MAD Theatre of Tampa Presents
Elton John & Tim Rice’s
AIDA

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Hello, and welcome to Aida.

My name is Nathan Daugherty, and I’m honored to direct this powerful production with MAD Theatre of Tampa. Aida has held a special place in my heart since its original Broadway debut in 2000. With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, this modern adaptation of Verdi’s opera tells a story of forbidden love, loyalty, and sacrifice—set against a sweeping pop-rock score that helped define a generation of musical theatre.

As a lifelong fan of both John and Rice, Aida was one of the first cast albums I truly connected with, and it played a major role in shaping my love for the stage. To now bring this story to life as a director, especially for my first production with MAD Theatre, is a dream come true.

I’d also like to sincerely thank you—our audience—for your continued support of local theatre and the freedom of artistic expression. In times like these, spaces that foster creativity, inclusivity, and storytelling are more vital than ever. Your presence here tonight makes a difference.

Enjoy the show.

– Nathan Daugherty

CAST BIOS

Patty Smithey (Aida) – Patty is beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to play Aida. She has performed in community theater shows in the Tampa area since 2019. Some notable roles of hers include: Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Mimi (Rent), Trix (Drowsy Chaperone), Gingy (Shrek: The Musical), Lorrell Robinson (Dreamgirls), and Ronnette (Little Shop of Horrors). Patty feels the most alive and the most like herself performing on stage. Patty is extremely grateful to her family, friends, and surrounding theater community for their continuous love and support. Thank you for coming to see Aida!

Paige Alter (Amneris) – Paige is honored to play Amneris in her first production with MAD Theatre. She was most recently seen in Tootsie (Julie) and The Rocky Horror Show (Columbia) at Manatee Performing Arts Center. She branched out to Tampa for more productions like Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal) at New Tampa Players. Paige has also performed at the Straz Center with Opera Tampa in Don Giovanni (Chorus) and La Traviata (Chorus). She hopes to partake in more professional and community projects and make her mark in the arts. She sends her love to all of her amazing friends, family, and cast!

David Russell (Radames) – David asked ChatGPT to write this because he hates writing bios. He’s grateful to be playing Radames in Aida and thrilled to be part of this amazing team. Recent roles include Sweeney in Sweeney Todd and Jake in Evil Dead – The Musical. Other favorites: SPAMALOT (King Arthur), Jesus Christ Superstar (Herod), and Jekyll & Hyde (Simon Stride). Thanks to everyone who supports live theatre—and to whoever’s reading this. You’re doing great.

Luis Graham (Zoser) – Luis is happy to be making his debut with MAD Theatre on this production. Previous stage credits include Spamalot (King Arthur), Next To Normal (Dan), La Cage Aux Folles (Albin), Ragtime (Tateh), The Normal Heart (Ned Weeks), The Producers (Max Bialystock), Forever Plaid (Jinx), Into The Woods (Baker), Ordinary Days (Jason), Nunsense A-Men (Sister Amnesia), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Lend Me A Tenor (Max), and Anything Goes (Moonface.) Thanks to the cast and crew for a great experience.

Stephon Mikell Jr. (Mereb) – Stephon Mikell, a Florida native from Bartow, is thrilled to join MAD Theatre of Tampa. Favorite credits include Hairspray (Seaweed J. Stubbs) at Carrollwood Players, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), and Bye Bye Birdie (Hugo). By day, he engineers software systems specializing in APIs and Big Data; by night, he pursues his passion for the arts and travels the world competing as a swing dancer. Stephon thanks his friends and family for their unwavering encouragement and for inspiring him to keep reaching higher.

Jo Chandler (Nehebka) – Jo is a non-binary actor who has been with MAD Theatre for 4 shows now and enjoys every second of it. They have been performing since the second grade and doesn’t plan on stopping soon! Welcome back, Jo to MAD Theatre stepping into the role of, Nehebka.

Christan M. Mclaurine (Amonasro) – Good Morning! Christan is very excited to be making his return to MAD Theatre. He is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and relocated to Tampa in the middle of 2020. He currently works for Creative Arts Theartre, a program within the City of Tampa that brings threatre to young audiences throughout Tampa and Hillsborough county. His Tampa theatre credits includes Hairspray (Director and Choreographer/Carrollwood Players), Little Shop of Horror (Audrey 2 Voice/New Tampa Players), Urinetown (Officer Barrel/MAD Theatre), Dreamgirls (Jimmy Early/New Tampa Players), Who’s Life is it Anyway? (John/Carrollwood Players), and In The Heights (Benny/Ovations Dance Academy). Christan would like to thank his friends and family for the love and support. Stay blessed and hydrated!

