THE NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE CONSERVATORY

from NCT Conservatory Youth MEAN GIRLS High School Version Playbill

by North Carolina Theatre

Heritage High School

DE ANN S. JONES, Founder

JAMES LEE, Interim CEO

ERIC WOODALL, Producing Artistic Director

PRESENTS

Book by Music by Lyrics by TINA FEY JEFF RICHMOND NELL BENJAMIN

Based on the Paramount Pictures film Mean Girls

Original Broadway Production Produced by Lorne Michaels Stuart Thompson Sonia Friedman

Paramount Pictures Marisa Sechrest Ars Nova Entertainment Berlind Productions

Steve Burke Scott M. Delman Roy Furman Robert Greenblatt Ruth Hendel Jam Theatricals

The John Gore Foundation The Lowy Salpeter Company James L. Nederlander

Christine Schwarzman Universal Theatrical Group

Executive Producer David Turner

With AARON AZCONA ADAIR ADDISON ALEXA SOFIA WILSON ALONDRA AZCONA AMELIA WILLIAMS

ANGELA SANCHEZ ATTICUS STOUGHTON AURA PUGEDA AVA JERNIGAN AVERY FUSAN

BRIANNA MCDANIEL CARLEY KILCREASE CAROLYN ENGLAND CORIEON KAHAMARI SIMMIOLKJIER

EDWARD ZHU ELAINIA SANDERS ELLIE MATHUES ELIZABETH HILBERT ELLIE ZULEBA

EMMA DILLEY HANNAH ALLEN HARPER WILLIAMS JENNA PERRY KAIDEN KILGORE

KALEB BELL LAURYN CHANAKIRA LEXI LEVINE LILY KINDSVATTER LYLA OPITZ MADDIE BEHRENS

MADELINE ATWATER MAY GREEN MICAHLA ANN VASSEY NICOLE SIENKOWSKI PILAR MANSON

RAIN READLING ROSE LUKEBA SAWYER PARKER SEANNA OSBORNE ZOE KAPPLER

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer/A1

MICAH HOLLOWAY ERIC COLLINS

Production Coordinator

TIM DOMACK

Technical Director Costume Designer Hair/Wigs

JOHN BELL KISHARA MCKNIGHT

Stage Manager

GRACE BOUDAH

Conservatory Manager Producing Artistic Director

CHAZ STRICKLAND EMILY PHOEBUS

Assistant Choreographer

ERIC WOODALL

Props Manager Set Designer/Rental

SARAH PRAUGHT CARRIE BANFI

Music Directors

BRYAN PHOEBUS/CARRIE BANFI

Conservatory Director/Choreographer

JOSE RONDON JR. Director

ROBIN LEVINE

BRYAN PHOEBUS

MEAN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

MEAN GIRLS PRODUCTION CREW

WHO’S WHO

Producing Artistic Director ERIC WOODALL

Conservatory Director JOSE RONDON JR.

Conservatory Manager.......................... EMILY PHOEBUS

Director .......................................................... ROBIN LEVINE

Assistant Director ........................................... EVAN TYLKA

Music Director........................................ BRYAN PHOEBUS

Music Director.............................................. CARRIE BANFI

Choreographer ...................................... JOSE RONDON JR.

Assistant Choreographer SARAH PRAUGHT

Stage Manager CHAZ STRICKLAND

Assistant Stage Manager RYAN OLIVEIRA

Production Coordinator TIM DOMACK

Technical Director.............................................. JOHN BELL

Set Designer/Rental .............................. BRYAN PHOEBUS

Set Builder ............................................................ JOHN BELL

Costume Rental ...................................... BRYAN PHOEBUS

Costume Designer ......................... KISHARA MCKNIGHT

Hair/Wigs ................................................. GRACE BOUDAH

Props Manager ............................................. CARRIE BANFI

Lighting Designer MICAH HOLLOWAY

Light Board Op MICAH HOLLOWAY

Sound Designer/A1 ERIC COLLINS

Sound Design System/A2 MORGANN RUSSELL

Admin Interns ......... CECILIA TOUZON , JADA SMITH, ................................................................. CHELSEA SLOCUM

Production Interns ............................ CHELSEA SLOCUM, .. GRACE BOUDAH, NIC CAZIN, NICOLAS DEBRUIN, ...................................... OLLIE FRIESEN, MAYA MCCALL

