Theater Digital Program – MAAN – University High School

TRIPPER PIERCE*

Leonato- Tripper Pierce is a Junior and is the Vice President of Thespian Troupe #1156. He is involved with Concert Choir, The Madrigal Singers, and the Spring Production of Fiddler on the Roof. He would like to possibly pursue a career in acting if he can, but for now, acting is just a hobby. He has been a part of the Thespian Troupe since his freshman year and is looking forward to participating in the shows to come.

NOAH DAVISON

Antonio- Noah Davison is a Sophomore who participates in Cross Country, Scholastic Bowl, Shakespeare, and Pit Orchestra. When not operating at the whim of school assignments and extracurriculars, he enjoys spending time with his friends and pursuing his pastimes, such as reading, consuming media, and playing video games. He plans to move into a fulfilling field and learn a third language, perhaps traveling to new places as well.

KATELYN DEKEERSGIETER*

Hero- Katelyn DeKeersgieter is a Sophomore and has been involved in numerous productions through U-High, ISU Shakespeare Festival, and the University of Illinois. She is an active member of many extracurriculars such as the Speech Team, Student Senate, and WYSE. She plays viola in the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and Honors Ensemble in addition to participating in the orchestra at U-High and at ILMEA All-State. She hopes to one day study Law while continuing her interests in the arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, smiling, and geeking out about Shakespeare.

MADISON HELMS

Beatrice - Madison Helms is a Sophomore. Much Ado About Nothing is her first theater production at U-High, and she has enjoyed it immensely. As well as theater, she loves spending time playing her trumpet in marching band, concert band, jazz band, and pit orchestra. When she has free time, Madison enjoys painting, and many of her works can be seen displayed outside of the U-High art room. She is passionate and works hard at each activity she participates in and hopes you enjoy the show.

KATE EMBRY

Ursula - Kate Embry is the sophomore class treasurer. She is involved in a number of activities, including marching band, court singers, jazz choir, and pep band. Outside of school, she dances at Stagecraft Studios, and enjoys reading, listening to music, and tagging along with her younger sister, Abby. Kate hopes to someday work in the field of engineering. While it is only the second show she has been involved in, Kate is excited to be a part of Much Ado About Nothing.

ABBY MUSSEY

Margaret- Abby Mussey is in the freshman class and is involved with Court Singers, Cross Country, and Theatre. This is her first U-High theatre production and she is excited about her first performance. Abby has enjoyed learning about this show and looks forward to being involved with the U-High theatre program.

BRAD MARTIN*

Don Pedro- Brad Martin is the junior class president and the Historian of the Thespian Board. He is involved in numerous activities including theatre, Concert Choir, Fifth Step, marching band, student senate, and tennis. In Brad’s free time, he enjoys lifting, boxing, and training to compete on reality television game shows. Next school year, Brad will be auditioning to be a contender on Survivor and will hopefully receive the opportunity to fight for the $1,000,000 grand prize.

ANYA GIORDANO*

Don Joan - Anya Giordano is a Sophomore. She is involved in a plethora of extracurriculars including Cross Country, Madrigal Choir, musical theatre, Shakespeare, and participates in the Midwest Institute of Opera. She is looking forward to participate in this show, and is excited to be involved with the theatre program.

GABI HEPTINSTALL*

Claudia- Gabi Heptinstall is a Sophomore and she takes part in theatre as an actress and a techie, marching and concert band, concert choir, court singers, and she co-runs Stella A Capella, the school’s all-female a capella group. She would like to pursue writing as a future career and writes novels, short stories, and poetry in her free time. Gabi is very excited to be a part of Much Ado About Nothing because she loves reading Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.

PATRICK FITZGERALD*

Benedick - Patrick Fitzgerald is the senior class president alongside the lead drum major of the marching band and a longtime member of the theater program. He is interested in creative writing and plans to pursue it as a career alongside joining the Air Force and entering the Federal Bureau Investigations. He plans to attend the University of Illinois in Champaign, Urbana and major in creative writing. Patrick loves listening to Metallica, yelling, and Red Lobster.

