Bryant High School invites the public to come see Hadestown, Teen Edition. The performances are:
• Friday, November 15 at 7pm,
• Saturday, November 16 at 2pm,
• Saturday, November 16 at 7pm,and
• Sunday, November 17 at 2pm.
Read below for Cast Members,
The Story
This full-length Teen Edition of Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting, jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice.
According to this production’s musical director (and award winning high school choral director) Tanner Oglesby, the cast is “Absolutely breathtaking,” and the choreography is “beautiful.”
Director Jeremy Clay is the Drama teacher and has starred in multiple productions for over 30 years. He has performed at various theaters regionally, including recent roles in Mary Poppins, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Big River, Parade. Clay is proud of this show. He said, “As we go into show week, I once again am in awe of my students’ talents and the uniqueness of this show. I get goosebumps at different points at every rehearsal. Come see what I’m talking about this week!”
Cast Members
AJ Johnson (Hermes/Orpheus US)
AJ Johnson is honored to be performing as Hermes in his last musical with the Bryant Theater Company. His most notable roles include Ponyboy Curtis in “The Outsiders,” Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” and Pinocchio in “Shrek: The Musical.” Although AJ owes his current success to the talented cast and crew of Hadestown, he wants to offer special thanks to the friends, family, and teachers that have showed him unyielding support.
Carter Sullivan (Orpheus)
Carter Sullivan is excited to portray Orpheus in Hadestown: Teen Edition. He has previously played the roles of Aladdin (Aladdin Jr.) and Horton the Elephant (Seussical Jr.) and enjoys singing and playing piano.
Liv Robertson (Eurydice)
Liv is a senior at Bryant and is delighted to make her debut performance with Bryant High School as Eurydice. She loves singing with Bryant’s own Camerata and Honeybees choirs, as well as performing as a piano player/accompanist. While this is her first performance, she’s enthusiastic for more opportunities in the world of theater.
Jordyn Purtle (Persephone)
(Persephone) Jordyn, a Senior at Bryant High School, is ecstatic for her final musical with the Bryant Theatre Company. Past credits with the company include Mrs. Phelps (Matilda), Cherry Valance (The Outsiders), and Gwendolyn Fairfax (The Importance of Being Earnest). She would like to thank Mr. Clay, Mr. O, and Annslee for their amazing direction during the rehearsal process. Enjoy the show!
Braden Lisowe (Hades)
Braden is very excited to be working on the Arkansas Premier of Hadestown, you may have recently seen him in Alone Together at Murrys Dinner Playhouse, Grease at Argenta, or in She Loves Me at The Royal Theatre. When not directly working onstage, Braden is involved in Pre-Pro at Argenta and was recently an intern for The Arkansas Rep. Braden enjoys singing in Bryant’s Camerata with Mr.O and would like to thank Mr.O and Mr.Clay for this opportunity.
Katie Wright (Fate 1)
Katie Wright is a junior and joins the cast as a Fate, this is her first year of theatre. Katie is also a member of two select choirs, Camerata and Honeybees, with her leadership position as Co-Historian. Outside of performing arts, she is Co-Editor-in-Chief of our school’s newspaper, The Prospective.
Nayeli Torres (Fate 2/Hermes US)
Nayeli Torres (Fate 2/Hermes US) is a Junior at BHS. She is very excited to be apart of this talent-filled cast of Hadestown. This will be her 2nd year with BHS’ theatre program. She is also in the choirs, Camerata and Honeybees. Previously she has played Bruce Bogtrotter (Matilda) and Miley (Squad Goals). She wants to thank Mr. Oglesby, Mr. Clay, as well as the cast and crew for their hard work and amazing performance on and off stage.
Nyla Newton (Fate 3/Eurydice US)
Nyla is so excited to be back on Love Auditorium stage! Nyla is a Sophomore, but has been doing shows with the Bryant Theatre Company since 5th grade. Nyla is also on the nationally recognized Rock City Dance Center’s company team. She would like to thank Mr. Clay and Mr. O for trusting her with this role, and the cast and crew for being such incredible friends. She hopes you enjoy your trip Way Down Under the Ground!!
