Phoenix Azure (Ensemble)

Phoenix began performing at age five in The Wizard of Oz with Salt Performing Arts. She has since toured nationally and internationally with Grounded Aerial, including a world tour in late 2018, contributing to dance, theater, and aerial work. She was the child lead in Mirth in Orlando, Florida, performing alongside 14 Cirque du Soleil artists.

Phoenix was accepted into a pre-professional performing arts program in New York City and is currently in her third year studying voice and theater at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts School, while continuing solo vocal training with Susan Dash. Her past roles include Scar in The Lion King Jr. with Salt and James in James and the Giant Peach with CPFA.

Last summer, she worked as an assistant dance teacher at the Chautauqua Institution, supporting choreography and mentoring young performers. She remains deeply grateful for—and connected to—the Salt Performing Arts community!

 

Brian Bunce (Clayton)

Brian is making his return to the stage at SALT after enjoying getting to play The Beadle in Sweeney Todd.  Brian is delighted to graduate from henchman to villain as Clayton in Tarzan!  Brian is excited to get back in the limelight with old friends and new ones!  Brian is overjoyed to share the stage with his partner Sarah Riley (Props Assistant/Stunt Assistant/Ensemble Swing)! By day Brian is a dog dad to Luna Lovegood. Brian would love to give many thanks to those performing around him and to the leadership at SALT for believing in him and giving him the opportunity to be back in the spotlight!

 

Kyle Chiavetta (Tarzan) 

Kyle is thrilled to make his return to the SALT stage! He was last seen at SALT in Beauty and the Beast (The Beast), and other favorite performances include Sunday in the Park with George (George) and Next to Normal (Dr. Madden). When he is not performing, Kyle loves to travel, rock climb, and stream his favorite video games on Twitch (@GrumpiPumpkin). Kyle would like to thank Chelsea, Lauren, and the rest of the production staff for this wonderful opportunity as well as his friends, family, and girlfriend for their ongoing support. Enjoy the show!

 

Alexys deVries (Leopard/Ensemble)

Alexys is thrilled to make her SALT debut with Tarzan. By day, she teaches 8th grade math and loves inspiring her students in and out of the classroom. She is especially excited to share the stage with her husband, Riley. Alexys is thankful to the Tarzan production team for creating such a wonderful show to be her first performance, and she thanks her family, friends,and students for their constant support and for coming out to see the show.

 

Riley deVries (Ensemble & Terk U/S)

Riley is thrilled to return to the SALT stage after a three-year hiatus and couldn’t imagine a better show for his comeback. This production is particularly memorable as it marks the first time he has had the joy of performing alongside his wife, Alexys. He is deeply grateful for the love and support from family and friends. Previous performances include The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (King Peter), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Seussical (Wickersham).

 

Katy Engelman (Ensemble)

Katy is very excited to be back on the SALT stage with so many friends for Tarzan! Some favorite previous appearances at SALT include The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward), Beauty and the Beast (La Fille de la Ville), A Chorus Line (Dawn Kerr), White Christmas (Rita), and Singin’ in the Rain (Zelda/Ensemble). By day, Katy spends her time working with children as a preschool teacher. Katy would like to thank Lauren, Chelsea, and John for giving her this opportunity to perform on the SALT stage again, as well as her friends and family for supporting her through this journey.

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Stephen Fisher (Ensemble/ Tarzan U/S) 

Stephen is grateful to be in another SALT show with another incredible cast! He was most recently seen on the SALT stage as the lovable Patrick Star in the Spongebob Musical and in the ensemble of Anastasia.  Stephen's favorite credits include: Matilda, (Ms. Trunchbull) High School Musical 1 & 2, (Troy Bolton) RENT, (Mark) Legally Blonde, (Emmett) Into the Woods, (Jack) R&H Cinderella, (Madame) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, (Chip) and Newsies (Finch)  Stephen would like to thank Chelsea for her being a theatrical genius and the rest of the production staff for this rewarding experience. Special love to Friends, Family, and Austin for their constant support.

James Franzese-Wier (Ensemble/Kerchak U/S)

James has previously been seen directing/performing at SALT in Once Upon a Mattress (Director), The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), Into the Woods (Prince/Wolf/Steward u/s), Beauty and the Beast (Beast/Gaston u/s). Other performing credits include The Producers (Franz Liebkind), Disaster! (Professor Ted Schedier), Newsies (Jack Kelly U/S, Oscar Delancey, Darcy, Seitz). To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss

Daniel Gorman (Professor Porter)

Daniel could not be more thrilled to be doing his favorite thing in the world (play a kooky old British man with knobby knees) surrounded by such a wonderful cast & crew. Recent shows include Shrek (Little Pig), Something Rotten (Nigel Bottom), Urinetown (Officer Barrel) & Newsies (Crutchie). Gracious thanks to Chelsea, John, Alex, Shannon, Lauren, & the whole team for creating such a collaborative & inclusive space to make such great theater, and shoutout to Mark for being such an awesome partner in crime throughout this process. Love to family, friends, and Oren!

Christine Joe (Ensemble)

Christine is so excited for you to experience the fun ahead! Since she spends most of her day sitting in front of a computer, she has had a blast with this cast in the air and on the ground channeling her inner child / gorilla. Christine was previously on the SALT stage as the Mermaid in Big fish and the Brooke understudy in Legally Blonde. She would like to thank Chelsea, Lauren, Shannon, Wren, Robbie, and the rest of the amazing crew for creating this incredibly fun opportunity. She sends her love and gratitude to her husband Diego for his unending support every step of the way. And finally - thank you for supporting this community and enjoy the show! 

 

Heather Kalkiewicz (Ensemble/Kala u/s) 

Heather is so excited to be back onstage at her favorite place! Previous favorite roles include Legally Blonde (Enid), Jekyll & Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield), The Secret Garden (Alice), CATS (Jennyanydots), and Titanic (Kate Murphey). Outside of rehearsal, Heather spends her days educating about animals and the environment, and her nights at home with her rats. Much thanks to the cast and crew for all their hard work, and for making this such a memorable experience!

 

Nora Keller (Young Tarzan Put-In & Young Terk U/S)

Nora is in 5th grade and is super excited to be cast in her second Mainstage show at SALT. She has been participating in SALT's Stagelight program since she was 7 years old. Some of her favorite past performances include Lion King Kids (Young Nala), Mary Poppins Jr. (Miss Andrew), Willy Wonka Jr. (Charlie), and being chosen to participate in SALT’s first ever Spotlighters showcase. Nora most recently appeared on the Mainstage in Anastasia (Young Anastasia). Nora would like to give a special shout out to everyone she has worked with at SALT, especially Drew, Jason, Chelsea, Val, Emily, and Mrs. McComas. She would also like to thank vocal coach Monica Pica for all of her support. Nora would like to thank her mom and dad for providing the opportunity to do shows like this and for driving her to rehearsals. Lastly, she would like to thank big sister, Jana, for introducing her to theater and always being supportive!

 

Taya Kobrynich (Ensemble)

Taya is beyond excited to be making her theatre comeback; she is performing in a production for the first time since her undergraduate program, in which she minored in dance performance. From middle school through college, she played leads and dance roles in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania), The Sound of Music (Sister Margareta), Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl, dance lead), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Woodstock dance lead), and performed in  a myriad of dance and choir concerts. Outside of the theatre, she is a collector of a seemingly infinite number of hobbies - from mountain biking to writing, singing in bands, hitting the gym, rock climbing, running, dancing, crafting, and snuggling her dog, Moon. As a profession, Taya is an educational consultant and adjunct education professor at WCU. 

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Lila Kucera (Young Tarzan) 

Lila is delighted to be back on the SALT mainstage in Tarzan!  Her previous mainstage credits include The Wizard of Oz (Barrister Munchkin) and The Sound of Music (Gretl Von Trapp).  Last year Lila appeared in SALT’s Miscast Cabaret and the Star Vocal Competition. Her experience also spans more than 15 Stagelight productions.  Outside of theater, she enjoys playing the bass clarinet, violin and piano, baking, and competing on a junior tennis team.  Lila would like to thank the amazing cast and crew for making her experience so fun and special.  She would also like to thank Emily Merow (her voice/piano teacher), Petite Pas Ballet School, and her family and friends, especially mom and dad.

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Lindsay Looloian (Jane U/S) 

Lindsay is so excited to be a part of another SALT show! Lindsay was most recently seen in SALT’s production of Into the Woods (Cinderella). Other shows include Gypsy (Louise), Into the Woods (Bakers Wife), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Oliver (Nancy), She Loves Me (Amalia), City of Angels (Alaura/Carla), Crazy for You (Polly Baker), Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Shrek(Pinocchio), Joseph (Narrator), The Addams Family (Morticia), Mamma Mia (Sophie), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Gargoyle/Gypsy), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(Courtesan), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), and Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larken). Lindsay would like to thank her family and friends for always being so incredibly supportive.

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Erin Murray (Terk)

Erin is so excited to join her closest friends and family in this production of Tarzan! As a huge Disney fan, this show is held very closely to her heart. In addition to being on stage, Erin also regularly music directs for Stagelight and other main stage productions. Previous on stage. SALT credits include Sweeney Todd (choir), Big Fish (Zacky Price), and High School Musical (Taylor McKessie). Erin would like to thank her amazingly talented fiancé Chelsea for being the most supportive and uplifting director and choreographer. She would also like to thank her two sisters Shannon and Kylie for being in this production altogether to relive some great childhood memories!

