Welcome Parents, Family and Friends!

Four shows written within the last four hundred years, celebrated in their own time and continuously produced to wild acclaim ever since…THAT’S the line-up at Rubicon Theatre this summer! The enchanting (and complex) characters from Disney’s FROZEN kids, Shakespeare’s masterpiece RICHARD III, the timeless classic FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Jr. and the more recent hit LEGALLY BLONDE will inhabit the intimate and magical Yunker Hall from June 29th through August 11th. Our students, aged 5 to 25, will be performing for you as the  culmination of our four distinct 2-to-4 week youth programs which focus on the fun and rewards of acting, singing, and dancing. Theatre arts programs geared for young people are alive and well in Ventura thanks to generous patrons and audience members like YOU! Thank you for supporting live theatre and our parent organization, the gem that is RUBICON THEATRE COMPANY!

Please enjoy the show and thank you for encouraging the stars of tomorrow!

Warmly & Dramatically Yours,

Joseph Fuqua
Summer Education Director
Rubicon Theatre Company Member since 2000

JUSTICE ABELLERA (Villager of Anatevka) is excited to join Fiddler on the Roof Jr. as her second musical! She recently finished up doing Elf Jr. at Music Freqs as Emily and a Jovie replacement. She enjoys singing and acting out musicals in her room, and has been waiting to make her Rubicon debut for forever!

VIVIAN ACCOLA (Bielke) age 10, lives in Ventura and started performing with Rubicon at age 6. This is her 5th summer! Credits include: Molly and Sandy in Annie, Mustard Seed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Bear in Shrek the Musical, Little Cosette in Les Miserables, Pepper in 101 Dalmatians, Flora/Fauna in Addams Family (Rubicon), and The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Nala in The Lion King Jr., and Kate in Annie Jr. (OYES). Vivian is really looking forward to playing this role.

PARKER BALLINGER (Motel) has been homeschooled his whole life and enjoys all of the extra time he gets with his five siblings. He loves performing — both on screen and onstage. He has traveled the country in Miranda Sings’ Live comedy shows and was previously an orphan in Annie. Online, he is known for his dancing, gymnastics, and the joy he spreads with his positive approach to life and family. He loves Christmas and was the host for XOMG POP’s Christmas Special. He is a wonderful gymnast and is the 2024 California State champion in Level 5 boys’ tumbling. He is so excited to play the role of Motel!

EAMON BELL (Tevye) is a rising 8th grader at Oak Grove School in Ojai, CA where he has performed in Shrek the Musical and Mary Poppins as Michael. This is his second year participating in Rubicon’s Summer Youth Program. Eamon began performing on the stage at Sacred Fools Summer Camp in Hollywood and then at OYES in Ojai. He has also performed in Ojai Community Theatre. He was thrilled to be a part of Richard III and is enjoying performing in Fiddler on the Roof Jr. In his spare time he plays baseball, soccer and guitar.

IAIN BELL (Perchik) will be entering 6th grade at Oak Grove School in Ojai, CA this fall. He started performing on the stage with Sacred Fools summer program in Hollywood and continues to perform as often as possible throughout the school year with OYES in Ojai. He also performs in annual school musicals at OGS and has performed in community theatre with Ojai Acts. This is Iain’s second year participating with Rubicon. He was excited to be in Richard III playing alongside his real life older brother earlier this summer! Iain is a drummer, a soccer player and a baseball player when he’s not acting and singing.

EMILIA BIASOTTI (Mordcha) attends Cabrillo Middle School after finishing fifth grade at Ventura charter school. She loves all things musical theatre and this will be her seventh show and second year with Rubicon’s Summer Program after playing an ancestor in The Addams Family last summer. She enjoys swimming, horse riding, playing her guitar, writing songs, singing, and dancing. She is very excited for the show and to reconnect with her close friends that she made last summer!

ELLAH DANIEL (Golde) will be attending Westwood High School this fall. This is her 4th year with Rubicon, most recently as Morticia (The Addams Family). She wishes to pursue live theatre as a career. Ellah lives and breathes classic rock, and can speak Hebrew and German. She is on the MUN Debate Team and takes vocal lessons there as well. Ellah recently attended two statewide Texas German-speaking competitions, winning over four first place recognitions, and coming home with over fifteen total awards. Other credits (dramas) include Karen (Perfect) and Honza (I Never Saw Another Butterfly), where she won Best Actress at RRISD UIL for both roles. Additionally, Ellah performed in Shrek Jr. and The Wizard of Oz. Ellah dedicates this performance to Julia Newman, Saul Lessler, and her mother whom she loves more than the world.

