Melissa loves making community theatre, having last been seen on stage in The Full Monty (CCT), Rent (RialtoCP) and in Elf (CCT). A board member with Elevè Theatre Company, Melissa is usually (not) seen backstage stage managing or directing/music directing/technical directing. As a Director, Melissa has worked with Junior University the last three summers (Shrek, Cinderella, Wizard of Oz) as well as Rialto Community Players (All Together Now), Chino Community Theatre (Dead Man’s Cellphone) and Elevé Theatre Company (POTUS). While she makes her living “Thriving” in the healthcare field, Melissa studied Music Education at RCC and University of Northern Colorado. Melissa is so excited to be directing The SpongeBob Musical with this amazing cast and crew!

Hannah Schramm (Stage Manager) is excited to be creating nautical nonsense with JU this summer! Recent SM credits include: The Secret Garden, Shrek, Newsies, Charlotte’s Web, The Fantasticks (IVRT), GRIMMZ Fairy Tales (Lewis Family Playhouse), Hey! I Don’t Work Here (Bradley Elementary), The Wizard of Oz (Riverside Children’s Theatre), and the Hispanic Tribute Awards (Victor Valley College). Other favorite credits include: West Side Story (Anybodys), Cabaret (Fritzie), & Legoland’s Character Dance Party. @palindrome247

Mikaela is excited to be working with Junior University for her second summer, this time as the vocal director. She is thankful for JU and Melissa Bossard for bringing her on to such a wonderful and fun project. Mikaela assisted directed JU's Shrek The Musical in 2025 and in the past few years, has performed in shows such as Rent, Dogfight, As You Like It, and more. Mikaela is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Theatre and recently graduated with her Master's in Education this past May. Mikaela would like to dedicate this experience to her parents and to her partner, Matthew, for supporting and encouraging all of her endeavors.

Joseph Martinez Neal (ASM) is excited to be working one of their first major shows as an assistant stage manager for JU. Having worked mostly behind the scenes as an audio engineer for Transforming Arts & Minds, it has been thrilling to have a more interactive role for the show. They are surrounded by a fantastic production team that shows up with an “I'm Ready!” Spongebob attitude. This is to a great “Spongebob the Musical”.

Alyssa is an extremely accomplished dance professional and owner of Dynamic New Artistry. Having extensive experience in performance, instruction, and choreography, Alyssa is dedicated to helping dancers reach their fullest potential. As a performer, Alyssa is credited in performances of Disney's Aladdin A Musical Spectacular at Disneyland Resort, featured dancer at Studio D under Kira DiMartino, and the Nutcracker with Russian Ballet Phoenix, just to name a few. Alyssa is excited to join the Junior University Production team for the 2025 summer production of Shrek.

MaryLynn is celebrating 12 years with Junior University. This is her second show as costume coordinator. She would like to congratulate the cast and crew on this beautiful production and Junior University on their 60th year of stage magic and memories!

Betsy Valenzuela holds a B.A. in TV and film from California State University Los Angeles, with a minor in Theater design and production. After a brief adventure as an emergency medical technician, she returned to her true passion: makeup artistry. She delights in helping actors transform into their characters, and is thrilled to be part of the creative team behind SpongeBob, the Musical.

Kathy has been a part of the Junior University family for 19 years. She is in charge of the show props and set dressing, as well as the bio boards and mercantile.

Cherie has been a part of the Junior University family for 18 years. She assists with props and rehearsals in addition to supervising the cast backstage.

Dan has been a part of the Junior University technical staff since 1995. He started out as lightning technician and is currently master electrical technician and manager of the video archives.

Roger’s first year with Junior University was 1988 and has been a part of every show since. Mr. Biddick assists with the lighting in addition to sound installation, mixing, and design. He also is a member of the Inland Master Chorale since 1986.

Joseph joined our JU family in 2018 when his middle son and daughter were in A Christmas Carol. He has been willing to chip in and help where needed. Last year his youngest son was finally old enough to audition. Joseph took this oppertunity to volunteer to run the light board. We are happy to have him back this year running our lighting cues.

Brian works as one of the Media Team Members at Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland. He’s been involved with media and technology since he was 12. This will be his 5th show as the Projectionist for J.U.

My names Avani Artry. I am a lighting designer. I’ve done several works at Cal State Fullerton, including Magic Flute, Albert Herring, and 9 to 5. This is my first production with JU. It was a wonder to work on this production! I hope you enjoy the show!

Justen has been an integral part of the technical staff for over 18 years. He started by helping transport set pieces and gradually began working backstage during the show in 2012.

Gena joined the Junior University family in 2018 with A Christmas Carol. When she is not supervising the cast and organizing cast activities, she can often be seen onstage.

Marissa Brake has been volunteering with Junior University in several capacities since her two children, John & Nicole, began performing in 2014. Marissa currently works as an LOA with Movement Mortgage. She currently serves on the Junior University Board of Directors and will be managing the concession sales for this production. Marissa truly loves to support her children in performing arts. In her free time, Marissa loves to serve on her church's worship team and enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs Elliott & Chance, and her newest grandson, Zachary.

12 years in theater (2014-2026) I have worked tech for Book of Mormon National tour, In the Heights, Beauty and the Beast, Sound of Music, Grease, Little Mermaid, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, American Idiot, Urinetown. JU productions include Cinderella, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and Peter Pan Zach has worked in all different design jobs throughout the years, mainly set design and Costume design. Holding an AA in technical theater and a BA in Anthropology, Zachary McConnell has a specific focus in design and the history of specific styles in order to better influence stylized looks both on and off stage. A thank you to my mom and my set design partner John Perez.

Known as a Renaissance man, Paul Chesley Reed has been an educator, theater professional, missionary, and pastor. Dr. Reed has more than 50 years of performance and production experience throughout the Inland Empire. Paul has been both a featured and ensemble performer in shows like Camelot, Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, and Jesus Christ Super Star. In addition to performing, Paul has served as an artistic director, show director, conductor, musical director, scenic consultant and stage manager, for several theatrical companies and schools in the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino Civic Light Opera, Riverside Civic Light Opera, Lifehouse Theater, Aquinas High School and Junior University Musical Theatre. In addition to his theatrical endeavors, Paul has served as an international missionary, church planter, and pastor, currently serving as the Lead Pastor at Valley of the Falls Community Church in Forest Falls. For this production of Sponge Bob the Musical, Paul is serving as a Scenic Carpenter and Technical Consultant. As always, Paul’s work in theater would not be possible without the love and support of his wife Kathy and son Nathan!

Michelle has been the parent liaison for Junior University for the past two years.'She has a passion for musical theatre and enjoys supporting productions behind the scenes, watching each show grow and develop from rehearsals to performance. She is a teacher in the San Bernardino City Unified School District and loves working with children and encouraging their creativity, confidence, and self-expression through the arts.