about
showpeople.
OUR MISSION
showpeople theatre collective aims to provide high-quality theatre experiences for the betterment of its creators, audience members, and community.
Through productions, workshops, and events, we establish a culture of caring and creativity in our community as a whole.
We recognize that we, as artists, are ever-growing and ever-changing, and vow to stride with our best foot forward.
resident artists.
our residents are dedicated members of our team who you will find working on most productions, or leading their own! learn more about them below.
shannon bailey
actor, intimacy coordinator
she/her/hers
Shannon ((Afro-Latina)) is a Connecticut-based performer with over a decade of experience in directing, choreographing, and vocal coaching. Shannon also is trained in mental health first aid and intimacy directing. While she loved being behind the table, she equally loves performing both on stage and with various companies including her own (Endless Imagination Parties). Some credits include Fiona (Shrek) , Aida (Aida), and Logainne (Spelling Bee). Shannon advocates for diversity and correct casting and loves seeing other POC performers shine.
mary grace epps
actor, lyricist, writer, producer
she/her/hers
Florida native turned New Yorker, Mary Grace is a performer first with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Tampa. Thanks to Showpeople, Mary Grace has had the opportunity to try her hand in lyricism, book writing, and producing. Mary Grace was most notably on the team for writing Shudder in December 2023 and will be producing it at the New York Theatre Festival in October 2024. Previously Mary Grace has been seen working as a character performer at some Florida theme parks and as a Lead Vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
brighton valor horan
director, choreographer, stage manager, writer
they/them/theirs
Brighton is a winter 2022 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Directing and in Theatre & New Media. They are an award-winning choreographer, alternately producing, stage managing, writing, and performing (and more) in and around the NYC/New England areas.
Brighton is also a Resident Artist and founding member of Showpeople Theatre Collective— which has had multiple original musical theatre works take stages around CT and NYC, including 54 Below, The Green Room 42, and the New York Theater Festival.
You can learn more about them and their work at www.brightonvalorhoran.com.
travis lavigne
composer/lyricist, musician
he/him/his
Travis Lavigne is a graduate student at the University of Connecticut studying Music Education. He has collaborated with Showpeople for one year, and has recently become a resident artist in the organization. Outside of Showpeople, he works on his own musicals, works with community and school theater groups, and teaches piano.
miles messier
actor, music director, composer/lyricist
he/him/his
Miles is an actor/musician. He has written music and lyrics for over ten musicals, including all of Showpeople’s original productions. Music Direction credits include Royal Caribbean’s Starwater, Heathers, Cabaret, Mamma Mia, and The Little Mermaid. He has performed regionally at theatres such as Playhouse on Park (West Hartford, CT), Island ETC (Galveston, TX), and the North Country Center for the Arts (Lincoln, NH). Favorite roles include Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer, and Harry Potter in A Very Potter Project. Miles holds a BFA in music theatre and a minor in composition from The Hartt School. You can listen to his original compositions at his website, milesmessier.com!
alex mika
composer/lyricist, musician
he/him/his
Alex earned his B.A. and M.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing at the University of Connecticut. There, he wrote, directed, and performed two one-man musical comedies: Piano Is Not My Forte and Major Issues. He has written and arranged music for Showpeople’s To the Fairest and Shudder. He is currently pursuing his PhD in English at Penn State, studying Shakespeare and adaptations of Renaissance drama.
You can see some of his work on alexmika.com!
amanda lee morrill
musician
she/her/hers
Amanda Lee Morrill is a drummer and percussionist based in New York City. She maintains an active performance career while also pursuing her PhD in Ethnomusicology at Columbia University.
Amanda’s regional theater credits include over a decade at Tuacahn Center for the Arts (Ivins, UT). She has also played for productions staged by the Palace Theatres (Manchester, NH), Main Street Music Hall (Osage Beach, MO), and Vanguard Theater Company (Montclair, NJ). Amanda is proud to be a Rustic Percussion artist and a member of MAESTRA.
connor picard
director
he/him/his
Connor Picard (he/him) has been involved in theatre in all aspects for over fourteen years. He graduated from Marymount Manhattan College’s directing program in 2021 and is in his final year of graduate school at City College of New York’s Educational Theatre Program. Recent credits include Head Over Heels: High School Edition (Director), The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Director), Light: An Electrifying Musical Revue (Lighting Designer), and Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd) all at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT. Other credits include Matilda Jr (Director) with Torrington Public School Theatre, Eurydice (Director), The Balcony (Assistant Director and Light Board Operator) at Marymount Manhattan College, and What Do You Do With an Idea? (Sound and Run Crew) with City College.
colby thompson
composer/lyricist
he/him/his
Colby is an NYC-based composer, playwright, and occasional actor and director. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont, where he wrote his first complete musical, The Tempest, with a book by Amanda Hill. Since then, he’s written A Mysterious Affair; Hey, Look Up, Love; Making Banks (with the Showpeople Theatre Collective); In the Wake (Showpeople); This Side of Paradise; An Outrageous Outcome; Chocolatier. The final three have been presented in NYC with Chocolatier getting a studio cast album released in early 2026. Colby is currently in the development process of another musical, Yes, Virginia.
chloë wendler
actor, producer
she/her/hers
Chloë Wendler is a NYC-based performer, content creator, and mental health advocate. Select Credits: Annabeth (The Lightning Thief), Alyssa U/S (The Prom), and Little Sally (Urinetown). Chloë finds the most joy in collaborating on new works, singing *hopefully* correct harmony lines into her voice memo app, and absolutely anything to do with baking. Keep up with Chloë’s crazy world on TikTok & Instagram at @chloewendler or check out her website to dig even deeper www.chloewendler.com