Maison Fells (Worker/Featured Dancer (Dance Captain)
Maison is delighted to be a featured dancer and dance captain in Bryant Theater Company’s HadesTown: Teen Edition. This will be her third year in theater. Her past credits include; featured dancer (little mermaid), featured dancer (matilda), and bird girl (seusical jr).
Aubree Blankenship (Assistant Director/Worker/Featured Dancer/Persephone US)
Aubree Blankenship is a Junior who is so excited to be apart of Bryant Theatre Company’s rendition of Hadestown Teen. Some of her favorite credits include, Coach Weebly in Squad Goals, Wicked Witch/Featured Dancer in Shrek the Musical, and a Big Kid in Matilda the Musical. She is thankful to Jeremy Clay for allowing her the opportunity to be in such a remarkable show and hopes you enjoy it just as much as her!
Chloe Cadzow (Assistant Stage Manager/Worker/Featured Dancer)
Chloe is a sophomore here at Bryant High School. She was most recently seen in Bryant’s one act Squad Goals, as well as Matilda the Musical last spring. She has also been in shows at the Royal Theater and the Studio Theater. She is thrilled to be stage managing for the very first time, especially for a show as amazing as Hadestown. She would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting Bryant Theater Company and hopes you all enjoy the show!
Isabella Smotherman (Worker/Featured Dancer)
Isabella Smotherman is a sophomore at Bryant High School, this is her first year in Stage management and her third show at Bryant. She was previously seen as Blake in Squad Goals(Bryant Theatre Company), Alice in Matilda the Musical(Bryant Theatre Company), Featured Dancer/Ensemble in Little Mermaid(Bryant Theatre Company) and a Sardine/Ensemble in SpongeBob the Musical(Royal Theatre).
Te’Aunna Johnson (Worker/Featured Dancer)
Te’Aunna Johnson is a BJHS Freshman who is a featured dancer/worker in the Bryant Theatre Company’s “Hadestown Teen Edition.” She is in colorguard for the Legacy of Bryant and is very excited to have her first experience in theatre.
Aislyn Martin (Worker/Featured Dancer)
Aislyn Martin is a sophomore at Bryant High School and is excited to be a featured dancer in the ensemble of her first ever theater production, Hadestown. Dancer’s Edge Studios and the BHS yearbook room are her second homes; when she isn’t dancing or designing yearbook pages, she’s at the library or playing video games. She is extremely grateful for her family and friends being her biggest supporters, and for her dog, Millie. Remember, life isn’t how to survive the storm, it’s about how to dance in the rain.
Dawson Hoover (Worker Ensemble)
Dawson Hoover (Ensemble) is excited to be in his first show at Bryant High School, however, this isn’t his first performance. Dawson has done theater for 4 years now, with this being his 5th show. His most recent role was as Mr. Salt in Willy Wonka Jr. at the Royal Theatre.
Ayla Paredes (Worker Ensemble/Fate 2 US)
Ayla is a returning actress to the Bryant Theatre Company as a sophomore and is incredibly delighted to be performing. She’s in the Worker’s Ensemble and is also performing as a Violinist for the show! She’s been involved with theatre (as a whole) for 3 years now, playing as Nigel (Matilda the musical), Mother Mary (Court of Pontious Pilate), and Luanne DuMont the radio host (Tanako Radio Hour). Ayla is also very excited to be working with this year’s cast and crew.
Brasen Winchell (Worker Ensemble)
Brasen Winchell is ecstatic to be returning to Bryant High School! Brasen was most recently seen in Matilda (Bryant High School) and as Chuck in She Kills Monsters (The Weekend Theater). He would like to thank everyone for their support, as well as the cast and crew for creating such a wonderful experience!
