THE CAST

• Maleea Tamerius (Maria Rainer)

  

  Maleea Tamerius (Maria Rainer) is a sophomore at OCC majoring in biblical studies. Since age four, Maleea has been performing on stage, acting in 28 shows as well as having directed and helped with tech on a few more. Some of Maleea’s favorite musical theatre moments include playing Miss Hannigan in Annie, Tilly in It’s a Wonderful Life, and the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. For several years she has been involved in show choir, worship bands, and various musical groups. She loves performing with such an amazing and talented cast and crew and bringing the nostalgia of the movie to life. Maleea has worked hard to honor Julie Andrews as she adds her own twist to the character. She wants to thank her roommate and dormmates on Alumni Hall third floor, who have heard “Do-Re-Mi” at least a million times this semester.

• Hannah Robb (Liesl)

  

  Hannah Robb (Liesl) is currently pursuing a degree in music and worship and a minor in children’s ministry at OCC. She is thrilled to be in her second Ozark musical. Hannah has trained as a vocalist from early elementary school and loves to sing and perform. Some of her favorite theater roles have been Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Mary in It’s a Wonderful Life, Meg in Damn Yankees, and Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach. When she’s not on stage, you can usually find Hannah in a coffee shop studying with friends. Hannah thanks the directors, students, and especially her sweet new von Trapp “siblings”  for making this experience so memorable.

• Pallim Hafer (Friedrich)

  

  Pallim Hafer (Friedrich) is eleven years old and a sixth grader at New Heights Christian Academy. This will be his third production with OCC after appearing in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and playing Charlie in Holiday Inn. A few of Pallim’s favorite things are music, football, and drawing comics. Most of all, he loves hanging with the students at OCC.

• Claire DeFazio (Louisa)

  

  Claire DeFazio (Louisa) loves musical theatre! This is her fourteenth show in all, and her third at OCC. Some of her favorite roles were playing Junie B. Jones at Stained Glass Theatre and Matilda in a kids’ program in the St. Louis area. When she’s not performing on stage, Claire also enjoys leading student worship and helping teach kindergarteners at her church, performing with her school show choir, and doing her geometry homework. (Yes, she really enjoys geometry!) Claire would like to thank her friends and family for their support and encouragement.

• John Gill (Kurt)

  

  John Gill (Kurt) is 13 years old and the older brother of Sophia Gill (Marta). This is his first play performance. John enjoys watching and singing along with a variety of musicals. Being a part of this production has developed a passion for acting, and he is grateful for this opportunity.

• Ellie Dalrymple (Brigitta)

  

  Ellie Dalrymple (Brigitta) is eleven years old. This is her first production with a speaking part, and she is very excited to be on stage. Ellie is a fifth grade student at Webb City Middle School where she participates in the choir club. She enjoys playing outside, drawing, skating, and hanging out with her friends from church. One thing she loves about being a part of this cast is “how fun the people are!”

• Sophie Gill (Marta)

  

  Sophie Gill (Marta) is six years old and the younger sister of John Gill (Kurt). This is her first play performance, but she is no stranger to the stage. Sophie has performed at ballet and tap dance recitals and has self-produced and starred in many at-home musicals. She loves all the new friends she has met while acting and singing.

• Porter Hughes (Gretl)

  

  Porter Hughes (Gretl) is six years old, and she loves being on stage among other aspiring actors. After enjoying performing in Tom Sawyer in 2022 and Annie Jr. the Musical in 2023, she is excited to make new friends this year in The Sound of Music. Porter will do almost anything for a laugh and she isn’t afraid to taste weird food. Her weekly work includes school lessons at home and helping her older sister volunteer at church. Porter is grateful to be included among her peers and older students in this production.

• Noah Slater (Uncle Max)

  

  Noah Slater (Uncle Max) is a freshman at Ozark studying student ministry. This is Noah’s sixth show. He has performed in Frozen, JR as Oaken and Pabbie, Alice In Wonderland as Humpty Dumpty, Beauty and the Beast as Maurice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Theseus, Fools as stage manager, and The Addams Family. Noah wants to thank Drew Johnson, Dusk Donoho, Matt Donoho, and Cole Wimberly for encouraging and pushing him to be his best in the theater. Noah also says a special thank you to OCC’s Shannon Wendt and Rachelle Hafer for encouraging him to do this show.

