
2023 Cast
Meet the talented performers who will be coming to a town near you this summer as we present our 55th Anniversary show!

Trumpet
Eau Claire
Quinten is a graduate of North High School in Eau Claire and will attend UW-Eau Claire as a music education major. He humbly accepted a second year with the iconic Kids from Wisconsin in this years 55th anniversary tour. Quinten attained an honorable Eagle Scout award from the BSA in 2022. He is looking forward to drawing upon his leadership skills his past Kids from Wisconsin experience and lots of practice this past year to further attain his goals.
Quinten
Anger

Voice - Soprano
Durand
Ellie is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy where she was a Musical Theatre Major. She’s so excited to start at Marymount Manhattan College in fall where she will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre! Ellie enjoys teaching voice students, playing piano, reading, and trying to learn the ukulele and guitar. Along with her training and experience at Interlochen, she has trained in NYC with Broadway Artists Alliance, in Chicago with Acting Studio Chicago, and continues voice lessons with the fabulous Doug Peck. Recently she has been seen as Catherine in Pippin at Interlochen Arts Academy (Sutton Foster Award), as well as Gertie Cummings in Oklahoma.
Hometown Sponsor: Komro Sales & Service Inc.
Ellie
Brenner

Trumpet
Athens
Dylan Butler graduated from Wausau West High School and is entering his third year at the UW- Eau Claire, majoring in music education. Dylan has performed with many groups including Jazz I and is principal trumpet in Wind Symphony at UWEC. This is Dylan’s second summer being a part of the troupe.
Hometown Sponsor: Brickner Motors Inc. Marathon WI
Dylan
Butler

Trumpet
Eau Claire
Ethan is excited to be a trumpet player in Kids from Wisconsin this summer. He is a freshman at UWEC and plays in Jazz I and Symphony Band. This is Ethan's first year and he is looking forward to performing all summer. He is hoping to make new friends and inspire younger musicians.
Ethan
Cecil

Understudy- Voice- Baritone
North Prairie
Aidan Christensen just finished his sophomore year at Mukwonago High School. He is involved with his school’s concert choir and show choir, as well as extracurricular choirs Phantom Gold and Mukwonabros. He just finished making his directorial debut with his very own cabaret, The Nicest Kids in Town, at The Black Box Studio Theater. Some of Aidan’s favorite roles he’s played include Jack in Le Ménage Theatre’s jukebox musical Miss Matched and Mike Teavee in Mukwonago High School’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Aidan
Christensen

Electric Bass
Madison
Alex Coller will be a senior at Monona Grove High School, where he participates in Pit Orchestra, Show Band, Solo & Ensemble, Badger Conference Honor Band, and Jazz Band. Alex has been playing upright bass and bass guitar for 7 ½ years, as well as drums. Alex plans to pursue music after high school. Alex would like to thank Carl Davick for always supporting him and motivating him to play with purpose.
Hometown Sponsor - Ward Brodt - Madison
Alex
Coller

Voice - Tenor
Waukesha
Tyler Curtain attends Viterbo University and was recently a teaching artist with the Kids from Wisconsin's "Realize Your Dream" program providing music education to underserved Milwaukee youth. He hopes that he can continue to share love and joy through music.
Hometown Sponsor: Mother & Daughter Child Nurturing Center
Tyler
Curtain

Woodwinds
Shawano
Nathan is currently studying clarinet, saxophone, and flute at UW-Stevens Point. He plays in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and other chamber groups. Some of Nathan's favorite styles to play include Dixieland, Funk, Broadway, and Contemporary Classical. Previously, Nathan has played in the St. Norbert’s Youth Orchestra and the University of Louisville’s Honors Jazz Band. When Nathan is off stage he often enjoys cooking fun meals as well as helping kids with music at his old high school. This is Nathan’s 4th and final year in Kids From Wisconsin.
Hometown Sponsor: CoVantage Credit Union AND Radtke Reuter Electric LLC
Nathan
Edwards

