Catch Me If You Can Performers

Lucas is by no means a stranger to the stage. At only 4 years old, he played the Footstool in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Since that time, he has played roles in 88 different productions. Along with the role of Gavroche, Lucas’ favorite roles include Tiny Tim (SCROOGE), Edgar (RAGTIME) Oliver (OLIVER), Colin (SECRET GARDEN), Winthrop (THE MUSIC MAN), Jack  (INTO THE WOODS), Curtis (SISTER ACT), Jonas (LEAP OF FAITH) and recently the title role in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Lucas just finished a successful run of SMOKEYJOE'S CAFE and as Huey Calhoun in MEMPHIS.  Lucas is also very proud of winning Best of Show at The Indiana State Thespian Conference with his duet, "Devil takes the Hindmost" in 2017.  Lucas graduated 10th in his class. During the pandemic, Lucas stayed active with many on-line performances--two were paid performances.

Jacob is best known for his role of the Phantom in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Beast in 2017's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and Frollo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.  He started his career at the age of 6 weeks when his mother walked him on stage in the chorus of THE MUSIC MAN. When he was 18 months he played the younger brother of Billy in BIG the Musical. He went on to play Chip in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Charlie in OLIVER, Tommy in THE MUSIC MAN and Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA. He has also played the Baker in INTO THE WOODS, and a brother in JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT for RSMT. Jacob is a 2020 St. Mary-of-the-Woods graduate where he got his BA in Voice. At St. Mary's, he was cast as one of the leads in YOU'RE PERFECT, I LOVE YOU, NOW CHANGE,  ALMOST MAINE, and Caleb in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, a member of the Woods Ensemble, and was awarded "Best Actor 2018 and 2019, 2020.” Jacob was a recipient of the Jerauld J. Reinhart Scholarship.

William “Will“ Akins has been performing with Ross Music Theater just about all of his performance career. He went to Vincennes University for music theater and Indiana State University to study music education. Throughout his time, Will has blossomed into a man of many theatrical credits. Not only does Will perform on stage but he works off stage as a stage manager, crew chief, flow system operator and much more. Will has done everything in theater from being on stage, to playing in the pit, to strictly assisting the directors ensuring the best performance possible. Favorite credits include Scuttle (Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID), Jim Conley (Jason Robert Brown’s PARADE), the Emcee (CABARET), and Walter Lee Younger (A RAISIN IN THE SUN). He spends his days giving voice and piano lessons, is music director at his church while his evenings are consumed with a host of different activities and jobs. You can always find him on his podcast “The Uncle Willy Show“ or “Two Bored Musicians “, a video podcast/talk show that he co-hosts with his good friend Jacob Reinhart. Pre-pandemic, Will was offered a position playing in a piano bar for Carnival Cruise Line.

Brittney is thrilled to come back to the Reinhart stage this summer. You may recognize her from past productions as Isabelle Fezziwig in the 2019 production of SCROOGE. Other notable roles in Northwest Indiana include Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN, Louise in GYPSY, and Rapunzel in INTO THE WOODS. When she’s not onstage, she enjoys working as a BCBA at Innovations in Learning or playing with her new puppy, Hoosier. Thanks to Nik as always for supporting my theatre endeavors.

Ja’Leah was last seen in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS as Audrey performed live during the pandemic. Before that she was making a splash as in RSMT’s THE LITTLE MERMAID in 2019. Spring that year she played Felicia Farrell in the musical MEMPHIS. She was also seen on stage in SCROOGE in 2018 and 2019.  She also spent her summer on this stage with RSMT's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Ja'Leah was also a member of the advanced choir, Choralteens and Vocalteens. Ja’Leah will be a Sophomore at St. Mary’s College in South Bend.

Jarius has performed live in two musicals during the pandemic he played Seymour in LITTLE SHOP of HORRORS and most recently was seen in the amazing production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Last spring, Jarius was seen in MEMPHIS as Wailing Joe and the Saturday Night Trio. Jarius made his RSMT debut last summer when he appeared as Jetsam in THE LITTLE MERMAID. He was a member of the MHS Choralteens and Vocalteens choirs. Jarius looks forward to other performance opportunities as he heads for Ball State in the Fall.

Joshua Roberts is a new graduate from Merrillville High school. Joshua first hit the stage in July of 2019 for The Little Mermaid, playing such roles as sailor and chef. He is also a former member of Merrillville High School’s advanced choir and Thespian Troupe and went on to perform in Scrooge the musical December 2019. Joshua also performed in the special Covid edition of Little shop of horrors where he went on to portray four roles. This last spring he performed in Smokey Joes Cafe.

Tyrese Cooper made his Reinhart Auditorium debut with 2018’s SCROOGE the Musical. Most recently, Tyrese was thrilled to perform in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE. This past fall, Tyrese voiced the plant Audrey Two for the 2020 covid-edition of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Previously, Tyrese portrayed the swing roles of Black DJ, Reverend, Saturday Night Trio as well as a dancer in the area premier of MEMPHIS. A member of Merrillville’s Vocalteens and a first-year thespian, Tyrese also performed in M&M/Ross’s THE LITTLE MERMAID summer 2019. Tyrese cannot wait for many other opportunities as he continues throughout his high school years.

A native resident of Saint John, Indiana, Jacob is a humble & upstart performer with several productions & roles under his belt. Including such shows as Carlo Goldoni’s THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS, Bertolt Brecht’s THE THREEPENNY OPERA, Anton Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL, & William Shakespeare’s timeless classic A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Jacob graduated from Butler University, as part of the Class of 2020, with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (while also pursuing a secondary major in history); for he still strives to continue his efforts in the performing arts as a means of both a career, as well as mastering the art of living. He is most thankful for this wonderful opportunity to perform once again with the Reinharts (for, as a young boy, he was in the ensemble for SCROOGE back in 2005) & step onto the live stage again, after a year of social distancing and shows on Zoom.

Nicole is no stranger to Ross Music Theater and is happy to be in this year's production. Since 2003 Nicole has been in dozens of productions some past credits include: OLIVER (Charlotte), ZOMBIE PROM (Delilah Strict), Calumet College of St. Joseph's A CINDERELLA WALTZ (Mrs. Snow), and Purdue University's Theater Company THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Miss Prism), and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Congregant). Nicole would like to thank the cast, crew, the orchestra, as well as her friends and family who have helped to babysit the newest member of 'Our Family Tree', Gabriel. 

Cassidy is no stranger to the stage where she has performed in everything from SCROOGE to OKLAHOMA to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.  Some of her favorite roles include Christmas Past in SCROOGE and a featured dancer in SPAMALOT and Meg in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Cassidy has appeared as a Silly Girl and Enchantress and as a Wife in RSMT's JOSEPH. But Cassidy’s all time favorite role, which she was born to play, was Ariel in the RSMT 2019, musical THE LITTLE MERMAID. This stage has been her second home.

A recent graduate, Leah has been an active member in the performing arts since her freshman year. Starting off with her first show, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, she has not taken a moment off the stage. Now as a recent graduate, she has been seen in over 16 productions at Merrillville High School. Some of her most memorable roles include Gladys Calhoun (MEMPHIS), Mrs. Luce (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), and numerous parts in her senior show, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. Leah has also worked behind the scenes as stage manager and choreographer for multiple shows.

Steve has been in 100s of shows as actor and crew, favorite roles include: Cogsworth (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Patsy (SPAMALOT), Matthew (COTTON PATCH GOSPEL), Jacob/Potiphar (JOSEPH….), & King Herod (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), all with RSMT/M&M; Benjamin Franklin (1776), Sir (THES DRESSER), and Col. Pickering (MY FAIR LADY), with Playmaker’s Community Thtr; and Finian (FINIAN'S RAINBOW) & Luther Billis (SOUTH PACIFIC) at IUN Theatre NW. Thank you to my wife, Debbie, for all your help and encouragement. Thank you to our audiences for supporting the Arts.

Mary is an upcoming senior at Ball State University where she studies music education and vocal performance. Mary has played numerous roles in NWI theatre, including Ensemble and many featured roles in Ross’s HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, The Nephew’s Wife in SCROOGE .  She is so blessed to be returning to the theatre after last being seen at Ross as Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Kennedy, a 2021 graduate was an Honor Student at MHS.  She was a member of the Advance Choir, Choralteens and Vocalteens.  Kennedy started her performing in musicals summer 2019 as a member of the Ensemble in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and as a Mersister in THE LITTLE MERMAID in summer 2019.  She received her first solo in a musical as member of the cast of SCROOGE.  She was also Felicia’s understudy and featured soloist in MEMPHIS.

Jasmine Jaramillo is a 21 year old Mexican-American actress. Jasmine has been acting for 6 years and has played many roles. Her most memorable roles were in SISTER ACT, LEAP OF FAITH. Jasmine also has experience in makeup design, stage managing, prop master, and directing. Jasmine is a Theatre Major at Indiana University. She has been in prior shows by Ross Summer Music Theatre, and is delighted to be back after this long unexpected break. 

Taylor is excited to be making her return to RSMT for her first show since the pandemic hit. Her most recent credits include: THE LITTLE MERMAID and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. She is a rising junior at Purdue Northwest and is pursuing a degree in English Teaching. Taylor would like to thank her talented cast and crew for encouraging her to grow creatively. 

Jay-Lan Halliburton was last seen in SCROOGE the Musical 2019. However this will be his Ross Summer Music Theatre debut. After graduating from Wirt Emerson Visual Performing Arts High Ability Academy in 2015 he enrolled at Indiana University Northwest where he majored in Theatre. There he became involved in numerous productions such as LOVE AND INFORMATION, PETER PAN AND WENDY and HAMLET. He first performed on the Reinhart stage in 4th grade with his choir. He loves theatre and singing and wants to become a performer. Outside of performing he plans to write musicals. One of his biggest dreams is to work with Tyler Perry. He’s very excited to be apart of Ross Music Theatre and hopes to return back to Ross again for future productions.