Meet the Cast

LIL G: A GATSBY REMIX By ISAIAH REAVES DIRECTED BY CAROLINE CLAY Cast
Lil G \| ISAAC ADDAI Isaac Addai is a second year MFA acting Candidate from Rialto, California. He most recently appeared in a UI production of The Bacchae as Dionysus. He hopes you enjoy the show and continue to support the Arts!
Sarah-Jane Johnson \| DAJZANÉ MEADOWS-SANDERLIN Dajzané Meadows-Sanderlin is a second-year MFA actor at the University of Iowa. She received her B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Her most recent productions include Braided Sorrow, The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act (from a Kneehigh Theatre), BLKS, Gwenevere and Three to Five Days. She is beyond excited to walk in the shoes of Sarah-Jane Johnson! Dajzané would like to thank the amazing cast, crew and her family for their love and support!
Chet Johnson \| DYLAN SCHMIDT*
Jordyn \| VIRGINIA MUTURI* Senior, Theatre Arts and Enterprise Leadership double-major. UI Theatre Credits: Something Rotten! (Spring 2023), The Children's Hour (Fall 2022), I Shall Not Be Moved (NPF 2022- Reading Series), Gwenevere (Spring 2022), Smile Medicine (Fall 2021), Ascend (Spring 2021), 6x6: Collected Perspectives on Social Justice -The Honey War & #Masks (Fall 2020), & Taurus Sun/Aries Moon (Early 2020). Instagram: @virginiawmuturi
Reverend C.D Yates \| MONTÉ J. HOWELL Monté J. Howell is a New York City based actor who's currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Iowa (Acting), where he also serves as a graduate teaching assistant. In addition to his studies, Mr. Howell currently serves as an adjudicator and educator for Des Moines Performing Arts', Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards. Mr. Howell also serves as a teaching artist for Riverside Theatre's: Will Power! Recent Credits include: Henry V (Riverside Theatre) and The Bacchae (University of Iowa). Selected Credits: Les Misérables (Broadway National Tour), The Golden Apple (New York City Center: Encores!), The Countess of Storyville (NYC Lab), Les Misérables (The MUNY), Shrek (Alliance Theatre), Sister Act (Arkansas Rep), The Music Man (Flat Rock Playhouse), Porgy and Bess (Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh), and Little Shop of Horrors (Stages St. Louis). Proud member of Actors Equity Association. Psalms 116:12
Nicky \| TONY NGUYEN* Tony Nguyen is a second-year majoring in Theatre Arts on the Musical Track. Playing the role of Nicky, Tony is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Lil G. At UI, he was previously seen as Horatio in Something Rotten!. Other performances include Hamlet (Ophelia), The Addams Family (Gomez), and Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik). Huges thanks to his family, friends, and the entire cast!
Peaches \| JORDAN KINNEY* Jordan Kinney is a theater major at the University Of Iowa, focusing on acting. She has been a part of numerous productions and Speech Team as well. Most of her work has been through Waukee Theater Arts, where she attended high school. As You Like It being one of her favorite shows to be a part of. This is her first year being a part of New Play Festival and she could not be more excited.
Ensemble/Lil G Understudy/Dance Captain \| KYLEN PHILLIPS* Kylen Phillips is a first year and is double majoring in Theatre Arts and Screenwriting Arts. He is very hard working and has played many roles in plays/musicals like The Little Mermaid, Something Rotten!, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and has been in the pit for Heathers: The Highschool Version. He is very excited to show his talents in Lil G and to help bring the playwright's vision to life!
Ensemble/Sarah-Jane Understudy \| ASHA KELLER* Asha is a 4th year Theatre and Biology double major who is excited to return to the stage after last being seen in BLKS (2022). She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her, and her cast and crew for making every step of the process full of laughs.
Ensemble/Chet Understudy \| JOHN STINSON* John Stinson is a Sophomore at the University of Iowa aspiring to attain his degree in Theatre Arts on the musical theatre track. From Fort Madison, Iowa he enjoys going on long strolls throughout the town's many parks with friends. In his spare time, John enjoys watching RuPaul's Drag Race, learning ballroom hand performances, and drinking hot chocolate. An interesting fact about John is that he works as a Resident Assistant at Hillcrest Hall.
Ensemble/Nicky Understudy/Dance Captain \| JASON VERNON* Jason Vernon is a first year Theatre Arts major at the University of Iowa. This is Jason’s third production with the University of Iowa Theatre Department, credits include: The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act and Braided Sorrow. Jason loves to dance, do yoga, and watch American Idol with his family. He is so excited for audiences to see Lil G and has had such an incredible time with the process.
Ensemble/Peaches Understudy \| HANNAH LIPSKI* Hannah is thrilled to be a part of this production. This is her second production at Iowa. She is a first year at the university double majoring in Journalism & Mass Communication and Theatre Arts. She has been involved with theatre almost her entire life and she loves that she is still learning so much. She wants to thank her parents for getting her get to where she is today and always believing in her.
Ensemble \| FABIENNE RINK Fabienne is an international graduate student from Germany with a passion for music and theatre. Since early childhood, she participated in concerts and was part of the theatre youth group in her hometown close to Cologne in Western Germany, where she appeared as Toinette in Molière's The Imaginary Invalid. After finishing her B.A. in Journalism and starting her M.A. in Literary and Cultural Studies at TU Dortmund University, she now has found her way back onto the stage in the ensemble of Lil G for the New Play Festival 2023 at the University of Iowa.
Ensemble \| BRODY KIVETT* Brody Kivett (he/him) is very excited to be a cast member of the New Play Festival production Lil G. He is a second-year, Theatre Arts major here at the University of Iowa. Brody plans to take his degree from the small state of Iowa to the big screen, pursuing a career as an actor. He wants to thank the cast and crew of this production for working to put together an amazing, expressive, and beautiful show for all to watch. Sending love to his family, friends, and cat Nigel. Thank you everyone for coming to see the show, you won’t regret it. Enjoy!
Ensemble \| DERICK EDGREN Derick is a second-year MFA candidate in the Iowa Playwrights Workshop.

