BWW Stage Mag Much Ado About Nothing - Poudre High School Theatre Stage Mag

Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare
 
 
Directed by Joel Smith
 

Costume Director

Kari Armstrong

 

Assistant Director

Alaina Hendricks

Producer & Production Coach

Avery Rudman

 

Student Technical Director

Gwyneth Parker

Technical Director

Savannah Jackson

 

Stage Manager

Emily Hertzog
 

Set, Lighting, & Sound Design by Joel Smith

Masquerade Choreography by Sierra LaRue

Poster art by Brodie Eppler
 

Cast

Lexi Francel
Hero
Aurelia Zweygardt
Beatrice
Jon Quass
Claudio
Lennon I. Shipton
Benedick
Calen Clapp
Leonato
Chantal Bouveron
Donna Petra
Emmie Jackson
Don John/Dogberry
Josh Vanden Hock
Borachio
Ethan Boggs
Balthazar
Avery Hicks
Verges
Vick Levick
Messenger/First Watchman
Sky Smith
Margaret/Second Watchman
Bella Gammage
Ursula/Third Watchman
JJ Richardson
Antonia/Sexton
Hailey Giroir
Conrade/Friar Francis

Creative Team

Emily Hertzog

Stage Manager

Alaina Hendricks

Assistant Director

Gwyneth Parker

Student Technical Director/Asst. Stage Manager

Marlow Walker

Assistant Stage Manager

Masen Odell

Costume Lead

Leyton Dellenmonache

Costume Crew

Mikhail Abramowitz

Costume Crew

Rory Chandler

Costume Crew

Juni Lensick

Costume Crew

Maisie Rhoda

Costume Crew

Wrenna Orion

Costume Crew

Reagan McIver

Costume Crew

AJ Johnson

Costume Crew

MJ Scott-Donegan

Costume Crew

Z Poor

Costume Crew

Nola Jane Renken

Costume Crew

Sara Ogden

Props Master

Colby Dorsey

Props Assistant

Chloe Shaddeau

Sound Crew / Board Op

Annalee Keller

Lighting Crew / Asst. Board op

Langston Ziegler

Lighting Crew / Board Op

Orissia Cruz

Construction Head

Birdie Fry

Construction Crew / Front of House Manager

Delia Pena

Construction Crew

Acacia White

Construction Crew

Dahlila Hayes

Construction Crew

David Harris

Construction Crew

Aspen Rust

Construction Crew

Birdie Croak

Construction Crew

Natalie Thinnes

Construction Crew

Ella Vollmer

Construction Crew

Mira Reilmann

Construction Crew

Meet the Company

Lexi Francel

Hero
Lexi is in her junior year at Poudre high school. Some of her previous roles include Wendy in Lost Girl (PHS) and Eurydice in Hadestown: Teen edition (PHS). She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their support and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Aurelia Zweygardt

Beatrice
Aurelia is a junior at Poudre who is so excited to be in her sixth main stage show, and first full length play. Previously, she played Anna of Cleves in SIX and Persephone in Hadestown. She is so excited to share this incredible production with you, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Jon Quass

Claudio
Jon Quass is a 10th grader and is thrilled to play the role of Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. Jon previously appeared as Toodles and the Therapist in Lost Girl, Orpheus in Hadestown, and as Count Ipolitov in the ensemble of Anastasia. Jon has loved exploring the world of Shakespeare and would like to thank his parents for their endless support and encouragement throughout his theatre journey. Jon loved being a part of this company and hopes you enjoy the show!

Lennon I. Shipton

Benedick
This is Lennon's ninth show at Poudre, and his first time performing Shakespeare on stage (he doesn't count the "Shakespeare in Five Minutes" he did in middle school.) You might recognize him from Poudre's productions of Hadestown, Lost Girl, or Anatomy of Gray, where he played Hades, Peter, and Dr. Galen P. Gray respectively. He is incredibly excited to get a shot at a more comedic role like Benedick.

Calen Clapp

Leonato
This will be Calen's 12th and last remaining show at Poudre. Calen is delighted to have been apart of such a wonderful program over his four years. His favorite roles have been in Anastasia, Anatomy of Gray, and Matilda. He is grateful for the support of his family and friends as well as the amazing company for this production.

