BOOK BY DENNIS KELLY
MINCHIN
ORCHESTRATIONS AND ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY CHRIS NIGHTINGALE
MUSIC & LYRICS BY TIM
Director’s Note
At the heart of Matilda JR. lies something truly magical — not just telekinesis or daring escapes — but the incredible, unstoppable power of a young mind.
Roald Dahl’s beloved story reminds us that children are not just small people waiting to grow up. They are dreamers, truth-tellers, inventors, and revolutionaries. They see the world with clarity and curiosity, and they remind us — again and again — of what really matters: kindness, fairness, laughter, and love.
This version of Matilda may be shorter in length, but it’s every bit as rich in heart. It celebrates the bravery it takes to be yourself in a world that doesn’t always understand, and the
Thank you for joining us. May you be reminded — through imagination — of the wonder that children bring to the world and how the magic of theatre can
Janine Merolla Director
Starring (in alphabetical order)
Allie Aulestia
Sophia Brown
Myra Bugeanu
Cadence Castaneda
Cassandra Castaneda
Madeleine Chiaramonte
Madelyn Cruz
Elyssa Cumba
Noah Curran
Baylee Diapella
Dominic Diaz
Reagan Goldhorn
Kendall Guercio
Hadley Hacker
Ella Hamro
Caroline Hanlon
Ryker Hawkins
Sunday Hawkins
COO
Grayson Howe
Mallory Howe
Brooke Hunter
Allison Kirchoff-Lyon
Sullivan Kollmer
Uma Kussman
Kayleigh Maddox
Miabella Mambuca
Alexandra McLaughlin
Declan McLaughlin
Isabella Meister
RiLee Muller
Lillian Murphy
Lorna Murphy
Serena Nanavati
Naomi Joy Norvell
Ava Odell
Scarlett Olivia
Ariela Padejka-Savov
Jacob Radosti
Nicholas Radosti
Olivia Radosti
Maxwell Rinaldi
Sofia Rustice
Catalina Sandoval Oros
Loanna Sandoval Oros
Ava Sharma
Samone Sharma
Zoia Shipunova
Emilia Solis
Mia Sturzenegger
Lucy Rose Westover Subia
Olivia Svec
Mia Swen
Siena Rose Vaccaro Show
Cast of Characters
Matilda .......................................................................................
Ariela Padejka-Savov
Mr. Wormwood ..................................................................................... Grayson Howe
Mrs. Wormwood .............................................................................. Mia Sturzenegger
Michael Wormwood .......................................................................... Caroline Hanlon
Miss Honey ............................................................................................. Scarlett Olivia
Trunchbull ........................................................................................
Nicholas Radosti
Eric .......................................................................................................... Dominic Diaz
Tommy ................................................................................................
Serena Nanavati
Amanda ........................................................................................... Naomi Joy Norvell
Bruce ........................................................................................................ Noah Curran
Lavender .................................................................................................... Ava Sharma
Alice ......................................................................................... Alexandra McLaughlin
Hortensia ................................................................................................. Allie Aulestia
Nigel .............................................................................................. Cadence Castaneda
Rudolpho ..................................................................................................
RiLee Muller
Mrs. Phelps ........................................................................................ Samone Sharma
Acrobat .....................................................................................................
Sergei/Escapologist .............................................................
Sophia Brown
Myra Bugeanu
Madelyn Cruz
Elyssa Cumba
Baylee Diapella
Kendall Guercio
Hadley Hacker
Cassandra Castaneda
Reagan Goldhorn
Ella Hamro
Ryker Hawkins
Kayleigh Maddox
Crunchem Hall Students
Sunday Hawkins
Mallory Howe
Brooke Hunter
Allison Kirchoff-Lyon
Sullivan Kollmer
Uma Kussman
Miabella Mambuca
Library Kids
Declan McLaughlin
Ava Odell
Jacob Radosti
Maxwell Rinaldi
Catalina Sandoval Oros
Runtime
1 hour with no intermission.
S etting
Sofia Rustice
Madeleine Chiaramonte
Isabella Meister
Lillian Murphy
Lorna Murphy
Olivia Radosti
Loanna Sandoval Oros
Olivia Svec
Siena Rose Vaccaro
Zoia Shipunova
Emilia Solis
Lucy Rose Westover Subia
Mia Swen
Wormwood home, library and school.
