Faith Alfieri (Ensemble) is a second-year student in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Dance and Performing Arts Administration. She has participated in UCF’s Metamorphoses (Eurydice and others), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Ensemble, U/S Young Inna/Announcer/Sheet), and The Interference (U/S Michelle/Actor #2). Past favorites of hers include Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy Harris), Chicago (Mona/Lipschitz), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van De Graff),  and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck). @faith_alfieri

Jasper Allen (Ensemble) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. You may have previously seen them as Erysichthon and Others in Theatre UCF’s Metamorphoses. Some of his previous theater credits include Les Misérables (Javert), The Wiz (The Cowardly Lion), Eurydice (Child), Footloose (Chuck Cranston) and Our Town (Stage Manager). @knowjas

Madeline Anderson (Ensemble) is a fifth-year Double Major in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Madeline has worked in many facets of performance and production such as Stage, Film, Voiceover, Costuming, Makeup, Theme Park Entertainment and Music Composition. Previous theatre credits include Working (Rose Hoffman), Chicago (Mary Sunshine u/s), As It’s Written (Parker u/s) and Phantom of the Opera in Concert (Carlotta). Previous film credits include The Firing Squad, 2024 (Miriam), Slate Slasher, 2024 (Joanne), The Last Supper, 2023 (Arleth), Wavewalker, 2024 (Olive) and Girlypop, 2024 (Natalie). @madelineandersonofficial

Frankie Benitez (Ensemble, U/S Johanna) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program at UCF. Frankie has performed in Theatre UCF ’s production of Working as a Swing. Some of her favorite roles have been in Clue (Miss Scarlet), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster) and being featured in Chicago. She was La Speranza in Monteverdi's L’orfeo and in Massanet’s Cendrillon for Miami Beach Classical Music Festival. @frankiebenitezz

Lauren Bowrosen (Swing) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Swing). Her theatre credits include an Applause Award win for her portrayal of Janis Sarkisian in Mean Girls, Velma Kelly in Chicago and Elsa in Frozen Jr. @laurenbowrosen

Daxton Chapell (Ensemble) is a first-year in the BFA Musical Theater program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Ensemble). Recent theatre credits include Anastasia (Dmitry), Into the Woods (Jack) and 9 to 5: The Musical (Franklin Hart). He is also involved in Project Spotlight as the Music Director in the new musical Dive In.

Jillian Cossetta (Ensemble, Dance Captain, Choreographer) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre and Dance Minor programs. She has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Angie), Bright Star (Margo), Working (Dance Captain, Ensemble), Shrek the Musical (Fairy Godmother, U/S Fiona) and Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays (Mary, U/S Sally). Other theatre credits include The SpongeBob Musical and Spamalot (Dance Captain, Ensemble) at Peach State Summer Theatre. @jilliancossetta https://jilliancossetta.com

Noah Cuoco (Swing) is a freshman in the Theatre Pending program. He was last involved in Theatre UCF’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher (U/S Ted, U/S Alf, U/S Ensemble). Other favorite theatre credits include Anything Goes (Purser), The Addams Family (Pugsley) and Beauty and the Beast (LeFou). @noah.cuoco

Cruz Donovan (Ensemble) is a second-year B.A. Theatre Studies major. He was last involved in Theatre UCF’s Peter and the Starcatcher (U/S Mrs. Bumbrake). Other 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.

Ally Duffy (Ensemble)  is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Her past Theatre UCF credits include: Bright Star (Offstage Swing), The Prom (Offstage Swing), and the Spring 2023 Dance Concert. Other credits include 9 to 5: The Musical (New Employee), The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox) and Hairspray (Penny Lou Pingleton). @allyyduffy

James Duncan (Ensemble, U/S Judge Turpin) is a junior in the BFA Acting Program. He was last seen on the Theatre UCF Stage in The Prom  (Nick). Previous credits include Something Rotten (Shakespeare), Peter and the Starcatcher (U/S Black Stache) and William Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Oliver U/S Jacques). He is heavily involved with the athletic programs at UCF, including working closely with the football and basketball teams. @james_.duncan

Maddi Egan (Ensemble) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. She has most recently been seen in Into The Woods (Lucinda, U/S Little Red Riding Hood) and Hairspray (Penny Pingleton). Other theatre credits include The Little Mermaid (Flounder) and Legally Blonde (Paulette). She has been involved with many forms of dance, from choreographing to competing in National competitions.

