Footloose the Musical Cast

Ryan is a senior at Millersville University studying Early Childhood Education with a minor in Theatre. This is Ryan’s 2nd time on the Gardner Theatre stage with Popovsky Performing Arts and is excited to be back. Some of Ryan’s recent credits include The Addams Family (Gomez Addams), Carrie: The Musical (Tommy Ross) and Big Fish (Edward Bloom) at Millersville University. Last summer he was seen in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus De Martin) at the York Belmont Theatre. Ryan would like to thank his Mom, Dad, his sister Samantha, his stepdad Bill and his lovely girlfriend Allie for their endless support. Ryan is so excited to tell this iconic story and hopes you enjoy the show! Instagram: @ryanslusky

Kylee is thrilled to be returning to the Popovsky stage for Footloose. Some of her recent credits include Emilia (Emilia 1), The Lightning Thief (Annabeth Chase), Godspell (Turn Back O Man Soloist), and Grease (Ensemble). She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous support, and the entire Footloose cast, crew, and staff for the craziest summer ever! Instagram: @kyleewaller

Michael Klitsch is a student entering his final year at Millersville University where he is heavily involved in the music and theatre programs. He was on the executive boards for both Millersville student-run theatre clubs for 4 years and currently serves on the executive board of the a capella group VilleHarmonics. At Millersville he is also the Secretary of the Sigma Xi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Recent credits include Mal Beineke (The Addams Family); Billy Nolan (Carrie); Ares, Mrs. Dodds, et al. (The Lightning Thief); Mitch Mahoney (25th...Spelling Bee); King Duncan (Macbeth); and Don Price, Red Fang (Big Fish). This Fall he will be playing the role of Charlie Brown in MU Theatre's production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Instagram: @michael.klitsch

Natalie is honored to make her Popovsky debut! Recently, she has performed at the Belmont Theater in York, including in Rock of Ages, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Saint), Spamalot (Tech dancer), and Descendants (Mal). She also portrayed Mal in Descendants for the second time this past summer with Acts of Kindness Theater Company. Natalie graduated from Elizabethtown College in 2023 with her B.S. in elementary education. Currently, she is an elementary school teacher and assistant wedding coordinator at The Stone Mill Inn. Natalie would like to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the years. She hopes you're ready to cut loose!

Kara Hartman is a veteran performer in the Lancaster area including with PPAS. By day she is an executive assistant, and lives in Mountville with my beloved cat Gandalf. Favorite roles: Hope Cladwell, Urinetown; Cathy, Company; Luisa, The Fantasticks; Grandma Ida, First Date. Thank you to family and friends for support, and God the Creator for.whom I create and sing.

Aaron is excited to be joining PPAS for another great summer show as Rev. Shaw! Other roles with PPAS have included Father (Children of Eden), Harry MacAfee (Bye, Bye, Birdie), and Chiron/Ares (The Lightning Thief). He has also become more involved as a director in recent cabaret productions with PPAS as well. Aaron has also enjoyed roles in local productions of Frankenstein: A New Musical, Cyrano, Richard III, A Christmas Carol with Seventh Sister, and In the Beginning with Sight and Sound. "Thank you to all my friends and family who have support me over the years!"

Karey is elated to return to the stage with Popovsky! Not a stranger to the stage or behind it, Karey has worked with theatres all over the county including PPAS, EPAC, SSC and Prima to name a few. Some favorite roles have included Grizabella (Cats, SSC), Woman 1 (Closer Than Ever, SSC), Margaret White (Carrie, PPAS), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown, PPAS) and Mama Bear (Shrek, EPAC). Next up for Karey is a solo cabaret at SSC and then back to stage managing for Elf Jr at EPAC. She would like to thank Cody, Michael, Christyn and the rest of the production team for this opportunity and for giving this show another chance after Covid, her friends and family for all of their support, but most of all Cheddar Beans and Asparagus Elliott for always waiting for their Mama when she gets home for lots of snuggs and purrs. #BPE

Eden is excited to be a part of Popovsky’s production of Footloose as Urleen. She enjoys being a part of the marching band, jazz band, and taking dance, voice and piano lessons outside of school. Besides this performance, Eden has been in 20 other shows including most recently Ariel in The Little Mermaid JR, Gretchen in Mean Girls, Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, and her favorite role was Wednesday in Addams Family. Eden would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her, and for the directors and behind-the-scenes helpers in this show!

