Legally Blonde Jr. Program

2020-2021 SEASON

BEING TO YOURSELF NEVER GOES OUT OF

Emerson Theatre Harris-Stowe State University

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SUMMER

THE CURTAIN

September 18th, 2021 Save The Date To Celebrate Eight!

Gateway Center for Performing Arts' Youth Theatre Company Presents

Music & Lyrics By Laurence O'Keeffe & Nell Benjamin

Book By Heather Hach

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture

CREATIVE AND CREW Director Stephanie Fox

Music Director Lori Pagano

Choreographer Laura Roth

Stage Manager Lisi Levy Lighting Design Tanner Douglas

Sound Design Justin Smith

Costume Design Tracey Newcomb Stage Crew Liam Brannan

Set Design Jennifer Warfield

Props Design Katie Orr Production Photographer Brooke Hankins

LEGALLY BLONDE JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). www.mtishows.com.

The use of cameras or other recording devices Is strictly prohibited.

Thank you and enjoy the show!

Artistic Director’s Note Welcome to our 2020-2021 Season! To be honest, about 6 months ago, I didn’t think I would be able to say those words! What a year 2020 has been, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the continued support from our GCPA family.

As we discussed what this season would look like, the focus was on not only how but when to safely return to performance. In solidarity and respect for the entire theatre community that is suffering during this time and for the continued safety of our actors and staff, we knew taking it slow and being ready to pivot at a moment's notice is the only way to move forward (and, of course, with heavy safety policies and procedures!).

Our first production, Flat Stanley Online Edition, is the ideal way to jump-start our season safely and also launch our new program: Theatre for Young Audiences by Young Artists. Fully rehearsed and performed from home, this family-friendly musical will entertain the whole family and classrooms across St. Louis. We have big plans for the TYAYA program including adding a second production, Dear Edwina Online Edition!

To keep a safe distance from a lot of singing, live musicians, and live audiences, the play Anne of Green Gables (another GCPA first!) was perfect for our winter slot! Anne’s spirit, joy, and ability to adapt to any situation is the perfect analogy for 2020. With options to live stream or record in small groups if necessary, we can’t wait to share this masked, streamed performance with you. Join us online in January 2021 for this classic tale!

With so much disappointment from the shutdown, we knew we had to get all of our postponed shows back on the schedule. Urinetown, Frozen KIDS, Legally Blonde Jr., and Cabaret will finally get their time on stage. For Urinetown, the first to get the COVID boot, we have plans to produce this show No. Matter. What. Depending on the current situation, we will be able to produce this show as normal, streamed to a virtual audience, or even rehearsed and performed remotely from home (another Zoom-sical!). Quickly after we announced the postponement, the cast took to the rallying cry, “Urinetown will live!” and we are happy to say that will definitely happen. Hail Malthus!

Being GCPA, you probably know we always go big. Already 6 shows deep, we aren’t stopping there.

In addition to the reboot of most of our 2019-2020 season, we are ecstatic to also produce a spring Main Stage musical, the tap-dancing classic we’ve wanted to produce since we opened, 42nd Street; another middle school summer production, Godspell Jr.; and Amélie , a second high school summer production. Each of these shows was chosen to provide as many performance opportunities for our St. Louis youth when we are able to return to the stage.

While the future of live performance is still uncertain, I am ever-grateful that we are able to provide such an extensive season of opportunities for St. Louis youth. GCPA is growing and 2021 will certainly show that.

If you like what you see, please consider joining us on our mission to provide quality, challenging, and out-of-the-box theatre for St. Louis youth. See our shows, take our classes, spread the word, volunteer, or donate. We’d love your story with GCPA to begin today.

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Director’s Note It’s finally here! When we announced that we would be doing Legally Blonde Junior at Raise the Curtain in September of 2019 - we had no idea what a long journey it would be to the stage. Ever hopeful, we didn’t make the final decision to postpone until fairly close to last year’s production dates, and we quickly pivoted to an online experience for the cast, dubbed the “Legally Blonde Revue.” We had a great time producing both live (through Zoom) and pre-recorded (outside and distanced) songs together. We are so grateful we were able to do something together, but it can’t replace a live, in-person musical experience. So to say we are excited is an understatement!

Legally Blonde Junior is full of fun, catchy production numbers, and a lot of roles making it a great choice for our Youth Theatre Company. And I’m sure you know the story, so I won’t spend time talking about how great it is to tell a story about a strong woman who: Is finding her way in the world in spite of what others think of her.

Bolsters other females instead of knocking them down.

Stands in strength but also kindness.

Calls out injustice and works for change.

All while looking fabulous.

Well - I won’t spend too much time on that…

There were some aspects of the show we heavily weighed when picking this title specifically, "The Bend and Snap." Being one of the most popular songs in the full version, it’s not a surprise they left it in for the Junior production. That said, we had lots of discussions around how we would approach this number both from a choreography and story standpoint to present it in a manner that was age-appropriate and sending the message we want to send. Yes, Elle has spent a lot of her life relying on her physical appearance but she’s grown so much at this point in the story that we feel this song, for us, is much more about self-confidence and owning your space to attract good things in Paulette’s case, Kyle. And it’s just so much fun.

This production is always a whirlwind 3-week adventure, and this year did not disappoint! We rehearsed the whole production off-site in the beautiful dance studio at Harris Stowe during what will go down as the busiest summer at GCPA - ever. We’ve seen an incredible amount of hard work from this cast of 34, which you will see on stage today. What you will not see onstage are the new friendships formed, massive support for our younger Frozen KIDS camp, extremely intense games of “Wah,” jump rope bruises and endless amounts of laughs had in the rehearsal room. We had fun making this show, and now we hope you enjoy watching it.

We are so grateful to be back ON stage with people IN the theatre. Thank you for coming, enjoy the show and support live, local theatre here in St. Louis!

Stephanie Fox

CAST ELLE WOODS Amelia Ward

EMMETT FORREST PAULETTE BUONOFUONTE WARNER HUNTINGTON III PROFESSOR CALLAHAN BROOKE WYNDHAM VIVIENNE KENSINGTON SERENA MARGOT PILAR KATE GAELEN KYLE O'BOYLE ENID HOOPES KIKI / STORE MANAGER CHUTNEY SALES WOMAN SCHULTZ / PFORZHEIMER DEWEY / Lowell JUDGE WHITNEY WINTHROP / PRISON GUARD

Duncan Barbour Sophie Harrison Ben Villhard Charlie Mathis Katie Beth Terrill Elle Baclesse Anne Niedbalski Kalia Pagano * Lily Griner * Reese Brinker Sophie Maddock Kenley Satcher Abby Rosenfeld AnnaKait Peters-Bahkou * Audrey Schulz ** Marchesa Dolton ** Will Elder Charlie Villhard Spencer Slavik ** Sophie Yilmaz Christopher Lowery

Ensemble

Lila Brady**, Harper Clark, Maggie Cook, Paige Cudihee, Libby Edison**, Ellemieke Ferguson, Jane Kramer, Maisy Veninga, Emerson Mattia, Delaney McCoy**, Finni Preston, Brooke Susic** Introducing EVIE PRESTON as BRUISER and JOSIE Elizabeth Holzer as Rufus

Understudies

Elle.....Anne Niedbalski Brooke.....Kalia Pagano * Vivienne.....Sophia Yilmez Paulette.....AnnaKait Peters-Bahkou * Emmett.....Kenley Satcher *Denotes Member of GCPA CrAFT Program **Denotes Member of GCPA Show Starters

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SCENES & SONGS Setting:

Campuses of University of LA & Harvard University

Scene 1 - University of California, LA OMIGOD YOU GUYS PART 1..........................................................................................Delta Nus OMIGOD YOU GUYS PART 2.....................................Elle, Store Manager & Delta Nus

Scene 2 - A Courtyard Restaurant SERIOUS PART 1.........................................................................................Warner, Elle, Waiters SERIOUS PART 2.......................................................................................................................Warner

Scene 3 - Outside Elle's Door & Admissions Office of Harvard Law School, Later DAUGHTER OF DELTA NU...........................................................................................Delta Nus WHAT YOU WANT PART 1....................................Elle, Kate, Chad, Boys & Delta Nus WHAT YOU WANT PART 2....................................................Winthrop, Elle & Company WHAT YOU WANT PART 3.............................................................................Elle & Company

Scene 4 - Callahan's Classroom Scene 5 - Outside The Classroom Scene 6 - "The Hair Affair" Beauty Salon IRELAND......................................................................................................................................Paulette Scene 7 - A Harvard Law Party Scene 8 - Outside The Party & Callahan's Classroom, Later CHIP ON MY SHOULDER PART 1..........................................Emmett, Elle & Company CHIP ON MY SHOULDER PART 2.........................................Emmett, Elle & Company CHIP ON MY SHOULDER PART 3....................................................Emmett & Company Scene 9 - Outside Dewey's Trailer & Outside Callahan's Classroom, Later RUN, RUFUS, RUN! / ELLE REFLECTS...................................................................................Elle SO MUCH BETTER.................................................................................................Elle & Company Scene 10 - Boston Women's Correctional Facility WHIPPED INTO SHAPE......................................................Brooke, Callahan & Company DELTA NU NU NU.......................................................................................................Elle & Brooke

