Isabel Allen

Isabel is a Sophmore Vocal Performance major at Converse University. This is her first production with Converse Theatre! She was previously seen in the ensemble of the Petrie School of Music's production of Cendrillon.

AJ Buchanan

AJ is a freshman at Converse University. In past years, AJ has done a number of shows. “Alice in Wonderland” as Lorina, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as Loggaine, “Elf: The Musical Jr.” as Ensemble, “Into The Woods” as Jack's Mother, “Check Please” as Linda, and “Little Shop of Horrors” as Chiffon. AJ is so incredibly thankful for her castmates, crew, band, and production team for welcoming her with open arms. She’s very excited to present this show to an audience of friends and family. Let's rock!

Arina Chea

Arina is a freshman here at Converse University majoring in Musical Theatre. This is her very first production at Converse and she is absolutely thrilled to start this new journey! Prior to college, she previously appeared on stage at High Point Academy as the role of Clarisse La Rue in a production of Percy Jackson’s; The Lightning Thief as well as Snug The Joiner in A Midsummers Nights Dream. She was also seen in a Chapman Highschool production of Beehive; The 60s Musical as part of the ensemble. She is looking forward to continuing to work with such an amazing department and community here at Converse! Enjoy the show!

Joy Cook

Joy is a sophomore double major studying Musical Theatre and Dance. She grew up dancing and started doing community theater in 2022 in her hometown, Myrtle Beach. You may have previously seen her in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, “Nexus” and “Released and Other Works.” Joy is so incredibly grateful for this cast and crew and cannot wait to rock out with you all!

Cyber Hill

Cyber is a first-year Converse student here for a Musical Theatre major. Lizzie is their first production at Converse, and they are so grateful for the opportunity to work with all of the wonderful people in the program. They are from Duncan, SC, and at their high school, they participated in productions such as Little Shop of Horrors (Understudy Seymour) and Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice), and have done theatre for most of their life. They are so excited to further pursue theatre, and they want to thank all of their cast, crew, and directors for this production.

Christopher Jenkins

Christopher is a first-year student at Converse under the major of Musical Theatre & Dance. “Lizzie the Musical” is their first production at Converse and can’t wait for the many other projects to come! Past Credits include: “9 to 5" (Joe), “Footloose” (Ren), “Shrek” (Donkey). Chris cannot wait to continue their path into the theatre world alongside others who love the craft of making art. Enjoy this astounding and breathtaking production of “Lizzie the Musical!”

JaPrincess Jones

JaPrincess Jones is a Junior at Converse University and will receive her B.A.s in Musical Theatre and Dance in the spring of 2027. You may have seen her in Converse University’s “Watch Your Step”, “Come and Go”, “Hair”, “Released and other works”, “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, and “The Dance Capstones”. JaPrincess is very excited to be performing in Converse’s upcoming musical “Lizzie” as Brigdet this Fall.

Keith Scott

Keith is a sophomore Theatre major at Converse University. LIZZIE is his second production here at Converse and he’s thrilled to return to the stage, especially for a show that’s sure to have everyone losing their heads with excitement! In LIZZIE, Keith plays as one of the Roadies! He is also the understudy of Alice. Keith had appeared in four productions at Airport High School in West Columbia, SC: Bright. Young. Things. (Neil Pullover), Little Women (Laurie), Anastasia (Gleb), and Romeo and Juliet (Romeo). At Converse he has appeared as Boarder 2 in Metamorphosis. He thanks his former directors, family, friends, and the Converse Theatre Department for their endless support.

Jordan Smith

Jordan is absolutely thrilled to be part of Converse University’s LIZZIE. Jordan is a junior Musical Theatre and Dance double major. Some of her favorite credits include Converse University’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch), Hair (Sheila), Metamorphosis (Sister), Rock Hill Theatre’s Sweeney Todd (Tobias), WCCS’s Newsies (Katherine), and writing and directing Rock Hill Theatre Camp’s Sherlock Holmes and the Something of the Baskervilles. Jordan is actively seeking representation. She would like to thank God for giving her the opportunity to do what she loves with people she loves and her family and friends for their love and support. Jordan hopes you enjoy this killer show!

Jenna Tamisiea

Jenna is thrilled to be in her third year as an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre Program Coordinator at Converse University. At Converse she has directed A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Thanksgiving Play, HAIR and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. For 15 years, Jenna served as the Artistic Director of Glow Lyric Theatre- a Greenville based vocal arts company producing opera and musical theatre in response to the political and social climate of South Carolina. She is also a traveling freelance director throughout the Southeast. Recent Directing Credits include: GUYS AND DOLLS (Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Goodly Frame Theatre), ELLA ENCHANTED (Synchronicity Theatre) PETER GRIMES (Northern Arizona University) SUMMER AND SMOKE (Converse Opera Theatre) and HANDS ON A HARDBODY (Guilford Arts Collective). Some of Jenna’s original devised work includes ARMED (Glow Lyric Theatre), which reflects on gun violence in the US, and PULSE (AnamCara Theatre), a piece responding to the Orlando mass shooting. Jenna recently won the American Prize in Directing for her production of WEST SIDE STORY. She is also a recipient of the Robert Porterfield Directing Award, a finalist for the Drama League New Musicals Fellowship, and a Suzi Bass Award nominee. She holds an MFA in Directing from Florida State University. She is grateful for the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with her talented students and colleagues on this production. To Joe- my love for you cuts deeper than any axe ever could!

Anne Denbow

Anne has a long and varied collaborative history with Converse University. She previously served as Musical Director for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Promise of Tomorrow, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, 1776 and Cabaret, and served as a keyboardist for Godspell with The Department of Theatre and Dance. She has also performed with Converse Opera Theatre in Dido and Aeneas and The Impressario. In The Tender Land, she created the character of “Granny” for her Upstate stage debut. Anne’s eclectic career has included performing the roles of “The Mother” in Amahl and the Night Visitors, “Marsinah” in Kismet, “Mabel” in The Pirates of Penzance, “Angelina” in Trial by Jury, “Aline” in The Sorcerer, “Josephine” in H.M.S Pinafore, “Magnolia” in Showboat, “Jenny Lind” in Barnum, “Laurey” in Oklahoma, “Tuptim” in The King & I, “Hope” in Anything Goes, “Hodel” in Fiddler on the Roof, “Amalia” in She Loves Me, and “Elizabeth” in Robert & Elizabeth in regional, summer stock and dinner theaters nationwide and cruise ships around the world. While working for Cunard Lines, Ltd., Anne wrote and performed in her own ballroom and cabaret shows, featuring a wide range of repertoire from big band, jazz and pop to Broadway, operetta and opera. Ms. Denbow has held the position of Adjunct Instructor of Voice at Converse University, Wofford College and USC Upstate where she has taught applied and class voice, in addition to specialized courses in musical theatre and cabaret performance, plus teaching for The Lawson Academy. In addition, she has served as Director of Liturgical Arts at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Spartanburg and maintains an active private voice studio. Anne has previously held full-time vocal/choral faculty positions at both Coastal Carolina University and Ashland University.

Natalia Hiner

Natalia is so excited to make her musical theatre choreographic debut!! You might’ve previously seen her as Marcy Park in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Jeanie in Hair, among many other things here at Converse University. She has also been seen in shows at Greenville Theatre and can't wait to be back with them this February in Fiddler on the Roof.

Allison Roux

Allison Roux (she/her) is the Dance Program Coordinator at Converse University. She holds an MFA in Dance from UNC-Greensboro and a BFA in Acting from SUNY-Fredonia. Allison has performed and choreographed for Blue Gate Musicals, Flatlands Dance Theatre, The National Theatre for Children, Glow Lyric Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and other U.S. regional theatres and dance companies. Her dance films have been selected for festivals around the world, including Wicklow ScreenDance Laboratory (Ireland), Jacksonville Dance Film Festival (Florida), International ScreenDance Festival (Iowa; Mexico), and Flick! Film Festival (North Carolina). Read more about her work at allisonroux.com.

Meg Hanna-Tominaga

Meg Hanna-Tominaga is the resident scenic designer in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Converse University, where in addition to a variety of design-related courses, she also teaches Puppetry, Playwriting, and Intro to Asian Theatre. She received her MFA from the University of Hawaii – Mānoa, where her thesis design was for the English premiere of Lady Mu and the Yang Family Generals, under the artistic supervision of Chinese Living National Treasure Madam Shen Xiaomei. She has designed for theatres and opera companies in Hawaii and across the mainland, from California to Florida. She has worked for Sony and Nickelodeon Animation Studios 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.

Mayes Hopkins

Mayes is the Technical Director here at Converse University and has his Associates Degree in Theatre from Gainesville State College. Before coming to the Upstate, Mayes was the Technical Director at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head, SC. There he oversaw and built over 30 shows. Some of those shows include Singin’ In The Rain, Gypsy, Mamma Mia, Newsies, Legally Blonde, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Color Purple. In Hilton Head, he also worked with The Lean Ensemble Theatre, Hilton Head Preparatory School, and Hilton Head Christian Academy as one of their scenic designers. Mayes has also worked at Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina as their Assistant Technical Director. During his time at Flat Rock Playhouse, he worked with and mentored college apprentices and Interns and helped them hone their technical skills in the scene shop. Mayes has also designed shows for Gainesville High School in Gainesville, GA. Some of his favorite scenic designs have been In The Heights, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Godspell, and Tea At Five.

Caleb Davidson

Caleb Davidson is a Christian-raised man from Casey, Illinois. Caleb is a trained actor of the Micheal Chekhov technique. Caleb’s interests include technical theatre; some of his credits include Light Board Operator for Cats, Lighting Design for dance capstone project The Lines We Cross, and acting as Player Two/Osric/Ghost in Ophelia. Caleb’s passion is voice-over.

Sarah Schaible

Sarah studied sound at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and since graduating in 2023, has enjoyed working in the world of theatre. She has designed sound for shows such as CABARET, THE HANDMAID'S TALE, UNREAL CITY, MISERY, and more. Sarah thoroughly loved working with Converse on shows such as OPHELIA and HAIR, and is thrilled to have been invited back for LIZZIE.

Si'Mya Stanley

Si’Mya is a freshman at Converse University who’s been in theater since the 3rd grade. She attended Charleston Creative Arts Elementary and then transitioned to Charleston County School of the Arts where her passion for theater deepened. Si’Mya began practicing makeup around 9-10 years old, but it wasn’t until being in quarantine for her 8th grade year that she taught herself and began practicing horror special effects makeup and fell in love with the art. She continues to explore storytelling, visual transformation, and creativity. She’s excited to share this moment with a community that celebrates artistry

Melissa Owens Kaley

Melissa Owens Kaley 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 Kaley came to Converse in 2012, and has served the department as Chair for nine 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.

Lane Carns

Lane is a sophomore here at Converse with a major in Theatre and a minor in Politics. While here at Converse they have worked on shows Released and Other Works as a deckhand and also had the opportunity to be an assistant stage manager for the production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They have also been a part of the design class for Metamorphosis last year which has taught them how a production is built from start to finish. For that production they worked as light board operator as well. They are from York, South Carolina and at their high school they stage managed for productions of Cinderella and the Candidate, was make-up designer for Wizard of Oz and Anybody for Tea?, and was a deckhand for Steel Magnolias.

Riley Tanner

Riley is a Freshman here at Converse University with a major in Theatre and Education. Lizzie is his first show with Converse Theatre! They are from York, South Carolina. At their high school they were a Stage Manager for the productions The Little Mermaid, The Complete History of Theatre (Abridged), Cinderella, Candidate, Wizard of Oz, and Anybody for Tea? He thanks his former directors, family, friends and Converse Theatre Department for their support.

Orpheus Crozier

Orpheus is a freshman at Converse University, double majoring in Creative and Professional Writing and Theatre. He’s worked as a lighting designer for The Sound of Music, Lion King, A Rented Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Captain Bree and Her Lady Pirates, and Big Fish. He also worked as a scenic designer for Lion King, Pride and Prejudice and Big Fish. He’s excited to help this amazing show run smoothly in any way he can! (Even if that means putting blood on the stage!)

