Tomorrow’s professionals performing today
Once upon a time someone likely said about a young actress or actor in one of their first ever stage roles, “That Meryl Streep really has talent” or “Watch out for Anthony Hopkins, he’s going far in show business.” From Oscar winners to community theatre, anyone who has ever stepped on a stage with the courage to perform in front of a live audience started in a small setting. But it was their greatness within that setting that propelled them to the brightest spotlights.
Casa Manana’s Apprentice Program is such a setting, and folks have the chance to see potential stars of tomorrow today as the historic venue closes its 2025-26 Broadway Season with its Apprentice Program production of “Rent: School Edition” July 30-Aug. 2. An iconic musical that became a pop culture phenomenon, “Rent” follows a year in the lives of struggling artists as they navigate love, loss, and the search for identity. The show is presented by Autobahn.
Kudos to Casa for providing these young performers with such a challenging production to showcase their skills. It’s a story that has to be told with the right amount of zest and honesty, the perfect dose of self reflection we all need to propel us through a life in which none of us know beyond the here and now. “Rent reminds every audience member to live authentically, celebrate diversity, and remember that there is ‘No day but today,'” Casa Manana Vice President of Marketing Katherine Curtis said. “We are thrilled to have our Apprentice Program of up-and-coming artists showcase this powerful musical in its 30th anniversary year.” Casa Manana has helped launch the career of numerous outstanding artists. Most notable is Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, after whom they named their high school awards, along with other great such as Ruta Lee and Melvin Dacus.
Casa Mañana’s Apprentice Program offers rigorous, professional theatre arts training to students. Intended for the most dedicated young performers in the DFW area, the program is led by seasoned experts and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the industry.
Since its creation in 2010, Apprentice Program participants have been accepted to such prestigious universities and training programs as Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, Webster University, Otterbein University, The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC and Baldwin Wallace University. Apprentice Program alumni work professionally in the theatre industry all over the country, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national tour casts and crews.
In fact, several students performing in “Rent” have been awarded honors by area high school musical theatre awards programs. Nevaeah Wilson (Joanne) was an Outstanding Lead Performer for the 2026 Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTA), a distinction for which she was given the opportunity to compete at the Jimmy Awards, the national high school theatre honors, where she was a semifinalist.
Also, Hunter Smouse (Angel) was an Outstanding Supporting Performer in the 2025 Broadway Dallas HSMTA. Ava Martin-Sanchez (Mimi), Smouse and Corinne Thomas (Ensemble) have all been honored by the Buckley Awards.
“Rent” stars Landon Thompson as Roger Davis, Lucas Steele as Mark Cohen, Benjamin Tanner as Tom Collins, Maxton Rhys Sims as Benjamin Coffin III, Nevaeha Wilson as Joanne Jefferson, Hunter Smouse as Angel Schunard, Ava Martin-Sanchez as Mimi Marquez, and Bella Gream as Maureen Johnson. Additional ensemble includes Ivy Bilbow, Patrick Bilbow, Jackson Blanton, Kimora Caldwell, Isaac Petty-Gonzalez, Samuel Porter, Addy Rudd, Corinne Thomas, and Noah Watson.
Eugenio Contenti is director and choreographer. He has worked in the United States, Italy, Spain, and Mexico as a director, choreographer, and writer. His previous work at Casa Mañana included directing “A Man of No Importance,” “The Lightning Thief,” “Once,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Matthew Stern (music director) is is an award winning New York City-based music director and pianist. His plethora of work at Casa Manana includes “The SpongeBob Musical,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Rudolph,” “Lightning Thief,” “Cats,” “Little Mermaid,” “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Cinderella,” “Pippin,” “Grease,” “Seussical,” “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “Christmas in the Movies.”
And someday, if one of these young performers reaches the heights of a Tom Hanks or Sandra Bullock, you can say “I saw them when….”
‘Rent: School Edition’ Casa Manana Theatre 3101 W. Lancaster, Fort Worth Dates and times: July 30, 7:30 p.m.; July 31 and Aug. 1, 8 p.m.; Aug. 1-2, 2 p.m. Tickets: Starting at $25. Visit: www.casamanana.org or stop by the box office at the theatre.