SCENES & SONGS Scene 11 - "The Hair Affair" Beauty Salon AND SNAP............................................Elle, Kiki, Cashier, Stylist, Paulette & Company Scene 12 - Callahan's Office & Outside LEGALLY BLONDE....................................................................................................Elle & Emmett Scene 13 - "The Hair Affair" Beauty Salon & Courtroom LEGALLY BLONDE REMIX PART 1.....................................................Vivienne & Company LEGALLY BLONDE REMIX PART 2................................................................Elle & Company LEGALLY BLONDE REMIX PART 3..............................................................................Company Scene 14 - The Courtroom SCENE OF THE CRIME.............................................Brooke, Warner, Emmett, Vivienne Enid, Deltu Nus, Judge & Company FIND MY WAY / FINALE.......................................................................................Elle & Company

Who's Who

Duncan Barbour

Lila Brady

Reese Brinker

Harper Clark

Maggie Cook

Paige Cuddihee

Marchesa Dolton

Libby Edison

Will Elder

Ellemieke Ferguson

Lily Griner

Sophie Harrison

Jane Kramer

Christopher Lowery

Sophie Maddock

Elle Baclesse

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Who's Who

Charlie Mathis

Emerson Mattia

Delaney McCoy

Anne Niedbalski

AnnaKait Peters-Bahkou

Finni Preston

Abby Rosenfeld

?

Kalia Pagano

Kenley Satcher

Audrey Schulz

Katie Beth Terrill

Maisy Veninga

Spencer Slavik

Ben Villhard

Brooke Susic

Charlie Villhard

Who's Who

Amelia Ward

Sophie Yilmaz

Evie Preston

Josie Holzer

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Who's Who Elle Baclesse (Vivienne), a sophomore, is excited to be part of Legally Blonde Jr.!

Credits include Flotsum in The Little Mermaid (Shooting Star Productions), Omar in Aladdin (Stages St. Louis), Ms. Spider in James and the Giant Peach (GCPA), and City Father in Wizard of Oz (Variety Theatre). She studies voice with Lisa Fahey and this year was a member of the Nerinx Hall Varsity Dance and Freshman Soccer teams. "Many thanks to my family, friends, fellow cast mates and the amazing crew!"

Duncan Barbour (Emmett) is a ninth grader and is thrilled to play Emmett in Legally Blonde Jr.! His past performances include Medea’s Child in Medea at SLU. At WMS Theatre, he played Malfoy in Puffs, Nigel in Matilda, Chief Tui in Moana Jr., and Bruno Carrelli in Marvel’s Mirror of Most Value. He takes voice lessons from Lori Barrett-Pagano and participates in chamber choir at school. He loves to read and watch TV. “Thanks for the support from my family and friends!”

Lila Brady (Ensemble), a 7th grader, is very excited to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr. Credits include Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr. at school, Peter Pan in Peter Pan Jr. at GCPA, and Ensemble in The Music Man at GCPA. They study voice with Sarah Vlodek and take dance classes at GCPA. They also play guitar in their band Full Circle. They would like to say, “Thank you to my friends, family and cast mates.”

Reese Brinker (Kate) is a rising eighth grader and is thrilled to be a part of GCPA's Legally Blonde Jr. Other favorite roles include Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting (Next Generation / Vivre), Emily in Strawberry Freckle Face (Visitation Academy) JoJo in Seussical (Dayspring), Anna in Frozen Jr. (Dayspring), Simba in Lion King KIDS (Dayspring & Visitation), and Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz Jr. (Dayspring). She would like to thank the GCPA cast and crew for welcoming her to GCPA and Legally Blonde Jr., and a special thank you to her family!

Harper Clark (Ensemble) is a rising 8th grader. Her passion for theatre and dance started at a young age. Besides being in Freaky Friday with Shooting Star Productions, she is a member of the preprofessional COCA Dance Company. She is honored to be a part of GCPA’s production of Legally Blonde Jr. Maggie Cook (Ensemble) is a rising 8th grader. She is thrilled to be performing with GCPA! Credits include Willy Wonka, Jr., Seussical, Annie, Jr., Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Pan, Jr. Maggie was also on the Ignite Theatre Elite Performance Team and traveled to Disney World with them in 2019! She is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this show!

