Peter and the Starcatcher

Department of Theatre and Dance 

Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts

Kathleen Kelley, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance 

Artistic and Cast Biographies 

Ryan Kasprzak(Director) Ryan Kasprzak was Dance Supervisor for the And Peggy Company of Hamilton that premiered in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda returning to the title role. He received a Chita Rivera Award nomination for his Broadway debut in Bandstand under the direction of three-time Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler. National Tours: Billy Elliot (Associate Resident Choreographer / Dance Captain), Fosse (Dance Captain). TV: NBC’s Smash (Asst. Choreographer), Fox’s SYTYCD. Choreography credits include Southern Comfort (Public Theater), David Blaine’s Real or Magic, Brave New World (NC Stage), Mary Poppins (NCT). NYMF award winners Academia Nuts, Cloned, Volleygirls. Creator with multi–Drama Desk Award nominated Parallel Exit: Physical Comedy Theater. Ryan is currently the Head of Musical Theatre at Montclair State University having previously served as the founding Co-Head of Acting for Musical Theatre at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. MFA Choreography from Wilson College, BFA Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Love always in all ways to LL, Sally, Wyman, & Scout. www.ryankasprzak.com

David Fraley(Music Director)​David Fraley is a pianist and music director in NYC/NJ. He works with universities, cabarets, readings, workshops, mainstage productions, basement hangouts, and living room impromptus. He specializes in piano reduction, auditions, teaching, and Sondheim. He hopes he can be your friend. MSU: Blind Injustice; Spring Awakening. Forestburgh: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Spamalot; Addams Family. NYC: Charlotte Lucas is 27 and Not Dead; Open, Stay; Minoru: Scrape the Sky. 54 Below: Actor Therapy Lippa/LaChiusa; Sati: Goddess Incarnate. Pepperdine: Mamma Mia!, Big Fish. davidfraley.com

Jessica Chen(choreographer)Jessica Chen is a Bessie-nominated choreographer and Artistic Director of J CHEN PROJECT. She is thrilled to choreograph another production at Montclair State University after the incredible experience working on Spring Awakening in 2023. Her credits include choreographing Cabaret at CenterREP (Bay Area’s Top 3 Best Dance Productions 2024/Broadway World), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at GEVA and Syracuse Stage, and performance works at New York Fashion Week, Lincoln Center, and MACY’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Jessica served as Assistant Director for SUMO at The Public Theater (Drama Desk Award for Fight Choreography). She is a recipient of the 2025 SDCF Lynnette Barkley Fund. Her show, AAPI Heroes, tours nationally in 2026. She is a proud member of SDC. www.jessicachen.co 

Bella Marie(Assistant Director) is in her final semester in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This is her second time being on the creative team here at Montclair State, and she’s thrilled to be exploring her passion for directing under the tutelage of Ryan Kasprzak. Her most recent project at Montclair was working alongside Mandie Rapoza as an assistant choreographer and swinging Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. She’s had a blast working with this team, and she’s so proud of her talented starcatchers! #transfernation @bbella_mariee

Sarah Koestner(Dialect Coach) Sarah Koestner teaches acting and voice and speech in the theater department at Montclair State University. Previously she has taught at NYU and Rutgers University. She earned her MFA in Acting at Rutgers University where she trained under William Esper and Lloyd Richards and received her BFA in Acting from Emerson College. New York theater credits include: The Libertine, Love Song, Waiting for Lefty, and Betrayal. Regional credits include: The Understudy, The Libertine, The Maids, Doubt, Landscape of the Body and She Stoops to Conquer. She's also been featured in numerous films and webseries. She's a proud member of Actor's Equity. 

