Jessica Stone (Director) Stone worked as an actress on and off-Broadway, in television and in film for decades before transitioning to directing. Broadway credits included Anything Goes, Butley, The Odd Couple, The Smell of the Kill, Design for Living, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Grease. Her directing career began in earnest with her all-male 2010 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She has since been directing all over the country at such theaters as The Old Globe, A.C.T, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Huntington Theatre Company, Two River Theatre Company, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival among others.  Productions include As You Like It, Kate Hamill’s Vanity Fair, Barefoot in the Park, Dancing at Lughnasa, Bad Dates, Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood! (world premiere), Ripcord, Bad Jews, Arms and the Man, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Charlotte’s Web, June Moon, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Absurd Person Singular, Kimberly Akimbo (off-Broadway premiere at the Atlantic). Most recently, Stone directed the original Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo, which opened in November 2022. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons. 

Rick Elice (Book) Jersey Boys, Rick’s first Broadway credit, co-authored with Marshall Brickman, won the Tony Award, the Grammy Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, and has entered the record books as the twelfth longest-running show in Broadway history. With Marshall Brickman and Andrew Lippa, he wrote The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. For the past eight years, The Addams Family has topped the list of the most-licensed musicals in North America. Rick’s first play, Peter and the Starcatcher, received nine Tony Award nominations, and won five 2012 Tony Awards. For the past seven years, the play has been among the top ten most-produced plays in North America. Rick also wrote The Cher Show for Broadway, directed by Jason Moore; the world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse of a new musical, My Very Own British Invasion, directed by Jerry Mitchell; the world premiere at The Old Globe of a new musical, Dog and Pony, with music and lyrics by Michael Patrick Walker; the world premiere of a new musical, Turn of the Century, co-authored with Marshall Brickman, directed by Tommy Tune. He’s currently writing The Princess Bride and Smash, both with Bob Martin. Rick is adapting Silver Linings Playbook with Andrea Daly and Sara Cooper, also directed by Jessica Stone, and, with 2021 Ed Kleban Award-winner Benjamin Scheuer, writing Treasure, an original musical about the rivalry between Charles Darwin and Peter Roget, love, death, madness, and the creation of Roget’s Thesaurus. From 1982-1999, Rick was Creative Director at Serino Coyne Inc, a prominent theatrical advertising agency, where he created and produced ad campaigns for more than 300 Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line to The Lion King. BA, Cornell University. MFA, Yale School of Drama. Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, 1980-81. Rick’s book, Finding Roger, An Improbably Theatrical Love Story, a tribute to his late husband, Roger Rees, is published by Kingswell. 

Sara Gruen is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of At the Water’s Edge, Water for Elephants, Ape House, Riding Lessons, and Flying Changes. Her works have been translated into forty-three languages, and have sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Water for Elephants was adapted into a major motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Rob Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz in 2011.

Originally from Canada, Sara now lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three sons, along with their dogs, cats, horses, birds, and the sweetest ass — er, Jackass — donkey in the Western Hemisphere.

Pigpen Theatre Co. (Music & Lyrics) began creating their unique brand of theatre, music, and film as freshmen at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2007. They have since performed, produced, and licensed their original plays in New York City and all over the world — earning them critic’s picks from The New York Times, Time Out New York, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Globe, and many more, ranking them in the top ten theatrical events of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. They were the first group to win the NYC Fringe Festival’s top honor for a play two years in a row (2010/11) and have gone on to win IRNE (2012, 2015) and Jeff Awards (2014) for their theatrical productions. In 2016, Sir Trevor Nunn invited PigPen to be a part of his first American acting company for a production of Shakespeare’s Pericles. PigPen’s debut album, “Bremen,” was named #10 album of the year in The Huffington Post’s 2012 Grammy preview sending PigPen on tour playing to sold-out crowds across the country. American Songwriter premiered their follow-up EP, “The Way I’m Running,” in 2013 while the band was playing a series of concerts that became one of the most popular residencies of the past decade at the legendary Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago. In 2015, PigPen released their sophomore album, “Whole Sun,” performed at Mumford & Sons’ return to the Gentlemen of the Road Festival, and made their feature film debut in Jonathan Demme’s Ricki and the Flash starring Meryl Streep. In 2018, PigPen announced that they are creating two stage musicals based on beloved novels: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (in partnership with Universal Theatrical Group) and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (in collaboration with Rick Elice). The Tale of Despereaux world premiered at The Old Globe in the summer of 2019 and transferred to Berkeley Repertory Theatre to close out the year. 2021 saw PigPen premiere their interactive theatrical experience, “The Phantom Folktales,” aboard Richard Branson’s groundbreaking cruise line, Virgin Voyages. That summer also marked the beginning of their three-year residency as artists and curators at New York City’s newest and most unique public park: Little Island.  

Brandon Block (Swing/Dance & Fight Captain/Assistant Choreography) Brandon Block is thrilled to be part of the world premiere of Water for Elephants. He’s recently been seen as Charles/Miss Higgins’ Servant in Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady (US Tour), as Swing/Dance Captain in Miss Saigon (US Tour), in the pre-Broadway tryout of Roman Holiday (Golden Gate Theatre), the feature film Isn’t It Romantic, Oklahoma! (Muny, St. Louis), and others. He is incredibly grateful to give some, OUMT, Ryan, Maria, and Tiffany. Instagram: @brandonblock1125 

Antoine Boissereau (Circus Ensemble) discovered the artistic world at an early age through the medium of contemporary dance. At six years old he dreamed of becoming a circus artist and began taking classes in theatre and fine arts alongside his dance training. Antoine moved to Paris and began his circus training at the Italo Medini Circus School, where he first performed in contortion acts and fell truly, completely in love with the art form and its multiple components. The stage then becomes his favorite playground. After completing his secondary studies at the National Circus School of Châtellerault (France) he moved to Canada and joined the National Circus School of Montréal to further specialize in aerial silks, along with hula-hoops and aerial straps. Graduating in June 2020, Antoine has since been performing in many various productions and venues, from a big top tour to intimate cabarets to the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. 

