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Adriana DiFronzo
Robbin' Hood Ensemble
This is Adriana's 2nd show since joining the MYT family. She was a banker in last Spring's production of MARY POPPINS. She has had so much fun working with everyone at MYT. Adriana is a 7th grader and loves to play basketball and all things art. Adriana has always wanted to be an actress and MYT was the perfect place to begin to work on her craft. She thanks the Staff, cast, and crew for making this a fun production!
Annabelle Scott
Robbin' Hood Ensemble
Curtains is Annabelle’s 7th MYT production, but she’s had a love of the spotlight for all of her 13 years. Annabelle’s favorite roles were Nemo in Finding Nemo, JR and Toto in The Wizard of Oz. In addition to this MYT production, she is also playing Anna in Frozen (Dodd Middle School). Off stage, Annabelle is a black belt in Tang Soo Do, loves snowboarding, and chocolate. She is so grateful to be a part of the MYT family and hopes everyone enjoys the show!
Atticus Scott
Grady - Sun 2
This will be Atticus’s fifth performance with MYT. Atticus has loved all his time with the MYT family and is so proud of his most recent roles as The King of Hearts in ALICE IN WONDERLAND and Curtis Jackson in SISTER ACT JR. Atticus is also excited for his upcoming role as Olaf in his school production of FROZEN JR. Atticus also loves to perform with his twin sister, Annabelle. Outside of theatre, Atticus loves sailing, plays the Viola, and enjoys snowboarding and video gaming. He would like to extend thanks to the whole MYT staff and crew for fostering his love of the stage, and for another great production.
Brady Doweyko
Grady - Sat 7
This will be Brady's 5th performance with MYT, and her passion for musical theater has just grown stronger. After having performed in MARY POPPINS JR, SISTER ACT JR, WIZARD OF OZ, and GUYS AND DOLLS, she earned her biggest role ever with MYT in CURTAINS. Brady has also previously performed with Paperhouse Productions, which originally stoked her enthusiasm for the theater. Brady will be finishing up 8th Grade this year and is ready for what High School Theater has in store for her. She wants to thank everyone at MYT (cast, crew and staff) for providing such an amazing opportunity for her and can't wait for what's to come next!!
Catherine Jones
Jessica - Sat 2
Catherine is a 6th grade student at Dag Middle School. This is her fifth production with MYT. One of her favorite roles she has played was Sister Mary Patrick in SISTER ACT. Katie will be playing Charlie Buckett in her schools prodution of WONKA JR. in February. Katie loves singing, dancing, playing the trumpet, talking with her friends, and doing things with her family. She would like to thank all of the MYT staff for all of their hard work. Katie would also love to thank her family for all of their love and support. Lastly, good luck to the cast of CURTAINS you are all amazing!
Desi Chaplin
Jenny - Sat 7
While growing up in Seattle, WA, Desirée was in a school play written and performed with her peers about fairies and was a Party Goer in THE NUTCRACKER BALLET for New Era Dance Company. Since moving to Connecticut she has performed 2 musical productions with Pantochino Productions (3rd Bean in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AND ZOMBIES & Mother Wolf in JUNGLE Book). Then performed in 2 productions with MYT, (Katie Nana in MARY POPPINS & Ensemble in GREASE). Beyond the stage, Desi has very diverse interests ranging from baking, sewing, felting, and digital animation to rollerblading, ice hockey, and rock climbing. Desi wants to thank everyone at MYT for their continued support and is looking forward to creating many new memories through the years.
Giulia Doroghazi
Belling - Sun 2
This is Giulia’s first production with MYT. Her other favorite role was Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (Norton Elementary School). Besides acting,Giulia loves to sing with Cheshire Voice and read realistic fiction. Giulia has loved her time with MYT and would like to thank all the staff and her cast mates for an overall amazing experience. Giulia would also like to thank her family — especially her Nana, Nonno, and Grandma!
