FOOTLOOSE is based on the 1984 film by Dean Pitchford. The first theatrical release made Kevin Bacon a super star and its jukebox style soundtrack rode the top of the music charts for months. Its popularity, especially with the relatively new MTV generation was due largely in part to its David and Goliath premise; city kid defies town’s anti-dance preacher and through music, style, and youthful optimism, conquers all. It was also this premise that some critics deemed a highly fictionalized improbability. 

However, the story was not only probable, it was history. 

Dean Pitchford based his FOOTLOOSE screenplay on the real-life events he discovered after reading an article about an incident in Elmore City, Oklahoma. From its founding in 1898, the town of Elmore instated an ordinance outlawing any activity that encouraged alcohol consumption and the resulting raucous and immoral activity. This included dancing. 

In 1979, students at Elmore High School challenged the ordinance in order to have a prom. Their demand was met with immediate opposition by the city council members, headed by a local minister who considered dancing a ‘Satanic practice’. A year later, the students triumphed when the city school board voted, and a tie breaking vote was cast by a rancher who stated simply: "Let 'em dance." 

When Pitchford was scouting locations for the town of Bomont, his fictional version of Elmore OK., he found exactly what he imagined in the rural towns of 1980’s Utah. Locations included Lehi Roller Mills, Payson High School, a Provo drive-in burger joint, American Fork Community Presbyterian Church, and the fields of Vineyard UT. 

Though many of the identifiable locations from the film are long gone, those that still remain, like the Lehi Roller Mills no longer sit in the middle of endless fields but rather are surrounded by Utah’s ever sprawling population boom. 

In 2024, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original film release, the students of Payson High School launched an online campaign to invite Kevin Bacon back to their school for senior prom. With tenacity, spirit and in true ‘Footloose’ style the students persevered and finally triumphed when Mr. Bacon agreed to return to Payson as guest of honor. Life imitating art imitating life. 

We are thrilled to bring you FOOTLOOSE. 

 “Let, ‘em dance!”

 — Dave Tinney

Ben is ecstatic to be back on the Centre Stage! Some of his favorite performing credits include: The Magician's Elephant, Tuck Everlasting, A Christmas Carol 2023 & 2024, and The Heart of Robin Hood with Hale Centre Theatre; Catch Me If You Can with Bingham High School; and Les Misérables with Kensington Theater Company. Benjamin is currently a Senior at UVU studying in the Personal Financial Planning Program and works as an Independent Life & Disability insurance agent. “Do it - at least try. Who knows what could happen?”

Some of Ren’s favorite stage credits include: The Prince of Egypt (Ramses), The Magician’s Elephant, A Christmas Carol (Eben), The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio), and A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Darney) with Hale Centre Theatre; The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson), West Side Story (Riff), Into The Woods (Jack), and Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) with West Valley Performing Arts; and Pride and Prejudice (Wickham), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo Understudy), Jane Austen’s Emma (Frank Churchill) with The Parker Theatre. Ren earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from BYU. “I think I know a piccolo when I hear one.”

Making her HCT debut! Bryndal is honored to join the Hale Centre Theatre family in this production of Footloose! Favorite performing credits include: Crazy for You (Polly) with BYU; Romeo & Juliet (Juliet) with Prague Shakespeare Company, as well as Thank You for the Music, Young Ambassador China Tour, and Flux, BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre. Bryndal graduated from Brigham Young University with a BFA in Music Dance, and Theatre, and has served as choreographer on projects such as High School Musical (BYU MainStage), Thank You for the Music (YA Choir Tour), and Legally Blonde (YLPAC).

Making her HCT debut! Kersee is thrilled to join the Hale Centre Theatre family with this production of Footloose! Performing credits include: Jekyll and Hyde (Emma Carew) with West Valley Arts and Godspell (Lindsey) with BYU, as well as the motion picture Christmas Wreaths and Ribbons, where she portrayed Gabby. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BFA in Music, Dance Theatre, where she toured and performed as a Young Ambassador, and works as a private voice teacher. She is represented by Talent Management Group. "Forever grateful to my husband, Karter, family, and friends for their love and support. I am so excited to be onstage with my sister, Heidi Swan - love you, Heigl! Shine loud!”

Returning to the Centre Stage, Emma appeared in last season’s production of May We All as Jenna Coates. Other notable credits include: Cinderella (Charlotte) with The Ruth; The Secret Garden (Lily) with BYU MainStage; Oliver! (Nancy) with HCTO; Cinderella (Gabrielle) and Footloose (Urleen) with Sundance Summer Theatre. Emma holds a BFA in Music Dance Theatre from BYU and owns and operates a private voice studio. “Let’s Hear it For (my) Boy (Man 5/Travis)!”

Rachel is ecstatic to be back on the Centre Stage in this production of Footloose. Previous stage credits include: Little Women (Jo March), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Newsies (Katherine), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), and Treasure Island (Justice Death), Hale Centre Theatre; Legally Blonde (Elle Woods) with West Valley Arts; Footloose (Urleen) and The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn) with Grandstreet Theatre. When not on stage, Rachel is a mentor with Rite Passage. "I’m working late, 'cause I’m a singer…” 

Excited to be back on the HCT stage! Collin’s favorite stage credits include: The Addams Family, Elf the Musical, Newsies, The Little Mermaid (Scuttle) with Hale Centre Theatre; Ragtime with The Ruth; Cinderella with Sundance Summer Theatre; and Seussical The Musical and Bright Star with Hale Center Theater Orem. Collin is currently a Sophomore studying at UVU. 

