Romeo & Juliet

EJ Bostick

EJ Bostick is a Senior Theatre major here at the University of Montevallo. You might have seen EJ on the Montevallo stage in "Bound and Burned" by Marcus Lane as Dionysus, "POTUS" as Bernadette, or "Tartuffe!" as Cléante. EJ has also been a part of Gold Side Cabinet for the past four years and is an alumna of Montevallo's Alpha Delta Pi Zeta Delta Chapter. EJ is so excited to bring Lord Capulet to life with this talented cast and crew, and couldn't ask for a better last show on the bricks!

Savannah Bright

Savannah Bright is a Sophomore here at the University of Montevallo. This is her second main stage production at the University following "Bound & Burned" this past fall. She is so thankful for her amazing cast and crew! She would like to thank her professors and friends for all their patience and help. She would also like to thank her previous teacher and alumni Eric Browne for helping her develop a love for Shakespeare growing up.

Thatcher Carter

Thatcher is a Freshman at Montevallo. He’s been in many shows before coming here and is so glad to be doing his second show with Montevallo. You may have seen him as The Duchess in the fall production of "Alice by Heart". He has had a blast being a part of this awesome show with all his friends. He hopes you enjoy this classic tale!!

Kadi Hiatt

Kadi Hiatt, a Sophomore B.F.A Musical Theatre major, is very excited because this is her first main stage show here at Montevallo. She has been in staged readings of "The Bone Orchard" and "Barbecue" here at Montevallo and she is very thankful that she has been given this opportunity. She has been doing theater for many years, and all of this happened because of her mother who started this all, so she wanted to thank her for getting her here. She is happy to start doing even more shows here.

Rylie Jackson

Rylie Jackson is a senior B.F.A. Theatre major concentrating in Acting at the University of Montevallo. She is bittersweet about this being her last mainstage show here, so she is soaking up every moment! You may have seen her as Jean in "POTUS" (UM), Barbara in "Barbeque" (UM), or Julia in "1984" (CEPA Theatre). She is also the Fight Captain for R&J and could not be more grateful for the opportunity! Shakespeare has given her a full-circle moment as the first and last show of her school career! She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her dreams, especially her mom! She hopes that you enjoy this production of R&J! #teamcapulet

Larkin Kelly

Larkin Kelly is a senior B.F.A Musical Theatre major here at the University of Montevallo! Larkin is so grateful to be back on the mainstage! Larkin has recently been seen as Helga in Cabaret (University of Montevallo), performed in Godspell (University of Montevallo ), and "Ensemble" in The Legacy of the Iron Witch (College Night, Purple Victory). Words cannot express how eternally grateful she is to her family, friends, and professors who have kept her grounded and motivated all these years.

West Key

West Key is a senior B.S. Theatre major here at the University of Montevallo. West is so excited about his first mainstage show with the UM Theatre Department and his third overall college show! West has also acted as side characters in short films in the UM Mass Comms department. West would like to thank his family, professors, and friends for their constant support and encouragement!

Aiye Kioni

Aiye Kioni is a Freshman Theater major at the University of Montevallo. He is excited to make his theatrical debut at UM in "Romeo & Juliet." Originating from Montgomery Alabama, Aiye aspires to be a legend in acting & directing by the end of his career. Will he get there? Some say never, but, if you ask him, he will tell you he is already on the path to greatness.

Kayla McNeally

Kayla McNeally is a B.F.A. Acting Major and is in her second semester of her Freshman year at the University of Montevallo. She appeared in "Bound and Burned" this fall. Some of the shows she has previously worked on include "Legally Blonde", "Hadestown", "Les Misérables", and "Mean Girls". Kayla is beyond excited to be in her second department show and can't wait to perform with this amazing cast!

Jayla Moman

Jayla Moman is a sophomore B.A. Theatre Major at the University of Montevallo and has been performing since 2015. Some of the shows she has previously been a part of are: "Twinkle", "Back to Birmingham", "I Miss Christmas" (Huffman High School), "Legacy of the Iron Witch" (College Night, Purple Victory) and "Bound & Burned" (University of Montevallo). This is Jayla's first ever experience with anything Shakespearean and she's extremely excited to be a part of this wonderful company.

Tennessee Pitchford

Tennessee Pitchford is a Freshman B.S. Theatre major here at the University of Montevallo. Tennessee is so excited to perform his first mainstage role! He has participated in shows such as "Bound and Burned" (University of Montevallo) as a fight assistant as well as "Alice by Heart" (University of Montevallo) as a stage crew member. Tennessee hopes to pursue a career in stage combat and stunt work for movies and tv shows. He would like to thank his family for all the support they give him, as well as his old and new friends who have helped him along the way.

Emma Rines

Emma Rines is a Junior B.A. Theatre major here at Montevallo. "Romeo & Juliet" is her first mainstage production. She is an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta and a Gold Side participant. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drinking coffee, and snuggling with her cat, Belle. Emma would like to thank both her parents Arthur and Kari and her partner Nick for their constant love and support.

Claire Temple

Claire Temple is a Freshman Psychology major with a minor in Digital Filmmaking. Claire is very excited to be able to keep doing what she loves in college and continue to create and grow as an actor! She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for welcoming her into the Theatre Department as well as Jesus, her family, friends and Purple Family for their constant love and support. She is thrilled to see what the future holds as an academic as well as an artist at this wonderful school and hopes you enjoy her stage debut at the University of Montevallo!

MaKayla Hemphill

MaKayla Hemphill is a Junior at the University of Montevallo. She is a B.A. Theatre Major. She has always had a love for performing. This is her first time working with Shakespearean text and she can't wait to explore. She is so excited to be in her fifth show here, Romeo and Juliet!

Natali Jimenez

Natali Jimenez is so excited to make her University of Montevallo debut as Lady Montague in "Romeo and Juliet". She is currently a Sophomore Theatre Major with a minor in Music Studies. Other roles she has played are: Ensemble in "The Legacy of the Iron Witch (College Night, Purple Victory), Philia in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Millbrook Community Players, Millbrook, AL.), and Skye Newcomb in "Christmas Queens" (South City Theatre, Pelham, AL.). She was also Assistant House Manager for "POTUS" (University of Montevallo) and helped with the marketing for "Alice By Heart" (University of Montevallo). Natali wants to give a shoutout to her friends, family, sorority sisters, and professors, for supporting her and her theatrical journey.

Elliott Lear

Elliott Lear is a Freshman at the University of Montevallo and is pursuing a B.F.A. in Musical Theater. He is a Memphis native and is very excited for his 2nd performance at Montevallo. Past credits include Frank Cioffi ("Curtains", Panther Playhouse), Ensemble ("Bright Star", BPACC), and Alfred Hallam ("Alice by Heart", University of Montevallo). He'd like to thank his family for their endless support and encouragement throughout his theatrical career.

Patricia Orsi

Patricia Orsi is a sophomore B.S. Theatre major at the University of Montevallo! Pat is so excited to be a part of this show and can't wait to see what is next for her in the department!

Alex Pepke

Alex Pepke is both excited and grateful to be a part of such a wonderful cast as a Freshman! Majoring in Theatre and General Business, Alex has had the privilege of working behind the scenes for "Bound & Burned" and "Alice By Heart"; He very much looks forward to forming even more in the future. Much thanks to Bart, stage management, crew, and all friends and family for the love and support!

Cam Shaw

Camarion Shaw or "Cam" is a freshman B.S. Theatre major at the University of Montevallo. Cam is beyond grateful to be a part of his first mainstage show with the Theatre Department! Cam has performed in a few high school productions, such as East in "Almost Maine", Jim in "All Shook Up", Black Stache in "Peter and the Star Catcher", and Sam in "Mamma Mia!". Cam would like to thank their high school instructor, Mrs. Bird, as if it wasn't for her showing him the world and potential of theatre, he would not be in the position he is currently in. Cam also thanks his family and friends for their undying support and love given to him.

Xander Van Den Nieuwenof

Xander Van Den Nieuwenhof is a Freshman at the University of Montevallo and is so excited to be performing in his second production here, after "Bound & Burned" in 2025! Xander would like to thank his friends and family for supporting him throughout his artistic journey, but especially his mother who always encouraged him to be himself in everything that he does.

Romeo Grant

Romeo Grant is a Senior B.F.A. Theatre major with a concentration in Acting here at the University of Montevallo. Romeo is extremely excited to perform his last show here and wants to share his gratitude to God, his family, friends, and teachers! He has enjoyed his time here and can't wait to graduate in May!

Paul Hall

Paul Hall (they/them) has performed in over ten shows throughout their life. After graduating from Hoover High School, they decided to continue their acting career in the University of Montevallo. In the Center for the Arts, Paul was a part of five productions being "Pill Hill" (Tony), "Twelfth Night" (Orsino), puppeteer for Audrey 2 in "Little Shop of Horrors", and an original piece "Bound & Burned" (Hercules). Now, Paul is cast in "Romeo & Juliet" (Prince & Narrator). Paul Hall couldn't be any happier working with this production team.

Sophie Metrock

Sophie Metrock is a B.F.A. Acting major at the University of Montevallo! Sophie is incredibly excited for the opportunities that the University has offered her; especially in her first department show, "Romeo and Juliet"! She wants to express her gratitude to her professors, friends, and family for inspiring her love for the performing arts.

George Simpson

George Simpson is a Junior B.A. Theatre major at the University of Montevallo. George is excited for his first show at Montevallo and is thankful to the department for the opportunity

Bart Pitchford

Bart Pitchford is an Associate Professor of Theatre History and Directing at the University of Montevallo. Bart earned a PhD in Performance as Public Practice from the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, Bart was the artistic director of Canopy Theatre in Austin, TX where he received multiple grants from the city of Austin’s cultural division to produce theatre by resettled refugees and military veterans. In this capacity, Bart produced Mawlana by Syrian television and film star Nawar Bulbul, Dionysus in America by Jenny Pacanowski in collaboration with Thinkery and Verse from New York City. Bart also served as the Austin, Texas site coordinator for the nationwide veteran arts program, The Warrior Chorus from 2016 to 2019. This project, which was founded by Aquila Theatre out of NYC, was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and focused on helping military veterans tell their stories. Bart’s previous directorial credits include Ugly Lies the Bone, Eurydice, and Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka at the University of Montevallo, All in the Timing, Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline the Master of Discipline, The Bacchae, Cowboy Mouth, and Zoo Story among others. Bart’s other professional theatre credits include technical direction, sound designer, master electrician, actor, and stage combatant. He has worked at the University of Texas, Foothill Theatre Company, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Northwest Missouri State University, Young Abe Lincoln, Moonlark Theatre, Theatre West Virginia, Wing and Groove Theatre, and Blue Jacket. Bart also spent six years as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army as a Psychological Operations Sergeant including deployments to Iraq, Yemen, and Pakistan. During his career in the military, Bart received two Meritorious Service Medals and one Joint Services Commendation Medal. Additionally, Bart writes and speaks extensively about the intersection of theatre, war, and the military. Some of Bart’s invited speaker engagements include Howlround Military and the Arts Convergence, Great River Shakespeare Theatre Festival, and Texas Creative Forces Arts and Military Conference. Bart’s publications include multiple essays and articles in American Theatre Magazine, Theatre Topics, and chapters in the books Performance in Militarized Cultures (2017) and Arabs, Politics, and Performance (Expected Publication in 2022).

Marcus Lane

Marcus Lane is currently the Interim Chair and a Professor of Theatre and Head of Actor Training here at UM's Theatre Department. He teaches movement, stage combat, acting and directing. He received his MFA in Acting Pedagogy from the University of Alabama and his BA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University. Over the years, Marcus has worked as an actor, fight director/choreographer, movement coach, and director. Recent directing credits at UM include AS YOU LIKE IT, TARTUFFE, STOP KISS and PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT. His work has also been featured at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, City Equity, Theatre Downtown and at The DANE. He has received several BroadwayWorld.com nominations for his work, including nominations for Best Director for BOY GETS GIRL at Theatre Downtown, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at THE DANE and a nomination for Best Production in the last decade for THE WOLVES at UM. He recently played Father Russel in the feature film SHADOW TAG, which should hit theatres in the spring of 2024. Some of Marcus’s favorite acting credits include Riff Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Mad Hatter in ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and Daniel Boone in BLUE JACKET. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, Society of American Fight Directors and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. You can follow his work at

Emily GIll

Emily Gill is currently the Director of the Malone Center For Excellence In Teaching and Professor of Theatre specializing in Costume Design. She comes to UM from earning an MFA in Drama from the University of Georgia (2007), a freelance design career in Atlanta as well as an internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (2000-2001). Emily earned a BA in English and Theatre Performance and Design from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida (2000). In addition to primary costume and makeup design duties at UM, Emily designs costumes and make-up effects for Southeast area regional theatres, including City Equity Theatre's production of Peter and the Starcatcher (winner Broadway World Birmingham 2015 Best Costume Design of a Local Play or Musical); Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bloody Bloody AndrewJackson for theDANE. Emily is a frequent attendee and participant in the Prague Quadrennial Design Exposition, and a member of the inaugural cohort of Odyssey Works’ Experience Design Certification Program (with financial support from UM Faculty Development). Locally, Emily is on the Board of Directors of the Montevallo Arts Council as well as the Montevallo Artwalk Coordinator. “Most of my day is moving from a meeting about Core Learning Outcomes and successful retention rate statistics to looking at a student’s “witch face” sculpt before molding to dropping in on some other students boiling braiding hair in a pot of dye as part of an experiment, to finally meeting with students to discuss their academic and career goals. Where else but UM would I be able to do all that? Where else would all my diverse, interdisciplinary interests be possible without question?” www.emilygilldesigns.com

Audrey Paige Robinson

Audrey Paige Robinson is a Senior graduating with her BFA in Lighting Design and Technology from the University of Montevallo. She has had the honor to serve as a part of the Lighting Design team here at Montevallo for many years and is thrilled to be finishing her time here by designing Romeo & Juliet. Her other credits with the University of Montevallo include Lighting Designer (The Glass Menagerie, Tartuffe), Projections Designer (Bound & Burned), Associate Lighting Designer (Alice By Heart), Assistant Lighting Designer (Sondheim Tribute Review, Pippin), Head Electrician (Eurydice, Pill Hill, RENT, Punk Rock Girl), and Director (The Legacy of the Iron Witch, Bright Half Life). Audrey Paige also worked at The Cape Playhouse this past summer as their Head Electrician after starting as an Apprentice in 2023. She served as Assistant Lighting Designer for their production of Waitress (2024). Audrey Paige has loved growing as an artist over the last four years and is especially appreciative of Professor Bart Pitchford for recruiting her all those years ago and for allowing her to be a part of this production. She would like to thank her family, friends, professors, and fiancé, Jackson, for their support throughout these years.

Adam Spencer

Adam Spencer is a scenic and lighting designer. He received his BA in Theatre from Chadron State College and MFA in Theatrical Design from Illinois State University. Adam has served as Technical Director, Resident Designer, and Scenic Design Professor at The University of Houston - Downtown. At Louisiana Tech University he worked as the Technical Director and as a Scenic and Lighting Designer. He has worked at theatres such as Playhouse on the Square (scenic design), Theatre Under The Stars (asst. lighting and asst. scenic design), Lexington Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Birmingham Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Olney Theatre Center (props design), Main Street Theatre (scenic design), Alley Theatre (scenic construction), and Asolo Rep (props construction). He is excited to work with the next generation of theatre artists.

Jen Nelson Lane

Jen Nelson Lane has worked as a stage manager, arts administrator, and theatre educator for more than 25 years. She received her BA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and her MFA in Stage Management from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Jen spent 3 years as Resident Stage Manager at Cornell University before moving to NYC. Her New York credits include the Broadway productions of The Rivals and The Light in the Piazza, both for Lincoln Center Theatre; 2 seasons with New York Classical Theatre as Stage Manager and Associate Producer; New York Shakespeare Festival, Mirth Theatre Company, Epic Theatre Ensemble, and East Coast Artists. Regionally, she has worked for Birmingham Children’s Theatre as Director of Production, Theatre West Virginia, Perseverance Theatre (Juneau, Alaska), and others. Jen spent several seasons as Production Stage Manager for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where favorite shows include The 39 Steps, Dracula, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 6 world premiers and 17 workshops as a part of the Southern Writers Festival. She has taught Stage Management and Arts Administration at several universities, but always knew UM was meant to be her home. She joined the full-time faculty in 2023 to start a BFA concentration in Theatre Management, which will launch in Fall of 2026. Jen shares a cozy home with her wonderful husband Marcus, brilliant son Dean, and 3 very needy cats. Big love and thanks to Charli, Josh, and Ruby for being the best ones.

Charli Ensor

Charli Ensor (she/her) is a Junior B.F.A. Theatre Design/Technology student pursuing Stage Management. Charli is delighted to be a part of the stage management team and to be working with everyone involved with Romeo and Juliet! With the University of Montevallo, Charli worked as a Production Assistant on POTUS and Assistant Stage Manager on Alice by Heart. Additionally, she has worked on stage management teams at The Actor’s Charitable Theatre and Theatre Tuscaloosa on shows such as Anastasia, Steel Magnolias, and Rock of Ages. Charli would like to thank Alyssa for always supporting and uplifting her.

Joshua Green

Joshua Green (known to his family as Alex) is a Sophomore BA training for a career in Stage Management. This is Josh's first foray into the world of Management, having previously been part of the UM Stage Crew teams on Little Shop of Horrors and Bound & Burned. Theatre has brought Josh much joy and he hopes that joy suffuses each and every audience he works for. Finally, Josh's work is dedicated to his Family (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents), Friends (especially Connor), and Laurel.

Ruby Hudgins

Ruby is a freshman in the BFA Theatre Design/Tech Major. This will be her second UM show and she is very excited! She worked last semester as Production Assistant on Alice By Heart. She is typically found Stage Managing around her hometown, but her favorite credits include: Stage Manager for Little Shop of Horrors with Grissom, Last Minute Swing for The Play That Goes Wrong with Renegade PTC, Student Director for Rapunzel and the Beanstalk with FPCTA, and Assistant Technical Director for Charlotte's Web with AAA. Now, without further ado, enjoy the show!!