PLAYBILL
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PLEASANTON YOUTH THEATER COMPANY
rs & e og
Y ou
Hammerst ein ’s
t h E d iti o n
PLEASANTON YOUTH THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Adaptation by Tom Briggs
AM Cast
PM Cast
DIRECTOR Leila Brown
DIRECTOR Mackenzie McDonald
Stage Manager Nadia Brown
Stage Manager Shivansh Bansal
CHOREOGRAPHER Sameeha Soora
CHOREOGRAPHER Ella Thurlow
Vocal Director Sophia Garcia
Vocal Director Ria Patel
leaderS in training
Jasper Riegels, Caydence Lovio
leaderS in training
Lilliana Juan, Patrick Lin
Projections/props/SCENIC ARTIST Light Design costume technician sound design/SCENIC ARTIST Belle Morales Luka Morgan Greta Wogsland Keira Weir RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. www.concordtheatricals.com
DIRECTOR’S NOTE Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has been charming audiences since 1957 when Julie Andrews first played the title role. Since then, many adaptations have been produced, including the 1997 version starring Brandy and the 2013 Broadway revival. I’ll be honest–when given the opportunity to direct this timeless show, I was hesitant. It’s a big show that requires costume changes, magical effects, and technical elements galore. But with the help of my production team and the dedicated students, our show came together in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It still feels effortlessly magical every time I watch it. Last summer, I had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble of a local production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and there’s no denying how much heart this show has. It’s an enchanting story with a lively ensemble and memorable songs. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy. While community is at the heart of this story, I wanted it to be at the heart of our rehearsal process as well. Before we would do a run-through, we began with a simple activity: every person in the room took time to high-five one another. It’s a moment of connection that reminds us that everyone is seen, appreciated, and valued. Whether you’re experiencing this story for the first time or revisiting a beloved classic, we invite you to step into a world where anything is possible. Enjoy the show!
Leila Brown AM Director
DIRECTOR’S NOTE Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella combines the story everyone loves with the golden age of musical theatre to create a product of heart, humor, and timeless storytelling. Throughout the rehearsal process, not only did we emphasize the technique of the golden age of musical theatre and how it contrasts to more contemporary shows, but we also emphasized learning the history of musical theatre and Rodgers and Hammerstein. The actors have committed the last month to producing a show that is funny, genuine, and answers the question, "Why has Cinderella stood the test of time?" This show would not be possible without my amazing team! I would like to thank our tech team, Luka, Kira, Belle, Danny, Phoenix, Liam, and Greta; our wonderful leaders in training, Lilli and Patrick; our stage manager Shivansh; our vocal director Ria; and a very special thanks to our choreographer Ella, who essentially acted as codirector of this show. Enjoy the show, and remember- Impossible things are happening every day!
Mackenzie McDonald PM Director
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ALEX YEE
Butcher, Coach Wheel
She/Her AM Cast
Alex is a 7th grade student at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton. In her spare time she is a competitive swimmer, and she enjoys crocheting and crafting. This is her second production; she was a cast member of 13: The Musical last summer.
AMELIA KIERNAN
First Girl, Never-Danced Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Amelia is 10 years old and excited to be performing in her 12th show with PYTC! Last weekend she performed in Junie B. Jones JR. Favorite roles include Dory in Finding Nemo and Annie in the Magic Treehouse: Knight at Dawn. When not on the Firehouse stage, she is dancing, reading, singing, or hanging out with her friends and family.
ANDREW MILLAR
Town Father, Coachman
He/Him AM Cast
Andrew is a rising seventh grader at Pleasanton Middle School. He once played the role of Hamilton in his fifth grade classroom performance, but Cinderella is his first time on a big stage. He has enjoyed making new friends through this experience. He would like to dedicate his performance to his big sister, Brynn, who inspired him to give musical theater a try.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ARYA KOCIOL
She/Her AM Cast Fruit Vendor, Second Maiden Arya is 10 years old and this is her first center stage performance. She also did Junie B. Jones JR during this summer and has done other shows such as The Addams Family, Aristocats, Aladdin, Seussical, Annie, and more. She hopes you enjoy Cinderella!
