story

 

little women

Smith Theatre

April 4, 5, 9–12

 


book By

alan knee

Directed By
Laurie Harrop-Purser

music director
gayle lockwood

choreographer
pat debenham

 
 

Dean's Message

Courtney Davis

The arts possess the sublime power to inspire, engage, and transform. Just as a solitary note holds the ability to captivate, a single voice, gesture, or melody possesses the ineffable power to carry us away.

We invite you to embark upon a new journey with us this season at The Noorda Center—home to inspiring events and an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County. Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda Center.

Thank you for journeying with us this season to experience the profound and transformative power of the arts! 

Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts

 

 


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about the performance


Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested–her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.

 

 

 

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production TEAM


Producer
La Beene

Production Stage Manager
Sam Brockman

Scenic Design
Richard Lorig

Costume Design
La Beene

Lighting Design
Devon Parikh

sound design
Andrew Domyan

Hair & Makeup Design
Shannon Hutchins

Dramaturg
Kara McCarthy

Fight Choreographer
Dylan Wright

Intimacy Coordinator
Jen Delac

dialects coach
Steven Rimke

assistant Director
Theo Beene

Assistant Stage Manager
Melanie Velasco

Assistant Costume Designer
Annie Davis

Assistant lighting Designer
Cortnee Quist

Assistant sound Designer
Nathan Martineau

Additional Set Construction
Nat Reed

Scenic Painting
Morgan Bronson


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cast


 

Jo
Paola Molina Guzmán

Professor Bhaer
Isaiah Micah Stotesbery

Amy / Troll
Sophie Mercer Bigler

Meg / Clarissa
Jenna Bagley

Beth / Rodrigo 2
Mariah Grace Bowman

Marmee / Hag
Julie Heaton

Mr. Laurence / Knight
Reese Phillip Purser

Laurie / Rodrigo
Braden Clement

Aunt March
Anne Post Fife

Polly, Aunt March’s Assistant
Julia Taylor

Mrs. Kirk
Clara/Jack Thompson

Mr. Brooke / Braxton
Brock Sorenson

Jo’s Shadow / Ensemble
Taytum Jane

Beth’s Shadow / Ensemble
Maryn Renee Christensen

Meg’s Shadow / Ensemble
Mikenzie McIntyre

Amy’s Shadow / Ensemble
Roe Goade

Laurie & John’s Shadow / ensemble
Keaton Drummond

 

 

production crew


Production Assistant
Erica Hunt

 

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Director's Note


You may be surprised to see a few extra characters in our production of Little Women. These figures are not part of the traditional cast but serve as a unique theatrical device, representing Jo’s "muses." They embody the creative forces that drive her as a writer–her inspirations, her memories, and the people in her life who have shaped her passion for storytelling. These muses exist in a liminal space, neither fully within the story nor outside of it, acting as both observers and participants. They guide Jo along her journey, reminding her of the moments, emotions, and experiences that fuel her writing.

More than just symbolic figures, the muses also serve a functional role in progressing the narrative. They act as storytellers, seamlessly transitioning the audience from one scene to the next by changing the scenery, bridging key moments, and providing insight into Jo’s creative process. Their presence allows us to see the inner workings of Jo’s mind, offering glimpses into how she transforms the people and events of her life into the characters and plotlines of her novel. Through their interactions, we come to understand how her family, her struggles, and her ambitions influence the "Astonishing" story she creates.

By incorporating these muses into the production, we invite the audience to experience Little Women not just as a retelling of Jo March’s life, but as an exploration of artistic inspiration itself. How does a writer translate real-life experiences into fiction? How do memories, love, loss, and ambition shape the creative process? The muses illuminate these questions, enhancing our understanding of Jo as both a character in Little Women and as a storyteller crafting something deeply personal and profoundly moving.

 

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give to uvu theatre


give

As we prepare to welcome the community to experience the wonder at The Noorda Center, we'd like to thank you for making it all possible. 

