13 cast and crew

Evan Goldman: Cory Burkhart is 15 years old and just finished his Freshman year at WMHS. Cory is involved with his Church Youth Group, 4H, Key Club, Global Scholars Program, Community Youth Foundation, and was on the West Muskingum HS JV Swim Team this year. This will be Cory’s 16th production. Some of his favorite roles include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web; Mike Teevee in Willy Wonka (The Renner); the Artful Dodger in Oliver (ZCT); and his most recent role as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (WMHS). Cory has wanted to play the role of Evan since he discovered the show when he was 13 himself, so portraying this role is a dream come true. Cory hopes you enjoy the show as much as he and the cast and crew have had putting it on.

Patrice: : Katelyn Baughman is certain that this “Lamest Place in the World” just got a little bit better – now that you’re here! Katelyn is 14 years old on the 1st weekend of the show, and 15 years old on the 2nd weekend of the show. She is a straight A student at Crooksville High School. Katelyn first appeared onstage at ZCT as a member of the chorus in Fiddler on the Roof. Some of her favorite productions since then include the title roles in Annie (ZCT) and Charlotte’s Web (Renner); Ursula in Little Mermaid Jr. (ZCT); Gloria in Wait Until Dark (Renner); Frederika in A Little Night Music (Renner); Downy in HONK (ZCT); Emily in Trouble at the Talent Show (Weathervane); and Ghost Girl in The Tenshu (Shadowbox Live). Katelyn is extremely grateful to Jillian Von Gunten, Sarah Gantzer and Sheryl Wise for providing her the opportunity to re-live “13” as Patrice!

Archie: Trey Weekley is a 13 year old who attends Tri-Valley Middle School. He has been doing musical theater since age 6, with his first production at ZCT as Fluff in “Honk,” directed by Jillian Von Gunten. While living in Orlando Florida, Trey was cast as a Villager in “Beauty and the Beast”; Prince Eric in “Little Mermaid Jr.; Jack in “Into the Woods Jr.; Ensemble in “Miracle on 34th St.; Mike TeeVee in “Willy Wonka”; Shrek in “Shrek the Musical” Broadway Version Preformed by Kids. Most recently, he appeared as the Genie in The Renner’s “Aladdin Jr.”. He is happy to be working with Jillian again, as she directs him as Archie, a role he’s been excited to perform. Trey’s hobbies include comic books, parkour, free running & playing guitar. He thanks his family and friends, his past directors and everyone who has come to see this amazing production.

Brett: Caleb DeLong is a 16 year old Junior at Maysville High School. Caleb enjoys doing theatre and participating in his youth group. Some favorite roles of his are: Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid Jr; Horton the Elephant in Seussical: the Musical; and Razoul in Aladdin Jr. He hopes you enjoy watching him be 13 again!

Kendra: Jadyn Hendershott is very excited to play Kendra in 13 with her friends! After her performances in Oliver!, Charlotte’s Web, The Angel Tree Benefit, A Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland Jr., Into the Woods, and The Little Mermaid Jr., Jadyn is very thrilled to be back on stage. Jadyn’s favorite role was Scuttle in The Little Mermaid Jr. If she is not practicing for 13, Jadyn enjoys singing, dancing, playing the trumpet, and hanging out with her best friends.

Lucy: Hi! My name is Payton Van Nort (Lucy), I am an 8th grader at Bishop Fenwick School this year. I am so excited to be involved in this production of 13; I love the music, love being on stage and am having so much fun with this cast. This is my first opportunity to play a villain and so far I think it’s hard to be mean to people I truly like but it’s also kind of fun. I have been involved in various plays at both the Renner and Zanesville Community Theater, including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Charlotte’s Web, All Shook Up, Annie, The Fairy Tale Courtroom, Alice in Wonderland Jr. , Into the Woods and most recently Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I have also participated in plays at my school and with Powerhouse, Inc. I love to read, hang with friends, dance, sing and am currently learning to play the piano. Thank you for coming to the show — I hope you enjoy it!

Eddie: I am Drew Hartley. I attend Crooksville Schools and will be in the Fifth Grade. The productions I have been in are Peter Pan, Jr.; Alice in Wonderland; Little Mermaid, Jr.; Aladdin Jr.; and The Addams Family. I enjoy singing and performing. You will be seeing me as Eddie in this production. I hope you enjoy the show!

