BIOS- LEARN MORE — Henry Box Brown

Cast

JEF CANTER

Jef (Sam the Storekeeper) is thrilled to be starting his fourth year with Henry Box Brown. US Tour: Peter Pan: The Show (Smee). Off-Broadway: Stand Tall: A Rock Musical, Regional: The Odd Couple (Oscar), Watson (Watson), It’s A Wonderful Life (Clarence), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), Around the World in 80 Days (21 roles!). Film/TV: BULL, Puppet Seizure, Soon By You. Actor’s Equity-SAG/AFTRA. Love to Lisa, Jake and Maggie and in memory of my Mom and Dad who have permanent front row seats now.

PAUL GEE

Paul has studied acting and performance under Tony award-winning actor, Ben Harney as well as in school for over a decade, and has had vocal training, under numerous vocal instructors, as well as MTI (Music Theater International), He is a versatile and seasoned vocalist who produces and performs his own music as well as writes for other artists. He has performed in multiple productions on screen and theater productions and has performed on platforms like the Lincoln Center, The Apollo, The Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and more locations around the world. He has professional experience on all media platforms which gives him a wide range of experiences and stories to tell through his art. He is excited to return as "Henry" after an award-winning and highly praised run at the 2018 and 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

AMARA HAAKSMAN

Mrs. Smith) is thrilled to be joining this amazing group to continue tell ling this incredible story. She recently just had the pleasure of playing Mrs. Smith in Henry Box Brown’s run at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival in August. New York Theatre: That Lady from Maxim's (Crevette) at the New York Music Theatre Festival (2013 New York Innovative Theatre Award: Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role) and The Runner Stumbles (Sister Rita) at The Robert Moss Theatre. Regional: She Loves Me (Amelia Balash), Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt), Les Miserables (Cosette). Oklahoma City University graduate. A huge thank you to her family and friends for their constant support. Instagram: @ahaaksman www.amarahaaksman.com

MICHAEL SIMON HALL

Michael just completed shooting the lead role in WOMEN, by Anton Sigurdsson. He will be appearing opposite Mark Ruffalo in the upcoming HBO series I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, and will appear opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal in the final season of THE DEUCE for HBO. His recent stage work includes playing the title role in the 100th ANNIVERSARY OF PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST...by Olivier Award winner Jim Culleton, and creating the lead role in the musical comedy THE IRONWORKERS' HAYRIDE by Pulitzer Award winner Robert Olen Butler. Michael recently appeared at Carnegie Hall and is happy to be reprising his role in HBB at Edinburgh this year.

AMARIS HARNEY

Amaris has been involved in every aspect of the arts, from backstage in wardrobe, lighting and stage management, to choral, ensemble and leading roles, on stage. But her greatest joy has always been sharing her art with students. Her love of the arts began when she was a little girl with her parent’s theater company, By All Means Save Some (BAMSS) Theatre Works Inc. In her professional career, a few of her backstage credits include: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) (2013-2019) - Brooklyn Reads Program, Arts and Justice Program and DanceAfrica; Entertainment Events Company (2013-2017) - Regional Stage Manager; American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) (2011-2013) – Stage Manager (Dance Dept.) Some performance credits are; BAMSS Youth Theater Ensemble (BYTE) and the Reparatory Company (BARC) (1996-2018) (multiple productions); CTC (2017-2019) - “Henry Box Brown” (Ms. Hazel), “Glimmerings of Hope” (Mrs. Mukembe). Her teaching artist credits include; No Limits Productions (2006); BAMSS in partnership with the DOE (2002-2016); Noel Pointer Foundation (2018-2019) – After School Program. Due to her early start in the arts and the fact that she is the mother to a gorgeous 18-year-old young man, herself, Ms. Harney has a special place in her heart for guiding today’s youth towards the sense of community, individuality, and empowerment that theater can bring.

