STAFF BIOS

Danielle Rudess

Danielle Rudess

Producer

Danielle Rudess is the Founder and Producer of the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre. Since its founding in 1998, the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre has created world premieres of new works for Music Theatre International, Rodgers & Hammerstein and Theatrical Rights Worldwide including Les Mis School Edition, Into the Woods jr, Godspell jr, Honk jr. Blues Clues Live. Danielle is also the Executive Producer of the Metropolitan High School Theater Awards, which she created in 1998 to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of high school musical theater. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, she joined Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment first as Stage Manager for Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee Soul of Shaolin, the first Chinese production to be performed on Broadway. She served as project coordinator for Nederlander Worldwide’s educational initiative The Cultural Trade and Industry Exchange Program, an annual New York based Broadway training program for Chinese theater professionals. In 2013, she served as the Nederlander’s Vice General Manager of the Shaanxi Qinhuang Grand Theater in Xi’an, China.

Lexie Fennell Frare

Lexie Fennell Frare

Director/Choreographer

Lexie was among the first generation of Helen Hayes Youth Theatre students when the company was founded. After graduating with her B.F.A in Musical Theater from Emerson College, she returned to HHYT and never left. Additionally Lexie works as a director / choreographer at many schools as well as regional and community theaters. Other credits include White Plains Performing Arts Center, Yorktown Stage, Lee Strasberg Institute, Millbrook Playhouse, The Midtown International Theatre Festival as well as Alexander Hamilton High School and Nyack Middle School. Lexie is also working on her Masters degree in Educational Theatre from the City College of New York.

Anthony Travaglini

Anthony Travaglini

Music Director

Helen Hayes Youth Theater – Carrie, Legally Blonde, Avenue Q, Spring Awakening, The Music Man, The Wedding Singer, 13, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spelling Bee, Rent, High School Musical. Nyack Middle School – Hairspray, Grease. Spotlight Theater Company – The Pajama Game. Westchester Broadway Theater – Young Artist Cabaret. SUNY Dutchess Community College – The Who’s Tommy. Anthony has played keyboard for various shows in the tri-state area including White Plains Performing Arts Center, Light House Youth Theater, Nyack High School, Westchester Broadway Dinner Theater. Anthony also played keyboard on the 1st National tour of Avenue Q and subbed the Broadway and Off Broadway productions.

Emily Ellis

Emily Ellis

Choreographer

Emily graduated from SUNY Cortland and Circle in the Square Theatre School’s musical theatre programs. Favorite performance credits include Tommy, Cabaret, A Little Night Music, Romeo and Juliet and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Currently she is getting her Masters Degree in Educational Theatre at City College and is a Teaching Artist for Pheonix Theatre Ensemble at East Side Community School in NYC.

Amanda Eastman

Amanda Eastman

Director

Amanda Eastman is proud to be a new member of the Helen Hayes Youth Theater family. Originally from Northern Vermont, Amanda now lives in the Riverdale section of the Bronx with her husband and young son. She holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and a MALS degree from Dartmouth College. Amanda has worked full time in a variety of independent schools teaching and directing theater for the past several years. Some her past favorite shows are Sister Act, Romeo and Juliet, Dancing at Lughnasa, A Little Princess, Honk and Hairspray.

Alex Cutrone

Alex Cutrone

Production Manager

Alex graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in Music and Political Science. In addition to being the Production Manager for HHYT, Alex works at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts as the Director of Visitor Services. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, classical music, and yelling at the New York Yankees. Recent HHYT Productions include 42nd Street, Chicago, Drowsy Chaperone, Mary Poppins, Heathers, Xanadu and Les Miserables.

