Meet the Cast: Heathers: The Musical

Shawna Daisley (Veronica Sawyer) makes her debut on the MCT stage as Veronica Sawyer. In the past, Shawna has performed in productions of  As You Like It, Sweeney Todd and Godspell. She loves being out in nature, stargazing, mycology, and spending time with her son Benson. Shawna is a professional soap maker by trade and owns her own business. Shawna dedicates her performance to the wonderful cast of Heathers: The Musical, and her directors to whom she’s beyond grateful for their friendship and the opportunities they’ve provided for her. 

Duncan Prather (Jason “JD” Dean) returns to the MCT as Jason Dean, which has always been his dream role. Duncan’s past roles include Billy Bibbet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Miriam in Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte, and Eddie in Mamma Mia last summer. Duncan’s favorite song to sing from Heathers is “Meant To Be Yours”. Duncan is an artist and spends his free time drawing and playing guitar. 

Keyera Zarembinski (Heather Chandler) is thrilled to be back again at the Meadville Community Theatre! She is 26 years old and currently studying Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University. She has previously been on stage as Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Heather Chandler from Heathers: The Musical, and Avery London from Sweet Tea and Baby Dreams. Keyera would like to give a big thank you to her fellow cast members, directors, and the crew for helping her make her dreams come true. Go Westerberg!

Bella James (Heather McNamara) is so thrilled to be on stage for her first musical in 4 years! Heathers is her first show at Meadville Community Theatre, and she is so excited to be making her MCT debut in a show she has loved since middle school. As a third year student, Bella has recently appeared on stage at Allegheny College in Machinal (Young Woman) and A Doll’s House Part 2 (Emmy). When she’s not on stage, Bella loves to craft, explore Meadville, cuddle with her Guinea pigs, and have BIG FUN with her friends and cast mates!

Lauren Hale (Heather Duke) This will be Lauren’s first production at MCT. She’s also been seen as Kit Kat girl Texas in The Academy Theatre’s production of Cabaret. She’s played several roles there including Gloria in Damn Yankees and The Lady of The Lake in Spamalot. Other productions include Guys and Dolls, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She would like to thank her parents, Terri and Brian, for supporting and encouraging her. Also, her amazing and supportive partner Robert who has been there for her through all the trials and tribulations of being on stage! She’s so happy to now be a part of the MCT family. She also thanks the cast and crew for making her first show here amazing!!

Ellen McCarthy (Martha Dunnstock)’s past roles include Violet in Side Show, Casey in First Date, God in One Bad Apple, and Nora in the Sweet Tea series. Special thanks to Maribeth for letting her be seventeen, and to her fellow Westerbergers for making this production so “very”. Love to Mom, Dad, Maribeth, Shenzie, Helene, and of course, Bear and the babies. She dedicates this performance to her Little Bear, who was her biggest fan- we will fly through the dawn to a new kindergarten. 

Chole Loose (Ram Sweeny) Chole is excited to be back where it all started, on the stage of MCT, with a decade of experience under his belt and a drive to gain more. This musical has been a huge step for him, but he couldn’t imagine doing it without such a phenomenal cast and crew.

Robert “Robbie” Brown (Kurt Kelly) debuts as hunk quarterback Kurt Kelly. Robbie has been in productions at the Academy Theatre in Meadville that includes Mamma Mia, The Rocky Horror Show, and Cabaret. Robbie excelled in football and wrestling in high school and spends his free time going to the gym and hanging out with friends. He’s extremely excited to be a part of such a great cast and wants to thank his parents and family for all of their support.

Glenn Tuttle (Ram’s Dad) Glenn has performed in Meadville for over 20 years and is excited to perform with his husband Adam again on stage.

Bobby Narr (Coach Ripper/Big Bud Dean) has loved to entertain as long as he can remember. Bobby was in the sports entertainment business as a professional wrestler in the KSWA, an independent association out of Pittsburgh PA. He did wrestling shows for charity for 12 years under the name Bobby Atlas. Bobby is thankful for the support of his family and girlfriend and especially to Meadville Community Theatre for giving him the opportunity a new avenue to entertain.

Maribeth McCarthy (Miss Fleming) literally just wrote an entire page of Director’s Notes and you STILL want to hear her talk more? Yeah, no, didn’t think so 😉 Sit back, have fun, enjoy the show, and shine your light wherever you go ❤️ 

Adam Leute (Principle Gowan/Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad) Adam was born and raised for the stage!  Though untamed, you can find him performing in the local theatres in the northwestern region

Aspen Hoderny (Beleaguered Geek) This is her first musical at the Meadville Community theater. And no matter what may come, she always believes that everybody and everything can be beautiful.

Kaycee Wooley (Stoner Chick) This is Kaycee’s first show at MCT! She is a recent Edinboro University graduate and forever fan of Heathers: The Musical. Her previous roles include The Rocky Horror Show at The Academy, and various FCCT shows as a member of the ensemble. Working with this cast has brought her so much joy and laughter as well as a wicked good time!

Emilie Weaver (New Wave Girl) is so excited to be performing with this amazing cast! Some of her favorite shows that she’s been a part of recently include Pride and Prejudice (Lydia Bennet), Oliver (Charlotte/Strawberry Seller), Matilda (Miss Phelps), Mamma Mia and The Crucible. Some of her youth theatre faves have been Seussical (Mayzie LaBird), (an almost 2020) Matilda (Miss Honey), and Into The Woods (Rapunzel). Emilie has also written and directed/co-directed 3 plays for French Creek Community Theatre and one for the Barrow-Civic’s 24-hour theatre project. This fall she’s attending college in New York City to study theatre arts with an emphasis on playwriting!

Justin Karns (Preppy Stud/Officer McCord/Ensemble) is excited to perform in his first show at the Meadville Community Theatre. He is a member of Dramashop’s Creative Team and a Shift Manager at Country Fair. He was most recently seen as Stephen in Brownstone by Catherine Butterfield at PACA and Mr. Boddy in Clue by Sandy Rustinat at The Erie Playhouse. Justin is grateful to help bring his favorite musical to life with such a kind and dedicated cast, crew, and production team.

Ashton Camerot (Young Republicanette) Ashton is a New Castle native currently living in Mercer. She is a graduate of New Castle Senior High School ‘18, Thiel College Business Administration ‘22, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science ‘22. Ashton is a licensed resident apprentice of funeral directing and embalming, and works for Rose & Black Funeral Homes (Stoneboro/Sandy Lake), Waid and Waid-Coleman Funeral Homes (Meadville/Conneaut Lake), and operates Rose Simplicity Cremation and Funeral Center of Mercer. She is a member of the Mercer Rotary Club and St. Vitus Parish in New Castle. Favorite credits include Hairspray, Next to Normal, and Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced. In her nonexistent spare time, Ashton enjoys running, playing volleyball, teaching baton lessons, and spending time with loved ones. She would like to dedicate this performance to her Mom, who accidentally exposed her to the film when she was in 3rd grade. 

Ahmaya Andrews (Hipster Dork) is totally stoked to be performing in Heathers with so many talented people. You may recognize them from previous roles as The Mute in The Fantasticks, a Transylvanian in The Rocky Horror Show, or as one of the co-creators/actors in MCT’s original production, Light in Odd Spaces. When not acting they enjoy writing, playing piano and worshipping The Lord and Savior, David Bowie.