Lempicka

Kim Shively (Director) is an Associate Professor at Elon University, where she teaches acting and directs. She is also Guiding Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, a leading research and professional organization that trains and equips people in the best practices for staging intimacy for theatre, film, and TV. A member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, professional acting credits include Piedmont Shakes, Shakespeare Orange County, Laguna Playhouse, and the Asolo Rep; roles on both evening and daytime network television; and over a dozen national commercials. She is the co-Artistic Director of Piedmont Shakespeare Company, the region’s only professional theatre, dedicated to producing the works of Shakespeare for free throughout central North Carolina. As a director, Kim has worked for various organizations developing and producing content. Recent directing credits include Spring Awakening (Elon University), Carrie, The Musical (UNCG), the university premiere of Moment by Deirdre Kinahan, Trojan Barbie by Christine Evans, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, and a world premier workshop of The Inferior Sex, by Jacqueline Lawton. Shively is also co-author of Applied Meisner for the 21st Century Actor (Routledge), The Teaching Artist’s Guide to Consent-Based Pedagogy (Routledge), and her peer-reviewed articles have been included in her discipline’s top research journals including Theatre Topics, The Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, and The Journal of Consent Based Performance. With over 50 professional and academic credits as an Intimacy Choreographer and Coordinator, Shively travels around the world working as a theatrical intimacy choreography educator and practitioner with an emphasis on working with minors.

Shively earned a BFA in Theatre Performance at Chapman University and an MFA in Acting at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Learn more at www.KimShivelyCreative.com and www.21CActor.com.

Addison Allen (Kizette) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major and is thrilled to be making her UNCG musical debut! As a military kid, Addy has lived all over but now calls Rochester, MI, home. Her favorite past roles include Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Helene in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Addy is incredibly thankful to be a part of this amazing cast/crew and hopes you enjoy the show! Instagram: @addisonallen_official

Kaleb Bell (Ensemble/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be in his third mainstage UNCG production! He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts High School Drama Program, an alum of the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, and is currently continuing his training as a second-year student in the UNCG BFA Musical Theatre Program. Recent credits include Once on This Island (Ensemble/Swing) at Theatre Raleigh, Waitress (Swing) at Theatre Raleigh, Violet (Flick) with The Justice Theatre Project, and Sweeney Todd (Pirelli) with UNCG Theatre. Enjoy the show! Instagram: @kal3b.b3ll

Ellie Conner (Rafaela) is super-duper excited to make her UNCG debut in Lempicka! She is a first-year BFA Musical Theatre major. Previous favorite roles include Sandy (The SpongeBob Musical), Sandy (Grease), and Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors). Ellie is a proud Clevelander and has been a musician for her whole life. When she’s offstage, you can find her playing her fiddle in a practice room, with her nose in a book, or in the WUAG DJ booth (103.1 FM, Tuesdays 3-4!). She is so thankful for the incredible crew, cast, and her family. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Alexander Earl (Baron/Tadeusz Understudy) is a first-year BFA musical theater major at UNCG. He has always had an inclination for anything that included music and storytelling, and is extremely excited to further explore the world of theater during his time here. He loves to discover new shows through reading scripts and listening to cast recordings. Lempicka is Alex’s first mainstage production within the School of Theater. Outside of the theater, he enjoys playing the cello, having board game nights with friends, and finding free time to read. He would like to thank his parents for their support, as well as any friends and faculty who have helped him get where he is today.

Eliza Hedeman-Brown (Tamara de Lempicka) is thrilled to make her leading role debut in Lempicka. She is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major at UNCG, where she previously appeared as the Bearded Lady in Side Show. Eliza is deeply honored to take on the challenge of bringing this complex artist to life, and after lots and lots of rehearsing, she’s so excited to share her and her castmates’ work with you all. She extends heartfelt thanks to her Mom and Dad for their unwavering support (and for buying all the tickets!), and to her instructors and professors who have encouraged her growth as an artist. Enjoy Lempicka!

Alyssa Jones (Ensemble) is a second-year BFA Musical Theatre major, and Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of the Lempicka cast. Additional credits include Destiny (Discovering Blackness), Daisy Hilton (SideShow), Simone (Chicken and Biscuits), Anne Boleyn (SIX), Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), and Pearl (The SpongeBob Musical). When she’s not performing, Alyssa mentors young actors, encouraging them to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. She is also active in her church and enjoys working with the media ministry. She loves her family and her dog, Max, and her favorite treat is shaved ice. Alyssa would like to thank her family for never giving up on her and always supporting her dreams. And the amazing support and guidance the Lempicka cast gave her.

Whit Jury (Marinetti) is so excited to be a part of the Lempicka cast! Whit is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. His performance credits at UNCG include Side Show (The Half-Man Half-Woman) and Sweeney Todd (Ensemble/Judge Turpin Understudy). Whit extends gratitude to his wonderful parents, friends, professors, and sister for always supporting his journey! He is endlessly grateful for the opportunity to perform alongside such an outstanding cast and crew. Enjoy the show!

Chelsea Kacinari (Ensemble/ U.S Tamara Lempicka) is ecstatic to be making her UNCG debut in Lempicka! Chelsea is a first-year BFA Musical Theatre student, and she transferred here all the way from Cleveland, Ohio! Some of her favorite credits include Mean Girls the Musical as Cady, Once Upon a Mattress as Winnefred the Woebegone, and The Addams Family as Wednesday Addams. When Chelsea isn’t on stage, she loves to paint, go to the gym, and create content for her TikTok and the university’s social media pages! She would like to thank her parents and friends for supporting her on this crazy journey and being there for her. She would also like to thank her teachers, directors, cast, & crew for all the support, their hard work, and kindness.

Jack Kanaris (Ensemble, U/S Marinetti) Jack is a first-year BFA Musical Theatre major and is super pumped to be making his UNCG debut. Jack is from Cleveland, Ohio, and has been passionate about theatre his whole life. When he isn’t performing, he’s usually dancing, watching The Golden Girls, or spending time with his friends. Previous roles include: SpongeBob (The SpongeBob Musical), Marius (Les Misérables), and Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors). Jack is so thankful to work with such an incredible cast/crew and hopes you enjoy the show. Instagram: @jack_kanaris

Ryan Liebowitz (Tadeusz Lempicki) is a senior BFA Musical Theater major. Some of his favorite past UNCG credits include Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford), Songs for a New World, The Lightning Thief (Mr.D/Gabe), and Into The Woods (Steward/Cinderella’s Prince u/s). He would like to thank Kim, Blake, and Laura for all of their support throughout this process. IG- @ryan.liebowitz

Christian Lowray (Ensemble) is a dynamic performer and choreographer dedicated to storytelling through movement and musical theatre. At UNCG, he has appeared in Rock of Ages, The Lightning Thief, Into the Woods, Songs for a New World, and Sweeney Todd. His work onstage reflects his passion for high-energy performance, emotional depth, and ensemble-driven storytelling.

In addition to performing, Christian has expanded his artistry into choreography. He choreographed Carrie: The Musical and contributed to the world premiere of Discovering Blackness, and serves as the choreographer for Lempicka, the first post-Broadway production of the show. His choreographic approach blends theatricality with precision, always rooted in character and musicality.

Christian is committed to growing as a multifaceted artist in theatre, film, and dance, striving to create work that inspires, challenges, and connects audiences. He is proud to represent the UNCG with professionalism, creativity, and passion.

Brie Moon (Suzy Solidor) is honored to be a part of the regional debut of Lempicka and work with the incredible Kim Shively, Christian Bartney, Blake Moran, and her fellow castmates and crew. Brie is a Sophomore B.F.A. Musical Theatre major and has a strong passion for dance. She has worked on UNCG’s Side Show as dance captain, and most recently was part of their production of Rough Magic as Sasia. She hopes you enjoy this one-of-a-kind production of Lempicka!

