JESSE CARREY (Valery)
Jesse Carrey is excited to be a part of this project and tell such an important story. Jesse studied dance on full scholarship at Alvin Ailey, and went on to graduate from Carnegie Mellon University with a focus in Musical Theatre 2013. Past credits include: The Producers, White Christmas (Fulton Theater), Cats, Spamalot, 42nd Street, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Phantom (Pittsburgh CLO), Pop! Who Shot Andy Warhol? (City Theater), Angels in America: Part 1, Spring Awakening (Carnegie Mellon University). Jesse recently co-taught a week-long Ensemble Building intensive at Barrington Stage's Music Theater Conservatory based on Grotowski, Stanislavsky, and Droznin excercises with his best friend and collaborator Katya Stepanov. Along with pursuing Musical Theater, Jesse is a founding member of In the Basement Theater Company, which recreates mythical tales in immersive and new environments. To my Katya and Katia for bringing Russia into my life.
Танцуй со мной!
KATHRYN MORGAN (Galina)
Kathryn Morgan began studying ballet at age three at Mobile Ballet in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama. She attended the summer program at the School of American Ballet in 2004 and enrolled as a full time student that fall. Kathryn joined New York City Ballet as an apprentice in June of 2006 and became a member of the corps de ballet of the Company in February of 2007. In October 2009, Kathryn was promoted to soloist.
Kathryn’s principal roles at New York City Ballet include Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Juliet in Romeo + Juliet, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Dewdrop in George Balanchine’s the Nutcracker, Scotch Symphony, Swan Lake, Flower Festival in Genzano Pas de Deux, Coppelia, Ballet Imperial, Divertimento No. 15, Dances at a Gathering, In the Night, among many others. Kathryn is also the recipient of the 2006 Mae L. Wien Award, 2006 Movado Future Legends Award, and the 2009 Janice Levin Award.
Kathryn left New York City Ballet due to a debilitating thyroid illness in 2013. Since then, she has created a ballet blog, “If the Pointe Shoe Fits”, authors the column “Dear Katie” in Dance Spirit Magazine, and now runs 2 highly successful YouTube channels, “Kathryn Morgan” & “Life with Katie”, where she inspires dancers (and non dancers) and encourages them to follow their dreams. Kathryn is so thrilled to have beaten her illness and be back on stage!
JOEY AMA DIO (Irina)
Joey Ama Dio is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Drama, having studied at CAP21 and Playwrights Horizons studios. Favorite roles include Luisa in The Fantasticks, Anaglypta Veritas in Desire Management Inc. (Playwrights Horizons), and most recently the role of Sasha in the developmental workshop of Pete the Cat (the latter two projects composed by the immensely talented Allison Leyton-Brown). This is her second time appearing in The New York International Fringe Festival, the first as Leah Levine in The Seed of Abraham in 2011. She feels so blessed to be a part of To Dance - The Musical, and is honored to help tell such a poignant and inspirational story of strength, faith, determination, and resilience. Many thanks to the entire cast and creative team.
"Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp." (Psalm 149:3)
ANDREW DI TUSA (Young Valery)
Andrew DiTusa (Young Valerie) is thrilled and excited to be part of The Dance the Musical production and the NYC Fringe Festival. Looking forward to be working with this amazing cast and crew. Off–Broadway credits include: Liberty; A Monumental New Musical, A little Princess (Poor Boy), Freckleface Strawberry (Danny and Frankie Freckle) and Uncle Giff’s Christmas Special (Donte). Regional Tour of The New Kid (Dre). Other credits include; Film, TV, Commercials, Print and Live Media Events. Special thanks to the production team for this amazing opportunity and to my family, my coaches, and friends for all their love, guidance and encouragement.
