Waitress

CHLOE CORDLE (she/her) is thrilled to be back at the Aurora for the holiday season! Aurora Theatre: Beautiful, The Carole King Musical (Cynthia Weil), Christmas Canteen, Children of Eden (Aysha) Men with Money, Mamma Mia! City Springs Theatre Company: Jersey Boys (Mary Delgado). Actors Express: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Miss Hedge). Atlanta Lyric Theatre: Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide), Oliver! (Nancy u/s), The Drowsy Chaperone, My Fair Lady. Wallace Buice Theatre: Parade (Sally Slaton). Choreography: The Shuler Awards (‘22/‘23/‘24 Assoc.), Ragtime (Asst./Serenbe Playhouse), Oliver!, Jekyll & Hyde (Asst./Atlanta Lyric).. Training: Florida School of the Arts/Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Love to Adam, Sissy, Butler, Mum & Pops xx @chloecords

KARI TWYMAN (she/her) Thank you x100 to AC, Amanda & Aurora team for this dream role opportunity! Some Performance credits: JUDY in White Christmas (Jennie T Anderson), Matilda The Musical, Beehive: The 60s Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Wedding Singer, Jesus Christ Superstar (Atlanta Lyric), Parade (Wallace Buice Theatre Co.), Christmas Canteen (2022-2024), Mamma Mia (Aurora Theatre), The Hunchback of Notre Dame & In The Heights (Aurora Theatre & Theatrical Outfit). Some Choreography credits: The GHSMTA: The Shuler Awards (2022-2025), Cabaret, Head Over Heels (Actor's Express). Directing credits: Footloose, Guys & Dolls (TPGASH) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Gainesville Theatre Alliance). BFA in Musical Theatre - Brenau University. www.karitwyman.com

DAJA M. RICE Daja M. Rice is thrilled to return to Aurora Theatre for her second production with this incredible cast. An actress, teaching artist, and multi-hyphenate creative, Daja holds a B.A. in Theatre and Education from North Carolina Central University and an MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia. Her recent credits include Turtle/Mama Duck in Petite Rouge at Synchronicity Theatre, Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors at Artfarm at Serenbe, and Church Lady in The Color Purple at Aurora Theatre. Beyond the stage, Daja is the co-founder of Rice Performing Arts Camp, a mobile theatre program she runs with her husband, Jonathan Rice. Follow her creative journey on Instagram: @dajathecreator.

MICHAEL STIGGERS (he/him) is thrilled to be back at the Aurora Theatre! Broadway: Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Disney's The Lion King. Most recently seen in the World Premiere of The Preacher's Wife at the Alliance Theatre and Disney's Frozen at City Springs Theatre. Regional Credits include: Born For This and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Toxic Avenger (Horizon Theatre), Grease (Serenbe Playhouse) and Les Miserable (Aurora Theatre) Love to Maggie and Josie IG: @yungstiggy

Frankie Marasa 5th (he/him) is so excited to be making his Aurora Theatre debut in one of his dream roles. He most recently finished playing Sonny Bono on The Cher Show National Tour. Other credits include Joe Pesci in Jersey Boys, Princeton in Avenue Q, Jack in Into the Woods. TV/Film: "Grosse Pointe Garden Society" "Young Dylan" "The Electric State". He would like to thank Michele at Take 3 Talent, David Reiser, and most importantly, his family for all their love and support. #GoBirds #RingtheBell @thefrankie5

John Bobek (He/Him) is very excited to be making his Aurora Theatre debut. He has been seen on TV (THE WEST WING, HAPPY ENDINGS, AMERICAN CRIME, A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, MAGNUM P.I.), Film (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, STOMPING GROUND) and On Stage most recently in DARLIN' CORY at the Alliance Theatre, and The Geffen Playhouse’s world premiere MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES in Los Angeles. He is a proud member of Actor's Equity and SAG-AFTRA. Also a singer/songwriter, his music was most recently featured in the indie film LIMERENCE, and his albums are available wherever digital music is sold or streamed. <3 EB || Instagram: @itsjohnbobek ||

Stephan Jones (He/Him) This marks Stephan's second appearance at Aurora (Newsies). Over a 30-year span, he's performed in hundreds of productions nationally, ranging from musicals: Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, The Light In The Piazza; to contemporary plays: Frost/Nixon, ART, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; to classical: King Lear, Measure For Measure, and Antony & Cleopatra. Thanks for supporting live theatre! www.Stephan-Jones.com

