Our Professional Training Company
Administrative Interns
Hailey Hogan
Samuel Egger
Sammy Pontello
Sam-Claire Bieber
Kacy Jones
Dellan Short
Hope Wilson
HAILEY HOGAN is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, located in North Carolina. With interest in the following areas: Box Office, Marketing, House Management and Stage Management, she is joining FST as the Audience Services Intern and is honored to be here. As her first contract out of college, she is excited to jump into the professional theater industry and hopes to make meaning relationships while at FST.
SAMUEL EGGER is from San Antonio, Texas, where he recently graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word. Last summer, he was a Company Management Associate at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Samuel is also an actor, stage manager, and director who values multidisciplinary learning and exploring the human condition through his work.
SAMMY PONTELLO is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he completed his Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre Studies with a minor in Creative Writing. Past credits with Theatre UCF include Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato), Urinetown (Caldwell B. Cladwell), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Magistrate/Others, U/S D’Ysquith Family), #GodHatesYou (Rabbi Cohen), and Titanic (Pitman/The Major/4th Man, U/S J. Bruce Ismay). Other past credits include L’Italiana in Algeri (Ensemble) with UCF Opera and Arkansaw Bear with Celebrate TYA, who he also frequently directed with. Sammy served as a New Play Development Intern with the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre in Orlando, Florida this past year, where he assisted the selection process for PlayFest 2021. He also works often as a director, and is currently workshopping a solo show inspired by the life of Emma Goldman. When not working on the stage, he can often be found in the kitchen, and is an avid – and formerly professional – baker. He currently serves as a Literary Fellow with Florida Studio Theatre.
SAM-CLAIRE BIEBER is an actor and fight director from Georgetown, Kentucky. She holds a BA in Theatre and English from the University of Kentucky. Selected past credits include Twelfth Night (Viola); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania); Hand to God (Jessica); and The Watsons (Emma Watson). Fight Direction credits include Gianni Schicchi, Ghost, Silent Night, Fences, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She is proud to join the FST team as a Literary Intern; her next proudest achievement is her impression of a crow.
KACY JONES recently graduated from Vanderbilt University where she studied Educational Studies and Theatre. Before becoming a Literary Apprentice at FST, Kacy taught theatre at Stagedoor Manor and served as the dramaturg for the 15th anniversary season of Dramafest. She has also served as the dramaturg on several student-run and regional productions in Nashville and South Carolina, where she grew up. Her favorite credit to date was as director/dramaturg for Vanderbilt Off-Broadway’s production of Dogfight. In her free time, Kacy likes to tell people her 14-point plan for how to make the Hallmark Channel more profitable.
DELLAN SHORT is an actor and writer from Cumming, GA. He received his BFA in Acting in 2022 from Brenau University and the Gainesville Theatre Alliance.
Artistic Interns
Jakob Harding
Gavin Johnson
Gabriela Madu
Jennifer Sanchez
Cameron Clements
Keegan Penny
Linnzie Hays
JAKOB HARDING is a graduate of Ball State University where he double majored in Theatre Creation and Japanese with a minor in Music Composition & Theory, He also worked internships for Discovering Broadway in Indiana as well as the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival in Michigan. Jakob is passionate about the development of new performing arts works and cabaret style shows-- At Ball State University, he was a member of the University Singers, Indiana's Official Goodwill Ambassadors.
CAMERON CLEMENTS is originally from Rochester, NY. She recently graduated from SUNY Fredonia, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. In college she was a member of her school’s improv comedy team “Random Acts”, alongside her training with the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. She is an Acting Fellow here at FST in addition to a member of the Mainstage Improv cast. Cam has served as a swing for several of the theatre’s productions including The 70s: More Than A Decade, Paralyzed and Shear Madness. She also appeared on the Children’s Theatre stage in Deck The Halls and was an actor in the Playmakers Tour as a part of the theatre’s Write A Play program.
KEEGAN PENNY is an acting apprentice at FST and is a recent graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Originally from New Hampshire, Keegan surrounds himself with the mountains and outdoor activities when not working and performing in theatre. Along with acting, he is also trained in directing and improvisation, both of which he looks forward to incorporating in future artistic opportunities.
LINNZIE HAYS is from Winchester, Kentucky and just recently graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this wonderful journey and she hopes you enjoy all of the beautiful art Florida Studio Theatre has to offer!
Production Interns
Tyler Brady
Caitlyn Collins
Dio Raquel Jr.
Samarion Montgomery
Kayla Mingus
Anakin Garner
Rach Roach
Passion Shaffer
Jamie Thygesen
Drew Cliffel
Emilia Ciotti Hernández
Sam Powers
TYLER BRADY was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, where he developed a passion for hospitality at a young age. Throughout his career, he has gained a wealth of experience, working in various roles such as Hospitality Director and Sales & Catering Manager. He is now excited to combine his passion for hospitality with his love of the arts at the Florida Studio Theatre, where he plans to bring his skills and enthusiasm to create a memorable experience for audiences and guests alike.
DIO RAQUEL JR. hails from Honolulu, Hawaii then relocated to Las Vegas, NV in his early teenage years. He obtained his Theatre Performance Certificate from Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts (Las Vegas, NV) and recently received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies which they emphasized in Arts Administration and Musical Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE). He is ecstatic to make his FST debut as a Lighting Intern!
SAMARION MONTGOMERY is a Junior Undergraduate Student from Hattiesburg, Mississippi currently attending Howard University in Washington D.C. As a candidate pursuing a B.F.A. in Arts Administration, he has been an advocate for the arts since a young age, and has always had a strong sense of creative direction. Having excellent skills in communicational tactics, production execution, and back/on-stage performance he desires to work in the production realms of several multi-media entertainment industries.
KAYLA MINGUS has been involved in theater her entire life and loves nothing more than sitting in a theatre watching magic on stage. Recently, she earned her BA in Theater Arts with a focus on Properties, Lighting and Writing. Growing up in the Midwest, Kayla is very excited to be working so close to the ocean and seeing palm trees out every window. Kayla is really looking forward to working with the amazing staff at FST and helping produce some fantastic shows.
ANAKIN GARNER is a sound designer and sound engineer. He grew up in the town of Yukon, Oklahoma. He graduated from Yukon High School in 2018, and he graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2022. He first got involved in theatre when he was in eighth grade. That’s when he discovered his passion for sound design and continued to develop his skills through high school and college.
RACH ROACH is an alum of Purdue Fort Wayne, recently earning their B.A. in Theatre. They have credit in stage managing two of their shows in the 2021-2022 season, as well as stage managing and being an assistant stage manager in other shows in recent seasons for the Department of Theater. They have varying backstage positions collected over eight years, as well as varying acting roles.
PASSION SHAFFER was born and raised in Springfield, MO and is a 2022 alum of Graceland University. She got a B.A in both English and Theatre with a minor in Creative writing. When at university she stage managed a number of productions, worked on several electric crews, and directed. During her time at FST, she has worked on FST’s Summer New Play Reading Festival (The Drolls, The Suffragette’s Murder, and Baton) and FST’s performances of Jersey Tenors: Part II, closed New York State of Mind with the Uptown Boys, opened What the Constitution Means to Me and worked on Reel Music. Passion is excited to spend a second year at FST as a Stage Management Fellow.
JAMIE THYGESEN is a recent graduate from Northwest Missouri State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Theatre: Technical and Design with an emphasis in stage management. While at Northwest Jamie enjoyed working in stage management for dance (Northwest Dance Company's Dance Shows), film (A Memory of Spoon River), comedy (CLUE: On Stage), and more. She is very excited to be working with Florida Studio Theatre this season!
DREW CLIFFEL is working with Florida Studio Theatre for the first time. His previous theatre credits include Doug in Gruesome Playground Injuries, King Triton in The Little Mermaid, John Brooke in Little Women, Friar Lawrence in Romeo & Juliet, and Dwight in Dead Man's Cell Phone. Drew has studied at The Open Jar Institute in New York City with Jeff Whiting and other professionals working on Broadway.
EMILIA CIOTTI HERNÁNDEZ is a New York City native who grew up surrounded by theatre. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School (the “Fame” school), where she majored in technical theatre, working as a Props Master and Stage Manager for productions such as Les Misérables, 42nd Street, and August Osage County. She then went on to attend Lawrence University, where she became the resident Stage Manager working on productions such as Pippin and The Marriage of Figaro.
SAM POWERS is a 2022 Muhlenberg College graduate where he majored in theatre and business with a focus in stage management and lighting design. He is excited to join FST for the 2022-2023 season as a Stage Management Intern! His FST credits include Visit Joe Whitefeather (and bring the family!) and The ‘70s More Than A Decade in the Court Cabaret. Muhlenberg Stage Management credits include: Digital Dopamine; Call Me by Any Other Name…Just As Sweet; Unstable Connections; Lessons of an Unaccustomed Bride, and “Cagebirds”. Sam has also worked as lighting designer and crew on several productions. Examples of his work can be found at: www.sampowersstage.com
Education Interns
Deonta Mitchell
Jazmin Mahoney
Dayton Nicholson
Dakota Schantz
Rory Wainwright
DEONTA MITCHELL is very excited to continue his second year at Florida Studio Theatre as an Education Fellow. His previous FST credits include The Playmakers Tour, Deck the Halls, and Under 6 Tour. Deonta studied Acting at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he received his BFA. His previous collegiate work includes Snickers in The Life the Musical, Jesus in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and Lou Milhauser in Stage Door. He thanks his family, friends, mentors, and all who enjoy theatre for supporting his passion.
JAZMIN MAHONEY is a rising senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is currently earning her Bachelors in Fine Arts degree majoring in Professional Theatre with a concentration in acting. She hails all the way from Philadelphia, PA and is extremely excited to begin her journey as a Summer Education Intern here, at Florida Studio Theatre.
DAYTON NICHOLSON is happy to be at FST. He just graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies and has been doing theatre since he was seven years old. Teaching theatre is one of his greatest passions, and he's thrilling to be able to assist in that here at FST.
DAKOTA SCHANTZ is so excited to work with the Florida Studio Theatre and explore the Sarasota area. She is a rising sophomore at Nazareth University where she is working towards a Musical Theatre BFA and Dance minor. Her dream career is to perform at night while educating the next generation of performers during the day. When Dakota is not performing, she loves to read, cook, be outside, and thrift clothes and decor.
RORY WAINWRIGHT is originally from Akron, Ohio. Currently, she is a rising junior at Gettysburg College where she studies English and Writing. She plans to attend the graduate school of her choice to pursue a degree in Environmental Law and Writing. Writing is her passion, and she cannot wait to help others delve into their passion for writing as well.