I Never Saw Another Butterfly 

Lena is extremely ecstatic to be stage managing I Never Saw Another Butterfly. This show is very meaningful to the whole cast and crew and she is thankful that she has been able to play an important role in its production. This is her first-time stage managing a mainstage show, which she is extremely grateful for and can not wait for everybody to finally see! Lena has been involved in stage crew since her freshman year and other productions she has been a part of include Shrek the Musical, Taming of the Shrew, The Crucible, Les Miserables, As You Like It, CWOWSA, Hair, Macbeth, Dogface, and First Date, among many others. Lena would like to thank H, Connor, Mooers, Roy, Maria, and the whole cast and crew for all their hard work they put in to make this show the best it could be. She would also like to give a HUGE shoutout to her beautiful and amazing Assistant Stage Manger Victoria! She wouldn’t have been able to do it if it weren’t for her constant support, Victoria has put in so much effort and truly worked her butt off for this show.  Good luck everybody!! 

Victoria Shapiro is a junior and is so excited to be Assistant Stage Manager and props mistress for I Never Saw Another Butterfly. She has been involved with teching since her freshman year, and has loved every minute of it!! ACT has been her second home since the beginning of high school, and she couldn't be more thankful for the amazing friendships she has made. You may have seen her doing sounds for One Acts, Macbeth, Spot Lights for CWOWSA, and run crew for Les Miserables. She would like to thank her amazing stage manager, Lena Getsios, for all her hard work and dedication. She would also like to thank Connor for all his amazing work. Break legs everyone!!

Rebekah Lubnick is a senior at Syosset high school and is extremely excited to be able to perform in this her last drama at the school! She feels that Adult Raja has a unique and important perspective on the horrors she faced and is honored that she gets to share this and portray her experiences. You may have seen her in Hair as Dionne, Macbeth as Lady Macduff and a bunch of other shows as a bunch of other parts but I won't bore you all with listing all of them! She wants to thank Connor for all of his hard work and everything he's done! Break a leg everyone!!!!!

Jillian Smith (Raja Englanderova) is immensely grateful to be sharing this incredibly vital story- one that is, scarily enough, becoming increasingly more relevant. She thanks you deeply for lending your eyes and ears, if only for a couple of hours, to something so much bigger than any of us. This message, this story, hurts to tell, but demands to be heard- especially considering recent events in our own community and throughout the nation. Past works at SHS: Dogface (Dogface), Les Miz (u/s Cosette), Macbeth (Second Witch), Hair (Dead End Quartet), Romeo & Juliet Revised (Juliet). NYC: Ragtime (The Little Girl). Other recent works: Into The Woods (Cinderella), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), The Sound of Music (Liesl), The Diary of Anne Frank (Margot), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Dorothy), Bring it On (Eva), Evita. Intensive & Conservatory Training: Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen, Michigan)- Musical Theatre & Acting; Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK)- Musical Theatre & Vocal Performance; Stella Adler Studio of Acting (NYC). The realities of the children of Terezín and the beauty they created in spite of it have touched Jillian incomprehensibly. Jillian requests that you do not take this history lightly- if we neglect

to take action, history is doomed to repeat itself. Thank you, Connor, not only for this experience, but for everything- for making ACT a family, the Little Theatre a home, and for teaching me the most valuable tool an actor can have- how to have faith in oneself.  Lastly, Jillian thanks all of ACT for truly defining the past three years of her life- for giving her "all the flowers and all the butterflies."

Nathan is so unbelievably thrilled to performing in his last drama of his high school career. He has been a dedicated member of A.C.T for 4 years now and has taken part in just about every show possible. He's proud to state that he will be continuing theatre in college and for the rest of his life. You may have seen him before in past productions such as, "Triangle Factory Fire Project", "Shrek: The Musical", "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Taming of the Shrew", "Romeo and Juliet Revised", "The Crucible", "Les Miserables", "As You Like It", "First Date", "Hair", "Macbeth", and "A Feminine Ending". You may also have seen the One Act Show he co-directed in 2016 called "Nobody Famous". He would like to thank the entire audience for watching "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" and hopes that they enjoy watching it as much as he has enjoyed performing in it. Finally, he says break a leg to the cast and crew!

Barri Levitt (Mama) is a senior at Syosset high school and is so excited to be in this production. You might have seen her in The Crucible as Mercy Lewis, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged as ensemble or MacBeth as First Witch. She knows the importance of this story, and wishes the best of luck to the cast and crew. Thank you to Connor and H for all the work they put into this show. Break a leg everyone!

