Ben Cornelius

This is Ben’s first year at Montevallo as a transfer Musical Theatre major. He’s honored to portray this character and perform this role. He’s thankful to do this truly incredible show with this cast and crew.

Jaanai de la Torre-Martinez

Jaanai de la Torre-Martinez is a junior at the university of Montevallo and is very excited to be in her 5th department show. She would like to thank her family and friends for being her biggest supporters throughout this process.

Delaney Eaves

Delaney Eaves is a Senior BFA Musical Theatre Major about to graduate in just a couple of weeks and she is so excited to not only be making her blackbox debut, but to also perform in one last musical at Montevallo before making her way into the world! Some Montevallo roles you might have seen her in include: Sheena Slam in Punk Rock Girl, Audrey in As You Like It, Babe the Blue in College Night's Ballad of the Mississippi River, and her favorite: Amy in Company. Delaney is so thankful to her mom and dad, and to all of her professors, best friends, advisors, mentors and second family here at Montevallo and while she is sad to say goodbye, she can’t wait to come back as an alum to see the department continue growing and shining!! Hope y’all enjoy the show, I know I will!!! Signing off one last time, Delaney Eaves

Jordan Hall

Jordan is a sophomore BFA Acting major and is so grateful to be apart of such a powerhouse cast and crew. You may have seen him in past UM productions such as As You Like It (Charles/William) and Anon(ymous) (Pascal). Jordan would like to leave everyone with a bible verse that got him through this process, “I can do all things through christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Stephen Haymond

Stephen is a Junior Mass Communications student at UM. His other previous Montevallo Theater credit was playing Chiron in The Lightning Thief in the fall of 2021. As well as performing in the Gold Side College Night productions "The Ballad of the Missippi River" and "Starpower" the last two years. He is from Huntsville and has been singing and performing his whole life. Previous favorite credits include, Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods and Maurice in Beauty and the beast. He is incredibly grateful to the production staff for this once in a lifetime opportunity. And to the cast for making these last few months a dream. Viva la Vie Boheme!

Jackson Holsomback

Jackson Holsomback is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre student and he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play the role of Benny in RENT! As a first-year student, it means everything to him to be cast as a named role in one of his favorite shows of all time. He is incredibly grateful to Dr. C, the tech team, and the cast for being so welcoming and caring throughout the rehearsal process and the school year.

Hannah Mallory

Hannah Mallory is a sophomore BFA Musical Theater major who you might have seen as the punk rock alien, Proxi, in the university of Montevallo’s fall production of Punk Rock Girl. Hannah is incredibly excited to be making her black box debut in this beautiful show! Hannah would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for always encouraging her to go above and beyond, some might even say over the moon! Enjoy the show!!!

Thomas Massey

Thomas is excited to be in his fourth musical here at Montevallo! Love you mom!!! His credits include Dudley (Punk Rock Girl), Percy (The Lightning Thief), Paul (Company).

Troy McMullen

Troy McMullen (He/She/They) is a current sophomore at the University of Montevallo majoring in Musical Theatre. Past UM credits include Punk Rock Girl (Skull), A New Brain (Doctor), The Lightning Thief (Mozart/Ensemble), and most recently the proud Head Choreographer for the groundbreaking Purple Side Musical: Cryptid Conspiracy. Other notable roles include Nick Bottom (Something Rotten), Davey (Newsies), Hans (Frozen), and Ubaldo Piangi (The Phantom of the Opera). They attribute all success to their many mentors and family throughout their theatrical journey! They are also incredibly thankful for Dr. C, Jennifer, and Carl Dean for trusting them with this show and allowing them to be apart of it. They are ecstatic to be back in the Black Box for their 4th department show: RENT! Website: troy-mcmullen.com

Jazmin Miller

Jazmin Miller is a BFA Theatre major with a concentration in Acting. She has previously performed at the University of Montevallo in the productions of As You Like It, (Anon)ymous, and recently Flatliners the Musical. She is very excited and grateful to David Callaghan and Jennifer Hartsell for the amazing opportunity of Rent and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Lillian Murphree

Lillian Murphree (she/her) is a junior BFA musical theatre major here at the University of Montevallo, and Rent is her third UM production. She would like to thank Dr. Callaghan and Jennifer Hartsell for the opportunity to work on such a powerful show, and her family and friends for their never-ending support.

