Krystina Alabado

Krystina began her professional career in Crazy for You at Phoenix Theatre after performing with VYT, starring as Susan in High School Musical and part of the Voices of VYT in 2007 - 2008. After one year of study at Arizona State University in musical theatre, she landed a role in the first national tour of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening, which traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada for two years until its close in 2010. Krystina lives in NYC and played the role of Dora in the original reading of the off-Broadway musical Freckleface Strawberry written by Julianne Moore. Krystina is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Visit her website at www.krystinaalabado.com

"High School Musical" as Susan and part of the Voices of VYT in 2007-2008.

Stuart Ambrose

Stuart has numerous stage, concert and television credits to his name. He has appeared in Camelot, starring Michael York (Sir Lionel/Lancelot U/S) the Ten Commandments, starring Val Kilmer at the Kodak Theatre in LA (Ramses U/S) 110 In the Shade at Pasadena Playhouse (Starbuck U/S) Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Butler) Carousel (Billy Bigelow) and West Side Story (Tony), to name just a few. He has appeared with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra alongside Dick van Dyke, Judy Kuhn and Jodi Benson, the Atlanta Pops, and the Indianapolis Symphony with Sandi Patty. Stuart has made multiple appearances on Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 2006 he released his first solo album featuring new music by LA and NY based songwriters along with a few covers, and a unique five-part a cappella arrangement of Amazing Grace. Stuart is proud to be a Sergeant in the Marine Corps' 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines in Pasadena. He is married to film/television actress Megan McNulty and they live in LA.

Stuart made his debut with VYT in the VYT/Phoenix Theatre co-production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2005. He is proud to have worked with VYT and would recommend it highly to any young actor looking to work hard and do great theatre. For more information visit www.StuartAmbrose.com.

Lauren Antioco

Director of Education for Valley Youth Theatre

Annie, Cinderella, Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, and A Brother's Grimm Tale

Elyse Ault

Off-Off Broadway- Blossom Squiggy & The Goldfish, International - Celia As You Like It (Italy), The University of the Arts - Hattie Laundry & Bourbon, Penny You Can't Take it With You, Featured Einstein’s Dreams (NY Workshop), Ensemble Wit and Athena Fire of the Gods. Film Credits include Roxxxanne Kingdom of Rock Diane Betrayal. Upcoming: Affordable Apartment. B.F.A. Musical Theatre, The University of the Arts.

The Wiz, Honk!, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Sarah Bacsalmasi

Sarah moved to Los Angeles in 2005 and has been acting and modeling ever since. Sarah has appeared in many national television commercials including: Fancy Feast, TJMaxx, Ross, Chase Bank, US Army, Hoover, Cafe Latte, and XBOX. She has also been successful in print work appearing in national advertisements for Coke, Verizon, Apple, and several others. Sarah is represented by the Osbrink Agency in Los Angeles and is currently staying busy auditioning for commercials and television.

Sarah Masi started out at VYT as a member in the touring performance troupe and also the improv comedy troupe. She then moved on and played one of the sisters in the mainstage production of The Little Mermaid at Valley Youth Theater and was a Wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Herberger Theater.

Emily Lynne Baker

Emily is employed by Disney Cruise Lines as a main-stage entertainer and is close to her good friends Cinderella and Snow White, along with several other Disney favorites. She was featured as one of the "Doo-Wop" girls in VYT's 2001 production of Little Shop of Horrors, followed by The Wiz in 2002, Cinderella, and Titanic, which received an AriZoni Nomination. Emily has also performed with other local theatre companies, including Phoenix Theatre, Tempe Little Theatre and Gilbert's Hale Theatre. She toured Italy with a production of Caterina's Son.

Casey Daniel Blonde

A graduate of American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Casey is now a working, professional actor based in New York City. Recently, he starred in professional productions of Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pippin and in touring companies of Pocahontas and Sleepy Hollow. Casey's first stage experience was as Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory back in 1990. He also starred as the Pied Piper in The Pied Piper of Hamelin. "(VYT) was the center of my universe for the time I was there. Thank you for helping to plant the theatre seed in my mind so many years ago."

Alex Blouin

Was in VYT's first Annie production at The Herberger Theater Center in 1997. Other VYT shows include Cinderella, Grease, and The Wizard of Oz. Recent roles include wrangling child actors in The Lion King on Broadway and playing the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz in Philadelphia.

Annie (Karstens) Boon

Annie is currently Associate Editor of the Daily News-Sun and Northwest Valley Newspapers, living in El Mirage. Annie married Adrian Boon (alumni Alana Messinger's cousin!) and several of her bridesmaids and wedding guests were dear VYT friends. Recently wrapped filming a feature film in Phoenix called Kids in America starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris, produced by Universal and Imagine Entertainment. Annie has the principle role as the Sobbing Girl, and earned her SAG eligibility. See Annie's IMDb entry.