LYNDELL HIGGINS (Liya)
Lyndell Higgins moved to NYC in April and is so excited to be a part of To Dance! Favorite Regional Credits: Teresita (West Side Story), Porcelain Princess (ABT's World Premiere The Sleeping Beauty), Helga (Cabaret), Zangler Girl (Crazy For You), Christmas Yet To Come (A Christmas Carol), and Me and My Girl. Favorite Television Credits: Mad Men (series finale), Aquarius, Bones (200th Episode), and NCIS. Lyndell is the Artistic Director and resident choreographer of Los Angeles' Stretch Dance Company. For Stretch she created the production I Have Lived a Thousand Years a retelling of a Holocaust survivor's story through dance. She is an award-winning choreographer and has choreographed numerous musicals, her favorites include: Footloose, Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, The Wiz, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She received her BA and teaching credentials (drama, dance, psychology, and English) from the University of CA, Irvine and is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. www.LyndellHiggins.com
MARKUS McCLAIN (Clive Barnes/Ensemble)
Markus McClain is a recent graduate of Indiana University and a brand new New Yorker. His regional credits include Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. His favorite roles include Riff in West Side Story, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Ernst in Spring Awakening, and Soldier/Alex in Sunday in the Park. He'd like to thank the To Dance team for this opportunity and dedicate this performance to his parents and his Oma. Markusmcclain.com
NICK PECORARO (Volodya)
Nick Pecoraro is so excited to be back on the stage and a part of To Dance in his New York City debut! He has lived in the city for one year now, and is excited for the theatrical adventures to come. He wants to thank Evan Rees for making this possible, About Artists, and his family and friends for their endless support "to the clouds and back."
JOHN RAY (Young Yuri)
John Ray is a rising 8th Grade Student at Metropolitan School of the Arts Academy in Lorton, Va. DC AREA: Adventure Theatre: Oliver; Signature Theatre: Crossing, GYPSY; Next Stop Theatre Company: Caroline, or Change; Kensington Arts Theatre: The Addams Family; Mclean Community Players: 13 The Musical; MVCCT: The Sound of Music, My Son Pinocchio; LTA: A Christmas Carol. TV: Sirens Media: Evil Kin.
JOSHUA REES HOPKINS (Yuri)
Coming from the suburbs of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Josh completed his degree in Musical Theatre performance at New York University's New Studio on Broadway. This is his first time being a part of New York's Fringe Festival, and he is very thankful for the opportunity to perform with such a great group of artists!
RICK ROEMER (Rachinsky)
RICK ROEMER (Rachinsky) has returned to New York City after retiring Professor Emeritus from Southwestern University Dept. of Theater near Austin, TX this past spring. While in Austin, Rick was a member of the Austin Playhouse Acting Company and has appeared in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Jasper), Amadeus (Salieri), Exits and Entrances (Andre), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lady Bracknell), Other Desert Cities (Lyman), Triumph of Love (Hermocrates) and Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote) and She Stoops To Conquer (Hardcastle). Zach Scott Theater: Xanadu (Danny/Zeus), and the world premier of Steven Dietz’s Mad, Beat, Hip and Gone (The Albert’s), A Rockin’ Christmas Carol (Fezziwig, Old Joe, Charitable Gent) and Levison, McCormack and LBJ understudy in the Texas premier of All The Way. Austin Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (Orsino) & (Toby Belch), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon). Fourthworld Theatre Projects/FronteraFest 2011: Krapp’s Last Tape (Krapp). International: The Birds (Zeus), The Virgin and the Unicorn (Warrior) (Rhodopi Drama Theatre, Bulgaria). Off Broadway: Bittersuite: Songs of Experience (Quaigh Theater). National Tour: Shenandoah w/ John Raitt & Liz Callaway (James). Rick received his PhD in Theatre History/Theory/Directing Styles from UCLA and is the author of Charles Ludlam and the Ridiculous Theatrical Company (McFarland, 1998 and 2010).
HANA SLEVIN (Ludmilla/Ensemble)
Hana Slevin is a New York City-based actress/singer originally from the Washington DC area. New York: Elsinore (Feast Productions); Vestige, The Sasquatch Project (Musical Theatre Factory); Rent (Gallery Players); Tamar of the River, Another Happy Ending (Prospect Theater Company). Regional: Maggie Cassidy, Rx (Bloomington Playwrights Project); A Year with Frog and Toad (Cardinal Stage Company); The Rockae, Solana (Indiana Festival Theatre). Proud alum of Interlochen and Indiana University, B.F.A. Musical Theatre.
