Christmas Canteen at The Bowl (In-person)

Michael Crute is thrilled to be back at the Aurora Theatre. He recently had his Aurora Theatre debut in Aurora’s summer production of Children of Eden. Currently enrolled at the University of Georgia, Michael will graduate in May with his B.A in Advertising & a certificate in Music Business. He’s honored to be a part of such a talented cast and would like to thank his family, friends and God for all of their love, support and continued encouragement.

LAUREN HILL, an Atlanta native, is thrilled to make her Aurora Theatre debut! Lauren is a senior BFA Acting Major at Brenau University. Recent credits: Aida (Amneris) and Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at the Atlanta Lyric, Cabaret (Texas/Dance Captain) and Godspell (Morgan) at the Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Thanks to the entire Children of Eden production team for the opportunity to tell this story! Love to her family, friends, and Thomas! To God be the glory! @lauren_ehill.

Maya Quiñones is excited to make her Aurora Theatre debut! She is an emerging singer/songwriter, currently working on her first Latin Fusion EP, Waves. Credits include: Judas in Godspell, Nautica in Bring It On, Ensemble in The Wiz in Concert (Independent Artists' Playhouse). A Dare Dream Dance alumna, she spent much of her youth studying various forms of dance; among her favorites are Afro-Cuban and Horton. She is currently a senior at Campbell High School and plans to study contemporary vocal performance in college. Mami & Papi, thank you for always supporting my dreams. IG: @mayaqquin

HADEN RIDER (he/ him) is thrilled to be back with some of his favorite people at the Aurora Theatre, and to be celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with such an incredible cast and creative team!
Past regional credits include: Monty Navarro in A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder, Quasimodo in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Perchik in Fiddler On The Roof, Jack in Into The Woods, Radames in Aida, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Tony Elliot in Billy Elliot, Abel in Children Of Eden, Gabe in Next To Normal. Boundless thanks to the Aurora Theatre as well as family and friends for their love and support. 
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a blessed New Year!  www.hadenrider.com
‪IG: @haden_riderdie

INDIA TYREE (she/her)'s recent credits include Jennie T Anderson Theatre’s The Last Five Years (Cathy) , Aurora Theatre's Song and Dance (Girl) and Christmas Canteen 2021 (Host). Buicentennial Productions, Respect.  Twelfth Night (Olivia) at Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, Rock of Ages (Justice) and Burn The Floor (Lead Vocalist) on Norwegian Breakaway. Aida (Aida) at Atlanta Lyric Theatre.  Film/TV: Tyler Perry Studios, Sistas and Zatima, (Heather). Representation: People Store Agency. Follow her artistic journey on Instagram: @indiatyree

JUAN CARLOS UNZUETA is so excited to be participating in Christmas Canteen in July this year at Aurora. Other Atlanta credits: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Alliance Theatre), Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit), In The Heights, País de Bicicleta, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Beat Bugs A Musical Adventure (Aurora Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors, Merrily We Roll Along in Concert, and Fun Home (Actor's Express), Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre) Songs for a New World (BUICEntennial Productions). Education: BFA, BA, University of North Florida. Other: Director of Cross-Cultural Programs at Aurora Theatre, Represented by People Store. IG: @juancho181

DAVID ROSSETTI (he/him) is thrilled to be back with his friends at Aurora Theatre and at the new LAC! Previous artistic work includes Associate Choreographer to Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In The Heights) for the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat national tour and dance captain and swing for the Broadway revival of Annie. Choreography and direct- ing credits in NY: Thankskilling: The Musical, Nightfall on Miranga Island (2012 Fringe Festival “Encore Series”) the viral sensation The Spidey Project (reti- tled Peter, Who) which was an official selection for the 2018 New York Musicals Festival (Best Choreography nomination). Atlanta credits: Drowsy Chaperone at Atlanta Lyric, Broadway in Review at City Springs (Virtual Presentation), and Legally Blonde, Once on this Island, Hairspray, Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer and Singin’ in the Rain at Gainesville Theatre Alliance. He also served as an Assistant Director for the Hairspray National Tour and at Paper Mill Playhouse. He thanks Tony & AC for trusting him and his hubby Dustin (and dog Mr. Benson) for letting him spend so much time away from home. Website: www.davidrossetti.com.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”