Disney's Newsies

RORY BOYD

Oscar Delancey / Bill / Ensemble

RORY BOYD (Oscar Delancey / Bill / Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Arena Stage debut. He recently made his D.C.-area debut as Roger in Signature Theatre’s world premiere of Blackbeard. Other career highlights include Matt (the Boy) in The Fantasticks (Opera House Arts); Mordred in Camelot (Lyric Stage Co. of Boston); and the Player King in Hamlet (Actors’ Shakespeare Project). Rory grew up in Scotland where he appeared in productions of The Secret Garden; Honk!; and A Christmas Carol at the Byre Theatre of St Andrew’s. He holds degrees from the University of Cambridge; University College London; and the Boston Conservatory. He resides in New York City with his wife, Clara, and their dog, Wallace. roryboyd.com

MATTHEW DAVIES

Specs / Ensemble / Davey u/s

MATTHEW DAVIES (Specs / Ensemble / Davey u/s) is elated to be making his Arena Stage debut in Newsies! His most recent credits include: Guys and Dolls and Paint Your Wagon (MUNY); and A Funny Thing Happened…Forum (Gulfshore Playhouse). National tour credits include: Finding Neverland and Cinderella. Regional credits include: Music Theatre Wichita, MUNY, North Carolina Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse and The Metropolitan Opera. Matthew holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Brigham Young University. Sending gratitude to his family, parents, God, Bloc, Johnny, BYU, Parker and the whole production team for this amazing opportunity! Instagram: @matthewddavies www.matthewddavies.com

JAVIER DEL PILAR

Bunsen / Stage Manager / Ensemble

JAVIER DEL PILAR (Bunsen / Stage Manager / Ensemble) last appeared at Arena Stage in Native Gardens. D.C.-area credits include: Godspell (NextStop Theatre Company); Charlotte's Web and Óyeme: The Beautiful (Imagination Stage); and Ella Enchanted (Adventure Theatre MTC). Regionally he has appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream (National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Beijing); Dogfight, Spring Awakening and Avenue Q (Red Branch Theatre Company); and Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company). Instagram: @javierdelpilar

WYN DELANO

Snyder / Ensemble

WYN DELANO (Snyder / Ensemble) is making his Arena Stage debut in Newsies. Recent D.C.-area credits include Into the Woods (Ford’s Theatre), Beast in Beauty and the Beast (Creative Cauldron), A Civil War Christmas (First Stage), Parade (Keegan Theatre) and several leading roles at Riverside Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Last year, Wyn toured the country in the role of Major Gray as part of the First National Tour of the 2015 Broadway musical Amazing Grace. Favorite Regional credits include the southwest premiere of the magician-centric As We Lie Still (Contemporary Theatre of Dallas), several seasons with the Trinity Shakespeare Festival and A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch featuring Donna McKechnie at Bass Hall. Wyn holds a BFA in Theatre from TCU in Fort Worth, TX.

CHRISTIAN DOUGLAS

Seitz / Ensemble / Jack Kelly u/s

CHRISTIAN DOUGLAS (Seitz / Ensemble / Jack Kelly u/s) is thrilled to be making his D.C. theater debut at Arena Stage. For the past four years, Christian has been singing full-time with the United States Army Chorus, performing as a soloist all over the country and in the D.C. area at venues like the Kennedy Center, the Pentagon, the Capitol and the White House. Christian was awarded second prize in the prestigious Lotte Lenya Vocal Competition in 2018 and was a finalist in the American Traditions Vocal Competition in 2019. He is currently an artist in residence at the Strathmore Mansion and will be appearing in Gun and Powder at Signature Theatre in February. Instagram: @christiandouglasmusic christiandouglasmusic.com

EDWARD GERO

Joseph Pulitzer

EDWARD GERO (Joseph Pulitzer)’s Arena Stage credits include Thomas Everson, Jr. in Junk, Antonin Scalia in The Originalist, Benjamin Hubbard in The Little Foxes and Mark Rothko in Red. He is a four-time Helen Hayes Award-winner and 16-time nominee. New York credits include The Originalist (59E59). Regional credits include The Originalist (Asolo Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse and Court Theatre, Joseph Jefferson Award nomination); Red and Gloucester in King Lear (Goodman); Nixon’s Nixon and Night Alive (Round House); Sweeney Todd (Signature Theatre); Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (Ford’s Theatre); and American Buffalo, Shining City and Skylight (Studio Theatre). In 32 seasons with Shakespeare Theatre Company, his over 70 roles include Helen Hayes turns in Henry IV, Richard II and Macbeth. Film/TV credits include “House of Cards,” “TURN: Washington's Spies,” “Die Hard 2,” “Striking Distance” and narrations for Discovery Channel and PBS. He is a Ten Chimneys 2015 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow and associate professor of theater at George Mason University.

