Bright Star Cast

 

MADELYN ANDERSON (Ensemble) 
Madelyn is incredibly excited to be jumping back onto the stage at the Dock Street Theatre! Some of her favorite credits include Annie (Annie), Ghost child, Caroler, and Ensemble (A Christmas Carol), Mayzie the Bird (Dr. Suess' Seussical Jr.), Ursula (Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr.), Little Lucy (A Tale of Two Cities), Madelyn (Toy Land), the Fairy Merriwether (Disney's Sleeping Beauty), Young Fiona (Shrek the Musical), Senior Angel Choir (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Imogene Herdman (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Ensemble (Mary Poppins), Windward and Ensemble (Little Mermaid), and Ensemble (Footloose). She also loves performing our National Anthem all over the city. She is a member of the St. Phillips Church Choir that performed at 4 Cathedrals in Europe summer of 2019. She is a senior at Academic Magnet High School. She was a proud member of Charleston Stage's Performance Troupe for 7 years. Madelyn would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support. A huge THANKS to Julian Wiles and Marybeth Clark for all of the opportunities given to her!!!!  

MOLLY BURRIS (Margo Crawford) 
Molly Burris is very grateful to join Charleston Stage this season as a Resident Actor. Originally from Austin, Texas, Molly is a recent Musical Theatre graduate from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Some of her favorite credits at Webster include: Madge (Picnic), Princess (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Luisa (The Fantasticks), and Daphne (Fly By Night). She would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for all of their endless support. www.mollyburris.com @mollyburris 

 

  

TYLER CAPLEA (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Tyler is an 11th-grade theater major at Charleston County School of the Arts. He has been with Charleston Stage for 6 years and has performed in Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), A Christmas Carol 2017/2018 (Turkey Boy/Peter Cratchit), Footloose (Ensemble) and Elf The Musical (Ensemble). In 2017, he performed in Spoleto Festival in Waiting for Godot (Boy) with Druid Theater Company. He has done summer programs with Interlochen Arts Academy, where he performed in The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), University of Cincinnati, and University of Michigan. Tyler studies many styles of dance at Palmetto City Ballet School and is a member of their Broadway Dance Ensemble. He hopes to spend the rest of his life singing, acting, and dancing. He would like to thank his family and all of his teachers at Charleston Stage, SOA, and PCB for guiding him towards his dreams.

 

JAH’MAR COAKLEY (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Jah’Mar is excited to be performing in Charleston Stage’s 2021-2022 season. He was last seen on the Dock Street Theatre stage in the Ensemble of Elf The Musical, Footloose, Mamma Mia! and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He has been seen on Wando High school’s stage as Dennis in All Shook Up: The Musical, Amonasro in Aida, Twig in Bring it On: the Musical, and Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit. He has also trained and performed with the Musical Theater Center as Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie Jr., Charlie Cowel in The Music Man Jr., and as a featured dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., and High School Musical 2 Jr.

 

 

KATELYN CRALL (Alice Murphy) 
Katelyn is beyond grateful to be back on the stage with this fantastic company. She is a second year Resident Actor from Upstate NY. She holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia. Favorite past productions include: Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Germaine), Footloose (Urleen) and Cabaret (Frauline Kost). You can find her @katecrall and at katelyncrall.com. She dedicates her show to the love, life, and legacy of Carole M. Crall. 

 

  

MADISON DANING (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Madi is a sophomore at Coastal Carolina University pursuing her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. She is beyond thrilled to be back as a part of this long-awaited reopening at Charleston Stage! Some of Madi’s favorite credits with Charleston Stage include Wendy Jo in Footloose, Silly Girl/Sugar Bowl in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Laurey Williams in Getting to Know… Oklahoma! (SummerStage at Charleston Stage). A few of her other roles include Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music (Stratford High School) and Janet Van De Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (Stratford High School). In addition to performing, Madi also enjoys choreographing for shows such as Frozen Jr. and The Lion King Jr. (South of Broadway Theatre Co.) as well as teaching dance classes. Madi would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for their support, as well as the Charleston Stage team for giving her such amazing opportunities over the last few years!