Amy Griffin

Amy Griffin

Director

Amy is delighted to return to HHYT, and to work once again with her partners in crime, Lexie Frare and Anthony Travaglini. As an actor, Amy has appeared on Broadway in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (original cast, cast recording) and Off-Broadway in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (starring Jackie Hoffman), MR. PRESIDENT, INFERTILITY, NEWSICAL, three productions of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, and in the title role in the award-winning play THE ENGLISH BRIDE. First National Tour credits include Mrs. Mayor in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (starring Cathy Rigby) and GRINCH. Her many regional credits include Sally in TALLEY’S FOLLY, the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD, and seven(!) flights as PETER PAN (Independent Theatre Award). Amy is also a private acting coach and loves working with young people. Her favorite production to date is her son, the amazing Nicholas (a collaboration with her husband Scott).

www.Amy-Griffin.com

Brady Amoon

Brady Amoon

Director

Brady has directed The Fantasticks off-off-Broadway, Closer in Nyack, and ten children’s productions. Brady is also an actress and has worked on over one hundred plays, ranging from off-Broadway and Judith Shakespeare Company to local favorites like Penguin Rep, Elmwood Playhouse & Antrim Playhouse. Bachelor’s of Theatre & World Cultural Studies. Further studies at CAP 21 & The Artist’s Crossing.

www.BradyAMoon.com

Caitlin Evans

Caitlin Evans

Choreographer

Caitlin received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University in Indiana. As a performer, Caitlin’s credits include Anything Goes (Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse), Sweet Charity (Arizona Broadway Theatre), The Full Monty, Hairspray, Chicago, Annie, The Sound of Music (all at Allenberry Playhouse), Pippin (Legacy Theatre), and Hello Dolly (Round Barn Theatre). She has choreographed professionally for Allenberry Playhouse, and for kids and teens through APTC in Pennsylvania. She performs with the New York Theatre Dance Ensemble, and is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Cassandra Svacha

Cassandra Svacha

Director

A graduate of Oakland University in Musical Theatre. Past shows include Nunsense, Cabaret, Romeo and Juliet, Lucky Stiff, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Rumors. Currently, she performs at shows all over the country as one of General Motor’s Spokesmodels. Odd job, right? In her free time she enjoys running, not stretching, sour patch kids, and trying to kick her donut habit.

Jim Fyfe

Jim Fyfe

Director

Jim Fyfe was Consulting Producer on the Bravo series, Andy Cohen’s Then and Now, and was Segment Producer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, producing appearances by Presidential candidates, film and pop stars, leading directors and bestselling authors. A 25-year veteran of television, film and Broadway as a writer, performer, producer and director, Jim has also taught on-camera technique, acting and improvisation for HHYT. He has also coached speakers for TED and Ted-x events, including author Susan Cain, whose TED talk has drawn over 15 million views. He has written for Biography, Exhale with Candice Bergen and Night After Night on Comedy Central. For HHYT, he has directed Guys & Dolls; The Music Man; Fiddler on the Roof; Annie; Oklahoma!; Beauty and the Beast, and the world premiere of Threads: The Emperor’s New Clothes Musical, for which he also wrote the book.

Rebecca Cadiz

Rebecca Cadiz

Stand-up Coach

Rebecca Cadiz is a stand up comedian native of Rockland now living in Orange. She has performed at Levity Live, Rhino, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Broadway Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, and many other venues throughout the Hudson Valley, NJ and NYC.

Bob Goodman

Bob Goodman

Acting Coach

Bob Goodman is a New York-based educator, performing artist, director and filmmaker with over 40 years of experience in all disciplines and media. Bob is founder and Artistic Director of The Actors Ensemble (http://www.theactorsensemble.com), member of SAG-AFTRA (since 1979), adjunct at Lafayette College and has taught at The Stella Adler Studio, The New School and Southern Connecticut University. As a private acting and performance coach, Bob continues to share his expertise in college and regional theater productions (and short films) he has written, produced and directed.