Charlotte Vybihal(Production Stage Manager)Charlotte Vybihal, a sophomore DTM major, is STARstruck to be making her Production Stage Manager debut with this fantastic cast and creative team. This is Charlotte's 9th production at Montclair as previous work includes Oklahoma! (Asst. Stage Manager), Mad Forest (Asst. Stage Manager), Spring & Fall Dance Productions (Asst. Stage Manager) and more! She would like to thank Ryan and the entire starcatcher production team, especially her assistants Caroline and Bren, for their outstanding collaboration throughout this process. Special thanks to her friends and family for their continued support and guidance! Enjoy the show! :) @Charlotte.vybihal 

Cast

Elizabeth St. Louis(u/s Smee, Hawking Clam) Elizabeth is a freshman Musical Theatre major and Peter and the Starcatcher is her first production at Montclair! She is very excited to continue performing at Montclair and beyond. 

Matt Snyder(Teacher/Puppet Captain) Matt Snyder (he/they) (Teacher/Puppet Captain) is a junior musical theatre major at MSU, and he is beyond excited to be starcatching with this incredible company! His previous credits with MSU include Assassins (Stage Manager), Anyone Can Whistle (George/Ensemble), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble). @mattnsnyder

Manny Platis(Understudy: Boy, Aster, Grempkin ) Manny Platis is a freshman musical theatre major and is extremely grateful to be making his MSU swing debut in Peter and the Starcatcher! Appeared in Lakewood Campgrounds: High Steppin Country, and Theatre of the Republics: Jersey Boys. He is thrilled to be at MSU and is looking forward to further productions here at Montclair and beyond. 

Eoin Betancourt(Prentiss) Eoin is a Freshman Musical Theatre Student at MSU and is excited to appear in his first show within the department. They hope to continue learning and growing their craft over the next 3 years.

Madison Fair(Swing (U/S Black Stache, Slank, and Mrs. Bumbrake)) Madison Fair (she/her) is honored to be a swing in this production of Peter and the Starcatcher! She is a junior in the Musical Theatre BFA major from Los Angeles and her experience thus far at MSU has been nothing short of a blessing. “And so it was, on the brink of a new adventure!”

Selena(Boys mom/ensemble) Selena Nejal is a current freshman at MSU and is so thrilled to be making her official debut in Peter and the Starcatcher! She is so incredibly excited and grateful to be apart of such an intricate hard working cast, and can’t wait for everyone to see the magic this show has to offer!

Lorenzo Hilliard(Alf)  LORENZO HILLIARD is a freshman musical theatre major and excited to make his MSU debut! Theatre: Urinetown (Lockstock), Chicago (Amos), The Who's Tommy (Ernie), A Chorus Line (Don), Pippin (Lewis), Fables (Frog), Crazy For You (Junior), Big Shot (Him), West Side Story (Indio). Training: The Long Island High School for the Arts, The Eglevsky Ballet, American Theatre Dance Workshop. @lorenzohilliard_

Donny Nikola(Grempkin) Donny is thrilled to be part of his final production at MSU. His favorite credits include Phil Collins (Up With A Twist), Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), and Station Master (Bright Star). He would like to thank his friends and family for their endless love and support.

Avery Soren(Understudy/Swing: Molly, Prentiss, Fighting Prawn)Avery Soren is a Freshman MT from SOBX, North Carolina. Last semester she was an assistant stage manager for Montclair State’s production of Assassin's in Concert and is now making her swing debut! She is beyond grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to take part in more productions at MSU! ☆ @avery.soren

Lilly Mae Stover(Ted and Alf U/S) Lilly Mae is thrilled to be part of this production as a freshman. She’s so grateful for her incredible castmates and the amazing program at MSU as she pursues her BFA in this beautiful industry, and can’t wait for many more shows ahead!

Instagram: @lillymaestover

Bridget Sindelar(Smee) Bridget Sindelar  is excited to be a part of this show! She most recently played Natasha in Great Comet, and this show marks her fifth MSU production. Along with musical theatre, Bridget enjoys teaching fitness classes, crocheting, playing piano, and baking. She has had a great time building this fun and exciting show, and she hopes you enjoy!!