Macy Robinson

Macy Robinson is a graduating senior. This is her ninth and final show at UM. The message of Rent rings very true for her during this season of love and change in her life. She is immensely grateful to have worked on this production with students who are both her biological and found family. She’d like to give a special thank you to her sister, Audrey, who is her constant source of light both on and off stage.

Abby Sledd

Abby Sledd is a current Junior at Montevallo pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre. She has recently been seen as Kacie in “Ugly Lies the Bone” and Annabeth Chase in “The Lightning Thief”. She is also an active member in College Night and Purple Side, and will be serving as Purple Side co-Leader for the 2023-2024 season!

Ara Besque Starr (Guest Artist)

Ara Besque Starr would like to thank Dr. Callaghan and the University of Montevallo for welcoming her as a Guest Artist! She attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts, as well as graduated from the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance.She is a cast member of the Al’s on Seventh Dreamcast! You can keep up with her on Instagram @arabesquestarr “There are two important moments in your life, the moment you’re born and the moment you find out why!”

D'Mar Tarrant-Milton

D’Mar Tarront-Milton is a freshmen BFA Musical Theatre Major. He is making his Main Stage debut and he is excited to have been a part of such an amazing cast and crew! He’d like to thank he’s family and friends for all of their love and support!

Karly Wilmore

Karly Wilmore (ensemble) is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major and is beyond thrilled to be cast in her last UM production. Her previous roles include Homeless Lady in UM’s production of A New Brain and Susan in UM’s production of Company! She wants to thank all of her professors, Jennifer Hartsell, and family for supporting her throughout her seasons of love and growth within her college experience.

MaKensey Alford

MaKensey Kaye Alford is a Sophomore B.F.A. Musical Theatre Major who also has a huge love for costuming. She has appeared on-stage in performances at the university including The Lightning Thief, Punk Rock Girl, and Reckless, and she has also worked on the costume shop crew for shows each semester! During the Summer of 2022, she worked professionally at Tecumseh Outdoor Drama as an Actor/Costumer, and this summer she will be working as a Costume Apprentice at Brevard Music Center in North Carolina!

M.K. Bryant

M.K. Bryant is a junior mass communications major with a multimedia journalism concentration and minors in concentration in theater and creative writing. Some of her interests are writing, podcasting, and art education (and the Strawberry Shortcake franchise). She is very excited to contribute her work to this production!

David Callaghan

David Callaghan is currently head of the BFA Musical Theatre Program at UM after serving as Theatre Chair for 16 years. He is thrilled to direct RENT, one of his favorite musicals, for the 2nd time here, including having an opportunity to revisit the show with longtime collaborator and friend Carl Dean. David has directed over 70 plays, showcases, and musicals in professional and educational theatre settings and credits at UM over the years include THREE SISTERS, CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART, RECKLESS, CARRIE, CHICAGO, HEATHERS, SPRING AWAKENING, ASSASSINS, PIPPIN: 2 productions each of HAIR, CABARET and COMPANY; and the AL premieres of MOLLY SWEENEY, THREE VIEWINGS, SIDE SHOW, A CLASS ACT, HIGH FIDELITY, and THE LIGHTNING THIEF. In spring 2002, David also enjoyed directing a workshop production of UM alumni Stephen Elkins and Rebecca Aparicio’s new musical SALOME VS JOHN, as well as a staged reading of Larry Kramer’s seminal AIDS play THE NORMAL HEART with an alumni cast (including actors from the 2005 production he directed here at UM in the Chichester Black Box Theatre). Before starting his teaching career, David worked as a freelance director and actor regionally on the East Coast and in the Midwest, and in casting at prominent offices such as The Manhattan Theatre Club and Meg Simon Casting where he worked primarily on new plays and TV pilots, including the original Broadway productions of Terence McNally’s LOVE, VALOUR, COMPASSION! and August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS (and A.R. Gurney’s SYLVIA Off-Broadway). David feels a special connection to the world of RENT having worked in “Alphabet City” with Judith Malina’s legendary The Living Theatre on E. 3rd Street between Avenues C and D in 1990-91, and also having seen hundreds of performances in theatres and performance spaces around the East Village during the 1990s (which he has written about in various articles over the years, including a recent book chapter on director Richard Foreman and East Village Experimental Theatre for a directing series published by Routledge Press). David has also enjoyed directing for several companies in nearby Birmingham including the AL premiere of PARADE (co-production with Carl Dean’s Magic City Actors Theatre) and NEXT TO NORMAL and MY FAIR LADY with Red Mountain Theatre. David would like to thank the cast, crew and creative team for a fun process and their dedication to producing Jonathan Larson’s masterpiece of musical theatre, but especially our audiences for continuing to support live storytelling. “No day but today”!

