ALEXIS JOHNSON is honored to support this benefit, and is thankful for the opportunity to express her gratitude for the love, joy, hope, and community she has experienced at PBTS. A few credits include, Funny Girl (Ensemble), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), Walt Disney World (Princess Tiana), and Hairspray (Dynamite). She thanks her mother, brother, sister and best pals for their love and support, and dedicates this performance to Players by the Sea.

JEN MERCER is honored to lend a hand (well, a voice), to help Players by the Sea rebuild and reopen. Jen has degrees in both Theatre and Vocal Performance and attended Circle in the Square Theatre School. Jacksonville credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Violet (Violet), The Prom (Dee Dee), Assassins (Sara Jane Moore), The American Dream (Mrs. Barker), and most recently Driving Miss Daisy (Daisy). Day to day, Jen teaches musical theatre vocal technique to encourage and grow the next generation of players. Thank you Bradley for including me tonight, and my little family for always being in the seats and loving me well.

JULIA BLASI is so happy to be back with Players by the Sea, supporting the local arts community she loves. Recently, she appeared on the Players stage as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and as Emma in Jekyll and Hyde. Other recent credits include Shelley in Bat Boy (ABET), Rosie in Traces in the Wind (Theatre Jacksonville), Cinderella in Disenchanted (ABET), Sara in Murder Ballad (ABET), and Alice Murphy in Bright Star (ABET). Julia would like to thank her husband Matt, her family, and her friends for their love and support.

RAQUEL CLORY is a graduate of Flo Arts and Jacksonville University. A versatile performer, Raquel’s notable credits with PBTS include Camilla (In The Heights), Queenie (Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party), and most recently Jenna (Waitress). She has toured with an off-Broadway theatre company for several years, while also teaching acting, dance, and voice in New York and online through RaqStar Studios. Her performance credits also include Cathy in The Last Five Years, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Joanne in Rent. Raquel is a proud mother of four and co-owns the catering company Only Fresh Selects with her husband, Nathaniel.

BRANDON HINES is proud to be back at home with Players. Some of his stage credits include PBTS’ Funny Girl (Eddie Ryan), PBTS’ Jekyll and Hyde (Spider/Ensemble), ABET’s Violet (Leroy Evans), ABET’s The Robber Bridegroom (Clement Musgrove), The 5 and Dime Theatre Company’s Company (Harry), The 5 and Dime Theatre Company’s Assassins (Proprietor/Balladeer), Players by the Sea’s (PBTS) production of American Idiot (Theo), PBTS’ Memphis (Gator), PBTS’ La Cage Aux Folles (Hanna), PBTS’ Aida (Ensemble), PBTS’ Little Shop of Horrors (Urchin). Brandon would like to thank Bradley for this amazing opportunity and his friends and family for their support.

ZACH RIVERA is a theatre artist, arts administrator, and theatre educator based in Jacksonville. With over a decade of work across the country, it is his firm belief that the arts save lives and change hearts. Select directing credits: Trouble in Mind (PBTS), Adapt or Die (TheTankNYC), Hadestown: Teen Edition (Greenlight) Select performance credits: Tick…Tick…BOOM! (Michael), Clyde’s (Rafael), In the Heights (Kevin). Outside of theatre in the community he leads the theatre department at Greenwood School crafting performances with his students. He’s grateful for his wife Elizabeth for always supporting him, and YOU for supporting live and local theatre. www.ZachJRivera.com

ANTHONY FELTON is a Jacksonville, Florida native acclaimed for his performances with both Vocal and Instrumental colleagues alike throughout the east coast. Anthony Felton began his professional studies at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts under the tutelage of Russian pianist Vera Watson. Mr. Felton is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he holds both Bachelor and Master Degrees. While pursuing his master’s degree under the wing and tutelage of Canadian pianist Dr. Allison Gagnon, he served as staff accompanist for the Alabama State Concerto Competition, mock audition accompanist for the Fletcher Opera Institute, and accompanist for the North Carolina district Solo and Ensemble Festivals. Anthony has had the privilege of serving as Musical Director for the Broadway Musicals throughout the years and is grateful for the path his musical career has taken him. Fame, Annie, The Color Purple, Smokey Joe Café, Nunsense, Bye Bye Birdie, Joseph and the Amazing Techno-colored Dream Coat, Bingo, 13: The Musical, Miracle on 34th Street, Title of Show to name a few. Recently, he was just awarded Outstanding Music Director at the 2024 Applause Awards.

TAYLER ROACH Anytime she has the opportunity to perform, whether on stage or in front of the camera, Tayler finds joy! In addition to performing in Aladdin Jr., she amazed audiences as Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr., among other PLU performances. She loves the stage and shows dedication and excitement in each role she performs.