LIL G: A GATSBY REMIX
By ISAIAH REAVES
DIRECTED BY CAROLINE CLAY
Cast

Lil G | ISAAC ADDAI

Isaac Addai is a second year MFA acting Candidate from Rialto, California. He most recently appeared in a UI production of The Bacchae as Dionysus. He hopes you enjoy the show and continue to support the Arts!

Sarah-Jane Johnson | DAJZANÉ MEADOWS-SANDERLIN

Dajzané Meadows-Sanderlin is a second-year MFA actor at the University of Iowa. She received her B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Her most recent productions include Braided Sorrow, The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act (from a Kneehigh Theatre), BLKS, Gwenevere and Three to Five Days. She is beyond excited to walk in the shoes of Sarah-Jane Johnson! Dajzané would like to thank the amazing cast, crew and her family for their love and support!

Chet Johnson | DYLAN SCHMIDT*

Jordyn | VIRGINIA MUTURI*

Senior, Theatre Arts and Enterprise Leadership double-major. UI Theatre Credits: Something Rotten! (Spring 2023), The Children's Hour (Fall 2022), I Shall Not Be Moved (NPF 2022- Reading Series), Gwenevere (Spring 2022), Smile Medicine (Fall 2021), Ascend (Spring 2021), 6x6: Collected Perspectives on Social Justice -The Honey War & #Masks (Fall 2020), & Taurus Sun/Aries Moon (Early 2020).
Instagram: @virginiawmuturi

Reverend C.D Yates | MONTÉ J. HOWELL

Monté J. Howell is a New York City based actor who's currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Iowa (Acting), where he also serves as a graduate teaching assistant. In addition to his studies, Mr. Howell currently serves as an adjudicator and educator for Des Moines Performing Arts', Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards. Mr. Howell also serves as a teaching artist for Riverside Theatre's: Will Power! Recent Credits include: Henry V (Riverside Theatre) and The Bacchae (University of Iowa). Selected Credits: Les Misérables (Broadway National Tour), The Golden Apple (New York City Center: Encores!), The Countess of Storyville (NYC Lab), Les Misérables (The MUNY), Shrek (Alliance Theatre), Sister Act (Arkansas Rep), The Music Man (Flat Rock Playhouse), Porgy and Bess (Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh), and Little Shop of Horrors (Stages St. Louis). Proud member of Actors Equity Association. Psalms 116:12

