DirectedbyCarlaMongado
StageManagedbyCassandraGutterman-Johns
ProducedbyRichardMazda
TheSecretTheatre
ShowDates:9/27/2024-10/6/2024
IspresentedthroughaspecialarrangementwithMusicTheatre International(MTI). Allauthorizedperformancematerialsare alsosuppliedbyMTI. www.mtishows.com
THANKYOU!
Wewouldliketoextendourdeepestgratitudetothosewhosesupportanddedicationmadethisproduction possible:
TasnimShobnom–ForholdingtogethertheheartofSecretTheater’sadministrationwithtirelesscommitment andcare.Youreffortsensureeverythingrunssmoothly,andwecouldn’tdoitwithoutyou!
AlexisAchilles–Foryourinvaluableworkinmaintainingandenhancingourspace.Yourdedicationto creatingawelcomingandfunctionalenvironmentforourproductionstrulyshinesthrough.
Cindy&JimofProjectforLivingArtists–Weareprofoundlygratefulforyourpartnershipandunwavering support.Yourcollaborationhasbeenvitaltooursuccess,andwelookforwardtomanymoreyearsand productionstogetherinourwonderfulSecretTheatrespace!
SpecialThanks
ToourParents,Friends,andSupporters–Yourconstantencouragement,love,andbeliefinusmake everythingpossible.Thankyouforbeingthefoundationuponwhichwebuildeveryproduction!
BOY/JOJO………………………………...NicholasNeufeld
CATINTHEHAT………………………….....Aisu(Icy)Lu
HORTONTHEELEPHANT…………………...JaneBrooks
GERTRUDEMCFUZZ…………………………...HaileyYu
MAYZIELABIRD……………………….…..RaiaHumblet
MR.MAYOR……………………………...….WalterKaplan
MRS.MAYOR…………………….……...JuliannaGoldman
WICKERSHAMBROTHERS…….…...WilliamWallenstein
…………………………………………...AlexanderNeufeld
…………………………………………..NathanaelGallegos
BIRDGIRLS/ENSEMBLE/CIRCUSANIMALS………… …………………………………………………….LuliOrtega ………………………………………….CadenceDelo-Barelli
SOURKANGAROO……………...……….ScarletCampeanu
YOUNGKANGAROO……...……………….TamsynHaggar
YERTLETHETURTLE/BIRDGIRL…...…...MariaJoseph
VLADVLADIKOFF/GRINCH/ENSEMBLE……………. ……………………………………………..LoganHernandez
ENSEMBLE/CIRCUSANIMALS...………GenevieveRuiz
BIRDGIRLS………………………………..SashaCisneros
…………………………………………………..SylviaAlter
...…….………………………………………VictoriaMunoz
……………………………….……………..LolaMcDermott ……………………….…………………...SolBaigorriWight ……………….…………………….EleanorDickson-Benson
ENSEMBLE/JUNGLECITIZENS/CIRCUSANIMALS …...……………………………………………ZoeCoronado ….…………………………………………….MarinaHerard ………………………………………LouiseNelson-Hawkes
STAGEMANAGER…………………………………………………….CassandraGutterman-Johns
ASSISTANTSTAGEMANAGER……..……………………………………….……....KzianaFlores
SETDESIGNTEAM…………………………………………………………………RichardMazda
LIGHTINGDESIGN………………………………………………..AlexisAchilles,RichardMazda
CHOREOGRAPHER………………..………………………………………..………..AJHernandez
ASSISTANTCOSTUMER………………………………………………….……………SofiaRojas
“NICKY”NEUFELD (Jojo) is10yearsoldandjuststarted6th gradeatPS122.Herecentlyperformed asHortonintheSecretTheater’s2024 springworkshopof Seussical Jr. and playedAlbertPetersoninPS150’s2024 productionof Bye Bye Birdie.Nicky attendsRussianafterschool,playspiano, swimsforCYOSebs,andparticipatesin baseball,football,andtennis.Heisalso honinghisequestrianskills.
