The Code
by The KilbanesDirected by Jessica Holt
Aug 4–7, 2022
THE STRAND THEATER
The Code
Aug 4–7, 2022
When seven students at Valhalla Academy unearth a secret message in the library, they discover their uptight prep school used to be a sanctuary for trailblazing young women . . . until someone burned down the school. Piecing together letters, journals, and yearbooks, the students must find the real stories about the school’s origin, and the true cause of the fire. As we switch between following the boldly curious students of 1919 and their 2020 counterparts, The Code asks: What does it mean to be a good student? Who has the right to an education? And what if we reimagined what school could be? Commissioned by A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory, this brand new, pop-rock musical by the Kilbanes (Weightless) will soar at the Strand this summer.
Learn more about COVID-19 Audience Safety policies for The Code.
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Cast
Bridgette Barfield
Biography
Bridgette Barfield graduated from high school in May. She has been active in the Bay Area theatre community since elementary school, performing with Tomorrow Youth Repertory, the Berkeley Playhouse, and the Pacific Boychoir Academy. Some of her favorite past roles include Hope in Urinetown and Grizabella in Cats. While she has studied at A.C.T., this is her first production with the company. Bridgette also enjoys classical voice and writing fiction. She is looking forward to embarking on her performance career full time now that she is done with school.
Caitlin Devenney
Biography
Caitlin Devenney is an active member of the A.C.T. YC Cabaret Program and has performed in many musicals and plays throughout the Bay Area. She is a senior in high school and is excited to pursue a degree in theater with an emphasis on musical theater at UCLA in the fall.
Elizabeth Jones
Biography
Elizabeth Jones (Angelina Fee) is ecstatic to be making her debut with A.C.T.! She is incredibly humbled and honored to embody Angelina and bring her fascinating story to life. Elizabeth grew up in the Bay Area and is a graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts. Elizabeth was recently seen as Claudette in Theatre Rhino’s How Black Mothers Say I Love You, Nancy/Boz in A Christmas Carol (Center REP), Radio in Caroline, or Change (Ray of Light), and Motormouth Maybelle in Bay Area Musical’s production of Hairspray. Some other theater credits include Lady O in The Right Note (Spare Stage), Darlene in Dance of The Holy Ghosts (Ubuntu Theater Project), Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act! (Berkeley Playhouse), and Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors (Contra Costa Musical Theatre). Elizabeth sends love to her daughter Caira and thanks God, family, and friends for their support. IG @elizasenoj.
Kamora Joseph
Biography
Kamora Joseph is a San Francisco native. She studied acting at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and has recently moved to New York to study musical theatre. She was a finalist in the regional Shakespeare competition and has published a short play as well. Kamora was last seen at A.C.T. in the YC’s production of Into the Woods as the Baker’s Wife. She is grateful to be doing live theater again and is especially excited to originate the role of Lillian. She hopes to create an amazing experience for her family and supporters. @Kamoraisartsy
Ellie Lauter
Biography
Ellie Lauter has been a part of A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory since 2014, performing in Into the Woods (Rapunzel), A Christmas Carol, and the High School Cabaret program. Ellie also performs in community theater in her area, including Stapleton Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle) and The Sound of Music (Liesl). Ellie takes voice lessons with Kayla Gold and dance training from Happy Feet Dance School and Marissa Joy Ganz. Recently finishing high school, she is so excited to have the opportunity to perform in another A.C.T. production before leaving for college to study theater.
Kahlil Leneus
Biography
Kahlil Leneus is excited to be a part of The Code. Past projects include Merrily We Roll Along (Charles) and Rent (Collins) at Youth Musical Theater Company, Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince) at A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory, Les Misérables (Jean Valjean) and A Chorus Line (Zach) at Berkeley Playhouse Teenstage, The Amen Corner at AlterTheater, The Gathering (Michael) with Jones Street Productions, Queenie Pie with Oakland Opera Theater, Caroline, or Change (Joe) at Pacific Conservatory Theatre, Show Boat at San Francisco Opera and writing and performing the monologue “6 Steps on How to Crack a Relationship (Quarantine Edition)” for Neighborhood Stories.
Blake Levinson
Biography
Blake Levinson is an incoming sophomore at Temple University studying musical theatre. Past roles include Ernst (Spring Awakening), Mark Cohen (Rent), and the Baker (Into the Woods). This is Blake’s third mainstage Strand production, including Homefront and Into the Woods. Blake has been a part of The Code workshops since its inception at A.C.T. and is elated to come back to the project, as well as be back home working in San Francisco!
