Cirque Mechanics: TILT! A Circus Thrill Ride
Tue, Feb 24
Bass Concert Hall
Mnozil Brass: Strau$$
Fri, Feb 27
Bates Recital Hall
Beyond the Performance
The Heller Awards for Young Artists are moving to TPA in 2026!
18 Cirque Mechanics: TILT! A Circus Thrill Ride 30 Mnozil Brass: Strau$$
Proud Sponsor
Thank you for joining us for our Spring 2026 Texas Performing Arts Season. Curated with a focus on artistic excellence and boundary-defying creativity, we are excited to bring you international superstars, Austin icons, and trailblazing creators in the months ahead.
I’m especially looking forward to welcoming back celebrated artists and companies such as renowned pianist Lang Lang and the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. To complement those artistic titans, several original new works will be developed in residence at TPA. These adventurous productions include Robin Frohardt’s Shopping Center of the Universe, a follow-up to her acclaimed 2022 immersive installation The Plastic Bag Store. Austin’s Rude Mechs will revisit their mesmerizing Not Every Mountain as part of the Fusebox Festival in April. And that’s just the beginning—I hope you’ll explore the full season at texasperformingarts.org.
The 25/26 Performing Arts Season enhances our Broadway in Austin series and our Texas Welcomes lineup of concerts, comedy, and family entertainment. We truly have something for everyone— I invite you to be inspired by live performance with us all season long.
On with the show!
Bob Bursey Executive & Artistic Director
At TPA, we believe in the unique power of live performance to uplift, connect, and create community and we ensure that our engagement with the arts reaches far beyond the stage. Each year, thousands of students and Central Texas residents participate in TPA’s educational and outreach programs, including School Day Performances, workshops, masterclasses, and pre- and post-show talks. By offering an array of transformative experiences, we aim to inspire people of all ages and enhance the role of the performing arts in Austin.
Our 25/26 season is in full swing, featuring an extraordinary lineup of must-see live performances along with numerous opportunities to engage with and learn from our visiting artists. Here are just a few highlights from this past season:
In October, TPA hosted its second free School Day Performance of a Broadway musical, welcoming 3,000 enthusiastic students from across Central Texas to The Outsiders at Bass Concert Hall.
Company members from Chicago’s Manual Cinema led a hands-on workshop for UT theater students featuring an overview and demonstration of their methods, followed by a group activity in which students created short scenes using those techniques.
The Miró Quartet visited the Austin Soundwaves Invitational Festival at Northeast Early College High School, performing for local students and answering questions during a full day of music-making.
Cast members of the new play Stuntboy, In the Meantime paused to capture the excitement of their School Day Performance, snapping a selfie in front of an energized audience of Austin-area students.
As part of the Austin engagement of the Broadway musical The Outsiders, TPA collaborated with Little Free Libraries to distribute 50 copies of the classic book and a chance to win tickets, inviting the community to share in the power of theatre and storytelling.
The Heller Awards for Young Artists—Austin’s Tony Awards® for High School Musical Theatre—are moving to TPA in 2026!
The Heller Awards for Young Artists (HAYAs) are moving to TPA, the home of Broadway in Austin, and will become a permanent program beginning this season. The HAYAs ceremony will take place at Bass Concert Hall on May 6, 2026.
This highly anticipated annual event celebrates the exceptional talents of high school musical theatre students and educators across the Greater Austin area, while also fostering the next generation of Broadway performers. What began with 19 participating schools in its inaugural year at the Long Center for the Performing Arts has since expanded to include 37 schools— and continues to grow.
Modeled after the Tony Awards®, the HAYAs honor the entire high school musical experience, on and
off the stage. Awards are presented in 19 categories such as best production, lead and supporting performers, and technical design. Through TPA’s membership in the Broadway League, the winners of lead actor and actress at the HAYAs go on to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. These students join top students from other U.S. regional programs to perform on a Broadway stage in New York City and participate in a week-long training intensive with notable theatre professionals.
Ready to make a difference for the next generation of performers? Contact support@texasperformingarts.org or call 512.232.8567.
A gift from longtime Texas Performing Arts members Bill and Anita Cochran enriches the lives of thousands of Austin-area children.
The William and Anita Cochran Endowment for Performing Arts Access and Education supports performances by nationally recognized artists for students from elementary through high school. With their gift, the Cochrans are helping Texas Performing Arts continue to be one of the nation’s highest-impact live arts organizations.
You can support Texas Performing Arts, like the Cochrans, through your will, trust or estate plan to share the joy of vibrant performing arts programming for generations to come.
Call 800-687-4602 or email giftplan@austin.utexas.edu for more information.
scan the qr code to learn more about gift and estate planning.
