A Monster Calls Program

Director’s Note

“Stories are important. Stories can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.”

Patrick Ness

First published in 2011, A Monster Calls, written by Patrick Ness, became a critically acclaimed, bestselling novel among children and adults alike. It garnered huge success, including an unprecedented double win of the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals for outstanding children’s literature and illustration. It was then adapted into a movie in 2016, featuring Liam Neeson as the Monster’s voice. In 2018, the play was published and first produced by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, transferring to The Old Vic in London, where it won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family. Today’s production is brought to the stage in a powerful new adaptation by Belmont University’s Department of Theatre and Dance as part of their 2025-26 Production Season.

A Monster Calls tells the story of thirteen-year-old Conor and his Mum, who have managed on their own since his dad moved to America. But now his Mum’s very sick and is getting worse, his Grandma won’t stop interfering, and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye. Then, one night, at seven minutes past midnight, Conor is woken by something at his window. A Monster has come walking. It’s come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.

Live theatre provides a safe space to explore difficult issues with imagination and creativity. It invites us to experience joy and sorrow side-by-side, mirroring life’s complexity and contradictions much like the themes found in A Monster Calls. What you will experience today reflects the culmination of hard work, dedication, and determination demonstrated by our students. My heart is full of gratitude for their creativity, imagination, collaborative spirit, and generosity. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and have grown together to bring you a performance that I believe offers a moving exploration of love, loss, life, and healing. We hope you enjoy the show!

Artistic and Management Team

Director:BrentMaddox

AssistantDirector:NicoletteManrique

Stage Manger

Claire Shipman

Technical Director

Jerry Stratton

Scenic Design

Paul Gatrell

Sound Design

Michael Gualtieri

Costume Design

Jessica Mueller

Props Design

Daniella Flom

Projection Design

Zavier Taylor

Dramaturg

Ayden Sharp

IntimacyDirector & Fight Choreographer

Jason Spelbring

Aerial Training and Consultant

Yuki Block

Assistant Stage Manger

Alexandra Anglim

Lighting Design

Amber Whatley

Assisant Scenic Design

Rainey Fellows

Assistant Sound Design

Jesse McIntyre

Assitant Costume Design

EmilyAnderson

Assitant Props Design

Kalyn Dickey

Assitant Projection Design

Virginia Hirsch

Movement Consultant

Alyssa Maddox

Movement Coaches and Choreographers

BrittanyReese and Kristen Ladd

Dialect Coach

Dr. Jane Duncan

Trigger & Content Warning

A Monster Calls stage play includes critical trigger and content warnings for themes of terminal illness,

performance features intense emotional scenes, physical violence, loud music, strobe lighting, and smoke effects.

Meet the Cast!

Cast Bios

JOSIAHMARTINEZ(Conor)isaSophomoreB.F.A.PerformanceandDirectingdouble emphasisstudenthereatBelmontUniversity.HisotherBelmontcreditsincludeTybalt inRomeoandJuliet,Dr.Hern,Byron,andManinTentinTheBookstore,andThe ProfessorinadirectingprojectpresentationofTheLesson.Heisexcitedtopresentyou withthispowerfulstory,andhopesyouenjoytheshow.

CAMDENDAIKER(Monster)isasophomorecurrentlypursuingaB.F.A.degreein TheatrePerformanceatBelmontUniversity.Someofhisactingcreditsinclude: Jamie/AlsoJamieinTheBookstore,RomeoinRomeo&Juliet,JohninLadyinWaiting (AStagedReading),EnsembleinSparkofResistance(Devised),CalluminTheAttic,and JeaninMissJulie.Inadditiontoacting,Camdenhasfoundaloveforplaywriting.One ofhisfull-lengthplays,FRAGMENTS,willbeputonasastagedreadingonApril28that theTrouttTheater.CamdenisveryexcitedtogettoshareAMonsterCallswiththis amazingcastandcrew.

PAIGEHARDY(Mum/Ensemble)iscurrentlyajuniorintheBFATheatrePerformance programwithaminorineducation.SomeofPaige'sfavoriterolesatBelmonthave includedSandraandAnnieswinginThePlayThatGoesWrong,MissBlakeUnderstudy inBlueStockings,AggieandMadgeswinginTheGamesAfoot,HeleninTheAttic,Lady MontagueinRomeoandJuliet,andRachelinTheBookstore.Shecurrentlyactsas presidentofBelmont’sAlphaPsiOmegachapter.

CATHERINEMOORE(Grandma/Ensemble)isaseniorpursuingaBFAinTheatre Performance.SomeofherotherrolesatBelmontincludeMercutioinRomeoand Juliet,InspectorGoringinTheGame’sAfoot,Ensemble/SwinginTomJones,andMiss. BottU/SinBlueStockings.Additionally,sheassistsinstudentdirectedstageandfilm projects,andwritesandperformssketchcomedyandimprovisationforBelmont’s comedygroup,FallFollies.Lastspring,Catherinecompletedasemestercoursestudy atLondonAcademyofMusicandDramaticArts(LAMDA),furtherexpandingand developingherknowledgeandappreciationoutsideofBelmont’sDepartmentof TheatreandDance.Sheisluckytoshareherlastcollegeshowwithsuchatalentedand givinggroupofpeople.

ELIMOORE(Mr.Marl/Dad/Ensemble)isaseniorcurrentlypursuinghisB.F.A.inTheatre PerformanceatBelmontUniversity.Hiscreditsinclude:VariousRolesin4a.m.,Charles WallaceandReader7inAWrinkleinTime,BlifilinTomJones,RichardHannayinThe39 Steps,BenvolioinRomeoandJuliet,RyanandMilesinTheBookstore,andMr.MarlandDad inAMonsterCalls.Elihasalsoperformed(andwritten)sketchcomedyandtrainedinimprov withFallFolliesatBelmont.Whenhe’snotonstage,youcanfindhimplayingDungeonsand Dragonsorreadingfantasybooks.

ZEBEECARNAHANZebeeCarnahan(Harry/Ensemble)isasophomorecurrentlypursuinga B.F.A.inTheatrePerformanceatBelmontUniversity.Someofhisrecentcreditsinclude: SimonBrightinTheGame’sAfoot(BelmontUniversity);SveninTheBookstore(Belmont University);VariousrolesinASmallPartoftheInterestingStory(BelmontUniversity);Harry theHorseinGuysandDolls(CYTNashville).Zebeeisincrediblygratefultobeapartofthis production.Hewouldliketothankhisfamily,fellowcastmembers,andcrewfortheir constantsupport.Hehopesyouenjoytheshow!

BRIANNANOLAN(Sully/Ensemble/LilyU/S)isasenioratBelmontUniversityintheBFA TheatrePerformanceprogram.Somepreviouscreditsinclude:Ensembleinadevisedpiece ofAnneofGreenGablesandMarillaofGreenGables(RoyalFamilyTheatre).MeganinPuffs, MarthaCoxinHighSchoolMusical,andAliceinMatildaallperformedatherhighschoolSt. Paul’sSchoolforGirls.Shehasalsoperformedinseveralstudentdirectingscenes throughouthertimeatBelmont.SheisapartoftheAlphaPsiOmegachapteratBelmont andstudiedabroadlastspringattheLondonAcademyofMusicandDramaticArts.Sheis beyondgratefultogettobeinherfinalshowatBelmontwiththisamazingcastandcrew.

DANNYMANTEL(Anton/Ensemble,MonsterU/S)Creditsinclude:Toad,AYearwithFrog andToad;Felix/SimonSwing,AGamesAfoot(BelmontUniversity);TheBaker,IntoThe Woods;Davey,Newsies;Motel,FiddlerontheRoof;Juror#4,12AngryMen(Wheaton Academy).DannyisaFreshmanatBelmontpursuingaBachelorofFineArtswithan emphasisinTheaterPerformance.HeisalsocurrentlyinvolvedinRepcoandperforming BillytheKidMakesItBig,anoriginalshowbasedoffofDollyParton’schildren'sbook.Heand hisfellowcastmembershavebeentouringtheshowacrossdifferentschoolsinthe NashvilleareaandwillbehavingtheirfarewellperformanceintheTroutonApril25th! DannyisbeyondthankfultobeinvolvedinAMonsterCallsandtobeabletotellabeautiful storywithhiscastandcrew!

SADIEHOLSTEN(Lily/Ensemble)isafreshmanatBelmontUniversitypursuingaB.F.A.inTheatre PerformancewithaminorinBusinessMarketing.RecentBelmontcreditsincludeMayinLastTrainto Nibroc,BethinaclassprojectpresentationofJohnProctorIstheVillain,andMollyinascenefrom TheMousetrap.Sheisthrilledtobepartofthismainstageproductionandgratefultosharethestage withsuchalovingandtalentedcastandcreativeteam.

MARGARETSTEAKLEY(MissGodfrey/Nurse/Ensemble/MomandGrandmaU/S)Recentcreditsat BelmontincludeBird/MouseinAYearwithFrogandToad,Ensemble/Juliet(U/S)inRomeoandJuliet, andLadyTorminsterinTheOpenDoor.AdditionalcreditsincludeEponineinLesMisérables,MimiinA ComedyofTenors,andMollyinPeterandtheStarcatcheratMidwayHighSchool.Margaretisa SophomoreatBelmontpursuingaBFAinTheatrePerformance.

ASHLYNNBOYLE(Swing/Ensemble/Ms.GodfreyUS)isaSophomorepursuingaBFAinTheatre Performance.HerotherBelmontcreditsincludeWatchmaninRomeoandJulietandisaSwing/Stage ManagerforBelmont’sRepertoryCompany(RepCo).ShealsoparticipatedinBelmontCurtainsUp’s productionofRidetheCyclone,wheresheplayedJaneDoe.Sheissoexcitedandgratefultobeapart ofsuchanamazingshowwithanoutstandingcast,crew,andcreativeteam.

PEYTONGREEN(Ensemble/USSully)isasophomorecurrentlypursuingherBFAinTheatre PerformanceatBelmontUniversity.Hercreditsinclude:workingonstudentdirectedscenesas TheresainBoyGetsGirl,andEvelyninTheShapeofThings.Peytonisveryexcitedtobeapartofher firstmainstageproductionatBelmontandsharethisexperiencewithsuchanoutstandingcastand crew.

XANDERKLINE(Ensemble/USHarry,Dad,Mr.Marl,andAnton)Creditsinclude:Sampson,Romeoand Juliet(BelmontUniversity)Darcy/Mr.Bingley/MarySwing,PrideandPrejudice(Belmont University/NashvilleShakespeareFestival);U/sforGillette,TheGame'sAfoot(BelmontUniversity); William,AsYouLikeIt(NashvilleShakespeareFestival).XanderisinhissecondyearatBelmont University,andheisworkingtowardaB.F.A.inTheatrePerformanceandDirecting.

Production Team Bios

CLAIRESHIPMAN(StageManager)isasenior,abouttograduatewithherBFAinTheatreanda dualemphasisinPerformance/Directing.Recentdirectingcreditsinclude:LastTrainto Nibroc,Director(BelmontUniversitySeniorCapstone);RomeoandJuliet,AssistantDirector (BelmontUniversity);SparkofResistance,adevisedpiece(BelmontDirectingIIStudio); scenesfromTheLesson(BelmontDirectingIIStudio);andSuppressedDesires(Belmont JuniorShortPlay).Nextup,shewillbeassistantdirectingShrekTheMusicalatSt.Croix FestivalTheatreinWisconsin.

