Our Students & Alumni

LES MISERABLES: SCHOOL EDITION

CAST OF CHARACTERS

KALISTA AHOUSE (Ensemble) Kalista is a 14-year-old honor student at the Innovation Academy Charter School in Tyngsboro. This is her fourth ACTS show. She recently played Dorothy in El Mago De Oz with her school Spanish program. She practices martial arts at Mill City Aikido. Kalista would like to thank her dad, step-mother, and Kris Lundin for making it possible for her to be a part of this show.

TRISTAN AHOUSE (Ensemble) Tristan is a seventh-grader at the Innovation Academy Charter School (IACS) in Tyngsboro. He was most recently seen in El Mago de Oz with the IACS Spanish Department. He makes his ACTS debut in Les Mis.

MELISSA ALLEN (Fauchelevant, Ensemble) Melissa is 17 and has been with ACTS since she was eight years old. This is her seventeenth show. Her favorite roles were Duffy in Annie and Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods. She would like to thank Stephanie for all her hard work, her director, James, music director, Steve, and her parents for all their support.

ELLEN BOYLE (Ensemble) Ellen is 16, attends Marian High School in Framingham. Her past roles range from The Amazing Ingesto to a mime to a goddess. Les Misérables is the first production she has participated apart from school. She wants to thank her parents and sister for the rides to Concord. She’d also like to thank the Kmiecs for introducing her to ACTS and Mr. Tallach for his kindness!

MASON CLAPP (Ensemble, Gavroche’s Gang) Mason, a local twelve-year-old, makes his ACTS debut in Les Mis. He previously appeared in several shows at his school, including a recent production of Camelot, but this is first real show. Mason also enjoys reading.

ALEXANDRIA KRISTINE D’AMICO (Young Eponine) Alexandria, a 12-year-old from Dracut, has previously appeared as a member of Gavroche’s Gang in Les Miserables and Jasmin in Aladdin. She has also worked with the Merrimack Repertory Theatre Camp, the Dracut School Chorus, and the 5-6-7-8 Performance Dance Team. Offstage, Alexandria enjoys taking care of her twelve pets and playing soccer.

MIRANDA DEGEN-PORTNOY (Ensemble) Miranda is a sixth-grader in Stoneham who loves theater, music, and dogs. She was recently seen in the Young Company’s performance of Wonderful Town at Stoneham Theatre. She also appeared in Beauty and the Beast with the Lexington Players and Carousel with Arlington Friends of the Drama.

MATT DORNEMANN (Enjloras) Matt’s Credits with ACTS include Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street, Will Parker in Oklahoma, and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Outside of ACTS, he has appeared in Concord Players’ West Side Story as well as five musicals at CCHS (most recently Chris in Miss Saigon). Next year Matt will be attending UNH with Musical Theatre as his Major.

JENNIFER DUDLEY (Old Woman, Ensemble) Jen is an 18 year old homeschooler who has been acting for over twelve years. Les Miserables is her sixth show with ACTS, and she has loved it as much as all of the others. Recent plays include The Tempest, Fortinbras, and a series of one-act plays, one of which she had the pleasure to direct.

TERILYN EISENHAUER (Ensemble) Terilyn is a sophomore at Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. High School and is super excited to be performing in her tenth ACTS show. Some favorite past roles include Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Ruth in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for being absolutely incredible and making this show an amazing experience.

BRENDAN FAY (Ensemble) Brendan is a freshman at Waltham High School. He has performed in Lil’ Abner, The Wiz, and A Christmas Story with Waltham Middle School and High School Musical with ACTS. He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for this amazing opportunity.

DANIELLE FRAMPTON (Madame Thenardier) Danielle is thrilled to have landed her dream role in Les Mis! Her previous roles with ACTS include Addapearle in The Wiz and Mac in 42^nd Street. In addition to her love of theatre, Danielle is also a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association and a member of the Volo Farm Equestrian team. She thanks the cast and crew for a great experience.

