MAKE LEMONADE PRODUCTIONS

He/Him

Draytin Freude (Baker) is a Los Angeles born actor who discovered his love of performing as soon as he could walk to the dance floor. At 18, he moved across the country to New York City to immerse himself in theater and to pursue his heartfelt dream of performing on Broadway.

Besides singing and acting, Draytin is extremely passionate about writing, directing, photography, and teaching broadways next generation of performers. 

Draytin is a talented singer but also a careful and thoughtful actor who brings an instinctive and heartfelt understanding of the characters he plays.  As a performer, Draytin feels fortunate to have recently played the part of Henry in Next To Normal in an off Broadway production (Vanguard Theater Company) and Tony in West Side Story (Santa Clarita Regional Theater). 

Draytin is currently obtaining his BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. Draytin is so grateful to be represented by Fire Starter Entertainment.

He is beyond thrilled to be a part of Make Lemonade Theater Company's Debut Production of Into The Woods.  

He will see you all IN THE WOODS.

Instagram: @draytinfreude1

She/Her/Hers

Mesgana Teklu is the child of East African Immigrants, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She is an actress/singer/songwriter now based in New York City. 

In May of 2023, she graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a minor in Political Science. She studied Method at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute 2019-2022, film at Stonestreet Studios, 2023, as well as COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE, in Florence, Italy, 2022. 

Some recent credits include: Belle in Beauty in the Beast, Eponine in Les Misérables, nominated for best actress for her performance as Donna, in Mama Mia, Woodinville Theater Seattle, WA, Rosalia in West Side Story, 5th Avenue Theater, Seattle, Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret, Tisch New Theater, NYC, Coco in Stripped: The Musical Theater, Open Jar Theater, NYC. 

She will be next seen touring with The Starlets for their 2024/2025 season! 

She sends all her love to her beautiful family and friends that have carried her along her journey. 

All Glory to God!

Instagram: @mesgana_teklu

She/Her

Lauren Updyke is a singer, actress, producer and writer who specializes in comedic works. Raised in NJ, Lauren is the daughter of a Venezuelan immigrant and an American born father. As such, she is interested in the interplay of culture and identity and loves to explore any duality in her roles and writing. She is also a lover of comedy and really enjoys infusing humor and agency into all of her characters.

A senior at NYU, Lauren will be graduating in June of 2025 with a BFA in Drama as well as two minors: one in Business, Entertainment, Media, and Technology and the other a Producing minor. She began her training at NYU at Playwrights Horizons School of Theatre where she learned how to act, playwright, direct and design. Since 2021, Lauren has been training at Stonestreet Studios where she was taught to screen-write, act for film, and direct for the screen.

Since attending NYU, Lauren has been cast as a lead actress in 8 different theater productions. Recent credits include Janet in “Put Asunder,” Sally in “What We Put To the Sky,” Miss Heard in “So Here is What I-” Sam in “This Can’t Be Happening” Judy Kauffman in “I Know you Know,” and Shelly in “The Iceman Cometh.”  In addition, she has also appeared as lead actress in over 50 student films and has produced four films, including one she wrote. Additionally, Lauren is a dedicated student, having made the Dean’s List every semester. In her work and her personal life, Lauren is committed to bringing dedication, focus, positivity and a professional approach.

As a senior looking ahead, Lauren hopes to have a career in entertainment producing meaningful and uplifting art that entertains and informs. She is honored to both be producing and acting in this production of “Into the Woods”! 

Much love and thanks to Mom, Dad, her twin brother Jake and her boyfriend Luke. She would also like to thank the talented team of artists and producing collaborators who are helping to make this dream come true! Thank you also to all of her friends who are the very definition of supportive! Come see “Into the Woods!”

www.laurenupdyke.com

Instagram: @lauren.updyke

She/Her

Alexa Yamila Ocana - Cinderella (she/her) is a first generation Mexican Latina in her third year at Tisch Drama at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. 

Alexa is thrilled to be Cinderella in Into The Woods and be a part of this talented mind blowing cast, that she considers her stage family:))) This show holds a special place in her heart because she was Little Red Riding Hood in her middle school years in a high school production. Her memories and immense love and admiration for the show has truly come full circle.  She recently worked on the Young Blood Chronicles musical as a vixen in the Playwrights Horizon showcases and Cassandra in Clyt; or The Bathtub Play at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. 

Alexa not only is a performer on stage but likes to imagine she encompasses all things creative. Her life revolves around creating art such as paintings, playing the piano and guitar, doing editorial concept photoshoots, Djing her favorite house music remixes, doing sfx makeup, writing poetry and producing her own music, and cooking up her favorite meals. Life with art makes her life complete and enjoys the art of creating beautiful memories and experiences with others. 

