Cast and Crew Bios

McKenzie Bell (Director, Why We Like Love Stories)

“The universe is a messy desk pretending to be infinite.” — Dr. Octavia Sneed

Madeline Benoit (Maureen, Murder in Little Grimley)

This is Madeline’s 1st year at Walnut. You might catch her doing other musical theater at the children's theater of Cincinnati (were my theater kids at?). She is very excited to play “Margret”who is a sassy, snarky, middle aged diva! She LOVES this show and all the actors, directors that are a part of it (shout out to all the amazing crew). NOT DONE YET

Niko Brenner (Set Build Crew/Deck Crew)

“Treat every crossword like a state secret.” — Hattie Bloom 

Red Brock (Marketing and Publicity Crew)

“Even the sharpest pencil eventually gets shorter.” -Reginald Pox 

Ezio Bloand (Costume Crew)

Izzy is very pretty and she’s the wife and girlfriend of Ezio and everyone should worship her basically okay thank you for your time bye. 

Alex Clark (Set Build Crew)

“Has the patience of a saint and the sock-sorting habits to prove it.” — Dorian Quill

Lenora Cable (Bebe Le Strange, Bebe Le Strange)

Hey guys, it’s Leni and I like cheese and cosmic brownies. I’m an 8th grader and I’m Bebe Le Strange!! (BEEE WHO YOU AREE/#this juice/“STOP SENDING ME MESSAGES OF MINIONS’’/ burn babies/twstm/love you onichan and chin! hoffe, euch gefällt die Show!)  PS:Buy me a candy gram or I’ll wolf out!!(;

Riley Coleman (Assistant Scenic Designer)

Riley Coleman is the costume designer and crew head for this show. When she is not at theatre or colorguard, you can find her reading and sketching! This is Riley’s first time designing a show at Walnut, and so far, her favorite crew that she has been on is costuming for The Birds! Both the cast and crew have worked very hard on these shows, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Za’ Nayah Combs-Reed (Emerson, Bebe Le Strange)

Za'Nayah is an extraordinary 7th grader. This is her first Walnut performance so she hopes she does everyone proud. When she's not on stage she's writing stories, baking, watching anime (Specifically rewatching Fairy Tail, The Rise of The Shield Hero, and many more), hanging out with friends, and listening to music (Aka the Kpop Demon Hunters Playlist on repeat). She's so excited to be a part of the One Acts Festival. 

Ellie Cook (House Manager)

Ellie manages houses. Technically, this is her 3rd show house managing. Experts disagree. 

Elijah Cook (Hair and Makeup Crew/Marketing and Publicity Crew)

“A sandwich without pickles is simply a salad in denial.” — Dame Constance Puddle

William Crone (Bernard, Murder in Little Grimley)

Yo. This is Will. I’ve been informed that these aren’t in first person.. Anywho, William is eighth grader who enjoys playing guitar, singing, and participating in theater productions. You may have seen him in The 2025 one acts festival or as THE Scuttle in The Little Mermaid Jr (awwk for life). In the wise words of Kevin G., “don’t let the haters stop you from doin’ yo thang.” That is all. Oh and he plays Bernard and because of some contract he signed he must say Dr Pepper is Awesome.

Miriam Creutz  (Set Build Crew)

“Own exactly two plants: one thriving, one plotting its escape.” — Lila Mercer

Clarissa Daley-Messick (Props Crew)

“Treat rain like a personal productivity hack.” — Maris Vale

William Daly (Deck Crew) 

"Grocery lists are a philosophy, not a chore.” — Nola Finch

Thomas Dance (Sound Crew)

“Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.” — Millicent Drab

Silas Dronen (Bark, Why We Like Love Stories)

Hey gang. Uhm Silas is pretty coolio. His stage manager, director and his cast mates are pretty fire too. I'm pretty sure you guys should like maybe sorta kinda like buy him a candy gram because he's like the best 8th grader ever. He loves you and he thinks you’ll love Bark!! “The zesty bagpipe man with weird socks” -Tahirih Fananapazir 9/29/2025 HM:Dr Pepper stan/BEEE WHO YOU AREE/BGB /this juice/3/2 iykyk (rip Human Stuff awwk forever) 

