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Our Tributes

Performers

Em Barbra

*

Mama Ogre / Puppetteer

Carter Jackson Cecil

*

Lord Farquaad

Grace Conlee

*

Guard/Bishop/Dwarf

Megan Elizabeth Corbett

*

Teen Fiona, Duloc Dancer, Townsperson

Gabriel Cundiff

*

Thelonius /Dwarf/Ensemble

Kylie Isabelle Duke

*

Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy

Drew D’Alessandro

*

Peter Pan, Knight 1

Autumn Farmer

*

Blind Mouse 2 / Duloc / Ensemble

Violet Farmer

*

Pinocchio

Emma Harvey

*

Fiona

Naomi Jeffers

*

Dragon

Macalan Johnson

*

Papa Ogre/Guard/Papa Bear

Belle McNamara

*

Wicked Witch

Bo Jack McNamara

*

Young Shrek / Baby Bear

Emily Mower

*

Pig

Riley Parks

*

Pig #1 and Blind Mouse #3

Sharv Brijesh Patel

*

Donkey

William Remley Richardson

*

Shrek

Emily Riggins-Begeman

*

Dragon

Eva Rose Lucille Sarver-Wolf

*

Mama Bear / Townsperson

Brent Saunders

*

Wolf

Abigail Elaine Shepard

*

Puss in Boots/ Duloc Dancer/Duloc performer/Towns Person/Puppeteer

Braelyn Grace Skelton

*

Pig 2/Knight 3/Duloc

Natalie Thorell

*

Ugly Duckling / Blind Mouse #1 / Duloc Dancer

Charlie Villier

*

Fairytale Ensemble/Townsperson/Dragon Puppeteer

Hollis Yardley

*

Young Fiona

Setting

In a Kingdom Far Far Away.
There will be a 15 minute intermission.

Songs & Scenes

Act I
"Overture"
"Big Bright Beautiful World"
"Story Of My Life"
"The Goodbye Song"
"What's Up Duloc"
"I Know It's Today"
"Travel Song"
"Forever"
"This Is How A Dream Comes True"
"Who I'd Be"
Act II
"Morning Person"
"I Think I Got You Beat"
"Make A Move"
"When Words Fail"
"Morning Person Reprise"
"Big Bright Beautiful World Reprise"
"Freak Flag"
"This Is Our Story"

Production Staff

Producing Managing Director
Matthew Shields
Director
Jorie Janeway
Choreographer
Tori Carboni
Music Director
Cindy Blevins
Production Stage Manager
Mohin Riego De Dios
Assistant Stage Manager
Caroline Eades
Scenic Designer
Jimmy Ray Ward
Lighting Designer
Bill Webb
Props Designer
Amber Voeller
Jr. Props Designer
Alexa Compton
Costume Designer
Jessica Gaffney
Sound Designer
Samuel Wood
Technical Director
Savannah Woodruff
Junior Choreographer
Andi-Grace Novell
Wardrobe Assistant
Karys Jones
MMT Production Videographer
Richard Maddox
Junior Technicians
Brighton Carpentier Alexa Compton Kamryn Cox Walker Johnson Amelia Raring Bella Turner
Costume Volunteers
Mary Williams Cassie Laymon Susan Adams Alexa Compton
Run Crew
Alaya Lewis

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

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Musicians

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Board Members

Student Advisory Board

Credits

Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting, sound equipment from Sound Associates, rehearsed at The Public Theater’s Rehearsal Studios. Developed as part of Irons in the Fire at Fault Line Theatre in New York City.

Special Thanks

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

United Scenic Artists ● Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), represents the Press Agents, Company Managers, and Theatre Managers employed on this production.

Cast
Creatives

Meet the Cast

Em Barbra

*

Mama Ogre / Puppetteer
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/her

Em Barbra is an upcoming senior at Glenvar high-school. Her favorite roles have been Mama Morton / Emcee (Chicago) and Scuttle (The Little Mermaid Jr.). She is excited to play Mama Ogre and would like to thank her mom for always supporting her ambitions. 

