Annie
WHO'S WHO
Sponsored by:
Thursday, June 20, 7pm, Saturday, June 22, 7pm
(go to Easy Street Orphan Cast)
Thank you to Jonesboro State Bank Pledge 10 for their financial support of the RCT summer youth musical. Every year presents unique challenges coupled with thrilling new opportunities for the youth of Ruston and North Louisiana. Through their generous sponsorship, we are able to aim towards loftier goals and greater artistic heights.
Instead of a junior musical, this year RCT opted to produce the full-length musical: Annie. Past RCT youth musicals have been accompanied with pre-recorded tracks. This summer the youth musical is using a live orchestra for the first time.
I would like to say a special thank you to my crew. Their efforts and dedication are what make the show possible. Dr. Grace Joseph served as property master for us—and she has done an outstanding job of supplying a massive list of property items. Allen and MaryBelle Tuten have likewise been indispensable in their prop help—Allen made the orphan buckets you see onstage as well as the large gift box that makes an entrance in the final scene. I’ve so enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with these tireless and talented helpers!
Thank you to Ruston Cleaners for the loan of their laundry basket. They have allowed us to use it for several weeks.
RCT would like to welcome a new sound person to this show: DeMarcus Mitchell. His expertise in adjusting the sound in our space has been remarkable.
Rebekah Heiden has served as our stage manager for the third year. She has handled any and all issues with aplomb. I marvel at all she accomplishes! Thank you to her for making the show go!
David Kaul, Theatre Professor at Grambling State University, has once again outdone himself in creating a three dimensional set with columns, a curved staircase, and balcony. And the craftsmanship is solid as a rock. As usual, he has also been indispensable in helping with set furniture, props, and creating our lighting design.
Dr. Johnathan Baines has taken on the large task of leading our publicity. We so appreciate his keen eye in creating colorful ads that include our cast, as well as interesting historical facts to advertise our show.
We are grateful that Gretchen Jones of LG Dance served as our choreographer this summer. Since this was a full-length musical, there were many more songs to choreograph, and we are fortunate that Gretchen was able and willing to take on this project. Her artistic skill in choreographing is phenomenal; you will see these results onstage. RCT also appreciates the use of LG Dance space for rehearsals.
Karen Pittman does a stellar job in dressing our actors. The costume an actor wears plays a powerful role in helping them embody their character and guiding our audience to enter our make-believe world.
Lastly, I want to thank the parents and the cast. Participating in shows is a large time commitment, and we thank you all for your dedicated work in helping bring this production to the stage.
Enjoy the show!
Steele Moegle, Summer Youth Musical Director
Mia Le is an 11-year-old incoming 6th grader at A.E.Phillips Laboratory School. She will be playing the role of “Annie” in Annie, making her sixth show at RCT. Mia has played Young Kangaroo in Suessical Jr., Little Kid 1 in Matilda Jr., Young Anna in Frozen Jr., Young Fiona in Shrek Jr., and Bailey in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. In her free time, Mia enjoys drawing.
Landon is 13 years old, and he is no stranger to the RCT stage. His most recent appearance was in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as Ralph Herdman, and his favorite role was Olaf in Disney's Frozen, Jr. In addition to acting and singing, Landon also enjoys reading, talking, hanging out with friends, writing, and creating his own games and stories.
Melissa Le is a 16-year-old incoming Junior at Ruston High School and will be playing Grace in Annie. This will be Melissa’s seventh show, having previously been in ensemble roles in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and The Lion King Jr., and playing Ngana in South Pacific, Big Kid 2 in Matilda Jr., and Anna in Frozen Jr. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music.
Brooke is grateful to be in another show with RCT! She has been seen in previous productions of Elf as Deb and The Lightning Thief as Mrs. Dodds at Louisiana Tech. Brooke would like to thank her boyfriend, family, and friends for always supporting her!
Carrick Inabnett is a cyber engineer working for General Dynamics and a freelance voice actor on the side. His past shows with RCT include 12 Angry Jurors, Elf, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Descendants, but Annie is a significant milestone for him as it's his first lead role in a musical.
