Meet the Cast of Dare to Dream Jr.

Let's meet our incredible cast!

Abigail Moran

Avery

Abigail "Abi" Moran is thrilled to be performing in Spotlight Productions' "Dare to Dream Jr." This marks her first venture into the world of musicals on the theatrical stage! In addition to acting, Abi enjoys the creative arts, dance, playing music, singing in her church choir, cheerleading at the YMCA, and exploring the outdoors with her dog, Calvin. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support.

Abigail Upp

Crystal

Abigail Upp is a rising 4th grader at W. Riley Brown Elementary School in Dover, DE. This is her first time with Spotlight Productions. In her free time she enjoys Irish Dancing, playing softball and basketball, and participating in Girls on the Run. The outdoors are her "happy place" as she finds joy camping with her family.

Addison Sanders

Gracie

Nonsense Medley

Addison Sanders is a rising sixth grade student at Admiral Bird Middle School in Stephens City, Virginia. In her third year with Spotlight productions, she is looking forward to continuing to grow in her stage presence. Addison has studied dance and voice at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy in Winchester, Virginia. In her free time, she loves all things the arts, Braves baseball, and spending time with her family, including her “favorite” little brother.

Amira Arif

Violet

Amira Arif is 10 years old going into 5th grade. She will be doing her first live production. She plays the piano and tennis. In her spare time, she loves reading fantasy fiction. She wants to thank her Mom and Dad for giving her the opportunity to come to Spotlight! She has had so much at camp and can’t wait for everyone to see the show!

Annabelle Wynn

Kimberly

Annabelle Wynn has a deep love for music, dance and performance. She has been a music fan since she was a baby and could dance before she could walk (thank you Stevie Wonder)! When she is not staying busy with friends, soccer and piano she is usually reading. She always has 2-3 books on her current reading list and countless favorites in her library. She is funny, observant, kind and a sweet friend to all she meets. This is her first time at Spotlight Productions camp and she is so excited to try something new!

Arie Dorfman

Opal

Arie Dorfman (Age 9) is thrilled to be part of this production! Full of energy and spunk, Arie brings her enthusiasm and creativity to every rehearsal. Whether she’s on stage or off, she loves to perform, make people smile, and have fun. This is just the beginning of her theater journey, and she can’t wait to keep shining!

Audrey Martin

Ari

Part of Your World

Audrey Martin is a rising 7th grader at Cape Henry where she studies dance, chorus and recently performed as Sally in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown! At CHC she also played Jane in Descendants Jr. With Spotlight Productions last year she played Dory in Finding Nemo Jr. Finally, with The Hurrah Players, Audrey has performed in Joseph, Matilda Jr., Curious George, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hurrah for the Holidays, and Frozen, Jr. Audrey would like to thank her directors and her teachers for all of their help in preparing for these roles!

Audrey Sinclair

Courtney

Be Our Guest

Audrey Sinclair is a rising 6th grader at Hugo Owens Middle School. Audrey has enjoyed her 1st season with the Hurrah Players after previously training in ballet. Credits include Nutcracker, Norfolk Admirals Junior Dance Team, Cinderella, Hurrah for the Holidays, Junie B. Jones, Shining Stars Cabaret, and Young Elsa in Frozen, Jr. Audrey is excited to keep working on her craft and reaching for her dreams!Thank you to everyone who believes in her! Love to Mom, Dad, and Henry!

Avery Lambert

Maeve

Avery is an energetic and creative 11-year-old who loves expressing herself through the arts. As a rising 6th grader, she will attend Princess Anne Middle School this fall. This is her second year at Spotlight camp, and she couldn’t be more excited about returning to the stage. Whether she’s singing, dancing, or acting, Avery brings enthusiasm and heart to every performance. You can also find Avery on the lacrosse field, where she loves the fast pace and teamwork of the game. Music is a big part of Avery’s life, and she’s always singing and learning lyrics or a new dance routine. She enjoys making new friends and trying new things, especially when it means being part of a fun, supportive group. Avery is excited to keep growing as a performer and can’t wait to see what this year’s camp experience brings!

