
Heidelberg Community Music School presents
Les Miserables
Bios provided by the cast and crew
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CAST BIOS
Katherine Albright, Ensemble
Katherine Albright is a freshman at Tiffin Columbian High school. She is a member of the tennis team, school choir, and newspaper club. Les Misérables is her 7th production with Heidelberg. In her free time, she enjoys painting and spending time with friends.
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Emma Mae Arter, Little Cosette, Young Eponine
Emma Mae Arter is a fourth grade student at New Riegel School. Science is her favorite subject. Les Miserables is Emma Mae's first musical. She participates in softball, basketball, swimming, and 4-H. Piano, art, and crafts are hobbies that she enjoys.
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Kenneth Arter, Gavroche
Kenneth Arter is a sixth grade student at New Riegel School. Reading and math are his favorite subjects. Les Miserables is Kenneth's first musical. He plays piano and French horn. Kenneth participates in basketball, baseball, swimming, and 4-H.
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Clarice Barker, Ensemble
Clarice Barker (14) is an 8th grader at Tiffin Middle School. She has been in school choir since 1st grade and has been in a few previous Heidelberg children’s theater productions such as The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach.
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Haley Barker, Ensemble
Haley Barker is 14 and is an 8th grader at Tiffin Middle School. She has been singing all her life and has been in school choir since 1st grade. Some previous productions she’s been in were Heidelberg’s children theater’s Aladdin, The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach.
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Maddex Barker, Valjean
Hi! I’m Maddi Barker and I play Valjean!
I’m currently a freshman attending Tiffin Columbian and I have been in eight shows prior to this one.
I hope you’re excited as I am for the show!
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Annalyce Bowles, Ensemble
Annalyce is a sophomore at Tiffin Columbian High School. She has been involved in many musicals with the Heidelberg Community Music School including Once On This Island Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Lion King Jr., and Into The Woods. She was also a part of Tiffin Columbian’s production of Mamma Mia! Outside of the theater she participates in cross country, track and choir.
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Isaac Cortez, Lesgles, Joly, Claquesous, Ensemble
Isaac is a sophomore at Tiffin Columbian, this is his second year in the HUCMS, and he participates in the Columbian Band and Choir programs.
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Josh Fanning, Combeferre, Babet, Ensemble
Josh is a senior at Columbian High School. This is his second musical with the Community Music School, and more than likely the culmination of a 7-year acting career that included Auntie Mame, Our Town, and Into the Woods. When he’s not acting, he tries to squeeze in being on the swim team and a member of NHS, Key Club, Boy Scouts, Quiz Bowl, band and choir. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!!
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Miranda Fanning, Ensemble
Miranda Fanning (13) is an 8th grader at Tiffin Middle School. She has been in the Ritz Theatre Camp since kindergarten, and was in the Calvert Highschool's productions of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and The Pajama Game. She was also in Heidelbergs' production of Mulan Jr. last year playing one of the ancestors.
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Shae Fultz, Fantine
Shae is the daughter of Duke and Kendra Fultz and the little sister of Brody and Frank Fultz. She has performed in many different productions over the last few years including Wizard of Oz, Seussical and Guys and Dolls. When she isn’t on stage, Shae volunteers for her school’s chapter of the National Honors Society or improves her craft through private vocal lessons. She plans to major in Musical Theatre next fall.
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Camryn Harben, Eponine
Camryn is a senior at Seneca East High School, and is Co-President of the drama club. This is her sixth musical theatre production, and her first lead. Past productions include The Little Mermaid, Annie, Xanadu, and The Wizard of Oz. Camryn is very excited to be playing the role of Eponine, because it has been her dream role since she first saw Les Misérables in 2014. She plans to major in performing arts.
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Joshua Higgins, Marius, Ensemble
Joshua is a Junior at Bellevue High School, is honored to be a part of this production. Favorite credits include: The Wedding Singer (Robbie), Finian’s Rainbow (Og), Into the Woods (Baker), CATS (Bustopher Jones/Old Deutoronomy/Swing). Joshua was recently recognized by the Ohio Community Theatre Association for Excellence in Acting. Joshua is a proud member of the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre Competition Team. Love to Mom, Dad, Matthew, and Andrew. For Grandpa Clip.
