Legally Blonde: The Musical

ELIZABETH ABAIR (Elle Woods) is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelors of Arts. Elizabeth is very proud to be back on the Board of Directors for ACT and helping continue to bring theatre opportunities to people all over the North Country! Elizabeth has been a part of many productions over the years, some of her favorite roles to date include, Emcee in Cabaret, Elsa in The Sound of Music, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Cathy in The Last Five Years, Diana in Next to Normal, Stepmother in Cinderella, Princess Fiona in Shrek, Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show, and Stevie in The Goat or Who is Sylvia. Elizabeth thanks her family for their years of support, and a special thanks to her sister for loving Broadway with her, and being so encouraging. Elizabeth would like to thank her incredible boyfriend Max Longware (Emmett); his support, help, and love is unmatched. Elizabeth has dreamed of playing this role for years and cannot begin to express her excitement and gratitude to the cast and crew for trusting her to be Legally Blonde! She wants to thank every member of this team for this incredible opportunity. 

MAX LONGWARE (Emmett Forrest) is excited to be participating in Legally Blonde, his eighth production with Artistry Community Theater. Max has been performing since he was in pre-kindergarten. He loves the theater and is honored to be working with such a talented group of actors. Past roles for Max include Ambrose in Hello, Dolly!, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Smokey in Damn Yankees, and Jeff in [title of show]. One of his new favorite pastimes is working on great theater productions with his amazing girlfriend Beth Abair. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he has enjoyed working with this stellar cast.

SARA KING (Paulette Bonafonté) has a bachelors in music from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she studied classical voice. She has been on stage in many venues and with a variety of groups but has more recently discovered a love for musical theater in the local North Country community. In 2022 Sara played Mrs. Andrews in Mary Poppins in the collaboration between Adirondack Regional Theatre and Plattsburgh High School. In 2023 she returned to the stage at PHS as a community guest to play Rosalie Mullins in 2023 in School of Rock. She is currently working on a project with her father, writing and producing their original music.

CODY GOOLEY (Warner Huntington III) is thrilled to be taking part in yet another Artistry Theatre production! Cody is currently pursuing his BFA in Acting with a minor in Business Administration from SUNY Fredonia with plans of graduating in Spring 2025 after transferring in Spring 2023. He just finished a production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller on the SUNY Fredonia main stage where he played Thomas Putnam and was the understudy for John Proctor. During his short time at Fredonia, he has performed with Main Street Studios as The Monster in their production of Young Frankenstein, and with The Trash Rats Theatre Company as the male understudy in their original musical Upcycled. Previous ACT roles include Rocky (Damn Yankees), Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors), Lionel (R&H Cinderella), Hunter Bell ([title of show]), and Jack (Into the Woods). He has also performed with The Depot Theatre the last two years in their production of A Christmas Carol Radio Play where he played Fred the first year, and Marley/Ghost of Christmas Present the second year. Cody hopes you enjoy this rockstar cast and all of the hard work that they and the crew have put into this show!

AVERY TROMBLEE  (Vivienne Kensington) recently graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a BA in Theater. She is now continuing her education to receive an MA in Early Childhood Education at SUNY Plattsburgh with a certification in Special Education. Before Avery graduated at SUNY Potsdam, she did an 8 month internship with the Disney College Program in Florida. This experience was one that she will be forever grateful for, as she has met her forever friends. Avery has had a passion for performing since elementary school. She has performed with ACT in the past with their shows Into the Woods as Little Red, Cinderella as The Fairy Godmother, and more recently Damn Yankees as Linville! She was also in SUNY Potsdam’s Fall 2023 production of George Orwell’s: 1984 as Martin. Avery also worked as the Stage Manager for AVCS Drama Club this past musical season with Guys & Dolls! Avery hopes to continue her passion for performing, as there is no greater feeling than being on stage. She hopes you enjoy the show, and all of the incredible, hard working people involved!

LYDIA AIERLE (Kate, Brooke) is excited to make a return to the stage after five years away. She was last seen as Amaryllis in ACT's production of The Music Man. When offstage, Lydia works as a registered nurse. "Thank you for supporting the arts in our area!"

