In This Program

• About the Show
• Note From Will Cruttenden, Director of Production
• Note from Johamy Morales, Director
• Cast and Creative
• Events
• Print Edition
• More About Seattle Children’s Theatre

About the Show

This presentation of SCT’s The Snow Queen was made possible by the generosity of our Donors and Sponsors.

Season Sponsors:

ArtsFund
Microsoft
The Shubert Foundation

Government Partners:

4Culture
ArtsWA
Seattle Office of Arts and Culture

1+5 Sponsor:

Paul G. Allen Family Foundation 

Show Sponsors:

Eve & Chap Alvord 
Laura Buckland & Doug Young 
Merry People

Media Sponsor:

Seattle Child's

Seattle Children’s Theatre Presents...

SCT's The Snow Queen

by Matt Opatrny 
Based on The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen 
Directed by Johamy Morales 

The Snow Queen was initially developed as part of New Victory LabWorks at the New Victory Theatre in New York City, where it was produced by Blessed Unrest under the direction of Jessica Burr.

The Snow Queen was further developed by Seattle Children’s Theatre in partnership with Western Washington University under the direction of Johamy Morales.

Cast & Creative

Nabilah Ahmed* Kay & Others 
Rich Brown Ba & Others 
Khanh Doan* Grandma & Others 
Brenda Joyner* Snow Queen, Lumi, & Others 
Adele Lim Gerda 
Teague M. Parker Caw & Others 
Sydney Rae Blosch Understudy Adele & Brenda 
Pilar O’Connell* Understudy Khanh & Teague  
Ricky Spaulding* Understudy Nabilah & Rich 

Johamy Morales Director 
Matt Opatrny Playwright 
Matthew D. McCarren Scenic Designer 
Jazmin Aurora Medina Costume Designer 
Amiya Brown^ Lighting Designer 
Natalie Mayo Sound Designer 
Arnold Bueso Projections Designer  
Elizabeth Stasio Stage Manager 
Nicola Krause Assistant Stage Manager 

Summary

When her best friend Kay is taken by the Snow Queen to a world of numbing ice and snow, Gerda embarks on an unforgettable adventure across singing flowers, leaping reindeer, and unbreakable riddles. Will Gerda’s love and grief save her best friend Kay before he is trapped forever in the Snow Queen’s palace? Join us in this courageous and whimsical tale of deep human connection and belonging.  

Readied for its West Coast Premiere in collaboration with our local and regional partners National Nordic Museum and Western Washington University comes a fresh new take on the same classic tale that inspired Disney’s Frozen.  

Themes

ADVENTURE – Adventure is not just exploring new worlds, but it can also be discovering new things about ourselves. Gerda in SCT’s The Snow Queen goes on a big adventure to save her friend. Her adventure shows us how we can be brave to stand for what’s right. However, we also can go on personal adventures. Kay in SCT’s The Snow Queen goes on a journey to learn about his feelings and how to find the courage to deal with them. Both journeys are important because they teach us that whether we are helping others or learning about ourselves, every adventure helps us learn and become stronger.

CONFIDENCE –Being confident can be hard at times, especially when we are scared. In SCT’s The Snow Queen Gerda finds that the parts of her the make her different are what make her strong. She teaches us that what makes us different, does not make us weak, but strong and one-of-a-kind. When we learn this, then we can take on the world. 

FRIENDSHIP – Friends can be kind and always cheering you on. It can also be someone who pushes you to be a better version of yourself. Friendship comes by making a safe space for others and helping them when they need it. As seen in SCT’s The Snow Queen friendship looks different for everyone but is always important and worth fighting for. 

LOVE – We are all able to give and receive love. Who we love, and how we show our love is always our own choice. In SCT’s The Snow Queen Gerda shows us how love brings us together and gives us the strength to handle even the scariest of challenges. She teaches us that sometimes going above and beyond for love is always a good choice.  

GRIEF – Grief is a word that sort of means really sad, often when we lose something or someone super special to us. In SCT’s The Snow Queen Kay loses his mother, and he becomes very sad and chooses to stay with the Snow Queen because she helps him feel nothing. Kay’s journey shows us how dealing with our sadness can be tough but helps us heal and find happiness. Like Kay, talking about hard things that make us sad can bring back warmth to our lives.    

