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Cast
Miriam Howell
MATILDA
Miriam, 9 years old, is a Tucson native. She grew up in a theatre family, and learned to love the stage while attending rehearsals at the Arizona Rose Theatre. Miriam was in her first musical, Elf Jr, when she was two years old. Previous roles include Wickersham/ u/s Jojo in Seussical the Musical, Sven in Frozen Jr, Young Nala in Lion King Jr, and Charlie In the Box in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. When she was four years old she played Lulu in the Tucson performances of the national tour of Waitress. Miriam dances at Heart and Soul Dance. She loves to draw and sing with her friends. She is so excited to play Matilda with Saguaro City—it is her dream role, and she has listened to the soundtrack for months and has been practicing her British accent non-stop. She loves the humor in the show and can’t wait to perform the role!
Tyler Wright
MISS TRUNCHBULL
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Tyler studied musical theater at Brigham Young University before returning home to Arizona. Tyler has received local MAC and Carmen award nominations for his performances in SAPAC's productions of Hot Mikado and [title of show]. He also produced, directed, and starred in the MAC award nominated Gutenberg! The Musical! Tyler performs with many other Tucson performing groups including Gaslight Theater, Khris Dodge Entertainment and Alex Mack Music.
Nickole Custodio
MRS. WORMWOOD
is delighted to be working with Saguaro City Music Theatre. Some previous roles include Sally, Cabaret; Amelia, El Tiradito; Catherine, Proof and Audrey in another production of Little Shop. She is currently a PCC student on her way to complete her AFA in Visual and Performing Arts. During the day Nickole is a drama teacher for kids, but at night she loves to rock out with her band, Cows (insta: @cowsband). She wants to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support.
Zach Wetzel
MR. WORMWOOD
Zach is from Los Angeles, California. He holds a BM in Vocal Performance from BYU. Zach has performed alongside many Broadway and Broadway touring actors including: Catherine Ricafort, Nicholas Hambruch, Lisa Hopkins, and James Zannelli. Arizona regional theater credits: Guys and Dolls, My Way, Seussical, Ragtime, Tick Tick Boom, Titanic, Man of La Mancha, Bright Star, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. zachwetzel.com
Kate Scally Howell
MRS. PHELPS
Kate is a prolific performer and teacher in the greater Tucson area. She currently teaches voice and piano out of her home studio and performs/music directs with the Arizona Rose Theatre Company. She also teaches all grade levels of music at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. She graduated with a B.M. in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and completed her master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Penn State University. She serves as a vice president of the Southern AZ Chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). Favorite past roles include Philippa in Babette's Feast, Susanna in Le Nozze Di Figaro, Poppea in L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Luisa in The Fantasticks, Rona Lisa Peretti in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Beth in Little Women.
Lydia Schmidt
MISS HONEY
is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at the University of Arizona, and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of MATILDA after appearing in Saguaro City's production of Seussical this summer! Some of her favorite credits include LEGO Friends: Friends to the Rescue! (Legoland,) Vivienne in Legally Blonde (ART) and U/S for Lydia in The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (ATC.) She would like to thank Saguaro City for such an amazing opportunity!
Bryce Valle
RUDOLPHO
Bryce is so excited to share the stage with this amazing cast! Recently coming from Carnival Cruise Line as a singer since 2019, other show credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (John W. Engeman), When We Get There: A New Musical (HB Playwrights) and All Shook Up (Madison Theatre). “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” - Oscar Wilde.
Elizabeth McGuire
ACROBAT
Elizabeth is excited to be a part of the wonderful work at Saguaro City Music Theatre! Regional Theatre: Ogunquit Playhouse, The Lex, Fireside Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Engeman Theatre, The Encore. Directing/Choreography/Associate credits include: Winter Wonderettes (Ivoryton Playhouse), The Sound of Music (VA Opera, The Lex), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Engeman Theatre), and upcoming Little Shop of Horrors for NNU in Nampa, ID. Many thanks to the Lord, family, Drew & Dena, and the Saguaro City Team!
Brian McElroy
ESCAPOLOGIST
Brian is delighted to return to Saguaro City. You may know Brian for his work on over 140 Arizona and New York productions as a stage manager or designer, but he has never lost his love for acting. Recent favorite credits include PUFFS (Ernie Mac et al.) and SPRING AWAKENING (Otto). Thank you for supporting Tucson theatre and Saguaro City!
Luke S. Howell
DOCTOR/SERGEI
Luke is a prolific performer, writer, and director. Favorite roles include Josh in Handle With Care (Invisible Theater), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Arizona Rose Theatre), and Enoch Snow in Carousel (Arts Express). He co-wrote and directed the musical Sherlock Holmes and the East Wind, and recently wrote and directed his sci-fi play “Passage” at The Arizona Rose Theatre. He also performs with the country gospel quartet “The Presidio Boys.” He’s excited to be part of his first production with Saguaro City Music Theatre.
Julian Gutierrez-Ahumada
MICHAEL
Julian is thrilled to join Matilda The Musical with Saguaro City. He dances and performs with Kids Unlimited, receives voice and piano lessons from Allegro School of Music, and has performed in Arts Express shows. He is grateful to his supportive parents, family, and teachers for encouraging his musical theater passion.
Ally Frieders
ENSEMBLE
Ally couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this production! This will be her onstage theatre debut!! Ally has a BFA in theatre production from the UofA and has worked with Saguaro City behind the scenes for the last year! She has nearly 2 decades of dance under her belt and is ready to mix her dance and theatre worlds!
Jacob Higdon
ENSEMBLE
Jacob is thrilled to be making his Saguaro City Music Theatre debut! His recent credits include Sound of Music (Rolf) at Wagon Wheel Center for The Arts, Footloose (Ren) at Duluth Playhouse, and Rock of Ages (Franz) at The Argyle Theatre. He graduated from the University of Michigan's class of 2022 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Jacob is always thankful to Hell's Kitchen Agency for their support, as well as his family and girlfriend Laura! GO BLUE! @jacobhigdon
Melissa Lynne Jones
ENSEMBLE
Melissa is thrilled to be a part of Matilda! Melissa is a graduate of The Institute for American Musical Theatre in New York City. Her recent credits include Elf at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the International Tour of A Chorus Line, and White Christmas with The Lexington Theatre Company. She would like to shout out her amazing family! Colossians 3:23
Jennie Marshall
ENSEMBLE
Over 37 Years in theatre and film, Jennie a Tucson native, is happy to return to the beautiful city! A SALOC alum, credits of Regional and Broadway touring shows Jennie’s standout favorite includes the national tour with original cast members of Saturday Night Fever as Stephanie Mangano. Other favorite roles Betty Rogers in Will Roger’s Follies, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof, Luisa in The Fantasticks as well as working on the film adaptation with Joey Mcintyre and Joel Grey. Other films, Tombstone and Pontiac Moon with Ted Danson. Jennie has performed as a Production Vocalist for RCCL, Princess Cruises, Regent Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, show bands throughout the Holland America fleet and backing vocals for the composer and singer/songwriter Paul Williams. Jennie is a Co-Director and Resident Choreographer for KU Studios, Home of Kids Unlimited. Jennie is extremely thankful and excited to be a part of Saguaro City Music Theatre’s Matilda!
Matt Milne
ENSEMBLE
is a New York based actor who loves tap dancing, musical theatre, and Tucson. He was born and raised in Tucson and enjoys coming back and performing in his hometown. This is his second production with Saguaro City and he hopes you enjoy the show!
MATILDA'S CLASSMATES
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Creative Team
Mandy Modic
DIRECTOR/
CHOREOGRAPHER
Based in Chicago, Mandy is so excited to be here working on Matilda with Saguaro City Music Theater! Some favorite professional choreographer credits include: Beauty and the Beast, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 42nd Street (nominated for a Berkie Award for Best Choreography), Sound of Music, State Fair, White Christmas, Drowsy Chaperone, and Newsies. Mandy is passionate about educational theater, and last year, some of her students competed at the MTI Junior Theater Festival with Matilda where they won Most Outstanding Performance! She has also helped build musical theater programs abroad in Shanghai, China and Lima, Peru. As a performer, she has toured and performed at various theaters around the country. Proud AEA member. Thanks to Drew and Dena for creating such an amazing theater company and welcoming me to Tucson! @mandyinmotion www.mandymodic.com
“Even if you’re little you can do a lot”
Jamie Reed
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jamie Reed, a 5th year resident of Tucson, is a Faculty Member of the Musical Theatre Program at University of Arizona. An accomplished music director, pianist, arranger, orchestrator, and vocal coach, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Professional credits include previous resident Music Director for Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck, MI, current MD for Okoboji Summer Theater in Okoboji, Iowa, and Music Director for Holland America Cruise Line. MD credits include Memphis, Mamma Mia, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Cabaret, Assassins, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Evita, Altar Boyz, Murder Ballad, Next To Normal, Rent, West Side Story, Last Five Years, and Lippa’s The Wild Party. National Tour credits: Wicked, Book of Mormon, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, and My Fair Lady. Her first love is her 10 year old son, Anjelo, a musical prodigy in the making.
Kathryn Kulaga
PRODUCTION
STAGE MANAGER
Kathryn is absolutely overjoyed to be back with Saguaro City this winter! She previously PSM’ed Little Shop of Horrors for SCMT this fall and is thrilled to continue to be a part of the story. Kathryn is a current Junior at the UA, earning her BFA in Design & Tech, Emphasis in Stage Management. This upcoming spring, she will be Stage Managing Arizona Repertory Theatre’s Much Ado About Nothing. Some of her other selected credits include Summerstock: Leader of the Pack (SM), Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (SM), Clue: The Musical (ASM), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (ASM). Arizona Repertory Theatre: Freshman/Sophomore Showcase (SM) Head Over Heels (ASM), Legally Blonde (ASM), High Fidelity (ASM). She would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for their love, support, and appreciation of her endless optimism. For more on Kathryn, check out her website kathrynkulaga.com. Enjoy the show, and support the arts!
Taylor Moss
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Taylor Moss is a freelance Technical Director and technician. She earned her bachelor's degree in Technical Direction from The University of Arizona- College of Fine Arts. Taylor spent the past two seasons with Arizona Theatre Company as their Assistant Technical Director, before deciding to pursue freelance work primarily.
Kyle Dixon
SCENIC DESIGNER
Kyle’s award-winning scenic designs have been seen across the United States, Toronto, and Beijing. He is a frequent designer at North Shore Music Theatre, The John W. Engeman, TheatreTheatre By The Sea, Saguaro City Music Theatre, and many more. Kyle has designed special events for Faith Prince, Tommy Tune, Pam Tillis, Verizon, and the NC Gubernatorial Inauguration Gala. In addition to theatre, Kyle accepts fine art commissions and is the original designer of North Carolina’s historic Elizabethan Gardens’ Winter Lights, a ten-acre holiday display. KyleDixonDesigns.com
Instagram: @kyle_dixon_designs
Lindsay McDonald
COSTUME DESIGNER
Lindsay is excited to be joining Saguaro City again! Lindsay just graduated from UA with her MFA in Costume Design and Technology. Favorite design credits include Legally Blonde, Three Sisters, and A Simple Herstory at Arizona Repertory Theatre, It's a Wonderful Life, Live Radio Show and Little Shop of Horrors with Saguaro City Music Theater. She is currently the Assistant Costume Designer at Arizona Theatre Company. Thank you, Jason, Rocky, Charlotte and Henry for your love and support!
Christopher Mason
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Christopher is a Tucson native and has been working with Saguaro City from their first production, It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play. He earned his MFA in theatre design\lighting from the University of Arizona in the spring of 2023 and is currently teaching theatre design and lighting at Pima Community College. Many thanks and lots of love to my wife Ginger for all her support in my career change and years of schooling. You can see examples of his work at www.LUX2152.com
Mathew Marcus
SOUND DESIGNER
Matt is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Sound Design at the U of AZ School of Theatre where his recent credits include Sound Designs for Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, The Merchant of Venice, Spring Awakening, and Evita. Other productions include Love, Sweet Love, a musical featuring the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, along with national tours for Theater League, Theater of the Stars, and Dallas Summer Musicals. On hiatus from his audio career in the late 20th century, Matt was Property Master for Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. He is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designer’s and Composers Association, and the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, where he is the President of Local 415.
Rowan Griffith
PROPS DESIGNER
Rowan has been working with props since her freshman year of high school. She’s made a wide selection of unique props from a battle axe (She Kills Monsters, ATC 2019), to an elephant bird (Seussical The Musical, Saguaro City 2023). Rowan is very excited to work on her fourth show with Saguaro City.
Jeff Knaggs
WIG DESIGNER
Jeff is taking a break from his day job as Senior Manager of Theatrical Costuming for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to make his design debut at SAGAURO CITY MUSIC THEATRE . For NCL he has designed Kinky Boots, Footloose, Six, and After Midnight. Royal Caribbean: Hairspray, Flight: Dare to Dream. The Silk Road, Showgirl!, The Effectors. Pittsburgh CLO: 2017, 2018, 2019,2022, and 2023 Seasons. TUTS: Memphis, Dreamgirls, Into the Woods, How to Succeed..., The Rocky Horror Show, Million Dollar Quartet, Heathers, Mary Poppins, Sweet Potato Queens, Bonnie & Clyde, A Christmas Story, Music Man. Theatre Aspen : Beautiful. Regional: Mamma Mia!, Peepshow, Young Frankenstein, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, and Into the Woods at The Hollywood Bowl.
