Malachi is a first-year YP who started theatre during elementary school with The Jungle Book and Alice in Wonderland, and kept doing it throughout all of middle school and continued into high school with his most recent production at Lakeridge High School, Chicago! Some of his past work in middle school and high school includes Elf Jr, Matilda Jr, The Giver, Footloose Jr, Little Shop of Horrors, Murder on the Orient Express, and Puffs. This is his first show with the Young Professionals Company and OCT. On the side he is also a book author, singer, and piano player!
ISABEL DOOGAN
Isabel Doogan is a junior at the Catlin Gabel School and is delighted to be playing Stella in SPIDER! She is a third-year YP, which she dreamed of being since her first acting class with OCT at four years old. Her favorite thing about this production is the level of depth with the characters, and the nuances in all of their relationships and connections, and getting to explore that has been a joy. In addition to acting, Isabel also has a passion for playwriting, as well as directing, and has taken workshops to develop these skills as well as being very involved in her school’s one acts. Some of her recent roles include Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Rosie in Mamma Mia When she’s not acting, you can find her songwriting at her piano, doodling in her notebook, or looking for new dessert places to try.
AIDAN COLVIN
Aidan is honored to have been asked to return as Thomas in SPIDER! He started his acting career in middle school with his role as Lord Farquaad in Shrek: The Musical, and has been investing ever since. Aidan has gotten the opportunity to play many exciting roles such as The Artful Dodger (Oliver Jr.), The Escapologist (Matilda), and Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief). On the side, he loves playing video games, playing guitar, swimming, and hanging out with friends! He would like to thank all the people involved with YP for being so caring, his family for being so supportive, and everyone who helped him get to where he is today!
DYLAN MOJO
Dylan Mojo is a second-year Young Professional and a sophomore at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. Alongside acting, Dylan enjoys drumming, writing, and saving princesses from towers. Other roles include Adam in HBO’s The Rehearsal, Frankie in the Lionsgate film The Legend of Catclaws Mountain, two years of Impulse! (OCT’s improv comedy troupe), Bottom in a VSAA/Portland Shakespeare Project production of A Midsummer Nights Dream and the Blue Door in Alice in Wonderland at the Keller Auditorium, directed by Septime Webber from The Kennedy Center. Dylan thanks Matt and Dani for the opportunity to return to the role of Max/Layla that he originated in OCT’s 2024’s premiere production of SPIDER.
CAST
LILA SATORI
Lila is a second-year YP and is so grateful for this opportunity to be in SPIDER again, as last year she was the stage manager! Lila is passionate about acting, dancing, and singing, and was recently Alice in Northwest Academy’s production of Alice by Heart. This fall she applied to colleges to study musical theater and photography. Outside of rehearsal Lila enjoys reading, crafting, hiking, and making photos with her film camera. She would like to thank Dani for her guidance, Matt for his wisdom, and the cast for being so lovely to work with.
EDDIE VASSILENKO
Eddie is a second-year YP who is so crazy happy to be a part of SPIDER! He is a senior in high school taking classes at Portland Community College. You may have seen playing Quisp and Mr. McGraw in last year’s YP show The K of D. When Eddie isn’t at rehearsal, he is probably painting, watching The Backyardigans, writing his comic, or just taking a stroll
CALI THOMAN
Cali is a first-year YP and a junior at Reynolds High School, where she is an inducted member of Thespian Troupe 3556. You may have seen her as Seymour in Reynolds High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, or as Portia in the Young People’s Theatre Project’s production of Something Rotten. She has loved theatre for as long as she can remember and is honored to be playing the role of Kit. Outside of theatre, she enjoys running with her school’s cross-country team and making silly jewelry.
CELIA WOOD
Celia Wood is a fourthyear member of the Young Professionals Company and is thrilled to be involved in SPIDER Celia was previously the directing apprentice for Oregon Children’s Theatre’s She Persisted The Musical and the stage manager for YP’s Pestilence: Wow! She hopes you get as much out of seeing this play as she got from working on it.
CREATIVE TEAM
Matthew B. Zrebski Director, Sound Designer
Matthew B. Zrebski is an award-winning, multidisciplinary theatre artist whose career has been defined by new play development. For OCT, he’s directed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Giver as well as his play, Chrysalis, his original musical, Shiver, and last season’s production of SPIDER. The cast albums of both Ablaze and Shiver along with his electronic albums We Persist and Chamber have all been distributed by Woodsway Entertainment. A passionate advocate for arts education, he’s the former Resident Teaching Artist at Portland Center Stage and is on staff with the Acting Academy at OCT. Currently, he’s the Director of Education for Playwrights West.
Alyssa Colvin Directing Apprentice
Alyssa first discovered theatre in 6th grade when she was in the ensemble of Shrek the Musical Jr. That was where she first discovered her love for theater. She continued her acting career throughout the rest of middle school and high school. Along with local and school theatre productions, Alyssa is a second-year YP. This is Alyssa’s first time doing a director apprenticeship, and she is thrilled for this opportunity. Enjoy the show!
