Cast and Crew Bios

Director - Emma Rollins

Emma Rollins, from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a Theatre Arts Studies Major emphasizing in Directing and Dramaturgy. In addition to her work within theatre, she's also double minored in Music and Cultural Dance, having the opportunity to dance with BYU Folk Dance and American Rhythm, learning dances and songs from around the world, and even having traveled to Spain dancing and representing America. While she’s been involved in over ten shows here at BYU this is one of her first experiences directing, and she's excited to do a production that she's loved for longer than the actual show has existed. 

Stage Manager - Lauren Duffin

Lauren is finishing up her third year in the Theatre Arts Studies program here at BYU. She usually finds herself onstage so this chance to work behind the scenes was a much appreciated experience. Lauren doesn't like to make things easy on herself so she decided to stage manage two shows this semester. Lauren was last seen onstage last semester in Walking the Tightrope as a dancer. In any little free time that she can find, Lauren also likes to cook and compete as an Irish dancer. Lauren had such an amazing time working with all of the wonderful cast members and production team on this show and she hopes you enjoy this "journey to the past!"

Dramaturg - Belle Frahm

Belle is a dramaturgy major, history minor hailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She loves the musical Anastasia and all the important themes that are expressed throughout. She has worked as a dramaturg on multiple shows here at BYU, including Finding Nemo, Matilda the Musical, Fabularis Fashion Show, Swan Lake Ballet, and she is currently working on The Secret Garden and Sleeping Beauty Ballet. She is also a reviewer for the Utah Theatre Bloggers Association. Belle enjoys driving her truck, learning new things, cooking in her crockpot, and of course, listening to musicals! She hopes that you enjoy the show!

Assistant Dramaturg - Livy Little

Livy is a senior at BYU, studying Theatre Arts Studies with an emphasis in Dramaturgy. From the suburbs of Chicago, she is grateful for the opportunities she was given to both participate in and view amazing theatre. She loves being a dramaturg because it combines her love of theatre and her desire to learn new things. She has worked on multiple productions including As You Like It and 12 Angry Jurors. Livy wants to thank Emma and Belle for being amazing to work with and giving her more opportunities to practice her craft. She also wants to give a special thank you to her best friend, Emily, for sharing her love of theatre and starting her down the path that led her to where she is today. 

Set and Lighting Designer - Sariah Roberts

Sariah is an amazing person who is busy directing and designing lots of shows. She enjoys theatre and being friends with Emma. She hopes you enjoy journeying to the past!

Prop Master - Kate Hales

Kate has been doing props for 3 years at B.Y.U and she is the student manager at the prop shop. She has prop designed many shows including Fiddler on the Roof, Fabularis Fashion Show, 12 Angry Jurors, and Godspell.

Sound Designer - Patrick Egbert

Patrick is an amazing person who is busy designing lots of shows. He enjoys theatre and being friends with Emma. He hopes you enjoy journeying to the past!

Costume Designer - Ashlee Fawcett

Ashlee is an amazing person who is busy designing lots of shows. She enjoys theatre and being friends with Emma. She hopes you enjoy journeying to the past!

Music Director - Cierra Brooksby

Cierra is so thrilled to have been a part of the process of this production. A native of Phoenix, AZ, she is a junior at BYU studying choral education, and loves this show and everyone in it. She grew up with a love of musical theatre and acting, and has enjoyed this new experience of working on the other side with the crew. 

Hair & Makeup Designer - Maitlyn Wright

Maitlyn is an amazing person who is busy designing lots of shows. She is a makeup designer and also works on many projects. She enjoys theatre and being friends with Emma. She hopes you enjoy journeying to the past!

Resident Stage Manager - Rosalynn Eardley

Rosalynn is an amazing person who is busy stage managing and designing lots of shows. She enjoys theatre and being friends with Emma. She hopes you enjoy journeying to the past!

Support - Sam Rollins

Sam Rollins, a native of the far-away land of Lehi, Utah, married the director of this production in 2019, wrapping him up in her passion for this show since before they were even married. Sam has helped Emma stay sane and kept her from dropping out of college, he's also excited to graduate in April with a degree in Advertising focusing on 3D Motion Graphics. He hopes to get a job supporting his family as he will be accepting the new title of Dad later this year. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he'll enjoy getting a good night's sleep after this show is over. 