ICYRAKHIMOVA(Cat in the Hat) isa 9-year-old4thgraderatNewExplorations intoScience,Technology,andMath,agifted andtalentedschool.Shebeganhertheater journeyattheageof8andhassince performedin Honk Jr. (Ida)and Peter Pan (CaptainHook),andhasalsosung"Brave" atamusicconcert.Icyispassionateabout theaterandisinspiredbythejoyofmaking peoplesmilethroughmusic,emotion,and acting.Whenshe’snotonstage,sheenjoys singing,studyinglines,drawing,and reading.Icyisthrilledtobepartofthecast Seussical Jr. andtheSecretTheater. Enjoytheshow!
JANEBROOKS(Horton) isa sophomoreattheAcademyofAmerican Studies.Herpreviouscreditsinclude Switch It Off (LeadHacker), Magic It Up (Unicorn),and Your Turn (Midnight Mischief)withtheForestHillsGarden Players.Janehasalsostudiedimprov withFoHiImprov,scriptwritingatthe MinneapolisChildren'sTheatre,andstage combatatParkSquareTheatre.Sheis delightedthatherlittlebrotherMax sharesherpassionformusicals!
HAILEYGRACEYU(Gertrude Mcfuzz)isan energeticandpassionate11-year-oldthrilledto returntothestageafterherroleasNancyin Bye Bye Birdie atPS150Q.Asshebeginsher journeyatP.S.122MamieFay,Hailey continuestoshinebothonstageandoff.
Outsideofacting,sheisadedicatedathlete, excellinginswimming,basketball,and triathlons,whichhighlightsherdetermination andloveforchallenges.Haileyisdeeply gratefulfortheunwaveringsupportofher familyandfriends,whoinspirehereverystep oftheway.Sheisexcitedtosharethis performancewithyouandhopesitbringsas muchjoytotheaudienceasshehasfoundin bringingittolife.
RAIAHUMBLET(Mayzie La Bird)is an11-year-old7thgraderatThe BaccalaureateSchoolforGlobal Education.Herpreviouscreditsinclude CatintheHatin Mini Seussical Jr. with SecretTheaterAcademy,alongwith variousrolesinherschool’svariety show.
WALTERKAPLAN (Mr. Mayor) isa 9-year-oldstudentatGrowingUpGreen Elementary.Hispreviousstagecredits include Space Cowboy (Robertothe ItalianRobot)and Katz 'n' Dogz (Officer Pigoutski),bothfromSecretTheatre SummerCamp.Walterlovesperforming, reading,andwritingcomics.
JULIANNAMAYGOLDMAN(Mrs. Mayor) isa9-year-oldactressfromWoodside,Queens. Withadeeppassionforsinging,acting,dancing, andperforming,Juliannahasdelighted audiencesthroughherrolesinfoursemestersof JuniorMusicalTheateratTheSecretTheater.
Notableproductionsinclude Josie's Dream (WilliamShakespeare), The Lost Girls (Wendy), Who's Who, Which Who? (GertrudeMcFuzz), Emotions (Confidence).
Beyondthestage,Juliannahasdemonstratedher versatilitythroughvideoandphotomodeling projects,includingfeaturesonAmazon.Her boundlessenergyandenthusiasmforthearts promiseabrightfutureahead.Juliannais immenselygratefulforthesupportofherfamily andfriendsinherartisticjourney.
(Wickersham Brother 3)is9yearsold andthrilledtomakehismusicaldebut withTheSecretTheatre.Hisprevious rolesincludePrinceSiegfriedinhis school’sproductionof Swan Lake,as wellasactinginseveralshortfilms throughAstoriaFilmFestival Workshops.Aproudbigbrotherto AndrewandCharlie,Williamenjoys swimming,visitinghistoricalsites, watching80'smovies,andmakingshort filmswithfriends.Hethankshisparents fortheirunwaveringsupport.
(Wickersham Brother 1) isa7-year-old 3rdgraderatPS150Q.Hepreviously playedBenintheSecretTheater’s2024 Spring Seussical workshop.Alongwith hisbigbrother,Sashaplayspiano,swims forCYOSebs,attendsRussianschool, andenjoyshorsebackriding,baseball, andtennis.
