Theater Arts Productions

LaRue Vigil '26  they/them (Zuzu). LaRue is a Senior at Brandeis University studying
Theater Arts. They are thrilled to be performing in their third department production as Zuzu! LaRue’s past credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne
Schwartzandgrubenniere) and Twelfth Night (Valentine) with the Brandeis Theater Department, As You Like It (Phebe) with the Prague Shakespeare Company, and Legally Blonde the Musical (Paulette) at The Grove Theater Center. LaRue can't wait to share this beautiful, wild show with all of you!!

Anmol Virani '25 she/hers (Connie) is thrilled to make her theatre debut as Connie in Dance Nation. Offstage, she overthinks everything; onstage, she lets it all go. Here’s to first times, loud laughs, and dancing like no one warned you it’s opening night.

Manning Zhang she/hers (Amina). Manning is an international student from Hefei, China,who is currently working towards a PhD degree in Sociology and Social Policy. She recently appeared in Brandeis Theater Arts Department productions Intractable Woman (Ensemble) and Everybody (Death). She has been involved in theatre productions since high school, and the very first character she played was John Keating in Dead Poets Society. Before joining Brandeis, Manning was part of Fudan Rye Theatre in Shanghai, China, appearing in a couple of productions, including Macbeth (Lennox), The History Boys (Mrs. Lintott), and The Catcher in the Rye (Sally Hayes). She also acted in The Silence of the Lambs (Clarice Starling) with Fudan Shouwang Theatre and Avenue Q (Kate Monster) with Fudan Musical Theatre.

Mimi Hilnbrand '27 she/hers (Sofia) is a junior studying film and psychology. Since getting to Brandeis, she has acted in Fun Home (Small Alison), Pippin (ensemble), and Hamlet (Queen Gertrude), and performed musical improv comedy with False Advertising. She’d like to thank all of the kind and talented people involved in this show for helping her have such a fantastic time learning to pretend like she actually knows how to dance. She hopes that you enjoy this show and that she can do the splits by the time you read this.

Triona Suiter she/hers (Maeve) is a Theater Arts major from Seattle, Washington. She is an

Erin Klein '28 she/hers (Ashlee) is a sophomore from Arlington, Virginia. She grew up dancing in a studio very similar to Liverpool Dance Works, so she is excited to be making her Brandeis mainstage production debut with this play. She joined the cast later than the other actors, and is extremely grateful for how completely welcomed and supported they made her feel from the start. Last year you may have seen her in How Was Your Day Tom? (Claire), and before coming to Brandeis she performed in several high school shows including Sweeney Todd, The Prom, and Love/Sick. She would like to thank the production and creative teams for trusting her with this role and her parents for flying into Boston to come see her.

Jordan Li '27 he/him (Dance Teacher Pat). Originally studying at the University of Maryland, Jordan, moved back home to Boston, MA to finish his BA's in Theatre and Psychology. He understudied for Metamorphosis (King Midas) with the University of Maryland's School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. He also performed in Brandeis Theaert Arts' Eurydice (Big Stone). He is grateful to have received the opportunity to work on Dance Nation, and for his mom and dad for their love and support.


Simon Link '28 he/him (Luke) is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is so excited for his second department show at Brandeis! But, is a little disappointed this one won't be featuring his unicycle. Previously, he was in Eurydice (Child/Lord Of The Underworld) with the mainstage, and Julius Caesar (Cassius) with Brandeis' Hold Thy Peace, and is proud to be the Music Director for Proscenium a capella. He's also majoring in Theater! Simon wants to thank his amazing cast for their hard work, and for making every rehearsal feel safe and fun.

Nina Lokshin '26 she/hers (Vanessa and The Moms). Nina is from Sudbury, Massachusetts,and is so excited to be a part of Dance Nation as Vanessa/The Moms!! She also participated in the 2025 department production of Eurydice as the understudy of the stones. She is double-majoring in Theater and Education studies. She is thrilled to be working on this production and is very grateful for all the support she has received.