ISABELLA DE LOS SANTOS (Tzeitel) graduated from St. Anthony’s in June and will be attending Rancho Campana High School in the fall. She enjoys writing music and performing one-woman shows of Sweeney Todd in her bedroom. Previous work with Rubicon includes the role of Fester in the 2023 Summer Season production of The Addams Family and Moana in the 2022 Summer Season production of Moana Jr. She dedicates this role to her Mom, thanking her for all of her love and support.

KALEI DURAND (Avram) is going into 7th grade at CAPE Charter School this fall. She enjoys taking aerial classes and singing lessons. She was happy to be a part of Rubicon’s production of The Addams Family. With CSPAR, she played the role of Flotsam in Little Mermaid Jr., Manal in Aladdin Jr. along with ensemble roles in Oliver! and Frozen Jr.

LAUREN FREDERICKS (Shprintze) is going into eighth grade at De Anza Middle School of Technology and the Arts in Ventura. This is her second year at Rubicon. She absolutely loves Rubicon Theatre and feels their program has really helped her grow not only as an actress but as a person. Lauren was so excited to hear that they were doing Fiddler on the Roof Jr. for the summer musical. She watched the film with her grandma when she was little, and ever since then it has held a special place in her heart. When Lauren is not acting she enjoys playing volleyball on her school team, drawing, and writing stories.

CALI HADLER (Yente / Grandmother Tzeitel) is part of a military family and has moved four times in her twelve years of life. She lived in Germany when she was younger where she spoke German more fluently than English! She thinks that life experience helps her with accents when she’s acting. Cali discovered theatre three years ago and spending a month of her summer at Rubicon is her favorite part of the year! She has played the roles of a head cheerleader in Sally Sells Sea Shells and Horace in 101 Dalmatians. In Fiddler on the Roof Jr. she gets the chance to play a Grandma and the Matchmaker and now finds it challenging to play older characters, but thinks it’s so fun!

COLE HOOVER (Rabbi) attended Poinsettia Elementary and is currently an incoming seventh grader at De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts. He enjoys playing pickleball, swimming, rowing, and spending time with his family and friends. Last summer, Cole played the role of Pongo in Rubicon’s Summer Production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians.

KARA JARRELLS (Constable) will be attending Rancho Campana High School in the fall. She enjoys theatre, dancing, and hanging out with her friends. This is her third year doing a summer education program with Rubicon. Some previous works include being in the ensemble in the 2022 Summer production of Moana Jr. and playing the role of Lurch in the 2023 Summer production of The Addams Family.

NOVA MAITEN (Chava) is going into 8th grade in Camarillo. They enjoy singing and performing. Playing an ancestor in The Addams Family Young@Part last summer at Rubicon was their first full production. Since then, they have played Buddy in Elf Jr. and participated in acting/singing showcases at Music Freqs and CSPAR in Camarillo. This summer, they are also playing one of the three pigs in Shrek, Jr. at CSPAR. Nova is delighted to be playing Chava at Rubicon this summer.

JACK MUCHA (Fyedka) will be going into 7th grade at DATA middle school. He spends his free time mountain biking, surfing, skating, and practicing Jiu Jitsu. Jack enjoys hanging with his friends, especially at Magic Mountain or while watching a scary movie. This is Jack’s first Rubicon performance.

HEALEY RAMOT (Hodel) is entering Buena High School as a freshman in the fall. This is her 6th summer at Rubicon! Her most recent Rubicon role was Pugsley in The Addams Family Young@Part. She also played Ursula in her middle school’s production of The Little Mermaid Jr. this past spring. Outside of theatre, she enjoys singing in multiple choirs and working as a counselor at her local Hebrew School. She’d like to dedicate this performance to Heidi House, her amazing Show Choir teacher.

KAYLEE REYNOLDS (Patrice) is in the 8th grade at Ventura Charter School. She has loved theatre her entire life, seeing productions whenever she can. Kaylee also loves art, sailing, and CrossFit. This is Kaylee’s first show with Rubicon and she was previously in a school production of Oliver! where she played Nancy.

SKYLAR RICHARDS (Fiddler / Yussel) attends 4th grade at Ventura Missionary School after previously being homeschooled. He is an avid reader, reading well above his grade level. He particularly enjoys reading the kids’ set of Shakespeare’s plays. He has been waiting for his turn on the stage after watching his big sister Camille in many productions. Skylar studies piano, sings, loves to write, and in his free time enjoys spending time with friends.

CANA RILEY (Patricia) is an inbound 8th grader at Ventura Charter School. She discovered her love of theatre while performing in her 6th grade production of Oliver Jr. She has also performed in Ventura Charter School’s Wellness Wonderland production, where she played the role of Tweedle Dee. Cana enjoys performing aerial with her troupe and also loves listening to music. Cana has a passion for Space and wants to work for NASA when she grows up.

ARIANA RODRIGUEZ (Anastasia) is in 8th grade at Fremont middle school. She has a background of various hula dances and performed at the California State Fair. This is her first time working with Rubicon Theatre and is starring in her first show Fiddler on the Roof Jr.

EVA SWEET (Fruma Sarah) is currently a 7th grader in Ventura, California. She enjoys Broadway shows, music, singing, and reading. Previously, she worked with PTYA as the role of Sarah Crew in The Little Princess, young Elsa in Frozen, and Lefou in Beauty and The Beast.

DANE TROSSMAN (Lazar Wolf) recently graduated from Loma Vista Elementary School in Ventura, CA. In addition to starring in last Summer’s Rubicon production of 101 Dalmatians as Roger, Dane also starred as the title role in Willy Wonka in his school’s production of the play. Dane has also played a supporting role in his school’s production of The Jungle Book.

SERYOZHA LA PORTE (Director) is an actor, musician, and lucid dreamer who hails from the land of Russia. After being adopted and coming to America, he immediately took to the stage. Seryozha is an alumnus of Rubicon’s Summer Education Programs (Shakespeare/Musical Theatre) and of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. In the coming months he will become an alumnus of California Lutheran University (Psychology). On top of working as the education associate at Rubicon Theatre, he also works as an actor on the stage and in film/television. Some of his hobbies include playing fiddle, piano, tennis, and creating/editing videos. Seryozha’s mission in life is to help people discover their imaginations. IMDB: Sasha La Porte

JESSE GRAHAM (Choreographer and Co-Director) is honored to be back working at Rubicon Theatre again after choreographing last year’s Addams Family Young@Part. On the Rubicon mainstage, Jesse has appeared in Return to the Forbidden Planet, Merrily We Roll Along, My Fair Lady and A Christmas Carol. In recent years, he has worked up and down the West central coast, and Northern California with companies such as PCPA Theatre Company, The Solvang Festival Theater, Sierra Repertory Theater, The Great American Melodrama, SLO Repertory Theater, Wallis Annenberg Theater, The Givens Theater (NC) and The La Mirada Theater. Most recently, he was Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain for 9 to 5 at SLO REP. Aside from his love for theatre, Jesse is an avid surfer, and he records, writes, and produces his own music and releases it on Spotify and Apple Music under artist name “SESPE”. @sespemusic_

AUSTIN HO (Music Director) is a musician who has performed regularly in Southern California. Austin graduated cum laude from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music with a Bachelors of Arts in piano performance, a minor in mathematics, and a Masters of Music in piano performance, where he has earned distinctions including the Dean’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Service Award. Having served as the principal pianist of the American Youth Symphony until the orchestra’s closure in 2024, Austin has performed in full live-to-picture productions of “How to Train Your Dragon”, “Superman”, and “Jurassic Park”, and has collaborated with the National Children’s Chorus in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Sounds About Town series at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. In addition, his recent musical experiences include doubling keyboard I and II in the band of Matilda the Musical with Marymount High School, serving as the musical director/pianist for Minoru: Scrape the Skies with the New Musical Inc., and writing piano arrangements for demos of a new musical, A Knight in New York City. Austin currently is the organist and pianist at the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, staff accompanist at UCLA, adjunct faculty at the AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and teacher at the Suzuki Academy of LA. During his free time, he tutors math, sings, and plays violin.

ADAM BAHIR (Production Stage Manager) is a stage manager and lighting designer who has been working in the live event, production, and theatre space for four years, during which time he has served as Stage Manager for Our Town, Cinderella, Addams Family Young@Part, and Lighting Designer for The Wizard of OZ, and Beauty and the Beast. Adam is thrilled to be a part of the Fiddler on the Roof Jr. team and thanks his family and friends for their love and support.

AIDAN COUCH (Assistant Stage Manager) is a college game design student who has joined the Fiddler on the Roof Jr. team as an Assistant Stage Manager. Aiden has worked in theatre as a student, having worked on a number of productions including Cinderella and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown as an assistant stage manager. Aidan is excited to work on Fiddler on the Roof Jr. and is grateful for his friends and family’s support for working on this production.

ANTHONY M. COLOMBO (Scenic and Lighting Designer) was born in Brooklyn and attended high school in Florida, winning the Young Floridian Award for Drama. First an actor, he attended IRSC on a performance scholarship before attending the University of Florida. While in Gainesville, Anthony served as Resident Stage Manager at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and was Production Stage Manager for Gainesville Opera Theatre Company. He toured North America with productions such as Annie and Beauty and the Beast and served as Head Carpenter for a touring Holiday Cirque show for five years before moving to California. This year marks Anthony’s second season with Rubicon, serving first as Backstage Manager for Almost, Maine, and Associate Technical Director for In the Heights. In addition to his TD duties, this is Anthony’s second year serving as Lighting and Set Designer for Rubicon’s summer education programs. Anthony is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. He is thrilled to be part of Rubicon’s 25th Season and a Co-Producer for Ventura Live. He dedicates his creative endeavors to his late best friend Zathy, whose spirit continues to guide us all toward better choices every day.

