Artistic Director/Founder - Classes & Shows / Group Voice / Voice & Audition Prep
Becky has a Master of Arts in Teaching Music from Lehman College and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She started teaching and directing in 2006, and has directed over 50 regional and community productions. In 2010, She co-founded the Riverdale Children’s Theatre, and has created and guided a program that has received national recognition for excellence. Among her Directing credits: Dear Edwina, Seussical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, Oliver, Once on This Island Jr and Annie Jr. As an actress and singer, she has performed regionally and nationally in such shows as Peter Pan, Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me in St Louis, Dear Edwina and Grease and is a member of Actors Equity.
Our recent and alumni Artists:
JAMES MERILLAT
Music Director
James Merillat is an award-winning composer, has been working professionally in the theatre since his teens. He was an adjunct faculty member in the Drama Department at Catholic University in Washington D.C. James studied under Lehman Engel and Maury Yeston in the BMI Workshop for Musical Theatre composers and lyricists. Collaborating with Dick Pasqual, James’ show EXIT MUSIC, based on a short story by Noel Coward, was the winner of the first Bernice Cohen ASCAP Workshop Award and was produced off-Broadway by the Village Theatre Company in 1992 earning rave reviews. Other shows produced around the country include A Christmas Carol (1982, Baltimore), Still Waiting (1985 New York, 1989 and 1992 Chicago), Teasers & Tormentors (1987 New York), Trunk Songs (1993 New York), Playing the Palace (New York 1999, La Crosse 2002), Radio Eyes (New York 1986, Austin 2008) and Wonderland High (all over US 2010-present), licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI). James is a proud member of the Dramatist’s Guild.
LINDA LoPRESTI
Music Director
Linda LoPresti is our resident musical director for RCT/Bronx House. She has served as music director for 8 seasons at Bronx House and was the music director for 2019’s production of Into the Woods.She began working as a choral director and then received her Masters in Music at Lehman College. She has performed as a singer and musician at many NYC recording studios. She served as music director at PS57 in the Bronx and is an adjunct professor of music at Lehman College. She was recently honored for her outstanding work by the Music Educators Association of New York City
GUY VENTOLIERE
Teaching Artist/Advisor
Guy has a Specialized B.A. in Shakespearean Theatre (Combined Degrees in Classical Drama and Elizabethan Literature) from CUNY and studied with Ruby Dee and with Lee Strasberg, Westside Center for the Arts and the Actor’s Institute. He worked for SNL and was “Ted O’Toole” in the Disney series Cool Tool Adventures and was a scenic carpenter, theatre technician, Equity Actor & Stage Manager and has performed in over 100 plays on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally.He developed the Classic Theatre Collaborative, which introduced classical theatre to children & youth in over 32 community based organizations throughout NYC, including various locations of YMCA of Greater New York, and The After School Corporation.
KRYSTAL HALL GLASS
Choreographer Emeritus
Krystal Hall-Glass has been a part of RCT since its inception in 2010. She was the company’s first resident choreographer from 2011 to 2017. She also served as Director of the Dance Department at the Harlem School of the Arts. Prior to that, she spent seven years as the Director of Dance at Mindbuilders Creative Arts Center. As an instructor, she has served on the faculty of Howard University, SUNY Purchase, City College and Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Krystal is a Performing Arts High School alumna and appeared in both the film and Broadway version of "The Wiz" while attending the Julliard School of Music. She toured both nationally and internationally, having worked with choreographers Michael Peters, Otis Sallid, George Faison, and actors Ossie Davis and Lynn Thigpen. Krystal is also the 1991 recipient of a choreographic grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. www.krystalhallglass.com
“ I don’t work with kids, I work with young performers”-Krystal Hall-Glass
JUSTINA ERCOLE
Choreographer Emeritus
Justina Ercole started at RCT in 2014, serving in various positions, including teaching artist, program director and choreographer. Ms Ercole is an accomplished performer/ choreographer, who has also been an active teaching artist since 2008. In settings ranging from dance studios to enrichment centers to theater camp, She has worked with kids in areas such as developmental movement, various styles of dance technique, gymnastics, music, and fundamentals of acting. Her goal is to create a safe environment where children can grow, explore, and most importantly,have fun! Among her RCT credits: Thoroughly Modern Millie,The Wizard of Oz,42nd Street, Joseph...,Annie, The Little Mermaid, Snoopy, Dear Edwina and The Wiz. To learn more about Justina, go to www.justinaercole.com
NISSA KAHLE
Music Director
Nissa Kahle is a NYC based Music Director, Pianist, and Accordionist. She has served as Music Director for many RCT shows and programs, including High School Musical, Spelling Bee and Lion King Kids and Drowsy Chaperone. Broadway: Chicago (key 2/accordion sub, rehearsal piano), The Great Comet (sub keys/accordion), National/International Tour: Chicago (key 2, music librarian). Off Broadway: Desperate Measures (rehearsal piano). Other NYC: Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (key 2 sub), Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center (keyboard sub), 54 Below (cabaret MD/pianist). Her training includes a MM from Texas State University where she studied piano performance, opera accompanying, voice, and conducting, and an internship with the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle where she studied music direction for theater.
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