SUMMERSTAGE 2025
A pre-professional theatre experience
Curated by the CTC Education team and performed entirely by talented teens
SHOW CREDITS
CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION
Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins / Script adaptation by David Thompson
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
JULIUS CAESAR
By William Shakespeare
Presented in association with Shepherd Shakespeare Company
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Presented in association with Shepherd Shakespeare Company
Photography, videotaping or other video or audio recording of these productions is not allowed.
WEEKEND SHOW SCHEDULE
CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION
Total Run time: 96 minutes
In “Roaring Twenties” Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap... until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal.
There will be a 15-minute intermission.
Special Effects/Warnings: simulated gunfire, confetti cannon
Content Note & Advisory
Chicago: Teen Edition is a modified version of the musical Chicago adapted for high school or younger performers. It contains some original language and content present in the full version (i.e. mature themes, mild adult language, depictions of violence, etc.), but some scenes and music have been abridged to reduce the running time. Young audience members should attend at the discretion of their family.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director ................................................................................................................ Tommy Foster
Choreorapher........................................................................................................ Allison Roux
Music Director ................................................................................................... Jessica Borgnis
Stage Manager ................................................................................................. Steven James
Costume Designer ................................................................................................. Emily Heilig
Props Master, Scenic Designer and Scenic Carpenter......................John Vanderwoude
Sound Designer .................................................................................................... Maddi Penn
Lighting Designer ...............................................................................................Amber Bidwell
Deck Chief ............................................................................................................ Joe Cockrell
Sound Mixer ....................................................................................................... Michael Russo
Student Assistant Stage Manager.................................................................Coralie Wiselka
Student Spot Ops................................................................Oliver Leonard, Cassidy Carney
FOR THIS PRODUCTION
Technical Director...........................................................................................Shane Burgett
Assistant Technical Director........................................................................Andrew Gibbon
Costume Shop Manager...................................................................................Anna Klinger
Head Electrician.................................................................................................Larry Csernik
Charge Scenic Artist...............................................................................................Tim Parati
CAST
Annabel Arcuri ..................................................................... Fan Club, Assistant DA Harrison
Elli Noel Caton ......................................................................... Roxie’s Baby, Juror, Newsboy
Carolina Collazo ................................................. Annie, Roxie’s Baby, Co-Dance Captain
Presley Fink ................................................................... Court Clerk, Fan Club, Harry’s friend
Emberlyn Gilley ................................................................. Velma’s Backup, Juror, Newsboy
Thomas Gordon.............................................................. Fred Casely, Harry, Roxie’s Backup
Emma Griggs .................................................................................................................... Roxie
Hannah Guerrier .................................................................... Sgt. Fogarty, Velma’s Backup
Dylan Hakeem .............................................................. Roxie’s Backup, Harry’s friend, Juror
Nyla Henry .............................................................. June, Roxie’s Baby, Co-Dance Captain
Ayla Hoody ................................................... Roxie’s Backup, Master of Ceremonies, Juror
Rebecca Kaplan ............................................................... Fan Club, Master of Ceremonies
Bess Lyon ................................................................................................ Roxie’s Backup, Juror
Ryleigh Mazur ................................................................................................ Fan Club, Judge
JJ Monteleone ............................................................................................................Billy Flynn
Mila Mosley ............................................................................... Billy’s Tailor, Velma’s Backup
Evan Mueller ............................................................................................................ Amos Hart
Leah Nazemzadeh ...............................................................................Hunyak, Roxie’s Baby
Mirabelle Olin..................................................................................... Roxie’s Baby, Newsboy
Lexi Ostrowski ........................................................................................... Mona, Roxie’s Baby
Syl Potter ............................................................................................................ Mama Morton
Frida Secrist ..................................................................................................................... Velma
Flora Jane Snyder............................................................... Mary Sunshine, Velma’s Backup
Harper Walters ......................................................... Roxie’s Backup, Master of Ceremonies
Avery White........................................................................Liz, Roxie’s Backup, Harry’s friend
Eleanor White ........................................................................................... Fan Club, Newsboy
Strawberry Darling Wilson ...................................................................... Fan Club, Kitty, Juror
JULIUS CAESAR
Run time: 65 minutes
Content Note & Advisory
Shakespeare’s gripping political tragedy follows the conspiracy against Rome’s ambitious leader and its devastating aftermath. When senators Brutus and Cassius plot Caesar’s assassination to preserve the Republic, their noble intentions unleash civil war and personal destruction. Shakespeare’s classic story explores power, loyalty, and the fatal consequences of betraying those we love.
