Into the Woods Cast

IAN KELLER (Baker) will be a senior at Bowling Green State University studying musical theatre and music education this fall. He has been acting since a very young age, yet was most recently seen at BGSU in the title role of Pippin, in the chorus of HMS Pinafore, and in "Clue: The Musical" (swing) at Weathervane Playhouse. Ian was last seen on the OUL stage as Mark Cohen in "RENT". Outside of theatre, he enjoys singing in his church band with his mother, as well as in BGSU’s Collegiate Chorale.

LAUREN JANOSCHKA (Baker’s Wife) is a graduating senior at Ohio University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. Hailing from Northern Virginia, she became involved in performance and vocal music direction during her time at Rock Ridge Performing Arts in Ashburn, VA. Lauren was most recently seen as Carrie White in Tantrum Theater’s production of "Carrie: The Musical", as well as Princess Mary in "Natahsa, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812", and "Spring Awakening". Lauren’s selected music direction credits include Vocal Music Direction for OUL’s production of "RENT", Assistant Music Direction for Rock Ridge Performing Art’s Bright Star, Ohio University’s "Eighty-Sixed: The Musical" and "Spring Awakening". Lauren is thrilled to return to OUL for another summer to tackle the wonderfully complex work of Sondheim.

JENNIFER MYERS (Witch) A native of Lancaster, and performing for over 30 years, Jennifer is honored to return to the stage of Ohio University Lancaster for the 2023 Lancaster Festival. Regional credits include "The Sound of Music" (Sister Berthe) Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The "Secret Garden" (Mrs. Medlock) Gallery Players, "Cinderella" (The Queen) Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, "The Full Monty" (Pam) Weathervane Playhouse, "Oliver!" (Mrs. Sowerberry) Gallery Players, "Les Misérables" (Ensemble) Gallery Players, "My Fair Lady" (Mrs. Higgins) The Northland Performance Arts Center, "A Streetcar Named Desire" (Blanche Dubois) Wheaton Drama, and her favorite role, "Hello Dolly!" (Dolly Levi) Ohio University Lancaster Festival. She is a Founding Member of the Lancaster Playhouse, serves on The Gallery Players Theatre Committee and lives in Bexley, Ohio. #liveyourpassion

ETHAN MAUGER (Cinderella’s Prince) is excited to return to the Wagner Theatre stage in his 12th Ohio University Lancaster Theatre production! He has appeared previously in "[title of show]" (Jeff), "The Wizard of Oz" (Ensemble), "Grease" (Johnny Casino), "Hello, Dolly!" (Ambrose Kemper), "Legally Blonde" (Winthrop, Kyle, Nikos), and "The Shadow Box" (Brian) among other roles. Ethan is also an active member of Millersport Community Theatre, appearing in "Young Frankenstein" (The Creature), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Pontius Pilate), "Shrek the Musical" (Lord Farquaad), "Clue: on Stage" (Wadsworth) and having most recently directed their production of "Once Upon a Mattress".

AIDEN TRAVIS (Rapunzel’s Prince) is a BFA Musical Theatre Student. He previously appeared in Lancaster High School’s "Hello Dolly!" (Barnaby), Ohio University’s "The Thanksgiving Play" (Jaxton & Ensemble), "Into The Woods" (Cinderella’s Father & swing), and workshop: "Ghostlight" by Katie Leeds in Ohio University’s Undergraduate Playwright Festival 2023 (Bryce). Aiden is extremely excited to be working on this production and make people laugh! I want to thank my first director Mr. Mathias for giving me a start in theatre last year, as well as thank my family and all of my friends for supporting me through this journey.

GENEVIEVE SHAFTEL (Cinderella) is going into her 4th year of a BFA in Musical Theatre at OU. Previous credits include "Squeakers" (Squeakers), "Into the Woods" (Cinderella), "Kiss Me Kate" (Ensemble), "When There Was Music" (Dorothea Goodwin), "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" (Actor Musician/Opera Singer), "Men on Boats" (Bradley), and "Spring Awakening" (Anna). Geneviève is so happy to be working on this project with some of her favorite people in the world and she’s so excited to share all of their amazing work with you.