THE NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE STAFF

Interim CEO..... JAMES LEE

Producing Artistic Director ERIC WOODALL

Production Manager/

Associate Producer ..................................MAX KAUFMAN

Company Manager/Associate

Production Manager ............ DAWN MARIE LOCKLEAR

Associate Technical Director........................... JOHN BELL

Marketing Director......................................... EMMA WALL

Interim Director of Development .... JULIANA VALENTE

Accounting Assistant APRIL POLIQUIN

Communications/

Public Relations Manager CHRISTINE DUBUC

Group Sales & Box Office Manager .... PHILLIP MORAN

Patron Relations Manager.................. DONNA MULLINS

THE NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE CONSERVATORY STAFF/INSTRUCTORS

Conservatory Director/

Dance Artist Instructor........................ JOSE RONDON JR.

Conservatory Manager.......................... EMILY PHOEBUS

Dance Artist Instructors ........... CHRISTIAN DONNELLY

................................ JENNA JOHNSON, EMILY PHOEBUS

Voice Artist Instructors .......................... EMILY ARBOUR, CARRIE BANFI, JULIE BRADLEY, BRYAN PHOEBUS

Acting Artist Instructors JESS BARBOUR, MATTHEW HAGAR, JULIANA VALENTE

Tech Artist Instructors JOHN BELL, JACOB PHIPPS

Guest Artist Instructors .................REBEKAH HOLLAND, .................................KRISTA SAAB, YEVGENY SHLAPKO

Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Featured Dancer

Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer......................................

Ensemble, Featured Dancer

Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Ms. Norbury (Understudy), Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Ensemble, Featured Dancer

Karen

Ensemble, Featured Dancer ....................................................................................................................

Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Janis

Mrs. George (Understudy), Mrs. Heron, Ensemble, Featured Singer

Ensemble, Featured Dancer .................................................................................................................

Mr. Duvall, Mr. Heron, Ensemble, Featured Dancer .................................................................

Gretchen, Regina (Understudy)

Cady (Understudy), Dance Captain, Ensemble, Featured Singer, Featured Dancer

Act

AARON AZCONA (Ensemble/ Featured Dancer) is happy to be part of Mean Girls High School Edition. Triangle credits include On Your Feet (Young Emilio) at The North Carolina Theatre, Seussical Jr (Cat in Hat), and Beauty and the Beast (Le Fou) at Raleigh ACT.

ADAIR ADDISON (Regina George) is thrilled to be back at NCT Conservatory! Previously, she spent 7 years training at the conservatory, performed in various shows there, and at The North Carolina Theatre. She has spent the last year studying voice at UNCSA and she will spend next year in their Drama program. Some of her favorite roles include Matilda Wormwood in Matilda, Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, and Chava in Fiddler on the Roof. She would like to thank her family, especially her “Cool Mom”, for always supporting her dreams, wherever they may take her.

ALEXA SOFIA WILSON (Ensemble) is thrilled to be working with NCT Conservatory for Mean Girls High School Edition this year. In the past, she has performed with Madagascar Junior and High School Musical Junior while at NCT Conservatory. Alexa has performed in the Raleigh Little Theater Summer Theatre Arts Camp for the 2017-18 season. Alexa began ballet classes at North Carolina Dance Institute at the age of three and expanded her passion for the arts, taking jazz and hip-hop classes at NCDI for seven years before joining NCT Conservatory in 2021.

ALONDRA AZCONA (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is delighted to be a part of Mean Girls High School Edition. Triangle Area credits include On Your Feet (Young Gloria) with NCT, Chicago (Mama Morton) and Aladdin (Gennie) with Raleigh ACT, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Children Choir) with Cary Players, Once on This Island Jr. (Erzulie) with the Community Music School of Raleigh and Annie Jr. (Lily St. Regis) with Encore YP.

AMELIA WILLIAMS (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is an eighth grader at Magellan Charter School and is excited to be working with NCT Conservatory after having performed as Humpty Dumpty in Shrek the Musical and Kate in Annie Jr. She has previously played the roles of JoJo in Seussical Jr. and Bruce in Matilda Jr. for Raleigh Area Children’s Theatre.