(Wickersham Brother 3) madehis debutwithSecretTheaterasDisgustin theJuniorMusicalTheaterclass performanceinJune2023.Healso playedDownytheducklingand Frogletin Honk Jr.. Seussical willbe histhirdproduction,wherehewill showcasehisversatilitybytakingon multipleroles.Nathanaelenjoys spendingtimewithhiscousinsand friends,jokingaround,drawing,and playingchess.Whenhe'snotacting,he practicesbasketball,aspiringtobelike hisfavoriteplayer,LeBronJames.
SASHACISNEROS(Bird Girl/Ensemble) is thrilledtomakeherstagedebutin Seussical andis excitedtohavestartedhertheatertrainingatThe SecretTheaterthispastsummer.Whenshe’snot singing,dancing,oracting,Sashaenjoysreading, playingwithherFrenchie,Pua,andhercats, SweetieandPumpkin.Shealsolovesrockingout onRoblox,volunteeringatanimalrescueswith hermom,andplayingguitarwithherdad.Sasha extendshergratitudetoherparents,family, friends,andgrandparentsfortheirunwavering support,aswellasherwonderfulschoolteachers whohavenurturedherinnersuperstar.Special thankstoherdirectorCarla,heramazing castmates,andRichardMazdaforthisfantastic opportunity.
VICTORIAMUNOZ(Bird Girl/ Ensemble) isa7thgraderatHunter’s PointCommunityMiddleSchool.Her previousstagecreditsinclude Shrek the Musical Junior (MamaBear)and Into the Woods (Florinda).Victoriahasalsobeen anactivememberoftheHPCMSSingers andhasshowcasedhertalentsinthree annualrecitalswithherhip-hopdance class.Sheextendsherheartfeltthanksto herfamilyfortheirunwaveringsupport.
SYLVIAALTER(Bird Girl) is8.5years oldandattendsPS11.Aspiringtobecome anactor,Sylviaisthrilledtobepartof herfirstfull-lengthmusical.Whenshe’s notacting,sheenjoysreading,watching shows,andplayingMinecraft.Sylviais alsoabigfanofcats.
MARIAJOSEPH(Judge Yertle The Turtle)isa13-year-oldQueensnative withapassionfortheperformingarts. Shehasenrichedherskillsthrough variousclassesatSTA,includingviolin, seniormusicaltheatre,andvocaltraining. Mariaenjoysreading,playingpiano,and hiking.Previously,sheperformedas MarthaCoxinTheSecretTheater’s High School Musical andparticipatedinother recitals.Mariaextendsherthankstoher mumanddadforsupportingherdreams andhopesyouenjoytheproduction!
LULIORTEGA(Ensemble) isavibrant 11-year-oldwithapowerfulanddeep voice.Thisisherdebutinamusical,and sheisthrilledtobeapartofit.
(Ensemble) isa10-year-old5thgraderat PS17inAstoriaandisexcitedtobein herfirstfull-fledgedshow.WhenCady isn'tspendingtimewithherneighborhood friendsorherparents,shelovesbooks, dragons,andMinecraft.Shehopes everyonehasagreattimeattheshow!
(Sour Kangaroo)isa7thgraderthrilledtobe partof Seussical Jr. Herpreviousroles includeMaureenin Honk Jr. andDaisyin Smoke Machine.Whenshe’snotonstage, Scarletenjoyssinging,creatingpaper macheanimals,andcamping.Shewould liketothankherparentsforalways believinginher.
TAMSYNHAGGAR(Young Kangaroo)
isa9-year-old4thgraderwithapassion forgymnastics,music,dance,andacting. Shehasappearedin Annie Jr. asLilySt. Regisand Oliver Jr. asMrs.Bedwinwith UnityStage.Tamsynalsoshowedher rockstarspiritasJonBonJoviinher2nd gradeplay.
LOGANHERNANDEZ(Ensemble) isa 10-year-old6thgraderatTheChild School.Hehasrecentlyembarkedonhis actingjourneywithastandoutroleas Guyintheproductionof The Cat in the .Loganisgratefulfortheunwavering supportfromhisfamily,especiallyhis uncle,throughoutthisexcitingyear.
