The Centre Theater at
The Montgomery County Cultural Center
Present

The Cast of High School Musical

Melissa Yowell has been homeschooled for the past 11 years and is hoping to major in piano performance after she graduates this summer. She has also been in several productions including: ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER, THE NECKLACE, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, CINDERELLA, and THE MUSIC MAN. Melissa is extremely excited to be able to be a part of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. Other than theater, she enjoys singing, piano, guitar, hanging out with her awesome friends, and thanks God for giving her these amazing opportunities in theater! Also thank you Mom and Dad, SO much for all the time and effort you've put into me being able to be a part of this!! Love you lots!!
Kyle Kupecky is a graduating senior at Upper Merion Area High School and has been an International Thespian Society member with honors for 2 years. This past March Kyle played Danny Zuko in his high school's production of GREASE. In last year's school production of INTO THE WOODS, Kyle won the award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Jack. Kyle also sang and danced his way across the stage as Ren McCormack in FOOTLOOSE, Vitorio Vidal in SWEET CHARITY, and Ugly in HONK! Last summer, Kyle participated in the auditions for AMERICAN IDOL and met Randy, Paula, and Simon after advancing to the top 70 auditioners out of 13,000 people in New York City. In the fall, Kyle will attend Libery University with a major in Worship & Music Ministry. Kyle’s would like to thank his family, Hope Community Church and the Upper Merion Drama Club
Allie Fiorini is making her third appearance at the Centre Theatre. She was last seen as a dancing horse in MAN OF LA MANCHA. She is a Junior at Norristown Area High School where she recently appeared in PIPPIN! as Catherine and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS as Audrey. Allie has attended the Cultural Center's "The Heart of the Arts" summer program for many years and returns this year as a dance instructor. She is very excited to be involved in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.
Leigh Ann holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University. Favorite acting credits include URINETOWN, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE FROG PRINCESS, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, JOSEPH... and PARADE. She recently directed SOUTH PACIFIC at Devon Preparatory School and choreographed PIPPIN at Lacey Township High School.
STEVEN COPP received critical acclaim for portraying Doody in Upper Merion Area High School's production of GREASE this past March. He made his debut with the high school's Underground Players as a freshman in December, playing the Earthworm in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. Before coming to high school, he performed in middle school shows including THE MUSIC MAN, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE KING AND I and CINDERELLA. Steven will be entering his fifth year of the Consortium for the Arts in MAME this July. Past performances with the Consortium include WONDERFUL TOWN, BYE BYE BIRDIE, SEUSSICAL and THE WIZARD OF OZ. He has also performed in Theatre Horizon's production of GREASE two years ago, as well as the Valley Forge Dance Theatre's production of THE NUTCRACKER this past December. Special thanks to Katie and Fran for giving him such an amazing opportunity he's never experienced before, as well as the rest of the cast for making him feel so welcome.
DONNIE HAMMOND -Philadelphia native, whose theater credits include HAIR, TRIAL BY JURY, SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, DON'T BOTHER ME I CAN'T COPE, THE PREYER and several productions with Headline Theater Company.Film credits-MONEY,POWER,and RESPECT. Thank you to GOD and Ancestors.
David Yashin studied Fine Arts/Theatre at Rider University. David was an ensemble member in Iron Age's Philadelphia Fringe piece, SHAKESPLOITATION, and portrayed the roles of Bartley in THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN and Garrison in FATHERS AND SONS. Other past credits include the Centre Theater's productions of CITY OF ANGELS and GODSPELL, TWILIGHT IN THEBES at the New York State Theatre and A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Walnut Street Theatre. Roles portrayed in Rider's Yvonne Theater include Martini in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO's NEST, Ira Stone in LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR, Woof in HAIR and Oscar Wilde in GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE.
Claire Deery is very excited to be back in the theater after an eight year hiatus. She is enjoying her time at The Centre Theater immensely. She has performed previously at The Barn Playhouse in DO BLACK PATTEN LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? and once upon a mattress. Claire would like to thank her parents, family and friends for all their support and love and a very special thanks to her beautiful daughter, Aidan, for continuing to be her #1 cheerleader and inspiration. Claire would not be on this stage today if she and her daughter hadn’t gotten obsessed with High School Musical together!