Katherine Sanders
Oscar - Sat 7
Katherine is most happy when she is anywhere near a stage, whether it’s performing or stage crew, just being around the theatre brings her joy! Her favorite MYT roles so far are Marlin in FINDING NEMO JR and Lavender in MATILDA, but she also had a great time as Tall Alice (ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR), Mary Stephen (SISTER ACT JR), Herbert (JUNIE B JONES JR), Sponge (JAMES AND THE GIAN PEACH JR.), Young Ana (FROZEN JR.), and Annie (ANNIE JR). Meriden Schools: Manal (ALADDIN JR), Dory (FINDING NEMO JR), and coming soon everyone’s favorite giraffe Melman (MADAGASCAR JR).
Lachlan Posocco
Randy - Fri 7
Lachlan made his theatrical debut in 2023 as Romeo in NEWSIES JR (Lincoln Middle School). He recently appeared as The Grasshopper in JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH JR (New Haven Shubert Theater Camp). His performance as Randy in CURTAINS YOUNG@PART marks his second show with MYT (The Doorknob in ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR). Lachlan hopes to attend Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School in New Haven next year. When not rehearsing and performing he enjoys writing novels, video games, politics and playing with dogs Donut and Herman. He thanks mom and dad for propelling his interest in theater!
Lily Sanders
Oscar - Sun 2
Lily followed in her sister’s footsteps and was born to be on stage. Whether playing Tweedle Dee (ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR), Mary Lazarus (SISTER ACT JR) or Edgar (ARISTOCATS KIDS) she just loves playing roles with sass and attitude. She also loved being Miss Corrie (MARY POPPINS JR), Benny (GUYS AND DOLLS JR), Jack Frost (NORTH POLE’S GOT TALENT), Christopher Robin (WINNE THE POOH), Yente (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR), and Young Elsa (FROZEN JR). Meriden Schools: Miss Hannigan (ANNIE KIDS) and coming soon the fun-loving King Julien (MADAGASCAR JR).
Quinn Carson
Aaron - Sat 7
Quinn is very excited to play Aaron in CURTAINS. This is her 3rd show with MYT. She played Ms. Andrews, (MARY POPPINS JR) The White Rabbit (ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR) Roles from the past include Mary (MARY POPPINS JR) Bruce (MATILDA JR) and Dorothy (WIZARD OF OZ) She played Katie in an upcoming short film, MIGHTYCLAW. Training includes voice lessons and Berklee's Theatre In Boston. Quinn's biggest inspiration is Lin-Manuel Miranda and hopes to perform on B-WAY someday like he did. Lastly, Quinn thanks the crew, cast, and staff for working on another great production at MYT. Break legs, Everyone!
Raelynn Ferguson
Robbin' Hood Ensemble
Raelynn Ferguson is a 6th grader at Moran Middle School. This is Raelynn’s 10th show! (9 with MYT) Most recently, she was Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland, and Marie in Aristocats. Raelynn also participates in an acapella group, Purrrfect Pitch Singers. In her spare time Raelynn dances, takes voice lessons, is in art club, and serves on Student Government. Raelynn congratulates the cast & crew on a great show. She thanks the best staff EVER at MYT, for their mentorship & dedication to a fantastic program. She thanks her family & friends for their love and support.
Robert Schulenburg
Cioffi - Sat 7
This will be Robert's eleventh production at MYT. Some favorite MYT roles include Tweedledum in ALICE JR, Cowardly Lion in WIZARD OF OZ, and Eddie Souther in SISTER ACT JR. He also loved playing Lord Farquaad in SHREK JR (Beman Drama Club). Robert is a student at Beman Middle School and is a proud member of the GSA and Drama Club. He also dances at Star Dance Academy. He hopes that the cast, crew, and staff have fun solving the mystery!