Brielle Stanley

Stellina

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Brielle Stanley is an 11-year-old rising 6th grader at Princess Anne Middle School and has a passion for singing, dancing and acting. She was in All City Chorus this year and she continues to take hip hop and musical theatre dance classes. Brielle was in the Finding Nemo production last year and is so excited to be a part of this year's show!

Carrus Williams

Miles

Carrus (CJ) is certainly a creator. He loves thinking outside the box to create something unique and special. He has a heart of gold and loves being a great resource to others. If he is not multi-tasking or playing with others you can find him cooking up something special in his mind to share or explore with others. CJ loves making new friends and collaborating. To know CJ is to absolutely love him!

Delaney Durand

Hayden

Dig a Little Deeper

Delaney Durand is a rising 6th grader with a passion for the performing arts. She loves to sing and dance and was a proud member of her 5th-grade Chorus program. Delaney had the exciting opportunity to perform at the Sandler Center for the All-City Music Festival for her elementary school. This is her second year participating with Spotlight Productions, and she is excited to be back on stage. While she shines in the spotlight, she also enjoys watching and appreciating the creativity of fellow performers.

Dylan Munson

Harper

Dylan Munson loves to dance and sing. She’s really become super confident since last year’s theater camp production. She is an extremely hard worker and loves to try new things and explore her creativity through performing. She can be a little shy at first and slightly introverted but once she’s given a little guidance and meets kids, she loves to be active and communicate. She is the consummate good friend, and gets along with everyone.

Elise Eskinazi

Isabelle

How Far I'll Go

Elise is a rising 4th grader at John B. Dey Elementary School. She loves dance, field hockey, cooking and hanging with her friends. When she’s not doing those things, she can be found reading or snuggled up re-watching her favorite movies. She’s always up for an adventure and is an all-around joy to be around (said her mom)!

Elizabeth Bonilla-Rueda

Anastasia

Remember Me

Elizabeth Bonilla-Rueda is a rising 7th grader at Independence Middle School. She loves singing and musicals. Elizabeth is thankful for her parents and is so excited to be here and perform on stage with Spotlight!

Elle Campbell

Paisley

Just Around the Riverbend

Elle Campbell is 9 years old and a rising 4th grader. She fell in love with performing through the Hurrah Players where she has appeared in Hurrah for the Holidays, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Junie B.Jones. She also recently played Tessie in VMT’s Annie. When she’s not on stage, she is busy training in gymnastics. She would like to thank her family, friends, teachers, and coaches who have supported her as she follows her dreams!

Elodie Edsall

Cameron

Surface Pressure, Go the Distance

Elodie Edsall, a rising 6th grader at Great Neck Middle School, is excited to return to Spotlight Productions for this summer’s camp! She first joined the Spotlight family in 2023 and is thrilled to be back this summer. Since then, Elodie has performed with The Hurrah Players in Junie B. Jones (Gladys Gutzman 2025), Frozen Jr. (Middle Elsa 2025), and Hurrah for the Holidays (Lisa Wallace Kickline/Soloist 2024 and Ensemble 2023). She is incredibly thankful for Miss Melody and Spotlight for introducing her to musical theater and is grateful to her amazing coaches and directors who help her shine!

Emma Kirtland

Katie

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Emma Kirtland is an outgoing and friendly girl. She is a rising 7th grader at Independence Middle School. She loves to help and be involved. She performed in the one act play at school and fell in love with theatre. Emma loves animals (especially cats) and dreams of being a wildlife biologist. This is her first summer at Spotlight, and she is so excited to be here!

Emma Lake

Kelly

Emma Lake will be a rising 5th grader at John B. Dey. She is an energetic 10 year old that likes to play piano and be a part of her cheer team. Emma likes to ride her bike in the state park with her sister. She also enjoys being at the beach with her sisters. She loves her dog named Sage and cat named Citrus.

