MADDIE AFFER (Louisa Musgrove) Big Rapids, MI; Senior BFA Acting Major, Minor in Musical Theatre.  Recently, her credits with MSU Department of Theatre include Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play (Ambrosia Jekyll), Decision Height (Norma Jean), Inherit the Wind (Mrs. Brady), and Horse Girls (Margaret) with MSU’s Second Stage Productions. Maddie has always loved the works of Jane Austen, and it’s a dream for her to be able to bring one of her stories alive on stage. She would like to thank her friends, family, and professors for their endless support throughout her years here at MSU.

KYLE ANGIOLINO (Assistant Stage Manager) Ridgewood, NJ; Senior, BFA Stage Management & Minor in Arts & Cultural Management. Kyle is super excited to work on this show. Some of his recent credits include Seagull/Stupid Fucking Bird (Production Stage Manager), Inching Towards Yeolha ( Assistant Stage Manager/Sub Showcaller/Fight Capt),  P\A Devised (Production Stage Manager), and Spring Awakening (Assistant Stage Manager). He would like to thank his close friends and family for supporting him every step of the way during this crazy adventure.

ZACHARY BARKER (Captain Harville) East Lansing, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Business. Some of his credits are The Seagull (Trigorin), 9 to 5 (Ensemble/ Understudy for Hart), MSU Unscripted (Himself), Rocky Mountain High (Ensemble), In Emily’s Words (Ensemble). Zach would like to thank  Daniel T. Smith for this opportunity. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

ABBY BELL (Mrs. Smith) Warren, MI; Senior BFA Acting, BA Humanities Pre-Law, & Minor in Arts & Cultural Management. Her most recent shows include The Grown-Ups (Maeve), and The Yellow Boat (Eddy, Chorus 2). Abby is excited to end her senior year with Persuasion, performing on stage at the Wharton Center for the first time. She’d like to thank everyone who’s supported her since she started theatre and she cannot wait for what’s to come next.

OLIVIA (VIA) BRIDGES (Assistant Director) Ottawa Hills, OH; Freshman, BFA Acting. Via is ecstatic to work on her first-ever Michigan State University Department of Theater production. Some of her recent credits include Frozen Jr. (Student Director), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Associate Director), and The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition (Associate Director). She would like to thank her parents for always supporting her.

MACARTHY BROWN (Assistant Sound Designer) Wixom, MI; Sophomore, BFA Theatre Design. Macarthy is thrilled to be assistant designing on their third main stage MSU production, and a first time in sound design. Some of their previous credits include Inching Towards Yeolha (Asst. Properties Designer) and The Seagull (Properties Designer). They would like to thank Luis and Lucas for their guidance and collaboration and their family and friends for their support.

LEXA BUSCH (Mary Musgrove) Reed City, MI; Senior double major in BFA Acting & Filmmaking with a minor in Creative Writing. Recent credits at MSU include Othello (Emilia), Decision Height (Ziggy Lewis), and Inherit the Wind (Bertrum Cates). Second Stage Production credits include Stop Kiss (Callie) and Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne “Schwarzy”). As a long-time fan of Austen’s novels, Lexa is honored to be a part of Persuasion and bring Mary to life on stage. She’d like to thank her roommates, family, professors, and cat for their constant support during her collegiate creative endeavors!

ALLYSHA GHENCIU (Anne/Young Anne/Henrietta Understudy) Westland, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting/Linguistics/Cognitive Science minor/Musical Theatre minor. Her recent productions include Othello (Gratiano), Ride the Cyclone (Jane Doe/Constance/Ocean Swing), and A Matter of Life and Sketch (Sophia). She also had the pleasure to co-direct Hamlet last fall. She thanks her friends, family, and partner for being incredibly supportive and putting up with her insanely busy schedule. She sends her love to all of them.

ELLENA GUINN (Elizabeth Elliot) West Bloomfield, MI; First Year BFA Acting. Select previous credits include Clue (Miss Scarlett), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania),  Matilda The Musical          (Miss Honey), 1984 (The Loudspeaker), and Fault (Darcy). Ellena has had a passion for the stage since the age of five, and has never looked back. She is thrilled to continue honing her craft as an acting student at MSU, and is overjoyed to be a part of this production of Persuasion. Most recently, Ellena has booked two professional film projects and is eager to keep building her career both on stage and on screen. She is endlessly grateful to her Mom and Dad, whose unconditional love and support have been the foundation of everything she does.

LUIS ANTONIO GUZMAN* (Sound Design) Lima, Peru; First-Year MFA Design Candidate in Sound and Media. Luis is thrilled to be designing his first MSU Department of Theatre Production. Some of his most recent roles include: Frozen (Assistant Media Designer), at Lebowsky Center and Brighton Center for The Performing Arts; Brooklyn’s Bridge A New Musical (A2), at Dr Phillips Center; Food & Wine Festival (A1), at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; Danny Ocean (Stage Crew), at Hard Rock Live; and The Little Mermaid (Sound Designer), at Tibbits Opera House.