ANGIE SANCHEZ (Dance Captain/Ensemble/ Featured Singer/Featured Dancer) is a rising Junior at Heritage High School and is proud to be working with The NCT Conservatory production of Mean Girls High School Edition! Having done many shows, she has been a part of Grease the Musical (Cha Cha) at Heritage High school, Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at Durant Road Musical Theatre, Moana Jr. (Moana) at North Wake Theater, Legally Blonde Jr. (Elle Woods) at Durant Road Musical Theater, and Lion King Jr. (Rafiki) at Durant Road Musical Theater.

ATTICUS STOUGHTON (Aaron Samuels) Atticus Stoughton wishes you like the show and he also plays Aaron Samuels.

AURA PUGEDA (Ensemble, Featured Singer) is thrilled to be performing in her first show with the NCT Conservatory! She is a rising 10th grader attending Longleaf School of the Arts. Her previous roles include Kate in Annie, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has enjoyed working with new people through this experience!

AVA GRACE JERNIGAN (Cady Heron) is proud to be working with the NCT Conservatory in Mean Girls High School Edition! Some of her favorite roles include Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Matilda Wormwood in Matilda, Mary Robert in Sister Act, and Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors at West Johnston High School. She also performed as Grace Poole in Jane Eyre with Kids of the Arts (NYC), and at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. She is so grateful for this incredible opportunity!

AVERY FUSAN (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is excited to be doing her first show with NCT Conservatory! She is usually found doing shows at Durrant Road Musical Theater but hopes to start doing more at NCT Conservatory! Some of her favorite shows she has done are Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Lefou), and Annie Jr. (Pepper). She is a rising Freshman at Heritage High School and hopes to continue her theater career with their theater company. Avery has wanted to do the show Mean Girls for a long time and is excited to be a part of it this summer!

BRIANNA MCDANIEL (Ms. Norbury, Gretchen Understudy) has been with the NCT Conservatory for 2 years. She was Donkey last summer in the NCT Conservatory production of Shrek the Musical. She has played several roles in the NCT Conservatory Senior Performance Company such as Carrie, in Selections from Carrie the Musical and Mama Morton/Mona, from Chicago. She recently graduated from West Johnston High School where she was in chorus and theatre all four years. In recent performances she was Tanya, in Mamma Mia and Deloris, in Sister Act. Brianna is proud to announce her 1st job will be a

Jr. Teaching Artist with NC Theatre Conservatory this summer. In the fall, she will attend East Carolina University majoring in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Professional Acting.

CARLEY KILCREASE (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is thrilled to be working with such a talented cast and crew to put on Mean Girls High School Edition! This is her first production here at the conservatory, but she has been involved in other theaters in the area since she was little. She is a rising Junior at Enloe magnet high school and is highly involved in the dance and theater programs. She is thankful for the opportunity to share this show with you. Enjoy!

CAROLYN ENGLAND (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is thrilled to be a part of the company of Mean Girls High School Edition after starting her training in musical theatre this year. She previously played in On The Town at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts in Hancock, NY. Carolyn has trained solely at the NCT Conservatory but will be attending Emory and Henry University in the Fall to study Musical Theatre and Music.

CORIEON SIMMIOLKJIER (Ensemble) is a rising Junior at Hillside High School. This is one of several performances he has done. He has been seen as the Messenger in an African tale called Mufaros Beautiful Daughters, Mr. Wormwood in Matilda, the Slow Turtle, from the adaptation of The Tortoise and the Hare, Too Slow the Turtle, Ensemble in a social justice play, State of Urgency, Towns Man in Crazy for You and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. He has been involved in productions at his school and choir. He has a strong passion for the performing arts and wants to pursue it as a career. He loves trying new things and for the experience because the experience is what counts. When he graduates high school, he would like to attend a performing arts school to Major in Acting for Film and Television and a Minor in Musical Theatre. In July, he will be participating in the Durham Performing Arts Center Summer week intensive. He is very thankful to have joined the NCT Conservatory production of Mean Girls High School Edition!

EDWARD ZHU (Kevin G) is super stoked to be back with NCT Conservatory after having done High School Musical (Troy) and last summer’s Shrek (Thelonious). He is a NC Federation of Music Clubs award- winning pianist (District Royalty Competition’s Paige Boy and Lord, Federation Competition, and Young Artists Auditions and Awards.) Edward can be seen in the Original Netflix Series Raising Dion, starring Alisha Wainwright, and the upcoming Walt Disney film kal3b.b3ll

Haunted Mansion, scheduled to be released in July 2023.

