The Secret Garden Cast

Victoria is absolutely thrilled to be playing one of her dream roles in her 2nd production with Spotlight! You may have most recently seen Victoria as Celia in SIST’s production of As You Like It or as Nancy in Spotlight’s production of Oliver!! Some of her other most cherished roles include Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath, Penelope in The Penelopiad, Ellida in The Lady from the Sea, Jo March in Little Women, Meg in Crimes of the Heart, Ophelia in Hamlet, Vanda in Venus in Fur and Luisa in The Fantasticks - this one soon to be added to the list! Victoria is also a graduate of Wagner College, holding her degree in Arts Administration and currently works as the Executive Assistant/Office Administrator at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. “Many thanks to Jacques, Mary Lee and the Spotlight team for this amazing opportunity to play a role I’ve been dreaming of playing since I was 14, this astounding cast for bringing me to tears every time they sing and my beautiful son Frankie & my incredible fiancé, Dylan, for being my greatest supporters and inspiration.”

Gretchen is thrilled to be performing in this Fall's Spotlight production of Secret Garden as Mary Lennox. Gretchen is 10 years old and a 6th grader in Xaverian's Genesis program in Brooklyn, her favorite subjects are literature, science and mathematics. Previously, Gretchen starred as Annie in the musical “Annie” and played the Witch in Into the Woods. She really enjoys acting and singing and has learned so much in her Spotlight productions, The Wizard of Oz and Broadway Bound. When not on stage, Gretchen enjoys golf, travel, skateboarding, and the company of her beloved dogs Namath, Tilda, and bearded dragon Lemmy.

Lisa Sloan, PhD (she, her, hers), is excited to be trodding the boards for the first time in 15 years! Lisa is a theatre historian and dramaturg. Her research focuses on feminist and queer activism and/as performance. Lisa recently contributed an entry on the Five Lesbian Brothers to Fifty Key Figures in Queer US Theatre. As a performer, she has sung with IlluminArt Productions at Empowering Voices events as well as Vox Femina Los Angeles. At Williams College, Lisa studied voice with Marlene Walt. She also spent a semester abroad at the Gaiety School of Acting, now the National Theatre School of Ireland. As a dramaturg, Lisa has had the pleasure of working on the premiere of Gina Young's sSISTERSs as well as the LA LGBT Center's production of Ike Holter's Hit The Wall. Lisa thanks her wife, Terri, for her endless love and support.

Jonathan is grateful to be back with his Spotlight family for another amazing show! He has appeared as Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher, in the ensemble of Sing a Song of Sondheim, as Grimwig in the ensemble of Oliver!, as Drosselmeyer in Nutcracker, and as Stanley in the ensemble of Hello, Dolly! Originally from the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado, Jonathan received his BFA from the University of Wyoming. Favorite past credits include Junie B. Jones, Charlotte’s Web, Woman in Mind, and The Lion in Winter.

Apryl Arden (they/them) is thrilled to be returning to their Spotlight Rep family! Previous Spotlight credits include Sing a Song of Sondheim, Robyn Hood, Bat Boy, Violet, and Matilda. In addition to their work at Spotlight, they’ve done lots of things lots of places. Highlights have included singing in Antarctica and the North Pole within less than a year on cruise ships, performing at Tokyo Disneyland with Mickey Mouse, and singing with Cirque on a national tour. Favorite roles include: Squeaky Fromme in Assassins, Annabel in Lucky Stiff, and Mary Lane in Reefer Madness. Follow my adventures on social media! @aprylanonymous

Corey Loftus (Archibald) is delighted to be digging in to his eighth production with Spotlight. This role is a new branch for him; his first time playing a father on stage. His patch of favorite past roles: Edgar/Bat Boy in Bat Boy (Spotlight Rep, SI), Cat in the Hat (Seussical Nat'l Tour), Silvius in As You Like It (Orlando Shakespeare). All love to his roots: FTGL, MDCKNLI, PA. BFA Music Theater, Elon University. www.coreyloftus.com/theater

Randy Topper (Ben/Major Holmes) - Much like his dad van, Randy was imported from Detroit where he earned a degree in theatre performance from Wayne State University. After moving to New York in 2001, Randy toured with such companies as Dandelion Productions, National Theatre for Children and Theatreworks USA. He also spent a year in residence at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. Upon returning to New York, Randy co-founded IlluminArt Productions in Staten Island, serving as artistic director for 9 years. Having then earned his MSW, Randy now works during the school year as a social worker at PS 59 and spends his summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. Randy is grateful to be back on stage with his Spotlight family having previously performed with them in School of Rock (Ned Shneebly), Nutcracker (The King/Father) and Oliver! (Mr. Bumble). Other credits include Hairspray (Edna), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Pharaoh) and Blood Brothers (Darrin Wayne). His favorite role continues to be that of partner to Kristi and Daddy to Eden and Shana.

