Musical Theatre Coordinator Josh Young, associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been selected to play Jean Valjean in the Hudson Valley Shakespeare production of “Les Misérables.”

Joining Young is freshman musical theatre major Haley Rose Ciaramella, who has been cast in the role of Éponine.

The production runs Aug. 12-Sept. 27, 2026. Hudson Valley Shakespeare (HVS) is located in Garrison, New York.

The role of a lifetime

The HVS opportunity is not the first time Young has appeared in a production of Les Mis. It is, however, his first time playing Jean Valjean, his favorite role since childhood.

“’Les Misérables’ has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Young recalled. “Growing up, it was the soundtrack of my childhood. My mother played it constantly.”

Young said the role feels aligned with his voice and his instincts as an actor.

“It sits in a place that plays to my strengths vocally and dramatically,” he explained. “When I look at the roles I’ve been drawn to throughout my career, they are all characters operating at the highest possible stakes, and Valjean is no exception.”

Now, as a father, Young said the role resonates even more.

“Valjean’s relationship with Cosette, his drive to protect her and the responsibility he carries in the midst of chaos all feel very personal,” Young noted. “That combination of scale and intimacy is what makes the role so meaningful to me.”

Professional experience shaped by playing Marius

Young also has a professional history with Les Mis. Early in his career he played Marius frequently. Immediately after graduating from college, for example, he went on a national tour of Les Mis. Afterward, he appeared in four regional productions, playing Marius in each.

“At one point, I had played Marius more than any other actor,” Young said. “So, this piece has really been a throughline in my life and career.”

Meanwhile, Young is excited to work within the HVS repertory structure.

“I spent two seasons as part of a repertory company at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada,” Young said. “From what I understand, HVS models aspects of its work after Stratford, so I anticipate a similarly rigorous, actor-driven environment.”

“The artistic team [at HVS] is truly extraordinary,” Young continued. “I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with them. I love the creative process, and it’s clear to me that this will be an opportunity to build something new out of something deeply cherished.”

Good networking pays off

The path to landing the Jean Valjean role was “a bit surreal,” Young remembered.

“Last fall, I was exploring the possibility of producing ‘Les Misérables’ as part of our collaboration with the Springfield Symphony,” he explained.

His research revealed that the rights to the production were currently unavailable because of a national tour, with one exception—Hudson Valley Shakespeare.

“That immediately caught my attention,” Young said.

Young repeatedly stresses to his students the value of creating good networking relationships, as they could pay off someday. Such was the case with the HVS Festival.

“As it turns out, their managing director, Kendra Ekelund, is someone I went to college with,” Young said. “I reached out initially to ask how they had secured the rights, hoping it might inform our own process. In that same conversation, somewhat in passing, I mentioned that I would love to play Valjean.”

Months later, Les Mis casting officials contacted Young requesting performance footage. Not long after, the show’s director, Jenn Thompson, offered Young the role.

“It was one of those rare moments where everything aligns in a way you couldn’t have planned,” Young recalled. “What started as an attempt to secure rights for my students turned into the opportunity to play a role I’ve wanted my entire life—on a brand new stage, in a production that marks a major moment for the company.”

Ciaramella brings experience to production

Like Young, Missouri State freshman Haley Ciaramella is no stranger to the Les Mis stage. She played Éponine in a Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA) high school production.

When Young was evaluating Ciaramella as a prospective musical theatre student, he learned about her past appearance as Éponine. More importantly, he also learned she had been nominated for a Jimmy Award and had been invited to the awards ceremony to perform the role.

“Haley was the first student I offered admission to for our Class of 2029,” Young said. “I saw her at the Pittsburgh Unified Auditions and immediately thought she was exceptional.”

“When the creative team mentioned they were still looking for an Éponine and described what they were after, I suggested they take a closer look at her,” Young said.

Ciaramella submitted a self-tape that was filmed in Missouri State’s theatre and dance on-camera studio. She then participated in a live Zoom callback using the same setup.

“What stood out was her ability to take direction and apply it immediately, which is critical at the professional level,” Young said. “For the role, the creative team went through a full New York-level casting process, so she was being evaluated against a wide pool of actors. The fact that she booked the role speaks for itself.”

Program emphasizes professional standards

Young said Ciaramella’s success reflects the level of training emphasized in the musical theatre program.

“We’re focused on preparing students to operate at a professional standard, whether that’s in the room, on camera or in how they respond to direction and adjust in real time,” he said.

“The goal is to make sure students are ready for opportunities like [Ciaramella’s] when they come,” Young added.

In the meantime, Young can enjoy his own recent success, as he looks forward to playing Jean Valjean in an exciting venue.

“So often with ‘Les Misérables,’ whether on Broadway or on tour, actors step into a well-established structure,” he said. “This feels very different. This feels like a chance to create, to explore and to shape something original within that framework.”

“That’s what excites me most—the opportunity to make something special.”

 

Study musical theatre @ Mo State

 

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