Lizzie: The Musical Bios
Cast Biographies
Stephanie Barney (u/s Emma Borden/Bridget Sullivan) was last seen in ACON’s inaugural season as Marullus/Julius Caesar u/s in Julius Caesar. She has also played Fraulien Kost in Cabaret (Vanilla Box Productions), Miss Mona Stangley in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Rhode Island College, Irene Ryan Award Nomination), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Hopkinton Center for the Arts), and Cindy Lou Huffington in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Theatre at the Mount). Stephanie would like to thank her friends and family for their endless, unwavering support. Please visit www.stephaniedbarney.com or @stephaniedbarney to chat or learn more! she/her/hers
Temma Beaudreau (Alice Russell/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be back on The Umbrella stage in this electrifying, women driven musical! She last performed at The Umbrella as Maureen Johnson in RENT. Other Boston area credits include Beehive: The 60's Musical, Little Women (Greater Boston Stage Company), Head Over Heels, and 42nd Street (The Umbrella Stage Company). She would like to thank Ilyse and the entire Lizzie team, as well as the cast, who it has been so special to share this experience with. She is so thankful for the continued support from her friends and family, and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of telling this story. she/her/hers
Liza Giangrande (Emma Borden) is so excited to be making her Umbrella Stage Company debut in Lizzie! Professional credits include Season 4 of Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman on PBS Kids Go, Jo March in Little Women at Greater Boston Stage Company (Elliot Norton Award Nominee 2023), originating the role of Joan of Arc in Born to Do This at the Company Theatre, Katie in Late with Moonbox Productions, Lucy in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown with Firehouse Center for the Arts, Belle in Beauty and the Beast with Riverside Theatre Works, and Kara in Wish I Was There (Best Actress, NYIFAwards Recipient 2022). She would like to thank the incredible cast and crew of Lizzie for this incredible experience. To connect with Liza on social media, she can be found on Instagram @lizagiangrande and TikTok @lizarookangaroo! she/her/hers
Eleni Kontzamanys (u/s Lizzie Borden/Alice Russell) is thrilled to be returning to The Umbrella Stage Company! She is currently a rising senior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Her most recent credits include Leading Player in Pippin (Firehouse Center for the Arts), Ensemble in Rent (The Umbrella Stage Co.), as well as Aliena in the premiere staged reading of The Prince and the Painter (Moonbox Productions). Other credits include Veronica in Heathers and Pearl White in Ghost Quartet. Many thanks to her family, friends, and The Umbrella! Follow her journey via Instagram @elenikontzamanys. she/her/hers
Sophia Muharram (Lizzie Borden) is a junior at the Boston Conservatory studying musical theatre, and is so excited to make her professional debut with The Umbrella Stage Company! Born in Brazil and raised in Miami, FL to immigrant parents, she is proud of everything her family has done to support her and help her follow her dreams. She was last seen as Meera at Berklee College of Music in an original staged reading of Darkroom: The Musical, and as Tyler in the premiere of Playing Dead. She would like to thank her loved ones, Ilyse Robbins, and the amazing Lizzie creative team and cast for all of their support!