Stan Brown (Camel) is the Director of Graduate Studies of the MFA in Acting program at Northwestern University where he holds the Inaugural W. Rockwell Wirtz Professorship. Stan has worked as a professional actor and vocal coach for over 30 years in the US, UK and Canada.  His television  credits include featured and recurring roles on NBC’s “Homicide: Life in the Streets,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and the critically acclaimed “I’ll Fly Away.” In film, Stan co-starred in Robby Benson’s “Modern Love” and Doug Liman’s “Getting In” opposite Calista Flockhart, Matthew Perry, Dave Chapelle, and Christine Baranski. In 2015 he played the lead in the short film “The Bespoke Tailoring of Mr. Bellamy.” The film won the prestigious Louisiana Film Prize and was shortlisted for the Academy Award ballot. Stan also won the Louisiana Film Prize Best Actor award for his work.

Michael Carter (Circus Ensemble) began training circus when he was 16 in Winnipeg, CA where he grew up. He moved to Montreal to attend the National Circus School, and graduated in 2021 with hand to hand as his specialty discipline. Since then he has been performing around the world in a few different 7 fingers shows, and also participated in the festival “FIRCO” in Madrid, Spain. In his free time Michael enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with his closest friends.

Paul Castree (Orderly/Ensemble) Paul began his career playing Harvey Johnson in the national tour of Bye Bye Birdie, starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking. On Broadway, Paul was an original cast member of Disaster!, 9 to 5, Young Frankenstein, High Fidelity, All Shook Up, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Grease!, and was the lead vocalist stand-by for Movin' Out. National Tours: Andy Blankenbuehler’s Joseph... Dreamcoat, and 9 to 5. He was Jinx in the Off Broadway, Los Angeles and Toronto productions of Forever Plaid for which he received the L.A. Ovation award, and Canada's Dora award. Regional productions include My Paris at Goodspeed, ...Forum at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The Last Ship at Pioneer Theatre. New York City Opera: The Most Happy Fella. Recordings: Seven original cast albums, the Grammy nominated Actors Fund concerts of Dreamgirls and Hair, and Broadway For Orlando’s recording of What The World Needs Now Is Love. 

Taylor Colleton (Swing) is thrilled to be a part of this production at the Alliance Theater! Broadway: Hadestown. Off-Broadway: Henry Box Brown: The Musical (Children’s Theater Company). Regional: Beauty and the Beast (Ordway Center for the Performing Arts); Oklahoma (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Drowsy Chaperone (Totem Pole Playhouse); Rock of Ages (Norwegian Cruise Line); Memphis (Midtown Arts Center). National Tour: Beauty and the Beast. Carnegie Hall: Harmonic Convergence Guest Artist. Training: BFA Dance Performance, The University of the Arts. IG: @taylorcolleton. 

Gabriel Olivera De Paula Costa (Circus Ensemble) is from Brazil and has fifteen years of experience performing circus arts. He graduated from the National Circus School in Brazil and has worked for Cirque du Soleil (Paramour) and Les 7 Doigts de La Main (Duel Reality). 

Dan Daily (Swing) Broadway - Tracy Letts' The Minutes (Steppenwolf, RCI Theatricals), The Tenth Man (Lincoln Center Theater), The Cake (Manhattan Theater Club), Days to Come (The Mint). Eighteen seasons a member of The Pearl Theater Company. Roles: Richard (Richard III), Solness (The Master Builder), Tarleton (Misalliance), John (The Subject Was Roses), Undershaft (Major Barbara), Don Diego (The Gentleman Dancing Master), Rough (Angel Street), Agamemnon (Agamemnon and Iphigeneia at Aulis), Sorn (Stupid Fucking Bird), Falsataff (Henry IV: Part 1), and many others. Film: Duplicity, Seabiscuit, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Kitchen, Blood and Wine, and others. TV: City on a Hill, Law and Order, Ed, House of Cards, and others. B.A. - University of Notre Dame. M.F.A. - University of Washington. 

Joe De Paul (Walter) Canadian clown, actor, teacher, director Joe De Paul has performed in various productions across North America and Europe, ranging from classical theatre to new works, in theatres, in schools, in parks, on screen and even under a bridge in Toronto. Joe began his career as a clown in 1999 and performed in numerous Cirque du Soleil productions, including his debut in the North American tour and in the Emmy award winning film version of Dralion. Joe’s unique physical comedy has brought him critical acclaim in various circuses and cabarets in in North America and Europe including Salto Natale in Zurich, PALAZZO in Germany, and Cirque Zanzibar in France. Joe has toured from Spain to Finland with Los Galindos street circus. Joe co-founded the “Collectif Clown International de Marseille” for the research and development of new works. He has taught at the Geneva Circus School, National Theatre School of Canada, L’École National du Cirque and Concordia University. He has directed clowns for Cirque du Soleil’s Ama Luna, Ka, Drawn to Life and directed and starred in multiple productions of Teatro Zinzanni in the USA. Joe has authored and toured internationally his two full length clown productions, Placebo and Thank God for Tim and Joe. 

Isabella Luisa Diaz (Circus Ensemble) Isabella Diaz is a multi-disciplinary artist from Chicago, Illinois. From a young age they found a joy for movement through gymnastics and dance and proceeded to attend Western Michigan University and the Joffrey Ballet School. During school, they had the honor of performing works by Peter Chu, Ohad Naharin, and Manuel Vignoulle. In 2017, they began dancing for Pilobolus Dance Theatre and were a part of the collaborative team that created the work ‘Branches’ premiering at Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival. In 2021, they began working with The 7 Fingers and became a part of the original cast of Dear San Francisco, earning their first credit as a cocomposer for the song “Coming West.” Isabella truly enjoys the blend of musical performance with circus arts and got to continue that exploration performing with Midnight Circus. Isabella is elated to be a part of the debut of Water for Elephants both as a circus performer and as a vocalist! 

Gabrielle Elisabeth (Vera/Ensemble) Gabrielle Elisabeth is very excited to be making her Alliance Theatre Debut. She is thankful to God and family, for their constant support and love. Beautiful the Carole King Musical (Little Eva, Stephen Sondheim Theatre), Cabaret (Emcee, Townsend Theatre), Pericles (Marina, Townsend Theatre), Holidays Around the World (Ayanna, Disney World). TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime). @gabelisabeth

Bryan Fenkart (August/Charlie) Broadway/1st National Tour: Memphis (as Huey Calhoun), Waitress (as Dr. Pomatter). Regional World Premieres: My Very Own British Invasion (Papermill), Darling Grenadine and A Sign of the Times (Goodspeed), These Paper Bullets! (Yale Rep., Atlantic), Diner and Piece of My Heart (Signature), Nobody Loves You (Second Stage). TV: Manifest (NBC/Netflix), Harlem (Prime), Interview with the Vampire (AMC), Chicago Med (NBC), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC). Film: Red Hook, You Tell Me. Original Music Releases: Man of Make Believe (single), Brother (single), Moving Earth (single), We Are (single), Simple & Grey (full length LP), Imperfect Man (full length LP). Thanks to Cyrena, KMR, Mom, Dad, Greg, Casey, E11ie, and the Bluebird.  Twitter/IG: @BryanFenkart

Sara Gettelfinger (Barbara) Most recently starred in the regional premier of The Cher Show (Star) at Ogunquit Playhouse. Broadway/First National Tours: The Addams Family (Morticia), A Free Man of Color (Dona Athene opposite Jeffrey Wright and MOS DEF), 101 Dalmatians (Cruella DeVille), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (as Jolene Oakes opposite John Lithgow), Nine (as Carla with Antonio Banderas and John Stamos), The Boys from Syracuse, Seussical, Fosse. Other NYC/Regional: Atomic, Carnival, Tenderloin, Chicago, Grey Gardens, Anything Goes, Catch Me If You Can, Pippin. TV/Film: Guiding Light, Ed, Without a Trace, Georgetown, The Big C, Forbidden Love, Sex and the City: The Movie.

Harry Groener (Mr. Jankowski) Groener is thrilled to be making his Alliance Theatre debut. Broadway: Crazy for You, (Tony and Drama Desk Nom), Oklahoma! (Tony Nom and Theater World Award), Cats (Tony Nom), Harrigan and Hart (Drama Desk Nom), Oh Brother!, Is there Life After High School, Sleight of Hand, George in Sunday in the Park with George, Imaginary Friends, Spamalot. Off Broadway: Twelve Dreams, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, If Love Were All. Regional: William Tecumseh Sherman in The March (Steppenwolf Theater), title roles in The Madness of King George (Jeff Award) and Cyrano De Bergerac (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Lear in King Lear and Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with the Antaeus Company, Prospero, The Tempest (Shakespeare Orange County), Lincoln and LBJ in Appomattox, The Guthrie Theatre. Film:  About Schmidt, Road to Perdition, Amistad, Patch Adams, Brubaker, Cure for Wellness, A Futile and Stupid Gesture, and the upcoming Oppenheimer, directed by Chris Nolan. Television: Over 70 TV credits including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dear John, Star Trek, How I Met Your Mother. He is a proud founding member of The Antaeus Company in Los Angeles and is happily married to his wife of 45 years, Dawn Didawick. 

Keaton Hentoff-Killian (Circus Ensemble/Circus Captain) Keaton Hentoff-Killian is multi-disciplinary artist working with acrobatics, movement and physical theater. Keaton has been working in the circus for the last 7 years after completing his studies at École National Du Cirque. He worked with an Australian circus company C!RCA as well as working with Cirque Du Soleil, Midnight Circus and Strut N Fret. His personal goals in life are to find a nice plot of land somewhere in the country side in Tasmania to settle down and spend his days sipping tea, baking fresh bread and throwing on a pottery wheel. Until then however he's happy being upside down and being apart of the magical world of circus.   

Nicolas Jelmoni (Circus Ensemble) Born and raised in Monaco, Nicolas is a proud graduate of the National Circus School in Montreal. After starting his career on Broadway with PIPPIN thanks to The 7 Fingers, Nicolas went on to tour the world, lucky enough to have been able to perform in London, Paris, Tokyo, Montreal, Amsterdam, Berlin or the Sydney Opera House. Award winning performer always looking for new challenges, he recently produced and created his own circus cabaret show DELIRIOUS, a celebration of the Art of the party for which he had to do years of “hands on” research going out and partying with his friends!! Excited to bring to life this beautiful story with this wonderful cast and discover everything that Atlanta has to offer. Follow my adventures @NicolasJelmoni and send me recommendations for new exciting ones!! 