 

LOGAN EDRIS (Daddy Cane) 
Logan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Western Illinois University. His recent credits include: Shrek in Shrek the Musical, King Charles in Pippin, Francis in One Man, Two Guvnors, and Feldzig in The Drowsy Chaperone. Logan would like to thank God, his family and friends, Jessica Patrick, Sophie Edris, Lysa Fox, Bill Kincaid, Lynn Thompson, and Kathleen Margevich. “I hope you enjoy my performance as much as I enjoy performing for you!” www.loganedris.com

 

  

K'NIQUE EICHELBERGER (Ensemble) 
K'nique originally from Columbia, South Carolina, is a recent graduate of Brevard College where he received his B.A. in Music and Theatre Performance. His favorite roles include Jack in Into The Woods, Stanley in An Evening With Tennessee Williams, Matt and Scratchy in Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, Albert in Bye Bye Birdie, Luke in Camp Rock The Musical and Jamie in The Last 5 Years. He is excited to be joining the Resident Professional Acting Company and is grateful for his family and friends who’ve helped him along the way.   

 

 

MADDIE FINK (Edna/Dancer) 
Maddie graduated from the College of Charleston in May 2019, majoring in Arts Management with a double minor in History and Theatre. She now serves as a member of the Group on Diversity Affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina. With Charleston Stage, Maddie has previously been seen as Alana in Disney's The Little Mermaid, Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, and an ensemble member in White Christmas, Sister Act, and Mamma Mia!. Maddie would like to thank her amazing family, friends, GDA, and everyone who helped make performing here possible. After living abroad in 2019 and dealing with COVID in 2020, she’s thrilled to finally be back on stage in this amazing show! 

 

 

JERQUINTEZ A. GIPSON (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Jerquintez, he/him/his a new Resident Actor with Charleston Stage, received a B.F.A at The University of Memphis with a concentration in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance, with credits including: EMMA A New Musical (Trevor), Working the Musical (Frank), Trouble in Mind (John) and much more. Jerquintez has also performed in many different shows around Memphis and Mississippi including: Hairspray / Theatre Memphis, Jelly’s Last Jam /Hatiloo Theatre, and more. He enjoys performing any chance he gets and loves to inspire others to never give up. Thank you to Carla (Mother) and Terriney (Sister) for everything. To see more of him: Instagram @Jxlonzo Tiktok @jaytotheque30 / Website- https://jgipson24.wixsite.com/website

  

JULIA KELLY-DAVIS (Lucy Grant) 
Julia is thrilled to be returning to Charleston Stage for Season 44 as a Second Year Resident Actor! Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she is a recent graduate of Arizona State University where she received her B.M. in Music Theatre Performance in 2019. You may have recently seen Julia on the Dock Street Stage as Rusty in Footloose, Jovie in Elf The Musical, and Annabel Lee in Nevermore! Voyage Into the Netherworld. Other recent credits include Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde The Musical, and Gingy in Shrek The Musical. Julia has loved her time in Charleston so far, and cannot wait for another year with this amazing company! www.juliakellydavis.com / @juliakellydavis 

  

MADELYN KNIGHT (Florence) 
Madelyn, voted Best Local Actress by the Charleston City Paper readers in 2019 & 2021, is thrilled to be doing another show with Charleston Stage! You may have seen her previously as Madame De La Grande Bouche in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She has appeared in roles with many theaters in the Lowcountry, her favorite credits include: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Woman 1), Head Over Heels (Pamela), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky), Heathers (Martha Dunnstock), The Wedding Singer (Linda), Nunsense & Nuncrackers (Sister Mary Regina) with The Footlight Players; and Sense and Sensibility (Lady Middleton/Gossip) with Threshold Repertory Company. She also appeared in Village Reps' Treasure Island (Joan The Goat/Mrs. Crossley), Disaster! The Musical (Sister Mary Downey), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), and Dogfight (Ruth Two Bears/Chippy). Other credits include Wonder of the World (Barbara/ Waitresses/Helicopter Pilot/Janie) and Hair (Tribe) with What If? Productions. You can see her next as Sibella in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with The Footlight Players! 

