Into the Woods Cast and Crew Bios

Parker Ballner (Producer)

Parker is a junior computer science major. This is his first time “producing” a show while not actually doing any work. He enjoys procrastinating and eating peanut butter. He would like to thank Rocket League for using up all of his free time.

Jennifer Barber (Conductor)

Jennifer Barber is a senior studying political science and public relations. She is thrilled to be conducting a pit for the second time with UNC Pauper Players. She has previously played clarinet for Pauper’s A Chorus Line, Cabaret, and In the Heights. Last semester she conducted Pauper Players’ production of Chicago. Her hobbies include playing with her adorable puppy Cooper, planning her wedding, and being a health coach. She is incredibly thankful for all of the opportunities that Pauper Players has given her and is so sad to be graduating in May and leaving this amazing program.

Christina Beasley (Music Director)

Christina is a junior at UNC studying Music Education and is thrilled to be music directing for the second time with UNC Pauper Players. Along with music directing Chicago in the fall, she has also played in many orchestra pits on campus, including Ordinary Days and In the Heights. It takes more than two to put a production on, so she would like to thank the cast and crew for putting up with her agonizing fanfares, letting her analyze their personalities, and bearing through her nerdy analyses of Sondheim’s score. Although she guesses this is goodbye, she is very thankful for these moments in the woods that will stay with her and remind her that no one is alone.

Dalia Blevins (Florinda/Granny)

Dalia Blevins is a junior Political Science and Dramatic Art major with a minor in Latino Studies. Hailing from Winston Salem, NC, this is her fifth production with UNC Pauper Players and her eleventh show at UNC! Dalia enjoys breakfast foods, clever puns, and puppy videos. She would like to thank her family at Carolina and back at home (including her dog Fluffy), as well as, most importantly, the cast and crew for their limitless love and support.

Leah Brooks (Rapunzel)

Leah Brooks is a first year who is thrilled to be in her first production at UNC! Favorite shows include Footloose (Ariel), Into the Woods (Cinderella), The Imaginary (Teacher), The Sound of Music (Luisa), and Curtains. She would like to thank Pauper Players for welcoming her into the UNC theatre community, and her family and friends for supporting her in all she does. “Enjoy the show!”

Sarah Chipman (Cello)

Sarah is a senior at UNC delighted to be in her first college production! When she’s not playing with the pit orchestra, Sarah spends her time grinding away at her computer science degree and kicking it with the Marching Tar Heels. She would like to thank Emily for recruiting her as well as the entire pit orchestra for making Into the Woods such an enjoyable experience.

Clay Cooper (The Baker)

Clay is a freshman music major and super excited to be playing The Baker. Clay has repeatedly tested into the Gryffindor Hogwarts house however his friends insist on telling him he is a Slytherin. He would like to thank this amazing cast and crew for providing him with this opportunity.

Molly Cummings (The Witch)

Molly is a first year journalism major at UNC and she is so excited to take on the role of The Witch in her UNC Pauper Players debut. Molly has been involved in theatre since she was little. Some of her favorite roles include Carlotta (Phantom of the Opera), Maria (The Sound of Music), and Margot (Legally Blonde). Molly would like to thank Will, Christina, Bailey, the production staff, and her amazing cast mates for putting on such a great show! Enjoy! 1 Cor. 2:9

Ally Dunavant (Cinderella’s Mother/Lucinda)

Ally is a first-year vocal performance major at UNC who is thrilled to be in her first production with UNC Pauper Players! She has previously appeared in high school productions as “Julia” in The Wedding Singer, “Margot” in The Diary of Anne Frank, “Eponine” in Les Misérables, “Ms. Cowper” in Cash on Delivery!, and “Morticia” in The Addams Family. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support and the production staff of Into the Woods for this opportunity and making this process so fun and rewarding.

Bailey Elrod (Stage Manager)

Bailey Elrod is a sophomore at UNC who is extremely grateful and honored to be stage managing the UNC Pauper Players’ production of Into the Woods. This is her third time stage managing on the collegiate level; other productions include The Laramie Project with Company Carolina and Pauper’s Growing Pains: Broadway Melodies 2017. She would like to thank her family for supporting her theater aspirations, her roommates for still loving her even though she hasn’t been home for the past three months, and everyone in this show for being so amazing, talented, and kind.