Carl Dean

Carl Dean is thrilled to be working on his 2nd production of RENT here at UM. The former co-founder and Artistic Director of the Magic City Actors Theatre and a two-time alum of the university, Mr. Dean is now the Director of the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance, where he is currently directing LES MISERABLES. He has staged and appeared in productions around the country including Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, and in Mexico and the Bahamas, but working at UM is always like coming home. This marks his 10th collaboration with his dear friend, Dr. Callaghan, after choreographing COMPANY, the first musical in the Center for the Arts in spring 2021, and he looks forward to many more to come. “No Day But Today”

Harper Dunaway

Harper Dunaway is a junior Technical Theatre Major here at Montevallo. She has previously Assistant Stage Managed on the university’s productions of Chicago,A Midsummers Night Dream, Company, and As You Like It : as well as Stage Managing A New Brain last year! Harper would like to thank her family and friends for constantly supporting her through everything. She is grateful to have been given this opportunity and has truly enjoyed working on RENT!

Kyle Everett

Kyle Everett graduated from University of Alabama in 2005, where he was first introduced to the world of theatrical costuming. After graduation, he worked in regional theatre for the next 18 years, including working on Dallas Theater Center’s Tony Award Winning season. He is thrilled to be at Montevallo and has thoroughly enjoyed working with all the talented technicians and performers on this show!

Emily Gill

Emily Gill, MFA, Associate Professor of Theatre is in her sixteenth year at UM and what a busy year it has been! Recently, she completed the Experience Design Certification Program offered by Odyssey Works performance collective operating out of Baltimore and NYC. Projects and performances she has given as part of that process are an online role-playing game based on decentralized autonomous organizations in crypto-currency economy, research into activity-based identity-confirming experiences, and finally her thesis project for the program: a quick experience for single participants to hold an interview with their pain, whatever form it takes, to accept chronic pain as a part of the self as opposed to an adversary in residence. The experience featured video compositions and sounds inspired by Emily’s own experience with medication-resistant migraines she has experienced since the age of 10 and the visualizations she uses to resolve the pain. Also with Odyssey Works, she traveled to Gaviao, Portugal, in summer of 2022 to join an international cohort of performance designers to create a transformational “odyssey” experience for a selected volunteer. Her contribution to that project was a “silent dinner” for which she set the menu and cooked the meal and in collaboration with a professional food experience designer, staged the service and presentation. Emily is the resident Costume and Makeup Designer for UM productions unless there is a student available for the assignment. When not teaching Theatre courses and mentoring student designers, she is the Director of the Malone Center for Excellence in Teaching on campus, facilitating professional development for Faculty and instructional staff at UM. Learn more about Emily’s work at emilygilldesigns.com

Kayla Hampton

Kayla Hampton is a Senior BS Theater Major at the University of Montevallo.Her pronouns are She/Her/Hers. Kayla is very happy to be ending her College Career with Rent. Some of Kayla’s theater credits include, As You Like It, Flatliners, A New Brain and many more.

