The Giver

February 21-22, 2024
9:30AM, 12:30pm & 7PM* 
La Mirada Theatre for
the Performing Arts
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Buy Feb 22, 2024: 7PM Tickets   

Based on the book by Lowis Lowry
Adapted by Eric Coble

Eleven-year-old Jonas seems to live in a perfect world. There is no war, or fear, or pain. But there are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training to receive and keep the memories of the community. This moving adaptation reveals the power of taking control of one’s own destiny.

Before the show (or any time on February 22), eat at Cabo Taco Baja Grill in La Mirada. Mention you’re there to support Phantom Projects and they will donate 20% of your purchase back to us.

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Tomiris Abdolla (Ensemble), is very excited to be a part of the big project Phantom Projects Production. Kazakhstan/American, Tomiris is 11y.o. She entered the entertainment industry at four years old. At five, she moved to China for acting and quickly landed a role in a short film “The Angel”. She was a face of the local kids brands, and she’s played in commercials. In the USA she started her role Queen in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Now she is taking classes in Young Actor’s Studio. She enjoys dancing, singing, design clothes and learning languages. She is a professional dancer, and taking classes in Millennium Dance complex. She speaks English, Kazakh, Russian and learning French, Korean, Chinese. Her dream is to be very professional famous Hollywood actress in the World and also film director.
Ryan Bohmholdt (Jonas) is thrilled to be a part of such a special show and wonderful cast! Select credits include Oliver! (5-Star Theatricals); Dee-Lightful Productions: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), Seussical the Musical (Horton the Elephant), High School Musical (Ryan), and Frozen the Musical (Olaf). He would like to thank the production team and Phantom Projects for the work they do to make this show what it is, as well as his teachers, friends, and family for all their love and support! For MOM and DAD.
Bowie Bundlie (Asher) first stepped onto the stage at age 4 in Glendale Center Theatre’s, A Christmas Carol. Other favorite roles include Chip in Casa 0101s Beauty and the Beast and Michael in McCoy Rigby’s Peter Pan in Saudi Arabia! On TV, Bowie can be seen as a co-star on Homecoming with Julia Roberts and last year on ABC’s The Goldbergs as Ethan. Look for Bowie in the new feature film, Chapel (Tubi) where he plays the younger version of the main character and this spring, hear Bowie as the voice of Remy in the new animated show, “Remy Bear & Friends” on Peacock. When he’s not acting, he sings and plays piano in the music duo, First Day of School. Bowie’s first solo piano album, “This Goes To 11”, hits music streaming platforms on March 11th, but you can hear his first single, “April Rain” right now! Bowie is excited to be part of this Phantom Projects show, and would like to thank Steve, Kristin, Julianna and Emma, as well as his parents and big bro Bradley for supporting his career!
Amelie Cajas (Ensemble) is making her acting debut in The Giver. She is thrilled to join The Phantom Projects Theatre and thanks all involved for welcoming her to the theatre community. She wholeheartedly thanks her friends and family for their love and support. Enjoy the show!
Eva’s first school musical production was in Lion King Jr. where she played the mouse in a scene alongside Scar. Eva was just 4 year’s old. She then continued onto the following two musicals: Hairspray and Newsies (but was interrupted by COVID). This year, she will finally get to conclude this musical as Morris DeLancey. In 2023, she was also part of the ensemble in Elf, the Jr. Musical. Eva has been dancing since she was 2-years old and began competing at the age of 4. At 8-years old, she moved over to the world of competitive cheer where she competes as an elite athlete for the world of All Star Cheerleading. Eva is now 10-years old and is in the 5th grade.
Haven Doench, (Ensemble) is over the moon to be joining the rest of the cast of The Giver. And she is very excited to be performing at the La Mirada Theater, for the very first time. Haven recently finished filming the role of Billie in the feature film Willie and Me starring Willie Nelson which is due out this spring. She would like to thank her family for supporting her passions.
