Kylee Atwood (White Rabbit) is twelve years old and in seventh grade. She has been performing for the last two years. She is thankful to her best friend, Ember for encouraging her to start getting in involved in theater. She loves performing with Limelight and is grateful for all the friendships that she has made.
Phoebe Bender (Young Fiona/Goldilocks/Pig) is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade at Neely Traditional Academy. She loves performing and is thankful for all the opportunities she has had through Limelight Youth Theater. Her favorite roles were Ariel in The Little Mermaid Guppy Club and Bridgette in Trolls. Phoebe is grateful for her family for always supporting her in pursuing her musical theater dreams!
Sawyer Bruce (Gingy/Sugarplum Fairy/Guard) is very excited to be a part of Shrek Jr. at Limelight. She recently worked with Limelight for Seussical Jr. and Diary of a Wimpy Kid the musical and at the QCPAC on Lion King Jr. and Moana Jr. She is going into 7th grade at ALA Queen Creek and is very excited. When not performing Sawyer loves reading, listening to her Taylor Swift vinyls and making cookies. She wants to thank her parents, and her older brother for always supporting her passions. She also wants to thank the directors at Limelight for helping her grow.
Emma Louise Coxon (Princess Fiona/Papa Bear) is a sophomore at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, where she is active in the choir, dance, and theater tech programs. Emma’s favorite past roles include Liz in Chicago at Limelight, Rebecca in The Battle of Little Big Red at Fountain Hills Theater, and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde Jr. at AYT. Emma would like to thank Emma England for the opportunity to be part of this production of Shrek Jr. at Limelight. She is so excited to take on the role of Princess Fiona.
Addison Fitzwater (Gretl/Mary) is in 1st grade and loves to sing and dance. Her favorite show she’s been in is Seussical the Musical playing a who from Whoville. She loves performing for her friends and family whenever she gets the chance to! Addison wants to thank all of her friends and family for always supporting her.
Maylee Hauenstein (Princess Fiona/Papa Bear) is 14 years old and in 9th grade. She has been doing shows since she was 8 years old, and her favorite shows that she has been in are Into the Woods jr and Beauty in the Beast Jr. Maylee also loves shopping, reading, and hanging out with friends. Maylee is very thankful for her family and friends.
Lucy Hironaka (Gingy/Sugarplum Fairy/Guard) is excited to play some fun and interesting characters in this rendition of Shrek Jr. Her love of theatre and singing started with her first role as the Catepillar in Alice in Wonderland when she was about 6 years old. Since then, she has been in Highschool Musical Jr. and Diary of a Whimpy Kid. She joined school choir this year and is also part of the Studio 3 Musical Theatre Company group. She loves getting to connect with new roles. This year she can’t wait to travel to California for the annual MTC Broadway Remix 2025.
Emma Kleniewski (Pig) is very happy to be one of the three little piggies in Limelight’s latest production, Shrek Jr. Emma has been involved in dance and performing arts since she was 3 years old. Some of her favorite roles are Mayzie La Bird in Seussical Jr. and Jetsam in The Little Mermaid. She would like to thank Emma England, Ms. Alisha, and the entire cast. “Thank you for making this production an amazing and fun experience!”
Kali Koglmeier (Mad Hatter) is 8 years old. She is a 3rd grader at EduPrize elementary school in Gilbert, Arizona. She enjoys playing with her dog, Tiffy, singing, acting, and hanging out with friends. A special thank you to Adelle, Rea, and Emma for sharing your passion and love. You are the positive drive that makes a difference.
Cole Madden (Shrek) is thrilled to play Shrek in its musical rendition as he gets to romp through the swamp and meet all the magical fairytale creatures. When he is not playing an ogre, he is enjoying his freshman year in high school, playing video games and exploring international cuisines. His favorite theatre roles include Horton the Elephant (Seussical Jr.), Constable Joe (Tuck Everlasting), Brett (13 the Musical), Frank Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Fisherman (Moana Jr.), and Mr. Bundles (Annie Jr.) Thank you to the directors at Limelight for their belief in me, the army of theatre parents who make these shows come together and to my family for their love and support.
Mae Mann (Mama Bear/Mother Goose) is 15 years old and in 10th grade. Her past shows include Annie – Molly the orphan; Big Fish – Over Excited Scout; Wizard Of Oz – Munchkin, Monkey; The Lion King – Lioness; Alice in Wonderland – The White Rabbit; and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Charlie Bucket.
Jackson McGhee is 11 years old and in sixth grade at BASIS Chandler. Jackson is an only child now but was the oldest of several foster children over the last few years. He was accepted into the International Junior Thespian Society earlier this year. Jackson played lead role as King George III in the Entire American Revolution (In 40 Minutes of Less!) playing the vain king battling Benjamin Franklin and others in America’s quest of independence. He is active in soccer and golf in his free time. Shrek the Musical Jr is Jackson’s debut show with Limelight Theater. He fell in love with theater after attending Seussical Jr several months ago. Jackson is grateful for the love and support from his Mom, Dad and Grammy. He is excited for his family and friends to see him and his new acting friends bring Shrek to the stage.
