Next Stop, Broadway!

Lizzie Black is from Orlando, Florida and traveled to Kalamazoo to get her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Some of her previous performances at WMU include Mrs., SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; Rona, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE; and coming this Spring 2022, she will star as Pamela in HEAD OVER HEELS.

Lulu Bushman is originally from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Her credits at WMU include: Agatha, GUYS AND DOLLS; Narcissa, RESTORATION COMEDY; Olive Ostrovsky, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and most recently, Little Red Ridinghood in INTO THE WOODS. After college, she is moving to New York City and will be living with her best friend and muse, Ben Marshall. She is excited to continue pursuing her love of musical theatre in the Big Apple. 

Aaron Cappello is from Northwest Indiana and so excited for showcase! Recently, you may have seen Aaron as Vice Principle Panch in THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE or Cinderella’s Father in INTO THE WOODS. Next semester, you can catch Aaron As King Basilius in HEAD OVER HEELS.

Jack Doherty is from LaGrange Park, Illinois. While at Western, he has been seen in GUYS AND DOLLS, URINETOWN, TIMORAMINO, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and INTO THE WOODS. He’s hoping to move to Chicago once he graduates this spring! 

Morgan Gagnon is a senior musical theatre major from Canton, Michigan. At Western, she was lucky enough to perform as The Old Woman in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After graduation, Morgan is open and optimistic about moving to a city and pursuing a career as a performer. Due to an unfortunate positive Covid test, Morgan won’t be performing in Next Stop, Broadway. However, she wishes her class broken legs and hopes you enjoy their amazing performances!

James Jenuwine

Kevin O’Neil if from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previous Credits: Stan, SWEAT; Ed Norton, STRAIGHT WHITE MEN; Harry, PRISCILLA DREAMS THE ANSWER; Mr., SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; Swing, GUYS AND DOLLS.

Noah Pigza is from Willoughby, Ohio. He is excited to take his final WMU bow next semester as Dametas in HEAD OVER HEELS. Previous Credits: Steward, u/s Baker, INTO THE WOODS; Mr, u/s Jules, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; Lory, RESTORATION COMEDY; Arvide, GUYS AND DOLLS; Assistant Stage Manager, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE; Co-Director of Comedia Troupe, TIMORAMINO; Assistant Director, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.

McKenna Plath is from Waukesha, WI and her WMU credits include ensemble, GUYS AND DOLLS; Nurse, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; and Heather Chandler, HEATHERS workshop. She will be performing as dance captain in HEAD OVER HEELS this spring. McKenna can’t wait to see where life takes her after college and would like to thank her family for their endless love and support.

Ava Schmidt is graduating with her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance this month, and has already graduated with a BA in Dance and a BA in Spanish. Ava was fortunate to perform at the Clinton Area Showboat this past summer as DeeLee in SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, Sandra in ALL SHOOK UP, and Signe in CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES. A St. Louis native, she has also performed in numerous productions at the Muny, working with notable creatives such as Gordon Greenberg, Jon Rua, and Kathleen Marshall. Ava feels incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to perform in this time of COVID and hopes you enjoy the show! Love to Mom, Dad, Cindy, and Michael!

Ally Taylor is from Traverse City, Michigan and will be graduating in December of 2021. She recently appeared in WMU’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE as Dot/Marie and INTO THE WOODS as The Baker’s Wife. She is hoping to attend grad school to receive an MFA in acting come Fall of 2022. 

Jonathan Tuinstra hails from Sparta, MI. He transferred to Western from Lawrence Tech University originally studying Architecture. WMU credits include: a fierce dancer in GUYS AND DOLLS; Mr. McQueen, URINETOWN; Heather Duke, HEATHERS workshop; and Chip Tolentino, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. In the Spring, he will be in the dance ensemble for his final show here: HEAD OVER HEELS. After graduation, Jonathan hopes to relocate to Chicago to further pursue his love of musical theatre.

Grace Zucco is from Traverse City, Michigan. Previous Credits: TONY 'N TINA'S WEDDING; Swing, 1984; Amanda, RESTORATION COMEDY; Olive, 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE.