The Wild Party
LAUREN TRIPOLITIS (Queenie) is a sophomore, Exploratory major (Music minor) at Ithaca College from Philadelphia, PA.  She was most recently seen as Luisa in IC Triple Threat Theater’s The Fantasticks last spring.  She would like to thank the musicians and staff members for their very important contributions to this production. Lauren could not survive without the T5 Biddies!
JEREMY FLYNN (Burrs) is ecstatic to be working with such a talented cast in his first production with the MTC. Currently a freshman in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Jeremy is no stranger to the stage.  Past and favorite credits include: Javert in Les Miserables, Radames in Aida, Fredrick in The Pirates of Penzance, Charlie Brown in You’re A Goodman, Charlie Brown, Reverend Shaw in Footloose, Harry McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie and Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors. Thanks to Mom, Dad, sister Rachel, Steph, Marc, Christina, Dara, his CM and Lowrise7 family, and especially his puppy Riley, who inspires him to hit those high notes!
SAMANTHA MATTHEWS (Kate) is a sophomore TV/R and Drama double major at Ithaca College. She has been performing in and around her hometown of Stratford, CT since she was nine, and recently performed in a local production of Kismet. Other onstage roles include: Tuptim in The King and I, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. She is thrilled to be making her MTC debut in this “wild, wild party!”
ERIC CARSIA (Black) is a junior, B.A Drama major at Ithaca College and is very excited and proud to be part of the cast of the MTC’s production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. Other MTC credits include: Anthony in Sweeney Todd and Roger in A New Brain. Eric has studied ballet for six years with Princeton Ballet and performed professionally with the American Reparatory Ballet as Fritz in The Nutcracker. Other theatre credits include Edgar in Bat Boy: The Musical, Jonathan in Kiss Me Kate, Danny in Grease, Ottavio in Scapino, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Summer, and Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing. Thank you to all my friends and family who make this all worth it.
VANESSA STERLING (Madelaine True) is ecstatic to be a part of this wild, wild party! Originally from Saratoga Springs, NY, Vanessa is currently an Acting major with a minor in voice at Ithaca College. Some of her favorite roles have included Johanna in the MTC’s production of Sweeney Todd, Woman #1 in Songs for a New World, Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress, Aida in Aida, and Emma Carew in Jekyll and Hyde. She would like to thank the amazing cast and staff for all their hard work, and her family and friends for their love and support. Enjoy the show!
JULIANNE MENASSIAN (Mae) is a sophomore, Anthropology major at Ithaca College from Herndon, VA.  She has appeared onstage in such shows as:  Blood Brothers, Godspell, Joseph…, The Wiz, and Damn Yankees to name but a few.  Julianne has also served as Stage Manager for such productions as A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, The Crucible, Anything Goes, and served as Lighting Assistant for Footloose.  Julianne is thrilled to be making her MTC debut with such a fabulous cast and crew.
TIMOTHY FASANO (Eddie) is very excited to be performing in his first production with the MTC. He is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, potentially majoring in English and Biopsychology. He is originally from North Haven, CT. Tim has appeared in two productions at Cornell, playing Federzoni in Galileo and Caliban in The Tempest. Other credits include Sir Toby in The Tempest and Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress. Tim would like to thank both the cast and crew for a truly memorable experience. It's been one wild, wild party!
MIKE WESSELLS (Oscar) is a freshman vocal performance major at Ithaca College and could not be more excited for his first production with the MTC! Mike resides in Albany NY, where he has performed in a myriad of productions; Fred in Kiss Me, Kate, Beau in Auntie Mame, Tom in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Chino in West Side Story, Sonny in Grease, Gilmer in To Kill A Mockingbird and John Reed in Jane Eyre. The Wild Party has become a quick favorite of Mike’s, and he is grateful to everyone in the company for allowing him to share this experience with all of you.
BRYAN BOTTI (Phil) is thrilled to have been "invited" to this wild party! Originally from Livingston, NJ, Bryan is a freshman, pre-med, Bio major at Cornell University. He has worked both on and backstage in various productions in his hometown, and his most recent credits include Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business… and Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is very grateful to the MTC for this opportunity to perform, and wishes all the cast and crew the best of luck! SHOUT OUT TO JAMESON 5!
STEVEN MOORE (Jackie) is enrolled in the BFA Musical Theatre program at Ithaca College and is a member of IC’s dance company Rock Hard. In high school, Steven appeared as The Cat In The Hat in Seussical, the Musical, which went on to an invitational production at the National Theatre Festival in Maryland, performed in Moby Dick Rehearsed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland and toured Europe with his select high school choir. An award-winning magician, Steven was presented Best Newcomer by the Magicians Alliance of the Eastern States. He is excited to be “partying” with so many wild and wonderful talents at Cornell!
