Book/Music/Lyrics by Donald Rupe
Arrangements/Orchestrations by Jason M. Bailey
The history of From Here
2019
Premiered at the Orlando International Fringe Festival
2020
The ‘full-length’ show premiered at a local pre-professional theatre company
February 2020
The run of From Here was cut short due to the Pandemic. We released a full-length pro-shoot of that version of the show as a fundraiser for Equality Florida. Publications and reviewers from around the world watched that video and reviewed it, and we raised thousands of dollars for the work of Equality Florida.
The video of Version 2 of the show is still on Youtube, and now has over 300,000 views. Check out fromhere.com.
June, 2022
More re-writes and edits, and a new concert-style staging of the piece commemorated the June 12 Remembrance to sold out audiences at the newly founded Renaissance Theatre Company.
January, 2023
Sold Out Performance at 54 Below.
The Future of From Here
We believe in this show. We understand the profound significance of the stories it tells, and we feel a responsibility to get those stories heard by as many people as we can. We are looking for our next steps, and we hope that, maybe, the people who can help guide us to those next steps are in this room tonight. We have a financial foundation to bring this show wherever it needs to go. If you’d like to be a part of From Here, please contact Donald Rupe at donald@rentheatre.com.
From Here
Cast in Order of Appearance
(click to zoom!)
The Band
Music Director/Piano … Jason Bailey
Bass … Bryce Hayes
Drums … Chris Kampmeier
Guitar … Aaron Iannitelli
The Crew
Book/Music/Lyrics by Donald Rupe
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Jason M. Bailey
Director … Donald Rupe
Stage Manager … Jacob Lawhon
Lighting Design … Philip Lupo
Graphic Design … Landon St. Gordon
Publicity and Production Photos … Ashleigh Ann Gardner
After-Party Information
West Bank Cafe on 42nd/9th, tell them you’re with From Here. Appetizers provided, drinks for purchase. Immediately following this evening’s performance.
Meet the Cast
Blake Aburn (Daniel) couldn’t be more excited to be making his 54Below debut! Blake originated the role of Daniel in 2019 at the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival and has been with the show since. He was awarded Best LGBTQ Lead Performer by Watermark Magazine at Orlando Fringe and was chosen as Best Male Lead in a Musical by the Orlando Sentinel for his revival performance in 2020.
Blake performs regularly as Chum the Shark in “Finding Nemo” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Blake is also a full-time employee at Renaissance Theater Company where he hosts/curates Musical Mondays, a popular weekly cabaret event. He couldn’t be more proud to be one of the Founders of the Ren and the family he has made because of it. These people changed his life. He would like to dedicate this performance to his Mom (who is seeing From Here for the first time tonight with all of you!) “Hey Ma!” All my love to my chosen family and to my Devin. We’re all from here. @blakegayburn
Sara Catherine Barnes (Jordan) is an actor, choreographer, and director in the Central Florida area. Favorite roles include; The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Maria in The Sound of Music, Amy in Company, Tracy in Hairspray, Judy in 9 to 5, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserable, Rona Lisa in The 25th..Spelling Bee, Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong and Wendy Jo in the Broadway National Tour of Footloose. Sara received the Best Actress Award at the Florida Theatre Conference and Southeastern Theatre Conference for her role as Carol inThe Amish Project. Some directing and choreography credits include; Big Fish, Legally Blonde, Footloose, Kinky Boots, The Bodyguard, The Addams Family, The Sound of Music, Grease, and Elf with an upcoming production of Hairspray. Sara received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Central, and is the Director of Outreach and Resident Director at Theatre Winter Haven in Winter Haven, Florida.
Xavier Cano (Ricky) Broadway: Grease (Sonny LaTierri). Tours: If/Then with Idina Menzel, Chino in West Side Story's 50th Anniversary World Tour. Selected New York Credits: Rent at New World Stages, Paul Simon's The Capeman at the Delacorte Theatre, GIANT at the Public Theater. Selected Regional: In The Heights (Usnavi, Geva Theater and Dallas Theater Center), SWEAT (Oscar, Cleveland Playhouse), On The Town (Gabey, Finger Lakes Musical Theater festival), A Chorus Line (Paul, Sacramento Music Circus), Dames at Sea (Dick, Bay Street Theatre), Altar Boyz (Juan, ATF and Bristol Riverside), Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens, NCT and Ogunquit Playhouse). TV: New Amsterdam (Guest Star, s3ep11).
