RAPunzel Canceled

Desi Neely

Desi Neely (Rapunzel) is a 3rd year student studying Theater and Psychology. She has been performing since the 4th grade and studied as a vocalist for Mariachi for 10 years. One of her favorite performances was her role as Charlotte in THESE SHINING LIVES. The play was one she had loved the story of before getting to perform it. What made it one of her favorites was her cast-mates, who were a group of fellow POC women, who worked to craft a space to explore the story through its heart, allowing for a wonderful creative experience. Another one of her favorite performances was playing Violet Beauregarde in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY because it was her first performance and it was incredibly fun and silly, which really cemented in her how much joy performing can be.

Rafael Acuña

Rafael J. Acuña (Prince Louie): Actor, amateur musician, arts educator, with an AFA in theatre performance from Pima Community College. He has been featured in such productions as PCC’s IN THE HEIGHTS (Piaragua Guy) and MAMMA MIA (Sam Carmichael), as well as Arts Express’ RENT (Roger, T. Collin’s US), BRIGHT STAR (Jimmy Ray), CHESS (Freddie T.), RAGTIME (Tateh/Baron), ANASTASIA (Vlad P.), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Carl Hanratty), IN THE HEIGHTS (Usnavi), ROCK OF AGES (Lonny). Rafael has also been an ensemble member and teaching artist with the performance community and educational institution, Stories That Soar. He dedicates his performance to AJD.

Kaylee Wilson Woolridge

Kaylee Wilson-Woolridge, she/her (Queen Sadie/ Birdie) is thrilled to return to LTW in RAPunzel! Kaylee, a graduate of GCU, is a freelance theatre artist based in Tucson and Phoenix. Recent productions include MARY POPPINS as Miss Andrew, PUFFS as Hannah/ Assorted Roles, and SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL as Karen. She’d like to thank her biggest fan, her husband, for his unending love and support. Enjoy the show!

Dante Crossroad

Dante Crossroad, he/they/she (King Rupert, Hudson), can usually be found performing at Valley of the Moon, a fairyland park that has existed for 101 years, where they are currently directing their original play, THE WITCHING HOUR, opening in October. The last time they were on LTW’s children’s stage, they played the Narrator in PUFFS in the summer of 2023, and earlier this year, they made their Invisible Theatre debut in THE BOOKSTORE, in which they played four different characters. Dante is excited to perform in their very first musical and to be back at Live Theatre Workshop, displaying their unparalleled charisma and resonant baritone voice.

Amanda Gremel

Amanda Gremel (Lady Gothel) is the Artistic Director of Education here at LTW, which means she gets the chance to create wonderful seasons for our Children’s Theatre full of original and magical productions like the one you are about to see. She also runs our Education program which has grown so much over the past few years. She takes pride and honor in the work that her students accomplish each session and hopes to share with all children and their families the joy that comes with having arts in your life. Aside from enjoying her day job, She also directs, does choreography and she also likes to take to the stage from time to time. She was last seen on the Main Stage as Patsy Cline in ALWAYS…..PATSY CLINE, the many Women in NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, earning her a MAC nomination, Bertha in BOEING BOEING and Chorus in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE which won the MAC Award for best Drama. On the Children’s Theatre some of her favorite roles are the Cowardly Lion in THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, the Golden Goose in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, Merlia in KING ARTHUR, and the Sheriff of Nottingham in ROBIN HOOD.

Mara Katrina Capati

Mara Katrina Capati (Director/Choreographer) is honored to be making her LTW Directorial debut! Mara has performed, choreographed, and directed productions for children’s and professional theatre. Highlights of her production credits include directing FREAK! at Ohio Valley University and A RIGHT WAY TO FOLD A FITTED SHEET at Winding Roads Theatre’s “Eight Tens; co-directing TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at the Parkersburg Actors Guild; and assistant directing and choreographing CYT’s production of ADDAM’S FAMILY. Mara co-authored and acted in a psychological thriller, one-act, HAUNTINGS ANONYMOUS produced by the Etcetera Theatre at LTW. Highlights of her performing credits include Dolly in HELLO, DOLLY!, Aouda in AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, Johanna in SWEENEY TODD, and Mina in BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA. Mara is an ASU Graduate and Social Worker by day. Next year, she will begin her Doctorate of Behavioral Health.

