J. Quinton Johnson (Book, Music and Lyrics)  made his feature debut in Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some! after scoring the role while studying at the University of Texas at Austin (also literally scoring an end-credits special feature for the film). He followed that up with roles in AMC’s "The Son" with Pierce Brosnan and ABC’s Dirty Dancing with Debra Messing and Sarah Hyland, the latter prominently featured his musicianship. While working on Dirty Dancing, he met Andy Blankenbuehler, the Tony Award-winning choreographer of Hamilton, and they hit it off. From that relationship, he made his Broadway debut in Hamilton as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and performed 500 shows. He also reteamed with Richard Linklater for Amazon’s Last Flag Flying opposite Steve Carrell, Laurence Fishburne and Bryan Cranston. On stage, he has been in productions of In The Heights and Footloose at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC as well as the Tony nominated play Choir Boy. As a composer, he was accepted as a finalist to Theatre Now New York’s SOUND BITES 10 minute musical festival with his show Headspace. When the health crisis subsides, he will join the BMI Musical Theatre Writer’s workshop as a first year student. He is currently focusing on composing musicals, film scores, and other original music.

Julia Riew (Book, Music and Lyrics) is a composer-lyricist and writer from St. Louis and NYC. She is primarily known for her musical Shimcheong, which received international support online and in the news for asking the question, “What would a Korean Disney Princess look like?” Her original work has been featured at the American Repertory Theater, 54 Below, Summerstock Austin Texas, The Coterie in Kansas City, Harvard University’s Farkas Hall and Agassiz Theater, AMAS Musical Theater, The UNC-Greensboro School of Theater, Nora Theater Company at Central Square Theater, The Harvard Art Lab, University of Missouri, and The Community Music School of Webster University. Riew graduated from Harvard University in May 2022 and is First-Year in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. She was the 2022 Fred Ebb Award winner, the recipient of the 2022 Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship under the mentorship of composer Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde, Heathers), the inaugural recipient of the Musicians United for Social Equity (MUSE) Linda Twine Scholarship (2021), a member of the first MUSE One-on-One Mentorship Program (2021-22) (mentor: Jeanine Tesori), and a member of the inaugural Maestra Music Mentorship Program (2020-21) (mentor: Deborah Wicks La Puma).

Sophia Barajas (Wonderlander) (She/Her) As a child, I would make up dances to songs and teach them to my little brother to perform to our parents (Owl City’s Fireflies was a HUGE hit in the house, in case you were wondering). I grew to love creating, and taught myself how to do every creative thing I could think of: singing, dancing, drawing, graphic design, photography, videography, you name it! For as long as I can remember, all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life is make people happy, and I feel so lucky to be able to use my skills to do that each and every day. You may have seen me in other musicals around the area; Chance Theatre, Cypress College, and Golden West College, but I’m super excited to share my SCR debut with this fun and exciting show. 

Angel Dumapias (Cat) (She/Her) Hi! I am an actor, dancer and singer from Orange County, California. I fell in love with performing when my mom signed me up for a combo dance class when I was 5. After that, I knew I was hooked! My first time on stage was performing in a nativity scene at our church when I was 10. I remember being so excited to dress up in all of the different costumes, playing different characters and receiving applause from the audience. Now that I’m all grown up and performing professionally, I have had the incredible opportunity to perform in some of my dream shows such as Disney’s Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. And now I am super excited to be performing the role of Cat in Alice’s Wonderland! I look forward to performing for all of you and I hope you enjoy the show! @angeldumapias.ig 

Lauren Du Pree* (The Queen of Hearts ) My first performance was portraying an angel in a church play. When it was time to say my only line my mind went completely blank. I stared into the audience as my heart beat out of my chest for what felt like 10 minutes, but it was only a few seconds until I finally blurted out, “And on the third day, He rose!” I’ve been performing ever since, which goes to show that every performance is an opportunity to learn and grow. I loved performing so much, I decided to study musical theatre at Howard University. Since then, I’ve worked in theatre, film, and television in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, and Portland. You may have even seen me on a rerun of “Biz Kid$” on PBS. I’m very excited to be doing my first show in California. When not performing, I like to write and create short films. 

Shavonne Grandison* (Alice) I am an actor and singer in my final year at UC Irvine receiving my MFA in Acting. I don’t take lightly that I am born to create so that’s what I spend a lot of my time doing: reading, strategizing, visualizing, praying, creating, repeat. If you ask my family, I have been performing since I got out of the womb; singing and dancing throughout the house and always had something to say. I am thankful I get to do it professionally now. My faith is the foundation of all I do and everything flows from that. I am committed to individuality, growth, and empathy through art. When I am not studying, you can find me going for walks, working out, spending time with my family, eating a lot of fruit or all four simultaneously.