Jeanna Ritto is very excited to make her onstage debut at the Cultural Center with HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. She choreographed and stage managed GUYS AND DOLLS JR. here last fall. She is an active member in the Norristown Area High School drama club, appearing in roles such as Princess Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Irene in HELLO DOLLY, and most recently the Leading Player in PIPPIN. Jeanna is a member of the graduating class of 2007 and plans to attend Wagner College in the fall. She thanks her friend, teachers, and family for all their support and encouragement and wishes the cast the best of luck.

Aimee Kerr is thrilled to be making her debut on The Centre Theatre stage! She was last seen as Frenchy in GREASE at The New Candlelight Theatre in Delaware. Other favorite musicals she has performed in include THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Maria), 42ND STREET (Anytime Annie), JEKYLL AND HYDE, JOSEPH..., and ANNIE GET YOU GUN. Aimee is so thankful for the friendship this amazing cast has had right from the beginning. She would especially like to thank Kate for her encouragement and Sean for being a perfect klutzy costar "And then... the stage EXPLODES!"

Abby Shunskis is a recent graduate of the Long Island University Theater Program with her BFA in Acting, Abby is excited to be performing near her hometown of Philadelphia! She most recently traveled to Italy performing as Iphigenia in THIRD CHILD, a show she co-created and adapted with a small company. She is also a veteran of Upper Darby Summer Stage, not only as a performer but as a choreographer. Other favorites include INTO THE WOODS (The Baker's Wife), THE CRUCIBLE (Mary Warren), CRAZY FOR YOU (Patsy), RUMORS (Chris Gorman), ROMEO AND JULIET (The Nurse), THREE TALL WOMEN (A) and THE WORLD GOES ROUND. Thanks and love to her family, friends and this wonderfully fun cast and crew! Peace and Love.
Kelly Vrooman A graduate of Malone College and the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, Kelly has worked professionally in theatre and film with companies across the continent. Her diversity as an actor has allowed her to play such roles as Tzeitel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Mercutio in ROMEO AND JULIET, June Sanders in the comedy SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and most recently, Calamity Jane in FATHERS AND SONS. Kelly is also an active member of the National improv company, COMEDY SPORTZ.
Stephanie Doyle is a freshman at Upper Merion High School and is very excited to be involved in this show! She has been in four other shows at the Centre Theater including, HEAVEN CAN WAIT, CITY OF ANGELS, LUTHER, and MAN OF LAMANCHA. Stephanie also is involved in taking care of animals that are in shows at the theater, she has taken care of a sheep in CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS and a dog in MICE OF MEN. She would like to thank God for this wonderful opportunity. Also thank her parents for driving her to all the rehearsals.
Markus Zanders This will be Markus' seventh collaboration with the Centre Theater, previously appearing in FATHERS AND SONS, OF MICE AND MEN, TERRA NOVA, THE DIVINERS, SHAKESPLOITATION, and A SKULL IN CONNEMARA. In the daytime, Markus serves as a substitute in the Norristown School District and as an acting coach for the Montgomery Co. Cultural Center's "Heart for the Arts" summer program. He also appears as THE GOODWILL GUY in television ads for Goodwill Industries. Markus dedicates this performance to his newborn son, Zachariah, his Dad John, and a Heavenly Father whom without nothing is possible.
Gavin Whitt is a native of South Carolina. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Theatre. Appeared in Temple's production of RAGTIME and DreamOn Entertainment's production of FOR BLACK BOYS... Gavin would like to thank God for Everything, his family and his friends,
Eric Rudofker, a graduating senior in high school, is thrilled to be playing Chad in his first production at the Centre Theatre. Past roles include Marius in LES MISERABLES, Flute/Thisbie in MIDSOMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and Teen Angel in GREASE.
Jamina Midgette studied performing arts at Freedom Theater. She also had commercial/film training. She has been featured in plays such as MORNINGS AT SEVEN (Esther) by Paul Osborn, THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Amanda Gronich/Multiple) by Moises Kaufman, BANG BANG YOU'RE DEAD by (Principal) W. Mastrosimone and MISS SAIGON (Dance corps.) by Schonberg at Wissahickon High. She plans attend Temple University as a freshman in the fall of 2007
Dan Murdock, a junior at Audubon High School in New Jersey, Dan has appeared in several school musicals and is a three-year member of the All South Jersey Festival Chorus. Recently, he appeared in the Choral Ensemble of Lenape Regional Music Theatre’s production of THE MUSIC MAN. A frequent participant at Wilmington Drama League, Dan has appeared there as Abel in CHILDREN OF EDEN, and in the Vocal Ensemble of EVITA. He has been a featured vocalist in several Cabarets at Players’ Club of Swarthmore and also appeared there as the littlest Urchin in ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT. Dan is thrilled to be part of Center Theatre’s cast and production of HSM.
Krissy Johnson is performing her third musical with the Centre Theater. She was last seen in BIG RIVER and MAN OF LA MANCHA. Krissy received a Bachelor of Music from Trinity University in San Antonio followed by a Master of Music in vocal performance from the University of Houston. She then moved to New York City, where she pursued a career as a professional singer and actress. Off Broadway credits include MURDERED BY THE MOB, FORGOTTEN BROADWAY, and THE WWOW RADIO MYSTERY HOUR. Regional Credits include HOUDINI at the Goodspeed Opera House, ZORRO, DAVID DANCES, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Burt Reynolds Theatre in West Palm Beach, Fl. A resident of the Philadelphia area for the past several years, she has performed with the Philadelphia Children’s Theatre in ALEXANDER, AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY; with Iron Age Theatre in SHAKESPLOITATION; with Green Light Theatrical Production in LAST RITES; with Bucks County Playhouse in THE SOUND OF MUSIC; and with Straw Flower Productions in THE DOMESTICATION OF WOMEN. Special thanks to Stephan Hess since he's always helping me run my lines!
A.J. Gagliardi is making his debut with the Centre Theater with High School Musical. A.J. is a senior at Upper Merion High School. He has been in many shows at school and the Consortium for the Arts in GREASE, THE DINNER PARTY, INTO THE WOODS, GLASS MANAGERIE HONK, FOOTLOOSE and many more. He was awarded best male supporting actor for his role of Daddy Brubeck in SWEET CHARITY and nominated for Best Male Lead Actor in THE GLASS MANAGERIE. When not onstage, A.J. usually hangs around with his friends playing Ultimate Frisbee. He would like to thank his mother, family and friends who have supported his decision of a major at Johnson State College in the fall.
Sean Flaherty is making his debut on the Centre Theater stage. He is a graduate of West Chester University with a degree in theatre. Some previous performances include YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, THE SECRET GARDEN and PSYCHO BEACH PARTY.
Kate McLenigan makes her directing debut at the Centre Theater with High School Musical. She was last seen here at the Centre Theatre as Clark in FATHERS AND SONS, as Aldonza in MAN OF LAMANCHA and Mags in The East Coast Premiere of SKY GIRLS. Previous roles have included Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Ruth in BOOK OF DAYS, Jennie Mae in THE DIVINERS, and Lula in DUTCHMAN. She also serves as the scenic artist for The Centre Theatre and has painted for productions including THE ELEPHANT MAN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE DIVINERS, OF MICE AND MEN, TERRA NOVA, and A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN. She also paints murals for homes and businesses and holds a B.A. in Theatre and Fine Arts from Seton Hill College. Up next, she will be directing DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL at the Centre Theater in June.
Fran Doyle (Producer) Fran has been directing musicals for many years. She has enjoyed bringing to audiences such productions as BARNUM, INTO THE WOODS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and many more. MAN OF LA MANCHA is a favorite of hers and she is thrilled to share this magnificent show and this incredible cast with the audiences at The Centre Theater..