ALEXA KARTSCHOKE
Alexa Kartschoke (She/Her) is an artist-educator originally from Vermont. She is so excited to work with BBK and teach the next generation of theater makers. She is an actor, director, and choreographer passionate about culturally responsive and consent based work. She has been teaching dance and acting for the past three years and recently graduated with her Masters in Educational Theatre from CCNY. Alexa is excited to continue her passion and craft to bring theatre to students all across NYC. Website: alexakartschoke.com
Anel Carmona
Anel Carmona is a multidisciplinary theater artist originally from Mexico and based in New York City. She has participated in dozens of plays across North America. She is the author of plays such as Adios Fjord (Off-Broadway, Theater at Gibney), Ice Cream Fro-Yo (Hudson Guild Theater), The Church of the Winter (Gene Frankel theater), and Chocolate en la Estación (Teatro Jaime Torres Bodet). In 2020, her COVID-19 themed play "A Seis Pies de Distancia" had video production in Tabasco, Mexico and Alberta, Canada. It was also featured in the published anthology "De Pandemia a Pandemonium" on the Mexican Platform Dramaturgia Mexicana. Her favorite acting credits include HallowStream (RSPC), Tales of the White Diamond Mountain (RSPC), Catch Me in America (Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble), and Ti Jean and his Brothers (MA's Playhouse) among others. Anel holds an MFA in Playwriting from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University; she is also an active member of the Playwrights and Directors Workshop at the Actors Studio and The Dramatists Guild of America. www.anelcarmona.com IG:@carmonaanel
Averil Carr
Averil Carr is a theater maker and teaching artist specifically interested in creating accessible and dynamic arts programs for all populations. She works with NYC DOE’s Office of Arts and Special Projects on numerous programs including the All-In(clusive) Teen theater Ensemble and the Shubert High School Theater Festival. She recently produced the Up Above, a new play for high school audiences, where she coordinated the touring production across New York City schools. In addition, Averil works with closely with NYU’s Verbatim Performance Lab, where she co-created a verbatim documentary theater investigation into sexual violence at universities and institutions- We’re Not There Yet. She is a graduate of NYU’s Program in Educational theater. // averilcarr.com
Brandon Dial
Brandon Dial is an NYC -based actor and educator. As an actor, Brandon has worked Off-Broadway at theaters such as The Public Theater and more. As an educator, Brandon is focused on creating a space where students can have fun and surprise themselves with their innate talent, all while learning important social emotional skills that will serve them in any profession, artistic or otherwise. He holds an MFA from NYU Grad Acting.
Brandon Shaw McKnight
Brandon Shaw McKnight is a multidisciplinary artist, director, and educator whose work spans opera, theatre, music, and dance. He has performed on Broadway, in regional theaters, and internationally, while also developing a distinct voice as a director and creator of immersive, community-centered projects. Brandon recently served as the Crane Directing Fellow with Opera Columbus (2023–25), where he worked on a range of productions and developed new approaches to storytelling on the operatic stage. He is currently an Engaging Artist Fellow with More Art in New York City, expanding his practice to include socially engaged and site-specific work. As a teaching artist, Brandon draws on his wide-ranging experience to inspire students to embrace curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, encouraging them to find their own unique artistic voices.
Christopher Browne Valenzuela
Chris Browne Valenzuela is an award winning Chilean actor, playwright, director, and educator based in New York City. His one-person show "Too Smart" won him the Abniel Marat Award for Best Playwright in 2024, and his play "#daddy" won "Best Play" at the Hispanic Federation's Queer Arts Festival. As an actor he's performed on countless stages in the United States and his native Chile, as well as being a company member of Teatro SEA. Chris is also an educator specializing in Mask Work, which he teaches at the Circle in the Square Theater School and The Terry Knickerbocker Studio.
Collin Meath
Collin Meath is a Brooklyn-based actor, producer and teaching artist. Selected credits include Phinny Sears in Steven Soderbergh’s The Knick, Law and Order: SVU, FBI, The Blacklist, City on a Hill, the award-winning indie feature Ovum, and appearances onstage at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Labyrinth theater Company. As a teaching artist, Collin focuses on film, improv, and theater with organizations such as CO/LAB, BBK, Red Carpet Kids and more. He is also an avid dog lover and proud dog dad to a rescue dachshund mix named Lionel.
Dezera Page
After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Dezera began singing with such artists as Miki Howard and Hazel Payne (of famed disco duo A Taste of Honey). She went on to produce a series of her own successful one-woman cabaret shows in New York City. She also performed in the theater for many years in regional, national, and European touring productions in such roles as Carlotta in Yeston/Kopit's “Phantom”, Maggie Jones in “42nd Street”, Dionne in “Hair”, Lorrell in “Dreamgirls” Mrs. Crosby in "The Goodbye Girl" Brenda in "Smokey Joe's Cafe"
Dianne DeWald
Dianne graduated with their BFA with honors in Acting and Directing from Austin Peay State University, and they are now a NYC-based actor and theater educator. They have nearly a decade of experience in teaching theater arts to young artists, and they are dedicated to providing a safe space for young performers to thrive. Dianne has taught in a variety of formats, including traditional classroom instruction as Glendale Elementary's (TN) theater teacher and director, countless workshops and seminars, and in extracurricular arts programs such as BBK, Treasure Trunk Theatre, and many more! Dianne is CPR certified, and is an alum of Atlantic Acting School in NYC.
Drew Masi
Drew Masi was born and raised in NYC and was a student at Broadway Bound Kids until she graduated. Since then, she has gotten her BFA in Theatre Education from Emerson College. She also works as a Theatre Director for Camp Chipinaw & Silver Lake where they put on five shows in the span of seven weeks. It is there where she discovered her love of teaching theatre to the next generation and can’t wait to continue to do that with BBK.
Erica Knight
Erica Knight is a teaching artist, actress, and writer based in New York City. As a teacher, Erica has joyfully worked with all ages in theater and creative writing for ten years. Regionally, Erica has worked for the Shakespeare theater of New Jersey and Centenary Stage Company. In New York, she has produced and appeared in The Summoning by Charlotte Ahlin, and Lee Blessing’s Independence. Select TV: “Gossip Girl”; “One Life to Live”. Currently, Erica is workshopping her one-woman play, GHOST DANCE, a lyrical exploration into her familial ties to the prolific and unconventional painter, Ralph Albert Blakelock. Erica is a semi-finalist for Primary Stages Echo’s Writers Group and has been nominated for an Innovative Theatre Award.
Esther Sanchez
A kid at heart, Esther has always had a passion for teaching children. Esther graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with her B.A. in Dance, and a concentration in teaching. Since then she has taught at various dance and movement classes around the city with programs such as Broadway Bound Kids, BOLD Arts, Downtown Dance Factory, and many other children's enrichment programs! Zealous and bubbly in nature, Esther creates a fun and nurturing environment for children to express themselves, so they can grow as artists and develop a true love of dance. Her hope as an artist and a teacher is that her students not only take what they learn from the studio to the stage, but that they can take what they learn in the studio and integrate art in their day-to-day, enabling them to articulate why dance (and other art forms) is so important to their lives.
Frankie Giovannetti
Frankie Giovannetti (she/her) has been part of the Broadway Bound Kids family since 2010, first joining as a student and later growing into roles as an intern, Teaching Artist, and staff member. She founded BBK’s Alumni Association to help connect and celebrate the vibrant community of past participants. Frankie previously served as the organization's Development Associate, helping to strengthen programming through fundraising, partnerships, and events. As a Teaching Artist, she has led BBK’s Broadway Bound Beginners classes and played a key role in shaping this extension of Community Theater Ensembles—BBK’s core program—for elementary students.
