Phoenix: A Dance Concert Cast

Sawyer Richman is a Junior BFA musical theater major at SIU. This is Sawyer’s second mainstage production at SIU and his first major role in a non-musical play. Last year he was in the ensemble of She Loves Me. Sawyer has also stage-managed several productions at SIU including The Black Paradox, and Dragons Love Tacos (MSP 2024). Sawyer also enjoys playwriting, singing, and video games. Sawyer wants to thank everyone who has supported his acting journey and hopes you enjoy the show!

Amelia Warner is a sophomore BFA in Musical Theater at SIUC. She is so excited to join the production of A Christmas Carol! Amelia has been doing theater since she was eight years old. You might have seen her in previous SIU productions like Dragons Love Tacos (Red Dragon) at McLeod Summer Playhouse, Philoten (Philoten), School for Wives (Agnes), and Wedding Band (Princess). She thanks all her friends and family, especially her twin brother and parents for supporting her since day one. Amelia also thanks everyone who helped in this lively production in any way. She dedicates her performance to Maxwell, Jacob, Uncle Jason, and her Grandma Shirley and Papap Wally "The past is forever living for those who chose to remember it" - Spirit of Christmas Past. Enjoy the show!

Bizi Cutherell is a junior at SIU getting her BFA in musical theatre. You may have seen her in past shows at SIU as Dionyza in Philoten and Her Painful Pattern of Adventures, as the Bus Boy/ensemble in She Loves Me, or as Panche in Fierce Musical Theatre's production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In addition to her acting pursuits, she served as a stitcher in the McLeod Summer Playhouse 2024 season and costume designer in Fierce Musical Theatre's production of Trail to Oregon. She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making A Christmas Carol a show full of mirth and spirit for all. You can find her on social media @bizi.cutherell

Cary is a seasoned performer of the Southern Illinois region, and he is proud to help represent the artistic community through this production of Phoenix. Credits include Rocky Horror Show Live, Oklahoma!, Dracula, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Chorus Line, Jekyll & Hyde, and many others. He’d like to express his gratitude to all who support the arts, whatever form that support takes. It's thanks to the patrons, families, friends, and diligent cast and crew that events like this are possible. Cheers to all

Eona (They/She/TA) is a dancer & choreographer across the globe. Currently dancing with Winifred Haun & Dancers in Chicago, they have danced across the U.S. from Alabama and Georgia to Washington and Alaska; as well as a guest artist with The Stage Gathering in Japan. Eona is experienced in stagecraft behind the scenes too - music and lighting, sets and props, and stage managing as well. Besides time in the dance world, they enjoy sipping tea and eating char siu bao

Joshua Trent Kimball (JOHANN), a BFA in Musical Theatre graduate of Southern Illinois University of Carbondale has been performing since the age of five. He also has his masters degree from the University of Central Florida with an MFA in Acting and has worked for a multitude of companies, including Universal Studios Beijing, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Lines as a singer/dancer. Right now, Joshua works for Southeastern Illinois College as the Visual and Performing Arts Specialist and head instructor for the Studio 618 dance studio. He also has recently been hired to choreograph the IHSA Allstate production of Newsie for 2026. Stage Credits include: Next to Normal (Henry), The Full Monty (Malcolm), Gypsy (Tulsa), Songs for a New World (Man 1), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas), Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble), and Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge (Understudy Fred).

Kaitlyn Rose (New Day, Yemonja) is a sophomore Musical Theatre BFA student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is thrilled to be a part of the amazing cast of The Lightning Thief! Other acting credits include Ti Moune (Once on This Island), Deloris Van Cartier (Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy), Blind Mouse/Dragonette/Sleeping Beauty (Shrek: The Musical), Margot (Legally Blonde), and Julia Augustine (Wedding Band). Kaitlyn would like to thank her parents, Camille and Paul, her friends, and her boyfriend for supporting her throughout her theater career and ensuring she is loved no matter what. Kaitlyn also hopes everyone enjoys the show

Kamea Rhine teaches Tap at Arabesque dance in Carbondale. She started dancing with Susan Barnes when she was 3, and has studied many different styles of dance including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap. She has participated in dance workshops led by Katherine Dunham, Robert Battle, Pilobolus, and the #Taplife company. She has had the honor of performing with the Moscow Ballet in their production of a Children's Nutcracker both in 2001 and 2002, the Susan Barnes Dance production of the Nutcracker in 2008 and 2009 as the SUGAR PLUM FAIRY, in SIU’s 2022 production of the Opera Salome, and she and her students have been guest performers with the annual SIDC performance on many occasions.

