Francesca, fondly nicknamed Frankie at BBK, has been part of Broadway Bound Kids since 2010—first as a student, then as an intern, Teaching Artist, and now a member of the administrative team. She graduated at the top of her class from Marymount Manhattan College with a degree in Business and Art History, focusing her studies on nonprofit management, arts fundraising, and development—an inspiration drawn from her deep connection to BBK and the nonprofit sector. In her role as Development Associate, Frankie is dedicated to driving the growth and sustainability of BBK’s programming. She plays a key role in building strong foundational partnerships, increasing event success, and fostering meaningful donor relationships. With her passion for the arts and commitment to nonprofit excellence, she works tirelessly to ensure BBK continues to thrive and expand its impact.
Brit Sellers (Marketing Manager) Coming from a background of fashion, jewelry, print/media, and theater, Brit Sellers has had an eclectic journey through her marketing career. Excited to be joining BBK from The Public Theater, she is elated to engage the wonderful community that BBK has nurtured as Marketing Manager.
Delia Kemph (Program Coordinator) is an actor, comedian, and teaching artist based in New York City. As an actor, she's worked with Smith Street Stage, Disney/iTheatrics, Music Theater International, and Mile Square Theater, among other companies. Her work with NYU's Reality Show, originally conceived by Liz Swados, can be seen in the short documentary Better to Live (official selection of the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival). Delia has also worked for numerous arts education organizations and early learning centers in the tri-state area, including Hoboken Children's Theater Company, CenterStage Stars, The Little Gym, and Village Wholehearted School. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and splits her time between choreographing, acting, teaching, and performing stand-up comedy around New York City. Delia is the co-producer and co-host of Energizer Honeys, a live variety show which strives to highlight up-and-coming female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC voices in the comedy world.
Erin Glass (Founder), fell in love with theatre when she attended her first drama class in the 3rd grade in Corsicana, TX. In that class Erin found a place where she felt fully accepted, learned skills she still uses today, and made lifelong friends. She went on to earn a degree in theatre from Pepperdine University and worked in theatre, television, and film, in LA, Edinburgh, and New York. Erin has always loved working with kids and became a teaching artist in 2000 working with kids of all ages. In 2004 Erin created Broadway Bound Kids as a way to provide joyful and creative performing arts classes where kids could gain self esteem, make new friends, and learn about theatre, voice, and dance. Since 2004 Broadway Bound Kids has served thousands of students and has expanded to include master classes, weekend programs, summer programs, trips to see Broadway Shows, full scale musicals, after school programs in schools, and customized workshops. In addition to her work with Broadway Bound Kids, Erin is also an actress, director, and an Emmy Award winning producer. As a producer and director she works mostly with Warrior Poets, (Morgan Spurlock's production company, creator of the Super Size Me documentary.)
Elizabeth McGuire (Director of Operations & Programs) is thrilled to be working with Broadway Bound Kids as an Administrator and Teaching Artist! After discovering a deep rooted passion for Performing Arts Education she has been teaching dance, choreography and theater ever since. She believes in the lasting impact arts education has on every kind of student, and is so happy to further that work at BBK. Outside of teaching, Elizabeth is a director, choreographer and performer. She is the Artistic Director, Co-Founder, and Resident Choreographer of ToUch Performance Art, a multi-media performing arts company specializing in immersive and unique production. Since 2011 ToUch has created and produced sold-out shows in New York and Boston, and was Artist-in-Residence at American Repertory Theatre for three years. Outside of ToUch, she has performed with artists such as Buglisi Dance Theatre, Sinking Ship Productions, and BitterSuite: UK, and has choreographed several shows including Camelot (Mac-Haydn Theatre), Dancing Girl (Connelly Theater), and You Do Not Look (Signature Theater). Elizabeth looks forward to continuing her journey as an advocate for arts education at Broadway Bound Kids, and to continue to serve the wonderful communities and students we reach!
