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Myths and Hymns

Director Notes
Special Thanks
Cast
Creative Team
Production Team
Musical Numbers
Orchestra
Bios

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Director Notes

Adam Guettal’s Myths and Hymns has been described by the New York Times as “a Theater Cult Favorite”. Back in 1998 it debuted at the Public Theatre as a song cycle. These original songs were inspired by Greek myths and a 19th century Presbyterian hymnal. Guettal’s Myths and Hymns musical vocabulary sweeps from romantic art song and Rock to Latin, Gospel, and R&B.

As I began thinking about how to approach directing this show, I was interested in exploring the possibility of creating a story which connects the songs together. 

During our rehearsal process I began with a framework of circumstances from which our story would take place and the students developed their individual characters based on the clues we gleaned from the lyrics, tone, and composition of the music. 

The opportunity of the MT Box slot in our season lends itself to possibilities of exploration and new ideas. 

Our story of Myths and Hymns begins before the performers take the stage at a summer outdoor music festival. This festival is cut short by extraordinary circumstances and a group of festival goers find shelter in an abandoned theatre in Brooklyn.  The Brick Theatre (which is currently alive and well!) in Williamsburg served as our inspiration. https://www.bricktheater.com/

My love for dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories (Silo, Snowpiercer, The Road, Station Eleven, The Parable of the Sower, The Last of Us), my longing for live concert festivals (Afro-Punk Festival and Block Parties) and my formative years living in Brooklyn, New York are all influences on the story we’ve created. 

The themes in Myths and Hymns evoke our need for connection with someone or a higher power and we were eager to investigate these ideas in our devised process. Our take on Myths and Hymns uniquely explores our passion for live music, storytelling, and our relationship with our ambitions, dreams and with one another.  

We are so thrilled you are able witness this moment in time with us. 

Cheers, 

Alexandra Joye Warren

Special Thanks

Elsa Keefe, Brian Kremer, Fred Rubeck, Dr. Connie Book, Dr. Gabie Smith, Dr. Rebecca Kohn

Creative & Production Team

DirectorAlexandra Joye Warren
Associate DirectorTristan Altobelli
Music DirectorChris Rayis
Associate Music DirectorsCharlie Castro
Derick Donato
Sound DesignerSarah Adams
Lighting DesignerSophia Walper
Technical DirectorLuis Silva
Stage ManagerAlyssa Wise
Assistant Stage ManagerElla Davison
Production ManagerCharles Johnson
Costume Shop ManagerHeidi Jo Schiemer
Props SupervisorChris Fields
Light Board OpAleah Newman
Sound Board OpLilly Sears
Deck CrewSabetha Hersini
Props CrewLauren Trethaway
Front of House SupervisorDavid McGraw
House ManagersLillian Chen
Ella Huestis
Emily Moxon
Poster DesignSydney Dye

Company

Andrew FranceSisyphus, Ensemble
U/S for Jacob Atkins & Kameron Askew
Aubee BillieJesus the Mighty Conqueror, There’s A Shout
Brooke ChamberlinHow Can I Lose You, Ensemble
Camille FundingslandLife Is But A Dream, Come To Jesus
Ella NagelEnsemble
U/S for Hashini Amarasinghe
Ellie SchwartzEnsemble
U/S for Kyra Britt
Erik HouckIcarus (Daedalus)
Gabe TobierreSaturn Returns
Hashini AmarasingheMigratory V
Jacob AtkinsIcarus, Hero and Leander, Come To Jesus
Kameron AskewBuild A Bridge, Pegasus, Awaiting You
Kyle BradyThere’s A Land, Ensemble
Kyra BrittMigratory V, Pegasus (Pegasus), Children of the Heavenly King
Madelynn ForcierEnsemble
U/S for Aubee Billie
Malia HorstEnsemble, Swing
Mia McManamyThere’s A Land, Ensemble
U/S for Camille Fundingsland
Sarah FetherstonPegasus (Gadfly)
Summer SeverinMigratory V, There’s A Land, Ensemble, Dance Captain
Tinkie JonesEnsemble
U/S for Sarah Fetherston