CHRIS RIOS (Sound Designer/Engineer) brings over 12 years of experience in audio production across Southern California. He has collaborated with renowned acts including Common, David Crosby, and David Blaine. Chris has also contributed to notable projects such as the hit TV series “Friday Night Vibes” on TBS and served as Stage Manager for “Movement: Presented by Mountain Dew.”

SARAH WILLEY (Prop Designer) is happy to be back this year! Sarah is an artist and vintage lover who lives in Ventura with her daughter Vivian. Sarah uses her imagination and treasure-hunting skills to create the ideal prop needed for the scene. Previous credits include Sally Sells Seashells, As You Like It, Mamma Mia!, Moana Jr., 101 Dalmatians, Henry V, Addams Family Jr., and Pippin. This will be her third summer working as the Prop Designer for the Rubicon Theatre Summer Education Program.

TARA VANONI (Costume Designer) began sewing when she was very young. She has always been extremely creative. Besides drawing, painting, collage-making, and floral design, Tara began designing costumes for theatrical shows. In the theatre arts, she found her passion and built a sophisticated skill set in costume patterning, costume construction, wigs, hair, and makeup, as well as sewing machine maintenance. Her speed was and still is regarded as unique by fellow professionals. Tara enjoys the challenge of creating costume design image boards and costume rendering, balancing the designer’s vision with production costs and actor’s needs. She has worked on numerous shows over the last decade with many theatres and creates custom costumes and costumes for cosplay.

LEXI QUOLAS (Assistant Costume Designer) has been working with Rubicon Theatre since early 2022 and has also had the fortunate pleasure to work on other Rubicon productions like Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Lonesome Traveler: Generations, In the Heights, and World Premiere New Musical Dark of the Moon. This will be her second year working with the education program. Previous to working with Rubicon, Lexi was a part of the theatre department at Ventura Community College, working as a Costume Design Assistant, Lead Hair and Makeup, and Prop Assistant for several productions including The Addams Family, Hansel and Gretel: An Opera, These Shining Lives, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other productions in which she has been involved include Broadway’s Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, and La Traviata. Outside of working in the theatre arts, Lexi she has made a career as a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for over 12 years. Her TV and film credits include “Only Here and Now,” “The Countdown,” “Divided,” “Take the Money and Run,”, “Faraway,” and “Olympia.” Lexi holds separate Associates degrees in Arts & Humanities, Photography, and Social Media from Ventura College, as well as Proficiency Awards in Makeup and Costuming; and a BA in Art: Drawing from CSUN, She believes there is no limitation to education and continues to improve her knowledge. www.Lexi-Quolas.com

JOSEPH FUQUA (Summer Program Director) is the founder of Rubicon’s Fearless Shakespeare program, now in its thirteenth year. An MFA graduate of the Yale School of Drama, his Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs and 110 in the Shade at Lincoln Center. Regionally, Joseph has appeared at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Dallas Theatre Center and Ensemble Theatre. On television, Joseph guest starred in “The X-Files,” “The Profiler,” “Brooklyn South,” “The Pretender,” “Chicago Hope,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Becker.” Film credits include J.E.B. Stuart in “Gettysburg” opposite Martin Sheen, a role he reprised in “Gods and Generals.” In 2000, Joseph joined Rubicon Theatre as the first company member in 2000. Roles at Rubicon include the title role in Hamlet (Indy Award), The Boys Next Door (Indy Award), The Rainmaker (Robby Award and Rep Award), All My Sons (Ovation Award), Bruce Wagner in Conviction, Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Marshal Johnson in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Pap in Big River, and, Thomas Allen in Dark of the Moon. In 2025, Mr. Fuqua is thrilled to celebrate twenty-five years with Rubicon!

JULIA DONLON (Summer Production and Company Manager) was born and raised in Oxnard, California, and graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Production Design with an emphasis in Stage Management. She spent the years following doing theatre onboard a cruise ship in New Zealand, Ventura County, and around Los Angeles. Previous credits include the Ventura Live Series, “A” Train, The World Goes Round, Almost, Maine, In the Heights (Rubicon Theatre), Calvin Berger (The Colony Theatre), Accommodation (Odyssey Theatre) Broadway @ The (Bourbon Room), and The Abode (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). While working at Rubicon as the Production Manager, Company Manager, and in-house Stage Manager, Julia also represents Pennies, a local Ventura alternative pop-punk band.

ANTHONY M. COLOMBO (Technical Director) see bio and photo under PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS