Shrek The Musical

Reese Abrahamoff (Mad Hatter, Ensemble, U/S Pig #2, U/S Pig #3, U/S Bishop) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Reese made his Theatre UCF debut as Verges in the 2020 fall production of Much Ado About Nothing, was a soloist in Songs Of Inspiration, and was also the choreographer for First Date. He spent his summer working in the theme park industry as an actor at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Other theatre credits include Hello Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl) and Spring Awakening (Moritz Stiefel). @reese.abrahamoff

Sean Andric (Pig #3, Ensemble) is a third-year internal transfer in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He recently made his Theatre UCF debut in First Date! Favorite credits include: Uncle Fester (Addams Family) and Simeon (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). @seanmichaelandric

Hannah Arielle Beatt (Gingy, Sugar Plum Fairy, Ensemble) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program with a minor in music. Previous Theatre UCF credits include First Date (Female swing, U/S Woman 1 and U/S Woman 2). Other theatre credits include Mamma Mia! (Sophie Sheridan), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife) and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). @hannahariellee

Collette Baum (Young Fiona, Ensemble) performs with Opera Orlando Youth Company. This May, she will be featured in Opera Orlando’s Lizbeth (Young Lizzie) and in OOYC’s The Magic Flute (The Queen of the Night). She performed in the world premiere opera The Secret River and for the WUCF-TV special. Other theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Brigitta) with Little Radical Theatrics and Matilda Jr. (Miss Honey) at Park Maitland.

Alexa Boese (Blind Mouse #1, Ensemble) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She was most recently involved in Theatre UCF productions of First Date (U/S Woman 1) and Scaramouch in Naxos (Bacchante Ensemble). Professional credits include: Sister Act (Sister Mary Celeste), 9 to 5 (Ensemble) and Mamma Mia (Ensemble) at the McLeod Summer Playhouse. Other theatre credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van de Graaff), Once Upon A Mattress (Lady Larkin) and Bring It On (Skylar).

Joshua Correa Calderon (Papa Bear, Dragon Puppeteer, U/S Papa Ogre, U/S Pig #1) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Sweat (U/S Oscar) and Songs of Inspiration (Vocalist). Other favorite credits include Beauty and the Beast (Beast) and High School Musical (Zeke). @Joshuacorreaa

Jillian Cossetta (Fairy Godmother, Ensemble, U/S Princess Fiona) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in dance. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Welcome to the Moon (Mary, U/S Sally). Other theatre credits include The Wedding Singer (Julia) and Legally Blonde (Elle). She was a nominee for the 2021 National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) as the Best Actress representative for the Broadway Star of the Future Awards.

Brandon Diaz (Young Shrek, Dwarf) is a second-year student in the BFA Musical Theatre program, with a minor in dance. His past Theatre UCF credits include First Date (U/S Man 2, U/S Man 3) and the virtual production Mojada (U/S Jason, U/S Acan). He was most recently seen in the sophomore BFA Musical Theatre Showcase. Other credits include Guys and Dolls (Ensemble) and My Fair Lady (Arvide).

Seamus Dougherty (Peter Pan, Dragon Puppeteer, U/S Pinocchio) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage as Glaucus in Scaramouch in Naxos. Other theatre credits include Grand Hotel (Erik) at Santa Fe College, Project Spotlight’s Loving Passion (Agent, U/SMale), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Hermey) and Kinky Boots (ensemble) at Titusville Playhouse. He also works seasonally as a photographer at a dolphin research facility in Key Largo. @seamusdougherty

Erin Elkins (Teen Fiona, Ensemble) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Hot Mikado (Cat Girl), The Last Paving Stone (Puppeteer, U/S Ito), The Rover (Hellena’s Page, U/S Hellena) and Songs of Inspiration (Soloist).

Giulia Falabella (Mama Bear, Ensemble) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program with dance and Italian minors. Her Theatre UCF credits include Titanic: The Musical (Ensemble, U/SDaMico), Urinetown (Little Becky Two-Shoes), Sweat (Jessie) and The Wolves (#25). @giulia.falabella 

Johnny Flannagan (King Harold, Captain of the Guard, Big Bad Wolf, U/S Shrek) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He made his Theatre UCF debut in First Date (U/S Aaron). Last spring, he was in Right Angle Entertainment’s production of an Interactive Theatre Experience called Art Heist at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts. Other credits: SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical (Patchy the Pirate), Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), Newsies (Pulitzer) and American La Ronde (The Songwriter). @johnnyboy_flannagan.

Jordan Gago (Knight #1, Pied Piper, Ensemble) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Welcome To The Moon (U/S Ronny) and The Rover (Blunt’s Man, U/S Willmore, U/S Stephano). Other credits include: Mamma Mia! (Sky), American Idiot (Declan) and Emmy Award-winning, Virtually Yours: A Night with the Athens Theatre. @jordananthony109 JordanGago.com

Shayna Gilberg (Princess Fiona) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre and Dance Minor programs at UCF. She was most recently seen at Theatre UCF as Woman 1 (Lauren, Grandma Ida, Facebook and Aaron’s Mom) in First Date. Other credits include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ella), Sunday in the Park with George (Celeste 2) and A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder. Shayna can be seen performing as Princess Anita at Pirates Dinner Adventure Orlando. shaynagilberg.com

Manuella Guerra Canal (Dragon, Ensemble) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include First Date (U/S Casey). Other credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Urinetown (Soupy Sue) and The Little Mermaid (Ursula). @manuellaguerrac

Jaime Happel (Elf, Ensemble, U/S Dragon Puppeteer) is a second-year student in the BFA Acting program with a dance minor. She previously participated in Theatre UCF’s Blood at the Root (U/S Asha) and UCF TYA’s production of Still Life with Iris (Iris). Last fall, she was a scare actor for SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream: Inaugural Fear. She has also been involved in various short films during the spring semester. @jaimehappel

Christopher Hancock (Ensemble, U/S Young Shrek, U/S Knight #2) is a senior in the BFA Acting program. Shrek The Musical is his seventh and final undergrad production at Theatre UCF. Previous UCF credits include Welcome to the Moon (John), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Ensemble), Titanic: The Musical (Bellboy), Of Mice and Men (U/S Curly, U/S Whit) and the lost production of Urinetown (Tiny Tom). IG: @chrishancxck

Woodrow Jackson Helms (Pig #2, Bishop) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Recent Theatre UCF credits include First Date (Aaron) and Blood at The Root (Colin). @jackson.helms

Samantha Jenkins (Blind Mouse #2, Ensemble, U/S Dragon Puppeteer) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Dance. Theatre credits include UCF’s production of The Wolves (U/S #2, #8), and other theatre credits including Tick, Tick… BOOM (Susan), Shrek The Musical (Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy), Singing in the Rain (Kathy Seldon), Footloose (Wendy Jo), CATS (Bombalarina), Picnic (Madge) and Cabaret (Frenchie).

Amy Lacey (Blind Mouse #3, Ensemble) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Theatre UCF credits include Scaramouch in Naxos (Columbine) and First Date (U/S Woman 2). She was recently in the world premiere and original cast recording of McBride’s Call (Julia Peel). Other credits include Newsies (Katherine) and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). She is also a two-time ACT Cincinnati Orchid Award winner for Excellence in Musical Theatre Performance. @amylacey_

Lynford Martin Parries (U/S Donkey, Ensemble) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Theatre UCF credits include Fabulation (Flow/Ensemble). Lynford has also performed for many of the local theme parks in shows such as Festival of Lion King, Oh Wondrous Night and Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue.

Tori Micaletti (Mama Ogre, Humpty Dumpty, Ensemble) is a second-year MFA Acting graduate. Theatre UCF credits include Welcome To The Moon (Shirley), The Wolves (Soccer Mom U/S), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice U/S) and Songs of Inspiration (Soloist) Other credits include Heathers (Heather Macnamara), Junie B in Jingle Bells Batman Smells (May), A Peter Rabbit Tale (Flopsy/Nutkin) and Kiss Me Kate (Ensemble/Lois U/S). @tori.micaletti

