| Children's Playhouse of MD F. Scott Black Theatre September 13, 2025 |
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Liz Boyer Hunnicutt |
Charlotte Evans |
Amanda Poxon Lauren Stuart |
| Lighting Designer Thomas P. Gardner |
Sound Designer/Operator Diane Smith |
Gala Technical Director Sound Operator Kenny Sigal |
| Artistic Director Diane M. Smith |
CPM Administrator |
Production Coordinators Nicole Smith Colleen Witowski |
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Children's Playhouse of MD is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and The Baltimore County Commision on Arts & Sciences.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Children's Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM)
is to provide theatrical experience for young people in Baltimore's
diverse metropolitan area. The goals of CPM are to make live
theatre accessible to all children, to enable young people to gain
an appreciation for the arts, as well as confidence and a sense of
responsibility, and to provide training and practice in acting and
theatre production for youth.
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CPM evolved from The Young People's Players children's theatre
organization that was founded in 1986 by Diane Smith and F. Scott
Black within the Towson Dinner Theatre in Towson, MD. The
young people's theatre was self-supporting and when the main
theatre was closed in 2001, The Young People's Players changed
names to Children's Playhouse of Maryland, filed for and received
non-profit status and moved to 6501 North Charles Street, on the
grounds of Sheppard Pratt Health Systems in Towson. CPM
rented office and auditorium space at this location. In November,
2004, CPM was offered and accepted a residency on the campus of
CCBC Essex. This is where CPM resides and performs today.
Season Dedication
Scene/Musical Number Breakdown
Pre-Show
God Bless America | Colton Roberts
Act 1
Sounds of the Earth | Ethan Holler
Opening Medley | Full Cast
Surrey with the Fringe on Top | Callum Howard, Nicole Smith,
Clover Wellons, Linda Brown
Stepsister’s Lament | Clover Wellons, Linda Brown
We Kiss in a Shadow | Ilyssa Rubin
Hello Young Lovers | Full Cast
A Wonderful Guy | Amelia Grace
I Can’t Say No | Kathryn Schudel, Amelia Grace
Maria | Victor Scigala
Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful | Nicole Smith
Honey Bun | Myles Taylor, Nicole Smith
The Gentleman is a Dope | Clover Wellons
Many a New Day/Wash That Man | Female Cast
If I Loved You | Meghan Cain
Shall We Dance | Amelia Grace, Callum Howard
The Little Mermaid Preview | Mermaid Cast
Intermission
Act 2
The Little Mermaid Preview | Mermaid Cast
It’s Me | Linda Brown, Myles Taylor, Victor Scigala
Love Look Away | Victor Scigala
When You’re Driving Through the Moonlight/A Lovely Night
Emilia Grace, Ethan Holler, Ava Correlli Lerew, Emily Davis
Something Wonderful | Meghan Cain
This Nearly Was Mine | Callum Howard
Impossible/I Have Dreamed | CPM Staff, Full Cast
Season Sponsor
Who's Who
Creative Team
Diane M. Smith
Liz Boyer Hunnicutt
Charlotte Evans
Amanda Poxon
Lauren Stuart
Thomas P. Gardner | Class of 2013
Inara Ozinal
Angelina Dillon, Megan Sigal
Diane M. Smith
Kenny Sigal
David Martin
Amy Bell, Alex Bren, Carson Stewart
Nicole Smith '14 & Collen Witowski '10
Meet the Company
Linda Brown
Linda is very excited to be back on the CPM stage! Since graduating, Linda has been Directing, Acting, and Stage Managing many shows! Some of her favorites were Legally Blonde (Paulette), Measure for Measure (Stage Manager), Urientown (Pennywise), Descendants (Assistand Director), Stupid Fucking Bird (Stage Manager), Theory of Reality (Actor + Director)
Meghan Cain
Meghan grew up on the CPM stage, performing in over 10 shows across a decade and learning the skills that shaped who she is today. She went on to study Vocal Performance at the University of Notre Dame, where favorite roles included Beth (Merrily We Roll Along), Claire (Ordinary Days), and First Lady (The Magic Flute). Now an HR Manager based in Philly, Meghan is overjoyed to return home to CPM once again. Endless thanks to the women who shared her - Diane and Liz - and her dear friend Nicole for their inspiration and encouragement, then and now.