Samantha Parrish (Director of Education) found the stage in high school when she performed in her high school’s first ever musical, Grease. After growing up in Forney, TX, Samantha obtained a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre from Ouachita University in Arkansas. Immediately after graduating she hit the road with Missoula Children’s Theatre. She toured with The Frog Prince and The Little Mermaid across 38 states. Teaching and directing shows each week, Samantha introduced theatre to underserved areas across America reaching over 2,000 students. Samantha then worked professionally in the Dallas theatre circuit before touring with Dallas Children’s Theatre in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Since moving to New York in 2013 she has had the honor of teaching with Broadway Bound Kids, a company whose mission mirrors her own, to provide access to the arts to all students, and to provide a space where kids can belong and be heard. After spending years developing and directing free Saturday Programs for students who are under-resourced in the performing arts, Samantha is passionate about creating free and reduced cost Programming all around the city. As Education Director, Samantha is committed to DEIAJ work through the arts, providing arts education that is rooted in serving students of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures.
Jessica Canuelleis the former Executive Director of Broadway Bound Kids, and is so happy to still be a part of the BBK Family. Jessica began performing in theatre at the age of nine, which led her to pursue a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. After graduating, she performed professionally in television, film and theater in NYC, LA and Chicago. Her love for theater took a new direction towards arts education and she obtained her Master of Arts in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Jessica has spent time as a teaching artist and administrator working with Atlantic Theater Company, ArtsConnection, New Victory Theater, mainstages, the NYC Department of Education and several other organizations to bring arts education programming to students at every grade level throughout the five boroughs. Jessica is now the Director of Tutoring for Princeton Tutoring, overseeing the management of client relationships. She now lives in CT and shares her life with her husband (a middle school theater teacher) and her two young daughters.
Mark Grinnell discovered Broadway Bound Kids when his son started attending Saturday classes in 2012 as a fifth grader. It’s been a life changing organization in their family and Mark thinks that when you find something this good you should do everything you can to make sure it’s available to everyone. Mark lives in NYC with his son (now attending Manhattan School of Music as a musical theater major) and his daughter.
Jane Whitty is a digital marketer and arts administration professional living in New York City with over 15 years of experience working in the performing arts. Jane holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Technology from Emerson College and a master's degree in Performing Arts Administration from NYU. In 2013, she joined Capacity Interactive, the premiere digital marketing consulting firm for culture and the arts. As a senior consultant at the firm, Jane leads a team in executing digital advertising campaigns and providing strategic guidance to a wide range of organizations across arts and cultural genres.
Since 2018, Jane Whitty has served as an Adjunct Instructor in NYU’s Steinhardt School, where she teaches a graduate class on marketing the performing arts. She is also on the board of Broadway Bound Kids, an arts education not-for-profit, serving kids throughout New York City.
Toby has worked in the non-profit industry for nearly 30 years supporting emerging artists. Before joining ETA, she was Executive Director of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA where, for over two decades, she led the organization through substantial growth and innovative new opportunities to support performing artists in theater, dance, and film. Prior to that, she served in senior roles directing institutional support at New York City Ballet and creating the development department for The Bronx Museum of the Arts. She holds a B.A. in mathematics and fine art from Brandeis University and an M.B.A. in marketing and non-profit management from Columbia Business School. She is an honoree of Columbia Women in Business, was featured in Town & Country's 2016 "Top 50 Philanthropists" issue, and was recognized by the Princely Family of Monaco with the Order of Grimaldi for her leadership. A native of New Jersey, Toby is a longtime resident of New York City where she and her husband have proudly seen their three children through NYC public schools.
Paul Kim is the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (DCISO) of New York City and the Head of Threat Management for the largest municipality in the United States. He leads Incident Response, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Counter Threat Automation, and the 24x7 Security Operations Center for NYC Cyber Command. He also directs citywide cyber risk initiatives.
Paul’s executive leadership draws from private sector and government experience in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and law. He was Global Information Security Risk Manager for Bloomberg, U.S. Threat Intelligence Leader for Deloitte advising diverse Fortune 500 commercial clients, and a team lead for Booz Allen serving national security agencies.
