Téa Serena Johnson
Téa lived in Portland since she was five, so she’s basically a native. She’s been acting since she was an infant, and considers Carrie Fisher, Emmy Rossum, and Lea Michele to be her biggest acting inspirations. She’s currently a student at Portland Community College, and hopes to transfer to UCLA to receive her degree in musical theatre. Though stage acting is her first love, she’s also dabbled in film acting, and has worked as a background actor on TNT’s The Librarians and Netflix’s Everything Sucks! Favorite Stage Credits Include: Kitty Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Company Member (The Laramie Project), Cherie (Bus Stop), and Corin (As You Like It).
Evelyn Elston
Evelyn has lived in Beaverton all her life and is preparing to attend Gonzaga University in the fall. Past favorite shows she’s worked on include “The Spitfire Grill”, “Children’s Hour” and “Macbeth”
She also thinks Katherine and Deborah are really great and appreciates all the different aspects of herself she’s been able to explore during this program.
Jenna Cady
Jenna Cady was born in Santa Clara, CA, and currently lives in Forest Grove while studying theatre at Pacific University. They are a playwright and a performer, recent roles including Helen (Fat Pig), Billie (Hide), and Don John (Much Ado About Nothing). They are so grateful to be a part of From The Ground Up and to create art with so many wonderful people.
Lily Elliott
Lily Elliott is a theatre and film actor who will be starting her MFA in Actor Musicianship at Rose Bruford College in London this fall. . Her solo piece is inspired by her experience leaving Mormonism. She is grateful to Katherine, Deborah, and all the residents for this unique and encouraging opportunity to create new work together.
Maddie Peterson
Maddie is from Pleasanton, CA and moved to Portland to study theatre at PSU. She has been a part of many shows over the years, most recently as Olga Bariosova (The Pink Panther Strikes Again), Cassie Cooper (Rumors), and the Lady (Victims of Duty). Outside of doing scripted work, Maddie has a passion for improv and is a founding member of the PSU Improv Club. She is thankful to be a part of From the Ground Up because it has given her the opportunity to work and collaborate with a group of talented individuals.
Allie Mgrublian
Allie is originally from Seal Beach, CA. You may have seen her around Portland as a Dickens Caroler this past holiday season! Favorite roles include Kaye (The Taffetas), Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof), and Grace Farrell (Annie). Her piece is inspired by the trials of her adolescence and her love of Greek myths. One of her favorite parts of this residency is the opportunity to return to writing, one of her oft-neglected loves. Thank you to Katherine, Deborah, and all of the residents for making this such an awesome experience!
Cora Tippping
Cora Tipping is originally from Seattle, and is an art major at Portland State University. She hopes to design costumes for theatre. She has costumed for many shows, including Children of Eden, Mirror Mirror, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. For her piece, Cora turns her experiences of anxiety and loneliness into a song. Cora believes this program is important because it gives young women a chance to find their voice, realize that their opinion matters, and discover how to voice those opinions. Cora would like to thank Katherine and Deborah for their support.