Ava Correlli Lerew
Ava is thrilled to participate in this year’s gala! Ava recently finished a contract with Walt Disney Worlds Entertainment in Hollywood studios! She is currently a dance teacher at EMpowered Dance and Wellness Center. She also choreographs local schools and community theatre productions. Aside from teaching, Ava is training at Maryland Dance Project and will be performing musical theater dance in an upcoming performance. Cpm is where her love of theatre and dance started and Amanda Poxen was the first person that gave her the confidence to become a dancer! CPM is such a special place and will always mean so much Ava. Enjoy the show!
Emily Davis
Emily is so happy to be able to have an opportunity to be back on stage. Emily is currently studying at the University of Maryland College Park, where she is earning her degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. Emily would like to thank the CPM staff as well as her amazing family!
Amelia Grace
Amelia Grace is super excited to be preforming in her first CPM Gala as an Alum! Her favorite credits with CPM include Mimi Marquez in Rent, Taylor Wedell in Mean Girls, The Lone Neverbird in Neverland, and The Black Swan in Anastasia. She is so incredibly thankful for this amazing opportunity to perform with CPM again! Enjoy the show!
Ethan Holler
Ethan is thrilled to be back on the CPM stage! He is a recent graduate of Pace University’s BFA in Acting program, where he appeared in productions of Rent and Urinetown. Most recently, Ethan wrote, shot, and starred in the first two episodes of his original TV series concept, “Bane of My Existence,” which will premiere on YouTube at the end of October, and even features a few familiar CPM faces!
Ethan appeared in fifteen productions during his time with The Children’s Playhouse, with his favorite role undoubtedly being Ms. Trunchbull in Matilda. Though, he will always have a soft spot for the niche, side roles he got to play — such as a little brit who’s hair catches on fire (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), a pig who thinks he is a dog (My Son Pinocchio Jr. - his very first show with CPM), and a captain who’s still got it (Anything Goes). Ethan would like to say a tremendous “Thank You!” to Liz, Diane, Amanda, Charlotte and Anne — the iconic CPM staff — for fostering such an incredible program and community.
Callum Howard
Callum is so excited to be performing in A Grand Night for Singing! Since graduating CPM this past May in Rent: School Edition, he has started as a freshman at Towson University in the Music Education Program. He's extremely grateful for the opportunity to perform with friends both new and old. He would like to thank Mom, Myles and Josie for always supporting him.
Natalie Kelly
Natalie is am a sophomore at Towson University studying early childhood education and environmental management and policies.
Julia Morgereth
Julia is excited to be back on the stage at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland for this year’s Alumni Gala. She recently finished her time at CCBC and is applying to transfer to a 4-year college for a bachelors in Library Science. She continues to participate in community theatre and helps out at Dundalk High School’s Drama Club.
Ilyssa Rubin
Ilyssa is so grateful and excited to perform with CPM again! Favorite CPM roles include Princess Fiona in Shrek (2014) and Eponine in Les Miserables (2015). She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University in 2021. Regional Theatre: Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cortland Repertory Theatre, NY) and Christmas at the Playhouse (Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ). Film: “A Complete Unknown” (2024). Ilyssa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Much love to her parents, Emilio, and her dog Boots!
Kathryn Schudel
Kathryn is thrilled to be back on stage this year at the gala. She is so excited to be graduating this semester from Penn State! Kathryn would like to thank everyone at CPM as well as her family for supporting her on this journey!
Victor Scigala
Victor is so excited to be returning to CPM’s Gala for the second year! Previous CPM Shows he has been apart of are Descendants (Chad), Neverland: An Original Musical (Captain Hook), & Anastasia (Count Ipolitov/Ensemble). Other shows he has been apart of are Damn Yankees (Rocky), Mamma Mia (Dance Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Emmett), Fiddler on the Roof (Avram), Les Misérables (Enjolras), Newsies (Pulitzer), Fame (Goody), & many more! He wants to thank all of the CPM Staff for inviting him back to perform! Enjoy the show!
Nicole Smith
Nicole just moved back to the East Coast from San Diego, CA! She is thrilled to be back with her CPM family & back on the CPM stage. Some of her fondest memories were formed while performing with CPM in roles such as: Belle (Beauty & the Beast), Cassie (A Chorus Line), Zaneeta Shinn (The Music Man), & Sandy (Grease). Nicole currently works as the head of Content Creation for Problem Child Marketing with her fellow CPM alumna, Kelsey Lake! Enjoy the show & thank you for supporting CPM!