Jennifer Hartsell

Jennifer Hartsell earned her B.M. in Piano Performance and M.M. in Composition from the University of Alabama. She completed additional studies in music composition at N.Y.Y. and Cornell University, where she was awarded the prestigious Sage Graduate Fellowship. Her compositions for instrumental ensembles and choral groups have been widely performed in the U.S. After several years as the bass player for a marginally successful punk/metal band, she completed doctoral studies in Collaborative Piano at the University of Minnesota. While in Minneapolis, she was composer/librettist for the critically acclaimed 2013 Fringe Festival show Pullman Car Hiawatha. Other MD/pianist credits include Company, 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, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and others, including the UM productions of High Fidelity, The Rocky Horror Show, Spring Awakening, Heathers: The Musical, Godspell, Hair, Urinetown, Carrie, Priscilla- Queen of the Desert, Chicago Company, and The Lighting Thief. All the love and thanks to Bennett, Frances, and Ken.

Isabella Herrington

Isabella Herrington is thrilled to be designing the makeup for RENT, her last show at Montevallo. She would like to thank Kyle Everett for being an amazing advisor for her undergraduate research project, as well as her incredible hair and makeup crew. Also, she couldn’t have gotten through these four years without her roommates, Macy and Alison, as well as her cats, Ting Ting and Angus.

Troy McMullen

Troy McMullen (He/She/They) is a current sophomore at the University of Montevallo majoring in Musical Theatre. Past UM credits include Punk Rock Girl (Skull), A New Brain (Doctor), The Lightning Thief (Mozart/Ensemble), and most recently the proud Head Choreographer for the groundbreaking Purple Side Musical: Cryptid Conspiracy. Other notable roles include Nick Bottom (Something Rotten), Davey (Newsies), Hans (Frozen), and Ubaldo Piangi (The Phantom of the Opera). They attribute all success to their many mentors and family throughout their theatrical journey! They are also incredibly thankful for Dr. C, Jennifer, and Carl Dean for trusting them with this show and allowing them to be apart of it. They are ecstatic to be back in the Black Box for their 4th department show: RENT! Website: troy-mcmullen.com

David Page

David Page is an award winning Lighting Designer and multi-disciplinary Creative Artist with 20+ years of experience in the theatre and over 80 design credits throughout the course of his career. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Alabama and currently serves as the Stage Electrics Coordinator for the Department of Theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His extremely versatile experience includes a unique blend of design, programming, and technical expertise that spans across the country, including regional theatre, summerstock, concert venues, arenas, universities, Off-Broadway, and Broadway productions. Lately David has channeled his experience into the classroom. He has taught workshops, guest lectures, and full courses at The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and other schools and non-profits on the subjects of Lighting Design, Principles of Design, Stagecraft, Sound Design, Scenic Design, Production Practicum, and Introduction to Automated Lighting and Programming. David is a member of IATSE Local 78 and also worked regularly with Local 1 before moving to Birmingham, Alabama where he currently lives with his incredible wife of 17 years and their amazing 8 year old son.

J. Marc Quattlebaum

Marc Quattlebaum is a Birmingham based designer and artist; he is also the Technical Director for Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Recent and current scenic design credits include: Inside Out (BCT), Matilda Jr (RMT), The Emperor’s New Clothes (BCT), and Annie Jr (RMT)

Shelby Waggoner

Shelby Waggoner is a sophomore BFA musical theatre major. Her recent shows at The University of Montevallo include “A New Brain” where she played the role of Rhoda, and “Punk Rock Girl” where she was in the ensemble. This is her first experience being an ASM and it has been such a rewarding experience. She has learned so much and can’t wait for everyone to see this amazing show that everyone has worked so hard on.

E. Wren

E. is a freshman BFA design/ tech theatre major concentrating in stage management at the university of Montevallo. E. Is so grateful to have the opportunity to work on RENT with the wonderful cast and crew.