale at Disney World or onstage in the Gak Kitchen at Nickelodeon Studios. Some of her favorite directing credits include: The Music Man (EHC), It’s a Wonderful Life (EHC), and Godspell (EHC). Some of her favorite roles include Annette in God of Carnage (JPAS), Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Poopay in Communicating Doors (SLT), Beverly in The Shadow Box (ULM), Jessie Mae in The Trip to Bountiful (SLT), and Laura in Laura (EHC) where she co-starred with her husband, Eric Lincoln. She is excited to have Eric as her stage manager on this show, and she is eternally grateful for all of his love and support. She sends much love and thanks to Janet and Dennis for this amazing opportunity. And she’d like to send a huge shout out to the extremely talented cast and crew of Deathtrap.
David L. Haydel Jr. is excited to be back on the JPAS stage. A New Orleans native, Haydel is a graduate of Louisiana State University where he earned a degree in Sociology. He has been seen previously on the JPAS stage as the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Sho”, in the ensemble of Annie, Dr. Spivey in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and most recently as Michael Novack in this season’s opener, God of Carnage. He would like to thank his wife and daughters for their love and support, and he would also like to thank JPAS for this opportunity.
Jake Wynne-Wilson is excited and humbled to be returning to the JPAS stage. After completing conservatory training at University of the Pacific in California, Wynne-Wilson went on to study at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and the William Esper Studio in New York. His favorite role to date is one he originated in Terminator: The Musical, a performance that garnered him a Big Easy Award nomination. He was last seen as the Emcee in Rivertown’s Cabaret, and you can catch him next in By Any Scenes Necessary with the Tulane Shakespeare Festival. Love and gratitude to his family, his agent Rebecca, and his doggo Tobey. Stage: God of Carnage, Rocky Horror Show, Suddenly Last Summer. Film/TV: NCIS New Orleans (CBS), Sacrifice (BET) Nashville( ABC), People( AmazonPrime), The Purge (USAnetwork).
Tom Vaughn is thrilled to be back on the boards in the long awaited JPAS production of Cinderella. Vaughn last appeared as Rooster in the 2019 JPAS productions of Annie and Max Detweiller in The Sound of Music. Vaughn’s New Orleans debut was as Siegfried Throttleheimer in the world premiere of How to Kill a Diva at the JPAS. Favorite credits include a European touring production of The Golden Musicals Aus Broadway (La Scala Theatre, Basel Switzerland); Hortensio in a national tour of Kiss me Kate (Opera Northeast, NY); Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Brandon Fradd Theater, NY); Max Jacobs in On the 20th Century (Seaside Music Theater, FL); Sister Hubert in Nunsense Amen (Brandon Fradd Theater, NY); and Older Patrick in Mame and Jacob Rothschild in The Rothschilds (Seaside Music Theater, FL). As a concert soloist, Vaughn has performed with the Empire City Men’s Chorus (NYC) and with Marble Collegiate Church Choir (NYC) televised nationally through MarbleVision and the Hallmark/Odyssey Channel. He is a Southeast Missouri State University Alumni with a BA in Music Vocal Performance and is a current member of the New Orleans St. George Episcopal Choir. Tom is an advocate for Senior Healthcare and a newly appointed Board Member of Jefferson Performing Arts Society.
Scarlett Saizan-Lancon is elated to be returning to the JPAS stage in this production of Cinderella after recently performing in Shrek the Musical. A graduate of Northwestern State University, Lancon has been traveling around the United States performing in Cedar Fair shows such as Lights, Camera, Action and Lusty Lil’s French Review. Some regional credits include Peter Pan, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Chicago, Young Frankenstein, and Hedda Gabler. Choreography credits: Once on this Island, Guys and Dolls, and How to Succeed in Business. While in New York, Lacon got the opportunity to learn under choreographers such as Connor Gallagher, Jessica McRoberts, and Luis Salgado. Her most recent credits include featured dancer in Salgado’s production of Matilda in New York City. Lancon would like to thank her family for all the love and support they have given her throughout her journey.
Adriel Aviles is beyond thrilled to be a part of this production. Most recently seen on stage in Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family by JPAS, Aviles has been happy to perform with JPAS in other shows such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Peter Pan, as well as back stage for Catch Me if You Can. Aviles is proud of the cast and crew for putting together this performance and hopes that everyone watching can sit back and enjoy this show!
Sarah Schuler is a senior musical theatre major at Loyola University. She is so grateful and excited to be back performing live. Previously, she has appeared in The Sound of Music at JPAS and Pirates of Penzance at Tulane Summer Lyric. She would like to thank her theatre arts department professors at Loyola and the Cinderella team for their continued support.
Luke Prest, playing a knight and as well as being a part of the ensemble, is thrilled to be performing for the first time in 3 years in Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Prest has been performing with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society since he was 11 years old. Luke is also a ballet dancer with Jefferson Ballet Theatre.
Sabra Burge is very excited to perform in her fourth show with JPAS. She’s previously performed with JPAS as part of the Ensemble in Sound of Music, South Pacific, and Hunchback of Notré Dame. She currently studies ballet under Kimberly and Kenneth Beck at the Jefferson Ballet Theater and has been in a number of productions by them including The Nutcracker, Firebird, Alice in Wonderland, and Coppélia. She wants to say thank you for coming. The cast and crew of Cinderella have worked very diligently to bring this show to life and hopes you enjoy it as much as she has.
Bailey Gabrish is excited to be back for her third JPAS production after appearing as Liesl in Sound of Music and Mimi in A Comedy of Tenors! Originally from Maryland, Gabrish moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University where she graduated in 2019 with a BFA in Musical Theater and a BA in Communication and two minors in Spanish and Management. While at Tulane, Gabrish took part in choir, musical theater, and opera. Roles include Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Ms. Pinkerton (Old Maid and the Thief), Mother/Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Rona Lisa Peretti (Spelling Bee). Gabrish has also performed with companies around New Orleans including Tulane Summer Lyric Theater, Le Petit Theatre, and BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum. Shows include Something Rotten, 42nd Street, She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, and Stagedoor Songbook Series: Cole Porter. Gabrish currently works as a Senior Admission Counselor at Tulane University and enjoys singing on the Worship Team at her church on the weekends. She hopes to one day move to NYC to pursue her dream of performing on Broadway. She would like to thank Dennis, Kenny, and Donna for giving her this opportunity to perform and her family and friends for their constant love and support.
Alex-Christian Lucas is a two-time Broadway World Award Winning actor, theatre researcher, and historian who is a proud New Orleans native and a member of Equity UK, the American Guild of Musical Artists, the American Society for Theatre Research, and the New Orleans Opera Chorus. He received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and minor in Theatre Arts from Loyola University New Orleans in 2020 and just last month completed his MA in Music Theatre from the University of London’s prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He has studied in Germany, Canada, New York, and London and has performed in New Orleans and on London’s Off-West End. He is starring next as the Warm-Up Guy, a role which was written for him and that he originated in January, in the second workshop production of Scotch Egg the Musical from May 4-7 on London’s Off-West End. He was also accepted to present his original theatrical research on shrinking Broadway ensemble sizes, which he is shaping into a book for publication, in a session at BroadwayCon in NYC this July. @alexchristianlucas
Caitlyn Fitzgerald is very excited to be part of Cinderella. This is her second show with JPAS. Caitlyn studies ballet at New Orleans Dance Academy. She is grateful to her fiancé for all of his support in this endeavor!
Benjamin Benigno is happy to be making his JPAS debut with Cinderella after a long hiatus offstage. Benigno is a recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with bachelors’ degrees in Theatre Arts and Management and is currently pursuing his MBA at Loyola. His most recent role was in Spring 2019 as an Ensemble member in Violet. Benigno would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him throughout this process, especially the ones who made dinner for him after late night rehearsals. Thank you to the talented cast and crew for making the impossible possible. Enjoy the show!
Born in Guiyang, China, baritone and pianist Jiajun Hong finished his bachelor degree in Music Education in Shanghai Conservatory of Music in Shanghai, China. Then he came to Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in New York City and gained 2 master’s degrees: one in classical voice studying with Neil Rosenshein, and the other in collaborative piano studying with Thomas Muraco. As a baritone, his opera credits include: Chorus in Parsifal by Wagner with the Metropolitan Opera House, chorus in Flying Dutchman by Wagner and La Boheme by Puccini with Houston Grand Opera, Papageno in The Magic Flute by Mozart with MSM, Harašta in The Cunning Little Vixen by Janacek with MSM, Chorus in Macbeth by Bloch with MSM, Taddeo in L’italiana in Algeri by Rossini with Utopia Opera. Sacred music solo credits include: Bass solo in Bach B Minor Mass, Mozart C minor Mass (cover), Brahms German Requiem, Stravinsky Mass. Broadway musical credit includes Peter Pan/Pied Piper/ensemble in Shrek the Musical with JPAS. As a pianist, his opera credits include Luisa Miller and La Traviata by Verdi, Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart, Don Pasquale by Donizetti, La Voix Humaine by Poulenc, and Suor Angelica by Puccini. After graduated from MSM, he worked in the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Houston Grand Opera Chorus, while also served as a vocal coach at MSM. In 2019 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and now he serves as a pianist, singer and percussionist in Marine Forces Reserve Band in New Orleans, LA.
