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Who's Who

Maya Riley

Maya Riley (Cinderella)

Maya is a Nashville native and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her most recent credits include: Macy in The Cake (Nashville Rep), Aida in Aida (Studio Tenn), and various roles in Cymbeline and Gem of the Ocean (Nashville Shakespeare Festival). In NYC, Maya performed at the New Ohio Theatre, Urban Stages Theatre, and the Public Theatre Gala 2019. She studied with Slava Dolgachev (Moscow Art Theatre’s director) and performed Beijing Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in China. She is beyond excited to make her Nashville Children’s Theatre debut! Big love to family and friends who help her feel limitless.

Maya Riley

Maya Riley (Cinderella)

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Maya Riley

Maya Riley (Cinderella)

Maya is a Nashville native and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her most recent credits include: Macy in The Cake (Nashville Rep), Aida in Aida (Studio Tenn), and various roles in Cymbeline and Gem of the Ocean (Nashville Shakespeare Festival). In NYC, Maya performed at the New Ohio Theatre, Urban Stages Theatre, and the Public Theatre Gala 2019. She studied with Slava Dolgachev (Moscow Art Theatre’s director) and performed Beijing Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in China. She is beyond excited to make her Nashville Children’s Theatre debut! Big love to family and friends who help her feel limitless.

James Rudolph II

James Rudolph II (Runka)*

James is so excited to be a part of this intergalactic adventure! A Nashville native himself, James has been on stages all around town and abroad. James grew up coming to this theatre as a child and now passing the magic on as an adult is an honor and a privilege he doesn’t take lightly. He was last seen here keeping Llama awake as his toy Robot in “Llama Llama, Red Pajama”.

Favorite NCT performances include: Lahdalord (James and the Giant Peach), The Cat (Einstein is a Dummy), The Snail (A Year With Frog & Toad), Man In Suit (Dragons Love Tacos), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), and the Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz). In addition to performing, James is working on a degree in music and also runs a cake business, JR’s Cake Company. He would like to thank Ernie for this opportunity, Nikki and Abby for all of their hard work, his folks for their continued love and support, and you for supporting live theatre. You rock. Special thanks to Scot Copeland. Check him out on all things social at @JaydedTheGr8; for cake, @JRsCakeCo.

James Rudolph II

James Rudolph II (Runka)*

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James Rudolph II

James Rudolph II (Runka)*

James is so excited to be a part of this intergalactic adventure! A Nashville native himself, James has been on stages all around town and abroad. James grew up coming to this theatre as a child and now passing the magic on as an adult is an honor and a privilege he doesn’t take lightly. He was last seen here keeping Llama awake as his toy Robot in “Llama Llama, Red Pajama”.

Favorite NCT performances include: Lahdalord (James and the Giant Peach), The Cat (Einstein is a Dummy), The Snail (A Year With Frog & Toad), Man In Suit (Dragons Love Tacos), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), and the Wicked Witch (The Wizard of Oz). In addition to performing, James is working on a degree in music and also runs a cake business, JR’s Cake Company. He would like to thank Ernie for this opportunity, Nikki and Abby for all of their hard work, his folks for their continued love and support, and you for supporting live theatre. You rock. Special thanks to Scot Copeland. Check him out on all things social at @JaydedTheGr8; for cake, @JRsCakeCo.

Sarah Bailey

Sarah Bailey (Lady Zurka)*

Sarah is so excited to be back at NCT! She loved being a part of “The Little Mermaid” and “Auntie Claus,” and adores this cast and crew. When she isn’t singing on stage or in the recording studio, Sarah is an audio engineer, producer, and content creator at Well Wishes Productions. Her award-winning original superhero musical web series, “Incognita’s Infamous Adventures,” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime – go to http://www.incognitaseries.com for more info! Love to Christopher, Cassian and family. Non nobis.