Alexa would like to thank her incredible parents for their undying love, support, care, and unconditional love for her craft and her boyfriend, Oliver, for being her biggest cheerleader,  motivator, and helping her practice her lines. Alexa lastly would like to dedicate this performance first and foremost to her grandfather VÍctor Archuleta Perez, may he rest in peace and in love.  

Instagram: @yamilaocana

She/Her

Taylor Terry is so thrilled to be playing Little Red in Make-Lemonade's production of Into The Woods. Taylor has been performing her whole life and has been in over 30 plays and musicals. She has performed professionally Off Broadway in the New York premiere of “Aussie Song” and has led various educational/regional productions. 

Taylor has won a Montclair State Theatre Night for her performance as Jo March in “Little Women” and has been nominated for a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star award for her performance as Paulette in “Legally Blonde”. She had the privilege of being able to participate in the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory and perform in their annual New Voices Concert on the Paper Mill Stage. She has studied acting and musical theatre at the wonderful Stella Adler Studio of Acting over the past year!

In addition to her theatrical pursuits, Taylor attends Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken where she studies computer science and physics. She currently works on Quantum Computing research on campus and has been involved in research in the intersection of computer science and medicine as well. This past summer, she interned for pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson where she worked in data analytics and automation in the End User Services Global Technology services sector of the company. Taylor believes deeply in the coexistence between arts and sciences and hopes to promote this further through her work in theater and computer science!

Taylor would like to thank all of her friends and family for all of their constant support and kindness, as well as Make Lemonade Productions for creating this wonderful opportunity for aspiring artists!

https://taylorterryactress.wixsite.com/taylorterry

Any Pronouns

Manulele “Bird” Le’au is a Polynesian actor, singer, dancer and general artist currently in their senior year at NYU. They are a Collaborative Arts major and have a focus on puppetry, performance art, visual art, film and theatre production. They are currently in the process of writing, producing, directing and world building for a full-length musical they are working on for their senior thesis called “Circus Phantasma.”

Manulele grew up in California and has always been involved in the arts. They have been a member (and as of the last five or so years) production assistant at the Burbank summer program “Showcamp” and through high school was in the national ranking show choir “In Sync,” the highest level acting program “Play Production”, the advanced dance team and was Co-Director of their high school traveling tech team.

Their love for arts and all things performing has lead them to where they are today and they are extremely excited to be a part of this production and for you all to see it! 

He/Him

Elijah Dor is a multi-hyphenated artist with passions in acting, playwriting, design & education. Starting his acting/musical theater track at Morris County Vocational School Of Performing Arts in Morris County, NJ (2023 Graduate) he has been dedicated to continuing his creative craft that is now being developed in NYC. He is currently a sophomore at NYU at the Tisch School Of The Arts. Elijah is studying at Playwrights Horizons Theater School getting a BFA in Drama, and on the track for a double major in Educational Theater.

His performance credits include Mean Girls at Aspire Performing Arts Company playing the role of “Damian Hubbard.” He was most recently seen at TischNewTheatre’s Alice By Heart, playing the role of “Angus/Caterpillar”. His favorite credit includes The Drowsy Chaperone at Morris Knolls High School playing the role of “George,” receiving the 2023 Rising Star Award: Outstanding Featured Performer at The Paper Mill Playhouse.

Elijah is not only incredibly grateful to make his debut at Make Lemonade Productions but also to make it with such a talented cast and creative team! He believes that the rise of new young voices is crucial in creating meaningful art like this company is starting to do, and he can’t wait to see how far this company goes!  He finally wants to thank his family and friends for their constant support in pursuing the arts, and he hopes that he is making them proud!!

Instagram: @ elijmichedor

He/Him

Mickey Wirtz is beyond thrilled to be a part of the debut production of Make Lemonade! In addition to playing the Prince, Mickey is also the Understudy for the Baker. 

Mickey is from Green Bay, Wisconsin and this is his second year in New York City. He transferred from University of Wisconsin - Green Bay as a Musical Theater major. He is now a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a BFA in Drama at Playwrights Horizons Theater School. Mickey has had his sights on the city since his sophomore year in high school when his choir was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall. Ever since, he’s considered NYC his home and has worked endlessly to carve himself into the concrete jungle.

During his senior year of high school, he was recognized in his role as Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors and became a nominee for the Jimmy Awards 2021; representing the Centerstage High School Musical Theater Program and northeastern Wisconsin as one of 72 nominees vigorously selected throughout the nation.

He started his college acting career starring in productions at his previous college playing Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby Jeremy in Fun Home, Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Josh in If/Then, and Miles in She Kills Monsters. 