Carter Jackson Cecil

*

Lord Farquaad
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Hello! I’m Carter Cecil, and I’ve been involved in theatre since kindergarten. Some of my favorite roles include Phineas Trout in Willy Wonka Jr., Jay in Lost In Yonkers, and Toad in A Year With Frog & Toad. I’m thrilled to be playing Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical and can’t wait to bring this story to life!

Grace Conlee

*

Guard/Bishop/Dwarf
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her
Grace is a rising 6th grade student. She has been in plays at North Cross in the Wizard of Oz, Annie Jr, and Peter Pan Jr. She was cast as Curly in Peter Pan Jr. She was cast as the orphan, Molly, in Annie Jr. And for the Wizard of Oz, she was cast as a Twinkie and as a Ballerina. She previosuly performed as an Orphan in MMT's production of Annie, last Winter! She danced for Ardell Stone School of Dancing for 7 years. She plays flute and violin and tries to ride horses whenever she has a free moment! 

Megan Elizabeth Corbett

*

Teen Fiona, Duloc Dancer, Townsperson
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Megan Corbett is a rising 9th grader at Salem High. Her favorite credits include In Bloom (Eileen), Into the woods (Little red, Witch), Sound of Music (Gretel), High School Musical (Kylsee), Chysailais (Little Mirage),Finding Nemo jr (Eel, Damsel fish, Moon fish) and most recently she was in Frozen jr (Young Anna). She is excited to return to Mill Mountain theater. She is also an active participant in Mill Mountain Conservetory. She wants to thank Mill Mountain for letting her have another amazing summer and for supporting her throughout the whole process!

Gabriel Cundiff

*

Thelonius /Dwarf/Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Gabriel is a rising 5th grader at Community School. Some of his past appearances include "You're a mean one" (Max the Dog), "Finding Nemo, Jr." (Breeze), Willy Wonka, Jr. (Grandpa George), and "Aristocats" (Thomas O' Malley). He would like to thank Ms. Francesca for offering him his first role on the main stage in "Shrek" and for always being proud of him. He would also like to thank Ms. Cindy and Ms. Bethany for being amazing music teachers at MMT!

Kylie Isabelle Duke

*

Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Kylie Duke is so excited to make her Mainstage debut! Previous roles of hers include Ariel (The Little Mermaid Jr.), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Elsa (Frozen Kids), Nala (Lion King Jr.), and many more! She would also love to give thanks to her mom, family and friends, and Mill Mountain Theater for giving her this opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Drew D’Alessandro

*

Peter Pan, Knight 1
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Drew D'Alessandro is excited to be back on the main stage with Mill Mountain. His most recent Mill Mountain credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher (Boy, Peter), Finding Nemo Jr. (Gill, Ensemble), Elf (Charlie, Ensemble, Michael u/s), and Matilda (Tommy, Ensemble). Other favorite credits include: James and the Giant Peach (James), A Christmas Story (Schwartz), Little Women (Laurie), and many more. Drew is a rising sophomore at CSHS where he is active in the drama program. He encourages everyone to "never grow up", and hopes you enjoy the show.

Autumn Farmer

*

Blind Mouse 2 / Duloc / Ensemble
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Autumn Farmer is thrilled to return to the Trinkle Stage for Shrek! Autumn is a rising 6th grader at Andrew Lewis Middle. Her favorite credits include playing Annie (Annie), Nemo (Finding Nemo Jr), a North Pole Elf (Elf the Musical), Captain Hook (Peter Pan Jr) and Miss Hannigan (Annie Jr). When she’s not on stage, Autumn is a competitive gymnast, dancer, and artist. Autumn would like to thank the amazing staff and creatives at MMT, Jorie and Tori for their vision and direction of Shrek, and her family for supporting her growth as a performer. Follow Autumn’s professional journey on Instagram @autumnrosefarmer

