Embedded Files
“Shrek The Musical” at The Lynn Theatre
ARDEN GIASULLO, he/him (Dragon/Duloc Dancer/Pig #2/Dancing Rat) is elated to be a part of Shrek the Musical! He started doing theatre in high school with little previous experience in singing or dancing, but he has found that theatre is his happy place. He was a part of The Addams Family and The Drowsy Chaperone as ensemble. He came to Tyler Becoming Brightpoint because of the production of Once Upon a Mattress that he saw his friend Avery in. Arden became motivated to join the theatre program, and now he is so happy to take part in this wonderful show. He hopes you enjoy!!
MARK PERSINGER, he/him (Shrek) is thrilled to make his debut at The Lynn Theatre! His onstage credits include Barefoot in the Park, Mary Poppins, Croaker, Gypsy, South Pacific, Shrek, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, Madeline’s Christmas, My Fair Lady, White Christmas, Guys and Dolls, Seussical, Honk!, A Christmas Carol, Annie, Peter Pan, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and She Loves Me at Virginia Repertory Theatre. He has also appeared in The Taming of the Shrew and A Servant of Two Masters at Quill Theatre, and It Shoulda Been You and La Cage aux Folles at Richmond Triangle Players. Mark sends his love to Caryn and Lorelei!
CLAIR HAAG, she/her (Sugar Plum/Fairy/Knight) is very excited to perform in her first show, Shrek The Musical! She is an Art’s Major at Tyler Becoming Brightpoint and is planning to become an animator/voice actor in the future. She is delighted to take the opportunity to bring her many talents and love for music into this production! With much love, she is thankful for her supportive friends, family, and hermit crab, Mr. President.
TESS LOVERO, she/her (Young Shrek/Baby Bear/Blind Mouse) is absolutely ecstatic to be involved in this show! Singing and dancing are her favorite things in the whole world, and she feels so fortunate to be able to do this show with all these amazing people. She’d like to thank the cast and crew for being phenomenal. And of course, a special thank you to her cat, Flo. Enjoy the show!
ERICH APPLEBY, he/him (King Harold, Peter Pan, Donkey/Farquaad Understudy) is returning for another production here at The Lynn Theatre. Erich is a 2nd year Theatre (AFA) Major. Past credits include Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Lynn Theatre), Asher in The Other Side Of Life (Amazon Prime Original, releasing April 2022), and Ensemble in Hairspray (Clover Hill High School). Erich is delighted to be working with another amazing cast and bringing Shrek The Musical to life. Upon graduating Erich plans to further his acting career by pursuing a BFA in hopes of breaking into the film and theatre industry.
HUNTER KECK, he/him (Captain Of The Guard) has been a student here at Tyler Becoming Brightpoint for 4½ Years Now. Shrek The Musical will be his final show here, as Hunter is set to graduate at the end of the semester. Hunter has been apart of many shows at The Lynn Theatre, Having the blessing of bonding and working with Unbelievable Casts and Directors. His Favorites include: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Dark of the Moon, Once Upon A Mattress, Peter and The Starcatcher, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hunter thanks his family/friends for their Love, Support, and Acceptance. Plus this Theater department for everything!
STEPHANIE HORVATH, she/her (Mama Ogre, Pig 1, Bluebird, Dragon 1) is excited to be back on the Lynn Theater stage to join the cast of Shrek. She graduated from Tyler Becoming Brightpoint in 2019 with her A.S. General studies theater specialization and she has been seen previously on the Lynn theater stage in 2016 as Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me. Some other favorite roles include Potiphar’s wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Courtesan Vibrata in a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Miss Parker in Glorious Christmas Nights: A Timeless Hope, and the Innkeeper in Glorious Bethlehem Nights. She’d like to thank her Parents for their never ending support in her pursuit of theater, from attending every Show/Cabaret she’s been in to taking her to see countless Broadway shows. She also wants to thank her Fiancé LyDavid for always pushing her to continue performing and reaching for her dreams.
ARIANA SILVA, she/they (Wicked Witch) is beyond excited to finally be performing again. Theatre has always been their passion and she is so grateful to be able to have this experience with such amazing people. Some of her favorite past shows are 42nd Street, Addams Family, and The Iliad, the Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less. Ariana gives a huge thank you to their friends and theatre teachers that helped them get here.
KIRA PANTAZIS, she/her (White Rabbit/Mad Hatter) is delighted to be performing in the Spring 2022 production of Shrek the Musical. She has been doing interactive street theater for 12 years at the Virginia Renaissance Faire. She could not be happier to be working with such an amazing team for her first stage production!
HARRISOM PHILLIPS, he/him (Farquaad) is thrilled to be in his second show at Tyler becoming Brightpoint! He is in his second semester at the campus and studying to be a Theater major. He previously played Nick Bottom in our production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Harrison would like to thank the friends he’s made while participating in our theater program and his mother for supporting him all the way!
KRISTEN WOOLRIDGE, she/her ( Mama Bear) is excited to be working with such an amazing cast at The Lynn Theatre. This will be her first show as a performer. She has been an assistant stage manager and house manager for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Many thanks to her family and friends for all their support and love.
NESZIAH DENNIS, he/him (Donkey) is honored and beyond excited to be a part of such an amazing project with The Lynn Theatre with such an incredible cast and crew! This is his first show in 2 years since the pandemic and he couldn’t be happier helping bring such a fun story to life. He wants to thank God, his family, and his friends for always supporting him and dedicates the show to them!
