Time Stands Still
Faculty and Guest Artist
Sheldon Mba
Sheldon Mba (Director) is the Program Coordinator of Acting and Theatre Studies and Assistant Professor of Performing Arts, at Wichita State University. He holds a BA in Theatre and Dance Performance from North Carolina Central University and an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Mba is an enthusiastic educator and active performer; he continues to stay engaged both in the classroom and onstage.
As a director and choreographer, his work centers on exposing the human condition; examining what breaks us, what shapes us, and the process of putting things back together. His direction and choreography have been featured at the American Dance Festival, the National Black Theatre Festival, and in numerous regional and local projects. He has received regional recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, earning merits for both his direction and choreography. Notable directing credits include Rabbit Hole, Catch Me If You Can, Little Women, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Dreamgirls, which marked the Wichita premiere.
Melissa Penkava Koza
Melissa Penkava Koza (Costume Designer) is an Ohio native, but she has lived in Wichita since 2018. She is the Program Coordinator for Design and Technical Theatre at WSU SPA, and she is Head of Costumes for Music Theatre Wichita during the summer months. Recent design credits include GYPSY, MIRETTE (MT Wichita 2024/2021), and Pirates of Penzance (Heartland Opera Theatre 2023). MFA in Theatre Design/Production, University of Memphis, 2014. Love and gratitude to her husband Jesse for many years of laughs, patience, love, and support. www.mapkoza.com
Cheyla Clawson
Cheyla Clawson, MA, MFA (Producer) is an Associate Professor of Dance and the Director of the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University (WSU). Chandler’s modern dance research is focused on Horton Technique, and she attended the Horton Dance Technique Certificate Program 2013-2020 at The Ailey School in NYC. Her two duets, Anam Chara (2014) and nosuchSymbiosis (2016) were invited to The American College Dance Association National Festival at The Kennedy Center. Beyond Wichita State, Clawson has created dance works for several companies and universities such as the University of Central Oklahoma, Milwaukee Dance Project, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Colima in Colima, Mexico. Cheyla presented her latest research focused on community integration curriculum in dance performance degrees at The International Arts in Society conference (Australia), gave a workshop on Dance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the American College Dance Association online National Workshop, as well as community-based intergenerational research at The American Dance Symposium in 2023. Clawson was invited to lead a panel topic on BIPOC Leadership in Higher Education in Changing Political and Cultural Environments with colleagues Charles Anderson (The Ohio State University), Chrysal U. Davis (University of Maryland), and Duane Cyrus (University of Arizona) at the The American Dance Symposium in New York City (January 2025) and the National Dance Education Organization's annual conference (October 2025). At WSU, Cheyla is a member of the university Student Success and Persistence Coalition and the University Assessment Committee. Her research is centered in LatCrit theory related to higher education systems and community/academic partnerships.
Lily Vetter
Lily Vetter (Production Coordinator) is a Production Manager, a Stage Manager, and an all-around theatre technician with a dash of Theatre Historian! Outside of the technical realm, Lily is pursuing her Ph.D. in Theatre History/Theory/Criticism and Design from Texas Tech University. Primary research areas include Theatre during conflict, World War II, Propaganda, Disney, Shakespeare, and Marxism. Lily has worked in many different roles in areas such as Dramaturg, Stage Manager, Lighting Design, Light Programming Electrician, Deck Crew, Props Master, Props Assistant, and Wardrobe Crew. As a Stage Manager, she has done plays, musicals, dance, and opera! A passionate advocate for both the technical aspects of theatre, Lily brings a unique perspective to every project, striving to make the stage a thought-provoking space for all audiences. As a disabled theatre practitioner, she is an outspoken advocate for equitable and accessible theatre, hoping to make the arts more inclusive for all individuals. During the summer, Lily serves as the Production Manager at the New London Barn Playhouse in picturesque New London, New Hampshire. As the Production Manager, she works with a variety of students and professionals to create magical shows on the 200-year-old barn stage!
Cast/Crew
Gabe Almodovar
Gabe Almodovar (Richard Ehrlick) is playing the role of Richard in the Wichita State University production of Time Stands Still. He was most recently seen as Bobby in Company, also produced at WSU. Gabe has enjoyed many roles such as Orcus in the Empty Space Theatre production of She Kills Monsters, Officer Klein in Arsenic and Old Lace at The Wichita Community Theatre, and Sam in Crossing Delancey at The Kechi Playhouse. Gabe is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts - Theatre and spends his days reading, laughing, and eating cookies.
Trevor Andreasen
Trevor Andreasen (Technical Director)
Jorden Bodenhamer
Jorden Bodenhamer (U/S Richard Ehrlick) is excited to be a part of this production. Most recently he could be found delighting WSU audiences on stage in Now We Are a Hundred, in the WSU film From the Bottom of My Heart, and in the short film What Lies Beyond. Jordan is a sophomore pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting, and is a member of WSU's Fight Club. Jordan loves the art of storytelling and hopes to make a positive impact on the world through his performances.
Mia Dennett
Mia Dennett (Sarah Goodman) is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Studies with emphasis in performance and costuming and a minor in American Sign Language. She has previously been seen onstage in Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, She Kills Monsters, and Smokefall (Empty Space Theatre) and Peter and the Starcatcher (Wichita State University). She has designed costumes for SPARK, Spring Awakening, and Le Nozze di Figaro (Wichita State University). Mia currently serves as the Lead Shop Assistant in Wichita State University’s Costume Shop, Literary Director for Empty Space Theatre, and Theatre BA Representative for SPACO. When not in the theater, she can be found engaging in activism. Mia is a founding member of Wichita State University’s chapter of D.R.E.A.M. (Disability Rights Education Activism and Mentorship) and is a member of WSU’s 1st Accessibility and Disability Pride Taskforce. She has organized protests and rallies for various causes and is a social organizer who uses the arts to encourage understanding and acceptance. Mia believes that the purpose of the arts is to tell stories that spark connection and understanding. You can see more of her work at https://miaqd23.wixsite.com/mia-dennett.
Nick Dreier
Nick Dreier (Masculine Swing) is an actor from Lindsborg, Kansas and is enrolled at Wichita State University for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting. Some of his notable credits include Claudio in Kechi Playhouse’s Much Ado About Nothing, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi in Lindsborg RFD’s production of Curtains, Black-Stash in Smoky Valley High School’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher, King Arthur in Smoky Valley High School’s production of Spamalot, Ace in the Logan Bodenhamer’s Short film Edge of Oblivion, and Young Man in Aiden Replogle’s short film Until Death.
Colton Farmer
Colton Farmer (James Dodd) is thrilled to be returning to the Wichita State University stage! Previous credits include Twelfth Night (WSU), Now We Are a Hundred (WSU), and The Rocky Horror Show (Roxy’s Downtown). Colton is a second-year student pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis in Acting. He gives thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team of this production, and to his family and friends for their constant support. Enjoy the show! @coltonjnorris
Kelsi Harris
Kelsi Harris (Sarah Goodman) is thrilled to be involved in Time Stands Still. You may recognize them from Twelfth Night from the 24-25 SPA season or from the local Wichita scene with shows such as Kechi Playhouse’s productions of Charley’s Aunt/Much Ado About Nothing as well as Wichita Shakespeare Company’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
Peyton Grace Henderson
Peyton Grace Henderson (Mandy Bloom) is a first-year student in the School of Performing Arts and is insanely thankful to be part of her second production of the 2025–2026 academic year, having previously been an understudy in the staged reading of Now We Are a Hundred in the fall semester. She is currently getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting with a minor in Music Theatre. Some of Peyton Grace’s past credits include Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly! (Guild Hall Players), Rona Lisa Perretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Heather Muller Black Box Theatre), and Jane Seymour in SIX: Teen Edition(Northeast Magnet High School). Peyton Grace would like to thank her family and friends for the support and love. She would like to thank Cheyla Clawson for the dedication and commitment to this beautiful program. She would like to thank the incredible cast and crew for their hard work and creativity. Lastly, she would like to thank Sheldon Mba for being an incredible director, teacher, supporter, and mentor during this show and during class time.
Lili Jimenez
Lili Jimenez (Feminine Swing) is excited to be part of Time Stands Still. Previous credits include Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (WSU Empty Space), and The Secret of Cornbread Flats (Old Cowtown Museum), as well as working as a scare actor in 13 Sinister Souls. She is a sophomore Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting major. In addition to theatre, Lili has a deep love for photography, which shapes the way she observes and connects with the world. She is drawn to storytelling that reflects deep feeling, empathy, and human connection.
Riley Johnsen
Riley Johnsen (James Dodd Understudy) is thankful for the opportunity to work on Time Stands Still. Riley is a second year pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts – Acting with a certificate in Voice Acting. His previous theatre credits include Twelfth Night (WSU), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Wellington Theatre), For the Love of Cup Noodles (Empty Space Theatre), and many more! Riley has also worked in films which include From the Bottom of My Heart (WSU), The Glow (WSU), and Muscle Memory (UMKC). He has also dabbled in directing and script writing! He assistant directed She Kills Monsters (Empty Space Theatre) and was able to workshop his own script, Wrecked, with Empty Space Theatre. Riley believes that creativity shouldn’t be hindered, and he hopes to bring his own sparkle to everything he creates.
Ace La Valla
Ace La Valla (Stage Manager) is a junior Design and Technical Theatre student with a certificate in Stage Management. Recently they have been the Assistant Stage Manager for The Nutcracker (Ballet Wichita), the Assistant Stage Manager for the Holiday Extravaganza(Music Theatre Wichita), and they were the Stage Manager for Alice in Wonderland (The Academy - Music Theatre Wichita). Please enjoy the show!
Skylar Lane
Skylar Lane (Props Supervisor) is so excited to be working on their first WSU Mainstage Production! Previously Skylar worked as the Scenic and Props Designer for Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play (Empty Space Theatre) and as Co Scenic and Props designer for She Kills Monsters(Empty Space Theatre). Currently, Skylar is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design & Technical Theatre and a minor in Art and Design. Skylar is also the Prop Shop Lead here at the Scene Shop. Skylar can’t wait to learn and grow as an artist during their time at WSU!
Dani Little
Dani Little (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be working on Wichita State University’s Time Stands Still. They are currently enrolled in WSU’s undergraduate program, working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Design and Technical Theatre, a minor in American Sign Language, and a certificate in Audio Production. Some of their previous design credits include sound designer on the Little Mermaid and Willy Wonka with the Junior Woodland Players, assistant sound designer on WSU’s Twelfth Night, and sound designer on WSU’s Empty Space production of Mr. Burns.
Olivia Lybarger
Olivia Lybarger (Mandy Bloom) is a first-year at Wichita State University, and she is thrilled to be working on the first straight play of her college career! Previously on WSU stages, she has performed as Beth Levitt in PSYCH!: A Modern Musical Myth, and as Joanne (U/S) in Company. Aside from these, her favorite roles she has played include Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), and Rona Lisa Peretti (The 25th Annual…Spelling Bee). Olivia is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Music Theatre and is the First-Year Representative for WSMTC. Though this may come as a surprise, Olivia understands that time can’t truly stand still. Knowing this, she is excited to see what the future holds and is cherishing the time she has with this special production!
Issy Lynn
Issy Lynn (Assistant Costume Designer) is a talented young seamstress, singer, and actress, from Wichita Kansas. She is currently attending Wichita State University pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Design and Technical Theatre. Outside of school and work she enjoys spending time reading, crafting, and spending time with her friends, family, partner, and cats.
Jesse Stephenson
Jesse Stephenson (Scenic Designer) is thrilled to have Time Stands Still be his scenic design debut with Wichita Stage University. His last fully realized scenic design was Noises Off while in high school, and he has had an incredible time getting back to his roots. His other previous credits with WSU include stage managing Peter and the Starcatcher, Tewlfth Night, and most recently Company, last fall. Jesse is a senior studying for his BFA in Design and Technical Theatre and his Stage Management Certificate. He will be graduating this May with the Class of 2026. Outside of academics, he has worked in the WSU scene shop as a carpenter and scenic artist for three years and is serving as the production manager on the Empty Space board for his second year. You can see more of his work on his website: https://jessestephenson.weebly.com/
Ruby Quezada Valadez
Ruby Quezada Valadez (Lighting Designer) is a Wichita State University senior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Design and Technical Theatre with a focus on lighting technology. They serve as technical director for Empty Space Theatre and work in the lighting shop on campus. Previous work includes acting as assistant lighting designer, programmer, and master electrician for Company (WSU), sound designer for She Kills Monsters (Empty Space Theatre), audio intern for Music Theatre Wichita, and lighting designer for the Forum Theatre’s Words and Music series at Wichita Art Museum. This summer, they will be serving as an electrician intern at the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire.