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Holiday Gala
12.11–12.25 | Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
2025 Holiday Gala

A Season to Shine

PRODUCED, WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY

John Bonanni & Stephanie Higgins Marshall

SCENIC DESIGNER
Bethany Kasperek
VIDEO/TV DIRECTOR
Andrew Carson
VIDEO PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Anthony Brunner
PROJECTION DESIGNER
Emily Smith
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Terry Jorgensen
COSTUME DESIGNER
Laura Whittenton
SOUND DESIGNER
Emmalee Stapleton
TECHNICAL DIRECTORS
Matthew Hapeman
David Steinmetz
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Katherine Neff

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:30p.m.
Friday, December 12, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre
Shenandoah University

Program
FANFARE

“We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame

Jerry Herman (1931–2019)
Arranged by Jay Bocook 

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND

Shaun Evans, director


Holiday Medley

Arranged by Craig Fraedrich

PRECISION DANCE

Emily Adams, Rylie Barr, Clara Chenault, Abby Davis, Paige DeFrees, Avery Eisenhauer, Kaliyah Fridia, Ariana Gaub, Brandon Goldman, Sophia Kenworthey, Kaitlyn Kiefer, Olivia Kouletsis, Layla Kurtz, Kate Mark, Addison Payne, Emma Potter, Bailey Sadler, Lauren Scott, Jill Taylor, dancers
Tiffanie Carson, choreographer


Welcome

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons


“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Hugh Martin (1914–2011)
Ralph Blane (1914–1995)

MUSICAL THEATRE SOLOIST

Payton Gonzalez


“Believe” from The Polar Express

“Hot Chocolate” from The Polar Express

Alan Silvestri (b. 1950)
Glen Ballard (b. 1953)

Aidan Espinosa, soloist

SURreal CHOREOGRAPHY TROUPE

Emily Adams, Stephen Newton, Philly Kang, MJ Cossel, Aviv Haroz, Jacob Kim, Reagan Kern, Evan Smith, Olivia Zenetzis, Mia Nelson, Jasper Moore


“Jingle Bells”

Duke Ellington (1899–1974)

LITTLE BIG BAND

Craig Fraedrich, director


“Evening Prayer” from Hänsel und Gretel

Music by Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921)
Libretto by Adelheid Wette (1858–1916)

OPERA TRIO

Shannon Fowler, voice
Grace Ashby, voice
Berri Garver, piano


“O Holy Night”

Sha Wu, voice
Berri Garver, piano


“The Man with the Bag”

THE LOOSE SCREWS

Ella-Jo Reinhart, singer
Addison Payne, Amanda Poling, Ava James, Avery Whitacre, Connor Richmond, Hannah Brack, Kendall Heeter, Lance Lemon, Linnea McKinney, Madi Redicker, Rachel Langborgh, Reagan Kern, Serena Hepner, Tatum Legault, Dylan Stukenberg, dancers


“Shenandoah Christmas”

Eliahna Heimann, vocals
Myles Hairston, vocals
Colin Davin, guitar
Jon Toomer, violin


“African Noel”

Liberian Carol
Arranged by André J. Thomas

COMBINED CHORAL ENSEMBLES

Richard W. Robbins, conductor
Taryn Marks, percussion
Ethan Richardson, percussion


Singalong

“Deck the Hall”
“Let It Snow!”
“Winter Wonderland”
“Jingle Bells”
“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

Adaptations for the Little Big Band by Craig Fraedrich

In Memoriam

As we celebrate this holiday season with loved ones, our thoughts turn to members of our Shenandoah family who passed away in 2025.

Mrs. Nancy G. Albert, Faculty
Mr. Frank Armstrong III, Trustee Emeriti
Dr. John P. Balcer, Faculty
Dr. Brandon H. Beck, Faculty
Mr. Roy L. Callahan, Former Trustee
Mr. William H. Clement, Trustee Emeriti
Dr. Verne E. Collins, Faculty
Dr. Steven L. Cooksey, Faculty
Mr. David M. Darsch, Faculty
Dr. James A. Davis, President Emeritus
Mr. William W. Endorf, Faculty
Dr. James H. Laster, Faculty
Dr. Ann Lesman, Faculty
Dr. M. Yaqub Mirza, Trustee
Mrs. Anne B. Mitchell, Staff
Dr. Paul B. Noble, Faculty
Mrs. Sherlyn B. Shaughnessy, Faculty
Ms. Zoe Ann Vaughan, Staff
Mrs. Elaina B. Wheelock, Staff
Mrs. Irene Wurtzel, Trustee Emeriti
Mrs. Mary Lou Zickefoose, Faculty

Shine
The Shenandoah University Sesquicentennial Campaign

A transformative movement 150 years in the making to ignite future leaders and creators.

We are investing in transformative learning, student success, inspired spaces and a bold future.

Help build the new Concert Hall & Center for the Arts.

Discover the full vision for Shenandoah’s bold future.

Visit su.edu/shine to explore the official campaign website and join us!

Learn More about the Shine Campaign >