BOOK BY DENNIS KELLY
ORCHESTRATIONS AND ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY
Musical Numbers
“Miracle” “Naughty” “Acrobat Story” “School Song”
“The Hammer” “Naughty - Superglue” “The Chokey Chant”
“This Little Girl” “Bruce” “When I Grow Up” “Quiet” “Revolting Children”
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
MUSIC & LYRICS BY TIM MINCHIN
CHRIS NIGHTINGALE
About the Playwrights
Dennis Kelly (Book Author) Work for theatre includes Debris, Osama the Hero, After the End, Love and Money, Taking Care of Baby, DNA, Orphans, The Gods Weep, and The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas. He has written the book for the new musical of Pinocchio which opened at the National Theatre at the end of 2017, and in 2018 his new play Girls and Boys opened at the Royal Court. His plays have been performed worldwide and to date have been translated into nearly forty languages. For television he co-wrote and co-created Pulling and wrote and created Utopia. For film, he wrote the screenplay for Black Sea, directed by Kevin MacDonald. He also wrote the book for the Olivier and Tony® winning Matilda the Musical. In 2010, DNA became a set text on the GCSE English Literature syllabus.
Tim Minchin (Music and Lyrics) is an Australian musician, comedian, composer, actor, writer, and director. He has toured extensively in the US, UK, and Australia, performing solo, with bands, and with symphony orchestras. He’s released five DVDs, the most recent recorded with the Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. He is the composer lyricist of two hit West End/Broadway musicals, Matilda and Groundhog Day, both of which won the Olivier Award for Best West End Musical and garnered nominations for Best Score and Best Musical in Broadway’s Tony® Awards. Minchin wrote, produced and starred in the Sky Atlantic/Foxtel TV series, Upright, in 2019. Other screen-acting credits include Atticus Fetch in Season 6 of Californication, a Logie Award-winning Smasher Sullivan in the ABC’s Secret River, and Friar Tuck in Lionsgate’s Robin Hood reboot. Stage highlights include Judas in the UK/Australian Arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2012, and Rosencrantz in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead the following year. He has published two books: the graphic novel, “Storm,” and the illustrated childrens’ book, “When I Grow Up”. He is a member of the Order of Australia, a philanthropist and a mediocre juggler.
About the Cast (in alphabetical order)
Allie Aulestia (Hortensia) is so excited to be in Matilda JR. She’s been in two other plays with Gulfshore Playhouse. Her favorite so far is Anything Goes: Youth Edition where she played the role of Spit. She has been in 9 other plays, and her favorite is Finding Nemo JR. She’s so excited to work with this cast again and hopes you enjoy the show!
Sophia Brown (Crunchem Hall Student) is eleven years old and an incoming 6th grader. This will be her third production with Gulfshore Playhouse. She has performed in the Jungle Book Kids, Willy Wonka JR., Seussical JR., and The Wizard of Oz. Sophia was chosen for the 2024-2025 CCPS Honor Choir. She is very excited to be back on stage!
Myra Bugeanu (Crunchem Hall Student) is 9 years old and dreams to one day be an actor. While she previously participated in a bootcamp and workshop at Gulfshore Playhouse, Matilda JR is her first actual musical performance.
Cadence Castaneda (Nigel) just finished 5th grade. This is her 6th performance with Gulfshore Playhouse, most recently in Anything Goes: Youth Edition this past fall. In the spring, she performed as Gertrude in Seussical Jr. at FBA. She loves to sing and perform and making great friends with the cast. She can’t wait to perform in Matilda JR.
Cassandra Castaneda (Library Kid) just finished 1st grade. This is her 1st performance with Gulfshore Playhouse. She’s excited to learn and make great friends. She is looking forward to performing in Matilda JR.
Madeleine Chiaramonte (Sergei/Escapologist) is a rising Sophomore at CSN. Past credits include: The Little Mermaid (twice), Seussical JR., A Murder Is Announced, and Dance Express. In her free time she enjoys swimming, scuba diving, movies, and hanging out with family and friends. She LOVES theatre and wants to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work! Enjoy the show.
About the Cast
Madelyn Cruz (Crunchem Hall Student) is so excited to be in Matilda JR. this summer. This is her first show at Gulfshore Playhouse, typically you can find her tumbling away at gymnastics! She hopes you enjoy the show!
Elyssa Cumba (Crunchem Hall Student) is so looking forward to Matilda JR. She has participated in two theatre shows in the past. She is so excited to be part of the show.
Noah Curran (Bruce) is thrilled to perform in Matilda JR. for another summer at Gulfshore Playhouse after appearing as Charlie in Willy Wonka JR. last summer. He was also seen as Sailor 1 in Anything Goes: Youth Edition and Roger in 101 Dalmatians KIDS. The world is Noah’s stage, and he can often be heard singing for anyone who will listen! He takes voice lessons with Laura Ferranti at The Vocal Ring Studio and plans to attend The Naples Players Academy in the fall. Noah’s a typical 11-yearold who enjoys creating YouTube videos, playing Xbox, going on road trips, and riding roller coasters!
