The Lemurian Experience at Plaza Theatre

Nicole Gardner

Nicole graduated from Muhlenberg College in the Spring of 2023 with a double major in Theater and Music. Growing up in the salt air of Buzzards Bay, MA, Nicole always explored her love for the stage, seeking out community theater from the age of eleven. She graduated from high school earning an International Baccalaureate diploma with higher-level courses in Theater, English, and Spanish studies. Since then, she has sought out every performance opportunity she could find. Nicole dove into Vassar College's Powerhouse theater training program to hone her crafts in a conservatory-like intensive. In college she enjoyed being in a member of the Muhlenberg Dynamics acapella group since freshman year, and president of Muhlenberg's long-form musical theater improv group ToBeDetermined for 3 years. Outside of the arts, Nicole loves being outdoors, hiking, and ice skating. To keep up with Nicole's work visit her website at nicolegardnerperformer.com (http://nicolegardnerperformer.com) or follow her on Instagram @nikkizbest Recent highlights include: Helen in Trojan Women, Jenny Diver in The Three Penny Opera, Annelle in Steel Magnolias, and Lauren in Squeeze Her Hand. She is thrilled to be involved in the world premiere of The Lemurian Experience and also grateful for her upcoming role as Corie in Barefoot in the Park at Chatham Drama Guild.

Marianna Mcallum

Marianna is a rising junior Musical Theatre major at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. She has been participating in shows sense she was 5 years old. Some of her favorite roles are Annie in Annie at the Bay Colony Performing Arts Academy, Cinderella in Cinderella at the Triboro Youth Theatre, Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland at the Stadium Theatre, Cady in Mean Girls at the Burtwood School of the Performing Arts and Gretchen in Mean Girls at the Uncommon Theatre. Last year she studied theatre at the Boston Arts Academy and vocal at the Berklee College of Music 5-week Aspire Program. Marianna enjoys singing the Star Spangled Banner for Walpole High Schools Hockey and Basketball games. She’s the 2024 Miss Taunton's Teen for the Miss America Pageant system and will be competing in June at the Miss Massachusetts competition. Marianna is so excited to be a part of this production. She would like to thank her parents, the amazing cast and crew, and all who have supported her on her journey.

David Schell

David is a rising senior at Emerson College from Conover, North Carolina–a small town in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. They grew up performing traditional Irish dance, which fostered their love for performing at a young age. This passion led them to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ residential drama program where they completed high school with a focus in acting. David continues to study theatre, along with American Sign Language, as they pursue their BFA at Emerson with a minor in hearing and deafness. Since moving to Boston, David has been seen onstage as well as behind the scenes: working in theatrical costume, hair, and makeup. Recent credits include Emerson Stage’s Cabaret(Victor), Second Star to the Right(Micheal), 16 Winters(Asst. Costume Designer), and Bat Boy(Wig/Makeup Supervisor); Bluejay Theatre Collective’s Dog Sees God(Swing/ u/s CB); Emerson Musical Theatre Society’s La Cage Aux Folles(Hanna), Big Fish(Young Will/Zacky), Urinetown(Officer Barrell), and The Secret Garden(Costume Designer); and Musical Theatre Against The Grain’s A Chorus Line(Costume Designer). This year, they have played a part in developing several new works and are excited to be a part of another world premiere! Thanks to Evelyn for being there every step of the way.

Shravana Karthikeyan

Shravana Karthikeyan is a rising senior at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Performance and Songwriting, with a minor in Musical Theater Performance. Shravana is originally from Singapore, and has particpated in numerous performances and competitions there. She has a diploma in Musical Theater and Popular Vocals from London College of Music. Being from an artistic family, Shravana is also trained in Indian Classical dance by her mother, and has been dancing since she was 5. Recently, Shravana has been in “The Spidey Parody Musical” by Charlene Leila, and “Playing Dead” by Neil Klien.

Madi Cornetta

Madelyn is a recent Film Studies and English Literature graduate from University of St. Andrews where she was heavily involved in the school’s theatre department - both on and offstage. In her senior year, she directed a regional production of Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin and was featured in the ensemble of the Byre Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors in Scotland.

Ella Falcone

Ella, a New Hampshire-based actress, grew up on a sheep farm with her four sisters. She is excited to make her stage debut in Boston since receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Nazareth University in May. Ella would like to thank her family for supporting (and housing) her while she explores the world of Lemuria! Past credits include: Snug (A Midsummer Night's Dream) - Nazareth University, Anna (Frozen Jr.) - Northern Stage, Alice (Bright Star) - Lebanon, NH, Katherine (Newsies) - Trumbull Hall Troupe.

Heather Schmid Mehdi

Heather Schmid is an international recording artist and Grammy voting member, known for her versatile vocals and impactful humanitarian efforts. With six album releases, Heather tours globally in China, India, the Middle East and Pakistan with her unique blend of pop and classical music. Heather's credits include TV series "The Ambassador" in China and "The Rhythm and Raga," chronicling the making of the Unity song in Pakistan. Heather's commitment to humanitarian causes is evident through her non-profit, Game Changers Network, which empowers underserved communities through education and sustainable development. Heather is the writer, producer of 'The Lemurian Experience'.

Syra Mehdi

Sam Barao

Anthony Apostolides II