Rachel Alvarez-Robinson (Ariel)
Rachel is thrilled to be playing Ariel in Grandstreet Summer Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Rachel has been living in Boston for two years pursuing her BFA in musical theatre at the Boston Conservatory. She would like to thank her parents and her incredible peers at BoCo for always supporting her, and the Grandstreet team for giving her the opportunity to play a childhood dream role.
Liz Adler (Chef Louis, Musical Director)
Marking her tenth production with Grandstreet Theatre, Liz is excited to be involved in the first show of the 2023/24 season. The Little Mermaid has been a huge part of her love for big, bold, remarkable characters since 1989. Our journey with Ariel, mistaken for rebellion, is about the necessary self-discovery (and risks) required to live our passion. This show is a Love Letter to her parents for giving her the world and believing in her, always.
Adeline Andersen (Maid, ensemble)
Adeline Renn Andersen is going to be a freshman at Helena High School, and has attended Grandstreet Theatre for 9 years. Her favorite roles include Lily in The Giver, Rico in Madagascar, Young Elsa in Frozen Jr, Amanda in Matilda, and Stinky Cheese Man in Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Adeline would like to thank her parents, Gretchen, and Marianne for their support.
Micah Anderson (ensemble)
Micah is excited to be a part of The Little Mermaid. He is a rising freshman at Helena High school. He joined Grandstreet Theatre School when he was six years old and has loved it ever since. Micah has performed as John in Fun Home, Swing Understudy in Matilda and Donner in Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Jr. He would like to thank his parents, family, and friends. Micah also enjoys biking skiing and playing the drums.
K8 August (Lighting Designer)
K8 August (they/them, LX Design) has hidden out in downtown theater spaces, turning things on and off for the past two decades. When not turning lights on and off, they’re often found spelunking in tech closets muttering. Past Lighting projects include but are not limited to TUSSAUD/ANTOINETTE, Devil in a Box, a sex thing (or, a bunch of liberals getting uptight about the sociopolitical implications of their desires), Basil Twist’s Puppet Parlor. They have a profound enjoyment of french toast.
Keaton Barry (Pilot, U/S Prince Eric )
Keaton is excited to be returning to Helena for his second summer! Last summer Keaton served as a member of the Ensemble, U/S Squidward as well the Electric Skates 1,2,3 in The SpongeBob Musical at Grandstreet Theatre, other notable credits include Legally Blonde (Kyle, U/S Warner, Callahan, Emmett), Rent (Roger), Anastasia: In Concert (Dmitry) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Dr. Frank N. Furter). Follow his journey on Instagram @barrykeaton
Drew Bates (Scuttle)
(He/They/She) Drew is thrilled to join their first Grandstreet Summer Theatre production. They currently study Musical Theatre at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Selected credits include Baz in A Bright Room Called Day, Featured Vocalist/Ensemble in Sondheim on Sondheim, American Idiot, Amelie (Webster University), Pennywise in Urinetown (Village Theater), and Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues (Lakewood Playhouse, South Sound Stage Excellence Award nominee). Special thanks to Olivia, Lacey, Brady and the family. @drewthebates
Phil Bartruff (King Triton)
Decades ago, Phil Bartruff graduated from UNK with a BFA in theater and is honored and happy to be able to perform on the Grandstreet stage. Some of Phil’s favorite roles at Grandstreet include Fagin in Oliver, Charles in Pippin, Charlie in The Bridges of Madison County, Max in The Sound of Music, Mr. Crabs in Spongebob and Mayor Dobbs in Bright Star. Phil would like to dedicate his performance to Liliana, Luna, Haysleigh, Lennon and Crosby, his amazing grandchildren Thanks you Hays, Lang and Macaul for their constant support.
Kaden Connor (Sailor/ensemble U/S Pilot)
Kaden is a recent graduate of Carroll College from Boise, Idaho. The Little Mermaid will be his Grandstreet Summer Theatre debut! He has also recently been seen in Carroll College’s productions of Twelfth Night, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Shrek the Musical. Kaden would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for their never ending support and is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to perform with such an amazing cast!
Don Cox (Grimsby)
Don first appeared on the Grandstreet Theatre stage as Santa, in Elf The Musical Jr. Since then, he played Grandpa Joe in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music. The role of Grimsby will give him the opportunity to play an old person for a change. As always, Don would like to thank his wife (Vickie) and daughter (Hailey) for encouraging him to continue on stage.
Hailey Cox (Andrina/Princess)
Hailey is excited to be performing on the Grandstreet stage once again! She is finishing up her 11th year with Grandstreet, and just attended her 7th year at the Junior Theatre Festival. Hailey will be attending the University of Wyoming, majoring in Musical Theater and English/Creative Writing. She has cherished every single moment she has spent at Grandstreet! Hailey would like to thank her Grandstreet family and friends, and as always, her amazing dog, Dakota!