Sydney Schechter is very excited to be performing in I Never Saw Another Butterfly. The issue of the holocaust is very important to her and she is so glad that in a time of disunity in the country and in the wake of recent events in the school that a show could be done with such an important and powerful message. She wishes endless luck to all the cast and crew and tremendous congratulations to the stage manager, Lena. She hopes that everyone appreciates the message that this show is trying to convey and takes something away from it individually. 

Joe O'Brien is a senior at Syosset High School and is extremely  excited to be apart of this production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  You may have seen him in other Syosset Productions.  He hopes that you enjoy the show!

Alexa is a Senior at Syosset High School who is so proud and honored to be given the opportunity to be a part of this production. Although she is a senior, this is her first time performing in a fall drama, and she is so glad that "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" is the show. This show has such an important message that she wanted to help convey to our community, and she is so excited to be able to help do that. She wants to thank Mr. Connor for giving her this amazing opportunity to perform in a show with such a message. She wants to wish the cast and crew good luck, and she hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Gabrielle is honored and delighted to be playing the role of Irena in 'I Never Saw Another Butterfly'- the moving story of the lives of the children in the Terezin Concentration Camp.

Gabrielle's HS performances include, a Lovely Lady in 'Les Miserables', the Hare Krishna soloist and featured Monk in 'HAIR', and Hecate in 'Macbeth', as well as a solo performer in the school's Cabaret Night. Gabrielle has also played a number of roles in various community theaters, her favorites being Cosette in 'Les Miserables', Gertrude in 'Seussical', and Fiona in 'Shrek'. 

Gabrielle has had the privilege of studying drama and music at Broadway Workshop, and The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, both located in NYC. 

Gabrielle's performance in this play was challenging as she realized the true importance of demonstrating not just the the loss and anguish of the children in the Terezin Ghetto, but the love and hope instilled in them by their teacher and mentor, Irena. 

Gabrielle would like to thank Mr. Connor for giving her the opportunity to share the story of Terezin, and for keeping the memory alive...we must not forget. Gabrielle wants to thank the cast of 'I Never Saw Another Butterfly' for making this emotional and heartfelt journey a beautiful and meaningful one. Lastly, Gabrielle thanks her family for their unwavering love and support.

Grace Mittleman (Renka/Vocal Director) is a senior at Syosset High School and is honored to be able to bring the story of the children of Terezin to life.  This is Grace’s sixth mainstage production she’s been involved with, and she is bittersweet that this is one of her last shows here.  Grace has done more and more research on the Holocaust and the terrible events that occurred since the start of rehearsals for the show, and she feels grateful that she can share a real story with her favorite group of people in high school.  Some of her past credits at Syosset High School include The Crucible (Village Girl), Les Miserables (Featured Ensemble), HAIR (Featured Ensemble/Dead End Quartet), and Macbeth (A Healer/Vocal Director).  Last year Grace had the opportunity to co-direct Graduation For Dummies with Sydney Schechter and arrange compositions for the witch choir in Macbeth.  Grace was also accepted into the All National Choir and she will be attending that conference in a few weeks!  She would like to thank Connor for constantly giving her opportunities to grow and learn as a performer and person, and giving her a chance to arrange musical pieces for this show. Grace would also like to thank her parents for supporting her and her cast and crew for this special experience!!!! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Iree Isreal Mann is a senior in the College Acting program. One of her previous enjoyable roles was the play, Neat where she portrayed the character, Neat. She was also in a production last year, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, at her previous high school as Aide Williams. She looks forward to showing you how our cast unfolds the profound and unforgettable stories of our people. 

Nicholas is ecstatic to be portraying Honza in Syosset High School’s I Never Saw Another Butterfly His past credits include: Macbeth in Macbeth, Berger in Hair, Matt in The Fantasticks, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. He would like to thank Lena Getsios for being an incredible stage manager as well as the rest of the cast and crew, as well Gene Connor for putting this fantastic story together and allowing us to share this message with the world.

Zachary Hausman (redheaded senior at SHS) is eagerly anticipating this upcoming production of "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" this fall in the Harvey P. Karp Auditorium. From performing in "Hair", "The Crucible", "Shrek", "CWOWSA" and "Les Miserables" and being involved in the one acts all 3 years, music directing "first date" last year, ushering/being on run crew/costuming almost all other little theater productions and Shakespeare's, being the co-head to Secretary Bonnie Chen last year, being inducted into ITS his sophomore year and being inducted with honors last year, attending NYSTEA, being the current co-house manager of ACT this year, Zachary is heavily involved in all of the ACT programs done at the high school. Zachary is excited to play the rabbi during this production and would love to thank ACT members, Connors, H, and everyone for all of their help in making this production incredible. Stay woke. Love you all. Enjoy the performance.

