Welcome to Today's Performance!

Thank you so much for joining us. Your presence here means the world—not just to us, but especially to the remarkable students who have poured their time, talent, and heart into bringing this story to life. This show is the result of weeks of dedication, collaboration, and creative growth. We’re incredibly proud of their journey—not only as performers and storytellers, but as young artists learning how to connect, listen, take risks, and support one another.

Tonight’s performance is a comedy, but at its heart, it’s a story about something profoundly human: our longing for connection. It explores the beautiful, ridiculous, and heartfelt lengths we go to in order to experience love—and to help others find it too. 

Thank you for being here to witness and celebrate this work. Your support fuels the spirit of our program and the growth of these young performers. Stay tuned for more exciting productions from Encounter High—this is only the beginning.

Enjoy the show!

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Logan Yoder

Ed Sitrow

Logan is very new to theater. Well, sort of new. This is not his first production. In fact, he performed in a school Christmas play back in fourth grade as a penguin named "Normal". He performed in his second play back in December as a lead role in Immanuel: A Christmas Story. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to be part of this play as well! He has enjoyed every minute of it and is honored to be a part of this production. He is a third year student in the Encounter High School program and loves things like spending time with family and friends, playing sports, and performing musical pieces in talent shows and recitals. He hopes you will enjoy this play just as much as he does.

Ryland Cosby

Pete Saltz

Ryland is very thankful for the opportunity to perform for and with all of his friends and family at Encounter High. He has performed throughout middle school and junior high, but this is his first performance in almost 4 years. His favorite roles from the past include Drake the Butler and President FDR from Annie, Mr. T. from God Rest Ye Gerry Mentlemen, and the Swedish Cook from Captain Bree; Scourge of the Sea. Besides performing, Ryland loves swimming, reading, playing the bass, and having fun with friends. He is very grateful for his awesome fellow performers, his amazing directors, and his awesome and amazing family for all of the fun times and support.

Julia Swope

Annabell Stackpoole

Julia is so excited to be a part of and share this wonderful show. Romeo and Juliet Together (and Alive!) at Last is her 22nd theatrical performance. Some of her favorite roles have been playing Lavender in Matilda (Cascade Theater), Brigitta Von Trapp in Sound of Music (Shasta College), Annie (RPAC) and performing in 7 Cascade Christmas shows. When she’s not acting, she loves singing, dancing, playing the piano, guitar, songwriting, and being with friends and family. She would love to thank the cast, crew, directors, family and friends, for their love & support.

Rad Shenkenberger

Hays/Friar

Rad is more than excited to be part of this production and can’t wait to share this amazing play with everyone. He’s always wanted to be part of something like this and give acting a try, but he never took that step—until now. Ever since joining his first play, Rad has fallen in love with acting. He wants to thank his loving, kind, joy-filled, and supportive castmates and teachers—because without them, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun—as well as his amazing friends who convinced him to join. When Rad isn’t on stage, he’s usually out and about with friends or family: fly fishing, exploring/camping, or playing basketball. He is overjoyed every time he gets to act, and he loves the friends he gets to do it with. Rad is thrilled to be part of this amazing play and really hopes everyone enjoys it as much as he does. He wants to continue pursuing acting and drama in the future. He can’t wait for you to watch and love his very first show!

Lily Cosby

Radosh/Benvolio

Hello! Looks like you made it to my bio, how fancy! My name is Lily Cosby and I have been doing theater since 5th grade. I have been a part of a few shows now including Doc, Doc, Goose, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory where I played Violet, and The Prodigal Daughter. Not only do I love theater, but I also have a passion for all things music. I play guitar, piano, and I sing. I would like to thank the whole cast, my brother (for all those rides and running lines), and most of all, the wonderful directors that have made this thing come to life! I have learned so much and I can't wait for you to watch this play! I hope you laugh LOTS!

Eve Marie Maas

Lucy Neblet

Eve Marie is so thankful for this opportunity to perform in Encounter High’s FIRST EVER play. Since she was very little she would cast her cousins and friends into plays and preform them for their parents after dinner. As she grew up, she found that she thrived in the black clad, tech crew roles of a play, leading the backstage team in her previous high school’s performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This Encounter High play is the first time Eve Marie has ever played a major role on stage, and she is finding that she loves it just as much as she loves tech crew. (She is also discovering that acting is much more technical than she ever could have imagined!) As a motivated and dedicated student, Eve is often doing homework or studying. But, if she finds any moments of free time, Eve loves to write about anything and everything, and to be active outdoors by playing volleyball, swimming, or running.

