ELF The Musical

Efren “David” Aguilar

Pit: Trombone

David plays with the Marching Blue Streak Band on baritone and in the Symphonic Band on trombone.

Astridd Amaya Orellana

Cast: Elf #1

Astridd was in many productions at THMS, was a Harvard Student in Legally Blonde and in the Hairspray ensemble.

Mairani Antonio-Avila

Cast: Store Elf #1

This is the first stage production for Mariani. She is in the Marching Blue Streak Band and enjoys singing and bike riding outside of school.

Anish Aradhey

Cast: Macy's Manager

Anish was in many SKMS stage productions and was Thad last year in Hairspray.

Brigid Banks

Cast: Waitress

Brigid was the Assistant Stage Manager for Legally Blonde and in the ensemble for Hairspray. 

Julie Beshoar*

Cast: Flyer Guy

This is Julie’s first HHS production but she was Gertrude McFuzz in the SKMS production of Seussical, Jr.

Jadon Biller

Cast: Santa/Fake Santa #3

This is Jadon’s first stage production. He is in the Marching Blue Streak Band and outside HHS, plays soccer and works.

Michaela Brino-Dean

Cast: Mother

Michaela completes her perfect record of four years at HHS and four musicals.

Nathaniel Bunn

Cast: Sam

Nathaniel was Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, Jr. and was Nathan in Guys and Dolls, Jr. at SKMS.

Jade Chao*

Cast: North Pole Elf, Macy's Elf, Teenager and Stage Manager

This is Jade’s first HHS production but her past roles include Nikko in The Wizard of Oz, Jr., Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Jr., and The Cat in Seussical, Jr.

Amara Clancey*

Pit: Violin

This is Amara’s first time in the pit. She was on the crew for Hairspray and on the crew for Shrek, Jr. at THMS.

Marshall Coffman

Pit: Trumpet

This is Marshall’s third year playing trumpet in the pit. 

Toby Corriston

Cast: Michael Hobbs

Toby performed in many THMS productions and was Sketch in Hairspray.

Amber Corriston

Choreographer

Amber has been the dance director at HHS for eight years and this is the seventh musical she has choreographed while at HHS.

Natalie Corso*

Cast: Boy Elf

Natalie was in musical for four years at THMS; she was the Ugly Duckling in Shrek, Jr. and the Stepmother in Into the Woods, Jr. 

Lada Dmytriyeva

Pit: Clarinet

This is Lada’s first time in the HHS pit. She is in the Marching Blue Streak Band, is on the HHS swim team and in French Club.

Kristi Duong

Cast: Sara

This is Kristi’s first HHS production but she was the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Jr.

Evan Eberly

Cast: Chadwick

At THMS Evan was the Mayor in The Wizard of Oz and Puck in Midsummer Night on the Jersey Shore. Last year he was Mr. Pinky in Hairspray.

Olivia Eberly

Cast: Emma Van Brocklin

This is Olivia’s first HHS production but at THMS Olivia was in the ensemble for Shrek, Jr. and was Moonbeam in Midsummer Night on the Jersey Shore.

Ken Gibson

Director

Born in Long Island, New York, Ken attended James Madison University, graduated with a BA in English, earned a teaching certificate, and now teaches Theatre at HHS.

Emma Gibson*

Cast: Matthews

Emma played Teen Fiona in Shrek, Jr., Darcy in Darcy’s Cinematic Life and the Witch in Into the Woods, Jr., all at THMS

Laura Gonzáles Dutor

Cast: Elf #3

Laura is making her stage debut in Elf.

Ari Han*

Cast: Fake Santa #2

Pit: Piano

Through musical magic, Ari is both in the pit and onstage for his first HHS production. He has previous experience in THMS drama productions.

Naidelyn Hernandez

Pit: Clarinet

This is Naidelyn’s first time in the HHS pit. She is a section leader in the Marching Blue Streak Band, and is in Symphonic Band.

Carson Hotchkiss

Pit: French Horn

This is Carson’s first HHS pit but she is in the Marching Blue Streak Band and Symphonic Band.

Bethany Houff

Vocal Music Director

Bethany has been the Choral Director at HHS since 2003 and is happy to be assisting with her eighteenth HHS musical.

JaNique Jackson

Pit: Alto Sax

This is JaNique’s third year in the pit. She is also in the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Marjorie Jimenez-Khashchuk

Pit: French Horn

This is Marjorie’s first time playing in the pit. She is in the Marching Blue Streak Band and will join Symphonic Band next semester.

Abigail Kauffman

Pit: Violin

This is Abigail’s second year in the pit playing violin. She plays with the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony.

Aiden Kennedy

Pit: Oboe

Aiden was previously in the pit for Legally Blonde. He is also a drum major for the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Olivia King

Cast: Mrs. Clause

Olivia was in the ensemble last year in Hairspray. She runs track and plays soccer for HHS and is in both HOSA and C-Crew.

Anna Koubek*

Pit: Alto Sax

This is Anna’s third year in the pit. She is in FAACL for visual art.

Claire Leeper

Academic Success Liason

Mrs. Leeper is in her thirteenth year of teaching. She attended JMU and received her BM in Music Education.

Mia Lemon*

Cast: Jovie

This is the third HHS musical for Mia who was one of The Dynamites in Hairspray. 

