This Show is SOLD OUT!
Please email boxoffice@theaterproject.com to get on the waitlist.
CAST BIOS
Toto Week Two / Nikko Week one: Hazel Sea Bell, 15, has been acting since the first grade. Improv comedy comes naturally to her, thanks to her wild sense of humor. Hazel has been homeschooled using a Waldorf Rudolf Steiner curriculum, which has allowed her to explore what really lights her up. In addition to acting, Hazel loves reading, singing, art, and the great outdoors (inspired by her Maine upbringing). She has starred in The Power of Prayer, Cinderella, Annie, The Phantom Toll Booth, Macbeth, Bye Bye Birdie as well as a self-led teen rendition of The Parent Trap. Hazel's natural ability to make everyone feel loved brightens every room she enters.
Hickory / The Tinman: Louis Brechter is a singer, actor, and graduate student from Bridgewater, MA, performing at The Theater Project for the first time. Louis has a degree focused in Vocal Music from University of Southern Maine where he is now studying toward an MSEd in Higher Education.vvFavorite recent roles include Guido Contini in Nine, Trent Oliver in The Prom, Tiny Tom/US Cladwell/US Hot Blades in Urinetown, and Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods (USM).
Uncle Henry / Guard: Matt Drewette-Card is a professional educator, podcaster (The Playing For Laughs Podcast, Side Cast: Another Playing For Laughs Podcast; Maine Education Matters), professional tabletop role playing game master, and parent. He loves coffee and cooking and playing guitar and making puns and dad jokes and board games and run-on sentences. When Matt’s not working on improving our systems of education, podcasting, organizing and facilitating games, or caring for his two brilliant and creative dancers, you might find him running, singing karaoke, or performing at open mics around the area. Matt has been with the Playing For Laughs improv troupe since Spring 2022. Winter Cabaret 2025 and The Wizard of Oz is his first time acting on a stage since high school… which was in the early 1990s… . He fully expects The Theater Project management to wise up soon and stop answering his calls and letting him in the building.
Miss Almira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West: Janet Rae Jorgenson (she/her) took some of her first stage steps as an eager eight-year-old munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, and now she’s embracing the other side of the rainbow as the Wicked Witch—a dream role come true! She’s immensely grateful to The Theatre Project for making this magical return to the stage possible after a long hiatus. Sharing this journey down the yellow brick road with such a fantastic ensemble has been pure joy. Endless thanks to her daughter for being the best line-running partner, and to her family and friends for their love and support! Cackle on!
Professor Marvel / Head Winkie / Bug: Tom Kelly was part of the Theater Project’s 2022 script reading class, which morphed into the Midcoast Script Readers group, where he and others meet monthly to read plays in one another’s living rooms. This is Tom’s first foray onto the stage since the 1980s. His prior performances were skit-based productions directed by Edie Doughty of Bath: “1984 Winter Solstice” and “Courtly Appeal,” the latter celebrating the 200thanniversary of the Pownalboro Courthouse.
The Ensemble: Hannah Lowenstein (They/Them) is a senior student at Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. They have been doing theatre since freshman year, both onstage and off. Outside of theatre, in their incredibly little free time, they love creating art of all sorts. This fall, they will be attending Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, where they will be studying Psychology and Visual/Performing Arts. They hope you enjoy the show as much as they've enjoyed being in it! <3
Aunt Em / Glinda: Becky Paradis is a local actress and high school teacher from Waterville, Maine. She recently played the role of Lucy in Murder by the Book for a Vassalboro Public Library fundraiser, and she was a part of the ensemble for both Elf the Musical and Miss Holmes Returns at the Waterville Opera House. Addicted to the magic of theater, she tries to attend as many shows as she can when she isn't performing in one.
Toto Week One / Nikko Week Two: Jo O’Brien (He/They) is a freshman student at Maine Coast Waldorf School in Freeport. They previously performed "The Phantom Tollbooth" and “MacBeth” at the Theater Project along with 8 years of school performances. In his free time he enjoys drawing, writing, and playing D&D with his friends. They will be playing the role of Toto, Dorothy’s dog, and Nikko, the flying monkey in this performance.
The Wizard: Owen Vachon (he/him) is a freshman at Morse High School. In past Theater Project productions, Owen has played Humbug in The Phantom Tollbooth. Owen likes reading and hanging out with friends.
Hunk / The Scarecrow: Sararose Willey (She/her) is a Maine raised theater artist working both on and backstage in the greater Portland area. This is her first time working with The Theater Project. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity and for the fantastic, kind team of people working on this show. She has had great fun exploring the physicality and candor of Scarecrow. She hopes audiences enjoy exploring Juliet Tasker's joyful, quirky take on Oz as much as she has enjoyed discovering it. She would also like to thank her family, and her love, Dylan, for their unending support.
Zeke / The Cowardly Lion: Justin William’s journey into theater and acting did not begin until he moved to Kenya. He lucked into roles in the Karengata Amateur Dramatic Society (KADS) production of Mary Poppins in 2020 which finished its run just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This performance lit a fire in him and led to other performances such as Grease and a panto production of Cinderella. I enjoy using comedy and singing to bring joy to all.