GREG HUNTER (he/him) is a Georgia native and has had many opportunities to perform around Atlanta; his recent credits include The African Company Presents Richard III (Shakespeare Tavern), Christmas Canteen 2024 (Aurora Theatre) Ghastly Dreadfuls 2024 (Center for Puppetry Arts), The Color Purple (Aurora Theatre), and Wait until Dark (Georgia Ensemble). Greg is beyond thrilled to explore this story with his fellow cast members and share it with the community. He would like to thank Aurora Theatre for the opportunity to live his best diner-cook life and breathe life into this story alongside some of Atlanta's best and Brightest! He sincerely hopes you enjoy the show! www.greg-hunter.com

Cameron Scofield (she/Her) is a BFA graduate of CAP21/Molloy College. She was most recently seen as the Ensemble/US in Fiddler on the Roof at City Springs Theatre and as Squeaky Fromme in Assassins at Jennie T Anderson Theatre. Cameron is thrilled to be making her Aurora debut and would like to thank her friends, family, and fiancé Ashton for their unwavering support.

Avani Lesane (She/Her) is thrilled to be making her Aurora Theatre debut. Avani has studied film and media at Georgia State University and has been a life-long lover of the performing arts. She has been acting on stage since the age of 3, making her theatrical debut in Stephenson High School’s production of The Wiz. Proud alumnus of the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, Avani continued to perform in and around Atlanta throughout her formative years. Avani credits her appreciation of the arts to her wonderful and talented parents. Regional credits include: Winter Wonderettes (ART Station Theatre), Mother of God (Southwest Arts Center), Brightstar (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), Calendar Girls (Act3 Productions), and Zombie Prom (Marietta Theatre Company).

BRIANNE KNIGHTS (she/her) is thrilled to be back on the Aurora stage! She attended the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Since the age of 11, she has performed original works in various theatres across Atlanta including the Rialto, 7 Stages, and Southwest Performing Arts Center to name a few. She’s toured with Y.E.A. abroad in China at the Hangzhou Grand Theater, the Ningbo Grand Theater, and more. Some credits include Chef in Hot Jambalaya at Dad's Garage, Church Lady in The Color Purple, Mary Patrick in Sister Act, Diva Donna in The Donna Summer Musical, and Ms. Corry in Mary Poppins. She thanks her family for their support and her son for being the most beautiful motivation to continue following her dreams! IG: bri.knights

EMMA CLAIRE MYHAN (she/her) Emma Claire Myhan is an Atlanta-based actor and vocalist from Arkansas and is a current member of the 2024-2025 Apprentice Company at Aurora Theatre. Recent credits include Christmas Canteen 2024 (Aurora Theatre), Miss Nelson is Missing (Aurora Theatre), and The Gods of Comedy (Aurora Theatre). Emma would like to thank her fiancé and her family for their unwavering support throughout her pursuit of her artistic passions as well as the Aurora Theatre for providing her with this opportunity. Emma is grateful to God for continuing to create space for her onstage and is excited for her artistic future to come. Follow her on social media: @emmaclairemyhan

Chris McKnight (He/Him) is excited to be making his Aurora Theatre debut in the company of Waitress. Recent credits include Special Guest Star in Sesame Street The Musical (Center for Puppetry Arts, '24), Benny u/s & Ensemble in Rent (Atlanta Opera, '24), Trent Oliver in The Prom (Out Front Theatre, '23), and "Lady Who Lunched" in Strictly Sondheim (Voices of Note, '23 revival). He is a Georgia State University graduate with a BFA focused in film production and vocal performance. Chris feels so blessed to have the support of his family and friends throughout this amazing journey, and he thanks God for you all! (Oh and follow Chris on Instagram. He doesn't post often - never really - but he's always happy to make new friends @cadamck)

Tyshawn Gooden (He/Him) is ecstatic to be on the Aurora Theatre stage! Select Previous Credits: ATLANTA: Mercury, Cabaret, Marie Antoinette (Actor's Express); The Little Prince, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, Petite Rouge (Synchronicity Theatre); As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Troilus and Cressida, Love's Labour's Lost (Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern); Every Christmas Story Ever Told And Then Some (Stage Door Theatre); Jerker, RED: A Crayon's Musical, Snowgirls: the Musical (Out Front Theatre Company); REGIONAL: The Hound of the Baskervilles (The REV Theatre Company); A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Warehouse Theatre); The Winter’s Tale (The Phoenix Theatre); Hamlet (Dramatic Question Theatre). IG: @its_all_gooden

