Meet the Cast & Crew!

MEET THE CAST

Finley Baumann (Teenager) is so excited to be in this show! She attends High Point Academy and has done many plays there. She was recently in The Lightning Thief as the Squirrel. Finley loves to sing, dance, and read. Finley would love to thank her parents for letting her do this. She would also love to thank her grandparents for supporting her.

Adelyn Craig (Duckling) is thrilled to make her SYT debut! She appeared as Gretl in SLT's production of The Sound of Music. Other favorite roles include Annie Jr. (Annie), Disney’s Aladdin Jr. (Genie), and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr. (Matilda) with Pine Street School, and Shrek the Musical (Young Fiona), The Music Man (Gracie Shinn), and Disney’s Frozen (Young Anna) with District Seven. Adelyn studies with Dr. Valerie MacPhail at Converse and with Broadway Artist Alliance in NYC. Keep flappin’ friends! 

Chloe Elder (Duckling) is thrilled to debut on the SYT stage! Some of her favorite appearances were Pine Street's Annie and District 7's Shrek, as well as productions with Ballet Spartanburg. She's a 3rd grader at Pine Street Elementary and in her free time enjoys reading, singing, and art. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.

Felicity Ferguson (Pigeon) is so excited to be on tage bringing to life one of her favorite childhood books! Favorite past SYT productions include Pete the Cat: The Musical, The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr. In addition to singing, dancing and acting, Felicity loves playing basketball. She’s grateful for this opportunity and is grateful to her family for supporting her always.

Michael Grizzle (Puppy) is excited to make his SYT debut! Michael has participated in workshops with SYT and played the role of James in SYT’s summer production camp of James in the Giant Peach. Michael is a 3rd grader at Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary. At school he participates in running club and plays violin with CFG's Suzuki Strings.

Gloriana Howard (Bus Engine/Hot Dog Vendor/Mom/City Worker/Plane Engine/Dance Captain) is blessed to have one last show at SYT! She's been a part of 14 shows over the past 5 years, notably The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, and most recently Disney’s Frozen Jr.! She wants to take her last opportunity to thank not only her directors, family, and friends- but every patron who has enjoyed her work. Romans 15:13.

Selah Rodriguez (Bus Driver) is SO excited to be in this production! She loves being in SYT productions. Previous favorite roles include Centaur in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Matilda in Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr. She attends Dawkins Middle School as an 8th grader, and sends a big, "Thank You!" to all of her teachers who help her learn and encourage her curiosity.

Raina Sexeny-Hauser (Duckling) is a third grader who attends Spartanburg Day School. This is her first Spartanburg Youth Theatre production!

Keaton Smith (Little Old Lady) is ecstatic to be back on the SYT stage. She is a 5th grader at Wyldeside Academy Homeschool. Some of her favorite roles at SYT include Little Fish in The Rainbow Fish and Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!

Kirk Suits (Businessman) is excited to be in this production! He loves acting and animals, so this show is a perfect fit. He enjoys sharing the stage with his brother Judah and sister Annaleah and will again this spring in The Wizard of Oz with District 7. Past shows include Robin Hood, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Disney’s Moana Jr., Disney’s Aladdin Jr., Annie Jr., The Music Man, and Shrek the Musical. Thanks to his family and the cast and crew!

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

MADDIE TISDEL (DIRECTOR/SYT EDUCATION COORDINATOR) is lucky she got to direct Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus at her favorite place with the best people! She graduated from Converse University in 2018 with a BA in musical theatre and history and has been working as Education Coordinator at Spartanburg Youth Theatre since 2023. Maddie last directed The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, The Rainbow Fish, and Charlotte’s Web at Spartanburg Youth Theatre and Grease, Footloose and The Red Velvet Cake War at Spartanburg Little Theatre. She manages the SYT On Tour program, which works to expand theatre accessibility to all students in Spartanburg.  For SYT on Tour she has directed/toured the shows Balloonacy and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs to schools in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Greenville counties. She was last seen onstage in Enemy of the People (Billings) at The Warehouse Theatre, Alice (Queen of Hearts/Door Mouse) at The South Carolina Children’s Theatre, and Kinky Boots (Lauren) at Spartanburg Little Theatre. She also partners with The Upstate Warriors Solutions through The Warehouse Theatre to provide theatre education to active-duty military, veteran, and first responder families in the Upstate. Maddie would like to thank the cast, crew, creative team, and staff for all their hard work to make this silly show possible. She would also like to thank Austin, her family, friends, and her cat AL for all their love and support.

RACHEL JOHNSON (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) is an Upstate composer, music director, sound designer, theatre educator, and more! Her recent work this season includes Robin Hood (SYT), Bonnie & Clyde (SLT), Macbeth (Wofford Theatre), Click, Clack, Boo! (SC Children’s Theatre), and Pete the Cat: The Musical (SYT). She is overjoyed to be working on this production and is so proud of and grateful for everyone involved. She thanks her partner and Poodle for all their support and dedicates her work to her father. 