Malcolm: Coen Cox (Malcolm) will be a 7th grader at Philo Junior High. 13 THE MUSICAL is Coen’s 10th theater production. Most recently, he was Oliver in OLIVER! at Philo High School and Flounder in THE LITTLE MERMAID here at Zanesville Community Theatre. Coen is a member of The Powerhouse of Southeastern Ohio Sparks Junior Improv Group, plays percussion in the Philo Junior High Band and takes vocal lessons. He enjoys acting, singing and traveling and hopes to be a Broadway actor someday.

Molly: Allison Baughman is 13 years old and attends Crooksville Middle School, where she is a straight A student, who regularly reads a minimum of 2-3 books each week! Allison played the part of Tessie in ZCT’s Annie, and has appeared in ZCT’s M*A*S*H and HONK, as well as several ZCT/Renner Angel Tree Benefits. She was a featured artist during The Renner’s production of On Golden Pond. She was an 8 year tumbler and competitive cheerleader for the ZGA Rockets, runs Track, and plays Golf. Having spent some years assisting in important offstage roles such as makeup and ushering, Allison wants to thank Jillian, Sarah and Sheryl for providing her this OPPORTUNITY to be back onstage as Molly in “13”!

Charlotte: Hi! I’m Ella Hartman. I go to Philo and I’ll be going into 8th grade. I’m 13. I like playing soccer and being in musicals. I’ve been in musicals such as Barnum, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, Oliver, Into the Woods, and The Little Mermaid, Jr. I hope you enjoy the show!

Cassie: Rachelle Snyder is entering 7th grade at West Muskingum Middle school. She has previously been in Beauty and the Beast as a Villager, The Little Mermaid Jr as Adella, and Aladdin Jr as Narrator 4. Her hobbies outside of theatre are volleyball and playing piano and saxophone. She’s super excited to be playing Cassie in 13 and hopes you enjoy the show!!!!

Simon/Rabbi: Ethan Wigal is a freshman at Philo High School. This is his twelfth show. Some of his performances include “Oliver!”, “Sound of Music”, “Cheaper By the Dozen”, “Arsenic and Old Lace” and many more! He enjoys drama and playing soccer. His favorite part of being thirteen is finally being classified as a “teenager”.

Richie: Cameron Scott is a 7th grader at Tri-Valley Middle School. Cameron is a member of the TVMS Archery Team, TVMS Soccer team, TVMS Track team and plays Saxophone in the TVMS Band. Cameron has been in Oliver, Annie, Seussical, Charlotte’s Web as Avery, Peter Pan as Jon, and Alice in Wonderland as The King of Hearts. He recently performed the role of Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin Jr., and he has enjoyed performing in many Angel Tree productions. Cameron is very excited to be “Richie” in this awesome production of “13”.

Ensemble: Hi! My name is Amber Allen. I will be a Freshman at Zanesville High School in the Fall. I enjoy video games and playing tenor saxophone in band. I’m so excited to be a part of “13,” and being with this great cast and crew! I’ve also been in Music Man, Peter Pan Jr., Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Aladdin Jr., two Angel Tree Productions, and shows at ZMS. Enjoy the show!

Ensemble: Hi! My name is Kiersten Allen. I will be in 7th grade at Zanesville Middle School, but I’m currently enjoying Summer so I don’t want to rush it! I play the flute in the band. Theatre is so much fun! I get to act and be with my friends! Being a part of “13” has been super awesome…such a great cast, directors, crew and the music is best. I’ve also been in Music Man, Peter Pan Jr., Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Aladdin Jr., two Angel Tree Productions, and a Chorus and Choreography dance class. I hope everyone enjoys the show!

Ensemble: Julia Belle Gantzer will turn 13 on May 26, 2017. She will be going into 7th grade at Zanesville Middle School in the fall. Favorite past roles for Julia include Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr., The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland Jr., and Gracie Shinn in The Music Man. She loves doing theater with her friends and family, singing, dancing, and playing the flute.

Ensemble: Hi! My name is Taylor McCormick. “13” is my first production ever and I’m so glad to be a part of this show! I run cross country and I am 13 years old and in 7th grade.

Ensemble: Hi! My name is Adelaide Pitcock, I’m 13 years old, (how ironic I know), and I’m an eighth grader at Maysville Middle School. Besides acting and singing I love to dance and read. I dance at Movement on Main and take Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, and Modern. I have also enjoyed being Clara in the Nutcracker, and performing in the annual spring recital which includes Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Alice in Wonderland, and The Little Mermaid. When reading, I enjoy the Harry Potter series and The 5th Wave. I have been in many shows and my favorites have been Addams Family (Ballerina Ancestor), Peter Pan (Tink), and Charlotte’s Web (Fern). I’m super excited for the O-P-P-O-R-T-U-N-I-T-Y to be in this show with this amazing cast!