Kate Milazzo (Wicked Witch, Dragon Puppeteer, U/S Queen Lillian) is a second-year MFA Acting candidate and has recently appeared in Theatre UCF’s production of Indecent as Halina. Other UCF credits include Scaramouch in Naxos (Ione) and Dear Helena (Helena). Before Orlando, Kate studied at the University of Evansville, where she starred in The Three Musketeers (Aramis), The Wolves (#7) and a reading of Q2: A New Musical (Rue). Other interests include American Sign Language and directing. Katelmilazzo.com

Madison Mintzer (Ensemble, U/S Mama Ogre, U/S Humpty Dumpty, U/S Gingy, U/S Sugar Plum Fairy, U/S Elf, U/S Fairy Godmother, Bluebird) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Past credits include Theatre UCF’s Welcome to the Moon (Sally, U/S Shirley), The Henegar’s First Date (Woman 2), The Henegar’s Hello Dolly! (Ernestina), Alhambra Theatre’s The Music Man and Titusville Playhouse’s The Wild Party (Mae). @madimintzer

Jessica Moore (Queen Lillian, U/S Dragon, U/S Wicked Witch, U/S Mamma Bear, U/S Ugly Duckling) is a freshman transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This is her Theatre UCF debut. Other theatre credits include Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie).

Shahmad Muhammad (Donkey) is a senior in the BFA Acting program. Some of his previous Theatre UCF stage credits include The Rover (Phillipo, Masquerader), Sweat (Evan), #GodHatesYou (U/S Noah) and Titanic: The Musical (Ensemble). Other previous theatre credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs (Eugene), Shipwrecked! An Entertainment (Player #2) and Sense & Sensibility (Gossip).

Paul Pelletier Jr.(White Rabbit, Ensemble, Knight, U/S Knights, U/S Pied Piper) is a junior in the BFA Acting program. He was last seen as part of the ensemble in Theatre UCF’s Indecent. Other Theatre UCF credits include, Scaramouch in Naxos (Satyr), and in the live reading of Much Ado About Nothing (George Seacoal). He is also highly involved in the student run Project Spotlight, last in their one act Stellar Law (Flint).

Gabriel Ramos (Tweedle Dee, Knight, Ensemble, U/S Papa Bear) is a third-year transfer student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program with a minor in Dance. Gabriel has been seen in UCF’s Dance Concert 2021 and 2022, and as a Student Choreographer for the Summer Musical Sombra del Sol, for which he received a nomination for KCACTF. He was also seen in Orlando Fringe 2020, 2021, and soon 2022.  @xgabrielramos

Nick Rossi (Dragon Puppeteer, Ensemble, U/S Dwarf) is a first-year transfer student in the BA Theatre Studies program. Nick is proud to be making his UCF mainstage debut at Dr. Phillips Center. Nick’s other UCF credits include Project Spotlight’s Apocalypseville! (Solomon) as well as performing in the spring dance concert. Prior to his time at UCF, Nick’s previous credits include the University of Tampa’s Sondheim on Sondheim (Euan Morton Track). @nickk.rossi

Jared-Austin Roys (Pinocchio) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Previous UCF credits include The Rover (Sancho), Scaramouch in Naxos (Harlequin) and First Date (Reggie). Other favorite credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Coneybear, Chip Tolentino) and Titanic: The Musical (Harold Bride). Jared can also be seen performing at Legoland Florida! @jared.roys

Hayley Sanz (Ugly Duckling, U/S Dragon Puppeteer, U/S Blind Mice) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Cinema Studies. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in First Date (Allison), Songs of Inspiration and Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret). Other theatre credits include Titanic: The Musical (Kate Mullins, Madeleine Astor), Into the Woods (Little Red) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive). Hayleysanz.com

Will Sippel (Thelonius, Duloc Greeter, Knight, U/S Lord Farquaad) is a senior in the BFA Acting program. Previous roles with Theatre UCF include Welcome To The Moon (Poet, Ronny, U/S Man), Scaramouch in Naxos (Harlequin), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Urinetown (Mr. McQueen), #GodHatesYou (Joshua), Sweat (U/S Jason) Titanic: The Musical (Ensemble) and Of Mice and Men (U/S Candy). He is also a playwright, with four original plays produced with Project Spotlight UCF, where he is the Outreach Director. 

