Bat Boy
DAN WOLPOW (Bat Boy) is in his first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include The Cradle Will Rock (Junior Mister), The Music Man (Harold Hill), The Crucible (Reverend Parris), Kiss Me, Kate! (Harrison Howell), 42nd Street (Pat Denning) and Baby (Ensemble). His film credits include Monster & Johnson’s A Fond Remembrance. This past summer he adapted and directed a children’s production of West Side Story at Ivy League Day Camp in Smithtown, N.Y. Dan is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University
EMILY WALTON (Shelley Parker) is in her first season with The Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include Inherit the Wind (Rachel Brown), The Sound of Music (Liesl), A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to the Forum (Philia), Kiss Me, Kate (Lilli), and Merrily We Roll Along (Mary). Emily was trained in performance at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan as a drama major. She is currently a freshman in the exploratory program at Ithaca College.
BECKY LORD (Meredith Parker) is in her second season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife). She is also president of Ithaca College’s Triple Threat Theatre. Other credits include You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Anything Goes (Virtue), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sweeney Todd. Ms. Lord has been trained in dance at the Luis Pabon Dance Arts Centre in Taftville, Conn. and studied piano and oboe privately for many years. She is currently a junior history major and music and art history double-minor at Ithaca College.
GENEVIEVE CIVETTA (Meredith Parker U/S, Assistant Director) is in her second season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Into the Woods (Sleeping Beauty). Other credits include Anything Goes (Charity), Godspell (Company), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Levi) and Into the Woods (Florinda). Ms. Civetta has been trained in classical ballet at the Scarsdale Ballet Studio. Dance credits include two seasons of the Moscow State Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker (Party Guest, Arabian Dancer). She is currently a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.
ANSEL BRASSEUR (Dr. Thomas Parker) is in his second season with the Melodramatics. Company credits include Assassins (John Wilkes Booth). Recent credits include Cornell Schwartz Center Production of The Cradle Will Rock as Dr. Specialist. Past stage roles with Lou Volpe Productions include George in Sunday in the Park with George, Leo Frank in Parade, Sir Danvers in Jekyll and Hyde, He received the Philadelphia Regional award for Best Actor for his performance in A Number. Look for Ansel in the upcoming Disney featured-film Invincible and M. Night Shymalan’s film Lady in the Water. Ansel is currently a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell.
CHARLOTTE EVANS (Mrs. Taylor, Musical Director) is making her debut with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include Wonderful Town (Ruth Sherwood), Into the Woods (Cinderella), Big River (Jim) and The Wizard of Oz (Gloria). Ms. Evans has been classically trained in piano at the Peabody Preparatory of Music in Baltimore. She is currently a freshman in the Whalen School of Music at Ithaca College.
JOHN ALLEN (Rick Taylor, Roy) is in his second season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Into the Woods (Steward). Other credits include The Crucible (John Proctor) and West Side Story (Riff). He is currently a junior in the College of Engineering at Cornell University.
JOSH HUPPERT (Ron Taylor, Bud, Choreographer) is in his first semester with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. His recent credits include Seussical (Sour Kangaroo, Cat in the Hat), Jekyll and Hyde (Solo Ensemble Member), Guys and Dolls (Skye Masterson), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown) and Crazy For You (Bobby Child). Josh has trained exclusively in classical ballet for seven years and has also trained in many other dance styles. He is currently a freshman at Ithaca College with a concentration in musical theatre.
ERIN LEMIRE (Ruthie Taylor, Townsperson) is in her first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. From North Hampton, N.H. her credits include Neil Simon’s Fools (Sophia), You Can’t Take it With You (Alice), Grease (Sandy), Into the Woods (Lucinda), Nissa (Nissa, Katrina), Bye Bye Birdie (Margie) and Singin’ in the Rain (Chorus). Ms. Lemire has been trained in theater at Prescott Park Arts Festival’s Academy. She is currently a freshman in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College.
MICHAEL TEDESCO (Pan, Ned) is in his first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include a semester as a member of Anything Goes, a musical-theater troupe on campus, and roles in Grease (Danny Zuko) and The Long Voyage Home (Nick). Michael is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.
JUSTIN LEADER (Reverend Hightower, Executive Producer) In the Spring of 2004, Justin Leader founded Cornell’s largest independent theater group, the Melodramatics Theatre Company. In the Fall of 2004, he produced, directed and starred in the smash hit, Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, the Melodramatics’ premiere production. In Spring of 2005, he produced and starred in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Mr. Leader is the producer for Bat Boy: The Musical, and will be producing the Melodramatics’ Spring, 2006 production of A New Brain. Mr. Leader is a senior in Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
CHRIS WHITE (Sheriff Reynolds, Webmaster, Publicity Manager) is in his first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Potiphar). He is currently a senior journalism major in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College.
ASHLEY ADAMS (Mayor Maggie) is in her third season with the Melodramatics Theater Company. Company credits include Assassins (Chorus) and Into The Woods (Little Red, Company Manager). Other credits include Chicago (Mama), Les Miserables (Eponine), Twelfth Night (Maria), The Cradle Will Rock (Chorus) and Grease (Jan). She is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.
JOANNA ROSE (Lorraine, Events Coordinator) is in her first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include A Chorus Line (Dancing Chorus), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) and Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie). She has been trained in performance in Cleveland, Ohio and at Ithaca College where she is currently a sophomore.
MEG STEVENS (Mrs. Dillon) is in her first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Her other credits include Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Arsenic and Old Lace (Officer O’Hara) and Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer). Ms. Stevens is currently a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.
RACHEL HARRIS (Daisy) is excited to be in her first Melodramatics production. Other credits include Mame (Ito), Seussical (Bird Girl) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena). Ms. Harris has been trained in dance, tumbling and vocal performance at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, N.Y. She is currently a freshman in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University.
CARLOS DOMINGUEZ (Executive Associate Producer) After directing the pit orchestra for the Melodramatics’ productions of Assassins and Into the Woods, Mr. Dominguez will be helping to produce Bat Boy: The Musical. He plays a variety of instruments, from woodwinds to brass and has participated in pit orchestras for many shows including Fiddler on the Roof, Crazy for You, Carousel and Guys and Dolls where he was an assistant conductor. As one of the founders of the Melodramatics, Carlos has worked closely with executive producer Justin Leader to bring quality and successful musical productions to the Ithaca community.
JUSTIN NISLY (Executive Creative Consultant) is in his third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Justin directed the Melodramatics’ production of Into the Woods and served as musical director for the Melodramatics’ production of Assassins. He has appeared in many productions including The Cradle Will Rock at the Schwartz Center, and The Laramie Project at Hutchinson Community College, for which he received a nomination to compete at the American College Theater Festival. He is currently active as a pianist, singer, actor, composer writer, and director. He is a double major in English and music at Cornell University and hopes to write and compose for the theater.
ROBERT BERG (Associate Producer) is in his third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Assassins (Lead Creative Consultant) and Into the Woods (Assistant to the Executive Producer, Lead Creative Consultant). Other credits include Romeo and Juliet (Lord Capulet), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Davis), Barnum (Amos Scudder), and Alice in Wonderland (King of Hearts). Mr. Berg has been trained in performance at SUNY Rockland and New York University. He recently graduated from the Liberal Arts program at SUNY Purchase.
JOSH BURLINGHAM (Director) is in his third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Assassins (John Hinckley) and Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince). In the past six years Mr. Burlingham has been featured in more than 30 shows. He has directed a public service announcement through Boston University and Starmites! at the Mary Weld Center for the Performing Arts in his hometown of South Hamilton, Mass. He is currently a sophomore theatre arts major at Cornell University.
NATHANIEL JONES (Technical Director, Set Designer) is in his first semester with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Mr. Jones is a recent graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, where he served two years as an elected board member of the Barnstormers, the nation’s oldest and largest student-run theater company. His technical direction credits include Blithe Spirit, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, A Chorus Line, and Oleanna. Since 2001, he has designed lights for eleven plays, musicals, and showcases directed by students and professionals, including Bat Boy: The Musical this spring, A Doll House, and Closer. Currently, he is working toward his Masters Degree in architecture at Cornell University.
JACOB SLOMINSKI (Choreographer) is in his first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. He is beginning his studies in choreography and is a junior at Cornell University.
VLADA KAGANOVSKAYA (Costume Designer) is in her first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include The Importance of Being Earnest (Costume Designer), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Countess, Costume Designer), Guys and Dolls (Costume Designer), and The Man Who Came to Dinner (Mrs. McCutcheon, Costume Designer). She is currently a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University.
VERONICA DeVALERIO (Costume Designer) is in her first season with The Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include: Sunday in the Park with George (Dot), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Parade (Mrs. Phagan), Les Miserables (Ensemble & Costumes), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Mindy), Equus, Working, How I Learned to Drive and others. Veronica can also been seen in Disney’s upcoming film “Invincible”. Ms. DeValerio is a sophomore at Cornell University in the fashion design/management program.
AMY COHEN (Makeup Designer) is in her first semester with The Melodramatics Theatre Company. She has been involved with many productions both on and off the stage. She has been doing circus arts for 10 years, and is the founder and president of ICircus, the circus arts club at Ithaca College. Ms. Cohen is a sophomore Theatre Arts Management and Integrated Marketing Communications double major at Ithaca College.
STEPHANIE WYNNE (Graphic Designer) is in her third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Assassins (Graphic Designer) and Into the Woods (Graphic Designer). She is currently a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.
BILL ZINSSER (Assistant Graphic Designer) is in his third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Assassins (Chorus, Graphic Designer) and Into the Woods (Graphic Designer). He is currently a senior in the College of Engineering at Cornell University.
TOM REINSTEIN (Stage Manager) is in his third season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Company credits include Assassins (Samuel Byck) and Into the Woods (Stage Manager). Tom is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. He plans to study history while at Cornell.
RIVKAH DARABANER (Business Manager) is in her third season with the Melodramatics. Company credits include Assassins (Business Manager) and Into the Woods (Business Manager). She is currently a junior Human Biology and Human Society major at Cornell University.
STACEY MAYA (House Manager) is in her first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include assisting at the Ithaca College Box Office, and fulfilling her duties as Business Manager for the Theatre Arts Management Department. Ms. Maya was trained in Acting at the Actors’ Theatre Institute and Marymount Manhattan College (BFA). She is currently a transfer junior in the Department of Theatre Arts at Ithaca College.
MICHAEL GARRETT (Master Carpenter) is in his first season with the Melodramatics Theatre Company. Other credits include Festival of One Acts (Director) Robber Bridegroom (Technical Director) and Cradle Will Rock (Sound Crew). Film credits include: Dicky Roberts: Child Superstar (Technical crew). Mr. Michael Garrett has been trained in Technical Theater at The Hill School. He is currently a freshman in the Agriculture and Life Science College at Cornell University.