ELAINIA SANDERS (Ensemble) elighted to be making her debut with NCT Conservatory. Her favorite credits included Taylor in High School Musical 2 with Raleigh Act, Ensemble in Matilda, and Tituba in The Crucible, both at Ligon Middle School. She is currently a student at Cardinal Gibbons and has trained with The Broadway Collective.

ELIZABETH HILBERT (Ensemble) is glad to be back at NCT Conservatory after having done Shrek and Annie. She has previously done Cinderella (Mouse/Pony) at Raleigh Little Theater, Secret Garden (Mary) at Poiema Arts, A Raleigh Theater Company, and Matilda (Amanda) at North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre. Elizabeth is a dancer with the North Carolina Dance Institute. She is an acting student of Estes Tarver with Moonlight Stage Company. She is a rising Freshman at Long Leaf School of the Arts.

ELLIE MATHUES (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is so excited to be working on the NCT Conservatory production of Mean Girls High School Edition, following years of past training. She is a rising Senior at Millbrook High School, where she engages in dance. Enjoy the show!

ELLIE ZULEBA (Miss George) is excited to be working with the NCT Conservatory on Mean Girls High School Edition! She is a rising Senior at Enloe High School where she is also in the theatre program. This is her debut with the conservatory after having worked in the Pre-Professional Department this past Spring. She has collaborated with many other companies doing shows such as Chicago, Adams Family, and Into the Woods. Hope you enjoy the show!

EMMA DILLEY (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is delighted to be performing in her first production at The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory! She had previously played Mayzie La Bird in Seussical at Athens Drive High School, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at Reedy Creek Middle School and Featured Ensemble for multiple shows. She is a part of an award-winning school chorus and has voice lessons and recitals at the Cary School of Music. She was also previously on a competitive dance team at Cary Dance.

HANNAH ALLEN (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is proud to be working with NCT Conservatory after having done The Sound of Music for Leesville Road Highschool and Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol with Theatre in the Park.

She currently dances with Stage Door Dance Productions and has danced for 11 years!

HARPER WILLIAMS (Lizzie Therman/Featured Dancer) is from Raleigh, North Carolina and is a Junior at Millbrook High School. She has been working with NCT Conservatory for 5 years. Her favorite previous experience includes Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) at Millbrook High School, Seussical (Gertrude), Matilda (Ms. Wormwood), and Chicago (June) at Raleigh Act. She is looking forward to being a part of this production and has really enjoyed working with this cast.

JENNA PERRY (Caroline Krafft/Ensemble/ Featured Dancer) is proud to be working with the NCT Conservatory after having done Cinderella, Anastasia, and Much Ado About Nothing for North Raleigh Christian Academy’s theater program.

KAIDEN KILGORE (Karen U/S/Ensemble/Featured Singer/Featured Dancer) is 13 years old and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has been doing musical theatre for 3 years, but this is her debut with NCT Conservatory. She has participated in multiple shows at Raleigh ACT, including Matilda Jr. and Newsies Jr. for the Junior Theater Festival.

KALEB BELL (Damian) is so excited to be performing with the NCT Conservatory, once again. He will be attending the UNCSA High School drama program in the fall. He most recently played The Baker in Into the Woods, Amos in Chicago: The Musical, and Billy in Carrie: The Musical. He was acknowledged as one of the Top 10 Actors at Triangle Rising Stars (2023) where he received the Best Dancer Award. Enjoy the show!

LAURYN CHANAKIRA (Ensemble) is proud to be performing in her first production with the NCT Conservatory. She has previously done shows for Empower Dance Studio and Carolina Ballet in The Nutcracker. She is a student at Cathedral School.

LEXI LEVINE (Featured Dancer/Ensemble) is excited to be part of Mean Girls High School Edition at the NCT Conservatory! A rising Eighth grade student at Oberlin Magnet Middle School, she loves to sing and dance, and has performed in 10 musicals to date. Her favorite roles include Chutney Windham in Legally Blonde Junior, the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, Specs in Newsies Junior, and Martha in High School Musical 2 Junior. Lexi was also selected to join the competitive team at Durant Road Musical Theater, which will participate in a national theater contest in California in February. When she is not on stage, you can find Lexi competing in gymnastics meets across the state.

