She Kills Monsters AUDITIONS!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! The Arizona Young Actors' Alliance will be putting on a full length play
this summer (in addition to our regular cabaret goodies, to be announced later.)

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen is an exploration of death, life, love and family through the lens of Dungeons and Dragons. After the death of her sister, Agnes Evans discovers more about her sister than she ever did in life whens she finds Tilly's Dungeons and Dragons notebook.

Auditions will take place at Fountain Hills Youth Theater, where the show will also take place from July 28-30. However, rehearsals will be spread out between Fountain Hills Youth Theater and a TBD location in Chandler/Gilbert in order to facilitate a broader reach of youth actors and actresses in the Valley!

Age range: 13-21

Callbacks will take place immediately following auditions on the 27th.

Here is the Doodle pool to sign up for an audition time! Make sure to include both your name and e-mail when it asks you for your name. You will be sent an audition packet once you sign up for a time. https://doodle.com/poll/ergekuvh4yed2ppu

If you have any questions, e-mail mackenna.azyoungactors@gmail.com.

AYAA May MUSICAL Madness! 2017 Edition

AYAA is back again with AYAA May Musical MADNESS!!! This year, we will be focusing only on musicals that have women in the leading role. Let's crown the QUEEN MUSICAL.

*You don't have to vote in every match*

Dates!!

04/29/17 Voting begins!
05/06/17 Round 2
05/13/17 Sweet Sixteen
05/20/17 Elite Eight
05/27/17 Final Four
5/30/17 Championship Round
06/01/17 Winner Announced

Click here to vote!!

AYAA Interview Retrospective-- A Catch Up!

Hey everyone! Recently, I caught up with people who I have interviewed for AYAA over the past almost two years to see what they are up to now. Thank you to Asher Sheppard, Kaleigh Feuerstein, Sam Primack, Jessie Jo Pauley and Marty Loehr for talking to me again!

Note: I sent out this lil interview things about two weeks ago and college is a busy busy time. So some of the "what are you up to now" responses are already a little outdated.

Asher Sheppard

I originally interviewed Asher on January 4th, 2016. He was asked to interview because of his AriZoni win for Mr. Aesop in Fountain Hill's production of The Fabulous Fable Factory.

What are you up to now?
The Secret Garden at VYT

What are your plans for the upcoming year?
I'll get back to you on that one. (A/N: Asher was recently cast as the Tin Man in VYT's The Wizard of Oz which will go up in June!)

What's college like? What have you enjoyed the most about college?
PVCC is a good community college with an amazing theater that I really want to be in.

Are you planning to study theatre? If so, why? Also, are you planning on pursuing acting, musical theatre, design, etc. If NOT, why aren't you?
Currently in college already, in my third year. I want to become an editor for books and scripts for movies and theatrical productions.

What do you think the value of doing youth theatre is? What have you/did you learn from it?
I've learned how to develop a thick skin and take rejection better. I've also learned how to interview for job opportunities more effectively.

One piece of advice you would give to other aspiring theatre makers!

There is always another opportunity for you if you did not get cast in the part you wanted. You will always get another chance.

Kaleigh Feuerstein

I interviewed Kaleigh on June 30th, 2016. She was asked to interview due to her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in AYT's production of Hairspray.

What are you up to now?

Just trying to make it through my senior year...

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Major in Business Entrepreneurship with a minor in theatre (maybe double major) at ASU and hopefully work at Gammage!

What colleges are you thinking about going to? Are you planning to study theatre? If so, why? Also, are you planning on pursuing acting, musical theatre, design, etc. If NOT, why aren't you?

ASU! I will be minoring in theatre because I believe where I am at REALISTICALLY, theatre isn't in my future and I will not make it big on Broadway or anything of the sorts. I would love to stay active in the field though and hope to open my own performing arts academy one day. 

What do you think the value of doing youth theatre is? What have you/did you learn from it?

Theatre has taught me so many life skills that you really can't get a grasp on elsewhere. One big one is self confidence/public speaking. I've seen myself grow so much and feel confident speaking in front of large crowds, participating in group discussions, etc. because being on a stage taught me to not be afraid of vulnerability and to explore that. I've also learned how to nail an interview (audition prep), collaborate with others on a project (the ultimate goal of a theatrical production), and I have met so many amazing people from all backgrounds.

One piece of advice you would give to other aspiring theatre makers!

Explore your vulnerability and allow yourself to make choices- the stage is a safe place. You can be whoever you want to be and interpret your character to whatever extent you please. 

