January 22–February 22, 2026
In This Program
- About the Show
- A Welcome from the Artistic Director
- Note from the Artistic Director of TWUSA and Ada Twist
- Cast and Creative
- Events
- Our 25/26 Season Partners
- Print Edition
- More About Seattle Children’s Theatre
About the Show
This presentation of Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends was made possible by the generosity of our Donors and Sponsors.
Supporting Season Sponsors:
ArtsFund
Microsoft
The Shubert Foundation
4Culture
Seattle Children’s Theatre Presents...
Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends
By LAUREN GUNDERSON
Music by BREE LOWDERMILK
Lyrics by KAIT KERRIGAN
Presented by THEATERWORKSUSA
Based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; and Ada Twist, Scientist by ANDREA BEATY with illustrations by DAVID ROBERTS
Cast
DONNALESLY FONDJO
Ada
JEANÉ CUMMINS
Great Great Aunt Rose
CARSON MERRICK
Iggy
KARIS KNIERIM
Lila Greer
MADELYN CASEY
Rosie
Creative
KARLIE ROBINSON
Stage Manager
JILLIAN CARUCCI
Tour Director
MICHAEL ANTHONY SYLVESTER
Tour Choreographer
PAOLO C. PEREZ
Tour Music Direction
LLOYD KIKOLER
Orchestrations
LAUREN GUNDERSON
Book
BREE LOWDERMILK
Music
KAIT KERRIGAN
Lyrics
JEN CAPRIO
Costume Design
DANNY HERTER
Lighting Design Enhancement
PETER FLYNN
Original Director
MARCOS SANTANA
Original Choreographer
JULIA LENNON
Associate Director & Choreographer
RACHEL PALMER
Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager
Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends is approx. 60 minutes with no intermission
*Actors Equity Association Member ^United Scene Artists Member, Local 829
**Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Member
MUSICAL NUMBERS
“Everything is New” Rosie, Iggy, Ada, Lila Greer
“Out of Sync” Lila Greer
“Iggy at Home” Iggy, Iggy’s Dad
“Ada at Home”. Ada, Ada’s Mom
“Rosie at Home/Return to School” Rosie, Iggy, Ada, Lila Greer
“Field Trip!” Lila Greer, Great Great Aunt Rose, Rosie, Iggy, Ada
“Iggy Peck, Architect” Iggy, Company
“Pop Pop Pop” Ada, Company
“Rosie Revere, Engineer” Rosie, Company
“It Comes Together” Great Great Aunt Rose, Rosie, Iggy, Ada
“Don’t Slow Me Down” Company
THEATERWORKSUSA
(Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director) has led the Theater for Young and Family Audiences movement in New York City and across North America for over half a century. At TWUSA, we believe that access to art—and theater, in particular—is vital for our youth. Since 1967, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 140 original plays and musicals. Acclaimed alumni include Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Disney’s Frozen), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Jerry Zaks (The Music Man), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton), Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America), and Chuck Cooper (Tony award-winning actor, The Life). WWW.TWUSA.ORG
TWUSA STAFF
Barbara Pasternack
Producing Artistic Director
Tegan Meyer
Managing Director
Jillian Carucci
Associate Artistic Director
Casey Fodge
Development Manager
Hannah Frye-Ginsberg
Production Manager
Kristen Gensinger
Marketing and Communications Manager
Michael Gremo
General Manager
Nadel Henville
Tour Operations Assistant
Sarah Hogewood
Casting Coordinator
Molly Huey
Costume Supervisor
Steve Lattanzi
Director of Systems and Administration
Brendan J. O’Brien
Tour Operations Manager
Beth Prather
Senior Director of Sales
Josh Sherman
Director of Sales & Special Engagements
Jacob Stahl
Technical Director
Mary St. Angelo
Sales Manager, Touring & Education
Noemi Villela-Dean
Education & Community Engagement Coordinator - California
A Welcome from the Artistic Director
Johamy Morales
Welcome Friends and Happy New Year!
I am delighted to begin the new year with Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends by TheaterWorksUSA! We are honored to partner with them—not only because they are national leaders in theatre for young audiences, but because they share our belief that stories can spark curiosity, confidence, and community. After all, this is the same incredible producing company that brought us Dog Man and Cat Kid Comic Club, beloved characters, unique adventures that invited young people into the theatre with wide-open arms.
The aspect I loved most about this piece is how deeply it celebrates STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics while incorporating Arts as essential to self-discovery. When music, storytelling, and performance intertwine with science, young audiences don’t just learn facts, they learn how to wonder, question, invent and dream.
Growing up, I didn’t often see myself, a young Mexican American girl represented in nature. The history, images, and stories around me rarely included girls who looked like me hiking, climbing, splashing through streams or exploring the wild outdoors. It wasn’t until adulthood, when I was given access, tools, and encouragement, that I discovered how empowering those spaces could be. Being in nature strengthened my confidence, my voice, and my sense of possibility. This play allows young people, especially those who have not always seen themselves reflected in spaces of science, exploration, or adventure to recognize that they also belong. In Ada, Rosie, and Iggy, young audiences can see that curiosity is for them; discovery is for them; the outdoors is for them; science is for them.
My hope is that everyone sees a piece of themselves in these characters and leaves the theatre knowing that collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving are not just skills—they’re superpowers. And when we use those superpowers together, the world opens wide.
Thank you for joining us, and welcome to a year filled with imagination, inquiry, and infinite possibility.
Johamy Morales
Artistic Director
Note From the Artistic Director
of TWUSA and Ada Twist
When I first approached Lauren about adapting these STEM-fueled, girl-powered books to the stage, she was overjoyed to join the team. She strives to tell empowering, endearing stories for girls and boys about creative kids overcoming struggles to see their own individual strengths and unique capacity to change the world. She couldn’t wait to build something that gave these beloved characters the fullest life, heart, and growth to inspire and delight young audiences.
This is a musical about an engineer, an architect, and a scientist, and every feature of the writing and production (from choreography and set to sound and script) has those STEM elements woven throughout. It’s a breathtaking and invigorating process, and one that is bringing out the best in all of the collaborators.
Enjoy the show,
Barbara Pasternack
Producing Artistic Director
Cast and Creative
THE CREATIVE TEAM
KARLIE ROBINSON
Stage Manager – Karlie Robinson is thrilled to join Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends for her second tour with TheaterWorksUSA. Most recently she returned for her fourth season as the Production Stage Manager at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater in Chautauqua, New York. Her previous theatrical credits include Charlotte’s Web (TheaterWorksUSA), The Magic Flute (Hillman Opera), and Emma (Elmira Little Theater).She is a graduate of State University of New York with a BFA in Theatrical Production and Design. Karlie wants to thank her friends, family, and dog for their unwavering love and support. Enjoy the show!
JILLIAN CARUCCI
Tour Director – Jillian Carucci (she/her/hers) is a director, educator, and Associate Artistic Director of TheaterWorksUSA. She is passionate about creating quality theater for young audiences and supporting early career artists. At TheaterWorksUSA, she manages artistic programming in addition to casting musical productions, workshops, and readings each season. As a director and educator, she has worked off- Broadway and regionally at theaters such as: The Hangar Theatre, Atlantic Acting School, McCarter Theatre Center, Keen Company, & Mile Square Theatre. She teaches on the BFA Musical Theatre faculty at CAP21/Molloy College and serves on the Directors Council of The Drama League, the Artistic Advisory Board at Forestburgh Playhouse, and is a Drama League Directors Project Fellowship recipient (2017). www.jilliancarucci.com Big thanks to this absolute dream STEAM team and all my love to Andrew and Elodie. This one’s for you, El!
