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

ISABELLA (BELLA) DE LOS SANTOS (Moana)

is a seventh grader and is excited to set sail on this production of Moana Jr. Over the past seven years, Bella has performed with a number of youth theatre groups throughout Ventura County, and had the opportunity to join the cast of Rubicon’s South Pacific. She has a passion for performing and loves to watch 80s movies. She would like to dedicate this performance to her Aunt Doreen.

IAN NUNNEY (Maui)

is thrilled to be back on stage in Rubicon’s Summer Program. This will be his 7th year in a row! Some of his former major roles with Rubicon include Gavroche in Les Miserables (2021), Gnoble Gnarble in Journey of the Gnoble Gnarble (2020), Bert in Giants in the Sky (2019), and Jerome in South Pacific (2018). Originally from Ventura, he is now a happy resident of Ojai. He recently played the lead role of Troy Bolton in Ojai Valley School’s production of High School Musical. In addition to theatre, Ian also loves film and TV. He has played Young Elnor on Star Trek: Picard, Season 1, Bo Brady Weston on Days of Our Lives, Danny Irwin on ABC’s Rebel, and he played the lead role of Bradley in the short film, Cornbread. When Ian is not acting, he likes to sing, play guitar, play baseball and basketball, surf, skateboard, swim, play billiards, and spend time with family and friends.

HEALEY RAMOT (Chief Ancestor #1 / Ensemble)

is going into 7th grade at Balboa Middle School. She is very passionate about singing, and has been in 3 different Choirs in the past 5 years. This is her fourth year working with Rubicon. She played an Elder Giant in Giants in the Sky and The Gingerbread Man in Shrek Jr.

PEARL BOVA (Chief Ancestor #2 / Ensemble)

​​fell in love with theatre at the age of six under the direction of her acting coach Patricia Strickland playing the part of The Rainbow Fish in the play of that same title. This will be her eighth year of performing with the Rubicon.

ELLAH DANIEL  (Chief Ancestor #3 / Ensemble)

attends Grisham Middle School. She loves singing and reading. Ellah has voice lessons and takes art classes regularly. Previous work with Rubicon includes the role of Donkey in the 2021 production of Shrek the Musical Jr. Other shows include GMS’s production of The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy and in GMS’s production of the drama, These Shining Lives as a 1920s Reporter and in the comedy Homework Eats Dog playing Diane.

HARPER WEYMAN  (Chief Tui / Ensemble) 

is an 8th grader at DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts. He has worked on stage previously in PTYA productions of The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, and The Lion King as Young Simba.

MIA ROSENZWEIG  (Gramma Tala / Ensemble)

graduated from La Reina Middle School and will be attending La Reina High School this coming school year. She enjoys going to rehearsals and will give 110% no matter the time of day, and has experience helping with set changes. If you need help, Mia will help you with whatever you need. Mia also has been taking weekly singing lessons since 2018 and is very professional when it comes to getting work done. She is currently performing as Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. with PTYA and has been cast in the production Little Women where she will play Meg March in fall 2022.

DENNISE SAGRADO  (Hei Hei / Ensemble)

attends New Harvest Christian School. She was born on the Island of Palawan, Philippines but raised in Ventura County. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes to play the violin. She spends her time as a paid violin instructor for her younger sister. This experience has taught her patience and hard work. She took part in Frozen Jr. in 2019. The musical has since ignited her desire for theatre plays. This year is the first for Dennise to participate with Rubicon and to play a part in Moana Jr. She is looking forward to learning and improving her skills in a theatre play. 

JADE PELLMAN (Pua / Ensemble)

attends De Anza Middle School. This is Jade’s third Rubicon performance. She loves acting and playing her guitar. She is currently writing an album that will be released in 2023. She also really enjoyed playing the role of Ed in PTYA’s Lion King and Wendy in her school’s production of Peter Pan.

ISABEL ANDRADE (Sina / Ensemble) 

graduated from middle school and will be starting her freshmen year of high school at VHS. She loves being with her cousins and family for fun days. Pervious work for Rubicon includes the 2019 production of Giants in the Sky and the 2021 production of Shrek Jr. (Fiona).

ZOEY PENCE  (Tamatoa / Fisher #2 / Ensemble) 

is an upcoming sophomore at Ventura High School. She loves reading, going to concerts, and doing her hair/makeup. She also runs her High School’s Dungeons and Dragons Club called “Freaks and Geeks”. Their previous work with rubicon includes the role of Pinocchio in Shrek Jr. They also played Meg in VHS production of A Wrinkle In Time and earned an award for “Best Performance of a Female Dramatic Character” her freshman year.

ISABELLA GRIJALVA (Left Claw / Villager #2 / Ensemble) 

is a creative, artistic, fun, and nurturing homeschooled 8th grader. She loves reading, singing, dancing, acting, animals, and all things 80’s and horror. She has participated in 7 years of Dual Immersion making her bilingual, but shy to use her Spanish speaking. This is her debut performance in musical theatre and she hopes that this experience will lead to more roles in the future.

GRACIE FEENEY (Right Claw / Villager #3 / Ensemble) 

is going into 8th grade at La Reina. She enjoys singing lessons and dance classes. Previous work with Rubicon includes Heshe in the Stinky Feet production of Giants in the Sky, Captain of the Guard in the 2021 summer production of Shrek Jr., and a Nun and a Fairy in Midsummers Nights Dream. For PTYA she recently played Annie in their production of Annie.