Franca Rosenblatt
Franca Rosenblatt is an endearing and driven actor, singer, and dancer from Maplewood, New Jersey. She started her performance journey through extensive ballet training, and expanded her skill set at UCLA’s school of Theater, Film, and Television. Franca has since grown into a true triple threat, a multi-faceted theater artist, and expert in various dance, vocal, and acting styles. Within her first year of graduating, Franca worked in multiple regional houses around the country. She finds passion in marrying movement with purpose and has found a love in teaching kids the power of working together to create something awesome. Franca attempts to stir the pot in every space she enters, and enjoys a delicious scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream with sprinkles in the process!
Frankie Sulla
Frankie Sulla (she/her) is originally from Detroit, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education in 2019 and moved to New York City after graduation. In addition to Broadway Bound Kids, has taught for the New York City Ballet and Mark Morris Dance Center.
Gabrielle lavoie
Gabrielle Lavoie is a Brooklyn based, multi- hyphenate creator and she is SO excited to be teaching with Broadway Bound Kids! Past teaching experience includes production and dance classes at Derryfield Repertory Theatre as well as early childhood education/art/music at Gymboree Play & Music! As a performer, she has performed at Valleyfair, Hershey Park, with Plaza Theatrical Productions, and with various production companies in TV/Film work. She is a Suzuki trained actor and loves to help young actors find their own artistic voice! gabriellelavoie.com
Gonzalo Vargas
Gonzalo Vargas was born and raised in Queens. He attended the University at Albany, where he was a Theater major and an English minor. Primarily an actor, Gonzalo is also a painter and a writer. He lived in Los Angeles from 2009 to 2012 and worked on numerous commercial and TV projects. Since moving back to Manhattan, he has been in multiple commercials and most recently was the co-star in a short film that premiered at the Landmark Sunshine Theater. His TV credits include Blue Bloods and Law & Order: SVU.
Hannah Schmitt
Hannah Schmitt is a New York based actor and teaching artist. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA in Theater and a minor in Creative Writing. While there, she received SAFD certifications for Knife and Single Sword stage combat, and spent four years performing improv and sketch comedy with Damsels in Excess. She was also part of the development process of a new play based on Shakespeare's Henry IV cycle. Hannah spent four summers teaching dance, stage combat, and acting at a children's theater program in White Plains. In June of 2022, Hannah was named Best Actress of New York Theater Festival's Summerfest.
Jackson Cline
Jackson Cline is a New York-based actor and teaching artist. Off-Broadway: The Wizard of Oz, Pinkalicious the Musical, Fancy Nancy the Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest. Other performance credits include Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!, At the Stroke of Midnight, Entr'acte, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, among others. Jackson is a graduate of CAP21 Conservatory, where he studied musical theater performance. He was also a member of The Ensemblist staff from 2015-2021, serving as Global Producer for the podcast's final season. Website: www.JacksonCline.com.
Jake weinstein
Jake is a musical theatre artist working as a composer, lyricist, bookwriter, pianist, dancer, and educator. He is an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music’s master’s program at Berklee NYC, where teaches in the Writing and Production for Musical Theater department. A Fred Ebb Award finalist, Jake’s work has been seen at the American Repertory Theater, 54 Below, and on The Micro-Musical Show podcast, and his dance film "Ode to the Singing Butler" earned recognition at festivals nationwide. Jake is currently developing his original musical "Through the Frame" with multi-platinum songwriter Alexis Kesselman, as well as his new musical cabaret "Trying" with Sarah Naughton. As a performer, Jake has appeared on tour in "A Chorus Line," at BAM, La Jolla Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, and more. Originally from Boston, he studied piano at the New England Conservatory, earned a B.A. from NYU Gallatin and an M.A. from Berklee College of Music.
