MEET THE CAST: RISING STARS 2025
RISING STARS HOSTS 2025
JAD MARREWA is thrilled to return to the CCAE Theatricals stage as this year’s host of the first ever Rising Stars Jr show. His previous credits include How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Young Tarzan in Tarzan The Musical (Moonlight Stage Productions), and Rising Stars 2023 (CCAE Theatricals). He is a student at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. When he is not singing, dancing, acting, or playing violin, trumpet, piano, drums, or harmonica, you’ll find him reading, writing, composing, or doing flips at parkour. Jad would like to thank CCAE Theatricals for this amazing opportunity and extends his heartfelt gratitude to his teachers, friends, and family. You can follow him on Instagram: @jadmarrewa
TIRZAH (she/her) is so excited to be back on the CCAE Theatricals stage to host Rising Stars! She just closed the West Coast premiere of Stranger Sings the Parody Musical (Elven/Nancy/Robin) at Oceanside Theatre Company. Tirzah won the Broadway San Diego Award for Best Actress in 2023, which sent her to the Jimmy Awards where she made her Broadway debut at the Minskoff Theatre. Credits include: Luna (Man and Moon), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Wednesday (The Addams Family), Anne Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank), Ellie Blake (Freaky Friday), Miranda (The Tempest), and more. She has done modeling, print, and commercials which included: Nickelodeon, GAP, and more. Tirzah can’t wait for you to see all the amazing performers that will be stepping on the stage! Enjoy the show! IG: @tinytirzah
UMA SOLOMON is an 18 year old college student pursuing a degree in musical theater. She has been performing since she was ten years old, and has done some of her favorite shows right here in Escondido! She was lucky enough to be a part of Rising Stars last year as a performer and is thrilled to be asked back to host this time! Since her time at Rising Stars she starred in Addams Family as Wednesday Addams of which she was nominated for, she was a part of the top ten best actress nominees in the broadway SD awards as well as her cast being nominated for best show! Some of Uma’s favorite roles she has played include Audrey (Little Shop Of Horrors), Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka), Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), and Patrick Star (Spongebob The Musical).
RISING STARS JR. 2025
LILA AMINLARI is 13 years old and a vocalist, pianist, and actor. She recorded a solo track “Pressure 2 Post,”and duo track “To See Beyond Right Now,” produced by BMG, and was also the lead actor in the music videos. Favorite credits: Featured vocalist in CCAE Theatricals Professional Production A Big Band Christmas with The D. Ben-jamin’ Big Band Orchestra, Madame de la Grande Bouche, Silly Girl #2 in Beauty and the Beast. Lavender in Matilda, (Project Performer Productions). Commercial: Youth Era Organization (Jason Reid), Hello Panda (Raindrop Productions). Vocal awards: NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) 1st place in Commercial Music (2022 and 2024), 1st Place at Spotlight Regional Competition, and Judges’ Award for "Broadway Bound." Offstage, Lila enjoys playing competitive soccer, piano, and having fun with her two younger sisters. IG: @lila_aminlari
ELENA BERTACCHI is thrilled to be a part of the 13th annual Rising Stars Jr. concert. She is currently an 8th grade student at SDSCPA. Her regional theater credits are Bielke in Fiddler on The Roof (SDMT), Calpurnia Tate (u/s, perf.) in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Lambs Players Theatre), Children’s Choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (La Mirada Theatre), June Nelson in gUnTOPIA (The Roustabouts Theater Co.) and Youth Ensemble in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Moonlight Stage Productions). Her on-camera credits include Coal Kid in Coal, The Holiday Surprise (national Chewy commercial), Macy in Summer Wine (AFI Conservatory), Young Polly Walker in Our Story Untold (Staged Rebellion Productions) and Sally in Ranch (Kiaro TV). In addition to performing Elena enjoys playing video games and attempting to teach her cats choreography (with varying degrees of success).
ARI GIMBEL is 11 years old and in 6th grade. Some of his favorite stage roles have included: Boo Who in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe), Nemo in Finding Nemo, Mozart, Percy & Grover U/S in The Lightning Thief (J*Company Youth Theatre), Pharoah & Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Roustabouts Theater Co.), Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Narrator & Julieto in Encanto, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, and Olaf & Hans in Frozen (Kids on Stage). Ari would like to thank his vocal and piano teachers Becky Cherlin Baird and Tasha Hokuao Koontz for their guidance and support, and his forever audience, Eemah, Abba, and Maya. When he’s not in rehearsal, Ari can be found curled up with a good book, playing piano and guitar in his school band, writing music, and singing in choir.