Nora Sullivan (Bridget Sullivan/Maggie) is so excited to be making her debut at The Umbrella! Off-Broadway: Honor in Playboy of the Western World (Irish Repertory Theater). Educational: Ellen in Belfast Girls (AADA). Regional: Ensemble, U/S Gertie in Oklahoma and Ensemble in Sound of Music (Reagle Music Theater). Local: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Maria in The Sound of Music, and Olive in ...Spelling Bee (Weston Friendly Society); Little Red in Into the Woods (Flyleaf Theater Company). Nora is a graduate of The American Academy of the Dramatic Arts in New York City. She serves as the Executive Director for Sullivan Rep, a new professional repertory theater company in the Greater Boston area. XO to MDDJB. @norasullivan12
Creative Team Biographies
Brian Boruta (Producer) This is Brian’s 47th production with The Umbrella and his 43rd as the Director of Performing Arts, during which time he has earned Best Production nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Red, Angels in America, Equus and Bonnie & Clyde; a DASH Award for Best Play for True West and To Kill A Mockingbird, and Best Musical for Parade and Big Fish. The Umbrella directing credits include: Parade (Dash Award for Best Director of a Musical) Big Fish (DASH Nom.), Hair, Evita, Side Show, Next to Normal, The Rocky Horror Show. Elsewhere: Sweeney Todd, Legally Blonde, Godspell, Seussical the Musical, The Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. Favorite on-stage credits include Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street (DASH Nom.), Judas/ John the Baptist in Godspell, Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain, Austin in True West, and Greg in A Chorus Line. As a designer and educator, Brian has worked with numerous college, high school and community groups including Merrimack College, Goddard College, Framingham State University, The Performing Arts Center of MetroWest, Brookline, Chelsea and Wellesley Public School. His solo piece, UnMasqued, has been workshopped and performed at the Wheeler Theater in Port Townsend, WA. Brian holds a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College and was named the recipient of the 2014 Framingham State University Young Alumni Achievement Award for his work in the performing arts.
Ilyse Robbins (Director/Choreographer) is thrilled to be working at The Umbrella for her first time. Recent projects include Assassins (Lyric Stage), Tell Me on a Sunday, Cabaret (Peterborough Players); Beehive, Little Women (GBSC); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Front Porch, Nora@CST, GBSC: Elliot Norton Award - Outstanding Musical Production) All is Calm at GBSC (Elliot Norton Award - Outstanding Musical Production). Her original choreography for the World Premiere of Swan Lake in Blue: A Jazz Ballet at GBSC won the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Choreography and she directed the award-winning Move on the Cha-Chas at United Solo Festival NYC. Ilyse is a teacher, coach, and writer. She holds a BS in Communication/Theater from Northwestern, theater certification from BADA and an Ed.M. from Harvard. Upcoming projects: Rocky Horror (Central Stage), Mr. Popper’s Penguins (WFT). Ilyse is a proud Member of SDC. Love to Glen and the kids. www.ilyserobbins.com
Tree Brock (Wardrobe Supervisor) is proud to be working with The Umbrella again after joining them as Wardrobe Supervisor in Rent, Middleton Heights, and The Color Purple. They have previously worked as the costume designer with Hoovey Theatre doing Witch, Marjory Prime, and Pillowman. They were also costume designer with The Christmas Carol in Waltham. Tree also works backstage and costume work for various performers at Drag me to Brunch and Strut. Tree works with Creative Arts during the year helping kids learn the joys of backstage and costuming in productions such as, Lion King Jr, Into the Woods Jr, Spongebob and others. Their company is Red Bark Crafting and believes you should fly your fandom banners proudly.
Lianne Bunting (Music Director) Lizzie marks Lianne's second show with The Umbrella, having music directed The Wild Party in 2016. Lianne has music directed extensively throughout Eastern Massachusetts and earned multiple EMACT DASH nominations for her work. She is also an active freelance pianist and singer who teaches full time in the Billerica Public Schools. Lianne sings with with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, performing regularly at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood, as well as with the chamber ensemble Cappella Nova Mundi, which is based out of Southern New Hampshire.
James Cannon (Sound Designer) is a freelance audio engineer, sound designer, composer, and music producer from Chicago, IL, and currently based in Watertown, MA. Recent theatrical credits include: The View Upstairs (Speakeasy Stage), Well, Straight White Men (Hovey Players), The Rocky Horror Show, Passing Strange (Moonbox Productions), The Last Wide Open, The Old Man & The Old Moon, Head Over Heels, The Colored Museum, Dracula, Rent, Middleton Heights,The Color Purple (The Umbrella Stage Company), NIGHTTOWN: An Operatic Reimagining of James Joyce’s Ulysses (Lowell House Opera), and Spring Awakening (Wellesley Theater Project).
