Behind
The Scenes
Our Show
We are thrilled to introduce our talented cast, directors, and crew! Their incredible skills and expertise are sure to leave you in awe. We are proud to a team of experienced directors and dedicated crew members. Our team has worked extremley hard to provide you with an amazing production.
Directors Note
Amanda Moore
Anastasia is a story that lives at the intersection of history, memory, and identity. While its sweeping score and sense of adventure immediately draw us in, what gives this musical its lasting power is the emotional depth of its characters and the questions it asks about who we are, who we have been, and who we are becoming.
Set against the turbulent backdrop of post–Imperial Russia, Anastasia reminds us that history is not just a collection of dates or events- it is shaped by real people navigating loss, displacement, resilience, and hope. The world of this musical is filled with echoes of the past: a fallen empire, fractured families, and memories that refuse to fade. Yet this is not a story about living in the past, but about learning how to carry it forward without letting it define or confine us.
In today’s uncertain world, Anastasia also resonates as a story of immigration and displacement—of people bringing their histories with them as they move toward an unknown future. Anya’s journey reflects the lived experiences of many individuals and families who cross borders seeking safety, opportunity, or belonging, often under the weight of fear, scrutiny, and separation. As conversations around immigration and enforcement continue to shape our national landscape, this story invites us to look beyond headlines and policies and instead see the humanity at the center of those journeys. Anastasia reminds us that honoring where you come from is not a weakness, but a source of strength.
At the heart of the show is Anya, a young woman searching for her place in the world. Her journey is not simply one of discovering her name or her history, but of learning to accept every version of herself, both the girl she once was and the person she is becoming. This theme of embracing your past to step fully and confidently into your present self is one that speaks powerfully to all of us, especially to students standing on the edge of new chapters in their own lives.
Each character in Anastasia wrestles with identity in their own way. Dmitry and Vlad navigate the tension between survival and integrity. Gleb struggles with duty versus compassion. Even the ensemble reflects a society in transition - people adapting to a world that no longer looks the way it once did. These characters remind us that growth is rarely simple, and that courage often comes from facing uncomfortable truths about ourselves.
As a director, it has been a privilege to watch the students of Heritage High School bring these layered characters and themes to life. Through their dedication, vulnerability, and artistry, they have explored what it means to honor where you come from while bravely moving forward.
We hope this production invites you to reflect on your own journey- to consider the memories,
experiences, and past versions of yourself that have shaped who you are today. May Anastasia inspire you to step into the future with confidence, compassion, and hope.
Thank you for supporting our next generation of story tellers and for being a patron of the arts in our community. Enjoy the show.
Our Directors
Director: Amanda Moore
Assistant Director: Charlize Almazan
Technical Director: Todd Penner
Technical Consultant/Projections: Desired Effect
Paint Supervisor: Crystal Shaw
Costume Director: Jennifer Stephenson
Vocal Director: Amy Strong
Choreographer: Shelly McDowell
Intimacy Director: Skylar Clouse
Co-Student Director: Carmel Knight
Co-Student Director: Keely Reed
Lighting Design: Alice Mundy
Sound Design: Cordelia Stoddard
Set Design: Camryn Lang
Dance Captain: Leila Slavick
The Cast
The cast of Anastasia the Musical is filled with energy. They have all worked incredibly hard to create a show filled with the and intensity the show deserves!
Our Crew
Spring Show: Anastasia
Our production is made even more special by the talented members who bring the show to life behind the scenes. From set construction to lighting and sound, our student crew members have worked tirelessly to create a truly magical experience for our audience. We are proud to showcase the incredible skills and dedication of our young artists and technicians.
Assistant Stage Manager/Lights Head
Alice Mundy (10)
Alice is a sophomore at Heritage and is the Tech Manager of Rising Stars. She has previously been apart of Peter and the Starcatcher, Pippin, Shrek, The Addams Family, and Hadestown. She also participates in some community theater shows with Delta Performing Arts and Ghostlight. She would like to thank her family, friends, strawberry shortcake, and spotify.
Carmel Knight (11)
Carmel is a junior at Heritage. This is her second show on lights crew, and has done many shows as a actor previously. She is also currently the clubs webmaster!
Ailihn Le (10)
Ailinh Le is a Sophomore at Heritage. She has been a part of Addams Familt, Shrek the Musical, and Peter and the Starcatcher. She would like to thank her friends.
Natalie Moon (9)
Natalie is a freshman at Heritage. This is her first show at Heritage.
