Adam Holmes, Rae Gary, the Cot-crutch-wheelchair loaners in our community, Cleo Marcelline, Beth Aldrich and Jake Krug, Emilie Brydge, Melissa and Sam Hostetter, all the parent volunteers and ambassadors!
Bios
CAST
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Alex Sprenger
Angie Cruz (Magpie/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 12th grader at WHS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!. When offstage, Angie likes marching band and hanging out with friends. Angie’s favorite children’s book is No David!. Angie has really enjoyed getting to know everyone and this was so much fun!
Avery Short (Mock Mock Mock Mock Turtle/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at KCMS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Nemo in Finding Nemo Jr. with Studio Wayne. When offstage, Avery likes swimming, hanging out with friends, singing, and reading. Avery’s favorite children’s book is Matilda by Roald Dahl. Avery hopes you enjoy the show!
Daniel Cole (Dr. Butridge/Jabberwocky) is a homeschooled 11th grader whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Col. Mustard in Clue. When offstage, Daniel enjoys sleeping and reading. Daniel’s favorite children’s book is The Storybook Bible.
Dodger Holmes (Alfred Hallam/White Rabbit/March Hare) is a student with Waynesboro Public Schools whose favorite roles before Alice By Heart were Race in Newsies Jr. and Aldolpho in Drowsy Chaperone for JTF. When offstage, Dodger likes hanging out with friends and family, other than that I never leave the theater. Dodger’s favorite children’s book is There’s a Wocket in my Pocket (had to go with a classic). Have a fun time and enjoy the show!
Elinor Priddy (Dormouse/Nigel) is an 8th grade student from Kate Collins Middle School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was JoJo in Seussical. When offstage, Elinor enjoys choir, Scouting BSA, and spending time with friends and family. Elinor’s favorite children’s book is How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Ella Conner (Alice Spencer/Alice) is an 11th grader at Monticello HS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Ms. Trunchbull in Matilda Jr. When offstage, Ella likes hanging out with friends and family and baking. Ella’s favorite children’s book is Stellaluna. Ella is very grateful for her Wayne family!
Emery Grubb (Red Cross Nurse/Red Queen/Ensemble) is a homeschooled 10th grader whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Katherine Plumber in Newsies Jr. When offstage, Emery enjoys playing piano, traveling, and reading. Emery’s favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon.
Emma Fitzgerald (Alfred’s Mom/Duck/Ensemble) is an 11th grader at ACS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was a Bowery Brigade Showgirl in Newsies Jr. When offstage, Emma likes writing, drawing, and creating cosplays and other art. Emma’s favorite children’s book is The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and favorite book series is the Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker.
Emma Loyacano (Knave of Hearts/Orphan/Ensemble) is an 8th grader at KCMS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Adam in As You Like It. When offstage, Emma likes drawing, crafting, and dancing. Emma’s favorite children’s book is Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan. Emma hopes you enjoy this incredible show that they all worked really hard on to make happen.
Evelynn Mae Yniguez (Young Alice/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 6th grader at The Covenant School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Amaryllis in The Charlottesville Opera (2024). When offstage, Evelynn likes playing field hockey, playing golf, singing with school choir and Mosaic Children’s Choir, playing the piano, learning more about musical theatre, and spending time with family and her animals. Evelynn’s favorite children’s book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
Grace Aldarondo (Betty/Caterpillar 2/Ensemble) is a 10th grader at RHHS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Agnes in the Wayne’s production of She Kills Monsters. When offstage, Grace spends time cheerleading, hanging out with friends, and doing things with her church. Grace’s favorite children’s book is Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.
Hudson Northern (King of Hearts/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at KCMS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Shakespeare in Something Rotten. When offstage, Hudson likes hanging out with friends. Hudson’s favorite children’s book series is Harry Potter. Hudson is really happy to be a part of this show. “I love everyone in this show and I feel like we’re all one big theatre family.”
Isabell Moore (Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at KCMS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Little Debbie in Zombie Prom. When offstage, Isabell likes hanging out with her little sister and friends. Isabell’s favorite children’s book is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Thank you for coming to the show!
Kathryn Carroll (Tabatha/Cheshire Cat/Ensemble) is a 10th grader at Waynesboro High School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Pearl in Spongebob: The Musical. When offstage, Kathryn enjoys hanging out with friends. Kathryn’s favorite children’s book is Series of Unfortunate Events.
Kiera Mahoney (Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds/Ensemble) is a 10th grader at WHS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Crutchie in Newsies Jr. When offstage, Kiera likes hanging out with friends and playing guitar. Kiera’s favorite children’s book is The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar.
Leah Salzberg (Mock Mock Mock Turtle/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Henley MS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Dory in Finding Nemo Jr. at school. When offstage, Leah likes singing and art. Leah’s favorite children’s book is The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak.
Levi Marshall (Orphan/Young Alfred/Canary) is a homeschooled 7th grader whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Shwartz in A Christmas Story. When offstage, Levi likes playing video games and going outside. Levi’s favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web. Levi is a middle child and has 2 dogs.
Liana Maccarelli (Dodo/Orphan/Ensemble) is a homeschooled 9th grader whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Hannah in Newsies. When offstage, Liana enjoys geography and American Sign Language (ASL). Liana’s favorite children’s book is Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Lilly Juarez (Mock Turtle/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Henley Middle School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Matilda in Matilda Jr. When offstage, Lilly enjoys DnD, hanging with friends, Model UN, playing the violin, and memorizing lines. Lilly’s favorite children’s book is Dragons Love Tacos. This is the most excited she’s been to do a show since Matilda - thanks so much to the creative team and fellow cast!
Lilly Juarez (Mock Turtle/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Henley Middle School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Matilda in Matilda Jr. When offstage, Lilly enjoys DnD, hanging with friends, Model UN, playing the violin, and memorizing lines. Lilly’s favorite children’s book is Dragons Love Tacos. This is the most excited she’s been to do a show since Matilda - thanks so much to the creative team and fellow cast!
Lizzy Garbers (Orphan/Ensemble) is an 11th grader at RHHS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Kathryn in Radium Girls. When offstage, Lizzy likes exploring creative interests and spending time with friends. Lizzy’s favorite children’s book series is Pete the Cat. Lizzy looks forward to achieving greater roles and further improving her skills.
Maddox Knorr (Dodgy/Duke/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Elkton MS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Flounder in The Little Mermaid. When offstage, Maddox likes basketball, dancing, and hanging out with friends. Maddox’s favorite children’s book is The Lorax. Enjoy the show!
Myla Lineweaver (Knave of Spades/Orphan/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Stewart MS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Bloat in Finding Nemo Jr. When offstage, Myla likes math, gymnastics, reading, writing, and acting in other shows. Myla’s favorite children’s book author is Dr. Seuss and she loves all his books. Myla would like you to know she has four cats.
Silvia Huber (Mock Mock Turtle/Orphan/Ensemble) is a homeschooled 9th grader whose favorite role before Alice by Heart is between Josek in The Orphanage and Christian in Fun Home. When offstage, Silvia enjoys many things and has dabbled in every artsy or nerdy hobby, but the majority of this manifested in drawing, playing tabletop roleplaying games, and reading manga. Silvia’s favorite children’s book is either Winnie the Pooh or Good Omens. Silvia sincerely hopes you enjoy the show, it’s a fun one!
Sophia Stamm (Angus/Caterpillar 1/Ensemble) is a junior at Riverheads High School whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Davey in Newsies Jr. When offstage, Sophia enjoys going out with friends, baking, shopping, sleeping, and food. Sophia’s favorite children’s book is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.
Tommy Belsches (Eaglet/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Henley MS whose favorite role before Alice By Heart was Tommy Boy in Newsies Jr. When offstage, Tommy enjoys playing D&D, art, reading, and hanging out with friends. Tommy’s favorite children’s book is The Day the Crayons Quit.
Violet Nesbit (Madhatter/Harold Pudding) is a 6th grade student from Kate Collins Middle School whose favorite roles before Alice By Heart was King Julien in Madagascar JR. When offstage, Violet enjoys baking. Violet’s favorite children’s book is The Little Mouse and the Big Ripe Strawberry.
CREATIVE TEAM
(in alphabetical order by first name)
Corey Holmes (She/her) (Director/Choreographer) trained in Cecchetti ballet and Luigi/Hatchett style jazz in South Florida. She earned her BFA from Florida Atlantic University and two master's degrees from MBU/ASC. Corey served as the Artistic director with StepVa, now chair of their board In 2020, Corey was nominated and confirmed Virginia Commission of the Arts Teaching Artist Roster in both dance and theatre. Corey creates socio-emotional theatre curriculum for the National Educational Theatre Association and is on the steering committee for the Arts Education Dashboard working for the Virginia Coalition for Fine Arts Education. She is co-chair for VTA’s youth theatre division. She is the director of education at the Wayne and the State Chair of the nationwide competition Poetry Out Loud.
Cyrus McQuain (Costume Designer)
Joshua Donohue (he/him)(Assistant Director) graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Joshua has previously worked with The Wayne in several capacities, including co-directing Lion King KIDS, being a set designer and builder for several mainstage productions, and being a sound engineer and actor. Some of his recent acting credits include The Christmas Carol National Tour (Fezziwig), Something Rotten (William Shakespeare), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah), Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius),As You Like It (Jacques), White Christmas (Phil Davis) and others.
Katey Hallock (she/her/hers) (Music Director) - Katey holds a BA in Music with a concentration in Education from Bridgewater College. She works with Studio Wayne teaching classes and music directing kids and junior shows. She recently music directed the Main Stage productions of Elf the Musical and The Spongebob Musical and the Studio Wayne production of Alice by Heart. Katey has also been onstage at the Wayne and some of her favorite roles include A Christmas Story: The Musical (Miss Shields), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy Van Pelt), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Murder on the Orient Express (Mary Debenham), and White Christmas (Judy Haynes). When she’s not on stage or teaching with Studio Wayne, Katey teaches choir and directs the musicals at Wilson Middle School.
Merab Yeomans (Youth Director)
DUNCAN SHEIK is a Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist who launched his career in 1996 with his Grammy nominated self-titled debut album. Sheik is the composer for the critically acclaimed musical Spring Awakening, which went on to win eight Tony Awards in 2007, including awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score. The album earned Sheik a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. In years since, Sheik has released multiple albums, most recently Claptrap in 2022 and American Psycho: Original London Cast Recording, with lyrics and music written by Sheik, premiered in the U.S. on Broadway in 2016 after a sold-out London run. His most recent theater projects include Alice By Heart, The Secret Life of Bees, Because of Winn Dixie, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Nero, and Noir. Theatre credits include; Spring Awakening (2006) Tony Awards for “Best Original Score” and “Best Orchestrations,” 2008 Grammy Award for “Best Musical Show Album”, The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre in London April 2023, Atlantic Theatre Company 2019), Noir (The Alley Theatre 2022), Nero (London 2023), Memoirs of An Amorous Gentleman (In Development), Alice by Heart (MCC Theater 2019), Because of Winn-Dixie (Goodspeed Opera House 2019, Alabama Shakespeare Festival 2017, Delaware Theatre Company 2015), Bob & Carol& Ted & Alice (The New Group 2020), Whisper House (London 2017, Old Globe Theater 2011), American Psycho (2016). Recordings include; Claptrap (2022) American Psycho Original London Cast Recording (2016), Legerdemain (2015) Covers 80s (Sneaky Records 2011), Whisper House (Sony 2009), Spring Awakening (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2006), White Limousine (Rounder 2006), Daylight (Atlantic Records 2002), Phantom Moon (Nonesuch 2001), Humming (Atlantic Records1998), Duncan Sheik (Atlantic Records 1996).
Jessie Nelson wrote the musical Waitress with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The show played on Broadway for 4 years and moved to the West End in London. Sara and Jessie went on to create the show Little Voice which they Executive Produced with JJ Abrams for Apple TV. Jessie wrote, directed and produced Corrina Corrina and I Am Samstaring Sean Penn, who received an Academy Award nomination for his performance. Among her other directing credits are Curb Your Enthusiasm and Love, the Coopers with Diane Keaton. Her writing credits include Step Mom and The Story of Us . She produced Fred Claus and Danny Collins . In London, Jessie directed Alice By Heart which she co-wrote with Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik at the National Theater Connections Program and again at MCC in NYC. She began her career as an actress at the Public Theater working with the award-winning experimental theater Mabou Mines and at the New York Shakespeare Festival. She wrote the children's book Labracadabra. She has been the artistic Director of the Sundance Screen Writers Lab.
Steven Sater won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score, as well as the Grammy Award, both the NY and UK Drama Critics' Circle, and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical for Spring Awakening. A revival of Spring Awakening, produced by Deaf West Theatre, was Tony-nominated for Best Musical Revival. The recent Almeida Theatre revival received the London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical. In November 2021, the original Broadway cast reunited for a one-night benefit, which is now the subject of the HBO documentary, Spring Awakening: Those You've Known . Sater's other musicals include Alice by Heart (National Theatre of London, MCC Theater, novel version from Razorbill/Penguin Random House); The Nightingale (La Jolla Playhouse); Prometheus Bound (A.R.T.); Nero (Magic Theatre, NYSAF, forthcoming in London); and Some Lovers (music by Burt Bacharach, The Old Globe, Grammy-nominated album from Broadway Records). His pop songs have been recorded by artists such as Michael Bublé, Dionne Warwick, and Leslie Odom Jr. TikTok: @steven_sater.Instagram: @stevensater
