ARTISTIC TEAM
Carley Quintana (Director) is a local theatre educator and actor making their directorial debut with ACT’s production of Finding Nemo. Since joining the Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) team in 2025, they have loved helping young performers build confidence, creativity, and a love of storytelling. As a working actor, Carley has performed with PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre, The Great American Melodrama, and SLO REP, experiences that have shaped how they approach storytelling and collaboration in the rehearsal room. Quintana is especially excited to share this experience with such a talented group of young performers and is grateful for the opportunity to help bring this story of hope and perseverance to life. Thank you for supporting theatre and celebrating the arts in our community.
Danielle McNamara (Music Director) is a professional musician and co-owner of Lyrics and Melodies Studio with her wife, Lacey. Past Music Directing credits for ACT include, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, and Honk Jr.. Past performance credits at SLO REP include My Way, Some Enchanted Evening and A Chorus Line. Danielle has appeared locally in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Rocky Horror Show Live. She belongs to NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and ASCAP (American Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers), and a registered Music Together® teacher and Center Director for Mini Melodies. Danielle earned her BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in music from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Thank you to the cast and crew for making this a wonderful experience. A big thank you always to Lacey for being so supportive, I love you!
Natalie Mara (Choreographer) is thrilled to be working on this production of Finding Nemo! Past choreography credits at SLO REP include ACT’s Crazy for You and the Mainstage production of 9 to 5 – The Musical. Natalie is a PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre graduate of 2016 and has been performing professionally and choreographing for children, high school and regional productions for the last 10 years. Natalie has also had the opportunity to assist choreographers like Lee Martino, Michael Jenkinson, Carolanne Marano and Katie Fuchs Wackowski. SLO REP acting credits include Alicia in The Thanksgiving Play, Allison in Beehive – The 60s Musical, Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense, and Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes. She can be seen later this summer in Solvang in PCPA’s production of Beehive – The 60s Musical.
ABOUT THE CAST
Tatiana Aro (Tad, Ensemble) is so excited to be in Finding Nemo! She has been in many fun musicals: Princess and the Pea, Elf, and Schoolhouse Rock and is ready for her next musical performance with her peers! Tatiana wants to thank her parents, and directors for always helping and supporting her theater journey!
Matthea Beller ( Professor Ray, Gurgle, Ensemble, Dance Captain) is excited to be a part of this amazing production! She has been performing for four years, and loves bringing characters to life. Matthea sends a special thank you to the production team and crew, and especially to her parents for all their support.
Juliette Carlton (Coral, Peach) is a seventh grader at Laguna Middle School and this is her first full production with SLO REP. When she’s not playing a fish on stage, you can usually find her in some real water – swimming, surfing, or playing water polo. She would like to thank her family, friends, and the entire cast and crew of Finding Nemo for making this a wonderful experience. Thanks for coming, and enjoy the show!
Lily Collins (Sheldon, Ensemble) Is thrilled to be a part of Finding Nemo! This marks her second summer performing with SLO REP. Previously, she was in Seussical Jr. as a Wickersham Brother, and this year was also the Witch in Into The Woods with LOMS Drama club. She would like to thank her parents for their commitment to helping her pursue her passion.
Aubree Duke (Dory) is thrilled to be playing Dory in SLO REP’s production of Finding Nemo! She has been involved with SLO REP and ACT for several years; her favorite roles include Dot (Honk! Jr.), Billy (Crazy For You), Mrs. Mayor (Seussical Jr.). As well as Vera (She Kills Monsters), Ben Gunn (Treasure Island), and Jovie (Elf The Musical Jr.). Aubree would like to thank her wonderful fellow cast-members and all who have been involved in making this show amazing. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Luca Eckardt (Nemo) is thrilled to be a part of the wonderful Finding Nemo performance! This is his first mainstage SLO REP show. He has loved the performing arts since he was very young and started taking ACT classes when he was 7. Some of his favorite roles include Theseus and the Minotaur (Poseidon) at Teach Elementary, Frozen (Olaf), Schoolhouse Rock (Dina), and Annie (Molly/Sandy). When Luca is not rehearsing or onstage, he can be found playing basketball, or playing a game of chess. He would like to thank his parents, family, cousin, and friends for being such amazing supporters. He also would like to thank all the cast members for their hard work as well as the SLO REP staff. Enjoy the show!
Nelson Guisse (Crush, Bruce) was born in San Luis Obispo and is enjoying growing up on the Central Coast. He is so excited to be taking the SLO REP stage for the first time! Nelson loves embodying characters and is thrilled to step into his roles in Finding Nemo. His favorite role so far has been Huck Finn (Tom Sawyer) at Laguna Middle School. When he is not on the stage, he enjoys choir, mock trial, Student Senate, Associated Students Body, track, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. A big thank you to his family for all of the support and love. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he does!
Claire Joehnk (Pearl, Ensemble) is so excited to be part of the Finding Nemo cast! She has loved performing from a very young age and previously appeared in the ACT’S performance class productions of Alice in Wonderland (Alice) and Schoolhouse Rock (Elliott and Ensemble). Outside of theater, Claire enjoys playing flag football, reading, singing, and spending time with friends and family. She would like to thank the show director for this opportunity, the crew, her fellow castmates, and her family for their love and support. Enjoy the show!
Lucas Johnson (Anchor, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his debut in Finding Nemo! Lucas has loved performing through classes with ACT and is so excited to finally swim onto the SLO REP stage. Some of his favorite past roles include Joe in Schoolhouse Rock, George Banks in Mary Poppins, and Mr. Wormwood in Matilda. When he’s not in rehearsal, Lucas enjoys singing and hanging out with his giant dog, Wally. Lucas thanks his family, friends, and directors for their support—and is excited to add “professional sea creature” to his résumé.
