Artists
Photo Credit: @Horizon Photo LLC
Brayden Crickenberger (He/Him/His)
Brayden Crickenberger is a recent graduate of the Christopher Newport University Class of 2025 from Crozet, Virginia. He majored in Acting with a minor in Leadership Studies. He is a founding company member of the JRSC, playing Bottom in the premiere season production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. This season he will be playing Sebastian in Twelfth Night, and Macbeth in Macbeth.
TheaterCNU credits include Henry in Dr. Frankenstein, Clifford/Suffolk in Queen Margaret, Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and Vanya in Uncle Vanya. He is looking forward to this seasons performances and he hopes you all enjoy!
Brett Conway (He/Him)
Brett Conway (Sir Andrew/Witch 3) is extremely excited to be making his professional debut this summer with the JRSC. Brett is a rising sophomore at CNU where he is studying musical theatre with a minor in leadership and business. Previous credits include: Uncle Vanya (The Professor) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Caiaphas) with TheatreCNU. He would like to thank his parents and friends for their belief that he could do this, and the JRSC for such a wonderful experience. Enjoy the show! @thetallbrett24
Cadence Roberts (She/Her)
Cadence Roberts (Composition/Music Direction/Musician) is a Sophomore Music Performance Major at Christopher Newport University. She is a member of the Honors Program, CNU Percussion Ensemble, and CNU Wind Ensemble, as well as Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater honors fraternity. Past credits include Percussion/Foley Artist/Composition for Queen Margaret, Music Director/Drums for the Captain’s Cabaret Series, Assistant Music Director/Percussion for Jesus Christ Superstar, Percussion/Timpanist for Le Nozze Di Figaro, and Associate Music Director/Foley Artist/Percussion for Carrie: The Musical.
Cecile Chemezova (She/Her)
Cecile Chemezova is a recent graduate of the Christopher Newport University Class of 2025 from Leesburg, Virginia. She majored in Psychology with minors in Theatre and Leadership Studies. Her TheaterCNU credits include head of hair & makeup for Jesus Christ Superstar, wardrobe manager for Carrie, and hair & makeup Designer for Uncle Vanya.
Connor Wells (He/They)
Connor Wells (Web Master/Sound Designer) is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University with a BA in Computer Science and Theatre with a concentration in Design/Tech. Connor has served TheatreCNU as the Sound Designer for Carrie and the 2024 One Act Play Festival. He also served as a Lighting Designer for the Murder Mischief Masquerade Cabaret and the 15th and 16th Annual Dance Concerts. He is excited to join the stellar cast and crew of the James River Shakespeare Company in their second annual summer season.
Cora Barr (She/Her)
Cora Barr is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University with a BA in Psychology and Theatre with a concentration in Acting. Cora has been seen with TheatreCNU as Sónya in Uncle Vanya, Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice, Gloucester/The Rose in Queen Margaret, Justine in Dr. Frankenstein, Somebody in Everybody, as the Asst. Master Electrician for Carrie and Stepping Out, Stage Hand/Fly Op for Head Over Heels, and as the Stage Manager for “Variations on the Death of Trotsky” in the 2022 One-Act Play Festival. She was also recently seen as Anna Hyatt Huntington in “Anna: A Theatrical Monologue” at the Torggler Fine Arts Center. She will present about her performance and research for “Anna: A Theatrical Monologue” at the 2025 Comparative Drama Conference in London, England. Ms. Barr is a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Fraternity.
Eleanor Wallace (She/Her)
Eleanor Wallace (Lennox/Officer 2/Technical Director) is a performer and technician from Stafford VA. She is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University pursuing a major in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre and Design/Technical Theatre and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is excited to be making her professional theater debut with the JRSC this season. Previous theatre credits include: Carrie the Musical (Freddy/Assistant Technical Director), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble/Assistant Technical Director), Uncle Vanya (Assistant Technical Director), Pride and Prejudice (Assistant Technical Director), 9 to 5 (Deck Chief/Assistant Technical Director), Dr. Frankenstein (Assistant Technical Director), Queen Margaret (Assistant Technical Director).
Ella Greer (She/Her/Hers)
Ella Greer is a rising Junior Musical Theatre Major at Christopher Newport University. She has been seen as Lydia and Lady Catherine in Pride and Prejudice, Ensemble and Sue understudy in Carrie, Ensemble in Guys and Dolls, and Iolanthe as a fairy at Theatre CNU. She has also been seen as Thea in Spring Awakening at the Trentino Summer Music Festival, a role in the Captain’s Collabaret, and in CNU’s 2023-2024 One Act Festival. She will be in the Fall season of Theatre CNU in the upcoming play Hooey Hahs and Fooferaws as Gimlet. She is so incredibly excited to make her Shakespeare debut as a part of the JRSC.