Baylee Diapella (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to join the Gulfshore Playhouse production of Matilda JR. She is an enthusiastic dramatist who has been in several small productions at Gulfshore, Seacrest Country Day School, Marco YMCA, Naples Players, and Kidstock of Winchester. Baylee has also recently discovered the New York City theatre scene and her new favorite past time is waiting after shows to have her playbills signed by the performers. She aims to follow her love of theatre as far as it will take her.
Dominic Diaz (Eric) is proud to return to Gulfshore Playhouse after performing as an Oompa-Loompa in Willy Wonka JR. (Summer ’24). He enjoys performing on stage, especially at piano recitals featuring pieces like “Für Elise” and “Sunnyside Waltz.” When not on stage, Dom is busy swimming competitively for T2 Aquatics. His enthusiasm and warm, social personality shine through in everything he does.
Reagan Goldhorn (Library Kid) is thrilled to be part of this production! She previously appeared in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the Conservatory at Gulfshore Playhouse. Outside of theatre, Reagan has been a dedicated gymnast for five years and brings the same energy and discipline to the stage. She excels at math, enjoys playing Minecraft, and is a proud kitten enthusiast.
Kendall Guercio (Crunchem Hall Student) is a rising 6th grade student at Gulfview middle school. She was recently cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical Kids and as Annie in The Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark, all at TNP. She also performed with the Collier County 5th grade Honors Choir. Kendall is so excited to perform at Gulfshore Playhouse for the first time!
Hadley Hacker (Crunchem Hall Student) is thrilled to be in Matilda JR.! A theatre lover since childhood, she’s performed in James and the Giant Peach, Winnie the Pooh Kids, The Little Mermaid, Annie, Finding Nemo, and Willy Wonka JR. The stage is where she truly feels the most at home.
Ella Hamro (Library Kid) is excited for her stage debut! Inspired by her cousin’s love for acting, she’s ready to step into the spotlight and shine in her very first show.
Caroline Hanlon (Michael Wormwood) is a rising fifth grader and is excited to be back at Gulfshore for her third summer as part of Matilda JR. She has participated in various Gulfshore Conservatory productions including Finding Nemo, Seussical, The Jungle Book, and most recently appeared as Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Caroline would like to thank her family and the Gulfshore Playhouse cast and crew for their support of her theatre education.
Ryker Hawkins (Library Kid) is excited to make his Gulfshore Playhouse debut in Matilda JR.! He recently appeared in Pirates of Penzance at Saint Ann School. He’ll be starting 6th grade this fall and loves being on stage. Offstage, Ryker enjoys drawing, playing chess, and hanging out with his friends and family.
About the Cast
Sunday Hawkins (Crunchem Hall Student) is thrilled to perform in Matilda JR.! She was last seen in The Wizard of Oz here at Gulfshore Playhouse and has also played Sally in a Charlie Brown Christmas and Carol in Christmas Unwrapped at Saint Ann School. Sunday is a rising 3rd grader who loves singing, acting, and being on stage!
Grayson Howe (Mr. Wormwood) is a rising 7th grader, who has performed in eleven productions. He recently played Puss in Boots in Shrek the Musical JR. at his school. This is his second performance with Gulfshore Playhouse. He is thrilled to be back with Gulfshore Playhouse and even more excited for you to watch the show!
Mallory Howe (Crunchem Hall Student) is a rising 5th grade student. This is her third production with Gulfshore Playhouse. Besides being on stage, she loves creating, playing sports, and being with her friends and family. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Brooke Hunter (Crunchem Hall Student) is extremely excited to be back preforming at Gulfshore Playhouse playing (Minnie) in Matilda JR. This is her 5th production with Gulfshore Playhouse. She has previously been in Anything Goes: Youth Edition (Dippy), Seussical Jr. (Wickersham Brother), Willy Wonka Jr. (Augustus Gloop), Finding Nemo Jr. (Anchor, Moonfish 3, Electric Eel 2), and Annie Kids (Pepper). She’s very passionate about singing and dancing. She also loves to write in her spare time. She hopes you enjoy the show!!!!
Allison Kirchhoff-Lyon (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to be in Matilda JR., previously having performed in Willy Wonka JR. (Reporter #2) and Trolls bootcamp. In addition to theatre, Allie loves volleyball and spending time with her cats, Snappy and Sassy.
Sullivan Kollmer (Crunchem Hall Student) could not be more excited for Matilda Jr. This will be her third performance at Gulfshore Playhouse, having been a part of last summer’s Willy Wonka Jr. show and starring as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz last fall. She is grateful for your attendance at this show!
Uma Kussman (Crunchem Hall Student) is elated to be in Matilda JR. this summer. This is her first show at Gulfshore Playhouse. She is heading into 7th Grade at Oakridge Middle School and plays volleyball at USA South. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Kayleigh Maddox (Library Kid) is 7 years old. She is super excited to be in Matilda JR. This is her first show at Gulfshore Playhouse. She has been in several Youth Showcase Classes at The Naples Players.
