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CAST BIOS
Lu Garcia
"mutt"
Lu Garcia is an actor & musician originally from Philadelphia, PA. Recent credits include Amiens (As You Like It – The Old Globe), Guido alt. (Nine, The Musical – Coronado Playhouse), and Don Martirio (La Lucha – La Jolla Playhouse/Optika Moderna). Lu is grateful to share his love of theatre with his partner Erin, and three children Charlie, Gracie, and Emma. Lu spends his days adventuring around with his own four-legged best friend, Beatrice.
ANDRéS URIBE
"mutt cover"
Andrés Uribe, proudly Mexican, is thrilled to be back playing Mutt in MUTT: A New Musical Comedy. He is a first-year transfer student pursuing his Bachelor’s in Music for Musical Theatre Performance, with a minor in Dance. He was recently seen as the Waiter in ASU’s production of First Date; Miguel in GENIUS at The Phoenix Theatre Company; Mutt in ASU’s musical theatre production of MUTT: A New Musical Comedy; and as Clopin in Mesa Community College’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He is very thankful to his family, friends, professors, cast, crew, and Marcus Smith for all the love and support he has received. IG: @joseandresuribeg
Deborah Apodaca
"dragon"
Deborah is probably the living version of Dragon! She helps with the local pet rescue, Pacific Pups, fostering and helping these doggies find good and loving forever homes. She is a musician, actor, and VO artist in the Los Angeles area. You can hear her as Groovy Babe in LOL Surprise dolls, or Clawdeen in the upcoming Monster High season! A personal shout out to my family, but especially my mom with her abundant support. Love you momma!
NICK BRUNO
"boe"
Nick Bruno (he/him) is a performer and life-long Angelino. From playing Godspell’s Jesus in San Diego to Jean Valjean in Les Mis-inspired cabarets in historic LA bars, Nick’s done just about everything. He’s worked on several developing musicals like Tales from the Comic Book Crackdown and Big Dawn, including a workshop version of Mutt performed in New York City’s NAMT Festival. He’s super excited to work with Marcus and Robin on Mutt again!
ANDREA LARA
"cuddles"
Andrea Lara is delighted to be a part of this fabulous workshop. Most recently, she was a part of Musical Theatre West’s Education Tour! Other credits include West Side Story (Anita), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda u/s), A Little Night Music (Miss Anderssen), and Slightly Strange.
AMEERA PERKINS
"Denise canfield"
Ameera Perkins is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, and actress whose dynamic talent has captivated audiences across the globe. She has performed with music legends such as Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and more. A graduate of The New School in New York City, Ameera is well versed in theater and all art forms. From headlining a residency in Shanghai, China to touring internationally on Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour, she continues to shine as a brilliantly diverse artist whose passion for storytelling through music and theater knows no bounds.
e.l. losada
"'hank"
E.L. is thrilled to help bring this exciting show to life for this workshop presentation and is truly honored to work alongside such an incredible group of professionals. Born in Cuba, he moved to the States when he was six, where he pursued his acting career in the theatre scene in South Florida, garnering recognition and awards for his work in shows like Romeo & Juliet (Best Actor of 2003, Miami New Times), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Best Supporting Actor nomination, Curtain Up Award), Bat Boy (Best Actor in a Musical, Carbonell Award), and Jekyll & Hyde (Best Actor in a Musical, Carbonell Award), to name just a few. He also starred as Ricky Ricardo on the national tour of I Love Lucy Live on Stage, and you can currently find him streaming on Apple TV’s Season 1 of Loot and Physical, as well as Hulu’s Plan B. You can also catch E.L. streaming on Amazon in the critically acclaimed film Los Frikis.
Carson christ
"maltese/mama"
Carson Christ is a performer based in Los Angeles, CA, and is a graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in L.A. with a BFA in Music Theatre. Recent credits include West Side Story (The Nocturne Theatre), Alice by Heart (Out of the Box Theatre Company), Footloose (Panic Productions), R&H Carousel (Opera SLO), Pup! A Chew Story (The Montalbán Theatre), Ronna Llama & Ready Player Three (MTW Ed-Outreach Tour), Little Women (AMDA), The Spitfire Grill (AMDA), and 9 to 5: The Musical (AMDA). He was also recently a scare actor at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. Enjoy the show! IG: @cchrist_929_
Carolina Mancias is thrilled and grateful to be part of this incredible musical workshop! Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, she recently earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA. An incredibly huge thank you to her parents for their endless love, support, and belief that moving across countries to play pretend was absolutely worth it.
IG: @caromancias
Carolina mancias
"fish"
Clayton Michael walker
"beagle"
Clayton Michael Walker is thrilled to be part of his first musical theatre workshop! Other credits include …Spelling Bee (Leaf) and Peter & the Starcatcher (Peter). He is also the audiobook co-narrator for A Series of Rooms. BA, UC Irvine. Love and thanks to Karen & Tiera at FSE, Mom, Dad, Brenna, Meredith, Mel, Zoey, Leah, and Maddy!
