Little Shop of Horrors

Jackson Holsomback

Jackson Holsomback is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre student, and he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play the role of "Seymour" in Montevallo Theatre's production of Little Shop of Horrors! He has been seen in some of Montevallo’s productions over the last few years in roles such as "Ernst Ludwig" in Cabaret, as "Orpheus" in Eurydice, and as "Benny" in RENT. He is incredibly grateful to Michael Walker, the stage management and technical team, and fellow cast members for the wonderful experience of working on this show! He also wants to express his gratitude and appreciation for his girlfriend, Audrey Robinson, for all the amazing work she has done this semester as the Director of the Purple Victory production in Montevallo's College Night. He also wants to shout her out for designing her first professional production, Godspell Jr, at Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham!

Taylor McLendon

Taylor is so excited to be in her fifth show with the University of Montevallo theatre department. She is a Junior BFA Musical Theatre major. Some of her previous shows with the department have been Cabaret, Pippin, The Sondheim Tribute Revue, and Punk Rock Girl. She is so grateful for the opportunity to get to play this role in one of her favorite shows, and she’d like to thank the entire creative team, stage management team, cast, and the department for making this such an amazing experience and a fantastic show.

Jake Manley

Jake Manley is a current sophomore at the University of Montevallo and absolutely ecstatic to be performing in his favorite musical, Little Shop of Horrors. Jake has previously been seen in Cabaret (Max) and would like to thank his friends and family. He would also like to thank Jennifer Hartsell and Michael Walker for giving him the opportunity to play this amazing role. Jake hopes you enjoy Little Shop of Horrors!

Allya Florence

Hey everyone!! My name is Allya Florence I am a Junior B.F.A Musical Theater major here at the UM. This is my fourth UM Theater department show!! Some of my recent characters that I had the honor of playing was The Leading Player from “PIPPIN” and Rosie(Kit Kat Girl) from “CABARET". I would like to thank my family for their undying support in my college career and most importantly God because I could not do this without him, and he is the one that blessed me with this gift, and I am forever grateful. Also, I would like to send my thanks to Michael Walker and Jennifer Hartsell for casting me in this production and trusting me with Chiffon!! Thank you, Thank you to ALL of production for your hard work, truly because without y'all this show would not happen. Thank you for coming to the show and ENJOY!!!

Keyira Ashley

Keyira is a freshman theatre major. She recently appeared in CABARET.

MaKayla Hemphill

MaKayla Hemphill is 19 year old sophomore at the University of Montevallo. She is a BA Theatre Major. She has always had a love for theatre and performing. She loves watching Little Shop of Horrors and singing to the music. She is so excited to be playing one of her favorite characters in Little Shop of Horrors.

Hannah Mallory

Hannah Mallory, a senior BFA Musical Theater Major at the university, is thrilled to perform in Montevallo’s production of Little Shop of Horrors . Hannah has previously appeared in Cabaret (Fraulien Schneider), Pippin (Berthe), and RENT(Maureen). Taking on the role of the Dentist has been a challenging and exhilarating experience, and she is grateful for the opportunity to explore this character’s uniqueness and bring a new approach as a woman playing the Dentist. Hannah would like to thank Michael Walker, the cast, and crew for their hard work and dedication, as well as friends and family for their endless support. Enjoy the show!

Shelby Waggoner

Shelby Waggoner (Ensemble, Audrey U/S) is a senior graduating with a BFA in musical theatre in May. Recent favorite roles include: Eurydice in Eurydice (UM), Fraulein Kost in Cabaret (Ritz Theatre), Lucy in A Class Act (UM); and Rhoda in A New Brain (UM). To keep up with her after graduation, her instagrams are _shelby.alexandra_ & shelby.waggoner_ . Enjoy the show!

Troy McMullen

Troy McMullen stood out in the cold for the open call of this show at 6AM… Not really cuz this is educational theatre. But they were cold in Cabaret last fall cuz they didn’t wear much in that show… Or in Pippin for the number where they took their shirt off to… never mind. Oh well. Enjoy the show. And my clothes. Website: troy-mcmullen.com Instagram: @_troymcmullen_