Erik Fraga (He/Him)
Erik Fraga is ecstatic to be making his professional theatrical debut as part of the JRSC’s second Summer season! He has been seen onstage as Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar (TheatreCNU); Stokes and understudying Tommy & Billy in Carrie: The Musical (TheatreCNU); and Dick, Ensemble and understudying Hart & Joe in 9 to 5: The Musical (TheatreCNU). He is a rising junior Musical Theatre major attending Christopher Newport University. When not working on productions, Erik loves spending time with his wonderful girlfriend and playing Xbox. He’d like to thank his girlfriend, his family, and his friends old and new for having faith in him and seeing his potential.
Gwen Hawdon (She/Her)
Gwen Hawdon is a recent graduate from Christopher Newport University where she received a double major in Theatre and English with a minor in dance. For TheatreCNU, she has been seen as Victoria Frankenstein in Dr. Frankenstein, Richard III/Somerset in Queen Margaret, Mr. Bingley/Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, and ensemble in Carrie the Musical. She has also appeared as a Dancer in the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th annual dance concerts, worked wardrobe for Head Over heels, and props for 9 to 5 and Stepping Out. Ms Hawdon is excited to be returning to the JRSC, where she appeared as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Ireland DiBacco (She/Her)
Ireland DiBacco is so excited to be a New Company Member of the JRSC and has had so much fun engaging with the works of William Shakespeare. She has previously been seen in TheatreCNU’s Carrie: The Musical as Sue Snell, Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas Iscariot, and The Wolves as #25. She has also been a part of multiple performances through the Ferguson Center for the Arts New Musicals Lab.
Jacob Crone (He/Him)
Jacob Crone (Stage Manager & Head Electrician) is a junior majoring in Design and Technical Theatre at Christopher Newport University . This is Mr. Crone’s second year with the James River Shakespeare Company. His selected credits include Stage Management and Lighting Designer for A Midsummer Nights Dream with the James River Shakespeare Company. Selected TheatreCNU Credits include; Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage Manager), Uncle Vanya (Stage Manager), 2024 One-Act Play Festival (Lighting Designer), Carrie (Master Electrician).
Jamie LaFever (She/Her)
Jamie LaFever is the current James River Shakespeare Company Social Media Manager. She is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University who majored in Theatre with a double concentration in Musical Theatre and Arts Administration with a Dance minor. During her time at CNU she was involved in many TheatreCNU productions both onstage and off as well as Alpha Psi Omega and the CNU Dance Company. For the James River Shakespeare Company, Ms LaFever is a founding member and was seen as Egeus/Moth and served as the Social Media Manager in their inaugural season. She is excited to be back this season heading an amazing social media team and cannot wait for audiences to see this company’s latest works!
Julia Sapack (She/Her)
Julia Sapack is a new company member of the JRSC. She is a rising sophomore at Christopher Newport University where she studies Musical Theatre. She most recently performed in CNU’s spring musical, Carrie (Ensemble), as well as the fall production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble). Just before coming to CNU, Julia was seen in Pippin (Leading Player) at Heart House Inclusive Productions. She is also a committed member of CNU’s A Cappella Group, Take Note.
Kylee (She/Her/Hers)
Kylee Monroe Bates is a 20 year old from New Kent, Virginia. She is currently enrolled at Christopher Newport University for a BA in Musical Theater and has appeared in their productions of as Carrie in Carrie the Musical, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Dance Ensemble in Nine to Five. She has also worked with on various projects with the Ferguson Center’s New Musicals Lab. She has also performed in ASCAP’s Broadway Legacy Concert. Now she is beyond excited to be a member of the James River Shakespeare Company!
Lauren Stone (She/They)
Lauren Stone (Scenic Charge) is a scenic designer and artist pursuing her BA in Theatre from Christopher Newport University. During her time at CNU, she has served as scenic designer for Stepping Out, the 2022 One-Act Play Festival, and The Spitfire Grill in addition to being a scenic artist on many productions. Professional credits include scenic charge for The Spitfire Grill (Regent University), scenic artist for She Kills Monsters (Shenandoah Conservatory), and scenic artist for the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre.
You can catch her upcoming work this year at CNU, where she will be scenic designing the Laramie Project and stage managing the 2025 One-Act Play Festival! Lauren would like to thank her mentors, friends, and the JRSC company for fostering her continued love of theater.
Lily Littman (She/Her)
Lily Littman is from Virginia Beach and is a recent graduate from Christopher Newport University with a BA in Musical Theatre. Lily is a new member of the JRSC cast playing Antonia in Twelfth Night and Angus in Macbeth. Her most recent credit with TheatreCNU includes Margaret in Carrie: the Musical.
