1776

Program:

• About the Play
• Cast (listed in order of appearance)
• Production Staff
• Run Crew
• Cast Bios
• Creative Team Bios

About the Play

Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Book by Peter Stone
Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards

This production reflects and reimagines politics in a way not to be missed. The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the Americans behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. Directed and Choreographed by Greg Hellems (last year's director of Alice By Heart) with Music Direction by Wade Russo. 

• Director and Choreographer: Greg Hellems
• Assistant Director and Choreographer: Miranda Morrissette
• Dance Captain: Ellie Sassano
• Music Director: F. Wade Russo
• Orchestrations: Dan Delange
• Vocal Arrangements: F. Wade Russo
• Assistant Music Director: Meg Adams
• Intimacy Coordinator: Andrea Chenoweth Wells
• Stage Manager: Dylan Serrano
• Set Design: Isa Castillon
• Costume Design: Zoë Still
• Lighting Design: Matthew P. Benjamin and Jennifer E. Dillard
• Sound Design: James Dunlap
• Historical Advisor: Jonathan R. Winkler, Ph.D.
   

1776 Orchestra

• Keyboard/Conductor: F. Wade Russo
• Keyboard 2: Matt Ebright
• Reed: Jessica Raposo, Sarah Hanson
• Trumpet: Christopher Jefferies
• Trombone: Robb MacFarlane
• Violin: Anna Eyink, Sophia Lopez
• Percussion: Felicia Dellis, Jim Brooks
• Orchestrations: Dan DeLange
   

Time and Place: Summer, 1776, The Chamber of the Continental Congress

Intermission Duration: 15 minutes

Special Circumstances: Gunshot blanks firing and sound effects, haze (i.e. smoking, strobe lights, etc.)

Please silence all cell phones, pagers, and any other electronic devices. Texting during productions will result in removal from the theater.

The use of any recording device (photo, sound, or video) by audience members is not permitted.

Cast (listed in order of appearance)

Character	Principal Actor	Understudy
John Adams	Sarah Rowell	Payton Fraser
Benjamin Franklin	Ainsley Smith	Hannah Rose Wilkerson
John Dickinson	Grace Goodwin	Ellie Sassano
Thomas Jefferson	Madeline Zabela	Peyton Wheeler
Rutledge	Elise Parks	Brianna Dumaine
Richard Henry Lee	Sophia Stiles	Mac Zeller
Courier	Colin Dech	Eve Diamond
John Hancock	Anna Parsons	Paulina Bradley
Charles Thompson	Elly Sims	Elizabeth Froedge
Stephen Hopkins	Hannah Rose Wilkerson	Olivia Milligan
Andrew McNair	Emily Wilson	Noel Nieczyporowicz
Abigail Adams	Meg Adams	Arielle Gelb
Martha Jefferson	Ashley Ortel	Mia Zink
Roger Sherman	Arielle Gelb	Isabel Rawlins
Robert Livingston	Ellie Sassano	Nika Peck
Caesar Rodney	Alex Thate	Ella Maisel
Colonel T. McKean	Noel Nieczyporowicz	Nika Peck
Lyman Hall	Isabel Rawlins	Nika Peck
James Wilson	Paulina Bradley	Palyce Berrian
Lewis Morris	Payton Fraser	Ella Maisel
Rev. Witherspoon	Brianna Dumaine	Ella Maisel
Samuel Chase	Olivia Milligan	Palyce Berrian
Josiah Bartlett	Peyton Wheeler	Mia Zink
George Reed	Eve Diamond	Palyce Berrian
Joseph Hewes	Elizabeth Froedge	Mia Zink
Leather Apron	Mac Zeller	Palyce Berrian
Painter	Emma Vernon	Mia Zink
Swing	Palyce Berrian
Swing	Ella Maisel
Swing	Nika Peck
Swing	Mia Zink

Production Staff

Production Manager: Kevin Nedberg

Assistant Production Manager: Dylan Serrano

Technical Director: James Hendricks

Assistant Stage Manager: Megan Todd

Production Assistant/Directing Assistant: Morgan Jackson

Assistant Lighting Designer: Keb Stevens

Production Electricians: Robbie Crissman, Levi T. Fravel

Assistant Production Electrician: Connor Veal

Electricians: Mary Beverley, Hunter Davis, Sue Pham, Raya Smith, Keb Stevens

Audio Coordinator: James Dunlap

Audio Technicians: Hunter Davis

Head Carpenter: Elias Baader

Carpenters: Maggie Slauenwhite, Megan Todd, Vexere Sargent, Noel Nieczyporowicz, Kaydence Mullins, Kenna Seng, Keaton Messmer, Elena Kallenberg, Kat Walkup, Tasos Smith, Ana Sofia Gomez, Hayden Stewart