Paul is a former instructor at the Joint Military Intelligence Training Center, a member of the New York State Bar, and a Certified Information Security Systems Professional. He is a native of NYC, a volunteer and non-profit board member in Brooklyn, and a graduate of Wesleyan University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
Samantha Blain is a Cuban multi-disciplinary creative artist and teacher based in NYC. A 2008 alum from Emerson College BFA Musical Theater Program and Atlantic Acting School. Holds a certification in Pedagogy and Curriculum Practice in Social Emotional Learning and Character Development from Rutgers University. Sam has been a teaching artist with BBK since 2015. Programs she’s led and facilitated include lead Production Advisor for the past 7 years for the Broadway Jr. grant program with the Shubert Organization and Department of Education, mentor for Arthur Miller Fellows in Musical Theatre, lead teacher/director for summer, and after school productions. Over the last 12 years, she has taught and directed for several organizations including Move this World (curriculum development), NYU, Atlantic Theater Company, Broadway.com, Broadway Bound Kids, NYU, Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, CO/LAB Theater Group, the United Nations School directing and running their drama program. She is currently on the writing staff at Bay Area Children’s Theater first-ever BIPOC led Writers Room where she co-created and published the children’s book “Pocket Guide for Imaginary Friends”. She has performed Off-Broadway, regionally, in National Tours, in numerous Broadway workshops, TV/film, and is a member of Story Pirates. Other performance highlights include Ars Nova, New York City Center, York Theater Company, Drama League, BAM, New Victory Theater Lab Works, New York City Children’s Theater (NYCCT), American Dance Machine, La Mama ETC. Sam is Co-Artistic Director of the award-winning Hit The Lights! Theater Co. where she additionally takes on roles as grant writer and performer. Hit The Lights! was the 2018/2019 Company in Residence at Ars Nova, nominated for the 2020 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for “Best Family Production”, 2021 Little Island NYC’s Performer series, and collaborated with Vogue Magazine for their March 2021 Cover Spread.
Mark Stein is an Operating Officer experienced in the areas of merchandising, human resources, finance, operations and technology in a variety of businesses, with intensive experience in consumer products companies. Devoted to building highly functional teams, capitalizing on the genius of dynamic groups with diverse personalities.
Very strong roll-up-the-sleeves passion for companies preparing for and living through startup phase or rapid growth. Adept at building high performance diverse teams that are required to meet unyielding timeframes. A passionate lover of technology, exceptionally current on new advances and how to apply them to improve efficiencies. Devoted foodie with a passion for cooking. Periodic Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line. Investor in film and theatre productions.
Marielle MacMinn is a tax attorney based in Philadelphia. She advises individuals, non-profits, and businesses/their owners on tax issues, including nonprofit formation and representing taxpayers in tax controversies. She draws on these experiences to help companies identify and qualify their tax exposures and to assist them with tax remediation efforts through voluntary disclosure agreements. Marielle has been a devoted Broadway enthusiast for the majority of her life. She is ecstatic to be working with an organization that will share and foster that same enthusiasm in younger generations.
Ma. Rosario (Rose) Torres Javier has been an International Civil Servant for the last 32 years, and currently serves as Senior Budget and Finance Assistant with the United Nations Secretariat. She was introduced to Broadway Bound Kids through her daughter, who attended a summer program in the summer of 2019. She instantly fell in love with the program, most especially how it provided a safe, kind and inclusive environment for the children. She believes that BBK has helped shape her daughter into the kind, compassionate and accepting young lady that she is today. Her hope is to help BBK provide access to more children, especially those who are in need of a safe space where they can feel free to enjoy their passion for performing. She is honored to join the organization as a board member.
I have enjoyed 20 years working in the Wealth Management, Financial Services and Insurance Industries. My career was shaped managing retirement plans and insurance for governmental entities, public sector unions and non-profits. Specialties include retirement planning, investments, insurance options (life, health, property & casualty). In trying to provide services to these entities I found a lack of professionals offering expertise in various fields. Over the past 5 years I have focused on partnering and creating new options for not only government and unions but also small business owners as well as individuals. In working on this level I have also discovered the mission of growth also includes bringing the community up with you, so I try to partner with organizations and charities that share that mission to help them create awareness.