TIMOTHY POWELL was so excited to be appearing on the NFSSE stage as the hilarious Babkak! He appeared last summer with the Greenlight Theatre Company in their production of The Wizard of Oz. He also appeared in Annie, Jack and the Beanstalk, Pirates! The Musical and Mary Poppins when he attended Morningstar High School. Timothy is from Richmond Hill, Georgia and he enjoys building models in his free time.

DUTCH DEMERE is thrilled to return to the stage in support of PBTS! He previously performed in Aladdin Jr. (2025), The Little Mermaid Jr. (2024), High School Musical Jr. (2023), and he continues to bring energy and heart to every role. Outside of the spotlight, Dutch enjoys being part of the Junior Civitan Club, where he connects with friends and gives back to the community. NFSSE’s production of Aladdin Jr. was especially meaningful to Dutch, as he loved having his brother volunteer to help the cast and crew behind the scenes!

MARTIN ORTIZ IV For the 4th year in row, Martin hits the stage, as a member of NFSSE’s People Like Us theater troupe, and he did a phenomenal job as Aladdin this year! When his face isn’t in a script, Martin enjoys singing lessons with Mr. Pfent, jumping on his trampoline and playing Mario Kart with Dad. As much fun as those other activities are, sharing the spotlight with friends is always number one on his list.

GAGE TORBETT wowed audiences on stage this May in NFSSE’s Aladdin Jr. as Kassim. Gage is passionate about singing and acting and recently won the Arts 4 All Young Performers Achievement Award for Vocalist in 2025. He also received the Arts 4 All student of the month for April 2025 for his diligence in honing his craft in the performing arts. Gage has played Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, Troy in High School Musical Jr. and Pilot last year in Little Mermaid Jr. Gage sang the national anthem at the April 13th Jumbo Shrimp baseball game after attending open auditions a few weeks earlier. When Gage is not performing on stage, he loves to travel, attend live concerts and musicals and enjoys spending time with his family and Lola his pet cat.

DWIGHT BURGESS favorite character in Aladdin is Genie—so who better to play the iconic part than he, in May of this year at North Florida School of Special Education! Before that, he wowed audiences on stage as Jetsam in The Little Mermaid (2024), at NFSSE, as part of the ensemble in Greenwood School’s The Little Mermaid (2023), and as a Stage Manager in What Really Happened The Night Before Christmas (2018). Dwight’s favorite movie is The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.

GRACE LIPP loves being on stage! She has attended NFSSE since 2017. She was last seen on stage for Aladdin Jr. last May, and previously in the Little Mermaid Jr. in 2024 and High School Musical Jr. in 2023. Grace has also participated in other musicals including a production of Moana and Shrek Jr. When Grace isn’t on stage, you can find her participating in baseball, cheering, dancing, and singing to her favorite musicals, movies, and playlists.

RUBY PLAIA was thrilled to be in her second People Like Us performance this May in Aladdin! She loves the theatre and has been in the Jr. production casts of Shrek, Frozen, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. Ruby also loves soccer, basketball, swimming and playing the ukulele.

VIRGINA MOLIS has been hooked on performing since playing Martha Cox in a People Like Us production of High School Musical Jr. She has since performed in The Little Mermaid Jr. as well as Aladdin Jr. When she isn’t on stage, she’s likely in a pool, on a field or on a court competing in Special Olympics. At home, she likes to read, watch videos, and dance like nobody is watching.

LILY SANTIAGO is super excited to be back on stage and thrilled to be supporting PBTS! Most recently, you may have seen her in Greenlight Theatre Company’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition, (Klothos). She performed in Kernan Middle School’s production of Beauty and the Beast Jr., (Madame de la Grande Bouche) and Waterleaf’s Aristocats Kids, (Berlios) as well as several Greenlight Theatre Company productions, including The Wizard of Oz, (Dorothy) Finding Nemo, (Nigel) and James and the Giant Peach, (Willy Wonka). Lily would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support!

SAWYER MENCIANO is a rising sophomore at Greenwood School in Jacksonville. A proud member of their theatre and music departments, Sawyer has been involved in numerous productions, concerts, and exhibitions showcasing his love of the performing arts. Recent theatre credits include: Leaf Coneybear (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Conquistador Ancestor (Addams Family), Steve (Almost, Maine) and Flounder (The Little Mermaid). When he is not onstage at school he is working on musical performance independently and with his band, The Albino Wolves. He thanks his family, friends, and his amazing teacher (Zach Rivera) for their support.