Scenic Supervisor: Brian Seckfort

Scenic Charge Artist: Callie Lippincott

Scenic Artists: Isa Castillon, Lilly Buck, Mary Carlson, Esther Moshood, Juliette Trumbull, Kaydence Mullins, Kenna Seng, Cassie Dranschak, Kayla Theiss, Devin Perlow

Properties Master: John Lavarnway

Properties Artisans: Keaton Messmer, Hayden Stewart

Assistant Costume Designers: Ona Ford, Gillian Jenkins

Costume Shop Manager: Carly Kimmins

Costume Shop Assistant: Victoria “Ori” Rancor

Stitchers: Charlie Cute, Ona Ford, Kate Hahn, Claire Spychalski, Arthur Billups, Gillian Jenkins, Katie Schwabe, Scout Smith, Jillian Price-Hall

Run Crew

Head Deck: Vexere Sargent

Head Rail: Maggie Slauenwhite

Deck/Rail: Rogerick Fields, Kat Walkup, Issiah Current, Elliot Chilcote, Anna Foltz

Sound Mixer: James Dunlap

A2 Mic Technicians: Keaton Messmer, Elena Kallenberg

Light Board Operator: Connor Veal

Spotlight Operators: Robbie Crissman, Sue Pham, Keb Stevens

Properties Head: Adesola Esther Moshood

Properties Crew: Kayla Theiss, Ana Sofia Gomez

Wardrobe Head: Charlie Cute

Wardrobe Crew: Ona Ford, Jillian Price-Hall, Gillian Jenkins, Scout Smith, Courtney Collinsworth, Abigail Holmes
 

Cast Bios

Meg Adams (Abigail Adams, Assistant Music Director) is a junior musical theatre major from Nashville, TN. Recent productions include Concord Floral (Rosa), Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula U/S), and What the Constitution Means to Me (Debator). Meg has also directed Lungs and DNA in the Director’s Lab. Thank you to her roommates and family!

Palyce Berrian (Swing: James Wilson, Samuel Chase, George Reed, Leather Apron) is a junior musical theatre major and dance minor. She is excited to be in her fourth production here at Wright State. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support, and she hopes the audience enjoys the show!

Paulina Bradley (James Wilson, John Hancock u/s) is a sophomore acting major. Excited for her third Wright State production, she previously understudied Rosa and Bobolink in Concord Floral and Donna John in Much Ado About Nothing. Paulina is thrilled to work alongside this terrific cast and crew and make her mainstage debut. She sends love to her family and friends!

Colin Dech (Courier) (They/Them) is excited to be making their Festival Playhouse debut! Wright State credits: Concord Floral (Fox), omg we ate a guy! (Timberlee). Other Credits: Chicago at Theaterlab Dayton (Hunyak/Ensemble), Shrek: The Musical (Gingy), and The Addams Family (Alice Beineke). Colin sends the warmest wishes to their family, friends, and Wright State's faculty. Special thanks to the DoorDash couriers in the audience—maybe they got their McDonald's from you once, and they’re grateful.

Eve Diamond (George Reed, Courier u/s) is a junior acting major, and 1776 is her first musical at Wright State. Her most recent productions at Wright State were Concord Floral and Everybody, both in the Herbst Theatre. She'd like to thank her friends and family for their support, and she hopes you enjoy this iconic show!

Brianna Dumaine (Rev. Witherspoon, Rutledge u/s) is thrilled to be a part of 1776! Brianna has recently had the privilege to be a part of POTUS as Chris and last season’s Much Ado About Nothing as an understudy. She would like to thank her family and friends for their overwhelming support.

Payton Fraser (Lewis Morris, John Adams u/s) is ecstatic to be a part of this Wright State production. Previously, she has understudied in Much Ado About Nothing and The Wedding Singer. She is grateful to tell this powerful story through the female lens. She’d like to thank her family and Mac for their encouragement.

Elizabeth Froedge (Joseph Hewes, Charles Thomson u/s) is a junior acting major at Wright State and very excited to be a part of her third production here. Previously, she was a part of The Game’s Afoot (Daria U/S) and Everybody (Somebody U/S). Elizabeth has also participated in multiple student-led productions, such as D.N.A. and omg we ate a guy! She will appear in an upcoming production of Hair. Elizabeth would like to thank her friends and family for keeping her going.

Arielle Gelb (Roger Sherman, Abigail Adams u/s) is excited to be making her debut on the Festival Playhouse stage. You may have seen her previously in the Dayton Opera's South Pacific or hanging around Wright State's Jubilee Director's Lab. She is beyond thankful to her friends and family for their endless support.

Grace Goodwin (John Dickinson) is a senior musical theatre major originally from Mason, OH. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Wright State. Recent credits include The Wedding Singer, Chicago, Alice by Heart (Red Cross Nurse/Queen of Hearts), and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). You may have also seen her as a dancer in Yuletide Follies at Kings Island. She would like to thank God, her family, and everyone who’s gotten her to where she is now.

Ella Maisel (Swing: Caesar Rodney, Lewis Morris, Rev. Witherspoon) is a freshman acting major from Cincinnati, OH. She is thrilled to be making her debut at Wright State in this production of 1776. Ella would like to give a big thank you to the cast and crew involved in this show.

Olivia Milligan (Samuel Chase, Stephen Hopkins u/s) (she/her) is happy to be performing in the Festival Playhouse. She was previously in Wright State's Much Ado About Nothing as Verges u/s. She wants to thank her family and friends for the love and support and her boyfriend for always reading lines with her!

Noel Nieczyporowicz (Colonel T. McKean, Andrew McNair u/s) is excited to be a part of this amazing production. Her past Wright State credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), The Apple Tree (ensemble), and A Doll’s House (Helene). Noel loves comedy and writing. When she is not onstage, she loves to be outside. Enjoy the show!

Ashley Ortel (Martha Jefferson) (she/her) is a senior musical theatre major. She is excited to be sharing 1776 as her fourth main stage production here at Wright State. She most recently performed in Carrie as Carrie White u/s (performed) and Helen. She would like to thank her family, her awesome roommates, and her sweet fiancé, Lincoln, for loving and supporting her. Thank you, Jesus, for it all.

Elise Parks (Rutledge) is excited to be up on the Festival Playhouse stage once again. Elise has been seen as Alice in Alice by Heart, Margaret u/s in Carrie, and The Catwoman in By the Bog of Cats. She would like to thank her cast, crew, family, friends, Lee, and Mr. Reagan for their support.

Anna Parsons (John Hancock) (she/her) is incredibly grateful to be in her fifth and last Festival Playhouse production at Wright State. She is a senior acting major. Recent credits at Wright State include Mrs. Webb in Our Town, Conrad in Much Ado About Nothing, and Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists. Anna would like to thank her mom, dad, and her sister, Olivia, for being her rocks. She would also like to thank the cast, crew, Greg, Wade, and Dylan for this wonderful experience. Enjoy 1776!

Nika Peck (Swing: Robert Livingston, Colonel T. McKean, Lyman Hall) is a current sophomore at Wright State. This production is a project that she’s been extremely excited about. She would love to thank her wonderful mother and sisters who have always been there for her.

Isabel Rawlins (Lyman Hall, Roger Sherman u/s) is a junior musical theatre major and is so excited to share 1776. She has worked as an understudy for Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Concord Floral. She wants to thank her family and cast for all the support!

Sarah Rowell (John Adams) is a senior musical theatre major from Clearwater, FL. Previous credits include Concord Floral, Into the Woods, and Alice by Heart. So much love and thanks to Greg, Wade, Dylan, their family, and Trisha. "To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do."—John Adams. @sg.rowell

Ellie Sassano (Robert Livingston, John Dickinson u/s) is a junior musical theatre major and dance minor. Her favorite credits are South Pacific with Dayton Opera, Crazy for You at Garland Summer Musicals, and assistant choreographer for Alice by Heart at Wright State. She sends her appreciation to the faculty and this amazing cast!

Elly Sims (Charles Thomson), a sophomore acting major, is thrilled to be in the cast of 1776. Previous roles include Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Desiree (A Little Night Music), and Patty Simcox (Grease). She appears as a recurring guest star in Sony’s “Going Home,” streaming on PureFlix. Thanks to her family, friends, and mentors! Instagram: @elly_simss

Ainsley Smith (Ben Franklin) is a sophomore musical theatre major from Texas. She is thrilled to be a part of her first Wright State musical! She’d like to thank the entire cast and crew for their hard work and dedication in putting together this wonderful show.

