DANIEL QUADRINO is currently playing the role of Boq in Wicked on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: the Tony nominated revival of the Who’s Tommy, Newsies, and Bye Bye Birdie. Last Fall he was seen playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys at Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey. Other credits include the 1st National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the National Tour of Waitress: The Musical, Fowl Play, New York City Centers production of Urinetown & Fully Committed. Daniel had the pleasure of developing “Iggy Ada and Rosie” back in 2017 with TheaterWorksUSA. Follow along on IG/TikTok @dannyquadrino. The first production I saw that made me want to pursue the arts was hands down Britney Spears’ OOPS tour…I was in elementary school and instantly wanted to become a singer.

JOSH BRECKENRIDGE Josh’s first show he ever saw was Annie at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in southern California where he grew up! Josh was 13! Broadway: Swept Away, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Come From Away, The Scottsboro Boys, The Ritz. Off-Broadway: Urinetown, The Scottsboro Boys, Saved. Nat’l Tour: Into the Woods, The Book of Mormon. Reg’l: Buck’s County, Old Globe, Ogunquit, Goodspeed, Arena, Huntington, KC Rep, Guthrie, N.C.T, Cape, La Jolla, 5th Ave. Film: “Finding Me: Truth.” TV: “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+), “FBI Most Wanted” (CBS), “American Rust” (Showtime), “Blue Bloods” (CBS), “The Blacklist” (NBC), “FBI” (CBS). BFA: CCM. Debut album: Monotony. @j.breckenridge.music  

ALYSE ALAN LOUIS Recently: TEETH at New World Stages and Playwrights Horizons (Lucille Lortel/Outer Critics Circle/Dorian Award Nominations) Broadway: Amélie, Disaster, Mamma Mia; Off Broadway: Soft Power (Drama Desk Award Nomination/The Public Theater); TheatreworksUSA’s The Civil War (The Lucille Lortel); White Girl In Danger (Second Stage); A New Brain (Encores Off Center); The Civilians’ Pretty Filthy (Abrons); Regional: Hartford Stage, Pioneer Theatre Company, The Denver Center, Barrington Stage Company, Center Theatre Group, The Curran, Bucks County Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Olney Theatre Center, Pittsburgh City Theatre, Revision Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Prince Music Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre; TV: English Teacher (Season 2); Original Cast Recordings: TEETH, Soft Power (Grammy Nomination), White Girl In Danger, Pretty Filthy, Amélie, Encores’ A New Brain, The Michael Friedman Collection’s The Abominables; I watched my first shows at Upper Darby Summer Stage in PA (founded by the incredible Harry Dietzler in 1976). I would become a Summer Stager myself years later and get to experience the same magic I felt as an audience member onstage. My time there inspired me to build a life telling stories. This year Summer Stage celebrates its 50th Anniversary of giving families access to and empowering young people through the Arts. For more info or to make a donation solidifying 50 more years of magic follow @udsummerstage 

CHRIS MCCARRELL Broadway: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical OBC (Percy), Les Misérables 2014 OBC (Marius). Television: Peter Pan Live! (NBC), The OA (Netflix), The Blacklist (CBS). Regional: Roger in Rent (Cape Playhouse), Originated Peter in Prelude to a Kiss, a Musical(Milwaukee Rep/South Coast Rep), Anatole in Great Comet of 1812 (Great Lakes Theater), Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor… (La Mirada), Anthony in Sweeney Todd(Kansas City Rep), Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables (The REV), Bubble Boy in Bubble Boy (American Theater Group), Hermie in Summer of ’42 (Bucks County), Gabe in Next to Normal(Beck Center). The first professional production he ever saw was Beauty and the Beast in Toronto, and he could NOT fathom how the candlestick guy had real flames coming out his hands. He has been in awe of theatre ever since.

TREJAH BOSTIC 26 y/o 27 as of tmrw. TWUSA was my first chance at theater in NYC. The first live play/musical show I truly experienced, was a production I was a part of. My first broadway play was Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress in 2021. I’ve seen many more since then! I’m grateful to be here to give back to the folks who gave me so much.