Kita Grayson* (Wonderlander) When I was 6 years old, I saw a little girl on TV who was my age and looked just like me! I didn’t know they had kids like me on TV, so I turned to my mom and I said “How do I get in there?” I’ve been acting ever since! I’ve always enjoyed singing, dancing, and playing dress up and make believe. I love to use my body and my voice to show that it’s okay to feel big emotions. My favorite part of acting is putting on costumes. The costume designers have huge imaginations and it’s always exciting to become somebody new through dressing up. I studied theatre (and met tons of friends) at Howard University. You might have seen me on stage in San Francisco in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child doing some of my favorite things: making magic and wearing lots and lots of wigs! 

Mitchell Gerrard Johnson* (Caterpillar) I am originally from Houston, Texas (Land of Beyonce), but now live in Los Angeles! I studied vocal performance at Saint Louis University, where I got to sing in a choral group, an a cappella group and be president of the only hip-hop dance team on campus. Some of my favorite credits include hanging with my pal Sebastian in Mickey and the Magical Map and Pumba in Tale of the Lion King at Disneyland. Playing The Big Bad Wolf in Shrek (5 Star Theatrical) And choreographing In the Heights and Freaky Friday (Young Artist Ensemble). As much as I love performing on stage, you may also see me in commercials on your TV!

Roberto Antonio Martin* (Rabbit) I am a Los Angeles based actor, musician and martial artist. I attended California Institute of the Arts, where I studied acting and also gained expertise in theatre and entrepreneurship. I am a SAG-AFTRA member and have had the opportunity of appearing on shows such as “Grown-ish,” “For The People,” along with multiple theatre productions and television co-star roles. When not on stage or on set, I am in the studio working on music or in the gym honing my MMA skills. I have a passion for teaching martial arts and I love watching my students grow in their power as they accomplish something they never thought possible.

Alexander Matos* (The Mad Hatter) When I was young, I wanted to be a lot of things—an astrophysicist, a monk, a conservationist, a musician, and a superhero—all in one lifetime. So, in order to achieve all that, I decided to do the only rational thing I could: become an actor! Though I was raised in LA, many of my most cherished moments come from my early childhood in Brazil, overflowing with music, color, dance, and a deep immersion in the mountains and jungle. As a super curious kid with a wild imagination and even wilder dreams, acting showed me anything was possible! Then (wayyy later) I went to a few fancy schools (Brown University/Trinity Rep’s MFA Acting program and UC Berkeley for a BA in Ethnomusicology/Composition) but you don’t need that to make great art, what’s important is what’s in your heart! Some of my theater credits include doing lots of Shakespeare and classic plays at places nearby like the Pasadena Playhouse, Boston Court Pasadena, A Noise Within, and even a musical here at SCR, as well as lots of other theaters in New York and abroad. It’s all very fun, I’ve even done a commercial where I got to do some sword fighting! Most importantly, I’m honored to return to SCR once more, donning the cap of the Mad Hatter, and hope you enjoy the show! For more info: AlexanderMatos.com. Follow me on Social Media! @AlexanderDMatos

Rob Salas (Director) (He/him) I am an Orange County-based theatre director, and I’m also on the staff here at South Coast Repertory. Theatre is very important to me. When I was little, I used to go watch plays that my mom directed for her work. Theatre is also where I met my best friend who is now my wife! We were in a play together when we were very young and when we grew up we started our own theatre company! I went to Harvard University to study theatre and during that time, I saw a play I loved so much it made me want to be a director. I then went to study directing at UC Irvine for graduate school. Aside from theatre, I really love basketball! One of my favorite video games is 2K because it’s kind of like theatre—it lets me play the role of a professional basketball player!

SHAMMY DEE (Music Director) Growing up, I loved making music and playing music. I taught myself how to DJ, make beats, and rap. I was always performing—school plays, youth groups, you name it. I kept it up when I went to UC San Diego for college. I performed with friends, DJ’ed lots of events, and worked on plays. Now I get to do these things professionally! My experience as an actor, artist, and DJ came together when I was asked to be a music director for a play a long time ago. I had to teach actors how to DJ, make beats, and perform raps. It was like the school of hip-hop! For this play, I help the actors with what they are singing and make sure it all sounds good. That way, the music will sound great to you.

SHAUN MOTLEY (Scenic Designer) I am a Los Angeles-based set designer. I went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where I studied architecture. After a couple of years of working in architecture and not really being creative or happy, I decided to make a change. I had a friend ask me if I ever thought about being a set designer. She had me apply for an internship at Circle Repertory Company in New York City and after that internship, I was hooked! Now that I am a designer, I spend my time designing for theatre, film, immersive exhibitions and TV shows. Some of the TV shows I have designed/art directed in the past are “Little Big Shots,” “The Wall,” “Love is Blind,” ”Brain Games on the Road,” “Superfan” and “Let’s Make A Deal.” I also received my MFA from New York University, Tisch School of Design.

