Cast (In ABC Order):
Alex Kornberg (Magician/Musician/Singer) is a marketing professional who spends his spare time acting and making music. Alex plays bass in a Brooklyn-based indie rock band and most recently appeared in The Dare Tactic's "Two Star Motel". He is thrilled to be a part of this virtual production!
Amanda Briskin-Wallace (Devil/Greek Chorus/Singer) is an NYC based Actor and Teaching Artist. She's an NYU graduate with a B.S. in Educational Theatre: Performance and Production and a minor in American Sign Language. Upon graduating, she performed children’s theatre with Shadow Box Theatre Company and was an After School Teaching Assistant for Wingspan Arts. Most recently, Amanda has been planning and overseeing events for Wingspan Arts' Alumni Association and was hired as a makeup artist for Ping Chong + Co. Upcoming projects include singing on the new soundtrack for “Bound! The Musical” as well as the album “Little Love Notes” by Collard and Rosenblatt!
Anjel Piñero (Maiden) is a deaf Nuyorican actor who is new in the film/theatre industry and is known as “SpongeBob SquarePants’ girl” from Nickelodeon and several acting roles in the deaf community.
Annelise Brooks Laakko (Gardener/Spirit/Greek Chorus/Singer) is a third year student at NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study concentrating in the performing arts and activism. Some of her favorite credits include Spring Awakening (Wendla), Grease (Sandy), Into the Woods (Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella) and Cabaret (Sally Bowles). Annelise is so excited to be participating in this beautiful production, and she thanks the cast and crew for this amazing experience!
Carrie Suggs (Psyche Mother) developed a curriculum for Deaf 7th graders using reader's theatre and dystopian YA lit to promote the development of literacy skills by using a bilingual approach for her undergraduate honors capstone.
Erin Barron (Spirit/Greek Chorus/Singer) is an undergraduate student at NYU studying drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Her previous shows include In the Heights, All Shook Up, The Crucible, and Into the Woods. She would like to give a huge thank you to the wonderful cast and production team for making the development process for this show a fulfilling and uplifting experience.
Joyelle Watkins (Psyche Child/Singer) is a Junior at NYU majoring in Educational Theatre with a minor in American Sign Language. Some of her acting experiences include: Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), Mary Lennox (Secret Garden), and Sally Brown (Good Man Charlie Brown). Production credits include: Assistant Stage Manager (Peter and the Starcatcher), Director (Matilda), and Production Assistant (Broadway Workshop). Thank you cast and production team for this amazing experience and to my family for always encouraging me and my passions! <3
JW Guido (King/Greek Chorus) is an actor, director, and the Artistic Director for New York Deaf Theatre (NYDT). Since joining NYDT as the Artistic Director in 2012, JW has been focused on creating opportunities for Deaf artists through productions, play development,, and other performance/community events. In addition to leading the artistic direction of NYDT, JW is committed to providing accessible performances for both Deaf and hearing audiences. JW has a passion for acting/directing and has performed in various cities around the US and Canada. Other than theatre world, he have been teaching American Sign Language in various locations, including College of Staten Island, and published Learn American Sign Language. He uses these experiences, along with what he will gain from his Ed.D in theatre education at NYU, to develop best ways possible to teach ASL.
Lara Gavagan (Maiden/Singer) is a fourth-year at NYU majoring in Educational Theatre with a minor in Dramatic Literature. During her studies at NYU, Lara has been involved with NYU’s Lamplighters (Whitney in Legally Blonde) and A Class Act (The Witch in Into the Woods). She most recently choreographed A Class Act’s production of A Chorus Line; a project on hold in the interest of the health and safety of the NYU community. Lara has worked as a teaching artist with Riverdale’s Children Theatre and has choreographed for Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre (Summit Playhouse) and No-Drama Theatre Company! Thank you to the cast and production team for all your hard work in making this virtual feat a reality!
Lily Greenberg (Messenger/Greek Chorus/Singer) is a theatre artist and teaching artist currently based in New York. She is a sophomore at New York University working towards her B.S. in Educational Theatre. She has previously performed as Guildenstern/Osric in Hamlet (Shakespeare in the Square), Verges/Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare To Go), and as Larissa in Gallathea (Uproar Theatre Corps). She’d like to thank her fellow cast and crew members for all of their incredible work on this show.
Mark Weissglass (Miller/Greek Chorus) is an NYU Steinhardt graduate. Now, he is a New York based multidisciplinary theater artist who has worked as an actor, musician, and collaborative writer. Credits include New York Deaf Theater, Prospect Theater Company, and The Tank. He sends many thanks to this welcoming and supportive cast and crew!
