Cinderella
WHO'S WHO
Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was one of the few musicals that I was fortunate to watch each year when growing up in rural Louisiana. Written for television and originally broadcast in the infancy of TV, the 1957 black and white production starring Julie Andrews was a huge ratings hit. The 1965 CBS color version starring Leslie Ann Warren was the Cinderella that I grew up with and came to love. It wasn’t until 2013 that an actual Broadway production of this show was mounted. This is the version of the show that we present this evening. — with all the original songs by Rogers and Hammerstein (plus a couple of new ones!) but with a rewritten book by Douglas Beane based on Oscar Hammerstien’s original book (which was derived from the French fairytale). It has been a joy working with this talented cast and crew. Special thanks Covenant Farm for the use of the horse tack, to our Stage Manager - Monika Locke, our Costumer - Karen Pittman, our Set Builder - Mark Graham, our Lighting Designer - Kevin Beasley, and Sound Designer - Brent Gay. New to our team this year is my daughter Chloe serving as choreographer! Also special thanks to Tami Alexander for being the props master for thsi show! I hope you enjoy another entertaining and joyful evening in Ruston’s wonderful Dixie Theatre as we present our version of “Cinderella”!
Jessica Turner is a senior vocal music education major at Louisiana Tech University. Her favorite past roles include Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Molly Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher. She is from Little Rock, Arkansas and currently helps lead worship at Trinity Methodist Church.
Lian Penner is a student at La Tech, currently earning a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, including a minor in Music, and an Associate's degree in Nursing to become an RN. He once played the role of Injun Joe in a Tom Sawyer play during high school, and is enjoying the experience of working with the Dixie Theatre now.
Emily Stogner is making her debut at RCT. She has been in many Strauss Theatre Center productions including Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate), Nunsense (Mary Amnesia), and Disaster! (Jackie Noelle). Emily made her directorial debut at Strauss last year as Assistant Director of Arsenic and Old Lace and will be taking on the role of Director in Steel Magnolias at Strauss this season.
This is Joe's 12th RCT performance. He was most recently seen as Walter Hobbs in RCTS's Elf the Musical. Is Sebastian really looking out for the prince's best interest? You decide. He couldn't do this without the support of his wife, Shannon and their kids, McKenna & Mitchell. Joe is a Speech Pathologist with a love for all things concerning super-heroes!!
Ashton is a senior English and Interdisciplinary Studies major at Louisiana Tech graduating this fall. This is her sixth time onstage with RCT! She enjoys music, traveling, tennis, and family time. Ashton is so thankful for the memories made in the Dixie with sweet theatre friends, and she hopes for many more!
This is Amanda's third show with RCT following Mary Poppins, 12 Angry Jurors, and The Play that Goes Wrong. She is currently a 6th grade ELA teacher at I A Lewis here in Ruston and spends her summers visiting family in Natchitoches. After years of absence from performing, RCT has been a welcoming community and enriching experience. She hopes you enjoy this classic show!
Katie Roberts is a sophomore at Tech and has been involved in RCT since 2018. Since then she has been in 15 shows, most recently playing Katie Gardner in The Lightning Thief at Louisiana Tech and June in Smoke on the Mountain. She is excited to now be sassy Charlotte and be a part of the magic of Cinderella. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Joseph is revolutionary as Jean-Michel. He made his debut with RCT as Bert in Mary Poppins. Other favorite roles include Police Officer #2 in Elf, Will Parker in Oklahoma, and Linus in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Joseph is thrilled to perform with his wife Emily (Madame). Currently, he is pursuing a Masters in Counseling Psychology.
Christian Williams is from Monroe & Lafayette, LA. He is currently a senior attending Louisiana Tech University pursuing a degree in Liberal arts with a minor concentration in Psychology. He most recently played “Grover” in Louisiana Tech’s The Lightning Thief The Percy Jackson Musical. This show will be Christian’s debut in Ruston Community Theatre’s productions.
Chloë Alexander is a Music Industry Studies major at TECH who has been involved at RCT since she was seven, her first show being RCT’s Annie. Chloë danced at LG Dance studios since she was ten and has been choreographing various shows since RCT’s Junie B Jones in 2020, her most recent show to choreograph being Percy Jackson and The Lighting Thief The Musical with LA Tech Theatre Department. She is so excited for you to see Cinderella and hopes that you enjoy the show! Stay kind!
