Welcome to SSPA’s new interactive program
Tap or click on the pages below for more information about our advertisers. This production would not be possible without the support of our donors, sponsors and advertisers. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information about the talented actors and staff bringing you tonight’s show.
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Tap or click here to go to the Healthy Habits Living website.
Tap or click here to go to Reno Little Theater's website.
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Tap or click here to email Elise Van Dyne (Grace Farrell in Annie)
about private voice and piano lessons. Tap or click here to go to Consign Furniture's website.
Tap or click here to go to Kendall Price Photography's website.
Tap or click here to go to Great Full Gardens' website.
Tap or click here to go to Catholic Charities website.
Tap or click here to go to Volunteers of America website.
Tap or click here to go to Northern Nevada HOPES website.
Tap or click here to go to Eddy House website.
Tap or click here for more information on Marriela Durandegui and NVGemme Real Estate.
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Tap or click here to go to Sierra School of Performing Arts' classes page.
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Who's Who in the cast
Abby Wagner (Annie) is thrilled to be performing in her first SSPA production as Annie! Abby will begin 7th grade at Alder Creek Middle School in Truckee this year. When she isn’t singing, dancing, and rehearsing, Abby loves swimming, playing the ukulele, hanging with her dog Cyclone, and in the winter is a competitive ski racer! Abby is a member of the Great Futures Productions performance troupe with the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe. She has made so many new friends and learned so much through her SSPA experience that she sends a great big THANK YOU to everyone who made this happen!
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Kirk Gardner (Oliver Warbucks) is a CPA with Eide Bailly LLP. When not doing taxes, he has appeared with Nevada Repertory Company, Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company and (mostly) Reno Little Theater. As his last musical role (pre-lockdown) was in SSPA’s 2019 Guys and Dolls, he is thrilled to return to the SSPA stage post-lockdown. He doesn’t need anything but the love and support of Julie (jt).
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Amy Ginder (Miss Hannigan) is making her SSPA debut. Amy has been performing in Reno for more than 20 years as a vocalist, actress and choreographer. Favorite roles include Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mae in Reefer Madness The Musical, and Queenie in Wild Party. She is thrilled to be performing again (in a dream role!) and sends huge thanks and love to her family and friends for their support during a wacky year.
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Elise Van Dyne (Grace Farrell) has performed in several local productions, most notably as Elle Woods in SSPA's Legally Blonde, Philia in RLT's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Veronica Sawyer in TMCC's Heathers. She studied at UNR, graduating with a degree in vocal performance, and now teaches private voice and piano lessons. After spending an entire year at home playing video games, she is delighted to finally be back on stage with her castmates in Annie.
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Cody Hamilton (Rooster) is a local actor, producer, writer, and director. He is one of the heads/creators of the local film company Teensy Leader Pictures (check out their YouTube channel), and has done acting in the area for over a decade. He has appeared in many local theatre productions: SSPA's Legally Blonde as Warren, and at GLM in Young Frankenstein as Dr.Fronkensteen, and Shakespeare in Love as Will Shakespeare. Cody is excited to return to live theatre, as film is great but, “Theatre feeds my Soul.”
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Michael Peters (President Roosevelt/Lt. Ward/NYC Policeman) has been knocking about Reno stages since the first Clinton administration. He first performed with SSPA as Lazer Wolf in "Fiddler On the Roof." Since then, he’s appeared in "Sound of Music," "Legally Blond" and "Guys & Dolls." Many thanks to his wife, the lovely Diane, for her generous support of this production.
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Jessica Pauletto (Lily St. Regis) discovered music as a child, performing in youth choir groups and never missing a moment to sing with her three sisters. Dubbed the “National Anthem Singer” in high school and college, she performed for various non-profits, sporting games and events while her athletic career took the forefront. In 2010, she turned her senior thesis into a musical and performed before peers and professors, snagging an academic award in entertainment marketing. In 2019, Pauletto enjoyed her debut performance as a Hot Box Girl in “Guys & Dolls,” by Sierra School of Performing Arts. Now, as Lily St. Regis in “Annie,” she gets to channel her inner New Yorker once again. Pauletto is forever grateful for the joy of performing arts, and its power to connect people from all ages, talents, backgrounds and stories.
