
Godspell Jr.
Conceived and Originally Directed by: John-Michael Tebelak
Music & Lyrics by: Stephen Schwartz
Originally Produced on the New York Stage by: Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, & Joseph Beruh
Directed & Choreographed by: Sheady Manning
Music Directed by: Aaron M. Davis-Norman
Show Synopsis
Journey with KIDSTAGE performers through a world beginning to open from the pandemic. Audiences will travel alongside our performers through familiar Northwest locations while sharing this incredible story. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, are employed as the story of Jesus’s life dances across the screen. Witness an innovative virtual version of this production as students bring the show’s messages of kindness, tolerance, and love vibrantly to life.
Godspell JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by: Music Theatre International 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Script, music, and all other material © 2010 iTheatrics Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved.
What a weird year, right? This year has been hard in ways none of us could have anticipated. That’s why when I got the call to direct Godspell Jr., I knew I wanted to make joy and rebuilding the forefront. As a result, what you’ll see on screen is exactly what the rehearsal process has been: a group of friends coming together, for the first time in a long time, to create community and art in a new and somewhat uncertain world.
We follow Jesus and Judas’ journey through a world opening up from the pandemic. They travel through familiar spots from both our Issaquah and Everett locations, and along the way creating new connections, friendships, and memories. We get to see the new normal through the eyes of the student. We see the pain but also the joy and resilience that can come from rebuilding after tragedy. By the end of this show, we find we are all left with two options after the year we’ve had. We can give up bitter and battered or we can slowly start to build.
So let’s go out and rebuild our beautiful cities. Thank you for taking this journey with us. Theatre once provided an escape, now I hope we can start to do that again.
Enjoy the show,
-Sheady Manning

ALDEN SCHREIBER (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to be in his first KIDSTAGE production. Favorite roles include Into the Woods Jr. (Milky White) and Another Day in Wonderland (White Rabbit). Alden currently participates in the KIDSTAGE Pathway program and choir. Love to Mrs. Meyering and his family.

AMELIA GERLACH (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist/Vocal Captain) is delighted to be in Godspell Jr.! This is Amelia’s fourth show, having previously appeared in: Ludus’ The Lion King, Studio East’s Les Misérables, and KIDSTAGE’s Aladdin Jr. She thanks her family and the KIDSTAGE team for providing this opportunity.

ANDREW KWON (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist) is in seventh grade. Prior performances include: Into the Woods Jr. (Wolf/Cinderella Prince), Pirates of the Currybean (Captain Redbeard), and Just Another Day in Wonderland (Ace). He regularly sings in Newport Presbyterian Church’s virtual ensemble. Andrew thanks Mum and Dad.

AVALON LACY (Disciple Ensemble) is delighted to be making her debut with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE. She has done classes and camps, but this is her first show here. Avalon’s favorite show she has been in was Seussical the Musical with Ludus Performing Arts.

AZALEA LOUTHAN (Disciple Ensemble) is so excited to make her KIDSTAGE show debut!! She has been acting since she was six and was thrilled when she saw this opportunity! Azalea is part of the ensemble and enjoys the choreography so much!! She’d love to thank KIDSTAGE!

CALVIN STEPHENS (Disciple Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of his first KIDSTAGE production! He was most recently seen as Randy in A Christmas Story at The Edmonds Driftwood Players. Calvin studies musical theatre at Institute. He has also been seen performing hip-hop at the Harlem Globe Trotters’ half-time show. Huge thank you to my amazing family.

DJ DELL (Disciple Ensemble/“Learn Your Lessons Well” Soloist) is excited to be in his fifth KIDSTAGE production. Favorite roles include Babkak in Aladdin at Banner Theatre and Rita Rat in the KIDSTAGE Original Out of Bounds. His favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is all the friends he has made by doing shows and classes over the years. Thanks to Mom and Dad for always supporting me.

ELIOT BERRY (Judas/Core Vocalist) is excited to be Judas in his eighth KIDSTAGE production. His favorite role is Famine in Not So Grim. Chips anyone? He loves the theatre and it has been a big part of his life. Thanks to Sydney, Mom, Dad, and Aresa.