BRETT-MARCO GLAUSER

Swing

BRETT-MARCO GLAUSER (Swing) Coming soon

HAZEL HAY

Les

HAZEL HAY (Les) is delighted to make her Arena Stage debut at age 9. D.C.- area credits include Ford’s Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Want/School Girl). Television credits include “K-REX”, “This is Life Live”, “Copycat Killers” and “Love Gone Wrong”. Film credits include “A Mother's Love”, “The Off Season” and “The Catcher”. Love and thanks to her family, G. Gardner Talent Management, Studio Bleu, and the entire Newsies team. Instagram: @Hey_Hazel_Hay

MICHAEL HEWITT

Morris Delancey / Darcy / Ensemble / Teddy Roosevelt u/s

MICHAEL HEWITT (Morris Delancey / Darcy / Ensemble / Teddy Roosevelt u/s) could not be more excited to make his Arena Stage debut. He is grateful to the team for their trust, for the company they let him keep and to and for Caroline, his wife. His previous credits include: Angelotti in Tosca (WNO); Baron Douphol in La traviata (WNO); Jud Fry in Oklahoma!; Lt. Horstmayer in Silent Night; Diesel in West Side Story; and King Edoardo III in L’assedio di Calais (GGF). Michael is a Domingo-Cafritz alum, Rice University MM. Get in touch @mc.hewitt (IG) and at www.michaelhewitt.com.

MICHAEL JOHN HUGHES

Romeo / Spot Conlon / Ensemble / Dance Captain

MICHAEL JOHN HUGHES (Romeo / Spot Conlon / Ensemble / Dance Captain) is thrilled to be performing at the Arena Stage for the first time! This summer he was at the Cape Playhouse in Massachusetts performing as Paul in A Chorus Line. Michael John has spent most of his career performing at regional theatres all over the country. His favorite credits include: Elf: The Musical (Ogunquit Playhouse), In The Heights (North Carolina Theatre), Newsies (North Carolina Theatre), A Chorus Line (Westchester Broadway Theatre), Frozen: A Musical Spectacular & Disney Dreams (Disney Cruise Lines), Newsies (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Evitaand West Side Story (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), A Chorus Line (Weston Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre) and Carousel (Arizona Broadway Theatre). He received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Pace University. He’d like to thank his friends and family for their unconditional love and support. Performances dedicated to Liz. Instagram: @michaeljohnhugs

CAROLE DENISE JONES

Nun / Hannah / Ensemble / Medda Larkin / Nun u/s

CAROLE DENISE JONES (Nun / Hannah / Ensemble / Medda Larkin / Nun u/s) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut. She was last seen in The Book of Mormon (Broadway). National Tours: The Book of Mormon, Mamma Mia, and Whistle Down the Wind. She has also performed in many regional theaters throughout the country. TV: “The Americans”, “Dietland”. She can also be seen in the upcoming movie “Clifford the Big Red Dog” coming to theaters in 2020. Love to Darren and Gretta, our sweet dog.

DANIEL J. MALDONADO

Jack Kelly

DANIEL J. MALDONADO (Jack Kelly) is very excited to be making his Arena Stage debut and to step back into Newsie Square! Some recent regional credits include: the world premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical based on Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed film (Emerson Colonial Theater, Boston); Grease (Pittsburgh CLO); Pippin (FreeFall Theatre); and The Graduate, Newsies, Rock of Ages and Tommy (Forestburgh Playhouse). He is a Rider University MT graduate and a proud AEA member. Thanks to the team at Nicolosi, Molly, Parker, Laura and Geoff! And a huge thank you to Mom, Dad, family, friends and Shelly for all the love and support. Love you all! Enjoy the show! Instagram: @DanielJ_Maldonado Twitter: @DanJMaldonado Website: danieljmaldonado.net

TOMÁS MATOS

Finch / Ensemble

TOMÁS MATOS (Finch / Ensemble) was born and based in NYC. Tomas is a graduate of the renowned FAME School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Theater credits include: the Broadway bound Diana (La Jolla Playhouse); West Side Story (Guthrie Theater); In The Heights and Newsies (Pioneer Theater Company); and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (NCL). Dance credits include Broadway Dance Lab (Fall 2018); Random Acts of Flyness (HBO); Madonna (MDNA skin); UNIQLO, Modern Love and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime). Special thanks to CTG and his fabulous grandmother for all their support; he wouldn’t be able to seize the day without them. Follow Matos’ journey into his next gig as he makes his broadway debut with the company of Diana at the Longacre Theater this Winter! Instagram: @tomatos_

JOE MONTOYA

Crutchie

JOE MONTOYA (Crutchie) is honored to be making his Arena Stage debut in Newsies! Recent theater credits include Les Miserables (Eponine), Modern Day Martyrdom (at Fuerza Fest NYC), and The Wild Party (Oscar D'Armano). Other favorite roles include Into the Woods (Jack) and Spring Awakening (Ernst). A recent graduate of Pace University's Musical Theater program, Joe has made concert appearances in New York City at 54Below, the Green Room 42, and MCC Theater. Many thanks go out to the incredible Cast and Crew of Newsies! Love wins! Instagram: @jo_shortstack Website: JoeMontoyaOfficial.com

EMRE OCAK

Mush / Ensemble

EMRE OCAK (Mush / Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Arena Stage debut in Newsies. Emre’s theater credits include local productions of The Addams Family (Pugsley) and Aladdin (Ensemble), as well as the PA production of Frankenstein Rocks at the Zlock Performing Arts Center. Emre has performed in The Washington School of Ballet’s adaptation of Don Quixote, the Mid-Atlantic Dance Theater production of The Nutcracker, the New York City Dance Alliance Summer Dance Intensive Showcase at the Schimmel Center in NYC and on stages around the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., area. Emre is 16 years old and is trained in ballet, contemporary, musical theater, acrobatics, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop and improvisational dance.

SHILOH ORR

Albert / Scab / Ensemble

SHILOH ORR (Albert / Scab / Ensemble) will be making his Arena Stage debut in Newsies. He is a Bachelor of Music graduate from The Catholic University of America and has recently been seen at Toby’s Dinner Theatre as Eugene in Grease! and Tulsa in Gypsy. He is incredibly excited to be here at Arena Stage; he thanks his friends and family for their support and God for his continuous blessings.

NOVA Y. PAYTON

Medda Larkin / Nun

NOVA Y. PAYTON (Medda Larkin / Nun) has performed extensively in the DC area. She is thrilled to be back at Arena for a second time. The last show Nova was in at Arena Stage was Smokey Joe's Café. Tour credits include: 3 Mo’ Divas, Smokey Joe’s Café (BJ). Regional credits include: The 5th: Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), A Night with Janis Joplin; Milwaukee Rep & Prince Music Theatre: Dreamgirls (Effie). DC Area credits include: Jelly's Last Jam, La Cage aux Folles; Defying Gravity: Making of a SuperNOVA; Dreamgirls(Helen Hayes Nom); The Best Little Whorehouse...(Jewel); Hairspray (Motormouth Mabelle, Helen Hayes recipient) (Signature); Caroline, or Change (Caroline) (Round House); Kiss Me, Kate (Hattie) (Shakespeare Theatre); A Year with Frog and Toad (Imagination Stage); Ragtime (Sarah) (Ford's Theatre); Godspell (Olney Theatre); and How To Succeed in Business (Kennedy Center). www.simply-nova.com. 

TANNER PFLUEGER

Henry / Buttons / Ensemble

TANNER PFLUEGER (Henry / Buttons / Ensemble) is overjoyed to be making his debut at Arena Stage in their production of Newsies. A Nebraska native, Tanner is a dance alumnus from Oklahoma City University and now resides in New York City. His most recent credits include Guys and Dolls (Broadway At Music Circus), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Theatre Under the Stars), and The Music Man (Asolo Rep). At age 13, he appeared on Broadway and the West End in Billy Elliot playing the titular role. During his college career he spent many summers at Music Theatre Wichita and The Muny in St. Louis. He thanks his mom and dad for their endless love and support. Here’s to a dream show! Instagram: @tanthedancinman

