Cast
Reed - Oliver McClure
Ellie - Livy Emch
Willie - Gavin Snyder
Ruth - Quinn Schneider
Tori - Clarissa Hensley
Edda - Kameri Green
Cameron - Surya Vela
Kat - Millie Altman
Figment 1 - Carina Motisher
Figment 2 - Nadia Chung
Figment 3 - Sivaji Vela
In "How the Camel Got His Hump"
Camel - Surya Vela
Horse - Carina Motisher
Dog - Nadia Chung
Ox - Sivaji Vela
Djinn - Millie Altman
In "The Cat That Walked by Herself"
Woman - Nadia Chung
Horse - Carina Motisher
Dog - Quinn Schneider
Cat - Millie Altman
Man - Kameri Green
Cow - Clarissa Hensley
Bat - Livy Emch
In "How the Whale Got His Throat"
Whale - Gavin Snyder
Fish - Sivaji Vela
Man - Kameri Green
In "The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo"
Nqa - Clarissa Hensley
Kangaroo - Quinn Schneider
Nquing - Kameri Green
Nqong - Nadia Chung
Dingo - Livy Emch
In "The Beginning of the Armadillos"
Jaguar - Surya Vela
Mother - Carina Motisher
Hedgehog - Kameri Green
Tortoise - Clarissa Hensley
Crew
Lighting Design - Avery Myers and Charlie Vostal
Light Board Operator - Avery Myers
Deck Crew - Arianna Chung and Emma Nester
Set Builders and Painters - Millie Altman, Kameri Green, Carina Motisher, Oliver McClure, Matthew McClure, Violet Grossman, Greta Chung, Xander Sands, Emma Nester, Eve Barman, Liz Robertson
Production Team
Directors - Greta Chung, Juliet Erekson, Violet Grossman, Maggie Otley, Alexander Sands
Stage Manager - Emma Nester
Technical Director - Eve Barman
Producer - Harley Partlow
Graphics - Alexander Sands
Special Thanks
Grand Rapids Historical Society and Town Hall Committee
BG Independent News
Brian Martin Photography
Director’s Note
Hello! My name is Xander Sands and I would like to thank you for coming to Horizon Youth Theatre’s production of Just So Stories.
The show explores the limitless creative minds of children in a collection of fables, answering real-world questions with fantastic explanations. This theatrical adaptation of Kipling’s stories was written by Keith Guion, who was clearly set to prove that Kipling’s stories are full of just as much wonder in the modern day as they were in 1902.
This is not HYT’s first production of Just So Stories. As a matter of fact, it was first put on in 2020, directed by Keith Guion in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. I was an actor in that production, but we never got to perform in front of a live audience. Instead, we performed in front of a camera and live streamed the show on YouTube. Regardless of these conditions, Just So Stories was one of my fondest memories from my time as a Horizon Youth Theatre actor.
Despite my enormous appreciation for the first production, I couldn’t help but look back on the show with a longing for what more it could have been, had the world not been afflicted by the pandemic. So, when I joined Horizon Youth Theatre’s student board, I wanted to give Just So Stories a second chance.
I also wanted to use this play to bring more student leadership opportunities to the organization. Each one of Kipling’s stories is directed by a different member of Horizon Youth Theatre, all with our own unique creative visions.
Thank you for coming to support Horizon Youth Theatre, and I hope you enjoy our performance of Just So Stories.
Production Team Bios
Eve Barman (Technical Director) is a homeschooler in their junior year. They often work backstage, having done tech for over 30 shows. Onstage, they have recently appeared in Much Ado About Nothing as Don Pedro (HYT), Shepard's Son in Winter's Tale (OCC), and Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde (CTW). They serve on Issue Box Theatre's board and Horizon Youth Theatre’s youth board. Eve enjoys showing horses and playing tennis. They would like to thank Pip and Luna for always supporting her!
Greta Chung (Co-Director) is a sophomore in high school. She has been with HYT for 6 years and has only directed 1 one act before at BGHS. She is very proud of these kids. They are so hardworking and dedicated. She would like to give a shout out to her band, Beef Noodle Soup.
Juliet Erekson (Co-Director) is a sophomore in high school and has been with HYT for the past year and a half. She’s a co-director for Just So Stories, directing The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo. Juliet is incredibly proud of the students involved in Just So and the commitment and teamwork they have brought to this production. Watching this cast take risks, support one another, and bring these stories to life has been both inspiring and rewarding, and she is grateful to have had the opportunity to help guide such a passionate and talented group.
