April 25, 27, and 28 2024

RIDE THE CYCLONE

Book, Music, and Lyrics by

Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell

Orginially Produced in 2008,

Running Off-Broadway in 2016

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Lukas DeLancey

MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR
Trey Shonkwiler

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Lydia Rouse

STAGE MANAGER & CO-COSTUME DESIGNER
Cassidy Kiger

SCENIC DESIGNER
Lucas Weber

PROPS MASTER
Jessica Endrick

CO-COSTUME DESIGNER & MAKEUP HEAD
Grayson Miller

SOUND DESIGNER
Emmalee "Stapes" Stapleton

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ashlee Round

ASST. LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ellery Hileman

CO-TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Brady Patterson

CO-TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
William Bell

ASST. TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Emma Gallagher

ASST. TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Chloe Vaughn

PRODUCTION MANAGER
Zoe Anderson

BAND
Cello - Jake Tuttle
Guitar - Evan Gray
Bass - Logan Parker
Drums/Percussion - Jake Blair and Brandon Divita

Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15
Glaize Studio Theatre
Shenandoah Conservatory

Meet the CREATIVE Team

Lukas DeLancey

Director/
Choreographer

Lukas DeLancey is thrilled to be making his Director/Choreographer debut. He is a senior from Marietta, GA, and his favorite credits include: Mark in A CHORUS LINE, Snowboy in WEST SIDE STORY (City Springs Theatre Company), Ambrose in HELLO, DOLLY! (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), Chip in ON THE TOWN (Shenandoah Conservatory), Dance Captain/Ensemble in CHICAGO, Josh in 9 TO 5, and Tommy Boy in DISNEY’S NEWSIES (CCCEPA). He would love to thank the cast and crew for making this happen! IG: lukasdelancey

T.A. Shonkwiler

Music
Director

Trey is thrilled to be working with Hornets' Nest! Trey is a vocal coach, performer, and award winning music director currently based here in Virginia studying Contemporary Commercial Vocal Pedagogy and Musical Theatre Conducting. Selected favorite roles and production credits include Falsettos (Music Director), the world premier of Jack & Aiden (Music Director), Cinderella (Music Director), Freaky Friday (Music Director), Matilda (Music Director), Shrek (Music Director), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Music Director), Honky Tonk Laundry (Music Director), Kiss Me Kate (Music Director), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), Little Women (John Brooke), It Shoulda Been You (Albert), Hands on a Hardbody (Jésus Peña), Avenue Q (Brian), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino).

Lydia Rouse

Assistant Director/
Choreographer

Lydia is a sophomore Musical Theatre major here at ShenCo and she is so grateful for the opportunity to get her hands on this production. Ride The Cyclone has been one of her favorite musicals for some time now and seeing this cast bring it to life has given the show a whole new meaning to her. To say she is proud is an understatement. Lydia has directed and choreographed numerous shows in her past, but this experience with these people surely tops. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her. Lastly, she would like to thank the Hornet's Nest board and Lukas for letting her play out her crazy ideas. Seeing Lukas' love and passion for this show, amazing direction, courtesy to others, work ethic, and genuine friendship is so inspiring and something she will take with her moving forward. Now get ready for a crazy ride!

Musical NumberS

"Dream of Life".........................................................................................Jane Doe

"Uranium".................................................................................................Ensemble

"Sailing Through Space"........................................................................Ensemble
"What the World Needs"...................................................Ocean and Ensemble
"Noel's Lament"......................................................................Noel and Ensemble
Every Story's Got A Lesson"...............................................Ocean and Ensemble
"This Song is Awesome"...................................................Mischa and Ensemble

"Talia"..................................................................................Mischa and Ensemble
"Space Aged Bachelor Man"...............................................Ricky and Ensemble
"The Ballad of Jane Doe"..............................................Jane Doe and Ensemble
"The New Birthday Song".......................................................................Ensemble
"Sugarcloud"...............................................................Constance and Ensemble

"Sailing Through Space (Reprise)"......................................................Ensemble

"It's Just a Ride".......................................................................................Ensemble

Meet the Cast

Emily Rubino

Ocean

Emily Rubino is a senior Musical Theatre major at Shenandoah Conservatory and is beyond thrilled to be playing Ocean in the Hornet’s Nest production of RIDE THE CYCLONE. This marks Emily’s third and final Hornet’s Nest show, and she couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible opportunities and experiences this program has given her throughout her time at Shenandoah. She wants to give a huge thank-you to the amazing cast, crew, and creative team for bringing this production to life—and to her family and friends for their endless love and support!

Avery Whitacre

Constance

Avery Whitacre is a junior Musical Theatre major and is so thrilled to be a part of her third Hornets Nest show here at Shenandoah University. You may have seen her previously in Tick, Tick...Boom, or performing during the last Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre season. She is so thankful for all of the incredible work that goes into student work as well as this fantastic cast that made rehearsals so fulfilling!