Natasha Cecily Bacchus (Psyche Wise Woman) is an athlete and artist, passionate about mental health, deaf advocacy, fitness and physical expression. Throughout her life, she has nurtured her passion for fitness by competing as a professional athlete and securing medal positions in both the Deaf Olympics and Pan Am Olympics as well as many other competitive sporting events. While running was her first passion and a means of emotional release, she used acting as a mode of physical expression and found theatre and film to be the preferred spaces for her to thrive as an actress. She has participated in a number of theatre and film productions and has a strong desire to continue to grow and develop as an artist in these industries, expanding representation to include differently-abled persons and empowering Black Deaf women in Canada to shine on and off the stage.
Olivia Reinebach (King’s Mother/Greek Chorus) is thrilled to be involved in this all-accessible NYU production! Favorite roles include Ted in Peter and the Starcatcher and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mountain Lakes HS Theatre). Olivia won “Best Supporting Actress” for both performances at the Bucks County Student Theatre Festival in 2017 and 2018. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in PR and Linguistics at Boston University. Outside of class, she enjoys salsa dancing, raising Deaf/HH awareness and working in the events business. She thanks the directors, production team, interpreters and cast for a great show! ❤️🤟🏼
Stelle Salsbery (Innkeeper/Greek Chorus/Musician/Singer) is a second-semester master’s student in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities through NYU Steinhardt. They are excited to be part of their first production with NYU! Stelle directed She Kills Monsters at the University of Redlands in 2019 for their capstone project. While at Redlands, they acted in Sense and Sensibility, The Memorandum, and Spamalot. Additionally, Stelle has worked as a student musician with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE in Everett, WA. Shoutout to the cast and crew for making this project come to life, and thanks to Trent for helping with filming.
With Logan Cook (baby), Millie Embry (age 5), & Teddy Embry (age 7) as the Young Prince.
Production Team (In ABC Order):
Amy Cordileone (Director, Designer, & Fabricator) Amy (she/her) is a director whose artistic work and research is focused on investigating aesthetic spaces across the globe. As a full-time faculty member at NYU, Cordileone continues to develop innovative content for a variety of Steinhardt programs, including the NYU Youth Theatre Ensemble, Theatrix, Playlabs, and the Writers' Roundtable. Amy’s passion for new work development led to the curation of the NYU Forum on Developing New Work for the Theatre (2013) and the Forum on Site-Specific Performance (2015). Her directing and choreography credits include: The Winter’s Tale, Peter & the Starcatcher, Comedy of Errors, Noël Coward’s Brief Encounter, Meta (premiere), The Heart Cycle (premiere), Underground: An Unauthorized Ben Folds Jam Session (premiere), Last Night in Town (premiere), Two Noble Kinsmen, Alice: Looking Glass Girl, and more. Cordileone holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of California, at Irvine; she completed both her MA and PhD at NYU.
Blake McCarty (Editor & Designer) is an artist and educator, whose original work includes large-scale immersive projects, original musicals, devised theatre, and documentary plays. His work has been developed or commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, California Center for the Arts, Cygnet Theatre, New Village Arts, New York Theatre Barn, and New York University. Blake is also an award-winning Projection Designer, as well as the co-founder and Director of Artistic Development for Blindspot Collective, a theatre company based in San Diego that cultivates and celebrates new work, emerging artists, and diverse audiences. Previous designs for NYU include Brief Encounter, Alice: Lookingglass Girl, The Class Project, Sonia Flew, Woyzeck, Polaroid Stories, and Chatroom. Blake is an alumnus of Tisch School of the Arts and the Steinhardt School, both at New York University.
Cassie Holzum (Production Manager) is a freelance production and stage manager in New York City and surrounding areas. She is an NYU Educational Theatre graduate and has done many shows with the program including: Re-Writing the Declaration, The Winter’s Tale, Making Gay History: Before Stonewall, Comedy of Errors, Radium Girls, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Two Noble Kinsmen, and Of a Certain Age.