IG: @claywalks | claytonmichaelwalker.com
on shiu
"jack"
On Shiu (JACK): Recent and favorite credits include: Oedipus (Deaf West Theatre & The Getty Villa), Our Town (Deaf West Theatre & Pasadena Playhouse), and Shanghai's World Emporium (Wilshire Ebell Theatre). On has also performed in the short films Drug Test (Nominee: Emmy Award), and Draw (Winner: Austin Indie Fest).
Patrick Curley "mastiff"
Patrick is thrilled to be a part of this special musical, and he hopes you enjoy watching it just as much as he enjoys taking part. He received his BFA in Acting from CSU Fullerton under the instruction of Svetlana Efremova and continues to hone his process at Crash Acting in Los Angeles with Ben Mathes’ instruction. Other recent credits include: Losers of Eden (Prime Video), The Who’s Tommy (PVPA), and Polar Express LIVE (Perris, CA location).
Melanie Taylor "poodle"
Melanie Taylor, who in her music career is better known by the moniker MUSZETTE, bridges electronic pop/rock with her soulful vocals. Her anthemic tracks have been featured globally on shows like Queer Eye, Love Island, Samsung’s Olympics ads, and World Cup primetime promos. A seasoned performer, songwriter, and vocalist, MUSZETTE captivates audiences with her unapologetic, empowerment-driven narrative, and is very involved in female-driven and LGBTQIA+ communities. She has performed across the US and Australia and shared the stage with acclaimed artists such as DRAMA, VINCINT, Brandyn Burnette, and more. Melanie is ecstatic to get back to her musical theater roots that fostered her love of performing from a young age.
Kailyn Leilani "schnauzer"
Kailyn Leilani (Schnauzer) – Most recent theatre credits include Into the Woods (Cinderella, Greenway Court), Shanghai’s World Emporium (Xiu-Ling, The Ebell and Huntington), White Christmas (Betty Haynes, Encore Theatre), Cinderella (Ensemble, U/S Ella; 5-Star), Lend Me A Tenor (Diana, ICT), and Frozen-Live at the Hyperion (Elsa, Ensemble; Disneyland). She is a proud graduate of UCLA’s Ray Bolger Musical Theatre program and Brandman University’s MBA program. Much love to FSE Talent, the cast, crew, production team, and her family and friends for their endless support. This performance is dedicated to June, her recently adopted mutt from the West LA Animal Shelter <3
IG: @kailyn_leilani
Natalie friedman "cow"
Natalie Friedman (Cow, u/s Fish, she/her) is so excited to be part of this new work with such a great team! Recent credits include: Mariachi Girl (La Mirada Theatre) and Yerma (The Broadwater), for which she also composed original music. Natalie was also a Directing Apprentice for CTGLA’s production of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord in association with IAMA Theatre Co. You can see her next in a production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore (905 Cole Theatre). In 2023, she received her BA in Theatre from Northwestern University, where she performed in shows like Blood Wedding and In The Heights and directed multiple student-written plays. She also completed a semester at the British American Drama Academy. Natalie is represented by Stewart Talent. She would like to thank her dog, Milo, for the inspiration, and her friends and family for their support. IG: @nataliefriedmann
Trinity Alyse curtis
"duck/dance captain"
Trinity Alyse is delighted to be a part of this fun workshop! After graduating from AMDA College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Performing Arts, she has been performing all around LA in both theatre and film. Recent theatre credits include Antonella in Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season (Disneyland), Alma in The Musical World of Coco (Disneyland), and Clarisse in Boom! Headshot (Hollywood Fringe Festival). She sends love to her family and friends who always give their endless love and support.
amit levy
"standby"'
Amit Levy is an actor, dancer, and singer, seen in musicals like West Side Story, Hair, and Chicago, as well as plays such as They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and An Enemy of the People.
creative bios
Marcus terrell smith
"producer, director, book & lyrics"
Marcus Terrell Smith (Book/Lyrics) graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Linguistics. The following year, he was accepted into the Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS) at Pace University in New York City, receiving an MFA in Acting. After graduating, he joined the national tour of Broadway’s The Book of Mormon. Smith then moved to Los Angeles, where he diversified his talents as an actor on TV/Film and continued his work in theater. He is also a prolific storyteller, currently writing narrative lore for League of Legends (Riot Games) and Magic: The Gathering.
Linda Joe
"producer"
A Los Angeles native and a graduate of the University of Southern California, Linda Joe is a production executive and a powerhouse producer with an impressive track record across film, television, live events, theater, sports, and gaming. She’s collaborated with industry giants like Paramount Pictures, NBC Entertainment, and more, bringing high-impact events and productions to life around the globe. From the red carpets of Sundance and Cannes to the buzzing floors of Comic-Con, CES, E3, and SXSW, Linda has produced large-scale events and productions and more. She’s brought the thrill of international esports to life by producing the League of Legends Global Esports World Championships and has brought her producing talents to the world of sports with the NBA, AEG Sports, and even the Super Bowl. Linda’s creative reach extends to theater, where she’s produced multiple sold-out shows, and into gaming, recently producing the NBA 2K24 video game launch event. With a dynamic, versatile background and a passion for storytelling, Linda thrives on creating unforgettable experiences, and she’s always ready to take on her next big producing adventure.
Robin Schäfer
"music, orchestrations & arrangements"
Robin Schäfer (Composer) is a songwriter, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist who resides in Cologne, Germany. Since 2002, Schäfer has played and composed music in several original bands of various genres. In 2018, he walked away from his career in business administration to become a full-time musician. Currently, he is focused on his own singer/songwriter project, ROBIN SHEPHERD, and the instrumental Soul-Funk band, MALAKO ZOO. He also works as a session musician and music teacher.
Chris sargent
"orchestrations & arrangements"
Chris Sargent (Orchestration & Arrangements) has been an active member of the Chicago music scene for more than fifteen years as an arranger, musical director, and conductor. Credits include Mamma Mia! (2nd National, Associate Conductor), Dirty Dancing (1st National Tour, Associate Conductor), The Book of Mormon (2nd National), Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane Theatre - Oakbrook, IL, Musical Director), and Mary Poppins (Drury Lane Theatre, Conductor). In 2016, he MD’ed, sang, and rapped in a revue of '80s pop music, Reunion '85, at the Lone Tree Arts Center in Colorado. He was most recently Musical Director of Drury Lane’s An American in Paris (winner of four 2020 Jeff Awards).
Jeffrey hoeppner
"music director"
Jeff Hoeppner is a Gold and Platinum-certified pop music producer, composer, arranger, and vocalist with a global reach. He has written and produced for a wide range of major artists, including Marques Houston, Tevin Campbell, Zendaya, F(x), EXO, ShyBoy, Allee Willis, Kylie Cantrall, Lil Nas X, ILLIT, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande. Hoeppner has also served as music director and conductor for live-to-picture events at the Hollywood Bowl with Disney and Warner Bros.
chuck Maldonado
"choreographer"
Chuck Maldonado is a four-time award-winning choreographer for his work with Stomp the Yard, the NAACP Image Awards, and more. His choreography has been featured on hit shows such as America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars, and The X-Factor. He has choreographed for Nickelodeon and Disney on shows like The Fresh Beat Band, Victorious, See Dad Run, How to Rock, and Big Time Rush. Additionally, he has worked on commercials for major brands including Skol Beer, SamT, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Moen, Crown Royal, Best Buy, McDonald’s, Hanes, Wendy’s, iPod, AT&T, Chrysler, Sears, and Nike.
Jai Robinson
"choreographer"
Jai Robinson is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer with a BFA in Dance from the University of Southern California. He has performed with artists such as Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Kamasi Washington, Brandy, Chance the Rapper and many more. He is a teacher at Carousel Dance Studio and 24Seven Dance Convention, and is thrilled to have his work showcased in his first musical theater workshop!
jules mckelvey
"assistant choreographer"
Jules’ rhythmic dance moves tell the story of an energetic artist whose spirit and determination spark his creativity. In 2018, the Philadelphia, PA native danced his way to Hollywood where he relocated after a great performance career at Walt Disney Company. With more than a decade of hard work and dedication to the arts, his dance roots began in hip hop culture, and have expanded throughout the years covering African dance, Scottish dance, ballet and jazz. Jules has drawn inspiration from and trained with the industry’s top choreographers.
Emily Figueroa
"assistant choreographer"
Dancer, Choreographer and Educator. Emily’s greatest purpose in life is to spread love and joy through dance. Some credits include: Dancing for Tyga, Niki Minaj, Cardi B, City Girls, and the B2K Millennium Tour. Emily has served as Executive producer and Choreographer for productions such as Elephants Fall from the Sky, and for Artist Saika and Matt Cook. Currently Emily is a principal dancer for the Santa Monica residency burlesque show Western Revenge at Harvelles.
savannah rogers "stage manager"
Savannah Rogers, an LA transplant of nearly 8 years, joins us from south Georgia where she was balancing performing, costume design, stage management, acting, and directing. She's currently hosting karaoke at Oaks Tavern, working as conference director of the Texas Association of Future Educators, and a personal assistant. This has been her first production since moving here and she looks forward to taking over all of LA soon.
Daphnie sicre "DRAMATURG"
Daphnie Sicre, PhD. (she/ella) is a multi-hyphenated artist. A director, dramaturg, scholar, and educator, she shares a deep passion for Black and Latinx perspectives in theatre, especially Afro-Latinidad. Engaging in anti-racist and culturally competent theatre practices, she helps bring stories from the page to the stage. She was recently named Co-Artistic Director of Ammunition Theatre in Los Angeles, and she co-directs the Candela Fellowship for Latine & Caribbean Playwrights with the Dramatists Guild. She has directed for East West Plays, LATC, Collaborative Artist Bloc, Moving Arts, Skylight Theatre, Greenway Court Theatre, Hollywood Fringe (New Musicals Inc), and more.