Caroline Kane (Rosemary/Torch Singer/Ensemble) [she/her] Caroline Kane is so excited to be making her Alliance Debut! Regional credits include Goodspeed Musicals (Cabaret), Pittsburgh CLO (Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, Brigadoon), Sacramento Music Circus (Guys and Dolls), Utah Shakespeare Festival (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Guys and Dolls), Walnut Street Theatre (The Little Mermaid), The Rev (Mamma Mia). Television/ film include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (seasons 4 and 5) and I am Wrath (Jenna). Thank you to Mom, Dad, and sisters for all of their love and support, Marc and Dustin at Daniel Hoff, and the incredible WFE team for having me. BFA Otterbein University. @carolinekane7 

Joel Malkoff (Circus Swing) Joel is a lifelong lover of acrobatic movement. Starting with skateboarding as a child and growing into a career as a junior Olympic level gymnast, certified parkour instructor and eventually, a graduate of the national circus school of Montreal. Since completing his studies in Montreal Joel has had the privilege of sharing his talents in a wide range of contexts including German Cabarets, performing alongside the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, researching new show concepts with Cirque Éloize, creating and performing a new show with his Collective "ILO" during the toughest part of the pandemic and even in Guadeloupe with ''Métis'Gwa'' a circus organization focused on social outreach on the island, to name a few. In addition to his acrobatic experience, Joel is also a lifelong musician and loves to find engaging ways to blend his love of music and circus arts. He wishes you a wonderful experience at tonight's show, it is an honor to share the room with YOU!

Isabelle McCalla (Marlena/June) Isabelle McCalla is thrilled to return to the Alliance Theatre in the role of Marlena, after being in the ensemble of the 2016 production of The Prom. On Broadway, she originated the role of Alyssa Greene in The Prom. She also previously starred as Jasmine in Aladdin both on Broadway and the North American Tour. Most recently, she starred as Meg in Hercules at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Previous regional credits include Ariel Moore in Footloose at the Kennedy Center and Tink in Fly at La Jolla Playhouse. TV credits include “Extrapolations” (Apple TV), “And Just Like That” (HBO), “Law & Order” (NBC), “Bull” (CBS). @izzymccalla 

Wade McCollum (Wade) Broadway: Wicked, London’s West End: It Happened In Key West (World Premier), and in numerous Off-Broadway shows, most notably his Lortel Award Nominated performance as Ernest Shackleton in Ernest Shackleton Loves Me for which he garnered the Elliot Norton Award for Best Actor. Other notable performances: Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Garland Award, Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Circle Award, Ovation Nom.) Batboy in Batboy the Musical (Drammy Award), Charlotte in I Am My Own Wife (Drammy Award), The Emcee in Cabaret (Dallas Fort Worth Critic’s Circle Award), Prior in Angels in America, Tick in the Broadway tour of Pricilla Queen of the Desert, and most recently as Karpathy/Higgins in Lincoln Center Theatre’s tour of My Fair Lady. TV: The Knick, FBI: Most Wanted, Madame Secretary, Prodigal Son, Nightcap. In 2003, McCollum co-founded and was Artistic Director of Oregon’s Insight Out Theatre Collective, whose company focus was to create space for marginalized voices. As a composer and writer, McCollum’s work has been workshopped/produced nationwide on stages including Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Alchemy L.A, 59e59th Street, Sonnet Repertory Theatre, and Classic Stage Company. McCollum co-wrote and directed his first feature-length feature film to premier this fall Secondary Dominance. McCollum is also a co-founder of the Cornell Tech-born neuroscience/music startup: Neural Positive. McCollum will graduate next year with his degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Michael Mendez (Caretaker/Cop/Ensemble) Michael is thrilled to be making his Alliance Theatre debut!  Broadway: Chaplin. Off Broadway: Hey! Look Me Over! (Encores!), Fat Camp the Musical (American Theatre of Actors).  Regional: Shrek (Arrow Rock Lyceum), Man of La Mancha (Westport Country Playhouse), How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Damn Yankees (Goodspeed Opera House), Peter and the Starcatcher & The Music Man (Weston Theatre Company), Grease (North Shore Music Theatre), Billy Elliot (North Carolina Theatre), Paquito’s Christmas (The Kennedy Center). Michael received his BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Arizona and his MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho. Michael is currently an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College.  Special thanks to the entire team of Water for Elephants and to my amazing wife Marissa. IG: @mendezzzz 

Jo’Nathan Michael (Big Earl/Ensemble) Jo'Nathan Michael is a proud New Jersey native and was last seen @ the Gershwin in the Land of Oz in Broadway's Wicked! Some other credits include New York: City Center Encores: The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds her Chameleon Skin (Chitty Chatty), Playwrights Horizons: Bella: An American Tall Tale (Mr. Dinwiddie). National Tours: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (swing), Ragtime (ensemble, u/s Booker T. Washington), Dreamgirls (Jimmy Early), The Color Purple (ensemble), Aida (Radames), Arts Centric. Education: The University of the Arts (BFA Modern Dance Performance). Jo'Nathan is so happy to be a part of telling this wonderful story, Water for Elephants, and would like to thank his wonderful family; special thanks to Beau for the #JOGLOW, to the ATB family for holding it down, and to this amazing cast, crew, and creative team! Blessings! 

