Anthropocene cast

Jared Sprowls is a Chicago based playwright about to start his final year in Arizona State University's MFA in Dramatic Writing program. Recent writing has focused on Jewish sexuality and reclaiming Yiddish traditions for the modern stage.

Philip Byrnes is a third year Theatre Acting Major at ASU. This is Philip’s second time acting in an ASU’s Main stage production. Philip grew up performing in theater, ballroom dancing, and other forms of art. For fun he enjoys hiking, art, and traveling. Nature means a lot to Philip and he is excited to be a part of a project that combines climate activism and theatre into a performance.

Rachel Hutzenbiler is a second year graduate student in the Theatre for Youth and Community program.  They were the assistant director for ASU’s production of The Wolves and has been directing and performing new work including chew the fat, Esperanza for the Bats, essentials, Baby Shower, and The Neverland, a retelling of Peter Pan by Madeline Sayet.  Rachel has been working as a teaching artist with Childsplay, both on campus and in local schools. Before moving to Arizona, Rachel was an educator and director working on shows such as The Hobbit, Alice in Wonderland, and The Reluctant Dragon. They hold an BFA in Theatre Education and a BM in Vocal Performance from East Carolina University.

Tim Nipper is a senior at Arizona State University double majoring in Theatre (Acting), and Marketing. He has appeared in two ASU mainstage productions so far, La Comedia of Errors and Safe at Home, along with several smaller theatre projects and student films. He is also the marketing director of the PRISM Theatre Company, ASU’s student theatre. He is excited to explore the unique movement medium of Anthropocene, as well as help to share its themes.    

Sophia Polinsky is a performing artist who has a passion for turning real-world statistics and facts about human rights and environmental issues into understandable, meaningful, and impactful performance art. They are currently a 3rd year student in the Interdisciplinary Arts & Performance program at ASU. They have had over 12 years of dance experience and have trained in a variety of different styles such as jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, kick, pom, show, lyrical, funk, and more! In 2018 and 2019, they were a part of the Washington State Dance & Drill competition and took home a total of four 1st place championship trophies. In 2017 and 2019, they performed at the Seahawks Crucial Catch Halftime performance in front of an audience of over 60,000 people. After moving on from competitions, they are now discovering what it means to be an artist within dance. Within this performance of Anthropocene, they have been able to tap into a new expression of creativity in movement and vulnerability that has deeply enhanced their performance skills. 

Tristan Schilling is a Sophomore at ASU, majoring in Acting and pursuing a certificate in Secondary Education. This is his first time performing on an ASU stage, and has been eagerly biding his time to play a role on the team since casting. He is excited to work on such a unique and fresh project, and with such a connected team of individuals. 

Ashlyn Truelick is a second year student at ASU majoring in Theatre (Acting). She has appeared in The Spirit of Christmas as a company dancer, Legally Blonde, commercials for ADHS Must Stop Bullying, PetSmart, Children’s Learning Adventures, The ASU Code of Conduct, multiple fan stories, Clara in The Nutcracker, and multiple short films. She has an intense passion for the performing arts which began at the age of three when she started dance. At age fourteen, she traveled across the country to perform as a company dancer in four different European countries. At age fifteen, she was introduced to acting and after falling in love with it, decided that she wanted to pursue it professionally. She is beyond grateful for the experience Anthropocene has given her, and has loved collaborating with other ambitious creators. 

Paulina Magallanes is currently in her third year at ASU, majoring in both Theatre and Film, with a minor in Spanish Literature. With over ten years of dance experience under her belt, Paulina is excited to be reintroducing dance to her life after having taken a three year break from it. For over five years, she has conducted extensive research on the climate crisis, gearing her focus towards factory farming. In the Spring of 2023, she wrote and performed in the play, It Never Rains in Juarez, a small play about the climate crisis in Juarez, Mexico. Paulina is elated to be able to marry both her passions for the arts and climate justice, into one powerful performance. She hopes that through film and theatre, she can keep impacting the lives of others for the better.

Ian King is a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Theatre BA (Acting). He's appeared in three ASU Mainstage productions such as Lazaro in the Living'life of the Daughter Mira, and Tour Guide in Safe At Home; along with smaller theatrelabs and student films. Ian is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and he's acting in indigenous new works The Neverland by Madeline Sayet, and Olivia by Claude Jackson. Drawing inspiration from his cultural traditions and teachings, he's eager to contribute the storytelling of indigenous people within the Anthropocene.