WHIT GARLING (Marius) Whit makes his ACTS debut in Les Mis. Favorite past roles include Bobby Child in Crazy For You and Thuy in Miss Saigon at CCHS. Whit will be graduating from Concord-Carlisle High School and will be attending Cornell University (class of 2013). He thanks his mom, dad, Tricia, and friends.

GILLIAN GORDON (Eponine) Favorite roles:  Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, ACTS, Emily Bates, Donnie Darko, world stage premiere, American Repertory Theatre, Meghan, Benny and Serena's High School Graduation, world premiere,  Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Laura, TWEENS, Our Voices Festival, Playwright's Platform, Turtle Lane Playhouse, Stacy, Class Act, Boston Theatre Marathon, Calderwood Pavilion/BCA.  Actor-in- Residence Playwrights' Platform. Thanks to all!

AVA GUREKIAN (Ensemble) Ava is entering 11^th grade at Mount Alvernia High School.  She was seen as Daphne in Thouroghly Modern Millie and 42nd Street with ACTS. She also appeared in The Music Man, Once Upon a Mattress, and Joseph...  with WDW. Ava actively participates in her school choir and drama club.  She wants to thank her family and all of her friends who supported her.

ERIKA HEDDEN (Young Eponine) Erika is a 5^th grader from Carlisle. Previously, she was seen in ACTS Thoroughly Modern Millie and performed in numerous productions of Musical Theater Experiences (Elaine Jarvis) through Carlisle and Concord recreation. Erika has taken theater classes with Concord Youth Theatre, Center Stage (Westford), and Bedford Recreation. She also enjoys singing.

GABRIELLA HUGGLER (Young Cosette) Gabi has performed with Center Stage in Westford in Sleeping Beauty as one of the Seven Dwarfs and Noelle & The Nutcracker as the Queen Mouse. She is also a singer with the Center Stage Singers and has been taking private voice lessons with Tish Kilgore since she was 8 years old. In addition to singing and acting, Gabi is a competitive gymnast with Walker’s Gymnastics & Dance in Lowell.

LAUREN JACKSON (Woman 5, Ensemble) Lauren makes her ACTS debut in Les Mis! As a freshman at Lexington High School, she has been seen in numerous shows including Godspell, Seussical, Jack and the Beanstalk, Just So Stories, Bye Bye Birdie, Anything Goes, The Music Man, and Alice in Wonderland. She has sung with Senior Districts and will be a member of LHS’s Madrigal Singers next year.

REBECCA JARRELL (Ensemble) Rebecca, who just completed 6th grade, has performed in productions of The King and I (Anna) and Aladdin (Jasmine), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie), and The Boyfriend (Ensemble).  Rebecca sends thanks to all of her friends and family, and also to her many, many pets, who have spent untold hours listening and cheering as she practices her parts!

KASSIE KELLY (Ensemble) Kassie has been acting in musicals since the age of five. She has performed in eight ACTS shows, including Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ethel Peas). Kassie also performs in her school musicals, where she has had the pleasure to perform in a variety of roles, including Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Kassie is a graduating senior and will attend Brown University next year.

PAUL KMIEC (Jean Valjean) Paul in honored to be a part of his 20^th show at ACTS. Favorite past roles with ACTS and elsewhere include Curly – Oklahoma, Trevor Graydon – Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jason – Rabbit Hole, and Jesus – Godspell. Paul has performed with the Arlington Friends of the Drama, Woburn Repertory Theatre and with Albany-Berkshire Ballet. He would like to remind the cast to break as many legs as they can find and thank his family, friends and KB for this experience!

MAGGIE KNUTZEN (Ensemble) Maggie is making her ACTS debut and attends Nashoba Brooks School in Concord. Favorite roles include Hermia in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Sharpay in High School Musical, both with Kidstock in Winchester, MA, and supporting roles in 42^nd Street and Newsies with Winchester Co-op. Maggie has danced with Ballet Arts for nine years and studied at Boston Ballet School.

CHRIS LEVAN (Constable, Ensemble) Chris discovered he loved performing when he auditioned for the CCHS production of Twelfth Night two years ago. Since then, he has been performing non-stop, memorable roles including Captain Spalding in Animal Crackers and Jim Casy in The Grapes of Wrath. He is a graduating senior at CCHS and will be attending Ithaca College in New York as a drama major next year.

ERICA LUNDIN (Prostitute, Ensemble) Erica was last seen as the Pearl Lady in ACTS’ Thoroughly Modern Millie and as Alice in Alice in Wonderland Jr. with the Academy of Performing Arts. She also played Brigitta in the Wellesley Players’ The Sound of Music and was nominated for an EMACT/DASH award as part of that featured ensemble. She dances competitively and is excited to be attending Chelmsford High School as a freshman next year.

MADDY MAGUIRE (Young Cosette) Maddy has performed with The Wellesley Players (Gretel in Hansel and Gretel), Westborough Players Club (Josie Pye in Anne of Green Gables), and the Reagle Players (Annie). Maddy sends her love and thanks to her family and friends who inspire and support her. Also, a special thank you goes out to H.F. for the “hugs” and her generous support and encouragement.

JACQUELYN MALIS (Madame Thenardier) Jacqui has recently portrayed Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie and the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods Jr. (ACTS); Pauline in West Side Story (Concord Players); Mrs. Lottie Child in Crazy for You and Dancer in Miss Saigon (Concord Carlisle High School). Her thanks go out to her friends, family and ACTS for all their support.

STEPHANIE MALIS (Ensemble) Stephanie is an eighth grader at Nashoba Brooks School, and is thrilled to be taking part in yet another ACTS show. She has previously been seen in Bye Bye Birdie as Kim (Fenn School), Annie (Weston Friendly Society), Cinderella (Concord Players), Into the Woods as Little Red Ridinghood (ACTS), and Thoroughly Modern Millie as Gloria (ACTS). She thanks her friends and family for their support.

JON MAYER (Thenardier) Jon is a sophomore at CCHS and is thrilled to be onstage in his fourth ACTS show. He has participated in numerous musicals and several straight plays. He was most recently seen in his school’s production of Miss Saigon. He wishes to thank his family, James, Steve, Stephanie, and the others who helped put this show together.

JESSICA NEWMAN (Ensemble) Jessica previously appeared in Thoroughly Modern Millie with ACTS and has also been seen in The Music Man, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes, and Peter Pan with other theatre troupes.  She has sung with the MMEA Junior District Chorus, the Curtis Middle School Select Chorus, Youth Pro Musica Repertory Chorus, and the Rivers Music Conservatory Intermezzo Chorus.  She thanks her family and friends for their support.

LILY OKSANEN (Ensemble) Lily has previously been seen in Willy Wonka, High School Musical, Snow White, Hairspray, Meet Me in St. Louis, A Little Princess, Oliver, and Cinderella, The King and I, Cabaret, Annie, and It’s a Jungle Out There. She takes performance classes at The Performing Arts Connection, participates in Friends of Broadway, takes voice lessons and sings at St. Anselm Parish. She also enjoys lacrosse and golf.

HILARY POWELL (Cosette) Hilary is thrilled to be back at ACTS with her friends! Previously, she has starred as Shelley in Bat Boy: The Musical, Fiona McLaren in Brigadoon, Zubaida in The Laramie Project, Lady Larkin in Once Upon A Mattress, and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan among many others. She thanks her mother, sister, dad, and doggy (Darby) for all their love and support!

ELIZABETH PRIOR (Ensemble) Les Mis is Elizabeth’s first ACTS production, and she is thrilled to be working with this friendly, talented cast. She has participated in Oliver and 42nd Street at Concord Middle School and Miss Saigon and Richard III this year as a freshman at Concord Carlisle High School. This show has been a great experience, and she would like to thank everyone involved.

KAILEY PRIOR (Fantine) Kailey is a Junior at Concord Carlisle High School. Other favorite roles include Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (ACTS) and Kim in Miss Saigon (CCHS). She will be appearing in Mame with the Reagle Players this summer. “Thanks to PK, Mom, Dad, Stephanie, James, and Steve for making this show such a great experience!”

