DIRECTORS NOTE

Welcome to STAGE's production of Ride The Cyclone! We are so excited to present this thrilling, hilarious, and heartfelt show. Cyclone tells the story of six highschoolers grappling with their identities and (literally) competing for their lives. You might be entranced by the dazzling lights and musical numbers but don't be fooled, this show tackles themes deeper than you might expect. It was our intention to honor the show's spirit while breathing new life into the story and its complex characters. With the combined effort of our amazing cast and crew we have put together a show that showcases all the incredible talent here at PSU. The process of creating this show has been equal parts challenging and rewarding, despite the many trials and tribulations of co-directing we could not be more proud of this production. 

Special thanks to Sarah Berg, PSU theater faculty, and our entire team for your dedication and patience.

Now get ready to ride that cyclone!

- Abby & Greta

Song List

Setting: A dilapidated warehouse storing the contents of an amusement park.
 

Dream of Life………………………………………...……………………………….Jane Doe

Uranium………………………………..…………..…………………………………Ensemble

Sailing Through Space……………………………..........……………………………Ensemble

What the World Needs…………………………..................……………..Ocean and Ensemble

Noel’s Lament/That Fucked Up Girl…………......................…………...…Noel and Ensemble

Every Story Has a Lesson………………..................…………………….Ocean and Ensemble

This Song is Awesome……………................………………………..…Mischa and Ensemble

Talia……………………………..........………………………………….Mischa and Ensemble

INTERMISSION

Space Aged Bachelor Man………................……………………….…….Ricky and Ensemble

The Ballad of Jane Doe…................……………………………..……Jane Doe and Ensemble

The New Birthday Song……….........………………………………………………..Ensemble

Sugarcloud……………………..............……………………………..Constance and Ensemble

Sailing Through Space (Reprise)..................................................................................Ensemble

It’s Just a Ride………………………….....…………………………………………..Ensemble

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Evii Anderson

Ocean

Eveliina (she/her) is a third-year Theatre Arts major who is delighted to be making her third appearance with PSU STAGE (apparently she just can’t stay away). Previous credits include Zazzalil in Firebringer, The Actress in Frontières Sans Frontières, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Quincy in Mr. Burns, a Post-Apocalyptic Play—clearly she has a thing for characters with big feelings and… loud energy. She’s now thrilled to be playing Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in Ride the Cyclone. Huge thanks to her endlessly supportive family and partner, and to the remarkable cast and crew for reminding her why she fell in love with theatre in the first place.

Danni Gordon

The Amazing Karnak

(She/They) When Danni isn’t delivering cryptic prophecies, they can be found delighting audiences with performances in shows like Mr. Burns (Edna), Firebringer (Claire/Puppet Roles), and Legally Blonde (Elle Woods). A master of deadpan delivery and dramatic pauses, she is thrilled to bring this fortune-telling automaton to life to explore the tension between fate, free will, and the human experience. What comes next, they could never tell you, but here’s a little advice: your lucky number is 7, you will soar to great heights, and be sure to ride the cyclone!

Phoenix Hopmeier-Mitchell

Jane Doe

(she/her) Phoenix is a freshman at PSU and plans to major in English and minor in Theater Arts. Her love of theater began in highschool and she has since been involved in many productions. Some of her favorite roles include Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mrs. White in CLUE!, and Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace. She would like to thank her friends, partner, and, especially, her Moms who inspire her every day.

Carter Jon

Noel

Carter Jon is thrilled to make his PSU STAGE debut! Recent theater credits include Amélie (Blind Beggar/Gnome), Bare: A Pop Opera (Lucas), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom/Riff Raff u/s), and Heathers: The Musical (Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad). On-screen, he has appeared in Everything Sucks, American Vandal (Netflix), and Young Hearts (HBO Max). He is pursuing a BA in Theatre Arts at Portland State University. Carter thanks the Cyclone creative team for choosing him to help tell this story, as well as his family and friends, for their endless support! Follow along on his journey on IG at @carter_jon_

Phoenix Jurkovich

Ensemble

Leo Lind

Virgil

(They/He) Leo is excited to combine their passion for playing bass guitar with theatre for the first time (shout out to Papa Lind for helping write the bass tabs)! This is their second production with PSU Stage, previously performing as Matt and Mr.Burns in Mr.Burns: A Post-Electric Play. This will also unfortunately be Leo's last production with PSU Stage, as they are graduating with their Mathematics degree this June. In their free time, they like to watch garbage T.V., juggle, play silly games, and working on their voice acting skills. Leo wants you to sit down, and enjoy the ride you are about to embark on!