Musical Numbers

The Great Highway

Ensemble

Saturn Returns

Gabe Tobierre

Icarus

Jacob Atkins, Erik Houck

Understudy: Andrew France

Migratory V

Hashini Amarasinghe, Kyra Britt, Summer Severin

Understudies: Brooke Chamberlin, Ella Nagel, Ellie Schwartz

Jesus the Mighty Conqueror

Aubee Billie

Understudy: Madelynn Forcier

Build A Bridge

Kameron Askew

Understudy: Andrew France

There’s A Land

Kyle Brady, Mia McManamy, Summer Severin

Pegasus

Kyra Britt, Sarah Fetherston, Kameron Askew

Understudies: Ellie Schwartz, Tinkie Jones

Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh

Hero and Leander

Jacob Atkins

Understudy: Andrew France

Life Is But A Dream

Camille Fundingsland

Understudy: Mia McManamy

Come To Jesus

Jacob Atkins, Camille Fundingsland

Understudies: Andrew France, Mia McManamy

Children of the Heavenly King

Kyra Britt

Understudy: Ellie Schwartz

There’s A Shout

Aubee Billie

Understudy: Madelynn Forcier

Sisyphus

Andrew France

Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh

How Can I Lose You

Brooke Chamberlin

Understudy: Summer Severin

At The Sounding

Ensemble

Awaiting You

Kameron Askew

Understudy: Andrew France

Saturn Returns (Reprise)

Ensemble

Prometheus

Ensemble

Light After Darkness

Ensemble

Orchestra

Music Director/Piano/Additional Arrangements: Chris Rayis

Associate Music Directors/Percussion: Charlie Castro & Derick Donato

Bios

Alexandra Joye Warren

Alexandra Joye Warren

Chris Rayis

Chris Rayis

Sarah Kay Adams

Sarah Kay Adams

Kameron Askew

Kameron Askew

Tristan Altobelli

Tristan Altobelli

Jacob Atkins

Jacob Atkins

Charlie Castro

Charlie Castro

Kyra Britt

Kyra Britt

Derick Donato

Derick Donato

Sarah Fetherston

Sarah Fetherston

Camille Fundingsland

Camille Fundingsland

Erik Houck

Erik Houck

Mia McManamy

Mia McManamy

Ellie Schwartz

Ellie Schwartz

Summer Severin

Summer Severin

Aubee Billie

Aubee Billie

Alyssa Wise

Alyssa Wise

Sophia Walper

Sophia Walper

Hashini Amarasinghe

Hashini Amarasinghe

Malia Horst

Malia Horst

Lilly Sears

Lilly Sears

Aleah Newman

Aleah Newman

Kyle Brady

Kyle Brady

Tinkie Jones

Tinkie Jones

Brooke Chamberlin

Brooke Chamberlin

Ella Davison

Ella Davison

Gabe Tobierre

Gabe Tobierre

Andrew France

Andrew France

Ella Nagel

Ella Nagel

Madelynn Forcier

Madelynn Forcier

Lauren Trethaway

Lauren Trethaway

Alexandra Joye Warren

Alexandra Joye Warren is the Founding Artistic Director of JOYEMOVEMENT dance and an Assistant Professor of Music Theatre program at Elon University. She was recently selected as a Artist-In-Residence for Creative Greensboro and the North Carolina Dance Festival. Alexandra has completed post-graduate studies at the Yale Summer Directing Intensive, Leadership Initiative Project for Emerging Directors, and at Germaine Acogny’s L’Ecole De Sables in Senegal. She is a contributing author in the newly released book Dance in Musical Theatre: A History of the Body in Movement. Recent projects include Love Notes (Artistic Director and Choreographer) and A Wicked Silence: A Choreoplay (Playwright, Director, Choreographer).

Chris Rayis

Chris Rayis (Music Director/Piano/Additional Arrangements) As pianist/conductor: Broadway: Frozen. National Tour: Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elf, Man of La Mancha. Off-Broadway: Far from Heaven, Cruel Intentions. Film: The Last 5 Years. As composer/lyricist: Deep Water Ballad (Elon Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Transcriber of Dreams (Original Cast Recording on streaming & digital), Jenny and the Paper Pirates (commissioned by The American School in Switzerland). Former student of Andrew Lippa and Ricky Ian Gordon. TV: Jeopardy!, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. Assistant Professor and Music Director for Elon University Music Theatre. Proud member and shareholder of Manchester United, the world's greatest football club.

Sarah Kay Adams

Sarah Kay is now a senior, here at Elon, as a double major in Arts Administration and Theatre Design/Technology with a concentration in sound and lighting. Her recent credits include A3 for Illinois at The Fisher Center at Bard, Sound Designer for Concord Floral as well as Spring Awakening here at Elon and Sound Designer/Audio Engineer at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse for Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia, and more. Sarah has worked in theaters and performing arts centers from CA to NY. Sarah is so proud of her work as sound designer for this show she hopes you enjoy.

