Sister Josephine

As a retired teacher and a musician, Angela was born to make her acting debut in the role of Music-Teacher-Nun Sister Josephine in Holy Mother of Bingo. When not on stage, Angela loves to travel, and she teaches arts and crafts through many community organizations. She also plays the flute in the Nashoba Valley Concert Band, and is learning to play the ukulele.
Angela would like to thank her wonderful husband for supporting her thespian endeavors as well as the cast and crew of HMOB. They have taught me so much and I had a blast being with them all!

Sister Helen

Laura Romano [they/them] is delighted to be making their debut with RISE Arts Collaborative.  Past credits include The Wizard of Oz (Ozmas), A Date With Judy (Dora Foster), and It's A Wonderful Life (Grandmother). They were also the president of the Simmons University Chamber Choir from 2018-2021. Laura holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience and Behavior from Simmons University and now works at the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases as the Young Adult Rare Representatives (YARR) Program Manager. In their free time, Laura is a fierce rare disease advocate, helping to ensure that someday all patients will have equitable access to life-saving diagnosis and treatment. Laura would like to extend gratitude to their parents, their siblings, and Alex for their unwavering support.

Father Culpepper

Noah is humbled by the challenges we (humanity) have before us, and is excited to make his return to the stage with RISE Arts Collaborative. Best known for his groundbreaking portrayal of “Gus Gus the brown mouse” in Varnum Brook’s 1993 production of Cinderella (Pepperell, MA’s definitive theatrical achievement), Noah took a much-deserved hiatus from the spotlight. He went on to earn a PhD in Organic Chemistry (as one does), meet the love of his life (who just so happens to be directing this show, though he assures us no undue influence was involved in securing this role) and have two incredible daughters, Isla and Luna, who, unironically, have memorized as much of his script as he has and “inspire” him same.

Percy Poole

Kaitlyn is thrilled to be a part of RISE Arts Collaborative! She has been performing on stage since she was 10 years old, and some of her favorite credits include Newsies, Chicago, Frozen, Willy Wonka, and Into the Woods. Kaitlyn is absolutely loving the experience of working with such a talented group of people and, as always, enjoys making new friends along the way (her favorite part of any production!). She’s excited to share the stage with this amazing team and can’t wait for the show to begin!

Marabelle Manson

Ava is excited to take on the role of Marabelle Manson with RISE Arts Collaborative! She’s been performing for seven years, and some of her favorite roles include ‘Six’ in Chicago, Into the Woods, and 9 to 5. As a senior in high school, Ava is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support and encouragement in her acting journey.

Brother Dearlove

Emily is thrilled to be back on stage in a preforming role!! For the last 3 years she has been running shows from backstage as an assistant director for Anything Goes ‘22 and Newsies ‘23 and as stage manager for Chicago ‘23 and Mary Poppins ‘24. Before working backstage she performed since the age of 5 and hasn’t stopped. Her many productions include The Hunchback of Notre Dame ‘18, The Sound of Music ‘19, The Addams Family ‘20(stupid COVID), Kiss Me Kate ‘21, and many more. She is  never happier than when she is working on a production and watching it grow into a wonderful show!! She is soooo thankful for Sam, Mandi, Maegan, and Jessica for giving her this chance to get back on stage. 

Reed Yackley

Melanie is so excited to have joined RISE Arts Collaborative in taking part in her first theatre show ever!  In between her dreams of stardom as a premier player on "Saturday Night Live", Melanie enjoys her theatrics several days a week at Bailey's Bar and Grill serving up food and laughter, harassing her children for their love, and tossing herself down a mountain on a snowboard. Melanie would like to thank her husband and beautiful girls for their daily love and laughter.  

Lumpy Landers

Amy Reynolds is a devoted wife and mother of three wonderful children. With a deep passion for acting that has been a constant throughout her life, Amy is driven by her dream of becoming an actress. She holds a degree in Communications from BCC, which has equipped her with valuable skills in her pursuit of this artistic goal. When she’s not rehearsing or attending auditions, Amy loves spending quality time with her family, enjoying movie nights, and going for scenic drives. Acting remains her primary passion, and she is excited to continue following her dreams in this creative field. “I want to thank my beautiful children and my amazing husband who have been my rock, supporting me every step of the way in my career and my journey into acting. I am also deeply grateful to the incredible team at RISE Arts Collaborative. Thank you, Sam, Mandie, Maegan, and Jessica, for believing in me and giving me this unforgettable opportunity. Your support means the world to me.”

Ted Blitzman

Sarah is thrilled to be returning to the stage with RISE Arts Collaborative. She was no stranger to the spotlight as a child and over the past few years has discovered the joys of creating sets, props and working backstage with youth theater. When not performing, Sarah is most likely reading, making art, or discussing Taylor Swift’s song lyrics. She loves being a substitute teacher and spending time with her family and friends. She would like to thank her husband, two daughters, and the fearless women who lead RISE for their support and encouragement during HMOB! 

Rob Walters

Phai is excited—thrilled, really—to be part of this production. She’s previously graced the stage in Newsies, Shrek, Chicago, and Willy Wonka Jr. She’d like to thank her dad for, well, birthing her, and her grandparents for hatching her into this world. A huge shoutout to her living hamster, French Fry, for still hanging in there, and to her dearly departed hamsters—Potato, Tomato, Munchkin, Burger, and Sid. Without their tragic and untimely exits, she may never have learned the true meaning of “life’s fleeting nature.”

Grace Walters

Madison Celic is a Massachusetts based student who brings a great performing experience to her role playing the devoted wife and mom in a small church community. She has starred in multiple productions, including Annie (twice) Newsies, and Descendants. Having been involved in plays since childhood, she showcases her comedic timing and warm stage presence with love. As a well rounded individual, she plays basketball, tennis, and soccer and has sung in choirs and danced, adding to her versatility of  talents. Her dedication, humor, and kindness makes her standout on and off the stage.

Sky Walters

Esme is thrilled to be part of RISE Arts Collaborative’s very first production. Past credits include, Into the Woods Jr (Rapunzel), Matilda Jr (Matilda), Chicago Teen (Squish), Newsies Jr (Ada), Shrek Jr (Teen Fiona, Hansel, Pied Piper), The Little Mermaid Jr (ensemble), Descendants Jr (Evie), and The Wizard of Oz (ensemble). Esme is an eighth grader at Nissitissit Middle School. When she isn’t rehearsing you can find her singing, doing improv, watching old 90s and 00s shows, or hanging with friends. She’d love to thank her supportive friends, family, and the cast and crew of Holy Mother of Bingo. She's had so much fun working with everyone. Get ready to watch “Demon Girl” in action!

Zippy Rudolph

While Gavin has been involved in several other (musical) theater productions since 2019, this is his first foray into the world of play theater. Gavin has always had a passion for the arts, and when he’s not on stage, you can find him singing and dancing in his free time. He also enjoys riding horses, though he’s yet to find a role that requires equestrian talent—he’s confident it’s only a matter of time. Gavin would like to express his deepest gratitude to his parents, whose unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in his acting journey.

Karen

Rumi is excited to make her acting debut with RISE Arts Collaborative. She has always wanted to try acting and feels like she has finally found her people. She has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and currently does freelance marketing, both of which have contributed to a strong foundation for theater. The engineering part makes her detail and process oriented; and the marketing part understands the importance of catering to the audience. She is thrilled to be a part of the first theater show crafted by the brilliant RISE Arts women leaders and she hopes you enjoy it too!

Mack O’ Malley

Sarah is delighted to be making their debut with RISE Arts Collaborative. They have diverse theater credits, including Annie (Miss Hannigan), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon) and an American Sign Language production of Romeo and Juliet (Romeo/Interpreter). They also performed with UCONN’s Scared Scriptless improv comedy troupe for four years until their graduation in May 2024. 

Sarah would like to thank their family for all of their incredible support, as well as their cat, for listening to them practice their Irish accent. 

Cookie Cadet - Farrah

Lily is a talented 9th-grade actress with a passion for performing. Since middle school, she has been involved in community theater where she has honed her acting skills and love for the stage. With a natural ability to connect with her audience, Lily enjoys portraying a variety of characters and is excited to continue exploring new opportunities in the world of acting. Outside of performing, she loves spending time with her dogs, drawing and painting, horseback riding, and spending time with friends.