Luke Dufilho (He/Him)
Luke Dufilho is a graduate of Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He is pursuing his masters in scenic design at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. This is his first show with the JRSC both as the scenic designer and actor. He is excited to perform on stage with his friends and get to do what he loves.
Makenna Mitchell (She/Her)
Makenna is excited to be a returning member of the JRSC Company! She is a recent graduate from Christopher Newport University with a BA in Theatre, with double concentrations in Musical Theatre and Design/Technical Theatre. During her time at CNU she was the Stage Manager for “Carrie the Musical”, Asst. Choreographer/ Ensemble for “Jesus Christ Superstar”, Dorothy in “Stepping Out”, Dance Captain/ Ensemble in “9 to 5”, Girl/Time in “Everybody”, and a dancer in the 13-16th Annual Dance Concerts. She was also Stage Manager for the 2023 and 2024 New Musicals Lab at the Ferguson Center.
Mallory Kling (She/Her)
Ms. Kling is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University majoring in Theatre: Directing & Acting with a Classics minor. She has directed shows such as Erasure with Oline Hale and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. She is also a founding member of JRSC appearing as Starveling/Cobweb in their debut production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Oline Hale (She/Her)
Oline (Violia, Murtherer I, Properties Designer and Manager) is a recent CNU theatre graduate and is excited to return for the second season at the James River Shakespeare Company. Some of her performance credits with Theatre CNU include York/Warwick in Queen Margaret, Elizabeth in Dr. Frankenstein, and Norma in Carrie as well as participation in the Captains Cabarets.
Olivia Hargest (She/Her)
Olivia Hargest is going into her senior year at Christopher Newport University studying Musical Theatre from Bristow, Virginia. Her TheatreCNU performance credits include Carrie (Helen), Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Bennet/Charlotte), 9 – 5 (Ensemble), Stepping Out (Andy), and the 15th Annual Dance Concert. In this JRSC season she is a part of the acting company playing Wife in Macbeth and Priest in The Twelfth Night. She has also served as a cast representative, assisted with set construction, props, and social media.
Ollie Robertson (They/He)
Ollie Robertson (Lighting Designer & Social Media) is a recent 2025 graduate of Christopher Newport University, majoring in Directing/Dramatic Literature and Design/Technical Theatre. This is Mx. Robertson’s first year with the James River Shakespeare Company. Their selected credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Wizard of Oz (Electrician & Programmer) with Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Selected TheatreCNU credits include: Carrie (Lighting Designer), Jesus Christ Superstar (Lighting Designer), Queen Margaret (Asst. Lighting Designer), and 9 to 5 (Stage Manager). Mx. Robertson will be attending the University of Alabama beginning Fall 2025 to pursue their MFA in Theatrical Lighting Design.
Sydney Morefield (She/Her)
Sydney Morefield (Gentlewoman and Dance Captain for Twelfth Night, Menteth in Macbeth) recently received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Musical Theatre and Political Science from Christopher Newport University. While there, she portrayed Pontius Pilate and served as Fight Captain for Jesus Christ Superstar and was also Ensemble and Violet U/S in 9 to 5.
She is thrilled to be joining the JRSC for this season!
Timothy Victor Johnson (He/Him)
Timothy Victor Johnson (Malcolm/Choreographer/Assistant Fight Director) is a performer from Suffolk, Virginia who received his B.A. for Theatre at Christopher Newport University in 2025. He began with the JRSC in 2024 as the Choreographer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and has since become their Resident Choreographer, in addition to joining the company as an actor and the Assistant Fight Director.
Performance Credits: Carrie (TheatreCNU), Pride and Prejudice (TheatreCNU), Elmo’s Christmas Wish (Busch Gardens Williamsburg), New Musicals Lab Showcase at 54 Below (New Musicals Lab), She Loves Me (Smithfield Little Theatre), The Sound of Music (Virginia Opera). Choreography Credits: The Sound of Music (Summit Christian Academy), Carrie (TheatreCNU), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (JRSC), 15th Annual Dance Concert (TheatreCNU). Fight Direction Credits: The Lightning Thief (Hampton Roads Academy, Fight Director), Carrie (TheatreCNU, Fight Director Apprentice).
Virginia Ann Browning (She/Her)
Virginia Ann Browning (Fabienne, Murtherer 2, Props Artisan) is a rising senior at Christopher Newport University studying Acting and Film. This is her debut season with the James River Shakespeare Company. Her credits at Christopher Newport University include Sylvia in Stepping Out, Anna in Erasure, and George in Carrie. Ms. Browning has also performed with the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, and The Roaring Girl. In 2022, Ms. Browning competed and won the Lexington Region of the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition and was a National Finalist. She is also currently working on a research and performance project funded by Christopher Newport University in collaboration with Holly Koons, Denise Gillman, and the Torggler Fine Arts Center.