Drew Stark (Papa Ogre, Pig #1, Ensemble, U/S Captain Of The Guard) is a second-year MFA Acting student. B.A. College of William and Mary. Theatre UCF credits: Indecent (Otto), Scaramouch in Naxos (Bacchus), Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio) and TYA’s El Viaje de Beatriz (Narrator). Professional credits include Young Frankenstein (Frederick), Damn Yankees (Applegate) and The Diary of Anne Frank (Van Daan). Drew is a recognized artist on the Mississippi Artist Roster. Drewstarkactor.com

Sterling Street (Lord Farquaad) is in his second year as an MFA Acting Candidate. He began his professional career as a Resident Actor at Greenville Theatre. A few of his professional credits include Miracle on 34th Street (Fred Gaily), Into The Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Peter and The Starcatcher (Cpt. Scott), Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (Gabe Green), It’s a Wonderful Life (George Bailey) and the Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day The Musical tour (Albert). @sterlingstreet www.sterlingstreetactor.com.

Forrest Stringfellow (Shrek) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Acting program. He was last seen as “Avram” in Indecent, but other past Theatre UCF credits include The Grumpiest Boy in the World (Dad, Grump 1) and the original streamed reading of As It’s Written (Ethan). Regional credits include American Idiot (St. Jimmy), The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Joey) and Chess: In Concert (Ensemble).

Maisy Surman (Baby Bear, Ensemble, U/S Teen Fiona, U/S Young Fiona) is a first-year student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She made her Theatre UCF debut in The Wolves (U/S #13). Previous credits include: Mamma Mia! (Sophie), Be More Chill (Christine) and Ordinary Days (Deb). @maisysurman

Jojo Trewin (Ensemble, U/S Thelonius, U/S Duloc Greeter, U/S Big Bad Wolf, U/S Peter Pan) is a first-year student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He made his Theatre UCF debut last fall in First Date (U/S Man 1). He was also recently in Elf The Musical at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as Buddy. @joseph.trewin

Reese Abrahamoff (Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Reese made his Theatre UCF debut as Verges in the 2020 fall production of Much Ado About Nothing, was a soloist in Songs Of Inspiration, and was also the choreographer for First Date. He spent his summer working in the theme park industry as an actor at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Other theatre credits include Hello Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl) and Spring Awakening (Moritz Stiefel). @reese.abrahamoff

Bianca Antonetty (Production Assistant) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. Theatre credits include Significant Other (Stage Manager) and The Harvest (Stage Manager) at the State College of Florida, and First Date (Production Assistant) at the University of Central Florida.

Kacie Bailey (Assistant Costume Designer) is a sophomore in the BFA Design and Technology program. Her work was featured on the UCF stage in First Date. She is also involved in the UCF Fashion Society.

Matthew Beaton (Deck Crew) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. He has previously been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Of Mice and Men (Whit, U/S Lennie), as well as various shows produced by Project Spotlight, including First Miss (Grant) and The Ultimate Field Trip (Allan McDonald). Other credits include Love/Sick (Keith/Mark) and Fools (Leon Tolchensky).

Stevie Bleich (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a third-year student in the BFA Design and Technology program. Her previous Theatre UCF credits include Fabulation (Programmer), Welcome to the Moon (Production Electrician, Programmer), As It’s Written (Lighting Designer) and Songs of Inspiration (Co-Lighting Designer).

Raymond Bromante (A2) is a graduating senior in the BFA Design and Technology program, with a focus on sound. This is his final show at Theatre UCF. His previous works include A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Lead A2) and Indecent (Lead Sound Designer/Engineer).

Zach Cerino (Co-Costume Designer) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program. His previous Theatre UCF credits include Welcome to the Moon (Co-Costume Designer), Scaramouch in Naxos (Asst. Costume Designer) and A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder (Wardrobe Crew). Other credits include Santa Fe College’s productions of Grand Hotel ( Asst. Costume Designer/Makeup Designer) and Student Body (Asst. Costume Designer).

Valeria Cole (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a junior in the B.A. Theatre program. Theatre UCF credits are Indecent (Wardrobe Supervisor) and Welcome to the Moon (Wardrobe Supervisor). Project Spotlight credits as Costume Designer include Rigged, Talkback, and Stellar Law. She is currently the Costume Designer for Charlotte’s Web at Central Florida Community Arts. More of her work can be seen in the upcoming films Red Tide Massacre, Hunter’s Cabin and We Good Project.