REN CEMENTINA (they/them) is very excited to be joining the TheaterWorksUSA team! An NYC-based nonbinary singer, actor, photographer, nanny, and dungeon master; Ren wears many hats. Favorite credits include Telly in Godspell (Millbrook Playhouse), Mark in Rent (Millbrook Playhouse), and Melchior in Spring Awakening (Off-Broadway). Sending love back home to their friends and family, especially their loving partner Veronica and cat Suki. Follow them on Instagram (@the.ren.aissance) to keep up with their journey during and after the show!

CARLY CENSI is a New York based performer with a strong passion for making the arts accessible to the younger generation. She returned home a few weeks ago after playing “Fern” on the TheaterWorksUSA tour of Charlotte’s Web. Recent credits include Windywoo and her Naughty Naughty Pets (“Windywoo”, Legacy Theatre, Arts in Education Series) and Winter Wonderettes (“Suzy”, Timber Lake Playhouse). Her first memorable theatrical experience was seeing The Lion King on Broadway at 8 years old! She is grateful for the opportunity to help more children experience theatre magic. Follow her journey through Instagram: @carlycensi or her website www.carlycensi.com 

LUKE CIMORELLI is a performer, educator and producer, and he is super excited to be helping raise money for such an incredible cause! This year, Luke made his national tour debut with TheaterWorksUSA in Pete The Cat as Dad & Others, performing for children and families all across America! He holds a B.F.A from Molloy University/CAP21. Other credits include The Selkie Bride (Ronan, Killian u/s), Sweet Charity (Ensemble), Carrie (Tommy), and As You Like It (Ensemble, Andy u/s). Luke will make his producing debut this September with Recycled at The Green Room 42. Luke is also a teaching artist for Camp Broadway and loves being able to inspire and mentor the next generation of theatre artists! He would like to thank Dad, Mom, Jack, Grandma, Stevie, Collin, and all of the other amazing people who helped him get to where he is today! Instagram: @luke.cimorelli Website: Lukecimorelli.com The first show Luke ever saw was The Lion King on Broadway when he was 8 years old!

CJ DIORIO (he/him) Just came back to NYC after touring as Templeton in TWUSA’s Charlotte’s Web. New York: Aida (MET Opera), A Queen’s Ball: Bridgerton (ShondaLand/Netflix). Regional: The Wizard of Oz (Argyle Theatre), The Normal Heart (Salem Theatre Company), A Funny Thing… (Hangar Theatre). Many thanks to my family and the teachers who got me here. Special thanks to my sister’s starring performance as Guard #5 in her middle school’s production of Aladdin for getting me hooked on theatre. cj_diorio instagram  www.cjdiorio.com 

GABBY FRANCO FERRO (she/they) is a proud queer, Afro-Puerto Rican and Italian actor with AuDHD! Gabby fell in love with theater through watching Disney and other musical movies and participating in school plays! In second grade, she saw her first musical on stage, Annie, on a school field trip, and got to see their first Broadway show after winning the lottery for Hairspray in 3rd grade! Sitting at the front of a theater of that magnitude and watching the performers give it they're all solidified everything she had previously thought, “This is where I want life to take me.” And that was that. Tonight will be Gabby’s 8th time performing Annie on stage in some capacity. Some favorite previous credits include: Teacher and others in Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical, Bus Engine/ Duckling and others in Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! (TWUSA National Tours), Harriet Hemings in First Ladies and The Big White Lie (Industry Reading at Open Jar), Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Emit Theatre), and Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Barrington Stage). Gabby is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Gabby would love to thank the TWUSA team for the life changing opportunities she’s had thanks to them. They would also love to thank her Mom, best friends, and girlfriend, Kileen, for their endless love and support! This performance is dedicated to her late Nana and father, with love always. IG @GabbyFrancoFerro 

CHRISTY FISCHER is honored to be collaborating with the folks at TheaterWorksUSA yet again and for such an important cause. The first live theatrical production Christy saw was a local high school production of Grease at age 11. Her mom used Sandy’s transformation as  a lesson in what not to do, and emphasized to Christy that she always be her authentic self. Notable credits: Veronica in Moxie Arts NY’s developmental production of Under the Sheet at the IRT Theater, Lila Greer in Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends (TWUSA 2nd national tour), Nina in In The Heights (Little Theatre of Alexandria, WATCH award nominated), and Miracles (Busch Gardens). Education: BA Musical Theatre, James Madison University. Instagram: @queenchist. www.christyfischer.com.