Also I play Oliver Warbucks in both casts!
James Roberts is a recent graduate of Louisiana Tech University, graduating in piano performance with a 4.0. In addition to piano, he loves singing, reading, playing ping pong, and of course acting. This will be his 4th RCT production and he is excited to be in Fiddler in July as well! He hopes you really enjoy his playful yet villainous rendition of Rooster!
Vaida Carroll (Molly) is a 9 year old entering into the 4th grade at Cedar Creek. This is her second show with RCT, and she previously played the Rooster in Shrek Jr. Vaida enjoys dancing, basketball, reading, and singing.
Caroline is a 6th grader who loves to sing, play softball, read, and enjoy the lake! This is her second RCT production, and she is so excited to play the role of Pepper. She was one of the three little pigs in Shrek, Jr. last year. You can often find Caroline spending time at her church or in the kitchen baking.
Emma is 14 years old and is going into the 9th grade at Gracepoint Christian Academy. She was previously in Desendants The Musical. This is her second show with RCT. She loves to read, play piano, and sing . Emma is delighted to be apart of Annie.
Annie is Sadie's first show with the RCT. Sadie is involved with the RHS drama club, FBLA, and has a love for all forms of art. Sadie is excited for this opportunity and hopes to perform in more shows in the future.
Madison is a 15 years old rising sophomore. She loves running and all aspects of art. These include playing piano, singing, drawing, writing and creating music. Prior to Annie, she was in the RCT productions Shrek the Musical Jr and Descendants, as well as several school plays.
Riley will be a senior at Mount Olive Christian School this Fall. She was a Queen Iduna in Frozen Jr. and Mama Bear and Mama Shrek in Shrek Jr. She has been a member of her school drama team for 3 years. She also loves singing - making musicals with RTC are her favorite thing!
Adrienne is 15 and will be a junior this fall. She has been involved with RCT since she was 12, both onstage and backstage. Most recently she was a cheerleader in Descendants and Mrs. Slocum in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She's excited to be in her first junior summer show.
Ava is very excited to be playing the role of Cecille. Annie is Ava’s 7th show with RCT. She most recently played an ensemble part in Descendants and Beth in Best Christmas Pageant Ever. When she’s not on stage, she enjoys drama club, volleyball, and dance
Chelsea is excited to be in her sixth performance at the Dixie! She is going into eighth grade at AE Phillips. When she's not in school, Chelsea likes to attend drama club, voice lessons, and theater.
Brielle is currently a 7th grader at AE Phillips. She likes Theatre, Piano, and Dance. This is Brielle's 3rd year at RCT, previously her roles included young Anna in Frozen Jr., and young Queen of hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
Annalyn Bishop, playing the orphan, Tessie, is returning for her second production. She attends Cedar Creek and is a member of the Drama Club.
Harper is honored to be playing July in her fourth RCT show. Her favorite role was Alice Wendleken in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Harper is going into 6th grade at I.A. Lewis and looks forward to another year of cheerleading and soccer.
Chloe is eleven years old and attends Gracepoint Christian Academy in Jonesboro. She enjoys singing, playing the guitar and the piano. Spending time outside and tending to her pets are some of the ways she spends her free time. Chloe recently discovered a love for theater and this will be her first performance.
Clark Reigelman is excited about his debut appearance with RCT as he plays Sandy. Clark enjoys baseball, running, and playing piano. Clark’s favorite part of his role is his surprise appearance at the end of the show!
Ben, who is fifteen, loves to listen to classic rock and is also fond of his dog and siblings, (sometimes.) He likes fencing, theatre, writing and thinks that long speeches should be considered war crimes (he would know; he has committed many himself.) He is also very good-looking, and you should definitely point that out if you cross him in the hall.
Jude is a 15 year old entering the 10th grade at RHS. This is his 6th show with RCT. His favorite roles were being a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins and Ralph Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Jude serves as a sophomore representative on the RCT youth council. This year he has found a new passion in Sports Medicine working as a trainer for Ruston High Athletics.
Mady is a 10th grader at Cedar Creek School. She is a member of the Lady Cougar Basktball team. This is Mady's 5th show with RCT. Her most recent play was Disney's Descendants. Mady has enjoyed being a part of this amazing cast. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Anniston is 10 years old, and she loves the stage! She made her first appearance with RCT in Matilda, Jr., and she's been hooked ever since. When she's not performing on stage, you can find her writing her own plays, making up choreography, singing, and dancing! For this play, she is most excited about singing "Hard Knock Life" with her orphan friends!
Charley Linton is 10 years old and attends Quitman High School. She actively participates in the GT Music program at her school. Charley also enjoy singing, softball, gymnastics, and being a part of her church’s childrens choir. This will be her first production of Ruston Community Theatre.
Savannah is 12 and will be a freshman this fall. She has been involved in several RCT productions, most recently as a cheerleader in Descendants and as Gladys Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Drew is performing in his 4th RCT production. He was an ensemble member for Matilda, a soldier in Alice in Wonderland, and Hobie in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Drew enjoys meeting new people and learning new roles. Drew is going into the 7th grade and enjoys raising his Highland Cattle. He hopes you enjoy the production.
Evan is a 13-year-old homeschooler from Ruston. This is Evan's third show with RCT, having previously appeared as Little Ogre/ensemble in Shrek Jr. and as David in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Their favorite acting role so far was Smeegle in Act Up Drama Club's production of Harry Rings, Lord of the Potters.
Lilie is happy to have a part in RCT Annie production as Perkins and Brandeis, she’s excited to see what theatre holds for her in the future.
Alexis will be a Freshman at Ruston High in the Fall. This is her sixth production with RCT. She will also appear in Fiddler on the Roof in July. She hopes you enjoy the show.
Audrey is 9 years old and attends Choudrant Elementary School. She will be in fourth grade this coming school year and recently made the CES cheerleading team! She is passionate about gymnastics, theater, dance and loves her family and friends! Audrey's first theater performance was Shrek the Musical, Jr. She loved it so much, she decided to be apart of Annie too!
Audrey is 14 and going in to the 9th grade. This is her 3rd RCT production, having previously been in Descendants and Matilda, Jr. In her free time, she plays guitar and soccer and loves to draw.
Braelyn is 11 years old and just completed 6th grade with 4.0. She has been dancing with CSD in Minden since the age of 2. She has performed in 9 recitals and several school musicals. Her favorite role was DOC in Snow White. Annie is her first production with RCT. She is in the Ensemble and a servant.
Brooklyn is 11 years old and will be in 6th grade this Fall. This is her third production with RCT. Her previous roles were Rapunzel in Shrek Jr and Middle Anna in Frozen Jr. Brooklyn enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and being on stage!
Charlotte Xu is an incoming 3rd grader at Ruston Elementary. Charlotte is a swimmer, and an excellent learner. In her free time, she loves to do Sudokus, play video games, and draw.
This is Liv's first RCT show, and she is loving every moment! She loves this musical and has had fun learning all the aspects of theater. She'd like to thank her mom for letting her audition. And she'd like to say that Mrs. Jenn is the best!!! She takes the best headshots!
McKenzie Lee, 9, radiates warmth and joy. Whether with family or friends, she embraces life's adventures with an open heart. A lover of books and crafts, McKenzie finds joy in creativity. Daughter of George and CiCi Lee, with brothers Kingston and Kaleb, she cherishes every moment with her loved ones.
Olivia is thrilled to be a part of Annie This is Olivia’s 6th production with RCT. Her most recent role was Juanita in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Olivia enjoys drama club, dance, and cheer.
Piper Walker is 8 years old and will be a 3rd grader at A.E. Phillips in the Fall. This will be her first appearance in a RCT production. She loves to sing and dance and has a real passion for art. She also enjoys building Lego sets and curling up on the couch for popcorn and a movie.
