PERFORMERS
AALIYAH WAGNER is a 17-year-old actress and dancer. Aaliyah has been in two movies called Fade to Black & Depression. She also has been doing theater for 3 years now. She would like to thank God and her mom and dad.
AARON T. DOWDELL JR. is an actor and playwright from Cleveland, Ohio. He’s a rising senior at the prestigious Cleveland School of the Arts, where he majors in theater. Aaron T also serves as his school’s student body president. Throughout the school year he’s a proud member of the CMSP’s All-City Musical and a founding member of CSA’s Theater Honors Program. This is his first time being a part of the STEP ensemble at CPT, and he looks forward to performing with such a talented cast for the first time. His favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is the opening work they do before every rehearsal. Aaron T would like to thank his mother, his father, his grandfather, and the late great Sandra Dulaney, his grandmother. He often says he wouldn’t be the strong leader he is today without their knowledge and teachings.
AILENE MCCLUNEY is an artist and actress from Cleveland, Ohio. She is in the drama club at her school, and this is her second time being a member of the STEP ensemble at CPT. She is very excited to share Getting Back to Once Upon a Time with the Cleveland community! Her favorite part about the acting ensemble is the amazing amount of creativity she sees in her peers. She hopes everyone will enjoy the show!
ALEENA BROWN is an actress, singer, dancer, writer, director, filmmaker, painter, drawer, sculptor, and fashionista. She’s an upcoming junior at Lakewood High School. This is her second year of being a member of the STEP ensemble at Cleveland Public Theatre. She was in last year’s production To Shake the Sleeping Self. Her favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is improv, opening work, and learning new things. She would like to thank her mother for believing and supporting her, and her cast. She grew friendships and became a family with the cast, who made it a safe, comfortable, fun, and creative space. She also wants to thank everyone supporting and loving this year’s play.
ANTONY THORPE is from Cleveland, Ohio, and this will be his first year doing STEP. So far, he has enjoyed the first four days. Even if it doesn’t show on his face, he likes to be a part of an ensemble; and making music together is probably his favorite part.
ARIHSAY GONZALEZ RIVERA is originally from Puerto Rico. She is a rising junior at The Ohio State University. This is her third and final year in STEP. Outside of STEP she has acted in Cleveland State University’s productions of Romeo & Juliet and Love & Other Disasters. She has also stage managed for “Check, Please!” at CSU as well. In her free time, she engages in poetry, crochet, painting, screenwriting, songwriting, and singing. Her favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is the community of wonderful artists she’s gotten to meet. She is excited to put her all and show out in this year’s performance. Her end goals are to get a master’s in psychology and work as a drama therapist.
CAESAR “CASHED” DIAZ is a performer, creative, and storyteller from Cleveland, Ohio. He is passionate about poetry, music, and self-expression, using art to connect with others and sharing his perspective. Whether on stage, behind a microphone, or putting pen to paper, Cashed enjoys creating meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impression. He values authenticity, growth, and the people who have supported him throughout his journey. Caesar would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for believing in him and encouraging him to pursue his goals. He is excited for the opportunities ahead and hopes to continue inspiring others through his creativity and dedication.
“Let’s GO!”
CHANTY ROBERTS is an upcoming young actress from Cleveland, Ohio. August 24th she will start her school year as a senior at Lincoln West High School. This is Chanty’s third year in STEP, and she hopes to grow more and be looked at as one of the leaders in the room. Along this journey, she is also looking for acting opportunities, so she can put herself out there more and live her dream. Chanty is so excited to be performing again and her favorite part about it all is new friendships. She would like to thank her mom, old teacher, and friends for encouraging her to keep doing this program!
“May she and others break a leg!! (Not literally)”
DANASHIA JEFFERSON is an actress from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a rising junior at Cleveland School of the Arts where she majors in theater. She has wanted to act since she was nine years old and this is her first time doing the STEP program. Her favorite part about acting is coming together with other people to create something amazing! Danashia is excited to share those same attributes and endure that feeling with her ensemble at the STEP show and can’t wait for you to see it!