Keyboards
Elkhorn
Mitch Falcon completed his freshman year at the UW-Whitewater pursuing a degree in Music Education with a primary in Saxophone and a secondary in Piano. He would like to thank his mom and dad for their support throughout his entire life, and his two teachers Sarah Wuttke and Susan Hilker for their many years of instruction and support.
Hometown Sponsor: Royal Basket Trucks, Inc.
Mitchell
Falcon

Voice - Alto
Sherwood
Kaci Franzen just completed her sophomore year at Kaukauna High School. She has performed in over 20 theatrical productions, favorites including The Addams Family and Frozen Jr. (Elsa). Kaci has been aspires to pursue a career in musical theatre. Special thanks to her directors and teachers for initiating her love of theatre and encouraging her craft; no dream is unattainable if you want it and work for it.
Hometown Sponsor: Sherwood Lions Club
Kaci
Franzen

Voice - Soprano
Brookfield
Erin Fricker just completed her first year at Marquette University studying Journalism and Theatre Arts, where she was last seen as #25 in MU's production of The Wolves. Erin's favorite roles include Jesus in Divine Savior Holy Angel’s production of Godspell and her Jerry award winning role of Reno Sweeney in Marquette's Anything Goes. Erin is a proud alumna of the DSHA Angelaires. She received classical ballet training at Acts 17:28 Dance school and is now dancing with Dance Inc. at Marquette University.
Hometown Sponsor - Roberson Ryan & Associated, Inc. - Your Trusted Advisor
Erin
Fricker

Trombone
Hartland
Trevor Haglin just completed his second year at UW-Whitewater, where he studies music performance. He enjoys being a part of Jazz Ensemble 1 and the Warhawk Marching Band. He loves to improvise, as well as compose and arrange! He graduated from Arrowhead Union High School, where he received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and participated in the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Hometown Sponsor:
Thrivent - Mark Haglin
Trevor
Haglin

Voice - Soprano
Madison
Rori just completed her sophomore year at UW-Madison, earning her BFA in Dance, and 2 Certificates in Athletic Healthcare, and Pilates. Rori continues dancing and singing through the University, and Capital City Theatre’s Find Your Light. She serves as a guest coach and choreographer for Madison-area high school dance teams and musical theatre groups. In Fall 2021, she was elected as representative of the UW Dance Department Student Organization to a four-year term.
Hometown Sponsor: Pepsi of Madison
Aurora
Hines

Voice - Soprano
Mc Farland
Alexcia Johnson just finished her second year as a Comprehensive Musical Theater Major while also pursuing a Dance Certificate at UW- Eau Claire. Recent show credits include #13 in The Wolves, Venus in Orpheus in The Underworld, and Mrs. Martin in The Bald Soprano (KCACTF Region III Irene Ryan Nominee). In high school, Alexcia received a Jerry Award (Annie - Annie) and Jerry Award Nomination (Donna Sheridan - Mamma Mia). Other projects: Performer at UWEC’s Viennese Ball, Choreographer for UWEC’s student-produced Cabaret, Concert Manager / Choreographer for Audacious A Cappella UWEC, and working on a Dance Film as a Featured Dancer for UWEC.
Alexcia
Johnson

Voice - Alto
Schofield
Reagan Kettner will be a junior at Viterbo University earning her BFA in Musical Theater and double minoring in dance and psychology. She is a two-time Jerry Award recipient for Outstanding Lead Performer and won Best Supporting Actress in the Woods Awards. She would like to thank her parents, her sister Sophia, her friends, the many teachers who have encouraged and supported her.
Hometown Sponsor: Brokaw Credit Union
Reagan
Kettner

Voice - Tenor
New London
Kayden Kloehn is a graduate of New London High School, and will start his college education majoring in musical theater. Kayden won Best Supporting Actor award from the Centerstage Awards at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for a recent role. He participated in competitive show choir for 7 years with a recent award of Best Soloist in Vocal Motion. He has also been a part of the award-winning Madrigal Troupe for 3 years. Additionally, he’s attended numerous camps for the performing arts, including camps with Broadway casts.
Kayden
Kloehn

