Welcome Parents, Family and Friends!

Choosing the shows for the summer productions is a fun task. This year The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation Summer Youth Program features audience and performer favorites! Munchkins to Montagues! Rubicon is known for our mission to provide superb opportunities for the region’s fledgling theatre artists–both on and offstage. I am grateful to be a part of fostering a safe and wholesome environment for them! Our students learn that the performing arts are a TEAM sport! It is a joy to watch friendships being forged alongside the growth in communication skills and a love of language, music and dance. Sit back! Our students, aged 5 to 25, will be performing for you in culmination of our four distinct 3-to-4 week youth programs which focus on gaining the tools and the fun and reward of creation and of performance. 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

ISABEL ANDRADE (Wendy Jo) currently attending Ventura High School and is getting ready for her senior year. She has been in productions of The Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, Clue, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She has been in Rubicon’s Summer Youth Program since the 3rd grade and is very happy to be in Footloose.

BRAYDEN HANDWERGER BOLIVAR (Ren McCormack) is an actor, musician, and aspirant politician from San Diego, California. Acting since his early teenage years, Brayden has been seen in television and theatre productions across California. Notable roles include Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), and his most recent appearance as Ted Hinton in Rubicon’s production of Bonnie and Clyde. Brayden is also the lead singer, songwriter, and creator of New Americana, a progressive heartland rock band promoting political unity and a restoration of the American dream. When Brayden is not performing he is active in local politics, endlessly studying economics, or watching baseball. Brayden attends Cornell University, studying “Industrial and Labor Relations” with dreams of becoming an attorney and later, United States Congressman. Brayden would like to thank the Rubicon, his family, and his Ivy-League cultural mentor Joseph Fuqua.

MICHAEL HARTER (Chuck Cranston) attends school at Buena High School. He started his acting career with Little Stints for his church group up north. Now after a hit musical at Buena, Michael is testing his limits with Rubicon’s Footloose as Chuck Cranston and Wes Warnicker.

MARIAH JADE (Ensemble) is so excited to participate in their first Rubicon theatre production! After teaching theatre for the past year they are so excited to be back on the stage. Previous work includes Flore in Turn of the Screw, Pugsley in Ventura College’s The Addams Family, and in the Ensemble of Out of the Box Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar.

LILY MCGUIRE (Ensemble) is currently in her 3rd year with Rubicon and is going into her junior year of high school. Her previous roles include Boy (Henry V), The Marquis of Dorset (Richard III), and will be playing Petya and Lady Montague in this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet. During the school season, she volunteers with the EP Foster Library’s teen group TAG (teen advisory group) where they plan and organize children’s events. She thanks her friends and family for the support!

ADAM MONTAGUE (Willard Hewitt) graduated Oxnard High School in 2018, and is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre at Ventura College, complemented by a minor in Biology. In his free time, he likes practicing the guitar and other instruments. Adam’s experience includes roles in productions with Rubicon, where he portrayed Ratcliffe in Richard III and Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde The Musical.

LEAH MURPHY (Vi Moore) just graduated from VHS. She was a part of the Improv Troupe and played Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka (2024). Leah has been doing semi-professional theatre since she was three and her most recent show at Rubicon was Les Miserables. She has attended Idyllwild Arts Academy for Theatre and Interlochen Arts Camp for Music Production. Next year she will be attending Belmont University studying Music Business. Leah thanks her family and vocal coach Jodi Farrell.

MIA RAE PEREZ (Urleen) has been performing since she was three years old with Encore Dance Studio and theatrically since she was fifteen. Some of her favorite roles include Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde the Musical. Catch her next month in Romeo and Juliet as Friar Laurence. Now aged twenty, Mia Rae continues to pursue acting on screen, on stage, and behind the camera- studying Film and Media Studies at SBCC.

