Willkommen. Bienvenue. Welcome.

Riley Beckett (Hans) is excited to make his UAC debut in his favorite musical of all time. Riley is a theatre actor based in Lake County and has performed throughout the Chicagoland area and Southeast Wisconsin. You may have seen him most recently as Harry Beaton in Brigadoon (Music On Stage) and as Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park (PM&L Theatre). Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA, where he played roles such as Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Linus (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), and Hot Blades Harry (Urinetown the Musical). Other recent roles include Busboy/Ensemble in She Loves Me (Harper College Theatre Ensemble), Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family (Lakeside Players), Rolf in The Sound of Music (Theatre 121), and Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest (College of Lake County).

Reahlyn Bryce (Fritzie) - Reahlyn is so excited to be making her UAC debut in Cabaret! Reahlyn graduated in 2025 from Valparaiso University with a BS in Psychology and minor in theatre/dance! While in college, she was a part of many university productions such as Anastasia(Tsarina/Ensemble),She kills Monsters(Vera),and also was in The Light in the Piazza (Ensemble) with Playact Theatre! Reahlyn served as Internal Relations Chair and President of the theatre fraternity Alpha Psi Omega while at VU! Since moving to Chicago, Reahlyn has continued to involve herself in the arts. She works full time as a Registered Behavioral Therapist with children diagnosed with ASD! Reahlyn is honored to be a part of this very important show and is so thankful to be back on stage. Reahlyn would like to thank her family,friends,and mentors for not only believing in her but pushing her to believe in herself. She would like to give a special shoutout to her best friend Tori(playing Lulu) for being an example of true determination and passion! Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub

Jax Downs-Martinez Music directing credits include Godspell and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Favorite onstage roles include Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), The Importance of Being Earnest (Algernon), and many others. Much love to E, K, & O. Thanks to Lindsey, Jason, & Chase!

Justin Green (Herman / Max / Sailor) is thrilled to be a part of UAC's production of Cabaret! Justin previously performed as Ferdinand in Elgin Theatre Company's production of The Tempest, though his last musical role was Tiny Tim in Urinetown with Elgin Community College. Justin would like to thank his cast, friends, and family for their continuous love and support!

Travis Griffin is over the moon to be here with all these amazing and dedicated artists telling this poignant story! He recently graduated from Western Illinois University with his masters in acting and is so excited to join for his first UAC production! He recently played Trinculo at Theatre on the Ridge and Johann Fasch at WIU! Be sure to catch “The Day Players” coming next year to Amazon Prime! He is deeply thankful for his wife, family, and his loved ones! “We were not born to play it small but rather take the leap and embrace our light!”

Angelina Hermiz Previously seen as Carla in "In the Heights," Angelina is so excited to be back with UAC for Cabaret. Other recent credits include Andrina in The Little Mermaid (Elgin Art Showcase), Annette in God of Carnage (Mill Theater), and Margot in Legally Blonde (Mill Theater). Now leave your troubles outside, sit back, and enjoy the show. @angelinahermiz

Jason Harrington (Director) is thrilled to spend another show with his theater family at UAC, where he serves as a proud board member.  UAC directing credits include: The Wizard of Oz, Spelling Bee, Lippa's The Wild Party, Hair, Footloose, and Heathers: the Musical (BroadwayWorld Chicago Award, best direction).  Other directing credits include:  A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Deathtrap, and The Odd Couple (BrightSide Theatre); Hug It Out?, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to America (The Second City); The Music Man (Glenview Theatre Guild); The Fantasticks (The Library Theatre at Feltre). All his love to Erica and Wren.

Sofia is so thrilled to be playing Rosie in her UAC Theatre debut! Sofia has grown up dancing, performing in musicals and her passion has never dwindled. She most recently appeared in Rent (Mimi) and Carrie the Musical (Dance Ensemble). Sofia is ecstatic to work alongside so many talented individuals and cannot be more grateful for the endless support from her family and friends.

Bradley Hooper is so excited to be making his UAC debut as the Emcee in Cabaret. He is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented cast and creative team and would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support

Taylor Janecek (she/her) is delighted to associate produce for the second time with UAC. She serves as Secretary on the UAC Board of Directors, and enjoys every minute working alongside this talented cast and staff of Cabaret. Previous production team credits include The Wizard of Oz (Up and Coming Theatre), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Into the Woods (Town Square Players). Taylor thanks her husband, Brian, and her entire family for their constant support. This one goes out to Grandpa Little - “There are no small actors, only small parts. Remember me in Light!”

Beth Kahan (she/they), is a Chicago based actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. Previous credits include Inkwell Arts’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream (U/S Titania, Hermia, and Helena), Corn Productions’ To Save a Lake (King), Production Productions’ Macbeth (Banquo), and Steel Beam Theatre’s Head Over Heels (Pythio). Beth is happy to be making her UAC debut!

Chloe Kutulas (she/he) is delighted to be performing in her first show with Up and Coming Theatre! Offstage, she works as an engineer and sings with Chicago Master Singers in her free time. She would like to thank her dad for inspiring her love of theatre, and her wife for all her support.

