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 Make
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
Jenna Roth: Founder and 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.com
Caroline Updyke: Founder and Executive Producer
Lauren Updyke: Founder, President and Executive Producer
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
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. She also ran a number of 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 now owns part of a business in Boise, Idaho. She is an avid portrait photographer. This is her first, but definitely not her last, theater production.
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
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, s
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: Stage Manager “Into The Woods”
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
Erin Grace Amstein: Director of Choreography “Into The Woods”
She/Her
Sofia Shah (Stage Manager): (she/her) 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 Hor
She/Her
Sofia Shah (Stage Manager): (she/her) 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 “Into The Woods”
Chelsea Melnick: Director of Music and Music Supervisor “Into The Woods”
Erin Grace Amstein: Director of Choreography “Into The Woods”
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.
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
Avery Athene Wood: Director of Set Design “Into The Woods”
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
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 Manage
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
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
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.
He's currently studying a
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.
He's 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
Nadia Othman: Director of Sound Design “Into The Woods”
Benoit Elias-Roberge: Director of Lighting “Into the Woods”
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
She/Her
Nadia Othman is an 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. She mixed the Tisch New Theatre fall 2023 production No Guts, No Glory and has since worked as an A1, A2, and s
She/Her
Nadia Othman is an 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. She 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 La MaMa Experimental Theater 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.
Nadia is very excited to work with Make Lemonade Productions. Contact her for more at onadia02@gmail.com
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
He/Him
Jacob Updyke is an LGBTQ animator and 2D based out of both Savannah, Georgia and New York City. A senior at SCAD, Jake will be graduating in June of 2025. As the Director of Visual Effects and Animation, Jacob is responsible for the oversight and production of all the various environments, backgrounds, and special effects projected
He/Him
Jacob Updyke is an LGBTQ animator and 2D based out of both Savannah, Georgia and New York City. A senior at SCAD, Jake will be graduating in June of 2025. As the Director of Visual Effects and Animation, Jacob is responsible for the oversight and production of all the various environments, backgrounds, and special effects projected onto the stage in every scene.
Jacob Updyke has a background in Story and Concept Development for Television Animation and has worked on such projects as the Background Lead for the animated short “Cowboy Baby,” the Writer and Director of the Webtoons series “Apotheosis,” and the Writer and Director of the upcoming SCAD 2025 animated short “Pippin and the Tale of the Mountain Troll”.
During his time at SCAD, Jacob has worked on and contributed to a number of other animated short films, including but not limited to, “Teaser Trailer,” “Bushitoad,” and “Lost Child.”
His most recent accomplishment was his film’s selection as a SCAD senior capstone project. Jake will be leading a group of 10 other student animators in a year-long film production for Jake’s original tale of “Pippin and the Tale of the Mountain Troll.”
You can check out all of Jacob’s work and see his full portfolio by visiting his website at https://www.jakeupdyke.com
Lizzie Leach: Director of Costume and Makeup “Into the Woods”
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
Lizzie Leach: Director of Costume and Makeup “Into the Woods”
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!
Orla Patterson: Director of Props “Into the Wood
Jacob Updyke: Director of Visual Effects and Animation “Into the Woods”
Lizzie Leach: Director of Costume and Makeup “Into the Woods”
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 Downtow
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!
Izzy Gerstel—Assistant Stage Manager
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
She/They
Izzy Gerstel is a Chicana artist from San Diego, California. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Producing in 2024. Stage Managing has become a recent addition to her artistic practice with experience at LSTFI NYC and Mic Drop Comedy SD. In her free time, you can find her traveling,
She/They
Izzy Gerstel is a Chicana artist from San Diego, California. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and a Minor in Producing in 2024. Stage Managing has become a recent addition to her artistic practice with experience at LSTFI NYC and Mic Drop Comedy SD. In her free time, you can find her traveling, in your local comedy club, or spending quality time with her friends, family, and boyfriend (whom she thanks for supporting her in all her artistic shenanigans).
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
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
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
Pilar Cerón: Production Assistant
Amaya “Sunny” Pangilinan: Production Assistant
Pilar Cerón: 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 B
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.