Rent

Jasper Allen (Tom Collins) is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. You may have previously seen them as Erysichthon and Others in Theatre UCF’s Metamorphoses or as Ensemble in Theatre UCF’s Sweeney Todd. Some of his previous theatre credits include Les Misérables (Javert), The Wiz (The Cowardly Lion), and Footloose (Chuck Cranston). @knowjas

Miguel Cabrera (Ensemble, U/S Angel) is a BFA Musical Theatre program freshman and is excited about his UCF debut. Some past theatre credits include Chicago (Billy Flynn/Choreographer), Something Rotten (Nigel/Dance Captain), and In the Heights (Graffiti Pete/Dance Captain). He is a Choreographer for younger performers and has now choreographed over 8 full-length musicals.

Manuella Guerra Canal (Joanne) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a Performing Arts Administration Minor. Some previous Theatre UCF credits include Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Shrek (Dragon), The Prom (Mrs. Greene, U/S Dee Dee Allen), and Bright Star (Ensemble, U/S Mama Murphy). Other theatre credits include Rocky Horror Picture Show (Phantom, U/S Magenta) and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). @manuellaguerrac

Daxton Chapell (Mark) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Student Ensemble) and Sweeney Todd (Ensemble). He is also involved with Project Spotlight where he Music Directed the one act musical Dive In.

Jillian Cossetta (Ensemble, U/S Maureen) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre and Dance Minor programs. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Sweeney Todd (Choreographer, Ensemble), The Prom (Angie), Bright Star (Margo), Working (Dance Cap, Ensemble), and Shrek (Ensemble, U/S Fiona). Other theatre credits include Jersey Boys (Mary Delgado), Joseph and the Amazing… (Ensemble), and Rent (U/S Maureen, Dance Cap, Ensemble) at New London Barn Playhouse. @jilliancossetta https://jilliancossetta.com

Izzy Ellis (Ensemble, U/S Joanne) is a third-year in the BFA Acting Program. She was last seen at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2024 in Sweeney Todd (Swing). Previous credits include Metamorphoses (U/S Hermes and Others, U/S Aphrodite and Others), Manor of Death (The Heiress), and Matilda (Bruce Bogtrotter). This summer, she assistant-directed and company managed Matilda Jr. at the University of West Florida. She is also apart of Project Spotlight and UCF Alpha Psi Omega. @izzyeellis

Tristan Haberland (Swing) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. This is his first Theatre UCF production. Other theatre credits include Big Fish (Edward Bloom), Matilda (Mrs. Trunchbull), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph). He also works as a content creator on TikTok. @tristan.haberland

Chelsey Lake (Swing) is a sophomore-transfer student in the BFA musical Theater program. Some of her notable roles include in 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly) and The Revolutionists (Marianne Angelle) at Florida School of the Arts.

Mason Materdomini (Ensemble/ US Benny) is a Sophomore transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. His past credits include, Regional: Spongebob the Musical (Slowburn Theatre Co.). Educational: Pippin (Pippin), Much Ado About Nothing (Conrade/ Antonio), Lost Girl (Curly/ Doctor), Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Darcy). @mason.materdomini

Maddie Moore (Swing) is a second-year in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. This is her Theatre UCF debut! Some of her professional credits include 9 to 5: The Musical (Kathy) and the Wizard of Oz (Dorothy). She is also very passionate about speech pathology and will graduate with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

AJ Morales (Benny) is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Dance. His past Theatre UCF credits include: Sweeney Todd (Ensemble/ U/S Toby) and Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss). Other favorite credits include: Chaplin the musical (Charlie Chaplin) and Pippin (Pippin), and his cabaret titled “This is Me” at Fringe Art Space. @AJ.mo21

Christopher Poulios (Ensemble, U/S Mark) is a junior majoring in Environmental Studies. He most recently participated in Theatre UCF’s Pegasus Playlab, appearing in What’s In Store (Loudspeaker, U/S Wes). Previous Theatre UCF credits include: As You Like It (Adam/Martext), Home of the Brave (Brady), The Prom (Swing), and Sweeney Todd (Ensemble). Other credits include: Tick, Tick…Boom! (Jon), Be More Chill (Jake) and A Chorus Line (Al).

Isabel Ramos (Ensemble, US Mimi) is a freshman in the Musical Theatre BFA Program. She is making her UCF debut in Rent, and her favorite role has been Emma in The Prom with MAD Theatre of Tampa. https://isabelonstage.com/

Alyssa Renèe (Ensemble) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program at Theatre UCF. Her Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Emma Nolan), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), Bright Star (Swing), and Working: A Musical (Ensemble & U/S Maggie Holmes). Other recent theatre credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) at the Garden Theatre.