Cordelia Ellis (Set Build Crew)

"Make a paperclip feel like a micro-miracle.” — August Rye 

Tahirih Fananapazir (Jessica, Why We Like Love Stories)

Tahirih Fananapazir is an 8th grader at Walnut Hills. You may have seen her in a bald cap, clown makeup, or even doing interpretive dance and pushups last year in the One Acts. Her favorite roles she has ever played are Martin and Joe. She is so excited for the One Acts, and can’t wait to play Jessica in Why We Like Love Stories. While not acting you can find her running cross country, playing lacrosse, singing, and reading (When she has time AKA never she is always busy). She would like to remind Silas to always remember to play the bagpipes while wearing colorful socks (: ENJOY THE SHOW!

Emeline Gallagher (Alex, Bebe Le Strange)

“Once organized a drawer and changed three lives.” — Rupert Fenway

Sebastian Garitson (Props Designer)

Sebastian is so excited to be designing his first show! He has been on crew and cast for multiple shows before this one, and hopes you enjoy what’s been done for this year’s One Acts!

Violet Garitson (Festival Stage Manager)

“Bananas are proof that gravity has a sense of humor.” — Dr. Winifred Clunk

Benno Gibson (Sam, Murder in Little Grimley)

Benno is in eighth grade and is playing Sam, the detective. This is his 3rd acting role in Walnut Hills and his first time being in One Acts. Benno was also Flounder in The Little Mermaid Jr and the only seventh grader with a speaking role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Benno is so excited for you to watch Murder in Little Grimley and see him, William, Ellis, Adina, and Madeline.

Baxter Goodridge (Set Build Crew)

 Baxter is a freshman. Maybe. He’s not entirely sure. This is his first play at WHHS. He enjoys climbing things, baking, and reading books. You may have not seen him before, since this is his first theater production. He really hopes that the show turns out great, and that it brings a ton of attendees.

Winifred Graham  (Hair and Makeup Crew)

“The moon owes us nothing, and yet it shines.” — Professor Thaddeus Quirk

Dallon Hatton (Lighting Designer) 

"I came here to do two things- design some lights, and chew some bubble gum...looks like I'm all out of bubble gum/" Rowdy Roddy Piper 

Piper Hawkins (Hair and Makeup Designer)

"I don't always carry a hammer, but when I do, it’s purely for dramatic effect."
— William Shakespeare

Izzy Hayes (Costume Designer)

“Try Again. The spell didn’t work but there was magic in it! Try again.”

-The Last Unicorn

Tuula Hicks (Jessie/Police Officer, Bebe Le Strange)

Tuula is an AMAZING heck of an 8th grader. (If I do say so myself. And I do.) When she’s not jamming to Kpop music, she’s re-reading her favorite books, watching The Amazing Digital Circus, and creating short stories! Tuula is EXTREMELY thrilled to share the opportunity of her second year at the One Acts Festival, and she hopes you all enjoy the show! 

Amelia Hoops (Hair and Makeup Crew)

Amelia Hoops is the coolest, most prettiest, most awesomest freshman in a 4 mile radius of where you're standing,  and she's a very smart cookie. Also she has super powers. This is her 5th show at walnut, ( mid rehearsal process for her 6th) but her 1st time on crew! As a hair and makeup crew member she’s  learned a lot and she’s had a super fun time. She hopes you enjoy the show! (shout out to the wives–13 and counting)Also once she saw a blimp!

Grayson Isenburg (Finley, Bebe Le Strange) 

Grayson is a 7th grader at walnut.  He plays the role Finely in Bebe La Strange. His acting passion kicked off in kindergarten when he was an elephant in Lion King.  He has also been in other shows like Elf Jr, Sherk Jr, Junie B. Jones, Willy Wonka, and Sound of Music. Grayson also loves chess,  running cross country and  singing music at the top of his lungs. Grayson is a  unique person who stands up for and loves who he is. 

