ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE
As The Sarasota Players steps into an exciting new chapter, we find ourselves at a powerful moment of reflection and possibility. With new leadership and an energized Board of Trustees who bring both deep roots and fresh perspective, we are standing at the threshold of a renewed vision, one that honors our past while boldly shaping our future. As Artistic Director, I am incredibly proud and excited to help guide this next era as we move toward an extraordinary milestone: 100 years as Sarasota’s oldest theatre.
Our focus is clear. We are committed to strengthening our mission and investing in what has always made The Sarasota Players special. At our heart, we are not simply a building or a stage, we are a community. A community of artists, students, educators, volunteers, audiences, and supporters who believe in the power of storytelling and the transformative impact of theatre and theatre education It is this shared passion that has carried us through decades of change and continues to propel us forward.
This season reflects that belief. It is rooted in connection, creativity, and courage, celebrating voices both familiar and new, honoring tradition while embracing innovation, and creating space for learning, growth, and joy. Whether you are joining us as a lifelong patron or stepping into our theatre for the very first time, you are an essential part of this story.
We are playing on. We are building toward the future with intention and heart. And as we return for our third act, we do so together, grateful for where we’ve been, inspired by where we’re going, and ready to continue telling stories that bring us closer, challenge us, and remind us why live theatre matters.
Thayer Greenberg Managing Artistic Director
The Sarasota Players
Book Developed by Disney Theatrical Group
Music Adapted and Arranged by Patrick Sulken
Orchestrations by Patrick Sulken
Additional Vocal Arrangements by Britt Bonney
With songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Howard Ashman, Frank Churchill, Phil Collins, Mack David, Mikkel Eriksen, Sia Furler, Terry Gilkyson, Leigh Harline, Tor Hermansen, Al Hoffman, Elton John, Philip Lawrence, Jerry Livingston, Robert Lopez, Alan Menken, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Larry Morey, Davy Nathan, Randy Newman, Tim Rice, Stephen Schwartz, Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Glenn Slater, Ned Washington, David Zippel
Additional Orchestrations by Connor Keelan, Scott Wasserman
Special Thanks
Aron Accurso, Madeline Benson, Will Van Dyke, David Weinstein
Music and songs from the films “Pinocchio” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by special arrangement with Bourne Co
Disney's Dare to Dream JR
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
(#p) 212-541-4684
(#f) 212-397-4684
wwwMTIShows com
BIOS
Irene Bailey is a sophomore in VPA Dance & AICE at Booker High School. She is so excited to be performing here as her 6th show at The Players Studio. You may have seen her in Metamorphoses (Narrator), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Grimsby), Honk Jr. (Bullfrog), and countless other roles. In addition to theatre, Irene has been seen in multiple dance shows & recitals such as Elements, In Progress, Light & Shadow, and Spring Forward. She is so grateful to be a part of this cast and would like to thank Lacy, Thayer & Franki for giving her this amazing opportunity, her cast members for the endless support and love, and her family for encouraging her passion for performing. She hopes you all are inspired after this show to keep pursuing your dreams, no matter how big or small they may seem. And with that, enjoy the show!
Harper Barleycorn is a 2 grader at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, and she previously participated in her school’s productions of The Lion King Jr. and Space Pirates! When she is not acting, Harper loves to swim, sing, play drums, and do cartwheels all over the place. She is excited to make her Players Studio debut in Dare to Dream Jr.
Josie Batty is in 5th grade at Pine View Elementary She is excited to return to The Players Studio in Dare to Dream Jr.! Josie just performed as Amaryllis in the Sarasota High School production of The Music Man, alongside her big brother. In her spare time, Josie likes to hang out with her friends. She would like to ank her family for their support.
Logan Bevill is a 5th grade homeschooler. His favorite activity is theater, but he is also into coding and Boy Scouts. He has performed with The Players Studio in James and the Giant Peach Jr., Matilda Jr., Finding Nemo Jr , and, most recently, played Tootles the lost boy in Peter Pan Jr. He would like to say hi to his brother, Luke, and Charlie.
Zoë Buller is a 7 grader who has loved performing for family and friends since she could walk and talk. She has appeared in several productions, including 13 Jr., Honk! Jr., Frozen Jr., and Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion. Zoë especially enjoys singing and bringing characters to life on stage. Zoë loves singing, dancing, acting, and playing electric guitar. Zoë would like to thank her family for their support, and would also like to thank Kenzie (her friend) for teaching her how to play guitar!
Iuliana Cheblukova is a 6 grade student at Sarasota Middle School and has already shown great promise in theatrical productions. During her time at school, she has participated in several performances and truly enjoys being on stage. She played the role of a brave girl in the production of Peter Pan and Wendy, where she demonstrated that she is a bright and confident actress a true “brave girl ” In her free time, Iuliana enjoys developing her creative skills and exploring new roles. Iuliana would like to thank her family for their support, as well as her friends and fellow cast members for their inspiration and great teamwork.
