She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurer's Edition Cast

Ava Kronman (Form VI) You may remember Ava from her role as Alice in Alice in Wonderland or Puck in Dream. Now a Senior, Ava is thrilled to be part of this moving but delightfully funny show for her last fall performance at Shady Side. Ava wants to thank the cast, crew and all of the members of the SSA Performing Arts Department for their support and friendship over the years; for teaching her to be a dedicated student and a confident actor; and for encouraging her to always embrace the geek and warrior that hide inside us all.

Elaine Gombos (Form V) is very excited to be part of Shady Side Academy Senior School's production of She Kills Monsters. As a theater participant at SSA since her middle school years, she is delighted to work with such a dedicated and inspiring group of people. Elaine is a nominee in the best supporting actress category for the 2021 Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater and was beyond honored to perform at its awards ceremony. She has been involved in the performing arts since she was four years old. As a dedicated choral singer, Elaine has performed and competed at numerous venues worldwide, notably Lincoln Center in New York City, Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, and the 2014 and 2016 World Choir Games hosted in Riga, Latvia and Sochi, Russia. Currently, she is a member of the Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and SSA's Chamber Choir. Elaine also has experience acting and working on sets for a movie and a TV series. Her other interests include golf, swimming, community service, writing, multiculturalism, and STEM. Elaine is grateful for SSA's theater and arts program and everyone who has made it so special. She looks forward to continuing theater at SSA!

Juliet Krokosky (Form III) has been doing theater since sixth grade at Shady Side Academy. This is her first high school production at SSA, and she is thrilled to be joining the theater community here. She has been doing theater for most of her life an is excited to be part of this production .

Kayla Zhu (Form IV) is ecstatic to be in this wonderful and fantastical play. She has been attending SSA since the 6th grade, and has been involved in theater productions inside and out of school since they were 8 years old. She formerly attended the Pittsburgh CLO Academy for acting, improv, voice, ballet, tap, and jazz. Last year, despite being online, she participated in the Alice in Wonderland radio show in the winter and Now. Here. This. in the spring. She is thrilled that theater productions are slowly (but surely) going back no normal! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Kevin Polke (Form III) is greatly delighted to be able to have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing theatre community. He has just entered the SSA community, and he enjoys it deeply so far. He has been doing acting for well over 5 years, and has been a part of a plethora of plays and musicals. He has been able to do this through a wonderful local theatre production community, before he moved here to Pittsburgh. He is excited to share his talent with you all tonight, and hopes you enjoy the production of She Kills Monsters!

Hector (Form VI) is a senior and has been participating as a cast member of the fall play for four years. He is very excited to be joining us in this performance of She Kills Monsters. He is especially excited to perform on the well designed set.

Cole Patterson (Form V) is doing his second year of theater currently after his brother, who was also in theater told him he should. He is liking it a lot more than he thought he would.

Bing Bhakdibhumi (Form VI) is extremely contented to be a part of this play. This is his first ever role in the cast of a theatre production, and he has had quite a learning experience taking part in this production. He hopes you enjoy the performance!

Maria Schwendeman (Form V) is very excited to have a part in this wonderful production. This is her second year of theater at SSA and she is having a lot of fun so far. She joined theater last year to experience something new and instead found a new home. She implores you all to enjoy the show because it has very powerful themes that are near and dear to many of the cast's hearts.

Ellie Brisland (Form V) ecstatically joined the theater production this year; this time, as apart of the cast. She joined stage crew last year as a sophomore and this year decided to take a shot at being in the performance. Ellie joined Shady Side Academy last year. She is a boarding student coming from her hometown in Hampton Roads Virginia. She also plays defense for the Shady Side Academy Girls Prep ice hockey team and also plays for her club team the Steal City Selects. She always loved theatre is now giving her first performance with a supporting role on stage. Ellie would like to thank her family and her friends for always keeping her in good spirits and encouraging her to do what she loves.

Zoey Miller (Form V) plays the elven Kaliope in her first endeavor into SSA’s theatre program. When she was young, she played minor roles for short films and commercials for various film contests. She also modeled for magazines and once walked the runway for NYC fashion week. Though this is her first time acting since, she has always been involved in the performing arts. She used to take singing, dance, and gymnastic classes until 6th grade. Out of all the performing arts, instrumental groups were always her favorite. She started playing the flute for the concert band in fifth grade. Soon after, she began learning the violin and joined her school’s orchestra. Zoey arrived at SSA in her freshman year, and has played in its orchestra since. Zoey Miller is also a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. She has since stopped practicing, though she still finds combat entertaining-- for this play, she was particularly looking forward to the fight choreography!

