Peter and the Starcatcher

Noah Cuoco (U/S Ted, U/S Alf, U/S Ensemble) is a freshman and Theatre Pending. This is his first Theatre UCF production. Other favorite theatre credits include Anything Goes (Purser), The Addams Family (Pugsley), and Beauty and the Beast (LeFou). @noah.cuoco

Brandon Diaz (Slank/Hawking Clam) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Some of his previous credits at Theatre UCF include Shrek the Musical (Young Shrek, Rat Tapper, Grumpy Dwarf), Bright Star (Ensemble, U/S Max and Government Clerk), as well as working as a male swing for their productions of First Date and Mojada. Brandon has also worked for RWS Entertainment as a seasonal performer/vocalist/swing at Santa’s Village, as “Artie the Artist in Residence.” brandonldiaz.com

Ellie Dolan (U/S Molly) is a first-year transfer in the BFA Acting program. This production marks her UCF debut. Other theatre credits include Disney's Frozen (Anna), Legally Blonde the Musical (Paulette), and Disney's The Little Mermaid (Ursula). She also works as a children's theatre teacher.

Cruz Donovan (U/S Mrs. Bumbrake) is a second-year B.A. Theatre Studies major. This is his Theatre UCF debut. Past theatre credits include Project Spotlight’s Team Spirit (Mayor Douglas), She Kills Monsters (Chuck), Trap (Ephrain Salas), Puffs (Cedric), Mamma Mia! (Bill Austin), and more.

Foster Elkins (Ensemble, U/S Smee U/S Slank U/S Prentiss) is a freshman in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is his UCF debut. His pursuit is costume design, having professionally designed for shows like Matilda Jr. and The Last Adam. @fosterelkins

Johnny Flannagan (Black Stache) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Johnny spent the previous summer at Peach State Summer Theatre in Monty Python’s Spamalot as Sir Galahad and The Spongebob Musical in the Ensemble. Theatre UCF credits include: Working: a Musical (Mike Dillard/Tom Patrick), Bright Star (Ensemble), and Shrek the Musical (Big Bad Wolf, Captain of the Guard, U/S Shrek). Additional credits include Cedar Point’s Snake River Expedition, The SpongeBob Musical (Patchy the Pirate), and Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick). @johnnyboy_flannagan

Elliott Horwitz (Ted) is a first-year freshman in the BFA Acting program. This is his Theatre UCF debut. Other theatre credits include Project Spotlight’s Rat House (Josh), Into The Woods (Wolf/ Rapunzel's Prince), Head Over Heels (Basilius), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée) and more. @elliottjhorwitz

Eileen Lee (Boy/Peter, Choreographer) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program and the Dance Minor. Previous Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Assistant Choreographer), Bright Star (Florence/Ensemble), and Working (Dolores Dante). eileenmlee.com

Joshua Markham (Captain Scott) is a second-year majoring in Mechanical Engineering. This is Josh’s Theatre UCF debut. He has been performing his whole life and plans to continue his interest in theatre and performing while he is at UCF and beyond.

AJ Morales (Prentiss), born and raised in Orlando, Florida, is a first-year in UCF’s BFA Musical Theatre program and is making his theatre UCF debut. AJ can also be found performing throughout central Florida and has recently been seen in A Little Night Music (Frid), Dracula the Musical (Vampire Bride), and even had his own cabaret at Fringe Art Space titled “This is Me.” @aj.mo21

Nathan Olmeda (Smee) is a second-year student in the MFA Acting Program. Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Godspell Ensemble, U/S Barry Glickman), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Ernesto Roma) and Bright Star (Daddy Murphy). Professional Credits: Unto These Hills (Prospector Daniel/Deputy), Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik). Other theatre credits: A Chorus Line (Al), Ordinary Days (Jason), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate). He enjoys golfing and is an avid Super Smash Brothers player.

Christian Perry (Ensemble, U/S Fighting Prawn, U/S Lord Aster, U/S Captain Scott) is a sophomore in the B.A. Theatre Studies program. This is Christian’s Theatre UCF debut. His most recent show was Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster) at Stanton High School. @chr.stianperry

Christian Polastry (Grempkin, Fighting Prawn, Mack, Sanches) is a second-year Acting BFA student. He’s been in Theatre UCF’s production of The Interference (Understudy), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Actor/O’Casey), and Project Spotlight’s Race to Infinity (Arturo). While attending Broward College, Christian was seen in Luz (Oliver), Check Please (Guy) and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Roger). In addition to Theatre, he plans to pursue a career in Film/TV and Voiceover.