Maddie Welch (Worker Ensemble/Fate 1 US/Head of Props)
Maddie is a sophomore and has been performing with the Bryant Theatre Company since fifth grade, when she was cast as a Teddy Bear in Mary Poppins and fell in love with musical theatre. Favorite past roles with the BTC include Aquata in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical. Other favorite roles: Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act JR (Royal), Sharpay Evans in High School Musical 2 JR (ACT) and Slank/Fighting Prawn in Peter and the Starcatcher (Royal). Much gratitude for this opportunity to be a part of the Hadestown: Teen Edition premiere in Arkansas!
Ava Tillery (Worker Ensemble/Fate 3 US)
Ava is very excited to be a part of Hadestown. She thanks Mr. Clay and Mr. Oglesby for the opportunity to be in the show. Enjoy!
Laine Johnson (Worker Ensemble)
Laine Johnson is an 8th grader at Bryant Jr. Highschool and is thrilled to be making their theater debut. Although Laine has not been in any production to date, they couldn’t be more excited to be performing with the Bryant Theater Company. Laine wants to thank their family and Mr. Clay for the opportunity to be in Hadestown.
Robbie Shelton (Worker Ensemble)
Robbie Shelton is thrilled to join the Hadestown: Teen Edition cast as part of the worker ensemble! This will be his first production with Bryant Theater Company. Outside of theatre he enjoys music and plays percussion in the Bryant Junior High Band. He wants to thank Mr. Clay for this opportunity and his friends and family for supporting him!
Savannah Dillon (Worker Ensemble)
Savannah Dillon is a junior at Bryant High school and joined theatre her sophomore year, this being her second year. She is thrilled to be working on the set for Hadestown: Teen Edition! She was previously on set crew for Matilda and played Bailey in Squad Goals. She is excited for everyone to watch Orpheus and Eurydice’s journey in Hadestown!
Avery Tyler (Worker Ensemble)
Avery is ecstatic to be in her first musical with the Bryant Theatre Program. Her previous roles are Ensemble (SpongeBob: The Musical) and Mrs. Mayor (Seussical Jr.). She hopes you enjoy the show!
Creative Team
Director
Jeremy Clay
Jeremy Clay has over 30 years of experience as an actor and director, plus 26 years as an educator. This is his tenth year with Bryant Schools, directing a theater company run by his students and managing the Bryant Fine Arts Center. Most recently onstage at the Royal as Saint Aphrodisius/King Louis XI in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He would like to dedicate this show to his wife and children for their unyielding support.
Music Director
Tanner Oglesby
Tanner Oglesby is in his 2nd year as Director of Choirs for the Bryant School District and 8th year teaching Choir and AP Music Theory at Bryant High School where his students have achieved high ranks in regional, state, and national-level competitions. Bryant choirs have debuted in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City (2022) and at Cadogan Hall in London (2023). Tanner represented Bryant for Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 2020 and was also nominated for the 2023 GRAMMY® Music Educator of the Year Award (quarterfinalist). Most recently, Tanner was named the Region 3 Choral Director of the Year for ArkCDA (2022) and a nominee for Arkansas Fine Arts Teacher of the Year (2024). Tanner holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (Henderson State University), a Master of Science in Education degree (Arkansas State University), a Master of Music degree (Western Illinois University), and is finishing up an Education Specialist degree (Arkansas State University). Tanner’s community theatre credits include Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), and Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin/Music Director). Collegiate and professional credits include Man of La Mancha (The Padre), Avenue Q (Rod), and various solo/choral appearances with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Tanner’s professional affiliations include the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, Arkansas Music Educators Association, and the Arkansas Choral Directors Association. In his free time, Tanner enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and spoiling his niece and nephew.