Discover works from Landmarks’ collection at Bass Concert Hall
FUSEBOX PRESENTS
Robin Frohardt
Shopping Center of the Universe
Mar 6–7, 2026
FUSEBOX FESTIVAL
Rude Mechs
Not Every Mountain
Apr 17–19, 2026
FUSEBOX FESTIVAL
Katie Bender
Instructions for a Séance Apr 16–19, 2026
FUSEBOX FESTIVAL
Vanessa Anspaugh
mourning after mornings Apr 17–19, 2026
FEB 24, 2026
BASS CONCERT HALL
Cast
Scott Cooper – Acrobat | Cradle
Chase Culp – Main Character | Clown
Will Farlow – Acrobat | Teeterboard
Jeremy Kasper – Acrobat | Teeterboard
Aubrey Lawrence – Acrobat | Cradle
Joel Malkoff – Acrobat | Wire Walking
Celeste Murman – Acrobat | Chinese Pole
Lexi Powell – Aerialist | Swing
Ossy Sanchez – Acrobat | Juggler
Creative Team
Chris Lashua – Founder | Creative Director | Producer | Machine Designer
Aida Lashua – Producer | Collaborator
Aloysia Gavre – Co-Director | Choreographer
Leonardo Hidalgo – Lighting Designer
Janeen Johnson – Production Director | Assistant Choreographer
Michael Picton – Composer
Caroline Rogers – Costume Designer
Steven Ragatz – Co-Director | Dramaturge
Sean Riley – Co-Director | Set Designer | Artistic Rigger
Production Team
Clint Bobzien – Artistic Director
Bryan Runion – Production Stage Manager
Kerry Kaye – Stagehand | Truck Driver
Penelope Onofre – Costume Manager
Max Rosenfeldt – Lighting Director
Toby Stanley – Props Master | Master Carpenter
The creation of Tilt! has been a true labor of love, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has shared their time, talents, and heart in bringing this 1980s-inspired amusement park adventure to life. To our family—Zion, Quinn, and Iago—thank you for your boundless imagination, encouragement, and hands-on help, from brainstorming wacky ride ideas to rolling up your sleeves in the workshop. To our parents, we are forever grateful for sparking our passion for circus by taking us to carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks—memories that still fuel our imagination and inspire our work today. To our remarkable cast and crew, your artistry, dedication, and joy have transformed Tilt! into the thrilling ride we dreamed it could be. To Alliance Artists Management, thank you for your unwavering belief in our vision. A very special thank you to Lori Cobo and the UNLV Performing Arts Center for their generous collaboration, enabling us to premiere Tilt! at home. Special thanks to Bo Bogatin and Kurt Nelson for their legal guidance, Andy Espo for technical support, and Bryan Schuette and Stephen Butz at United Machine for their precision craftsmanship and Mike Levine for the fastest Tshirt turnaround ever—your speed and quality product kept our cast and crew looking totally tubular. We are indebted to Don Seiersen for his artistic contributions, which added texture and depth to this production. We are grateful to the Las Vegas Circus Center for fostering such a vibrant community of creators, and to Cirque du Soleil and circus companies worldwide for their enduring commitment to pushing this art form forward. Finally, to our audiences: your enthusiasm and joy fuel our passion. Thank you for strapping in and taking this ride with us—together we celebrate the thrills, nostalgia, and wonder of the circus, the amusement park, and the totally awesome spirit of the 1980s.
Park Opens
Bounce Juggle
Swing Chair
Tight Wire
Plate Spinning
Park Closes
Teeter Board
- Intermission -
Park Opens Next Day
Cradle Roller Coaster
Ring Toss
Chinese Pole
Balloon Game
Ping Pong Ball
Ferris Wheel
Finale
Step right up to the dazzling world of Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride! Journey back to the 1980s and experience a high-flying homage to America’s iconic amusement parks. Bursting with acrobatics, aerial feats, juggling, and a dose of nostalgic charm, this theatrical circus adventure brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of the era to life. At the heart of the spectacle is a marvel of man-powered engineering: a giant Ferris Wheel, surrounded by incredible mechanical creations that reimagine classic rides and games of the time. The story follows a weary amusement park worker, worn down by the grind and long disconnected from the joy around him. When he confiscates a guest’s boom box, a playful chase erupts—an exhilarating whirlwind of stunts, surprises, and
laughter. By the end, the pursuit transforms into a touching moment of connection, proving that even in the unlikeliest of places, shared joy can bring us together.
Founded in 2004 by Chris Lashua, Las Vegas-based Cirque Mechanics masterfully blends American storytelling with inventive mecanical staging. Inspired by traditional circus and grounded in realism, their performances explore timeless themes of ingenuity through a captivating mix of acrobatics, mechanical artistry, and humor. Hailed by Spectacle Magazine as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil,” Cirque
Mechanics creates unforgettable experiences for audiences worldwide, including corporate and private clients through their Events and Under Canvas divisions. Their touring repertoire features acclaimed productions such as Birdhouse Factory, Boom Town, Pedal Punk, 42ft, the Drama Desk Award–nominated Zephyr, their inaugural holiday spectacular Yuletide Factory, and Winter Wonder Shoppe, created in partnership with the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Their sixth touring production, Tilt! promises an exhilarating circus thrill ride for all ages.
Scott began life on the tiny Nordic Island of Iceland. Many adventures later, he accidentally stumbled into the circus around 2010. At the time, he held three engineering degrees and a lucrative future in tech—but decided to toss it all aside for the glamorous life of a starving circus artist. Over the years, Scott slowly traded desks and suits for training halls and bruises. For two years, he studied and performed with AcroSanct under the legendary Chinese acrobat Lu-Yi, later joining AcroArmy under the guidance of sports acro champion Arthur Davis III. His specialties lean toward disciplines involving other “ridiculous humans,” including Russian Cradle, Russian Bar, Hand-to-Hand, Banquine, Perch, Duo Trapeze, and ensemble acrobatics. Stage credits include Awakening! at the Wynn, Cirque Dreams, Pippin: The Broadway Musical, The Emmy Awards, and A Magical Cirque Christmas. On the side, Scott is also the guy who’s been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty. Oh—and he’s forklift certified. #suckitjoel
Chase Culp was born and raised in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, but his heart was set on adventure from the start.The grandson of a cowboy, he dreamed of joining the circus at just three years old, inspired by the films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, as well as the clowns who passed through town with touring shows. As a teenager, Chase discovered Circus Smirkus, a traveling tented youth circus, where he spent three summers honing his craft. After graduating high school, he joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, touring for two years across the U.S. and Mexico. His career has since taken him to circus tents, theaters, theme parks, and festivals in more than ten countries, with credits including Slava’s Snowshow, Venardos Circus, Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium, and the Circus World Museum. Chase has also toured extensively with Cirque Mechanics productions, including Birdhouse Factory, Pedal Punk, and Yuletide Factory, and is thrilled to join the cast of Tilt! Offstage, Chase is a fan of all-you-can-eat sushi, is certified in Laughter Yoga, and—true to his love of showmanship—is also a licensed auctioneer.
Will is one flipping cool guy—literally. He loves to swim, dive, and, of course, flip. An expert diver, he also enjoys coaching and bringing his fun, motivating energy to anyone eager to learn. Hailing from Myrtle Beach—the putt-putt capital of the world—Will grew up with a love for both water and thrills. That passion eventually carried him into the circus world, where he became part of the original cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal. Audiences saw him soaring through crisp arena air, flying off poles, and pushing his acrobatic skills to the limit. Despite having vision in only one eye, Will is
a true thrill-seeker. For him, the challenge makes every daring move even more exhilarating. Offstage, you’ll likely find him chasing rollercoasters with his buddies, slushy in hand, until the amusement park lights flicker out. Laid-back by nature but fueled by adventure, Will brings both chill vibes and jaw-dropping talent to the stage. Whether he’s coaching, flipping, or laughing with friends, he reminds us all to keep life in balance—ride the highs, embrace the thrills, and never forget that #mensmentalhealthisimportant.
