Festival of New Student Work
FILMS – FEBRUARY 14-15, 2025
- Lead-In. Nathan Snook
- A Quest for Color, Anna Rogers, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 2:43
This short film follows a sheep seeing a rainbow for the first time and going into the woods in search of it, all while getting the colors stuck to its wool.
- The Day of the Skeleton, Sky Blue, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 2:31
The main plot of my animation is a living skeleton who visits his grave site annually, but this year was different because a grand ripper pays him a visit; he embarks on a brief adventure including an unexpected guest while the grand ripper tries to help him realize he needs to move on.
- Memorial Day, Casey McKeiver, Methods for the Professional Editor, 2024, 2:47
This is a found footage film that explores the commercialization of Memorial Day as a "holiday" rather than a moment of remembrance through juxtaposition of video and audio.
- Digital Cinema Production, Anna Rogers, 2024
- Shooting for the Stars, Patrick Wilmott, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 02:10
This monkey's dream is to go to space, but, after a series of unsuccessful attempts, he finds this dream to be a little more difficult than anticipated.
- Misunderstood, Caleb Thompson, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 3:30
This is a story as old as time, a tale of a roadrunner and coyotes. This fun story was a blast to work on and helped me grow as a storyteller and filmmaker. This project also helped me learn to not be so quick to judge others as they may just be Misunderstood.
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, Will Heard, 2024
- Hope, London Toney, Film I, 2024, 3:35 *
Description: During a walk unspoken feelings and jealousy surface between three friends. As romance blossoms, a push leads to a tragic accident, and a desperate attempt to hide the truth turns into an unsettling confrontation.
- Out of Bounds, Nathan Snook, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 3:26
A character narrative
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, Nathan Snook, 2024
- A Home Movie, Mike Budich, personal project, 2025, 02:35
"Exploring a typical American home”
- The Superhero, Dezari Friday, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 3:13
This film about a guy who disguises himself as a regular guy, but when someone’s in trouble, he becomes a superhero to save the day.
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, Nathan Snook, 2024
- Reflections (A Teaser), Ozzie Hall, Special Projects, 2024, 1:40
“A short Teaser for a film that I am producing this semester. Colored, Shot, Directed, and Edited by me."
- War Hero, Steven McCarroll, Methods for the Professional Editor, 2024, 01:25
This is a found footage edit that combines the visceral shots of the Vietnam war and the horrifying enjoyment from the audience watching it with the goal of critiquing the normalization of war in our films and media.
- There's Nothing Permanent on Earth, Anna Rogers, Methods for the Professional Editor, 2024, 1:56
This found footage project focuses on the idea that every human on earth is one and the same with the different things we do and love as well as one with the nature around us.
- Digital Cinema Production Character Animation exercise, Anna Rogers, 2024
- Chef Boyardee Kidnapper, AJ Reineck, Creative Approaches, 2024, 3:52
Inspired when I had to make a story out of stills in Creative Approaches to Cinema. The short film is about Dakota getting out of class, returning to her room, and noticing that her favorite food Chef Boyardee was missing.
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, London Toney, 2024
- End Felony Disenfranchisement, Directing for the Camera, 2024, 1:17
A Public Service Announcement warning about voter suppression within marginalized communities.
- Connection, William Gibbs Heard, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 2:20
- Outperformed, Morgan Liggins, Directing for the Camera, 2024, 6:43
A short narrative depicting a feud between two Musicians competing for a solo.
- Room for Rent, Colin Miller, personal project, 2024, 3:00
An absurdist found-footage film, in the style of the internet phenomenon of YouTube Poop, that plays with audio and form of actress Dawn Bender saying "room for rent." Footage from Teenagers from Outer Space (1959), courtesy of public domain. - Frogs and Farewells, London Toney, Digital Cinema Production, 2024, 2:20
- Thirsty Mug, William Gibbs Heard, Creative Approaches, 2023, 0:36
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, London Toney, 2024
- It Won't Be Much Longer, Mike Budich, Directing for Camera, 10:59
"A young woman wanders into an industrial hellscape with no apparent exit. She is confronted by a strange man and reality dissolves into something new.”
