Mia Alvarez-Cotto (she/her), Mopsa: Mia is a sophomore studying Legal Studies with a minor in Music. She is nineteen, from the Bronx, NY, and has always had a passion for music. She has been in multiple school theatre productions, choir, graduated from Barbizon (a performing arts school in which she was taught Acting and given singing lessons). Playing Mopsa has furthered her performing experience to an entirely different level, and for that she is eternally grateful.
Caitlin Beecham (she/her), Pythio: Recently, Caitlin has appeared as Margot in Legally Blonde, Elsa in Frozen Jr., Julie in Theory of Relativity, and Storyteller/Snake in Children of Eden. She would like to thank her family and peers, especially her roommate Ally, for their support throughout the rehearsal process.
CiCi Bushay (she/her), Philoclea: CiCi is a first-year student, majoring in Exercise Science. She plans on being a personal trainer and publishing a dozen YA/NA books. CiCi is excited to take part in her first musical at UNH! When she’s not performing onstage, she’s performing with the Color Guard. On campus, she is also involved with PIRO and DND.
Rose Butala (she/her), Gynecia: Rose is a 4th-year student majoring in Forensic Science and minoring in Theater Arts. Being involved in the University’s Theater Arts program for the past 4 years has been the greatest part of her college experience. Thank you to Diana, Meg, and Jenn for everything they have done.
Chad Celini (he/him), Basilius: Chad is a 3rd year student majoring in Forensic Science with a concentration in Biology. He has been involved with five other productions on campus since 2019 including Melancholy Play (‘19) and Elephant’s Graveyard (‘20).
Stephanie Harwood (she/her), Pamela: Stephanie is a junior, getting a BA in Music with minors in Theatre Arts and Italian Studies. At UNH she been in The Winter’s Tale, R.U.R., Elephant’s Graveyard, and The Wolves.
Killian Meehan (he/him), Musidorus: Killian is a junior majoring in Cyber Security and Networks on the NSA Cyber Operatives track. Killian has previously appeared in the University’s production of The Winter’s Tale last semester and is very excited to have another chance to perform here in Head over Heels.
Ian Sacci (he/him), Dametas: Ian is a sophomore, majoring in Sport Management at the University of New Haven. His recent, previous roles include Ned Schneebly in School of Rock, Dr. Gall in RUR, Chester McKee in The Great Gatsby, Spritzer in Hairspray, Rudolph in Hello, Dolly!, and the roles of Brandon and Philip in A Wilder Time. Additionally, he has been a part of the ensemble in Mame and Les Miserables. He would like to thank everyone involved in the process of creating this wonderful show.
Jess Cartelli (she/her), Ensemble: Jess is a senior studying for a B.A. Music and Sound Recording with a double minor in Theater and English. She has acted in previous UNH productions such as R.U.R. and The Winter’s Tale, as well as working backstage on shows such as The Wolves and Elephants Graveyard. She is excited to perform in her final musical and is excited to be a part of Student New Works next semester.
Dean Festa (he/him), Ensemble
Lilly Hack (she/her), Ensemble: Lilly is a 4th year student, majoring in National Security. This is her 5th production at the University of New Haven and is so grateful for the opportunity for this to be her first musical. She hopes you all will enjoy the production as much as she does.
Maddie Hoffman (she/her), Ensemble: Maddie is a student, majoring in Music and minoring in Theatre Arts. Maddie has previously acted in Les Misérables (Grantaire), The Phantom of the Opera (Meg Giry), Seussical the Musical (Sour Kangaroo), and Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley). Maddie would like to thank her amazing directors, crew, and fellow cast members for putting together a fantastic and well needed show after a long break from theater!
Jessie Hymowitz (she/her), Ensemble: Jessie is a nineteen-year-old sophomore who is majoring in English with a concentration in writing. She has been doing theater since the 5th grade when she starred as “The Fox” in her elementary school’s production of Pinocchio. Theatre has been a part of her life ever since. She is so happy to be a part of such an amazing ensemble and hopes that this was as an amazing experience for them as it was for her.
