Dylan F. Thomas has performed all over the world in many different musical genres, including musical theater, opera, jazz, pop, and classic rock. He spent 11 months performing in several different productions for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, singing for tens of thousands of people every day. At Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, he had the honor of performing for legendary musical theater lyricist and songwriter Sheldon Harnick in two of Harnick’s musicals: the rarely seen Rex, as well as Fiddler on the Roof. Dylan is in-demand as a Stage Director, Acting Coach, and Performer. Last year, he was invited to be Guest Lecturer and Stage Director at Yale University, where he staged the Opera Scenes and taught his unique acting method, The Dressler Technique, in “Acting for Opera”. This Spring, Dylan looks forward to directing a double bill of operas at his alma mater, Cal State University, Northridge. Dylan is Opera Program Manager for the GRAMMY-winning National Children’s Chorus’s youth opera program, National Youth Opera Academy, where he teaches acting and prop-making, and co-directs the fully staged operas during the summer opera camp. Dylan is Co-Founder and Principal Stage Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), where he has directed and performed in many operas, musicals, and other events over the past 19 years. As a passionate educator, Dylan maintains a private acting studio, offering individual, small group, and large group classes for performers in all genres of theater, including musical theater, opera, straight theater, and tv/film.

Shira Renee Thomas is the General & Artistic Director of Valley Opera & Performing Arts (VOPA), currently in its 18th season. VOPA has helped launch the careers of many singers and instrumentalists who’ve gone on to perform in organizations such as English National Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Bowl, to name a few. As a singer herself, Shira has performed all over the world and with some of the biggest stars in opera. Among the numerous awards earned by her, Shira won 1st prize in the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Vocal Solo Competition in North Wales, which has hosted such legendary opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Bryn Terfel in past years. Having suffered from debilitating recurrent Depression for 25 years, Shira has become an advocate for mental health, and has been interviewed on the subject by National Geographic and KTTV News. She has also written articles for HuffPost and Classical Singer Magazine, and is frequently invited to attend various events and conferences to tell her story of overcoming Depression. Shira is grateful to the staff at Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles for helping her to finally beat the illness and go into remission.

Julia Timmons is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University holding a BFA in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Music Technology and a Masters in Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM). Timmons currently serves as Executive Assistant to General and Artistic Director of VOPA, Shira R. Thomas. She is also an administrator at the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and runs her vocal studio - JCT Vocal Studio. Timmons is accomplished both on and off stage. Some favorite onstage roles include Sandrina (La Finta Giardiniera), Sharpay (High School Musical), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown) and Bunny Byron (Babes in Arms). Offstage, Timmons is skilled in audio technology, stage and production management, and Audio/Video capture and live streaming.

Andrea Bear has captivated audiences with her performances in roles such as The Narrator in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Cinderella in “Into the Woods,” and Wendy in “Peter Pan.” Her talents extend beyond the stage, as she has graced symphony orchestras nationwide as a featured soloist and participated in the original cast of the groundbreaking musical, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” With a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan and an MA from Columbia University in NYC, she is not only a seasoned performer but also a highly sought-after voice teacher and vocal coach, adept in all styles of musical theater and pop. Andrea’s creative endeavors extend to writing, directing, and executive producing numerous large-scale musical reviews and concert events, both domestically and internationally. Notably, she served as a creative consultant for the Grammy Award-winning album and sheet music songbook for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. As one of Emily Bear’s original managers for more than 15 years, Andrea played a pivotal role in nurturing her talent and steering her career in the music industry.

Thirteen-year-old singer/actress Eden Kontesz has been performing in concerts and musicals, on television and at sporting events and galas since she was five years old, appearing in such venues as the Beverly Hilton and the Saban Theatre. Since 2019, she has sung the National Anthem five times before a crowd of 45,000 at the opening games of Supercross at Angel Stadium, Anaheim. Ms. Kontesz has appeared in the television show Transparent and sung on The Simpsons. Recently, as a voiceover artist, Ms. Kontesz played the lead character in Bird Box Barcelona. Her voice was also featured on the series Don’t Look Deeper. A recording of the theme song from the movie Jacob the Baker was recently released. Musical theater credits include leading roles in Aladdin, Legally Blonde, Frozen and many others. In 2020, Ms. Kontesz participated as a lead singer in a global project for Corona Relief, a collaboration between singer Diane Warren and composer Sharon Farber, both Grammy Award winners, and the United Nations. The project featured singers from six continents in an ensemble of 200 singers and instrumentalists.

Katie McTyre is thrilled to be joining this wonderful cast of Oklahoma! Katie is a proud graduate from NYU Steinhardt’s Master of Music program in Vocal Performance in Music Theater. She obtained her BA in Music from the University of Connecticut. While performing throughout the New England area, New York City, and California, Katie has also found time and enjoyment in all aspects of live performance, most recently directing The Wizard of Oz at the High Street Arts Center. She has worked as musical director, director and production stage manager for multiple productions. Katie is a frequent guest artist for VOPA’s Best of Broadway series, where she is an audience favorite. When not performing, Katie found her passion in teaching, and has been teaching voice and piano lessons full time for over 10 years.  Katie is the music director for Kismet Kids musical theater, and heads the music program at the Egremont School and Kirk O' the Valley. Favorite past roles include: Maria Rainer – Sound of Music (2022 HSAC Outstanding Lead Actress); Inga – Young Frankenstein;  Ms. Andrew – Mary Poppins (2019 HSAC Outstanding Featured Actress); Doralee Rhodes – 9 to 5; Mrs Lovett – Sweeney Todd; Mother – Ragtime; Petra – A Little Night Music; Irene Malloy – Hello, Dolly!

Mady McGraw is an actor, singer, and writer born and raised in Littleton, Colorado. She currently resides in Los Angeles California, and is an AMDA alumni. Favorite credits of hers include dancing on the Wicked LA Red Carpet Premiere, Disenchanted! (Snow White), Songs for a New World (Woman 2), Les Miserables (Cosette), and Now. Here. This. (Women 2). Mady started writing her own music at the age of 12, and at 16 starred in an original music video. Her unique blend ranges from pop, rock to soulful folk. She writes original film and TV scripts, and works with her creative partner and sister, Lily McGraw. She takes pride in her passion, adaptability—and her Jennifer Coolidge impersonation. This is Mady’s first production with VOPA, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the welcoming theatre family. She thanks God, and her family for their endless support! @mady_mcgraw

Zach McDonald is thrilled to be returning to VOPA as Will Parker in Oklahoma! Having received formative training at AMDA College and Conservatory and Mercersburg Academy, he credits his mentors and educators for instilling in him the skills and passion necessary for his craft. Recent credits include Fyedka in “Fiddler on the Roof”, Rusty Charlie in “Guys and Dolls” and Pantalone in “Two Trusty Notaries,” experiences that have cultivated his artistic growth. Most Recently, his portrayal of The Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood was one of his most enriching roles to date and he enjoyed the opportunity to connect with audiences in a unique and memorable way, as he hopes to do here at VOPA. Zach would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, roommates and mentors whose unwavering support and guidance have been the cornerstone of his journey.

Andrew Landecker is an actor, singer and musician. He is thrilled to join VOPA and the talented cast of “Oklahoma!”. Andrew has performed from coast to coast. Some of his credits include: Amos (Chicago, the Musical), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof), LeFou (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Soprano (The Streaming Verse of Madness), Robin (Something Rotten!), Elf (Cirque: Spirit of Christmas), Adventure Andy (Jurassic Quest National Tour), Speed (Sky High Remote Learning), Chester (The Bully Problem). Thank you to the “Oklahoma!” creative team for the opportunity, and to my family, friends and mentors for their support.

Cymbaline Filippi is a professional singer, actor, dancer, pianist, and flautist with many years of experience in the sacred, classical, and musical theater genres. She has been dancing since the age of 5, and choreographed Seussical the Musical, as well as several dance, musical theater, and choral numbers for various performances. Some of her favorite roles include Anna in The King and I, Fiona in Brigadoon, Nellie in South Pacific, “Pop” in Chicago, and Marian the Librarian in The Music Man. This is her second time performing as Gertie in Oklahoma!. She is excited to be able to act, sing, and dance in this fabulous production, as well as assist in the choreography. Cymbaline teaches general music, choir, and band at CHIME Charter School, to inspire the next generation of musicians. This is her fourth production with VOPA, and she feels blessed to be a part of it, and grateful to Dylan and Shira Thomas for this opportunity.

Randy Crenshaw has been called “the Swiss Army knife of L.A. singers”, due to his versatility.  Randy grew up in Central Oregon, later attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying commercial music arranging.  Forty-plus years later, he has hundreds of major Hollywood film, television, commercial, and record credits.  On the TV series “The Simpsons”, Randy was usually Homer Simpson’s singing voice.  He was also Charlie Sheen’s singing voice (and, after Charlie left the show, sang for Angus T. Jones!) on the theme song for “2 ½ Men”.  He has “stunt-sung” for many other actors.  For the last 10 years, he’s been a featured character voice in the “Nightmare Before Christmas Live” film music concerts worldwide. He's blessed to be happily married for 45 years (to the same woman!), with three talented grown daughters, all professional singers.  Thanks to Shira, Dylan, Julia, and VOPA for this terrific opportunity! www.randycrenshaw.com

Yaniv Snir attended a performing arts high school but took a modest 25-year hiatus from the stage to pursue a career in international development and business strategy. He’s spent decades managing proposals and leading business growth—but none of that prepared him for the choreographed chaos of Oklahoma! Yaniv is thrilled (and mildly terrified) to return to performing, proving that it’s never too late to rediscover your inner thespian. He thanks his family for their unwavering support, his colleagues for not asking too many questions, and the audience for being kind during his big return!