 
Annmarie Ewing (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing at the La Mirada Theater with Phantom Projects! She also performed in and helped write The House on Soulfire Street and The Radio Hour Show with the Jewel Box Children’s Theater. She also performed in A Christmas Carol at the Long Beach Playhouse with Mr. Scott Ruiz for two shows as a fill in. Other past roles include Bella Bomb (Cinderella’s stepsister) and Noel in A Christmas Cinderella and Candy Kid and Squirrel in Willy Wonka Jr. Ever since she could talk, Annmarie loved to make up stories and bring them to life. She really enjoys playing soccer and sewing with her friends. Annmarie dedicates this performance to her mom, dad and sister, Katelyn for their support in everything she does and to Andy and Anna Kate, her very awesome theater and improv teachers for always being kind, helpful and believing in her.
Katelyn Ewing (Ensemble) is awesomely excited to perform with Phantom Projects at the La Mirada Theater. She also performed in and helped write The Radio Hour Show and The House on Soulfire Street with the Jewel Box Children’s Theater at Long Beach Playhouse. Other past roles include Miss Peeper in A Christmas Cinderella and an Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka Jr. She shoots archery and loves science, robotics and soccer. She would like to dedicate this performance to her mom and dad, her archery coaches, Janet and Wendy, her friend Meagan and amazing theater teachers Andy and Anna Kate. She is looking forward to performing in the play with her sister, Annmarie, and archery friend, Mr. Scott Ruiz.
Joanne Fawley (Chief Elder) is happy to work with this production’s wonderful cast and crew. Last year Joanne appeared in Phantom Projects’ production of The Outsiders as Mrs. O’Brient here at the La Mirada Theatre. She appeared as Emily Brent in And Then There Were None at the Westminster Community Playhouse. Joanne can also currently be heard as Jane in The Thin Man: The Goofy Groom and Joanie Winslow in the Thin Man: All American Menace produced as radio plays by Whittier Community Theatre On the Air. Joanne retired from teaching in 2021 and taught government at Cypress High School. She previously taught theatre, history, and English at Alondra Intermediate School in Paramount. Joanne is incredibly grateful to her husband, Kevin, for all of his support and her friend Kristy Takacs for her advice and encouragement.
Darcy Fukunaga (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of The Giver ensemble! The Giver was the first dystopian novel she read and remains one of her many favorite books. Darcy is in 10th grade and enjoys everything about theater, from collaborating with friends to discussing Shakespeare to sewing costumes.
Ethan Fukunaga (Ensemble) is a homeschooled 5th grader who is a part of the ensemble for The Giver. Ethan can be found playing his violin, taking care of the family chicken out in the backyard, and challenging his family to board games.
Alora Kinley (Mother) is so excited to be making her Phantom Projects debut at the beautiful La Mirada Theatre! Alora started her life long love of Theatre and Acting at the young age of 6 after seeing a local Children’s Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” in Independence Missouri that changed the course of her life forever. Alora has since had the pleasure of working on stages all over the country. Her favorite roles to date have been ‘Dot’ (Sunday in the park with George) ‘Morticia Addams’ (The Addams Family) ‘Patty Simcox’ (Grease) and ‘Queen Agravain’ (Once Upon A Mattress) just to name a few. Most recently she was apart of the critically acclaimed production of “The Wild Party” at the JAXX Theatre in Hollywood. Alora also made her Hollywood Fringe Festival debut last year apart of an incredible production that will always have a place in her heart called “Halfway to Gethsemane” that made its way to having multiple write up’s in Broadway World. You can also check out Alora’s many Film credits at IMDb.com. Alora wouldn’t be here without God, her Chosen Family, her amazing acting coach Aaron, Ms. Dolly Parton and her 18 year old cat, Dawn. She wants to thank them for reminding her to let peace be the journey and to choose joy every day.
