ANNIE
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
Welcome to the New Tampa Performing Arts Center!
Please silence your cell phones.
This performance will have a 15 minute intermission.
Produced with the generous support of
Musical Selections
Act I
Overture - Orchestra
Maybe -Annie and Orphans
Annie’s Escape - Orchestra
Hard Knock Life - Annie and Orphans
Hard Knock Life (Reprise) - Orphans
Tomorrow - Annie
Hooverville - Ensemble
Hooverville Raid - Orchestra
Little Girls - Miss Hannigan
Little Girls (Reprise) - Miss Hannigan
I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here - Annie, Grace, and Servants
NYC - Ensemble
Easy Street -Miss Hannigan, Rooster, Lily
Into the Warbucks Mansion - Orchestra
Why Should I Change a Thing? - Warbucks
You Won’t be An Orphan for Long - Annie, Grace, and the Servants
Act II
Entr’acte - Orchestra
Maybe (Reprise) - Annie
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile - Bert Healy and the Boylan Sisters
You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise) - Orphans
Easy Street Reprise - Rooster, Miss Hannigan, and Lily
Train Music - Orchestra
Cabinet Tomorrow (Reprise) - Annie, Roosevelt, Warbucks and Cabinet
Cabinet End (Roosevelt and the Cabinet)
Train Scene - Orchestra
Something Was Missing - Warbucks
I Don’t Need Anything But You - Annie, Warbucks, Grace, and Servants
Party Music - Orchestra
A New Deal for Christmas - Annie, Warbucks, Grace, Roosevelt, Orphans and Servant
Alaina Qureshi: Boylan Sister/Ensemble
Alaina hasn’t been on stage since 2018 and is thrilled to return in Annie! Musical theatre was a big part of her childhood, and she’s grateful to be part of such a talented cast. Thank you to the directors for the opportunity, and to her parents and husband for always encouraging her to do what she loves. Enjoy the show!
Alana Hallums: Orphan Ensemble
Alana Hallums is 14 years old and thrilled to be apart of yet again, another production of Annie. She has been in over 20 musicals, the most recent ones being Willy Wonka Jr (as Veruca Salt) and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Youth edition (as Joy) both at Cypress Creek Middle School. This is also her third time in Annie, previously being Annie in both a theatre camp in Maryland and Audie Murphy Middle School in Texas. She is so excited to be involved in this show once again. She hopes that this production reminds you how you're never fully dressed without a smile!
Alex Alfonso: Ickes/Ensemble
Alex has volunteered with New Tampa Players—onstage and off—since 2014, where he was a Wickersham Brother in “Seussical the Musical.” Since then, he has performed in several productions with NTP, including “Legally Blonde,” “Violet,” “Chess: In Concert,” “Into the Woods,” “Snoopy!” “The SpongeBob Musical,” “Laramie Project: Ten Years Later,” and as a peer mentor in each of their Penguin Project and Ampersand projects. This is his third time performing in “Annie;” he previously played Bert Healy with NTP in 2018, and Bundles the Laundryman with Arts in Motion in 2010. For fun, Alex enjoys playing guitar, pub trivia, and singing the occasional karaoke.
Be sure to see him in Carrollwood Cultural Center’s staged reading of “R.U.R.” and Fringe Theatre’s world-premiere production of “The Last Unicorn,” both later this August.
Alexa Lipositz: Kate
Alexa is excited to appear as Kate and is beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity. She has enjoyed working with the cast, making memories, and bringing this beloved musical to life. She would like to thank the entire artistic team for helping her learn and grow. Alexa would also like to give a special thank you to her family for all of their love and constant support.
Ansley Van Epps: Grace
Ansley is thrilled to be performing as Grace in her first production with New Tampa Players. Regional theater includes West Side Story (Graziella/ Dance Captain) Cats (Demeter) Barnum (aerialist) and has performed in multiple stage shows at Disney World and Universal Studio Orlando including Finding Nemo:the Musical, Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Thank you to her family for supporting her return to the stage!