LILY KINDSVATTER (Ensemble) is excited to be performing in Mean Girls High School Edition, as it is her first show with NCT Conservatory! She has loved performing in the theatre since her Freshman year at Millbrook High School when she starred in her first show, The Bad Seed, as Rhoda Penmark. During her time at Millbrook, she also performed in many other plays and musicals such as Matilda (Lavender), The Games Afoot (Aggie Wheeler) and most recently, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. Lily plans to continue her theatre education at NC State with a minor in Theatre next year.

LYLA OPITZ (Ensemble/Featured Dancer/Featured Singer) is thrilled to be back working with the NCT Conservatory. She was previously seen as Teen Fiona in Shrek with the NCT Conservatory, Soloist in Oh What a Night! with Theatre Raleigh, Opening Orphan in Annie with The North Carolina Theatre and Matilda in Matilda Jr. with Raleigh Area Children’s Theatre.

MADDIE ATWATER (Karen) is a Junior at Millbrook High School. Her previous shows include Matilda (Matilda) with Millbrook High School, Chicago (Liz/Pop) with Raleigh ACT, Shrek (Gingy) with NCT Conservatory, Guys and Dolls (Big Jule) with Millbrook High School, and Frozen (Anna) with Raleigh ACT. She has also trained in several classes with Raleigh ACT, NCT Conservatory, NCDI, and Moonlight. Maddie is thrilled to be in this production of Mean Girls High School Edition with the NCT Conservatory and has loved this experience so much.

MADDIE BEHRENS (Ensemble/Featured Dancer) is so excited to be back at NCT Conservatory. Maddie is a Sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School. Recent credits include Bright Star (Edna/ Ensemble), Peter and the Starcatcher (Smee), Matilda (Matilda). She has recently filmed a web series coming out this Fall. This is Maddie’s 3rd production with NCT Conservatory.

MAY GREEN (Ensemble/Dawn Schweitzer/Featured Dancer) is from Raleigh, North Carolina and is an Eighth grader at Magellan Charter School. Her previous experience includes Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Matilda (Lavender), Newsies (Race), Aladdin (Kassim), and Newsies (Albert) at Raleigh ACT. May is so excited and thankful to have this opportunity to perform in her first production with the NCT Conservatory!

MICAHLA ANN VASSEY (Ensemble) is so excited to be working with the NCT Conservatory. She is a student at Longleaf School of the Arts where she played Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s

Dream and has been in the Ensemble for Little Shop of Horrors. She has also been in Into the Woods with both Longleaf and Carolina Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA). She as well, has been in Music Man with CAPA.

NICOLE AVIVA SIENKOWSKI (Ensemble/ Featured Dancer/Featured Singer) is so excited to be back at the conservatory doing a summer show! She has done two main stage shows with NCT as Opening Orphan in Annie and as Smiley in A Snow White Christmas. She did The Addams Family at Theatre Raleigh with Center Theatre Company. She also did Shrek the Musical (Young Fiona/Elf/Tap-Dancing Rat) with NCT Conservatory last summer and loved it so much she had to come back! Nicoleaviva

PILAR MANSON (Janis Sarkisian) is so grateful to be performing her debut with NCT Conservatory. Some of her previous roles include Velma Kelly in Chicago, Mayzie La Bird in Seussical, Clara in The Nutcracker, and Tinkerbell in Peter Pan. She has trained at Barriskill Dance Theatre School and in her high school program at Durham School of the Arts. She is immensely thankful for the past few weeks she has spent with the cast and crew at NCT Conservatory.

RAIN READLING (Mrs. Heron/Ms. George Understudy/Ensemble/Featured Vocalist) is proud to be working with NCT Conservatory after having done JTF for Raleigh Area Children’s Theater.

ROSE LUKEBA (Ensemble) is excited to be working with NCT Conservatory again. She was previously in their Dance, Acting, and Voice Technique class as well as the Pre-Professional Department, and is excited to be back for the summer. She has previously been in The Music Man (Ensemble) and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl) at Heritage Middle School. She is excited to be in her first show at NCT Conservatory.

SAWYER PARKER (Mr. Duvall/Mr. Heron/ Featured Dancer) is so happy to participate in NCT Conservatory’s Mean Girls High School Edition. He is a student at Ravenscroft School and is interested in pursuing musical theater.