Petra Chop is a 6 grader at Nolan Middle and recently has been seen in Annie as July. Petra loves to sing, dance, and spend time with her friends. She would like to thank her family, the cast of this production, and the directors. th
Elsin Cunningham is a 5 -grade student at Bay Haven and has been a student at FST and The Players Studio She has performed in The Lion King, Seussical the Musical, and Space Pirates. She loves to be on stage and enjoys drawing and karate. Elsin would like to thank her family, friends, fellow cast members, and teachers for their support.
Maya Dictor is finishing up their 4 grade year at Bay Haven They have performed as King Triton in The Little Mermaid Jr. and Cecco in Peter Pan Jr. When not acting, Maya uses polymer clay and stickers to share their artistic character creations with the world. They would like to thank their friends and family for this opportunity.
Rainbow Dictor is a 1 Grader at Tuttle Elementary. This is her first show with The Players Studio! She loves drawing, exploring nature, and making friends. Rainbow wants to thank her family and friends for their support! st
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Valerie Forehand-Jones is a 7 grader at Manatee School for the Arts and has performed in several productions in recent years. Most recently, she was seen as Ms. Sherman in the musical Fame Jr., produced by her school. Valerie loves singing and spends a lot of her time listening to music. Valerie would like to thank her friends and family for always standing by her side, and her teachers for making her the performer she is today.
ari Gilliland is so excited to be a part of Dare to Dream Jr.! This is her first production with The Players Studio. She would like to thank her family, castmates, and her directors for making this production so much fun!
Brisa Granillo-Leon is a sophomore at Booker High School, where she has been seen in a few productions. This year, she was seen playing Maddie in LOVE/SICK. Brisa loves acting and is part of the theatre program. Brisa would like to thank her family for their support, and give a thank you to Irene for telling her to do Dare to Dream Jr.!
Myla Hernandez is excited to be performing in her fourth production! She previously starred as Marlin in Finding Nemo Jr. and has also appeared in Honk and The Lightning Thief. Myla is a 6 grader, and this is her second year performing with The Players Studio, where she continues to grow her love for the stage. She would like to thank her fellow castmates and directors for this incredible opportunity and for making every show such a fun and memorable experience! th
Luna Holcomb was most recently seen in Peter Pan Jr. as Tinkerbell. Her other credits include Honk! Jr (Froglet) and Finding Nemo Jr. (Pearl). When not on stage, she likes to teach people how important the creepy crawlies are to our Earth. Next time you see a bug somewhere you don’t want it to be - don’t squish it, relocate it! She would like to thank her friends and family for their support. “Enjoy the show and let it go!”
Molly Knispel is proud to be back on The Players Studio stage. She was last seen playing Katie Gardner in The Lightning Thief Jr. Other previous roles include Wilbur (Charlotte’s Web), Scuttle (The Little Mermaid Jr ), and Jaybird (Honk! Jr ) Molly is a member of The Players Studio student board and an active member of her school choir. She would like to thank Miss Thayer, Miss Frankie, and her mom, Ms. Lacey. She also would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.
Adelyanna Mercado is a 6 grade student at Rowlett Middle Academy. She is making her exciting stage debut in this production. She has a deep love for the arts and took dance for three years at Major Production Studio of Dance. In addition to dance, she plays the flute and has been singing at church since she was very young, nurturing her passion for music and performance. Outside of the stage, Adelyanna is an active Girl Scout who enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, and giving back to her community. She is thrilled to be part of her first production and looks forward to continuing her journey in the performing arts. th
Alice Mills is overjoyed to be in the cast of Dare to Dream Jr.! You might have seen Alice as Mr. D/Ares in The Lightning Thief Jr., Archie in 13 Jr., Mysterious Person in the JTF team of Into the Woods, Jr., and Drake in Honk! Jr. Alice is an active 8 grade VPA student at Booker Middle who has just finished playing Caractacus Potts in the performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. at BMS. Huge thanks to Ms. Thayer and Ms. Lacey for their trust and encouragement, and to Mom, Dad, and very weird brother, Henry, for their support. th
Dillon O’Callaghan is thrilled to be playing Player 3 in Dare to Dream Jr.! Dillon is a freshman at The Out-ofDoor Academy and has been seen in Frozen Jr. (Kristoff), Alice in Wonderland (Dormouse), Spelling Bee (Chip), Curtains (Randy), Shrek the Musical (Little Pig 1), and Mamma Mia! (Ensemble) there. Dillon has also been seen in many productions at The Players, most recently in Honk! The Musical (Ugly), 13: The Musical (Evan), Into the Woods Jr. (Rapunzel’s Prince), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Flounder - JTF, Prince Eric), Matilda the Musical (Bruce), Les Misérables (Joly), and many more. Dillon was also awarded the All-Star award at JTF back in January for his performance in Into the Woods Jr. Dillon would like to thank Thayer, Franki, and Lacey for all of their support.
Charlotte Patel loves to sing and dance at home with her sisters and is so excited to be joining The Players Studio Outside of theater, she participates in math club, loves her cats, and takes pride in her nine-square skills.
Maxine Patel loves to sing in the chorus and participates in weekly Dungeons and Dragons sessions. She has danced with Onyx Studio II in Insectos and The Nutcracker, and has performed as a Lost Boy in Peter Pan Jr with The Players Studio She would like to thank her family and The Players Studio for the encouragement to follow her dreams.
