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Song List
ACT I
1. Overture
2. Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats
3. The Naming of Cats
4. Old Gumbie Cat
5. The Rum Tum Tugger
6a. Intro to Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
7. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
8. Old Deuteronomy
10. Songs of the Jellicles and the Jellicle Ball
-INTERMISSION-
ACT II
11. Grizabella the Glamour Cat
12. Moments of Happiness
13. Gus the Theatre Cat
9. The Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles
15. Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat
16. Macavity the Mystery Cat
16a. Macavity Fight
17. Magical Mister Mistoffelees
18. Memory
19. Journey to the Heavyside Layer
20. The Ad-dressing of Cats
21. Finale
Cast
Creative & Technical Team
Orchestra
Meet the Company
Anna is an individualized major with minors in theater and dance. After making it to nationals in Irish dance, she trained in ballet and has danced in over 20 classical and contemporary ballet productions. She also trains in acting, with her most recent role being Gwendolen Fairfax in Theatre Converse’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
Anz is a current freshman at Converse University studying Musical Theater and German studies. Past productions Anz has worked on at Converse include The Importance of being Earnest and Yes/No, a devised piece. Anz has the pleasure of playing Rumpleteezer in Theater Converses CATS.
Beuanna Tyler is a sophomore at Converse University and is a Child and Family Studies major with a minor in Theater and ASL. She is from Columbia S.C. and has participated in many dance and theater shows such as the Converse University 2022 dance show "A Change in Me". Outside of theater, Beuanna loves traveling, cheerleading, writing, listening to music, and taking pictures. I am thrilled to bring Sillabub to life!!
Caroline Starling, Soprano, is a graduate student currently studying in the Petrie School of Music vocal performance program under the fabulous tutelage of Emalie Savoy. After just making her opera debut across campus as Madame Goldentrill in Mozart’s Impresario with Converse’s Opera Theater, Caroline is thrilled to now be making her first appearance on Converse’s Musical Theater stage in CATS.
Courtney is a junior Musical Theater Major. She previously was seen on Converse’s stage as Logan in The Thanksgiving Play, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and in various other productions. She is fur-tunate to be pouncing onto the scene as Skimbleshanks, the railway cat.
Hannah graduated from Converse in 2019 with an Individualized Major degree in Deaf Theatre with a concentration in Psychology. She then attended Kansas State University where she earned her Master’s degree in Drama Therapy. She currently teaches Drama at a local middle school and is thrilled to be back on the Theatre Converse stage!
Jade Hope is currently a junior studying Musical Theatre and Dance at Converse University. While Jade is currently working on Cats, you may have also seen her in The Backstitch Revolution and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Converse University. Jade plans to get her MFA in Directing once she graduates and pursue a career in acting, directing, and playwriting.
Winnie is an international student from Nairobi, Kenya. She recently completed her Masters in Music Education, and is teaching as she waits to graduate in May. Her primary instrument is the flute, and she also takes voice lessons through Lawson Academy.
Tera Nguyen is a junior at Converse University from Boiling Springs, SC. She is currently studying as a Theatre major with a Dance minor. Previously Lane in Theater Converse’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Tera is now back with her first-ever musical as the young tom kitten Pouncival.
Serger is an undergrad student at Converse. He is working to get his degree in Musical Theatre and Hispanic studies where he aims to get better in performance. He has so far been in other productions such as ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Shrek the Musical’. This is Serger's first time performing as a supporting lead. He is also of Costa Rican descent.
Ryan Colvard is a sophomore at Converse University currently pursuing a Theatre major with a History minor. He would like to take a moment to thank all of his friends and family for supporting him as well as Converse University for giving him this wonderful opportunity.
Pluto Brown is a student at Converse University pursuing a Bachelors in musical theater with a minor in dance. CATS is Pluto’s first musical experience but Pluto has also played Dr. Chasuble in Theater Converse’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Pluto plans to focus on costume design in the future.
Natalia is 19 years old, she is from Russia and grew up in Greensboro NC. She was a gymnast and an acrobat for most of her life and has done on screen acting for a few years. This is her first musical and can’t wait to do more in the future. :)
Merideth Hall is a freshmen musical theatre major and dance minor at Converse. Merideth grew up doing shows at the Spartanburg Youth Theatre but is excited to make her Converse theatre debut in Cats. She would like to dedicate this performance to her pet cats, Fiona, Mochi, Lily, and Sherman.
Mark Eisenbrey is a Spartanburg-based musician. He is currently pursuing a MM in Vocal Performance at Converse University, studying with Emalie Savoy. Recent performance and competition credits include Mr. Angel in Mozart's The Impresario at Converse University, Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi at ETSU, and Winner of Converse University’s 2022 Young Artist Concerto Competition. Mark looks forward to debuting as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Aquilon Music Festival this summer.