SAVANNAH FISHER A spark was ignited for 10 year old Savannah when her 5th-grade music teacher played Seussical the Musical—the show her class would audition for and the first musical she’d ever experience. Though she had always loved to sing and dance, she hadn’t yet discovered the magic of live theatre. Being one of the only Black girls in her class, she saw herself in the Sour Kangaroo, played by one of the very few Black women on stage. She thought, “I can do that too?!” She did and never looked back. That moment set her on a lifelong journey as a performer, with music and storytelling at its heart. Off-Broadway: Madison Square Garden; Annie (Star-To-Be). National/International Tours: Annie (Star-To-Be), Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Singer), Dog Man: The Musical! (Flippy). Regional: Theatre Aspen; Godspell, Ragtime. BCSO; Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown). Other favorites: Sister Act (Deloris), The Wiz (Glinda). Special thanks to my loving family, friends, D’Marreon and TPG agency.

JEREMY FUENTES Jeremy is very excited to be back at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, where his TheaterWorksUSA journey first began. He attended the Molloy University CAP21 program and has been in many-a regional show since. His first off-broadway credit was BARBA: A Brazilian Body Percussion Musical and was honored to be a part of the OG cast of TheaterWorkUSA’s Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical. Jeremy has since then joined the Cat Kid tour that has just recently wrapped up and is now living back in the city doing his thang. FUN FACT: The first Broadway production he has ever seen was at 16 years old and it was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and oh boy, those squirrels left an impression. He wants to give a special thanks to TheaterWorksUSA for having him be here and to his parents for their love and support.

TROI LENNOXX GAINES Brought up in Newark, New Jersey, Troi gained a love for theater and both the dedication and appreciation it required to flourish very early on. When he was 11, he joined Kinky Boots' first national tour and quickly realized that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Now, he gets to do it again- new family, new places, new material- and he's just thrilled! Troi thanks his mother, Janine Gaines, his father, Lawrence Gaines, and Janeece Freeman Clark, his mentor.

JIMMY HENDERSON Jimmy joined the TWUSA family in 2022 when he played Ralphie in The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System! He would then go on to spend two years as part of the inaugural touring cast of Cat Kid Comic Club the Musical–with roles including but not limited to–a baby frog, a toothbrush lawyer, a shirtless superhero with a spider’s butt, and a carnival barker. Additional credits include The Addams Family, She Loves Me, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pippin, Ordinary Days, The Secret Garden, and Freaky Friday. The first musical Jimmy ever saw was a high school production of Les Miserables when he was 7 years old, which ended with him weeping inconsolably. He eventually decided that he was not, in fact, destined to be a soccer player. He began participating in high school productions when he was 8. The rest is history. 

DANIEL JIMÉNEZ PAGÁN is thrilled to be performing in TheaterWorksUSA’s Cause for Applause NYC: Benefit Concert! Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Daniel earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. Some of his recent credits include: Pete the Cat (Pete the Cat), The Pout-Pout Fish (Bully Bully Shark), In the Heights (Ensemble), Singin’ in the Rain (Ensemble/Simpson u/s), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Linus), Carrie (Reverend Bliss/Ensemble), Red (Mark Rothko), Hairspray (Link Larkin), and Our Lady of 121st Street (Edwin Velazquez). Even though he grew up doing children’s theater in Puerto Rico, Daniel didn't see his first full production until he was 15, and saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. This ultimately shaped his decision to study theater in NYC and pursue his dreams. Daniel would like to thank his family, friends, and his incredible girlfriend Alissa for their endless love and support! (danieljimenezpagan.com) (@daniel.jim.pag) 

SADIE JAYNE KENNEDY is SO honored to be a part of such a magical night like this! Recent credits include: Picnic at Hanging Rock (Lincoln Center). National Tours: Dog Man: The Musical (Lil’ Petey), Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Junie B. Jones). Off Broadway: Simon and His Shoes (Izzy). Sadie is a graduate of The Institute for American Musical Theatre. The first show Sadie ever saw was a traveling production of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day when she was 5 years old; she's been in love with performing EVER since. All my love to my family, IAMT, and of course TWUSA. The arts should be accessible for everyone!! sadiejaynekennedy.com

KELSEY KLINE (she/her) feels beyond privileged to be collaborating with so many incredible artists on this concert with TheaterWorksUSA! Moving from Orlando just two months ago and a proud graduate of Rollins College, Kelsey saw her first musical “Pippi Longstockings” with her mom at Orlando Family Stage and immediately said “I want to be where they are!” And wouldn’t you know it, that was the exact same stage she opened her first Natl’ Tour with TheaterWorksUSA 15 years later as their sit down with Orlando Family Stage. Talk about full circle! Kelsey was most recently seen as Rosie Revere on their National Tour of Ada Twist Scientist and Friends. Other recent Natl’ Tour credits include Violet / Swing in A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! (Gershwin Entertainment), Janet The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System (TheaterWorksUSA). Regional and Theme Park Credits include: Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Family Stage, Winter Park Playhouse, Universal Orlando, Epcot Festival of the Arts & Legoland Florida. When not performing you can find Kelsey teaching the next generation of artists as the Programming and Performance Coordinator with Mainstages, reading poetry or fantasy books, or embroidering on her fire escape. Who knows! You might even catch her spreading some more “Charlie Brown” spirit this Holiday Season around the country. She would like to thank her parents for their unwavering support of her, and all her friends for always lighting up her life, especially Alyssa, who she will be fighting away tears singing with tonight.

KARIS KNIERIM (she/her) is so grateful to be making her off-Broadway debut with this incredible cast and company! When she was in 1st grade, she saw her first ever show, the 3rd grade production of Compose Yourself, starting her trajectory to be the artist and person she is today. She has previously worked with TheatreWorksUSA on Charlotte's Web as Fern and Ada Twist: Scientist and Friends as Lila Greer, who she will continue as this season. She would like to thank her incredible fiancé, David, who she gets to perform alongside tonight, her friends, family, and God for their continued love and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

JULIA WHEELER LENNON is an NYC-based actor and singer. TheaterWorksUSA: Rosie Revere, Engineer and Friends. Recent credits: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Writers Theatre); The Great American Mousical (Legacy Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Ford’s Theatre); The Bridges of Madison County, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd (Signature Theatre); You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Adventure Theatre); The Wolves (Lyric Stage Company of Boston); Yellowfin Grouper, P.I. (Spotify); The Winter’s Tale, Henry VIII, The Taming of the Shrew (Valley Shakespeare Festival). As a little girl, Julia grew up seeing the TYA programming at the Westport Country Playhouse and Downtown Cabaret Theatre, both based in Connecticut. Those two theatres, as well as her grandmother Nonnye who took her to her first Broadway show, are probably responsible for Julia catching the theatre bug!

JANNA LINAE has been a part of the TWUSA family since 2022, touring with Cat Kid Comic Club (Cat Kid/Molly) and Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Junie B. Jones). She has also been lucky enough to work with theaters such as The MUNY, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Great Plains Theatre, and many more. Janna’s first experience seeing a show was at a TYA company in Milwaukee, with their production of Honk!. She was four years old and knew right then that she wanted to do exactly what those farm animals up there were doing. Twenty-four years later, Janna feels so thankful to have been a farm animal too (well, a cat and a tadpole...but you get the point).

AVA MARTINEZ is so excited and honored to be apart of today’s lineup! Ava is originally from Pueblo, Colorado, but now calls NYC home. She is a full time performer with her BFA from NYU Tisch. Her love for performing started at age 2 when she saw the first national tour of The Lion King. Previous credits include: Shimmer Fish & Others in the national tour of The Pout-Pout Fish (TWUSA), Ethyl & Others in the national tour of Pete’s Big Hollywood Adventure (TWUSA), Antigonus/Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale (The Classical Studio/NYU), The Stage Manager in Our Town (Stella Adler/NYU), Mary in the Off-Broadway world premiere of Safe Hands the Musical (SheNYC) amongst many others. @avasusanne

