Anthony, an Applause alumni of 17 years, feels blessed to be training young people in the same place where it all began for him. He has been a part of the Applause faculty for the past 13 years, and is now the head of the wildly successful Applause Film Department, as well as Creative Director for the entire company. Having trained at the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, as well as a Film and TV career that has expanded over a decade, Anthony is happy to be able to share his knowledge and experience with a whole new generation of young artists, and teachers alike.
Katelyn grew up on Long Island and graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Theater. She is honored to be a part of the Applause team since 2017 and is inspired daily by seeing so many young people develop and nurture their passion for the performing arts at Applause.
Alexandra is a New York transplant and is so excited to be teaching at Applause! Growing up in Los Angels she always had big dreams of moving to NYC. After graduating from Concordia University Irvine with a BA in Theatre, she packed her bags and made the move. Now a proud member of the New York chapter of The Theatre 68 Crew Company , she has also performed and assistant directed off -broadway at St. Lukes theatre in their production of Lilli Marlene and It Came From Beyond. She is so excited to be back and mold the young minds of the theatre community.
Lisa Krainik is a NYC-based dancer, director, stage manager, producer, and licensed yoga teacher. Lisa has performed works at Radio City Music Hall, the New York City Center in NYC, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., among others. When she isn’t dancing or working at Applause, Krainik produces monthly comedy shows and teaches yoga.
Kate Froemmling is very excited to be joining the Applause Family! Kate is a graduate from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music with a BFA in Musical Theatre and an emphasis in Tap and Directing. Some of her performance credits include Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical (Boston Conservatory), Candide (Boston Conservatory) Janet Van De Graff in the Drowsy Chaperone (BHHS) and making her Off- Broadway debut in Fix me Jesus with the Abingdon Theater Company, earning her Actors Equity Association Membership. Kate also has been a part of numerous commercial shoots that include Nickelodeon, Jimu Robots and Sesame Street and earned her SAG-AFTRA membership after being on set for Spirited with Apple TV Productions. Kate has also been eager to work on the other side of the table as a Stage Manager, Director and Choreographer at the Boston Conservatory and for other companies including Nervous Theater, The Wayne Theater and The New York Theatre Festival. Kate is excited to be a part of guiding our new generation of theater artists and would like to thank everyone who has supported her.
Kevin Shotwell is a New York based Director/ Choreographer who is joining he Applause team after teaching Theater Dance and Acting at Leman Prep School for over six years. Kevin has been teaching and performing all over the east coast for the past 15 years. Acting highlights include the 2009 Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- In Concert with the New York Philharmonic. He is a graduate of Pace University School of the Performing Arts, where he earned his BFA in Musical Theatre. In his spare time Kevin writes/ directs/ and stars in the Annual The Jingle Belle Ball, a “Non Denominational Christmas Themed Performance Art Cabaret”, and the self-described “world renowned” instagram handle @keviquickchange.
Warren is happy to be the head camera operator at Applause New York. He is from Boston Massachusetts and has a bachelor’s degree in Film. He is proficient in and owns all of the latest devices pertaining to video production. Whether he’s creating great promos for dance, musical theater, or creating epic films, he is thankful to be part of such a vibrant, and professional community where he gets to help kids find their voice.
Martha Lavery graduated from Hofstra’s Honors College in 2014 with a BA in Dance and Minors in Film Studies/Production & Psychology. At Hofstra, she performed & choreographed for MoVoM, Danceworks, and Imani Dance Ensemble, and spent a month dancing & performing in Italy at Toscana Dance Hub. Post-graduation, she has performed for 50+ choreographers & dance companies (modern, contemporary, performance art, hip-hop, etc) and has been commissioned to create over 30 original pieces (aside from weekly class choreography/workshops/master classes) for various showcases, competitions, and video projects in the greater NYC area. Notable performances include SummerStage in Central Park (splitting the bill with Abraham in Motion), winning the Audience Favorite choreography vote at Uptown Rising at Bridge For Dance, and students performing her choreography at Carnegie Hall. Last October, she spent several weeks in China as part of the US dance team for the CBA’s China Hoops basketball tournament. She currently teaches dance in public school/charter school/studio/open class settings to kindergarten students through adults in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Heels, & her “genrefluid” style, and continues to produce her own choreography for both stage and film.
