Mackenzie Baker  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Conservatory debut. She has been dancing for five whole years (Stage Door School of Dance) and has been in two production classes so far at The Gateway: The Little Mermaid Jr. and Shrek Jr. Gateway is my home! She would like to thank Dad, Mom, Sissy, Nana, Kaitlyn, Uncle JP, Mr. Minn, Keira, Peter, Miss Stephanie, the Allans, and cast and crew. For Grammie.
 

Sonnie Betts  (Dorothy Gale) is fortunate to work with director Joe Minutillo again. Big thanks to Mr. Min, Michael Baker, and The Gateway Acting School for this role. Regional credits include: To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout), Disney’s Frozen (Young Elsa), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Susan Waverly), Fiddler on the Roof (Bielke), The Crucible (Mercy Lewis), A Christmas Carol (Grace Smythe), Ragtime (The Girl), The Sound of Music (Gretl) & Evita (Youth Ensemble). Personal favorites include: Matilda Jr. (Matilda), Willy Wonka Jr. (Charlie Bucket), Annie Jr. (Annie). TV/Film: Evil Lives Here (episodes 302 & 914), Heartbreak on Murray Hill (Kathleen). Xoxo fellow cast and crew.
 

Isla Brady  (Ensemble) is excited to return to The Gateway Conservatory after the wonderful experience of last summer’s The Lion King Jr. & SpongeBob Jr. As a student at The Gateway she has performed in Seussical Kids (Mayzie LaBird), Shrek Kids (Pinocchio), Aristocats Kids (Amelia Gabble), Little Mermaid Jr. (Alana/Carlotta), Aladdin Kids & Finding Nemo Kids. This past spring she was thrilled to be cast as Teen Fiona in her middle school production of Shrek Jr. She would like to thank all of her family for supporting and encouraging her through her whole acting career. She would also like to thank the friends she’s made in these many productions, the teachers, apprentices, directors and crew who have worked hard to make these productions possible.
 

Ava Competiello  (Ensemble) is excited to appear in her second production at Gateway, having made her debut in last year’s Frozen: Kids. She is an upcoming 4th grader at the Wading River School where she plays violin and lacrosse. She is also a vocal student of over 5 years with her beloved teacher, Miss Jessica. In her free time, Ava enjoys reading, playing tennis, and visiting New York City.
 

Sofia DaCosta-Wilson  (Ensemble, u/s Dorothy) is going into her fifth year with The Gateway. Recent performances on The Gateway main stage: Disney’s Frozen as Young Elsa, Susan in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof, The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular On Ice, Children's Choir in Evita, Lavender in Matilda Jr., and Violet in Willy Wonka Jr. Sofia has also danced in The Nutcracker with Eglevsky Ballet and specializes in traditional Portuguese Folklore dancing. Sofia is thankful to be working with such a fun cast and dreams to be on Broadway someday!x
 

Avery Dawson  (Ensemble) is an incoming sixth-grader, Avery has a passion for performing arts and dance. She trains extensively in tap and enjoys competing in a variety of styles. Her theater credits at The Gateway include The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice, The Little Mermaid Jr (Ursula), Annie, and Shrek the Musical. Avery loves bringing energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to the stage and is excited to be part of this talented cast's journey down the Yellow Brick Road. “We’re off to see the show… and grateful for everyone who made it happen!”
 

Autumn De Lauter  (Ensemble) Autumn is so excited to make her Gateway debut as a Munchkin in the Lullaby League in the production of The Wizard of Oz. Autumn has played Young Elsa in Frozen Jr, and has been a part of the ensemble in Shrek and The Little Mermaid in Gateway’s production classes. She works with Laura Laureano, the owner of LL Music Studies for voice training, takes acrobatics at Stage Door School of Dance, and plays the piano. Autumn would like to thank her parents, her siblings Bailey and Easton, as well as her theater family for their support.
 

Bailey De Lauter  (Glinda) is so grateful to be a part of this production and to be a part of the Gateway family! Bailey has performed as Young Nala in The Lion King Jr, Anna in Frozen Jr, Summer in School of Rock, Flounder in The Little Mermaid Jr., Middle Anna in Frozen Jr., Pearl in Finding Nemo Jr., Erica in Matilda Jr., and Grace Smyth in A Christmas Carol the Musical, Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr., among others. Movie/TV Credits: Bird Watchers, Hobby, Royal Runaways, Prank Squad, Welcome to Hope and an Adventureland Promo. Bailey studies dance at Stage Door School of Dance. She works with Laura Laureano, the owner of LL Music Studios for voice training. Bailey would like to thank her parents, her siblings Easton and Autumn, as well as her theater family for their continued support./span>
 

Erin Faulkner  (Ensemble, u/s Aunt Ema) is so grateful to be a part of this amazing production. Erin came to The Gateway in 2020 and has been performing and taking classes ever since. Recent credits are: Bonsai in The Lion King Jr, Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka Jr, Flotsam in The Little Mermaid Jr, Grandma in The Addams Family, Mayzie LaBird in Seussical, Rajah in Aladdin, Ensemble in The Prom, and was the stage manager of The Gateway’s Alice by Heart. She would like to thank her friends, family, and the incredible cast and crew for supporting her and giving her the opportunity to be in this amazing production!
 

