ReformED

Joshua Purvis (Director) is a Senior Lecturer at UNC Greensboro and serves as program coordinator for the BFA Theatre Education(K-12) concentration.  A nine-year member of Actors Equity Association, he has acted professionally at Triad Stage, Deep Dish Theater, and helped increase public support for UNCG’s musical theatre program initiative by performing in CVPA’s 2017 NC Summer Rep concerts (Sunday in the Park with George & Sweeney Todd).  This summer, he ticked a bucket list item by performing with his two sons in Creative Greensboro’s production of Twelfth Night: a musical adaptation. 

Still holding a K-12 Continuing Professional License (CPL) for Educators in North Carolina, Purvis stays very active within local schools and serves as resource for teachers across the state.  He is a proud member of the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators (NCTAE).  

Educational directing favorites include: Fall Briefs, The Little Prince, Once Upon a Mattress, Cinderella, Guys and Dolls, and many entries for the NCTC High School Play Festival, NC Young Playwrights Festival, and Young Playwrights For Change. 

Purvis is a two-time alumnus of UNCG, holding an MFA in Acting and BFA in Theatre Education(K-12). 

Emma Austin (Drie) is a senior in the BFA Theatre Education Program. This is her first time acting in a UNCG main stage production. She previously worked on UNCG’s Rock of Ages, Tartuffe, and assistant stage-managed UNCG’s Side Show. After graduating, she hopes to teach in the K-12 school system or with a regional theatre’s education program. She is thrilled to be working on a show highlighting educators and how the system works from the inside. She’d like to thank all of her previous teachers and professors who inspired her to become an educator. 

Sonny Brown (Ichi) is a BA Drama major with an English minor. She is more than thrilled to be a part of this wonderful production. Some of her previous roles include Ruthie Taylor/Ned in Bat Boy the Musical, as well as Mrs. Clayton in Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical. She would like to thank her Mom, Dad, and Granny for their never-ending support towards all of her theatrical work. She would also like to thank every teacher and professor who has continued to inspire her to work hard and be the best version of herself. Their impact does not go unnoticed. 

Maya Diaz (Melissa) is a BFA Musical Theatre major in her junior year, and she is honored to be in ReformED. This is her first play at UNCG, but her previous roles in musicals include Fortune Teller in “Sideshow”, Helen/Featured Dancer in “Carrie: The Musical”, and Selina in “The Lightning Thief”. She is so excited to share this story with everyone and wants to thank her mom, friends, and all of her teachers for the support they’ve given her. 

Travis Eason (Carter) comes from Charlotte, NC, and he is a junior BFA Acting major with a minor in Dance. Travis is beyond excited to be in the cast of ReformED, and this will be his third main stage performance at UNCG. His previous credits include 2nd Watchman in Much Ado About Nothing, Somebody/Skeleton in Everybody, and Mad Hatter in Red and Alice. Travis would like to thank the director, Joshua Purvis, for an amazing opportunity and for allowing him to freely explore and truthfully live within his character, Carter! He has learned many valuable tools and has a deeper respect for teachers through the lens of Carter. Travis would also like to thank God, his family and friends, and the ensemble for their continuous support throughout this process! Travis is eager for the audience to see the hard work his cast has done and hopes they walk away with a different perspective on teachers and the education system. 

Javier Feria (Mr. Bernard) is grateful to return to Sprinkle Theatre as Mr. Bernard as a Senior BFA Acting Major. He would like to thank his teachers, family, and friends for their support and thank the lovely theatre-goers for coming to see shows here at UNCG. 

Jaxson Gervasio (he/him) (Dave) is ecstatic to be premiering in Sprinkle Theater as Dave in ReformED. Jax is a sophomore studying at UNCG for his Acting BFA and has studied at UNCSA High School for Drama. He has starred in “Goodbye Juno” (Juno), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), and Caged Birds (The Wild One). He would like to thank his dear friends, loving family, and especially tonight, the teachers in his life for inspiring him every day, even if they don’t know it. This one is for you! 

Cat Jambe (Cinq) is a Junior BFA Acting Major at UNCG from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a High School Graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. This is her 4th production at UNCG. Her previous credits at UNCG include WhereElse, Carrie: The Musical, and Everybody. Cat is incredibly grateful for her learning and performance opportunities at UNCG. She would like to thank her teachers, mentors, and the wonderful cast and crew of ReformED. 

Ezra Lanphere (Theresa) is a Senior BFA Acting student who first starred in Western Piedmont Community College’s “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” and went on to perform as Ursula and Verges in a modern rendition of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Her other credits include Alison in “I <3 Collaboration,” Zombie in “Night of the Living Dead,” Officer in “Tartuffe,” and Verges in UNCG’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” She would like to thank the director, crew, cast, and everyone else involved in this exceptional production, as well as her friends and family members who love and support her always; she wouldn’t be where she is without them. This show is the culmination of so much hard work and care, and she hopes everyone enjoys it as much as she enjoyed being a part of it. 

