TEAM

Company Bios

Learn more about our Cast, Crew, and Pit below!

Sophia Aeschliman

COSTUME DESIGNER

Sophia is a senior who has been involved in more than 13 shows with Waukee Theatre Arts. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Cameron Boyce. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would set the story in the 1950s.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Minecraft

Most used app: TikTok

Brielle Baker

PAINT CHARGE / SCENIC / PROPS CREW

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Madeline Bart

ENSEMBLE

Madeline is a sophomore who started acting with Waukee Theatre Arts in seventh grade. Madeline would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Kendall Jenner.

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: TikTok

Jessica Benson

ENSEMBLE

Jessica is a junior, and has been in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade, appearing FNL and Puffs. Jessica would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Briana Buckmaster.

Favorite app: Tumblr

Most used app: TikTok

Hayden Bissinger

COSTUME CREW

Hayden is a junior who has been part of Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Hayden would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Taylor Swift. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would take place in modern day.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: Disney+

Most used app: YouTube

Becca Blackford

MAKEUP CREW

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Will Bower

MR. REYES

Will is a junior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since ninth grade. He started off with Timberline's radio broadcast crew, and has been in BOB: A Life In Five Acts, and Puffs since then. He works with the electrics crew behind the scenes. Will would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Javier Bardem or Benedict Cumberbatch. His variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would be a Cops and Robbers or a Batman version.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Twitter

Most used app: Twitter

Luke Brandt

BASS

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Adelaide Brennan

SCENIC / PROPS CREW

Adelaide is a sophomore who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. She has been in cast, and this is her first year in crew. She would not take a Squip, and she's not sure who her Squip would be. Adelaide does not know what her variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would be.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: TikTok

Bridget Brennan

COSTUME / PUBLICITY CREW

Bridget is a senior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Bridget would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would take place in the early 2000s in the style of a cheesy teen movie.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Apple Music

Most used app: Messages

AJ Brown

DRUMS

AJ is a senior, and this is his first year doing pit for a Waukee Theatre Arts production. AJ would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Maverick Mitchell from Top Gun.

Most relatable character: Rich

Favorite app: Spotify

Most used app: Spotify

Abbie Burkle

HAIR & MAKEUP CREW

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Gabe Carter

PUBLICITY TEAM

Gabe is a junior, and this is his first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. Gabe would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Lana Del Ray.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Snapchat

Most used app: Snapchat

Kael Casey

PROPS / COSTUME CREW

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Coria Chaloupecky

ENSEMBLE

Coria is a sophomore who has been performing in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. She has appeared in shows such as The True Story of Hey Diddle Diddle, The Nifty Fifties Malt Shop Murder, and most recently, Puffs. Coria would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Aubrey Plaza.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: Instagram

Jahanvi Chawla

ENSEMBLE & PUBLICITY TEAM

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Lohitaksh Chawla

SCARY STOCKBOY

Lohit is a junior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts shows since 7th grade. He has been in BOB: A Life In Five Acts and Puffs. He would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. His variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would stay the same, but it would include pirates as well.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Robinhood

Most used app: TikTok

Mia Christopherson

HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGNER

Mia is a junior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts for five years. Mia would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Sharpay Evans. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be A Midsummer's Nightmare On Ice.

Favorite app: Pinterest

Most used app: TikTok

Caitlin Como

CHRISTINE

Caitlin is a junior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts show since 6th grade. She was in School House Rock, BOB: A Life In Five Acts, and was the Fairy Godmother in Shrek. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Rachel Bloom. Caitlin's variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would have Hermia and Helena fall in love with someone other than the male leads.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: TikTok or Minecraft

Most used app: TikTok

Ryann Coughlin

THE SQUIP

Ryann is a senior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts shows since 6th grade. She has been in Urinetown, BOB: A Life In Five Acts, Shrek, and Puffs. She would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Sharpay Evans. Ryann's variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include the Disney characters, specifically the villains.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: Google Calender

Most used app: Netflix

Julia Culbertson

ENSEMBLE

Julia is a senior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts for three years. Julia would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Florence Pugh. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would take place in the 70s or 80s, and would tell the story of a group of well-dressed friends.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: Twitter