Sophie Karalambo (Deck Crew)

Has a sixth sense for when pizza should be folded. 

Abbie Kershner (Student Technical Director / Marketing and Publicity Crew)

Dr. Pepper pretty please sponsor the walnut hills theatre department

Ash Kertpet (Co-Director and Co-Writer, Bebe Le Strange)

Ash Kertpet is a Junior and the co- creator and co-director of Bebe Le Strange alongside her friend, Easton Taylor. This is her 8th Walnut show and her first time directing for The One Acts. When she's not doing theatre, you can find her singing with her band or playing guitar alone in her room. She is super excited to be directing this year and hopes that everyone enjoys the show! 

Ayana Kim (Marketing and Publicity Crew)

Ayana is so excited to be on marketing for the first time! She’s the goat. 

“My fake plant Bob died because I forgot to fake water him.” -Charles Darwin

Red Kinnear (Hair and Makeup Crew)

Red is the funniest most talented freshman on the show (sorry freshmen). This is her sixth show at Walnut and her second time on hair and makeup crew. She had so much fun diva-fying the amazing actors on the show, and can’t wait to see them perform. She is so incredibly proud of everyone included in making One Acts possible and they all worked super hard so please calp at the end. 

Mia Kline (Lighting Crew)

“The louder the sock, the quieter the soul.” — Reverend Petunia Crisp

Ellis Klump-Lawson (Gordon, Murder in Little Grimley)

“Maps are just apologies for being lost.” — Barnaby Splint

Adelaide Linser (Stage Manager, Murder in Little Grimley/Marketing and Publicity Head)

Adelaide once got incredibly sassy with a raccoon outside of Dixie Chili. The experience still haunts her to this day. 

Caroline Lovelace (Director, Murder in Little Grimley)

“Patience is simply anger that put on pajamas.” — Sister Gertrude Pock

Aubrey Lowe (Assistant Director, Murder in Little Grimley)

“Every cloud looks guilty if you stare long enough.” — Cornelius Plop

Rowen Lucas (Costume Crew)

“ready aim fryer” 

I’m a ninth grader at Walnut Hills and I’m very happy I was able to work on this show :) 67 

Naomi Madaris (Marketing and Publicity Crew)

“First name.. proper name.. back story stuff.. Blah blah blah…” - The Lego Movie

Olivia Moore (Costume Crew)

Liv (Olivia) had no idea what the heck to write in her bio. She is now going to have the rest of the bio written in another language. Vyfrekv tcwcdgvc, ccwgvcgqueg? ftifsddn, fgvrwb fyuwvh ijrb!  t ebru 4ry ngyf ,ruyx ufvw h brhgh. If you tried to read that, that was an enormous waste of time because the previous sentences were gibberish and you would feel bad because you could have been reading actual words.

Frances Moothart (Costume Crew)

“I’m pretty sure there’s more to life than being really really ridiculously good  looking. And I plan to find out what that is.” - Zoolander

Aidyn Montgomery (Stage Manager, Why We Like Love Stories)

“Hope smells faintly of cinnamon.” — Hortense Wibble

Adina Morvay (Joyce, Murder in Little Grimley)

This will be Adina's 4th show at walnut. She loves her character “Joyce,” a lovable person who is a terrible actor, (unlike Adina!!!!!)

While Adina does LOVE acting she also loves singing you can find her creating Spotify playlists with her favorite musicals! Adina says “Dr. Pepper we love you!!!!!” Adina also says she wants you to love the show and maybe to clap when she enters… idk though! She is grateful you are supporting the show!!!!:) Love, Adina

Audrey O'Brian (Props Crew)

Audrey is an eighth grader at Walnut, and this is her second time doing props for a play. When she’s not at school, she can be found doodling or reading.