DEANDRE CHAPMAN JR. is an actor from Euclid, Ohio. He is a rising junior at Cleveland School of the Arts where he majors in theater. He has been in a few performances in Cleveland, including school performances and last year’s STEP ensemble production of To Shake the Sleeping Self, and performed as ensemble in this year’s all-city musical Fame at Playhouse Square. He intends to act for the rest of his career as it is a passion his daycare director inspired him to pursue.
EVA VERGEZ (The Midnight Mist, Carved, To Shake the Sleeping Self) is a multidisciplinary artist from Los Angeles, California, now residing in Cleveland, Ohio. She explores her soul through visual arts, photography, writing, music, and theater. This is her fourth year of being a STEP ensemble member where she hopes to let the community know that this generation cares and is devoted to brightening the future.
“Much love! Enjoy our hard work.”
FERNANDO MARTINEZ is a 16-year-old actor who has been acting since he was 10 years old. He attends Cleveland School of the Arts for theater. He’s been at Cleveland Public Theatre for two years, and this is his second year in the STEP program. He is also bilingual and really good at comedy.
GABRIELLA CAROL SILVA is an actress and singer from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a rising junior at James Ford Rhodes High School where she has performed in 4 shows with the most recent being The SpongeBob Musical. This is her second year in STEP, and she is so excited to be a part of the ensemble again. Her favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is getting to see how they create a show. She would like to thank her whole family for always supporting her and for being the best.
HAROLD EARL WATTS III is an athletic person. He loves listening to music and being inspirational. He also has perseverance and tries his best at everything. He likes to read the room to see what’s going on. He has fun spending time with his family and friends.
JAMEER BATTLE is a hooper and first time actor from Cleveland, Ohio. He is an upcoming 10th grader from Lincoln West High School. This is his first year being a member of the STEP ensemble at Cleveland Public Theatre. His favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is the physical warmups that happen at the beginning of every session. He can’t wait to show what they have been working on!
JAVION BATTLE is an actor from Cleveland, Ohio. He is a rising senior at Garret Morgan High School. He is excited to be in his third year as a part of the STEP ensemble at Cleveland Public Theatre. His favorite part about being back is meeting new people and playing games. He would love to thank his mom for giving him life and making him handsome.
JAYLA ALVARADO is an actress, singer, and dancer from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a rising sophomore at Cleveland School of the Arts where she majors in theater. As her first time being a member of the STEP ensemble, she is excited to experience new things. Her favorite part about being in STEP is how welcoming the space is and creating with everyone. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her every step of the way.
JOE’NATHAN ANDREW LEE WILSON is a 16-year-old actor who attends the Cleveland School of the Arts. He is from Akron, Ohio and has a strong passion for acting and performing. Joe’Nathan enjoys expressing himself through theater and is always excited to grow his skills as an actor. He is also excited to be a part of the 2026 STEP program, where he looks forward to gaining new experiences and meeting new people.
LYNX BRAVA-SOL VERGEZ is a national gold medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Born in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, Lynx developed their artistic skills alongside their family and now lives in Cleveland. They were introduced to the performing arts at Cleveland Public Theatre and have been involved in the field for four years. Lynx quickly fell in love with writing and acting and is excited to bring their skills and creativity to this summer’s work. This is Lynx’s second year as a member of the STEP ensemble at CPT, and they are thrilled to be part of it.
“Enjoy the show!”
MAKAYLA TAYLOR (Mickey, Rainbow Fairy) is a multi-talented artist from Cleveland, Ohio. She’s a high school graduate and is planning on attending Cleveland State University. She’s been at STEP for a few years now, both as an ensemble member and as a tech team worker. Her favorite part of STEP is getting to share her creativity through dance, writing, and movement exercises. She would love to thank her friends, family, and the workers/teaching artists at Cleveland Public Theatre for teaching her, and encouraging her to come this far.
“Let’s go, grow, and show!!!”
MARLIN BELL is an actor and singer from Ohio. He is an upcoming sophomore at Cleveland School of the Arts where is majoring in theater; and was part of the 2026 Festival of New Works. This is his first time participating in Cleveland Public Theatre’s STEP ensemble, and he is excited to create a play and share it! His favorite part about being in an acting ensemble is working with new people. He would like to thank his middle school science teacher Ms. Washington for opening the door that led him to theatre, his family, and to STEP, for letting him explore his acting skills.
