JHS Starry Knight Players

We are so proud of our Starry Knight alumni, Grant Key!

Our Final Senior Spotlight: Wynne Kelly. Here is Wynne’s Senior Bio from the spring musical, Chicago. Wynne Kelly (Roxie) - Wynne is very excited to share this performance with you as her last high school production. Some of her favorite roles in the past include Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Shelby (Spitfire Grill), Shelby (Steel Magnolias), and Erzulie (Once on this Island). This is a very bittersweet performance for Wynne as she closes out her fourth and final year on the Johnson High School stage. She would like to give a special thanks to her director, Brooke Evans, for the constant support and plentiful opportunities she has been given throughout her high school experience. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her, and would like to dedicate this performance to Mrs. Evans. Enjoy the show!

Senior Spotlight: James Dean! We are also featuring some of James’ costume designs! Here is James’ senior bio from the Chicago Playbill! James Dean (ensemble) - James has really enjoyed the experience of theatre this year and regrets not joining sooner. James would like to give a special thank you to choreographer Keelie Hogan and director Brooke Evans for making this year very fun and enjoyable.

Senior Spotlight: Abbie Lepkoske! Here is Abbie’s Senior Bio from the Chicago Playbill. Abbie Lepkoske (Mama Morton) - Abbie is ecstatic to be performing in this spring’s Starry Knight Players production! Some of her past favorite shows include Pippin, Beauty and the Beast, James and the Giant Peach, The Wedding Singer, and The Little Mermaid. Abbie is very thankful for Keelie Collins, Erin Masters, and Brooke Evans for teaching her literally everything she knows. She would also like to thank her amazing friends and family for supporting her love for performing!

Senior Spotlight: Andrea Espino! Here is Andrea’s senior bio from the Chicago Playbill! Andrea Espino Diaz (ensemble) - Andrea is proud to be involved in her second show ever, ‘Chicago’. Her involvement in Technical Theatre and Introduction to Theatre motivated her to stand her talents onto stage this year. Andrea would like to thank her parents for always supporting my musical dreams. That included Chorus as well and always helping me with practice and patience. To her bro...ther Tony, cousin Paulina and aunt Titay who go to every event. Thank you to her closest friends Hannah, Izly, Joahan and Elias for hyping my opportunities and bringing me the most support throughout. To her Theatre best friend, James Dean, who fought for her to stay in the class when feeling the lowest and helped her have self confidence and dignity for herself. Lastly, Dr. Gale and Mrs. Evans who take time off their schedule to make sure her goals were met and helped her grow into the talented young women she is and dealing with her outburst of energy and attitude. You both truly created a thespian. See more

Senior Spotlight: Ainsley Ray! We are also featuring some of Ainsley’s costume designs. Here is Ainsley’s senior bio from the Chicago Playbill! Ainsley Ray (Hunyak) is in a show called Chicago. That’s pretty cool. She has also been in shows that are not called Chicago. They are as follows: Children of Eden (Snake), Nunsense (Reverend Mother), and Frozen Jr. (Elsa). Her costume credits include Children of Eden, Big Fish, The Little Mermaid, and Pippin. Her choreography cred...its include Chicago, Nunsense and Pippin. She also performed in the 2020 All-State opening number at Thescon this past February. It’s all very stressful but rewarding in a weird and twisted way. In the future, she will (hopefully) attend college to study theatre with a minor in dance. She would like to thank Ms. Evans, Ms. Masters, Keelie, and the other rad people who help to make this show possible. See more

Senior Spotlight: Jazmyn Gooch! Here is Jazmyn’s senior bio from Chicago! Jazmyn Gooch (Stage Manager) - is a part of the tech crew. This is her first year in musical theater. She has also helped with the show Children of Eden. Her futures plans for after high school are to go to college and study business and athletic training. She would like to say thank you to her wonderful classmates for being so welcoming, as well as her girlfriend, Lina, who was the previous stage manager who showed her helpful tips and tricks.

Senior Spotlight: D.J. Ruiz! Here is D.J.’s Senior Bio from the Chicago Playbill! D.J. Ruiz (Set Designer) - D.J. is so excited to support his friends and everyone involved in Troupe 2281! He has been in past productions such as Children of Eden, and James and the Giant Peach. He can’t wait to see the show and hopes his set design is received with positive words. He’d also like to thank the entire Musical theatre program for their kindness and support towards him over the last 3 years.

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Farmer! We would also like to wish Taylor a Happy Birthday! Here is Taylor’s senior bio from the Chicago playbill. Taylor Farmer (Mary Sunshine) - is very excited to present to you the high school edition of Chicago! Some of her favorite shows she has been apart of are Children of Eden and Beauty and the Beast. She would like to thank her family, the production team, her fellow cast mates and Stephen. She would like to thank you all for coming to the show, and hopes to see you at One Last Time, a senior production. Enjoy the show!

Senior Spotlight: Vi Tran! Here is Vi’s senior bio from the Chicago Playbill! Vi Tran (Velma Kelly) - Vi is a senior, and this is her third year being part of the Starry Knight Players. Over the years, she has participated in ten productions. Some of her favorites include Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), Pippin (Fastrada), Big Fish (Witch/Assistant Stage Manager) and, now, Chicago. After graduation, she plans to attend college to major in Early Childhood Education and mi...nor in Dance. She would like to thank Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Masters, and Keelie for having faith in her to take on this role and always providing their support. Special thanks to her friends and family, especially her sisters Mi and Ashley, for always encouraging all her endeavors. Vi is super thrilled to be a part of this wonderful show and cannot wait to showcase the amazing dances, catchy songs, comedic acting, and all that jazz! Enjoy the show! See more

Senior Spotlight: Tyler Parker! Here is Tyler’s Senior Bio from the Chicago Playbill. Tyler Parker (Ensemble)- Tyler is super excited to be in Chicago! Some of his favorite past shows have been Children Of Eden, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and The Beast. After graduating, Tyler plans to pursue higher education at UNG and hopes to get a degree in forensic science. He would like to thank his director, Mrs. Evans, music director Mrs. Masters, and choreographer Keelie for always pushing him to do his best. He would also like to thank his Mother and sisters for supporting him in everything he does.

Senior Spotlight: Abigale Derusha! Here is Abigale’s senior bio from the Chicago playbill. Abigale Derusha (June/Ensamble) - Abigale has been in Johnson High School’s musical theater program for three years. She has had so much fun over the years and is fortunate to have such great friends to support her in the class. She would like to thank her parents for always boosting her confidence, and her uncle Luke for encouraging her to join the program. She has grown so much in her singing, acting, and dancing abilities, thanks to the patience from her directors. She will always hold the relationships she made and the skills she learns close to her heart, and let them propel her future endeavors.

Today’s Senior Spotlight: Sarah Kudyba! Here is her Senior Bio from Chicago. Sarah Kudyba (Annie/Ensemble) is extremely happy to be in musical theater for her senior year. She joined musical theater at DaVinci Middle School, where she was in Alice in Wonderland, Dear Edwina, Thoroughly Modern Milly, a cabaret and Cinderella. She joined the Starry Knights in time to be in Children of Eden and now Chicago. Sarah is extremely thankful for her encouraging friends and family who convinced her to join theater one last time.