THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.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
Bikini Bottom Day (Jonathan Coulton) - SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Karen, Company
Bikini Bottom Day (Reprise 1) (Jonathan Coulton) - SpongeBob
No Control (David Bowie & Brian Eno) - Perch, SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Pearl, Squidward, Patrick, Sandy, Company
BFF (Plain White T’s) - SpongeBob, Patrick, Sardine 3 Ensemble
When the Going Gets Tough (T.I.) - Plankton, Karen, SpongeBob, Company
Just a Simple Sponge (Panic! at the Disco) - SpongeBob, Sardine 2 Ensemble, HipHop, Pirate Ensemble
Daddy Knows Best (Alex Ebert) - Mr. Krabs, Pearl, HipHop Ensemble, Electric Skates
Hero Is My Middle Name (Cyndi Lauper) - SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Stilts, HipHop Ensemble
Super Sea Star Savior (Yolanda Adams) - Patrick, Sardine Ensemble
Tomorrow Is (The Flaming Lips) - Sandy, SpongeBob, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Karen, Company
Act II
Poor Pirates (Sara Bareilles) - Patchy, Pirate Ensemble
Bikini Bottom Day (Reprise 2) (Jonathan Coulton) - SpongeBob
*Bikini Bottom Boogie (Steven Tyler & Joe Perry) - Electric Skates
Chop to the Top (Lady Antebellum) - Sandy, SpongeBob
(I Guess I) Miss You (John Legend) - Patrick, SpongeBob
I’m Not a Loser (They Might Be Giants) - Squidward, Sea Anemones
Just a Simple Sponge (Reprise) (Panic! at the Disco) - SpongeBob
Best Day Ever (Andy Paley & Tom Kenny) - SpongeBob, Company
Bikini Bottom Day (Finale) (Jonathan Coulton) - SpongeBob, Company
SpongeBob SquarePants Theme Song (Derek Drymon, Mark Harrison, Stephen Hillenburg, & Blaise Smith) - Company
Alex Alfonso: Perch Perkins
Breaking news! Alex is very happy to be onstage with NTP again for this production! SpongeBob was a pivotal part of Alex’s childhood growing up, so getting to make Bikini Bottom come alive is a huge privilege. Alex has performed with NTP in a variety of shows over the years—most recently as Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods—but he mostly volunteers backstage. He also volunteers with NTP as a peer mentor for Penguin Project productions every year since 2019. Enjoy the show!
Alex Shamblott: Bluetang and Electric Skate
Alex Shamblott currently works at Eckerd College in their food service. When not working at his job, he loves creating animated videos for his YouTube channel, playing video games, and organizing get-togethers with his friends. Alex joined the founding cohort of Ampersand Theatre artists after two seasons with the Penguin Project productions Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth). He played Lucy and Linus’ little brother, Rerun, in Ampersand’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Alex would like to thank his friends for getting him involved in musical theater and his Mom, Dad, Grandma, brother Nick, and sisters Kait and Sam for their love and support.
Brian Tighe: Pit Singer
Brian Tighe is excited to be back at New Tampa Players! He appeared in last year’s production of Into the Woods as the Narrator/Mysterious Man. A New Jersey native, he has performed in numerous productions over 40+ years and is co-founder of Mystic Vision Players. Favorite credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), Camelot (Arthur), and Phantom (Buquet), and multiple productions of Guys & Dolls, George M, and Anything Goes. Brian works as VP of Project Controls for a global construction firm.
Cameron Shaw: Mr. Krabs
Cameron Shaw is 25 years old and a graduate of Pepin Academy and Erwin Technical College. He enjoys movies, video games, and singing, and is excited to play Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob The Musical.
Cameron’s previous roles include Captain Hook in Peter Pan Jr., Neylan in Mary Poppins Jr., Gaston in Beauty and the Beast Jr., and Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He enjoys these experiences immensely and looks forward to many more opportunities to act and sing.
He would like to thank the New Tampa Players and all the Ampersand volunteers for making this program possible.