Natalie Jones (she/her), Ensemble: Natalie is a freshman in the accelerated program getting her Bachelors in International Business with a concentration in Marketing and her MBA. She has been acting in plays and musicals since the 4th grade. The past four years she has competed with her high school in the CT Halo Awards. Head Over Heels is her 9th show.
Raegan Parke (she/her), Ensemble: Raegan is a freshman majoring in forensics.
Travis Reid (he/him), Ensemble
Ally Staples (she/they), Ensemble: Ally is a first-year graphic design student at the University of New Haven.
Meg Savilonis (she/her), Director: MFA (Acting), PhD (Theater History, Literature & Criticism) An Associate Professor of English and Theater Arts, Meg has been the Resident Dramaturg for the Theater Arts Program since 2010. Professional dramaturgy credits include The Three Sisters (Franklin & Marshall College) and The Art of Hijab, Kohl Black, and the Right Way to Pray (Polybe + Seats). Professional acting credits include Rose in A Shayna Maidel (Highlands Playhouse), Sister in WAR (Rude Mechs/OffCenter), Phebe in As You Like It (Riverside Shakespeare Festival), and Catherine in The Memory of Water (Riverside Theatre). Recently she had the opportunity to perform at UNH, appearing as Soccer Mom in The Wolves. Previous directing credits at UNH include Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, Melancholy Play: A Chamber Musical, Elephant’s Graveyard, and R.U.R.
Jennifer Sciglibaglio (she/her), Music Director/Conductor/Keyboard: Director/Musical Director: Annie, Jr., Hamden Middle School, May 2022; Seussical, Jr., Spring Glen Elementary School May, 2020; The Phantom Tollbooth Jr., SpringGlen Elementary School May, 2019. Musical Director: Pirates!, The Musical and Pirates! 2, The Hidden Treasure,Neighborhood Music School June, 2022 and June 2020; Rage, Quinnipiac University,February 2020; Happily Ever After?, Neighborhood Music School June, 2019; Next to Normal, Quinnipiac University February, 2019; Aladdin Jr., Spring Glen ElementarySchool May, 2018. Faculty: Voice, Piano, Drama at Neighborhood Music School 2011~present;Voice at Setnor School of Music, Syracuse University 1997~2000. Director/Artistic Staff/Vocal Director/Accompanist: Audubon Arts SummerProgram, Neighborhood Music School 2016~present. Instructor: Summer Rocks! Neighborhood Music School 2018. Music Together, Certified Teacher: Musical Folk, Inc. of New Haven 2012~present; Not Just Art, Inc. 2009~2011. Music/Choral Director: New Haven Resistance Choir 2017~2020; Amity Children’sChoir 2017~2018.
Diana Dart Harris (she/her), Choreographer: Diana has over 30 years of experience in theater, choreographing over 60 shows. Her college textbook, Beginning Musical Theatre Dance is used in high school and college theater programs throughout the country, and her blog, The Healthy Dancer, combines her knowledge of dance and exercise science to aid the development of intelligent, thinking, healthy dancers. Diana has been an adjunct professor in the Theater Department at University of New Haven for the past 8 years and has served as the resident choreographer and movement coach for all theater productions. Diana is also a professor in the Dance Department and Dance Certification program at Naugatuck Valley Community College.
Lauren Gallup, Lighting Designer
Pedro L. Guevara (he/him/his), Scenic Designer: Pedro is a scenic designer and scenic artist based in Louisiana. He is an alum of the University of Connecticut MFA Scenic Design program where he studied under Tim Brown. Pedro has worked professionally as a designer, associate/assistant designer, and painter for the last 3 years. He has designed scenery at Open House Arts, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Afterwork Theatre, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and Harlem School of the Arts. He has assisted designers regionally at Riverside Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, and Opera House Arts. He is currently the Assistant Professor of Set Design at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Soule Golden (she/her), Costume Designer: Soule is a collaborative, multi-media artist with 15 years experience costuming for performance. She holds an M.F.A. in design from Yale School of Drama and a Bachelor’s degree in Textiles and Apparel Design from Cornell University. She is interested in sustainability and anti-racism, new voices, re-imagined classics, and family drama. She has worked with the Joffrey Ballet, Santa Fe Opera, & Yale Repertory Theater, as well as a fabric painter and dyer on Broadway and Film. Some credits include A Sign of the Times at Ars Nova, Betrayal & Drowned World in Chicago Storefront Theaters, Reefer Madness and Caroline or Change at The Gallery Players Brooklyn, On the Floor with The Dance Cartel, Hedda Gabler at Yale School of Drama, and Caucasian Chalk Circle at Yale Repertory Theater, among others. Awards include the Jay and Rhonda Keene Scholarship and the Richard Harrison Scenie Scholarship. She is a mother of two and has been on many physical journeys, including hiking the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon, and Machu Pichu. When she’s not in the land of dress-up, she’s in her garden, attempting to grow dye plants.
