Performance

Olivia Balicki is a Chicago-born Musical Theatre major at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Olivia is currently based in NYC and St. Louis. Some of her favorite roles during her time at Webster have been Pipe in Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, Gloria in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Sally Jackson in The Lightning Thief, and Mrs.Elton/Mrs. Bates in Emma at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Olivia has spent her life surround by art and is thrilled to move into this next chapter of her artistry.

Born and bred in Texas, Norah is an artist dedicated to making theatre bigger and better. Her love for the arts took root in the studios of ZACH theatre and on stage with Austin Shakespeare at the Curtain Theatre doing her part in keeping Austin weird. Today she’s found clowning at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts where they’ll be receiving a BFA in Acting. As an artist dedicated to making change through the power of world building, Norah hopes to develop new works that playfully challenge what theatre can be, and to explore classical texts through a radical and contemporary lens. Recent credits include Hermia and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and Jo in The Legend of Georgia McBride at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts.

Vera Brown is a singer, actor, and soon-to-be graduate of Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Her love of the arts started at just 6 years old when she debuted as a Town Crier in Cinderella Kids at her elementary school. Since then she has cherished and appreciated the ways in which theatre has helped her grow artistically and personally. Her favorite regional credits include Ensemble in the regional premiere of Dear Evan Hansen at The Muny (dir. Rob Ruggiero) and Sarah’s Friend in Ragtime at STAGES St. Louis (dir. Deidre Goodwin). Some favorite educational credits include Sonya in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (dir. Michael Baxter), SpongeBob SquarePants in The SpongeBob Musical (dir. Lara Teeter) and Jean-Michel in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (dir. Dax Valdes). Vera is also a 2022 Jimmy Awards Alumni, where she was a semi-finalist.

Lillian Cooper is an actor/singer/dancer who grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and is currently based in St. Louis, Missouri, where she is completing her BFA in Acting with a Dance Technique minor. As a shy child in a loud world, Lillian found her voice through theatre and dance, allowing her artistic expression to do the talking. Her family, although not quite the artsy type, has been relentlessly supportive of her journey as a performer. While in school, she was able to explore the joys of choreographing, directing, devised theatre, film, and somatic practices. Their favorite credits include Texas in Cabaret (New Jewish Theatre), Tennie in the new musical Madam (Fly North Theatricals), and Arturo Ui in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Webster University). She has fallen in love with the tight-knit community that theatre spaces foster and hopes to encourage audiences to take a look at the beautifully imperfect world around them. In their free time, Lillian can be found up-cycling old clothes and jewelry, soaking up the sun, or improv dancing in her bedroom.

Carmen Rose Del Vecchio is an actor/singer/director from the Hampton Roads Area of Virginia, and is finishing up her BFA in acting in St. Louis! Carmen is passionate about creating art that centers around telling women’s stories and celebrating women of all sizes, identities, and backgrounds. Carmen also grew up with a passion for music and started playing the violin at a young age. Some of her favorite recent credits include Valeria in The Rover, The Wounded Woman/Violinist in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts), and #14 in The Wolves (The Governor’s School for the Arts). Recently, Carmen has also been enjoying acting on camera and has been in a handful of short films. Outside of theatre, Carmen can be found watching every rom-com known to man, making curly hair content on social media, baking treats for her friends, and spending time with her cats!

India Eddy is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and professional other-things-er. She grew up as a third culture kid and, over the years, put down roots in Sheboygan, Skopje, La Paz (Bolivia), Washington DC, Bangkok, Brasilia, Asheville, and finally, St. Louis to pursue a BFA in Acting. Through this volatile lifestyle, India found consistency and community in storytelling, finding her own version of home in her favourite movies, TV shows, and novels. Determined to one day make her own, India began writing and acting at a young age. She fell in love with involving herself in as many parts of the storytelling process as she could. She hopes to one day create the kind of stories that gave her a sense of belonging as a kid. Some of India’s favourites include workplace comedies or sitcoms, anything superhero related, and anything otherwise weird or absurd. India is excited to make her professional debut in one of her favourite plays, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, at the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival (dir. Tom Ridgely) and can’t wait to keep telling stories after that.