ABBY RAIN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be participating at Rubicon this summer. This will be her third year returning. You may have seen her in Ventura College’s The Addams Family and in Pippin and Legally Blonde at Rubicon. She will also be portraying the Nurse in Rubicon’s upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet this summer. She’s currently going to school for acting and music and she can’t wait to see where life takes her. Abby would like to shout out her best friends for always being there and supporting her shows.

HEALEY RAMOT (Ensemble)  is entering her sophomore year at Buena High School. She has been a part of Rubicon’s Summer Youth Program for 7 years and this is her first summer in the Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop. Healey has recently played Louisa in her school’s production of Sound of Music, and last summer, she played Hodel in Rubicon’s Fiddler on the Roof. She’d like to thank her parents and best friend Ellah for their unwavering support.

ALYSSA RENAE (Ariel Moore) recently graduated from Ventura College and will be continuing her studies in Acting and Directing at Cal State University Northridge. This marks her fourth production with Rubicon Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support, and dedicates her performance to her mom, Sandra, and her sister, Darlene, whose strength and constant hard work continue to inspire her every day.

CAMILLE RICHARDS (Ensemble) is an incoming senior at FTHS. She, as her mom says, “lives and breathes theatre.” Her acting includes last summer’s Richard III and Legally Blonde the Musical. She has also been in plays with PTYA, VC, an acting class with SPTC, and her school. Off-stage, she is a current usher at Rubicon, stage managed for VC and recently did some film productions with Biola University. When she’s not acting like crazy she’s reading, drawing, watching movies or doing new things!

DENNISE SAGRADO (Ensemble) is a fifteen year old student at Rancho Campana High School. She is part of the school’s Mock Trial team. Dennise performed as Cinderella’s step sister at Born to Perform, in Into the Woods Jr. this year. She played as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family Musical Jr. at Rubicon Theatre in 2023. She also performed as Hei Hei in Moana Jr., 2022 and Bulda in Disney’s Frozen Jr.. Dennise plays violin and piano and she loves music and theatre. She is excited to be part of the Footloose family.

SHELBY SHULTZ (Ensemble) is going into her Junior year in high school at VHS and this is her first year at Rubicon. She is in her school’s drama department and has been in shows such as Willy Wonka and The Little Mermaid at VHS, as well as playing Martha in Heathers at Camarillo Junior Theater. She is so excited to be doing her first show at Rubicon and is hoping to continue here for years to come.

KAMERON SISCO (Ensemble) is going into their Junior year of high school. Their most recent work includes the roles of Cordelia in King Lear, The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, and King Hamlet in Hamlet. This is their first show with Rubicon Theatre and their 9th total production. Outside of theatre they enjoy ballet and contemporary dance. They would like to thank their family, friends, and classmates. Yeehaw!

MARISSA STADTMILLER (Rusty) graduated from Ventura High School in June and will be attending Santa Barbara City College for Theatre Arts and Elementary Education. She was very involved in the Ventura High School Theatre Department, most recently playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Miss Scarlet in Clue. She plans to make a career in Theatre Education.

THEODORA TODD MALDONADO (Ethel McCormack) is going into her senior year at VHS. This is her third year in the Rubicon Summer Program with previous roles of Ensemble in Pippin and Enid in Legally Blonde the Musical. She just performed as the role of Sebastian in VHS’s The Little Mermaid and Mrs. Peacock in VHS’s Clue. As well as Beetlejuice in PTYA’s Beetlejuice Jr. and Baker in PTYA’s Into the Woods. She loves all things theatere, dance and singing so she is so grateful to be in this production. She hopes to pursue acting in the future.

HARPER WEYMAN (Ensemble) is entering his junior year at Foothill Technology. Previous work with Rubicon includes Legally Blonde the Musical, Richard III, Pippin, Henry V and Moana Jr. as well as the 2023 Christmas Concert. Off of the stage Harper enjoys singing in the Ventura High School Chorale, lifting weights and studying Japanese. He will be playing Romeo in the upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet this summer.

