Abigail Agin (Dance Ensemble) is a junior at Meridian. Her previous credits include Creative Cauldron’s Cinderella’s Dream (Anastasia) and The Jungle Book (Elder Wolf/Village Woman) as well as Educational Theatre Company’s Dr. Doolittle (Polynesia) and Meridian VHSL’s Hamlet (Marcellus). Over the summer, Abigail attends Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Camp where she’s performed in several shows such as Catch Me If You Can (Agent Dollar), Honeymoon in Vegas (Rose/Showgirl), Sweet Charity (Betsy), In the Wake (Laurie), The Laramie Project (Player), and Footloose (ensemble). During the school year, Abigail receives her dance training at the Center for Ballet Arts in Fairfax. Abigail gives thanks to the amazing cast and crew of Pippin for bringing this magical show to life!
Abby Berg (Dance Ensemble) is thrilled to have been a part of such an amazing show. Abby’s previous credits include dancing for over 11 years in both ballet and lyrical styles, as well as being part of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)(revised) last year. Abby loves listening to musical theatre songs and learning dance choreography. Thank you to all of Abby’s wonderful friends and family!
Matthew Bloss-Baum (Pippin) is a senior at Meridian High School. Pippin is his fifth production with the Meridian Theatre Department, previous credits include Himself in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), Michael in tick, tick...BOOM!, Soloist in Songs for a New World, and Bobby in A Chorus Line. Also, he spent the summer at Radford University studying theatre at the Virginia Governor's School. When he is not performing (an unlikely occurrence) or freaking out about college applications, he gives in to his shopaholic attributes and spends hours in the thrift shop or the mall. Matthew wants to thank his family, friends, and his dog for supporting everything he does, even when he can be a total drama king.
Cora Brown (Dance Ensemble) is excited to be in her first musical at Meridian High School--although she is no stranger to performing. She studied dance at Perfect Pointe in Arlington for eight years, was a competitive cheerleader for two, and is part of the Meridian Chamber Singers. She also plays lacrosse year-round and works part-time at a restaurant in Falls Church. Thanks to my family but a special shoutout to my cat Romeo who inspires me daily.
Wesley Crawford (pit orchestra drummer) is a sophomore who drums. He is in the wind ensemble and jazz band and he played drumset in the musical tick, tick...BOOM! last year. Thanks Mrs. West, Mr. Northrip, Ms. Sample, and the company for all your hard work getting this production together.
Casey Dimock (trombonist) is a sophomore and has been playing trombone for seven years. This is his first time participating in the school musical, but he has been in the orchestra for the Cappies Gala. Casey broke his wrist right before rehearsals started but has recovered in time for the show. He thanks his family and his trombone instructor, Adam McColley.
Anisa Frey (Player) has been a musical person since she was little. Making her first theatrical debut at the young age of 9, Anisa starred in Shrek the Musical Jr. as Fiona, and Absolem (the caterpillar) in Alice by Laura Wade earlier this year. When she’s not singing her heart out, you can usually find her bringing out her competitive side in a range of sports. She would like to shout out to all the people in Pippin who successfully turned her into a proud theater kid, and her family for tolerating all the singing.
Sophia DeRosa (Dance Ensemble) is in her first show at Meridian High School. At her previous school, she performed in Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, and All Shook Up!. She also staged-managed The Little Mermaid and assistant directed Grammarsaurus. She would like to thank her former director, Annaleigh Kress, for all of the constant support.
Alex Fulgham (Juggler) started juggling three years ago but did absolutely nothing with it. He was asked to learn contact juggling. Eventually, he learned simple tricks with all sorts of juggling and was asked to join Pippin! He loved this idea and began practicing with Carson Ramsey and Addison Turner. He has been in some theater programs including Mary Poppins when he was in 7th grade. Now he is excited to show you what he can do!
Lorien Jackson (violinist) is a wildlife obsessed geek, who plays too much Dungeons and Dragons for her own good. Previously, she has acted in almost thirteen plays at various theaters, and has been playing the violin for five to six years. Most of the time, she can be found stressing out about the state of the world, or stressing out about her latest Dungeons and Dragons game. Thanks to my Game Master for ignoring my character's backstory.
Isabel Pierce (Dance Ensemble) is a senior at Meridian High School. Most recently, she’s been in tick, tick…BOOM! and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). When not performing, she’s usually hanging out with her dog, Annie, and guinea pig, Brownie. Thank you to everyone who has supported me!
Ben Kline (Player) first started performing at MEH in Aladdin Jr. (Beggar). He got his first lead role in Mary Poppins Jr. (Bert). When he’s not on stage he can be found playing video games and petting his dog, Molly. He thanks his friends for being so supportive and his parents for helping him along his way.
Diwata Peñaranda (Player) can’t stop singing the Pippin soundtrack! She is so grateful for finding a family in the theatre department and having performed in previous productions including, tick, tick…BOOM! and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). When she’s not on stage, she spends her time singing original songs with her electric guitar and attempting to learn the piano. She gives a huge thanks to her mom for letting her take the car for rehearsals. <3
Carson Ramey (Juggler) has been throwing things for sixteen years and juggling things for the past three. His previous credits include Aladdin Jr., and Mary Poppins Jr. as well as many film studies projects. He would like to thank his aunt for teaching him how to juggle and also his parents for letting him juggle fire.
Katie Rice (Berthe) is a senior at Meridian High School. Pippin is her second show with the Meridian theater department, her previous production being The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) where she played Herself. She won the NCA's Comic Actor in a Female Role Cappie for her performance in the show... then broke it. When she is not procrastinating memorizing her lines, she can be found working on an IB Internal Assessment or sleeping. Katie wants to thank all the people who drove her to rehearsal before she got her license, and Matthew Bloss-Baum for encouraging (forcing) her to audition.
Hana Saldate (Leading Player) is the singer for the Meridian High School Jazz Ensemble and Co-Founder and president of the National Honors Music Society (Tri-M). Before performing, Hana was a competitive archer who competed at national tournaments around the country. She plays flute in the wind ensemble and is a band geek at heart. She thanks the cast, stage crew, directors, and pit orchestra for being supportive and creating good memories along the way.
Lillian Smith (Player) is excited to perform in her first musical ever. Lillian has previously been involved in small performances including Fiddler on the Roof and Julius Caesar. When Lillian is not at rehearsal, sleeping, eating, or doing homework she enjoys spending time with friends and going places on the weekend. Lillian thanks her family and friends for encouraging her to be part of Pippin.
Charlotte Tornell (Player) is a theater kid by nature. They have been in multiple shows, Aladdin Jr, Mary Poppins Jr, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. They have had a lot of fun getting ready for this show and hopes you enjoy! Thank you to Mom & Dad for being supportive, to my friends for being there, and my brother for keeping me funny!
Mikayla "Micky" Turner (Player) has worked as a member of the backstage crew for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged] and tick, tick... BOOM! This is her first time performing in a theatre production ever. She can also be seen in the wood shop with Mr. George and being part of Meridian athletics. She sends her thanks to their amazing, trumpet-playing, juggling, brother, Addison "Addy" for joining them for this wild ride of a show!
Marshall Vogel-Rogers (Theo) is a 7th grader at the middle school who has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform in a high school play while he's a middle schooler. Before that, Marshall had years of choir and theatre experience and was in a few minor plays. When he's not at school he is listening to the Hamilton soundtrack and plays baseball and volleyball with his brother. Thanks, mom and dad for supporting this very long journey, and I hope you enjoy the show.
Olivia Wanick (Player) has spent the same amount of time passed out on the couch after rehearsals as she has spent actually rehearsing. Previously, she has been in A Chorus Line, Madagascar: the Musical, and The Little Mermaid. Other than sleeping, she likes to spend her time with family and friends, eating her favorite chicken tenders and extra crispy fries. Thanks to her parents for keeping dinner warm for her and being her biggest supporters (alongside Dante, of course).
Alexis West (Dance Ensemble) started as backstage crew in Peter Pan Jr. and Lion King Jr. She first took the stage with Aladdin Jr. and Mary Poppins Jr. (ensemble) at MEH. Other larger roles include Emma! A Pop Musical (Welcoming Committee) and We Will Rock You (Teen Queen 1). Last year she was Audio Tech and Dance Captain for High School Musical. Recently she performed in Newsies (Buttons) at Capital One Hall. When she’s not rehearsing, she is a cheerleader for the high school and cuddling with her cat. She would like to thank her mom and dad and all her friends (Katie and Ethan) for being so supportive.
Jamie Williamson (costume crew) always knew zie wanted to design clothes. Hir past credits include Chicago, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, A Chorus Line, and tick, tick... BOOM! Zie hopes that hir work on Pippin will burn your eyes out. Thanks to Elijah Hoofnagle for making Jamie join the costumes department (no, seriously).
Claire Zywicki (flute, alto flute, alto recorder) is thrilled to be making magic with the Pippin crew! This is her second musical since 2019's A Chorus Line, and her first playing multiple parts! When outside the practice room, she likes writing, reading, and creating music in all forms! She sends thanks to Jamie, Jane, Brandon, and the rest of the pit for making this experience great, and thanks to her mother and father for being so enthusiastic about her performance.