Allison Talis

Allison Talis

Director

Allison was named one of 2015 United States Presidential Scholar's, most influential teachers by the United States Secretary Department of Education. With over 25 years of experience in theatre, Allison served as the Department Head of Movement, Dance and Devising, where she also taught movement at the Professional Performing Arts School of New York City (PPAS). She has taught intensive Meisner-technique acting courses for both The School of Cinema and Performing Arts and The National Theatre for the Handicapped and was a Teaching Artist with Urban Arts Partnership for 8 years. Allison is a Theater Director and received mentorship, as an Assistant Director at the Steppenwolf Theatre for several years. She was an on-going Resident Director with New York University’s First Look Theatre Company, a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors' Lab and a 2004 SSDC Traube Fellowship nominee. As a trauma specialist Allison consulted with award winning New York City Children's Theatre to oversee a pilot literacy and performing arts program, selected by the DOE and Mayors office to serve 18 family shelters across New York City. In her role as National Healing & Wellness Consultant & Practitioner for the Joyful Heart Foundation, Allison co-developed and lead programs, classes, workshops and retreats for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and the healers working on the frontlines of trauma, addressing vicarious trauma. She was also a consultant with A Thousand Joys, serving organizations working in residential Domestic Violence Shelters and Prototypes- A Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Prison for Incarcerated Women with children.

Taryn Tonelli

Taryn Tonelli

Director

Taryn is a performer, director, teacher, creative artist, and Helen Hayes Youth Theatre Alum! She went to Elon University, where she graduated cum laude with a B.F.A. in Music Theatre. Post college, she’s worked as an actress regionally - some favorite credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain. She has performed around the world in incredible cities like Capetown, Singapore, Sydney, and Dubai on the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner as lead production singer. From 2019 - 2021, Taryn served as the resident theatre director at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, NJ. In the fall, she will join the faculty at her Alma Mater, Immaculate Heart Academy, as teacher and director of the Performing Arts. Based in Manhattan, her favorite adventure to date is the launch and growth of her company, Hello Creatives.

Sam Sulton

Sam Sulton

Music Director

Sam is excited to be making his HHYT debut as music director for Runaways! Sam is a music director, composer, and actor with credits all over the continental U.S. Credits as an actor include Bank Manager/Cellist in the Public Theater San Antonio’s production of Once. Other favorite credits include Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Buddy Holly Story (Jerry/Drums), WPPAC’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Congregation), and TTOU’s Sweeney Todd (Pirelli). As a music director, Sam has worked with a myriad of NYC metro area theatres and schools including Little Radical Theatrics (Runaways), Yorktown High School (Children of Eden), and Vanguard Theatre Company (Spring Awakening). Additionally, Sam served as Copyist/Music Assistant for Double Standards at The Town Hall, featuring Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Rosie O’Donnell.

Will Rich

Will Rich

Music Director

Will is thrilled to be back at HHYT Summer Stock for a third season as music director for the Junior Company, and his seventh(!) summer at HHYT overall. A graduate of the music education program at the Eastman School of Music, Will has played and music directed for numerous youth and community theaters throughout the area, including New Generation Theatre and Spotlight Productions. This past spring, he conducted the pit for Clarkstown South High School’s production of Grease. He teaches piano and voice lessons in New City, in addition to performing and accompanying locally. He will be applying to grad schools this fall for a degree in collaborative piano.

Michael Mastroianni

Michael Mastroianni

Music Director

Michael Mastroianni is a music director, orchestrator, musician & conductor, and thrilled to be a member of the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre family. Michael has been playing piano since the age of 4, and has been involved with over 150 productions of musicals. Locally, he has worked with the Sandbox Theatre, White Plains Performing Arts, Artistree, Lighthouse, & Yorktown Stage, as well as dozens of public and private schools in Westchester. Michael's professional credits include off-Broadway shows, regional premieres, revues and cabarets, and most recently, music directing the national tour of Finding Neverland. Other favorite credits include Born For This (Cutler Majestic), Burn All Night (A.R.T.), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Emelin), Beauty and the Beast (WPPAC), and West Side Story (Seacoast Rep).

Michael has also appeared on a number of records from up-and-coming artists as musician & orchestrator, and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Aside from music, Michael's passions include sushi, napping & interior decorating.