ADELYN SACKS (11) is excited to perform again with Players by the Sea as part of the Set Studios family! A student at Global Arts Academy, she recently won the Broadway Star award at Access Broadway Nationals for her performance of a monologue titled Paint by Anger written by Gary Baker. You might have seen Addie in Beetlejuice Jr. (PBTS), Bye, Bye Birdie and Mary Poppins Jr. (SET) Shrek Jr. and Aladdin Jr. (The Creative Academy). She would like to thank her amazing family, teachers and friends for always supporting her and helping her grow!

GABBY DACHE (11) has been a part of SET Studios for almost three years. Her love for the performing arts has landed her lead roles in Mary Poppins Jr., Moana Jr. Beetlejuice Jr., and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. She is a member of the SET Studios’ Award-winning competition team and has competed at the Junior Theatre Festival and Access Broadway. She would like to thank her parents and Mrs. Jocelyn for their love and support and Players by the Sea for the opportunity to perform on stage for this special event.

CALEB JAEGER (13) is a homeschooled student who has been enjoying musical theatre for almost three years. He has been able to enjoy productions at Creative Academy (Aladdin Jr. and Sound of Music) as well as productions at SET studios (Mary Poppins Jr. and Bye Bye Birdie). By far his favorite to participate in is the SET Studios competition team. He would like to thank Mrs. Jocelyn for all of her stellar leadership and for giving him a place to serve.

LUCINDA JAEGER (11) is a homeschooled student who has loved being on stage for the past few years! Some of her favorites include Finding Nemo Jr., Cinderella, Sound of Music, Aladdin Jr., Shrek Jr., Mary Poppins Jr. and Bye Bye Birdie. Lucy has embraced the SET Studios competition life and wishes she could just move into the studio. She wants to thank Violet for introducing her to the theatre world, Mrs. Jocelyn for giving her a home away from home, and for all her friends in the SET family that make it something truly magical to be a part of.

GEORGIA BRIGMOND (11) is a rising sixth grader at Lavilla School of the Arts. She has been a part of SET for about 3 years now where she has performed in shows such as Elf Jr. (Michael) Cats Jr. (Asparagus) and in Seussical Jr. (Mrs. Mayor). She is also part of their competition team and has competed at the Junior Theatre Festival and Access Broadway. She would like to thank her family for their continued support, Mrs. Jocelyn for always giving them amazing opportunities to perform and grow, and to all her SET family because it wouldn’t be as fun without you. And of course, thank you to Players by the Sea for letting us share the stage with you!

NYLAH SHERMAN (11) has been a part of the SET Studios family for almost 3 years and is a member of the competition team. Some of Nylah’s most notable performances were as Jovie in Elf (SET Studios), Donkey in Shrek (Christ Church Academy), Delia in Beetlejuice Jr. (Players by the Sea), and as Hermes in Hadestown: Teen Edition (Greenlight Theatre Company). Nylah would like to thank Mrs. Jocelyn for her start in this wonderful world of Musical Theatre and her parents for their continued support. Nylah will be attending LaVilla School of the Arts in fall.

CLAIRE McLOONE is an energetic sixth grader at Palmer Catholic Academy. She has performed in SET Studio’s JR versions of Bye Bye Birdie (Debra Sue), Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice), 13 (Teen/Cheerleader), Mary Poppins (Katie Nanna/Sweep) together with Shrek Jr. (Big Bad Wolf/Duloc Ensemble) and Sound of Music (Brigitta) at Creative Academy. Claire considers SET Studios her second home! She would like to thank her family, SET Studios team, Jocelyn Geronimo, Victoria Jackson, Barbara Roberts and Cathy Dooley for the chance to shine.

NOELLE BOWEN (11) is excited to be starting middle school at Global Arts Academy in the fall. She found her SET Studios family two summers ago, and is currently participating in her eighth production at SET. She has also performed on stage at Creative Academy (Shrek Jr.), Alhambra Theatre & Dining (Disco Knights), and FSCJ (Wonderful Town), and has competed with her wonderful studiomates at the Junior Theatre Festival and Access Broadway. Huge thanks to her family, Mrs. Jocelyn, and the entire extended SET Studios family!

BRIA RAGATZ (13) is a rising eighth grader at the Bolles Middle School. She enjoys being part of the SET Studios community. Some of her favorite past roles include: Ms. Argentina (Beetlejuice), Gloria Rasputin (Bye Bye Birdie), Clara (The Nutcracker) and many more. She would love to thank her family and Mrs. Jocelyn for all of these wonderful opportunities!

VIOLET FEYEN (12) attends Global Leadership Academy’s ARTS Campus. She participates in Jax-area productions regularly. Credits include: A Christmas Story: The Musical at Alhambra Theatre & Dining (Ensemble), Mary Poppins Jr. (Winifred Banks) and The Sound of Music (Brigitta von Trapp). She thanks Jocelyn Geronimo and her SET Studios family for their continued support.