Paige Cuddihee (Ensemble) will be in 8th grade at Our Lady School in the fall. She is excited to be back on stage in Legally Blonde Jr.! Most recently she was in GCPA's Matilda and Shooting Star Productions' The Little Mermaid. Her favorite role has been Annie in Ignite Theatre’s Annie Jr. In August she will be performing with Arch City Theater Troupe to raise funds and awareness for JDRF. Paige dances with Professional Dance Center and takes voice with Katie Kopff. Many thanks to the directors and crew for making this show so much fun! Enjoy the show!

Marchesa Dolton (Sales Woman), a rising 7th grader, is excited for this GCPA production. Credits include: Aphrodite in Dear Edwina (GCPA), Young Nala in The Lion King Jr. (Shrewsbury Youth Theater), Ensemble in Freaky Friday Jr. (Shooting Star Productions), and various other ensemble roles with Shrewsbury Youth Theater. She was part of the inaugural group of GCPA Show Starters! She studies voice with Lisa Casciola, takes dance at GCPA and plays piano. Many thanks to the directors, production team, cast mates, family and friends!

Libby Edison (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be finally performing Legally Blonde Jr. alongside this amazingly talented cast. This is her 8th GCPA production! Other GCPA credits include Anne of Green Gables, Matilda, Peter Pan Jr., Titanic, The Music Man, Jungle Book KIDS, and Annie KIDS.

Who's Who She also appeared in several Kirkwood Youth Theater productions. Libby studies both voice and dance and is a member of GCPA’s performance ensemble, Show Starters. Thank you to the fabulous and hard working creative team for always making every experience on stage absolutely unforgettable! "OMIGOD YOU GUYS, enjoy the show and thank you for coming!"

Will Elder (Schultz, Pforzheimer), an 8th grader, is excited to join his first GCPA performance, Legally Blonde Jr.! He has performed in school talent shows from an early age, has played the violin from the age of three, and has performed in a middle school production of Mary Poppins in 2018. Will is also an athlete and plays basketball, football, and baseball. Special thanks to mom, Dad, Charlie, Aunt Sissy, and all his family and friends!

Ellemieke Ferguson (Ensemble), a 7th grader, is delighted to be joining the cast of Legally Blonde Jr. This is her 3rd show with GCPA. Highlights with GCPA include Bessie Wright in Anne of Green Gables and the Legally Blonde Revue last summer. She has had the pleasure of working with Overdue Theatre Company, Shooting Star Productions, Chaminade and STAGES. Ellemieke is part of the Arch City Kids Theater Troupe, takes voice with Katie Kopff, plays field hockey and is in the PreProfessional Theatre Artist division at COCA. She is thrilled to be working with GCPA and is grateful for the opportunity.

Lily Griner (Pilar), a 9th grader, is excited to be in Legally Blonde Jr. She has previously appeared in GCPA’s productions of 42nd Street, Anne of Green Gables, Flat Stanley: Online Edition, A Legally Blonde Revue, The Addams Family, Titanic, The Music Man, A Little Princess, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and White Christmas. She also has performed with Shooting Star and Chaminade. A dancer since age 4, Lily currently studies dance, voice, and acting at GCPA, and she crafts, bakes, and is proud to always be true to herself! Lily thanks everyone for their support.

Sophie Harrison (Paulette), a rising sophomore at Nerinx Hall, is so excited to be a part of her first performance with GCPA! She has recently been seen onstage as Bebe in A Chorus Line, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Lily St. Regis in Annie, all at Ignite Theatre Company. She was also recently cast as Violet in Violet at Ignite Theatre Company and Sister Mary Robert at Kirkwood Youth Theatre. She loves dance and theatre and she thanks her mom, dad, brothers, friends and Nana for all their support!

Jane Kramer (Ensemble) is so excited to be in Legally Blonde Jr.! This is her 2nd show with GCPA. Most recently, she was in the ensemble of The Little Mermaid (Shooting Star Productions).Other past shows include Strawberry in Freckleface Strawberry the Musical (Viz) and Light the Lights (Variety Theatre). Jane loves singing in the St. Louis Children's Choirs, playing soccer, and being with her friends. She would like to thank the cast and crew for making her experience so fun.

Christopher Lowery (Winthrop, Prison Guard), an 8th grader this fall, is thrilled to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr. Favorite credits include Ching Ho in Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. and Pumbaa in The Lion King Jr. (Shrewsbury Youth Theater), along with playing “The Boy” on The Polar Express at Union Station over the past three holiday seasons. Christopher has also appeared in a variety of TV, radio and print ads, but is best known as the Vinson Mortgage “kid with a slap shot.” Big thanks to his family, friends and voice teacher, Katie Kopff.

