CCM MUSICAL THEATRE SERIES Presents
Featuring the Class of 2025
March 14-15, 2025, Patricia Corbett Theater
*CCM Student
The MT Class of 2025 would like to thank Dean Peter Jutras, CCMpower Board and its members, Curt Whitacre, Becky Butts, Mikki Graff, Rebecca Bromels, Deborah Neiheisel-DeZarn, Jen Lampson, Elaine M. Cox, Annie Bloemer, Sara Gibson, Laura Aldana, Jessica Lucas and Ray Dobson and their team in the CCM Performance Management Office, Vincent DeGeorge, Eric Byrd, Julie Spangler, Ian Axness, Sarah Folsom, Diane Lala, Rachel M. Stevens, Jessica Harris, the MT Faculty, CCM Voice Faculty, all CCM Faculty who taught the Seniors over the last four years, and all of the Seniors’ parents, family, and friends who supported them over the last four years.
In loving memory of our teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend Dr. Keyona Willis.
“Inhale. Ground. Go.”
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).
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March 10, 2025
The Cincinnati Business Courier praises UC College-Conservatory of Music's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Presented as part of the Opera Series on March 6-9, the production was directed by Robin Guarino and conducted by alumni guest artist William Langley.
Event: March 6, 2025 12:00 AM
Step into a world of enchantment as the UC College-Conservatory of Music's Opera Series presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This opera fuses William Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy with Benjamin Britten's stunning musical score. This captivating production, directed by CCM Opera Professor Robin Guarino, offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale, exploring themes of love, transformation, and the power of the natural world.
Event: March 13, 2025 6:00 PM
UC College-Conservatory of Music is proud to introduce “In The Spotlight,” a new event showcasing the talents of graduating students from Musical Theatre, Acting and Theatre Design and Production (TDP)! Hosted by CCMpower, a dedicated group of friends and alumni fueling the future of the arts, this inaugural showcase extravaganza offers audiences an exclusive opportunity to experience the work of CCM’s next generation of performing and creative artists.
CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more.
The competitive scholarships CCMpower provides help attract and retain the best and brightest students, nurture professional development opportunities and – in turn – continue CCM’s tradition of excellence for the next generation of student-artists. Join or renew your CCMpower membership today to help provide critical scholarship funds.
Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit foundation.uc.edu/ccmpower to learn more.
Sponsors listed as of August 1, 2024
The Cincinnati area and the land that the University of Cincinnati has been built on is the native homeland of the Indigenous Algonquian speaking tribes, including the Delaware, Miami, and Shawnee tribes.
Located in the CCM Atrium, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.; and one hour prior to curtain for all ticketed performances. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted.
Convenient parking is available in the CCM Garage at the base of Corry Boulevard off of Jefferson Avenue. Additional parking is available in garages throughout the UC campus. Any questions concerning on-campus parking should be directed to UC Parking Services at 513-556-2283.
If you find that you cannot attend your performance, your tickets may be donated for tax credit as a charitable contribution. Simply notify the Box Office prior to the performance to release your seats, and give your name and address. A tax donation receipt will be mailed to you.
If you have lost an item, contact lost and found at 513-556-9413.
The House Manager has been instructed to minimize the disturbance to patrons already seated when accommodating latecomers. The director and producer of each production select times that are least likely to interrupt the performance, and latecomers will be seated only during these times. Latecomers who miss these opportunities will not be admitted until intermission. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.
The video or audio recording of performances is prohibited.
The use of cameras, with or without flashes, recording devices, cellular phones and other electronic devices inside the theater is prohibited. Please leave them with the House Manager.
Smoking and refreshments are not permitted in the theater. Effective May 1, 2017, smoking and tobacco use (including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes) shall be prohibited by students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors and contractors at all times in or on University of Cincinnati properties, including events on university property during non-school hours. This includes all shelters, indoor and outdoor theaters and athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, parking lots, and street parking and garages owned by the university.
Telex listening devices are available for checkout during performances in both Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium. Please inquire at the Box Office.
Wheelchair seating is available in both Corbett Auditorium and Patricia Corbett Theater. Seating is limited, so reservations should be made with the Box Office when ordering tickets. These seats are subject to availability.
The Box Office can accommodate groups for major productions and concerts. Preview and benefit performances are also available for some productions. For more information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183.
CCM's faculty and staff and its state-of-the-art facilities make possible the professional training and exceptional education on which CCM believes the future of the arts relies. The school's roster of eminent faculty regularly receives distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and its alumni have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts. More than 150 internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world, specializing in eight areas of study.
Performance dates and repertoire are subject to change. View CCM's current calendar of events.
The purpose of these performances is educational, and they are part of a University of Cincinnati academic program.