Marissa Rosen (Sue/Ensemble) Marissa is so thrilled to be joining this incredible team making her Alliance debut with this beautiful show. She can currently be seen touring the country singing backup for Kristin Chenoweth & Jessica Vosk! She recently had the pleasure of staying in Atlanta to film an episode of the HBO Max series Doom Patrol. Broadway: For the Girls w/ Kristin Chenoweth. Off-Broadway: R.R.R.E.D., The Marvelous Wonderettes, My Big Gay Italian Wedding, BedBugs the Musical, Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Favorite regional/International/Tours: A Taste of Things to Come, Jawbreaker, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Bare, & Into the Woods & Grease. TV: Modern Love, Law & Order SVU, Doom Patrol. She works as a recording artist and back up singer for some of New York City and Nashville‘s finest! She has had the honor of singing backup for Kristin Chenoweth, Jessica Vosk, Shoshana Bean, Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Ariana DeBose, Krysta Rodriguez, Jason Gotay, Marty Thomas & Lillias White to name a few. Marissa has also released her debut album, “The Award Winning Holiday Album” with Marty Thomas which is available on all streaming platforms! She is proudly represented by The Talent House. Follow her at @themarissarosen on all platforms! For my grandpa..forever in the front row.   

Alexandra Gaelle Royer (Circus Ensemble) [she/her] is very happy to join the cast of Water for Elephants at the Alliance Theatre. It’s going to be her first experience in a musical and she can’t wait to discover this epic world. She graduated from the National circus school of Montréal and has been touring the world for the last 12 years, under the banner of the most renowned circuses and also with some less mainstream contemporary projects. Alex would love to thank all the people who made it possible for her to take part in such an adventure. Especially her idols (including the multi skills, of which trapeze, Shana Carroll, circus director) who always gave her the faith that the world was full of poetry, if you manage to open your eyes (and ears, and heart) to it. Alex is also fascinated by the American enthusiasm and eager to be immersed in its daily energy. She has absolutely no skill at social media, so she gave it up, but you can find her in bookstore or wasting time in a coffee shop that has a good machine. 

Sean Stack (Ensemble) [he/they] a Miami-raised actor and maker. He is thrilled to be making his Alliance debut in Water for Elephants. Last summer, he appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Between the Lines at the Tony Kiser Theater. They’ve also worked on the Williamstown Theater Festival’s audio production of ROW, available on Audible. Other credits include co-writing and co-producing War Stories at the 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival, as well as co-creating the interdisciplinary performance group Cavemyn in the Club in school. Sean was granted a residency at MOtiVE Brooklyn for 2023, where he’s been developing a new intermedia work. They would like to acknowledge and thank all their current and past teachers for their dedication and guidance. You all deserve the world. A very, very special thank you his homies at DGRW, the folks at Tara Rubin Casting, and the (spectacular) WFE team. Sean is a graduate of the UNCSA School of Drama. Mom, Dad, Ali, xo. @miamisunshineboy 

Matthew Varvar (Swing/Ensemble) Matthew is over the moon to be a part of the Water for Elephants family! Credits include: Tour: Joseph…Dreamcoat, Elf:The Musical. Regional: Kinkyboots (Hollywood Bowl), The Who’s Tommy (Kennedy Center). TV/Film: Dispatches From Elsewhere (AMC). MM2 Modern Dance Company. Big thanks to all his loved ones, BlocNYC, W4E Team, and his little Reggie Man. @matthewvarvar

Ryan Vasquez (Jacob) Broadway: Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton, standby for Aaron Burr, George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Waitress (original Broadway cast), Wicked. Off-Broadway: The Wrong Man (The Man in Black, Drama Desk Award nomination). World Premiere productions of The Notebook (Noah Calhoun, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), and The Outsiders (Darrel Curtis, La Jolla Playhouse). Film/TV: The Good Fight (CBS), The Code (CBS), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), and Tick...Tick...BOOM! (Netflix). Voice work: Vivo (Netflix), In The Heights film version. 

Michelle West (Swing/Choreographer Assistant) Michelle West is excited to be back at the Alliance Theatre! Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, NY/Tours: Aladdin (1st Nat'l), West Side Story (Carnegie Hall), Memphis, Sid the Science Kid Live!, Regional: The Prom, Legally Blonde, The Wiz, Hello, Dolly!, Avenue Q, The Wizard of Oz. Endless love to my Husband, Family, Kobe, Bia Community, Tim, and Hudson Artists Agency. Follow me on insta @chelleywest 

David Bengali (Projection Design) Broadway: The Thanksgiving Play; 1776;  Off-Broadway including: Twilight: LA 1992 (Signature - Henry Hewes Award, Drama Desk Nom.); Anthony Rapp's Without You (New World Stages); The Visitor (The Public Theater - Lortel Nom.); Circle Jerk (Fake Friends - Obie Award, Drama League Nom.); Einstein's Dreams (Prospect/59E59 - Drama Desk Nom.); Van Gogh’s Ear (ERC - Drama Desk Nom.); The Great Leap (Atlantic); Regional including: La Jolla Playhouse, A.R.T, Yale Rep, Dallas Theater Center, Alliance; National Tours of: 1776; Rockin' Road To Dublin. 