Mackenzie Prince (Alf) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. Credits include the Theatre UCF productions of Bright Star, Working and will be in the upcoming production of Peter and the Star Catcher. This past summer he was part of the West End Theatre production of 9 to 5. Other credits include Spring Awakening (Melchior Gabor) and White Christmas (Bob Wallace). He is involved in Project Spotlight and volunteers as a director for children’s youth theatre.

Jameson Stobbe (Lord Aster, Fight Captain) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. Some of his Theatre UCF credits include: Bright Star (Billy Cane), Working (Stonemason Soloist, Assistant Music Director), First Date (U/S Aaron, U/S Man 1) and Much Ado About Nothing (First Watchman, U/S Claudio). He’s also been in Rock of Ages (Franz) and Ragtime (Younger Brother) at the Athens Theatre. jamesonstobbe.com

Matthew Twarog (Mrs.Bumbrake/ Teacher) is a senior here at UCF, this is his UCF main stage debut. Past credits include 9 to 5 (Dwayne), Fuddy Meers (Richard), Love/Sick (Jake), Beauty and The Beast (Cogsworth) and more.

Owen Ware (U/S Boy/Peter, Shadow, Yellow Bird, Ensemble) is a first-year Theatre Pending major. This is his Theatre UCF debut. Other favorite theatre credits include Mean Girls (Damian Hubbard), Into the Woods (The Baker), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin Scrivello), Puffs (Narrator), and many more. Offstage, Owen enjoys choreographing and assistant directing for Thomas E. Weightman Middle School’s theatre program. @_owenware_

Shane Winsten (U/S Prentiss, U/S Hawking Clam, U/S Ensemble) is a first-year Theater minor. This is his first UCF Theater production. His other favorite theater credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik), Clue: On Stage (Colonel Mustard), and The Addams Family (Mal Beineke).

Ella Zarrilli (Molly) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Dance. Her past Theatre UCF credits include: Bright Star (Ensemble) and Working (Swing). Other favorite credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Bring It On! (Eva). Offstage, Ella enjoys teaching and assistant directing at BCCT. @ella.zarrilli

Taylor Appleford (Production Assistant) is a first year BFA Stage Management student. This is her first production at Theatre UCF. Past credits: Mean Girls (Stage Manager).

Ethan Cabral (Head Fly Rail) is a first-year in the BFA Stage Management program. This is his UCF debut. Some credits outside of UCF include his work on the Carnival Celebration Inaugural with Kool and the Gang (Assistant Production Manager), The Rock and Romance Cruise with Foreigner, Jefferson Starship and Grand Funk Railroad (Assistant Production Manager), The New Kids on The Block Cruise (Pre-production), and Barbizon’s Passport to Discovery (Assistant Production Manager). @Cabrawl

Hunter Clark (Show Crew) is a freshman in the Theatre Pending Program. This is his first time in a Theatre UCF production. Other theatre credits are Spongebob the Musical (Mr.Krabs) and Once Upon A Mattress (Prince Dauntless). @huntergclark1418

Alex Duffy (A1) is a senior in her final semester of the BFA Design and Technology program. Other credits include Bright Star (A2), Tech-nique (Head Fly Rail), and Working (Lead Carpenter) with Theatre UCF. She also works freelance at other venues in her spare time and is currently a Stage Hand at House of Blues in Disney Springs.

David Lee (Guest Director) is a Director, Actor, Writer, and Educator. He is the recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award from The Orlando International Fringe Festival where he has also received multiple Patron's Pick Awards and Critic’s Choice Awards for Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Solo Show. Previously at UCF, where he was a Professor of Directing and The Associate Director of New Play Development and PLAYFEST at Orlando Shakes, he has directed: Margo Veil (KCACTF Special Commendation) Don Juan Comes Back From the War, URINETOWN, The Chimes, Six Women With Brain Death, and HAMLET (AD). For Orlando Shakes: A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Glass Menagerie, and SHOTGUN. He is the author of three original Chekhov adaptations that have been performed in NYC, Seattle, and Orlando, as well as two solo theatrical adaptations of the short stories of Ray Bradbury. In NYC he has taught Acting and Directing and been a Guest Director at Marymount Manhattan College, Fordham University at Lincoln Center and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He is a graduate of the Acting Program at The University of Miami (FL) and The Graduate Directing Program at The Yale School of Drama.

Alyssa Marrero (Sound Designer) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program with a focus in sound. Her previous Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (A1), The Interference (Asst. Sound Designer/Sound Board Operator), Shrek the Musical (A2), First Date (Wardrobe Supervisor), Sombra del Sol (A2), and Knights Ghostlight Podcast. @alyssa.c.marrero

Lila McMorris (Production Assistant) is a first-year in the BFA Stage Management program at UCF. This is her first time in a Theatre UCF production.

Madison Mintzer (Assistant Director, Co-Fight Choreographer, Co-Intimacy Coordinator) is a fourth-year BFA Musical Theatre student at University of Central Florida. Favorite credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Old Woman Track), The Wild Party (Mae) First Date (Woman 2), Hello Dolly! (Ernestina), and The Music Man (Ensemble). @madimintzer

Brandy Ramos (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second year transfer in the BFA Stage Management program at UCF. Previous credits include Bite Me (Assistant Stage manager), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at UCF (Production Assistant). Credits outside of UCF include Florida School of the Arts: The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Stage Manager), The Servant of Two Masters (Stage Manager), Ragtime (Stage Manager), and Fringe: We Begin in a Tavern (Deck Crew).

Cameron Sparks (Production Stage Manager) is a senior in the BFA Stage Management program looking forward to graduating in May. His previous experience at UCF is in managing plays, musicals, and events of all sizes; from the large cast and fast pace of Bright Star (Assistant Stage Manager), to the small cast and intimacy of Indecent (Assistant Stage Manager). Other Theatre UCF credits include The Interference (Assistant Stage Manager) and UCF Celebrates the Arts (Stage Manager). While earning his degree in Stage Management, he has worked with the Orlando Family Stage, Orlando Shakes, and the House of Blues.

Vidal Treadwell (Deck Crew) is a first-year in the Theater Studies BA. This is their debut Theatre UCF production. They were also seen in Project Spotlight’s Showstoppers Anonymous (Stage Manager).

Addy Wood (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second year in the BFA Stage Management program at UCF. Previous credits include Building a Shared Home (Assistant Stage Manager) and UCF Celebrates the Arts 2023 (Stage Manager).

“When I was a boy, I wished I could fly.”

- Boy, Peter and the Starcatcher

When you hear the name Peter Pan, what images take flight in your mind? Perhaps a fearless troublemaker taunted by his own shadow. Captain Hook’s enduring nemesis. The revered leader of a raucous pack of lost boys who can soar through the stars whenever he pleases, bound to eternal youth. Since his first appearance in J.M. Barrie’s novel The Little White Bird in 1902, Peter has lived on as an iconic myth in our media, inspiring countless portrayals in theatre and film.

Peter and the Starcatcher (inspired by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s novel) follows a boy on his journey from nameless, isolated and brutalized orphan to claiming his name and his destiny as “the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” He of course doesn’t come into his destiny on his own: he’s taught by a bold young Starcatcher, Molly Aster, what it takes to be a true leader and that there are more important things than saving your own neck. Playwright Rick Elice doesn’t shy away from the bittersweet complexity of Peter’s fate. The boy’s journey depicts the good and bad that comprise both childhood and human experience. The hero of our play is both lost and victorious, young and undying, light and shadow, free and bound.

When Peter and the Starcatcher was first developed from page to stage at La Jolla Playhouse, they utilized a method called story theatre. In story theatre, there’s no hierarchy of the company. Everyone plays everything: pirates, orphans, mermaids, birds—even doors. It’s truly a “celebration of all-ness,” in Elice’s words. In our production, we combine this approach with Peter Brook’s concept of “The Empty Space,” which, in its simplest form, means any free space can become a stage. This prompts us to answer the question of how a story can be communicated using ordinary scenery and found objects representing much more fantastical counterparts. In a sense, these methods mimic the imaginative reenactments of child’s play—one of the everlasting ways that stories are passed on through time.

Peter and the Starcatcher celebrates the essence of storytelling through a narrative of resilience and a testimony that, against all odds, the pain of one’s past can be overcome. One boy dared to follow the call to an awfully big adventure, and despite beginning in the worst circumstances imaginable, he found his home and freedom in his true identity. The tide doesn’t wait, and time continues on, so we invite you for a moment to step back into your childhood fantasies.

And so our story begins.

– Amy Lacey