BRIDGET RILEY

Splasher / Nun / Ensemble / Katherine Plumber u/s

BRIDGET RILEY (Splasher / Nun / Ensemble / Katherine Plumber u/s) is excited for be back at Arena Stage after performing in The Pajama Game, Carousel and the workshop of Another Part of the Forest. New York Off-Broadway credits include: The Scarlet Letter and Freckleface. National Tours include: West Side Story and Seussical. DC credits include: Camelot (Shakespeare Theatre Company); 110 in the Shade (Ford's Theatre); and Cabaret (Olney Theatre Center). Regional credits include: Paradise Square, Peter Pan, West Side Story, Les Miserables, All Shook Up, The Producers, Spelling Bee, Cabaret, Wild Party, Bare, among others.  International credits include: Nine, Stadsschouwburg Opera and Brugge Belgium. Film credits include: “Something Borrowed” and “East of Adin.” TV credits include: “Nurse Jackie “and “Primal Instinct.” Concerts include: Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Symphony Orchestra, Ted Shawn Theatre and Jacob's Pillow. Education: BFA Musical Theatre from Pace University and Jacob's Pillow School for Dance.  Instagram: @missbridgetriley Website: www.missbridgetriley.com

TRO SHAW

Tommy Boy / Scab / Ensemble / Fight Captain

TRO SHAW (Tommy Boy / Scab / Ensemble / Fight Captain) is thrilled to be making her Arena Stage debut with this powerful and energetic musical. Favorite past credits include- Broadway: Anybodys, West Side Story (Palace Theater, original revival cast). Regional: Torgus, Torgus & Snow (SigWorks); Mime, Bread (Spooky Action/Kennedy center Page-to-Stage); Cherry, Cherry Smoke (LA Premiere, Lucky Mellon Collective); Avery, Rapture, Blister, Burn (u/s Geffen); Lady Mortimer, Henry IV Part 1 (Antaeus); Minnie Fay, The Matchmaker (Utah Shakes); Ariel double, The Little Mermaid (TUTS/McCoy Rigby tour); Judy Haynes, White Christmas; Josie, Yankee Doodle Dandy (Musical Theatre West). Television: “NCIS: Los Angeles”. Special thanks to Molly, Victor, Parker, Anthony and Simon. MFA candidate in classical acting, ACA; BFA in Acting, CMU. Proud member of AEA & SAG-AFTRA.  www.troshaw.com

THOMAS ADRIAN SIMPSON

Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Ensemble / Joseph Pulitzer u/s

THOMAS ADRIAN SIMPSON (Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Ensemble / Joseph Pulitzer u/s) returns to Arena Stage where he was most recently seen in Anything Goes and Dave. Other Arena appearances include Karl Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun; Col. Pickering in My Fair Lady; Abraham Lincoln in Mary T. & Lizzy K.; and Roy in A Light in the Piazza, among others. Recent regional credits include: El Gallo in The Fantasticks with Infinity Theatre; Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at The Riverside Center; Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Pete the Cowboy in Crazy for You at Signature Theatre; and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd at The Olney Theatre Center. Tom can be seen in season 4 of Netflix’s “House of Cards” and is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

JAMIE SMITHSON

Nunzio / Teddy Roosevelt / Ensemble

JAMIE SMITHSON (Nunzio / Teddy Roosevelt / Ensemble) last appeared at Arena Stage as Avram in Fiddler on the Roof.  His favorite DC credits include: Sense and Sensibility (Folger Theater, Helen Hayes Nomination - Best Actor), Cake Off (Signature Theater), Boeing Boeing (No Rules), Crimes of the Heart (Everyman Theater), Twist your Dickens (The Kennedy Center, The Second City) and Fly By Night (1st Stage, Helen Hayes Nomination - Best Actor).  He has also performed regionally with Shakespeare Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater, Ford's Theatre, Imagination Stage, Portland Center Stage, The Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company. Jamie received his MFA in acting at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.

JOSIAH SMOTHERS

Les

JOSIAH SMOTHERS (Les) is thrilled to be playing the part of Les in Newsies! Josiah made his National Tour Debut last year as Michael/Jack in Finding Neverland. He would love to thank Arena Stage for this amazing opportunity to play one of his dream roles! Josiah is a dancer/singer/actor at Studio Bleu in Ashburn. He is also a member of Chloe and Maud Arnold’s Jr Tap Company. Josiah would like to thank his family and friends, Mr. Dave, Shirley Grant Management, Miss Badiene, Miss Kim, Justin and all his Bleu teachers and God for this opportunity. Follow him on Instagram: @itsjosiahsmothers

LUCY SPRING

Swing

LUCY SPRING (Swing) is excited to be making her Arena Stage debut in Newsies. A graduate of George Mason University with a BFA in Dance, Lucy has performed at the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center as a member of the GMU Dance Company. She has shared the stage with The American Pops Orchestra in You Spin Me Round at the GW Lisner Auditorium, and the contemporary dance company, marInspired; the storytellers, in the Capezio A.C.E. Awards and breakable in NYC. Lucy has assisted pre-production choreography for Grand Hotel (Signature Theatre) and Evita (Olney Theatre Center) and set original choreography for GMU Dance Company (Harris Theatre), Ethno World Orchestra, Inc., Seussical the Musical, Jr., CureFest and various dance schools in Virginia.