BELLA SCOTT (STAGE MANAGER) Bella Scott has had the honor of participating with SYT for the past five years. Some of her favorites include The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. She hopes you all enjoy watching this fantastic cast and crew as they help this Pigeon DRIVE THE BUS!

ALYSSA GOODENOUGH (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) is thrilled to return to the SYT! This is her fourth production at SYT, with her favorite being Pete the Cat: The Musical. She enjoys spending time with her cast and crew friends while expanding her theatre experience. She hopes you enjoy the show!

JAELEAH WISE (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) is a junior at Dorman High School and she is thrilled to be assistant stage managing for the first time! Jaeleah has appeared in five productions at SYT and ten productions with the Dorman Theatre Department, including her recent role as Peppermint Patty in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. She extends her thanks to her friends and loving family!

MARY ASHTON GARRETT (MUSIC DIRECTOR) graduated in 2024 from Converse University with a Bachelor of Arts in music education and is currently pursuing her Master’s in vocal performance at Converse, with plans to graduate in May 2026. Mary has over five years of experience teaching music and voice through summer camps, private instruction, and various educational programs, and has taught multiple classes with Spartanburg Youth Theatre. She is passionate about helping young performers grow in confidence, musicianship, and artistry. This is her first time serving as Music Director at SYT, and it has been a great privilege and a joyful experience.

TIFFANY AUSTIN (CHOREOGRAPHER) grew up dancing and training right here in Spartanburg. She has attended summer intensives with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the American Ballet Theatre, where she performed as a demi-soloist. Tiffany has appeared in multiple Spartanburg Little Theatre productions, her favorites including The Music Man and Legally Blonde. She has also had the pleasure of choreographing Spartanburg Youth Theatre’s productions of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr., The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, and Pete the Cat: The Musical. Tiffany is thrilled to be a part of this production and to share her passion for dance with others. “The world is your stage!”

PAULA ARNOLD (CO-COSTUME DESIGNER) is delighted to serve as Co-Costumer for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Paula has appeared onstage in numerous SLT productions and has music directed several SYT shows. Paula has great memories of reading the Pigeon books with her sons—complete with dramatic voices and very firm “NOs!”—making this story a family favorite. Fun fact: Paula grew up surrounded by pigeons--her dad was a pigeon enthusiast and breeder. And even though one pigeon won National Best in Show, he still wasn't allowed to drive the bus.

JESSIE CANTRELL (CO-COSTUME DESIGNER) is so excited to bring Pigeon to life at SYT! She is no stranger to the stage here and was most recently seen as Rheba in You Can't Take It with You. Other SLT credits include Tina in Sister Act, ensemble in Mamma Mia!, Adella in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Euterpe in Xanadu. She has instructed camps & classes at SYT, and worked as the Assistant Director for Disney’s Frozen Jr., Production Assistant for Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Assistant Director/Costumer for Xanadu Jr. over the summer. She is a graduate of Limestone College, where she received a B.A. in theatre. Special thanks to the cast and creative team for such a fantastic experience!

DR. TIM BAXTER-FERGUSON (SCENIC DESIGNER) is delighted to be designing again for SYT. Some of his favorite designs at SYT include The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr., A Christmas Carol, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Charlotte's Web, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. For Spartanburg Little Theatre his designs include Bonnie and Clyde, The Full Monty, Always a Bridesmaid, Kinky Boots, You Can’t Take It With You, Murder on the Orient Express, Wait Until Dark, and Holmes & Watson. Currently, Tim teaches theatre at both Landrum High School and Landrum Middle School. Previously, for two decades, he created and ran the theatre department at Limestone University. He has worked professionally as a director and scenic designer at Charlotte Children’s Theatre, Queen City Theatre, CAST Theatre, and others. As a playwright, his play Icefishing on Europa was given a staged reading off-Broadway by Out-of-the-Box Theatrics. He has multiple awards both for his scenic design work and his directing. His college production of Avenue Q led to 11 Metrolina Theatre Awards, including Best Direction and Best Scenic Design.

JADE ALFORD (PROPERTIES MASTER/SCENIC PAINTER) is so excited to be working with Spartanburg Youth Theatre again. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Limestone College. She has previously designed props for Pete the Cat: The Musical, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, Annie Jr., Dragons Love Tacos, Disney’s The Lion King Jr., and The Rainbow Fish. In addition to props, her scenic painting has been seen in SYTs Charlotte’s Web, Annie Jr., Dragons Love Tacos, Disney’s The Lion King Jr., Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr., Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, Pete the Cat: The Musical, and Disney’s Frozen Jr.

SERGER JIMENEZ (PRODUCTION ASSISTANT) is a recent graduate of Converse University, where he earned a dual degree in musical theatre and Hispanic studies. Throughout his time at Converse, Serger was actively involved in numerous theatrical productions, both on campus and in the broader community, gaining experience as a performer, collaborator, and creative leader. With a deep passion for storytelling, Serger is especially committed to using theatre as a tool for education, empowerment, and cultural connection. As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, he understands the transformative power of the arts and is driven to make theatre more accessible to underserved communities. Serger is focused on sharing his love for performance with the next generation. He hopes to teach, mentor, and inspire local youth through SYT and help them find their voices.