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.
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
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
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.
kat lacombe
actor, composer/lyricist
she/her/hers
Bio coming soon!
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
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.
nyx nelson
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!
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
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
autumn eliza sheffy
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
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!