Hope Street

Priscilla/Nurse

Hope is so excited to be part of this production and thankful for the opportunity to put on such a magnificent show with such a magnificent cast & crew! Some of her favorite past roles include pepper in Annie Jr. and a teacher in Outside In. When she’s doing theater Hope enjoys reading books, swimming, and spending time with friends & family. She is so thankful for the support and encouragement she’s received from her directors, Sarah Yoder & Kelcy Swanstrum, her castmates, and all of her friends and family! She has loved being a part of this show and hopes you love watching it!

Jack Alaniz

Hamilton/Dream Romeo

Adalee Gheen

Dream Juliet/Parks/Chorus

Adalee is so excited to be part of her very first theater production. Jumping into the world of acting has been a brand new adventure, and she’s loved every moment of learning, growing, and connecting with the cast and crew. When she's not on stage, Adalee enjoys exploring the outdoors through camping, hiking, biking, and snowboarding. She’s also passionate about art, playing the violin, and spending quality time with friends. Being part of this production has been an unforgettable experience, and she’s incredibly thankful for the opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Ryan Aston

Mr. Sullivan/Dream Tybalt

Bella Valenzuela

Mrs. Bacon/Dancer

My name is Bella, and I'm very excited to be part of this production with my school! I am pretty new to this, and have only performed in one other play. I have done dance since I was 3, and love to perform. Some things I love to do are singing, dancing, crocheting, camping and being with family and friends. I am so thankful for all the hard work that everyone has put into this play. I am excited for you guys to see it!

Sabelle Maas

Sondstrom

Sabelle Maas is a freshman in highschool and has been in numerous small productions over the years just for the fun of storytelling and playing dress up. She is grateful for this opportunity to act and goof around with her friends during the process of creating this production and hopes you laugh as much as she did watching this play.

Aisha Martinez

Cindy Huber

Ethne Lehner

Mary Davis

This is Ethne’s first play (Technically). She has ran lights and done sets for “The Jungle Book” at RPAC, along with being the assistant costumer for “Hello Dolly”, and training her dog to be Sandy in “Annie”. However, this will be her first time acting. In her free time she can be found sitting at a desk playing Sims 4 or Minecraft, or swimming and kayaking in the summer.

Avery Nickens

Jessie Bolin

Avery Nickens is 17 years old, graduating senior. Avery is thrilled to get the chance to be apart of this production. Avery is an aspiring actress who has been in 8 shows with Redding Performing Arts, including her favorite roles so far, Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Titania), Elf (Jovie) and more. Avery has been pursuing her acting dreams for 5 years and along with vocal training. Alongside her love for performing, Avery enjoys thrifting and styling, music, and being a barista. Avery would love to thank her fellow cast mates/friends and directors that have been a blast to work with and to just laugh with along the way. She would also love to thank her family for always supporting her dreams in all areas of her life.

Emily Driscoll

Sam Pettry/Mercutio

Emily is so excited to play a part in sharing this production with all of you. She’s previously acted in Captain Bree Scourge of the Sea as Captain Bree, God Rest Ye Gerry Mentleman as Connie, and Annie as Lily St. Regis. When she’s not enjoying her time on stage she can be seen crocheting, watching some of her favorite movies, or hanging out with friends. She is so grateful for the support of her directors, fellow cast members, and family members and hopes that you all have a wonderful time watching the show.

Mikaela Holl

Marks/Balthasar

Mikaela is so excited to be part of this production and grateful for the opportunity to help bring this story to life. Some of her favorite past roles include the play Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little women, and a couple of musicals along the way. When she’s not doing theater, you will find Mikaela playing her piano or guitar, singing, spending time with her family, running (XC or Track), jumping off something fun, or really doing anything with a tad bit of adventure in it :). She thanks her directors, castmates, and family for their constant encouragement and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she’s loved being a part of it.

Jacquin Hallaway

Lady Capulet/Amy

Jacquin is very honored and proud to be apart of this Encounter production. Some of her favorite past roles with other companies include Grace in Annie, the Rainbow Fish in The Rainbow Fish, Young Fiona in Shrek, and so many more. When she is not doing theater she is playing sand vollyball, hanging with friends, and singing. She would like to thank her family for being her number one supporters and never doubting her. She would also love to thank the amzing directors and cast that she got to spend these last few weeks working and producing this beautiful show!

Raymond Westbrook

Barish/Lord Capulet

This is Raymond's first time being cast in a play, and in his free time he enjoys being creative and making music and writing.

Sunni Drew

Betsy/Dancer

I am so excited for you to see Romeo and Juliet together and alive at last! This has been such a fun play to be in, and my second play that I've been in. I have danced in several performances before, and I'm excited to now be acting on the stage. Outside of acting, I love running, being outside, reading good books, dancing and, my favorite, following Jesus. Enjoy the show!

Sarah Yoder

Director

Kelcy Swanstrum

Stage Manager

Terry Swope

Costume Manager

Emilie Yoder

Assistant Stage Manager

Ethan McCormick

Lighting/Sound Assistant

Annalise Treat

Costume Assistant

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