Aaron Alon (screenplay, music, lyrics, arrangements). Aaron Alon’s classical music has been performed around the world, released on five CDs, and awarded numerous national and international composition honors. Since 2009, he has also been an active playwright and musical theatre composer-lyricist. His recent projects include two new musicals – The Great White Way: the Bert Williams Musical and Mad!, as well as two full length plays (Positive and Right). He is a member of ASCAP and is a founding member and president of the Board of Directors of Thunderclap Productions. He holds a doctorate in music composition from Rice University and is a Professor of Music and the Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts at Lone Star College-University Park. Learn more at aaronalon.com.

Aaron Alon (website)

Orlando Briones (website)

Ely Bams (website)

Aaron Alon

Aaron Alon

Christian Briones

Joshua Sandros

Jess Dixon, Alvin G. Morris, Kent Ohler, Joshua Sandros

Deborah Lynn Anderson

Patrick Barton (Reporter) is excited to join the cast of Bully. His favorite stage roles have been Stage Manager (Our Town), Nathan Detroit (Guys and Dolls), and Snoopy (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown). When he’s not on stage, he can be found educating tomorrow’s leaders as a communication professor at Lone Star College-CyFair.

Amy Garner Buchanan (Reporter) is an Australian-born, Houston-based stage actor.  Film and voiceover credits: Zombie Jesus (Tall Trees Pictures, Austin), audio learning resources (IELTS preparation materials), Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition (Melbourne Museum).  Theatre credits include Friday Flowers (Hope Stone Dance); A…My Name Is Alice, Blithe Spirit, Company (Texas Repertory Theatre); Small Mouth Sounds, The War of the Worlds readings, Macbeth (Stark Naked Theatre); Pride and Prejudice: A Romantic Musical reading, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Peace in Our Time, Into the Woods, Magic School Bus, A Little House Christmas, Pinkalicious (Main Street Theater); Frankenshop, Australian Suitcase (Young Audiences of Houston); O Columbia libretto reading (Houston Grand Opera); Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London), Hamlet (Classical Theatre Company); Schumann the Shoeman, Matty Forever, kids’ party shows (Tony Bones Entertainment, Australia).  Amy also teaches for Hope Stone.  Education – B.A. (Hons), Monash University, Australia.  www.amygarnerbuchanan.com

Reggie Choyce (Hunter Sikes) is an Austin-born actor who began his career in Houston in 2008. He is very excited to participate in the film BULLY.  COMMUNITY THEATRE: Phantom of the Opera (Raoul), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Stuart Little (Stuart Little), Godspell (Jesus), Dinner with Friends (Tom), Liberators (Jefferson), Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino).  FILM: Soulless (Daniel); Student projects at the Art Institute of Houston; STOPP anti-violence shorts.  Reggie aspires to obtain his degree in communication and to become a professional actor.  He is thankful to his fiancée for supporting him in his dream of acting.

Juan Sebastian Cruz (Chase Cruz) is proud to call himself a Houstonian, but continues to embrace his Colombian roots. A graduate of Rice University, Juan has performed all around Houston, including Stages Repertory, Jones Hall, and Miller Outdoor. This is his first film project, and he is incredibly grateful to have been a part of BULLY. A big shout out to his mom and sister!

Monica Davis (Mrs. Sikes) is a native Houstonian who is proud to make her feature film debut in BULLY. She studied voice at University of Houston’s prestigious Moores School of Music in the Continuing Studies program and acting at the Kim Tobin Studio. She has performed with the Houston Symphony Chorus and in numerous projects with United Players of Friendswood, where she originated the role of Tyra in Matthew Carlin’s “The Stopping Place.” Ms. Davis is currently writing a new play and also working on original music for her solo act.

M. E. Frazier, Jr. (Alex Ross) Following a varied and influential stint on stage in high school, Mark pursued a degree in Musical Theatre at The University of Oklahoma. After one semester he left school and came back to Houston—largely being uninvolved in theatre for several years. During that time, he focused more on his poetry and freestyle rapping, and now writes and self-produces songs in his spare time. More recently, Mark has started performing at Queensbury Theatre in Spring Branch and is a new improviser for ComedySportz Houston.

Brad Goertz (Mr. Bradley) is a native Houstonian whose recent credits include: Company (Harry) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Man 1) at Music Box Theatre; Next Fall (Adam) at Obsidian Art Space; Next to Normal (Dan Goodman) and The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Norbert Garstecki) at Stages Repertory Theatre; The Coitus Plays – POST (Dennis) at Obsidian Art Space. Other credits include: Gone Missing (multiple characters) at TheatreLaB; Forever Plaid – Plaid Tidings (Smudge) at Texas Repertory Theatre; RENT (Roger), Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius Hackl) and Little Women – the Musical (John Brooke) at Country Playhouse; Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Gus Esmond) at BCCM.

Nora Hahn (Principal Rutledge) has performed in more than 25 productions with Houston Family Arts Center, Theatre Southwest, Lone Star College, Theatre Suburbia, Country Playhouse and Theatre New West. Favorite roles include Sister Aloysius (Doubt), Amanda Wingfield (The Glass Menagerie), M’Lynn Eatenton (Steel Magnolias), Masha Hardwicke (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), Reggie Fluty (The Laramie Project), Zelda Fenwick (Waiting in the Wings), and Golde in the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof. She also appeared in the annual Scriptwriters/Houston 10X10 Showcase, as well as the new play reading series at Country Playhouse. Nora received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas and was trained in the Meisner technique by Kim Tobin. A public relations manager by day, Nora is also a professional flutist, singer and actress. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to appear in Bully, the Musical and would like to thank Aaron Alon for this incredible experience.

Steve Hale (Mr. Samson) began his music career on the piano at the age of seven. A versatile musician, Steve performs in a variety of genres including jazz, country, musical theater and opera.  Credits include over twenty years as a company member of the Houston Grand Opera. Credits include: High Priest/Pontius Pilate, understudy for Ben Vereen in Jesus Christ Superstar, Harold Hill in The Music Man, and Edwin in Trial By Jury (Gilbert & Sullivan Society), Bill Starbuck in 110 in the Shade, Lt. Cable in South Pacific (Dickens Opera House); originated the role of Father Marcelli in the world premiere of Father Marcelli, Jesus in Jesus Christ, Superstar (Nashville Opera). Steve has a Grammy nomination in vocal jazz.  You can learn more about his jazz standards album “The Mood I’m In” on Facebook.

Emma Hayden (Woman 1 – “It Gets Better”) is thrilled to be a part of Bully, the Musical. She has been singing for as long as she can remember and has been involved in musical theatre and choir for eight years. Some of her favorite credits include Tarzan the Musical (Jane), A Man of No Importance (Adele Rice), and Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife). She was recently nominated for an Irene Ryan award and an MTI award for her performance as Adele Rice. She would like to thank Aaron Alon for this amazing opportunity. 

Edward Henrickson (Sam Bradley) has been involved in the arts around the Katy/Houston area for the past seven years, including acting in a number of stage plays and musicals. Some of his credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket), The Puppet Master (Jeremy), The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza (Narrator 2), Almost Maine (Pete), Dracula (Renfield), and The Music Man (Marcellus Washburn). He has won two Rising Star awards and was inducted into the Thespian Society Troupe in 7014. He spent a number of years in choir, winning a gold ensemble medal and best male vocalist trophy. He has also been involved in two short films: The Case (writer, director), and Ed and Bobby (Ed).

Danica Dawn Johnston (Mrs. Bradley) is an acclaimed, award-winning musical theatre and operatic singer. REGIONAL: Venus (One Touch of Venus), Queenie (Wild Party), Fantine (Les Miserables), Linda Lou (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Kathy (Vanities the Musical), Susan ([title of show]), Sharon Graham (Master Class), Lucy Brown (The Threepenny Opera), Victoria Grant (Victor Victoria), Diana Dream (On the Town), Miss Winthrop (The Secret Garden), Ida Horowitz (Farragut North), Alice (Our House). OPERA: Aurelia Havisham (Miss Havisham’s Fire), Antonia (The Tales of Hoffmann), Laetitia (The Old Maid and the Thief), Norina (Don Pasquale), Papagena (The Magic Flute), Serpetta (La Finta Giardiniera), Laurette (Doctor Miracle), Yum Yum (Mikado), Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), Josephine (HMS Pinafore), Musetta (La Boheme), Suzanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Blanche (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Adele (Die Fledermauss), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and Jenny Hildebrandt (Street Scene).  CONCERT PERFORMANCES: The Priests (PBS/US Tour); Houston Symphony, Acadienne Symphony, San Antonio Symphony.

Sawyer Johnston (Young Sam)

Chelsea Lerner (Mrs. Samson) is very excited to have the chance to work on Bully, The Musical. She is a trained opera singer and earned a BM in vocal performance from Houston Baptist University. After college, Chelsea sang with the Houston Grand Opera’s chorus for one season and outreach performance group, Opera to Go!, for 2 seasons.  Some of her favorite roles from past musical theater and opera performances include Pamina in The Magic Flute, Jeannie in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Along with teaching summer camps and private voice lessons, Chelsea is a full time theater teacher for The Village School. She would like to thank her husband and family for their continued support.

Amanda Passanante (Mrs. Cruz) is ecstatic to continue to be part of Bully, after being featured in the demo recording. Amanda previously appeared Off-Broadway in the Drama Desk Award-nominated Yiddish language revival of The Pirates of Penzance, Di Yam Gazlonim! (Khaye). Other New York credits include Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Sunday in the Park with George (Dot/Marie), My Fair Lady (Eliza), and Sweeney Todd (Johanna).  Favorite Houston-area credits include Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife) at Main Street Theater (Houston Press Award- Best Musical), Camelot (Guenevere) at Unity Theatre, and both The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Pippi) and Road Show (Regional Premiere) at Stages Repertory Theatre.  Favorite D/FW Regional credits include Rags (Rebecca) at Lyric Stage and The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical (Darlene) at Watertower Theatre, as well as a full season as Resident Actor for Casa Manana’s Children’s Theatre.  Amanda holds a BS in Mathematics and a minor in Theatre from Penn State University.  She is represented by Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. www.amandapassanante.com

Ragan Richardson (Woman 2 – “It Gets Better”), a native Houstonian, is blessed to join the cast of Bully! Theatre credits include: Main Street Theater: Lyle the Crocodile (Lyle), Goodnight Moon (Cat and the Fiddle), Fancy Nancy: The Musical (Nancy); Standing Room Only Productions: American Idiot *Regional Premier (Whatshername), The Who’s Tommy (Ensemble); Act @ TUTS: VOTE! A New Musical; Houston Family Arts Center: The Three Musketeers (Milady De Winter), Peter Pan (Tiger Lily), and Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). Film: Good After Bad (featured extra). She thanks Aaron Alon for this incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity. Love to family, friends and Justin.

Michael J. Ross (Man 1 – “It Gets Better”). NEW YORK: Children & Art – The Sondheim Celebration on Broadway, Into the Woods (Baker), Byzantium, How I Learned to Draw, Only for Now. REGIONAL: Tobias in Sweeney Todd with Lyric Stage/Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddy), The Producers (Leo Bloom), Company (Robert), Urinetown (Bobby Strong), Assassins (Balladeer / Oswald), Floyd Collins (Floyd), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), The Last 5 Years (Jamie), YAGMCB (Charlie Brown), RENT (Mark), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy), Cabaret (Cliff), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), Children of Eden (Father), The Secret Garden (Dickon), Miss Saigon. Michael holds a Master of Music degree from Rice University.

William Sanders (Reporter), native Houstonian, is an actor, singer and banjoist. 2015-16 Season credits include Houston Grand Opera’s Tosca, Texas Repertory Theater’s Romeo & Juliet and Hay Fever, Cone Man Running Production’s Cherry Muffins, and Bully, the Musical. William spends his time reading bedtime stories, writing poetry, and practicing party tricks.

Karen Schlag (Reporter) has acted and directed in theatres around Houston as well as performed in independent films. Some of her favorite work on camera has been playing a jealous sniper in Disappointed Sniper, a film produced by Vincent Privatera, as well as a detective seeking out a serial killer in the film Brushing Death by CityCyclone Productions. Some of Karen’s favorite onstage work includes Red Death, Carnival: Round the Central Figure, Ravenscroft, and Cuckoos, all productions by Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre Co., where Karen is a company member. Karen has also performed in Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women at Main Street Theatre and Sylvia and It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play for Texas Repertory Theatre. A founding member of Wordsmyth Theatre, Karen has participated in several times in the company’s reading series, as a performer and play evaluator as well as directing 3, a play by Rosa Nagle and Three Lives of Marion, by Nicholas Garelick. Karen is a Communications lecturer at the University of Houston-Downtown.

Tamara Siler (First Mourner) first performed with Thunderclap Productions in their acclaimed production of “The Great Storm.” She has appeared in over 70 stage productions in and around Houston. Favorites include “Xanadu” and “Bat Boy: The Musical” with Stages Theatre; “Putting it Together,” “Dog Act” and “Caroline, or Change” with Main Street Theater; “Avenue Q” with MJR Theatricals/Music Box Musicals; “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Little Shop of Horrors” with Theatre Under The Stars; “Myths and Hymns” with A Bit of A Stretch Theatre Company; “On The Town” with Bayou City Concert Musicals; “Hairspray” and “Dreamgirls” with Country Playhouse; “A New Brain” with the Little Room Downstairs; and “The Life” and “Carole King’s Tapestry” with New Heights Theatre.  A native Houstonian, Tamara graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Rice University, where she is Senior Associate Director of Admission and Coordinator of Minority Recruitment.

Haley Simpson (Reporter) is from Brookshire, Texas. She started playing piano at age 6 and began singing at age 12. Musical theater became her passion after participating in her first musical, Imagine Nation Theater’s production of High School Musical. Simpson is honored to be a part of BULLY’S cast and given the opportunity to work with so many great people. She would like to thank her parents and family for steering her in the direction of her dreams, professors and friends for their support and encouragement, and most of all, God, for getting her this far and creating such wonderful opportunities for her to express herself and have fun doing what she loves.

Kiefer Slaton (Tommy Samson) is so honored to join the cast of Bully. He has been performing from a young age and has been heavily involved in the Houston musical theatre community since moving to Houston in 2013, participating in shows such as The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky) at Pitch Me This Productions and Island ETC, Midtown Live 2K15 at Pitch Me This Productions, Urinetown (Officer Barrel) at Island ETC, American Idiot (Favorite Son) at Standing Room Only Productions, Tarzan (Tarzan) and Grease (Danny) at Pearland Theatre Guild, and Panto Sleeping Beauty (Prince Charming) at Stages Repertory Theatre. Kiefer has also recorded two original albums, Beautiful Song and Seven Story High. He loves the message this movie conveys and is so grateful to be involved in this project.

Taelon Stonecipher (Man 2 – “It Gets Better”) is ecstatic to be joining the film project, BULLY! He recently moved to the Houston area from El Paso, TX, where he graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a BFA in Music Theatre. Houston theatre credits include: The Ensemble Theatre: Fly (Bomber Shaw); Island ETC: Urinetown (Bobby Strong) and Godspell (Ensemble); Unity Theatre: Plaid Tidings (Jinx); Main Street Theater: Lyle the Crocodile (Joshua) and Busytown (tour) (Huckle); Houston Grand Opera: Carousel (Chorus); Bayou City Concert Musicals: Bells are Ringing; PMT Productions: Edges;Fort Bend Theatre: Les Misérables(Marius). Other theatre credits include: UTEP Dinner Theatre: Metropolis (Steven), Spamalot (Prince Herbert, various), The Sound of Music (Friedrich); El Paso Opera: The Impresario (Mr. Bluff) and La Bohème (Chorus).