Cast Bios
Julie Bowser (Ensemble)
I'm a fire cadet, looking into fire rescue as my career. I started theater in 2023, and ever since, it's been a great experience and I've met so many lovely people. My favorite color is blue!
Telicia Carter (Ensemble)
Telicia Carter is in the eighth grade at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts and enjoys the Arts. She has been a part of multiple shows, some of which includes Hairspray, Frozen Jr., Shrek Jr., and Jingle Mingle Cabaret. She is a very dedicated student and is able to participate in multiple shows at the same time.
Pearl Casey (Ensemble)
Hi, I’m Pearl! I go to Saint Francis Xavier and have been doing theatre since I was six. I love musical theatre, especially shows like Sweeney Todd and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I love performing and being creative. Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me!
Bruno Chagas (Tobias Ragg) I have been doing theatre for about five years. I go to Evangelical Christian School. I like drawing, singing, watching old films, and playing indie games. My favorite webseries is the Amazing Digital Circus.
Gabriel Cruz (Sweeney Todd)
Gabe is excited to be portraying Sweeney Todd! Previously, he has played, Quasimodo in Hunchback of Notre Dame, Danny Zuko in Grease, and Anatole in The Great Comet of 1812. Up next for Gabe after this production is Rent at Alliance for the Arts in which he will be portraying the Angel. He thanks his family and friends for their support in his journey!
Lillith Dubé (Beggar Woman)
Sweeney Todd is my favorite musical, and I’m honored to be playing a dream role of mine! Some of my previous roles include Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz at Florida Repertory, and Ms Fleming in Heathers at Alliance for the Arts. Special thanks to my father and sister.
Jackson Halliburton (Anthony)
Jackson is a sophomore at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, where he recently appeared as Pierre in The Great Comet of 1812. Last year, he played Harriman Spritzer in the Florida Rep Education's production of Hairspray. He would like to thank the program directors for inviting him to perform in another exciting conservatory production.
Shane Hernandez (Beadle Bamford)
Shane is a student at NFMHS and thrilled to play his first major role. Shane has been doing theatre since 4th grade and happy to continue. Outside of theatre, Shane enjoys reading and listening to the soundtrack of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Keira Hurst (Ensemble)
Keira is thrilled to be performing Sweeney Todd School Edition with this amazing cast! Some of Keira’s favorite past roles include: Ariel Moore(Footloose YPE), Miss Honey(Matilda jr), and Elsa(Frozen jr). Keira would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her no matter what!
Zoey LeVangie (Johanna Understudy, Johanna on May 29th, & Ensemble)
I am a Freshman in the Performing Arts program at Cypress Lake HS, studying Musical Theatre and Vocal, and a member of TAG-The A Cappella Group. I loved being Fiona in Shrek, The Musical for Florida Repertory's Fall Conservatory and I'm grateful to be part of Sweeney Todd. Thank you to my family for their love and support.
Emmalee Lotti (Ensemble)
Emmalee is excited to make her debut at the Florida Rep Education’s Conservatory! She has previously performed in Seussical Jr. (Players Circle Theater), and is part of the “Showstoppers” pre-professional dance troupe at Curtain Call Studios. She thanks her family and her instructors for their support.
Gustavo Mendez (Judge Turpin) Gustavo “Antonio” Mendez as Judge Turpin is thrilled to be making his conservatory debut in such a deliciously dark role. Over the past year, he has been honing his craft across various theatrical projects, building a foundation in both character work and vocal performance. From local stages to experimental workshops, he dedicated the last twelve months to exploring the nuances of storytelling and stage presence. Stepping into the menacing shoes of Judge Turpin marks a significant milestone in his journey, and he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore the complexities of one of musical theater’s most notorious antagonists. He would like to thank his mentors, fellow cast members, and family for their unwavering support as he takes this exciting next step into conservatory training. Enjoy the show!
Delilah Mendez (Mrs. Lovett)
Delilah is a freshman at FGCU with passion for the stage! Her previous credits include Holly in The Wedding Singer, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Carla from In the Heights, and the delightfully outrageous Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka Jr. She is beyond excited to be stepping into this dream role in this dream show, and hopes that her performance leaves you both frightened and thoroughly entertained!
Harper Miller (Ensemble)
Harper is a 15-year-old freshman at North Fort Myers high school and is delighted to be performing in her debut conservatory show at the Florida Rep. When she's not on stage, you can find her at the library in the swimming pool or hanging out with her friends. She wants to thank her family for always supporting her and Sweeney Todd's directors for believing in her.
Noah Rodriguez (Pirelli)
I started doing theater at Bishop Verot as Chip in Beauty and the Beast. A few of my past roles have been Sebastian in the Mermaid, Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables, and one of the Gargoyles in Hunchback of Notre Dame. I’d like to thank my parents, grandparents, and best friend Lillith.
Sarah Salerno (Ensemble/Mrs Lovett U/S)
Sarah is thrilled to be in Sweeney Todd! She is a sophomore at North Fort Myers High School and is 16. Her past credits include: Newsies (Les), The Play that Goes Wrong (Annie), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Christopher), and Shrek (Gingy.) Enjoy the show!
Serina Short (Ensemble)
Serina Short has done over two shoes being Beetlejuice Jr and Shrek Jr. She loves working with new people and everyone who she meets from her experience. She love to thank her mom, dad, sister, and all of her friends who came to support and watch her plays.
Amelia Ven Housen (Ensemble)
Amelia is a 14 year old actress who is thrilled to be in her first production at the Florida Rep! Amelia has been in theatre since she was 6 years old. Her favorite credits are “Ariel, The Little Mermaid”, “Dory, Finding Nemo” and now “Ensemble, Sweeney Todd”.
Liana Wancik (Ensemble)
Liana is a junior at Babcock High School and is excited to be part of the ensemble in Sweeney Todd. She has performed in Beetlejuice Jr., Newsies Jr., Frozen Jr., Shrek Jr., and Descendants. When not on stage, she enjoys cheerleading and going to the beach. She is grateful for her friends and family’s constant support.
Tech Students/Crew Bios
Emelia Edwards (Lighting)
It’s the first time I’ve gotten back into the theatre realm in a while, and I cannot wait till I get to have fun again. Thank you to everyone who’s helped me get this opportunity! 🙂
Zya Franklin (Sound)
Zya Franklin is a Fort Myers High School student with a big passion for music and the arts. She has been on stage and acted for a handful of plays.
Colton Herman (Lighting)
I am 14 years old. I have been doing theatre for 8 years. This is my first show I am doing tech for. I go to CLMS and am going to CLHS next year. I would like to thank God, my mom, and my sister.
Treyten Herren (2nd ASM)
My name is Treyten Herren, I am very excited to start managing my first play. I attend Babcock High School as a sophomore. I love to play video games, hiking, zip lining, and kayaking. I would love to become either a director or producer in my future.
Violet McDonald (Stagehand)
Violet is excited to be participating again as a stagehand at the Florida Rep. They really enjoy working on set design and props. They are looking forward to the fall when they will be attending the Center for the Arts at North Fort Myers High-school as a Freshman.
Fiona Mimnaugh (Tech)
Fiona Mimnaugh is excited to be a part of the team for Sweeney Todd. She has been doing theatre for 7 years. She has acted in 6 shows and has done costumes and tech for 5 shows. Fiona loves being involved behind the scenes and contributing to the overall success of the show.
Creative Team Bios
Monique Caldwell (Director)
Monique is the Education Director for Florida Repertory Theatre, who has worked with children and youth in the arts for over 25 years. She hails from the Washington Metropolitan area and currently resides in Fort Myers, Florida. Monique is a performer, arts advocate, director, and acting coach. Her passion is exposing young people to the world of the performing arts while helping to build their character – on and off the stage.
She is also a licensed theater educator with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University and an MA in Theatre Education from Catholic University. Her Florida Repertory directing credits include Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, Once on This Island Jr., Aladdin Jr., Dr. Seuss Jr., Frozen Jr., and Hairspray - and Sweeney Todd!
Megan Leonard (Choreographer)
Megan Jimenez Leonard is the current Asst. Director of Education at Florida Repertory Theatre! She has loved working with children in various theatre education programs and community theatres here in SW Florida! Since 2016, Mrs. Leonard has been choreographing Florida Repertory's Education Conservatory productions, including Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses, Heathers the musical, Fame, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and last season’s Hairspray! Her professional musical performance credits include the first national tours of The Addams Family, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and 42nd Street. She has also performed at Walt Disney’s MGM Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, and as a Radio City Rockette at the iconic Rockefeller Center. Leonard’s favorite regional theatre credits include musical productions from John F. Kennedy Center, North Shore Music Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Walnut Street Theatre, Theatre Zone, and American Musical Theatre of San Jose. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied in the conservatory programs of Collaborative Arts Project 21, the Classical Studio, and the Aquila Theatre Company’s summer program in New York City. She is a current proud member of Actors Equity Association.