WENDY CAVE (Little Red Riding Hood) is elated to be playing her dream role as Little Red! You may have seen her in Imagine’s recent production of "Disaster" (Shirley). Other favorite roles include Dolly Tate ("Annie Get Your Gun"), Gingerbread Man ("Shrek"), and Penny Lou Pingleton ("Hairspray"). Wendy has her Master’s in Theatre and Dance from Wayne State University. Wendy’s hobbies include hanging out with her dogs, Dottie and Dandy, and her cats, Mabel and Maude. Thanks to Brandon, and also to her parents for bringing her along to their "Into the Woods" rehearsals when Wendy was 9 years old. It created a lifelong love for the show! 

EMILY BARTHOLIC (Jack’s Mother) is a senior at Ohio University Lancaster pursuing a Bachelor of Specialized Studies in theatre, communications, and management. She was last seen on the Ohio University Lancaster stage in "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (Lucy). Other credits include "[title of show]" (Susan), "A Comedy of Tenors" (Maria Merelli), "The Drowsy Chaperone" (Mrs. Tottendale), "I Hate Hamlet" (Felicia Dantine), "ALMOST, MAINE" (Glory), "next to normal" (lights), "Jekyll & HYDE: The Musical" (lights), "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play"(Foley Artist) and "RENT" (social media assistant).

HOLDEN EVANS (Jack) is a graduating senior from Ohio University with a BFA in Musical Theater. He is originally from Circleville, Ohio, where he participated in his local community theater during high school before pursuing acting as a career. Holden is very excited to be a part of Into the Woods at Ohio University Lancaster. His past credits include Tantrum Theater: "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" (Dolokhov), "Eighty-Sixed" (BJ Rosenthal), "Spring Awakening" (Ensemble/Melchior u/s), "Berry Hotel" (Ensemble/Harry u/s). Ohio University: "Angels in America Millennium Approaches" (Joe Pitt), "Imaginary Audiences" (Ensemble).

KAILEY KLIMKOWSKI (Rapunzel) Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kailey is a crossover artist with extensive experience in classical and musical theatre repertoire. She received her B.A. in Music from Kent State University in 2018, and she is currently pursuing a M.M. in Vocal Performance & Pedagogy at Ohio University. Kailey studies voice with Prof. Debra Rentz. Her performance credits include: Amy (cover), "LITTLE WOMEN" by Mark Adamo; Mércedes, "CARMEN" by Georges Bizet; Zerlina (cover), "DON GIOVANNI" by W.A. Mozart; soprano soloist, BWV 1 by J.S. Bach.

MADISON LAWSON (Cinderella’s Stepmother) is so thrilled to be a part of OUL's cast for "Into the Woods"! "Into the Woods" was one of the first shows Madison fell in love with and it is a dream to get to work on this score with this incredibly talented cast. Madison graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Communication for Theatre (with a specialization in Musical Theatre). Some favorite roles include: Lois Lane ("Kiss Me, Kate"), Cleo ("The Most Happy Fella"), and Tour Guide & Others ("A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder"). Madison would like to thank her friends, family, and amazing husband, Aaron, for supporting her in all her endeavors. Enjoy the show! Philippians 4:13.

PHIL WELLS (Narrator/Man) is excited to perform one of his dream roles in his first Sondheim show. He has appeared on the OUL stage in past productions of "Hello, Dolly!" (Horace Vandergelder) and "Friends Celebrating the Music of Broadway". Other recent credits include "Disaster!" (Imagine Productions), "Something Rotten!" (Gallery Players), "Indecent" (CATCO), "Murder on the Orient Express" (LTOB), and "The Sound of Music" (Westerville Civic Theatre). Phil thanks his family and friends for their support in his belief that life is a banquet!