REGINALD WHIGHAM (Rev. Shaw Moore) is thrilled to be a Tenderfoot in such an Ace-High production! Recent Credits include Titus in The Curious Savage, Chad in Legally Blonde the Musical, and Lurch in The Addams Family. He would like to thank his Wheel-Horse pal Michael and his Mom for their support! You can follow Reginald on his professional journey with all things theatre on Instagram @reginald_whigham. Sit Back, Cut Loose and have a Hog-Killin Time!

JOSEPH FUQUA (Director) is the founder of Rubicon’s Fearless Shakespeare program, now in its fourteenth year. A 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. 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, Thomas Allen in Dark of the Moon, and, most recently, Sheriff Schmid in Bonnie & Clyde directed by J.Scott Lapp. Joseph would like to thank Julia Donlon for making their summers together magical!

ALIZA BARROCA (Co-Director and Choreographer) is 20 years old, and has been working with Rubicon since she was nine. She has been a part of five summer youth productions, as well as holiday shows, benefits, and Kids for Kids Concerts. This summer will be her debut as a director and choreographer, and she is so excited to work with such a talented group of kids. In the fall, Aliza will be attending Ithaca college as a film major with a minor in dance.

MIRIAM ARICHEA (Music Director) is pleased to return for her tenth summer with Rubicon Theatre Company’s summer youth productions. Longtime Rubicon goers may recall Miriam’s work on Beauty and the Beast (2014), West Side Story (2015), and On the Town (2017), as well as the more recent productions of Pippin and Legally Blonde. Miriam also founded and directed the Rubicon Harmonix, a small, elite group of singers who performed regularly at community events, including notable Rubicon benefits such as Ticket to Ride (2016) and Out of the Ashes (2018).

Miriam is known locally for her performances as a concert pianist and soloist. She has performed with the Ventura College Symphony and San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra, and appears regularly with the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra (CHICO). Miriam is a frequent collaborator with local musicians in venues such as the Ojai Arts Centre, the Ventura Music Festival, and studio and school recitals.

A lawyer by training, Miriam received her undergraduate and law degrees at Duke University. She is part of the writs and appeals unit in the Ventura County District Attorney’s office, which granted her a leave of absence in order to work at Rubicon this summer. Miriam is also a credentialed teacher and is on staff at Ventura High School, where she teaches mock trial. Miriam and her husband Jeff Brackett have three adult children, Josh, Arielle, and Daniel, all of whom are alumni of Rubicon Theatre’s youth programs.

NATALIE POWELL (Production Stage Manager) is a current student at Pepperdine University on track to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Production and Design. This is Natalie’s first production at the Rubicon and is thrilled to be the Stage Manager for Footloose! This is her fifth year as a stage manager, with previous credits including Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 (PSM), Silent Sky (PSM), The Music Man (ASM), and The Tempest (Properties Designer) amongst others. Outside of theatre she enjoys spending time at the beach and crafting. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her throughout her career. @_nataliepowell_

GABI BALTZELL (Assistant Stage Manager) recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning her BA in Theatre and Film & Media Studies, with a concentration in Directing. Recently, Gabi worked as Assistant Stage Manager for Rubicon Theatre’s productions of Bonnie & Clyde and Once and Backstage Manager for their productions of Constellations and Crazy Mama. She is currently serving as the Production Manager for the short film Signs of a Dying Relationship. She also just directed the one-woman show 2.5 Minute Ride in collaboration with the New and Reimagined Works Initiative, and is now the Director for the short film Night Light. After graduation, Gabi expanded her experience as an Assistant Director with the Prague Shakespeare Company, contributing to an adaptation of Macbeth. This is her fourth summer and is thrilled to be back with Rubicon and such a wonderful team! gabibaltzell.com

CLAIRE M CLEARY (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back working on the Summer program at Rubicon. When she’s not designing lights, she is a proud member of IATSE Local 442 as well as the chairperson for the Young workers committee for the local. She is currently working with OVATE Studios with an award winning writer, Susan Kelejian on a LGBTQIA+ short film, HE/SHE/US. Claire’s favorite credits include FuryUS with OVATE, Addams Family the Musical with 5 Star Theatricals and Man of La Mancha with OPAT.