CALLIE BECCHETTI Herald
She/Her AM Cast
Callie is so excited to be a part of the Cinderella AM cast. She is A little chaotic but an overall funny and understanding person! Outside of theater Callie enjoys horseback riding, playing soccer, and hanging out with her good friends. She would like to thank Leila for being a director in most of her shows, also her family and friends for supporting her though her acting journey. Callie has played Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, Mowgli in Jungle Book, Pepper in Annie, And Eddie in 13! Callie/Herald says HIII!!
CALLIE TAO
Second Girl, Talkative Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Callie Tao loves acting and has done 8 school plays and performances starting from second grade, 9 if you count this Cinderella. She is 11 years old and going into sixth grade. This is her fourth drama at Firehouse Arts Theater. She loves to read in her free time and likes to sing. She is also a pianist and a volleyball player. Callie's favorite color is pink, and her favorite animal is dolphins. Her favorite food is fried rice, and she also loves pineapple pizza, no matter what other people say.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ELENA ANGUS
Town Mother, Footman
She/Her AM Cast
Elena has loved performing ever since she was little. She has been in many plays including Aladdin, Seussical, Annie, Frozen, and Willy Wonka. In her free time, she enjoys reading, texting her friends, and being her naturally energetic self. She is so excited to perform!
ELLY LUEY
Town Grandma, Godmother
She/Her AM Cast
Elly Luey is a rising 8th grader at Harvest Park Middle School. She has been in multiple PYTC productions including 13 Jr., Xanadu and Matilda. Earlier this year, she was cast as Kelsi in High School Musical for her school production. Elly is also a ballet student at Radiance School of Ballet and she takes piano and singing lessons at the Inspire Academy of Music.
EMERSYN HO
Kid Sister, Staring Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Emmy is an upcoming 5th grader. She likes to sing, read and swim. She’s in a swim team called the Barracudas. Emmy has a mom, dad and sister. This is her first time in a play.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST EMMA ROSE CARBONE She/Her Cheese Steward, Coach Wheel AM Cast
Emma Rose is thrilled to be playing the role of Cheese Steward! She has loved being part of the PYTC family and has previously appeared in Mary Poppins Jr., The Addams Family Kids, Magic Tree House: Knight at Dawn Kids, The Aristocats Kids, Winnie the Pooh Kids, Aladdin Kids, and Seussical Kids. When she is not on stage, you can find her dancing, singing, playing the ukulele, or spending time with friends. Emma Rose is incredibly grateful to her family, friends, and the entire PYTC staff for cheering her on and supporting her every step of her theatrical journey.
EVELYN RO Cinderella
She/Her AM Cast
Evelyn Ro is so excited to be a part of this production! This is her first Center Stage performance and she can not wait! She loves PYTC and the community it brings. Some past shows include Finding Nemo (Gill), Aristocats (Thomas O Malley), and Addams Family (Gomez). When she's not performing you can find her hanging out with family and friends, playing piano, singing, playing volleyball, and reading. Evelyn would like to thank her family and friends for all the love and support, her voice teacher (her voice would be dead if it wasn't for her), the amazing, incredible, staff at PYTC, and ALL her directors that have helped her along this musical journey. She hopes you enjoy the show!
GAZAL SINGH
Dessert Chef, Coach Wheel
She/Her AM Cast
Gazal graduated from Vintage Hills Elementary School this year and will be attending Pleasanton Middle School in the fall. Gazal is a passionate artist who enjoys all forms of creative expression, including singing, acting, playing the piano, and sketching. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she is also a competitive figure skater.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ISHA DEVADASON Mouse, Horse
She/Her AM Cast
Bio
JAI VERMA
Prince Christopher
He/Him AM Cast
Jai Verma is excited to be appearing as the Prince in this summer’s production. At 11 years old, Jai recently graduated from 5th grade at Vintage Hills Elementary and will be entering 6th grade at PMS this fall. This is his third summer workshop at Firehouse. He previously appeared as Jack and the Black Knight in Firehouse’s Magic Tree House productions. When he’s not on stage, Jai enjoys playing sports and building with LEGO bricks. He is grateful to the Firehouse staff for their encouragement and to his family for their love and support. He hopes you enjoy the show!