Tammy Davies is a finance attorney with Morrison & Foerster LLP, where she advises private funds and alternative lenders in private credit investments. Her experience includes domestic and cross-border strategic and sponsor-backed leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, opportunistic credits, and debt restructurings across a broad array of industries. She is a recognized leader in identifying opportunities and creating value for her clients. Tammy also actively assists non-profit start-ups with their corporate legal needs on a pro bono basis. As a former concert-level classical pianist, Tammy has always been a passionate advocate for arts education. (And although she loved theatre and musical theatre, Tammy’s thespian career was short-lived and lackluster.) However, Tammy remains an avid enthusiast and supporter of the performing arts in New York. She is excited to support BBK’s program-based mission of providing access to performing arts education and nurturing creativity, inclusion and confidence in today’s youth. Tammy is an alumni of the University of South Carolina (B.S. in Economics) and Wake Forest University (J.D.). She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and two adorable Pomeranians – Cato and Iolo Charlemagne.
Anel Carmona is a multidisciplinary Theatre 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 Theatre), 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
Brenna Hughes is an actor, dancer, singer, and teaching artist. Her love for the arts started when she was young and she was actively involved in Oregon Children’s Theatre and a youth company member at The Portland Ballet in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2016 with a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Musical Theatre. She has worked with various teaching artist organizations around the city and believes passionately in access to arts education. When not auditioning, performing, or teaching she can be found making TikTok’s of her dog, Banjo.
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 Theatre 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.
Delia Kemph is an actor, comedian, and teaching artist based in NYC. As an actor, she's worked with Smith Street Stage, Disney/iTheatrics, Music Theater International, and Mile Square Theater, among other companies. Her work with NYU's Reality Show, originally conceived by Liz Swados, can be seen in the short documentary Better to Live (official selection of the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival). Delia has also worked for numerous arts education organizations and early learning centers in the tri-state area, including Hoboken Children's Theater Company, CenterStage Stars, and Broadway Bound Kids. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and splits her time between choreographing, acting, teaching, and performing stand-up comedy around New York City. Delia is the co-producer and co-host of Energizer Honeys, a live variety show which strives to highlight up-and-coming female, LGBTQ+, and voices of color in the comedy world.
After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Dezera began singing with such artist as R&B/POP Diva 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"
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 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 artforms) is so important to their lives.
Frankie is a Senior at Marymount Manhattan College studying Art History and Business. She has been a part of the BBK community for over a decade when she began as a student in elementary school. She has a passion for the arts and philanthropy as well as teaching younger generations.
Hannah Schmitt is a New York based actor and teaching artist. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Creative Writing. While there she received SAFD certifications for Knife and Single Sword stage combat, and spent four years doing 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, Hannah was named Best Actress of the 2022 New York Theater Festival's Summerfest.
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
Jarrod Turnbull is an actor and teaching artist from Southeast Ohio! He is incredibly passionate about fostering the growth of young people through art, and making arts education accessible to everyone! As an actor, some of Jarrod’s favorite credits include: Gently Down the Stream(Rufus), From White Plains(Greg), and Control(Carter). Recently, Jarrod has just made his professional directorial debut with a production of Birds of A Feather(Evolution Theatre Company). Jarrod is also currently producing an original work that had its first workshop in 2021.
Jessie Hooker-Bailey is recently back in NYC from Chicago, where this summer, she performed in the world premiere of the Pre-Broadway production of The Devil Wears Prada musical. During preview performances of The Devil Wears Prada, Jessie was called on to perform the lead role of Andy Sachs for a full performance week with no rehearsal but her own, and with much success, helped carry the show through its remaining triumphant sold out run. Broadway credits include: Grammy award winner Sara Bareilles’ hit Waitress, understudying the role of Dawn, and Tony Award winning Beautiful: The Carole King musical. Jessie has been residing in New York City as a working actress for over 10 years. Performing regionally as Sarah in Milwaukee Rep’s Ragtime, Savannah in the co-production of Disney’s Freaky Friday, Rusty in PCLO’s Footloose, and in national tours (Legally Blonde) before making her Broadway debut. She enjoys educating herself and others on social justice, spending time with her husband Gil and puppy Jade, and working as a teaching artist along with doing commercial and voiceover work. Jessie graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in musical theatre.