LJ Enloe (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf)

LJ is a first year student at UNC performing in his third show this semester. Despite the unfortunate lack of sleep that has resulted from the workload, he has had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends throughout. Really helps that this is one of his favorite roles to play as well. Even so, he is thankful for all of his friends and family that are supporting him. While he is performing, he’ll try to keep all of them in mind.

Sarah Gothard (Stepmother)

Sarah is a junior at UNC studying Public Policy. This is the third show she’s been in with UNC Pauper Players, other including In the Heights and A Chorus Line (Cassie). She just finished producing an original musical for Pauper (Bridal Party of Five). She wants to thank TJ for driving her all the time, and the entire cast and production staff for allowing a dancer to be in a singing heavy show.

Carly Hardy (Producer)

Carla is a sophomore Public Policy and Global Studies double major at UNC, and she is thrilled to be working on her fourth production with the UNC Pauper Players! Favorite past projects include In the Heights (ensemble), Chicago (Go to Hell Kitty), and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Dr. Frank-N-Furter). This is her first time working on the production team and she would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication, cooperation, and passion. Enjoy the show and Go Heels!

Tyler Haugle (Jack)

Tyler Haugle is a first year from Mebane, North Carolina. He is undecided on his major but considering pursuing Public Policy. He is so excited to be in his first show with Pauper Players and his first production at UNC. Tyler has appeared in Into the Woods (The Baker), The Crucible (John Proctor), and Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks). He would like to thank the wonderful cast and production team of Into the Woods for making this experience so fun!

Tori Jewell (Milky White/Sleeping Beauty)

Tori Jewell LOVES the UNC Pauper Players, and is excited to be involved in the show! She would like to thank Gage for his unending support as a friend and thespian, her family for their love and encouragement, and the cast for letting her participate in telling this story. Moo.

Meg Johnson (Little Red Riding Hood)

Meg Johnson is a sophomore at UNC majoring in biology. She is very excited to be in her first main stage production with UNC Pauper Players! She has previously appeared in Pauper Players’ production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (ensemble) and the Pauper Performance Troupe, as well as Home Faring with the New Works Project (Katie) and Memory Lane with Lab! Theatre. She would like to thank her friends, family production team, and wonderful cast mates!

Matthew Keith (Rapunzel’s Prince/Wolf)

Matthew Keith is a first year at UNC who is very excited to be in his first production with UNC Pauper Players. This experience has been so much fun for him, and this role has given him a lot of opportunities to grow as a performer. He would like to thank Will for his fantastic directing job, Christina for being an amazing music director, Bailey for all her hard work, and the whole of the production staff for all their work on the show. He would also like to thank the cast for being amazing people who consistently have made him a better performer and person through the show.

Alex LaGrand (Scenic Designer)

Alex LaGrand is a senior, stoked to be finishing off her undergraduate theatre career with designing scenery for this fantastic show. This is her fifth scenic design, but she also recently wrote a play entitled Sisterly: A Memory Play, which had a sold-out run with LAB! Theatre Company, and she will be designing costumes for Kenan Theatre Company’s production of The Wolves later this month. She would like to thank Connor Nielsen, Nellie Wise, Kevin Pendergast, and her cat Camo for their never-ending support and love.

Andrew Linden (Steward, Cinderella’s Father, Male Understudy)

This is Andrew Linden’s first show with Pauper Players! He is very excited to to join this wonderful theatre group. Previously at Chapel Hill, he has played Sandy in Duck Hunter Shoot Angel and Henry in Next to Normal. Other previous credits include Cliff in Cabaret, Tarzan in Tarzan the Musical, and Ram’s Dad in Heathers. He is a freshman and a Dramatic Arts major and wishes to thank his family, Kayla, and his dog Rollo.

