Meet The Company

Molly Ario (Clarisse/Ensemble) is incredibly delighted to be a part of another MC production! She previously Assistant Stage Managed for the shows And So Ad Infinitum and Young Frankenstein. She is deeply grateful for her friends, family, mentors, and cats for their patience and the inspiration they bring to her life. Thank you for coming to the show! 

Elijah Beeler (Grover) is very excited to be a part of his first ever show at Montgomery College. Before this he was in Be More Chill (Jeremy) with Rockville Musical Theatre, and was featured in The Little Mermaid at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. He has made many friends and is excited to continue with Montgomery College. Eli hopes you enjoy the show!

Desiree Claggett (Katie/Ensemble) She has had an exciting time in this production and has learned a lot from the process in this show and her cast mates. She has also participated in a couple other Montgomery College productions, such as Grease and The Liar. She would like to thank her friends and family for always being very supportive in her theatrical endeavors. 

Catherine Donahue (Squirrel/Farmer/Mozart) is super pumped to be a part of this production! Catherine just finished preforming Jack and the Beanstalk (Jack) at the Vienna Theatre Company for Young Audiences. Her previous performances at MC include: Failure: A Love Story (Jenny June Fail), Grease (Patty u/s) and POTUS (Bernadette). Catherine was in Summer Dinner Theater’s production of Footloose (Betty Blast/Eleanor Dunbar). Catherine would like to thank her family for their support and love, as well as Jasmine Enwereuzo for being "Awesomesauce". 

Katlynn Enama (Silena/Ensemble) is very excited to be a part of this year’s production of The Lightning Thief. She has been in various other productions such as Beauty & the Beast and The Wizard of Oz. This is her first Montgomery College production, and she wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her musical ambitions.

Joanna Fishell (Thalia, Nancy Bobafit, Medusa/ Percy Jackson Understudy) is beyond excited to be part of The Lightning Thief. Joanna's previous experience at MC includes working behind scenes as crew for Footloose, Young Frankenstein, Grease, and The Visit. She danced with the MC Dance Company in spring 2025. Jo wants to send a special thanks to her family who supported her and patiently endured the same songs on repeat for two months. 

Augusto García (Luke) is very excited to be a part of this production! At Montgomery College he has been in Young Frankenstein (Ensemble, Monster U/S) and Grease (Roger). He would like to thank his teacher Jay Crowder for supporting his theatre growth!

Alexander Hardman (Poseidon/Greyhound Bus Passenger 2/Bianca/Cyclops/Ensemble) Get ready to roll with the tide because Alexander Hardman is overjoyed to be part of another MC musical! Having participated in The Liar and Grease at MC already, he’s ready to show you what he’s got with this performance. Have a great show!

Michael Lawrence (Chiron/Kronos/James Brown/Ensemble) is excited to perform in his first production at Montgomery College!  He is excited to be working with such talented singers and actors! When he's not performing, he loves to spend time with friends and family.  He would like to thank his mom and sister for supporting his passion for theatre.  

Payton O’Keefe (Percy Jackson) is thrilled to be part of The Lightning Thief, taking on the role of Percy Jackson. He is deeply grateful to the Montgomery College theater program for the training, support, and inspiration it has given him, and for helping shape him as both a performer and an artist. As he looks ahead with excitement to the next chapter of his journey, Payton would like to thank his family and God for their constant love, support, and countless blessings.

Ellie Orzulak (Sally Jackson/Ensemble) is very excited to be taking part in The Lightning Thief! Ellie is an MC student and a theatre department graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Some of her past shows include Richard III (Richard), and Footloose (Vi Moore). Ellie would like to thank the entire ensemble for making this such a fun experience! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Wren Pederson (Ms. D/Ensemble). We dance to the glory of the Gods! We dance to the glory of Dionysus! Hail, the Bacchae! Hail, the Bacchae! Hail, you brave women of Thebes! Wren would like to thank everyone ever.