Chantal Bouveron

Donna Petra
Humbled, exhausted, but most of all grateful, Chantal would like to thank Joel, Kari, and Avery for taking a risk and letting her realize a teenage dream she was too scared to try back in high school. Her fellow cast members make this look so easy, and she has had so much fun learning from them—especially with the students who previously learned from her! She’d also like to thank her wife for running lines with her for hours each night (Really put our vows to the test with this one!). Theatre teaches skills no other subject can, and Chantal hopes everyone leaves this show with a smile on their face and renewed energy to fight for the arts in schools!

Emmie Jackson

Don John/Dogberry
This is Emmie's 7th show here at Poudre, and she is so excited to share it with you all! She would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support. Emmie has enjoyed being in this company and hopes you enjoy the show 'berry' much!

Josh Vanden Hock

Borachio
Josh Vanden Hoek is a junior here at Poudre high school. This is his second show returning after his role as Boy in lost girl. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Ethan Boggs

Balthazar
This is Ethan’s 6th show at Poudre, halfway through his high school theatre journey. He has had a blast with this show and would like to thank Emmie Jackson, El Zweygardt, AJ Johnson, and Lexi Francel for being some of the best friends ever.

Avery Hicks

Verges
This is Avery's 5th show with Poudre Theatre and she is so excited to end the school year on a high note! Avery would love to thank her friends and family for all their support and she hopes you enjoy the show so much!

Vick Levick

Messenger/First Watchman
This is Vick's 7th show through Poudre School District, and this is his second show acting. He has really enjoyed doing a Shakespeare show, the language was hard to learn but it made for a fun challenge. Its really cool to see a production of Shakespeare's that isn't Romeo and Juliet. The comedic aspect of this show really brings a spark back to school, especially since it is nearing the end of the year. He really hopes you sit back (without a bucket of popcorn) and enjoy the show!

Sky Smith

Margaret/Second Watchman
Much Ado About Nothing is Sky's fourth production at Poudre High School. She previously enjoyed being in Poudre's productions, such as Anastasia (ensemble), Anatomy of Gray (Maggie), and Hadestown (Worker). Sky would like to thank the cast and her family for their support in her acting pursuits. She loves this show, and is so glad to be a part of it! She hopes you enjoy the performance!

Bella Gammage

Ursula/Third Watchman
This is Bella’s 5th show at Poudre and she is so grateful to get to be a part of it! Some of Bella’s previous credits include ensamble in Anastasia (PHS), and costuming in Les Mis (PSD). She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support and encouragement throughout her journey in theatre. This is by far one of her favorite shows and she hopes you enjoy it!

JJ Richardson

Antonia/Sexton
This is JJs first show performing at PHS and she is super duper excited to be in it! She also was in the set design for Lost Girl (PHS), Hadestown (PHS), Amélie (FCHS), Black Comedy (FCHS), and did lighting for Six (FCHS). She wants to thank her friends and girlfriend for being so helpful this past year and her parents for being super supportive of her theatre career!

Hailey Giroir

Conrade/Friar Francis
This is Hailey’s first time performing in a play, and she is excited to be a part of the production.

Emily Hertzog

Stage Manager
This is Emily's 10th show with Poudre Theatre! She has been apart of all of the productions since her sophomore year! Some of her previous roles include; Anatomy Of Grey (Construction head), SIX (Student Technical Director), Hadestown (Assistant Director), Lost girl (Construction Head), and now for Much Ado About Nothing she is the Stage Manager! She is so excited for everyone to see the final show from her senior year! She wants to thank her teachers for pushing her and helping her get here! As well as her family and her friends for all the support they have given her! Special thanks to Sara Ogden, Marlow Walker and Gwyneth parker for being the best supporters and friends all throughout theatre! Enjoy the show!

Alaina Hendricks

Assistant Director
This is Alaina's very last production here at Poudre High School, yet this is her first time ever taking on a leadership role in theatre. She has been in others roles, such as a Costumer and even Cast in Hadestown, but now she is here to help out and push our cast to bring out their best and put on an amazing show for everyone. She wants to thank her family for pushing her to try new things and hope you enjoy the show!