TASIYAH HAMPTON (Henrietta Musgrove) Detroit, MI; Junior, BFA Acting and Advertising double major. Previous MSU credits include Stupid Fucking Bird (Nina), Decision Height (Rosalie), Blackness Reimagined (Olamina), and The Unscripted (Various). Outside of MSU, she appeared in the feature film Blindly in Love (Supporting role). She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.

MATTHEW IMMEL (Captain Benwick) Howell, MI: Junior, BFA Acting. Recent credits include Inching Towards Yeolha (Boo-Hyeh), as well as several roles in Second Stage Musical Theatre’s Now Rolling, and They’re So Dramatic’s Villains cabaret. Though still relatively new to the Theatre scene, Matthew hopes to do Jane Austen’s beautiful character writing justice with his own unique creative voice. He would like to thank his family and friends for their steadfast support, the entire Department of Theatre at MSU for welcoming him into their passionate and talented community, and all those who have guided him on this journey (you know who you are) – He wouldn’t be where he is today were it not for you all.

EMMA JESTILA (Stage Manager) Ishpeming, MI;  Junior BFA Stage Management, Arts & Culture Management Minor. Some of Emma’s previous productions here at Michigan State University would include Taking Off! (Stage manager) and Inching Towards Yeolha (Assist. charge artist). Emma was also lead carpenter for Native Gardens at Peterborough Players this past summer. They would like to thank their family and friends for their amazing support!

ANDREW KELLER* (Captain Wentworth) Toledo, OH; Second-year MFA Acting candidate. Recent credits include Othello (Iago), Inching Toward Yeolha (Kyo-Choong), Thinner than Water (Benjy), and A Beautiful Day in November (Granddada) here at MSU, Ada and the Engine (Lord Lovelace) at the Clague Playhouse, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Alan) at Blank Canvas Theatre. Thanks to Dan and the entire creative team for this wonderful opportunity, as well as the entire MFA cohort for their constant support and joy.

ANNA ZACCARI (Jane u/s and Gabby u/s) Effingham, IL; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Musical Theatre & Dance Minors. Anna’s most recent credits include Chemical Imbalance (Euphronia), 9 to 5: The Musical (Ensemble), and School of Rock  (Marcy/Student Dance Captain). She is also the choreographer for Second Stage Musical Theatre and Co-Social Media Chair for Wharton Center Student Marketing Organization. Anna would like to thank her family, friends, and her boyfriend Henry for all of their unconditional love and support. Instagram: @annamzaccari

KAREN LAW* (Anne Elliot) Portland, OR; 2nd year MFA Acting Candidate. Karen’s recent credits at MSU include Inherit the Wind (Matthew Brady), Decision Height (Alice Hawkins) and Chemical Imbalance (Ivy); and at Summer Circle Theatre Fools (Snetzky) and Elephant & Piggie: We’re in a Play (Penguin).  Some of her favorite roles from the past are The King and I (Tuptim) Thinner than Water (Renee). Karen  is so grateful to get to work with such a collaborative and playful team of artists.

HARMONY LINDSTROM* (Lighting Designer) Manistee, MI; First Year MFA Candidate in design. Recent credits include Echoes From the Red Cedar (Lighting Design), Into the Woods (Lighting Design), and You on the Moors Now (Set and Lighting Design). After designing shows for the Barker Playhouse in Providence, RI for the past several years, Harmony is looking forward to seeing their first main stage show at MSU come to life onstage! They would like to thank their amazing partner, cats, and the entire graduate cohort for all their amazing support during this design and tech process.

MARGARET MCNAMARA (Assistant Director) West Branch, MI; Freshman, BFA Acting & Minors in History, Musical Theater, and Arts & Cultural Management. Margaret is thrilled to work on this show. Some of her previous credits include Lion King Jr. (Choreographer/Assistant Director), Madagascar Jr. (Choreographer/Assistant Director), and Moana Jr. (Director). She would like to thank all of her friends and family, especially her mom, for supporting her and reminding her that she can do anything.

ARIELLE OLKHOVSKY (Young Anne) Commerce Township, MI: Freshman BFA Acting major. Persuasion is Arielle’s first show at MSU, and she is so excited to kick off her collegiate acting career with such an incredible production! Some of Arielle’s favorite theatre credits include Shakespeare in Love (Lord Wessex), Museum (Barbara Castle), Sense & Sensibility (Mrs. Dashwood), and Brighton Beach Memoirs (Laurie Morton). Along with her theatre endeavors, Arielle has been acting in films professionally since she was five years old. She would like to thank her family for their unconditional support, her roommate for running lines with her, and the entire cast and crew for making her first MSU show so wonderful.

ASHLEY ROMO (Dramaturg) Detroit, MI; Junior, BA Philosophy, BA Theatre. Some of her previous productions include Live Studio…(Assistant Costume Designer), Othello (Dramaturg), 9 to 5 (Assistant Paint Charge), Inherit The Wind (Assistant Props Designer). She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support in her journey in theater.

