Frances Roberts (’25), President

Frances Roberts is overjoyed to be your Troupe President this year! Troupe 5953 has been her home for four years now! In the past, she has served as your historian and, most recently, your troupe secretary. She has performed as many roles in TOTJ and Richmond Ballet productions. These include The Nutcracker (Clara), Into the Woods (Florinda), Radium Girls (Harriet), Chicago (Hunyak), Medea (Khoros), and Bonnie and Clyde (Trish/Alcorn). Throughout her time at TOTJ, Fran has enjoyed meeting new people and inspiring a passion for theatre in others. From serving as an officer, to working on shows with peers, the Theatre on the James has become a real family for Fran. She is incredibly honored and ready to make this year the best yet for Troupe 5953!

Madeline James (’25), Vice-President:

This is Madeline James’s third year being an officer and second time being Vice President! She’s a senior now and has been a part of the troupe and a Thespian since her freshman year. She has also either been in or helped backstage with every single show since her freshman year. She loves this troupe wholeheartedly and is very excited to have another year of amazing shows and can’t wait to see all the talent we can leave on that stage!

August Peterson (’26), State VTO Officer:

This is August Peterson’s first year as an officer and they are doing it under the role of Statewide Virginia Thespian Officer for the troupe. Some of the roles you may have seen them in are those of Roxie Hart in Chicago, Jo March in Little Women, Khoros #4 in the department’s adaptation of Medea, Ensemble in Bonnie and Clyde, and most recently Abigail Williams in The Crucible. August has been a committed member of the theater community since freshman year when they were an inducted Thespian. They cannot wait to serve their troupe more with their responsibilities in the upcoming years and hopes to be a person worthy of the amazing people they’ve met in this troupe.

Vin Frank (’26), Secretary:

Vincent Frank is so thrilled to be this season’s Secretary! He is currently a junior and has been an inducted thespian since the spring of his freshman year. Vin has been part of a plethora of TOTJ shows including performing in Bonnie and Clyde, Chicago, The Crucible, and The Insanity of Mary Girard, as well as working on crew for Little Women, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Medea. In addition, he has attended every theatre festival he could and even competed in an event last January. He wouldn’t trade this community for the world and he can’t wait for what projects the future holds.

Millie Cooke (’26), Historian:

This is Millie Cooke’s first year as an officer and she couldn’t be more excited. She’s been a part of TOTJ for two years now, whether that be backstage doing lights or on stage. You may have seen her in her past performances such as Chicago (ensemble), All Shook Up (ensemble) at VA Rep Theatre, Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie), and The Crucible (Willard). She can’t wait to grow the troupe even more this year!

Zion Baugh (’25), Publicist:

Bio Coming Soon!

Ryan Nichols (’25), Hospitality:

Ryan Nichols is a proud to say he is going to hold the position as the hospitality officer for the 2024-2025 school year. He has been an active member of Troupe #5953 and has helped behind the scenes for almost all of the shows since his freshman year. These shows include Clue, Radium Girls, Chicago, Medea, Bonnie & Clyde, and The Crucible. Ryan has loved being able to grow within this theater department and has been able to find his people. He can’t wait to be able to work alongside his fellow officers to make another great year with Theatre on the James! 

Krystal Garcia (’27), Alternate:

Krystal has always like acting and singing since she was a little girl, entertaining her family and seeing how much they enjoyed her skills. She couldn’t wait to show the world herself . She danced in talent shows in elementary school and also participated in ballroom dance. She was in chorus in middle school for 2 years and enjoyed singing. Now, being a part of theatre in high school is a step closer to her dream of acting and singing for the future. She can’t wait to learn and experience acting or singing for theatre. She knows her journey is just beginning, but she can’t wait to see what she becomes. 

Graham Justus (’27), Alternate

Graham Justus is excited to be a part of this program. This is his first year as an officer in Drama Club. He has worked on multiple shows in both onstage and backstage roles, including Bonnie and Clyde, Medea, Peter Pan, Seussical Jr, and The Little Mermaid. He is ready for the new opportunities and responsibilities for the upcoming season.