GENEVIEVERUIZ(Ensemble) is9 yearsoldandhasbeentakingclassesat TheSecretTheaterfor5years,whereshe hasdevelopedherskillsinpianoand singing.Sheisexcitedtobepartofher firstmusical.Genevievelovessinging andplayingthepianoasherspecialways ofexpressingherself.
LOLAMCDERMOTT(Ensemble)isa 4thgraderatPS212.Herpreviouscredits include Making the Band (Go-Go)atPS 222andensemblerolesin Oliver Jr. and Annie (Orphan)withUnityStage.Outside ofacting,Lolaloveslisteningtomusic, painting,andreading.
SOLBAIGORRIWIGHT(Ensemble) isthrilledtobemakingherdebutina musical!Outsideofacting,Solenjoys reading,dancing,andplayingsoftball. Shehopesyouenjoytheshow!
ELEANORDICKSON-BENSON (Ensemble) is10yearsoldandlivesin LongIslandCitywithherparentsand youngersister.A5thgraderatschoolon RooseveltIsland,Eleanorisexcitedto makeherdebutinafull-lengthmusical. Whenshe'snotactingoratschool,you canfindherattherockclimbinggym.
ZOECORONADO(Ensemble)isa5th graderatGrowingUpGreenCharter Schoolandisthrilledtobemakingher debutinamusical!Althoughnewto musicaltheater,Zoeisnostrangertothe stage.Shespent6yearsatBalletSchool, performinginvariousrecitals,including multiplerenditionsofTchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.Outsideofacting,Zoeenjoys goingtoschool,reading Harry Potter, andplayingwithheryoungersiblings.
(Ensemble) isthrilledtobepartofher 2ndbigproductionatSecretTheatre!
Whenshe’snotacting,Ninaloves creatingvideoswithherfriendsand exploringnewroles. Shewouldliketo thankherfamilyandfriendsforalways encouraginghertofollowherdreams. Enjoytheshow!
(Who/Ensemble) isasecondgrader makingherdebutinmusicaltheater.She lovesacting,playingoutside,andreading comicsandmysterybooks.Louisehopes youenjoytheshow!
CARLAMONGADO[Director]isthrilledtobemakingher directingdebutwithSecretTheaterAcademy.Sheisa multifacetedartist,singer,actor,andmusicdirectorrecognizedfor herextraordinarytalentandversatility.Herfavoritemusicdirector anddirectorcreditsinclude Turnover: A New Leaf, Broadway
Goes to the Movies, Broadway Jr. in Concert, Voices in Harmony, and Short Stories.Asaperformer,Carlahasmadeanamefor herselfwithnotableperformanceswiththeSarawakSymphony OrchestrainMalaysia,theUSPremiereof The Clockmaker's Daughter, Into the Woods, The Island Song, Les Miserables,and
In My Father's House.Off-Broadwaycreditsinclude Turnover: A New Leaf, Dear Mom, I'm Gay, Bullet Points,and Wow, Seattle?. AfinalistinDoreenMontalvo's Do It Anyway.Shecanbeheard ontheBroadwayRecordsConceptAlbumof Goodbye New York and Platinum Girls the Musical.
Carlaispassionateaboutteachingandnurturingtheyoung generationandbelievesmusicandartcanchangelives!
[ProductionStageManager]isaStageManager, ProductionTechnician,andWriter.Sheisa graduateofOberlinCollege,whereshestudied StageManagement.HerrecentStage ManagementcreditsincludeConchShell Production’sNewPlayFestival, Access Granted, Antigone, and Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties.ShehaspreviouslyworkedwithConch ShellProductions,GingoldTheatricalGroup,and theNationalWomen’sTheatreFestival,andis excitedtobeapartoftheteamatTheSecret Theatre.
KZIANAFLORES[AssistantStage Manager]isatheaterartistbasedin Queens,NYC.Shehasprofessional traininginActing,Directing,& Writing.Kzianaenjoysthetechnical sideoftheateraswell,having experienceincostumedesign,lighting, sound,setdesign,&stagemanagement. Lotsofherworkcanbefoundon YouTube.Whennotworkingina theater,Kzianaalsoenjoysmodeling, shopping,andspendingtimewith friendsandfamily.