Miabella Mambuca (Crunchem Hall Student) is a 9-yearold girl who loves the arts! This is her fifth theatre production. She was Grandpa George in Willy Wonka JR., Wickersham in Seussical Kids, and she performed in The Wizard of Oz twice in various roles: Wicked Witch, Ensemble, Winkie, Crow, and Jitterbug. She also loves family, friends, swimming, singing, and traveling.
Alexandra McLaughlin (Alice) is excited to be in her second production with Gulfshore Playhouse. She is a rising 7th grader at Pine Ridge Middle School. She loves competitive dance and wants to thank all of her dance teachers at Dance Arts By Maria for their continued support. She is excited to be with all of her friends and castmates again this year!
Declan McLaughlin (Library Kid) is so excited to be working on Matilda JR. This is his first show at Gulfshore Playhouse, but he most recently appeared as the King of Hearts in the production of Alice in Wonderland JR. at Bonita Center for the Arts. He has been acting and singing from a young age and loves the stage! He hopes you enjoy the show!
Isabella Meister (Crunchem Hall Student) is absolutely thrilled to join the cast of Matilda JR. this summer. She has loved being part of Gulfshore Playhouse, which has included playing Estelle in Anything Goes: Youth Edition and performing at the Gulfshore Playhouse Gala. Last month she played in her school’s performance of Sherlock Holmes as Sherlock Holmes. She also just wrapped up her most recent commercial for The Floor Meisters.
About the Cast
RiLee Muller (Rudolpho) is so grateful to be in Matilda JR. This is his fifth show with Gulfshore Playhouse, some being Willy Wonka JR., Finding Nemo JR., and Frozen JR. He has been working hard and is so excited for you to see the show!
Lillian Murphy (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to be back at Gulfshore Playhouse for Matilda JR.! Lillian was a cast member in last year’s production of Willy Wonka JR., and in the 2023 production of Finding Nemo JR. Lillian is a rising 7th grader who loves dance, volleyball and theatre!
Lorna Murphy (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to be back at Gulfshore Playhouse for Matilda JR.! Lorna was a cast member in last year’s production of Willy Wonka JR. and the 2023 production of Finding Nemo JR. Lorna is a rising 5th grader who loves dance, soccer and theatre!
Serena Nanavati (Tommy) is so excited to be part of the Gulfshore Playhouse production of Matilda JR. She played Betty in the Gulfshore Playhouse production of Anything Goes. She was also in the summer production of Willy Wonka JR. She was a member of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus and performed at the Naples Holiday Pops concert. She has participated in various theater performances at the Naples Players Theater including Peter Pan and High School Musical. She has played violin for several years and is currently in Book five of the Suzuki program and eligible to join the youth symphonium. She has taken piano lessons for seven years. She has taken Jazz and Ballet classes at “Back Stage Dance Academy.”
Naomi Joy Norvell (Amanda) is elated to be in Matilda JR! It’s her first show at Gulfshore Playhouse, but she’s been a competitive dancer and singer for many years, where she won Judges’ Choice awards for “Star Quality,” “Born to Perform,” “Most Entertaining”, and “Broadway Bound.” She hopes you enjoy the show!
Ava Odell (Library Kid) is excited to be trying something new and can’t wait to take the stage for the first time in Matilda JR . Her favorite activities are tennis and martial arts, but maybe acting will rise to the top after this experience.
Scarlett Olivia (Miss Honey) is so excited to be a part of Matilda JR! Being on stage and performing is not only Scarlett’s passion, but where she feels at home. Favorite past roles: The Lightning Thief (Clarisse LaRue), Something Rotten (Shylock), and Ensemble in Puffs. Each show has been such amazing learning experience and brought her so many happy memories along the way. She has learned a lot and made so many amazing new friends. Scarlett wants to thank Jack, Dann, and Janine for this bucket list role! Enjoy the show!!
Ariela Padejka-Savov (Matilda) is incredibly excited to be part of Matilda JR. Through wonderful kids classes at Gulfshore Playhouse, she discovered her love for musical theatre. Some of her favorite things are reading, playing tennis, and certainly acting, singing, and dancing. With love to her amazing Gulfshore teachers for their unwavering support. Ariela hopes you enjoy the show!
Jacob Radosti (Library Kid) is very excited to join his brother and sister in this summer production at Gulfshore Playhouse. This is only his third time performing here and he is loving every minute of it. Jacob is entering into 3rd grade at Saint Ann School. His other hobbies include baseball, soccer, basketball, and swimming.
Nicholas Radosti (Trunchbull) is excited to be back at Gulfshore Playhouse for another production. He has proudly been performing with Gulfshore Playhouse since 2018. He is entering into eighth grade at Saint Ann Catholic School. Theatre has been an instrumental part of his life, giving him confidence in himself and building strong meaningful relationships.
Olivia Radosti (Crunchem Hall Student) thoroughly enjoys participating in shows at Gulfshore Playhouse. She loves singing, acting, and dancing. She is also a competitive Irish dancer. She is currently entering into sixth grade at Saint Ann Catholic School. She has a truly beautiful soul. We are so proud of her!
Maxwell Rinaldi (Library Kid) is thrilled to make his stage debut with Gulfshore Playhouse. He has previously participated in KidzAct classes with The Naples Players, where he discovered his love for performing. Max enjoys acting, singing, and making people laugh. He’s excited to share this show with everyone!
About the Cast
Sofia Rustice (Acrobat) is so thrilled to be in Matilda JR. this summer! This is her first show at Gulfshore Playhouse, but she recently hosted and produced a Wicked performance with her friends at her house. Additionally, Sofia has been singing at the Artis-Naples youth chorus. She hopes you have a wonderful time at the show!
Catalina Sandoval Oros (Library Kid) is starting first grade next year and this is her very first play! She’s super fun, loves playing with her dog, doing gymnastics, singing, and reading books. Cata dreams of being a performer when she grows up and can’t wait to shine on stage with her friends!
Loanna Sandoval Oros (Crunchem Hall Student) is going into fifth grade-her final year of elementary! She’s loved books since she was little, sings in the school choir, does gymnastics, and is discovering how much she loves to dance. This is her second play with Gulfshore Playhouse, and on stage, she transforms and truly shines like a star!
Ava Sharma (Lavender) is excited to be back at Gulfshore Playhouse for her 5th production here. She has participated in Frozen JR. (ensemble), Finding Nemo (Pearl), Willy Wonka (Mrs. Salt), and Anything Goes: Youth Edition (ensemble). She also enjoys choir, piano, and singing and hopes you enjoy the show.
Samone Sharma (Mrs. Phelps) is excited to be participating in Matilda JR. this summer. Recent shows at Gulfshore Playhouse include Anything Goes: Youth Edition (purser/ deck stewardess), Willy Wonka JR. (Ms. Teavee), Finding Nemo JR. (Dory), and Frozen JR. (Ensemble). She has also participated in other playhouses around Naples. These shows include Ever After (Evil Queen) and Moana (Grandma Tala). Samone would like to thank the cast and crew for making this show possible and hopes you enjoy the show.
Zoia Shipunova (Library Kid) loves musicals, singing songs, and dancing. Matilda JR. is her first show in which she will try herself on stage.
Emilia Solis (Library Kid) has been performing as a competitive dancer the last few years and enjoys the thrill of the show. This is her first time on stage at Gulfshore Playhouse, but not her last!
Mia Sturzenegger (Mrs. Wormwood) has always had a love for theatre and brings passion to every role. Favorite past roles include Nemo (Finding Nemo JR.), Pepper (Annie), the Candyman (Willy Wonka JR.), Anna of Cleves (Six: Teen Edition), and ensemble in Newsies JR., Frozen JR., and Something Rotten JR. She’s trained with Broadway professionals and continues voice and dance lessons. Mia is thrilled to return to Gulfshore Playhouse in Matilda Jr. and dreams of Broadway one day. She thanks her family, friends, and teachers for their love and support—enjoy the show!
Lucy Rose Westover Subia (Library Kid) has been singing & dancing since she was 2 years old. She had been in multiple productions including: Seussical JR. as Jojo, The Wizard of Oz as Scarecrow, as well as many Broadway Bootcamps with Gulfshore Playhouse, & most recently she was selected to perform in this year’s Fundraising Gala. She’s a true Star!
Olivia Svec (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to be performing in Matilda JR. this summer at Gulfshore Playhouse. Last summer she performed in Seussical JR. She has also performed in a variety of other smaller productions. Olivia loves being on stage and in character!
Mia Swen (Library Kid) is a second grade student who loves Matilda because they both enjoy reading, singing, and dancing with friends. She has performed in The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, and danced in The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. Mia is ready to explore the world with her curiosity and imagination.
Siena Rose Vaccaro (Crunchem Hall Student) is excited to be part of the Matilda JR. cast and making her debut at Gulfshore Playhouse! She’s been in several productions at NPAC including Seussical JR., Cinderella and Junie B. Jones. She has also performed at the Holiday Pops concert with the Naples Philharmonic youth choir.
About the Creative Team
Janine Merolla (Director) has directed theatre for youth for over ten years and worked with young people on devising, creating, and writing their own work. After graduating with her masters in Theatre Education from Emerson College in 2011, she moved to Philadelphia where she became a teaching artist and freelance director with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Theatre Horizon, Walnut St Theatre, First Person Arts and the Wilma Theatre. She then became Education Director at Wolf Performing Arts Center, a non-profit theatre education organization for children K-12 in Bryn Mawr, PA. Now, in her role of Artistic Director, she will continue to develop the performance programs for the multitude of talented young people in her community.