SEANNA OSBORNE (Gretchen) is proud to be working with NCT Conservatory again, after having done Chicago: Teen Edition (Mary Sunshine/Roxy U/S) and Working: The Musical. Her favorite roles include Little Women (Young Amy) for Women's Theatre Festival, Bob Marley's Three Little Birds Musical (Nansi) for Raleigh Little Theater, Yo, Vikings! (Zinzi) for Applause!

Youth Theatre, Miss Lulu Bett (Monona Deacon) for Women’s Theatre Festival and annually for Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol for Theatre in the Park. Seanna is a member of NCT Conservatory's Senior Performance Company in the Pre-professional Department. She has been training at NCT Conservatory and with vocal coach, Wendy Martelli, for the past six years.

ZOE KAPPLER (Ensemble/Dance Captain/Featured Singer/Featured Dancer/Cady U/S) is excited to be in her first production with NCT Conservatory. Zoe previously performed the roles of Dragon in Shrek Jr. and Sina in Moana for Leroy Martin Middle School. Zoe trains as a pre-professional dancer with APA Elite and recently had the privilege of studying under Amber Ardolino, a current Broadway performer.

ROBIN LEVINE (Director) Credits include: Bring It On (NCTC), 9 to 5 (NCT), The Last Five Years, Hair, The Who’s Tommy, 42nd Street, Bells Are Ringing, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Azamara Club Cruises, to name a few. She is a member of A Broken Umbrella Theatre, an award-winning, non-profit theatre company in New Haven, Connecticut. Performance credits include Mamma Mia! (Broadway), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York) and The Tony Awards. Robin has taught at Montclair State University, Nazareth College, CAP21 and AMDA, and has been on faculty at Steps on Broadway in NYC. Robin holds a BFA from the University of Illinois and is a member of SDC. www.robinlevine.com

BRYAN PHOEBUS (Music Director) has music directed and directed numerous shows throughout his career. He currently is the theater teacher at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC. He is the proud husband and father to 6 kids and a grand baby.

CARRIE BANFI (Music Director) is a graduate of The Florida State University School of Music and had been teaching voice for over twenty years. Her students have had much success in the Wake Forest/Raleigh area and have graced the TRS Top Twenty over the past 5 years. Musical Theater has been a part of her life since she was just 9 years old and she is excited to be continuing that journey at The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory.

JOSE RONDON JR. (Conservatory Director/ Choreographer) has over fifteen years of experience as a teaching artist, administrator, and choreographer. A proud member of the Actors Equity Association and the Freddie G Class of 2015, Jose thrives on organization, creativity, and all forms of expression. Jose currently serves as the Conservatory Director for The North Carolina Theatre, as Assistant Professor at UNCG in the Musical Theatre Department, and previously as the Assistant Director of The Pointe! Studio of Dance. He is also proud to serve on the board of the Community Engagement Network and as a leader of the North Carolina Theatre Engagement Team. As an administrator, Jose has worked with the Hayes Taylor YMCA and Samuel French, Inc. Former students have performed professionally and in regional theatres, including Hamilton: An American Musical, Mean Girls, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Favorite musical theatre choreography credits include Songs for A New World (NCT; Regional Theatre,) Rock of Ages and Spongebob the Musical (UNCG,) Bring It On the Musical (The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory,) Mean Girls (Heritage High School,) Grease (Heritage High School,) Tarzan the Musical (Heritage High School,) Shrek the Musical (NCT Conservatory,) The Lion King Experience, Hairspray Jr. (Community Theatre of Greensboro). Favorite concert dance choreography credits include It’s A Hard Knock Life and Pride Land (The Pointe! Studio of Dance). Favorite performing credits include Mary Poppins (Neleus/ensemble), Spamalot, Kinky Boots (Angel,) and most recently On Your Feet (NCT). Jose is beyond thrilled to be recognized as Broadway World’s Regional 2021 Choreography Winner and 2022 Triangle Rising Stars Best Choreography Winner (Heritage High School—Tarzan the Musical.) His work has been featured at the National Black Theatre Festival and has won awards at the Junior Theatre Festival. He is also very proud to have been recognized as one of DPAC’s Local Heroes during this past season. Jose strongly believes that “everything happens for a reason.”

