Directed by Luke Scattergood

Music Direction by Anthony Trifiletti

Choreography by Liz Baumgartner & Spenser Bell

Stage Managed by Venchise Phillips

Costume Design by Luke Scattergood & Justin Bilewicz

Set & Light Design by Patrick Ciamacco

Sound Operation by Jenna Rhoades

CAST/STAFF/BAND

Isaac Bauman (Freddy) is very excited to make his debut at Blank Canvas Theatre.  Isaac studied at Baldwin Wallace University for four years, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting.  His most recent credits include The Outsiders (Paul) and Godspell (John The Baptist) at Western Reserve Playhouse, Hairspray (Corny Collins u/s) at Near West Theatre, and Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio u/s) at Great Lakes Theatre.  When Isaac is not performing, he enjoys playing with his puppy, spending time with friends and family, and watching movies.  He would like to thank God, his friends, family, and his bride-to-be for all of their continuous support.  Enjoy the show!  ‍

Liza Dwyer (Chris Hargensen) is very please to make her Blank Canvas debut.  ‍

Nat Harper (Sue Snell)  is making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut!  Harper is a Columbus native glad to be back in the Buckeye State.  Past theatrical credits include Grease (Sandy), Les Misérables (Fantine), The Musical of Musicals: The Musical (June), and The SpongeBob Musical (Karen the Computer).  Recent film releases include Gubby and You’re Just In Your 20’s.  When Harper is not on the stage or screen, you will find her working behind the scenes, making videos with her friends, or getting lost on her latest side quest.  Watch her new series Sucker for A Side Quest @thatnatharper on Instagram.  Many thanks to family and friends for their endless support.  Follow her latest adventures at natharper.com and @thatnatharper.  Go, Gorloks!

McKenna Hassel (Carrie White) is thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut leading this beast of a show!  She graduated in May from Kent State University, earning her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre.  Her favorite credits include Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Charlotte), Cabaret (Fraulein Kost, Fritzie, u/s Sally), and Men on Boats (O.G. Howland/Just Jim).  McKenna is honored to work with such dedicated individuals both on and off the stage.  She would like to thank Luke, Anthony, and Patrick for the wonderful opportunity to bring this character to life, and her loving friends, family, and professors for their continued support!  Instagram: mckennahassel

Andrew Jeschelnig (Stokes) is super excited to be playing Stokes in this production. His recent roles/shows include Something Rotten (Nick Bottom), Fame: The Musical (Nick Piazza).

Natalie Joritz (Frieda)  is excited to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage! She was last seen as the Sheriff/Ensemble in Bubble Boy in July.  She received both her B.A. in Theatre as well as her M.B.A. from Heidelberg University.  Previous stage credits include Luisa (The Fantasticks), Hodel/Assistant Choreographer (Fiddler on the Roof), and Cherry Valance (The Outsiders).  Natalie is currently a Guest Strategy Associate at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Love goes out to her friends and family for all their support, the production team for making this show possible, and director Luke for including her in a show she’s loved since she was thirteen.  Enjoy the show!

Reed Randall Kruger (Tommy Ross) is stoked to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage in Carrie: The Musical!  You may have seen him in the box office or on stage here at BCT, where some of his favorite productions include Pippin (Ensemble), Zombie Prom (Jake), Groundhog Day (Ned Ryerson), American Psycho (Craig McDermott), and, most recently, the concert benefit of Grease (Eugene).  You may have also seen him in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino) at Clague Playhouse, The Learned Ladies (Ariste) for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Isaachar/Butler) at Beck Center for the Arts.  He is a massive Stephen King fan, so he’s honored to be a part of such an incredible cast bringing this timeless classic to life.  In his free time, Reed can be found watching any of the five different filmed versions of Carrie, updating the Stephen King wall at Barnes & Noble Strongsville (Carrie is a top seller!), reading Stephen King (probably Carrie), or playing with his cat, Junie.  He would like to thank his friends and family for everything, but special thanks to his dad for introducing him to the King, thankee sai.  Don’t slip on the blood on your way out!

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Sage Mason (Norma) is thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut in such a powerful show.  After a long hiatus, Sage returned to the stage in Mean Girls (ensemble) and The Wedding Singer (ensemble).  She is so excited to be performing again and would like to thank her family and friends for being her biggest cheerleaders and supporting her in everything she does.  

Kareem Mchaourab (Billy) is totally stoked to once again return to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage.  His recent credits include Andy Warhol in Iran (Farhad) at Beck Center for the Arts, The Secret Garden (Fakir/Ensemble) at Stocker Arts Center, RENT (Ensemble) at BCT, and Bubble Boy (Mark) at BCT.  Kareem would like to give his thanks to the incredible cast, crew, and creative team for making this production so bloody brilliant.  Enjoy the show!