DAVID LOAR (Dr. Norquist) 
Last appearance with Charleston Stage: Editor Webb in Our Town. 2001—2008, David was a member of the Blackfriars Resident Troupe of the American Shakespeare Center, playing over 70 roles including Shylock, Prospero, Richard II, Cassius, Claudius, Lord Capulet, and Scrooge. He toured the US for 6 years with Shenandoah Shakespeare, the National Shakespeare Company, and Chamber Repertory Theatre of Boston. He studied acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NY, and the National Shakespeare Conservatory. Other CSC roles: Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Richard Burbage in Shakespeare in Love, Prof. Van Helsing in Dracula, Robert Figg in The Seat of Justice, Gabe in Dinner With Friends. Elsewhere in Charleston: Sidney Bruhl, Deathtrap, Footlight Players; Lyman Wyeth, Other Desert Cities, Pure Theatre; Kerry Max Cook, The Exonerated, Midtown Productions; Walter Barnes, Blood and Gifts, Woolfe Street Playhouse. David lives on James Island with his wife, Rev. Kristen Barner, and their dogs, Tia and Pluto.  

 

ANTHONY T. MATREJEK (Max/Dancer) 
Anthony is a USC Alum with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He has performed since he was 9 years old with many theater companies including AFY (Wilson, NC), Playhouse (Wilson, NC), Paramount Theater (Farmville, NC), Imperial Centre (Rocky Mount, NC), NCT! (Raleigh, NC) , Town Theater (Columbia, SC), Footlight Players (Charleston, SC), Threshold Repertory (Charleston, SC) and; served as the mascot Cocky while a student at USC. In Charleston, Anthony was last seen on stage at Dock Street Theater in Footloose. He would like to express his gratitude to all patrons and participants in Charleston’s theater community for their continued support through these unprecedented times; his friends for their excitement and dedication to seeing him perform anywhere and everywhere; and most importantly to his parents, family, and everyone he considers family (you know who you are).

 

ROBERTO MÉNDEZ (Billy Cane) 
Roberto is thrilled to be making his Charleston Stage debut in this inspiring show, Bright Star. He joined Charleston Stage this 44th season as a Resident Actor, and can't wait for the season to come. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Roberto recently graduated from Columbus State University with a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance in May 2021. Some of his past credits include: Spring Awakening - Ernst (Mill Mountain Theatre), Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story - Ritchie Valens (Highlands Playhouse), Polkadots - Papa Square (Mill Mountain Theatre). Roberto would like to thank his family for all their love and support, and wishes you all enjoy the show! 

 

 

SIERRA ORR (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Sierra is over the moon to begin her time at Charleston Stage in Bright Star! She is a recent graduate from James Madison University's with a B.A. in Theatre. Previously, she has performed in the premiere production of Walls: An American Story as Abigail, Disney's Beauty and the Beast as Belle, How to Bruise Gracefully as Stevie, Intimate Apparel as Mayme where she was a Region II Irene Ryan finalist, The Women as Maggie/Nurse, and others! Today and always, she sends love and much gratitude to her family for all their support and to God for being by her side through it all.

 

 

DEREK T. PICKENS (Daryl Ames) 
Derek, a former Charleston Stage Resident Actor, is a theatre teacher at the Charleston County School of the Arts. He was most recently seen in Elf The Musical (Walter Hobbs) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth). Charleston Stage credits include: Mamma Mia! (Bill Austin), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf), the 2016 production of Shear Madness (Eddie), the 2012 production of Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), and The Producers (Franz). Derek has also been seen on stage in Charleston in Rock of Ages (Franz), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Sir Robin), and The Lyons (Curtis) at Village Rep, where he is also a member of their Acting Ensemble. Derek received his M.F.A. in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as a B.A. in Theatre Education from Greensboro College.  

  

LIZZIE PORCARI (Ensemble/Dancer) 
Lizzie is thrilled to be making her debut with Charleston Stage! She comes to Charleston after being based in NYC & LA. Lizzie has performed as a MainStage Performer with Disney Cruise Lines, Off-Broadway/National Tour of Angelina Ballerina: The Musical & across the country at various regional theaters. Most recently, she could be seen as Adella in The Little Mermaid at the Alaska Center For Performing Arts! Favorite roles include: Sally Bowles (Cabaret), Lou Ann (Hairspray), Mona “Lipschitz” (Chicago), Babette (Beauty & The Beast), Janet (Rocky Horror), Aquata (The Little Mermaid) & Holly (The Wedding Singer). Lizzie would like to thank everyone at Charleston Stage for the warm welcome into the family!  

