School of Music

THE LIGHTNING THIEF
THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL

Book by
Joe Tracz
Music & Lyrics by
Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director – Matthew Lewis Johnson

Assistant Director – Rem Knowles

Music & Orchestra Director – David Galant

Stage Manager – Paige Harrod

Assistant Stage Manager – Cammie Woten

Assistant Stage Manager – Sophie Cole

Props Design and Fabrication – Cassidy Stone

Production Manager & Puppet Design – Paige Lambert

Set Design – Matthew Johnson

Technical Director – Adam Smyth

Light Design – Ben Wagner

Costume Design – Jonathan Hibbard

CAST

Dawson Akers – Grover

Rayne Begley – Thalia/Echidna/Ensemble

Ava Cirksena – Clarisse/Charon/Aunty Em/Fury 1/Ensemble

Daniel Clark – Mr. D/Ensemble

Mackenzie Clere – Gabe/Hades/Minotaur/Bus Driver/Ensemble

Alaya Fuller – Squirrel/Ensemble

Milo Garrett – Selina/DJ Cerberus/Conductor/Ensemble

Trenton Gore – Mr. Brunner/Chiron

JC Hamilton – Percy Jackson

Reida Harrod – Mrs. Dodds/Ensemble

Addi Hollar – Annabeth

Riley Ledford – Luke/Ares

Megan Smith – Sally/Oracle

Nick Sudenga – Poseidon/Passenger/Newscaster/Ensemble

Allie Walton – Katie Gardner/Farmer/Ensemble

Ainsley White – Fury 2/Bianca/Ensemble

CREW

Savannah Rodgerson – Spotlight Operator

Makayla Bowden – Spotlight Operator

WP Hurt – Light Board Operator

Mariah Mendenhall – Puppets Run

Kristin Kirkland– Wardrobe Manager/Puppets Run

Adeli Linder – Puppets Run

Faith Conway – Puppet Fabrication

Olivia Puckett – Sound Engineer

Johnny Spenneburg – Sound Engineer

ORCHESTRA

Jaden Wright – Guitar 1

Jakob Weisenberger – Guitar 2

Trevor Davis – Bass

Caleb Ritchie – Accompanist/Piano

Tristen Woods – Percussion

SHOP WORK 

Set

Milo Garrett, Trenton Gore, JC Hamilton, Reida Harrod, Nick Sudenga, Boone Chaney, Haley Campbell, Kyree Burch

Lights

Dawson Akers, Ainsley White

Props

Rayne Begley, Ava Cirksena, Daniel Clark, Mackenzie Clere, Faith Conway

Costumes

Adelai Linder, Allie Walton, Makayla Bowden, Kristin Kirkland, Mariah Mendenhall

Public Relations

Megan Harries, Addi Hollar, Riley Ledford

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Act I

Prologue/The Day I Got Expelled

Strong

The Minotaur!/The Weirdest Dream

Another Terrible Day

She Fought Bravely

Their Sign

Put You In Your Place

Clarisse Makes a Splash

The Campfire Song

The Trident Appears/Thunder

The Oracle

Good Kid

Killer Quest!

Intermission – 15 minutes

Act II

Prologue Act Two/ I Ruin a Perfectly Good Bus

Lost!

A Visit with Aunty Em

My Grand Plan

Drive

The Weirdest Dream (Reprise)

The Tree on the Hill

Hellavator

D.O.A

It’s the Pits

Hello Hades

Sally Appears

Son of Poseidon

Poseidon Finally Shows Up

Reunited

The Last Day of Summer

Bring on the Monsters

BIOGRAPHIES

 CAST

Dawson Akers (Grover) is a freshman Music Theory and Composition major from Woodford County High School in Versailles, Kentucky. He is grateful for being given the opportunity to work on and perform in his EKU Musical Theatre debut. Some of his favorite shows and roles he has done include Little Shop of Horrors as Orin, Mamma Mia! as Bill, and Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and production team for making this a swift but efficient process and his family and friends for supporting his time and efforts.

Rayne Begley. (Cast memeber playing Thalia) is a freshmen at EKU and is wanting to Major in Performing Arts. From Standford ky and participated in plays/ musicals in her high-school like Pink Panther Strikes again (assassin and gardener), Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ishmalite), High-school Musical (Cindra). Rayne is so happy to be with all her lovely cast members.

Ava Cirksena (Clarisse/Aunty Em/Charon) is a sophomore at EKU and is majoring in Music Marketing. She is from Florence, KY where she did a variety of plays and musicals from elementary, middle, and high school. Her past roles include Valentine (Twelfth Night), Aunt Spiker (James and the Giant Peach), Mrs. Peacock (Clue), Ruthann (An Evening of Culture), and Mrs. Mayor (Seussical). He was also in the ensemble in shows such as My Fair Lady and Something Rotten. Ava is absolutely thrilled to be making her EKU theatre debut in The Lightning Thief and she would like to thank her parents, her girlfriend, and her vocal coach for supporting her.

