Executive Team For “Into the Woods”
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
She/Her
Lauren Updyke is a Jersey girl through and through. She grew up in New Jersey, singing to her dog and her neighbors. She discovered theater at an early age and never looked back. The daughter of a hispanic immigrant, Lauren is passionate about creating an equitable world in which all humans have equal dignity.
Lauren started Mak
She/Her
Lauren Updyke is a Jersey girl through and through. She grew up in New Jersey, singing to her dog and her neighbors. She discovered theater at an early age and never looked back. The daughter of a hispanic immigrant, Lauren is passionate about creating an equitable world in which all humans have equal dignity.
Lauren started Make Lemonade Productions as a means to provide artistic opportunities to emerging theater professionals.
A talented actress, singer, writer and producer, Lauren has been studying voice since the age of 10 and acting since 11. She is a current senior at New York University, where she will graduating with a BFA in Theater, a Producing Minor and a Business, Entertainment, Media, and Technology Minor. Lauren started her professional training at Playwright Horizons and she is now at Stonestreet Studios.
In the past two years, she has been a lead actress in 8 theater productions—all but two at Tisch. She has also participated in over 50 student film projects, all as lead actress. She is also the President of the Tisch School of the Arts Coalition for Neurodivergent Artists. Currently, she is an intern at Stonestreet Studios.
This is her fourth role as a producer. You can contact Lauren at lauren@make-lemonade.comwww.laurenupdyke.com
Jenna Roth: Founder & Artistic Director
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
She/They
Jenna Roth is a queer, Jewish artist who grew up in Los Angeles, California, where she attended the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). Initially a performer, Jenna found her true love in directing and playwriting. For college, she attended NYU’s Tisch Drama Program, studying in the Playwrights Horizo
She/They
Jenna Roth is a queer, Jewish artist who grew up in Los Angeles, California, where she attended the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). Initially a performer, Jenna found her true love in directing and playwriting. For college, she attended NYU’s Tisch Drama Program, studying in the Playwrights Horizons Theater School.
While at NYU, she participated in numerous student productions as a director, playwright, intimacy coordinator, set designer, assistant stage manager, actor, and costume designer.
Post college, Jenna has worked at Open Hydrant Theater Company in the Bronx, where she stage managed a production of Footloose and wrote and directed three plays for their short play festivals.
Jenna's primary goal as an artist is to help people feel seen. Whether that be for an actor, designer, or audience member, she wants her work to resonate with those who encounter it. The theater she is passionate about making is chaotic, daring, and bold. However, it is also grounded, specific, and highly emotional. Her favorite topics to work on often surround mental health, sexuality, gender, and identity.
She strives to be didactic in her work, and establish a gateway to discussing issues that can at first seem daunting, but end up being beneficial to emotional growth and healing. Jenna is so honored to be the artistic director of Make Lemonade Productions.
Contact Jenna at Jenna@make-lemonade.comwww.jennaroth.com
Caroline Updyke: Founder, Executive Producer
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
She/Her
Long before she was a theater mom, Caroline had an accomplished career in marketing in the media/telecommunications industry. She retired from her position as Director of Marketing at ATT Wireless in 2002 to raise her twins and focus on community projects.
While raising her kids, Caroline served on a number of community organizatio
She/Her
Long before she was a theater mom, Caroline had an accomplished career in marketing in the media/telecommunications industry. She retired from her position as Director of Marketing at ATT Wireless in 2002 to raise her twins and focus on community projects.
While raising her kids, Caroline served on a number of community organizations. She was President and Vice President of the PTO at Hartshorn Elementary. She served as the President of the town-wide Parent Teacher Organization Conference (PTOC) and served on the Board of the Millburn Middle School PTO. She had a number of other leadership roles including President of the Millburn Special Education Committee.
In addition to her volunteer work with the schools, she also ran a number of community fundraising events, including events for Ovarian Cancer Alliance and the Interfaith Hospitality Network for Essex County.
As a community volunteer, her proudest accomplishment was running for and winning a seat on the Millburn Board of Education, where she served as a BOE Member from 2018-2021.