Sophia Gombos (Form III), is very excited to be a part of the cast of She Kills Monsters. Sophia has been in the SSA fall play since 6th grade, the musical since 7th grade, and really enjoys the people and experiences that she gets to encounter. She has been in a TV show and movie before, and loves being a part of a cast and seeing everything come together behind the scenes. Along with acting, Sophia has also been a model since she was 6 years old, and has attended over 300 commercial photo shoots, more than 10 TV commercials, done 5 voice overs, and walked over 40 fashion shows. Sophia’s been dancing since she was four, and started official vocal training when she was eight. Besides dancing, singing, acting, and modeling, Sophia also enjoys drawing, writing, golf, and rock climbing. Sophia is looking forward to working with more people and continuing her acting experiences here at SSA!

Braden Crow (Form VI) is very excited to join the cast as Orcus, the reluctant, FORMER Overlord of the Underworld. He has held a passion theatre since first performing at 6 years old. He has had much involvement in the theatre program at SSA, being in the winter musical every year at the Middle and Senior Schools. You may remember him from his past roles at the Senior School: as Mr. Mushnik in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Peter Quince in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, or The Chairman in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”. This is his third straight-theatre performance, not counting his one-act play “Pride Month” or Gigi Horgan’s “The Next Great American Laureate” from last year’s Digital Winter Theatre Festival. He would like to thank the cast and crew of the SSA theatre program for making every show so enjoyable, as well as Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Davidheiser for their immeasurable hard work and support of the program in these uncertain and changing times.

Steven D. Liu (Form VI) is making his debut at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts this fall! He is thrilled to join Shady Side Academy's wonderful cast as Orcus, the Earth demon of the underworld. While this is his first time performing, Steven's first theatre experience was in Eighth grade as a humble curtain operator. Outside of theatre, Steven is an environmental activist and scientific researcher. A perfectly fitting role, Orcus and Steven have equally humorous personalities.

Gloria Mancilla (Form VI) is excited and honored to be playing the role of Vera in She Kills Monsters. While she jokes that the role of “overprotective best friend” was literally built for her, Gloria has had a lot of fun channeling her alter-ego while dramatizing the character of Vera and her attitude. Gloria has been participating in the SSA theatre program since her freshman year and, being a senior, this will be Gloria’s second and final fall play. She would like to thank the cast and crew for the joy they have brought her and the memories they’ve made together. She would also like to thank Mr. Dek, DH, Tron, and Ms. Tanya for all the hard work they’ve put in to make this show function. Last but not least, she would also like to thank her mother and sister for all their love and support. She hopes her family and fellow cast members know how much she loves them, and she hopes the audience enjoys the show!

Abril Linares Mendoza (Form IV) is very excited to partake in her first play at SSA. Abril is interested in other arts like music. She plays the trumpet at SSA and the violin. Abril joined SSA in 2018 in the 7th grade. She came to love the community at SSA and has been part of the Student Council for two years at the Senior School. Abril has gotten to meet a lot of new people in the theater community and is glad to be able to have the opportunity to meet a new group of students and teachers that she may not have been able to if she hadn't joined the play. Although, she was nervous about participating in theater for the first time, she was treated with kindness and support from her peers and Mr. Ingraham. Abril thinks this piece of theatre is comedic and heartfelt at the same time, so she is honored to play the part of the loud but supportive best friend :)

Chelsea Kaufmann (V) is a junior at Shady Side Academy. This is her third year being in the play. She was asked to be a background character her freshman year and fell in love with SSA theater. She is very excited to be performing in the black box again, as the show last year was on main stage due to covid. Chelsea is a very artistic person who enjoys creating in every way. She enjoys playing piano, painting, and making and watching films in her free time. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Madeira Semins (Form IV) is a proud lifer at Shady Side Academy. Her prior experience includes the middle school theatre program, and she is thrilled to be continuing her journey at the senior school after many years of attending and admiring senior school productions.

Aaron Little (Form IV) is a student trying to survive just like one would in D&D. He makes friends, he makes enemies, and many others in between. Aaron is very excited to be in the theatre program, and even more excited to play the role of the enigmatic and energetic Great Mage Steve. He came to Shady Side for eighth grade following a series of traumatic experiences at his previous school. After a good deal of struggling and adjusting, he found his home in SSA, and in the theatre program. To Aaron, Steve’s life is a good representation of his own. A nerdy nerd with an inflated imagination and no fashion sense, who’s hiding behind the persona of someone greater. While an introvert and troubled in a social scenario, he prefers to step out from backstage and into the spotlight for his moment when he can. (And then die tragically and brutally.) He is a firm believer that on the stage and in the world, there are no small roles, there are no small actors, and there are no small people. “A main character is determined by how much stage time he/she gets,” he says. “But no one’s whole life is gonna be lived out on stage. There’s stuff going on behind the scenes; in that way, there’s no such thing as a main character so long as you have the whole story. Sad thing is, we hardly ever know the whole story.”