Chris Patterson

Bella Weaver

Olivia Rosman

Olivia is a senior at Converse University.This summer she stage managed Grease at Spartanburg Little Theater. She has previously stage managed Kafka’s: Metamorphosis, Released: and Other Works, and HAIR: The Musical at Converse University. She has also stage managed Little Mermaid the Musical, Singing In the Rain, and Shrek: The Musical at Chapman High School. She was on stage as Vi in Come and Go and Player Queen in Ophelia at Converse University.

Zed Southerlin

Zed is a sophomore Theatre major here at Converse University. Working both onstage and behind the scenes, she loves all aspects of theatre. At her high school, Travelers Rest High School, she worked on lights for ‘Little Women: The Musical’ and scenic design for ‘The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition.’ At Converse University, she operated the soundboard for ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.’ They have also performed in ‘Kafka’s Metamorphosis.’

Hayley Benton

Hayley is a Sophomore at Converse pursuing a Bachelors in Theatre and Psychology. This is her third official converse production, and first as lightboard operator. She has been head wardrobe of Released and other Works and Metamorphosis last year. Prior to college she worked as Head Costumer and Head Projections for shows including Les Miserables, Catch Me If You Can, Into The Woods, and Something Rotten. She loves sewing, lighting and all things theatre and design. She very much hopes you rock out to the show!

Jared Rosen

Jared Rosen is a Freshman at Converse University, majoring in Vocal Performance with a minor in Musical Theater. He is from Clover, SC and while at Clover High he was ensemble in “Children of Eden”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Something Rotten” (Lord Clapham), and “Addam’s Family”. He also performed in "Anatomy of Gray” as Dr. Gray and The Baker in “Into The Woods”. He is very excited to be helping out behind the scenes for Lizzie and hopes to continue helping with more shows in the future. You can see him perform as Bob in the opera The Old Maid and The Thief in January.

Ayrine Herrera

Ayrine is a Senior at Converse University double majoring in Musical Theatre and Dance and minoring in Arts Administration. She has previously performed in and designed sounds, lights, and set for production Hedda Gabler and Hands on a Hardbody. She was previously Wardrobe Head for Hair the Musical. This will be her second time House Managing for Converse. She is very excited for the audience to see Converse students and staff's amazing work!

Michelle Chen

Michelle is a Communications and Media Studies Major at Converse University, with two minors in Theatre and Creative and Professional Writing. While she has had fun with learning various dance forms over the years and a knack for voice acting, this is her first time doing theatre work. She is excited to contribute to and gain new experiences from this venture.

Reuben Shiflet

Reuben is a Music Education major and Musical Theatre minor at Converse University. He has been playing piano for about 10 years, but never in a musical before. As this is his first production here, he's very excited to contribute to this project!

Landon Jarvis

Landon is currently in his fourth year being a Music major at the University of South Carolina Upstate with interests in performing and teaching. He has played guitar for almost 9 years beginning to play rock guitar in middle school and then eventually studying jazz guitar. Although he has years of experience in performing gigs with multiple groups in multiple genres of music such as rock, jazz, funk, and pop, LIZZIE is the very first musical he has ever worked on. He is excited to be playing electric guitar in the pit as this musical has a lot of fun rock guitar parts as well as having the opportunities to use multiple effects, different types of guitars, and interesting techniques. One song he particularly enjoys is one where he plays a baritone guitar with a slide, an interesting combination, creating a spooky timbre that fits the story of Lizzie Borden. One of Landon’s favorite parts of working on this musical is being able to work with great musicians, directors, performers, and everyone working to make this musical happen. Landon has learned a lot from working on LIZZIE, and he hopes that everyone enjoys this powerful, dynamic, and exciting musical.

Kira Saini Harp

Josh Tennant

Andrew Addis

Andrew Addis is a senior at Converse University pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy. A dedicated multi-instrumentalist with a focus in percussion, Andrew has performed in every Converse musical since his freshman year, including Cats, Hair, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and now Lizzie.