Alexander LaPlante (Music Director)
Alexander LaPlante (He/Him) is an accomplished Actor Musician and Music Director who has spent the majority of his career in Central Florida working with local and regional theaters. Credits include Hair (the Renaissance Theater), The Lightning Thief, Click Clack Boo, Descendants the Musical, and the Regional Premiere of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Orlando Family Stage), as well as the regional premiere of Ride the Cyclone (Theater South Playhouse), and the 2024 national tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas (Gershwin Entertainment), among other theaters across the country. A graduate of Emerson College with a BFA in Musical Theater, and with an actor-first approach to music directing, Alex is dedicated to telling stories with power and heart to create the art he wanted to see as a child.
Cloe Roth (Stage Manager)
Cloe Roth is thrilled to be back at Florida Rep after assistant stage managing Little Shop of Horrors in March. As a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, Cloe has worked on a variety of productions, some favorites including Boeing Boeing, Pippin and A Ballet of Lights. She would love to thank her mom, brother and puppy, Pi, for always being in her corner!
Sarah Colatriano (Assistant Stage Manager)
Sarah is a stage manager from the Washington DC area and a recent graduate of the College of William & Mary. Florida Rep credits include: Girls Night: The Musical, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, and Shrek Jr. Thank you to Gisi, David, and Reid!
Kat Daniels (Sound Designer)
Kat Daniels is excited to join Florida Repertory Theatre for their 28th Season! Recent credits at Florida Rep include Girls Night (A1), The Play That Goes Wrong (A1), and Always… Patsy Cline (A2). A recent graduate of Converse University, they worked many productions, including their favorite, Kafka’s Metamorphosis (Sound Designer/A1).
Braden Downing (Audio Engineer)
is a Fort Myers native excited to return for her second season at Florida Repertory Theatre. She has previously worked on productions including Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Beehive: The 60s Musical. Most recently, Braden provided sound design for Florida Rep’s productions of The Play That Goes Wrong and Little Shop of Horrors. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Mississippi. Braden extends her heartfelt gratitude to her family—and her ever-supportive cat, Lucky—for their unwavering encouragement!
Kaylei Kipper (Costume Designer)
Kaylei Kipper is so excited to be working on this show! She holds a BA in Theatre from James Madison University. She previously worked as a backstage dresser at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and she has been working at Florida Rep as a Costume Intern for the 28th season. She is very grateful for the opportunity to design Sweeney Todd!
Skylee Vaughn (Wig Designer)
Skylee Vaughn is a recent graduate from Jacksonville State University, where she received her B.A. in Theatre Production. Her previous credits include Costume Designer for Florida Repertory Education Summer Camps, Costume Designer for Jax State’s Machinal, Assistant Stage Manager for JSU’s Noises Off, Scenic Designer for Alpha Psi Omega’s production of Medea, Associate Costume Designer for Jax State’s As You Like It. Skylee would like to thank her family and friends for pushing her to greater heights.
MK Doherty (Lighting Designer)
MK Doherty, the Master Electrician here at Florida Rep, was most recently the lighting designer for the Fall Conservatory, Shrek The Musical. Favorite designs include, Carrie, The Lightning Thief, (Ghostlight ETC), The Wiz, Everybody (Kent State University). MK holds a BFA from Kent State University, Go Flashes!
Charles Clark (Set Designer)
is a seasoned designer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Known for his innovative approach and keen eye for detail, Charles has worked on a diverse range of projects, from theatrical productions and concerts to architectural lighting and special events design. His work is characterized by a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise, ensuring that each project not only meets but exceeds design expectations. Charles is passionate about transforming spaces that create new worlds for unforgettable experiences. Charles joined Florida Rep in its 25th season and currently serves as the Director of Production. He is excited to be able to share his talents with the Florida Rep audience.
Hannah Easton (Fight/Intimacy Coordinator)
is a passionate, creative storyteller with a deep love for theatre and film. Her journey began through an educational theatre program, inspiring her to give back and uplift the next generation. A dedicated performer and advocate for all bodies to be represented in the arts, Hannah is constantly seeking opportunities to learn, create, and live in community. She recently trained in London, performing at the Globe Theatre and earning a certification in stage combat. She’s deeply grateful to her family, partner, and vocal coach, Zacchaeus Kimbrell, for their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in her artistic journey.
Alexander Davidson (Wardrobe Crew)
Alexander Davidson is a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and technical theatre. He has worked in costuming and stage management for many productions at UL. He has also produced staged readings of his plays, including Sun Bleached Flies and The First Play About Hearts, Lies, and Friends.