Corey Peters (Ensemble U/S Baron) is a freshman BFA Acting major and is beyond excited to be a part of LEMPICKA as their first official UNCG production. You may have seen them around campus in CHICKEN AND BISCUITS (Kenny) or ABOUT MICHAEL (Michael). They would like to thank everyone who has supported and continues to support them throughout their theatre journey.

Alexis Sauvageau (Ensemble) is a performer and sophomore undergraduate currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she majors in Communication Studies with a minor in Dance and Drama. She is a Dean’s List student with a 4.0 GPA and brings a strong academic foundation to her artistic work.

Alexis has appeared in over 16 theatrical productions, with notable credits including American Idiot, Newsies, Company, Anastasia, Bright Star, Hairspray, and Songs for a New World. Her training includes coursework at Trollwood Performing Arts School, where she participated in Mainstage musical productions and developed hands-on experience in a fast-paced, collaborative performance environment. In addition to theatre, she has over eight years of experience in choir and orchestra and has been selected for multiple auditioned honor choirs.

Her performance achievements include first place for Classical Treble Voice at NATS, Director’s Choice at TPAS, and State and Regional Outstanding Performance recognition from NDHSSA. Alexis is also a member of the International Thespian Society and a recipient of multiple Fine Arts Letters.

She is passionate about storytelling, collaboration, and using the performing arts as a tool for connection, creativity, and community engagement.

Mycah Smith (The Baroness) is a first-year BFA Musical Theatre student at UNCG. With a passion for performance and storytelling, she is eager to explore the wide range of creative possibilities at the UNCG School of Theatre. Continuing her studies, Lempicka is her second production at UNCG. Additional credits include Liz (Princess Fearless), Catherine of Aragon (Six!), Leading Player (Pippin), and Matilda (Matilda the Musical).

When Mycah isn’t performing, she is crafting her diamond art, reading books, and cherishing moments with friends.

She wants to thank her friends, family, cast, and director for supporting her through her journey and believing in her wildest dreams.

Bowie Werran (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of this wonderful production! He is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts High School program and is currently a sophomore here at UNCG. This will be his third mainstage production, most recently playing Tobias Ragg in UNCG’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He would like to give a big thank you to his professors, family, and friends for supporting him along the way. He hopes you enjoy the show! @bowie_0505

Molly Ansel (Dramaturg) is a Senior BA Drama major. She is a member of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) as well as the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). At the 2026 Region IV American College Theatre Festival, she was recognized with a new award: ATHE Up and Coming Scholar in Dramaturgy. Molly is incredibly grateful to have worked on Lempicka and looks forward to working on similar projects after graduation. Instagram: @molly.ansel

Iris Ansley Barnard (Lighting Design Assistant) is a first-year BFA Theater student with a concentration in lighting and has been enjoying her first year. She was a light board operator on last semester’s Sweeney Todd, as well as doing electrician work on Rough Magic and Discovering Blackness. Iris was also an electrician and dresser for this semester’s Frankenstein. She is excited about Lempicka and about working on a musical again. She believes that ‘music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.’ Iris is a North Carolina transplant from East Mississippi and has yet to believe that North Carolina is still the South. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Jennie Carrera (Scene Designer) is a third-year BFA Design and Technology student with a concentration in Scene Design. She has taken on many jobs in UNCG’s Scenery Shop including Props Artisan on The Lightning Thief and Side Show, Assistant Designer on Carrie: The Musical, and Scene Designer for Rough Magic. Jennie also works as an Undergrad Assistant in the paint and prop shop, helping with all School of Theatre productions for the 2025-2026 Season. She is so excited to share all the amazing work that has been put into the production. Jennie would like to thank her friends and family for being a constant source of encouragement and support, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Sophie Ellenberger (Assistant Stage Manager) is a third-year BA Drama major with a minor in Media Studies. Some of her previous credits include Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Carrie: The Musical, The New Play Festival, Rough Magic, and, most recently, The Lincoln Sisters of Deckawoo Drive. Sophie is thrilled to be making her assistant stage management debut in this wonderful production! Sophie would like to thank her fellow stage management team, the cast, and Kim Shively.