JASON BORRIE (Professor Callahan) is a high school social studies and theatre educator at Northeastern Clinton Central School. He produces and directs productions with his school’s drama club and advises the student team that organizes North Country Model UN, a regional model UN conference for area middle and high school students. He has performed in and directed several local theatre productions with area community theatre organizations such as Artistry Community Theatre, Adirondack Regional Theatre, Chazy Music Theatre, Essex Theatre Company, and North Country Ballet Ensemble. He co-founded, directs, and performs in Completely Stranded, Plattsburgh's Premiere Improv Comedy Troupe. He also serves his community as an elected councilperson in the Town of Champlain. Jason would like to extend a huge cheer to the amazing cast and crew working on Legally Blonde. They make us all shout ‘Oh my God, you guys!’

GINA LINDSEY (Enid Hoopes) teaches communication at CCC and PSU. She has been performing in local theatre since 2003, and she sings with the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir as a featured soloist. Gina made her professional stage debut as Grandma in The Addams Family at the Depot Theatre in 2022, and she was especially excited to make her screen debut in the 2018 Showtime series, Escape at Dannemora. Gina first played Enid in 2014 with CCC’s Drama Club, and she’s thrilled to reprise her role in this delightful show a decade later with many of her former cast (and crew)-mates!

MAT LONGWARE (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle) graduated from the University at Albany, SUNY and the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs with a bachelors of Arts in Political Science , and a minor in Theater. He returns to Artistry Community Theater with previous roles including Young Joe, Damn Yankees, and Cinderella’s Prince, Into the Woods. Now that life is Irie, he’s excited to come back to the stage with all these amazing people! As always, he hopes you enjoy the show, and also consider making a donation to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, CVPH! 

SARAH COHEN (Margot) is thrilled to return to the ACT Stage in Legally Blonde! You may recognize Sarah from her performances with the many theatre groups across the North Country. Some credits include Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Meredith, ACT), [title of show] (Heidi, ACT), The Rocky Horror Show (ART, Magenta 2019, Columbia 2021), Head Over Heels (CMT, Pamela), Music Man (ACT, Ethel Toffelmeir), Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang (CMT, Baroness), Spamalot (CCC, Lady of the Lake), and various others. Sarah would like to thank her family, and friends for the constant support of all of her shenanigans. To the cast and crew, what a fun and beautiful experience!!! OHMYGOD YOU GUYS, ENJOY THE SHOW!

DESTINI BRESETTE (Serena) just concluded her eleventh grade year and is very excited to perform in ACT’s production of Legally Blonde with her fellow cast members. This is Destini’s sixth production, but in elementary school, performed with Applecrate in the ensemble for The Lion King. She has been in four talent shows, has participated in chorus since middle school, in addition to singing in Area All-State and All County music festivals. She played Farrah in PDC’s production of She Kills Monsters, Madame in PDC’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Katherine Plumber in ART’s production of Newsies Jr., Davina Arlington in PDC’s production of The Alibis, and most recently played the role of Regina George in PDC’s production of Mean Girls. Outside of theater, Destini enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Destini is beyond proud of all of her cast mates and crew for all of their hard work and dedication to the show. She is so glad that all of you are here, and she hopes that you all enjoy the show!

DANA BERRY (Pilar) is excited to be on stage in her largest role yet! She's directed many musicals and plays in the past (The Producers in 2016, The Crucible in 2019, and Godspell in 2022 to name a few), but has only graced the stage as an actor a couple of times. She is so thankful to the production team for allowing her this chance to be onstage. Dana wouldn't be able to participate in theatre without the support of her amazing friends, family, and especially her #1 husband/best friend/cheerleader Jonathan Berry. She wants to thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!

LEE FAY (Leilani, Judge) is super excited to be playing the roles of Leilani and the Judge in ACT's production of Legally Blonde. When Lee is not on the stage, they are most likely to be found spooning their 20-pound dog to relieve his anxiety. Unfortunately, these cuddle sessions are few and far between since Lee is currently studying microbiology at the University of Rochester. However, the lack of puppy cuddles has allowed Lee to participate in theater, both on campus and with community theater groups like ACT. Some of Lee's favorite roles include Milky White (Into the Woods), Riff Raff (The Rocky Horror Show), and Sandy (Grease). Lee would like to thank their family, friends, and especially their dog for always being supportive. 