Jeremy, a Chicago native, discovered circus at just nine years old when he began training at The Actors Gymnasium. What started as an after-school activity quickly grew into a passion, expanding from aerial arts to juggling and beyond. Over the years, his curiosity and dedication shaped him into a true generalist, equally at home in a wide variety of circus disciplines. At eighteen, Jeremy took his training abroad, enrolling at the National Centre for Circus Arts in London, England. Today, he continues to hone his craft while living in Montreal, Canada, a global hub for contemporary circus. Jeremy is no stranger to the world of amusement parks. His high-flying teeter board skills have taken him to stages across North America, including Cedar Point, SeaWorld, and Silver Dollar City. Performing in these unique environments deepened his appreciation for blending live entertainment with the thrill of rides and attractions. When he’s not performing, Jeremy seeks out rollercoasters of his own. His favorite is The Monster at Montreal’s La Ronde—a ride he jokingly describes as “like getting a chiropractic adjustment every time.” Jeremy is thrilled to be making his Cirque Mechanics debut in Tilt!
Growing up, Aubrey exhibited monkey tendencies early on and was steered toward dance and gymnastics as alternatives to kitchen counter parkour. She quickly fell in love with the athleticism of acrobatics and the artistry of dance, a fusion that eventually led her to aerial arts. Ironically, her first taste of circus was at the iconic amusement park Disney World, where she was captivated by Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba - a magic she deemed far beyond Mickey’s. That experience fueled her dreams for years, and a decade later she went from adoring fan to first-time aerialist. Since then, Aubrey’s been fortunate enough to tour the US, travel internationally, and appear on TV with Diavolo. She has also soared on Cirque de la Symphonie stages and vanquished evil as a “super spider” in a Marvel/ Disney Jr. production. At home in Las Vegas, she brought an adagio act to A Lady Like Show and enjoys flying high on sway pole. She is totally stoked to join the cast of Tilt! performing cradle. After many childhood years living near Cedar Point and dreading the phrase “too short to ride,” Aubrey now relishes any chance to have a rollercoaster carry her away with that special brand of adrenaline.
Having never followed a traditional path in education, running away with the circus felt like a natural progression in Joel’s life. Drawn to the combination of acrobatic movement, music, acting, and the camaraderie of a tight-knit ensemble working toward a common goal, the circus became a home for his many passions. Originally from Indiana and now living in Montreal Quebec, Joel is a self-proclaimed “hobby economist” who loves political discussion, comedy sketches, traveling, and dreaming up new ideas that connect people. His curiosity
and creativity extend well beyond the stage, making him as engaged in conversation as he is in performance. Having just finished working for the summer performing at Cedar Point his new favorite roller coaster is the infamous Steel Vengeance. Joel also grew up visiting Holiday World every summer and one of his fondest childhood memories is laughing with his cousins while drifting down the lazy river, a reminder of the joy and playfulness that still fuels his work today. Joel’s current “side quests” include releasing his first album, writing and producing his first full-length circus show, and even becoming forklift certified (#mensmentalhealth). He’s also taken on the noble mission of helping Celeste find a boyfriend—because in circus life, supporting your friends is part of the act.
ACROBAT | CHINESE
Celeste is ready to take you on the ride of a lifetime. A proud Cleveland, Ohio original (#goBrowns), she’s been climbing poles since the age of four. While some worried she might take her talents in another direction, circus proved the safest— and most thrilling—track. A true wild card of an acrobat, Celeste never fails to surprise. In 2023, she graduated from École de cirque de Québec, where she specialized in double Chinese pole, a discipline that instantly felt like home. She thrives on the adrenaline rush of leaping, flipping, and flying from one pole to the next. With a wide repertoire of skills, Celeste brings both versatility and edge, keeping audiences on their toes. For her, amusement parks capture the same sense of magic and wonder that circus delivers. She gets to live that thrill every day and loves sharing it with audiences, inviting them to buckle up for the ride. She has landed unimaginable flips and tricks and hopes to one day land her dream hunk. Though she has already landed flips, tricks, and the
unimaginable, Celeste still dreams of landing her perfect partner. Until then, please keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the ride at all times— and enjoy the show.
Lexi Powell is a contemporary circus artist, aerialist, and movement storyteller who believes art thrives in the space between strength and play. Specializing in aerial hoop, hula hoops, and fire performance, she blends technical precision with heartfelt expression to create work that is both powerful and delightfully human. A lifelong entertainer, Lexi explored everything from sports to music to art and dance before earning a degree in Kinesiology—only to joyfully run away with the circus. Since then, her career has taken her around the globe, from large-scale productions like Marvel Universe Live to projects with MTV and Missy Elliott, as well as cruise ships, festivals, amusement parks, and international stages. Beyond performance, Lexi is a passionate coach and multidisciplinary creative. She believes movement has the power to change lives and expresses herself through painting, music, and writing—always seeking new ways to explore human connection through creativity. Inspired by astrology, crystals, and other witchy practices, she infuses her work with intention and a touch of magic. At heart, Lexi is still a Disney kid, carrying the wonder and joy of childhood park days into every performance, hoping to spark light and connection with each audience she meets.
Ossy is a fifth-generation circus performer from Mexico City, Mexico, now calling Las Vegas home. He’s been bouncing, tumbling, and juggling his way through life since age 11, with favorite acts including trampoline, gauchos, Russian swing—and of course,
juggling! Inspired by his dad, Ossy dreams of becoming a master juggler one day… if he doesn’t get distracted by the popcorn and funnel cakes first. He’s performed around the world, from circus rings to theaters, including Rouge at the STRAT Hotel and Casino and Cirque Mechanics’ Zephyr: A Whirlwind of Circus. Ossy feels happiest when at the circus and is thrilled to return to Cirque Mechanics in Tilt! When it comes to amusement parks, he’s all about the classic wooden roller coasters— because some things never go out of style, just like his juggling tricks.
