May 17, 2026
Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

Student Theatre Festival

Five schools from across the region come together to share original student-created theatre developed through ALT classroom residencies.

Today’s festival celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the power of student voices on stage.

Mafioso

Ethel M. Taylor Academy

Teaching Artists:
Ariel Underwood
Maryne Conner

Student Artists:

Aniyah Jackson (Grade 7)
Annabella Maya (Grade 7)
Cherish Lee (Grade 7)
Deonte Dean (Grade 7)
Jaylah Christian (Grade 7)
Je'kei Dawson (Grade 7)
LaMarion Castleberry (Grade 7)
Egypt Green (Grade 7)
Madison Schultze (Grade 7)
Mohamed Nimaga (Grade 7)
Nevaeh McGhee Mayfield (Grade 7)
Or'Laynah McSwain (Grade 7)
Rayvon Dixon (Grade 7)
Sasha Cantrell (Grade 7)
Savannah Woodard (Grade 7)
Karmen Moore (Grade 7)

Special Thanks:
Tasha Fleming
Aleese Willis

Imagination Unleashed

Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students

Part 1: The Critters
Part 2: Scientists, Monsters, and Evil Spies
Part 3: Lizard on the Loose
Part 4: The Time Travelers

Teaching Artists:
Jordan Whittaker
Brevyn Fleming

Student Artists:

Brett Wilson (Grade 4)
Cora Gellin (Grade 3)
Felix Martin (Grade 6)
Jet Sebastian (Grade 4)
Khari Fowler (Grade 4)
Lily Raab (Grade 6)
Marion Neff (Grade 4)
Murphy Martin (Grade 3)
Oscar Rea (Grade 4)
Peter Lutz (Grade 3)
Preston Durgan (Grade 4)
Radiance Mathews (Grade 4)
Saron Wube (Grade 3)
Theodore Schultz (Grade 3)
Zander Wagner (Grade 3)
Zebadiyah Shepherd (Grade 3)

Special Thanks:
Karen Hordinski
Almetta Starr

What Lies Behind the Branch

Pleasant Hill Academy

Teaching Artists:
Ariel Underwood
Maryne Conner

Student Artists:

Chavey Stephens (Grade 6)
Diondre Chatman (Grade 6)
Krystle Davis (Grade 6)
Naomi Clark (Grade 6)

Special Thanks:
Deja Mapp

Harry Looking

Academy of World Languages

Teaching Artists:
Ariel Underwood
Tangie Wyatt

Student Artists:

Casey Shamel (Grade 4)
César Arturo Rodríguez Urdaneta (Grade 8)
Christopher Gover (Grade 5)
Jaxon Garduno (Grade 4)
Jersey Dogbey (Grade 7)
Jiahe Nian (Grade 6)
Jolie Kennedy (Grade 7)
Kairos Castanedas (Grade 4)
Mohamed Diarra (Grade 8)
Raina Bogan (Grade 4)
Serenity Kae Lambert (Grade 5)

Special Thanks:
Carolyn Youngquist
Jill Smith

The Fallout: Where Everything Goes Wrong

South Avondale School

Teaching Artists:
Garrett Steagall
Sienna Glaze

Student Artists:

Alex Faulk (Grade 7)
Charlize Rachel (Grade 7)
Dayja Richardson (Grade 7)
Elijah Sayi (Grade 7)
Ja'Niaha Thompson (Grade 7)
Jae Ballard (Grade 7)
Prince Allen (Grade 7)
Romosjai Jackson (Grade 7)

Special Thanks:
Michael Richart
Ingrid Sandidge

In Honor of Jared O’Roark

ALT dedicates this year’s Student Theatre Festival to the memory of Jared O’Roark, former ALT board member and passionate advocate for arts education and accessibility.

We are grateful for his lasting impact on ALT and our community.