Violet Farmer

*

Pinocchio
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Violet Farmer is delighted to return to the Trinkle stage for her fourth production. Violet is a 9th grader at Salem High School. Her favorite credits include Ariel (The Little Mermaid Jr), Chum (Finding Nemo Jr), Tessie (Annie), and North Pole Elf (Elf the Musical). Violet is an accomplished singer, composer and pianist who has been recognized for her original music in MTNA and Virginia PTA Reflections. Violet’s favorite hobbies are reading, cheerleading, singing and playing piano. She hopes that Pinocchio and the fairy tale creatures inspire you to let your freak flag fly! Violet wishes to thank her mom for driving her everywhere, Bethany Costello, her family, and the whole team at MMT for believing in her. Follow Violet on Instagram @violetwfarmer

Emma Harvey

*

Fiona
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Emma is beyond excited to be returning to the Trinkle Mainstage for her eighth and final youth production with Mill Mountain Theatre! Some of her favorite credits include Matilda (Miss Honey), Annie (July), Finding Nemo JR. (Coral/Breeze/Eel), The Addams Family (Wednesday), and The Sound of Music (Marta). She has been a student with MMT Conservatory for seven years and is a member of the Student Advisory Board. Emma is a recent graduate of Blacksburg High School, where she was a 4-year member of the Madrigal Singers. When not performing, she enjoys reading, writing, recording audiobooks, playing piano, and spending time with her cat. This fall, she will be attending James Madison University to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Voice with a concentration in Music Theatre. She would like to thank MMT and ALL of her teachers (past and present) for believing in her and inspiring her to follow her passions.

Naomi Jeffers

*

Dragon
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

Naomi Jeffers is thrilled to be making her Mill Mountain Theatre debut as the Dragon in Shrek the Musical TYA! She’s incredibly excited to bring this larger-than-life character to the stage. Some of her favorite recent roles include Mrs. Peacock in Clue, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Junie B. Jones in Junie B. Jones Jr. Naomi hopes everyone enjoys the show as much as she’s loved being a part of it. She sends a huge thank you to her family and friends for their constant love and support!

Macalan Johnson

*

Papa Ogre/Guard/Papa Bear
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
Calan is thrilled to enter the big, bright, beautiful world of SHREK with MMT. Favorite past credits include: The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin US, Plant Head), Waitress (Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Finding Nemo (Crush), Shrek Jr (Shrek), Newsies (Jack Kelly), ELF (Michael). A huge thanks to the entire cast, crew, and creative team…what makes us special, makes us strong! 

Belle McNamara

*

Wicked Witch
(
Duloc Dancer/Ensemble
)
(
Duloc Dancer/Ensemble
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Belle McNamara is a rising 8th grader at North Cross School. Belle has performed in over twenty productions in the Roanoke Valley. Recently, you may have seen Belle as "Annie" for Mill Mountain Theatre's holiday production, "Lavender" in Matilda the Musical at her school and in Little Leapers “The Wicked”. Belle is a member of the International Thespian Society and Mill Mountain Theatre’s Conservatory. Belle is so excited to be in this fun show, and hopes you enjoy watching all of us on the “Big, Bright, Beautiful” STAGE!

Bo Jack McNamara

*

Young Shrek / Baby Bear
(
Ensemble
)
(
Ensemble
)
Pronouns:
he/him

Bo Jack is thrilled to be a part of Shrek the Musical at Mill Mountain Theater! This is Bo Jack’s Mill Mountain Theatre debut! His favorite past role is Michael Darling in Peter Pan, Jr.

Bo Jack would like to send special thanks to Mill Mountain Theatre for this opportunity! Thank you also to Ms. Brynn and his family for supporting him. Thank you to his amazing teacher, big sister, Belle, and his super-cool mentor along the way, Calan Johnson. "What makes us special, makes us strong!"

Emily Mower

*

Pig
(
Duloc Dancer
)
(
Duloc Dancer
)
Pronouns:

Emily is a rising 10th grader who is thrilled to be back on stage this summer! She enjoys all things theatre, as well as playing volleyball, dancing, and getting lost in a good book. She is a member of the MMT Conservatory Program and a few of her favorite past roles include Elf, The Musical (Elf/Ensemble), Legally Blonde Jr. (Pilar), A Christmas Story (Helen Weathers), Finding Nemo Jr. (Ensemble), High School Musical Jr. (Sharpay), and Frozen Jr. (Young Elsa). Emily would like to give thanks to her parents for being her biggest fans (and chauffers). Sit back and enjoy the show!