SAMANTHA KIGER (Florinda) is excited to be joining the cast and crew for her first appearance with OUL Theatre. She is a recent graduate of Kent State University where she gained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design. Sami was heavily involved in the LHS theatre program where she performed in eight shows. Among them, her favorite roles included Alice ("Addams Family") and Tanya ("Mamma Mia"). Sami is eager to return to the stage to showcase her love of theatre once more.

ANNA COOK (Lucinda) is a rising sophomore and the daughter of Ryan and Shannon Cook. Anna appeared in a few shows at Pickerington Central when she was young (starting at 11 months). Since then, she has performed with PCT and Rise up Arts Alliance. She played Louisa last summer in the Westerville Civic Theatre Production of "The Sound of Music" and was the swing for Shelby in "Steel Magnolias" and Wednesday in "The Addams Family" at Pickerington Central. She is a member of the Chorale, dances at Passe Dance Center, and her book, "Brynn and Amir and the Magic Map" comes out August 30th. 

AIDEN NICHOLSON (Wolf/Steward) was last seen on the OUL stage in "You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown" (Featured Actor/Ensemble, u.s. Linus & Schroeder) and in "RENT" (Featured Actor/Ensemble). He’s a student at Ohio University Lancaster and previously attended Shawnee State University. Aiden is a frequent participant in many aspects of performing arts in Portsmouth, including Shawnee State Musical Theatre, Shawnee State Performing Arts Academy, Shawnee State Dance Academy, and University Choir. Recently, he has been featured in shows such as "Disaster! The Musical" (Scott), "9 to 5" (Dwayne), and "Altar Boyz" (Abraham).

SHANNON COOK (Cinderella’s Mother) studied voice with Kristin Huffman for nine years. She earned a BA in Education from the University of Dayton. While there, she studied voice under Dr. Lynda Snider. She spent 12 years teaching English and theatre and was the theatre director at Pickerington Central for 10 years. Since choosing to stay home with her kids, she has spent her time blogging, writing for kids, and being a mom. Her debut picture book, "I Made the Earth", came out in March. 

KEEGAN FILLINGER (Milky White Puppeteer) graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Theatre and Chemistry. This is her 17th show at Ohio University Lancaster. Most recently, Keegan was choreographer for Ohio University Lancaster's production of "Hello Dolly!". Keegan was also stage manager and assistant to the choreographer in Ohio University Lancaster’s production of "Grease". She previously appeared onstage in The "Fantasticks" (Mute), "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (Snoopy), "Wizard of Oz" (Featured Dancer), "West Side Story" (Anybodys), and "To Kill A Mockingbird" (Scout). She hopes you enjoy the show!

A Victor Jones (Cinderella's Father) is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and the Producing Artistic Director of Theatre at Ohio University Lancaster. He has been on the Lancaster regional campus as the Producing Artistic Director since 2010. Victor has his Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Miami, Florida, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. As the Producing Artistic Director at Ohio University Lancaster, Victor was instrumental in achieving the state-of-the-art $250,000 Wagner Theatre renovation project. He also founded the Ohio University Lancaster Theatre summer community theatre program which is featured during the historic Lancaster Festival. Victor was awarded the “Professor of the Year Award” and the “Dean’s Special Recognition Award” at Ohio University Lancaster in 2015. His production of “Moon Over Buffalo” (Producing Artistic Director, Costumer) was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 2 (KCACTF) and received a regional directing award and a KCACTF national costuming award. Ohio University Lancaster Theatre’s recent production of "LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical" (Producing Artistic Director) won a regional BroadwayWorld Award for “Best Musical.” Additional Producing Artistic Directing credits include: "Jekyll & HYDE The Musical", "The Drowsy Chaperone", "next to normal", "HELLO, DOLLY!", Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Cinderella", "West Side Story", "The Producers", "Little Shop of Horrors", and "CHICAGO". Victor has led the Ohio University Lancaster Theatre department for 11 seasons, 37 major productions, and more than 40 student theatrical showcases. Victor is a proud member of SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society).