Returning to the HCT Stage, Weston’s recent credits include: Little Women (Laurie), The Magician's Elephant (Peter), and Newsies (Jack Kelly). Other favorite performing credits include: The Prom (Kevin) with Pioneer Theatre Company; Tuck Everlasting (Hugo) and Sister Act (Ernie) with Hale Center Theater Orem; Fiddler on the Roof (Nahum) and Shakespeare in Love (Kit Marlowe) at BYU. Weston recently graduated from BYU with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre. 

After appearing in our 2024 production of A Christmas Carol, Dan is thrilled to be back on the Hale Centre Theatre stage! Other favorite stage credits include: Cinderella (Prince Topher) with The Ruth; Newsies (Spot Conlon) with Sundance Summer Theatre; The Secret Garden (Dr. Craven) with BYU; and Les Misérables (Jean Valjean) with Timberline Arts. Dan is currently studying in the Music Dance Theatre program at Brigham Young University. “I promise I’m much nicer in real life than Chuck is! Thankful to get to fulfill a childhood dream performing on this stage!”

Jonathan is thrilled to be back on the HCT stage after appearing in last season’s production of The Addams Family. He was recently seen in BYU’s production of Blithe Spirit. Jonathan is a Junior at Brigham Young University, studying in the MDT program. “Seek Discomfort”. 

Making his HCT debut! Lucas is honored to join the Hale Centre Theatre family with this production of Footloose! Stage credits include: Cinderella (Man 3) with The Ruth; A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge) and Seussical The Musical (Wickersham) with HCTO; as well as Footloose (Ren) with Kensington Theatre. Lucas is entering his sophomore year at the University of Utah, studying in the Musical Theatre BFA program. “Dedicated to my mom, who gave me my love of Footloose!” 

Making his HCT debut! Ian is thrilled to spend the summer dancing on the Centre Stage! Stage credits include: Sister Act, The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Center Stage Theatre; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with Utah Tech University; and Into The Woods with IFOT. Ian is currently studying at Utah Tech University as a theatre major with an emphasis on acting. “So much love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and my two little bros for being so supportive and believing in me every step of the way. Couldn’t have done this without you.”

Returning to the Centre Stage! Daniel was most recently seen in our production of The Prince of Egypt. Other credits include: Seussical The Musical (Wickersham Brother) and How to Succeed (Man 2/Davis) with Hale Center Theater Orem; and Oklahoma! (Jud) with SCERA Shell. Daniel is currently attending UVU, working towards his BFA in Musical Theater. I'd like to thank my family for their support in all that I do, and my friends who are always there for me. "Take chances." 

Making his HCT debut! Curtis is honored to join the company of Footloose! Notable credits include: Newsies (Davey) with Mid-Valley Musical Theatre; Matilda the Musical (Mr. Wormwood) with Brigham Young University; and Cinderella (Prince Topher) with Pentacle Theatre. Curtis is currently pursuing a degree in Music Dance Theatre from BYU, where he is also a performing member of the Young Ambassadors. “I have been built by the hands of unspeakably generous and compassionate people, most of all my Savior. I couldn’t be more grateful to share His love and light through this show!”

Excited to be back on the HCT stage! Jeremy was most recently seen in our productions of The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, The Nutty Professor, Fiddler On The Roof, Newsies, and Hello, Dolly!, as well as Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical and also performed with Odyssey Dance Theatre for three years, most recently performing in their Spring 2025 season. Jeremy attended BYU and currently works as a dance instructor. “Sometimes, the best way to solve your problems is to help someone else.” - Uncle Iroh. 

Prince is thrilled to be back on the Centre Stage! Previously, he was seen in our productions of The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Nutty Professor, and Newsies. “With great power comes great responsibility” - Uncle Ben. 

Aidan is honored to join the company of Footloose. Some of his favorite credits include: The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and The Nutty Professor with Hale Centre Theatre. Aidan is currently a Utah Valley University student working towards his bachelor's degree as well as a ballroom dance certificate. “Dancing through life” - Wicked

Brevan is honored to be back on our Centre Stage. His favorite credits include The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Nutty Professor, Elf The Musical, Hello, Dolly!, and The Little Mermaid with HCT, and In The Heights with West Valley Arts. “Here for a good time. Not a long time.” 

Thrilled to be back on the Centre Stage! Noah’s favorite credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Newsies (Davey) with Hale Centre Theatre; Newsies (Specs) with Sundance Summer Theatre; The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), 12 Angry Jurors and Matilda The Musical with BYU; CATS with Ashland Productions; and Footloose, The Addams Family, Shrek The Musical, and Bye Bye Birdie with North Stage Door Theatre. He is currently a part of the BYU MDT program. Noah is grateful to share the stage once again with his amazing, beautiful, and talented wife, Emma (Rusty). 