ALEX MOGIL (Max) a freshman, Television-Radio major at Ithaca College, is thrilled to be making his MTC debut in this exciting production! Previous roles include: Mereb in Aida, Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Juror #3 in 12 Angry Men, and Danny Zuko in Grease. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. Break a leg to the cast and crew!
SHANNON GRACE (Dolores, Events Coordinator, Musical Director), a native of Rhode Island, is currently a sophomore at Ithaca College with a BM in Voice. She was most recently featured in the MTC’s production of Sweeney Todd as “the soprano” in the ensemble. Other credits include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Guys and Dolls, Camp Broadway’s Fiddler on the Roof (soloist) at PPAC, Bay View Academy’s A Comedy of Errors, and the Bishop Hendricken Summer Stage’s production of The Music Man in which she played Alma Hix. She is proud and delighted to be performing with such a talented and supportive cast. Thank you all for this experience!
HUGO E. MORENO (Sam) is a Junior B.A. Drama major at Ithaca College, with a minor in music and dance. Prior credits include: Hero in A Funny Thing Happened… at IC Triple Threat, Jasper in Pirates of Penzance, Jacob Marley in Scrooge both by Fort Lauderdale's Children Theatre, and Marius in Les Misérables at Cypress Bay High School. He wants to thank his family for always being there for him every step of the way, his friends who inspire him everyday, and his wonderful cast for being a great and wild family. He would also like to thank God for the gift to perform.
GEORGE MOUJAES (Kegs) is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, from Dubai, U.A.E. This is George’s first venture into musical theatre and his MTC debut production. He would like to thank the cast and staff for making this such a wonderful experience for him, and hopes everyone enjoys the show!
JOSH BURLINGHAM (Executive Producer, Executive Director, President), hailing from South Hamilton, MA, is a senior, Theatre Arts major in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. In the past six years alone, Josh has been involved in over thirty productions. Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party marks his seventh season with the MTC. Company credits include: John Hinckley in Assassins, Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd. Josh has also directed in-house productions of Bat Boy: The Musical and A New Brain. He would like to extend a special thanks to the faculty and staff at Cornell University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts for all they have taught him, and to his friends and family for their constant love and support.
MICHAEL GARRETT (Executive Technical Director, Scenic Designer) is in his fifth season with the MTC. Credits with the company include Bat Boy: The Musical (Technical Director), A New Brain (Technical Director/Scenic Designer), Sweeny Todd (Executive Technical Director/Scenic Designer). Michael also serves as the Technical Director for Risley Theater. Other credits include: Festival of One Acts (Director) Robber Bridegroom (Technical Director) Skin of Our Teeth (Master Carpenter) Beat Box Bard (Asst. Lighting Designer) and Cradle Will Rock (Sound Crew). Michael has been trained in Technical Theater at The Hill School. He is currently a junior at Cornell University, studying Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
KATIE VAN CLEAVE (Associate Producer, Stage Manager) is a sophomore, Meteorology major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. She attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL where she served as Stage Manager for such shows as The Music Man, The Laramie Project, and Pippin. Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party marks her second season with the MTC, and she is very excited to be returning. She would like to thank her family and friends for their undying support. Mom and Dad, I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you.
ALEX GRUHIN (Associate Producer, Director of Marketing) is a freshman in Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He has worked off-Broadway at the Summer Play Festival at Theatre Row as an Intern and Assistant Stage Manager on their production of “Spain” (dir. Jeremy Dobrish). For the past two years, he has served as a member of the Festival’s play selection committee alongside New York theatre professionals. Alex has performed throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (his home), including a stint with the Washington National Opera under the conduction of Plácido Domingo.
CHRISTINA OLIVIER (Choreographer) is a sophomore Theatre Arts Management major, holding a minor in dance, from Ithaca College. Born and raised in south eastern Connecticut, she trained as a student and soloist with The Mystic Ballet Company, learning from such artists as Alla Osipenko of the Kirov Ballet and Franco de Vita of the School of American Ballet. She performed with dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, the Radio City Rockettes and Boston Ballet. She currently performs with the Unbound Dance Company on campus. "I would like to thank the MTC for allowing me to become a part of this process!"
CHRIS TOLBERT (Pit Director) is a sophomore at Ithaca College majoring in Music Education. Having spent many years studying the piano and trumpet, Chris has played trumpet for such productions as Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Thomas Meehan’s Annie. Currently, Chris serves as an IC Resident Assistant, Ithaca Dining Services Student Supervisor, and as a member of the Five Cents Sharp Brass Quintet. This is his second semester serving as Pit Conductor, and he is excited for another opportunity to work with the company.
