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

JUSTICE ABELLERA (Trix the Aviatrix) is excited to have their second summer at Rubicon! Justice loves performing and will be found singing to a group of strangers whenever given the chance. Their previous show at Rubicon was Fiddler on the Roof Jr. as Mendel/Villager. Other productions include Elf Jr. at Music Freqs (Emily/Jovie), Shrek (Tweedle-Dee) at Center Stage & Arts Repertory, and they soon will be the Wolf in Into the Woods Jr. at CSPAR. This is for my teachers!

VIVIAN ACCOLA (Ensemble), a rising 6th grader at Ventura Charter, started performing with Rubicon Summer Education Program at age 6. Credits include: Molly and Sandy in Annie, Mustard Seed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Bear in Shrek, Little Cosette in Les Miserables, Pepper in 101 Dalmatians, Flora/Fauna in Addams Family, Bulda in Frozen Kids, Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof Jr., and the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition. Vivian has also performed in productions with OYES (Ojai Youth Entertainers Studios) such as the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Nala in The Lion King Jr., and Kate in Annie Jr.. Last fall, Vivian was thrilled to be the understudy for Ivonka in Once, on Rubicon’s main stage.

EAMON BELL (Aldolpho) This is Eamon’s third year in the Rubicon summer program and he is Aldolpho! He has performed at Sacred Fools summer theatre program in Hollywood, OYES in Ojai, Ojai ACTS as well as his school’s musical productions. Eamon acted in a few independent films recently and caught the bug for movie acting. With the guidance and support of his mentor, he wrote, directed and starred in a film called It’s a Wonderful Death for an eighth grade school project at Oak Grove School (Ojai). It will be screened at the Ojai Playhouse on Wednesday, July 30th at 4pm. He is starting high school at Thacher this fall.

IAIN BELL (Robert Martin) This is Iain’s third year in Rubicon Theatre’s summer program and he is Robert! He has performed at Sacred Fools summer theatre program in Hollywood, OYES in Ojai, Ojai ACTS and school musicals at Oak Grove School in Ojai where he will enter 7th grade in the fall. Iain loves to act, sing, dance, drum and play baseball. He acted in his brother’s film, It’s A Wonderful Death and would like to do more film acting.

EMILIA BIASOTTI (Underling)  is going into the 7th grade at Cabrillo Middle School. Her past experiences with Rubicon are The Addams Family: Young at Part in 2023 as an ancestor and Fiddler on the Roof Jr. in 2024 as Mordcha. Outside of theatre, Emilia loves horseback riding, playing the cello, singing, dancing, and playing guitar. She is so excited for the show and the chance to see all of her friends.

KALEI DURAND (Superintendent) is 13 years old and will be an eighth grader at CAPE Charter School in the fall. She enjoys taking aerial classes, singing lessons, and playing beach and indoor volleyball. This is her third year at Rubicon, previously performing in productions of The Addams Family and Fiddler On The Roof Jr.. Her favorite role she has played is Amy March in Little Women.

LAUREN FREDERICKS (Gangster #2) is 14 years old and currently going into her freshman year at Buena High School. She has previously played Brigitta in The Sound of Music, Shprintze in Fiddler on the Roof Jr., and an ancestor in The Addams Family. This is her third year at Rubicon, and she is very excited to play one of the gangster pastry chefs. She hopes you enjoy the show!

ANTONIA FROHMAN (Ensemble) is going into seventh grade next year at Monte Vista middle school. The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. is the first time she has been associated with Rubicon Theatre Company, although she has been in countless plays and musicals before and takes voice lessons. Her main focuses are all forms of art (music, visual, etc), fashion, and theatre.

VIVIE GIULIANI (Drowsy Chaperone) is an upcoming 8th grader at Oak Grove School. She has been performing for as long as she can remember in countless musicals including Newsies as the role of Kathrine and Into the Woods Jr. as Cinderella. She has performed at OYES, Oak Grove School and the Granada Theatre and is over the moon excited to perform in her first ever musical at Rubicon!

LEXI HAAR (Ensemble) will be entering 7th grade at Ventura Missionary School in the fall. This is Lexi’s 4th production with Rubicon Theatre. She is excited to move up from the Stinky Feet Theatre Project to the Kids Musical Theatre Workshop and appear in her first full length show. She likes everything about the program, especially acting and dancing.

CALI HADLER (Janet Van De Graaff) is 13 years old and will be attending 8th grade at Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School. This is Cali’s 4th year at Rubicon and she has previously been in the shows Sally Sells Sea Shells and You Can Too, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Jr., and most recently Fiddler on the Roof Jr.. When Cali was 2 years old, her family moved to Germany where Cali learned and spoke only in German. She spends most of her free time reading and enjoys dancing, playing tennis, and musical theatre. Cali loves being a part of Rubicon, it’s something she looks forward to every summer!

HARPER RÓISÍN (“ROSE”) HAM (Ensemble) is very excited to be back on stage at Rubicon after portraying YOUNG BONNIE in Bonnie & Clyde and IVONKA in Once. She has performed in all of her school plays. Her training started at Fractured Actors Theater Company in Ventura, where she has appeared in multiple roles as part of their annual Speakeasy Project since 2022. She is a trained vocalist and drummer and is currently learning to play guitar. Harper performed in front of a full house at Ventura Music Hall for the Taylor Swift Eras Tribute concert in 2024. She is so happy to be a part of The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. and would like to thank her cast and crew. She would also like to thank you for being here!

COLE HOOVER (Gangster) attends De Anza Middle School and will be entering 8th grade in the fall. He enjoys acting with Rubicon and rowing at Lake Casitas. He was the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof Jr. in 2024 and played Pongo in Stinky Feet’s production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Jr..

NOVA MAITEN (Feldzieg) is excited to be back at the Rubicon Education Program for their third year. Previously they’ve played Chava in Fiddler on the Roof Jr. and an ancestor in The Addams Family: Young @ Part. They’ve been in multiple productions at Center Stage Players and Repertory such as Shrek Jr., Elf, Shrek, and currently, Into the Woods Jr. as Cinderella’s Stepmother. They thank their friends and family for supporting them as they continue to perform.

REMI MELZER (Ensemble) is a rising 8th grader at Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School. She enjoys wrestling, gymnastics, football, and swimming. When she’s not playing a sport you can find her listening to music, shopping, surfing, or hanging out with her friends. This is Remi’s first year at Rubicon and her first time trying theatre. She is already planning to come back next year.

JACK MUCHA (Gangster #1) is going into 8th grade at DATA middle school. When he’s not in school, you can usually find him practicing Jiu Jitsu or skateboarding. Previous work with Rubicon includes the role of Fyedka in the 2024 Summer Season production of Fiddler on the Roof Jr..

ROCCO RAMIREZ (Gangster) is entering 7th grade at CAPE Charter. His love of theatre began in 3rd grade with his school production of Frozen Jr. in the role of Kristoff.  Rocco enjoys participating in community theatre with CSPAR in Camarillo.  He has done 3 musicals; Shrek Jr., Shrek the Musical, and Elf the Musical, and is currently working on Into the Woods Jr.. The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. is Rocco’s first production with Rubicon and he has loved the experience he has gained in this program.

KAYLEE REYNOLDS (Mrs. Tottendale) is so excited to be returning to Rubicon. She recently graduated from Ventura Charter School and will be starting her freshman year at Foothill Tech High School. In her free time she loves to play videogames and hangout with friends. Previous roles include Nancy in Oliver! Jr., a Bottle Dancer in the 2024 summer season production of Fiddler on the Roof Jr. with Rubicon, and Otho in Beetlejuice Jr. with PTYA.

SKYLAR RICHARDS (Ensemble) will be in fifth grade this year. He loves reading novels, playing video games and watching movies. He has previously been in Frozen Jr. as the Duke of Weselton, The Fiddler on the Roof Jr. as the Fiddler, and The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition as the Wizard with Rubicon Theatre Theatre. He also played the mayor in his school production of A Miracle on Main Street. He has agency representation.

CANA RILEY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on stage! She previously performed in Fiddler on the Roof Jr. (Rubicon, 2024) and as the Matron in Oliver Twist Jr. (Ventura Charter School, 2022). Cana is also an accomplished aerialist with multiple top-five placements in the 2024–2025 competition season. When she’s not on stage or in the air, she loves to spend her time reading.

OLIVIA ROMERO (Ensemble) will begin 5th grade at Mesa Union School in the fall. She enjoys theatre, golf, basketball, pickleball, reading, and playing the piano. Her previous musicals with the Rubicon include Sally Sells Seashells and You Can Too!, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Jr., and Disney’s Frozen Jr..

PAZ SCHAFFER (Man in Chair) is an enthusiastic thespian from Los Angeles, CA. A recent transplant to Ventura, he’s thrilled to be working with the Rubicon and excited to be a part of The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. production. He previously worked with Shakespeare Kids, playing a variety of characters including Stephano (his favorite!) in The Tempest. He later performed with Altadena Musical Theater, playing Horton in Seussical and Kevin McCallister in Home Alone.  When he’s not performing, he enjoys playing drums and guitar, and writing and producing songs.

BROOKLYN SMITH-MARTINEZ (Ensemble) graduated from Ventura Charter School in June and will be attending Foothill Technology High School in the Fall. Brooklyn enjoys hanging with her friends, baseball, rugby, music, and bowling. Previously, Brooklyn has performed in Oliver Twist and Alice in Wonderland at Ventura Charter School.

