Emma! A Pop Musical Creative

Assistant Student Director

Courtney Shadrick

Courtney is the daughter of Jim and Joni Shadrick. She is on the Softball team and plays the Flute in the Band, she is also involved in NHS, Interact, GSA, and Creative Writing Club, she is the Vice President of the Book Club, Secretary of the Student Council, and the Warden of the Thespian Troupe. Courtney has been involved in theater since her freshman year as a member of the stage crew in the productions of “The Little Mermiad” and “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”, and worked her way to Stage Crew Manager in productions of “Legally Blonde” and “Alice in Wonderland”. After high school, Courtney plans to go to college and study to become a teacher.

Stage Manager

James Ramos

The grandchild of Judy Angermeier. James is involved in the Musical, Play, National Honor Society, and Scholastic Bowl. He has participated in past shows: the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Legally Blonde, and Alice and Wonderland. James enjoys learning about history and hanging with friends. James plans on being a forensic scientist in the future.

Assistant Stage Manager

Veronica Urek

Besides theater, Veronica is also involved in Scholastic Bowl, Speech, Band, GSA, Book Club, Creative Writing Club, NHS, and Interact. She was in the pit for Legally Blonde and The Little Mermaid, in the stage crew for The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and on stage for Alice in Wonderland. After high school, she plans on doing pre-med and becoming a psychiatrist. "Ire Arietes!!"

Lights

Makenna Dittman

Makenna Dittman is the daughter of Bill and Amanda Dittman. Makenna is a part of National Honors Society, Interact, Young Women's Empowerment Club, and is the president of the book club. Makenna did The Little Mermaid and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon her freshman year. Then, she did Legally Blonde and Alice in Wonderland her junior year. She is so excited to be back for her last year. After high school, Makenna plans on attending Bradley University in Peoria. Makenna wants to be a part of the theater department by either helping with stage crew or working with the lighting crew. Makenna is so excited for this show and hopes that everyone enjoys it as much as she does.

Sound

Cedric Urek

Props Master

Brenna Murphy

Brenna Murphy is the daughter of Darcy and Edward Murphy. Brenna participates in GSA and Interact club. Brenna has participated in theater all 4 years, She has been seen on stage in the brothers Grimm Spectaculathon as a Prince but the majority of Brenna's theater career has been behind the scenes in Stage Crew in The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, and Alice in Wonderland. Brenna wants to go into college to become a photographer and video editor, after she graduates High school.

Props Master

Makenzi Robins

Mackenzi Robins is a senior that has been involved in Riverdale's theater program for all four years of high school, mainly as a member of the stage crew. Shows that she has taken part in include Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid, and the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. She also participates in band and choir, as well as speech, book club, and the creative writing club. In the future, she plans to go into the field of either mental health or physical health, as a doctor or a psychiatrist. However, she does want to stay involved in the fine arts throughout college.

Stage Crew

Landis Musser

Landis is the son of April and Ken Musser. He's involved in many clubs as well as Cross Country and Track. He plans to attend college somewhere in pursuit of a Registered Nursing Degree, before following up with graduate school where he plans to become Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Landis joined play last year during Alice in Wonderland as a stage crew member and is a part of the stage crew again this year. He's enjoyed the memories made here as well as the people he's met and is excited for play this spring!

Stage Crew

Nick Gray

Nick has been a part of the stage crew for “Legally Blonde”, and “Alice in Wonderland” productions. Nick is also a part of the Riverdale Robotics team and plays trombone in the band. Nick’s mother is Amber Gray and she has been a big supporter of him in theater. Nick wants to travel the world, and go to a good college after high school.

Stage Crew

Parker Wendl

Parker is the son of Tim and Laurie. He is involved in the Robotics Team, Soccer Team, and he plays the trumpet in the high school band. Parker is also an Eagle Scout. A past production that Parker has been in was “Legally Blonde”

Stage Crew

Haylie McKoon

Haylie is the daughter of Douglas and Kathie McKoon. She is involved in speech, the theatre department, track and field. More clubs that she has been involved in during her time in high school are the National Honors Society, Interact, and the Book club. The shows that she has previously been involved with are Legally Blonde and Alice in Wonderland. After graduating high school, she plans to attend college and study accounting.

Stage Crew

Logan Smiddy

Logan Smiddy is the son of Michael and Debra Smiddy. He is a member of the band, choir, golf team, bass fishing club, and interact club. Past Productions that Logan has been involved in are ‘Legally Blonde’ as a Volunteer and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as Stage Crew. His plans for the future are to go to college and major in history and minor in political science. Then he wishes to start a career as a history professor at the college level.

Stage Crew

Claire Young

Stage Crew

Kyler Gallens

Kyler Gallens is thrilled to be back on crew for his second production. Kyler is a sophomore at Riverdale High School and is enjoying high school. Last school year he was a part of crew for the production of the Alice In Wonderland play. Kyler enjoys being involved in stage crew and helping out in any way possible. He loves moving things on stage and making sure everything is going smoothly. He is absolutely thrilled to see how Emma, A Pop Musical will turn out this fall.