Sarah Bailey

Sarah Bailey (Lady Zurka)*

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Sarah Bailey

Sarah Bailey (Lady Zurka)*

Sarah is so excited to be back at NCT! She loved being a part of “The Little Mermaid” and “Auntie Claus,” and adores this cast and crew. When she isn’t singing on stage or in the recording studio, Sarah is an audio engineer, producer, and content creator at Well Wishes Productions. Her award-winning original superhero musical web series, “Incognita’s Infamous Adventures,” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime – go to http://www.incognitaseries.com for more info! Love to Christopher, Cassian and family. Non nobis.

Meggan Utech

Meggan Utech (Zag)

Hello All! GiGi is always overjoyed to be back at the Children’s Theatre. You may have seen her here as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, or more recently as Sandy Jennifer Cheeks in Sponge Bob the Musical, or maybe way back when she was Ariel’s pink sister in The Little Mermaid. Other credits include Jovie in Elf, and Randy in A Christmas Story at Nashville Rep, as well as Urinetown and Mary Poppins. She loved working at Nashville Shakespeare Company in Romeo and Juliet as the Nurse/Benvolio/Friar. Other beloved roles are Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at the ol’ Chaffin’s Barn. She would like to give her undying love to all who laugh and lose their minds along side her everyday.

Meggan Utech

Meggan Utech (Zag)

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Meggan Utech

Meggan Utech (Zag)

Hello All! GiGi is always overjoyed to be back at the Children’s Theatre. You may have seen her here as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, or more recently as Sandy Jennifer Cheeks in Sponge Bob the Musical, or maybe way back when she was Ariel’s pink sister in The Little Mermaid. Other credits include Jovie in Elf, and Randy in A Christmas Story at Nashville Rep, as well as Urinetown and Mary Poppins. She loved working at Nashville Shakespeare Company in Romeo and Juliet as the Nurse/Benvolio/Friar. Other beloved roles are Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at the ol’ Chaffin’s Barn. She would like to give her undying love to all who laugh and lose their minds along side her everyday.

Jordan Tudor

Jordan Tudor (Zig)

Jordan is thrilled to be back on the NCT stage! She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Roosevelt University and recently received her MFA from The University of Louisville. When not on stage she teaches, plays with her pups, and watches bad reality tv. Favorite roles include: Judy Bernly in 9 to 5, Fifi La Mer in Baby Shark, Phebe in As You Like It, and Ethel Toffelmier in The Music Man.

Jordan Tudor

Jordan Tudor (Zig)

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Jordan Tudor

Jordan Tudor (Zig)

Jordan is thrilled to be back on the NCT stage! She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Roosevelt University and recently received her MFA from The University of Louisville. When not on stage she teaches, plays with her pups, and watches bad reality tv. Favorite roles include: Judy Bernly in 9 to 5, Fifi La Mer in Baby Shark, Phebe in As You Like It, and Ethel Toffelmier in The Music Man.

Gerold Oliver

Gerold Oliver (Prince)*

Gerold Oliver is a Nashville Native and he has been performing for 10 years now! He is very excited to be sharing the stage with an incredibly talented cast!

Gerold Oliver

Gerold Oliver (Prince)*

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Gerold Oliver

Gerold Oliver (Prince)*

Gerold Oliver is a Nashville Native and he has been performing for 10 years now! He is very excited to be sharing the stage with an incredibly talented cast!

Joi Ware

Joi Ware (Prince’s Court)

Joi Ware is a native of Dallas, TX where she began her formal training at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Joi is a graduate of Point Park University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management. In 2019, Joi moved to Nashville to join New Dialect. She has enjoyed being part of Nashville’s tight knit yet growing dance scene as a freelance artist. Joi has created and danced in independent projects with Oz Arts, Apple, CMT, and multiple musical artists. She has also had the pleasure of being part of productions with Bombshell Dance Project, David Flores Productions, and PYDANCE. Joi is so excited to be part of NCT’s production of Hip Hop Cinderella!