Brian is really excited to be a part of this production.  It is his second mainstage show at Syosset High School, and he’s hoping you won’t hate him for playing one of the German guards.  He also wants to extend a thank you to Connor, H, Stage Manager Lena, and all of the cast and crew.

Liv Radianu is a Sophomore and her role is a German soldier, she is so excited for this show, not only because it’s her first fall drama at Syosset High School, but because the story is so powerful.  Everyone in the cast is so talented, and she wishes a good luck to them all!

Dani Cherkis is a sophomore at Syosset High School and is thrilled to be apart of the 2017 fall drama, I Never Saw Another Butterfly. She has recently been in Nobody Famous (Madame Mooch) Hair (ensemble) as well as Macbeth (Witch 3) at the high school. In the past, she has done many productions at the Cultural Arts Playhouse such as All Shook Up (Natalie) The Addams Family (Wednesday) Les Miserables (Eponine) and many more. This show hits very close to home and being able to tell these stories with the community is such an honor. She cannot wait to bring more awareness to the community about this tragic event and is so lucky to be apart of this amazingly talent cast!

Eva Sunshine is a sophomore at Syosset High School, and is very excited to be in this important production.   She has had past roles here in the one-acts, and most notably, Fleance in “Macbeth.” Outside of school,   she has played Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” ensemble in a regional production of “Les   Miserables,” Fastrada in “Pippin,” and Oliver in “Oliver!”.

  Paulina Levitan is very excited to be a part of this production! You may have seen her in The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Bye Bye Birdie (Kim Macafee), Aladdin (Jasmine) and many more. Paulina has performed at Mannes School of Music, The Eglevsky Theater, USDAN and with the Broadway Youth Ensemble. She also has experience in TV (Ditty Doodleworks on PBS Kids) and film (Daffy). She would like to thank all her family and friends for their love and support. She would also like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication. Break a leg everyone!

Lauren Segot, a junior, is more than excited to be doing her first mainstage show at Syosset High School.  You may have seen her in Twelfth Night(Olivia), High School Musical(Sharpay), Almost, Maine(Gayle), and Graduation 4 Dummies (Amanda) at the high school.  “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” has been such a great experience and learning process for her as well as the entire cast.  She’d like to thank her amazing cast, crew, and director for all the hard work and making this show happen.  Also a thanks to her friends and family with their endless love and support!

Cameryn Fried is looking forward to portraying Gabriela Freiova in "I Never Saw Another Butterfly". Previously, she has played a number of roles including Heather in "Nobody Famous", Charlie Brown in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", and Stefanie in Harry B. Thompson's "Unplugged". In addition to acting, she enjoys playing piano and the violin.

Sejal Joshi is a freshman at Syosset High School and is extremely happy to be a part of such a moving production. She has been performing for many years now and some of her favorite roles include: Gabriella Montez (High School Musical), Rosie Alvarez (Bye Bye Birdie), Skyler (Bring it On) and Vi Moore (Footloose). She is very grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank Mr. Connor and the entire cast for all the hard work and dedication put into this show.

Caleb Deitch is extremely  excited to be apart of this production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  As a student in Syosset High School he hopes that you enjoy the show!

Noah Gutfleisch is extremely  excited to be apart of this production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  As a student in Syosset High School he hopes that you enjoy the show!

Marissa Dworken is fortunate to be playing the part of Dita Valentikova in her junior year.  Marissa has performed in all of the shows at H.B.T. Middle School, and was Little Cosette in last year's HS production of Les Miserables, and also featured in Hair this past March. Marissa has also taken on such roles as Gabriella in "High School Musical: On Stage," and Little Red in "Into the Woods." Marissa would like to thank Connor and the entire cast and stage crew for all the wonderful effort in making “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” a powerful success!  Also, special thanks to her family and friends for all of their love and support!

Jared Pheffer is extremely excited to be apart of this production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  As a student in Syosset High School he hopes that you enjoy the show!

Gabriela Metaras (Hanna Lissuova) is a senior and is extremely excited to be a part of the show Never Saw Another Butterfly! Gabriela has been in various shows such as, Free to be you and me (wagon girl), Fame (Ms. burg), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Grease (pink lady), Willy Wonka (Veruca), The death and life of Larry Benson (Jessie Benson), Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), and Guys and Dolls (Sarah) Hair (sextet,tribe) Nine (Carla). Gabriela would like to thank Connor for devoting all of his time into this show and she is so sad to be leaving her family as she graduates in June

Sofia Shah (Nina Ledererova) is a 10th grader at Syosset High School. She is extremely excited to participate in her first main stage!! She has been in numerous plays in the past such as Pippin, (Catherine), Alice in Wonderland, (Alice), Aladdin, (Jasmine), etc. She would like to thank Connor, and the amazing cast and crew for putting on this amazing show and giving her such an amazing first show experience at the high school! Congrats to everyone!!

Skylar Hertz is a junior and so happy to be a part of this production. You may have seen her in various main stage productions such as Macbeth, Hair, As You Like it, and many other student-directed shows such as First Date, The Audition, and Dogface. She would like to thank her family, Connor, and the cast and crew for making this a great experience.

Sydney is beyond excited to be the Stage Right Deck Chief for I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Sydney is a Senior and has been a part of the majority of the shows over her past four years in ACT in various ways. She has performed in The Crucible and As You Like It, assistant stage managed Macbeth, teched shows including Hair, Les Miserables, and Shrek, Co-Directed a One-Act play in last fall's competition, been a part of costume crew, as well as held various positions for multiple showcases including stage managing dance showcases and spotlight operator for Cabaret. She is so grateful to be a part of such a meaning production like I Never Saw Another Butterfly.  This show conveys such essential messages about the Holocaust and our society that everyone needs to hear.  Sydney is also the Community Service Coordinator of ACT for her second year and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to ACT’s various charitable endeavors over the years and hopes everyone will continue to support the multitude of organizations that ACT works with.  Sydney is so thankful for all of the opportunities and experiences ACT and Syosset continues to give her. Sydney would like to thank everyone in her life for the constant support and love. Sydney would like to give a big shout-out to Lena Getsios for being an amazing Stage Manager and wishes the best of luck and lots of broken legs to the rest of the cast and crew!!

Billy Getsios is extremely excited to be a Deck Chief for Syosset A.C.T.'s production of "I Never Saw Another Butterfly".He has previously been involved in such shows such as Les Miserables, Macbeth, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, As You Like it, Hair, and many more. He is proud to have such an amazing stage manager along with cast and crew and hopes to work on future events.

Danielle DeLaFuente is a senior who is super excited to be doing her final and best fall drama yet! She has been teching for 4 years now and has most recently done CWOWSA (ASM), Macbeth (Deck Chief), and A Feminine Ending (Stage Manager). She would like to thank Lena for giving her this opportunity to work on projections and for overall being an amazing stage manager and friend. She has put in so much work for this beautiful show and deserves the world for her dedication. She would also like to thank all the teachers, cast, and crew for their hard work. This show is an incredible story with an even more incredible message, and it has been an honor to work on it. Break all the legs everyone!

Brooke Turell is a junior and is so excited to be on lights for I Never Saw Another Butterfly!! You may have seen her as the assistant stage manager for the One Acts, assistant projections for Macbeth, and run crew for a Feminine Ending, She would like to congratulate Lena for all her hard work. Break a leg to the cast and crew!!

Hope Shapiro is a junior and is so excited to be on sounds for I Never Saw Another Butterfly!! You may have seen her as the stage manager for the One Acts, lights for Macbeth, sounds for a Feminine Ending, Run Crew for CWOWSA, and run crew for Les Miserables. She would like to thank Lena for all her hard work. Break a leg to the cast and crew!!

This is Justin's first show at SHS on run crew. He has experience with shows at Thompson Middle school and is knowledgeable with lighting and sound. He likes to build sets and is very hardworking. He is very excited to work with A.C.T this year. Better start building!

Cheryl Lien is extremely proud to be a part of her first theatre production at Syosset High School. She has worked backstage for several musical productions in the past, such as Hairspray and Mary Poppins. She would like to thank Lena for doing an amazing job stage managing the show, and would also like to congratulate the cast and crew for all the hard work and effort they put into this production.

Lauren Schechter is a sophomore at Syosset High School and is super excited to be part of I Never Saw Another Butterfly. This is her first time on run crew, but would love to take the opportunity to do so more in the future. She wishes congratulations to the cast and crew for three powerful performances and our wonderful stage manager Lena Getsios.

Sara is a sophomore who cannot wait to be on run crew for her first main stage show, I Never Saw Another Butterfly. She would like to give a huge congratulations to everyone in the cast and special thanks to Connor, H, Mooers, Maria, Roy and everybody else on the crew for their outstanding work and dedication! Good luck to everyone!

Max is very excited to be doing his first show in high school. He can feel the level of expectation and excitement that the cast and crew have for each other and he can tell that this is going to be a lot more fun than any middle school play. Goodbye and see you on stage!!