The Performers

Ethan Hardy Benson is so excited to be returning to Memphis! He is a former member of the Orpheum Education Department Student Cabaret, STAR Council, and was the 2017 National High School Musical Theatre Awards Jimmy Award Outstanding Male Actor Nominee from Memphis. Upon graduating from Olive Branch High School in 2018, Ethan went on to study and receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. Ethan is currently performing Off-Broadway in ROLLING THUNDER at New World Stages in New York City. Other credits include being the Jesus Standby on the National Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, a show which he has performed over 350 times. Regional credits: Goodspeed Opera House, Philadelphia Orchestra, The Rev (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse), and Skylight Music Theatre to name a few. He thanks his agent Craig at Avalon Artist Group and would be absolutely nowhere without the constant support from his friends and family. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. @ethanhbenson

Melissa VanPelt is a Memphis native that attended Overton High School of Performing Arts. Her work at the Orpheum includes being a Guest Teaching Artist, serving on our adjudication panels for the High School Musical Theatre Awards, and more recently serving as one of the HSMTA choreographers! A graduate of AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) NYC, her theater credits include HAIRSPRAY on Broadway, HAIRSPRAY National Tour, SUPERFREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY National Tour, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, PURLIE, FAME, and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. While living in NY, Melissa joined the USO Show Troupe performing for the military and their families, including shows with Katy Perry and KISS Frontman Gene Simmons. Melissa's live entertainment credits include cruise ships, amusement parks, various bands, and church ministries. She has over 18 commercials under her belt and prominent roles in independent films, short films, and a web series. Print work includes Ampro Hair Gel, Pigeon Forge Tourism and Orb magazine in Spain. Choreography credits include HAIRSPRAY at Opera House Theatre Company in Wilmington NC, MOTOWN REVIEW SHOW-Salt Lake City, ALL SHOOK UP for Munford High School, shows for Cordova High School choirs, and Stax Music Academy. Be on the lookout for her latest film project entitled BACHELOR SANTA to air on Hallmark or Lifetime this Christmas!

Raneem Imam is an Arab-American singer, songwriter, and producer based in Memphis. Her love for performance began early, nurtured through the musical theatre program at Germantown High School. She was nominated as an Outstanding Lead Actress in the 2016 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards. She later refined her craft at Rhodes College, studying voice and composition and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music while interning at the Halloran Centre and working at Orpheum summer camps. After graduation, she quickly made a name for herself performing original music across Memphis, and has written and recorded at renowned studios including Royal Studios, Memphis Magnetic Recording Studio, Young Avenue Sound, and Archer Recording Studio.  She’s released multiple records, including her 2021 EP Peace of Mind and has graced stages at the Overton Park Shell, The Crosstown Green Room, and FedExForum in Memphis, as well as international showcases at NXNE Festival in Toronto and venues in Amman, Jordan. She recently released a fully live recorded album, Raneem & Better in Color, paying homage to her live performance era and is currently hard at work on her debut full-length studio album. Beyond her own artistry, she lends her industry insight serving on the Artist Advisory Council with Music Export Memphis, helping shape resources and opportunities for fellow artists in the city.

Riley Thad Young is a performer local to the North Mississippi/Memphis area. Riley was a part of the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards 3 years in a row, capping off his time with the program winning Best Leading Actor in 2018 and going on to represent Memphis at the National High School Musical Theatre Jimmy Awards, where he was named one of the 4 male finalists that year. He was also a member of Student Cabaret and STAR Council. Riley received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory. Post-graduation he is going on his second year on Broadway performing in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. Big thanks to the Orpheum for inviting him back to perform.