Her first show at VYT was Pinocchio in 1991 playing along side her brother, Sam Karstens (also an alumni). She was part of the "construction crew" that cleared out and built the basement theater at Tower Plaza Mall. Annie continued in VYT plays for more than six years, performing as Anne in Anne of Green Gables, Virginia in the Canterville Ghost and Marty in the very first Grease.

Stefanie Brown

Since graduating with her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Arizona, she moved to NYC and got an agent. She soon returned to AZ for Arizona Theatre Company's "Hair" where she was in the ensemble and received her actors equity card. Following "Hair", Stefanie was immediately cast in the national tour of "Wicked." Stefanie is currently on the Broadway national tour of "Wicked" as Ensemble/Glinda and Nessarose u/s.

Stefanie performed as Lily in VYT's production of "Annie" in 2004. She also performed in VYT/Phoenix Theatre's joint production of "Beauty and the Beast" in 2005.

Nick Cartell

Nick first got the acting bug while watching a children's tour of Cinderella and has been performing in theatre ever since, starting with Valley Youth Theatre, Greasepaint Youth Theatre, Stagebrush Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, and Theatre on the Hill in Westminster, Maryland. Some of Nick's favorite roles are Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tony in West Side Story, Anthony in Sweeny Todd, Able in Children of Eden, Jack in Into the Woods, My Way and Route 66, along with Man 2 in the Maryland premier of Songs for a New World. Nick next performed at the Tokyo Disney Resort, then made the big move to New York, where he resides with his fiancé, and where he has performed in the showcase production of The Flood and staged readings of The Man Who Would be King and Frankenstein: A New Musical, which appeared off-Broadway. Nick was part of the Regional Premier of Altar Boyz at the Mason Street Warehouse playing the role of Abraham the show is moved to 37 Arts Theatre in New York City with an all star cast that included Hunter Foster, Christiane Noll and Steve Blanchard. “VYT opened up the doors to theatre to me,” Nick explains. “I started with VYT in 8th grade and am living in NYC and theatre is my life. If you want a great place to get involved in theatre and learn the discipline that goes with it while making lifelong friends, VYT is the place. Thank you VYT for giving me my start that was once a dream and now is a reality.” To keep up with Nick, visit him at www.nickcartell.com.

Katie Rex Casey

Katie graduated from LMU with a BA in Musical Theatre and returned to Arizona to work as VYT's Artistic and Education Associate. She studied voice, dance and performance in her free time. She lived in Japan with her husband, Joe Casey, whom she met at VYT, teaching English to junior high students and travelling as much as time allowed. Katie also taught jazz dance to community members. When she and her husband returned to the United States they added a child to their family. When time permits, Katie continues to perform, teach dance, and study singing and dance and has high hopes of obtaining a Master's in Dance. Her acting credits at VYT include: West Side Story (Anita), Sound of Music (Maria), Peter Pan (Peter), The Secret Garden (Martha), Bye Bye Birdie (Kim), Cinderella (The Fairy Godmother), and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl/Ensemble). She directed James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Charlotte's Web, Winnie the Pooh, and Jungle Book and choreographed Bye Bye Birdie, A Year With Frog and Toad, and The Secret Garden and assisted with choreography for the Wizard of Oz and Cats.

David Chorley

David moved to southern California in 2003 and has never stopped acting, performing in six plays a year. His California credits include The Producers, The Hobbit, Little Shop of Horrors, Picasso at the Lapine Agile, The Lying Kind, Noises Off, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Leading Ladies, Rocky Horror Show, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Taming of the Shrew, Moon Over Buffalo, Assassins, Scapino, Star Wars: A New Musical, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. He has directed several shows and is a proud member of Improv Shmimprov (www.shmimprov.com). Dave started performing with VYT in 1996 in West Side Story. In Peter Pan he played Mr. Darling and a pirate, and his performance as Willy Wonka still has children laughing. He won an AriZoni award for his direction of VYT's The Emperor's New Clothes in 2001. VYT audiences best know Dave for his portrayal of the lecherous disc jockey Vince Fontaine in all three productions of Grease (1997, 2001, 2004). He won an AriZoni for How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying and three Maxie awards for Best Up and Comer, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Direction of a Comedy.

Chris Ciccarelli

Chris graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in musical theatre. He appeared in VYT’s productions of James and the Giant Peach, Grease, and West Side Story. He lives in Los Angeles and played Dick in Dames at Sea.