Most used app: Snapchat

Jordan Cunningham

WARDROBE CREW HEAD

Jordan is a senior since 9th grade, starting off in speech team. She was part of the cast in Much Ado About Nothing and Puffs, and was part of costume crew for Urinetown, BOB: A Life In Five Acts, Shrek, and Puffs. She would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Florence Pugh or Charlize Theron. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be a murder mystery, with nightshade as the poison.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Pinterest

Most used app: TikTok

Sylvia Cunningham

SCENIC & COSTUME CREW

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Isaiah Dale

JEREMY'S DAD

Isaiah is a senior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 8th grade. Isaiah would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Johnny Depp. His variation of A Misdummer's Nightmare would include mutated monsters instead of zombies.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Twitter

Paige Falor

ENSEMBLE

Paige is a senior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts since middle school. Paige would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Rachel Zegler. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be A Midsummer's Twilight Dream, which would include vampires and werewolves, with Robert Pattinson playing Puck.

Most relatable character: The Squip

Favorite app: Letterboxd

Most used app: Spotify

Max Ferguson

PROPS MASTER & SCENIC CREW

Max is a sophomore who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 7th grade, participating in the scenic and paint crew to create the sets. Max would take a Squip, and her Squip would be John Cena or Lightning McQueen. Kachow.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Twitter

Most used app: TikTok

Lilly Beth Froehlich

ENSEMBLE

Lilly Beth is a junior who has been with Waukee Theatre Arts for two years, participating in Friday Night Live, Shrek, and speech team. Lilly Beth would not take a Squip,, but if she had to, her Squip would be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who would judge Lilly harshly for her fashion choices. Her variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would be inspired by the animated movie Gnomeo and Juliet.

Most relatable character: Brooke

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Instagram

Clare Gaughan

ENSEMBLE

Clare is a sophomore, and this is her first year with Waukee Theatre Arts! She was in Puffs and participated in large group speech. Clare would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Taylor Swift. Her version of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include gnomes, which would be horrifying.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: TikTok

Emma Gaughan

PUBLICITY TEAM

Emma is a senior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts for six years. Emma would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Taylor Swift. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be the exact same, except one of the characters would have an offhanded mention of an affinity for bullfighting.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Twitter

Rylee Haas

PROPS MASTER & SCENIC CREW

Riley is a sophomore, and this is her first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. She was part of the Puffs crew, and is part of speech team. Riley would take a Squip, but is not sure who it would be.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Minecraft

Most used app: Minecraft

Molly Hansen

PUBLICITY TEAM

Molly is a junior and photographer for the musical publicity team. Molly would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Florence Pugh.

Most relatable character: The Squip

Favorite app: Goodreads

Most used app: TikTok

Rylee Hatcher

SCENIC / PROPS CREW

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Lucas Haviland

TENOR SAX

Lucas is a senior, and this is his first year in Waukee Theatre Arts as part of the pit. He would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Dylan O'Brien. His variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be called A Midnight Dream, focusing on supernatural creatures such as werewolves and witches.

Most relatable character: Jeremy

Favorite app: Netflix

Most used app: Snapchat

Jade Hogarty

ENSEMBLE

Jade is a junior who has been involved in theatre since middle school. She was in FNL last year, speech team, and this year's production of Puffs. They would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Katya Zamo. Their variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would include lots of gay people and lots of astrology.

Most relatable character: Brooke

Favorite app: Twitter

Most used app: Snapchat

Seth Houser

SCENIC / SOUND CREW

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Keegan Jagim

DRUMS

Keegan is a senior, and this is his first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. Keegan would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Kyler Boss.

Most relatable character: The Squip

Favorite app: Coin Dozer

Most used app: YouTube

Avery Johnson

STAGE MANAGER

Avery is a senior who has been involved with Waukee Theatre Arts for five years. She has been a part of crew for every mainstage event since 8th grade. Avery would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Scarlett Johansson. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would not be a nightmare, but it would be a bit odd and questionable, like a Tim Burton movie.

