Festival of Arts Presents: Firebringer

DOGWOOD DELL

FESTIVAL OF ARTS PRESENTS:

A NEW STONE AGE MUSICAL

AUGUST 23-24-25

Music and Lyrics by Meredith Stepien & Mark Swiderski Book by Nick Lang, Matt Lang, & Brian Holden Arranged by Clark Baxtresser & Pierce Siebers

Some language may not be suitable for small children.

Cast Molag………….............................Emily Turner Jemilla………….............................Alanna Wilson Zazzalil………….............................Mikaela Craft Keeri………….............................Gabrielle Klatt Shwoopsie………….............................Casey Henley Emberly………….............................Mara Barrett Tiblyn………….............................Ari Silva Smelly-Butt………….............................Joey Gravins Chorn………….............................Jana Prentiss Grunt………….............................Mason Patrick Ducker………….............................Trevor Worden Clark………….............................Garrett Reese Tribe Member…….....................Gabriela Perez-Figueroa Tribe Member………….............................Blair J. Pitts Tribe Member………….............................Beth Davis Tribe Member…………........................Shelby Lamberton

Musicians

Pianist/Conductor…….......................................Leilani Fenick Keyboard 2…………...........................................................Ian Krauss Bass…………...........................................................Alex Kehayas Percussion/Drum Kit……..............…….....................Bentley Cobb

Design Team Director…………..................................................................Shanea Taylor Music Director…………......................................................Leilani Fenick Choreographer…………..................................................Emily Dandridge Stage Manager………........…................................................Emily James Scenic Designer/Asst. Technical Director....Sophie Solomon R. Technical Director………….....................................................Ben Burke Lead Carpenter..................................................................Brigid Tamas Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager...........Kasey Brown Asst. Costumer/Stage Technician............Melanie Michelle Kiser Stitcher...............……….........................................................Emily Cosma Lighting Designer/Master Electrician..............Tristan Ketcham Sound Designer/Engineer………....…...........................Bryan Walthall Asst. Sound Engineer..................................................Tristan O’Shea Prop Design/Stage Technician………..................................Erin Little Program Supervisor/Puppet Designer……............Cameron Booth Production Manager..............................................Molly Montgomery Recreation Services Manager................................Priscilla Wright Stage Technician.........................................................Nicholas Creery Stage Technician.................................................................Chris Foote Stage Technician......................................................................Sam Foot

Bios Emily Turner (Molag) is delighted to be making her Dogwood Dell debut with the fabulous cast and crew of Firebringer!

She would like to thank her endlessly supportive family and friends, and particularly her husband Aaron, for putting up with the same sort of nonsense you’re watching now on a daily basis.

Alanna Wilson (Jemilla) is excited to be back on the Dogwood Dell stage and performing with this awesome tribe! She previously played Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods at the Dell. Recent local credits include: From Up Here (HATTheatre), She Loves Me (Homefront Players), and The Winter Wonderettes (Swift Creek Mill Theatre). She has also performed regionally at The Ivoryton Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Roxy Regional Theatre, Fort Salem Theater, and Northern Stage. Alanna is a graduate of TheatreVCU and trained at The Upright Citizens Brigade (NY). Special thanks to Shanea, Lani, Emily, and Cameron for this opportunity. Love to Joe, Owen, & Daphne.

Mikaela Craft, (Zazzalil) is a multidisciplinary artist with a love for all types of performing, from dancing, singing, and acting, to puppetry, contortionism, and playing the spoons.

This love of the arts has taken them from the stage with Opera Carolina, to the York Theatre showcase in NYC, to Roehampton University in London, on a couple of crosscountry tours, and now back to Richmond where they were born. You may have seen them most recently at the Dogwood Dell as a Puck in A Midsummer Night's SLAM or as Robin in the premiere of Hawk's Ridge at the Lynne Theatre. In addition to the stage, they are also a performer at Richmond's Camp Halfblood.

Bios Gabrielle “Gabby” Klatt (Kerri) is so excited to be playing Keeri in Firebringer. Gabby had recently finished a production of Chess with Amaryllis LLC. Some of her other credits include: Some Enchanted Evening (Henrico Theatre Company), Cabaret (Jewish Family Theatre), and Sabotage by Sound Effects (On The Air Radio Players). Gabby is a very proud member of the board for On the Air Radio Players and has directed a few productions. You can catch Gabby next month in an upcoming production with Rivercity Community Players in Sunshine Boys. Gabby would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.

Casey Henley (Schwoopsie) is so excited to be making her Dogwood Dell debut in Starkid’s Firebringer, as the inventor of comedy, SCHWOOPSIE! Casey is a junior BFA Theatre Performance major with a minor in Musical Theatre. Casey has previously been seen as Jane in Descendants at VCU, Molly in Female of the Species with VCUSalt, and Charlotte in SpaceGirl with VCUSalt. Casey is apart of Crimes against Fantasy, a VCU improv comedy team. Enjoy the show!