KENDALL BRAY

Conrade - Kendall Bray is a Sophomore. She is involved in many activities at U-High. She is in band, pit orchestra, Stella Acapella, the varsity soccer team, and is extremely excited to have her first performance in U-High theatre. When she’s not at school, she likes to run, pet her dog, and volunteer at her church. In her future, she hopes to major in science or biology. Kendall is excited to add Much Ado About Nothing to her long list of extracurriculars!

JASPER ZONA

Borachio - Jasper Zona is a Freshman. Along with theatre, he is involved in several social clubs and is soon to be a leader of GSA. He has plans to attend The Evergreen State College and hopes to work in the fields of photojournalism and music. He has performed in madrigals at U-High, and hopes to partake in many more activities during his time in high school. He likes purple on some days and yellow on others. He also enjoys long walks on the beach.

CELESTINO DULEY*

Dogberry - Celestino Duley is the Sophomore class President and is involved in various activities pertaining to the arts. Activities include Madrigal Choir, Jazz Choir, Concert Choir, plays, Shakespeare, musicals, Marching Band, Concert Band, and music composition. He is interested in continuing his involvement in music to hopefully make it a career in the future.

ABBY NADEN*

Verges - Abby Naden is a Junior. Some of her favorite shows include Community Players' Little Women (Amy March), Prairie Fire Theatre’s Secret Garden (Mary Lennox), and U-High's The Addams Family (Grandma Addams). The crew of Much Ado was very excited to finally break out Abby's “Shakespeare” language setting. Abby can usually be found in her charging port in the choir room.

MADISON ROSENBERGER

Sexton - Madison Rosenberger is a Sophomore. She participates in marching band, concert band, choir, soccer, and theatre. When not at school for activities, she enjoys reading books and listening to movie soundtracks. Madison hopes to eventually study something pertaining to the sciences and one day will travel the world.

COLE ZIMMERMAN*

Friar Francis- Cole Zimmerman is the sophomore class secretary. In addition, he is a state-qualifying member of the speech team, varsity member of the scholastic bowl team, and devoted theatre member, among other pursuits. In his five minutes of free time per day, he enjoys playing video games and hanging out in Uptown Normal. He plans to eventually perform stand-up comedy at Radio City Music Hall.

ALYSSA PACHECO*

Balthasar/First Watch - Alyssa Pacheco is a Sophomore who is involved extensively with the choir and theatre programs. She hopes to go into performing professionally and thanks the wonderful production team and costume crew for helping make the show what it is.

ABBY EMBRY

Second Watch- Abby Embry is a Freshman who participates in volleyball and softball. Outside of school and extracurriculars, she likes to read books, spend time with her sisters, and watch movies. She does not know what she plans on doing in the future, but she wants to leave Illinois and travel somewhere much warmer. Abby is very excited for Shakespeare, as it is her first time acting in a play.

AVERY SCHAEFER

Messenger - Avery Schaefer is a Freshman. He plays saxophone for marching band, concert band, jazz band, and is involved with plays, Shakespeare, and musicals. This is his first year doing theatre and he is very excited to continue with it in upcoming years. When Avery is not busy with extracurriculars and piles of homework, he listens to jazz, practices with a private saxophone teacher, plays video games, and practices with theatre scripts he finds anywhere.

ELLIE LANDES*

Production Stage Manager

ZOE MILLER-ZELLER

Production Stage Manager

EMILY HOUSTON*

Assistant Director

JAMES HAN*

Sound Design & Troupe President

TIM MURPHY*

Lighting Design

MADELINE ZIMMERMAN & ANNA GREENFIELD*

Costume Design/Construction

AMELIA MARKERT*

Properties

GABRIEL PFISTER* & RENE MOHAMADI*

Assistant Sound Design

DALTON SPALDING*

Assistant Lighting Design

BAILEY REISER

Choreography

MICHAEL STORY

Assistant to the Director

MR. WEBB

Artistic Director & Troupe Sponsor

University High School Presents

2018-2019 WINTER SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION

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