Astoria High School Theater

And for the rest of our wonderful crew…

Sophomore Parker Pasco is participating in his fifth show at AHS. His favorite past role was Edward Carmichael in “You Can’t Take it With You.” He loves theater “because it’s like a giant hangout for my friends and I,” he says, adding, “Being able to paint a set and practice moving it for a show while chatting is some of the most fun I’ve ever had.” Outside of theater, Parker enjoys creating art, pottery, and woodcarving.

Senior Mercury Lantz is participating in their fourth show at AHS. Their favorite past role was Paul Sycamore in “You Can’t Take It With You” in Fall 2025. Mercury is drawn to theater because of “how wonderful the community is and how fun it can be to embrace a role.” Mercury also oves indulging themself in music “as much as possible in as many ways as I can.”

Freshman Avery Hoyer is participating in their second show at AHS, having also been part of the stage crew for “You Can’t Take It With You.” Avery is involved in theater because of the people and the community, adding, “It’s really fun to see how people grow into their roles… and I get to make messes.” Along with theatre, Avery enjoys looking at plants, gardening, art, sleep, and imagining random things.

Sophomore Meryn Walker-Clough is participating in her fourth show at AHS. Her favorite role to play, so far, was Beilke in “Fiddler on the Roof” in Spring 2024. For Meryn, theater is a way to build “something for others to laugh at.” Meryn also enjoys writing, reading, and being on the swim team.

Freshman Joanna Hastings is participating in their first show at AHS. They got involved in theater to be “surrounded by people I enjoy being around and I look up to.” Joanna’s favorite part about “Beetlejuice Jr.” is the humor and the set. They also enjoy anything artistic, spacing money, and listening to their favorite music artists.

Sophomore Jack Pietzyk is participating in his first show at AHS. He originally joined to gain social experience and be with his friends.Jack also enjoys drumming.

Little spelling mishap, so we’re giving it another go so we can accurately introduce our awesome light tech!

Senior Kaleb Boudon is participating in his second show at AHS. He likes theater because “it makes me feel like I’m part of a team in helping something come together. It makes me happy seeing my friends on stage.” He thinks audiences will appreciate the “comedic timing and funny bits” in “Beetlejuice Jr.” Along with theater, Kaleb enjoys drawing and listening to music.

This show wouldn’t be possible without our incredible stage and front of house crew. Here are a few of them!

Senior Sylvia Thorp is participating in their sixth show at AHS. Her favorite past show to stage manage was “Peter and the Starcatcher” in Spring 2025. “Theater means everything to me, as it is my favorite art form and pastime,” she says. Her favorite things about “Beetlejuice Jr.” are the large dance numbers and how many characters are integrated into the show. She hopes audiences will enjoy “the amount of passion that has gone into this production.” Sylvia also enjoys hanging out with friends, volunteering, and exploring downtown Astoria.

Sophomore Viola Phillips is participating in their fourth show at AHS. For Viola, “Theater is such a fun and creative space. I love being in theater communities.” They think audiences will especially enjoy the effort the cast and crew have put into “Beetlejuice Jr.,” which is such a “a fun show full of amazing people.” Along with theater, they also enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with their friends.

Sophomore Noah Harkless is participating in his fourth show at AHS. He loves the community aspect of theater, and that “everyone works so well together and seems so happy here.” His favorite parts of “Beetlejuice Jr.” are the strong actors, the beautiful songs, and the amazing set. Noah also enjoys taking walks, doing crafts, reading, writing, researching history, and watching TV.

Sophomore Ronan Hoagland is participating in his first show at AHS. He originally got involved because he needed something to do, and he stayed because it brought new experiences and people. As he’s not acting in “Beetlejuice,” just gets to sit back and watch “the insanity.” Ronan also has a deep affinity for music.

Our final cast member to introduce is none other than Beetlejuice himself!

Sophomore River Harer is performing in their fourth show at Astoria High School. Their favorite past role was Ted in “Peter and the Starcatcher” in Spring 2025. For River, theater is about “my passion for recreating human emotions and experiences. The first time I stepped onto a stage and made an audience truly FEEL something, I knew I had succeeded as an actor.” Their favorite thing about “Beetlejuice,” and the most challenging part, has been developing the animated persona that comes with playing Beetlejuice himself. They hope audiences will love the dark yet comical energy that the show offers. Along with theater, River enjoys cooking, playing guitar, and singing in choirs.

How we feel knowing we’ve got three performances this weekend: 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 13; 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15!

You’re also invited to join in the fun by showing up in a Beetlejuice-themed outfit or costume on Sunday and getting a $2 voucher for concessions. You’ll also be entered into a costume contest during intermission! Hope to see you there. 🏚️

Playing the strange and unusual Lydia Deetz, meet Izzie O’Connor!

Junior Izzie O’Connor is performing in her third show at AHS. Her favorite role so far has been the titular character in “Matilda the Musical” in Fall 2024. She loves the community aspect of theater, having made some of her best friends through the activity. When it comes to “Beetlejuice Jr.,” she appreciates all the jokes and references hidden within the material and believes audiences will also enjoy that. In addition to theatre, Izzie likes making music, hanging out with friends, and playing Minecraft.

Today, we’re introducing another young actor who has been with our program several years and contributed so much over that time. We look forward to honoring them and our other seniors at our Friday night performance. 💜 💛 💜

Senior Carmen Boyovich is performing in her sixth show at AHS. Her favorite past role is Penny Sycamore in “You Can’t Take It With You” in Fall 2025. As she says, “In a world that constantly expects indifference, theater is a departure from that—a place where to perform well is to be expressive and emotional and everything else normally seen as bothersome.” Carmen thinks audiences will enjoy how fun the show is, along with how it manages to be both reminiscent of the original film and a new take on it at the same time. Along with theater, Carmen also enjoys playing video games, practicing guitar, drawing, sewing, and listening to music.

You can’t have “Beetlejuice” without Adam Maitland. And we’re so lucky to have longtime AHS thespian Miles Hand playing that role!

Senior Miles Hand is performing in his seventh show at AHS. Their favorite role to date was Peter in “Peter and the Starcatcher” in Spring 2025. As Miles puts it, “Theater has been a sort of escape for me, and it feels like I’m a kid playing pretend with my friends.” His favorite part of “Beetlejuice Jr.” is how “strange and unusual” it is, and he thinks audiences will appreciate the humor. Along with theater, Miles enjoys reading, taking walks around town, and hanging out with friends and family.

We have one more showing of “Beetlejuice Jr.” this weekend: 2 p.m. tomorrow! (And then three more shows next week)

In the meantime, meet another member of our cast!

Senior Michael Aguilar is performing in his ninth show at AHS. Some of his favorite past roles include Miss Honey in “Matilda the Musical,” Tony Kirby in “You Can’t Take It With You,” and Greta Ohlsson in “Murder on the Orient Express.” He loves the process of performing, acting and putting on a show that moves people, makes them feel something extraordinary. His favorite part of “Beetlejuice Jr.” is the choreography and the goofy horrific nature of the show. The audience will love “That Beautiful Sound” for sure, he says. Along with theater, Michael likes to sing, write, read, and spend as much time as possible with the people he loves the most.

Continuing with our cast introductions, meet our fabulous Charles Deetz!

Junior Sean Wickstrom is performing in his second show at AHS. His favorite past role was Mr. Kirby in “You Can’t Take It WIth You” in Fall 2025. For Sean, “theater is a way to express myself and be part of the community as a whole.” They appreciate Charles’ character development throughout the show and also think audiences will particularly enjoy the musical number “What I Know Now.” Some of Sean’s other favorite activities include Linux development, reading, playing video games, and writing.

Tomorrow is the day! The Ghost with the Most is ready to take you on a wacky, music-filled journey through this world—and the Netherworld.

You have three chances to see “Beetlejuice Jr.” at Astoria High School this weekend: 6:30 p.m. Friday; 6:30 p.m. Saturday; or 2 p.m. Sunday. (And if you can’t make it this weekend, we will be back the same times next week!)

Doors open a half-hour early. Come and enjoy some concessions while you wait for the show to start! They will also be sold at intermission.

Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids, students, and seniors. All proceeds go to support our theater program and keep us running! We can’t wait to share this fun, crazy show with you.

📸: Heather Moss