SENIORS
TO THE SENIORS...
Class of 2025
Katie Blizard
Katie Blizard has been with CTA since her junior year. She started with Newsies as a dancer, working choreography and set for The Little Mermaid Jr., having multiple ensemble roles in The Butterfly Queen, and as the sound designer for Footloose. Katie also volunteers with Bagley productions helping in sound, assistant stage management, and lighting. In her short time here, Katie has taken part in almost all aspects of CTA, but the stage would have to be her favorite. She thought the saying was cheesy at first but has now seen it as truth, “Once a CTA kiddo, Always a CTA kiddo”. Katie joined CTA’s Thespian Troupe #6639 her junior year and is serving as the historian for her senior year. Her next set of plans after high school include attending UAB. She wants to study biology and apply to their med school to become an Obstetrician.
CTA will always hold a fond space in Katie's heart. She is very thankful for everyone who encouraged her to join especially this “late” in the game. Megan Garner has been an amazing mentor. Katie has learned so much from her, not only for her performance, but for her self character as well. Debra Reeser has been so helpful and kind working in costume design and always having the answer to a problem. She is truly grateful for her time working with these ladies.
She also wants to thank Emily Allred and Matthew Piper for being there to “push” her into this world, “Just come to one dance class. If you don’t like it, you do not have to stay-but you might have some fun.” These words are one of Katie's favorite memories from Matthew and Emily. She is grateful they gave her the motivation she needed to start something new!
Emily Pearl
Emily has been involved and enjoyed doing theater for two years. She is a dancer at heart, and loves a show full of choreography. She is also a captain on the dance team for the Corner High School Band. Dancing in theater gives her another place to showcase her skills and personality through choreographed movement.
Emily plans to attend UAB to get her BSN in nursing, and she plans to audition for one of their dance teams.
Matti Peterson
Matti Peterson has been a member of CTA since her freshman year, and has participated and played roles in shows such as Mamma Mia as Sophie, The Wizard of Oz as Ensemble, Bystander 9/11 as ensemble, Newsies as Katherine, The Little Mermaid Jr as Stage Manager, The Butterfly Queen as Ensemble, Annie, Jr as Student Director, and Footloose as Rusty. She also got passed on from District Trumbauer for her solo in comedic musical 2016-present singing "Don’t Lose Your Head" from Six, placing 2nd at state. She is most grateful for her role as Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia because it sparked a whole new life for her, providing not only a deep passion for theatre, but a family along the way.
After high school, Matti plans to attend the University of Alabama Birmingham to become a Registered Nurse.
“One thing I can say is I will truly never forget my experiences with CTA. Not only did I get to grow close to a lot of amazing people, but I learned so much that has helped me in the real world such as working together to make (in our case) the show work and how to improvise when things don’t go quite the way you plan. I am so very grateful that Megan Garner saw something in that girl that came into the audition room shaking her freshman year. CTA gave me the chance to find myself and push myself giving me something I’ve never had- a community that is there for you and people that care. ”
BJ Brake
Matthew Blizard
Kierstyn Wiley
Callie Cox
Carter Brown