IG: @AriGimbel
BOBBY CHIU is thrilled to make his debut at CCAE in the Rising Stars Jr. showcase. Some of Bobby’s favorite roles include Sweeney in Sweeney Todd (JAC), Lewis in Understanding Lewis (Jco), Marius in Les Miserables (JAC), Billy Flynn in Chicago (Jco), Danny Who in The Grinch (The Old Globe), and teen ensemble in Tarzan (Moonlight). In his spare time, Bobby enjoys composing music especially from his original musical Understanding Lewis (check it out on Spotify!), playing the piano, and dancing. Recent awards include 1st place at the NATS San Diego singing competition in both the classical and musical theater categories. Bobby then advanced to the top 12 in the national NATS competition in both categories as well! Many thanks to the production team, Jonathan Nussman, his mom, little sister Dani, and brother Cody, for their support.
IG: @Bobby Fenway Chiu
ARDY DUCUSIN aka Ardyanna, is a 12-year old Youth Mental Health Advocate, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Musical Theatre Performer, and Actress; Received a total of 47 awards in Performing Arts and Entertainment Industry, and 30+ live performances; Released 7 original songs on all music platforms, 6 of which are her original compositions, and 1 cover. In Musical Theatre, she performed as, Diwata at Karim & Jasmin, a 1st Philippine Musical Opera; Sausage Curl Girl from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Regional USA Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Musical as Ensemble; Lion King Junior as Young Simba; Grey Gardens as Lee Bouvier; and as a Lead and Composer of her own original musical entitled Seeing and Dreaming. On National TV and Film, she’s seen on NFL Super Bowl 2024, Cheerios, NBC TV Series, and lead roles on 2 short films. Her recent indie Film entitled Malice in Manila available on Amazon. She performed in prestigious stages including Crypto.com Arena, Walt Disney Concert Hall, La Mirada Theatre, Alex Theatre, etc., and performed in multiple locations like Canada, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Boston, Nevada & Los Angeles. She’s one of the Disney Princess New Pop Group "2C2A Dream" on Youtube Disney Princess Channel.
IG: @Ardyanna Ducusin
BENJI FOX is thrilled to be participating in the first ever Rising Stars Jr showcase! Regional Credits: Teen Ensemble in Tarzan (Moonlight Stage Productions), Boo Who, Swing in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (The Old Globe), and Evan Goldman in 13 the Musical (San Diego Musical Theatre: Pre-Professional) Select Youth Credits: Sonny Malone (CCA Envision), Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief, Friederich in The Sound of Music (CCA Envision), and SpongeBob Squarepants in SpongeBob the Musical (JCompany). He is a sophomore at Canyon Crest Academy and is a member of the Envision Theater Arts Conservatory! Benji would like to thank his family, friends, Leigh Scarritt, Shauna Markey, and Jodi Bartlett for all their support! IG: @benjfoxofficial
AUBRIELLA NAVARRO is honored to be chosen as a Rising Stars Jr. She is 13 years old and attends Classical Academy Middle School. She is passionate about theater, plays multiple instruments, and loves performing live. She made her professional debut last year by originating the lead role of Calpurnia Tate in the world-premiere musical The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate at Lamb’s Players Theatre. Most recently, you may have seen her as the tap-dancing young theater diva Tina Denmark in Ruthless, The Musical at Luminary Arts. She previously played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins at Moonlight Amphitheater, Ares in The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical (Moonlight Youth Theater), Matilda in Matilda, The Musical at the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park (San Diego Junior Theater), Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Mayzie LaBird in Seussical, the Musical. Last December, she was invited to New York City to sing with Spotlight Kidz and open for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Aubriella loves to sing, dance, play volleyball, read, crochet, and spend time with her brother and sister. She would like to thank J. Scott Lapp, DeAndre Simmons, and Tom Abruzzo for this amazing opportunity. IG: @aubriella.navarro.official
LILA KISCH is an 8th grader at The Francis Parker School with a passion for performing. Her recent roles include Brooke in Legally Blonde (Junior Actor’s Company), Lucy in 13: The Musical (Young Actor’s Theater), Chenille in Junie B. Jones (San Diego Musical Theater) and the Mayor of Bikini Bottom in SpongeBob The Musical (Francis Parker). Additional credits include The Lightning Thief (JCompany), The Sound of Music (Francis Parker), and numerous productions with Portola Valley Theater Conservatory. She would like to thank her family for their support and her vocal coach, Morgan Carberry. IG: @lila kisch