CAMERON REID (Ensemble) Les Miserables is the first ACTS show that Cameron has participated in. However he is not new to theater—he was seen in the Savoyard Light Opera Company’s Gondoliers and Camelot as well as CCHS productions of Christmas Belles where he played Father Justin and Miss Saigon. Cameron is a currently a sophomore at CCHS.

HILLARY ROBBINS (Grantaire, Ensemble) Shows she has been in previously have included Godspell, The Music Man, Evita, Crazy For You and Miss Saigon. She loves to sing and is on her 7th year at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Program. She would like to thank all the people involved in making this production possible and hopes you enjoy the show!

MATTHEW ROBERTSON (Bishop) Matt recently returned from a seven-month tour in Asia performing as Friedrich in Broadway Asia’s production of The Sound of Music.  Locally, he was last seen as Charlie in Anne of Green Gables and last year as Young Joshua in The Kentucky Cycles. Matthew has recorded several audio books including Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes (Jim Nightshade) and The Halloween Tree (Tom Skelton).

JEFFREY SEWELL (Gavroche) Jeffrey was most recently seen as Oliver in Oliver! at Fiddlehead, in which he received an IRNE Award Nomination for his performance. He has also appeared in Beauty and the Beast (Chip) and Peter Pan (Michael) with Wheelock, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk (Jack; Motif Award Nomination), Working: The Musical, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Linus) elsewhere. He thanks his family, James, and Stephanie!

JAMES FORBES SHEEHAN (Javert, Asst. Producer) James, 16, of Acton, has previously portrayed The Beast – Beauty and the Beast, Captain von Trapp – The Sound of Music, Billy – On Golden Pond, Young Scrooge – A Christmas Carol, the Baker – Joseph…Dreamcoat, the Rhino – Just So, and Max – Cabaret among others. He studies voice with Marsha Vleck and will be attending the Walnut Hill School’s Summer Theatre Program 2009. In October, he will be producing Our Town at ABRHS, directed by Dr. Maureen Shea.

ZOE CLAIRE STEPHENS-NORTH (Ensemble) Zoe has previously appeared as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lorraine in 42^nd Street, and Dream Laurey/Dance Captain in Oklahoma! with ACTS. Zoe has been a professionally-trained dancer for six years, studying with the Ballet Arts Center in Winchester. She would like to give a special shout-out to all the princesses everywhere and her friends and family.

LAUREN TEMPESTA (Ensemble) Past credits include Star to Be in Annie (Reagle Players), The Christmas Carol (New Repertory Theatre), Josie Pye in Anne of Green Gables (TCAN), and multiple Broadway Artist Alliance Workshops (NYC). She has also sung at Carnegie Hall for the NY Pops 25th Aniversary and can be seen in a Toon Town Disney Commerical.

MAGGIE WHITLOCK (Ensemble) Maggie has previously appeared in six productions with ACTS as well as Guys and Dolls (MSSA) and Seussical (WDW). As a freshman at CCHS, she dances tap, ballet, modern, musical theatre, jazz and hip hop. Maggie also plays the piano and guitar, sings, and will be attending a Summer Performance Program at Berklee College of Music this year.

MONICA WHITLOCK (Ensemble) Monica was recently seen as Kendra in ACTS Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Humbug in MSSA’s The Phantom Toll Booth, and Violet in Happy Valentine’s Day, Charlie Brown (her most prized role to date). Monica would like to thank her Dance Teachers and her friends, some of whom are in the show.

TRICIA ANNE WHITLOCK (Feuilly, Ensemble) Tricia is tickled pink. She made her professional debut in Bye Bye, Birdie with North Shore Music Theatre in 2008 and favorite past roles include Nadia in Bare: A Pop Opera, Consuela in West Side Story, and Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors. Recent credits with ACTS include Annie in 42^nd Street, Gertie in Oklahoma, and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which she was also a dance captain.

PAIGE WINN (Ensemble) Paige has been doing small youth theatre shows with Elaine Jarvis from first to third grade and has also been seen in The Phantom Toll Booth at MSSA, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Nashoba Brooks, and Willy Wonka. She enjoys singing, playing the guitar and keyboard, and spending time with her friends.