Cast Bios:

Dayna Alice Austin (Séance Leader) (she/her) is a San Diego native with over two decades of musical theatre experience and a compulsive dedication to studying horror cinema. She is so honored to tell THIS tale of Sweeney Todd for her first Coronado Playhouse show.

Max Bergstrand (Ensemble/Sweeney Todd U.S.) (he/him) is a UC San Diego Grad from Brookline, Massachusetts. Past credits include Durango (BCDS), The Seer (Company 157), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Muir Musical), Something Rotten! (Muir Musical). He would like to thank Mamma, Pappa, K, Westie, and Farmor for always being there for him.

Bella Brady (Johanna) (she/her) is delighted to be making her Coronado Playhouse debut in such an iconic show! Recent theatre credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods (Grossmont College Theatre), Lilli/ Kate in Kiss Me, Kate (Westview Theatre Company), Burrhus in Britannicus (British American Drama Academy), Norma in Perfect Arrangement (Skull and Dagger Dramatic Society), In a Sunshine State [world premiere], Cabaret, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (SDSU mainstage). Bella just returned from a semester at the British American Drama Academy’s London Theatre Program where she spent her time studying acting and theatre all while immersing herself in London’s rich theatre scene. In continuation of her studies, Bella is in her final year at San Diego State University as a Musical Theatre major. bellabrady.com

Hunter Brown (Beadle) (they/them) is a San Diego based actor and teaching artist, and they are so excited to be performing at Coronado again! Recent credits include: A Twisted Bargain (Xander), Tuck Everlasting (Man in Yellow), and IYKYK (Sam).  Hunter would like to dedicate this show to Fred and Floyd.

Roberto Castillo Jr. (Pirelli) (he/they) is absolutely thrilled to join Coronado Playhouse for one of their dream shows! Past CPH credits include Terpsichore (Xanadu), Perch Perkins/Electric Skate (The SpongeBob Musical), and Adult Ensemble (Matilda). They would like to thank their friends for their unconditional support, their astrology chart for guidance, and the audience for their continued support for community theater.

Cole Chinn (Ensemble/Bird Seller) (he/they) is excited to be making his CPH debut with one of their favorite Sondheim works. They are studying theater arts and classical voice at San Diego Mesa College with plans to transfer for musical theater. Favorite past roles include Firmin in Phantom of the Opera, Kenickie in Grease, and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Outside of performing, Cole enjoys playing volleyball, drinking boba, and playing with their dog, Sully. Cole would like to thank his family and friends for their unyielding support throughout the years.

Sofia D’Alessio (Ensemble) (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Coronado Playhouse debut! Her most recent credits include portraying Belen in Optika Moderna/La Jolla Playhouse’s production of La Lucha and spooking guests as a Siren Scare Actor at SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream event. Sofia received her BA in Theatre from Millikin University. When she is not performing, she is either working as an account manager (aka her very exciting job), spending time with family and friends, or attempting to teach herself a new craft. She’d like to dedicate this show to her family and to her partner Kristian, for always supporting her and encouraging her to follow her dreams.

Myles Davis (Ensemble) (he/him) is from San Diego California but has lived as a working actor in Utah and New York as well. Some of his credits include Beauty and the Beast with Blue Rose Theatre Company, Mary Poppins with Bronco Players, Illyria and The Emily Dickinson Musical with the University of Utah. He’d like to thank his family and friends for supporting him and his career.

Jansen Espares (Anthony) (he/him) is excited to be in this production of Sweeney Todd! He is a second year film student at San Diego State University. In high school, productions included Mr. Mayor in Seussical, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods, and Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. This summer, he was part of Blindspot Collective’s YAC (Young Artist Collective) production of Chasing Fear. Although he was not active in theatre during his first year of college, he is ready to be back on stage! Music and the visual arts have been an integral part of his identity, and being part of this production brings him immense joy as he continues to cultivate his artistic passions!