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Jeff Chamberlin (Drake) is pleased to make Annie his 2nd show with SSPA. Jeff is a longtime resident of Reno and has worked in the North Lake Tahoe area for more than 16 years. Starting at the age of 6, Jeff has performed in more than 50 dramas, comedies and musicals. His most recognizable roles include Sky Masterson in SSPA's production of “Guys and Dolls.” He has also performed as Billy Flynn “Chicago”, Thenardier “Les Miserables”, Anatoly Siergievski “Chess”, and Stanley Kowalski “A Streetcar Named Desire”. He has been honored with two Blythe Awards for his roles in “Murder on the Orient Express” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Jeff has lovely twin daughters who will be heading off to college next year and he will miss them very much.
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Lily McCaskill (Molly) is an incoming fifth grader. Adting and performing are her favorite things to do, but she enjoys reading, soccer and piano. She discovered her love of musical theater playing the little sour kangaroo in SSPA's production of Seussical the Musical Jr. in 2018. She has since been cast as a little snail in "A Year With Frog and Toad", and she was Cincerella in SSPA's original Zoom musical, "Stuck Ever After". She is thrilled to be part of another amazing production with SSPA!
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Madeline (Maddie) Ho (Molly) is 9 years old and is a fourth grader at Hunsberger Elementary School. Maddie has appeared in several productions with Sierra School of Performing arts including “Suessical the Musical” and “A Year with Frog and Toad”. She is very happy to be performing the role of Molly in “Annie” this year. She also enjoys playing piano and swimming.
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Ronnie Avansino (Pepper) is 16 years old, and a junior at Reno High School. This is her first show since the COVID-19 pandemic began and she couldn’t be happier to be back, especially with such an amazing cast and crew. She has been doing theatre for 10 years and has done 3 shows with Sierra School of Performing Arts. Her favorite roles include Frog in “A Year With Frog and Toad” (SSPA), The Cat in the Hat in “Seussical the Musical” (SSPA), and The Evil Queen in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (MCT). When she’s not in rehearsal or performing you can find her at Dojo Reno teaching and training in mixed martial arts, running, listening to Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, or Broadway cast recordings, reading, or hanging out with her friends and family.
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Vivienne Keller (Kate) is thrilled to be making her debut with SSPA. Vivi is 11 years old and has trained in various genres of dance since she was 3, advancing to competitive dance at 6. She is currently taking voice and piano lessons. When not on stage, she’s passionate about swimming and tennis. Vivi thanks her parents for always letting her pursue her dreams. She is also grateful to SSPA for this amazing opportunity. Vivi wishes to dedicate all of her performances to Great Grandma Betty.
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Imani Elisa Valle (July) is 12 years old and going into 7th grade. She has performed with TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada, Reno Little Theater, and Good Luck Macbeth where she played her favorite role, Small Alison in "Fun Home". Besides acting and singing, she loves sports, school, family time, and generally being dramatic. She thanks her family, teachers, and friends for always believing in her and the cast and crew of "Annie" for a fun summer!
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Harper Westfall (Tessie) is thrilled to have her second opportunity to perform with SSPA, having previously been in the ensemble of "Seussical." She will be entering 7th grade at Sage Ridge School, where she performed as Reginald, in their production of "Matilda," as well as singing Castle in the Cloud for their Bring Back Broadway show.
Along with performing, Harper takes voice lessons and enjoys playing volleyball at both the school and club level.
She spends her free time with her family, friends, and new puppy, Koa. She is grateful for this opportunity, and would like to thank the cast and crew for taking her under their wing.
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Reagan Price (Tessie) is thrilled to be making her theater debut with Sierra School of Performing Arts. No stranger to the stage, she has been a competitive dancer for the past 4 years at Creative Edge Dance Studio. You may have seen her dance in the Nutcracker with the Reno Dance Company. She is excited to bring her love of dance, singing, and acting together on stage in one of her favorite musicals. Reagan would like to thank Sierra School of Performing Arts for the opportunity to be part of Annie, and her family for their constant love and support.
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Emily Ho (Kate) is a 12-year-old and currently a seventh grader at Marce Herz Middle School. This is Emily’s first musical with Sierra School of Performing Arts. She is very excited to be playing the role of Kate in “Annie”. Emily also enjoys playing piano, singing, tennis, and swimming.
