Biographies

Liam Miller is a ninth grade student at Glen Rose High School. This is his third musical production with the Glen Rose Theater Department; in 2019 he played Zazu in Glen Rose’s production of Lion King Jr, and in 2021 he played Kristoff in the company’s production of Frozen jr. He is an honors student and enjoys singing in his church choir and school choir. Outside of school, he is involved in FFA and 4-H and is an active member of his church. He is very excited to play Shrek because it is the biggest part yet and has allowed him to grow as an actor. “My dad always tells me ‘Be the very best Liam Ray you can be’ and so I try, albeit most of the time unsuccessfully, to live my life to that motto”-Liam

Avery Power is currently a freshman in high school and a 4-year participant in theater classes and some form of an afterschool event involving theater, whether mainstage or the UIL One Act play. In her past plays, she was Darlene Dunbar in Zink: The Myth, the Legend, The Zebra, Queen Jadis in The Magician's Nephew, a stage manager in The Happy Scarecrow, and the Evil Queen in Fairly-A-Tale. She is now one of the three pigs in Shrek the Musical with her two brothers, Aaron and Adam. She is currently a member of the Tiger Pride Band Colorguard, the varsity golf team, and a volunteer at Stonewater Church in the kid's ministry as a teacher. She is currently in all honors classes and dual-credit geography in hopes of becoming a positive image to those who look up to her. She would like to thank her parents, best friends, and exchange student Carla for all their support in this process. She would also like to mention her favorite Bible verse. Jeremiah 17:7. "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

After serving in the military and graduating from Angelo State University with a double major, Mr. Kienbaum went straight to work in public education. His first job at Valley Mills High School began in February 2001 teaching theatre and the full gauntlet of high school history. Starting work at Glen Rose in 2008, Mr. Kienbaum taught theatre and history. Currently Mr. Kienbaum teaches theatre full time at the High school. He is very excited to be working on Shrek and has enjoyed having both his theatre family and his home family all together in a show for the first time.

Graduating as the salutatorian from high school was just the start of her adventures in education. While pursuing a degree in Communications at Angelo State University, Toni met Matthew Kienbaum, who cast her in her first stage play. From that point forward, theatre has become a passion of hers. After graduating college, she became a Speech, English, and Theatre teacher. She is thrilled to once again direct alongside her husband, Mr. K, and have both of her children in Shrek. The family that acts together laughs together.

Conner Jaquess is a sophomore at GRHS. Ecstatic to be playing Lord Farquaad, he is extensively awed by the strange perspective of the world as seen by a short person because Conner is very tall and not vertically challenged in any way. Conner loves being in every theatrical production that he can, even going as far as helping organize student-led activities as Vice President of the the school theatre club. He is a saxophone player, a good student, and a die-hard fan of his cat Felix. He thanks his supporters and fellow thespians for making theatre such an amazing part of his life.

Preston Andrews is a sophomore at GRHS, and plays Donkey in Shrek: The Musical. He has been in the theatre program for 5 years now. His previous roles include an ensemble member in The Lion King, Zap in Zink: The Myth, The Legend, The Zebra, the Frog in The Magic Well, the Duke of Weselton in Frozen. Most recently, he played Armando Benítez in 937. Preston is very excited to play such an energetic, lively role in Shrek. His favorite part about being in the musical was having the opportunity to meet the wonderful cast and crew of the show. Preston would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Kienbaum for teaching him anything and everything about acting. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their help, inspiration, and advice on making him a better actor. Lastly, Preston would like to thank his previous upperclassmen, such as Jillian Kirkley, Calvin Cunningham, and Hannah McCarthy for showing him how to be a role model for the next generation of Glen Rose Theatre.

Seth Beneze is ecstatic to play Pinnochio in SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. Some of his past roles include Otto in 937, Uncle Andrew in THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW, and Timon in DISNEY'S THE LION KING JR. He has also performed in the ensemble in several productions such as SUESSICAL JR, ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR, and THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS. Seth plays the Mellophone in the Glen Rose marching band, and loves working on the Glen Rose Robotics Team. He also enjoys singing in the Glen Rose High School Choir. In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with crazy theater friends. Seth is a follower of Jesus Christ and attends First Baptist Church of Glen Rose.