Thomas is so excited to be a part of the Secret Garden cast! He has previous experience with Spotlight Reperatory Theater playing "Dodger" in Oliver! He has also played "Chief Tui" in Moana, "Rodger" in 101 Dalmatian's with Spotlight, as well as "Aladdin" and "Gaston" in IS 7 productions. Thomas is a sophomore at Tottenville HS and is currently involved in SING and concert choir. Thanks to Mom, Dad, siblings, and to Mary for the opportunity.

Susanne is excited to be performing alongside the incredibly talented cast and crew of The Secret Garden. This is her third Spotlight production, previously appearing in Hello Dolly and School of Rock. She is a fifth grade social studies and science teacher in the elementary school. She also enjoys volunteering with Spotlight Theatre and Msgr. Farrell Band and Family Association. She wants to thank her family and friends for their love and support! "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." ~Frances Hodgson Burnett

Meggan Audrey is so excited to be back with her Spotlight family! Meggan has become a choreographer/director at Spotlight for the past few years working on Chicago, Mean Girls, Hello Dolly, The Lion King, Jr, and Addams Family to name a few. She was also most recently seen in Spotlight Repertory Theatre’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher! Favorite Performance Credits: Newsies (Spotlight Repertory), Footloose (Surflight), The Producers (Woodstock Playhouse), Chicago (Forestburgh Playhouse), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Weathervane Theatre). Meggan has also performed as a backup vocalist for Liz Callaway in Lincoln Center and Deke Sharon in Carnegie Hall. Graduate of Pace University, BFA. Thank you to Jacques, Mary Lee and the entire cast and crew! Love to Mom, Dad, James and Brad. @megganherod

Connor is so excited to be returning to the stage with Spotlight after appearing as Gremio in Kiss Me Kate earlier this year! He has been seen elsewhere on the Island as Noah Joad (Grapes of Wrath), Bayard (Incident at Vichy), Mr. McQueen (Urinetown), and John de Stogumber (Saint Joan) at Ghostlight Players, and as Dion (The Winter's Tale), Roderigo (Othello), and Ernie Mac & Friends (Puffs) with Staten Island Shakespeare. He would like to express his many thanks and best wishes to the entire cast and crew, and thanks to his family and friends!

Monica Ugarte is a recent graduate from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor’s degree in Theater. She has performed in various productions including: Chicago (Roxie Hart), Les Misérables (Fantine), Into The Woods (The Witch), Water by the Spoonful (Yasmine), El Huracán (Alicia/Dr.Kempler/Val), Sunday In The Park With George (Celeste/ Harriet Pawling), Around the World in 80 Days (Princess Aouda), Peter and The Starcatcher (Prentiss), and recently Kiss me Kate (Hattie). She is also a stage manager and an aspiring Scenic designer who has worked on recent spotlight productions (Frog and Toad, Mamma Mia, Alice In Wonderland Jr, and Kiss Me Kate). She is thrilled to share this beautiful eerie story with an audience as Alice one of the dreamers!

Thomas Gonzalez is thrilled to be joining Spotlight's company for the first time. He is a special education theater teacher at Susan E. Wagner high school and has been performing in various venues for over a decade. He is a director for haunted attractions and was last seen on stage for the Off-Broadway run of Staten Island: The Musical.

John Palermo is making his spotlight debut, he has appeared in multiple productions including The Wiz, Hair and Grease during his High School and Collegiate years. He took a break from theater to become a New York City Police Officer, during his time in the NYPD he appeared in and voiced over multiple training videos, and social media campaigns. He currently is the voice of the Winter Village at Bryant Park. He is very grateful to his wife Donna and daughter Jennifer for pushing him to follow his love for the theater.