Cal DeSmith has been acting and dancing since he was 5 with various companies and theaters all around southern Louisiana. This is his first production with JPAS and he couldn’t be happier. He’d like to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support as well as Donna and Kenny for giving him this wonderful opportunity to grow as a performer.
Rachel Looney is excited to appear for her first time on the beautiful JPAC stage. Previous JPAS credits include Janet in The Rocky Horror Show and Abelinda in the world premiere of How to Kill a Diva. Other stage credits include The Music Man (Marian Paroo) and Into the Woods (Rapunzel) at Rivertown Theaters, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Phoebe D’Ysquith) at Le Petit Theatre, Rameau’s Pygmalion (La statue animée ) with the New Orleans Opera, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing at Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, and The Victory Belles at the National WWII Museum. Looney is also an accomplished film and television actress and appears on Season Two of Disney Channel’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs and the upcoming Apple TV Series In with the Devil. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from LSU and Master of Music degree from Loyola. rachellooneysoprano.com
Bree Hollis is so excited to be back on the JPAS stage! She has been performing with JPAS for 10 years and is currently a senior at Christ Episcopal School. When she’s not performing, Hollis loves writing music, video editing, and creative writing. Some of her favorite roles include Wendy in Peter Pan, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Winnie in Tuck Everlasting, Louisa in The Sound of Music, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Hollis would like to thank her family for their love and guidance in helping her follow her dreams. A special thanks to Zachary for being the best and most supportive little brother ever.
Caleb Francis is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of his siblings, parents, and grandparents as a performer. He is making his theatrical debut in JPAS’s Cinderella and is so excited to be on stage with his big brother, Andrew. Francis is a 9 year old homeschooled 3rd grader who loves to build forts, play with his animals, study science and play baseball with his team, the Stars and Stripes. Go #4! “Thank you Mr. Kenny and Mrs. Donna. I have had so much fun. Get well soon, Mammie!”
Brandon Garza is thrilled to part of the JPAS production of Cinderella. Garza is a classically trained ballet dancer, has performed in 8 countries with Komenka Dance Ensemble, and also participates in trapeze classes in Chicago. He has performed in other JPAS productions such as West Side Story, Tarzan, Catch Me if You Can, and Rocky Horror.
Sasha Munchak most recently performed in Cabaret with Rivertown Theaters and in The Nutcracker with JPAS. She began her training with Linn McDonald in Scranton, PA, and studied at the Rockette Summer Intensive, the American Dance Festival, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Teachers Workshop. She earned a business degree from Marywood University and now teaches and serves as artistic director at New Orleans Dance Academy, and works as a recruiter with Adeeta Corporate Staffing. She thanks Kenny, Donna, and everyone involved in Cinderella for this wonderful experience.
Rachel Abbate is thrilled to be making her JPAS debut in this beautiful production and to be in her first musical in 10 years! Her favorite musical theatre credits include Lily in The Secret Garden, Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown: The Musical, and The Witch in Into the Woods. After high school, Abbate decided to pursue a career in opera performance, her most notable roles including Jo March in Adamo’s Little Women, the title role in Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Ruggiero in Handel’s Alcina, and Mercédès in Bizet’s Carmen. When not on stage, she enjoys teaching musical theatre dance classes as well as private voice lessons at Broadway Open Stage Studio in Destrehan. Abbate earned her B.M. in vocal performance from Louisiana State University and went on to earn her M.M. in vocal performance from Rice University in Houston, TX. www.rachelabbatemezzo.com
María Victoria Hefte may be a familiar face to regular JPAS patrons thanks to her roles during pandemic productions such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Nurse Ratched) and A Comedy of Tenors (Racón), as well as Love Letters with Rivertown Theaters. Other JPAS shows in which you may have seen her include the pre-pandemic production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (Mollie Ralston), Annie (Grace Farrell), the premier of How To Kill A Diva (Lucia Fartoli u/s), as well as her 2018 JPAS debut in White Christmas (Martha Watson); her first major principal role during Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife) with Rivertown Theaters remains a highlight. Hefte has kept the love of theatre alive through various socially distant productions over the past two years by participating in online benefit performances for local theatres, workshopping the new musical Perfectly Imperfect (Cora/Zoe) with Marigny Opera House, and singing with the Opera Festa Singers and their sister group, the Viennese Operetta Ensemble.
Lauren Paige Rainey is so excited to be back on a Louisiana stage with such an incredible cast. She has spent the last 5 years working as an entertainer for the Greenbrier Resort in WV as well as on the water with American Cruise Lines! Rainey has a Vocal Performance degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and some favorite regional roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie. She is forever grateful to JPAS for the opportunity to be back on stage and for her family’s unwavering support.
Andrew Francis is a High School Freshman who has performed around the city in various productions, fundraisers, choirs, short films, and events. His favorite role was playing Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr. He is so excited to be a part of this amazing cast and make his debut with JPAS and getting to perform with his little brother. Francis is very involved in his church youth group where he often leads the singing and small group discussion. “Thank you Mr. Kenny for believing in me and for being such a great teacher. We love you Mrs. Donna. It was an honor to work with you both.” Francis dedicates this performance to his beloved Grandmother, and the organ donor angel who saved her life. Isaiah 40:31
Ava Wilkes is a first-year student at Washington and Lee University (W&L) from New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was selected to portray the Maid of Orleans for the 2022 Joan of Arc Parade. In high school, she volunteered with organizations and attended a criminal justice system program in which she learned how incarceration leads to poverty. This pushed her to start studying in depth the systems that compound poverty and solutions for overcoming poverty. In college, she took Poverty 101 through the W&L Shepherd Program and plans to pursue a Poverty Minor. She is part of the Good Nabors, a first-year cohort with a focus on improving childhood development and childcare in the local community. With the program, she heads a committee focused on researching community models of wrap-around care and speaking with local leaders to promote collaboration and solutions. She is pursuing a Shepherd Summer Internship within the Lexington, Virginia area to work with local nonprofits to tackle specific poverty-related issues involving child development, nutrition, healthcare, or education.
Josiah Rogers, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, is the youngest of eight children. He grew up playing sports and was a big athlete in High School, with music on the side. After the loss of his mother at 16, he turned to the arts and performing as an outlet. He realized his love for performing came first when he was accepted into the world renowned music group, Up With People, with which he traveled the world for 2 years. He went on to study music and traveled across the U.S., Japan and Europe with, The Young Americans based in Corona, California. After graduating from The Young Americans College he moved to the Strawberry Capitol of the World, Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where he now resides with his girlfriend Chloe Vallot. Together they are lead Directors at Swamplight Theatre, home of the (Kay Butler Performing Arts Project) a non-profit Performing Arts School and Theatre, spreading their love of music and dance throughout the community. Rodgers’ recent stage credits include Ensemble in le Petit Something Rotten; Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret with See em On Stage Productions; Seaweed in Hairspray, Swamplight Theatre; Chorus in White Christmas, JPAS; C.C. in Dreamgirls, JPAS; Sky in Mamma Mia, Cutting Edge, Slidell; and Ballroom Dancer/ Adult at Tulane Summer Lyric. At Swanplight Theatre, he was co-choreographer for Hairspray and Grease. Rodgers enjoys writing music, dancing, spending time with loved ones, meeting new people, and spreading his contagious energy where ever he goes! He would like to thank everyone who has helped him get to were he is now and he is forever grateful for this opportunity. Follow him on social media: TikTok – @callmetheduke Instagram- @callmetheduke
For many years, Carolyn Shelton has nourished young and old in more ways than one. Her life is a kind of gumbo, filled with a variety of ingredients that provides the perfect recipe for success. Ms. Shelton was born in Louisiana and raised in Texas. She learned most of her culinary skills from her mother, Angelina Zeno and grandmothers, all of whom were Afro Creoles.
Over the years, she traveled as a flight attendant which afforded her opportunities to sample and enjoy cuisine in several countries including Sydney, Australia, Auckland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Samoa, Fuji, The Micronesian Islands, and other exotic places to name a few. This former flight attendant left her career and decided to pursue a new venture as an Entrepreneur/Etiquette Consultant, Restaurateur/Chef Consultant and Cookbook author. Since then, she has also taught many young people how to cook. As an advocate for youth at-risk, she teaches many programs using etiquette & manners as the focus to build Self Esteem. She recently developed the Young, Gifted & Classy Kids in the Kitchen -Cooking and Manners.