LEVI LYNN (Dana, DA Joyce Riley) is excited to be performing in their fifth show with Artistry with an amazing cast and crew! Levi has been on and off the stage since they were three years old, starting out with dancing and then moving to musical theater! Some of Levi’s favorite shows they’ve been in include Cinderella (PDC and Artistry), Bye Bye Birdie (PDC), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (CMT), Little Shop of Horrors (Artistry), Tragedy: A Tragedy (UJAC), Wit (Artistry) and working backstage for Cabaret and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Artistry). They enjoy singing for events and shows, reading, and watching YouTube videos and playing video games with their husband David. Levi would like to thank David for always being so supportive.  They hope you enjoy the show!

MORGAN ZIEMBA (Gaelen, Stenographer) is a college student who loves to be involved with the local arts. She has been in multiple shows including her most recent one, Rock of Ages with Adirondack Regional Theater. She is excited to perform with Artistry Theater for the first time!

Oh my god, LINDSAY HANER (Tiffany, Whitney, Perfume Salesgirl #2) is so excited to be a part of another amazing Artistry show. To get serious, she just finished up her senior year in High School and already enrolled in college for music education. When not on stage, she enjoys playing the drums, painting, and staring at walls. She’d like to thank her parents, friends, and partner for supporting her, and everyone else for coming!

GIGI MASON (Mom, Store Manager, Cashier) is ecstatic to be back with her ACT family. Prior credits with ACT include Sister in Damn Yankees, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Dancer in Cinderella, Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, and an ensemble role in Hello, Dolly! Gigi is the Education Outreach Director for the Depot Theatre in Westport with the goal to expand youth exposure to the theater arts in our region. This past summer Gigi directed Matilda Jr. for the Depot Academy, working with thirty-two amazingly talented area thespians ages 7-17. Gigi has directed and acted in several other regional theater companies including the Essex Theatre Company, Clinton Community College and the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, and she sang in the trio “Ya Got Treble”. She has sung with the Pleasant Valley Chorale for over thirty-years. Gigi was associated with Boquet River Theatre Festival (BRTF) from the summer of 1998 through 2018 as a costumer, director and producer, and is passionate about nurturing young actors. Gigi joined the directorial staff of the AuSable Valley Players in 2017 and has had the privilege of choreographing Guys & Dolls, Grease, Chicago, Willy Wonka, Mamma Mia and Footloose. Gigi is always grateful for the opportunity to be on stage and wants to thank Derrick, Kathy, Chelsea, her fellow actors, Alyssa and Kelsey  and her handsome husband Eddie for all the love.

ED MASON (Pforzhiemer, Dad) is thrilled to be asked to participate in this wonderful celebration today. Ed is a SUNY Plattsburgh alum, having graduated many moons ago with a teaching degree. Ed quickly learned that his heart was in business and went on to become a very successful businessman with AT&T and later ran his own telecommunications business in the Albany area. Ed remained passionate about education and kids however and in his spare time coached, ran youth commission programs and helped with theater programs for youth for decades. He raised three wonderful children and was instrumental in fostering their love of sports and theater. He now just as enthusiastically supports three amazing grandchildren. Ed moved to the North Country permanently about fifteen years ago and continues to be very involved in his community. In addition to coaching, Ed holds many positions in his church, on local boards and in community chorales and theaters. Currently Ed is the Director of Business Development for the Clinton Co ARC. He loves to travel, enjoy the Adirondacks, play with grandbabies and connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. He lives in Willsboro with his wife Gigi, two cavapoos and a very rambunctious kitten.

JAGAN DROWLETTE (Winthrop, Prison Guard, Bailiff)  is excited to be part of another performance with Artistry Community Theatre. After a far-too-long stint away from theatre, he’s returned and played Mortimer (Arsenic & Old Lace), ensemble (Cinderella), he even tried his hat in dinner theatre, playing “Magnus” in a production of Murder in Maui. Most recently, he was fortunate enough to play Tripp in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.He’s very happy to be sharing the stage with his daughter, Emma again. Big thank you to Finnegan for putting up with his dad’s and sister’s theater antics and rehearsals. 

