What is happening at Delphic Peak Preparatory School? Joaquin Moreno doesn’t want to be here. But as a bizarre and disquieting mystery unfolds, he may be forced to stay and reckon with it—especially since he’s the only one who’s noticed. Now Joaquin must fight battles both outward and inward. Because truth carries burden. No one can go back in the dark once they find the light… And there’s something watching us from the stars. In Astra is a story about mystery, trust, mental health, and identity. And also space and some gay stuff. Season 2 coming soon! Written, directed, and produced by Bee Dellepiane.
Bee Dellepiane (Writer, Director, Producer, Joaquin)
is a senior at the University of Northern Colorado studying for a degree in musical theatre. They've always been incredibly fixated with space, cosmic horror, all things cryptic, and podcasts—so it was only a matter of time before they combined all of that into one place. This is Bee's first major writing project (and first major directing and producing project, for that matter). Who knows what they'll do next? Maybe a podcast about a pear with feelings.
Deja Brown (Cover Art)
(she/her/hers) is a graphic designer and illustrator who resides in Brooklyn, New York. To Deja, art is more than expression, it’s a lifestyle. Graphic Design and illustration is something that she is passionate about, and she wants to spread her creativity to others. With In Astra, Deja wanted to create a piece that really dived into the mystery side of the podcast, while giving the audience an idea of the adventure that would await them! You can learn more about her at Deja.doodles on Instagram, or her website www.dejadoodles.com.
Cole Ramirez (Music)
is an actor, musician, and filmmaker. His films can be found through Dugout Productions on YouTube. His music can be found on SoundCloud under Cole Ramirez.
Elliot Sutton (Story Editor)
is a senior psychology major at the University of Northern Colorado. He is pursuing counseling professionally, and loves writing poetry on the side. He doesn't have time for anything else because he's just so busy being sexy.
Sienna Dellepiane (Story Editor)
is honored to be working on In Astra with Bee. While this is the first podcast they have worked on, they are an avid podcast listener and love sci-fi, space, and horror. When not working on In Astra, they are focusing on creating a queer Western webcomic and cuddling with their cats and dogs.
Rachel Faria (Hattie)
is a junior Musical Theatre major and Dance minor at the University of Northern Colorado. She's super thrilled to be a part of this project and hopes that you enjoy listening as much as she's enjoyed recording! Follow on socials @rclfaria to keep up with her future projects.
Jessie Carl (The Spectre)
is proud to be working on the In Astra podcast with her best friend! She is part of the musical theatre class of 2021 at the University of Northern Colorado, and her favorite credits include: Silly Girl, Beauty and the Beast and Kristine/Cut Dancer, Chorus Line. Check out more on jessiecarl.com, or on any social media under @jessie_carl.
Aidan Blank (Faidan)
is a Junior Acting Major at the University of Northern Colorado and proud member of Hello, My Name Is... (UNCo’s Sketch Comedy Group). You may have seen him perform recently in Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play or watched some of his work in SOAPBOX’s Annual Movement Festival. He loves drawing with bright green, rearranging all the furniture in his house, and letting other people record his voice and make him sound good!
Sam Oguma (Aidan)
grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and is now working on achieving his Acting degree from the University of Northern Colorado. This is the first podcast that Sam has been a part of, and he’s very excited for you to enjoy In Astra! @goomibear.
Shelly Gaza (Dr. Rhoda Crowder)
Shelly Gaza is an Associate Professor and the Interim School Director of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance and the Interim Producing Artistic Director of the Little Theatre of the Rockies at the University of Northern Colorado. She has an MFA in Acting from Wayne State University, a BFA in Acting from Millikin University, and a Certificate in Acting from the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. She is also the Co-founder of Statera Arts, a national non-profit organization committed to positive action for women in the arts.
As an actor, Shelly has worked with theatre companies across the country including the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, appearing in Twelfth Night, King Lear, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and The Taming of the Shrew. Other theatres include the Colorado Shakespeare Festival (Kate in Taming of the Shrew, Calpurnia in Julius Caesar, and Warwick in Henry VI Part 3), Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Paragon Theatre (Denver), Talisman Theatre (Chicago), and The JET and Hilberry Repertory Theatres in Detroit. She received the 2003 Oscar Wilde Award for Best Actress for her work in A Streetcar Named Desire at Hilberry Repertory, and the 2006 Finlayson Acting Award at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Shelly has also performed with The Little Theatre of the Rockies in Collected Stories, Vanya Sonia Masha and Spike, God of Carnage, Private Lives, On Golden Pond, The 39 Steps, and Master Class, for which she was named Best Actress in a Drama by the Greeley Tribune in 2012. Shelly has also performed with the Colorado Symphony and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestras, and done film, television and radio work including national commercials for HGTV and Red Roof Inn Hotels. She and her family can also be seen in an episode of the reality television program My First Sale on the HGTV network. She has been a member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2007 and served as the Denver AEA Liaison from 2009 – 2012.
As a director, Shelly has received honors from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Compleat Female Stage Beauty at the University of Minnesota Moorhead, and Intimate Apparel and Legacy of Light at the University of Northern Colorado. She also directed The Taming of the Shrew for the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2014 Shakespeare in the Schools tour. Other directing credits include She Loves Me at Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge, CO and Xanadu and The Wolves at Little Theatre of the Rockies.
Shelly lives in Greeley, Colorado with her husband, two children, and six backyard chickens.
Ryan Driscoll (Serrano)
Ryan Driscoll is currently the head of musical theatre at UNC after previously serving as the Assistant Director of Music Theatre for the Program in Vocal Performance at New York University. Driscoll starred in the off-Broadway musical Summer of ‘42 which won him the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Lead Actor and can be heard on the New York cast recording. In addition to performing, Driscoll currently works as a Broadway music copyist, having prepared the orchestra music for 20 Broadway shows such as Come From Away and Bright Star among many others. He has worked with composers such as Marvin Hamlisch and Andrew Lippa to name a few. Ryan’s most recent production was The Prince of Egypt written by Stephen Schwartz premiering in London’s West End. In addition to his appointment at UNC, Driscoll is currently a Visiting Guest Lecturer at the Iceland University of the Arts in Reykjavík, Iceland. Driscoll is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, The American Federation of Musicians and the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Vocal Pedagogy all from New York University.
Cory Arndt (The Custodian)
is a senior acting major at the University of Northern Colorado. You may have seen him onstage in The Cherry Orchard or The Grapes of Wrath. This is his first role in a non-stage performance and he couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with such a visionary creative like Bee and the rest of the ensemble.
Rebecca Rich (The Librarian)
is an Assistant Professor of Acting/Performance at The University of Northern Colorado. Prior to joining academia, Rebecca called New York City home for almost 15 years and enjoyed an extensive performance career, crossing the country in a National Tour of Guys and Dolls, originating roles in Off-Broadway musicals, such as Zombie Prom (original CD cast recording), and appearing in numerous productions for LORT/regional stages all around the country. She has worked with leading industry professionals, including: Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris and Bob Balaban (on the Comedy Central-TV Show “Strangers with Candy”), with Kristen Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell in a live concert event, the workshop of Zombie Prom, and through ASTEP.org, and with scads more phenomenal creative artists.
Jalyn Courtenay Webb (Mrs. Clarke)
A favorite performer and vocal coach throughout Colorado for the past 25 years, Ms. Webb has worked with Midtown Arts Center as Madame Thenardier in LES MISERABLES-( nominated for True West Best supporting actress, voted audience favorite, Henry nominated for best musical and best musical direction ), Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, Gladys in MEMPHIS, Justice in ROCK OF AGES, and as The Bird Woman/Miss Andrew in MARY POPPINS, Louise in ALWAYS,PATSY CLINE, Emma Goldman in RAGTIME, Miss Lynch in GREASE, and she music directed nearly every show at MAC from 2013-2019.She has also worked with Starkey Theatrix , The Union Colony Dinner Theater, Greeley Stampede Troupe, Little Theatre of the Rockies and the Greeley Philharmonic. Ms. Webb has a BA in Music Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. Ms . Webb also was the National Anthem Singer for the Colorado Avalanche from 1996-98. Ms. Webb has taught throughout Colorado, and teaches all ages. She began teaching as an assistant to the director of the Colorado Academy of the Arts, and continued to teach there for over 10 years. She also taught in Fort Collins at Washington Core Elementary School, where she developed core knowledge curriculum and was asked to present her lesson plans at the National Core Knowledge Convention. Ms .Webb also was the director of vocal jazz at CSU for 2 years and developed a show choir that toured Colorado, as well as maintaining a private studio. She has taught privately for over 25 years, and is known for her positive coaching style and her use of Act/Sing technique to truly develop the emotional connection between the singer and the material. . Ms. Webb also taught at Greeley Central High School and has directed and music directed several shows there since 2007. Ms.Webb is the owner and director of THE ACADEMY BY DIVABEE offering classes for students 5-18 years old in music , theatre ,and dance. Ms. Webb is the recipient of the Henry Award for best leading actress in a musical in 2018 for her role as Louise in “Always , Patsy Cline “ .. She currently teaches Music Theatre at the University of Northern Colorado as a part time adjunct professor.