Pepperdine Scotland is the multi award-winning cultural and artistic exchange between Pepperdine University’s Department of Theatre and leading members of the Scottish Theatre Community.
In February 2012 the inaugural project saw playwright Peter Arnott and actor/musician John Kielty travel to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus to meet with Los Angeles industry professionals and work with students on our first commission, Why Do You Stand There In The Rain?
That summer, 27 of Pepperdine’s best and brightest theatre students spent seven weeks in the Highlands, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. During their residency, Pepperdine Scotland students rehearsed, took classes, and worked alongside some of the leading individuals and institutions in Scottish Theatre. The project culminated in the world premiere of Why Do You Stand There In The Rain? alongside the UK premiere of Naomi Iizuka’s Anon(ymous) at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Following its Fringe First win, Why Do You Stand There In The Rain? returned to Scotland in 2013 as a touring production, which opened at the Traverse Theatre.
In 2014 Pepperdine Scotland presented its second world premiere, Forget Fire, devised by the company with J C Marshall.
2016’s The Interference by Lynda Radley earned us our second Fringe First Award, this time accompanied by a Broadway Baby Bobby Award and our second appearance on the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award Shortlist. The Interference subsequently transferred to the Hollywood Fringe Festival in co-production with Rogue Machine Theatre.
For 2018 Davey Anderson took us on a journey following young protagonist Samuel into the retro-futurist underworld of the Alt-Right, which premiered to critical acclaim and was longlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award.
2020 saw our initial attempt at premiering Morna Young’s Americana: A Murder Ballad delayed by the COVID19 pandemic. After a brief attempt to reschedule for 2021, a (mostly) brand new cast and crew to finally bring this show to the Fringe in 2022. Drawing on traditional murder ballads from Scotland, the USA, and the migrations between the two, the critically acclaimed production of Americana: A Murder Ballad featured classic songs including Delia’s Gone, Frankie & Johnny and Stagger Lee.
This year in 2026, we will bring a new company of actors as well as a new creative team together to present the world premiere of Lynda Radley’s newest play Lifelong.
2026 Cast Members
Nicolle Castro is a junior Theatre Arts and Screen Arts student (also pursuing a double major in journalism). She comes all the way from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When she was only 5 years old, she started theatre and singing lessons. By 10, she had already participated in a few soap operas on TV Globo and been on her first professional musical “Entre Mundos.” She was also part of The Voice Kids Brazil in 2018. In 2023, she started her journey distant from home at Pepperdine. She was an understudy for “Lost Girl” and performed as S for “Passage.”
Blake Schalliol is currently a sophomore Musical Theatre Major from Orange County, California. His Pepperdine credits consist of (Josh) 9 to 5, (Male Understudy) Passage, (Billy Cane) Bright Star, and (Admiral/Joe Hanely) The Good War. Blake is also a Pepperdine Theatre/Music scholarship recipient. Blake is so grateful for this opportunity to go to Scotland and continue to bring stories to life.
Hadassah is an actor and singer completing her senior year at Pepperdine University, where she is earning a BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting. Born and raised Paraguay, with Brazilian nationality and German roots, she embraces her identity as a German Latina, having grown up immersed in multiple cultures and languages. This multicultural upbringing has deeply shaped her artistic perspective. Hadassah is particularly drawn to exploring characters in moments of transformation—navigating identity, moral conflict, and humanity’s relationship with nature. She is passionate about storytelling that invites reflection and emotional truth, both onstage and on screen. Her performance experience includes Pepperdine University productions such as Iphigenia Among the Taurians, as well as several student-led short films. Prior to Pepperdine, she appeared in theatrical works including Steel Magnolias, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Apple Tree. In both academic settings, she was actively involved in choir and performance ensembles, further developing her vocal and collaborative skills. As she prepares to present her work internationally, Hadassah is excited to continue creating theatre that bridges cultures and invites audiences into complex, human stories.
Brooklyn Courtney-Moore is a Theatre and Screen Arts major with an Acting emphasis and a French Studies minor soon to begin her fourth year at Pepperdine. She grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas doing community, school, and professional theatre locally and has also worked in TV/film. She has enjoyed being a member of the Pepperdine Improv Troupe for two years. Favorite credits include no one is coming to save us (Shy, U.S. premiere), Eurydice (Eurydice), and Seasons 8 & 9 of Brat TV’s “Chicken Girls” (Margo). Brooklyn thanks endlessly all her past and current arts teachers and the entirety of the creative team for this show!