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Eleanor Raker (July) is a vibrant freshman at Galena High School who knows how to keep busy! When she isn’t rehearsing with SSPA, Eleanor enjoys school, playing the guitar and piano, singing, swimming, running, backpacking, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, basketball, soccer, cross country, and band! She had the time of her life playing a “Who Girl” in Sierra School For Performing Arts’ "Seussical," a “bird girl” in SSPA’s "A Year With Frog and Toad," and is positively thrilled to be part of "Annie!"
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Sophia Riella (Duffy) is 12 years old. She started dancing at the age of 2 and studying piano at the age of 3. At 15, she began competing in jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern. She composed music as well. Ballet has been the focus recently, training with Sierra Nevada Ballet, Sophia performed as Clara in the “Peanutcracke." As for musical theatre, she has appeared in “Get Bent Reflections” and “Get Bent Twisted” for 3 Sisters Productions. This is her second time performing with Sierra School of Performing Arts, after appearing in “The Sound of Music” in 2016. Performing with SSPA is a great way to learn the art of theatre.
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Zoa Clayton (Duffy) is excited to be making her SSPA debut as Duffy! She was last on stage in 2020 as Louisa in Reno Little Theater’s The Imaginary Invalid (which closed on opening night, due to COVID-19). She was the swing for Small Alison, Christian, and John in GLM's Fun Home, and recently played Tommy in Western Nevada Musical Theater Co’s Matilda. She has also performed with Wild Horse Children’s Theater, Missoula Children’s Theater, and Park City YouTheatre. When she’s not on stage, you can usually find her riding a horse or making tiny crafts. Thanks to family!
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Anna Leff(Star-to-Be/Ensemble) is an incoming senior at Damonte Ranch High School. This is her fifth Sierra School of Performing Arts production and she is so excited to spend more time onstage. Anna has previously been in Guys and Dolls, Legally Blonde, City of Angels, and more! Anna would like to thank everybody for coming and supporting Sierra School of Performing Arts!
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Thomas Chubb (Bundles McCloskey/Louis Howe) is an actor/singer/dancer based in Reno, NV. He recently graduated from the UNR with a BA in Musical Theatre. Thomas has performed in a variety of plays and musicals including past productions with SSPA, including: The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow) and The Sound of Music (Rolfe). In Reno and abroad he has appeared in the season’s cast at the Virginia City Players, Pinocchio at Missoula Children’s Theatre (Geppetto); Spring Awakening (Georg), Urinetown (Officer Lockstock), Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) and Eurydice (Orpheus) with Nevada Repertory Theatre. When he is not onstage, Thomas enjoys reading and playing games with his friends.
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Jasmine Johnson (Boylan Sister/Secretary Perkins) will be a senior at UNR studying Musical Theatre. Starting when she was 3, she appeared in Moonlit Arabian Nights and found such joy and confidence in singing and performing. In high school she was part of an all girl trio called Just Guys Being Dudes, appeared in Sisters Three’s Production of Get Bent and spent the summer in New York at the Institute of American Musical Theatre. She has played Sally in Nightmare Before Christmas in Virginia City and during her time at UNR, she portrayed Creon in Antigone and was in the musical revue, Bruised and Brave. This September she will be in a local horror / comedy / musical called Revenge of the Killer Titties, where in addition to acting and singing, she composed the film’s soundtrack.
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Maddy Regrut (Cecille) is so excited to be a part of Annie. She grew up in Telluride, Colorado, and this is the first full year that she has spent in the Reno area. She is going into her Junior year at UNR studying musical theatre and dance. While at UNR, she has appeared in the Spring Dance Concert as well as The Power of One: Theatre Festival. Outside of the world of theatre and dance, she is a part of the UNR club ski team. She has enjoyed her time with SSPA and is so excited to be back to live theatre.
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Katie is a senior in the medical academy at AACT High School, and this is her fourth production with SSPA. Her favorite previous roles include a Bird in “A Year with Frog and Toad”, a member of the mission band in “Guys and Dolls”, a Bird Girl in “Seussical the Musical”, all SSPA productions, and Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” for Theaterworks. She studies voice, piano, guitar, violin, and ukulele. In her free time, Katie loves to do yoga and plans on a future in physical therapy.
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Jon Marshall (Bert Healy, Ickes, Ensemble) is delighted to be on the stage for the first time in many years. He has been singing all his life, for the past six years with the Reno Phil Chorus, recently in a quartet for the 2020 Spirit of the Season concert broadcast. He currently works as a middle school teacher in Sparks, after spending two decades as an insurance actuary. His wife and four children are all performers.