Riley Parks

*

Pig #1 and Blind Mouse #3
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Riley Parks is a 10th grader at Patrick Henry High School and has done over 20 shows across the Roanoke Valley. Some of her favorite roles include Young Allison(Fun Home), Audrey 2(Little Shop of Horrors), Scuttle(Little Mermaid Jr), Helen Keller(The Miracle Worker), and Pepper(Annie). Riley loves to play piano and guitar, write music, and dance. She is thrilled to be a part of Shrek at Mill Mountain Theatre and hopes you enjoy the show!!! Visit rileyparkstheatre.com for more information.

Sharv Brijesh Patel

*

Donkey
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Sharv is a 15 year old who is a student at Cave Spring High School. He has been in multiple musicals including Shrek Jr and The Lion King Jr. He is also involved in choir and has been to multiple district and state level events for choir. He enjoys acting and singing. He also enjoys track and field and piano. In piano he participated in the national guild program. 

William Remley Richardson

*

Shrek
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

William Richardson is a graduate from Cave Spring High School and Burton Center of Performing Arts. He is a dedicated student of Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory and is apart of the Student Advisory Board. Some of William’s favorite credits include Grover in The Lightning Thief A Percy Jackson Musical (Cave Spring and Hidden Valley High School’s), Billy Flynn in Chicago and Jessie Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (Burton Center for Performing Arts), Ryan/Coach Bolton in High School Musical Teen Edition and Homer Zuckerman (Mill Mountain Theatre). William would like to thank his chosen family for their endless love and support. Thank you and enjoy the show!

Emily Riggins-Begeman

*

Dragon
(
Angry Townsperson
)
(
Angry Townsperson
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Emily is thrilled to be making her stage debut in Shrek the Musical! A 10-year-old with a big voice and an even bigger imagination, she loves singing, dancing, and bringing characters to life. When she's not guarding towers or singing fiery songs, she enjoys reading, video games, and spending time with her friends and family. She thanks her director, castmates, and family for their love and support on this magical adventure!

Eva Rose Lucille Sarver-Wolf

*

Mama Bear / Townsperson
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
she/they

Eva Rose is starting her senior year at Community High School, and is so excited to be back on stage with Mill Mountain Theatre! Shrek will be her fourth production with MMT, as well as being a part of the Conservatory Program. Her favorites of her past credits include Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Duffy in Annie. She is greatly looking forward to bringing this well-loved story to life during her last year with Mill Mountain Theatre.

Brent Saunders

*

Wolf
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Brent Saunders is a rising sophomore at Lord Botetourt High School. He is thrilled to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre’s mainstage in Shrek the Musical as the Big Bad Wolf! Most recent credits include MMT’s Finding Nemo Jr. (Grouper/Moonfish), Matilda (Eric), Peter and Wendy (Tootles), VCT’s Legally Blonde Jr. (Chad/Aaron Schultz), Junie B. Jones Jr. (Herb), Willy Wonka (Mike Teavee), LBHS’s The Little Mermaid (Flounder), and Showtimers’ Lost in Yonkers (Arty). When Brent isn’t singing, acting, or dancing, he enjoys spending time outside, hanging out with friends and family, and playing with animals. He would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for always encouraging him! He hopes you enjoy the show!!

Abigail Elaine Shepard

*

Puss in Boots/ Duloc Dancer/Duloc performer/Towns Person/Puppeteer
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Abigail is a straight A /Honors Student  from Bedford, Va who attends Liberty High school where she is active in her  high school choir, thespian society/theater, and was a cheerleader.  On top of all that, she is not new to the stage  she has been singing , doing pageants, and dancing competitively, winning many awards and titles,  since the age of 1, mostly at Forest Dance Academy where she studios and competes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Acro, Contemporary, Modern, Hiphop, and Musical Theater. She became interested in Theater in Middle school and has in  starred in Mary Poppins as The Ballerina Doll/ Understudy to Jane Banks.  Pepper/ Annie Understudy in Annie Warbucks. Middle Anna in  Frozen, Timon in the Lion King,  and many other roles in plays.  She plans to study theater, music education, and dance in college and is excited to be debuting at Mill Mountain. 

Braelyn Grace Skelton

*

Pig 2/Knight 3/Duloc
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:
She/Her

Braelyn Skelton is a rising Junior at Northside High School. This is her second Main Stage production with Mill Mountain. She is apart of Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio, Mill Mountain Conservatory, and Dances at Little Leapers. Favorite credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), Six: Teen Edition (Anna of Cleves), Legally Blonde Jr. (Brooke Wyndham), and Finding Nemo Jr. (Ensemble/Dory US). She would love to thank her friends and family for supporting her!

Natalie Thorell

*

Ugly Duckling / Blind Mouse #1 / Duloc Dancer
(
Dance Captain
)
(
Dance Captain
)
Pronouns:

Natalie is thrilled to be back on the Trinkle Mainstage at Mill Mountain Theatre! She is a Rising 9th grader at Hidden Valley High School. Her most recent MMT performance was in Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly Aster). Some of her favorite MMT credits include  Annie, The Musical (Kate/Servant/Dance Captain/Swing), Finding Nemo, Jr. (Peach/Dance Captain, Swing), Elf, The Musical (Tiara/Swing), Matilda, The Musical (Hortensia/Dance Ensemble), The Sound of Music (Gretl Von Trapp). Natalie is a member of the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio, MMT Conservatory, Divine Dance Center, and the HVHS Vocal Ensemble. She is very grateful for this opportunity and wants you to remember that “What makes you special, makes you strong.”

Charlie Villier

*

Fairytale Ensemble/Townsperson/Dragon Puppeteer
(
)
(
)
Pronouns:

A rising 7th grader at Community School of Roanoke, Charlie is very exicted for her first production on MMT's Trinkle Mainstage. Some favorite credits include Lady of the Lake in Spam-a-Lot Young at Part, Lavender in Matilda the Musical, Jr. (Community School Middle School), Sebastian in Little Mermaid, Jr. (MMT), and Toto in The Wizard of Oz (Attic Productions). Charlie has trained with MMT Conservatory and Brynn Scozzari Studios (SCAPA). In her spare time, Charlie enjoys drawing, writing short stories and playing Roblox. Charlie would like to thank Melanie Fox & Kim Mucha from CSMS, Ms. Brynn for audition prep constant encouragement, the whole MMT team for giving her this opportunity, and her mom and dad for continued support and sacrifice to pursue her love of theatre. 

Hollis Yardley

*

Young Fiona
(
Duloc Dancer, Angry Townsperson
)
(
Duloc Dancer, Angry Townsperson
)
Pronouns:

Hollis is thrilled to be making her MMT debut! Previous roles include Peter Pan (Peter Pan, Jr.) and Lily St. Regis (Annie, Jr.) at North Cross School. She'd like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.

Meet the Team

Cindy Blevins

*

Music Director
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Cindy Blevins is a local musician and performer in both the classical and musical theatre realms and a lifelong theatre enthusiast and performer.   She stays busy as a collaborative pianist/accompanist with individuals and groups, and as a director and coach with music makers of all ages.  Cindy is excited to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre and support this amazing production of Shrek TYA.  Other MMT productions include: Jersey Boys, Elf the Musical, 60th Anniversary Concert (Keyboard 1) and Cabaret, Annie, Waitress, Hits of the 1960’s Concert (Music Director); Sound of Music (Nun, 2019) Timeless Twenties (Zelda Fitzgerald, 2020), To Kill A Mockingbird (Mrs.Dubose/Townsperson, 2024).  She was excited to teach Musical Theatre 1 this past Fall, and serve as Music Director for this Summer’s Production Camps of The Little Mermaid Jr. and Aristocats Kids!   In addition to her musical life, Cindy is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with Life In Balance Counseling Center in Christiansburg.

Alexa Chloe Compton

*

Jr prop designer, costume shop volunteer, back stage crew
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Alexa Compton is a 10th grader at patrick henry highschool, this is her first year working with mil mountain theater and her first time doing backstage work for a show which she is very excited about! She thanks everyone who has given her this amazing opportunity and hopes to do more work with MMT!

Kamryn Cox

*

Junior Technician
(
)
Pronouns:

Kamryn Cox is a rising 9th grader at Patrick Henry High School. She has been taking acting classes through MMT for several years and several tech classes over those few years. She has really found a passion and love for tech. Kamryn has run spot for many shows, worked in the costume shop, and even worked backstage. She was thrilled when she was asked to help with props and costumes for Shrek. When not performing, Kamryn enjoys crafting, writing, and soccer. Huge thanks to the cast and tech crew of Shrek and to her friends and family for their constant love and support in all her endeavors. She would like to give a huge thanks to her friends who worked with her on this show. They made her experience so much fun. She hopes everyone has an amazing time and enjoys the show!

Caroline Eades

*

Assistant Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:
She/her

Caroline is a current student at Penn State University getting her BFA in Stage Management and this is her first show with MMT. She is so grateful to have been able to work on this fantastic show! As well as getting to meet and work with so many incredible people!

Jessica Gaffney

*

Costume Designer
(
)
Pronouns:
She/her

Jessica Gaffney (Costume Designer) earned her Master of Fine Arts in costume design at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.  Ms. Gaffney has designed costumes for over eighty theatrical productions for a variety of Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and Regional Theatre companies. Favorite Mill Mountain credits include costume designs for Cabaret, Next to Normal and Fun Home.  In addition to theatre Ms. Gaffney has served as costume designer and/or production designer for several award-winning film projects, having most recently designed the video Decades of Fashion for Reeds Jewelers. 

Jorie Janeway

*

Director
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Walker Johnson

*

Spotlight
(
)
Pronouns:

Walker is excited to once again be spotlighting another great show at MMT. Previous tech roles include Annie, Finding Nemo, and Little Mermaid Jr. Walker was recently seen on the stage as Smee in MMT's production of Peter and the Starcatcher and as the Duke of Weselton in Roanoke Catholic School's production of Frozen Jr. 

Karys Ellen Jones

*

Wardrobe Assistant
(
Stitcher
)
Pronouns:

Karys Jones is a tech theatre major, focusing on costumes and props, at Radford University. Her costuming work consists of assistant designing The Trojan Women and designing The Totalitarians. Her props work includes Master Props for Cows Don't Fly and The Aliens. She's very grateful for the opportunities she's been given and is excited to continue to develop her craft.

Alaya Lewis

*

Run Crew
(
)
Pronouns:

Alaya Lewis is a recent alumni of Hollins University with a B.A. in Theatre and certifications in Leadership Studies and Musical Theatre Performance. They are a multidisciplinary theatre artist who has done acting, directing, playwrighting, light design, production management and producing, and they hope you enjoy the show! 

Andi-Grace Novell

*

Jr. Choreographer
(
)
Pronouns:
she/her

Andi-Grace Novell is a rising senior in the Conservatory and is thrilled to join Shrek TYA as Jr. Choreographer! She has performed in several Mill Mountain Theatre productions, including Annie(Ensemble), Finding Nemo Jr. (Gurgle/Mask Dancer), and Frog and Toad (Bird/Dance Captain). Andi-Grace recently solo choreographed Aristocats Kids at MMT and is the choreographer for Salem High School’s show choir. This marks her first time assisting on a mainstage production! She has taught at Little Leapers and trains with Broadway Artists Alliance NYC, where she was of 12 selected dancers this winter and self-choreographed her solo. She has also studied dance with LEAP Performing Arts and the MMT Dance Conservatory. Big thanks to the MMT staff, Tori, and her friends for trusting her creativity!

