​CLARA BAYNE (Alice) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Clara’s 5th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Bruce the Shark, Aladdin Kids as the Cave Guardian, and Beetlejuice Jr. and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

PAUL BOWDEN (Michael) is in 5th grade at Red Pump Elementary School. This is Paul’s 5th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Titanic as Jack Thayer, Finding Nemo Kids as Nemo, Aladdin Kids as the Sultan, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Emerald City Guard. With the Star Center, he played Pongo in 101 Dalmatians Kids. Thank you to my sister, Mary Kate, for always being there to help me.

 

CARLEE BURCHAM (Nigel) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Carlee’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Cinderella Youth Edition as the dessert chef, Frozen Jr. as the Bishop, and Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member. With the Abingdon Community Theatre, she played the mayor in Rock of Ages Youth Edition. Thank you to my family, friends and everyone who bought a ticket to support us.

 

CHARLEY DUDLEY (Big Kid) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Charley’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

RAELYN ELDER (Tommy) is in 5th grade as a homeschool student. This is Raelyn’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Aladdin Kids as a fruit vendor. Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me.

 

HAILEY FERRY (Hortensia) is in 5th grade at South Eastern Intermediate School. This is Hailey’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as a turtle and Aladdin Kids as Jasmine. Thank you to Ms. Aubrey who helped me so much in my previous shows and made me excited to come back to Starlight. Thank you to my family and friends for believing in me and for coming to my shows, especially Mom, Dad, Bo, Grammy, Papo, Nana and Pappy.

 

CAROLINA GALLIHER (Big Kid) is in 8th grade at Fallston Middle School. This is Carolina’s  3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as a tech crew member. With Harford Music and Arts, she played the butler in Frozen Jr., Andy Hosten in Camp Rock, and the cook in Matilda Jr. She was also on the tech crew for Annie Jr. at Fallston Middle School. Thank you to my mom for driving me and helping me at all my shows. Thank you to my dad and family members for always coming out and supporting me.

 

RONALD GUSSO (Bruce) is in 5th grade at Homestead Wakefield Elementary School. This is Ronald’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Xanadu Jr. as Hermes and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Emerald City Doorman. Elsewhere, he played Jay in Descendants with Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, Horton in Seussical Kids with Theatreworks Live, Donkey in Shrek Jr. with Act with Me, and Mike Teevee in Charley and the Chocolate Factory with CPM. Thank you to the directors and staff at Starlight.

 

SARA HANDLEY (Agatha Trunchbull) is in 7th grade at Harford Day School. This is Sara’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. as Juno and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Cowardly Lion. Other shows she has performed in include Willy Wonka Jr. as Mrs. Gloop with Tidewater Players Jr., Elf as Mr. Greenway with Harford Music and Arts, Newsies Jr. as Wiesel with Theatreworks Live, and Frozen Jr. as Sven with Harford Music and Arts. Thank you to Mr. Chuck, Mr. Ben, Ms. Suzanne, Ms. Jasmine, Senora, and the entire production team of Starlight Theatricals for believing in me and creating a theatre that feels like home. Thank you to my mom for running lines, driving me to rehearsals, believing in me, and always being my number one supporter.

 

MADISON INCHES (Mrs. Phelps) is in 8th grade at Perry Hall Christian School. This is Madison’s 13th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as a Silly Girl, both The Lion King Jr. and Aladdin Jr. as a member of the tech crew, both Rock of Ages Youth Edition and Annie Get Your Gun as an ensemble member, The Music Man Jr. as Mrs. Squires, Sister Act Jr. as Ernie and an altar boy, Cinderella Youth Edition as Queen Constantina, Xanadu Jr. as a siren, Frozen Jr. as Pabbie, Beetlejuice Jr. as the Cigar Mobster, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Wizard. Elsewhere, she was an ensemble member in Legally Blonde Jr. and Mean Girls Jr. with Abingdon Community Theatre, an ensemble member in SpongeBob SquarePants with Tidewater Players, and an ensemble member in Newsies, Karen in SpongeBob SquarePants, and an ancestor in The Addams Family with Streetlamp Productions. Thank you to my vocal coach, Suzanne Chadwick, my parents, and Mr. Ben and Mr. Chuck for always supporting and helping me.

 

EDEN JOURDAN (Amanda) is in 5th grade at Forest Hill Elementary School. This is Eden’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Crush. At Bel Air High School, she was in the ensemble for Elf The Musical and was a Lullaby League Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. At Bel Air Church she was shepherd 1 in The Bethlehem Beat. Thank you to my parents and brother for supporting me and helping me grow. Thank you to my GoGo for his love and for always being there for me. Thank you to my church family for being awesome. Break a leg, everyone!

 

PAYTON KOPPENHOEFER (Erica) is in 5th grade as a homeschool student. This is Payton’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Dory and Aladdin Kids as Iago. Thank you to my mom for driving me and helping me practice. Thank you to my fellow cast members for their friendship and working together on the show. Thank you to Mr. Ben, Mr. Chuck and Ms. Jasmine for all their leadership and helping me grow in theater.

