Spring Awakening Cast and Crew

Ashley Jennifer Huber (Wendla Bergman) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at Western Carolina University. She hails from Emerald Isle, NC, and despite being from the coast, she likes the mountains better.

While at Western, Ashley has gotten a taste of performance, directing, and even assisting in front of house management. You may have seen her play Gertrude in the punk rock spin-off of Hamlet, God Save Gertrude in the Fall 2017 mainstage season. Other production credits at WCU include Tribe in Hair, Masha in Resident Alien, and now Wendla in Spring Awakening.

Outside of WCU, Ashley has performed at multiple theatres in the Western Carolina Region. After school, she plans to move to Atlanta and establish herself there. Ashley cannot wait to see what her future holds and she thanks the WCU School of Stage and Screen for giving her the foundation she needed to take flight.

  

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Adrian Beck is a sophomore BFA Musical Theater major. He is thrilled to be playing Melchior Gabor in his fifth mainstage production at WCU.

He is from Greensboro North Carolina and is incredibly thankful to his family and friends for being so supportive of him.

Outside of theater, Adrian enjoys playing video games, rewatching breaking bad, and playing guitar. foundation she needed to take flight.

  

   

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Kelly McCarty (Ilse Neumann) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at WCU. Spring Awakening is her final collegiate production and she couldn't be happier to end with such a stunning piece of art.

Post-graduation, Kelly is thrilled to perform with Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Sweeney Todd with Terrence Mann and then travel to Memphis, Tennessee to perform in Playhouse on the Square's 2018/19 season which includes A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Little Women, Tuck Everlasting, Cabaret, and more.

Kelly would like to thank Terry, the dedicated faculty of Stage and Screen, her ambitious and always inspiring friends and peers, her always supportive and loving family, and the best thing that has every happened to her... Kyle Southern. She truly owes all of her happiness and love of the craft to the beautiful people and challenging world around her.

Kelly wants to encourage everyone who views this work to put faith in and listen to the youth around them because they will "lead the way to a dream, a belief, [because we can make this] a time of hope through the land."

  

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Annelise is currently a Junior BFA Musical Theatre Major and Dance Minor. She is thrilled to bring Thea to life in Spring Awakening this semester, and has had such a wonderful time working with the cast and creative team.

Some of her favorite roles include Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde (Parkway Playhouse), Robin Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Haywood Arts Regional Theatre), Kate in Legally Blonde (Haywood Arts Regional Theatre), and being a Dance Captain in Hair (WCU). You can find Annelise this summer returning to Parkway Playhouse where she will be performing as Charlotte Sowerberry in Oliver!, Goldilocks in the touring children’s show Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Lindsay in Godspell.

Annelise would like to extend all of her love and thanks to God, the best parents in the world, Kristen Hedberg, Ashlee Wasmund, Dwight Chiles, her awesome siblings, Briar, and her new niece/nephew that is on the way! “I love you guys so much! None of this would be possible without you.”

  

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Rachel Sabo-Hedges (Marta) is a first-year BFA Musical Theatre major from Boone, NC. Here at WCU, she played the title role in a student-directed production of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart,and appeared in the senior thesis films It Never Sleeps and Caveman. 

She apprenticed at Lees-McRae summer theatre, appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and playing Chutney in Legally Blonde. She also appeared in the premiere production of Screen Test and in the original cast recording. She is thrilled to be in Spring Awakening, directed by the awesome Terrance Mann.

She would like to thank her mom and dad for being the actors that inspire and motivate her every day. She would also like to thank her roommate for not yelling at her every time she sings too loudly.

  

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Callista Brown (Anna) is a Sophomore here at Western Carolina University and is thrilled to be apart of the cast of Spring Awakening.

Previous credits at WCU include God Save Gertrude, King Lear, and In the Soundless Awe.

She would like to thank her incredible family, two dogs, and one old fat cat for giving her the love and support she needs to go after her aspirations.