Emily Conforto

Emily graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a major in Fine Arts and minor in Sociology and Journalism. She has an amazing dog named Juno and is in a band called A&M and working on a demo. Emily appeared in VYT’s production of Annie, played Lucy in The Lion, the Witch in the Witch and the Wardrobe, Snoopy in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Marty in Grease.

Joel Cranson

With a BA in theatre from Grand Canyon University, Joel has also been seen in such shows as Noises Off (Lloyd), Bus Stop (Dr. Lyman), King Lear (Kent), and as Scrooge in the Amlin Gray adaptation of A Christmas Carol. His most recent involvement with VYT was as Monsieur D'Arque (the asylum owner) in Valley Youth's collaboration with Phoenix Theatre Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He also had the honor of understudying Stuart Ambrose's role of the Beast. "Thank you, VYT, for continuing to make young people's dreams come true on stage."

Joel's first experience with VYT was at age 16 when he was cast as the Scarecrow in the 1996 production of The Wizard of Oz. He went on to do other VYT shows such as Cinderella (King), Annie (Rooster), A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tale (Tigger), and Bye, Bye Birdie (The first show in the new Valley Youth Theatre Fall of 1999).

Chandra Crudup

Chandra graduated from Azusa Pacific University in May 2004 with a Masters in Social Work, and from Arizona State University in May 2005 with a Masters in Social Work. She has performed in Black Theater Troupe's Ain't Misbehavin', Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, and The Life, and in Phoenix Theater's Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and also Stage Manages for several of their shows each season. Chandra’s VYT work includes Wizard of Oz as Lead Dancer, Bye Bye Birdie as Stage Manager, The Sound of Music as Deck Audio, and The Wiz as Addapearle.

Max Crumm

Max won the lead male role, Danny, in NBC's Grease: You're the One That I Want. Grease played at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York City and Max performed eight shows a week. Check out Max on Wikipedia and IMDb. Max started out as a member of VYT's performance troupes and later moved to mainstage productions, appearing in VYT’s productions of Grease in 2001 and 2004. He performed in Little Shop of Horrors in 2001, The Wiz in 2003 and Titanic in 2003.

Byron St. Cyr

Byron hit the road in September 2007 with the national tour of My Fair Lady, which ended in Tempe at Gammage Auditorium in June 2008. He was in VYT's production of West Side Story.

Courtney Ozer DeCristofaro

Courtney graduated from New York University with a B.A. in political science and creative writing in 2000, and from Georgetown University Law Center with a J.D. in 2003. She was editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Law Weekly, senior articles editor and line editor of the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, published in the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, and student member of the admissions committee. Courtney has worked in New York with the litigation firm of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman since September 2003. She is also copy editor for mom Hope Ozer's community newspaper CITYSunTimes. She has a daughter, Oakley Basche DeCristofaro. Courtney played Doc in VYT’s very first production, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her other favorite roles include Giant's housekeeper in Jack and the Beanstalk, lead female in Rumpelstiltskin, the Witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Jo in Little Women. Courtney also stage managed many shows and directed After the Ball: The Search for Cinderella while still in high school. She was regularly involved in VYT from 1989-1996 and served as president of VYTeens.

Chad Frederick Gilbert

Chad performed with VYT’s Improve Troupe for two seasons, interned and directed at summer camps, and helped start VYTeens and participated in it for three years. He moved to California in 2007 and graduated from San Diego University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, where he majored in public relations. Chad moved to LA to work in the entertainment industry as an actor and public relations specialist. Chad played Toad in VYT’s A Year with Frog and Toad (AriZoni Award WINNER), the Cat in Honk! (AriZoni Award Nominee), Joe in School House Rock LIVE!, Geppetto in Pinocchio (AriZoni Award WINNER), Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland (AriZoni Award WINNER), The Funky Monkey in The Wiz, Mike Tee Vee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fagin's Boy in Oliver! (AriZoni Award Nominee), Yorick in The Little Mermaid (AriZoni Award Nominee), and many more!

Sean Rhys Gilyeat

Sean played the title role in Nearly Naked Theatre's production of Tommy on the Phoenix Little Theatre stage. He attended the Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles and summer programs with the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He works as an actor in film and theatre, and as a vocalist/songwriter. His first album, which he wrote and self-produced, was released in 2007. Sean performed in Titanic playing Captain EJ Smith. He started with VYT in the Sound of Music, the Secret Garden, and Bye Bye Birdie.