 

Kylie Murray (Featured Ensemble & Props Master) 

Kylie is so excited to be cast in this whimsical and heartfelt Disney show. All the love to her chosen family who give her endless support throughout all of life’s ups and downs “Two Worlds, One Family”. Kylie would also like to thank her incredible sisters, Shannon, Erin, and Chelsea. Doing this show together has been such a joy “You’ll be in my heart” forever and always. Prior credits include Cabaret (Kost/Fritzie/Sally U/S), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Corry/Chimney Sweep), High School Musical 1 & 2 (Gabriella). Kylie would like to thank Lauren, Chelsea, and John for the opportunity to join this amazing cast and for the endless support from our rockstar production team as a whole. Special shout-out to her amazing Props Assistant Sarah Riley!! You are the absolute G.O.A.T. and without you Kylie would have crumbled. Your support has meant the WORLD!

 

Grayson Naftal (Tarzan’s father, Ensemble, & Clayton U/S)

Grayson is very excited to be making his SALT debut in this amazing show. He has loved Tarzan since he was a kid and being in this production has made him so incredibly happy and excited. He has loved working through all the music and dances and has had a blast getting to play such amazing parts. He would like to thank his friends and daily who have supported him in all his shows and who helped him audition for this show. He would also like to thank everyone involved in the show for putting in such incredible  work and putting on an amazing show. 

 

Christy Pelosi (Ensemble)

Christy is so excited to be performing as part of the ensemble after debuting in SALT's Anastasia as Odette. Being with new friends has rekindled her love of dance and performing.  In her early years Christy performed as a principle artist with the Chester County Ballet Theater, the Garden State Ballet Company, and Contempra Dance Company. 

 

Lucas Phillips (Young Terk)

Lucas is thrilled to make his SALT Mainstage debut! A 5th grader at Fern Hill Elementary, he has been performing with SALT’s StagelightPLUS program since 2024. His favorite past appearances include Aristocats (Toulouse), Pinocchio (Stromboli), Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat), and Annie (Rooster Hannigan). Lucas is grateful to his family for their constant love, encouragement, and support. He also thanks everyone at SALT for giving him this opportunity and helping him to pursue his performing dreams.

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Rae Rosenbayger (Kala) 

Rae is so excited to return to the SALT stage in this production of Tarzan! Her most recent credits include Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman) with SALT Performing Arts; Titanic the Musical (Caroline Neville) and Jekyll & Hyde (Ensemble) at Facetime Theatre; and Rent (Ensemble) at Steel River Playhouse. She is so grateful to the amazing production staff as well as the cast for their support and for making the rehearsal process so fun and rewarding. She would also like to thank her friends and family for continuing to encourage her to do scary things!"

 

Catarina Sawyer (Ensemble)

Catarina is thrilled to be making her SALT debut. As a PA transplant from Florida, Catarina has been making her way through as many theaters as she can. Some favorites include Vi Moore in Footloose, Kate Mullins in Titanic, andFate 1 in Hadestown. She feels unbelievably blessed to be part of this cast and cannot wait to bring this show to life. 

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Madison Sawyer (Jane Porter)

Madison, a ‘24 graduate of Sight and Sound Conservatory, is honored to portray her favorite Disney non princess! Favorite past productions include: SALT’s Once Upon a Mattress (Minstrel/ Fred u/s), Cavod’s White Christmas (Judy Haynes), Servant Stage’s A Tale of Two Cities (u/s Seamstress), Revival Productions’ Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl/Babette u/s), and Radium Girls (Kathryn Schaub) with SSC '24. She cannot thank her parents enough for prepping her since toddler years for this role. Shout out to her sister for upstaging her in every scene. 

Philippians 3:13-14
 

Jason Scansaroli (Kerchak)

Jason is thrilled to once again return to the SALT stage playing a role a little outside of his usual type cast. Recently, Jason has been seen in SALT's productions of Spongebob Squarepants (Spongebob), Sweeney Todd (Anthony Hope), Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). Jason has also been the music director for SALT's productions of Cabaret, Into the Woods, and Pippin this coming June! In addition to performing, Jason is an acting and music teacher for SALT's Stagelight Program. Jason would like to thank Chelsea, Alex, John, and the rest of the Tarzan team for pouring their incredible artistry and dedication into making this show a truly unique experience for the SALT stage!

 

Grace White (Dance Ensemble) 

Grace (Dance Ensemble) is overjoyed to have her debut with SALT. She works by day as an elementary school teacher and by night/weekends at Petite Pas Ballet School. She has always considered herself as strictly a dancer but the theatre bug bit her back in 2024 when she started doing community theatre. If Grace isn't found dancing, she can be seen making crafts, rock climbing or finding a new cafe to foster her caffeine habit! Last seen in Cabaret (Frenchie) and Peter and the Star Catcher (Seafarer/Mollusk). She wants to extend her greatest gratitude to the cast & crew for making this experience so memorable. A final thanks to her family & boyfriend for being the best support system she could ask for. Enjoy the jungle!