Hugo Saves Christmas...in May! at Roaring Epiphany Theater Company

Ethan Thomas came to REPC from Autism Community Theater, where he received his initial training. Ethan has been with REPC since 2019 and has appeared in numerous spoken word shows and virtual performances. Recently Ethan completed REPC’s 6-Month Intensive Educational and this show will serve as his final for his practicum course. Ethan is thrilled to be a part of this awesome cast, and has had so much fun bringing Hugo to life. Finally Ethan would like to thank his mom for always supporting him!

Lex E. Rojas is a writer and performer from Midwestern America. They studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC from 2013 to 2015 and earned their certificate in Studio Acting. They booked their first paid acting job in October 2015 and have been working professionally ever since. They first joined REPC in December of 2017 as a performer and poet. In 2019, Lex published “The Mage Stone” under their birth name, Dakota Wollmer, and has continued (slowly but surely) working on the “Legends of the Bu-Deli” book series.

Maxine Turenne was born in Brooklyn, New York. She is 23 years old and Haitian-American. Being inspired by her 6th grade drama teacher's passion for theater, she began acting at the age of 11 and took on roles in several school plays. Branching out from theater at the age of 13, Maxine took on the part as Patrice in a short film called "Seventh Grade" by Stefani Saintonge. Her passion for the arts stretched through high school as she participated in several musicals such as Lionel Bart's Oliver!. In her free time, Maxine dances, acts in Swiping the Web-series by Cory Hunter and continues her studies in college. Maxine plans on creating studios and environments to inspire others to pursue their artistic dreams.

Haley Rice is a NYC-based creative. She most recently played The Cosmonaut in Isaac Byrne’s Under The Dragon’s Tail. She is currently the Creative Producer at MCS Theatre and has curated The New Works Series running now through June 29th. She recently directed Ryan Tofil's play reading Part One, MCS Writers' Block Showcase Scratch That, and assistant-directed Isle of Shoals production of Romeo & Juliet. Proud to be asked by the late Ted Wold to direct his 2021 production of Sunday on the Rocks. Haley is an accomplished playwright and screenwriter, her works appearing in various festivals and competitions, including Sam French Off-Off, in LBGTQ+ Toronto, VIWFF, and DTLA Festivals. Co-Founder of Messy Stars Productions.

Steven Hayet is a New Jersey playwright whose work has been performed from Los Angeles to London and New York to New Zealand. A selection from Hugo Saves Christmas…in May! will be included in Smith & Kraus’ upcoming Best Women’s Stage Monologues 2023 anthology. His short play Date With Death has been performed over 50 times, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe opening the Big Bite Size Breakfast Show (Shortlist Winner, The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award.) His Zoom play Keep the Music Going, written for REPC’s “A Night With Steve & Tom,” was adapted into a short film premiering at the Lighthouse International Film Festival (MovieMaker’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World 2020), and receiving The Hope Award from the LTUE Symposium on Science Fiction and Fantasy for its theme of connection and perseverance. His Willy Wonka-inspired Everlasting Chocolate Therapy was recently named Runner-Up for Best New Play from the BroadwayWorld Oklahoma Awards as well as a Semi-Finalist for both the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival and B-Street Theatre’s New Comedies Festival. He would like to thank his wife, Luci, for her never-ending love and support. www.stevenhayet.com

RJ VerChaud is a musical theater transplant from Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the founder of REPC, he is always looking for news ways to give new talent a platform to be seen. He is an avid supporter of the underdog and an eager educator. While he continues to perfect his craft of performance he hopes to lead by example. He would like to thank this fantastic cast and crew for all the time and hard work they have put into making this show a beautiful masterpiece. He also would like to send out a special thank you to Jillian. None of this would have been possible without you!

Jillian Faye Liebman has been a lifelong lover of the theater, acting in her very first show with her kindergarten class. When she was eight, she did a summer program and was cast as one of the wives in Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, which ignited a passion within her. Since then, she has appeared in multiple productions including Women and Wallace, Lady of Larkspur Lotion, and as Margot in Dial M for Murder, and Helen in Baby with the Bathwater. She has also worked on honing her directing skills for REPC’s mainstages and one-act shows. At its inception, Jillian was invited to join REPC as an artist, however, she quickly saw Rj’s need for help. She was inspired by his unceasing passion and dedication, leading her to offer to help with company organization and administration. She soon became an integral part of the planning team behind REPC and was named Co-Artistic Director in early 2022. Jillian believes that the theater should be open and accessible to all and loves working with Roaring Epiphany to further its mission. She is happy to be back in the directing chair with her theatrical partner in crime.

Linda has been an actor and dramaturg in NY for nearly a decade. As a dramaturg, she specializes in new play development. Being embedded as a dramaturg within Roaring Epiphany has been a truly wonderful experience, as she loves being exposed to emerging playwrights’ processes and delving into fellow artists’ perspectives. Some past dramaturgical credits include The Nemesis Effect (13th Street Repertory Theater), A Straight Play (PIT Loft), I Hope I'm Not Sounding Crazy to You (New York New Works Theater Festival), and Falling in Line (Post Theatre Company).

Ashley Waldron is a New Jersey based Stage Manager who specializes in both youth and adult theater productions. She graduated from Montclair State University, with a BFA in Production & Design/Stage Management. Some of her favorite Stage Management credits include: Company (Bergen Community College), Reefer Madness: The Musical (Montclair State University), Always…Patsy Cline (Merry Go Round Playhouse), The Man in Room 306 (Luna Stage Company), What Stays (Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre), The 39 Steps (Cortland Repertory Theatre), Spamalot Jr. (Curtain Up Studios). In 2020 Ashley also co-founded The Cove Writer’s Group, a collective of writers who came together to create and help each other via Zoom during the pandemic. When Ashley isn't working on a production, she spends her time working with children at a local NJ dance school as an administrator/dance instructor. However, nothing can really compare to the rush of live theater. Ashley is very excited to be a new member of Roaring Epiphany Production Company, and wishes all the best to the cast and crew of Hugo Saves Christmas in May.

Hemanuel is from Haiti, he has a BFA in Multimedia/Theatre from Lehman College. Past managment productions are: God of Carnage (Roaring Epiphany Production Company), Numbness (One-eighth Theatre), When January Feels Like Summer (Lehman Stages), Busted (The Lovinger Theatre), Train Wreck (A Memoir) (Roxbury Repertory Theater). He’s excited to be a part of his second production with REPC as an Assistant Stage Manager. Hemanuel has been with REPC since 2018 and loves their mission of inclusiveness and their dedication to promoting growth though by giving artists a place to showcase themselves. When Hemanuel is not on or behind the stage, he spends his free time writing (poetry/screenplays) as well as gaming. Hemanuel can’t wait to help bring Hugo Saves Christmas in May to stage for your enjoyment, and is very impressed by the dedication of the cast and crew!