Danica Russell (Designer, Fabricator, & Animator) was encouraged by many teachers to major in fine art because of doodles in her homework margins. She received a BA in Fine Art, with an emphasis in photography and drawing. She then worked in interior design, specializing in children’s lifestyle, until her (now) husband, Jason, made a film about children in Northern Uganda being kidnapped and forced to fight as soldiers—compelling her, and many others, to quit their jobs and start the movement that was Invisible Children. In her 12 years there, she served as a graphic designer, photographer, copy writer, script doctortor, and Art Director—producing countless IC print and film media. She has taught art, dance, and music to children rehabilitating from war in Africa; was a camp counselor for WAY too long in the US, and is now a mother to 2 kids of her own. As Co-founder of the creative agency, Broomstick Engine, she rebrands and helps shape international media campaigns around social impact initiatives; And, after over a decade of such work, published a children’s book called, “A Little Radical,” featuring Danica’s unique artistic style and playful voice while teaching kids that it’s cool to care. Danica is based out of San Diego, California
Darren Whorton (Audio Editor): Thanks to Amy Cordileone for this opportunity! Sound designer, editor or consultant: Off-Broadway: Her Opponent. NYU Ed. Theatre: The Winter's Tale, Of a Certain Age, Brief Encounter, Little Shop of Horrors, Underground (Forum on Site-Specific Performance), Meta, Theatrix. Lower Manhattan Arts Academy: In the Heights, The Wiz, HAIR. Love and thanks to Rachel.
Daryl Embry (Production & Technical Designer) has worked in the field of theater education for over 15 years, working extensively with the New York City Department of Education and at numerous independent schools in NYC, Manhattanville College, and New York University (adjunct instructor since 2007). Work within the NYCDOE includes curriculum development consultation, Production Management for the Summer Arts Institute and the Shubert High School Theatre Festival, and Program Coordination for the Arthur Miller Foundation Theater Education Programs. As a theater designer, Daryl's work has been seen on Broadway (Imperial Theatre, Winter Garden, Music Box Theatre, Shubert Theatre) and at MCC, Skirball, Theater Row, The Joyce (American Ballet Theater), The Sheen Center, Theater for the New City, The Vineyard Theater, and at NYU as a resident scenic and lighting designer. Daryl is a founding member and director of Shakespeare To Go, NYU's premier theater outreach program, reaching thousands of NYC students every year. Co-creative director of The Ride from 2012-2017 (Drama Desk Nomination: Unique Theatrical Experience). Core Acting Ensemble member of the Verbatim Performance Lab. Member of Actors Equity and SAG/AFTRA appearing off-Broadway, in regional theater, commercials, and TV (Blue Bloods CBS, What Would You Do ABC). Training: NYU- Steinhardt, Educational Theatre.
Jinx Ellwanger (Company Manager) is an undergrad in the Educational Theatre Program at NYU and is excited to be a part of another NYU production after working on Re-Writing the Declaration. With a background in stage management, they are making their debut as Company Manager in this production. Their prior experience includes A Christmas Story, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Suessical Jr. at Steel River Playhouse in their home town of Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Lily Greenberg (Makeup Designer) is a make-up artist and set designer currently based in New York. She is a sophomore at New York University working towards her B.S. in Educational Theatre. She has worked as a make-up designer and make-up assistant for Seussical the Musical and Beauty and the Beast (Lamplighters NYU). Lily has also worked as an associate set designer for The Inbetween (Gallatin Theatre Troupe) and Gallathea (Uproar Theatre Corps). She would like to thank Michelle Humphrey for bringing her onto this project.
Maya Lopez (Assistant Director of Movement and Dramaturgy) is a graduate of the undergraduate Educational Theatre Program at NYU with a minor in American Sign Language. Recent production credits at NYU include, A Chorus Line (Director), Pippin (Choreographer), Margaret: A New Musical (Choreographer). She is now working as a dance and musical theatre instructor at MK Dance, with a focus on creative play and inclusion, while also continuing her studies in American Sign Language.
