Directors Notes

The opening of this year's Orlando Fringe Festival falls on the 2 year 4 month anniversary of the first work Kai and I did together for Liza. We were barely friends at the time, but Kai thought my status as "English Major" would be qualification enough to provide some sort of notes on their new script. I read the script and was immediately interested both in the show and in Kai. In the following weeks Kai and I would start dating and I would join as the official Bookwriter and Lyricist for Liza. We alternated between date nights and nights spent in a freezing practice room writing songs. Shortly following last year's Orlando Fringe Festival, Kai and I decided that we were going to submit Liza for this year's festival. I didn't know it at the time, but Kai also decided they were going to propose on that same day. When we got into Fringe, the restaurant where we had our first date became the spot for production meetings. When people asked about wedding plans we always answered "Fringe first, then we'll worry about that." Now when I look at this show I think of all the love that went into it and that has come from it. So, to Liza and Kai, "I can't believe we've come so far."

-Christine Sells

Song List

Liza Battles the Instruments of Destiny

Musical Numbers

---

 - Overture

 - Liza Battles (Jules)

- Echo of My Guitar (Liza)

- Face Me (Hellhound, Liza)

- Into Dust (Hunter, Huntress, Liza)

- Echo of My Guitar Reprise (Liza)

- Panopticon (Company)

- Panopticon (Part 2) (Speaker, Liza)

- By My Side (Liza)

- By My Side (Part 2) (Liza, Jules)

- Liza Battles Reprise (Company)

- Bows

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Kai Anderson

Jules

Kai Anderson (They/Them) is a non-binary composer, sound designer, and performer from Hastings, Nebraska. They Graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College in December 2022. They have been composing for musical theatre since they graduated from high school in 2018, and performing since childhood. Their sound design credits include their work for As You Like It at Florida Southern College (KCACTF Division IV: Sound Design Nominated with Dakota Ruiz), for which they also wrote incidental music and recorded an EP under the band name Ghostlight with Dakota Ruiz and Sarah Conte. They are additionally credited as assistant music director and soundboard operator for Songs for a New World, also at Florida Southern College. Most recently, they have been working as assistant music director, Audio 2, and assistant sound designer for Carrie: the Musical at Florida Southern College. As a performer they have played roles including Gabe Goodman in Next to Normal at Polk State College, Tommy in The Who’s Tommy at Lakeland Community Theatre, and Edward Bloom in Big Fish at Hastings Senior High School.

David Gaztambide

Percy / The Hellhound

David (he/him) is an actor based out of West Palm Beach, Fl. He has graduated with a B.F.A. In Musical Theater from Florida Southern College. There, he was affiliated with Studio Box, the resident Improv troupe, along with Alpha Psi Omega. His professional credits include Jersey Boys, at Mountain theatre company. His educational credits include Tommy in Carrie: The Musical, George in Godspell, and Man 1 in Songs for a New World all at Florida Southern College. In the future he will be reviving his role in Jersey boys at MTC for a special limited run.

Kayla Rose Ginty

Liza

Kayla (she/her) was born in Massachusetts on February 1st, 2001. She moved to Tampa, Florida when she was 4 with her mom, older sister, and younger brother. She grew up in a very tight knit family. She started performing when she was nine and hasn't stopped since. She attended an arts middle school as well as an arts high school, both of which led her to pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre at UCF, which she received May 6th! Her passion is performing in all forms. She spent this past summer being the leading vocalist of a band at a park in Rye, New York. She has done various shows at UCF, including her favorite "First Date" in which she played Casey. She loves TV/Film, stage, theatre, band work, and any type of performance she can get her hands on.

Jadyn Koneski

Emma / The Huntress

Jadyn (she/her) is a senior double major in theatre arts and business administration at Florida Southern College(FSC). At FSC she is the assistant box office manager, a Resdient Advisor, and a member of vagabonds. Her previous credits include Understudy Anne, Margot, and Miep (Diary of Anne Frank), Ismene (Oedipus Rex), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), and Teen Fiona and Elf (Shrek). She wants to thank Kai and Christine for giving her this opportunity. She is so excited to be a part of this show.

Roman Ricardo

Tristan / The Hunter

Roman (he/his) is a Senior double major in Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre at Florida Southern College, and is excited for his Fringe Debut! He has previously played the Minstrel (Something Rotten, FSC), Billy Nolan (Carrie, FSC), Linus (Snoopy, New Tampa Players), and many more. He is thankful to Kai and Christine for this opportunity!

Chad Sell

Teacher / The Speaker

Chad (he/him) grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He became interested in theater pretty early on, through church musicals and school performances. In middle school, he joined the drama club and his abilities were encouraged and coached the 7th grade English teacher, Sue Fisher (fun fact: Chad and Jonathan Groff went to the same middle and high school, and he credits Sue Fisher as someone who really encouraged him in his theater journey). In high school, he performed in several plays and musicals, which continued throughout college. Theater has been a consistent hobby of his, and when he started teaching, he began organizing and directing musicals and other kinds of performances for his students. Some of his favorite roles over the years have been The Man in the Chair from Drowsy Chaperone, LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, Larry the Lobster/Electric Skate/Gary the Snail in SpongeBob the Musical, and CB in Dog Sees God. He has also had the privilege of working with local playwright Gretchen Suarez-Pena, being part of her cast recording of Melina: A Steampunk Musical Tragedy as well as performing in several other of her works. He looks forward to continuing his journey as an actor at Orlando Fringe this year!

Christine Sells (they/them)

Director

Tara Jones (she/her)

Stage Manager

Gianna Santucci (she/her)

Scenic Designer

Mackay Hill (they/them)

Technical Director/Lighting Designer

Mark Hartfield (he/him)

Fight Choreographer

Joshua McNair (he/him)

Producer/Orchestrations

Keisha Gill McNair (she/her)

Producer/Marketing/Stage Mom

Donors

Thank you to our generous donors!

Gretchen Suarez-Peña

Anita Kollinger

Jaír Lopez

Thomas Philips

Jill Liliedahl

Constance Malloy

Karissa Barber

Special thanks to:

Shane Sells

Ed Platt

Evie Platt

Antje Anderson

Bruce Anderson

Mark Bauer

Jeremy Henry-Dixon

We wouldn't be here today without the support of:

The Liza Team steadfastly believes the following:

Trans Lives Matter

Drag is not a crime

Love is Love is Love

Please consider calling your representative and make sure they hear these important messages.

Guestbook