Clint has been performing, coaching, and directing for more than 25 years. His journey began in search of a “stable desk job,” but instead he did what came most naturally—he ran away with the circus. Since then, countless adventures have taken him across the globe, to Broadway, and on multiple tours with Cirque Mechanics. His performance repertoire spans partner hand-to-hand, aerial straps, Chinese pole, and trampoline. A lifelong fan of theme park rides—especially those with a vertical drop—Clint is thrilled to serve as Artistic Director of Tilt! and can’t wait to take audiences along for the ride.
Bryan is a production and stage management leader whose work spans immersive entertainment, contemporary circus, theatrical premieres, and large-scale live events. His professional credits include Stranger Things: The Experience (Netflix), Winter Wonder Shoppe (Cirque Mechanics), Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Duel Reality (The 7 Fingers), La Perle (Franco Dragone), Drawn to Life
(Cirque du Soleil/Disney), Mastercard Experiences, Everybody Black (World Premiere), Queens (La Jolla Playhouse), Ken Ludwig’s The Gods of Comedy (The Old Globe), TEDx Chula Vista, The Voice of Tolerance (UAE Ministry of Education), Mark Morris Dance Company, Joey Alexander Trio, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (La Jolla Music Society), and The Bridges of Madison County (Arkansas Rep). Bryan’s work has taken him across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. He has supported productions seen by more than 650,000 audience members annually and collaborated with artists and technicians from over twenty-five countries. His experience ranges from intimate theaters to major performing arts centers and global immersive venues. Dedicated to bringing stories to the stage with precision, care, and deep respect for the collaborative process, Bryan is grateful to be part of Tilt! and extends thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team for their artistry. Outside the theater, he enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time with family, and developing tools for stage managers at BackstageOS.com.
Kerry Kaye has been operating self-propelled and motored wheeled vehicles from a young age. Starting with a Big Wheel; progressing up to a bicycle; branching off to scooters, roller blades, skateboards, and wheelbarrows. At the age of 9, Kerry was shifting the transmission on his Dad’s Geo Metro from the passenger seat. At 16 he attained his first driver’s license. Growing up in the Midwest, Kerry was accustomed to long drives and has driven across the country numerous times. In 2015 Kerry started learning how to drive trailers while on tour with Circus Smirkus. In 2023 Kerry attained his Class A Commercial Driver’s License. Kerry has also been
a rigger, technician, administrator, and performer for circus, theatre, and dance since 2007. His favorite amusement park rides are the rollercoasters with a big splash at the end. When not on tour, Kerry lives in Northeastern Vermont and likes to spend time on his porch watching the hummingbirds.
Max Rosenfeld is a New York–based Lighting Designer and Programmer whose work spans theater, musical productions, and live performance. They have designed and programmed for a range of productions, including serving as Assistant Lighting Designer for The Garbologists at Shadowland Stages and Lighting Designer for Shrek: The Musical at SUNY New Paltz, among many others. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for shaping atmosphere through light, Max continues to build a diverse portfolio that blends artistry with technical precision. Max fondly recalls their very first rollercoaster ride during a summer camp trip. At first, rollercoasters felt too intimidating—but thanks to a favorite counselor who encouraged them onto just the right set of rides at Six Flags, the fear turned into exhilaration. That breakthrough sparked a lifelong love of rollercoasters, and today Max still seeks out the thrill, both in theme parks and in the excitement of live production.
Esmeralda Onofre, a fifth-generation circus performer from Mexico, grew up immersed in the vibrant world of circus arts. She began training at age 10 with the hula hoop and discovered the challenging art of slack wire at 15. By 21, Esmeralda moved to the United States, performing with prestigious circus shows across the country. Alongside her performing career, Esmeralda developed a passion for
costume design. Mentored by her mother, a seasoned costume maker, she became a skilled wardrobe technician and designer for numerous circus productions, including Do Portugal Circus and Cirque Mechanics. Now based in Las Vegas, Esmeralda continues to perform while contributing her costume expertise to the circus world. A true artist, she blends performance and craftsmanship, leaving a lasting mark on every stage and wardrobe she touches.
Toby is both a skilled carpenter and an accomplished performer, striking a balance between sawdust and spotlight. By day, he continues his family’s tradition of craftsmanship, working with wood to create pieces that are as strong as they are beautiful. By night, he brings the same discipline and precision to the stage, performing his favorite act—the Russian Swing— where timing, nerve, and trust are everything. Woodworking has been a constant in Toby’s life, offering both comfort and a creative outlet. Over the years, that passion has grown into a career that seamlessly combines technical skill with a performer’s perspective. As the show’s carpenter, Toby doesn’t just build equipment—he tests it himself, ensuring every prop and apparatus is safe, functional, and ready for the demands of performance. His experience extends from restoring historic homes to designing stage elements tough enough to withstand the impact of acrobats in motion. For Toby, carpentry and circus aren’t separate callings but two sides of the same coin—each requiring creativity, adaptability, and exacting attention to detail. Whether on the workshop floor or mid-flight on the swing, Toby is always ready for the challenge, finding ways to make things work—and making sure they hold up under pressure.
CHRIS LASHUA FOUNDER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | MACHINE DESIGNER
Chris Lashua, founder of Cirque Mechanics, grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where his passion for movement began on a BMX bike. Discovered by Cirque du Soleil, he created and performed a groundbreaking BMX act before being commissioned to design a “German Wheel” number for Quidam, a role he performed for several years, and which established his reputation as a pioneer of circus gadgetry. His engineering ingenuity and creative vision eventually inspired him to “run away” and launch his own company, Cirque Mechanics. At the heart of Chris’s work is a belief that the interaction between performer and machine defines Cirque Mechanics’ unique voice. His theatrical productions showcase this vision: acrobats, jugglers, dancers, and contortionists perform on and around extraordinary machines—from a 1920s factory floor in Birdhouse Factory, to a gold rush town in Boom Town, a bicycle shop in Pedal Punk, a classic circus ring in 42ft: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels, a countryside windmill in Zephyr: A Whirlwind of Circus, and most recently, the rides of an amusement park in Tilt!. During the pandemic, Chris reimagined live performance by creating Drive-n-Dine, an outdoor, socially distanced show staged on a Las Vegas golf course, and Cirque Mechanics Under Canvas, a spectacle presented inside the company’s custom orange-and-gray big top. Beyond the stage, Chris continues to invent playful, pedal-powered creations like the Paddle Ship—a floating stage propelled by human-powered paddle wheels—the Wine Trike, and the Buffet Train, which double as whimsical hospitality devices and performance platforms. Chris also
invests in the broader circus community as a producing partner of the Vegas International Variety Arts Festival (VIVA Fest), Founding Board Member of the American Circus Alliance (ACA), Founding Member of the Producers Alliance of Southern Nevada (PALS), Board Member of the Circus Historical Society, charter member of Black Box Collective, and guest lecturer for the Association for Theater in Higher Education.