Cassia Dixon: Hip Hop Ensemble/ Sea Anemone/ Stunt Team
Cassia is thrilled to return to New Tampa Players in Spongebob The Musical! With over six 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 at Disney, 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! Meow 🐌
Cheyenne: Sardine/ BFF
Cheyenne Stoltz is a 24-year-old performer enjoying her first year with Ampersand and her fourth show with the Penguin Project Program. She has a passion for singing, dancing, and acting, and loves watching movies and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Darrah Wilson: Electric Skate/Stilt Walker
Darrah is 17 years old and a senior in high school. She is excited to be performing in SpongeBob the Musical and has been part of several theater productions, most recently Newsies with Center Stage Youth Theater. Darrah is grateful for the chance to work with such a talented cast!
Deidra "Dee-Dee" Kemp: Sardine
I have been on an amazing acting journey starting with Penguin Project and now with Ampersand. I am employed at the Cup, I attend Focus Forward, I love pandas, music, drawing, going to church, and spending time with friends and family.
Desiree Cole: Sardine/ Ensemble
Desiree would like to thank the cast and crew for such an amazing experience and is happy to make new friends with the MainStage cast. Her favorite roles was Jane Banks (Mary Poppins Jr.) and a Napkin (Beauty and the Beast Jr.) in The Penguin Project at NTP. A big thanks to everyone for your support!
Eliya Tate: Stage Manager/ Pearl/ Stunt Lead/ Assistant Choreographer
While you may have seen her screaming her lungs out on stage, what you can’t see is her passion for the production once she steps off the stage. Though Eliya has been stage managing since 2016, this is her second production in the role with New Tampa Players. Something she loves about the process is that each show is like a puzzle, with the goal of giving each and every audience member a moment to leave everything at the door, and be fully immersed in the mission, drama, heartbreak, or joy of the story. She hopes that every ounce of passion from the cast and crew shines through as you dive into Bikini Bottom. In a last minute turn of events, Eliya was also called back onto the stage as Pearl! Though a surprise, this incredibly fun challenge is one that she was prepared for, with over twenty three years of performance education and experience in school, community theatre, and professionally. She is thrilled to get to work so closely with each and every member of this incredible cast. “Theatre is about learning from each other. Through experiences and stories, we gain empathy and understanding in a way that cannot be replicated outside of this space. I hope that as you walk away from this show, you not only carry the joy of the experience, but also a curiosity to slow down and allow yourself the profound experience of humanity that happens when we listen and learn from each other. Especially those who might just look like a simple sponge.” Enjoy the show!
Gabriela Fotopoulos: Stunt Team
Gabriela is happy to be a part of “Spongebob”! She has been in multiple productions with New Tampa Players and loves the community here. Apart from hanging out in Bikini Bottom, she directs and choreographs productions, the latest being “South Pacific” with Center Stage. She hopes you have the “best day ever” while watching this amazing production. Shoutout to the mountain crew!
Isabella Duffin: Sardine 1
Isabela is 21 years old and this is her second Ampersand production. She started with Ms Nora in Penguin Project and was in 4 productions. She is a graduate of Pepin Academies, spent 2 years in their Transition Program and now is in the USF Launch Program. Isabela is hoping to get placed at the Florida Aquarium this semester as her dream job is to work with sea turtles. Isabela and her family would like to thank Nora and the staff, volunteers and artists for their love, support and encouragement. Theatre has been an amazing experience for Isabela and we are blessed to have found Penguin and Ampersand.
Jake Benscoter: Old Man Jenkins
Jake Benscoter is the ultimate SpongeBob SquarePants SuperFan and he is extra excited to be performing in this show as Old Man Jenkins! You may have seen him in previous Ampersand shows, especially as Charlie Brown in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! When he isn’t busy performing, 100%-ing Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Nintendo Switch, and making his own epic movies at home, you can find Jake working at the Florida Aquarium. Come by and say ‘hello’—he would love to talk to you about his favorite subjects: Disney history, vintage video games, everything 80s and 90s, and theme parks! Jake has really enjoyed this combination show with all of his new friends in the New Tampa Players main stage cast and his longtime pals in Ampersand and he wants everyone to know that they have done a fantastic job! A special shout out to Old Lady Jenkins (Kelly) for being the best helper! Thank you to his mom and Sarah, and the rest of his family, for their love and support and for always being his biggest fans! “Get off my lawn!”
Jarell Caballer: Hip Hop Ensemble
I'm Jarell Caballer I love dancing and I love playing video games on my spare time. I started dancing when I was in 10th grade .
