Stranger Sings

Sophia Sundeen

Sophia is a student at Ellicottville Central School. She is a singer, dancer, and actor, and has been with Mel’s since last summer’s production of The Prom as Angie. At her school, she has played Chava/Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on The Roof and Tintinabula in A Funny Thing… The Forum. Outside of school, she has Played an Ancestor in The Addams Family (OCT) and Ensemble in Sweet Charity (French Woods). Her love for theatre stemmed from seeing Wicked at Shea’s as a 3 year old. She would like to say love you Mom and Dad, thank you for driving me everywhere and always believing in me!

Eve Laidman

A freshman at East Aurora High School in her 4th year with MELs, Eve appeared in shows such as Descendants, Footloose, Little Mermaid, and The Prom. Eve has previously been seen in holiday classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life with Aurora Players and Secret Garden with ACTS. Eve adores Taylor Swift and her cats. Eve would like to thank her family and friends.

Nora-Cate Badach

Nora-Cate is a freshman at Hamburg High School. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and is now competing in various styles including Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, and Theater Dance. Nora-Cate’s first Musical was Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Mel’s School of Music and Theater when she was 10 years old. Her most recent role was Angie in The Prom.

Eliza MacKinnon

Eliza is so excited to play the part of Eleven in Stranger Sings. She is 12 years old and is in 7th grade. Her hobbies include painting and hanging out with her friends! This past summer she had the pleasure of playing Sandy in SpongeBob the Musical at MEL’s. Other roles include Flounder in The Little Mermaid at Mel's, Daisy in Alice In Wonderland at MEL'S, Be Our Guest featured ensemble at her middle school, and Merfolk in The Little Mermaid in her middle school production. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and brother for being so supportive of her musical career.

Kendric Warrick

Killian Zajac

Killian is 13 years old and in the 7th grade. He has played President Roosevelt in "Annie Kids", Flounder in "The Little Mermaid", and Plankton in "Spongebob: The Musical" at Mel's School of Music and Theatre. He has also been seen as Grimsby in "The Little Mermaid Jr.", Caleb in "Murder on the 518", and Lefou in "Beauty and the Best" at Frontier Middle School. Killian also enjoys playing Hockey for the Hamburg Hawkes and Howie's Spring League and loves short films. He can't wait to play Mike in Stranger Sings!

Cameron Ehret

Cameron is thrilled to be playing the role of Dustin in Stranger Sings! She is 14 years old and in eighth grade. Her hobbies include drawing, reading, and hanging out with her friends. Past roles include Adella in The Little Mermaid, an elf in Elf Jr., ensemble in Three Murders and It’s Only Monday, a villager in Beauty and the Beast Jr., and Holly Barnes in Murder on the 518, She is also involved in her school chorus and acapella club. She would like to say thank you to her family and best friends for supporting her.

Liam McGuire

Liam is a theater enthusiast with a lifelong passion for acting and music, particularly rock and roll. His hobbies include cosplay, playing the guitar, and fencing. He hopes to someday pursue a career in voice acting. He is somewhat new to the stage, with his first role in his school's spring musical as Fyedka in “Fiddler On The Roof’’ and more recently, a part of his school's One Act Plays and Monologues. He wants to say ”Thank you Mom and Dad for everything!’’

Erin Hudson

Erin Hudson is a singer and actress in WNY. Her passion for music spans across almost a decade of lessons and public performances with South Buffalo School of Music. She began acting at the age of 13 in Les Miserables at Mels in 2020. Since then, she has performed as Emma in “The Prom”, Marta in “Company”, and more. Erin has also participated in productions at Saint Francis High School over the past few years, including Mrs White in “Clue” and Annie in “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong”. Currently, she attends Mount Mercy Academy and is a part of Drama Club and Mercy’s accapella group Sparks. She would like to thank her Mom for always being there to support and help her.