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, Caleb Thompson, 2024
- 007: MOTOR CARNAGE, Colin Miller, Methods for the Professional Editor, 2024, 1:52
Found footage project featuring James Bond
- Hope, AJ Reineck, Film I, 2024, 3:11 *
Shot on a 16mm Bolex. The short film is about 3 friends hanging out and one named Hope had to leave. Kristoff and Sam are best friends. Sam Realizes that Kristoff has been distant lately and that he has a crush on Hope. Sam wants Kristoff to make a choice either going with Hope or stay friends.
- Digital Cinema Production exercise, Anna Rogers, 2024
PLAYS – FEBRUARY 6-9, 2025
Cherry Red
Playwright Leonardo Hernandez
Director Aaron Smith
Rehearsal Stage Manager Zach Montri
Scenic/Prop Designer Daniel Thobias
Costume Designer Kelly McBane
Lighting Designer Tristen Turkopp
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Grey Bowlick
Clay Houser
Abby Papenfus
Lily Schmid
Cubs Go All The Way Again
Playwright Isabella Herrera
Director Abby Papenfus
Rehearsal Stage Manager Tevy Dembski
Scenic/Prop Designer Matt Foss
Costume Designer Bree Stouffer
Lighting Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Natalina Krygielski
Gerardo Rosario
Trials of Julius and Ethel
Playwright Lucas Fiscus
Director Bree Stouffer
Rehearsal Stage Manager Lily Schmid
Scenic/Prop Designer Daniel Thobias
Costume Designer Marissa McCoy
Lighting Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Clay Houser
Oliver Marconi
Aaron Smith
Abigail Sowinski
Forgive me Peter
Playwrights Seth Camiscione
& Cadence Enck
Director Brooklyn Mitchell
Rehearsal Stage Manager Natalina Krygielski
Scenic/Prop Designer Daniel Thobias
Costume Designer Kelly McBane
Lighting Designer Tevy Dembski
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Grey Bowlick
Leonardo Hernandez
Olivia Pentoney
Midnight Glitch
Playwright Abby Papenfus
Director I’Yana Awls
Rehearsal Stage Manager Nicole Dail
Scenic/Prop Designer Matt Foss
Costume Designer Bree Stouffer
Lighting Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Dea Kukeli
Oliver Marconi
Gerardo Rosario
Aaron Smith
Yellow Brick Road
Playwright Gerardo Rosario
Director Emile Wheeler
Rehearsal Stage Manager Tevy Dembski
Scenic/Prop Designer Daniel Thobias
Costume Designer Marissa McCoy
Lighting Designer Aaron Smith
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Leonardo Hernandez
Clay Houser
She Wolf
Playwright Leonardo Hernandez
Director Oliver Marconi
Rehearsal Stage Manager Grey Bowlick
Scenic/Prop Designer Daniel Thobias
Costume Designer Nicole Dail
Lighting Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Sound Designer Stephen Sakowski*
Cast
Olivia Pentoney
Gerardo Rosario
Lily Schmid
Production Staff and Crew
Producer Stephen Sakowski*
Theatre Manager Christopher Montpetit
Production Manager Stephen Sakowski*
Production Stage Manager Tevy Dembski
Technical Director Nathaniel White
Scene Shop Manager Nathaniel White
Stage Construction Crew Students of THR1030 & THR2050
Stage/Properties Crew Grey Bowlick
Scene Shop Staff Students of THR1030 & THR2050
Costume Shop Manager Kelly McBane
Costume Shop Staff Tevy Dembski, Marissa McCoy, Brooklyn
Mitchell and Students of THR1050 &THR2050
Lighting & Sound Shop Supervisor Nathaniel White
Lighting & Sound Shop Staff Tevy Dembski, Zach Montri, Aaron Smith
and Students of THR1040 & THR2050
Light Board Operator Lucas Fiscus
Sound Board Operator Zach Montri
Captioning Operator Cincere Temple
House Management Staff Tatyana Cardona, Jenise Curl,
Cincere Temple, London Toney
* Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829
Festival Ensemble Production Biographies
I'YANA AWLS (She/Her/Hers) - Director - is a Junior Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. She is from Toledo, Ohio. Previous credits include: House Management (Hamlet), Costumes (Blood of the Root), and Scenic Painter (Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom). This year, she is a director in the Festivals of New Student Works (Midnight Glitch, 2025).