Justin Blake Grossman - General Shelley, Ensemble Justin is a resident here in Staten Island and is beyond thrilled to be returning to Spotlight Theatre! Justin’s most recent credits include: Fiddler on the Roof (Nachum the beggar) and Oliver! (Mr. Sowerberry, Knife Grinder) Past credits include: The Addams Family, Pippin, The Wedding Singer, Starmites, Guys & Dolls, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and The Taming of the Shrew. Justin is blessed to be sharing the stage with such incredible and talented actors. Justin would like to thank his family for all of their continued love and support and to his wife for always being his inspiration and biggest fan.

Heather is delighted to be in the cast of The Secret Garden! Earlier this year, she performed in Spotlight Repertory Theatre's production of Oliver! and in a second production of Oliver! with Blessed Sacrament Parish Players. In August, she acted in the workshop of a new musical, The Miracle of Brooklyn (Friscia & Poppe Entertainment), and in September, she had a blast performing in Kiss Me, Kate with Spotlight Repertory Theatre. Many thanks to Mary Lee, Jacques, GG, Matthew, and the whole Spotlight team! @heatheroneill36

I am a sophomore attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School as a vocal major. I’ve always been interested in the backstage aspects of theatre and enjoy interning with spotlight to learn about all the things that go into a performance. I’ve performed in multiple musicals such as, Matilda as Ms. honey, Moana as Moana, and The Little Mermaid as Ursula. Out side of musicals I take gigs at restaurants and perform jazz music with a club of talented musicians. The preforming art has always been my passion and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!

Teddy (11) is thrilled to join the Spotlight Theatre Company as Colin Craven! His favorite recent roles have been playing Bruce in Matilda at the Gallery Players, Chip in Beauty and the Beast at the Argyle Theatre and Gavroche in Les Miserables at SJR High School. He would like to thank his friends, family, and the Amelia DeMayo group.

Kelly is making her Spotlight Repertory Theatre debut after a long hiatus from the stage.

Jules is thrilled to be performing with Spotlight Repertory Theatre Company. Past credits include Into the Woods, Aladdin, Moana, Sponge Bob, Mean Girls, Elf, The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland.

Avery is excited to join the cast of her first Spotlight Repertory show! She has previously performed as July in Annie, Charlie in Elf, Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland, the Mayor of Munchkin City in The Wizard of Oz, Amelia in Aristocats, The Candy Man in Willy Wonka and Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, among other shows. Avery would like to thank her friends, family, and everyone at Spotlight for their support!

Georgie is 12 years old and loves being on stage! He has been part of the Spotlight family for most of his life, and his proudest experience was starring as Oliver in Spotlight Repertory Theatre Company’s “Oliver!” in 2024. Some of his other favorite roles were Thomas O’Malley in “The Aristocats, Kids” and Kristoff in “Frozen, Kids.” Georgie also loves drumming, the Beatles, and traveling. He spends his free time researching the Appalachian Trail, tasting every variety of takis, and marching to the beat of the music in his head!

Miles is so excited to be performing with Spotlight Repertory Theatre again this season! Miles performed the title role of Oliver in last season’s Oliver!. Miles will also be performing the role of Horton is Spotlight Theatre’s upcoming production of Seussical Kids. Miles has been a member of the Christ Church Community Youth Choir for 5 years. He also enjoys taking piano lessons and drawing. Miles is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and enjoys playing video games. Special thanks to Mary and Jacques for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks so much to my Mom and Dad, family, and friends for your support!

Campion O'Neill performed with Spotlight this spring as a Fagin's boy in Oliver! and was also a Fagin's boy in Blessed Sacrament Parish Players' Oliver! With Blessed Sacrament School, he has acted in Annie and The Secret Garden. He has danced twice in The Nutcracker with Staten Island Ballet, last year performing the role of Fritz. Campion also does competitive ballroom dance.

Severin is happy to be back for another Spotlight show. Previously, he performed in Spotlight's Oliver! as a Fagin's boy and then went on act the part of Noah Claypole and Fagin's boy in BSPP's Oliver! He has also performed in Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Oklahoma with Spotlight Youth Theatre and in Annie with Blessed Sacrament School. This spring, he played the role of Dickon in The Secret Garden at BSS. He has also performed in Romeo and Juliet with American Ballet Theatre and in The Nutcracker with Staten Island Ballet. Severin also does competitive ballroom dance.