Mohin Benigno Riego de Dios

*

Production Stage Manager
(
)
Pronouns:
He/Him

Mo is a graduate of University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Musical Theatre. As a former student of Mill Mountain Theatre's Conservatory, he is thrilled to be returning as the Stage Manager for Shrek! Recently, he has been with MMT's TYA tours of Flat Stanley as a Touring Stage Manager and Stellaluna (Verdi). He would like to thank MMT for this opportunity, everyone involved in making this production of Shrek come to life both on and offstage, and his friends and family for their endless support. Enjoy the show!

Amber Voeller

*

Props Designer
(
)
Pronouns:

Amber Voeller is so happy to return to Mill Mountain for her third production with them as a Props Designer, with her first two designs being Annie and Waitress. As an actor, you might have seen her on stage as one of the Featured Ensemblists in Waitress earlier this season. Amber is a New York City-based Actor and Theatre Artist who loves to read, camp, and hike when she isn't performing or designing props. When not on stage or behind the scenes, she loves to privately coach theatre students under her company, Playhouse Studio. She loves the Roanoke community and these kiddos so much. Break all the legs and get Shreked! 

Media

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2021 National Touring Cast

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Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Martin's

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

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The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst
|
32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst
|
32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

Marquee Deal!

Get 15% off your meal when you show your ticket stub or ticket from your phone for any Mill Mountain Theatre production.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

The Pine Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

The Regency Room

American
|
110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood
|
108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

Marquee Deal!

Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub
|
107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Marquee Deal!

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue
|
19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Marquee Deal!

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger
|
210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Marquee Deal!

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian
|
118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Marquee Deal!

Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

Wasabi's

Japanese
|
214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

Marquee Deal!

Raise a Glass

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Sidecar

Tavern
|
413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European
|
411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Marquee Deal!

‍Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub
|
523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

Benny Marconi's

Pizza
|
120 Campbell Ave SE

Serving huge slices of pizza in downtown Roanoke, VA. Established in 2012.

Marquee Deal!

Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

Billy's

American
|
102 Market St SE

Buzzy dining room with a full wooden bar plating refined American cuisine such as lobster Alfredo.

Marquee Deal!

Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

Fork in the Market

American
|
32 Market Square SE

Quirky, independent eatery offering updated comfort food, a full bar, a patio & live music nightly.

Marquee Deal!

Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Texas Tavern

American
|
114 Church Ave SW

Family-owned since 1930, this 24/7 diner offers breakfast, burgers, sandwiches & its popular chili.

Marquee Deal!

While You Wait

With the help of our friends at Theatrely.com, Marquee Digital has you covered with exclusive content while you wait for the curtain to rise.

Exclusive First Listen to "Finale" From JOHN CASSAVETES' OPENING NIGHT
Emily Wyrwa
September 11, 2025

Center Stage Records announced the release of the live West End cast recording of John Casssavetes’ Opening Night on CD and digital outlets on Sept. 12. The show features music and lyrics by three-time Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

John Cassavetes’ Opening Night is the first stage musical with music, lyrics, and orchestrations by Rufus Wainwright. It premiered in London at the Gielgud Theatre in the spring of 2024. The book and direction were by Ivo van Hove and is based on the 1977 movie Opening Night by American avant-garde director John Cassavetes. 

The live album features Wainwright’s songs written for the original London West End production performed by the cast including Sheridan Smith, Nicola Hughes, and Benjamin Walker, recorded over the last four performances of the play at London’s Gielgud Theatre. 

Theatrely has an exclusive first listen to the show’s finale performed by Sheridan Smith and company. 

John Cassavetes’ Opening Night tells the story of an actress, Myrtle Gordon, who is premiering a play written for her that is about a woman coming to terms with aging. Myrtle does not come to terms with her own aging and rebels against the play and throws the entire production into jeopardy. A young female fan asking her for an autograph at the stage door gets killed by a car as she runs off onto the street. Myrtle is being haunted by the ghost of the young girl. On opening night, she arrives completely drunk but ultimately does what she does best: act and improvise. 