Bailey McIlroy Directing Apprentice
Bailey McIlroy is an aspiring creative artist currently expanding her horizons by pursuing an interest in directing for the stage. Her work as a performer has ranged from principal roles in stage productions to success in regional vocal competitions, as well as screen acting.
Jackson Sean Unflat Lighting Design Apprentice
Jackson is grateful not only to have been accepted into the Young Professionals Company, but also for being given space to learn. Kristeen, Karen, Eric, and Dani have shown him so much and he is excited to participate more in the 2025 Reader Series.
Grace Farrell Stage Manager
Grace is a second-year YP and is excited to step into the role of Stage Manager! She is typically found on stage, in fact you may have recently seen her as Annabeth in OCT’s production of The Lightning Thief, or as Apgar/Sally Ride Understudy in She Persisted! She has done theater since she was 8, and this is her 2nd time Stage Managing but she loves getting to work behind the scenes and help a show come to life. She would like to thank her family who has supported her through every new adventure! 1 Corinthians 10:31
Greta Van Eck Directing Apprentice
After being the directing apprentice of Impulse 17 and performer in Impulse 18, Greta is thrilled to take on the directing apprentice role again in SPIDER. She is a thirdyear YP and a junior at McDaniel High School. Other than theater, Greta loves reading, thrifting, snail mail, collaging, sewing, flowers, and chai. She extends a huge thank you to Blake Wales, Dani Baldwin, and Matt Zrebski.
Owen Abrahams Lighting Design Apprentice
Owen has been part of the YP Company for two years, contributing to both the scene shop and lighting team. Outside of theatre, he enjoys exploring the local wilderness on hikes, spending time with his dog, and diving into a good book.
CREATIVE TEAM
Amalea Krill Costume Design Apprentice
Amalea is a second-year Young Professional who spend much of their time doing anything theatre related. A day off from rehearsals? She’s probably spending it reading a play. They love to participate in all forms of theatre, from directing to playwriting to acting, and can’t wait to continue their pursuit of the arts in college. Amalea currently attends Cleveland High School as a senior and is an Oregon State Thespian Officer. They would like to thank all of the staff and Young Professionals at OCT for giving them such a wonderful space to experience the professional world of theatre and supporting them throughout these two years.
Madeleine
Adriance
Playwright
Madeleine Adriance is a playwright, book writer, lyricist, and educator who grew up in Guatemala City and Portland, Oregon. An alumna of the Young Professionals Company, she recently graduated magna cum laude with honors from Brown University, receiving a BA in Theater. Her plays include SPIDER (commissioned by the Young Professionals Company) and The Living Ones (Finalist, Lanford Wilson Festival of New American Plays). She has also written the book for the musicals Dendroo! and Cheesy Love Songs, both produced at Brown University. Honors include being a winner of the Horizon Theater New South Young Playwrights Festival and a Fulbright grant. madeleineadriance.com
Dani Baldwin Artistic Director, YP Company
Dani is thrilled to be see the return of SPIDER with this amazing cast and team! She is the Artistic Director of the Young Professionals Company at OCT where she also acts, directs, and designs. Highlights include directing and choreographing Jasper in Deadland and the awardwinning A Year With Frog and Toad. Outside of OCT, she has performed with Love Street Playhouse, Sojourn Theatre, Chianti Club Presents, Tapestry Theater, and Miracle Theatre; plus, she’s a regular improv actor for medical communication intensives.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES:
Click here to gain access to a guide with resources regarding teen mental health, suicide prevention, and more. Created in partnership with MediaRites and Oregon Children’s Theatre.
The Reader Series
May 15–18, 2025
Shaking the Tree Theatre
Zombie in Love –The Musical by
Michelle Elliot and Danny Larsen
Originally commissioned by OCT in 2013, this sweet story will make you believe in love after life. A heartfelt musical about celebrating the weird in all of us.
Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 18 at 11:00 am Ages 6 & up
Eurydice
by Sarah Ruhl
A reimagining of the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. With contemporary characters, creative plot twists, and poetic language, this tale is a fresh take on a timeless love story.
Friday, May 16 at 7:00 pm Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 pm Ages 12 & up.
Why We Have Winter by
Alexa Derman
High school couple Anna and Helen are grappling with the fallout from a sexual assault. A play about emotional impact and loving, even when it hurts.
Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 pm Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 pm Contains themes of sexual violence and self-harm. Restricted to ages 14 & up.
The Young Professionals Company is made up of dedicated theater students ages 14–18 who have been selected to participate in a year-long mentoring program, where they receive advanced training through exposure to a wide range of college-level workshops and professional development. For more information, please visit octc.org/young-professionals.
All OCT programming, including the Young Professionals Company, Mainstage performances, and education programs, are possible because of the financial support of our donors. If you are able, please make a tax-deductible donation today to help support our future programs.