Carly May is proud to bring you Wendy Jo in Popovsky’s Footloose! As a freshman at Manheim Central High School, Carly appeared as Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music and Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Most recently, Carly played Cha-Cha in Grease with Susquehanna Stage. One of her favorite roles was as Morticia in The Addams Family Young at Part with MPACT. Outside of theatre, Carly sings in her church praise band, plays guitar, and writes her own music. She wants to thank her cast mates, directors, family, church family, and many friends for their abundant love and support. She’d like to give special thanks to her voice teacher, Jo Abrom, for always believing in her!

Alexandria is a 17 year old Junior at L-S High School. She is excited to be performing as Jeter and in the ensemble in Popovsky’s production of Footloose! She was last seen in Popovsky’s production of Mean Girls as Mrs. George and the featured dance ensemble. Alexandria has been taking voice lessons at PPAS since she was about 9 or 10 and recently started taking piano lessons a little over a year ago. Alexandria loves to perform in Popovsky’s Mixed Up Cabarets as well as the summer camps. This summer she will be living on the Popovsky stage performing in Footloose and also in their theater camp Anastasia.

Titus is thrilled to be returning to the PPAS stage in Footloose! Titus has previously appeared on stage as Danny Zuko in “Grease” at Susquehanna Stage Company, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything goes” at McCaskey High School, and as Aaron Samuels in “Mean girls” at Popovksy Performing Arts Studio. Titus would like to thank his family for always supporting him, and his cast mates for making this experience so incredible!

Keagen is so ready to be in his second ever community theatre production! Some of his most recent roles include Moonface Martin in Anything Goes at McCaskey High School, and ensemble in Grease at Susquehanna Stage. He is also happy to be taking part in Spongebob at the Dutch Apple in July as Mr. Krabs! Come see it!

Joshua Schriver is ready to cut loose in his first performance at the Popovsky Center for the Art. Previously he portrayed Tunny in American Idiot (Dreamwrights), Ben in Descendants (Acts of Kindness) and Melchior in Spring Awakening (Dreamwrights). He would like to thank his friends Ryan and Natalie for helping him join this production and is very excited to share the stage with them.

Sophia (she/her). Sophia is a rising junior at The Stone Independent School. Some of her past credits include “Aristocrats” (Roquefort the Rat), “Lion King” (Scar), and most recently, “Cinderella” (Cinderella). She’s super excited to be a part of “Footloose” and would like to thank her parents for driving her to and from rehearsal.

Dio is thrilled to be making his Popovsky debut as Travis. A role you may have recently seen him in is as a Sailor in Anything Goes at Mccaskey where he was also the dance captain. Footloose is his first production outside of school. He would like to thank Ms. Wolanin, Ms. Hall, and Mr. Broaddus, and Mrs. Welch for making him love the art of theatre. And his friend Titus for encouraging him to audition.

Michelina is a mom, choreographer and professional dancer with a BFA from The Boston Conservatory. She enjoys helping others create healthy bodies, minds and hearts using her experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant and Dancer. She has performed with dance companies from NYC to Italy. Michelina's favorite community theater roles were as Sheila from A Chorus Line at Susquehanna Stage, and The Witch from Into the Woods at Donegal Performing Arts. She is excited to share the stage with her daughter, Gia this summer in their premiere with Popovsky.

Cody (he/they) is an actor, singer, and Lancaster City native, last seen as Mary Jane in New Year's Eve at the Stop-N-Go (Pharmacy Theatre Co. - Harrisburg), Grover in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Popovsky Performing Arts Studio), and as a featured soloist in Lancaster Pride's Great Gay Give (#ExtraGIVE) benefit gala. Cody is a frequent featured performer in Popovsky Performing Arts' annual cabarets as well. He has an educational background in vocal performance through Franklin & Marshall College and Allen Rascoe Vocal Studio. If you enjoy his performance, Cody asks that you consider donating to Operation Olive Branch. IG: @florydashmiller

This is Irma Ilustre’s first full production with Popovsky. Previously, she had done two seasons of Mix-Up Cabaret and many years of Music Together classes through Popovsky. Irma’s past ensemble credits include Godspell, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly, and Into the Woods. Most recently, Irma is perfecting the role of “Harried Mom pretending she has it all together.” Accepting the roles of mother and wife has allowed Irma to hone her improv and acting skills while increasing the lung capacity she needs to belt out a song or a well-timed “Don’t make me turn this car around.” Of all the things Irma has enjoyed about this production - from the fabulous director and production staff to the awesome cast, Irma has enjoyed spending time with her daughter, Sophia the most! Special thanks to Irma’s husband, Trent, for his supporting role! <3+

Maranda has spent a lifetime spellbound by stories. As a child and teen, she participated in various student performances as a vocalist, dancer, and actor. Over the years, she has worked with incredibly talented vocal, dance, and acting professionals who have helped her sharpen her craft. Her relationship with PPAS began in 2019 when she performed in her first cabaret. Her gift for storytelling has translated into a career as a communications professional, and in her downtime, she engages with stories in the form of novels, shows and movies. Maranda is happiest when performing, having spirited discussions about her favorite media, and snuggling with her cats Clementine and Onyx.

Charlotte is excited to be back on the Popovsky stage after her role last summer as Regina George in MEAN GIRLS. She is a rising junior at Hershey High School and loves performing. Some of her favorites include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde Jr. (Lebanon Community Theatre), Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden (Theatre Harrisburg), Summer in School of Rock (Hershey Area Playhouse) and Mayzie in Seussical (Hershey High School). She also loves to dance and play guitar.

Addison is thrilled to be in her first show here at Popovsky! She has done theatre since the age of 6 and has been in shows which include Willy Wonka Jr (Veruca Salt) Wizard of Oz Jr (Tinman), White Christmas (Ensemble), Frozen Jr (Anna), Shrek Jr (Mama Bear), Beauty and the Beast Jr (Ensemble). She participates in voice lessons with Cassandra Cummings at Creative Pursuits Academy, does acting lessons at Fulton Theatre, and has had 5+ years of Intermediate Broadway bound camp at Dutch Apple. Addy is ecstatic for Footloose and hopes you are too!

Allegra has been performing in shows since she was 6 years old and is very excited to perform in her first show with Popovsky Performing Arts! Musicals she has performed in are Shrek Jr. (Sugar Plum Fairy), Frozen (Pabbie/Summer chorus), and Willy Wonka (Violet Beauregarde) at Saint Leo the Great, White Christmas (Susan Waverly) at Musical Box Theatre, Intermediate Broadway Bound Camp at Dutch Apple (5 years), EPAC camp (1 year), camp at Fulton Theatre (1 year), and WISH a Christmas production at Dutch Apple (5 years). Allegra also participates in voice lessons with Shana McCoy at Musical Box Theatre. She is so grateful to have the opportunity to meet new people and learn new things.

This is Ava Rooney's second show at PPAS and she is currently a rising sophomore at Harrisburg Academy. Some of her previous credits include Cady Heron in Mean Girls, Mrs. Potts in Beauty & the Beast, Megan Jones in Puffs, and Summer Hathaway in School of Rock. Ava participates in her vocal jazz group at school along with the Tri-M program. She also plays the piano, guitar, and ukulele. Ava is thankful to her friends and family back in Harrisburg, her vocal and music theory coaches for their study guidance, and her fellow cast mates for making Footloose such a memorable experience.

