Jocelyn Kilpatrick (Director) was thrilled to direct her first full musical. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of the Arts and brings bold creative choices, a strong musical background, and a grounded emotional connection to both acting and directing. Her years onstage have given her the experience to create visually exciting, emotionally driven work that is both campy and heartfelt. She is currently seeking representation for theatre, film, and commercial work. Follow along on Instagram @thejocelynkilpatrick!

​

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

​

Matilda the Musical is a fantastical exploration of family dynamics, power imbalances, revolution, and the cyclical nature of abuse. A true fable, it is the kind of story that serves as both a lesson and a warning. It allows audience members to experience a heightened perspective on familial trauma, casually sandwiched between comedic jabs and outright silliness—a coping mechanism written directly into the script.

The theatre world is heavily saturated with countless talented young women striving to make their mark. Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of men in theatre, especially young boys. Casting this production was completely different from what my team and I originally anticipated. While we had an incredible turnout of young girls, no young boys attended auditions. Choosing to center our production around Trunchbull's school for girls allowed us to create more opportunities for the exceptional performers who did audition. Although this approach was unexpected, it became an exciting opportunity to explore how the story evolves within the setting of an all-girls school. To me, nothing is more inspiring or powerful than a group of young women standing up against injustice. You better believe that when the revolution comes, women will be at the forefront.

The most exciting part of this show for me was bringing the imaginary to life. "When I Grow Up" reminds us that, as children, we have such a vivid vision of who we want to become. As we grow older, that vision often fades beneath the endless cycle of work, rent, laundry, dishes, bills, and the weight of societal expectations. The song reminds us that our lives do not stop once we become adults, and that no matter our age, we can still dream of becoming something new. There is no limit to reinvention. It is never too late to pursue your dreams.

At its core, this is a story about standing up in the face of injustice. In a world filled with bullies, hatred, and mistrust, we must continue to choose kindness, curiosity, and love. We may not have magical powers, but we do have one thing that can never be taken away: hope. It may sound cliché, but I leave you with this question: Are you willing to stand up for what's right? Who do you want to be when you grow up?

Personally, I can't wait to meet them.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Backyard Playhouse

Benjamin Barahona Ginsberg is a Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, music director and educator. Many of his original songs have been performed at the Las Vegas Composers’ Showcase at the Smith Center. He composed the music for Belladonna Highway, Ramin, Minoru Scrapes the Sky. As part of the New Musicals, Inc. Core Curriculum program, he composed for View From the Moon and wrote lyrics for Chessica’s Wayward Adventures. He arranged Ben Boquist’s Ben’s Viking Trip and The Sagas of Snorri in 2025. He was a songwriting fellow at the Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project in 2022. His original song “Heaven” premiered on American Idol Season 17 in March 2019.

Ben has worked with numerous theatre and opera companies, choral groups, schools and houses of worship across Southern California, Seattle and New York City, including Center Theatre Group (Amélie, Grey Gardens, Zoot Suit); La Jolla Playhouse (Stephen Karam’s Evil Diva); McCoy Rigby Entertainment (Anastasia); The Wallis (Merrily We Roll Along, Frankenstein, Headless, For the Record: Scorsese); TheatreWorksUSA (El Otro Oz, Dot Dot Dot); 5-Star Theatricals/Cabrillo Music Theatre (Damn Yankees, Evita, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act, Children of Eden); Musical Theatre West (Jersey Boys, In the Heights), Musical Theatre Guild (The Drowsy Chaperone, Applause), Loyola Marymount University (Cabaret, Songs for a New World, Carrie); USC (Something Rotten!, Legally Blonde, and Shaina Taub’s As You Like It); A Noise Within (A Man of No Importance); The Troubies (Duran DurANTONY and Cleopatra, Home Alone-ly Hearts Club Band); Interlochen Summer Arts Camp (The Wiz); Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (Sweeney Todd, Urinetown); Mayfield Senior School Conservatory of the Arts’ Choral, Liturgy and Theatre programs (Six and Chicago: Teen Editions); the Adderley School (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Misérables); Beth Morrison and Danielle Birrittella Projects (Magdalene, Sentinel), St. Matthew’s Parish School (Willy Wonka, Shrek, Jr., The Wizard of Oz), the Gay Men’s Choruses of Los Angeles and Orange County, St. Mary in Palms, the Esoterics, the Metropolitan Synagogue of New York City, Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the El Segundo Concert Band, and the Puget Sound, Moorpark and Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Orchestras. With the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre he has music directed and performed twice for Oprah Winfrey. As a session keyboardist, he is the piano double for the film The Ringmaster, directed by Maya Albanese.

Ben began taking piano lessons at age three, and worked his way through the Music Teachers' Association of California educational and performance programs as both a student and later a teacher. He earned his B.F.A. in Piano Performance from California Institute of the Arts, where he gave the Wild Beast Music Pavilion concerto premiere with Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22. At California State University, Northridge, he graduated with distinction from the M.A. in Music Industry Administration program; and he earned his M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Writing from New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts.

ARINA POLKOVNIKOVA

Paige Loter (Producer & Costume Designer) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Backyard Playhouse, which she proudly co-founded with her daughter, Calista Loter. She’s passionate about creating meaningful, high-quality theatre experiences that help young artists grow. She believes theatre builds confidence, fosters connection, and opens doors for performers to discover who they are.

Paige has had the joy of designing costumes for Santa Susana High School productions, including Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, Inherit the Wind, The Neverland Project, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Alice in Wonderland, The Prom, Urinetown, Freaky Friday, Matilda, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, Bright Star, and Pippin. She loves using costume design to tell a story, bringing characters to life through color, texture, and detail.

Producing and costuming Matilda the Musical is especially meaningful, as its themes of courage and resilience resonate deeply. Paige is endlessly grateful to the entire team and cast who make Backyard Playhouse possible. And most of all, she absolutely loves working alongside Calista, whose talent and creative force inspire her every day.

ISABELLA THATCHER

Jordan Fernandez they/she/he (Asst. Choreographer, Social Media Manager, Props, Hair & Makeup) is thrilled to be on the Matilda production team! Credits/Training: SJND THEATER - A Piece of My Heart (Assistant Director/Sound), Chicago (Dance Captain), Triple Threat Camp (Choreographer). DC Dance Center (Dancer, Teacher, Social Media Manager), Loyola Marymount University (Dance Minor) Radix Dance Team (Member,Choreographer), Rūtaments Dance Team (Member). Makeup Artist, Content Creator, Event Planner, serial hobbyist. Thank you to Lauren and Janeda for teaching me everything I know.