Michael Joshua Williams  (He/Him) "Waitress" marks Joshua's debut with Aurora Theatre. Previous Atlanta credits include "Mud" (Theater Emory), "Little Shop of Horrors" (Theatre Emory), "Wait Until Dark" (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), "Spring Awakening" (Overture Series) and "Assassins" (Overture Series). Love to Jamee and Juliette. @michael_joshua_williams

HILDARELIS TROCHE-CARMONA (she/her) Hildarelis is excited to be a part of the cast of Waitress at Aurora Theatre! Coming from the Sunny State of Florida, Hildarelis recently graduated from the University of West Florida with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Hildarelis’s most recent performance was working as a singing waitress at The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe in New Jersey. She also appeared as an Ensemble member in this year's Christmas Canteen. Hildarelis can not wait to be a part of one of her dream productions and is extremely thankful to her friends, family, and her partner for supporting her passion of theatre. Check me out on Instagram @hildatc5

Maddie Mantrana (She/Her)  is very excited to join this amazing cast and community on this pastry-filled adventure! After recently making her Aurora Theatre debut in the TYA production Miss Nelson is Missing, she is excited to continue chasing her sugar filled dreams! With an education from AMDA NYC in her pocket, and a passion brighter than the stars, her journey is just beginning! Maddie would like to thank her family for supporting her passions, her best friends for lighting the way, and her loving partner whos support she couldn't be here without.

Kentisha Shine (She/Her) is a Contralto, Actor, and Mover from Adairsville, GA and she is thrilled to be working with Aurora Theatre!  Kentisha just graduated with her B.F.A in Musical Theater at Young Harris College and her recent credits include (Cheryl) Miss Nelson Is Missing, (Chrissy Alternate), Holiday Follies, (Ensemble) The Color Purple, (Grace) in Cinderella, (Anna) A Doll’s House, and (Captain/#25) in The Wolves! A huge Thank you to Aurora Theatre for this huge opportunity as an Apprentice 2025-2026 for Aurora Theatre! Here's to more to come! IG:@Kentisha.s

RILEY GIVEN (He/His) is an Atlanta based artist and a member of the Aurora Apprenticeship Company. He moved to Atlanta after graduating from the University of Central Missouri with a BFA in Theatre performance, where he performed various roles such as Trent Oliver in The Prom, Laurie in Little Women, Topher in Cinderella, and Everybody in Everybody. Some of his recent credits include Christmas Canteen and Adam in Miss Nelson is Missing. Riley is super excited to be wrapping up his apprenticeship with the production waitress and hopes you enjoy.

Deshawn Williams (He/Him) is a current apprentice at Aurora theatre. His past credits include Rock of ages (ensemble),The Color Purple (ensemble), Norwegian cruise line Performer (swing), Christmas Canteen (swing),and Rent (Angel). Deshawn is currently wrapping up his journey with the Aurora Theatre’s Apprentice Company! He is eternally grateful for the past year of experience gained and amazing memories made! Thank you for coming and he hopes you enjoy <3

Nora is excited to be sharing the role of Lulu with her twin sister, Kate, in her first musical, Waitress. She loves making people smile and has had so much fun learning about life on stage while singing and dancing her heart out! When she is not rehearsing, Nora likes to draw, ride her one wheel around town and spending time with her Mom, Dad, brothers Jackson and Lucas and of course, Kate.
Nora wants to extend a big thank you hug to the amazing cast and crew for their warm welcome and making her first performance one to remember. Enjoy the show

Kate is thrilled to be making her stage debut as Lulu in Waitress! She has loved singing and dancing since she could walk and is excited to be apart of this heartwarming story. When Kate is not baking imaginary pies or rehearsing, she enjoys painting, reading and spending time with her family. Kate is grateful to be apart of this amazing musical and to work with a supportive cast. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Hazel is so excited to get to work with this cast. Hazel goes to Fernbank Elementary and she is nice. She has been in a play before called Three Piggy Opera! Special thanks to her mom and dad and brother!!! She can’t wait! Her hobbies are softball, art, dance, music and finding flowers! She had a bakery called fruit smash!! Thanks for coming!!!!