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
DUSTY & DOTT WILL BE BACK SOON!
Brendan Malafronte
- Toured internationally with John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean!
- Professor of puppetry at PACE School of Performing Arts.
- Actor and puppeteer onboard the Disney Magic.
DUSTY & DOTT WILL BE BACK SOON!
Leah Marie Hofmann
- Performed on Broadway in War Horse, Big Fish, and Something Rotten!
- Featured in a clue on an episode of Jeopardy, highlighting her work as a puppeteer in War Horse.
- Creates original Etch A Sketch Artwork for magazines, museums, and various promotional platforms.
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
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
Vince Broelmann
- Attended Puppeteer training workshops with Sesame Workshop, the organization that produces Sesame Street around the globe
- Former Cast member at Walt Disney World
- Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Ball State University and studied Puppet Arts at University of Connecticut
Games
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 the University of Central Oklahoma
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
Christina Carlucci
- A 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
Danielle Heaton
- ASL sign and music teacher
- ABA Behavioral Therapist/RBT
- Toured internationally with Sesame St. Live as Jenny the Music Teacher
Gabe Brown
- Upcoming* Lead in Broadway production of Blue at the Apollo Theater
- LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award winner
- Over 9 years of experience as a private sitter and tutor in NYC and Los Angeles
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 /Playwriting / Theatre Arts)
Jeremy Hallam
- 3 time Gold Medalist for Australia at the 2013 World Dwarf Games
- Worked as a performer in various roles at the Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka, Japan from 2011-2019. Roles included debuting two brand new, never before seen characters for their “Sesame Street” and “One Piece” live theatre shows.
- Co-hosted the annual QuizzaMe tournament in Australia in front of thousands of guests
Miguel Alejandro Faña
- Graduate of the University of Tenn. MFA Acting Program
- Conversant in Spanish
- Former US Army Service Member
Missy Dowse
- “Louise” in the national tour of Gypsy.
- Appeared on SMASH! on NBC.
- Over 10 years of experience teaching music and acting to children of all ages and experience levels.
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
Breakout Adventures
Miguel Alejandro Faña
- Graduate of the University of Tenn. MFA Acting Program
- Conversant in Spanish
- Former US Army Service Member
Shanda Brown
- Acting Conservatory participant at the Barrow Group
- Former Lead Kindergarten Teacher
- Certifications: General Education, Special Education, and TEFL
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
Sean Widener
- Has toured the US with Wizard of Oz the Musical and Cirque Dreams
- Performed on the Seven Seas with both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines
- Favorite Uncle to two eccentric nieces and two delightful nephews
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!)
Lizzie Kehoe
- BFA in Drama and English Literature from NYU Tisch
- Conversant in French
- Upcoming: Regan in King Lear at Tampa Rep
David Couter
- A playwright whose work has been performed in five countries.
- Ryder in PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure US/Canada Tour.
- BFA in Theatre from the University of Memphis.
Dance
Christina Carlucci
- A 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
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
- Various credits in over a dozen shows regionally at theatres such as The Marriott, Drury Lane, and Music Theatre Wichita.
- 18+ years of 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
Paige Sabo
- National Tour of An American In Paris
- BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona
- Experience with Dance, Gymnastics & Movement for Children
Luiza Karnas
-
MFA in Dance – SUNY Brockport
-
BA in Dance Education – UFRGS (Brazil)
- Native Portuguese Speaker and conversational in Spanish
- Over 10 years of experience as a Dance Instructor/Teacher
Kelsey Geibel
-
Dancer at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
-
Dancer/Aerialist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines traveling to 30+ countries around the world
-
10+ years of experience as a dance instructor with a Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University
Taylor Tarantino
- Dancer for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- 18+ years of training in hip-hop, jazz, tap, etc.
- 5+ years experience as a children’s dance instructor.
- Dance training from San Diego State University and a BA in Communication.
Music
Levin Valayil
- ‘Mowgli’ in US/Canadian tour of “Jungle Book”
- Specializes in working with children of all ability levels
- Certifications in Music Therapy
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
- Fluent in Spanish
- 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
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)
Jack Gerhard
- Lead in ONCE the Musical’s 3rd National Tour.
- Plays Guitar, Violin, Harmonica, and Ukulele.
- Speaks Spanish.
Art Studio
Levin Valayil
- ‘Mowgli’ in US/Canadian tour of “Jungle Book”
- Specializes in working with children of all ability levels
- Certifications in Music Therapy
Whitney Wegman-Wood
- MFA Acting from the University of Virginia
- 10+ years of 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
Starr Leavitt
- Rapunzel/Snow White/Anna for Disney Cruise Line
- TheaterWorksUSA’s National Tour of Pete the Cat
- Certifications: BFA in Musical Theater
Samantha Eyler Jemmott
- Artistic Director of Opia Arts
- BA in Musical Theatre with minors in Graphic Design and Dance
Kialeah Hankerson
- Specializes in Children’s Theatre.
- Miss Elaina in National Tour of Daniel Tigers Neighborhood Live.
- Poppy’s Party Pal at Feld Entertainment’s Trolls the Experience.
- Rafiki in Lion King Jr
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
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
Paige Sabo
- National Tour of An American In Paris
- BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona
- Experience with Dance, Gymnastics & Movement for Children
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
Rebecca Keeshin
- Original Winnie Foster in the world premiere TYA production of Miller and Tysen’s TUCK EVERLASTING
- Starred in Heisler and Goldrich’s new Christmas musical “Auntie Claus”
- 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
SNAKES-N-SCALES
- 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
JUGGLER/ MAGICIAN/ COMEDIAN
- 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
Evan Presto
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MAGICIAN & BALLOON ARTIST
- Award-winning magician/mentalist & balloon artisan
- Frequently hired as a magic consultant; choreographing magic routines for Regional and off-Broadway productions
- Evan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University
Meet The Founders
