Liz Bateson is an anchor and reporter with NBC 10 News. Before coming back home to Rhode Island, she worked as a morning news anchor for WITN in Greenville, North Carolina for five years. She’s received two Associated Press Awards for her reporting and has interviewed notable public figures, including Jenna Bush Hager and Dan + Shay.

Liz’s interest in journalism was fueled by her love for performing. Growing up, Liz performed each summer with Rhode Island Youth Theatre and spent summers assistant directing various productions alongside her sister, Caroline. Her favorite role she’s ever played was Elle Woods in Legally Blonde!

When she’s not working, Liz enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with their fur baby, Nala.

Connor Buonaccorsi (he/him/his) is currently touring the country on the Broadway National Tour of Hairspray as the Swing and understudying the Male Authority Figure and Edna! Connor is a recent graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where he received a BFA in Musical Theater with an emphasis in Advanced Musical Theater Dance. As an actor, singer, and dancer, he has had an opportunity to work at many regional theaters across New England. Connor’s favorite roles include Howie (Speech and Debate), Mark (A Chorus Line), Angel (Kinky Boots), Pinocchio (Shrek the Musical), Ensemble/Dance Captain (American Idiot), Salieri’s Cook/Ensemble (Amadeus), and Ancestor (Addams Family).

Christ Chiello is stand up comedian and comedy educator based in New York. Christi is an accomplished voice over artist currently featured in PBC’s Pinkalicious and Peterrific.. Christi is co-founder of The LaughtHER Collective, an educational organization dedicated to amplifying women and diversity. She’s also proud to work with Stand Up! Girls, an after-school program that teaches stand up comedy to teenaged girls in underserved communities. Currently, Christi is opening for Nicole Byer on her national theatre tour.

Jon Cooper is a multidisciplinary artist living in New York. Theatre credits include Delaware Theatre Co, Theatre Aspen, Trinity Rep, Virginia Rep, Ogunquit Playhouse, Goodspeed Operahouse, among others. As a choreographer Jon has created original work for Lionsgate Films, Classic Stage Company, and Columbia University.

Brooke Fennell is the valued assistant to an acclaimed Director and Producer in Los Angeles, California. She notably contributed to their most recent feature, Renfield, produced in collaboration with Universal Pictures. In her Hollywood journey, Brooke has held roles such as Script Coordinator for Netflix’s The Recruit and served as a Production Assistant on ABC’s The Rookie.

Brooke's connection to the world of entertainment runs deeper than her professional achievements. Her passion for storytelling and performance ignited at the age of 6 when she became a cherished member of The Rhode Island Youth Theater family. Her favorite roles include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables. This deep-rooted involvement eventually led Brooke to take on the roles of Director and Choreographer where she brought her creative vision to the stage.

Today, she continues to embody the spirit of creativity and dedication instilled in her by her early experiences, playing an integral role in shaping captivating narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Kate Fitzgerald (she/her) began her time with Rhode Island Youth Theatre at age 7 in the “Lullaby League” of The Wizard of Oz, and ended it playing Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes as a high schooler. Those shows (and many more in between!) along with the supportive artistic community she found in RIYT gave her the confidence and skills to pursue theatre in college. Kate is a recent graduate of Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a specialization in Playwriting/Dramaturgy (Class of ‘23). She has worked as an actor at various regional theatres including North Shore Music Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, The Gamm Theatre, and the Lyric Stage Company of Boston. Her favorite recent credits include: Cunegonde in Candide at Boston Conservatory, and Abigail Williams in The Crucible at Bay Street Theatre. Her favorite RIYT roles: Fantine in Les Misérables and Annie in Annie.

