RISING STAR PROJECT: rADIOaCTIVE mUSICALS

A LETTER FROM OUR SPONSOR

Dear Rising Star Students,

Welcome to RadioActive Musicals, Rising Star Project’s 2020 presentation! What drew us to Rising Star Project nine years ago holds increasingly true today: we believe in the power of this unique, tuition-free program to have a great impact on the lives of all of you. We know that the hard work you have put in over the last six weeks and the lessons you have learned along the way will stay with you for a lifetime and help you achieve success in whatever career path you choose to pursue.

Little did we know as program plans took shape months ago that life would be upended the way it has by the COVID-19 crisis. Now, more than ever, we believe in this program that highlights the importance of social impact storytelling and provides a supportive community and an outlet to process current events. We commend you all for adapting to this new virtual model of the Rising Star Project and for your passion, persistence, and dedication that you bring to this artform. Thank you for providing audiences the chance to be transported by theatre and challenged by the issues you have chosen to highlight.

Lastly and most importantly, bravo to you, the 36 student participants who have logged over 100 hours over the last six weeks to create, produce, and present four original musicals. Congratulations on your hard work - we can’t wait to see your productions come to life on stage!

Sheri and Les Biller

RAdioActive Musicals

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RADIOACTIVE MUSICALS OPENING SEQUENCE

Performed by the Rising Star Project: Radio Active Musicals Ensemble

BAD TRIP

Book and lyrics by Ana Hiciano de Gongora
Music by Tony McCahill
Directed by Gabriel O’Rourke-Dela Cruz
Music Directed by Tony McCahill
Assistant Music Director Henry Beddoe
Stage Managed by Tyler Jorgens
Inspired by "Sober for 27 years. Now her son is experimenting with drugs" by Enya Garcia

Jared, a young man struggling with an addiction to over-the-counter medicines accidentally overdoses. His mother, with whom he has an estranged relationship, responds accordingly— and unexpectedly.

Jared Tellerman………………………………………. Duncan Kinsey
Olivia Tellerman…………………………………….… Megan Cooper
Liv…………………………………………….…………..…… Alexa Thompson
Paul…………………………………………………………… Brian Huang

GUT FEELING

Music by Emily Saletan
Book by Lilly Grey Rudge
Directed by Sage Overbay
Music Directed by Henry Roseman
Stage Managed by Mollie Brislin
Inspired by “Attack of the angry colon: How I deal with my chronic illness” by Kamil Saad

After grappling for five years with a debilitating chronic illness, Kamil Saad decides to undergo a life changing surgery. When Kamil is forced to face his greatest fear, a supersized personification of his colon, only one question remains... Should he trust his gut?

Kamil……………………………………………………… Trenton Walker
Colon…………………………………..……………….. Coleman Hunter
Nurse……………………………………..…………….. Miranda Jorgens
Doctor ……………………………………..………..… Solomon Taylor
Ensemble ……………………………..…………….. Rising Star Project: Radio Active Musicals Ensemble

THE PEN WITH FOUR COLORS

Music by James McGough and Lucas Oktay
Book by Morgan Gwertzman
Directed by Cole Smith
Music Directed by Henry Beddoe
Stage Managed by Tiffany Blanco-Gonzalez
Inspired by "I was the saddest kid. The tears finally slowed when I started writing" by Tre'vion Sinclair

Writing, friendship, and toxic masculinity: A bold, colorful look at a middle schooler's journey toward self-confidence.

Tre………………….……………………………….... Luciano Correa
Mark…………..……………………………………... Solomon Taylor
Mrs. Heather…………………………………..… Agustina Robinson
Joey……………………………………………....….. Trenton Walker
Snyder…………………………………..…….…….. Coleman Hunter
Classmate Ensemble ………………….….. Rising Star Project: RadioActive Musicals Ensemble

BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES

Book and Music by Lydia Hayes
Directed by Lucia Young
Music Directed by Henry Roseman
Stage Managed by Kathleen Hollinger
Inspired by “The racist practice of mispronouncing names” by Keya Roy, Zuheera Ali, and Medha Kumar

In the future where society is split into groups and people are given memory-blocking pills, #117—a Group D member—is confronted by a stranger who urges #117 to escape the city with her. But their escape doesn't go as planned.