Instagram: @kc.henley

Mara Barrett (Emberly)is thrilled to return to Dogwood Dell!

She is a proud graduate of the Theatre Program at The College of William and Mary. Some of her performance credits include La bohème (Commonwealth Concert Opera), The Rocky Horror Show (Richmond Triangle Players), The Addams Family (Dogwood Dell), The Great Gatsby (Quill Theatre), Times Square Angel (Richmond Triangle Players), A Chorus Line (Richmond Triangle Players), Free Man of Color (The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company), and Something’s Afoot (Swift Creek Mill). She sends her love to her fiancé and their two dogs. Enjoy the show!

Bios Ari Silva (Tiblyn) is just bursting with excitement to be a part of such a fantastic production. You may have seen them last year (or not) helping backstage at the Dell for Something Rotten! Some favorite on stage roles have been Raymonde in A Flea In Her Ear, Papa Ge in Once on This Island, and Olivia in Legacy of Light (BPCC). And a Swing in Chasing George Washington (VA Rep). Ari would like to thank their friends and family as well as their loving dog, Gonzo for all of their support.

Joey Gravins (Smelly Butt)is excited to make his Dogwood Dell debut. He was last seen at VA Rep's family season productions Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, The Santa Clues, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Gold: The Midas Musical. He was also in Swift Creek Mill Theatre's Schoolhouse Rock Live, Drifty's Picture-Perfect Holiday, and Count Dracula; and Riverside Center's Grease and Saturday Night Fever. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support.

Jana Nicole Prentiss (Chorn)is a performer from right here in Richmond! Jana is so excited to make her Dogwood Dell debut! Her most recent roles include Captain Cleo in Tales from Margaritaville on the Margaritaville at Sea, Lisa in Mamma Mia! at Va Rep and Jade in the short film Jade.

Jana would like to thank her amazing support system for making her the performer she is today! @jananicoleprentiss

Bios Mason Patrick (Grunt) is thrilled to be making his Dogwood Dell debut. A full-time new home sales professional with Eagle of VA, Mason balances his passion for real estate with his love for the stage. Most recently, he starred as Dr. Scott in "Rocky Horror: The Concert" (Yes, And) and Barry Glickman in "The Prom" (JFT). Growing up, Mason was inspired by the many shows he watched on the Dell stage, and he is excited to now be part of that local summer tradition. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to the cast, crew, and his supportive family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show! @masonpat1

Trevor Warden (Ducker) is thrilled to be back at the Dell working with some great old friends and some brand new friends. This show is silly and it has been so cathartic to act like a complete idiot for the past month in rehearsals.

Thanks to Chandler, TeDarryl, and Eddie for being the best toxic theater friends I could ever ask for and thanks to Cole, Waring, Kaitlyn for their constant hilarity and unending support. And to the rest of you, I’m single!

Garrett D. Reese (Clark) is an actor, singer, dancer, and educator based in Richmond, Virginia. Some of his previous credits include One in Two at RTP, Bob Enright in 9 to 5, Scrooge in Scrooge No More, Cityweed in BKLYN, and being a soloist for a Cabaret at The West End Lounge of New York.

Garrett is beyond thrilled to make his Dogwood Dell debut with the Firebringer cast and crew. He extends heartfelt thanks to the team at Dogwood Dell for this incredible opportunity, and to his friends, partner, and parents for their unwavering love and support! Visit www.garrettdreese.com and follow him on social media @Garrett.dreese.

Bios Gabriela Perez-Figueroa “Gabi” (Tribe Member) is super excited to be performing at Dogwood Dell for the first time as a member of the tribe in Firebringer. Previous credits include Some Enchanted Evening, Holiday Inn and Little Shop of Horrors with HTC as well as Let’s Murder Marsha with River City Community Players. During her spare time, Gabi enjoys playing her ukulele and talking about all things Taylor Swift. She would like to thank the cast and crew for being awesome and her family for their continuous support.

Blair J. Pitts (Tribe Member) is excited to be participating in her first production with Dogwood Dell. This will be her second RVA production since rejoining the theater community last year. She would like to take this chance to thank her parents for their loving support and grace in putting up with her even when she was working through these numbers and stumbling through choreography early into the mornings.