Stage Crew

Brody Barrett

Stage Crew

Remi Wendl

Stage Crew

Yashvi Patel

Stage Crew

Carrie Pridemore

Stage Crew

Amanda Shadrick

Stage Crew

Drew Speckman

Stage Crew

Finnley Thompson

Finnley Thompson is the child of James and Liberty Melzer-Thompson, born in Traverse City Michigan, and living there until first grade. He enjoys theatre, creative writing club, GSA, and last year became an NSHSS Scholar. He has been in The Little Mermaid, Grimm Brother's Spectaculathon, Legally Blonde, Alice in Wonderland, and now Emma: a Pop Musical. He plans to go to a two-year college next fall, then moves on to a four-year college or university for Biological Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, the arts, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Stage Crew

Grace Lonergan

Grace Lonergan is the daughter of Karen and Tom Lonergan. She has been involved in Interact for all four years of highschool and is currently a Senior Board Member. This is her second year of National Honor Society and her first year as president. She just finished her fourth season of high school volleyball as senior captain. This is Grace's first show. After graduation, Grace hopes to go to the University of Michigan to major in biochemistry. After achieving her master’s degree, she plans to go to medical school to become a pediatric endocrinologist.

Stage Crew

Abby Bollinger

Abby is the daughter of Zac and Becky Bollinger. She has four other siblings, her twin brother, Caleb, her younger sister, Maddy, younger brother, Malachi, and youngest sister, Bailey. She has been in musical for 1 year and will be in play for 4 years. She's been in Interact for 4 years, volleyball for 4 years, and track for 2 years. She has only been in Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon and Alice in Wonderland due to covid. Her plans after graduation are undecided.

Spotlights

Sam Butterfield

Spotlights

Billy Cox

Props Crew

Kiera Gibbons

Props Crew

Evelyn Mattison

Props Crew

Jade Dalaska

Pit Orchestra

Axel Pennock

Pit Orchestra

Campbell Brock

Campbell Brock is the son of Lynn and Derek Brock. He was a part of the Golf Team, the Robotics Team, the High School Band, National Honor Society, Fruit Club, and Theater. He has performed in the pit for The Little Mermaid and Legally Blonde. He also was a member of stage crew for The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. He plans on going to college to study mechanical or computer engineering.

Pit Orchestra

Braden Peterson

Pit Orchestra

Micah Reece

Pit Orchestra

Bob Fornander

Pit Orchestra

Danny Vaughan

Pit Orchestra

Emmett Mueller

Emmett Mueller is the son of Liza Mueller and Matthew Mueller and Vanessa McIntyre. He is in Scholastic Bowl, Band, National Honor Society, and had been involved in the RHS theater every year. He was the bass player in the pit for The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, and Emma! a Pop Musical. For Brother's Grimm Spectaculathon and Alice in Wonderland he was a member of the booth. He plans on going to college to study actuarial science or accountancy. He looks forward to possibly being in the pit for musicals in college.

Pit Orchestra

Payton Gelande

Payton Gelande is the son of Lora and Craig Gelande. He is a member of the National Honors Society, Fruit Club, Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, and Theater, as well as being Vice President of the thespian club. In all of the musicals, Payton could be found playing drums in the pit orchestra. During the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, he played Rumplestiltskin and in Alice in Wonderland he did sound. Payton plans to attend Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin to major in Pharmacy.

Director

Bob Manasco

Bob Manasco is thrilled to be back to direct his second musical at Riverdale High School. He also directed last year's Legally Blonde, which was his first Riverdale show since playing "Captain Duke Forrest" in M*A*S*H when he was a senior. Bob works for John Deere and is a PhD student in computer science at the University of North Dakota. He is a frequent participant on stage, in the pit, and behind-the-scenes for several local theatres. This Christmas, he will be conducting the Riverdale Alumni Choir in their first annual concert at Countryside Christian Church.

Music Director

Matt Reece

Matt Reece is helping with his 18th RHS musical production, but his theatrical roots go all the way back to playing "Crony #3" in Li'l Abner as a high school freshman. His biggest theatrical regret is declining the role of "The Reporter" in Wartburg College's production of Anything Goes, only to direct the same show less than a year later here at Riverdale. You can find Mr. Reece waving his arms or telling stories from a podium or field ladder as the band and choir teacher at Riverdale.

Choreographer

Sara Laufer

Sara Laufer has served in a wide variety of capacities at local theatres, most recently onstage at Playcrafters for Christmas Letter-Writing Club and Quad City Music Guild for Something Rotten. She has been onstage at Music Guild for shows including 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Drowsy Chaperone, and Cabaret; choreographed Spamalot, Annie, Young Frankenstein, and Meet Me in St. Louis; designed sound for It’s a Wonderful Life; designed lights for A Christmas Survival Guide; and ran lights for 9 to 5. Additionally, at Spotlight, she has stage managed Sound of Music and at Playcrafters, she has stage managed Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and was onstage for The Whistleblower’s Dilemma.

Accompanist

Elaine Seevers

Costumes/Set/Props

Liza Mueller

Liza is one half of the Costume and Set Design Team. She joined the RHS drama family back in 2016 in order to spend time with her kiddos and has been painting and hot gluing ever since! The stage and auditorium are a familiar place to Liza as she participated in RHS Drama productions WAY back in the 90's! In her "real life" Liza works for UnityPoint Health as an RN in their Crisis Stablization Unit. She enjoys getting creative backstage with her crafty partner Tammy!

Costumes/Set/Props

Tammy Vaughan

Tammy is one half of the Costume and Set Design Team. She started volunteering in 2014 when her oldest of two children joined the cast of Pistols and Posies. It became official in 2016 with Seussical the Musical and has continued even after both her kids graduated from Riverdale. Tammy has enjoyed many Plays & Musicals with her creative partner, Liza. We make a good team!! She loves working with the students and is very grateful to all the parent volunteers who devote so much of their time. Away from the theater, Tammy works at Safe Money Concepts Financial Services in Port Byron.

Set Construction

Robert Clark

Robert Clark is the father of Rylee Clark and the husband of Jil Clark. He has been on set construction since his years of high school at Riverdale. He is a welder at John Deere and a captain on the Rapids City-Port Byron fire department. After his busy days, he enjoys smoking meat and playing video games.

Set Construction

Dan Heim

Set Construction

Rik Slone

Set Construction

Ben Urek

Set Construction

Tim Wendl

Lighting Design

Robert and Brittney Crist

Robert and Brittney Crist hail from Blue Grass, where they enjoy many activities such as trapshooting and camping. They (together or individually) have recently designed lights for many local theatrical productions, including Disaster!, Something Rottten, Holiday Inn, Mamma Mia, Sister Act, 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Mame, and Annie.

Book and Concept

Eric Price

Eric Price has written the lyrics and book to the musicals The Violet Hour, Radioactive, Presto Change-o, Around the World, Hello Out There, The Sixth Borough, and additional material for the stage adaptation of the film Clue. His work has been produced at theaters in New York, around the country, and in Europe. Production experience includes work at such institutions as Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Menier Chocolate Factory, Barrington Stage, Symphony Space, Merkin Recital Hall, Minetta Lane Theatre, Audible.com, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below (including solo show), Birdland, the Ravinia Festival, and more. Eric’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma was commissioned in 2015 and has had over 150 productions around the world. In addition to his career as a writer, Eric was the longtime assistant to 21-time Tony Award-winning director/producer Hal Prince and worked with him over the course of twelve years on the development of new musicals that premiered in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, London, and Tokyo. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and has degrees in Directing from Indiana University and Musical Theatre Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has been a Dramatists Guild Fellow, a Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center finalist, and a member of Goodspeed’s Johnny Mercer Writers Colony and the Rhinebeck Writers’ Retreat. He is an Adjunct Professor of Musical Theatre at Pace University and Molloy College/CAP21. With his collaborator, Will Reynolds, Eric won the 2018 Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theatre Writing. www.ericpriceonline.com

Original Creative Team

Book and Concept by
ERIC PRICE

“How Will I Know”
Written by Narada Michael Walden, George Robert Merrill, and Shannon Rubicam
© 1985 WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Gratitude Music (SOCAN) and Irving Music Inc. (BMI)
All rights on behalf of itself and Gratitude Music, Administered by WB Music Corp.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
Written by Robert John Lange and Shania Twain
© Songs of Universal, Inc. on behalf of Loon Echo, Inc. / Universal-PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. on behalf of Out-Of-Pocket-Prod. Ltd. (BMI, PRS)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Roar”
Written by Katy Perry, Max Martin, Lukasz Gottwald, Bonnie Leigh Mckee, and Henry Russell Walter © 2013 When I’m Rich You’ll Be My Bitch (ASCAP), Maratone Ab (STIM), Kasz Money Publishing (ASCAP), Bonnie Mckee Music (BMI), and Prescription Songs, LLC. (ASCAP)
All rights on behalf of When I’m Rich You’ll Be My Bitch, Administered by WB Music Corp.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Things I’ll Never Say”
Written by David Scott Alspach, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, and Avril Ramona Lavigne © Almo Music Corp. on behalf of itself and Avril Lavigne Publ. Ltd. (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Turn The Beat Around (Love To Hear Percussion)”
Written by Peter Jackson Jr. and Gerald Jackson
© 1975 (Renewed) UniChappell Music Inc. (BMI)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.Underscore arrangement by Michael Holland
© Stageworks Media
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Whatta Man”
Written by Herby E. Azor, Cheryl James, and David Bernard Crawford
© 1993 WB Music Corp. (ASCAP), Sons Of K-Oss Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
Bed Of Nails Music, Inc. (ASCAP), and Almo Music Corporation (ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission.