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.
annika beth
actor, composer/lyricist
they/them/theirs
Annika Beth (they/them) is a New York based singer/director/actor. Some favorite credits include Aphrodite (To the Fairest: A New Musical), Heather Chandler (Heathers), Judy Turner (A Chorus Line), and Sienna (Out of the Blue: A New Musical). Annika founded That Nameless Theatre Company in January 2023, a theatre company producing cabarets and new works of theatre for people trying to make a name for themselves in this crazy business. They are a resident director for the The Neurodivergent New Play Series and aim to continue to produce and direct many more projects in New York City in the near future. They are honored to be a part of Showpeople Theatre Collective's recent works and hope to continue to work and grow alongside the team!
Instagram/Tiktok: @annika_beth21
See annikabeth.com for more!
dylan cote
actor, writer
he/him/they/them
Dylan is thrilled to be a part of the Showpeople resident company. He would like to express gratitude to Brighton, Miles, and Michael for their steadfast commitment to facilitating amazing pieces of theater. They’d also like to thank their family for the endless support. Graduated from AMDA in October of 2022. Favorite credits include: Zeus, et. al, in To the Fairest, A featured extra in Succession on HBO (you see him for some split seconds if you look real good), Zach in A Chorus Line, Kurt Kelly in Heathers, and many others.
Follow on Instagram: @thatdylancote
autumn eliza
actor, musician, producer
she/her/hers
Autumn Eliza is a CT based performer, and musician. Favorite credits include Waitress (Jenna U/S, Cape Playhouse), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Betty Jean); ELF: The Musical (Jovie); and singing internationally onboard AIDALuna. Her newly recorded single, “Ace,” is streaming on all platforms. Proud alum of the Boston Conservatory. She was so honored to bring Goddess Hera to 54 Below with To the Fairest and cannot wait to join the Showpeople Theatre Collective Team.
Connect with her at @autumnelizasheffy
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.
bobby earl henry
actor, writer, choreographer, director, producer
he/him/they/them
Bobby Earl Henry is a seasoned Equity actor with a rich and diverse range of regional theatre credits. Notable performances include his role in "Tommy" at Seven Angels Theatre and the world premiere of Lisa Lampanelli’s "Big Fat Failure" at Playhouse on Park. Some of Bobby's favorite roles encompass Miss Understanding in "Priscilla Queen of the Desert," Moonface Martin in "Anything Goes," a Frug Dancer in "Sweet Charity," and a brother in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Bobby has honed his acting skills through classes with Seth Barrish and The Barrow Group, bringing depth and authenticity to his performances. In addition to his on-stage achievements, he dedicates time to coaching actors, helping them prepare for auditions and build their confidence.
Outside the theatre, Bobby is a licensed hairdresser in Connecticut, bringing his artistic flair to Studio Elan Salon in New Canaan. Here, he finds joy in enhancing the beauty and self-esteem of his clients. Whether on stage or in the salon, Bobby Earl Henry applies his creativity and passion to making people look and feel their best.
brighton valor horan
CO-FOUNDER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
director, choreographer, stage manager, writer
they/them/theirs
Brighton Valor Horan (they/them) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in NYC and southern New England. They are a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Directing and Theatre & New Media from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City (℅ 2023), and are the current Executive Director of Showpeople Theatre Collective.
Favorite performance credits include West Side Story (Anybodys), A Chorus Line (Bebe), and Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show (Magenta). In addition, they perform with the queer+ singing group, New England Pride 247-365, led by Eric Larivee.
They have alternately stage managed, designed, choreographed, written, and directed multiple shows in the CT/NY area. Learn more about them at www.brightonvalorhoran.com.
roman matcz
composer/lyricist, musician
he/him/his
Roman Matcz has a lot of habits. He’s a writer, composer, director and musician who just can’t shake ‘em. Roman takes pride in his craftsmanship, and is so grateful to be a part of the Showpeople resident company after recently joining to help write “Shudder”. He has debuted his very own musical, “HEART/BROKE”, at Don’t Tell Mama and is thrilled and equally hungry to create and bring more works to light with Showpeople!
Outside of the arts, Roman is a personal trainer and mixed martial artist, passionately pursuing the fitness industry 7 days a week.
miles messier
CO-FOUNDER | MUSIC SUPERVISOR
actor, music director, composer
he/him/his
Miles is an actor/musician. He has written music and lyrics for eight musicals, including Showpeople’s inaugural production, Lost Justice the Musical. 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.
michael ricciardone
CO-FOUNDER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
director, choreographer
he/him/his
MICHAEL RICCIARDONE (he/him) is NYC/CT based director & actor. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Western Connecticut State University. Recent directing credits: TO THE FAREST: A NEW MUSICAL (54 Below), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Thomaston Opera House), TO THE FAIREST: A NEW MUSICAL (NY Theater Festival @ Teatro LATEA NYC, Showpeople Theatre Collective), GODSPELL (Priscilla Beach Theatre), GOLDEN OLDIES (The Green Room 42), HEATHERS THE MUSICAL (GetUp Stage Company). Associate Director @ The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company Off-Broadway NYC - A CLASS ACT & THE BAKER’S WIFE, with composer Stephen Schwartz. Other credits include SWEAT by Lynn Nottage (WCSU) & RADIUM GIRLS: A NEW MUSICAL (WCSU). Michael was also an SDC Directing Initiative Finalist at The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, for his work on Lauren Gunderson’s play THE REVOLUTIONISTS. Favorite regional/collegiate acting credits: Baldwin in CRY BABY (Roxy Regional Theater, TN), Jack in INTO THE WOODS (Roxy Regional Theater, TN), Link in HAIRSPRAY (Priscilla Beach Theatre, MA), Lewis in PIPPIN (The College Light Opera Company, MA), Count Carl Magnus in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (WCSU). www.michaelricciardone.net
oksana veres
actor, lyricist, writer
she/her/hers
Oksana Veres is an NYC-based performing artist whose most recent work includes co-writing lyrics for original musicals Shudder and To the Fairest (both with Showpeople Theatre Collective), for which she also played Athena. From 2022-23, she spent a year singing as a lead vocalist in Mass-Conn-Fusion, a Connecticut based R&B/Funk band, in which she performed a wide range of shows including weddings, parties, fundraisers and other special events, and bars/restaurants throughout the state. Oksana graduated from Western Connecticut State University, where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre. In her free time, she loves to write poetry and write/record/produce episodes for her podcast Try, Adjust, Thrive, where she discusses all things mindset, personal growth, wellness, and life as a 20-something year old. Feel free to check it out on instagram, Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts for some motivational and relatable vibes!
the collective.
artists, or, the collective, are our community. each person we’ve worked with shared an invaluable part of themselves with us,
and for that, we are forever grateful.
-
ERIN ALDRICH (she/her), Actor
-
JANET ALDRICH (she/her), Actor
-
FAITH AULETTA (she/her), Actor, Writer
-
DAMIEN BACARIS (he/him), Actor
-
SHANNON BAILEY (she/her), Co-Founder, Actor, Writer
-
ZEKE BARDASH (he/him), Musician
-
YARDÉN BARR (she/her), Actor, Director
-
CAMERON BURRILL (he/him), Actor
-
RAUL CALDERON (he/him), Actor, Composer/Lyricist
-
ARIANA CALDWELL (she/her), Actor
-
STEPHANIE L. CARLIN (she/they), Composer/Lyricist
-
LIZZY CENICOLA (she/her), Lyricist
-
MICHAEL CHEN (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
DANIELLE CUDNEY (she/her), Actor
-
STEFANY DALACIO (she/her), Actor
-
C DESCOUTURES (she/they), Actor, Composer/Lyricist, Musician
-
VIOLET FALKOWSKI (she/they), Actor
-
LENA FELIX (she/her), Actor
-
LAUREN FITZGERALD (she/her), Actor
-
JESS FONTAINE (she/her), Actor
-
CHASITY FREDERICK (she/her), Actor
-
JOSEPH GONZALEZ (he/him), Actor
-
MADISON HEPP (she/her), Actor, Lyricist
-
DREW JACOBSON (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
LUIS JORDAN (he/him), Actor, Lyricist, Writer
-
RJ KNIPPEL (he/him), Actor, Writer
-
ISAAC KEUBER (he/him), Actor
-
KATRINA LACOMBE (she/her), Actor, Composer/Lyricist
-
TRAVIS LAVIGNE (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
NATALIE LIVINGSTON (she/her), Actor
-
JEREMY LLOYD (he/him), Actor
-
ANNIKA MARTENS (she/they), Actor, Lyricist, Writer
-
FELICIA MARTIS (she/her), Actor
-
BENJI McCLARY (they/her/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
JULIA MELLONI (she/they), Actor, Stage Combat Consultant
-
AIMEE MEUNIER (she/they), Actor
-
KAYLA MOORE (she/her), Actor
-
MAKAYLA O’CONNOR (she/they), Actor
-
DEVIN ORDE (she/her), Actor
-
EMELIA PETTIT (she/her), Actor
-
LUCY RHOADES (she/her), Actor
-
JACK RICHARDS (he/him), Co-Founder, Designer
-
ADAM J. RICHARDSON (he/him), Actor
-
MAEVE RILEY (she/her), Dramaturg, Lyricist, Writer
-
JOSH RODIS (he/him), Audio Editor
-
BRANDON SANTOS (he/him), Actor
-
DAN SAULPAUGH (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
ANTHARA SHIVKUMAR (she/her), Actor
-
NICK SIENKIEWICZ (he/him), Actor, Musician
-
COLBY THOMPSON (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
GIL TORRES (he/him), Actor
-
SARAH TYNAN (she/they), Actor
-
DAVID VANDYKE (he/him), Composer/Lyricist
-
TYLER VIOLETTE (he/him), Actor
-
NICOLE VISCO (she/her), Actor
-
KRISTIN WEISS (she/her), Actor
-
CHLOË WENDLER (she/her), Actor
-
MORGAN ZWEIBEL (she/her), Actor