Mason Wingate (9)
Mason Wingate is a freshman at Heritage. This is his first show at Heritage. He would like to thank his parents.
Projections Head
Serene Mirshra (11)
Serene is a junior at Heritage. She has been part of Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, and Shrek the Musical. She would like to thank her family.
Zane Fox (11)
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Julia Zhu (9)
Julia is a Freshman at Heritage. She has been in projections crew for Addams Family. She would like to thank her friends.
Sound Head
Veronika Martyniuk (12)
Veronika is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Much Ado About Nothing, Mean Girls, Into The Woods, Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Pippin, Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her parents and friends.
Ghost Bunch (12)
Ghost Bunch is a senior at Heritage. They have been a part of The Addams Family and Hadestown. They would like to thank their parents and crew head.
Macyn Hawkins (10)
​Macyn is a sophomore at Heritage. She has been a part of Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her parents.
Toby Simmons (10)
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Joaquin Quesada (9)
This is his first show at Heritage!
Costumes Co-Head
Isabelle Smith (12)
Isabelle is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of eight shows including Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and Addams Family. She would like to thank her family.
Costumes Co-Head
Olivia Otten (10)
Liv is a sophomore at Heritage. She has been apart of Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her friends and family.
Janet Nasrat (12)
Janet is a senior at Heritage. Anastasia is her final show. She has been apart of Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek the Musical, and The Addams Family all on costumes, and on cast for the senior shows, Hadestown and Lockdown. Janet would like to thank her friends in the Rising Stars program for being so amazing, her fellow seniors, and anyone who has driven her home from tech/rehearsal!
Erin Shon (9)
Erin is a freshmen at Heritage. This is her second show here with Rising Stars. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Kourtney Christiansen (12)
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Lotti Olson (10)
Lotti is a sophomore at Heritage. This is her first show at Heritage! She would like to thank her friends and family.
Naidalyn Guzman (12)
Naidalyn is a senior at Heritage. She has been in Legally Blond, Into the Woods, Peter and the Starcatcher, and the Addams Family. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Isabella Ofalla (12)
Isabella is a Senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Hadestown and Lockdown. She would like to thank her fellow crew members, Mom, Dad, Sisters, Darren, and all who have supported me throughout her theater journey.
Hair & Makeup Head
Julia Millward (12)
Julia is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Much Ado, Mean Girls, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Shrek the Musical, Peter and the Star Catcher, and the Addams family. She would like to thank her older sister.
Malina Ortega (11)
Malina is a junior at Heritage. She was on Paint Crew for Into the Woods, and did Hair and Makeup for Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family, Hadestown, and now, Anastasia the Musical! She would like to thank Julia Millward, Tatyana Odhiambo, and Paige Maher for being mentors to her for the past two years!
Giselle Liechty (12)
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Rachael Ulangca (10)
Rachael is a sophomore at Heritage. She has been a part of Adam’s Family. She would like to thank her friends and family.
Paige Maher (12)
Paige is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Much Ado, Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek, and The Addams Family. She would like to thank her friends and family.
Peighton O'Malley (9)
​Peighton O’Malley is a freshman at Heritage. She has been apart of the watching party when it comes to plays, but this will be her first time actually participating behind the scenes (aka makeup). She would like to thank her mother and brother for giving her inspiration to open up and try new things, such as joining Hair and Makeup crew for the first time.
Karyna Xu (10)
Karyna is a sophomore at heritage. She’s been on crew for Shrek and The Addams Family. She would like to thank her friends and family!
Paola Ximena Avalos Paz (11)
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Tatyana Odhiambo (12)
Tatyana Odhiambo is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Mean Girls, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Shrek the Musical, Peter and the Starcatchers, Addams Family. She would like to thank her family.
Paint Co-Head
Janessa-Monet Atalit (10)
Janessa is a sophomore at here at Heritage and is so excited to work on this show! She would love to thank her friends and family for support in this new journey.
Paint Co-Head
Daisy Brook
Daisy is a sophomore at Heritage High. She been part of Adam’s family, hades town, and now Anastasia working on paint. She has also been on run crew for Adam’s family. She would like to thank her family and friends.
Ella Rae Esteban (10)
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Ava Nguyen (10)
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Bali Richardson (10)
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Tabitha William (11)
Tabitha William is a Junior at Heritage. This is her first show at Heritage! She’d like to thank her best friends Ena and Sarah, and her parents.
Charlotte Davis (10)
Charlotte is a sophomore at Heritage. She has been a part of Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her friends and family.