MICHAEL ANTHONY SYLVESTER
Tour Choreographer – Michael Anthony Sylvester is thrilled to return to TheaterWorksUSA! He has worked all over DFW, the U.S. and Canada as a Performer, Choreographer, Director, and Instructor. Directing: Spring Awakening (Ohlook Performing Arts Center), Annie (Mill Mountain Theatre), In The Heights (Associate Director, Mill Mountain Theatre). Choreography Credits include: El Otro Oz (TheaterWorksUSA), Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide for School (TheaterWorksUSA), Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer World Premiere, Alamo the Musical, Alice in Wonderland for (Casa Manana) and more. He also choreographed the family-friendly movie “RISING STAR’S” starring Kyle Riabko, Leon Thomas III, and featuring Rebecca St. James available on Amazon Prime, Itunes, and Apple TV. When not performing Michael also developed a passion and love for giving back to the arts community through education and community outreach. Michael is a Proud Member of Actors Equity Association, and is currently represented by CESD Talent Agency in New York City.
PAOLO C. PEREZ
Tour Music Direction – Following in the footsteps of the long haired rockers that came before them, Paolo has been performing and teaching in musical theater and rock-n-roll for the last 15 years. From playing around the world on board Celebrity cruise ships, to teaching at schools such as the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, and Brooklyn Children’s Theater, they have always brought a certain level of energy to the musical stories they lend their talents to. A frequent collaborator with Second City Improv, recent Musical Direction credits include Urinetown at RTC, Anna Roisman’s Jewish American Prodigy, and various TheaterWorks shows. @TheRealPCP on all socials.
LLOYD KIKOLER
Orchestrations – Lloyd Kikoler (he/him) is a New York City based Orchestrator, Producer and Multi-instrumentalist. His work in theatre includes, Macbeth In Stride (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Earth Rise (Kennedy Center), Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical (TheaterWorksUSA), Eighty-Sixed (Diversionary Theatre).
LAUREN GUNDERSON
Book – Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list 4 times including 2025/26. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the William Inge Distinguished Achievement in Theatre Award, the Lanford Wilson Award and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her plays have been translated into a dozen languages and produced across the world, and her new anthology, “Revolutionary Women,” is published by Bloomsbury. LaurenGunderson.com and @LalaTellsAStory
BREE LOWDERMILK
Music – Off-Broadway: The Mad Ones, Henry and Mudge. Regional: Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, Lincoln Center. Residencies: McDowell, Mercer. Awards: Jonathan Larson, Alan Menken, Richard Rodgers. Albums: Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live, Our First Mistake (#1 Singer/Songwriter chart), and The Mad Ones (+30 million streams, thousands of fan-videos). Bree is a trans woman, a mom, and an advocate for queer voices and stories. Gratitude to Lauren, Kait, Peter, Barbara and TheaterWorksUSA. Love to Anna and Elia.
KAIT KERRIGAN
Lyrics – Kait Kerrigan is an award-winning bookwriter, lyricist, and playwright. BROADWAY: The Great Gatsby (book); WEST END: The Great Gatsby, The Time Traveller’s Wife (add’l lyrics); OFF-BROADWAY: The Mad Ones (book and lyrics), Henry and Mudge (lyrics and book - Kleban Award). Additional musicals include:The Heart (book, add’l lyrics), Indigo (book), Justice (lyrics), Earthrise (lyrics), and the pop-up immersive Brooklyn house party The Bad Years (book and lyrics). Her plays include Father/Daughter, Imaginary Love, and Disaster Relief. Follow @kaitkerrigan. For Lucy and Tess - You’ll never know if you don’t try.