Alex Coulter (Sailor/ensemble)
Alex is a recent graduate from Helena’s own Carroll College, a political science major with a theater minor. Alex has played Shrek, Prince Charming, and King Peter at Carroll College. Last Summer Alex played Larry the Lobster in The Spongebob Musical at Grandstreet. Alex is a musician with his own music available on all streaming platforms, go check it out. Alex would like to thank his family for the support and all of his Music and Theater instructors for the skills they imparted onto him. Enjoy the show!
Derick Donato (Prince Eric)
Derick is stoked to be playing Prince Eric in Grandstreet Summer Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in upstate NY, Derick currently lives in Elon, NC where he is pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. Favorite credits include On Your Feet! (Male Swing), The Bridges… County (u/s Bud/Ensemble), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Mamma Mia! (Sky). He would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for their constant support and love – Enjoy the show! @derick.donato
Emma Elias (Flounder)
Emma Elias is thrilled to join the cast this summer because she has loved being involved in Grandstreet Theatre School. She made her Grandstreet debut as Elf #1 in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jr., and enjoys being a part of Words by Kids. Emma is thankful for her older sister who has helped her through her theater journey, as well as her family and dog.
Freya Elias (Adella/Princess)
Freya Elias is excited to be a part of The Little Mermaid cast this summer! She has been involved in Grandstreet Theatre for seven years and is a rising sophomore at Helena High School. Previous GST roles include Alice in Matilda, Patty in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Skipper in Madagascar Jr. Freya thanks her dog Cassie, parents and siblings for all their support.
Mary Gegenhuber (Props Designer)
Mary is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She moved to Montana in 1976. Mary performed her first play, The Mouse That Roared, at age twelve. But, she was bitten by the production bug and became a stage manager by age sixteen. She started as props designer at Grandstreet in 2006 for Ah, Wilderness. She has performed on the Grandstreet stage in Titanic and Annie Get Your Gun. Mary dedicates everything she does to her mother Dolores, the person who introduced her to the arts.
Liberty Glatz (ensemble)
Liberty has been a part of Grandstreet’s Theatre school program for almost 10 years and is extremely excited to start working on such an amazing new project! She has loved the opportunity to be part of so many fun shows including Matilda, Beauty and the Beast Jr, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. She would like to thank everyone who has supported her including her parents as well as all her musical theatre instructors and teachers.
Ashlyn Grasmick (Leeward)
Ashlyn Grasmick is so excited to be a part of the amazing cast of The Little Mermaid! She is a sophomore at Capital High school who joined Grandstreet Theatre School when she was in 4th grade and has loved it ever since. You may have seen her as Mrs. Claus in Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Jr, the Enchantress in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr, and a Big Kid in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. She would love to thank her parents for supporting her through everything and the Grandstreet staff for everything that they do.
Grey Haladay (ensemble, U/S Flounder)
Grey Haladay (he/him) is thrilled to be a part of the cast of The Little Mermaid! He is a 6th grader at Helena Middle School. You may have seen him as a misfit toy in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr, or a villager in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. He thanks his family & friends for supporting him. He is very grateful for all the support from Grandstreet staff & Theatre School community.
Sam Hay (Director/Choreographer)
(He / Him / His) Sam is thrilled to be back in his hometown and working at Grandstreet Summer Theatre! Director / Choreographer credits include: Seven Angels Theatre’s Altar Boyz, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre’s The Little Mermaid, Addams Family, All Shook Up, Footloose, and more. Sam has choreographed for Geva Theatre Center, Phoenix Theatre (Zoni Award and BwayWorld Award: Best Choreography), Webster Conservatory, Temple University, and more. Proud member of AEA and SDC. www.HeySamHay.com / @HeySamHay
Crayton Haney (sailor, ensemble, U/S Scuttle)
Crayton Haney (he/him) is a rising sophomore musical theatre major at Webster University. Recent roles include Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Jack (Newsies), and Feste (Twelfth Night). Other credits include working with iTheatrics, MTI, and Concord; and assistant directing Carousel at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Crayton is passionate about creating accessible theatre for people with disabilities. He also enjoys juggling, studying quantum physics, and playing guitar and piano.
Daisy Held (Arista, Princess U/S Ariel)
Daisy, a musical theatre major at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, is honored to be a part of her first production at Grandstreet Summer Theatre. Recent favorite credits include Sophie in Mamma Mia, Hero in Myths and Hymns, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and Olivia in Twelfth Night. Many thanks to the entire cast and crew and her ever-supportive family and friends!
Kenley Higgins (ensemble)
Kenley is a Helena native. She has performed in many great shows like Beauty and the Beast Jr, Shrek Jr, and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Jr. She has been in Grandstreet Theatre School since 2019 and she is never going to quit because she loves being able to express her feelings with new creative characters. She is extremely excited for new members to join Grandstreet and become part of our family. She hopes that you will feel the same way about acting.
Quincey Higgins (Maid, ensemble)
Quincey is a Helena native who has been involved in Grandstreet since she was 4 years old. She has been in a great number of shows, playing wonderful characters. Some of her favorites include Roald Dahl’s Matilda as Matilda, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka as Charlie Bucket and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer as Charlie In The Box. She has also recently assisted in stage management for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. Quincey would like to thank her family, cast, team, and Madison for always being there for her.
Dalton Hudboa (Sailor, ensemble)
Dalton recently graduated from Grandstreet Theatre School after 9 years in the program. His favorite performances on the Grandstreet stage include the ensemble of The Spongebob Musical and Roald Dahl’s Matilda. He plans on moving somewhere cool at the end of the summer and continuing his theater journey in a bigger city. He would like to thank Retta Leaphart for so many years of mentorship at the theater and his family for supporting him no matter what.
Anthony James (Sebastian)
Anthony James (He/Him) is from Wiggins, Mississippi. He recently graduated from Western Illinois University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. This will be Anthony’s first Grandstreet Summer Theatre production. He is super thrilled and blessed with the opportunity to perform here with this cast. Some of Anthony’s favorite credits include Charles in Blithe Spirit, Eddie in The Sister Act, and Sammy in The Wedding Singer. He would love to thank his family, friends, and mentors for their constant faith and support.
Lizzie Johnson (Aquata, Princess)
Lizzie is a rising sophomore musical theater major at Montclair State University and she is beyond excited to be back at Grandstreet! Some of her favorite credits include Liesl in The Sound of Music, Belle in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Ivy Smith in Montclair State University’s On the Town. She is incredibly grateful for the Helena community, her family, and her friends.
Zoe Knutsen (Production Stage Manager)
Zoe (she/her) graduated in May with a BFA in Stage Management from Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. She is a multifaceted stage manager with extensive production experience in St. Louis, Colorado, and Montana. As well as her ten collegiate stage credits, Zoe has worked professionally on projects including The 39 Steps at the St Louis Repertory Theatre, Godspell at Grandstreet Summer Theatre, Light the Lights at Variety Children’s Theatre, and more. Zoe is so excited and grateful to be returning to Grandstreet this summer. Thank you to her friends and family for all of their love and support!
Keely Lewis (ensemble)
Keely Lewis is thrilled to be performing in The Little Mermaid. She joined Grandstreet Theatre School in 2021 and has been involved with it ever since. Keely made her theatre debut in Grandstreet’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In addition to theatre, Keely is also taking piano and voice lessons. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for always supporting her and helping her get to where she is now.
Leah Leonard (Maid, ensemble U/S Arista)
Leah Leonard is an upcoming freshman at Helena High school. She has been taking classes at Grandstreet since second grade. She has performed in Elf Jr., Frozen Jr. , Beauty and the Beast Jr., and others at Grandstreet. In her free time, Leah plays violin and guitar. She also likes to read, play with her dog, and bake with her sister. Leah hopes you love the show as much as she does.
Will Menden (Windward)
Will Menden is a rising high school junior and is honored to be performing in his second Grandstreet Summer Theatre show. Favorite roles include ensemble in The SpongeBob Musical, Charlie Brown understudy in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Narrator understudy in Beauty and the Beast JR. He would like to thank his Theatre School teacher Retta Leaphart, and his parents Joe Menden and Jenny Kaleczyc.
Emmett Morrison (ensemble)
Emmett Morrison is thirteen years old and has been performing in Grandstreet shows since he was eight; favorite roles include Kurt in The Sound of Music and Cow Paddy Boy in The Stinky Cheese Man. Emmett has also loved attending Junior Theater Festival in Sacramento the last few years. He enjoys soccer, hunting, and skiing. He would like to thank his parents for supporting him in all that he does.
Layna Newhouse (ensemble)
Thanks to being born into a Grandstreet family, Layna Newhouse has been involved in theater one way or another since almost birth. One of her most recent performances was Mama Ogre and ensemble in Shrek the Musical Jr. She also recently became an avid techie, as well as a recent recipient of a Grandy award. Layna would like to thank her family for always supporting her and Marianne Adams for her excellent direction.
Sarah Osborn (ensemble)
Sarah will be making her Grandstreet Summer Theatre debut as a member of the Ensemble in The Little Mermaid. Originally from Troy, Montana, Sarah moved to Helena to attend Carroll College. After graduating in 2021 she chose to stay in Helena to pursue a career with her Anthrozoology degree. Sarah would like to thank her friend Mackenzie Jones for encouraging her to participate in a Grandstreet production. She would also like to thank her boyfriend and family for the support.
