UPCOMING AUDITIONS

Samantha Lyons

Happy People/Ensemble

Samantha began doing theater in second grade but performed in her first-ever musical as Pepper in Annie in December of 2021. Since then, she’s performed in shows at West Salem High School, with Children’s Educational Theatre, Enlightened Theatrics and, now, Pentacle. In her free time, she likes to write and hang out with her friends and family.

Kirsten Manning

Queen Lillian/Duloc Performer/Blind

Mouse 1

Kristen returns to the Pentacle after previously playing the roles of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and The Beast, as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, as Donna in Mamma Mia!, and as Honey Rae and Donna Jo in Dashing Through the Snow. Other theaterrelated work experience includes as Mrs. Paroo in Music Man at Keizer Homegrown Theater.

Kirsten is a reading teacher in Salem Keizer schools. She is a wife to Jon, who keeps her laughing when life is nuts. She’s a proud mom of three amazing and talented kids who make her laugh but rarely load the dishwasher, and spoiled dog, who never loads the dishwasher. She loves watching tv, baking and spending time with her friends and family. She credits theater with helping her through every mid-life crisis. She thinks this cast is beyond incredible.

Vivian May

Happy People/Ensemble

Although this is her first show at Pentacle, Vivian has attended Children’s Educational Theatre for three summers. She was also recently in The Drowsy Chaperone at West Salem High School.

Logan Mays

Papa Ogre/Greeter/Guard/Bishop

This is Logan's first show at Pentacle Theater, and his first show in almost seven years. His last musical experience was playing Ernst in Spring Awakening at Linfield University in 2013. In his downtime, he practices slaying monsters in Dungeons & Dragons and slaying serves in volleyball! He wants to thank his family for their support as he re-enters the theater experience, and his wife, Lacey, for convincing him to audition for Shrek. This will hopefully be the first of many future shows he performs in!

Jennifer Ann Meyers

Humpty Dumpty/Duloc Performer

Jennifer Ann has performed in a number of Pentacle Theatre shows including Mary Poppins, 9 to 5: The Musical, Seussical, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Nerd, Fools and Mamma Mia! Other theater-related work experience includes Keizer Homegrown's production of Music Man. When not performing, she is a third grade teacher for Salem Keizer Schools.

Micah Parrish

Happy People/Captain of the Guard Micah was part of the Pentacle Theatre production of Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Other theater-related work experience includes tech work, including spotlight and set building for a production of Les Misérables at Enlightened Theatrics. He works at Ace Hardware when he is not acting and enjoys reading, playing video games, playing basketball and watching movies and tv shows. He’d like to thank his mom for getting him into acting and always believing in him and constantly supporting everything he does!

Natalie Pate Gwin Princess Fiona

Natalie is thrilled to be part of her third show at Pentacle Theatre, having portrayed Sally Bowles in Pentacle's 2018 production of Cabaret and the bride ancestor in the 2015 production of The Addams Family. Parts outside Pentacle include Victoria the White Cat in Cats, Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, and the title character of Peter Pan. Natalie remembers singing all three parts of I Know it's Today when she was about nine years old. She was standing in her grandparents' kitchen and still remembers the loving reaction of her grandfather, who used to play the piano alongside her until he passed last year. In many ways, this performance is for him. Natalie works as a journalist and is a published children's book author. She lives in Salem with her husband, Josh, and their beloved dog, Bandit. Natalie would like to thank her pack, her family and her friends for all their love and support over the years, as well as the Shrek cast and crew for bringing this underdog fairytale to life.

Nikki Paxton Happy People/Ensemble

Originally from Arkansas, Nikki Paxton is a southern woman, loving the Pacific Northwest life. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a BA in English and received a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. As Development Director of Imagine Black, Nikki gets to do two things she loves, secure resources and amplify the voices of those who are unheard.

Nikki is the mom of four bright, capricious boys and runs somewhat of a bohemian frat house, full of music and art. She enjoys playing the guitar, crafting, dancing and gardening. Nikki is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. She is super excited to be a part of this performance at Pentacle Theatre and hopes it is the first of many.

Stacia Purdie

Mamma Bear/Duloc Performer/Blind

Mouse 3

This is Stacia’s first show with Pentacle. Past theater experience includes as actor/singer in La Bohème, Rigoletto and Carmen at BYUI (2014-15); Dog Park the Musical at Keizer Homegrown (2017); Love, Loss and What I Wore (2020) at

Keizer Homegrown; and All Together

Now! (2021) at Enlightened Theatrics. She was the Music Director at Keizer Homegrown Theatre for Miscast (2021) and Music Man (2022). Stacia has worked in many capacities as a music and theater teacher in Arizona and Oregon. She is thankful for her husband Jake and her son Gavin who supported her in following her dreams.