Lauran Conran (Stage Manager) is a senior in the BFA Stage Management program. Her previous credits include Orlando Shakes 2021 Playfest (Stage Manager), Creative City: Immerse Festival (Asst. Stage Coordinator) and The Lion King Jr. at the Orlando Rep (Asst. Stage Manager). Upon graduation she will be moving to Phoenix, Arizona.

Kierstin Day (Deck Crew) is a first-year transfer student and is in her second semester at the University of Central Florida. Previous credits include light board operator for First Date.

Christopher De La Vega (Deck Crew) is a senior in the B.A. Theater Studies program. He has worked on the Theater UCF production of Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (House Manager).

Brooke DeBeer (Wardrobe Crew) is a freshman in the Business Marketing program at UCF. This is her first production with UCF, but other costuming credits include Kiss Me Kate, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Radium Girls, She Kills Monsters and The World Goes ‘Round. Brooke plans to minor in Theatre while continuing business and pursue the best of both worlds. She also owns/runs a small business of upcycling/repurposing vintage/second-hand materials. thriftkween.com IG: @thrift__kween

Alexandra Duffy (Deck Crew) is a second-year student in the BFA Design and Technology program. Her previous credits include Assistant to the Costume Designer on Indecent with Theatre UCF, Solderer for SuperBowl LV, and Wardrobe Crew for the Jersey Boys National Tour in Coral Springs.

Reme Elias (Asst. Props Manager) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. She has worked on the Theatre UCF productions Welcome to the Moon and Other One Acts (Props Manager) and As It’s Written (Dramaturg). She has also worked with Project Spotlight as a Props Designer on several shows including An Apology, Rigged, Poltergeist and Committed.

Kristen Engasser (Deck Crew) is a first-year transfer student in the B.S. Biology, B.S. Psychology, and theatre minor programs. This is their Theatre UCF debut, but some of their other theatre credits include Almost, Maine (Sandrine), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Lighting Designer), Love is Contagious (Mimi), Steel Magnolias (Annelle), In the Heights (Assistant Stage Manager) and Legally Blonde (Stage Manager).

Tanner Fenton (Assistant Music Director) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program with a minor in music. He is making his Theatre UCF debut with Shrek The Musical. Tanner is a musical theatre composer and lyricist who plans on continuing to grad school for musical theatre writing.

Erica Fox (Audio 2) is a sophomore in the BFA Theatre Design and Technology program. She has been involved with Theatre UCF in Knights’ Ghostlight Podcast (Student Asst. Sound Designer), Dear Helena (Sound Designer), The Wolves (Asst. Sound Designer), TYA 24 Hr Playfest 2020-2022 (Sound Designer), and Project Spotlight’s 10-Min Play Competition and One Act Festival 2021-2022 (Sound Designer). @efox_theatre

Madeline Gilbert (Deck Crew) is a senior transfer student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. She is a voice and piano teacher at Orlando Fine Arts Academy and Oviedo School of Music. Theatre credits include Urinetown (U/S Pennywise, Soupy Sue, Ma Strong, Pa Strong), Assassins (U/S Squeaky Fromme, Sarah Jane Moore), All Night Strut (Female Star) and Trail to Oregon (Son). Madelinegilbert.com

Aja Hendrix (Wardrobe Crew) is a fourth-year transfer student in the Theatre Studies program. This is Aja’s Theatre UCF debut. She is also involved in Project Spotlight.

David Jackson (Deck Crew) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. His work can be seen on Theatre UCF stage in First Date (Spotlight 1). Other credits include on Eastern Florida State College’s productions of A Comedy of Errors (Antipholus, Prop Designer) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius, Scenic Assistant). He has also worked with The Ensemble Company and has over 220 hours within the Scene Shop UCF.