Michelle M. Aguillon she/her (Director) is a Boston-based director, actor, playwright, designer, and producer having worked with Chuang Stage, Plays in Place, Company One, Umbrella Stage Co, Central Square Theater, Emerson College, Hovey Players, O4FXSake Productions, among others. Directing credits include The Kittie Knox Plays, Yellow Face, Appropriate, Elephant Man, In the Heights, Natural Shocks, Middleton Heights, Hold These Truths, Dracula - A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Sense and Sensibility, Passion, Augusta and Noble, Fences, The Joy Luck Club, Disgraced, Vietgone, and Rabbit Hole, among others. Michelle recently served as the Dramaturg and Community Tour Director for Learning How to Read by Moonlight at Chuang Stage and Company One. She is a playwright/producer/director for the Annual Asian-American Playwright Collective Annual Playfests (2020-2025). Her short plays have been produced by Fresh Ink and Chuang Stage for the Annual Boston Theater Marathon. She studied theatre at San Francisco State University and the National Theater of London.

Erika Bailey (Vocal Coach) is the Head of Voice and Speech at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) and a faculty member at Harvard University. She has coached theater productions across the country and on Broadway. Previous Brandeis credits include Eurydice and Orlando. At A.R.T. she has coached Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey, Diary of a Tap Dancer, and Life of Pi, among others.  She holds a M.A. in Voice Studies from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and an M.F.A. in Acting from Brandeis University. 

Schanaya Barrows she/her (Choreographer) from Boston MA, is thrilled to be working with Brandeis! She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance with a minor in Dance at Salem State University 2021. Her recent credits include Ain’t no Mo (Passenger 4) Front Porch Arts/ Speakeasy Stage, In The Heights (Choreographer) Firehouse Center, Morning Noon, and Night (Chloe) Company One, A Wrinkle in Time (Assistant Director) Wheelock Family Theatre, The Interrobangers (Dani Bundy) Company One (Elliot Norton Nominated 2024) ,The Color Purple (U/S Squeak, Olivia) The Umbrella Arts Center, Dance Nation (Ashlee) The Apollinaire Theatre (Elliot Norton Nominated 2024), Can I Touch it? (Meeka, Beth) Company One (Elliot Norton Award winner for Outstanding Performance 2023), Dream Love Escape (Helena, Peter Quince, Choreographer) The Ridiculous Project, Machinal (Adding clerk, Lawyer of Defense, Reporter, Bridesmaid, Choreographer) Salem State University.The Long Christmas Ride Home (choreographer), Much A Do About Nothing (Choreographer), Bedroom Farce (Female swing, Fight Captain), Gunplay:A play about America (George Washington, Shante Johnson,Lois Milberger, Woman, Announcer), Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend, Harlem Ensemble, Dance Captain), Poison of Choice (Haley/Chavez) Salem State University, A Freeman of Color (Melpomene, Leda, Margery Understudy, Dance ensemble) Salem State University.

Allie Beckerman (Assistant Stage Manager)

Sydney Boncoddo she/her (Production Stage Manager) is a Massachusetts native who is pleased to be making her Brandeis debut with Dance Nation. Previous stage management credits include Appropriate, The Pillowman, Rocketman (Hovey Players); Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy (Really), Fences, The Joy Luck Club, Disgraced (The Umbrella Arts Center), Coyote on a Fence, Black Comedy, American Buffalo (Acme Theater), and Mister Roberts (Concord Players). Thank you to Michelle for being a wonderful creative partner, and to her family who supports her theater habit.

Nina Borzekowski '26 she/her (Assistant Director) is a senior from Vermont majoring in Theater Arts and minoring in French Studies. She is quite thrilled to be assistant directing for the first time! Past Brandeis productions include stage managing "How Was Your Day, Tom?" with the FreePlay Theatre Cooperative, as well as acting in "Farewell to the World I Know" for the Senior Thesis Festival, and in "Girls in the Boat" and "Murder’s in the Heir" with the Undergraduate Theater Collective. Nina would like to thank Michelle and Sydney for this valuable learning experience, and for all their kindness and patience.

