The Phantom Tollbooth
by Susan Nanus
Based on the book by Norton Juster

Directed by Julia Brown

December 8 - December 17

Here are Milo’s adventures in the Land of Wisdom, where he’s forced to think about many new things. Milo learns of the argument between King Azaz and his brother, the Mathemagician, whose disagreement over words and numbers has led to the banishment of Princesses Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason. Milo is dispatched to rescue the princesses from the Land of Ignorance. Armed with the knowledge and skills he picks up on his journey, Mile rescues the princesses. When he must return home, Milo bids farewell to his new friends, knowing his attitude toward learning will never be the same.

The Phantom Tollbooth runs two weekends at The Theater Project: December 8th- 17th: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM.

Hazel Bell: Milo- A Boy

Hazel Sea Bell has been acting since the first grade. Improv comedy comes naturally to her, thanks to her natural/naturally wild (goofy? creative? unique?) sense of humor. Hazel has been homeschooled using a Waldorf Rudolf Steiner curriculum, which has allowed her to explore what really lights her up. In addition to acting, Hazel loves reading, singing, art, and the great outdoors (inspired by her Maine upbringing). She has starred in The Power of Prayer, Cinderella, and Annie at Studio 48 in Brunswick as well as a self-led teen rendition of The Parent Trap. Hazel's natural ability to make everyone feel loved brightens every room she enters.

Crawford Martinez:
Tock- The Watchdog

This is Crawford's first production with The Theater Project. He is very excited! He moved to Maine from Boston two years ago and is currently in 8th grade at Brunswick Junior High. In his spare time, he likes to read, write, and play Dungeons & Dragons. Enjoy the show!

Owen Vachon:
The Humbug

Owen Vachon: The Humbug - - Owen’s interest in theater and acting began at the age of eight. Recent roles include: Ensemble in Matilda (Midcoast Youth Theater), Wacky Cat in The Aristocats (Lincoln Theater), Ensemble in Seusical The Musical (Midcoast Youth Theater). Since then, he has been a part of The Hobbit, Voices in the Mirror, and summer workshops at The Theater Project in Brunswick, Maine.

Sho Ludlum: Azaz The Unabridged -The King of Dictionopolis, The Whether Man,The Dodecahedron

Sho’s a part-time theater kid and full-time existential crisis. She enjoys writing and reading, with a penchant for mythology and video games. I've been in multiple school productions and have a long history with The Theater Project, including Voices in the Mirror and The Hobbit. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words, which is a word Azaz quite enjoys.

Lucy Engstrom: The Mathemagician - King of Digitopolis, The Awful Dynne 

Phantom Tollbooth is Lucy’s third production she’s acted in. She was pretty excited to get the role of Mathmagician, because he was my favorite character when they read the book. She recently moved to the area, and loves the theaters here. She also has a bit of an obsession with Newsies, so if you see a girl strutting around in a newsboy cap, it’s probably me!

Ella Yaz: Princess Pure Reason, Page, Insincerity, Senses Taker & Assistant Teacher

Ella (She/Her) has been acting her whole life. Acting since she was 4, she has fallen in love with the stage and will continue performing for a lifetime. The 14 year old has been in many plays at The Theater Project including The Hobbit, Boxers Shorts, Voices in the Mirror and many others. Ella is also one of the assistant teachers for The Phantom Tollbooth and has had lots of fun working with these young actors.

Jo O'Brien: Princess Sweet Rhyme, Gatekeeper of Dictionopolis, Bird

Jo (any/all) loves drawing characters and writing stories about them. When she's not doing something creative she's hanging out with her Pomeranian, Ollie.

Dashiell Legawiec: Spelling Bee, Kakofonous A Dischord -Doctor of Dissonance, Man

Dashiell is in eighth grade at Mt Ararat Middle School. He has been acting his entire life; some roles include: Starveling the tailor in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Zack in School Of Rock, Winthrop in The Music Man. He enjoys watching and reviewing films in his free time and hopes you enjoy the show.

Julia Brown: Director

This is Julia's (She/Her) third production as a Director at The Theater Project. She is an alumnus of TTP's children's programming. She loves paying it forward by making kids laugh as much as she did growing up with The Theater Project. In her day job, Julia works to make democracy a little bit more secure, healthcare a little bit more affordable, our climate a little bit greener, and help people work a little bit better together. Julia is a big proponent of little moments of growth on and off the stage.

Hannah Publicover:
Stage Manager

Hannah Publicover (She/Her) is so excited to be the Stage Manager for her first show at The Theater Project. Previously she was the assistant stage manager and set designer for POTUS at Mad Horse Theatre Company. She was also the stage manager for Apollo to the Moon and Frederick at The Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine as well as the stage manager of The Secret Princess for Snowlion Repertory Company. Hannah is very thankful to be working with an amazing and talented cast and Production team.

Elise Voigt:
Costume Designer

Elise Voigt (She/Her) is a children’s theater arts educator and actress in the Midcoast area. Her work has encompassed many different facets of bringing theater and story to life over the last decade and a half. Her most recent work has been devising new and improvisational work with students through the Imaginarium Creators Camp. This is her first opportunity at working with The Theater Project and she is so happy to be part of this magical production.

Chris DeFilipp:
Lighting Designer

Chris DeFilipp (He/They) is a Portland, Maine-based multi-hyphenate theater artist (director/designer/playwright), graphic designer, and all-around nerd. When not freelancing or creating, they moonlight as a House Manager at Portland Stage and are the founder of Chimera Theatre Collective. They are honored to get to work with The Theater Project once again, and hope you enjoy the wild and bizarre world of The Phantom Tollbooth! www.chrisdefilipp.com

Emilia McGrath:
Props Designer

This is Emilia’s (She/Her) second production with The Theater Project after working on Death Wings this past Spring. She is a local artist, puppeteer and props designer. She has worked with several theaters over the years including; The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble, Mayo Street Arts and Bread & Puppet. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Ryan McGowan: Sound Designer

Ryan McGowan (He/Him) is a composer, audio engineer, and sound designer. He has done sound design and music for productions at Portland Players, The Theater Project, Maddy’s Theater, Mad Horse Theater Company and Portland Museum of Art.

Jim Creighton: Scenic Designer/Builder

Jim Creighton (He/Him) has a background in the visual arts and is a carpenter by day.  For a time, he worked as a prop maker in the film industry and enjoys being involved in the creative work behind the scenes in community theater.  His kids are both active participants at The Theater Project.

Beth Saufler:
Teacher (Ages 6-8)

Beth Saufler (She/Her) has been active in theater for many years. She holds a Masters degree from Lesley University in Creative Arts and Learning in the Curriculum. She teaches elementary through middle school students. Thanks for sharing your young actors! Enjoy the show!

Savannah Irish:
Teacher (Ages 9-12)

Savannah Irish (She/Her) earned her BA in Theatre with a Minor in Music from The University of Southern Maine. She strives for young people to explore their creative minds through theatre. Irish currently teaches at The Telling Room in Portland. She also has taught at Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine and Mayo Street Arts. When not teaching or performing locally in the Portland area, she works as the Theater Manager here at The Theater Project in Brunswick.

Grace Kneebone: Assistant Teacher (Ages 9-12)

Grace Kneebone (She/Her) grew up in Harpswell and has been lucky enough to spend 12 of those years at The Theater Project. After graduating in 2020 and spending some time in New Hampshire she’s back and indescribably excited to be teaching at her home away from home!