Ella-Jo Reinhart

Jane Doe

Ella-Jo Reinhart is a junior Musical Theatre major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she is so ecstatic to be in her first Hornets Nest Production. Her previous credits at Shenandoah Conservatory include On The Town (U/S Flossie & Swing), Everybody (U/S Friendship & Beauty), and Shenandoah New Works Incubator Boundless (Jessica). She extends love and endless gratitude to the incredible cast, crew, and creative team, as well as to her loved ones who continue to support her throughout this journey. Insta: @ellajo_reinhart.

Jack Dungan

Mischa

Jack Dungan is a freshman Musical Theatre major from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and he is elated to be in his first Hornet's Nest Production. This is his first show at Shenandoah, but some favorite previous credits include Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), and Patrick (The Spongebob Musical). He is incredibly grateful for the cast and crew for making this such a great experience, and to his family and friends for supporting him!

Meadow Hall

U/S Ocean & Constance

Meadow Hall is so excited to be a part of Ride The Cyclone, A Freshman Musical Theater major at Shenandoah University. Meadow has been highly active in the theater community since the age of five. Most recently, Meadow starred as Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde. In past years, Meadow was a part of shows such as The Crucible (Elizabeth Proctor), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), A Midsummer Night's Dream where she played (Helena), Mamma Mia (Sophie Sheridan) , and Puffs (Leanne, Blondo Malfoy). She trained in dance, acting, and voice at Fineline Theatre Arts in New Milford, CT, her hometown, where she’s also performed roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Meadow has also studied at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC and the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. In 2025, Meadow participated in the national high school musical theater awards (The Jimmy Awards). Meadow would like to thank her amazing parents, her teachers, mentors for always believing in her.

Lea Ahrens

U/S Jane Doe

Lea Ahrens is thrilled to make her Shenandoah University debut for Hornets Nest! A Freshman Music Education major, she’s so grateful for the opportunity to stay connected to her love of musical theatre through this production. Before coming to SU, Lea performed in several high school shows, including The Lightning Thief (Sally Jackson) and A Chorus Line (Diana Morales). She was recognized as a Best Actress Semi-Finalist and Best Vocalist Finalist for her portrayal of Diana Morales in the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards and The Cappies. Lea would like to extend a huge thanks to her family and friends for always believing in her and encouraging her to take chances beyond her comfort zone. Their support gave her the confidence to audition, and she couldn’t be happier to share this experience with such an amazing cast and creative team (& special thanks to her directors Lukas, Lydia, & Trey for making her first show experience amazing!)

Jasper Moore

U/S Noel & Karnak

Jasper is thrilled be apart of his favorite musical Ride The Cyclone! Jasper is from Christiansburg, Virginia. He is a first-year Musical Theatre major and is enjoying the transition to life in Winchester. Previous credits include Tuck Everlasting (Hugo), Newsies (Crutchie), and The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson). Jasper is so excited to see the cast on stage and bring to life what they have worked so hard for.

Meet the TECHNiCaL TEAM

Cassidy Kiger

Stage Manager & Costume Designer

Cassidy Kiger is a freshman Technical Design and Production major with an emphasis in costume design. She specializes in historic fashion. Ride the cyclone is her second show at Shenandoah and her first student production.

Lucas Weber

Scenic Designer/Charge Artist

Lucas Weber is thrilled to be part of the design team for Hornet’s Nest’s production of Ride the Cyclone! This dream production marks his 40th theatrical endeavor, and he couldn’t be prouder. Lucas is currently studying Theatre Design and Production with an emphasis in Scenic Design at ShenCo. Some of his previous credits include On the Town (Run Crew, Scenic Painter), The Ballad of the Sundown Saloon (Scenic Designer/Charge, Mayor), Read What You Sow (Scenic Designer/Charge), Hadestown: Teen Edition (Assistant Director). Upcoming productions include Dog Sees God (Scenic Designer/Charge, Fight Choreographer) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Scenic Artist). He would like to thank his theatre educators and mentors — Stephen Harvey, Chris Whitney, and Brianna Galligan — for their constant guidance and support in helping him reach this point. Additional shoutouts to Bethany, Brady, Chloe, Dave, Emma G., Eric, Grayson, Jess, Kaeleigh, Matt, Payton, Will and Zeke for their support and helping to bring the scenery to life! Enjoy the show!

Jessica Endrick

Props Master & Asst. Scenic Artist

Jessica Endrick is a Sophomore at Shenandoah University, majoring in Media & Communications, minoring in Theatre, and working towards both Scenic Design and Costume Design certificates. Jessica is excited to be the Props Master and Assistant Scenic Artist for her first student group production! Previously, she was on the Run Crew for Legally Blonde: The Musical and a Spot Operator for Monty Python's Spamalot. She also worked as a Run Crew Intern for Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre this past summer. Ride the Cyclone is one of her favorite musicals, and she is honored to be a part of this incredible production. So sit back, relax, and get ready to RIDE THE CYCLONE!

Emma Gallagher

Assistant Technical Director

Emma Gallagher is a sophomore tdp major with an emphasis in Technical Production here at Shenandoah University. She has been involved in over 20 shows both on and off the stage. Her most recent work was ATD on the main stage musical On The Town. Emma is also involved in the marching band here at Shenandoah. She truly enjoyed working on this production and hopes you enjoy the show.