My name is Will, and I am honored to welcome you to our production of SCT’s The Snow Queen. It’s a joy to be here, especially as I reflect on my own childhood memories of seeing a show in the very seat you may be sitting in more than 30 years ago! It isn’t often the Audience gets to hear from a Production Manager, and since you are about to travel with Gerda on an epic journey, I want to spend this moment with you on another epic journey. This journey is of the Artisan, the Carpenter, the Electrician, the Engineer, the Fabricator, the Technician.  

Each of these talented individuals has devoted years to mastering their craft. Their journeys often begin with a passion for creativity, leading them through extensive training and education. Many have spent countless hours learning the intricacies of design, construction, and technology, often starting as apprentices, absorbing knowledge and skills from seasoned professionals. 

As they honed their talents, they’ve poured their hearts into every project, understanding that each element—from the intricate set pieces to the complex costumes—plays a vital role in storytelling. They’ve faced challenges, adapted to new technologies, and collaborated with one another, all while fostering a deep love for their art. 

The carpenters and scenic artists create every corner and perfect every texture that transports us to other worlds; the electricians focus and balance every light that sets the mood and guides our emotions; the fabricators drape every line and lay every sequin that sparkles with each gesture and turn. The sound engineers ensure that every seat never misses that crunch of a step in freshly fallen snow, and the prop artisans breathe life into props that capture our imagination. The technicians work behind the scenes, ensuring that every cue is executed flawlessly, making the magic of the theatre come alive. 

It’s their dedication and expertise that allow us to present The Snow Queen with such vibrancy and depth. Each performance is a testament to their commitment, transforming our shared vision into reality, day after day. 

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and I encourage you to turn to our staff page and join me in celebrating the remarkable talent that makes this production possible. 

Matt Opatrny’s adaptation of Hans Christain Andersen’s The Snow Queen is an epic adventure that explores relationships, emotions and the power of true listening with today’s youth in mind. Our youth are growing up fast in the hyper-saturated world of social media and at times it seems families are disconnected from each other for a myriad of reasons. The first lesson Gerda learns in The Snow Queen is the importance of engaging in relationships with others. Throughout Gerda’s journey she meets characters that teach her lessons about herself, allowing her to build confidence, gain courage, strengthen her sense of listening and processing emotions. As a child I was surrounded with relationships that contributed to the woman I have become and provided me the tools to feel, process, express, and understand my emotions.  

Unfortunately, we still live in a world where expressing or talking about our emotions with youth is not common, and is even more atypical with young boys. The character of the Snow Queen is a representation of how guardians sometimes want to protect children, and shield them from feeling any pain, and in return rob them from learning about these complex emotions. I often wonder what our communities would be like if we lived in a world where more of our children are encouraged to express themselves and explore and share their emotions with adult family members and their peers. The reality is that our children experience wonderful and difficult emotions in their lives, it’s unavoidable, but if we nurture a culture of sharing your feelings it will empower them and build their resiliency.  

Learning to listen to your environment and your own instincts is the third lesson Gerda learns from her adventure. We live in a time where we are disengaged from one another but also seem disconnected from nature. In this magical world Gerda builds a relationship with nature, but in order to do that she must learn to listen, especially in times of stress or needing to build courage. Nature, and this fairytale’s origins, were a deep inspiration for myself and the design team. Although this production takes place in a magical made-up world, the Scandinavian, Nordic and Sámi cultures have inspired many of the choices you will see as Gerda traverses the world of The Snow Queen.  I pay homage to these cultures, stories, and natural habitats by listening and allowing it to inspire my creativity in building this magical world.  

Through these lessons and the story you are about to embark upon, I hope you find a connective tissue between the magic and your lived human experience. Allow yourself the opportunity to reflect about how you engage in relationships with others and with nature. We have power to influence those around us and when we engage in our vulnerability with one another it shows power and strength. Gerda has so much to teach us, young and old. Don’t wait till tomorrow to begin conversations with those around you and especially those you love. Maybe it’s just as simple as hugging your loved one or a simple phone call or text to remind them how important they are to you. This is a story for all ages and my hope is to empower our audiences to see elements of themselves in these characters and inspire meaningful conversation as we witness Gerda in community, vulnerable at times, gaining power: through deep listening. 

