Puppet Playground
Andrea Dotto
- Original Broadway Cast of Bandstand
- Nominated for Best Female Dancer in a Broadway Show
- Dotto performed on the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall
Brendan Malafronte
- Toured internationally with John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean!
- Professor of puppetry at PACE School of Performing Arts.
- Actor and puppeteer on board the Disney Magic.
Nadia Vynnytsky
- “Campbell” in Bring It On Broadway National Tour”
- Serena” in Legally Blonde National Tour Other National Tours: SHREK, Catch Me If You Can “Katherine” in Newsies! at Pioneer Theatre Company
Wendy Cave
- Performer at Greenfield Historical Village and Cedar Point Live Entertainment
- 15+ years of experience teaching children
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Laura Stracko
- Currently in Diana: A True Musical Story on Broadway
- Grizabella in CATS on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
- Moderator & Mantra-Writer for a teachers’ Mental Health & Wellness Group
Wesley Slade
- Actor/Comedian at Walt Disney World & Universal Studios
- Puppeteer/Actor in John Tartaglia’s “Beauty & the Beast”, Maltz Jupiter Theatre
- Multiple Theatre Awards: BroadwayWorld, Carbonell, Miami New Times,
Dana Gough
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from Wagner College Theater
- Proficient in Spanish and ASL
- Performed in a London Fringe production of Measure for Measure
Discovery Station
Laura Cable
- National Tour of CATS the Musical
- Disney Princess for Disney Cruise Line
- Professional Storyteller at Walt Disney World
Shanda Brown
- Acting Conservatory participant at the Barrow Group
- Former Lead Kindergarten Teacher
- Certifications: General Education, Special Education, and TEFL
Hannah Weaver
- Rapunzel for Disney Cruise Line
- ArtsPower Touring Theatre & VStar Entertainment Group
- BA in Psychology & Theatre from Lafayette College
Rebecca Spigelman
- Degree in Musical Theatre with credits across the US
- Proficient in ASL
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Brooke Burns
- Owner of Book Brooke Princess Parties
- Recent Graduate of Marymount Manhattan College (Musical Theatre/Drama Therapy)
- 2+ years experience teaching theatre performance
Brandon Zelman
- Improviser at UCB Theatre
- Performer/Director at Story Pirates
- BA in Theatre at Fordham University
Devon Frieder
- Disney Teaching Artist at Disney Theatrical on Broadway
- Ariel in The Little Mermaid at numerous Regional theaters
- Artistic Director & Choreographer at Devon Frieder Productions
- B.F.A in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory
Gracie Lee Brown
- MFA in acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
- Performs her one woman cabaret show “Say Goodnight, Gracie” all over NYC including Don’t Tell Mama, The Bitter End, and The Duplex.
- Fluent in Spanish (and Whale!)
Ashley Nickas
- We Are the Tigers (Off-Broadway)
- Stage Management Intern for Wicked on Broadway
- AEA Stage Manager for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2019 Broadway Under the Stars
Alyssa Danielle Jones
- Performed on the Polar Express Train Ride with Warner Brother/Rail Events Inc
- Performed in multiple shows and parades at Six Flags Over Texas
- Recently graduated with a BM in Musical Theatre from University of Central Oklahoma
Emily Friesen
- BFA in Musical Theater
- Experience as a teaching artist for Performing Arts Camps
- Character Performer for entertainment companies
Games
Casey Shane
- Host of MasterChef Junior Live!
- Hosted for the Got Talent Brand, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and more
- Worked with kids for over 15 years as a caretaker and coach
Alex Dollin
- Host of News 12 Long Island’s Kids Corner
- Former cast member of A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden
- Owner, Emcee for SuperSound Entertainment DJ company
Christina Carlucci
- Performer with the USO
- NYU double major in Drama and Child Psychology
- Created programs for children with Autism at Langone Medical Center
- Belle for Disney Cruise Line
Harrison Bryan
- Helen Hayes Award Nominated Actor (Christopher Boone in “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”)
- Experience in Youth Performing Arts Programs (Clowning / Puppetry /P laywriting / Theatre Arts)’
Katie Luke
- Elsa on Disney Cruise Lines and Walt Disney World
- Wonder Woman on the International Tour of Justice League: Live
- Extensive knowledge of Wildlife and National Parks
Miguel Alejandro Faña
- Graduate of the University of Tenn. MFA Acting Program
- Fluent Spanish Speaker
- Former US Army Service Member
Nadia Belaouchi
- BFA in Musical Theatre from CAP21/Molloy College
- Soloist in Rob Rokicki & the Good Kids concert at The Green Room 42
- *Upcoming- The Cat in the Hat in Seussical at Weston Playhouse
Teddy Drummond
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Jimmy in WildBrain’s Youtube Children’s Show “Ellie Sparkles” (over 2 million subscribers)
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Host of Hofstra’s weekly Cabaret showcase
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Years of experience teaching, counseling, and babysitting kids from the ages of 2-13
Breakout Adventures
Brandon Zelman
- Improviser at UCB Theatre
- Performer/Director at Story Pirates
- BA in Theatre at Fordham University
Rebecca Spigelman
- Degree in Musical Theatre with credits across the US
- Proficient in ASL
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Gracie Lee Brown
- MFA in acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
- Performs her one woman cabaret show “Say Goodnight, Gracie” all over NYC including Don’t Tell Mama, The Bitter End, and The Duplex.
