Seussical JR. Cast

Cody Scholl (Horton: Thing 1 Cast)
This is Cody's 5th play with DM Performance Works. He is super excited about his role as Horton! Previous roles he played were Mr. Darling and Chief in Peter Pan Jr.. Olaf, in Frozen Jr. and Bruce, in Matilda. Cody is a 6th grade student at Drums Elementary. In addition to acting he also plays Little League Baseball for Valley East. Hope you enjoy the show!!
Jude Witner (Horton: Thing 2 Cast)
Jude is 14 years old and an 8th Grader at Valley Middle School. He has been in several productions including DMPW's Aladdin (Aladdin) Frozen (Kristoff) Lion King (Simba) and Peter Pan (Captain Hook). He is a dancer and singer but his favorite hobby is playing Drums. He is a member of both Jazz band and concert band at Valley and a member of the Honors Wind Ensemble. He participates in the Marywood Honors Band and Luzerne County Band Festival. He is a member of the HAHS Marching band and will be attending the Arts and Humanities as he enters 9th grade. He wants everyone to remember "a person's a person, no matter how small".
Milana Daiute (Cat in the Hat: Thing 1 Cast)
Milana Daiute (The Cat in the Hat) is 13 years old and is a 7th grade student at Drums Middle School. Some of her favorite roles include, Matilda in Matilda the Musical (DMPW), the Genie in Aladdin, Jr. for which she received a NEPTA Award nomination for Best Young Actress (DMPW); Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Jr. (DMPW), Timon in Lion King, Jr. (DMPW); Kelsi Nielsen in High School Musical, Jr. (PTPA); Bulda in Frozen, Jr. (DMPW) and Pinocchio in Shrek, Jr. (PTPA). Milana plays the trumpet and the piano and sings in the Drums Chorus. She also enjoys playing lacrosse, running cross country and being a part of the Freeland YMCA swim team. Milana loves Dr. Seuss and is thrilled to be a part of this fun production! Break a leg, everyone!
Julia Dessoye (Gertrude McFuzz :Thing 1 Cast)
Julia Dessoye (Gertrude McFuzz): Julia is 11 years old and a 6th grade student at Rice Elementary School. She most recently landed lead roles as middle Elsa in Frozen, Amanda in Matilda, and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan with DM Performance Works. She played Pumba in The Lion King and the Candyman in Willy Wonka Jr. this past year with PTPA. Julia loves field hockey, laughing, dancing, running, swimming and spending time with her friends and family. She is very excited take on this lead role and be with her friends and cousins in this play!
Zoey Force (JoJo: Thing 2 Cast)
Zoey Force (JoJo in Thing 2 and Ensemble in Thing 1 cast) is 12 years old and in 6th grade at Berwick Area Middle School. She is a member of her school’s student council, chorus, and S.O.A.R (Students Overcome and Achieve through Running). Zoey also studies voice, plays club soccer, basketball, and runs in many 5K races. This is her fourth play. She was middle Anna in Frozen Jr. and a munchkin in Wizard of Oz with DM performance works. She was also Timon in PTPA’s Lion King Kids. Zoey is very excited to have such a great role and to be part of this fun show!
Sage Huff (JoJo: Thing 1 Cast)
Sage (7) is very excited to be in the cast of Seussical JR at DMPW. This is Sage’s 2nd production of Seussical JR, she was the elephant bird in 2013 at the ripe age of 11 months. Some of Sage’s favorite roles are Young Anna in Frozen JR at DMPW, The Narrator in Into the Wood at The Grove and Baby Bear in Sherk JR at PTPA. She caught the acting bug from her brother Liam and sister Dallas. She’d like to thank DMPW staff for making this such a fun experience and teaching her so much. She hopes everyone enjoys the show and looks forward too many more shows at DMPW. Thank you, Mom, Dad, Liam and Dallas, for all the support!
Austin Lutz (Mr. Mayor: Thing 1 Cast)
Austin Lutz is 10 years old and is in 4th grade at Drums Elementary where he is an honors student. He enjoys playing baseball, soccer, video games, and spending time with his friends and family. Austin is also part of the Chorus, Select Chorus and Band, and was nominated for this year’s ChorusFest at school. He is excited to be in this show with his sister, cousin and friends, and looks forward to many more shows!
Emily Babula (Mrs. Mayor: Thing 2 cast)
Emily is 14 years old and an 8th grade honors student at Valley Middle School. She enjoys reading, horse riding and all things Disney. Most importantly she loves performing and is very happy to be a part of this fun and energetic musical. She especially likes the common theme found in Seussical...... it's ok to be different, always be you!