Benedict Braxton-Smith (Co-Music Supervisor/Arranger) is an Australian Music Director, Composer, and Orchestrator based in New York City. Benedict’s work has been heard in venues all around the world, including Brisbane, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., London and Off-Broadway. With Lyricist/Bookwriter Megan Petersen, Benedict is the composer and co-bookwriter for new musical, Dr. Fox and the Impossible Cure For Death. His other musicals include MetalHead, The Bachelor: The Musical, and Runway, which have been heard in cabarets around the world, and have been produced in Australia to rave reviews. As a Music Director and Pianist, Benedict has worked on several productions including Urinetown, Peter & The Starcatcher, Bring It On, The Adding Machine, Bat Boy, Carrie: The Musical, How To Succeed in Business, and Pokemon Live! The Musical. He specializes in developing new works, having worked on workshops and full productions of shows including Because of Winn Dixie, Cyrano (Goodspeed Opera House), Me Prometheus, Ladies in Black (Helpmann Award for Best Musical), and State of Origin: The Musical. His orchestration credits include1776 (54 Below), The Anxiety Project, Elevator Heart, Broadway Reimagined, Higher & Higher, and musical-movie, Loving. He has also programmed keyboards for many shows, including Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, The Little Mermaid, and Legally Blonde. Outside of Musical Theatre, he has written music for plays (including Struck and Fully Committed), gigged as a keyboardist, guitarist and drummer, composed and orchestrated for film and concerts, and taught masterclasses and workshops at high school and university levels. He currently works at the Goodspeed Opera House year-round in their in-house music team.  He is a proud graduate of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU.

Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Co-Music Supervisor) Broadway: Some Like It Hot, Mean Girls, The Prom, Finding Neverland, Big Fish, Company, Sweeney Todd, Tuck Everlasting, The Addams Family. Drama Desk Award for Best Orchestrations for Company. TV: “Girls5Eva,” “Homeschool Musical.” Film: “Mean Girls: The Musical (upcoming).” Music director for City Center Encores! She is the founder of ArtsIgnite (artsignite.org) which helps young people develop agency through the arts and is passionate about arts education and equality in the arts. 

Shana Carroll (Choreography/Circus Design) Shana Carroll is Co-Founding Artistic Director of the Montreal-based circus company The 7 Fingers. Since its founding in 2002, Carroll has written, directed and choreographed 12 of their touring and/or resident shows, 3 of which (Passengers, Duel Reality, Dear San Francisco) are currently running. Carroll received a Drama Desk Nomination for choreography for their show Traces. Outside The 7 Fingers, Carroll directed Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever ice show Crystal, in addition to their performance at the Academy Awards in 2012. Also for Cirque du Soleil, Carroll was circus choreographer and designer for their shows Iris (Los Angeles) and Paramour (Broadway). Other credits include: Queen of the Night (Drama Desk recipient); Soul of the Ocean (Moment Factory); Cité Mémoire (Lemieux-Pilon); and the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies (medieval segment). Prior to directing and choreography, Carroll was herself a trapeze artist, performing for over 20 years in the air with circuses and dance companies around the world, most notably as the original solo trapeze artist for Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco. She also appeared in Cirque du Soleil produced television and film. Now based in Montreal, where she relocated in 1991 to attend l’École Nationale de Cirque, Carroll is originally from Berkeley, California. 

Ryan Emmons (Associate Director) is a founding member and Co-Artistic Director of No.11 Productions, with which he has developed and directed many shows over the past 12 years. No.11 directing credits include original works such as Ye Bear & Ye Cubb, Friends Call Me Albert, Coosje, and Quest for the West. Broadway Associate/Resident director credits include Kimberly Akimbo, Groundhog Day, Matilda the Musical, and Ghost the Musical. Ryan was the Resident Director for the First National Tour of Matilda the Musical and Miss Saigon. Ryan directs productions regionally and is on faculty at the Institute of American Musical Theater. He is a proud member of the SDC and holds a BS in Theatre from Skidmore College. Love and gratitude to Brandon, Jane and Beckett. And of course the incredible Jessica Stone! www.ryanemmonsdirects.com

Jody Feldman (Casting) began her theater career as an actress in Atlanta before moving into administration as the Assistant General Manager at Frank Wittow’s Academy Theatre. It was at the Academy that Jody realized the importance of theatre to a city’s cultural values and personality. Feldman started her career at the Alliance as Casting Director in 1991, and added Producer to her title and responsibilities in 2001. She has cast and produced more than 200 productions at the Alliance, encompassing a range of world premieres that includes The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry, What I Learned in Paris by Pearl Cleage, Broke and Troubadour by Janece Shaffer, In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney and more than 10 years of Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition-winning plays plus such world and regional premiere musicals as Tuck Everlasting; Aida; The Color Purple; Sister Act: The Musical; Bring It On: The Musical; Ghost Brothers of Darkland County; Harmony, A New Musical and The Prom. Jody is most proud of the thriving Alliance engagement activities and partnerships that recognize theatrical work as a catalyst for community conversation and connection.

Matt Hinkley (Music Director/Conductor/Guitar) Most recently: The Outsiders (La Jolla Playhouse). Broadway: SpongeBob, Bandstand, Finding Neverland, Violet, First Date, Godspell. Regional and other NYC credits include: Clint Black’s Looking For Christmas (Old Globe), Camelot (Bay Street Theatre, incl. orchestrations), ROOMS (New World Stages), Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing (Signature Theatre, Helen Hayes nomination for music direction), The Circus In Winter (Goodspeed Opera House, incl. orchestrations), 35MM (original NYC productions), Chess (Kennedy Center), Bloodsong Of Love (Ars Nova); original member of the Joe Iconis Rock ‘n’ Roll Jamboree. Film: The Last Five Years. Longtime music director for Caissie Levy; other concert work includes Jessica Vosk, Jason Gotay, Sutton Foster. Love to Kym and Madeline. 

Marco Ingaramo (Associate Circus Choreography) started circus at La Arena circus school in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2009. He trained acrobatics, fixed trapeze, flying trapeze, teeterboard, trampowall, aerial cradle, and Chinese pole. He’s worked in several different types of shows, from traditional circus to contemporary circus shows and musicals. Marco performed Chinese Pole and Teeterboard in Mystere, Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas for 2 years before joining The 7 Fingers with the shows Duel Reality and Passagers. Besides being on stage, Marco also helped the 7 Fingers in two Duel Reality remounts as a Line Director, teaching and coaching the new casts. 