Emma Alexander is the daughter of Dee and Tami Alexander. She is 22 years old and has two siblings, an older brother, named Jonathan and a younger sister Chloe, who is also in the show. Emma will be a senior biology major here at Louisiana Tech University this year. Emma loves reading, knitting, crocheting, gaming, and skateboarding.
Kate Barron is a senior at Cedar Creek School. Kate is a member of the Emerald Entertainers danceline at her school. Kate has played piano and other various instruments for eight years and is excited to share her love for music and performance with her peers and community.
Lizzy hopes you enjoy the show.
Taylor is a 17 year old boy is who is going into his senior year of high school at Ruston High School. Inside of school, he enjoys participating in the school choir and photography program. Outside of school, he finds joy in exercising, trading card games, and participating in the RCT. Taylor can't wait to play a part in the ensemble of Cinderella, his first ever musical.
Kaitlin has been a part of RCT since 2017 and has participated in 12 RCT productions. Some of her favorite roles include being "water" in The Little Mermaid Jr., Mrs. Mayor in Seussical Jr., and a Chimney Sweep in Mary Poppins. Besides theater, she loves music, art, stories, and cats. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Madalyn is very excited to be a part of her first production with RCT. She is currently a student at La. Tech majoring in Communications. Previous roles include Campbell in Bring it On, Judy in White Christmas, and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, all with Shreveport Little Theatre. She is very grateful for this opportunity!
Eli has been doing theater for several years and played roles such as Nelius in Mary Poppins and Oz in The Wizard of Oz jr. He is excited to be in a funny play such as this one and many more in the future.
Gabe Garcia is a junior at Cedar Creek School. He was in his first play when he was 11 years old. The most recent roles Gabe has played are Shrek in Shrek Jr at RCT, Luke in The Lightning Thief at Louisina Tech, Prince Topher in Cinderella at SYAA. Gabe has loved being apart of this fantastic cast. He hopes you enjoy the show.
Zoe started her theatrical journey with Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts where she participated in four different productions. Her last performance with the youth company was Brightstar where she played the role of Alice Murphy. Zoe has enjoyed performing with another community theatre company and is eager to continue her journey with RCT!
Katie is a speech pathologist and loves to spend time with her husband and two kids. She also enjoys singing/leading worship at church, reading, acting, and fun with friends. She has been in The Sound of Music, To Kill a Mockingbird, Oklahoma, All Together Now, and most recently played the role of Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins.
Mark's introduction to theatre came while building sets for the youth summer musicals. His first on-stage experience was in the first production of A Christmas Carol in 2017, and has had parts in several plays over the past few years and continues to build sets for some of the plays presented by RCT. Mark serves as the current president of the RCT Board and loves helping his hometown grow while working in commercial real estate and development.
Mia Graham is an incoming senior at Cedar Creek School. She is the captain of the Emerald Entertainers danceline and is a life-long Ruston resident. Her first show with RCT was Beauty and the Beast JR. in 4th grade, and she is excited to be back for her 19th RCT production!
Charlotte is an 10 year old student entering the 5th grade at AE Phillips. In addition to theater, she enjoys playing tennis, volleyball, and spending time with her friends. This will be Charlotte's 4th show with RCT. She was also in Matilda Jr, Mary Poppins, and Alice in Wonderland. Charlotte thinks this show is very funny and hopes you like it!
This is Jake's third show, and first musical, with RCT. He was previously in Clue and 12 Angry Jurors. Jake is the Student Ministry Director at The Bridge Community Church. His favorite part of this production is getting to ballroom dance with his wife, Micah.
Micah is excited to be a part of her first musical with RCT. You may recognize her as Yvette from RCT's production of Clue. Micah works at Rock Island Physical Therapy here in Ruston and is very involved at the Bridge Community Church's . She looks forward to dancing with her husband, Jake, at the royal palace ball!
Rebekah is a Junior majoring in Music Education at Louisisana Tech. She loves being involved at RCT as it has given her great friendships and opportunities such as stage managing our last junior show Shrek Jr. She hopes that you all have an impossibly fun time and enjoy the show!
Michael has always loved theater, and has considered herself a theater kid. She has been in two other RCT productions, the most recent being her role as Older Alice in Alice in Wonderlad. She has also starred in many shows at her school. Michael is very excited to have a part in a classic such as this, and is very excited for everyone to see it.
Sara is 11 years old and will begin 7th grade at Geneva Academy next month. She enjoys school, singing in the Delta Youth Chorale, reading classics and fantasy novels, volunteering in CCKids at Christ Church, and spending time with friends and family. Cinderella is Sara's second show with RCT. Last summer, she was a member of the chorus in Mary Poppins.
This is Melanie's fourth time to take the stage in an RCT production, but she can often be seen backstage helping with costumes. Melanie is a part of the high school faculty of Mt. Olive Christian School in Athens where she serves the Lord through teaching history and heading up the theatre program.
Abigail ligon is a 13 year old.She has performed in alice in wonderland and wizzard of Oz as the roles of the March hare and toto.and she was casted in wait until dark as gloria but couldn't perform due to covid.She was also in honor choir for her district.
Grisham Locke is a North Louisiana Native. He is a rising senior at a Ruston High School . Previously: Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief) @ LA Tech Theatre, Dennis Sanders (Smoke on The Mountain), and Agatha Trunchbull (Matilda Jr) @ Ruston Community theatre. He plans to study Musical Theatre in college, pursuing a BFA in performance.
I'm in 7th grade. This show is my fifth show, and I'm really excited about it. When I'm not with the RCT group, you can find me playing piano, messing with my cats, or talking to my friends. You should really come to Cinderella, it will be great!
I love Cinderella she is a kind a helpful girl who her mother and father loves her I'm so excited to be in this play
Riley Moegle is a recent high school graduate, and is going to Tech in the fall. A soon to be physics major, Riley has enjoyed participating in numerous RCT shows through the years, most recently Frozen JR, Mary Poppins, and Elf. He mainly studies voice and plans to in college. An Eagle Scout from troop 45, Riley is also a chess enthusiast.
Jenny Morse has performed in many RCT musical productions including Annie, The Sound of Music, and The King and I. One of her highlights was playing the role of Alma Hix in The Music Man for which she won a RusTony.
When not on stage, Jenny helps struggling readers through her business, Bright Spot Dyslexia Therapy. She enjoys coffee and spending time with her husband, Tim, and her grown children.
This is Ashley's second RCT production, having performed as Miss Lark in Mary Poppins (2022). An Air Force brat who now calls Ruston home, she is happy to continue goofing around with these talented people and putting on a fun show. She would like to thank her husband for supporting this creative outlet, and she dedicates this performance in memory of her friend Gabby.
Lillia Parnell is a junior biology major at Louisiana Tech University. She is currently one of the Orientation Student Leaders at the University and the Vice President of the Chapter of Programming and Development for Delta Delta Delta sorority. This is Lillia's first theatrical performance.
James Hamilton Paul Roberts is a senior at Louisiana Tech University, majoring in Piano Performance. His goal is to become a concert pianist and aspiring actor! In the past, he has played roles such as Horatio in Hamlet, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Dr. Bradman in the Louisiana Tech School of Theatre Fall Showcase Blithe Spirit. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Her first Broadway play she saw was Matilda.
Her first role was ensemble in RCT's production of Matilda.
Her second role was Hidden Folk in RCT's production of Frozen.
She continues to hone her skills in theater production at Graceland Performing Arts Camp every summer since 2019.
The first Broadway play she saw was Matilda.
Her first role was ensemble in RCT's production of Matilda.
She continues to hone her skills in theater at Graceland Performing Arts Camp every summer since 2018.
Adrienne is a 10th grade homeschooler and is excited to be in the cast of Cinderella! She has enjoyed being in other RCT plays, and "Percy Jackson" at LA Tech this spring. Adrienne would like to thank Mr. Dee for giving her the opportunity to be in this show, and looks forward to being in more!
Daniel is a senior at Louisiana Tech University, studying Aviation Management and Military Science, graduating this year. He is in the Air Force National Guard, and enjoys a plethora of different hobbies. This is his first show onstage and is very excited to have this experience!!
Levi is excited to be back with RCT as a part of Cinderella! Levi will be entering the 7th grade at RJHS this fall. Off stage he is a member of the RJHS soccer team, plays the guitar, and is a active with The Bridge youth.
Kaejha is a 6th grader at AE Phillips Lab School here in Ruston. This is her 11th show with RCT. Being on stage performing for the community brings her so much joy. She can't wait to be part of the ensemble in Cinderella and she hopes you enjoy watching this classic fairytale.