 

HAILEY KREH (Acrobat) is in 7th grade at Bel Air Middle School. This is Hailey’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Frozen Jr. as Middle Anna, Beetlejuice Jr. as Death by Toaster, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. She has been in multiple shows with Abingdon Community Theatre including Aladdin Jr. as Iago, The Lion King Jr. as Banzai, Seussical Jr. as Baby Sour Kangaroo, Annie Jr. as Rooster, and Dare to Dream as player 7. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

GIDEON MAY (Mr. Wormwood) is in 5th grade at Perryville Elementary School. This is Gideon’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Marlin and Aladdin Kids as the Genie. Elsewhere he has played Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh and Friends. Thank you to Miss Aubrey and Miss Katie for being good directors, for being there when I needed them, and helping me with my past productions. Thank you to my Mom-Mom for starting my journey with theater and always supporting me and bringing me. Thank you to Paul, Payton and Ronald for being great friends and Starlight for being an amazing home to do theater.

 

ANNALEIGH MCCRACKEN (Big Kid) is in 6th grade at Southeastern Intermediate School. This is Annaleigh’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. Elsewhere, she was in Seussical as a jungle citizen. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

PENNY MERRITT (Matilda) is in 7th grade at St. Stephen School. This is Penny’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Cinderella Youth Edition as the kid sister, Xanadu Jr. as Polyhymnia, Frozen Jr. as Young Anna, Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Barrister. At St. Stephen School she was Young Nala in The Lion King Jr. and Mrs. Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr. Thank you to my family, friends, fellow cast and crew members, and directors for supporting me and helping me through this amazing journey.

 

DEVYLNN MORSE (Miss Honey) is in 8th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Devlynn’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. At The John Carroll School, she played Scat Cat in Aristocats. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

ANDREW PAQUIN (Tech Crew) is in 8th grade at Patterson Mill Middle School. This is Andrew’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as Oliver Hix and serving on the tech crew for Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., Frozen Jr., Beetlejuice Jr., and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. With Abingdon Community Theatre, he played Grandpa George in Willy Wonka Kids and Right Claw in Moana Jr. He has served on the tech crew at Patterson Mill Middle School for both Shrek Jr. and The Little Mermaid Jr. Thank you to my family for always supporting me in what I enjoy doing. Thank you to my theater friends who have made doing shows a lot more fun.

 

GARRETT SCARFF (Escapologist) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Garrett’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as Olin Britt, Xanadu Jr. as Zeus, Frozen Jr. as Weselton, Beetlejuice Jr. as Maxie Dean, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Mayor of Munchkinland. Thank you to Mr. Ben, Mr. Chuck, and Ms. Suzanne for working super hard to make sure the show goes well. Thank you to the high school students who chose to spend their time helping us.

 

DAISY SETHI (Lavender) is in 7th grade at Bel Air Middle School. This is Daisy’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for The Music Man Jr. and Xanadu Jr., and playing Young Elsa in Frozen Jr., an ensemble member in Beetlejuice Jr., and the Coroner in The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me. Break a leg, cast and crew.

 

SOFIA SMITH (Big Kid) is in 8th grade at Harford Christian School. This is Sofia’s 9th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for Aladdin Jr., The Music Man Jr., Sister Act Jr., Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., and Frozen Jr., and being in the ensemble for Beetlejuice Jr. and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Thank you to my family for encouraging my love of theater and my Starlight friends for always entertaining me in the group chats.

 

ALYSSA STINNETT (Mrs. Wormwood) is in 8th grade at Aberdeen Middle School. This is Alyssa’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Frozen Jr. as Oaken, Beetlejuice Jr. as Barbara, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. At Trinity Lutheran she played Alanna in The Little Mermaid Jr. and Nala in The Lion King Jr. Thank you to my family and friends who came to support me.

 

JACK WALKER (Sergei) is in 5th grade at Acellus Academy. This is Jack’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for Finding Nemo Kids, Beetlejuice Jr. and Aladdin Kids. Thank you to my fellow cast members for making this so much fun.

 

ELIZA WIGGINS (Big Kid) is in 6th grade at The Swan Creek School. This is Eliza’s 3rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me.  

 

 HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS

 

MARY KATE BOWDEN (High School Mentor) is in 11th grade at Bel Air High School. This is Mary Kate’s 23rd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Lefou, The Lion King Jr. as Zazu, Rock of Ages Youth Edition as Sherrie, Annie Get Your Gun as an ensemble member, Aladdin Jr. as Isir, Young Frankenstein as an ensemble member, The Music Man Jr. as Zaneeta, Sister Act Jr. as Mother Superior, Mary Poppins as Miss Lark, And Then There Were None as Ethel Rogers, Titanic as Caroline Neville, Les Miserables School Edition as Eponine, Grease as an ensemble member, Quiet Summer as Harriet Morgan, Chicago Teen Edition as Mona, and The Addams Family as Wednesday. She was also a high school mentor for Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., Frozen Jr., Finding Nemo Kids, Aladdin Kids, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Elsewhere, she played JoJo in Seussical Jr. and Matilda in Matilda Jr. at Bel Air Middle School, Jane in Mary Poppins Jr. at The John Carroll Performing Arts Camp, and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast and Urleen in Footloose with Theatreworks Live.

 

ARYN KOPPENHOEFER (High School Mentor) is in 12th grade at Fallston Christian Home School. This is Aryn’s 9th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Footloose, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Miserables School Edition, Grease, and Chicago Teen Edition as an ensemble member and Titanic as Mrs. Thayer. She was also a high school mentor for Finding Nemo Kids and Aladdin Kids. At Harford Music and Arts, she played Violet in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

 

EVA ROBERTS (High School Mentor) is in 9th grade at North Harford High School. This is Eva’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as a townsperson, Sister Act Jr. as Sister Mary Irene, Cinderella Youth Edition as the Stepmother, Xanadu Jr. as Urania, Frozen Jr. as Olaf, and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as The Wicked Witch of the West. At Trinity Lutheran she was in High School Musical Jr. as Ms. Darbus, The Little Mermaid Jr. as Ursula, and The Lion King Jr. as an ensemble member.

 

JUSTIN SHARFF (High School Mentor) is in 11th grade at Bel Air High School. This is Justin’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Chicago Teen Edition as Fred Casely and The Addams Family as Lurch. He was also a high school mentor for The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition.

 

VIKTOR WILSON (High School Mentor) is in 11th grade at Calvert Hall College High School. This is Viktor’s 12th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Cogsworth, The Lion King Jr. as an ensemble member, Rock of Ages Youth Edition as Dennis Dupree, Aladdin Jr. as Sultan, Young Frankenstein as an ensemble member, Mary Poppins as the park keeper, Titanic as Henry Etches, Les Miserables School Edition as Enjolras, Grease as Kenickie, and The Addams Family as an ancestor. He was also a high school mentor for The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. At Trinity Lutheran Christian School, he played Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr. and Coach Bolton in High School Musical Jr.

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STARLIGHT PRODUCTION STAFF

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SUZANNE BOWDEN (Associate Director) is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Visual Arts and Performing Arts. After graduation Suzanne worked in NYC at Joseph Papp's Public Theater, NY Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte in Central Park, NY Theater Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Lincoln Center Theater, and Richard Frankel Productions as part of their Stage Management Team. Suzanne was a member of  Actor's Equity while in NY until moving to Maryland to work at Center Stage in Baltimore.  For the past 20 years, Suzanne has been the Drama Director at Trinity   Lutheran Christian School where she has been blessed  to work in educational theater with young people.  

  

Mayra Pappaterra (Backstage Manager) is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama with a minor in Languages and Corporal Movement. She was a member of the Rolling Theater of the University of PR, where she studied classical, experimental and contemporary theater. Mayra went to the Siglo de Oro Spanish Drama Festival Chamizal in El Paso, Texas. She worked giving theater workshops to High School students. Mayra did professional theater in Puerto Rico as a stage manager, assistant director, actress, as well as designing and running lights, and props.  She worked for Cuarzo Blanco Inc., participated in the XIX Festival Internacional de Teatro de Oriente in Barcelona Pto. La Cruz, Venezuela with José Vega also known as Remi the Clown and designed the props for the play “Salvemos el Planeta con Remi”. She traveled the island participating in a play based on the TV show for kids “La casa de María Chuzema”. Since 2012 she has been the Production Stage Manager at Trinity Lutheran Christian School. Mayra is very excited to be a part of the Starlight Team and to bring her talents as the Back-Stage Manager. When she is not backstage Mayra works as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at the Anne Arundel County WIC program (Woman Infants and Children) coordinating The Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program.

 

CHUCK BOWDEN (Artistic Director / Technical Director) is the founder and managing partner of Starlight Theatricals. He is a faculty member at Bel Air High School where he has taught English, Drama, and Technology for the past 21 years. A graduate of West Virginia University with a BFA in Theatre and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Masters in Education, Chuck worked with the theatre program at Bel Air High for over 25 years serving as the Artistic Director, Technical Director and Scenic  Designer as well as performing in the pit band for the musicals since 1994. He is the co-founder of the North East Theatre Festival and has served as the Co-Executive Director for 12 years. Chuck is currently the Chair of the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, a founding member of the Scottfield Theatre Company and continues to work as a Technical Director and Designer for several community theatres around the region. 

 

BENJAMIN SMITH (Artistic  Director / Choreographer) is the founder and managing partner of Starlight Theatricals. He is a   faculty member at Bel Air High School teaching Government and Economics for the past 22 years. Prior, he taught Social Studies at Chariton High School in Chariton, Iowa. He is a     graduate of Peru State College in Nebraska with a BA in Secondary Education and Towson University with a  Masters in Education. For 24 years, Ben has been involved with high school theatre serving both as artistic director and choreographer for numerous  productions. He is the co-founder of the North East Theatre Festival and has served as the Co-Executive Director for 12 years. 

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