Wednesday–Friday
October 23–25
7:30 p.m.
Wolf Kuhn Theatre
Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
Free and Open to the Public
Arranged by Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber and KT Huckabee
Performances are free, thanks to the Kjell Meling Arts for All Initiative.
Cast List
The Pines
- DRUMS/PERCUSSION—Benjamin Brumbaugh
- LEAD SINGER/BASS/KEYS—Daman Mills
- GUITAR—Logan Warner
Dancers
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Natalie Berrena-Barr
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Ruth Packard
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Sophia Petrucci
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Olivia Ruble
- ALLIED MOTION DANCE COMPANY—Nicholle Ventura
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Juliana Beyers
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Sarah Christofer
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Adamari Cortez
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Layna Henry
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Xandra Hernandez
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Skyler Madtes
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Braelyn Moerhle
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Scarlett Paez
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Lily Roberts
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Isabella Tibado
- IVYSIDE DANCE ENSEMBLE—Tommy Vano
Vocalists
- SINGER—Emmett Hibbs
- SINGER—Christian Howard
- SINGER—John Isenberg
- SINGER—Gabe Sikora
- SINGER—Amelia Tineo
Actors
- DREAMER—Adria (Jay) Schmidt
Musical Numbers
- Magic Carpet Ride
- A Horse with No Name
- Yellow Submarine
- Sloop John B
- Rock The Boat
- Bicycle Race
- Fast Car
- Little Red Corvette
- Midnight Train to Georgia
- Love Train
- Fly Like An Eagle
- Fly Me To The Moon
- Rocket Man
Cast Bios
Natalie Berrena-Barr (Dancer) is a member of Allied Motion Dance Company and danced competitively at Dance Fusion, ranging from modern to tap. Natalie grew up and still lives in Warriors Mark and has been a nanny for a local family of four for the past four years.
Juliana Beyers (Dancer) is a 2028 year student here at Penn State Altoona. She is from Staten Island, NY. She plans on pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing. She has been dancing since she was two years old and doing competition since the age of six. Beyers loves dance and it is definitely a part of who she is. In the future she hopes to be in more productions and opportunities here at PennState Altoona; and hopefully continue professionally after college.
Sarah Christofer (Dancer) is a third-year student from Tyrone, PA, majoring in communications. Before attending Penn State Altoona, she danced at Andrea’s School of Dance and was a member of the Main Street Dance Company. She hopes to continue with Ivyside Dance Ensemble throughout her time at Penn State Altoona.
Adamari Cortez (Dancer) is a fourth-year student working towards a criminal justice degree. This is her third year with the Ivyside Dance Ensemble, and she has been dancing since she was five. Before moving from her home state, California, Adamari studied many dance genres such as Polynesian, hip-hop, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and ballet. Aside from her love of dance, she is passionate about crime scene investigation and victim advocacy.
Layna Henry (Dancer) is a third-year student studying psychology. This is her first year in the Ivyside Dance Ensemble, but grew up as a dancer, specifically ballet and pointe. She is also a practicing musician, focusing especially on percussion and drum set, singing, and guitar. Layna is excited to be dancing again, and is looking forward to being involved in more productions at Penn State Altoona.
Xandria Hernandez (Dancer) is a first year at Penn State Altoona, class of 2028. She has been dancing for about fourteen years and competed for six. She has training in jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, acrobatics, modern, contemporary, lyrical, and Folklorico. Hernandez has performed and managed in the musical theatre performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She is very excited to be part of The Flights of Fancy.
Emmett Hibbs (Singer) is a third-year student majoring in nursing with a minor in vocal performance. Music is a passion for him. Hibbs intends to join a renowned music group someday and hone his skills to share with others.
Christian Howard (Singer) is a graduate of the integrative arts program at Penn State Altoona. He was an active performer on the college’s stage during his time as a student, and he was the recipient of a Liszka Award and Kenneth M. Kuhn Memorial Award as well as a two-time winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singers vocal competition in the musical theatre category. He also participated in a Masterwork Chorus Festival where he performed in Carnegie Hall along with Penn State Altoona's Ivyside Pride choral group. Currently, he is the theatre and gallery assistant for the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts and is an active member of the local performing arts community.
John Isenberg (Singer) is a first-year student pursuing a degree in criminal justice. He has been involved in theatre since eighth grade, starring in shows such as Newsies and Grease. In the future, John plans to be involved in more productions here at Penn State Altoona.
Skyler Madtes (Dancer) is a fourth-year student pursuing a degree in criminal justice. They have been involved in dance for many years and is involved with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Braelyn Moerhle (Dancer) is a first-year student pursuing a degree in biology here at Penn State. They have been involved in dance for years and have taken part in multiple dance competitions. In the future, Braelyn hopes to be involved in more productions at Penn State Altoona.