Understudy - Voice - Alto
Wind Lake
Issy is so excited to be joining the Kids From Wisconsin for her second year. She just finished her junior year at Muskego High School. Issy loves performing and has recently been seen as Matilda (MATILDA) at Waukesha Civic Theater and Race (NEWSIES) at Muskego High School. Issy is a member of her schools highest level choir, as well as two A cappella groups, Chamber Choir and The Latte Ladies. She is also the president of Tri-M Music Honor Society. Issy is feeling so blessed to have this opportunity to perform and to connect with the community at Kids From Wisconsin.
Issy
Lambert

La Crosse
Zachary Lichner will be a sophomore at Viterbo University’s Conservatory for the Performing Arts pursuing a BFA in Music Theatre. His most recent productions include Viterbo’s Pirates of Penzance (Ensemble/understudy) and student theatre project’s production of Heathers (Ram Sweeney). Hometown Sponsor: CDW Corporation
Zachary
Lichner

Percussion
West Allis
Scott started drumming at the age of 12 years old with School of Rock and, now 17, he is pursuing a career in music through his studies at UW- Madison in order to earn a Jazz degree. While at Ronald Reagan High School in Milwaukee he was captain of the school's competition drumline, a member of the pepband, and a Drummer for the upperclassmen Jazz Combo and Big Band. He'd like to formally thank his private instructor Devin Drobka, and drumming gurus Nick Lang and Paul Wesfahl.
Scott
Lonzaga

Voice - Bass
Hartford
Connor Martin is majoring in musical theatre at Viterbo University. Past favorite credits include Lees-McRae Summer Theatre in North Carolina (OLIVER, Oliver Twist), The Fireside Theatre (THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Ensemble; MARY POPPINS, Michael Banks; PETER PAN, John Darling), The Palace Theater in the Dells (MARY POPPINS, Michael Banks), Capital City Theatre (GYPSY, Newsboy), and Hartford Union High School (SHREK, Lord Farquaad) in which he won a Jerry Award, Outstanding Lead Performance.
Hometown Sponsors: Scoop De Ville, Hartford Dental Group and Staffing Support Specialists
Connor
Martin

Understudy - Trumpet
New Richmond
Josh Mealey is a 2023 graduate of New Richmond High School. At NRHS, he studied music under the direction of his parents, Matt and Jodi Mealey (Band and Choir Director, respectively)who, interestingly, met as performers in KIDS. Josh sang bass with the NRHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Show Choir, and performed on stage in the new musical, Ranked (John) and the comedic plays, Puffs (Wayne) and The Con (Batguy). He played trumpet in the Seussical pit band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and lead trumpet in the Jazz Band. He also played with several honors bands, as well as the WSMA State Honors Jazz Band this past year. He plans on attending Northwood Technical College in Fall to study automated packaging and robotics.
Joshua
Mealey

Keyboards
Hartford
Samuel Michalak will be a sophomore at the UW-Milwaukee in the Peck School of the Arts studying piano performance and choral education. When he’s not in a practice room, he plays piano at St. Roberts on Capital Dr. and at St. Mary of the Hill in Hubertus. All of this is to make his dream of being the next Billy Joel come true.
Hometown Sponsor: Scoop De Ville and
John and Nancy Lee of Hartford
Samuel
Michalak

Woodwinds
Eau Claire
Joshua Mithuen has studied saxophone under the tutelage of Anna Deutsch, Rob Mondlock, Scott Hensiak, Dr. Alastair Wright, and Dr. Jonathan Nichol. He has played with professional ensembles such as the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, competes on the national level as the baritone chair of the Onda Sonora Saxophone Quartet, and recently was awarded first place in the reeds division of the Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City Music Scholarship Competition. Joshua currently studies saxophone under Professor Alexis Seah at the University of Oklahoma, and he plans to pursue saxophone performance and music theory for his graduate studies.
Joshua
Mithuen

Voice - Alto
Stevens Point
Shannon O'Donnell has just completed her freshman year at Berklee College of Music and is pursuing a degree in contemporary vocal performance and music production. You may know Shannon from her experience in Central Wisconsin area musical theatre; including Jerry Ensemble, CWETA, and Playhouse Theatre Group. In Boston, Shannon is a member and board member of an award winning acapella group called Upper Structure.
Shannon
O'Donnell

