Shine Theatre Cast
Meet our talented cast and crew from Shine Theatre's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid!
(List is alphabetical by first name)
Ada Melton, Ensemble
Ada Melton is a 4th grader at Great Hearts Archway Cicero. She has been involved in theater since last year when she performed in the ensemble in Shine’s production of The Sound of Music (she learned so much as an understudy for Gretl!). She also participated in Shine’s summer camp production of Finding Nemo (Nemo) and Art and Sol’s Shrek Jr. (ensemble). She counts Wicked, The Sound of Music, and The Wiz among her favorite musical theater shows. She loves dancing and has training in ballet, tap, jaz, and contemporary. Ada is grateful for the positive experiences and friendships developed in this Shine community, and is very excited to bring her tapping to the stage in this wonderful production!
Alexis Stoltz, Attina
Alexis Stoltz is 22 years young and has been part of the theater scene since 2017, starting with her first shows: Sherlock Holmes with Moezart Productions and CYT’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She’s been hooked ever since—hook, line, and sinker! Alexis is bubbling with excitement for you to watch this fin-tastic production of The Little Mermaid! She’d like to thank Shine Theater for the oppor-tuna-ity to work on costumes, props, and serve as the music intern for this production. This cast has poured their heart and soul into this ex-squid-site performance. So krill out, relax, and enjoy this crab-ulous show!
Amanda Zeilinger, Princess/Ensemble
Amanda Zeilinger is excited to come back to the stage with Shine after a 10 year break! She has been involved in a multitude of productions including Little Shop of Horrors and The Pirates of Penzance. Her favorite musical is Les Misérables, and she enjoys mountain biking and reading in her free time. She is beyond grateful to join this spectacular cast and be a part in sharing the story of The Little Mermaid!
Ana King, Chef 1/Ensemble
Ana King is 16 years old and a Sophomore at GreatHearts, Scottsdale Prep, and has been pursuing her love for musical theatre her whole life. She started with ballet at three years old and has been doing theatre and other arts for about 13 years! The Little Mermaid will be her 12th show with Shine Theater Company,as a Chef, Featured Ensemble and dance captain, and with many more shows to come! Ana is so grateful for all the opportunities Shine has given her and what’s to come! She is so excited to have another amazing show with the Shine community!
Andrew Hammons, Sebastian
Andrew Hammons takes on the role of Sebastian in this enchanting production of "The Little Mermaid," a character he has cherished since childhood. Bringing this iconic role to life is a dream come true for Andrew, who is eager to showcase his talents once again. He has previously graced the stage in various productions, including "Anastasia," "The Addams Family," and several other captivating musicals, each experience enriching his craft. Andrew's passion for musical theater shines through in every performance. With a blend of energy, creativity, and dedication, he is committed to portraying Sebastian’s charm and wisdom, making the character relatable and memorable for audiences of all ages. As he steps into this beloved role, Andrew hopes to inspire others with the magic of storytelling through music and performance
Arianna Vitelli, Ensemble
Arianna Vitelli is a 7th grader at Sonoran Trails Middle School and is super excited to be in her 2nd Shine production! Arianna is also a part of her school drama club. When she’s not on stage, she’s playing for the Sonoran Trails 7th grade basketball team, student council, jiu-jitsu and listening to music. Her favorite musical is Footloose. Arianna is so excited to be a part of the Little mermaid and is so grateful for all of her Shine friends!
Audrey Love, Ensemble
Audrey Love hopes you enjoy seeing into Part of her World and love for all things theater. As an elementary age student, she has many years ahead in the theater arts. Her past roles in Wonka, Finding Nemo, and Frozen have been the best times of her life. She hopes you would join her next time! At school, home, and church, you’ll always see Audrey with a buddy in hand as they sing, dance, paint, color, dribble, hit a ball, or do a cartwheel… whatever she does, she does it with love and care for the people around her. She looks forward to future shows at school and Shine! Come join and see what all the buzz is about! Psalm 105:1-2
Austin Spaulding, King Triton
Austin Spaulding is 25 years old and excited to be a part of the Little Mermaid. He has been involved with productions such as Music Man, Gospell, Anastasia, and The Sound of Music. Austin has taught piano, and accompanied small orchestras as well. He is currently serving as Music Director for Seussical Jr., and thankful to be a part of Shine Theatre Company!
Ava Slovek, Maid 2/Ensemble
Ava is 12 years old and is in the 6th grade at Desert Trails. This is her sixth time being a cast in a theatrical performance. She is very excited to be a part of The Little Mermaid becuase of the large amounts of dancing. Ava loves being with friends and doing what she has a passion for at the same time; theatre. Her favorite scene is “Positoovity ” due to all the expressions and costumes. Ava’s favorite musical of all time is Frozen. Although she loves math in school her favorite thing besides theatre is golfing. She is thrilled to be working with such talent in this production!
Aven Salei, Princess/Ensemble
Aven Salei is a 22-year-old fashion designer whose passion for storytelling and style comes alive both on and off the stage. A lifelong lover of musical theatre, Aven blends her flair for fashion with a deep appreciation for the dramatic arts. When she’s not designing eye-catching looks, she’s painting, writing scripts, editing films, or planning her next getaway. Her favorite musical is Mamma Mia!, and she’s inspired by its vibrant costumes and infectious energy. Aven’s creative spirit and cinematic vision bring a unique energy to every project she touches. She’s thrilled to help bring this show’s world to life!
Brooklyn Lawrence, Jetsam
Hi! My name is Brooklyn Lawrence and I am 13 years old. I go to Arrowhead Christian Academy and am in seventh grade. I love drawing and doing anything that involves singing dancing and being with friends. This is my fifth play with Shine Theatre, but I have done two other skits without shine. I love shine and have made so many wonderful friends along the way. I’m so thankful I am able to have this kind of community. My favorite play has been Mary Poppins. I have definitely grown in my acting skills, but still have A LOT of room to improve. I can’t wait for the next play I get to do with Shin
Brooklynn Liberatore, Ensemble
Brooklynn Liberatore is 13 and in the 7th grade. Enjoys vocal lessons and piano. Participated with Shine Theatre since its first production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Wind in the Willows, Mary Poppins, Descendants, Sound of Music, Finding Nemo Jr, High School Musical Jr, Anastasia, and is excited now to be in the ensemble of The Little Mermaid.
Cheyenne Brunell, Maid 4/Ensemble
Cheyenne is 13 years old and is in 7th grade at Scottsdale Christian Academy. She loves acting and performing on a big stage. Her debut performance was last year in Willy Wonka at Scottsdale Christian. She also performed in the summer Shine theater camp High School Musical 2 as Gabriella. This year Cheyenne has enjoyed performing in the Frozen 2 production as well as Sleeping Beauty and other tangled tales at SCA. Cheyenne is thrilled to be apart of the Little Mermaid cast as a maid and ensemble. She would like to thank her family for all their support as she pursues her love of theater.
Claudia Cadena, Choreographer
Claudia is thrilled to be one of the choreographers for "The Little Mermaid." Dancing has always been a passion of hers since she was young, including tap dancing, and she loves sharing this experience with her family, who are also part of the show. This is her fourth production with Shine and her fourth show with her family. Shine Theater is a ministry that glorifies Jesus, and she feels blessed to be a part of it. Claudia and her husband Jairo share the role of homeschooling their three boys, and in her professional life, Claudia works in the world of Finance within the technology industry.
Daniel Cadena, Ensemble
Daniel Cadena is 9 years old. This is his fourth time being part of a Shine production. Daniel is excited to be a part of the ensemble in "The Little Mermaid" with his parents and siblings who are also in the show and encourage and support him. Daniel has played the piano since he was 4 years old and is working to get his blue belt in Taekwondo. His favorite class is Math which he learns from his dad.