Grace Cutler (Scenic Design Assistant) is pleased to be making her Umbrella Stage debut with Lizzie at The Umbrella Arts Center. Previous to this show, Grace has assisted Erik Diaz as the Assistant Set Designer for Beautiful at New London Barn Playhouse. Within her studies at Boston College, Grace has enjoyed set designing Dead Man’s Cell Phone and Mr Burns, working as a scenic artist, and directing the first production of Idawalley by Maggie Kearnan. She recently associate directed Candide, directed by Bryce Pinkham, and has worked with Larry Sousa as an assistant choreographer. Grace has also worked with Theatre Breaking Through Barriers in New York, and is currently interning with 101 Productions Ltd. where she has enjoyed working on many productions including the opening of Once Upon A One More Time. @gccutler she/her/hers
Erik D. Diaz (Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be working on his first show with the team at The Umbrella and once again with Ilyse on Lizzie! He has had the pleasure of working at theatres across New England and his work has been seen nationally at Skylight Music Theatre, Kingsman Shakespeare, Omaha Playhouse, The Sharon Playhouse, Connecticut Rep, Playhouse on the Square, Penobscot Theatre, and Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Regional credits: Evita (Skylight), Chicken & Biscuits (Front Porch) (OSTC), Alma (Central Square Theatre), Heisenberg (TheatreWorks), Mary Poppins (CSFAC), All Is Calm (GBSC), Fairview (SpeakEasy), and most recently Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (New London Barn Playhouse). TV: HGTV's Designed to Sell, WBZ-TV. Erik lives in Dedham with his wife, Holly, and sons, Ezra and Zander, where he is the Director of Technical Theatre and Design at the Noble and Greenough School. Proud member United Scenic Artists Local 829. www.DESIGNBYDIAZ.com he/him/El
Shauwna Dias Grillo* (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be making her Umbrella debut with Lizzie and White Rabbit Red Rabbit! Select previous AEA SM credits include: The Little Mermaid (Reagle Music Theatre), Make Way For Ducklings (Wheelock Family Theatre) Clue, Beehive, Little Women, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Ain’t Misbehavin, Miss Holmes Returns, All Is Calm, and The 39 Steps (Greater Boston Stage Company). As AEA ASM: West Side Story (Reagle), Miracle on 34th Street (GBSC). Plus extensive work with The Young Company at GBSC as a stage manager, production manager, education assistant, props coordinator, and sound designer. Much gratitude to Ilyse, my most frequent collaborator and a treasured friend.
Sarah Hobbs-Butler (Audio Op) is a freelance audio engineer from Dorchester, MA. She is thrilled to return to The Umbrella for her third production after working on The Color Purple and RENT.
Kayleigh Kane (Intimacy Director) is a Boston-based theatrical intimacy professional and multi-disciplinary artist. She’s received training from Intimacy Directors and Choreographers, Theatrical Intimacy Education, National Society of Intimacy Professionals, and more. Recent intimacy direction credits include The Moors (Entropy Theatre); Marriage or MADE (Harvard University), Dracula: a feminist revenge fantasy, really (The Umbrella Stage Company). In addition to designing movement and intimacy for scripted theater, Kayleigh teaches and performs at ImprovBoston, where she enjoys helping people of all backgrounds unlock their creativity through improvisation. In everything she does, Kayleigh is a joyful believer in pushing the boundaries of the artform while supporting the boundaries of the artists. Learn more at kayleighkane.com.
Bethany Mullins (Costume Designer) is a Massachusetts-based costume designer. She has worked on national and international touring productions as a shop manager, technician, and stitcher, including Les Miserables, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde, School of Rock, and Phantom of the Opera. Some favorite design credits include: Beehive: The ‘60s Musical (Greater Boston Stage Company, 2023) and Tell Me On A Sunday (Peterborough Players, 2023), Circle Mirror Transformation (Peterborough Players, 2022), All Is Calm (Greater Boston Stage Company, 2021), Beehive: The ‘60s Musical (Peterborough Players, 2021), Always, Patsy Cline (Peterborough Players, 2020), Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Peterborough Players, 2019), and Tru (Peterborough Players, 2018). Endless thanks to Cory and her family for their unwavering support as she continues to play dress-up under pressure.