- Fluent in Spanish (and Whale!)
Laura Cable
- National Tour of CATS the Musical
- Disney Princess for Disney Cruise Line
- Professional Storyteller at Walt Disney World
Dance
Chris Hanford
- Co-creator of VBC Dance Parties
- Teaching kids dance for over 10 years.
- Recent Tony Manero on Royal Caribbean ships!
- Performing since he was 3
Maurice Dawkins
- Coricopat, U/S Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats Broadway Revival National Tour
- Speaks Italian
- B.A. in Liberal Arts at Sarah Lawrence College
Megan Fulmer
- Dance Captain for The Bodyguard the Musical First National Tour starring Deborah Cox
- Dancer for Straight Outta Oz First National tour
- Netflix documentary Behind the Curtain starring Todrick Hall
Lexis Danca
- Performed in 12+ shows at regional Chicago theatres such as Drury Lane and The Marriott Theatre.
- 18+ years classical training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, etc.
- BFA Musical Theatre/Dance Minor Millikin University
Elizabeth Cowperthwaite
- Dancer in J Chen Project Dance Company
- BFA Dance and BA Psychology
Amanda Dunsdon
- Thing 2 on National Children’s Tour of “The Cat in the Hat”
- Certifications: Musical Theatre and Dance
- Child Care provider for over 10 years
Megan Hasse
- Opened for Reba McIntyre at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
- Certified yoga instructor
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Alle-Faye Monka
- Tricia (u/s Val) – The National Tour of A Chorus Line
- Mary Poppins, Gypsy, The Wedding Singer – Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera House
- B.F.A. in Musical Theater – The University of Michigan
Paige Sabo
- National Tour of An American In Paris B
- FA in Dance from the University of Arizona
- Experience with Dance, Gymnastics & Movement for Children
Luiza Karnas
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MFA in Dance – SUNY Brockport
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BA in Dance Education – UFRGS (Brazil)
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Over 10 years of experience as Dance Instructor/Teacher
Music
Brian Brammer
- Crush in Finding Nemo the Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- International A Cappella championship award winner
- Degree in Commercial Music Performance
Levin Valayil
- ‘Mowgli’ in US/Canadian tour of “Jungle Book”
- Specializes in working with children of all ability levels
- Certifications in Music Therapy
Rose Van Dyne
- Originated role of Adrian in world premiere of Interstate, Asian-American musical
- International children’s choir director
- Certifications: Piano and Voice Instructor
Jacob Shipley
- Original John Newton in the National Tour of Amazing Grace
- Proficient in more than ten instruments
- Nearly a decade of teaching experience in music and arts
Marissa Barnathan
- Performer/ Director / Choreographer at Walnut Street Theatre, America’s oldest theater
- B.A. in Drama and Psychology, minor in Ballet
- 15+ years of vocal and dance training
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Rebecca Soelberg
- Private Vocal instructor for over 4 years
- Bachelors of Music, emphasis in Vocal Performance
- Favorite roles: Wardrobe (Beauty and the Beast), Narrator (Joseph…Dreamcoat) and Sister Mary Robert (Sister Act)
Lana Gallo
- Nemo and Squirt in Disney’s “Finding Nemo the Musical”
- Bachelor of Arts in Music History & Theatre
- Sensory-friendly performance trained
Erin Phillips
- Country Singer/Songwriter in Nashville, TN
- Performed in venues such as Ryman Auditorium & Exit/In
- Bachelor’s of Music from Belmont University
Chloe Tiso
- Francine in Jersey Boys National Tour
- Grace in Annie National Tour
- Sandy in Grease with Royal Caribbean International
- Certified Yoga Teacher/ RYT
Jeff Ostermueller
- Performed with the National Tour of Spring Awakening the Musical
- Teaches Voice and Music Theater in NYC
- Played Piano for former president Bill Clinton
Katie von Braun
- Substitute violinist in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
- Lead violinist on the An American in Paris National Tour
- 10+ years of professional music education (both private & group!)
Bailey Hovermale
- Advanced pianist (16+ years), as well as singer and percussionist
- Taught a virtual acting workshop for middle schoolers and music directed children’s workshop productions in Hagerstown, Maryland
- B.A. in Musical Theatre, Minor in Music (SUNY Cortland, Summa Cum Laude)
Art Studio
Stephanie Christian
- B.A. in Vocal Performance and Opera Studies
- 11+ years experience with kids (care taking and theater camp)
- Expert 4-leaf clover finder
Whitney Wegman-Wood
- MFA Acting from the University of Virginia
- 10+ years experience teaching
- San Diego Film Award Recipient
Zoe Andersen
- BA in Art & Design; MFA in Scenic Design
- Shadow puppet designer for an operatic retelling of Aesop’s Fables and a Guatemalan folktale
- Experience in digital and traditional media (painting/drawing/sculpting)
Starr Leavitt
- Rapunzel/Snow White/Anna for Disney Cruise Line
- TheaterWorksUSA’s National Tour of Pete the Cat
- Certifications: BFA in Musical Theater
Individual Session
Tyler Symone
- Appeared in 2 Joseph Jefferson Awarded Musicals
- BFA in Musical Theatre Performance
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Alexandra Barry
- BFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts
- Certified Disney Dancer
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Emily McCready
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minors in Music and Spanish
- Fluent in Spanish (some ASL)
- Experience working with children and adults with a broad range of abilities and medical diagnoses
- Official Disney Orchestra Performer at Downtown Disney
- Silver Knight Honorable Mention Award recipient for Music and Dance
Isabela Barry
- Certified Disney Dancer
- Work with nonprofit centered on healing through the arts.
- Background in providing support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Paige Sabo
- National Tour of An American In Paris
- BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona
- Experience with Dance, Gymnastics & Movement for Children
Ashley Nickas
- We Are the Tigers (Off-Broadway)
- Stage Management Intern for Wicked on Broadway
- AEA Stage Manager for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2019 Broadway Under the Stars
Emily Friesen
- BFA in Musical Theater
- Experience as a teaching artist for Performing Arts Camps
- Character Performer for entertainment companies
Ariel Kurtz
- Favorite roles including Agnes in Gypsy and Ensemble in Tar and Feather (Williamstown Theatre Festival)
- Learning Disabled Individual/Passionate about Disability Advocacy
- Bus Counselor at Usdan, Camp Counselor at A Class Act NY and Teaching Artist for Broadway Bound Kids and Artists Striving To End Poverty
Alyssa Danielle Jones
- Performed on the Polar Express Train Ride with Warner Brother/Rail Events Inc
- Performed in multiple shows and parades at Six Flags Over Texas
- Recently graduated with a BM in Musical Theatre from University of Central Oklahoma
Morgan Ose
- Dancer in Wellbeing Dance
- Swing in JRW Productions
- BA in Dance with a minor in psychology
Rebecca Keeshin
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Original Winnie Foster in the world premiere TYA production of Miller and Tysen’s TUCK EVERLASTING
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Starred in Heisler and Goldrich’s new Christmas musical “Auntie Claus”
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BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University
Rachel Berkman
- Lead singer of two band’s based in NY
- Wrapped up a film recently and is looking forward to her cabaret at Don’t Tell Mama’s
- Works as a Teaching Artist and has experience teaching children with disabilities
Specialty Studios
Erin Mellini
- Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behavior & Biology from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ
- Aquarist and Educator for North Carolina Aquarium in Fort Fisher
- Currently Owner & Instructor of Snakes & Scales, LLC Animal Rescue in NJ
- 12 years teaching & entertaining experience from ages 1-100!
David Cain
- World Champion Juggler
- Multiple Guinness World Record Holder
- Author of 18 books about Juggling or Magic
- Performer of over 15,000 professional shows
- Composer for five Broadway-style musicals
- B.A. in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati
Meet The Founders