LUKE SPRING

Elmer / Scab / Ensemble

LUKE SPRING (Elmer / Scab / Ensemble) is excited to make his Arena Stage debut. His past performances include Kennedy Center Honors (Tom Hanks Tribute), Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala and Mayor’s Arts Awards (Lincoln Theatre). Luke was in both the original Broadway cast of A Christmas Story, The Musical (Lunt-Fontanne) and the show’s first National Tour (MSG, Wang, Bushnell). Credits include Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life (New World Stages, The Wallis), Tony Awards (Radio City Music Hall), Fred and Adele Astaire Awards and performances at the Apollo, Joyce, St. Luke’s, Town Hall and El Portal theaters. Luke has performed with the American Festival Pops Orchestra, internationally as a member of Rhythmatic Tap Company, at Ellis Island, Feinstein’s/54 Below and corporate entertainment events around the country. His television credits include The Ellen DeGeneres Show and SYTYCD.

ETHAN VAN SLYKE

ETHAN VAN SLYKE (Davey Jacobs) returned to Arena Stage in Newsies after last being seen in Oliver! (Fagin’s Gang, Oliver U/S) and Watch on the Rhine (Joshua and Bodo U/S). Other professional credits include Creative Cauldron's Caroline or Change (Noah, Helen Hayes Nomination), NextStop Theatre's Singin’ in the Rain (Rod/ Hollywood Tenor) and The Secret Garden (Colin). Ethan has also been a featured artist on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. Currently a senior at Freedom High School (South Riding, VA), his school credits include Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood/Choreo.), The Music Man (Marcellus/Choreo.), Flowers for Algernon (Burt Seldon) and High School Musical (Ryan). Ethan would like to thank everyone at South Riding Dance Academy, his teachers, friends and family for their unconditional support. Instagram: @ethan.vanslyke Twitter: @ethanvABC

ERIN WEAVER

Katherine Plumber

ERIN WEAVER (Katherine Plumber) is so excited to be back at Arena Stage where she was last seen as Katrin in Mother Courage (Helen Hayes Award). A seven-time Helen Hayes Award-winner, some of Erin’s favorite roles locally include Mona Juul in Oslo, Nell Gwynn in Or (Helen Hayes Award) and Deb in Ordinary Days (Helen Hayes Award) at Round House Theatre;Marianne in Sense & Sensibility (Helen Hayes Award, Best Ensemble) and Thomasina in Arcadia (Helen Hayes Award) at the Folger Theatre; Amy in Company (Helen Hayes Award), Kathy in The Last Five Years and Kira in Xanadu at Signature Theatre; Jane in Me…Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall at The Kennedy Center; and Sally in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Imagination Stage. Erin lives outside of D.C. with her husband, Aaron Posner, and daughter, Maisie.

CHAZ WOLCOTT

Race / Ensemble / Crutchie u/s

CHAZ WOLCOTT (Race / Ensemble / Crutchie u/s) is elated to make his Arena Stage debut with Newsies. Chaz’s New York/National Tour credits include Disney’s Newsies, Cats (Mr. Mistoffelees) and Me and My Girl (City Center Encores!). Regional theatre credits include Music Theatre Wichita, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Casa Mañana, Westchester Broadway, Lyric OKC and The Gateway. Chaz was Buttons in the film version of Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical and was featured on So You Think You Can Dance. Chaz is an alum of Oklahoma City University and is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC. Special thanks to Molly, Parker and Laura for this opportunity, to his amazing agents at The Mine and to his awesome Mom. Follow Chaz @dancinchaz & find out more at chazwolcott.com

KELLI YOUNGMAN

Jo Jo / Ensemble

KELLI YOUNGMAN (Jo Jo / Ensemble) is so pleased to be making her Arena Stage debut! Kelli has performed on Broadway in Anastasia and in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of The King and I. She was also an original company member of the First National tour of LCT’s The King and I (Swing/Assistant Dance Captain). Most recently, Kelli originated her role in The Flamingo Kid (Hartford Stage) and was a guest artist in A Chorus Line (Connie/MT Wichita). She is a graduate of Fordham University with a BFA in Dance. Love and appreciation to the Universe, Clear Talent Group, David, Xander, her family and everything to Steve. Instagram: @kelliyoungman www.kelliyoungman.com