Emily Hodges (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year BFA Design Tech student. This is her first Assistant Stage Management assignment for UNCG. Previously, she did stage management for the Theater Guild of Rockingham County; her biggest show with them was Oklahoma. After this major production, she will stage manage A Piece of My Heart.

Grey Jonas (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year student, currently pursuing a BFA in Drama, Design, and Technical Production, concentrating in Stage Management, as well as a minor in New Media and Design. Their previous credits include Book of Days (Assistant Stage Manager), Sweeney Todd (Assistant Stage Manager), Sideshow (Assistant Stage Manager), and Carrie (Light Board Operator). Grey would like to extend a big thanks to Laura Stone, Sophie Ellenberger, Emily Hodges, and Kim Shively for supporting them throughout this production process and extends gratitude to their friends and family for their endless support. 

MacKenzie Moore (Assistant Music Director) is a Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre Major! Though this is her first time being an AMD, she has appeared in many productions, including Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), Side Show (Tattoo Girl/Auntie), and Lightning Thief (Sally)! Big big BIG thanks to Blake for this incredible opportunity, and I hope y’all enjoy the show :))

P. Blake Moran (Music Director) is honored to be among the first music directors to help tell this fascinating story. After graduating from UNCG in 2018 with a BA in Drama and Music, Blake is now an MFA candidate for Music Direction for Musical Theatre. He has worked professionally nationwide as an accompanist, actor, and music director. Select professional theaters include Theatre Aspen (Aspen, CO), Timber Lake Playhouse (Mt. Carroll, IL), and Theatre Raleigh (Raleigh, NC), where he will soon return to serve as Associate Music Director for Dear Evan Hansen. Favorite music directing credits include Ragtime, Matilda, Alice By Heart, and UNCG’s Carrie, among many others. Select acting credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (“Quasimodo”), Into the Woods (“Jack”), and Ride the Cyclone (“Ricky”). As always, Blake thanks his family and UNCG for their continued love and support.

Dez Morrow (Hair and Makeup Designer) is a second-year BFA Design and Technical Production student concentrating in Wigs and Makeup. Her recent credits include serving as a hair and makeup artisan on Sweeney Todd, Sideshow, and Discovering Blackness. This production marks Dez’s first time designing at UNCG, and she is excited to continue growing as an artist and storyteller through her work. She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love, encouragement, and support.

Aaron Parelli (Lighting Designer) is a first-year graduate student working towards his Master’s in Lighting Design. He received his BFA in Theater with a concentration in Lighting and Technology from Texas State University in 2019. Since then, he has done numerous shows around the country before choosing to pursue his graduate degree. Previously, he was the lighting designer for Discovering Blackness and the Production Electrician for Sweeney Todd last semester. This is his third production and second design here at UNCG, and he is excited to continue his journey here.

R. Clare Parker (Costume Designer) is a freelance theatrical costume designer, costume technologist, craftsperson, and the Assistant Professor of Costume Design at UNCG. Some of her recent designs include Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B at The Warehouse Theatre; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at UNCG; The Lehman Trilogy at The Warehouse Theatre; The Passion of Antígona Pérez at UNCG; Silent Sky at Wake Forest University; and The Jungle Book at Peppercorn Theater. Clare has had the privilege of supporting costume designers such as Gregg Barnes: Aladdin-US Tour, Susan Hilferty: Wicked-Broadway; Anita Yavich: Aida-The Washington National Opera; and Eric Teague: The Threepenny Opera-The Atlanta Opera & La Bohéme 2023 remount- The Glimmerglass Festival.

Clare is passionate about creating resource-based sustainable practices in the costuming industry. She is committed to furthering equal access to the theater industry through education and practice. Clare specializes in music and movement-based theater forms and outdoor found-space theater. In her free time, Clare enjoys gardening, fiber arts, and reading science fiction.