EVA SWEET (Kitty) is an 8th grader in Ventura County. She enjoys acting, singing, and watching Broadway shows. Previous work with the Rubicon includes Fruma-Sarah in the 2024 Summer Session of Fiddler on the Roof Jr.. She’s also performed with PTYA for many years.

DANE TROSSMAN (Gangster) is 12 years old, born and raised in Ventura, CA. He has been acting for almost his whole life. He was in his first production when he was 4 in Giants in the Sky at Rubicon Theatre. He has had many different roles with some of his favorites being Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Rodger (Disney’s 101 Dalmatians), Lazar Wolf (Fiddler on the Roof Jr.), and Kristoff (Disney’s Frozen: Kids). In his free time he likes to swim, play trumpet, play basketball, and act.

JAKE WEYMAN (Gangster) is going into 8th grade at DeAnza, this is his first play. He loves soccer, art, and designing his own street wear. He wants to thank the production team for trusting him with this role.

COLE WILLIAMS (George) is a 7th grader at Ojai’s Oak Grove School who splits his time between the stage, the soccer field, and tracking sports stats- especially for his favorite team, the Washington Commanders. He’s performed in Mary Poppins and Into the Woods at Oak Grove, and in Annie and High School Musical with OYES. Whether acting, defending, or analyzing the game, Cole brings heart, humor, and hustle to everything he sets his mind to.

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), California Lutheran University (B.Sc., Psychology), and the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA). On top of working in the finance, multimedia, and education department 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. IMDB: Sasha La Porte

ALIZA BARROCA (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.

AUSTIN HO (Music Director) is a classically trained pianist from Los Angeles, California.  He graduated cum laude from UCLA with a Bachelors of Arts in piano performance, a minor in mathematics, and a Masters of Music in piano performance.

Austin’s musical experiences include productions of Matilda the Musical and Addam’s Family (Marymount HS, keyboard), Legally Blonde (Palisades HS, keyboard), Fiddler on the Roof Jr. (Rubicon Theatre Company, music director/keyboard), and readings of Minoru: Scrape the Skies (New Musical Institute, music director/keyboard).  In addition, he has made appearances in orchestras such as the American Youth Symphony and the Santa Monica Symphony, where he has performed in live-to-picture concerts of How to Train Your Dragon, Superman, and Jurassic Park, and also theme songs from Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and Star Wars.

Austin currently is the organist and pianist at the Culver City Presbyterian Church and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, staff accompanist at UCLA and Marymount High School, adjunct faculty at the AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and teacher/accompanist at the Suzuki Academy of LA.  During his free time, he tutors math, sings, and plays violin.

ADAM BAHIR (Production Stage Manager) is a Los Angeles based Stage Manager with a large background in technical production roles. Previous Stage Management credits with Rubicon Theatre include Addams Family Jr. and Fiddler on the Roof Jr.. Adam is excited to use his technical and logistical problem-solving skills to lead the crew and actors through the difficult and rewarding process resulting in the show you’re about to watch. Thank you for your support!

JAXON ALFARO (Assistant Stage Manager & Assistant Director) is proud to be the Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager for this year’s summer production of The Drowsy Chaperone Jr.. He enjoys working closely with actors and helping wherever needed to make the show a success. Passionate about storytelling, he hopes to pursue a future career in film production. This experience has been a great opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of an amazing, hardworking cast and crew.

CASSIDY LINDER (Tap Dance Choreographer) is a tap dancer and instructor, educator, and performer with deep roots in rhythm and storytelling. A proud founding member—and the youngest—of the acclaimed Chicago Tap Theatre, Cassidy has spent decades immersed in the art of tap. Her choreography blends musicality, narrative, and precision, drawing from both traditional and contemporary influences. Now based in Ojai, California, Cassidy brings her passion for tap to students of all ages, teaching and choreographing for schools, summer intensives, and pre-professional companies. She is known for her joyful, expressive style and her ability to foster confidence, clarity, and connection through movement.

SKYLAR VULCAN (Lighting Designer) she/her; has worked in lighting design for years at a variety of theatres throughout the West Coast. Among those projects she designed lights for UCLA’s production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and worked as the Weapons Supervisor for Rubicon’s recent production of Bonnie & Clyde. It is a pleasure to be working with Rubicon Theatre once again, and she looks forward to more opportunities to come.

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 Sally Sells Seashells, As You Like It, Mamma Mia, Moana Jr., 101 Dalmatians, Henry V, Addams Family Jr., Pippin, Frozen Kids, Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Legally Blonde, Richard III, Wizard of Oz and Footloose. 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 (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.

OLIVIA MCGOWAN (Hair & Makeup Designer) is a senior at Buena High School. She works as their Stage Manager and plans to continue doing technical theatre after graduation. This summer is her first time working with Rubicon and she is doing crew for all 4 youth shows with hopefully many more in the future!

JOSEPH FUQUA (Summer Program 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!

SERYOZHA LA PORTE (Associate Summer Program Director) see bio under Production Team.

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.