Will Marcoe

Misha

(He/Him) Will is excited to be acting in a PSU STAGE production. He has previously had many different tech roles in STAGE shows, and is thankful for the opportunity to branch out. He would like to thank the whole team for their support and making this rehearsal process so fun! He would also like to give a shoutout to his loving boyfriend Tyler for always believing in him (and giving him cool moves).

Jason Nuesa

Ricky Potts

(He/Him) Jason is thrilled to be playing Ricky in STAGE’s Ride the Cyclone! A Portland local and freshman at PSU, Jason is fortunate to have performed with various theaters around the area. Notable past credits include Mowgli in The Jungle Book (Broadway Rose), Jack Kelly in Newsies (Northwest Children’s Theatre), Orpheus in Eurydice (Twilight Theatre Co.), and as the Male Understudy for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Oregon Children’s Theatre). He sends a heartfelt thank you to the entire cast, crew, and creative teams for making his first college theatre experience nothing short of incredible.

Savannah Wells

Constance

(She/Her) Savannah Wells is a newly transferred junior at Portland State University. Since her last musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Clackamas Community College, she’s been looking forward to the next one and she is grateful that her first show at Portland State has been such a positive and enriching experience. She has discovered new friendships that have made this big university a little less scary and she wants to thank everyone for all the silly moments on stage to look back. She also wants to thank her parents, who have always supported her theater journey.

Grace Wilke

Ensemble

Aeryn Zulueta-Greta

Rattuina & Talia

(She/Her) Aeryn is in her third year of college, first year here at PSU after having transferred from California. She is not a theater major, though has always had a love for theater, and is very pleased to continue with it here in Oregon. Though knowing she sounds a bit cliche, Aeryn hopes you enjoy this production of Ride The Cyclone, as so much passion has gone into it, and it is one of her favorite shows.

Tyler Arnette

Choreographer

(He/Him) Tyler is so excited to be back alongside all the talented people within the PSU STAGE community, working on Ride the Cyclone. With an immense love for dance and history in directing, Tyler is stepping into a new role as Choreographer for the first time. He would like to thank the directors for allowing him to share in the creation of this show, all the crew for coming into this project with so much passion and excitement, and all of the cast for their continuous work, patience, and love. Lastly, Tyler would like to shout out his wonderful boyfriend, Will Marcoe, for being brave enough to audition for this show and show the world how truly amazing he is, you're my star.

Wren Brandt

Run Crew

Wren is a Fine Arts major at PSU, and is working run crew for Ride the Cyclone. They have several years of student and professional experience in theatre and are very excited to join the theatre community at PSU. They previously worked for Stumptown Stages and Broadway Rose Theatre Company as a follow-spot operator. They look forward to learning lots more!

Abby Fox

Co-Director

(They/She) Abby is very excited to be directing for the first time with STAGE. They have previously worked on Mr. Burns, New Play Fest, and STAGE's cabaret. Abby is a theater major with a tech focus, she plans to continue her work in theater arts education after graduating from PSU. Abby wishes to thank the department for their support and hopes you enjoy the show!

Rory Funk

Co-Lighting Designer

Rory is the co-lighting designer for Ride the Cyclone, and is currently majoring in Philosophy and History at PSU. They have been involved in the world of theater their whole life, only recently getting into the tech side of things in high school. Rory is extremely excited to be part of another show!

Ash Goodrich-Hendrickson

Co-Lighting Designer

(They/Them) Ash has worked in theater as a lighting electrician, designer, and crew member for over 11+ shows over the past three years. As of Spring 2025, Ash plans on getting a degree in Special Education and Theater Arts! Ride the Cyclone has been such an amazing experience to be a part of, and Ash is so happy to have been able to be a part of this production. Enjoy the show! (◕‿◕✿)

Danni Gordon

Costume Designer

(She/They) With seven years of experience under her belt, Danni is a seasoned costume designer who is thrilled to add Ride the Cyclone to her growing repertoire. Drawing on their personal experiences as a former teenager in private school, Danni infused the designs with the tension and subtle unease that shaped those formative years, capturing the underlying sense of foreboding that defines the show’s tone. She is so excited for audiences to experience the world she’s helped bring to life, one costume at a time. Enjoy the show!