Jonathan Funnel: Patch’s Cameraman
Jonathan Funnell is excited to perform as the Cameraman in SpongeBob The Musical with Ampersand and the New Tampa Players Troupes. His previous credit with Ampersand was the musical The Greatest Show. Additional productions outside of Ampersand include A Christmas Carol, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Into the Woods, and Sweeney Todd. Jonathan is a lifelong theatre and film enthusiast of all genres. He has a strong appreciation for Disney, Pixar, and animation in general. He also has a love of music and sports, especially NASCAR! When he’s not on stage, Jonathan works at AdventHealth and TJ Maxx.
Joslyn: Stilt Walker/Electric Skate
This is my first time with NTP but I’ve been having a blast! I’ve been doing theater for the past two years. When asked to learn stilts for the show I was an immediate yes. I’m so happy to have the this new skill with the help of Paul and everyone on the stilt team keeping us safe. Can’t wait to rock out!!
Kelly Carpenter: Sardine 1/ Ensemble
Kelly is a positive and encouraging family member, friend and student. She is in a work training program in partnership with Pepin Academies and Advent Health Hospital. Kelly is a frequent concert-goer and loves seeing her favorite Christian artists. She enjoys traveling, visiting family and staying at Madeira Beach. Kelly loves being part of musical theatre productions and has had roles in Beauty and the Beast Jr, Mary Poppins Jr, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical and now SpongeBob.
Kelly Nowicki: Old Woman Jenkins
Kelly Nowicki (Old Woman Jenkins) is loving every minute of being a part of this production of The SpongeBob Musical. Previous shows include: Oklahoma (adult ensemble), The Music Man (adult ensemble), Sunday in the Park with George (Mrs.), Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Rowena), Singin’ in the Rain (Chorus Girl), Annie (Miss Hannigan), Legally Blonde (Elle’s Mom/Judge). During the day she works as an American Sign Language Interpreter. When she doesn’t have rehearsal, her free time is spent knitting and reading. Thanks to John, her friends, and family for all of their love and support!
Lena Wigfall: Sandy Cheeks
Lena Wigfall is an actress from Tampa, Florida who grew up being heavily involved in the arts. She quickly fell in love with musical theatre, and has been acting for the last 10 years. Her dream is to one day be on Broadway, and continue to explore her love for directing, writing, and music. She can’t wait to “Chop to the Top” in NTP’s The SpongeBob Musical. She would also like to give a big ginormous thank you to Megan for her endless support, and belief in her dreams.
Lillie Jackson: Stunt Crew/Assistant Stage Manager
Hello Bikini Bottom! Lillie began her nautical nonsense in theatre in early childhood. From Elementary school through High School, she went from performing onstage as an actor/singer, to providing stunt support, and helping the technical crew as Stage Manager, ASM, Sound A2, Prop Master, and Flys. After high school, Lillie's first job was performing at a theme park! She has since grown her technical career as a contracted stagehand, ASM, A2, SM, and the like. Lillie continues to grow her love for theatre. Building community and support for those that share the love for the arts. Lillie has been with NTP for about 2 years now, working as a contractor helping with Load Ins and Strikes. Spongebob: The Musical is Lillie's first full production with New Tampa Players. She is so excited to help bring this production to life!! Lillie hopes everyone continues to find love, joy, and escapism in the arts. The world is truly a better place when we all come together :)
Lizzy Ferreira: Squidward/ Dance Captain
Lizzy is excited to back with NTP in The SpongeBob Musical. Past productions with NTP include: A Music Man (Dance Captain/ Dance Ensemble); ATLAS Modern Ballet & NTP present: Spirit, A Christmas Carol Adaptation (Vocal Ensemble); and 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 the Jaeb Theater, Straz Center.
Lori Anne Lermon: Sardine 2
Lori is a 25 year old who graduated from Pepin in 2019. She has shined like a star in many productions like Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Charlie Brown and the Greatest Show. In her free time she enjoys helping out with the Cup, having her nails done and anything and everything Disney related.
Lowell Rain: Electric Skate/ Stilt Walker
Lowell is proud to debut with the New Tampa Players. He is so thankful to have been given the opportunity to learn how to stilt walk and take this new skill to the stage. He is an active performer at Busch Gardens: Sesame Street Safari of Fun. He dances with his friends Elmo and Oscar the Grouch for multiple seasonal stage shows through out the year. He feels so thankful to get to experience the very first collaborative show between The New Tampa Players and The Ampersand Theatre Troupe. He has made such wonderful connections along the way and is excited to see what the future holds for himself and his fellow cast mates.
