The Full Cast List

Deanna Nicole Frances

As the Children's Community Theatre in DeKalb hosts its summer Imagination Camp, we'll bring you updates on the troupe's progress as it heads toward the premiere of its performance of "Miss Saigon."

The talented team of young people working on the project give their thoughts on the auditions, the camp and what they love about the camp.

Deanna Nicole Frances will be a freshman at Indian Creek High School this fall. She has been involved in theater for much of her life appearing in shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Les Miserables.

The first day of CCT's Advanced Imagination Camp was filled with fun and excitement. Nearly 70 teens from all around the area came together to form the cast of the show, all wondering what role they might get.

During the day, the cast was split into four groups, each moving to different locations in the building for activities - mostly games designed to help cast members get to know each other better, become friends and work together as a group. "It was a joyful experience getting to be surrounded by new people and make friends all over again," said cast member, Justyn Magarotto, of DeKalb. 

Dustin King

Dustin King will be a freshman at Sycamore High School. He is a veteran of many shows, including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and most Les Miserables.

Ah...the first day of camp.  So exciting! The friends…the fun...the looming thought of the audition. Oh well, it can't all be good.

It’s easy to see, however, why they have the audition on the very first day. With only two weeks to cast the show, block the scenes, finish building and painting the sets, memorize lines, and learn choreography - it’s a lot of work. Similar shows for casts of this age and experience can take up to five months to do all of that.

For me, auditioning is the most nerve-racking part of a musical. It’s even worse when you don’t know much about the show because you tend not to do as well. What can make it even MORE horrifying is if you have a cold or allergies, which I did.  There is nothing worse than trying to hit a high note in an audition when you are just struggling to get through an average sentence without your voice cracking five times.

Devin Johnston

Devin Johnston is a senior at Yorkville High School.  He has extensive stage experience, most recently playing the part of Freddy in My Fair Lady. He devotes the majority of his time to music, whether that be performing it or listening to it.

As a new actor to CCT, I would like to devote my first entry to the amazing welcome that we received.  Everybody involved with the show had only one purpose: to make you feel invited.  Everybody was so friendly and helpful. 

The first afternoon was used (apart from auditioning, of course) to break the ice between everybody involved.  This was accomplished through a series of activities like impromptu acting, vocal warm-ups, and other games.  After only one day, I feel like I've known these people for weeks. 

The experience was great and I can't wait to spend the next two weeks working with such amazing people.

Chloe Bluml

Chloe Bluml is a senior at Kaneland High School. She has been in countless shows including Back to the 80s and most recently playing Jo March in Little Women. She mostly lives for theater and music.

There is no such thing as a "typical audition". I say this because every audition is different, even auditions for the same show with the same director.

When going into an audition, however, there are a few things that will never fail you.

1. Always have energy. The people in the audition room are tired and will want you to be as psyched as you can be to do your job and wake them up.

2. Be polite. Saying "thank you" after you are done is a good way to leave.

3. Do your homework! Look up what you can about the show (songs, history, characters, etc.) so you go in with a few facts. It's impressive to be able to talk about what the show is about before you get cast.

4. Go ahead and think about certain characters you may want to be, but keep in mind that you should keep yourself open to other possibilities.

5. The one everyone tells you; have FUN. Don't be afraid to do your thing.

As long as you keep yourself open and willing to be a part of something great, you will be happy with your role.

Devin Moulton

Devin Moulton will be a freshman at Sycamore High School. She has appeared in numerous shows, including Les Miserables and Cinderella.

To be honest, before Monday, I didn't know a single thing about it Miss Saigon. As you might imagine, that added to the challenge of auditioning However, it was also a fun way to try something new.

As I tried out for this musical, I was excited, realizing that I was going to be acting when the story was just as current to me as it was in the life of the characters, rather than just acting based on how I know the story goes.

The actual process of auditioning wasn't really that hard. Everyone was guaranteed a part... just maybe not a lead. Thinking back on it though, waiting to go into the audition room was, of course, nerve-wracking. But once you got into the audition room, where it was just you, the director and a few other helpers, you could loosen up. One cast member, Sara Diemer, said, “I was kinda nervous when I went in there, but they were really nice." I know I did my best in the audition, and I feel confident in my belief that all of the other cast members tried their hardest.

Now that the first day of camp is over, we are all ready to learn about Miss Saigon and jump into this performance.

Johnny Lammersfeld

Johnny Lammersfeld, 17, of Poplar Grove, attends North Boone High School, where he will be a senior this fall. He has acted in many shows, including Little Shop of Horrors, The Wizard of Oz, and Les Miserables. 

As a veteran of past CCT Imagination Camps, it just doesn't seem like summer if I don't get to work with all the cool kids and helpful, friendly adults at CCT and get on that glorious stage. It's an awesome and welcoming environment.

The only tough part on the first day is the audition! The people in the room are helpful and encouraging of course, but it's more getting over the butterflies inside. It's all confidence kiddos! You take a few deep breaths, calm your nerves, and grab hold of the thought that you CAN do this and the part is yours! Of course you can't win them all, so you try not to ever get discouraged! Just keep it casual. Hold on to a chill persona and things will be fine. Every dog has his day and every actor will someday get their lead!

Daniel King

Daniel King, 18, will be a senior at Sycamore High School this fall. He is chief photographer for the CCT Web blog team. His acting resume includes Les Miserables, Honk, Fiddler on the Roof and Footloose.

Brittany Watne, who will be a senior at Indian Creek High School in the fall, was excited about what lay ahead "I love the way CCT approaches everything,” she said. “They put on such big shows that are so professional.”

The cast and crew of the show, working under the instruction of directors Kris and Sharon Pagoria, and music director Susan Webb, can only guess what hard work and friendship will come over the next two weeks, but the experience will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

The full cast list appears below:

Engineer - Colin Gorman (A), Dominic Johnson (B)

Chris - Devin Johnston

Kim- Laurel Gawlick (A), Rebecca Whittenhall (B)

John - Calvin Coran

Gigi - Nikki Hambly

Mimi - Natalie Creviston

Yvette - Brittany Watne (A), Maddie White (B)

Yvonne - Allison Buick (A), Sara Diemer (B)

Ellen - Deanna Francis (A), Chloe Bluml (B)

Thuy - Dustin King (A), Anugrah Lambogo (B)

Assistant Commissar - Alex Riley (A), Justice Magarotto (B)

Owner - Brooks Coran (A), Johnny Lammersfield (B)

Captain Shultz - Justyn Magarotto (A), Blain Edwards (B)

Marine Captain - Skylar Montavon (A), Daniel Rynkewicz (B)

Officer - Chance Hostetler (A), Matthew Johnson (B)

Bar GI’s -Dominic Johnson & Colin Gorman, Calvin Coran, Johnny Lammersfield, Jimmy Capek, Anugrah Lambogo & Dustin King, Skylar Montavon, Justin Magarotto, Justyce Magarrotto, Devin Johnston, Daniel King

American GI’s - Dominic Johnson & Colin Gorman, Calvin Coran, Johnny Lammersfield, Jimmy Capek, Anugrah Lambogo & Dustin King, Skylar Montavon & Daniel Rynkewitz, Justin Magarotto & Blain Edwards, Chance Hostetler & Matthew Johnson

Vietnamese Soldiers - Matthew Chandler, Brooks Coran, Daniel Rynkewitz, Blaine Edwards, Alex Riley, Madison Bounds, Michael Lammersfield, Austin Schmidt, Sean Connors, Jimmy Capek, Justice Magarotto, Daniel King

Bar Girls - Nikki Hambly, Brittany Watne, Maddie White, Natalie Creviston, Kayla Thompson, Chloe Bluml (Bar Maid), Deanna Frances (Bar Maid), Blair Wright, Brianna Varacalli, Angelee Radloff, Elizabeth Whittenhall, Caitlin Gorman (Bar Maid), Jessie Wilson

Bangkok Cat Cage Dancers - Nikki Hambly, Brittany Watne & Maddie White, Natalie Creviston, Sara Diemer & Allison Buick, Jessie Wilson, Brianna Varacalli

Bangkok Male Tourists - Johnny Lammersfield, Jimmy Capek, Anugrah Lambogo, Dustin King, Daniel King, Skylar Montavon, Daniel Rynkewitz, Justice Magarotto, Matthew Chandler, Brooks Coran, Blaine Edwards, Dominic Johnson, Colin Gorman, Madison Bounds, Michael Lammersfield, Austin Schmidt, Sean Connors, Jimmy Capek, Alex Riley

Bangkok Female Tourists - Claire Spahn, Devon Moulton, Shelby Small, Laura Knuth, Ellie Seitzinger, Maddie McDougal, Bridget Johnson, Michaela David, Laurel Gawlik & Rebecca Whittenhall, Nelle Connely

Bangkok Venders - Grace Jenks, Caitlin Gorman, Brooke Gehringer, Paige Herrington, Allison Duffin

Dragon Dancers - Nelle Connely, Laurel Gawlik & Rebecca Whittenhall, Allison Duffin, Isabella Anderson, Allysa Rogers, Drew Moulton, Isabella Johnson, Cadmium Bound, Anna Butler, Natalie Spahn, Bly Logan

Vietnamese Women at the Embassy - Bly Logan, Natalie Spahn, Anna Butler, Cadmium Bound, Isabella Johnson, Drew Moulton, Allysa Rogers, Isabella Anderson, Maddie White & Brittany Watne, Allison Duffin, Rebecca Whittenhall & Laurel Gawlik, Nelle Connely, Michaela David, Bridget Johnson, Maddie McDougal, Sara Diemer & Allison Buick, Ellie Seitzinger, Laura Knuth, Shelby Small, Devon Moulton, Claire Spahn, Paige Herrington, Jessie Wilson, Brooke Gehringer, Caitlin Gorman, Elizabeth Whittenhall, Grace Jenks, Angel Radluff, Brianna Viracalli, Blair Wright, Kayla Thompson

Vietnamese Men at the Embassy - Matthew Chandler, Brooks Coran, Daniel Rynkewicz, Blaine Edwards, Alex Riley, Madison Bounds, Michael Lammersfield, Austin Schmidt, Sean Connors, Jimmy Capek, Justice Magarotto, Daniel King

Bui Doi Chorus - Everyone