LITTLE WOMEN

A note from the director...

Welcome to our production of Little Women!

I am thrilled to share that this is my first time directing a show, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I owe a huge thanks to Lorraine, Stephanie, and Robert for giving me this incredible opportunity. Working with this amazing cast and crew has been a fantastic learning journey, filled with both challenges and immense joy.

I am especially grateful to Lorraine, who entrusted me with this role and passed down her experience of directing right out of high school. As well as Stephanie who has been my mentor and an incredible person to work alongside. Her unwavering belief in my work, even when I doubted myself, has been invaluable. Whether I had the simplest or most complex questions, she always had an answer, even if it was at 3am!

I can't express enough how much I appreciate working with this incredible cast and crew as a director for the first time! Each and every one of you has made this process so great for me. Your dedication, talent, and support have been invaluable, turning this journey into an unforgettable experience. Thank you for making my directorial debut such a wonderful and fulfilling adventure!

Thank you for your support of One Stage Theatre, we are very grateful you are here and hope you enjoy our production of Little Women!

⁃    Layla Malacara

Run time is 1 hour 30 minutes and will include a 15 minute intermission.

PRODUCTION STAFF:

Producers:  Ronnie Castaneda and Layla Malacara

Director: Layla Malacara

Stage Manager: Ronnie Castaneda

Advisors:  Lorraine VanRod, Robert Ramirez, Stephanie Kara

Sound Designer:  Ronnie Castaneda

Costume/Props/Set Designer: Layla Malacara

Deck Crew: Georgia Petersen, Broderick Hadgood

Photographer: Nathan Cubias

CAST:

Jo March  - Rachel Ristau

Meg March - Cynthia Ortiz

Amy March - Berlin Exley

Beth March - Veronica Ortiz

Laurie - Ryder Hom

Marmee - Stephanie Kara

Mr. Laurence - Ethan VanRod

John Brooke - Spencer Dix

Hannah - Nana Hernandez

Aunt March - London Roush

Father  - Adrian Ruiz

Act 1

SCENE 1: Making Christmas

SCENE 2: Marmee's Homecoming

SCENE 3: Melodrama

SCENE 4: Christmas Party

SCENE 5: Jo's Garret

SCENE 6: Vanity Fair

SCENE 7: Theater Outing

SCENE 8: Amy Revenge

Act 2

SCENE 1: Consequences

SCENE 2: Temper

SCENE 3: Gratitude

SCENE 4: Telegram

SCENE 5: Secrets

SCENE 6: Laurie Makes Mischief

SCENE 7: Valley of Shadow

SCENE 8: Aunt March Settles the Question

SCENE 9: Heartache

SCENE 10: Homecoming

Who's Who

CAST

Spencer Dix (John Brooke) is the hot new talent everyone’s talking about—a young actor poised to make his debut as Brooke in Little Women. With a magnetic stage presence and a knack for bringing characters to life, Spencer’s already capturing attention across the industry. Though Little Women will be his first role, his natural talent yet undeniable nonchalant nature have made him the name to watch. Spencer Dix is ready to stun the world, and this is only the beginning!

Berlin Exley (Amy March) is 14 years old and is so excited to be a part of One Stage’s production of Little Women! You may have seen her previously as Donkey in Shrek Jr. (One Stage)or Silly Girl in Beauty and The Beast (One Stage). She has been acting since she was 5 and she is so excited to be playing Amy, one of her dream roles! She would like to thank her family, friends, and older sister for always being supportive and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Nana Hernandez (Hannah) Nana is 15 years old and this is her first show with One Stage. She's very excited to be in this production because this is her first show outside of her school. She hopes this show goes well and can do more of them in the future!

Ryder Hom (Laurie) is thrilled to be in another production with One Stage! He previously played the role of Shrek in Shrek Jr. and was on deck crew for Beauty and the Beast. Ryder would like to give a big shoutout to the cast for this incredibly fun experience and is excited to be sharing the stage with his sister once again. He sends a special thank you to Layla Malacara for all of her hard work and enthusiasm!