Mastromjm.com

Elliot Roman

Elliot Roman

Music Director

Elliot Roman is a multifaceted composer, pianist, flutist, and conductor. His compositions have won prizes around the world, most recently the 2021 BMI Student Composer Award, and he has received commissions from ensembles such as the American String Quartet. Elliot played in the New York Youth Symphony on both flute and piano, performing at Carnegie Hall, on CNN, and on tour in Spain. He has premiered works by contemporary composers in programs such as the Carnegie Hall 2019 "Migrations" Festival. Elliot is a current graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music, where he also received his undergraduate degree and was a recipient of the Jay Rubinton Scholarship. Elliot started music directing at HHYT in 2021 after having performed in their shows as a youth.

www.elliotromanmusic.com

Jihwan Kim

Jihwan Kim

Music Director/Pianist

Jihwan Kim is an NYC based composer. With lyricist Adam Gwon, he has written music for The Secret Silk, to be premiered on Princess Cruises in 2018. With lyricist/bookwriter Sean Hartley, he wrote Cupid and Psyche which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Best Lyrics, and was produced Off Broadway at the John Houseman Theatre. With lyricist/bookwriter Eddie Sugarman, he wrote The Nutcracker Sings and Cinderella After the Ball, which premiered at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. He was the orchestrator of The Moon and the Sun, which won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Other works: One World Symphony, Ureuk Symphony Orchestra, Les Deux Timides film score live-to-picture at the Tribeca Film Festival. Education: B.A. at Harvard University, M.A. in Film Scoring at NYU, and a J.D. at Rutgers Law School.

Richard F. Grasso

Richard F. Grasso

Director

Richard F. Grasso is a regional director, music director and producer based in NY. OFF-BROADWAY: THE MEMORY SHOW (Asst. Director),Transport Group Theatre Co. REGIONAL: SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Director), Limelight Theatre Company. Asst. Director to Baayork Lee (A CHORUS LINE), Charles Repole (ANNIE), Jack Allison (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) and Barry Ivan (SUNSET BOULEVARD), Pittsburgh CLO and THE LITTLE MERMAID (Music Director), The Palace Theatre in the Dells. Recent NYC Director Credits include: HAPPILY: THE MUSICAL (NYTF) and WHO ARE YOU? A MUSICAL (MITF, World Premiere), Fran Drescher’s Cabaret Cruise, and REWORKED: The Music of The Sherman Brothers at Feinstein's/54 Below. Richard holds a BFA in Theatre Directing from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Two Worlds Entertainment.

For more information, please visit richardfgrasso.com and twoworldsentertainmentllc.com

Ben Tostado

Ben Tostado

Director/Choreographer

Ben Tostado has had a career performing on stage in Los Angeles and New York with credits including the Off-Broadway revival of Seussical (original cast recording), various projects with Moises Kaufman of Tectonic Theater Company, and several off-off Broadway and regional productions. Other directing and/or choreography credits include: The Tiny Mustache, Vashti!, The Wizard of Oz, The Comedy of Errors, Fame, Our Town, Guys and Dolls, Legally Blonde, Sunshine, Bugsy Malone, Sleepy Hollow, Into the Woods, Once On This Island, Pippin, Annie, Godspell, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Aladdin, Company, Diary of a Madman, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Odyssey, and Bally's New Year's Eve in Atlantic City. In addition, Mr. Tostado has co-authored several musicals for young audiences including The Great Pie Robbery... or, We Really Knead the Dough, The Tale of Pinocchio in Playland, Stinky Sneakers, and The Little Lemonade Girl, a musical based on the small, but mighty hero, Alexandra Scott. He has been a teaching artist in the tri-state area for TADA Youth Theatre, The Gallery Players, Lucy Moses School of Music, and various schools for over 20 years. He was on staff teaching Drama at Rodeph Sholom School and Trevor Day School, both in Manhattan. Mr. Tostado is the Founder and Artistic Director of Playlight Theatre Company. He moved from NYC to Upper Nyack in 2019 and lives with his partner and their little dog.

www.bentostado.com