His first and most recent production at NYU was in Tisch New Theater’s Alice By Heart, where he played Dr.Butridge/King of Hearts/Mock Turtle/Jabberwock. At the opening night of this production, the original writers (Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson) attended and praised the production. And during this production of Into The Woods, he is also heavily involved in a new work at Playwrights Horizons Theater School called The Newlywed Game, directed and written by Juliette Markman. He plays the host, Bob Eubanks, of the titular 70’s game show that’s threatened to have its plug pulled by the network so the host goes off script for the sake of “good TV.”

He wouldn’t be here without the support and love from his two younger sisters, Maddi and Saige, and his mom and dad back home. He hopes you enjoy Make Lemonade's Into The Woods and looks forward to seeing you in the seats.

Instagram: @ mickey_wirtz

Any Pronouns

Braiden Lee is stoked out of their mind to be a part of Make Lemonades first production! 

Braiden is a sophomore majoring in Drama at Stella Adler and NYU Tisch. They are super passionate about music: singing, playing piano, and guitar. 

Braiden Lee is the luckiest person on the planet and has unlimited gratitude for the one and only Stefanie Carnes, Oakley Rhinehart, Mickey Wirtz, the cast, crew, creative team, band, writers, and audience of Into The Woods. 

You, reading this right now, are for real a legend for supporting theater! 

Instagram: @braidenll

She/They

Annalise McCann is so excited and grateful to be a part of Make Lemonade’s premiere production! She is a senior at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she is pursuing a BFA in Drama. In addition to playing Rapunzel, Annalise is also the Understudy for the Baker’s Wife.

At NYU, she did her primary training in musical theatre at the New Studio On Broadway, completed the Shakespeare in Performance program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, and is currently in the Atlantic Acting School. She also had the honor of assistant directing the Tisch Mainstage production of Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera. 

Her credits include Duty Sergent/Ensemble in NYU’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Caius Cassius in RADA’s Julius Caesar, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. At the Gateway Center for Performing Arts, she also had performances including Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Claire in bare: a pop opera (St. Louis Fringe Fest Headlining Production), Gnome/Goldfish in Amelie, Marion Thayer/Ida Strauss u/s in Titanic and Mrs. Phelps/Big Kig in Matilda. 

Annalise is also a youth theatre director and teaching artist outside of her own performing. 

IG @annalise.mccann. 

She/Her

Camila Herrera is a Cuban-American first-generation artist from Hialeah, Florida. Growing up, Camila always had a strong passion for the arts, and became involved in every performance opportunity she could. Her senior year she transferred from her local high school to attend Miami Arts Charter to pursue her studies in musical theater. 

Today, Camila is a sophomore at New York University, where she will be graduating with a BFA in Drama following her training in Tisch’s New Studio on Broadway. 

When she’s not singing, you can find Camila taking dance classes and working towards being a choreographer. She hopes to continue training in dance and declare to minor in it. 

Camila is very excited to work with Make Lemonade Productions and can not thank the team enough for their efforts and talent!

Instagram: @camilaherreraaa

She/Her

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Savanna La Selva received her BFA in Musical Theatre from NYU Tisch School of the Arts this past May. Savanna graduated with the Outstanding Achievement in Studio Award and is so thankful to all of the teachers at NYU who helped shape the actress that she is. Savanna was most recently seen as Princess Mary in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 directed by William Carlos Angulo and Diego Alejandro González. 

Being the avid Sondheim lover that she is, Savanna could not be more thrilled to finally be involved in her first production of a Sondheim musical. 

Thank you to everyone involved in making this dream come true, she is honoured to be making Off-Broadway debut with this beautiful cast and crew. 

You can learn more at www.savannalaselva.com or 

@savannalaselva on Instagram. 

She/They

May Waldron is grateful to join this talented cast in Make Lemonades Production of Into The Woods! This is a dream to be amongst so many wonderful performers, and she only hopes to make her friends and family proud! 

Margot May Waldron comes from Morristown  New Jersey, where she attended the Academy for The Performing Arts, specializing in vocal training, theater, acting, dancing, piano, and opera. Her other credits include Alice by Heart (Alice), A Chorus Line (Cassie), A Midsummer Night's  Dream (Puck), Godspell (Uzo), The Addams Family (Wednesday), Mean Girls (Karen), Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larkin), Chicago (Roxie Hart), Bye Bye Birdie (Kim),  Mamma Mia (Sophie),  “No Guts No Glory”  at the Tisch New Theatre (Lead  Vocalist), and Taming  of the Shrew at NYU Tisch New Studio on Broadway (Hortensio)!  

She recently made her 54 Below Show Debut in the show, Punk Goes Broadway and  returned to NYU Tisch in the fall as a Musical Theatre Major and business minor to pursue a career in theater. 

Her favorite memory in her artistic career was getting to perform as the lead vocalist for Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, as well as getting to perform the national anthem at Madison Square Garden! She has been in several short films at NYU, including Dance in Circles, which premiered and won best film at the New York City Reel Sisters Film Festival. She is a passionate actor with so much love to give, and hopes to achieve her dreams! 

