Scarecrow/Ensemble

Nicholas Japaul Bernard is a native of Rochester New York and a Seattleite of four years now. He has had the opportunity to work with many theatres around town including The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT), Sound Theatre Company, Arts West, Strawberry Workshop, and Book-It Repertory Theatre. As a disabled, queer, and black artist, Bernard is interested in fostering an artistic world in which marginalized people have the space to both give breath to their own stories as well as not being regulated to that alone. We are more than our pain and more versatile than you’ve ever imagined.

Wicked Witch of the West/Wizard of Oz/Ensemble

Roz Cornejo is a local actor/teaching artist/director based in Seattle. She is a University of California, Santa Barbara graduate with a BFA in Acting and a BA in History. Her recent works include her play Echo, premiered by Red Bull Theater, performances with Living Voices, AD/understudy with Seattle Children’s Theatre’s The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, Mirror Stage’s, EXPANDUPON: Income Inequality, and her original solo In the Crosshairs with Macha Theatre Works.

Uncle Henry/Cowardly Lion/Ensemble

Jerik Fernandez (he/him)  is a Seattle based multi-hyphenate artist from the Bay Area. He is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and Cornish College of the Arts. Notable credits include Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Polonius in Hamlet, Feste in Twelfth Night (Seattle Shakespeare); Marek in My Ántonia (Book-It Rep); Vince Fontaine in Grease (Berkeley Playhouse); Ensemble in Q Brother’s Christmas Carol (Artswest). He is a co-founder of the Young Hot Thespian (YHT) theatre collective. He would like to thank his partner Erin for all the love she gives.

Aunt Em/Locasta/Good Witch of the North/Ensemble

Annelih GH Hamilton (she/her) is a Filipina/x-American woman+, storyteller, actor, poet, and lifelong learner. She dedicates her performance in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to the disabled & immunocompromised communities and their loved ones. Each of you matter. Seattle Children’s Theatre credits include: Black Beauty and The Lamp is the Moon and understudy in Red Riding Hood and Snow White. Other select performance credits: King of the Yees (ACT); Everybody (Strawshop); The Realization of Emily Linder (Taproot Theatre Company). Currently, Annelih is the Community Engagement Associate at Seattle Shakespeare Company (SSC) and the Festival Director of Strawberry Jam (SJAM) produced by Strawberry Theatre Workshop (Strawshop). Stay safe & vigilant and normalize community care! Insta: @jamwitha.ham. Gihigugma ko ikaw Mama, Papa, JP, & W. For Hanneli.

Tin Woodman/Ensemble

Chad Kelderman is an actor, singer, and neuromuscular bodyworker based in Seattle. He appeared twice as the title feline in The Cat in the Hat at SCT. Favorite roles include Malvolio and Faustus at Seattle Shakespeare where he also appeared in Mother Courage. In Seattle, he has also worked at Intiman, Book-It, and The Bathhouse. Chicago credits include Chicago Shakespeare, The Court, Lifeline, and Bailiwick. Chad is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. His heart is full of love for Mary, Sylvie, and Nate.

Dorothy

Marena Kleinpeter is over the moon excited to be making her official SCT debut in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! Originally from Las Vegas, she moved to Seattle nearly six years ago after receiving her BA in Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked with a handful of companies since then, including LG! Theater, GreenStage Shakespeare in the Park, Taproot, Dacha, Seattle Public Theatre, Book-It Repertory, and Utah Shakespeare Festival. She also serves as Associate Artistic Director of Little Theatre of the Rockies at her alma mater. Many thanks to the greatest housemates, friends, and family. James 1:17

King of the Winged Monkeys/Glinda, Good Witch of the South/Hungry Wildcat/Ensemble

Dedra D. Woods is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative force of nature. A Detroit native, she has been working in Seattle’s Regional Arts scene since 2012, and is thrilled to be back at SCT. Past credits at Seattle Children’s Theatre include Corduroy and The Little Prince. Dedra’s work has also been seen at The Fifth Avenue Theatre, The WIlliams Project, ACT, Seattle Public Theater, Intiman, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Upstart Crow Collective, Arts West, Artists Repertory Theatre, and Pittsburgh Public Theater. She is grateful to her family for their support and for encouraging her to dream big!

Understudy

Gloria Alcalá is a stage and screen actor, writer, musician, and teaching artist based in Seattle, WA, and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts. Regional acting credits: An Endless Shift (United Solo Festival - NYC, ArtsWest), Cymbeline, Romeo y Julieta, The Tempest (Seattle Shakespeare Company), Wonder Boy (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Songs for a New World (Village Theatre), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Seattle Children’s Theatre), and Native Gardens (Intiman Theatre). Gloria is a Jimmy Award recipient (2015 - AZ) and a Gregory Award nominee (2019 - SEA). Love to Erin and Gallie! www.glorialeealcala.com @glorialeealcala (Instagram)

Understudy

Avery Clark is a bicoastal actor and core company member of ACT Theatre. Select local, regional, and NYC credits include Pass Over, Oslo, The Crucible (ACT Theatre); Arcadia and the original cast of Coronado (written by Dennis Lehane, Invisible City); Measure for Measure, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Shakespeare Theatre Company); Straight White Men, Hedda Gabler (Studio Theatre); Romeo & Juliet, Cymbeline, Count of Monte Cristo (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Hamlet, Pride & Prejudice, The Importance of Being Earnest (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre); Hamlet, The 39 Steps, Henry V (Arkansas Rep); A Christmas Carol (Cincinnati Playhouse); and Journey’s End (Alley Theatre).