CAST

Nabilah Ahmed Kay & Others – Nabilah Ahmed (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Seattle Children’s Theatre debut. She is an actor, projections designer, live video producer, and cultural writer. She has collaborated with many organizations in her various creative capacities, including ArtsWest, Seattle Repertory Theatre, MoPOP, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and On the Boards. Notable credits include Matt Damon in Matt and Ben (ArtsWest), her exhibit GONE TOO SOON (curator, MoPOP, on display through March 2025), and The Skin of Our Teeth (projections assistant, Seattle Rep). Instagram: @prettyboynabs

Rich Brown Ba & Others – Rich Brown (he/him) teaches physical acting and devising at Western Washington University. He was awarded the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival’s National Award for Outstanding Lead Deviser in 2020 for #HereToo-WWU and in 2012 for US. The Carnegie Foundation named him Professor of the Year for the State of Washington in 2015, and he’s a 2016 Washington State Thespians’ Hall of Fame inductee. Recent favorite performances include (mis)conceptions, Lying, and The Snow Queen with Blessed Unrest Theatre (NYC), Art with Oregon. 

Khanh Doan Grandma & Others – Khanh Doan (she/her) is excited to be a part of this beautiful adaption of The Snow Queen. Other credits include: A Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Little Prince, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, High School Musical, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty (Seattle Children’s Theatre); Dracula, King of the Yees, The Crucible, Ramayana, A Christmas Carol (ACT Theatre); A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Seattle Repertory Theatre); Bonesetter’s Daughter, A Tale for the Time Being (Book-It Repertory Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (Village Theatre); Miss Saigon (5th Ave Theatre); Macbeth, Julius Caesar (Wooden O); The Talented Ones (Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland); You for Me for You (Portland Playhouse).

Brenda Joyner Snow Queen, Lumi, & Others – Brenda (she/her) was previously seen at Seattle Children’s Theatre in The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559. In Seattle, she has worked at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Wooden O, New Century Theatre Company, Seattle Public Theater, The Feast, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and upstart crow collective. Regionally at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Her most important role was in third grade as segment #8 of a caterpillar which opened her world to theater. Hi Miri & Ollie! 

Adele Lim Gerda – Adele Lim (she/they) is beyond thrilled to make their Seattle Children’s Theatre debut! Adele is a Chinese Singaporean actor/singer/mover who holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Washington. Previous roles include Teishi, Unrivaled (SIS/Seattle Public Theater), Eleven, Stranger Things: The Experience (Fever/Netflix), Azazello, The Master & Margarita (Dacha Theatre), and F, Passage (Strawberry Theatre). Up next, Adele is excited to join The 5th Avenue Theatre’s educational touring company in 2025, having similarly toured with Taproot Theatre in 2024. Adele sends their unending love and gratitude to their small but mighty family, theater, and bouldering communities. Instagram: @AdeleActs 

Teague M. Parker Caw & Others – Teague M. Parker (he/him) is an Actor, Playwright, Improviser, Producer, and Teaching Artist. A graduate of Western Washington University, he founded Come Up Productions, where he shares his original theatre pedagogy, Improv for Wellness: a technique combining established improvisation, theater, and wellness practices to help students learn tools for self-care & self-empowerment across mind, body, and spirit. He also facilitates professional development workshops on equitable, trauma-informed practices for educators across Washington. Credits include Booth, Topdog/Underdog (Bellingham TheatreWorks), touring to Mexico City, The Master, Master & Margarita, (theatre simple), as well as an ensemble member of Jet City Improv. 

Sydney Rae Blosch Understudy Adele & Brenda – Sydney Rae Blosch (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Seattle Children’s Theatre debut! Proud Oklahoma City BM Music Theatre alum. Select regional credits: Andrea U/S, Once on this Island (Village Theatre), Michelle, Party Worth Crashing (Our Time Players), Tina/Ensemble, Sister Act (Oklahoma City University), Dynamite/Shayna, Hairspray (Oklahoma City University). She’d like to thank her family, friends, and Scout for their unwavering love and support, and to the entire SCT staff/Snow Queen cast, creative team, and crew - what a joy it’s been to create and play alongside you all this holiday season. Instagram: @sydraeblosch

Pilar O’Connell Understudy Khanh & Teague – Pilar (they/them) is a Latiné theatre artist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. They are thrilled to be back at SCT. Recently you may have seen them in A Tale of Peter Rabbit (Seattle Children’s Theatre), The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 12th Night, Henry IV, Cymbeline (Seattle Shakespeare Company), The Tempest, I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Seattle Rep), Mala, Christmastown (Seattle Public Theater), Miss You Like Hell, Our Country’s Good (Strawshop), as well as on the stages of Washington Ensemble Theater, Annex, ACTLab, Forward Flux, and many others. Pilar is a proud member of AEA. For Entheos always. 