Rowan O'Hara
Cioffi - Fri 7
Rowan O’Hara has been performing with Meriden Youth Theater since she was five years old, and it has become one of her favorite things. Some of her most recent performances with MYT have been Grease, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, and Sister Act. Rowan’s had such a fun time working with the cast and crew of Curtains, and she is forever thankful for all of the support along the way. She can’t wait to perform as the one and only, theater loving detective, Cioffi, and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Sam Abbott
Cioffi - Sun 2
Sam (Frank Cioffi) is thrilled to play this role in CURTAINS YOUNG@PART! He has performed in nine Meriden Youth Theater productions. Some of his favorite past roles include Mr. Northbrook in MARY POPPINS, JR and the March Hare in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR (MYT), as well as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, JR. (Camp Broadway My Way). Sam is a 6th grader who enjoys acting, singing, dancing, playing the violin and piano, and swimming. He loves performing alongside his friends and is grateful to all of the MYT staff for creating such wonderful opportunities to shine on stage.
Sofia DiFronzo
Niki - Sat 2
This is Sofia's third show with MYT. She played Mary Monica in SISTER ACT and Bird Woman's Daughter in MARY POPPINS. Sofia is so happy to be in this production of CURTAINS. She grows each year on stage. She has danced with Apogee for four years and has had a few voice lessons from Andrew Love Studios. She thanks the MYT staff, mentors, cast, and crew for being so supportive and helping her learn the craft every season.
MYT Junior Company
- 2024: Alice in Wonderland JR and Curtains y@p
- 2023: Finding Nemo JR and Sister Act JR
- 2022: Junie B Jones JR and Wizard of Oz: Youth Ed.
- 2021: James and the Giant Peach JR & Frozen JR
- 2020: School House Rock JR
- 2019: Mulan JR & Madagascar JR
- 2018: Dear Edwina JR
- 2017: Bugsy Malone JR
- 2016: High School Musical JR
- 2015: Peter Pan JR
MYT Staff
- Director - Nich Palumbo
- Assistant Director - Priscilla Baldwin
- Music Director - Maureen Ruhe
- Choreographer - Lindsay Porter
- Stage Manager - Lilly Bazinet
- Technical Director - Joe Oblon
- Costumes - Carolyn Daniels
- Props - Jalina Secchiaroli
Production Acknowledgments
- Lights and Projections: Joe Oblon (lighting and projection design), Jalina Secchiaroli (light and projection playback), Kamy Giacomaro (spotlight)
- Set: Joe Oblon, Lindsay Porter, Troy Starkey, Nich Palumbo, Priscilla Baldwin, Lilly Bazient, Jalina Secchiaroli, Ethan Pipicelli
- Sound: Peighton O'Hara
- Parent volunteers for helping to run the lobby.
- Star Gram Chairperson: Stephanie Prior
- Photographers: Jia Contardo and Lindsay Porter
- Freddie and the custodial staff at Edison Middle School
- Amiee Sobkowiak for the Bank Teller sets
- Ethan Pipicelli and Kellie Comer for the shutters
- Kendra Henderson, Luke Henderson, Erin Lyons-Barton, Marisol Manacchio and the Edison Music and Theater Department
- The Meriden YMCA
- Brian Cyr & Meriden Public Schools
Director's Note
Our Junior Company continue to grow in their skills and theater knowledge, which makes “Curtains” a perfect musical for them. “Curtains” challenged our students in new ways that will continue to strengthen their skills. These challenges included a lot more dialogue than a typical Junior show, song with difficult ranges and tight harmonies, and acting inception - that is performing in a show within a show, within a show. “Curtains” is a musical written about “Show People” for “Show People”, which is a good description of our cast who demonstrate great passion for musical theater much like the characters in the show. Working on this show with this cast in particular makes one appreciate the script as intended. We all have a bit of every character in us with Cioffi’s appreciation and love for the theater being the thing we have the most in common. All of this and we haven’t even gotten to the mystery part of the show! There’s so much to love about “Curtains” and this cast. The Junior Company is putting on one “Tough Act to Follow” here!
Registration now open for our Spring 2024 Production: Seussical JR
Learn more and register online: www.MeridenYouthTheater.com