MICHAH THOMAS, she/her (Dragon/Humpty Dumpty/Young Fiona/Fiona Understudy) is ecstatic to finally be doing a musical production again. The last time she was in a musical production was in high school due to the pandemic stealing a lot of opportunities from actors and actresses these past two years. She has been performing since her early youth and can’t wait to jump back in the game. A multitude of thanks to her fellow cast members and all of the crew that made this production happen!
SAMATHA RICHARDSON, they/she (Pinocchio) is definitely a real boy. Or so their character in Shrek likes to claim. Shrek will be their second production here at Tyler becoming Brightpoint following their role as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Samantha is looking forward to seeing the final product of everyone’s hard work on Shrek but knows she will miss it once it’s over. They are, however, excited to see what the future holds in store for upcoming productions here at The Lynn Theatre!
JOSHUA SHAY, he/him (Wolf, Papa Ogre, Thelonious, Bishop) is entirely thrilled to be back in a cast and production after two years since the pandemic began. This is Joshua’s first semester at Tyler (becoming Brightpoint), however, he has had a very thorough position at Cosby High School in Midlothian. Joining a variety of casts in ensemble and character roles in productions like The Addams Family Musical, 42nd Street, Ten Ways to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse, Don't Fear The Reaper, and Property Rights. Josh sends much love to his family and friends, especially to his grandfather David.
TAYLOR STUDEVENT, she/her (Papa Bear) is thrilled to share her love of music and performing with this ensemble! Taylor graduated from the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School. She has been a piano accompanist for various performers through school and in the community over the past five years. She has participated in various school and local performances including The Addams Family, Hairspray and Once on this Island. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, photography and spending money (especially her mom’s). She’s very grateful to her friends and family for their constant love and support.
KATY MULLIGAN, she/her (Fiona) is ogre-joyed to be a part of this wonderful cast (she’s also been waiting two years to use that pun)! Her previous credits include an eclectic mix of roles in multiple theme parks. Her interests include anime, stilt walking, writing over-dramatic poems, and trying to convince everyone that her cat isn’t evil. She’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to her family, especially her dad, for always being there to support her. Enjoy the show!
HAILEY BROWN (Queen Lillian/Fairy Godmother) is very excited to be apart of Shrek the Musical at The Lynne Theatre. She recently worked with John Tyler Becoming Brightpoint on A Midsummer Night's Dream as Titania. Haley is studying Theatre Performances at John Tyler Community College, soon to be Brightpoint, where she is working to receive her AFA in Fine Arts: Theater. Outside of school, Haley serves at an Irish Pub in the city of Richmond called Siné. And for fun, she enjoys her free time getting to know the city life in Richmond and cozying up with her cat, Edward Scissorhands.
JOSEPH GOLDEN, he/him (Farquaad’s Guard, Happy Villager) is one of Farquaad’s senior guards. He works under The Captain of The Guard (Hunter Keck). He's loyal to his duties in protecting Farquaad (Harrison Philips). He started from the bottom and worked his way to the top only being usurped by Farquaad to lower rank. However, he may have a strong veneer. He's a man of many talents. He can sing, and dance, and court the ladies in romance. He may have raised to serve Duloc in any capacity. Though, He feels complicit in Farquaad’s quest to be a ruthless short tyrant. He hopes to bring freedom and equality to all the citizens in Duloc even it means supporting and rooting for Shrek behind the scenes.
Original Production Bios
Original Production Bios
DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE (Writer) is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play, Ripcord, opens this fall at Manhattan Theatre Club. His previous play Good People premiered on Broadway, was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony nominations. His play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David also wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical, which was nominated for eight Tonys, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Ed Kleban Award as America's most promising musical theatre lyricist. David's other plays include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole, Dreamworks' Rise of the Guardians, and the upcoming Family Fang, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken and Jason Bateman.
JASON MOORE (Director of the Original Production) Broadway: Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of Dawson s Creek, Everwood, One Tree Hill and Brothers and Sisters. Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.
ROB ASHFORD (Director of the Original Production) won the 2012 Olivier Award for his production of Anna Christie starring Jude Law and Ruth Wilson at London's Donmar Warehouse. The production opened to rave reviews with The Independent's anointing it as "picture perfect" and David Benedict stating that "the production's hallmark is its boldness." Rob most recently directed the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson, and Macbeth with Sir Kenneth Branagh at New York's Park Avenue Armory and The Manchester International Festival. The Telegraph claimed "This is a Macbeth that won't just go down as a highlight of the Manchester International Festival but as one of the Scottish Play's great revivals," and Ben Brantley of the New York Times proclaimed "Mr. Ashford uses his experience as a celebrated director of musicals to stunning, time-bending effect." Rob received his 8th Tony Nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin, and received the Tony Award for his work on the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business (Tony Award Nominations for his direction and choreography), Promises, Promises (Tony Award Nomination), Shrek, John Water's Cry Baby (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Fred Astaire Awards), Curtains (Tony Award nomination), and Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination). In London, Rob also directed the highly acclaimed Olivier Award winning revivals of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Rachel Weisz and Parade at The Donmar Warehouse. Rob did the choreography and staging for last year's Academy Awards with Seth MacFarlane and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Choreography for his work on Baz Luhrmann's production number (featuring Hugh Jackman and Beyoncé) at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. He has also choreographed the opening number for The Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for the past 4 years. He choreographed the feature film Beyond The Sea directed by and starring Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Walt Disney Production's upcoming film Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh. Most recently, Rob directed and choreographed NBC's The Sound of Music Live!, for which he received a DGA Award Nomination, and this January directed The Barber of Seville at Chicago Lyric Opera. Rob is an Associate Director at The Old Vic Theatre. He also serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and is a Trustee of The Joyce Theatre in New York City.
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