James Caverly
James Caverly (he/him) is known for playing Theo Dimas on Hulu’s Only Murders In The Building. Broadway: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD (Studio 54). Regional theater: THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Deaf Austin theater), THE MUSIC MAN (Olney theater Center), I WAS MOST ALIVE WITH YOU (Huntington theater Company), TRIBES (Studio theater, Berkeley Repertory theater, Kitchen theater Company, and SpeakEasy theater Company). He is also a former member of the prestigious National theater of the Deaf. Director: NOISES OFF, DR. FAUSTUS, and CLOUD 9 (assistant) (Gallaudet University), ROMEO AND JULIET (Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsville), EVERY BRILLIANT THING and ROMANTIC FOOLS (New York Deaf theater), PIPPIN (Vassar College). Playwright: A BETTER PLACE, SURPRISE GUEST, SEE/HEAR/SPEAK NO BEAST, A ZOOM CHRISTMAS CAROL, TRASH (co-writer).
Janine Hartmann
Janine Hartmann is an actress, dancer and singer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a B.A. in International Trade and a M.F.A. in Acting. Her credits include 'Lock Down Love' on Amazon Prime, HBO's High Maintenance, Law and Order SVU and much more. Her next role will be in Taco Bell's Tik Tok Musical starring Dolly Parton. www.janine-hartmann.com
Jessie robin
Jessie is so excited to work for BBK and share her love of theater with those of all ages! She began doing theater at the ripe age of six and hasn’t stopped since! Jessie went to Rockford University for her BFA in musical theater and minor in dance. Some of her favorite roles include Veronica (Heathers), Janet (The Drowsy Chaperone), Janice (Hands on a Hardbody), Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Amy March (Little Women) and she’s been featured in several 54 Below shows. When not with BBK you can find Jessie working with Theater for The New City or serving on the board of Purple Light Productions.
Jocelyn Lonquist-Klein
Jocelyn is a singer-actor-dancer who is passionate about teaching and fostering young people’s love for the arts! Originally from Pensacola, FL, Jocelyn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Samford University. During her time in NYC, Jocelyn has performed with the North American tours of Anne of Green Gables, Charlie Brown Christmas, and A Christmas Carol, off-Broadway with Vital Theatre Company, as well as regional productions of The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Sister Act (Sister Mary Robert), and White Christmas (Judy Haynes), among others! Jocelyn is thrilled to work with Broadway Bound Kids to bring the arts to children across the city and to learn from her students’ creativity and joy for learning and theatre!
J.R. Whittington
J.R. Whittington is a bold and imaginative content creator, actor, and educator known for blending humor, Black culture, and LGBTQ+ identity into sharp, sophisticated storytelling. Their stage credits include Broadway and national tours of Annie Get Your Gun (Revival), Starlight Express, Bombay Dreams, Mamma Mia, and A Chorus Line (Revival). On screen, they’re best known for The Temptations Mini-series, with additional appearances on The Blacklist, General Hospital, All My Children, and Gossip Girl. J.R. will be guest starring on the upcoming Ryan Murphy TV series The Beauty on FX.
A dedicated teaching artist, J.R. has taught musical theater and drama for over five years at Broadway Bound Kids, where they fuse technical training with social-emotional learning. They've also worked with Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts, TVI Actors Studio, Riverdale Children’s Theatre, Disney on Broadway, and New York Edge. As a director and choreographer for middle and high school productions, J.R. brings thoughtful creativity and fearless authenticity to every project.
Kaia Parnell
Kaia Parnell is originally from Denver, CO. An alum of Stella Adler Studio and Sarah Lawrence College, she loves to create all things wonderfully weird. Kaia was an assistant and teacher of theater while in high school and college but currently adores teaching with BBK in the city. Kaia firmly believes in the ability of theater to aid every aspect of life and seeks to inspire a love for your inner goofball. Favorite roles include Nick in Anne Carson’s Antigonick (Torn Out Theater), Peggy Sue in Machete Mary (Be Bold Theater), Jackie-O in The House of Yes (Red Rocks Community Theater), and Vera in She Kills Monsters (RRCT).
Kala Ross
Kala Ross is a Broadway actress, singer, and multi-hyphenate artist. Kala earned her Bachelor’s degree in theatre from Tennessee State University and her Master of Fine Arts in Performance from the University of Louisville. Her recent credits include: For Colored Girls Broadway Revival, Flex, Show Way:The Musical, The Preacher’s Wife, and more. With years of experience teaching and directing—from college classrooms to high school auditoriums to children’s musicals—Kala is passionate about arts education. Kala attributes her success to determination, faith, and the guidance of teachers who nurtured her talent. Today, she is committed to doing the same—pouring into the next generation of artists and helping them believe that if you match your hard work with your faith, any dream is possible.
Kevin Smith Kirkwood
Kevin Smith Kirkwood performed as an Angel in entire Broadway run of the Tony Award winning 'Kinky Boots' and recently as the Referee Angel in the NYC return of Kinky Boots. Kirkwood made his Broadway debut in ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ and went on to reprise the role of Mitch Mahoney on the 1st National Tour. Other Off Bway: A ‘How to Save the World…in 90 Minutes’, Dial N for Negress, and It's Karate, Kid! The Musical (NY IT Award Nom. Outstanding Lead Actor) Other National tours: ‘Godspell’, ‘Grease’, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (European tour). TV Film: Condemned (Roxy) and the CW's Katy Keene (Guest Star). Fav regional: Sebastian in Disney Little Mermaid (5th Avenue Theater), Scarecrow in The Wiz (Sacramento Music Circus), Victor in Smokey Joe's Cafe (Fulton Theater), Flick in Violet (NH Theater Award Nom. Outstanding Lead Actor) and Angel in Rent (NH Theater Award Winner Outstanding Supporting Actor). Kevin Also created and stars in the critically acclaimed and wildly popular solo show, 'Classic Whitney: Alive!' which recently celebrated 10 years of performing in NYC and all over the world. www.kevinsmithkirkwood.com
Kyle taylor parker
"Kyle has taught musical theatre performance with an emphasis on acting through song since 2013. He is a teaching artist for Broadway Artist Alliance, a guest coach for Des Moines Performing Arts and one of the newest faculty members at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy of New York.
Kyle has worked on Broadway in the original casts of Kinky Boots and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His other theatre credits include : The off Broadway revival of Smokey Joe's Cafe, Finnian's Rainbow, regional productions of Dreamgirls, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert on NBC. Combining his love of show tunes and soul music on his solo recording debut, Kyle's Broadway Soul, Vol. 1 arrived on Broadway Records in 2019, followed by Broadway Soul, Vol. 2 in 2021. "
Laiya Parker
Laiya is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she studied Musical Theater. She’s always had a passion for the arts and teaching. Laiya comes from a background of educators who have been in the school system for over 40 years -- her gradnmother has owned the daycare she attended since 1990!
Lauren Kidwell
Lauren Kidwell is a New York City-based actor, singer, and teaching artist. She spent nearly a decade touring nationally and internationally as the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, under director and Lifetime Achievement Tony Award honoree Jack O’Brien. Her regional credits include Ragtime (Mother), Songs for a New World (Woman 2), and performed in two national tours with ArtsPower, a company dedicated to theatre for young audiences. Lauren holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory and a BA in Directing, and she has taught voice, acting, and musical theatre at institutions including the Boston Conservatory, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and various NYC arts programs. In addition to performing, she is a passionate educator who brings her love of storytelling and ensemble work into every classroom, encouraging students to grow in confidence, creativity, and joy through the arts.
Mackie Saylor
Mackie Saylor (she/her) is a mission-driven arts educator and administrator who is committed to utilizing the arts to build and celebrate our communities. She is thrilled to return to BBK where she started her NYC teaching career in 2016. Mackie went on to teach with organizations such as CO/LAB Theater Group, Queens Theater, Envision Theater, Astoria Performing Arts Center, and Opening Act, as well as the Broadway Jr. and Arthur Miller Fellowship programs. In 2012, she co-founded Ashworth theater Company in her hometown of Waukee, IA and led its programs until 2019. She is also a frequent collaborator with the NYU Verbatim Performance Lab. Mackie holds a BFA in Musical theater from the Sargent Conservatory of theater Arts at Webster University and an MA in Educational theater from NYU Steinhardt.