Mary Grace Martens is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Musical Theatre. Performing Credits: Rocky Horror, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph/Dreamcoat (BrightSide), 25th Spelling Bee (Wheaton Drama), American Idiot, Songs/New World (ECC Theatricals) Special shout out to Jason for always encouraging and pushing me. I adore you. Thank you to Lindsey, my love for your constant support. I’m so proud of you. To mom, dad, Beth, and Tim, thank you for always cheering me on. For Matt, always.

Chase Nelson is a director, choreographer, and theatre artist with a passion for storytelling through movement, music, and performance. Chase graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. Chase’s choreography credits include American Idiot and Matilda with Children’s Theatre of Elgin. As a director and choreographer at Dundee-Crown High School, credits include Mean Girls, Urinetown, and Anastasia, with the upcoming production of Twelfth Night.

Cheryl Newman is delighted to make her UAC debut as Schneider- a dream role. Other favorite roles include Rose in Bleacher Bums (Westmont Performing Arts), Hold me Touch me in The Producers and Berthe in Pippin (both at Brightside Theater in Naperville. Cheryl also designed the costumes for the shows above AND for Cabaret. Special thanks to her patient and understanding husband of 30 years, Aaron.

Hello darlings! Joy Rogers (she/her) is beyond excited to be making her UAC Theatre debut with her absolute dream role! You may have seen her most recently as Ella in R&H’s Cinderella (Beecher Part-Time Players) or as Belle in Beauty in the Beast (Theatre-on-the-Hill). When not playing princesses, you may see her rocking out with her hot pink guitar having, indie pop-rock band in Chicago or running around with her beloved maltipoo, Baxter! Joy wants to give the absolute BIGGEST shoutout of gratitude to those she could not do this role without: Sam, Molly, her mama, Kay and the dear love of her life, Jackson. Huge thanks to Jason Harrington, Chase Nelson, Jax Downs-Martinez for believing, pushing and supporting her throughout this process-Joy never imagined to grow as much as an actor or fall even more in love with this timely story and role as she has. How grateful she is for those setbacks that led her to this perfect moment. Joy hopes you dance, laugh, cry, kiss, and leave feeling a whole lot of something-Politics do in fact have a WHOLE lot to do with ALL of us. Have a perfectly marvelous time!!!

Ken Rubenstein is thrilled to return to UAC. He previously delighted our audiences almost 30 years ago as Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof). In addition, he has performed at: BrightSide, Citadel, Lake Forest, Metropolis, Music Theater Works, Oil Lamp Theatre, Piven, and Victory Gardens, playing such diverse roles as: Arvide Abernathy (Guys & Dolls), Ben (The Secret Garden), Ciaiphas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Fagin (Oliver), Grandpa (Little Miss Sunshine - The Musical) and Mr. Lawrence (Little Women the Musical). Ken lovingly dedicates this performance to his wonderful ancestors who continue to inspire him.

Olivia M. Sis (she/her) is so grateful to make her Up & Coming Theatre debut in Cabaret and tell such a politically relevant story. She is a Chicago based theatre artist, focusing on performance and hair/makeup design. Favorite past performances include: Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Portia (Something Rotten!), Adella/Ensemble (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), Cheryl Ann/Ensemble (Catch Me If You Can), and Ralph (Lord of the Flies). Nebraska Wesleyan University alum. Much love to Mitchell, her family and friends, and her Shakespurrians, Oberon and Ophelia. @theoliviamadeline

Victoria Tiller is excited to be a part of her first UAC show, especially performing alongside her long time friends Reahlyn Bryce and Travis Griffin! Victoria holds a B.A. in Music from Valparaiso University. Some of her favorite past credits include Anya in Anastasia (Valparaiso University), Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza (Playact), and Thea in Spring Awakening (Art4). Insta: @tiller_victoria730

Lindsey Weiss (Producer): Lindsey is excited to be producing Cabaret!  She has produced numerous UAC shows, including the BroadwayWorld Chicago Non-Equity Award Winning shows of Heathers and American Idiot.  Lindsey proudly serves as the President of Up and Coming Theatre’s Board of Directors.  When not enjoying life in the theatre, Lindsey teaches middle school.  She is so grateful to work on another show with her UAC family and her wife!

Blake Wickham (he/him) is honored to make his Up and Coming theatre debut in Cabaret. His previous roles include Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain (Theatre 121) and Buckingham/Ensemble in The Three Musketeers (Theatre 121). Outside of the Kit Kat Klub, Blake works as a Technical Writer in the Chicagoland area and is an alum of Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!). Blake would like to thank his friends, family, the production staff, his fellow cast mates, and his wonderful wife, Kacie, for all of their support. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Matthew Wrbanek (They/Them) is excited to be a part of this perfectly marvelous production of Cabaret. They graduated from Carthage College, where they studied musical theatre and scenic design. Previous roles include: Old Man (The Old Man and…), Sipos (She Loves Me), Cornelius (Hello Dolly), Pirelli (Sweeney Todd), Professor Callahan (Legally Blonde), Tribe/Claude Understudy (Hair), and Mischa (Ride the Cyclone), to name a few. They are incredibly thankful for the support from their family and wonderful girlfriend. @matt_wrb