Espie Ignacio (Ensemble) (they/she/siya) is a Bay Area native who recently graduated from UC San Diego with degrees in General Psychology and Theatre. She would like to thank her family, friends, and dog (Biko) for the never-ending love and support. Previous acting credits: 809 Almond (UCSD Theatre & Dance), Lizzie: The Musical (Wildsong Productions), Pásale Pásale (Tuyo Theatre, LJP WOW Festival), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Muir Musical), American Idiot (Muir Musical). Previous directing credits: Call Your Mother (Music Director, CCAE Theatricals), Comedy of Errors (Assistant Director, UCSD Theatre & Dance), Into the Woods (Vocal Director, Muir Musical), A Chorus Line (Vocal Director, Muir Musical). Her favorite pie is Nations’ Banana Créme Pie 🙂 @es.pie09

Steven Jensen (Judge Turpin) (he/him) has appeared in more than 25 plays at Coronado Playhouse, including Mamma Mia!, Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Sugar, Tartuffe, The Importance of Being Earnest, Hamlet, The Winter’s Tale, Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Elsewhere he has performed at the Utah, Flagstaff, and Berkeley Shakespeare Festivals. Also at many local theaters, including PowPAC, Lamplighters, Poor Players, New Village Arts, Oceanside Theatre Co., OB Playhouse, Teatro Máscara Mágica, Diversionary, Lyric Opera San Diego, Vanguard, Octad One, and others. Steven is president of the San Diego Shakespeare Society.

Elijah May (Tobias) (he/him) is a Junior at Cathedral Catholic High School. He has been performing in musicals for six years, his most recent roles including Moonface Martin in Anything Goes (CCHS) and Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (CCHS). Outside of theater, Elijah enjoys recreational activities such as tennis and solving Rubik’s cubes. He would like to thank Leah Osterman for giving him this new opportunity and everyone at Coronado Playhouse for creating such a welcoming environment!

Kay-Marie Moreno (Beggar Woman) (she/her) is thrilled to return to the Coronado Playhouse stage after her recent role in Tuck Everlasting. With a passion for musical theater, Kay-Marie has been singing since the age of five and has extensive experience performing, primarily in vocal capacities. This past summer, she toured England with Stellarum on the Monarch and Saints tour. Her previous performances include Tuck Everlasting (Mae Tuck and Nana) and the ensemble choir in the world-premiere production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Jolla Playhouse. Kay-Marie is immensely grateful for the support of her family and friends.

Leanna Neely (Ensemble/Lovett U.S.) (she/her)  is so excited to be onstage at Coronado Playhouse! This is her first performance in this space and she couldn’t be happier to be incorporated in this production. Some of her favorite credits include: Beauty and The Beast (Mrs. Potts), Heathers (Heather Duke u/s), Footloose (Wendy Jo), Freaky Friday (Kathrine), Spring Awakening (Anna), Fiddler On The Roof (Golde). She would like to thank the cast and crew for all the hardwork they do to make this show possible! She would also like to thank her friends and family for their wonderful support. Thank you so much and enjoy the show!!
IG: @leanna_neely & TikTok: Httplee76

Kaitlyn Summers (Ensemble) (she/her) is very excited to join this bloody cast! Credits include: Nan in Exit, Pursued by Bear,  Erato in Xanadu, Nine, Jenny in Big Fish, Bebe in A Chorus Line (Coronado Playhouse); Malt Shop Memories (Vista’s Broadway Theatre); Magenta/Usherette in Rocky Horror, Sarah in Assassins, American Idiot, Hair, Little Becky Urinetown, (OB Playhouse); Marta in Spring Awakening (OnStage Playhouse); The Deadly Singer Mystery (Playroom NYC). Lots of love and thanks to her amazing family and friends for all their support

Brittney Tiger (Ensemble) (she/her) is excited to be returning to Coronado Playhouse for Sweeney Todd. A graduate of AMDA: College and Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she has previously appeared in Nine (Luisa), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Dorothy), Sunday in the Park with George (Dot U/S), and Anything Goes (Ensemble). She has also spent four seasons with the Canyon Lake Choraleers and is thrilled to bring her passion for performance back to the CPH stage.

Meg Woodley (Mrs. Lovett) (she/her) is beyond excited to be able to portray Mrs. Lovett–it’s been a dream for a long time! Being a part of such a new and innovative rendition is such a proud moment. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and encouragement to start auditioning again. She would like to specially thank her partner Grady for his encouragement to try acting again, unwavering support and rides to rehearsals, and for all the love. To the Cast and Crew, thank you for all the fun and creativity and let’s kill it!