ROSCOE DUQUETTE (Aaron, JetBlue Pilot) is a local artist who sells his work at Old Soul. Previously Victor in Cabaret, he is super stoked to join ACT for a third time in Legally Blonde. He would like to shout out his bestie Gar, whose house Roscoe would escape to in his early college career and watch this show ad nauseam with. Other recent theatre credits are Antonio/Captain in Twelfth Night and Set Designer for The Little Mermaid both with ART. Enjoy the show!

ALAN SMITH (Lowell, Carlos)

CARTER FREDETTE (Padamadon, Nikos), an eleventh grader, is very excited to be participating in his second show with ACT. Although a newer face in ACT productions, Carter has been doing shows at his school since he was seven years old. Some of these shows include; Sound of Music (Kurt), Into the Woods (Jack), Seussical (Jojo), Willy Wonka Jr. (Mike Teavee), Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), and Damn Yankees (Sohovik). Most recently Carter played Daddy Warbucks in NCCS’s production of Annie. When not performing Carter enjoys playing sports like hockey and golf as well as spending time with family and friends. Carter thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show.

EMMA DROWLETTE (Ensemble) is very excited to be back on stage! This is Emma's second show. She has been in the ensemble for Cinderella and done backstage work such as prop assistant for Into the Woods, set construction for Cabaret, and she recently was the assistant director Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. After summer she will be going into ninth grade! In her free time, Emma likes to draw and play various instruments like clarinet, guitar, and piano. She also enjoys playing basketball and softball for her school. Emma has loved working with such an amazing cast and crew and wants to thank her family (especially her parents) for being so supportive of her. Enjoy the show!

CLAIRE DUPUIS (Ensemble) is in eighth grade at Saranac Central School. She loves to sing, dance, act, and read. She has appeared in two musicals: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief as Charon and Help! I'm Trapped in A Musical as Jenny. Claire recently participated in her first play The Actor Games with the leading role Meryl. She would like to send a shout out to her friends, family, the directors and her fellow cast and crew!

QUIN DUPUIS (Ensemble) loves theatre and swimming. This is her first performance with ACT. Some of her other hobbies include making bracelets and hanging out with her pets! Quin hopes everyone is just as excited for this show as she is!

ELEANORE QUINN (Ensemble) is participating in her eighth show.  She is excited to join this production of Legally Blonde.

MADDY YOUNG (Ensemble) is so excited to be doing her first show with ACT! Being in the AVCS Drama Club she has been in the ensemble of Grease and a Hot Box Dancer/Havana Girl in Guys & Dolls. She played Leaf Coneybear in Depot Theatre’s production of  25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee just last month. Although most of the time her musical theatre obsession outweighs all other hobbies, she does also find joy in baking for her family and is an avid runner. And oh my god you guys, she really hopes you love the show. She would like to thank her family and friends for coming to see her and her talented castmates and couldn’t be more thrilled that you all get to witness her sweating her way through the number “Whipped Into Shape.”

AUDREY ZIEMBA (Ensemble) 

DERRICK A. HOPKINS (Director) is the current president and founder of Artistry Community Theatre (ACT) Corp. and educator. He earned his BS and MS in Elementary Education at SUNY Plattsburgh and currently works at AuSable Valley Central Middle-High School as a Math and an English teacher.  Previously, he was an elementary teacher and theatre teacher at Willsboro Central School for twenty years.  Notable roles include Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Jud Fry in Oklahoma!, King Kasapar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Horton the Elephant in Seussical. Derrick has been directing school and community productions in the area since 1998 including Cabaret, Chicago, Company, Hello Dolly!, I Hate Hamlet, Into the Woods, The Last Five Years, Mothers and Sons, My Fair Lady, Next Fall, Next to Normal, Peter Pan, Rabbit Hole, Steel Magnolias, West Side Story, Wit, among many others. He had the privilege and honor to direct Leslie and George Hearn in South Pacific and Mame.  Derrick was invited by Tony winner Adam Guettel to play Fessik in the workshop of The Princess Bride at Lincoln Center earning his entry into Actors' Equity Association.  He founded the Keeseville Hometown Hero Banner program, which honors local veterans in the Town of AuSable and Town of Chesterfield.  Derrick is the proud father of two gorgeous children!