Jeffrey Brunner (Form III) developed an interest in acting at the Shady Side Middle School. He played Sherlock in Young Sherlock in sixth grade, Frank in Young Frankenstein in seventh grade, and a prince and a dwarf in Mirror Mirror in eighth grade. He is excited to be performing in his first high school production as the great mage Steve. During rehearsals, Jeffrey has particularly enjoyed learning stage combat. He has also volunteered to assist to prepare sets with stage crew, and looks forward to focusing on stage crew for the winter musical. Jeffrey’s interest in the arts is not limited to the theater. His favorite class is jazz band where he plays the trombone. He has been a trombonist since fourth grade, and he loves learning to play movie and video game themes. Jeffrey also enjoys exploring his creativity playing dungeons and dragons with the SSA D&D club. He is currently playing an aasimar cleric character of his own creation, Niki. Jeffrey has started a tradition of naming his D&D characters after the champions of his favorite sport, Formula One. He has also started to write his first campaign in order to become a dungeon master. Jeffrey would like to thank you for coming to see the show and is excited to share the cast and crew’s hard work with you!

Riley Doyle (Form VI) is ready to participate in her next Senior School production as Farrah the Faerie! She also is excited for the chance to work on choreography and puppet movement for the show! Riley came to the SSA Middle School in 8th grade; there she participated in the fall play A Midsummer’s Night Prom Dream (Mia, who was based off Hermia), and performed in the musical Peter Pan (Pirate). Freshman year, she was a part of Oedipus Rex (Greek Chorus) and Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble). Sophomore year she choreographed a dance in the show A Midsummer’s Night Dream where she played the role of Snug/Lion. That same year, she was a featured dancer and assistant choreographer for The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Ensemble). Despite COVID, Riley did two more shows her junior year, Alice in Wonderland (White Rabbit) and Now. Here. This. (Ensemble). She has performed in over fifteen musical productions outside of school, making theater a real passion for her. In addition to the theater, Riley has taken dance classes since she was three, making dance a central aspect of her life. She would like to thank her excellent castmates, Mr. Ingraham, and the amazing crew for all the effort they put into making this show great!

Ben Rohr (Form V) is looking forward to being in this year's production of She Kills Monsters. This is his first time doing a fall play at Shady Side Academy after doing the musical the previous two years at the senior school and every year in the SSA Middle School. Being a monster handler has been a new experience for Ben, and he has learned a lot. He had a lot of fun during his fight choreography rehearsals, and he enjoyed spending time with his fellow monster handlers. He would like to thank Mr. Dek for this opportunity, and to wish everyone in the cast and crew good luck during the show.

Carso n Curley (Form V) is excited to be a monster in She Kills Monsters. His previous experience at the Senior School includes; The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Freshmen) and Now Here This (Sophomore) As well, in SSA middle school he was enrolled in the theater program, all three years. He is especially thrilled about partaking in this year's production of She Kills Monsters, because it is his first time participating in a play at the Senior School. Playing the role of a Monster Handler has been a new and challenging role to learn, but it's been fun for Carson! Carson has watched many theater productions before at the Senior school, dating back to Macbeth. After watching all the shows in the past, he decided this year to try something new. He would like to thank you for coming to the show, as well Mr. Ingraham, DH, his family, and his friends! Carson hopes you enjoy the show!

Kathryn Wolfe (Form V) is so excited to perform this production of She Kills Monsters. She joined the Shady Side Academy community in middle school, where she performed in two of the winter musicals. Kathryn fondly looks back on the memories she made during the winter musicals, when they were producing and performing Peter Pan and All Shook Up. When she transitioned from the middle school to the senior school, during her sophomore year, she wanted to try something new. Kathryn decided to audition for the fall play, Alice in Wonderland, despite having no experience with acting in plays. Because of covid, the play was a much different environment than usual. However, everyone still managed to make each practice enjoyable, and execute an impressive show. Over the last few years, the play has introduced her to so many new people, and helped her create amazing memories. Kathryn has found that every moment, from the first day of auditions, to the final performance, can become a learning experience or a memory. Every person in this cast and crew is extremely dedicated, and so excited to display the hard work they have put into this show. Kathryn wants to thank everyone for coming out to support, and she hopes you enjoy!

Chloe Wells (Form V) is a junior at Shady Side Academy and has attended the school for six years. Before SSA, Chloe went to Fox Chapel Country Day school, which is now a part of Shady Side. She Kills Monsters is her second play here at the high school. Previous to this show, she was a part of Alice in Wonderland where she portrayed a mouse. Chloe wishes she had been more a part of the theater in past years, but is very enthusiastic about She Kills Monsters. Chloe’s part as a monster handler has helped her to develop her skills as an actor because she has had to rely on physical movement rather than words. She has previously enjoyed watching the past productions at the high school as well as the middle school. She fondly remembers being a part of musicals at her elementary school, but last year, she was very excited to once again be a part of the theater department. The cast and crew have really put in so much effort to make this year's play one of the best at SSA thus far. Chloe hopes that the audience enjoys She Kills Monsters just as much as the cast and crew enjoyed putting it together!