Daytona Walsh is a recent graduate HACC with an Associates in Fine Arts Degree her major being Film and Theater. She currently works at Hershey’s Chocolate World in “Unwrapped” as Miss Allison. She is also seen in multiple Feasts and Murder Mysteries at Bubes Brewery. She has a dancer background and has been in multiple short films and stage productions. Her favorites being “Newsies” as Finch and the short film “Tree Mother” as the Final Girl. She wants to thank and give lots of love to her amazing family and friends for their support in her theater journey.

Gia Piazza will be a freshman at Elizabethtown Area High School next year. She is a visual artist who loves theater and spends the rest of her time practicing guitar, ukulele, and cello and spinning flag or rifle in colorguard. Some of her favorite theater roles were Grimhilde in Descendants at EAMS and Ice-cream Penguin from Pure Imagination at Susquehanna Stage. Gia hopes her mom, Michelina, won't embarrass her too much as this will be their first show together. She is thankful for her little brothers and Popovsky for letting her play.

Hannah Rose Petras is 14 years old. She has been in acting classes for about 3 years with PPAS. She loves volleyball, theatre, and horseback riding. Her first theatre production was the Mixed up Cabaret earlier this year. She is a big Taylor Swift and M marvel fan. She loves meeting new people and is interested in playing the piano. She has been taking singing lessons for the past few years. She used to be a dancer and a cheerleader, and she will be starting high school in the fall. She loves animals, and has two dogs and a rabbit. She is excited to be a part of Footloose!

Katie McKelvey is so excited to be back on stage after a three year hiatus! Recently, she graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Media Arts Production. While she was in school, Katie served as the Vice President, Business Manager, and promotions director of the campus radio station 91.7 WIXQ (support college radio!!!!), Treasurer for the Broadcast Education Association, and ritual and sisterhood chairwoman, lamp editor, and Vice President of Finance and Administration for Delta Zeta Sorority. She is so thrilled for the opportunity to perform again and at a new place! Previous credits include: American Idiot (Ensemble), The Rocky Horror Show (Ensemble), Guys and Dolls (General Cartwright), Heathers (Ensemble), Young Frankenstein (Ensemble) and more. She wants to thank everyone who came to show and hope that they enjoyed it!

Mimi French is so excited to be in Footloose! Mimi is thirteen years old and a rising 9th grader at Linden Hall School. She has recently performed with Popovsky at the Mixed-Up Cabaret and she is currently in Jr. Company with Servant Stage. Her favorite productions she has been in are Little Shop of Horrors (Linden Hall), Beauty and the Beast Jr (Creative Pursuits), PUFFS (Linden Hall), and Godspell (Servant Stage). Aside from theater, Mimi is also a dancer and loves science. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and Popovsky Performing Arts for this wonderful opportunity! 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Mira is so excited to be in her very first Poposky production! She is very grateful to be part of this wonderful production of Footloose! She has been doing theater since she was 6 years old and has been in shows which include Seussical (Ensemble),and Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch). She is also in her school’s choir, and did 7+ years of Intermediate Broadway Bound camp at Dutch Apple. Mira is so grateful for all the opportunities she has been given, she is very thankful for her friends and family for supporting her, and hopes that you enjoy the show!

Molly is very excited to be in the ensemble for Footloose. This is her third production with PPAS. Previously she played Taylor Wedell and was Dance Captain for Mean Girls, and she was in the ensemble for The Lightning Thief. In the past three years she’s also been taking voice lessons and studying acting and music theory at PPAS. Molly has been dancing for 12 years, and she trains in almost every genre at Innovations Dance Center. She spends almost all her spare time reading, and likes to travel around meeting her favorite authors. Molly would like to thank the many teachers and mentors who have helped her get to where she is today.