Adonus Mabry (Josh) Credits: Nosferatu and Lenox Ave (Renaissance Theatre Company); Ain't Misbehavin' (Athens Theatre); Goodbye, Liam (Casey Tregeagle - Fringe Festival); Dragons and Fairies & Down the Rabbit Hole (Creative City Project); and Hairspray, Ragtime, & Aida (Encore! Performing Arts). He's very involved in the Orlando community, participating in acting, singing, and dancing productions that have aided and supported his continued development. Adonus is also a principal dancer for Crawford Jazz Project (CJP), an Orlando-based professional jazz company directed by Carrie Crawford. He's the type of person who is always ready to connect and brighten someone's day, so he's excited to be a part of telling this story of joy, comedy, depth, and celebration.
Joshian Morales (Michael) is a Puerto Rican born, Central Florida raised director, casting director, and actor. He attended the University of Central Florida where he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre. Most recently, Joshian worked for Disney Live Entertainment as an Associate Show Director and actively works as a freelance casting director and producer in Orlando, FL! Favorite Acting Credits: In the Heights, RSO’s Three Points of Contact, I And You, 25th Annual...Spelling Bee, and Finding Nemo The Musical! As always, much love and endless thanks to his beautiful family!
Justin Jimenez (Adam) is excited to make their NYC debut in a show they have been with since the beginning. Recent stage highlights include RENT (U/S Angel), The SpongeBob Musical (U/S Pearl), Once Upon a Mattress (Lady H), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Justin won a 2022 WAVE Award for their work as a makeup artist for Renaissance Theatre Company’s Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar. Justin gives thanks to God above all, his mom and dad, his family, and his SIX qweens. Much love to all. @takenleft
Kendall Leamy (Hannah) is super excited to be back in this incredible show! Some of her previous credits include Bernice Buckley in the original musical Gorgeous and Janice Parker in both iterations of The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show! Other favorites include Rona (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Woman #4 (F*ckboys the Musical), and Martha Dunnstock (Heathers the Musical). Kendall would like to thank her friends, family, and Maxwell for their constant love and support as well as Donald and the entire Renaissance team. Enjoy this beautiful show! @kendall_leamy
Devin Skorupski (Jacob) is thrilled to make both his NYC and 54 Below debut in a show that continues to change his life. He has been a part of From Here since its second iteration back in 2020. Renaissance Theatre Company: Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar (Bosie), The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show (Leslie), and behind the bar curating cocktails for just about everything else. Orlando highlights: Mean Gays (Reginald), Next to Normal (Henry), Spring Awakening (Georg), and the first two Florida productions of Be More Chill (Jeremy Heere). He can currently be seen singing with the Frog Choir in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Thanks to Donald, Chris, and the whole From Here team for this unforgettable experience. All my love to my family, chosen family, kitties, and Blake. We’re all from here. @devin.s
Becca Southworth (Becca) is thrilled to be returning to the From Here family. She originated the role of Becca in the Orlando Fringe production a few years back. Although this is her first time working at the Ren, Becca has worked with Donald Rupe on several memorable productions, such as Next to Normal (Diana) and Once I Laughed (Laverne). Other favorite roles include Mother in Ragtime, Patsy in Always Patsy Cline and Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. Becca holds her BA in Theatre from Rollins College and MFA in Musical Theatre from UCF. “This show is for everyone I love.”
The Band
Jason M. Bailey (Arrangements and Orchestrations/Music Director/Piano) aka The Bearded Maestro, is a Musician/Performer/Composer in Orlando. Jason teaches private voice, is the music director for Renaissance Theatre Company, and works as a freelance accompanist. His original show credits include arranger/orchestrator/music director for Gorgeous, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Bright Young Things (winning Critics Choice for Music Direction), From Here, and Flying Lessons, which played Off-Broadway. Jason has music directed for many theatre’s and schools including UCF, Rollins College, Osceola Arts, CFCArts, Wayne Densch, WPHS, and Trinity Preparatory School. He has taught musical theatre for DPAC, Orlando Rep, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and CFCArts. Jason has also performed with theatres around the country including Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, American Family Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Salem Repertory Theatre, and CFCArts. www.thebeardedmaestro.com
Bryce Hayes (Bass) is very happy to lend his talents to bring From Here back to the stage. Born and raised in Orlando, Bryce is very active in the local arts community, playing for productions at Renaissance Theatre Company, Theater West End, and also gigging with multiple different local musical acts. Bryce also starred in the recent Orlando Fringe hit, “Bullock and the Bandits,” by David Lee. He is a recent graduate of Rollins College BA in Music, and is aiming to use his knowledge to develop the Orlando music and arts scene. He wants to thank everyone at The Ren for being such a great team to work with, and for welcoming him into the family.
Aaron Iannitelli (Guitar) is a professional freelance musician based in Central Florida. He is pursuing a degree in Jazz Studies in order to continue expanding his reach in the industry at UCF. His passion has driven him to lead groups at the Thin Man Watts Jazz Festival and play in Pit Orchestras for Theater West End, Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, CFC Arts, Dr. Phillips Center, and Renaissance Theatre Company. He has also played with world class musicians including Ira Sullivan, Dick Oatts, Pasquale Grasso and Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. He has toured the country with the acclaimed Chris McNeil Band, performing up and down Broadway in Nashville. He has studied under some of the best musicians in the industry including Jeff Rupert, Abe Alam, Larue Nickleson and Bobby Koeble.
Chris Kampmeier (Percussion) He’s also the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company so read about him down there.
The Crew
Donald Rupe (Writer, Book/Music/Lyrics) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company (to read more about this incredible company, visit rentheatre.com). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, other writing credits include The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show, Bright Young Things, Flying Lessons (featured in the New York Musical Festival in 2019), Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar, Once I Laughed, Nosferatu, and others. Donald's numerous directing credits span the better part of twenty years and many wonderful companies throughout Central Florida. Rupe is also an accomplished educator, having served on the part-time faculty of Valencia College for over a decade and as an award-winning high school educator. Donald received his degrees in Theatre from New York University and Florida State University.
Chris Kampmeier (drums/percussion) is the other co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company. He had the incredible fortune to be a Nearby Guitar Player just as Donald and Jason began their songwriting relationship with the first version of "From Here" in 2019; switched to drums for "Flying Lessons" at the last NYMF, and has continued to collaborate on several more original works since. Chris’s career has spanned a number of computer and music interests, from building the first websites of the mid-’90s to modern internet services engineering, programming tools, and media software. He has worked in broadcast radio, streaming media, social networking, and was an early member of the team who built the company Square during its first years. Chris studied computer engineering, neuroscience, and a little percussion performance at the University of Southern California.
Jacob Lawhon (Stage Manager) Jacob is thrilled to be back working with the Renaissance Theatre Company. Previous productions include: Gorgeous, The Office Holiday Party Extravaganza Show, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Nosferatu, Bright Young Things, and Flying Lessons. Much Love to Donald and the hardworking staff of The Ren.
Philip Lupo (Lighting Design) is a regional Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer whose previous work at Renaissance includes Nosferatu and Office Holiday Party. Other design credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Orlando Shakes), Monster Stomp (SeaWorld Orlando), and Into the Woods (DreamCatcher Theatre). His non-theatrical lighting projects can be seen in television stations from Palm Beach to Las Vegas. Philip also serves as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Florida State Junior Thespians, helping develop the performers and designers of tomorrow. He could not be more excited to be working with Renaissance to bring this exciting work to Central Florida audiences. Get in touch at www.philiplupo.com.
Renaissance Theatre Company Staff
(we don’t really do titles)
The One In Charge …… Donald Rupe
The One Who Does A Lot of Admin/Computer/Owner of the Building/Misc. …… Chris Kampmeier
The Box Office/RENtals/Production Lady …… Rebekah Lugo
The Set Guy …… Chris Fahmie
The Music Guy …… Jason M. Bailey
The Graphic Design Guy …… Landon St. Gordon
The House Manager/Costume Lady …… J. Marie Bailey
Musical Mondays, etc …… Blake Aburn
The Social Media/Marketing Wonder …… Abby Cash
The Payroll/Money Guy who Bartends Sometimes …… Adam Ledo
The Booking Agent …… Grace Boynton
The Lighting King …… Philip Lupo
The What Needs Done Woman …… Kendall Leamy
The Bar Guy …… Devin Skorupski
Renaissance
Board of Directors
Jason M. Bailey, Debbie Fahmie, Chris Kampmeier, Rebekah Lugo, Donald Rupe, Jake Teixeira, Madison Gomez Teixeira
Take care, y'all! Enjoy From Here!
