Pinocchio

Mecca Akbar

Off-Broadway: “Tree Haus”, “Sesame Street: The Musical”(Broadway World nominee) . Regional: “Harlem Doll Palace”, “PACKRAT” (National and International tour). Mecca is a rotating marionettist for the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park. Mecca is most proud to have performed at The Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico(“PACKRAT”). After performing at Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts, I’m thrilled to return to Theatre Row with this spectacular production, cast and crew. Follow @Mecc.a for updates. Thank you to: My parent and friends for their unwavering love and support

Nicole Arakaki

Nicole Arakaki is a dancer and educator, born and raised in New Jersey. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a concentration in Dance Education (K-12). Some educators who greatly influenced her include Cameron McKinney, Chris Ralph, Maxine Steinman, and Stefanie Batten Bland, the latter two of whom she has also performed works by. In addition, she has also performed pieces by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Carolyn Dorfman, Janice Rosario, Ellenore Scott, Randy James, among other esteemed choreographers–on various stages, including Montclair’s Alexander Kasser Theater, along with the Gramercy Theater and the MMAC Theater in New York. Thank you to: my sister, Amy Arakaki

Jenavieve Adams

Born and raised in Arizona, Jenavieve set off for New York City in 2018 to pursue her creative and performative dreams at Pace University. She graduated summa cum laude in May of 2022 with a BFA in Commercial Dance and a minor in Arts and Entertainment Management. Since then, she has been performing professionally in the city as well as throughout the United States. She is so excited and grateful for her first ever production with the New York City Children’s Theater. With her history as a nanny during college and current role as a dance teacher for young kids in Manhattan, Jenavieve believes strongly in the importance of exposing young children to performing arts. She finds creative education to be of equal value to any other curriculum during the formative years of childhood. Thank you to: "My parents, Lara and Scott Adams for their unconditional love and support. My directors at Pace, Scott Jovovich, Lauren Gaul and Rhonda Miller for a strong education and connections to enable the beginnings of my career. My New York community - friends and mentors who've continued to encourage my journey.

Rob Cogliotore

Rob Coglitore is a professional dancer, actor, and teaching artist natively from New York. In the most recent years Rob can be seen dancing on multiple episodes of Saturday Night Live, Latin Billboard Awards, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, as well as other television appearances for NBC, MTV and ABC. Rob was a part of the 40th Anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller Album performing in New York City, a true dream come true. He has performed on many stages across the country including Radio City Music Hall touring with Freestyle Legends TKA and has also danced with celebrity trainer Shaun T in his dance cardio DVD by Beachbody called CIZE. He danced in the film Isn't It Romantic starring Rebel Wilson and at the start of his career made his Broadway debut performing in The Illusionists, where he got to tour nationally and internationally after the show's Broadway run. He performed regionally as Douglas in The Bodyguard Musical, was a swing in the Off-Broadway immersive hit Seeing You, and is a member of Broadway star Jon Rua’s company, THEGrit. Rob also teaches weekly classes at Equinox and other studios throughout Westchester County, and encourages everyone to come dance. Enjoy the show!

Courtney Darlington

Courtney Darlington, like 8 U.S Presidents, is from the beautiful state of Virginia. She grew up dancing in the Northern Virginia area before attending Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a BFA in Dance and Choreography as well as a minor in Business. Courtney is a freelance dancer, choreographer, educator and movement coach. Splitting her time between New York and LA, Courtney has appeared in National Commercials, Music Videos, and Feature Films. She is on faculty at Millennium Dance Complex and Steps on Broadway. She has presented work at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, worked as a movement director for Dance Magazine, Nordstrom, and Free People, assistant choreographer to Alek Palinski for Dita Von Teese’s National Tour, and Choreographer’s Assistant to Rachel Dolan for the Macy’s Day Parade. Courtney continues to share her love of movement and story in both theatrical and commercial realms.

Stacey Badgett Jr.