Gwyneth Parker

Student Technical Director/Asst. Stage Manager
This is Gwyneth's 9th show at Poudre and her second as the Student Technical Director. Gwyneth has loved being a part of this years show run and is excited to see what's in store for her senior year! She has enjoyed being part of this company and being able to do good work on this show.

Marlow Walker

Assistant Stage Manager
This is Marlow's final show apart of Poudre Highschool's Theatre Troupe, and although he will not miss much about Poudre Highschool, he will miss his experience on the Technical Crew! He will graduate this May and go on to pursue Aerospace Engineering and Applied Physics. His previous theatrical work involves being apart of the Set Construction Crew for 5 shows now, and a previous acting stint as Michael in Matilda! He hopes you enjoy the show!

Masen Odell

Costume Lead
This be-eth Masen’s 10th show with the Academy of the River Poudre and h'r 5th timeth costuming. Some of h'r highlights includeth by Madame Thenardi'rs ballgown f'r Les Mis'rables and the Duchess’ outfit which thus originated in The 13 Clocks, both of which the lady did present at the state competitions in 2025 and 2024, respectively. On this show, masen didth construct sev'ral of Hero’s own costumes enwheeling the beloved lady’s wedding gown, which Masen willth taketh to state in 2026. Accordingly, our lady doth thank thee kindly for attending this evening’s performance of Much Ado About Nothing, and she doth hope it is to your liking.

Leyton Dellenmonache

Costume Crew

Mikhail Abramowitz

Costume Crew
This is Mikhail’s 12th show with Poudre Theatre and he is glad to have gotten well-rounded experience over his past four years in the company, he has now participated in technical crew, acting and costuming. Mikhail gives great thanks to all the directors, students and family that have supported this chapter of his time in high school.

Rory Chandler

Costume Crew
Rory has worked on costumes and tech for a variety of shows, most recently Lost Girl. She is so excited to be able to work on this show because Much Ado About Nothing has become one of her favorite Shakespeare plays. Rory would like to thank her family, as always, for their endless support, and everyone on the costume crew for making this production so fun. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Juni Lensick

Costume Crew
This is Juni’s second time costuming for a Poudre Theatre production and she has had so much fun! She hopes you enjoy the show.

Maisie Rhoda

Costume Crew

Wrenna Orion

Costume Crew

Reagan McIver

Costume Crew

AJ Johnson

Costume Crew
This is AJ’s third production at Poudre, and she’s so excited to be a part of it! AJ’s previous productions include Hadestown and Lost Girl (both at Poudre). She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support. Enjoy the show!!

MJ Scott-Donegan

Costume Crew
This is MJ's final show at Poudre and he's proud to have been a part of all of the sections of this program! He's loved his work with Lighting (thank you lighting bros), his work on the ensemble (thank you Hadestown), and his work in costuming (thank you chocolate chips). Thank you to all of the seniors past who inspired me to strive in this program. He loves Poudre Theatre, please enjoy his work on this final show!

Z Poor

Costume Crew
This is Z's seventh high school show, but his first doing costuming! He's been having an amazing time learning all about costume design and construction for a show like this, and being able to work with the rest of the incredible company to put on this show for everyone. He's a huge Shakespeare fan, and he hopes you all enjoy Much Ado About Nothing as much as he does!

Nola Jane Renken

Costume Crew
This is Nola Jane's second production working on the costume team. She has enjoyed working on the reversible outfits and all of the sewing aspects of this show. She wants to thank her fashion teacher for giving her the space to work during school and her family for pushing her to always do her best.

Sara Ogden

Props Master
This is Sara’s 13th and final show as a senior at Poudre! She’s so excited to be back working with props after way too long of a break. In her most recent productions she has been on the costume crew in Lost Girl, stage manager in Hadestown: Teen Edition, and construction lead in the PSD Summer Musical Les Miserables: School Edition. She’s so grateful for this company and everything she has learned for the past four years, Poudre Theatre will always hold a special place in her heart and she’d like to thank everyone shes been lucky enough to work with for the past four years for teaching her just about everything!

