"Beauty Is a Beast"

Carsen is 14 years old and is an upcoming Sophomore at Central Valley Academy. Carsen has been in numerous productions such as "The Odyssey," "Alice in Wonderland," "Furry Tales," along with some of her school musicals including, "School of Rock," and "Once On This Island." Carsen was asked to join Chamber Singers at the beginning of her freshman year and she has also performed in caberets, concerts, NYSSMA, and has sung at graduation. She is so excited to play the role of "Beauty" in this production and wanted to thank her family, friends and the entire cast for always supporting her through out her theatre journey! She would also like to add a thank you to Miss Aimee and Miss Charley for volunteering their time and talents!

Drew Priola is 14 years old and attends Central Valley Academy as a sophomore. Drew is very excited to be participating in “Beauty Is a Beast” alongside his siblings, Paige, Nick, Gio, and his cousin Emily. Theatre has always been a passion of his as he has participated in a handful of productions here at Ilion Little Theatre. Some shows include “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone”, “The Odyssey”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Cotton Patch Gospel”, and “Furry Tales”. Drew is also involved in his high school productions, and Chamber Choir. He has performed in “School Of Rock”, “Once on this Island”, as well as many cabarets. Drew also participated in NYSSMA this past year for Central Valley. Outside of theatre, Drew enjoys hanging out with friends, family, and going to see some of his favorite Broadway musicals with his mom, who is also co-directing "Beauty Is a Beast". Drew is excited to be taking on the role of “Nick”, and being a part of the Ilion Little Theatre once again!

Courtney White is a 16 year old who is playing Fairy in “Beauty Is a Beast”. Courtney loves to participate in theater and has performed in school musicals at Central Valley Academy which include, “School of Rock”, “Little Mermaid”, and “Once On This Island”. She is no stranger to YAW at Ilion Little Theatre and has participated in past productions including, “Side By Side by Sondheim”, “Odyssey”, “Furry Tales”, and “Alice In Wonderland”. When she isn’t at the theatre, you may see her skateboarding around the town of Ilion and she invites you all to beep and “scare” her to say hello!

Emily Cerio is a 16 year old upcoming junior at Herkimer High School. Emily has taken a part in a handful of productions at the Ilion Little Theater including, “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone”, “The Odyssey”, “Alice in Wonderland”, and “Furry Tales”. Emily has also been a part of chorus since the third grade and has been a part of musicals at Central Valley Academy such as, “Whose Shoe is it Anyways”. When Emily is not participating in theater, she enjoys hanging out with friends, singing, cheerleading, and listening to music. Emily is excited to be performing in her fifth show, “Beauty Is a Beast” alongside her cousins, Paige, Drew, Nick, and Gio.

Alejandro Cotto is a 6th grade student at Richfield Springs Central School. Alejandro enjoys singing; he plays the trumpet, percussion, and guitar, and he started a band with his classmates last year. This is Alejandro’s first YAW production, and his second time on the ILT stage, where he played various roles in “Miracle on 34th Street.” He also portrayed the character, William in “Frankenstein” at Players of Utica last spring. He is excited to perform with all of the YAW actors and to be a part of this show with his mom, dad, and brother.

Paige Priola is a senior at Central Valley Academy in Ilion. She is no stranger to the Ilion Little Theatre as she has performed in many productions including: Sally Cotter and the Censurers Stone, The Odyssey, Alice and Wonderland, Furry Tales and most recently 12 Incompetent Jurrors. Her extracurricular activities include, varsity cheerleading, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends. She wants to thank her family for always being supportive. She would also like to thank her mom, Miss Charley for being an amazing director along with Miss Aimee.

As a sophomore, Patrick has done his fair share of school shows. Those being Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School’s productions of “Newsies”, “Matilda”, “The Little Mermaid Jr., and “The Afternoon of One Acts”. Although Patrick found those shows to be fun, he feels that the smaller scale in Ilion’s Little Theater is something special. Something about the whole thing makes you feel different on stage. He credits that to the audience adding that everyone is wonderful! Patrick would like to thank the audience for taking time out of their day to see our show. Patrick would also like to thank the directors and his fellow cast members for a spectacular time.

Nick Priola is 12 years old and attends Jarvis Middle School as a seventh grader. Nick is returning to Ilion Youth Actors Workshop for his third performance in “Beauty Is a Beast”. Some of his other performances include, Alice In Wonderland, and Furry Tales. Nick’s other hobbies include playing football and hanging out with friends. Nick is very happy to perform once again with his cousin Emily and siblings, Paige, Drew, and Gio. He would love to thank his family and friends for always supporting him.

Santiago Cotto is a 5th grade student at Richfield Springs Central School. This is Santiago’s first YAW production and his debut on stage! Santiago plays the French horn in Band at school, and he loves Art and Math classes. He also enjoys swimming, and playing basketball and video games. Santiago is happy to have made new friends at YAW and he is looking forward to being in other shows in the future.

Gio Priola is 8 years old and attends school at Barringer Road as a third grader. Although this is Gio’s debut performance, he quickly has come to love the theater, and performing. He is very excited to be sharing this experience with his siblings, Paige, Drew, Nick, and as well as his cousin, Emily. Outside of theatre, Gio enjoys playing many video games, such as Minecraft and Fortnite, attending sporting events, and hanging out with his family and friends. Gio also participates in football for Central Valley Lightning. Gio has enjoyed making new friends while participating and would like to wish his cast mates good luck.

Avery Hayes will be a Junior this coming school year at Central Valley Academy. She is so happy to be a part of this production with such an amazing cast! She has had the pleasure of playing the character “Jill” in this show. Avery has been acting, dancing, and singing since she was little, as well as figure skating. Avery has been excited to be a part of both the Ilion Little Theater and CVA’s productions throughout the years. She has performed in "Alice in Wonderland," "Side By Side by Sondheim," and "Once On This Island." She would like to wish everyone good luck in performing :)

This is Evelyn's first production with YAW. She is a 6th grader at Berkshire Middle School in Beverly Hills, Michigan where she is active in dance and trapeze groups. She is visiting Herkimer for the summer, and has loved making new friends through YAW!

Madison is going into 5th grade at Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary and is thrilled to be making her debut in Beauty is a Beast on the Ilion Little Theater stage. When she’s not on stage, Madison enjoys seeing Broadway shows, singing, playing softball, doing hair & makeup, and spending time with her friends and family. Madison would like to thank her family for their love & support.

Kadence Lyman attends Central Valley Academy and is going into 10th grade this September. She enjoys knitting, sewing, baking, swimming, and hanging out with friends. She is a member of the Youth Advisory Council, Outdoor Adventure Club, Ecology Club, Book Club, Chamber Singers, and NJROTC, She also plays golf, and has decided to join the tennis team this year. Kadence has two sisters, one older and one younger, as well as a younger brother. She worked at the Haunted Stables at the Ilion Little Theater a few years ago, but this is her first time performing in the YAW program. Kadence is hoping to do more shows in the future.

Shaun Lyman attends Jarvis Middle School and will be going into 7th grade in the fall. Shaun enjoys playing Fortnite and Minecraft, and hanging out with his friends. He has three sisters, two older and one younger. Shaun played a scary wolf in the Haunted Stables a few years ago. Shaun feels like YAW is a lot different than that, but he is having fun and hopes to do this again!

Lillian Hobart is an 8th grade student at Herkimer High School. This is her first play with the Ilion Little Theater but she has participated in other plays, “The Music Man” and “The Lion King”. Other than theater, she enjoys crocheting and spending time with family and friends. Lillian plays soccer, volleyball, and softball.

Louie is 10 years old and will be entering 5th grade in September. Louie is a Sauquoit Valley CSD student who attends Boces in Waterville at Memorial Park Elementary School. Louie loves plays, musicals, and watching movies. His other interests include running, scouts, baseball, swimming, Harry Potter books, amusement park rides, and haunted houses. Louie lives with his mom and his cat DJ. This is Louie's first time acting in a play and he is very excited to play the part of Jimmy! Louie's family wishes him good luck and are all so proud!

Becker James is six years old and this is his first YAW production. He enjoys watching movies, playing with his toys and spending time with his family.

Paige Hobart is a 6th grade student at Herkimer High School. This is her first play with the Ilion Little Theater, but she has participated in “The Music Man.” In addition to theater, she also enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Paige plays soccer, softball, basketball, and is working towards her black belt in karate.

Lela Eisele is making her first appearance in theater acting in “Beauty Is a Beast,” which so far, she is loving it. Lela describes herself as a cat-lover. Outside the theatre, Lela loves reading and drawing. She is currently a leader of the Warrior Cats book club.

Ada is nine years old and this is her first YAW production. She loves wolves, playing with her friends, watching movies and reading books.

Cello is a freshman at Groves High School in Beverly Hills, Michigan. She is visiting Herkimer for the summer, and was thrilled to be able to participate in her first YAW production! Cello is passionate about art and when not on stage, loves to help out with set design.

This is Molly’s fourth YAW show. Her previous shows include Furry Tales, Alice in Wonderland, and The Odyssey. Their hobbies are Art and Skating.