J.R. Whittington is thrilled to join the Broadway Bound Kids family! JR has directed and choreographed over 20 different Broadway jr. productions from Los Angeles to New York City. He is a current teaching artist for Disney Theatrical Group, Riverdale Children's Theater, and New York Edge. His Broadway and National tour credits as an actor include; A Chorus Line Revival, Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams, Annie Get Your Gun Revival and Starlight Express. Favorite TV Credits include; General Hospital, Gossip Girl, The Temptations Mini-series, All My Children, and Every Little Step Documentary.
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).
Lawrence Davis is thrilled to be a teaching artist at BBK. He is a recent graduate of The University of North Carolina School of The Arts and a special talent for teaching and caring for kids. He’s excited to explore all the possibilities this semester with love and light!
Lisa Diana Shapiro (writer/actor) is book and lyric writer of SAMANTHA SPADE, ACE DETECTIVE (music by Georgia Stitt; licensed by Concord Theatricals) and PRINCESS PHOOEY (music by Eric Rockwell), along with the upcoming COMMON GROUND (music by Julia Jordan Kamanda and Georgia Stitt) premiering in New York in the ’23-’24 season. Her adult straight plays have been produced in Los Angeles and regionally. An award-winning playwright and actor, Lisa brings her signature mixture of performance and playwriting to each class she teaches, using improv games and technique exercises to illustrate story structure and facilitate student-created performances. Lisa’s students aquire confidence and skill in performance, as well as an understanding of story analysis that will apply in language arts and literature classes through the course of their educational lives - all while having a great time! Lisa is a graduate of the Northwestern University theatre program. More at: LisaDianaShapiro.com, SamanthaSpadeMystery.com, PrincessPhooey.com.
Liz Tancredi Gillam is a New York based actor and educator, who believes joy is at the center of creativity and learning! After earning her BFA in Drama from Syracuse University, Liz began working in regional theater as well as the downtown, experimental New York theater scene. Select credits include These Seven Sicknesses and Restoration Comedy (New York Premieres, The Flea Theater); Measure for Measure (Roxy Regional); Snow White (Berkshire Theater Group); Into the Woods (Thin Air Theatre Co.); Icarus, an Americana Musical (The Oberon/ A.R.T.); One Man, Two Guvnors (Cape Rep Theatre); and originating the role of Eve in the virtual playlet Hey Stranger (Stage West). On camera credits include "Ripley"; "Gravesend, Season 2"; "The Food that Built America"; "City of Mercy"; and a film adaptation of Shakespeare's "As You Like It." Liz earned her MFA in Acting from Brooklyn College where she was a Teaching Fellow from 2018-2020. Follow Liz on instagram (@liztancredi) and visit liztancredi.com for more info.
Marina Zurita is a teaching artist, arts administrator, and stage director originally from Brazil and currently based in NYC. Her experience as a TA includes running a theater mask workshop for children in the orphanage SAICA Cáritas Diocesana, in Brazil; tutoring young children at the NC Open Arms community; volunteering at the Theater of the Oppressed NYC; and assisting the ArtistCorps Drama fellowship at The University of North Carolina School of The Arts, where she graduated from with a BFA in Drama/Directing. Marina is currently a resident artist at The Lab at A.P.E (MA), as well as a Directing Fellow at Et Alia Theater (NY) and at the Kennedy Center (DC). Growing up in Brazil, Marina became acquainted with theater first and foremost as a tool for change, she loves work that involves collaborating and having a lot of fun!
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, and many student films and is in a comedy music duo. He spent the summer teaching drama at Sprout Brooklyn Day Camp. He is a musical theatre student at Manhattan School of Music. Forever grateful to be part of the BBK community. “There are no limits, really, to what a person can do” - Keith Haring
Rachael (they/them) is a teaching artist, facilitator, and performer local to Brooklyn, NY. They hold a Masters degree in Applied Theatre, and have a special love of social and emotional learning through theatre, especially exploring topics including consent, gender, and boundaries.