Sam Primack

I interviewed Sam because he was an AYAA Artist of the Year (Junior Divison). His interview went up on AYAA on October 1st, 2015.

What are you up to now?

I am in Catch Me If You Can at my school opening next week playing Frank Jr., (A/N: which closed because Mackenna is a busy boy, but you can check Sam's Facebook for highlights!) and then I'm in this VYT original musical written by an alumni called You're It playing Fredrick, and finally I'm in Legally Blonde at SYT playing Emmett!!

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

I'm not sure yet. I'll be a junior so I'm excited to do some amazing shows. I've been deciding the shows I'm doing so we will see! 

What colleges are you thinking about going to? Are you planning to study theatre? If so, why? Also, are you planning on pursuing acting, musical theatre, design, etc. If NOT, why aren't you?

I have 2 years to decide. But yes I am going to study theatre and hopefully pursue what I love to do.

 

What do you think the value of doing youth theatre is? What have you/did you learn from it?

It has made me such a confident person and speaker, and there are so many talented directors and actors in the valley right now so it is amazing to learn from such amazing people. 

One piece of advice you would give to other aspiring theatre makers!

Never stop performing. Always keep going even if it's hard, because it will be rewarding in the end. 

Jessie Jo Pauley

Jessie was a part of the Interview Snapshots at the end of 2015. I asked to interview her after she won an NYA Artist of the Year Award.

What are you up to now?

I'm finishing my freshman year at ASU as a journalism student and next year I will be a double major studying journalism and music theatre! It's been a great year of learning. I've learned a lot from my professor Toby Yatso, from performing in Billy Elliot at Phoenix Theatre, and from doing a show with only three other women (who are phenomenal). Theatre wise, I just finished a four month run of The Marvelous Wonderettes (shout out to the three powerhouse ladies I performed with) at the Hale Centre theatre as Suzy and will soon be opening the show Aida.

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Well, next year I will be tackling a double major in journalism and music theatre. I will be starting a partnership with TRUST AZ (Training and Resources United to Stop Trafficking). As a student journalist, we will be partnering in order to bring awareness to sex trafficking in AZ to AZ citizens and students. As for theatre, I want to start auditioning for more shows and theaters. It's always good to expand your experience. 

What's college like? What have you enjoyed the most about college?

I love college! To be honest, I'm not at my dorm or campus all too much because I am always at rehearsal. Nevertheless, I still love being a college student. College is like one big sleepover at school haha. I like the independence the most. You learn to be responsible for yourself.

 

What do you think the value of doing youth theatre is? What have you/did you learn from it?

I gained all my confidence from doing youth theatre. Youth theatre allows you to be vulnerable and strong at the same time. I learned how to speak to others, be quick on my feet, and make connections (all of which totally help me with my journalism career). 

One piece of advice you would give to other aspiring theatre makers!

Don't be embarrassed. Try something new. Play out of your type. Sing a song that not your in safe zone. Be okay with not getting the part, everyone goes through it.

The biggest one is be kind to others, but focus on bettering yourself. Compete with yourself not with others. Focus on what you can do to better yourself rather than focusing on being better than other people. 

Marty Loehr

Marty was also apart of the Interview Snapshots, that were posted on December 21st, 2015.  I interviewed him after he won an AriZoni Award for Fester in the Addams Family at Studio 3.

What are you up to now?

Going to school full time, and working part time as a veterinary technician 😸

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Hopefully finish all my prerequisites 😅

What's college like? What have you enjoyed the most about college?

College is interesting... No one is holding your hand anymore, which is WAY different when comparing it to high school. College is also scary. It's a wake up call that your an adult, and taking classes that'll lead you to a career you'll have the rest of your life is intimidating.

Are you planning to study theatre? If so, why? Also, are you planning on pursuing acting, musical theatre, design, etc. If NOT, why aren't you?

When I entered college I knew that I wasn't going to pursue a theatre degree. Though it's been my life through my teenage years, it wasn't my calling. One reason why I didn't pursue theatre is that your future in the industry isn't certain. I don't think I can take the stress of finishing my degree and not knowing where to go, however I applaud everyone who can take that leap.

What do you think the value of doing youth theatre is? What have you/did you learn from it?

Doing youth theatre was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It made me feel comfortable talking in front of large crowds, and it made me express my extroverted side. Without theatre I wouldn't be where I am today.

One piece of advice you would give to other aspiring theatre makers!

If theatre truly is your passion, your life's calling, never give up. Don't listen to those who try to delegitimize your major. Realize the path you've chosen isn't an easy one, but when you succeed, everyone will know your name.

AYAA Pool Dreamcasting Finale: A Fake Season!

Hey guys, so for the finale to AYAA Pool Dreamcasting (aka Mackenna is going into her final month of college and needs to take a short break to write papers and study), I decided to do four shows as a mock season for AYAA: Les Miserables, Rent, Legally Blonde and Addams Family. 

Our pool had more than 90 actors and combined between the four shows, I received almost 200 cast lists! Very exciting! Thank you so much to everyone who participated!

So as I've explained in previous editions of this new dreamcasting format, we have a list of actors and actresses that the rest of the pool can choose from to cast the show. So it's like you have a group of auditioners who you're choosing to be in a show! (This is probably the last time we will do it this way, at least in the foreseeable future.)

Just to be clear; these are not a real cast lists. Just for fun!

So let's begin!!

Fall: Les Miserables

Jean Valjean: Julian Mendoza (u/s: Sam Primack)

Javert: Steven Enriquez (u/s: Nicholas Hambruch)

Eponine: Sarah Pansing (u/s: Rachel Berry)

Marius: Nathan Sheppard (u/s: Jake Bonar)

Cosette: Summer Beckman (u/s: Isabella Conner)

Fantine: Hahnna Christianson (u/s: Miranda Smith)

Thenardier: Devon Policci  (u/s: Bryce Dilullo)

Madame Thenardier: Mackenna Goodrich (u/s: Lily Castle)

Enjolras: Shawn Wong/Nick Williams 

Gavroche: Vincent Jacovo (u/s: Casey Likes)

Grantaire: Jacob Hererra (u/s: Ethan Shanker)

Bishop/Combeferre: Eric Williams/Danny Blankemeier

Ensemble: Sam Primack, Nicholas Hambruch, Rachel Berry, Jake Bonar, Isabella Conner, Miranda Smith, Bryce Dilullo, Lily Castle, Casey Likes, Ethan Shanker, Ali Giordano, Jasmine Bassham, Noa Gauthier, Carly Copp, Katie Rodin, Ava Tyson, Sarah Davidson, Maddy Rathbun, Bailey Gorman, Manny Edrozo

Winter: RENT

Mark: Sam Primack (u/s: Jake Bonar)

Roger: Devon Policci (u/s: Nathan Sheppard)

Mimi: Jasmine Bassham (u/s: Carly Copp)

Collins: Michael Schulz (u/s: Shawn Wong)

Angel: Ethan Shanker (u/s: Eric Williams)

Maureen: Sarah Pansing (u/s: Ava Tyson)

Joanne: Tiana Marks/Maddy Rathbun

Benjamin: Jacob Hererra/Julian Mendoza

Ensemble: Jake Bonar, Nathan Sheppard, Carly Copp, Shawn Wong, Eric Williams, Ava Tyson, Steven Enriquez, Thea Eigo, Nick Williams, Konnor Smith, Ali Giordano, Sarah Davidson, Avery Strachan, Hahnna Christianson, Bryce Dilullo

Spring: Legally Blonde

Elle: Ava Tyson (u/s: Summer Farnsworth)

Emmett: Sam Primack (u/s: Nathan Sheppard)

Paulette: Lily Castle (u/s: Mackenna Goodrich)

Warner: Nick Williams (u/s: Nathan Sheppard)

Callahan: Steven Enriquez (u/s: Danny Blankemeier)

Vivienne: Sarah Pansing (u/s: Olivia Nienstedt)

Brooke: Summer Beckman (u/s: Kate Nienstedt)

Serena: Jasmine Bassham (u/s: Caroline Jackson)

Margot: Greer Tournquist (u/s: Maddy Rathbun)

Pilar: Avery Strachan (u/s: Gracie Gentile)

Enid: Rachel Berry (u/s: Audrey Coleman)

Chad/Dewey/Kyle: Devon Policci (u/s: Jacob Hererra)

Chutney/Kate: Miranda Smith/Emily Woodward-Shaw

Ensemble: Summer Farnsworth, Nathan Sheppard, Mackenna Goodrich, Danny Blankemeier, Olivia Nienstedt, Kate Nienstedt, Caroline Jackson, Maddy Rathbun, Gracie Gentile, Audrey Coleman, Jacob Herrera, Ethan Shanker, Chris Braddock, Nicholas Hambruch, Michael Schulz, Konnor Smith, Julian Mendoza, Thea Eigo, Sophia Bavishi, Carly Copp, Hailee Weber, Katie Rodin, Jake Bonar, Noa Gauthier