For more than 30 years, Aida Lashua has been Chris Lashua’s creative partner in life and in work, helping to shape Cirque Mechanics into one of America’s most innovative circus companies. Her professional journey began with Cirque du Soleil (CDS), where she spent a decade both on tour and behind the scenes. While with CDS, she worked for sponsor AT&T, managing the implementation of a multi-million-dollar sponsorship that included product placement, sales promotions, and staff training. She also served as Box Office Supervisor and House Manager, where she trained and managed a team of 60 and helped refine customer service policies, training manuals, and VIP programs. Those experiences gave Aida a deep appreciation for the business of circus and a lasting passion for its artistry. Today, she manages the day-to-day operations of Cirque Mechanics, balancing the demands of touring productions, marketing, and family life with poise. With a background in direct marketing, she has guided the company’s website and social media development with a targeted, strategic approach. She has also written the company’s study guides, created educational materials, and designed workshop programs that bring circus arts into classrooms and communities. A native of Puerto Rico and mother of three boys, Aida is both a stabilizing force and a creative
driver within Cirque Mechanics. Beyond circus, she contributes as a writer for CityLife Publications and dreams of one day finishing her novel, ideally near the ocean, where she feels most at home. A true amusement park enthusiast, Aida never skips the souvenir shops, and she proudly admits to being an unabashed Diet Coke fanatic.
Aloysia Gavre is a Circus Creator, Director, Educator and founding board member of the American Circus Alliance. She co-founded both Troupe Vertigo and Cirque School in Los Angeles in 2009 with a vision to contribute and grow a wider appreciation for the Circus Arts. She began her own performance career with the Pickle Family Circus in her hometown of San Francisco and then went on to perform with Cirque du Soleil, Monte Carlo Circus Festival, Teatro Zinzanni and numerous international symphonies. Her expertise has been used in the films “Water for Elephants” and “Pitch Perfect 2.” She was featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine for her expertise in circus-arts. Speaking engagements include TEDx, Center Theater Group, Directors Lab, Chicago Circus Festival, AYCO and VIVA Fest Las Vegas. Aloysia’s creative journey with Cirque Mechanics began at its inception with its premier show, Birdhouse Factory, in 2004. Her expertise of integrating CM trademark architectural machines with circus bodies in motion remains an integral part of the company. A vintage fun memory: in 1999 Aloysia & Chris rode their bikes through Amsterdam after their performance in Quidam to see Lauryn Hill in concert.
Leonardo Hidalgo is a New York–based Lighting Designer, Production
Manager, and educator specializing in theatre, circus, and dance. He has collaborated with a wide range of companies and productions, bringing technical precision and artistic vision to every project. Recent credits include serving as Lighting Designer for Zephyr: A Whirlwind of Circus with Cirque Mechanics, Lighting Designer/Production Manager for Circus Juventas, and Lighting Designer/Production Manager for Battery Dance Company. He also contributes to the internationally recognized Battery Dance Festival, a weeklong outdoor event showcasing artists from around the globe. In addition to his professional work, Leo is currently pursuing a master’s degree in city and Regional Planning at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School, where he explores how the arts intersect with community development and urban design. His dual interests in performance and planning reflect a commitment to creating spaces— both theatrical and civic—that inspire connection, creativity, and shared experiences. When he’s not behind the console or drafting a production plan, Leo can often be found at the Dutchess County Fair in the Hudson Valley. For the past six years, he and his friends have made it a tradition to watch the pig races, a favorite amusement park memory that never fails to bring joy.
Janeen Johnson is a visionary arts administrator, stagecraft specialist, and cultural strategist with more than 20 years of experience driving excellence in arts management, event operations, and theatrical production. With a foundation as a professional dancer, she brings a rare artistic lens to her production leadership, earning recognition as a dynamic force across dance, theatre, and live performance. For the past 13 years, Janeen has been
at the helm of Cirque Mechanics’ touring operations as Principal Production Stage Manager, directing logistics, administration, and tour leadership for six original productions — Birdhouse Factory, Boomtown, Pedal Punk, 42ft, Zephyr, and now TILT! — performed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Her progressive leadership extends beyond the stage. Through O.Y.A. Strategies, her cultural consulting and coaching agency, Janeen mentors emerging stage managers and cultural practitioners through The Cultural Powerhouse Model, blending creativity, strategy, and community impact. This season, Janeen expands her creative contribution as Assistant Choreographer and Production Director for TILT!, further weaving her creative insight into Cirque Mechanics’ latest theatrical experience. Janeen also loves to travel and experience new spaces and places, finds joy in dancing wherever Spirit guides, and proudly calls California home.
Michael Picton is an award-winning composer whose eclectic career spans film, television, advertising, theatre, and circus. Michael has scored five Cirque Mechanics productions: Boom Town, the Cirque Mechanics Orchestral Project, Pedal Punk, 42ft and now Zephyr, A Whirlwind of Circus. His circus career began as a performer, touring as keyboardist with Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam. He has written songs and score for six editions of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus: Bellobration, Funundrum, Dragons, Built to Amaze, Circus Xtreme, and the final edition Out of this World. Recently his live work has expanded to include superhero arena shows with Feld Entertainment’s Marvel Universe Live and Marvel Universe Live - Age of Heroes. The winner of the Turner Classic Movies Young Film Composers
Competition, Michael was chosen from a field of over 600 aspiring composers by a jury chaired by the legendary Elmer Bernstein. For TCM, he scored the silent films The Temptress and The Red Mill. Other film and television work includes Mutt & Stuff for Sid and Marty Krofft on Nickelodeon, the SyFy series Flash Gordon, the independent feature Little Chenier, and main title themes for I Want to Work for Diddy and Bates Motel. Michael has composed network themes for PBS, Amazon Originals, and CNN International among others as well as commercials and promos for a long list of clients.