Ava Adams: Orphan Ensemble
Ava will be starting ninth grade this fall, is active at her church, enjoys ice cream, her friends, and the beach. She also loves being the funniest one in her family and watching Gilmore Girls. She’s loved doing this show with her mom, Ms. Hannigan. Ava is so very grateful for this opportunity and hopes to be in many more shows!
Avery McDowell: Duffy
Avery is beyond excited to be part of this production of Annie! When she's not belting out show tunes or learning choreography, you can usually find her dreaming about her next role. Previous stage credits include Albert in Newsies, Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde the Musical, Ensemble in High School Musical: The Musical, Young Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical Jr., and Mrs. Mayor/Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical the Musical KIDS. She also proudly dances with TGD Showstars, where she continues to sharpen her triple-threat skills (and happily accepts that glitter is now a permanent accessory).
This fall, Avery will trade rehearsals (well...not all of them!) for hallways as she starts her freshman year at Wesley Chapel High School. She sends a huge thank-you to her directors, choreographers, castmates, friends, and family for cheering her on every step (and jazz square) of the way. Thanks for supporting live theater, and enjoy the show!
Bri Filippelli: Lily St. Regis
Bri Filippelli is so happy to be back at NTP after a 2 year hiatus spent raising her baby boy. A theatre teacher at PVMS, Bri has been spending her time directing plays, musicals, and a very successful Jr. Thespian troupe! Some favorite previous roles include Marianne in Disaster!, Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Violet in Violet, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Cosette in Les Miserables, and many more. Thanks to family, friends, and Panther family for their support, the cast and crew, and especially Jesse and Milo for sharing Mama with this beautiful production. Enjoy the show!
Brooklyn Stripling: Pepper
Brooklyn is a motivated and creative 11-year-old performer who is in her third theatre production as Pepper in Annie! She’s also performed in her middle school productions of Willy Wonka as an Oompa Loompa and in Cinderella as Talkative Maiden and Joy U/S. Brooklyn has appeared in multiple short films of a variety of genres and loves practicing for films and theatre. During her free time she really enjoys reading and writing fantasy.
Cassia Dixon: Star to Be
Cassia is thrilled to join New Tampa Players in Annie! This is her third show with NTP. With over five years of experience in musical theatre and she is passionate about both performing and teaching, working as a theatre instructor for young children. One of her favorite roles to date was playing Squeak in The Color Purple, a production close to her heart. When she's not on stage, you can probably find her singing her heart out, goofing off with her students, or hunting for the best matcha and coffee in town. Cassia would like to thank her friends, family, and students for their awesomeness, support, and encouragement. Enjoy the show!
Charlotte Crouch: Tessie
Charlotte Crouch is thrilled to be making her New Tampa Players debut in Annie! Charlotte loves singing, acting, dancing, and making people laugh on stage. She would like to thank her family, teachers, and the entire cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience.
Christy Adams: Miss Hannigan
Christy Adams recently jumped back into the theater world after a 20 year hiatus and is having a blast! She has performed all over Tampa Bay, and some of her favorite, most recent roles have been Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express, Grace in Annie, Miss Honey in Matilda, Glinda in Wizard of Oz and Margaret in Silent Sky. She thanks Karissa for allowing her to enter her villain era as Hannigan, and wants to give a shoutout to her favorite footstool orphan (and her daughter), Ava. She thanks Chris and her four precious kids for their endless support and YOU for coming out to support live theater!
Dónal Duffy: Daddy Warbucks
Dónal Duffy is pleased to be returning to NTP alongside his favorite cast member, Nora (July). Previous roles include Jacey Squires in the Music Man (NTP) and Rooster in Annie (Carrollwood Players). A native of Ireland, he earned a Bachelor of Music from the Capital University Conservatory of Music, studied at the Kodály Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary, and played saxophone in the 122d Army Band. Dónal and his wife, Kristi, reside in Land O’ Lakes with their children, Rory, Lucy, and Nora. He offers a special thank you to Jennifer for her patience during choreography rehearsals, and extends his gratitude to his family for their support, as well as the cast, crew, and production team for all of their hard work!
Giada Abalos: Molly
Giada is 7 years old and is thrilled to be playing Molly in her first Community Theatre show! She recently played Young Anna in Frozen Jr. with Patriot Playhouse. She has been dancing for 4 years and just started taking voice lessons with her Mama at Broadway Voice and Acting. She would like to thank the entire creative team and fellow cast members for this incredible experience and her parents for their love and support.
Jaden Figueroa: Ensemble/ Assistant Dogcatcher/ Servant
Jaden Figueroa is freshman at Hillsborough College majoring in Musical Theatre and Political Science. He performed in New Tampa Players' productions of The Music Man and Oklahoma in 2025. Jaden is currently interning for Tampa City Council and works part time as a children's party entertainer.
JD Stauffer: Rooster Hannigan
JD can’t be more excited to take the stage and bring this show to life. Although he has been acting for well over a decade; he started his NTPAC journey as one of their lead set builders for their productions of Music Man, Oklahoma, and Spongebob Squarepants The Musical to name a few. Before his time at NTPAC, JD was studying, producing, and performing sketch and improv comedy on the bright stages at Second City, Chicago. His acting career started in 5th grade, performing in Annie Jr as none-other than Rooster Hannigan himself. JD has also been seen on stage in many roles like Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls”, The Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz”, Juror 10 in “12 Angry Men”, Igor in “Young Frankenstein”, Selsdon Mowbray in “Noises Off” and Anthony Marston in “And Then There Were None”, to name a few. He’d like to give a huge shout out to his friends and family for always supporting his want to be the center of attention, and to his Grandmother Nancy, who he called Omi, who introduced him to theatre and the wonderful world of acting. He hopes you enjoy the show and rate us 5 stars on Letterboxd!
Jordan Boyett: Annie
Jordan is a 10-year-old entering 5th grade and is thrilled to be returning to New Tampa Players in the title role of Annie. Some of her favorite past roles include Matilda in Matilda (Richey Suncoast Theatre), Oliver in Oliver (Richey Suncoast Theatre), and Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical (New Tampa Players). Jordan is also an active performer with Center Stage Youth Theatre and loves every opportunity to learn and grow on stage.
When she’s not performing, Jordan enjoys reading Harry Potter, drawing, and singing along to her favorite musicals. Jordan would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Karissa Barber for believing in her and giving her this incredible opportunity. She is also deeply grateful to her family, the production team, her vocal coach Laurie Mehl, and her wonderful castmates for their unwavering encouragement and support.
Kari Ann Stamatoplos: Sophie/Mrs. Pugh
Kari Ann is happy to be back at New Tampa Players as Sophie and Mrs. Pugh in ANNIE. At NTP she most recently appeared as Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! Previous to that she appeared in The Addams Family (Grandma) and Mary Poppins (Mrs. Brill), as well as directed Annie and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Kari Ann has also performed with St. Pete City Theatre in Sister Act (Sr. Mary Lazurus) and directed The Drowsy Chaperone at mad Theatre. Favorite roles include those in Nunsense (Sr. Mary Amnesia), Lizzie Borden: The Musical (Bridget Sullivan), and Smokey Joe’s Café (various roles). Meisner trained, Kari Ann worked as a full-time actress at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and performed improv with ComedySportz of Indianapolis for over 17 years. She has also performed at Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town and with husband Tony aboard Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Winter Village Express. In her free time, Kari Ann enjoys singing at church, spending time with family, and watching IndyCar.
Legacy: Sandy
Legacy, a Labrador Retriever, was born in 2014 at Southeastern Guide Dogs and raised by her forever family, Carole and Wally Adamczyk. While a minor health issue kept her from being a guide dog, she stepped into an even bigger spotlight. She is a Dogsinc Ambassador, a certified Therapy Dog, and the ultimate mentor to the new puppies Carole raises. Legacy is a natural people-lover and can't wait to share her joy with the audience in this exciting production!
Linda Johnston: Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor
This is Linda’s second community theater experience. After retiring from a career in healthcare, these musical adventures have proven to be a fun way to spend the summer. She looks forward to many more!