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Amy Nielson (Mrs. Greer/Sophie) is thrilled to be back on the stage after such a long break due to the pandemic. A year and half without theater was quite depressing. "Annie" will be Amy’s fourth production with SSPA. Other SSPA shows include "Cinderella," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Legally Blonde." She has performed with Sparks Methodist Church in "Death By Dessert," "Cotton Patch Gospel" and "Nunsense." Playing Sr. Robert Ann was by far her favorite role to date! Amy also has performed in "The Nutcracker" with AVA Ballet and "Chicago" with Inner Rhythms in Truckee. Amy, her husband, and two grown kids love to support local and national theater as much as possible.
This performance is dedicated to you dad. I know that you are watching from above. May our “tomorrows” begin to get brighter. We miss you.
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Lori Ashley (Mrs. Pugh, Ensemble) is enjoying her fourth production with Sierra School of Performing Arts. She has appeared in Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, and Legally Blonde. She has been a performer all her life. As a ballet and jazz dancer, she competed in dance competitions, winning dancer of the year and earning a summer scholarship to a prestigious dance studio in LA. She has performed in and choreographed for many productions such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Annie, My Fair Lady, and The Importance of Being Earnest as well as with the Reno Opera in Samson and Delilah. In addition to her dancing and theatre work, Lori is also a trained gymnast, singer, and musician (acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and violin).
While raising her two amazing children, she discovered another passion - teaching dance and gymnastics to kids. With her children now grown and in college, she is focused on building her career in the trade show industry as an Exhibitor Services Coordinator for GES. Lori is so grateful to be working with such a talented cast and crew in Annie.
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Luis Galvez is a freshman at UNR majoring in Education and History. In previous years, he’s been a stagehand for Legally Blonde and Guys and Dolls, and he is very excited to be in a main stage SSPA production! Luis has played roles in several shows such as Murder on the Orient Express, A Year with Frog and Toad, and The Importance of Being Earnest. He now volunteers at Reno High School to help teach theatre and plans to continue pursuing acting as a hobby for years to come!
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Dan Robbins (Secretary Ickes/Ensemble) has been doing musical theater in Washoe County for quite a while. His roles include Matthew in Cotton Patch Gospel; Mr. McAfee in SSPA's Bye Bye Birdie; evil Uncle Barnaby in Babes in Toyland; Willie Wonka; Scrooge in A Christmas Carol; Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace. He also is a licensed minister for wedding ceremonies, sings with a classic rock band, and teaches History of Rock Music at TMCC. It's a good life.
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Colin Unruh (White House Page/Ensemble) is 17 years old and has been performing with Sierra Schools of Performing Arts since he was nine years old. Some of his favorite roles: Kurt in The Sound of Music, the Munchkin Mayor in The Wizard of Oz; he was in the ensemble in Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, and Guys and Dolls. Colin has also performed with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare c
Company in the main stage production of
MacBeth as well as their Young Shakespeare productions of Love's Labors Lost and Taming of the
Shrew.
When not performing Colin enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family. He is thrilled to be a part of Annie this summer and to work with such talented directors, production
staff, and actors.
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Jack Bibeau (Ensemble/Judge Brandeis) loves music and is excited to be performing in his first musical for Sierra School of Performing Arts.
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Maddi Dowden (Ensemble) is honored to be part of Annie as her first experience with SSPA. Some of her previous roles include: Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Ms. Sherman in Fame!, and Minerva in Murder’s in the Heir. She has also performed in a variety of short films during her time performing in Las Vegas. Maddi would like to send her appreciation to SSPA; to Christian and his family for their unconditional support; and to her father for his endless supply of love.
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Angela Galvez (Ensemble) is a freshmen at Damonte Ranch High School. She enjoys taking part in performing arts and participates in activities such as band and singing. She first appeared in the theater as a mole in SSPA’s production of "A Year with Frog and Toad." She is very glad to be back on stage.
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Giuliana Hovenic (Ensemble) is in 5th grade at Sage Ridge School. She loves the theater and aspires to be an actress. This is her first production with SSPA.
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Oliver Raker (Ensemble) may seem like the typical 7th-grade boy at first; he loves school, mountain biking, swimming, running, and sports in general...but look a little closer, and you will find that there is more to this kid! Oliver is a proficient pianist, passionate guitarist, and he has a love of all things outdoors. Oliver made some of the best memories playing a “Wickersham Brother” in Sierra School for Performing Art’s production of "Seussical" and a “Squirrel" in SSPA’s "A Year with Frog and Toad!" Oliver couldn't be more excited to be performing alongside such a talented cast!