Michelle Eden Humphrey (Costume Designer & Supervisor) manages the costume shop for Dept. of Music and Performing Arts Professions, NYU Steinhardt and has been creating costumes for NYU since 2003. Outside of NYU Michelle has been designing costumes for theatrical productions, high profile celebrities, advertising companies’ corporate events and private parties for many years. She worked as the resident costume designer for The Sharon Playhouse for several years and currently designs many professional productions throughout the USA. www.michelle.e.humphrey.com
Norah Matthews (Director of Artistic Sign Language) comes from a visual language rich upbringing. Norah knew that her ability to communicate via the hands using ASL (American Sign Language) or VGC (Visual Gestural Communication) was a privilege. Used to being the assistant, Norah is thrilled with this opportunity to create her own rules simultaneously supporting Amy's vision. She is honored and humbled by this opportunity. She is also a lighting designer, actress, and an avid advocate for accessibility in technical theater. She started refining her theater skills at Gallaudet University, where she got her B.A. in Theater Production/Performance in 2011 and has continued since. www.norahmatthews.com
Olivia Reinebach (Public Relations and Social Media Manager) is an Account Manager for LoBello Communications, an NYC-based PR firm. She specializes in media relations for fintech companies and non-profit organizations. For this production, Olivia creates content and operates the FaceBook and Instagram accounts. She is a proud supporter of her local art community. Her most recent events were marketing and coordination for the all-virtual Autumn Gala fundraiser for the Queens Council on the Arts, and running tech, sound, and SFX for Mountain Lakes HS' 2020-2021 productions of Romeo and Juliet and Grease. Olivia would like to thank Joe LoBello and Sivan Ron for incorporating this opportunity in her work!
Rachel Tuggle Whorton (Music Director, Arranger, & Orchestrator) is a performer, director, writer, and educator who promotes the arts as tools for personal expression, ensemble storytelling, community dialogue, and social change. Rachel has collaborated with groups across the country, including Royal Caribbean International, National YoungArts Foundation, La Jolla Playhouse, Blindspot Collective, San Diego Musical Theatre, The Acapella Company, Harding University Theater, Playwrights Horizons, SITI Company, CO/LAB Theater Group, Havas Luxe Events, Verbatim Performance Lab, & New York City Center. Her 2017 Off-Broadway performance, Her Opponent, was featured in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, and live on MSNBC. Rachel holds a Ph.D. from New York University, where she often serves as an instructor and music director. NYU MD credits: The Winter’s Tale, Peter and the Starcatcher, Two Noble Kinsmen, Brief Encounter, Little Shop of Horrors, META. Editor-in-Chief: Teaching Artist Journal. Member: AEA, Dramatists Guild.
Sarah Simon (Assistant Director of Design and Dramaturgy) is a January 2021 graduate of Steinhardt’s program in Educational Theatre and a minor in American Sign Language. With experience in directing, stage management, dramaturgy, and applied theatre facilitation, she is deeply invested in the power of the arts to build community, foster self-expression, and change lives. As a hearing student of ASL, she is incredibly excited to have this opportunity to work with Deaf artists, practice allyship, and continue to learn.
Our Musicians
Jeff Allyn, Alex Komberg, Rachel Tuggle Whorton, Darren Whorton, Stelle Salsbery, David Schroeder
Our Singers
Jeff Allyn, Erin Barron, Amanda Briskin Wallace, Lara Gavagan, Zac George, Lily Greenberg, Alex Kornberg, Annelise Laako, Stelle Salsbery, Joyelle Watkins, Darren Whorton, Rachel Tuggle Whorton
Our Rehearsal interpreters
Led by Kimberly Hale and Jamie Rose Hays:
History Estill-Varner, Emilio Garcia, Mary Beth Morgan, Miriam Rochford, Juana Aguilar, Kia Presley, Jared Lopatin
Graphics & Animation
Glenn Forsythe (Animation), Danica Russell (Animation), Blake McCarty (Graphics & Animation), Maya Lopez (Captions)
& Amy Cordileone (Graphics)
Special Thanks
Dean Jack Knott, Dr. David Schroeder, Dr. David Montgomery, Joe Salvatore, Dr. Nancy Smithner, Dr. Jonathan Jones, Rochelle Brown, Landon Krentz, Kourtney King, Randy Susevich, Andrew Palmer, Madison Coe, Luis Mercado, Marisol Ascona, Ingrid Green-Kelley, Kevin Haden, Amy Fair, Nathan Spaulding, The Embry family, The Cordileone families, The Cook family, & The Spaulding Families
All of our volunteer family and friend camera and crew members, including: Vanessa Lancellotti, Sean Marrin, Trent Salsbery, Briann Salsbery, Amy Briskin, Robert Wallace, Carly Lynch, Maya Lopez, Cassie Holzum, Catherine Willhoit, Kristin Yacovone, Alexandra Hickox, Chrissy Diaz, Joyelle Watkins, Annelise Laako, Zoë Lillis, Lily Greenberg, Amanda Friedman, Calvin Osorio, Betsy Laakko, Keith Laakko, Will Laakko, Audrey Reinebach, Adam Reinebach, Izzo, Jichael Mordon, Matt, Mama and Dad Watkins, Justin Whitmore, Nick Cordileone, & Millie Embry