HAL SUFRIN (Sound Designer/Engineer) is a Los Angeles-based sound designer and engineer currently studying Sound Design at the University of Southern California. Recent design credits include Falsettos and Blue Stockings at the University of Southern California (USC), as well as a contemporary adaptation of Sense and Sensibility at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Hal has mixed everything from musicals to Shakespeare, including productions like Much Ado About Nothing (USC) and Bat Boy: The Musical. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he has a particular passion for mixing musicals and enjoys ensuring that songs and scenes resonate clearly and powerfully through sound. This is his first season with Rubicon Theatre Company, and he’s thrilled to be part of the team.

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 Disney’s Frozen Kids, Legally Blonde the Musical, Richard III, Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Sally Sells Seashells, As You Like It, Mamma Mia!, Moana Jr., 101 Dalmatians, Henry V, Addams Family Jr., and Pippin. This will be her fourth summer working as the Prop Designer for the Rubicon Theatre Summer Education Program.

LEXI QUOLAS (Costume Designer) has been working with Rubicon Theatre since early 2022 and has also had the fortunate pleasure to work on several Rubicon productions including Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Lonesome Traveler: Generations, In the Heights, Dark of the Moon. This will be her third year working with the education program. Other than working with Rubicon, Lexi has worked with Santa Barbara’s Ensemble Theater (ETC) in their productions of Million Dollar Quartet, Dracula: The Comedy of Terrors, and Alice: Formerly of Wonderland. Previous to working with Rubicon and ETC, 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 Opera Santa Barbara’s La Traviata. Outside of working in the theatre arts, Lexi has made a career as a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for over 13 years. Her TV and film credits include “Only Here and Now,” “The Countdown,” “Divided,” “Take the Money and Run,”, “Faraway,” and “Olympia.” Lexi holds several Associates degrees in Arts & Humanities, Photography, and Social Media from Ventura College, Proficiency Awards in Makeup and Costuming; and a BA in Art from CSUN. She believes there is no limitation to education and continues to improve her knowledge. To see more of her work, visit her website: www.Lexi-Quolas.format.com

TARA VANONI (Assistant 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.

JOSEPH FUQUA (Summer Program Director) see bio under Production Team.

SERYOZHA LA PORTE (Associate Summer Program 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), California Lutheran University (B.Sc., Psychology), and the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA). On top of working as the new 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 making movies. Seryozha’s mission in life is to help people rediscover their imaginations.

JULIA DONLON (Summer Production Director) was born and raised in Oxnard, California, and graduated from Pepperdine University 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 Bonnie & Clyde, Crazy Mama, Constellations, Once, “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). This summer marks her sixth and final season with Rubicon Theatre Company. She is deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you for changing her life and helping shape the person she is today. Farewell, with love and gratitude!

PENELOPE DE SOTO (Associate Summer Production Manager) is excited to return for her third summer at Rubicon Theatre, now as Associate Production Manager. In years past, she has stage managed for Stinky Feet, volunteered in various positions around Rubicon Theatre, and has performed with both Sarah Lawrence College’s Shakespeare troupe and Ventura High School’s theatre department. Currently, she is a full-time sociology student at Ventura College and works with the City of Ventura as a Youth Afterschool Leader. Penelope is wildly passionate about youth education in the performing arts and is thrilled to be a part of this year’s summer program.

JIMMY CALLAHAN (Summer Technical Director), after his first taste of theatre assisting the previous technical director and working backstage for The Realistic Joneses at Rubicon, Jimmy continued with productions including Dark of the Moon, The World Goes ‘Round and “A” Train. He was also part of the Rubicon production of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, traveling with the show to Santa Barbara and Olney Theater Center in Maryland. He has now taken on the role as Technical Director here at Rubicon Theatre.