Summer: Addams Family

Gomez: Julian Mendoza (u/s: Nicholas Hambruch)

Morticia: Sarah Davidson (u/s: Olivia Nienstedt)

Wednesday: Jasmine Bassham (u/s: Thea Eigo)

Fester: Sam Primack/Steven Enriquez

Lucas: Nick Williams (u/s: Nathan Sheppard)

Pugsley: Casey Likes (u/s: Devon Policci)

Alice: Mackenna Goodrich (u/s: Lily Castle)

Mal: Konnor Smith (u/s: Nathan Sheppard)

Lurch: Danny Blankemeier (u/s: Hank Woods)

Grandma: Emily Woodward-Shaw (u/s: Faith Sterling)

Ancestors: Nicholas Hambruch, Olivia Nienstedt, Thea Eigo, Nathan Sheppard, Devon Policci, Lily Castle, Hank Woods, Faith Sterling, Jacob Hererra, Bryce Dilullo, Maddy Rathbun, Carly Copp, Tiana Marks, Sarah Pansing, Rachel Berry, Bailey Gorman, Hugo Crick-Furman, Manny Edrozo, Jake Bonar, Ethan Shanker, Vincent Jacovo, Katie Rodin, Summer Farnsworth, Summer Beckman, Chris Braddock, David Woods

AYAA Mackenna Dreamcasts Some Shows: Kenyon meets AZ

Hey everyone!

I need a break from studying for my French exam tomorrow and am currently mourning the end of the theatre season at Kenyon College. We closed our final show, Comedy of Errors, last night. In celebration of my first theatre season at Kenyon coming to an end, I wanted to do a casting on all the awesome plays we did on campus this year.

*Note: this is not every show that happened at Kenyon this year. There are a ton of independent theatre organizations that did a lot of really awesome shows. These are just the department sponsored ones.

Fool For Love
May: Jackie Brecker
Eddie: David Samson
Martin: Nick Williams
The Old Man: Bryce Dilullo

True West
Austin: Grey Smith
Lee: Aaron Brown
Saul Kimmer: Brandon Reyes
Mom: India Chudnow

Marvin's Room (which will be going on Broadway soon! It's a beautiful play. If you go to New York while seeing it, I highly recommend it.)
Bessie: Tiana Marks
Lee: Sarah Davidson
Ruth: India Chudnow
Dr. Wally: Liam Thibeault
Charlie: Ethan Shanker
Hank: Kale Burr
Dr. Charlotte: Katie Rodin
Bob: Devon Policci
Retirement Home Director: Avery Strachan

The Four of Us
David: Vincent Pugliese
Benjamin: Nicholas Hambruch

Savage in Limbo
Denise: Sarah Pansing
Linda: Avery Strachan
Tony: Jacob Herrera
April: Lydia McCloskey
Murk: Noah Delgado

Sex with Strangers
Olivia: Becca Galcik
Ethan: Kale Burr

Dying City
Peter/Craig: Nathan Sheppard
Kelly: Addison Bowman

Uncle Vanya (featured in another dreamcasting)
Aleksandr, the Professor: Bryce Dilullo
Yelena: Summer Beckman
Sonya: Kayla Dobbs
Maria: Payton Bioletto
Uncle Vanya: Anson Romney
Mikhail, the Doctor: Hank Woods

Ilya, "Waffles": Nathan Sheppard

You Got Older
Mae: Tiana Marks
Dad: Julian Mendoza
Mac: Hank Woods
Matthew: Joey J Grado
Jenny: Paige Gagliardi
Hannah: Kate Nienstedt
Cowboy: Mason Reeves

Three Days of Rain
Pip/Theo: Grey Smith
Nan/Lina: Summer Farnsworth
Walker/Ned: Konnor Smith

Comedy of Errors
Antipholus of Syracuse: Aaron Brown
Antipholus of Ephesus: Kevin Kennedy
Dromio of Syracuse: Brandon Brown
Dromio of Ephesus: Hugo Crick-Furman
Adriana: Sarah Pansing
Luciana: Jessie Jo Pauley
Duke: Jacob Herrera
Egeon: Nathan Sheppard
Angelo: Jack Rose
Luce: Avery Strachan
Courtesan: Kylee Webb
The Abbess: Becca Galcik
Pinch: Bryce Dilullo
1st Merchant: Ethan Shanker
2nd Merchant: Devon Policci
Balthasar: Sam Primack