The Cast of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Producing Artistic Director BOBB COOPER presents...

Presented at Valley Youth Theatre February 8-24, 2019

Adapted for the Stage by

DWAYNE HARTFORD, Childsplay

Based on the Book by

KATE DICAMILLO

Musical Score by KYLE SORRELL

Director CAROLYN MARIE WRIGHT Costume Design KAROL COOPER Scenic Design DORI BROWN Lighting Design BRET REESE Sound Design BRIAN HONSBERGER Production Stage Manager JOYCELIN JACOBS-SCHWARTZ

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was originally commissioned, developed and produced at Childsplay in Tempe, Arizona. David P. Saar, Artistic Director; Steve Martin, Managing Director.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

(In alphabetical order)

Jordan Baker................................................................................................Traveler / Pellegrina Kate Brink...................................................................................................................... Lolly / Doll Petra Milan Danek......................................................................................................... Sara Ruth Alexander Flores............................................................................................... Jack / Lawrence Ian Gray.................................................................................................................................Bryce Emily Jacoby.........................................................................................................Lucy / Old Doll Olivia Medina................................................................................................Margory / Shopper Prescott Smidt.......................................................................Father / Watchman / Lucius Clark Asher Stubbs..........................................................................................................................Amos Matthew Syms................................................................................................................ Bull / Neil Micah Wade.........................................................................................................................Martin Jessica Wastchak................................................................................. Society Lady / Old Lady Faith Wheelington.............................................................................................. Nellie / Marlene Kate Williams..................................................................................................................... Abilene Andy Wissink.......................................................................................................................Edward

#vyttulane

MEET THE CAST

Jordan Baker (Traveler / Pellegrina) is 15 and in 10 th grade at Xavier College Preparatory. This is her first show with VYT. She has appeared in Seussical (Ensemble) at Xavier College Preparatory and S.S. Redrum (Kid #1) at Brophy Student Theater. She’s involved in sign language club and drama club and takes both acting and comedy classes. Although it fluctuates, her current favorite musical is Falsettos. She auditioned for VYT because, “I really wanted to step up my game and learn/experience more.”

Kate Brink (Lolly / Doll) is 15 and in 9 th grade at Xavier College Preparatory. She has appeared in VYT shows that include Madagascar (Kowalski) and Alice in Wonderland (Alice), as well as Seussical (Jungle Animal) at Xavier Brophy Theatre and Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at St. Francis Xavier. She’s involved in drama club and student ambassadors club and takes voice lessons. When asked why she auditioned for this VYT show, “I had been in past shows and loved my experiences.”

Petra Milan Danek (Sara Ruth) is 10 and in 5 th grade at International School of Arizona. Although this is her first VYT show, she has appeared in several local productions, including School of Rock (Tomika), It’s a Wonderful Life (Zuzu / Young Violet), Gladys & Dee Dee: Secrets (Party Goer), Elf (Elf #3), Madagascar (Mort), Annie (Molly) and Beauty and the Beast (Chip). Her favorite musical is Head over Heels and, as a career, Petra would like to be a Translator for the United Nations.

Alexander Flores (Jack / Lawrence) is 15 and in 9 th grade at Arizona School for the Arts. He is no stranger to the theatre and would like to be a Theatre Designer one day. His VYT experience includes Newsies (Mush) and A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Eeyore). As a Jaguar Player of Aprende Middle School, he was in Rock of Ages (Lonnie) and High School Musical Jr. (Ryan), among others. He has also been in Arizona School for the Arts’ Ozma of Oz (Tech Crew) and Antigone (Old Man) and in Childsplay’s productions of Hamlet (Gravedigger / Guard), Footloose (Cowboy Bob / Lyle) and Macbeth.

Ian Gray (Bryce) is 13 and in 7 th grade at Arizona School for the Arts. Hoping to be a Broadway Actor one day, he has been in several local productions, including VYT’s Wizard of Oz (Coroner / Munchkin), Charlotte’s Web (Avery), Pinkalicious (Peter) and Emperor’s New Clothes (P.J.). He was also in Phoenix Theatre’s recent production of Fun Home (Christian), Spotlight Youth Theatre’s Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince) and the TheaterWorks production of Chronicles of Narnia (Dwarf).