Catherine will be a freshman at Cedar Creek in the fall where she is active in Powerlifting, track and field, danceline and theater. At Miss Louisiana's Teen she recieved the Non-Finalist Talent award. Catherine has been in many shows before with her most recent being Jane Banks in the 2022 production of Mary Poppins. She's excited for you to see Cinderella!
Courtney Wilson is an 18 year old who just graduated from Ruston High School. She did many activities there such as being on the swim team, in the Ruston High band, in the choir, and in FBLA. She plans to attend college at Louisiana Tech this upcoming fall. She has been doing theater for many years, and it has meant a lot to her. She is thrilled to be performing in this upcoming show, and hopes you enjoy it as much as she does!
Dee has directed all eleven of the Chumley Musical Series productions for RCT. After last summer’s Mary Poppins, he directed and returned to the stage as a performer in RCT’s Smoke on the Mountain, provided original music for RCT’s Junior show, Alice in Wonderland and served as Musical Director for Louisiana Tech’s production of Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief.
This spring he served as an ad junct professor at Tech for the second time teaching musical theatre. He maintains a private music studio in Ruston and serves as a Worship Leader at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe. He is married to Tami and is the Dad of Johnathan, Emma, and Chloe.
Monika fell in love with theatre watching her son, Grisham, in various roles over the years. This is the 20th show she has gotten to help with at RCT. If you are looking for a fun way to spend some of your free time where you will laugh until you cry with the most loving and loyal group of people, then this is the place for you.
Zoë, a Cedar Creek graduate, is an upcoming sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University. She has been a part of RCT in many ways since Beauty and the Beast in 2016. She found her love for working backstage in 2018 and has been there ever since. Cinderella will be Zoë‘s 13th show at the Dixie, and it definitely won’t be her last!
Lainey Roberts is an upcoming senior in high school. She has participated in 12 shows since fall of 2021 and hasn't gotten tired of it yet. Her favorite ways to participate in the shows are to assistant stage manage or do lighting design. She is so grateful for this community and loves getting to work with so many people! She hopes you enjoy the show!
In reality, I have been costuming since I was a kid playing dress up. I have no formal training other than that passion, an ability to solve complex puzzles and the desire to serve this art form. Theatre came much later when my daughter was cast as Ramona in RCT's production of Henry and Ramona and there was no one to do the costuming. Well, 26 years and nearly 100 productions for RCT, church, schools and a few other theatres later, I still don't know enough to know what I don't know and some how, God just keeps helping me do this thing.
My RCT theatre family is as dear to me as my root family and I am blessed to be on this amazing journey. I always say I had to develop a useful skill so I could hang out with all the cool, talented people!
"I wear a lot of black, but I have a very colorful mind"
— Vera Wang
Chloë Alexander is a Music Industry Studies major at TECH who has been involved at RCT since she was seven, her first show being RCT’s Annie. Chloë danced at LG Dance studios since she was ten and has been choreographing various shows since RCT’s Junie B Jones in 2020, her most recent show to choreograph being Percy Jackson and The Lighting Thief The Musical with LA Tech Theatre Department. She is so excited for you to see Cinderella and hopes that you enjoy the show! Stay kind!
Dee has directed all eleven of the Chumley Musical Series productions for RCT. After last summer’s Mary Poppins, he directed and returned to the stage as a performer in RCT’s Smoke on the Mountain, provided original music for RCT’s Junior show, Alice in Wonderland and served as Musical Director for Louisiana Tech’s production of Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief.
This spring he served as an ad junct professor at Tech for the second time teaching musical theatre. He maintains a private music studio in Ruston and serves as a Worship Leader at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe. He is married to Tami and is the Dad of Johnathan, Emma, and Chloe.
Anna Baines has enjoyed being part of the “Naked Note Orchestra” for several RCT productions. She loves her RCT family and hopes you enjoy this magical show!
“Hot Strings Sandy” Bunn Lassiter has been playing bass in the summer orchestra since the 2011 production of “Annie”. Participating in this wonderful community event with dear friends is a highlight for her every year. A Ruston native, she currently teaches Elementary Music at Gibsland-Coleman School in Bienville Parish, and is the gifted music teacher for Bienville Parish Schools. She also teaches private piano, and loves for her students to see her enjoying using her talent through RCT.
Steele Moegle is an Associate Professor of Music at Louisiana Tech University where she serves as head of piano and head of music history. She is married to Forrest Moegle, a local attorney, and they have two children, Alma and Riley Moegle. She most enjoys collaborating with musicians and directing shows for Ruston Community Theatre.