Izzy Ellis (Swing) is a second-year in the BFA Acting Program. She was last seen at Theatre UCF in Metamorphoses (U/S Hermes and Others, U/S Aphrodite and Others). Previous credits include Home of the Brave (U/S Ty, U/S Mom), Matilda: The Musical (Bruce Bogtrotter) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Charlotte). Last summer, she assistant-directed Shrek the Musical Jr. at the University of West Florida. She is also a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Project Spotlight and the Social Media Manager for UCF Alpha Psi Omega. @izzyeellis

Joey Fields (Beadle Bamford) is a first-year student in the BFA Acting program. He was featured in the Theatre UCF production of Chicken and Biscuits (US/Logan). Other theatre credits include Cinderella (Sebastian) and I’m Happy (Father). He is also involved in Project Spotlight and Alpha Psi Omega. @thejfields

Johnny Flannagan (Sweeney Todd) is in his third and final year of the BFA Musical Theatre program. He was last seen at Theatre UCF as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher. Previous credits include: Spamalot (Sir Galahad), The Spongebob Musical (Larry the Lobster), Working (Mike Dillard, Tom Patrick), Shrek the Musical (Wolf, U/S Shrek) and Bright Star (Ensemble). @johnnyboy_flannagan.

Anthony Geluso (Ensemble) is a second-year student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program and B.S. Biology program with a Marine and Aquatics track. He is making his Theatre UCF debut along with Let’s Go Camping! for youth audiences. Recent theatre credits include The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), Meet Me in St. Louis (John Truitt), Fun Home (Bruce Bechdel) and Spring Awakening (Otto).

Manuella Guerra Canal (Mrs. Lovett) is a third-year in the BFA Musical Theatre Major and Performing Arts Administration Minor. Previous Theatre UCF credits include Shrek the Musical (Dragon), The Prom (Mrs. Greene, Dee Dee U/S), Bright Star (Ensemble, Mama Murphy U/S), Working (Woman 1, Grace U/S) and First Date (Casey U/S). Other theatre credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Urinetown (Soupy Sue) and The Little Mermaid (Ursula). @manuellaguerrac

Ellis Hall (Swing) is a junior in the BM Music Composition and Theatre Minor programs. This is his first show with Theatre UCF. His recent credits include A Chorus Line (Roy, U/S Don) at Dr. Phillips Center, as well as White Christmas (Ensemble) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble) at the Athens Theatre.

Gabriella Headley (Beggar Woman) is a second-year MFA Acting student. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College and has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Metamorphoses (Alcyone and Others), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Woman) and Go Like Saints (Eliza). Other credits include Wonder World (Guilia) and The Lost Girl (Syliva). She has also directed and assistant-directed at American Stage, Stagedoor Manor, Theatre UCF, Patel Conservatory, Florida Southern College and CFCArts. Gabriellaheadley.com

Elliott Horwitz (Ensemble) is a first-year in the BFA Acting program. Favorite credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher (Ted), Project Spotlight’s Rat House (Josh), Into The Woods (Wolf/Rapunzel's Prince), Head Over Heels (Basilius) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée). @elliottjhorwitz

Jeremy Hunt (Pirelli) serves as Professor of Music at UCF, where he has taught voice lessons and voice-related courses for the past nineteen years. Previously at Theatre UCF, he portrayed the role of The Celebrant in Bernstein’s Mass. Jeremy holds a B.M. degree from Mercer University and M.M. and D.M. degrees from Indiana University. He is an active performer, avid traveler, certified yoga teacher and app developer with Apple, Inc.