Makenah Love (10)
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Amethyst Farrell Hanson (9)
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Rylie Anderson (10)
Riley is a sophomore at Heritage High school. She has been apart of Shrek The Musical and The Addams Family. She would like to thank her parents for encouraging her to try new things.
Lillian Whiteside (9)
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Set Co-Head
Allison Stieper (12)
Alli is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family, Hadestown, and Anastasia. She would like to thank her family, friends, and crew.
Set Co-Head
Darren Dizon (11)
​Darren is a junior at Heritage Highschool. He has been a part of Legally Blonde, Peter and the Star Catcher, Shrek, and Addams family. He would like to thank his family, Isay Ofalla, and his goat Santino Hernandez
Tyler Best (11)
Tyler is a junior at Heritage. He has been in Addams Family and this will be his second show, he took theater 1 and 2 before deciding on doing set crew, he would like to thank his friends for convincing him to do it.
Sydney Wright (11)
Sydney is a junior at Heritage. She has been a part of Shrek the Musical, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her dad and friends in theater.
Ramiah Howard (12)
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Caleb Arnold (10)
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Charlotte Silva (9)
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Joshua Irwin (11)
Joshua is a junior at Heritage. He has been part of Legally Blonde, Shrek, Hadestown, and Addams family the musical. He would like to thank his family and friends for helping and supporting.
Somaya Naseer (9)
Somaya is a freshman at Heritage. This is her first show at Heritage! She would like to thank her parents and set head, Darren Dizon.
Sophie Yang (9)
Sophie is a freshman at Heritage. She helped out with the Addams Family set. She would like to thank the rest of the set crew and her parents.
Props Head
Owen Beale (10)
Owen is a sophomore at Heritage. He has been apart of Peter and the Starcatcher, Pippin, Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. He is also the current ITS Manager of the Rising Stars. He would like to thank his props crew and his friends.
Deena Haunan (10)
Deena is a sophomore at Heritage. She has been a part of Shrek and Addams Family. She would like to thank her parents and friends.
Megan Lawrence (11)
Megan is a junior at Heritage. She has been apart of Shrek, Addams Family, and Hadestown. She would like to thank her friends for always being there.
Brisa Herrera (10)
Kiri is a Sophomore at Heritage. She has been on crew for Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek, Adams Family, and now Anastasia. She has been in theatre since she was in 8th grade. She’d like to thank her friends from middle school for getting her into it.
Holly Goyich (10)
Holly is a sophomore at heritage. She's been a part of Shrek the musical with rising stars. She would like to thank her parents and sister.
Joseph Paz (10)
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Jennifer Ogbodo (12)
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Jaxson Walsh (9)
Jaxson is a freshmen at Heritage he has been apart of Into the woods: Jack, Excelsior; Addams Family: Mel, PAYA; Frozen: Pope Excelsior; Elf: Michael, PAYA; Alice by Heart: young Alfred; Little Mermaid: Flounder, East County; Foot Loose: Willard Winter, PAYA; Spectacular Couple of Solos, Delta; Cabaret: little boy on speaker, Ghostlight; 13: Evan, Delta; Sound of Music: Captain Von Trap, PAYA; Ensemble in In Between the Lines at Liberty; Donkey in Shrek for east county. He would like to thank his parents and his best friend Alessio.
Front of House Head
Abby Genereaux (12)
Abby is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek the Muscial, and The Addams Family. She would like to thank all of her family and friends for supporting her!
Lili Pena (12)
​Lilli Pena is a senior at Heritage. She has been apart of Into the Woods, Legally Blonde, Peter and the Starcatcher, Pippin, Hadestown, Addams Family, and Shrek the Musical. She would like to thank her friends for the love throughout this opportunity, along with her family for the unending support.
Savannah Victor (12)
Savannah is a senior at Heritage. She has been a part of Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family. She would like to thank her family and friends.
Ariana Gutierrez (9)
Ariana is a freshman at Heritage. This is her first show at Heritage! She has been apart of Wizard of Oz and Beetlejuice Jr. with Bristow Middle School. She would like to thank her sisters.
Olivia Genereaux (9)
Olivia is a freshman at Heritage. This is her first show! She would like to thank her parents and sisters.
Sophia Kotak (10)
​Sophia is a junior at Heritage. She was on paint crew for The Addams Family.
Isabella Genereaux (12)
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Hayes Roman (10)
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Riley Fiame (10)
​Riley is a sophomore at Heritage High school. She has been apart of Shrek The Musical and The Addams Family. She would like to thank her parents for encouraging her to try new things.