Stu Sanford (Pharaoh) – This is Stu’s first time on this theatre’s stage. He has been featured on many stages throughout the Tampa Bay area, in such productions as 1776, Camelot, Sweeney Todd, State Fair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Funny Girl, Titanic, Chess, and The Fantasticks. As an almost 50-year theatre veteran, he is thrilled to add this role to his resume of favorites. As a Tampa Bay resident, he lives with his talented wife, Val.

Ayden Cotiere (Ensemble) – Ayden has appeared in Into the Woods (Baker), Annie (Oliver Warbucks), Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp), Mary Poppins (Chimney Sweeper). Ayden performed in Penguin Project’s Peter Pan.

Alexis Manfredy (Ensemble) – Alexis Manfredy is a University of Tampa student from Puerto Rico. Some of his past work as a performer include Cabaret (Max), Hello Mr. Herman Cabaret (Vocalist), and Once on this Island (Papa Ge). He’s very grateful to MAD Theatre for the opportunity to work on this amazing show with this incredible cast and crew, and to his friends and family who supported him throughout the entire process. Learn more about Alexis at IG: @alexis.manfredy

Eboni Graham (Ensemble) – Eboni has been able to act, direct and choreograph in various productions throughout the years in the community. Eboni recently finished choreographing Carrollwood Players Theatre (CWP)’s Annie (September 2024) and New Tampa Player’s Dreamgirls (Feb 2024). She has also acted this year in the summer tour production of SBFN by Kimberley Mullins (June 2024) and their competition play Your Face at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival (August 2024). Eboni appreciates the role MAD Theatre has trusted her with to help bring this story to life. She also thanks you for supporting local theatre!

Taylor Hendershot (Ensemble) – Taylor Hendershot graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Theatre Performance. She is excited to be performing for the first time with MAD Theatre of Tampa. She would like to thank everyone who made this show possible and hopes you enjoy!

Kelsey Lopez (Ensemble) – Kelsey Lopez is a recent graduate of The University of Tampa with her BFA in Musical Theatre and minor in Music. Her undergrad performances included Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), A Gershwin Retrospective (Ensemble), Hello Mr. Herman! (Ensemble), Celebration: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Rum Tum Tugger) and A Very Potter Musical (Molly Wesley/Pansy Perkinson). She debuted in You’re a Good man, Charlie Brown (Snoopy) and their Spring Cabaret (Pro-company Vocalist) with Think Tank Theatre. Kelsey wants to thank her parents, family, church family and friends for their utter support and love they have given her. Romans 15:13

Gabriela Johnson (Ensemble) – Gabriela was born and raised in Tampa. She starred in several high school productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (narrator), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), and Sweeney Todd (Ms. Lovett). Since then, she has been pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, graduating in 2026. She is very grateful to be apart of MAD Theatre’s production of AIDA.

PRODUCTION TEAM & BAND

Nathan Daugherty (Director) – MAD Theatre Debut! As a director, Nathan has developed dozens of productions in the Tampa Bay Area and beyond in the world of theatre, burlesque, live music, and immersive events. He has been the musical director for productions such as Evil Dead: The Musical, She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, and many more. Notable stage roles include The Producers (Max Bialystock), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), and Chess (Freddy), among many others. Nathan serves at the Chair of Marketing for MAD Theatre and Eight O’Clock Theatre. Follow @BurlyNathan on all socials. As always, much love to Taryn and Kiki.

Nico Remy (Drums) – Nico is thrilled to provide music again for MAD Theatre! Armed with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from USF, Nico is always ready for any percussive challenge. With over 17 years of music experience, his list of musical escapades is extensive, notable performances include regular appearances with the Buccaneers NFL Drumline. Beyond performing and teaching music throughout Florida, Nico finds his most rewarding wiggly-air moments in writing and playing eclectic original songs with his indie band “bill.” While Nico thinks music is pretty neat, what’s even cooler are his dogs, Farrah and Lulu, along with his dawg Jenelle. If you’ve read this far, you’re a real one—enjoy the show!