Liliana Quiroz Young Fiona/Ensemble

Liliana is a student at Howard Street Charter School. Liliana has recently discovered her love for musical theater and since then has been in several productions. Her most memorable being when she played the title role in both Annie and Matilda. In addition to fully embracing her love for the stage, she also learned the value of a theater family and friends in other productions such as Sound of Music and most recently Seussical the Musical. Liliana enjoys all things musical and can often be found singing. She enjoys and values her time with her voice teacher where she has really learned to use her voice as an instrument. Liliana also loves learning about and experimenting with different forms of art. Most recently she has spent her time exploring watercolors.

Mariah Rifenberg Mamma Ogre/Ogress

This is Mariah's first production at Pentacle Theatre. Mariah has recently relocated to Salem, all the way from southwestern Michigan. Some previous theater experience includes Adult Alison in Fun

Home, Inez in Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit, Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act, Penny in Hairspray, Rose Stopnik Gellman in Caroline, or Change, Velma in Chicago and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Outside of theater, Mar works at Better Than Mama's restaurant and catering in Salem. She would like to thank her crew at BTM and family/friends who are her and traveled to support her. Mariah dedicates all of her performances to her twin and angel, Megan Elaine Rifenberg.

Bode Rosendahl White Rabbit/Duloc Performer/Knight 2

Bode’s past Pentacle experience includes Mary Poppins, Seussical the Musical and Beauty and the Beast. He also starred in the Elsinore Theatrical Production of A Christmas Story: The Musical.

Mandi Thompson

Fairy Godmother/Duloc Performer/Blind Mouse 2

Mandi is thrilled to return to Pentacle Theatre after being a member of the ensemble in the 2018 production of 1984. Other theaters Mandi has worked with are Sellwood Playhouse (Scrooge), Keizer Homegrown Theatre (Miscast, Happy Birthday KHT), and was most recently seen in 2021 with Salem Theatre Network (All Together Now). Some of her favorite roles include Mama Asaka (Once on this Island), Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Mrs. Dilbur (Scrooge), Customer/Ensemble (Little Shop of Horrors), Maria (Twelfth Night), Wall (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Billy Flynn (Miscast). Off stage, Mandi continues to be actively involved as a student at The Salem Playhouse. Her love of musical theater finds her taking instruction in both musical and vocal instruction. Mandi thanks her family, friends, her acting coach Zach Dufault, and her vocal coach Solveig Nybert for the endless support and encouragement of chasing after her dreams.

Bryan Toller Wolf/Duloc Performer

Bryan’s past Pentacle experience includes as Rod Harper in Calendar Girls, as Mr. McQueen in Urinetown, in the Ensemble of Young Frankenstein and as Kyle O’Boyle in Legally Blonde. Other theater-related experience includes two musicals directed by Ken Hermens at Central High School. He has lived in the Salem area his whole life. It is his honor and pleasure to serve as a member at large on the Pentacle Theatre Governing Board. In his day job, he’s the Director of Mathematics for Smarter Balanced. In his free time, he loves riding motorcycles and scooters with the Salem Scooter Club. He would like to thank his lovely wife Heather Dunkin Toller for supporting him and encouraging him to get involved with the Pentacle Theatre.

Ethan Trevino

Pig 3/Duloc Performer

This is Ethan’s first show at Pentacle Theatre. Past theater experience includes in Annie, Rainbow Fish the Musical and, most recently, Seussical the Musical with Enlightened Theatrics. He also was part of Matilda Jr. with Children’s Educational Theater. Ethan’s dad and mom have supported his theater journey from the beginning. As long as he keeps focusing on school, they never stop him from reaching his dreams! He also loves to play his saxophone and cello in his free time.

Soren Urban Pig 1/Duloc Performer

Soren returns to the Pentacle stage after previously performing in Les Misérables, Dr. Dolittle, Mary Poppins, All My Sons, The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Carol and Seussical the Musical

Other theater-related work experience includes as TA at CET, A Christmas Story: The Musical at the Elsinore Theatre and The Nutcracker at ABA. Soren is a senior at South Salem High School, where he runs Cross Country and Track, and is involved in DECA, as well as speech and debate. Soren would like to thank his parents and friends for supporting him.

Noah Vanderburgh

Mad Hatter/Duloc/Performer/Knight 4

Noah is a mechanical engineer by day and a fairytale creature by night. He recently moved to West Salem with his fiancée, Molly, and their adorably insane cat, Henry. Noah grew up in Salem and has always wanted to be in a Pentacle production, and is thrilled Shrek is his first (but definitely not his last). Other theater- related work experience includes as Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can at Majestic Theatre. His hobbies include cooking, 3D printing, tending to his army of succulents, and being the president of the Henry Fan Club.