 

LETTY RICHEY (Government Clerk) 
Letty was born and raised for the 1st half of her life in Southern California, but has come to call beautiful Charleston, SC, home for the last 25+ years. She holds a B.S. Degree from Southern Wesleyan University and a M.S. from Charleston Southern University. She has previously appeared on stage at the Dock Street in many wonderful Charleston Stage productions and has been blessed to perform as both ensemble and a principle cast member. Letty credits her introduction to the Charleston Theatre community to the invite she received to be a part of the ensemble cast of the 2012 performance of Porgy and Bess, performed for the first time ever at the Historic Dock Street Theatre, though written in Charleston depicting a well-known local Charleston Rainbow Row Native. Some of her hobbies and interests include traveling, watching movies, laughing, enjoying life and spending time with her Handsome Husband, Anthony, their blended family of 5 to include Charleston native & WAHS 2015 Alum, daughter Zariah, extended family, close friends, and her growing theatre family. Letty most recently appeared in the Ensemble of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, as Voice Six: Mrs. Alexandria/Posh Woman in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and as Professor Williard and Ensemble in Our Town. 

MAGGIE SAUNDERS (Mama Murphy) 
Maggie is so excited to be back on stage with the Charleston Stage Acting Ensemble! She was last seen on stage as Mrs. Webb in Our Town. Other favorite Charleston Stage credits include Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), Annie Sullivan (The Miracle Worker), and The Producers. In addition to performing, she is currently pursuing a master's degree in Counseling from Marshall University. She would like to thank her mom for her constant love and support.  

 

 

JESSE SIAK (Daddy Murphy) 
After seven wonderful seasons working in Charleston Stage’s education department, Jesse is now the drama teacher at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School! Jesse holds a B.A. in Theatre Education from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He has taught all over North and South Carolina, most notably at Flat Rock Playhouse (Flat Rock, NC) and South Carolina Children’s Theatre (Greenville, SC). Directing credits with Charleston Stage include: The Best Christmas Ever (two times...so far), Shear Madness (Two times...so far), The Miracle Worker, Anne of Green Gables, The Giver, To Kill a Mockingbird, Number the Stars, and Steel Magnolias. Favorite Charleston Stage Roles include: Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Young Frankenstein), Henry (Next to Normal), Benjamin Cohen (The Underpants), George (Of Mice and Men), Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure), Jacob Marley and Others (A Christmas Carol), Phil Davis (White Christmas), Corny Collins (Hairspray), and William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in Love).

 

CEDAR VALDEZ (Jimmy Ray Dobbs) 
Cedar received his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Ouachita Baptist University, and is beyond excited to be performing in Bright Star with Charleston Stage’s amazing cast and crew. Some of his favorite past credits includes Will Parker in Oklahoma!, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Carlos in Legally Blonde, Torvald in A Doll’s House, and Daddy in Junie B. Jones the Musical. Originally from Arkansas, Cedar would like to thank his friends and family back home for all of their continual love and support. cedarvaldez.com 

 

 

COLIN WATERS (Mayor Josiah Dobbs / Assistant Director of Bright Star) 
After two years in the Resident Acting Company, Colin is ecstatic to be returning to Charleston Stage as a member of the Acting Ensemble Company. Originally from northern Kentucky, Colin got his B.F.A. in Acting and a double minor in Musical Theatre and Arts Administration from Western Kentucky University. Some of Colin’s favorite Charleston Stage credits include: Of Mice and Men (Lennie), Footloose (Willard), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou), A Christmas Carol (The Ghost Of Christmas Past), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Voice 4), and Shear Madness (Mikey). Other credits include: Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson), Into the Woods (Jack), and Little Shop Of Horrors (Seymour). Colin was most recently named the Best Actor of Charleston in the 2020 "Best of Charleston Awards."  You can find Colin on Instagram: @thepapacolin. Colin is incredibly grateful to finally be back performing live theatre again and humbled by the opportunity to be the Assistant Director for Charleston Stage's first show back!  

 

DREW H. WELLS (Stanford/Ensemble) 
Drew, a first year Resident Actor with Charleston Stage, received a B.F.A. at East Carolina University with credits including “Gabe” in Next to Normal, “Moritz” in Spring Awakening, and “Peter” in Peter and the Starcatcher. Previously, Drew performed at the Texas Shakespeare Festival as “Jack” in Into the Woods, as well as at the Round Barn Theatre as “Gilbert Blythe” in Anne of Green Gables. Originally from Southern Maine, Drew’s family lives in Tennessee and he would like to thank them for dealing with him. Drew enjoys guitar, juggling, and dry humor. Keep up with his shenanigans at www.drewhwells.com / Instagram: @drewhwells