ALEXIS CARRIE (Costume Designer) is a LA-based costume designer and textile artist. Her recent and upcoming film, television and theatrical credits include Fat Ham (City Theatre), The Past: A Present Yet To Come (InHouse Theatre),  A Place of Bones (Goldrush Entertainment), “Legacies” season 4 (Warner Brothers), What to Send Up When It Goes Down (Congo Square Theatre) and Untitled Baby Play (IAMA Theatre Company). Originally from Washington D.C, she has an MFA in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities from the University of Chicago. She is an alum of the artEquity National Facilitator training program and seeks to bring the practices of equity and inclusion to all her projects. She is a proud founding member of First Floor Theater in Chicago. You can find her work at alexiscarrie.com

Jesse Portillo (Lighting Designer) I am a Los Angeles based lighting designer. I started hanging out backstage when I was in high school, and eventually I was the lighting designer on a show and I have been doing that ever since. I went to the University of Utah and learned about sociology and anthropology while I was studying theatre, and then received an MFA in lighting design from Indiana University. When I am not working as a lighting designer, I teach at Cal Poly Pomona.

ANDREA ALLMOND (Sound Designer) I am a Los Angeles based sound designer, audio engineer, and composer. I have always loved music. I lived in headphones as a kid and took that passion and made it into a career. I was very lucky to have studied at The University of California, Irvine, where I was exposed to many different outlooks on sound and art in general. This made me a well-rounded artist and these days I get to do a little bit of everything from mixing bands and vocalist to writing underscore and music for plays and immersive events. I also have a solo project @sherpaslim, where I produce music and DJ. Food for thought “The joy is in the journey, not the destination.” 

HANNAH TRAN (Projection Designer) I am a projection designer, working all around the country! I grew up in the Los Angeles area and I became involved in my community theatre in high school and have been hooked since! I studied theatre and computer science at the University of California, Irvine and I received my MFA at the Yale School of Drama. 

BRIGETTE DUNN-KORPELA (Choreographer) I was born in Boston, MA, but now I am a Los Angeles-based multi-disciplinary dance artist. At a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be a dancer. While performing in the Nutcracker at age 7, I used to stand in the wings and watch ballerinas from the Boston Ballet wildly enter and exit the stage. I believe that was where I fell in love with the power, grace and beauty of dance. At age 15, my father took me to see Dance Theater of Harlem perform Creole Giselle. It was such a powerful experience to see people who looked like me on stage doing classical ballet, I was awestruck! I was so inspired by that experience, I decided to attend their summer dance intensive in New York City. I later attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center where I studied very intensely, ballet, horton, graham, jazz, dance techniques among many other styles of dance. That training prepared me for a long career as a professional dancer. One of my fondest memories was dancing with the first national tour of The Lion King as a leaping gazelle and being a dance captain for the show. I am now the artistic director of my own company B. Dunn Movement where I collaborate with an amazing group of dancers, designers, musicians, and XR/AR artists. Most of whom I met while getting my MFA in choreography from the California Institute of the Arts. I love to bring a lot of different art forms and people together to make unique and magical things on stage. My advice to you is never be afraid to dream big! Imagine wildly and follow your passion.

TALIA KRISPEL* (She / Her) (Stage Manager)  I am a New York / LA-based stage manager. I grew up in Southern California, started seeing theatre at the age of five and was in my first production at age nine. One of my favorite roles was playing Milky White (a cow!) in a production of Into the Woods. I went to the University of the Pacific as an actor. Shortly after I graduated college, found my true calling as a stage manager on a Theatre for Young Audiences production of Sarah, Plain and Tall in New York City! I eventually went back to school and got my Master’s degree in Educational Theatre at New York University. My last young audiences production was SCR’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon! Working backstage is so much fun—we’re like ninjas! Can you try and spot us?? I have been stage managing professionally for more than 20 years. When I’m not stage managing, I like to play video games, travel, and spend time with my friends. For Mychal, Mom, and Dad. Instagram: teekrisp. www.taliakrispel.com

Julian Olive* (Assistant Stage Manager)  I am a bicoastal stage manager who grew up in Heidelberg, Germany. I went to German school for a long time and it is where I learned that I was passionate about the performing arts. I got to travel all around the world when I was young and it has made me who I am today. I love being able to put together a show like a puzzle and making sure that all pieces fit together and are operating smoothly. I received my BA in Stage Management from Marymount Manhattan in New York City. I hope you enjoy our show and love being transported to Wonderland!