Choreographer
Annslee Clay
Stage Manager
Jess Shelton
This is Jess’s third year doing tech for the Bryant Theater Company, and she is thrilled to be back as stage manager for Hadestown! Previous credits include lighting assistant for The Little Mermaid, costume assistant for The 39 Steps, sound designer for The Outsiders, lighting designer for Matilda, and lighting designer for Squad Goals. She’s very proud to work with such an amazing cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show!
Costume Head
Mili Utsey
This is Mili’s first year in theatre and she’s very excited to be apart of the group. Shes been on two other shows : Matilda (WHAM) and Squad Goals ( Props ), and this time around she’s on costumes for Hadestown!
WHAM Head
Ainslee Theodore
Ainslee, also known as Thei, is a senior at Bryant High School, and she has been involved with the Bryant Theatre Company for four years now. Her former roles include: Shrek the Musical, The Little Mermaid, Matilda, and The Outsiders. While she has also worked on tech for The 39 Steps and Squad Goals. Thei is thrilled to be the Head of WHAM (Wigs, Hair, & Makeup) for Hadestown, especially as this is her favorite musical, truly a dream come true!
Sound Design
Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan Thomas is a Senior at Bryant High School. He has been a part of many shows such as Matilda, Shrek, and Squad Goals. For this show he is up in the booth running the mics, so if it sounds bad don’t be afraid to let him know. He hopes y’all enjoy the Bryant Theater Company’s rendition of Hadestown.
Sound Design
Christianne Cain
Christianne is a sound assistant for Hadestown and really enjoys the job. With 2 years in theatre and she loved playing Watkins in squad goals. She loves doing things back stage and on stage.
Lighting Designer
Roe
Roe (lighting design) has worked on Bryant high school productions for 2 years, and was sound designer for Squad Goals. He is excited to help bring you bring to you this production of Hadestown.
Projections
Ocean Pikey
This is Ocean’s second year working with the Bryant high school theater. They have previously worked costume crew in the past musical Matilda and was the sound head for the one act Squad Goals. They are excited to work for this years show, and upcoming shows!
Costumes
Luke Anderson, Maison Fells, Zola Godfrey-Newsam, Madison Young, Peggy Dang, Shay Martinez
WHAM
Emily Carden, Maria Arroyo, Isabella Smotherman, Ja Lill Trice, Anaya Thompson, Madeline Cary, Heidi Gonzalez
Stage Crew
Eric Turner, Savannah Dillon, Isabella Botello, Jacey Hale, Nevaeh Blazer
Publicity
Malia Campbell (Head of Publicity), Avery Tyler, Ayla Paredes
Props
Julianna Holley, Kyndall Romes, Maddie Welch, Madi Ellison
Original Creative Team
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Anaïs Mitchell, Developed and Directed by Rachel Chavkin, Choreography by David Neumann, Scenic Design by Rachel Hauck, Costume design by Michael Krass, Lighting Design by Bradley King, Sound design by Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Musical direction and Vocal Arrangements by Liam Robinson, Orchestrations/Arrangements by Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Dramaturg by Ken Cerniglia, Hair and Wig Design by Jennifer Mullins, Music coordination by David Lai, Advertising/Marketing by Spotco, Press Representation by Rick Miramontez DKC/O&M, Social Media by Mike Karns (Marathon Digital), Broadway Technical Supervision by Hudson Theatrical Associates, Broadway Production Stage Manager: Paul J. Smith, Broadway Company Manager: J. Anthony Magner, General Management by RCI Theatricals and Beverly Edwards.
Venue
This show has haze/fog effects and strobe lights. This venue offers free parking, accessible parking, and is a wheelchair accessible venue with wheelchair accessible seating. The location is Love Auditorium in the Bryant High School Fine Arts building. The address is 500698 Harris St, Bryant, AR 72022 (no that number is not a typo – it’s 6 digits).
Tickets
Purchase tickets for $10 for adults, and $5 for students. This production runs approximately 2 hours, and there will be a 15-minute intermission. The link to purchase is https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/bryant-high-school/66e09a2098bbf422cbabca66/tickets#/productions-view
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