Emma Plotner

Penny

I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Emma Plotner is a dedicated young actress who has performed in multiple theatre productions across Hampton Roads. Favorite roles include Matilda (Matilda Jr) and Brigitta (The Sound of Music). Known for her quick memorization and captivating performances, Emma brings every character to life. A homeschooled rising sixth grader from Virginia Beach, she enjoys singing, theatre, and horseback riding. Emma is thankful for the support of her family and friends for always encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

Epic Abrahams

Olivia

Friend Like Me/Remember Me

Epic is a rising 7th Grader at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach. She’s been active in theater and film for nearly three years with over a dozen productions including the Hurrah Players, The Z Fringe Festival and the 48-Hour Film Project. Epic primarily enjoys dance and acting but also loves to read, draw and travel. Her current favorite Broadway show is ‘Maybe Happy Ending’

Evan Parks

Michael

Out There

Evan Parks is in Vocal Inclusion, and has performed for the Mayor and Tides baseball. He is in Hurrah Players and performed in shows like Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat, Cinderella and Curious George. He is a huge animal lover. He loves to make others laugh.

Everly Reyes

Suzanne

Be Our Guest

Everly Reyes is a rising 4th grade student at Norfolk Academy and is enjoying her first session with Spotlight Productions! When Everly is not at school, she enjoys playing basketball, dancing hip hop, drawing or painting, and playing with her younger sister, Monroe. She has been interested in theatre for a long time and is so excited to participate in this production! She thanks her family for helping her participate and wants to thank her Aunt Jordan Dear for inviting her to join Spotlight, an experience she herself enjoyed so much!

Francesca Padilla

Luna

Francesca (Frankie) Padilla is a rising 5th grader at Cooke Elementary School. She was recently in a production of Peter Pan, and before that Imagine the Dragon with Rich Theater for Kids. Beyond acting, she loves to sing, play the piano, and craft. This is her third summer with Spotlight Productions.

Gabriela E Ayala Montanez

Jade

A Dream Is A Wish Reprise

Gabriela E Ayala Montanez is a rising 5th grader at Virginia School of the Arts who loves to sing. This will be her first theater experience, she is not a shy kid. She is kind, funny, and very creative. Outside of performing, she enjoys crocheting and sewing. Gabriela is so excited to be here!

Harper Kubesh

Olive

Nonsense Medley

Harper is a rising 8th grader that loves to sing and go to church. She loves her family and friends and is so happy to have her 4th year at Spotlight! She enjoys going on walks, going to the beach, and especially sunsets. Harper loves acting, theatre, and watching musicals.

Jordyn Keene

Twilight

Try Everything

Jordyn has been singing, performing, and judging at Fox Music at Virginia Beach for almost 2 years. Her family noticed her strong voice as a young child and started lessons. She went to a Broadway summer camp there and found her love of performing and singing. Broadway, her ultimate career goal, has been a constant source of enjoyment for her. She spends a great deal of time watching and rewatching Broadway facts, trivia, songs, and plays online. So far, she has seen the Lion King at the Minskoff Theater in NYC and plans to see Aladdin next. Jordyn is truly excited to be part of the Spotlight Camp this summer.

Juliette Murphy

Evelyn

Juliette Murphy is a rising 7th grader and thrilled to be performing in her very first production with Spotlight Productions! She has been dancing with the elite competitive team at Dynamic Movements since 2022 and loves every moment on stage. Juliette is also a proud member of the National Junior Honor Society. When she’s not dancing or rehearsing, she enjoys spending time with friends, going to the beach and getting lost in a good book.

Juniper Dye

Audina

Juniper is a competitive Irish dancer and volleyball player who loves the beach. She is a rising 6th grader at Landstown Middle School. She hopes to become a teacher one day as well as a professional Irish Dancer.

Kelly Berrios

Amy

Hakuna Matata

Kelly is a rising 7th grader, who loves all aspects of performing arts. She’s had the privilege of performing in various local productions through her classical ballet training and musical theater. When not performing, Kelly loves to watch tv, hang out with her friends and listen/dance to music. She considers each opportunity on stage a blessing and grateful for the space to express herself through various outlets. Giving thanks in ALL things to our Creator.

Kennedy Centeno

Emmi

When I Am Older

Kennedy is 9 years old and a rising 4th at Phoenix Elementary. She is very energetic, playful, smart, and always willing to learn. She loves to do karaoke and one of her favorite artists is Alicia Keys! Kennedy is so excited to be onstage with Spotlight this summer!