Beth Davis (Tribe Member) is a singer/actor, professor of musical theatre voice at VCU, and real estate agent. Beth holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree from California State University, Northridge. Favorite past roles include: Fiona (Shrek), Susan (title of show), The Witch (Into the Woods), Shelby (The Spitfire Grill) and Heather (Hands on a Hardbody). @bethdavis.rva

Bios Shelby Lambert (Tribe Member)is thrilled to be performing as a tribe member in FireBringer at the Dogwood Dell! This marks her debut at this venue. Most recently Shelby portrayed Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (Broken Leg Theater) and Katherine in Newsies (Homefront Players) She has always wanted to perform on the Dogwood Dell Stage and would like to thank the directorial team, her fellow cast, and crew for giving her this opportunity.

Shanea N. Taylor (Director)is excited to direct for the first time at Dogwood Dell, especially this sizzler of a show with such a talented troupe.

Taylor holds a MFA in Theatre Pedagogy/Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently a full-time Voice Over Artist. Directing credits include:Much Ado About Nothing: Richmond Shakespeare, BKLYN: Swift Creek Mill (2024 RTCC nomination for Best Direction and Best Musical), one in two: Richmond Triangle Players, A Soldier’s Play: Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Macbeth & Urinetown: Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, No More War Stories of Pandemic and Protest, She Kills Monsters, Dark of the Moon: Brightpoint Community College, The Amen Corner: The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide: THETC/ Firehouse Theatre, Steel Magnolias, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Sycamore Rouge. Thank you to my joyful muse for being the fire to my flame.

Bios Leilani Fenick (Music Director/Pianist) is a professional pianist and vocal coach in the Richmond area. She has collaborated with professional vocalists, performing throughout the US, China, Italy, and Mexico. Mrs. Fenick is actively involved in the Richmond professional theaters as a music director and pianist and also teaches in her private studio. Some of her most recent shows as a music director include: 9 to 5 (VARep), From Up Here (HATTheatre), BKLYN: The Musical (Swift Creek Mill), Something Rotten (Dogwood Dell), Mamma Mia! (Homefront Players), Gabriel (Firehouse Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Homefront Players), Passing Strange (Firehouse), and Dames at Sea (Swift Creek Mill).

Many of her shows have been nominated by the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle for several awards including Best Musical and Best Musical Director and was awarded Best Musical Director for her work in Rent (Firehouse). Mrs. Fenick holds a Master's degree in Piano Performance from VCU. She studied with Dr. Sonia Vlahcevic and Prof. Melanie Day Emily Dandridge (Choreographer) is the Cultural Arts Specialist for the City of Richmond. From 2011 - 2020, she was the Associate Artistic Director for Richmond Ballet’s Outreach program, Minds In Motion. As a choreographer, she's received RTCC Best Choreography nominations for Carrie (5th Wall Theater), Toxic Avenger (5th Wall Theater), and Preludes (Firehouse Theater). Other choreography credits include The Best of Times (Richmond Triangle Players) - RTCC nominated for Best Original Work, Something Rotten (Dogwood Dell), Chasing George Washington (Virginia Rep), Sondheim on Sondheim (Richmond Triangle Players), Forbidden Broadway (Dogwood Dell). Favorite performed roles include The Suspects, Murder For Two (Swift Creek Mill Theater) - Winner of the RTCC Award for Best Lead Performance In A Musical; Flora Conrad, On Air (Virginia Rep) - RTCC nominated for Best Lead Performance In A Musical; Peggy Sawyer, 42nd Street (Dogwood Dell); Velma, West Side Story (Virginia Rep); Bianca/Lois, Kiss Me Kate (Homefront Players); Dr. Virginia Apgar and Sally Ride, She Persisted :The Musical (Virginia Rep); Dusty U/S, POTUS (Virginia Rep); Lola, Damn Yankees (JFT); and Judy Haynes, White Christmas (Footlight Players).

Bios Emily James (Stage Manager) is so happy to return to the Dell! She worked as Assistant Production Manager in the summer of 2015 right after graduating from Shenandoah University with a BFA in Theatre Stage Management. After a short pandemic break from the arts, Emily is so fortunate to be back with her tribe.

She is currently an MFA candidate within the Theatre Pedagogy/Performance department at VCU with only two semesters to go! Emily's most recent work was as Production Stage Manager for Arts to All’s production of Crazy for You earlier this month. Emily has worked as Resident Stage Manager at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Stage Manager for multiple Virginia Repertory Theatre productions at Hanover Tavern, assistant stage manager with Richmond Ballet, Olney Theatre Center, The Provincetown Theatre, and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Emily would like to thank the cast and crew for this amazing opportunity, and Tyler, Speedy, and Pumpkinfor dealing with her insane work schedule and their constant support.

Made possible by City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilites Special Thanks to: E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Friends of Dogwood Dell Lee Farmer with Homefront Players Kerry Keenan Chris Foote Crimson’s Resumes and Websites

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