Anya - Hannah Nelson

Hannah Nelson is studying Music Education, but is a theater geek at heart! Favorite roles include: Rachel, in an original musical, The Lion’s Den; Mary, the Mother in Lamb of God; and Rusty in Footloose. She is excited to be featured this summer as a Core Cast member in the Nauvoo Pageant in Illinois! She also teaches voice at Utah Vocal Arts Academy. She’s so grateful for her awesome husband who is so supportive of all her theatrical endeavors! You can follow her on Instagram at @hannahelainenelson

Dmitry - WIlliam Isle

William Isle is from Rexburg, Idaho, and is in his second semester at BYU studying Media Arts. Past credits include Chief Beatty in Fahrenheit 451 and Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof for Madison High School, and Grover Underwood in The Lightning Thief for Carter Theatre Productions.

Vlad - Chayson Hatch

Chayson Hatch has had a heavy involvement in music his whole life. He has participated in choirs, bands, musical theatre groups, and everything in between. He has participated in the Georgia All-State Choir, sung in a competitive barbershop quartet, and spent several years performing with an award-winning high school theatre program. Some his favorite productions he’s had the privilege to be a part of were Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Junie B. Jones: the Musical, Shrek: the Musical, and, his personal favorite, playing Billy in Bright Star.

Gleb - Adam DeFord

Adam DeFord is an actor-turned-accountant who retains his love for the stage. For over a decade he has laughed, cried, and cheered right alongside his audiences. His most recent roles include Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love, Prince William in A Room Full of Glass, and Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods. Adam loves theatre in part because it brings audiences into the action. Live theatre brings emotions to the surface and makes you care about the characters in a unique way. He hopes that you experience this as you watch our production of Anastasia

Dowager - Eris Foutz

Eris Foutz is thrilled to participate in her first production at BYU. She has grown up performing in and directing numerous productions, her favorites being Les Miserables, Matilda the Musical, and An Open and Shut Case. She wants to thank Emma and the cast and crew for such an amazing opportunity!

Lily/Tsarina - Tabitha Reed

Tabitha is a freshman studying mathematics at BYU and she is so excited to be in this production of Anastasia! She has also been in other productions such as Joseph And The Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat, Some Enchanted Evening, Suessical, and The Music Man! She can be reached at 2tally2@gmail.com. Enjoy the show!

Count/Tsar - Jake Andersen

Jake Andersen has appeared in multiple theatrical productions. You might have seen him in Les Misérables or Mama Mia! Jake’s musical proficiency has been memorialized in recordings of Dalvi Duoddarr Luohti with the Texas All-State Choir and recognized with a Director’s Choice award from Flower Mound High School’s Dr. Mark Rohwer. Jake studies Political Science at Brigham Young University. A Texas native, Jake now lives in Provo UT to finish his degree. 

Alexei/Ensemble - Colette Lovell

Colette is so excited to be a part of Anastasia at BYU this semester! She has been involved in the theatre arts for nearly 10 years now, including making appearances as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest and Charlie Wilson in Rosewood and Hawthorne. When she’s not on stage, Colette enjoys songwriting, spontaneous dance parties, and has been preparing to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Colette would like her amazing roommates for their support and love and for putting up with the hours of hearing Anastasia soundtrack.

Olga Romanov/Ensemble - Rachel Huillet

Rachel Huillet has been part of many theatrical performances but this is her first here at BYU. And what better way to start it off than with one of her favorite musicals! Other previous shows include Into the Woods, Frozen, 13 and Peter Pan. Huge shout out to the best cast ever and she hopes you enjoy the magic of them too.

Tatiana Romanov/Ensemble- Sierra Stahly

Sierra is so excited to be getting back into theatre with this production of Anastasia!Favorite roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird, Terry in Stagedoor, and Velma in West Side Story. Sierra is a pursuing a BA in Dance at BYU and is currently a member of the Folk Dance Ensemble. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Maria Romanov/Ensemble - Laura Jacobs

Laura is a freshman at BYU, and is hoping to pursue a degree in Music Dance Theatre. She graduated from orem high school in 2022. Favorite roles include Polly Baker (Crazy for You) at Orem High School; Yellow Dog (Go, Dog. Go!) at BYU; and most recently, Lydia Bennet at the Hale Center Theatre Orem.

Ensemble - Jashub Young

This is Jashub's second semester at BYU, and this is his first musical since his mission. He has acted in other productions such as Newsies, The Fiddler on the Roof, and Into the Woods. If you would like to see him in action more, head to Evermore Park, where he'll be acting this summer! Thanks for watching!

Ensemble - Jared Wise

Jared is excited to be a part of this production of Anastasia! This is his first time being a part of a production since he returned from serving a mission in Yakima, Washington. He is currently studying as a Pre-MDT student at BYU. He is so grateful to his wife for her support!