Sophia Stiles (Richard Henry Lee) is happy to finish her senior year on the Festival Playhouse stage. You may have previously seen Sophia as Daria Chase in The Game’s Afoot, Clarissa (The Queen of Diamonds) in Alice by Heart, or Deb in Ordinary Days. Sophia is spending her time outside of rehearsal directing Chicago for an independent study with Greg Hellems. Sophia would like to thank her family, friends, and amazing boyfriend for their support. Be sure to check out more on Sophia’s website, Sophia-Stiles.com. Enjoy the show!

Alex Thate (Caesar Rodney) is thrilled to be part of 1776. Past Wright State credits include The Wedding Singer (ensemble, Rosie u/s) and Much Ado About Nothing (Innogen). They hope you enjoy the show!

Emma Vernon (Painter) is a junior acting major, and she is super excited for this opportunity! She gives thanks and love to her family and friends for the endless support they provide.

Peyton Wheeler (Josiah Bartlett, Thomas Jefferson u/s) is a junior at Wright State University. She was previously seen in Wright State's production of Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula) and South Pacific (Ensemble) with the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. Wheeler is grateful for the support of her parents and for being a part of this production amongst such powerful human beings. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Hannah Rose Wilkerson (Stephen Hopkins, Ben Franklin u/s) is a senior musical theatre major. She is happy to be back on the Festival Playhouse stage for her final Wright State performance. You may have recently seen her as Rosie in The Wedding Singer. She loves Thai food, 80s movies, and her Australian Shepherd! She wants to thank Greg Hellems and Wade Russo for this opportunity.

Emily Wilson (Andrew McNair) is excited for the opportunity to be in 1776. You may have seen her earlier this semester in the Director’s Lab as Little Allison in Fun Home. She would like to thank the cast, the crew, her parents, her roommates, and—most importantly—her dog, Jo, for their love and support!

Madeline Zabela (Thomas Jefferson) is grateful for the opportunity to play Thomas Jefferson in this production of 1776. She is a junior musical theatre major, and her previous Wright State credits include Bobbie James in Concord Floral, Hero’s understudy in Much Ado About Nothing, and ensemble in Carrie: The Musical. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”—Thomas Jefferson

Mac Zeller (Leather Apron, Richard Henry Lee u/s) is thrilled to be in this production of 1776. Thank you to the amazing cast, crew, and production team for making it such an incredible process, and thanks to friends and family for all your support.

Mia Zink (Swing: Martha Jefferson, Josiah Bartlett, Joseph Hewes, Painter) is so excited for her first Wright State production! She would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew for making this experience so great, and her family for their constant support.

Creative Team Bios

Matthew P. Benjamin (Co-Lighting Designer) is in his 28th year at Wright State as a professor of theatrical design, head of the theatre design and technology program, and the resident lighting designer with theatre and dance programs in the School of Fine and Performing Arts. Prior to joining the Wright State faculty, Matthew served as coordinator of the performing arts program at Stockton College of New Jersey and the associate resident lighting designer for the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

 

Professional credits include seven seasons as the resident lighting designer for the Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy, where he also served as the company’s production manager. Other professional designs includes projects with the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Cincinnati Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, Muse Machine, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Tri-Cities Opera, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Human Race Theatre Company, Little Theatre of the Rockies, ballettech Ohio, New Horizon Theatre Company, Taj Mahal casino, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and many others. He is also an active regional theatre consultant.

 

Matthew is a proud member of the United Scenic Artists Local #829 (lighting design) and the International Alliance of Lighting Designers.

Isa Castillon (Scenic Designer) is a senior set design major and is graduating this semester. She is excited to be designing 1776 as her first show on the Festival Playhouse stage. After returning from working at the Music Theatre Wichita during the summer, she designed Concord Floral for the Herbst Theatre. Her recent charge artist credits include The History Boys and Everybody. Isa has also worked as a scenic artist for many Wright State University productions, such as Only in New York, The Wedding Singer, and The Game’s Afoot. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jennifer E. Dillard (Co-Lighting Designer) is a junior theatre design and technology major concentrating in lighting. She is very excited to be co-lighting designer for 1776, her first Festival Playhouse musical. Over the summer, Jennifer was the spotlight operator for Kings Island’s Country Crossroads and a float driver for Carnivale. She previously designed for Wright State’s dance concerts and The Game’s Afoot. Jennifer was the production electrician for The History Boys and The Wedding Singer. She is very thankful to all her professors for always supporting her in her work and to her family for adjusting to her crazy theatre schedule. She hopes you enjoy 1776!