Keya/ #117 ………………………………….……..Lynia Morris
Zuheera ………………………………..…..……..Kennedy Dawson
Medha/#395…………………………..………. Ava Woo
Guard…………………………………….………… Brian Huang

The Rising Star Project: RadioActive Musical Ensemble:
Megan Cooper, Kennedy Dawson, Coleman Hunter, Miranda Jorgens,
Duncan Kinsey, Lynia Morris, Agustina Robinson, Solomon Taylor,
Alexa Thompson, Trenton Walker, Ava Woo

Directors:
Gabriel O’Rourke-Dela Cruz, Sage Overbay, Cole Smith, Lucia Young

Music Directors:
Henry Beddoe, Henry Roseman, Tony McCahill

Musicians:
Paul Brooks (piano, drums, guitar), Calvin Lundin (drums), Tony McCahill (piano), Orlando Morales (piano, guitar), Devin Reilly (guitar), Henry Roseman (piano, bass, guitar)

Stage Managers:
Tiffany Blanco-Gonzalez, Mollie Brislin, Kathleen Hollinger, Tyler Jorgens

Marketing:
Mark Mumford & Brooke Swanson

Producers:
Megan Cooper, Danika Logdahl, Madison Messina  

Mentors:
Hattie Andres, Albert Evans, Faith Howes, Maggie Lee, Orlando Morales, Beth Pollack, Claire Stark, Kelsey Thorgalsen

bios

Agustina Robinson
Robinson is so excited to have her first experience with the Rising Star Project. Previous shows include The Lion King; Legally Blonde; Once On This Island; And many others with the Hi-Liners.

Alexa Thompson
Thompson is overjoyed to be making her 5th Avenue debut in the cast of this year’s 10-minute musicals! She was most recently seen as Nancy in Oliver! at KCMT.

Ana Hiciano De Góngora
Hiciano De Góngora is elated to be making their debut on 5th Avenue’s Writing Team. They’ve presented in Antigone; My Fair Lady; and have qualified for State and National Thespians.

Ava Woo
Woo is thrilled to be making her RSP debut after being seen in RENT, and Mamma Mia. She’s also the casting director on the board for 14/48:HS.

Brian Huang
Huang is a 19 year-old college student in Green River College from Taiwan, working with the 5th Avenue in the cast is one of the best thing that happen in Huang’s life.

Brooke Swanson
Swanson is thrilled to be making her 5th Avenue debut on the Marketing Team. She's performed most recently in Mamma Mia!; High School Musical; and a designer for 14/48 HS.

Cole Smith
Smith is thrilled to making his 5th Avenue debut! You may have seen Smith in Sherlock, Pride and Prejudice, Beauty and the Beast or Be More Chill at Shorecrest High School.

Coleman Hunter
RSP Debut! Previous credits at The 5th include The Sound of Music (Kurt), The Secret Garden (Colin), and Ragtime (Little Boy). Much love to everyone involved in this amazing program!

Danika Logdahl
Logdahl has participated in the 2018/2019 Rising Star Project's production of West Side Story. Most recently, she was an assistant director for Alice In Wonderland with Kitsap Children's Musical Theatre.

Duncan Kinsey
This is Kinsey’s RSP debut. Kinsey he has previously been in Cabaret as Cliff Bradshaw at Red Curtain Foundation and Out.

Emily Saletan
Saletan is elated to make her RSP debut as a lyricist/composer! Saletan graduated in June and intends to study theatre in college. Love to the Gut Feeling team!

Gabe O’Rourke-Dela Cruz
O’Rourke-Dela Cruz is ecstatic to be on the directing team for his debut at the Fifth. Most recently, he has worked with Central Stage Theater as a Lighting Designer.

Henry Beddoe
Beddoe is ecstatic to be making his Rising Star Project debut! In the fall he will be attending Belmont University to study musical theatre.