Emilia Gilligan  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of this production. Some of her recent productions include: The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice with Nancy Kerrigan (Ensemble), Annie Jr. (Miss Hannigan), The Aristocats (Scat Cat) and Alice in Wonderland Jr. (Mad Hatter). Emilia also enjoys being a part of her a capella group. She would like to thank her family, friends and everyone at The Gateway for all of their support. She is so excited to perform with this amazing cast!
 

Ryan Joseph Gutierrez  (Professor Marvel, Wizard of Oz) is an emerging, versatile actor based in Long Island, New York. His passion for the craft began at a young age with the Frank P. Long Drama Club, sparking a dedicated journey of training and performance throughout his academic career. Ryan has developed a diverse theatrical résumé through standout regional and high school productions, with notable roles including Perch Perkins in The SpongeBob Musical (Broadway Version), Kevin G. in Mean Girls: The Musical, and featured roles at The Gateway such as Willy Wonka Jr. and SpongeBob Jr. To sharpen his skills, he has pursued extensive training, including advanced coursework at the prestigious Gateway Playhouse and training at Stage Door School of Dance, where he has specialized in tap since 2021. A well-rounded creative, Ryan also enjoys drawing, creative writing, and music in his spare time. He is committed to continuing his artistic growth at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) as a TV and Film Acting major, aiming to build a global career that spans major Broadway productions and cinematic feature films.
 

Nicholas Iannaccone  (Uncle Henry, u/s Tin Man) is excited to be back on the Gateway stage and be part of The Wizard of Oz. His past conservatory shows include Willy Wonka Jr, The Little Mermaid Jr, and Matilda Jr, along with the mainstage production of Fiddler on the Roof (Cheddar Boy). His most recent performance was Footloose (Bickle) at Eastport South Manor High School. Nicholas would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him.
 

Asher King  (Hickory, Tin Man) is thrilled to return to the Gateway stage. Last winter, he had a blast detonating explosives as Pugsley Addams in Gateway's mainstage production of The Addams Family. Past Gateway productions include: Lion King Jr. (Ensemble), Matilda Jr. (Michael Wormwood) and Fiddler on the Roof (Cheder Boy) Asher has been a student at the Gateway Acting School since kindergarten, so it is safe to say Gateway is a second home for him. In the fall, you can find him haunting the theatre at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse in various states of decomposition. He would like to thank all of his teachers over the years for believing in him and pushing him, but especially Michael, Mr. Min, Rachel, Kaitlyn and Amy.
 

Rosalie Kubacki  (Auntie Em, u/s Witch) is excited to be a part of her 4th Gateway Conservatory production. She has been a student at The Gateway since 2021, and enjoys all of her classes and everything she has learned. Her favorite experiences at The Gateway are acting in The Gateway's Haunted Playhouse and being in the youth ensemble this past winter in The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice with Nancy Kerrigan. She thanks all of the teachers and staff at The Gateway for their wisdom and continued support.
 

Liliana Lafler  (Ensemble) is thrilled to perform at The Gateway again this summer! Her past Conservatory credits include an Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka Jr and Ensemble in The Lion King Jr. She also loved playing Mrs. Mayor in her school’s production of Seussical. Liliana enjoys every moment as a Stage Door Dancer. She thanks her parents, sister, brothers, and Papa for always loving her, and Michael, Mr. Min, and Ms. Stephanie for this wonderful opportunity.
 

Julius Lovelace  (Ensemble, u/s Professor Marvel) is thrilled to be in this production! This is his fifth Gateway Conservatory production, following SpongeBob the Musical Y/E (Larry the Lobster), The Lion King Jr. (Ensemble), Willy Wonka Jr. (Mike Teavee), and The Little Mermaid Jr. (Ensemble). He has also appeared in Gateway classes as Marlin in Finding Nemo Kids, Edgar in Aristocats Kids, Horton the Elephant in Seussical Kids, and Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical Kids. Julius thanks Mr. Michael, Mr. Min, Miss Stephanie, and Amy for their support!
 

NAME  (Toto) Missy Lovelace is a Shih Tzu who turns 1 years old on July 12, 2026, Missy is taking on her very first acting role, and is proud to share the stage with her owner, Julius Lovelace!
 

Isabella Mannick  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be taking the stage in this production! Previous favorite shows: Shrek the Musical as Donkey and Matilda as Bruce. When not rehearsing, Isabella loves to sing and go shopping. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and directors for this amazing experience, as well as her family and friends for always cheering them on and a special thanks to her mom and dad for supporting her through everything.
 

Ryan McLoughlin  (Ensemble) is very excited to be a part of this production. This will be his first show at The Gateway. He is in 6th grade and loves acting and dancing. This is Ryan’s third show. When Ryan is off stage, he enjoys dancing, singing, and playing with his dog. Ryan would like to give a big thanks to all the cast and crew that has made this amazing show come to life.
 

Cian Murphy  (Ensemble, u/s Scarecrow) is delighted to join the Gateway Conservatory Program for a fifth year in this production! Cian has appeared in several Gateway productions throughout the years including The Lion King Jr (Young Simba), The Little Mermaid Jr (Ensemble), Aladdin Kids (Aladdin), Matilda Jr (Bruce), Frozen Kids (Hans), Beauty and The Beast Jr. (Chip), Peter Pan Jr (John Darling), and Seussical Kids (Horton the Elephant). Cian would like to thank his family, the Gateway Education Staff, the Crew, and the amazing Cast of The Wizard of Oz for this wonderful experience!
 

Chloe Nowakowsk  (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her mainstage debut in Gateway Conservatory’s production. A proud member of Gateway’s School of Performing Arts, she is excited to share the stage with so many talented castmates. Favorite credits include Frozen Jr. (Sven), Shrek Jr. (Young Fiona), and The Little Mermaid Jr. (Flounder). Chloe sends big thanks to her family and the wonderful Gateway family for their love and support. Break a leg!
 

Charlotte O'Leary  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of this production at The Gateway. Previously, she has played Violet in Willy Wonka, Jr. as well as Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Jr. in her Middle School productions. Some of her favorite roles were here at The Gateway such as Alice in Wonderland, Jr. (Alice), Lion King, Jr. (Ensemble), and Spongebob the Musical: Y/E (Ensemble). Charlotte is very excited to perform with this amazing cast!
 

Rivers O'Neal  (Hunk, Scarecrow) is thrilled to be back on stage! Theater credits include Jeff Barry in Leader of the Pack, SpongeBob in SpongeBob the Musical: Youth Edition, Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family, and a Town Boy in Phantom. Film credits include the current docuseries Soccer Meets America, the principal in a Feeding America national commercial, and a nationally aired Smartphone PSA. PSA. Rivers is grateful for the support he has received from The Gateway, the amazing Sam Stein and Margaret Murphy, and his agents at Stewart Talent. Enjoy the show!
 

Alex Paval  (Zeke, Cowardly Lion) is back at it again with another show! This time, he gets to channel his energy, excitement, and enthusiasm in the form of a lion. Alex has loved performing for years and is thrilled to continue sharing his passion for theater. Previous productions include Anastasia, Once Upon a Mattress, and Spongebob the Musical: Y/E, where he had the opportunity to grow as both a performer and storyteller. He would like to thank his family, friends, teachers and directors for their support and hopes you enjoy the show.
 

Abigail Pirozzi  (Ensemble) has attended Gateway’s Performing Arts School since she was four years old. Recently, she appeared as Young Anna in Gateway’s mainstage production of Disney’s Frozen and as Ren in Footloose at her school. Her previous credits include SpongeBob the Musical: Y/E, Willy Wonka Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular On Ice, Finding Nemo Kids, Matilda Jr, and Evita. Additionally, Abigail has done background work on "Can’t You See I’m Trying" and "Love in Storytown." "Gail" loves the stage and is excited to be part of this cast. She would like to thank all of her family and friends for their ongoing support and for coming to see the show.
 

Mia Rofrano  (Miss Gulch, Wicked Witch) is especially excited for her seventh Conservatory production, because Wizard of Oz was her first, in 2021! Mia has been a proud student at The Gateway School for the Performing Arts for eight years. Past regional credits: A Christmas Carol (Martha Cratchit), A Christmas Carol the Broadway Musical (Jonathon), SpongeBob (Perch Perkins), Finding Nemo Jr (Tad), Matilda Jr (Ensemble u/s Erica & Amanda), Beauty & the Beast Jr (Ensemble u/s Chip) & The Wizard of Oz (Coroner). Special thanks to her family for their love and support, her voice teacher Michelle Cosentino, and her Gateway family, especially Mr. Min, Peter, Keira, Ms. Steph, Michael, Amy, & Kaitlyn!
 