By age 16, Caroline was a professional aerialist traveling the world, a journey that eventually led her to meet her husband, Kevin, a former Cirque Mechanics cast member. Her dual passions for performance and sewing naturally evolved into a career as a costume designer. Over the past 20 years, she has designed hundreds of costumes for live shows, including Disney, DreamWorks, and, of course, Cirque Mechanics. One of her favorites was designing CM’s 42ft, set in her beloved 1930s era. A lifelong theme park enthusiast, Caroline continues to indulge her love of Disney, visiting Epcot weekly—and occasionally braving Spaceship Earth despite her astraphobia. She has brought stories to life for millions of guests worldwide, both through costume design and performance. Recently, she contributed as Scenic Artist and Lead for the Viking Training Camp at Universal Studios’ Epic Universe. Growing up in the 1980s fueled her excitement for designing Tilt!, where she hopes her costumes transport audiences back to a simpler time, reigniting childhood wonder and the magic of theme parks. Caroline is deeply grateful to Cirque Mechanics for welcoming her creativity into another production
and gives glory to God for the talents and opportunities she has been given. Follow her work @DesignsByNine.
An original Birdhouse Factory, Boom Town, and Orchestra Project cast member collaborator, plus lead writer for Pedal Punk, Zephyr, A Whirlwind of Circus and currently Yuletide Factory, Steven Ragatz has been entertaining audiences with his juggling, physical comedy, stilt walking and general antics for the past three decades. As a ten-year veteran of Cirque du Soleil, Steven has toured throughout North, South and Central America as well as Asia and Europe performing multiple juggling acts as well as an eclectic array of characters. Steven is on the staff of Bloomington’s Stage Flight Circus Arts, where he teaches juggling and unicycle skills workshops. He recently toured his one-man show “Under the Umbrella, Life is a Circus”an evening with a juggling virtuoso and stories from world-wide circus adventures. Steven holds a B.A. in Variety Theater and an M.S. in Computer Science from Indian University. He studied mime, stage movement and circus arts with Fred Garbo, Tony Montanaro, George Pinney and Michael Moschen. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Melissa, and Andrew, and currently live in Maine, where they have mastered the art of making the perfect margarita.
Sean Riley creates performances that merge suspension, kinetics, architecture, and narrative sculpture. Working at the intersection of production, rigging, and mechanical design, he develops striking environments and apparatus for timebased art. His work spans a wide range of genres—including theatre, circus, dance, opera, television, and both outdoor and
gallery installations. Through his company Gravity Projects, Riley has built a unique arsenal of specialized tools and techniques, expanded the boundaries of live performance while advancing standards of industrial safety. He is a founding member of Cirque Mechanics, host of two television series (World’s Toughest Fixes on National Geographic and Speed on Curiosity Stream), and a lead collaborator on the construction of the Long Now Foundation’s 10,000 Year Clock. He also serves as production designer and producer for the annual Panto in the Presidio holiday show. His design work has earned multiple honors, including six Izzies, TBA Awards, Bay Area Critics Circle Awards, and the Isadora Duncan Sustained Achievement Award in Scenic Design. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Riley now lives in British Columbia with his wife, three sons, and an abundance of bears. He is thrilled to still be creating circus with dear friends after 20 years of Cirque Mechanics. More at www.visiblegravity.com.
Production credits and information in these program notes are provided by the touring production. Where opinions are expressed, they are those of the performers or the production, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Texas Performing Arts, its sponsors and affiliates, or The University of Texas at Austin.
FEB 27, 2026
BATES RECITAL HALL
Texas Performing Arts presents
Thomas Gansch, trumpet
Robert Rother, trumpet
Roman Rindberger, trumpet
Leonhard Paul, trombone & bass trumpet
Gerhard Füßl, trombone
Zoltan Kiss, trombone
Wilfried Brandstötter, tuba
Media Sponsors:
Mnozil Brass has established itself as one of the world’s premier brass ensembles. With over 130 performances a year, the group has sold out houses from the farthest reaches of the European continent to Israel, China, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United States, and has captivated audiences with their blend of immense virtuosity and theatrical wit. No wonder their videos have garnered millions of YouTube views and their fans have travelled countless miles to hear them play.
The group’s recent returns to North America were hailed as “seriously funny” and “whimsically brazen.” Their shows include Yes! Yes! Yes!, which blends original compositions with classical favorites, jazz standards, and popular hits; Cirque, where the musicians combat the monkey business of daily life with music and humor, and transform the stage into a musical flea circus; Gold, showcasing their greatest hits; Jubliee, which celebrates their 30 years together with new works and Mnozil Brass favorites; and their latest Strau$$, a cheeky salute to the waltz and all it has influenced. As always, the repertoire is presented with the group’s iconic humour and wit in scenes so clever that they would be worthy of Monty Python.
Mnozil Brass take their name from the “Gasthaus Mnozil,” a restaurant across the street from the Vienna Conservatory, where, in 1992, seven young brass musicians met and began playing at a monthly open-mic. Since then, the group has embraced repertoire for all ages and stages of life: from folk to classical to jazz to pop; all executed with the same fearlessness, immense
technical skill, and typical Viennese “schmäh” (almost impossible to find an English translation, but best rendered as a kind of sarcastic charm!).
In their time away from touring, Mnozil Brass has recorded 8 albums and 6 DVDs. They’ve collaborated on three operetta and opera productions, and composed and recorded the music for the 2006 film “Freundschaft.” The group has been nominated for the Amadeus Austrian Music Award and won the prestigious Salzburger Stier Cabaret Prize in 2006.
Born in Melk an der Donau, Thomas is one of the band’s founding members. By the time he turned the tender age of 17, he was already playing at the Vienna State Opera. However, his love of jazz was stronger, and led him to become one of the most versatile trumpeters in Austria; one who can play jazz, classical, crossover and everything in between. He is a whirlwind on stage and can tell a good joke or two, as well. When he has time off, he composes for Mnozil Brass.
Like Thomas, Robert also hails from Melk an der Donau. As children, the two of them played in a brass band conducted by Thomas’s very strict father. Polkas, waltzes, and marches were always on the program - a good learning experience it seems! Now, Robert can engender a tone with so much longing and feeling that it is guaranteed to bring anyone to tears. Unlike Thomas, Robert hardly moves on stage at all and lets the music speak for itself.
Roman was born into a musical family and played folk music as a youngster with his father and two brothers. His father Hans, in turn, would meet up with Gerhard Füßl’s father Franz because the families lived nearby. Roman loves technical passages, and renders them with the precision of a Swiss clock-maker. And he even knows how the instruments work! If anyone wants to know more about brass music, Roman is the man for you. On stage, his character is the Latin Lover
Leonhard was born in Mödling near Vienna and is the first musician his family has ever produced. (Though there was a grandfather who earned his money as a painter, and whose pictures hang in every other house in the better parts of Vienna!) Recently, the other members of the band have started to get a little concerned about him, because he seems to have taken a liking to shady characters on stage. Everyone wants to play the hero, but Leonhard likes roles that show the darker side of man. No one knows exactly what’s going on in his head!
Gerhard grew up near where Roman lived, and also had a father who taught him a lot about brass music. He is the most well-liked in the group. Probably because he looks after the financial matters. Everyone tries to keep on his good side, and no one wants to incur his wrath. For his part, he is usually friendly to all.
Austrian folk music was certainly not part of Zoltan’s upbringing. He was born in Budapest, spent some time in Poland, and finally settled in Vienna, where he plays trombone in
four languages. One of the group’s favorite games is to put some really difficult music in front of him and see if he can play it. He usually can! His technical skills take your breath away. Bets have been placed as to when and how something will be written that he can not master, but, so far, high, low, slow, fast, he can play it all!
He started his stellar career playing the recorder, subsequently joining the boys’ choir. After that it was playing the violin, followed by the trumpet, before finally feeling comfortably at ease with the tuba. So, speed is actually not quite his business. To him, life is a slow and wide river. Hence his ambition consists of making all concert halls, including the audience seated herein, being caressed by pleasant vibrations he’s producing with the help of low tones from his tuba. He does not understand at all how come that people get thrilled by fast, high-pitched melodies.
Production credits and information in these program notes are provided by the touring production. Where opinions are expressed, they are those of the performers or the production, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Texas Performing Arts, its sponsors and affiliates, or The University of Texas at Austin.
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When Texans are in need, we lend a hand. We fight hunger, provide disaster relief, and honor our educators and military. We do this for one simple reason. We are from here, so we are helping here.
Over 115 years ago, we opened our doors to help make the lives of hard-working Texans better. We were a family business back then. We remain a family business today with a passion for - and a helping hand in - every community we serve.
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The Texas Performing Arts Leadership Board is a group of volunteer leaders in the arts, business, and philanthropy.
The Board is dedicated to expanding Texas Performing Arts’ world-class programming, positioning the organization as an international leader in the performing arts, and strengthening the bond between the performing arts and the communities we serve.
Brian Haley, Chair
Kristin Alexander, Chair Elect
Tamara Dorrance, Vice Chair
Mike Herman, Vice Chair
Malú Alvarez
Lisa Cartwright
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Jaime Davila
A. Mechele Dickerson
Lisa Duchon & Dennis Andrulis
Debbie Dupré
Dennis Eakin
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Steve Houston
Nancy & Angus Littlejohn
Kathleen Irvin Loughlin
Chris Mattsson
Robyn Metcalfe
Robert Morse
Eric Natinsky
Heidi Post
Lauren Reid
Sue Zamkow
Texas Performing Arts is a nonprofit supported by generous patrons and donors.
We extend a special thank you to the following major supporters:
$1,000,000+
Kristin and Josh Alexander
Marcia and Gary Nelson
Carolyn and Marc Seriff
$100,000–999,999
Anonymous (3)
Malú Alvarez
Lisa Cartwright
Cipione Family Foundation
Carly and Clayton Christopher
Anita and William Cochran
Jaime Davila
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Debbie Dupré
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Charitable Foundation
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We extend our ongoing gratitude to donors who have established endowments at Texas Performing Arts to support our programs in perpetuity:
Arts Education Endowment
Phillip Auth Endowed Dance Fund for Texas Performing Arts
Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Concert Hall Endowment
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Texas Performing Arts Educator Excellence
Endowment Established by Sheri Clark Henriksen*
Joann and Gaylord Jentz Endowment for Student Engagement
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Musical Theater Awards*
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Kathy Panoff Texas Performing Arts Student Engagement Endowment
Performing Arts Center Endowment for Performing Excellence
Z. T. Scott Family Endowment for the Performing Arts
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Student Engagement Endowment*
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Topfer Endowment for Performing Arts Production
Texas Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the financial support of our members. Each year, members help fund robust education and engagement initiatives, affordable student tickets, and critical student employment opportunities that make Texas Performing Arts so much more than what you see on our stages.
Donations made as of Nov 10, 2025
We regret that limited space does not allow us to list every member. For information on ways to give, please visit texasperformingarts.org/membership, call the membership office at 512.232.8567, or email us at support@texasperformingarts.org.