Making his HCT debut! Timothy is thrilled to join the company of Footloose! Other favorite performing credits include: The Lightning Thief and Spring Awakening with The University of Utah, as well as BatBoy with SLAC. Tim recently graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Tim is full of gratitude for this cast and team, and would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

Returning to the Centre Stage! Eli’s favorite credits include: Footloose and The Prince of Egypt with Hale Centre Theatre, as well as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Curious Savage, and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Orem High School. He is a freshman at the U of U, where he is studying Ballet. He was a Wasatch Front Sterling Scholar finalist in the category of dance and likes to crochet garments and bags. I would like to thank my family and friends for their continuous support in all my endeavors. Eli would like to thank those who have inspired him, continue to inspire him, and will encourage him to be the best version of himself, both on and offstage.

Making his HCT debut! Jayden is thrilled to join the Hale Centre Theatre family with this production of Footloose! A man of many disciplines, Jayden performed as an NBA Utah Jazz Dancer for the 22-23 and 23-24 seasons, as well as a National Champion in Latin Rhythm Ballroom I & II, and works as a Cheer Coach with Cyprus High School. He also owns his own dance costume and apparel company, JJ Custom Designs. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!”

Returning to the Centre Stage! Tristan is excited to be back at Hale Centre Theatre after last appearing in our recent production of The Prince of Egypt. 

Thrilled to be back on the HCT stage! Phil was most recently seen in our productions of The Prince of Egypt and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He was also a quarter-finalist for America’s Got Talent 2024. Other credits include: The Nutty Professor, Elf the Musical, and Newsies with HCT. Born and raised in southeast Georgia, he graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor’s in Dance Performance and Choreography. “Thank you to God, my family, and friends for supporting me in achieving my dreams!”

Returning to the Centre Stage! Some of Tianna’s favorite performing credits include: HCT - Tarzan (Jane Porter), Elf The Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Misérables, Seussical The Musical; West Valley Arts - The Lighting Thief; HCTO - Newsies (Katherine), Anything Goes, and The Little Mermaid; UVU: Legally Blonde (Elle), A Year with Frog and Toad, and 9 to 5 as well as performing with HCT’s educational outreach group, The Story Weavers. She has also performed at Walt Disney World as a character performer. Tianna works as an Education Administrator at Hale Centre Theatre. “Thank you to my people; you know who you are!”

Thrilled to be back on the Centre Stage! Maryn’s favorite credits include: The Prince of Egypt, Elf The Musical (Deb), Titanic The Musical (Kate Mullins), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Molly Brown), and School of Rock with HCT; Pride & Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennet) with Parker Theatre; CATS (Jennyanydots) with Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre; and Tarzan (Jane), The Music Man (Marian), Newsies (Katherine), and Singin’ in the Rain (Kathy Selden) with The Playmill Theatre. Maryn earned her Bachelor of Music from BYU-Idaho and is an alumnus of the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Je Eun is thrilled to be back on the HCT stage after her most recent appearance in our production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hello, Dolly! (Minnie Fay), and The Little Mermaid (Adella). Favorite stage credits include: The Little Mermaid (Ariel), All Shook Up (Sylvia), Little Women (Marmee), and Mary Poppins (Mrs. Corey). Je Eun is currently studying to be an Ultrasound technician. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” -Gandhi

Returning to the Centre Stage, Beyonca was last seen in our production of The Prince of Egypt. Other performing credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, Curtains, and Holiday Inn with Olympus High School. She is currently studying at UVU in the Early Elementary Education program as well as teaching piano. Beyonca has been studying classical piano since age 4; she has competed in multiple competitions and performed with numerous symphonies until age 18. "Go all the way, or you're in the way."

Marissa is honored to be back on the HCT stage after her recent performance in our production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Nutty Professor, Hello, Dolly!, and Disney The Little Mermaid! She trained with Jacqueline’s School of Ballet for 15 years and performed with Utah Metropolitan Ballet productions, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. She also toured Europe with Stars of Tomorrow International for ballet and many ballet festivals across the United States. She graduated from Pleasant Grove High School and works as a ballet teacher and private coach. “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style!”

McCall is thrilled to join the company of Footloose! Notable performing credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast right here at Hale Centre Theatre, Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), Thriller! with Odyssey Dance Company, and the World Premier of Fly More Than You Would Fall (Dance Captain), directed by Jeff Whiting, as well as performing at BYU with Contemporary Dance Theatre and The Young Ambassadors, where she toured across the nation, as well as London and Scotland. McCall is a recent graduate of BYU with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre. 

Dancing yet again on the Centre Stage, Gabrielle was last seen in our recent productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Nutty Professor, and Hello, Dolly!. She was also a member of BYU’s Young Ambassadors from 2022 to 2024 and recently graduated from the MDT program at Brigham Young University. “I’d like to thank my parents and sisters! That was a Jojo’s reference!”

Thrilled to be back on the HCT stage! Issa’s favorite credits include: The Prince of Egypt and Hello, Dolly! with HCT; CATS and Ragtime at Music Theater Wichita; and Cinderella with Sundance Summer Theatre. She has a BFA in Music Dance Theater from BYU and teaches jazz, tap, and hip-hop at Utah Copa. She enjoys on-camera work, including multiple projects through TMG as well as releasing her own music on all streaming platforms. “I am grateful for my friends and family, and so excited to play a part in this amazing story!” 

After an extended hiatus, Lily is honored to be back on the Hale Centre Theatre stage! She was last seen in our 2012 production of The Sound of Music. Lily is a nationally ranked ballroom dancer and is entering her first year in the nursing program at the University of Utah. “I am so excited to spend my summer with this incredibly talented troupe of people, as well as the stellar production team! I would like to thank my amazing mom, who has guided and supported me through this new world. It is the joy of a lifetime to share the stage with you. Love you millions!”

Returning to the Centre Stage! Heidi was last seen in our blockbuster production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Recently, she completed her first year at BYU and is represented by the Talent Management Group. “I'm grateful to my teachers at Utah COPA, artistic dance project, and everyone else who helped me grow as a dancer. Also, I am honored to share the stage with my beautiful sister, Kersee Whitney - love you, kookie!”

Making her HCT debut! Natalie is honored to spend the summer dancing on the Centre Stage in this production of Footloose! A veteran of Odyssey Dance Theatre, she has performed in their productions of Thriller, The Christmas Spectacular, and Shut Up And Dance with their tours across the Utah Valley. Natalie was also an NBA Utah Jazz dancer for the 23/24 season. “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

Abigail is thrilled to return to the Centre Stage! She was most recently seen in our productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and The Nutty Professor. Other performing credits include: Cinderella with The Ruth. By day, Abigail works as a nail technician. 

Returning to the Centre Stage! Maile was last seen in our production of The Nutty Professor. At Canyon View Arts Center School of Performing Arts, she has served as Traveling Company assistant director, special needs instructor, and teacher in principal level of modern, hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary, as well as performing as an ensemble dancer and featured soloist with Kinuko Modern Dance Company. Maile is the owner of Yukiko Cosmetics LLC. 

Making her HCT debut! Katey is thrilled to join the company of Footloose! An accomplished performer, Katey has performed with BYU’s Young Ambassadors as well as spending 4 years on the BYU Ballroom Dance Touring Company. She is also a 3x U.S. National Amateur Cabaret Champion and loves dancing with her husband, with whom she currently holds that title. Stage Credits include The Phantom of the Opera (ballet core) with Provo High School. Katey recently graduated from BYU with a BFA in dance and a minor in the School of Family Life, and teaches various genres of dance at Charisma Dance Studio.

Making her HCT debut! Marisol is excited and humbled to join this production of Footloose with Hale Centre Theatre! Favorite performing credits include: A Christmas Story (Miss Shields) with SCERA Center for the Arts; Newsies (Medda Larkin) with Draper Historic Theatre; and Joseph…Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator) with Sandbox Theatre. Marisol is a first-generation American born in Honduras. She notes that she has been singing, acting, and dancing from a young age. “I’m thrilled to be a part of my first show at HCT. Thank you to Dave, Alex, Afton, and the entire production team for giving me a chance to do what I’m passionate about! I’m so grateful to my husband, kids, family, and friends, who always support me and cheer me on!”

Glad to be back with Hale Centre Theatre! Some of Melody’s favorite stage credits include: Titanic The Musical (Marion Thayer) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy) with HCT; White Christmas (Martha Watson) with CenterPoint Legacy Theatre; Close Encounters in the Beehive (Mother) with SLAC; Head Over Heels (Queen Gynecia) with The Grand Theatre; Footloose (Vi Moore) with Broadway Palm; John (Mertis) with ThreePenny Theatre Company; and Forbidden Utah (Choreographer/Performer) at the SLC Fringe Festival as well as the 2014 Macy’s Firework Spectacular Choir backing Idina Menzel. Melody traveled the world for many years, singing for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and performing at Tokyo Disneyland in Tokyo, Japan, in Big Band Beat and Diamond Horseshoe Review. “Thanks to my family for all their love and support.” 

Returning to the Centre Stage, Greg was previously seen on our stage in Elf The Musical, Wait Until Dark; and AIDA. Other favorite stage credits include: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence Jameson) and The Addams Family (Gomez Addams) with HCTO, along with The Music Man (Harold Hill) with Sundance Summer Theatre. "A special thanks and shout out to my wife, Rachel, and kids, Sawyer and Pearl. Thanks for your love and support!"

Rex’s favorite roles include: Fiddler on the Roof (Constable) and Titanic The Musical (Murdock) with Hale Centre Theatre; Les Misérables (Javert), Camelot (King Arthur), The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp), Tuck Everlasting (Angus Tuck), and South Pacific (Emile de Becque) with HCTO; Footloose (Reverend Shaw Moore) with West Valley Arts; South Pacific (Emile de Becque); and Noises Off (Lloyd Dallas) with SCERA. Rex has a BA in International Law and Diplomacy with a minor in Asian Studies from BYU and works as Marketing Director at BYU. “Love to my supportive family and in memory of Cameron Ward.” 

A Hale Centre favorite, Erin is excited to return to the Centre Stage. Performing credits include: Finding Neverland, Clue On Stage, Singin’ in the Rain, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Addams Family, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Big Fish with HCT; The Bridges of Madison County, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Last Five Years; Noises Off, A Chorus Line, Evita, and Chicago with the Egyptian Theatre. Erin is co-founder of Audition Advantage; she is a vocal instructor, personal trainer, luckiest wife, and Mommy of two. “This show has come full circle for me since the last time from Ariel/Rusty to Mom! (or something like that….)” 