Caroline was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved here at the age of 10. She is married and the mother of twins. Professionally, Caroline is a part-owner of a business in Boise, Idaho. She is an avid portrait photographer. This is her first, but definitely not her last, theater production. Caroline@make-lemonade.com
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
She/Her
Chelsea Melnick is an NYC-based singer, pianist, conductor, music educator, and music director from Madison, Wisconsin, as well as a recent graduate of the Music Education program at NYU.
Chelsea previously sang with the NYU vocal jazz group Village Voices, for which she studied under Janis Siegel and Lauren Kinhan. Additionally,
She/Her
Chelsea Melnick is an NYC-based singer, pianist, conductor, music educator, and music director from Madison, Wisconsin, as well as a recent graduate of the Music Education program at NYU.
Chelsea previously sang with the NYU vocal jazz group Village Voices, for which she studied under Janis Siegel and Lauren Kinhan. Additionally, she has studied voice, jazz piano, and songwriting under various musical talents at NYU. Chelsea has also sung with the NYU Classical Voice Collective. She sings with the vocal jazz and contemporary group Flex Pitch, with whom she placed second in the New York regional Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella competition.
While at NYU, Chelsea worked as a music director with Tisch New Theatre and the Gallatin Theatre Troupe, orchestrating, composing, conducting, playing piano, and programming for productions.
Chelsea is dedicated to fostering interpersonal and emotional connections through her teaching and creative endeavors. Additionally, Chelsea is an avid fan of the NYC klezmer music scene and enjoys karaoke, jewelry making, and card games.
Recent credits include Alice By Heart (Theater For the New City); As You Like It (Labowitz Theater); No Guts, No Glory (The Garage at NYU); Cabaret (West End Theatre); and Spring Awakening: in Concert (The Cutting Room).
Sofia Shah: Director of Operations and Stage Management
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
Sofia Shah: Director of Operations and Stage Management
She/Her
Sofia Shah is an actress and stage manager based in NYC. She is a recent graduate from NYU Tisch's Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute with a minor in Interactive Media Arts and Producing.
She has most recently stage managed the original “Youngblood Chronicles” Fall Out Boy Musical at Playwrights Horizons, the Off-Off Broadwa
She/Her
Sofia Shah is an actress and stage manager based in NYC. She is a recent graduate from NYU Tisch's Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute with a minor in Interactive Media Arts and Producing.
She has most recently stage managed the original “Youngblood Chronicles” Fall Out Boy Musical at Playwrights Horizons, the Off-Off Broadway musical "Noise" by Rachel Covey at the Tank Theater NYC, and assistant stage-managed "The Last Supper and Three Years Later" at NYU.
She can also be seen singing in performances of 54 Below Sings: Feminine Rage, this past April!
Sofia is so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful cast and creative team of such a beloved musical and production company!
IG: @sofia.shahh
Erin Grace Amstein: Director of Choreography
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor
Sofia Shah: Director of Operations and Stage Management
She/Her
Erin Grace Amstein is an NYC-based choreographer, director and creative.
Originally from North Carolina, Amstein is excited to make her Make Lemonade Productions debut!
As a senior in Collaborative Arts at NYU Tisch, she hopes to showcase true interdisciplinary talent, creating inspiring and relevant work.
She was last seen Stage M
She/Her
Erin Grace Amstein is an NYC-based choreographer, director and creative.
Originally from North Carolina, Amstein is excited to make her Make Lemonade Productions debut!
As a senior in Collaborative Arts at NYU Tisch, she hopes to showcase true interdisciplinary talent, creating inspiring and relevant work.
She was last seen Stage Managing with Frayed Knot Collective. She also feels very fortunate this semester to have been made Tisch New Theatre's Artistic Producer for the Fall 2024 season.
On top of Into the Woods, Amstein is currently working on two other projects, Assistant Directing The Newlywed Game, an original work by Juliette Markman, through the Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, and Co-Directing Good TV, original work by Emma Grace Lehmann and recipient of the CA Arts Grant through Collaborative Arts.
Recent credits include: Alice by Heart (Tisch New Theatre, Choreographer) No Guts, No Glory (Tisch New Theatre, Choreographer) The Infinite Wrench (New York Neo-Futurists, Intern).