To pre-save the album, click here.

Exclusive First Listen to "Finale" From JOHN CASSAVETES' OPENING NIGHT
Emily Wyrwa
September 11, 2025

Center Stage Records announced the release of the live West End cast recording of John Casssavetes’ Opening Night on CD and digital outlets on Sept. 12. The show features music and lyrics by three-time Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

John Cassavetes’ Opening Night is the first stage musical with music, lyrics, and orchestrations by Rufus Wainwright. It premiered in London at the Gielgud Theatre in the spring of 2024. The book and direction were by Ivo van Hove and is based on the 1977 movie Opening Night by American avant-garde director John Cassavetes. 

The live album features Wainwright’s songs written for the original London West End production performed by the cast including Sheridan Smith, Nicola Hughes, and Benjamin Walker, recorded over the last four performances of the play at London’s Gielgud Theatre. 

Theatrely has an exclusive first listen to the show’s finale performed by Sheridan Smith and company. 

John Cassavetes’ Opening Night tells the story of an actress, Myrtle Gordon, who is premiering a play written for her that is about a woman coming to terms with aging. Myrtle does not come to terms with her own aging and rebels against the play and throws the entire production into jeopardy. A young female fan asking her for an autograph at the stage door gets killed by a car as she runs off onto the street. Myrtle is being haunted by the ghost of the young girl. On opening night, she arrives completely drunk but ultimately does what she does best: act and improvise. 

To pre-save the album, click here.

Exclusive First Listen to Donna Lynne Champlin singing "The Fabulous Miss Lila Morae" From GET WHAT YOU WANT: THE SONGS OF MICHAEL FINKE
Emily Wyrwa
September 11, 2025

Center Stage Records has announced the release of Get What You Want: The Songs of Michael Finke in streaming and digital formats on Sept. 12. The album showcases the rise of Finke, a rising musical theatre composer and lyricist who is heralded for his soaring ballads and unconventional story songs. 

Get What You Want features an all-star cast, including Emily Afton, Ari Axelrod, Donna Lynne Champlin, Alex Goley, Alan H. Green, F. Michael Haynie, Tommy Kaiser, Sarah Naughton, Kyle Taylor Parker, Jelani Remy, Kate Rockwell, Analise Scarpaci, Justin David Sullivan, Talia Suskauer, and Matt Wood.

Theatrely has an exclusive first listen to  “The Fabulous Miss Lila Morae” performed by Donna Lynne Champlin. 

“Whenever I feel the need to write a new trunk song or musical project, I'll turn to the headlines,” Finke said of the song. “And of course a month before a concert at the Green Room, the Anna Delvey trial wrapped up and I was obsessed with her statement, ‘I'd be lying if I said I was sorry for anything.’ So Lila is my take on Anna. And it's worth mentioning this song might have my first and last "Simpsons-esque" prediction with the Shonda Rhimes/Netflix series.”

Finke has written the book, music, and lyrics for full-length musicals such as Reporting Live, Caroline and George, Surrounded By the Water, and Powerline Road, which recently completed a developmental Off-Broadway production at the ART/New York Gural Theater.

Produced by Robbie Rozelle and Michael Finke, and co-produced by Yasuhiko Fukuoka, the album features arrangements and orchestrations by Nils-Petter Ankarblom. The album features liner notes by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Nathan Tysen.

To pre-save the album, click here.

Theatrely News
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
Theatrely News
READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
Theatrely News
"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"
EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon
By: Maia Penzer
14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today. 

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma. 

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park. 

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT
By: Kobi Kassal
29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

     The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

     During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

     Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

     Yeah, right.

     Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

     Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

     One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

     They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

     When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

     Sure enough, no tip.

     “What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

     “Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

     [She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

     I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

     “Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

     Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

     “Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

     “Could you be bothered to serve us?”

     Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

     And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

     Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

     “Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

     “Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

     Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

     It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

     Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

     “Pickup order?” I ask.

     “You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

     And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

      I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

     I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

     Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

     She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes
By: Kaitlyn Riggio
5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

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