Ainsley Hammond is an actor born and raised in Virginia, the state of lovers. While earning her BFA in Acting at the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Ainsley has developed an even deeper appreciation for acting and all the elements that make a project successful. She believes community is what makes art thrive. She finds herself feeling most passionate about projects dealing with awkward comedy, along with theatre that examines contemporary issues. Ainsley has recently become more involved in character voiceover work. She has worked on two short storyboard animations and is eager to do more. At Webster, she has played Alice in The Drowning Girls (Dir. Zachary Stefaniak), Emma in The Guy Who Doesn’t Like Musicals (Dir. Aiden Clayburn), and Rebecca Gibbs in Our Town (Dir. Gad Guterman). When Ainsley isn’t on the stage, you can find her reading, crafting, or doing pilates.

Crayton Haney is an actor-musician originally from Oklahoma. Not just a musical theatre performer, Crayton has played piano for over 16 years and is an experienced accordion and guitar player. Off stage, Crayton has spent the last two summers as the administration intern for The Lexington Theatre Company and holds a standing position as Senior Education Associate for the Junior Theater Festival, the world’s largest theatre festival for young people. Recent Webster performance credits include Roving Accordion in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812; music director, pianist, and accordionist for The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui; and foley artist/percussionist for The SpongeBob Musical. Coming up, Crayton is excited to be working as an actor-musician for two professional St. Louis theatre companies. At The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, he is the assistant music director/understudy in Ring of Fire. In June, he will be playing Adrian as well as piano, guitar, accordion, and percussion in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Tempest.

Nat Harper is an artist with Midwest roots, originally hailing from Buckeye country, Columbus, Ohio. Currently, she is finishing up her BFA in Musical Theatre and minor in Dance at Webster University. Some of her favorite theatrical credits include Karen the Computer in The SpongeBob Musical at Webster University, and June in The Musical of Musicals: The Musical at Evolution Theatre Company. Harper has also been seen in numerous short films, including LUCIDITY, which was screened at the 48 Hour Film Project 2025. When she’s not on stage, screen, or working in the studio, you can find Harper behind the scenes making videos with her friends. And if you can’t find her there, she’s likely busy hiking, rappelling, or exploring on her latest outdoor adventure.

Anahí (Ah-Na-EE) Jiménez Chmielowski is an actress and singer born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Anahí is proudly Oaxacan, and during her time in college committed herself to bringing her Latine acting peers together through hosting Latino night potlucks. Her early years in musical theatre playing Disney villains turned into an affinity for commanding, fierce female roles. Recent favorite credits include Kit in Our Dear Dead Drug Lord by Alexis Scheer and Understudy Sandy/Perch Perkins in The SpongeBob Musical. Above all, Anahí hopes to be a part of lively, joyous new works that empower Latine people and people of color. Her ultimate goal is to originate a little brown girl’s dream role.

Braidy Kirkegaard is an actor/singer/musician currently based in St. Louis, Missouri getting his BFA in Musical Theatre. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Braidy has always had a strong passion for music, ensemble-based comedy, and new works. Braidy hopes to be able to provide the much-needed escape from the chaos of everyday life through his work. Some of his favorite past credits include Plankton in The SpongeBob Musical (Webster University), and Mr. Davidson/Sam in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Student Led Arts Initiative). You can see him as Galileo in New Line Theatre’s production of We Will Rock You this June. When he’s not onstage, you can find him jamming out to his favorite records, practicing on one of his guitars, or getting caught up on his latest television obsession (currently, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia).

Otto Klemp is a midwest-raised actor, director, musician, and coffee expert. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri from central Minnesota to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre at Webster University. They are also earning a Graduate Certificate in Applied Shakespeare online through the University of Colorado – Boulder. Growing up in Rockford, Illinois, Otto was consistently surrounded by theatre and developed a passion for the community it creates. When they moved to central Minnesota, the lack of theatrical opportunities in the immediate community inspired a passion for accessibility in theatre for both artists and audiences. Recent favorite opportunities include a supporting role in Josephine Decker’s Chasing Summer, and Bobby/Clarinet in Cabaret (Dir. Rebekah Scallet) at the New Jewish Theatre. They are also extremely excited to start working with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival on The Tempest very soon! When not on stage or behind a director’s table, Otto can be found watching movies, listening to Shakespeare podcasts, exploring U. S. National Parks, or playing board games.

Jamie Loeb is an actor and singer raised in Miami, Florida. Known for her versatility, she moves seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles, infusing each character with compassion, vulnerability, and empathy. Jamie is earning her BFA in Acting at The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Recent credits include Zoom in Alexis Scheer’s Our Dear Dead Drug Lord and Mrs. Soames in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. She is drawn to contemporary, boundary-pushing work, particularly dark comedies and ensemble-driven plays, that invite conversation long after the curtain falls. A self-described “character historian” and Jewish-Italian “pizza bagel,” Jamie enjoys museums, photography, playing guitar, and spending time with her family and her Rottweiler, Dutch.

Sam Matthews is an actor/combatant born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Since he was a kid, Sam has found ways to express his creativity through both film and stage work. Whether it is cheesy YouTube videos with friends or full stage productions, Sam is passionate about entertaining others and giving people a glimpse into another world. While studying at Webster University in St. Louis, Sam has performed in local short films like The Misconduct of Mr. Arnold and theatre productions like The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. After training with SAFD in the summer of 2025, Sam is now a certified actor combatant with certifications in Unarmed, Rapier and Dagger, and Two-Handed Sword. When he is not performing, Sam enjoys playing D&D with his friends and catching up on the most recent TV shows and movies. In the next few months, Sam will be working on two feature films as a stunt/fight choreographer, and in the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts production of The Rover as Don Pedro.

Reece McAbee is an actor/director originally from Western Oklahoma, now finishing his BFA in Acting at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis. With a foundation in musical theatre and a strong center in text-driven plays, Reece is drawn to high-stakes, morally charged storytelling and characters forced to choose under pressure. Recent credits include Duke of Albany in King Lear (Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival), Howie Newsome (Dr. Gibbs/Mr. Webb, u/s) in Our Town (Webster University), Paul Matthews in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Student Led Arts Initiative), and Security Guard/Ensemble in The SpongeBob Musical (Webster University). His directing work includes excerpts from Amy Herzog’s 4,000 Miles and Kira Rockwell’s Oh, To Be Pure Again, and most recently, a devised piece titled Council at the Treeline. When he isn’t in rehearsal, Reece can usually be found at the gym, listening to audiobooks, and trying out new food recipes.

Maggie grew up in a small town in the heart of the Ozarks in southeastern Missouri, surrounded by nature, community, and five younger sisters that shaped who she is. At twelve, she joined a community theatre guild founded by a family friend, sparking a lifelong love for theatre. Maggie is currently a senior at Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts and will graduate in May with a BFA in Acting. She is deeply passionate about the power of live theatre and its ability to connect us to our shared humanity, bringing people together in a way no other art form can. She has always loved storytelling– whether that be writing short stories or plays, directing, or serving as a vessel on stage or screen. Maggie recently made her professional debut as Jane Fairfax in Emma at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Additional recent credits include Florinda in The Rover and Emily in Our Town at Webster University. Outside of theatre, Maggie enjoys reading books, spending time in nature, or trying new coffee shops.

Elijah Paruzynski is a versatile performer dedicated to telling truthful stories through acting, song, and dance. Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Elijah grew up performing in theaters all around the Chicagoland area. His love of theatre began at age ten in his first role as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol, and he has been performing ever since. At Webster, Elijah committed his time to fine-tuning his technique in singing, acting, and dance to become a true triple threat and has performed professionally across the country. He most recently was seen as Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can at The Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Montana, as well as the Minstrel in Something Rotten! and featured dance roles in All Shook Up and Shrek. Prior to that, he made his professional debut as Davey/Jack Kelly u.s. in Newsies at Pickleville Playhouse in Utah. In addition to performing, Elijah is a self-taught musician and songwriter. He has written an original song cycle and is currently creating a cabaret composed entirely of original music that shares true stories from his life. His passion for music and writing deeply informs his work onstage, shaping how he approaches every performance.

Ethan Dunne Stewart is an autistic actor from Richmond, Virginia, who will soon graduate with a BFA in Acting from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Louis. He recently starred as Richard III in Seize The King, a modern retelling of Richard III by Will Power. Professional credits include Dial M for Murder with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Romeo and Juliet with Oak Park Festival Theatre. This past summer, Ethan trained with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston, playing Hotspur in their apprentice production of Henry IV Part I. He has experience with rapier and dagger, along with foundational training in fencing. In addition to Shakespeare, he has a strong interest in contemporary realism and in writing original material. Ethan is currently working his way through the AFI Top 100 list (with 36 films to go), and all of Shakespeare’s work (completed 29 of 38 plays). Outside of the arts, Ethan is a passionate, lifelong Red Sox and Celtics fan.