Merlin and Morgana
Show Bios
Grant Rankin (Merlin) is in seventh grade at Gilbert Classical Academy. He loves video games and doggos. Grant played Prince Upwood in Cinderella and played John in the Scarlet Pimpernel here at State 48. Last year he had the opportunity to play Jonathon in A Christmas Carol at CGCC. He was also in many shows at AYT before that. Grant has had so much fun doing this show and the cast and crew are amazing!
Emmalee Couch (Queen Guinevere) is 14 years old. She attends Heritage Academy. Emmalee has performed in Sleeping Beauty, Lost in Neverland, Scarlet Pimpernel, and Mary Poppins. When Emmalee is not acting, she loves to play volleyball, sing, and dance.
Noah Giles (Sir Lancelot) is 13 years old and is an 8th grader at ALA North Gilbert. He is so excited to be a part of this amazing production with Karli, Andrea, and Delmy. He has been on a stage since he was 7. He has been in 17 productions with FUSE PAC, AYT, and State 48 including Pirates a Love Story as a pirate, Cinderella as Prince Jaxon, Scarlet Pimpernel as Lord Anthony, Jekyll and Hyde as a Constable, Murder at Sunset as Detective Benedict, Sleeping Beauty as Seamus, and most recently in Anne of Green Gables as Charlie. He also loves being a part of Fuse’s show choir, Wildfire and taking Tap and Hip-Hop there. He would like to thank all his friends and directors for all the love and support. He loves doing theatre with State 48! He would like to thank, Karli, Andrea, and Chantel for being the best directors who have helped him become a better actor and Amy Smyth and Delmy for being amazing stage managers. He is very excited about future shows with State 48!
Iris Giles (Young Morgana) is 11 and is in 6th grade at Quartz Hill Elementary. This will be her 15th production. Some of her favorite roles have been Tinkerbell in Lost In Neverland (Fuse PAC), Jane in Peter Pan & Wendy (AYT), Pirate Lass Charlotte in Pirates a Love Story (State48), and Voltura in Villains (State 48). She was last seen as Young Diana Barry in State 48’s Anne of Green Gables. Iris is also in Fuse’s show choir Wildfire. Iris loves playing the piano, writing songs, and watching Youtube. She would like to thank Andrea, Karli and her family for their guidance and support.
Lauren Couch (Young Guinevere) is a 9-year-old fourth grader at Johnson Elementary. She has performed in Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Jungle Book and is so excited to be in Merlin and Morgana. In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing soccer, singing and dancing.
Carson Giles (Young Lancelot/Sir Lamorak) is 10 and is a 5th grader at Quartz Hill Elementary. This will be Carson’s 10th show. His previous roles have been: Toto in Oz the Musical (Fuse PAC), Slightly in Lost in Neverland (Fuse PAC), a soldier in PALS (State 48), Caranak in Sleeping Beauty (State 48), Grumpy in Villains (State 48), Vicomte de Tournay in The Scarlet Pimpernel (State 48), Kolby in Cinderella (State 48), and Charlie Sloane Jr. in Anne of Green Gables (State 48). In his free time Carson loves playing video games, playing board games, and hanging out with friends. He would like to thank Andrea, Karli and his family for all their support and guidance.
Grace Davis (Ravenna) is almost 14 and is so excited for Merlin & Morgana! She enjoys hanging with friends, singing, acting, dancing, and playing ukulele. Some of her favorite roles have been the dragon (Shrek), Madame de la Grande Bouche (Beauty and the Beast), Gwen (Murder at Sunset) Jane Andrews Sr. (Anne of Green Gables)and most recently she was so happy to be able to help with State 48’s Spook Alley event as Frankenstein’s Monster! This is her third production with State 48 and she has loved every second of these productions! She’s also SUPER excited to be joining WILDFIRE show choir this year! Grace would like to thank her family, Andrea, Karli, Delmy, Halle, Calli, Chantel, and Amy for everything they’ve done for her and what an amazing actor they have helped her to become. And how could she forget her AMAZING FRIENDS who have helped her get through some tough times!!!!! She is SO THANKFUL for everything they’ve done and loves them so much as well as the awesome cast!!! She loves you all so much! She is so grateful for all you’ve done too!!! Thank you and enjoy the show!!!
Averi Williams (Voltura) is so exited to be in her 5th show here at State 48. She enjoys singing, dancing, acting, writing, performing in her show choir group, playing with her puppies, and hanging out with her friends. Averi is almost 14, and is an 8th grader at Poston junior high school. Some of her favorite roles have been, Bastille Guard (Scarlet Pimpernel), Betty and Emily Drake (Murder at Sunset), Diana Barry (Anne of Green Gables) and many more. She would like to thank Andrea, Karli, Delmy, and most importantly her family for always supporting her in her theatre endeavors. She’s so excited for this show!!!