Thomas Fitzgerald is an actor and filmmaker who got his start performing and storytelling with Rhode Island Youth Theatre at the age of 5, when he played Sergeant Tibbs in 101 Dalmatians! Currently a sophomore Film and Television Production BFA in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, Thomas’s short films have received nominations at the All-American High School Film Festival and the Indie Short Fest at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. On the other side of the camera, Thomas recently played the role of John Pritchett in Hocus Pocus 2. Thomas is a National YoungArts Foundation Award winner for theater and has performed locally with Trinity Repertory Company, North Shore Music Theater, and the Providence Singers. Much credit for his love of performing belongs to the encouraging mentors and lifelong friends he made at Rhode Island Youth Theater. Thomas’s favorite RIYT roles include The Cat In the Hat in Seussical and Lumière in Beauty and the Beast.

Liz Gotauco is a librarian, performer, and content creator from Rhode Island. As a former RIYT member and employee, she wore many hats, including performer, music director, costumer, and program director. Nowadays she runs the Children's Room at the Cumberland Public Library, but she is best known online as "Cosbrarian," where she retells favorite fairy tales and folklore for an adult audience of over half a million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Liz is also an award-winning cosplayer, earning the title of "Most Humorous" cosplay for San Diego Comic-Con's 2020 Virtual Masquerade. She entertained folks at home during the early pandemic with her "Quarantine Cosplays," recreating popular characters with items found around her apartment. Liz is also an accomplished vocalist, and can be seen fronting the local cover band Red-Handed. You can learn more about Liz's post-RIYT career at cosbrarian.com. "Most Humorous Cosplay" link: https://comicconathome.tumblr.com/post/624647596093358080/2020-masquerade-costume-competition-winners "Quarantine Cosplays" link https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/dressing-up-disney-without-leaving-your-house/

Jason Harrington is an award-winning theater artist based in Chicago. He served as Education Outreach Manager for over a decade at Chicago Shakespeare Theater where he managed theater and literacy programs for over 40,000 students annually. He co-created the Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, a high-school Shakespeare scene competition focused on building community across Chicagoland neighborhoods. He also managed the theater's Access programs for patrons with disabilities, initiating open captioning and touch tours. Jason remains the theater's resident audio describer, providing a verbal narration of a production's visuals for patrons who are blind or have low vision.

Jason has been a board member of Up and Coming Theater since 2012 where he produces, directs, and teaches classes in the performing arts. Jason was also a founding board member of the Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium, an organization devoted to empowering Chicago's cultural institutions to be more accessible to people with disabilities.

He's a freelance director and audio describer for theaters across the region, including Goodman, Black Ensemble, Drury Lane, BrightSide, Lookingglass, and Steep, and he leads workshops in improv and ensemble building to adults through various schools, senior centers, and park districts.

He holds a BFA from the University of Rhode Island and is a proud Fantasy Works/RIYT alum (1989-2001) where he got his start in performance, directing, stage management, script writing, and teaching.

Melie Hayes: is a proud RIYT alumni, who is launching a professional career in theater education and technical theater. Melie graduated from The University of Rhode Island in 2023 with a dual degree in Human Development and Family Science and Theatre Design and Technology, and has worked with companies like Trinity Rep (Education and Accessibility Intern), Weston Theatre Company (Production Assistant, Paints and Props assistant), Brown University (Stage Manager), TEDxURI (Assistant Stage Manager), Wilbury Theatre Group (Assistant Stage Manager) College Light Opera Company (Head Scenic Artist), and is looking forward to building a full career within theater education! Additionally, Melie is passionate about access within theater and conducted a research study her senior year about the usage of warning lights as a form of sensory friendly performance. Melie attributes a lot of her success within theater to the support and experience she received at a young age from RIYT and Ann, and feels inspired by the way that RIYT changed her life to provide opportunities to other young people within the theater to try and make a similar impact.

Emily Kaczmarek is a writer for TV, theatre, and film. Her work includes the plays Sam & Lizzie and Soft Target, the stage musicals Afterwords and Afloat (with composer/lyricist Zoe Sarnak), and TV shows like Monsterland and The Staircase. She recently sold an original TV series to Peacock and has multiple TV and film projects in development. Emily is a 2022 Writers Guild Award nominee, as well as a 2018 Jonathan Larson Award winner for her work as a musical theatre bookwriter. She is represented by WME and Curate Management and lives in Los Angeles, and whenever possible, she sings.

