Meet the Cast of BeetleJuice Jr.
Jane Petruncola
Director / Choreographer
Jane Petruncola is a New York-based actor, director, choreographer, and voice teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance and has been performing and creating theatre for most of her life. She has been choreographing shows since the age of 14 and has loved combining her passion for storytelling, movement, and music ever since. Her professional stage credits include Sweeney Todd and The Rocky Horror Show with Core Theatre Group. Her favorite local credits include Amy in Company, Emily Webb in Our Town, Louise in Gypsy, and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, which marked her New Deal debut. She has also appeared on screen in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, Chang Can Dunk, and One December Night. Earlier this year, Jane made her NYC stage debut. Beetlejuice Jr. marks Jane’s sixth production as a director—a milestone she is incredibly proud to reach. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue creating theatre with young performers, who she believes are the future of the performing arts, and is especially proud of the hard work, creativity, and heart this cast has brought to the production. Jane would like to extend a special thank you to Mark for always being there to build her sets and bring her visions to life; to her stage manager, Blake, for always being willing to jump in wherever needed; to Rob for helping backstage and stepping up to join the run crew; to Krista for helping bring the music to life; and to Stephen and Jay for their invaluable help with lights and sound. Theatre truly takes a village, and Jane is incredibly grateful for the people who help make each production possible. Jane will next be on stage as Molly Aster in County Players’ Peter and the Starcatcher, running November 6–21. She is excited to return to the director’s chair for High School Musical Jr. next with New Deal Creative Arts!
Gianna Iorio
Barbara Maitland
Gianna Iorio is 15 years old and excited to be in her 27th show! Some of her previous roles were Fiona in Shrek jr at Haviland Middle school, Peter Pan in Peter Pan jr directed by Tommy Iorio! and SpongeBob in SpongeBob jr directed by Riley and Blake Dobbins. Aside from Theater Gianna LOVES writing, art, reading, and tennis. She would like to thank her mom, dad, brothers, friends, and everyone who made this show happen! she would like to give a special thanks to the New Deal creative arts center who she has been with since she was 7 and has helped her grow as a person and young actress! she would like to give an extra special thanks to Jane for being an amazing and kind director! Enjoy the show!
Molly Sheehy
Juno/Ensemble
Molly Sheehy is excited to be in Beetlejuice Jr. She is a junior in high school. Her first show ever was in 1st grade for a school play. Some of her most recent shows are SpongeBob Jr. (French Narrator), Into The Woods (Cinderella’s Mother), and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Dame Van Winkle). In her free time, she loves writing her own music and compositions and playing guitar and piano. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support. Now welcome to a show about death!
Alaina Fuentes
Ensemble
Alaina Fuentes has been involved in theater for a year. This is her second show. She previously preformed in Matilda Jr at HMS. She is looking foward to joining the Beauty and the beast Jr cast in the fall at hms. She is also excited for CYO basketball in the winter. I would like to thank my Mom,Krista,Jane and Carys fuller and the other cast members for helping me. Hope you enjoy the show!
Sophia DeGraff
Maxie Dean/Shrunken Head Bob
Sophia DeGraff is excited to be in New Deal’s production of Beetlejuice Jr! When not belting musical riffs, Sophia enjoys art, listening to music, and reading The Outsiders (stay gold!) This is one of many productions that Sophia has done with New Deal. Past roles include Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka), Flounder (The Little Mermaid), Jojo (Suessical). Sophia would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Juliet, and everyone at New Deal. IT’S SHOWTIME!!
Jessica Post
Ensemble
Jessica Post is very excited to be apart of BeetleJuice Jr.! She has been doing theater for 5 years now and will continue on! Some of her past roles include, Ariel in Little Mermaid Jr., Sandy in The Spongebob Musical Jr. and as well as Wendy in Peter Pan Jr. When not on stage, she plays soccer for her school as well as travel, and loves to sing and dance when not preforming! She would like to thank her family and cast mates for being very supportive! Enjoy the show!
Haley Staples
Maxine Dean
Haley Staples is delighted to be appearing in her 21st production and is especially excited to be part of Beetlejuice Jr! Her favorite past roles include Ursula in The Little Mermaid Jr., Friedrich in Sound of Music, Pinocchio in Shrek Jr, and Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda Jr. Haley is grateful for every opportunity to learn and grow on stage. She would like to thank her directors Jane and Krista for their creativity and support they have shown towards the Beetlejuice team. She looks forward to many more theatrical adventures in the future.
Piper Holmes
Lydia Deetz
Piper Holmes is thrilled to be part of this production! She has been performing since age 5 and has appeared in 25+ productions with From Stage to Screen, 90 Miles Theatre, New Deal Creative Arts, SUPAC, and Coach House Players. Favorite roles include Tinman (The Wizard of Oz), Charlie (Willy Wonka Jr.), Elsa (Frozen Jr.), Maui (Moana Jr.), Oliver (Oliver!), Baby Louise (Gypsy), and Gloria (Wait Until Dark). Piper can also be seen on screen in Hulu’s Best Medicine and two upcoming Netflix series. Up next, she’ll appear on stage with Core Theatre Group in their professional production of The Addams Family, followed by Frozen this winter at the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, where she’ll play Young Elsa. Piper thanks her family, Director Jane, Musical Director Krista, and this incredible cast and crew for their support, talent, friendship, and laughs that made this experience so special. 🎭💜
Lilly Staples
Sky
Lilly Staples is overly excited to be playing sky in Beetlejuice Jr. She has been preforming for 2 years and she was in 6 performances. Her most favorite past role was, Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka kids. She would like to thank her family and Jane, for all the support and encouragement they have provided her. Enjoy the show!
Adelina Knapp
Death by Toaster, Lawyer, Ensemble
Adelina Knapp is excited to be in this production of Beetlejuice Jr.! She has been in theatre for three years. Some of her favorite past roles are Summer Hathaway in School of Rock Young Actors Edition, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and Laura Lyons in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Adelina also enjoys playing the piano, French horn, singing, and dancing. She would like to thank her parents and her sister (clone 2) for always being there for her, along with her cousin (ensemble). Enjoy the show!
Kenzleigh VanWagner
Priest, Cheerleader, Girl Scout, recently deceased, Beetlejuice clone, and studio audience
Kenzleigh was so excited when she heard she’d be in beetlejuice! She is a priest, cheerleader, Girl Scout, recently deceased, beetle juice clone, and studio audience. She’s been on a stage since she was three years old first dance and now an actress! She’s starred in the Sound of Music as Louisa, Willy Wonka as Mrs Gloop, The Little Mermaid as chef Louisa, In the new deal Christmas show joy!, and her first debut as Mrs Mair in Suessical! In her free time she likes drawing, making bracelets, and the baking, Don’t forget spending time with friends! She is so grateful to be part of another wonderful production that NewDeal has made. And would like to thank her family who made getting to practice easy, her friends who have given her so many laughs, and the amazing cast and staff that made this show possible for not just her but the whole world to see. In conclusion she hopes you enjoy this NewDeal production of beetlejuice junior!
Anna Knapp
Clone 2
Anna is very excited for Beetlejuice JR. Her favorite role has been Juno from Beetlejuice Jr at the Center for Performing Arts. Her other acting credits are School of Rock Young Actors Edition (Backup singer/dancer), A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge), The Christmas That Was Almost Cancelled (Rudolph), Willy Wonka KIDS (Oompa-Loompa), and Dear Edwina Jr. (Aphrodite). She would like to thank her parents for supporting her and for driving her everywhere. Enjoy the show!!
Naomi Eppley
Dead cheerleader
Naomi Eppley is so excited to be performing in her first show with New Deal Creative Arts! She has been in theatre since she was in 2nd grade and the two roles she has loved the most so far, were Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka Jr, and Mr. Centipede in James and the Giant Peach. When Naomi isn’t preforming she likes to read, draw and spend time with her friends and family. She would like to say thank you to her friends and family for driving her back and forth to rehearsals on busy days and to all the cast and crew of Beetlejuice Jr for making this such an amazing experience! She hopes you enjoy our show!
Aidan Sheehy
Beetlejuice
Aidan Sheehy is extremely excited to be playing Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice The Musical Jr.! He has previously appeared in several local and school productions, such as Seussical (Cat in the Hat), Cats (Gus), Shrek (Gingy), Big Fish (Will’s Son), The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble), Matilda the Musical (Bruce), Puffs (J Finch and others), SpongeBob the Musical (Patrick Star), and Peter Pan (Smee). He would like to thank his mother, his friends, Molly, and Glen for all their support.