Maddie Garbaty
Maddie Garbaty is a professional dancer and teaching artist originally from Grand Rapids, MI. She has her BFA in drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has performed in national tours and regional theaters around the country. She has been teaching for 5 years, specializing in dance for all ages and levels.
Madeline de la parra
Madeline de la Parra (she/her) is an actor and theatre educator based in NYC. She has taught creative drama, musical theater, monologue/scene study, and dance to children ranging from ages 4-16 both in and around New York City at a range of public schools and after-school conservatories. Madeline is a strong believer in providing an arts education for all, and believes that the performing arts fosters creative expression, verbal and motor skills, and builds confidence. Alongside teaching, Madeline has performed both regionally and Off-Broadway. She was most recently seen as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” at The Actor’s Temple. She is so excited to be a part of the Broadway Bound Kids teaching team this year!
Manatsu Tanaka
Manatsu Tanaka (they/them) is a bicultural multi-disciplinary performing artist - 13 years in Japan and 13 years in the US! Their career spans from Dance/Immersive/Musical Theater to Burlesque, Aerial Silks, and they have been trained in Stage Combat and Japanese Sword Fighting. Regional: The Nosebleed (U/S, Woolly Mammoth DC) Recent: Dis-Orientalism Part 3 at Joe’s Pub, BIPOC Immersive Murder Mystery The Art of Killin’ It (Swing), Hard/Femme Dances Works, Einstein on the Beach (Japan Revival 2022), Elisa and the 11 Swan Princes (Nissay Theater & Japan Regional Tour)
www.manatsutanaka.com @manatsu.tanaka
Marlee TierneY
Marlee (she/her) is originally from California and graduated from the University of California- Los Angeles (UCLA). She received degrees in Musical Theater, Film/Television/Digital Media (Directing+Producing), and Visual/Performing Arts Education. Marlee is a true multi-hyphenate. She has performed professionally on both international and regional stages. Her favorite credits include The Music Man In Concert with the Pacific Symphony and Cabaret at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her most recent credit is Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ensemble/Swing). In addition to being a performer, she has a background in casting and working at a talent agency in the musical theater, dance, television/film, fitness, and youth departments. She is the founding artistic director of WProjectProductions which is a production company based in Los Angeles that highlights female-identifying stories. As an educator, she works to create an inclusive space that amplifies all voices. She hopes to show up for her students in the way that past educators did for her. She is a firm believer we never stop learning, and she can’t wait to not only show up in a teaching role but learn from all her students. She is thrilled to be working as a teaching artist for such an incredible organization like Broadway Bound Kids.
Max Grinnell
Max was a BBK student for eight years prior to becoming a teaching artist, and performed in productions of The Wizard of Oz, Seussical, Into the Woods, Shrek and more. Outside of BBK, Max has played lead roles in productions of Pippin, Little Shop of Horrors, and many student films. He is also a member of a comedy music duo. He spent the summer teaching drama at Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp. He is a musical theater student at Manhattan School of Music and forever grateful to be part of the BBK community.
“There are no limits, really, to what a person can do” - Keith Haring
Metri Lyons
Metri Lyons is a Mississippi-raised theater artist who is ready to explore, learn, and create amongst the greatest and most diverse communities the world has to offer. Metri believes that theater allows us to experience places we’ve never been, and do things we never thought we could as we take on the perspective of a character. Imagination is Metri’s greatest strength, and it is something that is crucial to develop for young theater makers. Metri wholeheartedly believes that children’s effortless ability to dream is what makes them the greatest force human kind has to offer.
Mike Donovan
Mike Donovan hails from Buffalo, NY. A love of the dramatic arts took him from the University at Buffalo to Rutger’s Mason Gross School of the Arts to pursue a Master’s in Acting. It was there that he also discovered a love of teaching. After moving to New York, where he still currently resides, Mike has continued to pursue a career in film and television whilst reveling at the opportunity to explore and share what he learns in the professional world in the classroom.