Amber Michalak (Margaret) is thrilled to be playing the role of Margaret in Carrie: The Musical.  She graduated in 2005 from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music with a degree in Musical Theater.  Her favorite roles include Claire in Ordinary Days (French Creek Theatre), Cathy in The Last Five Years (MAD* Factory Theatre Company), and Sandra in Big Fish (TrueNorth Cultural Arts).  Offstage, she is proud to serve as the Executive Director of The MAD* Factory Theatre Company.  She would like to thank her supportive friends and family, and most of all, her amazing daughter, Ophelia.

Aaron T. Phillips (Mr. Stevens/Rev. Bliss) is quite excited to step into character at Blank Canvas Theatre.  His recent credits include Zombie Prom (Eddie Flagrante / Ensemble) at BCT, The Music Man (Harold Hill) at Near West Theatre, The Drowsy Chaperone (Ensemble) at French Creek Theatre, and Oliver! (Bill Sykes) at NWT.   He also dares to mention his grave thrill at having the opportunity to take the stage alongside such talented humans, under the management of his lovely wife. Venchise.  Thank you so much for coming to support BCT!

McKinley Porth (Ensemble) is a sophomore pursuing a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre at Kent State University, and is from Columbia, South Carolina.  She is thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut!  Recent credits include Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Éponine in Les Misérables, Katherine in Disney’s Newsies, and Bet in Oliver!.  McKinley would like to thank her friends, family, and teachers for their continued love and support.  Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Brooke Robinson (Ensemble) couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the spooky season than by making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut in Carrie: The Musical!  Her recent credits include Weathervane Playhouse’s Parade (Sally Slaton) and the Fine Arts Association’s Jesus Christ Superstar (Apostle/Soul Girl) and Jekyll & Hyde (Red Rat Girl/Emma u/s).  You can also catch her as Betty Haynes in the Fine Arts Association’s upcoming production of White Christmas.  She is eternally grateful to the Northeast Ohio theatre community for welcoming this small-town transplant and for making Cleveland feel like home.  Much love to the Munchers and all her incredible friends.  Happy Halloween!

Peter Seidl (George) is excited to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre!  Past BCT credits include Bubble Boy (Ensemble/Understudy), Noises Off (Timothy Allgood), RENT (Ensemble), Frankenstein: The Musical (Robert Walton/Blind Man), and Alice by Heart (Nigel/Dormouse).  Most recently, Peter was a part of Cain Park's production of The Addams Family (Mal Beineke). He was also seen in Ohio Shakespeare Festival's Man of La Mancha (Tenorio/Barber).  Peter is local to the Cleveland area and is a junior at Cleveland State University, somehow finding a way to balance his love for theater with full-time studios for a pre-law degree.  Outside of theater and school, Peter plays the accordion and surrounds himself in a world of music.  He is incredibly thankful to the cast and the creative team behind this production and would like to thank his family and friends who continue to inspire him to strive for better! 

Ava Somich (Helen) is so happy to be a part of this production of Carrie: The Musical! Some of her recent credits include Freaky Friday (Torrey), Hairspray (Tracy U/S), and Ragtime (Ensemble).  This is Ava’s first production with Blank Canvas Theatre, and she would like to thank the staff, cast, and crew of the show.  She also wants to thank the family of UpStage Players for helping her become the actor she is today.  Last, but certainly not least, Ava wants to thank her family for always being her biggest cheerleaders.

Autumn Vinciquerra (Miss Gardner) is thrilled and honored to be cast in her first musical as Miss Gardner.  Offstage, Autumn is a trauma therapist for children and is deeply passionate about protecting them, advocating for them, and healing their hearts.  She thanks her best friends Cassie and Caitlin for guiding this new journey, her boyfriend, Josh, for supporting her, and her dad and grandparents for making music part of her life.  Autumn hopes to make her friends and family proud and is excited to be part of the musical theatre community. 

D. Justin Bilewicz, III (Costume Co-Designer)  graduated with a degree in Theatre Design from Ashland University in 2009, specializing in Costume Design.  He works as a freelance costume designer and holds positions as the Guest Costume Designer and Guest Shop Manager at Ashland University.  Additionally, Justin serves as an Art Teacher at Saint Joseph Parish School in Amherst.  This is Justin's third time co-designing costumes with Luke Scattergood on various productions.  Some of Justin’s favorite shows he has costumed are Mothers and Sons (Beck Center), Carrie: The Musical (Sandstone Summer Theatre), Merrily We Roll Along (Ashland University), and Parade (French Creek Theatre).  Justin hopes you have a night you’ll never forget! 