Lizzy Ferreira: Cecile/Dance Captain
Lizzy is excited to be back with NTP in Annie. Past productions with NTP include: The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward); A Music Man (Dance Captain/ Dance Ensemble); & Singin’ in the Rain (Dance Ensemble). She is also a student of tap and jazz at New Heights Dance Academy where she has performed at Jingle Bell Bazaar at Ybor, Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field, and Tampa Bay Tap Festival presents COPASETIC at Ferguson Hall, Straz Center.
Mars Wolfe Bonassar: Ensemble
MARS WOLFE BONASSAR is thrilled to be back on stage for Annie! Mars made his theatrical debut last summer in NTP's Music Man, and he couldn't wait to join them again this summer. He is a rising second grader at Carrollwood Day School, and in his free time he loves playing with his Legos, reading Harry Potter, and watching Descendants. He wants to dedicate his performance to his family and friends, especially his good friend Joshua, and Miss Nora [Paine] for helping out so much with the show. He would also like to thank the entire cast for welcoming him and becoming friends with him during the production.
Megan Kolesar: Mrs. Greer
Megan is very excited to be returning to the stage again after 30 years! She was very involved in theatre throughout her high school and college days and decided to give it another go! She has had the best time collaborating on this production with the New Tampa Players and is very grateful for this opportunity to return to a creative space that once gave her so much joy. Megan's past productions include West Side Story, Working, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Brigadoon, Pippen, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Miser, Buried Child, and The Curious Savage. Megan and her husband Mark moved to Tampa eight years ago from Medina, Ohio and they now live in Hunters Green with their four fur-babies. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and enthusiastic support throughout this journey!
Megan Melody: Ronnie (Boylan Sister)/Ensemble
Megan is thrilled to return to the stage for her fourth show with NTP. Previous roles include Ensemble in SpongeBob, Cinderella’s Mother/Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandmother in Into the Woods, and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. When she’s not performing, Megan works as an oncologist at Tampa General Hospital. She is deeply grateful for this talented, energetic cast and production team, and to her husband, Eric Melody, for his constant love and support of all her dreams and hobbies.
Michael Bonassar: Lt. Ward/Louis Howe
Michael cherishes the opportunity to work with the New Tampa Players for a fifth time. Favorite roles of his have been Oliver Hix (The Music Man), Cinderella's Prince/The Wolf (Into the Woods), Wes (Quilt), and Joe (9 to 5). Off the stage, he is father to Mars and Rayla, and a chiropractor at N8 Chiropractic and Wellness. He has loved being able to be a part of his daughter's first venture into theater. He would like to thank his wife Caitlin for all the help she's given and patience she's had during this production. He'd also like to thank the rest of the cast and crew for their hard work, dedication, and welcoming environment they gave his two little ones.
Nora Duffy: July
Nora Duffy is delighted to return to the NTP stage. Over the past year, she has appeared as Pearl in SpongeBob Jr. (Sanders Memorial Elementary), Bloat in Finding Nemo Jr. (DeArmon CAST), and Amaryllis in The Music Man (NTP). Her previous theatre credits include Frozen Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Pirates of the Curry Bean, The Wizard of Oz, Babes in Toyland, and Charlotte’s Web with DeArmon CAST, where she also studies theatre and ballet.
An incoming fifth-grader at Sanders Memorial Elementary in Land O’ Lakes, Nora is an active member of the school chorus and was selected for the 2026 Pasco All-County Chorus. Outside of performing, she enjoys reading, drawing, and writing. She was a State Finalist in the Music Composition category of the 2026 PTA Reflections Contest and was previously a National Finalist in the Music Composition category of the 2024 PTA Reflections Contest.
Nora is especially thrilled to share the stage with her real-life Daddy Warbucks in this production.
Rayla Wolfe Bonassar: Ensemble
RAYLA WOLFE BONASSAR is thrilled to be making her theatrical debut in Annie! Rayla loves to sing and dance, and was elated to find out that she would be in a show with her dad. She will start Pre-K this fall at Primrose, and in her free time she loves playing with her brother, building unicorn castles, and watching Bluey. She wants to dedicate her performance to her family and friends, especially her friends from school Nora and Iris. She would also like to thank the entire cast for welcoming her and becoming friends with her during the production.
