Cast
Andrew Mondello
Andrew Mondello (he/ him) is ‘Bay’sically a native to the Bay, having been here since he was 12. However he was born and raised in Chicago – so you will often see him donning one of his many Chicago hats. He graduated from UC Irvine in 2015 with a BA in Acting and an emphasis in musical theatre. Since then he has had the great pleasure of making his living as an artist here in the Bay Area performing, directing and teaching amongst; American Conservatory Theatre, CenterRep, 42nd Street Moon, The Ballet School, BACT, PCRT, Town Hall Theatre, Broadway By the Bay, and of course here at Pleasanton Youth Theatre Company. He started teaching youth theatre in 2012 here in his hometown of Pleasanton – where he has spent the last decade teaching and cultivating new programming all with the goal of creating a space students feel safe to learn and grow. So, it goes without saying he is just over the moon to continue teaching with a program brimming with positivity and kindness at every turn, where he can continue to create a space crafted to make students feel safe and welcome. AndrewMondello.com
Belle Morales
Amaira is a cheerful and enthusiastic girl who loves to dance and sing. She enjoys spending
Briana Marquez
Amelia is a nine-year-old girl and is excited to perform in her 7th play with PYTC! Favorite roles include Dory in Finding Nemo, Gary "the cool dinosaur" in Dinosaurs before Dark and Amelia Gabble in Aristocats (reuniting with Sophia who played Abby Gabble and is playing Jack today!) A special thank you to her family and friends and especially her 7year-old brother Alexander and her director Miss Leila!
Duncan Allan
Duncan has been involved in theater arts for as long as he can remember, and is honored to be part of the PYTC team and help share that love! He graduated from Amador Valley High School in 2022, where he performed in “All Shook Up” “On Broadway: A Musical Review” and “Seussical: The Musical” and directed “Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit.” He has performed with the City of Pleasanton’s High School Musical Collaborative and High School Cabaret. He worked as a vocal director on PYTC’s productions of “Frozen Kids” and “Annie Kids” and directed “Knight at Dawn KIDS” this Summer. He is pursuing a theater degree from CSU Northridge.
Ella Thurlow
Ella Thurlow grew up participating in Firehouse’s summer camps and was involved in many of their programs. She is now a Junior at Oklahoma City University, earning her Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre! She credits much of her positive experience with theatre to the staff she had, and always hopes to create that positive experience for her students. Ella has had the pleasure of music directing seven shows with PYTC, as well as working on various other camps. When she is not teaching her awesome students, she loves to sing (of course), pick up new instruments, go to the gym, and spend time outdoors!
Cast
Ethan Sadkowski
Ethan is an incoming freshman BFA Acting major at Marymount Manhattan College. He was recently seen as Orpheus in Hadestown Teen Edition (LHS), Ensemble in R&H Cinderella (TVTC), and Chip Tolentino in Spelling Bee (LHS). He is so excited to perform for the first time at the Firehouse after being involved with PYTC for 9 years!
Greta Wogsland
Catherine Fetterman is happy to be in the performance of Knight at Dawn! This is her fifth time performing with PYTC. She has
Jeff Zavattero
Jeff Zavattero (he/ him) is humbled, honored, and elated to be the Library & Recreation Coordinator for Pleasanton Youth Theatre Company and the vibrant arts programming here in Pleasanton. He has called this program home since 2013 when he first began teaching here – and it has been his great joy to be a part of this program’s incredible growth over the last decade. Jeff has his AA in Theatre from Las Positas College, where he had the great joy of enhancing his performance skills in several shows and found his passion for directing. Outside of theatre, Jeff He looks forward to continuing to share his deep love for the arts with the youth in his hometown.
Kalia Miller
This is Kalia’s second year of working at the Firehouse Arts Theater. It has been such an immense joy in her life to be able to assist kids working collectively to put on a theater production. She is enrolled in Las Positas Community College for a Certificate in Piano Technology and a transferrable degree in Theatre. She is beyond grateful for the Firehouse for providing accessible theater and will cherish every moment and opportunity given to her.
Keira Weir
Keira has been involved in theater since she was eight years old and has been doing technical theater for three years. She currently studies Television Production at CSU Northridge but looks forward to returning to the Firehouse every summer.
Cast
Leila Brown
Leila Brown (she/her) has been doing shows at the Firehouse Arts Center since the age of 7, s beyond grateful to be able to teach the next generation of artists. She is a graduate of Sonoma State in Fall 2025 with her BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Theatre Arts. She’s s in Education and planning to become an elementary school teacher. Her goal is to create an environment where all kiddos feel safe expressing themselves while fostering community. Outside of teaching, she enjoys marketing & social media management, reading, watching Disney movies, and hanging out with her siblings (shout out to Nadia and Noah, who also work at the Firehouse)!
Lily Engelsgjerd (she/her) started theater in second grade and choir in fourth grade, and has never looked back. She is a rising junior at St. Olaf College, majoring in Theater and Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical theater. She is an active performer, most recently performing in shows such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Constellations," and "Ghosts." Lily also sings in St. Olaf's Cantorei Chorus. She is honored to be stepping into the role of a teaching artist at PYTC, where she performed in several shows previously. When not performing or teaching, Lily can be found snuggled next to her cats and dogs at home, or taking a nap.
Lou Cooper (they/them) has been with Pleasanton Youth Theater programming since they were 5. They got a job here as soon as they could at age 15. Since then, Lou has choreographed, directed, taught, learned, led, and had so much fun. Lou recently moved to Oakland. This is their final summer with PYTC. They thank you for all of the amazing years they’ve had here.
Mackenzie McDonald
Mackenzie McDonald (She/Her) found acting in fourth grade through her schools production of “Gold Dust or Bust” since then she has in a number of plays, musicals, and choir. Throughout her high school career she specialized in improv, becoming a four year member of Creatures of Impulse. This past year she has joined the Las Positas Community College forensics (speech) team, also known as the Talk Hawks. Mackenzie sights her experience in improv (teaching her self-love, collaboration, and quick response skills) as one of the reasons she is a successful speaker, winning awards around the United States (including New York) in oral interpretation of literature. Most recently Mackenzie made her directing debut with Pleasanton Youth Theatre Company with Annie KIDS, she made history as the first director in Firehouse history to direct a show while still in high school. Mackenzie is so excited for what her future holds at the Firehouse and beyond on stage and off.
Makenna Faddis
Makenna Faddis has been performing in theater for a very long time, and has more recently gotten more experience behind the scenes with the firehouse. She is working on improving her dance, music, tech and directing (for both theater and film) knowledge as well as improving her communication skills (with both co-workers and students). She also thinks crocs are overrated.
Cast
Mathew Glynn (he/him) is an educator, actor, and costumer located in the San Francisco Bay Area. A CSU East Bay and Las Positas College graduate, Mathew, has worked on and behind the stage for eleven years. Recent onstage credits include Chuck Biggs in She Kills Monsters (Plethos Productions), Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Bown (TMC Arts), and Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (Landmark Musical Theater). Costuming credits include Xanadu Jr., High School Musical, Anastasia: Youth Edition, Legally Blonde Jr. (Pleasanton Youth Theater Company), and The Addams Family (AVHS/FHS). Directing credits include Xanadu Jr., Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Frozen KIDS, and Aladdin KIDS (Pleasanton Youth Theater Company). Outside of the theater, Mathew is a fan of pop music, video games, and Sailor Moon! Thank you for supporting these amazing young artists!
Megan Geiger (she/they) has been a proud PYTC employee since the summer of 2019, and she has loved every second of it. Outside of PYTC, they have obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama with a minor in Musical Theater from Hofstra University, and she is currently working as a night manager and doing improv & sketch comedy at the PIT Improv Theater) in New York City, as well as freelance stage management. Recent performing credits include her self written/produced/directed solo show as part Festival, and Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares. They are also part of the improv troupe Purple Group.
Nadia Brown (she/her) is thrilled to be part of the PYTC team. She’s been making memories at the Firehouse since she was a kid and credits theater for shaping her into the person she is today. Nadia graduated from Amador in 2024 and currently attends the University of San Francisco, with plans to earn her law degree (yes, just like in Legally Blonde). In addition to musical theater, Nadia is an alum of Creatures of Impulse, the High School Music Collaborative, and High School Cabaret. She feels incredibly lucky to help create a supportive environment for participants and to be part of such a kind and welcoming theater community.