Glory to God!
Instagram: @erin.amstein
CREATIVE TEAM “INTO THE WOODS”
Nava Saylany: Production Stage Manager
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
She/Her
Nava is graduate of NYU Tisch Drama having studied at Playwrights Horizons Theater School and Atlantic Theatre School where she focused on acting, playwriting, directing, and stage management.
During her time there she performed in the TISCH DRAMA STAGE’s Festival of Voices in the production Memorial as well as In The Stillness of
She/Her
Nava is graduate of NYU Tisch Drama having studied at Playwrights Horizons Theater School and Atlantic Theatre School where she focused on acting, playwriting, directing, and stage management.
During her time there she performed in the TISCH DRAMA STAGE’s Festival of Voices in the production Memorial as well as In The Stillness of Night, put up at The Tank. She also stage managed countless shows including Dance Nation, put up at Royal Family Productions off-broadway.
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
She/Her
Lizzie is a theater director, costume designer, and hair and makeup artist based in New York City. Currently a senior at NYU Tisch's Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Lizzie has been a long time collaborator with both Jenna Roth and Lauren Updyke.
Past credits include Assistant Directing "I Know You Know" and performing in "This
She/Her
Lizzie is a theater director, costume designer, and hair and makeup artist based in New York City. Currently a senior at NYU Tisch's Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Lizzie has been a long time collaborator with both Jenna Roth and Lauren Updyke.
Past credits include Assistant Directing "I Know You Know" and performing in "This Can't Be Happening." Her other credits include directing "Aunt Leaf" at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Assistant Directing "Fearless" for Tisch Student Works, and costume designing Noma Mirny's "Lowlands."
Lizzie is currently working at the Nederlander Organization as an Operations Intern and continues to love collaborating with the founders!
Charlie Masami Anderson: Dramaturg & Line Producer
Lizzie Leach: Assistant Director & Assistant Costume Designer
Charlie Masami Anderson: Dramaturg & Line Producer
They/Them
Charlie Masami Anderson is a gosei dramaturg and dancemaker, among other things, based in New York City. They recently graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama and a minor in Linguistics, completing their training at Playwrights Horizons Theater School.
At PHTS, they created and self-produced four new works, with a f
They/Them
Charlie Masami Anderson is a gosei dramaturg and dancemaker, among other things, based in New York City. They recently graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama and a minor in Linguistics, completing their training at Playwrights Horizons Theater School.
At PHTS, they created and self-produced four new works, with a focus on dance, movement-based healing practices, and adaptation. They also worked on numerous student productions as a movement dramaturg & choreography consultant, text & story dramaturg, director, costume designer & wardrobe manager, set designer, and stage manager.
Since graduating, Charlie has been working on immersive and site-specific productions, including Marta Nesspek Presents… (Stage Manager, 23.5° Tilt Theater Company), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ASM, Double Feature), and A Meal (Run Crew, HERE Arts Center).
When not working on a show, Charlie can be found crafting, thinking about archival practice and collective memory in the digital/social media age, building spreadsheets, and trying to remember to bring their camera out with them more often.
“There is nothing new under the sun, but there are new suns.” – Octavia Butler
Izzy Gerstel—Assistant Stage Manager
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
Charlie Masami Anderson: Dramaturg & Line Producer
She/They
Izzy Gerstel is a Chicana artist from Chula Vista, California. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Producing in 2024. They debuted as Syd in I’m Sorry For Your Troubles by Aniello Fontano at The Irma Sandrey Theatre in the original cast off-broadway.
With a “set life or no life” a
She/They
Izzy Gerstel is a Chicana artist from Chula Vista, California. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Producing in 2024. They debuted as Syd in I’m Sorry For Your Troubles by Aniello Fontano at The Irma Sandrey Theatre in the original cast off-broadway.
With a “set life or no life” attitude, she has been drawn backstage. Stage Managing has become a recent addition to her artistic practice.
Her Stage Managing debut was also in The Irma Sandrey Theatre for the production No Shade by Reynaldo Piniella. This passion has continued into the stand up comedy space, running tech for both the Main and Gold room shows at Mic Drop Comedy San Diego.