RICHARDMAZDA[Producer/Set& LightingDesign]isawriter,director, producer,actor,singer,filmmakerand musician.MostrecentlyRichardwasseen asFaginin OIiver! andScroogein A Christmas Carol. Somefavoriterolesas anactor:Prospero,Shylock,RichardIII, Gloucester,PiratePete.AsaDirector: Oliver!, A Christmas Carol, Hair, Othello, MacBeth, Ghosts, & 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. MazdaisalsoanAward winningwriterofseveralhitsincluding BillboardR&B#1HowLongforwhich hewasgivenaA.S.C.A.Paward,andisa publishedplaywrightwithover7Grand Guignolplays,andnumerousChildren’s theatreplays.Filmrolesinclude Harry Potter, Love Actually and Batman Begins. TV Bad Girls [ITVUK]and Eastenders [BBCUK]
AJHERNANDEZ[Choreographer] isaNew YorkCity-basedtheatrecreative.Hediscovered hispassionfortheartsinhissmallTexas hometownandhassincepursuedvarious opportunitiesinthefield.Whilestudyingmusical theatre,AJgainedvaluableexperiencethrough internshipsandprojectsthatbroadenedhis perspectiveonthecreativeworldbeyondthestage.
His"Jackofalltrades"approachandopennessto newchallengeshaveallowedhimtocontributeto showcreationinnumerousways.AJisparticularly passionateaboutchildren'stheatreandhasserved asateachingartistforvariousorganizationsover theyears.Heisthrilledtohaveworkedon choreographyforTheSecretTheatreandextends hisgratitudetoeveryoneinvolved.
SOFIAROJAS[AssistantCostumer]isaninstitutional healthcarestocksalesspecialistatTDBank.She graduatedlastyearfromClaremontMcKennaCollege outinCaliforniamajoringinsciencemanagementwith asequenceinpublichealth.Althoughshe’snewtothe NYtheaterscene,Sofiahaslovedhertimeworking withtheSecretTheaterandissogratefulforthe experienceandconnectionsshe'smade.Previous experienceincludesASMfor Red Velvet (2019), costumesfor Macbeth (2020),stagecrewfor Scissoring (2022),costumesfor Head over Heels (2022),and musicdirectorfor Machinal.Shealsodirectedastudent productionof Five Women Wearing the Same Dress last year.
The Secret Theatre is an Off-Off-Broadway theatre that was started in 2007 by Richard Mazda a writer, director producer, actor, singer,filmmaker,andmusicianwhosettledinQueensafterleavinghishomeintheU.K. Recognizingtheimportanceofthearts to the development of children and communities, Richard established the theatre at the Long Island City Arts Center where it thrivedupuntil2022.
Muchliketherestofus,Richardsufferedtheeconomiceffectsoftheglobalpandemicandhadnochoicebuttoclosethedoorsof thetheatre’sLIChomeshortlyafterquarantinewasmandated. Withkidslearningfromhomeandbeingrestrictedfromengaging withtheirpeers,theneedfortheSecretTheatrewasmoreimportantthaneversoRichardswitchedtoanonlineonlyplatformand wasabletocontinuetoprovideclassesinacting,music,anddancetohisstudents.
In June 2021 Richard partnered with Project for LivingArtists to obtain a new space and the SecretTheatre planted new roots in Woodside. In addition, Richard was able to secure space in Sunnyside for the Secret TheatreAcademy for kids and teens ages 4-17. TheAcademycontinuestooffergroupandindividualclassesinActing,MusicalTheatre,anddanceaswellasholidayand summercamps.
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 OneAct 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,thelongestrunningchildren’sshowsinQueens!
We are proud of our little theatre, but we are most proud of the relationships fostered by it. Ahome 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. Adecrease in enrollments for camps and classes hasmadeitalmostimpossibletogetthefundsweneedtocontinueourwonderfulproductions.
