Seniors
Blaise Ball
Blaise Ball is the daughter of Shawn and Tiffany Ball. She has participated in the musical for three years. Blaise portrayed Young Cinderella and was a stage crew member in Cinderella, acted as Baby Bear and a Dragonette in Shrek, and is a City Father Munchkin and Jitterbug in The Wizard of Oz this year. Her favorite musical memory is show week because the cast spends a tremendous amount of time together and has a blast. She also enjoys seeing the whole production come together on the show nights. Blaise’s advice to underclassmen is to not hold back and enjoy every minute of high school. “High school goes by so fast, don’t let fear hold you back from trying new activities. Build as many friendships and relationships with people as you can, you won’t ever regret it.” Blaise plans to study both secondary education and business while furthering her cross-country and track career at either Friends University or Baker University.
Gage Brown
Gage Brown is the son of Gary and Wendy Brown. He was 2 musicals before the Wizard of Oz. He was the king in Cinderella and had multiple roles in Shrek the musical. His favorite PLHS musical memories are seeing how Simon and Jolie portrayed Shrek and Donkey, as well as being Grumpy Dwarf in the same musical. Gage would like to tell the underclassmen to try their best and have fun with their roles in future musicals. Gage plans on going to a college where they have classes about Music Production, as well as make more YouTube videos. “When I was a freshman, I didn’t want to do anything revolving around the musical. Now that I have done the musical for three years, I wished I would’ve done it in my freshman year. It has been fun acting, singing, and making new friends in each one of the musicals.
Lacey Fisher-Hurd
Lacey Fisher-Hurd is the daughter of Janel Failer. Lacey has portrayed The Ugly Duckling in Shrek the Musical, and a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. Her favorite musical memory is prank night of Shrek the musical, where everyone was having fun and surprising the audience with silly lines. Lacey would like to tell underclassmen to just try out and not be afraid to take on a role. “My first few weeks as the Ugly Duckling were pretty intimidating, but over time, I grew into my character and started to have fun with it! Remember that each role is important, including stage crew, lighting, etc, and that if each person does their best, the audience will LOVE IT!” After graduating, Lacey plans to attend Emporia University to study English.
Makayla Hack
Makayla Hack is the daughter of Mandi Trendel and Brian Hack. Makayla participated in four musicals at PLHS including an angry parent in Bye Bye Birdie, a ballroom guest in Cinderella, a Rat in Shrek, and a Munchkin/Jitterbug in The Wizard of Oz. Makayla’s favorite PLHS musical memory was being able to dance with some of her best friends on stage dressed as a rat in Shrek. Makayla would like to tell underclassmen to work hard, come prepared, make memories, and have fun, because in the blink of an eye it will soon all be over. “Joining the Musical has really brought me out of my shell and has given me some of my best high school memories. I’m really going to miss it.” Next year, Makayla plans to study Psychology at Kansas State University.
Dorothy Haggard
Dorothy Haggard is the daughter of Kelly and Calla Haggard. She has been in Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, Shrek, and The Wizard of Oz throughout high school. Her favorite musical memory is performing Shrek on the last night with her sister (or something like that). Dorothy would like to tell the underclassmen to have fun and enjoy musical while it lasts, because high school will go by faster than you think. Next year, Dorothy plans to study engineering at KU or Stanford.
Jenna Keller
Jenna Keller is the daughter of Pam and John Keller. She has participated in the musical all four years. She played the role of Penelope in Bye Bye Birdie, a villager in Cinderella, Cinderella and a Duloc Dancer in Shrek. This year she is Aunt Em, a Tree, and a Jitterbug in The Wizard Of Oz. Her favorite memory from musical is dancing in Shrek as a Duloc Dancer. She plans on attending Grinnell College to study mathematics and play volleyball.
Emaily Leslie
Emaily Leslie is the daughter of Andy Leslie. Emaily has been a major part of stage crew for the last three musicals; Cinderella, Shrek, and The Wizard of Oz. Her favorite musical memory is when Jen Folks tasked her with playing a prank on Grant Roush during his role of Pinocchio. She would like to tell the underclassmen to work hard, but above all else, have fun being on that stage. Next year, Emaily will be attending K-State University to Major in Stage Management.
