HONK! JR. Is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
HONK! JR. Directed by Libby Perler Stage Managed by Madi Lawrence Produced by Richard Mazda The Secret Theatre Show Dates: 11/30/2023 - 12/10/2023
CAST UGLY DUCKLING……….………………………………………………………………….……….Hudson Malendes IDA.............................................................................................................................................................Icy Rakhimova CAT………………..…………………..……………………………………………………..………….Saya McGowen BULLFROG/PENNY/TURKEY………..……………………………………………………………...Isabella Trujillo DRAKE/GREYLAG………………………………………………………………………………...Sebastian Gonzalez MAUREEN/DOT/MOTHER SWAN….…....………………………………………….……………Scarlett Campeanu JAYBIRD………….…………………………………………………………...………………………Charlie Mahoney FLUFF/LITTLE FROGLET….………………………………………………………………………...Dorothy Eriksen BEAKY/CHORUS…..……………………………………………………………….………….….……Marina Herard BILLY/CHORUS………………………………………………………………………………………..……Elise Noel DOWNY/CHORUS………………...…………………………………………………………….....Nathanael Gallegos
CREW LIGHTING/DESIGN……….……………………………………………….………………………..Richard Mazda SET DESIGN TEAM…………………...……………………………………………Richard Mazda, Noah Jacquez LIGHTING DESIGN………………………………………………………………………………... Richard Mazda CHOREOGRAPHER………………………………………………………………………………...Leah Schinsing COSTUMES/PROPS…………………………………………………………..Richard Mazda, Rianna Incatasciato
Special Thanks to Cindy & Jim of Project for Living Artists! We are grateful for your partnership! We look forward to sharing many more years and many more productions in our wonderful Secret Theatre space!
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
HUDSON MALENDES (Ugly Duckling) My name is Hudson and I am 9 years old. I'm honored to be in Honk Jr. as the Ugly Duckling. I have been Matilda in Matilda and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (The Secret Theatre), Molly in Annie (White Plains Performing Arts Center) and Cathy in High School Musical (Bay Ridge Theater Camp). I would like to thank my mom, my dad, my music coach Robbie, and my Grandparents! I love The Secret Theatre and hope I never leave!
AISULU RAKHIMOVA (Ida) is very excited to be playing Ida in Honk, Jr. Previously she has played the role dr.Dragonis in Super Mutant Kids. When she isn’t on stage , she loves singing her favourite songs, drawing, and having fun with her friends. Enjoy the show!
SAYA MCGOWAN (Cat) is thrilled to join in Honk Jr. She started acting at 5 years old. She loves singing, drawing and watching broadway musicals. Her favorite musical is MJ!
ISABELLA TRUJILLO (Bullfrog/Penny/Turkey) is ecstatic to be featured in her first live action play, playing the part of the Swan. When not performing she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, painting and reading. Hope your enjoy the performance!
SEBASTIAN GONZALEZ (Drake/Greylag) is excited to be playing the roles of Drake and Greylag. This is his first time in a musical. He also loves to write stories, play D&D and video games with his friends.
SCARLET CAMPEANU (Maureen/Dot/Mother Swan) is thrilled to be playing the roles of Maureen, Mother Swan and Dot in Honk Jr. Previously she has played the role as Daisy in Smoke Machine. When she is not on stage, she enjoys horseback riding and playing with her pet bunny. Enjoy the show!
CHARLIE MAHONEY (Jaybird) is really excited to be in her first MainStage play. In addition to acting she loves reading, playing music, and dancing.
DOROTHY ERIKSEN (Fluff/Little Froglet) is excited to be in her first Secret Theatre production, playing Fluff and Little Froglet! She loves being on stage, reading, and creating her own comic books. Thanks to the supportive staff at Secret Academy!
MARINA “NINA” HERARD (Beaky/Chorus) is thrilled to embark on her debut stage role in Honk Jr.! Beyond the spotlight, she cherishes music and quality time with friends. Be sure not to miss her performance.
ELISE NOEL (Billy/Chorus) is excited to be playing the role as one of the ducklings. This is her first show. She auditioned and got in! She is also taking musical theater at Secret Academy where she is playing the part of Tinkerbell in a performance of Peter Pan. She loves to sing and dance, and has performed twice in ballet shows.
NATHANAEL GALLEGOS (Downey/Chorus) made his first Secret Theater debut starring as Disgust in the Junior Musical Theater class performance of June 2023. He is excited to be playing the role of one of the ducklings, Downy, and singing & dancing as a froglet in Honk Jr. Nathanael always loves to spend time playing with his cousins and friends, joking around, drawing and playing chess.