NATHAN THORPE is an actor and vocalist from Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of the STEP 2026 Ensemble and is extremely excited to be back for his fourth year. You may recognize him from The Midnight Mist (STEP 2023), Carved: An Adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio (STEP 2024), or To Shake the Sleeping Self” (STEP 2025). His favorite part is the vocal warmups, but recently he’s been really into the opening work. He is overjoyed to share what they created this summer. And he would like to thank his mom for always being there.
NICO SMITH is an actor and artist from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is approaching his junior year at Cleveland School of the Arts where he is a theater major. This is his third time being a member of the STEP ensemble at Cleveland Public Theatre, and he is excited to share his artistry with the Cleveland community. His favorite parts of the acting ensemble are the rehearsals for every upcoming show. He would like to thank his mom for the appreciation and encouragement of his theater plays!
PARISS CRAIG is an actress from Cleveland, Ohio. She is an upcoming junior at Max J. Hayes High School where she is a cheerleader on a cheer team. In middle school, she was in a band and ukelele club and wanted to be a mediator. This is her second year being a member of the STEP ensemble
SABINA CHA is an actress based in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young child she was inspired by various voice actors’ work in television, games, and movies, later joining her school’s theater elective, choir, and Cleveland Public Theatre’s CAN Academy. This is her first time being in STEP, and she is excited to help create and be a part of a play with her fellow ensemble. She greatly enjoys creating and acting out scenes with her peers and is very happy to be a part of STEP.
SASHA LEE is an actress and singer from Cleveland, Ohio. She is now a sophomore at Cleveland School of the Arts where she is a theater major. This is her second time in STEP and she adores it. She’s so excited to be working at STEP again and share stories and give inspiration. Her favorite part of STEP is singing, and she can’t wait to show her voice to the world! She’d like to thank her friends and family for encouraging her, and her teachers for helping her improve! She can’t wait to brighten the summer up!
SHIANNE MONAE PATTERSON has had an amazing experience as a first-time STEP ensemble member and has enjoyed meeting new people.
“I want to thank my mom for introducing me to the STEP program.”
TAH’V’YHEER ZUBER is a singer, songwriter, content creator, former athlete, and actor from Cleveland Ohio. He is a rising junior at Cleveland School of the Arts and majors in theater. Tah’V’yheer participated in the STEP ensemble last year and is excited to return for another season of creativity, growth, and performance. Outside of theater, he creates content on social media as T4VYY and is a rising influencer. He has released original music, including “Love” and his most recent single “breath, breath, breath”. He is excited to continue sharing his passion for music, theater, and creativity with the community.
TARYN POTTS is an actress and singer from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a rising sophomore theater major at Cleveland School of the Arts. Before getting to CSA, Taryn performed in productions including Shreck Jr., Seussical Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., and more! This is her first year being a part of the STEP ensemble at Cleveland Public Theatre. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented cast. Her favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is the deep, meaningful, and fascinating discussions that challenge her to think outside of the box and expand her mindset. Taryn is excited to grow as a performer, tell stories that spark conversation, and leave an impact through sharing this performance with the community.
TECH TEAM
A’MIRR “MIRR” EDMONDS likes to play games, make money, go to fun places with friends, and go shopping. He also likes to mind his business and be a leader. He enjoys being with the tech team because they learn how to use workshop tools to build things.
“Thank you for having me.”
ARLAND (AJ) JACKSON goes to Max Hayes High School. He is a senior and in his 3rd year as part of the tech team at Cleveland Public Theatre’s STEP program.
“ I would like to thank Ms. CC from Oda for telling me to apply for STEP. Let’s have another great tour lets goooo!!!!”
DREAMA ELLISON (She/Her) likes to hang out with friends and family but not on a hot day!!! She joined the STEP tech team to learn how to build stuff so she can do it on her own.
EBUBECHUWKU ORANUGO is excited to make her debut in technical theater. She is a rising junior at John Hay High School who has participated in choir. After her encounter with aliens last spring, she has been on a quest to recreate the magic she saw on stage. She plans to continue her theater journey, both on and off the stage.
EMILISON CEDENO likes drawing, eating, and watching TV.
“I’d like to thank my mom for making me realize I should get a job. So happy to see what’s to come! Sasageyo! “
AVI SCHAFFER is a 17-year-old theater technician who is participating in the STEP program for the first time. She is the prop master at her school and has worked on The Wiz, The Prom, and Hadestown. Her favorite part of tech is making the magic come to life. She would like to thank her family for all their support and all the faculty at Cleveland Public Theatre and STEP for making this show possible (and tolerating her)
JOSIAH RAGSDALE is excited to be joining STEP for the first time. He is a rising senior at Beachwood High School and Academy for the Performing Arts.
NATE GRIFFITH (he/him) is from Cleveland Heights, Ohio and in his 4th year at STEP. He likes history and writing, and working with wood, and enjoys designing smaller props for performances. He has tried his best with making props and hopes that the performances go well.
RYLEE STAMPER is ecstatic to be in the STEP program. She’s a rising sophomore at Max Hayes High School where she takes B’n’C (Building and Construction), a course like STEP’s tech program. This is her first time joining and working for a program like STEP.
STAFF
MELISSA CRUM (Director of Education) is an award-winning director, writer, composer/musician, performer, and arts educator whose work centers humor, heart, and vulnerable truth-telling. Melissa’s creative achievements include receiving the Kulas Composer Fellowship at Cleveland Public Theatre in 2023 and co-writing and composing the dark musical comedy Everything is Okay (and other helpful lies) through her 2016–2017 Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship at CPT. The work received a production at CPT in 2019 and earned a reading at the New York Musical Festival. Melissa and co-writer Caitlin Lewins were 2019 Finalists for the MITTEN Lab. As a director, Melissa has garnered critical acclaim, most notably winning both Best Director and Best Production in the 2023 Cleveland Critics Circle Awards for her direction of Little Women at Dobama Theatre. (visit the Staff page at www.cptonline.org for the complete bio).
AVERY LAMAR POPE (STEP Program Manager and Director) is a multi-hyphenate storyteller, arts educator, and private acting coach from Cleveland, OH. Avery tells stories through theater, literature, and music. Acting credits: Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater, Karamu House, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cain Park, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Playwriting credits: Horizon Theatre Company, Dobama Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, and First Look Buffalo Theatre Company. Directing credits: Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Cleveland Public Theatre. A respected poet, selected commissions include MetroHealth’s Physician Suicide Awareness Week and Patient Experience Week, NAREB’s 75th Annual National Convention, the Ohio Crisis TextLine Campaign, WKYC’s 2024 Breaking Barriers Program, and All Our Babies CLE. He is a founding member of The Sparrow’s Fortune Spoken Word Collective and in 2023, self-published his first chapbook, A Dozen Roses (and other flowers too). An avid educator in poetry, music, and theatre, he has crafted curricula for and taught at countless regional theaters, schools, and arts organizations across Cleveland and beyond. Awards/Recognitions: Cleveland Arts Prize Verge Fellow (2026), Karamu House Room in the House Performing Arts Fellow (2024), Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship Finalist (2022), and New South Young Playwrights’ Festival Selection (2021). Avery graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Performance from Ohio University.
“God is good. Jesus is Lord.”
ANGUS WILLIAMS (Teaching Artist) Angus King Williams is a 23-year-old composer, pianist, and music director born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He began his musical journey at five years old, studying classical piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music for ten years. His profound musicality underscored his undergraduate studies at Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. At BC, he founded and served as the executive director of “Living In Color”, a multidisciplinary performance celebrating Black life and culture in the United States through poetry, music, dance, and film. This February, he performed in Playhouse Square’s second self-produced show, Sankofa: An Epic Adventure. Soon after, he performed in and served as the assistant music director for Karamu House’s final show of the 2025-2026 season, Jubilee, an acapella opera based on the Fisk Jubilee Singers. He is proud to be one of four teaching artists at Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2026 STEP program, and is energized by the ambitious work the student artists have accomplished this summer.