Iris Black is a sophomore who is currently attending GRHS. She will be playing the role of the bishop and a rat in Shrek. She has been doing theatre for one year and played in 937 in One Act of her freshman year. Outside of theatre, she is currently in the debate program as an LDer in UIL, and will be participating in Ready Writing for UIL. She is known for her certain literary writings among her theatre peers and hopes to make Mrs. Hawkins proud.

Paisley Lively is a tenth grader student at Glen Rose High School. This is her first play ever to participate in a Glen Rose play. She is the rooster and casted as a fairy tale creature in the Shrek Jr. play. Outside of school she reads up on Greek mythology and other things of the sort.

Sarah Murphy is playing Pied Piper in Shrek Jr. She is a sophomore this year and is also active in many things with the school, she is in Colorguard, theater, and FCCLA. She is planning on continuing with theater and to be part of many programs. She was also in Frozen Jr. and the one act, 937 where she was stage manger. She really hopes you enjoy the show and you love it as much as she has.

Adam Power is currently a freshman in high school. Adam has partaken in theater classes for four years and has a great passion for theater arts. This is Adam’s fourth production. Adam has played Bear in The Magician’s Nephew, the King in the Happy Scarecrow, and Dash the Dashing Prince in Fairly-a-Tale. Adam is involved in golf and photography for people all over Glen Rose. Adam has been working with cameras for 4 years. He would like to thank his friends, family, and most of all God for his great life and blessings. He would also like to thank Savannah Solsbery for the acting tips and singing adjustments that will furthermore save the audience’s ears.

Emma Sampson is a sophomore at GRHS and is in the theatre arts program. She will be playing the Big Bad Wolf in Shrek Jr. and has been in fourteen other theatrical productions. She been a performer for ten of her fourteen years and hopes to continue performing as long as possible. Outside of theater, she is interested in music and caring for her cats. She has recently joined the Lincoln-Douglass debate program and will be participating in UIL writing this year. She is known for her odd habits and strange demeanor.

Emma Williams is a sophomore this year and is playing the role of Storyteller in Shrek Jr. Emma came to Glen Rose last year and has so far participated in Frozen Jr. and 937. Emma loves participating in the high school's theater productions as well as running cross country and trying her hand at debate this year. Although sometimes all of this on top of her schoolwork drives her bonkers, Emma loves coming to rehearsal and seeing all her favorite people. Emma would like to thank her lovely parents, her annoying (but still loved) little brother, and for all her fellow cast members for making this musical a reality. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Josalyn Franell is a sophomore at Glen Rose High School. She has been doing theater for 5 years now. Josalyn enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys studying and listening to music. She is very excited to be the Dragon in Shrek The Musical JR! She really loves all of her friends and theater family she has made in this show. She is thankful to her directors for being kind. Her favorite quote is "Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people."

Braydon Ciecko is a freshman at Glen Rose High School. This is his 4th year in theatre and his second production as an actor. He was a part of the ensemble in Lion King Jr. and has been part of the tech crew in multiple productions. Braydon will be playing the part of Papa Bear in Shrek Jr. and hopes that this will be the beginning of a great theatre career. Braydon is a huge fan of musicals and has studied multiple Broadway shows. Braydon would like to thank his friends and family that have supported and encouraged him along the way.

Trinity McClure, the Wicked Witch, has been in the Glen Rose theater department for six years. She has had the honor of portraying several characters over the years including: Petunia in ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR., Shenzi in LION KING JR., Tenyin in THE GIFT OF TENYIN, Mama Zeke in ZINK, Mama in WHITE ROOM OF MY REMEMBERING, Olaf in FROZEN JR., and Marlene in 937. Besides theater, Trinity is a lieutenant for the Glen Rose Tiger Pride Colorguard, a devoted honor student, and President of the student led theater club. In her free time she indulges in writing and listening to true crime stories. More importantly, she wants to thank her friends for being her source of motivation and her family for their consistent support.