Greg Hellems (Director/Choreographer) (Director/Choreographer) is head of musical theatre at Wright State, where he also serves as a professor of acting and musical theatre. His directorial or director/choreographer work at Wright State includes Alice by Heart, Cabaret, Mamma Mia, A Little Night Music, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and the world premiere of Miss Mayor. Regionally, Greg’s credits include direction for Shipwrecked, The Cake, Sex with Strangers, and The Glass Menagerie; direction and choreography for Band Geeks! at The Human Race Theatre Company; and movement coordination for The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Carnegie. His collaborations with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra include South Pacific, Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, The Best of Broadway, and An Evening of Sondheim. Other notable productions include collaborations with Signature Theatre (Washington, D.C.), Mountain Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati Hot Summer Nights, and projects for Cedar Fair Corporation, Paramount Entertainment, and Kings Entertainment Company. In addition to his university teaching, Greg has taught for the high school musical production and musical theatre intensive at Interlochen Arts Camp, CCM-Prep and CCM summer musical theatre intensive, and the advanced performance academy at Columbus Children’s Theatre. Greg remains deeply grateful to Bill for his ongoing inspiration.

Jonathan R. Winkler, Ph.D. (Historical Advisor) is professor and chair of the Department of History at Wright State University. A native of Ohio, he holds degrees from Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College and Yale University. He has studied at Capital University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Salamanca. He is the author of Nexus: Strategic Communications and American Security in World War I—winner of the Paul Birdsall Prize of the American Historical Association (2010), the Distinguished Publication Award of the Ohio Academy of History (2009), and the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Naval History Prize. He has delivered lectures before the American Philosophical Society and at the National Security Agency.

James Hendricks (Technical Director) is excited to help bring to life the world of 1776 as one of his last projects at Wright State. Previous projects include serving as student technical director on Carrie: The Musical and Alice by Heart. James would like to thank his friends, family, peers, and his partner for their constant support throughout his college career!

Morgan Jackson (Production/Directing Assistant), a freshman acting major, is happy to be a production assistant for the show. She would like to thank Greg Hellems for giving her the opportunity to work with an amazing cast and crew!

Miranda Morrissette (Assistant Director/Choreographer) is a current senior at Wright State, graduating in April. She is honored to be a part of this cast and crew. She is thankful for a supportive cast that has allowed her to find her passion in directing and working behind the scenes. Her most recent roles at Wright State were Julia in The Wedding Singer and Caterpillar 2 in Alice by Heart. She is grateful for the incredible experience Wright State has given her and thanks the 1776 cast for making her last show so special.

F. Wade Russo (Music Director) is the faculty musical director and a voice instructor. Recently, he conducted Joseph/Technicolor Dreamcoat at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Broadway/film credits include By Jeeves (associate conductor), directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. He conducted the national tour of The Boyfriend, directed by Julie Andrews. Regional credits: Goodspeed Musicals (27 productions), Pittsburgh Public Theatre (15 productions), The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Huntington Theatre, Asolo Repertory, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Manhattan Theatre Club, Barrington Stage, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and the O’Neill Theatre Center. He served on the faculties of Boston Conservatory, Point Park University, Emerson College, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and the Juilliard School.

Dylan Serrano (Stage Manager) is a senior design/technology major with a concentration in stage management and lighting design. Wright State stage management credits: Fall Dance Concert ’25, StageWright: A Celebration of Arts in America at the Levitt Pavilion, Spring Dance Concert ’25, Carrie: The Musical, 25thAPCSB, The Liar, The Laramie Project. You can catch Dylan stage managing this year’s Spring Dance Concert as their final Wright State production. Professional stage management credits: assistant stage manager for The Nutcracker (’23-’25) and stage manager for Dayton Dance Initiative’s CoLAB II. Wright State lighting design credits: Concord Floral, dance concerts since 2023. They are very grateful for their time at Wright State. Thank you to Greg, Wade, and Sarah for a wonderful last show together (Throwback Sister Act 2022).

Zoë Still (Costume Designer): 

Megan Todd (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior design/technology major with a concentration in stage management. Her previous Wright State credits include: The Game’s Afoot, Everybody, The Apple Tree, and By the Bog of Cats. Previous professional credits include Intermediate Acting Showcase at Interlochen Center for the Arts and Aida with the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.