Caroline Ly (Bon) is a third-year BFA Acting major with minors in Dance and Consumer and Retail studies. She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and ReformED marks her first appearance in a straight play, and she is super stoked to be returning to the stage in live theatre. Her previous roles include UNCG’s Mainstage film productions: Campus Tales and Uncharted Potential. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their constant support– especially her parents for letting her pursue her dreams, and her sister for always keeping her humble. 

Zac Matthews (Dos) is a senior BA Drama major with a Music and Media Studies minor. This is his first mainstage production at UNCG. His previous work includes Bill in The Engagement (The Play Festival), voiceover work for School of Dance productions, and the Devil in My First Love. Zac would like to give thanks to God, his mom, and brother Brandon for supporting him in his art: pace and love. @zacspeacenlove 

Aeris Phelan (Li) is a BA Drama major with a WGSS minor as well as a member of APO. They’re a sophomore this year and are more than excited to be a part of this remarkable show as their second mainstage production at UNCG. Their previous roles include the Human Pin-Cushion in Side Show at UNCG, as well as Patrick in SpongeBob: The Musical and Paulette in Legally Blonde at East Lincoln on Stage. This show and the message it delivers are very near and dear to their heart, and they can’t wait to share it. Huge thanks to the entire cast and production team for this production as well; it wouldn’t be possible without them!  

Lilah Vanke (Helen) is a third-year BFA Acting student with a minor in Business, and she is thrilled to be a part of the ReformED ensemble! As a lifelong public-school student and the daughter of a teacher at a public high school, she feels very personally connected to the people and stories that ReformED seeks to spotlight. She has previously been seen in Sideshow at UNCG, as well as in The Diary of Anne Frank (Margot Frank), Matilda (Miss Honey), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty) in her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. She would like to thank her best friends, Brianna, Taylor, Valentine, Cat, Lillie, Dani, and Caroline, for their continuous love and support. She would also like to thank her family, especially her Papa, for their many positive influences on her life and their continued support of her in the pursuit of her dreams. Enjoy the show! 

Trayce Vereen (Nsia) is a third-year BA drama major with a minor in Communications. He is very grateful to be a part of this production. This is his second UNCG Theater show, and he is so excited for everyone to see the hard work that everyone, both onstage and off, has put into the show. Trayce is honored to have worked on this piece as it’s the 1st time it’s ever been performed in North Carolina. He would like to thank all his family, but especially his Mom, for all the hard work she does to allow him to pursue his passion, as well as all his wonderful peers. Finally, he wants to thank Joshua Purvis for bringing this show to life in such a beautiful way. Enjoy the show! 

Raegan Amos (Assistant Director) is a fourth-year BFA Theatre Education major. She is thrilled to be assistant directing ReformED! She gives big thanks to Joshua Purvis for encouraging her to pursue this opportunity and to her senior Theatre Education cohort for their endless support. 

Maya McCall (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second-year transfer senior in BA Drama with a Technical Theatre minor. He has been in UNCG’s School Girls (Ericka), Sideshow (Ensemble/Roustabout/Attractions Understudy), and the New Play Festival. Maya is an educator/choreographer/director/designer who has worked with organizations such as NCT Conservatory, CTG, NC State, JTP, Creative Greensboro, and Creative Arts Camp on productions such as Urinetown, Mean Girls, Jekyll and Hyde, RENT, Camp Rock, etc. He is so excited to do ReformED as his final show at UNCG, as he will be graduating in December. He hopes you enjoy the show and the strong message behind it! 

Aubrie Russo (Stage Manager) is a fourth-year BFA Theatre Education Major. She is honored to be the stage manager for ReformED. This is her first time stage managing a main stage production. She previously was an assistant stage manager in Carrie: The Musical with a fantastic team that led her to believe she could take on this role. Her four years here at UNCG have meant so much to her and have given her the confidence to move on to high school next year. She would like to shout out to all the UNCG faculty, staff, and educators in the audience for their hard work on this production and throughout the years. She would like to thank her advisor for continuing to support her throughout these years and pushing her to her best. She would also like to give a special thanks to the most influential educators she has known, her parents, for always loving and supporting her throughout her life. She would like to dedicate these performances to educators everywhere, and a special dedication to Taryn Hoyt and the late Eddie Hall. Thank you.   

Alyssa Wagoner (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Drama and Art Administration major in her junior year here at UNCG. From Wilson, NC, Alyssa has worn many hats – an actor, a lighting designer, a technical director, and a teacher. This year, she is the Vice President and Marketing Director for UNCG Theatrics – a student club making theatre opportunities more accessible on campus, regardless of major or experience. Aspiring to be a Director and Entrepreneur, she is proud that part of her journey is being an ASM for ReformED.