Dann Dunn (Choreographer) has created and maintained professional works as a Director/Choreographer and Live Events Producer around the world with Tony, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Winning Artists. NYC: Miracle On 34th Street (Madison Square Garden), Sesame Street On Broadway! (MSG), The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer (Symphony Space), First Date (Workshop). National Tour: CATS, The Music Man, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, Sesame Street Live!. International: CATS, The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber, La Traviata. Regional: Walnut Street Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company, Fulton Opera House, Arden Theatre, Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, Riverside Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Cardinal Stage, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Weathervane Repertory Theatre, Prather Entertainment, Totem Pole Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, Society Hill Playhouse, Media Theatre, Resident Theatre Company (Barrymore Nomination), The Eagle Theatre (Barrymore Nomination), Dallas Summer Musicals, Ocean City Theatre Company. Contributing Choreographer: Norwegian Cruise Lines, The Red Cross, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Merck Pharmaceuticals, The National Liberty Museum, Circus Circus Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy, Macy’s, and The X Games. Dancer: Mariah Carey, Anastacia, Mark Kanemura (Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, So You Think You Can Dance?). Pre-Broadway: Duncan Sheik’s Because of Winn-Dixie. Original Cast: Created the role of ‘Tennessee’ in YANK. Recording: The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: In Concert. TV/Film: Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Emmy Award-winning PA Cardiovascular Health Project, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Sesame Street Workshop, Repetition Rhapsody. Dann was fortunate to join the Fosse legacy training under Gary Flannery, subsequently dancing back-up for Chita Rivera and working beside Ann Reinking on the National and International companies of CHICAGO. Dann is a Faculty alumni of New York City’s famed ‘Camp Broadway’, teaching musical theatre around the world as well as in conjunction with the Broadway companies of Legally Blonde and The Drowsy Chaperone. Dann has been on Guest Faculty at more than eight universities and is the Founder and former Producing Artistic Director of Music Theatre Philly, an award-winning professional training ground for children and adults in Philadelphia. Dann is currently the Associate Artistic Director at Gulfshore Playhouse. @thedanndunn.
Jack Denman (Music Director) is a Philadelphia-based music director, accompanist, composer, arranger and musical theatre collaborator. Jack received his B.M. in Music Education (voice) from Temple University where he was awarded the Janet M. Yamron Award for conducting. He currently works in both educational and professional theatrical space including Delaware Theatre Co., Fulton Theater, Arden Theatre, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and WolfPAC. Jack will be premiering his new musical, The Chequerboard Watch, at Delaware Theatre Co. in April ‘26. Jack is very excited to be working for the first time at Gulfshore Playhouse and would like to thank Janine Merolla and the entire creative and administrative team.
Kristen Martino (Scenic Designer) is excited to be returning to Gulfshore Playhouse after previously designing several shows including Sweet Charity, Into the Breeches, Camelot, Higher, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Revolutionists and The Price. Kristen is currently the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at the University of South Florida. Before moving to Florida, she spent several years in Chicago as a freelance designer where her work was seen on stages including Drury Lane Theatre, The Goodman, Steppenwolf, and Porchlight Music Theatre. While in Chicago, she also spent time assisting prominent designers in the area which has given her the opportunity to work on museum exhibits and theatrical productions internationally including the 2020 West End production of The Prince of Egypt. Kristen was also a part of the team selected to represent the United States by designing the USA’s Emerging Artist Exhibit for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial. Kristen is the recipient of the 2022 USITT Rising Star Award and a proud member of USA829. www.kristenmartino.com
Helen Dominguez (Costume Designer) is excited to return to Gulfshore Playhouse for this delightful musical. Helen holds an MFA in Costume Design from the University of Florida. Some of her recent design credits include Pump Boys & Dinettes, Morning After Grace, at The Hipp, The Pliant Girls and Yemaya’s Belly at UF, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Snowy Range Summer Theatre. Through costume, Helen strives to combine the respect of historical and cultural differences of people and characters with the grounding and unifying commonalities of humanity. This was demonstrated most notably in her work for Agbedidi: Beginnings in 2021, which was presented at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance, Design, and Space. Soli Deo Gloria.
Elizabeth Knudson (Lighting Designer) has been with Gulfshore Playhouse since Fall 2019. Her favorite design credits at Gulfshore Playhouse include The Little Mermaid JR., Frozen Jr., Grease, and The Addams Family. Other design credits include South Pacific and High School Musical 1&2 at Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, Oklahoma! at Crane River, and The Nutcracker: A Kansas Ballet at the Lawrence Arts Center.