Derek Horvath, Feuilly, Brujon, Ensemble
Derek Horvath, a junior from Bellevue High School, will be performing in his first Heidelberg show as several different roles in Les Mis. This will be his 15th show after show completing his school’s fall musical of We Will Rock You. In his free time he enjoys running cross country and track and hanging out with his friends.
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Liam Hurst, Ensemble
Liam is a sophomore at Hopewell-Loudon High School. This is his first musical with Heidelberg.
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Danielle Kagy, Cosette
Danielle is a junior at Tiffin Columbian High School where she is apart of the concert choir, TC band, spring musical, and choristers. Dani also is a member of Dance Unlimited where she takes ballet, modern, and jazz. Last year Dani was a part of Heidelberg Community Music School’s performance of Into the Woods. She is also a part of her local chapter of National Honor Society.
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Grace Kehn, Ensemble
Grace is in the 8th grade. She enjoys doing cross country, softball, and track through Lakota, earning several ribbons and awards in cross country. Grace has also participated in several productions since she was in fourth grade with Heidelberg Community Music School, including Wizard of Oz Jr., Lion King Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Aladdin Jr., and Annie Jr. She enjoys babysitting and singing on the worship team at her church.
Amilia Knisely, Ensemble
Amilia is a Sophomore at Lakota High School. She is returning to Heidelberg's stage after ten years of participation in musical theatre. You may have seen her in last year's production of Into The Woods, playing Florinda. She has had a wonderful time working with the cast of Les Miserables, and would like to thank Dr. Tracy for all of her hard work, and for helping her to grow and learn over the years.
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Eve Knisely, Little Cosette, Young Eponine
Eve is in 5th grade at Lakota Middle School. She runs for Lakota's Buddy Running Program, and plays the flute for the 5th grade band. This is her 6th show in total, and she hopes to have the opportunity to participate in many more in the future.
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Kennedy Lachner, Ensemble
Kennedy Lachner is a sophomore at Tiffin Columbian and has participated in the performing arts for the past six years. Most recently, Kennedy performed as Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda and Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. She would like to thank CMS for the amazing opportunities and her family for all of the support they've given her. Kennedy plans on pursuing a career in the performing arts following high school.
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Madison McBride, Ensemble
Madison is a student at Tiffin Middle School. This is her third theatrical experience, with her first in the role as Oompa Loompa and her second as Mama Bear. Madison’s love of musicals and good books prompted her to go out for this show. Madison is on the TMS basketball team, and serves as one of the captains. She’s the oldest sibling in her family and keeps everyone on time!
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Marshall McBride, Gavroche's Gang
Marshall is a student in Tiffin City schools. This is Marshall’s first musical, including his first audition. He has participated in children’s theater camps in Tiffin and in Findlay. Marshall’s love of slap stick humor, comedic expression, and creativity have all found a home in theater. Marshall has loved being in this show with his sister- she has kept him on time!
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Jarrett Newsome, Javert
A sophomore at Clyde High School, Jarrett plays the saxophone in the band and is a member of their vocal ensemble, “Kaleidoscope.” His favorite past productions include “Into the Woods,” “High School Musical,” “Aladdin Jr,” “Urinetown, the Musical,” and most recently he played the role of “First Officer Murdoch in “Titanic, the Musical” with the Tiffin Ritz Players last summer. Jarrett lives in Clyde with his parents, Troy & Traci, and brothers, Kade & Brock.
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Zachary Pool, Enjolras, Bamatabois, Ensemble
Zachary Pool is currently a senior at Tiffin Columbian High School who is currently practicing to perform six pieces at Solo and Ensemble, and was in two performances for the majority of the show’s practicing. Zach will be playing the role of Enjolras, with other minor roles sprinkled in. He has had an absolutely wonderful time with the cast this year, and would love to thank everyone involved for giving him an amazing senior year.
