Our 552nd Production
Directed by Josh Tull
April 24th, 25th, 26th; May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 2026
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s ridiculed by her cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie has unique abilities and, if pushed too far, it could spell disaster for all of those around her. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Carrie: The Musical takes you through a coming of age journey like no other.
Warning: Contains adult themes and adult language, it is not suitable for young children. Viewer discretion is advised.
Advisory: All guests are asked to be prompt for the start time of this production. Any guest not seated by showtime may not be permitted to enter until intermission at the discretion of the production team. All guests must remain seated and keep the isles clear at all times for the duration of this production.
Meet the Cast
Alyssia Sims as Chris Hargensen
Alyssia is thrilled to be back on stage with Old Academy Players. She has previously appeared with the company in The Book Club Play (Lily), Next to Normal, and Alabama Story. Most recently, Alyssia appeared as Carol Anne in Conversations for Sistas Only and has also worked with the Mt. Airy Home Companion troupe. Other favorite roles include Michelle in Sister Act and Sister Chantelle in Bare: A Pop Opera. Alyssia wants to express her love and gratitude to her family and friends for their unwavering support. Ya’ll are real ones!
Annie Hnatko as Margaret White
Annie is excited to return to OAP’s stage after a long stint of directing and producing. She’s been performing for nearly 40 years. Annie is OAP’s VP of Production. Her recent credits include Disenchanted, Company, and The Fantasticks. She is a graduate of AVA and WCUPA (Opera Performance and Music Education, respectively). She thanks her adoring fans (Steve and her mom) for their support!
Christie Fischer as Ms. Gardner
Christie is delighted to return to OAP for her third production. Her previous OAP credits include Next to Normal (Diana) and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Judy). She is grateful to be working alongside such a talented cast and crew and is sending deepest love and thanks to CJ, Sid, Marigold, and Thisbe for always supporting her.
Guy Sims as Reverend Bliss
Guy is extremely excited to be joining the cast of Carrie in the role of Reverend Bliss. He recently played the role of Dr. Grimwig in the musical Oliver with the Willow Manor Players. He also had the opportunity to perform the role of Booker T. Washington in Ragtime with the Jenkintown Music Theater. He has studied playwriting and improv and has sung in numerous choirs. In his free time, he enjoys writing poetry, fiction, plays, and musical lyrics.
Jane Vitelli as Norma
Jane is excited to be in her first show with Old Academy Players! Previous credits include Footloose (Rusty), The Prom (Shelby), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), and Heathers (Heather Duke). Enjoy the show!
Jiana Koshy as Helen
Jiana Koshy has been singing and dancing onstage since childhood but only recently discovered her passion for musical theater. She was previously cast as a featured dancer in The SpongeBob Musical at the Newtown Arts Company, her first experience with community theater. Last season she could be seen as Princess Baldroulbadour in Disenchanted at OAP!
Katie Poliero as Carrie White
Katie is excited for their first performance at Old Academy Players! They are a Philadelphia-based actor, and a recent college graduate from Gettysburg College with a degree in Theatre Arts. Recent credits include Alyssa Greene in The Prom (Gettysburg College), Poins in Henry IV, Part 1 (CSC Apprentice Repertory Company), as well as many principal roles in long-running regional commercial productions (Ovation Dinner Theatre). Much love to the cast and crew, and their family and friends for their support!
Kristina Vesta as Sue Snell
Kristina is thrilled to be making her Old Academy Players debut! She was most recently an understudy in A Christmas Story at Walnut Theatre. Additional credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Lucille), and Grease (Frenchy). Special thanks to Mom, Dad, and Jake!
Kyle Mitchell as George
Kyle is thrilled to be returning to the Old Academy Stage! Patrons may remember him from previous Old Academy Players productions such as Company, The Book Club Play, and Crimes of the Heart. He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside this talented cast and creative team, and would like to thank all the people in his life that continue to support and encourage him to take chances and to spend time and energy on the things that make him happy. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Lola-Grace Brauner as Frieda
Lola-Grace Brauner is overjoyed to make her Old Academy Players debut as Frieda! You can often find her performing improv with the N Crowd or teaching theatre to young creatives. Her last time gracing the stage was at The University of Southern Mississippi as Angustias in The House of Bernarda Alba and as Rachel in As It Is In Heaven. She hopes this will be a night you’ll never forget!