ALEXANDRAANGLIM(AssistantStageManager)isajuniorworkingtowardherBFAinTheatre withadualemphasisinPerformance/Directing.Recentdirecting/actingcreditsinclude: RomeoandJuliet,ThePrince(BelmontUniversity);ExtinguishingofaSpark,adevisedpiece (BelmontDirectingIIStudio);scenesfromTheLesson(BelmontDirectingIIStudio);andAre YouWatchingMe?(BelmontJuniorShortPlay).Nextup,shewillbedirectinghersenior capstone,TheWomeninBlack,openinginSeptember.

RAINEYFELLOWS(AssistantScenicDesigner)isaFreshmanTechnicalTheaterProduction DesignmajorworkingtowardsherBFA.RecentcreditsincludeLastTraintoNibroc,Lighting Coordinator(BelmontUniversity)andFall2025JuniorShortPlays,SetandPropsCoordinator (BelmontUniversity).Sheissogratefultogettoworkwithsuchanamazingcastandcrewand hopesyouenjoytheshow!

MICHAELGUALTIERI(SoundDesigner)isproudtobeapartofhisfinalBelmontshow.He’s currentlyaSongwriting/TheatreandDramadoublemajorandisthrilledtosounddesigna projectofthisscaleforthefirsttime.Hewantstothankhisfriendsandfamilyforsupporting hishardwork.He’dalsoliketoextendaspecialthankyoutoBelmontalumniNoraJonesfor reignitinghispassionfortheatricalart.Michael’sfavoritecreditsinclude:DamoninOneStep AtaTime(QuaverEd),RobertinProof(BelmontSeniorCapstone),andRickyinRidethe Cyclone(CurtainsUp!BelmontUniversity).

JESSICAMUELLER(CostumeDesigner)isanaward‑winningcostumedesignerbasedin Nashville,TN.Herdesignsbalancestrongresearchwithexpressivestorytellingandhavebeen featuredinclassical,contemporary,anddevisedworks.SelectcreditsincludePagliacci (NashvilleOpera),Carmen(NashvilleOpera),PeterandtheStarcatcher(BelmontUniversity), AntonyandCleopatra(NashvilleShakespeareFestival),andHeddaGabler(ActorsBridge), andStuckElevator(NashvilleOperaandOperaHawaii).MuellerholdsaBAinTheatrefromthe UniversityofNorthernColoradoandanMFAinCostumeDesignfromtheUniversityof California,Irvine PriortoherworkatBelmont,shewasaprofessionalcostumerinLosAngeles, supportingdesignersonmajorperiodfilmandtelevisionproductionsincludingMadMen, BoardwalkEmpire,andTheHungerGames.SheisamemberoftheCostumeSocietyof America,USITT,andOISTAT.

EMILYANDERSON(AssistantCostumeDesigner)isafreshmanTheatreProductionDesign majorworkingtowardsherBFA.ShehashadthehonorofworkingonLastTraintoNibroc, SoundCoordinator(BelmontUniversity);andFall2025JuniorShortPlays,LightCoordinator (BelmontUniversity).Sheissothankfulforthewonderfulcastandcrewonthisproduction andlooksforwardtohercontinuedtimeatBelmont.ToGodbealltheglory!

DANIELLAFLOM(PropsDesigner)isaJuniorTheatreEducationmajor,andsheissogratefulto havehadtheopportunitytotakeonadesignroleforthefirsttime.Herrecentperformance creditsincludeNurse/RomeoandJuliet(BelmontUniversity)andEnsemble/SweeneyTodd (TheNaplesPlayers),andshedirectedaproductionofRidetheCyclonewithCurtainsUp! BelmontUniversityinthefall.DaniellawouldliketothanktheBelmonttheatrefacultyandher friendsandfamilyforalltheirsupportasshepursueswhatsheloves.Enjoytheshow!