Ramona has just left Ruston Elementary and is both looking forward to and apprehensive about 6th grade at I. A . Lewis in the fall. Will she join the band or take art? Who knows? We will find out in the fall! Last year was spent at the Dixie in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, at LG Dance Studio, and gymnastics. She is already getting excited about Singing in the Rain Jr!
Reese is excited to be in her first production of Ruston Community Theatre. She is going into the fourth grade at Cypress Springs Elementary. Her hobbies include dance, piano, basketball, and tumbling. She hopes you will enjoy the show!
This is Scout's seventh show with RCT, and she's so happy it's Annie! She knows that a wonderful cast has been chosen by our director, and she wouldn't want it any other way. When Scout isn't doing shows, she's playing the piano, talking with friends, or shopping for more earrings. She hopes that everyone who comes to the show enjoys it as much as she's enjoyed doing it!
Sofia is a 6th Grader at Choudrant. This is her first show. She also enjoys art, playing games, soccer, and baking.
This is Sophie Gorman's first production. She is very excited to be a part of the Annie cast. Sophie loves to sing and dance around the house and is looking forward to performing on stage. Sophie enjoying cheering with her school Pep squad and doing gymnastics.
Dr. Steele Moegle currently serves as Interim Director at Louisiana Tech University School of Music where she teaches applied piano and music history. She directed the inaugural youth musical for RCT in 2016. Most recently, she directed Elf the Musical and Shrek JR.
Rebekah is a senior at Louisiana Tech majoring in Music Education. This is Rebekah’s third show to stage mange and she is so thankful for this opportunity! She has loved working with all the cast and hopes everyone enjoys the show!
David Kaul has been in, around, over, and behind theatre consistently since 1982. He received his BA from the University of Alabama and holds a MA from LA Tech University. For 15 years, he was the full-time Technical Director for the Strauss Theatre Center in Monroe, LA and its General Manager for 2. Through his career, he has had the opportunity to be the production designer for The Miss Louisiana Pageant, the Coca-Cola centennial celebration in Vicksburg, MS and has designed news & sports sets for several local television stations.
David has designed prolifically for all the arts organizations of NELA, and his designs have been used commercially throughout the southeast US. Since 2000, Mr. Kaul is also a LA state-licensed contractor in the specialty of stage lighting, rigging, and drapery installations and some of the work includes The Isle of Capri in Bossier, LA, the Thomas Jason Lingo Center Oak Grove, LA, and the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro, LA. He is a past President of stagehands union I.A.T.S.E., local 668 out of Monroe, LA.
He has been on Adjunct Faculty for University of Louisiana at Monroe and LA Delta Community College. He has been on the Teaching Faculty at Grambling State University as the Technical Director since fall of 2105 and the Theatre’s Coordinator since Fall of 2022. He has served as a Faculty Senator-at-large, where he has served on the University Curriculum Committee, Judicial Affairs Committee and most recently was voted to position of Secretary on the Executive Committee. David is the current Unit Coordinator of Theatre, and a past Advisor to the Floyd L. Sandle Theatre Guild – the student organization of the theatre department, and builds all of the scenery for the annual Miss Grambling and Calendar Girl pageants.
Grace Joseph is a middle school math teacher at AE Phillips Laboratory School on Louisiana Tech's campus. She is also a mom to an awesome 12 year old firecracker, Kaejha. She is originally from the beautiful Caribbean island of Saint Lucia and migrated to the US in 2008. Her love for theater bagan with volunteering to help out in junior productions in 2019, when her daughter appeared in her first musical for Ruston Community Theater. They both are still actively involved with Ruston Community Theater. She enjoys cooking and hanging out with the love of her life, Kaejha. They reside in Ruston.
Riley Moegle is a freshman at Louisiana Tech University majoring in piano performance. He has performed on the RCT stage since he was 6 years old. He looks forward to appearing in Fiddler on the Roof in July.