Tristan Kraatz

Tristan started with Mel’s when he was in 4th grade. He is excited to portray Hopper in Stranger Sings!Some of his first performances were Hansel and Gretel and Holiday Showcases. He has played Jafar in the Descendants, Grimsby in Little Mermaid and Plankton in SpongeBob. Performing and being on stage is one of his favorite things and he is looking forward to continuing his acting and theater performances throughout high school. Tristan is grateful for all the wonderful experiences and memories he has made through Mel’s!

Georgina Merry

Stranger Sings! is Georgina Merry’s first production at MEL’s School of Music and Theater. Her favorite roles include Drew in Rock of Ages, Kelsi in High School Musical Jr., and Junie B. Jones Junie B. Jones the Musical Jr. Georgina is very excited for her first MEL’s show and cannot wait to continue her theater journey. Thanks to everyone involved in Stranger Sings! including the amazing directors and cast, and thanks to Mom, Dad, and Cullen.

Savannah Thompson

Savannah is a 13-year-old student at West Middle. She enjoys singing and drawing and used to play a lot of soccer. In Stranger Sings, Savannah plays Robin, Mr. Clarke, and Creature One, along with a little time as a Scientist.

Derrian Brown

Derrian recently graduated from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Musical Theatre. During his time there he was the President of ‘Dreams Affirmed’, a club for performers of color where he strived to create a community for those who are under represented in the arts. Derrian primarily spends his time on the stage, as a performer, but is also a professional Director and Choreographer. Notable credits of his include: The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) and 42nd Street (Ensemble), both at the Palace Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee), The Addams Family (Gómez), Aladdin (Genie), and most recently, The Color Purple at Shea's 710 as Grady, Ensemble, and the dance captain! Originally hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, then to Virginia and now Buffalo, Derrian plans to pack it all up again and take his career to New York City within the year.

Isabella Teter

Isabella a junior at Kenmore West High School. She started her time at Mel's onstage but now she can be seen more behind the scenes. Her onstage credits include Heathers (Heather McNamara), Company (April), and The Little Mermaid (Ariel). Backstage, she has been a part of Frozen Jr., Descendants, Footloose, The Little Mermaid, and The Prom. Outside of Mel's, Isabella's other credits include A Christmas Carol (Belinda) at Alleyway Theatre, All Through The Night (Kathryn) at Ghostlight Theatre, A Piece of My Heart (Whitney), at Kenmore West High School, and Back to the 80s (Tiffany) with In Good Company Productions. She loves being a part of theatre in any way she can, whether it be onstage or off and is thrilled to be a part of this production.

Kayla Kurek

Kayla Kurek has been a part of MEL's studio since Sophomore year of high school and is now a Sophomore Theater Performance Major at Niagara University with a minor in Design and Production. There, Kayla is the Assistant Artist Director for the NU Players. NU Credits: Short Play Festival 2023, Art (Yvan), Fun Home (John), Short Play Festival 2024. Kayla will also be portraying Patricia in The Taming from February 22- 25th at Niagara University. Outside Credits Include: Company (Bobby), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Heathers the Musical (Martha), Almost, Maine (Marvelyn, Marcy, Rhonda). Directing/ Crewing Credits with MEL's include: Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Spongebob the Musical Jr., The Prom, Shrek Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Footloose Jr., Annie KIDS, Frozen Jr, Descendants Jr.

Melanie Stang

Melanie Stang, the visionary behind Mel's School of Music & Theater, is not just the founder, CEO, and artistic director; she's a passionate alumna of SUNY New Paltz's Theater Arts Program (Class of 2003). From dazzling the stages in NYC to touring the nation with her band, nominated for a VMA, Melanie's journey brought her back to Buffalo. Fueled by her love for the arts and a desire to create a haven for local youth, she founded a space she wished she had growing up. Committed to nurturing young talent, Melanie envisions a future filled with growth, exploration, and captivating performances for her students. Happily married to Ryan, she shares her life with three daughters and two furry companions.