GRANT ROODBEEN (Sir Walter Elliott) Rochester, MI; Sophomore, Film Studies. Grant is ecstatic to be performing in his first mainstage production at MSU. Previous credits include The Yellow Boat (Father), Grease (Roger), and Beauty and the Beast (Maurice). Grant would like to thank his family for their continued support of his pursuit of a life in the arts.

CAMRON ROST (Charge Artist) Livonia, MI; Junior, BFA Theater Design: Scenic and Lighting, minor in Graphic Design. Camron is thrilled to be the Charge Artist for Persuasion. You could have seen his work in past shows such as Echoes from the banks of the Red Cedar (Scenic/ Properties Designer/Coordinator), Othello (Lighting Designer), and 9 to 5 (Properties Designer) with the Department of Theater, and multiple student productions. @camron_rost Website Camronrost.com

KATE SHAFFER (Production Stage Manager) Bloomfield Hills, MI; Senior, BFA Stage Management, BA Marketing. Kate is very excited to be working on this production with such an amazing cast, crew, and production team around her. Previous credits include Grapes of Wrath (Asst. Stage Manager), Orchesis: Omorfia (Stage Manager) Seagull/STUPID F**KING BIRD (Sub-Show Caller). She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her theatre journey.

CHARLES SPARROW (William Elliot) East Lansing, MI; Freshman, Arts and Humanities/International Relations. This is Charles’ first show with Michigan State’s Department of Theater and he is quite excited. He would like to give thanks to his parents, brothers, dogs, Director Dan Smith and the rest of the production team, and Ms. Thompson for taking a chance on me.

ALEX SPEVETZ (Lady Russell) Lake Orion, MI; BFA in Acting & BA in Creative Writing. Alex has recently been in The Seagull (Dr. Dorn), Grown Ups (Aidan), and What If Wilhelmina (Wilhelmina 1) on stage. They have also acted on screen in Tripp and Chadwick Get the Bunny Back, T-30, and Instant Replay. Alex loves improv, performing with After School Special in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Chicago. They are excited to bring life to Lady Russell in this heartfelt production. Alex wants to thank their partner Tony, family, and friends for their continued love and support. 

NICK TORRES* (Charles Musgrove) Charleston, SC; Second-year MFA Acting candidate. Recent credits include Othello (Roderigo), 9-5 The Musical (Franklin Hart Jr.), Thinner than Water (Mark), and Inherit The Wind (Henry Drummond) here at MSU, Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party (Eddie) at the Queen Street Playhouse, and SHIP (Jeremiah) at The Void Theatre Company. He would like to thank his partner, Carsyn, his two doggies and cat, and his MFA Cohort for helping him power through the Spring.

KELLIE VERWOERT (Mrs. Clay & Understudy for Mrs. Smith) Saline, MI; Junior double major BFA Acting & Psychology. Recent credits at MSU include The Seagull (Nina & Marina Understudy), Decision Height (Edith ‘Eddie’ Harknell & Ensemble Understudy), and Inherit the Wind (Swing). She also assistant directed both Horse Girls with Second Stage Productions & Women with They’re So Dramatic. She has been a part of several short films recently, including two 48-hour film contests titled Red Elephant and Through the Keyhole with Frameworks Productions: acting and writing. She is a member of the After School Special improv troupe with Second Stage Productions & you can catch her doing stand-up comedy too! She recently signed on with Wink Talent Agency in Royal Oak, MI. She would love to thank her family and her found family here at MSU for the endless support, laughter, and love.

ALEX VINCENT (Assistant Stage Manager) Gaylord, MI; Junior, BFA Stage Management. Alex’s recent productions include Muses and Musicals Cabaret (Stage Manager), 24 Hour Theatre (Costume Designer), Boy Gets Girl (Assistant Stage Manager), Chemical Imbalance (Assistant Stage Manager), and A Matter of Life and Sketch (Costume Designer). They are also co-president of MSU’s Science Theatre club. They would like to thank Kate, Emma, Kyle, Kennedy, and all of their friends for being the coolest and awesomest people ever! They hope that this is your most favorite show you have ever seen!

SEAN WILSON JR (Co-Media Designer), West Bloomfield, MI; Sophomore, BFA Theatre Design & Technology. His recent credits include The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Lighting Designer), Echoes From the Banks of the Red Cedar (Lighting Designer), Into the Woods (Sound Designer), and The Seagull (Asst. Lighting Designer). He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

ABIGAIL GRACEY* (Scenic Designer), Murfreesboro, TN; Second-year MFA candidate with an emphasis in Scenic Design. Abigail is so happy to be part of the design team for Persuasion. Her recent design credits include The Seagull (Scenic Designer), Elephant and Piggie’s We Are In A Play (Scenic Designer), I and You (Scenic Designer), and Fools (Scenic Designer). She would like to thank her friends, family, and faculty for their unwavering support and guidance.