Matthew Faiella: Krabby Patty
Matthew is excited to appear in The SpongeBob Musical as Krabby Patty. This marks his fourth time performing in a play and his first production with New Tampa Players. He loves acting and enjoys art, animals, and anime. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a welcoming cast and creative team and would like to thank his family and friends for their continued encouragement and support.
Matthew Grynbal: Pirate and Angry
Matthew loves being on stage and comes alive through singing and dancing especially when he hears the crowd roar. Being part of this show has been extra special because of the incredible cast. He’s made so many new friends and truly enjoys working alongside everyone. When he’s not performing, Matthew works at Publix, a job he really enjoys and takes pride in.
Matthew Nigro: Patchy the Pirate
Matthew has been a part of Ampersand Theatre since 2022, after participating in the Penguin Project. He is thrilled to be a part of this collaboration with the New Tampa Players, in the role of Patchy the Pirate. He would like to thank his family and friends for their encouragement and support, the cast and crew for all their hard work, and Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, one of his favorite cartoon characters growing up.
Megan Melody: Pit Chorus
Megan Melody is excited to be signing again with NTP alongside this incredible cast. Past performances with NTP include Into the Woods 2025 and The Miracle Worker 2013. When she is not performing Megan is a Hematologist/Oncologist with a specialty in lymphoma at TGH Cancer Institute.
Micaiah Tate: Hip-Hop Ensemble/ Stunt Team
Micaiah Tate is 18 years old and a senior in high school. He has 12 years of musical theatre performance experience, and looks forward to a lifetime of more. This is his first year with New Tampa Players and so excited to be a part of the amazing cast of SpongeBob! He plans to go on to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and dreams of one day performing on a Broadway stage.
Neil Bleiweiss: Pit Singer
Neil is excited to return to Bikini Bottom, having previously played Perch Perkins in 2023. Neil has been most recently seen as Sven (Frozen), and Mayor Shinn (The Music Man) last summer here at NTPAC. Other credits include Into the Woods (Baker), Deathtrap (Clifford Anderson), Sunday in the Park with George (Boatman/Redmond), and The Prom (Principal Hawkins). Thank you for supporting the arts!
Rachel Wilk: Karen the Computer
Beep-boop-bop and other computer noises! Rachel is thrilled to be making her debut with New Tampa Players! Some of her past favorite roles include Catherine in Pippin, Maria in The Sound of Music, as well as performing with Metrocon in the Masquerade. She is forever grateful for everyone who has supported her passion for live theatre throughout the years. She would not be where she is today without you all!!!
Rebecca Groomes: Ensemble
Dr. Becky grew up performing as a dancer, singer, actor, pianist and percussionist starting at age 3. She followed in her dad's steps to become a dentist and now owns Groomes Dental up in Dade City (always accepting new patients!). This is her 3rd NTP show and is blessed to share the stage with such talented and beautiful people, inside and out.
Rowan DiPriest: Mayor
Rowan is super excited to be a part of this production of SpongeBob the Musical! She would like to thank her brother Simon and dad Todd for sharing this experience with her, and to congratulate the entire cast and crew on such an amazing show! Now let’s make this the Best Performance Ever!
Sean Anderson: Pirate/ Fish
Sean Anderson’s love of music from the early years of Rock ‘n Roll has influenced and driven his interest in musical theater. He is excited to be joining the Ampersand Theater Troupe again for his second appearance. He previously was part of their production of “The Greatest Show.” This time he is a pirate, in “Spongebob the Musical” with the New Tampa Players.
Simon DuPriest: Patrick Star
While Simon had done shows with New Tampa Players in the past, it was when he was very young, but he’s back! Previously, Simon had starred in productions at Wharton High School and Hillsborough All County Theatre. Simon is currently a freshman majoring in theatre arts at the University of South Florida and is hoping to pursue a career in performance in the future. He would like to thank his sister, Rowan, for always being by his side.
Thalia Yvanna Arbelaez: Hip-Hop Ensemble
Thalía Yvanna Arbelaez continues to be dynamic and confident in believing in herself. She has continued to grow in the artistic field at Ampersand, where she has participated in various projects that she has deeply enjoyed thanks to the support and care of the staff and Mrs. Nora.