Emily Meredith is a professional actress residing in New York City. She is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Union and has performed in productions all across the country. An experienced acting, voice and dance teacher, Emily has worked with all grade and skill levels– but specializes in middle school arts education. Emily attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA — where she majored in classical and musical theater and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Musical Theater. She has trained at various other prestigious institutions including Festival Ballet (Providence, RI), T. Schreiber Studio (NY,NY), HB Studio (NY,NY), Ballet Prestige (Providence, RI), Steps (NY, NY), and Broadway Dance Center (NY,NY) among many others. As a teacher, Emily strives to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where her students can grow in confidence and ability.
Emily Morrison, from Houston, Texas, received pre-professional training from Leon Dance Arts. Her training earned her the opportunity to attend Point Park University. She graduated with a BFA in dance with a concentration in Jazz and a minor in musical theater. Through her dance training and experience, Emily found her love for performing, choreographing, and teaching. She has performed for various choreographers including Al Blackstone, and Dorrell Martin. Emily is an award winning choreographer whose works include pieces performed by pre-professional companies, and drill teams in the Houston area. Emily is so excited to be joining the Applause team!
Jimmy Larkin is a multi-hyphenate artist who spends the majority of his days casting musicals on Broadway and on tour. As someone who’s been on both sides of the table, he prides himself on always trying to create a safe space for performers and aims to uplift all artists in any way he can. He is also incredibly passionate about directing and theatre education, and will find any excuse to spend his time surrounded by people who love this art form as much as he does.
Sammy Rivas (he/him) is an actor, writer, director, producer, musician, and puppet maker based out of Brooklyn, NY; B.F.A. Drama NYU Tisch; co-founder/associate artistic director of The Fool Volk theater collective, company member of the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theater, Bated Breath Theatre Company, Teatro SEA, and International WOW Company; co-founder Rivasorio Puppets Company; Writer/Director: Gutter Soup (2026), Strange Key (2025); Producer: The Monks of Lorisidia (2024). Website: sammyrivas.com
Having taught everyone from Broadway actors to 5-year-olds (and all skill levels in between), Eddie is so excited to be joining the Applause team! He is a professional Actor, Acting Coach, Comedian (Musical Improv, Standup, and Sketch), Writer, Director, Voiceover Artist and Producer in NYC! He has had the pleasure of serving as an Adjudicator and Workshop Teacher at the Florida District, Jr. State, and State Thespian festivals since 2023. For more things Datz, check out eddiedatz.com
Jessica (Jessie) Connelly is an Alabama raised, New York City based performer represented by the Price Group Talent Agency. She was most recently a lead singer/dancer on the Carnival Venezia, Sunrise and Liberty. Other professional performing credits include Brighter Than The Sun (Off Broadway) and TEXAS Outdoor Musical. Over the past decade, she has taught Dance, Musical Theatre, Improv and college audition coaching for all age levels in various theaters across the Southeast. Choreography credits include Footloose, Moana, Aladdin Kids, Flat Stanley. Jessica has found endless joy in getting to help young artists find their voices through theatre and strives to create an uplifting class environment where her students can feel encouraged to risk, fail and grow together. jessicaconnelly.com
Jillian Ayson (she/her) is a hip-hop and fusion-based dancer and choreographer from Pelham, New York. She is a Licensed Athletic Trainer and earned her degree in Sports Medicine from Hofstra University, where she choreographed and performed with Danceworks and the Imani Dance Ensemble. Since graduating in 2015, Jillian has performed and choreographed for more than 40 choreographers and dance companies throughout the greater New York City area, working across contemporary, hip-hop, fusion, and commercial dance. Her work has been featured in showcases, concept videos, competitions, and studio productions. In addition to her performance career, Jillian has collaborated with Grammy Award–winning recording artists, Broadway productions, professional dancers, and musicians worldwide, providing physical and vocal rehabilitation support during national and international tours, as well as New York City–based rehearsals, performances, and concerts. She currently works in Orthotics and Prosthetics and serves as the Athletic Trainer for the Entertainment Dance Teams of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets throughout the NBA season. Jillian continues to create and produce original choreography for studios and dance companies in both stage and film settings. She is thrilled to work with the students and faculty at Applause!
Aidan Tsichlis (he/him) is an NYC-based teaching artist and performer, originally from Plano, TX. He graduated with his BFA in Musical Theatre from West Texas A&M University. He has directed and taught workshops with students ranging from elementary through high school. He has also performed across the U.S. at various theaters, some favorites including Mamma Mia! and TEXAS Outdoor Musical. Most recently, he toured the United States performing theatre for young audiences.