BEA SHAKOW (Stage Manager) is a stage manager and production manager from Washington, DC. She’s been involved with many different theaters in the area and has been branching out into event management. Notable productions include Dobama’s POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, The Comeuppance, and Sanctuary City, as well as Oberlin Conservatory’s Alice Tierney. She’s done Cleveland Public Theatre’s Pandemonium for the last 2 years and started working with the STEP program last summer. She is always looking for ways to ease the technical and administrative burdens on artists so that their work can shine even brighter. She loves being a calm, organized presence during chaotic and stressful times, being someone that people know they can come to for help. She delights in a program that cares about its artists as much as STEP does and is very proud to be part of the team making it happen.
“We hope you enjoy our show!”
CASSANDRA MILLER (Teaching Artist) is a performing artist, educator, and birth worker in Cleveland, Ohio. She is passionate about using the arts and education holistically to cultivate a better community. On stage, she has performed with Cain Park, Karamu, Seat of the Pants, Mamai Theatre, Borderlight Fringe Festival, and in many Playhouse Square partnerships. She is a choreographer who has created pieces for Near West Theatre’s youth and mainstage productions. Cassandra utilizes her theatre skills to create pieces centered around women, their stories, and their journeys. Her most recent work focused on the journey of childbirth and was featured in the All Our Babies Transformative Arts Fund project. She is a member of Blakk Jakk Dance Collective. Cassandra also leads two of the Cleveland Act Now (CAN) programs at Cleveland Public Theatre during the school year.
KYRA KELLEY, she/they, (Teaching Artist) is an interdisciplinary theatre artist, educator, and arts administrator. Their undergraduate training was completed at Baldwin-Wallace and Kent State Universities. Kyra’s creative practice is grounded by movement and devised theatre-making techniques. Currently, Kyra is pursuing an M.A. in Arts Administration at the University of Akron. Her areas of research include the development of consent-based physical theatre pedagogy and accessibility for caregivers in the arts.
CASSANDRA ZEIMER (aka Cas or Cassy) (they/them or any pronouns) is the Technical Lead for the STEP program this year. Cassy is a technical director, educator, theatrical designer, visual artist, engineer, craftsperson, and aspiring performer. They’ve lived in Cleveland for over a decade now and this is their first time as part of the STEP program.
“I am so delighted you are here to see what the STEP technical ensemble has made!”
INDA BLATCH-GEIB (Costumes & Specialty Props) has worked as a costume and production designer for over 1,000 theatrical, commercial, and film releases that have spanned 37 years and crossed 4 continents. Production and Costume Design has included commercials for Krylon, Bryant & Stratton, Footlocker, The West Virginia Lottery’s national award-winning campaigns, The Ohio Lottery, Microsoft, Under Armor, McDonalds, TroyBuilt, Meijer, and The Original Mattress Factory as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 1970’s and 1980’s themed videos, national spots for the team, and design for on court half-time shows including their mascot shield design and pyrotechnic sword. Her live performance and festival design include Machine Gun Kelly’s US and European Tours as well as ESTFEST and Wolstein Arena productions. Specialty projects include microphone stand designs for MGK and Bear. Print designs have included set styling for Harper’s Bazaar UK’s Scarlett Johansson cover and spread, as well as catalogue set styling for Foundations and Kilgore Trout. Additionally, Ms. Blatch-Geib’s designs have been showcased in exhibits at The Smithsonian Institute with film projects including Ohio Art Direction of The Signal starring Laurence Fishburne, and production and costume design of The Con. (For the complete bio, visit the STAFF page at www.cptonline.org.)
BRADFORD EASTON (Technical Assistant), a native Clevelander, has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Exercise Science and minor in Entrepreneurship from John Carroll University. An accomplished musician, Bradford loves all genres of music and plays the alto saxophone and piano. As a performer, Bradford has performed at Karamu House in Red Summer and Choir Boy, in Romeo and Juliet at Geauga Center for the Arts, in King James at Rubber City Theater and was an understudy for the role of “Brian” at Cleveland Play House. Recently, Bradford played the “Motorist” in Clue at Chagrin Valley Little Theater. In addition, he starred in Sankofa as “Hector” and “DJ Cool Herc.” Bradford is thrilled to have this opportunity to nurture and inspire the young artists as a Technical Assistant Director and hopes he can have an impact on these futurists because he believes they are the future.