A Year with Frog and Toad

Amanda Gremel, she/her (Frog) is LTW’s Artistic Director of Education and loves bringing original, magical stories to life on the Children’s Theatre stage. She also oversees LTW’s ever-growing Education Program and is proud of all that her students accomplish each session. When not behind the scenes directing or choreographing, Amanda enjoys performing as well.  Favorite Mainstage roles include PATSY IN ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE, the many women in NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY (MAC nomination), Bertha in Boeing Boeing, and ensemble in the award-winning HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. Some of her favorite Children’s Theatre roles include the Cowardly Lion in THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, the Golden Goose in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, Merlia in KING ARTHUR, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in ROBIN HOOD.

Holli Diffin, she/her (Toad) grew up in Tucson and was bitten by the theatre bug early, performing in local productions from a young age. She is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA) and also The University of Arizona. Some of Holli's favorite roles with Live Theatre Workshop include Carnelle in THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST, Lizzie in THE RAINMAKER, Corie in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Lorraine the Squirrel in JEREMY FREY KICKED A HOLE IN THE SKY, Maggie in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Lil’ Bit in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, Lucy in SNOOPY, THE MUSICAL!!!, Dr. V in NO OTHER NEMESIS, and as Sylvia in A.R. Gurney’s SYLVIA, for which she received the 2005 AZ Daily Star Mac Award for Best Actress. Holli feels incredibly fortunate to serve as the Administrative Director for Live Theatre Workshop and is grateful to work with such creative, inspiring, and genuinely wonderful people.

Michael Martinez, he/him (Snail, Ladybird #1, Mole, Lizard, Mother Frog) is the executive artistic director of Live Theatre Workshop. Previously he has performed on the LTW Mainstage and Children's Theater in delightful shows such as SOUVENIR, THE FROG PRINCE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN and SNOOPY! Michael often writes, composes, and directs professional children's theater shows including, THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE, OSO FUERTE, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: THE MUSICAL, and FRIDITA Y EL PINCEL MAGICO. Michael is passionate about the city of Tucson and is committed to helping with services that arts and educational organizations provide to make Tucson a great place to live. Michael has a Bachelor degree in music from the University of Arizona and a Masters degree in Public Administration. He loves teaching musical theatre classes at Live Theatre Workshop and working collaboratively with all the outstanding artists in this amazing city.

Stephen Frankenfield, he/him (Man Bird, Mouse, Father Frog, Large and Terrible Frog, Mole #2, Squirrel #2) is LTW's Associate Artistic Director. He is a graduate of (AAMDA) American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York City. LTW has been his second home for over 25 years, both for acting and directing. Some of his notable acting credits include: TOOTH FAIRY'S IN TRAINING, THE TRUE STORIES OF THE SO-CALLED BIG BAD WOLVES, THE ITTY-BITTY BUCCANEER, and QUIRKUS CIRCUS AND THE MISSING RINGMASTER. Some of his directing credits include: WINSTON MCPEPPER AND THE VERY PUPPET-Y PROBLEM and DEPUTY JAN. He writes and directs for LTW's Children's Theatre, as well as the Education Department. He has had 7 of his plays published and produced around the world, in schools and other youth organizations. He'd like to give a big thank you to his two boys who continue to inspire him everyday, on and off stage.

Samantha Cormier, she/her (Ladybird #2, Turtle, Squirrel #1, Young Frog, Mole #1, Choreographer) holds a M.F.A in Performing Arts from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and a B.F.A in Directing/Theatre Production from the University of Arizona. She has performed and directed in theaters from New York to Savannah to your favorite theaters in Tucson/Phoenix including Arizona Theatre Company, The Gaslight Theatre/Music Hall, Live Theatre Workshop, Arizona Broadway Theatre, The Rogue Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Old Tucson Studios and Scoundrel and Scamp. Favorite shows Directed/Choreographed:THE MOUSETRAP, PLAZA SUITE, THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE [MAC Award Nom, Best Director] POTUS or…, and SNOOPY!!! THE MUSICAL[MAC award nomination, Best Director] Favorite roles include: Senga in DANCING LESSONS [MAC Nom, Best Actress], Princess Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL, Louise in ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE, Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Columbia in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW [MAC Award nomination, Best Actress], and Frankie VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE [MAC Award Winner, Best Actress]. She has taught/instructed theatre for over 22 years having the pleasure of teaching all over Tucson and at Stagedoor Manor In New York [#1 Theatre Camp in the world] She thanks you for supporting the Arts in Tucson—especially during these times.

Catherine Oda (U/S Frog, Lizard, Father Frog, Large and Terrible Frog, Mole #2, Man Bird, Squirrel #2) is beyond excited to work with Live Theatre Workshop on A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD She is currently attending Pima Community College for an associates degree in Digital Art and Animation. She has worked with LTW as a playwright and understudy for NO OTHER NEMESIS, and is excited to work as an understudy again.

Leslie J. Miller, she/her (Director, U/S Snail, Mouse, Mother Frog, Lady Bird #2, Mole) is delighted to return to Live Theatre Workshop to direct A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. Leslie has enjoyed many creative adventures at LTW as both a director and actor. Her recent directing credits include MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S, THE GIRL WHO SWALLOWED A CACTUS, ENCHANTED APRIL, THE CLEAN HOUSE, and THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP. As an actor, she has appeared in THE MINUTES, RADIANT VERMIN, and MS. NELSON IS MISSING at LTW, as well as THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE with Winding Road Theater. Leslie loves collaborating with LTW’s  massively talented, hard-working, and big-hearted artists and is grateful for the chance to help bring this charming, whimsical story to life. She sends her thanks to the cast, crew, and production team for their generosity, creativity, and laughter throughout the process.

Claire Oda (Music Director, U/S Toad, Turtle, Young Frog, Squirrel #1, Mole #1, Lady Bird #1) is the Administrative Assistant at Live Theatre Workshop and is so grateful to be part of the team! Her music directing credits include DEPUTY JAN for LTW’s Children’s Theatre, as well as countless LTW education productions. Her most formative acting experiences were INTO THE WOODS JR (Rapunzel’s Prince) and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN JR (Lina Lamont) in LTW’s Jr Players, 28th STREET GOSPEL (Mama Grogan) at CPM&T, and NO OTHER NEMESIS in LTW’s Children's Theatre. Her biggest creative inspiration is her sister Catherine, who created, wrote, and composed NO OTHER NEMESIS. She is very honored and slightly intimidated to be working with this cast and crew (many of whom have been her teachers in the past and continue to be her mentors and role models), and would like to thank them for their patience and encouragement! She enjoys the underappreciated art of piano accompaniment, music transcribing, making recreational spreadsheets, and playing computer games.

Alex Totillo, they/them (Stage Manager) was born in Tucson and is a University of Arizona graduate. They are a lifelong theater nerd whose first show as a stage manager was aptly titled THE NERD. They have since stage-managed at various theaters including Live Theater Workshop for productions of BODY AWARENESS, LUNGS, HIR, and THE MINUTES. At certain times of the year, Alex often encounters a large Toad blocking their front door when returning home late from the theater. The Toad's name is Bartholomew.

Gracie Garcia (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back with Live Theatre Workshop again. Previous Stage Management credits include: THE WEDDING SINGER (Stage Manager) and BORDERLINE (Stage Manager) , as well as SHIP(Assistant Stage Manager), MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (Assistant Stage Manager) and WILLY WONKA (Assistant Stage Manager). She would like to thank LTW for welcoming her back, as well as her family and friends for their support!

Quinn Jorden Spitz, He/Him (Intern Stage Manager) is currently a senior at The Gregory School doing an internship for stage management. He did some acting until 4th grade where he discovered he’s built for the technical side of theater. In elementary school, he did stage hands for 3 years. Due to the pandemic, he took a break from theater in middle school, but got back into it when beginning high school. Apart from learning set building and prop organizing, Quinn started off being the follow-spot operator, due to lacking a fear of heights. Currently, he’s now the backstage manager for all the shows that need one (School plays, school musicals, family and friends showcase, and the spring dance recital). Besides managing, he is also able to juggle that job with being in charge of props as well as jumping in to help the deck crew with scene changes as well as help designing and building the shows. “Unlike most people, I enjoy my job of needing to handle the chaos that happens backstage.”

Richard Gremel (Technical Advisor, Lighting Designer, Set Designer) has been designing at Live Theatre Workshop for the past 18 seasons. Some of his favorite designs were for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, TILLY THE TRICKSTER, and TALL TALES: LEGENDS OF AMERICA. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the Arizona Thespians Teacher of the year (2017-2018 & 2023-2024) and the OnMedia Tucson Arts Hero (2018-2019). Aside from teaching, Richard acts, directs, and writes plays for the LTW stage. He currently has 11 published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, England, Italy, and Australia. www.richardgremelplaywright.com 

Nathaniel Wiley, he/him (Sound Designer) has performed professionally with Live Theatre Workshop, Saguaro City Music Theatre, and Arizona Theatre Company. Selected credits include John Carter (RANKED, A MUSICAL), George Banks (MARY POPPINS), Deputy Jan (DEPUTY JAN), Zacky Price (BIG FISH), and Winthrop Paroo (THE MUSIC MAN). He has previously stage managed and designed for the LTW shows RAPUNZEL: A HIP HOP MUSICAL and DEPUTY JAN. He was recently honored as a finalist at the 2025 MONTE AWARDS at Arts Express Theatre. Nate will be performing next in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Catalina Foothills High School in March. He would like to thank LTW for being a second home to him and you for your support of Live Theatre Workshop. He hopes you enjoy this frogtastic show!

Kathy Hurst (Costume Designer) got her start costuming for the Radburn players and the New Jersey Classic Ballet Company.  She has done shows for many companies in Tucson including nearly 30 years at Tucson High.   It is an honor to now be part of the LTW family.  A Year with Frog and Toad has been so much fun to costume.  Snails and lizards, squirrels and moles, frogs and toads…challenging but so enjoyable ,not to mention the cast and crew are the best of the best to work with. Special thanks to Erin for her help!

Logan LaGrange, he/him (Head of Set Construction) graduated from Empire High School and has been participating backstage in theater for five years. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and puzzles. He was the 24-25 Vice President of Empire’s thespian troupe, stage manager of their advanced drama class, and graduated as International Honor Thespian with 204 points. Logan’s favorite productions he’s been a part of was being lighting operator for the 2024 Arizona Chapter Select One Act, IN THE FORESTS OF THE NIGHT. set designing for CHICAGO; TEEN EDITION and THE LIGHTNING THIEF, acting as the character “Stage Manager” for KING CHARLIE’S ANGELS, and playing The Boulder in SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL.

Karin Hupp (Prop Master) has been the prop master for over eight years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK MYSTERY, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker's VICIOUS CIRCLE and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.