Alyssa Johnson (Ensemble) is a second-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Her recent Theatre UCF credits include: The Prom (Emma Nolan), Bright Star (Swing), Working (Women 6, U/S Maggie Holmes) and was previously a part of the Dr. Phillips Center performance troupe, The Four Counts.

Amy Lacey (Johanna) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a Dance Minor. Theatre UCF credits include Bright Star (Alice Murphy - Irene Ryan Nom.), Working (Kate), Scaramouch in Naxos (Columbine), The Prom (Godspell Ensemble, U/S Angie), Shrek the Musical (Blind Mouse, Ensemble) and First Date (U/S Woman 2). Other credits include Newsies (Katherine) and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). Offstage, Amy enjoys being a Theatre UCF dramaturg. www.amy-lacey.com

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

Samantha Lewis (Ensemble) is a first-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Her previous Theatre UCF roles include Bright Star (Margo U/S, Ensemble) and The Prom (Offstage Swing). Other theatre credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky) and Little Women (Jo March).

Emilee Mari Fruscella (Ensemble) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She was last seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom. You may have also seen her recently in Into the Woods (Cinderella) or The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy) at Titusville Playhouse. Other credits include Sunday in the Park with George (Yvonne, Naomi), Working (Terry Mason), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), The Addams Family (Morticia) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator).

Dominique Marshall (Ensemble) is a second-year in UCF’s MFA Acting Program. She was most recently in Chicken & Biscuits (Beverly) and Pegasus Playlab’s Summertime (an interlude) (Kyri). Other Theatre UCF credits include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Emmanuele Giri) and The Interference (Reporter/ Marcie). Before UCF, she played June in HWS Colleges’ theater production of Marisol and she played Dirk Gently in Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency abroad through the University of East Anglia, U.K.

Rachel Mertz (Ensemble) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Ensemble), Home of the Brave (U/S Johnelle, U/S Mom), and Working (Swing). Other theatre credits include Nunsense (U/S Sister Leo), Matilda the Musical (The Acrobat), Urinetown: The Musical (Robbie the Stockfish), Chicago (Velma) and A Chorus Line (Bebe). She also works as a freelance Assistant Stage Manager for corporate events. @rachiemertz

AJ Morales (Ensemble, U/S Tobias) is a first-year in UCF’s BFA Musical Theatre program. This is his second performance with Theatre UCF and was most recently seen in Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss). Other theatre credits include Chaplin the Musical (Charlie Chaplin), A Little Night Music (Frid), Pippin (Pippin), Dracula the Musical (Vampire Bride) and a solo cabaret at Fringe Art Space titled “This is Me”. @aj.mo21

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

Christopher Poulios (Ensemble) is a second-year student majoring in Environmental Studies. He has appeared in three Theatre UCF productions: As You Like It (Adam/Martext), Home of the Brave (Brady) and The Prom (Swing). Other credits include: Tick, Tick…Boom! (Jon), Be More Chill (Jake) and A Chorus Line (Al).

Mackenzie Prince (Tobias) is a second-year transfer student in the BFA Acting Program. He has appeared in Theatre UCF productions such as Bright Star (Swing), Working (Ensemble) and most recently Peter and the Star Catcher (Alf). This past summer he was part of the West End Theatre production of 9 to 5: The Musical (U/S Bob, Ensemble). Other credits include Spring Awakening (Melchior Gabor), Shrek the Musical (Pinocchio) and White Christmas (Bob Wallace). He is an avid scuba diver, opinionated moviegoer and spends most of his time cooking when not on stage. @mck.Prince

Zachary Racine (Judge Turpin) is a second-year MFA Acting student. He holds a BA in Theatre and Music from Flagler College and has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Trent), Bright Star (Daddy Cane), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Ol’ Dogsborough, Clark), The Interference (District Attorney), Summertime (an interlude) (Vince) and Go Like Saints (Voice). Other credits include Once (Guy), Spring Awakening (Otto) and The Old Man and the Old Moon (Old Man, Fight Captain). @zachary_racine

Michael Ross (Jonas Fogg, Ensemble, U/S Beadle) is a fourth-year Psychology student who is pleased to be joining Theatre UCF for another production. You may have seen him previously in Theatre UCF’s Bright Star (Mayor Dobbs) or Imagine Production’s Orion (Sam).