Understudy - Voice - Soprano
Hartland
Nora Perugini will be attending UW-Stevens Point aspiring to join their BFA Musical Theatre program. Her most recent roles include: Arrowhead High School's Broadway Company’s Shrek The Musical (Princess Fiona), Catch Me If You Can (Ensemble), Mamma Mia (Ensemble/Sophie Understudy), as well as Arrowhead High School’s Drama Club’s Les Miserables (Eponine) in which she won a Jerry Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.
Nora
Perugini

Percussion
Ringle
Devon Powers is an upcoming freshman at UW-Whitewater and returning understudy from last season. Devon loves all kinds of music—from jazz to funk to 80s rock—and performed regularly with the D.C. Everest High School Band, with notable performances such as winning the “Outstanding Band” award at 2023 Shawano Jazz Festival and participating in the Northwoods Marching Band for the 2023 Tournament of Roses Parade, where they set a record as the second largest marching band in history.
His drumming journey began at age 8 with lessons at the Conservatory of Music in Wausau. Currently, Devon studies under Ben Hans of the Nashville Music Academy.
Devon
Powers

Guitar
Ringle
Sean Powers finished his freshman year at UW-Whitewater, where he majors in music with an applied study in instrumental education. Aside from his studies, Sean can be seen playing in two different Jazz groups, being an accompanist for various choir performances, and playing in a local band with his father.
Sean
Powers

Trumpet
River Falls
Ava Redmond graduated from River Falls High School and is currently attending UW-Eau Claire for music education. She is also part of the trumpet studio at Eau Claire. Ava is currently in symphony band, orchestra, jazz band, and the Blugold Marching Band. She would like to thank her family, friends, and all of the music professionals who have supported her, including Matt Mealey, a KIDS alum.
Hometown Sponsor: River Falls Community Arts Base
Ava
Redmond

Voice - Tenor
Wausau
Zaden Scheer will be a sophomore at UW-Stevens Point, where he is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. In high school, Zaden was an active member of the Mosinee High School Concert Choir, Varsity Dance Team and the Central Wisconsin Jerry Ensemble. Zaden’s favorite roles include: “Munkustrap” (CATS, Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance), “Joseph” (Joseph… Dreamcoat, Mosinee High School), “Jack” (Into the Woods, Out of the Woods Theatre), and “Laurie” (Little Women, Out of the Woods Theatre).
Zaden
Scheer

Trombone
Monona
James Shaffer will be starting at UW-Steven’s Point with a major in music education and a minor in jazz studies this fall. During his high school career James has been involved with multiple music clubs including jazz band, show band, Pitt orchestra, acapella choir, show band, and pep band. This year he served as the president of show band. Over the course of high school James has become fluid with 10 instruments. James primary instrument is the trombone.
James
Shaffer

Voice - Alto
Waterford
Morgan Strimple recently accepted an invitation to UW-Stevens Point's Theatre and Dance program pursuing a degree in Dance and Early Childhood Education. The past 2 summers she attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, earning a scholarship through the Wisconsin Dance Council. She also spent 2 summers at the Missoula Children's Theatre in Montana for Musical Theatre. Morgan's dance training included Toe to Toe Ballet -Elkhorn and Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. She studied voice privately with Abby Galstad and Lori Nahirniak. Morgan was an active member in both the WUHS theatre, choral departments and many community theatre productions. Most recent roles were Morticia (The Addams Family, Jerry Award Nomination) Zeeneta (The Music Man) , Shimmer-Shine/Choreographer (The Rainbow Fish), Prentis (Peter and the Starcatcher) and Select Dancer/US Louise (Carousel).
Hometown Sponsor - Fox & Fork
Morgan
Strimple

Voice - Tenor
La Crosse
Zachary Sullivan will be a junior at Viterbo University where he is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Zach is a previous Spotlight Education Triple Threat Finalist and participated in the 2021 Jimmy Awards. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unconditional support, and would like to give a special and heartfelt thanks to his parents Christine and John, and Jenny.
Hometown Sponsor: Stages Theatre Co.
Zachary
Sullivan