William Leitch (Director)

Will is excited to be working on his eighth production with UNC Pauper Players! Previously, Will has produced two main stage productions for Pauper (In the Heights, Chicago), directed the 2018 Broadway Melodies production (Growing Pains), choreographed (Rocky Horror Picture Show), as well as performed (Broadway Melodies: Falling, Rocky Horror, Spring Awakening). Directing Into the Woods has been a challenge that has brought Will so much growth, and he’s extremely proud of all the hard work that the cast and crew have put into making his vision come to life. He hopes you enjoy the production and continue supporting the UNC Pauper Players.

Mariah Lindsey (Costume Designer)

Mariah is thrilled to be designing for Into the Woods, her second Pauper production. She previously costumed designed for Love’s Labour’s Lost and Chicago. She would like to thank Kamron Heath for coming to her shows even though she isn’t actually in them. She would like to thank Pauper Players for giving her another chance to practice what she loves!

Lauren Lisinski (Jack’s Mother)

Lauren is a sea monster living among men. She’s a senior *hair flip* music and communications double major, and enjoys baked ziti, her cats, and telling people she’s a music major. Favorite roles include Maguelonne (the step-sister, you uncultured swine) in Viardot’s Cendrillon with UNC Opera and Kitchen Wench #1 in Once Upon a Mattress, and previous technical credits include Urinetown (LD), The Producers (LD), and The Wild Party (SM) with Company Carolina, and Chicago (LD) with Pauper Players. Thank you to the cast and crew for being so wonderful, and remember, the slotted spoon CAN catch the potato!

Marika O’Hara (Producer)

Marika is a sophomore music major who is thrilled to be working on another show with UNC Pauper Players! Her past experiences include producing Chicago in the fall semester and music directing Cabaret and Growing Pains during her first year. She would like to thank the cast for their incredible hard work and dedication, the rest of the production staff for being a pleasure to work with, and her family for always supporting all of her artistic endeavors.

Hannah Olguin (Costume Designer)

Hannah Olguin is a junior at UNC who is excited to be working on her second production with UNC Pauper Players. Her designing debut came during the 2017 production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She would like to thank her friends and family for encouraging her art more.

Sarah Palasick (The Baker’s Wife)

Sarah Palasick is a senior at UNC and she is proud to be in her 8th production with UNC Pauper Players! She has previously appeared in A Chorus Line (Maggie), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Ana), and Carrie (Chris). She would like to thank her wonderful cast and production staff for making her last show at UNC such a wonderful experience, and her friends and family for their endless support.

Irmak Saklayici (Violin)

Irmak Saklayici is a sophomore at UNC and is ecstatic for her second musical with Pauper Players! She has played violin for 12 years and this will be her 5th musical playing in the pit. She would like to thank the pit and cast for being awesome (and so very talented) and her friends and family for always supporting her in her musical endeavors.

Michael Sparks (Narrator/Mysterious Man)

Michael is a first year at UNC, and this is his first musical with Pauper Players. He is proud to be included in this talented group of artists. He wants to thank William Leitch for being an angel. Some of his favorite roles include Trevor Graydon from Thoroughly Modern Millie and Dr. Madden from Next to Normal. He also wants to thank Jackson Campbell for being a good boy.

Emily Taylor (Flute and Piccolo)

Emily Taylor is a junior, music education major at UNC. She plays with the Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble and Flute Choir on campus, and is a member of the UNC flute studio and Marching Tar Heels. She also serves as a music ambassador for the department and performs with Heeling in Harmony at hospitals and assisted living facilities in her free time. Emily loves to tutor younger flutists, and hopes to become a middle school band director after graduation.

Katherine Thompson (Cinderella)

Katherine is a sophomore at UNC who is ELATED to be making her Pauper Players debut! Past credit include Kiss Me Kate (Lilli/Kate), Nice Work if You Can Get It (Eileen Evergreen), and Les Miserables (Cosette). This past fall she appeared in her first opera in UNC Opera’s Cendrillon as Dorothée. She would like to thank her cast and production staff for being wonderful and welcoming, her friends for always coming out to support her (and being rad overall), her sister Lizzi who encouraged her to audition, and most importantly her parents for their constant overwhelming love and support, and for coming all the way from New York to see the show <3. BREAK LEGS!!