Ricky Spaulding Understudy Nabilah & Rich – Ricky (he/him) is so excited to be working with Seattle Children’s Theatre! His recent credits include: Melchior, Spring Awakening (5th Avenue Theatre); Willis, The Bed Trick (Seattle Shakespeare Company); Will, Born with Teeth (ArtsWest); Robin Hood, Sherwood (Village Theatre); Lydia and the Troll (Seattle Rep); Champagne + Sodomy (The Williams Project); and Arlington (Washington Ensemble Theatre). He also appeared in Hulu’s “Shrill”. Ricky trained at the University of Washington and Atlantic Acting School, NYC. He’s also a proud alum of Seattle Children’s Theatre’s youth education programs. 

CREATIVE

Johamy Morales Director – Johamy Morales (she/her) is an award-winning director and a 25-year veteran of Theatre for Young Audiences dedicated to producing new works, community engagement and social justice through the arts. Johamy currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director for Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) and a Board Member for Red Eagle Soaring. She served on SCT’s Artistic Advisors Circle, Reimagine: New Plays by BIPOC in TYA advisor, and as a Trustee for Theatre Communication Group (TCG) where she advised on the Rising Leaders of Color program and TCG’s Education Conference for four consecutive years. Johamy has worked with various schools, nonprofit organizations, and the US State Department, both nationally and internationally. Johamy holds an MFA in acting from The Ohio State University, with a specialization in devising new works, and a BA in Theatre from San Diego State University. 

Matt Opatrny Playwright – Matt Opatrny (he/him) is a theatre, television, and podcast writer whose work celebrates differences and elevates kindness, thoughtfulness, and emotional intelligence. His plays have performed primarily in New York City and on international tours, receiving multiple NY Innovative Theatre Awards and First Prize at the Secondo Theatre Festival (Switzerland). He wrote eight episodes of DreamWorks’ “Not Quite Narwhal” (Netflix) and is head writer of “Daisy Bees” (YouTube). Matt is visually impaired, a regular meditator, and owes much of who he is to the sea turtles of Costa Rica. This play was written for his daughter, Evelyn. 

Matthew D. McCarren Scenic Designer – Matthew D. McCarren (he/him) is a freelance scenographer specializing in designs for black box, thrust, and found spaces. Matthew currently serves as the Resident Scenic Designer and Technical Director for Cleveland Opera Theatre, and as the scene shop supervisor and adjunct faculty for Cornish College of the Arts as well as Seattle University. Nationally, Matt’s designs have been featured at Mile Square Theatre, Actors Episcopal Guild NYC, Helen Mills Theatre NYC, 59E59 NYC, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, P45 Theatre Co., Thingamajig Theatre Co, Cleveland Opera Theatre, Theatre Alliance D.C., ArtsWest, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. Matthew holds an MFA in Design with an emphasis in Czech/Eastern European design from The Ohio State University and has studied in the Czech Republic with scenographers Petr Matsek and Jaroslav Malina. 

Jazmin Aurora Medina Costume Designer – Jazmin Aurora Medina (she/her/ella) is a Xicana, queer interdisciplinary artist with a focus in costume, hair/make-up design, and the power of empathetic transformation and storytelling through her practice. Previous design credits include Luchadora! (Seattle Children’s Theatre), Carmela Full of Wishes (Seattle Children’s Theatre), The Lizard y El Sol (Goodman Theatre), and assistant to recent Emmy winning artist Machine Dazzle for Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil (Goodman Theatre). Jazmin also previously received the honor of being selected as one of thirty-four US young emerging costume designers for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial for Eurydice (UW-Waukesha). Check  jazminaurora.com for more. 

Amiya Brown Lighting Designer – Amiya Brown (she/her) is a Scenic, Lighting, and Production Designer and a Visual Artist based in Seattle, WA. She holds an MFA in Theatrical Lighting Design from the University of Washington. With a focus on devised storytelling and site-specific productions, Amiya’s work has been showcased in 25 states and 6 countries. In 2019, she received a Gregory Award recognizing her as Outstanding Lighting Designer for Village Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Currently, she shares her expertise and passion for the arts as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Scenography at Seattle University. 