Emma Wagoner

Elf/Duloc

Performer

This is Emma Wagoner’s first community theater production they’ve been lucky enough to perform in as an actor. They found their love for theater in high school through their best friend and even met their fiancé through their high school theater program. Theater has found itself in almost every aspect of their life since the amazing first experience of acting in musicals in 2018. Shrek the Musical has been their dream show for as long as they’ve known it existed so this is them getting to check off a very big box on their bucket list.

Sam Welborn Pinocchio

This is Sam's fifth show with Pentacle. You may have seen him as Feste in Twelfth Night, Kendall Parker in Yellow, or in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast and Suessical the Musical. Sam has also done mentorship work with Enlightened Theatrics and spends his summers as a Teaching Assistant at Children's Educational Theatre. He is a senior at South Salem High School where he is a member of two advanced choirs and a National Honor Thespian. In his free time, he likes long drives in rural Oregon listening to show tunes as well as schooling his friends at Nintendo Switch bowling. As he heads off to college, he is very blessed to have grown up with such a loving community at Pentacle for all these years and wishes everyone the best.

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Rob Ashford

Rob Ashford won the 2012 Olivier Award for his production of Anna Christie starring Jude Law and Ruth Wilson at London's Donmar Warehouse. The production opened to rave reviews with The Independent's anointing it as "picture perfect" and David Benedict stating that "the production's hallmark is its boldness." Rob most recently directed the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson, and Macbeth with Sir Kenneth Branagh at New York's Park Avenue Armory and The Manchester International Festival. The Telegraph claimed "This is a Macbeth that won't just go down as a highlight of the Manchester International Festival but as one of the Scottish Play's great revivals," and Ben Brantley of the New York Times proclaimed "Mr. Ashford uses his experience as a celebrated director of musicals to stunning, time-bending effect." Rob received his 8th Tony Nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin, and received the Tony Award for his work on the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business (Tony Award Nominations for his direction and choreography), Promises, Promises (Tony Award Nomination), Shrek, John Water's Cry Baby (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Fred Astaire Awards), Curtains (Tony Award nomination), and Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination). In London, Rob also directed the highly acclaimed Olivier Award-winning revivals of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Rachel Weisz and Parade at The Donmar Warehouse. Rob did the choreography and staging for last year's Academy Awards with Seth MacFarlane and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Choreography for his work on Baz Luhrmann's production number (featuring Hugh Jackman and Beyoncé) at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. He has also choreographed the opening number for The Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for the past 4 years. He choreographed the feature film Beyond The Sea directed by and starring Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Walt Disney Production's upcoming film Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh. Most recently, Rob directed and choreographed NBC's The Sound of Music Live!, for which he received a DGA Award Nomination, and this January directed The Barber of Seville at Chicago Lyric Opera. Rob is an Associate Director at The Old Vic Theatre. He also serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and is a Trustee of The Joyce Theatre in New York City.

David Lindsay-Abaire

David Lindsay-Abaire is a Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent play, Ripcord, opens this fall at Manhattan Theatre Club. His previous play Good People premiered on Broadway, was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony nominations. His play Rabbit Hole received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David also wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical, which was nominated for eight Tonys, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Ed Kleban Award as America's most promising musical theatre lyricist. David's other plays include Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World and A Devil Inside, among others. In addition to his work in theatre, David's screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole, Dreamworks' Rise of the Guardians, and the upcoming Family Fang, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken and Jason Bateman.

Jason Moore

Jason Moore (Director). Broadway: Avenue

Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue

Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of Dawson s Creek, Everwood, One Tree Hill and Brothers and Sisters. Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.

Jeanine Tesori

Jeanine Tesori won the Tony Award for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for the musical Fun Home. She has also written

Tony-nominated scores for Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center; Thoroughly Modern Millie (lyrics, Dick Scanlan); Caroline, or Change (lyrics, Tony Kushner); and Shrek The Musical (lyrics, David LindsayAbaire). The production of Caroline, or Change at the National Theatre in London received the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Her 1997 Off-Broadway musical Violet (lyrics, Brian Crawley) opened on Broadway in 2014 and garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Opera: A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (libretto, Tony Kushner; Glimmerglass) and The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me (libretto, J. D. McClatchy, Kennedy Center). Music for plays: Mother Courage (dir. George C. Wolfe, with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline), John Guare's A Free Man of Color (Lincoln Center Theater, dir. George C. Wolfe), and Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Gala). Film scores: Nights in Rodanthe, Every Day, and You're Not You. Ms. Tesori is a member of the Dramatists Guild and was cited by the ASCAP as the first female composer to have two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway. She was the founding artistic director of Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center, and a lecturer in music at Yale University. Most of all, she is the proud parent of Siena Rafter.