Daniel Clark (Mr. D) is a junior at EKU and is majoring in Occupational Therapy. Daniel is from Lawrenceburg, KY and started his theater journey at Anderson County High School. Daniel played the role of Eugene in Grease and is very excited to be in another show at EKU. Daniel would like to thank is friends and family for always being his biggest supporters!

Mackenzie Clere (Gabe/Hades/Minotaur) is a senior Music Education major at EKU. They have been performing with EKU Musical Theatre for two years, and their favorite roles with EKU have been Roger (Grease) and Dori (SchoolHouse Rock: Live!). It is a bittersweet moment to be performing their last musical with EKU, but are excited to be going out with such a great cast and production.

Alaya Fuller (Squirrel/Ensemble) is from Findlay, Ohio but is happy to now be a resident of Richmond! She works at the Baptist health hospital and is very excited to have a chance to get back into theater. In high school she was a crew member for the Findlay First Edition show choir. She also played Sanchez (Peter and the Star Catchers) and the Mad Hatter (Shrek the Musical) and was the student director for CLUE. This is one of her favorite musicals and she’s so excited to be a part of it!

Milo Garrett (Silena Beauregard, Dj Cerberus, Train Conductor) is a Junior Music Industry Major and Musical Theater Minor here at EKU. Milo is from Lawrenceburg, KY and went to Anderson County High School. Some of their favorite roles have been Tom (SHR!L), Georg (Spring Awakening), Ismene (Antigone Now), and Swing Understudy for Snoopy/Schroder (YAGMCB). They would like to thank all of the cast and crew for everything they’ve done for the show!

Trenton Gore (Chiron) is a junior at EKU studying forensic psychology. He’s from Louisville, KY, graduated from Louisville Male High School, and has only recently begun exploring theatre again. Some of his favorite roles include Pierre (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812), Kenickie (Grease), and Marius (Les Misérables). Trenton is sooooooooooooooooooo excited. He expects minimal horse puns to be made of him, but understands regardless.

JC Hamilton (Percy Jackson) is a sophomore at EKU and is currently majoring in Music Industry. JC grew up in Richmond and participated heavily in Madison Central High Schools drama departments with some of his notable roles being that of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and The Munchkin Mayor in The Wizard of Oz. He’s extremely grateful to be playing Percy Jackson in his first musical at EKU and wants to thank friends and family that have supported him in his journey to get here.

Reida Harrod (Mrs. Dodds/Ensemble) is a sophomore majoring in Communication Disorders. She grew up in Versailles, Kentucky and attended Woodford County High School. As a long-time fan of Percy Jackson and even-longer-time fan of Greek mythology, she is absolutely thrilled to have this be her first major speaking role in an EKU production. She would like to thank all of her fellow cast members for their amazing performances and all of their crew for their hard work, for their help in bringing this amazing show to life. It has truly been a dream come true.

Addi Hollar (Annabeth) is a freshman at EKU and is majoring in Art Education with a Musical Theatre Minor. Addi is from Tollesboro, KY where she grew up doing theatre at Lewis County High School. Some of her favorite roles include Morticia (The Addams Family), Cinderella (Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Sharpay (High School Musical Jr.), and Snoopy (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown). Addi is very excited to be working with the team and perform!

Riley Ledford (Luke/Ares) is from London, Kentucky and is a transfer student to EKU studying Musical Education.

Megan Smith (Sally/Oracle) is a life long performer and theatre lover, and is honored to be a part of EKU’s production of The Lightning Thief. She grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada where she attended Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and went on to study vocal performance, theatre and musical theatre in college. Megan teaches voice and acting, and can currently be seen in the touring production of Girl’s Night the Musical, which is coming to Cincinnati on June 9th! Her favorite past roles include Gertrude in Seussical the Musical, Diana in Princess Diana the Musical, Katherine in Newsies, Florence in Chess, Diana in Next to Normal, Wendla in Spring Awakening and Peter Pan in Peter Pan. She would like to say thank you to the cast and crew for being so welcoming and wonderful to work with!

Nicholas Sudenga (Poseidon) is a senior attending EKU and is majoring in Communications Studies. He is originally from Florence, Kentucky. Nicholas has done previous roles at EKU such as Linus (Charlie Brown), Vince Fontaine (Grease), Creon’s Shadow (Antigone Now), and The Father (Six Characters in Search of an Author). He would like to thank his family and his girlfriend, Gabriela, for their constant support.

Ainsley White (Bianca/Fury 2/Ensemble) a sophomore major in English with a double minor in ASL and Musical Theater. Ainsley is from Berea Ky and went to Berea Community Highschool. Some of her favorite roles include Cinderella- Into the Woods, Martha – Arsenic and Old Lace, and Peggy – The Father of the Bride, she’s worked as ASM and SM for EKU shows in the past. Thanks to everyone for being here.