In her free time, you can find her traveling, in your local comedy club, or spending quality time with her family, friends, and boyfriend (whom she thanks for supporting her in all her artistic shenanigans).
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
She/Her
Jaide Malone is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City. Currently, she is a fourth year student at NYU Tisch studying Collaborative Arts.
With a background in dance, she is excited to be assisting in choreography for this show. Recent credits include acting in “Fearless” for NYU Student Works as well as “The Last Thing
She/Her
Jaide Malone is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City. Currently, she is a fourth year student at NYU Tisch studying Collaborative Arts.
With a background in dance, she is excited to be assisting in choreography for this show. Recent credits include acting in “Fearless” for NYU Student Works as well as “The Last Thing to Go” at The Tank.
Recent production team credits include assistant choreographing Tisch New Theatre’s “Alice By Heart”, stage managing “The Marie Show”, and lighting designing/operating numerous showcases for Collaborative Arts at NYU.
This fall, she will be directing her own original play called “Do You Care That I’m Like This?” for her thesis project.
Miu Sato: Assistant Musical Director
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
Jaide Malone: Assistant Choreographer
She/Her
Miu Sato is a New York-based Japanese composer for film, multimedia, and musical theatre, as well as a pianist.
Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring at NYU, and is a recipient of the Alan Menken Scholarship and Production Music Association Scholarship. She is co
She/Her
Miu Sato is a New York-based Japanese composer for film, multimedia, and musical theatre, as well as a pianist.
Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring at NYU, and is a recipient of the Alan Menken Scholarship and Production Music Association Scholarship. She is composing music for a new original musical in development titled, Neverland Never Ends.
A strong believer in the power of storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices, Miu enjoys exploring a wide range of sonic palettes and incorporating her unique exposure to various cultures and experiences in her works. Her scores have been heard in film festivals such as the Chelsea Film Festival, FilmOut San Diego LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Silicon Valley AAPI Film Festival, New York Indie Theatre Film Festival, and San Diego Asian Film Festival.
She also holds a Diploma in Piano Music Performance for completing her DipABRSM in 2022 under the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
Recent theatre credits: Celebrating Diversity in Theatre (54 Below, MD), Fountain of You (NMTC, MA), Yoko’s Husband’s Killer’s Japanese Wife, Gloria (NMTC, MA)
IG: @miusicsato
Danny Jaworski: Fight Captain
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
He/Him
Danny Jaworski, Fight Captain,Ensemble and Understudy for Cinderella’s Prince, 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
He/Him
Danny Jaworski, Fight Captain,Ensemble and Understudy for Cinderella’s Prince, 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.
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
They/Them
Avery Athene Wood is multi-hyphenate artist with a passion for directing, writing, and stage management. Their artistic focus lives within musical theatre and developing new works.
They recently graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama and a minor in Creative Writing. Most recently, they were the Production Manager o
They/Them
Avery Athene Wood is multi-hyphenate artist with a passion for directing, writing, and stage management. Their artistic focus lives within musical theatre and developing new works.
They recently graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama and a minor in Creative Writing. Most recently, they were the Production Manager of the SheNYC 2024 Summer Theatre Festival.
Other management experience includes Ape The Immortality (Technical Director, PHTS), Bloodshot (Assistant Stage Manager, SheNYC), Czar Dla Domu (Stage Manager, PHTS), and SheNYC Festivals 2022&2023 (Associate Production Manager).
When they're not managing, they can be found frantically writing their next play. Previous writing credits include The Heartbreak Kids (The Maker's Space), after-party-haze (PHTS), Haunted (PHTS), and The Mixtape (Cleo's Version) (PHTS).
Stay up to date on their upcoming work at www.averyathenewood.com
Julian Moller: Co-Director of Set Design
Avery Athene Wood: Co-Director of Set Design
Julian Moller: Co-Director of Set Design
Any Pronoun
Julian Moller is a multi-hyphenate artist, who focuses on writing, acting and sound design, taking up a new focus here. Their art lives within fantasy in many ways, working as a professional game master. They've graduated from NYU with a BFA in Drama. Recently, they played the role of 'The Woodlands', in The Woodlands, which wa
Any Pronoun
Julian Moller is a multi-hyphenate artist, who focuses on writing, acting and sound design, taking up a new focus here. Their art lives within fantasy in many ways, working as a professional game master. They've graduated from NYU with a BFA in Drama. Recently, they played the role of 'The Woodlands', in The Woodlands, which was put up at the New York Theatre Festival.
