Memento Mori THE TEAM

Tommy Varela-Kossak (Mr.V) is currently a student at University of Alaska Southeast where he is obtaining his Masters in Teaching. Tommy is a recent graduate of North Central College where he studied Theatre. Some of his theatrical and artistic inspirations include pop music, glitter, and of course Katy Perry. It has been Tommy's pleasure to work with this incredible group of students, he would like to thank them for their dedication, perseverance, and brilliance while putting this show together on their show.

Eulaysia Rayne is a freshman at JDHS. She has been acting and dancing since she was six unless you count the many performances she put on then since she was 2. She always been a very DRAMA-tic person. She has been in a few plays and musicals ,but is mainly a camera actress. She could very well be a secret stand up comedian.

Cahal Burnham is a junior at JDHS. Born and raised in Juneau, he’s an Alaskan at heart and has a great love for nature and the rain. He’s always been very passionate about acting and storytelling, and has performed in numerous productions in Juneau. In addition to acting, he’s written several stories, and plans to be an author or director after graduating. His love of theater and tendency for perfectionism enabled him to try his hand at directing for the first of what is hopefully many times to come. He is currently a part of the JDHS theater group and hopes to bring some uniqueness and creativity to other’s lives.

Emmalouise Gentili is a Junior at JDHS. her nickname is Lulu, that is what she likes to be called. She is currently taking an online Korean class with BYU, she loves learning more about the language and the culture. Her mom likes to make some korean foods. and they go to the Asian store and buy lots of fun treats. Lulu’s favorite treat is Banana Milk. She also likes a kind of ice cream that they have, it has vanilla ice cream, some sweet red bean paste, with a soft cone shaped like a fish covering it all. She loves to sing and hang out with all of her friends which she can't do because of covid. She loves hanging out at home with her family and two dogs. She is so excited to be a part of the fall play. She has always loved being in plays but has never done a high school production, and is excited to start.

Amanda McDowell is a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School, she has played a role in every show that the school has put on since her freshman year and even participated in the spring musical before her freshman year. Before working with the JDHS theatre department, she had been in two productions put on by Theatre at Latitude 58. Her interest in the performing arts started when she played the tuba all throughout middle school and joined Alaska Youth Choir her 8th grade year, and every year since then she has been committed to the stage.

Clara Smith is a senior at JDHS and has been performing on the stage since she was five years old (and even before that if you count the kitchen table.) She has done singing and dance all her life and watched broadway shows religiously. Clara started performing in theatrical shows with Northern Lights Junior Theater and later transitioned to Theater at Latitude 58. She started performing in shows with the JDHS drama department in her 8th grade year (through connections with the Alaska Youth Choir) and hasn’t stopped since besides her junior year which she spent abroad in Costa Rica, although she managed to perform in various singing and dancing showcases there too. Clara has held a deep love for theater, especially musical theater, since she was a toddler and has enjoyed every second of putting on productions from rehearsals and choreography to opening night and even behind the scenes work. Clara has held many roles within the JDHS drama department including choreographer and president

Jasmine Vega is a sophomore homeschooled student. Being a military child she has moved many times throughout her life. Performing has always been a secret passion of hers and she plans to pursue acting after graduating high school. Her love for classical music fuels her inspiration to write stories, music, and lyrics because the intensity of string ensembles and the piano stirs up many thoughts and ideas. Currently, she is a part of JDHS's theater group and though she is new to all of this, she is confident she will succeed at anything she puts her mind to.

Shelby York is a JDHS senior this year and is really excited to be a part of Memento Mori! Shelby has had a passion for performing since she was a young girl - always playing piano, taking dance lessons, and participating in many different productions with Theater at Latitude 58. Some of her favorite memories have included performing in musicals and having fun with her friends on stage. She wants to thank Mr. V and the rest of the people who made Memento Mori happen for all their hard work and dedication.