CREW

Paige Harrod (Stage Manager) is happy to fulfill her middle school dreams with this show! At EKU she is a junior Management major with a minor in Musical Theatre and serves as President of the Performing Arts Student Association. This is Paige’s fifth show with EKU, previously stage managing for Spring Awakening, Schoolhouse Rock: Live!, and Grease as well as recently acting for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder) and stage managing for the Appalachian Shakespeare Center at EKU (Julius Caesar). She also enjoys playing pit for her home company Jessamine Arts (violin) and, currently, working on props for PASA’s upcoming production of “I Am Frankenstein.” Paige would like to thank the production team at EKU for being amazing mentors and her C Slice (kissy), stuffed frog Peps, lizard Flibber Squamous, family, and friends for supporting her, as well as the entire audience for supporting, acknowledging, and understanding the enriching function of public-funded arts programs in our community and schools.

Cammie Woten (Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore at EKU and is working towards a degree in elementary education. Cammie is from a town in NKY called Hebron where she went to Conner High School. She spent most of this time working part-time and didn’t step into the theatre world until this semester with Percy Jackson. Cammie is also the assistant stage manager for “I AM Frankenstein” which shows April 11-13. She gives special thanks to the production team and the entire cast for helping put together this amazing show! Additionally, she thanks her family and partner for supporting her during this time!

Sophia Cole(Assistant Stage Manager) is a sophomore at EKU and is a pre nursing major. Sophia is from Lexington Ky where she did sports and theatre at Henry Clay high school. Her favorite roles have been ASM in Alice in wonderland and stage hand in the haunting of hill house.

Rem Knowles is a sophomore music industry major with a minor in musical theatre. Since being at EKU, they have had the honor to play Doody (Grease) and Lucy (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown). They are active member of the American Choral Director Association on campus as well as a member of PASA. They have previously assistant directed the spring opera Down In The Valley and will continue their efforts moving forward. They are very grateful for the opportunity to work with this program and would like to thank their dad for his endless support

Savannah Rodgerson (Spotlight) is a freshman and an ASL interpreting major. Savannah is from Fairfax VA and went to Woodson High School working in the theatre program there for many years. Savannah is so excited to be working on their first show here at EKU!

Faith Conway (Puppet Fabrication) is a junior at EKU and is double majoring in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology. Faith is from Murray, KY where she went to Calloway County High School. Faith is so excited to be working on The Lightning Thief as she is a HUGE Percy Jackson fan!

Kristin Kirkland (Wardrobe Manager/Puppets) is a sophomore at EKU and is majoring in Family Consumer Science with a minor in Nutrition. Kristin is from Scott County Kentucky and went to Bourbon County High School where she worked as their Lighting Director for 3 years. Some of Kristin’s favorite productions and characters are Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Christian (Cyrano De Bergerac), Dawn (Waitress), and The Urchins (Little Shop of Horrors). Now, she’s so excited to add Percy Jackson to her list!

Adeli Linder (Costumes/Puppets) is a freshman at EKU and is majoring in Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with a coaching minor. Adeli is from Cincinnati, OH where she was on the costume crew at Mercy McAuley High School. She had enjoyed working on costumes for Your A Good Man Charlie Brown, Anastasia, Seussical, and a few other shows. Adeli is very excited to be working on this show, she has wanted to be part of a production of it for many years and is very thankful to get the chance to.

Olivia Puckett (Sound Engineer), is a senior Music Industry-Recording Arts major at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a trumpet player based in Richmond, Kentucky. Engaging in a variety of professional activities, Olivia’s expertise spans live performances, music production, and live sound management. Currently employed at Union Church in Berea, Olivia takes on the crucial role of primary operator for the mixing board every Sunday. She is also well versed in theater sound production, Olivia dedicated the past year to working on programs in Richmond and Lexington, collaborating with organizations like Appalachian Shakespeare, and EKU and Model Laboratory’s theater departments. As the Assistant Manager for the chamber orchestra ensemble, Amadeus Lex, Olivia’s responsibilities range from constructing and managing the ensemble’s website to creating season posters. In her free time, Olivia enjoys reading books and hanging out with her two cats, Apollo and Starbuck.

Johnny Spenneburg (Sound Engineer), a senior at EKU, studies Music Industry-Recording Arts and has a decade-long passion for trumpet. Based in Richmond, KY, she excels in trumpet performance and audio engineering, working at Union Church in Berea and with local theater programs such as Appalachian Shakespeare. In her free time, she cuddles with her two cats, Apollo and Starbuck, and tends her garden.

Cassidy Stone (Props Design) is a sophomore at EKU with a major in psychology and a minor in musical theater, This is her fourth show with EKU this time around she took a chance at being head of props. She can easily say the squirrel has been her favorite props she’s made! she’d like to thank her friend Percy for always being there to back her up!

Mariah Mendenhall (Puppets, she/her) is a freshman and is majoring in pre-occupational sciences. Mariah is from Florence, Kentucky, where she participated in choir and band at Boone County High School. She is very excited to be working on The Lightning Thief musical!