Voice - Soprano
La Crosse
Makayla Taylor recently finished her first year at Viterbo University pursuing her BFA in Music Theatre where she was seen as a Maiden and Mabel u/s in Pirates of Penzance. Last summer she toured with ETC Productions’ Seussical (Swing). Past favorite credits include Puffs (Sally Perks), Hairspray (Doreen), and Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble). Makayla served as an Apprentice with the Minnesota Opera Company, participated in Project Opera, and is a Teen Teaching Assistant at Lyric Arts Theatre.
Makayla
Taylor

Understudy - Percussion
Rice Lake
Nolan Tomesh will be a senior at Rice Lake High School. He is involved in music at his school and in his community. He performs in every type of group from punk rock bands to bell choirs in church. He is also active in athletics and theater at RLHS.
Nolan
Tomesh

Voice - Tenor
Wausau
Nolan Travis finished his sophomore year at Wausau West High School. Recently he has been seen on stage as Nick Bottom in Wausau Wests production of “Something Rotten”, also Dmitri in “Anastasia” at Wausau West which he won a Jerry Award for his performance. He would like to thank his parents, his two sisters, his voice teacher Dr. Bill Day and his choir teacher Mr. Kevin Ruhl.
Hometown Sponsor: ENT & Allergy Associates
Nolan
Travis

Voice - Bass
New Berlin
Ryan recently graduated from Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance with a music focus and vocal concentration. Ryan has been active in the performing arts community for many years. Some favorite roles include Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man (KM Perform), Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical (Waukesha Civic Theatre), and Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story the Musical (Fireside Dinner Theatre). Ryan has participated in numerous school and community choirs and is a 6-year Main Street Song & Dance Troupe alumnus. This Fall, he will attend Chapman University in Orange, California, with a double major in Music and Computer Science.
Hometown Sponsor: Kettle Moraine School for Arts & Performance
Ryan
Vanselow

Voice - Alto
Mc Farland
Nora Wroblewski will be a senior at McFarland High School where they are active in theatre, music, student council and Girl Scouts. Nora studies dance in the Madison area, including UW-Madison, Madison Contemporary Dance and Barrio Dance; they competed with A Step Beyond Dance Company for eight years. In addition to singing in the a cappella groups Blue Notes and Pitch Please, Nora choreographs for them as well as Kittens Mittens. In the theater space, they're an active member of Performing Arts Center tech crew; recent productions include Cinderella (Dance Captain/Ensemble) and Clue (Professor Plum) at the high school and The Little Mermaid Jr (Choreographer/Stage Manager) for the middle school. Nora also plays percussion and bass guitar in band.
Hometown Sponsor: Madison Partners
Nora
Wroblewski

Voice - Bass
Wisconsin Rapids
Lou Xiong will be attending Viterbo University as a sophomore to pursue his BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Minor. Lou has recently been seen in UW-Stevens Point's opera production of Dial M for Moore Menotti as the Station Manager/Dancer. He also programmed two original, pop-rock compositions for UWSP's Composer's Concert. Lou would like to thank his mom, grandma, and family for their never-ending support and love, as well as the UWSP choral/vocal faculty, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Hometown Sponsor - Wisconsin Rapids School of Performing Arts
Lou
Xiong

Understudy - Voice - Tenor
Shawano
AJ is a senior at Shawano Community High School and ready to experience the real world of inspiring other musicians as well as himself to learn and grow as a performer.
Andrew
York

Voice - Alto
New Richmond
Emily Zeller recently graduated from New Richmond High School where she performed with the Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Show Choir, numerous Honors Choirs, and even played bass in the Jazz Band. Emily loves performing - whether through cheerleading or musicals. She was nominated for a Jerry Award for "Outstanding Lead Performance" as Lily in the new musical, Ranked. This Fall, she plans to attend Viterbo University to major in Music Education. With this being her first summer in the KIDS, she would like to thank her high school choir teacher, and former KIDS Alum, Jodi Mealey (Bodenberger), for inspiring her to audition for this amazing show.
Hometown Sponsors: St. Croix Automotive AND West Wind Supper Club - A River Falls Supper Club Tradition for over 40 Years.
Emily
Zeller