Production Bios:

Leah Osterman: (she/they) (Director/Co-Choreographer) is delighted to be making her San Diego directing debut with Sweeney Todd at Coronado Playhouse. Other SD credits include assistant directing and props designing at Diversionary Theater. Outside of San Diego, she has directed projects at Yale University, assistant directed for Heartbeat Opera, interned at Baltimore Center Stage, studied at the Moscow Art Theater School and taught and directed theater in a special education school. Leah would like to thank Kailee for being the ultimate partner in bringing this show to life. All love to family, friends, and dearest Linda.

Kailee Ash-Ray (Music Director/Co-Choreographer) is delighted to make her music directing/choreographer debut with the Coronado Playhouse. Other music directing credits include 13 The Musical (2024), Finding Nemo Junior (2024), Grace for President (2023), and Tuck Everlasting (2022). Kailee is incredibly proud and thankful for the cast and crew of this production and she couldn’t be more excited to share this story with you! We hope you don’t scare too easily!

Gabriella Mendoza (Stage Manager) is excited to return as a stage manager for Coronado Playhouse. Past stage management credits include: Exit, Pursued By a Bear at CPH (2024), Puffs at Fenix Theatre Collaborative (2022), Puffs at The Eastern (2019), and the annual Showcase at UCLA HOOLIGAN Theatre Company (2016). Performance credits at CPH include: Ensemble in Tuck Everlasting (2024), Muse Swing in Xanadu (2023), Ensemble in The SpongeBob Musical (2022), and Hot Box Girl in Guys and Dolls (2019).

Janine Rose (Sound Designer) is thrilled to make her debut as a sound designer at Coronado Playhouse after serving as A1 for TL;DR: Thelma and Louise; Dyke Remix at Diversionary Theatre last season. Other work includes audio engineering at Amplified Studios in Carlsbad, sound designing the upcoming Midnight at the Never Get at Diversionary, and releasing and performing with her own original music.

Aunya Graham (Lighting Designer) This is Aunya’s first show with Coronado Playhouse and she is so excited to work with not only the Playhouse but with Leah as well! She has been doing lighting design since high school and this will be her first design post graduation. She could not be more thankful for the opportunity and for her parents for always supporting her. Her previous work includes Something Rotten! and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Muir Musical at UCSD, Romeo and Juliet with the UCSD Theater and Dance Department and many others.

Frank Seed (Scenic Designer) is excited to create another world for Coronado Playhouse! He started his time here as the Scenic Designer for Xanadu last October while he was going into his senior year at university. He now has his degree in theatre from UCSD where he worked designing some new plays in the Wagner New Play Festival and the dance show Winter Works. Other Credits: The 39 Steps(New Village Arts), Letters From Home(WOW Festival), and Exit Pursued By A Bear(Coronado Playhouse). He is excited for you all to relive the tale…

Mikaela Liotta (Costume Designer) is a fiber and sculptural artist making her debut at Coronado Playhouse. After graduating with a degree in fiber arts, she’s worked in fashion design with up-cycled and reclaimed materials. Her passion for art and theater has finally coalesced and she is deeply excited to show off her work on the stage.

Luis Sherlinee (Dialect Coach) Luis is thrilled to be the dialect coach for Coronado Playhouse’s production of Sweeney Todd. He has helped teach accents for several shows, such as Matilda The Musical, Puffs, Mary Poppins, Newsies, and more. He has experience teaching dialects such as Received Pronunciation, Irish, Spanish, New York, and more. Luis has also performed with several local theatre companies, including SDMT, and Lamb’s Players Theatre. He is honored to help with this show, and is very proud of the actors and the work they have put into creating an even more authentic and immersive story.

Lenelle Wylie (Board Liaison) is currently serving as the Board Secretary and has appeared in multiple shows at CPH. She is happy to be helping with this spooky show with its creative cast and crew! She adores the playhouse and truly values the experience they provide for patrons, actors and creatives. Enjoy the show!

Elissa Russell (she/her) relocated to Southern California three years ago to join San Diego Junior Theatre as Director of Education. Elissa also works for Blindspot Collective, and will be directing CPH’s upcoming production of Curtains next season. She has over a decade of experience as a director, stage manager, teaching artist, and administrator at organizations throughout the country, including: Theatre Aspen, Austin’s ZACH Theatre, and Virginia Repertory Theatre. Elissa centers the belief that theatre is a transformative tool for social change, activating communities and fostering empathy.