Takeshi Kata (Scenic Design) Takeshi is a theatrical set designer based in Los Angeles, CA. He has worked on over 200 productions of plays, musicals, opera, and dance across the country and abroad. Recent Projects include Until the Flood (FIND festival, Shaubühne, Berlin), Clyde’s (Helen Hayes-Broadway), Derren Brown’s Secret (Cort-Broadway), Bug (Steppenwolf), Angels in America (Berkeley Rep), and Cambodian Rock Band. Kata is the recipient of the 2022 Michael Merrit Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration, and has received Drama Desk, Obie, and Jeff Awards. He is an Associate Professor at University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts, where he currently serves as Chair of Design.

Bradley King (Lighting Design) is a parent, proud union member, and lighting designer based in NYC. Broadway: Fat Ham, Hadestown (Tony, Drama Desk winner), The Great Comet (Tony, Drama Desk winner), Flying Over Sunset, Bernhardt/Hamlet. Recent Off Broadway: Endlings (NYTW), Evita (City Center Encores), Alice by Heart (MCC), Apologia, The Last Match (Roundabout), The Treasurer (Playwrights Horizons), shows for Atlantic Theater Company, LAByrinth, The Kitchen, Signature Theater, the Vineyard, CSC, and many others. Regional: The Alley, ART, The Guthrie, Long Wharf, The McCarter, The Old Globe, TUTS, Yale Rep, and many others. International: UK, Canada, China. Two-time Tony, Drama Desk, and OCC Award winner; three-time Lortel nominee. MFA, NYU. USA829 member. On the web at www.bradleykingld.com / @bradleykingld.

Camille Labarre (Puppet Design) is Founder and Creative Director of LAB LAB, a puppet and prop shop in NYC that built the puppets for Water for Elephants. Broadway: The Skin of Our Teeth, Into the Woods (Associate Puppet Designer / Builder). Selected Off-Broadway: Encores! At NYC Center - Into the Woods (Associate Puppet Designer / Builder). Selected Television: “Sesame Street” Season 53 - HBO Max, “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” Season 2 - Apple TV+ (Puppet / Prop Builder). Selected Commercials: Amazon Prime Day, Honda Holiday, Dunkin’ x NHL, Hershey’s (Puppet / Prop Builder). Selected Live Events: Thom Browne SS 2022 - New York Fashion Week (Puppet Builder), Thom Browne FW 2022 / Met Gala 2022 (Build Consultant).

Paige Parkhill (Associate Choreography) Alliance debut! Associate choreographer credits include productions on Broadway, at the Stratford Festival, Ogunquit Playhouse, Arena Stage, Theatre Calgary, Theatre Aspen, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. TV/Film: 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Reefer Madness, the Movie Musical (Showtime). Additionally, Paige has worked globally for the Walt Disney Company for 20 years. Thank you to Jess, Jesse, Jen, Peter, WME, Zach, mom, dad, and sisters. Thrilled to be a part of the W4E family. 

Jessica Paz (Sound Design) Broadway: A Beautiful Noise;  Hadestown (Tony, Drama Desk Awards); POTUS. Associate sound designer: Evan Hansen; Bandstand; Disaster!; Assembled Parties (MCC); Fela! Off-Broadway: Little Shop (Westside); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout); A Sucker EmCee, The Muscles in Our Toes (Labyrinth); The Kings Whore (Starcatcher); Becoming Dr. Ruth (Westside). The Public: Twelfth Night, Othello, Miss You Like Hell, Julius Caesar, Midsummer Night’ s Dream, As You Like It. Regional: A.R.T., Old Globe; Hartford Stage, Berkeley Rep. 

Cha Ramos [she/ella] (Fight Director) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist with a metric montón of books, swords, and altars in her NYC apartment. She is a fight director, intimacy director, dramaturg, playwright, performer, and instructor, with an MFA in Theatre from Columbia University. Notable credits include: fight and intimacy direction for Dom Juan at the Fisher Center at Bard College; associate intimacy direction for COMPANY on Broadway; dramaturgy for new works by José Rivera and Leslie Ayvazian; performing with the Vixens En Garde all-female sword-fighting Shakespeare comedy troupe; teaching stage combat and intimacy work in-person and online; and ongoing development of her three original plays. More info at www.CallMeCha.com.

David Israel Reynoso (Costume Design) [he/him] Internationally renowned, scenic, costume, and exhibit designer; Obie Award–winning costume designer of Sleep No More (Boston, New York and Shanghai) and The Burnt City (London); Other: Finnish National Ballet, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, American Repertory Theater, American Conservatory Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage, Arena Stage, Berkeley Rep, Seattle Rep, Signature Theatre; Founder, OPTIKA MODERNA; Creator of La Lucha, Teatro Piñata, Portaleza, Las Quinceañeras, and Waking La Llorona; Work includes designs for Meow Wolf, Museum of Us, and New Children's Museum.  www.davidreynoso.com. 

Jesse Robb (Choreography) Jesse Robb hails from Canada with a wide resume covering a variety of work across Cirque Du Soleil, Disney, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd., Mirvish Productions, Momix, Prime Video, Opera Philadelphia, RWS Entertainment Group, and Turner Classic Movies. On Broadway, Jesse was the associate choreographer to Bob Avian for the Tony nominated revival of Miss Saigon and staged the subsequent North American tour and Austrian companies. Jesse is also the Associate Musical Stager for the North American tour of Les Misérables and will stage the upcoming South Korean production. His work has been produced regionally at Theatre Calgary, Ogunquit Playhouse, The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Ordway, Cape Playhouse, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival among others. His production of Spamalot is currently running through November 2023 at The Stratford Festival of Canada. Jesse is thrilled to help bring Water For Elephants to life at the beautiful Alliance Theatre. Many thanks to his parents, Les and Roberta Robb, for their unwavering support. 

