BIOS

Shoshanna Gleich 

Shoshanna is a NYC based actress, writer, and director and graduate of NYU Tisch. Film Credits: Dinner at JoJo's (writer, director and actor; award wining), Addicted to Love, Ninja Turtles II. Theater: EPIC Underground; Gods Giggle -A One Woman Comedy on Roller-Skates (writer). Her EPIC debut was in Spring Awakening! @shoshannagleich

Gianluca Cirafici

Gianluca Cirafici is an inaugural member of EPIC Players. He has performed the roles of Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Alonso in the Tempest, the Lamplighter in The Little Prince, Skip Snip in Little Shop of Horrors and as Smee in Peter and the Star Catcher. Gianluca also sings in EPIC’s Cabaret performances. His current role will be Horton in the musical Seussical.

Christine Newberry

Christine is ecstatic to be part of Seussical. Prior credits include Ella in My brother is better at love than me, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Christine attends Wagner College and is an avid performer, loves reading, writing, singing and acting. She is very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful musical. Thank you EPIC!

Natalie Kaiser

Natalie Kaiser is an neurodivergent actor who is very excited to be cast as Gertrude McFuzz! She has been involved with Epic since 2019 where she was cast in several cabarets, musicals, and straight plays. She is known for playing Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Glory (Almost Maine), Ensemble (Christmas Carol & Into the Woods).

Kayla Robinson

Kayla Robinson began her singing career at the age of 9. She studied under Grace Petitjohn and Bobby Drakos at Astoria Dance Centre for several years. During her first performance for the elderly at the NY Center for Rehabilitation, they had to turn down the microphone because of her rich and full alto voice. She has participated in annual performances and talent shows around NYC. She began working with EPIC Players a little over a year ago and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Her role in “Seussical” is her first lead performance. 

Emily DeMaio

Emily DeMaio is thrilled to be making her Epic Players debut! Favorite credits include: American Idiot (Whatshername), A Big Band Holiday to Remember (Performer), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! (Multiple Leads), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene), The Last Five Years (Cathy) and Avenue Q (Lucy). Emily is beyond grateful to the entire Epic Players team for this incredible opportunity. She wishes to express her gratitude to her friends and family for their unwavering love and support, along with her own Jungle of Nool cats at home, Marty and McFly. Follow her online at @emilydemaio7

Anjel Bell

Anjel Bell, a talented artist from the Bronx, has always dreamed of becoming a star, even in the face of the challenges she faced being on the autism spectrum. From a very young age, Anjel demonstrated a passion for the arts, whether through drawing, singing, dancing, or simply immersing herself in the world of music. Since joining Epic Players, Anjel has experienced tremendous growth as an artist. She has honed her craft in ways she never imagined, developing into a versatile performer who sings, dances, and creates art with a deep sense of passion and purpose. 

Matt Tierney

Matt Tierney is happy to be here! Matt played Blanche Devereaux on the national tour of Thank Yule For Being A Friend with The Golden Gays and cohosts a podcast every Monday called Hate Watch HQ. Off Broadway: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Beauty & The Beast (The Players Theatre), Working (LPAC), Stoned To The Wall (Chain Theatre Mainstage), Joseph + Marsha (TNC). Select Off Off: Dog Sees God, A Life On The Farm (ATA), The Last Five Years (Vino Theater), Seeking Attention (Teatro Latea / The PIT) Matt has a chihahua named Gladys and has proudly been edited out of one TV show and cut from another. @TheMattTierney @HateWatchHQ

Sandy Gladstone Karpe

From Into the Woods (as Jack’s Mother) to Romeo + Juliet (as Juliet’s Nurse), Sandy Gladstone Karpe is honored to add Jojo’s Mother to her list of EPIC maternal characters! She loves working with her fellow cast members and the rest of the creative team. A person’s a person, no matter how small!

Alice Franssen

Alice Franssen moved to New York in September! A proud graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre while working professionally as an actor, teaching artist, and music director in Chicago. 

Elisa Weiss

Elisa Weiss is excited to perform in their first show with EPIC! Their most recent performance credits include the Diva Cabaret (Modern Classics Theatre) and Curtains (St. Jean's Players). Some of their favorite roles include Marcy (Spelling Bee) and Bonnie (Anything Goes). Lee has also directed and choreographed children's theatre and cabarets. Love to Mom, Dad, & Mike!

Rachel Paine

Rachel Paine is an actress and singer from Wantagh, Long Island, NY. Past productions have included: Journey, Cross and Crucifixion with CM Performing Arts Centre in Oakdale, NY and A Christmas Carol with EPIC. She’d like to thank Jesus Christ, her family, friends and bf for blessing her with so much love, opportunities, and support and for helping her be the best she can be!

Miles Butler

Miles Butler is an actor from D.C. He's been kicking it with EPIC for many seasons. Thanks to the huge production team for helping us put on this colorful show. Miles is also a proud member of a movement theatre group called Ren Gyo Soh. He enjoys spending time with his dog Smudge and fiancé Amy.

Ethan Homan

Ethan Homan is very excited to be playing a Wickersham Brother in Seussical!!!!!! I was perviously Rapunzel's Steward in Into The Woods and I also performed in a 90s cabaret at Joes Pub!!!!!!! I was also on a TV Show called "Blue Bloods" where I played Malik!!!!!!! Thank you so much to Aubrie, Travis and Talia and the cast and crew!!!!!!!! Let's go monkey monkey around.

Ethan Jones

My name is Ethan Jones I am a neurodivergent performer work They/Them pronouns. I am very happy to be an EPIC Player at the same time looking to audition for other productions outside EPIC. I am also a musician on the side currently looking to get better at Electric Guitar

Nick Moscato

Thrilled and honored to be back in another EPIC MainStage production. The last Main Stage production you probably saw him in was Into The Woods as The Big Bad Wolf and in the 90’s Fall Cabaret back in October singing Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana and Basket Case by Green Day. He would like to thank everyone who came to see him perform as well as the crew of Seussical for casting him. He also wishes all his fellow cast members to break a leg! 

Sven W.

Sven W, a NYC-based performer from Germany, is thrilled to make his EPIC stage debut in Seussical as one of the Wickersham Brothers! A graduate of the New York Film Academy, Sven made his NYC stage debut as Lurch in The Addams Family and has also appeared in Working and Head Over Heels. Sven is a proud member of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. 

Bre Baron

Past credits Gregory in Romeo and Juliet and Valere in Tartuffe . Bre is so excited to be part of epics first musical as ensemble and understudy . She wants to thank her family , friends and girlfriend for and advocate for all their support . 

Sami Binder

Sami Binder (they/he) is an actor who also dabbles in stage managing, directing, & other roles. They’re so excited to be performing in their first EPIC mainstage production. They were recently featured in EPIC Underground. They have worked with theatre companies such as Breaking the Binary Theatre, Honest Accomplice Theatre, and Theatre Askew. They love a good Think!

Tess Carvelli

Tess Carvelli is excited to perform in her first EPIC Players production. Recent credits include Into the Woods (Ensemble/Sleeping Beauty), Footloose (Ensemble/Lulu) and Grease (Ensemble) with A Work of Heart Productions. Tess’ acting credits also include Once Upon a Mattress (Ensemble) and A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Scrooge) with Brundage Park Playhouse. Tess splits her time between Morristown, NJ and NYC. Tess thanks her family and friends for their support and encouragement.

Prince Hurst

Prince is a BA college graduate with a theater degree who has recently came to Epic Players last semester. His favorite class to take at Epic is the EPIC Plays he loves especially when he gets to discover new things like new dances.

Genesis Solivan

Genesis Solivan is thrilled to be performing with EPIC in the upcoming production of Seussical. Originally from Puerto Rico, Genesis has been passionate about the performing arts from a young age, performing in various productions such as Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The House of Blue Leaves, and EPIC's A Christmas Carol. Genesis looks forward to continuing this artistic journey with EPIC.

Shafer Gootkind 

Shafer Gootkind is a neurodivergent performer who made his professional acting debut as Gerard in Planet Alice (Dramatists Guild’s Friday Night Footlights). Some of his recent work includes singing in The Actionplay Choir Debut, playing Otto in EPIC’s Spring Awakening, performing at New York Theatre Barn’s 16th Anniversary Gala and appearing as Nix in Kinderkrankenhaus. Shafer is a graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and is truly grateful to EPIC for this wonderful opportunity!

Executive Artisitc Director: Aubrie Therrien

Aubrie is the Executive Artistic Director for The EPIC Players and is incredibly proud of the inclusive community that EPIC has come to be. She has directed numerous shows & cabarets with EPIC & is forever grateful to all of our Players, staff, designers, administrators, creative team, families and supporters to bring our biggest, most inclusive show to life!

Co-Director:  Meggan Dodd

Bio to come. 

Music Director: Blake Bauer

Blake Brauer is an NYC-based musician, teaching artist, and performer.  They received their BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan.  They are thrilled to be returning as MD following EPIC's 2024 spring production, Spring Awakening.  Blake also works as a Teaching Artist for the NY Pops and as a mentor for EPIC.

Assistant Music Director: Eric Fegan

Bio to come. 

Assistant Director: Cassidy Kaye

Cassidy Kaye is an arts practitioner focused on creative partnerships within the arts that promote advocacy, education, and healing. She is thrilled that Seussical is her 3rd EPIC Mainstage. When she's not in The Jungle of Nool she can be found as the Education and Grants Manager at Second Stage Theater.

Program Coordinator & Assistant Director: Alexander Michael Reeves

Brooklyn-based and Kentucky-born, Alexander is an actor, singer, director, and educator. He is the Program Coordinator at EPIC, a theatre educator, and a vocal coach specializing in neurodivergent and disability inclusion. Alex is also the co-director of EPIC Jr. When not helping students, he's probably outside by the water or getting his cast to laugh. Thank you to the entire cast for bringing this show to life. @amjreeves

Associate Artistic Director & Choreographer: Travis Burbee

Travis Burbee is the Associate Artistic Director of EPIC Players. Travis graduated from Missouri State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre.  Travis heads up EPIC’s education.  Past Directing credits include Spring Awakening, Tartuffe, Almost, Maine, She Kills Monsters, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The Little Prince.  He choreographed for EPIC’s past productions of Into the Woods, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. He was last seen on stage as the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods. 