Jaxon Ryan (Ensemble, U/S Roger) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF in The Prom (Ensemble, U/S Nick, U/S Sheldon) and as a swing in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Edgar Sanchez (Angel Dumott Schunard) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Bright Star (Ensemble, Daryl U/S) and Working (Utkarsh Trujillo). Other theatre credits include RENT (Angel) at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, and Children of Eden (Noah, Father U/S) at Neel Performing Arts Center.

Jonathan Sommervil (Ensemble, U/S Collins) is a first year in the BFA Acting program. He has performed in Chicken and Biscuits (Pastor Reginald) and other theatre credits include Gruesome Playground Injuries (Doug).

Maisy Surman (Maureen) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program with Minors in Dance and Digital Media. She has been seen in Theatre UCF productions such as The Prom (Ensemble, U/S Emma, Alyssa Greene, etc.), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble, U/S Mrs. Lovett), Shrek (Baby Bear), etc. Regional credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey U/S) and 9 to 5 (Candy Striper, Judy U/S). @maisysurman

Joseph Trewin (Roger) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has recently been seen on the UCF stage in Sweeney Todd (Anthony), The Prom (Ensemble), and Bright Star (Max, U/S Billy). Professional credits include Theater West End’s Spring Awakening (Hanschen), and CFVA’s The Sound of Music (Rolf). Joseph also spent the past summer as an Acting Intern at New London Barn Playhouse. @joseph.trewin

Carter Wegman (Swing) is a First-Year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Credits include: Phantom of the Opera (Raoul), Mean Girls (Damian), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble/Chorus), Les Misérables (Marius).

Sienna Weir (Mimi) is a dedicated performer from Tampa, Florida. Sienna is currently in her Senior year at the University of Central Florida in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Her recent theatre credits include Garden Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette) , UCF’s production of Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), Chicken and Biscuits (U/S Beverly, Baneatta, Simone, La’Trice, Brianna) and Sunday In The Park With George (Frieda/Betty) at Titusville Playhouse. She also has experience working for Stageworks Tampa and Plant City Entertainment. Sienna enjoys playing a wide range of characters ranging from comedic and charming to serious and terrifying. Sienna is a rare individual who is determined, stimulating, and realistic.

Jada Marie Williamson (Ensemble) is a first-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This is her Theatre UCF debut! @jadamariewil

Julian Amores (Asst. to the Choreographer) is a First-Year in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. This is his debut on the Theatre UCF stage. Credits include: Mean Girls (Damian), Legally Blonde (Warner), Hairspray (Corny Collins).

Tara D. Deady (Vocal Health Coach) is an Associate Professor-Musical Theatre Voice Specialist and the Coordinator for the MA in Musical Theatre Pedagogy.  She has served as a vocal director or music director for 11 shows at Theatre UCF and is the co-director, along with each senior MT BFA class, for the annual showcase Knight to Shine.  She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Deathtrap (Helga ten Dorp), The Fantasticks (Bellomy) and Baby (Arlene). Other theatre credits include ReuKnighted: UCF Sings 50 Years of Hits (Producer/Director/Arranger/Performer) Off-Broadway at Feinstein’s 54 Below, the only 7th production of the epic The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Miss Knag/Mrs. Wittiterly/et al.) at Orlando Shakes and Gypsy (Rose). TaraDDeady.com

Taylor Falzarano (Dramaturg) is a second-year transfer BFA Design and Technology major, as well as the Vice President for theatre fraternity Alpha Psi Omega. She is also a lighting technician at Orlando Fringe Artspace. Theatre UCF credits: Programmer (Metamorphoses), Electrician (Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street), and Production Electrician (Rhinoceros). Rent is a dream show and they are immensely grateful for this process!

Allison Fowner (Stage Crew) is a first-year transfer as Theatre Pending. This is her Theatre UCF debut. Over the previous summer, she was employed at Camp Boggy Creek as their Summer Theatre Activity Coordinator.

Kaitlyn Gil (A2) is a transfer student in the Theatre BA program with a focus in Sound Design and a minor in Music. Her Theatre UCF credits include: The Clean House (Sound Designer), What’s In Store? (Sound Designer), Sweeney Todd (Assistant Sound Designer), The Cherry Orchard (QLAB Operator), Chicken and Biscuits (Usher), Home of the Brave (Assistant Stage Manager), Working (Production Assistant), The Body (Assistant Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2022-2023 (ASM), and 2024 (Sound).

Naje Gillespie (Wardrobe Crew) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Acting program. This is her first time participating in a Theatre UCF production. Her previous credits include Romeo & Juliet (Balthasar) at Daytona State College.

Jaz Griffiths (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a second year in the BFA Stage management program. This is her first time as Wardrobe Supervisor and she is very excited to take on this new role! She has worked as a PA for the OFS for Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.! and UCF Celebrates the Arts!

Cyrus Gross (Wardrobe Crew) is a freshman hoping to obtain a Theatre Studies B.A.. This is their first show with Theatre UCF. Other theatre credits include She Loves Me (Master Electrician), Frankenstein (Assistant Director), and Bring It On (Ensemble). cyrusdigitalportfolio.com

Jonathan Larson (Book, Music and Lyrics) received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation's Comendation Award. In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical "Sitting on the Edge of the Future". In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical Superbia, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon. He composed the score for the musical J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue tick, tick... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to scoring and song writing for "Sesame Street", he created music for a number fo children's book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg's "An American Tail" and "Land Before Time". Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for "Away We Go!", a musical video for children. RENT, his rock opera based on "La Boheme", had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop. Mr. Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday. His music (including songs cut from his shows) is archived in the Library of Congress.

Lissa Ortega (Stage crew) is a 1st year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her UCF debut. Other theatre credits include Sweat (stage crew).

Jake Perez (Stage Crew) is a Second-Year Transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. Theatre UCF: Cherry Orchard (Ensemble/Vagrant U/S Trofimov, U/S Yasha, U/S Yepikhodov), Chicken and Biscuits (Logan), As You Like It (William/ U/S Touchstone). Professional Theatre: You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Production Stage Manager),  Exhibits in the Zoo (Mendel), Snoopy (Woodstock), All the Great Books (Abriged) (Student Teacher).

Silvana Perrone (Wardrobe crew) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She has been involved with theater volunteering thanks to her role as Teen Ambassador at the Dr. Phillips Center. Her favorite role has been in 9 to 5: The Musical (Judy Bernly).

Demetri Rath (Asst. Production Electrician) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Design & Technology program. He most recently worked as an electrician and A2 on Theatre UCF's Sweeney Todd.

Ivanamarie Roncevic (Q-Lab Operator) is a freshman in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her first role within Theatre UCF.

Lexi Belle Schwartzberg (Stage Crew) is a third-year in the History B.A. program. She has previously acted as director in Puffs. She is involved in Project Spotlight, and she also writes historical fiction.

Sam Sherrard (Production Electrician) is a third-year BFA Design and Technology student. She has worked on Theatre UCF’s Metamorphoses (costume draper) and Peter and the Starcatcher (assistant production electrician). She also works with UCF Film students as a designer.

Annie Swift (A1/Mixer) is a junior in the BFA Design & Technology Program. She has been a Paint Charge for Sweeney Todd, A2 for Peter and the Star Catcher, Props Master for The Prom, and Light Board Operator for the Dance Concert at UCF Celebrates ‘23. Swift also works for Universal Entertainment Art & Design as an Assistant Set Dresser.

Mickey Titus (Assistant Choreographer) is a second year in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Ensemble/Dance Captain) and Sweeney Todd (Tenor Ensemble). Other theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Zebulon) and Cabaret (Victor). @mickey.titus25

The year is 1989, New York City. The East Village is filled with artists who are able to express themselves and their art freely among their peers. Musicians, film makers, drag artists, photographers, dancers- all living amongst each other in this New York bohemia. Although they were often marginalized by mainstream society for a plethora of reasons, the community was vibrant, warm, and loving. They were able to get through their hardships by working on their art together and essentially queering the “American Dream.”

Rent was written and composed by Jonathan Larson and premiered on Broadway in April 29th, 1996. They won every major Best Musical Award and are one of ten musicals to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Rent follows the “Alphabet city avant-garde,” a wide group of artists and activists, through a year in their life in New York City, also known by them as “the center of the universe.” Together, they share a variety of trials and tribulations, but what keeps them together is the power of love. Musical theatre changed completely with the creation of Rent. A lot of shows on Broadway you know and love today would not be in existence if it wasn’t for Larson and his love for rock and roll, opera, and most importantly: musical theatre.

The first and last time Larson saw Rent in its full actuality was on January 24th, 1996, for its final dress rehearsal. Larson passed away unexpectedly the next day. Due to his time of death, the musical remains unchanged from the last time he watched it, no tweaks or edits to the scripts have been made in his remembrance. He never got to see the international sensation his musical turned out to be, nor the impact of its creation.

Throughout the show, we are taught to live and “measure” our lives with love. Love is a superpower; it is a gift we are able to share with one another. Even when things seem unbearable, unchangeable, and daunting – love will remain. I encourage you to take a deep breath, look around, and share love with someone else in the audience. Whether it’s a compliment, holding the door, or just a smile- the world needs love. Humans deserve love.

- Taylor Falzarano, Dramaturg