Gracie Petersen (ensemble, U/S maid)
Gracie Fay Petersen is a rising freshman and in her 10th year at Grandstreet Theatre School. Some of her favorite roles on the Grandstreet stage include: Gary in The SpongeBob Musical, Brigitta in The Sound of Music, and James in Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach. She would like to thank her family, Marianne Adams, and Gretchen Mundinger for always supporting her. Gracie looks forward to this super fun show!
Emerson Poole (ensemble)
Emerson Poole is a rising freshman at Helena High School and is beyond excited to be in their first conservatory show. Some of their past roles on the Grandstreet stage include Tommy in Matilda, Amy in Little Women, Bureaucrat #2 in Wildwood, and Violet in Willy Wonka. Emerson would like to thank their family, friends, and teachers for their endless love and support throughout this hectic ride.
Carolyn Randles (ensemble)
Carolyn Randles is a BA Theatre Studies Major at Central WA University. Grandstreet Theatre School sparked her interest in theatre from a young age and she went on to perform in high school and university productions such as: The Miracle Worker, Into the Woods and Eurydice. She has since returned to Grandstreet Theatre School to assist the Beanies and teach improv.
Ashtyn Reiners (Allana, Princess)
Ashtyn is currently an English Education Major and Theatre Minor at Carroll College from Spearfish, South Dakota. She has recently been seen at Grandstreet Theatre as Margo in Bright Star, Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Carroll College, and made her Grandstreet Summer Theatre debut in The Marvelous Wonderettes this past July. She would like to thank her friends, family, and teachers for supporting her in all her musical theatre endeavors!
Malin Ryerson (Maid, ensemble)
Malin is thrilled to be a part of her first summer show at Grandstreet Theatre. Some of Malin’s favorite roles were James in James and the Giant Peach and Lavender in Matilda. Malin will be an 8th grader at Helena Middle School this Fall and lives in Helena, MT with her mom and puppy Birdie. She loves to sing, make videos and dance in her spare time. Malin has been attending Grandstreet Theatre School since 1st grade and just returned from the Junior Theatre Festival in Sacramento where she received an award for Outstanding Student Choreographer. You can also catch Malin dancing on stage with Creative Arts Center. Malin would like to thank the Grandstreet Family for always creating a safe and supportive place for her and all students.
Gabriella Scarpace (Atina, Princess, Gull)
Gabriella Scarpace is so excited to be working at Grandstreet Theatre this summer! She is currently a BFA Music Theatre Major at Elon University and was just seen in The Bridges of Madison County as Chiara/Marge US. Last summer she had the honor of being Associate Choreographer for Playhouse on The Square’s Something Rotten. Gabriella also had the honor of training with the Radio City Rockettes in NYC. She is so grateful for this opportunity and wants to thank the cast and production team for this unforgettable experience!
Donny Shire (Sailor, ensemble)
Robert Stimpson (Sailor, ensemble)
Robert is a recent graduate at Helena High School. He has been in many Grandstreet productions over the years, but his favorite roles include Sven in Frozen, Damian in Wildwood, Santa in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr, and Laurie in Little Women. He spends most of his time outside of Grandstreet reading, writing, and enjoying the outdoors. He thanks his family, his friends, and the entire Grandstreet community for being his second home.
Brandon Taylor (Flotsam)
Brandon is so excited to be a part of this show! He is from Hollister, California and got his BA in Musical Theatre from Chico State. Since moving to Helena, he has choreographed musicals for both Grandstreet Theatre and Carroll College. Some of his past roles include Billy Cane in Bright Star, Jesus in Godspell, and Johnny in Green Day’s American Idiot. Special thanks to his family and friends for their support!
Colleen Watson (Ursula)
Colleen “ Binky” Watson has been teaching theatre school for
Grandstreet Theatre (admittedly on and off, but mostly on) since 1989. She holds a BFA in Acting/Directing from U of M circa 1988. She is married to Kevin Watson, has raised 2 children, Jordyn and Liam and has a granddaughter, Sophia! She is very excited to play Ursula! Favorite roles include Mama Rose Gypsy, The Witch Into The Woods, Fraulein Schneider Cabaret. Thank you for supporting live theatre!!!
Jade Zickefoose (Jetsam)
Jade Zickefoose(They/Them) is thrilled to become a new member of the Grandstreet Summer Theatre family. They’re a BFA Dance Major at Missouri State University with a Music Composition Minor. Some of Jade’s favorite credits include Angel in Kinky Boots at Springfield Little Theatre and George in Carrie at Branson Regional Arts Council. Jade would like to thank everyone involved in this production as well as their loving and supportive mom.