A very big thank you to Jenna Roth, Lauren Updyke, Sofia Shah, Chelsea Melnick, Erin Armstein, the cast, the crew, my friends and family’s support, and the entire team of Make Lemonade Productions for putting their best efforts into this show! We hope you enjoy our production of Into the Woods!  :) 

@margotmayj

She/Her

Raveena Khetarpal is a South Asian artist who grew up in sunny Southern California. She started playing piano at a young age, so music has been a constant in her life. Around twelve years old, Raveena started writing her own music and has never stopped. When she started doing theater at the end of her sophomore year of high school, she had opportunities to not only perform as an actor, but be a student music director where she worked closely with music directors working in the industry. Raveena also got the chance to create an original score and play it live for her school play This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing, allowing her to receive and award for creativity and musicianship from the OC Cappies in 2022. 

Raveena fell in love with theater and is now studying Drama at NYU Tisch in the New Studio on Broadway and minoring in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. She is learning so much from her peers and professors and she can't wait to continue. She is also still focusing on music and writing, including making edits to her original musical, Sonder, which she had a reading for in January, 2024 in Laguna Beach, California, and is hoping to have a second reading in the near future. 

As an artist, Raveena hopes to share and create stories that focus on identity and advocacy. She wants to be able to give people a sense of community, as community and connection is the meaning of human existence.

Instagram: @raveena.khetarpal

He/Him

Thomas' performance as the Minstrel in “Once Upon a Mattress” in high school earned him a nomination for the Jimmy Awards in 2023 (his Broadway debut!). A year-and-a-half later, he's ecstatic to make his Off-Broadway debut in Make Lemonade’s “Into The Woods”. 

He is a multi-hyphenate born and raised in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and currently based in NYC. A second year undergraduate at NYU Tisch, majoring in Collaborative Arts and minoring in Business of Entertainment, Media & Technology, Thomas can often be found pursuing a number of projects at NYU. He’s been seen in a number of student comedies including Ruby Griffin’s “The Crochet Burglar” (NYU’s KnifeDog Play Festival), and a workshop for Roan Lucas’ “The Laura and Mickey Murder Hour” (Broke People’s Play Festival Incubator). Thomas is also working on the book and score of an original musical with a concurrent concept album (stay tuned)!

Outside of theater, Thomas’ writes and distributes his own alternative & rock music. His most recent album, “RECONSTRUCTION", can be streamed on all major platforms.

Some notable stage credits include: Minstrel (Bishop Hendricken HS, “Once Upon A Mattress”), Voice of the Plant (Bishop Hendricken HS, “Little Shop of Horrors”) Ross (Bishop Hendricken HS, “Macbeth”)

Thomas wants to thank you for supporting the arts, and hopes that you enjoy this amazing show!

IG:  @thomas.jaquess

She/Her

Maya Bowman, Understudy for the Witch, is so honored to be a part of this wonderful production of Into the Woods! 

Her most recent credits include: The Young Blood Chronicles (Patrick; NYU), Fearless (Gail; NYU), The Crucible (Mercy Lewis; Ephrata Performing Arts Center), and Les Miserables: Student Edition (Eponine; Ephrata Performing Arts Center). 

She is a current junior at New York University getting a BFA in Drama. 

In her spare time she can be found teaching the Subway rats how to ballroom dance. 

Thank you to my family and friends for all the support! 

IG: @maya.bowman

She/Her

Dana Beth Steiner, Ensemble, Swing and Understudy for Rapunzel and Cinderella’s Mother, is a recent graduate of the voice program at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, & Dance. 

Dana just moved to New York City so she is so excited to be a part of this amazing production and couldn't have asked for a better welcome! 

Dana has been performing in musicals since the age of 9, with highlights including A CHRISTMAS STORY at The Paper Mill Playhouse, 42ND STREET at The Encore Musical Theatre Company, NEWSIES at the University of Michigan, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Ann Arbor in Concert. 

In addition to her performance experience, Dana, was also the music director of her college a cappella group, the DJs, where she performed and led the group through ICCA competitions (like in Pitch Perfect!). 

Dana thanks her friends, parents, grandparents, and the #steinersibs for all their love and support. 

Insta: @danabethsteiner

He/Him

Danny Jaworski, Ensemble and Understudy for Cinderella’s Prince and Fight Captain, is extremely excited to be a part of Make-Lemonade! A Senior at NYU Tisch Drama, Danny studied in the Meisner studio for his first two years. He found his love for action and became a stunt coordinator and action designer. He later went to the Stonestreet Studios where he honed his filmmaking ability. But the stage always finds a way to bring him back! 

Danny opened 54 Below for his debut and only wishes to continue his stage work! Danny would love to thank the extremely talented crew and cast for not only their collaboration but for their limitless kindness.