Christian Anderson is a teaching artist, director, and actor local to Central Florida. He has a BFA in Theatre for Youth from East Carolina University and is a first year student in the MFA Theatre for Young Audiences program at the University of Central Florida. Aside from working with CFCArts, Christian works at the Orlando Repertory Theatre as a teaching artist and has worked with Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World as a performer. Christian has been with CFCArts for two years working in the Children and Youth Theatre programs as a Teaching Artist for shows such as Disney’s Moana Jr, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Charlotte’s Web. He has a passion for working with youth and utilizing theatre as a tool to teach self-confidence and empathy.

Madison is so excited to provide the fight direction for this show! She is currently pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre at University of Central Florida. She has been a performer in the Orlando area for three years and has fight directed for several different educational shows in the area. She hopes you enjoy the show!

This is Amy’s first show with CFCArts! She is ecstatic to be assisting these incredibly talented young actors and actresses. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support as well as the CFCArts staff for this amazing opportunity. She hopes you enjoy your journey through Agrabah!

Shannon is super excited to be working with Central Florida Community Arts again this spring! She is currently working on her Associates Degree in Musical Theatre Performance at Valencia College and is excited to join the wonderful crew of Disney’s Aladdin Jr.!

Originally from New York, Trisha started dancing at age three. She received her BFA in Theatre Performance from Valdosta State Univ. of GA. She went on to perform in Regional theatres up and down the East Coast before moving across the country to San Diego. There, she directed and choreographed musicals such as: TARZAN, Seussical the Musical, The Addams Family, Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia with San Diego Junior Theatre and Center Stage Productions. She is excited to be a part of the CFCArts family!

Caroline is a board certified music therapist with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music therapy from Florida State University. She has been practicing music therapy for over six years. An Orlando native, she is excited to be back in her hometown practicing music therapy after working in Boston, MA for several years. Caroline has experience working with infants and toddlers in Early Intervention programs and with students of all ages in the public school system. In addition to her music therapy endeavors, Caroline has performed all over the east coast as a vocalist, both as a soloist and in choral and a cappella groups. Caroline could not be more thrilled to be part of the CFCArts music therapy team, SOAH, and the Academy.

Magen is currently a theatre studies major and sociology minor at the University of Central Florida. At CFCArts, She has previously been an assistant teaching artist for Disney’s Frozen Jr. and Rock On! and an assistant stage manager for The 39 Steps and A Christmas Carol, among other roles. When not at CFCArts or school, Magen works at Universal Orlando Resort as a performer and attractions attendant.

Renee’ is a Music Teacher at Galileo Gifted School teaching K-8 general music, chorus, band, and drama. She is a parent of three CFCArts kids: Kyle, Victoria, and Joey. All three perform in band and theater. The Cartee family has been a part of CFCArts for nine years, volunteering at camps and various shows, performing multiple seasons, and supporting our overall youth program. Renee’ enjoys helping with the performers, front of house, props, decor, and even some face painting here and there! Renee’ and her family love being a part of our large Performing Arts Forever Family!

L’niarae Blevins is extremely proud to be joining cfcarts for her first show.She has been doing theatre performances since eleven years old when she joined her first improv team in after school program in Dayton. She has her B.A in theatre from The Ohio State University.She’s currently an Montessori elementary school teacher.

Taylor Lasseigne is excited to be joining the teaching artist team for her first production with CFCArts! She has eight years of experience working with kids through volunteer work and internships with Prestonwood Baptist Church’s Children’s Ministry, as well as Dallas Children’s Theater and Genesis Children’s Theatre. After graduating in 2017 with a B.A. in Theatre from Oklahoma Baptist University, she moved to Orlando to work for Disney and has been an Entertainment Pyro and Effects Technician for the last five years. Storytelling through theatre is one of her greatest passions. She believes in the power that it has to draw people together through its universality, as well as the positive impact it can have on children – inspiring empathy, confidence, and creativity.