Autumn Kreidler (Assistant Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Mixer) is a fourth-year student in the BFA Design Technology program. Her previous Theatre UCF credits include Titanic: The Musical (A2), They Must Be Women Now! (Lighting and Sound Designer), #GodHatesYou (Assistant to the Sound Designer, Sound Board Operator), Water by the Spoonful (Assistant Master Electrician), The Rover (Assistant Sound Designer), Much Ado About Nothing (Co-Sound Designer), The Grumpiest Boy In the World (Sound Designer) and First Date (Sound Designer/Engineer/Mixer). AutumnKreidler.com

Ben Lowe (Video Animator) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program. Previously with Theatre UCF, Ben was the Lighting Designer for First Date and Video Designer for Water by the Spoonful and Blood at the Root (Co-Design). Other theatrical design credits include productions with Orlando Repertory Theatre, Garden Theatre and Florida Rep. Ben spent the last few months working as the Technical Production Intern with the themed entertainment design firm AOA. benloweportfolio.com

Hailey Marquez (Assistant Director) is a second-year student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. Her previous directing credits include Michael (Assistant Director) with Project Spotlight. Stage credits include Apocalypseville! (Oppie) and Remnant of the Imposter (Elle) with Project Spotlight.

Alyssa Marrero (A2) is a sophomore in the BFA Design and Technology program.  Her previous Theatre UCF credits include First Date (Wardrobe Supervisor), Sombra Del Sol (A2) and the Knights’ Ghostlight Podcast. @alyssa.c.marrero

Cassandra McKay (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Stage Management program. Past Theatre UCF credits include First Date (ASM), A Knight of Dance 2021 (Production Assistant) and Dear Helena (Stage Manager). Other credits include Noises Off, Once, Importance of Being Earnest, A Chorus Line and Little Shop of Horrors at Cape Playhouse, Evita, Showboat, La Cage Aux Folles and Newsies at Interlakes Summer Theatre.

Richard McWhorter (Production Electrician) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Design Tech program. He was an Assistant Lighting Designer for Welcome to The Moon and Other Short Stories. Other previous theatre credits include Lighting Designer for Footloose and Uptown 1.0 at NWFSC.

Chelsea Nelson (Makeup Crew) is a junior in the B.A Theatre program. This is the first production she has been involved in at Theatre UCF. Other credits include The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolyn), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Snug). She is also a character performer and character bartender at Orlando's only all year Halloween cocktail bar.

Joni Newman (Dramaturg) holds a B.A. in English Education from Brigham Young University and is a third-year MFA candidate in Theatre for Young Audiences at UCF. Although her professional background involves nearly a decade of teaching English to high school and junior high students, she has been a performer all of her life. Favorite credits include The Music Man (Marian), The Foreigner (Catherine), Steel Magnolias (Shelby), Noises Off (Belinda) and Into the Woods (Cinderella). She has also worked as a dramaturg, including on last year’s production of How to Catch Creation, for which she won a special recognition for scholarly engagement at KCACTF. She is honored to be part of this incredible production.

Hannah Parsons (Co-Costume Designer) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program. She was a Stitcher/Draper on Sombra Del Sol, and Co-Costume Designer on Welcome To The Moon. Other works include: Ocala Civc Theater’s production of Bedtime Stories, Orlando’s Fusion Fest 2020, and the College of Central Florida’s production of Lost In Yonkers. @Hannah.L.Parsons

Andres Procel (Deck Crew) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Acting program. Prior Theatre UCF credits include Welcome to the Moon and Other One Acts (Vinnie, Brother, Monster, Figure, Postman), Scaramouch in Naxos (Sarmion) Much Ado About Nothing (Conrade) The Rover (Officer, Masquerader) Blood at the Root (U/S Colin) and Sweat (U/S Stan).

Karina Ali Rodriguez-Toledo (Draper) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Theatre Design and Technology program. Other credits include First Date (Draper) and Welcome to the Moon and Other One Acts (Draper) at UCF. @Kartsie KartsieCreations.com

Lukas Royer (A2) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. His previous Theatre UCF credits include Welcome to The Moon and Other One Acts (Assistant Sound Designer), Sombra Del Sol (A2) and Blood at the Root (Sound Board Operator). His designs and compositions can be heard on the Knights’ Ghostlight Podcast. @lksryr

Danny Sanchez (Wardrobe Crew) is a fourth-year transfer student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. He is also double minoring in Journalism Studies and Creative Writing. He received his associate's degree in Theatre Studies from Seminole State College.. His Theatre UCF credits include Sombra Del Sol (Bandito 2, Toucan), Project Spotlight’s Talkback (Judge #2) and We Begin In a Tavern (Bard #3). Some of Danny's other credits include The Mousetrap (Christopher Wren), Freaky Friday (Parker, Others) and Into the Woods (The Steward).

Jonathan Suarez (Deck Crew) is a senior in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. This is his first Theatre UCF production. Some previous theatre credits include a role in Florida Southwestern State’s production of Sonnets for an Old Century (Rick Coca). He is currently a director/teacher for UCP Bailes Community Academy Theatre Club.

Victoria Torres (Assistant Stage Manager) is a third-year student in the BFA Stage Management program. Prior Theatre UCF credits include A Knight of Dance (Assistant Stage Manager) and The Rover (QLAB Operator). Other credits include Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr. (Assistant Stage Manager) at the Orlando REP and As It’s Written (Stage Manager) during Pegasus PlayLab. This fall, she will be the Stage Manager for the Orlando REP’s Youth Academy musical!

Elana Treiser (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year student in the BFA Stage Management program. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Welcome to the Moon (Assistant Stage Manager), various Stage Manager roles for UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021 and Birdbrains (Stage Manager) with Project Spotlight.

Alyssa Vincent (Wardrobe Crew) is a first-year student in the BFA Acting program and this is her first show experience with UCF. Her most recent roles include Into the Woods (The Witch) and The Wolves (#13). Alyssa is from Southern California and went to a high school for the performing arts where she received many stage credits and years of training in acting, tech and design. @alrvincent

Annalee Weydert (Production Assistant) is a first-year BFA Stage Management student, and this is her first production with Theatre UCF. Other credits include Mamma Mia! (Asst. Stage Manager) and Jerry’s Girls (Asst. Stage Manager) at the Athens Theatre in Deland.

“. . . there’s a little ogre in all of us, whether we want to admit it or not.” 

– Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dreamworks

The character of Shrek first made his appearance in pop culture in the children’s book written and illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist William Steig in 1990. Steig’s Shrek is tall and almost lanky, covered in warts, and incredibly proud of his ability to scare villagers. His greatest nightmare is being hugged by children; his life’s triumph is finding an unnamed, very ugly princess to marry. On his quest to find this princess, he briefly meets a donkey and a dragon, but there is no Farquaad, no army of fairy tale creatures to save, no Kingdom of Dulac. 

Indeed, director Andrew Adamson suggested the addition of the motley crew of fairy tale outcasts in the 2001 Dreamworks Animation film adaptation of Steig’s book. Voice actor Mike Meyers gave Shrek his trademark Scottish brogue and helped transform Shrek into a more loveable outcast who needed to let go of his self-loathing. Once he was able to love himself, he would have the strength to be the hero for the community who needed him. What had once been an irreverent adventure of a self-satisfied solo ogre now became one of a band of misfits that Shrek The Musical labels “freaks.”  

The word “freak” has been used to define something out of the ordinary since the mid 1700s, with the advent of traveling carnivals and circuses. This variation of the word functions as an insult intended to call attention to anything wrong or abnormal–certainly the way that Farquaad sees Shrek and all the rest of the characters he wants to banish. A second and older definition of “freak” with roots (ironically enough) in Scotland seems far more suited for Shrek and the other heroes of this tale. The Scottish word freik or the Middle English freke refer to a “brave man” or “warrior.”  Shrek the Musical is full of acts of bravery both large and small, serving as a celebration for all the freaky, ogrey traits that live within each of us. Like Shrek, we are all onions full of layers–sure, some of those layers may make us a bit rough around the edges, but they are our layers, and we are worth celebrating.

Freak | Etymology, Origin and Meaning of Freak by Etymonline. https://www.etymonline.com/word/freak

THEATRE UCF PRODUCTION STAFF, FACULTY, AND ADVISORS

Director of the School of Performing Arts: Michael Wainstein
Theatre UCF Artistic Director: Julia Listengarten
Theatre UCF Director of Production: Bert Scott

* Theatre UCF student