Meet the Bite-Sized Company!
Our Actors
Jacob Chaffee (Jon)
Jacob Chaffee, a sophomore film major, is thrilled to return to the Fairfield Theater stage as Jonathan Larson. Some past credits of his include Moonface Martin in “Anything Goes”, Principal Duvall in “Mean Girls”, Algy in “Ernxst”, and Bert Barry in “42nd Street”. Outside of theater, Jacob has acted and co-directed his own movie. Jacob would like to thank the cast and crew for making this such an incredible experience and special thanks to Jacobo for giving him the opportunity to play this role. Thanks to his friends and family for their constant love and support. “Keep believing. Keep pretending.”
Anthony Lupercio (Michael)
Hello everyone! Anthony Lupercio is a Senior here at Fairfield University. It’s always a pleasure to work with the talented crew here at Theatre Fairfield. His past TF credits include Grover in The Lightning Thief (2024), Orpheus in Eurydice (2023), and Writer #2 in Tiny Beautiful Things (2022). "I am very grateful for the opportunity to work on this production of Tick, Tick, Boom, and can’t wait to share our combined efforts with you all!"
Cassie Arena (Susan)
Cassie is a sophomore business analytics major and is so happy to be back with Fairfield Theatre Program. She has recently been seen in “Bite-Sized” as Terspichore and in last year’s Indy Project, “Next to Normal” as Natalie. Cassie is so grateful to Katie and Jacobo for giving her this amazing opportunity and for their immense support and passion. She also would like to thank her cast for all of their hard work and amazing talent. “Enjoy the show!”
Kylee Faulkner (Karessa)
Kylee Faulkner is a senior double major in English and Theatre from Bridgeport, CT. She is playing Karessa in this production of Tick…Tick… Boom. She is worked on several TF productions in her time here at Fairfield, such as "The Lightning Thief", "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged, revised, again)", "DollHouse", "Eurydice", and "Thirty-Nine Steps" on the technical crew. She has also performed in "Bite Sized", "Mask Play", and "Director’s Cut". "I have been so privileged to work on this show with this team. The Independent Project has always been so close to my heart, and this one is no different."
David Ilagan (Ensemble/Understudy Michael)
David Ilagan is a Freshman majoring in Computer Science, and is
exhilarated to be part of his second production with the Fairfield Theater Program. Having previously played “Paul” in Fairfield’s production of “Bite-Sized,” and worked in
shows from Connecticut to New York as both cast and crew, he is immensely honored and appreciative to be able to work alongside such an adept and dedicated group. “Hope you enjoy the show!”
Matthew Bulger (Ensemble/Understudy Jon)
Matthew Bulger is a sophomore Mathematics & History major and is excited to be part of Tick Tick... Boom!. This is his first production with the Fairfield Theatre Program, and he is happy to be working with such an amazing cast and production team. Matthew would like to thank his castmates, the director and the production team, as well as all of his friends and family for always supporting him. "I hope you enjoy the show!"
Our Team
Jacobo Merino Fernandez (Director)
Jacobo Merino Fernandez is the director of Tick, Tick... Boom! This is his second year at Fairfield and his first year as the Tech Intern for the Fairfield Theatre Program. His past credits at Fairfield include: Assistant Stage Manager and Fight Captain (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare) Prop/Run Crew (Steel Magnolias and Bite Sized). "It's been a fun time directing and learning throughout this production. I want to thank the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation for their support on this project."
Nathanael Wilhelm
Nathanael Wilhelm is a junior Film, Television, and Media Arts major. He serves as Associate Digital Editor for The Mirror and Vice President of Inkwell Magazine, and writes for comedy and performance groups in New York City. He has previously worked on off-campus nonprofit stage productions and is grateful to be collaborating with such a talented team.
Mia Ioukhnikov (Production Stage Manager)
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Jamie Monahan (Intimacy Director)
Jamie Monahan is an award-winning filmmaker, director, actress, intimacy director (theatre), and certified intimacy coordinator (film/TV). Jamie completed IDC's Intimacy Coodinator training, fostering intmate, safe spaces for performers. She is currently lsited on the SAF-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator Pre-Registry. Jamie intimacy coordinated the short films: ONLY THE DEAD, IN THE NIGHT, HEALING TREE, BETTY BITES BACK, and THE BIG 3-OH to name a few. She also intimacy coordinated the award-winning feature film ESCAPING OHIO, and I'LL FIND YOU. Jamie intimacy directed POWERHOUSE Off-Broadway, GREASE at The Wilton Playshop, 9 to 5 at The Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and she is going into her fourth year at Fairfield University as resident intimacy director and adjunct professor for their 2025-2026 season.
Anne Kendall (Tech Director)
Anne Kendall is the Technical Director for the Fairfield Theatre Program. She also teaches courses in Entertainment Technology, Prop Construction, and Lighting Design.
Not Pictured:
Katie Cash
About tick, tick...BOOM!
Jonathan Larson (book, music, lyrics)
Jonathan Larson received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation's Comendation Award. In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical "Sitting on the Edge of the Future". In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical Superbia, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon. He composed the score for the musical J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue tick, tick... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to scoring and song writing for "Sesame Street", he created music for a number fo children's book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg's "An American Tail" and "Land Before Time". Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for "Away We Go!", a musical video for children. RENT, his rock opera based on "La Boheme", had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop. Mr. Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday. His music (including songs cut from his shows) is archived in the Library of Congress.
Music Theatre International
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. Launched in May 2025, MTI's Broadway Senior™ musicals are geared and adapted for adult performers 55 and over.
MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).