Sofia Lopez (Fiona) is thrilled to bring one of her favorite books to life for you. This is her debut with Phantom Projects at La Mirada Theater. Some of her past favorite roles include “Matilda” in Matilda Jr. (CASA0101 in Boyle Heights), “James” in James and The Giant Peach (Riverside Children’s Theater) and “Storyteller” in Once on This Island Jr. (Riverside Community Players). In addition to musical theater and on-camera acting, she enjoys playing the electric guitar, robotics and reading.
Lucy Lopez (Ensemble) is 7 years old. She is currently homeschooled and is a competitive dancer who likes to sing and do impersonations. She performed in two musicals last summer and wants to get more into theater productions. Lucy likes to FaceTime friends and play Legos with her brother. She lives in La Mirada with her parents, two older brothers and one giant weenie dog.
Audrey Moore (Ensemble) is beyond excited to be a part of her first Phantom Projects Theatre production! Audrey is 8 years old and found her love for acting while performing as the lead Oompa Loompa at her schools STAGES production Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. Audrey has participated in internet commercials, voice over projects, and fashion shows. Audrey loves to bake, loves animals, and dreams about owning her own bakery when she grows up!
Caddie Murphy (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Phantom Projects after playing Kirstie in last fall’s Number the Stars. Other performances include Holiday Express at Write Act Repertory and The Pirates of Penzance at the Children’s Theatre of Long Beach. Caddie’s voice acting work includes the voice of the Little Girl in Signs of Life at Griffith Observatory’s Planetarium. She also voiced an animated water droplet in The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal and Baby Helen Keller in Helen’s Big World, both by Scholastic-Weston Woods. She can be heard in the Scholastic audiobook Sunshine (on AudioFile Magazine’s Best of 2023 List) and as several of Peppa Pig’s friends in the Peppa Pig audiobook series. When she grows up, Caddie plans to become a Horror Movie Makeup Artist and a Lawyer. Caddie would like to thank her dad for being in this play with her!
Trevor Murphy (Father) Is delighted to return to Phantom Projects, where he was last seen in Number the Stars as Papa Johansen and the German Officer. Other theater appearances include regional premieres of Vincent in Brixton at the Pasadena Playhouse and A Perfect Ganesh at the Northlight Theatre in his native Chicago. LA appearances include The Beastly Bombing at the Steve Allen Theater (LA Weekly Best Musical of the Year), The Berlin Circle at Evidence Room (LA Weekly Production of the Year), Pera Pelas at Theatre @ Boston Court, and creating the male lead in Karma: The Musical at Write Act Rep in Hollywood. Film work includes Centipede! (SyFy Channel), Conventioneers (John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award), What?, Accomplice (Sundance Film Festival), and Strictly Sexual, among others. TV appearances include Gilmore Girls, General Hospital, Port Charles, and an occasional commercial. His favorite role is real-life Daddy to two daughters, including one who appears in this play!
Rebecca Nazareth (Ensemble) is ecstatic to make her debut with Phantom Projects at La Mirada Theatre as her first professional production! She is 16, a junior at Beckman High School, and a huge musical theatre nerd. She read and has loved this book for longer than some cast members have existed. Most recently, she performed as Florinda in UCLA’s production of Into the Woods as a part of the Musical Theatre Summer Institute and directed her own Broadway musical revue, The Golden Oldies of Broadway, as her Boy Scout Eagle Project to bring Broadway to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. Actively engaged in her high school theater program, she designed both props and hair & makeup for the past two shows, receiving a Cappies nomination for Hair & Makeup Design for BHS’s Maul of the Dead, in addition to acting. She was a finalist in both Musical Theatre and Dramatic Monologue at the 2023 Role About Theatre Festival, and has performed many roles in youth musical theatre programs across Orange County. Special thanks to her friends, family, and teachers for their encouragement, patience, and support, and to Phantom Projects for this amazing opportunity!
Skye (Ensemble) is a 15 year old girl who loves drawing, reading, and writing in her spare time. Along with being very involved in her schools theater programs and shows she enjoys making short films and being in short films. She is incredibly grateful and excited to be involved in this amazing show.