Cindy Liu

Pit: Alto Sax, Flute

This is Cindy’s first year in the pit; she is in the Marching Blue Streak Band and plays with the HHS Symphonic Band.

Ethan Malcom

Cast: Fake Santa #1

This is Ethan’s first time acting in the musical but he was in the pit last year for Hairspray. He is also in the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Johanna Mayfield

Pit: Piano

This is Johanna’s first time in the pit. At HHS she is in band and on the Academic team and the swim team.

Chloe McClay

Pit: Clarinet

This is Chloe’s first time in the pit but she was onstage in middle school musicals. She is also in the HHS Symphonic Band.

Maren McGehee

Cast: Salvation Army Lady

Pit: Drumset

Maren is magically in the pit and onstage for Elf. She played violin in the pit for Hairspray and plays percussion in the Marching Blue Streak Band.

AJ Moats

Pit: Trumpet

This is AJ’s third year playing trumpet in the pit. She is in the Marching Blue Streak Band, Symphonic Band and United Sound.

Anya Newman*

Cast: North Pole Elf/Charlotte Dennon

Anya completes her perfect record of four years at HHS and four musicals. She also performs with Color Guard and HHS dance.

Kate Nichols*

Cast: Boy

Kate was part of the Corny Council in Hairspray. She has studied dance at Ballet Extensions and with the Rockingham Ballet Theater.

Miguel “Mikey Paniagua

Pit: Clarinet

This is Mikey’s third year in the pit. He is in band, debate, Key Club, STEM, UNICEF and Tri-M.

Noel Parakuo

Cast: Woman

This is Noel’s first musical, but she was in the BSU talent show and is on the HHS indoor and outdoor track teams.

Ellie Peeks*

Cast: Elf #2

Last year Ellie was Daphne in Good Kids and was in the ensemble in Hairspray. 

Sophia Pimentel Yoder*

Cast: Saleswoman

Sophia was in both one act and musical productions at THMS, and most recently was Cinderella in Into the Woods, Jr. 

Oscar Renteria Aguilar

Pit: Tenor Sax

This is Oscar’s second year in the pit. He is also in the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Jeffrey Robinson

Pit: percussion

This is Jeffrey’s first time in the pit. He is in percussion, theater and the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Matthew Rush

Pit: Trombone

This is Matthew’s first year in the pit. He is in band and runs HHS cross country and track.

Phil Saunders

Assistant Director

Phil has been involved with productions at HHS for ten years, originally working with choreography before moving to the role of Assistant Director.

Julien Steines

Pit: Violin

This is Julien’s first year in the pit. He is in band as a percussionist and plays violin with the Shenandoah Youth Symphony.

Emma Swartz

Pit: French Horn

This is Emma’s first year in the pit. She is in STEM, Symphonic Band and the Marching Blue Streak Band.

Cecelia Thomas*

Cast: Emily Hobbs

This is Cecelia’s fourth HHS musical. She is in Honors Choir and C-Crew.

Eleanor Tjaden*

Cast: Store Elf #2

This is Eleanor’s first HHS production but she was in many productions at THMS and mostly recently was cast as Florinda in Into the Woods, Jr. 

Rose Trainum*

Cast: Security Guard, Police

Rose did sound for Legally Blonde and was stage manager for Hairspray.

Azalea Twining*

Cast: Buddy the Elf

Azalea was the Matron in Hairspray, Kylie in Good Kids, Amber in Out for Winter Break and Aumerle in Richard II at the Shakespeare Youth Forum.

Daniel Upton

Pit Orchestra Conductor

Daniel is in his ninth year as Band Director at HHS, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble 1 & 2, co-directs the Concert Band and Marching Blue Streak Band and teaches courses in piano.

Oziel Valdez

Cast: Walter Hobbs

This is Oziel’s fourth HHS musical; he was Nikos Argitakos in Legally Blonde and IQ in Hairspray.

Paige Vass

Health Screening/Backstage Coordinator

Paige is our health screening and backstage coordinator. She has been a special education teacher for 13 years.

Ellie Velker*

Cast: Deb

Ellie was Prudy Pingleton in Hairspray and was in Good Kids. She has been in many community theater and THMS productions.

Owen Wells

Cast: Charlie

Owen was Brad in Hairspray last year. He is in the Spikeball club and enjoys camping and hanging out with family. Owen thanks his parents and all the directors for making this musical possible.

Malakai Wettig

Cast: David Lambert, Security Guard, Police

This is Malakai’s first HHS role but he was a pirate in Sir Nose, the Burger Rat. He runs cross country and plays soccer.

Micah Wickline

Cast: Mr. Greenway

This is Micah’s third HHS musical; he was previously Dewey in Legally Blonde and Mr. Spritzer in Hairspray.

Sophia Yoder

Pit: Alto & Bari Sax

Sophia was in the pit for Hairspray and onstage for Legally Blonde and Siddhartha. She is also in Jazz Band, Symphonic Band and String Ensemble,

Ella Young*

Cast: Tiara

At THMS Ella was a Newsie in Newsies and in the ensemble for Matilda. Last year at HHS she was in the ensemble for Hairspray.

Danny Zarate Ramos

Pit: Trumpet

This is Danny’s first time in the pit. He is also in the Marching Blue Streak Band.