Spring Awakening Cast Changes

Rumors have been flying and questions have been flooding in about future cast replacements. We are very happy to officially announce that most of our cast members will be staying with us in the second leg of the tour. We are also excited to announce the following cast replacements. As you know, we have conducted exhaustive national searches for the best and brightest talent out there and hope you will join us in welcoming our new cast members into the Spring Awakening family. They began rehearsals this week in DC. Drum roll please....

MORITZ --Taylor Trensch

Bio: Taylor is psyched to be a part of this extraordinary production and stellar cast. Regional credits include The Rocky Horror
Show (Frank 'N' Furter), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) and Rabbit Hole (Jason). He loves his Elon University family and his real family very much.

Taylor has begun to chronicle his journey on his blog: http://carouselofprogress.blogspot.com/

Taylor will officially begin performances in Milwaukee on October 6th. Blake Bashoff's last performance will be in Chicago on Aug 16th.

ERNST--Ben Fankhauser



Bio: Professional debut. Ben is thrilled to be joining the company! He is currently pursuing his B.F.A from Ithaca College. Many thanks to teachers, family, and friends for the undying love and support.

Ben's first official performance will be in Milwaukee on October 6th. Ben Moss' last performance will be in Chicago on Aug 16th.

ADULT MEN--John Wojda




Bio: Broadway: PRESENT LAUGHTER, MERCHANT OF VENICE, TWO SHAKESPEAREAN ACTORS, MACBETH, HOLIDAY. Off-Broadway: New Group (ensemble Obie for ECSTASY and recently in MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA), NYSF/Public Theater, Theater For A New Audience, Primary Stages, WPA Theatre, Women’s Project, Classic Stage Company, Ensemble Studio Theater, SoHo Playhouse, WestBank Downstairs. Resident Theater: Dozens of leading roles including four seasons at Canada’s Stratford Festival. Television: LAW & ORDER, LAW & ORDER CRIMINAL INTENT, LAW & ORDER SVU, THIRD WATCH, THE HIGH LIFE, all NY-based soap operas. Film: Amir Naderi’s MANHATTAN BY NUMBERS and with Anthony Quinn in SEVEN SERVANTS and most recently in VISITING FRIENDS.

John's first official performance will be in Milwaukee on October 6th. Henry Stram's last performance will be in Chicago on Aug 16th.

THEA--Claire Sparks



Bio: Claire is excited to be a member of the first national tour of Spring Awakening. Professional acting debut. She thanks her family and friends for all their continuous support.

Our original tour ensemble member has agreed to return and step into the role of Thea while Kimiko Glenn recovers from her foot injury. Claire can currently be seen as Thea in DC. Kimiko will return to the role of Thea in Milwaukee on October 6th.

ENSEMBLE U/S WENDLA, ILSE--Kayla Foster



Bio: Ecstatic to be joining the Spring Awakening cast! Currently studying Musical Theatre at Emerson College. Love to Nash, Hendricks, friends, and family. To Mom and Dad: Thank you for never needing a Plan B.

Kayla's first official performance will be in Milwaukee on October 6th. Julie Benko's last performance will be in Chicago on Aug 16th.

ENSEMBLE U/S MELCHOIR--Justin Scott Brown



Bio: Credits: Meet Me in St. Louis (Warren) at The MUNY, How to Succeed... (Finch), Passion (Giorgio) at CCM (2009 Graduate). Love to Mom, Dad, J&J!

Justin's first rehearsal will be in Milwaukee on Oct 5th (this date is an edit from when the blog was first posted). Perry Sherman's last performance will be in DC on Aug 2nd.

Saying Goodbye to Claire; Saying Hello to Krista

May 10th was a sad day at the Colonial Theatre when the cast had to say goodbye to Claire Sparks. Claire wanted to say goodbye to all of you in her own words:

CHEERS by Claire Sparks

Cheers!

I thought it would be appropriate to start my letter with “cheers” since my final city is Boston, Massachusetts. I’m in my final week of performances with my family in Spring Awakening, and it could not be any more bitter sweet. I’ve been sitting at this computer for twenty minutes already, trying to find the words that could express my feelings and my experience. I’ll start at the beginning.

My experience with Spring Awakening started much like yours. I ignorantly flipped on my television to watch the 2007 Tony Awards, only to be amazed forever at the story of Spring Awakening. I was inspired by the truth, energy, and sincerity of the performance and the story, and immediately wanted to share that same story with the world. Spring Awakening hit home, as I’m sure it does with you in some capacity. I begged my parents to audition for months and finally was able to audition at an open call. That miraculously led to a callback in New York and the job opportunity of a lifetime.

I never thought I would find family so far away from home, but the first day we all met in New York, I knew we were kin. We’ve grown up together tremendously over the past year. We’ve experienced the same things, the same stories, and the same joys. I have met good friends along the way in different cities, and have seen some of the most beautiful places our nation offers.
My favorite city, I must admit is San Francisco, California. The town is so convenient, so sunny, and so beautiful. The Saturday market, Muir woods and beach, Alcatraz, the ocean, the wharf, the streetcars, the quaint shops, the nice community, Teatro Zinzanni; I could try to name them all, but it would take up half of the page. You’ll just have to visit yourself =)

I don’t think that I have one favorite memory, but I have a hand full of fantastic memories. My most daring memory took place in San Diego. The cast decided to spend the day at the beach. We discovered a grotto that people were snorkeling in that housed wild sea lions. So a few of us thought, why not? We rented gear and walked into the ocean. I’m not a swimmer. I can keep myself afloat, but in no means, if I was in danger, could I swiftly and confidently swim away. I held onto Chase the entire way while we were “swimming” to the cave. The sea lions were adorable and sunbathing, and the experience was one that I will always remember. I forgot while I was ogling the cute animals, that we would have to eventually get out of the water. I lost a flipper and couldn’t swim back to the beach, so we decided to exit onto a rocky shore. I ended up with a gash on my leg and a great story to tell.

I’m sad to leave the tour, but I will hold my experiences closely to my heart forever. I am so grateful to my family, friends, loved ones, directors, crews, and fans. You all have changed my life so much and I couldn’t thank you enough for supporting me and challenging me. Please continue to follow your dreams, I did and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I love you all so much and will sincerely miss you. I will always keep the story and message of Spring Awakening and of my memories on tour in my heart. Thank you.

Love always,
Claire Sparks

Thank you, Claire. We will miss you and you will always be part of the Spring Awakening family. There is no news at this time as to when or if other cast members will be leaving. Many of them have not decided yet whether to renew their contract. Krystina Alabado will move from being a swing to a part of the ensemble, so her title will be “Ensemble; u/s Wendla, Ilse.” Congrats Krystina! Well deserved!

On June 1, in Louisville,KY, Krista Pioppi will be joining the tour as a swing. Here is her headshot and bio:



Krista Pioppi (Swing, u/s Wendla) National tour debut! Credits: High School Musical and The Sound of Music at Paper Mill Playhouse, original workshop 13! (Patrice). Love to Mom, Dad, Gina, & Dina Bogner.

Our casting directors have had their eye on Krista since she was 15 and she is finally now old enough to be cast! Krysta has her own blog and will detail her journey on Spring Awakening here: http://kristapioppi.blogspot.com/2009/04/hey-everyone-at-request-of-few-close.html Welcome, Krista! Can't wait to see you shine.