Violet Grossman (Co-Director) is a senior in high school. This is Violet's second show that she has directed. Violet has been with HYT for 10 years. She is incredibly proud of all these kids. She hopes you enjoy the show!! :)
Emma Nester (Stage Manager) has been a part of HYT for two months, and this is her first show of hopefully many. She has also done stage managing, crew, and acting at BG. Her other activities include 4H, FFA, Model UN, and StuCrew. When not at rehearsal, she enjoys sewing and spending time with her livestock. A special thank you to the kids for working hard and making smiles. Also a special shoutout to my parents for supporting her this far, pushing her to go even farther, and teaching her to drive.
Maggie Otley (Co-Director) is a Sophomore at Toledo School for the Arts where her focus is musical theater. She has performed in many shows with HYT including Just So Stories way back in 2020. Maggie also has performed with TSA, Waterville Playshop & PMT. When not on stage she takes dance and voice lessons. She is very excited to be a student director for this show!
Alexander Sands (Co-Director) has been with HYT for 8 years as an actor, crew member, and now as a director. Shoutout to Beef Noodle Soup.
Cast Bios
Millie Altman (Kat, Djinn, Cat) is a 6th grader and has been doing theater for 3 years. This is her 5th show and her first with HYT. She is most excited for the opportunity to be on stage and make new friends throughout this production. She would like to thank her brothers, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and Levi for their love and support. She would also like to note that she is very thankful to her parents for driving her to rehearsals.
Nadia Chung (Figment 2, Dog, Woman, Nqong) is an 8th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. She has been doing theater for 1 year. This is her 4th show and her 3rd with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is most excited to play an enthusiastic, playful dog in this show, specifically for the opportunity to mumble with a stick in her mouth. She would like to thank her dog for greeting her with a wagging tail every time she comes home from school. She would also like to note her love for pasta and sharks, in addition to her love for her dog.
Livy Emch (Ellie, Bat, Dingo) is a 6th grader at Eastwood Elementary School. She has been doing theater for 2 years. This is her 7th show and her 6th with HYT. She is very excited to play an amazing character and spend time with her friends. She would like to thank her family and friends, as well as the directors, for their love and support. She would also like to note that “Even in the darkest of times, happiness can be found if only one remembers to turn on the light.”
Kameri Green (Edda, Man, Nquing) is a 6th grader at Otsego Schools. She has been doing theater for 3 years and has been in 3 shows in that time, all of which have been with HYT. She is very excited to spend time with her friends and perform. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support. She would also like to note how much her friend Gavin loves ducks.
Clarissa Hensley (Tori, Cow, Nqa) is a 6th grader at BG Christian Academy. She has been doing theater for 5 years. She has been in 10 shows, 9 of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is most excited to play a character where she gets to finish Edda’s sentences. She would like to thank her parents for driving her to rehearsals, as well as the directors of this show for their support.
Oliver McClure (Reed) is a 6th grader at Eastwood Middle School. He has been doing theater for 2 years and has been in 6 shows in that time, 4 of which have been with HYT. He is very excited to be the main narrator in this show. He would like to thank his family for their support. He would also like to note how much his friend Gavin loves ducks.
Carina Motisher (Figment 1, Horse, Mother) is a 6th grader at St. Aloysius. She has been doing theater for 4 years and has been in 11 shows, all but one of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She would like to thank the production team, as well as everyone else who has made this show possible, for all of their hard work. She would also like to thank her sister Calista for introducing her to theater. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!
Quinn Schneider (Ruth, Dog, Kangaroo) is a 5th grader at Crim Elementary. This is her 6th year doing theater. This is her 7th show and her 3rd with HYT. She is most excited to play a fast and competitive character in this show. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support of her love for acting. She would also like to note how much her friend Gavin loves ducks.
Gavin Snyder (Willie, Whale) is a 6th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. He has been doing theater for 4 years and has been in 6 shows in that time, all of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. He is very excited for the opportunity to act on stage with his friends. He would like to thank his family for their support. He would also like to note how much he loves ducks and all of his theater friends.
Sivaji Vela (Figment 3, Ox, Fish) is a 5th grader at Crim Elementary School. He has been doing theater for 4 years and has been in 4 shows, 3 of which have been with HYT. He is very excited to play a fish in this production. He would like to thank his parents for their support.
Surya Vela (Cameron, Camel, Jaguar) is a 4th grader at Crim Elementary. He has been doing theater for 3 years and has been in 4 shows in that time, all of which have been with HYT. He would like to thank everyone involved in this show for their support.
Shout Outs
Maggie– So proud of you for directing for the first time!
Love,
Mom, Dad, Reagan, and Stella
WINTER WORKSHOPS AND INTENSIVES
WHERE: BG Community Center
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17-Saturday, Feb. 28
Check out our website for more info and to register!
UPCOMING AUDITIONS
The Little Prince
WHERE: Star Style Theater
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 26-Tuesday, Jan. 27
Check out our website for more info and to sign up for an audition slot!