Kennedy Hayes is a performing & teaching artist from Chicago, IL. Her experience stretches across mediums: dance, film, music, and theatre. Kennedy has trained under Darryl Clark, Jon Sloven, Elise Cowin, Susan Barnes, Emjay Mendez & Ellaine Manuel, Laurie Goux, Solarium Dance Company, Resilience Dance Company, and The Puzzle League. As an instructor, she’s had the privilege to work with students in recreational & competitive programs in the Chicagoland area, fostering confidence, somatic awareness, and technique comprehension.

Kenzie Losinski is a junior from NW Indiana double majoring in Musical Theater and Communications. Recent credits of hers include A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim), The Trail to Oregon (Son), The Prom (Ensemble), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky). She is so excited to be involved in her first dance concert and hopes you enjoy the show. See her later this semester in The Mind’s Mirage and Urinetown

Madilynn Herzog is a freshman theater major who has been dancing for 5 years. She credits the skill she’s developed to her all her former and present coaches and professors at Murphysboro High School and SIUC. In Phoenix, she appears in “New Day” and “On the Wings of Yemonja”. Modern dance is a new endeavor for her, so she thanks her choreographers, partners, and director for their knowledge and grace.

Nicholas Steinberger is very excited to be a part of Phoenix. Nicholas is a sophomore here at SIU in hopes of getting his BA in theater! You may have seen Nichols in many productions around Southern Illinois or past shows with McLeod Summer Playhouse! You can also find him on social media with his podcast Anything and Everything with Nick Steinberger. He hopes you enjoy Phoenix!

Olivia Manning is a junior Musical Theatre student here at SIU. Previous SIU theatre credits include Beth in Little Women, Clarisse in The Lightning Thief, Ensemble/U.S. Amalia, Ilona in She Loves Me, Rona Lisa in ...Spelling Bee (with Fierce), Sophie in Murphy's Law of Pretenders, and Lychorida in Philoten... (with Big Muddy Play Festival). Olivia was a member of the 2023 ensemble of (It's Okay To) Mess With the Johann* when the number was brought to the American College Dance Association, and she is delighted to return to it on the McLeod stage!

Rayden is 23 years old and this will be his first production at SIU. He’s very excited and would like to thank Darryl for this opportunity as well as his mom for her support. Rayden will be in two other shows this semester being Taming of the Shrew and Urinetown the Musical. Go Dogs!

Ty Lunn is in her sophomore year here at SIUC. Her dance career started in 5th grade, and she has been working on techniques ever since. In high school she became the sergeant over her Color Guard team, leading them to win a second-place metal at grand championship. You may have seen her perform in SIDC’s Alien Superstar, Damaged Eclipse, and the Solar Eclipse show. She also performs half time for football games, pregame, and in parades. This will be her 5th dance show since enrolling here at SIU. Furthermore, she is in the running to dance in Ciara’s next music video! You can vote for her on Instagram & find her on TikTok @lu.ty.nn She is so excited, and grateful, to continue her dance career in Phoenix!

Van Leonard is a Musical Theatre BFA at SIU. He is thrilled to perform in his first dance concert. He is thankful to everyone who has encouraged his growth in movement and dance. He has grown in so many ways over the past three years while studying at SIU. Van has appreciated working with Darryl Clark to bring such a beautiful moment to the main-stage. You may have seen him in Hello Dolly (Ambrose), The Prom (Kevin) or as the titular character in Corduroy. Other credits include the She Loves Me (Head-Waiter) and Fierce’s production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Follow his journey @van_leonard_ on Instagram and @leonard_van on TikTok.