Ann-Marie Poveda (Ares/DJ Cerberus/Ensemble) is very excited to be a part of this production. She was also seen in Cabaret and Footloose in MC’s Summer Dinner Theatre. She thanks her mom, dad, and grandma for all their love and support.

Gab Ryan (Annabeth) is ecstatic to perform and study with this talented crew! Gab is a TA with Adventure Theatre’s Pre-Professional program as a dance instructor and assistant choreographed Montgomery College’s 2024 season of Summer Dinner Theatre on Cabaret (with David Singleton) and In the Heights (with Pep Targete). She is a proud alum of the University of Maryland where she solidified her love for the intersection of theatrical and journalistic worlds. She is currently Social Media Specialist with The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and UMD School of ARHU. Credits: Footloose: The Musical (Ariel) with Summer Dinner Theatre, How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (Jenna) with Iron Crow, Sailing on String (Twine) with Arts on the Horizon and Kennedy Center, Olney Outdoors with The Olney Theatre (Featured Dancer), The Black Smile Dance Film with Olivia Eddings and Shartoya Jn. Baptiste (Featured Dancer), Synetic Theater Company Trainee. UMD Credits: Men on Boats (John Wesley Powell), The Prom (Angie/Dance Captain), By the Way Meet Vera Stark (Anna Mae/Afua), Are We Going to Hell for This? (Featured Dancer), Mother in the Wild: A Puppet Operetta by Miele Murray (Monistheina), John Proctor is the Villain (Ivy/Fight + Intimacy Captain) with Ghostlight, A Chorus Line with 32 Bars (Choreographer/Sheila Swing). Faculty Dance Concert 2023 (Assistant Stage Manager), UMoves 2024 (Co-Projection Designer).

Patro San (Hades/Ensemble) is really excited to be a part of this production. Their previous credits at MC include Young Frankenstein (Felix), Grease (Ensemble) and POTUS (Harriet). They also have a variety of tech credits, both from and outside of MC. They’d like to thank their friends and family for supporting them throughout this process.

Liam Sloan (Gabe/Chiron’s Butt/Ensemble) is excited to be a part of his first musical at MC. His previous roles include MC’s And So Ad Infinitum (Felix/Parasite) and Wootton High School’s The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). Liam would like to thank all of his friends and family for their support. 

Ivy Speck (Mrs. Dodds/Ensemble) is very excited to be in their first show in college, and would like to thank their loving parents and supportive sister.

Sierra Suarez (Charon/Student/Camper/Newscaster) is thrilled to be performing in The Lightning Thief! You may have seen her on stage last fall in Failure: A Love Story (Singing Gramophone). Her other Montgomery College credits include Grease (Sandy u/s), POTUS (Chris), and staged readings of American Hero (Jamie) and The Trojan Women (Andromache).  She is a member of the MC Spotlights Musical Theatre Ensemble and has also danced with the MC Dance Company. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support!

Sofia Ali (Props/Paint Crew) is proud to be leading the props team for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Recent productions include And So Ad Infinitum (Mrs Cricket, 2nd Engineer,and Moth) and Next Generation Art Council’s Addams Family (Adult Volunteer and Morticia u/s) As always she'd like to thank her Mom for always fueling her dreams. She hopes you enjoy the show because “This ain't Odysseus’ Odyssey”.

Andrea Aranguren (Carpentry Crew) is enjoying their first try at working on an MC production.

Yusuf Benya (Properties Crew) is enjoying their first try at being in an MC production.

Brady Box (Followspot Operator/Electrics Assistant) is excited to be working on his first MC production!

Charlie Costa (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be able to work with Stage Management for this first time. Having been a Fly Operator in MC’s production of Grease in the spring of 2025, followed up by run crew for both Summer Dinner Theater shows, Light Board Operator for the Fall ‘25 production of Failure: A Love Story and Sound Board Operator for the other Fall ‘25 production of And So Ad Infinitum. Charlie would like to thank MC Theater for the opportunity to develop further within backstage work, and for being very welcoming since his first day working with the company. 

Lala Darboe (Paint Crew) is a first-year student at Montgomery College majoring in psychology. She enjoyed working in the production of Failure: A Love Story which led her to continue working alongside both crew and cast members in The Lightning Thief musical. She hopes that integrating her interest in psychology and theatre will give her a more nuanced understanding of both subjects. She wants to thank her many friends in Montgomery College’s theatre department for the wonderful experience that came with working alongside them.

Jinigel Dela Cruz (Costume Crew) is enthusiastic to be part of another Montgomery College production! They always learn something new during production, so they want to thank everyone who helped bring The Lightning Thief to life! They hope you love the show!

Sherri Felton (Followspot Operator/Paint Crew) is currently earning her AA in Performing Arts Production.  She was born and raised in Los Angeles.  She earned a BFA in Stage Management from the University of Southern California and worked as a performing arts technician and as creative staff in LA, NYC, London and multiple locations in Mexico.  After getting married and choosing to be a stay-at-home mom, she has returned to stagecraft classes and theatre.  She is grateful to learn from and beside the next generation of theatre creatives.  She sends a special thanks to Prof. Hengen for his steadfast support.  Enjoy the show.

Aster Fredley (Props Crew) is enjoying their second try at being in an MC production. They were previously Asst Stage Manager for Failure: A Love Story.

Laney Gill (Costume Crew) is very excited to be a part of another Montgomery College production. She would like to thank everyone who's ever had patience with her and praise everyone involved in making this production come to life. She hopes that all watching find something they love within the show.

Kennedy Henderson (Costume Crew) is very glad to participate with costumes once again for an MC production. She was previously played 3 roles in MC’s fall production, Failure: A Love Story, and enjoyed the costumes so much that she had to be part of another department production again. She hopes to have a humble, good time.

Kaia Koumoutseas (Assistant Stage Manager) is downright ecstatic to be helping manage a production for their first time! Acting credits include MC Summer Dinner Theatre’s Footloose (Wendy Jo/Vi Moore U/S/) and Montgomery College’s Spotlights Musical Theatre Ensemble, Grease (Ensemble/Rizzo U/S) and The Liar (Dorante). Kaia wants to thank their stage manager Madison and the entire cast & crew for this fulfilling experience. Enjoy the show and be A GOOD KID!

Madison Lyons (Stage Manager) is incredibly delighted to be Stage Managing this production of Lightning Thief! This past year at MC she stage managed Young Frankenstein for the Summer Dinner Theatre program, she Assistant Stage Managed for MC's production of Grease, as well as the The Liar. She has also acted in The Bold, The Young and The Murdered (Kaitlyn) at Northwood High School. She has recently gotten involved in house management here at the PAC! She would like to thank everyone who has taken a chance on her and given her opportunities in the theatre world. 

Thane Montgomery (Carpentry Crew) is enjoying their first experience working on an MC production.

Atles Moritz (Sound Board Operator) is ecstatic to be member of the crew on this production. They were previously a member of the crew for Gaithersburg High School between 2021-2023, and started at Montgomery College during this Fall working as the Sound Board Operator on Failure: A Love Story, and Assistant Stage Manager during And So Ad Infinitum. This is their first musical at Montgomery College and their grateful to their family and teachers.

Soren Kim Plank (Light Board Operator) is proud to be operating the Light Board for the first time in The Lightning Thief. Their previous experience at MC includes Stage Manager for Failure: A Love Story (2025), Assistant Stage Managing for POTUS (2024), and follow spotting and A2ing for Grease (2025). They also worked in the Tech Cohort for MC Summer Dinner Theater as an A2 in Young Frankenstein (2025) and as Assistant Stage Manager for Footloose (2025). Student projects include Lighting Design for and Acting in MC’s Directing Class Scenes in Spring 2025. They also wrote and directed a short film in 2023. Soren would like to thank their Parents, Inhyun Kim Plank, and his friends Max, Ava, Olivia, and Chris for being a great support to him. He would also like to thank Prof. Scott Hengen and Lauren Evans for seeing his potential and encouraging him to pursue it.

Eli Schreiber (Assistant Stage Manager)is excited to be Assistant Stage Manager in this production of The Lightning Thief! This is his first experience, ASMing a show, and he couldn’t be more proud to work with this team. He would like to thank his Uncle Gary for supporting him and keeping him on track!

Camille Stokes (Paint Crew) is incredibly exited to work on her first production. This is her first time getting involved with the theatre, and she’s so grateful for the opportunity and people she’s met through this production. Camille would like to thank her friends here at MC for encouraging her, and her family for always being supportive. Enjoy the art :)

Paul Zulueta (Sound Assistant) is enjoying his first experience in an MC production.

Jen Jacobs(Director)

 

Marci Shegogue (Music Director) has been part of the Maryland arts scene for over 40 years, with a passion for music directing, mentorship and community. As Managing Director of The Free Theatre, a tuition-free teen theatre company, she collaborates with students in creating musical theatre by their own design and provides mentorship opportunities in theatre arts. Marci has served as Music Director and Collaborative Accompanist for hundreds of professional, community and educational theatre productions and projects in the D.C. area including Univ of MD, American University, Montgomery College, Imagination Stage, Teen Angel Project, the KC American College Theatre Festival, Montgomery County Public Schools, Free Range Humans, Endangered Species Project, Musical Theatre Center, Levine School of Music, Rockville Musical Theatre and Damascus Theatre Company. Education: University of Maryland College Park. Continuing education: Goodspeed Opera House Music Director Intensive, Broadway Teaching Group workshops, and many mentorships with DMV and NYC artists. Awards: Helen Hayes Award Nominee 2024, WATCH award winner 2019, and BlackRock Center for the Arts’ Visionary Award 2024.

 

Sarah Laughland (Choreographer) is an educator, choreographer, and performer. She’s taught and choreographed at institutions across the region, including Theatre Lab, Imagination Stage, The Washington School of Ballet, Levine School of Music, Fairfax Fine Arts Academy, Barter Theatre, Opera Lafayette, Frederick Fine Arts Academy, and Emory & Henry College.  She is a former Resident Acting Company member at Barter Theatre (Abingdon, VA from 2014-2019).She’s performed at Theater J, Imagination Stage, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Southern Appalachian Repertory Company, Momentum Dance Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and Dollywood, among others. She’s a member of the dance company chitra.MOVES, and has danced locally with the RAMdance Collective, through the Atlas Intersections Festival, Dance Canvas, and the Transformations Festivals. She currently teaches regular classes for youth & adults at Unity Dance & Movement (Bethesda, MD), and The Washington School of Ballet. 

 

R. Scott Hengen (Scenic Designer/Production Coordinator) earned a MFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Scenic Design from the University of Maryland, College Park. Before earning the MFA, he taught technical theatre at Suitland High School, the Prince George’s County Magnet High School for the Performing Arts. He earned a BS in Secondary Education and a BA in Theatre with a minor in Shakespeare from Penn State University. Scott serves as Production Coordinator and archivist for the Theatre Department at Montgomery College. He designs scenery, properties, and projections for MC productions and maintains the web presence for Theatre and Dance of the Performing Arts Department. He has created scenic designs professionally for Catholic University (City of Angels), Quotidian Theatre (Maytag Virgin), Carroll Community College (Into the Woods), Forum Theatre/Next Stop Theatre (Gidion’s Knot). He is also a member of the Maryland Area Community College Performing Arts Collective (MACCPAC), the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), and USITT – Chesapeake Section.

 

Lynn Joslin (Lighting Design) is thrilled to be in her 21st year at Montgomery College!  Some favorite designs for the theatre department include: Electricidad, As You Like It, Conference of the Birds, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and The Who’s Tommy. For  Summer Dinner Theatre: A Grand Night For Singing, Sweet Charity, West Side Story and Catch Me if You Can. For Creative Cauldron: On Air (Helen Hayes Nomination) Ichabod, Into The Woods, Nevermore and Monsters of the Villa Diodati. Other recent designs include Swan Lake with The Maryland Youth Ballet, Cinderella with Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Spamalot and Rocky with Toby’s Dinner theatre. She has also worked with the Kennedy Center’s Youth and Family programming, the Washington Opera’s education department, ArtsCentric, Nextstop Theatre, Theatre J, Adventure Theatre,Washington Shakespeare Company, and the 1996 Olympic Arts Festival. Ms. Joslin is a member of United Scenic Artists. www.lynnjoslinlightingdesign.com new window

 

Jillian Skara  (Costume Designer) is delighted to be returning to MC after serving as the Costume Shop Manager for SDT 2025 (Young Frankenstein, Footloose). She earned a B.A. in Musical Theatre from American University, where she then designed Godspell, Zoey’s Perfect Wedding and A Game of Love and Chance. As a student at AU, she was the assistant designer and cast member for Head Over Heels (Pamela) and Henri IV pt 1 (Lady Mortimer). She was also the Costume Coordinator for Overture 2023, and a Greenberg Costume Shop staff member for three years. Local credits include wardrobe crew for Julius X at Folger Theatre, assistant costume designer for Sleeping Giant at Rorschach Theatre, and stitcher on Head Over Heels at Constellation Theatre. Jillian is also currently designing Coriolanus at Silver Spring Stage. @thejillianskara

 

Justin Schmitz (Sound Designer) is grateful to be designing The Lightning Thief.  Justin is a proud member of USA 829, TSDCA, and USITT.  Additional credits include productions at: The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House, Woolly Mammoth, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Constellation Theatre Company, Imagination Stage, amongst many others. He has collaborated Off-Broadway with 59E59 Theaters and Round House Theatre, The Dixon Place Theatre. Regional credits include Cincinnati Playhouse In the Park, The St. Louis Black Rep Theatre Company, and others. He has been the designer of three national touring productions through the Kennedy Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences including: DARIUS AND TWIG, ME, JANE…THE DREAMS AND ADVENTURES OF YOUNG JANE GOODALL, and most recently DON’T LET PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, THE MUSICAL! in collaboration with Mo Willems. For more information, please visit www.justinschmitztheatre.com *USA829 Sound Designer and LUEB Board of Trustees Member

 

Kat Eisenberg (Props Designer) is an artist living in the DMV who specializes in painting, props, and fabrication, as well props/set design for short films. She has previously worked on The Washington Revels Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and the following Montgomery College productions: The Prom, Something Rotten, Mojada (Puppet Designer), Cabaret, In the Heights, The Liar, P.O.T.U.S. Thanks to the world’s most supportive parents! 

 

Roger Bridges (Master Carpenter) has been a full-time staff member at Montgomery College since 2009. Scenic designs at MC include The Burn, The Complete Female Stage Beauty, Avenue Q, Big Love, The Water Engine, and Honk! He worked as a carpenter for the Shakespeare Theatre Company (2007–2009) in Washington DC. Prior to that he was the Technical Director at Raleigh Little Theatre (2002–2007) in Raleigh, NC, where he also designed scenery for 11 shows. Roger is a member of USITT and AFSCME.

 

Lauren Evans (Production Technician) Starting in 2004 as a student with the Summer Dinner Theatre program, Lauren is honored to be back working with the incredible talent in the MC Theatre Department.  For the past nineteen years, she has been technical director, both for theatres and event companies in addition to freelancing as a scenic artist, carpenter/fabricator, and stage manager throughout the DMV. She could not be prouder of the students who have worked on this production of The Lightning Thief and hopes you will enjoy the show. Break a leg!

 

Jak Lunsford (Scenic Artist) is a multidisciplinary artist and graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park where they studied Studio Art and Creative Placemaking. Jak is inspired by exploring different mediums and their longevity, working fluidly across 2D, 3D, and everything in between. Their practice is concept-driven, allowing the idea of each work to guide the choice of materials, which have included paint, vinyl wrap, metals, and clay. Jak’s murals can be found throughout the DMV, including College Park, Washington, DC, Burtonsville, and Wheaton. In addition to their public art, Jak has taught mural classes, led painting workshops, and taught a wide variety of art classes for students of all ages. They also work as a face painter, muralist, and clay studio manager. Jak has painted multiple sets for Gala Hispanic Theatre in DC and Montgomery College Rockville.

 

Tyler Herman (Intimacy Coordinator) is an actor and director, born and raised in Silver Spring. In addition to teaching at MC, he is the Drama Director at Walt Whitman High School. Tyler is a founding member of Faction of Fools Theatre Company, where he trained in Commedia dell'Arte and acted in over twenty productions. As an actor he has been seen recently at Ford's Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and Theater J. Recent directing projects include The Fisherman And His Wife (Adventure Theatre -MTC), The Good Devil (Avant Bard), and Office of the Speaker (Capital Fringe, Winner Best Drama). Immense gratitude to his wife, Sarah, for her patience and love. BA: Cornell University. MFA: Brown University/Trinity Rep. UPCOMING: directing Macbeth at Whitman, Tuck Everlasting with Imagination Stage Performance Ensemble, and Assistant Director on Prayer for the French Republic at Theater J.

 

Sasha Olinick (Dialect Consultant) DC-based Actor and Teaching Artist. His local credits include Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Studio Theatre, Theater J, 1st Stage, Olney Theatre, Rep Stage, MetroStage, Maryland Shakespeare Festival, Imagination Stage, WSC Avant Bard, Forum Theatre, and Spooky Action Theatre. Regional credits include American Shakespeare Center, Trinity Rep, Ocean State Lyric Opera, Vermont Stage and the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. Sasha was nominated for Best Actor (Helen Hayes) for his appearance as Albert Einstein in Secrets of the Universe with The Hub Theatre in 2018 and for Best Supporting Actor for his appearance as Reb Saunders in The Chosen with 1st Stage in 2023. Sasha was part of the cast that won the Helen Hayes award for best Ensemble for Fly By Night at 1st Stage in 2018.  For his appearance as Mozart in Amadeus at Round House Theatre, he was recognized with the 2011 DC Theatre Scene Audience Choice Award for Favorite Resident Play:  for his role as Mr. Toad in Wind In the Willows at Imagination Stage, he received the 2011 DC Theatre Scene Audience Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a Family Production. He has taught acting to students of all ages through his work with the Educational Theatre Company and as an adjunct faculty member (since 2004) at Montgomery College, where he has also directed productions of The Tempest, Twelfth Night, The Crucible, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, and Speech and Debate as well as assistant directing productions of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Sasha has also been a faculty member at the National Conservatory of Dramatic of Art since 2009. He has an MFA in Acting from Rhode Island College/Trinity Rep Conservatory, a BA in American Civilization from Brown University and is a member of Actors Equity

 

Laura Esti-Miller (Literary Consultant) is a dramaturg, writer, director, literary manager, and educator to students from preschool through college. She teaches in both the Performing Arts and English Departments at Montgomery College and has taught at Catholic University, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and the University of Mary Washington.

Favorite dramaturgical efforts include programming seven seasons with Forum Theatre, five seasons with 1st Stage, and five seasons with new play development organization The Inkwell. Select collaborative pieces include a dance-theatre production adapted from Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc with London-founded interdisciplinary company Urban Garden Performing Arts, and Helen Hayes Award-winning The Trojan Women Project with Brave Spirits Theatre. Laura is the former Creative Development Director of off-Broadway company Electric Pear Productions, and has worked with The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. She has a BA from James Madison University and an MFA from Brooklyn College.