Kimiko Glenn

Kimiko graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan as a musical theatre major and was honored to represent the Musical Theatre department in the school's "Collage" performance in October, 2006. She was a 2007 NFAA youngARTS Winner in Theater and one of fifty youths nominated nationally to be a 2007 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. She graduated from Boston Conservatory and played the role of Thea in the national tour of Broadway's 2007 Tony award winning Best Musical Spring Awakening. VYT audiences enjoyed Kimiko for over seven years, as Demeter in CATS, Ursula Merkle in Bye Bye Birdie for which she received an ariZoni Award, Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach, and Turtle in A Year With Frog and Toad, Young Frog and Squirrel. She also performed as Ayah in The Secret Garden, ensemble in the joint VYT/Phoenix Theatre production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Little Red Riding Hood into the Woods.

Katie Olsen Hart

While I was still in high school, I worked for Phoenix Theatre in three of their contracted plays: Picnic, I Love A Piano (ariZoni nomination) and Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. In the fall of 2006, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri to pursue my B.F.A. degree in Musical Theatre at Webster University's Musical Theatre Conservatory in the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.

My first show at VYT was the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. I also performed in Titanic (ariZoni nomination), Annie, Grease, Into The Woods, The Wizard of Oz (ariZoni award) and Disney's Beauty and the Beast (ariZoni Award).

Jesse Havea

Jesse Havea recently graduated from The American Musical & Dramatic Academy’s Musical Theatre Program in NYC (Spring 2009). While attending school, he has served as Company Manager for the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine working with stars including Hunter Foster, Sally Struthers, Rue McClanahan, Lorenzo Lamas, and Jefferson Mays on numerous productions. Regional: South Pacific, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Once Upon A Mattress. NY Workshops: Railroad Man, 21: A New Musical. Film: Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice starring Nicolas Cage (Summer 2010).

Cinderella (2002) The Wiz (2002) Titanic (2003) (ariZoni Award Nomination) Beauty & the Beast (2005)

Kendell Henle

Kendell moved to California with her family in 2000 and attended Idyllwild Arts Academy, a boarding high school for the performing arts. From there she attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York City majoring in Theatre Arts Producing and Management, with a minor in Arts Administration. In 2009 she received her Professional Degree in Arts Administration from New York University. Kendell has worked as the Press Associate for Theatre and Arts with Springer Associates Public Relations, Marketing and Press Assistant at AllStars Youth Arts Center, Producers Assistant to a Tony Award winning Broadway Producer, and Development Associate with NYC's TADA! Youth Theatre. Kendell is currently the Group Sales Manager at New Jersey's leading theatre company, Paper Mill Playhouse.

Kendell appeared in VYT’s Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail in 1996 and Cinderella in 1997. She also worked for VYT as a counselor for their summer arts camp in 1999.

Christian Hochhalter

Involved in theater at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee. Professor How Could You. Member of SAG have done a Best Buy international commercial, filmed a TV pilot and short movie that went to Caanes film festival. Am currently waiting to stop growing so tall to get back to LA Auditions. With Bobby Ball/Defining Artists agency in LA. Have been on quite a few interesting auditions - was called back for role in Cheaper by the Dozen with Steve Martin but was too tall for the role they literally got out a tape measure and got an accurate measurement at the call back. I had already filmed a TV pilot with Hailey Duff so I knew I was a full head taller than Hillary's sister. That was a big disappointment I would have really enjoyed working with Steve Martin. That was back in 6th grade. Currently a sophomore at Mountain Pointe. I still have my sights set high for the future.

Started with VYT in the Comedy & Improv Troop, then on to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Augustus Gloop).

Anthony Jackson

I'm currently going to school at Emerson College in Boston, MA. I'm pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Oliver! - Oliver Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Charlie The Wiz - Ensemble Jack and the Beanstalk - Man in the Moon Honk! - Bullfrog Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail - Eeyore School House Rock LIVE! - George Alice in Wonderland - King Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Simeon, Levi Titanic - Stevedore You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - Linus Grease! - Eugene Into the Woods - Narrator The Wizard of Oz - Uncle Henry/Ozian

Chelsea Kane

Since Chelsea moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career she landed a guest star role on Cracking Up, Listen Up, and Summerland, starred as the evil student body president, Meredith, in Bratz: The Movie in 2007, played Kari Langsdorf on Disney's The Wizards of Waverly Place, and Stella Malone in J.O.N.A.S! Starring the Jonas Brothers. Track Chelsea's career at her Internet Movie Database entry, Wikipedia, or visit the Bratz Film website. Chelsea was nine years old when she landed the role of "Young Kim" in the National Broadway Tour of Showboat. That same year she discovered Valley Youth Theatre and made her first appearance as Marta in The Sound of Music. VYT became her second home as she continued to perform in such shows as Peter Pan, The Wiz, Cinderella, Oliver, Schoolhouse Rock, Titanic, and her favorite role of all time, Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden.