Tristan and his wife Kierstyn have been married for 28 years and have three children, including Natalie (16) who is a member of the CFCArts Youth Theatre Troupe. Tristan studied vocal performance for four years at UNC-CH. He then toured for seven years as a recording artist with the House Jacks, opening for R&B legends like James Brown, Ray Charles, the Temptations and more. Tristan enjoys every facet of musical theater, from producing to performing. As an actor, favorite roles he’s portrayed locally include Shrek, Daddy Warbucks, and the Wizard of Oz. In 2017, the Bishop family founded Unity Players, Inc., a non-profit theatre organization that produces musicals to raise money for local children in need. Tristan directed their 2018 performance of Annie at the Dr. Phillips Center, which sold out five shows and raised thousands for Central Florida foster group homes. In 2019, Tristan wrote the Book, Music and Lyrics for the world premiere of Bold, the Musical. In 2022 and 2023, Tristan served as the music director for student productions of Chicago and Les Miserables. Tristan is delighted and grateful to serve alongside such a mission-minded team.

Diana is thrilled to be joining the CFC Arts team for Aladdin Jr. She is a high school English teacher in her “real life” but Diana grew up on stage.  Some of her favorite productions include Oliver! and The Mikado. As an adult, Diana started a theater program at the middle school where she worked in Pennsylvania and also started the non profit, Pottstown Youth Theater , which served all students with no cost to them.  She enjoys working with middle and high school students and seeing them learn and grow- on stage and off. The theater really is a place where wishes come true!

After moving back to Orlando about a year and a half ago, this is Josh Cassady’s fourth production with CFCArts. Born in Orlando but raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he got his BA in theatre from Michigan State University. In college, his favorite shows to work on were Frankenstein and Oklahoma! Since joining the CFCArts family, he has enjoyed being involved with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Charlotte’s Web. He is thrilled to be stage managing Willy Wonka Jr. this spring, as it was his first musical he ever performed (as an Oompa Loompa). Outside of theatre, he likes to do yoga, spend time outdoors, and put countless hours into his favorite game, Animal Crossing.

After a major change of career choices (mechanical engineering to education), Mike spent 31 years teaching elementary school in Orange County. He was most recently at Apopka Elementary where he helped build backgrounds and set props for the school’s performances. Since retiring, Mike has been busy building and creating any number of different things, some big, some small. One of his more recent accomplishments is building a teardrop camper which he has taken to many northeastern states and is about to take to Texas. Volunteering and working for CFCArts was a natural way for Mike to use his talents and try to help the local arts community. If Mike is not building something, or thinking about building something, he is probably solving a crossword puzzle or watching the Florida Gators compete.

Sydney Pigmon is a recent Rollins College grad who majored in performance. She was recently the audio technician for CFCArts’ production of Charlotte’s Web and she is so happy to be back. She sound designed for multiple shows in Rollins’ student directed series as well as performing on the Annie Russell stage. She is so excited to be the audio tech for Willy Wonka Jr. and Aida, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Leah is originally from Columbus, Ohio. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts and teaching certification in Theatre Education from Ohio Wesleyan University, relocated to Naples, Florida to take the position of Director of Education at the regional theatre Gulfshore Playhouse. While in Naples, Leah and her husband Jason co-founded Ave Maria Children’s Theatre, where served as Managing and Outreach Director. Leah is thrilled to be a part of the Central Florida community and the CFCArts family!

Virginia is glad to be returning to Central Florida Community Arts. Last March, she ran a follow spot during Orlando Rep’s performances of “Pete the Cat”. In May, at the 2022 Orlando International Fringe Festival’s Brown venue, she was responsible for the lighting, audio, props, and special effects for eight different shows. Virginia worked as a Walt Disney World entertainment technician at shows in the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.

Emily is a senior in the BA Theatre Studies program with a minor in Performing Arts Administration at the University of Central Florida. She has performed in various Theatre UCF’s Pegasus PlayLab and UCF’s Project Spotlight productions throughout her time in the University. She has been pursuing theatre since she was a child, and is seeking a career in acting as well as teaching and directing children’s theatre. Emily is thrilled to be working with CFCArts for the first time this season.

Tommy is thrilled to be the part of the CFCArts team! From being in symphonic band, choirs and later theater arts, performing has always been a part of his life in some way. He found his true passion in working behind the scenes helping bring productions to life. I am so happy to bring my passion for not only the arts but as an operator to help make the Patron experience the best it can be.