JASONSPELBRING(FightChoreographer/IntimacyDirector)isagraduateofthetwo-year professionalactortrainingprogramatPacificConservatoryTheatre(PCPA)andholdsaBFA fromWebsterUniversityConservatoryofTheatreArtsandanMFAfromUCIrvine.Spelbringis aproudmemberofActors’EquityAssociationandStageDirectorsandChoreographers Society.DirectingcreditsincludetheLincolnCenterTheatrenationaltourofMyFairLady (assistantdirector);Amadeus,ClevelandPlayHouse(movement,intimacy,&fightdirector);An Iliad(director),RomeoandJuliet(director),Pericles(movementdirector),HenryVIII,The Winter’sTale,MuchAdoAboutNothing,TheTamingoftheShrew,AGentleman'sGuideto LoveandMurder(intimacy&fightdirector),UtahShakespeareFestival;Macbeth(fight director),LyricRepertoryCompany;SundayintheParkwithGeorge(director),Nashville RepertoryTheatre.EducationaldirectingcreditsincludeIllyria,UniversityofUtah;Twelfth Night,WebsterUniversityConservatoryofTheaterArts;TwelfthNight,UtahStateUniversity; PrideandPrejudice,BelmontUniversity.

BRITREESE(Choreographer)isamulti-disciplinarytheatreartist.Sheispassionateabout movementanddevisedwork,andparticularlyenjoysseeingnewprojectsgrowfrominitial ideasintofullproductions.RecentcreditsincludeLivingintheLight(Playwright,Director),The Aviator(Playwright,Director),Hamlet:Devised(MovementDirector),AStoryofThings (MovementDirector),andPeterandtheStarcatcher(GuestChoreographer).

Production Crew

House & Box Coordinator...............................................Erin Grace Bailey

Assistant Box Office Manager.....................................................Hazel Roy

House Manager...........................................................................Gracie Gaile

Assistant House Manager.........................................................Mia Powers

Costume Shop Manager.....................................................Jessica Mueller

Wardrobe Supervisor................................................................EmilyMiller

Light Board Op...........................................................................Mim Strahan

Sound & Projection Board Op........................................Quinn Holtzman

Luke Bowman

Joshua Boyd

Pre Production Crew

Scenic

Sophie Buchmeier

Zariya Foster

Kiley Hetzel

Caroline Morris

Carter Stammel

Elizabeth Thompson

Luke Adamson

Dakotah Berk

Blake Gatlin

Jesse McIntyre

Amy Holloran Morgan Hatfield

Devin Hendricks Tessa Melton

Vhian Murphy Thatcher Palsley

Sophia Tang Alexander Templeton

Addison Tingle Emma Vega

Lighting

Spencer Altman Sylvia Ardon

Shiloh Branson Tucker Eskew

Molly Haggerty Anil Kumar

Jeremiah McPherson Kuzey Palmer

Anna Peters Bankhou

Pre Production Crew

Alaylah Akins

Gentry Anne Hollis

Props

Genevive Bevelle

Nick Galenkamp

Zachary Ligason Kamaria McGinn

Sarah Memmo Jay Robinson Molly Ryan

John Walters Bukhart

Alayna Wilburn

Costumes

Emery Crowder Teagan Dye Paris Garrett

Kaitlyn Rech

Tanner Richardson Evelyn Rizzo

Rylee Taylor

SPECIAL THANKS

DR. STEPHEN EAVES, DEAN

COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS

FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AT BELMONT

CHELSEA LOMARTIRE

FLYNASH

MATT LOGAN

SEAN MARTIN

BELMONT UNIVERSITY’S MEDICAL SCHOOL

ERIN GRACE BAILEY

BELMONT’S PROP MASTER GENERALS

ALIX BROWN, SUMMER CLARK, KEIRA MAUPIN, KAMARIA MCGINN, BERKELEY MOORE, & JULIA ORR

MIXED BILL XXII: PIECES OF LIGHT

DIRECTED BY: DEBBIE BELUE

APRIL 17 - 19

TROUTT THEATRE