Congratulations to the cast and crew for an amazing production!

   

  

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Tyler Ledbetter (Georg) is a first-year Musical Theatre Major from Savannah, GA.

He had the pleasure of being a part of his first staged reading here at Western Carolina University, "The Amazing Always," and he is incredibly excited to be in his first mainstage musical, "Spring Awakening."

He would like to thank his parents, Jeff and Michele Ledbetter, his sister Chloe, and his whole family for all of their love and support throughout his performing career. He would also like to thank his friends for challenging him to become a better performer.

  

  

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Caleb Warren is a Junior Musical Theatre major at Western Carolina University. He is very excited to be bring the role of Ernst to the Bardo Performing Arts Stage.

Caleb is from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina and grew up performing at the Green Room Community Theatre in Newton, North Carolina. Caleb has most recently been seen in WCU's production of Company as David, Angels in America as Prior, and Hair as Woof.

Caleb would like to thank everyone involved in this production for making it such a wonderful experience. He would also like to thank his friends and family for the constant love and support.

  

  

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Michael Jackson is a Transfer Junior and is playing Otto.

He is very excited to work on this show with such an incredible cast and crew. This is his 3rd time working with Terrence Mann and couldn't be more excited. Outside of theatre Michael enjoys writing, playing video games and watching unhealthy amounts of Netflix. Michael is also a brother of Theta Delta Chi fraternity at UNCG which is where he started his college career and first began training.

He would like to give a shout out to his family and all his friends near and far and thanks them for all of their constant support because he knows he wouldn't be who he is today without them.

Michael will be spending his summer with Lee's McRae Summer Theatre preforming in The Wiz and In The Heights. Follow him on Instagram at musical_mic to keep up with him! He hopes everyone can come see this show that WCU Stage and Screen has put so much work into.

  

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Benjamin Sears (Hanschen Rilow) is a Senior Musical Theatre Major and Dance Minor at WCU, and was born and raised in Waynesville, NC.

He made his first appearance at Western at the age of ten when he played the role of Winthrop in The Music Man. Favorite Roles include: Race in Newsies! (Forestburgh Playhouse), Bobby in Company (WCU), Louis in Angels in America (WCU), Ondine in POP! Who Shot Andy Warhol? (WCU), Sasha in Resident Alien (WCU), and Sam in Crazy For You (Forestburgh Playhouse).

Post graduation, Benjamin will be returning to Forestburgh Playhouse to play Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate, Pepper in Mamma Mia, as well as serving as Dance Captain for the entire season which also includes Annieand Fiddler on the Roof. As always, love to Dad, Brian, May, Kate, and Emily

  

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Mary Elizabeth Gipe is a Senior BFA Musical Theatre major here at Western Carolina University.

Mary is excited to be playing Fanny Gabor in Spring Awakening with such a talented cast and crew. Mary's performance experience at Western has been wonderful over these past four years. She has gone from performing as a juvenile convict in MacBeth Is The New Backto NYU student Sheila Franklin in Hair. Stage and Screen has been Mary's home away from home and she can not believe this is her last collegiate performance.

Mary plans to graduate this May 2018 and is excited for her next journey. This summer, Mary will be teaching a musical theatre intensive at The 92nd Street Y's Camp Yomi in New York City. Mary's advice to the underclassmen is: enjoy every minute, cherish every role, and learn from every experience you can.

  

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Derrick is a freshman at Western Carolina. He has been doing theater since his freshman year of high school and could not be more excited for this new chapter in his life.

He has been a fan of Terrance Mann for the past 4 years and is so thankful to have the opportunity to work with him.

Derrick would like to thank his family for all of their love and support as well as the faculty at Western for all of their fabulous knowledge and experience that they are passing down. He would also like to thank Western for giving him an opportunity to improve upon his art in a safe space.

  

  

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Anthony is a Junior Musical Theatre major here at Western Carolina University.

