Dear Audience Member,

Thank you for joining us for this bold and imaginative presentation of Romeo & Juliet. In just under four weeks, our Young Actors Ensemble has taken on one of Shakespeare’s most iconic works, infusing it with music and movement, to bring an original vision to life.

This production is the result of intense dedication, creative risk-taking, and a deep love of storytelling. We are incredibly proud of these young artists and the passion they’ve poured into bringing this world to life.

Thank you for being with us, and for supporting the youth on our stage. We hope you enjoy the show!

Daena Santoyo

Artistic Executive Director

PRODUCTION TEAM

Artistic Directors Daena Santoyo, Megan Sicotte-Kelly

Producer Daena Santoyo

Directed by Casey Robbins

Assistant Director Chiya Newman

Drama Educator Casey Robbins

Choreographer Emma Rose Allen

Fight Choreographers Jody Sasaki, Adele Sasaki

Costumes Daena Santoyo, Calvin Vail, production design student

Master Carpenter Jeremy Oggletree

Stage Managers Chiya Newman, Naomi Santoyo

Stagehands Avani Cheung, Pearce Keenan, Arya Ramirez

Lighting Design Claire Cleary

Light Board Operator McKenna Turner

Sound Design Casey Robbins

Sound Technician Adam Dunn

Sound Board Technician & Op Naomi Santoyo

House Manager Emma-Rose Allen

Indira Simms (NURSE) and Heart Heimbinder (JULIET) in rehearsal

ROMEO & JULIET

Romeo and Juliet begins in the streets of Verona, where a long-standing feud between the Montagues and Capulets erupts in violence once again. Amid the chaos, young Romeo Montague crashes a Capulet party and meets Juliet, the daughter of his family’s sworn enemy. In a single, fateful night, the two fall deeply in love. Their connection is instant and intense—sparking a secret romance that defies their families’ hatred and sets the course for one of the most iconic tragedies in theater history.

Wonderful dad volunteers installing the set!

SPECIAL THANKS

Parents & Volunteers Our dedicated team of parent volunteers help make everything possible. We can't say thank you enough for your volunteer work. Many special features in OYES productions are made possible by concessions proceeds!

Jody Sasaki Thank you for lending your talent and expertise to our production. Our students have thoroughly enjoyed bringing your fight choreography to life on stage!

SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

Table read for Romeo & Juliet

Summer Program Sponsor

The Heimbinder Family Foundation

Help a Child

Summer Session Donors

BRAVO (Gifts of $1,000 - $2,500)

Siobhan McDevitt

Herb Hemming

ENCORE (Gifts of $350–$999)

Annette Carrillo

APPLAUSE (Gifts under $350)

Camille Holly

Kathy Dawson

Rhonda F Byrne

Joann Yabrof

Christine Apostolina Beirne

Leonard Klaif

Kathleen Robert Kostrzewa

Sean Keenan

Community Sponsor

Thank you for your continued support!

Your gift is making a difference in a young persons life.

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST

Azielle Holt (ROMEO) Azielle holt is someone who loves the arts. Theater, music, drawing, you name it. Azi is so exited to perform as Romeo, and is also so proud of her cast mates for coming this far. Azi has done many plays and musicals with OYES, starting when she was six years old and now going into high school. She's done two Shakespeare plays so far, and loves his works. In her spare time, Azi enjoys drawing, playing bass and piano, animating, listening to music, hanging out with her cat, sleeping in as much as possible, and being with her friends. Azi would like to thank all those that have supported her throughout her life and journey. 

Anja Kocijan (LADY CAPULET) is an Ojai Valley native who took her first acting steps as the Madame in the OYES production of Aristocats in Summer of 2022. She furthered her acting experience in OYES production of Wizard of Oz. After several years of hiatus, she is now rediscovering her love of acting and show business returning to OYES.

Emei Mang (FRIAR LAWRENCE, SAMPSON) Emei would like to give thanks to all the wonderful people who got her here including her family and friends, Naomi, Daena, Casey, and the whole tech crew.

Heart Heimbinder (JULIET CAPULET, EXECUTIONER 1) Heart is 13 years old and she loves to Act, Sing, and Dance. This is Heart’s first Shakespeare production and her 8th with OYES. She is active in the local theatre community and has been a part of various productions with Oak Grove Theatre and Santa Barbara Opera playing notable roles including Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods JR, Cinderella in Rogers and Hammerstein Cinderella JR and Gabriella Montez in High School Musical JR. She is ecstatic to be in this production and can't wait to perform today.

Heron Heimbinder (MONTAGUE, PETER) is 11 years old making her the youngest actor in the production today. She has a passion for musical theatre and has participated in various productions with Oyes. Notable roles include Annie as Annie, The Lion King as Nala, and The Wizard of Oz as Glinda. She has also been a part of productions with Oak Grove Theatre. She is in her second year as a member of Ojai Music Academy’s Pixies Choir. This is her eighth production at Oyes and she is so excited to be a part of this play!