"Stacey Badgett Jr. is a Boston native who currently resides in NYC where he calls his second home. After high school, Stacey received a Certificate in Dance Theater from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy Conservatory (NYC) program. Since his completion he has danced for multiple Cruise ships including Disney Cruise Line as a Character Dancer, and Virgin Voyages. He's danced in several ballet productions, freelanced with several companies, traveled to dance in Alaska, and has been a long standing member of Connections Dance Theater, a Boston based Horton-Contemporary dance company under the director and vision of Jenny Oliver. Directly pre-Pandemic he relocated back to NYC to focus on his training, modeling, and deepening his craft while auditioning for several shows. Outside of performing, Stacey has an extensive background teaching fitness in many forms as well as dance, swimming, and is a Sauna Master (Aufguss). As a lover of the human body, teaching swimming to varying ages, as well as teaching 305 Fitness, Barre (Barre3), and Aqua Cycling/ Aqua Aerobics, Stacey applies all of his knowledge as a dancer to everything he teaches." Thank you to: Thank you to Casting, Creatives, and my loved ones in my Corner who continuously support my dreams and endeavors. You all make me Boiistacey!

Kristin Roa

Kristin Roa is thrilled to be here! A California girl making her dreams come true in the Big Apple. Previous credits include Virgin Voyages, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and a whole lot of Disney. Special thanks to Taylor, Stephanie, and Brent for making this possible!

Stephanie Klemons

Stephanie Klemons is a Drama Desk Award winning Broadway Performer and Director/Choreographer. Most notably she is Associate & Supervising Choreographer and Original Cast Member of Broadway’s smash hit HAMILTON. She maintains US & International companies of the show, from casting to running the dance departments across the globe. Stephanie was part of the original companies of Hamilton, In The Heights, If/Then and Bring It On on Broadway, Pre-Broadway, and tours for all four shows. At 23, Stephanie made her New York Theater Choreography Debut Off-Broadway with Automatic Superstar. That same year she made her Equity debut with the First Nat’l tour of Bombay Dreams, directed by Baayork Lee. In addition to working with the likes of Tommy Kail, Lin Manuel-Miranda and Michael Greif, Stephanie is Andy Blankenbuehler’s “right hand gal”. Besides Hamilton and In The Heights, they have created such other shows as Fly, Only Gold and the Co-Choreographed Frank Wildhorn’s Zelda (originally Waiting for the Moon). Additionally, she’s choreographed for Netflix Original Series “Hunted”, Victoria’s Secret, VOGUE, George Michael, Sesame Street & NBA’s BROOKLYNETTES. Regionally, she has choreographed Rock of Ages at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theater and Pittsburgh CLO as well as, In The Heights at The Actor’s Playhouse, for which she was nominated for a Carbonell Award. Starring as Vanessa in PCLO’s In The Heights the previous year was a highlight of her career. She directed and choreographed In The Heights at Washington DC’s esteemed Kennedy Center, and also held the same Director/Choreographer and co-creator role with New York Children’s Theater’s original work, This is Sadie, and upcoming Pinocchio. Post-pandemic she choreographed the first new musical to open Off-Broadway after the shut-down A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet written by Alex Wyse and Ben Fankhauser, as well as, choreographing the original musical Rock and Roll Man at New World Stages, starring Constantine Maroulis for which she was nominated for an AUDELCO award. In 2017, Stephanie was the choreographer behind the viral Superbowl commercial featuring Odell Beckham Jr and Eli Manning “Time of Our Lives”, for which she was nominated for a World Choreography award. As a teaching artist Stephanie has taught around the world at acclaimed studios like her hometown Broadway Dance Center & STEPS. Of all her work she’s most proud of her not-for-profit, Katie’s Art Project, connecting kids facing life-threatening illness with emerging and establishing artists to write original songs, make art and create a legacy through art. Follow her for updates on Instagram @DANCEism