Shelton has authored several books including Coffee, Tea or Watermelon, Young, Gifted & Classy, and From Chitlins to Caviar. Shelton has also hosted the cooking shows, The Zydeco Café on the radio and appeared as a guest on television programs such as BET, CNN, Donahue, Essence Television, 60 Minutes, and WDSU.
Shelton has presently teamed up with major corporations including Boos Cutting Board, Borders, Hamilton Beach, Heberts Specialty Meats, Emile Henry, Kitchen Aid, Louisiana Fish Fry, Magnolias & Memories, Starbucks Coffee, Tabasco, and Whole Food Market, to name a few. Many of these partners have also participated in her cooking shows, videos and CDs. Her latest project includes Angelina’s Zydeco Okra Cookbook. More than a cookbook, it offers cooking tips that will assist you in preparing wonderful Creole Cajun Foods.
With no construction experience, a little grit and a lot of branding savvy, Simone Bruni has built a successful demolition business while painting New Orleans hot pink with heavy equipment: excavators, dumpsters and trucks.
Sixteen years later, Simone has weathered the challenges of business in a male dominated industry and become a leader in the demolition industry in her community.
She found her strength through one principle: It’s not who you know or what you know. It’s how you react. Attitude creates the path.
Eric Lincoln is a New Orleans native and has repeatedly been cast by mistake for over three decades in dozens of shows at JPAS, Rivertown, Le Petite, the New Orleans Opera, and Tulane Summer Lyric, and other regional theaters, in productions such as Peter Pan, My Fair Lady, La Traviata, Faust, I Pagliacci, Death of a Salesman, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and The Beast, and more recently The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Comedy of Tenors with JPAS. Other gutless and forgettable performances include Bobby in Company, and Louie in Lost in Yonkers for which he sorrowfully received a Best Supporting Actor award. Thanks to the cast, crew, and musicians, and love to his kids, Nicole and Emma, his mom, and his fantastic wife Reagan.
Harlie Stevens is a current sophomore at Archbishop Chapelle high school and cannot be more excited to be in this production of Shrek! She’s been seen around town in numerous shows at Rivertown Theaters and most recently in Newsies as Mush at JPAS. She would like to thank all of the creative team for the hours and hard work they have put into this show! Hope you enjoy!
Lauren Shavor is excited to be joining the cast of Shrek as Mama Ogre/Humpty Dumpty. This is Shavor’s first production with JPAS and they are extremely thankful for this opportunity! Shavor was most recently seen in Loyola University’s production of Stop Kiss as Detective Cole/Mrs. Winsley/The Nurse, where they are currently enrolled as a sophomore. Formerly, Shavor has been seen as Jan in Grease, Grown-up Wendy in Peter Pan, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, and Mrs. Peacock in Clue: Onstage, all with the Destrehan Theatre Department. Soon Shavor will be making their assistant directorial debut with the Destrehan Theatre Department’s production of Annie! They hope you enjoy the show!
Cannon Jewell is so excited to be doing his first mainstage show at JPAS, but he is no stranger to performance. You may have seen him recently in shows like Descendants the musical as Prince Ben, Grease as Danny Zuko, or Joseph as Zebulun and the Baker, at Rivertown Theaters. He can’t wait for you to see this show and hopefully more shows to come at JPAS. He would like to thank Dennis Assaf for the fantastic opportunity to work with such a talented cast and an amazing production team as well as his parents and his brothers for all the support. If you want to know what he’ll be in next follow him on Instagram @cannonjewell_
Katherine Nezames is thrilled to return to the JPAC stage after performing in the 2019 JPAS production of Catch Me if You Can. Favorite regional credits include 42nd Street (Phylis Dale, Lorraine Flemming), A Chorus Line (Judy Turner), A Funny Thing…(Gymnasia), Funny Girl (Mimsey, Ensemble), Annie Get Your Gun (u/s Annie Oakley, Ensemble), The Producers, Mary Poppins, Sweet Charity, Grease, and others. BFA in Musical Theater (New School University), graduate of Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.
Warren A. Hovis is excited to return for his 6th JPAS show, and to share the stage with his daughter Corinn (Ugly Duckling). JPAS performances include Catch Me if You Can (Roger Strong), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble), Tarzan (Tarzan’s Father/Ensemble), Mary Poppins (John Northbrook/ensemble), and My Fair Lady (Loverly Quartet/ensemble). Other shows include Once Upon A Mattress, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Oliver, Mamma Mia, The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray, The Wizard of OZ, High School Musical, Nutcracker Ballet, Humbug!, Sleeping Beauty Ballet, and The Music Man. Pit Orchestra (trombone) performances include The Music Man (twice) and Brigadoon. Hovis loves to sing a cappella music and spend time with his friends and family. He would like to thank his loving wife, Karrie, and his wonderful daughters: Lindsey, Patricia, Corinn, LeeAnn, and Rachael. TGBTG!!
Corinn Hovis is exited to be back on stage after a three year hiatus and even more excited to be making her comeback with JPAS! She is in her final year of undergraduate at LSU and is graduating in May with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She was last seen on the JPAS stage in Chicago. Some of her other roles include Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Penny in Hairspray, Timon in Lion King Jr., and many others. Hovis has been dancing for 13+ years and is overjoyed to put her training to use as dance captain for the show! She wants to give a huge thank you to her incredible support system; Karrie, Warren, Lindsey, Patricia, LeeAnn, Rachael, and Conner. For she would not be where she is today without them.
Jimmy deMontluzin is proud to be a long time veteran of the New Orleans stage community, performing in theaters all over town and the region for the last two decades, including JPAS, Rivertown, Le Petit, Tulane Summer Lyric, and many others. Some favorite recent performances include Annie, South Pacific, White Christmas, The Music Man, Tuck Everlasting, Guys and Dolls, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Funny Girl, and My Fair Lady. Other credits include Young Frankenstein, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Harvey, Hairspray, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Curtains, Best Little Whorehouse, Damn Yankees, Evita, Pajama Game, Oliver, Pal Joey, Man of LaMancha, Sweet Charity, and many others. He would like to thank Dennis, Kris, Nikki, Michael and Chris, and this fabulously talented cast that makes this show so much fun, including his two fellow Piggies, and Micah, Enrico, Josiah, Scott and Kyle. He would also like to thank his wife, family and friends for their continuous support. Laughter can cure a million sorrows.
Kyle AucoinKyle Aucoin is delighted to hop up from the podium and get back on stage. He is the director of Destrehan Theatre by day and a singer/music director/conductor by night. New York: Schubert’s Mass in Ab (Tenor) at Carnegie Hall; Los Angeles: American Songbook (Tenor); Regional: The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow ’03, Wicked Witch ’10), Peter Pan (Captain Hook), Crazy for You (Bobby), Big River (Tom Sawyer), and Chicago (Billy Flynn). Favorite directorial credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Annie, Newsies, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, CLUE: On Stage, Little Women, and so many others. Aucoin has served as the Music Director for JPAS’ Theatre Kids! Competition Team where he was awarded Best Music Direction in ’18 and ’19. He was recently awarded the Golden Apple Award of Excellence in Education by FOX 8. Special thanks to Louise, Christopher, Bonnie, (my sweet Lauren, Corinn, Caleb, and Eleanor), and all of his students, past and present, for always bringing him joy and being an inspiration.
Lizzie Eshleman is so excited to be back on the JPAS mainstage! Her last mainstage production was as Tessie in Annie. Eshleman is a proud JPAS Theatre Kid and has been seen in last summer’s production of Newsies as Spot Conlin and as a member of JPAS’s Musical Theatre Competition Team. Eshleman can often be seen around town on both stage and screen. Previous theatre credits include Descendants, Seussical Jr, Music Man Jr, and more! She also previously starred in the short film Stuck in the Middle for the Louisiana Film Prize. Throughout the entire Shrek process, Eshleman has also been rehearsing for Ursuline’s production, Seussical Jr, as one of the Wickersham Brothers! She would like to thank her dance instructors, her voice teacher Ms. Emilie, and her family and friends for all of their support in her acting career!
Paul Bello, a native New Orleanian, joins Shrek the Musical after most recently appearing in JPAS’ Arsenic and Old Lace as Officer Klein and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as Chief Bromden. Previous JPAS appearances include Caroline, or Change as Mr. Stopnick. He previously appeared as Snipes in Tarzan the Musical. He originated the roles of both Gabi and the Gris Gris Man in the original Nancy Gregory work, Jambalaya the Musical. He also has appeared in JPAS productions of Funny Girl, Mary Poppins, Sister Act, Rigoletto, Light in the Piazza, and My Fair Lady, among others. Bello has also appeared as Peron in Evita, Sgt. Carlino in Wait Until Dark, The Beadle in A Christmas Carol, Miles Gloriosus, in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, at Rivertown Reperatory (Now Rivertown Theatres); as Big Julie, in Guys and Dolls, Sir Lionel in Camelot, the Grand Inquisitor in Candide, the Finance Man in Sunset Boulevard at Tulane Summer Lyric, and Pedro in Man of La Mancha, Chino in West Side Story at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre; and many more.