David Westbrook Weeks

David Westbrook Weeks (Ensemble, u/s Seymour, Mushnik) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre student and is delighted to return to the stage after making his collegiate debut as Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret. In recent years, David has been heavily involved in competitive theatre as a member of the Alabama Conference of Theatre, attending the Junior Theater Festival annually and interning with iTheatrics. He also serves as an intern for the National Youth Theatre Experience at the Brown Theatre in Louisville, KY. David comes to UM with years of experience performing and a newfound love for directing. He recently starred in a workshop production of In Pieces: A New Musical, where he had the incredible opportunity to work with composer and lyricist Joey Contreras. David’s directorial credits include Artistic Director for Spark Theater Company’s production of Gruesome Playground Injuries and an award-winning excerpt of Really Really. Additionally, his student direction alongside Caleb Brooks in ‘Night, Mother earned “Best in Show” and “Best Direction” at AYTE in 2023. Other notable performance credits include Mean Girls (Aaron Samuels), Les Miserables (Bishop/Grantaire), Mary Poppins (Northbrook), Children of Eden (Noah), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream-coat (Asher), Newsies (Davey), and The Music Man (Winthrop).

MaKensey Kaye Alford

MaKensey Kaye Alford is a senior B.F.A. Musical Theatre major at the University of Montevallo, and this is her final show at UM. She is so thrilled to have been cast in such an iconic show! You may have seen her in UM’s production of Pippin (Catherine), Cabaret(Fraulein Kost), A Class Act (Sophie), and in various roles in the ensemble of other UM productions. This past summer, she performed professionally at Prairie Repertory Theatre in South Dakota as the Stepmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and was an understudy for two roles in of Nunsense. MaKensey would like to thank her parents and her professors for all of their support, and she cannot wait to see what the future holds! Instagram: @kensey_kaye

Cole Wilson

Cole Wilson is 20 years old, and a Sophomore here at Montevallo. He started theatre in January 2022 and immediately fell in love with it. Some of his favorite roles that he has played include the Emcee in Cabaret, Colonel Mustard in Clue, and Dennis Dupree in Rock of Ages. He is very excited to be a part of this show!

Piper Holley

Piper Holley is a Junior Stage Manager at the University of Montevallo. They are excited to explore a new craft and throw their heart into the art of puppeteering. Their past experience includes Grounded (Production Stage Manager), Pippin (Stage Manager), Pill Hill (Stage Manager), and Tartuffe (Stage Manager). They aim to create meaningful and memorable experiences through their work and can't wait for you to see the show! Piper is passionate about creative exploration and would like to thank their family, friends, and the department for their continued support.

Brandon Byrd

FEED HIM! Brandon Byrd is a Senior here at The University of Montevallo. Over the course of his four years, he has been involved in seven of the department's productions such as The Lightning Thief, Punk Rock Girl, and now Little Shop of Horrors which is his final show at here at Montevallo. Audrey 2 has always been a dream role for Brandon! He wants to thank everyone from his GOD, family, friends, and anyone who has supported him thus far. A HUGE thank you to the cast, crew, production team, and Michael Walker for the opportunity to create a lasting memory! 

Meghan Conkle

Meghan Conkle is a sophomore at the University of Montevallo and is her first acting performance in the department. Her other puppetry credits include "Lucy" in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. As a puppeteer, Audrey II has always been a dream role of hers and she is incredibly proud of the work of the crew and her fellow cast members to make this show possible.

Paul Hall

Paul Hall has performed in ten shows throughout their life. After graduating from Hoover High School, they decided to continue their acting career in the University of Montevallo. In the Center for the Arts, Paul was a part of three productions: PILL HILL(Tony), TWELFTH NIGHT(Orsino), and now puppeteering for Pod 4 in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Paul Hall couldn't be any happier to work with this production team.

Michael Walker

Michael Thomas Walker (he/him) is the Chair of The Department of Theatre and an Associate Professor of Acting and Voice at the University of Montevallo. He received an MFA in Acting from Rutgers University and a BA in Theatre from the University of Alabama. University of Montevallo theatre directing credits include A New Brain, Septic, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Urinetown, Much Ado About Nothing and Clybourne Park. Other directing credits include Hairspray, The 39 Steps, God of Carnage, SIDD with the New Light Theatre Project in NYC, and the award winning solo play BIOHAZARD. His next directing project is Best of Enemies at Theatre Tuscaloosa. As an actor, he has performed in NYC with The New Light Theater Project, The Weasel Festival, Jean Cocteau Repertory, Guerrilla Theater, Boomerang Theater Company, and the national tours of Hairspray playing Edna Turnblad and Seussical the Musical as Horton the Elephant. He recently performed at Red Mountain Theatre as a part of their Human Rights Festival in the new musical Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham. Michael was a finalist for the Edna St. Vincent Millay Colony Playwriting Residency and is a recipient of the Wildacres Playwriting Residency. His interview based solo show, BUBBA, received the Best Variety Show Award in the United Solo Festival, Best Solo Performance Award for the Planet Connections Festival and was recently performed on NPR’s “Tales From The South”. His film and television appearances include Boardwalk Empire, Dirty Little Secret, Now That’s Cute, and Non-Stop. He is also co-author of the play Canfield Drive which received its world premiere production at The Black Rep in St. Louis in 2019. Canfield Drive is a play about the murder of Michael Brown and the Black Lives Matter Movement. The show was also performed as part of the National Black Theatre Festival. In the summer of 2022 Michael co-produced a production of the play MARROW by Brian Quirk Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theatre. That production then transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Michael currently serves on the executive committee of the Acting Focus Group for ATHE and is a member of the Homewood Arts Council.

Jennifer Hartsell

Jennifer Hartsell earned her B.M. in Piano Performance and her M.M. in Composition from the University of Alabama. She completed additional studies in composition at N.Y.U. and Cornell University, where she was awarded the prestigious Sage Graduate Fellowship. After several years as the bass player in a punk/metal band, she completed doctoral studies in Collaborative Piano from the University of Minnesota. While in Minneapolis, she was composer/librettist for the critically acclaimed 2013 Fringe Festival show Pullman Car Hiawatha. She is the composer of the award-winning musical Flatliners, which premiered in 2021. Music Director/pianist credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, A Wonderful Life, The Wizard of Oz,and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. University of Montevallo MD credits include Cabaret, High Fidelity, The Rocky Horror Show, Spring Awakening, Heathers: the Musical, Godspell, Company, Hair, Urinetown, Carrie, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Chicago, The Lightning Thief, A New Brain, Punk Rock Girl, and Rent. Much love and thanks to the students, and Bennett and Ken.

Nate Blakeley

Nate Blakley is a proud alumni who earned his BFA in Musical Theatre here at UM. He is honored to be back on the bricks of Montevallo. Nate currently teaches Theatre & Dance locally in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Previous acting credits include “Brian/Ensemble” (SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical) and “Four-Eyed Moe” (Five Guys Named Moe). Nate sends all the glory to God for being able to share his gifts and knowledge to the community. 

Caleb Stroman

Caleb Stroman is an assistant professor of theatre and lighting designer. He was previous an assistant professor of theatre and resident scenic and lighting designer at Susquehanna University in Central Pennsylvania. In addition to teaching and designing in Pennsylvania, he has designed in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. Caleb is the Resident Lighting Designer for the Virginia Samford Theatre's 2024-25 Season where he recently designed ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘The World Goes ‘Round’. His professional and academic work can be found on his portfolio website: www.calebstroman.com

Reagan Parrott

Reagan Parrott is a BFA Design Tech Major in her fourth year at the University of Montevallo. This is her 16th production with the University of Montevallo. This her 6th time being a Props Designer and 17th position overall. This is also her last production with the University. She is grateful to the university and every opportunity that it has given her!

Adam Spencer

Adam Spencer is a scenic and lighting designer. He received his BA in Theatre from Chadron State College and MFA in Theatrical Design from Illinois State University. Adam has served as Technical Director, Resident Designer, and Scenic Design Professor at The University of Houston - Downtown. At Louisiana Tech University he worked as the Technical Director and as a Scenic and Lighting Designer. He has worked at theatres such as Playhouse on the Square (scenic design), Theatre Under The Stars (asst. lighting and asst. scenic design), Lexington Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Birmingham Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Olney Theatre Center (props design), Main Street Theatre (scenic design), Alley Theatre (scenic construction), and Asolo Rep (props construction). He is excited to work with the next generation of theatre artists.

Emily GIll

Emily Gill is currently the Director of the Malone Center For Excellence In Teaching and Associate Professor of Theatre specializing in Costume Design. She comes to UM from earning an MFA in Drama from the University of Georgia (2007), a freelance design career in Atlanta as well as an internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (2000-2001). Emily earned a BA in English and Theatre Performance and Design from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida (2000). In addition to primary costume and makeup design duties at UM, Emily designs costumes and make-up effects for Southeast area regional theatres, including City Equity Theatre's production of Peter and the Starcatcher (winner Broadway World Birmingham 2015 Best Costume Design of a Local Play or Musical); Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bloody Bloody AndrewJackson for theDANE. Emily is a frequent attendee and participant in the Prague Quadrennial Design Exposition, and a member of the inaugural cohort of Odyssey Works’ Experience Design Certification Program (with financial support from UM Faculty Development). Locally, Emily is on the Board of Directors of the Montevallo Arts Council as well as the Montevallo Artwalk Coordinator. “Most of my day is moving from a meeting about Core Learning Outcomes and successful retention rate statistics to looking at a student’s “witch face” sculpt before molding to dropping in on some other students boiling braiding hair in a pot of dye as part of an experiment, to finally meeting with students to discuss their academic and career goals. Where else but UM would I be able to do all that? Where else would all my diverse, interdisciplinary interests be possible without question?” www.emilygilldesigns.com

Jen Nelson Lane

Jen Nelson Lane has worked as a stage manager, arts administrator, and theatre educator for more than 25 years. She received her BA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and her MFA in Stage Management from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Jen spent 3 years as Resident Stage Manager at Cornell University before moving to NYC. Her New York credits include the Broadway productions of The Rivals and The Light in the Piazza, both for Lincoln Center Theatre; 2 seasons with New York Classical Theatre as Stage Manager and Associate Producer; New York Shakespeare Festival, Mirth Theatre Company, Epic Theatre Ensemble, and East Coast Artists. Regionally, she has worked for Birmingham Children’s Theatre as Director of Production, Theatre West Viriginia, Perseverance Theatre (Juneau, Alaska), and others. Jen spent several seasons as Production Stage Manager for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where favorite shows include The 39 Steps, Dracula, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 6 world premiers and 15 workshops as a part of the Southern Writers Festival. Jen lives in Montevallo with her wonderful husband Marcus, brilliant son Dean, and 3 needy cats, Chicory, Churro and Cap'n Jack. Be the best one!

Eric Davis, Jr.

Eric Davis, Jr. is a 5th year senior with a minor in Spanish and has loved his fourth and final show with the department. After falling back in love with the arts all over again Eric will be looking for every opportunity to contribute to keeping the beauty and magic it presents. The cultural depth that art forms can present is boundless and must continue to live. Both being on a stage management team and attending the University of Montevallo have given Eric the chance to MANIPULATE; to Manage And Negotiate Ideas, People, Usage, Love, And Theatre Etiquette.

Emmie Koehn

Emmie Koehn is a sophomore BFA Design/Tech major concentrating in Stage Management. Some of Emmie’s past productions include Cabaret (Stage Manager), Nunsense (Stage Manager), and Zelda in the Backyard (Production Assistant). Emmie has loved working on this production. She wants to thank everyone who has supported her through this process and hopes you enjoy the show.

Savannah Bright (Savi)

This is Savi's first semester at the University of Montevallo. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Savi is an Alumni of SunnySide theater and Baker High School. She is very excited for this opportunity to production assist Little Shop of Horrors this semester! Thank you to my stage management and directorial teams for teaching me so much in this production!

Brian Sechrist

Brian Sechrist received his MFA from The University of Alabama and BA from University of Alaska, Anchorage. TD and Sound Design works include Guys and Dolls, The Crucible, Chess the Musical, Much Ado About Nothing, Cabaret, POTUS, and The Glass Menagerie. Brian is delighted to be a part of the production team and a part of this university.

Marcus Lane

Marcus Lane currently teaches movement, stage combat, acting, theatre history and directing at the University of Montevallo. He received his MFA in Acting Pedagogy from the University of Alabama and his BA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University. Over the years, Marcus has worked as an actor, fight choreographer, movement coach, and director. UM Directing credits include THE GLASS MENAGERIE, TARTUFFE, AS YOU LIKE IT, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, GODSPELL, DNA, GOD OF CARNAGE and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW here at UM. He recently directed HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH in Birmingham for The Dane Theatre. Favorite acting credits include Riff Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Mad Hatter in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and Daniel Boone in BLUE JACKET. Marcus was seen in City Equity’s production of SPRING AWAKENING as Professor Fitztongue and the Reverend Bleekhead. He also served as Fight Director for JULIUS CAESAR, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. You can also read his article on directing/staging using the Ipad app, STAGE WRITE, in the spring 2014 issue of Southern Theatre Magazine. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, Society of American Fight Directors and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a board member for Theatre Downtown in Birmingham. Marcus enjoys fishing, playing cards, SEC football, cooking and spending as much time as possible with his lovely wife, Jen, and their finest collaboration yet, Dean.