Macey is originally from Gaffney, SC, and is an Alum of Theatre Converse and Dance. At Converse, Macey performed in many different shows. After graduation, she performed with the Downtown Delilahs in Savannah, GA. She now works in Admissions at Converse, and lives in Gastonia, NC with her husband.
Liv is a junior Musical Theatre and English major with a minor in Dance. Most recently, they have appeared onstage in Spartanburg Little Theatre’s We Will Rock You and as a part of Converse Theatre’s devised project YES/NO. Liv dedicates their Cats performance to their character inspirations: Nutella, Elena, and Zoyenka.
Leah Hall (Jennyannydots) is really excited to be a part of Cats the Musical. Leah’s from Spartanburg, South Carolina and attends Converse University where she is expected to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre (2024). She is trained in the Micheal Checkov method and is currently training in the Stanislavski method. She utilizes these methods to enhance her performance and make her characters interesting to watch. She began her acting career at the age of 12 at the Glow Lyric Theatre where she debuted as a Munchkin in The Wiz. She continued acting throughout High School where she participated in numerous productions and won two Excellence in Acting Awards. During her sophomore year at Converse, she starred as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When she’s not on the stage, you can find her crocheting/knitting, making pinterest boards, or playing her ukulele. Leah plans to move to Atlanta to further pursue her theater acting career and start her film acting career.
Kaylyn Good, Soprano, is a senior at Converse University attaining a Bachelors in Vocal Performance under vocal tutelage of Emalie Savoy. Her recent credits include Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Miss. Silverpeal in Mozart’s Impresario with Converse University’s Opera. She was the 2021 recipient of Converse University’s Young Artist Award. She has also performed the role of Mary Emma Thames in Glow Lyric Theatre’s Southeastern Premiere of Stinney: An American Execution by Frances Pollock.
Kaiya is a Biology and Musical Theatre double major. Most recently, she has appeared onstage as a part of Converse Theatre’s devised project YES/NO.
Joseph Redmon is a sophomore with a theater major at Converse University. He has been in the Thanksgiving Play at Converse and has done short films and extra parts in tv and film. Joseph enjoys combat sports and is a third degree blackbelt in karate.
Joe is a sophomore majoring in musical theatre at Converse. His most recent Converse productions include The Importance of Being Earnest and Yes/No. Joe has also appeared on film projects such as season 3 of The Righteous Gemstones. He plans to pursue a career in acting and entertainment after college.
Jemma Van Jaarsveldt is an international student from South Africa who has chosen to pursue her love for theatre and dance at Converse University. Her journey started as a dancer, joining the South African dance team for 4 years. During her time at Converse, she has performed the roles of Snoopy in John Gordon’s, You’re a Goodman Charlie Brown, Ernest Worthing in Oscar WIlde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and now Bombalurina in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats.
CATS marks Yuzuki’s stage debut. He attends the 3K Montessori program at E.P. Todd, where he most enjoys feeding carrots to the class’s guinea pig, Peanut Butter. Current interests include reading books, baking cookies, using scissors, and playing with toy vehicles. Yuzuki’s future plans are to become a dump truck driver.
Melissa Owens (Stage Director)
Melissa Owens is the resident Studio Acting professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance, where in addition to a wide variety of performance-related courses, she also teaches Performance Studies, Costume Design, Introduction to Theatre, and multiple international Study-Travel Theatre courses. Professor Owens came to Converse in 2012, and has served the department as Chair for six years leading the programmatic planning and assessment for Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance. She received her BA degree in English Literature and Drama from LeMoyne College, her MA degree in Theatre from Miami University, and her MFA in Theatre Performance from Kent State University.
Melissa Owens is the resident Studio Acting professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance, where in addition to a wide variety of performance-related courses, she also teaches Performance Studies, Costume Design, Introduction to Theatre, and multiple international Study-Travel Theatre courses. Professor Owens came to Converse in 2012, and has served the department as Chair for six years leading the programmatic planning and assessment for Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance. She received her BA degree in English Literature and Drama from LeMoyne College, her MA degree in Theatre from Miami University, and her MFA in Theatre Performance from Kent State University.
Allison Roux (Choreographer)
Allison Roux is a concert dance and musical theatre choreographer. Recently, Allison has performed in works choreographed by Renay Aumiller, BJ Sullivan, and Janet Lilly. She has performed, choreographed, and taught professionally for Blue Gate Musicals, The National Theatre for Children, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Tweetsie Railroad, and other regional theatres along the East Coast. She is also a certified yoga teacher and ScreenDance producer. Her dance films have been selected for festivals around the world, including Wicklow ScreenDance Laboratory (Ireland), Jacksonville Dance Film Festival (Florida), the International ScreenDance Festival (Iowa; Mexico), and Flick! Film Festival (North Carolina). Allison is currently an Instructor of Musical Theatre Dance at Converse University and a choreographer for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. MFA (Dance Choreography) UNC Greensboro, BFA (Acting), SUNY Fredonia.