Suzanne Karpinski

Suzanne is a theater director, musician, and piano teacher living in Los Angeles. She is currently the Co-Artistic Director of Sacred Fools Theater Company in Hollywood where she has much of her work in the last two years, including Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays, the world premiere of The Gas House, and the late night sketch show Serial Killers. Other directing credits include: True Genius, Quills, Three More Sleepless Nights and Titanic. Suzanne has worked as an Assistant Director at South Coast Repertory (Dumb Show), The Old Globe (The Constant Wife), and Center Theater Group (Solomania: Taking Flight). She recently received a Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Observership to assist at Pasadena Playhouse. In 2004, she graduated with a BA in Theater and Dance from Chapman University.

Pinocchio (Blue Fairy), Originated the VYT role of Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail, Wizard of Oz (Witch), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Ensemble), Little Red and the Hoods (Maggie), The Sound of Music (Frau Shmidt), West Side Story (Velma)

Danya LaBelle

Danya is a recent graduate from Boston University with a BFA in theatre arts, where she specialized in acting, directing, and writing. Danya currently resides in New York City where she is working hard at her career in film and television. Danya is involved with a lot of comedy in the city, including doing a lot of improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Past VYT credits include Wind in the Willows (Rat), A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail (Kanga), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Salt).

Paul Leighton

After high school, I made the difficult decision to take a break from theatre in order to pursue my passion for photography. The many friends I made over the years at VYT always encouraged me to follow my dream of being a professional photographer and helped me get to where I am today. Assisting the tech crew with lighting and experiencing the set up of a show laid a foundation for how I light models in my images. And all of those little photo-shoots in the red room and cast party's have now evolved into a career. I moved to Santa Barbara, California after high school in 2009 to attend Brooks Institute of Photography. I will be graduating Brooks in 2012 with a BFA in professional, commercial photography.

CATS (Mungo Jerry) High School Musical (Jock) Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat (Ruben) Aida (Egyptian)

Jerome J. Lowe

Jerome is currently living in St. Louis, Missouri pursuing a B.F.A. in Webster University's Musical Theatre Conservatory at the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.

Jerome's very first production was with VYT in the first Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Following that he was in five more production with VYT. His favorites include A Year with Frog and Toad (AriZoni Nomination), and Grease.

Alyson Maloney

Alyson played Belinda Cratchit/Female Ensemble for three seasons with Actors Theatre of Phoenix’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. In 2007 she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Alyson started acting when she was five years old after watching a Shirley Temple film. Her early training began with the Omaha Theatre Company for Young People, and the Omaha Community Playhouse. She moved to Phoenix in 2001 and her favorite roles include The Night Before Christmas (Sarah Mae, Phoenix Theatre/Cookie Company), The Miracle Worker (Helen Keller, Scottsdale Community Players, Maxie Honorable Mention), Wait Until Dark (Gloria, Tempe Little Theatre, AriZoni nomination), and 102 (Laura, Is What It Is Theatre, original drama). Alyson's VYT credits include Charlotte's Web (Ensemble), A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail 2004 (Eeyore), James and The Giant Peach (Narrator, AriZoni Nomination), and A Year with Frog and Toad (Mouse, Squirrel, Mole).

Alana Messinger

Alana graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Master’s Degree in English. She sang throughout her undergraduate studies and acted in a few independent films. She holds many memories from VYT close to her heart her experience began in the late 1980's or early 1990's as the White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland, a role she returned to in a later VYT production. Her favorite role was Lucy in VYT’s first production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She was involved in numerous other productions until 1997 including Annie, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, participated in VYTeens and sang in the touring group.

Kristen Mozaffari

Kristen is an active member of the local independent film community and works primarily as a director, editor, actor, writer and sound mixer. She is married with two lovely daughters who are now old enough to join Valley Youth Theatre as well! :)

Kristen was part of Valley Youth Theatre in 1991, first in the role as the Chef in "Sleeping Beauty" and then as the Golden Goose in "Jack and the Beanstalk" (where she had to wear a giant goose head and sing a solo song about golden eggs!)