GREY BOWLICK (He/Him/His) - Billy/Peter/Rehearsal Stage Manager - is a Freshman Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. Before this show, he helped out with captions for Silent Sky (2024). This is the first time he's performing in the Festival of New Student Works. Grey's favorite emoticon is :3
SETH CAMISCIONE (He/Him/His) - Playwright - is a 2024 graduate of the University of Toledo. Previous stage credits include Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Steve), 2024 Festival of New Student Work (Avery), Hello, Dolly! (Barnaby Tucker), 2023 Festival of New Student Work (Dave), and Making God Laugh (Thomas). Previous technical credits include Silent Sky (House Manager), Titanic: The Musical (Theatre Management), 2024 Festival of New Student Work (Rehearsal Stage Manager), The Diary of Anne Frank (Costume Crew), Hello, Dolly! (Costume Crew, Set Construction Crew), Mary Poppins (Theatre Management), Blood at the Root (House Manager), White Christmas (Curtain), Hamlet (House Manager), and Making God Laugh (Props). Additionally, Seth has written for the 2025, 2024, and 2023 Festival of New Student Work. Seth graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in communication studies and a minor in theatre arts.
NICOLE DAIL (She/They/He) - Costume Designer/Rehearsal Stage Manager - is a sophomore theater and English major at the University of Toledo. previous experience: Acting in the 3rd annual festival of new student work and worked behind the scenes from neighborhood 3 requisition of Doom and Silent Sky.
TEVY DEMBSKI (They/Them/Theirs) - Production Stage Manager/Lighting Designer - is a senior theatre major with a concentration in theatre arts. They have worked behind the scenes in Elkshire (2022), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(2022), and Hamlet(2022), acted and assistant stage managed the Festival of New Student Works 2023(2023), and acted in Blood at the Root(2023). They acted, directed, and wrote for the Festival of New Student Works 2024(2024). They were the assistant stage manager for Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom(2024) and Silent Sky(2024). They are the Production Stage Manager and a lighting designer for this year’s Festival of New Student Works(2025).
CADENCE ENCK (She/Her/Hers) - Playwright - is a third-year Theatre major. This is the first show she has written for the Festival of New Student Works. In the previous semesters, she was on the costume crew for the 2023 Festival of New Student Works, the assistant stage manager for Blood at the Root production, and performed as Edith Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank in the fall of 2023. Then, in the 2024 Festival of New Student Works were the roles of Clara and Zop. Out of school, she worked at Cedar Point in the summers of 2022 and 2023 with the Live Entertainment Team.
LUCAS FISCUS (He/Him/His) - Playwright - is a senior Law and Social Thought Major with a Theatre Minor at the University of Toledo. He’s been involved with multiple local community theatre productions and often works as a director and instructor at Children’s Theatre Workshop in Toledo.
MATT FOSS (He/Him/His) - Scenic Designer, Playwrighting Mentor - teaches acting, directing and writing in the Department of Theatre and Film. He was named one of the Austin Film Festival's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch and his first feature film LONE WOLVES premired in 2024. He is repped as a screenwriter by Artillery Creative and a member of the WGA-East.
LEONARDO HERNANDEZ (He/Him/His) - Henry/Mike/Playwright - is a junior theater major with a concentration in stage and screen acting. Credits at the University of Toledo include Hamlet (Hamlet 2022), Peter (The Diary of Anne Frank), and two roles in the 2024 Festival of New Student Work. He has also worked as a stagehand on productions of Blood at the Root (UT 2023) and Be More Chill (Stone Productions 2023), and also worked as an assistant makeup designer on the University of Toledo's production of Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom. He is also the playwright of She Wolf and Cherry Red in this year's Festival.
ISABELLA HERRERA (She/Her/Hers) - Playwright -Isabella is a third year Theatre major with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Previous credits include Ophelia in Hamlet, Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank, Viki/Joy in Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, and various roles in the Festival of New Student Works.
CLAYTON HOUSER (He/Him/His) - Doug/Jamie/David - is a Freshman Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. In his first-ever production on the UToledo stage, he is excited to be a part of the 4th Annual Festival of New Student Work (2025) as David Greenglass (Trial of Julie and Ethel), Doug (Cherry Red), and Jamie (Yellow Brick Road). He will also appear in the upcoming production: A Midsummer Night's Dream: a Jukebox Musical playing Puck the fairy.
NATALINA KRYGIELSKI (She/Her/Hers) - Daughter - is a Freshman Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. She is excited for her first production on the UToledo stage! Playing the role of Daughter (Cubs Go All The Way Again) in the 4th Annual Festival of New Student Work.