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Emma Raber, Mme Thenardier
Bonjour! My name is Emma Raber, I go to Oak Harbor High School, and I’m excited to welcome you to our show! I play Madame Thenardier, the surly innkeeper’s wife. I’ve previously been in such shows as The Wizard of Oz, where I played the Wicked Witch, and Into the Woods, where I played.....the Witch. Again. I feel as though I’m being typecasted.... But no matter, enjoy the show!
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Bennett Ramsdell, Grantaire, Fauchelevant, Ensemble
Bennett Ramsdell is an active participant in singing and musical theatre. He is a member of the Heidelberg Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, as well as the Tiffin Columbian Concert Choir, and has also played many roles like the Baker in Into the Woods, Eddie in 13 the Musical, and Mr. Wormwood in Matilda.
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Anna Rider, Ensemble
Anna is a homeschooled junior from Arlington. This is her first performance with Heidelberg CMS, but she has previously participated in Mary Poppins Jr, Pirates of Penzance, Godspell, The Little Mermaid, and others. In her spare time, she enjoys 4-H dog agility, volunteering at the Hancock Humane Society and playing baritone, piano and reading. She would like to thank her parents and younger brother for helping her participate in Les Mis, her favorite musical.
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Sophie Slover, Ensemble
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Jackson Smith, Thenardier
Jackson is a freshman at Fremont Ross Highschool. He enjoys acting, singing, and loves taking dance at Cynthia Kniffin Dance Academy. Jackson has been performing on stage since he was 7 years old and has loved every moment of it! Previous credits of his include The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Annie, Matilda the Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and many more! He hopes you enjoy the show.
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Madison Spiers, Ensemble
Madison Spiers is a freshman at Mohawk High School. She has been in all of the Heidelberg Jr. plays and was Little Red Ridinghood in the Heidelberg teen production of Into the Woods. She enjoys singing, reading, playing her trumpet in band, and participating in her school show choir. She would like to thank her family, her friends, and her band and choir teachers for supporting her.
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Drew Steinmetz, Courferyrac, Ensemble
Drew is a Junior at Seneca East. He is active in Marching, pep and jazz band. He is also a Boy Scout soon to get his Eagle. Drew has been involved in theater since 5th grade. Starting at Sandusky state theater for his first 2 performances in Annie and in A Christmas story. Also has performed at Bellevue Community Theater and Heidelberg community music children’s/teen musicals and Most recently Seneca east high school musicals.
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Matt Strouse, Prouvaire, Montparnasse, Ensemble
Matt Strouse is an 8th grader at Oak Harbor High School. He has participated in the 2018 Heidelberg Community Music School's production of Into the Woods as well as the 2019 production of Mulan Jr. Matt also had a vocal spot in Heidelberg University's production of Cabaret. When Matt is not singing, he enjoys playing soccer and boating in the summer.
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Megan Verhoff, Ensemble
Megan is a Junior at Bellevue High School. She recently made her stage debut at her school in Into the Woods. Megan is a proud band member, art student, and cross country runner. “I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this production. Thanks to my parents for supporting me in this new endeavor.”
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Shia Watkins, Little Cosette, Young Eponine
Shia, who plays the part of young Eponine on Friday and young Cosette on Sunday, is thrilled to be a part of the Les Miserables cast. She became interested in musical theatre after playing the part of a Who in her high school’s musical Seussical. Shia is 10 years old and attends Arcadia school where she participates in the youth choir, soccer, basketball, and softball. Shia is the daughter of Steven and Shannon Watkins.
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Coda Gehris, Lightboard Operator
Coda has been in band for 4 years and plays the Tenor Drums. He has participated in marching band events at both Tiffin University and Heidelberg and played in the Heidelberg Youth Wind Ensemble, and this his is his first time participating in a musical and he is excited for the experience and many more to come!
Malayna Gehris, Crew
Malayna is thrilled to be a part of Les Miserables: School Edition! She has been a part of Annie and Xanadu at Seneca East High School and was the stage manager for Into the Woods at Heidelberg last year. She also plays baritone in HYWE and her school's marching band, and valve trombone in her school's jazz band.