GABRIELLE MEACHAM (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based actor/director originally from Berkeley, CA. Gabi's first theatrical experience came at the age of 6, when she directed and choreographed her siblings in a living room recreation of the "cuckoo" song from The Sound of Music. Gabi gravitates towards stories that balance wacky humor with serious subject matters, and processes that involve movement exploration and ensemble connection. She deeply believes that art is essential to a thriving democracy, and always wants audiences to leave the theater feeling seen, and empowered to live their lives to the fullest extent. Gabi holds a B.A. in Theater and Music with an unofficial emphasis in leadership and directing from Pepperdine University. More info/credits at: www.gabriellemeacham.com Insta: @gabimeach 

MUKTA PHATAK is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist based in NYC. Mukta is a project-seeker and much of her work blossoms from the creative communities she cultivates. Through her work she strives to be a force for justice, learning and wonder. Recent acting: Maya (Prospect Musicals),  Lottie and the Deep Blue Sea (PRISM Festival), The Wrong Box (Pendragon Theatre), Crushed Earth (People’s Light). Recent playwriting: GREASEY (46 Minutes Collective), Made in Pakistan (Ancram Opera House), The Night Diary (Children’s Theatre of Charlotte). She is a proud member of the 2024-2026 WP Theater Lab. Mukta is also one half of the children’s educational music and media company Ms. Olivia & Barry the Bear (find them on YouTube and Spotify), where she works to bring Social Emotional Learning concepts to kids and their parents through music and play. IG: @xmukta Earliest theater memory - 8 years old, performing in How to Eat Like a Child at the Summit Playhouse in New Jersey with a bunch of other kids. I don’t know how my mom knew I’d want to do that, but I remember being amazed at the talent of the other kids in rehearsals, feeling the community in that dressing room, and learning for the first time what it felt like to be on stage.

LAUREN QUIGLEY is an NYC based, Philadelphia born actress. She's so excited to celebrate TWUSA after touring with The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System as Janet! Big thanks to Jillian, Brendan, Andrew, and her MSB cast for making the time so special. The first show she ever saw was Peter Pan at The Walnut Street Theatre when she was 8 years old. Thanks to Grandpop Eddie for taking her, it changed her life! Featured credits: Once (Hackmatack Playhouse), Big Fish (Great Plains Theatre), Here I Fall Up (New Ohio Theatre). Rep: Jim Keith / Movement Talent Agency. IG: @laurenrquigley. Enjoy the show!

KAYLA QUIROZ The first show I ever saw was my sister's middle-school production of Fiddler on the Roof when I was 5 years old. Ever since, I fell in love with theater! Read more for other artistic endeavors! Regional: Real Women Have Curves The Musical- World Premiere (Ana U/S and Swing) American Repertory Theatre; The King’s Wife (Lady Hastings & Dance Captain) Constellation Stage and Screen; The Comedy of Errrors (Luciana) New Swan Shakespeare Festival; Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Thaliard/Lychorida/Bawd) New Swan Shakespeare Festival; Tarzan (Ensemble and Mother U/S) Moonlight Stage; The Story of Biddy Mason (Rita) Fountain Theatre. National Tours: Dot Dot Dot (Marisol) TheaterWorksUSA. Theme Parks: Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season (Mirabel Madrigal) Disneyland Resort. TV/Film: Top Voices (Alejandra Kim, Series Regular) USC School of Cinematic Arts. Education: University of California, Irvine B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with Honors in Acting. 

NIKO RISSI (he/him) is thrilled to be singing in this concert with TheaterWorksUSA! Theatre has been a huge part of his life since he saw 13: The Musical with his family when he was nine years old. Since then, his favorite credits include: Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show (chorus), In the Heights (Benny), SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical (SpongeBob), and of course, The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System (Ralphie) in 2 tours with TheaterWorksUSA. You can also catch him Off-Broadway this August 1st-31st in Alan Turing and the Queen of the Night (Christopher Morcom). Be sure to follow him on instagram for more info! @Niko.rissi

ALISSA ROJAS Some of her previous credits include The Pout-Pout Fish (Ms. Clam/ Octopus), Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School (Lucielle), Hair (Ensemble), Kiss Me Kate (Hattie), and Mary Poppins (Bird Woman)! She wants to say a HUGE thank you to the amazing people she gets to work on this show with, especially her amazing partner, Daniel. Most importantly, she would also like to thank her family and friends for consistently providing all the support and love in the world. Insta: alissarojas

SONIA ROMAN (she/her) is stoked to be returning to the Lucille Lortel stage with TWUSA! Originally from Miami, FL, this first-gen Cuban-American mujercita still can’t believe she’s living in the city of her dreams, getting to create & play alongside the best of ‘em. In the TheaterWorksUSA multi-verse, you might have spotted her in the Off-Broadway production of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical as Cat Kid & Molly (Original Cast Album Coming SUPA Soon!!), or in the workshop/mini-tour casts of Dot, Dot, Dot as Marisol & Waffles and Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! as Duckling & Bus. Before making the New York move, she spent six magical years in Finding Nemo: The Musical at WDW’s Animal Kingdom as Dory/Peach/Dancing Turtle. Other favorite regional credits: Rosie Alvarez in Bye Bye Birdie, Alison in Fun Home, & Fiona in Shrek The Musical. The gratitude she feels for her framily & familia is most palpable. Besos enormes para James. Stay weird & stay you, y’all. Con mucho, mucho amor! @soniarrroman Sonia’s first Broadway experience was in 2006, seeing Spamalot while on her school’s annual 8th grade trip to NYC with her Dance Magnet Program. She was 14 at the time, having just been on her first plane ride, finally experiencing the energy of the city live and in person. Later that year, she would find herself starring in her first community theatre production, Seussical, as Mayzie LaBird

ALYSSA NAKA SILVER (they/she) is a Queer Japanese Jewish actress, singer, mover, and writer.  They are a NYU Tisch Drama graduate where they studied at the Classical Studio, RADA, ETW, and Atlantic.  Currently, Alyssa is Jeanie in STUY OR DIE, and their last sold out show will be at Flushing Town Hall July 26th.  Some other favorite recent credits include Wanda in TWUSA’s Magic School Bus AEA Tour and George/Alyssa in 4/4/4 (Edinburgh Fringe).  Alyssa is passionate about being in and creating art that her younger self sorely needed growing up.  The first show they saw was Nice Work If You Can Get It on Broadway at age 12.  It captured the magic in movie musicals she so enjoyed, and during the course of that show, she decided she wanted to always be a part of the theatre that creates such magic and joy. Alyssa sends so much love to TWUSA always!  IG: @alyssa_silver227 

MARKIA NICOLE SMITH Markia’s passion for the arts is deeply rooted in her desire to connect through truth and empathy. Every project she works on has a special place in her heart and this production is no different! Some recent theatre credits include: Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical (Lucille Lortel), Dog Man: The Musical (New World Stages), School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), and many other regional productions. Her training includes Baltimore School for the Arts, as well as a BFA in Acting from Point Park University. You can follow Markia on Instagram @Markianicolesmith.

JORDAN THREATT is beyond excited to be a part of this wonderful benefit concert with his TheaterWorksUSA Family. Graduating with his B.F.A in Musical Theater from Point Park University in 2024, Jordan moved to NYC to pursue theater the same year of graduating, while also being the first in his family to go to and graduate from college. His first Broadway show was Anastasia when he was 17 years old which was also the year he discovered musical theater and fell in love with the art. Musical theater can inspire so many emotions in both performers and audience members, while also encouraging new ways of thinking and looking at the world! This cause helps bring accessible theater to younger people in the area and Jordan happily joins the cause! Sit back and enjoy what will undoubtedly be a wonderful night filled with love, talent, courage and light! IG: Jordansthreatt

SAVANNAH TROTTER is supa excited to be making her off Broadway debut tonight for a great cause that is near and dear to her heart! She spent the last two years touring with TWUSA in the Nat’l and North American tours of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical as Poppy, Starla, & Others. Before that she made her Nat’l tour debut as Janet in The Magic School Bus: Lost In the Solar System with TWUSA. Originally from Des Moines, IA / Normal, IL, Savannah received her BFA in Musical Theatre from CAP21/Molloy in NYC. The first production she ever saw was a community theatre production of Beauty and the Beast that her Grandma took her to, and she was around 7 years old! Love always to Mom and Dad. IG: @savannah_trotter

DAVID VANDYKE (he/him) is excited to be back with TheatreWorksUSA for his Off-Broadway debut to duet with his beautiful fiancé, Karis. His first show he ever saw was the national tour of The Lion King when he was 3 years old! Theatre for Young Audiences is one of his passions and he’s been honored to share this art across the US and Canada for the last couple years. Past credits include Cat Kid Comic Club, Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure (TWUSA), and RENT (Madison Theatre). Lots of love to Karis, his brother, and parents. He hopes you enjoy the show! 

JAKE WERNECKE (he/him), is an NYC-based actor and singer and a proud graduate of NYU Steinhardt. For the last 2 years, he has traveled and performed as Petey in Dog Man: The Musical with TheaterWorksUSA. Recently, he was seen in Vanguard Theatre Company’s production of Spring Awakening as Hanschen, and at NYU, he played Guido Contini in NINE. He would like to thank his parents for their support, his amazing agents at ATB Talent, and everyone at TheaterWorksUSA for this amazing opportunity. The very first show he ever saw on Broadway was Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark when he was 11.

GLORY YEPASSIS-ZEMBROU is thrilled to be performing alongside fellow TheaterWorksUSA performers in Cause for Applause. She has toured across the country and parts of Canada as Flippy in Dog Man: The Musical for the last 2 years. Having seen a production of Seussical on a first grade field trip she understands just how important theatre for young audiences is. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting along the way and coming out to support such a great cause. All glory be to God! 

NATALIE LILAVOIS YUSTY is so excited to be making her Off-Broadway debut with Cause for Applause! The first Broadway show Natalie saw was Beauty and the Beast at the age of 7. She started performing at her local children’s theater in Miami at the age of 10 and knew that this was what she wanted to do. Being able to bring live theater to children has been one of her biggest rewards and blessings. Past credits include: Lil Petey/Flippy swing in DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL with TheaterWorksUSA, Mimi/Maureen understudy in RENT, and Michelle in the Sister Act ASIA TOUR where she toured South Korea and Japan. She’d love to thank her family, her agents at Avalon, and TheaterWorksUSA for all their support. She also thanks God for this amazing opportunity to share theater with audiences and children around the world. Enjoy the show!

JILLIAN CARUCCI (Director) is a director, educator, and the Associate Artistic Director of TheaterWorksUSA. She has worked Off-Broadway and regionally at theaters including The Hangar Theatre, Atlantic Acting School, McCarter Theatre Center, Keen Company, and Mile Square Theatre. She teaches in the BFA Musical Theatre program at CAP21/Molloy College, serves on the Directors Council of The Drama League and the Artistic Advisory Board at Forestburgh Playhouse, and is a 2017 Drama League Directors Project Fellowship recipient. www.jilliancarucci.com Big thanks to: our alumni—the heartbeat of TWUSA's mission, Andrew, Elodie (our next-gen theater kid?), and dad, the OG supporter of drama club dreams. Jillian’s first role was in her elementary school drama club’s production of Sleepy Hollow, where she made her stage debut—at age eight—opposite a headless horseman. Theatre has been a little less spooky ever since.

FERNANDA DOUGLAS (Music Director) (they/she) is an NYC-based composer and music director from Goleta, California. Fernanda saw their first Broadway show at age 12. It was The Pirate Queen and it was beautiful! As a composer, Fernanda has written eight shows for young audiences (two of which are bilingual, Spanish-English) and five for general audiences. Commissions include: Raquel’s Purple Pineapple Adventures (Creede Repertory Theater, CO), The Fairy Goddaughter (Nashville Children’s Theatre, TN), The Hobbit (First Stage, WI), We All Scream For Ice Cream, Sweet Tooth and Scouts (Brooklyn Children’s Theater, NY). When not writing, Fernanda spends her time teaching voice and piano lessons to some of the top talent in the MT industry with Liz Caplan Vocal Studios. Fernanda is a rehearsal pianist for Moulin Rouge on Broadway, as well as an active member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and an alumnus of Columbia University. Check them out at fernandadouglas.com!