About the Creative Team
She has also designed corporate and charity galas, debutante balls, and busked concerts. She graduated from Emporia State University with a BFA in Theatre. elizabethlkennell.wixsite.com/portfolio
Owen True (Sound Designer) is excited for his second season at Gulfshore Playhouse. He graduated from the Western Michigan University (WMU) with a degree in Theatre: Design and Technical Production with a focus in Sound, in 2021. Since then he’s mixed and sound designed shows in the midwest and southwest Florida area. Owen would like to thank his family and cat Pebble for all their support.
Alexandria Skowron (Stage Manager) is currently a senior stage management major at The University of Houston. Some of her favorite UH credits are The Moors and The Circadian Project. She has also been seen stage managing Crazy For You and Legally Blonde (Garland Summer Musicals), Romeo & Juliet (Plague Mask Players), and West Side Story (Stolen Shakespeare Guild). Her other ventures in Texas include being a production management PA at His Story. Alexandria is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be in Naples creating art with so many talented individuals!
Steven Calakos (Director of Education) earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre: Child Drama from Rowan University. An award-winning educator and theatre director, he taught in Vineland Public Schools in New Jersey for over 11 years and served as artistic director for several school theatre programs. In 2014, Steven co-founded his own theatre production company. He is a proud recipient of the 2022 and 2023 Tony® Award Honorable Mention for Excellence in Theatre Education, the Greek America Foundation Forty Under 40 Award, and is a Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 Honoree. As a professional actor and singer with national credits, Steven is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and has produced and performed in three solo concerts, and starred in numerous television commercials and feature films. Learn more at www.stevencalakos.com.
Joel Markus (COO & Managing Director) is thrilled to be in his eighth season as Gulfshore Playhouse’s COO & Managing Director. Joel enjoys working side by side with Kristen to produce Broadway caliber theatre while focusing on cultivating a great staff and culture. In his time at Gulfshore Playhouse, Joel has helped grow and quadruple the theatre’s budget, triple the staff, has co-managed the design and construction of the new $72M Baker Theatre and Education Center, the production shop construction project, has been instrumental in joining LORT (most recently, being on the negotiating committee for LORT and Actors’ Equity Association), and navigated and guided the organization through the pandemic and Hurricane Ian. Joel’s thirty year career has taken him to some of our nation’s leading professional regional theatres. He most recently spent seven seasons at America’s oldest theatre,
Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Joel has played integral roles in the production of hundreds of plays over ten seasons at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, four years at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, five summers at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont, American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts. Joel is a graduate of Indiana University and originally from Miami, Florida.
Kristen Coury (CEO & Producing Artistic Director) is the CEO and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. She founded the Playhouse in 2004, after moving to Naples from New York City. Under her leadership, the Playhouse has grown to a staff of nearly 100, an annual budget of $12M with no debt. She led the charge to create a $72M state-of-the-art Theatre and Education Center at the gateway to downtown Naples. As part of this project, Coury ignited a public/private partnership with the City of Naples, donating an acre of land upon which to build a public parking garage. While in New York, she worked on Broadway for Walt Disney Theatrical’s production of Beauty and the Beast, both nationally and internationally, and for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Group, working on Sunset Boulevard and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kristen made her feature film directorial debut with Friends and Family a comedy starring Tony Lo Bianco, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Tovah Feldshuh, which was released around the US and Europe. Kristen has directed several new works, produced a CD, and worked on a variety of musicals in various stages of development. Kristen is also a frequent investor in Broadway productions, most recently The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise. Kristen has directed over 40 productions for the Playhouse. Including a ten person, 2 piano My Fair Lady, world premieres, the world premiere of The God Game by Suzanne Bradbeer and The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan. Kristen was named one of the “Top 40 Professionals Under 40” by Gulfshore Life Magazine in 2008, a “Star in the Arts” by the United Arts Council of Collier County in 2011, and was named one of the Men and Women of the Year twice by Gulfshore Life in 2013 and 2024. She served two terms on the board of Theatre Communications Group, the national advocacy group for professional theatres. She is a member of the board of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Collier County in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Most recently, she received the Murray Hendel Civic Achievement Award and was appointed to the Florida Council for Arts and Culture by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
JUNE 6 THROUGH JULY 31
FALL PROGRAMS
Story Explorers:
Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc. (Grades K-2)
Tuesdays, Aug.26-Sept. 23
5:30PM-7:30PM Tuition: $150
College Audition
Prep Class (Grades 8-12)
Thursdays, Aug. 28-Sept. 25 except Sept. 18, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
5:30PM-7:30PM
Tuition: $150
Broadway Babies (Ages 2-4)
Saturdays, Sept. 6-27
10:00AM-11:00AM
Tuition: $40 per class, $150 for package
The Playwright’s Lab (Grades 6-12)
Saturdays, Sept. 6-Oct. 11
10:00AM-12:00PM Tuition: $300
Broadway Bootcamp: Hocus Pocus (Grades 3-5)
Tuesdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 28
5:30PM-7:30 PM Tuition: $150
Spots Fill Up Quickly!