Ari Portnowitz is in 5 grade at Fruitville Elementary and is thrilled to be doing another Players Studio show His previous credits include Moana Jr (Maui), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Sebastian), Honk! Jr. (Snowy), and Peter Pan Jr. (John Darling). When he is not acting, he enjoys reading and playing music (bass guitar, guitar, piano). He would like to thank Lacey, Thayer, and all his castmates for being so supportive in this production.
Annika Powell is in 5 grade and is excited to be performing again with The Players Studio Her most recent show was Peter Pan Jr. (Pirate), and her favorite past shows with Spotlight Theatre Productions include Annie Jr. (Molly) and Shrek Jr. (Ensemble). Annika loves singing and spending time with her friends. She would like to thank her family for their support and her fellow cast members for making this such a fun experience!
Brynn Raymond is a junior at Booker High School. She was recently seen as Rosie in Mamma Mia at Booker High School and Cinderella in Into The Woods Jr. at The Players Studio. Brynn loves Disney and is so excited to share some Disney magic with the audience!
Alex Riddle is an 8 grade student who is thrilled to be part of this production! Theater has become one of her greatest passions, and she has loved every opportunity to grow on stage through performances such as Seussical Jr., Moana Jr., 13 Jr., Honk! Jr., Legally Blonde Jr., and the Junior Theater Festival production of Into the Woods Jr., along with so many more. She is incredibly grateful for the love and support of her family, the friendship of her castmates, and the encouragement of her directors for always believing in her. Alex is so excited to continue growing as a performer and hopes you enjoy the show!
Addison Riesen is a homeschool student who has been performing with The Players since she was 7 years old. Just this April, she directed the Studio’s first homeschool play in our black box! Addison loves all things marine biology, singing, making people smile, and going on side quests for seashells and coffee! You may have seen Addison in Beetlejuice as Delia Deetz, Metamorphoses as Iris the Rainbow, and Les Misérables as Old Woman. Addison is so grateful to be back on The Players’ stage and with her favorite kiddos! Addison hopes you leave the show with a little more hope, optimism, and Disney knowledge! On that note... enjoy the show!
Koa Rios is 9 years old and thrilled to be in Dare to Dream Jr ! She loves singing, acting, and any chance to be on stage. When she's not performing, Koa enjoys laughing with friends, being creative, and letting her imagination run wild. She loves her family and thanks her friends and wonderful teachers for their encouragement and kindness. Dream big!
Juliya Samgorodsky is a 7 grade student at SMS She plays the clarinet in a band, studied piano, is now singing in the school choir for the second year, and has taken theater classes at school! th
Jack Short is a 3 grader at Center Montessori School. He likes swimming and acting, and this is his fourth musical at The Players Studio. He played Gurgle in Finding Nemo Jr., Father Swan in Honk! Jr., and Curley in Peter Pan He would like to thank his parents for supporting him and allowing him to go to this beautiful studio.
Savanna Vest is a Junior in the VPA program at Booker High School. She has an extensive background in the arts, appearing in a variety of performances, including Emily in LOVE/SICK, Pomona in Metamorphoses, and Maxine in Beetlejuice She'd like to thank those closest to her for the extensive opportunities they provide in her pursuit of acting and bettering herself, including her amazing brother, who writes all her bios!
Samantha Wagner is a 4 grader at Pine View and is thrilled to be part of the cast of Dare to Dream Jr.! Last year, she played a Froglet in Honk! Jr., and is excited to be back with The Players Studio. th
Samson Weiss is a second grader at Pine View School He loves doing musical theatre and making Ms Lacey laugh. He was recently seen as Michael in Peter Pan and as Squirt in Finding Nemo at The Players Studio. Special thanks to Ms. Thayer for stocking the snack supply with fig bars and for the dogs of the world for being fluffy and cute. Oh, and to his family for being helpful and nice.
Charlie Weitekamp is a 5 grader at Fruitville Elementary School and is loving her last year, especially because she has been able to participate in two shows at The Players Studio! She recently played Liza and Noodler in Peter Pan Jr. and is so excited to add Dare To Dream Jr. to her list of shows. She has recently been seen in Honk! Jr. (ensemble) at The Players, The Little Mermaid Jr. (Ursula), and several other small class productions in elementary school. She has loved theater since stepping into the role of Ursula and enjoys growing in the challenge of each new show. She has always loved the arts and is grateful that The Players gives her a place to express herself. She wants to send a big thank you to her friends, family, and all who have been part of Dare to Dream!
Cece Wilson is a homeschooled 1 grader attending Curious and Kind Education’s Forest School. She previously appeared in her first production in Peter Pan Jr. as Nanna (the dog), and a Brave Girl. She is thankful for her family, her theatre family and friends, and Ms. Lacey and Ms. Thayer for all their support. Dream big!
Thank you to our incredible donors—your generosity fuels every spotlight, every story, and every standing ovation. Because of you, we’re able to inspire, entertain, and build community through the power of live theatre. We are deeply grateful for your continued support!