Kim Kalunian is an anchor and reporter with WPRI 12. She joined the 12 News team in 2015. Before arriving at WPRI, Kim worked as the drive-time news anchor on News Talk 630 & 99.7 FM WPRO alongside Buddy Cianci. She also served as a staff reporter with her hometown newspaper the Warwick Beacon, as well as the Cranston Herald and Johnston Sun Rise newspapers. She was an on-air intern at The Public's Radio (previously Rhode Island Public Radio). Before her time in journalism, Kim was a professional stage actress and proud member of the Actors Equity Association. Her work in the theater took her up and down the east coast. When she’s not working, Kim loves to cook and bake, sit by the sea with her husband, and laugh with her beautiful daughter.

Based in Los Angeles for almost 15 years, Eric Kalver is currently the Director of Music for the popular YouTube kids channels CoComelon and Little Angel. He oversees the creative strategy and production of hundreds of songs that are heard all around the world. Eric is an award winning Music Supervisor for the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, as well as overseeing the music for the Call of Duty and Guitar Hero series. He is also an accomplished drummer, composer, and arranger.

Amy was most recently seen on Broadway as Belinda in the original cast of “Once Upon a One More Time”. Off Broadway: “The Marvelous Wonderettes”, “Newsical”. National Tours: “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, “Hairspray”. Favorite credits include the world premiere of “Once Upon a One More Time” (DC),“First Wives Club” (Chicago), “Kinky Boots” (Bucks County Playhouse), “Footloose” (PCLO), “Fiddler” (LA), “Hairspray” (Hollywood Bowl), and “Seussical” (Milwaukee). She was featured as Tracy in RCCL’s “Hairspray” montage on the “66th Annual Tony Awards” & recently served as choreographer for Taco Bell’s “Mexican Pizza the Musical” starring Dolly Parton and Barlow & Bear on TikTok. Amy can also regularly be found impersonating diva songstresses with The Skivvies in NYC.

Bryn Elizabeth Martin - Bryn is an East Coast Based performer. Most recently seen as Liesl Von Trapp at the Ivoryton Playhouse. Bryn has appeared in several professional & regional productions around New England. She studied acting with Joan Rosenfels in New York City, and voice with Jackie Burns in the city as well. Favorite professional credits include Liesl Von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Beth March (Little Women the Musical), Cecily Cardew (The Importance of Being Earnest), and Margot Frank (The Diary of Anne Frank). Bryn was also featured in the 2020 Netflix Film “Hubie Halloween” starring Adam Sandler. In addition to her experience acting, singing, and dancing, she is also a published model. Bryn will be playing Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family this fall.

TYLER M. PERRY is an award-winning scenic, lighting, and projection designer for theatre, television, and live events. Based in New York City, he has designed regionally at theatres across the country including Florida Repertory Theatre, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Kitchen Theatre Company, Northern Stage, and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. For television, his work has been seen on Amazon Sports Network, BravoTV, Peacock, ABC, NBC Sports, Fox Sports 1, and many other networks. Tyler is the Assistant Lighting Designer for 2017 Broadway revival of Miss Saigon, and national tours of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. Tyler is also a passionate arts educator, having taught design at Ithaca College, Queensborough Community College, and currently as the Technical Theater Director at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. BFA: Ithaca College, MFA: University of Idaho. tylermperrydesign.com