Skyla I’Lece is an actor and singer and a sophomore at Pepperdine University, double majoring in musical theatre and biology. Her stage work includes Iphigenia (Iphigenia Among the Taurians), Deloris Van Cartier (Sister Act), Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden), Chiffon (Little Shop of Horrors), Baby June (Gypsy), Paulina Sarpong (School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play), and Romaine Vole (Witness for the Prosecution), as well as Ensemble / Violet Newstead (understudy) in 9 to 5: The Musical at Pepperdine University. She also appears on screen as Alexis in the Emmy Award–winning series The Crossover and voices Holly Honeywell in the animated series BE@RBRICK. Skyla is a 2024 Beverly Hills/Hollywood ACT-SO Gold Medalist (vocals and drama), a Los Cancioneros Music Scholarship recipient, and a Music Center Spotlight Acting Scholarship recipient. Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8966495/
Eden Gamble is a rising senior musical theatre major from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her recent credits at Pepperdine include the U.S. premiere of No One is Coming to Save Us (Lucy), Bright Star (Margo), Passage (Q), Eleemosynary (Echo), and The Tempest (Spirit/Miranda US). Eden is a theater/music scholarship recipient, alum of the Heidelberg music abroad program, and also the vice president of the Pepperdine Improv Troupe. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.
Hailey Soomin Lee is a senior theatre and screen arts major with an acting emphasis from Redondo Beach, CA. As a theatre scholarship recipient, she has been a part of The Tempest (Spirit), no one is coming to save us (Bird Girl), Eelemosynary (Female Understudy), Passage (Female Understudy), and “The Good War” (Evelyn Fraser / Ensemble). Lee has also proudly been a part of the Pepperdine Improv Troupe for three years now. She is so grateful to be a part of the Pepperdine Edinburgh ensemble for the second time now! IG: @hailey.soomin.lee
Cassius Franciosa is a rising junior who is unbelievably excited for the once in a lifetime experience to perform in Edinburgh! Previous credits include Robert Rasmus/Anton Bilek in “The Good War”, Male Understudy in Iphigenia Among the Taurians, and Peter Pan in Peter and the Starcatcher. He is grateful for his castmates and the entire production team for making this experience an incredible reality!
Nathan Roberts is a senior Musical Theatre major from Dallas, Texas. His previous Pepperdine mainstage credits include The Diver in the US premiere of no one is coming to save us, Daddy Cane in Bright Star, Chorus in Die Zauberflöte and Tinsworthy in 9 to 5: The Musical. He began his undergraduate career at Ithaca College, where he participated in the New Play Incubator in 2022. After transferring to Pepperdine for the Spring 2024 semester, he was chosen to sing for a masterclass led by Broadway star Jessica Vosk. He is a recipient of both Theatre and Music scholarships, and he is very excited for the opportunity to debut brand new theatre at such an important festival.
James Davis IV, a rising junior, is a “Theatre and Screen Arts Major” with an Acting emphasis. He’s based in Los Angeles, California, but sends love to O’Fallon, Missouri. He has acted in various short films and productions, while also directing his own original projects as well. His previous Pepperdine credits include: 9 to 5 (Ensemble), Passage (J), and The Good War (Lowell Steward/ Win Stracke). He’s a Theatre Scholarship, George Pepperdine Award, and California Grant Recipient. Davis is eternally thankful for the opportunity to represent Pepperdine at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is ecstatic to bring this theme onto the stage! “When the waves of life come crashing, just remember to flow like water”
Mandy Tatum is a rising Senior Musical Theatre major from San Francisco, CA. Her previous Pepperdine credits include the U.S. premiere of no one is coming to save us (Maddy), the Original Cast of “The Good War” (LaVerne Andrews), 9 to 5 (Missy Hart/Judy Bernly u/s), The Light in the Piazza (Franca/Signora Nacarelli u/s), Die Zauberflöte (Chorus/Puppeteer), Iphigenia Among the Taurians (Female Understudy), The Tempest (Spirit), The Music Man (Ensemble) and has been a company member of Contempo 2025 and 2026. Tatum studied abroad with the Heidelberg, Germany music program and is a theatre and music scholarship recipient. She cannot wait to bring her love of storytelling to Edinburgh, Scotland! @mandyktatum
Kysiah Tapia is a junior Theatre and Screen Arts major from Camarillo, California. Her credits at Pepperdine include Curly/Doctor in Lost Girl, Kayleen in Gruesome Playground Injuries, and Natalya Stepanovna in The Proposal. Her passion for storytelling stretches beyond the stage and into filmmaking, writing, directing, and creating with friends.