Teen Versionary 2025

Art Bonakdar (xe/xem/xer, he/him/his): is overjoyed to debut in Diversionary Theatre’s Teenversionary Mosiac of the Mind this year. Xe is a multi-media artist, enjoying hobbies ranging from ttrpgs to fiber arts, and took part in this years programs of writing and performance arts.  Art is rising senior in high school and is going to continue studying xer various visual arts and talents. Xe hopes you enjoy the show and all the work fellow castmates have put into it.

Bowie Badong (he/him): is delighted to be a part of Diversionary’s Teenversionary program 2025. He is a LGBTQ+ theatre kid, doing a range of things in the department including acting and tech. His past shows include Teenversionary 2024 as well as a couple shows at High Tech HighSchool. He enjoys collecting trinkets, writing, stage managing, and painting!

Gray Cohen (they/them/theirs): Gray Cohen is so excited to be participating in TeenVersionary 2025. They are a queer actor that is also an up and coming senior. Their credits include participating in the Pam Farr Summer Shakespeare Studio (2024), a production of And Then There Were None at IFCT (2024), as well as multiple short films and small theater performances at the San Diego Met High School. They enjoy all things storytelling and can’t wait for you all to experience what this ensemble has been cooking up.

Olivia Hinds (any pronouns): This is Olivia Hinds’ third show in the Teenversionary program. She participated in the two previous plays, and has been part of a few improv and theater programs. She dabbles in a variety of artistic ventures, ranging from painting, to sewing, to music. Olivia particularly enjoys playing the keyboard, which she does regularly with the San Diego School of Rock organization. Outside of any organizations, she likes collecting clowns, playing with makeup, and seeing live music. She hopes that the audience will get as much from the performance as the actors have.

Mattias Milsom (he/they):

is a senior in high school, hoping to study linguistics, archaeology, or environmental science in college. Freshman year he had a tech theatre class, through which he helped create sets for, and tech, the plays Too Fabulous to Fail and Almost, Maine. He also worked at the box office for The Election. This spring when he got the opportunity to see Henry VI at the Old Globe Theatre, it inspired him to get involved with theatre this summer, which led to Diversionary. He is thankful to have worked on Mosaic of the Mind with such wonderful people, and is excited for what is to come next.

Mateo Todd (they/he): loves history, theatre, and basically any art form. He has a really cute dog named Lafayette. He’s incapable of taking anything seriously because he’s afraid of being mocked, and he broke his friendship with sleep off because caffeine said she wanted to be the only girl in his life. Sleep was “really touchy”.

Molly Lehman (they/them): is grateful to be part of Diversionary Theatre’s 2025 Teenversionary show. Previous: Diversionary 2023, Teenversionary 2024, and tech theatre in some high school productions. They enjoy drawing, podcasts, cooking, paper mache, and often have a nagging feeling that the worst is yet to come. Molly appreciates this opportunity and would like to thank their fellow actors, friends, family, and Diversionary staff for helping to bring this into existence. They hope viewers will enjoy the show.

River Trevino (they/them/she): is a 17 year old disabled queer artist and aspiring scientist who hopes to one day get their stories out to the world. They strive to write stories that are realistically relatable to anyone who comes across them. River is currently writing what someday will hopefully become an indie animated series as well as a couple webcomics that may or may not be making a comeback soon. This show marks the first time they have been back on the stage performing since they were 10 years old. 

Creative Director 
Wilfred is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist & serves as the Director of Education & Community Engagement at Diversionary Theatre. He is an Actor’s Equity member with a M.F.A. in Musical Theatre, a M.A. in Theatre Arts, and a B.A. in Theatre Performance: Acting and Musical Theatre. Wilfred is also a graduate of the Meisner and Chekhov Integrated Acting Studio (MCIT). Wilfred is interdisciplinary Postdoctoral faculty at the University of San Diego in the departments of Theatre and Music. Wilfred serves as an artistic trustee and resident director at Project Performer & Coronado Junior Arts League

For the last 18 years, Wilfred has been a teaching artist with La Jolla Playhouse, Imagine Brave Spaces, Arts Education Connection, Young Actors Theater, San Diego Junior Theatre, & Blindspot Collective. Wilfred is also a lecturer at San Diego State University and an adjunct professor at San Diego City College.

Wilfred is a director and choreographer specializing in the development of new works, and has directed over 40 productions. His favorite work fuses social activism and community engagement to his wide array of theatre and dance performance experience. His artistic practice spans Opera, Dance Theatre, Musical Theatre, dramatic works to Theatre for Social Change. Wilfred builds and facilitates drama based programs for youth, adults & elders.

Associate Director
Amira is a theater practitioner and educator interested in using the arts as a tool for discovery, connection, healing, and self- actualization. Her work has a strong focus on community, self- advocacy, and joy! Amira currently works as a teaching artist with Diversionary, Imagine Brave Spaces, and The Old Globe. She has also worked with Backyard Renaissance, Oceanside Theatre Company, Loud Fridge, Blindspot Collective, Prague Shakespeare Company, and more as an actor, facilitator, writer, and director.

Associate Director
Janeth Shayo is currently in the San Diego State University MFA in musical theater program. She is a musical theatre performer whose vibrant career has spanned over 15 years, captivating audiences with her powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and heartfelt performances. Janeth has consistently showcased her extraordinary talent in shows such as SpongeBob the Musical, Hairspray, and The Fantasticks. She envisions a future where she can collaborate with theatres on an international level, fostering a global community of performers and educators. She dreams of creating inclusive and accessible programs that inspire young talent from diverse backgrounds to explore their creativity and find their own unique voices in the world of musical theatre.

Teaching Artist

Nicole Cantalupo (she/her) holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and is credentialed in English, Social Science, and College & Career Technical Education: Arts, Media, and Entertainment. She currently teaches Theatre & Technical Theatre for students in 9th-12th grades at Canyon Hills High School.

Nicole has worked for several local theatres, including La Jolla Playhouse, Diversionary Theatre, MOXIE Theatre, and Center Stage Children’s Theatre, for the past 16 years as a teaching artist, curriculum developer, and arts education advocate. She enjoys devising new work, focusing on verbatim theatre and performance for social change. She loves teaching theatre because it is a collaborative art that brings people together who have a variety of skills and interests.

Teaching Artist Intern
Collin Sloan is currently finishing his last year at SDSU, pursuing a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre Arts with a Youth Theatre emphasis. Originally from Florida, Collin has performed in numerous spaces within the Central Florida area performing in shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, Spring Awakening, and The Addams Family. Collin is thankful for the opportunity to be involved with Diversionary Theatre and is looking forward to continuing his work within the San Diego theatre community in the future.

Stage Manager
Izzy Donenberg is a Los Angeles based, freelance, EMC stage manager, event manager, and sound designer. Izzy works with various theaters, for example, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. Contributing to shows like their immersive production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and Al Pacino’s readings of “Richard III” starring Hamish Linklater, Lily Rabe, and Keith David. Izzy also works with event management companies like The Amy Shomer Production Company managing events like fundraisers for the UCLA Luskin Children’s Orthopedic hospital at SoFi stadium. Izzy branches away from designing and managing to step on stage as an LA based indie artist. Under the name “Izzy Bedau” you can find them anywhere you listen to music.

Lighting Designer

SAMMY WEBSTER (He, They) holds a Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design and Technology from San Diego State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television Production from Middle Tennessee State University. They have had the privilege of collaborating for and designing numerous productions over the years, including: The world premiere of When We Are Found at Penumbra Theatre, A New Brain, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, The Addams Family, Mother Courage, and more. They have assisted designers at venues such as La Jolla Playhouse, Cygnet Theatre Company, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and more. “What a privilege it is to be able to contribute to something that inspires, and listens to the next generation of queer artists so freely. 

When getting to create for a piece of this nature, I often wonder how different my life would have been having this community as a teenager. There is a freedom in watching a younger generation find themselves in the creation of art and storytelling so openly. It makes my heart happy to know that, in the face of adversity, and so much hate in the world- we are still taking steps forward to be seen, be together and be ourselves. It tells me that our collective struggle means progress, and it will continue to mean forward movement as long as we are a united front. Taking a second to smile about how far we have come is half the battle; we often lose ourselves when we forget to do that. Enjoy the show! Happy Pride!” 

We are no longer requiring masks in our theater. Masks are still encouraged to help keep our performers and audience members safe, but they are not required.

NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any moment to reflect changing local, state, and federal regulations. Please return before your scheduled performance date to see our most recent policy.