Meet the Cast
Kya Baldwin
Alyssa
Kya Baldwin is a rising 11th grader at Nansmond River High School and a 2nd year Vocal Music student at GSA. She loves music and performing and has been in 16 musical theater productions with TADA School of Performing Arts over the last 9 years. Some of her favorite roles were Elsa in Frozen Jr., And Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act Jr. Kya really loves to belt, but she also enjoys crocheting, hanging out with friends, and reading in her spare time. Kya is very thankful to her family, friends, and teachers (especially Ms. Michelle, Ms. Feucht, and Ms. Renee) for their constant support!!
Avelyn Bollen
Kaylee
Avelyn Bollen is excited to be returning to Spotlight Productions this summer! She is a sophomore at Tallwood High School and in her second year in the Musical Theatre department at Governor’s School for the Arts. She’s appeared in numerous shows in the area in both community and professional theatre. This past year alone she was seen in Grease (Carhop) with Virginia Musical Theatre and GSA; School of Rock (Marcy) with VMT; Into The Woods (Little Red) with GSA; and was the featured guest soloist for the Holiday Pops series with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. When she’s not on stage, Avelyn loves to ride roller coasters.
McKenna Brusby
Logan
McKenna is new to acting, but very excited. She loves music, sings in chorus at school and is excited for this new opportunity. She is hoping to make new friends and connections during camp.
Nina (Clover) Chimenes
Emerson
Clover was born in April 2009 and grew up (and currently live) in France near Paris, in the countryside. Her mother is American and her father is French so she is bilingual, although English is the language in which she thinks (in fact her first word was "cheese") . Furthermore, she attends an international middle school and will be going into 9th grade in the Fall. Clover loves traveling, being in nature, spending time with friends or her cat, and playing the ukulele. But most importantly, she lives for the performing arts. Theater, dance and choir are her extracurriculars, and her greatest source of joy and accomplishment. Clover has 5 years of experience in an English speaking theater troupe and she aims to make drama an important part of my career.
Donovan Craig
Avery
Donovan Craig is 13 years old and a rising eighth grader at Norfolk Academy. She is in her schools chorus and participates in theater and dance productions outside of school. She has preformed in five musical cabaret performances. When not performing, Donovan enjoys swimming, playing field hockey and lacrosse, playing piano, and watching Broadway Musicals. Thank you to everyone helping create this amazing show! Enjoy!
Jack D'Orio
Parker
Jack D’Orio is rising freshman at Tallwood High school in Virginia Beach. This is his fourth year with spotlight, and he is so excited. He would like to thank his family and friends for everything that they have done. They are quite literally the reason he is here right now.
Grace Dunphey
Hayden
Grace Dunphey is 15 years old and is going into her junior year of high school at Princess Anne. This is her second year participating in Spotlight, but she has been part of countless Bella Dance productions. She enjoys spending time with her friends, traveling, and constantly redecorating her room. Along with being with Bella Dance she is part of the RUSH 07 ECNL soccer team. Grace loves to perform, so she is also a cheerleader at her school and hopes to join the theater department. 💖
Paige Ellingsworth
River
Paige is a rising 8th grader at Princess Anne Middle School. This is her second time attending spotlight. Paige has performed the past two years in her school’s one act play. She also enjoys playing violin with her school’s orchestra and plays defense on the field hockey team.
Sophia Ferguson
Hunter
Sophia is a rising freshman at Princess Anne High School’s IB Program. During her time at Plaza Middle School/MYP, she was involved in orchestra, one acts, and forensics for which she placed third in original oratory and placed second in poetry. Her hobbies include playing the cello and bass guitar, sewing and crafts, and writing poetry. This is her debut in musical theatre and she is very excited to be a part of this production!
Kiley Flanagan
Robin
Kylie Flanagan is a rising 8th grader at Great Neck Middle school where she is on the cheer team and the softball team. Kylie was also selected to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society. This is Kylie's third year with Spotlight and she looks forward to the experience every summer.
Jordan (Joy) Gaines
Cameron
Jordan is a beautiful, bright, and outgoing. She’s a rising ninth grader who loves drama, in all of its forms. She was in drama club in middle school and participated in a few in-school plays. She is having fun with drama and wants to see where it goes.
Eleanor Gillikin
Blake
Eleanor has been in 3 Shakespearean plays at her school. She loves Nintendo video games, animating, and foreign languages. She is a very accepting and nonjudgmental teenager.
Dorothy Glenn
Ridley
Dorothy Corrine Glenn is 15 years old and a rising sophomore at Peninsula Catholic High School. She enjoys the activities of writing, singing, acting, dancing, watching TV, attending concerts, plays and spending time with friends and family. Dorothy’s passion is musical theatre and her favorite roles she has taken on include: Little Fiona in Shrek The Musical Jr. and Minnie in The Match Maker; both done by the PC Players. Dorothy attributes her love for the stage to her lovely Meme, Janice, who got her tickets to her very first live broadway show.
Celia Godfrey
Shannon Saperstein
Celia is a rising 10th grader at First Colonial HS. She has been fortunate enough to attend Spotlight for many years. At school, she is active on the Forensics team, school theater and student government. Celia lives in Virgin Beach with her parents, 16 year old brother, 3 dogs and 2 cats. In her down time, Celia loves spending time with her extended family and friends. She also loves the beach and riding her bike.
AJ Greenidge
Trent Oliver
This is his third year at Spotlight. He recently graduated from an Ocean Lakes, High, School, and is trying to pursue welding as my career. He is currently 18 and have enjoyed acting and singing ever since he can remember.
Haley Hernandez
Angie Dickinson
Haley has performed in several Spotlight productions. She has starred as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka Jr., Henry in Newsies, and Carmen in FAME. She has been a competition dancer for over 10 years and performed as a female lead with Music Makers LIVE: Broadway for 5 seasons. She has also served as the dance captain and assistant choreographer for the last 3 seasons with MMLB. Haley has been accepted into the All District and All-Virginia honor choirs every year she has been eligible. She will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall, majoring in 2D animation: Storyboarding and Concept Art.
Leah Hilliard
Dee Dee Allen
Leah Hilliard is so excited for her debut as Dee Dee Allen. She has been doing performances since she was two; whether it be dancing, acting, singing, or all three. Turning musical theater into a career, is one of her biggest goals.
Brady P. Lokey
Kevin
This is Brady's third camp with Spotlight and he has been performing since he was 6 years old. He has performed in several stage and film productions, but his most notable role was in the Virginia Stage Company's production of Matilda. Brady currently takes vocal lessons with Kerri Hardwick.
Alex Macedo
Dakota
Alex has been in dozens of productions over the years including Suessical JR, High School Musical JR, Willy Wonka JR (twice), James and the Giant Peach JR, All Together Now, Aesop's Fables, Peter Rabbit, and much more. He is so excited to join Virginia Wesleyan and be in The Prom. He thanks all his instructors over the years and hopes you enjoy the show!
Mirabelle Malone
Sage
Mirabelle is a rising Sophomore in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School. Mirabelle is excited to be returning to the spotlight stage. Recently, Mirabelle was the Sound Operator for Salem's State Champion VHSL One-Act Play "UnMuted." In her free time, Mirabelle enjoys playing softball, drawing, painting, and playing electric guitar.
Valeria Martinez
Shelby
Valeria’s love for musical theatre started at young age while participating in her school’s musical “Jukebox Time Machine”. She then joined her school’s choir and she’s participated with spotlight’s School House Rock where she cast as Interplanet Janet. Valeria is a rising freshman and will be attending the Governor’s School for the Arts this fall joining their MT department. She’s excited for the opportunity to perform with Spotlight this summer and leaving it all on stage.
Haley McLeod-Dutcher
Olivia Keating
Haley is a rising sophomore. She has participated in musical theater productions through a local theater company since age 5. She is trained in classical piano and loves a variety of forms of dance.
Ana Mercogliano
Casey
Ana is a rising senior in the Governor's STEM Academy at Landstown High School. This is her fifth year at Spotlight, and her favorite musical was Newsies. Other musical productions she has been part of include Peter Pan and Seussical at her middle school. She has played the violin for 9 years and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Matteo Panecaldo
Nick
Matteo is a rising freshman who will be attending Kempsville High School and Governor’s School for the Arts - Theater strand. He attended Spotlight Production camp last year. He is also an avid volleyball player and loves hanging out with friends.
Ashley Rodriguez
Remy
Ashley is so excited to be joining Spotlight for her first summer show with them. As a rising senior Ashley hopes to be attending college for musical theater in 2024. After 32 shows and 7 years in theater this show is sure to join her top five some of which include: Adams family (Pugsley), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Frozen (Anna)and The Little Mermaid (Flounder). She has fallen in love with all parts of theater including make up artistry, scenic design, and directing. At this point in her life, theater is not just a hobby, it is her way of living and hopefully someday her career.
Maggie Root
Barry Glickman
Maggie Root just graduated from Kecoughtan High School, and this is her 4th and final show with Spotlight Productions! She will be majoring in Theatre with a focus of production this fall at VCU. Maggie’s been performing since she was 5 years old, and some of her favorite shows she’s been in include Trap, Newsies, High School Musical, and The Addam’s Family. Maggie would like to thank her family, dog, and friends for always supporting her, and she can’t wait to show them what she’s going to do next!
Alexa Rossettini
Wren
Alexa is a rising 8th grader at Old Donation School. This is her 7th production with Spotlight. She has been dancing she was three years old and is on the competition dance team at Music in Motion dance studio in Virginia Beach. Her favorite styles of dance are pointe and contemporary. When she's not dancing, she enjoys going on bike rides and spending time with her friends and family. Alexa aspires to be a professional dancer, a Kindergarten teacher or a physical therapist.
Peyton Scott
Jordan
Peyton is a lovely little lady. She loves to sing and dance. Her favorite part of camp has been dancing in all of the choreographed numbers. She wants to thank her family and friends for their support.
Olivia Seal
Mrs. Greene
Olivia Seal is a rising junior at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School. She loves theatre and is so excited to be a part of this camp! Her past productions include Frozen Jr.(Bulda), Stepsisters (Beth), and Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat (Dan).
Elisabeth Smith
Sam
A rising 7th Grader at Princess Anne Middle School, Elisabeth studies Ballet and Contemporary Dance and has recently taken up the Clarinet. She moved to Virginia Beach with her family 3 years ago, but she is a Jersey Girl at heart. She plays softball in the spring and fall and would like to become a chef someday.
Gianna (Belle) Stevens
Kai
She has been a theater kid for a couple of years. Gia is a rising junior at Great Bridge High School. She loves kpop and anime. She enjoys writing and has her own Youtube channel. Gia is a kind and genuine kid.
Luna Surjana
Quinn
Luna is an eighth grader who enjoys writing and reading, as well as acting. This is her third year with Spotlight, however her favorite role she's taken on was Ariel in her school's retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest. She enjoys listening to music over a wide range of genres and singing along to the radio. She's always willing to try new things and meet new people and is so excited to be participating in the show this year!
Aliyah Tamondong
Tatum
Aliyah is quite fond of the arts and spends a lot of time drawing, sketching, and creating animated videos. She plays the clarinet and was an All City Band member this past school year. Aliyah first discovered her love for theater at her first Spotlight Productions camp in 2021. As a rising 8th grader, Aliyah is a proud member of the National Junior Honor's Society and looks forward to serving her school as a student partner in their community program. Fun fact - Aliyah loves Japanese food, especially sushi, and hopes to visit Japan one day, in hopes to explore the beautiful country, learn more about their culture, and of course, eat authentic Japanese food.
Emma Thornhill
Sheldon Saperstein
Emma is a fourteen year old student going to First Colonial High School for the Law Studies Academy. Aside from theater, Emma takes part in club volleyball and golf. Emma has attended Spotlight for five years, and is glad to be back. Some of their favorite roles include Veruca Salt, Iago, and Jack Scott. Emma would like to thank their parents for everything they have done for them.
Gabriella Waite
Emma
Bella Waite attends Maury High School and is in the Governor’s School for Arts. She performs with local theater companies including the Hurrah Players. She is a Girl Scout Senior and active Media Girl, who participates in Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s advocacy committee activities and regularly sings the national anthem as a representative of Girl Scouts.
Emma Wheatley
Riley
Emma has been in musical theatre for 8 years. She has been trained voice lessons since she was nine years old. She sings in her high school advanced choir. She’s been in a total of 23 live performances. Emma plans to get her BFA in musical theatre once she graduates high school. She’s extremely excited to join Spotlight’s camp this year.
Kasey Weigl
Emery
Kasey has been in part of the main cast for the one act play - A Piece of Me and the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. The acting and singing bug hit Kasey when she was little and she has been harmonizing ever since. Kasey loves acting and is excited to a part of this summer production.
Kamryn Wheeler
Sawyer
Kamryn is a rising 10th grader and attends the Performing and Visual Arts Academy at Salem High School. She is currently in the theater strand and participated as stage crew in productions throughout the year. She would like to experience being on stage and working with a like minded group of people. She also volunteers at Generic Theater in Norfolk. Kamryn plans to major in Theater in college and possibly minor or obtain a masters degree in sound engineering.
Jon Yap
Hawkins
This is his second year at Spotlight Productions! Working with Spotlight last year for High School Musical On Stage was a blast, and he was very excited when he got offered to join this year’s production. He has already been a part of several productions at his home high school (First Colonial HS) as both an actor and tech crew member, so he pretty much has some knowledge about the ins and outs of the theater. His friends tend to describe him as a “Friendly goofball”, so make of that what you will.