Michael Eddy Harvey as Tommy Ross
Michael is excited to be apart of his second production with Old Academy Players, previously he understudied for It’s Only A Play (Gus and Ira Drew). He has also understudied at Arden Theater Company in their production of Falsettos(Marvin). Other shows he did while at Oberlin college include, She Loves Me, Shayna Punim, Ubu Roi, and Spring Awakening. Michael is thankful for the cast and crew for being so incredible during this production!
Stephen Dingwall as Stokes
Stephen is thrilled to be making his Old Academy Players debut and grateful to return to the stage with such a talented cast and creative team. Past credits include Freaky Friday with ASH Theater Company and several cabarets over the years. Many thanks to friends, family, and my fellow performers for their support and inspiration.
Tom Stone as Mr. Stephens
Tom is excited to be joining the wonderfully talented cast of Carrie at OAP. Some of Tom’s recent roles include Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Dan in Next To Normal, Ed in The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, and Mr. Cladwell in Urinetown.
Wyatt Underwood as Freddy
Wyatt is excited to make his debut with Old Academy Players with Carrie: the Musical. He has recently moved from Virginia where he had only been performing for about 2 years. Recent shows include Hairspray, Legally Blonde, and Kinky Boots. He would like to thank his friends and family for the encouragement and support to push him to perform and to all of those who helped make this production happen.
Zac Bernauer as Billy Nolan
Zac is thrilled to make his Old Academy Players debut as Billy Nolan. He has previously performed in cabaret shows with Pretzel Theater Co. Professionally, Zac works in marketing and believes deeply in the power of theater to connect communities and tell meaningful stories. He’s grateful to the cast, crew, and all the creatives who have shaped Carrie’s enduring message about acceptance and empathy.
Josh Tull (Director)
Josh is excited to be returning to Old Academy Players for another season as a Director. Other recent directing credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Old Academy Players) and Catch Me If You Can (Bigfork Summer Playhouse). Josh holds an M.Ed. in Secondary Education as well as an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies for Stage Direction and Vocal Performance.
Christopher Wunder (Producer)
Chris is thrilled to be working with Josh Tull on this production of Carrie: The Musical. Last season he produced The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This season Chris directed Crimes of the Heart for Old Academy. Chris has been an actor, stage manager, lighting operator and producer as well. Some shows to his credit include Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, Hotel d’Amour, Carnival, The Mousetrap, Fools, Beau Jest, Here on the Flight Path, Bad Seed, Move Over Mrs Markham, Doubt and Rabbit Hole just to name a few.
Steve Hnatko (Producer)
Steve is absolutely BLEEDING to once again produce and lightning design for another OA show. Previous credits include Dog Sees God, Disenchanted, The Exes, Company, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among many others. Steve made his on-stage debut in the 2024 OA Summer One Act Bonanza. Steve is also excited to light the stage for this fantastic cast including his wife, Annie Hnatko.
Brian Padla (Vocal Director)
Brian is excited to return to OAP for his second production as vocal director. Last season he vocally directed Disenchanted! Brian serves as a music teacher, choral director in the greater Philadelphia area.
Carson Long (Choreographer)
Carson is excited to return to OAP for this production of “Carrie: The Musical” as the choreographer. Carson grew up in western Pennsylvania as a singer and dancer, and has been involved in community theatre since she was 8 years old in a variety of shows. Some of her favorite roles and shows have been Snow White in “Disenchanted”, Trix in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Rapunzel in “Into the Woods,” and “Ring of Fire.” Having moved here for graduate school a few years ago, she is ready to get back on the stage!
Cheri Tigh (Music Director)
Hannah Leifheit (Stage Manager)
Hannah recently returned to theater after a 20 year hiatus and couldn’t be more thrilled. Here at Old Academy, she’s been onstage, helped in the booth, and built sets. She is very excited to be backstage helping to make this a bloody success.
Katie Sillitti (Fight Choreographer and Intimacy Coordinator)
Katie is an actress, singer, fight director and intimacy professional, enrolled in IDC’s Intimacy Accelerator Program. She has worked with SVP, Villagers, Thank You 5, Playhouse 22, Main Street Theatre, First Avenue Playhouse, Langhorne Players, Holmdel Theatre, Theatre to Go, Shakespeare 70, 99 Cent Players, Lord Sterling, and Maurer Productions, among others. She has also worked with college & high school productions, as well as in film/TV. She’s grateful for her family who always support her work and her dreams to be the change she wants to see in the world. Proud SAG-AFTRA & SAFD. www.katiesillitti.com