JAYDEN POLLIARD is extremely honored to be chosen as one of the 10 Rising Stars with CCAE and among some of his very talented friends in the very first Junior version. He is 11 years old and goes to St. Michaels School (SMS) in Poway. Jayden moved to San Diego from beautiful Kailua, Hawaii on Oahu. Ever since moving to San Diego 2 years ago, he immediately did every summer session offered at SDMT and fell in love! Jayden lives and breathes musical theatre! He also loves to dance, especially tap. Jayden has two professional credits as Boo Who in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Old Globe Theatre in 2023 and he was also the male Youth Swing in School of Rock at Moonlight Stage Productions in 2024. Recent local productions include Bruce in Matilda at Star Theatre and he also recreated the same role at Kids Theatre Network (KTN). Dan in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Moonlight Amphitheatre), Friederich von Trapp in Sound of Music (SMS), Baron in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (SMS), Les in Newsies and Scuttle in Little Mermaid (KTN). Huge mahalo to everyone for all the aloha and support getting him to where he is today!
IG: @Jayden Polliard
CHLOE OH cannot wait to be a part of the first ever Rising Stars Jr. showcase! Regional Credits: R+H’s Cinderella [Youth Ensemble, 2022], Disney’s Tarzan [Teen Ensemble, 2023], School of Rock [Katie, U/S Zach, 2024]; Moonlight Stage Productions. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! [Betty Lou Who, 2022]. Select Youth Credits: YAGMCB [Sally Brown, 2023]; Moonlight Youth Theatre. Miss Holmes [Dr. Dorothy Watson, 2023]; TS@NCR. Alice By Heart [U/S Angus/Caterpillar 1, 2024]; SDMT Academy. Production Credits: Frozen [AMD/A2, 2024], Hadestown Teen Edition [AMD, 2025]; Moonlight Youth Theatre. Education: The Orange County School of the Arts [Musical Theatre, c/o 2028]. Chloe would like to thank her family, her best friend, Benji, The Hills Community, and mentors, Eli Wood, and Lyndon Pugeda. IG: @chloe.m.oh
RISING STARS 2025
MORGAN LIVESAY has been singing and performing her whole life. Her first ever theatrical performance was playing a Lily Pad in Disney's The Little Mermaid at the age of only five years old. Morgan has participated in many musical theater productions, a few credits being, Arista in Disney’s Little Mermaid, Cinderella in Into The Woods, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Lucinda in Into The Woods, Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical, and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. Morgan just completed a successful run of White Christmas playing the role of Rhoda and understudying Betty Haynes. She has sung in the chamber choir at her high school for two years as well as the concert choir for four years. Morgan is very excited to be a part of the 2025 Rising Stars cast and wants to thank her dad for studying voice with her and getting her where she is now. She states that she couldn't have done it without him. IG: @morganviv_
COLTON MAGALLANES is so excited to be performing in the class of 2025 Rising Stars! He has done many theatre productions in the past. Some of his favorites include Baby John in West Side Story (COTYCT), Archie in 13 The Musical (COTYCT), Young Scrooge/Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (STC), and Crutchie in Newsies (TVP). He would like to thank his family and friends for supporting him, as well as CCAE Theatricals and the creative team for this production. Some specific people he would like to thank are his parents Marco and Lisa Magallanes, his siblings Justin, Dylan, and Ashlyn, Jennifer Stuart, Sean Barnett and Alex Duremdes for teaching, coaching and supporting him. Enjoy the show!
IG: @coltonnn_mm
MAXIMO PANIAGUA Maximo's favorite credits include- The Addams Family (Gomez Addams) (Florence Johnson Grand Theatre); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee) SDSCPA (Ole Kittleson Little Theatre); Guys & Dolls (Arvide) A Chorus Line (Butch) SDSCPA (Florence Johnson Grand Theatre) (dir, Roxane Carrasco); Rent (Ensemble & Swing, Paul) San Diego Musical Theatre(Conservatory) (dir, Courtney Corey); The Addams Family (Pugsley) Coronado Playhouse; An Evening With Marc Shaiman And His Music (Choir vocalist) (The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park) (conductor, Steven Reineke); Andra Day Private Event (Back-up vocalist) SD, CA; Ruby Benefit (Vocalist) SCPA GALA SD, CA; Maximo is currently in his senior year of high school at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he majors in musical theatre. He had the privilege of studying acting at the Stella Adler Teen Summer Conservatory in New York City where he studied rigorously for five weeks. He is excited to pursue a career in musical theatre at the collegiate level and beyond.
ISABELLA RODRIGUEZ is a singer and performer from the Inland Empire. She started performing at Lifehouse theater at just 6 years old and has never looked back. Some of her favorite roles include, Anne in Anne of Green Gables, Rose in Oliver, Ensemble Newsie in Newsies, All-cast Swing in Cinderella, and just recently a Featured Dancer in White Christmas. Isabella just began a six-weekend run of Peter Pan at Lifehouse Theater starring as the role of Wendy! In her free time Isabella enjoys tap dancing, spending time with her sister, and watching movies with her friends. She is so excited to be performing among the 2025 Rising Stars cast and is extremely grateful for the opportunity. She would like to thank her mom and dad for their endless support and love. I wouldn’t be here without you!
IG: @isyw_ones
THERESE SCHANZENBACH is a 16 year old junior at Classical Academy High School and is absolutely thrilled and honored to be performing with this year's Rising Stars! Some of her favorite past credits include The Addams Family (Wednesday), The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Lucy), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey u/s, Ronnett u/s, Ensemble), Quilters (Daughter), and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally). Outside of theater, Therese enjoys dancing at her studio Blessed Feet, being in choir at school, singing, and spending time with her family and friends! She is beyond grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank everyone on the team at CCAE Theatricals, her voice coach Brandon, her parents, her siblings, her friends, and specifically her brother Caleb and two of her best friends, Uma and Tristyn, for always supporting and loving her! All the glory to God! IG: @jschanzenbach
GAVIN AUGUST is incredibly honored and excited to take part in this year's Rising Stars. He has been doing theatre for the past 10 years around San Diego and is currently attending California State University Fullerton in pursuit of a BFA in musical theatre. Some of his favorite roles have been Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Romeo (Romeo and Juliet), and Young Will (Big Fish). In his spare time he enjoys reading and movies. Gavin would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped him in his journey up to this point. IG: @augustgavin6
DEMIAN DEONARINE is so excited to be performing in the Class of 2025 Rising Stars! He has just finished his Senior year at Scripps Ranch High School, and is taking a Gap Year before pursuing Musical Theatre at the Collegiate level. He had recently performed in the 2024 Cygnet Scholarship Competition and the 2024 Broadway San Diego Awards, where he was nominated for his performance as Edward Bloom (Big Fish). Some of his favorite roles he has played are Dmitry (Anastasia), Peter (Peter and The Starcatcher), Lumiere (Beauty and The Beast), and Tony Kirby Jr. (You Can’t Take It With You). He is so thankful to his fellow performers, crew, and production team for all the hours put in to make this event amazing!
IG: @demiannaveen
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SANVI RATH is thrilled to be part of Rising Stars 2025. You may have seen her as Belle and Regina George at CSP. Sanvi started performing her sophomore year and has fallen in love with it. She loves to perform because it helps her connect to her late grandma who was a great dancer and singer and being on stage helps her become more connected to her roots. Her favorite part of performing is being able to get lost in the moment and existing in a different world on stage. She also loves that performing is a place that she can always turn to for comfort because all the stress melts away and performing is the only thing she’s part of on stage. One obstacle Sanvi has faced is starting her performing career so late into her high school career and feeling like she fell behind from her peers, yet she knows this is what she wants to do for her profession. In the future she hopes to become a professional performer and perform on Broadway one day so she can prove that anyone can make their dreams come true, no matter their background or experiences!
DANICA SINGER is 18 years old and is currently attending UC San Diego and majoring in Human Biology. She is very excited to perform in the class of 2025 Rising Stars. Danica performed in her first musical in 2022 and has been captivated by the performing arts ever since. Some of her previous roles include Velma Kelly in Chicago, and Mabel Washington in FAME!. Following her role of Velma Kelly, Danica was a Top 10 Best Actress Nominee in the 2024 Broadway San Diego Awards. She is very grateful for this opportunity and she hopes you enjoy the show! IG: @d.s_221