Gloria Moody is a tenth-grade student here at GRHS. This will be her first musical production since joining Glen Rose High School. Her character in Shrek The Musical Jr. is a pirate, as well as a squirrel. She thinks it is very important that you know that she is the squirrel that gets chased by Puss in Boots. She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be in this play, and she hopes that all of you love the show, as well as the cast, just as much as she does. She has grown so much during her time in theatre, and will certainly continue to grow throughout her whole high school career. She also hopes to be in many more productions, and take on more challenging roles as she develops.

Baillie Murdock is a 16 year old junior in high school. Baillie is in the Tiger Pride band as a color guard member. She’s been in theater as one of her classes since 7th grade but has only been in one play. In 2021, she played a troll and a maid in the play Frozen Jr.

This year has been a very successful year for her, as she has been passing her classes and in a bunch of extracurriculars. She has recently joined the praise and worship team at StoneWater Church. She is in FCCLA, theater club, environmental club, choir, culinary color gaurd and of course theater. Baillie is absolutely excited to be apart of the play Shrek Jr. and hope y’all enjoy this play as much as she does.

Gilberto Escobedo is an eighth-grader at Glen Rose Junior High. He is involved in the Glen Rose Theater program and has been in five shows with them. He kickstarted his acting career as the Grandpa in A KID'S LIFE, a small musical he performed for a Gifted-and-Talented summer camp. His performances include A zebra in the ensemble of LION KING JR. (2019), Pabbie and Ensemble in FROZEN JR. (2021), The Child and the Old Man/King understudy in THE HAPPY SCARECROW (OAP 2022), Salem the Wizard in FAIRLY-A-TALE (STUDENT PLAY 2022), and currently, Papa Ogre and a Duloc performer in SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. (2022) He is also involved in choir and is trying out for Ready Writing and Modern Oratory, as well as One Act Play. He is ecstatic to perform with such an amazing cast in SHREK JR. and is very thankful for his mom and dad, as well as his brother, aunt, and the rest of his family for supporting him. He would also like to thank his friends, Aaron T., Emily G., Reagan S., Lilly C., Landon J., and Hannah W., for making his experience in this show an enjoyable one. He'd also like to thank all the high schoolers for being welcoming to him and giving him all the advice, help, and mic-tape he needs. Most importantly, he would like to thank God for all the blessings he has given him throughout his life and acting career. He hopes to continue to grow in His word and be as blessed as he is now.

Landon Jones is an 8th grader in Junior High. He has been involved in theater for the past year and has participated in every play he can get his hands on. He was the Old Man in The Happy Scarecrow. He was the good king in Fairy-A-Tale. Now he is the Captain of The Guards in Shreak Jr. He is currently a Junior High Honors Band member. He is also on the FFA chapter conducting team. He is presently in Boy Scouts to learn how to be a leader. He would like to thank his family for believing in him. He would also like to thank Mrs. K for urging him to try out. He would also like to thank the cast for doing a great job on the show.

Hannah is over the moon to take the stage as Teen Fiona in SHREK JR! Hannah has been doing theater since she was six years old and singing for as long as she can remember. She has done musicals at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth, iTheatrics in New York City, Plaza Theatre Company in Cleburne, and many more. Her previous roles include Dot in DOT AND THE KANGAROO JR(original cast) at iTheatrics, Jane Banks in MARY POPPINS at Plaza Theatre Company, a Pickpocket in OLIVER! at Plaza theatre Company, Alice in MATILDA at Casa Mañana, Sally in CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at Plaza Jr., Bielke in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Plaza Academy and JTF, Anna in FROZEN at Plaza Academy, Annie in ANNIE at Plaza Academy, and Veruca Salt in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Hamilton Civic Theatre. Her upcoming roles include: Amahl in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS at the Fort Worth Opera, Middle Elsa/Dance Corps in FROZEN JR at Plaza Jr., and Edith in PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Plaza Academy and JTF. She loves playing basketball and hanging out with her friends. Hannah would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. K for trusting her, and her friends and family for supporting her. “Another play, another slay.” @hannah.lynn.w

Hello my name is Cayleb Davis Lawson im 15 years old and one of my favorite teachers is Mrs. K he is a wonderful teacher and his teaching ways is outstanding he is so funny and so nice also my hobbies is shooting my bow and also playing around with my dog and also shooting my pellet gun.

Reagan is an 8th grader at GRJH and she is very happy to be in Shrek! In her recent plays she has played a Guard and Hidden folk in FROZEN, for UIL ONE-ACT in THE HAPPY SCARECROW she was an alternate and, and the Spring play FAIRLY-A-TALE she played a child. She is also plays the flute in the Jr High symphonic band and enjoys it! In SHREK Reagan plays a Knight and a Duloc Performer! Reagan would like to thank her friends Emily, Gilberto, Lilly, and Hannah for inspiring her to do more shows and continue Theatre! When Reagan is not in Theatre she is at home watching Netflix and cuddling her cats. She would also like to thank her family for supporting her in theatre!

Ronayn Davis is an 8th grader at grjh. She has always loved theatre and everything that comes with it, Shrek the Musical was a great cast to work with. Ronayn also has the best costume in the show as a unicorn. Ronayn plans on going far with the Glen Rose theatre department, she also plans on becoming a world-famous actor but we'll see how that goes.

Piper Stover is a seventh grader, and she is so excited to play Gingy in Shrek. This is her first named role in a play besides the sound booth in a play. She has been in six plays so far. She was in Frozen. She was in The Little Mermaid. She was in SpongeBob. She was in Fairly a tale. She was in The Happy Scarecrow. She is in Shrek. She is in the National Jr Honors Society. She enjoys playing trombone in the JH band. In her free time, she likes to wood carve and sculpt. I enjoy volunteering all the time when I can.

Lillian Culpepper (or Lilly) is almost 13, and loves acting and dancing. She was Young Anna in Frozen Jr last year. Her little sister joined the play this year as Young Fiona. Lillian also did dance for 2 years, and she was a Lullaby League in the Wizard of Oz, and Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When she was in 4th grade she won first place in the D.I. improve challenge. She has lived on a farm now for 5 years. Before she lived on the farm she lived in Mansfield until she was 7. She is excited to perform Shrek Jr this year.

Emily Griffiths is super excited to be in SHREK JUNIOR, and is grateful to the directors for this opportunity. Emily has been in plays previously at both GRJH and Plaza Theatre Co, and is excited to do more soon! Emily's favorite role is Scarehuman in THE HAPPY SCARECROW in last years UIL One Act Play, and she received a honorable mention for her acting. She would like to thank her friends, and her family. And of course she would like thank her puppy, Mindi, for greeting her every day with dog kisses when she gets home from rehearsal. A special thanks to her Dad for watching said puppy so she can go to rehearsals. In her spare time Emily enjoys reading mystery novels, and would like to thank her friend Addi for suggesting great books! "We don't like Toby!" Emily would like to apologize to anyone named Toby in the audience, it was not aimed towards you.

Tamina Kienbaum is excited to play Kitty Softpaws in SHREK JR. because cats are her favorite animal. She is also enjoying acting alongside her brother this year. Her previous roles include being an ensemble member in FROZEN JR. and FAIRLY-A TALE. She enjoys participating in plays at Glen Rose because her parents are her directors, and she likes spending time with her family.

Dene Williams is a 8th grader this year. His job in Shrek is to provide help backstage along with controlling/helping the dragon. This is Dene's first play here in Glen Rose because he moved here recently. Dene enjoys being outside, running, and theater so far. I sometimes enjoy seeing my sister during rehearsal. However, must days she is utterly unbearable and exhausting.(Still love you sis) Enjoy the show.