CONNOR BARR (Cast) Connor is a First Year student pursuing a B.A. in Theater and Dance with an emphasis in Musical Theater. He was most recently seen in Stars of David with the Austin Jewish Repertory Theater. Other previous credits include: Sheinkopff in Fame (UT), Slim in Oklahoma (Zilker Hillside Theater), Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables (MacTheater), and Singer in Swing! (Summer Stock Austin). He was awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the first annual Greater Austin High School Musical Theater Awards for his portrayal of Buck in Bonnie and Clyde. He is so excited to be a part of this fantastic piece.
MADDREY BLACKWOOD (Cast) graduated from Booker T. Washington HSPVA in Dallas. She has just finished a run as the Witch in Sondheim’s Into the Woods at the Butler Opera Center. Within the Theater and Dance Department, she has most recently been seen as Mrs. Gottlieb in “Dead Man’s Cell Phone”. She will graduate in 2017 with a BFA in Acting from the UT Actor Training Program.
TREY CURTIS (Cast) Trey Curtis is a sophomore in the BFA Actor Training Program at the University of Texas. His most recent performances include In The Heights as he role of Usnavi and FAME the Musical as the role of Schlomo. He has had a blast working on Life, Love, and What I Lost for the 2015 Cohen Networks Festival.
MANDY FOSTER (Cast) Mandy Foster is grateful for the opportunity work on this project with such a wonderful cast. She is in her third year as a Musical Theatre focus. While at UT, she is also pursuing a business certification and is a part of organizations like Sigma Phi Lambda and ALDPES. Recent credits include Side Show at Casa Mañana, In the Heights and Fame at The University of Texas, and some independent film work around Austin. Thank you to my family and friends for their unfailing love and support. This one’s for dad. Psalm 31.
NICOLAS JAMES GARZA (Cast) Nick a third year BFA Theatre Studies major from Helotes, Texas. Nick was recently seen as Ted in “Peter and the Starcatcher” and in the ensemble of “A Christmas Carol” at ZACH Theatre. UT credits include Miguel in “Esperanza Rising,” Piragua Guy in “In the Heights” and Georg in “Spring Awakening.” He is super excited for you to see this new work created by such wonderful people!
DEVIN MEDLEY (Cast) Devin is excited to be a part of such an exciting process with such talented people. Devin is a 2nd year double major in Musical Theatre and History. She was recently seen in Butler Opera Center’s Into The Woods playing Little Red Riddinghood. Devin wants to thank God for His sacrifice, Mom and Daddy’s constant love and support, and her friends and the creative team. Proverbs 3:5
CHRISTOPHER MONTALVO (Cast) is a second-year musical theatre ambassador from the Rio Grande Valley. He was most recently seen as “Nick Piazza” in the University of Texas at Austin’s production of FAME. He has also appeared in The Who’s Tommy at ZACH Theatre in the ensemble as “Male Swing” and as a member of the ensemble in The University of Texas at Austin’s production of In the Heights.
NATALIE PATTON (Cast) is a second-year BFA Acting major, originally from Houston, TX. Favorite roles include “Doreen” in Brian Kettler’s Poor Boys’ Chorus, “Girl” in Tennessee Williams’ Green Eyes, and “Claire” in a staged adaptation of The Breakfast Club. Natalie co-wrote and co-starred in Chance McClain’s “Horrible Turn”, which was nominated for a 2010 Streamy Award. Much love to Mom and Dad for their endless support.
LILLY LANE STAFFORD is currently a musical theatre ambassador at UT. Recent productions include Fame the Musical as “Ms. Sherman”, In The Heights, Sweeney Todd, The American Clock as “Rose Baum”, and Legally Blonde as “Paulette”. Lilly was born in Dallas where she began singing loudly at those who would listen at age three. In her spare time she enjoys baking, doing jigsaw puzzles, being with cool people, and wishing she were on Parks and Recreation. The opportunity to be a part of The Cohen New Works Festival has given her incredible leeway to explore and grow with people she will love forever and always. Lilly would like to thank her amazing family for their love and support, her cast (and, coincidentally, best friends) for keeping her sane, and most importantly her work wife, Habiba (Natalie) Poodle (Patton) for taking this journey with her.
CHARLOTTE YORK (Cast) is a third year B.A. Acting major. Previously involved with UT student organizations Alpha Psi Omega and Round About Players, she has made appearances in the productions Push Up, When the Rain Stops Falling, and Beauty Marks. She has also been involved in other new theatre at UT, including Creative Arts and Theatre’s Fall Festival and UT’s Bridge Festival. Charlotte is also currently directing Road Trip, her original play written for the New Works Festival. Upon graduation, Charlotte hopes to pursue a career as a professional actor.
SHIMSHON ADAM ZEEVI (Lighting Designer) Shimshon is a first year Theatre & Dance major with a focus in Lighting & Media Design. Shimshon has become very active in the student production realm in his first year at UT. Recent credits include Good Day (UTNT), Hold Me Well (UTNT), When the Rain Stops Falling (RAP). Other credits include The Missing Element & Rose Made Man (New Works Festival). – http://www.Adam.Zeevi.org
CHANCE STEWARD (Guitarist) Chance is currently a student in UT’s Actor Training Program as a part of it’s first class. Recent productions include Orlando in As You Like It, and as The Man in The Pink Bedroom written by Tennessee Williams. He was born in Midland, TX and has lived all over Texas and in Northern Virginia. He’s been playing and writing guitar for 6 and a half years. He is grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the Cohen New Works Festival for his first time!
SAMMI YARTO (Ukuleleist) Sammi is a sophomore at Texas State University studying Education with a Writing minor. In addition to ukulele, she plays piano, guitar, flute, and sings. She enjoys writing music, teaching children, and spending time with her friends and family.
J. QUINTON JOHNSON (Cast) has been arranging and writing music for 5+ years now. After he couldn’t quite convince his parents set up piano lessons for him, Johnson began teaching himself piano during his junior year of high school. After graduating high school, Johnson began learning as many instruments as he could get his hands on. Johnson has written arrangements for instrumental covers, woodwind ensembles, his own musical (Kidz Stuff), and even a feature film. He will be featured in Richard Linklater’s upcoming throwback comedy, That’s What I’m Talking About. Favorite roles include, Benny in In the Heights, Will Parker in Oklahoma!, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, Combferre in Les Miserables, The Creature in Playing with Fire (After Frankenstein, and currently, Stokely Carmichael in ZACH Theatre’s production of Robert Schenkkan’s All The Way (The LBJ Play). He is very excited Lilly and Natalie have allowed him the opportunity to arrange for this song cycle!
SPENCER BLANK (Production Team) has music directed with the UT Department of Theatre & Dance on several recent productions including: In the Heights (B Iden Payne nomination for Musical Direction), Esperanza Rising, Refugia, and Pirandello: A New Musical (Cohen New Works Festival) while completing a Master of Music in Opera Coaching at the Butler Opera Center. He has worked with Opera Memphis, Kentucky Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, North Carolina Opera, Opera New Jersey, Opera Manhattan, Chelsea Opera, The Castleton Festival, Brevard Music Center, Seagle Music Colony Signature Theatre and the Washington Savoyards in DC, the Duplex Lounge in NYC, Martuni’s Cabaret and The Octavia Lounge in SF, Centro Studi Italiani Opera Festival in Urbania Italy, the American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz Austria, and has subbed for several national tours. Spencer is looking forward to a future in arts administration, beginning as the Rehearsal & Artist Services Administrator of the Wolf Trap Opera Company this May.
Life, Love, and What I Lost 