WELCOME:
I knew OFT would be putting on The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical long before I joined the project. I was extremely honored to be asked to direct and to work alongside Heather Matthews as Music Director. It wasn’t long before our production team was set and we posted the audition notice. Our turnout for auditions went far beyond expectation. Heather and I knew we would have to find strong singer/actors to pull this production off. And that we did! We had enough options to cast Percy twice over. However, the nine performers we chose had something special, something mysterious and exciting!
The Percy machine was complete. With amazing costume/ props/ choreo/ lights/ sound designers, top notch scenic technicians, a boatload of volunteers, and a dream cast, we began production. Every day has been one magical moment after another.
The Lightning Thief is all about family, friendship, adventure, and heartache. We get to follow Percy on his journey of discovery; discovery of self, of his father, of his place in the world. This show is hilarious, exciting, and utterly moving. I feel so honored to be a part of this OFT mainstage offering. And I am so proud of my team, of the hours upon hours of hard work each member has put in. You will see it and feel it, too. That is my guarantee!
– Rebecca Rogers, Director
Stories help us understand our place in the world and teach us empathy for others. The reason I was so excited to work on this musical is the central message: the things that make us different are the very things that make us strong. Rick Riordan’s book series on which the musical is based is inclusive, thought-provoking, exciting, and is a gateway for children to fall in love with books. The fun thing about having such a great musical based on these books is that kids who already love the books may get their first taste of musical theater, and kids who love theater might get into their first chapter book series that they love!
This cast, band, and production crew is exceptional, and I feel very spoiled for this to be my musical direction debut. I am so thankful to all of them and to Olympia Family Theater for this incredible opportunity. On with the show!
– Heather Matthews, Musical Director
CAST:
Chloe Swanson – Percy Jackson
Nathan Groome – Grover Underwood
Maisy Rutledge – Annabeth Chase
Sara St. Clair – Sally Jackson, Silena Beauregard
Jesse Morrow – Mrs. Dodds, Clarisse La Rue
Sullivan Tyler – Mr. D., Poseidon, Hades
Nick Hall – Luke Castellan, Ares
Jasmine Gannie – Katie Gardner, The Oracle, Charon
Ben Matthews – Mr. B./Chiron, Medusa, Kronos
BAND:
Denim Protege – Guitar
Elijah Bellis – Drums & Rehearsal Pianist
Alex Jones – Piano
Michael Bradley – Bass
CREATIVE CREW:
Rebecca Rogers – Director
Heather Matthews – Musical Director
Anya Guadamuz – Assistant Director
Alayna Chamberland – Stage Manager & OFT’s Production Manager, Light Board Operator, Costumer, Props
Vanessa Postil – Choreographer, Costumer, Props
Danielle Kays – Lighting Designer
David Nowitz – Scenic Engineer & Photographer
Jordanna Averett – Set Designer
Alexa Ryle – Costumer
Lex Langguth – Costumer
Gloria Bacon – Sound Board Operator
Special Thanks:
To all of our helpers, carpenters, painters, and folks who loaned us things!
Amanda Janis
Ben Pagel
Bryn Swanson
Donald Palardy
Elizabeth Swanson
Emilie Brown
Emily McHugh
John Hardy
Kirsten Johnson
Lauren King
Lynlea Swanson
Melanie Ransom
Mike Taylor
Roger Macintosh
The Centralia Community Church
The Evergreen Playhouse
CAST BIOS:
Chloe Swanson
Percy Jackson (she/her)
Chloe is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of this epic production. As a sophomore in high school, she has been doing theatre since she was seven and grew up reading the Percy Jackson series. Lightning Thief is one of her favorite musicals, and she never dreamed she would get to be a part of it. She adores the cast and crew of this amazing show, and as this her first time at OFT, she is so happy to have joined the family, and hopes she can continue with them in the future!
Nathan Groome
Grover Underwood (he/him)
Nathan Groome is ecstatic to be making his OFT debut as a part of this incredible cast and team. New to Olympia, he has previously been seen performing as a singer and character dancer at Legoland California Resort, and in Patio Playhouse Escondido’s productions of Miss You Like Hell and Fun Home. He’d like to thank everyone at OFT for this opportunity and for their warm welcome and support.
