Cast
Francheska Gomez (Dora, Zee 2 and Servant 2) is from Oceanside, Long Island and is proud to call herself a native New Yorker! She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and cannot imagine doing anything else except what she feels she does best: sing, dance and act. She’s excited to be part of the Dora the Explorer ensemble of Storytime Live! where she gets to exercise her Spanish-speaking skills. When she isn’t connecting with the crowd she makes it a point to visit her many family members in the Dominican Republic.
Megan MacPhee (Linny, Tasha, Map, Mamma Panda) has been seen in a national tour and several regional productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Nunsense and West Side Story. She considers herself fortunate to have visited most of the United States—and London, where she studied at the London Dramatic Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Musical Theatre from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and has also trained at the renowned Papermill Playhouse. MacPhee is from New Jersey, where her family still lives. She enjoys going home but definitely enjoys living in the Storytime Live world of make believe.
Nick Nelson (Austin, Tuck, King, Tolee) is from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and received a BFA in Musical Theatre. He then went on to pursue acting and spent the early part of his career performing in shows at Six Flags Great America. He has performed roles in several notable productions, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Assassins, and Woof in Hair. And he has appeared with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in Magic of Disney. He’s at home in front of a theatre filled with kids and extends his gratitude to his mom and dad for helping him get there.
NOTE: hometown Kenosha, WI
Brit West (Uniqua, the Witch, Zee Puppeteering) has strong family ties in Texas and Kansas but calls New York home. She received a degree from State University New York at Purchase Collage where she studied theatre, solo performance, dance and singing. For a while, the theme of her life was hair, having performed in regional productions of both Hair and Hairspray. She shampooed, rinsed, and then conditioned herself into a role in The Backyardigans prior to joining Storytime Live. She strives to invest as much belief in her characters as children do in their imaginary lives.
Peej Mele (Moose A. Moose) loves performing for kids because “they’re a dedicated, audience, completely involved in what they’re watching.” Mele is from a small town in New York and graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He was featured in roles in both Snoopy and Beauty and the Beast at the Main Street Theatre in Woodbury, Connecticut, and also worked in children’s theatre at the Papermill Theatre. A speaker of conversational Japanese, he enjoys swimming, tennis, practicing yoga and spending time with his family in Boston when not on tour.
Cory Washington (Rintoo, Cheshire Cat, Swiper) considers himself a child of the stage. He holds a BA in Theatre and has parlayed that into regional credits that include roles in Let’s Misbehave, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel, and Dreamgirls. Though originally from the Lone Star State, he currently resides in New York, yet has a bit of southerner in him thanks to his family in Atlanta. What he loves most about Storytime Live is that he gets to be in a show that imparts a positive message to kids, “with valuable lessons and morals.”
Zach Johnson (HoHo the Monkey, Pablo, Ollie, Jack/Prince Carlos) is a native of Ventura , California and received his BA in Theatre from the University of La Verne, California, the GSA Conservatoire in the UK and since school has choreographed for Sorcerer Productions in San Luis Obispo Ca. During that time he performed roles in shows such as A Mid Summer’s Night Dream, Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Producers. He’s passionate about the collaborative aspects of theatre and interaction with the audience, especially children. He enjoys fly fishing when not performing, yet no matter the endeavor he sticks to his motto, “Head and Heart,” and strives always to keep his focus in each of these areas. He’s grateful to his family for their support. H and H.
NOTE: Hometown: Ventura , CA. Has family in North East Oklahoma
Joseph Kuba (Swing) has an extensive international theatrical resume. After graduating from California Pacific College of Performing Arts in Corona, CA, Kuba took his skills to the high seas. He worked as a singer and dancer in various shows and reviews aboard cruise ships for Holland America Cruise Lines. Chinese audiences in Shanghai at the Shanghai Centre also saw him where he performed in Hollywood to Broadway. Kuba is from East Liberty, OH, and now lives in New York. He enjoys a game of soccer every now and then when not touring.
Chelsea Zeno (Swing) is from New Jersey and trained at the American Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts Academy. She’s lived in New York for the past three years and not only enjoys city life, but also being in the theatrical capital of the country. She’s performed in regional productions of Kingdom and Urban Sound Underground. Storytime Live is her first venture into the wonderful world of children’s theatre, and she’s grateful for the support she’s received from her family and friends.
Audra Rizzo (Ming Ming, Goldilocks, Baby Panda, Queen) is from New York and received her BA in Musical Theatre from State University New York Cortland. Children’s theatre holds a special place in her heart. When she was eight-years old her dance studio was selected to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She danced in front of the store alongside pros and hasn’t looked back. She’s also performed in All Shook Up, Beehive the 60’s Musical and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Laura Dadap (Kai-lan) is from New York City and attended LaGuardia High at Lincoln Center where she majored in singing. She received her BFA in Acting from Emerson College. In between, she managed to learn the basics of several languages including Mandarin, Italian and a Filipino dialect. She’s performed in numerous regional productions such as The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Schoolhouse Rock Live and As You Like It. A classical trained cellist, she enjoys songwriting in her free time.
Clint J. Hromsco (Mad Hatter, Monkey King, Boots, Fiesta Trio) is from Temple, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Ithaca College in New York where he received a BFA in Acting with a minor in Dance. He got his start by working as a singer and dancer in amusement park productions at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania and at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. He enjoys finding new ways to make each Storytime Live performance fresh and says there is no better feeling than leaving the theatre knowing he’s made an impression on people’s lives.
