Senior Bios

Mary has played the roles of Sillabub in CATS, Klemos in Antigone, Ensemble in Mamma Mia!, Mrs. Fanny Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, Ms. Andrew in Mary Poppins, and was part of the Lost and Found: Sondering student monologues ensemble. She was also costume crew chair for Antigone, Sense and Sensibility, and Mamma Mia! Her favorite memories are dancing with Andrew Wilson for CATS, the Señoritas, and "anytime the eeths and I make eye contact during rehearsal." She would like to thank the Eeths, McElroy and Flowers, and her family. Her advice: "This is high school: live and let live." In the future she plans to meet the Loch Ness Monster or go to space. "Never let the 'shoulds' or 'shouldn'ts' bring you down."

Before become tech. director, Kiana was a stage crew member for Radium Girls and a tech crew member for CATS, Antigone, Sense & Sensibility, Mamma Mia!, and several GCMS plays. One of her favorite memories is "having a nerf gun fight around the theater during a tech work day." "I’d like to thank all current and previous techies for making tech crew such a great experience. Special thanks to Lauren Holmes and Tara Aloisio for making theater even better." Kiana plans to attend college for pre-optometry and become an optometrist in the future.

Ashleigh was a cast member in the original production of Sasquatch: The Musical at GCHS in 2013, playing in the "Child Army." In high school, she's been a member of stage crew since freshman year, and has most loved "hanging out backstage." She'd like to thank Eva King. She plans to attend Slippery Rock University, majoring in Environmental Geology and minoring in Japanese. "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Courtney has been a costume crew member and chair, as well as a makeup crew member for Mamma Mia! and Sense and Sensibility. "One of my favorite memories was doing quick changes back stage for Mama Mia. One night, I was changing Jacob out of his wedding gown, and one of the framers pulled back and he was revealed to the audience. I just threw the prom dress at him to cover up. After the show, one of the teachers told me that they were so engrossed in the show they almost didn’t notice." Her advice: "Remember the 5 points, you will be quizzed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seniors are all too ready to answer. Always advocate for yourself." Courtney plans to study to become a history teacher. Special thanks: "Hannah Miller for forcing me to sign up for costume crew my sophomore year. I have met so many amazing people through theatre, and I never would have gotten my start without you. I want to thank my parents for letting me stay up into the ungodly hours of the night working on costumes during tech week. Also massive shout out to any teacher who let me see during their class, I’m looking at you Mr. Tucker."

Ethan's many roles include Berry in Radium Girls, Plato in CATS, Haemon in Antigone, Ensemble in Mamma Mia!, Sir Middleton in Sense and Sensibility, Bert in Mary Poppins, and himself in Lost and Found. Special thanks to "Flowers and McElroy for thinking I can actually sing and perform on stage. Ashley Hazy for encouraging my love of dancing. My family for always supporting me and dealing with my attitude after a performance. The Eeths for making this show a jammy jam good time and for always being there for me whenever I need it!" His favorite theatre memories: "My first interaction with McElroy: him seeing me in the wedding dress during a Radium Girls construction day and saying 'that isn't your color' and walking away...But forever tap dancing with Ashley Hazy for Mary Poppins. Nothing can beat it." Ethan plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University to major in Arts Administration and Marketing and run a theatre production company. "Make the best of every moment because it's so magical."

Belle's previous roles include Victoria in CATS, Ali in Mamma Mia!, Anne Steele in Sense and Sensibility, Neleus/Ensemble in Mary Poppins, and herself in Lost and Found. Her favorite memories are "thinking the cardboard moon was the real moon in CATS until I just asked someone, and just always dancing and having fun with everyone." She plans to attend GCC in the fall for Early Childhood and Special Education, and she hopes one day to audition for a role at Disney World. "I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and encouraging me, as well as my dance family at Crossroads Dance Academy for being there and supporting me through anything I do! Mrs. Flowers for always helping me and helping me believe in myself! And of course Mr. McElroy for always pushing me and encouraging me to come out of my box and go for it!" To new theatremakers, she says, "Never be afraid to step out of your box and explore all the wonderful things you can do! Keep believing in yourself because you can do it and if you don’t think that all these amazing people will!" “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart” -Winnie the Pooh

Makenna has played Mister Mistofelees in CATS, an ensemble member and featured dancer in Mamma Mia!, and an ensemble member and dancer in Mary Poppins, as well as being an usher for Antigone, House Manager and makeup crew member for Sense and Sensibility, and Student Director for Lost and Found: Sondering Student Monologues from GCHS. Her favorite memories: "Spending so many amazing rehearsals dancing, singing, and acting with the cast and crew, as well as the unexpected opportunity to perform among the cast of Lost and Found." Special thanks: "My family- they have come to all of my performance and supported me in all that I do. Thank you for everything you have done for me, and the unconditional love you have given me. To the cast and crew of every show- thank you for always being like a family to me and for the love and support you show. To the "Eeth Family"- I am thankful for that I have had the opportunity to perform alongside you these 4 years. You are incredibly talented, and I am forever grateful for the endless love you have shown me and so many others. To Mrs. Flowers and Mr. McElroy- thank you for believing in me, even when I did not believe in myself, and giving me the opportunity to perform/be a part of so many shows. These memories would not have been made if it hadn't been for you two, and I am grateful for all you have taught me. " Makenna plans to attend Grove City College in the fall. "Always forward; never back."

Previously, Eva has been on Stage Crew for Radium Girls, Antigone, Holmes on the Range (GCMS), and Mamma Mia!, Assistant Stage Manager for Sense and Sensibility, and Stage Manager for Crumpled Classics, Mary Poppins, and Lost and Found. "Dancing sporadically backstage during Mamma Mia! as quietly as possible was really fun, as well as all the inside jokes, secrets, and traditions all throughout theater. One of the most memorable moments that I both grin and grimace at is when I got stuck on stage during a show holding up a staircase, which is probably one of my favorite stories." Eva plans to attend SRU for Environmental Geoscience/Geology, "but I can assure you that theater will still be part of my life by either helping stage there, or at the Guthrie." Her wisdom for young thespians: "Just like life, theater has plenty of ups and downs, it's all part of the experience."

Thayer has been a part of many shows at GCHS, as a crew member, microphone tech. and, last spring, as part of the elite "fly crew" for Mary Poppins. Some of his favorite times have been spent with the cast and crew going out to eat after shows. He thanks Zaid Srour for getting him into theatre. "I appreciated receiving the hearts in my junior year and my time in theatre has been my favorite time in high school. Theatre, and all the amazing people that participate in it, helped me out of my shell and I am very thankful for it." Thayer plans to attend Pitt in the fall for neuroscience. His advice: "Take the opportunities that are presented to you."

Before this spring, Jacob played the Sentry in Antigone, Sky in Mamma Mia!, Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility, and Robertson Aye in Mary Poppins, and was a monologue author and ensemble member for last fall's Lost and Found. Favorite memory: "The one time in Sense and Sensibility when my secret support gave me a piñata. We made a make shift pole to hold the piñata up and everyone got in a line until it was broken open. I’m pretty sure it’s still in the costume closet somewhere." He'd like to thank his family for supporting his theatre endeavors and the SSLJ "for helping a brother out." His advice to underclassmen is, "Don’t be afraid to step in the spotlight every once in a while. You will be surprised how rewarding it feels to finish a show. Jacob plans to attend Penn State University for mechanical engineering. "Take risks now to do something bold. You won't regret it." -Elon Musk

Previous roles include stage crew for CATS, Antigone, ensemble for Mamma Mia!, Bird Woman in Mary Poppins, and Tessa in Lost and Found. Her favorite theatre memory: "During the cast party for Mamma Mia! we watched A Barbie Movie and ate Hawaiian sweet rolls. The whole night we just spent time with each other laughing, crying, and everything in between. I’ll never forget." "Sometimes you can feel like an outsider in the colorful world of theatre. But never forget that while you’re feeling lost, you might be missing the others that feel the exact same thing. Theatre is a place where broken people come together to make each other whole and show the best and worst parts of themselves through these shows. Instead of looking through the window, open the door and you’ll see how much you deserve to be a part of the beautiful and broken world of theatre. When you feel broken, alone, and unloved, stop and look around. You’ll see just how beautiful you are and you're not the only one feeling that way.”

Some of Abby's favorite theatre memories include teaching Isaac Filer how to waltz and getting to be in different shows with all her siblings. Her many stage roles include Cora and Harriet in Radium Girls, Jennyanydots in CATS, Antigone in Antigone, Rosie in Mamma Mia!, Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, and herself in the ensemble of Lost and Found: Sondering student monologues from GCHS. She would like to thank, "My Family for their never ending love and support, MC, MI, EH, and MW for all of the laughs and love, Sasha Tedford and Jess Nemeth for all they've taught me, and Mr. McElroy and Mrs. Flowers for all of the opportunities they've given over the years and for their love and advocacy for all things music and theater." Next year, Abby plans to attend Messiah University for a B.S. in Music Education with a focus in voice. Her advice to underclassmen: "Be yourself; there's nobody quite like you." "Stay the course, light a star, change the world wherever you are." Soli Deo Gloria.