Talena Malloy
Talena Malloy is the daughter of Aimee Malloy and Joe Malloy. This is her first time performing in a musical, but she’s been in Singers for three years and Concert Choir for one. She has also performed in 14 Nutcrackers at Ballet Midwest and many Spring Ballet’s. Talena’s favorite musical memory is watching Kaylene perform the dragon part in Shrek. Her plans after highschool is going to a 4 year college or tech school and become a Surgical Tech, or something in that area.
Jesse Messer
Jesse Messer, Son of Richard Messer, and Sandy Rivers. This is his second year in the musical. Jesse has had the enjoyment of playing important roles such as the terribly short tempered Farquaad, and the Wizard of Oz. His favorite memory is that of starting a small occult group around a wooden board that bears the names of past Seniors. Jesse hopes to join the national guard and further his education.
Kyle Newman
Kyle Newman
Son of Kevin and Jamie Newman
Plan on pursuing college after high school.
Simon Orr
Simon Orr is the son of Karen and Steven Orr. He was a part of the musical stage crew for one year, and an actor during the next three years. Simon’s favorite musical moment is when he sung “Big Bright Beautiful World” from the Shrek musical during the pep rally. Simon’s advice to underclassmen is to always have fun. Simon plans to major in general music and pursue music production as a hobby.
Kay Ross
Kay Ross is the daughter of Gene Ross and Dorene Ross. She has been in the musical for three years and regrets not joining her freshman year. She played as Young Girl in Cinderella, Elf in Shrek, and a City Father in The Wizard of Oz. Her favorite musical memory would have to be a tie between the amount of falls on stage in Shrek, and the first dress rehearsals when everyone is in costume for the first time. Her advice to the underclassmen would be “Don’t be afraid to try something new. I remember when I decided to try out for the musical on a dare. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.” Kay plans to finish her associates in graphic design at Washburn University then moving on to study animation.
Grant Roush
Grant is the son of Scott and Chris Roush. He’s been in the musical for three years. A villager in Cinderella, Pinocchio in Shrek and a crow in the wizard of oz. His favorite memory of the musical is when he yelled at spunky on stage during a performance. His advice to the freshmen would be to always be a game time player. His plans are to go to K-State and get a degree in constructional management.
Levi Sieben
Levi Sieben is the son of Jennifer and Patrick Sieben. He has done stage crew since his sophomore year. Levi’s favorite PLHS musical memory is when he broke his kneecap during practice. He plans to go to a community college next year to work towards a business degree.
Riley Tust
Riley Tust is the son of Robert and Janet Tust. Riley was in 4 musicals at PLHS including Randolph Mcafee in Bye Bye Birdie, a Villager in Cinderella, King Harold in Shrek and a Crow in The Wizard of Oz. Riley’s favorite musical memory is stealing a box of pizza and bringing it into the dressing room. Riley’s advice to the underclass men is just to have fun. After Graduation Riley plans to join the Air Force to be a Air Craft Electrician.
Zoe Urban
Zoe Urban is the daughter of Marga and Eric Urban. Involved with the musical all four years, Zoe started out as spotlight in Bye, Bye, Birdie, ensemble in Cinderella, Captain of the Guards in Shrek, and Official (Unofficial) Costume Person in Wizard of Oz. Her favorite memory is dancing in Cinderella--with all the waltzes and big dance numbers. She was informed after the fact that people could see her smiling all the way from the back row--probably with the help of bright red lipstick. She wishes to bid the underclassmen the advice of "life is an act, but there's something to be said about having fun with a scene." Zoe plans to attend Emporia or Washburn University with a dual major in English and Social Studies education.
Addison Zachariah
Addison Zachariah is the daughter of Emily Bandel and Jeremiah Zachariah. This is her first musical at PLHS and she has served at the dinner theater since middle school. Addison’s favorite musical memory was the day the announced the Wizard of Oz cast list when many of the cast members just waited at the office in anticipation. Addison would like to tell underclassman to do the musical. If you are thinking about the musical, try out because you might regret it later.