Nick Rossi (Ensemble, U/S Jonas Fogg) is a third-year transfer student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program, with minors in Dance and Music. Nick’s previous Theatre UCF credits include Bright Star (Stanford Adams, Ensemble) and Shrek the Musical (Ensemble, Duloc Dancer, Dragon Puppeteer). He has also performed in Project Spotlight’s Apocalypseville! (Solomon) and UCF dance concert. Professionally, you may have seen Nick at the Carowinds and Worlds of Fun theme parks in Royal Rhythms (Lead Vocalist, Dancer, Parade). @nickk.rossi

Jaxon Ryan (Swing) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Parent, Student, Godspell Ensemble, U/S Nick, U/S Sheldon). Other theatre credits include Cabaret (Clifford Bradshaw), Rent (Roger), Heathers: The Musical (JD) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Sweeney Todd). @jaxonryan.88

Tyler Stevens (Ensemble, U/S Pirelli) is a second-year in the MFA Acting program. ​​He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Metamorphoses (Orpheus, Others), As You Like It (Orlando) and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Caruther/Greenwool). Professional credits include Rabbit Hole (Jason), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Eugene), Admissions (Charlie) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Rosencrantz). He has won two Richmond Theatre Critic Circle Awards.

Jameson Stobbe (Ensemble, U/S Anthony) is a senior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. Some of his Theatre UCF credits include Bright Star (Billy Cane), Peter and the Starcatcher (Lord Aster, Fight Captain, Co-Fight Director, Intimacy Coordinator) and Working (Stonemason Soloist, Assistant Music Director). He’s also been in Rock of Ages (Franz) and Ragtime (Younger Brother) at the Athens Theatre. jamesonstobbe.com.

Maisy Surman (Ensemble, U/S Mrs. Lovett) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. Some of her Theatre UCF credits include The Prom (Student Ensemble, U/S Emma, Alyssa, Kaylee, Shelby), Bright Star (Ensemble, U/S Edna, Florence), and Shrek the Musical (Baby Bear, U/S Young Fiona, Teen Fiona). Other theatre credits include: Ordinary Days (Deb), Mamma Mia (Sophie) and Be More Chill (Christine). maisysurman.com

Mickey Titus (Ensemble) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has been seen on the Theatre UCF stage in The Prom (Student Ensemble, Assistant Dance Captain). Other theatre credits include: West Side Story (Baby John, Swing) and Newsies (Buttons). @mickey.titus25

Joseph Trewin (Anthony) is a third-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He has been seen on the UCF stage in The Prom (Ensemble),  Bright Star (Max, U/S Billy) and Shrek the Musical (Ensemble). He was also recently in New Generation Theatrical’s Spring Awakening (Hanschen), Theater West End’s Spring Awakening (Hanschen), CFVA’s The Sound of Music (Rolf) and Dr.Phillips Center’s Elf The Musical (Buddy). @joseph.trewin

Erica Turner (Swing) is a first-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She was recently seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Nunsense (Reverend Mother). Other favorite productions include Urinetown: The Musical (Pennywise) and Disaster! (Sister Mary Downey). @ericaaturner

Sienna Weir (Ensemble) is a Junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program. Her recent theatre credits include UCF’s production of Chicken and Biscuits (U/S Beverly, Baneatta, Simone, La’Trice, Brianna) and Sunday In The Park With George (Frieda) at Titusville Playhouse. She also has experience working for Stageworks Tampa and Plant City Entertainment.