Laurena Le

Dreamer

A Dream Is A Wish Reprise

Laurena Le is going into the third grade at Old Donation School. She takes voice lessons at Back To Rock Music School and piano lessons at Fox Music. She has participated in two theater camps at Rich Theatre. She is on the Tennis Team at Wesleyan College and loves her sister Lynna.

Lucas Pannone

Wade

Lucas Pannone made his acting debut in Simon and the Goose during his 1st grade's Spring program. Last summer, he made his debut with Spotlight Productions in Finding Nemo Jr as Greg the Grouper. Lucas is outgoing and loves to smile. He enjoys playing basketball and flag football. His favorite subject is Math and loves to solve equations. Whenever music is playing, you can find Lucas singing and dancing along.

Madeline Cohen

Icy

Let It Go

Madeline Cohen is a rising 4th grade student at Strelitz International Academy. Madeline has been performing with the Hurrah Players since she was five years old. Some of her favorite credits include Hurrah for the Holidays (Hanukkah soloist), The Little Mermaid, Jr., Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cinderella and Frozen, Jr. (Young Anna)

Madeline Nelson

Marley

Madeline Nelson is a rising 3rd grader at Cooke elementary. She’s super creative and is always up for a new adventure. Madeline loves dogs, birds, frogs, slugs and more. In her free time, Madeline enjoys puzzles, crafts, or watching movies. On weekends you can find her on a playground, bike ride, swimming or having a dance party with her mom.

Makenna Crell

Amy

Makenna Crell is a beautiful young lady who loves to sing, and was born and raised in Virginia Beach. She has been performing for her family for as many years as she has been on this Earth. She loves to play soccer, swim in the pool and make bracelets.

Melody Reed

Harmony

This is Melody Reed’s very first time performing on stage, and she couldn’t be more excited! Earlier this year, she shared that it was her dream to be on stage—so Dare to Dream felt like the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight. Melody has loved singing and dancing since she was little, and she brings that same joy and energy to every rehearsal. She’s excited to learn all about musical theater, make new friends, and grow as a performer. Melody is thrilled to be part of this magical experience and hopes this is just the beginning of her journey on stage.

Rivera Turnage

Lottie

At just seven years of age, Rivera Turnage is quickly becoming a young veteran of the stage. She has participated in multiple Hurrah Players camps and has performed with Rich Theatre as a bard in a production of Imagine A Dragon and the Lost Boy, Slightly, in Peter Pan. She brings energy and personality to every role and loves bringing fun characters to life.

Shay Almeida

Mica

Remember Me

Shay Almeida is a 12-year-old who loves being on stage. She has performed in several school productions, with her favorite role being an unfunny jester in McWaddle, a play about a dragon. Shay also enjoys watching live theater, and her favorite show as an audience member is Mean Girls. She is thrilled to be part of Spotlight Productions and can’t wait to share this experience with the cast and audience!

Sydney Northrop

Charlie

A Dream Is A Wish/Bare Necessities

Sydney Northrop loves acting, dancing and singing. She does hip hop, acrobatics and ballet year round. She also plays field hockey and basketball. This will be her third summer at Spotlight Productions Camp. Sydney is looking forward to camp this summer and she especially likes how everyone gets at least a couple lines in the show and they all feel important. Sydney is very outgoing and loves making new friends at camp. Random fact...Sydney can name over 30 dog breeds. We have two doodles. She has memorized "Let it go!" since she was 6 years old.

Tali Eskinazi

Genevieve

Tali Eskinazi is excited to make her musical debut, especially along side her sister, Elise! At school, she participated in Destination Imagination and her 1st grade music class performance. Tali loves to dancing, playing the piano, gymnastics, swimming and volleyball. She can't wait for the performances!

Vivian Elbare

Vivian just landed in town from Monterey, California—but that’s just one stop on her adventure! In the past five years, she’s also called Hawaii, San Diego, and Rhode Island home. Vivian loves the stage and has taken part in several school productions—her all-time favorite role? The cool Scat Cat from The Aristocats! When she’s not acting, you can find her at swim club, getting creative with a paintbrush, reading or writing.