ABOUT OUR DIRECTOR, STAGE MANAGER, PRODUCER & CREW
LIBBY PERLER [Director] is a director, playwright, musician and graduate of Trinity College. She received her BA in Theater and Dance and is delighted to be working with The Secret Theater. Directing credits include her original musical, Plan B. Previous assistant directing credits include Hamlet directed by Terrell Sledge, and The Oresteia directed by Noel MacDuffie. She is so proud of her poultry and animal friends down on the farm!
MADI LAWRENCE [Stage Manager] is a NYC based stage manager and designer. Recent theatrical credits include: The Oresteia (Assistant Stage Manager), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Assistant Stage Manager), Little Woman (Props Designer), Mary Poppins Jr. (Light and Set Designer), and Alice @ Wonderland (Assistant Director).
LEAH SCHINSING [Choreographer] is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Dance Teacher based in NYC. She holds a BFA in Dance from Adelphi University, where she studied various styles of classical ballet and modern. Leah’s most recent choreographic works include “Destination: Asphodel”, a contemporary dance piece which researched the Korean War and it’s history, and “The Oresteia” a Greek trilogy put on by Gallery Players in Brooklyn.
RICHARD MAZDA [Producer/Set & Lighting Design] is a writer, director, producer, actor, singer, filmmaker and musician. Most recently Richard was seen as Fagin in OIiver! and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Some favorite roles as an actor: Prospero, Shylock, Richard III, Gloucester, Pirate Pete. As a Director: Oliver!, A Christmas Carol, Hair, Othello, MacBeth, Ghosts, & 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. Mazda is also an Award winning writer of several hits including Billboard R&B #1 How Long for which he was given a A.S.C.A.P award, and is a published playwright with over 7 Grand Guignol plays, and numerous Children’s theatre plays. Film roles include Harry Potter, Love Actually and Batman Begins. TV Bad Girls [ITV UK] and Eastenders [BBC UK]
NOAH JACQUEZ [Assistant, Set Design] is an artist currently completing his Associates Degree at BMCC. Noah spent a year at the Joe Kubert school where he studied illustration. You may have seen Noah working the Secret Theatre box office a few times but this is the first time he’s worked on a set. Noah would like to Thank Richard Mazda and the Secret team for this opportunity.
RIANNA INCATASCIATO [Assistant Costumer & Prop Master] is a local artist with expertise in multimedia illustration and certain fiber arts. She is currently working towards her Associates degree in Sociology, but also enjoys selling her handmade garments and jewelry to friends, family, or other local artists. Rianna has been working with the Secret for over a year as Box Office Representative and Prop Assistant.
A NOTE ABOUT THE SECRET THEATRE The Secret Theatre is an Off-Off-Broadway theatre that was started in 2007 by Richard Mazda a writer, director producer, actor, singer, filmmaker, and musician who settled in Queens after leaving his home in the U.K. Recognizing the importance of the arts to the development of children and communities, Richard established the theatre at the Long Island City Arts Center where it thrived up until 2022. Much like the rest of us, Richard suffered the economic effects of the global pandemic and had no choice but to close the doors of the theatre’s LIC home shortly after quarantine was mandated. With kids learning from home and being restricted from engaging with their peers, the need for the Secret Theatre was more important than ever so Richard switched to an online only platform and was able to continue to provide classes in acting, music, and dance to his students. In June 2021 Richard partnered with Project for Living Artists to obtain a new space and the Secret Theatre planted new roots in Woodside. In addition, Richard was able to secure space in Sunnyside for the Secret Theatre Academy for kids and teens ages 4-17. The Academy continues to offer group and individual classes in Acting, Musical Theatre, and dance as well as holiday and summer camps. Since its physical re-opening in 2021, the Secret Theatre has presented adult and children’s shows including Oliver the Musical, Matilda, Jr., High School Musical and, Into the Woods, Jr. The theatre also hosted its annual Queens One Act Festival in 2022 which brought talent from all over the US and a boost to the Woodside economy! In addition, the Secret continues to present Princess Particular and Pirate Pete’s Parrot, the longest running children’s shows in Queens! We are proud of our little theatre, but we are most proud of the relationships fostered by it. A home away from home, the Secret theatre has created an environment that promotes socialization, camaraderie, and long-lasting friendships on and off stage. We need Secret to continue this work, however, the current economy is hurting us. A decrease in enrollments for camps and classes has made it almost impossible to get the funds we need to continue our wonderful productions.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SECRET ACADEMY AND THE SECRET THEATRE, VISIT www.secrettheatre.com
Theatre: 38-02 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377 Academy: 50-12 Skillman Ave, Queens, NY 11377
Program Designed by Rosa M. Jacquez, 2023