Maisy Rutledge
Annabeth Chase
(she/her)
Maisy Rutledge is a 15 year old sophomore and drama club officer at Olympia High School. She was in her first play at eight years old and has done 25 productions since. Her favorite roles have been Alice Beineke in The Addam’s Family, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief. When not acting, Maisy takes voice lessons and enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing video games, and hanging out with her cats. Getting to play Annabeth was a dream for Maisy and she is so grateful for this opportunity
Sara St. Clair
Sally Jackson, Silena Beauregard (she/her)
Sara St.Clair thanks you for supporting live theater and hopes you will stand in solidarity with striking workers including writers and artists. You may remember Sara from SPSCC’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, singing the blues in THE ALPHABETASTICS, or from OFT’s improv troupe, The Real Faker’s Dozen. Sara is a Greener grad, a writer, a teaching artist, and sings in the cheeky folk band, SpareCrow, as well as with Capital City Chorus. She lives in Olympia with her three children. Sara sends thanks to the cast, crew, and friends for all the extra help while she got new knees!
Jesse Morrow
Mrs. Dodds, Clarisse La Rue (she/her)
Jesse Morrow is no stranger to the OFT stage, her last venture being Nyx and the Long Night. Other favorite roles in the Olympia area have been Dot/Marie in Sunday in the Park with George, John Wesley Powell in Men on Boats, and Heidi in Title of Show. Jesse is stoked to rock out with such a talented group of pumpkin smashers!
Sullivan Tyler
Mr. D., Poseidon, Hades (he/him)
Sullivan is excited to be a part of his first ever production with OFT. Although he did theatre all through high school, he’s glad to be given the opportunity to return to the stage and put on a show. Being a huge fan of the Percy Jackson books, how could he pass on an opportunity like this! He hopes for this to be the first of many productions with OFT.
Nick Hall
Luke Castellan, Ares (he/him)
Nick is very excited to be doing his first show with Olympia Family Theater! You may have seen him appear at the Harlequin Theater as Watson in Baskervilles, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha or as the woodwind musician for Falsettos. Some of his other works include The Baker from Into the Woods and the music director for the Sound of Music, both at Centralia College. Nick read many of the Percy Jackson books growing up, and is ecstatic about bringing the story to the stage for your viewing pleasure!
Jasmine Gannie
Katie Gardner, The Oracle, Charon (they/them)
Jasmine is a part time worker and a full time friend. Some of their favorite roles have been the Evil Step-Mother in their high school’s production of Cinderella, as well as the Yellow Devil in a student written show entitled Devil’s Clubhouse. When they’re not rocking out, they’re enjoying a comfy couch as well as the wonderful company in their cozy home.
Ben Matthews
Mr. B./Chiron, Medusa and Kronos (he/him)
Ben was just recently in Sunday in the Park With George at SPSCC. Before that, he played Man in the Suit in Dragons Love Tacos. Currently, he is adding his interest in design and making props to this production. He’d like to thank his family for allowing him time to do this, even though he did say he was not doing another show for at least one year (he made it 3 months)
CREWS BIOS:
Rebecca Rogers
Director (she/her)
Rebecca has been a part of OFT for over eight lovely years. She feels so fortunate (quite an understatement) to be directing The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Rebecca is ever so grateful to her talented team for making the process of putting together such a technically challenging show feel like an amazing (and often hilarious) adventure! Rebecca has been performing and teaching improv for over 25 years all over the country and even in Paris, France. (Ask her about it. It’s a good story!). She wears and/or has worn many other theatre hats: Actor, Director, Teacher, Playwright, Props Master, Stage Manager, and Stagehand. Ask her anytime about her favorite roles, shows, props, or theaters! Rebecca recently became an elementary school music and drama teacher. She is discovering the rightness of the universe and couldn’t be happier. Rebecca lives in Olympia with her amazing wife, fantastic kids, and ridiculous dog.
Heather Matthews
Musical Director (she/they)
Heather is delighted to musically direct for the first time at OFT! You may have also seen her singing and acting around the South Sound on this stage, at Harlequin Productions, SPSCC, Centralia College Theatre, Open Road Productions, Theater Artists Olympia, and pretty much every dive bar on I-5. Heather gets her regular musical fix by singing for Tambor e Cordas and Capital City Chorus, teaching music at McKenny Elementary, and moonlighting for local groups on her drums, sax, piano, guitar, and harp. She would like to thank the production team for believing in her and the very lovely cast and pit for their hard work. On with the show!
Anya Guadamuz
Assistant Director (they/them)
Anya Guadamuz is thrilled to join the team for The Lightning Thief as second in command to the big three: director, music director, and stage manager. Anya has been involved with OFT as a Teaching Artist, Stage Manager, resident astrologer, and most recently, the Vocal Director for Alice in Wonderland. This is Anya’s first time assisting directing a show and they could not be more excited to strengthen their directorial chops. Anya has enjoyed every step of the production process, especially when they get to lead vocal warm-ups that would convince any passing stranger that we’re all actually part of a cult. Outside of OFT, Anya enjoys spending their time singing with Capital City Chorus, spending time with their family & close friends, and being a real-life Oracle of Delphi.
Alayna Chamberland
Stage Manager & OFT’s Production Manager, Costumer, Props (she/her)
Alayna cannot believe her luck that she not only landed her dream career at OFT but also that her first production with this company has been filled with such kind, supportive, and show stoppingly talented individuals. Alayna has been involved in theater since 2007 and has been seen sparkling on stages all over the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not performing onstage or managing shows from the wings, Alayna loves to read, craft, care-take for her zoo (two cats, three lizards, one turtle, and one tortoise), and enjoy Mom’s Spaghetti. She wants to thank every actor and crew member in this show for welcoming her into their Clearing of Cuteness and being so easy to work with!
Vanessa Postil
Choreographer, Costumer, Props (she/her)
Vanessa is an Olympia based performing artist, dancer, choreographer, producer, musician, actor, Teaching Artist, mama, and lover of cats. Vanessa has been working in theater and performance for over 20 years, and is very grateful to be part of this production here at OFT with this talented rockstar cast and crew. Thank you all so much for coming!
Gloria Bacon
Board Operator (all pronouns)
A Tacoma-based songwriter, musician, stagehand, and audio nerd, Gloria is returning to OFT as the soundboard operator for The Lightning Thief. Prior to this production, Gloria ran the soundboard for Alice in Wonderland. She was later recruited as a teaching artist this past summer, where she co-taught the Songwriting Camp for middle schoolers and the Band Camp for high schoolers. Outside of OFT, Gloria is an avid anime-watcher who tends to spend way too much money on UberEats.
Danielle Kays
Lighting Designer (she/her)
Danielle has been designing lights since 2015 and has since done over 45 productions. Her work has been seen at various SWW theaters including Centralia College, TOAD, Tenino Young-at-Heart, South Puget Sound Community College, and the Evergreen Playhouse. The Lightning Thief is her first show with OFT and she is so excited to bring this fun show to life (ahem, light)! Some past lighting favorites include The Diary of Anne Frank, Next to Normal, The Secret Garden, Scrooge, Godspell, Children of Eden, A Christmas Carol, A Few Good Men, Antigone, Fun Home, and Sunday in the Park with George. Check out Danielle’s website.
David Nowitz
Scenic Engineer & Photographer (he/him)
- The dunking donut for Flora & Ulysses
- Building an escalator for Corduroy
- Making a recycling machine with working wooden gears for Cinder Edna
- Making an under bed and over bed/jungle gym in The Monster Under the Bed
- Making a bed fall through a ceiling in Mercy Watson to the Rescue
- The TV falling in Dragons Love Tacos
- Kabuki style curtain drops for Nyx and The Long Night
- The truck in The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus
Jordanna Averett
Set Designer (she/her)
Jordanna is a South Puget Sound based maker and theater creative. She’s had the pleasure of working with the SPSCC Theatre Collective, Olympia Family Theater, Harlequin, Olympia Little Theater, and String and Shadow as a stage manager, board op, set/properties/puppet designer, and as a scenic artist – it’d be an understatement to say she is passionate about all things behind-the-scenes! She is grateful to be part of the OFT creative team again this season. Endless love and thanks to Danny.
Alexa Ryle
Costumer (she/they)
Raised with a love for performance art and live theater Alexa has been involved in OFT since its founding. They have worn many hats in the local arts community: actor, stage manager, costumer, janitor, lighting/sound designer & technician, dancer and more. Alexa feels so lucky to be designing costumes with such an awesome team and can’t wait to watch the magic unfold with you! Most recently she stage managed and costumed the Fully Vaxxed project in Spring ‘22 and their favorite roles on the OFT stage include Edna’s ditsy step sister in the world premiere of CinderEdna the musical and as “H” and the Private “I” in The Alphabetastics. Alexa loves playing and creating with all the exuberant campers that come through our doors as a teaching artist. Currently they are teaching A Rock Musical Choreo series where students may be showcasing a little ditty to one of the songs you’re about to see onstage 🙂
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ORGANIZATION CREDITS:
OFT Staff
Executive Director
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Production Manager
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Director of Programs
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Box Office Staff
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Scenic Engineer
David Nowitz
Company-in-Residence
String & Shadow
Graphics and Web Design
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OFT Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Samantha Chandler
Edsonya Charles
Doreese Norman
Members at Large:
Lauren Love
Nicole Miller
Sara Thiessen