DEA KUKELI (She/Her/Hers) - Heather - is an editor at Midstory, a local storytelling nonprofit. She is an aspiring actress returning to the stage after a long hiatus from her high school days. Previous credits include Buttons (Newsies), Wicked Witch (Shrek), and Molly (Peter and the Starcatcher).
OLIVER MARCONI (He/Him/His) - John/Julius/Director - is a recent UT Theatre alumni from Olmsted Falls Ohio. Previous credits include Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (Doug/Tobias, The Diary of Anne Frank(Mr. Van Daan), and Hamlet (Ghost/Player King) He has also written shows for the 2021 and 2024 Festival of New Student Work. Currently, he is pursuing an acting/teaching artist career in the Cleveland area and hopes to move to Chicago one day.
KELLY MCBANE (She/Her/Hers) – Costume Design Mentor/Costume Shop Manager/Artistic Director - Kelly is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Toledo and has been involved in one (or multiple) way or another for each production since she began working here. She has her BA from Slippery Rock University and her MFA from Ohio University. She is grateful for the wide variety of interesting and meaningful work that she has been a part of at the University of Toledo and is proud of all of her students and the work they have done
MARISSA MCCOY (She/Her/Hers) - Costume Designer - is a senior at the University of Toledo studying Theatre, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. Costume Designer for “The Trials of Julie and Ethel” and “Yellow Brick Road” for the Festival of New Student Work 2025. Acting credits include Elkshire, Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, and the Festival of New Student Work (2022 and 2023). Other credits include costume work for Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom, Lighting Designer and Director for the Festival of New Student Work (2024), and assistant lighting designer for Blood at The Root and The Diary of Anne Frank.
BROOKLYN MITCHELL (They/Them/Theirs) - Director - is a 3rd year Theatre major from Texas. Previous roles and credits include several roles in The 2nd Annual Festival of New Student Works in 2023 and Max Maxwell in The 3rd Annual Festival of New Student Works in 2024, Costume crew for The Diary of Anne Frank and The 3rd Annual Festival of New Student Works. Leslie and Barbara in Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom. Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky. They will also be in A Midsummer Night’s Dream this upcoming April.
CHRISTOPHER MONTPETIT (He/Him/His) - Theatre Manager - Mr. Montpetit is originally from Niagara Falls, NY, where he received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English/Theater from Niagara University. He continued his studies at Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Theater Management. Professionally, Mr. Montpetit has worked at such companies and institutions as Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing, The Kathryn Bache Miller Theatre, The Alma Schapiro Theatre, Artpark Theatre, ABC Television, Showtime Networks Inc., Genesee Community College Center for the Arts, SummerTide Theatre, and The University of Alabama. Academically, Mr. Montpetit is currently Senior Lecturer and Theatre Manager for the University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film. Mr. Montpetit is the author of "What is Theatre? An Introduction to Theatre", published by Kendall Hunt Publishing in January 2016, with a revised edition published in August 2020.
ZACHARY MONTRI (he/him) - Rehearsal Stage Manager/ Assistant Sound Designer - is a sophomore theatre major with a concentration in design and technology. He was a light board operator for Silent Sky (2024), light designer for The Prom (2024), sound designer for A Christmas Carol (2024), sound designer for Spongebob The Musical (2024), light designer for Anastasia (2024), light designer for Rocky Horror (2024), light designer for Bright Star (2024). He is the assistant sound designer for the festival and rehearsal stage manager for Cherry Red and Forgive Me Peter in this year's Festival of New Student Works (2025).
ABBY PAPENFUS (She/Her/Hers) - Jenny/Playwright/Director - Actor, Director, and Writer- Abby is a third-year Theatre Arts major with a minor in Communication from Toledo, Ohio! Previous credits include Assistant Stage Manager for The 2nd Annual Festival of New Student Work (2023), Light Hang Crew & Costume Crew for Blood at the Root, Light Hang Crew and Assistant Stage Manager for The Diary of Anne Frank, Stage Manager for The 3rd Annual Festival of New Student Work (2024), Stage Manager for Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom and Stage Manager for Silent Sky. Abby is also Stage Managing UToledo Upcoming Production of A Midsummer Night Dream: Jukebox Musical which will open in April.