Ella Benward is an actor, singer, and dancer raised in Los Angeles, California. Now newly based in the city, she is thrilled to be living out her lifelong dreams as a performer. Ella has experience across television, regional theatre, and musical theatre. Her television credits include A Week Away: The Series for Angel Studios, directed by Alan Powell, as well as a co-star appearance on ABC’s hit comedy The Goldbergs. On stage, Ella has appeared in numerous regional productions, including Legally Blonde as Brooke Wyndham, Grease as Marty (Dance Captain), Oklahoma! (ensemble, understudy Gertie), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and other regional theaters. Additional theatre credits include the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Wendy Jo in Footloose, and Margot in Legally Blonde, frequently serving as Dance Captain and in principal supporting roles. In addition to performing, Ella has taught dance for the last five years and has experience directing and choreographing at the collegiate level. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University, where she received extensive training in acting, voice, and dance. Ella is so proud to be signed with CESD Talent Agency and Kass Management.
Lauryn is a singer, actor, and dancer with a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Born into a musical family, she made her performance debut at age six as part of her family band, sparking a lifelong love of storytelling through music. Lauryn recently performed across the country in the Broadway National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as in regional theatre productions and concerts. In addition to performing, she teaches masterclasses and audition workshops. She is passionate about helping young artists grow their confidence and technique in environments where imagination can thrive!
Adam Magnacca (He/Him/His) is an NYC based Music Director, Coach, and Actor originally from Mississauga, Ontario. When not at Applause, Adam teaches throughout the 5 boroughs with the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Education Program and The Queen’s Theatre Senior Center Partnerships. Adam works professionally as a Music Supervisor for Norwegian Cruise Line, rehearsing singers and bands for different shows aboard Oceania, Regent, and Norwegian ships. Most recently, he served as the NCL Music Supervisor for the smash West End hit, The Choir of Man. As a performer, Adam has worked across the US with some onstage favorites including Rock of Ages, Into The Woods, and Head Over Heels.
Phoebe Golfinos is an actor, dancer, and voiceover artist from New York City. She started her training at Applause, where she fell in love with performing arts! She recently graduated with honors from Northwestern University, where she received her BA in Theatre, and performed in several dance and stage productions. She has lent her voice to shows like Wallykazam (Nick Jr.) and the Wonderpets, and commercials for Charmin and Cyberchase. Phoebe is so excited to return to the place where it all began and hopes to give to the next generation all that Applause has given to her.
Lori is a New York based performer, stage manager, and teacher originally from Denver, Colorado. She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a BFA in Musical Theater, Stage Management, and emphasis in Dance. Select performance credits include Natasha (…Great Comet of 1812), Logainne (…Spelling Bee), Pilar (Legally Blonde), Maureen (RENT) and Ensemble (Rock of Ages). During her time in Boston, she worked artistically at many theaters including the Huntington, Lyric Stage Company, Moonbox Productions, The Boston Conservatory, and Firehouse Center for the Arts. Lori is thrilled to continue promoting the importance of arts education, always leading classes with passion, encouragement, and joy.
Zach Asnis (he/him) is an Applause alum (‘21) and recent graduate of Syracuse University (‘25) where he received a BFA in Acting. He is so excited to be back at Applause to help spread the love for art that he found there over 10 years ago!
Ella Kahan is an actor, singer, and teaching artist based in New York City. She earned her BFA in Dramatic Arts from The New School, after previously studying Acting with a minor in Musical Theater at the University of the Arts. Ella’s interest in acting began at Broadway Training Center of Westchester, where she also discovered her love of teaching. Since then, she has taught theatre in many settings, including summers at the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Alongside her work as a performer, Ella has years of experience as a babysitter and nanny, and she loves helping kids explore their creativity. She finds nothing more rewarding than watching young people grow passionate about the arts!
Analise Levesque is an NYC-based music director, composer, and pianist who recently received her Masters of Music in Jazz Piano from Queens College. She has over 5 years of theater education experience with organizations such as the Papermill Playhouse, Applause NY, the Duluth Playhouse, and KJK Productions. Analise believes that teaching theater to young people is the most important job in the world and loves being able to build relationships and confidence with her students.