Social Media Coordinator & Assistant Choreographer: Laisha Gonzalez

Laisha González (she/her) is a performer and emerging choreographer with a background in singing, dancing, and acting. She has choreographed for EPIC Players’ cabarets and appeared in Spring Awakening and Dream Roles Cabaret. As a legally blind, neurodivergent Latina, Laisha advocates for disability visibility and strives for inclusivity in her work. She’s excited to assist on her first full musical and grateful for the support of her mom, mentors, and EPIC.

Stage Manager: Olivia Martin

Bio to come. 

Assistant Stage Manager: Carol Hoverman

Carol is a writer & performer in NYC with CO/LAB, EPIC Players, & Daniel’s Music. Her work was featured in the Reverb Festival with The Roundabout and The EPIC Underground. She is also an ASM and has supported so many wonderful casts at EPIC. Thanks to EPIC, she also appeared in the film Good Time. Carol is the proud aunt of Daisy & Margot & thanks her family for their support. Love from Aunt Cowey 

Assistant Stage Manager (intern): Max Tunney

Bio to come. 

Production Manager:  Mitch Strong

Bio to come. 

Director of Interpreters:  Ryan J. Grant

His second EPIC show, Ryan is enthusiastic about being involved in this project. He was born and raised in New York. Trained as an actor with a BA degree in History and Theatre from CUNY Lehman College. He was the first Deaf actor to debut in a leading role at any CUNY production: Medea. He has worked in TV, Movies, and the stage, and his past credits include “The Misanthrope,” “Act Without Words I,” “Almost Maine,” and “Twelfth Night” with the Public Theater and New York Deaf Theatre collaboration at Shakespeare Park. Most recently, he worked with EPIC Players on A Christmas Carol as DASL. He enjoys being an ASL consultant/DASL support actors/interpreters for other projects. A thanks EPIC for allowing him to participate in this spectacular play.

Scenic Designer: Christian Flemming

Christian is thrilled to be back at EPIC designing Seussical. Big thank you to Aubrie, Meggan, Travis, and the entire production team! Recently, Christian designed Madwomen of the West starring Marilu Henner and Caroline Aaron (Off-Broadway), the premiere of the new comedy Chasing Happy (Off-Broadway), and the critically-praised new play, Gene & Gilda at George Street Playhouse. His work has been seen around the country and has been recognized internationally at World Stage Design '22 and PQ23 and with the 2021 USITT Scene Design Award. @christianflemingdesign

Sound Designer / A1: Sean Ramos

Select Credits:  26 Miles, Romeo & Juliet, Into The Woods, The Appointment, Tartuffe, SKIN, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, On Golden Pond, We Will Rock You, Meteor Shower, London Suite, Mamma Mia, Matilda, Terms Of Endearment, Grease, Miracle On 34th Street, Oleanna, A Maroon’s Guide To Time And Space, Choosing Love, Sunrise Coven, Is God Is.

Costume Designer: Izzy Kitch

Bio to come. 

Props Designer: Dana Weintraub

Bio to come. 

Light Designer: Cameron Filepas 

Cameron Filepas is a NJ/ NYC based lighting designer for Theatre. Selected Designs: Waitress (Omaha Community Playhouse), Beauty and The Beast (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Mrs. Stern (59E59/ Woman's Project Theatre), The Last Match (Temple Theatre), Spring Awakening (EPIC Player’s), RIFT (Luna Stage), A Raisin In The Sun (Bristol Riverside Theatre), White Christmas (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Ride The Cyclone (Ramapo College), The Prom (Axelrod PAC), Into The Woods (EPIC Player’s), Torn Asunder (Luna Stage), Camp Rock The Musical (Theatre Row). 

Director of Program Operations & Front of House:  Talia Eapen

Talia is a native New Yorker and is the current Director of Operations of EPIC Players and an inaugural board member. She is a performer and comedy writer who cultivated her love of the arts and her passion for public service through various projects for EPIC and numerous other organizations.

Mental Health Counselor: Taupa Fogo-Toussaint

Bio to come. 

Access Coordinator: Jamie Rose Hays

Jamie actively consults in accessibility, inclusion and equity coordination for various organizations and nonprofits throughout NYC. Through her background as an American Sign Language/English interpreter, she found herself becoming an ambassador for advocacy on and off the job. This passion led her to strive for more awareness and education around the various preferences within the disability and disability communities. She is grateful for everything EPIC continues to teach her!

Performance ASL Interpreters: 

Ernie Alugas, Kimberly Hale, James Paidoussis, SJ Vieira

Box office ASL/English Volunteer Interpreters: 

Mary St. Angelo