Thrilled to be back on the Centre Stage! Teaira’s favorite stage credits include: May We All (Stephanie), Elf the Musical, Hans Christian Andersen in New York (Nancy Offenbach), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Julia Gerrard), and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Truly Scrumptious) with HCT; Cinderella (Ella) and An American in Paris (Milo Davenport) with The Ruth; Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington) with West Valley Arts; Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy Harris) with The Palace Theatre; The Light in the Piazza (Clara Johnson) and Cosi fan Tutte (Despina) with Transgressive Theatre Opera.

Making her HCT debut! Rylee is overjoyed to join the Hale Centre Theatre family! Some of her favorite performing credits include: Arsenic & Old Lace with Hale Center Theater Orem, CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, and The Ziegfeld Theater. Rylee graduated from Idaho State University with a BA in Theatre Performance and works as the Marketing Director for The Hopebox Theatre. “I’m so excited to be performing with my amazing husband and getting to play husband and wife together on and off stage.”

Luana is thrilled to be performing on the HCT Stage once again. Favorite stage credits: six years of A Chirtsmas Carol on our Jewel Box Stage; Murray Amphitheatre- Newsies (Medda Larkin), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl), and Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes); Soloist with the Big Band Tribute featuring the Riverton Jazz Band at the Draper Amphitheatre and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at BYU. “So much love to Ben, my favorite partner in dance and in life! And lots of love to my boys - Elliott, Oliver, and Atticus - my greatest joys!”

Brock is excited to play on the Centre Stage again after appearing in last summer’s production of May We All. Other favorite stage credits include: Cinderella (Jean-Michel) with The Ruth; My Fair Lady and Sister Act (Curtis Jackson) with HCTO; 42nd Street (Julian Marsh) and White Christmas with CenterPoint Legacy Theatre; West Side Story with West Valley Arts; and Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf) with Sandy Arts Guild. “I'm excited to perform at Hale Centre Theatre with my wife, Rylee!”

Zac was last seen as the Police Chief in the US Premiere of The Magician’s Elephant right here on our Centre Stage! Favorite HCT credits include: Clue On Stage (Colonel Mustard), Around the World in 80 Days (Inspector Fix), See How They Run (The Bishop of Lax), Lucky Stiff (Body of Anthony Hendon), Singin’ in the Rain (R. F. Simpson), Bright Star (Daddy Murphy), Wait Until Dark (Sergeant Carlino), Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf), and She Loves Me (Mr. Marachek). Zac holds a BFA in Theatre Education from the University of Utah and teaches Drama at Evergreen Junior High School. Zac would like to thank his amazing and supportive family for “letting him play.”

An HCT favorite! Alec is excited to be back on the Centre Stage! Favorite performing credits include: The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls, and Cinderella with Hale Centre Theatre, as well as writing for the 2022 Drama League Gala. Alec graduated from UVU and works as a Choir Teacher. “To my students who inspire me to better my craft, and my friends who inspire me to better myself! Rhonda, as always, this one is for you.”

Brett is excited to be returning to the Centre Stage! Some favorite credits include: Finding Neverland (Mr. Cromer), The Magician's Elephant (Count Quintet), See How They Run (Lionel Toop), Treasure Island (Ben Gunn/Jemmy Rathbone), A Christmas Carol with HCT; The Foreigner (Froggy) with HCTO; Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), A Tuna Christmas (Arles) with Renaissance Players; Into the Woods (Baker), Catch Me If You Can (Hanratty), Spamalot (Patsy), The Foreigner (Charlie) with Pull-Tight Players. Offstage, Brett enjoys directing and has served as a dialect coach in over 40 productions across the United States and abroad. He has a PhD in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. "Many thanks to my family and friends for their unending support!"

Returning to the Centre Stage! Becca was recently seen in our production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as a Silly Girl. Other favorite stage credits include: Treasure Island, Elf The Musical, Bright Star, and The Addams Family with HCT; Little Women (Jo March) and The Odd Couple (Cecily Pigeon) with HCTO. Becca earned her BFA in acting from UVU and is represented by Talent Management Group.

Brookelynn is thrilled to be back on the Hale Centre stage! Her favorite credits include: The Prince of Egypt, The Addams Family, and Elf The Musical with Hale Centre Theatre; and AIDA, West Side Story, Sister Act, Bright Star, Matilda The Musical, Something Rotten, and Seussical The Musical with Centerpoint Legacy Theatre. “Let’s dance!!”

Returning to the Centre Stage! Will was most recently seen as Wilbur in last season’s production of May We All. Other favorite performing credits include: Long John Silver in Treasure Island with Missoula Children’s Theatre, as well as Bumblebee in Pinklicious and Joey in Sister Act with HCTO. Will graduated from BYU with a degree in Psychology and a minor in World Dance. “In the words of another great school principal, ‘Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!’ A special shoutout to my sister Callie - love you, sis!”

Thrilled to be returning to the HCT stage! Peter’s favorite credits include: HCT - Fiddler on the Roof, Titanic The Musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Joseph and the… Dreamcoat; Sandy Arts Guild - Mamma Mia and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; WVC Arts Council - Forever Plaid; LDS Conference Center - Savior of the World; Jackson Hole Playhouse - Calamity Jane; Celebrating the Light National Tour; and three years performing with BYU’s Young Ambassadors. Peter has a BA from BYU and an MBA from the University of Utah. He works for the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity as the managing director of business services and hosts the Business Elevated podcast. “Dedicating this performance to my high school principal, Edward Caranglo, at Niskayuna High School in upstate New York. Thanks to my family for their love and support.”

Director Dave Tinney joined the Hale Centre Theatre full-time in 2015 and currently serves as Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director. Prior to making Hale his professional home, he taught for nine years as Artist in Residence in the Theatre Arts Department at Utah Valley University and six years in the Music Dance Theatre program at BYU. He received both the regional and national Outstanding Director of a Musical award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. He also spent a season as technical director with the Alwin Nikolais/Murray Louis dance company in NYC. He has directed and/or choreographed productions for Hale Centre Theatre, BYU, UVU, Sundance Summer Theatre, Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, Hale Center Theater Orem, ASCAP Musical Theatre workshop in NY, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and K.C.A.C T.F. Some of his favorite directorial projects include the regional premier of Boublil and Schoenberg’s The Pirate Queen for HCT, the national premier of Zorro The Musical, and a regional special engagement of 110 in the Shade starring Audra McDonald and Will Swenson. "Thanks to Sally, Mark, Afton, Alex, Susan, and the entire production team, and our awesome cast and crew. Also, a special thanks to my family."

Afton loved choreographing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as well as The Nutty Professor, Hello, Dolly!, and the North American premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical. Afton had the great honor of receiving Choreographer of the Year at The Dance Awards in Las Vegas in 2023. As a renowned choreographer and teacher, Afton has been dancing ever since she can remember. Trained in every style of dance, she has been privileged to dance and teach all over the world. At the age of 9, Afton made a Blackpool Final and was ranked 6th in the world in Ballroom dance, one of the first Americans to accomplish this. While growing up, she received numerous dance awards and taught at national conventions, including JUMP and West Coast Dance Explosion. Afton was a principal dancer in the first ‘High School Musical’ movie. Afton has been asked to perform several times on Dancing With the Stars and was hand-picked to compete in the DWTS Pro-dancer competition. For two years, Afton performed in Franco Dragon’s Le Reve at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, where she was also the dance captain. For more than a decade, Afton has directed the Ballroom and Jazz companies at Center Stage Performing Arts Studios. Her choreography and students have been seen on popular TV network shows including America's Got Talent, World of Dance, The Masked Dancer, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dancing with the Stars. Her choreography has won first overall in the nation multiple times. Center Stage Performing Arts Studios has won Studio of the Year and Top Ballroom Studio at The Dance Awards two times under her direction. While dance has brought Afton many opportunities and accolades, she considers her greatest accomplishment and joy to be being a wife and mother to four. She has enjoyed cheering on her husband, Zack Wilson, in his shows at Hale Centre Theatre throughout the years and loves that their kids get the opportunity to watch both dad and mom work at such a beautiful theater. 

Alex Marshall, M.M. Instrumental Conducting, B.M. Piano Performance, is a highly regarded music director and performer with decades of experience. From 2007 to 2025, Alex served as the Music Director for the University of Utah Department of Theatre, where he contributed significantly to establishment and development. He is an active member of the professional music community in Utah, regularly performing with prestigious institutions such as the Utah Symphony, Pioneer Theatre Company, and Hale Centre Theatre, among others. Alex's international performance experience spans France, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and New York, including multiple engagements at Carnegie Hall. His recording credits include The French Masters (2025), Passion of the Soul (2023), and David Park Plays Fritz Kreisler (2020), all released under Centaur Records. Recent stage credits include Bat Boy: The Musical (Salt Lake Acting Company), Souvenir (Pioneer Theatre Company), Spring Awakening (University of Utah), and the U.S. premiere of The Magician’s Elephant (Hale Centre Theatre). In addition to his performing and conducting work, Alex is honored to serve on the Board of Trustees for Hale Centre Theatre. Alex expresses deep gratitude for the unwavering support of his family: Jackie, Kimi, Henry, and Penny.

Prior to joining the stage management team at HCT, Katie served as a project coordinator with Universal Creative, supporting the development of the new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, FL. Prior credits include work with Celebrity Cruises, Universal Orlando Resort, Central Florida Community Arts, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Disneyland. She has her BA in acting from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. 

Jenn’s work was most recently seen as the Scenic Designer for Twelve Angry Men, Little Women, The Magician’s Elephant, Clue On Stage, Catch Me If You Can, Hans Christian Andersen in New York, See How They Run, The Light in the Piazza, One for the Pot, The Mousetrap, Bright Star, The Addams Family, Freaky Friday, and Steel Magnolias. Recent costume design credits for HCT: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Clue On Stage, Elf The Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, Guys and Dolls, The Wizard of Oz, and Aida. Other Scenic Designs for HCT include The Nerd, Big River, Beau Jest, Over the River and Through the Woods, Is He Dead?, The Foreigner, The 39 Steps, and The Game’s Afoot. Jenn has also done scenic design for Utah State Theater’s Lincoln Center’s KCACT award-winning design for Sweeney Todd, Mad Woman of Chailott, and lighting designer for Love's Labour's Lost, Utah Lyric’s The Foreigner, Sandy City’s Hairspray, and Park City’s Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady, Trailer Park, and many more. Jenn has a BFA from the U of U in Theatre Design and an MFA from Utah State in Scenic Design. Jenn has been with HCT in some capacity for nigh on 27 years. “Thank you to my family for their support and love. A special thanks to Isaac, without you, this would be impossible.”

