Alex Gray (Frog) is so excited to be in NWCT’s production of Frog & Toad! 

“This was one of my favorite musicals as a kid, so to be able to put my own spin on it as Frog is incredible,” she says. “I can tell that all of us truly care about putting on a great show for the kids– and that just makes me want to work even harder.” 

Alex’s last production was World Stage Theatre’s Once on This Island in October. She is also a professional journalist, working as a News Producer at a local TV station. Alex would like to thank her parents and friends for believing in her many, many dreams.

Since Frog & Toad is all about friendship, Alex would also like to give a shout out to her friend Carrie. 

“She is kind and thoughtful,” Alex says. “There is never a time we are not laughing together. Without her, I don’t know if I would have felt ‘at home’ in Portland.” 

Brandy Schnaars (Toad) is beyond thrilled for her first NWCT production! Previously, she appeared in OCT’s Goodnight Moon as a sweet old lady just trying to get a bunny to sleep, and as the Sea Witch in Funhouse Lounge’s production of Twisted. You may also have seen her in several Nutz-n-Boltz productions. 

A performer since middle school, Brandy continues to push herself any chance she has by taking lessons and classes. She is a firm believer that age or body type should never stop someone from pursuing what they love. She couldn’t do any of this without her loving husband, wonderful children, and friends, all of whom are pure magic. 

Fun Facts: Brandy’s favorite kind of cookie is molasses. Her favorite season is fall because she loves the cool breeze after the summer and the beautiful changing leaves.

Stella MacKay (Snail) most recently appeared as Sam the Snowman (u/s) in NWCT’s Rudolph! She is sixteen years old and a proud member of Catalyst: NWCT’s Youth Company.

Some of Stella’s favorite roles include Michael in Elf and Orcus in She Kills Monsters. So far, her favorite NWCT memory is performing on The Judy’s new stage for the first time as a Squirelle in Elephant & Piggie. 

“It was very special to be a part of a huge new chapter for NWCT,” she says. 

Stella’s favorite season is spring, because it’s not too hot and not too cold. Her favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin, even though she “knows it isn’t the crowd favorite.”

Stella would like to thank her friends and family, as well as everyone who was a part of this process for being such a delight to work with. Gotta run!

Shalanda Sims (Director) is a writer, actor, singer, and director with more than twenty-five years of experience in arts education and advocating for youth. 

Known for her commitment to excellence and her love of community, Shalanda exemplifies “Black Joy” through her interactions, work ethic, and conversations. As founder and executive director of World Stage Theatre, she offers space and opportunity for participants of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to imagine and grow together. 

Shalanda is the author of one children’s book, The Hooded Quilt, and seven plays, including Church Girls (Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest playwriting category). In 2022, her play Vanport was commissioned by the Vanport Mosaic Festival. The play later ran for three consecutive sold-out weeks at NWCT, receiving both local and national coverage. 

As a vocalist and actor, Shalanda has had the privilege and honor of touring the country and abroad on stages small and grand. She has performed with the Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, and Portland Center Stage, to name just a few. 

Shalanda’s favorite season is spring because flowers are beginning to bud, and there’s more daylight and sunshine. Her favorite outdoor activities include playing softball, watching softball, or working outside in her yard. You can learn more about Shalanda at shalandasims.com. 

Joshua Sommerville (Music Director) is excited and grateful for his first show with NWCT! 

A native of Gaithersburg, MD, Joshua graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Music. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working alongside esteemed artists such as the late Dr. Walter Turnbull (Director of the Harlem Boys Choir), Dr. Ysaye Barnwell (of the GRAMMY award-winning vocal group, Sweet Honey in the Rock), Stanley Thurston, Bill Colosimo, the late Dr. Karen Kennedy, Dr. Joyce Garrett, Dr. Patrick Lundy, Richard Odom, Dr. Stephen Holmes, Dr. Marco Merrick, and multi-GRAMMY award-winners Twinkie Clark and Melba Moore, as well as many others. 

Joshua has founded three semi-professional groups: his WI.L. community choir, Unique Sounds of Love, and To Be Continued Youth Choir. His critically acclaimed workshop How Much Do You Love It? has traveled to Bermuda, Italy, Guatemala, Germany, and Africa. Joshua also tours as music director for the world-renowned choreographer Rennie Harris. 

In 2020, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC hired Joshua as their assistant conductor, as well as conductor of their vocal ensemble, Seasons of Love. 