Emilie Ong (Lily) is an 11-year old actress from Mission Viejo who is excited to bring one of her favorite stories to life in this production of The Giver. She is thrilled to return to La Mirada Theatre where she was previously in The Sound of Music (Marta/Gretl u/s) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Children’s Choir). Her most recent performance was with Center Theatre Group’s production of A Christmas Story: The Musical at Ahmanson Theatre. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Emilie enjoys singing, dancing, and playing the piano. She would like to thank her parents and her representatives at DDO Artists Agency and Five Star Talent Management for their constant support.
Samuel Perez (Ensemble) is a 14-year-old actor who plays in The Giver as ensemble. He has been in a couple of different plays, such as The Social Media Play and Number Of The Stars–both playing ensemble. He is first generation Mexican and acting is his dream. Samuel has always been eager to perform, from school musicals to back to back auditions with phantom projects, this is just the beginning of his journey.
Miles Peters (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back for their second show with Phantom Projects. Participating in #TheSocialMediaPlay last year convinced them to pursue a career in acting and they’ve been studying theatre since. When not acting out scenes in front of a mirror, Miles enjoys watching and rewatching their favorite television shows, and then watching them again. They also enjoy music, baking, and creative writing, including an in-progress full-length original script.
Jhillian Preciado (Ensemble) is very excited to be in Phantom Projects The Giver this year. Jhillian recently played Saul and The Mother in True West last year for DTASC.
Monica Rae Wilson (Larissa) is joining 2nd performance with Phantom Projects recently playing “Ouizer” in Steel Magnolias. After 25 years teaching children’s theatre, directing and painting murals, she is over the moon happy to be acting again. Monica received her BA in Theater Performance and Design from Viterbo University. Her favorite acting credits include Nora in A Doll’s House for which she was nominated for the Irene Ryan Award, Katie in Finishing Touches for the City of Clinton Showboat, and the Velveteen Rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit for the touring company Alpha Theater Project out of Saginaw, MI. While living in Chicago she considered Victory Gardens Theatre “home” where she played Dysan in Dysan, Millie in April Snow, and the French Girl in Can-Can. And if not on stage, you would have found her painting sets, designing costumes or creating props for almost every theater she ever worked for. Monica would like to thank her wife, Sanne, for all the love and support so she can follow her heart.
Micah Rivas-Jobe (Ensemble) started as a musician who fell in love with acting. After watching Lin Manuel’s Hamilton, he realized that he could combine both passions and embarked on his journey to become an actor. He excelled in the role of Philostrate in A Midsummer Night’s Dream Jr. and confessed that the theater was where he felt most like himself.
Scott A Ruiz (The Giver) is excited to be back at La Mirada Theater. His first show here was Charles Dickens back in the early 2000’s and now very happy to work with The Phantom Theater Company. Scott is freshly off a wonderful production of A Christmas Carol where he played Jacob Marley at The Long Beach Playhouse. Scott has enjoyed playing lead characters in Oklahoma, Lend Me A Tenor, Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat…you know the one and so many more over the past 30 years. Scott has enjoyed being the lead singer in the band 2FIFTHS for over 20 years. Scott enjoys Archery and rollerblading but never at the same time…yet! Scott is very appreciative for this opportunity to play “The Giver” Enjoy the show!
Soriya Shiwotsuka (Ensemble) is a teenager ready to make a splash at Phantom Projects Theatre Group’s 2024 production of The Giver. She has been part of many school plays but is incredibly excited to be performing in her first community theater show. When she is not rehearsing lines or memorizing blocking, she can be found writing short stories, swimming, reading, or singing. She would like to thank her directors for giving her this opportunity and her family for supporting her acting dreams.
Greyson is so excited to be making his theatre stage debut as part of the ensemble cast of The Giver! He is 10 years old and homeschooled with younger brother Dylan. When he’s not busy playing guitar, taking voice lessons, and acting he’s out on the baseball field pitching or making a play on the infield. He’d like to thank mom, dad, and brother and the rest of his big family and friends for all the support.