Emily Jacoby (Lucy / Old Doll) is 16 and in 11 th grade at Perry High School. This is her first show with VYT, but she has been in Perry High School’s High School Musical (Taylor), Limelight’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (Bun Foo) and Actor’s Youth Theatre’s Ghost (Ortisha). She’s active in drama club, Perry Theatre Company and hopes to teach theatre to deaf students in the future. What does Emily like most about this show? “I read this book when I was a little girl and have always adored the story!”

Olivia Medina (Margery / Shopper) is 14 and in 9 th grade at Sageoak Charter School in Redlands, CA. This is her first VYT show, but she has appeared in several screen and stage productions. She is active in dance, voice and acting classes, as well as The Actors Fund’s Looking Ahead Program in partnership with SAG-AFTRA. Olivia’s favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera. What does she like most about this production? “I love the air of whimsy that’s settled within the story.”

Prescott Smidt (Father / Watchman / Lucius / Clark) is 15 and a Freshman at Arizona School for the Arts. He is active in Thespian Society and is a member of Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc. No stranger to VYT, he has been in our past two productions of A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Christopher Robin), Newsies (Bill / Man / Policeman), Annie (Ensemble) and Little Women (Deck/Run Crew). He has also been in Arizona School for the Arts’ Antigone and Childsplay’s Into the Woods and Mary Poppins.

Asher Stubbs (Amos) is 10 and in 5 th grade at Monte Vista. He is in scouts, likes reading, art and Jiu-Jitsu and he wants to be an actor when he grows up. He was in Studio 3’s Aladdin (Aladdin) and this is his first show at VYT. What does he like most about this production? “I have read the book eight times and I love its meaning. I hope the audience takes away that love is a journey, a miraculous one.”

Matthew Syms (Bull / Neil) is 16 and in 11 th grade at Herberger Young Scholars Academy where he’s in thespian club, cross country and Interact. He was in last season’s VYT production of The Hobbit (Bilbo Baggins). What does he like about this show? “I like the message it’s trying to communicate. It is important for others to learn how to be kind and love one another.” His favorite musical is Hamilton.

Micah Wade (Martin) is 10 and in 5 th grade at Kyrene de los Lagos where he is Student Body President and in the broadcasting club. This is his first show anywhere, although he does take dance at Evolve and aspires to be a professional actor. His favorite musical is Newsies and when asked why he auditioned for this production he said, “For more experience to help me progress toward my ultimate goal of becoming a professional actor.”

Jessica Wastchak (Society Lady / Old Lady) just turned 17 and is in 10 th grade at Hamilton High School, in Chandler, where she participates in X-country and school theatre. She is currently training for a half-marathon and wants to work in the theatre industry, in the future. This is her third VYT show. Jessica has also appeared in Arizona Youth Theatre’s Ghost (Molly), Greasepaint’s Footloose (Featured Dancer) and Spotlight’s Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl / Dancer).

Faith Wheelington (Nellie / Marlene) is 15 and in 10 th grade at Bioscience High School where she is active in student government and is lead singer in their music club band. She was in VYT’s Annie (Servant / Apple Seller), Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat) and Scottsdale Community College’s Afro (Rosa). When asked why she auditioned for this VYT show, she tells us, “Because I love the professionalism they teach you and, once you do one show, you become family.” Faith’s favorite musical is Chicago.

Kate Williams (Abilene) is 10 and in 4 th grade at All Saints Episcopal Day School. She likes soccer and singing and wants to be an actress. Previously, she has appeared in VYT’s Annie (Molly) and Spotlight Youth Theatre’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Gladys). She tells us she auditioned for this show, “Because I love to act and VYT is the best!” The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is one of Kate’s very favorite books.

Andy Wissink (Edward) This is Andy’s 11 th VYT show! He is 16 and in 10 th grade at Brophy College Preparatory, where he is an officer in drama club, a member of Red & White Club and active in musical theatre. He most recently appeared in VYT’s Newsies (Finch), Shrek (Captain / Ensemble), Wizard of Oz (Featured Ensemble) and Charlotte’s Web (Templeton), as well as in his school’s productions of Seussical (Horton), Into the Woods (Jack) and Greasepaint’s Elf (Buddy). Why this show? “I love the transformation of Edward and the interesting people he meets on his journey who teach him how to love.”