Nicky | TONY NGUYEN*

Tony Nguyen is a second-year majoring in Theatre Arts on the Musical Track. Playing the role of Nicky, Tony is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Lil G. At UI, he was previously seen as Horatio in Something Rotten!. Other performances include Hamlet (Ophelia), The Addams Family (Gomez), and Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik). Huges thanks to his family, friends, and the entire cast!

Peaches | JORDAN KINNEY*

Jordan Kinney is a theater major at the University Of Iowa, focusing on acting. She has been a part of numerous productions and Speech Team as well. Most of her work has been through Waukee Theater Arts, where she attended high school. As You Like It being one of her favorite shows to be a part of. This is her first year being a part of New Play Festival and she could not be more excited.

Ensemble/Lil G Understudy/Dance Captain | KYLEN PHILLIPS*

Kylen Phillips is a first year and is double majoring in Theatre Arts and Screenwriting Arts. He is very hard working and has played many roles in plays/musicals like The Little Mermaid, Something Rotten!, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and has been in the pit for Heathers: The Highschool Version. He is very excited to show his talents in Lil G and to help bring the playwright's vision to life!

Ensemble/Sarah-Jane Understudy | ASHA KELLER*

Asha is a 4th year Theatre and Biology double major who is excited to return to the stage after last being seen in BLKS (2022). She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her, and her cast and crew for making every step of the process full of laughs.

Ensemble/Chet Understudy | JOHN STINSON*

John Stinson is a Sophomore at the University of Iowa aspiring to attain his degree in Theatre Arts on the musical theatre track. From Fort Madison, Iowa he enjoys going on long strolls throughout the town's many parks with friends. In his spare time, John enjoys watching RuPaul's Drag Race, learning ballroom hand performances, and drinking hot chocolate. An interesting fact about John is that he works as a Resident Assistant at Hillcrest Hall.

Ensemble/Nicky Understudy/Dance Captain | JASON VERNON*

Jason Vernon is a first year Theatre Arts major at the University of Iowa. This is Jason’s third production with the University of Iowa Theatre Department, credits include: The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act and Braided Sorrow. Jason loves to dance, do yoga, and watch American Idol with his family. He is so excited for audiences to see Lil G and has had such an incredible time with the process.

Ensemble/Peaches Understudy | HANNAH LIPSKI*

Hannah is thrilled to be a part of this production. This is her second production at Iowa. She is a first year at the university double majoring in Journalism & Mass Communication and Theatre Arts. She has been involved with theatre almost her entire life and she loves that she is still learning so much. She wants to thank her parents for getting her get to where she is today and always believing in her.

Ensemble | FABIENNE RINK

Fabienne is an international graduate student from Germany with a passion for music and theatre. Since early childhood, she participated in concerts and was part of the theatre youth group in her hometown close to Cologne in Western Germany, where she appeared as Toinette in Molière's The Imaginary Invalid. After finishing her B.A. in Journalism and starting her M.A. in Literary and Cultural Studies at TU Dortmund University, she now has found her way back onto the stage in the ensemble of Lil G for the New Play Festival 2023 at the University of Iowa.

Ensemble | BRODY KIVETT*

Brody Kivett (he/him) is very excited to be a cast member of the New Play Festival production Lil G. He is a second-year, Theatre Arts major here at the University of Iowa. Brody plans to take his degree from the small state of Iowa to the big screen, pursuing a career as an actor. He wants to thank the cast and crew of this production for working to put together an amazing, expressive, and beautiful show for all to watch. Sending love to his family, friends, and cat Nigel. Thank you everyone for coming to see the show, you won’t regret it. Enjoy!

Ensemble | DERICK EDGREN

Derick is a second-year MFA candidate in the Iowa Playwrights Workshop.

*Undergraduate student. UI Theatre is dedicated to providing hands-on theatre experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.