Colby Dorsey

Props Assistant
This is Colby's first theatrical production and he is very grateful to have been able to work on this show and for the people who helped him. He hopes that everyone enjoys the show !

Chloe Shaddeau

Sound Crew / Board Op
This is Chloe's fifth production at Poudre High School and she is so excited for you to see the show. She has enjoyed being a part of this show and hopes you enjoy.

Annalee Keller

Lighting Crew / Asst. Board op

Langston Ziegler

Lighting Crew / Board Op

Orissia Cruz

Construction Head
Orissia is a senior and this is her 10th theatre production overall, but her 7th and final production with Poudre Theatre. She is so glad to have gotten to work on this show as it was also her first time being in any sort of leadership position. She can't thank this theatre company enough for everything it has offered over the past three years. Orissia is excited to take her love of theatre that this company has fostered to college where she will be studying theatre design and technology. Overall Orissia has enjoyed her time with this company as much as anyone could and she just hopes you enjoy watching this show just as much as she has enjoyed working on it.

Birdie Fry

Construction Crew / Front of House Manager
Birdie Fry is a senior at Poudre High School and has been a part of the crew for the past 11 shows. She is so excited to share this last production with her friends and family!

Delia Pena

Construction Crew
Delia Pena is a freshman and this is her second production at Poudre High School. Earlier this year, she was a worker in Hadestown and now she is excited to be a part of the set crew for the first time. She hopes you hope the show!

Acacia White

Construction Crew
This Is Acacias 3rd show, She is so excited for more productions just like this one. Some previous productions she has worked on include crew in Hadestown (PHS) and crew on Lost Girl (PHS), she would like to thank her friends and family who made it possible for her to be apart of this company and their endless support.

Dahlila Hayes

Construction Crew

David Harris

Construction Crew

Aspen Rust

Construction Crew
This is Aspens second show at Poudre Highschool and he is looking forward to continuing to peruse theater. He has previously worked on Set crew for Lost Girl. Aspen hopes his family and friends will continue to support him in theater. Aspen had a great time helping with the show and hopes you enjoy!

Birdie Croak

Construction Crew
This is Birdie's second time being on technical crew at Poudre, after being a part of Hadestown last semester. She would like to thank her mom and dad for being supportive and nice.

Natalie Thinnes

Construction Crew
Natalie loves doing theatre and has truly enjoyed being a part of Poudre Theatre. Natalie also did theatre in middle school, working on Radium girls and Clue (Highschool version) at Wellington Middle Highschool.

Ella Vollmer

Construction Crew
Ella is a freshman and this is her second show here at Poudre. Ella has had such a fun time being in the crew for both Lost Girl and Much Ado About nothing and hopes that you like the show!

Mira Reilmann

Construction Crew
This will be Mira's fourth since she started last year. She has been on construction for the shows Anastasia (PHS), Les Misérables (PSD Summer Musical), and Hadestown (PHS), as well as a model in the show Behind The Seams (PHS). Mira would like for her family and friends to know she appreciates the encouragement she has received for doing theatre. She is very proud of the crew and cast and the work that they have done to make this show possible, and hopes you will enjoy it as much as she does!

Costumer Snippets

Costume Snippets

Every two years PHS Theatre presents a Shakespeare play. Shakespeare stories are relevant through many different time periods. The 1940’s is popular. Modern day, or somewhere into the future are options, so most anything goes!
Originally we thought about setting our show in the 1500’s—the very time period the play was written. That might be novel in light of so many alternative concepts, right?
But men in tights? Short and silly balloon pants?  Stiff, trussed up women’s gowns? Ack.
So with continuing research, we looked into different centuries and how we might visually present the show.

We tried…we really did. But we just weren’t inspired (this time around) by any actual place and era.
So costumes for this production are kind of…historically adjacent?
Timeless, maybe?

We have been looking forward to a big sew-it-from-scratch show. We explored our luscious stockpile of draperies, tablecloths, and upholstery fabrics, and found a beautiful palette to suit our characters.

And then we just kind of made things up.