Katie is a singer-actor for the stage and voiceover actor, for all sized screens. She started in education when she moved from California, and there's nothing better than sparking that joy and confidence in a new performer. Katie has been living in New York for over 7 years. A few credits include an animation character on episode 3 of Human Resources on Netflix, various cabarets in the city, Daisy Hilton in Side Show and Margot in Legally Blonde. Katie loves tacos, scary-movie and sitcom watching and, of course, all of New York's amazing eats. Katie graduated from Chapman University with a BA in Theater and Minor in Television.
Shira Schleifer is an actor, director, choreographer, singer and arts educator from Bronx, NY. She is a current graduate student at NYU Steinhardt studying Educational Theatre. Most recently Shira directed a production of Frozen jr. with The Virtual Theatre Company. Shira is passionate about mentoring young theatre artists and has acted as a teaching artist with various theatre companies including Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, Riverdale Repertory Company and White Plains Performing Arts Center. She is thrilled to be a part of the BBK team.
Zahra Budhwani is an NYC-based director, deviser, and teaching artist. As a teaching artist, she has worked at organizations such as Artists Striving to End Poverty, enFamilia Inc., and ArtStart. Zahra has a BFA in Theatre from NYU Tisch, where she studied directing at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. She is so excited to be working with the young artists at Broadway Bound Kids!
Hey everyone! I’m Kate Salnikova and I’m happy to be a part of the BBK! I have a passion to help younger learners with their progress in all areas. I’ve been working at Camps in Russia and the USA. I love doing crafts with kids, set and reach our creative goals. Also I’m always so excited to see our results of the lesson or a semester, see the progress and share with parents. Personally, I love dancing, arts, taking pictures and baking. I enjoy traveling, hiking, discovering new places. I’m looking forward to start the fall semester and to meet you all!
Ticia (Tee-Sha) Smith started singing out since seven years old, and has been performing ever since. The Brooklyn native has performed at Madison Square Garden, the Barclay’s Center, went on a tour in Italy, performed for former President Obama, and have sang with many celebrities. She has directing under her belt for Off Broadway productions. Ticia is also a Substitute teacher for the DOE, teaches vocal lessons, theatre and music theory, as well as doing and teaching makeup.
Ryan Thompson is a Californian goofball who has traveled to the opposite coast for acting, writing, and comedy. He originally attended the University of California Santa Barbara for playwriting, where he joined the improv comedy team IMPROVABILTY and performed in weekly live shows for 2 years. He then transferred to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to focus on acting, and graduated with a degree in acting and performance. Recently, he has starred in commercials for Venmo and TeePublic, and in his free time he's writing a sketch, going to trivia, or cat-sitting. He's thrilled to be a part of Broadway Bound Kids and believes improvisation is a tool that can strengthen all of the other tools an actor has!
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 is just back from spending a year in Paris where she taught English as a New Language to French high school students, and she is thrilled to work with students from around the city with BBK!
Cynthia Gonzalez is a New York native and a graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a major in Theatre. She enjoys all aspects of theatre whether as a production assistant, a performer in a zoom play, or as an apprentice in a theater education program. Cynthia also has a passion for education and has worked as a tutor, teacher, and a camp counselor for students of different ages. She is very passionate about the arts and it is her mission to expand the reach of the theatrical arts to all. She is very excited to be starting a new chapter at Broadway Bound Kids!
Frankie Sulla (she/her) is originally from Detroit, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education in 2019 and then moved to New York City after graduation. She had taught for the New York City Ballet and Mark Morris Dance Center. She is excited to start her journey with Broadway Bound Kids.
Bridget is so excited to be joining the BBK team this year! She is an actor, singer, and teaching artist based in NJ. She recently graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education. She is extremely passionate about bringing the arts to young people as well as performing. Some favorite credits include Wiley and the Hairy Man, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Into the Woods. She cannot wait to meet all her students!
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…Real Housewives. He holds a BFA from Montclair State University and is ecstatic to be teaching the artists of our future!