Barbara Zinn Kreiger

Barbara Zinn Krieger founded New York City Children's Theater during her 22-year tenure as Executive Director and Founder of New York's Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre. Barbara has written children's operas and musicals for over 25 years. With composer James Kurtz, she wrote The Merry Muldoons (Kupferberg Center at Queens College) an Appelemando's Dreams (Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Kupferbeg Center at Queens College). She collaborated with composer Charles Greenberg on Little Kit (Eugene O'Neill Theater Center), Young Charles Dickens, The Butterfly, Jose Limon: The Making of an Artist, and Sky Boys: They Building of the Empire State Building (New York City Children's Theater). Also, for New York City Children's Theater, she wrote the book and lyrics for Beautiful Warrior (Jin Xiang, Composer), the book and additional lyrics for The Upside Down Boy (lyrics by Juan Felipe Herrera, music by Christian Amigo), and the books for The Orphan Singer (music by Antonion Vivaldi), Wanda's and the books for The Orphan Singer (music by Antonio Vivaldi", Wand's Monster, The Amazing Adventures of Harvey and the Princess, and Interstellar Cinderella (music and lyrics by Laurie Berkner), The Emperor's New Clothes and More Magical Stories by Hands Christian Andersen (directed by Adrienne Kapstein), Pillowland (directed by Khalia Davis), Same Same, But Different with Maximilian Gill (Directed by Sammy Lopez). and dance/dramas Ballerina Swan, Ballerina Swan and the Nutcracker, (choreography by Michael McGowan), This is Sadie (choreography by Stephanie Klemons), and My First Nutcracker, (choreography by Melissa Riker). Barbara is the liberttist for the adult opera Clara: The Life and Loves of Clara Schumann, music composed by Victoria Bond, which premiered in April 2019 in Baden-Baden, Germany; and Dickens and Nelly, an adult two-act musical with composer Charles Greenberg. Barbara's latest projects for NYCCT include the drama Fish in a Tree (directed by Sammy Lopez and Melissa Jessel), dance/drama Pinocchio (direction and choreography by Stephanie Klemons), and Interstellar Cinderella Returns (music and lyrics by Laurie Berkner). Barbara is a recipient of the Opera America Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the Off-Broadway Hall of Fame in 2020 as a Legend of Off-Broadway. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Columbia University School of the Arts and an MA in Speech and Theater from Columbia University Teachers College.

Taylor McMahon

At the core, Taylor thrives to curate creative spaces that place communication and collaboration above all else. She is currently the Resident Choreographer for the North American companies of the Broadway musical SIX. Past work includes associate choreographer of The Connector (MCC Theater), Rock & Roll Man (New World Stages), FLY (La Jolla Playhouse), One Thousand Nights and One Day (Prospect Theatre Company), This is Sadie (NYCCT), and Rock of Ages (PCLO). As co-creator of Arts for Alz NYC (@artsforalznyc), a dance benefit performance to support the Alzheimer’s Association, she continues to discover ways to create lasting impact through her art. Choose kind. @taylorjmcmahon

Jaime Lozano

"JAIME LOZANO is a Mexican multi-hyphenate musical theatre storyteller considered by Lin-Manuel Miranda as the “next big thing” on Broadway. American Theatre Wing’s Jonathan Larson Grant 2022. Joe’s Pub Working Group 2020-2022. The Civilians R&D Group 2020-2021. JACK Resident Artist 2021. Lincoln Center Resident Artist 2023. Selected works: El Otro Oz -formerly The Yellow Brick Road- (Off-Broadway & National Tour), Carmen La Cubana (European Tour), Children of Salt (NYMF 2016 “Best of Fest” Production), A Never-Ending Line (Comédie Nation in Paris, France & Off-Broadway), Savage (UAB at Birmingham), Present Perfect (Live & In Color), Desaparecidas (JACK). Albums: “A Never-Ending Line,” “Jaime Lozano and the Familia: Songs by an Immigrant” released by Broadway Records. Film: “In The Heights” (orchestrations), “Tick, Tick… Boom!” (cameo in Broadway composers scene). His project “Jaime Lozano & The Familia” has performed sold out concerts at prestigious venues such as Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, The Green Room 42, Two River Theater, and more recently as part of the prestigious Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series. His anticipated new album “Songs by an Immigrant Vol. 2” was released by Grammy Award winner label Concord Theatrical Recordings. Currently working on “Broadway en Spanglish” album, Roja, Desaparecidas and Frida, The Musical. He is part of the faculty of The New School and Berklee NYC. BFA: Music & Composition, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León; MFA: NYU/Tisch, Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (Full Tuition Scholarship.) He was part of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. Proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, AFM Local 802, BMI and GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY voting member. Mi Henrucha hermosa, mi Alonzo y Ely Aimé. TE AMO. TODO. SIEMPRE. jaimelozano.net IG: @jaimelozano"