Natalie Werba (Ensemble) is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. Natalie has performed in a variety of musicals and plays including Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville (Alex Jaffe, Ginger, Angela) at the Athens Theatre as well as Working (Woman #2 and U/S Rose Hoffman) and Welcome To The Moon and Other Plays (Betsy) at the University of Central Florida. She has also performed at the Applause Awards as a medley lead, outstanding performer, and alumni performer.

Heather Worley (Swing) is a third-year student pursuing a Music BA with a Theatre Minor. Heather has received Classical training in voice and piano within the entertainment industry and has recently embarked on a captivating exploration of the Theatre and Broadway scene. Notable credits include Speed Dating Tonight! (Kaylee), UCF Opera Scenes: Carmen (Mercedes) and She Loves Me (Ensemble). @heatherworleyofficial.

Natalie Wynne (Swing) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a Dance Minor. Her past favorite roles have included The Addams Family (Morticia), Footloose (Vi Moore) and The Prom (Dance Captain, Swing). In her free time, she loves traveling and spending time with family and friends. @ncharlotte_dream

Ella Zarrilli (Ensemble) is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a minor in Dance. Her past Theatre UCF credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly), 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

B Antonetty (Production Stage Manager) is in their final year of the BFA Stage Management program. Selected Theatre UCF credits include: Shrek the Musical (Assistant Stage Manager), The Interference (Assistant Stage Manager) and Innovation and Tech-nique (Assistant Stage Manager). Other credits include: Dr. Phillips Center Education Summer 2023 season (Stage Manager) and Orlando Shakes Playfest 2023 (Assistant Stage Manager).

Erica Fox (A1) is a senior in the BFA Theatre Design & Technology program. Some credits with Theatre UCF include: Shrek the Musical (A2), Bright Star (A2) and As You Like It (Sound Designer). Her professional credits include: As Its Written (Sound Designer) and We Begin In A Tavern (Sound Designer). @efox_theatre @ericafoxtech

Kaitlyn Gill (Assistant Sound Designer) is a third-year transfer in the Theatre BA program with a focus in sound design and music. Her Theatre UCF credits include: Cherry Orchard (QLAB Operator), Chicken and Biscuits (Usher), Home of the Brave (Assistant Stage Manager), Working (Production Assistant), The Body (Assistant Stage Manager) and UCF Celebrates the Arts 2022 & 2023 (Stage Management team).

Van Hernandez (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a third-year BFA Stage Manager. She recently finished Finding Nemo Jr. as an Assistant Stage Manager. Other Theatre UCF credits include: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Assistant Stage Manager) and Affinity Lunch Minutes (Assistant Stage Manager). Professionally she has worked as an Assistant Stage Manager for Orlando Shakes’ Playfest. She is currently involved with Project Spotlight, directing Group Therapy, a one-act play. @van.hernandezz

Gabby Lawlor (Dramaturg) is in her final semester in the MFA Theatre for Young Audiences program. Past Theatre UCF credits include: Home of the Brave (Dramaturg, Props Designer) and Indecent (Dramaturg). She also works closely with Orlando Family Stage as a director, teaching artist and patron services representative.

Alyssa Marrero (Assistant Sound Designer, QLab Operator) is a senior in the BFA Design and Technology program with a focus in sound. Her previous Theatre UCF credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (Sound Designer), 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

Aidan McDonnell (Co-Costume Designer) is a Junior in the BFA Theatrical Design and Technology program. This will be his second Theatre UCF credit participating on the design team, having previously designed costumes for Pegasus PlayLab’s The Body in 2022. Outside of academia, Aidan was Costume Designer for the musical-comedy Apocalypseville at Fringe Festival 2022. Other Theatre UCF credits include: Affinity Lunch Minutes (First Hand), Working (Draper) and The Irresistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Draper).