Nick Prez
Nick Prez is a musical artist and theater performer, and a graduate from Berklee College of Music with dual degrees in Music Education and Songwriting (minor in Musical Theater Writing). Nick has performed classically in performance venues including Berklee Performance Center and Symphony Hall (Boston, MA). Nick has experience in the dueling piano bar circuit and has performed for the dueling piano rock show "Howl at the Moon Piano Bar" for 5 years in Boston, MA and Foxboro MA. He contributed his back-up vocal arrangements at Rockers on Broadway in 2019 and 2022. His most recent theater performance debuted at the New York Theater's Winter Festival, for the multi-award winning show "The Circle of Eyes" where he played a leading role. Nick currently works for the company School of Rock as Music Director of their Queens location.
Nicole Borbone
Nicole is a NYC based actor, choreographer and theater teacher. She earned her BA in Theater Performance at Fordham University and is a graduate of NYU’s Educational Theater MA program. Nicole has trained in physical theater worldwide from New York to Italy to Spain bringing influences of La Coq, commedia dell’arte and contemporary dance to her teachings and work. She has worked as the movement and monologue teacher at Fair Playhouse and a resident actor at the cell theatre. She has worked with companies such as TADA!, Sandbox Theatre, Neighborhood Playhouse, Envision Theater, bergenPAC, and Helen Hayes Youth Theater teaching acting and dance, running workshops, and co-directing student performances.
NicolE LeBlanc
Nicole LeBlanc is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist. Originally from Nantucket, MA, a rather small spit of sand 30 miles out to sea, she strives to create the same sense of community she grew up with in all her artistic endeavors. She has worked as a teaching artist for The Nantucket Dreamland Stage Company, The Actor's Professional Conservatory at Forestburgh Playhouse, and is now thrilled to be joining the BBK team! Select acting credits include Sense and Sensibility (Theatre Workshop of Nantucket), The Turn of the Screw (On The Isle), Men on Boats (The Neighborhood Playhouse), and To Kill a Mockingbird (Dreamland Stage Co.) Her new play, Dear Susie, will premiere in NYC this December at the East Village Basement. Nicole is a proud graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. You can learn more about her work here: www.nicoleleblanc.net
Phoebe eskovitz
Phoebe Eskovitz (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist from Los Angeles, where formative programs like BBK sparked her love for the performing arts. She holds a BFA in Drama (cum laude) from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she trained for three years in the Musical Theatre program (NSB), spent a semester in Film/TV acting at Stonestreet Studios, and studied Shakespeare in Performance at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She also pursued a minor in Dramatic Literature and particularly enjoys collaborating on new works. Some recent credits include Antipholus of Ephesus in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Staten Island Shakespeare Theatre,) Judy Turner in A CHORUS LINE (Tisch), Jetsam in THE LITTLE MERMAID (Torrance Theatre Company), Frankie in BALM IN GILEAD (Tisch) & Malvolio in TWELFTH NIGHT (Tisch). As a director and choreographer, Phoebe has worked with various theatre intensives and community outreach programs including Applause NY, The Go Project NYC, Theatre 31, and Performing Arts Workshops. Outside of theatre, Phoebe can be seen on stages across the city on the acoustic and electric guitar, accompanying such artists as Jules Alati and leading services at B’nai Jeshurun temple.
Rachel Aveni
Rachel (She/Her) is an NYC-based actor, educator and creator. She is currently studying to receive her Bachelors Degree in Educational Theater from New York University. She has been teaching drama, musical theater, dance and early childhood education in Boston and NYC for over three years at organizations such as TADA!, On Pointe Dance Academy and the Summer Arts Institute. Rachel is eager to continue growing as an arts educator and creator and looks forward to spreading the magic of theater with BBK.
Riley Cerabona
Riley Cerabona is a Brooklyn based director, writer, and educator! They graduated in 2024 from Bard College with a degree in Theater and Performance, where they also ran the musical theater company, as well as the disabled students union. They directed many musicals in their time at Bard College such as Heathers and Dogfight. Originally from Kennebunk Maine, Riley grew up working as a camp counselor at Twin City Theater Academy, where they fell in love with both teaching and directing. They worked there for 8 years before graduating and moving to NYC to pursue directing! Outside of work, they love songwriting, photography, trying new foods, and going on adventures with their friends. Riley is so excited to be joining this amazing team!