JOY WANG Mouse, Horse
She/Her AM Cast
Joy is passionate about theater, acting, dancing, and singing. She is thrilled to be part of the Cinderella Youth Show. She is grateful for her amazing teachers who inspire her every day, and for her mom and dad who support her endlessly. She hopes you enjoy the show. When she’s not on stage or in the studio, you’ll find her in the backyard spending time with her seven beloved chickens.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST LOLA MAILE CRANE Sloppy Sister, Clumsy Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Lola is 10 years old, part Italian and Hawaiian and will be starting 6th Grade. Some things about Lola is that she has performed multiple dance styles including baile folklorico, ballet, and salsa. She has participated in various Firehouse Arts classes, improv, audition techniques and now, Cinderella. Her talents include, speaking Spanish, swimming, jiu jitsu and recently began boogie boarding. Some of her favorite foods are spam musubi, pizza, rice, seaweed and watermelon.
MAANVI KONDLE
Mean Sister, Pushy Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Maanvi is so excited to be playing Mean sister/Pushy maiden in the show! Some of her other roles are ensemble in 13 Jr and the cigar mobster in Beetlejuice Jr. she would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her through her theater journey.
MADISON DARE Mouse, Horse
She/Her AM Cast
Madison is an upcoming 8th grader who is excited to perform in yet another show with PYTC. Her past shows include Xanadu Jr (Andrews Sister, Laverne) and 13 Jr (Ensemble). In Madison's free time she enjoys dancing, playing instruments, and spending time with her friends. Madison would like to thank the staff for making this show possible and the whole cast for being so supportive.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST MAGGIE PETIT
Queen Constantina
She/Her AM Cast
Maggie has loved being in Cinderella as the Queen. She has been performing in the summer camps at the Firehouse since she was 7, and has been in Jungle Book Kids and 13 Jr, as well as the Teen Playwrights and Short-Form Improv camps. She is grateful for all the staff at PYTC that have made her summers special.
MAYA KAZKAZ Third Girl, Over-Enthusiastic Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Maya is a 14 year old girl who, in her free time, reads, writes, and plays Minecraft. This is her second show, the first was where she was cast as an ensemble member. This is a role she returns to in Cinderella, specifically playing the 3rd village girl and the over-enthusiastic maiden. Maya is a kind girl who loves to chat with others, granted she doesn’t have her nose buried in a book. She would like to thank her parents for raising her in such a joyful manner, especially her mom for doing all the work when it came to organizing the show. Thank you for reading and please enjoy the show.
MYRA GROVER Portia
She/Her AM Cast
Myra Grover is a bright 10-year-old who’s playing Portia, Cinderella’s not-so-nice stepsister, in the show Cinderella. Ever since she was little, she’s been a big fan of music and theater, and she played Annie in the Magic Tree House: Knight at Dawn, last summer. Besides playing the piano and flute, and dancing, she’s been singing since she was five. She’s also a voracious reader and good at math. Myra also enjoys playing badminton, and she’s starting 6th grade at Harvest Park Middle School this year.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST NAOMI VAN HAEFTEN She/Her Town Daughter, Maiden
AM Cast
Naomi is thrilled to be making her stage debut in Cinderella! She will be going into 5th grade at Valley View Elementary this fall. Outside of theater, she loves drawing and roller derby. She wants to thank her family, friends, and the director for this wonderful opportunity.
NIA DANI
King Maximilian
She/Her AM Cast
Nia makes her musical debut as The King in Cinderella. She plays clarinet for the Amador Valley marching band and enjoys drawing.
SAHANA DOSHI
Joy Bio
Pronouns AM Cast
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST SAHASRA CHERUKURI Stepmother
She/Her AM Cast
Sahasra Cherukuri has played in Xanadu, Stinky Cheese Man, and many others! She personally loves playing the main antagonist in all the plays. Her other hobbies include tennis, reading, singing, and dancing.
