DECEMBER 13-22, 2024
ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.
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Elf The Musical Cast Bios
Zach Greer (Buddy The Elf) – is thrilled to be returning to TLTOTS for the holidays! He was last seen this summer in multiple main stage and TYA productions, including Joseph… Dreamcoat, James and the Giant Peach, and Grease. Some of his favorite credits include Elf the Musical, Footloose the Musical (Prather Productions); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Greenbrier Valley Theatre); We Will Rock You (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket); The 39 Steps, Catch Me If You Can (Tent Theatre). Originally from Kansas City, Zach holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Missouri State University. He sends his love to his parents, his brother, his friends, and Scarlet. Insta: @zach.greer
Brittany Ambler (Jovie) is thrilled to spend another holiday season at The Little Theatre!
She is a proud BFA in Musical Theatre graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University.
Brittany played the role of Jovie at Little Theatre in 2019, and she is so excited to
revisit it! Favorite LTOTS credits: Always, Patsy Cline (Louise), 9 to 5 (Doralee), Great
American Trailer Park (Lin), Clue (Miss Scarlet), Oklahoma (Ado Annie). Other
Regional credits: Female Swing, Newsies (Stages St. Louis); Bonnie, Bonnie & Clyde
(TheatreZone); Sherrie, Rock of Ages (TheatreZone); Kelli, Hands on a Hardbody (CO
Springs Fine Arts Center); Natalie, All Shook Up; Narrator, Joseph…Dreamcoat; Inga,
Young Frankenstein (Bigfork Summer Playhouse). Brittany would like to thank her
parents for their continuous support and all of her Angels Standing By. Website:
www.brittanyambler.com Instagram: Brittany_Ambler
Tim Mason (Santa) is as pleased as Punch to return to the LTOTS stage with this fabulous company. Tim has played jerks in Footloose and Fiddler, and good guys in Annie, Noises Off, and Clue. Tim often performs with the Charleston Community Theatre, appearing in such shows as Putting It Together, Stones in His Pockets, Moonlight and Magnolias and Bloody Murder. Tim thanks LTOTS and especially his good friend, Therese Kincade. Most of all, Tim wants to thank Gail, his lovely bride of 43 years, for her unwavering support, direction, patience (a LOT of patience!), and love; Baby, you’re the greatest!
Michael Santora (Walter Hobbs) is thrilled to be returning to LTOTS! He was last seen as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet! He recently graduated from The University of Idaho with an MFA in Acting! National Tours: Annie, Flashdance and Million Dollar Quartet. Off Broadway: The Office! A Musical Parody (Dwight). Favorite roles include Nick Bottom (Something Rotten!), Harold Hill (The Music Man), Will Rogers (The Will Rogers Follies), and Jonathan Larson (Tick…Tick…Boom!). Special thanks to ATB! All my love to my wife Kim, Ronald, Nannan, and my Mom, who always holds a special place in my heart. www.michaelsantora.com
Addison Garner (Emily Hobbs), a southern gal from alabama, is thrilled to be back here at TLTOTS this holiday season! National tours: Come From Away (Beverley Bass), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle). Regional: School of Rock (Patti), Crazy for You (Irene), Marvelous Wonderettes (Misty), Singin in the Rain (Lina Lamont) and the inaugural cast of Hairspray (RCCL). Proud University of Mobile Musical Theatre Alum. Endlessly grateful for family, friends, ATB talent and Sharp Studios for their never ending love and support. Philippians 4:13 @addisongarner
Henry Gannaway (Michael Hobbs) is thrilled to be back on stage at TLTOTS as Michael Hobbs! As a 7th grader at St. Anthony school in Effingham – Henry keeps very busy! He is the manager of the basketball team, competes in scholar bowl and participates in choir. You’ve most recently seen him in Sullivan on stage in: SpongeBob Jr (Plankton), On Golden Pond (Billy Ray Jr.), James and the Giant Peach (James), Joseph…(Benjamin), and The Lion King Jr. (Young Simba). He also starred as Genie in his junior high show, Aladdin, last spring. He would like to thank all his cast mates and friends for being the BEST! Merry Christmas!
Joshua Shepard (Macy’s Manager/Ensemble) is delighted to return back to TLTOTS for the holiday season. Previously seen in School of Rock, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Escape to Margaritaville, and Jersey Boys, Josh is thankful to be back with the LTOTS family for this hilarious, heartfelt show. “I would like to say thank you to my family, friends, and acquaintances for their unconditional support. The world needs the Theatre and the Arts now more than ever before.” Insta/TikTok: @joshomio
Whitney Turner (Deb/Ensemble) is excited to be back at the Little Theatre! Originally from Salina, KS, she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. Recent LTOTS credits: Joseph…Dreamcoat (Mrs. Potiphar), On Golden Pond (Swing), School of Rock (Mrs. Mooneyham), Grease (Cha Cha), Nunsense (Sister Leo). She is so thankful for another chance to perform alongside her dearest friends from the summer, and grateful for the support from family and friends back home. thewhitneyturner.com, IG: @_whitney_turner_
Katie Engler (Mrs. Claus/Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the LTOTS stage to spread some holiday cheer this season! She made her LTOTS debut this summer in Joseph (Ensemble) and Grease (Frenchie/Dance Captain). Katie recently received her M.M in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy from Carthage College, and her BFA in Musical Theatre from Columbia College Chicago. Past theatre credits include: Baby (Pam Sakarian), Citadel Theatre; Young Frankenstein (Ensemble/US Frau Blucher), Mercury Theater Chicago; Wild West Spectacular (Louisa/Dance Ensemble), Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre; and Hank Williams: Lost Highway (The Waitress), Timber Lake Playhouse. All her love to Eion and her LTOTS family! www.katieengler.com.
Christian Fary (Greenway/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at LTOTS for the holiday season! Previous Credits include: Dwight Schrute, The Office: a Musical Parody, William Barfee, Spelling Bee, Scuttle, The Little Mermaid, Orin, Little Shop of Horrors. Thank you to his parents and Bess, Camryn and Noel for their endless support! Instagram: @christian_fary
Heather Dore’ Johnson (Security Guard/Ensemble) is excited to be back on stage in one of her most favorite Christmas shows! Most recently, you saw her in School of Rock (Snake/Ms. Janes), Joseph… Dreamcoat (Wife), A Christmas Carol, La Cage Aux Folles (Jacqueline), 9 to 5 (Margaret), and Clue (Mrs. White). Heather proudly serves as LTOTS’s Education Director. Recent direction & choreography credits include The SpongeBob Musical, The Princess & the Pea, SchoolHouse Rock Live, The Lion King, Elf, Seussical, Robyn Hood, Junie B. Jones, and many more. Thanks, John & Therese, for the opportunities, much love to HFA, and thank you for supporting the performing arts!
Jake Faragalli (Chadwick/Ensemble) is super pumped to be returning to TLTOTS! Jake graduated from Millikin University, and is now based in New York City. Past credits include: School of Rock (Ensemble) & Joseph (Butler), both at LTOTS. Elf the Musical (Buddy), Into the Woods (Jack), both at Millikin University. A Misdummer Night’s Dream dir. Julie Taymor (Vocal Soloist), Elf the Musical (Michael) at the Papermill Playhouse. Jake also makes original hip-hop music going by the name OTR. Stream Chasing Comets! Finally, Jake would like to thank his family, friends, teachers, Colossal Records, and Clear Talent Group for the never-ending support.
Bobby Becher (Matthews/Ensemble) is so happy to return to Sullivan, having previously appeared in TLTOTS productions of White Christmas, Million Dollar Quartet, Hello, Dolly!, SuperKids!, Damn Yankees, Believe… The Miracles of Christmas, and School of Rock. Bobby is also one half of the Theatre for Young Audiences company, WhatFun! Theatre, responsible for the recent TLTOTS children’s theatre productions of Rapunzel in the Wild West, The VERY Different Duckling, and Alice in Wonderland. Love to Ashley and the Bunch! Roll Tide! BAsh!
Tony Carrubba (Jim/Ensemble) is so excited to be making his TLTOTS debut! He was most recently seen on the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Chicago. Recent theater: Pippin (Pippin) and Grease (Doody). Alma Mater NYU Steinhardt. Tony is from Kansas City and is represented by The Roster Agency. Many thanks to the entire team! Instagram: @tonycarrubba
Michaela Tramuta (Charlotte Denton/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be in another production at The Little Theatre this holiday season! Especially this being her first ever Christmas show! A proud BFA Musical Theatre alum of SUNY Fredonia, Michaela has had the privilege of working regionally all over the country. Previous LTOTS credit: School of Rock (ensemble, cover). Other regional credits: Little Women, Beth March (Mountain Movers Theatre), Big Fish, The Witch/ ensemble (Mountain Movers Theatre), A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, Ensemble, (Playhouse on the Square) and Cabaret, Ensemble/Instrumentalist/ Kost cover (Playhouse on the Square). All the gratitude and love in the world to her family, friends “circle”, teachers and coaches. Wouldn’t be here without you all. Instagram: @michaelamarietramuta, podcast: @dressingroomtalkpod
Kelsey Crotz (Sara/Ensemble) is so excited to be returning to TLTOTS for Elf this holiday season! She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University and currently resides in Chicago. Her previous LTOTS credits include My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Honky Tonk Angels, Grease, and Nunsense. Much love to the cast, crew, and production team for putting together such a stellar production! Enjoy the show!
Hazel Crothers (Elf/Ensemble) is a 5th grader at Sullivan Elementary School and has been on stage at TLTOTS as an ensemble member in Elf Jr., The Lion King Jr., and The SpongeBob Musical. She enjoys playing basketball and cheering for JFL football. Her favorite musical is Wicked. I am so excited for my first mainstage show. Thanks to my family for all your support
Zoey Crothers (Elf/Ensemble) is a 7th grader at Sullivan Middle School and has been on stage at TLTOTS as an ensemble member in Frog and Toad, Seussical Jr., Elf Jr., and The SpongeBob Musical. She is a member of the Sullivan Singers Jr. and enjoys cheer and listening to music. Her favorite holiday is Christmas. I’m so excited for my first main stage show. Thanks to my family and friends for all your support!
Harrison Golden (Elf/Ensemble) is a 4th grader at Sullivan Elementary School. His TLTOTS career began the summer of 2024, bringing his big smile and engaging personality to the Children’s choir in the wonderful Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat production. He then joined the ensemble for the SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition. Harrison enjoys Math, Roblox, and most of all, riding Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT at Walt Disney World.
Harper Hild (Elf/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on stage as part of the magical cast of Elf this Christmas season! Harper’s favorite LTOTS credits include Kate Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Young Nala in The Lion King, and Millie in School of Rock. A 6th grader at Mattoon Middle School, Harper loves cheer, dance, singing (loud for all to hear), and spending time with family and friends. Thanks for supporting live theatre – enjoy the show!
Greyson Lough (Elf/Ensemble) is a 6th grader at East Prairie in Tuscola. He began his LTOTS career 3 years ago and has enjoyed every minute of it! The most notable shows for him were Christmas Carol and School of Rock. Greyson would like to thank everyone at LTOTS for helping him be the best he can with each passing show. He has learned so much! Greyson would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Ellie Lynch (Tiara/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be back on the LTOTS stage. She was most recently seen as Karen in SpongeBob Youth Edition. Favorite roles have included Susan Waverly in White Christmas, Lauren in School of Rock, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, and Snail in Frog & Toad Jr. Ellie would like to thank her mom, her voice teacher, Brittany, and the incredible directors and choreographers at LTOTS who have taught her so much. Happy Holidays!