Ruth Packard (Dancer) graduated from Sweet Briar College in 2017 with a B.F.A. in dance and writing. She lives in State College, where she teaches jazz, lyrical, and hip hop at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop. She is a competitive Scottish Highland dancer and a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance, which allows her to teach other competitive Highland dancers.
Scarlett Paez (Dancer) is a first-year student pursuing a degree in biology (Pre-Med). She has been dancing for years and is happy to continue her career at Penn State. Scarlett’s most recent credits have been Dance Captain in Shrek: The Musical and Matilda: The Musical. Scarlett hopes to be involved in more productions at Penn State.
Sophia Petrucci (Dancer) holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and is currently working towards her master of education. She works as a Residence Life Coordinator at Saint Francis University. Petrucci was a part of the university’s dance team. Her dance background includes training in tap, jazz, and ballet with the CLO, as well as pointe and ballet at the South Hill Dance Academy. She has also studied pointe, ballet, contemporary, and jazz at the Dance Workshop. She is originally from Pittsburgh.
Charlie Popson (Dancer/Stage Crew) is in her second year at Penn State Altoona.They are pursuing a major in human development and family studies with ambitions to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Charlie loves having the opportunity to perform and hopes to improve in dance styles they are not used to.
Lillian (Lily) Roberts (Dancer) is a first-year student pursuing a degree in biology. With a passion for dance that started at a young age, she has trained in various styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, tap, lyrical, pointe, musical theater, and hip-hop. Lily has performed in "I Want My!" at the Mishler Theater and various Star Dance Alliance competitions and is excited to bring her energy and creativity to this performance.
Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer (Dancer) is a principal at Allied Motion and a dance educator at Dance Fusion in Tyrone, PA. As an educator at Dance Fusion, Ana has received numerous awards for excellence in choreography and has been nominated as both entertainer of the year and choreographer of the year via the Star Dance Alliance. She received higher education at Seton Hill University and Penn State Altoona, where she was a founding member of Penn State's Ivyside Dance Ensemble. Her dance background includes intensive training with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York City and a recent performance in What Problem with the Bill T. Jones Company on tour. Her current projects include choreography for Penn State Altoona and management of the Community Choreography Project for the Central PA Theatre and Dance Festival. Ana is a professional tattoo artist at Railroad City Tattoo in Altoona.
Olivia Ruble (Dancer) is a member of Allied Motion. Ruble has studied tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical. Most recently, she took classes at Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop in State College and delved into Scottish Highland dance.
Adria (Jay) Schmidt (Actor) is an English literature major from St. Marys, PA, who is entering as a sophomore for the 2024–2025 school year at Penn State Altoona. She is part of several branches of the arts, including visual arts, live performances, and filmmaking. Jay has had several written works published, and has been a recipient of several awards for her work with the visual arts in both secondary school and at the collegiate level. She previously worked with Penn State Altoona's theatre department in Dark Side Of The Moon: A Tribute To Pink Floyd and The Wake of Jamey Foster.
Gabe Sikora (Singer) has performed in various roles such as Simone in Gianni Schichi, Dulcamara in L’elisir D’amore, and Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance. Gabe has sung in choirs for the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the IUP Symphony Orchestra— he’s performed in the IUP Chamber Singers and Chorale, as well as acted/voice acted in small indie films and musical projects. His favorite performance was with the IUP Choirs at the PPG Paints Arena with the Pittsburgh Opera Symphony Orchestra and renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli. He’s also worked as a choral scholar at Zion Presbyterian Church and as a teacher's apprentice at the IUP community music school.
Isabella Tibado (Dancer) is from Winter Haven, Florida. She is a seventh-semester nursing major and dance studies minor. Bella has danced with Ivyside Dance Ensemble for three years and will continue with hopes of finding opportunities in dance performance once she graduates.
The Pines
Amelia Tineo (Singer) is a 2028 year student pursuing a degree in aerospace at Penn State. This is there first year participating in a Penn State Altoona production. Their recent credits include musical performances in the Brooklyn Academy of Music's "arts and justice" project as well as producing their own original works with sound thinking NYC. In the future, Amelia aspires to pursue a music career beside her engineering career.
Nicholle Ventura (Dancer) is a Penn State Altoona alum with a degree in Integrative Arts. After graduation, she attended the Integrative Bodywork School of Massage Therapy in State College. Nicholle works as a licensed massage therapist at the Circle of Life in Greenwood, PA. She is happy to be dancing with Allied Motion Dance Company.