Understudy

Bethanie Willis is excited to perform in her first show at Seattle Children’s Theatre! Professional stage credits - The 5th Avenue Theatre: The Wiz, Pump Up The Volume. Village Theatre: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy u/s), Dreamgirls, My Heart is The Drum, Show Boat, AIDA, South Pacific (Ngana), Annie (Tessie), The Sound of Music (Marta). Taproot Theatre: Crowns (Yolanda). Seattle Opera: Porgy and Bess. Showtunes: The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn). She also loves teaching students singing, dancing, and acting techniques. Favorite Choreographed Productions - The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts (Matilda, Chicago, Oliver, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Village Theatre (Willy Wonka Jr.), Broadway Bound (Annie).

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Ruby Cast)

Ian Bartlett is thrilled to make his SCT debut! His other credits include Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, Ted in Peter and the Starcatcher (ManeStage Theatre), Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd, The Visitor in The Spitfire Grill (Village Kidstage), and Mark Anthony in A Chorus Line (TLT). He looks forward to sharing this exciting story with you and he thanks his friends and family for their support!

Munchkin/Hungry Wildkitten/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Ruby Cast)

Zella (El) Davidson (she/her)  is thrilled to be making her professional debut as part of SCT’s production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! A freshman at Lincoln High School here in Seattle, she appeared most recently as Viola in the LHS production of Twelfth Night, and has participated in several local productions, including Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat/Card Soldier), Seussical, (Jungle Citizen), and Treasure Island (Dr. Livesey). Many thanks to Mom, Dad, Hannah, Willow, the Wayfarers, friends, and the amazing team at SCT!

Guardian of the Gates/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Ruby Cast)

Reagan Nino (she/her) is honored to be making her Seattle Children’s Theatre debut. Reagan has recently performed with Kentridge High School (Young Amelie, Amelie the Musical), Village Theatre (Pearl Krabs, SpongeBob), and Kettleworks Performing Arts (Young Simba, The Lion King Jr. and Annie, Annie Kids). Reagan is 13 years old, enjoys hanging out with her friends and creating content for her social media pages. Love to mom and dad for supporting her on her musical theatre journey.

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Ruby Cast)

Ari Taw (she/her) is delighted to be back at SCT! She performed in SCT’s world-premiere of Black Beauty (Young Girl/Grandchild) and the Summer Season show 101 Dalmatians/Aristocats (Lucky/Alley Cat) and studied in SCT’s Drama School. She performed in two seasons of ACT Theatre’s A Christmas Carol (2022 Belinda; 2021 Elizabeth/Fan). Favorite youth theater experiences: Stage Struck Seattle’s Matilda (Matilda) and Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton) and Sing Out Seattle’s Willy Wonka (Veruca). Ari loves to sing while her dad plays ukulele and accompanies herself playing simple chords on the piano. She thanks her parents, brother, and family for encouraging her to act. She is so grateful.

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Ruby Cast)

Penelope Tobin is thrilled to be making her regional theater debut with SCT! Having recently moved from her hometown of New York City, Penelope has been excited to discover Seattle’s amazing theater scene and is grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to it. Lots of love to her family and friends on both coasts.

Guardian of the Gates/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Emerald Cast)

Audrey Conner is thrilled to make her SCT debut with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! She studies acting and musical theatre at SCT and Broadway Bound and trained in ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet. She performed in Circus Polka, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker with PNB. Most recently she has performed the stepmother in Broadway Bound’s Into the Woods and various roles in The Little Mermaid and Elf The Musical. She is so grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank her family and the whole cast for making such an amazing show. Photo credit: Angela Sterling Photography.

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Emerald Cast)

Emberly Hoke is excited to be making her SCT debut in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ! Emberly is 13 years old and has performed in local productions of Elf (Broadway Bound), Into the Woods (Broadway Bound), and other community theater performances. She plays the harp in her school orchestra and enjoys drawing, playing soccer, dancing, and hanging out with friends in her free time.

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Emerald Cast)

Fiona Hurley is an 8th grader at Eckstein Middle School. She performs locally in many productions with Seattle’s Performers, most recently playing Princess Fiona in Shrek. She has also travelled with Seattle’s Performers Elite group to participate in the Junior Theatre Festival in Sacramento, CA. She is excited to be part of SCT’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Munchkin/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Emerald Cast)

Lillian Morris is ecstatic for her debut performance with Seattle Children’s Theater! She is a Young Core Company member at ACT and has been seen in their productions of Love and Boats and Antigone, this play i read in high school as Antigone. She was recently in Macha Theater Works play The Flight Before Xmas. Last summer Lillian was proud to be in Public Works’ workshop production of Emerald City at Seattle Repertory Theatre. She serves on the board of 14/48 HS and has performed as both a director and actor in their festivals.

Munchkin/Hungry Wildkitten/Flying Monkey/Ensemble (Emerald Cast)

Tabitha Murphy Madden is thrilled to join The Wonderful Wizard of Oz cast in her SCT debut. Previous roles include Sebastian in Seattle’s Broadway Bound Theatre’s Little Mermaid and Elsa in Frozen,as well many more musical theatre roles beginning at the age of 5 years old. Tabitha is a 6th grader at Seattle’s TOPS Elementary. When not acting, singing, or dancing, she can be found on the basketball court, soccer field, or at just about any sporting event.