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Kaleina Kaululaau (Ensemble) Kaleina is an 8th grade student at Doral Academy. She is thrilled to be a part of this Sierra School of Performing Arts production, having previously been in “A Year with Frog and Toad”, “Seussical Jr.”, “The Little Mermaid” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Kaleina loves to travel and play sports!
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Production Team
Janet Lazarus (co-director/production manager/founding artistic director)) is thrilled to be working with such a talented creative team this year. She has a BA in Theater (S.U.N.Y. @ Binghamton), and an MFA in acting (UCLA). She has worked and performed in stage, film and television in New York, Los Angeles, and Rome, Italy. While in L.A. she co-wrote and co-starred in a two-woman comedy that garnered rave reviews in the L.A. Times. Janet has taught theater and movement classes at various schools and colleges in California, Hawaii, and Nevada, including UNR. In Reno, she has performed on many local stages and recently had the honor of receiving Reno Little Theater's Blythe award for her portrayal of Dierdre in their 2019 production of "The Humans". Janet has been producing and directing productions for SSPA since 2005, and oversees SSPA's performing arts camps and classes.
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Adam Cates (co-director) is happy to share creative duties with Janet and this wonderful team and cast. He returned to Reno after a 20-year career in NYC with credits that include Broadway & touring productions of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Anastasia, Anything Goes, Doctor Dolittle with Tommy Tune; Off-Broadway musicals and plays; and several operas and concert events at Lincoln Center. Adam has worked in network television, regional theater and opera in most states, as well as international theatre, festivals, and educational workshops. He is a published author with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts. Proud SDC member. @adamcnyc
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CJ Greer (Music Director) is voice faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno implementing a new Musical Theatre degree program. CJ found her passion and life’s work in vocal performance and instruction. She carries an MFA in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy and MM/Classical from Penn State University, and a BME from the University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana. CJ has performed and presented around the world as singer, actor, teacher, and conductor with an undying love for storytelling through music. Research interests span from bringing movement and intimacy training practices into the voice studio, to interdisciplinary approaches to vocal performance, to working with the medical field exploring where science and singing can heal. CJ has been featured in Classical Singer magazine (May 2019), The Visceral Voice podcast (aired June, 2021), and is currently finishing her Open Source Forms (OSF) certification. Broadway/National Tour/Regional performing credits (Sister Act, Les Miserables, The Producers, Ragtime, I Love A Piano, Mamma Mia, The Buddy Holly Story, The Addams Family, Chess, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, etc). AEA, MTEA, NATS, VASTA, NYSTA.
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Mandy Flocchini (Choreographer) has been dancing since she was seven years old. She grew up in Reno, Nevada and graduated from the University of Nevada in the spring of 2011 with a BS in chemistry. She performed in and choreographed for numerous dance concerts at the University of Nevada. Mandy was a member of bellē contemporary dance co. and was privileged to perform with the company at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 2012. She has choreographed for Sierra School of Performing Arts’ summer musicals since 2013 including: Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz and Legally Blonde. When she is not dancing, Mandy teaches middle school science.
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Michaela Biggs (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be stage managing for SSPA. In 2017, Michaela began a career in technical theatre at Broadway at Music Circus in Sacramento, California and has continued to pursue stage management and wardrobe. In addition to studying under industry professionals, Michaela is a recent graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in Theatre – Design and Technology. Most recently, Michaela has begun to work in wardrobe with the I.A.T.S.E. Local 363, in Reno, Nevada. While engaging in professional and community theatre from coast to coast, Michaela has been inspired by experimental theatre and continues to seek out opportunity to create and contribute to art that is stimulating, enthralling, and thought-provoking.
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Julie Robertson (Costumer) began costuming as a teenager who loved clothes and Halloween. When she discovered theatre many years later it was natural to use her skills in sewing and creating clothing to costume the characters in plays. The rest, as they say, is history. She became involved with Sierra School of Performing Arts during “The Wizard of Oz.” Since then she’s costumed musicals for Reno Little Theater and Truckee High School in addition to continuing as SSPA’s costumer for “The Sound of Music” and “Guys and Dolls.” In addition to costumes Julie has acted, directed and designed for over 20 years in local theater.
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