Timothy R. Semon (Production Stage Manager) Broadway: Company 2022, Network, Angels in America, Sunset Boulevard, Paramour, Lady Day…, 9 to 5, Collected Stories, A Chorus Line, High Fidelity, Three Days of Rain, Wicked, Assassins. National tours: Jersey Boys, White Christmas, Wicked. Other: Moonshine. Off-Broadway/regional: yes. TV: “Sweeney Todd,” “Company,” “Sondheim 80th Birthday Concert.” BFA: UC-CCM.  Tim got his start professionally a few miles east of Atlanta at Trustus Theatre in Columbia, SC, where Rick, Kathy & Kay deserve a lot of credit and thanks.

Luc Verschueren (Hair & Makeup Design) of Campbell Young Associates. Select Credits: Broadway: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Bad Cinderella, Funny Girl, Almost Famous, The Music Man, Hello Dolly!, Les Misérables. Broadway/West End: Back to the Future, Leopoldstadt, To Kill a Mockingbird, Company, Girl from the North Country, A Christmas Carol, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Drama Desk Design Award), The Ferryman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Groundhog Day, Matilda, Ghost, Billy Elliot. West End: Get Up Stand Up!, The Prince of Egypt; Film/TV: The Gilded Age, Only Murders in the Building, The Politician, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Orange is the New Black, The Leftovers, Smash, Boardwalk Empire, Doctor Who, Will and Grace, Dirty Dancing. www.cyassocs.com 

Daryl Waters (Orchestrations) Waters received the Tony and Drama Desk Orchestration awards for Memphis. Other Broadway credits include Music Supervision/Orchestrations/Arrangements for The Cher Show (Drama Desk nomination for Best Orchestrations); Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (Tony nomination for Best Orchestrations); Holler If Ya Hear Me; Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk; and Street Corner Symphony. He was the Music Supervisor and Conductor for After Midnight and Dance Music Arranger for The Color Purple and Jelly’s Last Jam. His composing credits include Bring In Da Noise/Bring In Da Funk (Tony nomination for Best Original Score) and Drowning Crow. Mr. Waters is a graduate of Livingstone College, an Historically Black College in Salisbury, NC, and a proud founding member of MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity), an organization that promotes diversity in the music departments of theatrical productions. 

Danny Zen (Rigging Design) first arrived at Cirque du Soleil in 1990 to work as a welder in the company's workshops. That same year he went on the first European tour of Le Cirque Réinventé, then moved on to Nouvelle Expérience on which he worked as a welder, assembler, mechanic and head usher. In 1992 he toured with Saltimbanco as a tent technician. Since 1993 Danny has worked in the continuing development of the Creative Studio at Cirque du Soleil. His innovations as head rigger and technical expert are largely responsible for establishing Cirque's demanding standards in training all its riggers, and maintaining the safety of the performers and technicians at all times. Danny has worked at the National Circus School in Montreal and has, over the years, contributed to the design of most of the aerial acrobatic equipment used in the Cirque du Soleil shows Alegría, Mystère, Quidam, Dralion, Varekai, "O", La Nouba and KÀ. He was also Head Rigger for Quidam in 1996. In 2008, he designed the rigging and equipment for the acrobatics show at the Quebec City 400th anniversary celebrations. 2022 is Danny Zen’s fifth engagement as Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer for a Cirque du Soleil show, following Corteo, KOOZA, Zarkana, KURIOS, Luzia and Drawn to Life. Danny is also in charge of designing the acrobatic equipment and rigging elements for the joint CDS-Club Med CREACTIVE project and the 2015 Pan Am Games’ Opening Ceremony.

Liz Beatty (Stage Management Production Assistant) Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire, Company. Off-Broadway: Kinky Boots, Walking With Bubbles. West End: Mad House (World Premiere). Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Long Wharf Theatre. BFA: NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Much love to this team + the friends and family who paved the way. 

Samantha Honeycutt (Stage Management Production Assistant) studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Hello! Dolly, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage). 

Joanne Pan [she/her] (Assistant Stage Manager). Broadway: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Ohio State Murders, Six! Pre-Broadway Chicago: The Devil Wears Prada. Encores!: Tap Dance Kid, Songs for a New World. Select Off-Broadway: NYTW, The Public, MCC Theater. National Tour: A Christmas Story, the Musical. Proud first-generation Taiwanese-American.  

Amanda Perez (Stage Management Production Assistant) Alliance Theatre credits include: Bina’s Six Apples, Dream Hou$e, A Christmas Carol, Beautiful Blackbird Live!. Other Atlanta credits include: Chess, Nine (Jennie T. Anderson Theatre); The Best of Broadway, Luminous, Oliver (Atlanta Lyric); Leading Ladies, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Driving Miss Daisy, Bullets Over Broadway (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). She’d like to thank her husband and daughter for all their love and support. 

Kacie Pimentel (Assistant Stage Manager) graduated from the University of Houston, where she received her BFA in Theatre Stage Management. She has recently finished the SM apprenticeship at Studio Theatre where she worked on The Hot Wing King, John Proctor is the Villain, and White Noise. She has also previously worked in stage management at Casa Mañana Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company, and Sea World San Antonio. 

Katherine Wallace (Assistant Stage Manager)