Taryn Leonard (Mrs. Mayor: Thing 1 Cast)
Taryn Leonard (Mrs. Mayor) is 11 years old and is a 5th grade student at Holy Family Academy. Most recently she appeared in DM Performance Works mainstage production of Matilda. Additional performances include DM Performance Works production of Frozen, Jr. Aladdin, Jr. Young Simba in The Lion King, Jr., Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and Peter Pan, Jr. She has also performed with the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts in their production of Willy Wonka. She studies piano with Sheila Butkiewicz at the Young Artist’s Music Academy and voice with Rachel Paden. She is a member of the Freeland YMCA swim team and the Hazleton Area Youth Lacrosse League and has competed in several triathlons. Special thanks to Joelle, Tim, Robin and Cali for all their support and encouragement! Break a leg everyone!
Lily Morgan (Sour Kangaroo: Thing 1 Cast)
LILY MORGAN (Sour Kangaroo) is eleven years old and is very excited to be performing in “Seussical Jr.”. She has been acting for five years as ensemble roles in “The Little Mermaid Jr.”, “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”, and “A Christmas Carol”. She has also played Pumbaa in “The Lion King Jr.”, Tweedle Dum in “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”, Skunk in “Peter Pan Jr.”, Augustus Gloop in “Willy Wonka Jr.”, and Olaf in “Frozen Jr.”. In her free time, Lily enjoys singing and dancing, among other performing arts. Most importantly, she would like to thank her family for all of their love and support.
Carly Force (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Carly Force (Bird girl in Thing 1 and a Wickersham in Thing 2 cast) is 9 years old and in 4th grade at Nescopeck Elementary School. She is a member of her school’s student council and chorus. Carly also studies voice, plays soccer, and enjoys running in 5K races. This is Carly’s fourth play. She was Sven in Frozen Jr. and Mayor Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz with DM Performance Works. She was also Ed, the crazy hyena, in PTPA’s Lion King Kids. Carly is super excited to be part of both casts for this show!
Mary Yanuzzi (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Mary Yanuzzi - (Bird Girl/Wickersham) - This is Mary's 11th performance. Some of her favorite roles were in Alice in Wonderland, Frozen, and Matilda. She has taken dance lessons since she was 3 years old and is currently taking dance at Drama in Motion and vocal lessons from Joelle Witner. Mary is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade at Holy Family Academy. She is excited to be a part of both of these amazing casts and hopes everyone enjoys the show!
Ruth Huey (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Ruth Parker Huey is 11 years old and a 6th grader at Commonwealth Charter Academy cyber school. Ruth has been involved in youth productions since she was 7 years old. Ruth’s favorite role was Small Alice (Alice in Wonderland Jr.) with Drama in Motion. She also enjoyed School House Rock Jr and Newsies with PTPA. Ruth takes jazz, voice, and tap with Drama in Motion. She is excited to be a part of this kids production with Drama in Motion!
Alexis Lutz (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Alexis Lutz is 12 years old and is in 6th grade at Drums Elementary where she is an honors student. She enjoys playing soccer and field hockey, swimming, baking and spending time with her friends and family. Alexis is also part of the Chorus, Select Chorus, Drama Club and Builder’s Club at her school, and is part of the youth group at her church. She is very excited to be in this show with her brother, cousin and friends, and looks forward to many more shows!
Kailyn MacCollumm (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Kailyn MacCollum (Bird Girl/Wickersham) is a 10-year-old 4th grade honors student at Drums Elementary Middle School. She was last seen as Simba in Lion King Kids at PTPA. A few of her more notable roles are: Jane Banks in Mary Poppins Jr. (NCP), Lead Student Alice in Matilda the Musical (DMPW), Young Elsa in Frozen Jr. (DMPW), Babette in Beauty and the Beast Jr. (NCP) and Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland Jr. (DMPW). Kailyn currently takes vocal and dance lessons (ballet, jazz, & acro) with Drama in Motion. Kailyn is part of the Drums Elementary Middle School Chorus, and she was selected to participate as a member of Drums Select Chorus. Kailyn and her family extend a special “Thank you” to the DMPW family as she enters the amazing world of Dr. Seuss.
Kylee Swantek (Roo : Thing 2 Cast)
Kylee is a 9 year old honor student in fourth grade at Holy Family Academy. Suessical Jr. is Kylee’s 3rd show. She was in Frozen and played the the Munchkin Coroner in The Wizard of Oz. Kylee’s interests include softball, swimming, and bike riding. She also loves to sing and is taking voice lessons from Joelle Witner.
Jesse Nienhueser (Vlad Vladikoff / Yertle the Turtle)
Jesse is 13 and is in 7th grader at Bloomsburg Secondary Complex. He is in in Band, County Band the Student Government Association, Chorus and has been involved with the Young Men's Chorus Fest. He is a member of of Boy Scouts, Troop 24. He is a violin player for 4 1/2 years and will soon play in the orchestra pit as the youngest ever member. He is also a A volunteer and active member of St. Columba church. Previously, I have participated in summer classes with the BTE theatre in Bloomsburg He enjoys singing, doing funny videos, crazy dances and making people laugh. The opportunity to be in this show is very exciting and such a learning experience and I hope to gain more knowledge for future shows and events. I do want to thank my Mother for the commitment of driving me to my practices and waiting, due to the distance that we travel.
Piper Brutosky (Who Ensemble)
Piper Brutosky, a second-grade student at Valley Elementary, loves entering the world of Whoville as a Who citizen in Seussical Jr. Piper last starred in the PTPA's Lion King Kids as Young Simba, her favorite role to date. She also performed in DMPW’s Frozen Jr. (ensemble) and was Adrina the mermaid in Peter Pan Jr. She recently started taking voice lessons with Angela Conahan. Piper wants to thank the cast and crew of DMPW for this experience. Enjoy the show!
Isabella Polly (Betty Lou Who)
Isabella Polly is 5 years and going to preschool at Country Charm. Seussical is her 2nd play she was also in Wizard of Oz. She also enjoys soccer, gymnastics, ballet and tap. She cannot wait to do this show and many more.
Josephine Polly (Who Ensemble)
Josephine Polly is 10 years old and is in 5th grade a Freeland Elementary. Seussical will be her 5th show. She was also in Peter Pan Jr., Frozen Jr, Matilda and Wizard of Oz. She enjoys playing soccer and softball. She also dances ballet, hip hop and tap plus does gymnastics too. She plays the trumpet for her school band and for the honors band also. She is very excited for this show and many others to come.
Sophia Andrae (Who Ensemble)
Sophia Andrae, age 12, is a 6th grade student at Valley Elementary/Middle School. Sophia was part of the ensemble cast of Frozen Junior and the Wizard of Oz in 2019. She plays the Alto Saxophone and is part of the Elementary, Middle School and Jazz bands at VEMS. She was recently selected to participate in the PMEA District 9 Band Fest. Sophia enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing field hockey and soccer. She is also very involved in her church Youth Group and is a member of the Junior Bible Quiz team.
Lauren Somerdak (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Lauren Somerdak (Bird Girl/Wickersham): Lauren is a 7th grade student at Valley Middle School. She most recently landed lead role with DM performance works as middle Anna in Frozen. She performed in 2018 in the Nutcracker as a Candy Cane and 2019 as a Candy Cane and Polichinelle dancer. Lauren is in her 9th year dancing jazz, hip hop, modern and previously ballet with PAC. She is a cheerleader for valley middle school and also enjoys playing soccer. Lauren is happiest when she is dancing and singing or hanging out with family and friends. Attachments area
Callie Koons (Bird Girl / Wickersham)
Callie Koons is a fun and energetic 11-year-old girl who is currently loving being a Bird Girl in Seussical the Musical! Callie has recently sung and danced in the DMPW production of Matilda and Aladdin as well as played “Grandma Georgina” in Willie Wonka Jr. with PTPA. She started acting with the Nuangola Grove theater at five years old as one of the members of the Lullaby League, a Munchkin in the community theater production of the Wizard of Oz. Callie continued at the Grove in the Jr. productions of “The Jungle Book”, “The Little Mermaid”, “School House Rock”, and “Madagascar”. Her last performance at the Nuangola Grove Theater was the community production of Annie. Her love of song and dance keeps drawing her back to the stage. Callie also enjoys field hockey and annually competes in the Odyssey of the Mind Tournament! Callie would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support!
Sarah Greco (Biird Girl / Wickersham)
Sarah Greco (Bird Girl and Wickersham Brother) is enrolled in Seton Catholic’s 8th grade homeschool curriculum. She takes cello lessons through the Hazleton Philharmonic. This is her seventh show with DM Performance Works: Lion king (Sarabi) Alice in wonderland (Cheshire cat), Aladdin Jr. (Omar), Peter Pan Jr (Tinkerbell), Mamma Mia (ensemble), Frozen Jr. (ensemble). She also performed in Guys and Dolls Jr (ensemble), Shrek Jr (ensemble), High School Musical (ensemble), Once Upon a Mattress (ensemble), Annie (ensemble) and summer youth camp with PTPA . She also takes dance and vocal lessons from Drama In Motion. She would like to thank her family for supporting her. She would also like to thank Joelle, Tim, Robin, Phyllis, Cali, and Kristi for all that they do!
Carly Aigeldinger (Mayzie laBird: Thing 1 Cast)
Carly Aigeldinger is 12 years old and a 6th grade student at Rice Elementary. She last played the role of “Molly” in Cutting Edge Productions main stage production of “Annie” at Grove Theater. Carly is in her 9th year of dance at Encore School of Dance in Mountaintop. She studies tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop, and is part of the Junior Advanced and Senior Dance Companies, and competitive dance teams. Carly also just recently retired as an ‘Excel Gold’ level competitive gymnast with Shooting Starz Gymnastics in Wilkes-Barre. When Carly is not dancing, singing, and tumbling, she is playing field hockey, or making Tik Toks with her besties! She is super excited to be a part of this show, and is thankful for the opportunity to work with DMPW!