Joi Ware

Joi Ware (Prince’s Court)

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Joi Ware

Joi Ware (Prince’s Court)

Joi Ware is a native of Dallas, TX where she began her formal training at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Joi is a graduate of Point Park University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management. In 2019, Joi moved to Nashville to join New Dialect. She has enjoyed being part of Nashville’s tight knit yet growing dance scene as a freelance artist. Joi has created and danced in independent projects with Oz Arts, Apple, CMT, and multiple musical artists. She has also had the pleasure of being part of productions with Bombshell Dance Project, David Flores Productions, and PYDANCE. Joi is so excited to be part of NCT’s production of Hip Hop Cinderella!

Travis Cooper

Travis Cooper (Prince’s Court)

“Even before engaging with formal training, Travis Cooper–also known as Santikaro, meaning “peace-bringing ray of light”–has been in love with movement and dance since he was a child. As a kid, he discovered a passion for the choreographic process, making dances with willing family members. He participated in many years of dance training mainly in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA.
His training and love for dance eventually helped him land a multitude of work dancing on several episodes of “Nashville” (TV) & Cee-lo’s “Forget You”, touring with the late disco queen Donna Summers, industrials for FedEx, assistant choreographer for Just Dance: Kids, assisting choreographers internationally, etc.
While Santikaro is grateful for his thorough training and full career in the dance industry as a dancer and choreographer for music videos, tours, commercials, TV shows, films, dance companies, and industrials, he has spent years learning to integrate those formative experiences into the larger tapestry of living a purposeful, meaningful, authentic life.
Most recently, Travis is approaching the dance and movement classes he offers as a way of holding space for people no matter where they are in their journey, and seeks to provide a rich experience for all that are present in his classes.”

Travis Cooper

Travis Cooper (Prince’s Court)

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Travis Cooper

Travis Cooper (Prince’s Court)

“Even before engaging with formal training, Travis Cooper–also known as Santikaro, meaning “peace-bringing ray of light”–has been in love with movement and dance since he was a child. As a kid, he discovered a passion for the choreographic process, making dances with willing family members. He participated in many years of dance training mainly in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA.
His training and love for dance eventually helped him land a multitude of work dancing on several episodes of “Nashville” (TV) & Cee-lo’s “Forget You”, touring with the late disco queen Donna Summers, industrials for FedEx, assistant choreographer for Just Dance: Kids, assisting choreographers internationally, etc.
While Santikaro is grateful for his thorough training and full career in the dance industry as a dancer and choreographer for music videos, tours, commercials, TV shows, films, dance companies, and industrials, he has spent years learning to integrate those formative experiences into the larger tapestry of living a purposeful, meaningful, authentic life.
Most recently, Travis is approaching the dance and movement classes he offers as a way of holding space for people no matter where they are in their journey, and seeks to provide a rich experience for all that are present in his classes.”

Abby Locke Austin (Show Run Stage Manager, Rehearsal ASM)

Abby earned her BA in Theatre Production and Design from Harding University. She has spent the past three summers as a Production Stage Manager at Stagedoor Manor while training baristas during the year. Her favorite stage management credits include Groundhog Day and BKLYN (Stagedoor Manor), Matilda (Harding University), and Steel Magnolias (Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre). She worked with Nashville Children’s Theatre as a Stage Management Intern in 2018 and is thrilled to return as a staff member for the 2022-2023 season!

Abby Locke Austin (Show Run Stage Manager, Rehearsal ASM)

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Abby Locke Austin (Show Run Stage Manager, Rehearsal ASM)

Abby earned her BA in Theatre Production and Design from Harding University. She has spent the past three summers as a Production Stage Manager at Stagedoor Manor while training baristas during the year. Her favorite stage management credits include Groundhog Day and BKLYN (Stagedoor Manor), Matilda (Harding University), and Steel Magnolias (Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre). She worked with Nashville Children’s Theatre as a Stage Management Intern in 2018 and is thrilled to return as a staff member for the 2022-2023 season!

Nikki Staggs

Nikki Staggs (Rehearsal Stage Manager)

Nikki Staggs is just here for the music and the dancing… she might call a cue or two.

Nikki Staggs

Nikki Staggs (Rehearsal Stage Manager)

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Nikki Staggs

Nikki Staggs (Rehearsal Stage Manager)

Nikki Staggs is just here for the music and the dancing… she might call a cue or two.

Sam Kell

Sam Yawn-Kell (Show Run Asst. Stage Manager)

Sam is a graduate of Lipscomb University with a B.F.A. in Theatre. He works as the Head Electrian for the Nashville Children’s Theatre throughout the course of the season but is excited to get a chance to run the show from backstage this go around. “Much love to my wife, Lo, and all my friends and family!”

Sam Kell

Sam Yawn-Kell (Show Run Asst. Stage Manager)

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Sam Kell

Sam Yawn-Kell (Show Run Asst. Stage Manager)

Sam is a graduate of Lipscomb University with a B.F.A. in Theatre. He works as the Head Electrian for the Nashville Children’s Theatre throughout the course of the season but is excited to get a chance to run the show from backstage this go around. “Much love to my wife, Lo, and all my friends and family!”

Nashville Children’s Theatre is a professional company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association. * Equity Actor

RONA SIDDIQUI - MUSIC & LYRICS

SCOTT ELMEGREEN - BOOK

LINDA CHICHESTER - STORY ADAPTATION

DAVID COFFMAN - STORY ADAPTATION

Design Team

Creative Team

Special Thanks

NCT Staff

Development Associate

Abby Baker

Patron Services Manager

Justin Gunn

Director of Finance

Belinda McSween

Communications Manager

Lake Summar

Director of Production

Rachael Silverman

Drama School Coordinator

Matthew Hayes Hunter

Front of House & Box Office Manager

Bob Roberts

Resident Stage Manager

Abby Austin

Education & Engagement Manager

Jackie Komos

Director of Education

Colin Peterson

Director of Development

Gretchen James

Our Generous Donors

Nashville Children’s Theatre is able to produce quality Theatre and Educational Programs for Children and families in Middle Tennessee because of the following generous donors. We are grateful for your support during the 2022 and 2023 seasons

$50,000 and Above

Amazon

Metro Arts of Nashville

Shubert Foundation

Tennessee Arts Commission

$10,000 to $49,999

Anonymous
Marlene and Spencer Hayes Foundation
HCA Foundation
Memorial Foundation
Trayte, Mark and Grayson Peters
Jim & Lori Shulman
William Morris Endeavor Foundation

$5,000-$9,999

Alliance Bernstein
Linda Chapman
The Danner Foundation
INSBANK
Ingram Charities
Junior League of Nashville
Martha River Ingram Advised Fund
Piedmont Natural Gas
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Nashville Predators Foundation
Vanderbilt Center for Latin American Studies
Elisha and Jeffrey Zander

$1,000-$4,999

Karen and Larry Ahern
Aderibigbe and Hermica Alalade
Charles Avent
Julia Baker
Joy and Leonard Baxt
Clara Belden
Cora and Emma Bonfiglio
Phillip and Lacey Branch
Steven Brown
Amy and Julian Bryant
Kate and Matt Chinn
Tamara and John Ray Clemmons
Ida Cooney Fund for the Arts at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Jamie and Billy Eskind
The Steven and Laurie Eskind Foundation
Kacy and Benjamin Fabie
Allie Schmidt and Charlie Friedman
Jocelyn Freimuth
Dorothy Cate and Thomas F. Frist Foundation
Hello in There Foundation
Ingram Content Group
Laurel Krodel
Jeff Lynch
Elaine Lytle
Amy Pearl
Joe MacCurdy
Joyce McDaniel
Felecia and Jeffery McKissak
Belinda McSween
Hunter Mobley & Bradley Hickman
Perri duGard and Anthony Owens
Andrea and Phil Perri
Amy Pearl
Ryan Peters
The Rich Foundation
Chauncey Saurus
Pam Sheridan
Nancy and Richard Simerly
Annette Sisson & Jimmy Davis
Karesse Small
Marie and Charles Sueing
T & T Family Foundation
Target Corporation
Suzanne and Richard Tatum
Tennessee Theatre Association
Amanda Thorton
Tolbert Marketing and Event
Pecolia and Ryan Tubb
Elizabeth, Kevin Jude & Xavier Warren
James Wade
Washington Foundation
Jayme Yeo
Michael and Alice Yopp