Hailey Osborn (Co-Projections Designer) is a third-year transfer in the BFA Theatre Design & Technology program. Her past credits with Theatre UCF include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Asst. Projections Designer), The Prom (Lead Carpenter) and The Interference (Props Manager). She is currently a Production Crew member at Dr. Phillips Center, focusing in video to help others share their stories. haileyosborn.com

Matthew Patterson (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year student in the BFA Stage Management program. His Theatre UCF credits include Go Like Saints (Production Stage Manager), Speed Dating Tonight! (Assistant Stage Manager) and the Prom (Production Electrician).

Vivianette Rivera-Rodriguez (Production Assistant) is a first-year transfer in the BFA Stage Management program. She recently finished Metamorphoses as part of the Deck Crew.

Delayna Wahlberg (Assistant Music Director) is a second-year transfer in the BFA Stage Management Program. Theatre UCF credits include: Metamorphoses (Assistant Stage Manager), Bite Me (Production Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts (Stage Manager) and The Interference. Other credits include: Alice in Wonderland (Production Stage Manager), Peter and the Starcatcher (Production Stage Manager, Music Director) and Mary Poppins (Music Director) with Central Florida Community Arts.

Ayana Yokie (Assistant Stage Manager) is a fourth-year BFA Stage Manager. She recently finished Metamorphoses as an Assistant Stage Manager. Other Theatre UCF credits include: Chicken and Biscuits (Lighting Programmer), UCF Celebrates the Arts 2023 (Production Stage Manager), Home of the Brave (Assistant Stage Manager), Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays (Production Stage Manager) and Sombra Del Sol (Assistant Stage Manager). Professionally she has worked as a Stage Manager for Orlando Shakes’ Playfest. @ayanayokie

Rachel Yurchick (Crew) is a senior in the BA Theatre Studies program. She recently was a part of Theatre UCF Pegasus Playlab’s Summertime (an interlude) ( U/S Kyri, Trigg) and Go Like Saints (U/S Hazel, Nell). She is also a part of the Political Science program double majoring with a track in International Relations.

“He never forgets and he never forgives.”

-Ensemble, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

What becomes of a person who yearns for revenge? When they are so consumed by the thirst for revenge that they become someone completely new? This is the central question of the tale you are about to see. We first meet our anti-hero, Sweeney Todd, through the whispers of the ensemble in the opening number. Their information is crucial in setting the scene as the story unfolds, but there is even more to Sweeney’s origin story.

Historically, Sweeney’s legendary origins began in 1846 by way of mysterious unnamed writers putting pen to paper in a format known as the “penny dreadful,” a type of literary series popular during the Industrial Revolution. This era, a booming explosion of invention and advancement, also saw deep struggle and the oppression of poor and working class people. Hierarchies and power structures became extremely prevalent; Sweeney Todd speaks to a disdain for the wealthy and the ones carrying out “the law.” In the “penny dreadful” publications and the stage adaptations that followed (various plays and even a ballet), Sweeney’s driving motivation was theft. It was not until Christopher Bond’s 1970 play Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street where Sweeney transformed into the murderous barber driven by revenge. And it was Bond’s version and seeing it staged in 1973 that inspired Stephen Sondheim to bring the tale to life on an even bigger scale. Sondheim saw the potential for this story of revenge, betrayal, love, and humanity to capture audiences through a suspenseful score.

The production you will see today leans heavily into the original intentions of Sondheim and Hal Prince, his co-collaborator on the original production. On our first day of staging the opening number, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” director Michael Wainstein began by defining “melodrama.” He wanted the actors to understand this exaggerated style in order to fully immerse themselves in the world. The sensationalized aesthetics of melodrama are essential to understand and embody when telling this story. The events of the play are meant to shock audiences while its words, music, and plot points create emotional effect .

As you watch the story of the demon barber unfold onstage, ask yourself how Sweeney’s desire for revenge is dictated by the time period in which he lives. Is this still something we are seeing today? Are he, and those like him, justified? Just as the ensemble states, “Perhaps today you gave a nod, to Sweeney Todd.” Attend the tale and make your own assumptions.