Dan Mockensturm (Guitars) – Dan is an accomplished recording engineer/guitarist/live sound engineer in the Tampa Bay area for over 25 years. Founding member and guitarist/vocalist for local pop band Over the Edge, Dan has also played guitar for many local theatre productions including – Jesus Christ Superstar, Avenue Q, Ragtime, Rent, Hair, 9 to 5, Company, Seussical the Musical and many others.

Julia Ford (Reeds) – Julia is ecstatic to be back for her 10th production with MAD Theatre. She music directed their production of “Rock of Ages”, and also has performed with Missing Piece Theatre Company, Eight O’Clock Theatre, New Tampa Players, and with countless high school productions in the Tampa Bay area. For Aida, Julia is mainly playing the flute, which happens to be her primary instrument! When she’s not rocking the flute or her many other woodwind instruments, you can find her working as an Elementary Music Specialist in Pasco county, or camping with her fiancé and two beagles.

Alex Pasut (Bass) – After retiring from a long career in the Medical Electronics field, Alex decided to continue where he left off as a teenager and play music. He went on to study Classical Music and Jazz at USF and played in the bass section of the University Symphony Orchestra. In his spare time, Alex designs and builds electronic gadgets for musicians . He is grateful to MAD Theatre for allowing him to play bass in the “pit” since 2011.

Jessica Berger Vitalo (Technical Director) – Jessica was most recently seen in Falsettos as Trina & in The Drowsy Chaperone as the Chaperone for MAD Theatre of Tampa. She’s proud to have Directed/Choreographed Rock of Ages, The Prom, and Assasins all for MAD Theatre of Tampa as well. Jessica has directed, choreographed, performed, and produced across the Country since 2003, doing almost everything you can imagine with the ARTS! Some favorites she has Directed/Choreographed include; Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph…, Drowsy Chaperone, Grease, & We Will Rock You. Favorite theatrical roles include Peter Pan(Peter Pan), Annie Oakley (Annie Get Your Gun), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), The Bakers Wife & Witch (Into the Woods), Aldonza/Dulcinea(Man of La Mancha), The Drowsy Chaperone (The Chaperone), Jo March (Little Women: the musical), Dot/Marie (Sunday in the Park with George), & both NJ Premiers of Avenue Q (Kate Monster) and Rent (Maureen). She looks forward to mounting many more fun, creative, and successful shows as the Vice Chair of MAD Theatre of Tampa. A LARGE thank you to the PATRONS for keeping the ARTS alive! Break legs to this immensely talented cast & crew! SO PROUD!

Tony Gilkinson (Artistic Director & Board Chair) – Tony Gilkinson is the Artistic Director and Board Chair of MAD Theatre of Tampa, where he has been a driving force in shaping the company’s artistic vision for over a decade. A Tampa native, Tony spent 20 years in Seattle refining his craft before returning home in 2011. Since joining MAD Theatre in 2012, he has directed 11 productions, produced over 20, and served on the Board of Directors since 2014. Appointed Artistic Director in 2020 and Board Chair in 2023, Tony is committed to bringing bold, engaging, and innovative theatre to Tampa audiences.

Outside the theatre, Tony and his husband, Larry, embrace RV life, exploring the country in their Alliance Paradigm 310RL fifth wheel. Their adventures—on and off the stage—are chronicled on their YouTube channel, GilComPlex On The Road (@GilComPlexOTR).

Ryan Farnworth (Production Manager) – Ryan has been working with the theatres of the Tampa area since 2016! Previously on-stage in shows such as The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster 1 & Aldolpho), Oliver! (Bill Sikes), and Nice Work If You Can Get It (Cookie); Now more focused on providing you great theatre from behind the curtain! Ryan has acted as the Production Manager on two previous MAD shows, Urinetown and Rock of Ages, and AIDA marks his third! He looks forward to your enjoyment of this wonderful show and many more shows to be mounted in the future.

Katy Mann (Costumes) – Katy Mann is super excited to be costuming Aida This is her second time working with MAD and it has been a pleasure! She would like to thank Tony and Nathan for this wonderful opportunity! She most recently costumed Kinky Boots with Debbie Lastinger at Eight o’Clock Theater. She graduated with her BA degree in Theater Design and Technology in 2020. Currently, she is preparing to start graduate school in UConn this fall. She would also like to thank her wonderful family for not only supporting her but for putting up with her nonsense! Break a leg everyone and enjoy the show! (@kemdesigns)