Sophie Maddock (Gaelen) is so excited to be in Legally Blonde Jr.! This is her 4th GCPA production. She has had multiple roles at Kirkwood Youth Theater and Shrewsbury, where she even played Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Sophie has a passion for singing and dancing, and she cherishes the friendships she has made through St. Louis theater. She is honored to be surrounded by the talent in this cast and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Reese

Who's Who Charlie Mathis (Professor Callahan) is happy to be back on stage with GCPA after enjoying his roles as Nigil in Matilda and Bellboy in Titanic. During the 2020-2021 school year, Charlie was fortunate to get to play Narrator One in Norse Mythology: Ragnasplosion at his school and Charlie Sloane in Anne of Green Gables at GCPA. Charlie has also been seen on stage at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as Ralphie in A Christmas Story and as Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird, as well as various productions with local and regional theatres including Ozark Actors Theatre, Variety Theater of St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, and Polar Express. Charlie enjoys sports broadcasting, playing baseball, and hanging out with his five siblings.

Emerson Mattia (Ensemble) is overjoyed to be a part of the cast of Legally Blonde Jr. His past GCPA credits include Winthrop in The Music Man, an Ancestor in Addams Family young@part, and Bobby in Dear Edwina. When he is not on the stage, Emerson enjoys jamming on the saxophone and keyboard, playing golf and tennis, and grinding on Fortnite, Rocket League, and F1.

Delaney McCoy (Ensemble), a rising 8th grader, is tickled pink to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr.! Credits include: Orphan in Annie (Muny), Lullaby League in Wizard of Oz (CMP), Hortensia and u/s Matilda in Matilda (GCPA), Ruth Begie in Anne of Green Gables (GCPA) Becky in Dear Edwina (GCPA) and Ensemble in 42nd Street (GCPA) She studies voice and dance at GCPA, is a member of Show Starters at GCPA, as well as a member of her middle school show choir and dance team. She would like to say “Omigod, omigod you guys - thanks for all your support!" She hopes everyone knows “Being true to yourself never goes out of style!”

Anne Niedbalski (Serena, u/s Elle) is a rising 7th grader. After the tumultuous last year she could not be more excited to be part of the cast in Legally Blonde, Jr. and to be performing again. Some of her prior roles include Pirate and u/s Wendy in Peter Pan Jr, Roller Skating Chef in Beauty and the Beast Jr, Villager in Fiddler on the Roof, and Elf in Elf Jr. Anne is also a member of the

Ignite Elite Performance Team. She wants to thank her family and her instructors for their dedication and their time allowing her to pursue her passion of theatre.

Kalia Pagano (Margot, u/s Brooke) is a high school Freshman. This is her 14th show with GCPA! She has been in High School Musical, Hairspray, Annie Warbucks (Orphan, u/s Molly), Aladdin KIDS (Aladdin), White Christmas, Annie KiDS (Miss Hannigan), A Little Princess (Lottie), Music Man, Titanic, Addams Family, Matilda, and 42nd Street. Outside of GCPA she was Young Cosette in Les Misérables at Chaminade last year and has also played Young Julia in St. Louis University Theatre's production of James Joyce's The Dead. She has been taking dance and musical theatre classes since she was 4 and has pretty much been singing since before she could speak. She plays clarinet in her school's Wind Ensemble and also plays ukulele.

When not performing, she loves to draw, paint and make jewelry. In October she will be playing Small Allison in the Take Two Production of Fun Home. Much love to Mom, Dad and brother Xavier!

AnnaKait Peters-Bahkou (Kiki, Store Manager, u/s Paulette) is excited to finally be able to perform in Legally Blonde Jr.! Her credits include: The Wizard of Oz, Rapunzel, A Musical Adventure, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka Jr., School House Rock Live, Into the Woods, James and the Giant Peach, Jr. Titanic, High School Musical, The Westing Game, The Addams Family, Life is like a Double Cheeseburger, Over Due Theater Company’s Marvelously MisCast and Anything’s Possible. She has also performed In GCPA’s Urinetown and LuSo’s /mis kast/. AnnaKait performed in three virtual productions during this crazy pandemic and is thrilled to be back live with GCPA and an amazing group of performers. She looks forward to all the shows to come during her high school years at Lutheran High School South.

Who's Who Finni Preston (Ensemble) caught the theatre bug when she was introduced to musical theatre in 2016 at GCPA. Her first Main Stage performance was White Christmas. Since then she has performed in or worked crew on a variety of productions at GCPA and other local theaters. Her passion for the arts extends to drawing and painting.