With only a few exceptions, the costumes for this show were cut, draped and built entirely by this extraordinary costume crew.
I thank you amazing young people for going above and beyond all expectations during this impossibly busy time of year! Thank you for putting hours of love and care into the costumes during your lunches, free class times, weekends, and sometimes (too far) into the evenings. The complete chaos in the costume shop right now reflects the creativity and flurry of the past weeks!

A note of interest: several pieces on stage are reversible—such as some of the women’s outfits.
And if you look closely you may see that the watchmen’s costumes convert into maid costumes as capes become skirts and tunics drop down into to aprons.
Such wonderful work! And even now the fabulous chameleon costume crew is still working hard backstage, as they help with hair, make up and whirl through those fast changes. Amazing!

Thank you to Chantal Bouveron for being our wonderful guest teacher player!
Thank you to our outstanding and committed costume crew and to our dedicated student TED’s.
Thank you Savannah and the technical crew for the very pretty set!  
Avery, your encouragement, insight and overall loveliness is always appreciated.
Lindsay Shipton, how wonderful to have you on board for teaching hair and makeup workshops!
And Joel, I just shake my head in amazement for all you do in the midst of huge challenges. Thank you as always for just everything.
Lastly, thank you to my dear husband and family for your patience and encouragement as I disappear into theatrical endeavors for weeks at a time.
Enjoy the show!

Wish List
Silk flowers
Telescoping magnet pick up tool
Plastic storage bins all sizes
Art paint brushes, craft supplies, acrylic craft paints
Rit Fabric Dyes (powder & liquid, regular and synthetic)
Old Sheets/muslin
Black sharpie markers all sizes
Glue guns/glue sticks
Buttons, notions, large snaps, thread
Fabrics—velvets, drapery, table cloths, brocades (1 yard or more)
Prom/bridesmaids gowns
Crinolines/petticoats
Vintage clothing (pre-1970) gloves, hats, shoes, jewelry, slips
Hairspray
Makeup sponges
Tissues
Liquid hand soap
Gift cards for: Michaels, Life of the Party
Zippered Garment bags
Windex cleaning spray/spray cleaner/wipes
Ghiradelli 60% dark chocolate chips

Thank Yous:

Linsday Shipton

Director's Note

There’s a lot of listening in this play.

Eavesdropping, mishearing, jumping to conclusions - and occasionally, actually listening to one another. In this play, words travel quickly, and not always accurately. Reputations are built and broken on what we think we’ve heard.

It doesn’t feel entirely unfamiliar: how quickly we decide what is true, and how rarely we stop to listen again.

And yet, for all its tricks and misunderstandings, this play keeps returning to something simple: the joy of connection, of actually hearing each other. The slow, surprising realization that it might be worth setting aside our defenses, dropping our guard, and letting ourselves be known.

Beatrice and Benedick circle each other with wit and confidence and bravado, and then something shifts. Not all at once, and not easily, but enough to suggest that change is possible, even for the most stubborn among us.

This company has leaned into both the playfulness and the heart of this story. They have found the humor, the rhythm, and the humanity inside Shakespeare’s language, and brought it to life with generosity and spirit.

Thank you to the cast and crew, especially your seniors, for trusting and growing and working hard.

Thank you to Kari, Chantal, and Avery for your imagination, your laughter, and your kindness and care in tough times.

Thank you, Savannah, for joining us on this year’s adventure. You have done amazing work with these students. I don’t want to derail any plans, but just know this: our world needs more awesome technical theatre teachers…

And thanks to all of you for sharing in the comedy, the confusion, and the small, hopeful moments of understanding that bring us back to one another.

My father used to say, “If you don’t have a sense of humor, it’s not funny.” Too right. Thanks, Dad.

Here forever,
J. Smith
April 2026

Support Theatre in Our Schools

Special Thanks

Thank You...

to the following individuals and businesses whose support
and generosity make our productions possible.

 

PHS Administrators & Deans

Kim Witman & Justina Malm

Isaac Morley & PHS TV Production students

Lindsay Shipton

Gregg Osterhout

Antonio, Samantha & the PHS Custodial Team

Don Cox

Melanie, Jackson & Taryn

Parent Meal & Intermission Volunteers

 

and all the families and friends whose patience, flexibility and support make it all possible!

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