Isa Lopez
Biography
Isa Lopez is beyond excited to be joining The Code and A.C.T. company! Her recent credits include Language of Angels, Twelfth Night, and Xanadu with Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School. She has also contributed to a student written play, The Diner. In the fall, she will be attending Marymount Manhattan College studying a BA theater arts major. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through thick and thin. She would also like to thank Lauren Rosi for being her greatest teacher and guiding her to the performer she is today.
Bella McLaughlin
Biography
Bella McLaughlin is a 15 year old from San Francisco. She enjoys improv, music, and fashion. She is very happy and excited to be in this show.
Rebecca Pingree
Sidney Pippin
Biography
Sidney Pippin is a Bay Area born actress who integrates acting into her daily life. Pippin enjoys working on both stage and screen, and most recently performed in her high school’s rendition of Into The Woods. Pippin appears in countless short and student films, along with an upcoming feature film, The Last Day Of Retrograde. In the near future, Pippin plans to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a degree and a career in the art of acting.
Jimmy Russi
Biography
Jimmy Russi is making his A.C.T. debut. He has previously appeared in Twelfth Night, Xanadu, and Music Man, among other shows. Jimmy will be attending AMDA College of the Performing and Dramatic Arts starting this fall and hopes to expand his knowledge of acting on stage and in front of the camera. He would like to thank his mentor Lauren Rosi for guiding him and making him a better actor and person. He’d also like to thank his friends and family who support him in everything he does. Jimmy hopes you enjoy the show and to PARTY ON!
Janelle Soriano
Samora Stephens
Gemma Strauss
Asal Takesh
Biography
Asal Takesh is a recent graduate from Redwood High School in Marin County and is thrilled to be performing in her first production at A.C.T. after having been a member of the YC Cabaret Program for three years! Her future plans include attending NYU Tisch School of the Arts in the fall for a BFA in drama, and some of her favorite roles include Rusty from Footloose, Eponine from Les Misérables, and Morticia from The Addams Family. Make sure to check out her original music on all platforms! asaltakesh.com @asaltakesh
Rhea Verghese
Biography
Rhea Verghese, enter stage right! Rhea is very excited to be part of The Code. She is a high school junior and has been a student with A.C.T. since middle school. Rhea’s passions include singing, songwriting, and musical theatre. She has been part of several local performances and her most memorable include playing Martha Cratchit in A.C.T’s A Christmas Carol, singing the National Anthem at the SF Giants game, and performing as Grizabella in Cats. Outside of theatre, Rhea enjoys music production and her favorite things include sushi, shopping, and relaxing on the beach!
Madeleine Weiss
Biography
Madeleine Weiss is thrilled to be making their debut in their first-ever world premiere musical! Madeleine is in the Eliza cast of the 2021-2022 YC Cabaret, and this is her third production with American Conservatory Theater. Madeleine has been acting and singing since age seven, and is currently in their junior year of high school. Additionally, Madeleine has most recently worked with The Adderley School in Santa Barbara on productions such as Into the Woods and West Side Story. Madeleine would like to thank her lovely friends, family, and brilliant educators for their abundant support.
Isabella Yee
Biography
Isabella Yee is excited to join the cast of The Code at A.C.T. She is 13 and attends Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville. Her passion is theater and music. Her recent/favorite credits include playing the role of Fiona in Shrek the Musical Jr at her school, A.C.T. Middle School Cabaret, and Lesher’s Young REP Theatre Workshop. She studies under the Royal Conservatory of Music program for piano, and has been vocally trained since she was 8 years old. For fun, she enjoys performing in a rock band, spending time with friends, camping, and traveling with family.
Creative
The Kilbanes (Kate Kilbane & Dan Moses)
Writer/Composer Team
Jessica Holt
Director
Joy Meads
Dramaturg
Jennifer Harrison Newman
Choreographer
Heather Kenyon
Scenic Designer
Jessie Amoroso
Costume Designer
Janice Gartin
Props Designer
Stephanie Johnson
Lighting Designer
James Ard
Sound Designer
Julie Wolf
Musical Director
Nikki Meñez
Associate Director
Nigel Bolton
Assistant Choreographer
Jeunée Simon
Intimacy Director
Stage Management
Alexa Burn
Stage Manager
Alyx Enanoria
Assistant Stage Manager