Dominic Montufar (Pinocchio/Humpty Dumpty) (Bio not available)
Gabriela Montufar (Teen Fiona/Ugly Duckling) (Bio not available)
Elizabeth Niec (Fairy Godmother) is 12 years old and in 7th grade at Greenfield Jr High in Gilbert. When she’s not on stage she enjoys gymnastics, reading and hanging with her friends. Most recently she performed in Limelight’s The Little Mermaid as Sebastian. She has been in a few other productions with QCPAC, EVCT and AYT. Thank you to the production team for giving her this opportunity to be on the Limelight stage again. And a big thank you to her family for supporting her in her love for the theater!
Emily Niec (Donkey/Alice) is excited to be in another performance with Limelight Performing Arts. She is 10 years old and in 5th grade at Patterson Elementary in Gilbert. When she’s not on stage she enjoys gymnastics, reading and hanging with her friends. Most recently she performed in The Little Mermaid as Flounder with Limelight. She has been in a few other productions with INSPIRE Entertainment and Queen Creek Performing Arts Center. Thank you to the production team for giving her this opportunity to be Donkey. And a big thank you to her family for supporting her in her love for the theater! Enjoy the show!
Jonathan Niec (Little Ogre/Dwarf) is excited to perform in his debut performance with Limelight Performing Arts. He is 8 years old and in 3rd grade at Patterson Elementary in Gilbert. When he’s not on stage he enjoys basketball, football and eating. This is his first full production and is excited! Thank you to the production team for giving him this opportunity to be Young Shrek and Grumpy. And a big thank you to his family for supporting him during this production! Enjoy the show!
Scarlette Nuno (Dragon/Mama Ogre) is 14 years old, and a sophomore at Red Mountain High School. She is so excited to be performing at Limelight Theater! Scrlette has been in two shows previous at this studio! I got to be ensemble in Little Mermaid and also Molly in 13. She is so thankful to the amazing cast and directors for making this experience so amazing.
Edward Oster (Lord Farquaad/Papa Ogre) is 13 years old and is going into the eighth grade attending State 48. He has performed in several productions with Limelight. His favorite roles include Cat in the Hat (Seussical Jr.), Ugly (Honk JR!), Raymond (Miss Nelson is Missing – Arizoni Nominee), Ben (Descendants), Iago (Aladdin Jr), Young Simba (Lion King Jr), Ryan (High School Musical 2) and Jetsam (Little Mermaid). He enjoys singing, dancing, and acting and loves making people laugh!
Kynzli Parks (Mother Goose/Mama Bear) is 12 years old and in 8th grade. She has performed in multiple shows and truly enjoys all the magic of theater. Her favorite show, so far, that Kynzli has been a part of is Newsies. Kynzli enjoys watching Broadway shows at Gammage; her favorite is Hamilton. When she’s not performing on stage, you will still hear her singing broadway tunes around the house. She also enjoys homemade baking. Kynzli would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.
Colin Quintana (Lord Farquaad/Papa Ogre) is 15 and is attending Gilbert Classical Academy for his sophomore year. He is super excited to be playing Farquaad in Limelight’s production of Shrek the Musical Jr. This is one of his favorite shows to do. Past roles include Horton in Seussical Jr. and Brett and Archie in 13 the Musical. Many thanks to the amazing cast and crew for their talent and dedication and a special thanks to his loving family.
Amelia Rush (Donkey/Alice) is 12 years old and attends Highland Jr. High in Gilbert. Although born in Arizona, Amelia has lived in 4 different states and only moved back to Arizona in 2023. She began acting and singing in a Southern California community theater as a child in Elf the musical. She caught the theater bug and hasn’t stopped since. Her favorite parts have been Mae in Junie B. Jones, Claire in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and currently Donkey in Shrek. When she is not in a show, she loves to read, write, bake, and sing karaoke.
McKayla Schertz (Wicked Witch) is 14 and just started her first year of high school. This will be her fifth Limelight show and she is excited to debut her voice as the wicked witch. Her favorite roles were Martin in Mean Girls and Oscar/splasher in Newsies. In her free time she is always dancing and has been since she was 3. McKayla would like to thank her family for making it possible to do the thing she loves most.
Sevilla (Little Bo Peep)Estela (Bio not available)
Leia South (Young Fiona/Goldilocks/Baby Bear) is 5 years old and is in Kindergarten at Chandler Traditional Academy: Freedom Campus and is in their dual language immersion program. Her favorite pastimes are playing piano, singing, and dancing. She is very excited to be in Shrek Jr.
Alexis Stehlin (Teen Fiona/Peter Pan) is excited to make her debut with limelight production. Her previous shows she has been in is wizard of oz and beauty and the beast. She has been dancing since she was three years old. She loves to sing, dance and perform!
Lily Tarvin (Pinocchio/Humpty Dumpty), a 2nd grader at Islands Elementary, is thrilled to play Pinocchio and Humpty Dumpty in Shrek Jr! Thanks to her family and directors for their unwavering support and encouragement. Lily is excited to bring these whimsical characters to life and hopes you enjoy the show!
Krysta Wildung (Pig) is 9 years old. She has been going to studio 3 performing arts for the last 4 years with a focus on dance and musical theater. Krysta has been in Limelight’s production of The Lion King Jr as Shenzi (jungle cast), High School Musical 2 as Peaches (Beach ball cast), Ensemble in The Little Mermaid, Seussical Jr as a Bird Girl (Solla Sollew cast) and now is excited to be a pig in Shrek Jr.