Designers and Crew

Director: Kaleb Gaus

Technical Director: Bennie Palko

Choreographer: Charis Spencer

Charis Spencer is a teacher at KIPP high school. Spencer was last seen on stage in her 20th performance of International Youth Ballet's the “Nutcracker” as a performer and Stage Manager. Spencer has most enjoyed the creative process working with the cast! Their openness and willingness to try new things has been a true inspiration. Also every dance party has been Spencer's favorite. Spencer would like to thank the STELLAR Directorial Team for their hard work, collaboration, and constant support, shout out especially to Palko for the friendship these past 3 years, thank you to the cast for showing up and trusting her, shout out specifically to Sebastian and Morgan (OG DRAMA CLUB LETS GO) for always being there to bounce ideas around, her parents for putting her in dance even though maybe she would have been better at Basketball. Spencer would also like to thank Sons, Hutt, and Rooney for being really great friends! “ From the top, make it drop......that's some worship and prayer.”

Vocal Director: Jenn Perkins 

Jenn Perkins is a teacher at KIPP high school. Perkins has performed in and directed a long list of shows. She first took the stage as Amaryllis in “The Music Man”. Her last theater production was “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Perkins loves working with such an ambitious cast and hearing how each member grows into a performer. Perkins must foremost thank her mother, as she has been the foundation and the light for her endeavors. “There is never enough singing- Martin Luther.”

Music Director: Amra Tomsic

Stage Manager: Elizabeth Alegbe

Elizabeth will be graduating from KIPP High School in May. Elizabeth was an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Once on this Island”. She moved from ASM to Stage Manager (SM) for “CLUE: On Stage” earlier this year and is also the SM for this current production. Elizabeth has enjoyed the amount of people we have successfully been able to introduce into theater this year, having more new faces to work with and share this experience with. Elizabeth would like to thank directors for all their hard work and past RPA alums and family for their love and support throughout her last year with RPA. 

Assistant Stage Manager: Folashade Lassissi

Folashade is in her final year at KIPP high school. This is Folashade’s first time working on a production with RPA. However, she is very excited to be apart of “In The Heights” as the Assistant Stage Manager. Folashade has enjoyed being apart of the RPA community as it has become like a second family. Folashade has enjoyed the constant laughter at rehearsals with the cast and her favorite memory might be Spencer letting her have the aux chord during choreography rehearsal. She would like to thank Palko for taking a chance on her, especially since it’s her first show. She would also like to thank Liz for taking her under her wing and helping her understand everything needed to be an ASM! 

Assistant Technical Director: Rachell Juarez

Assistant Director: Amy Fabela

Amy is a junior this year at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. Amy’s work was last seen as an actor for “RANKED: The Musical”, Paint/Prop crew for “La Llorona Llora”, and actor for “Trifles”. Amy has enjoyed being given the chance to explore new opportunities and trying something new. Amy would like to thank her parents, her sibling, her friends, and the RPA team for helping her achieve this opportunity. “By the way, Praise the lamb! :) Conduit of great power, promised liberator of the one who waits below… (Def not a game reference…JK…)”

Sound Designer: Violeta Rodriguez 

Violeta is a junior this year at Rocky Moutain Prep RISE. Violeta’s last work was seen on “CLUE: On Stage” as the sound designer. Violeta has enjoyed creating new bonds and pursuing what she loves.

Crew: 

• Yarely Ciau: Yarely is a junior this year at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. The last time Yarely worked on stage was the play “CLUE: On Stage as part of sound and paint crew. Yarely has also been part of crew for the last two years with RPA. The thing Yarely has enjoyed most about "In The Heights" is being able to work with friends and being able to be part of another RPA production. Yarely would like to thank her family most of all for their support and love. She would also like to thank Palko for being supportive and understanding. “Yo, this is bogus. - Vanessa". 
• Ximena Avila
• Aquina Bowers
• Emiliana Martinez

Publicity Head/House Manager: Joby Chapman

Crew: 

• Fressia Ramirez
• Ximena Avila
• Isabella Vasquez

Set Designer: Meron Nigatu

Crew: 

• Matthew Hope
• Serenity Ratcliff
• and Eddie Partida 

Lights

Crew: 

• Serenity Ratcliff
• Abigail Johnson: Abigail is a junior at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. “In the Heights” is the first show that Abi has worked on as a member of RPA. Abi has enjoyed officially being a part of the production and meeting new people. Abi would like to thank her friends and mom for supporting her through everything. 
• Keira Duran Hernandez

Props

Crew: 

• Ailyn Garcia-Casillas: Ailyn is a junior this year at Rocky Moutain Prep RISE. Ailyn's work was last seen as the Unexpected Cop in “CLUE: On Stage” and was the Sheriff in “Trifles”, a production put on by Phoenix of Color. Ailyn has enjoyed working with new people and being able to be part of an amazing company.
• Zaylahann Paul
• Jossi Cardenas
• Celest Willis
• Keira Duran Hernandez

Paint

Crew: 

• Matthew Hope
• Zaylahann Paul
• Eddie Partida
• Yarely Ciau: Yarely is a junior this year at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. The last time Yarely worked on stage was the play “CLUE: On Stage as part of sound and paint crew. Yarely has also been part of crew for the last two years with RPA. The thing Yarely has enjoyed most about "In The Heights" is being able to work with friends and being able to be part of another RPA production. Yarely would like to thank her family most of all for their support and love. She would also like to thank Palko for being supportive and understanding. “Yo, this is bogus. - Vanessa". 
• Mariam Haidara
• Ghost Hernandez-Mejia

Costumes / Hair & Makeup

Crew: 

• Samantha Luján
• Ailyn Garcia-Casillas: Ailyn is a junior this year at Rocky Moutain Prep RISE. Ailyn's work was last seen as the Unexpected Cop in “CLUE: On Stage” and was the Sheriff in “Trifles”, a production put on by Phoenix of Color. Ailyn has enjoyed working with new people and being able to be part of an amazing company.
• Bita Tangu: Bita is a sophomore this year at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. Bita last worked on the show "Once on this Island" participating in Tech Crew Hair and makeup. Bita enjoyed trying something new in a different environment she’s usually used too. She had a lot of fun meeting new people. Bita would like to thank all of this year’s seniors because they have helped her to envision what RPA is really about and how it’s worth all the pain and stress. 
• Celest Willis
• Dayana Tejada-Roldan 
• Auzunay Woodstock
• Brea Dixon