ALEX RUNNELS (Vera) is excited to be in her first KIDSTAGE production. Her favorite roles from other companies include Juggling Jackalope in The Bremen Town Musicians and Townsperson in Frozen Jr. Alex’s favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is meeting new people.

ANAHÍ JIMÉNEZ (Agnes) is over the moon to be playing Agnes in She Kills Monsters! Previous productions with KIDSTAGE include In the Heights (Carla). She participated in the Virtual Show Choir last summer and is currently part of the Institute program. Though Anahí can’t wait to get back onstage to play Velma in her school’s production of Chicago, she has enjoyed her time with the wonderful team at Village during virtual times.

ANNIE EMANS (Chuck) is ecstatic to be in her 13th KIDSTAGE production! Recent roles include Lucy in Bright Star at her high school, Marcy in School of Rock (KIDSTAGE) and Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr. (KIDSTAGE). She would like to thank her family, friends, coffee, and, of course, Kai.

ARIETTY POWER (Evil Gabbi) is a D&D fanatic and has been a KIDSTAGE kid for as long as she can remember. She loves role-playing and loves building fantasy worlds. Her favorite role so far has been Lucinda in Into the Woods. She does lights, directing, managing, costuming and more. She wants to thank her family and the KIDSTAGE staff for this wonderful opportunity!

AOWYN LEIPER (Featured Ensemble) is very excited to perform in her third KIDSTAGE production! She is a current Institute student, was in the KIDSTAGE productions of the original All That Glitters and The Little Mermaid. She feels so much love and support from her cast and crew. She would like to thank her friends and family.

CARA PETERSON (Featured Ensemble) is delighted to make her Village Theatre acting debut. She has enjoyed being involved with KIDSTAGE in the past working alongside teachers in classes and being an Assistant Stage Manager for A Christmas Story: The Musical. She hopes you stay safe!

ELIOT BERRY (Mage Steve/Narrator) is excited for his seventh KIDSTAGE show. He was previously in High School Musical, Seussical, and James and the Giant Peach. Thank you to Aaron, Anna, and Sophie. Also, thanks for the chance to use my face. Love to Aresa, Mom, Dad, and Sydney.

ERIN MCCLARY (Kaliope Darkwater/Kelly) She Kills Monsters will be Erin’s second show with Village Theatre. She was previously a part of RENT in Issaquah. She has loved working with an amazing cast and crew and can’t wait to see everyone’s hard work come together.

HAWANI HARPER (Evil Tina) is thrilled to be in She Kills Monsters! Notable credits include Legally Blonde (Ensemble), and The Little Mermaid (Ensemble). Hawani is a member of Bellevue Youth Theatre’s Teen Advisory Board. Her favorite thing about Village Theatre is that everyone is kind no matter what.

JORDYN JONES (Lilith Morningstar/Lilly) has enjoyed participating at KIDSTAGE for many years. She has been in many productions ranging from Chekhov’s Mixtape, A Christmas Carol, and The Addams Family. When not participating in plays and musicals, Jordyn enjoys playing for her soccer team, listening to vinyl records, and taking trips to California to surf (before corona).

JULIAN MUDGE-BURNS (Miles) has trained with the Institute program for five years and has worked professionally with ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, New Century Theatre Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, and SCT Mainstage. Previous KIDSTAGE roles include Eddie Ryan in Funny Girl, Charley Bates in Oliver!, and Ensemble in In the Heights..

RISA WALLES (Orcus/Ronnie) is excited to be in her fourth show at KIDSTAGE! It’s been a few years since her last show, and she’s happy to get back into theatre, even if it’s on Zoom. Thanks to family and friends for always supporting her.

SAGE JENNINGS (Farrah the Fairy) is in She Kills Monsters as her first show with Village Theatre. In recent years, she has been seen in Newsies with Kitsap Forest Theatre and Quilters at Mountlake Terrace High School. She thanks cast and crew for being so welcoming and supportive.

SOFIA CORPENING (Tilly) is overjoyed to be in She Kills Monsters, her fourth KIDSTAGE production! Past favorite roles include Ensemble in In the Heights and Mayzie in Seussical Jr. Although she loves and misses live theatre, Sofia is so excited for new experiences in the virtual realm!

SOPHIE FRANCO (Director) (They/Them) is a bilingual, Peruvian-American theatre artist and interrupter of the status quo working in the Seattle area. They evaluate the world and their artistic work through the lenses of the sociopolitical, the intimate, and the mysterious. They have worked professionally as an actor, director, playwright, dancer, bilingual text coach and teaching artist for companies in the Seattle area including: Seattle Shakespeare Company, Intiman Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Upstart Crow Collective, ACTLab, Burien Actor’s Theater, Seattle Public Theatre, On the Boards, Horse in Motion, Umbrella Project, and Annex Theater. Franco is currently the Director of Food-Based Joy at Washington Ensemble Theatre, where they have been an ensemble member and Resident Actor since 2017.