Ella Rogacki  (Ensemble) is excited for her third Conservatory show at The Gateway! Ella has been in Gateway's Performing Arts School since she was 5 years old. Recent credits include: Lion King Jr. (Ensemble), SpongeBob Y/E (Sardine 2, U/S Perch Perkins), The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice with Nancy Kerrigan (Youth Ensemble) and Footloose Y/E (Ariel). Huge thanks to her family, friends, Amy, Kaitlyn, and Michael for always supporting her! Ella is so happy to be able to work with this amazing cast and crew!
 

Graham Rohrmeier  (Ensemble)
 

Ryan Rorrison  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in his first Summer Conservatory production at The Gateway! A proud member of the Gateway family since age five, he has appeared in many production classes, most recently as Flounder in The Little Mermaid: Kids. Ryan was also seen as Young Erik in Gateway’s Phantom and as Mowgli in his school’s The Jungle Book: Kids. Thank you for joining us somewhere over the rainbow! Enjoy the show!
 

Nikiera Schmidt  (Ensemble) is excited to be part of her first Gateway Conservatory production. She has been a student at The Gateway since 2023 and some of her recent credits in the Gateway Production classes include Ursula in The Little Mermaid Jr, Gingie in Shrek Kids, and Olaf in Frozen Kids. She would like to thank her family, friends, and the amazing cast and crew of the show.
 

Lily Seidler  (Ensemble) is so excited for her Conservatory debut at The Gateway. She would like to thank Michael, Joe, Keira and Sophia for this opportunity. She would also like to say a special thank you to her best friend Aurora for always supporting her, Mama for all of her love, support and knowledge, Dada for the best lunches and dinners, and her twin brother Evan for spending all her rehearsal time creating fun stuff for the two of them to do when she gets home! Previous credits include: Frozen Jr and The Little Mermaid Jr at The Gateway.
 

Mollie Signer  (Ensemble) is a 15-year-old student at Patchogue-Medford High School and is thrilled to make her Gateway Playhouse debut in this production. Previous roles include Annie in Annie Jr., Donkey in Shrek Jr., and Ensemble in Mean Girls. Mollie studies voice with Vivienne Grizzle-Jaber and trains at Gateway Acting School and the School of Rock in Sayville. She is grateful for the opportunity to perform alongside such a talented cast.
 

Arlo Silverman  (Ensemble) started acting last year with Gateway Acting School as Kristoff in Frozen. Since then, he has performed as Drake in Annie, Donkey in Shrek, and Scuttle in The Little Mermaid. This is Arlo’s first time with the Gateway Acting School Conservatory and he is excited to be part of this production with Mr. Min and Ms. Stephanie, his dance teacher at Stage Door School of Dance. Arlo loves piano, animation, stop-motion, movies, reading, and writing. Special thanks to Ms. Joss, Ms. Oya, Ms. Sara, Ms. Hannah, Ms. Gabby, Ms. Autumn, and his family for their support and encouragement.
 

Miley Viggiano  (Ensemble) is a rising 8th grader who loves acting, dancing and singing. Miley has danced for 11 years at Inspire Dance Centre, dancing ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, musical theater and is a member of the senior competition team. Miley has been in numerous plays but this is her first Conservatory production! Miley would like to thank Mr. Min for this opportunity, Amy, Gabby, Autumn for their support, Meagan, Alicia and Brian for helping the dance journey, Brian for encouraging her to find her voice, and of course her family!
 

Michael Villalta  (Ensemble, u/s Cowardly Lion) is pleased to perform in his third production with the Gateway Conservatory, building on his experience in their acting school. He extends his sincere gratitude to his family and friends for their unwavering love and support. Additionally, Michael thanks his mentors and teachers at The Gateway—specifically Mr. Min, Peter Pece, Keira Ballan, Miss Stephanie, Michael Baker, and Kaitlyn LaGrega—alongside the dedicated crew and cast, for their support and collaboration.
 

Jenna Wagner  (Ensemble) is 13 years old from Sayville, New York. A creative soul, Jenna enjoys art, music, dance, and all types of performance. Her all time favorite style of dance is Jazz. Outside of performance she has a great love and passion for animals, spending time at the beach, and making memories with her family and friends. Jenna believes every performance is a chance to tell a story. Whether she’s dancing, acting, or creating art, she loves connecting with others through creativity and is always ready for her next adventure.
 

Kyle Walter  (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back on stage at The Gateway. He last appeared as Dill in To Kill A Mockingbird at The Suffolk, as a youth ensemble singer in The Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice, and as Freddy Hamilton in School of Rock at NFCT. Kyle has a passion for all things theatrical and musical. In his free time he enjoys playing drums, guitar, and keyboard. He is grateful to be part of this wonderful and fun production!
 

Faith Wright  (Ensemble) recently discovered her passion for the performing arts after starring as the lead in her school's production of Pippin. That experience sparked her desire to pursue acting and singing professionally. With her natural charisma, vibrant personality, and eagerness to grow, Faith is excited to continue developing her talents and building a future in the arts.