Christine O’Grady recently joined the Graduate Directing Faculty at Penn State as an Assistant Professor of Theatre (Directing) after 20 years in the field as a NYC-based Director|Choreographer. Her Off-Broadway work includes tick, tick…BOOM!, The Hello Girls, The Underclassman, John and Jen, and Iron Curtain. On Broadway she assisted Diane Paulus and Karole Armitage on the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of HAIR, then remounted and maintained its National Tours. Regional work includes Barrington Stage Company, TheaterWorks Hartford, Mark Taper Forum, and the Totem Pole, Weathervane, and New London Barn Playhouses, as well as award-winning revivals at The Astoria Performing Arts Center and The Gallery Players. Honors include: SDC Observership with Jerry Mitchell on Legally Blonde, SDCF’s Charles Abbott Directing Fellowship (with Joseph Haj at The Guthrie); The Moss Hart Award (The Outcast of Sherwood Forest, RIYT); and a NYIT Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Drowsy Chaperone (Gallery Players). Her tour of Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure is about to embark on its second year with TWUSA. BS in Communications (Boston University). MFA in Theatre (Arizona State University). She is a trained Intimacy Director (IDC and TIE) and completed Nicole Brewer’s Conscientious Theatre Training. Member SDC and MTEA’s New Works Committee. www.ChristineOGrady.com

Esme Sammons attended The Boston Conservatory in Musical Theatre, then later transferred to Emerson College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Education. Later, she attended Lesley University and earned a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum Integration and Development. She has also done extensive post graduate work in science and literature.

She has been a classroom teacher at Sharon Middle School since 2004, teaching classes that focus on Shakespeare, filmmaking, Drama, and technical science. She has written over 20 original plays that are performed by the SMS Griffin Players, an extra-curricular theatre group. Her play The Scrying Glass won the Aurand Harris Memorial Playwrighting Award in 2009.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Sammons is a published poet and has had science lesson plans featured in the American Museum of Natural History’s teacher archive. She also still enjoys performing in local theatre. She lives in MA with her husband, Jon Searles (another RIYT alum), and her daughter, Eleanor.

Sara Seelenbrandt began her fashion career at Etro, an Italian fashion house, as an intern and had the privilege to grow within the company to woman’s wholesale director for North America. Her 10 years with the company offered her the space to develop and fine tune business practices that were instrumental in growing sales, expanding visibility and strengthening brand image and integrity. Working in luxury fashion was a commitment to craftsmanship and detail. Garments are made of exquisite fabrics, prints are meticulously placed to accentuate the body, and color schemes are offered in breathtaking combinations. Now she is looking at nature through this exact lens of beauty and artistry honed in NYC. By honoring nature and craftsmanship through garment making, and detailing the relationship to nature in words, she hopes to change the way we see clothing, and experience our natural surroundings. In 2025 Sara is launching "Wrapped in Nature." A show of original nature-inspired designs, created using the materials from Rhode Island environmental habitats. These imaginative masterpieces are worn on the body, rooted in place, and designed to rekindle our innate connection with the natural world. They are expressions of raw beauty, possibility, and consciousness. Follow her journey at FeelWrappedInNature.com

Ray Sweeten nee Barragan-Sweeten (b. 1975) is a visual artist & composer based in New York and Rhode Island and has performed and screened works at Moma/PS1, The New Museum, San Francisco Electronic Music Festival, The Film-Makers' Cooperative, New York Film Festival, Anthology Film Archive, Issue Project Room, Participant Gallery, Microscope Gallery, The Kitchen, Roulette, Harvestworks, and toured throughout Europe as a member of Fabrica Musica, Italy. He has written/produced music and sound design for Sesame Workshop and has released music as f13 and The Mitgang Audio on the Beige Collective and Suction imprints respectively.

In 2010 he co-founded DataSpaceTime with visual artist Lisa Gwilliam and has exhibited, performed and screened works at Centre Pompidou, 150 Media Stream, Parish Museum, City Center NY, Microscope Gallery, AS220, Next Festival at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Florida Atlantic University. He has taught at Guggenheim Museum and was guest artist faculty at Sarah Lawrence with L. Gwilliam. DataSpaceTime is represented by Microscope Gallery in NYC.