HANNAH ZIMMERMAN (Mme. Sereyeva/Mama)
Hannah is proud to be making her NYC Fringe debut with To Dance the Musical. Regionally, Hannah has performed with Hangar Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company, California Musical Theatre, The Actors Workshop of Sacramento, and Talked About Theatre Company. Favorite recent credits include The Little Prince (Hangar Theatre), Troilus and Cressida (RADA), Saturday Night (NYU Tisch NSB), A Christmas Carol (STC), The Firebird (NYU Tisch CDP), and The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Talked About Theatre Company). Hannah is a rising senior pursuing her BFA in Musical Theater at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Many thanks to friends and family for making this all possible. www.hannahzimmerman.com
KYRA ROBINOV (Lyricist & Librettist)
KYRA ROBINOV - Librettist/Lyricist: To Dance; The Legend of Penelope; Catherine; Stand By; Singled Out. Producer/Host: The Ballet Beat (WNYU-FM). Author: “Red Winter” and “The Urge to Rome” (forthcoming in 2016). Tisch School of Film & Television (BA) and Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (MFA). KyraRobinov.com
TIBOR ZONAI (Composer)
TIBOR ZONAI lives in Hungary where he has his own music publishing firm. Tibor has produced approximately 40 CD's for children. He has written three complete stage musicals (Book, Lyrics and Music): THE KEY; TWO WORLDS; and THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, based on Victor Hugo's classic book. THE KEY -- musical book version with CD -- has been published in Hungary. Tibor was nominated for the FONOGRAM HUNGARIAN MUSIC PRIZE for Best Children’s Album Producer (2005-2008) and was the WINNER of the award in 2007.
DONALD GARVERICK (Director/Choreographer)
Mr. Garverick splits his time between directing, choreographing and writing musicals with his partner, Mark McDaniels. Together, the pair have written Show Choir! – The Musical and Casual Bob. Recent director/ choreographer credits include Space Pirates! (The Broadway Workshop) Young Frankenstein (SUNY Oswego) and The Charm (SoundBites Festival). Recent choreography credits include Siren's Heart: The Marilyn Monroe Musical (Off-Broadway at Actor's Temple), Hair (SOOP Productions), Before God Was Invented (Theatre for the New City), as well as the sold-out 2010 NYMF production of Show Choir! - The Musical. Mr. Garverick is also the creator and resident judge of The Cabaret Showdown, a monthly musical game show at Horsetrade Theatre. For more information, visit DonaldGarverick.com
EVAN REES (Music Director/Piano-Conductor/Orchestrations)
Broadway: The Visit. Off Broadway: A Bed And A Chair (City Center Encores!). First National Tour: A Christmas Story. Regional: The Visit (Williamstown Theatre Festival); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (The Princeton Festival); Kiss Me Kate (Barrington Stage); My Fair Lady (Cardinal Stage). B.M., Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
BRIAN DUDKIEWICZ (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Brian Dudkiewicz is excited to be working on To Dance. Recent credits include Mallorca (Abingdon Theatre Company), In the Blood (Theatre Horizon), Tar Beach (Luna Stage), Footloose and The Wildest (Seven Angels Theatre), Big Love, Rent, Independence, Metamorphoses (Post Theatre Company), No One Loves Us Here (NLTP), Love Me (Funny Sheesh Productions), the Perfect Wife (Ivy), Gigi and The Surprise (Storm Theatre), Dark of the Moon (Stella Adler), Things I Left On Long Island (Sgouros Theatre) Independents (Theatre80), Les Miserables (Just Off Broadway, Inc.), Abyss (Apocalypse Productions), Flashback to the 80’s and Mamma Mia (The Segal Center of Performing Arts). He was also the production designer for several music videos and the film Muckland. Brian holds an MFA in Set Design from the Yale School of Drama and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from McGill University.
CHRISTINA WATANABE (Lighting Designer)
Christina is a New York City based lighting designer. Recent designs include Se Llama Cristina (Intar), Gruesome Playground Injuries (FITR), Big Love, Independence, and RENT (LIU), Les Miserables (Bristol Valley Theatre), Tigers Be Still (Curtain Call Theatre), and The Story of Yu-Huan (Yangtze Rep). Her work has been seen at multiple venues in and around NYC including The Public Theatre (Under the Radar), The Bushwick Starr, The Ohio Theatre, The Brick, Theatre for the New City, and The Living Theatre. Christina has designed and mentored at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (Macbeth, Violet) and with the Yale Dramatic Association (A Midsummer Night's Dream). Other design work includes Phaedra's Cabaret, story(us), and Ralph Lauren’s Madison Avenue windows. As a lighting supervisor, Christina has toured internationally with Shen Wei Dance Arts, domestically with Jonah Bokaer, and regionally with So Percussion. Christina also served as a lighting coordinator for Alice Tully Hall as part of the 2013 Lincoln Center Festival. Christina was invited to speak for The League of Professional Theatre Women’s Networking Mondays Panel: A Discussion: Designers and Directors. MFA: NYU Tisch. Member USA 829. For more information and to see images of past productions, please visit www.StarryEyedLighting.com.
SHANJALA IRVING (Stage Manager)
Shanjala is an actor turned stage manager from Dallas,Tx. Some of her previous stage management experiences include Office Politics (June Havoc Theater) Moonlight and Magnolias (Theater Project), Stage Black: Play Festival (June Havoc), 14 Symptoms (The Brick Theater), East Side Stories (Metropolitan Playhouse), Wonderful Life (The Theater Project), and Ruby Place (Signature Theater) just to name a few. Shanjala enjoys the beauty of theater stage management and being apart of a team that bring theater works to life.
JASON FOWLER (Associate Producer)
Jason Fowler was born in Dallas and began his ballet training at the age of 8. He continued his training at the Dallas Ballet Center and Dallas Ballet Academy. In 1993, Mr. Fowler entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school for New York City Ballet. He was invited to join the company in April of 1996 and was promoted to soloist in 2006. In addition to numerous corps de ballet roles with New York City Ballet, he has performed soloist and principal parts in Bigonzetti’s VESPRO, Balanchine’s DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15, SCOTCH SYMPHONY , AGON, SYMPHONY IN C, THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS, LA VALSE and CHACONNE as well as Christopher Wheeldon’s POLYPHONIA. While at NYCB, Mr.Fowler also worked closely with Susan Stroman, creating the role of Mr. Griffith in THE BLUE NECKLACE.
Since 2010, Mr. Fowler has staged ballets for Mr. Wheeldon at the Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Austalian Ballet, Karlsruhe Ballet, Corella Ballet, Joffrey Ballet. He also staged a ballet for Benjamin Millepied in Dortmand, Germany.
In 2012, Jason was Associate Choreographer to Benjamin Millepied for HANDS ON A HARDBODY in La Jolla, CA. His film credits include CENTER STAGE.
VERONIQUE ORY (Marketing / PR / ACR)
Veronique Ory (Marketing/PR/ACR) is an Actor and Producer based in New York City. Ms. Ory is the Founding Artistic Director of Athena Theatre, a non-profit theatre company since 2003. Ms. Ory is excited to continually support new works! She was honored to present the World Premiere of The Man Under by Paul Bomba at 59E59 Theaters.
MARLO KNAPP-FADANI (Production Intern)
Marlo Knapp-Fadani has been involved in theater and performing since the age of two. She debuted with The Kalamazoo Ballet in Michigan before moving to New York City. She then began studying at Manhattan Youth Ballet, where she trained for nine years. While at MYB, Marlo danced roles in Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes, Divertimento No. 15, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Serenade, and Valse Fantaisie. She was a member of the original casts of Brian Reeder’s Holding Court, At the Station, Light is Calling, What Is This Thing?, and First Touch, for which she also acted as Dance Captain and Ballet Mistress. Her dance and performance affiliations include The New York City Ballet, Vail International Dance Festival, American Ballet Theater, Ballet Chicago, Ballet West, and summer programs with the Vail Valley Dance Intensive, the Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her choreographic debut appeared in New York City this May. She is also an award-winning Ballroom Dancer. Marlo studied at the Nightingale-Bamford School where she performed in Cinderella and The Mikado and was a member of their award-winning A Cappella group Bassless Accusations. Next year, Marlo will attend the University of Chicago to study Film, Psychology, and Latin.