CHAZ STRICKLAND (Stage Manager) is a stage manager for theatre, dance, and opera. He is currently pursuing his undergraduate BFA from the Tisch School of the Arts in management and scenic design. His past theatrical credits include: that’s not supposed to be happening (ASM, NYU), Twelfth Night (PSM, Durham Academy), and Fever Dreams on the Edge of Everything (PSM, Northwestern). Upcoming work includes Mary Poppins (SM Intern, NCT) and HomeBody (Scenic Designer, NYU). He can’t wait to share this fetch production with you!

RYAN OLIVIERA (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to join the Conservatory on his first North Carolina Theatre Show! Previous credits include Assistant Stage Manager Theatre Raleigh Great Comet, Fun Home, Jersey Boys. He wants to thank his family and friends!

JOHN BELL (Technical Director) is a New Jersey native and is very happy to be starting is 5th year/2nd season as Associate Technical Director with NCT. He is a member of IATSE Local 417, studied technical theatre at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He has previously worked with American Dance Festival, NC Opera, Carolina Ballet, Theatre Raleigh, and the City of Raleigh working on shows like West Side Story, Kinky Boots, Ring of Fire, Dreamgirls, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Sister Act, Jersey Boys, The Play That Goes Wrong, and many more.

ERIC COLLINS (Sound Designer) has worked in professional audio for over 35 years where he has designed and mixed shows across the U.S., Europe, and Australia, including in the iconic Sydney Opera House! Eric’s theatrical designs have been awarded Best Sound Design by BroadwayWorld. com five times: Billy Elliot: The Musical (2015), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2016), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (2017), Once (2018), and Peace of Clay (2021). Recent credits include: North Carolina Theatre: The Color Purple, Sister Act, Songs for A New World, Mamma Mia, Disney’s NEWSIES, A Night with Janis Joplin, Gypsy. Theatre Raleigh: Jersey Boys, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, City of Angels, Once, The Secret Garden, Urinetown (awarded 2013 Best Sound Design), Carolina Ballet: MacBeth (2016 world premier ballet – Robert Weiss Choreographer), Dracula and The Little Mermaid (both world premier ballets – Lynn-Taylor Corbett - Choreographer). North Carolina Symphony: The Music Man, Idina Menzel (in concert), Natalie Merchant (in concert), Renée Fleming (in concert). Playmaker’s Rep. Co. (U.N.C.): She Loves Me, The Crucible, Peter and the Starcatcher, University Theatre (N.C.S.U.): The 39 Steps. Theatre In The Park: Godspell. Tuacahn Performing Arts Center (Utah): Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Pittsburgh Musical Theatre (PA): Once. Thank you for supporting live theatre. The adventure continues!

MICAH HOLLOWAY (Lighting Designer) is a graduate of Heritage High School class of 2022, and is currently working at Tuacahn Amphitheater in Utah! He has done many shows at NCT including On Your Feet, Sister Act, Steel Magnolias and more. Micah also loves managing his business on the side dealing with technology and photography and performing on stage with his friends. He has been able to work on many other shows such as Frozen, Tarzan, Little Shop of Horrors, Elf, Bring It On and many more!! This is Micah’s third year with The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and he is hopeful to spend many more in the future. When it comes to tech he would like Bryan Phoebus and Brandon

WHO’S WHO

Scopel for helping him grow and learn. He would also like to thank Eric Woodall and Jose Rondon Jr. for the amazing opportunity to help. This team has worked very hard on Mean Girls and he hopes you enjoy the show!

KISHARA MCKNIGHT (Costume Designer) has always had a profound love for the arts. She has served as costume manager for Yolanda Rabun’s Songs of Holiday Cheer concert, Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Neither One of Us, Yolanda Sings Gladys. Kishara has been Costume Designer for, Theatre Raleigh’s, Oh What a Night, Theatre Raleigh’s production of Peace of Clay, written by playwrights Mike Wiley and Howard L. Craft, and Yellow Face. She has Costume Designed, NCT’s Lady Day, NCT’s Steel Magnolias and was Assoc. Costumer for Dreamgirls and most recently Costumer for NCT’s The Color Purple. Kishara’s background is in Project Management specializing in coordinating business structures. She loves spending quality time with her family, friends, & puppy Rhylie. Kishara is looking forward to working with other amazing actors & Directors to develop additional skills in the future.