KATHY KOKES (Music Director) is a retired Music Educator who has spent nearly four decades performing, teaching, coaching and acting as Musical Director for Musical Theatre productions. She is the founding member of several vocal ensembles including her beloved quartet “Pitch a Fit”. Kathy is a New York State School Music Association Vocal Adjudicator and served on NYSSMA’s state-wide diversity Committee for several years. Serving as Musical Director for theatre productions is a hobby and a passion for Kathy. While teaching, she served as the Musical Director for many school performances including The Sound of Music, Into the Woods and Seussical. A few of her favorite community theatre Musical Director credits include Chicago, Gypsy and Anything Goes and most recently, ACT’s production of Cabaret. Kathy would like to thank Derrick for his dedication to the craft as well as his support and collaboration during this production. Finally, she wants to let everyone know how much she enjoyed working with the Legally Blonde cast  over the past few months.  OMIGOD YOU GUYS, break a leg!!!

CHELSEA LANCASTER (Choreographer) is so excited to be back on stage after a fantastic time as Texas in Cabaret with ACT but this time in the role of choreographer! With 20+ years of dance experience it has been an absolute privilege to be able to choreograph such a fantastic show as her first gig. Favorite previous roles include Columbia in Rocky Horror Picture Show, cabaret/burlesque dancer in the Scarlett ‘N the Rough program, and more. She extends her thanks and deepest gratitude to Derrick, Kathy, Ethan, Megan, and all of the cast and crew for trusting her in this endeavor. Thanks as well to her family, friends and supporters for all they’ve done. She is so proud to represent the Deaf community in this show and cannot wait for the next!

JEANETTE WOODRUFF

ETHAN LUOMA (Assistant Director, Stage Manager) first appeared on stage at just two years old, and is thrilled to be making his backstage debut with Artistry Community Theater. Among his prior ~30 on stage productions, he has played Prince Christopher (Cinderella, ACT), Angus Tuck (Tuck Everlasting, PDC), and Joseph Pulitzer (Newsies!, PDC). Whilst outside the theater, Ethan is pursuing a degree in vocal Music Education at the Crane School of Music, he also studied Musical Theatre at Manhattanville University.

He would like to thank the cast for making this a fabulous experience. To the production team - thank you for welcoming me backstage and showing me the ropes, (literally, I’ll be running the fly/curtain system!)

MEGAN LAND

MICHAEL RAFFERTY (Stage Manager) is a high school Social Studies teacher at AuSable Valley Central School.  Michael is a co-advisor for the school's drama club, and is also the Vice- President of Artistry Community Theatre.  Michael has been seen both on and off stages for the past two decades with various theatre groups in the region including Essex Community Theatre, AuSable Valley Drama Club, and Artistry Community Theatre.

SHANE SHUKNECHT (Lighting Operator) is the Logistics Manager for Harbor Freight. Shane has had a role in many different productions for a large number of shows when he was younger. He has worked with various theatre groups including AuSable Valley Drama Club, Peru Music Theater, Essex Community Theatre, Adirondack Regional Theatre, Willsboro Drama Club, NCCS Drama Club, and Artistry Community Theatre. After taking a twelve-year break from theatre, he returned when his two children decided to be part of the 2023 NCCS production of The Wizard of Oz. This past year saw him do the lighting for the productions of NCCS’s The Wizard of OZ, Artistry Community Theatre’s Damn Yankees, and NCCS’s A Christmas Carol. Shane’s most recent production was with NCCS for their rendition of Annie this past April as lighting operator.

ERIC WELLER (Sound Design & Operator) is the current Band Teacher at Plattsburgh High School. He has earned his BA in Music from Syracuse University and M.Ed. in Music Education from SUNY at Buffalo. Eric was the Tech Director for Into the Woods JR and Co-Director for Zombie Prom at his previous school in Western Massachusetts. Before teaching full time, Eric spent five years working at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion as a Sound Tech, Fly Tech, Swing Tech, and Musician for a variety of Broadway style shows. This is his first production with ACT and is excited to be working with a talented Company.

TRACY LUOMA

SUSANNE FORD-CROGHAN

AMANDA RONDEAU

CARLINDA LaPIERRE

STEVE RONDEAU

SALLY URBAN