Magbee Herold

Makeup Designer

(She/They) Magbee is very excited to be here. She loves doing makeup and has had so much fun working on this show.

Levi King

Props

Elijah Lapka

Musical Director

(He/Him) Eli is a PSU music student who is also passionate about theater. He aims to develop a flexible skillset as a professional musician/performer, director, and composer. He is very grateful to be involved in assisting with this wonderful production and working with such a great cast, and he hopes to be involved in future student run productions as well- He would also like to give a shoutout to Phoenix Jurkovich for being an amazing accompanist. Thank you, and enjoy the show!

Greta Lau

Co-Director

(Any Pronouns) This will be Greta's fifth production with STAGE, most recently participating in New Play Fest as a director and playwright. Greta is currently a junior at PSU studying theater and writing with plans of pursuing performing arts after college. Outside of school she enjoys books, Claire Saffitz youtube videos, and seeing shows with her partner Amelia.

Kristin Leitner

Sound Design & Operation

(They/She) Kristin is so excited to be working with STAGE for the first time as she completes her senior year in the Sonic Arts and Music Production program at PSU! Though she designed sound for two shows in high school, this is her first time on a college-level production. Kristin would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support this and every year, and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she does!

Madara Linde

Stage Manager

(She/He/They) This is Madara Linde’s first time stage managing a musical and first show at PSU. Hopefully you'll see him doing sound tech in more events in the future around campus. Look behind you, They're trapped in the clear box, whenever he gets a queue wrong the directors fill the booth with toxic gas as a way to keep her alert.

Chloe Meyer

House Manager

Chloe is currently a Public Health major at PSU, and has taken on the role of house manager for Ride the Cyclone. She has previously competed in state and national competitions for lobby and marketing designs, and has enjoyed being involved in Into the Woods, The Addams Family, and Seussical. Although she is not a theatre major, she has a strong passion for the performing arts and all that goes into even the most simple productions. She would like to thank her partner for being so supportive and helpful while she takes on one too many hats. Enjoy the show!

Ty Nunez

Set Designer & Technical Director

Ty (they/them) is a student of the Theater Arts program at PSU, graduating this June.They were most recently part of the set design team for Imago Theater’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire, and co-scenic designer for PSU’s production of Measure for Measure. They have also been involved in multiple productions of the PSU student group STAGE, most recently designing the sets for STAGE’s productions of Firebringer and Mr. Burns, a Post Electric Play. They would like to thank their husband Jesus, as well as their parents Shawn and Shelly, for all of their love and support as Ty continues to learn and grow in their theater career.

Nacho Ruiz

Run Crew

Nacho is a transfer student and a senior at PSU, majoring in theater arts. In the summer, he works as the theater arts Youth Camp instructor for Central Oregon Community College. He recently directed a production of The Wizard of Oz (youth edition), and this upcoming summer, he will be directing A Midsummer Night's Dream and will be working with students from Madras and Prineville to bring theater to their communities. Nacho has also worked for a theater camp in New York as a Scenic Artist and was recently an ASM for PSU's mainstage production of Tartuffe. He wishes to thank his family and friends for always supporting him.

BONUS - Design Choices

When creating the visuals used in the show's program and posters, the designer chose to steer clear of the problematic stereotypes sometimes associated with portrayals of Karnak as a figure of Romani heritage. Instead, she turned to Lenormand cards, which are rooted in French cartomancy (fortune telling using a deck of playing cards), as a symbolic lens.

Each of the six teens is represented by a Lenormand card that reflects their inner world:

Ocean is the Tower, driven by ambition and the need to be seen as exceptional, often at the expense of those around her.
Noel is the Moon, longing for beauty, drama, and the freedom to embrace his full self, no longer repressing his emotions, fears, or desires.
Constance is the Tree, grounded in community and family, and quietly growing into her own strength.
Jane is the Cross, carrying the weight of the unknown, the burden of being forgotten, and the pain of others’ intolerance.
Mischa is the Ring, bound by love and loyalty, his hardened shell protecting a deeply devoted heart
Ricky is the Star, lost in dreams, driven by optimism, and guided by a limitless imagination.

-Danni Gordon

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