Other experience lies in the Sound design area, including here i fall up, (Board Tech, New Ohio Theatre), Untitled Gamer Play, (Sound Design, PHTS) and The Children's Book Play (Sound Design, PHTS).
Otherwise, they can be found Game Mastering for many people, as well as putting up introductory interactive DnD shows, to ease people into the wonderful world of TTRPGS and live play.
Contact me at julemoller@gmail.com
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting
He/Him
Benoit Elias-Roberge is a multi-faceted artist from Canada and based out of NYC. Growing up, Benoit always had a fascination for the Arts, working in theatre from a young age. He performed at the Hamilton Conservatory for the arts throughout high school where he was also introduced to the world of lighting.
Benoit is currently st
He/Him
Benoit Elias-Roberge is a multi-faceted artist from Canada and based out of NYC. Growing up, Benoit always had a fascination for the Arts, working in theatre from a young age. He performed at the Hamilton Conservatory for the arts throughout high school where he was also introduced to the world of lighting.
Benoit is currently studying at NYU Playwrights Horizons with a focus in Acting and Lighting Design. Throughout his career and education, he's worked on dance shows, profession presentations, plays and musicals as a lighted designer.
He's worked for companies such as Clubbed Thumb where he worked as a programmer alongside Tony nominated designers for their Summerworks festival. He’s also worked for groups such as Tisch New Theatre, The Neighbours Dance Company, Classical Theatre of Harlem and Drayton Entertainment as a designer, electrician and programmer.
Benoit is extremely excited to join Make Lemonade for their production of “Into The Woods“ and hopes you all enjoy!
Contact: benoit.eliasroberge@gmail.com Email: benoit.eliasroberge@gmail.com
Nadia Othman: Director of Sound Design
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting
She/Her
Nadia Othman is an Egyptian American audio engineer and musician from New York. She recently earned a Music Technology degree from New York University, where she discovered her passion for live sound, especially for theatrical productions.
Nadia mixed the Tisch New Theatre fall 2023 production No Guts, No Glory and has since wor
She/Her
Nadia Othman is an Egyptian American audio engineer and musician from New York. She recently earned a Music Technology degree from New York University, where she discovered her passion for live sound, especially for theatrical productions.
Nadia mixed the Tisch New Theatre fall 2023 production No Guts, No Glory and has since worked as an A1, A2, and sound designer for multiple venues and productions around NYC, such as The Public Theater and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. She can also be found soldering effects pedals at the Death By Audio warehouse in Queens.
Part of her love for live sound comes from her background as a performer, singing since the age of 10. At NYU, she sang in ensembles such as the Village Voices vocal jazz ensemble led by Janis Siegel and Lauren Kinhan, and she recently performed in the choir for FOLLIES in Concert at Carnegie Hall.Contact:
onadia02@gmail.com or Instagram @curlyflyaways_
Pilar Cerón: Director of Costume & Makeup, Production Assistant
Pilar Cerón: Director of Costume & Makeup, Production Assistant
Pilar Cerón: Director of Costume & Makeup, Production Assistant
They/She
Pilar Cerón is a proud graduate from NYU’S Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her concentration, “Storytelling for Creation and Liberation” studied theater, music, literature and fashion in connection to race, gender, and justice. They also holds a minor in Chinese.
Past credits include playing Natella Abashwili in Bertolt
They/She
Pilar Cerón is a proud graduate from NYU’S Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her concentration, “Storytelling for Creation and Liberation” studied theater, music, literature and fashion in connection to race, gender, and justice. They also holds a minor in Chinese.
Past credits include playing Natella Abashwili in Bertolt Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” as well as numerous costume design credits for student productions at NYU’S Playwrights Horizons studio.