KEITH COLLIER (Director of Photography) is a second-year MBA student in Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management.  Keith grew up near Scranton, PA and earned two engineering degrees from Penn State.  At Cornell, Keith is co-president of the Johnson School Photography Club, a Staff Photographer for the Cornellian yearbook, Features Editor of the Cornell Business Journal, President of the graduate school a cappella ensemble "Sound Investments", and the founder of Cayuga Strategies, LLC. Keith enjoys hockey skating, collecting antique maps, and cold nights in warm pubs. After graduation, Keith plans to pursue an investment management career at a Boston-based fund.
ELANA EDELSTEIN (Costume Designer), is happy to join the MTC for her third season. She is currently a fourth year student at Cornell University studying apparel design, with a concentration in costume design and nutritional sciences. Her past theatre costume design credits include: Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, William Finn’s A New Brain and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. She has also been involved with making costumes for several performance dance groups. Elana would like to thank her dearest co-constructors Vlada and Amy as well as all nine of her fingers for helping her make the costumes in this production; “Sorry you couldn’t make it thumb-kin…”
ARIEL ARBISSER (Makeup Designer), a native of Davenport, IA, is currently a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. She has performed in, and done makeup for, many shows over the years, but Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party marks only her second production with the MTC.  She is also a devoted member of the Chordials, a co-ed a cappella group at Cornell. This year, she plans to start a makeup artistry service on campus. Ariel would like to thank her parents for giving her the chance to explore her passion and the cast and crew for such a great show!
DORA FRAEMAN (Graphic Designer, Webmaster) is excited to be back for her second production with the MTC.  She also serves as a Risley Theatre staff member and has participated in various other productions in the theatre.  Dora is a senior at Cornell University working on completing an independent major in Computing and Visual design.
DEBORAH COULTER (Business Manager), hailing from Portland, Oregon, is a sophomore, Hotel Management major in Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. She aspires to work in hotel operations management on cruise ships or in spas. She participated in community theatre in Portland, as a young child, and more recently appeared in Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Six Words for Snow, and Antigone.
HARRISON TSAI (Assistant Business Manager) is a sophomore, Meteorology major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. His future aspirations include becoming a hurricane hunter and weather risk management analyst. Years ago, Harrison served as stage crew for his school’s theatre and was featured in Guys and Dolls and Wizard of Oz. He is very excited to be part of the MTC.
KATHY TAO (Assistant Business Manager) is a freshman from Miami, FL and Scottsdale, AZ. She is in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, and her major is currently undecided. This is her first season working with the MTC.
MICHELLE HUYNH (House Manager, Construction Crew) is a Cornell freshman from Sunnyvale, CA with a currently undecided major in the College of Arts and Science. Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party will be her first production with the MTC. In high school, she served as stage crew for the play The Cripple of Inishmaan. She'd like to thank the production staff for giving her a chance to be part of this awesome group, and may she continue to learn more about theater from them.
MICHAEL TEDESCO (Ticket Agent) has been involved with the Melodramatics Theatre Company, Inc. for over two years. He appeared in three of the six shows produced under the Melodramatics, including "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (Ensemble), "A New Brain" (Minister), and "Bat Boy: The Musical" (Pan, Ned). Michael is currently a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. He would like to thank all of our cast and staff for their dedication and hard work to bringing musical theatre back to the Cornell campus.
LEONARD TEDESCO (Assistant Ticket Agent) is excited to be working his first semester with the Melodramatics. Lenny was part of his Drama Club back in high school, where he played such memorable parts as Olson in "The Long Voyage Home" and Doody in the musical "Grease." Lenny is a junior and a Government major in the College of Arts and Sciences here at Cornell.
ALIX GERBER (Construction Crew, Scenic Painter) is a freshman, Design and Environmental Analysis major in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. In her hometown of West Linn, Oregon, just outside of Portland, she most recently served as Stage Manager to her high school’s productions of Crazy for You and On the Verge as well as serving as Set Designer for Shorts 8. Alix looks forward to many future productions with the MTC. She would like to thank Jon Ares, Jessica Murray and Cheryl Cantwell back home for bringing theatre into her life.
ROBERT BERG (Senior Copywriter) has been involved in the MTC since its first production of Assassins and has since performed such varied company roles as Lead Creative Consultant, Associate Producer and Dramaturg. Robert holds a Masters in Theatre History and Criticism from CUNY Brooklyn and a Bachelors in Liberal Studies from SUNY Purchase. He is also the proud co-founder and co-president of Striking Prose, Inc., a professional freelance copywriting company. Additionally, he is a reviewer and has been published in David Hofstede's "5000 Episodes and No Commercials: The Ultimate Guide to TV Shows on DVD 2007." Robert currently lives in New York, NY, with his partner and somewhere around 400 DVDs and 500 books.