Myles Taylor
Myles is thrilled to be back at CPM for the 2025 gala! Myles is a native Marylander and artistic multi-hyphenate, his favorite credits include Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar at the STATE theatre, Patrick Star in SpongeBob the Musical at CPM, and a Featured Vocalist/Swing in the world premiere of Hal Prince’s Broadway on PBS. Most recently he was seen music directing High School Musical JR. and Frog and Toad Kids at Pocono Springs Theatre!
By day, Myles studies music education at Towson University, teaches voice, and can be found writing music. By night, he gigs with his band, Just For Kicks. When not on stage, he enjoys playing soccer, lacrosse, and writing music. Endless thanks to Liz, Nicole, Charlotte, Diane for the opportunity to perform with his CPM family.
Clover Wellons
Clover is excited to perform for cpm again! Her favorite role from her time at CPM was Caiphas from Jesus Christ Superstar! Outside of theater she's starting College at CCBC and transferring to Towson.
Colleen Witowski
Colleen is thrilled to return to CPM and perform with all of the amazing alumni, staff and current student performers. Favorite CPM performances include Cats, High School Musical, Les Mis, Seussical, Once Upon A Mattress, and Big River. Off the stage Colleen is a Teacher and the Assistant Director at Cedarcroft School in Baltimore and loves every minute of it. Colleen continues to support CPM as the Vice President of the executive board. Thank you to anyone who has shared their talent as a part of the production staff over the years and thank you to everyone in the audience for keeping the arts alive and supporting such a fantastic organization. Love to my friends and family for always supporting me! Shout out to the epic CPM class of 2010.
Diane M. Smith
Diane has spent the last 46 years working in Baltimore with various theatre organizations including The Vagabond Players, The Spotlighters Theatre, Cockpit In Court Summer Theatre, Garrison Forest Players, Pumpkin Theatre, Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre, Dundalk Community Theatre, CCBC Essex, and many more. By day, Diane is the Director of Creative Arts for The Beth Tfiloh Community School where she serves as the Chair of the Creative Arts Department as well as the Artistic Director and Theatre Instructor for the Award-Winning Theatre Arts Program. In addition to running the BT Program, she was one of the co-founders of the National Award-Winning Children’s Playhouse of Maryland. Diane received the 2008 Most Distinguished Alumni Award from CCBC for her contributions to the Baltimore Theatre Community and her outstanding dedication and work with young people in the Arts. She is also the recipient of Teacher of The Year honors in 2011 from Beth Tfiloh High School. Diane resides in Towson with her husband Jerry and their pets Beau and Zooey.
Liz Boyer Hunnicutt
Liz attended classes at CCBC Essex Campus and eventually went on to New York to graduate from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts with a degree in Acting. After returning to Maryland, she starred in roles throughout Baltimore community theatre such as Eva (Evita), Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Mrs. Johnstone (Blood Brothers), Sally Bowles (Cabaret) and The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods) to name a few. She began directing children’s theatre at the F. Scott Black Dinner Theatre. The program moved and grew into the Children’s Playhouse of MD in 2001 where she has continued to direct to this day. Along with Artistic Director Diane Smith she has committed to training young children about theatre and production skills, they also coordinated numerous trips to New York and Atlanta for professional competitions through Music Theatre International, and Young PA. During these many visits, they have received awards in Acting, Musical Performance, Choreography and Production. As well as directing for CPM Liz has also directed for the Court Jester’s – Cockpit in Court’s Summer Theatre children’s show for the last 10 years. She is happily married to James Hunnicutt. Enjoy the show!! These performers will inspire you! They inspire me every day.
Charlotte Evans
Charlotte has been the resident musical director at CPM since 2016. Favorite productions include Once On This Island, Newsies, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Lion King Jr. She has also musically directed locally at Stevenson and Towson University, Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre, Dundalk Community Theatre, Vagabonds, Cockpit in Court, and Stillpointe Theatre. Professional regional credits include Millbrook Playhouse (PA), Stagedoor Manor (NY), Gallery Players (NYC), Festival 56 (IL), Crown Uptown (KS), and Surflight (NJ). Charlotte is also a baking extraordinaire and runs her own cake business, Confections by Charlotte.