Wolfram Ott

Wolfram also had his first taste of technical theatre while working for Valley Youth Theatre, having worked as an electrician and follow spot operator for a number of shows in his time there. Since leaving Valley Youth Theatre, Wolfram worked for many community and professional companies in Phoenix as an actor, including Nearly Naked Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Artist's Theatre Project, Actor's Renaissance Theatre, South Mountain Community College, Glendale Community College, Phoenix Theatre's Festival of New Works, and Phoenix Theatre's The Cookie Company. Wolfram has of late shifted his focus to things that lie behind the scenes. Wolfram is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and Production with a focus in lighting design from Arizona State University. Wolfram has worked as an electrician, master electrician and designer for countless companies in Arizona, including Arizona State University's Mainstage Theatre, Childsplay, Nearly Naked Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Actor's Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Center Dance Ensemble and many, many more. Wolfram received his first AriZoni Theatre Award of Excellence Nomination for lighting design in 2006 for his design of The Shakespeare Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Wolfram was also honored for his lighting design for ASU's production of Paul North' s new play The House Where Nobody Lives with a nomination for 2007 The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. "I would like to thank all of the production staff, for giving me such a great experience and such amazing opportunities. If it weren't for my time with VYT I never would have met so many amazing professionals and learned so much about this craft I love so much."

Wolfram first began his time with Valley Youth Theatre as a member of the male ensemble for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He was also then seen in Titanic (John Astor), Charlotte's Web (John Arable), and The Hobbit (Gollum) for which he received his first AriZoni Award of Excellence. In Wolfram's time with VYT he was also a member of the improv troupe, and was intern working with the Lowell Afterschool Playhouse.

Lindsay Page

"After VYT, I taught voice for a few years and traveled around Europe for a few months. Now, I am an Assistant Branch Manager at a mortgage company and have a wonderful husband and a two year old son. Thank you Bobb (and everyone else I worked with) for helping to make me the successful and happy person I am today!"

Wizard of Oz - lead dancer, Ransom of Red Chief - Mrs. Hicks, Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail (first production) - Stage Manager/set design Summer Workshop, Alice in Wonderland - Assistant Director, and many, many others!

Shelley Rae Phetteplace

She currently is living in New York City, and has been for the past couple of years. The first job she booked was the national tour of Camelot. Since then, she's been performing regionally in shows like Anything Goes, Brigadoon, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and most recently A Christmas Carol, in New York City.

Shelley was part of the first production of The Wiz, and shortly after performed with VYT at the Herberger in Cinderella.

Vince Reign

After VYT, Vince signed with Dani's Agency and has been in films like TransAmerica, The Controller, Jake's Corner, Star Power, Dollie's Diner, & Like You Said. In addition to film, Vince has landed numerous commercials and public service announcements like "Expect the Max", AMVets, and Valley Metro. Vince was recently featured in MYFM magazine. Follow Vince's career at his website, www.VinceReign.com, or his IMDb entry.

Vince has appeared in several notable VYT shows: Beauty and the Beast, Grease and Little Shop of Horrors.

Alex Ringler

Attended The University of the Arts where he appeared in many faculty, senior and student choreography shows working with such chorographers as Christopher Huggins, Roni Koresh, Scott Jovovich (Fosse Original Cast) and local Philadelphian Dance Company Brain Sanders' Junk. Alex will be graduating May 2005 with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance with Honors. Alex has appeared as Alonzo/Understudy Munkustrap with Troika Entertainment's North American tour of Cats. See photos of Alex as Alonzo and Munk in the touring production of CATS. In the summer of '07 Alex performed in Naked Boys Singing in Provincetown, MA. After that, he performed as Action in the 50th Anniversary European tour of West Side Story. He is currently a Swing in the first national tour of A Chorus Line. Alex is proud to have been a part of the Valley Youth Theatre and thanks all involved with the productions he was in for furthering his love of performing.

Brandon Rivard

Currently resides in New York City. His most recent role was Cleopatra in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York City, in March of 2006. At AADA, performed in Dolly West's Kitchen, Moonchildren, The Right Honourable Gentleman, The Shadow Box, The Three Angels, and Boys' Life.

West Side Story, Oliver!, The Wiz (both productions, ariZoni award), Joseph and the Amazing Techniocolor Dreamcoat, Cinderella, Grease, A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail, Titanic: The Musical (ariZoni award). Also a member of VYT Troupes, Improv, and directed "Snoopy: The Musical" at summer camps.

Ashley Robinette

Ashley was the lead in The Little Mermaid at Valley Youth Theatre and is currently pursuing acting roles in LA where she has an agent and a manager.

Molly Robinson

Molly is preparing to graduate in May 2009 with a BFA from the University of Miami Musical Theatre Conservatory. She has worked at Quisisana Resort in her summers between school, as well as working at Disneyland (just for fun!) She hopes to move to Boston and eventually New York City to pursue theatre. She can't thank Valley Youth Theatre enough for the incredible training and professionalism and is honored to have worked with so many fantastic alumni.