Abby Rosenfeld (Enid) is so excited to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr.! Previous credits include, Ruby in Anne of Green Gables (GCPA), Ensemble in The Music Man (GCPA), Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda (Wydown theatre), and Lucile in James and the Giant Peach Jr. (GCPA). Thanks to the directors and enjoy the show!

Kenley Satcher (Kyle, Grand Master Chad, u/s Emmett) is an 8th grader and is excited to be in Legally Blonde Jr. He has performed in two other shows at school: Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr., and Ensemble in Singin’ in the Rain. He enjoys playing basketball, hanging out with his two little sisters, and even doing some of his own screenwriting for fun. He is excited to be part of the cast and feels more than ready for it!

Audrey Schulz (Chutney) is thrilled to be in her first GCPA summer junior high production! Past favorite GCPA roles include Young Jane Andrews and u/s Anne in Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Matilda, Captain Hook in Peter Pan Jr., and Baloo in Jungle Book KIDS. Audrey performs with GCPA Show Starters, dances and acts at GCPA, studies voice with Kristianna Pirrie, and has never actually had a perm. "Thanks to, well, everybody for, well, everything!"

Spencer Slavik (Judge) is 11 years old and a rising seventh grader, and he is thrilled to be a part of the wonderful and fun cast of Legally Blonde Jr. with GCPA. He enjoys dance and musical theatre with the various performing groups around town, such as American Dance Troupe, Show Starters Performance Group, Kirkwood Youth Theater (Hairspray Jr.), Goshen Theatre Project (The Little Mermaid Jr.), and GCPA (Peter Pan Jr., Matilda, Anne of Green Gables). Spencer was also in a play with The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as Randy in A

Christmas Story (2018), and Scooter in the short film The Mink Slide. He loves to play piano and cello. Spencer’s favorite subjects are Social Studies and Math, and he wants to be an engineer/inventor when he grows up. He enjoys volleyball, basketball, and building with Legos. He is a member of the Humane Society Shelter Buddy Reading Program, which encourages young people to give comfort to shelter dogs by reading to them, reducing their anxiety, and helping them get adopted.

Brooke Susic (Ensemble), a 6th grader, is thrilled to appear in Legally Blonde Jr. This is her second production with GCPA. Credits include Napkin / Ensemble in Dear Edwina (GCPA) and Ensemble in Oklahoma and The Wizard of Oz (Christ Memorial Productions). Brooke studies voice with Lisa Casciola and has taken dance at Charmette Academy of Dance since age 3. Brooke loves theater and wants to thank all her teachers, friends, and family for their ongoing support.

Katie Beth Terrill (Brooke) is a rising eighth grader and is excited to be back at GCPA this summer! Her favorite past roles include Lavender in Matilda (GCPA), Young Fiona in Shrek (Spotlight), Esther Jane in A Christmas Story (Shooting Star Productions) and Marian in The Music Man (Lindbergh). She dances at the Professional Dance Center and takes voice lessons from Lisa Fahey. She is thankful for the return of live performances!!

Maisy Veninga (Ensemble), a rising 8th grader, is LIKE, TOTALLY EXCITED to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr.! Credits include: Performer in 2020 Legally Blonde Pre-Show Revue (GCPA), Performer in 2019 & 2018 Raise the Curtain (GCPA), Ensemble in The Addams Family young@part (GCPA), Featured Dancer / Ensemble in James and the Giant Peach Jr. (GCPA), and Sally in Annie KIDS (GCPA). She studies voice with Kristianna Pirrie and dance at Krupinski Academy. “I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me and believing in me!”

Who's Who Ben Villhard (Warner), age 15, is so excited to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr.! Favorite shows include Matilda, The Addams Family young@part, The Music Man, Zombie Prom: Atomic Edition and the opportunity to play Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach Jr. Ben also enjoys performing on lead guitar and singing in his rock band, Flying Pie. Ben would like to thank the GCPA directors and his older brothers and sister for their support and encouragement!

Charlie Villhard (Dewey, Lowell), age 13, is so excited to be a part of Legally Blonde Jr.!

Favorite shows include Flat Stanley, The Big 1-0, Peter Pan Jr., Jungle Book KiDS and Annie KIDS. Charlie also enjoys performing on violin and piano. Charlie would like to thank the GCPA directors and his older brothers and sister for their support and encouragement!