Detective Quinn

Jade is super excited to be a part of this production! They’ve previously had the pleasure of playing FDR in Annie and Donkey in Shrek. When they’re not performing, Jade loves working behind the scenes in tech and stage management, where they can be found organizing the controlled chaos. Outside of theater, Jade enjoys playing Quad Ball (aka ‘Quidditch’) and has a great time laughing and getting to know more about their HMOB castmates. A special thank you to the director, Sam, for shining brighter than the sun (and yes, Jade did write this—no, really, they did).

Beatrice Bolden, KAW News

Jessica [she/her] is a founding board member of RISE Arts Collaborative, and is beyond proud and super excited to be playing a role in the organization’s first production alongside her child Jade! She has been a music and theater instructor in the community since 2012, has conducted choirs of all ages, offers private vocal instruction (singonvocal.com), sings professionally with VOCE – New England’s Chamber Choir, and co-founded the PCA Choir in 2019. Favorite experiences include singing with VOCE on stage with Andrea Bocelli in Hartford (February & December 2024), and singing with VOCE under the direction of Eric Whitacre in Boston (July 2022). Jessica is grateful to her family for their support, and to the entire cast and crew of HMOB for their hard work and the fun times that were shared.

To the ‘Ladies of RISE’: “We have accomplished much in the face of heartache and adversity. I am so proud of what we have worked together to create and bring to our community, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for RISE!”

Regina Blitzman

Lena is thrilled to make her debut in dinner theater as the feisty Regina! No stranger to the stage, this is the biggest role Lena has ever taken on, and she’s ready to dive into the challenge with enthusiasm and heart. She’s grateful for the incredible production team whose dedication and hard work have brought this play to life. Get ready for an unforgettable performance as Lena steps into Regina’s shoes—she can’t wait to share this exciting experience with you!

Monsignor Aldo Stroffregen

Sophia is thrilled to be a part of RISE!  She is an 8th grade student at Nissitissit Middle School and has been involved in theater since the age of 6.  She has performed in more than 20 productions and some of her favorite roles include 13 Jr. (Patrice), Descendants (Mal), Shrek Jr. (Fiona), Spongebob The Musical (Pearl), Frozen Jr. (Anna), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Corry) and The Girl Who Was Asked to Turn Blue (Tracy Logan)- a role for which she was awarded the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) All Star Company award.  Outside of theater, she enjoys playing field hockey, writing songs, and improving her guitar skills. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her passion for theater!

Nancy

Moth is delighted to be making her debut with RISE Arts Collaborative.  Recent/Favorite credits include Mary Poppins (Sweep), Chicago Teen (ensemble), & Newsies Jr. (Katherine Plumber). She also recently contributed her costuming skills to a recent production of Spongebob the Musical and is a Stage Manager for a spring community production of Willy Wonka. She is currently a student at North Middlesex Regional High School with hopes of becoming a psychologist, and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Cookie Cadet

Danica is so excited to be part of this play! She loves chicken nuggets, playing at the playground with her friends, and having sleepovers with her sister, Mackenzie (yes, Mackenzie is her sister—just making sure that’s clear). Danica is especially happy to be in this play because she doesn’t have any lines—just lots of fun! She also really, really, really loves candy. Danica can’t wait to be a part of the show and have a great time with everyone!

Cookie Cadet

Luna is a talented artist who loves going to classes at RISE Arts Collaborative whenever she can! She has an amazing mom and dad, and her big sister, Isla, is cool too! Luna’s dog, Bodhi, is a little wild, but she loves him! Her mom is the director of this show, and Luna thinks she’s the best. Her dad plays Father Culpepper in the show and se thinks he’s doing a great job. She’d like to thank her mom for making the play happen, and her best friends, Danica and Mackenzie (who are sisters), especially since Danica really likes her a lot!

Cookie Cadet - Erica

Mackenzie is super excited to be in this production! She loves acting and is proud of how quickly she can learn her lines—just a few weeks and she’s got it! Mackenzie is confident, always treats others with kindness, and knows that when she sets her mind to something, she can do it. Outside of the theater, she loves shopping with her family. In this play, she’s playing Cookie Cadet Erica and is ready to give it her very best!