Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical at Gilded Balloon Patter House

Emmalynn Bruce is a student at Elon University pursuing degrees in Musical Theatre and Political Science. She is thrilled to make her professional debut in a story that beautifully bridges her two passions. Emmalynn is deeply committed to storytelling in all its forms and strives to create work that moves, challenges, and inspires audiences. She is grateful to the creative team for entrusting her with the task of bringing this meaningful piece to life. Endless love and gratitude to her family for their lifelong sacrifices in support of her dreams, as well as to her friends, peers, and professors for their unwavering support. Psalms 37:4!

From Palisades, New York, Helena Padial is a 2026 graduate from Elon University's Music Theatre program, and she is absolutely thrilled to be making her Fringe debut! Most recently, Helena had the honor of being named “Broadway's Next Triple Threat” at the widely celebrated Chita Rivera Awards. Regional credits: RENT (New London Barn Playhouse), RENT (Clear Space Theatre Company), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Clear Space Theatre Company), Jersey Boys (New London Barn Playhouse), Hairspray (Clear Space Theatre Company). Elon credits: RENT (Mimi), A Chorus Line (Kristine), Spring Awakening (Adult Women), An American in Paris (Ensemble), Merrily We Roll Along (Scotty/Mrs Spencer). Helena would like to extend immense gratitude to everyone involved in making this new work possible, and to her friends and family for all of their love and support!

Trevor Hudson is a junior BFA Music Theatre major at Elon University, originally from Macon, Georgia. Elon credits include Rent, An American in Paris, and Merrily We Roll Along. Other credits include Dreamgirls, Once On This Island, and The Color Purple. Trevor also appeared in the 2023 film adaptation of The Color Purple. He is grateful to his professors, family, and friends for their constant support and is honored to be part of this production. He believes this powerful retelling of Antigone, with its exploration of protest, justice, and whose stories are remembered, speaks directly to the world we are living in today and reminds us of the importance of using our voices. He holds this story close to his heart and hopes you enjoy the show!

Sierra Safran is a Senior working toward her BFA in Musical Theater at Elon University. She also has one year of classical voice training from Syracuse University. She is from Bucks County, PA, and has performed throughout the Philadelphia region. Favorite past performances include Spring Awakening (Wendla) at Music Mountain Theatre, The Light in the Piazza (Clara) at the Civic Theatre of Allentown, and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble) at Elon University. She has also performed at the Bucks County Playhouse and was named a top 10 Finalist at Michael Feinstein's Great American Songbook Competition. As a creative artist, originating a role is the ultimate dream, so Sierra is so thankful to the Antigone team for this incredible opportunity. So much thanks and love to her Elon family for helping her grow as an artist and a person.

Elliot Choate is a sophomore at Elon University pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, Elliot is elated to help tell such a special story. A California Arts Scholar, he has been infatuated with the performing arts since childhood and is eternally grateful to pursue what he loves today. Favorite past performances include Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Billy Flynn (Chicago), Bobby Child (Crazy For You), Sky Carmichael (Mamma Mia!), and Billy J. Crocker (Anything Goes). Elliot is deeply grateful to his parents and family for their endless encouragement, love, and support. He would also like to thank the creative team, Ken, Chris, and Elizabeth, for seeing something in him and allowing him to be part of this meaningful work. Follow his journey on social media @elliotchoate.

Jonah is a junior at Elon University. He is a Jimmy Award alumnus and has been in Elon's productions of An American in Paris and Merrily We Roll Along. jonahuffelman.com

Victoria Martinez is a junior Music Theatre student at Elon University. She is a 2024 Jimmy Awards semifinalist for her role as Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown: The Musical. She also joined NHFA's “Artist in Residence” program in 2024, where she performed at the White House in Washington, D.C. She is currently playing the role of Anita Castelo in Elon University's spring musical, First Daughter Suite by Michael John LaChiusa. She is thrilled to be a part of this journey and watch Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical come to life!