Johnathan Baines loves being involved in shows both on and off stage and is serving as head of the publicity team this season. He has a passion to see RCT flourish and is always trying to create new ways to promote the shows. In his free time, he also works as a Family Medicine physician at Green Clinic. He is looking forward to another fantastic season next year!
Neal maintains the RCT website as well as works back stage for many shows and is occasionally on stage as well, usually in some kind of uniform, ha!
Charles, CFO for the ULM Foundation, lives in Monroe, and is very active in the local arts community as a violinist. He has been a member of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra for over 45 years, a member of the DiGiulian String Quartet and has played for countless choral, church, theatrical, wedding, etc. gigs. He is married to Lori and they have three sons and one grandson.
Emily Xu is the 13 year old cello player for the orchestra at Annie show. She was first chair for cello in the Louisiana Youth Orchestra. At her school in Baton Rouge, she’s played Twin One for the fifth grade Peter Pan play. She is a senior swimmer for Bulldog Aquatics Club, and in her free time she likes to read.
Scot Humes is Professor of Clarinet & Saxophone at ULM; Principal Clarinet of Monroe, South Arkansas, & Vashon Opera Orchestras, and 2nd Clar of Shreveport Symphony; and has performed solo recitals throughout the USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He is an Henri Selmer Paris and Silverstein Artist. In "duo per se" he released his first CD in 2023, with a 2nd in 2024.
Associate Professor of Music Dr. Christopher P. Heidenreich began serving at the Louisiana Tech as Director of Bands in the fall of 2021. Prior work includes twelve years at the University of Michigan-Flint, three years at Youngstown State University as well as fourteen teaching public school in Ohio. He holds a Doctor of Music in Wind Conducting from Indiana University (2006), a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Ohio State University (1998), and a Bachelor of Music degree from Bowling Green State University (1989) where he graduated cum laude. In 2002, he was awarded the American School Band Directors Association's “Distinguished Band Director” Award for Ohio and the North Central Region, and in 2013 UM-Flint awarded him the Faculty Distinguished Service Award. The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association granted him with an Honorary Membership for service to the state in 2020.
Heidenreich is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Louisiana Music Education Association, the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He and his wife Beth reside in Ruston, LA, and have two children; Jillian, who holds a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and is working as a traveling OT; and Daniel, a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force currently serving with the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.
Jesse is a senior at Louisiana Tech University, pursuing degrees in music and physics. As a trombonist, he has played for Monroe Symphony Orchestra, RussTown Band, the New Music on the Bayou Festival, Elf the Musical, and a plethora of events and ensembles at Tech. While music is a lifelong passion, Jesse intends to pursue higher education as an experimental physicist.
Dr. Steele Moegle currently serves as Interim Director at Louisiana Tech University School of Music where she teaches applied piano and music history. She directed the inaugural youth musical for RCT in 2016. Most recently, she directed Elf the Musical and Shrek JR.
Dayne Armstrong is the Assistant Band Director of the Waskom Independent School District in Waskom, Texas. He took on this role after graduating in Music Education from Louisiana Tech University in the Spring of 2024. Prior to his role at Waskom, he was involved in the instrumental music programs at Ouachita Parish High, Ruston High, and St. Frederick Catholic.
During his time at Louisiana Tech, he served 4 years in the Band of Pride, 2 of those as Drum Major. He was also in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble for 4 years, serving as the principal percussionist for his 4th year. Other ensembles at Louisiana Tech that Dayne was involved in include the Percussion Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, Pop Ensemble, and the Diggin’ Dawgs. Dayne also has the prestigious honor of being Louisiana Tech’s 2023 Presser Scholar.
Dayne has been very involved with organizations outside of Louisiana Tech as well. He has performed with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Trinity United Methodist Church, and more. He is presently a regular on the worship team at Christ Church’s Ruston campus. He also serves on the Board of Directors for New Music on the Bayou, which is an annual music festival that takes place in Ruston and Monroe.
Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com