Brent Todd

An entertainment professional with over 17 years of experience within the live entertainment and theatre industry. His career has spread through different corners of the industry; working for the largest entertainment corporation in the world to work in stage management, technical theatre, television, and theatrical general management. Brent is currently a NYC-based casting director, sourcing talent for a fortune 500 company.

Mia Qin

Mengyuan "Mia" Qin 秦梦圆 is a NYC based stage manager. She was born and raised in Beijing, China. She explores interpersonal relationships, human nature, and leadership in the practice of stage management. Her recent credits include Broadway: Shucked. Off-Broadway/NYC: Baked! The Musical (Prospect Theater Company); My First Nutcracker (NYCCT); Bettinger's Luggage (AMT Theater); It's A Free Country (Connelly Theatre); Somewhere I Can Scream (The Player’s Theatre); Two Takes: The Peony Pavilion (Frederick Loewe Theatre); NYC Free (Little Island NYC); etc. M.F.A.: Columbia University - Stage Management. B.A.: UC Davis - Theatre And Dance. Love to Han and her family.

Sloane Fischer

Sloane Fischer (ASM) is a NY based Stage Manager with a BA in Stage Management from PACE University. She has worked on countless productions all over New York, and has traveled with productions to Los Angeles and Scotland to stage manage at the Edinburgh Fringe festival! Some notable off Broadway credits include; The Keen Teens Festival 2022 (ASM), The Keen Teens Festival 2023 & 2024 (PSM), The Year of Magical Thinking (ASM) with Keen Company; War Dreamer (ASM) at the Wild Project; Grief, A One-Man Shit-Show (PSM) at Theater Row; How to Find a Husband in 37 Years or Longer (PSM) at numerous theater venues; and My first Nutcracker (ASM) with New York City Children’s Theater. She is absolutely thrilled to be back working her second show with NYCCT! She is very grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with all the lovely people involved in this production and hopes you enjoy this special show!

Mark Exline

Mark Exline is a scenic designer who holds degrees in Theatre Design and Technology from Florida School of the Arts (AS), Greensboro College (BA), and The University of Missouri: Kansas City (MFA). He has worked extensively in Musical Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, and in New Work Development. Mark also works as an Event Installation Designer and Studio Artist. His installations have been seen at the Joslyn Museum, The Nelson-Atkins Museum, and Union Station Kansas City.

Rebecca Satzberg

Rebecca Satzberg is a sound human working across the technical and design sides of audio. Recent Sound Supervisor credits include New York Theatre Workshop’s 2023-24 season, New York Stage and Film’s summer season, Playwright’s Horizons Wet Brain, Regretfully So the Birds Are, and Downstate, and NAATCO’s Romeo and Juliet. Recent Sound Design credits include the fall student shows at Atlantic Theatre School, and Associate work on Espejos/Clean at Syracuse Stage.

Nicole Denise White

Nicole Denise White is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn focusing in film, theatre, and visual art. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Interarts Performance. Since moving to NY, she has worked freelance in Off-Broadway theaters and film sets in various roles including props master, carpenter, and scenic artist. Last year she directed her second short film, Cycle, which is currently festival-bound. Nicole seeks opportunities that celebrate unique perspectives and the exploration of incorporating different artistic forms into one practice.