Jackson Cline is a New York-based actor and teaching artist. Off-Broadway: The Importance of Being Earnest. Other performance credits include Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!, At the Stroke of Midnight, 22: A New Play, Entr'acte, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, among others. He has narrated several audiobooks, all available on iTunes and Audible. Jackson is a graduate of CAP21 Conservatory, where he studied musical theatre performance. He was also a member of The Ensembliststaff from 2015-2021, serving as Global Producer for the podcast's final season. Website: www.JacksonCline.com.
Mindy is excited to be a part of the BBK team! She has been involved in music and the arts for over three decades, having earned an Associate of Fine Arts degree in Music from Brevard College (NC) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Arts Management from Ithaca College. Mindy has performed with a variety of choral and acapella groups at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden Theater, and Radio City Music Hall, as well as venues throughout Western Europe. She has also performed and recorded as both a solo artist and part of a duo group throughout NYC. Passionate about arts education and youth, Mindy has held administrative positions at music schools and non-profit organizations in New York and New Jersey and is thrilled for the opportunity to teach and bring joy and her love of the performing arts to students in NYC!
Sabrín Diehl is an interdisciplinary artist with a focus on acting. They are a comedian, writer, improviser, filmmaker, and producer. Their most recent work is the creation of an original sketch-comedy play, Latins on ICE, that premiered on the frozen Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, MN. They also have a one-person radio play Somewhere Over the Rainbow available on all podcast streaming platforms thanks to Picnic Basket Theater. They have worked with Guthrie Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Abre Camino Collective, Penumbra Theatre, Black Label Movement, HUGE Theater, and many more. They have trained with The Margolis Method and the Guthrie Theater and are a proud graduate of New World School of the Arts (Miami) and from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) with a B.A. in Theater.
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 commercials, TV, and independent films, as well as theater.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 theaterin Manhattan. His most recent TV credits include Blue Bloods and the character " Fontana" onLaw and Order SVU "Reasonable Doubt".
Metri Lyons is a Mississippi theatre artist who is ready to explore, learn, and create amongst the greatest and most diverse communities the world has to offer. Metri believes that theatre 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 theatre makers. Metri wholeheartedly believes that children’s effortless ability to dream is what makes them the greatest force human kind has to offer.
Arts accessibility for kids is a cause that is very important to me. Being introduced to theatre at a young age had such a positive influence on my life, and I want all children to have that opportunity. During my time at Northwestern University, I worked extensively in the Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) program, ImagineU. Studying under Rives Collins, I focused on child development and the benefits of the arts in young lives. In Evanston, I had the pleasure of teaching at both Music Theater Works and The Actors’ Gym. Here in New York, I teach theatre and dance in schools throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx with several fantastic non-profits, including Broadway Bound Kids and Notes in Motion Dance Outreach Dance Theatre.
Elana Hershman is a multidisciplinary theater artist from the San Francisco Bay Area, now living in NYC. She believes that theater is an important tool for building bridges between people and creating empathy, and she uses theater as a tool to connect communities, expand perspectives, and foster civic engagement. She currently has an artistic home at Fuse Theatre, where she creates issue-driven and community-centered art. As an educator, she has served a diverse range of students in a variety of settings, including school classrooms, summer conservatories, and online workshops. She is driven to create a safe and empowering space in the arts for students of all ages, and she carries her commitment to accessibility and social equity through all her work.
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 theatre and creative writing for ten years. Regionally, Erica has worked for the Shakespeare Theatre 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.
Hannah White (she/her) is a teaching and performing artist! She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts. Originally from Seattle, Hannah was an assistant teacher for a variety of classes and ages at her local dance studio, eventually teaching and choreographing for her own ballet, tap, and tumbling classes. At Cornish, Hannah performed in James and the Giant Peach, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Chicago, and was also dance captain for JCS and Chicago. Most recently, Hannah taught with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE in Everett, WA, and choreographed for their production camp of Willy Wonka Kids. She is super excited to join the BBK team!
Liv Pelton is a NYC-based actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist. Originally from Georgia, Liv graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors on a full academic scholarship from Brenau University with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. Her favorite regional credits include Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, Guys and Dolls, The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Richard III, and The Magic Flute. Liv has six years of teaching experience working with emerging artists across the country. She has a love for creating a safe learning space for young artists to find their voice, develop their technique, and make choices! Liv is so happy to be a part of the BBK team!
Mahayla Laurence (they/she) is a multi-disciplinary artist engaging in work that creates space for conversations around mental and spiritual health, joy, humor, stewardship, and community. They write and perform for Story Pirates, winner of both the 2020 and 2022 iHeartRadio Award and the Webby Award for Best Kids and Family Podcast. Mahayla also co-founded the Comedy Artist Makers’ Program (CAMP) at Ars Nova. Their work has been seen at: Clubbed Thumb, Radio City Music Hall, Feinstein’s/54 Below, Union Hall, Pioneer Works, & others. www.MahaylaLaurence.com
Zoë Schneider-Smith is elated to be working with BBK! Originally from CA, she followed a non-traditional schooling route, homeschooling for most her life, where she received an AA from the local community college at 18. She moved East for college where she received her BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. She moved to NY over seven years ago and has been working as a professional actor as well as wearing many other hats in her time here. She has been assisting and leading dance classes since the age of thirteen and has worked with kids all over the country from tot’s to teens. She is passionate that while dance and theater are disciplines with structure it is also meant to be a source of joy, fun and creative spirit.
Nicole is a NJ/NYC based actor and teaching artist. She is a performance graduate of Fordham University’s BA Theatre program and a current student of NYU’s Educational Theatre MA program. Some of her recent acting credits include: Blood Manor (Morgue Victim, New York Times feature), Love and Information (Various) at NYU Steinhardt and The Thanksgiving Play (Alicia) at the Wombat Theatre Company. In the summer of 2018, Nicole trained at Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Tuscany in commedia dell’Arte and cirque performance, developing her love for physical theater and clowning. During her undergraduate years: she studied abroad and interned in London, England at the Theatre Royal Stratford East; directed, produced and adapted The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) for Fordham’s Fall 2019 Studio Season; and lead produced Fordham’s 2019 Performance Showcase. Nicole has worked with companies such as Envision Theater, Chamber Theatre Productions, Neighborhood Playhouse, TADA!, bergenPAC, and Helen Hayes Youth Theater teaching acting and dance, running workshops and co-directing student performances.
Nick Prez is a musical artist and theater performer, and dual degree graduate from Berklee College of Music 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 recently contributed his Back-Up vocal arrangements at Rockers on Broadway, 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.
Ryan Lynch has just moved to NYC from central Arkansas. He graduated with his BFA in musical theatre from Ouachita Baptist University in May of 2021. He has performed all over the United States and has taught in Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Indiana.
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"
Nikki Amico (she/her) is an actor and teaching artist currently based in NYC. She grew up in northern Virginia and graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and minor in History. While at NYU, she studied musical theatre and screen acting and completed intensive training in commedia dell’arte and clown. She has built and implemented curriculum for theatre classes and camps across NYC and DC, and on computer screens across the country! Recently, she helped found Soft Brain Theatre Company and produced and performed in "The Raven" by Carlo Gozzi at The Chain Theatre. She is passionate about bringing theatre to unusual spaces and has performed in productions for young audiences in schools, parking lots, and outdoor theaters across the DC area. She takes a process-oriented approach to teaching and seeks to uplift student ideas while nurturing the development of creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
Rolls Andre is an actor/educator who received his MFA from the National Theatre Conservatory. He has been working in the downtown theatre scene for nearly a decade and has worked with Sibyl Kempson's 7 Daughters of Eve Thtr & Perf Co, The Assembly, Pig Iron Theatre and Pipeline Theatre. He also appeared in "The Lehman Trilogy" at the Park Ave. Armory directed by Sam Mendes. He was featured in the films "Lost Holiday" by the Matthews Brothers and "Boys of Earth" by the Calvin Brothers. He will also appear in their not yet released short film, "Cricket."
