 About Us
Cast of Characters - 2010
FOODPLAY Troupe 1
Paul Baswell (Coach) is a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts. There he performed with Piedmont Opera in La Boheme, La Traviata and The Light in the Piazza. While at school, he had the privilege of performing as Tony in West Side Story, a production directed by Gerald Freedman and conducted by world-renowned maestro John Mauceri. Paul has sung the role of Cecco in Il Mondo Della Luna (The World of the Moon), with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Most recently, Paul performed at the Jenny Wiley Theater in a new production of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Paul lives in New York City, and is so happy to now be a part of the FoodPlay family.
Melissa Klein (Janey Junkfood) recently graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she earned her BFA in drama. At NYU she studied at the Meisner Extension, the Experimental Theatre Wing, and Stonestreet Studios. Melissa enjoys all the arenas in which she has performed, including acting off-Broadway, off-off Broadway, in short films, web series, TV, and improv troupes. She is excited to hit the road on her very first tour!
Renee Lynette (Stage Manager) is the proud recipient of a Drama Desk Award. Most recently, she was the Stage Manager of the AUDELCO Award winning shows Platanos and Collard Greens and Auction Block to Hip-Hop. She also stage managed Polyfonic Entertainment’s The Odella Williams Show in 2009. In 2008 she stage managed the Fringe Festival’s Dershowitz Protocol. Before that she was the Production Assistant of a staged reading of Rock of Ages. While studying theater at LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, she and fellow students created Turtle Teens Productions, which successfully presented a run of De Donde? in 2004. This is her first production with FOODPLAY.
FOODPLAY Troupe 2
Tyson Savoretti (Coach) A graduate of the University of Florida, Tyson lives and works as an actor in New York City. He can be heard on the air with Radio Disney, and seen up and down the West Side with his interactive theatre and improv troupes. Recent roles include Sir Walter Raleigh at The Sterling Renaissance Festival, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a "Certain Red-Suited Man" at Macy's Santaland. Tyson learned to juggle at his first job in high school, selling bruised lemons. When not on stage, you might see Tyson jogging in Central Park in his other life as a personal trainer.
Carlton Hall (Johnny Junkfood) is an Alabama native who earned his B.F.A. in Acting and Directing from the University of Montevallo (PV!) in Montevallo, AL. Carlton likes to juggle, dance, and just be an all around silly guy. He's been involved in productions with Birmingham Children's Theatre and Jasper Children's Theatre. He is also the co-founder and director of Run! Theatre Group in Jasper, AL. Carlton is very thrilled to be a part of FOODPLAY!
S.M. Payson (Stage Manager) is excited to be returning to New England and to start her first tour with FOODPLAY. A graduate of Saint Michael's College, she has trained both in the United States and in Europe. Payson's past credits include Festen and Whistling Psyche (Almeida, UK), Gregory Ramos' Border Stories, the original works Olive Grove and My Own Stranger (Shakespeare and Company), and The Fantasticks and Anything Goes (New London Barn Playhouse). She has most recently been with Live Nation's House of Blues ~ Orlando in Downtown Disney. She would like to send her love to Dave for always being there, and to her family for all of their support. She wouldn't be here without them.
Adam L. Oliveri (Director for Troupe 1 & 2) is originally from Western Massachusetts and has been involved in the arts for all of his adult life. He entertained for two years at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, as a singer, actor, and juggler. He also had the privilege of sharing the stage with Bobby Vinton, in Branson, Missouri, at Bobby’s Blue Velvet Theater. He is a former FOODPLAY actor (Coach), who loves children and truly believes in FoodPlay Productions' mission of spreading the word about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
FOODPLAY's Fresh Adventure!
Joshua Dingle (Johnny Junkfood), a Philadelphia native, found his passion for the performing arts while impersonating movie stars in his mother's room as a child. Since then, he has gone on to receive training and experience from some of Philadelphia's finest institutions and theaters such as Creative and Performing Arts High School, University of the Arts, and the Walnut St. Theater. Coupled with a burden for inner-city youth and a passion for the arts, Joshua has set out to use his gifts to artistically encourage and enlighten the minds of young people daily. He also juggles scriptwriting, dance, music, and graphic design as part of his regular routine.
Frantz T. Excellent (Coach) has twenty-five years' experience in theater arts and performance. He moved to Philadelphia in 1992 and attended Temple University. He began his theater experience in 1993 with Venture Theatre under the tutelage of H. German Wilson. He has performed in many theater venues along the east coast. Under his CamEyes Production Company, he has written two screenplays, Camden Eyes and Ideale; and a script for a television drama, The Crew. He has written, produced, and directed a documentary, Queens Little Faces; a variety show, An Evening of Song: Featuring Toni Richards; a music video, Party All Night; a 3-minute trailer, Ideale; an info-video, Do What You're Built For; a feature short film, Mio Sogno: My Dream; and the pilot to the TV script, The Crew. He is much honored for the opportunity to work with Bruce Robinson, Richard Murray, and the whole FOODPLAY company!