CAMILLE RICHARDS (Te Kā / Te Fiti / Villager  #4 / Ensemble) 

Was born and raised in Ventura. Attended Mound elementary school through first grade and then Ventura missionary school from 2nd through 8th grade. She will be attending Foothill Tech High School in the fall. She enjoys acting, drawing, seeing movies, reading, and spending time with her family. She has previously acted with Ventura Missionary’s Drama Club and is excited for her first role with the Rubicon.

KARA JARRELLS  (Villager #1) 

will be entering 7th grade in the fall. She enjoys reading, singing, and listening to all types of music. Previous acting experience includes starring in her school musical and other performing arts productions throughout elementary school. This will be her first performance with Rubicon’s Youth Summer Theater Program.

DATHAN B. WILLIAMS (Director)

is the Associate Artistic Director of The Harlem Shakespeare Festival where he has served as the Education Director, Dramaturge, Text Coach and Director of eight Shakespeare productions. Most recently he was Playwright and Co-Director of Shall I Compare Thee: The Sonnet Project (Southwest Shakespeare Company) and a virtual performance of Just About Love, a new adaptation of All’s Well That Ends Well (Harlem Shakespeare Festival). Other directing credits include: Off-Broadway: Me and Steppin’ (The New Federal Theater) and three musicals for Disney Theatrical’s MIS program: The Aristocats, Jungle Book and Aladdin, Jr. As an actor: Broadway – Show Boat; Off-Broadway – Christmas in Hell and Buffalo Girl – (NY Premieres) plus eight others. Nat’ Tour – Show Boat plus three others. International – Two Seasons at the Stratford Festival – (’91 Guthrie Award). Up next: Director of Measure for Measure for Flagler College.

ALA TIATIA-GARAUD (Choreographer) 

is a proud Polynesian artist with regional theatre credits from the Moonlight Amphitheater, East West Players, the Old Globe, San Diego Musical Theatre, and the La Jolla Playhouse. He trained at MiraCosta College before transferring to CSU Fullerton to earn his BA in Theatre. He’s performed in theaters across the nation with the tours of Evita and Sesame St. Live!, and currently “creates magic” at Disneyland and CA Adventure. In addition to performing, he has taught dance with Moonlight Youth Theatre and Maraya Performing Arts, as well as choreographed for Carlsbad Community Theatre and Mission Vista High School. Recently, Ala made his Directing/Choreographing debut with Moana Jr. in Vista, CA. He thanks Kirby Ward for this wonderful opportunity! IG: @alatiatia

BILLY THOMPSON (Musical Director) 

is a prolific performer and award-winning composer, musical director, and pianist for stage and screen. He has directed music for such respected theatres as The Walnut in Philadelphia, Ars Nova in New York, and The Old Globe in San Diego; served as Composer-in-Residence with San Diego Opera Words & Music; and guest lectured at USC, AMDA, The Strasberg Institute, and youth theatres around the country. He is a Resident Artist with Cygnet Theatre in San Diego and Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish, MT. Billy holds a BM in Composition from USC, an MFA in Musical Theatre from SDSU, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

SOPHIA ROCHA (Assistant Director / Choreographer) 

grew up in the theatre community of Ventura County. While primarily known for being on the stage, she’s excited to grow her experience on the other side of the curtain. She’s about to begin her third year at AMDA University and couldn’t be more excited. She’d like to thank the folks at  Rubicon for the wonderful experiences they provided for everyone, as well as her Grandma, Mother, and sister for their loving support.

PETER VANDEHEI (Production Stage Manager) 

also know as, Pete Ryan, is from Ventura, California. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the California State University, Northridge in 2015. This is Pete’s second year stage managing with the Rubicon Summer Youth Program (Shrek Jr.). He has also Stage Managed and Assistant Directed for the Hollywood Fringe Festival and has worked with the Ventura Actors Studio, teaching Acting and Improv classes.

ARIANNA ALONSO (Assistant Stage Manager)

is a recent Graduate of Nordhoff High School and will be attending California State University Northridge in the fall majoring in Technical Theatre. She has been a stagehand for multiple productions at Nordhoff High School, Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, and different schools and theaters within Ojai. She recently worked on the production of The Sound of Music, (Oak Grove School) and had the chance to be the Assistant Stage Manager for the production of Something Rotten (Nordhoff). She is grateful to be a part of this year’s production of Moana Jr. She is excited to learn and grow while meeting new people.

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. Moana Jr. is Designer Kyle Wurtz’s third design with Rubicon. This is Kyle’s 9th year working in theater and his 18th 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 (Technical Director and 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.

JULIA DONLON (Company Manager)

is beyond honored to serve as this year’s Company Manager. 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!

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.

MATEO KEST (Run Crew)

will be serving as the show’s run crew. He is a current high school student but has an interest in backstage theater production and acting and plans on pursuing it in the future however that might look like. Mateo is also a certified yoga instructor and his hobbies include mountain biking, backpacking, and traveling the world.

PENELOPE KRANZLER (Run Crew) 

is a sophomore in High School. She has been involved in plays since 6th grade. She performed as Winifred Banks in a school production of Mary Poppins. Penelope also has many years of experience in ballet, tap, and aerial dance. She has participated in dance classes since she was about 2 years old. She loves sewing and costumes and is involved in anime cosplay as well. She is excited to learn more about the tech side of the theater with The Rubicon and is also planning on taking a stagecraft class next school year.

Head of Summer Education Programs, Kirby Ward

Kirby Ward 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.