Colby Adams (he/him), Sound Designer/Sound Board Operator: Colby is a senior getting a BA in Music and Sound Recording with a minor in Theatre Arts. He has previously worked at UNH on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play, Meloncholy Play: A Chamber Musical, and Elephant’s Graveyard.
Malyna Le (she/her), Props Co-Manager: Malyna is a sophomore majoring in Health Sciences.
Jaz Sullivan (she/her), Props Co-Manager: Jaz is a 3rd year student majoring in Psychology and Head Over Heels is her first time being involved a university production.
Elli Smith (she/her), Stage Manager: Elli is a first year student, majoring in Psychology. She did stage management for her middle and high school drama club since 7th grade making this her 9th show.
Zachary Parisella (he/him), Technical Director: From Hamden CT, Zachary has been working on theatrical productions since the age of 7. He’s always been interested in the inner workings of a production, which led him to pursuing it as a career. He has many years of experience working on productions for high schools, community theatres, and the college he attended (Eastern Connecticut State University).
Sydney Guye (she/her), Dramaturg: Sydney is a second year dramaturgy student in the Columbia University MFA Theatre program. She has BAs in Theatre Arts and History from UNH (Class of 2019). She has interned in several off-Broadway theatre companies (including York Theatre Company and The Civilians) and her UNH credits include Mr. Burns, a post-electric play (Dramaturg), The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (Abridged) (Assistant Director), Cabaret (Assistant Stage Manager, Student Dramaturg), Almost, Maine (Stage Manager), A Chorus Line (Assistant Dramaturg), and more.
Brenda Dimbo (she/her), Dramaturgy Apprentice/Costume Crew: Brenda is a 2nd year student, majoring in Forensic Science. She has been involved in theater as a cast member in Fiddler on the Roof, and since high school has been lead in costume crew.
Adam McPhillips (he/him), Marketing and Publicity/Box Office Manager
Theo Kissel (he/they), Pink Poster Design: Theo is a third-year student majoring in Forensic Science with a concentration in Chemistry.
Barry Libowitz, (he/him), House Manager/Build Crew: Barry is a fourth year Marine Biology student. He has previously been involved in University productions both on and off stage in shows such as Cabaret, Elephant’s Graveyard, The Wolves, and R.U.R.
Jana Zhu (she/her), Hair and Makeup/Build Crew: Jana is a first-year student and is undeclared. In the past she has worked on high school productions as a props master. She’s very excited to be a part of crew for Head Over Heels!
Catherine Duclos (she/her) Light Board Operator/Build Crew: Catherine is a freshman majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psych.
Gabriel Jones (he/him), Sound Crew/Build Crew: This is the first time Gabriel is helping with a University of New Haven theater show, and he is very excited to, because he has seen every show since his freshman year. Gabriel is a junior Music and Sound Recording Major from Maine who performed in theater shows all throughout high school, has always wanted to help with the sound, and is finally getting the chance to!
Olivia Cruz (she/her), Run Crew: Olivia is a junior studying Forensic Psychology.
Sarah McMenemy (she/her), Run Crew: Sarah is a freshman majoring in Genetics and Biotechnology.
Courtney Milisits (she/her), Run Crew/Build Crew: Courtney is a sophomore majoring in Forensic Psychology.
Julia Motchkavitz (she/her), Run Crew/Build Crew: Julia is a junior majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a concentration in Hotels and Resorts Management.