Roles at VYT include - Rizzo (Grease) Alice Beane (Titanic) Auntie Em (The Wiz) Shulie (School House Rock!) Maureen (Honk!) Pooh Bear and Kanga (A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail) as well as work in the Orchestra and on tech crew. Other favorite roles include - Hodel (Fiddler) Lucy (Charlie Brown) Fauline Schnider (Cabaret) Frieda (Sunday...Park).

Jacqueline Monet Rushing

ASU - Mary Lou Fulton College of Education. I hope to teach drama in a high school or junior high school setting. I also am the production manager for grOWTV a televised ministry through The Winner Television Ministry.

Aida (Nehebka) Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette) High School Musical (Taylor McKessie) CATS (Sillabub) The Wiz (Ensemble ) both times! A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail(Ensemble) Crew Cinderella (2008 2002) wardrobeJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2007 2003) wardrobe Bye Bye Birdie wardrobe Beauty and the Beast wardrobe Wizard of Oz wardrobe Grease wardrobe

Tyler Chad Service

Joined actors equity union, got married and I am currently pursuing my career doing shows like Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Golf the musical and A Christmas Carol to name a few.

VYT credits include: Annie, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Titanic. Also worked with Valley Youth Theatre as the technical director for two years.

Kimberly Sheperd

Kimberly was last seen performing as Annabel in Lucky Stiff at Hale Theatre. Since then, she founded her own performance company called RhythmSoled with her partner Dustin Loehr. They perform all over the Valley, incorporating different types of performance art. Kim also teaches dance at Dance Energy in Mesa, AZ!

Kimberly performed with Valley Youth Theatre as Mrs. Beaver in Narnia, Carbukety in Cats, Ensemble in Bye Bye Birdie

Columbus Keith Short

Columbus toured with Stomp and as a backup dancer for Britney Spears. He appeared in ER, American Dreams, That's So Raven, and Judging Amy. Columbus Keith Short recently starred in the feature film Accepted with Justin Long (2006). See the IMDb for more about Accepted. Since doing Accepted Columbus has the done the following: The Trunk (2009) Sabastian Coltrane Armored (2009) Ty Hackett Whiteout (2009) Cadillac Records (2008) Little Walter Quarantine (2008) Danny Wilensky This Christmas (2007) Claude Whitfield Stomp the Yard (2007) DJ Save the Last Dance 2 (2006) Miles Sultana

Columbus starred at Valley Youth Theatre as The Lion in The Wizard of Oz.

Matthew E. Smith

Matt started his acting credits in the 6the grade with Alpha Omega Publishing doing Short Films for Home School Curriculum, and also did Public Service Announcements for the City of Chandler. Matt now is working for Disney Cruise Line on the ship "The Magic" as an Entertainer. He's a great friend with Goofy, Captain Hook and The Beast from Beauty and the Beast. He is having the time of his life doing what he loves to do, making people smile. Columbus Keith Short recently starred in the feature film Accepted with Justin Long (2006). See the IMDb for more about Accepted.

His VYT credits include Cinderella, The Wiz (Spot Operator), "Asher" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, "Officer Lightoller" in Titanic, "Artie and Mr. Hull" in Annie and Vince Fontain's sidekick "Flip McDoogle" in the preshow for Grease. Matt also did an Independent Film done by another Alumni, David Chorley.

Jordin Sparks

Born to former NFL player Phillipi Sparks and mother Jodi Wieman-Sparks, Jordin is home-schooled with her younger brother, PJ, who also appeared in The Wiz at Valley Youth Theatre. Her music career has already taken her around the country in a whirlwind tour of award show after another, winning titles including Overall Spotlight Winner in the Gospel Music Association in Washington, D.C., Alice Cooper's Proof is in the Pudding Contest in Phoenix and has placed in numerous other national contests. Here are a few photos of Jordin in VYT shows.

2007 American Idol Jordin Sparks first appeared with Valley Youth Theatre as a Poppy and an Emerald City dancer in The Wiz in March of 2002. She appeared in Cinderella at the Herberger Theater Center in June of 2002 and again when Valley Youth Theatre staged The Wiz at the Herberger in August.

Whitney Steele

Recently, Whitney recorded her first EP which can be found on CD baby, Itunes, and the PMN. She also recorded her first music video for her song Storm Warning due to be released in November of 2006. Whitney is currently working on her full length debut album which you can find in March of 2007 which will include the song she wrote, "You Won't See Me Crying", featuring Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms! Watch Whitney's music video.

Whitney Steele's first show at VYT was The Canterville Ghost playing the role of Rebecca. She also performed in A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tail playing the role of Kanga and in the first Grease production playing the role of Patty Simcox. Whitney was also seen in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as well as the first Bye Bye Birdie production.

