THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES

Matthew Windham has directed for theatre companies in Utah, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Arizona, including, most recently, Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). He produced, co-wrote and co-directed a solo production of Shakespeare’s Richard II, which toured to numerous international theatre festivals from 2021-2023. He co-wrote and performs in the 2025 Viola Award Finalist Simply Silly Shakespeare, which he has toured to libraries, schools, county fairs, and multiple AZ theatres. He is a recipient of two individual artist grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Other recent works include FlagShakes’ Emma (writer—adapted from Jane Austen), King Lear (actor—Kent) Shakespeare on Pluto (writer and actor), Stargazer Collaborative Theatre’s Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead (actor—The Player), and the independently-produced science-communication comedies Tongue & Cheek: The Science of Flavor (writer, solo actor) and The Parasite Play (co-writer, actor). Matthew is also a Private Chef serving Flagstaff and Sedona: chefwindham.com. 

Leslie Ptak Baker, a native Arizonan, began RAD ballet studies at age 4. However, eventually, musical theater and jazz dance lured her away. Outstanding ASU BFA Graduate in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography, she performed professionally in New York, Los Angeles , Montreal, and Japan, then sailed eight years, worldwide, as an entertainer and cruise director with Princess Cruises. She has studied with Luigi, Jaime Rogers, Joe Tremaine, Bill Evans, Martha Graham dancers, Cynthia Gregory, David Howard and others.

Leslie has performed in and choreographed countless shows for Theatrikos, Theatrikids, Flagstaff Music Theater (FLOC), Stargazer Collaborative Theater, and Fountain Hills Community Theater.

Leslie taught dance (Tap, Jazz, Modern, Dance History) for 16 years at FALA. Prior to moving to Flagstaff, she lived 9 years at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and created fitness, creative movement, and children’s theater programs for the community. Leslie is most proud of her two grown children, Kieran and Kinzer, and is ecstatic to be a grandmother of two future dancers, Carson and Beau! And, she hopes that EVERYONE dances fearlessly everyday!

Jay Mercado made his music directorial debut with Theatrikos in 2025 (The Man Who Saved Christmas) He is an NAU School of Music alumni and lends his classical voice training and choral music background to his work as Music Director. A two time Viola Award winner (2022, 2024) for Excellence In Music, Jay would like to dedicate his work to the memory of Howard Ashman.

Matthew Herman (Scenic Designer) Select credits include: CCAE Theatricals: The Curious Incident of the Dog…, Witnesses (World Premier), Every Brilliant Thing, Once, Joseph and the…Dreamcoat. Sierra Rep: Hair, Wizard of Oz. Rubicon Theatre Company: Crazy Mama (World Premier), Bonnie & Clyde, A Cowboy Lullaby, . Diversionary: The Mystery of Irma Vep. San Diego Musical Theater: Matilda, Legally Blonde. Arizona Broadway Theater: Cinderella, Newsies (Media Design), Little Mermaid (Media Design), On the Town (Media Design). Barn Stage Company: James and the Giant Peach, Songs for a New World, Chess in Concert, Peter and the Starcatcher, Spring Awakening, Urinetown. UC San Diego: Othello, What of the Night?, and How to Use a Knife (WNPF 2016). Cypress College: The Curious Incident of the Dog…and Carrie: The Musical. Off-Broadway and Regional Assistant credits include: Escape to Margaritaville (La Jolla Playhouse – Walt Spangler), Summer (La Jolla Playhouse – Robert Brill), Ain’t Too Proud (Berkeley Rep. – Robert Brill), and  Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven (The Atlantic Theater Company – Narrell Sisson). MFA in Scenic Design from UC San Diego.

IG: @MHermanDesign www.MatthewHermanDesign.com

Molly Parafiniuk is a theatre educator with a deep passion for helping students discover their voices through the performing arts. With several years of experience in the classroom, she brings fresh energy, creativity, and a student-centered approach to theatre education.

Molly holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Westmont College, where she trained in acting, directing, voice, movement, and theatrical design. Since entering the field, she has directed school productions, led acting workshops, and developed engaging lesson plans that foster confidence, collaboration, and self-expression in young performers. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive space where students feel safe to take creative risks, explore new ideas, and grow both artistically and personally.

Whether in the rehearsal room or the classroom, Molly strives to cultivate curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. When not teaching or participating in other theatre endeavors, she enjoys traveling, reading, video games, and can be found at her sewing machine most days.

ESSIE WINDHAM is a multimedia artist focusing on visual storytelling through interconnected mediums. Windham has been a puppeteer on Saturday Night Live, the lead puppet artist for the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors (NYC), an Emmy nominated puppet artist for Helpsters currently airing on Apple+, and a puppet artist for NBC, Disney, HBO, SONY, and 20th Century Studios. They are honored to contribute to Theatrikos. Love you, Moonbeam.

Shari has been running around backstage with various theatre companies in Washington and Arizona for 30 plus years.  Some of her favorite previous productions include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Two Noble Kinsman, King Lear (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival) Avenue Q (Theatrikos Theatre Company), Sweeney Todd (Theatrikids) Rent (Flagstaff Musical Theatre), Into the Woods, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (LST), Phantom of the Opera (Wenatchee District Musical), Chicago (Music Theater of Wenatchee). Many thanks to a great Cast and Crew and much love to my family, Jenny, Victor, Dylan, and Elaina; Thanks for sharing Auntie and letting her out to play.

Sarah Lepre (she/her) is ecstatic to be performing at Theatrikos Theatre Company for the first time! Sarah graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Musical Theatre in May of 2025. Favorite past credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla), Carrie: The Musical (Sue), School of Rock (Patty) and original works such as: Here’s to all the Broken Girls (Isadora) and Tomorrow, the Island Dies by Ryan Scott Oliver. Thank you endlessly to this amazing cast and crew! 

Tomi (any pronouns) is a recent Musical Theatre graduate of The University of Cincinnati (CCM) and is so excited to be far from Ohio! Favorite things include frolicking and ugly mugs. Least favorite things include olives and rush hour. Love to Mom, Dad, Zoey, and Meo!

MELINA WALKO (Missy) is thrilled to be making her Theatrikos Theater Company debut in The Marvelous Wonderettes! She is grateful to have the opportunity to work with a great cast and team! She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.F.A. in musical theatre. Some of her favorite past roles include A Chorus Line (Sheila), Chicago (Velma Kelly), Urinetown (Hope Cladwell), and Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt). Special thanks to her friends and family for their constant love and support!

Becki is overjoyed to be joining Theatrikos Theatre Company for The Marvelous Wonderettes! Select Credits: Halina in Indecent, Regan in King Lear, Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of a Windsor (Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival); Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden (Southwest Shakespeare Company); Rosie in Cabaret (Stargazer Collaborative Theatre); Harriet in The Bremen Town Musicians (The REV on Tour); understudy Tatiana Racón in A Comedy of Tenors (Walnut Street Theatre); and Assistant Stage Manager on West Side Story (International Tour). Podcast Host (Untamed Shrews: Women Talk Theatre), Aerialist (Momentum Aerial), and Improv Artist. Endless love and gratitude to my parents – whose first dance at their wedding 51 years ago was to Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me! – and many thanks to Jeremy, Matthew, and everyone on the Marvelous creative and production teams! #BeckSideStory