Indira Simms (NURSE, ABRAHAM, EXECUTIONER) is a 14-year-old entering 9th grade at Oak Grove and has performed in 20 plays—17 with OYES and 3 at Oak Grove. She began acting at age six as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain, a role that sparked her love for performance and classic musicals.Romeo and Juliet is her third Shakespeare production, following her debut as Flute inA Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also enjoys surfing, singing, traveling, and thrifting. Indira thanks all who have supported her, most of all her grandma, who took her to see her first Broadway show. Indira also thanks the amazing crew at OYES, as well as the director, Casey Robbins, and Daena Santoyo, for pushing her to be the best she can be. Indira is thrilled for everyone to see this futuristic production of Romeo and Juliet.

Kai Wyatt (MERCUTIO, LADY MONTAGUE, DONATELLO, FIRST WATCHMAN) As a long time admirer of Shakespeare's works and the people that perform them, Kai couldn't be happier to have joined this production of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio (and a special person who's played him) has long been an important influence throughout their growth as a performer. Kai would like to thank their parents, director, and all the people who've helped them get to where they are today.

Kenzie Bea Richey (LORD CAPULET) is a 16-year-old rising junior performing as LORD CAPULET. This is her first OYES production. A dedicated member of the Kingwood Theatre Company, she has performed in over 15 productions, including High School Musical, Xanadu, and Phantom of the Opera. Her favorite role so far has been Stepmother in Cinderella. She wants to thank her family for the opportunity to spend a month in California working on this production with her cousins, Heart and Heron Heimbinder.

Lua Malissia Nordskog (PRINCE, FIRST MUSICIAN) has been acting since she was five. Her favorite roles were Mowgli in “The Jungle Book”, Hannah in “Newsies” and Annette in “Annie”. Her favorite thing about OYES is connecting with the other actors.

Maya Labine (PARIS, GREGORY) Maya is absoulutely thrilled to participate in this production of Romeo and Juliet. She has done two other Shakespeare plays with Oyes, (Midsummer nights dream, and the tempest where she played Ariel.) and she is very exited to do more. Past oyes productions include: Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods (Covid version), Pirates Past Noon, The Wizard of Oz, and The Lion King. Oak grove school productions include: Fiddler on the Roof, Matilda, and The sound of Music. Maya would like to thank the entire oyes team for helping her along the way, and her family for loving snd supporting her.

River Peña (TYBALT, PARIS’S PAGE) is a 10th grader at Ventura High School and a member of the school’s improv troupe. He has performed with OYES, the Ojai Art Center, the Lake Dillon Theatre Company, along with other companies. Past roles include Troy in High School Musical, Mufasa in The Lion King, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Christophe in Frozen, Ferdinand in Tempest, along with other roles. This is his second Shakespeare production, and he’s excited to bring this unique version of Romeo and Juliet to the stage!

Sadie Kann (PROLOGUE SPEAKER, PETRUCHIO, THIRD MUSICIAN, SECOND WATCHMAN, APOTHECARY) Sadie is thirteen years old and is interested in starting her journey of doing theater. Her first play was a production of Mary Poppins at Oak Grove School, where she played the roles of Katie Nana and Poseidon. Sadie is super grateful to be in another play, and is excited to perform today.

Stephanie Farmer (BALTHAZARA, 2ND MUSICIAN, EXECUTIONER (ACT 3)) This is Stephanie’s first performance with OYES. She has a love and passion for singing, dancing and acting and looks forward to many more opportunities to learn and perform!

Zohar Yaesh (BENVOLIO, FRIAR JOHN) is 13 years old and has performed in two productions with OYES; High School Musical, and NEWSIES! In his free time, Zohar enjoys playing sports and writing original rap music. He's thankful for OYES, his cast mates and the crew!

Calvin Vail (design student) is a 12-year-old budding artist whose imagination knows no bounds. Known for years as the go-to poster artist at his schools, Calvin has developed a reputation for bringing thoughtful, original ideas and a clear visual style to every project he takes on. After earning First Place at an Ojai Woman’s Club art event, he gained not only recognition but a deeper confidence in his creative path.

This year, Calvin expanded his artistic practice into the world of theater, contributing costume and prop designs for Romeo & Juliet. It’s a natural extension of the projects he does at home; Building, designing, and exploring ideas through art. His interests in history, world cultures, music, and storytelling all shape the way he approaches his craft.

Calvin is excited to share his work with the audience of Romeo & Juliet, and he’s grateful to the OYES team for guiding him throgh the production process and giving him the opportunity to contribute his vision to the stage!