OLIVIA PENTONEY (She/Her/Hers) - Officer/Wendy - is a nursing major from Lambertville Michigan. This is her second production with UToledo. Previous productions include Silent Sky(Annie Cannon) with The University of Toledo theater department, Murder On The Orient Express(Helen Hubbard), Bye Bye Birdie(Alice), Shakespeare In Love(Ralph), and Big Fish(Ensemble) with Concordia University and Music Man(Salesman, Townsperson) and Gypsy(Angie, Showgirl, Hollywood Blonde) with Horizon Performing Arts. Olivia is honored to or a part of this festival and hopes you enjoy the show!
GERARDO ROSARIO (He/Him/His) - Officer/Dad/Mike/Playwright - is a Senior Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. He is from Puerto Rico. Previous credits include: Polonius (Hamlet), Dan Dad (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Mr. Dussel (The Diary of Anne Frank), Ryan/Blake (Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom), Peter Shaw (Silent Sky) and several roles in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Festivals of New Student Works.
STEPHEN SAKOWSKI (He/Him/His) - Producer/Production Manager/Lighting Designer/Sound Designer - Stephen is a Professor of Theatre: Lighting & Sound Design here at the University of Toledo and has been happy to collaborate on many productions since starting in the Department of Theatre & Film in 2015. He has his BFA from Otterbein University and his MFA from the University of California San Diego. His lighting design of All Quiet on the Western Front received the 2020 Jeff Award (Chicago's Top Theatre Prize) His work can be seen as a part of various live television events, and regionally at The Purple Rose Theatre Company where he is a Resident Artist. Congratulations to everyone involved with the production on a project well done!
LILIAN SCHMID (She/Her/Hers) - Nancy/Tracy/Rehearsal Stage Manager - is a Sophomore Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. She has most recently been seen as Margaret in Silent Sky (2024) at the University and ran sound for Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom (2024).
AARON SMITH (She/They/He) - William/Roy/Director/Lighting Designer - is a third-year Theatre major at the University of Toledo. Previous credits include Voice of Game (Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom), Manny/Danny (3rd Festival of New Student Work), and the Head of Wardrobe (Silent Sky)
ABIGAIL SOWINSKI (She/Her/Hers) - Ethel - is a Senior Environmental Studies Major at the University of Toledo. Her previous acting experience includes The Sound Of Music (2024) with Waterville Playshop, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (2019,) and Hairspray (2018) with Springfield High School.
BREE STOUFFER (She/Her/Hers) - Costumer Designer/Director - is a third-year Theatre Major, with a concentration in Design and Technology. Previous credits include: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Wait Until Dark as a stitcher, The Diary of Anne Frank as an assistant costume designer, Silent Sky as a costume designer, and The Haunting of Spoonriver as co-director and costume designer. Bree will be graduating this spring after an Assistant Lighting Design position on the department’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream.
DANIEL THOBIAS (He/Him/His) - Scenic Designer - Daniel joined The University of Toledo Department of Theatre & Film faculty in 2012. He received his MFA in Scene Design from North Carolina School of the Arts, 2005. He has a wealth of experience with summer stock and festival theaters including Mount Washington Valley Theatre, Festival Stage of Winston Salem, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Cuttingball Theater. He has an impressive portfolio of work which can be viewed on his website: www.scenedesign.org.
TRISTEN TURKOPP (He/Him/His) - Lighting Designer - is from the great city of Toledo, Ohio, and is a Theatre Major with a concentration in Theatre Arts. Tristen has been involved in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Ensemble), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street(Ensemble), Night of the Living Dead(Board Operator), Diary of Anne Frank (Board Operator), and Silent Sky (Assistant Lighting Designer).
EMILE WHEELER (He/Him/His) - Director - is a Senior Theatre Major at the University of Toledo. He is from Detroit, MI. Previous Acting credits include: Deandre (Blood At The Root), River (Newish Beginnings), and Gabe (The Time We Stole The Sandlot ). He also wrote a play called “Cheater Feeder” for the Third Annual Festival of Student Work, and will be directing “The Yellow Brick Road” for this year’s festival
Nate White (He/Him/His) Technical Director – Nate joined the University of Toledo as the Technical Director in 2016. He received his MFA in Technical Production from the University of Alabama and his BA in Design and Technical Theater from the University of Nebraska at Kearny.
• THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