Rick Taylor-Rivera: FDR
Rick Taylor Rivera www.ricktaylorrivera.com is a Latin American born North Carolina State Certified Spanish language Court Interpreter recently relocated to Wesley Chapel. A veteran of the Charlotte NC Theatre scene, his favorite credits include Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof, Mr. Brownlow in Oliver, Caesar Rodney in1776, King Louis VII in Becket, Grandpa Joad in Grapes of Wrath & Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. Rick is a graduate of Michigan State University School of Television and Radio and is grateful to Karissa Barber for including him in this wonderful Annie cast in, his first New Tampa Players production.
Saoirse White: Annie
Fresh off of her performance as Ms. Hannigan with Tampa Covenant Homeschool, Saoirse is delighted to show her sweet side as little orphan Annie. Saoirse has been dancing since she was four years old then singing and acting in third grade. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to play bad guys (Roderigo, Babes in Toyland), good girls (Dorothy, Wizard of Oz; Little Elsa, Frozen Jr.), and even animals (Wilbur, Charlotte’s Web; Banzai, The Lion King Jr.). Performing with NTP has been a rewarding experience and an excellent way to chase away the summer boredom blues. She’s excited for the new season of dance and theater with DeArmon CAST and hopes for more opportunities with NTP and the broader theater world.
Tayler: Orphan Ensemble
Tayler is thrilled to be making her debut with this wonderful cast! Moving from Anchorage, Alaska, Tayler brings her love for storytelling and creative energy to the stage. When she’s not acting, you can usually find her writing songs, swimming, buried in a good book, or laughing and playing with her little sister. Offstage, Tayler dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She is so grateful for her newfound love for acting and hopes you enjoy the show!
Eliya Tate: Stage Manager
The ingredients in the making of a stage manager: saying yes and then figuring it out as you go, the ability to be everywhere all at once, and an incredible crew. Thankfully, I have all three of these things. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to once again put a production on with this creative team full of people who are equally purely kind and insanely visionary. I have been Stage Managing for over four years now and it is the job that brings the most challenge and joy in my life. Theatre is important. Art is important. Write your stories, listen to the experience of others, and never lose the value of raw human touch. Thanks for being here and supporting the arts!
Jennifer Soto: Choreographer
Jennifer Soto has been teaching dance and theatre to all ages and abilities throughout Tampa Bay for the past 20 years. She values the opportunity to use dance to help her local community and to make performing arts accessible for everyBODY. Jennifer has been fortunate enough to be a part of New Tampa Players as choreographer and behind the scenes helper since 2022 with mainstage productions, Penguin Project, and Ampersand Theatre Troupe. She would like to thank the NTP staff, artistic team, cast, and crew for their enthusiasm, creativity, and kindness shown to one another. Special thanks to Makayla and Lizzy for their help with choreography! Jennifer would like to thank her family for their unwavering support and love. She really believes in the messaging of this musical: family is what you make it and to remember to stay hopeful even when life gets difficult.
Makayla Raines: Assistant Director
Makayla Raines is a professional choreographer and performer based in the Tampa Bay area and is honored to serve as Assistant Director for *Annie* with New Tampa Players. For the past four years, she has had the privilege of working with this incredible company both on and off the stage, and it has truly become a second home. She is endlessly grateful for the trust, friendship, and creativity that this team brings to every production. Working alongside this remarkable cast and dedicated production team has been an absolute joy, and she couldn't be more proud of everything they've accomplished together. Thank you for supporting local theater, and she hopes this production of *Annie* leaves you smiling long after the final curtain.
Karissa Barber: Director
Karissa Barber (she/her) is a director, award-winning actress, intimacy choreographer and playwright living in central Florida. In May 2024, she graduated with her MFA in directing and performance pedagogy from the University of Idaho. Her work with adults with disabilities, unhoused populations, racial justice and her experience as a transracial adoptive mother informs the work she is drawn to as a theatre maker. She is an adjunct professor at Polk State and the theatre operations/production manager for Florida Southern College Department of Theatre and Dance.
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