The Bacchae

Laura Banguero (Dionysus) is a second-year MFA acting student. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The River Bride (Sra. Costa), The Last Firefly (A spider/puppeteer) and The Clean House (Ana).

David Joshua Martinez (Kadmos) Graduated from Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas, in 2018. Josh (Kadmos) has been in multiple musicals and plays including – Anthony Hope (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Jamie Wellerstein (The Last 5 Years), Don Quixote/Don Miguel de Cervantes (Man of La Mancha), Frank Butler (Annie Get Your Gun), Stanley Kowalski (A Streetcar Named Desire), Alan Raleigh (God of Carnage), Lord Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), Lord Macduff (Macbeth). He has appeared in UCF productions as John Heminges (Imogen Says Nothing),  Lazar Wolf (Fiddler on the Roof), and Moises Lira (The Riverbride). 

Oliver Flowers (Teiresias) is a senior in the BFA Acting program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Human Error (Keenan), Our Country's Good (Arscott), and Sweat (Brucie). He also works as a voice actor for Universal Orlando's Diagon Alley (The Shrunken Head)

Jake Perez (Pentheus) is a third-year transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. Theatre UCF: Chicken and Biscuits (Logan), Cherry Orchard (Ensemble/Vagrant U/S Trofimov, U/S Yasha, U/S Yepikhodov), Imogen Says Nothing (U/S Nicholas), As You Like It (William, U/S Touchstone), Home of the Brave (Marcus). Professional Theatre: Exhibits in the Zoo (Mendel), Snoopy (Woodstock), All the Great Books (Abridged) (Student Teacher).

Rebecca Elizabeth Low (Agave) is a second-year MFA Acting student. You may have seen her as Imogen in Imogen Says Nothing on Theatre UCF’s stage. Some of her other favorite roles are Dot in Sunday in The Park with George and Ocean Rosenberg in Ride The Cyclone. Instagram: @re.becca.low

Marty Gnidula (Messenger 1, Soldier) is a second-year MFA acting student. Originally from Orange, CT, Marty received his B.A. in Theatre and English/prelaw from the University of Vermont. Some of Marty’s past credits include Berenger in Rhinoceros (Theatre UCF), the Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing (Self-produced), Sir Robin in Spamalot (Vermont Rep), Mr Cladwell in Urinetown (Theatre UCF), and ensemble/Tevye U/S  in Fiddler on the Roof (Theatre UCF). https://martygnidula.com/ @martyg246

Jaden Doig (Messenger 2, Soldier) is a Senior transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. Some of his previous Theatre UCF performances include Fiddler on the Roof (Ensamble), The Prom (U/S Hawkins) and Working: The Musical (Raj Chadha). His other credits include The Zoo Story (Peter) and a Project Spotlight production called Headspace (Cooper). jadendoig2.wixsite.com/mysite

Alessandra Almanza (Chorus Leader/US Agave) is currently a 2nd year MFA - Acting Candidate! Recently, she has worked with Orlando Shakespeare Theater as the Assistant Fight Choreographer for their production of Romeo & Juliet and in Theatre UCF's production of Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Cassandra). She got her B.A. in Theatre Education University of Texas - RGV! Some of her show credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Helena), AS YOU LIKE IT (Rosalind), SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (Kate Hardcastle), and CORIOLANUS (Sicinius)! She worked as a director at Coakley Middle School and mounted productions like SHREK JR, and THE LION KING JR. Insta: @orlandomfaactors @alessandrasalmanza

Sarah Gruber (Chorus/Ino) is a second year in the MFA Acting program. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Urinetown (Josephine Strong), The Last Firefly (Puppeteer), and Rhinoceros (Logician). She has her B.A. in Theatre and Sociology from Smith College. Website: www.sarahgruber.com, IG: @sarahrgruber