Mary Clare Eastland is so excited to be back on the JPAS stage (especially since Covid shut down 42nd Street)! She was recently seen in Elf, the Musical and Raise Your Voice, a Benefit Musical Revue at Rivertown Theaters, and she was Clara in River Region Ballet Guild’s The Nutcracker. Other credits include Descendants, Oliver!, Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School, Frozen, Jr., Nunsense, and Music Man, Jr. Eastland is a junior at Eastland Academy and Delgado Community College. She assistant teaches ballet and tap and tumbling classes at Encore Studios. She also enjoys performing with the Louisiana ACDA All State Choirs and the District VII Honor Choirs. She enjoys dancing with Jefferson Ballet Theatre and Encore Studios, and she loves volunteering at the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter. She has her own baking business called Queen of Sweets. Check her out at @queen_of_sweets_15.
Kirsten Bazet is so excited to be performing one of dream roles as part of her JPAS debut! She is a Houma native and is currently at Tulane University studying Theatre and Communications. Some of her recent theatrical credits include: Cabaret (Lulu), Grease (Cha-Cha), To Kill a Mockingbird (Mayella), Heathers: The Musical (Veronica), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). Other credits include 13th Gate Haunted House, Interview with the Vampire (AMC), and The Official Bonnie and Clyde Festival. ΓΦΒ and ΣΑΙ Alumna.
Caleb Cantrell is an 8th grader at Harry Hurst Middle School and is so excited to be making his JPAS debut! Past performances include High School Musical, Jr. (Ryan Evans), Puffs (Oliver Rivers), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), Peter Pan (Michael), The Wizard of Oz (Mayor Munchkin), Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (Chip), and The Nutcracker (Fritz). Cantrell will also take the stage this April as Bert Healy in Annie. You can see Cantrell around the SCPPS community in Talented Theatre and Talented Music. He credits his beloved mentors Chris and Kyle Aucoin-Melohn for inspiring his love of theatre. Cantrell would also like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and support throughout his theatrical endeavors!
Eleanor Zafirau is thrilled to portray Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical, and she is grateful to JPAS for the opportunity to learn and grow with such talented professionals. This April, Zafirau will fulfill another dream when she takes on the role of Annie in Destrehan Theatre’s production of Annie. She was the recipient of the 2021 Maria Reyes Rising Star award for her performance as Sally Walker in Miracle on Thirty Fourth Street. She looks forward to future opportunities to share her love of performing!
Samantha Johnson is thrilled to be a part of this cast. This is her second mainstage production with JPAS, her first being Annie in 2019. She has been participating in JPAS productions for the past 8 years doing Junior summer shows and summer High School productions. She was on the JPAS Theater Kids Competition Team for 4 years and has been training with Lauren Gisclair for vocal technique. I would like to thank my crazy supportive parents, my two younger sisters (shoutout Bree and Leelani, I love y’all), my amazing friends and family, and anyone who has followed along with my career journey, you guys are the reason I do what I do. Thank you.
Kiane D. Davis is a multi-faceted individual with many talents and skills across multiple disciplines. Across her many crafts, she is a producer, director, singer, actor, dancer and stage manager. She is currently Vice President for Productions at Bazillionaire Group LLC., a touring entertainment company. She is the founder and President of Quality Control Promanagement LLC., a production organizing company. All things “live stage” is her passion. She is a member of the Moses Hogan Singers and a singer with the Bazillionaire Group. She recently directed Steel Magnolias at New Dawn Theater in Duluth, Ga. She has returned home to New Orleans to spend time with family and found her way back to the theater with a longtime friend, Jefferson Performing Arts Society. Many years ago, Davis debuted with JPAS as Jewel in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In October, she was Stage Manager for The Addams Family at JPAS. She looks forward to what God has planned for her and is grateful to do what she loves.
Micah Richerand Desonier is so excited to be a part of this delightful production. Some of her credits include JPAS’s productions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), The Sound of Music (Maria), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel) and Rivertown’s productions of Will Roger’s Follies (Z’s Favorite), Singin in the Rain (Kathy), and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy). A few companies Desonier has danced with are Javier’s Dance Company, B.C. Fields, and Cangelosi Dance Project. Desonier studied dance at Javier’s Dance Studio, studied voice with Nancy Assaf, and was part of the show choir and advanced choir programs at CHS. She now attends classes at Haller Ballet. She would like to thank JPAS and the entire cast and crew for all of their hard work!! She would also like to thank her husband Alex, Mom, Dad, family, and friends for all of their love and support and for being her biggest fans.
Topher Bordenave is a New Orleans native who enjoys supporting local theater both as an audience member and scenic designer. He is a graduate of Christian Brothers University where he studied to be an educator and an athletic coach. Topher’s innate leadership skills led him to the south side of Chicago where he was a teacher and then a school leader within the Noble Network of Charter Schools. After being away for sixteen years, Topher realized his true passion was working with children from his hometown. Through his lens of transformative hope, Topher finds himself working with local youth by being a lead mentor with Son of a Saint, where he not only creates supportive and memorable bonds with mentees but also organizes events to support the needs of the youth in his community. He also coaches volleyball with the NOLA Volleyball Club and plays extracurricularly to stay active. Topher currently owns and operates an interior design business were he specializes in residential/commercial properties and short/long term rentals. Follow him at @topherb_phd
Whitney Stewart (she/her/hers) is an award-winning author of nonfiction books for kids — toddlers to young adults. When she is not writing, she teaches mindfulness and meditation to kids. You can find Stewart’s books on her website or wherever you buy books. https://whitneystewart.com/
Bailey Patterson is a Junior Public Health Major with a concentration in Health Sciences from Cleveland, Ohio. She currently attends Dillard University here in New Orleans, Louisiana. She currently serves as the President of Curvy Girlz, which is an organization on Dillard’s campus that promotes body positivity in women of all shapes and sizes. https://www.dillard.edu
Ramona Graham is a CASA Jefferson Advocate and Community Coordinator. A native of the Greater New Orleans area, Ramona has been proudly serving children for over 20 years. After earning her degree in Psychology and Sociology at the University of New Orleans (1998), Ramona became a Probation Officer with the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Probation Department. She then served as a New Orleans Police Officer. In 2006, Ramona continued to pursue her passion for helping others by joining the CASA Jefferson team. https://www.casajefferson.org/
Currently, Ramona serves as a Darkness to Light Stewards of Children Facilitator and a supervisor of advocates. In 2014, Ramona was awarded the Louisiana CASA Program Staff Member of the Year for her commitment to children and volunteers. In 2020, she received the Adoption Excellence Award from the National Children’s Bureau.
Ramona’s experience with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, include grassroots discussions, her podcast, Breaking Bread Infinity and her LLC, Respect Thyself that she has created with her son, and facilitating classes on Cultural Competency.
Jim Fisher worked in broadcast radio for 16 years as a news director, program director, radio show host, and producer, before leaving the air for a new life as a personal trainer. In addition to working as a trainer and pursuing his personal fitness goals, he is now the Development Manager for First Tee NOLA, part of a national non-profit that “enables kids and teens to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.” https://firstteenola.org/
Kenzie Anthony is an Assistant Sales Manager at Torrid, a fashionable plus-size retailer in Elmwood Shopping Center. Kenzie describes herself as “a plus size young woman with a passion for helping others find their confidence through fashion. “For the last four years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping people across all ages, disabilities, and sizes bring their inner beauty out.” https://www.torrid.com/
Jimmie Thorns has been interested in photography since he was 8 years old. His first camera was the Kodak Brownie. With this camera he shot pictures of family and friends, of his experiences in junior high and high school, as well as many other events of his childhood. His interest in photography grew and blossomed as he spent time in the military, traveling throughout the Far East
His photographic pursuits have taken him to such places as Israel, France, Italy, Hawaii, Cuba, Jamaica, Aruba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, as well as towns and cities across the United States.
Some of the projects to his credit include photo coverage of the Small Business Administration National Conference, the Festival of Fins project put together by the Arts Council of New Orleans and the Young Leadership Council, the Times-Picayune Loving Cup Awards Ceremony, reunions, weddings, and most recently, the Souls of Valor exhibit, a project he conceived of in 2001.