Richard A. Murray Jr. (Tour Manager) is an accomplished writer, author, playwright, poet, and also has his own line of greetings cards aimed at the sobriety and recovery market. He has written two plays, two poetry books, and a self-help book. He has worked in the theater since 2000 as a stage manager and dramaturge, and as a sound and lighting technician on many plays including the recent run of Fences at The Ritz Theatre. Richard recently graduated from The Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He is a member of the production company, Landmark Productions, and has worked on two of their upcoming projects, the television pilot, The Saints, and the feature film, Welcome Home Eddy.
Bruce Robinson (Director, Sound Designer, Script Collaborator, Lyrics Collaborator) is founder and executive artistic director of FreshVisions Youth Theatre Company. A thirty-year theater veteran, Bruce is a producer, director, actor, writer, theater arts teacher and workshop leader. He is a winner of Philadelphia theater’s prestigious Barrymore Award for Theater Excellence as well as KYW TV-3’s “People Making a Difference” award.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
Jack Diamond (Jack) is a 31 year-old actor and improviser with 20 years of stage experience. Since breaking into the comedy improv community eight years ago, Jack has performed with eight different troupes in the Salt Lake valley and has performed nationally at Dirty South Improv in North Carolina, and the Del Close Marathon in New York City. Some of Jack's favorite roles have included the Prince of Wales in The Scarlet Pimpernel and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.
Kelly Sullivan (Kelly) recently received her BFA in acting and BA in psychology from the University of Central Florida. While living in Orlando, she performed at both Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, and was also seen in several productions at the Orlando Fringe Festival. When she's not performing, Kelly enjoys traveling, reading, and relaxing on the beach. Kelly is thrilled to be touring with THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
Joshua Midgett (Stage Manager) is a proud graduate of Keene State College, holding a degree in Economics and in Theatre. Joshua has worked regionally in multiple Tony award-winning theatres and is excited to join FoodPlay Productions. He is an avid traveler, novice photographer, cereal enthusiast, and tea connoisseur. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support.
Mike Dorval (Director/Co-Author) was described as "One of Boston's Best" in The Boston Globe. When he first started in comedy, Mike won the New Hampshire Comedy Festival, and soon became one of the youngest headliners in Boston history. Mike has been featured in Comedy Central's Laugh Riots, numerous television commercials, and stars in the upcoming independent film, Dick Spicketts. Most recently he toured overseas for the USO, entertaining thousands of U.S. military personnel abroad and released his first live comedy album entitled, "We need to talk…" The Boston Herald exclaimed, "Michael Dorval is hilarious!"
COMMON TO ALL TROUPES
Michael Karas (Juggling Consultant) earned his B.F.A. in acting from Point Park University. Michael has always had an interest in juggling, and began seriously pursuing it in the summer of 2001 when attending the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts. Since then he has become one of the juggling world's key players, winning multiple awards in international juggling competitions and inspiring other jugglers with his creative tricks. After spending a year performing in FOODPLAY as Johnny Junkfood, Michael is very excited (both as an actor and a juggler) to continue supporting the show! (Learn how to juggle from Michael in this video.)
Rihki Kennebrew (Music Creator, Sound Engineer, Lyrics Collaborator) is a composer, arranger, producer, and more. His musical career spans over 20 years and includes credits from music pioneers such as LA and Babyface to Philadelphia legends Gamble & Huff. Rihki's formal training includes New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Art. In addition to being a multi-genre songwriter, Rihki is also an accomplished radio/television personality. From pop, rock, and R&B to choral classical and theatrical, he continues to build a successful legacy writing hits for the music industry's most noted artists and the stars of tomorrow. More info: www.phillybrew.com
Barbara Storper, MS, RD (Artistic Director, Playwright, Nutritionist, and Executive Director of FoodPlay Productions) is a leader in the field of children's nutrition. Barbara has received a host of national awards including the Society for Nutrition Education's first "Outstanding Young Nutrition Educator in the Country" Award, the American Dietetic Association's "Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur" Award, and an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Children and Youth TV Special."
Behind the Scenes at the Office
Founder/Executive Director:
Barbara Storper, MS, RD
Operations:
Melinda Beasi: Managing Director
Nuala O'Brien: Administrative Assistant
Theater Program Management:
Patti Dougherty: Program Director
Michelle Baxter: Program Manager
Theater Production:
Megan Cannon: Production Manager
Cecilia Lighthall: Assistant Production Manager
FoodPlay Media:
Jenn Evans: Media Manager
Website
Peter Hutchins: Website Developer
Lee Newton: Website Designer
Val Nelson: Website Writer and Consultant
Peter Reynolds: Illustrator,
Selected Illustrations © Peter H. Reynolds
(www.fablevision.com)
Graphic Artists
Amy Johnquest: Set Designer
Fran Schneid: Graphic Artist and Book Illustrator
Lee Newton: Illustrator
Peter Reynolds: Illustrator
Selene Mallozzi: Illustrator
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