Amelia Ward (Elle) is thrilled to be in GCPA’s Legally Blonde Jr.! Credits include: Jane Banks in Lindenwood’s Mary Poppins, Ensemble in Gypsy at the St. Louis MUNY, and Isabelle in the short film Spooky Sweets. She studies voice and piano with Pamela Grooms at Lindenwood University.

“Thanks so much to everyone who made this production happen, to my parents, and to all my beautiful friends. Enjoy the show!!”

Sophie Yilmaz (Whitney, u/s Vivienne), a 9th grader, is very excited to make her first appearance with GCPA in Legally Blonde Jr. She has been performing since she was three years old. One of the most exciting moments in her singing career was when she appeared on The Voice Kids in Turkey on national television. She played Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr. in her middle school musical, and she was recently chosen for ACDA National Honors Choir and Regional Honors Choir. She studies guitar, piano, and voice. In addition to music lessons, Sophie attends a private ballet conservatory where she does pointe, jazz, ballet, and tap.

CREATIVE TEAM Stephanie Fox (Director & Artistic Director) Originally from Oklahoma, Stephanie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music: Music

Theatre and continued her studies independently in New York. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity (Stephanie Long) she has performed regionally, on National Tour and in New York. In St. Louis, Stephanie has taught at COCA, STAGES, and is choreographer for Chaminade College Prep. She is humbled to work with the amazing young actors that pass through GCPA’s doors. This one is for season 7.5. We're now 8 shows in and already dreaming up next season.

Lori Barrett-Pagano (Music Director and Managing Director) is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of GCPA. She earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been teaching voice for over 25 years – currently as an adjunct voice faculty at St. Louis University, as well as voice and classes at GCPA. Professionally, Lori has performed with The MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, Echo Theatre, Spotlight Theatre, MainStage Musicals and SIUE Summer Showbiz. Regional credits include The Minnesota Opera, North Star Opera, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. She is proud of this talented cast. OMIGOD you guys, after a year we finally get to do Legally Blonde Jr!!!

Much love to her husband Paul, and her children Xavier and Kalia.

Laura Roth (Choreographer & Education Assistant), a native of Jacksonville, IL, is a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in St. Louis, MO. Laura has performed with companies and collectives including Leverage Dance Theatre, Smashworks Dance, Common Thread Contemporary Ballet, and pH eXchange Dance Theatre. She has had the pleasure of collaborating with Masterworks Chorale on multiple projects and choreographing musicals for Kirwood Theatre Guild and STLCC - Meramac. She has performed in Dance St. Louis’ Spring to Dance, Kansas City Fringe Festival, City in Motion’s A Modern Night at the Folly, Dine on Dance, Dancing in the Street, and National Dance Week. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Laura holds a BA in Dance and a minor in Religious Studies. Laura has been on the

Who's Who GCPA team since 2014 and is still honored to be along for the ride. She is so proud of this cast and excited to share their work with a live audience!

Lisi Levy (Stage Manager) (she/her) is a Saint Louis native and recent graduate from Oklahoma City University with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Directing. As a GCPA alum, Lisi has loved returning home to GCPA throughout the years over the summer, and is thrilled to share Legally Blonde Jr. with you. She has loved getting to know your students! Some of her recent credits include OCU Stripped (Artistic Director), The Revolutionists (Director), John Proctor Is The Villain (Director), Clean Slate (Andi), and Mother Courage and Her Children (Player). Lisi would like to thank Stephanie, Paul, Lori, Ashleigh, Laura, and GCPA for trusting her to take on larger roles each summer, believing in her potential, and including her in the GCPA family.

Tracey Newcomb (Costume Design) has had the privilege to work with St Louis area theatre for the past 10 years. She has won 2 AFL awards for best costume and has been nominated for several more. She works with several different theatre groups as well as schools. She is the costume designer for the City of St Charles for their festivals Legends and Lanterns and Christmas Traditions. Tracey has costumed GCPA’s shows since 2015 and has enjoyed the opportunity to work such great talented staff and youth. Tracey lives with her husband Paul and youngest daughter Brooke. She has 4 other adult children and 2 granddaughters that own her heart.

Justin Smith (Sound) is a St. Louis Native who graduated valedictorian in Audio Engineering and Sound Design from the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis, MN. Since then he's served as the Production Coordinator for the Missouri History Museum for 9+ years, providing audio/visual production for exhibits and events such as "STL 250", "Twilight Tuesdays", and "Panorama's".

Justin has also made a name for himself in the St. Louis Theatre community, assisting in dozens of performances over the last six years. In his spare time Justin enjoys hiking with his wife & schipperkes, Reilly & Rocket.

Intensives are perfect for experienced students ready for a challenge!

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Acknowledgments

A very special thank you to our donors: Stephanie Abbajay Rhonda Adams David Anderson Maria Anderson Dana Bacich Shelley & Joshua Baclesse Kimberly Baltimore Sheren Barakat Jennifer Barnhart Kori Baron Marti Bates Jason & Julie Battaglia Jay & Diana Baumohl Linda Becker Rick Beemer Jennifer Bellm Ashley Bendoff Lisa Berman Cheree Berry Laurie Blanner Kris Blanchard Nate & Ashleigh Blevins Mary Jane Bookstaver Meredith Bookstaver Amy Borah Amy Bozarth Glen Brady Jyl Brady Kathie Brazel Rodney Brazil Angela Brennan Ryan Bricker Jeffrey Brinker Morgan Bucciferro Cindy & David Bunte Mickey Button Donna Caltagirone Jonathan & Jennifer Campbell Farrell Carfield Kathie Carnie Don Carter Heidi Carter Courtney Celani Farrell Clancy Ann Clayton Timothy Cleary Danielle Coffyn Mary Coffyn Dale Collier Virginia Collins Rebecca Combs Dave Cooperstein Cage Coven Audrey Crabtree Kathy Crandall Lauren Cropper Denise Crosson Michelle & Robert Cuddihee Lynn Davis Karen De Foy Giancarlo & Tina Dell’Orco Marc & Amy Del Pietro Edward DeVault Stacey Dick Harry Diwakaran Elisa Doherty Jayne Dolton Megan Dolton Richard Dolton

Ryan Dolton Brennan Donahue Stacey Drake Patricia Eastman Ted & Elaine Eckert Sanay & Brian Edison Holly & Daniel Egley Tracy Eichholz Robyne Elder Karen Elias Martille Elias Erin Estopare Mary Fedak Aaron Finnegan Cathleen Fogarty Barbara Foner Ariana Fort Marty & Stephanie Fox Laura Frank Anu French Anne & Chuck Freshour Kayla Fuller Jack Gansner Shannon Gansner Dave & Julie Gant Devin Gant Kim Garland Michelle R. Gardner Jennifer Gardner Christine Geiger Miranda Gelven Lea Gerdes Kathryn Gerwitz Ron Gibbs Mike & Elaine Goldman Judy & Al Goldman Mary & Jerry Grace Georgriana Grant Shelley Gregg Catherine Griffin Catherine Griner Denice Griner Olivia Griner Rob Grumich Susan Gudermuth Timothy & Monica Gunn Jennifer Haislar Trishia Haislar Lawrence Haliburton Laurie Hamilton Keith Hamilton Michelle Hand Rachel Harpin Susan Harris John Harvey Brian Harwood Elaine Hauck Katie & Dan Hauck Moira Healy Andrea Hellin Steven & Sarah Hellin Rechelle Hembree & Carrie Bechtold Elizabeth Henderson Jason Henderson Laura Hewgley Mike & Tammy Higgins John Hildebrant William Hildebrant Jen Hobin

Tanner Hobin Kristi Holsinger Elizabeth Holzer Kristin Humes Greg & Victoria Iken Autum Jennings Armetrice Johnson Nita Jones Mary & Vic Jost Jennifer Kapetanovich John Kepler Alia Khoukaz Pamela Kibler John Kepler Kevin Kickham Casey Kleekamp Kimberly Klick Catherine & Adam Kopff Al Koller Pia and Matthew Koster Beverly Kramer Jane Krasnoff Roxanne Kroeger Yelena & George Kroeger Janet Kuelker Kathleen & Alex Kummant JoAnne Lacey Connor Langford Angie Langhauser Cara Langhauser Linda & David Latham Shanie Latham Bryan Lawrence Marcus Leab William & Shannon Lemp Jessica & Shawn Leonard Lisi Levy John & Laura Limbaugh James & Allyson Linck Laurie Lock Courtney Loosemore Kathy Lottes Emily Lowery Alaina Macia Jennifer & John MacPhee Andrea Maddock Jaclyn Marino Robin Martell Kim Mathis Nathan Mattia Eric Maupin Sarah McCann Jerry & Dawn McCoy John & Susanne McDonald Kelli McDonald Colleen McIntee Ann McReynolds Mary Meyers Tina Meyer Kathy Miller Regina & Brian Miller Kevin Mitchell Karen Moehlman Amy & Charles Moll Tim Mooney Barbara & Thomas Moran Christopher Morris Kate Morrison Gabrielle Mueller

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NOW ENROLLING!

SING. DANCE. ACT. PERFORM.