The performing arts inspire us to engage with others, discover new ways of thinking and feeling, and provides us with hope—in short, we believe the arts transform you. As an exciting hub for the arts in Utah County, we produce hundreds of performances by talented students, faculty, and world-renowned visiting artists. We invite everyone to join in connecting through the arts. 

As part of UVU’s inaugural EverGREEN fundraising campaign, we invite you to make a gift to UVU's Department of Theatre today

Your gift impacts not only students, but everyone who comes to The Noorda Center by ensuring programming and exciting artistic creation continues. 

Please make a gift today by clicking below. Thank you!

 

MAKE A GIFT

 


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 biographies

 

tyler 

Jenna Bagley
Meg / Clarissa

Jenna is thrilled to return to the UVU stage in this beloved story! She was last seen on the UVU stage in Into The Woods as Florinda and was most recently a Caroler in A Christmas Carol at HCTO. She thanks you for coming- this story is very dear to her and she can’t wait to share it with you. "Thank you to my husband for endless encouragement and love."


Theo Beene
Assistant Director

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la

La Beene  
Costume Designer


 


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sophie

Sophie Mercer Bigler
Amy / Troll

Sophie is so excited to be playing Amy in UVU's production of "Little Women"! She is currently a junior in the Musical Theater BFA here at UVU. Some of Sophie's favorite shows she has performed in include The Drowsy Chaperone, Something Rotten, The Little Mermaid, and Lucky Stiff. She wants to give special thanks to her husband Kevin and her family.


mariah

Mariah Grace Bowman  
Beth / Rodrigo 2

Grace is thrilled to be performing in her final show at UVU, bringing her childhood favorite, Little Women, to life on stage. Growing up with three sisters of her own, she feels a deep connection to the March sisters. Grace has a history of playing tragic roles, and some of her most memorable performances include Rapunzel in Into the Woods and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She sincerely hopes you enjoy the show and the enduring legacy of the beloved March sisters.


Sam Brockman
Production Stage Manager

Sam is a sort-of-senior in the BFA Stage Management program at UVU. They are pleased to have been able to work with this cast and production team and so appreciate everyone's willingness to collaborate in putting together a beautiful show. Recent credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Stage Manager, Timpanogos Community Theatre), Newsies (Assistant Stage Manager, Sundance), The Diary of Anne Frank (Stage Manager, UVU), Machinal (Assistant Lighting Designer, UVU), and Metamorphoses (Sound Designer, UVU). After Little Women, you can find them stage managing The Crucible for UVU this fall. They would like to thank their family and Patch Olsen for all their love and support.


chase

Maryn Renee Christensen
Beth’s Shadow / Ensemble

Maryn is delighted to perform in Little Women at UVU! She is currently a junior studying Musical Theater at UVU and has previously performed with theatre companies such as Tuacahn Amphitheater, Brigham's Playhouse, and The Stage Door all in her hometown of St. George, Utah. Her training includes COPA Tuacahn, Westside Studio of Performing Arts, and UVU’s Theatre and Dance classes. Maryn would love to give a big thank you to the cast and crew of Little Women, and a special thanks to family and friends from Brigham's Playhouse, where her love for theatre started. Please enjoy the show!


braden

Braden Clement
Laurie / Rodrigo

Braden is proud to be a part of Little Women with this spectacular cast. He is finishing his Junior year in the Musical Theatre BFA this semester. He would like to thank his extremely supportive family, his boyfriend AJ, and all his friends for their love and encouragement.


annie

Annie Davis
Assistant Costume Designer

Annie is a freshman at UVU working on her BFA in Costume Design. She loves costume design and is excited to work on Little Women as her first ever UVU production! Previously, she's worked on shows such as The Little Mermaid and The Man Who Came to Dinner.


pat

Pat Debenham
Choreographer

Pat Debenham is a self-described ‘accidental’ artist. For most of his life as a teacher, performer, choreographer, director, writer and visual artist he has ‘fallen’ into personal and professional opportunities that are engaging, challenging, and creatively fulfilling. Playing Linus in Charlie Brown is wonderfully the most recent, except of course working with UVU students and faculty on Little Women. Past lives included thirty-seven years in dance at BYU and six at UVU. He’s currently on staff at the UVU Museum of Art. Present passions - three phenomenal daughters, their husbands, thirteen grandchildren and his multi-faceted wife Kathie. Present pleasures - desire for good food, thoughtful reading, meaningful conversation and some solitude just every once in a while.


jen

Jen Delac
Intimacy Choreographer

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Andrew Domyan
Sound Designer

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keaton

Keaton Drummond
Richard

Keaton Drummond is excited to be part of Little Women as his first show at UVU! He began acting for the first time at UVU and fell in love with it immediately. Since that first class he joined the Acting BFA at UVU and has been working hard to hone his craft in preparation to share his acting talents with the world. Keaton loves any activity that has to do with music whether it be playing guitar, singing, or multiple forms of dance (specifically social styles such as bachata), and has spent his whole life involved with any of the musical arts he could. After college, Keaton aspires to work in film and share his acting with as many people as possible. He also has goals to work in live theater whenever possible and pursue both styles of acting whenever available. You may have seen him recently in his first ever musical Mamma Mia at Sandy Arts or in his first straight play The Legends of Sleepy Hollow at The Hive Collaborative as Johnny Hudson. Keaton would like to thank his friends, family, and professors for inspiring him to work towards his passions and pushing him to pursue this career in acting. He dedicates this performance to them.


annie post

Anne Post Fife
Aunt March

A true Wolverine, Anne will earn her Master of Education degree this year here at the UVU School of Education! She is now a student teacher in Theatre at Draper Park Middle School. She is a proud momma of 3 amazing children plus one son-in-law! She and her husband Michael have been married 30 years! He is Anne's 'Mr. Mom' for being such an amazing supporting person for their busiest family. She is grateful for them and for her family & friends. She hopes you are mesmerized here while watching "Little Women"!


roe

Roe Goade
Amy’s Shadow / Ensemble

As a freshman in the Musical Theatre BFA Program, Roe Goade is excited to make her UVU debut in Little Women! Having grown up in theatre, some of her favorite past roles include Jo March (Little Women), Marcy Park (Spelling Bee), Ariel (Footloose), and Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown). Roe is thankful for the opportunity to learn from the upperclassmen and for the support of her boyfriend, family, and friends!


paola

Paola Molina Guzmán
Jo

Paola is incredibly honored to perform as Jo in UVU's production of Little Women! She has loved the book since she was young, her favorite version of the movie is Winona Ryder's 1994 version, and she considers herself a mix between Jo and Amy. She is a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program here at UVU, and her previous UVU productions include Metamorphoses, Gin Mummy, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Divine. Paola likes to spend her free time going to karaoke with friends, hiding in a corner of a coffee shop with a good book, or trying to maintain a successful Wordle streak. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her get to this moment, specifically her lovely cast, who she wouldn't have survived this process without. She hopes you enjoy the performance and always love as deeply as the March sisters do! Instagram: loladmar170


laura

Laurie Harrop-Purser
Director

Laurie holds an MFA from the National Theater Conservatory in Denver, Colorado. She taught for 14 years in the Theatre and Media Arts Department at Brigham Young University and is now a professor in the Theatre Department at Utah Valley University. In addition to teaching acting, movement, and improv, Laurie is a director, actor, voiceover artist, and writer. She directed The Wizard of Oz and performed as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! at Sundance Summer Theatre. Her onscreen credits include the role of the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, an independent film by Parking Garage Pictures. In recent years, she has appeared in three Hallmark Christmas movies and seven commercials. Laurie’s writing projects include a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which was performed at UVU and at the Bumbleberry Summer Theatre in Springdale, Utah, as well as Is There an Actor in the House, which was staged at UVU. She also served as the acting coach for the independent film Green Flake, which won Best Picture at the LAFA Awards in 2020.