$500-$999

Joy Baxt
Shauna and Sam Billingsley
Ann and Frank Bumstead
Matthew Chambers
Maxine and John Cleeton
W Kirby David and Ann Archer Davis
Katherine and William Edwards
Mandy Floyd
Rusty Holman
David Jones
Karla and Steve Kelso
Carol and Howard Kirshner
Heather Kralj
Laurel Krodel
Millie and Davidson Lentz
Joyce McDaniel
Briana Mullenax
Larry Mullins
Valerie Nagoshiner
Nashville Public Education Foundation
Jason Poling
Judith Roney
Marti and Billy Rosenberg
Anita Slaughter
St. Bernard Academy
Nelda Lee Sturgeon
Cecelia Theobald
Pecolia and Ryan Tubb
Tabitha Tune

$250-$499

Baird Foundation
Juanita Bompart
Holly Brewer
Patrick Butterfield
Laret Casella
Jenny Charles
Luda Davies
Meredith Ezell
Larry & Marcia Mullins
Tracey Doering
Melodee DuBois
Tara Dudley
Micael Scott Evans
Jennifer Faught
Rosemary and Michael Fedele
Ashlye Fleming
Mignon Francois
Barbara Futter
HCA Caring for the Community
Kimberly Honiball
Catherine Horky
Gretchen and Jeremiah James
Nate Kelley
Stacey Lanier
Jess Miller
Anonymous
Holden Mobley
Dawn Nissen
Ellen O’Neale
Paypal Giving Fund
Sandy and Samuel Ramsey
Elena Reinert
Nathan Reybold
Margaret Roark
Pam Sheridan
Kathryn Sinback
Jaime Skinner
Carrie Tessier
Tekla Toohey

$100-$249

Beth Alexander
Kelty Allen
Kennith Allen
Nicole Ballard
Dr. Keisha Bean
Big Sunday
Shannon & Brent Blackwell
Kelly Blount Grimsley
Carolyn Bush
Rachel Byrd
Suzanne and Seth Cooper
Reuben Coopwood
Hanson Cowan
Amy Darrow
Mariwyn Evans
Michael and Deborah Fulcher
Tara and Benjamin Goldberg
Julie Haynes
Dan Hedrick
Mary Ann and Richard James
Mary Ann Jeschor
Douglas Kaplan
Jennifer Kraus
Arun Kuruppumadom
Kathy LaGrow
Monica Loar
Samantha McCaskill
Ann Marie Mikkelsen
Andy Milstead
Holden Mobley
Jason Murrie
William Nelson
Ernest and Florence Nolan
Christopher Osbourn
Douglas Pasto-Crosby
Avery Patton
Lucy Pera
Elena Reinert
Deborah Sanders
Elaine Sasser
Susan Henry Schoenecker
Laine and Houston Slatton Family Fund
Mary Sweat
Lori Tigert
Frances Tipton
Kelly Unger
Mary Vavra
Beth Vessel
Yakov Vorobyev
Amy Ward
Katie and Adam Wayne
Ernestine Wilson
Jason Wolf

Donors as of April 6, 2023. For questions or to become a donor please contact Gretchen James, Director of Development at gjames@nashvillechildrenstheatre.org

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