SALLY DARE Mouse, Horse
She/Her AM Cast
Sally is so excited to be part of this production of Cinderella! She has previously performed in 13 Jr. and Xanadu Jr. with PYTC. She is also a competitive dancer. In her free time, she likes to read, dance, crochet, and play the piano. She is so thankful for all the staff and all her friends she has made from theater for helping and supporting her! She hopes you enjoy the show!
SOFIA SAPRIZA
First Maiden, Flower Girl
She/Her AM Cast
Sofia is a rising 7th grader at PMS. Some of her hobbies other than Theater are Soccer, Singing, and hanging out with her friends and family. She is very excited to act in Cinderella! Her previous shows were Dinosaurs Before Dark (Mother dinosaur/Tree), Finding Nemo (Crush the turtle), The Aristocats (Abigale Gabble), and Knight At Dawn (Jack). She would like to thank her family (Teresa, Diego, Diegui, Fonchi, and Maria Clara) and her friends for helping her pursue acting.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST TANYA JAIN
Studious Sister, Shy Maiden
She/Her AM Cast
Tanya Jain is the studious sister/shy maiden in the AM cast of Cinderella. She is 11 years old and he favorite color is pink. This is her 7th show at the Firehouse and her second Center Stage show. She will be continuing theater and is auditioning for School of Rock.
VIHAAN SHENOY
He/Him Chef, Little Boy, Coach Wheel AM Cast Vihaan Shenoy is a 12-year old boy who lives in Pleasanton. He loves piano, theater, and learning new languages. This is his first time performing at Firehouse, and his third time being in a theater show.
No Photography or Video Recording Out of respect for the performers and the audience, taking photos or recording videos during the performance is strictly prohibited. It violates our licensing agreement. Flash and screens are distracting. We are recording and taking pictures for you professionally! It’s important to preserve the magic of live theater! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Enjoy!
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST AHANA BHAVNANI
Third Girl, Clumsy Maiden
She/Her PM Cast
Ahana is a person who loves dance and basketball and loves the color purple. Cinderella is her second play.
AMI MANDAL
Kid Sister, Palace Staff
She/Her PM Cast
Ami is 10 years old. This is her second Jr. Show. She was so excited to be Cinderella and making friends along the way. This is her 9th show at the Firehouse and her favorite roles are Molly in Annie Kids and Wednesday in The Addams Family Kids. She had so much fun working with her friends and staff. She hopes you enjoy the show!
AMORA TAKATA
Mean Sister, Girl, Pushy Maiden
She/Her PM Cast
Amora is thrilled to be a part of Cinderella! Recent credits include Mary Poppins (Katie Nana), Beetlejuice Jr (Ensemble), and 13 Jr (Malcolm), to name a few. Amora thanks her family and cats for all their support! Thank you PYTC for an amazing Summer!
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ANANYA KOMMARAJU Godmother
She/Her PM Cast
Ananya Kommaraju is thrilled to be making her PYTC debut as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella! She is an incoming freshman at Foothill High School. When she's not on stage, Ananya enjoys writing and singing. She is grateful to the directors, cast, and crew for making this experience so memorable.
ARIA MULLAPUDY
Town Father, Palace Staff
She/Her PM Cast
Aria likes to play soccer and play with her Golden Retriever named Theo. She also enjoys drawing and watching plays and musicals. Aria really likes to make new friends and thinks that theater has a really good influence on her. She looks forward to going every single day. Aria thinks that theater is really fun and is looking forward to her next play.
Pronouns BEATRICE MILLER Cheese Steward, Townsperson PM Cast Beatrice is going into sixth grade at Hart Middle School. Cinderella is Beatrice’s eleventh show at the Firehouse and she is very excited. Her favorite show was being a Beetlejuice Clone in Beetlejuice. Although, every show she’s done has been such an amazing experience. This is also her first summer show. She hopes to be in many more shows at the Firehouse for years to come.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST CHARLOTTE ROVIRA King Maximilian
She/Her PM Cast
Bio
CHLOE LEUNG
Mouse, Horse, Townsperson
She/Xir PM Cast
Chloe is ecstatic to be part of this production of Cinderella! She has previously performed in the shows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, SpongeBob, Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark, Anastasia, Legally Blonde, 13, Beetlejuice, and Mary Poppins. When she isn't singing and dancing, she enjoys drawing, swimming, gymnastics, and colorguard. Chloe would like to thank the directors and their family and friends for supporting her!
DHWANI SHRIHARI Studious Sister, Girl, Never-Danced Maiden
She/Her PM Cast
Dhwani Shrihari is an actress in this show. She has been featured in many other plays, which are Winnie the Pooh Kids, Dinosaurs Before Dark Kids, Finding Nemo Kids, and The Addams Family Kids. She hopes that everyone who comes to watch Cinderella Youth Edition really enjoys the show and has a good time.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ELLA ZHANG
Mouse, Horse, Townsperson
She/Her PM Cast
Bio
EMI LUCIA JOSEPHINE GARCIA She/Her
Stepmother
PM Cast
Emi is very grateful for another show performed with PYTC and is ecstatic for new shows to come. Emi has performed in Legally Blonde, Beetlejuice, Mary Poppins, and now Cinderella as the evil stepmother in the PM cast. She would like to thank everyone for coming to her performances.
EMILY DU PLOOY Cinderella
She/Her PM Cast
Ever since Emily started theater, she has wished to play the title role. In this production of Cinderella, her dream has come true! Emily has previously performed in five Firehouse Kids plays: Seussical, Aladdin, Winnie the Pooh, The Aristocats, and The Addams Family. Now that she is 10 years old, Cinderella marks her very first Center Stage performance! She would love to continue acting and hopes to one day become a Hollywood star. A fun fact about Emily is that one of her favorite dress-up outfits as a little girl was a Cinderella dress! Emily also loves to dance and is on a competitive team, dancing hip-hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theater. She is thrilled to add waltzing to her repertoire after learning it for this show. To further develop her voice, she has also spent the past year singing in a training choir, which has beautifully elevated her skills. She hopes to take everything she has learned from these wonderful experiences and truly shine on stage!
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST EMILY LINH UNTALAN She/Her Mouse, Horse, Townsperson
PM Cast
Emily is 5th grader at Lydiksen Elementary. She has an older brother and a dog named Riley.
EVANNY MORENO
Dessert Chef, Townsperson
She/Her PM Cast
Bio
GRACE BRUNEL
First Girl, Girl, Shy Maiden
She/Her PM Cast
Grace has been doing dance since she was 7. Her favorite style is lyrical. This past year she was introduced to musical theatre and decided to take a summer class.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Any HARRIETT LEE YOUNG LOPEZ PM Cast Prince Christopher Harriett is a incoming 8th grader at Hart Middle School. They have been in 8 productions at the Firehouse. Her recent experiences include being Eddie in 13 Jr, Maxie Dean in Beetlejuice Jr, and John Northbrooke in Mary Poppins Jr. She is super excited to be in this production of Cinderella as the Prince.
HAYLEY FRYE
Town Mother, Palace Staff
He/Him PM Cast
Bio
ISABELLA OLSEN Portia
She/Her PM Cast
Isabella has been involved with theater for a few years now, she loves the new experiences and friends she makes along the way. Theater has always been a passion for her, combining her favorite activities such as singing and acting. She looks forward to camp every single day during summer, those are the best days for her. Isabella thanks her family for the love and support they have given her all these years.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST ISABELLE PHUNG Butcher, Townsperson
She/Her PM Cast
Isabelle is excited to be part of this production and loves any chance to sing, dance, and perform on stage! When she isn’t in the spotlight, she’s always looking for new ways to challenge herself, learn something new, and have fun with friends. Known for her positive attitude, kind heart, and determination, Isabelle enjoys bringing energy to everything she does and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she has enjoyed being a part of it!
JOAQUIN RAMIREZ Herald
He/Him PM Cast
Joaquin loves Theater, Speculative Evolution, dinos, and Halloween. This is also Joaquin's 10th show at the Firehouse!
KIMAYA SHARMA
She/Her Mouse, Footman, Townsperson PM Cast Kimaya is excited to perform in her very first show! She is so excited to hit the stage as a dancer in Cinderella and share this magical story with the audience. When she is not busy rehearsing, she loves to play lacrosse. Kimaya wants to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST LARA LAVERY Joy
She/Her PM Cast
Lara is thrilled to be performing in Cinderella! She is 12 years old and has previously appeared in Xanadu Jr., Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, Improv Face Off, and many other productions. She loves singing, acting, dancing, and making lasting memories with her castmates. Lara would like to thank her family, friends, directors, crew and everyone who has supported her throughout her theater journey. She hopes you enjoy the show!
LEAH LONG
Mouse, Horse, Townsperson
Pronouns PM Cast
Leah is excited to join the cast of Cinderella for her very first musical! With a background in singing, she eagerly embraced the challenge of bringing this production to life and hopes it’s the first of many. Offstage, Leah loves playing soccer, doing gymnastics, and making the most of every new adventure. She hopes you enjoy the show!
MAYA ESPINOZA
She/Her
Town Daughter, Staring Maiden PM Cast Maya is excited to perform in this rendition of Cinderella. This is her 3rd show and first show here at the Firehouse Arts Center. She moved to Pleasanton a year ago, and she had done one show at Monte Vista in Finding Nemo, where she was ensemble, and another at St Mary’s School in Annie, where she was Annette, one of the servants. She would like to thank the staff for helping her to further her career in musicals and for showing her how much fun theater can be.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST NICO MATHEW
Little Boy, Palace Staff
He/Him PM Cast
Nico is a hip-hop dancer, gymnast and aspiring fashion designer. He loves theatre and has performed since he was 4. Nico loves to spend time with his family - especially with his orange cat, Raspberry. His favorite color is purple.
SAVANNAH OLDHAM Sloppy Sister, Girl, Talkative Maiden
She/Her PM Cast
Savannah is an 11 year old girl who loves to act and swim! She is beginning to find different passions in lots of different things! She has completed two plays and is in progress of her third play Cinderella! She has two big dogs names Tucker and Charlie and she loves them so much! All though she has not been acting very long, she already loves it! Her favorite role was Grandma Addams in The Addams Family! She will be attending Pleasanton Middle School next year!
SIENNA VALENTINA BAPTISTA
She/Her
Second Girl, Girl, Over-Enthusiastic Maiden PM Cast
This is Sienna's first play at the Firehouse Arts Center since moving to Pleasanton earlier this year, and her fourth production overall, following Beetlejuice, Shrek, and Once Upon a One More Time. From a young age, Sienna has been drawn to all things entertainment, whether she's singing, dancing, or performing for family, friends, and anyone willing to watch. Her impromptu acts often feature spot-on impressions, dances made up on the spot, and even a little gymnastics thrown in for good measure. She is thrilled to be joining this talented new group of performers and can't wait to take the stage.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST SOPHIA HENNING Queen Constantina
She/Her PM Cast
Sophia Henning is thrilled to be part of Cinderella: Youth Edition. A dedicated theater performer, Sophia feels most at home on stage and loves the challenge and excitement of bringing characters to life. This marks her eleventh production with PYTC, where she has performed in shows including Mary Poppins Jr., Legally Blonde Jr., Anastasia: Youth Edition, 13 Jr., and Beetlejuice Jr. Sophia is grateful to the directors, choreographers, and vocal coaches who have encouraged her growth as a performer and helped make each production a memorable experience. When she’s not at rehearsal, Sophia enjoys swimming, playing piano, knitting, skiing, reading, and participating in Girl Scouts. She would like to thank her family, friends, and the entire cast and crew for their support, and hopes you enjoy the show!
STARLA SCHOLZ Chef, Townsperson
She/Her PM Cast
Starla Scholz is 11 years old and will be attending Hart Middle School for her sixth grade year. This is her first show and she’s been so excited for it. In her free time, she loves to draw, dance, act, sing, and climb trees. She hopes you enjoy the show!