TRISHA JEFFREY

On Broadway Trisha debuted as Crystal (one of the highly acclaimed “Urchins”) in the 2003 revival of Little Shop of Horrors. Her performance as Emmie in Caroline, Or Change – garnered her a Helen Hayes Nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She proudly “swung” and performed in the smash hit, Rent, Broadway Tour (featuring original cast members Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, and Gwen Stewart) in the roles of Joanne, Mimi, Alexi Darling, Mrs. Cohen, and Mrs. Jefferson.Other musicals include All Shook Up. Recently starring as LaReine Beausoleil in the brand new musical Loveless Texas at The Sheen Center. After touring across the U.S. in the 1st National Tour of Motown The Musical as original “Supremes” member Mary Wilson/ Diana Ross; Deloris Van Cartier on the 1st National Tour of Sister Act: Trisha performed at The Wick Theatre as Shirley Bassey and Aretha Franklin in Beehive: The 60s Musical. With a Jeff Nomination for Best Actress in A Musical, Trisha is the proud recipient of a Black Theatre Alliance Award, a Black Excellence Award and a Broadway World Chicago Award for her portrayal of Celie in the 2013 Mercury Theater Chicago production of The Color Purple. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in NYC and earned her BA in Theatre (with minors in Music and Dance) from Lehman College – City University of New York- and completed the Two Year Professional Workshop at Circle In The Square Theatre School in NYC. Trisha is a founding company member of the original Classical Theatre of Harlem, performing in numerous productions and as Resident Choreographer for their first productions of Macbeth, Lysistrata, The Blacks, and Crazy Locomotive, receiving several AUDELCO Award Nominations for her work. Trisha has also taught at the Harlem School of the Arts where she formed the first musical theatre class in its theatre program.

HANNAH LUNDY

Hannah Lundy (u/s, swing) hails from St. Louis, Missouri and brings with her a desire to bake cookies for everyone. New York Theatre: An American Hero (Chorus). Regional Theatre: Nunsense! (Sister Robert Anne, Holland School of the Arts), The Days of ’98 (Squirrel Tooth Alice; Alaska), Alexander Who’s Not Going to Move (Mother, Int’l tour). BFA Musical Theatre, Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State. Hannah is thrilled to be a part of this timely and important story. HannahLundy.com.

MIKAYLA MCKASY

MiKayla McKasy (US/ SWING) is thrilled to be a part of this incredible cast. She recently obtained her BFA at Penn State for Musical Theater and journeyed to the Big Apple. Favorite credits include: Cynthia-SWEAT, Judith-Love in Hate Nation, and Enid-Legally Blonde. She hopes you enjoy the show!

TAYLOR MOORE Percussion

Chicago native Taylor Moore is already being described as a phenom in the world of drums and percussion.
She started her career in kindergarten, where she became the only female and the youngest member of the African Drum Corps. By her sophomore year in high school, she developed her love of Jazz and was the first female drummer in the Ravinia Jazz Scholars Program, as well as being selected to perform in the Illinois Music Educators Association Jazz Ensemble. She received her BA in Music (Performance and Production) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2011. In that same year, she was awarded the 2011 Youth Jazz Artist of the Year from Founders of "Jazz in the Alley", a premier jazz preservation organization in Chicago. Taylor has had the opportunity to perform with Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Chancler, Willie Pickens, Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, Tia Fuller and others. Taylor is currently the drummer for Jackie Taylor's "The Marvin Gaye Story" at The Black Ensemble Theatre in Chicago. This year she has been the principal drummer in the Jazz Institute of Chicago's "Jazz Links" house band.

JEWELL NOEL

Jewell is thrilled to be a part of this production. Her favorite credits include: Dorothy in THE WIZ, Doralee Rhodes in 9 TO 5, Trix in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Irene Molloy in HELLO, DOLLY!, and Gertrude McFuzz in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL. Jewell would like to extend her love and gratitude to her friends and family for their constant support. Hope you enjoy the show!

JAMILAH ROSEMOND

Jamilah Rosemond is so excited to be a part of the cast of Henry Box Brown. She is a musical theater major at NYU and some of her favorite credits include: the host of American Girl’s web series, AG Life; host of Youtube web series, Dream Mining; performer/ writer in Girl Be Heard’s production, 2030: The Future is Ours; and Emily (supporting) in the NYMF’s Peace, Love, and Cupcakes. When Jamilah is not performing, she is working on her girl empowerment blog, Girls with Beauty and Brains! A huge thanks to God, her parents, her family, and Mehr!