John D. Fitzmorris III, Ph.D. is full-time Instructor of History at the University of New Orleans and the University of Holy Cross. A native of New Orleans, he received his B.A. from L.S.U. in 1989, an M.A. in Religious Studies from Loyola University in New Orleans, and an M.A. in History from the University of New Orleans. He received his Doctorate in History from the University of Southern Mississippi, where his dissertation was “Bearing the Double Burden: Chaplains and the Problem of Combat in Vietnam” and which he hopes to publish soon. A recipient of the George F. Windell Prize for Outstanding Thesis from the University of New Orleans, Dr. Fitzmorris currently teaches U.S. History, Louisiana History, Irish History, the History of the Vietnam War, and The Civil War and Reconstruction. He also conducts oral interviews of veterans of all wars for the Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Program.
Tommye Myrick, is a native of New Orleans, LA. attended Xavier University in New Orleans, majoring in Speech Communications and Theater. While, there, she became interested in politics. This interest was fueled by her acceptance into the famed “Free Southern Theater” performing and touring with freedom fighters and entertainers such as John O’Neal, Ron Milner, Robert Costly, Gil Moses, and many more.
After graduating from Xavier University, Ms. Myrick attended the University of Michigan, majoring in Speech Communications and Theater. There, she obtained her master’s degree in and immediately began working on her PH. D. while teaching full-time at Eastern Michigan University. She later moved to New York City and soon made her film debut starring in a feature motion picture titled “Cane River”. Upon completing the film, she returned to New York and began studying with renowned theater director, producer, mentor, and live long friend Gene Frankel. It was there that she made her New York stage and directorial debut, starring in Lawrence Holder’s one-woman show, “ZORA” and directing Norbert Davidson’s “El HaJJ Malik”, the Life of Malcolm X.
After several years in NYC, Ms. Myrick returned home to New Orleans where she was hired at the University of New Orleans in the Department of Mass Communication and Theater. In 1992 Ms. Myrick formed her own theatre company – “Voices in the Dark Repertory Theatre Company” located in New Orleans, LA. Voices in the Dark, Inc. is dedicated to presenting, producing, and promoting plays, films, art, dance, literature and musical interpretations that are artistic expressions of the ‘disenfranchised.
She served as the Interim Executive Director of the New Orleans African American Museum from 2006 to 2007. In 2020, Ms. Myrick was the Big Easy Lifetime Achievement Theatre Award Recipient.
Trey Ellis is a two-time Emmy and Peabody winning filmmaker, American Book Award winning novelist, NAACP Image award winning playwright, essayist and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. Most recently, he was an Executive Producer and Interviewer for the HBO documentaries True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality and King in the Wilderness. His screenplay Holy Mackerel! is one of the highest ever rated on Franklin Leonard’s Black List.com. Some of his other screenplays include The Tuskegee Airmen for HBO and Good Fences for Showtime, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was shortlisted for the PEN award for Best Teleplay. His works have been screened at the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He is the author of the novels, Platitudes, Home Repairs and Right Here, Right Now, as well as the memoir Bedtime Stories: Adventures in the Land of Single-Fatherhood. His essays have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, GQ and Vanity Fair and he has contributed audio commentary to NPR’s All Things Considered. His play, Fly, was commissioned by the Lincoln Center Institute and continues to be performed around the country including Washington, D.C.’s Ford’s Theater, the Pasadena Playhouse and the New Victory Theater in New York. He is currently in rehearsals for a musical on the life of Dorothy Dandridge for which he wrote the book and is co-writer of the lyrics.
Dr. Eva Baham is the Assistant Professor of History at Dillard University in New Orleans. Prior to coming to Dillard, she taught for twenty-one years at Southern University, Baton Rouge. Her specialties include American, African-American and Intellectual history. She received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Southern University in Baton Rouge and her Masters of Arts and her Ph.D. in American Studies/History from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. She is the founder of the research organization, université sans murs, l.l.c., translated as University Without Walls, under which she conducts genealogical research projects.
A Jefferson Parish native, Michael C. Forest (W.W.) has made a big name for himself in the city of New Orleans as an actor in a very short period of time. After a very strong stage debut in 2019 as Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun (Voices in the Dark/Ashe), The 2020 Big Easy Entertainment award winner (Best Actor), has held leading roles in multiple stage productions since his debut which include The Wedding Party, Le Code Noir, and Twylite. Other credits include upcoming local films such as Rosebud, Milk Man, None of Your Business, The Chase, Betrayal, and A Frantic Love III. His most recent stage performance was this past summer with the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University as Antipholus of Ephesus, a leading role in William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.
LG Williams II (The Tap Griot) is beyond excited to be returning to JPAS’s stage. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University and he’s performed and taught in the New Orleans area for a number of years in many different venues. Some of the more notable roles include Young Jelly in Le Petit’s production of Jelly’s Last Jam! along with being in the ensemble of some of JPAS’s productions such as Catch Me if You Can and Tuck Everlasting, among many more. He’s also a member of the Southern Open Rhythm Collective. His passion for tap dance also brought him to North Carolina to once again play the role of Young Jelly in the National Black Theater Festival’s production of Jelly’s Last Jam! He was also a performer at Universal Studios and has had to return home to New Orleans due to the pandemic.
Marcus Roberts (Shaw) is fortunate and humbled to be here. Not only an opportunity to be on stage again, but to be on stage with such a talented team in front of the scrim, and behind.
Sean Malley (Reynolds) is excited to return to the JPAS stage for this monumental production. Malley is a graduate from Southern Illinois University after which he spent over 5 years on the west coast performing both in film and on the stage. Some of his credits include Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, Stevie in David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People, Jean in Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, and even a sailor in South Pacific right here at JPAS. He would like to thank his director, cast, and crew for this tremendous opportunity and making this truly one the best experiences of his acting career.
Atlantis Clay (J. Allen) is a junior theatre major at Dillard University. He attends Dillard University on a full-ride, academic scholarship, and is originally from Oakland, California. Clay has been in several productions including but not limited to Shakespeare’s The Winters Tale as Mamillius, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone as Reuben, Prospect High: Brooklyn as Devin, and The Imaginary Invalid as Argan. Atlantis is excited to be a part of FLY and tell the story of his character. He is also happy to do his first show out in New Orleans outside of school.
Donald Jones Jr. (Oscar) is a local New Orleanian, a graduate of Brother Martin High School and an alum of Northwestern State University in Natcitoches, LA where he received a B.S. in Theatre and Dance. He resided in NYC from 2013-2020 where he performed on Broadway in productions of Frozen (OBC), Aladdin (OBC), and CHICAGO the Musical. His Off-Broadway credits include: Sweet Charity with The New Group and West Side Story with Carnegie Hall. He was also a member of The Color Purple national tour from 2010-2012. He has trained with the New Orleans Ballet Academy, The New Orleans Ballet Theatre, The American Dance Festival, and Spectrum Dance Theater of Seattle. Donald has taught dance both nationally and internationally at Broadway Dance Center of New York, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Classroom, Studio West Dance Center of Colorado, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and was a Cultural ambassador with DanceMotion USA where he performed and taught contemporary American dance in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Jones has Directed/Choreographed productions of Dreamgirls at Mill Mountain Theatre, Children’s Letters to God with NORD, and God of Carnage with JPAS. He is also a guest choreographer for several episodes and advertisements for Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues and You, and had the opportunity to choreograph performances with them for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in both 2019 and 2021. Be on the look out for more performances around the New Orleans area. Follow him @doniejunior
Jimez Alexander (Chet) is beyond grateful to return to his hometown to make his JPAS debut. Alexander has performed as an actor, teaching artist, and musician for over a decade. He has worked as a performer with companies such as Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, and Walt Disney World in Orlando FL. He has performed in plays such as Twelfth Night, In Lieu of Flowers, Voyage of the Little Mermaid to name a few with his most recent theatre credit being the world premiere musical of Darlin Corey at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. He graced the silver screen in the Sundance award-winning film Ballast, Haunting in Connecticut 2, and his most recent film credit Briana Cole’s Pseudo set to release 2022. As a husband and proud father of three, he sends a grateful thank you to all our veterans for their service to our country. Let freedom ring and enjoy the show!
Michael John Smith has previously performed with Rivertown and Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane and is thrilled to perform with the amazing cast of FLY after recently making his JPAS debut in The Addams Family. He is a Tulane Musical Theatre BFA graduate and a retired Marine Corps Officer (32 years). Currently he is a teacher at the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy (NOMMA) as a Senior Military Instructor. Past local productions include: South Pacific, Forum, Music Man, Hello Dolly, Big River, Annie Get Your Gun as Chief Sitting Bull, Snyder in Newsies, and Chief Dwight Grackle in November.
Tristan Sinclair is dreadfully delighted to make his JPAS debut in The Addams Family and would like to thank the entire company as well as all his friends and family for their never ending support. Enjoy the show!
Bryson Morse is a seventh grader at Christian Brothers School in City Park. He serves as the football team manager and plays soccer. He has enjoyed participating in the JPAS Summer intensives for the past five years. Some of his favorite roles have been Babkak in Aladdin Jr. and most recently Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical Jr. He was a member of the 2019 JPAS Theatre Kids! competition team and was recognized with an individual award for his role as Michael Banks. He is extremely excited about portraying Pugsley in his first main stage production, and is honored to be learning from so many wonderful professionals. Special thanks to Mr. Enrico!
Will Cooling is a seventeen year old junior at NOCCA who is studying musical theatre. He began doing shows in 2015 debuting in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Gaston. He has done many shows regionally, in the New Orleans area and hopes to continue bettering himself in his art. Cooling is excited to take the next step and be back at JPAS again.
Camille von Hoven is thrilled to be back on stage for the first time in almost 2 years! Before the pandemic, she was last seen in Something Rotten! at Le Petit Theatre in 2020. Her most recent JPAS production was White Christmas in 2018. As a young dancer, she trained under Harvey Hysell and Diane Carney, then later earned a minor in dance from Tulane University. She wants to thank Dennis and Leslie for this amazing opportunity and her husband, Frank, for always supporting her even though she’s never home and always at rehearsal. “Misery!”
Kaitlin Lombard is thrilled to be back on stage for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Lombard is a seasoned stage actress and freelance makeup artist who puts her heart and soul into every production she’s a part of. When she’s not performing, she can be found doing makeup alongside Laurin Hart or making coffee at Haydel’s Bakery on Magazine. She’d like to give a special thank you and shout-out to director, Leslie Castay, for allowing her to be apart of this journey. As well as, her friend, Garrin Mesa, for helping her run choreography outside of rehearsals. She is grateful to be working alongside such an incredible, hardworking cast and crew!
Camille Burkey was nominated for a Big Easy Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Musical) for her performance as Small Allison in Southern Rep’s production of Fun Home. She appeared as Baby Louise in Gypsy at Tulane Summer Lyric and was in productions of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Junie B. Jones, and School House Rock at Rivertown. Other credits include Peter Pan (Peter), Guys and Dolls Jr. (Adelaide), Seussical at Newman School and Crazy For You at Stage Door Manor. She is currently a student at NOCCA and McGehee and thanks JPAS for this opportunity.
Terelle Bibbins is elated to be making his debut with JPAS as a member of the altogether ooky Addams Family. Terelle’s theatre experiences include Rent (Roger), It’s Only Life, and A Little Night Music (Henrik). In 2018, Bibbins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Southeastern Louisiana University. There, he studied with Dr. Sidney Ratliff and Dr. Stephen Rushing. He is a proud member of the Delta Omicron national music fraternity.
Markus McClain is an NYC-based actor who has been home in NOLA since April 2020. His New Orleans credits include Davey in Newsies and Jesus Christ Superstar at Tulane Summer Lyric. His NY credits include Tink at NY Musical Festival, A Chorus Line, and the TV show Hunters on Amazon. McClain graduated from Indiana University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Love to Mom, Dad, Oma, and family.
Janet Shea has been acting for many, many years , played many, many wonderful roles, and has been honored with many, many awards. Earlier this year, she was Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace . Next spring she will be directing Mr. Canella in Murder on the Orient Express. She thanks Leslie and Dennis for all the fun she is having in The Addams Family.
Jennifer DeLatte has performed all over the world alongside Broadway and West End veterans. She is an original “JPAS Baby”, having begun her theatrical/vocal studies in the JPAS Children’s Chorus and has performed in numerous JPAS productions over the past 20 years. In 2021, she had the unique privilege to portray two Disney icons on opposite sides of the spectrum, Maleficent (Descendants) at Rivertown and Fairy Godmother (Cinderella) at RPCT. Favorite career roles include: Anne (A Little Night Music), Emma (Jekyll & Hyde), Marian (The Music Man), Mrs. Potts (Beauty & the Beast), Ulla (The Producers), Lina Lamont (Singing in the Rain), Christine Colgate (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Maria (The Sound of Music). DeLatte is also a film/TV actress; she wrote, directed, and stars in the YouTube web- series, The Cybernaturals. Leslie, thank you for this gift of a role as Alice! Love to my mom and family! www.jenniferdelatte.com
Christopher Bentivegna is a graduate of The Peabody Conservatory of Music (Johns Hopkins University) with a degree in vocal performance. His favorite roles that he has played are Frank-N-Furter (Rocky Horror), Collins (Rent), Officer Lockstock (Urinetown), Freddie (Chess) Daddy Warbucks (Annie) and Cinderella’s Prince (Into the Woods). Bentivegna is the artistic director of See ‘Em On Stage: A Production Company, winning five New Orleans Big Easy Awards including Theater Person of the Year and Best Director for both Lizzie and Cabaret. He currently works as a realtor for Coldwell Banker Tec.
Maddie Fry is a New Orleans based actor who graduated from Northwestern State University’s Musical Theatre program in 2018. She also studied abroad in Germany for 2 consecutive summers at the International Performing Arts Institute. Since then, she’s been in several shows in the area including The Wizard of Oz and Pinocchio with Lafon Performing Arts Center. She is absolutely thrilled to be back at it again playing Wednesday Addams after a forced hiatus of nearly 2 years. She would like to thank her friends, family, cast, and crew for their support and encouragement.
Kali Russell is a New Orleans native and has worked as a professional actress, performer, and choreographer for over fifteen years. She has been trained by New York University: Tisch School of the Arts in the Stella Adler Studio, Loyola University, and NOCCA for musical theatre. She was recently seen as “Velma Von Tussle” in Hairspray at Tulane Summer Lyric, “Alice” in the Big Easy Award winning rock musical Lizzie. Most recently, she won the Big Easy Award for “Best Choreography” for Cabaret and “Best Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret.
Jennifer Schemke, BA San Francisco State, MFA DePaul University, returns to New Orleans from her native California, after taking a few years to lay roots in New York City (she’s “tri-coastal”.) Jennifer was most recently seen on the JPAS stage as “Miss Hannigan” in Annie, and almost as witty scribe, “Maggie Jones” in the Covid-derailed production of 42nd Street. On-screen you can see Jennifer as “Esther Feinberg” in the ABC remake of Dirty Dancing, in multiple projects of Streamy-winning YouTuber Brandon Rogers, and in numerous other film and TV projects, some of which she wrote and produced, under her banner, “The Schempire.” In addition to performing improv and sketch comedy, honed at The Second City and The Groundlings in Los Angeles, Jennifer has performed her stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store, Broadway Comedy Club, Tommy T’s, Dangerfield’s, and clubs and festivals around the country. In New Orleans, in addition to many films and commercials, Jennifer performed in Wine Lovers: The Musical at Le Petit Theatre, The Zeitgeist Chronicles at Dillard University, and The Velveteen Rabbit at Southern Repertory, and was the opening comedy act for bands Dash Rip Rock, The Help ft. Barbara Menendez and The Green Demons. She taught as an adjunct professor of Theatre/Acting at UL Lafayette, Southern Rep, and at her own studio, Dauphine Rose Acting and Improv Studio, named after the pink dolphin in Lake Calcasieu. She’s thrilled to return to the New Orleans stage, masked and ready to rumble.
Suzette Wilkinson is the editor and publisher of Macaroni Kid Westbank, a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Westbank and surrounding areas. Suzette was born and raised in Panama and has lived in Algiers for 18 years. She is the mother of 3 boys.
Ryder Thornton has been working as a theatre artist for over 20 years and has directed over 40 productions at venues throughout the US and abroad. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MFA from Temple University and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the Dramatist Guild. He recently directed Machinal for Tulane, which received a Big Easy Award for Best University Production. As a theatre scholar, he specializes in modern tragedy, the history of directing, and the work of Eugene O’Neill. He has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at national and international conferences. Beyond his graduate work at Temple and UCSB, he received additional training from The American Conservatory Theater and SITI Company. He is the current director of the Strategy, Leadership and Analytics Minor (SLAM).
Angel Assunto Soulas has been a lifelong New Orleanian. She is married to Paris-born Jacques, her husband for 30 years. Together they run a French restaurant, Café Degas, located on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans. Her two sons also work in the restaurant: Adrian as a chef and Sebastian, as front of house. Ms. Soulas grew up in a musical family. She enjoys singing, acting, and costuming, all of which are easy to experience often in New Orleans.
Sarah Black is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Her research interests lie broadly in the area of developmental psychopathology, with particular interest in the mechanisms by which normative hormonal, social, and environmental events of childhood and adolescence can be disrupted and lead to increased risk for depression. She is further interested in how parenting, parental psychopathology, and stress may interact with biological processes to leave children and adolescents especially vulnerable to psychopathology across the lifespan. In her free time, Dr. Black enjoys cooking, exploring the New Orleans theater scene with her husband, and wrangling her young son, Max.
Rising 3rd graders-Rising 9th graders
June 7 – 27, 2021
Audition Date: Saturday May 15, 2021
First 2 weeks of Intensive: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm at the JPAS Conservatory Studio (5005 Bloomfield)
Last week: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm at JPAC (6400 Airline Dr)
Tech Week June 21 – 25, 2021
Performances: June 25 -27, 2021 at JPAC (6400 Airline Dr)
Rising 6th graders-Rising 9th Graders
July 6 – 25, 2021
Audition Date: Saturday June 19, 2021 – Location TBA
First 2 weeks of Intensive: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm at WPAT (177 Sala Ave)
Last week: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm at WPAT (177 Sala Ave)
Tech Week July 19-23, 2021
Performances: July 23-25, 2021
Rising 6th graders-Rising 12th graders
July 6 – August 1, 2021
Audition Date: Saturday June 12, 2021 – Location TBA
First 3 weeks of Intensive: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm at the JPAS Conservatory Studio (5005 Bloomfield)
Last week: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm at JPAC (6400 Airline Dr)
Tech Week July 26-30, 2021
Performances: July 30 – August 1, 2021 at JPAC (6400 Airline Drive)
Robert Wagner attended Loyola University, where he studied Jazz Studies on the Contra Bass, and Classical Voice, playing and singing in virtually every ensemble and orchestra available. Mr. Wagner made his professional debut with The New Orleans Opera Company during his studies at Loyola, singing supporting roles as a baritone for the next three seasons with such artists as Renato Capecchi, June Anderson, Diana Soviero, Teresa Zylis-Gara, Carlo Bergonzi, Christina Deutekom, Johanna Meier, Victor Braun and Siegfred Jerusalem. He was then awarded full scholarships to The Curtis Institute of Music and to the Juilliard School in New York. He chose Curtis in Philadelphia and continued his opera studies under the direction of Boris Goldovsky and his proteges, making other important debuts with The Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Opera Theater and The Harrisburg Opera Company. Mr. Wagner lived in Vienna, Austria where he appeared with the Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper, the Neuer Oper Wien and other venues in Europe. In Novemeber, 2003, he made his Paris debut at the Opera Bastille in Die Meistersinger. Mr. Wagner currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Wayne Gonsoulin is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, having earned a B.A. degree in Theatre and Communications. Wayne and Miriam, his wife of 45 years, reside in Kenner. After a lengthy absence from the stage due to work and raising a family, Gonsoulin returned to the stage and has appeared in several JPAS productions including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Cabaret (Herr Shultz), Man of la Mancha (Padre), two productions of Annie (FDR), Viagara Falls (Charley), Beauty and the Beast (Papa), The Light in the Piazza (Bishop) and Scandalous (Ensemble).
Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry, a New Orleans native of Cuban heritage, is a lifelong soprano and pianist. This is her 4thproduction with JPAS, most recently as Veronica in How To Kill a Diva. Her favorite roles have included Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Roxie Hart in Chicago at Cutting Edge Theater; and Cinderella in Into the Woods at Slidell Little Theater. She has been singing with the New Orleans Opera Association since 2014. Lowry has also enjoyed working both sides of the stage, as Vocal Director for Hairspray, The Producers, 13, and Rent in productions throughout the Northshore. She studied at the University of New Orleans and has placed first in various vocal competitions, including NATS. She is grateful to Maestro Assaf and the JPAS community for the opportunity to work with this fantastic team.
Allison is a Louisiana comedian. She shares her quirky perspective on bayou life and big city living. She performed at Harrah’s Casino and in Stand-Up Nola at the Joy Theater. She has been featured with Jay Thomas on SiriusXM’s The Real Jay Thomas Radio show and performed on The Jay Thomas Show’s live from New Orleans broadcast. Hotard hosted her own show in Houma, Louisiana called The “Alli Ho Show” and brought comedy to the bayou.
O’mar Finley is a standup comedian, host, and model from Louisiana that has been performing, teaching, and producing comedy for 5 years. After being thrown into standup at an open mic, he quickly fell in love with the art and has never stopped doing it since. With a sense of humor that has been described, “as much introspective as absurd,” he blurs the lines between culture, family, and race. Finley has opened for comedians such as Sean Patton, Kevin Farley,CEO’s Brandon Landry and Todd Graves. He’s performed in comedy clubs, casinos, and bars all across the nation and is the owner/producer of NO SHOW Comedy.
Alex Cureau is one of New Orleans best comedians under 5’7″. An energetic, funny, and opinionated comic, he derives his bits and anecdotes from his life and the way he views the world. He produces and hosts comedy shows all over New Orleans, and has worked with comedians such as Jim Gaffigan, Neal Brennan, Fredrick RedBean Plunkett, Matt Owens, Jon Rudnitsky, and Jay Pharaoh!
Patrick Andonie is a stand-up comedian based in New Orleans. Formerly a Catholic seminarian, missionary and teacher, he now brings all those experiences to the comedy stage. Andonie started performing stand-up comedy later in life. His intention was to do one open-mic to get it out of his system. He still hasn’t gotten it out of his system. Andonie performs regularly in New Orleans but has also performed in prestigious comedy clubs in thirteen states: Side Splitter’s, Bonkerz, Stardome, Joke Joint, Laugh Factory, Ice House, Liquid Laughs, Broadway Comedy Club, Funny Bone, The Comedy Store, The Comedy Shrine, Carson City Comedy Club and Third Coast Comedy Club. He has competed in the Clean Comedy Challenges in Chicago, Pasadena, Nashville and Carson City. He has also competed in the World Series of Comedy in Boise, Idaho, and the main event in Indiana as well as the International One-Liner Festival in Nashville.
After receiving a full acting scholarship, Matt Owens studied and performed theater at the University of Mississippi. Owens performs stand-up regularly in New Orleans (House of Blues, Howlin’ Wolf) and is currently headlining for The Comedy Zone comedy shows throughout the Southeast. He has his own show at The Joy Theater, Orpheum Theater and is the producer of Stand-Up Nola. For the last five years, he has organized and headlined a New Orleans Comedy Road Tour boasting sold out shows throughout the Southeast. Owens has starred in the films “Pensacola Prophet” (2017), and Fox Searchlight’s “Wendy” (2020).
In November of 2014, Owens was personally selected to feature for Louis CK for two sold-out shows at New Orleans’ historic Joy Theater. He was featured at Hell Yes Fest comedy festival from 2014 to 2017. Matt has featured for Dom Irrera, Hannibal Buress, Theo Von, Brian Posehn, and Mark Normand. He has shared the stage with Bill Burr and Darrell Hammond at the House of Blues. Matt was the headliner and co-producer for “The Jay Thomas Show” on Sirius XM radio. In July 2018, he co-produced the filming of New Orleans-based Season 3 of Kevin Hart’s “Hart of the City.”
Mutzie has been a professional stand up comedian for 28 years now. He is a non stop laugh riot from the moment he walks onto the stage until his show stopper close. Watching Mutzie on stage is like watching the class clown in school, you never knew what was coming next, but you knew it was coming. He has hundred of jokes, but chooses to interact with the audience members for about half of each show. People have often said that if Bernie Mac didn’t curse and Don Rickles wasn’t insulting and they had a child together, Mutzie would be that child.
Mutzie is a believer and follower of Jesus, so there is never any profanity or anything embarrassing in any of his shows which means any and all ages are welcome. He talks about everyday stuff that happens in life as well as a few bible stories during his shows. What he is remembered most for is being very likable and very funny with every audience member at every show.
Brandon Tartikoff – Former President of NBC once stated that if he had to hire two comedians, he would hire Mutzie twice. Hire him once and you will hire him twice as well. Mutzie is a sure fire can’t miss hit for any age, race, demographic, nationality, etc.
These days Mutzie spends about 80% of his time performing on Carnival cruise ships around the world and about 20% performing in churches across America.
Mutzie is also very positive and inspirational. It’s not just a comedy show it could be a life changing event.
Louis is seen regularly performing throughout the region. Some of his favorite recent roles include: Bruce Bechdel in Fun Home for Theater Baton Rouge, Kerchak in the JPAS production of Tarzan, George Banks in Mary Poppins, Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, King Charlemagne in Le Petit Theatre’s production of Pippin, Edna in Hairspray, JB Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, George in the Rivertown Theaters’ production of Billy Elliot, Herman in the Rivertown production of Sweet Charity, King Triton in The Little Mermaid, John Hancock in 1776, Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady and both Lawrence and Andre in separate productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Jonathan Damaré (Officer O’Hara) was born and raised in South Louisiana. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Since graduating he has been performing in and around the New Orleans area; as well as touring 2 seasons with the Hampstead Stage Company in the New England region. He was most recently seen as Michael in The Pillowman at Swamplight theatre in Ponchatoula. Other JPAS credits: Shear Madness (Mikey), Tuck Everlasting (Hugo), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frederick/Ensemble), Chicago (Ensemble) , Catch Me if You Can (Ensemble).
Bryce Slocumb is originally from Clinton, Mississippi and a graduate of Ole Miss. He was last seen on stage at The National WWII Museum in We’ll Meet Again. Other New Orleans credits include White Christmas, She Loves Me, Ragtime, Fun Home, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Billy Elliot. Special thanks to Kris and Dennis.
Helen is making her fourth appearance with JPAS, having last been seen as Mrs. Boyle in The Mousetrap. She has been performing on local stages for over 50 years and began her career with Ty Tracy at NORD Theatre. Through the years, she has worked at LePetit, Summer Lyric at Tulane, Rivertown, and JPAS. She is a recipient of the Big Easy and Marquee awards. Helen’s all time favorite shows/roles are: Annie Get Your Gun (Annie), Blithe Spirit (Madame Arcadi), Mame (Agnes Gooch), Harvey (Veta). Thanks to Dennis, Kris, and the JPAS staff for a role that reunites Helen with so many long time theatre friends.
Ron Blanchard is a New Orleans native and was born and raised in the 9th ward. His love for acting began while attending Nicholls State University in Thibodaux Louisiana. The bulk of his acting work over the years has mostly been in theatre performing with several groups and in dozens of theatrical performances. In 2017 Ron landed his first major film role in the romantic/ horror comedy, Eat, Brains, Love. His other film credits include a portrayal of M.E. Norman, Mayor of Morgan City, in the Travel Channel’s Ghost of Morgan City, Sex Ruined my Marriage for the TLC network, and a variety of local and regional commercials. A few of his favorite past characters from theatrical performances include: The Herald from Marat Sade, Uncle Charley in Death of a Salesman, the Evil Prince in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood and the re-occurring roles of beloved Saints coach Bum Phillips, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Papal Popes from the original sketch comedy works of Shine Productions series, Bless Ya Boys. Ron’s portrayal of Lieutenant Rooney marks his return to the JPAS stage since performing in Sister Act in 2015. Ron is also an accomplished drummer who has played and recorded with several bands, most notably Totally Cold the fore running group to the enormously popular New Orleans 80’s new wave band, The Cold. Ron is a retiree from federal civil service and has been happily married for 40 years and the father of 3 wonderful children and 5 beautiful grandkids.
This is Leon’s second production with JPAS, the first being The Amorous Ambassador at Theatre Wego. His favorite regional and local credits include: Act of God, November, The Pillowman, Broadway Bound, Colossal, The Glass Menagerie, Mame, and The Dinner Party. Leon received his MFA in Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. He would like to thank Dennis, Todd, Kris, and the entire JPAS family for bringing live theater back to Airline Drive!
Earl J. Scioneaux Jr. has been performing for several years, mainly on stage, in the New Orleans and surrounding areas. Some of Earl’s film credits include “Labou”, where he plays a “bad guy”, Ronald McDowell. “Labou” is a family friendly movie similar to “Home Alone” and the “Goonies”. He also appears in “Going Fishin’”as the Cajun Man. He was in a couple of Bud Light Spotlight commercials too. Earl’s stage credits include “South Pacific” (Luthur Billis), “Music Man” (Marcellus Washburn), “Talk Radio” (Stu Noonan), “Corleone the Shakespearean Godfather” (Vito Corleone), “The Odd Couple” (Speed), “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (Mayor), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Mr. Mushnik) plus many more.
Peter is glad to be back onstage for JPAS again after just appearing in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest earlier this year. He was most recently Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music. Other roles at JPAS include, The Common Man in Man for All Seasons, Harry & Ensemble in My Fair Lady, Bud the Stud in Sex Please We’re Sixty. Elsewhere, he has been seen as (most recently) Lillias Pastia – the tavern owner, in the opera Carmen with New Orleans Opera Association, and other stages, the Khralahome in The King and I, Erronius in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Morrie in Tuesdays with Morrie. His latest movie role is Charlie the Pawnbroker in Green Book.
Blake Buchert recently returned to the stage in JPAS’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest after a 5 year hiatus. He was last seen as Cornwall in King Lear in 2015 at the Fortress of Lushington in the Marigny. Prior to that he appeared in Shivaree at the Shadowbox in 2013, Plaza Suite at Rivertown Rep in 2013, and as Constable Thompkins in Murdered To Death also at Rivertown Rep in 2010. Then Prior to all of that, in a different lifetime, he was a founding member of Theatre Louisiane in 1999.
Jorden is happy to be on the stage in his first full-length play. Jorden is a New Orleans native who has been seen on many local stages performing in musicals and ballet for the last 10 years. He is a professional dancer who was most recently a Trainee with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, UT. Due to the pandemic, he is spending this year studying ballet privately in the New Orleans area with Kim and Kenny Beck and performed recently in The Nutcracker with JPAS. He graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) in 2017. Other favorite roles include Baby John in JPAS’ production of West Side Story and the Prince in the ballet, Cinderella. Jorden would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support and encouragement. A big thank you to Dennis Assaf and Janet Shea for this opportunity to play Billy Bibbit.
Nate Jones (Warren) is a 22 year old pursuing his BFA in Theater Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi; he anticipates graduating in May of this year. Nate portrayed Claudio in Shakespeare Festival at Tulane’s production of Much Ado About Nothing in 2019.
Mekhi R. Hayes was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a graduating Senior at Dillard University and majoring in Theatre Performance. He is the president of the Drama Ministry for Religious Life which produced seven outstanding productions. In 2017-2018 He was casted in the The Wiz, which was produced by “See ‘Em On Stage” and also he was a part of Peter Pan and Dreamgirls both produced by “JPAS”. After graduation he plans on opening his very own performing arts school for unprivileged kids, also teaching, and keeping continuous performances on stage. His hobbies include teaching, acting, singing, cooking, and writing/directing plays. He loves working with kids to better their ambitions about their talents. He continuously strives for greatness and learns how to become the best in everything he does through his humbleness. He live by his motto “my voice may be small, but it can make something greater impact on the world.” and “Live Life Ly’ve”!
Elliot Hamilton is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and a graduate of Loyola University. He has acted in various film and stage productions in New Orleans and the Southeast. His credits include the role of Smirnoff in Chekhov’s The Bear performed for Loyola’s one act play festival and Brent in the 2020 film Backwoods.
“Uncle” Wayne Daigrepont is certainly no stranger to N.O. (and JPAS) audiences. He has done many (favorite) plays / roles here, his faves including El Capitan, Li’l Abner, Oliver!, Die Fledermaus, Best Little Whorehouse, & The Fantastics. He has also directed many things for JPAS thru the years, including [all the] Nunsense’s, Avenue Q, Murder at the Café Noir, Peter Pan, (twice!), & Forum. He is tickled-pink to “reprise” a role he had done in college, NSU, 45 years ago! Along with (4+ years of) Uber-driving, he serves as entertainer, performing (& running) his own entertainment company (for the past 3 decades–!!), “Porta-Puppet Players.”
Hello I am Jalen Carr. I’m currently a Junior Theatre Arts Performance Scholar at Dillard University. I am from Houston Texas and I inspire to work with Theatre Education and Directing once I graduate from grad school.
Sherri’s first debut was in Calendar Girls as the Mayor of Ocean Springs. Since then she has done the Odd Couple female version in Lockport and played the part as Mickey the cop. Also was in Some Like it Hot as a musician in an all girl band. She is the proud owner of Sherri’s Sweet Treats in Harvey. When she is not baking she is teaching children how to cook at her culinary kid camps.
Margeaux Fanning has been on the New Orleans theatre scene, both on and off stage, since 2007. In March of 2019, she was nominated “Best Actress in a Play” by the Big Easy Awards Committee for her performance in The Mutilated, produced by The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans. Margeaux is thrilled to be included in the stellar cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and is delighted to be on stage again.
Kathryn has appeared in several JPAS productions but this is her first venture trodding the boards of the BIG theater. She is a graduate of Loyola University with a degree in Drama/Communications and Loyola College of Law. And she is Very happy to be back on stage after this prolonged Covid hiatus. She thanks Dennis and Janet for allowing her to be one of the many local actors making up the cast of this wonderful ensemble production.
Travis Reser is a local actor with 25 years experience in theater. Travis has worked with many theater companies during his career, such as The Bayou Playhouse, Le Petit Theater, and JPAS. You may remember Travis from roles in shows such as, Chess, A Streetcar Named Desire, Ain’t Oat Super, and The Frogs. Fans of film mostly remember Travis from the film Waiting, where he performed the role of Chett. He is very excited to get back on stage to entertain the masses during these difficult times we find ourselves in.