Benjamin Casey(Boy/Peter) Ben is jazzed to be in his third year and production here at MSU. Ben has previously been seen as Anatole in Montclairs “Great Comet” and ensemble in “Sophisticated Ladies”. He would like to dedicate this performance to his grandpa.

John Kearney(Captain Scott, Dance Captain)John Kearney (Captain Scott, Dance Captain) is a junior in the BFA MT program at Montclair State University. He is hooked on this show and so grateful to be a part of this production. Regional: The Lex: 42nd Street, Joseph… Dreamcoat. Interlakes: Newsies, Chicago, Legally Blonde. For more John-tent, follow him on Instagram: @jo.kear

Makena Mitchell(Fighting Prawn )Makena is just jazzed to be in her fourth and final production at Montclair State! As a senior in the BFA MT program, past roles include “Hélène” (Great Comet), Ensemble/Violet U/S (Violet), and Mrs. Schroeder (Anyone Can Whistle). She is so grateful for her time at MSU, and especially for all the fun had making this show. She hopes the show shivers your timbers! 

DJ DeJesus(Black Stache)DJ DeJesus is a second year Musical Theatre major, and is thrilled to be apart of his fourth production at Montclair State University! He was last seen as John Hinkley in Assassins. He wants to thank everyone who has and continues to support him through his journey in college and beyond. 

Lizzie Caldon(Mrs. Bumbrake)Lizzie Caldon is a sophomore BFA musical theatre major who is thrilled to be making her MSU stage debut. @ehcaldon

Emilee Johnson(Slank)Emilee Johnson is a junior BFA musical theatre major from Charlotte, NC. She’s has been a part of 3 main stage productions and is so excited to be making her studio show debut! Insta: @emileerosej

Grace Dominguez(Mack)Grace is a freshman MT major and is thrilled to be making her MSU debut as Mack! After doing theatre for 14 years, she is thankful to be following her passion and furthering her education in this incredible program. She hopes you enjoy this beautiful, whimsical tale!

Ryan Pearce(Star catcher ) Ryan has been studying at MSU for 1 year and this is his MSU debut. Ryan pearce is currently studying Musical Theater and is looking forward to future productions at MSU and beyond.

Matty Morales Ward(Starcatcher )Matty is a sophomore Musical Theatre major who is excited to be in his third production at MSU. Most recently he was seen in the fall production of Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 as Andrey. Thank you to the amazing cast, crew, and all his friends/family for their support! Enjoy the show! 

Lucy George(Ted)Lucy George (she/they) has been at MSU for one year after transferring from Uarts. She is so grateful to be apart of a production with such a supportive cast and whimsical rehearsal process! 

Talia Fabrizzio(Molly Aster)  Talia Fabrizzio is a sophomore Musical Theatre major and is thrilled to be a part of this creatively fulfilling production! Previous credits at MSU include Assassins (Proprietor) and Oklahoma (Gertie Cummings).

Desirae Powell(Thomas) Desirae Powell (A second year MT) is so grateful to be in her second MSU production, following ‘Oklahoma!’ In the spring of 2025. Desirae is excited to continue her journey at Montclair and she can’t help but thank the amazing team that put together ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’. Enjoy!

Adrian Colón-Burgos(Hawking Clam)Adrian Colón-Burgos is a born and raised Puerto Rican actor, who is currently based in Montclair, New Jersey. He is curently attending Montclair State, getting his BFA in Musical Theater. His recent credits include Great Comet of 1812 (Balaga), Oklahoma (Ali Hakim), West Side Story (Luis), Evita (Dancer), Hair Spray (Nice Kid), Fiddler on the Roof (Bottle Dancer u/s Fyedka), Mama Mia (Dancer), Spring Awakening (Male Swing). Adrian is excited to take his final MSU bow and will be graduating this May.

Jack Pawlowski(Lord Aster)Jack Pawlowski is sophomore at MSU studying Musical Theatre, he has been previously seen in, Assassins and Oklahoma! Jack is so grateful to be apart of such an incredible company!