Tommy Vano (Dancer) is a first-year student pursuing a degree in forensic science. They have been involved in dance for years and worked in countless productions. This is their first production here at Penn State Altoona.
The Pines (Band) Derived from Altoona, PA, The Pines draw inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, blending elements of rock, blues, and pop to create a unique and unforgettable experience. Prior to February 2022, the young band first created their image by covering a variety of instrumental songs at small venues. With the success of finding their lead singer, Daman Mills, in 2022, the band quickly gained popularity, growing a large following. The band has also had the amazing opportunity to play at their own high schools to promote their music as well as share their talent as students. With their increasing popularity, they have been fortunate enough to win the Altoona Mirror's Hometown Favorite Band category, as well as the CPMAs spotlight award. The band’s original music has been played on radio stations such as Q94, WRKY Rocky 99, and local news stations such as Studio 814 WTAJ. With the help of Dr. Dave Villani, owner of Data Music Services, they have been able to record and prepare their tracks. You can find more about them on their Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok @thepinespa and website thepinespa.com
Benjamin (Ben) Brumbaugh (Drums/Precussion) is a graduate of Central High School. He has been involved in a local rock group known as The Pines. He has been honing his skills on the drums for nine years. Ben Brumbaugh hopes to be involved in more shows at Penn State Altoona.
Daman Mills (Lead Singer/Bass/Keys) is a sophomore musical theaer major from Penn State. He is thrilled to be a part of this project. His accomplishments include attending NATS Musical Theater category reaching Nationals, as well as All-Eastern level in Schmidt Vocal Competition competing Classically. Daman just wrapped up Penn State's production of John Proctor Is The Villian (Lee), and his other credits include Urinetown (Tiny Tom) Beauty and The Beast (Beast) and Grease (Danny Zuko). Daman wants to thank Bonnie and KT for their support and training, as well as his mom, dad, brother, and Emily for endless love and support.
Logan Adaius Warner ( Band Guitarist) is a young musician and artist from the area. He hopes to be involved in more productions at Penn State Altoona.
Production Team Bios
Sophie Brenneman (Graphic Designer) is the program coordinator for Visual Art Studies (VAST) at Penn State Altoona. She is a visual artist, designer, and poet. In 2015, she earned her B.F.A. in drawing and painting from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and in 2017 she earned her M.F.A. from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber (Musical/Vocal Direction) came to Penn State Altoona in 2008 when she developed the vocal performance track withing the integrative arts major. Since that time, she has also created the vocal studies minor. She has received many awards for her teaching, including the Athleen Steer Award, The Grace Long Award, and the Penn State Alumni Association Teaching Fellow Award. In addition to teaching, Dr. Cutsforth-Huber is a professional classical contralto and is active in opera, oratorio, and concert circuits. She has performed in some of the most prestigious concert spaces in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Cemal Resit Rey Hall in Instanbul, Turkey, Strasbourg Cathedral, and Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. She holds a bachelor of music in vocal performance from The University of Saskatchewan, a masters of music in vocal performance from Southern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Kentucky. She also received her YogaSing certification in 2016.
Maxwell Doherty (Technical Director) is the Technical Director for the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Recently, he has worked on such shows as Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and The Wonderful World of Animation. In addition to his recent experience at Disney World he is also a graduate of the Penn State School of Theatre where he worked on such productions as Brigadoon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seawall, Angels in America, To Kill a Mockingbird, Legally Blonde, and many more.
Clarissa Henebury (Creative Collaborator/Visual Artist ) is a third-year student at Penn State Altoona, currently pursuing a visualarts degree. She has an extensive theatre background from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, in performance, set design, costuming and prop creation, directing and script-writing. She has taken part in various productions including Angels in America, Scenes from an Execution, Twelfth Night, Spring Awakening; directed by Laura Standley. In the future Clarissa hopes to be involved in more Penn State Altoona productions.
KT Huckabee (Director, Choreographer) received her B.F.A. in dance from East Carolina University, her M.F.A. in dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her certification in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York, which she utilizes for all her teaching, choreography, and body work in consultation situations with individuals and groups. Huckabee came to Penn State Altoona in 1998 to start the dance program and assist in the development of the integrative arts major. She is currently a teaching professor of dance and is spearheading the new vision of performing arts at the college which includes an increase in community involvement, collaboration on- and off-campus, and exciting new opportunities and productions for everyone interested. Huckabee utilizes her love of collaboration to find new inspirations for creativity, movement, and program development.