Allison Roux is a concert dance and musical theatre choreographer. Recently, Allison has performed in works choreographed by Renay Aumiller, BJ Sullivan, and Janet Lilly. She has performed, choreographed, and taught professionally for Blue Gate Musicals, The National Theatre for Children, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Tweetsie Railroad, and other regional theatres along the East Coast. She is also a certified yoga teacher and ScreenDance producer. Her dance films have been selected for festivals around the world, including Wicklow ScreenDance Laboratory (Ireland), Jacksonville Dance Film Festival (Florida), the International ScreenDance Festival (Iowa; Mexico), and Flick! Film Festival (North Carolina). Allison is currently an Instructor of Musical Theatre Dance at Converse University and a choreographer for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. MFA (Dance Choreography) UNC Greensboro, BFA (Acting), SUNY Fredonia.
Christian Elser (Music Director)
Dr. Christian Elser is Professor of Music at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he is Voice Division Director and Director of the PC Opera & Musical Theatre program. Over the past 25 years he has performed in opera, operetta and musical theatre with a variety of organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and the Augusta Opera. Dr. Elser can also be heard on several commercially released recordings, including Cedille Records’ world premiere recording of Robert Kurka’s The Good Soldier Schweik, and Centaur Records’ Songs of Sergei Taneyev. Dr. Elser is the co-founder, Executive Director and Music Director of Glow Lyric Theatre in Greenville: South Carolina’s only professional lyric theatre and was recently named a 2021 American Prize for Conducting in Opera finalist. Over the years many of his talented students have pursued graduate and professional work in music and the arts.
Dr. Christian Elser is Professor of Music at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he is Voice Division Director and Director of the PC Opera & Musical Theatre program. Over the past 25 years he has performed in opera, operetta and musical theatre with a variety of organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and the Augusta Opera. Dr. Elser can also be heard on several commercially released recordings, including Cedille Records’ world premiere recording of Robert Kurka’s The Good Soldier Schweik, and Centaur Records’ Songs of Sergei Taneyev. Dr. Elser is the co-founder, Executive Director and Music Director of Glow Lyric Theatre in Greenville: South Carolina’s only professional lyric theatre and was recently named a 2021 American Prize for Conducting in Opera finalist. Over the years many of his talented students have pursued graduate and professional work in music and the arts.
Meg Hanna-Tominaga (Costume, Set & Props Designer)
Meg Hanna-Tominaga is a playwright and designer for stage and screen. She has designed for theatres and opera companies in Hawai’i and across the contiguous United States, from California to Florida. She has worked as a color stylist on shows such as Spongebob Squarepants, Hey Arnold!, and Invader Zim, and she has worked as production designer on several independent films. Meg lived and worked in Japan for ten years, where she was able to deepen her interest in a number of theatrical and handcraft traditions. Some of her award-winning work has been sponsored by grants from the Hawai’i Board of Tourism, the Int’l Assoc. of Natural Textile, the Asian Theatre Endowment Fund, the Converse University Office of Research, and the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu. One of her newest plays, Shell Game, was recently performed at Theatre Odyssey in Sarasota, Florida. In January of this year, Meg taught puppetry workshops for the Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis.
Meg Hanna-Tominaga is a playwright and designer for stage and screen. She has designed for theatres and opera companies in Hawai’i and across the contiguous United States, from California to Florida. She has worked as a color stylist on shows such as Spongebob Squarepants, Hey Arnold!, and Invader Zim, and she has worked as production designer on several independent films. Meg lived and worked in Japan for ten years, where she was able to deepen her interest in a number of theatrical and handcraft traditions. Some of her award-winning work has been sponsored by grants from the Hawai’i Board of Tourism, the Int’l Assoc. of Natural Textile, the Asian Theatre Endowment Fund, the Converse University Office of Research, and the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu. One of her newest plays, Shell Game, was recently performed at Theatre Odyssey in Sarasota, Florida. In January of this year, Meg taught puppetry workshops for the Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis.
Jack Stokes (House Manager)
Jack Stokes (House Manager) is a sophomore. This is Jack’s second production with Theatre Dance Converse and his eleventh production in his career. Jack most recently stagemanaged the fall production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack is an avid listener of Stevie Nicks and enjoys long walks on the beach.
Jack Stokes (House Manager) is a sophomore. This is Jack’s second production with Theatre Dance Converse and his eleventh production in his career. Jack most recently stagemanaged the fall production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack is an avid listener of Stevie Nicks and enjoys long walks on the beach.
Kat Daniels (A2)
Kat Daniels is a sophomore at Converse University and is pursuing two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one is Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and the other in German Studies, alongside a minor in theatre. This is their first time working as a crew member on a musical or play and is grateful to Converse’s theatre department for letting her gain this experience.