Most relatable character: The Squip

Favorite app: Dragonvale

Most used app: TikTok

Audrey Kahlsdorf

SCENIC / COSTUME CREW

Audrey is a sophomore who started in cast and crew in 6th and 7th grade, and returned to crew this year. She would not take a Squip, but if she had to, it would be Keanu Reeves. This is due to an experience when she won student of the month, but did not wish to have her picture displayed. Keanu was the compromise. Their variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be a vampire steampunk theme.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Twitter or Spotify

Most used app: YouTube or Spotify

Bella Kennedy

FLY CAPTAIN & SCENIC CREW

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Colin Kiernan

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Colin is a senior who has been involved with Waukee Theatre Arts since 8th grade, working crew in shows such as Treasure Island, Cinderella, As You Like It, Urinetown, BOB: A Life in Five Acts, Shrek, and most recently, Puffs. Colin would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Danny DeVito. His own variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates, with Puck as Forrest Gump, and the other characters as historical figures. A strange concept, you never know what you're gonna get.

Most relatable character: Jeremy

Favorite app: YouTube

Most used app: Gmail

Chandana Kodavatiganti

SCENIC CREW

Chandana is a senior who has been involved in large group and individual speech team, and was a part of scenic crew for Waukee's production of Puffs. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Teddy Duncan from Good Luck Charlie.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Spotify

Most used app: TikTok

Noah Kohtz

JAKE

Noah is a sophomore who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts shows since 6th grade. Noah would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Daniel Craig. His variations of A Midsummer's Nightmare would have Puck pick a flower in the forest that puts everyone to sleep, causing him to think he killed them. Puck would then have to cover the act up.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Messages

Zach Landin

SCENIC / PROPS CREW

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Tatum Lowell

BROOKE

Tatum is a junior who appeared in her 5th grade production of Les Miserables, and was Gingy and Young Fiona in last year's production of Shrek. She would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Jennifer Lawrence. Her variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would have it be a happy story, with no conflict and full of dancing and singing.

Most relatable character: Christine, for her love of performing.

Favorite app: Snapchat

Most used app: Snapchat

Rachel Marwedel

ENSEMBLE

Rachel is a senior who has been involved with Waukee Theatre Arts for four years. Rachel would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Eric Hansen of KCCI News. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include punk fairies, with a rock and heavy metal soundtrack.

Most relatable character: Mr. Reyes.

Favorite app: Gmail

Most used app: Gmail

Eleanor Matlock

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Ellie is a junior who has been with Waukee Theatre Arts since 8th grade, and has participated in Friday Night Live. Ellie would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Brandi Carlile. Her variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would be performed as if children at recess were telling the story, with child narrators and fast scene changes to different places.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Spotify

Most used app: Duolingo

Erica Maxwell

ENSEMBLE

Peace is a junior, and this is their first year in Waukee Theatre Arts, where she did large group speech team. They would not take a Squip, but if they had to, her Squip would be Kermit the Frog. Peace's variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would switch the humans and the fey.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: YouTube

Most used app: YouTube

Maddi Megonigle

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Maddi is a sophomore who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Maddi would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Taylor Swift. Her variation of A Midsummer's would be something regarding major pop culture moments.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: TikTok

Wesley McPike

SCENIC / ELECTRICS CREW

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Isabelle Meyer

ENSEMBLE

Isabelle is a sophomore who has participated in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade, appearing in The True Story of Hey Diddle Diddle, Willy Wonka Jr., the Nifty Fifties Malt Shop Murder, and Puffs. Isabelle would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Florence Pugh. Her variation of a Midsummer's Nightmare would stay the same, as the show is already quite good.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Pinterest

Most used app: TikTok

June Min

GUITAR

June is a senior, and this is hid first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. June would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Michelle Zauner. His variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be titled "A Midsummer Night's Staying Awake Too Late and Subsequently Stressing Over Every Single Stupid Thing I've Said Ever.

Most relatable character: The Squip

Favorite app: The Wells Fargo app

Most used app: YouTube

Ethan Mitchell

SCENIC FOREMAN & ELECTRICS CREW

Ethan is a sophomore who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Ethan would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Mario from the Nintendo games. Ethan's variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would center around gummy bears attacking the planet.

Favorite app: Tetris

Most used app: Chrome

Mia Muñoz

PROPS MASTER & SCENIC / COSTUME CREW

Mia is a sophomore who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. She has been involved with the fall plays, such Puffs. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Susie from the videogame Deltarune.

Most relatable character: Michael for his 10/10 funkiness

Favorite app: Procreate

Most used app: Discord

Sam Nigg

RICH

Sam is a junior who had been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Sam would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Taylor Swift. His variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would have the characters played by actors from The Office or another comedy.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: Snapchat

Maanya Pandey

PIANO

Maanya is a senior, and this is her first year doing music with Waukee Theatre Arts. Maanya would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Remy from Ratatouille.

Favorite app: Papa's Mocharia

Most used app: TikTok

Matthew Pettengill

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR

Matthew is a junior who has been involved with Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Matthew would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Waukee Thespian Board President Colin Kiernan.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Snapchat

Most used app: Chrome

Arden Phan

JEREMY

Arden has been in Waukee Theatre Arts since middle school. They would not take a Squip, but if they had to, their Squip would be Colin Kiernan. Yes, resident lighting designer and milk enthusiast Colin Kiernan. Their version of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include an epic battle at the end, where the two main protagonists would defeat the zombies or die of a bite.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Twitter

Most used app: Twitter

Afton Prohaska

ENSEMBLE

Afton is a sophomore, and she has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Afton would not take a Squip, but if she had ot, her Squip would be Harry Styles.

Most relatable character: Jeremy

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Instagram

Sophie Reed

CHLOE

Sophie is a senior who has been involved in Waukee Theatre Arts for two years. Sophie would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Nicki Minaj. Her varation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include American Horror Story characters.

Most relatable character: Brooke

Favorite app: Pinterest

Most used app: TikTok

Aiden Reeves

ENSEMBLE

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Cameron Roach

MASTER ELECTRICIAN

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Selma Roy

FLUTE

Selma is a senior, and this is her first year in Waukee Theatre Arts! Selma would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be A Midwinter Night's Dream.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: Spotify

Most used app: Messages

Isabelle Schad

ENSEMBLE

Isabelle is a senior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade. Isabelle would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Emma Watson. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would break the fourth wall for greater comedy.

Most relatable character: Christine

Favorite app: YouTube

Most used app: YouTube

Drew Shortenhaus

MICHAEL

Drew is a senior, and this is his first year in theatre arts! Drew would take a Squip, and his Squip would be Jennifer Hudson. His variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would replace the zombies with Karens.

Most relatable character: Jeremy

Favorite app: Snapchat

Most used app: TikTok

Emma Shortenhaus

JENNA ROLAN

Emma is a senior who has been in Waukee Theatre Arts for 3 years, participating in speech team. Her shows include Urinetown, BOB: A Life In Five Acts, Shrek, and Puffs. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Eric Andre, for the chaos factor. Emma's variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would be A Midwinter's Night Dream, which would take place in the Midwest in winter.

Most relatable character: Jeremy

Favorite app: Snapchat

Most used app: Snapchat

Alex Siegle

ENSEMBLE

Alex is a sophomore who started theatre in 8th grade, with the Trial of the Wicked Witch, and the Nifty Fifties Malt Shop Murder in 9th grade. She would take a Squip, and her Squip would be Johnny Depp. Her variation of A Midsummer's Nightmare would include clowns.

Most relatable character: Brooke

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: Snapchat

Jai Speck

BARI SAX

Jai is a sophomore, and this is their first year being involved with Waukee Theatre Arts! Jai would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Markiplier. His version of A Midsummer's Nightmare would involve Michael Bay, with a lot of action and unnecessary explosions.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: Hide and Seek: Cat Escape

Most used app: TikTok

Elizabeth Straka

ENSEMBLE

Ellie is a sophomore who has been a part of Waukee Theatre Arts since 6th grade, starring in shows such as Willy Wonka Jr. and The Trial of the Wicked Witch. Ellie would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Tom Holland.

Favorite app: Instagram

Most used app: Instagram

Violet Thornton

ENSEMBLE

Violet is a sophomore, and this is her first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. She would not take a Squip, but if she had to, her Squip would be Andrew Garfield.

Most relatable character: Michael

Favorite app: TikTok

Most used app: YouTube

Alex Wanke

TRUMPET

Alex is a junior and this is his first year in Waukee Theatre Arts. Alex would not take a Squip, but if he had to, his Squip would be Prince.

Most relatable character: Michael

Wesleigh Jane Winfrey

ENSEMBLE

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