ABOUT US
The Rigby Theater Company, founded in 2024, is a theater company led by High School students from around the Tucson Area, dedicated to giving the voices of student playwrights the stage to have their ideas workshopped and celebrated.
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THE PEOPLE
Sylas Smith (President) is a 16 year old Junior at University High School. As a child, Sylas became infatuated with film and music and has been acting since 2017. Around town, Sylas has starred in roles such as SpongeBob in SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL, Tobias in SWEENEY TODD: SCHOOL EDITION, Mad Hatter in ALICE BY HEART, and Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ. He was also the recipient of Arts Express' 2025 Best Up and Coming Actor award. When he's not on the stage, you'll find Sylas playing guitar and piano, hanging out with Jacob Toole and friends, or watching movies at your local Cinemark. This year, Sylas plans to continue his studies of film and music while maintaining his academic vigor at UHS, and is incredibly excited for the boundless opportunities at the Rigby Theater Company in the year to come.
rigbytheater@gmail.com | @mr_pro_nerd on Instagram
Jacob Toole (Resident Producer) is a recent graduate of Salpointe Catholic High School and the founder of and producer at the Rigby Theater Company. As a young stage actor, he has starred in productions in and around the Tucson area for the past four years. Jacob wants to help others with the art he's grown to love, and is proud to have found an avenue to do so here at the Company.
Selected Credits: Bruisers (Jockey), Alice By Heart (Alfred/White Rabbit), Peter and the Starcatcher (The Black Stache), The Theory of Relativity (Ryan/Mike), Hadestown: Teen Edition (Hermes), Into The Woods (Jack), The Book of Will (Ben Jonson).
rigbytheater@gmail.com | @jdtrigby on Instagram
PAST STUDENT CREATIVES (DROPDOWN) ▼
PAST STUDENT CREATIVES (DROPDOWN) ▼
Benjamin Teller (Bruisers - Music, Music Director) (Death Do Us Part - Music, Music Director) is a recent graduate from Salpointe Catholic, where he performed as many fantastic roles including the Narrator/Mysterious Man in INTO THE WOODS and Isaac Jaggard in THE BOOK OF WILL, designed lighting for shows such as THE BRAVE KNIGHT, SIR LANCELOT, and accompanied a production of Stories that Soar. His piano credits include playing for RIDE THE CYCLONE and THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY, and being invited to perform classically at Carnegie Hall.
As the composer of both Death Do Us Part and Bruisers, he hopes to continue writing for theater next year at Lawrence University, where he will study Piano Performance and Math.
bteller.piano@gmail.com | @ben_teller01 on Instagram
Gavin Evanson (Bruisers - Director) (Death Do Us Part - Choreographer, Fight Choreographer) is an actor, choreographer, director, and techie from Tucson. He made his Broadway debut at the 2025 JIMMY AWARDS where he won that year's Rising Star Award. In addition, he has won many scholarships and awards for his performance merit, including a Thespy Award at the International Thespian Festival. Gavin is a rising freshman at Rider University and will pursue a B.F.A in Musical Theatre. He has been involved in over 40 productions with several theaters across his 4 year career. This is Gavin's second time working with the Rigby Theater Company, he previously directed and choreographed BRUISERS: A SONG CYCLE FOR THE NEWLY KNOWN.
@gavin_evanson on Instagram
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS SHOWCASE - DIRECTORS
Antonius D. Robello is 18 years old and has performed in over twenty productions across Tucson. He is an accomplished Director, Actor, and Writer. His passion for theater is undeniable as shown through his adeptness in directing, his captivating performances on stage, and his skillful storytelling in his written works, each embodying a deep-seated love for the craft and a commitment to its artistry.
Selected Credits: Ride the Cyclone (Director), A Train Ride with Dad (Director), Theory of Relativity (Acting Coach), James and the Giant Peach (Acting Coach), Alice by Heart (Duchess), Antigone (Haemon), Kafka's Metamorphosis (Gregor Samsa).
robelload@gmail.com | @itsanchovius on Instagram
Mahri Flannery is a senior at Rincon High School, and a member of the RUHS Cast of Thousands Theater Department. She loves spending her time observing and partaking in fine arts, and has been able to show her passion for acting through the many dramatic, comical, and improv performances she's been a part of. Mahri is always ready and eager to begin any new theatrical journey, whether it be through acting, script writing, or directing.
Selected Credits: Antigone (Student Director), Antigone (Acting Coach), Kafka's Metamorphosis (Mrs. Samsa), The Jungle Book (Mother Wolf), Stay with Me (Eleanor Mortimer), A Train Ride with Dad (Time).
@mahriflannery on Instagram
Special thanks for the help of: Isis Rivenbark, Dani Wright, Kevin Larkin and the Catalyst Creative Collective, Tyler Pierce and the Unity Church of Tucson, Melyna Carrillo, Kaitlin Bertenshaw, Alana Ortiz, and Peter McDougall.
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