Jovan Mammarella (Bloat, Tad’s Parent) is so happy to be part of this show. Being at SLO REP is his “happy place”, and the theater community there truly feels like his people. When he’s not on stage, he enjoys creative writing, playing electric guitar, and basketball. Jovan would like to thank his family and directors for all of their love and support.
Faye Morgan (Chum, Nigel, Ensemble) has loved theater and being onstage since they were little; being onstage feels like a second home! Along with many classes, she’s been acting with SLO REP in Elf the Musical and Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr! (Bobby), and is excited to be playing as Chum and Nigel in this show. Faye is committed to acting and sends a big thank-you to her family for making the room to help her theatre dreams come true.
Peyton Muskrat (Marlin) has loved performing since she starred in her first play at nine years old. She has participated in many performances; her favorites include Mrs. Brill in Coastal Youth Theater’s production of Mary Poppins Jr., as well as her roles in the following SLO REP performance classes: Donkey in Shrek Jr, Elsa in Frozen, and The Evil Queen in Once Upon a Mattress. She is thrilled to be appearing onstage as Marlin in this show. She would like to give a huge shout-out to Creative Kids Performing Arts for introducing her to her passion for performing! When she’s not at rehearsals or on stage, Peyton enjoys writing, reading, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her animals
Tommy Nico (Gill, Ensemble), is excited to make his debut on the SLO REP mainstage! A local from Morro Bay, he has been involved with ACT’s programs since first grade, and has developed his love for theatre over the years. Some of his most recent roles are Antinous/Crew #3 (The Odyssey), Jack/Elvis (School House Rock Live Jr), and Macy’s Manager/Elf#1 (Elf the Musical Jr.). When he’s not engaging with musical theater he can be found… engaging with musical theater, that’s kinda it. He’d like to thank his parents for supporting him (and paying tuition), his brother for being annoyingly questioning, his whole family for encouraging and tolerating his performing arts focus, his teachers, for helping guide him, and everyone at ACT (students and teachers) for telling him when he’s being too overboard.
Willa Rowe (Squirt, Ensemble) is from San Luis Obispo, California. Willa has taken part in numerous SLO REP classes and camps over the past two and a half years. She most recently was cast as Janet in Schoolhouse Rock. Willa also enjoys dance (tap/ballet/ jazz/ musical theater) and has been in many stage productions and competitions with her dance school over the past eight years. Nemo is Willa’s first role in a mainstage production with SLO REP and she is so excited and honored to be part of this amazing group of actors!
PRODUCTION TEAM
Carly Crow (Stage Manager & Sound Operator) is overjoyed to be back for another show at SLO REP! Most recently Carly stage managed A Grand Night for Singing and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? as well as the Ubu’s Other Shoe production of Anthropology. She is a stage manager, actor, tech helper and an all-around lover of theatre. Enjoy the show!
Lester Wilson (Backstage Manager) received his B.A. in Theatre Arts & English at Cal Poly and has performed, designed, and directed for Central Coast and L.A. theatre companies. Some of his favorite roles include Guys & Dolls (Nicely Johnson), The Jungle Book (Baloo), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Aladdin (The Genie) and SpongeBob Musical (Mr.Krabs). He’s worked with Improv groups The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, & iO West. He is also a teacher with ACT, a director at AGHS Theatre Company, and Improv Coach for AGHS’s award winning Improv Team: Grin & Bare It. He enjoys all aspects of theatre and loves helping students develop and hone their skills while broadening their horizons as people and artists. It’s the power of theatre! The world’s a stage, enjoy it!
Dave Linfield (Scenic Design) designs nearly all of SLO REP’s Mainstage productions. The theatre bug bit him in 1990 when an audition notice for a community theatre production caught his fancy. Over the years, he migrated from performing onstage to working behind the scenes, embracing technical stagecraft as his true calling. Dave’s educational background in graphic design and his work experience in retail display and housing construction have blended together in distinctive ways to fuel his passion for designing and building sets
Pam Hester (Lighting Operator) has worked on many SLO REP productions over the last 17 years. Favorite shows include Taking Leave, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), Watergate (and Other Solid Gold Hits), and A Chorus Line. She last appeared onstage in SLO REP’s Spinning into Butter. She has also worked on shows with the Santa Maria Civic Theatre, Brickyard Theatre, and the God Is Still Speaking Players. Pam hails from Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, and works as a registered nurse during the day.
Suzy Newman (Props, Production Manager) has worked in regional theatres throughout the country but has spent most of her career in theatres on the Central Coast. She was the Company Manager at The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville and the Development Coordinator for PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre. She received her MFA in Acting from the University of Alabama and continues to freelance as an actor and director.
Kevin Harris (Sound & Lighting/Managing Artistic Director) grew up on the Central Coast performing with many local theatre groups, including the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre. He went on to study at the Tisch School at NYU and at the Atlantic Theatre Company. He was the Artistic Director of San Luis Obispo’s first professional theatre, Centerpoint Theatre Group and the Theatre Manager of the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Iowa and worked throughout the country and in the Middle East directing and as a collaborator on original plays. He has taught at the University of Iowa, University of Chicago, and has led dozens of workshops on A Practical Handbook for the Actor across the country. Kevin feels privileged to be part of bringing live theatre to San Luis Obispo.
Kerry DiMaggio (ACT Education Director) has been involved in theatre since she was young, including many productions on SLO REP stage. Kerry holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department, where her interest in teaching was piqued by a course in Children’s Drama. Kerry began working with ACT as an instructor, and shortly after transitioned to Education Director. Eighteen years later, she is thrilled to still be leading this fantastic program! Kerry is also an actor, singer, and director, and when not onstage in some capacity, she can be found enjoying SLO with her husband and their two young daughters.