Kevin Held, Production Designer, Sound Designer
Kevin is happy to once again be working with a talented cast and crew at the Community Music School. Kevin has worked as a sound and light technician on a number of productions and has also performed with the Ritz Players and Bellevue Society for the Arts. He works as the assistant engineer for the City of Fremont. He resides in Tiffin with his wife, Elizabeth, their daughter Izzy, and their dog Lucy.
Dani Hummel-Sass, Production Designer
Dani is a professional mezzo-soprano who performs regionally in addition to directing, while maintaining a busy private voice studio. Mx. Hummel-Sass most recently performed at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, the nation’s second largest theatre district, in a jazz cabaret Marlee Who? Take 2. Dani would like to thank her family for their support and RECKED Productions for allowing her to be co-creator in so much art (and fun). You can catch Mx. Hummel-Sass next in Tiffin in “A Not-So-Senior-Recital”, where she will highlight mezzo-soprano repertoire from four decades of art song and aria! Follow her on Facebook for performance updates: facebook.com/CollaVoceDani
Rachel Hummel-Sass, Choreographer
Dr. Rachel Hummel-Sass graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Modern dance and choreography. In 2002 she founded the modern program at Dance Unlimited. Rachel returned to teaching Modern dance at Dance Unlimited in 2014. In addition to her choreographic work, she has choreographed/directed numerous musicals, finding her way onto the stage as a performer from time to time. Rachel has been a contributing artist with trideaDANCE for 2 years. Rachel also obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and works as a private practice psychologist.
Cory Lachner, Assistant Director
When Cory isn’t working or assisting with a theatre production (onstage and off) he is very busy with his campaign running for President of the North American Wicker Association (NAWA), where he has held the position of treasurer of the Rattan Coalition for the last two decades. He and his wife Estelle live in Tiffin with their family.
Estelle Lachner, Lead Production Designer
Estelle gets the title of “busiest bee”, because in her rare time off she is an amateur apiarist. She’s won several awards for her bee-keeping including “Sassiest Beekeeper Suit”, “Queen Bee Least Likely to be Overthrown” and “Best Beehive (hair)”. She and her husband Cory live in Tiffin with their family.
Paris Salyer, Sound Assistant
She is a 7th-grader at Hopewell-Loudon School. She has done multiple productions with CMS; starting with Once On This Island Jr, and most recently in Mulan Jr. This is her first time not performing on stage, but she is really excited to be on the sound crew. She was in Mary Poppins at the Star Theater in Upper Sandusky, and is a dancer at In Motion Dance Studio. She also plays piano and percussion.
Coral Snell, Set Construction, Production Assistant
Coral is a Senior at Bridges Community Academy and has been on stage and behind the scenes for the Community Music School’s children’s musical theatre productions as well as last year’s performances of Into the Woods (Stepmother).
Elizabeth Tracy, Director
Dr. Elizabeth Tracy received her Ph.D. in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University. She is the director of the Community Music School at Heidelberg University and adjunct faculty in the School of Music and th. Within the Community Music School, she directs the Children's Musical Theatre Program and the Heidelberg Youth Wind Ensemble. Originally from Continental, Ohio, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Otterbein University and a Master of Music Education degree from Heidelberg. She has directed ensembles at both the collegiate and high school levels. Her research interests include community outreach and higher education, the evolution of music education in the 21st century, and contemporary wind band repertoire. Past credits include music director for Matilda, 13, and Godspell 2012 and director of Into the Woods, Mulan, Jr., Annie, Jr., Aladdin Jr. , Peter Pan, Jr., Once on This Island Jr., The Lion King Jr., James and the Giant Peach, Jr., The Wizard of Oz, YPE, Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Seussical, Jr. , and Willy Wonka Jr. at Heidelberg University. Most recently, she directed Twelve Angry Jurors at the Ritz Theatre. Dr. Tracy and her husband, Kevin, reside in Tiffin with their daughter Izzy, and their dog, Lucy.
































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