He has been in several professional productions around North Carolina. Anthony Just recently directed a production of William Shakespeares' The Tempest at First Stage Theater in Chicago IL. This summer, he is the first Acting Apprentice at the Bay Street Theatre in New York. There he will be in several productions directed by Broadway Professionals.

Along with Acting and Directing, he is a playwright and has written several shows that have premiered here at Western. He has an upcoming production of a new work he has written called  Death Zone and is currently Directing. The show will be on May 2nd at 7:30 in University Auditorium. 

  

  

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Bobby Guenther is thrilled to be a part of Spring Awakening! He is currently a sophomore Musical Theatre major and loves it here at WCU! He is really excited to bring the roles of Herr Knochenbruch, Herr Rilow, and Herr Stiefel to life, and share the strong message that Spring Awakening has to offer.

He is also a part of WCU’s Improv Troupe. Outside of theatre, Bobby plays video games, plays sports, and likes to go adventuring with friends. He enjoys the outdoors, and loves living in the mountains.

Bobby would like to thank his family and friends for their never-ending support, and the amazing faculty and staff for helping and believing in him. He would also like to thank the entire production team for all their hard work.

As a side note, you can catch Bobby this summer in the roles of Bill Sykes and Papa Bear at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC. You can also follow Bobby on his insta @ bguenther_50. Go Cats!.

     

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Marthaluz Velez is a senior BFA musical theatre major and dance minor.

A few of her favorite past WCU productions include Company, Angels in America, Resident Alien, and 42nd Street. This being her final collegiate production, Marthaluz is honored to have the opportunity to portray a resonantly impactful story alongside her talented and passionate colleagues.

She would like to thank her dog, family, friends, and the entire Stage & Screen department for their support and guidance throughout these past four years. A piece of her heart will remain on the WCU Bardo stage. Teamwork is everything.

  

  

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Katelin Fitts is a sophomore Musical Theatre major here at Western Carolina University.

This is her second main stage production here at Western. Her first was J.B. directed by Claire Eye. She is incredibly grateful to Terry, Bryan, Ashlee, and the rest of the production team for this opportunity.

She would like to thank her beautiful mother for being a much more understanding mother than Frau Bergman and supporting and loving her unconditionally. She'd also like to thank her Grammy and the rest of her extended family for making the long trips here to Western to see her. Lastly, Katelin would like to thank her father for always being her guiding light in a dark night.

Enjoy the show!!

  

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Caroline Ryan is a Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student here at WCU.

She is thrilled to be apart of her first musical since starting at the School of Stage and Screen.

Caroline is from Hendersonville, North Carolina, and grew up performing with Flat Rock Playhouse and the Asheville Community Theatre. She was recently apart of WCU's production of J.B. as Jolly this past February.

Caroline would like to thank all of her wonderful professors, classmates, and roommates for all of their love, knowledge, and advice. Finally, she would like to thank her family for constantly supporting her. 

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Allie Spengler is a senior Musical Theatre major. Hailing from Nashville, TN,

Allie has had the performing bug since she was three years old. Favorite performances include Kathy in Company and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes as well as features in 42nd Street, Legally Blonde, and Hairspray.

Allie is beyond excited to be working for RWS and Associates this summer singing and dancing at Idlewild Theme Park and Soak Zone in Pennsylvania.

Much love and thanks to mom and dad.

  

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Alaina is a freshman Musical Theatre major and is thrilled to be making her mainstage debut in this powerful show.

Alaina would like to thank her parents for always supporting her craft even if it involves something that makes them uncomfortable. She would also like to thank the rest of her family, her friends, and all of the amazing people she has met since coming to Western in August.

Lastly, she would like to thank the stellar cast and crew of Spring Awakening for their determination and precision. She is so blessed to be working with all of you.

  

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Helen Rose Miller is a sophomore in Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University.

