The Next Generation of Artists
We’ve hand-selected a cohort of boundary-pushers, storytellers, and visionaries. Explore the artists of the 2026 Artist Incubator cohort, each one redefining what’s possible in their medium.
THE PRODUCERS
JUELLE WILLIAMS
is a theater major at LaGuardia Community College who loves telling and conveying stories through their words, body and voice. As a free formed poet Will wants to expand on their performance and writing. Will also would like to drive into the world of producing to expand on their work. Thank you for choosing me for the Artist Incubator.
NANCY CRESPO
is a senior at LaGuardia Community College, where she studies Theatre and has been actively involved in productions every semester of her academic career. She has starred in multiple school productions, including Love Information, in which she portrayed seven different roles, showcasing her versatility and range as a performer. Most recently, Nancy played the lead role of Carlo in At the Wedding, a production that went on to the American College Theatre Festival, where it received the Best Production Student Choice Award. In addition to her performance work, Nancy is excited to be expanding her artistry behind the scenes and is currently working as a producer with the Artist Incubator. She is passionate about collaboration, storytelling, and continuing to grow as a theatre artist.
XIOMARA HUERTA
is a Colombian/Puerto Rican multi-hyphenate artist and a current theater student at LaGuardia Community College. She continues to be inspired by the power of live performance and ensemble-driven work. Xiomara is passionate about creating bold, truthful art that centers underrepresented voices. She is very excited to grow and learn from her peers during her experience through the Artist Incubator.
ZACHARY SUTLOVICH
is a graduate of LaGuardia Community College. He has worked as a costumer on multiple LaGuardia Community College theater productions, including Pippin, Electricidad, Love and Information, and At the Wedding. Zachary also served as a costumer on the short film Todo un enredo! and most recently worked as a production assistant on the vertical series Relationshits. He is excited to be a part of The Artist Incubator and eager to learn, collaborate, and engage in new creative opportunities.
THE PLAYWRIGHTS
DOMINIC VALERIO
is a theatre major at LaGuardia Community College. He is deeply passionate about creating within the theatre space, whether through storytelling via acting, playwriting, or assisting with co-directing. He strives to remain a multifaceted artist and a true jack of all trades. Dominic’s theatre journey began in high school, where he performed in productions such as The SpongeBob Musical, Clue, and others. Despite his versatility across many areas of theatre, Dominic specializes in playwriting. Because of this, the artist incubator will be a valuable opportunity for him to connect with other artists, continue building his expansive skill set, and create beautiful work alongside his peers.
LISETTE RAMIREZ CORTES
is a Theatre major at LaGuardia Community College. She is enthusiastic about connecting her love of storytelling with her colorful heritage and upbringing. After working on a devised piece for the theater club, she has dedicated herself to bringing a unique twist to her tales. Through the Artist Incubator she will learn and collaborate with those whom share her passion as they navigate playwriting. This is her first time joining the Artist Incubator.
MICHOU VITAL
is a creative artist working in theatre, design, and performance. Her work is influenced by family dynamics and lived experience. She is drawn to stories that exist at the intersection of home, community, and movement. Michou values collaboration, hands-on process, and she is excited to grow her work and develop new projects through The Artist Incubator.
NORIKA TOKITA
is a Theatre major at LaGuardia Community College with an interest in playwriting and musical theatre. She came to New York from Japan to study musical theatre writing and collaborative creation. Norika hopes to create original work that connects people across cultures and shares emotions through storytelling. Through The Artist Incubator, she is currently developing new work and deepening her practice as a collaborative playwright.
THE DIRECTORS
ALIYA EDWARDS
is a recent graduate of LaGuardia Community College, completing her studies in Spring 2025. She is a collaborative, process-driven creative with a deep passion for storytelling, leadership, and ensemble work. Aliya values theatre as a shared space where ideas grow through cooperation, care, and curiosity, and she is always eager to support the creation of meaningful work in any capacity needed.
JADEN FABIO
is a theatre artist and emerging director currently pursuing a BA in Theatre. His work centers on collaboration and clear, actor-focused direction. Jaden has gained directing experience through academic productions, workshops, and project development. Influenced by contemporary theatre and media, they aim to create bold, thoughtful work that highlights character, power, and human connection. Jaden plans to continue developing their craft through professional practice and graduate study, with the goal of pursuing an MFA in Directing and a long-term career as a director.
MADELAINE GUANGA
is a Theatre major at LaGuardia Community College. Recent credits include At the Wedding (Ensemble) and Love & Information (Actor). She has been a creator and performer in devised productions incorporating Our Lies, Our Sins (Playwright, Director, Actor) and Love After Dark (Playwright, Actor). Madelaine explores bold, imaginative theatre that unites emotion with creative invention. This year marks her first participation in the Artist Incubator, and she is thrilled to dive into the creative journey ahead.
SAMANTHA JAQUEZ
is thrilled to be apart of the artist incubator program as an ambassador for Patrick and student, soon to be a LaGuardia graduate in the theater program, she has had the opportunity to be an (ASM) on the 2025 fall production at the wedding and can’t wait to be apart of this new opportunity. She loves reading and learning new things on her spare time.
THE ACTORS
ANDREY VERHGRADSKIY
is a theater major at LaGuardia Community College. His recent work includes a study of physical theater techniques, specifically focusing on the Margolis Method and its application to character development. Andrey is committed to a process-driven practice and delivery of confident, nuanced, and realistic performances.
DANIELLA BAUTISTA
s a Psychology major at LaGuardia Community College who once had grasp of theater department. Now back, Daniella is interested in to acting and playwriting. Interested in understanding and displaying character roles, working alongside theater members, and writing stories that enlighten a variety of people's identities. She aspires to take her two focuses, Psychology and Theater, into Drama Therapy. To that, she wishes would use that passion to help individuals express emotions, personal growth, and conflict resolution.
DESIRÉ GARZA
is a Theatre major at LaGuardia Community College enamored by the process of sculpting a character and breathing life into them through the art of storytelling. Knowing the complexities of human nature, and within herself, Desiré believes in using the power of performance as a tool to lift voices out of the masses and put them in the spotlight when they would've otherwise not been seen or heard. She is thrilled to explore new parts of herself, risk joy, and glow in the magic of collaboration, learning, and mentorship through The Artist Incubator.
GIANNA VICTORIA L GONZALES
is a Theatre major at LaGuardia Community College. Credits include Maggie (Den of Thieves) and Leigh (At The Wedding). They are excited to learn through her peers and mentors during her time at The Artist Incubator and hopes to expand more on their talents.
JASON RODRIGUEZ
is a Theatre major at Brooklyn college. His credits include Big love(Lagcc) Everybody( Lagcc) Electricidad(lagcc) Love and information (lagcc), One act chain festival , and Anniversary a short film by Studio Senju.
MATTIA MENGOZZI
is a theatre major at LaGuardia Community College who is an actor with a European background. He started studying acting in Italy until he moved into the city two years ago. He is a passionate learner. His interests aside of acting spread in poetry, playwriting and directing. He is a meticulous observer of the human being and his behavior.
VANESSA ELISA LAMBRINOC
is a Romanian-Italian communication major at LaGuardia Community College who discovered her passion for theatre just a year ago. She starred as Laura in The Glass Menagerie for the Directing Scenes Showcase and as Carly in At the Wedding in the school’s fall production. This is her first time participating in The Artist Incubator, and she is very excited to be part of the project.
ZARI ADELOA
is a theater major at LaGuardia Community college who is excited and passionate about theatre. Zari has performed in and been in two productions at LaGuardia including Love and information (performer) and At the wedding (ensemble)