Donald Rupe
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Thank you to our Sponsors! CLICK HERE to see how your business can join our growing list of sponsors.
A Very Special Thanks (you know what you did for us, and so do we):
Robert Laurita
Robert Jones
The Founders
These are the generous folks who donated in our very first year. We raised a total of $151,181 from 534 generous people.
Of course, our Founding Donor and building owner Chris Kampmeier is in a league of his own.
2022-23 Donors
1k+ club
Kay Allen
Mark McGovern
Frank Santos
Generous Donors $500-999
David Lowe
Frederic Potvin and Brent Kelleher
Nice Donors (up to $499)
Andres Acosta
Brittani Acuff
Ashley Ahr
Sarah Allen
Linda Appleton
Jane Audrey-Neuhauser
Michelle Bamberg
Gail Bartell
Lisa Bates
Britney Beard
Cheryl Belfay
Chris Bentley
Jane Berg
Melissa Bibs
Jean Blauvelt
Daniel Blumberg
Jack Bradshaw
Steve Brannon
Risa Cohen
Emmy Collins
Wendy Connor
Melissa Cooper
Conner Criswell
Cesar De La Rosa
Jose Diaz Roman
Melaney Douglass
Debbie Drobney
Lela Duncan
Michael Duncan
Jim East
Emily Elwood
Anita Endsley
Adrianna Erickson
Evan Fagin
Debbie Fahmie
Sarah Farnsworth
Michelle Flores
Megan Fogt
Anthony Franklin
Genesis Freytes
Brooke Friedman
Eva Gaber
Ben Gaetanos
Melanie Galiardo
Channah Gencarelli
Deva Gibson
Paige Gober
Chanel Gomaa
Cynthia Gosiewski
Anne Grady
Leigh Green
Amy Hadley
Robert Hall
Catherine Hayes
Sarah and John Henderson
Elizabeth Herren
Rayne Heydorn
Desda Hughes
Gabrielle Juliet
Ellen Kidwell
Natalie Koeller
Mike and Jennifer Kovacs
Natalie Krivokuca
John Lehtmaa
Margaret Lezcano
Matthew Lincoln-Bugg
Vicky Lorenzana
Rob and Kate Lott
Chris Kampmeier, Sr.
David Maddock
Johnnie Maier
Shaquille Marcano
Melyssa Marshall
Cynthia Martin
Miranda Martin
Anthony Mazza
Molly McCormick
Lauren McFadden
Ron and Kristine Miles
Edmarie Montes
Daniela Monzon Villegas
Kevin Moss
Giovanni Murro
Britney Odum
Kristin Paradero
Mayme Paul
Adonis Perez-Escobar
Lizz Pittsley
Marian Price
Shelby Price
Sarah Purser
John Rawlins
Craig Resendes
Valerie Rizer
Kayla Rooplal
Erika Roque
Cristel Rosas-Anderson
Marlene Schaus
Dawn Schutz
Jacqueline Schwartz
James Shea
Stephanie Shook
Scott Silson
Devin Simpson
Joel Sink
Gretchen Smith
Dennis Sobeck
Olivia Solomon
Parisa Soltani
Donna Spinelli
Landon St. Gordon
Wendy Starkand
Janice Stieber-Rous
Avianna Tato
Brad Taylor-White
Cece Teneal
Zach and Kelly Van Dyke
Shanden Vance
Elijah Vazquez
Donna Vreeland
Lilly Vreeland
Christopher Walls
Keith Walls
Larry Watchorn
Tara Whitman
Kyle Wilkinson
Emily Williams
Marcus Williams
Bobby Wojciechowski
Greg Wood
Spencer Wrolson
Suzy Xiu
Serena Yeager
Elaina Zwiener