Instagram: @jmils www.girlswithbeautyandbrains.com

TYLER SIMONE

Tyler Simone is thrilled to be joining the cast of Henry Box Brown for this amazing tour! Favorite credits include Caroline, Or Change and 9 to 5 (Firebrand Theatre) The Full Monty and A New Brain (Theo Ubique), New Faces Sings 1941 and Porchlight Revisits They’re Playing Our Song and Little Me (Porchlight Music Theatre) High Fidelity (Refuge Theatre Project), Little Shop Of Horrors, Mary Poppins and “Deloris Van Cartier” in Sister Act (Post Playhouse) and Annie and A Gentlemen’s Guide To Love and Murder (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre). Tyler thanks her friends and family for their endless love and support and her awesome agents at Shirley Hamilton Inc. Tylersymone.com

LADAWN TAYLOR

LaDawn Taylor is an aspiring Broadway actress, her faith has given her strength to overcome obstacles, that has pushed her to finally live her Dreams out loud. She is no stranger to the stage. She has lived and sang Abroad from Europe to Asia and now so thrilled to Join, CTC yet again, First time performing with “Glimmerings of Hope” and, Now “Henry Box Brown.” as Nancy. My Motto is… “You become what you believe, so live out Loud, One step at a time”. LaDawn is from Oklahoma City but grew up in, Houston Texas where she has received her BFA in Acting Directing, Vocal performance at Sam Houston State University. Her Entertainment career began with Walt Disney World, where she held the Crown as Princess Tiana from “Princess and the Frog”, from Parade Shows, Commercial work to Traveling and living overseas in Hong Kong the past 2 years, where she opened, Mickey and the Wondrous Book as Princess Tiana Vocalist, and Later Captured the hearts of the Pridelands in Disney’s Festival of the Lion King, as Nala. Just to name a few of her theatrical performances, Memphis the Musical as Felicia, Big River as Alice Daughter, Aida as Aida, Rent as Joanne Jefferson, and All Shook Up as Lorrain. She wants to give thanks to her family and friends that believe and support her in this journey. Finally, she wants to thank Mehr, Nancy, Jeff and the entire cast and crew for giving her the opportunity to continue sharing her gifts on stage and nationally telling our Black history that continues to live on.

TARRENCE TAYLOR

Tarrence J. Taylor is thrilled to be performing in the production of "Henry Box Brown" again and sharing the stage with such amazing actors. Some of Tarrence’s credits include "Black Wall Street" where he played Dick Rowland, "Whistle in Mississippi: The Lynching of Emmett Till"(Emmett Till), "Into The Woods”(Steward), and the independent film "Night of Something Strange"(Brooklyn). He recently booked a co-starring role in the Hulu series WuTang: An American Saga. He would like to thank the creative team for their awesome vision and open mind and for making Henry Box Brown special. Everyone here has been so incredible. I hope and pray this show is an inspiration to all. God Bless!

CECIL WASHINGTON

Cecil Washington Jr, born in Birmingham, AL. B.A. in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University; Certificate in film and television from The NY Conservatory For Dramatic Arts, Manhattan, NY. A few of his most recent shows include: Porgy in “Porgy & Bess”, “Men with Money”(Marvatech), George in “Sunday in the Park w/George,” Benny in “In the Heights”, Delray Jones “Memphis”, Sam Cooke “The Sam Cooke Story”, Mister “The Color Purple”,and Curtis Taylor Jr in “Dreamgirls”. Along with a couple of Featured TV roles on “The Resident”, “Law &Order”, “Black Mafia Family”, and several commercials, to name a few. Cecil is thrilled to make his debut performance with Children’s Theatre Company and looks forward to more opportunities with them.

KENNETH WASHINGTON

Kenneth Washington (U.S / SWING) is a native of Charleston, SC. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Anderson University in SC. Off- Broadway credit: Revelation the Musical. Regional credits: Shrek The Musical, Children of Eden, HAIRSPRAY, Little Women the Musical, The Magic Flute, Bastien And Bastienna, etc. He has performed as a singer/dancer for Six Flags Fiesta Texas and a lead vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruises. He has also performed in many productions with Sight & Sound Theatres. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Youth Cast

BAHIYYIH GROVER

Bahiyyih Grover is thrilled to be a part of this amazing cast and to help tell the story of Henry Brown. Some of her favorite credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro), Pirates of the Curry Bean (Slack), and Mary Poppins (Mr. Punch) all staged at the Manhattan Arts Center. One thing she would do to make the world a better place is to make sure that everyone is accepted and loved regardless of race, gender, religion…and height. A huge thanks to Mehr, the crew, and especially her family for always being so supportive.