Fionn Lynch (Elf/Ensemble) is so excited to be back for a MainStage Christmas show. Last Christmas you might have seen her on stage as Tiny Tim. Other favorite credits include Gary in SpongeBob Youth Edition, Lucky in 101 Dalmatians, and a member of the Children’s Choir for Joseph… Dreamcoat. Fionn would like to thank her family and friends for all their support. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Lorelei Williams (Elf/Ensemble) is a 6th grader at St. John’s Lutheran School in Mattoon. This is her 10th time performing in theater with this being her 6th time at LTOTS. She has been in the ensemble for Seusiscal Jr, 101 Dalmatians, Elf Jr, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and SpongeBob Square Pants. Her hobbies include volleyball, piano and hanging out with friends.
Elf The Musical Technical Bios
Kaitlyn Frank (Choreographer) is so thrilled to be back home at The Little Theatre On The Square!! You maybe have seen her choreography on the Little Theatre stage in White Christmas and Believe The Miracles of Christmas! as well as in NYC at The United Nations, Carnegie Hall, A.R.T. New York and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. Kaitlyn’s choreography will be seen in the upcoming docuseries, “1300 Miles To Broadway,” directed by Kenny Ortega and produced by Kristin Chenoweth. Kaitlyn is also a performer and has been seen on Broadway in Funny Girl and My Fair Lady, on tour in Newsies and White Christmas, Off Broadway in We Are The Tigers as Annleigh and numerous regional theaters. Kaitlyn is a teacher at Broadway Dance Center, Marymount Manhattan College and My College Audition and a graduate of Emerson College. For more info follow her @kaitlyn_frank16 !
Therese Kincade (Director) serves as the Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director for the theatre, but she began her time at The Little Theatre as the Reverend Mother in Nunsense in 1998, a role she reprised here in 2013, and again this summer. Favorite LTOTS roles: Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Violet in 9 to 5, Golde in Fiddler On The Roof, Mayor Mathilde in All Shook Up, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and Martha Watson in White Christmas to name a few. Therese has written many shows for Theatre for Young Audiences since 2011 including this summer’s The Princess and the Pea, and has directed a number of shows including Mamma Mia! (twice), Legally Blonde, The Addams Family, Shrek, White Christmas, Shear Madness, Noises Off and Church Basement Ladies. Thanks to her dear friend, John, the hardest workin’ man in show business! Much love to her biggest fan, Bob. Hi to her fan club Henry, George, and Kit!
Stark Winter (Lighting Designer) Stark Winter is a Chicago-based lighting designer with a broad range of credits, including designing productions at The Little Theatre On The Square (Million Dollar Quartet, Escape to Margaritaville), Valleyfair Parks (Halloween Haunt, Tricks and Treats), Millikin University (Violet), and lighting productions at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, and Metropolis Performing Arts Center. Every show offers a chance to provide magic moments to the audience, and Stark believes that Nunsense will offer memories for years to come!
Zach Smith (Sound Designer) is delighted to return to the board for Nunsense! Zach currently serves as the Music Director for the TLTOTS Future Stars Program, where he began his musical career at the age of seven. Zach is a recent graduate from Millikin University where he received his B.M. in Vocal Music Education and is continuing his journey as the Vocal Director at Mattoon High School and the Tech Communications Facilitator at the LIFT Center. Favorite TLTOTS MD/Sound credits include Seussical, Jr., Million Dollar Quartet, Frozen, Jr., and Jersey Boys. He would like to thank his family, John, and Therese for their continued support!
Virginia Pieczynski (Assistant Stage Manager) Virginia is excited and grateful to be here for the summer season! She is a BA Theatre graduate of Purdue University. Recent credits include: Purdue University: Sweat, Fefu and Her Friends, Twelfth Night or What You Will, Men on Boats, Everybody, Nora: A Doll’s House, Shakespeare in Love. The Little Theatre On The Square: Elf Jr., A Christmas Carol, The Lion King Jr., My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.
Ellie Witowski (Scenic Painter) is a scenic charge artist from La Grange, Illinois. Ellie graduated from Lyons Township High School in 2021. She is currently enrolled at Illinois State University, majoring in Theatre Production Design and Technology, with a minor in Art History. Her focus areas are scenic painting, props, with interest in studies of Medieval art, Gothic architecture, and Spanish surrealism. Her specialties as an artist are color theory, communication, painting in small areas, and doing everything with love. For her, she believes that art is the medium that people can pour their dreams and emotions into. She sees her ability to paint as a special gift from God.
Matthew Schilling (Master Carpenter) is a Theatre Production graduate from Bradley University, hailing from Plainfield, IL. This is his second season with Little Theatre On The Square, working on shows such as Mamma Mia! and Clue during their last summer season. He is grateful for the opportunity to be working with TLTOTS once more. Enjoy the show!
Ann Thomas (Costume Shop Manager) is back at TLTOTS after her first summer running the costume shop and a lengthy career making costumes for the movie and TV industry alongside touring with rock bands. She just returned from LA working for Lenny Kravitz. She loves the theatre life, and she is happy to be part of the TLTOTS family.
Tyler Mosier (Wig Designer/Scenic Charge Artist) is thrilled to be back in the styling chair designing wigs for My Way. Tyler has worked at The Little Theatre for more than 12 years in many design positions from scenic painter to costume designer to wig and make-up designer. Tyler is excited to see this show come to life. Favorite designs include The Little Mermaid, The Addams Family, Shrek the Musical and Chicago. Tyler is also one of the owners of The Arthur General Store in Arthur with his partners John Stephens and Timmy Valentine. Shout out to my favorite little buddy, Mr. Elliott Grimbles.
Christopher Benefiel* (Production Stage Manager) is a native of East Central Illinois and has been associated with The Little since 1996, working in several capacities for the theatre over the years. Eventually turning his focus towards lighting (ha, focus), and stage management, he became a member of AEA in 2017 and has been the Production Stage Manager for several TLTOTS productions since. Most notably: Steel Magnolias, White Christmas (’17, ‘22), The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Million Dollar Quartet, Noises Off, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Grand Ole Country and, most recently, every production of the 2022 Summer Season. Enjoy the show!
Connor J. Daemicke (Props Master) is a highly dedicated and enthusiastic young Prop Master from Downers Grove, Illinois. Connor currently attends Illinois State University seeking an undergraduate in Production Design and Technology. At ISU, Connor works in the prop shop as Assistant Prop Shop Supervisor and has recently worked as Prop Manager for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Frankenstein.
Michael Mason (Scenic Designer) is a scenic designer and artist originally from Springfield, Tennessee. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Theatre Design from Austin Peay State University in 2015. Michael has had the pleasure of working with such companies as Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Charlottesville Opera, and Lexington Children’s Theatre. He is proud to join The Little Theatre On The Square for his 8th summer season. Michael recently graduated with his M.F.A. in Scenic Design from Illinois State University.
Nathan Beagle* (Equity Assistant Stage Manager) While this isn’t Nathan’s first time on the LTOTS stage, it is the first time he hopes you notice him! Most often found dressed in black & moving set pieces in the wings, he’s excited for the opportunity to be in the show. Love and thanks to John Stephens, who’s been trying to teach him to dance since the turn of the century. Much love to my girls. Enjoy the show!
John Stephens (Executive Producer) was appointed to the position of Executive Producer in October of 2008 after spending 3 seasons as Director of Marketing for The Little Theatre. John spent 10 years with The Decatur Park Singers serving as Road Manager and the Director of The Decatur Young Park Singers. From 2001 until 2006 John taught at St. James Catholic School in Decatur, IL and served as head choreographer for the Lincoln College Express in Lincoln, IL. John was born and raised in Glasford, IL and graduated from Lincoln College with his Associates degree and attended Millikin Univeristy majoring in Vocal Music Education. When not working away in the office at the theatre, John can be found in the costume shop working on an upcoming show. John currently resides in Sullivan and owns The Arthur General Store in downtown Arthur with his partners Timmy Valentine and Tyler Mosier.