Sydney Glenn (Condora) is 11 years old and in 6th grade at Franklin East. She loves to do dance and act. She plays the piano and the trumpet. Sydney has been in Cinderella, Murder at Sunset, and Spook Alley with State 48. She is in love with the theater. She is so excited to be in Merlin and Morgana and that her sister Savannah is performing with her! She would like to thank her family and State 48 for all of their love and support.
Matix Williams (Sir Tristan)
Micah Van Holten (Sir. Percival) is thirteen years old and attends Highland Junior High School. He has performed in past productions with State 48 like Jekyll and Hyde, Villains, Cinderella, and Murder at Sunset. He is very excited to be performing in this musical Merlin and Morgana!
Laura Flood (Sir Kay) age 11 is so excited to be in this production. Laura is a spunky honor roll student and 6th grader at Legacy Traditional Academy. Laura enjoys dancing, singing, acting, and being with her friends. Laura gives thanks to everyone that has supported her in this thing she loves.
Cayleb Couch (Sir Galahad) is a 12–year-old 7th grader at Heritage Academy. This is his third play and he’s enjoying every minute of it. Cayleb spends his free time playing basketball and reading.
Sofia Lindsey (Sir Gawain) is 13 years old, in 8th grade, and attends Horizon Honors Secondary School in Ahwatukee. She is thrilled to be a part of Merlin and Morgana, her second show here at State 48! Some of her favorite roles include Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables at State 48 Theatre Company, Wonderland High at Pinnacle Creative Arts (Daisy), Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Limelight Youth Theatre (Arista/ensemble-NYA nominee) and Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. at Chandler Youth Theatre (Ariel). She would like to thank Andrea McFeely, Karli Kemper, Delmy Giles, and this awesome and talented cast for making Merlin and Morgana so fun and filled with joy. Sofia would also like to thank her family and friends for all of their love, support, and constant devotion to her passion. Col. 3:17
Tommy Dale (Sir Geraint), is 11 years old. He attends Porter Elementary and currently serves as the Student Body President and Chief Science Officer of his school. He also plays the cello in the 6th grade orchestra. He is passionate about music and has been singing and harmonizing with music since he was 3! He has been in several music performances and concerts since his toddler years and is just recently beginning to hone his skills as an actor too. He has played Paul in Fairytale Journey, Michael in Lost in Neverland, and Mowgli in In the Jungle. He would like to thank his family and friends who have supported him on his journey and thank Dwayne Johnson (his favorite actor) who inspired him to pursue acting.
Savannah Springer (Disparu) is a sweet, hilarious and high-energy fifth-grader who loves performing, high heels, making Tik Tok videos and snuggling with her puppy, Max. Favorite roles include Young Daisy in Side Show, Molly in Annie Jr., Substitute Gorf in Sideways Stories from Wayside School, and Minion Mack in Villains. When she’s not singing and dancing, she’s swinging a softball bat, riding her hoverboard, or knocking people out cold with her big personality.
Brooklyn Harris (Muetriere) is so excited to be working with State 48 again! She is a 15-year-old sophomore attending Mesa High. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and writing stories and songs. This will be her 2nd show with State48, previously she worked on tech crew for Villains. She would like to make an honorable mention to her amazing friends, “Mother” Hannah Van Holten, Parker “Dingus” Nuttall, Erin “The Wench” Garner, and her mother Kristi Harris, who have supported her throughout her theatre experience. She would also like to thank Andrea, the wonderful woman behind the curtain, along with Karli, Delmy, and Halle for giving her an amazing experience to work with amazing actors again! Enjoy the show!!
Carma Jenkins (Revolu) is 11 years old and is a 6th grader at Highland Arts Elementary. Carma loves the stage and has been in Lion King Kids (Sarabi), Suessical Kids (Sour Kangaroo), Bye Bye Birdie Young @part, and Spamalot Young @Part (Lady of the Lake) with her school. This is her first show with State 48 Theatre and she has had a great experience being a part of this show! Thanks to Andrea and Karli for such an awesome performance opportunity!
Jayme Lynn Cole( Sansvie) Is exited and and yet really nervous. She goes to Johnson elementary, has 3 great friends, and loves school. This is Jaymes frist show, but she has written 3 minute skits for school and has enjoyed them throughly. She is a very hard worker and if you ask her to do something whith out a question she will do it( which some times gets her sick). She is happy to be for this experience.
Alex Marin (Nimue) is 12 and lives and breathes musical theatre, and is so excited for this production! This is her first show with State 48 and she is so thankful for the chance to perform! Other favorite past roles include Tallulah in Bugsy Malone Jr. @ AYT and Elsa in Frozen Jr. @ LFPA. She is so grateful to Andrea, Karli, and Delmy for the opportunity and would like to thank the many people who helped her along the way. Special thanks go to her parents, grandparents, and Elise.