Kameron Askew

Kameron Askew is pumped for you all to catch this awesome piece of devised theatre. You might've spotted him in A Chorus Line earlier this year, and he's excited for his upcoming senior year at Elon. Big thanks to Cc, Ken, Prof Warren, & Chris. Enjoy the show! Insta: kam.j.a

Tristan Altobelli

Tristan Altobelli (Assistant Director) is excited to be working on his final Elon production in a brand new capacity! This is his direction team debut & he would like to thank Professor Alexandra Warren & the entire cast of Myths & Hymns for allowing him the space to learn and grow throughout this process.

Jacob Atkins

Jacob Atkins is thrilled to be making his main stage debut here at Elon University. He will be portraying the role of a “Muse” and couldn’t be more excited! You could find Jacob this past summer working at Highlands Playhouse where he played “Joe Pesci” and Understudied “Franki Valli” in Jersey Boys! Some interesting facts about Jacob are he only eats fries in 2’s, and he is a Marvel Enthusiast! Special shout out to his Mom, Dad, Aunt Lisa, and Belle Noel. @Thejacobatkins

Charlie Castro

Charlie Castro is a junior musical theatre major. He is a Miami, Florida native. He is incredibly excited to be working on the music team and to be playing live instruments for the show! He wants to thank his family and friends for their constant support in all of his artistic endeavors!

Kyra Britt

Kyra Britt is excited to be an assistant Music Director for A Chorus Line. She has enjoyed working on such a phenomenal production, and is thankful for the cast, crew, and creative team for making that possible. Special thanks to Chris Rayis, and Hashini for supporting her in this endeavor.

Derick Donato

Derick is so excited to be back on the McCrary Stage performing in A Chorus Line. Favorite credits include The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), On Your Feet! (Swing), & The Bridges of Madison County (Ensemble). Special thanks and shoutout to the cast and creatives, as well as my friends and family!! @derickgdonato

Sarah Fetherston

Sarah Fetherston is a Junior Acting major from Garden City, New York and is thrilled to be a part of Myths and Hymns! Since arriving at Elon, Sarah was seen in Clue, Head Over Heels and understudied in Sense and Sensibility! She is also a proud member of the improv group Instant Laughter. Huge thank you to her family and friends for all their love and support! Enjoy the show!

Camille Fundingsland

Camille Fundingsland is a senior BFA Musical Theatre Major all the way from San Diego, California. Theater: Spring Awakening (Thea) at the Vanguard Theater Company. Workshops: Deep Water Ballad (Ruth Carter) Educational Theatre: Myths & Hymns (soloist), Deep Water Ballad (swing, u/s Naomi), Into the Woods (Florinda) and 42nd Street (Lorraine). Special thanks to her voice professor Dr. Polly, Mom, Dad, and her little sis Audrey for all the support! Instagram: @camille_nf https://www.camillefundingsland.com

Erik Houck

Erik is super excited to be performing here at Elon alongside his peers! Previous roles Erik has played include Tom of Warwick in the Broadway tour of Camelot and Roger in ITS’s Rent.

Mia McManamy

Mia McManamy (she/her) is a Junior Music Theatre major from Kansas City, Missouri with a minor in Communications and an Elon College Fellow. Recent credits: She Loves Me (Amalia Balash), Mamma Mia! (Rosie), Head Over Heels (Dance Ensemble) and Movin' On (Linda u/s). She would like to thank her parents and younger sisters for their unending love and support for her passions.

Ellie Schwartz

Ellie is a junior music theatre major and is thrilled to be back for another MT Box musical at Elon! Big thank you to Chris and Professor Warren. Enjoy the show!

Summer Severin

Summer is a rising senior Music Theatre major and is so excited to be performing in her third MT Box production. She feels so lucky to perform such a challenging score and a fascinating story. She would like to thank her wonderful fellow cast mates for creating such a wonderful and creative community. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Aubee Billie

Estonko! Aubee is a Junior Musical Theatre and Arts Administration major and is so happy to be part of the wonderful cast of Myths & Hymns! Before her time at Elon, Aubee was an ambassador for the Seminole Tribe of Florida since she was 6 years old. She started Musical Theatre in middle school and she has loved it ever since. Previous roles include Eponine in Les Miserables, Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the Witch in Into the Woods, and many more. She is so happy to be performing and she hopes y'all enjoy this wonderful show! Shonabisha!🥳

Alyssa Wise

Alyssa is ecstatic to be a part of the Myths & Hymns family as the Stage Manager. She is a Junior BFA Acting and Arts Administration double major and Business minor at Elon and is very excited about this show. Her previous credits include The Inferior Sex (Shirley Chisholm) and Antigone (Eurydice & Creon U/S). She thanks her family and friends for being a part of her Elon journey. It's been such an incredible experience working with Professor Warren and the cast. "Thank you for letting me be a part of this show and process. Hope you enjoy the show!" @alyssawise_

Sophia Walper

Sophia Walper is a junior with majors in Theatrical Design and Technology, and Psychology. This academic year Sophia will work as a lighting designer on John Proctor Is The Villain, Fall Dance 2023, and Myths and Hymns. Recent credits include: Clue, Black History Month Dance Concert, and Bridges of Madison County.  