julie

Julie Heaton
Marmee / Hag

Julie is an Associate Professor of Theatre here at UVU, and specializes in acting for the camera and voice over. However, musical theater is her first love! It is what first brought her into acting 30 years ago and after much time away, serving as director and/or music director for dozens of musicals, she's honored to have this opportunity to be back on stage. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and has been teaching in higher education for the last 15 years, serving as the Theatre Program Director at SLCC, and the head of Musical Theatre at Nebraska Wesleyan University prior to arriving at UVU in 2020. In addition to her theatrical credits, she has appeared in film, commercials, countless voice over projects, and even spent 7 years in the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. She is the mother of 4 children, wife to her 8th grade crush, and enjoys tending to her small flock of backyard chickens.


shannon

Shannon Hutchins
Hair & Makeup Designer

Shannon earned her MFA in Theater Design & Production (Wig Making & Makeup) from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2017 and has worked as a freelance hair/makeup designer and makeup artist at various companies spanning theater, film and television for the last 10 years. Recent credits include 'Metamorphoses' and 'Gin Mummy' here at UVU, and 'The Flying Dutchman' at the Utah Opera. She currently is working as a Lecturer of Design here at UVU.


taytum

Taytum Jane
Jo’s Shadow / Ensemble

Taytum is super stoked to be in UVU's production of Little Women. Some recent shows that you might have seen Taytum in include Metamorphoses as multiple characters at UVU, Little Red in Into The Woods at UVU, Holly in The Wedding Singer at the Ideal Playhouse, Tina in Sister Act at Draper Historic Theatre, and Trina in TAG's production of Falsettos at UVU. Taytum would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her dream. She’d like to give a special shout out to her mom and her best friends Holly Snow and Alexa Herrera who have always been there for her. Thank you for coming to see the show. Peace and love!


Gayle Lockwood
Music Director

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Rick Lorig
Scenic Designer

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Nathan Martineau
Assistant Sound Designer

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kara

Kara McCarthy
Dramaturg

Kara (They/He/She) is grateful for the opportunity to have worked as the dramaturg for UVU's production of Little Women. Researching and providing historical and literary context for this show has been a rewarding experience, and they've loved working with the cast and creative team to help bring the story to life. Kara loves exploring all areas of theater, including acting, stage management, and lighting, and is always looking for new ways to grow as an artist and find ways to make impactful theater. Kara is an alumni of Utah Valley University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts. When they’re not working on shows, Kara enjoys spending time with their dog, Kylo.


kara

Mikenzie McIntyre
Meg’s Shadow / Ensemble

Mikenzie is so excited to be in this production of ‘Little Women’! This will be her second show here at UVU! Mikenzie is a sophomore pursuing a BFA in Acting and a minor in Marketing. Some of her favorite roles include Zaneeta Shinn in ‘The Music Man’, Billy in ‘Kid Turboni Brings The Rain’, and most recently a Wheeler in Ozma of Oz here at UVU. Mikenzie would like to thank her sister and best friend! She hopes you enjoys the show!


Devon Parikh
Lighting Designer

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kara

Reese Phillip Purser
Mr. Laurence / Knight

Reese is very excited to partake in this wonderful show with its emphasis on family, kindness and love. His most recent role was that of General Pershing in HCTO‘s The Hello Girls. Reese performed in the UVU-produced Wizard of Oz at Sundance in 2015, and he is very happy for another chance to work with the talented production team and students here at UVU. While Reese teaches at BYU in the BFA/MDT acting programs where he focuses on training the beginning actor and improvisation, this Spring his son Ian will be the last of his three progeny to graduate from UVU, so he proudly wears the hats of both a Cougar and a Wolverine.


kara

Cortnee Quist
Assistant Lighting Designer

Cortnee's theatrical experience includes Lucky Stiff & Into the Woods (Props Designer), The Seagull (Stage Manager), Little Shops of Horror (Stage Manager), Sound of Music (Assistant Production Manager), SAST (Stage Manager), Ready, Steady, Yeti Go! (Stage Manager), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Set Crew Chief), Ephraim Hanks the Musical (Production Manager), Little Women (Lighting Assistant).


brock

Brock Sorenson
Mr. Brooke / Braxton

Brock is so excited to be a part of Little Women at UVU! He has been in Little Women before, understudying for Professor Bhaer and John Brook at the University of Nevada, Reno. Brock is grateful for the opportunity to have a role and share his talents with the world. Brock loves to spend his free time with his family, learning things he is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, and forever working on his craft of performing. He aspires to move to New York upon graduation and pursue his passion of performing on Broadway. You may have seen him recently in Newsies! at Sundance Summer Theatre, or as the Steward/Swing in Into The Woods put on by UVU. Other credits include Raj/Ensemble in Working: The Musical, Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde, and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Brock would like to thank his friends and family, especially his mother, for inspiring him to live a life filled with peace, love, and joy.


isaiah

Isaiah Micah Stotesbery
Professor Bhaer

Isaiah is a junior Acting Performance major at UVU, with a minor in Computer Science. At UVU, Isaiah has performed in Lady M and sung as a member of Deep Green. When not performing, Isaiah enjoys drawing, crochet, computer programming, and biking.


julia

Julia Taylor
Polly, Aunt March’s Assistant

Julia is thrilled to be doing another production here at UVU! She is a junior in UVU's Musical Theatre BFA program and is excited to be in Little Women at long last. Some of her previous favorite roles included Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown), Pamela (The 39 Steps), and The Narrator (Into the Woods). She would like to thank all her friends and family for supporting her through this process, and for the cast and crew that made this experience amazing!


clara

Clara/Jack Thompson
Mrs. Kirk

Clara or Jack, she/her/he/him, (use whatever you want, she doesn't care) is excited to be in UVU's production of Little Women! You may have seen Jack on the UVU stage as Silenus, Hades, and Narcissus in Metamorphoses this past fall, or seen her play the kooky and evil transorbital lobotomy doctor in Lady M in fall of 2023. Outside of acting, Jack also has an interest in scriptwriting and directing. In 2024 she wrote and workshopped the script for a pilot episode of a TV series, and this fall she will be assistant directing UVU's production of The Crucible. Clara dedicates this performance to her nephews and niece, Reed, Miles, Lydia, and one more nephew on the way! He'd also like to give a shoutout to Theo Beene, the assistant director to this show and her best friend who she is rumored to be dating. The rumor isn't true, they aren't actually dating… or are they?


Melanie Velasco
Assistant Stage Manager

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Dylan Wright
Fight Choreographer

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artists

the noorda center
coming soon

SCHOOL OF
the ARTS

coming Soon


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THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

Chair, Associate Professor
LA BEENE, MFA

Associate Chair, Associate Professor
JULIE HEATON, MFA

Administrative Assistant
CURTIS CLUFF, MFA

Associate Professor
AMANDA CRABB, MM

Assistant Professor
JENNIFER DELAC, MFA

Lecturer
ELIZABETH GOLDEN, MFA

Lecturer
M. CHASE GRANT, MFA


Professor
LISA HALL, PHD

Professor
LAURIE HARROP-PURSER, MFA

Lecturer
SHANNON HUTCHINS, MFA

Associate Professor
JANINE SOBECK KNIGHTON, MFA


Assistant Professor
RICHARD LORIG, MFA

Professor

JOHN NEWMAN, PHD

Assistant Professor
STEVEN RIMKE, MFA


Lecturer
GRAHAM WHIPPLE, MFA