THANMAY SHRIHARI
Mouse, Coachman, Townsperson
He/Him PM Cast
Thanmay Shrihari is a 12 year old actor who is acting in Rodgers and Hammerstien's Cinderella, and this is his fifth show, for he has done four others in the past, but he is now Center Stage for the first time.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN LEILA BROWN Director
She/Her AM Cast
Leila Brown has been doing shows at the Firehouse Arts Center since the age of 7, and she’s beyond grateful to be able to teach the next generation of artists. She graduated Sonoma State in Fall 2025 with her BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Theatre Arts. She’s pursuing a Master’s in Education and planning to become an elementary school teacher. Her goal is to create an environment where all kiddos feel safe expressing themselves while fostering community. Outside of teaching, she enjoys marketing & social media management, reading, watching Disney movies, and hanging out with her siblings (shout out to Nadia and Noah, who also work at the Firehouse)!
NADIA BROWN
Stage Manager
She/Her AM Cast
Nadia Brown has called the Firehouse Arts Center a second home since she can remember, and is thrilled to be a part of the team at PYTC. She is an alumni of Creatures of Impulse, High School Music Collaborative, and the Cabaret program. Nadia is a senior at the University of San Francisco studying Political Science and Legal Studies.
SAMEEHA SOORA
Choreographer
She/Her AM Cast
Sameeha Soora has lived in Pleasanton her whole life and has always participated in the different programs that the city has offered, from tennis to ceramics. Throughout her life, music has always interested her, especially in films and in theater. She started dancing when she was 5 years old, and the stage has become her second home. This is her 4th year as a part of PYTC and she is so excited to share her passions this summer!
BEHIND THE CURTAIN SOPHIA GARCIA Vocal Director
She/Her AM Cast
Sophia Garcia has been working at the Firehouse for the last three summers. She is an alumni of local teen improv troupe Creatures Of Impulse. She is ecstatic to be the Vocal Director for Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella: Youth Edition. Previous shows Garcia has worked on at the Firehouse include: Addams Family KIDS, The Knight At Dawn KIDS, Legally Blonde Jr., and Finding Nemo KIDS. Performing has been a part of Garcia’s life from a very young age and she is thankful she gets to pass down her passion for the arts to the next generation.
JASPER RIEGELS Leader In Training
He/Him AM Cast
Bio
CAYDENCE LOVIO Leader In Training Bio
She/Her AM Cast
BEHIND THE CURTAIN MACKENZIE MCDONALD She/Her Director
PM Cast
Mackenzie McDonald is a graduate of The Actors Conservatory at Las Positas College and has been working at PYCT since 2022. She has directed over 10 shows including Legally Blonde Jr, 13: The Musical Jr, and Anastasia: Youth Edition. When she is not directing she is performing, you may have seen her in Sense and Sensibility or The Wizard of Oz at Las Positas College. Mackenzie's goal has always been to be an teacher first and make every show an educational experience.
SHIVANSH BANSAL Stage Manager
He/Him PM Cast
Shivansh Bansal is a sophomore at Georgetown University with a deep passion for the arts. He started in film and music during the pandemic, and pivoted to theater a few years ago. Studying business in college, Shivansh works to bring his organizational and planning skills to the Pleasanton Youth Theater Company and help the rest of the team run the show as efficiently as possible. Shivansh's highest priority is to ensure that every kid enjoys their experience at PYTC as much as possible, and he strives to help them build a lifelong love for the arts.
ELLA THURLOW Choreographer
She/Her PM Cast
Ella Thurlow grew up participating in Firehouse’s summer camps and was involved in many of their programs. She is now a senior at Oklahoma City University, earning her Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre! She credits much of her positive experience with theatre to the staff she had, and always hopes to create that positive experience for her students. Ella has had the pleasure of music directing seven shows with PYTC, as well as working on various other camps. This is her first fully choreographed show! When she is not teaching her awesome students, she loves to sing (of course), pick up new instruments, go to the gym, and spend time outdoors!
BEHIND THE CURTAIN RIA PATEL
Vocal Director
She/Her PM Cast
Ria Patel is a vibrant musician and a passionate proponent of the arts. She recently graduated from University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Spanish. Her recent theater credits include Carrie in Carousel, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, and Ensemble in Ragtime. A performer of diverse musical repertoire, Ria also works with organizations such as Choral Audacity and Stockton Soul. With PYTC, Ria has vocal directed for Dinosaurs Before Dark Kids, The Knight at Dawn Kids, Teen Playwrights, and Hadestown. Ria feels extremely lucky to get to foster creativity, connection, and a love for theater in young people and she always strives to create a space for participants to be their most authentic selves.
