The 7th Annual Young Playwrights of Tucson

Sydney Johnson is so happy to be a part of Young Playwrights this year! Some of her favorite roles include Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS, Clarisse in THE LIGHTNING THIEF, and Catherine of Aragon in SIX: TEEN EDITION, Carly in RANKED, A MUSICAL and she has been an actor and techie in Young Playwrights of Tucson for the last two years. She has loved getting to work with every member of the cast and crew and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Kadin Pegues is happy to be here in the plays with everyone else. Being Surrounded by amazing actors and great people. Thought-out the time we spent together making this show he had a blast while meeting new people.

Bella Staniszewski (she/her) is extremely happy to do Young Playwrights for the second year in a row. She enjoys doing tech work and acting at her school, and is an upcoming junior at Empire High School. Her favorite shows to work on have been Sleepy Hollow and QUEST!. She also enjoys playing video games and listening to a LOT of music in her free time. She wants to thank her mom and her “bonus” dad, Justin.

Amelia Manchester is very thrilled to be a part of this year's Young Playwrights! This is truly one of her favorite traditions, and it sets a fun tone for her summer. You may have also seen her as the director for THE FIRST LEMONADE last year! She is also a student at Catalina Foothills High School, so you may have seen her in productions like MARY POPPINS (Micheal Banks), GHOSTLIGHT (Kelvin), DROWSY CHAPERONE (George), and more! She has been able to meet so many talented and fun people here at LTW, and she hopes you enjoy the show! :)

Quinn Cronenberg (he/they), who is stage managing 'Superstitions', and props crew for What Waits Inside the Woods'. They've done set building, run crew, and props for shows around Tucson. Some of their favorite shows they've done have been 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' as set/run crew lead, 'Murder on the Orient Express' as run crew, and 'Something Rotten!' as assistant stage manager. They're excited to stage manage for the first time, and even more excited to be part of Young Playwrights!

Braeley McIntire (they/she) is so excited for you to see this year's young playwrights. Some of their favorite other shows they’ve been a part of are ANNA OF CLEVES (Queens), PINOCCHIO (Shrek Jr) and GRANNY (Into the Woods). This is her third year at Young Playwrights and can’t wait for you to enjoy the show!

Rowan Sandeen (she/her) is so excited to be a part of Young Playwrights this year! She is entering her Senior Year at Catalina Foothills High School and has always had a passion for storytelling. Some of Rowan’s favorite roles include Sandy (DEPUTY JAN), Wendy Darling (PETER PAN AND WENDY), The Ghost of Carmel (THE UNINVITED), Mrs. Stauncher (GHOSTLIGHT), Kelly Stewart (RANKED, A MUSICAL), and Race (NEWSIES!). She also worked as the Assistant Director for Monte Awards Best Musical Winner THE DROWSY CHAPERONE! She wants to thank her family and friends for always coming to watch her perform, and LTW for this opportunity. Oh, and Taylor Swift. She hopes you enjoy the show!!

Greta Barber (she/they) is so excited to be acting in Young Playwrights! This is the second time she has been a part of this, her first being Siren #3 in Dracula Goes to Florida. They are an incoming junior at Catalina Foothills High School, where she has acted in Mary Poppins as Miss Smythe/Ensemble and The Drowsy Chaperone as Ensemble, both at Catalina Foothills High School. Some other shows they have been in are Something Rotten! Jr.  as Announcer/Valet/Master of the Justice/Ensemble, Willy Wonka Jr. as Charlie/Ensemble, and The Little Mermaid Jr. as Arista/Ensemble, all at Live Theatre Workshop. She had so much fun being a part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

Alayna Swetnam is an incoming freshman at UHS and is very excited to be participating in the 2026 Young Playwrights! This is their second year of the program. They participated in the 2025 Young Playwrights as an actor, and this year they are doing makeup design for WHAT WAITS IN THE WOODS and acting in A TAILOR'S TALE. Some of their past credits include ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR (Rose/Doorknob), INTO THE WOODS JR (Little Red Riding Hood), and BEETLEJUICE JR (Sky/Girl Scout). They will also be acting in LEGALLY BLONDE JR this summer at LTW.

Anita Osakwe-Anderson (she/her) is very grateful to be part of the team. In the past, she has had the privilege of playing an array of characters in a production titled PAGE TO STAGE, lit up the stage in the comedy production QUEST, and took part in the large ensemble for Empire High Schools production of INTO THE WOODS. Anita fell in love with acting Sophomore year and also enjoys hanging out with friends and family after shows.

Ramsey Joshua Hardin (he/him) has been featured in 4 Live Theatre Workshop productions through their education program. He has been in THE THRILLING TAIL OF THE THREE MUSKETEERS as Aramis, INTO THE WOODS as Milky White, The Steward, and Cinderella's father, HOW (NOT) TO BE A WIZARD as Professor Crandall, and PETER PANIC as Lefty. His favorite show is OUR TOWN, and he is very excited to be featured in this year’s Young Playwrights production, and is acting in SUPERSTITIONS.

David Cervantes (He/Him) is beyond grateful and excited to be a part of YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS. He enjoys running, nature and theatre! Some of his favorite shows were LOTERIA, HADESTOWN and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. He has big plans for the future that he may share in the near future. He wants to give thanks to his family for always being there for him.

Isis Wittke (she/her) has genuinely enjoyed being a part of the crew. Some of the performances she has been a part of were INTO THE WOODS (spotlight operator), BASKERVILLE (spotlight operator), and PLAY IN A DAY (Fae the Fairy). She was always shy and reserved as a kid but theatre/theater has helped her out of her shell. Some things she enjoys doing are playing the song Casual (Chappell Roan) on the bass, watching musicals, reading books, playing video games, and hanging with friends. She enjoys meeting new people. Her idol is Samantha Pauly. Her favorite musical is THE GREAT GATSBY. She tries to always be there for people and create a safe space.

Sylvia Himmelhuber (She/Her) is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of young playwrights this year. She is especially excited to be delving into costuming as her newfound love in the theater space. Some of her favorite roles include Winnefred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Head costume designer for OUR TOWN and Maude in last year's YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS! Sylvia's love of theater started at LTW at a very young age, so she's especially grateful to still be working there today. Some of her hobbies include swimming, painting and playing video games, as well as, of course, all things theater. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Oliver James Bauschatz (he/him) is taking his first shot at an LTW Young Playwrights Showcase this year. He's been a thespian for about 2 years now and is expanding his theatrical skills in this production through prop selection. He is very happy to have that opportunity! Previous roles include, but are not limited to: ROGUES' GALLERY (Seth/Figure in Epilogue/Godfrey Nameless), CLUE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION (Cook/Unexpected Cop), and ALMOST, MAINE (East). Fun facts: Oliver is an ambassador at his high school and a member of the Youth Council of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson, and will have done a total of 3 different plays this month each only 2 weeks apart.

Gemma Ricker (she/her)- This will be Gemma’s 3rd Young Playwrights but just another of many shows she has performed at LTW. When not at  LTW you can find her haunting the halls at Catalina Foothills High-school as a member of the Colorguard and also in their theater productions. Some of her favorite performances include THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Mrs Willie), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (superintendent) and MARY POPPINS (doll). Catch her and her colorful style around town, often thrifting, crafting or gluing just about anything back together with a hot glue gun (just ask, her shoes for this very performance probably contain hot glue). An avid enjoyer of theater Gemma is psyched to be in Young Playwrights this year making memories and tons of new friends. She sends her love to all of the cast and crew and hopes they remember to . . . Break a leg!!

Josie Gray (she/her) is so excited to be part of the Young Playwrights. This is her first time doing tech for LTW. She has always loved the technical side of theatre. Her favorite way to pass the time is reading, listening to music, and spending time with her bestie.

Elsie Uhrlaub (she/her) is so excited and grateful to be a part of Young Playwrights for the second year in a row. Elsie loves performing! Some of her favorite performances were ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. (Cheshire Cat) and FIDDLER IN THE ROOF JR. (Russian Soldier/Ensemble). She’s also been studying vocal performance since she was 13. Some of her favorite past times are writing scripts and watching sit-coms! Elsie would like to thank her family for always supporting her interests and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Kellen Tanner (He/Him) is ecstatic to be involved with his second experience with young playwrights! His favorite past show at LTW has been RANKED (Ryan). He has been able to play many roles across many different theater companies, but he always is excited for LTW because of the supportive community of theater teens. He has been acting since a very young age, and originally found LTW in elementary school, but never decided to look into auditioning for the real shows until last year. He is super excited for you all to see this year’s Young Playwrights.

Ava Young (She/her) is so excited to be involved in YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, which is her first show at LTW! Some of her favorite performances she's been involved in is PAGE TO STAGE (Various characters, but her favorite was Austin), DESCENDANTS (Stage Manager), and Willy Wonka (Mr. Salt). She has been involved in theater most of her life, and is so grateful for the experiences she's been offered from her directors, and for the support she's been given from her friends and family.

Azailea Peterson has loved working with this group. Some of her favorite past roles include Young Will (Big Fish), Robertson Aye (Mary Poppins), Louise (Ten Chimneys), Drowsy Chaperone (The Drowsy Chaperone) and most recently Mrs. Paddy (The Curious Savage), all from Catalina Foothills High School. She would like to extend deep gratitude towards everyone at LTW, where she has grown up and learned for the past 8 years. Without them, she would not be who she is today. Enjoy the show!

Calista Morrison is ecstatic to be working on this production! She is a recent graduate of Catalina Foothills High School, and will be furthering her education at Smith College in the fall. Favorite performances include THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Ensemble), BIG FISH (Ensemble), as well as her previous Young Playwrights of Tucson performances. Additionally, favorite production credits include GHOSTLIGHT (Stage Manager), THE UNINVITED (Props Master), and THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Lighting Design). Cali was recently featured as the top-scoring Stage Manager from the Southside region at the Arizona Thespian Festival, and is a longtime Live Theatre Workshop student, having participated in classes and camps for over a decade. They are thrilled to be back at Live Theatre Workshop for their final year of Young Playwrights, and will miss this process dearly.

Theo Morrison (he/him) is excited to be participating in his 6th Young Playwrights. Some of his favorite productions to work on were SOMETHING ROTTEN JR, WRITER’S BLOCK, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Theo has been at LTW for 7 years and hopes you enjoy the show!

Shiloh Cadence (she/her) values the Young Playwrights program especially among her theatre accolades. She recounts her most cherished memories as taking place during the previous years installment, when she played Boss in Alex Cramton’s Daydream of a Supernal Cubicle among Sylvia Himmelhuber, Max Landon, and Matthew Frankenfield. Her role as Queen Elizabeth I holds an immense importance to her as well, as does her time committed to Empire High School’s rendition of The Lightning Thief Musical. Aside from theatre, she’s passionate about orchestra, painting, and writing.

Born at a very young age, Seitaro "Jack" Oda (he/him) is honored to be a part of LTW this YPOT season! His favorite performances include ARISTOCATS (Thomas O'Malley), CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come), and DRACULA COMES TO FLORIDA (Johnathan Harker). He has a love for prop and costume design, a passion for music, and a want to learn more. Due to his work at the YMCA, he has learned about the joys of professional communication, and strives to work as hard as he can to make sure that people can feel comfortable and have fun!

Max Landon (He/Him) is a rising junior at the Gregory School, and is thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Young Playwrights after several other shows with LTW. Favorite past roles include Nick Bottom in Something Rotten! Jr., Jonathan Harker in Dracula, and Gilroy Clemmons in last year’s Young Playwrights, as well as dabbling in some sound design. ’He'd like to give sincere thanks to you for coming to see the show and supporting his dream!

Nathaniel Wiley (he/him) is thrilled and privileged to be involved in his seventh year of the Young Playwrights program! He has performed professionally with Live Theatre Workshop, Saguaro City Music Theatre, and Arizona Theatre Company. Favorite performances include THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Robert Martin), RANKED, A MUSICAL (John Carter), MARY POPPINS (George Banks), DEPUTY JAN (Deputy Jan), and THE MUSIC MAN (Winthrop Paroo), among multiple technical theatre credits. Nate will be performing next in THE ADDAMS FAMILY in June. He would like to thank you for your support of the arts and of Live Theatre Workshop. Sending love to friends and family. Be safe and be good. Enjoy the show!

Ivy Buffalo (She/they) is going to be a senior at Catalina Foothills High School, and is so excited to be participating in her 5th Young Playwrights this year! Some of her previous roles include Constance Blackwood in Ride The Cyclone, Eurydice in Hadestown, and Jordan Carter in Ranked: A Musical. She will also be playing Mary in Trevor the Musical with LTW over the summer! She hopes you enjoy this year’s batch of plays!!

Sawyer Gremel (She/Her) is excited to be a part of Young Playwrights for her 3rd year now. Some things you may have seen her in around our community are The Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help as Becky and What the Constitution Means to Me in the role of Debater both at Invisible Theatre.  She also appeared in the Orphan Ensemble for  Annie with Saguaro City Music Theatre. She has been in several productions with Live Theatre Workshop, including Seussical the Musical (Horton), Young Playwrights of Tucson (Sound and Lighting Design), Alice in Wonderland (White Rabbit), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Flounder), and We Are Monsters (Oozy Lumpa). Sawyer would like to thank all of her mentors, her bestie, and a special thank you to her Mom and Dad for their continued support.

Jaina Turner (she/her) is so ecstatic about her first year in the young playwrights community! She has been in theatre since forever and is so happy she can meet new people with the same interest as her. Her favorite role she has played is Pumbaa in THE LION KING JR. She also was so happy to accomplish getting an understudy role as the Witch in INTO THE WOODS. Her experience with the casts and crews throughout Empire High School brought her to do young playwrights and she is thrilled that she did. One of her biggest inspirations is Carter Oswalt who, for only knowing each other a year, has grown into a big mentor for her. She also would like to give a shout out to all the community she has built this year at Empire and here. Including some people like Shane Quirk, Emmalynn Whitney, and Sydney Johnson! She hopes you're not super superstitious because you may have a fright if so. She wishes you an amazing experience watching young playwrights tonight!

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