William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar includes themes of violence, death, and suicide. This play also includes fight scenes. Young audience members should attend at the discretion of their family.
There will be a 15-minute intermission before the start of the next show.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Run time: 65 minutes
Two love stories weave together in Shakespeare’s delightful celebration of love’s triumph over pride, prejudice, and malicious scheming. While young Claudio and Hero fall sweetly in love, the witty Beatrice and Benedick engage in a battle of words that masks deeper feelings. When villainous deception threatens to destroy Hero’s reputation and happiness, friends must unite to restore truth and honor.
SHAKESPEARE REPERTORY CO.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in association with Shepherd Shakespeare Company is proud to present Julius Caesar and Much Ado About Nothing. Inspired by the repertory model of making theater, students perform in both works in rotation.
ABOUT SSCo
SSCo was founded by a husband and wife team - Chester and Katy Shepherd - who share a love of theatre and performing for audiences of all ages. Both experienced theatre artists and educators, they have acted, directed, and taught all across the country and have been fortunate to work extensively with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. They strive to bring Shakespeare to areas where it might not normally be available.
CHESTER SHEPHERD
KATY SHEPHERD
CREATIVE TEAM
CAST - JULIUS CAESAR
Saige Boone ....................................................................................... Soothsayer/First Citizen
Gabriel Bryant ................................................................................ Metellus Cimber/Pindarus
Graham Bryant .................................................................. Cicero/Volumnius/Fourth Citizen
Ryan Campos Brutus
Brady Heintschel....................................................................................... Lucilius/Sixth Citizen
Amelia Haggstrom ................................................................... Portia/Second Citizen/Strato
Leo Hilton ..............................................................................................Octavius/Artemidorus
Rachael Husak ......................................................................................... Decius Brutus/Clitus
Eva Hurley ...................................................................................................................... Cassius
April Leavy ........................................................................................................... Lucius/Titinius
Nate Mabus ........................................................................... Cinna/Dardanius/Third Citizen
Aishya Pillai ............................................................................... Calpurnia/Trebonius/Messala
Lillie Powell ..................................................................................................................... Antony
Wiley Seago ....................................................................................................... Caesar/Ghost
Julian Starkey ......................................................... Popilius/Cinna the Poet/Second Soldier
Owen Tesch ............................................................................................... Casca/Messenger
Victoria Thomas ..................................................................................Fifth Citizen/First Soldier
CAST - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Saige Boone ................................................................................................................ Beatrice
Gabriel Bryant ............................................................................................................. Borachio
Graham Bryant ............................................................................................................ Leonato
Ryan Campos .................................................... Balthasar/Messenger/Second Watchman
Brady Heintschel........................................................................................................... Antonio
Amelia Haggstrom ..................................................................................................... Conrade
Leo Hilton ................................................................................................................... Don John
Rachael Husak .......................................................................................................... Dogberry
Eva Hurley .............................................................................................................. Verges/Boy
April Leavy ....................................................................................................................... Ursula
Nate Mabus ........................................................................................................... Friar Francis
Aishya Pillai ..................................................................................... Margaret/First Watchman
Lillie Powell ......................................................................................................................... Hero
Wiley Seago .................................................................................................................. Claudio
Julian Starkey ............................................................................................................. Benedick
Owen Tesch ............................................................................................................. Don Pedro
Victoria Thomas .......................................................................................... Fourth Watchman