Hashini Amarasinghe

Hashini is thrilled to be part of this incredible piece of devised theatre! She hopes you enjoy!

Malia Horst

Malia Horst is a Sophomore Music Theatre major and welcomes you to Myths and Hymns! Her past credits include Marian U/S, Chiara U/S, and Ensemble in Elon’s Bridges of Madison County, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Inga in Young Frankenstein, and Marty in Grease. Most recently, she worked as a Summer Resident Artist (roles including Snow White, Wendy, Various) at The Palace Theatre. Special thanks to Alexandra Joye Warren and Chris Rayis for allowing us to be a part of such a creative space! Enjoy the show!

Lilly Sears

Lilly Sears is a sophomore with a major in Dance Performance and Choreography and two minors in Expressive Art and Psychology. She is from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina and is so excited to be a part of the Elon Performing Arts program. This year Lilly will be performing in Dancing in the Landscape, the Fall Dance Concert, the Black History Month Concert, and the Spring Dance Concert.

Aleah Newman

Aleah Newman Is a sophomore BFA Dance Major from Chicago who has been dancing from a young age in various styles and spent four years dancing with Inaside Chicago Dance's Pre-professional company. She is so happy to continue her study of dance here at Elon.

Kyle Brady

Kyle is a first year BFA Music Theater major from Winston-Salem, NC and is thrilled to be a part of MT 27. Kyle was most recently seen as Tom in A Chorus Line and Noel Gruber in Ride The Cyclone. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support as he begins his four years here at Elon. Enjoy the show!

Tinkie Jones

Tinkie can’t wait to perform in her first Elon mainstage! She is a first-year from Dunwoody, Georgia. She loved working on a devised piece of theater and hopes you enjoy! All the love to her parents for their endless support.

Brooke Chamberlin

Brooke is overjoyed to be making her mainstage debut at Elon in Myths and Hymns. She would like to think her cast mates and creative team for making her first show at Elon such a lovely experience. Enjoy the show!

Ella Davison

Ella (she/her) is a first-year music theatre major and is thrilled to be a part of Collage 2023! She was most recently seen as Ilse in Spring Awakening at Queensbury Theatre. She is incredibly grateful to come all the way from Houston to Elon and would like to thank the faculty for allowing her to be a part of this wonderful program!

Gabe Tobierre

Gabe Tobierre is a sophomore Music Theatre Major and is so thrilled to be back for Collage! He worked this summer at the New London Barn Playhouse in Guys & Dolls, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and The Wedding Singer. He can next be seen as a part of this year's fall play: John Proctor is the Villain which runs October 6-10 in Roberts Studio Theatre! He hopes you have a grand ole' time watching this years version of Collage!

Andrew France

Andrew is so excited to be performing in his second Grand Night! He was most recently seen in Elon University’s Spring Awakening as Moritz. He is currently in the rehearsal process for Myths and Hymns. He hopes you enjoy Grand Night!

Ella Nagel

Ella Nagel is so excited to be making her MT box debut! Ella is a Junior Vocal performance here at Elon University and is so happy to be a part of this production with its amazing cast and production team. She was most recently seen in the Elon opera workshops production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica as well as Ottovia in L’incoronazione di Poppea at Miami Beach Classical Music Festival. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support, her castmates for being the amazing people they are, and Chris Reyis and Alexandra Warren for letting her be a part of this fabulous production.

Madelynn Forcier

Madelynn Forcier is thrilled to be a part of Myths and Hymns in the company of an incredible creative team, cast, and crew. She’d like to thank her friends in the cast for making this process an enjoyable one, as well as her parents for their loving support. Enjoy the show!

Lauren Trethaway

Lauren Trethaway (She/Her) is a first year Music Theatre Major here at Elon University. Originally from Westford, Massachusetts, she is grateful for this amazing opportunity to step into the next chapter of her life at Elon. As well, she is excited to perform in her first main stage production!