.png)
AMT Youth Theater Proudly Presents
Meet The Team
Mary Lauren
Youth Artistic Director, Director/Choreographer
Mary Lauren is a passionate and multifaceted artist who loves to tell stories. She has been directing and educating artists for almost 20 years. She has had work seen Off-Broadway and regionally as a Director, Writer, Performer, Producer and Choreographer. She is a proud member of AEA, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Some favorite directing/choreography credits include; Shrek the Musical Jr. (AMT Theater), Fabulous The Musical (Times Square Arts Center), Omotenashi Journey (Carnegie Hall), Hair (The Secret Theatre), Seussical (The Secret Theatre) Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Music Room), and My Shadow and Me (Cape May Stage.) As artistic director of Heart String Theatrical she created the streaming live/filmed piece Loving You Always. Her cabarets have raised money for artists and for organizations including the NAACP and ACLU. She has written several new works including; My Shadow and Me (Cape May Stage) and Start With I Do (Chain One Act Festival) which is an audience choice award winner. She choreographed and was the lead dancer in the film, Dream of Spring which has been featured in festivals all over the world. Select acting credits include: Cathy (The Last 5 Years), Louise, Gypsy (The Secret) Donna, Believers (The Workshop Theatre) Sarah, Sarah Was Mine (Cherry Lane) Sophia, Sophia (June Havoc) The Girl, Omotenashi Journey (Carnegie Hall), Helena, Midsummer (Mysterium) and Gertrude, Hamlet (Compass Rose). She loves working with young artists and finds inspiration from their exuberance and stories. She has directed over 50 productions with young artists including original pieces and published works; Seussical, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast etc.! Thank you to my AMT family, the BATB families, this incredible cast, the production team, my parents and STEVEN! Find out more about her on instagram at MaryLaurenW or on her website at marylaurenonline.com.
Michael Lieper
Musical Director
Michael is a NYC-based music director and educator. Most of his time is dedicated to working with students of all ages. He is so happy to be back at AMT working with Mary and this amazing cast!
Steven Carey
Set Design
Steven Christopher Carey is a Gold Clio award-winning designer, creative director, graphic artist, and poet living and working in Brooklyn. Steven has designed and produced stages and spaces internationally for companies such as Wall Street Journal, Marriott Hotels (W Hotels, St. Regis, Renaissance, Le Méridien), HBO (Search Party, Sharp Objects, High Maintenance), Amazon Studios, H&M, CB2, Lanvin, Givenchy, Playboy, CFDA, Bacardi Limited (St~Germain, Bombay, Dewars), Campari Group (Skyy Vodka, Wild Turkey), Remy-Cointreau, Cadillac, Girlboss, Creative Time, Sephora, and Refinery29, to name a few. His work has been showcased in museums, homes, hotels, fields, and factories, on boats, on roofs, and just about every other kind of space you can imagine.
Viviana Wadleigh
Costume Designer
Viv Wadleigh is so excited to be back at AMT for her second production! She is excited to bring the message of ‘The Prom’ to life along with this stellar cast. Viv is also part of the wardrobe dept at MJ the musical on Broadway. She has proudly been a costume designer for over 10 years for many of the schools and county college in her home town in NJ. She would like to thank Mary, Gabby and the fantastic AMT family for bringing her back. And to the amazing cast and crew of ‘The Prom’ have a great show! It’s time to dance and make lots of memories!
Gabrielle Piacentile
Stage Manager
Gabrielle is an actor, singer, and stage manager based in NYC. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music from NYU Steinhardt, and has sung in iconic music venues such as 54 Below and Radio City Music Hall. Previous AMT credits include: Shrek Jr., Beauty and The Beast, Addams Family, On The right Track!, 3 Chords of the Apocalypse. Thank you to Mary, Tony, Tamara, and the rest of the AMT company for the opportunity to work on this spectacular show, and a huge thank you to all the wonderful actors for bringing their A-game to every rehearsal. Much love to my family and friends for their undying love and support.
Chris Gardener
Lighting Designer
Chris Gardner is a light designer from County College of Morris. With 13 years of theatrical lighting experience he now teaches the art of the crew professionally. Outside of teaching he helps to maintain school theaters across the tristate to make sure students have the best tech they can in hopes to inspire the next generation of techies
Meet The Cast
Lillie Bonanni
Ensemble
Lillie is in the 4th Grade and loves to perform. She appeared in AMT's productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Addams Family and has performed elsewhere in shows like Seussical (Jojo), Aladdin, and James and the Giant Peach. Thank you to my family, Mary, Michael, Gabby, Viv, and the whole AMT family.
Luca Ceriello-Encinias
Nick
Luca attends PPAS middle school and is thrilled to be back at AMT for Luca‘s fourth show. AMT credits include Peter Pan in Shrek, Chip in beauty and the beast and Ancestor in Addams Family. Luca has also played Carlos in Descendants with Take it from the Top Broadway Workshops.
Aliyah Daily-Reinisch
Emma
Aliyah is 14 years old living in Manhattan. At AMT Theater she has previously appeared in Beauty and The Beast (Madame De La Grande Bouche) and The Addams Family (Mal). Productions with other theaters include Peter Pan (Micheal) and The Wizard of Oz (Wizard) with Atlantic Theater Company, and As You Like It (Amiens) and MacDeath (Adrian) with Pied Piper Theater. She loves performing, and in her free time can be found reading, singing, or attempting to improve her ping pong skills. She is thrilled to be playing Emma! Huge thanks to Mary, Micheal, and everyone involved. Enjoy the show!
Brandon Delia
Barry
Brandon is a 13 year old aspiring actor who attends IS 141 in Queens. Brandon loves Studying the acting craft here at AMT! This is Brandon’s fourth show at AMT and he absolutely adores all of the love , support , and kindness that's given at this theatre. Brandon hopes to become a broadway star one day and with the help of AMT there's no stopping him!!
Marquee Diaz
Ensemble
Marquee Leonard Salazar Diaz is thrilled to be performing FOR THE first time with AMT! He’s been dancing since he was 3yo. He was always part of the school program since 5yo. Marquee was born in Manila, Philippines. He now lives in the Bronx, NY. He always look forward to be part of the theater eversince he watched one of the biggest hit of broadway show. He attends elementary in PS94 Kings College in The Bronx where he is in 4th grade. In addition to musical theater he loves art and likes to spend time with his hamster named Lily and a rabbit named button. He is very thankful and honored to be part of the cast. Special thanks to Mary, Gabby, and Michael for greatly helping him along the way.
Alya Ekmekci
Alyssa Green
Alya is super excited to play Alyssa Green in AMT’s production of “The Prom”! She has recently played Wednesday in “The Adams Family” at AMT, Samantha in “Samantha Spade Ace Detective”, Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and others. Thank you to the amazing cast and directors for all the support and kindness they shared.
Payten Green
Angie
Payten Green is a 13 yr old actress, she enjoys Theatre, on camera acting, singing and ballet. Payten is a graduate of NYC’s Gifted and Talented program and is also a National Junior Honor Society Member. Her AMT Credits include, Shrek Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr. & The Adams Family Jr. She can also be seen on film background acting in (Leave the world behind, Wu-Tang- an American saga, Evil, Dead Ringer and more.) Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Thank you Mary + My AMT Family, Thank you Mom + Dad.
Phantom Jacobson
Mrs Greene
Phantom Jacobson is a 14 year old brilliant and dynamic artist who was thrilled to perform the role of the “Wicked Witch” in “Shrek Jr., The Musical”. “Gaston” in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and the lead role of Morticia in “The Addams Family Jr.” at AMT. They love feeling bubbly, sparkly, and bright from performing on stage and gives thanks to Mary Lauren and all at AMT for awakening their passion. Phantom ambitiously takes on skill building and enjoys archery, surfing, Dungeons and Dragons, live action role play outdoors, and figuring out various instrumental parts to songs by ear.
Lily Krebs
Dee Dee
Lily is thrilled to be making her AMT debut playing Dee Dee in THE PROM, one of her favorite shows! Lily recently played the role of Shelby in the Third Street Music School production of THE SPITFIRE GRILL. Other roles include Violet Beauregarde in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Annie in ANNIE, and Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS (all at Third Street) as well as featured ensemble roles in MEAN GIRLS (Wingspan Theater.). Lily is a freshman studying Musical Theater at Talent Unlimited High school, and will be seen singing at Don’t Tell Mama on their Cabaret stage in February and March of this year.
Eliza Richardson
Olivia Keating and more
Eliza is a 5th grader at PS111 in Hell’s Kitchen. She is thrilled to be a part of AMT's production of THE PROM. Previous AMT credits include BEAUTY & THE BEAST and THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Eliza is currently studying both tap and jazz dance and feels lucky to be once again sharing the stage with her cousin, Sadie Richardson. Eliza loves crafting, bargain shopping, seeing live theater and movies. And she can be heard happily singing everywhere she goes!!
Sadie Richardson
Kaylee
Sadie Richardson is thrilled to be performing in her third production with AMT! She has been studying ballet since she was 5 and has recently expanded into singing and acting, too. Sadie was born in NYC and lives in the heart of the theater district, which has been a great inspiration to her. She attends middle school at Simon Baruch where she is in 7th grade. In addition to musical theater she loves art, journaling, her two dogs, Bowie and Betty, and her hamster, Coco. She would like to thank the cast for always being there for her and also Mary, Gabby, and Michael for greatly helping her along the way.
Naomi Robinson-Pasher
Dee Dee
Naomi Robinson-Pasher is a ninth grader at the Professional Performing Arts School. Also a cast member of the web series “SuperDVille,” favorite roles include "Beauty and the Beast" (Mrs. Potts), “Addams Family” (Alice), “Matilda” (Miss Honey), and “Really Rosie” (Rosie). Thanks for this great opportunity to be a part of this show, the AMT family, and the amazing ensemble!
Flora Saucier
Sheldon
Flora Saucier is a freshman Musical Theatre Major at PPAS. She has been in AMT’s production of ‘The Addams Family.’ She goes to French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, and starred in ‘School of Rock’ and the world premiere‘Imaginary.’ She loves AMT and thanks the cast and her mother for being supportive.
Artemis Scheiber-Loeis
Angie Dickinson (Alternate) / Ensemble
Artemis is a sophomore in highschool and is thrilled to be making her theatrical debut in The Prom. She plans to pursue Theater, Dance and Classical Voice and hopes to at some point teach Music and Dance Therapy. In her free time, Artemis enjoys writing, improv-ing, and listening to music.
Elizabeth Solovyova
Child Student
Hi! My name is Elizabeth Solovyova, and I'm 9 years old. I'm super excited to be acting for the first time! I love playing pretend and using my imagination. When I'm not acting, I enjoy playing with the snow and skiing. I can't wait to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the stage and make new friends. This is just the beginning of my acting adventure!
Tobias Sportiello
Trent
Tobias Sportiello is no stranger to AMT. He was the beast in The Beauty And the Beast, the Pied Piper in Shrek and even worked backstage on Adams Family. Currently attending Professional Performing Arts High School. Thanks to Mary and my dad, Tony Sportiello
Nathalie Sullivan
Mr Hawkins
Nathalie is a current junior at The Brooklyn Latin School. When not performing she enjoys drawing, knitting, and reading. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support as well as the wonderful cast and crew at AMT!
Adea Villanueva
Shelby, Waiter, Hipster
Adea Villanueva is a 12 year old performer at amt theater. She has done several shows at amt such as Shrek,Beauty and the Beast and Addams Family. She loves singing and dancing. She is also into tap dancing and playing guitar.
Stella Zackery
Kevin and Ensemble
Stella is very excited to be a member of this wonderful AMT production. This is her second theatrical performance. She previously played the role of Bulda in a school production of Frozen Jr. She would like to that her parents, cast mates and the directors. She hopes you enjoy the SHOW!!!!
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE IT
Brandon Delia
I believe people should come see AMT’s production of The Prom because you will carry with you the lessons you acquire throughout the entire show for the rest of your life. Love for everyone, equality, and inclusivity are all covered throughout the production . I love performing at AMT Theater because it provides aspiring young Broadway actors with wonderful opportunities and a lot of exposure.
Lillie Bonanni
People should see The Prom because it's an awesome show and Mary has done an amazing job directing and choreographing. I love coming to AMT cause I get to express myself with singing, dancing, and acting and it's just the best place in the world.
Lily Krebs
People should see THE PROM because of its uplifting message and amazing music and story. What I love about performing at AMT the most is the other cast members, and how close we've gotten over the last few months. I love the connections that I've been building with all the other performers.