Robert Head
Robert Head is thrilled to be apart of the BBK team! Robert trained under the vocal direction of Jeremy Aye (NYU Steinhardt) and has been teaching theater and private voice/piano lessons for over 10 years. Performance Credits include touring the US and South Korea with the Broadway musical Something Rotten (Nick/Nigel U.S.), singing on cruise ships with Royal Caribbean (Saturday Night Fever), and performing at regional theaters all across the country (Tuacahn amphitheater, The Rev Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage). Robert is eager to share his passion for performance and musical theater with students across the NYC area! IG : @robshead
Rosie Jo Neddy
Rosie Jo Neddy is a New York City-based theater artist. She played Khave and dance captained the Drama Desk Award winning FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish directed by Joel Grey. She has also performed with Lyric Opera Chicago and Music Theater Works. Rosie Jo is passionate about arts accessibility for kids. As a teaching artist, she has worked with Broadway Bound Kids, Notes in Motion Dance, Music Theater Works, and The Actors Gymnasium. Rosie Jo is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied TYA with Rives Collins.
Sam Graham
Sam Graham is a singer-songwriter based in New York City. After receiving both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, he began his performance career with the release of his debut EP "Cries for Attention"; a genre-bending exploration of his own heart-break and healing. Since then, he has begun production on his second follow-up release titled "Bored to Tears."
Samantha Greenlund
Originally from Washington state, Sam is a professional dancer and choreographer who earned her performance degree at Oklahoma City University. Since, she has performed all over the world for many artists, dancing in various productions and shows, ranging from Las Vegas to Paris, France. All the while, she has had a strong love for musical theater and passion for choreography and teaching. She has choreographed musicals and routines throughout the years and has taught all ages from the wee little ones to adults - and beginner to advanced level dancers. She now resides in NYC and is teaching and choreographing for Broadway Bound Kids.
Sarah Lazar
Sarah is an actor and teaching artist based in NYC. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from SUNY Buffalo, and Masters in Applied Theatre from CUNY School of Professional Studies. She currently works with several theater and educational programs, including Ping Chong + Company and The Meeting House, lending her expertise to young people of all different ages.
sergio lockhart
Sergio Lockhart is a first-generation Filipino-American, raised by a single mother in the Philippines before making Brooklyn his home.
With a degree in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame, as well as his study of acting, voice, and dance, Sergio embodies the spirit of a Renaissance man. His passions also include studying languages (currently learning Spanish and Japanese), and deep dives into psychology that help him better understand himself and the human experience. When he's not expanding his mind, you'll find him serving gelato with a smile by Times Square.
Deeply connected to his creative communities, Sergio finds joy in improvisation, performing regularly with the musical comedy improv troupe, 8 is Never Enough, at The Broadway Comedy Club, at The Barrow Group School where he continues to study, and at PMT's House of Dance. His life reflects his desire to always be learning and growing.
Follow Sergio: @serglockhart
Taite Pierson
Taite Pierson is a musical theater artist who was born and raised in Los Angeles, but always knew she belonged in NYC! She grew up training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance while performing in all her school plays and musicals. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Psychology from Tufts University, where she minored in Drama and Dance; was president of the student musical theater organization; and performed in, directed, choreographed and costume designed several productions. She spent the summer of 2024 teaching English through theater in Italy, and she is thrilled to work with students from around the city with BBK!
Trey McCoy
Originally from Louisiana, Trey McCoy is a NYC based actor, singer, and teaching artist. Previous credits include the touring productions of Motown: The Musical and Waitress. When he’s not performing or teaching, he can be found learning a new recipe, working on his web series, or watching his guilty pleasure… The Real Housewives. He holds a BFA from Montclair State University and is ecstatic to be teaching the artists of our future!