Faith Klick (Chorus (Autonoë)) is a second year MFA Acting student here at UCF. You may recognize her from Urinetown (Penelope Pennywise), in Fiddler on the Roof (Ensemble, Golde U/S), or in Imogen Says Nothing (Imogen U/S). Other theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Maria), Something Rotten (Bea Bottom), and Richard II (The Queen). When she's not working with Theatre UCF, Faith can be found teaching at Orlando Family Stage. www.faithklick.com

Silvana Perrone (Chorus, U/S Chorus Leader) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. This will be her UCF Debut! She was part of the Spring production of Fiddler On The Roof (Swing & U/S Bielke) and Fall production of Urinetown (Swing). Other theatre credits include 9 to 5: The Musical (Judy) and Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larken). She is also a professional Flamenco dancer and occasionally performs in gigs with previous company members. @silvi_flamenca

Dani Garcia (Chorus, U/S Dionysus) is a second-year transfer student in the B.A. Integrative General Studies Program. This is their UCF debut. Other theatre credits include Nunsense (Sister Robert Anne) and A Chorus Line (Stage Crew).

Miguel Cabrera (CHORUS, U/S Pentheus) is a Sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program, minoring in Dance. Some past roles he has played here at UCF are Rent (Ensemble, U/S Angel), Imogen Says Nothing (Nicholas Tooley), and Urinetown (Swing, U/S Hot Blades Harry). Some of his other favorite credits include Billy Flynn in Chicago, Nigel in Something Rotten, and Graffiti Pete in In the Heights. IG: @migue.cabreraa_

Charley Willoughby (Chorus) is a senior BFA Acting major. His previous Theatre UCF credits include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (U/S Vanya), The Prom (Ensemble/ U/S Kevin), Rhinoceros (Little Old Man), and The Last Firefly (U/S Boom) which also performed at the Dr. Phillips center.

Mark-Henry Prosper (Chorus, U/S Kadmos) is a senior BFA Acting major. He has previously performed at Breakthrough Theatre as Benny in In the Heights, Ben in Love Again, and the Narrator in Elephant’s Graveyard. In his spare time, he enjoys watching anime, reading, going to the gym, and embarking on side quests with his friends. Mark would like to give a special shout-out to JEMD and extend his gratitude to his family and friends for their continued support.

Owen Ware (Chorus) is a junior in the BFA Acting Program. He has been previously seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Fiddler on the Roof (Swing) and Peter and the Starcatcher (U/S Peter, Shadow). Other theatre credits include The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Paul Matthews), Seussical (Mr. Mayor), and Mean Girls (Damian Hubbard). Offstage, Owen enjoys choreographing and assistant directing for Thomas E. Weightman Middle School’s theatre program. @_owenware_

Kentrell Taylor (Swing, U/S Teiresias, U/S Soldier) is a sophomore in the Communication and Conflict B.A. program, making his Theatre UCF debut in The Bacchae. His favorite role to date was voicing Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, a performance that earned him the Best Male Ensemble Actor in a Musical award at the Kravis Center Dream Awards. instagram.com/kentrelljosi

Camden Robinett (Swing, U/S Messenger 2) is a freshman in the Theatre and Criminal Justice programs. This is his Theatre UCF debut. Previously worked at The Holy Land Experience as a principal cast member before the closing of the park. He plans to work on a cruise ship as a performer upon graduation. He will also pursue a career in law in New York as well as theatre. Instagram handle: TheCamdenRobinett

Charlie Vega-Franz (Swing, U/S Messenger 2) is a fourth-year in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. They have been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Pegasus Playlab’s Moments of Wonder, a devised theatre production. This past Spring they were the house manager for Theatre UCF’s Imogen Says Nothing and The Last Firefly. They enjoy being involved in many aspects of theatre and are passionate about their work.

Naje’ Gillespie (Swing, U/S Ino) is a second-year transfer in the BFA Acting and B.A. Creative Writing Programs. She was last seen in Romeo & Juliet (Balthasar) at Daytona State College and in the River Bride (U/S SRA. COSTA) here at UCF. Recently she became involved with Project Spotlight as a Costume Designer. 

Serenity Boffa (Swing & U/S Autonoë & Movement Coordinator) is excited to be taking on the show as a swing/ U/S Autonoë / choreographer. She is a first year BFA MT Major at Theatre UCF. Most recently she worked in Urinetown, as an Assistant Choreographer. Some of her favorite shows she performed in include Texas in Cabaret, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, and performing in Broadway’s Chita Rivera Awards.

Claudia Lynch (Stage Managers’ Advisor/ Show Crew Assignment Supervisor) Claudia is an Associate Professor and the Area Coordinator of the BFA in Stage Management. Claudia is the Theatre UCF Internship Coordinator, and Supervises the Theatre UCF Audition Office, and she is the Faculty Liaison for the Theatre UCF Professional Advisory Board. Credits include Broadway:  Rock of Ages, A Catered Affair, Company, Little Shop of Horrors; The Light in the Piazza, The Rivals, Dinner at Eight, Contact (at Lincoln Center Theater). Offbroadway:  Passion (at Classic Stage Company), Rock of Ages, and 9 Productions with NY City Center Encores! from 2013-2017; Regional:  Alley Theatre, The Old Globe Theatre, The Cleveland Playhouse, and Arena Stage. Graduate of SUNY Geneseo. Proud Member of Actor’s Equity Association.  Claudia is also the USITT Management Commissioner for Programming, an Actors’ Equity Outreach Presenter, and the Coordinator for the Connection Convention: College Edition; which helps students interested in studying Stage Management meet with Educators and programs around the country.  Claudia is the immediate past SM Coordinator for  KCACTF Region 4, and has served on the Board of The Stage Managers Association.  @OrlandoStageManagers

Lilly Yandell (Dramaturg) Lilly recently graduated from UCF with a BA in Theater Studies and Minor in Education. She was most recently seen in KnightLight Theater’s Let’s Go Camping. She was also the Dramaturg for John Mabey’s Desert Oceans during Pegasus Playlab, and a reader for Orlando Shakes’ Playfest. 

Shannon Kletsel (Dramaturg) Shannon is currently a UCF student pursuing a BA in Theatre Studies and Dramaturgy and a Minor in Creative Writing. She was most recently a stagehand for UCF's production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Jonas Winter (Production Stage Manager) is a third-year in the BFA Stage Management program. He has been a part of Theatre UCF’s productions of The Last Firefly (Stage Manager), The Clean House (Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2024 (Stage Manager), Metamorphoses (Production Assistant), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Props Manager), Pegasus Playlab 2025 (Production Management PA). Jonas has also worked with Project Spotlight for their productions of Murder at the Mirage Hotel (Scenic Designer), and Irreverent! (Production Stage Management). @_just.jonas @OrlandoStageManagers

Odalys Lopez (Stage Manager) is a third-year in the BFA Stage Management program. She has been a part of Theatre UCF’s Production of Imogen Says Nothing (Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025 (Stage Manager), Pegasus PlayLab (Production Management PA), Urinetown (Props Manager), and Orlando Shakes PlayFest 2025 (Assistant Stage Manager). 

Jaz Griffiths is a third-year BFA Stage Management student. She has participated in Theatre UCF’s productions of Daring to Dream (Stage Manager), RENT (Wardrobe Supervisor), The Drolls (Assistant Director), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2024-2025 (Stage Manager), and Orlando Family Stage’s productions of Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. (Production Assistant), and The Wizard of Oz (Production Stage Manager). Jaz has also worked with Project Spotlight in their 10-minute Play Competition in The Intergalactic Office of Misplaced Debts and Gambling Affairs (Director). Jaz also participated in Orlando Fringe 2025 in Camp Slash (Production Stage Manager).

Lila McMorris (Stage Manager) is a third-year BFA Stage Management student. She has been a part of Theatre UCF’s Production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Lighting Programmer), The River Bride (Stage Manager), Rent (Stage Manager), Dance Night (Production Stage Manager), and Peter and the Star Catcher (Production Assistant). Lila has also worked with Project Spotlight for their production of Murder at the Mirage Hotel (Stage Manager) and Irreverent (Stage Manager, Lighting Programmer).

Vivian Riffe (Production Assistant) is a first-year BFA Stage Management student. This is her first Theatre UCF show. 

Chris Bresciani (Makeup Designer/Artist)  is a third-year student in the TYA MFA program. Past TheatreUCF credits include: The Last Firefly (Costume Designer/Makeup Designer/Stage Manager), The Drolls (Cox), Dance Night (Harry Fischer), The Rover (Stephano, Masquerader, Soldier). Other credits include: SpongeBob: The Musical - Teen Edition (Makeup Designer/Makeup Artist), Willy Wonka Junior (Makeup Artist, Props Designer). Chris is also a performer at both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios. Learn more about Chris at: chrisgbresciani.com 

Aurora Ulrich (Props Manager) is a second-year BFA Stage Management student. She has been a part of Orlando Family Stage's Wizard of Oz Youth Edition (stage manager), Visiting Hours (stage manager), and UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025 (stage manager). To learn more about Aurora, go to: https://sites.google.com/view/auroraulrich/home 

Madelyn Considine (Lighting Designer) is a third-year transfer in the BFA Design and Technology program. Her Theatre UCF credits include Urinetown (Assistant Lighting Designer) The Drolls (Lighting Programmer), The Clean House (Production Electrician), Sweeney Todd (Assistant Production Electrician), Rhinoceros (Lead Carpenter) and Fiddler on the Roof (Scenic Crew). She also works as a general stagehand for IATSE Local Theatre Union 115 and 631.

Foster Elkins (Costume Designer) is a third-year in the BFA Design and Technology program. His Theatre UCF credits include Urinetown (Asst. Costume Designer), and Sweeney Todd (Wardrobe Crew). Additionally, he has worked professionally at Seaworld Orlando, and currently works at Universal’s Epic Universe on The Untrainable Dragon (Costuming Lead). 

Julia Borchers (Production Electrician) is a sophomore in the DT Program. This is their official debut as a Production Electrician on The Bacchae.  Additionally, she often volunteers and works in local playhouses in South Florida as a backstage hand and a Technician.

The Bacchae was written in 407 BCE by Euripides and produced in 405 BCE, a year after his death. The performance took first prize at The Great Dionysia, an Athenian festival which honored Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, theatre, and ritual madness. Over the thousands of years since it was written, this play has been used to portray the social issue of disenfranchisement, such as civil unrest in Nigeria and women's rights worldwide. In this translation, Emma Pauly (she/they), a dramaturg and performer specializing in Classics and Greco-Roman tragedy, asks us to consider how one might contend with a family that refuses to see them for who they truly are. This play forces us to reflect on the timeless truth that intolerance and refusal to practice empathy have the devastating potential to destroy families and entire nations, from the inside out.

— Dramaturgs, Shannon Kletsel* & Lilly Yandell

*Theatre UCF student

In this production of The Bacchae, we approach Euripides’ ancient tragedy as a meditation on what it means to be seen—and to be honored—in one’s fullest authenticity. Dionysus, long understood as a god who unsettles gender and social norms, arrives home to Thebes not merely to punish disbelief, but to insist upon recognition. Dionysus functions almost like an algorithm: a force that connects the isolated to the like-minded, revealing hidden kinships and fostering community. The chorus becomes a chosen family formed through visibility—through the radical act of saying, “This is who I am,” and being met with affirmation.

Opposing this is Pentheus: a young ruler shaped by unearned power and privilege, presiding over a culture of surveillance and control. His rigidity masks fragility; his condemnation of Dionysus conceals an unspoken curiosity he cannot reconcile without jeopardizing control. In his attempt to halt change and preserve the status quo, repression gives way to rupture.

Euripides' story is timeless because it reminds us that societies which refuse to acknowledge difference often provoke the very upheaval they fear. This production invites us to consider how recognition, rather than suppression, might avert violence and how honoring authenticity can transform intolerance into community, and fear into understanding.

— Director, Tara Kromer