Songs For a New World
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SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY JASON ROBERT BROWN
ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY THE WPA THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY, 1995
(KYLE RENICK, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)ORIGINAL ORCHESTRATION BY BRIAN BESTERMAN AND JASON ROBERT BROWN
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI).
ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI.
WWW.MTISHOWS.COM
Director: Nancy Butts | Music Director: Jared Gist
Songs for a New World” is a captivating musical that transcends time and place, exploring the universal human experience through a series of emotionally charged songs. Conceived by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, the show doesn’t follow a traditional narrative, but instead weaves together a collection of standalone musical vignettes. Each song tells a unique story, delving into moments of decision, hope, and discovery. From the deck of a 1492 Spanish ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue, “Songs for a New World” transports audiences through a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of choice. With a powerful score blending elements of pop, gospel, and jazz, this groundbreaking musical invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys and find courage in the face of uncertainty.
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MEET THE CAST
(*) denotes also a member of the Ensemble (^) denotes Dance Ensemble (‘) denotes Fight Ensemble (“) denotes Dance Captain
TAP TO SEE BIO
HANNAH MCBRIDE
is extremely grateful to be here, a part of one of her favorite shows of all time! Hannah was most recently seen at CTL as Alyssa Greene in THE PROM and in RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at the CAC. Her favorite past roles include Christine Daaé in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Mme. Defarge in Tale of Two Cities, and Ella in RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA. She would love to thank her family, and her hubby for being the greatest supporter known to theater-kid! ♥ Hannah hopes you find the show powerful, meaningful, and as important now as it was when written! Enjoy, and thanks for coming! @hannahlizmcb
HANNAH MCBRIDE
(Woman One)
BRANDY AGUIRRE
is very happy to make her return to the CTL Mainstage! Some past favorite roles include: Esmeralda in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS, and Dyanne in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. By day, she serves as CTL’s Educational Coordinator and music directs the drama productions at Milton Area High School. Brandy would like to thank her family for all of their love and support behind the scenes. She sends love to Steve, Diana, & Robin: her real- life “Stars and the Moon.”
BRANDY AGUIRRE
(Woman Two)
TYLER BOYLES
is very honored to be on the CTL stage once again! From Cogan Station Pennsylvania, Tyler graduated from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a minor in Music Technology. You may have seen him in other CTL productions such as ELF THE MUSICAL (Chadwick), RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA (Ensemble), THE PROM (Ensemble), and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Agent Cod). Tyler wants to thank every single person that has given him opportunities to do what he loves. He also wants to give thanks to his parents, CTL Friends, and girlfriend for the never ending love and support!
TYLER BOYLES
(Man One)
THEO LENTZ
is excited to return to the CTL stage. He has been seen previously in AVENUE Q, INTO THE WOODS, SWEENEY TODD, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Young Frankenstein, Ragtime, Beauty & The Beast, and Shrek. He has also performed in All Together Now, Simply Sondheim, and various season launch concerts. In addition to performing he has also music directed The Music Man, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Anything Goes, Bring it On, Big Fish, Chicago, and Grease. In his spare time, Theo enjoys biking, camping, and the occasional nap, when his schedule allows.
THEO LENTZ
(Man Two)
JENN SHIBATA
a 39-year old wife and ministry partner to Joel and proud mom of TJ, Abby, Eli and Hope. She has great love for music and people…and theater just has some of the best kinds of people. SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD was introduced by a dear friend and captured her heart-so much so that she auditioned for her first CTL musical this year and is blessed to be cast as the understudy for Woman 1 and Woman 2. Her other CTL productions include The CORNER OF BROADWAY AND THIRD concerts in May 2024 and September 2024.
JENN SHIBATA
(Woman Understudy)
RIESA BURK
is a freshman at PA Virtual Charter School. This is her first Mainstage performance, she has been in the sprouts production, ALICE @ WONDERLAND where she played the rose. She has done many summer camps and after school programs here at CTL. She would also like to give thanks to her improv “teacher” Marie Fox whom has helped her become a better actress and person overall.
RIESA BURK
(Ralph Herdman)
CADENCE DECKER
is thrilled to be in CTL's production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" You may have seen her previously in CORNER OF BROADWAY AND THIRD: Kidz (featured soloist), WHAT HAPPENED AFTER ONCE UPON A TIME (Storyteller), DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Community Arts Center (Chip), as well as the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra's Broadway Holiday Concert (featured performer) and Williamsport Area Middle School's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR. (Sharpay). She would like to thank her mom for always supporting her and Mrs. Fox for this amazing opportunity. Merry Christmas!
CADENCE DECKER
(Leroy Herdman)
EMMALINE MARTIN
is currently a 7th grade student at McCall Middle School. Emmaline is a Broadway loving, singer and actress. This her third CTL performance. She formerly acted as Michael Hobbs in ELF THE MUSICAL last year and has already performed this year in CORNER OF BROADWAY AND THIRD: Kidz singing a song from Annie. Recently for her 13th birthday, she visited NYC where she saw Aladdin, visited the Broadway Museum, and met the Supervisor, Arranger, and Conductor Haley Bennett (and her dog Cheerio) of & Juliet. Emmaline is an animal lover and spends her free time with friends, family, and her rescue dogs, River and Skye.
EMMALINE MARTIN
(Claude Herdman)
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
TAP TO SEE BIO
NANCY BUTTS
has been involved with CTL in some way since 1986. Tonight she returns to some of the first work she did with CTL-directing and lighting design. She previously directed CINDERELLA, GUYS AND DOLLS, BRIGADOON (#2) and the musical revues IT'S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING AND PERFECTLY FRANK. She also directed ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. While directing she also designed (and ran!) the lights for CTL productions for 5 years. The best part of volunteering with CTL is getting to meet and work with all of the incredibly talented performers in each aspect of a production.
NANCY BUTTS
(Director)
JARED GIST
is very excited to be back at CTL as the music director, pit director and keyboard player after a brief intermission. Most recently, Jared could be caught music directing students in Montoursville Area High School's theatre program, as well as directing the orchestras for their musical productions to include: MAMMA MIA!, FREAKY FRIDAY and in the very near future, DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID! In the past at CTL, Jared has music directed and/or played in the pit for too many shows to count. He would like to thank his wife, Kirstin, for holding down the fort and juggling the chaos of theatre life.
JARED GIST
(Music Director)
TAYLOR ELLIOTT
is excited to be making his backstage debut in SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD! He was last seen on stage in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Carl Hanratty). Other CTL credits include RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA (Prince Topher), ELF THE MUSICAL (Buddy), DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Cogsworth), CABARET (Ernst Ludwig), and DISNEY'S NEWSIES (Davey). Outside of theatre, Taylor holds his Bachelors of Science in Welding Engineering from Penn College and works as a welder-fabricator building bridge girders.
TAYLOR ELLIOTT
(Stage Manager)
MARK KSIAZEWSKI
Scenic designer, art director, brand manager, fine food market / retail store / and restaurant planner, graphics and packaging designer, home builder, wood worker, upcycling craftsman, mural …… time-stepper, and manic comma splicer. Mark spins those in his wake toward the creative good. He is delighted to work on another show with Nancy Butts after a few decade hiatus. Bless us all for a New World.
MARK KSIAZEWSKI
(Scenic/Costume Designer)
MORE CREDITS
PIT MUSICIANS
Jared Gist ... Keyboards
Cullen Berfield ... Guitar
Conrad Mailleue ... Bass
Gretchen Carpenter ... Drums
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Tyler Marvin ... Sound Technician
Kyle Huggins ... Marketing/Projections
Jared Gist ... Keyboards
Cullen Berfield ... Guitar
Conrad Mailleue ... Bass
Gretchen Carpenter ... Drums
---
Tyler Marvin ... Sound Technician
Kyle Huggins ... Marketing/Projections
MAIA CENIMO
(Choreographer)
NEVAEH WILLIAMS
is very excited to be apart of another show here at CTL, but this time, backstage! With this being Nevaehs first time being apart of a production team. She is very excited to see where this show goes! She’d like to thank Marie for this wonderful opportunity and for setting her up for greatness! Enjoy the show!
NEVAEH WILLIAMS
(Assistant Stage Manager)
MISSY BLACK
has been costuming for CTL for several years. The last few shows that she costumed were THE LIGHTNING THIEF, RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, GREASE, SHREK, DISNEY"S DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, CABARET, CHICAGO, RAGTIME and MAMMA MIA. Missy loves being involved in CTL productions behind the scenes, so costuming is the perfect place for her to give back to the community. Missy would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support and to the CTL family for allowing her to be part of the magic.
MISSY BLACK
(Costume Design)
JOSIAH HICKS-LEE
is excited to be helping out again on the production side at CTL. This is his first show as an assistant stage manager and is glad to be helping out with the music. He has worked on over 50 productions. Some of his most recent work has been in "The Prom," "Steel Magnolias," "A Christmas Carol" twice, and "Beauty and the Beast." He has worked with Hamilton-Gibson as well as as with New Covenant UCC doing direction, choreography, music direction, and costume design. He has also played pit orchestra on various instruments.
JOSIAH HICKS-LEE
(Assistant Stage Manager/Music Director)
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO JOIN US! FIND OUT HOW BELOW
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- Attend an audition–The best way to jump right in is to attend an audition and meet the director, stage manager, and production manager. They can tell you where help is needed most.
- Visit the business office–CTL’s administrative staff will be on hand during the day to help get you started by putting you in touch with our CTL’s Volunteer Coordinator.
- Call or email–Contact the business office by calling (570) 327-1720 or by emailing CTLVolunteers@yahoo.com with your contact information and areas of interest.
Each production is staffed independently. If you have a particular interest in a show or position, please let us know. Even if your desired position is already filled, we may call upon you for backup.