Talon McKendree (Art Direction) is a fifth year senior pursuing a degree in visual arts. He is a painter, graphic designer, photographer, filmmaker, and musician who has had paintings featured in hard freight magazine. In the future, Talon hopes to contribute to different creative projects.
Madeleine Letsche (Costume Designer) is a versatile costume designer whose work includes theater, dance, television and film. She has created classic characters for shows such as Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, period accurate ensembles for documentary filming, and new and unusual creations including creatures from the pages of a Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. When not costuming, she has been known to take on many other roles both onstage and behind the scenes, including hair and make-up artist, set decorator, prop master, scenic painter, and actor. Having learned to sew in the old Elm Building costume shop at Penn State Altoona in the nineties, she is thrilled to be returning to her roots.
Sophie Replogle (Visual Animation Artist) is a second year student at Penn State pursing a degree in Visual Art Studies. She has been involved in the arts for years. This includes musicals and writing and art showcases. She hopes to be apart of more art productions at Penn State Altoona.
Logan Sava (Assistant Stage Manager) is a fourth-year student. Sava holds a background primarily in technical theatre, having been involved with numerous productions as both a stage manager and assistant stage manager.
Angelina Waterson-Lopez (Sound Board Operator) is a first-year student at Penn State Altoona, currently serving as the A1 for the Three One Acts and assistant stage manager for Flights of Fancy. She recently worked as the stage manager for S.P.A.R. by Stephen Gregg, earning a superior ranking at both the state and international levels, placing her among the top thirty high school stage managers in the country in 2024. In addition, she has an extensive background in high school theatre, having served as assistant stage manager and sound board operator on productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, Addict, Boobytrap, and more.
Audrey Wawrynovic (Makeup Designer, Assistant Costume Designer, Wardrobe Supervisor) is from Philipsburg, PA. They intend to study integrative arts at Penn State Abington. To pursue their passions they wish to find a career in teaching sewing, design, costume production, tailoring, or designing with their own company.
Benjamin Weaver (Theatre Technical Assistant) is a graduate from Centenary University in 2021 with a degree in technical theater. His past credits include the scenic designer of 1984, Avenue Q, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sweat (NEXTStage Rep) and The Wake of Jamey Foster (Penn State Altoona), scenic artist for A Christmas Carol (Centenary Stage Co.) and, assistant scenic for The Evolution of Mann (American Theatre Group) instagram: @yellowbensets
Taylor Wheeler (Digital Artist), is a third-year student pursuing a degree in visual arts at Penn State Altoona. Taylor has been involved with theatre in high school by doing stage light managing. Taylor is more inclined towards digital art work in the forms of concept art and illustration. In the future, Taylor hopes to be involved in more productions and art centered events at Penn State Altoona.
Mark Williams (Projections/Scenic Design) is a Media Designer and Creative Technologist based in Philadelphia. He is the current emerging artist in residence at Penn State Altoona. His work and research are focused on integrative performancedesign practices and live cinema for stage. MarkWdesign.com
Production Team
- Choreographer/Director—KT Huckabee
- Costume Designer—Maddie Leche
- Lighting Designer—William Kenyon
- Makeup Designer—Audrey Wawrynovic
- Graphic Designer—Sophie Brenneman
- Projections—Mark Williams
- Musical/Vocal Direction—Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber
- Scenic Design—Mark Williams
- Technical Director—Maxwell Doherty
- Stage Manager—Christian Howard
- Assistant Stage Manager—Angie Waterson-Lopez
- Theatre Technical Assistant—Benjamin Weaver
- Wardrobe Supervisor—Audrey Wawrynovic
- Assistant Stage Manager—Logan Sava
- Stage Crew—Charlie Popson
Upcoming Performances
- November 7-8, 2024
A Night of One Acts - November 14-15, 2024
Ivyside Dance Performance - December 5-6, 2024
Ivyside Pride Performance - December 14, 2024
University Jazz Band Performance
Acknowledgments
- Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean
- Peter M. Hopsicker, vice chancellor, Academic Affairs
- Corey Gracie-Griffin, associate dean for research, Academic Affairs
- Dr. Leigh Ann Haefner, interim division head, Arts and Humanities
- Dr. Brain Black, consultant, Arts and Humanities
- Jonathan O’Harrow, director, Strategic Communications
- Marissa Carney, media and public relations coordinator, Strategic Communications
- Melissa Wilt, graphic designer, Strategic Communications
- Brenda Berry, faculty and program assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Kylea Myers, theatre and gallery coordinator, Misciagna Family Center
- Christian Howard, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Maxwell Doherty, technical director, Misciagna Family Center
- Benjamin Weaver, technical theatre assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Kathy Bumberger, janitorial worker, Facilities and Operations