• Lacie Morris (Baroness Elsa Schraeder)

  

  Lacie Morris (Baroness Elsa Schraeder) is a sophomore studying counseling and biblical justice at OCC. She loves serving God’s kingdom through foster care ministry. Lacie has always loved music, and she developed a passion for musicals and theater through her leading roles in various high school productions. When she is not studying, working, or rehearsing, she can be found playing volleyball, singing, and going out with friends. Lacie wants to thank all her friends who encouraged her to join this play, Brooke and Carter for teaching her to waltz, and to all the new friends she has made during production.

• Michele Oswald (Mother Abbess)

  

  Michele Oswald (Mother Abbess) is a junior studying music and worship at OCC. This is her first time doing musical theater. Michele has been involved in various worship bands and private voice for over 15 years. She has loved working alongside some of her best friends this semester. Michele would love to thank her parents for continually listening to Climb Ev’ry Mountain, as well as the cast, crew, and friends for teaching her to fall in love with new, scary things.

• Sonya Wilkins (Sister Berthe)

  

  Sonya Wilkins (Sister Berthe) is thrilled to be a part of her favorite musical of all time, and for it to be at her alma mater is the cherry on top. Sonya loves all things music, whether it’s playing piano on the worship team, teaching early childhood music at New Heights Christian Academy, teaching piano, or attending concerts and musicals. She loves serving at church, where she’s active on the prayer and worship teams and women’s ministry. Her joys are walking, enjoying God’s creation, and spending time with her husband Keith, four grown children, and four grandchildren—with one on the way. Sonya is thankful for daily blessings and opportunities to share God’s love and goodness with the world.

• Anna Sjoberg (Sister Sophia/Waltzing Party Attendee/Hair and Makeup)

  

  Anna Sjoberg (Sister Sophia/Waltzing Party Attendee/Hair and Makeup) is a sophomore at OCC, pursuing a degree in student ministry. She is excited to participate in her second show at OCC. Anna’s first Ozark show was It’s a Wonderful Life. She has been in many theater productions with Christian Youth Theatre, where her favorite shows include Tuck Everlasting, Godspell, and Les Miserables. Anna has been dancing and singing since she was two years old. Her hobbies include reading and crocheting. Anna is so proud of the work everyone has done, and she is excited for everyone to see the show.

• Beth DeFazio (Frau Schmidt)

  

  Beth DeFazio (Frau Schmidt) was in her first OCC musical, The Living Christmas Tree, when she was just nine years old. Since then, she performed in several musicals during her college years and now continues as a professor here at Ozark. Her favorite theater moments were playing Mary in Mary Poppins in 2015 and Grace Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in 2021. Theater has become extra special to her in this season as she gets to share the stage with her daughter, Claire. Outside the theater, Beth can be found teaching students either here on campus or at her local church, or volunteering in her kids’ schools. She and her family enjoy camping trips, movie nights, and Sonic Happy Hour. Special thanks to her husband and son for supporting “their girls” in being a part of this show.

• Seth Monette (Franz)

  

  Seth Monette (Franz) is a sophomore ministry major at OCC, minoring in organizational leadership. Seth loves hanging out with friends and family, drinking coffee, watching movies and TV shows, playing board games, acting, and writing. This is Seth’s second production and his eighth show overall. Seth’s favorite role was Jack Kelly in Newsies, and his favorite show was It’s a Wonderful Life. Seth’s favorite musical of all time is Mamma Mia. If Seth were a superhero, he would be Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy.

• Gryffin Cochran (Herr Zeller)

  

  Gryffin Cochran (Herr Zeller) is a freshman at OCC, studying biblical communication. Gryffin performed in several productions in high school. His favorites role include the head waiter in She Loves Me and O’Henry in O’Henry’s Guide to the Present. Gryffin would like to thank his parents for their encouragement and support.

• Michael Grey (Baron Elberfeld/Waltzing Party Attendee/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  Michael Grey (Baron Elberfeld/Waltzing Party Attendee/Waltzing Party Attendee) is an intercultural studies major at OCC. He is excited to perform in his second OCC musical, having also performed as Mr. Gower in It’s a Wonderful Life. Michael participated in plays and choir in high school. Of the three roles Michael plays tonight, his favorite is Baron Elberfeld. Apart from the stage, Michael enjoys hanging out with friends and his girlfriend, whom he met during last year’s Christmas musical.

• Ashlyn Cassel (Baroness Eberfeld/Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  Ashlyn Cassel (Baroness Eberfeld/Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee) is a sophomore at OCC, studying intercultural studies. She has been doing theatre since she was little, with some of her favorite shows being The Addams Family and It’s a Wonderful Life at Ozark last year. When Ashlyn is not at rehearsal, she loves doing puzzles, going on late-night Sonic runs with her dormmates, and hanging out with her boyfriend—who happens to be Baron Eberfeld in this show. Ashlyn has loved the opportunity to be on stage again. She thanks her family for always being in her corner, her roommate for putting up with all the singing and dancing, her boyfriend for being her biggest cheerleader, and Shannon Wendt for making her feel seen and welcome in this space.

• Caleb Hilsenbeck (Admiral Von Schrieber/Priest)

  

  Caleb Hilsenbeck (Admiral Von Schrieber/Priest) is a junior at OCC. After Ozark, he plans to study apologetics at the post-graduate level. Caleb is no stranger to the stage, having performed in his first show at Stained Glass Theatre in 2008 and in his first show at OCC in A Tale of Two Cities in 2016. Since then, Caleb has performed in over 30 productions, including as Harold Hill in The Music Man and Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. Caleb is excited that in this show, he has the opportunity to waltz again—his favorite style of dance.

• MaKenna Witte (New Postulant/Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  MaKenna Witte (New Postulant/Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee) is a senior studying children’s ministry at OCC. MaKenna loves to care for children with diverse backgrounds and needs. She lives in the Joplin area with her husband, and they enjoy spending their time playing board games. This is MaKenna’s first musical, and she is grateful for all of the new friends she has made.

• Evan Rowland (Waltzing Party Attendee/Nazi Soldier)

  

  Evan Rowland (Waltzing Party Attendee/Nazi Soldier) is a sophomore majoring in Christian formation at OCC. Originally from Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Evan loves to play all types of board, card, and physical games. In his free time, he also enjoys swing dancing. This is Evan’s first professional production, and he’s grateful to Shannon Wendt for encouraging him to join.

• Daja McAtee (Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  Daja McAtee (Nun/Waltzing Party Attendee) is a senior studying organizational leadership at OCC. She loves dancing at Solomon’s Dance Studio and playing pickleball with friends. Daja has a passion for leading her community toward cultural awareness and diversity. This is her first musical performance. Daja wants to thank all her friends and the girls in her dorm (Alumni Hall first floor) for encouraging her to step out and go for it.

• Ashe Dryden (Postulant/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  Ashe Dryden (Postulant/Waltzing Party Attendee) attended OCC and now serves as administrative assistant at College Skyline Center. Ashe has done several shows in the Joplin area, including some which she served as assistant director. Her shows of note include Elf the Musical, Chicago, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

• Aadyn Crider Mullins (Contestant at the Festival/Waltzing Party Attendee)

  

  Aadyn Crider Mullins (Contestant at the Festival/Waltzing Party Attendee) is a sophomore at OCC, pursuing an associate’s degree in biblical studies. Since he was young, Aadyn has loved performing in a variety of shows, including as Bert in Mary Poppins Jr. and the title character in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This is Aadyn’s fifth musical at OCC, where he most recently played Mr. Martini in It’s a Wonderful Life. When he is not performing, Aadyn enjoys socializing, playing video and table games, and growing more in his walk with Christ. He thanks the show directors and his fellow cast members for a fun and uplifting environment while rehearsing for this beautiful classic.