Since graduating, Pilar has continued her theater studies at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She is incredibly excited and grateful to be a part of the amazing team bringing this production of Into the Woods to life.
Orla Patterson: Director of Props
Pilar Cerón: Director of Costume & Makeup, Production Assistant
Pilar Cerón: Director of Costume & Makeup, Production Assistant
She/They
Orla is a NYC based artist who graduated with a BFA in Drama from Tisch School of the Arts, where she focused on directing, design, and stage management at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, as well as completing the Stanislavski, Brecht, and Beyond program in Berlin.
She has worked on productions at Playwrights Horizons Downt
She/They
Orla is a NYC based artist who graduated with a BFA in Drama from Tisch School of the Arts, where she focused on directing, design, and stage management at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, as well as completing the Stanislavski, Brecht, and Beyond program in Berlin.
She has worked on productions at Playwrights Horizons Downtown, Dixon Place, and New York Theater Festival. Since graduating, they have spent time in France teaching English, and recently participated in We Who Wander’s 24-hour play festival.
They are very excited to be a part of the creative team for Into the Woods with Make Lemonade!
Luis-Carlos (“Guy”) Sandoval: Assistant Lighting Director
Luis-Carlos (“Guy”) Sandoval: Assistant Lighting Director
Luis-Carlos (“Guy”) Sandoval: Assistant Lighting Director
Guy is from San Antonio, Texas. He just recently picked up lighting design from working with Benoit! Guy studies at NYU Tisch in the Playwrights Horizons Theater School and has a passion for both acting and writing. He’s very grateful for this opportunity to work with Make Lemonade Productions and would like to send love to his family back home and his partner Saleen.
Elliot Allen: Assistant Lighting Director
Luis-Carlos (“Guy”) Sandoval: Assistant Lighting Director
Luis-Carlos (“Guy”) Sandoval: Assistant Lighting Director
They/Them/He/Him
Elliot Allen (they/them/he/him) is a queer & trans director, designer, playwright, and performer who works with emerging playwrights to bring new works to life. An alum of NYU Tisch’s Playwrights Horizons Theater School, they’ve directed, written and designed several PHTS productions. Recently, Elliot’s lighting design wo
They/Them/He/Him
Elliot Allen (they/them/he/him) is a queer & trans director, designer, playwright, and performer who works with emerging playwrights to bring new works to life. An alum of NYU Tisch’s Playwrights Horizons Theater School, they’ve directed, written and designed several PHTS productions. Recently, Elliot’s lighting design work has been seen in The Body (Foul Fiend Theatre Troupe) and his puppet design in Who the Water Carries (Invitation Arts Collective/The Tank). Contact: elliotallen01@gmail.com
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
She/Her
“Bebi” Ashley Alexandre is a girl who is running on passion, ambition, and a dream. She finds herself always in a state of creation, even if she doesn't have the means to a lot of material things. She would describe herself as a creative with a skill to make nothing into something.
As an artist, she is always able to adapt and lear
She/Her
“Bebi” Ashley Alexandre is a girl who is running on passion, ambition, and a dream. She finds herself always in a state of creation, even if she doesn't have the means to a lot of material things. She would describe herself as a creative with a skill to make nothing into something.
As an artist, she is always able to adapt and learn new things. She finds her interest to be versatile, so therefore her means of expressing her art come in multiple ways. She creates her art with the intent to teach others about life through different lenses. To give people a reality check of what it's like to be dismissed and suppressed, whether it be in a life of luxury or drab. She creates her art with the intent to make people feel included and give them a sense of community. Whether it be through a screen or on stage. Her purpose as an artist is to be a vessel for people that are never heard.
Because those that are never heard tend to have the boldest spirits, and the boldest spirits always have a story to tell.
Instagram: bebe.ley
Maya Bowman
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
She/Her
Maya Bowman, Production Assistant and 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
She/Her
Maya Bowman, Production Assistant and 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
Abraham Gomez
Ashley Alexandre: Volunteer Coordinator
Dylan J. Gutierrez
He/Him
Abraham Gomez is a New York-based actor born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado. He is currently majoring in Collaborative Arts with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology and also takes classes at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
His past credits include a performance at The Public Theatre, Something's Rotten (Bo
He/Him
Abraham Gomez is a New York-based actor born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado. He is currently majoring in Collaborative Arts with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology and also takes classes at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
His past credits include a performance at The Public Theatre, Something's Rotten (Bobby G Awards), and 9 to 5 (International Thespian Conference). Film Credits include Safe To Tell (Colorado PSA) and The Penguin (HBO).
Abraham is thrilled to be a part of the Make Lemonade Company and is grateful to have found a community throughout the production!
Dylan J. Gutierrez
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
Dylan J. Gutierrez
He/Him
Dylan J. Gutierrez is a Peruvian-American first-generation artist from Wethersfield, Connecticut.
Recently graduating from Pace University with a degree in Psychology, he is now fully immersing himself in the world of acting and film—a dream he's long cherished.
Dylan's passion for storytelling began during childhood, fueled by man
He/Him
Dylan J. Gutierrez is a Peruvian-American first-generation artist from Wethersfield, Connecticut.
Recently graduating from Pace University with a degree in Psychology, he is now fully immersing himself in the world of acting and film—a dream he's long cherished.
Dylan's passion for storytelling began during childhood, fueled by many weekends spent at the movies with his mom and dad. Those moments sparked a love for creativity that led him to write stories and perform little scenes for his parents. For years, he kept this passion hidden, unsure of how to pursue it.
Today, Dylan is embracing his artistic journey with open arms. He is taking acting classes, auditioning for theater and film productions, and crafting his own material. He feels a deep sense of gratitude and excitement to be part of this team bringing Into the Woods to life..
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
She/Her
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan, a California native, is thrilled to bring her talents to NYC. As a freshman at NYU in the Liberal Studies Core, she is exploring diverse passions, including aviation, travel, and real estate. However, her heart truly lies in theatre, and she is ecstatic to dive into her role as a production assistant.
Ama
She/Her
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan, a California native, is thrilled to bring her talents to NYC. As a freshman at NYU in the Liberal Studies Core, she is exploring diverse passions, including aviation, travel, and real estate. However, her heart truly lies in theatre, and she is ecstatic to dive into her role as a production assistant.
Amaya has a rich background in acting, playwriting, company management, producing, and directing. She has even garnered multiple awards for her original one-act play, “Pinpoint,” at the Lenaea Theatre Festival in February 2024.
She is incredibly grateful to collaborate with such a talented creative team and cast!
Instagram: @amaya_roo
Sarah Slipp
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan
She/Her
Sarah Slipp is a composer, flautist, orchestrator, and music teacher from New Brunswick, Canada. S
She earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Acadia University in 2022. She graduated from NYU Tisch in May, where she studied as a composer in the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.
During her time at NYU, she was i
She/Her
Sarah Slipp is a composer, flautist, orchestrator, and music teacher from New Brunswick, Canada. S
She earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Acadia University in 2022. She graduated from NYU Tisch in May, where she studied as a composer in the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.
During her time at NYU, she was invited to play flute in a variety of musical ensembles through NYU Steinhardt, such as the Broadway Orchestra. Sarah has written the music for a variety of productions, most notably for Bend Toward the Light with collaborator Bryce Palmer (2025 Syracuse New Works, New Voices Festival).
She is thrilled to be involved in the Make Lemonade production of Into the Woods in both the band and as a production assistant.
Luka Themel: Concessions Manager
Luka Themel: Concessions Manager
Luka Themel: Concessions Manager
He/Him
Luka Themel is a Connecticut born writer and director driven by a devotion to storytelling. He is currently a Sophomore at New York University majoring in Film and Television.
Luka is a resourceful and adaptable artist, engaging in a myriad of mediums such as writing, directing, drawing, acting, set design, and prop making. His drive
He/Him
Luka Themel is a Connecticut born writer and director driven by a devotion to storytelling. He is currently a Sophomore at New York University majoring in Film and Television.
Luka is a resourceful and adaptable artist, engaging in a myriad of mediums such as writing, directing, drawing, acting, set design, and prop making. His drive as an artist is to create and explore worlds and emotions through a vibrant perspective that people are able to connect and relate to. Today, Luka continues his dream and passion of storytelling on a regular basis.
He’s incredibly grateful to be involved with the Make Lemonade production of Into the Woods and looks forward to future collaborations!
Instagram: @akeikovaproduction
MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA “INTO THE WOODS”
Draytin Freude : Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Draytin Freude : Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
He/Him
Draytin Freude is a Los Angeles born actor who discovered his love of performing when he began acting at the age of nine. 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 a writer, a knitter and a croc
He/Him
Draytin Freude is a Los Angeles born actor who discovered his love of performing when he began acting at the age of nine. 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 a writer, a knitter and a crocheter. He is also a principal actor for “Into the Woods” playing the Baker.
Draytin is a multi-hyphenate artist who uses a variety of mediums including photography and crocheting. Draytin envisioned and organized an artistic photo project for “Into The Woods.”
He would love to thank his Mom and Melissa for all the support they have given to this theater kid and his partner Josh for whose love and talent is a constant
inspiration to reach for his dreams.
Draytin 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
Camila Herrera: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Draytin Freude : Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
She/Her
Camila Herrera is a Cuban-American first-generation artist from Hialeah, Florida. In addition to her work on our social media team, Camila is a principal actor for ”Into the Woods” playing Jack’s Mother.
She is a current sophomore at New York University, where she will be graduating with a BFA in Drama following her training in Tisc
She/Her
Camila Herrera is a Cuban-American first-generation artist from Hialeah, Florida. In addition to her work on our social media team, Camila is a principal actor for ”Into the Woods” playing Jack’s Mother.
She is a current 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.
Aside from having a strong passion for the arts, Camila enjoys filming and documenting as many beautiful moments as she can in her life. She first began this hobby during her junior year of high school by posting short vlogs on youtube. In these videos she would film her day to day life with her friends. Today Camila still continues this interest through Instagram and TikTok by curating photographs and memories from her everyday life.
She is super excited to work alongside the rest of the social media team and can’t wait to see all the fun content they create!
Instagram: @camilaherreraaa
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
She/Her
Raveena Khetarpal is a South Asian artist who grew up in Southern California. Raveena is one of the founding members of our Social Media team as well as a principal actor in our production, playing Lucinda.
Along with being an actor, writer, and musician, Raveena has also found a passion for film and documentation. Over this past ye
She/Her
Raveena Khetarpal is a South Asian artist who grew up in Southern California. Raveena is one of the founding members of our Social Media team as well as a principal actor in our production, playing Lucinda.
Along with being an actor, writer, and musician, Raveena has also found a passion for film and documentation. Over this past year, she has started to make mini vlogs in her free time of moments with her friends and family, which she continues to make. The inspiration for these vlogs started by watching her high school's TikTok page become popular during her senior year production of Phantom of the Opera (San Clemente High School). She also was involved with the social media aspect of the reading of her musical, Sonder. Raveena is excited to continue her interest in content creation for Into the Woods!
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
Margot May Waldron: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Margot May Waldron: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Raveena Khetarpal: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
She/They
Margo May Waldron is grateful to join the team of 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 is both a key member of our social media team, but she is also lending us her talents as “Florinda” in “Into the
She/They
Margo May Waldron is grateful to join the team of 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 is both a key member of our social media team, but she is also lending us her talents as “Florinda” in “Into the Woods.”
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. In addition to her many notable performance, Margot is a skilled content creator and social media expert, with almost 300,000 followers on TikTok.
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
Mickey Wirtz : Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Margot May Waldron: Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
Mickey Wirtz : Associate Producer Marketing & Social Media
He/Him
Mickey Wirtz is beyond thrilled to be a part of the debut production of Make Lemonade! Mickey is a busy member of our production. In addition to playing the Prince, Mickey is also the Understudy for the Baker and an active member of our social media team. Mickey is a skilled video editor and an imaginative content creator for “Into
He/Him
Mickey Wirtz is beyond thrilled to be a part of the debut production of Make Lemonade! Mickey is a busy member of our production. In addition to playing the Prince, Mickey is also the Understudy for the Baker and an active member of our social media team. Mickey is a skilled video editor and an imaginative content creator for “Into the Woods.”
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.
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