Kat Daniels is a sophomore at Converse University and is pursuing two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one is Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and the other in German Studies, alongside a minor in theatre. This is their first time working as a crew member on a musical or play and is grateful to Converse’s theatre department for letting her gain this experience.
Tybalt Farmer (Wardrobe Head)
Tybalt is a freshman at Converse University and is very excited to be taking part in her first college musical. Her previous experience includes Rapunzel in her high school’s production of Into the Woods, as well as ensemble for The Little Mermaid. Tybalt enjoys thrifting, chai lattes, and playing ukulele.
Tybalt is a freshman at Converse University and is very excited to be taking part in her first college musical. Her previous experience includes Rapunzel in her high school’s production of Into the Woods, as well as ensemble for The Little Mermaid. Tybalt enjoys thrifting, chai lattes, and playing ukulele.
Caleb Davidson (Light Board Op)
Caleb Isaac Davidson is a Christian raised man from Casey, Illinois. He was traditionally a musical student, playing in a band throughout high school until graduation. Caleb was then inspired to pursue a career in theater. Caleb’s passion is voice-over and he hopes to become a voice actor after graduating from converse.
Caleb Isaac Davidson is a Christian raised man from Casey, Illinois. He was traditionally a musical student, playing in a band throughout high school until graduation. Caleb was then inspired to pursue a career in theater. Caleb’s passion is voice-over and he hopes to become a voice actor after graduating from converse.
Laura Lumetta (Props Manager)
Laura Lumetta (Props Manager), who has been acting since age 6, has gone from on stage to off, now focusing on design work. Learning skills from stage management to props design, she is growing as an artist and is learning the ropes of multiple branches of theatre. After her graduation, Laura Lumetta will move on to pursue design professionally.
Laura Lumetta (Props Manager), who has been acting since age 6, has gone from on stage to off, now focusing on design work. Learning skills from stage management to props design, she is growing as an artist and is learning the ropes of multiple branches of theatre. After her graduation, Laura Lumetta will move on to pursue design professionally.
Olivia Rosman (Assistant Stage Manager)
Olivia is a freshman from Campobello, SC and she is a Theatre major. She was a Stage Manager at Chapman High School in Inman, SC for the past three years and most recently worked on The Importance of Being Earnest at Converse
Olivia is a freshman from Campobello, SC and she is a Theatre major. She was a Stage Manager at Chapman High School in Inman, SC for the past three years and most recently worked on The Importance of Being Earnest at Converse
Emma Baum (Stage Manager)
Emma Baum (Stage Manager) is a senior Theatre major at Converse Univesirty. She has stage managed at Converse (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Midsummer Night's Dream, etc). She has also stage managed with GLOW Lyric Theatre (Stinney: An American Execution and Classic Broadway). As well as Greenville Theatre (The Producers and Shrek: The Mu
Emma Baum (Stage Manager) is a senior Theatre major at Converse Univesirty. She has stage managed at Converse (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Midsummer Night's Dream, etc). She has also stage managed with GLOW Lyric Theatre (Stinney: An American Execution and Classic Broadway). As well as Greenville Theatre (The Producers and Shrek: The Mu
Jenna Tamisiea Elser (Dramaturg)
Jenna is Instructor of Theatre at Converse College. She is also the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Glow Lyric Theatre, Jenna Tamisiea Elser is a versatile performer, stage director and educator in theatre, musical theatre, and opera. She recently served as Director of the Converse Opera Theatre at Converse College until 2019, and has directed and taught workshops at Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, Missouri State University, and California State University. Jenna has also performed and directed with companies across the South and Southeast, including The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Light Opera Oklahoma, Centre Stage South Carolina, The Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theatre, North Carolina Shakespeare, and Atlanta’s Synchronicity Performance Group, Aurora Theatre, Legacy Theatre, 14th Street Playhouse and Seven Stages Theatre. MFA (Directing) Florida State University, BFA (Acting/Musical Theatre) The University of Tulsa.
Jenna is Instructor of Theatre at Converse College. She is also the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of Glow Lyric Theatre, Jenna Tamisiea Elser is a versatile performer, stage director and educator in theatre, musical theatre, and opera. She recently served as Director of the Converse Opera Theatre at Converse College until 2019, and has directed and taught workshops at Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, Missouri State University, and California State University. Jenna has also performed and directed with companies across the South and Southeast, including The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Light Opera Oklahoma, Centre Stage South Carolina, The Arkansas Art Center Children’s Theatre, North Carolina Shakespeare, and Atlanta’s Synchronicity Performance Group, Aurora Theatre, Legacy Theatre, 14th Street Playhouse and Seven Stages Theatre. MFA (Directing) Florida State University, BFA (Acting/Musical Theatre) The University of Tulsa.
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