Dennis Wright is happy to return to Hale Centre Theatre after designing costumes for Fiddler on the Roof, Catch Me If You Can, Titanic: The Musical, and Lucky Stiff. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Clothing & Textiles with a minor in Theatre Arts. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Boston University in Theatrical Costume Design. He is an Associate Professor in the Theatre & Media Arts Department at BYU and the Artistic Director of BYU Theatre. Dennis spent 10 years as a Costumer, Costume Designer, and Project Manager with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. While there, he designed character costumes, attraction uniforms, and contributed to multiple live-stage productions. Dennis has designed costumes for productions at BYU, Jackson Hole Playhouse, The Scera Shell, American Repertory Theatre, The Barn Theater, Signature Productions of Las Vegas, HCTO, and The Ruth. He was recently awarded Best Costume Design 2025 from The Costume Society of America for his work on House of Desires at BYU.

Jaron has been the resident Lighting Designer for the oldest operating summer theater in the nation: The Cape Playhouse, where his credits include Little Shop of Horrors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Deathtrap, Clue, Altar Boyz, Steel Magnolias, Art, Red, The Foreigner, Murder for Two. Other credits include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Magician's Elephant, May we All, Fiddle on the Roof, Clue On Stage, Elf The Musical, Around the World in 80 Days, Newsies, Hello, Dolly!, Titanic The Musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Lucky Stiff, Singin’ in the Rain, School of Rock, One For The Pot, A Christmas Carol 2021, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Secret Garden, A Tale of Two Cities, Million Dollar Quartet, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical (Hale Centre Theatre); The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Fiddler on the Roof (Sundance Summer Theatre, Utah); Eleemosynary (The Brooks, California); The King’s Men, Private Ear, Hedda Gabler, The Weird Play (Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Utah); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Romeo & Juliet (Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Utah); This Bird of Dawning (Regent Street Black Box, Utah). Jaron sits on the Board of Directors for the Intermountain Desert Region of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology - the association for performing arts and entertainment professionals - and is a nominee for its Rising Star Award. He has been a lecturer at Utah Valley University and the resident designer and technical director at the Waterford School.

Michelle has always loved telling stories. Being Native Hawaiian has helped her gain experience in events from a young age. She decided to dive into finding out more about sound and how it functions. This path led her to her MFA in Sound for the Performing Arts from Purdue University. She has designed shows from Utah to Indiana, toured the United States and Central America, worked with touring groups from Olivia Newton-John to Pentatonix, and has worked many local performances in multiple states. Michelle loves theater and being able to use sound to help tell the story. She currently serves as one of the Sound Commissioners of the United States Institute of Theater Technology (USITT) and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA). She'd like to say: “Thank you to my outstanding sound team and all of your hard work!”            

Ryan is a Resident Director here at HCT. His recent directing credits for us include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly!, The Little Mermaid, One for the Pot, and The Play That Goes Wrong. Ryan is also a familiar performer on our stages, notably starring as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical The Musical, Passepartout in Around the World in 80 Days, Mr. Wormwood in Matilda The Musical, Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, and the titular role in The Nerd. He has also taught acting in the Theatre Departments at Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University.

Some of Candice’s favorite hair and makeup designs for HCT include: Steel Magnolias, Always...Patsy Cline, The Little Mermaid, Around the World in 80 Days, May We All, and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. She is a graduate of Paul Mitchell the School, where she has been an instructor since 2008. She also works as a resident designer and cosmetologist for the HCT Hair and Makeup Department. “I would like to thank Trisha, Krissa, and Marneé for helping me grow as an Artist and Designer. I also want to thank Adam, Cordelia, and Gabriella for being so supportive of my dream to work in theatre. Kiss Kiss!”

Nick serves as Hale Centre Theatre’s Head of Automation and resident Automation Designer and Programmer. Of the many shows he’s been a part of here at HCT, his favorites include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Treasure Island, The Little Mermaid, Titanic The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, & Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Beyond HCT, Nick once held a rewarding career with Disney Live Entertainment as a Senior Show Control Designer where he had been instrumental in designing and programming sophisticated show control systems for large-scale spectaculars such as Frozen, Live at the Hyperion, Fantasmic!, numerous castle firework displays, and most recently, Luminous: The Symphony of Us at Epcot. He also had the absolute privilege of working with Walt Disney Imagineering, programming show control systems for landmark attractions, including Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

(see music director’s bio)

A familiar face to Hale Centre Audiences, Tanner is honored to lend his talents to this production. Favorite stage credits include: May We All, Hans Christian Andersen in New York, Forever Plaid, Bright Star, Daddy Long Legs, and School of Rock with HCT, Joseph…Dreamcoat with Live At The Eccles, as well as A Christmas Story with PTC. Tanner earned his degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Utah and serves as the Choir Director at West Jordan Middle School. 

Ann is thrilled to be back on the Hale Centre stage after previously playing in the band for Clue On Stage, Hans Christian Andersen in New York, School of Rock, and Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Additional credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical with PTC. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Piano Performance and a Master's in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Utah. Ann teaches piano and is a stay-at-home mother to two awesome kids.

By day, Eric teaches choir at South Hills Middle School in Riverton, Utah, and serves as Associate Conductor of Utah Voices. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from BYU and his Master of Music degree from Central Washington University. He was previously seen jamming out in our productions of May We All, School of Rock, and Hans Christian Andersen in New York.

Making her HCT debut! Some of her favorite performing credits include: Shucked with PTC; Next To Normal with Hart Theatre Company; and Spring Awakening with The University of Utah Theater Department. Emily graduated in 2017 from the University of Utah with a BA in Classical Guitar Performance and teaches private guitar lessons, as well as plays the guitar for local theatre companies. She has practiced guitar for 20 years and played professionally since 2015. “Your presence is more important than your perfection”. 

Making her HCT debut! Melody is thrilled to join the company of Footloose! An accomplished musician, notable credits include: Little Shop of Horrors and Single Wide with BYU, as well as performing with such recording artists as Gladys Knight, Ben Rector, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Frank Wildhorn, Tesseract, Periphery, The Amity Affliction, and many more. Melody graduated with a BM in Commercial Music from BYU in 2017 and an MM in Music Technology from SUU in 2025 and serves on the adjunct faculty at UVU, teaching Commercial Music and Guitar. 

Cameron is thrilled to join the band of Footloose! Other credits include Jason Hewlett: Musical Tribute (guitar and keyboard), Time Machine (Musical Score Composer), Singin’ in the Rain (Grip), School of Rock (Zack Mooneyham), Newsies (Les), The Wizard of Oz (Toto Puppeteer), Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (Chip), Matilda (Eric), and Big FIsh (Young Will). He is currently enrolled at Trine University.

Chris comes to Hale Centre Theatre with a wide berth of musical talent, with experience in multiple instruments, including guitar, piano, and the organ. HCT credits include May We All. He earned his Juris Doctor from Brigham Young University and is the Regional Compliance Officer at WSAudiology - Americas.

Davin is excited to be performing with the talented band of Footloose. Other favorite stage credits include: May We All, Always..Patsy Cline, and School of Rock with Hale Centre Theatre; Fun Home with Salt Lake Acting Company; and Dead Certain and The Rocky Horror Picture Show with The Grand Theatre. Davin holds a BS in Accounting and a Master's of Professional Accounting from The University of Utah. 

Bryan Matthew Hague is excited to be back at Hale Centre Theatre, playing in the pit for Footloose. A versatile musician, he has performed in various ensembles, tribute shows, and recording projects. He has played guitar and bass in pits across Utah, including for Pioneer Theatre Company and numerous Hale Centre Theatre productions. Bryan holds a degree in Commercial Music from Utah Valley University, where he honed his skills in performance, composition, and arranging. Also an actor, he has appeared on the Hale stage as Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet, Dewey in School of Rock, and Pharaoh in Joseph…Dreamcoat. In addition to performing, Bryan is a composer and arranger who has written music for Nickelodeon. When not making music, he enjoys spending time with his family, painting custom guitars, and exploring new artistic ventures.

Glad to be back with Hale Centre Theatre; Derek previously played in the band for our productions of Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute with Jason Hewlett, Hans Christian Andersen in New York and Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Derek teaches at BYU and UVU as an adjunct professor as well as Director of Marketing at Hot House West. “I humbly asked [God] to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music.” - John Coltrane

David Hall is one of the most versatile professional musicians in the greater Intermountain area, performing on saxophones, clarinet, flute, and piccolo in jazz, classical, and musical theater genres. He earned his Doctoral Degree in classical saxophone performance and education and his Master’s Degree in jazz performance, both from the University of Utah. In addition to his music education, David has an MBA from Westminster College (University) and a BS in Political Science from the U. David performs regularly across the region, including with the Night Star Jazz Orchestra and Joe Muscalino Band. David has extensive experience playing in theatrical venues, including pit work for Broadway Across America (Eccles Theater), Pioneer Theater Company, Ballet West, Hale Centre Theatre, and The Grand Teton Music Festival.  

Making his HCT debut! This multifaceted musician is thrilled to join the band of Footloose! Favorite credits include: Elf The Musical National Broadway Tour; Shucked and Waitress with PTC, along with 50 other musical productions, including Footloose five times! By day, Justin works with Northrop Grumman in Engineering. 

Making his HCT debut! An accomplished musician, some of his favorite credits include: Songs for a New World with The University of Utah; Altar Boyz with Egyptian Theatre; Passing Strange with Salt Lake Acting Company; Life Relegated and Mushroom Murders with Deseret Experimental Opera; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Murray Theatre; The Lightning Thief with Rowland Hall. Wachira holds a Master's in Percussion Performance from the U of U and serves in the Tanner Dance Department. 

Nolan is thrilled to join the band for this production of Footloose! No stranger to the stage, favorite performing credits include: School of Rock (Mason), A Tale of Two Cities (Young Gaspard), Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), Phantom (Erik) with Hale Centre Theatre, as well as A Christmas Story (Ralphie) with SCERA. Additionally, Nolan is a competitive mountain biker with his school team and club, as well as performing with local bands Moon Juice and Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse. 

Returning to Hale Centre Theatre! Cris is thrilled to lend his talents to this production of Footloose! He also performed with the band for Hans Christian Andersen in New York at the Jewel Box Stage. Cris earned a BMUS in instrumental music education at The University of Utah and an MMus in Jazz Studies at the University of Arkansas, Monticello, and serves as Director of Bands at Mountain Ridge High School, where he musically directed The Drowsy Chaperone. “Nobody puts baby in a corner!”