Carly Squires Hutchison (Strawberry) is living her 7-year-old dreams playing Strawberry in her debut performance at SecondStory Repertory. As a director, choreographer, and teaching artist, Carly is passionate about working with youth and is delighted to share the story of Freckleface Strawberry to remind everyone that our differences are what make us special and beautiful. Strawberry and Carly have a lot in common including being teased for some very similar things and she hopes you learn that you are extraordinary and wonderful just the way you are. A born and raised Seattleite, Carly has performed with Village Theatre, Taproot Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, At The Ridge Theatre, and Wooden O (Seattle Shakespeare). Favorite roles include: Amy in Little Women (SMT), The Mermaid in Big Fish (Taproot), Tammy in Hairspray (Village), and her one understudy performance as Katherine in Newsies (Village). Carly recently directed and choreographed Seussical KIDS for KIDSTAGE at Village Theatre in Everett and has also directed/choreographed for Liberty High School, Everett High School, Auburn Riverside High School, Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Drama School, Issaquah Middle School, and other KIDSTAGE productions. Carly has a BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance and loves to share her passion and knowledge with her students throughout the Pacific Northwest. Currently teaching at KIDSTAGE and Creative Dance Center, Carly is also working on productions at KIDSTAGE, Newport High School, Forest Ridge School, and Everett High School. Thank you for supporting local theatre and enjoy Freckleface Strawberry the Musical!

Izzy Schonefeld (Mother/Teacher) is thrilled to make her SecondStory Rep debut in Freckleface Strawberry! As a recent graduate from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, she is so excited to begin working in the professional theater world. Favorite roles and productions include ensemble in Urinetown, Cailey in The Line Between, and Isabel in SONDER. Big thanks to mom and dad for their never ending support, and also to the city of Seattle - for welcoming this small girl from a small town with open arms.

Max Lopuszynski (Danny) is completely stoked to be back onstage at SSR! He’s had the privilege of performing in, and around, Seattle for the past 10 years. Recent productions include: Noises Off! (Drama Dock), The Last Starfighter, Goodnight Moon (SecondStory Rep), Church & State, The Christmas Carol Rag (Burien Actors Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher, Big Fish (Bainbridge Performing Arts), and several touring shows for young audiences with Last Leaf Productions. “Special thanks to Carissa, Jay, Rhianna, and the Squolf (congratulations)!”

Tasha Smith (Ballet Girl) Tasha is so very excited to be a part of her first show with SecondStory Repertory! She is a graduate from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Vocal Performance and a minor in Theater. Now, she works as a full time voice and piano teacher. Some favorite credits include Into The Woods (Cinderella), Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte), and Handel’s Alcina (Morgana) at PLU, Meet Me In St Louis (Esther) at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, and Patience (ensemble/Patience cover) at The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society.

Seth Friedman (Jake) is so happy to be back at SSR after playing Ernst in Spring Awakening in 2017. He has also been seen in Jekyll & Hyde (Renton Civic Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Seattle Musical Theatre), and various theaters in Florida and Tennessee. In his spare time, Seth is a senior software engineer at Amazon.

Callie Turner (Emily) received her BA in Theater Performance at Seattle Pacific University. Past credits include Into The Woods (Bakers Wife), Eurydice (Eurydice), and The Spitfire Grill (Effy). Love to Sam & Caleb. Psalm 138.3

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Carissa Meisner Smit (Director) has been performing, choreographing, directing and producing in the Seattle area since 2005. Recent projects include Junie B Jones, The Musical (SSR, Director/ Choreographer), The Drowsy Chaperone (Edmonds Driftwood Players, Choreographer), and The Crossing (Theater Schmeater, co-written with composer/ lyricist Paul Lewis). Upcoming projects include directing The Addams Family, A New Musical and The Clean House. She is also one half of the musical duo Skid Rogues playing at a winery near you.

Rhianna Bennett (Stage Manager) This is Rhianna’s first production with SecondStory Repertory and it is also her first time stage managing a musical. Rhianna just finished a stage management internship with Taproot Theatre Company. Prior to her internship, Rhianna was dabbling in the local film industry for which she was a production assistant on Minor, a short film by Brian Hutson. This is Rhianna’s second time stage managing. Her first production was a production of A Small Family Business by Linfield College during her senior year.

Laurie Roberts McClain (Costume Design) is delighted to be working once again with the team at SSR. She has designed more than 30 shows here and over 70 shows in her 15 years doing this rewarding work. Her work has also been seen at Bellevue Youth Theatre and Youth Theatre Northwest. Thanks as always to the Squolf for the opportunity, and to my supportive husband who understands that art is essential to all humans... Enjoy the show!!