Patrick Ciamacco (Lighting and Set Design) is the Artistic Director and founder of Blank Canvas Theatre.  He dedicates this show to the person sitting in the third row, fifth seat from the left.

Venchise Phillips (Stage Manager) is back in the Stage Manager’s booth at Blank Canvas Theatre, where she has proudly stage managed recent productions of Into the Woods, Pippin, Little Shop of Horrors, Of Mice and Men, and The Laughter League.  Recent on-stage credits at Blank Canvas include the ensembles of RENT and American Idiot, as well as The Crucible (Tituba), Zombie Prom (Ramona), and comma (Nurse).  Venchise has also worked as a Prop Designer for BCT, Near West Theatre, and Playhouse Square.  Endless thanks to Patrick, Luke, and the BCT community.  Love to Aaron, now and for always.  Turn your phone off and enjoy the show!

Jenna Rhoades (Sound Operator) is thrilled to be back home at Blank Canvas Theatre running the sound board!  Some of her favorite past shows include Groundhog Day (Stage Manager), Disaster! (Sound), Pippin (Sound), Frankenstein: the Musical (Sound), RENT (Sound), Bubble Boy (Sound), Falsettos (Sound), Hair (Assistant Stage Manager), Shrek The Musical (Assistant Stage Manager), and Dead Man's Cell Phone (Assistant Director). Jenna attended Heidelberg University as a Communications major and was heavily involved in theatre there as an executive member of Heidelberg’s chapter of the National Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega.  Lots of love to Nana, Homey, and Zara for their love and support!  Enjoy the show!!

Luke Scattergood (Director/Costume Co-Designer) is thrilled to be back directing at Blank Canvas Theatre once again after directing last season’s production of RENT.  He has been active at BCT since its inception, both on and off stage.  His favorite past roles at BCT include Avenue Q (Brian), Bathroom Humor (Arthur), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Jonas Fogg), and Of Mice and Men (Carlson).  His costume designs here include Hair, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, American Psycho, We Will Rock You, Falsettos and MANY more. Luke also works throughout the Cleveland area as an actor, costume designer, and director, and is the theater director at Bay Village High School.  For the last two summers, he has served as director for Lorain Community Music Theater for productions of Sister Act and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.  He would like to thank Patrick, as well as the rest of the production team for their support, and this terrific cast for joining him on the journey.  Thanks to his wife, Laura, and three terrific kiddos for all their love and support.  Thank you for supporting live theater, and enjoy the show!!

Anthony Trifiletti (Music Director) is an active conductor, pianist, and vocalist working throughout Northeastern Ohio.  He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance.  While at UD, Anthony was the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Collaborative Pianist and was a featured performer at the 2012 American Choral Directors Association National Convention.  Anthony has held positions at Playhouse Square, Cain Park, Beck Center for the Arts, Rubber City Theatre, Blank Canvas Theatre, French Creek Theatre, Lorain Community Music Theater, The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings, and numerous other venues.  Aside from his work in theatre, Anthony is the Artistic Director for Choral Spectrum, an auditioned, adult choral ensemble based in Oberlin,  Ohio.  Anthony is also an active church musician, serving as the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Peter Parish in Lorain, Ohio.

Jesse Hodgson (Guitar) is very excited to play guitar for Carrie: The Musical.  He has most recently performed for Mean Girls at Beck Center and Pippin at Case Western Reserve University.  Favorite previous BCT productions include American Idiot in concert, Cabaret, and The Texas Chainsaw Musical!

Michael Simile (Guitar)  first played at Blank Canvas in summer of 2022 with Spring Awakening and Spongebob Squarepants The Musical. Since then, he has also played for Zombie Prom and Little Shop of Horrors. Michael has a background in rock and metal, but the Blank Canvas community has played a huge role in teaching him that music theater is something he really enjoys, and nowadays he's just glad to be here. Thanks to everyone who continues to show up and make these productions possible. 

Jason Stebelton (Bass) is thrilled to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre for another Halloween musical!   You've heard him play bass on many of the October shows, including include Bat Boy: The Musical, Silence! The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, Cannibal! The Musical, Evil Dead- The Musical, The Texas Chainsaw Musical! (2021), Zombie Prom, and Little Shop of Horrors.  Many thanks to Patrick and Anthony for the opportunity to add Carrie: The Musical to the list.  Enjoy the show!