David Cadena, Ensemble
David Cadena, 14, is performing in his sixth show with Shine as part of the ensemble. His love for music started at age 4 when he began playing the piano. David plays the keys in the youth worship team. Outside of the show, he creates content for his YouTube channel, "DavidNinjaKing," and is a fitness enthusiast with a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo WTF, which he earned at age 7. David is dedicated to his faith in Jesus and is currently taking computer science classes at GCU while he completes his High School credits.
Delphine R. Stapleton, Ensemble
Delphine R. Stapleton is a 5th grader at Grayhawk Elementary and is excited to be returning to the stage with Shine! She began her theatre career in 2nd grade as Katie in “Dear Edwina Jr.”. Since then, she has performed in 9 shows. When she’s not acting, Delphine loves to play softball, swim, travel and hang with her friends. She recently saw the Broadway production of “Wicked” and has declared it her favorite musical. Delphine is thrilled to join this incredible Shine family in bringing this production to life!
Ellie Richards, Ensemble
Ellie Richards is a vibrant 10-year-old excited to be part of the Ensemble Cast in The Little Mermaid. She has performed in four productions with Shine Theatre, including Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, Marta in The Sound of Music, Little Anastasia in Anastasia and as part of the ensemble in Wind in the Willows. Ellie loves being on stage and is passionate about acting and singing. When she’s not performing, Ellie enjoys arts and crafts, skiing, and spending time with her family and dog, Kona. She adores this organization that helps her SHINE! Ellie loves spending time with her fellow actors and learning choreography with her friends. Known for her sweet spirit and positive attitude, she is grateful to be part of this amazing cast.
Emerson Ramsower, Ensemble
Emerson Ramsower is 10 & attends Pinnacle Peak Preparatory School. She is so excited to perform in the ensemble in the cast of “Little Mermaid” with Shine Theatre Company! She ventured to California in March with Shine Theatre’s “Acting Up” competition team; and was thrilled to place 2nd for her solo performance-all thanks to the amazing coaching of her directors at Shine! Emerson’s most memorable performance with Shine Theatre to date has been as Nemo in “Finding Nemo Jr.”; & she also played “Little Dmitry” in “Anastasia the musical” with Shine. Other roles for Emerson include playing the Pied Piper in the Art & Sol Performing Arts version of “Shrek Jr.”; and portraying Mini Bruce in the Phoenix Youth Theatre production of “Matilda Jr.”
Emerson Reed, Princess/Ensemble
Emerson Reed is a 14-year-old homeschooler and excited to be making her Shine debut in this production! She’s always loved music and storytelling and is thrilled to bring that passion to the stage. When she’s not rehearsing, Emerson enjoys baking sweet treats, hanging out with her new puppy, and listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. She’s grateful for the new friendships she’s made at Shine and can’t wait to share this performance with you!
Fallyn Bader, Ensemble
Fallyn is a 2nd grader and is excited to participate in her first Shine production! She has been performing in other theater programs for the last 4 years and loves singing and acting. In addition to the performing arts, Fallyn enjoys playing on her basketball and volleyball teams with her friends and also taking ice skating lessons. In her free time she loves to practice her keyboard, swim, play with her animals (1 dog and 2 cats) or create art projects. She can't wait to be part of the Shine production of The Little Mermaid and hopes you all enjoy the show!
Finley Seidel, Scuttle / Ariel Understudy
Finley Seidel is 14 years old (15 in two weeks!), and a freshman at Chaparral High School. She is playing one of her many dream roles: Scuttle!! Finley has been acting for three(ish) years, and couldn’t wait to take on this silly little bird. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she enjoys performing it for you! SQUWAAAAAWK!
Gabi Myers, Ursula
Gabi Myers is a sophomore at Arizona State University, studying theatre education and is ecstatic to be in her first ever Shine production! She's been involved in theatre for nearly 13 years and enjoys both the onstage and offstage roles. Gabi has most recently played Caroline in the play Detroit 67 at ASU. When she's not on stage, she can be found working at an escape room, teaching theatre across the valley, or spending time with her friends. Her favorite musicals are Hadestown and Come From Away. Gabi is so thankful for her friends and family’s consistent love and support and she is thrilled to show you her and her cast/crew mates hard work!
Gianna Infanitino, Chef 3/Ensemble
Gianna is a passionate young actress thrilled to be part of the Shines theater performance "The Little Mermaid” as a chef and ensemble. When she's not performing, Gianna enjoys spending time with animals , sewing clothes, plushies and dog gear, sketching and painting . She loves her role as a chef and the comedy that comes along with it. Her dedication to both theater and arts reflects her vibrant and lively personality . She looks forward to bringing The Little Mermaid to life through her character!
Grace Matejsek, Flotsam
Grace absolutely loves being on stage. She loves singing, acting, dancing, and using her gifts to glorify the Lord. In her free time, she enjoys doing crafts and art activities. She also loves playing with and dog sitting doggies. The Little Mermaid will be here third show with Shine and she has been so blessed to be a part of such an amazing community. Her favorite musical is Wicked.
Harlow Ngo, Ensemble
Harlow Ngo is a 4th grader in the Mandarin Immersion program at Gavilan Peak. She is thrilled to be sharing the stage with so many talented friends in this production. Over the course of 11 Shine Theatre shows, Harlow has enjoyed bringing a variety of fun and memorable characters to life- including a fox, a royal page, a school kid, a porcupine, and “Nigel” the pelican. Her favorite role to date has been portraying “Gretl” in the full production of The Sound of Music. Harlow loves singing, dancing, and expressing emotions on stage. She sends a big thank you to the Shine team and her parents for their support. Enjoy the show!
Harper Lawrence, Ensemble
Hello reader, my name is Harper Lawrence. I am 10 years old. I go to Arrowhead Christian Academy and I am in 4th grade. I have been involved with Shine Theatre for about 2 years. I have done 6 plays, The Little Mermaid being my 7th play. I am also currently a part of my school play, “Feathers and Petals”. I enjoy extra school classes including art, choir, band, and P.E. I personally don’t have a specific favorite musical, because I love them all!!
Isela Tovar, Ensemble
Isela Tovar is excited to be under the sea with this amazing cast of The little mermaid!! Her most recent shows include - Hadestown (Eurydice), Anastasia (Anya), VYT’s Hunchback of Notre Dame (choir), CHS’s The Little Mermaid (Flounder), and SYT’s Mary Poppins jr as Mary Poppins (ariZoni nom- best female lead in a musical-youth ) and some other productions she was in are…The Play that goes Wrong as Annie and Beauty and the Beast as Belle and more!! She hopes to continue to pursue musical theater in the future, as a profession, due to her love of singing and performing. She would like to thank the directors and production team for giving her this incredible opportunity and her parents and family for supporting her, and this amazing cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience!!
Jade Hoerner, Ensemble/Flounder U/S
Jade Hoerner is an 8th grader at Scottsdale Christian Academy, and is absolutely thrilled to be in her first Shine production! She has been in theater for four years now and has done six productions overall! She loves performing at her school (SCA) productions where Laura McGinnis directs theater and teaches a drama class, which Jade took for two and a half years. When Jade is not at school or on stage, she enjoys drawing, singing, and hanging out with her family and friends. Her favorite musicals are: Grease, Hamilton, West Side Story and Wicked. She is so thankful to be in this wonderful cast and to have worked with everyone, especially the creative team and Laura McGinnis!
Jairo Cadena, Pilot/Chef 2/Ensemble
Jairo Cadena is passionate about embarking on the magical journey of musical theatre alongside his beloved family: Claudia, David, Lucas, and Daniel. This enchanting production marks their fourth musical as a family, following their performance in "The Sound of Music" last year. For Jairo, the stage is an opportunity to connect with his family. Beyond the spotlight, Jairo's passion extends to homeschooling his three boys, nurturing their growth and love for learning. His professional life finds him in the technology industry, in the area of cybersecurity.