SASHA MITCHELL

Sasha Mitchell is a New York City native. Henry Box Brown is his first play and Sasha is very excited to join this distinguished cast. Sasha loves everything about being a part of this incredible production and hopes he will get to continue acting once the play completes its US tour. He would like to live in a world where people are not harmed for their skin color, where everyone can vote, and be able to dress how they like and have the same rights. A world where other people welcome other humans instead of shutting them out and not doing anything. A world where people can be friends even if they look different and are different, a world where you can be friends with everybody on Earth.

RICHARD PHILLIPS

Richard Phillips (Young Henry / Emmet) is a NYC-based actor with recent credits including The Lion King Broadway tour (Young Simba), Pose FX (Freddy), Sesame Street (Mandarin Chinese speaking student), and Power Starz (Student). Richard was also a featured dancer in the Nickelodeon TV promo for the Halo Awards starring Nick Cannon. In 2019, Richard was selected by Nickelodeon to participate in their highly competitive children’s television comedy intensive. He was one of only 8 students selected to participate. Richard has worked as a voiceover artist for children’s programming and was featured in the ESPN PSA “Just You and Me Kid”. Richard is a student at The Avenues World School in NYC and has studied there since the age of 3. As a student at The Avenues World School, Richard has studied under a Mandarin Chinese curriculum and is fluent in the language. Richard has used his bilingual studies to publish a book titled “Learning with RAZP”. This book uses a patented electronic interactive design to provide an audio and visual self-teaching tool for children studying the Mandarin Chinese language. Richard is managed by The SquarePeg Group, Inc. and represented by NYC agencies A3 Artists (theatrical) and Stewart Talent (commercial).

TATIANA ROSSELLO

Tatiana Rosello is excited to be part of the cast of "Henry Box Brown" again and is a New York native. She continues to study acting techniques and attends vocal training. She has a love for acting and singing. Her goal is to always leave the audience with an unforgettable performance.

ARAYA SICKLES

Araya would like to live in a world where everyone is recognized for the good that they do and not just the bad. I would like to live in a world where the new upcoming generations are not hurting themselves and putting work into better the future. I would like to create a world that accepts everybody's flaws and doesn't outcast them from existence. I am a 12-year-old mixed-race girl who is doing my part to bring people together by providing joy and entertainment to others with my talents.

Creators

FRANK SANCHEZ Composer

Frank Sanchez is the co-composer of the two-time Best Musical Nominee, Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey which has performed to sold-out audiences of over 30,000 from Europe to the U.S. He was commissioned as a composer by Dr. Dorothy Marcic and three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle to write the music for Terms of Dismemberment, which ran for 9 performances at the renowned off-Broadway, Lucille Lortel Theatre as part of the New York International Fringe Festival to rave reviews. Frank has also co-composed over 15 musicals with Mehr Mansuri for the award-winning, Children's Theatre Company in New York City. Their musical collaborations include HORTON THE ELEPHANT; a musical adaptation of Mehr Mansuri’s original play, KING KUNKA BUNKA AND THE ROTTEN ROYAL RASCALS, which was performed for sold-out audiences including at the United Nations General Assembly; FARMER RABBIT'S FIESTA, PROVIDENCE: THE STORY OF ROGER WILLIAMS; Ah Broadway and many more. In collaboration with Michael Chimenti, to adapt Phyllis Holliday's Ickitwick, Frank wrote JOHNNY AND THE THINKING MACHINE- to great acclaim. Currently, Frank has once again teamed up with June Rachelson-Ospa and Jack G. Hyman to write BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS, a musical based on Hyman's best-selling children's book of the same name. Frank was born in Miami, Florida and studied piano at the Aaron Copland School of Music, and graduated from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University with a B.F.A. in Arts Management. Upon graduation, he founded Ah, Broadway, Productions.

MEHR MANSURI Writer/Composer

As a classically trained actress, Mehr began her training in theater in Worcester England, leaving her native Iran, due to religious persecution as members of the Baha’i Faith, the largest non-Islamic faith community in Iran. In the United States, Mehr continued her training at UC Irvine (BA in acting), where she studied with renowned Shakespeare theater director and award-winning author, Dr. Robert Cohen, and celebrated director, Jerzey Growtowski / author of Theatre of the Poor. Mehr began her professional acting career at Shakespeare Festivals in Park City, Utah, and Vail, Colorado.

As an actress, Mehr has won critical acclaim for her portrayals in British plays: Red Devils (LA Times Critics’ Choice and Dramalogue’s Best Actress / Best Ensemble Performance) and Road by critically acclaimed British playwright, Jim Cartwright (Here! In NYC) as well as numerous roles with the New York City theater company, Ma-Yi Theater Ensemble, where she played principal roles in the Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Vineyard Theater; Portrait of An Artist as Filipino; Gaughin with David Straitharn and more. Mehr’s voice-over work and audiobooks have won her five-star reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Penguin Audio.

Her off-Broadway producing assistant credits include for Scott Elliot (the New Group) working on multiple productions including Goosepimples with Sam Rockwell; Hazelwood Jr. High with Chloe Sevigny and Kenneth Lonnergan’s, This is Our Youth with Mark Ruffalo.

Mehr is also honored to have served on the jury for the National Endowment for the Arts in Theater / Musical Theater.

ERIC DOZIER Co-Composer

Eric Dozier is a cultural activist, music educator, and singer/songwriter that uses music to engage communities in creative dialogue about racism. He is co-founder and National Director of Arts and Education for One Human Family Music Workshops, Inc., an organization devoted to eradicating discrimination by ‘Uniting the World..One Song at a Time.' He has served as the musical director for the World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir, the award-winning Children’s Theatre Company of NYC, and has been a featured artist at the United Nations. Through these collaborations, he has been honored to share the stage with the likes of Harry Belafonte, Angelique Kidjo, Rafﬁ, and even Nelson Mandela.

He currently serves on the Education Curriculum Development Committee for the forthcoming National Museum of African American Music being built in Nashville, TN where he also heads the Office of Equity and Campus Culture at the Episcopal School of Nashville.

He is a graduate of Duke University and Duke Divinity School and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of Tasmania researching the effects of Black Gospel Music on communities outside of the Black Church.

Through his insightful lyrical stylings, soulful melodies, interactive workshops, and moving speeches, he continues to dedicate his musical, spiritual, and intellectual talents to welding the hearts and minds of divided humanity into one loving fellowship.

Collaborators

JEFFREY BOLDING Additional Music/ Asst. Music Director

Jeff Bolding is a gospel singer, actor, and musical director. He is a native of Washington, DC, and a three time AUDELCO winner.

He is honored to have received his first AUDELCO in the original cast of GREAT MEN OF GOSPEL, Elizabeth Van Dyke, Author/Director, Woodie King, Producer, New Federal Theatre (2002). This production was recently re-released in concert format and performed in NJ, November 2017.

Other AUDELCO wins include best ensemble production of revised Ain’t Nothing But the Blues, (2010), serving as Musical Director (nominated for best MD).

Jeff served 20 years in music ministry at The Abyssinian Baptist Church and was the director/pianist for The Chancel Choir and Inspirational Voices

Other projects include The First Lady, (OMG), The Flip Side of the Coin, Miss Hazel’s House of Heavenly Rest, and most recently, To You, Mr. Hughes, (April 2018),

JOHN BRONSTON Music Director

John Bronston is a conductor, musical director, arranger, and composer. He previously served as the conductor of the North American tour of Hair and the associate conductor for the tours of Smokey Joe’s Café and Ain’t Misbehavin. Regionally he has musically directed works including Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Color Purple, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Beyond the Rainbow, and The Wiz. He has helped develop several new works in New York working with such companies as NYMF (New York Musical Theatre Workshop), NYTB (New York Theatre Barn), The Workshop Theatre, The Women’s Project, and MTF (Musical Theatre Factory). As a composer, his musical Fairy Tale was produced off-Broadway and his regional incidental and vocal scores include Good Woman of Szechwan, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, and the Glass Menagerie at companies including Richmond Shakespeare Festival and Stagedoor Manor.

DEVON WYCOVIA BUCHANAN Choreographer

DeVon Wycovia Buchanan is a proud alumni of Nashville School For The Arts, started his career as a performer in Children’s Theatre with Sesame Street LIVE! From there, he went on to do Cruise Ships, Regional Theatre, and Broadway Tours. In 2014, he started choreographing for Street Theatre Company in Nashville, Tennessee. Creating choreography for shows like PASSING STRANGE, CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, and HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL. Being a full time choreographer and performer, DeVon decided that he also wanted to become an instructor for future performers, so he started teaching dance classes in varies establishments like TM PRODUCTIONS, MASTER DANCE WORXX in LAS VEGAS, and LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY; where he created “ASCEND”. A prize winning piece dedicated to the BLM Movement; focusing on the development of humanity ascending racism and hatred, to equality and love.

JACK LENZ Orchestrator/Music Supervisor

Jack Lenz is an acclaimed composer, musician, producer and musical director. Throughout his prolific career, he has composed music for motion pictures, television, documentaries, Canadian news programs, award shows, and has directed studio sessions in countries around the world – including Canada, the U.S.A., Great Britain, Russia and Slovakia. Jack’s work covers the broad landscape of entertainment media, having been featured in blockbuster films, including Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ; movies of the week such as The Good Witch and CBC’s The Trojan Horse; popular television series like Due South and The Designer Guys; children’s television programs such as Mr. Meaty on Nickelodeon; and has served as musical director for countless live broadcast events.

TAYLOR MOORE Percussion

SAM URDANG Additional Music

Sam Urdang began playing guitar and writing original songs at the age of 15. He has branched out into the realm of piano and harmonica, and posts and impressive mastery of vocal percussion, also referred to as the boxing physically, he has trained and bearings thousand downs, including breakdowns hip-hop swing Latin tap ballet and jazz he is fluent in French Spanish Turkish Italian and I studied engine light in for three years. He has an interest in the world automatic voice training he served as the assistant and worked on search Productions as as you like it, merchant of Venice, measure for measure, king Richard II. New sentence Sam has a bachelors of fine arts in Acting at Rutgers University with the mason gross school of the arts.

Crew

NIA FRASER Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Nia Fraser currently serves as a Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for CTC in NYC. Nia recently graduated with a BA in Marketing from Temple University and is a CTC alumna herself. She was an ensemble member from age 6-14. During her time with CTC, she has performed at the United Nations and has appeared on NY1 and Good Morning America. Nia has performed in over 15 of CTC’s musical productions and was an original cast member of Henry Box Brown. Her love of theater and desire to use art as a catalyst for social change has followed her into adulthood and led her back to her CTC family.

ANGELINA MECCARIELLO Stage Manager

Angelina Meccariello is so excited to work on her first show with the Children’s Theater Company as assistant stage manager and carpenter. Recent credits include Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble, Vineyard Theater, The PIT, Theater for a New City, Medicine Show Theater Ensemble, and TADA. Thank you so much to the cast and crew for making this an incredible experience!

LEO NOBILETTI

Leo Nobiletti holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Tech and Design from Long Island University - Post. He is a stage manager by trade but a sound designer by passion. Recent credits include Peter/Piper directed by Mia Rovegno (Post Theatre Company), Burdens of The Body directed by Aaron Cooper (Hudson Guild Theatre), Spring Awakening directed by Stephen Tyler Davis (Post Theatre Company), and La Cage aux Folles directed by Andrew Parker Greenwood (Woodstock Playhouse).

MELINA R. SALIFOSKI Regional Chapter Coordinator

Melina R. Salifoski is a Turkish Macedonian Romani American, born and raised in New York City. She just graduated BMCC and is planning on furthering her studies in Educational Theatre. A Romani activist, she hopes to educate the public on who the Roma are and how the one-sided Myths and Stigmas still hurt them around the globe. Melina has worked with and has been a part of The Children’s Theater Company for half of her life. The work that this company does, not only in theater but the fulfillment of creating change and doing positive work to understand racism and unity. Simple communication and discussion will always facilitate positivity and greater awareness of each other’s points of view.

DR. SUSAN SOETAERT Costume Designer

Dr. Susan Soetaert- is a tenured professor at Lehman College, Theatre Department where she teaches and directs. She has produced costumes for hundreds of theatrical productions around the country and designed the costumes for the Broadway and national tours of The Gathering, starring Hal Linden. For ten years she served as a resident designer at the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre and has designed for Ringling Brothers Circus, La Gran Scena Opera Co., Little Orchestra Society, Ice Theatre of New York, and La Mama. Professor Soetaert has designed costumes for and consulted on, the construction of 28 theatrical productions.