Our 555th Production
Directed by Annie Hnatko
November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
A rock musical set in New York City’s East Village in the early 1990s. Following a group of impoverished young bohemians, artists, musicians, and performers struggling to pay bills and survive in the shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and create art. The story centers on a filmmaker and an HIV-positive musician navigating love and loss alongside friends: an addict, a drag queen, and a performance artist.
Meet the Cast
Alexa Archer as Ensemble
Alexa is excited to be in OAP’s RENT! Being in theater for 10 years now, Alexa has had experience in all sections of the performing arts, including being the Assistant Director/Choreographer for the Delcastle Players 2021–2023 and being producer for Hello for Old Academy’s Summer One Act Bonanza 2026.
Alyssia Sims as Joanne Jefferson
Alyssia Sims is thrilled to be back on stage with Old Academy Players, where she previously appeared as Chris in Carrie: The Musical, Sleeping Beauty in Disenchanted, and Lily in The Book Club Play. Recent credits elsewhere include Woman 2 in Songs for a New World and Carol Ann in Conversations for Sistas Only. Endless thanks to family and friends who always come out to support! See ya at Murphs.
Ariana Gill as Ensemble
Ariana Gill is thrilled to be making her theatrical debut with Old Academy Players in Rent. A trained musician and TV news producer by day, she’s studied acting with Andi Matheny Acting Studio and Identity School of Acting, appearing in several short films along the way. She’s grateful to the Rent team for welcoming her into the cast and can’t wait to share the stage.
Bob Gordon as Benjamin Coffin III
Bob Gordon is thrilled to return to the Rent stage as Benny. His credits include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and Curly in Oklahoma! He currently performs as a vocalist for his Philly-based band, Get This!
Cameron Moy as Ensemble
Cameron Moy is excited to make his Old Academy Players debut and return to the stage for the first time since the pandemic! Cameron was born and raised in Michigan and performed with Amazin’ Blue a cappella in his time at the University of Michigan. He would like to thank his friends and family who have encouraged him to return to the stage, especially those that have traveled to see Rent!
Carson Long as Maureen Johnson/Choreographer
Carson Long is thrilled to return for her third production at OAP as the choreographer and Maureen in “RENT”! 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. Most recently, she choreographed the 2026 OAP production of “Carrie”, and portrayed Snow White in the 2025 OAP production of “Disenchanted!” She cannot wait for you to go “over the moon” with her!
Christopher Wunder as Ensemble
Chris is excited to be a part of this cast performing several roles including the part of “Paul” as former Roxborough High School alumni and class mate Rodney Hicks played the role in the Original Broadway production when it opened in 1996. Thank you Annie and Steve for this opportunity. Chris will be directing this seasons production of “Venus in Fur” and he will be producing “Moon Man Walk” directed by fellow cast mate Alyssia Sims here at OA come back and check them out.
Emily Browning as Ensemble
Emily Browning is thrilled to be making her debut with the Old Academy Players in the dream show that’s been living rent-free in her head since 1996. Other recent credits include Godspell with Players Club of Swarthmore, Considering Matthew Shepard (Judy Shepard) with Philadelphia Voices of Pride, and The Prom and Urinetown (Dr. Billeaux) at the Barn Playhouse. Much love to the family and “framily” whose support makes this life possible.
Gregory Kooker as Tom Collins
Gregory Kooker is elated to be making his debut with OAP! Previous credits include Rent (Angel), Spring Awakening (Ernst), and Footloose (Willard). He wants to thank the cast and crew for their hard work, Jane for her push to audition, and his friends and family for seeing him in a show every three months!
Guy Sims as Ensemble
Guy is extremely excited to be joining the cast of Rent. He was seen recently as Reverend Bliss in OAP’s Carrie and Dr. Grimwig in 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.
Haley Dunning as Ensemble
Haley Dunning is very excited to be returning once again to Old Academy for this awesome show! Previously she has directed for the one acts this past summer, and has appeared at OAP as Emily in Our Town, Susan in Company, and the Mute in The Fantasticks. She’s so grateful for the opportunity and the great community of this theater.
Isaura Sanguinetti as Ensemble
Isaura is thrilled to return to OAP as part of the RENT ensemble. Her recent credits include Marcy in Dog Sees God and Pocahontas in Disenchanted. Isaura has served as a stage manager for Allan’s Lane Art Center and as a photographer for OAP’s other mainstage productions. Isaura would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. When she is not performing, Isaura indulges in her love of photography.
Jane Vitelli as Mimi Marquez
Jane Vitelli is so grateful to be in one of her favorite shows for a second time! She was last seen on the OAP stage in Carrie as Norma. Previous credits include Footloose (Rusty), The Prom (Shelby), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) and Heathers (Heather Duke). She also served as assistant director for Big Fish and co-director for 13! Sending a thank you to the cast and crew for bringing this incredibly important story to life, and to her fiancé, Dillon, for his love and support.
Josh Tull as Mark Cohen
Josh is excited to be returning to the Old Academy Players stage. Previously, Josh was in OAP’s production of Company as Bobby, The Fantasticks as Matt, and The Broken Hollow Banshee as Silas Pembroke. Josh serves as the President of OAP and will also be directing BUG this season.
Kyle Mitchell as Roger Davis
Kyle is thrilled to be returning to the Old Academy Stage! Patrons may remember him from previous Old Academy Players productions such as Company (Peter) and Carrie (George). 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
Matt Iocovielo as Angel Dumott Schunard
Matthew (Ike) Iacoviello is honored to make his OAP debut. He hopes Angel is a reminder to feel comfortable in your own skin, because you are enough. Special love and gratitude to friends and family who encouraged him to take this leap of faith back to the stage!
Wyatt Underwood as Ensemble
Wyatt is excited to return for his second show with Old Academy Players in Rent. Recent shows include Be More Chill, Carrie, 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.
Annie Hnatko (Director)
Annie has waited 30 years to direct Rent. Her recent directing credits include Disenchanted, Company, and The Fantasticks. She’s been performing for nearly 40 years. Annie is OAP’s VP of Production, most recently in OAP’s productions of Carrie and Dog Sees God. She is a graduate of AVA and WCUPA. She thanks her adoring fans (Steve and her mom) for their support!
Steve Hnatko (Producer)
Steve is ecstatic to once again partner with his wife Annie on this tour de force musical! Other producing and light and sound credits include OA productions of Company, Disenchanted, Carrie, and Dog Sees God among many others.