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE
Grades 6-12
Auditions: September 8, 2025, 5:00PM-8:00PM
Sign up to audition now!
A timeless tale of passionate love, feuding families, and fate's cruel twists. '
Board of Directors
Steven Akin, Chairman of the Board | Rich Struthers, Vice-Chair
Patty Baker, Jim Bosscher, Kristen Coury, David Drobis, Tim Habbershon, Mitch Hertz, Jenny Housh, Jason Hunter Korn, Pamela Krupka, Vince Maffeo, Sandi Moran, Gerry Moss, Jack Nortman, Tony Panzica, Gail Kern Paster, Susan Regenstein, Rick Rondinelli, Cynthia Scholl, Tennille Sevigny, Pat Sweet, Ashley Smith, Joanne Wyss, Don J. Gunther, Emeritus, Bob Harden, Emeritus, Dave Wilson, Emeritus, Tom Gallagher, Lifetime Trustee, Don McCulloch, Lifetime Trustee
Leadership
Kristen Coury, CEO & Producing Artistic Director Joel Markus, COO & Managing Director
Artistic
CEO & Producing Artistic Director ........... Kristen Coury
Associate Artistic Director ........................... Dann Dunn
Line Producer ................................... Audrey Zielenbach
Finance
Chief Financial Officer .............................. Joey Rudder
Director of Finance .................................. Alyson McCoy
Finance Associate ................................. Maureen Devine
IT Specialist ................................................. Drew Whitcomb
Advancement
Chief Advancement Officer .......................... Lisa Halsey
Director of Advancement Events .................... Sarah Owen
Chief of Staff .......................................... Brandon Horwin
Advancement Officer .................................... Amy Talbot
Stewardship Manager ................................ Grace Stewart
Marketing
Chief Marketing Officer ..................... Rachel Applegate
Marketing Manager ............................. Heidi Overman
Graphic Designer ................................... Ashley Martinez
Patron Services Managers .............. Meghan Fitzpatrick, Ashleigh Jennings
Patron Services Assistants .. Zoë Bradshaw, Joan Cannon, Timothy Coryell, Sara Ross, Sabina Valery
Education
Director of Education .............................. Steven Calakos
Conservatory Manager ................................. John Perine
ThinkTheatre Coordinator .............. Meredith Singleton
Education Associate ............................. Mary Hackeloer
Summer Education Assistants ........... Lauren Schweers, Myah Shelton
Administration
COO & Managing Director ................................ Joel Markus
Director of Facilities ....................................... Joe Salemme
Maintenance Manager ......................... Julian Pena-Garcia Director of Events/Food & Beverage ............... Erin Burney
Assistant Events/Food & Beverage Managers . Jeanette Persails, Crystal Diggs
Executive Assistant ...................................... Sydney Mixon
Administrative Assistant .................... Hannah Schumacher
General Management
General Manager ............................................... Jim Dallas
Company Manager ........................................ Abigail Greer
Assistant Company Manager ............. Chanda Hawthorne
Front of House Manager ...................... Jeremy Bennington
Assistant Front of House Manager ................ Zachary Klein
Production
Director of Production ....................................... Ray Inkel
Associate Production Manager ............................... Lila Sell
Technical Director - Moran Mainstage ............ John Forton
Technical Director - Struthers Studio ................. Alex Riggs
Scene Shop Supervisor ......................... Anthony Knudson
Carpenters .................. Tom Gregus, Deborah Samuelson
Stage Supervisor ........................................... Andrew Geier
Scenic Art Supervisor ...................................... James Allen
Assistant Scenic Arts Supervisor .............. Katherine Burns
Scenic Artist ...................................... Larashleigh Wallace
Properties Supervisor ................................ Jonathan Willis
Assistant Properties Supervisor ............ Gwendolyn Rygg
Properties Artisans ............... Hunter Booth, Caleb Brown
Lighting Supervisor ............................. Elizabeth Knudson
Assistant Lighting Supervisor ........................ Lynn Slutsky
Lighting Technician ............................................. Ray Ward
Sound Supervisor ............................................. Owen True
Assistant Sound Supervisor .......................... Max Heyliger
Costume Shop Manager ........................ Jennifer Bronsted
Assistant Costume Shop Manager .......... Elizabeth Eaton
Wardrobe Supervisor ............................. Marissa Mascolo
Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor ............... Emma Madden
Wig & Makeup Supervisor ........................... Rebecca Mack
Stage Management Production Assistants ...... Max Allen, Alexandria Skowron