ELLA BRANDES (Disciple Ensemble) is making her KIDSTAGE production debut in Godspell Jr.! Ella has been a student at KIDSTAGE since the age of five and has completed her second year in the Pathway to Institute program. Ella thanks her family for their support.

ELLA HEINER (Disciple Ensemble/“Bless the Lord” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is very excited to be in Godspell Jr. She enjoys baking and playing the ukulele and has never been in a show before. Her favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is the energy and sense of community.

ELLIOTT BEAKY (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to be part of the Godspell cast! This is Elliott’s first KIDSTAGE production and 10th overall, including past performances in: Honk! (Drake), Annie (Rooster), and Toby the Tornado (Jeremy). Elliott also enjoys softball and soccer. Elliott thanks their parents for always supporting them and letting them burst into song at random parts of the day.

HAYDEN AUSTNEBERG (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist) is thrilled to be in this production. Prior productions through Village Theatre KIDSTAGE include Sing it Forward (Ensemble) and School of Rock (Ensemble). Also, his middle school productions of Mary Poppins Jr. (Von Hussler, Ensemble) and The Lion King Jr. (Ensemble). He thanks his parents and instructors.

HAZEL SUTTLES (Disciple Ensemble) is thrilled to participate in this reimagined production with her KIDSTAGE family. Prior credits include: Grover Dill in A Christmas Story at Edmonds Driftwood Players, Willy Wonka Jr. at KIDSTAGE, and a rambunctious hedgehog in a school production of Alice in Wonderland.

ISAIAH HYDE (Disciple Ensemble/“Bless the Lord” & “Light of the World” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is in love with musical theatre. Past performances include: Rodney Rat in Out of Bounds, Billy in School of Rock, James/Youth Ensemble in Willy Wonka Jr. (Village Theatre), and many more. He has also done miscellaneous KIDSTAGE classes and Institute training. Isaiah is very excited and can’t wait for people to watch this amazing show.

IZZY ZOLLMAN (Disciple Ensemble/“Light of the World” Soloist/Core Vocalist/Vocal Captain) is thrilled to be in her third KIDSTAGE production. Past roles at KIDSTAGE include Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka Jr. and Featured Student Security Guard in School of Rock. Her favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is the community and opportunity to learn and grow. Thanks to Sheady, Aaron, Ariel, Ayana, A-a-ron, Isaiah, and Will!

KISEKI BAKER (Disciple Ensemble) is very excited to be in her first KIDSTAGE production! Recent roles include: Glinda in the Wizard of Oz, William Spiver in Flora and Ulysses, and Jasmine in Aladdin Jr. Kiseki can be found reading or enjoying the beautiful weather outside.

LILY WARNER (Disciple Ensemble/Dance Captain) is excited to be in her first KIDSTAGE production. Her favorite role was Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. Lily enjoys dancing and traveling. Her favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is the community and training. Lily thanks her family for support.

LOGAN DAVIDSON (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist) is ecstatic to be in his third KIDSTAGE production. Favorite roles include Flick in A Christmas Story and Pugsley in The Addams Family. Logan is 14 years old and in eighth grade. Logan has enjoyed being in Village Theatre Institute this year.

LUCIA JIMENEZ (Jesus/Core Vocalist) is excited to be completing her first KIDSTAGE production. Favorite roles have included Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and Newsies (Spot Conlon). Outside of theatre, she enjoys playing soccer. Thanks to the cast and production team for a great experience!

LUCY DOMINGO (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to be in her first KIDSTAGE production. She loves sushi, her favorite band is Why Don’t We, and she loves puppies. She also has a theatre-focused podcast called “Broadway Brains by Lucy.” Love to her family and friends!

MADELINE WRIGHT (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to be in her first KIDSTAGE production. Madeline plays guitar, bass, and drums, and enjoys spending time in nature and the outdoors. Her favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is being a part of a fun, accepting community.