Ensemble: Laine Stultz will be a seventh grader at Granville Middle School next fall. This is her first show with ZCT, but she has taken classes and performed at Weathervane Playhouse on the Main Stage, and in its WYART program, since she was six. Her favorite role has been Jane Banks in Mary Poppins.

Production Staff

Jillian B. Von Gunten (Co-Director) – Jillian has participated in local theater all her life and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Zanesville Community Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include: Maggie in “A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Alais in “The Lion in Winter,” Nancy in “OLIVER,” Barbara Fordham in “August: Osage County,” and The Witch in “Into the Woods” all at Zanesville Community Theatre, and Stella Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Suzy Hendrix in “Wait Until Dark,” and Karen Andre in “The Night of January 16th” at The Renner. Some of her favorite shows to direct were: “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” “HONK,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Rumors,” and “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” Jillian currently serves as the Coach for Powerhouse’s SPARKS!! Improv Troupe and sits on both the McIntire Terrace Association and the Southeast Ohio Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. She works in Zanesville as an attorney at Allen & Baughman, Attorneys at Law. She is thrilled to share this show with a most amazing production team comprised of some of her most favorite people in the world: mom, best friend, boss/friend/mentor, and longtime dear friend and collaborator. She believes, emphatically, there isn’t anything in the world she couldn’t do with those 4 women standing beside her! She couldn’t be prouder of their amazing efforts and the kids’ incredible performances. Enjoy the show!

Sarah Gantzer (Co-Director) – Theater holds a very special place in Sarah’s heart, and she loves being a part of this beautiful theater family! Co-directing 13 with her bestie co-director has been an awesome experience! Sarah currently serves as a board member at Zanesville Community Theatre, and as the Drama Advisor for Zanesville High School. She has had great fun directing Oklahoma and Puzzle Pieces at ZHS, Alice in Wonderland Jr. at The Renner, and The Little Mermaid Jr. alongside her best friend(,) here at ZCT. Sarah also loves being onstage, and has had the immense pleasure to enjoy many fabulously fun roles onstage, including: Nancy Lee in The Night of January 16th, Kay Mostyn in Murder on the Nile, Rapunzel in Into the Woods, Cookie Cusack in Rumors, Marian the Librarian in The Music Man, Gerda Christow in The Hollow, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. Upcoming projects for Sarah include: directing Aristocats Kids here at ZCT later this month, and Mulan Jr. at Secrest in August, as well as playing Eileen in Moon Over Buffalo at ZCT in July. She thanks you so much for supporting the arts in our community!

After co-directing “The Little Mermaid Jr.” together in September, and having such a terrific time, we knew that our next directing adventure together would be epic. However, we never imagined how much fun we would have venturing back to middle school! “13 the Musical” is a great way to look back and reflect on the years when we were growing up, and finding our place in the world. Everyone can relate to those awkward years when we didn’t yet understand who we were, and who we wanted to be. And what’s more, we learn that we never stop growing, no matter our age. There is always more to do and learn in life.
This amazingly talented cast has been a wonderful group to work with, and we think that we have learned as much from them as they have from us. This material is challenging and complicated, but these kids consistently wowed us with their abilities and dedication. We are so thankful to all of the parents who have supported them and their commitment to a show that is definitely anything but a children’s show. We are also so grateful to our production team who have worked so hard to make this the best possible show. They are some of the absolute best people out there: Sheryl, Melanie, Jan, Kari, Carl, Jared and Cary – all talented and busy adults who consistently gave of their time and abilities.
No matter the age of the person working on “Team 13”, we’ve all learned some pretty valuable lessons during this journey: we work best together, learning from each other, and that we all have “A Little More Homework To Do.” Thank you so much for supporting these awesome kids and their families, and for supporting Zanesville Community Theatre!

Sarah and Jillian

Sheryl Wise (Music Director) – When I first learned of this show I said, a show about a group of teenagers…count me out because I live it EVERY day as a teacher. But, as I listened to the music and read the script my mind was quickly changed.  The story is funny, heart-breaking, and so true to life. As to the kids in this show…all I can say is WOW! They have tackled music as hard or harder than many shows written for adults. How many groups of 11-15 year olds sing three and four part harmony, while dancing, remember their lines, AND do it all WELL?! They have been a joy. I have also relived my own school music years by sharing the pit with longtime friend and fellow saxophone player from the ZHS band, Tom Thompkins although we are both playing keyboards in this show! We have enjoyed having two current ZHS music students completing our ensemble with Cole on drums and Emerson on bass guitar. This is an example of one of our priorities at ZCT to give talented students the opportunity to perform in many capacities.  I also want to give extra thanks to my Philo music colleague, Kari Scott. Her assistance has been invaluable because of her understanding of teaching music to teenagers and being able to divide the work load. One of my favorite lines from the show is “just put one foot in front of the other, and just keep walking on”. I have so enjoyed this theater walk with some of the most talented kids in our area along with a great production team.

Melanie Von Gunten (Producer) – I am delighted to be in the role of Producer once again after a hiatus of many years.  I have done many crew positions backstage and directed numerous productions for Zanesville Community Theatre. Previously, I have directed “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?”, “The Mousetrap”, “Ten Little Indians”, “Blithe Spirit”, “A Murder is Announced”, “Steel Magnolias”, “Ladies of the Sacred South”, “The Hollow”, and most recently, “Murder on the Nile”.
In real life, I have been married to my long-suffering husband Dan for 36 years, and am the mother of a president, as Jillian is the President of ZCT, and coincidently, one of the directors of this production.  It is always a delight to have the opportunity to work with her.  I am the Director of Religious Education at St. Thomas Aquinas, which brings great joy to my life.  It has been my incredible joy and privilege to work with this extremely talented, young and committed cast to bring “13” to life on Zanesville Community Theatre’s stage for your enjoyment.  Oh, and did I mention young?  Don’t let their youth fool you.  They can give many “older folks” a run for their money.  In addition to their talent, they are among the most polite and caring group of young people that we have in this area, and they give us hope for the future.  In addition, many thanks to Jan Baughman, Assistant Producer, for all of the ideas and efforts that she brought to the table, as well as the talented and numerous volunteers that bring productions to the stage for your enjoyment.

Jan Baughman (Assistant Producer) – Zanesville Community Theatre (ZCT) has for several years now been a wonderful place at which my daughters, Katelyn and Allison, spend quite a bit of time – in the audience, backstage, and onstage.  Necessarily then, my husband, Chris, and I spend quite a bit of my time at ZCT as well, and I am so very glad that we do!  The folks who bring you the fantastic productions at ZCT six times a year have become like extended family to us, and while I do not personally yearn to venture onstage, I’ve found all sorts of joy over the past ten years in assisting with any manner of backstage tasks such as cleaning, ushering and working concessions, and operating a follow spot!  For “13: The Musical”, I’ve stepped into the assignment of Assistant Producer, where I’ve enjoyed a whole new aspect of the theatre!  It has been wonderful to work with the amazingly talented folks who come together to put on a show like this … the directors (Jillian and Sarah), musical directors (Sheryl and Kari), graphic artist (Rebecca), the producer (Melanie), stage crew (Jared and Cary), lighting/tech/treasurer (Carl), the board members, the incredible teen cast members and their parents, and most especially all 13 of the wonderful local businesses who kindly sponsored our endeavor!  When I am not at the theatre with my girls, I am an attorney and title agent at Allen & Baughman/ABC Title Agency, LLC.  Thank you to ALL who helped bring this show to stage, and I hope you enjoy the show as much as I do!

Carleton B. Underwood (Lighting and Sound Designer and Technical Support) – I prefer to be invisible with what I do. I would rather the lighting, sound, and other technical elements I bring to the telling of the story be unknown to you. Unless you’re looking specifically for the elements, I expect you just to enjoy or appreciate the story we tell.
I’ve always held an interest in the technical aspects of theatre, in how we can tell the story with quality as well as making the execution of the story telling consistent and repeatable.
When I was getting ready to retire in 2005, I bought myself an AudioBox from Richmond Sound Design, LTD and started down the path of cued sound playback and Show Control. No more reel-to-reel tape and spot sound! Much easier to get consistencies in playback as well as integrate live sound.
In 2012, I purchased a Broadway class lighting console to “learn new things” and bring some extra complexity in cues and lighting looks. At the same time, develop cued shows and utilize new technologies and help in the story telling.
Into the Woods used LED wash lighting to good measure, as did The Little Mermaid. 13 continues the tradition and there is no going back! And I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Like to come along too? Come to auditions or use the Contact Form on the web site. You may also snag one of the production team for 13 and let them know of your interests.
Theatre is a collaborative effort. Come join the fun!