James Abbitt, Assistant Director
James is a theatre enthusiast who has spent his life studying the life of the stage. Over the years, he has performed in many shows and helped behind the scenes for many others. While he thrives on the stage in any capacity, his love of the technical aspects of theatre has also allowed him to find other ways of enjoying it. His ultimate goal is to help theatres in the valley grow and help to shine God’s light to all through the fine arts.
Jamie Bauschka, Maid 3/Ensemble
Jamie is grateful and excited to be making her Shine Theater debut! She has performed in many productions in Illinois, but it has been over 10 years since she was last on-stage. Previous shows include George M!, A Christmas Carol, and Cinderella. Outside of theater, she loves spending time with her family and friends. Golfing, boating, and traveling are a few of her favorite things. She is thankful for all of the kind and talented people she has met being a part of this amazing show! Thanks for coming to the show &; supporting Shine Theater! Enjoy the show!
Jerry Abbitt, Grimsby
Jerry is excited to make his Shine Theater debut as “Grimsby”! After years of supporting his three sons in theater by building sets, he joined them on stage and discovered a love for performing. He’s appeared as the Preacher in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Maurice in Beauty and the Beast, and in the ensemble of White Christmas with Patriot Productions. Now fully hooked, Jerry sees each role as a chance for personal growth, breaking barriers, and trusting God to creatively express worship through the arts. He’s grateful to be part of Shine’s talented team and cast. Outside the theater, Jerry is an Investment Advisor Representative and Mortgage Loan Officer. He and his wife, Ruth, also run Abbitt Wellness Centers.
Jordyce Behm, Andrina/Ensemble
Jordyce Behm is an 18 year old 2023 high school graduate, she is excited to be doing her second show with Shine theater. Jordyce has been doing theater since she was 7 years old, her favorite show she’s been in was once upon a mattress where she played the character of Lady Lucille. When Jordyce isn’t at rehearsal she enjoys hanging out with her horse Angel and spending time with family and friends. She is so happy to be a part of this show and excited to bring the story of Little mermaid to life!
Katie Baker, Ensemble
Born and raised in Arizona, Katie Baker met her husband Tony in Israel. After moving back to Arizona, Tony quickly joined the local theater scene and encouraged Katie to follow him onstage. Though she had always loved musicals, it wasn’t until his support that she found the courage to perform. Now, Katie thrives in theater and treasures sharing the stage with Tony and their theater family. Together, they’ve appeared in Matilda, Wind in the Willows, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Anastasia, and Fiddler on the Roof. In addition to performing, Katie enjoys drawing and has a deep love for musicals like The Lion King and Little Shop of Horrors. She’s grateful for the joy theater brings to her life.
Kaylie Gerhardt, Arista/Princess
Kaylie Gerhardt is sixteen years old and in tenth grade at Scottsdale Christian Academy. This is her first show with shine, but the sixth musical she’s been in. When not doing theater, Kaylie also sings in her school Concert Choir and Honors Chorale. She also devotes a lot of time to reading and writing stories for her future dream of becoming an author. She’s thrilled to be a part of The Little Mermaid, as it was one of her favorite Disney movies growing up. She used to say she’d be a mermaid when she grew up, she never thought that particular dream would come true!
Kenzie Lawrence, Ensemble
Dear friends, my name is Kenzie Lawrence. I am 8 years old and in 2nd grade. I go to Arrowhead Christian Academy. This is my first show with Shine Theatre. I love the music in this play because it shows how we all feel, which is happy and excited. Positivity is my favorite song and dance. Thank you for coming! Enjoy the show!
Killian Thompson, Lighting Assistant
Killian is thankful for the chance to work on The Little Mermaid. He appreciates Laura for allowing him to be involved and Logan Farrington for inviting him be part of the process, and everything he has learned along the way. In addition to being a proud member of the Shine family, Killian is an 8th grader who enjoys golfing and participating in the Highlands youth worship team.
Kinley McCormick, Chef 4/Ensemble
Kinley is a 7th grade student at Desert Shadows and is so excited to be part of her first production with Shine! She has always loved the theatre environment and she has been singing and dancing since she can remember. This marks her 5th show, and she’s enjoyed every opportunity to grow and perform on stage. When she’s not in rehearsal, Kinley enjoys spending time with family and friends. She’s grateful to be part of such a talented cast and is so excited to perform The Little Mermaid!
Kinsey Baumann, Music Director
After performing in several shows on stage, Kinsey began music directing shows behind-the-scenes and has loved every moment! This production of The Little Mermaid marks her sixth show as a Music Director and first as Associate Program Director for Shine. It has been a tremendous honor to work with such a dedicated and talented cast. Watching the performers grow and accomplish things they never thought possible has been one of the great joys of this experience. Kinsey is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help bring this magical story to life—and gives all glory to God for the music, the growth, and the incredible people who make it all possible.
LJ LaVancil, Ensemble
LJ is 25 years old and has been involved in theatre for over 10 years. He’s a passionate and versatile performer whose love for the stage shines in every role he takes on. A dedicated member of SHINE Theatre Company since 2023, LJ has captivated audiences in lead roles such as Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls) and Aladdin (Aladdin). His credits also include standout performances in Fiddler on the Roof and Mary Poppins. Outside of theatre, LJ enjoys creating digital video content. His favorite musical is Mamma Mia. LJ’s unique ability to bring characters to life, combined with his talents in singing and dance, makes him a dynamic presence on stage. He is proud to be an autistic theatrical performer.
Logan Farrington, Lighting Designer / Scuttle Understudy
Logan is thrilled to return to Shine Theatre Company! Logan has been involved in the Phoenix theatre community for over ten years. In that time, he has been an actor, lighting designer, stagehand, assistant director, and stage manager, from high school stages across the Valley all the way to ASU Gammage. His most recent credits include Catch Me if You Can (Desert Stages, LD, Zoni nominated), Anasatasia (Shine Theatre Co., LD), and Singin’ in the Rain (Patriot Productions, Rob, LD). In his free time, Logan is a Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at Midwestern University.
Luca Diaz, Ensemble
Luca has loved singing, dancing, and performing from a young age. She writes, directs, and films her own plays and has a passion for learning everything about theatre. Her stage journey began with The Wind in the Willows as a Field Mouse and Fox, followed by a Dancing Penguin in Mary Poppins, and a role in Anastasia—all with Shine Theatre. She also performed in Beauty and the Beast at DC Ranch Homestead and played Pearl in Shine’s Nemo summer series. Now 10, Luca is thrilled to be part of The Little Mermaid, where she’s grown alongside an amazing cast. “I am so thankful to be a part of Shine Theatre and its amazing team!” Favorite Musical: The Little Mermaid Favorite Class: Choir
Lucas Cadena, Ensemble
Lucas Cadena is 13 years old, and this is the fifth performance he embarked with his family after "The Sound of Music" last year. Lucas is part of the ensemble in the show. Lucas is homeschooled by his parents and has played the piano since he was 4 years old. Offstage, Lucas energy is contagious, he is an avid reader, likes math and programming and at the age of 8 years old he earned his 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo WTF.
MaCaedyn LaFon-Cox, Adella/Ensemble
MaCaedyn has been involved in the performing arts her whole life. At the age of 19, she recently graduated with honors from Glendale Community College with an associate's degree in musical theater. She plans on continuing her education in theater by transferring to Grand Canyon University in the fall of 2025 for a bachelor's in Theater and Drama. She is very passionate about her work and using the gifts that God has given her. Some of her past shows include Crazytown, My Son Pinocchio, The Sound of Music, and more. MaCaedyn hopes to pursue a performance career someday and prays that God will help her achieve His plan in her life.
M'chael "Tony" Baker, Chef Louis/Ensemble
Tony, raised on a distant planet by weasel wolves, ignored a vision from the unicorn king telling him to find his wife in Arizona. A rebel at heart, Tony stayed in Israel, so his wife found him. They moved to Arizona, where Tony was cursed to dance onstage forever. One day, a person came to see The Little Mermaid. Settling into their seat, they glanced at the cast bios—and were stunned to read a description of their exact actions. Confused but intrigued, they wondered, Is this about me? Shrugging it off with a grin, they thought, Maybe Tony knows my fortune. Maybe he knows what’s really going on. And so, the curtain rose—and the story truly began.
Naomi Ilapogu, Ensemble
Naomi is in 5th grade at Archway North Phoenix. She's been in Shine theatre for two years and excited to be part of The Little Mermaid show! She loves dancing, singing ,and acting. She was in Mary Poppins and two summer camps. She loves to play piano, painting and crafting. Her favorite musical is Finding Nemo. She's is so happy to be part of this amazing show!
Nora Slovek, Ensemble
Nora is 9 years old and in the 3rd grade at Desert Trails. This is her fourth theatre production with Shine. With her past experience in theatre, she's loved wearing the costumes and building friendships with this show. She feels she has grown by having more responsibility with the ensemble and dancing. Nora would like to thank Laura for all her hard work and her family and friends for coming to see the performance and supporting her. Nora’s favorite scene/song is “She’s in Love” and her favorite musical is Beauty and the Beast. When Nora is in school she loves expressing her creativity thru writing. Besides theatre she loves spending time with her sister.
Olivia Garcia, Allana/Ensemble
Hello! My name is Olivia, I am 20 years old. This is my first ever show and being apart of it is so special to me. I’ve always wanted to be on stage singing, projecting, dancing and performing with incredibly talented people. Being on broadway is my dream, traveling and being able to experience phenomenal opportunities. I hope someday, I could be apart of a broadway production. Walking into rehearsals fills me with energy and excitement, the feeling before you walk on stage is a little nerve racking but also exhilarating. The cast is basically my family, I’ve gained so many new friends and I’m so honoured to have be given this opportunity to be apart of this amazing show! Hopefully in the future I get to perform in such a wonderful environment again.
Olivia Ramsower, Flounder
Olivia Ramsower is 16 and attends Notre Dame Preparatory High School. She is having a blast as Flounder with her “Little Mermaid” cast at Shine Theatre Company! One of her most memorable roles with Shine Theatre was as Brigitta Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music”. Olivia has been in 6 shows with Shine Theatre Company, and particularly loved being Mal in Disneys Descendants & Hortensia in Matilda! Other roles she enjoyed include Lily St. Regis in “Annie” with Desert Stages Theatre; the lead comedic role of Nikki Crandall “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” at Notre Dame Prep; & as Colin Craven in “The Secret Garden” with Desert Foothills Theater. Olivia is also an alumni of Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) in New York City.
Peyton Cochran, Ensemble
Peyton Cochran is thrilled to be part of The Little Mermaid! Known for her bubbly personality and love for performing, Peyton first caught the theater bug in her last production, Frozen, which was a huge hit. A talented singer and dancer, she shines on stage and off. When she’s not performing, you’ll find her cruising on her Vespa, working out, or laughing with friends. She’s so excited for you to enjoy the show and be a part of her world!
Preston Braden, Windward/Ensemble
Gifted with intense passion and knowledge. Skilled in manifestation, debate, philosophy. Avid gamer and writer. Passionate about theater, music, film. Focused on creating compelling and impactful stories. Aspiring team player with strong driver’s skill and creativity. Dedicated to producing high quality work.
Riley Dougherty, Aquata/Ensemble
Riley Dougherty is 15 years old and is a freshman at Chaparral High School. She is portraying a sassy mersister, Aquata, who wants to always be center of attention. Riley has been acting for nine years and this will be her fifth show with Shine! She overall has done 12 shows and loved it all. She loves to sing and preform in front of an audience. It is hard for her to pick her favorite musical but if she had to choose, it would probably be Six. Riley has built such an amazing community during her time at Shine and has loved every second spent here.
Rosaleen McLemon, Ensemble
Rosaleen is a Freshman at Cicero Prep GreatHearts. She has been in Shine for 3 years and this will be her 7th production. She enjoys it very much and hopes to do many more!!! She also enjoys arts and crafts as well as painting and sewing. Her favorite musical is Mary Poppins. She’s very excited to be on stage with all of her friends and can’t wait for opening night!
Sam Bibby, Leeward
As a COVID survivor, I cherish every moment. I love being a rodeo clown and whale watching, but theater is my passion. Shine is my theater family. What I love most is how theater can lift someone out of their hardest moments—it’s pure magic when the crowd is feeling it and the cast is in sync. Theater is fun, but it takes sacrifice—like a sport. Time, energy, money—all worth it. In the words of Laurence Fishburne, “Acting is a tough nut. You can’t be a shrinking violet.” I dedicate this show to my nieces, nephews, Noah Webster students, and my incredible community. Thanks to our amazing staff, cast, and crew—and most of all, my parents.
Samuel Lafon-Cox, Prince Eric
At 18 years old, Samuel is ready to make waves on the stage. A passionate and driven young innovator, he spends his days diving into the latest in technology, always eager to learn, build, and create. Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight with his first musical performance with Shine—a new chapter that showcases his creativity and hard work. When he’s not working or rehearsing, you’ll find him catching the latest movies, gaming with friends, playing sports, or exploring his favorite vacation spots. His love for musical theater was sparked by The Greatest Showman, which remains his all-time favorite for its energy, emotion, and music. His favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 and he’s a proud Messianic Jewish Christian!
Savannah Wolfley, Ariel
Savannah is a Junior at Horizon Highschool and is so excited to be starring in Shine’s production of The Little Mermaid. Though it’s been years since Savannah has participated in a musical, she is very involved in show choir, featuring in productions such as Wicked, Bye Bye Birdie, Legally Blonde, Wonderland, Grease, etc. Savannah has been actively taking voice lessons through Kinsey Baumann for many years and has an intense love for dancing. She is an avid reader and enjoys filling her time with movies or writing. Her favorite musicals are Hamilton and Wonderland, and she feels so blessed she got a chance to be a part of such a wonderful cast. She can’t wait for what may come next.
Stella Morgan Eynon, Princess/Ensemble
Stella is a vibrant and engaging 14-yr-old that has been singing, acting, and playing the piano for a number of years now. She is a “multi-role” specialist and is also quite the artist, winning awards for painting and cooking. When Stella is not pranking the cast, you can find her drawing “Dinos” on random arms! She especially enjoys the smiles and laughs that flow energy to the stage from the audience.
Sofia Valls, Ensemble
Sofia Valls is a homeschooled Freshman and is so excited to be a part of Shine's production of The Little Mermaid. This is her 5th production, but her first with Shine. Sofia loves to sing, act, and tap. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing books, hanging out with friends, babysitting, and playing with her younger siblings. Her favorite musicals are The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast. Sofia is ready to perform this story with all of her new friends and is very grateful to all of the cast and crew for making this experience fun and memorable.
Tracy Stoltz, Costume Design
Tracy Stoltz has been part of Shine since 2023 coming on as a coach for Fiddler on the Roof and performing in her first musical with Sound of Music in 2024! She is 1/3 of the costume dream team who costumed Guys and Dolls and now Anastasia. In September she was thrilled to be hired as Shine Theatre’s PT Administrative Assistant! Since 2018 Tracy has worked behind the scenes (box office, front of house, spotlight, social media etc.) finally getting on stage in 2023 with Kelpaz, Sense and Sensibility, Charlotte's Web, just to name a few. What she loves most about theatre is that everyone is family.
Victoria Sherrard – Set Coordinator
Victoria started helping with Shine sets since for the first performance of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. She’s loved being part of the creative process ever since! Building sets is her happy place, and she especially enjoys seeing the actors grow and Shine with each show. Although she has helped with sets on all the shows, Anastasia was her first show as Set Coordinator. Being part of such a creative and supportive community is one of her favorite things about Shine Theater.