Gretchen Pearson (Props Crew)

Gretchen is in eighth grade and this will be her second year working on theater and her third show on props crew!! She is very excited to be working with new people and some friends. (if you buy her some candy grams she will be your best friend so you should totally buy her some candy grams🙏)

Kraig Ray   (Set Build Crew/Deck Crew)

“Keep a perfectly mediocre pen collection for emotional balance.” — Tobias Wren

Kai Rimstidt  (Lighting Crew)

“Gravity is only opinion until you drop a watermelon.” — Erasmus Fennel

Rosie Riordan-Gentry (Set Build Crew)

"Coffee should come with a short TED talk.” — Simone Ray

Sunny Rosen (Deck Crew)

Sydney is currently a freshman here at Walnut Hills! They love to play video games, draw, and just do silly little things! They are  on the deck crew for One Acts this year and are thrilled about it! They’ve done past shows like One Acts 2024 and Twelfth Night!

“I beg your pardon! I am no child! And most certainly not little!” -Don Quixote (Limbus Company)

Sasha Rucker-Chang (Crooper, Why We Like Love Stories)

Sasha is honestly… still in  shock that she got the part of Crooper... When she’s not scream-singing [insert WEST END NOT BROADWAY— fight me—song here], you can find her hanging from the walls like some low budget Dracula (rock climbing), being strapped to the back of a wild creature (horseback riding), and generally making bad decisions while wheels are strapped to her feet (rollerblading)! Sasha would like to thank her family, who have been very flexible with the schedule, and she  hopes you’ll all watch her in the show! “If you’re from Africa, why are you white?”

Levi Singer (Lighting Crew)

“Life is mostly waiting for the toaster.” — Beatrix Glumb

Ivy Syroney (Charlie, Bebe Le Strange/Marketing and Publicity Crew)

Ivy (an eighth grader)  is HYPED to be playing Charlie in her 5th show at Walnut! Recently, you might have seen Ivy playing many roles in last year's One Acts, on sound crew for The Unsinkable Molly Brown, or with her seagull gang in The Little Mermaid Jr (awwk for life.) When not attempting magic spells, you might find her playing electric guitar, ranting about Jeremy Jordan, or drinking Dr Pepper (She does this a LOT.)  She hopes you enjoy the show! (Proszę, dajcie Ivy trochę słodyczy po koncercie. Dużo miłości dla mamy, taty i Oscara.)

Cora Tate (Lighting Crew)

“History is just gossip with footnotes.” — Archibald Twinge

Easton Taylor (Co-Director and Co-Writer, Bebe Le Strange)

Easton Taylor is a Sophomore at Walnut Hills High School and is the co-creator, co-director, and playwright of Bebe Le Strange alongside his friend Ash Kertpet! He is also the Production Stage Manager of She Loves Me the musical, and is a member of the Thespian Society. This is Easton’s eighth production, and he has been on a variety of crews including Deck, M&P, and Set Build.

Annajane Updegrove (Chloe, Why We Like Love Stories)

“Never put ketchup on anything that could be improved by mustard.” — Marlowe Pennick

Molly Wermuth (Sound Designer)

Molly is a freshman here at Walnut Hills. This is her 4th production overall and second sound designing. When she isn’t in the theatre department, she performs with the colorguard. In her ( very little ) spare time, she enjoys listening to The Smiths, Nirvana, and The Cure. (RIP the bomb gone but never forgotten)

Gracie Whitehead (Assistant Sound Designer)

A door is just a wall with commitment issues.” — Ignatius Porridge

Polly Wilson (Scenic Designer)

Polly is a senior at Walnut and is happy to be set designing for a third show. Last year, they designed for Little Mermaid Jr. and Twelfth Night. Outside of theatre, Polly likes to swim, write, paint, and hunt for fossils. Polly is also the set designer for She Loves Me and Indecent, which they hope you’ll come see!

Ephraim Wise (Sound Crew)

Ephraim is an eighth grader in the sound crew. This is his first time doing crew. Ephraim enjoys going on walks, baking, and reading. He hopes you enjoy the show.

C.C. Wise (Stage Manager, Bebe Le Strange)

Hey guys. I’m a stage manager now!