Sarajane Mullins (Properties and Set Dressing Designer) is a Boston-based actor and theater artist. Previous Umbrella credits for properties and set dressings include Tuck Everlasting, 42nd Street, Glengarry Glen Ross (Dash Nomination), Joy Luck Club and Dracula. Past appearances on the Umbrella stage include Lucille in Parade (Dash Nomination), Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (Arts Impulse nomination, DASH nomination), and ensemble roles in Tuck Everlasting, Big Fish and Evita. SJ holds a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University and trained abroad with the London Academy of Music and Drama. She has appeared at The Huntington Theater Company, Greater Boston Stage Company, Turtle Lane Playhouse, and over 50 productions in the Midwest. She annually adjudicates for the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild. More at www.officiallysarajane.com. she/her/hers
Zoe Pepin (Stage Crew) is excited to be working on her first show with The Umbrella Stage Company. She recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a BFA in Theatre, concentrating in acting and stage management. In her senior year at URI, Zoe served as Production Manager for Or, was an ASM for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, and played Cinderella in Into the Woods.
Amelia Rodriguez-Josoy (Stage Crew)
SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back at The Umbrella for his 11th season. He holds an MFA in Design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a focus on Lighting and Projection. He has traveled across the country telling stories with Opera, Dance, and Theatre. He is the Assistant Professor of Lighting Design at the University of Southern Maine where his knowledge and experience shape the next generation of theatre professionals. www.seif.design he/him/his
Hannah Shihdanian (Assistant Director) is honored to sit at the table with Ilyse Robbins and the rest of the incredible women who bring this feminist story to life. She has appeared on The Umbrella’s stage in Head Over Heels, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, BB Andrew Jackson, and served on the production team for Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, and La Cage Aux Folles. Hannah is the Program Director for Wellesley Theatre Project and the Founder and Director of HDC, a community for dance and fitness. She has the firm belief that every BODY and everybody can dance, no matter their ability or age. She has also worked as a freelance performer, director, and choreographer for the A.R.T. (Diane Paulus), Reagle Music Theatre, Greater Boston Stage Co., Artbarn, and others. Special thanks to Brian for welcoming her back to The Umbrella. IG: @hannahsdancecommunity, www.hannahsdancecommunity.com
Colleen Tenney (Assistant Stage Manager) is a New England based theatre artist who graduated from Dean College with a concentration in Musical Theatre Performance. Colleen enjoys being creative on and off stage. As their thesis, Colleen designed, choreographed, and directed Selections from Avenue Q. Since graduating, Colleen worked most recently as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical (Firehouse Center for the Arts) and in various concerts. Colleen works closely in Rescue and Veterinary medicine when not in the theatre, and is slowly working towards becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. Colleen also enjoys tap dancing, painting, and playing the ukulele in their free time. she/they
Kira Troilo (EDI Consultant, Art & Soul Consulting) is a Boston-based creative who has been doing the work of EDI consulting, without the title, for decades. In 2021, after serving for 12 years as the Managing Editor of an online media company, she received formal training - earning her certificate in Diversity &Inclusion in the Workplace. In 2022, she began Art & Soul Consulting - an EDI consulting service specializing in the arts. She strives to serve as an open door and bridge builder through her blog (biracialmom.com), writing frequently about her experiences as a Black, biracial woman, creative professional and mother. Kira consults for many Boston arts organizations (inclusing SpeakEasy Stage Company, Lyric Stage Company, and Greater Boston Stage Company). She serves as a member of Moonbox Productions' EDI advisory council, as a board member for Theatre Community Benevolent Fund (TCBF), and newly as The Umbrella Stage Company's official EDI Consultant.
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