ANNA VRANEY (Production Stage Manager) (She/Her) is a graduate of Western Washington University, having concentrated in Stage Management and Technical Theatre. She was a part of Seattle Repertory’s 2019-2020 Professional Artist Training Program as a Stage Management Apprentice on The Children and new musical, Shout Sister Shout!. She has helped mentor stage management students with Intiman Theatre’s Starfish Project as well as at The 5th Avenue Theatre for their Rising Star Project. From 2018-2019 she also served as the Drama Assistant for Shorewood High School’s theatre department. Some past favorite credits include Always… Patsy Cline (Taproot Theatre Co.), The Light in The Piazza (Showtunes), and Les Misérables (VT KIDSTAGE).

ROWAN GALLAGHER (Additional Film Editor and Special Effects) is a fourth-year original works student at Cornish College of the Arts where he is focusing on acting and directing for collaborative new works. This is his second time working with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE after his work as creative director of the Summer Independent Cabaret How We Came to This last summer. He is happy to be back, and excited to pursue future creative partnership with Village Theatre after his graduation in the spring.

AARON ALONSO (KIDSTAGE Production Manager, Everett) (He/Him) was a KIDSTAGE kid before joining the Village Theatre family, working at theatres including: The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, The Kennedy Center, and his alma mater of Western Washington University, where he holds a BA in theatre arts with an emphasis in stage management and technical theatre. Aaron thanks his family, friends, and mentors as he valiantly attempts to put his theatre degree to use. Member of Village Theatre’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Everett’s Cultural Arts Commission, and the Mukilteo Schools Foundation Board of Directors. His motto: “MacGyver it!” Thank you for joining us as these incredible, passionate group of students transport you into the virtual, fantastical world of magic, swords, and dragons!

AYANA URIU (KIDSTAGE Company Manager & Production Assistant) (She/Her) is proud to be part of the KIDSTAGE family. A graduate of Everett HS, Ayana attended Western Washington University where she studied theatre. In her eight years at KIDSTAGE, she’s stage managed many shows including: The Addams Family, Hairspray, The Lion King Jr., Les Misérables School Edition, and In the Heights. Ayana would like to thank the cast of young artist warriors that are still pursuing their art and slaying monsters in this digital world!

KATI NICKERSON (Director of Youth Education and Community Outreach) (She/Her) For 21 years, Kati has been the driving force of what is now one of the largest and most in-depth theatre arts education programs for youth in the country. Over 1 million people in King and Snohomish County have been impacted by Village Theatre’s youth education program since she took the helm. Over half are young people from 3 to 20. Today the programs serve 26,000 diverse youth each year throughout the region, with dedicated theatre facilities in both Issaquah and Everett. Kati leads through her philosophy of “Skills for Theatre …Skills for Life” and her innovative leadership ensures that staff and theatre artists are skilled at providing not only exceptional arts education but also 21st Century, and social emotional skills. Kati developed free outreach programs including in-school workshops, sensory friendly performances and theatre in the Wetmore Plaza in Everett. Kati has the second longest tenure on the senior staff of Village and is an active leader in equity, diversity and inclusion efforts for the program and organization. She serves on Everett’s Cultural Commission, and in 2014 received the Everett Mayors Arts Award for her achievements and contributions to theatre education.

SUZIE CAMERON BIXLER (Associate Director of Youth Education) (She/Her) enthusiastically joined Village Theatre in 2003, days after leaving high tech corporate life to follow her lifetime passion of working in a theatre. She has directed The Little Mermaid, Aida, The Little Mermaid Jr., Seussical Jr., 13, High School Musical, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, and the 2005 Last Exit for KIDSTAGE. In her seventeen-year tenure at KIDSTAGE she has produced over eighty shows for KIDSTAGE including several original musicals. Suzie has been a driving force behind the KIDSTAGE Originals Program and is passionate about youth voice and encouraging future writers, composers, directors, and designers. She spearheaded the youth program quality initiative over the past seven years leading the efforts in incorporating Social Emotional Learning skills into the KIDSTAGE curriculum. She is passionate about developing future leaders both on stage and off and has been an active partner in equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts for the program. Suzie has a B.A. in theatre arts from Western Washington University with concentrations in both directing and acting. Her directing credits include Crimes of the Heart, Steel Magnolias, A Shayna Maidel, Royal Gambit, and The Firebugs. She has performed at Intiman, Seattle Children’s Theatre, the late Pioneer Square Theatre, and was in the 1985 Village Theatre KIDSTAGE production of Bye, Bye, Birdie.