CCM Musical Theatre Presents Class of 2025 Senior Showcase
The Musical Theatre program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is excited to return to New York City on Monday, May 12 for the 2025 Senior Showcase.
Graduating students showcase their talents in a medley of performances, featuring hits from Broadway, Off-Broadway and pop favorites. Get to know our graduating seniors by reading their bios below!
WHEN: 1 p.m. (industry only) and 5 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025
WHERE: Five Angels Theater at the 52nd Street Project, 789 10th Avenue New York, New York 10019
For additional information, please contact CCM Musical Theatre Chair Vincent DeGeorge at degeorvj@ucmail.uc.edu
Meet CCM Musical Theatre's Class of 2025
LUCY ALO ACUÑA (she/her)
Originally from Cerritos, California, Lucy is a passionate artist and active theater educator. Favorite theatrical experiences include Beth in Little Women (CCM), Crissy in Hair (CCM) Finalist in National YoungArts Foundation, Assistant Directing Seussical (The Carnegie) and Assistant Music Directing Frozen Jr. (Grace Hu Theatre).
ESSENCE BELL (they/she)
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Essence is an artist who lives up to their name, breathing her soul into each performance. Some of their credits include, Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls (RVC Starlight Theatre), Agwe in Once On This Island (CCM), A Lead Female Vocalist in RETROSPECT (Kings Island Amusement Park), Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the musical (CCM).
BRIAN HO PUI CHEUNG (he/him)
Originally from Hong Kong, China, Brian is a driven performer and choreographer. Some of his credits include Otto in Spring Awakening (CCM), John Brooke in Little Women (CCM), Ensemble U/S Oscar in Sweet Charity (CCM) and Ensemble/ Second Associate Editor in Wonderful Town (CCM).
MATTHEW DANFORTH (he/him)
Originally from Demarest, New Jersey, Matthew approaches all aspects of his artistry with dedication, excitement and positivity! Some of his credits include Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd (Black Rock Theatre), Horton the Elephant in Seussical (CCM), Professor Bhaer in Little Women (CCM) and Eddie in Wild Party (CCM).
KRISTEN DAS (she/they)
Originally from St. Charles, Illinois, Kristen is a musical theatre performer. Some of her credits include Hand/ Old Hildegard in In The Green (CCM), Pearl in The Spongebob Musical (The Children's Theatre Of Cincinnati), The Queen Of Hearts in Alice By Heart (Mosaic at CCM), "30 Years of Stephen Flaherty" at Carnegie Hall (CCM), and Ensemble in The Rocky Horror Show (The Carnegie).
RY DEVER (any/all)
Originally from Exeter, New Hampshire, Ry is an active writer and artist. Some of their credits include; Laurie in Little Women (CCM), Bird Girl #1/ Mrs. Mayor in Seussical (CCM), Fandango Dancer in Sweet Charity (CCM) and Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda the Musical (1st National tour).
ANNALESE FUSARO (she/her)
Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Annalese is a passionate, multi-faceted artist. Some of her recent credits include Ruth Sherwood in Wonderful Town (CCM), Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (The Carnegie), Maggie Winslow in A Chorus Line (Riverside CPA), The Frug Dancer/Dance Captain in Sweet Charity (CCM), Queen Iduna and Featured Dancer in Frozen (Music Theatre Wichita), ensemble and u/s Violet in 9 to 5 (Music Theatre Wichita) and ensemble, u/s Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda (Music Theatre Wichita).
DAN KLIMKO (he/him)
Dan is originally from Cranford, New Jersey. Some of his credits include Grantaire in Les Miserables (The Muny), Jersey Boys and Fiddler on the Roof (The Lex), Vince Principal Panch in Spelling Bee (CCM), and the male swing in Little Women (CCM).
JT LANGLAS (he/they)
Originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, JT is a versatile performer and artist. His favorite credits include Michael/Others in Tick, Tick... BOOM! (The Carnegie), Benny in In The Heights (Interlochen Arts Academy), Hud in Hair (CCM), and Ensemble in "The '70s On Demand" (King's Island).
TOMI NEWMAN (she/he/they)
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Tomi is an active theatre and culinary artist. Recent credits include Jo March in Little Women (CCM), Fandango Dancer/Ensemble in Sweet Charity (CCM), Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (The Carnegie) and choreographer for In The Green (CCM).
MADISON OSMENT (they/she)
Originally from Anaheim, California, Madison is an active performing artist and director. Recent credits include Hand/Old Hildegard in In The Green (CCM), Tammy in Escape to Margaritaville (Forestburgh Playhouse), Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual... (CCM) and directed the collegiate premiere of Alice by Heart.
COTY PERNO (he/him)
Originally from Rochester, New York, Coty is an active artist. Some of his credits include Toro u/s Chino in West Side Story (Kansas City Starlight and Pittsburgh-CLO), Ensemble u/s Tommy Djilas in The Music Man (Pittsburgh-CLO), Georg and Dance Captain in Spring Awakening (CCM), Jackie and Associate Choreographer in The Wild Party (CCM) and he also served as the Associate Choreographer for Seussical (CCM/The Carnegie).
SEAN POLK (he/they)
Originally from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Sean is a diligent scholar and artist. Some of their credits include Tom Collins in Rent (The Carnegie) and (Black Rock Theater), Papa Ge in Once on This Island (CCM), Ernst in Spring Awakening (CCM), Head Waiter in She Loves Me (CCM) and *The Aquarius Soloist in HAIR (CCM).
MAKAYLA LYNAE SHIPE (she/her)
Originally from Bryant, Arkansas, Makayla has been performing on stage since the age of 3. Some of her credits include Eileen Sherwood in Wonderful Town (CCM), Amy March in Little Women (CCM), Urleen in Footloose (Cincinnati Landmark Productions) and a Fandango Dancer in Sweet Charity (CCM).
SPENCER STANLEY (he/him)
Originally from East Lyme, Connecticut, Spencer is an actor, composer and musician. Some of his credits include Chad in All Shook Up (Mac-Haydn Theater), Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd (Black Rock Theater), Nostradamus in Something Rotten (CCM).
FRANCO VALERGA (he/him)
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Franco Valerga is a creative actor, singer and songwriter. Some of his credits include Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen (Teatro Metropolitan in Argentina), Jesus Peña in Hands on a Hardbody (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and Berger in Hair (CCM).
RSVP: Watch the Senior Showcase
Join us at Five Angels Theater at the 52nd Street Project for the Class of 2025's Musical Theatre Senior Showcase!
About CCM Musical Theatre
CCM Musical Theatre Series production of "42nd Street." Photo by Mark Lyons.
CCM set the standard for musical theatre training ... literally. CCM Musical Theatre was the first program of its kind in the US, and it continues to be a leader in the industry. A four-year bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program, it was used by the National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating the guidelines for the accreditation of Musical Theatre programs nationwide.
The program provides professional conservatory training designed to help singers, dancers and actors become accomplished musical theatre performers. Students participate in a number of productions while in residence and create a freshman and a senior showcase, the latter functioning as their New York debut for agents and casting directors. In addition, students undertake courses in English, history, psychology, dramatic literature, social and ethical issues and the humanities.
CCM Musical Theatre graduates are following careers as performers and creative artists in every facet of the entertainment industry. CCM Musical Theatre graduates are working on Broadway and throughout the nation in such productions as Anastasia, Hamilton, Waitress, The Book of Mormon, Pippin, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Kinky Boots, Big Fish, Newsies and The Lion King. Students represent CCM in national and international touring productions, in dinner theatres and theme parks, on cruise ships, on television, in talent agencies, as producers and in many of the related entertainment fields.