Graham Clerkin
Otho
Graham Clerkin performed in his first-ever play this past spring and is now completely hooked on theatre! Fun fact: he has also performed in three movies and one series. Graham loves art, singing, dancing, and theatre. When he’s not performing, he loves being outdoors and going camping. He has two sisters, and one of them is actually performing with him in this play. Can you guess who? Here’s a hint: she’s dead… and green! He is already looking forward to his next play, Frozen! Graham would like to thank his mom and dad for always supporting him, along with Jane and Krista for everything they’ve done. He also wishes all of his Beetlejuice friends an amazing show! Anyway, Otho and Delia have to go take care of some very important life-coaching business. SPIRIT HUG!!!!!!!!!! Okay, bye!
Carys Fuller
Clone #1,Ensemble
Carys Fuller is very excited to be apart of the cast of Beetlejuice Jr.! She has done theatre for over 3 years. Some of her favorite past roles include Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka jr. and Mayzie Labird in Sussical jr.! Other than theatre Carys likes to draw, sing, and is on a cheer team. She would like to thank her family, friends, and the directors for making things show happen. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Josie Friedman
Dead Jockey, Ensemble
Josie is thrilled to be returning to the stage for her fifth production. She plays the Dead Jockey in Beetlejuice Jr., proving that apparently you don’t need a pulse to have stage presence. Josie has previously played Supergirl, performed in Through the Ages, appeared in Peter Pan Jr., and played Hortensia in Matilda. She loves acting, singing, dancing, making people laugh, and being just the right amount of dramatic. When she’s not performing, Josie enjoys listening to music, being creative, and spending time with her friends and family. She is excited to be part of this amazing cast and hopes you enjoy the show!
Demi DeAguiar
Miss Argentina
Demi, also known as Miss Argentina, is a 13-year-old actress. She has worked on screen, but this June she performed in her first-ever musical, *Beetlejuice*, as Lydia, and she was instantly hooked. She loved the friendships, memories, and connections she made throughout the production. She would like to thank Miss Jane for allowing her to explore new ideas with her character, Miss Krista for putting so much effort into helping the cast, and her amazing castmates. She has made friendships through performing that she may never have found otherwise. Outside of acting, Demi loves reading, working out, sports, organizing, cooking, baking, and spending time with friends. She is homeschooled and takes college courses because she loves learning. Most importantly, she would like to thank her parents for giving her so many opportunities and always supporting her. They make many sacrifices to help her chase her dreams, and she is forever grateful.
Edmund Benca
Adam Maitland
Edmund Benca is very excited to be a part of Beetlejuice Jr. as Adam. He has been seen before as Marlin in Finding Nemo Jr., Oaken in Frozen Jr., and Young Alfred in Alice by Heart. He really enjoys singing, performing, dancing, and being able to spend time with amazing people like the ones in this cast. He would like to thank his family for there support and taking the time to get me where I needed to be. He’d also like to thank the entire Beetlejuice Jr. team for creating an amazing show. Enjoy the show!
Olivia Giammatteo
Delia
Olivia Giammatteo is excited to perform as Delia in Beetlejuice Jr! A senior at FDR HS, Olivia has been part of many musicals throughout Dutchess County. Some of her favorite roles were Winnie Foster in New Deal’s Tuck Everlasting, Matilda (Matilda) and Maggie (A Chorus Line) Beacon Performing Arts Center and Jenna Rolan (Be More Chill) with The Center at Rhinebeck. She also attended the Junior Theatre Festival as part of BPAC’s Company. Thank you New Deal, for allowing me to be on stage with you. It’s an honor to be part of an amazing team that shares the love of musical theatre!
Roman Benca
Mover, Death by Fireworks, Ensemble
Roman Benca is proud to be in Beetlejuice Jr. Roman has been seen on stage as Boy Scrooge in Christmas Carol at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. He has also been seen as Tommy Bailey u/s in It’s a Wonderful Life at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck and Ensemble in Addams Family Jr. with The New Deal Creative Arts.
Bailee Crocco
Machete Bride
This is Bailee’s eighth year with New Deal Creative Arts Center with this being her 9th production. Her favorite role to date was Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid Jr. When not performing on stage she likes to play soccer and basketball.