Stephanie Kara (Marmee) is honored to be portraying Marmee in Little Women, especially to be sharing this experience with her "kids". She has accumulated many roles over the years as an Administrator, Board Member, Stage Manager, Playwright, Director, and Actor. Stephanie has been involved throughout the Bay Area theatre community since 2002 and is so proud to watch the next generation of theatre makers blossom.  Many thanks and love to Layla, Ronnie, Robert, and Lorraine, and M. www.stephaniekara.com

Cynthia Ortiz (Meg March)  This is Cynthia Ortiz’s 4th time working with One Stage Theater. Some of her favorite previous roles include "Harry" in Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, "Sabine" in The 3 Musketeers with John F. Kennedy high school, and the “Baker” in One Stage Theater's production of Into the Woods Jr. She is very excited to be portraying the character of Meg (Margret March) and  is very thankful for all the support she has gotten from this amazing cast and her family. She hopes you enjoy the show. 

Veronica Ortiz (Beth March) This is Veronica’s 3rd time working with Onestage. You could have previously seen her in Onestage production of Beauty and the Beast as an ensemble member. Or seen her as a deck crew in Shrek the musical. Other productions you might know Veronica from are Kennedy’s production’s of The Three Musketeers as Rochefort Or in Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic as a Stage Manger. You can also see Veronica in Kennedy's new production of The Wizard of Oz as the wicked witch. Veronica is so happy to be portraying Beth in One stage production of Little Women and is excited for you to experience the show. 

Rachel Ristau (Jo March) is seventeen years old and excited to participate in this production as Jo March. You may have recently seen her as Dragon in Shrek the Musical, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, or Emberly in Firebringer. She gives a huge thank you to the One Stage team, her family, and her friends, who, despite little theater knowledge, always support her performances. She hopes you enjoy the show!

London Roush (Aunt March)  is thrilled to do another show with One Stage! Her past productions include Alice Beineke in The Addams Family (Irvington High School) and Lord Farquaad in Shrek Jr. (One Stage). In her free time, she loves to play the French horn, basketball, lacrosse, and hang out with her bearded dragon.

Adrian Ruiz (Father)  Adrian is a freshman at NMHS, he is 14 years old. He loves to play soccer, and be in any type of theater performances! One of the previous productions he has been in are: Into The Woods by One Stage. He is motivated to do better as his acting journey progresses over the years. He hopes to see the seedling play, blossom into a beautiful flower.

Ethan VanRod (Mr. Laurence) has played Fish in The Little Mermaid JR, Shermy in A Charlie Brown Christmas, Chief Tui in Moana JR, Mufasa & Timon The Lion King JR, Kristoff in Frozen KIDS, Horton in Seussical KIDS, and Bagheera & King Louie The Jungle Book KIDS. He likes chicken nuggets.

CREW

Ronnie Castaneda (Stage Manager) This is Ronnie’s Stage Managing debut as well as the first show they have Sound Designed for One Stage! They have been involved in theater for 3 years now, having sound design and acting credits at Newark Memorial High School as well as acting and sound operation credits here for One Stage! They are so proud of the cast and crew and hope you enjoy the show!

Layla Malacara (Director) is a Freshman at San Jose State University and has been a Stage Manager for 4 years now. She loves being involved in theater every chance that she gets. She is especially grateful to finally have the opportunity to direct her own production of Little Women showing in November! She’d like to thank all the actors, tech, and Mentors for creating great memories that she’ll always remember, and teaching her new things. And she wishes to all actors and crew... Break A Leg!

Georgia Petersen (Deck Crew) is 16 years old and she goes to Oakland School for the Arts. She has been involved with theater for many years, acting and more recently working behind the scenes. Georgia loves helping with everything to do with productions from stage management, props, set, to stage handing.

SPECIAL THANKS

Patterson Elementary School, Newark Memorial High School, Grant Ewing, Sara Canales, Ohlone College, David Jeffries, Luciano Malacara, Hanadi Malacara, Hannah Malacara, Trevon Madere, our friend Robert, Josue Ventura, Jennifer Exley,, Laura Ruiz, and Daniel Soohoo

Performances to be held at Patterson Multi-Use Room

35521 Cabrillo Drive

Fremont, CA 94536

Thursday Nov. 21 @ 8pm

Saturday Nov. 23 @ 1pm

Saturday Nov. 23 @ 6pm

Sunday Nov. 24 @ 1pm

Sunday Nov. 24 @ 6pm