JEN CAPRIO
Costume Design – Broadway: Heart of Rock and Roll, Spamalot (2023 Revival), Falsettosand The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. National/International: Falsettos, Joseph…, The Lion (West End/US Tour), …Spelling Bee (US Tours) and various rock revues. New York: City Center Encores!, Audible/Minetta Lane, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout, Primary Stages, Cherry Lane, LaMama, ETC and others. TV: Falsettos (PBS Great Performances) Sesame Street (seasons 47-54), The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (Seasons 1-2) Manhunt (Apple TV+) and Tiny Time Travel (PBS/YouTube). 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2025 Daytime Emmy Nomination, 2020 Daytime Emmy Winner for Sesame Street. www.jencaprio.com Instagram: @jencapriocostumedesign
PETER FLYNN
Original Director – Recent credits include the off-Broadway premiere of Smart Blonde by Willy Holtzman, Matilda for the Onley Theatre, and Into the Woods for Ford’s Theatre, where he is an Associate Artist. NY credits include Curvy Window at the Westside Theatre, Chess, Funny Girl with Whoopi Goldberg and Sutton Foster, Our Town with B.D. Wong, On the 20th Century, Skippyjon Jones and Junie B. Jones (two Lucille Lortel Award nominations) and Rhapsody in Seth starring Seth Rudetsky. Other credits include Ragtime (Helen Hayes Award nominee), Born Yesterday, Andrea Martin: Final Days Everything Must Go, The Mountaintop, Gypsy, 1776, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Man of La Mancha (Carbonell Award, Best Direction). Peter is an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at Montclair State University, the former Artistic Director of the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY, and a graduate of Northwestern University.
MARCOS SANTANA
Original Choreographer – Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Broadway: On Your Feet (Assoc.) Tony nomination Marquis Theater, Rocky (Assoc.) Tony nomination Winter Garden Theater, Guys & Dolls (Assoc.) Nederlander Theater, Others: In The Heights (Westport Country Playhouse), Singing In The Rain (Olney Theatre Centre), West Side Story (Maltz Jupiter Theater), Evita (Bay Street Theatre), Man Of La Mancha (Westport Country Playhouse) In The Heights (Olney Theater, Helen Hayes Award, Broadway World Award). Film/TV: Chasing Papi, Across The Universe, The Producers, Annie, Diva Las Vegas, The Nikki Cox Show, Pop Stars, Tony awards, Stephen Colbert Show, Good Morning America, among others.
THE CAST
DONNALESLY FONDJO
Ada – Donnalesly Fondjo is a May 2025 BFA Acting graduate from Ithaca College with a minor in African Diaspora Studies. Recent credits include Dynamite in Hairspray, Norma in Carrie the Musical, and Mersister/Princess/Dance Captain in The Little Mermaid at Festival 56, IL, as well as Rose in Fever/Dream (Hangar Theatre, NY) and Lucrece in The Liar (Kitchen Theatre, NY). Donna is blessed and thrilled to be going on her first tour and is deeply grateful to God, her family, and her friends for their continued love and support.
JEANÉ CUMMINS
Great Great Aunt Rose – Jeané Cummins is a 26 year old who is so excited to perform tonight! She has been in numerous musicals and a couple of plays such as The Color Purple (Nettie and Doris), Full Circle Off-Broadway (originated the role of Halley), Lucy/Bluebeard by Ed Levy (Narrator), Working the Musical (Maggie Holmes), Shrek the Musical (Dragon), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Beauty and the Beast (Wardrobe), Legally Blonde (Paulette). Plays include Midnight Summer’s Dream at the Mile Square Theatre (Moth), Fortune by the playwright George Cameron Grant (Mama), Somewhere I can scream Off-Broadway (Alice Bustin, Agnes, and College girl 1). She came back from a 3 month European Tour called “The Original USA Gospel Singer.” “I want nothing more but to let you escape from reality tonight, I hope you enjoy the show tonight!”
CARSON MERRICK
Iggy – Carson Merrick is a New York-based actor originally from California and a recent graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Art’s New Studio on Broadway. In the fall, he made his Off-Broadway debut in Hucka at The Players’ Theater, and previously appeared in NYU’s productions of A Chorus Line, The Great Comet of 1812, and Bright Star. You can reach him on Instagram @carsonmerrick.
KARIS KNIERIM
Lila Greer – Karis Knierim (she/her) is so excited to reprise her role as the lovely Lila Greer in this wonderful show! Some of her favorite previous credits include Fern in TheaterWorksUSA’s Charlotte’s Web and Mopsa in Head Over Heels. She is a graduate of CAP21 and when not on stage you can find her making animal friends, playing board games, or reading. She wants to thank God, her family, her fiancée David, and her friends for their continued support. Hope you enjoy the show!
MADELYN CASEY
Rosie – Madelyn Casey is a NYC based performer and Pennsylvania native. Madelyn is ecstatic to be touring with Ada and all of her friends!! Most recent credits include “Martha” Spring Awakening,“Minnie” Shadow of a Gunman, “Molly” Peter And The Starcatcher, and “Jack” Jack and the Beanstalk. Madelyn cherishes every opportunity to perform and is endlessly thankful to the wonderful people at TWUSA for this opportunity and as always her family and friends for their love and support!!
Seattle Children’s Theatre is a member of TYA/USA, the national center of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.
SCT is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for the nonprofit professional theatre.
SCT is a proud member of International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY).
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the U.S. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Equity seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. www.actorsequity.org.
Lighting, sound, staging, property, scenery, scenic art, and costume work at Seattle Children’s Theatre is performed by employees represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the US and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC.
Seattle Children’s Theatre works with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
The designers at this theatre are represented by United Scenic Artists (Local USA 829) of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
- Indicates members of the Actors’ Equity Association
Events
Science on Wheels
Saturday, January 31
12:00–4:30 PM
SCT Lobby
Get ready for hands-on science fun! For one day, our friends at Pacific Science Center will be bringing interactive experiments and live demonstrations right to our lobby. Stop by to explore, ask questions, and experience the excitement of science up close.
Spotlight Performance of Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends
Sunday, February 22
1:00–1:30 PM
Pacific Science Center (200 Sue Bird Ct N, Seattle, WA 98109)
Join us for Engineering Day at Pacific Science Center! Enjoy a spotlight performance of Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends and explore hands-on, interactive exhibits led by local engineers. This annual, full-day event showcases the many ways engineering shapes the work around us while keeping us safe and connected.
Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tours — Just for Our Supporters!
Feb 6th & 8th | Mar 1 & 6 | Apr 3 & 26 | May 1 & 3
At Seattle Children’s Theatre, bold ideas, joyful and diverse storytelling, and innovative theatre experiences are only possible because of our donors.
As a show of our gratitude, we invite our donors to go behind the scenes for a unique experience that offers a closer look at the artistry, collaboration, and magic that happens offstage.
Space is limited – contact Megan Dale, Annual Fund Manager at MeganD@sct.org to join an upcoming tour.
Talk Backs are Back!
SCT is excited to offer Talk Backs this season. After every show, the actors will come out on stage to answer a few questions. Each Talk Back will last a few minutes.
Our 25/26 Season Partners
Eighth Generation is a Seattle based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. They partner with Native artists around the country to design, manufacture and market beautiful wool blankets and gifts intended for everyone.
View and purchase Native art in the SCT gift shop all season long.
Seattle Children’s Theatre extends our thanks to Barnes & Noble for their generous support of our mission to inspire young minds through theatre. We invite you to stop by the Southcenter Barnes & Noble between November 1 and December 15 to participate in their Holiday Book Drive. Books purchased at this location are donated to Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Book Nook, where they will be shared with audiences, students, and educators.
Thank you to our season partner, King County Metro. King County Metro is partnering with SCT to provide free rides on the metro bus services, link light rail, and other transportation services* while supplies last.
Thank you to our season media partner, Seattle Times Media Solutions, for their continued support of Seattle Children’s Theatre. Through this partnership, SCT receives significant promotional value that helps us share our productions with families across the region. Seattle Times Media Solutions’ support allows us to reach audiences throughout our region and share the joy of storytelling on stage.
Print Edition
More About Seattle Children’s Theatre
Seattle Children’s Theatre
SCT's Equity and Community Agreements
Land Acknowledgement
SCT's Board of Trustees
SCT's Staff
Win Tickets to Elf - The Musical on December 13!
We’re giving away a pair of tickets to The 5th Avenue Theatre Company’s Elf - The Musical to one lucky Encore+ member. Sign up or log in for your chance to win.