Amanda Poxon
Amanda is so excited to be returning to CPM! Previous choreography credits include Cockpit in Court (Peter Pan, Spamalot, Lion King Jr., etc), Phoenix Festival Theater (Legally Blonde, Anything Goes, The Little Mermaid, etc), Dundalk Community Theater (Ruthless, Gala), BTCT (Urinetown, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Catch Me If You Can, etc),the John Carroll School, Notre Dame Preparatory School and as Children’s Playhouse of Maryland’s previous resident choreographer and education director. Directing credits include Notre Dane Preparatory ( Hadestown : Teen Edition, Pippin, Anastasia, etc) Cockpit In Court Court Jesters (Willy Wonka Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., Bugsy Malone Jr.) and assistant directing at The John Carroll School. You may also recognize her face from many appearances onstage, including Brooke in Legally Blonde, Bonnie in Anything Goes, Hope Langdon in Something’s Afoot and Nicky Puppeteer in Avenue Q. She is currently the Director of Theater Arts at Notre Dame Preparatory School. Lots of love for her family and especially her boys, Benjamin, Michael and Andrew!
Lauren Stuart
Lauren is elated to join the production staff at CPM as one of their choreographers. If you ask her mother, she started dancing in the womb but officially when she was 3 and she hasn’t stopped. Lauren has been in many shows at Dundalk and Essex, but her favorite role is being Carly’s mom.
Thomas P. Gardner | Class of 2013
Thomas is a theatrical lighting designer and technical director based in Baltimore. Thomas has designed nearly sixty theatrical productions since 2016, including six here at Cockpit in Court. Other theaters he was worked with include: Phoenix Festival Theater, Single Carrot Theatre, Annapolis Summer Garden Theater, Tidewater Players, Fells Point Corner Theater, Silhouette Stages, Heritage Players, Stevenson University, Towson University, Jemicy Upper School, and Iron Crow Theatre where he is a resident artist. Thomas is currently the Lighting Director and Assistant Technical Director at Towson University. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, or if you want to see more of Thomas' work, feel free to visit www.thomaspgardner.com
Inara Ozinal
Angelina Dillon, Megan Sigal
Diane M. Smith
Kenny Sigal
David Martin
Amy Bell, Alex Bren, Carson Stewart
Nicole Smith '14 & Collen Witowski '10
Silent Auction Donors
John C. M. Angelos Legal Group
Julie Cain
Children’s Playhouse of Maryland
Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre
Confections by Charlotte – Charlotte Evans
Jennifer Davis & Family
Dundalk Community Theatre
Encore Event Designs – Jill Apperson & Lisa Wood
Donna Flaharty
Theresa Foggo & Family
Cathi Forbes
Goetze’s Candy
Hilton Garden Inn – White Marsh
Home 2 Suites by Hilton – White Marsh
Addie Howard & Family
George E. Lake
Laura & Brian Miller
Melissa Mitchell
Kelly Moore
Shirley Moore
Anthony Ondis & Clint Pike
Kaya Potler
Sean Ravitz
The Raynor Family
Refocus Portrait Studio
Monica Reich
Gracie Roberts
Gail Robinson
Cindy Ruth
Diane Smith
The Steiner – Feldman Family
Smyth Jewelers
The Voice Within Studio, LLC – Carol Westcott
Phillip Vong
The Witowski Family
Gala 2025 In Kind Donors
Spirits of Mt.Vernon
Families of the Little Mermaid Cast
Fence Fair
CPM Board of Directors
2025-2026 Season Sponsors
Broadway Angels ($5000 and up)
The Maryland State Arts Council
Baltimore County Arts & Sciences Commission
Showstoppers ($500-999)
Star Turns ($200-499)
Featured Performers ($100-199)
The Klees Glickman Family - Barb, Mark, Melanie & Jen
Ed & Margie Lake
Supporting Players (up to $99)
Mindy O'Malley
CHILDREN'S PLAYHOUSE OF MD EXECUTIVE BOARD
Diane Smith | President
Colleen Witowski | Vice President
Margie Lake | Treasurer
Sean Ravitz | Secretary
Robyn Alvarez | Sharon Byrd | Jen Davis
Sherri Einhorn | Cathi Forbes | Vivian "Addie" Howard
Ed Lake | Kaya Potler | Monica Reich
Shayna Roberts | Cindy Ruth | Nicole Smith
Margaret Steiner | Peggy Witowski
SPECIAL THANKS
CCBC Administration
CCBC Performing Arts Staff
CPM Board of Directors
CPM Alumni
CPM Parent Volunteers
Season Sponsor