Clare received her BFA in Theatre from Southern Oregon University and her MFA in Costume Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Annabelle Richard (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a second-year BFA Design and Technical Production student focusing on Scenic Artistry. She has worked as a Paint and Props Artisan on UNCG productions, including SideShow, Rough Magic, and Discovering Blackness. She is grateful to collaborate with the Scenic Designer on Lempicka, where she designed the painted floor treatment for the set. Annabelle thanks the production team, her professors, as well as her family and friends for their continued love and support. She is super thrilled to be part of this Lempicka production!

Laura Stone (Production Stage Manager) is a fourth-year student currently pursuing a BFA Drama, Design and Technical Production major concentrating in Stage Management. Her previous credits include UNC Greensboro Theatres productions of Sweeney Todd (Production Stage Manager), Much Ado About Nothing (Production Stage Manager), Everybody (Wardrobe Supervisor), Tartuffe (Assistant Stage Manager), Into the Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), and Roe (Assistant Stage Manager). Laura also worked as the Production Stage Manager on UNCG Theatre’s Junior MT showcases Godspell and Songs for a New World. Lempicka is her final production at UNC Greensboro before she graduates this Spring.  Laura would like to thank her amazing designers, production team, and cast for making her final show an amazing experience.

Matt Gould (Book & Music) is a two-time recipient of the Richard Rodgers Award, The Jonathan Larson Award, and the ASCAP Foundation’s Dean Kay, Harold Adamson and Richard Rodgers Awards. His musical Invisible Thread (aka Witness Uganda) had its New York premier at Second Stage Theater and its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard. His original musical Lempicka premiered at the Williamstown Theater Festival in 2018. Other works include The Family Project (Center Theatre Group) and Twilight in Manchego, directed by Tony Award winner Billy Porter. Gould has written and arranged music for Playwrights Horizons, and translated, adapted and directed Romeo and Juliet in Pulaar (Mauritania, West Africa). He has performed across the US and around the world, including in Uganda, Mauritania, and Japan. A graduate of Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, he is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at schools and Universities. He is the co-director of UgandaProject. @FakeMattGould

Carson Kreitzer (Book, Lyrics & Original Concept) is a playwright, lyricist, librettist and a Guggenheim, MacDowell, and McKnight Fellow, as well as a Jonathan Larson Grant Recipient.  LEMPICKA (Book, Lyrics, and Original Concept by Carson Kreitzer, Book and Music by Matt Gould) inspired by the life and art of Tamara de Lempicka, opens on Broadway on April 14th, 2024, directed by Rachel Chavkin. 

LEMPICKA premiered at the Williamstown Theater Festival, where it was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and had its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2022.  Carson’s other plays include The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Rosenthal New Play Prize, Steinberg New Play Citation, and Stavis Award), The Slow Drag (Off-Broadway, West End), Behind the Eye (Cincinnati Playhouse), Flesh and the Desert (Workhaus Collective), and Lasso of Truth (NNPN Rolling World Premiere – Marin Theatre Company, Synchronicity, Unicorn Theatre). Upcoming projects include: the climate-crisis plays TIMEBOMB, (developed with A.R.T., Kitchen Theatre Company and The Playwrights’ Center), and Svalbard, inspired by her time on a ship in the Arctic, exploring the Svalbard Archipelago as part of The Arctic Circle Artist and Scientist Residency Program, as well as Capital Crime!, a play with songs set in Gilded Age New York.  

She is an Affiliated Writer with The Playwrights’ Center, an alumna of New Dramatists, and was the first Playwrights of New York (PoNY) Fellow at the Lark. She has received support from the NEA, TCG, and the Jerome Foundation. Her plays The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer and SELF DEFENSE, or death of some salesmen are published with Smith and Kraus, Dramatic Publishing and Playscripts and the plays SELF DEFENSE, Oppenheimer, 1:23, and Slither are available from NoPassport Press. She received her B.A. from Yale University, and MFA from Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas, Austin.