It’s with great joy that Rubicon Summer Education returns to Villanova Prep for a second season under the stars. Outdoor summer theatre was something I grew up with in San Diego, and it’s deeply satisfying to see that it hasn’t lost any of its charm.

Last year, COVID protocols seemed to be changing almost daily. For nearly two years prior to that, all live performances had ceased. Because Rubicon mainstage was still dark going into the summer of 2021, we weren’t sure where our company of young actors would be learning their craft, let alone whether we’d be able to present our efforts in person as full productions. Thanks to some remarkable generosity on the part of Nancy Ventura and the staff at Villanova Preparatory, this beautiful outdoor location became our summer home. We will always be deeply grateful to the staff at Villanova for opening their arms to us last year when we needed it most, and we thank them again for welcoming us back. I can’t imagine a more lovely spot to sit, have a picnic, watch the sun go down, and see a show. 

May you have as memorable an experience tonight as I did when I was only five years old and my parents took me to see theatre in the park in San Diego.

Kirby Ward

ENSEMBLE

Jose Alcantar, Greg Gillette, Molly Globerman, Magdalena Guerra, Olive Kranzler, Quinn Lewis, Harrison Love, Kathryn Lyytikainen, Bridget Maynez, Annette McGuire, Allison Stancavage, Megan Webb, Seren Clark Winter

TESSA SHINDEN (Sophie) is a 15-year-old student at Foothill Technology High School, where she is involved in leadership in the Bioscience Academy and is an editor for the school paper. Previous work with the Rubicon includes the role of Fiona in the 2021 Summer production of Shrek Jr. Other roles include Little Red Riding Hood (Into The Woods) and Belle (Beauty and the Beast). She would like to thank her family for their constant support!

ALICE MCCOY (Ali) recently graduated from Ventura High School and is matriculating at Oberlin College in the fall where she will continue her pursuit of drama and the arts. This is Alice’s fifth production with the Rubicon Academy of Drama. She has loved what she has learned through the years and is forever grateful for the relationships and experiences gained through the program. See you in Greece, enjoy the show xx!

NATALIE BAGGS (Lisa) is currently going to Ventura County Christian School. She enjoys writing music, playing piano, and crafting. Soon she will be starting to record her music and taking consistent vocal lessons. This will be her first show with Rubicon. She has been in six musicals and one play. She is super excited to be doing this production of Mamma Mia!

SKYLAR KLEMANN  (Tanya) graduated from Adolfo Camarillo High School in June and will be attending Trinity College Dublin in the fall. She enjoys writing music and roller skating. Previous work with the Rubicon includes the role of one of the evil stepsisters in the 2019 Summer Season production of Into The Woods. She also enjoyed playing Belle in PTYA’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

MARIAH YOUNG (Rosie) graduated from Buena High School in June and will be attending AMDA College of the Performing Arts for acting in the fall. Mariah is not originally from California, she was born and raised in Illinois and moved to Ventura in July of 2021. She just finished playing the role of Sandy Cheeks in The Spongebob Musical at Buena High School in the spring and is very excited to participate in Mamma Mia!

ANANYA BADAMI (Donna) is currently going into her senior year at Oak Grove School in Ojai. She enjoys roller skating at the skate park and spending all of her money at Barnes and Noble. Previous work with the Rubicon includes Titania in the summer 2021 production of A Midsummer Nights Dream and Ensemble in Les Miserables. She was recently seen as Maria in Oak Grove School’s production of The Sound Of Music. She is so excited to be participating in the Rubicon’s summer programs this year! You might recognize her from As You Like It earlier this summer, where she played Sir Oliver Martext.

REGINALD WHIGHAM  (Pepper) started his acting journey in middle school and continued to pursue it into high school. He is paving his way through College in a variety of productions and a versatile repertoire of roles as he finds his groove into the entertainment industry. His most memorable performance to date was Will Ferrell’s BUDDY THE ELF from Buena’s 2016 Winter Musical. Through characters young and old, Reginald hopes to become the next Johnny Depp.

GIANNI NICOLINI (Eddie) is a senior at Buena high-school and has been acting for almost four years now. His first big production (SpongeBob The Musical) was in April of 2022 where he played Patrick Star. His passion for acting sprung during quarantine and he decided to start taking his drama class seriously and drop football to become an actor.

ADAM KARLUK (Sky) is a Buena High School student. He really enjoys acting and having a good time with the people he loves. This is Adam’s third production in his acting career and first production with the Rubicon. He is very grateful for all of you who came to see him and his cast mates perform. He hopes that tonight is a night that you will never forget! Thank you!

WALKER STAFFORD (Harry Bright) is a rising junior at Besant Hill. He enjoys skiing, traveling, reading, and movies. He has been fortunate to be involved in many theatrical productions in Ojai, including his lead and comedic roles in productions at OYES, OVS Middle School, and now at Besant Hill where he recently played the lead in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

SULLIVAN LOWING (Bill Austin) is a rising 9th grader at Cheltenham High School right outside Philadelphia, PA. His passion for drama is lifelong, but his interest in acting is more recent. His first production saw him as Ms. Trunchbull in his Junior High production of Matilda! in the spring of 2022. He is so grateful to have the chance to spend the summer living in California and the chance to work with so many spectacular people.

NEIRIN CLARK WINTER (Sam Carmichael) acting experience includes Shakespeare plays and musical theatre. He played Boy Scrooge & Prologue Singer in Rubicon’s mainstage production of A Christmas Carol in 2016 & 2017. He was Rooster in Rubicon’s zoom production of Annie in 2020. He has played Jem Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird and Chad (High School Musical) with Conejo Players, and Scar in Lion King with PTYA. His hobbies include singing, piano, weight training, and parkour.

JOSE ALCANTAR (Ensemble) graduated from Santa Clara High School and will be attending CSU Northridge in the fall. He enjoys writing, playing video games, and watching movies/shows as his hobbies. He’s performed a number of plays and musicals during his time in high school and played numerous roles from General Waverly in White Christmas to Kenickie in Grease. He would like to thank his friends and family who continue to support him through his theatrical career and says hello from the wings.

GREG GILLETTE (Ensemble) graduated from Foothill Technology High school and will be attending Ventura College this year. He has been working with the Rubicon Theatre Company since he was six years old, most recently seen as Javert in Les Miserables last summer and Oliver this summer in As You Like It. Enjoy the show!

MOLLY GLOBERMAN (Ensemble) is about to start her Junior year at Ventura High School and is excited to be performing live again with Rubicon’s Summer Theater. She just returned from performing in New York’s Carnegie Hall, singing with VHS Choir, Directed by Miriam Arichea, and the Channel Islands Choral Association, conducted by KuanFen Liu. She is a dancer with Ballet Academy Ventura and has performed numerous roles in The Nutcracker. This is Molly’s fifth season with Rubicon.

MAGDALENA GUERRA (Ensemble) will be entering 10th grade and will be attending El Camino High School. She enjoys exercising, being outdoors for hiking, walking, going to the beach, and being with family and friends. This is her first year working with the Rubicon Theatre, but has some previous experience doing an after-school theatre program in Camarillo, CA called Cinemagic in 2016-2017.

OLIVE KRANZLER (Ensemble) is an incoming senior at Ventura High School. He enjoys creating things such as art and cosplay, as well as reading comics. Previously, he’s been in Rubicon’s Once On This Island, as well as other various productions.

QUINN LEWIS (Ensemble) attends Santa Barbara City College with a major in Theater. In her free time, she enjoys running and baking as well as singing. This is her first year participating in Rubicon’s Summer Program and is incredibly excited to be a part of this production!

HARRISON LOVE (Ensemble) graduated from Oak Grove High School after an exciting and fun-filled senior year where he got to play Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, author a children’s book on dinosaurs and go on an amazing senior trip to Hawaii. He’s looking forward to continuing his studies in acting and film at SBCC – and beyond! Thank you for being here tonight and supporting the arts!

KATHRYN LYYTIKAINEN (Ensemble) is going to be a senior at Dos Pueblos High School in the fall. She enjoys performing in shows whenever the opportunity arises and hanging out with her two dogs. This is Kathryn’s first production with Rubicon but she has played other roles with other companies such as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Gertrude in Suessical, and Frenchie in Grease. She is very excited for you to see the show!

BRIDGET MAYNEZ (Ensemble) has her BA in Musical Theater from Cal State East Bay. This is Bridget’s second show with the Rubicon Theater Company. Past shows include Grease and Annie. When Bridget is not acting, she enjoys biking and works at the Santa Barbara Zoo. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and sister Katrina. In the fall Bridget will be going to the Disney College Program. “Smile now, Cry later.”

ANNETTE MCGUIRE (Ensemble) is a rising junior at Dos Pueblos High School. She enjoys biking with friends and folding origami. This is Annette’s first year at Rubicon although she has been performing since she was two months old! More recent roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, and ensemble roles in Beauty in the Beast and Spamalot.

ALLISON STANCAVAGE (Ensemble) will enter her senior year at Dos Pueblos High School this fall, where she enjoys participating in its theatre company as well as singing in the school’s advanced jazz choir. She is excited to be doing her first show with Rubicon! Previous work at other companies includes a Silly Girl in DPHS’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Anna in Showstoppers’ Frozen Jr., and Mrs. Mayor in Stage Left’s Suessical.

MEGAN WEBB (Ensemble) is currently a Freshman at Buena High School. She enjoys acting and participating in theater productions, and also playing the guitar. This is her first show with Rubicon and she is very excited!

SEREN CLARK WINTER (Ensemble) has enjoyed doing theatre since she was four years old. She has done Shakespeare youth programs, playing such parts as: Berowne (Love’s Labour’s Lost) and Maria (Twelfth Night). She has also performed with PTYA, such characters as: Little Cosette (Les Misérables), Omar (Aladdin) & Chip (Beauty & the Beast). Seren discovered a passion for directing when she peer directed a scene from As You Like It. She is also a singer/songwriter.

KIRBY WARD (Director / Co-Choreographer) has served as Director of Rubicon’s Summer Youth Programs since 2018. Born and raised a California boy, he’s the second son of San Diego theatre parents Don & Bonnie Ward and has been referred to as the “quintessential song & dance man.” In high school, he decided his path was the “family business.” Teen directing efforts led to student productions at the University of Southern California under the guidance of John Blankenchip. Demonstrating particular skill with musical staging, Kirby caught the attention of Debbie Reynolds who he worked with for many years, appearing with her onstage in her act and staging specialty material for her and Donald O’Connor. He’s entertained queens, presidents, first ladies and dignitaries with his work as a multi-faceted entertainment artist on nearly every continent on the globe. As an actor, Kirby is an Olivier Award nominee. As a director he has been honored with Critics’ Circle Awards in San Diego and Boston and his Rubicon productions of Big River, Return to the Forbidden Planet and She Loves Me were Critic’s Pick in the LA Times.

Julia Denney-Hamann (Co-Choreographer) love for the theatre began in her father’s ballet studio in New Orleans. She studied Musical Theatre Performance at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and began her professional career with the Walt Disney Company in the US and Japan. She made her Hollywood debut in the swamps of New Orleans in the film Cat People, starring Ojai local, Malcolm McDowell and in television with a recurring role on the daytime soap opera As the World Turns. With the Ojai Performing Arts Theatre, she played Ilona in She Loves Me, Lady Sims in Reunions (world premiere) and Lucille in Bless Your Heart (world premiere). She has choreographed fundraising performances throughout Ventura County, most recently, Ojai Strong: A Women’s Life in Song to benefit the Ojai Women’s Fund. She has choreographed for the Ojai Art Center, Buenaventura Theatre Group, Villanova Prep, the Thacher School, and Nordhoff High. Julia is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Rubicon Summer Youth Theatre Program!

ANTHONY LUCCA (Musical Director) is an award-winning music director, orchestrator, and arranger, who develops and music directs new works for theatre and film. World premieres include BRONCO BILLY (Skylight Theatre Company, LA Drama Critic’s Circle Award for Best Musical Direction), MUTT HOUSE (Kirk Douglas Theater), CULT OF LOVE (IAMA Theatre Company), INTO LIGHT (short-film), and varying workshop productions of new musical theatre in Los Angeles and New York City. 

He recently music-directed productions of SOMETHING ROTTEN!, MAMMA MIA! (5-Star Theatricals), SIDEWAYS IN CONCERT (Via Reggia Productions), EVITA IN CONCERT (Palos Verdes Performing Arts Center), MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, SHE LOVES ME (Actor’s Co-Op), HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (Musical Theatre Guild), ASSASSINS (Red Blanket Productions, Stage Raw Nominee). 

He guest music directs and conducts for performing arts grade schools and colleges in both Los Angeles and New England. As a guest artist, he has worked with middle school, high school students, as well as collegiate and also teaches and music directs for the Rubicon Theatre Company’s Summer Youth Program and the School of Dramatic Arts at USC.

JULIA DONLON (Production Manager, Company Manager, and Stage Manager) is excited to be back for a second year to work with Rubicon, Kirby, and Anthony! Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Julia graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Production Design with an emphasis in Stage Management. She spent the years following doing theatre onboard a cruise ship in New Zealand, around Los Angeles, and now Ventura County. Previous credits include Beauty and the Beast JR., The Little Mermaid JR., Les Miserables (Rubicon Academy of Drama) and Lonesome Traveler Generations (Rubicon), Crazy for You, Die Zauberflöte: The Magic Flute, Curtains, The Good Prisoner, The Women of Lockerbie, Medea, and Well (Pepperdine University), as well as The Abode (Pepperdine and Edinburgh Fringe Festival). She is passionate about theatre and human connection, planning to continue pursuing a theatrical career in New York. She would like to thank her family and boyfriend for supporting her endlessly! Up Next: Production Stage Managing Almost, Maine at Rubicon Theatre.

SOPHIA CAMPBELL (Assistant Stage Manager) began her career in theater when she entered high school. Ever since then she has been in as many performances as possible. She joined Rubicon last year as the Assistant Stage Manager for Shrek The Musical Jr. and absolutely fell in love working for the company. She was so grateful to come back this summer and help be the Stage Manager for the Stinky Feet Program: Sally Sells Seashells and now work on one of her all-time favorite musicals. She’s excited to continue her love of theater in college.

SPENCER PRICE (Sound Designer/Engineer) is a graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in theater. He has sound designed for shows including Everybody! and Pericles: Prince of Tyre. He’s excited to be working for the Rubicon Theatre Company again after sound mixing for their most recent production of Lonesome Traveler Generations. 

KYLE WURTZ (Lighting Designer) is a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Mamma Mia is Designer Kyle Wurtz’s fourth design with Rubicon. This is Kyle’s 9th year working in theater and his 19th production as the principal designer. Kyle would like to thank his parents for always supporting his creativity, his little brother for always being his best friend, his uncle for introducing him to the world of theater, and the rest of his family and friends for supporting him. He would also like to thank all the mentors and professors at Pepperdine and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for guiding him through his time there and preparing him for a career in theater.

LILLIAN HANNAHS (Costume Designer) [she/they] is thrilled to be working for the Rubicon Theatre for the first time! They received a BA (Hons) in Costume with Textiles in 2017 and has been working in Southern California as both a Cutter/Draper and Designer in the following years. Recent credits include work as a Draper for Santa Barbara City College’s production of Something Rotten, and the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Spectral Frequencies, Seagull, and Molière’s Tartuffe, as well as designing for She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms and various independent projects. Clothing is a language, and she is honored to have the opportunity to work with some incredible young actors, translating that language to their characters!

SARAH WILLEY (Prop Master) is a miniature clay artist and photographer who lives in Ventura with her daughter, Vivian. Sarah uses her treasure hunting skills combined with imagination and creativity to create the ideal prop for the scene. This is her first time working as the Prop Master for the Rubicon Theatre Summer Education Program.

MASON GARCIA (Head Carpenter) serves as the company’s Associate Technical Director. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2016. Mason has helped produce a plethora of entertainment and artistic endeavors. These include 4 award-winning Rose Parade floats, numerous festivals, and dozens of arena shows for major bands and artists. The Rubicon Theatre has always been a place Mason has held close to his heart. His love for this theatre is steadfast because it was a place he originally got his start in the arts.

SAM COHEN (A2) is excited to be working on tech and assisting the Sound Designer in Rubicon’s summer program. He discovered his love for technical theatre this past year at Agoura High School where he will be a sophomore this fall. He was the audio engineer on four shows this past year, Our Town, the Senior IB one-acts, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Cinderella, where he was also responsible for mixing the orchestra and vocals. Sam would like to thank everybody at Rubicon for this opportunity, and, hopes this is just the beginning! He’d also like to thank his family for their love & support.

KATE PETRIDIS (Run Crew) has worked on tech crew for Agoura High School’s productions of Our Town, Cinderella, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She has also worked on Youth Musical Theatre’s production of Les Misérables. Kate is super excited to be working on Mamma Mia!