The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Cast

Michael is an upcoming senior at Glassboro High School. During his junior year, he performed through Glassboro's Select Chorus Group, All-South Jersey Choir, Glassboro's Marching Band (Colorguard), and Glassboro's Drama Program. The Drama Program in which he has had the pleasure to participate in 11 shows prior to Lighting Thief, most recently being Emmett Forrest in their production of Legally Blonde. Although this is his first production with Mainstage and outside of Glassboro, he is no stranger to the world that is Mainstage. He first began with Mainstage in the 4th grade, where he took acting classes up until his first year of High School. Since day one, it has sparked an immense passion and love for music and theatre. He continues working with Mainstage not only through the show but also through Summer Stage, where he is a carpenter and member of the run crew. Michael wishes to thank his fellow castmates for the wonderful experience they have offered him. He will never forget the remarkable kindness and wisdom they shared and the friendships they gained along the way. Break a leg to the cast, and I hope everyone enjoys the show!

Emma is thrilled to be making her Mainstage debut! She is a current junior at Montclair State University, where she is getting her master's degree in theater studies! Her favorite roles include Franny Price, Clue(less): A student-written show, Susanna Walcott, The Crucible, and Morticia Addams, The Addams Family. She also just finished up as Assistant Stage Manager for the Broadway Benefit, The Last Boy: A New Play With Music. She sends all the love to the entire cast and crew!

Julie Morell is an incoming student at Stockton University, where she will begin studying theatre in the fall of 2022. She was last seen onstage about a year ago, playing Martha in Heathers, so a return to the stage is well past overdue. She has been working with Mainstage Center for the Arts for almost an entire year in various administrative positions. She is incredibly thrilled to be able to flex her artistic muscle with this amazing organization by working on this production of The Lightning Thief. Having been a huge fan of the Percy Jackson novels since she was 11 years old, she feels incredibly qualified to work on this production and cannot wait to take on this adventure with one of her best friends, Aimee Ferenz. Bring on the monsters!

Jonah Phillips (Luke Castellan, Ares, Kurt Cobian) is extremely excited to be a part of Mainstage's performance of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Jonah has performed for 6 years prior to The Lightning Thief. His previous roles include Pulitzer from Disney's Newsies, Mr. Wormwood from Matilda Jr, Scar from Lion King Jr, Lucas from Addam's Family, Mr. Banks in Disney's Mary Poppins Jr, and Buddy the Elf from Elf the Musical, and the Escapologist from Matilda. Jonah wants to give credit to his parents for not giving up on him and pushing him to be the best he can be. He also wants to thank His Lord, Jesus, for giving him the opportunity and talent to do musical theater.

Taye Hopkins is incredibly excited to play Chiron/ Aunty Em/ and Poseidon in his Summer Stage production of Lightning Thief! He was last seen in EgoPo Classic Theater's production of Curse of the Starving Class (Sergeant Malcom/ Emerson) in Philadelphia. Other appearances include Hallelujah Baby(Tap, featured dancer) at Haddonfield Plays and Players, Evita (Ensemble) at the Grande Theater, as well as Head Over Heels (Ensemble), Dreamgirls (Tiny Joe Dixon/Frank/Jerry), Triple Threat Workshop's production of Ragtime (Ensemble), The Road Company's Grand Idol, In the Heights (Ensemble) at Cumberland Players, and Newsies (Romeo) at the Grand Theater. When he's not onstage, Taye spends his free time testing the limits of his creativity through his original music and stories.

Courtney Bird (Clarisse/Fight Captain) [she/her]: Courtney just graduated from The University of the Arts, receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Songwriting. She recently acquired her Certifications in Single Sword, Broadsword, and Rapier & Dagger stage combat. Recent credits include Winnie in Crimson Lit (UArts Polyphone), Berthe in Pippin (UArts Mainstage), Margred in Since They Left (Philadelphia Fringe Festival), and Alice in The Addams Family (Mainstage Center for the Arts).

Aimee Ferenz (Director/MD/Choreographer, Sally Jackson and others) is honored to be making her Mainstage performance debut after working with the company as a teacher for a little over a year. Previous credits include Mary (Hallelujah, Baby!), Heather (American Idiot), The Bird Woman (Mary Poppins), and Meg (Brigadoon). Aimee is a local music teacher, music director, and private voice/acting teacher. She would like to thank Julie and Rocco for her endless trust and support, her parents for always having faith in her, and the administrative staff for trusting her with this project.

Shannon Cattie (Silena/Thalia/Mrs. Dodds/Newscaster) is incredibly excited to be in her first production with Mainstage Center of the Arts! Previously, she spent many summers performing and costume designing with the Ocean City Theatre Company prior to her time performing at the Walt Disney World Resort. Notable productions with the Ocean City Theatre Company include Alice in Wonderland (Tweedle Dum), Cinderella (Lady Millicent), Xanada (Euterpe), and the Spotlight Performers Show Choir. Shannon would like to thank her family for always supporting her. She thanks “Uncle Rick” for creating a world that has stuck with her from middle school to present day, and has now introduced her to the most amazing demigods. To her fellow Camp Half-Blood campers: you have all made this the most fun production to be a part of ever!

Tyler is doing his first show with Mainstage Center for the Arts. Most recently, he played Chip Tolentino in Spelling Bee. He is so excited for his first Mainstage Show!

Lexi Eisenhardt is 18 years old and a recent Kingsway Regional High school graduate. She has performed in many high school and Community Theatre productions, including The Wedding Singer(Linda), Hallelujah Baby(Dancer), and others. Offstage, she is a co-founder of the South Jersey Youth Arts organization, which helps youth have a space to get more involved with theatre! She is also a freshman at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and pursuing a career in musical theatre. She will be playing the role of the Oracle, Echidna, Secretary, and Kayla Knowles and is super excited to be taking part in this year's production of "Percy Jackson"!