Based in Portland since 2022, Joshua has worked locally with BRAVO Youth Orchestras, West Linn Lutheran Church, and the Portland Boychoir. Currently, he serves Portland and Milwaukie youth as choir director at Jefferson High School and the Portland Waldorf School, respectively. 

Joshua’s favorite cookie is a soft chocolate chip cookie. His favorite seasons are spring and fall, because the weather is just right. 

Gabriela Portuguez (Choreographer) is celebrating her first production with NWCT! 

Surrounded by Los Angeles’ vibrant culture and creativity, Gabriela was drawn to the stage early in life. Over the years, she has honed her skills as a performer and excelled in many artistic roles, from directing, teaching, and beyond. 

As a bilingual and bicultural Latina, Gabriela is committed to creating new works that have a positive impact on young audiences. In 2011, she founded her own production company, Latin Groove PDX, which showcased original works surrounding the theme  “Evolution of Latin Hip-Hop.” Her shows present a unique blend of Latin rhythms and contemporary dance styles that have earned her a loyal following.

Currently, Gabriela works as a state-certified PPS performing arts teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. Her commitment to the arts is evident in her projects with Teatro Milagro as a director and choreographer for Mijita Fridita (2022) and Worry Dolls (Fall 2023). She has also choreographed for TROY at Bag&Baggage. 

Gabriela’s favorite season is fall because of the sunsets and warm colors. She finds inspiration from her creative team during rehearsals and family time. 

John Ellingson (Scenic & Properties Designer) is Northwest Children’s Theater’s Associate Artistic Director. After painting more than 60 sets for the company, his duties ballooned to include set design, property design, directing, puppet making, and more.

In 2013, John received a special Drammy award for his mask design for The BFG; the following year, he received another Drammy for James and the Giant Peach. In 2015, he designed the set for NWCT’s Mary Poppins, which won both the Drammy and Portland Area Musical Theater Awards for Outstanding Set Design—the PAMTAs also awarded John’s prop design for the same production. His proudest design achievements include Matilda the Musical, The Cat in the Hat, James and the Giant Peach, Elephant and Piggie: We Are in a Play!, and The Little Mermaid. John studied puppetry in the U.K after being the recipient of the Portland Civic Theater Guild’s Leslie O. Fulton Fellowship which led to creating NWCT’s Starling series, for which he designed and fabricated over 50 original puppets, and took home another Drammy for outstanding puppetry. 

Paul Brown (Lighting Designer & Master Carpenter) has worked with NWCT for over 20 years! One of Paul’s favorite memories is his son learning to climb the carpeted stairs leading to our old stage at the Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center. Today, Paul’s son is 16 and helps run sound in The Black Box! 

Paul’s favorite season is summer because he “gets to wear tank tops and shorts for three months!” 

Since A Year with Frog & Toad is all about friendship, Paul would also like to give a shout out to Don Crossley, a former roommate, best man at his wedding, and one of the kindest people he’s ever met.

Nancy Christy (Costume Designer & Costume Shop Manager) has been working at NWCT for 15 years. In addition to designing costumes for Mainstage shows like Frog & Toad, Nancy also collaborates on the design and construction of costumes for NWCT’s youth company, Catalyst.  

Her favorite season is spring because of all of the beautiful flowers! Her favorite cookie is ginger. 

Nancy would like to thank Claudia, Tevis, Michelle, Signe, Meera, and Gowri for all their wonderful work on the costumes for Frog and Toad! 

Henry Martin (Sound Designer & Board Operator) has been working with NWCT since he was a little kid. Most recently, you may have seen flinging cow patties in The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. 

Currently a production assistant, he appreciates all the opportunities NWCT has given him both onstage and behind the scenes. So far, his favorite memory with the company is stage manager Roger Monroe singing “Ring of Fire” at the alumni karaoke party. 

Henry’s favorite season is autumn because of the crisp air, comfy, cozy clothes, and the chance to finally escape summer’s humidity. His favorite cookie is oatmeal chocolate chip, though he wouldn’t turn down oatmeal raisin either. 

“The secret is in the oats!” he says. 

Roger Monroe (Stage Manager) has been with NWCT for more than 25 years! His favorite part of working with the company is seeing youth performers come back as adults. 

Roger’s favorite season is winter, and his favorite outdoor activity is hiking the gorge.

Since Frog & Toad is all about friendship, he would like to give a shoutout to Andy Alcala, the kindest, most considerate person he knows.