Travis Hudson: Spongebob
Travis Hudson is vibrating at a frequency normally reserved for jellyfish raves and emergency preparedness drills to be playing SpongeBob SquarePants in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical! This is a dream role, a cardio event, and a bold pivot for someone with absolutely no formal connection to musical theatre whatsoever. Yes, he screamed when cast. Yes, this surprised everyone, including him.
Travis holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Tennessee, where he trained extensively in population health, disaster response, and data analysis; skills that have proven shockingly transferable to singing at full volume, dancing without fear, and believing very hard in friendship. While his academic background did not technically prepare him for living in a pineapple under the sea, it did prepare him to assess risk, spread joy, and respond calmly to chaos (Bikini Bottom is a public health nightmare).
Previous credits include Oklahoma!/Joe, High School Musical/Troy Bolton, and Into the Woods/Rapunzel’s Prince and a long résumé of things that are not musical theatre. Special skills include enthusiastic overcommitment, advanced bubble-blowing, and saying “I’m ready!” with the confidence of someone who absolutely did not know what they were getting into.
When not under the sea, Travis can be found training for a triathalon, Instacarting, or asking important questions like whether or not he should dye his hair again.
Endless thanks to Anthony for all the late nights and unsolicited feedback, his family for the endless support and love, and his friends for hyping him up enough at karaoke to convince him he can sing.
This performance is dedicated to those who never give up on their dreams, chaotic optimism, and the radical idea that joy, kindness, and singing your face off might actually save the world.
Victoria Zisi: Stunt Team/ Sardine 2
Victoria is originally from Virginia. After graduating from Liberty University
with a BA in Theatre Production, she moved to the Tampa area, where she is
currently a drama, choir, and band instructor at Westlake Christian School. Recent credits include Gertie in Oklahoma! (NTP), Anne Page and Hostess in The Merry Wives of Windsor (TheatreFor), Papagena in Magic Flute and Sister Anne in Dialogues of the Carmelites (Opera for Earth), the title characters in Cinderella and Peter Pan (Whacky Tales), Featured Dancer in Singin' in the Rain and Choreographer/Featured Dancer in Shrek (NTP), and tableread actress for developing Star Wars series with LucasFilms. Victoria recently received an award and a staged reading from the Kennedy Center for her original WWII play, Blind to the Truth. Victoria is a princess performer for Fairytales and Heroes portraying roles such as Anna, Belle, Elsa, and Mary Poppins. "Let all that you do be done in love." ~1 Corinthians 16:14
Deon Barksdale: Assistant Director
Deon Barksdale, Jr. is a Tampa, Florida native and a graduate of Florida A&M University, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre Performance. A multi-hyphenate theatre artist, his selected stage directing credits include the world premiere of The Preacherman, Blues for an Alabama Sky, and The Long Goodbye. His film directing work includes Django: Uncracked. He has also served as an assistant director on Camp Athena and is proud to make his Tampa assistant directorial debut with The SpongeBob Musical.
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 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, crew, and many volunteers for their enthusiasm, creativity, and kindness shown to one another. Special thanks to Eliya and Lizzy for stepping up to help with choreography! Jennifer would like to thank her family for their unwavering support and love. Above all, she really believes in the messaging of this musical: to always be inclusive of others and the importance of finding hope even when life gets difficult.
Jack Holloway: Fight/Stunt Choreographer
Jack Holloway is a graduate of the University of South Florida and the Florida School of the Arts, and has been choreographing stage combat for over two decades in the Tampa Bay area. Past credits include: The Play That Goes Wrong, Oklahoma!, and Pagliacci. He currently serves as Artistic Director for Hat Trick Theatre and is thrilled to be working with the fine folks at New Tampa Players.
Rick Barclay: Music Director
Rick has worked for the New Tampa Players now for 3 years as Music Director, Assistant Music Director, Vocal Director, Rehearsal Pianist, and Drummer/Pianist for shows. Past Music Director jobs have included Charlie Brown, Oklahoma, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical Jr., Hairspray, In The Heights and Brooklyn. It has been an absolute joy to be a part of Spongebob as it has brought back many found memories of the countless hours watching the TV show with my son when he was a little boy.
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