Henry Roseman
Roseman is excited about his first experience with the 5th's RSP as a Music Director. He’s a rising junior at Seattle Academy, a musical theater fan, a composer and musician

James McGough
McGough was a part of the Rising Star Program 2 years ago at the 5th Ave. He started writing music for fun in middle school with his rock band Nightloops

Kathleen Hollinger
Hollinger is so excited to debut at The 5th Avenue as a Stage Manager! Recently, she's worked as a Sound Designer and Stage Manager for two years at her school.

Kennedy Dawson
Dawson is honored to debut in Fifth Avenue’s 10 Minute Musicals. She’s featured in Once on This Island, Radium Girls and (Anon)ymous and is a board member of 14:48HS.

Lilly Grey Rudge
Rudge is extremely grateful and hopes that Gut Feeling provides representation for those struggling with a chronic illness and/or toxic relationship. She wants to thank her amazing writing partner, Emily Saletan!

Lucas Oktay
Oktay is happy to be back writing with RSP! He is the lead singer and one of two guitarists in the indie/pop band Nightloops, and has performed most recently in RSP's West Side Story.

Lucia Young
Young is delighted to be making her directorial debut with RSP at the 5th. She’s performed recently in Dramafest at RHS, and as an AD for Spelling Bee at SPT.

Luciano Correa
Correa is ecstatic to be making his first debut on 5th Avenue’s Acting Team. He’s performed in Love Sick for Kent-Meridian High School.

Lydia Hayes
Hayes is thrilled to be taking part in RSP for her third time! Most recently she was in RSP’s West Side Story.

Lynia Morris
Morris is making her 5th Avenue Theatre debut in the cast! She has performed most recently in Mr. Burns: A post-electric play, Cinderella, Aladdin Jr., and acted for 14/48:HS.

Madison Messina
Messina is a Senior at Tesla STEM High School and is thrilled to be on RSP`s producing team for her third year. Big thanks to her supportive family and friends!

Mark Mumford
Mumford is ecstatic to be making his 5th Avenue debut with RSP! He was most recently Les in LWHS"s production of Newsies. He has also done shows at SCT.

Megan Cooper
RSP credits are producing West Side Story and 10 Minute Musicals. Recent credits through Ballard High School are Kathryn in Radium Girls, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.

Miranda Jorgens
This is Jorgens' first production with The 5th. She has recently appeared in The Sound of Music and Newsies, and her first opera earlier this year.

Mollie Brislin
Brislin is excited to be making her 5th Avenue debut on the Stage Management Team. She’s a senior at North Kitsap High School and is attending Rider University this Fall!

Morgan Gwertzman
Gwertzman is an aspiring book writer and new to musical theater, this is his first time with the 5th as a writer. He's also performed in Mamma Mia!

Paul Brooks
Brooks (Accompanist), is excited to explore the world of music for brand-new shows. Thanks to the amazing staff at RSP for letting him be involved in this process!

Sage Overbay
Overbay directed The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon; That’s Not How I Remember It; and Miss Beth. Overbay also performed in Heathers; Urinetown; Newsies; The Wizard of Oz; Guys & Dolls; and Elf.

Solomon Taylor
Solomon is excited to make his 5th Avenue debut on the cast. He’s performed in High School Musical, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Mr.Burns, etc.

Tiffany Blanco-Gonzalez
Blanco-Gonzalez is grateful to be apart of the RSP Stage Management Team! Blanco has performed most recently in Mamma Mia at Broadway Bound and at St.James Cathedral with the Jubilate Choir!

Tony McCahill
McCahill is happy to be back with the 5th Ave as a Music Director. Recently he has performed in Heathers: the Musical; RENT; Urinetown; and led 14/48HS band since Spring 2018.

Trenton Walker
Walker is excited to make his 5th Avenue debut as an actor. He performed most recently in 14:48 as an actor and Teen Summer Musical’s "Uncle Willy’s Chocolate Factory"

Tyler Jorgens
Jorgens is thrilled to be making his 5th Avenue debut! Jorgens has been in shows since he was 7, and is delighted to learn a new perspective of what it takes to put on a show

RadioActive Musicals is made possible through a partnership with:

Rising Star Project is a tuition-free education program made possible by a generous grant from:
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation