Darby Anthony | Jessica
Where are you from?
I’m from North Carolina which is the birth place of the two best fast food chains, Cookout and Bojangles! Other than the amazing food, NC has a thriving arts community that celebrates the imagination and creativity in all of us! Fun fact: My high school mascot was a Pickle!
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
A dog trainer!
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
Training is a huge part of your growth as an actor, but don’t forget to have fun! Also, it is easy to compare yourself to others, but being yourself will make you a great actor!
The best thing about being an actor is…
Getting to play! It is a unique career full of creativity and expression. Every day I get to act is a fun one!
Fernando Mercado | Travis & Albert
Where are you from?
I was born and mostly raised in Miami, FL. I spent some time in Nicaragua, which is where my family is from.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
Probably be either a baseball player or in computer science. I played baseball growing up and really loved it. I’m also a huge computer nerd and love coding or building PC’s.
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
I would say get involved any way you can. Take a class at your school. Audition for a play at your local theater. Just for go for it and have fun with it! Let us see all the beautiful and amazing things that make you who you are on the stage!
The best thing about being an actor is…
Being able to play these characters that can connect with the audience. I love having the ability to affect people and be a mirror for them to see themselves in the characters I play. To hear something they didn’t know they needed to hear or bringing them joy and wonder in a time where they need it.
Lily Lipman | Ally
Where are you from?
I’m from Long Island and I’ve lived in New York City since 2014. I went to NYU Tisch where I got a BFA in acting and after graduating I continued acting, teaching, and telling stories with many different organizations.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
A teacher or continue doing work in disability advocacy.
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
Being able to play pretend as a grown up!
The best thing about being an actor is…
Listen to your gut. Your health, safety, and wellbeing is more important than any show you will ever be in, so choose to work with people that prioritize that.
Louis Baglio | Mr. Daniels
Where are you from?
I am from South Jersey. I was very lucky to grow up at my favorite place on Earth… the beach!
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
a Principal!
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
I think Grandpa said it best – ‘Many Things are Possible if you Believe in YOURSELF!’ That is a main ingredient to becoming an actor.
The best thing about being an actor is…
working and collaborating with talented folks and, of course, costumes.
Madison B. Harris | Keisha
Where are you from?
I am from Richmond, Virginia.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
a teacher!
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
make sure you really love it, because there is a lot of rejection in this field and you’ll need something to keep you going in those hard times when your not booking. But, it you really love it and don’t see yourself doing anything else, then go for it!
The best thing about being an actor is…
being able to be someone different than yourself.
Sadie Veach | Shay
Where are you from?
I grew up in Lehi, Utah, a town about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City! Because I lived so close to the mountains, we spent a lot of time as a family in the canyon roasting marshmallows, swimming in lakes, and honoring our Mormon Pioneer heritage. Utah is also a place full of arts and culture, with a large focus on theatre! Because almost everyone did theatre at some point, there were tons of opportunities.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
A historian! I love the history of the Victorian Era and the Romantics, and would probably work at the New York Public Library doing research and cataloging!
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
You have everything you need to be an actor already inside of you! Learning to act is just a matter of bringing all those emotions out when you need them. Pay attention to the people around you, and how they act, as well as how you feel every day! And keep on pretending!
The best thing about being an actor is…
The fact that I get to meet so many amazing people, like you! Since I work on a bunch of different projects, I am constantly meeting more people to love.
Meet our Swings!
What’s a swing? A swing is a performer who only goes on if someone in the cast cannot do so.
Alena Henke | Swing
Where are you from?
I’m born and raised in Los Angeles. I moved to NY about a year and half ago.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
A neuroscientist! I think the brain is fascinating and am very interested in understanding how emotions are chemically transmitted.
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
Stay curious and spend lots of time reading. The more you enjoy investigating characters, the more fun and rich the experience will be!
The best thing about being an actor is…
Getting to use your imagination and play with others for hours in a day.
Anderson Khochaiche | Swing
Where are you from?
West Palm Beach County in Florida! Specifically Lake worth.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be…
an Astronaut!
My advice to young people who want to become an actor is…
You can’t truly be another person until you’re truly being yourself.
The best thing about being an actor is…
Being able to play as different people! In this particular show play as 3 different people!
Fish in a Tree
Adapted by Barbara Zinn Krieger from the best-selling novel by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, this new play with music for young audiences, directed by Sammy Lopez and Melissa Jessel, uses live video technology, dance, and music to explore Ally’s journey with dyslexia.
Fish in a Tree celebrates neurodiversity, friendship, and the power of imagination, and explores the harm bullying causes and the life changing potential of a generous teacher.