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Kathy and Tom Sweet
Molly amd Jeremy Sylestine
Ali and Dona Tabrizi
Daniel Tarrillion
Dwight Tejano
Donna Thomas
Mackenzie and Burwell Thompson
Michelle Thornburg
Tomlinson Family
Stacy and Michael Toomey
Terry Tottenham
Alice Toungate
Claudia and Luis Trejo
Dale and Roy Truitt
Kaylie Tully and Family
Kevin Vanderlaan
The Waelchli Family
Saradee and Melvin Waxler
Chrissie Welty
Marie and Phil Wendell
Leslie and Dana West
Michael White
Kathleen White
Marc and Christi Whitten
Nancy Whitworth Spong
Michael and KeriLyn Wick
Michael Wilen
Linda and Mark Williams
Dyanne and Stan Williams
Ann and Eric Wilson
Mike, Lindsey, and Henry Wilson
Tom and Annette Wilson
Vicki and Kevin Wood
Mark and Prescilla Wood
Catherine and Scott Worley
Jonathan Yarmis
Jeffrey and Alma Yedlin
Lena Yoo and Gerry Cardinal III
Jeannette and Mitch Young
Timothy Young
Nicholas Young and Andrew Popp
Susan Zane
Micka and Richard Ziehr
Joe Zubia and Scott Dinger
LEADERSHIP
Bob Bursey, Executive & Artistic Director
Bianca Hooi, Executive & Artistic Project Manager
Priscilla Perales, Assistant to the Executive & Artistic Director
Bobby Asher, Director of Programming
Brendan Burke, Programming Manager
OPERATIONS
Sean Thorne, Managing Director
Cameron Weed, Human Resources Manager
Nathan Harper, Facilities Manager
Kristi Lampi, Director of Business Operations
Leigh Remeny, Business Operations Manager
Basil Montemayor, Business Operations Associate
Kat Carson, Senior Event Manager
Talia Graves, Event Manager
Alexander Reindl, Event Manager
Mia Spidel, Emerging Arts Professional, Programming & Events
MARKETING & SALES
Dane Munson, Director of Marketing & Sales
Romina Jara, Associate Director, Marketing
Brady Dyer, Associate Director, Communications
Lizzie Choffel Cantu, Design Manager
Erica De Leon, Digital Marketing Manager
Lindsey Sageser, Marketing Associate
Madison Tran, Design & Media Associate
Tara Vela, Director of Ticketing
Dianne Whitehair, Ticketing Systems Manager
Elizabeth Requenez, Ticketing Services Manager
Alex Baylor, Ticketing Manager
Meredith Delay, Texas Inner Circle Ticket Concierge
Sereniti Patterson, Emerging Arts Professional, Ticketing
Anna Langdell, Director of Development
Jeannette Thomas, Director of Major Gifts
Amy Burgar, Associate Director, Development
Chelsea Casner, Development Specialist, Major Gifts
Miguel Robles, Development Specialist, Operations
Sara Morales, Development Specialist, Membership and Sponsorship
ENGAGEMENT
Tim Rogers, Director of Education & Engagement
Eric Vera, Education Program Manager
Aubrey Felty, Education & Engagement Program Coordinator
Insha Iqbal, Emerging Arts Professional, Education & Engagement
Blake Addyson, Director of Production
John Lewis, Production Supervisor
Mika O’Dwyer Production Supervisor
Drew Millay, Audio/Video Supervisor
Bryce Riggle, Assistant
Audio/Video Supervisor
John “Hutch” Hutchinson, Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor
Camryn Senioris, Lighting Supervisor
Tracy Abercrombie, Assistant Lighting Supervisor
Brooke Dickerson, Assistant
Lighting Supervisor
Travis Perrin, Staging & Rigging Supervisor
Audrey McGovern, Assistant
Staging & Rigging Supervisor
Jessie Mikolaichik, Assistant
Staging & Rigging Supervisor
Blake McDonald, Director of Guest Experience
Amanda Adams, Associate Director, Guest Experience
Kourtney Johnson, Guest Experience Manager
Jeff Grapko, Director of Fabrication & Academic Production
Karen Maness, Associate Director, Fabrication
David Tolin, Project Manager, Fabrication
Jason Huerta, Fabrication
Technical Manager
Scott Bussey, Senior Technical Director
Earnest Mazique, Academic Production Technology Manager
Ashton Bennett Murphy, Properties Manager
Hank Schwemmer, Lead Fabricator
Bridgette Clifford, Scenic Charge Artist
Eliot Haynes, Assistant
Audio/Video Supervisor, Academic Production
Michael Shanks, Assistant
Lighting Supervisor, Academic Production
Leah Austin, Emerging
Arts Professional, Stage Properties
Julia Yelvington, Emerging Arts Professional, Scenic Art
Texas Performing Arts is also proud to acknowledge the hundreds of part-time and volunteer staff who play a critical role in presenting our annual season of world-class performing arts events to the Austin community.
Dina Black
Megan Born
Virginia Bosman
Margaret Byron
Nancy Carrales
Sally Deweber
Sheri Dildy
Janine Dos Remedios
Amy Fuchs
Tony C Garcia
Joshua Hale
Leslie Hawkins
Carlos Hernandez-Heine
Olga Kasma-Carnes
Tamara Klindt
Sharon Kojzarek
Eric Lee
Lara Miller
Adrian Pena
Kimberly Reaves
Charlotte Adair
Juno Adair
Joe Adkins
Justin Aguilar
Andrea Alarcon
Daniela Albert
Cassandra Amaya
Kaleb Aziz
Evelyn Becerra
Madhav Bhat
Valeria Blanco Perez
Juliana Brandao
Audrey Buckley
Jose Calvillo
Hayley Carbajal
Jacob Cardenas
Sophia Carter
Eugenio Chapa-Galvan
Lilly Cheesar
Marie Jolie Day
Ava Deviney
Ally Dolley
Griffin Drake
Amanda Earp
Mariah Espocito
Sarah Jayne Ewing
Eric Fan
Jenny Garcia
Erin Glasscock
Dariela Gonzalez
Mia Guerra
Sarah Hartley
Catherine Heemann
Gabriela Hernandez
Alisa Irvin
Madison Jackson
Joe Jaxson
PJ Jetton
Brooks Johnson
Bindi Kaplan
Riley Knecht
Ariel Lagunas
Dylan Lebensfeld
Codie Lightfoot
Jacqueline Mai
Anapaula Martinez-Borrell
Regina Mendiola
Joe Morales
Jessica Reed
Lee Rodgers
Mary Ruiz
Gracie Sanders
Andrea R Stanfill Castro
Debra Thomas
Leah Waheed
Marty Watson
Tonya Woods
Mirabai Munton
Rachel Norris
Valeria Nunez Estrada
Lily Orozco
Jocelyn Parks
Zoya Patel
Blake Persyn
Haley Prince
Breanna Pruitt
Kenneth Qu
Frederick Richardson
Olivia Ring
Jose Salcido
Zoe Saldana
Val Sandoval-Lopez
Robin Schuler
Erin Simpson
Rain Snyder
Laura Soares
Aaron Sullivan
Nguyen Tang
Jaden West
Penny Lou Zimmerman