Ray started his career as a composer and sound designer with Fantasy Works Theater, collaborating with Ann O'Grady, Elisa Cardone and the students at Aldrich Junior High School on House of Hope, a musical exploring the challenges of unhoused people in Rhode Island, and the musical The Land of Darkashu, a fictional world positing the future impacts of climate change. He also ran front of house sound for many of their early productions.

Helena is a contemporary singer and vocal teacher based in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2017, she joined Tim Welch Vocal Studio and earned her certification in the Singing Mastery teaching program. Helena represented the Rhode Island branch of education for 5 years and holds 10 years of teaching experience.

While receiving her college education at Berklee College of Music and Rhode Island College, Helena began working as a professional singer. She performed as one of the lead vocalists in the New England based R&B/soul band, “SoulBabe”. Performances include featured acts in Providence Festival, Rhode Island PrideFest, Pawtucket Arts Festival, Saint Mary’s Feast, JAM’n 9.45 Femme Fatale and more. Helena is also classically trained and has been singing in choir for 20 years. Her passion for choral music has taken her on tour to Germany and the Czech Republic, where she had the privilege of singing in prestigious churches and cathedrals. Notably, she performed in St. Thomas Church, the final resting place of the legendary composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Helena actively performs in the New England area as a solo artist. When Helena isn’t performing live she is a regularly hired session vocalist for Grammy-nominated music engineer, Alexandr Krepkihk.

In 2021 Helena was hired by Rhode Island Youth Theatre as Music Director for The Ghost Light Project. Helena helped direct and arrange the original composition “Guide Me Home” which was performed by the students in SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) virtual choir. The project was funded by the Rhode Island Council on the Arts and later featured on WPRI channel 12.

Beyond her musical endeavors, Helena is passionate about vocal health research, advocacy, and the intersection between mental health and vocal well-being. To further her knowledge in this field, she is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology, combining her love for vocal arts with a commitment to helping others achieve and maintain optimal vocal health.

Bridget Bacon (Chaney) serves as the Development Manager at Red House Design Build, an esteemed luxury architecture, interior design, and construction firm nestled in Providence, RI. Leading the pre-construction division, she manages the sales, marketing, and design departments within the company. Recognized as one of Pro Remodeler’s 40 Under 40 in 2023, Bridget continues to leave her mark in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Before Red House, Bridget owned a popular millinery shop, crafting bespoke handmade hats for a global clientele for over a decade. Her journey into the world of design and construction was preceded by a passion for performance, cultivated from age nine through twenty-two at RIYT. The countless memorable moments on stage instilled in her a confidence in public speaking, an invaluable asset in her current sales and leadership roles. Moreover, by giving her the opportunity to lead as assistant director at an early age, RIYT imparted essential skills in managing and organizing large groups, shaping her into the leader she is today.

Alix Feeley is the Business Manager for the Wheeler Opera House at the City of Aspen in Colorado. In her current role, you’re just as likely to see her at a City Council meeting as at a performance; that’s because much of Alix’s work supports the financial operations for the historic, municipally owned venue in the heart of town. Alix first joined the Wheeler as the Front of House Supervisor, where she coordinated the volunteer usher program and house managed events – almost 200 shows a year! She began her Colorado-based career as a stage manager for theatre, opera, and orchestra working with Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Curious Theatre Company, CU Boulder, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. She credits much of her success to the many wonderful summers spent on stage and behind the scenes with Fantasy Works/RIYT. "

Joseph Leon is a NARS Sales and Training Executive, fulfilling a position designed to help communicate the philosophies and ideals that François Nars bestowed on the company at its inception. Joining the NARS team in 2016, Joseph's love for special effects and theatrical makeup brings a unique element to his artistry. The New York based artist has previously worked for beauty brands like Bobbi Brown and Trish McEvoy, and his work has been featured in various editorials and music videos…including celebrity makeup on Mila Jam, Laverne Cox, Laura Osnes, and Gail Simmons. Through makeup, Joseph inspires his clients to be confident and express themselves, capturing the true essence of the NARS brand.