MEET THE TEACHING ARTISTS

  • Ariel Underwood

    Ariel Underwood is a Cincinnati native and SCPA alumna, known for her work as a performer, director, and community advocate. A decorated actress, dancer, and international singer, she has appeared on American Idol and The Voice, and was the winning champion of NBC’s Clash of the Choirs with Team Cincinnati. Her credits include directing Through Blind Eyes, For Colored Girls, and HOMEGIRL Holiday. She continues to create impactful work that uplifts her community and mentor the next generation of artists.

  • Tangie Wyatt

    A music theater performer, celebrated for her memorable and standout roles in productions like The Wiz, Moana, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and For Colored Girls. Tangie. is graduate of The School for Creative and Performing Arts, Tangie is also a teaching artist for American Legacy Theater, where she inspires children through her love for the arts As U.S Navy Veteran, who has served and performed in multiple countries, including Italy and Japan. Tangie brings resilience and creativity to her artistry, inviting audiences to experience the powerful connection between music and storytelling.

  • Maryne Conner

    Maryne is originally from Lawrenceburg, IN, and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from LIU Post. She now works in the Cincinnati area as a performer and teaching artist. Past performance credits include HOLIDAY INN (Lila), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Shelby), and ARGONAUTIKA (Athena). Maryne is passionate about arts accessibility, and is grateful to ALT for their commitment to helping students tell their stories. She would like to thank her co-teacher, Ariel, and her amazing students for inspiring her everyday.

  • Garrett Steagall

    A native of Cincinnati, Garrett's life’s work exists at the intersection of discipline, art, and healing. His journey began with the foundational focus of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, eventually leading to intensive study in Tien Shan Pai. While representing the United States at the 2009 World Cup in Singapore was a profound honor, the true lasting gift of his martial arts background was learning the quiet resilience of the human spirit.

    After deepening his spiritual and physical practice through yoga certifications in Miami and Rishikesh, India, he founded MYOM. This platform is an intentional departure from traditional wellness models, integrating Hatha yoga, dance, meditation, and didgeridoo orchestration to pioneer a new approach to energetic healing. Complementing this is his bodywork practice, Hands of G.

    Today, Garrett continues to refine his understanding of form and kinesthetic connection as a Senior Ballet Major at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He has had the deep privilege of performing as a soloist and receiving support from esteemed institutions, yet some of his most grounding work happens offstage. As a substitute teacher with Cincinnati Public Schools, he is dedicated to sharing the discipline and joy of movement with the next generation.

  • Sienna Glaze

    Sienna is a dancer, theatre artist, and educator in the Greater Cincinnati area. Most recently, you may have seen her in Zanna Don’t (Roberta/Assistant Choreographer), Bright Star (Florence/Dance Captain), The Addams Family (Ancestor), at The Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Assistant Directing and Choreographing for Loveland High School, Choreographing for Colerain High School, or teaching at The Cincinnati Ballet and Dance, etc. Sienna is grateful to have the most loving and supportive friends and family!

  • Jordan Whittaker

    Originally from Morehead, Kentucky, Jordan is a Cincinnati based performer and teaching artist. After graduating from Northern Kentucky University in 2023, he completed the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Professional Acting Apprenticeship. Since then, he has been performing locally and internationally. Most recently, he spent his summer in Japan, touring with The Young Americans. He is grateful to be creating art every day as a teaching artist for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and American Legacy Theater.

  • Brevyn Fleming

    Brevyn Fleming is a Cincinnati-based artist, writer, and teacher. They have a background in visual arts and communication with a degree from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Brevyn has been teaching with the American Legacy Theatre since 2025.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

American Legacy Theatre’s Student Theatre Festival is made possible through the support of our funders, school partners, educators, teaching artists, families, and community members.

Thank you for helping create space for student voices, creativity, and original storytelling to thrive.

OUR COMMUNITY & EDUCATION PARTNERS

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE MEMBERS

We are grateful to our Founder’s Circle members for their ongoing investment in ALT and its mission.

MC & Tom Brennan Melissa & Chris Bauer
Slade & Marcia Gellin
John Kirchgraber
Matthew & Samantha Gellin

CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF ALT!

We’re marking our 10th birthday by growing our community of monthly supporters: 100 sustainers giving $10 a month.