2024 Winter Festival of New Works Cast

Kelly received a B.A. in theatre from James Madison University where she studied Shakespeare, children's theatre, musical theatre and film. Since graduation she has worked with numerous companies throughout Virginia and was most recently seen as Bea Bottom in Something Rotten at Showtimers Community Theatre. Previous credits include Arcadia, Doubt, and Antigone with Off the Rails; 1776 and The Full Monty with Renaissance Theatre, and Twelfth Night, Is He Dead?, and The Women at Showtimers.

Irene is a sophomore majoring in film production, and has played Prometheus in "Prometheus Shrugs," and Woody in "Bumble's Big Adventure."

Sara (she/her) is very excited to be part of the Winterfest experience and help this new work come to life! She recently played the old lady in Goodnight Moon at Hollins.

Meg is a seventh grader who has been an actor for seven years. She is part of Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory and Virginia Children's Theatre Youth Professional Ensemble. Her favorite productions she has participated in are James and the Giant Peach, Secret Garden, Madagascar, A Musical Adventure, Cinderella, Addams Family, Velveteen Rabbit, and The Sound of Music. When not busy with rehearsals Megan enjoys babysitting, swimming, and hanging out with her friends. She would like to thank Gwyneth and Michael for giving her the opportunity to be a part of this amazing production.

David has performed in many productions in southwestern Virginia. Some of his credits include: Spamalot (King Arthur), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Frank Ford), Charm (Hawthorne/Count O), Crazy for You (Bela Zangler), Anything Goes (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), The Lion in Winter (Henry II), The Goodbye Girl: the Musical (Elliot Garfield), To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), The Crucible (John Proctor), Diary of Anne Frank (Otto Frank), The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (Dray) and Annie Get Your Gun (Frank Butler). David thanks his wife Patricia for her constant support and encouragement.

Cheyenne is a junior creative writing major and theatre minor at Hollins University. She is excited to perform for the first time in the 2024 Winter Festival of New Works. Her recent acting credits with the Hollins Theatre Department include The Orphan Sea, Waiting for Wind, and Everybody. Cheyenne would like to thank all her friends and the Hollins Theatre Department for their continued support.

Sadie (she/her) is a sophomore intending to major in theatre and business. Her previous credits at Hollins include Mouse and Dance Captain in Goodnight Moon and Choreographer/Ensemble in To the Mountains. She also participated in the Winter Festival of New Works last January and is so excited to be a part of the process again. She would like to thank everyone in making Winterfest happen, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Lily was born and raised in Nashville, TN, Lily Phillips is a multifaceted artist and storyteller. From a young age, she has been drawn to the theatre, participating both on and off stage. She believes in the power of storytelling, as well as the atmosphere of brevity and spontaneity that live theatre cultivates. Beyond theatre, Phillips is an avid reader and writer of poetry and prose. Some of her hobbies include collaging, singing, sewing, and driving with the windows down. She is currently studying creative writing at Hollins University.

El is a first-year student at Hollins who is majoring in psychology and double minoring in theatre and studio art. El developed a love for the theatre from an early age because of their mother who would act and direct through their childhood. El has always pursued theatre since elementary school and plans to continue pursuing theatre during their time at Hollins.

Hayes (they/he) is a junior theatre major with a minor in creative writing. Hayes previously worked as the QLab Operator for Goodnight Moon. Hayes’ former acting credits include: The Skriker, what if shakespeare but memes, Jupiter Bird, To the Mountains, and Bumble’s Big Adventure. They are very excited to be participating in this Winter Festival!

Elani is a first-year Hollins student majoring in creative writing and minoring in theatre. She performed in the first-year reading, The Seven Loves of Audrey Munson, in October 2023 as the photographer, the reporter, and a member of the Ensemble. And she will be an understudy for Roland in the play Constellations in February 2024.

Alex is a professional theatre artist currently enrolled in the M.A. in theatre & new play development program at Hollins University. Although he focuses on acting, Alex has also directed, been a charge artist, and has been building skills in producing theater projects. When not working, Alex enjoys playing D&D, hanging out with his cat Sonya, and traveling across the world with his wife. He would like to thank Amber and all of his family for supporting him on this crazy journey of life!

Amber is an actress, singer, educator, props master, and entrepreneur with residency in Roanoke, VA, and Las Vegas, NV. She received her training at Huntington University School of Arts with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. She has been a Theatre Professional for ten years performing in New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, and more. She is also a local artist in Roanoke VA as a music director for RCPS musicals, an Alto section leader at South Roanoke United Methodist Church, and a Featured Performer at Dicken's of a Christmas. When not performing she is teaching young artists her favorite thing! Playhouse Studio L.L.C is her small business where students globally can take fun and engaging theatre classes online or local Roanoke students can learn in person! She would like to thank the Roanoke community, Hollins, and her loving husband.

Christian is an actor based in Alabama with a BA in theatre: concentration in performance from Jacksonville State University. He’s honored and blessed to be part of the cast of Chrysalis. Christian is always finding and learning ways to grow his craft and becoming the professional he wants to be. He is determined in his craft to bring a natural and fresh performance every time he gets to step on stage. He wants to thank Gwyneth Strope and Michael Mansfield for this amazing opportunity and thanks his friends and family for their big support.