Elliot Sullivan, a junior at Elon University, is double-majoring in Music Theatre and Arts Administration with a minor in Dance. Since performing as a Bluebird in his first musical, Cinderella KIDS, Elliot has nurtured a deep passion for musical theatre. Most recently, he has appeared in Elon University productions of An American in Paris (Henri) and Merrily We Roll Along (Jerome/Ensemble). He extends heartfelt gratitude to his family and friends for their constant support, and above all, to God for blessing him with the opportunities that have shaped his journey. 1 Chronicles 16:34

Ken Cerniglia is a dramaturg, writer, editor, and organizational leader, best known for dramaturging the innovative Broadway hits Hadestown (8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical) and Peter and the Starcatcher (5 Tony Awards). As resident dramaturg and literary manager for Disney Theatrical Productions for 16 years, he developed over 70 stage titles for Broadway, touring, international, and licensed productions, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and High School Musical. Recent new musical dramaturgy includes Redwood by Tina Landau and Kate Diaz (directed by Tina Landau), The Tale of the Gifted Prince by Lezlle Wade and Daniel Green (directed by Darren Lee), Smalltown Boy by Jeffrey Fischer-Smith (directed by Jonathan O'Boyle), and Basura by Karen Zacarías and Gloria & Emily Estefan (directed by Michael Greif).

Chris Rayis is a composer, lyricist, pianist, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, copyist, producer, historian, and lecturer from Ohio with over two decades of professional experience in musical theatre. Rayis' career began as a concert and studio pianist, performing with artists at Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and the recording studios of Nashville, Tennessee. As a musical theatre musician, his credits include the Broadway production of Frozen, multiple Off-Broadway productions including Far From Heaven (starring Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale), frequent work on national tours including Hamilton (as Music Assistant to Alex Lacamoire), the film adaptation of The Last 5 Years, and regional productions including The Nutty Professor (directed by Jerry Lewis). Rayis creates musical theatre for adventurous audiences, including the Appalachian epic Deep Water Ballad, the song cycle Strange Music for a Strange Time, and the children's musical Jenny and the Paper Pirates.

Over the past 26 years, Elizabeth has encompassed directing, producing, performing, teaching, arts leadership, and devising new works. In 2007, she founded the award-winning professional theater, The Berkeley Playhouse, and has successfully led the organization's vision and mission as it has grown to over 1,400 students and 35,000 annual attendees. As an ardent believer in new musicals, Elizabeth has commissioned eight, including the acclaimed Bridges, which premiered at the Playhouse in 2016 and was recently seen in New York. At the Playhouse, Elizabeth has directed many professional Mainstage shows, including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Willy Wonka, The Sound of Music, A Little Princess, Tarzan, A Christmas Story, and James and the Giant Peach. In 2000, Elizabeth also helped launch the Bay Area affiliate of New York's Lincoln Center Institute for Arts Education. She has developed workshops and partnerships with Bay Area organizations, including SF's Museum of Modern Art, SF Opera, and the California Shakespeare Theatre.

Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara is a Zimbabwean-American performer, writer/composer, and costume designer based in London, England. A recent graduate from The Royal Academy of Music's MA in Musical Theatre, she also holds a BA from Princeton University in Music, with a focus on composition and Zimbabwean ethnomusicology. In the Spring of 2024, she debuted an original musical, Paivapo '76, which she wrote, composed, and music directed at The Lewis Center for the Arts. It is currently having a revival in a student production at USAP Community School in Marondera, Zimbabwe. In the last few years, she has performed a variety of roles, including Laertes in Hamlet, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Franca in Light in the Piazza, Sarah in Ragtime, and Florizel in Princeton's production of The Public Theater's A Winter's Tale musical. Tanaka is currently working in the wardrobe department at Hampstead Theatre. She is represented for musical theatre and acting by the incredible Ebun Osobu and Jess Jones at Winterson's.