Samuel Beardslee
Samuel (Assistant Tech Director) was previously a part of Mt. Pleasant High School’s Badger, Mamma Mia!, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Beauty and the Beast as a stagehand, as well as Emily Bronte: Teenage Necromancer, and The Addams Family Musical and Clue as a Stage Manager. Samuel’s favorite theater memory “is building the sets for each and every show that I’ve been a part of, but especially Mamma Mia! and The Play That Goes Wrong.” After graduation, Samuel plans to attend Central Michigan University for Pre-Law. Samuel shared that he “would like it known that he is especially excited to get to work on a show with his younger sibling Molly Beardslee before he leaves MPHS.” The MPHS Performing Arts programs send Samuel best wishes as he graduates from Mt. Pleasant High School!
Jaybee Bunting
Jaybee (Papa Ogre; Captain of the Guard; Duloc Greeter; Dragon Puppeteer) previously acted or was a part of the pit orchestra in Mt. Pleasant High School’s Mamma Mia! (Drummer), Beauty and the Beast (Drummer), Emily Brontë, Teenage Necromancer (Seamus and Meat Pudding), The Addams Family Musical (Uncle Fester) and Clue (Wadsworth). Jaybee shared, “my experience in Shrek was great! Having the chance to puppeteer Dragon was amazing, and working with everyone on this has been delightful.” After graduation Jaybee plans to attend Central Michigan University. The MPHS Performing Arts programs send Jaybee best wishes as he graduates from Mt. Pleasant High School!
Derek Deans
Derek (Pit orchestra, clarinet and bass clarinet) has been a part of the Mt. Pleasant High School’s pit orchestra since his sophomore year. Derek shared that he “loves the challenge that pit music brings; Beauty and the Beast my sophomore year was some of the hardest music I’d ever played.” Derek, who also helped with set building over the years, shared that his “favorite theatre memory was opening night for Beauty and the Beast. The show had already been practiced many times, but the crowd being there and everyone feeling the same type of anxiety made it all finally feel real. It was the first show that I was actually a part of, so it was all life changing.” After graduation Derek plans to attend the University of Michigan, majoring in computer science engineering. Derek added that he wanted to quit so many times, but he didn’t, and he’s so glad about that. The MPHS Performing Arts programs send Derek best wishes as he graduates from Mt. Pleasant High School!
Ben Dvorak
Ben (Tech Crew and Curtains) was previously a part of Mt. Pleasant High School’s productions of Beauty and the Beast, Emily Bronte: Teenage Necromancer, The Addams Family Musical, and the MPHS Thespians Play in a Day. Ben shared that his “favorite memory is spending time with my friends during set building; getting to build such an elaborate creation while being with people I care about.” After graduation, Ben plans to attend Central Michigan University, “but I’ve still yet to decide on a major.” Ben also shared that “it has been such an amazing experience getting to be in the theatre program and to get to be a part of this amazing community. I hope that everyone else enjoys it just as much as I did and I hope that you enjoy all of your performances to come.” The MPHS Performing Arts programs send Ben best wishes as he graduates from Mt. Pleasant High School!
Maggie Fanning
Maggie (Princess Fiona) is in her 17th production and 9th production at Mt. Pleasant High School. Maggie shared that she “has been honored to participate in the 2024 Sutton Foster Awards and 2025 Take it From the Top intensive at the Wharton Center.” Maggie added that her “favorite memory from my high school theater experience has been participating in pre-show rituals like “zap” and “diva time,” and helping to produce the cast mocumentary, “In the Wings”.” After graduation Maggie plans to pursue songwriting professionally and obtain a degree in commercial music/music business. Maggie shared that she “dedicates my performance to my loving and supportive family and friends, who have never stopped believing that I could do what I set my mind to.” The MPHS Performing Arts programs send Maggie best wishes as she graduates from Mt. Pleasant High School!