Ria Patel (she/her) is a vibrant musician and a passionate proponent of the arts. She recently graduated from University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Spanish. Her recent theater credits include Carrie in Carousel, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, and Ensemble in Ragtime. A performer of diverse musical repertoire, Ria also works with organizations such as Choral Audacity and Stockton Soul. With PYTC, Ria has vocal directed for Dinosaurs Before Dark Kids, The Knight at Dawn Kids, Teen Playwrights, and Hadestown. Ria feels extremely lucky to get to foster creativity, connection, and a love for theater in young people and she always strives to create a space for participants to be their most authentic selves.
Sky is currently a Music Composition major at Chapman University and is very interesting in continuing to music industry. They play multiple instruments and love teaching music and theatre. They have participated in many firehouse shows over the years and are excited to be a part of the process that inspired them to pursue the arts!
Sophia is a Junior at Amador Valley High School and has been doing theatre at the Firehouse for the past several years, graduating this past June. Sophia has been in Pleasanton for the last 6 years and is ecstatic to be joining as a staff member for Pleasanton Youth Theatre Company. Sophia has worked on different camps such as Kids Spring Drama Intensives, Annie Lil Sparks, Middle School Short and Long Form Camps and Seussical KIDS, as well as assisted with other center stage programs. The arts have been Sophia’s discovered joy and passion and re so excited to share it with the rest of the community around them.
Tess Arrighi (she/they) is a Livermore native and dog enthusiast. Tess has been involved in musical theater and dance since she was 4 years old and considers theater a second home. She has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary dance styles. She started her musical theater journey with Tri Valley Young Performers Academy (TVYPA) and continued performing through high school in productions at The Athenian Scool. She choreographed student dance pieces throughout her time as an undergrad at Occidental College where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry in 2017. Tess joined the staff of PYTC in fall of 2022 and is so happy to be back in the theater and to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of musical theater with the next generation performers.
Tyler Sullivan (she/ her) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was very upset when she moved to California at the age of 7 and there weren’t celebrities everywhere. Shortly after recovering from the lack of celebrities, Tyler began bugging Andrew and Jeff every summer as a proud participant of the city of Pleasanton’s drama camps. She went on to complete over 15 shows at Firehouse during the city’s partnership with BACT, her favorite of which was James and the Giant Peach because she got to spray whipped cream into her mouth. Tyler is an alumni of the High School Music Collaborative and still spends a lot of her time writing music and practicing various instruments. She graduated from Foothill High School in 2022 (‘sko falcs!) and is beyond excited to be continuing her education at NYU as a music education major (please let her know if you have any good winter coat recommendations). While she still has a lot of learning to do herself, she is thrilled to be helping kids learn to love the arts through the same programs that made her love
City of Pleasanton Civic Arts Staff
Library & Recreation Coordinator Jeff Zavattero
Senior Recreation Leader Lou Cooper
Theater Supervisor Julian Mireles
Theater Technician Mike Roberts, Matthew Roberts
Program Assistants Theater Luka Morgan
Civic Arts Manager Rachel Prater
Library & Recreation Assistant Director Lia Bushong
Director of Library & Recreation Heidi Murphy
Firehouse Box Office Staff Lisa Delucchi
Firehouse Box Office Staff Denise McGrory
Firehouse House Manager Staff Araceli Garcia
Program Assistant Gallery Curator Sydney Tang
City of Pleasanton City Council
Mayor Jack Balch
Vice Mayor Jeff Nibert
Councilmember Craig Eicher
Councilmember Julie Testa
Councilmember Matt Gaidos
City Manager Gerry Beaudin
City of Pleasanton Civic Arts Commission
Member Jeanne Farley-Rodgers
Member Dana Frey
Member Anne Giancola
Member Mary Ann Simmons
Member Huiling Song
Member John Baiocchi
Member Janice Coleman-Knight
Member Jamie Yee
Member Warren Lam