Emma Stone

Emma has an impressive and thriving professional career, including: House Bunny and The Rocker - Released 2008. Super Bad - Released 2007. Lucky Louie - an HBO TV series. Emma was Shannon in the Get Out episode. Malcolm in the Middle - played Diane in the Lois Strikes Back episode. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - played Ivana in the Crushed episode. Drive - Played Violet Ashton in the pilot episode. Drive went to series and will begin airing on FOX in April, 2007, probably after American Idol. Medium - Played Cynthia McCallister in the Sweet Dreams episode. The New Partridge Family - Played Laurie Partridge in the series. Keep up with Emma's professional career at the Internet Movie Database and Wikipedia.

Emma's past show credits with VYT (as Emily Stone) include Otter in The Wind in the Willows (ariZoni Nomination and Drama Beat Award), two seasons as Eeyore in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (ariZoni Nomination), Old Queen Maude in The Princess and the Pea (ariZoni Award), Portia in Cinderella (ariZoni Award, Maxie Honorable Mention), and ensemble roles in both productions of The Wiz. Emma's most recent VYT credits include Stewardess Robinson in Titanic Dot and Mother Swan in Honk! Rabbit in A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail Great Mother in The Little Mermaid Dori in Schoolhouse Rock Live! Tweedledum in Alice in Wonderland Ensemble/Wives in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Ashley Stults

Ashley currently attends ASU and will graduate in December of 2006 with a Bachelor's in Theatre. She is currently working in professional theatre in the valley with Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Actor's Theatre of Phoenix and Phoenix Theatre. Some credits include Babette in Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol and The Will Rogers Follies.

Ashley started her theatre experience as an Indian in Peter Pan at the Herberger with Valley Youth Theatre in 2000. Since then she was in many VYT productions including The Wiz (both times), Cinderella, Honk! (Queenie/Grace), The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Titanic (Marion Thayer-Zoni nomination), Charlotte's Web (Charlotte-Zoni nomination), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Annie, Into the Woods and most recently in The Wizard of Oz as Glinda the Good Witch of the North (Zoni Nomination). Ashley was the president of VYTeens in its first year, interned and choreographed at VYT's Lowell Afterschool Playhouse, interned and taught dance for summer camps for at least three years.

Jen Temen

I played Dainty June in a production of Gypsy at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, IL. It stars Patti Lupone as Mama Rose and Jessica Boevers as Louise. Directed by Lonny Price, Musical Direction by Paul Gemignani. See a photo of Jen in Gypsy with Patti Lupone. Otherwise, I will be a senior Musical Theatre major at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Cincinnati... graduating in March! woo hoo! Then off to New York City...

VYT credits include Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Milkmaid in Oliver, Ensemble of Grease, Stepmother in Cinderella, Ida Strauss in Titanic.

Alessia Thompson

After VYT, performed in Chicago at Phoenix Theatre then attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Recent credits include the nat'l and int'l tours of Dora the Explorer Live! (Isa) and Go Diego Go Live! (Bobo). She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Alessia recently recorded an album for Kid Concoctions with the pop group NFUSION Music videos to be aired nationally on PBS beginning this christmas season. For more on her adventures check out www.AlessiaThompson.com.

Dorothy in The Wiz at the Herberger, Dina in Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Apache Dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Megan Walker

She recently performed in Summer of '42 and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at the famed Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut (where Annie premiered in 1977).

Starred as VYT's first Annie in 1994.

Laura Waters

Laura lives and works in LA and recently completed the film Bryan Loves You with George Wendt and Tony Todd. View Laura's Internet Movie Profile Database entry.

Laura (Gasparac) appeared in VYT's The Prince and The Pauper (2001) and was a member of the inaugural season of the VYT Performance Troupes.

Alanna Wilson

A graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University, she is currently living in New York City and is pursuing an acting career. She has appeared in numerous shows, films, and TV pilots. "Special thanks to everyone at VYT for inspiring me to pursue my love of performing."

The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble) and The Sound of Music (Sister Sophia) both at the Herberger Theatre Center. She also appeared as Deborah Sue in Bye, Bye Birdie.

Chelsea Wolfe

I just finished my first year at the University of Texas at Dallas, studying global business (and hopefully minoring in film studies). I also took a voice class last semester and have signed up for the musical theater workshop at UTD next semester.

"High School Musical" (2007), "Charlotte's Web" (2007), "Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail" (2003-4), and "Pinocchio" (2004) Backstage crew for "Cinderella" (2008) and "James and the Giant Peach" (2006) Keyboardist for "Into the Woods" (2004)