LILLIANA JUAN Leader In Training
She/Her PM Cast
Lilliana is a rising freshman at Amador Valley High School. As well as helping out with Cinderella, she’s also a part of Mean Girls High School Edition! In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and playing guitar. Thanks to the cast and crew for working so hard to make this show fantastic!
PATRICK LIN
Leader In Training
He/Him PM Cast
Patrick is going into 9th grade at Amador Valley High School. He has had tech experience with several shows before, such as The Knight at Dawn, 13, and Hadestown.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN KEIRA WEIR
Sound Design, Scenic Artist
She/Her Crew
She/They Crew Props, Projections, Scenic Artist
BELLE MORALES
Belle was bit by the performing arts bug at two years old and has loved the stage ever since! A Firehouse native for ten years and a staff member for seven, summer drama camp season is one of Belle’s favorite times of year. Whether they’re teaching, stage managing, in the shop, or backstage in blacks, they always have a blast making each show the best experience they can be. This fall they will be completing their BAs in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at UC Berkeley- but they’ll always come back to work shows at the Firehouse!
GRETA WOGSLAND
Costume Tailor
She/Her Crew
CITY OF PLEASANTON CIVIC ARTS STAFF Library & Recreation Coordinator.....................................................Jeff Zavattero Theater Supervisor..................................................................................Julian Mireles Theater Technicians.............................................Matthew Roberts, Mike Roberts Program Assistant - Theater.................................................................Luka Morgan Civic Arts Manager...................................................................................Rachel Prater Library & Recreation Assistant Director............................................Lia Bushong Director of Library & Recreation......................................................Heidi Murphy Firehouse Front of Office Staff.........................Denise McGrory, Terry Snyder Program Assistant - Gallery Curator..................................................Sydney Tang
CITY OF PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL Mayor..................................................................................................................Jack Balch Vice Mayor........................................................................................................Jeff Nibert Councilmember..........................................................................................Craig Eicher Councilmember..............................................................................................Julie Testa Councilmember...........................................................................................Matt Gaidos City Manager...........................................................................................Gerry Beaudin
CITY OF PLEASANTON CIVIC ARTS COMMISSION Member......................................................................................Jeanne Farley-Rodgers Member..............................................................................................................Dana Frey Member.....................................................................................................Anne Giancola Member..........................................................................................Mary Ann Simmons Member........................................................................................................Huiling Song Member.......................................................................................................John Baiocchi Member.....................................................................................Janice Coleman-Knight Member..............................................................................................................Jamie Yee Member.........................................................................................................Warren Lam
About us
P
leasanton Youth Theatre Company is an in-house theatre program for youth run by The City of Pleasanton. Though we’ve been putting on productions for several years, 2019 marked the first year that we started to run year-round shows and theatre programming in-house! Our programs offer an enriching and inclusive experience for young performers to explore the magical world of theater. Tailored to various age groups, our programs provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and teenagers to develop their acting skills, build confidence, and foster a love for the performing arts. Led by experienced theater professionals, our instructors guide participants through a range of theater techniques, including improvisation, character development, voice projection, stage movement, and script analysis. Through engaging workshops, rehearsals, and performances, students learn the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication. Our programs also emphasize creativity and self-expression, allowing young performers to explore their artistic potential and discover their unique voices. Additionally, our youth theater programs provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents in front of supportive audiences, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride. Whether participants aspire to pursue a career in theater or simply want to explore their creativity, our youth theater programs create a vibrant and inclusive community where young performers can grow, learn, and create unforgettable memories. Join us and unleash your inner star on the theatrical stage!
Past Shows
13 JR (2025)
Knight at Dawn KIDS (2025)
School of Rock (2017)
Anastasia Youth Edition (2024)
Shrek JR (2019)
Aristocats KIDS (2025)
Hadestown Teen Edition (2025)
Spamalot (2023)
Frozen JR (2019)
Four Mystery Shows Coming Summer 2027 TBA August 2026