Natalie Mayo Sound Designer – Natalie Mayo (she/her) comes from a small town in Texas. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and a minor in Music, Natalie spent time in various jobs in Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and on the road. She has experience in stage management, audio engineering, safety, and production management. She returned to Texas Tech in 2023 as the Facilities Manager for the School of Theatre and Dance. Natalie’s most recent sound design was Luchadora! here at Seattle Children’s Theatre last season. Natalie is very excited to be back working with the team here at SCT. 

Arnold Bueso Projections Designer – Arnold Bueso (he/him), a Honduran-born designer, has created scenery, costumes, lighting, projections, and performance media both nationally and overseas for theatre and industries like opera, museum exhibits, fashion, art installation, immersive theatre, and film. On Broadway, he assisted on Curtains and Young Frankenstein, and he has collaborated with Off-Broadway companies like The Brooklyn Ballet, StudioEIS, Izquierdo Studios, FringeNYC, Soho Rep, 2ndStage, Fashion Week, Performa, and many others. Regional work includes design residencies for various companies in SoFla, UT, OH, and CA. Internationally, his work has traveled to Prague, Warsaw, the UK, Puerto Rico, and the U.A.E. For 17 years, he has taught design and technology courses in NYC, South Florida, and CA and is currently professor of design at CSU Los Angeles. You may view his work at www.arnoldbueso.com.

Nicola Krause Assistant Stage Manager  – Nicola (she/her) is a graduate from Seattle University, where she studied Theatre and Anthropology. This is Nicola’s first production with Seattle Children’s Theatre. Notable productions she’s been a part of include ASM, Becoming Dr. Ruth (Village Theatre), PA, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Village Theatre), SM, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Book-It Repertory Theatre), ASM, Solaris (Book-It Repertory Theatre), and most recently ASM, My Lord, What a Night (Taproot Theatre). She would like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional support that enabled her to be a part of wonderful productions such as this one! 

Elizabeth Stasio Stage Manager  – Liz (she/her) is a Seattle-local stage manager and theatre artist who grew up attending shows at Seattle Children’s Theatre. She is so pleased to return to it as a Stage Manager. Previous SCT credits include The Lamp Is The Moon, Carmela Full of Wishes, and last year’s Luchadora!. Other stage management and backstage credits include As You Like It, The Winter’s Tale, Mr. Dickens and His Carol, The Tempest (Seattle Rep), The Lehman Trilogy, POTUS (ACT), Drum & Colours, Twelfth Night (Seattle Shakespeare Company), Afterwords (5th Avenue Theatre), 14/48 Projects, and others.

SPECIAL THANKS

William W.H. Gunn; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library 

Cornish College of the Arts Scene Shop 

Sann Hall, John Tavares, & Seattle Rep 

Nicole Suyama

Village Theatre

Seattle Children’s Theatre is a member of TYA/USA, the national center of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.

SCT is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for the nonprofit professional theatre.

SCT is a proud member of International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY).

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 50,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, working conditions, and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. #EquityWorks.

Lighting, sound, staging, property, scenery, scenic art, and costume work at Seattle Children’s Theatre is performed by employees represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the US and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC.

Seattle Children’s Theatre works with the Stage Directors and Choreographers society.

The designers at this theatre are represented by United Scenic Artists (Local USA 829) of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

* Indicates members of the Actors’ Equity Association

Storytime with National Nordic Museum 
Thursday, December 5 at 10:00AM 
National Nordic Museum

In partnership with the National Nordic Museum, this enchanting story time event will take you on a journey through a classic Nordic fairy tale, The Snow Queen, followed by a fun craft project.

Nordic Dancing with Barneleikarringen 
January 3rd and 4th
SCT Lobby 

In this lively lobby performance watch amazing dancers from the Barneleikarringen Cultural Foundation show off traditional Nordic dances, with colorful costumes and lively music. But that’s not all—you’ll also get a chance to join in! 

Community Partners

The National Nordic Museum shares Nordic culture, values, and ideas with people of all ages and backgrounds to create connections, generate dialogue, and inspire new perspectives. Located along Seattle’s working waterfront in an iconic building that embodies Nordic design, the institution is both a museum and a community gathering place.

Print Edition

More About Seattle Children’s Theatre

Seattle Children’s Theatre Audience Member Guide

Experiencing the theatre is a group activity shared not only with the actors, but also with the people sitting around you. Your attention and participation help the actors perform better, and allows the rest of the audience to enjoy the show. We invite you to laugh when it is funny,

Encore+Seattle Children’s Theatre

SCT's Equity and Community Agreements, Land Acknowledgement
SCT's Board of Trustees
SCT's Staff