Dorothy Gale: Ella Yazwinski (She/Her) is a The Theater Project lover to her core. Pestering the people of The Theater Project since 2013 she has spent the years since in a multitude of productions. Notably, Theben/Chorus (Lysistrata), Gollum (The Hobbit), Natalia Sedona Trotsky (Boxers: A Series of Shorts) and most recently Lady Macbeth (Macbeth). When she’s not onstage she’s behind it, ushering and teaching at The Theater Project. Ella invites you to take a step into Oz. And if you get lost, Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
The Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
with music & lyrics by Harold Arlen & E. Y. Harburg
Directed by Juliet Tasker
Vocal Direction by Audrey Burns
Choreography by Joanna Patterson
March 28th - April 6th
Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM
Sunday at 2:00 PM
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS
Technical Director / Scenic Builder: Keith Anctil (he/him) has been acting, writing, directing, designing, and building theater in Maine since 1998. He currently directs/designs at Westbrook High School. He also works with the improv company Playing For Laughs! He lives in Westbrook with his lovely wife, silly little dog, a big vegetable garden and one sweet chicken. He is a special educator by day and enjoys running, kayaking and fishing when he has a little spare time. The Theater Project is his favorite place to work and play.
Vocal Director: Audrey Burns (she/her) is a higher education professional with a deep love for Maine and a passion for supporting inclusive communities. Audrey first discovered the magic of The Theater Project as a camper in 2008 and now proudly serves on its Board of Directors. Audrey studied theater, music, and film in college and is thrilled to be dusting off these skills with the amazing Wizard of Oz cast and crew. When not running around, you can likely find her digging through craft boxes at home in Gorham, where she lives with her amazing fiancé and their two dramatic gray cats.
Costume Designer: Jessie Eastman Perry grew up at the Theater Project ‘back in the 1900s.’ She started on stage in middle school, moved on to teaching and directing in high school and college. After living on the west coast and abroad for a number of years, Jessie returned to The Theater Project to design costumes for Lizzie Bright in 2018. She’s been in and out of costume design ever since. Jessie would like to thank her husband Josh and son Wyler for putting up with costume pieces and glitter everywhere. She would also like to thank her friend Erin for lending a hand.
Lighting Designer & Board Operator: Mia Garza (she/her) is a lighting designer from Woolwich, Maine. She graduated from Wheaton College Massachusetts in 2024 with a BA in Theatre and Hispanic Studies. Her most recent productions include lighting design for The Ballet School’s 2024 Dance Showcase, Wheaton College Dance Company’s performance Crossroads (2023), and Wheaton’s DanceFest: Beyond All Limits (2023). In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and cooking.
Production Manager: Amanda LaFlamme (she/her) walked into The Theater Project sixteen years ago as a member of the Young Company and never left. During the day she works as the Executive Director. She is grateful for the positive experience that The Wizard of Oz has been, and the cast and crew for making that happen. Amanda spends her time not working with her two children and performs with the improv troupe, Playing for Laughs.
Sound Designer: Ryan McGowan (He/Him) is a composer, audio engineer, and sound designer. He has done sound design and music for productions at Portland Players, The Theater Project, Maddy’s Theater, Mad Horse Theater Company and Portland Museum of Art.
Choreographer: Joanna Patterson (she/her) spent her youth in dance classes and community theater productions, and received her BA in Dance magna cum laude from Desales University in 1999. She has been dancing and teaching in Maine for 25 years, a time that also included 12 wonderful years as Theater Manager at The Theater Project. Since 2015 she has been the owner/director of The Moving Company Dance Studio in Topsham where she teaches dancers of all ages. She is happy to be visiting the land of Oz with her Theater Project family. Love to Al!
Stage Manager: Miriam Patterson is a senior at Mount Ararat High School. She’s been at TTP her whole life: participating in summer camp as a kid, assistant teaching those same camps as a teen, acting in various productions such as The Hobbit and Voices in the Mirror, and now her stage managing debut for the Wizard of Oz! In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, and crocheting. Miriam is so grateful for all the spectacular cast, crew, and production team of the show; it is a delight to work with all of them. She hopes you enjoy the magical journey to Oz!
Props Manager: Hannah Publicover is thrilled to be back as Props Designer for The Wizard of OZ. Previously Hannah had done props for Macbeth and God of Carnage here at The Theater Project. Hannah has enjoyed working with The Theater Project and working on this production. She hopes that you enjoy the show.
Director: Juliet Tasker (She/Her) is a local artist, camper, and educator. First and foremost, she wants to thank Amanda for giving her the opportunity to lead an intergenerational production at what is truly a teaching theater. She extends her gratitude to Mimi, Audrey, Joanna, and the rest of the team, who without this Wonderful World of Oz wouldn't be possible! Intergenerational productions are Juliet's favorite, having worked on many at the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine where she is a member of the 2025 Acting Company. She holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Southern Maine. Juliet has served in a variety of production roles from Maui to Maine, and is excited to add director the the list. Some of her favorite projects include- Dragons Love Tacos (CMTM), Tumacho (Mad Horse Theatre Company), Do You Feel Anger? (TTP), and She Kills Monsters (USM). In the summer she works at Camp CenterStage as Waterfront Director and Head Lifeguard. Juliet's favorite place to play is her classroom at Woodfords Special Purpose Private School. She is a special education teacher in the K-5 Program where she spends many days getting silly and messy. Whether teaching onstage or in the classroom, her only goal is to create safe spaces for ALL to experience joy within.
Thank you to our scenic build assistants: Zoe Bolton and Susie Hanley!