James Cannon he/him (Sound Designer) . James Cannon is a sound designer based in Watertown, MA. He is thrilled to be making his Brandeis University debut with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Previous sound design work has been heard at - North Shore Music Theater: Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof, Disney's Frozen. Umbrella Stage Company: The Full Monty, The Minutes, LIZZIE: The Musical, The Color Purple. Moonbox Productions: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Passing Strange, The Rocky Horror Show. Speakeasy Stage Company: FAIRVIEW. Wheelock Family Theater: A Wrinkle in Time. Front Porch Arts Collective: Next to Normal. Boston Conservatory at Berklee: SWING!, City of Angels, Alice by Heart. Greater Boston Stage Company: Boulevard of Bold Dreams. Fresh Ink Theatre Company: John Deserves to Die. and with The Huntington Theater Company on The Band's Visit as Associate Sound Designer. He gives all the love to his son, Trevanté, and his partner Rebecca!

Andie Cohen '28 she/her (Assistant Stage Manager). Andie is from West Roxbury, Massachusetts and is proud to be participating in her first production with the Brandeis Theater Department. She's already established herself with the student-run Undergraduate Theatre Collective in their Spring 2025 production of Noises Off (Dotty/Mrs. Clackett). An avid actor since she was 8, Andie has dabbled in musicals, straight plays, staged readings, and even film during a conservatory program on AMDA's New York campus, where she acted out a scene from Gruesome Playground Injuries (Duck, renamed from Doug). She wishes to immerse herself in all the theater Brandeis can offer her, and if that means she'll be ASM-ing again during her time here, so be it!

Justin Lahue he/him (Scenic Designer) is a Boston based theatre artist and filmmaker. Previous collaborations include work with the Westport Country Playhouse, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Harbor Stage Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Speakeasy Stage, Harvard University, Boston Conservatory, Company One, Northeastern University, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and the Tank (NYC) . He is the recipient of a 2022 BroadwayWorld Boston award (Best Professional Scenic Design | Straight White Men), 2022 Cannes Film Award and regional Emmy nomination (Art Direction | Not on This Night) as well as a 2025 Elliot Norton Award nomination (Outstanding Scenic Design | Tartuffe). BA in Theatre from Suffolk University and a proud member of USA-829. For more information on his work, please visit www.justinlahue.com.

Luca Jordan (Assistant Stage Manager)

SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal he/him (Lighting Design) is a father, husband, educator, and storyteller who travels across the country designing lighting and digital media for Theatre, Opera, Dance, Concerts, and Live Events. He has had the privilege to work on projects with many companies including Portland Stage Company, Lyric Stage Boston, Penobscot Theatre Company, Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Program, Umbrella Stage Company, Remote Theatre Project, Wheelock Family Theatre, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, The Coterie Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Theatre at Monmouth, Unicorn Theatre, University of Delaware Dance, Opera Maine, Opera Colorado, Palm Beach Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Boston Conservatory @ Berklee. He is the Associate Professor of Lighting Design, Co-Chair, and Head of Production and Design in the Department of Theatre at the University of Southern Maine where he brings his knowledge and experience to help shape the next generation of holistic storytellers. Seif is a proud member of USA 829. www.seif.design

Emma Whiteside she/her (Prop Designer) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Providence, Rhode Island. She enjoys taking on innovative and creatively challenging projects, and collaborating with dedicated artists to bring concepts to life. Her work for the screen and stage includes prop fabrication, set decoration, and graphic design. Recent credits include "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" (Set Decorator) with Bravo TV, "Risk of Injury" indie short film (Production Designer, Property Master), "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812" (Prop Manager) with the Boston Conservatory, "Small Potatoes" indie feature film (Property Master, On-Set Dresser), and several commercials and advertisement campaigns with Newfangled Studios (Art Assist, On-Set Dresser).

Sarah Wolman she/they (Costume Designer) is very excited to be a part of bringing this production to life and to be working with Brandeis for the first time! A lover of theater since they were small, they have continuously been involved in shows both on stage and behind the scenes since joining the local theater community in 2022. Most recently, they acted as Stage Manager for Acton Theatre III’s production of Lucky Stiff, Costume Designer for NCT’s 24 Hour Musical Grease, Designed Hair and Makeup for Burlington Player’s Production of Fun Home, and was in the ensemble of a production of The Drowsy Chaperone last fall! Sarah was also honored with a DASH award in 2024 for their Costume Design of Colonial Chorus Players' production of Assassins. Thank you to the cast and production team for working so hard on this fantastic show!

• Arryn Clanaugh 
• Matthew Magee 
• Anna Su 
• Qian Wu 
• LaRue Vigil