MATEO CABRAL (Disciple Ensemble/“We Beseech Thee” Soloist/Core Vocalist/Vocal Captain) is excited about participating in KIDSTAGE’s production of Godspell Jr.! Favorite past titles include: more recently participating in a writing group for KIDSTAGE Originals, Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr., and Ensemble in In the Heights.

MELODY SMITKIN (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist) is enjoying being in her third KIDSTAGE production. Past productions include Willy Wonka Jr. and Aladdin Jr. at KIDSTAGE. She has been spending her quarantine on Zoom, calling friends, and spending time with her dog, Finley.

NAVA RUTHFIELD (Disciple Ensemble/“Bless the Lord” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is excited to return to KIDSTAGE! Regional: Matilda the Musical (Matilda, Village Theatre), 357 Days (Solo Writer/Performer, Macha Theatre Works), Black Beauty (Little Joe, Seattle Children’s Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Elizabeth Cratchit, ACT Theatre), To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout, Driftwood Players), Ruthless (Tina, Ballyhoo Theatre).

PEYTON WARNER (Disciple Ensemble/“Learn Your Lessons Well” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is thrilled to be in her first KIDSTAGE production. Her favorite role was Annie in Annie Jr. Peyton enjoys dancing and fashion. Her favorite thing about KIDSTAGE is the instructors. Peyton thanks her family and friends for their support.

REAGAN MAGEE (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to play the Samaritan Narrator in the KIDSTAGE production of Godspell Jr. This is Reagan’s second performance with KIDSTAGE. She has also performed in school productions of Alice in Wonderland and The Little Mermaid.

REAGAN NINO (Disciple Ensemble/“Learn Your Lessons Well” & “Light of the World” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is thrilled about her first KIDSTAGE production. Of her eight performances with Kettleworks Performing Arts, her favorites are: The Jungle Book (Mowgli), Annie Jr. (Annie), and The Lion King Jr. (Simba). She enjoys singing, Minecraft, science, softball, animals, and PATHWAY!

RHYS BURIN (Disciple Ensemble) is excited to be in his first theatre production. Rhys is currently participating in Village Theatre’s Pathway to Institute program which he calls a “fun experience that holds great treasure”.

RIVER SUTTLES (Disciple Ensemble/Core Vocalist) loves to share her passion for theatre with an eager audience. Her first role was as the tiniest Captain Hook in first grade. Since then, she has performed in a variety of KIDSTAGE productions including Willy Wonka Jr. and Annie Jr.

ROWENA MCCLARY (Disciple Ensemble/“Day by Day” & “Bless the Lord” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is so excited to be a part of her fifth KIDSTAGE show, Godspell Jr.! Favorite roles include Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical and Baby Kangaroo in Seussical Jr. She is elated to be able to perform in these crazy times!

SYDNEY WILLIS (Disciple Ensemble/“Day by Day” Soloist/Core Vocalist) is thrilled to make her KIDSTAGE debut. Recent favorite roles include: Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Aladdin Jr. (Genie), and Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). She thanks Village Theatre’s cast and crew for this extraordinary experience.

WILL LEMCIO (Disciple Ensemble/“We Beseech Thee” Soloist/Core Vocalist/Vocal Captain) is excited to be in his third KIDSTAGE production, second in the virtual world. Previous shows include School of Rock. School shows include The Lion King Jr. and Mary Poppins Jr. He loves his KIDSTAGE friends. Thanks to Izzy, Isaiah, and Hayden.
Director & Choreographer: Sheady Manning
Music Director & Audio Editor: Aaron M. Davis-Norman
Student Assistant Director & Choreographer: Natalie Swanson
Associate Music Director: Niko Hudecek
Production Stage Manager: Ariel Smith O’Neal
Assistant Stage Manager: Anna Vraney
Cinematographer & Film Editor: Joseph Oh
KIDSTAGE Production Manager, Everett: Aaron Alonso
KIDSTAGE Production & Programs Assistant, Everett: Ayana Uriu

SHEADY MANNING (Director & Choreographer) is thrilled to be back with his second home, KIDSTAGE, after spending the past two years teaching and acting in Los Angeles! He has been working closely with KIDSTAGE for over 10 years now, first as a student and now as an instructor. As an actor, Sheady has worked with theaters all around the Seattle area such as Village Theatre, ArtsWest, and Balagan Theatre to name a few. As an Arts Educator, Sheady has worked in multiple schools, dance studios, and youth theaters across western WA and southern CA. It is his goal to make musical theatre training available to children of all ages, races, and income levels.

AARON M. DAVIS-NORMAN (Music Director & Audio Editor) has a background in vocal performance and vocal health/technique. Aaron has performed in a wide range of musical arenas from singing the lead role of Cesare in Handel’s Giulio Cesare to singing backup for Stevie Wonder, and now currently works as the director of music at Emerald City Bible Fellowship in Seattle. In his years with KIDSTAGE, Aaron has worked on many shows, including: Hairspray, The Lion King Jr., Les Misérables School Edition, Willy Wonka Jr., and Aladdin Jr. Aaron looks forward to future productions and classes with Village Theatre.

NATALIE SWANSON (Student Assistant Director & Choreographer) is so excited to be able to work on this project with KIDSTAGE. She has taken dance classes here for years, and absolutely loves everything about it. Natalie is thrilled to be part of her first production here with KIDSTAGE. She currently is part of the Drama Club at her high school. She is also thrilled to be on the other side of a production, previous performing credits include Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, and more!

NIKO HUDECEK (Assistant Music Director) is a theatre student at Cornish College of the Arts, Class of 2022 love. Seattle-raised, Niko has contributed to work at ArtsWest and ACT. He was first welcomed into the KIDSTAGE community as a music intern for their 2018 SummerStock Production of Les Misérables. Niko is drawn to stargazing, meditating, and composing small revolutions at the piano. Listen.

ARIEL SMITH O’NEAL (Production Stage Manager) is happy to be returning to Village Theatre KIDSTAGE for Godspell Jr. Her previous production includes the Pop-Up Production series and the Black Lives Matter: Inspired by 13 the Musical. Other regional credits include Steel Magnolias at Taproot Theatre and Peter and the Starcatcher at Lakewood Playhouse.

ANNA VRANEY (Assistant Stage Manager) 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).

JOSEPH OH (Cinematographer & Film Editor) enjoys his time by creating films, hiking, and traveling. Previous KIDSTAGE credits include Art Without Boundaries (KIDSTAGE Originals) and the 2021 Sing It Forward Soiree.

AARON ALONSO (KIDSTAGE Production Manager, Everett) 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. Some of his favorite productions at KIDSTAGE include: In the Heights, School of Rock, Chicago, Les Misérables, The Lion King Jr., Hairspray, and James and the Giant Peach Jr. Aaron thanks his family, friends, and mentors as he valiantly attempts to put his theatre degree to use. Member of Village Theatre’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Committee, the City of Everett’s Cultural Arts Commission, the Mukilteo Schools Foundation Board of Directors, and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. His motto: “MacGyver it!”.

AYANA URIU (KIDSTAGE Production & Programs Assistant, Everett) is proud to be part of the KIDSTAGE family. A graduate of Everett HS, Ayana attended Western Washington University where she earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In her nine years at KIDSTAGE, she’s worn many hats, working with Institute/Pathway, classes, camps, and productions. Ayana has also had the honor of stage managing many KIDSTAGE shows. Favorites include: The Addams Family, Hairspray, The Lion King Jr., Les Misérables School Edition, and In the Heights. Ayana also works with the Evergreen MS Drama Club. She is living the dream everyday here at KIDSTAGE!
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Skills for Theatre… Skills for Life
KIDSTAGE MISSION:
To provide a personal development program for young people which uses theatre arts:
- To teach creativity and responsibility
- To encourage teamwork and personal integrity
- To foster self-esteem and appreciation for live theatre
INCLUSIVITY:
Village Theatre KIDSTAGE believes that everyone benefits from an inclusive, multi-cultural environment of students, staff and programming. We welcome people of every ethnicity, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, income and ability.