Program: Who’s Who in [title of show]
LAUREN BAMFORD
Heidi
Lauren is thrilled to be back on the TheatreFEST stage! Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in theater performance from Cornell University, a master’s in marine sciences from the University of New England, and now works in career services at Wake Tech. Favorite past roles include Czolgosz in Assassins (TheatreFEST), Phoebe in Gentleman’s Guide (RLT), Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein (NRACT), and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (CP). When not running around on stage, Lauren can be found rolling pretty dice and playing pretend with her friends, wandering through forests, and snuggling with her best cat friend, Dodger. Love to the cast and crew!
SHELBY BRIANNE BARROS
Susan
Shelby is thrilled to take on the role of Susan! She graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in musical theatre and is a member of the Actor’s Equity “Membership Candidate Program.” Shelby is also an elementary music teacher and LOVES her 750 kiddos! She was most recently seen as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof with Cary Players. Other theatre credits include Antonia in Man of La Mancha (Justice Theatre Project) Maurice in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure (Old Creamery Theatre), Laurey in Oklahoma!, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Violet in 9 to 5, and many more. She hopes you enjoy the show just as much as she has enjoyed working on it!
YI CHEN
Larry
Yi is a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering. He made his NC State debut in University Theatre’s production of Urinetown as Mr. McQueen. His previous show credits include orchestral director for Into the Woods and Rocky Horror, and music director for [title-of-show]. Yi is a member of the NC State Chorale and Chamber Singers where he enjoys performing choral music and occasionally, conducting. Yi’s first involvement in a musical was 5 years ago when he music directed [title-of-show]; therefore, the show has a special place in Yi’s heart, and he is very excited to reprise his role as Larry in his favorite show of all time!
WILL GODBY
Hunter
Will is an NC State graduate, who loves the opportunities he has had with University Theatre over the last four years and the love for acting it reignited in him. His most recent performance was as Finn in the the student-written Creative Artist award-winning play, Muse. He has been in musicals such as Urinetown (Mr. Cladwell) and Ragtime (Younger Brother), Shakespeare plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (King Oberon), and even participated in TheatreFEST 2022’s Assassins (ensemble). He is grateful for his friends, family, and many casts.
BENJAMIN DAVID TARLTON
Jeff
Benjamin is a recent graduate of UNC Chapel Hill having just completed his degree in dramatic art with a music minor this May. Recent credits include Officer Lockstock in Urinetown and Hanschen in Spring Awakening, both with Kenan Theatre Company at UNC.
DANICA JENELLE JACKSON
Director
Danica (she/they) is the assistant director of performance at UT. Most recent productions include Assassins (Charles Guiteau; Director); She Kills Monsters (Director), and Urinetown the Musical (Director). Danica holds a MEd in interdisciplinary arts from Nova Southeastern University, and an MFA in directing from the University of Memphis. Danica is thrilled to be working with such a dedicated and incredibly talented cast and production team. Thank you to all involved! www.danicajenelle.com
LAUREN TOMPKINS
Musical Director
Lauren is a music director, singer, actor, voice teacher, audition coach, and accompanist. Some of her favorite shows to music direct have been Guys and Dolls (MPP), Singin’ in the Rain (SACT), Newsies (RACT) and Brigadoon (ECCT), and she is honored to work with the incredible cast and crew of [title of show] for her first NC State TheatreFEST show! Lauren has also been the resident music director at Raleigh Area Children’s Theater for the past 8 years, which earned Excellence in Music at the 2023 Junior Theater Festival. Later this year, she will be music directing the Raleigh ACT Performance Company productions of Heathers and Something Rotten. Hailing from the Midwest, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in voice performance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Iowa. Thank you to Mark H. and of course, B!
PATRICK MATHIS
Sound Design
Patrick holds an MFA in Theatre Design and Technologies from Utah State University and a BS in Information Science and Technology from Mercer University. They have worked in theatre and live entertainment across the nation and internationally in the areas of technical theatre, as well as lighting and media design. Outside of their academic and theatre focused work, Patrick is the founder and CTO of the Entertainment Engineering Collective, a group of international artists focused on bringing streaming and media support to emergent artists and theatre companies. Patrick is also a proud partner and tech specialist at subTEXT Solutions Dramaturgy, a member of CITT/ICTS, USITT, and Actors Equity. They are beyond excited to be a part of the NC State family and take part in the magic being made at the University Theatre.
DAVID JENSEN
Technical Direction
David has been working at University Theatre since 2002. David attended Appalachian State University and UNC-Greensboro, where he studied theatrical design and production. He worked in Atlanta for seven years as a freelance theatre carpenter and technical director at most of the theaters in the metro area as well as many exhibit/design shops. David would like to remind everyone that the Arts NC State programs are open to any NC State student — Get involved!
GABRIELLE MORRIS
Stage Manager
Gabrielle is a junior at NC State majoring in communication with a concentration in public relations with double minors in journalism and theatre. She has done six previous productions with University Theatre and is excited to be working on TheatreFEST for the first time.
REBECCA PEACE
Assistant Stage Manager
Rebecca is a junior at NC State in mathematics. She has worked on four shows previously with University Theatre so far in her time at NC State, and this is her first TheatreFEST production. Rebecca is very excited to get the opportunity to work as an assistant stage manager for [title of show] this summer.