She's pursuing a major in Musical Theatre with minors in Dance and Creative Writing. She and her family are from Jackson County, and she's incredibly thankful to be pursuing her dreams in such a supportive community.

This is Helen's second mainstage production at Western, and she's so excited to be a part of it. She's incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to telling such an unbelievably important, powerful, and relevant story.

  

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Breanna Smith is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major, and is thrilled to be making her debut to the Bardo Stage in this incredible production.

She has previously taken part in the Niggli New Works “The Amazing Always” (Mary/Ursula/Jenna Always) and is an active member of the theatre community in her hometown, Wilson, NC.

Many thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team of “Spring Awakening” for making her first mainstage college production such a wonderful experience.

She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she enjoyed the process of putting it together! Much love and thanks to Micah Patt, Ben Hall, and her family; Brayden, Mom, and Dad.

  

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Leon is a freshman musical theatre major at Western Carolina University.

He is very excited to apart of this wonderful cast and this amazing show.

He would like to thank everyone who has helped him along the way and supported him in everything.

Leon loves what he does and cannot wait to see what the future holds for him

  

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Ryan Albinus is a Sophomore B.F.A this year and he is ecstatic to be working on such a beautiful musical.

Ryan would like to thank the cast and crew for being absolutely fantastic to work with. Ryan would like to give the biggest of thanks to his family for their love and support, especially Simon for all his wisdom.

Yeehaw!

    

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Matt Howie, a junior from Monroe, NC is currently earning a BFA in Musical Theatre.

He is thrilled to be on stage at Western performing as Dieter in Spring Awakening.

He has spent the last two summers at Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, KY doing four plays in ten weeks as everything from a WWII soldier in Guarded! to a British dandy in A Tell Tale Farce. He has been very busy working in a number of student films this and last semester, and for the upcoming summer he will be performing all over North and South Carolina every weekend.

He wants to say thank you to all the people who support him on his journey, especially mom and dad!

  

  

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Cody Shanabarger is a senior in the marketing major here at Western Carolina University.

He is playing Ulbrecht in Spring Awakening. He has been dating the amazing Sydney Harris for three and a half years and has loved every minute of it.

Cody Shibbidi was the lead guitarist in God Save Gertrude last semester. Cody Shanananana has a passion for songwriting, screenwriting, and acting and wishes to make a career out of all three. Cody Shablablabla considered shamelessly putting a link to his music in here. Cody Shagadelic decided against it. Cody Shoopwoop hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Cody Shablablabla has music on bandcamp.com under the name “Snap Dragons”. Cody Shablablabla was told explicitly by Cody Shagadelic not to do that. Cody Shagadelic apologizes and will not let Cody Shablablabla do such a thing again. Cody Shablablabla would like to add thative inviod [ahpvbabudnaufbv……… Cody Shagadelic has made sure that Cody Shablablabla will NEVER do such a thing again.

Anyways, hope you love Spring Awakening!

  

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Stephanie is a junior in the School of Stage and Screen.

Originally from Douglasville Georgia, Stephanie came to Western Carolina University to earn her B.A. Theatre Design Tech degree as well as a Minor in Geography. Stephanie has enjoyed working on theatrical shows since the ninth grade, and has devoted the years since learning and improving her skills to become a well-rounded props master.

Some of her favorite shows she has worked on include Gypsy, Company, and most recently J.B. Her hobbies include capturing the seasons across the campus with her camera, splatter and sponge painting, as well as making jewelry in her free time.

Stephanie would like to thank her dad and step-mom, John and Tammy, her mother, Tracey, her grandparents, Mema and Poppop, and her siblings, Amber and Dalton, for their continued inspiration and support.

  

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Kristin Wasko is a senior BA tech design student at WCU.

She is known for her work on "In the Soundless Awe," and "Home Sweet Misery."

Kristin works as a costume shop assistant here on campus sewing costumes, although she prefers designing the actual costumes.

She hopes her senior year goes smoothly and is ready to graduate.