Jonathan Heras

Jonathan Heras (Music Director) is an accomplished actor, singer, and musical director from Yuma, Arizona, now a prominent figure in Tucson’s performing arts community. As a long-time member of the Borderlands Theater Ensemble, Jonathan has been working with Borderlands Theater professionally since 2005. He has also collaborated with various local theaters, including Live Theatre Workshop, where he served as a musical director for RAPUNZEL and previously also had the opportunity to assist in other children’s summer camps and performed on their main stage and children’s stage plays, touring performances to schools as part of an outreach program.

Jonathan was honored to also be a teaching artist at the Strathmore Performing Arts Center in Maryland, where his work as a children’s youth theater educator inspired the creation of the Borderlands Barrio Stars Youth Theater Program in Tucson.

Since 2021, Jonathan has been the musical director for Salpointe Catholic High School’s main stage season, earning recognition in 2024 with the Monty Award for Best Musical Director for his work on INTO THE WOODS. Additionally, Since 2017, Jonathan has been a year-round cast member at the Gaslight Theater, one of the few remaining melodrama comedy theaters in the country.

He would like to thank his wife Ericka Quintero for all her support and say hello to his son Jonny Ace.

Nathaniel Wiley

Nathaniel Wiley he/him (Stage Manager) has performed professionally with Live Theatre Workshop, Saguaro City Music Theatre, and Arizona Theatre Company. Favorite roles include Winthrop Paroo (THE MUSIC MAN), Zacky Price (BIG FISH), Shrek (SHREK, JR.), and Dylan (TAKE A HIKE). Recently, he appeared as the student reporter and cohost of the 2024 MONTE AWARDS at Arts Express Theatre. His podcast, TheatreQs, functions as a way for theatre kids to learn from experienced professionals around the industry. Nate will be performing next in THE UNINVITED at Catalina Foothills High School in November. He thanks you for supporting LTW and this amazing cast and hopes you enjoy the show!

Richard Gremel

Richard Gremel (Playwright/Lighting Designer/Scenic Design & Construction) is honored to have another one of his plays performed by Live Theatre Workshop.  Richard is a graduate from the University of Arizona where he received his B.F.A. in Theatre Education.  Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the Arizona Thespians Teacher of the year (2017-2018 & 2023-2024) and the OnMedia Tucson Arts Hero (2018-2019).  Richard has written over 30 plays and musicals. He currently has 12 published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, England, Italy, and Australia.  For more information on Richard Gremel and his plays, you can visit www.richardgremelplaywright.com 

Emmalynn Whitney

Emmalynn Whitney (Sound Design) is a Sophomore in High School, but hopes to do more in the Technical Theatre World. Her previous works include Makeup/Hair for Nevermore, and King Charlie’s Angels, and Asst. Stage Manager for Chicago’s the Musical: Teen Edition, as well as Playwright for the play “Ah Love, What Could Go Wrong?” for the Live Theatre Workshop’s Young Playwrights Competition, and she is so excited to be working on sound for RAPunzel. Her help on several productions has had an impact on the actors and actresses she’s worked with, and she hopes to continue her work and inspire creativity of those on the production.

Kathy Hurst

Kathy Hurst (Costume Design) Kathy has been costuming in Tucson for almost 30 years.  Prior to that she worked for New Jersey Classic Ballet Company and the Radburn Players.  She has designed for several Theater companies in town and for Tucson High for the last 28 years.  Working for LTW is always a joy.  Some of her favorites shows have been No Other Nemesis, Life in the Theater, Puffs, Moonlight and Magnolias …actually all of them!  RAPunzel has been another delight to work on.  She hopes you enjoy the show.

Karin Hupp

Karin Hupp (Prop Master) has been the prop master for over eight years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK MYSTERY, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker’s VICIOUS CIRCLE and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.