OUR STAFF
Ann O’Grady,
Ph. D.
Executive Director
Ann O'Grady founded Rhode Island Youth Theatre in 1987. She has over 40 years of teaching experience and holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Connecticut. In 1995, she was honored to receive the Milken National Educator Award. In 2009, she was named a Rhode Island Fellow by the RI Foundation.
Nancy Hillner
Musical Director
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a B.A. in Music Education, Nancy made her Broadway debut in the critically acclaimed comedy, Dance With Me. She appeared off-Broadway in Nunsense—touring the country with Phyllis Diller, Pat Carroll, Dodi Goodman, and Joanne Worley—and performing in the National Tour of Neil Simon’s Rumors with Peter Marshall and Patty McCormack. Locally, she was a member of Charlie Hall’s Ocean State Follies and Mixed Nuts, but her favorite production is her daughter, Amy. Nancy was a 2016 Tony Award Nominee for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award.
Caroline Tate
Director
Caroline Bateson Tate is currently a 1st grade teacher in East Greenwich. She was fortunate to grow up in the arts and is a proud alumni of RIYT. She holds a M.Ed in TESOL, MAT in Elementary Education, and a BA in Communication Studies and Theatre. Caroline has performed professionally in regional theatres, with some of her favorite roles being Cinderella in Cinderella and Margot in Legally Blonde. She has directed, choreographed, and musically directed numerous youth musicals. Her mission is to instill children's confidence through meaningful learning opportunities and excellence in the performing arts. Caroline is excited to share her love of theater with this next generation!
Bryn Martin
Assistant Director
Bryn Elizabeth Martin is a proud RIYT alumni, having been a part of company for 14 years now! Bryn is an east coast based artist and has performed professionally in multiple theatre productions across New England. Favorite credits include; Liesl Von Trapp (Sound of Music, Ivoryton Playhouse), Cecily (The Importance of Being Earnest), Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Beth March (Little Women the Musical, Ocean State Theatre Company), and “Punch Bowl Mermaid/Featured Extra” in the Netflix movie Hubie Halloween starring Adam Sandler. Bryn is a passionate arts educator, having worked at various children’s theaters and teaching music lessons to young artists of all ages and abilities. She also graduated this summer with her BA from Southern New Hampshire University. When not performing or teaching, Bryn can be found making art, exploring photography, & practicing yoga! www.brynelizabethmartin.com
Alex Davis
Assistant Director/Choreographer
Alexander Davis (he/him) is a Junior Musical Theatre Major and Applied Music Minor at Point Park University in their Conservatory of Performing Arts where he studies in the three disciplines of dance, voice, and acting. He is a 2021 graduate from NKHS. There, could be seen in Beauty and The Beast (2018), Les Mis (2019), Mary Poppins (2020), and as Jekyll and Hyde in Jekyll and Hyde (2021). At RIYT, has been seen as Shrek in Shrek and The Beast in Beauty and The Beast. He was recently in the Pittsburgh Playhouse production of Kentucky as Ensemble/Adam (U/S) and Marvin in Pinnacle Productions’ Falsetto’s.
Audrey Voccio
Summer Stage Manager
Audrey Voccio has been doing theater for most of her life. She is currently a Freshman at Ohio University studying Stage Management and Business with an International Business Certificate. Audrey joined RIYT while she was in high school and is a 2023 graduate of NKHS. Audrey was an active member in the music and theater department and was the stage manager for the 2023 production of Grease. Audrey was also nominated for the Outstanding Stage Management award through the PPAC Ocean State Star Awards. One of her favorite things about being a part of RIYT is not only seeing herself grow more confident but also everyone else that joins the program.
Cooper Cardone
Director/Composer
Cooper Cardone is an actor, singer, and composer from Rhode Island with a B.A. from Brown University in Music and Theater Arts. In 2018 he won the Sondheim Award for Best Actor for his performance as the Beast and was a Jimmy Awards nominee. Cooper wrote the music for RIYT’s recent production of Rock Show, which won the 2022 BroadwayWorld RI Award for Best New Play or Musical. Cooper lives in New York City and and works as a stagehand for Off-Broadway and a freelance composer for musical theatre. www.coopercardone.com
Steve Wilson
Technical Director
Experienced Technician and Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Skilled in Event Planning, Customer Service, Strategic Planning, and Management. Strong arts and design background with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) focused in Theatre/Theater from University of Rhode Island.
Molly Wren
Assistant Director/Choreographer
Molly Wren has been involved in the performing arts her whole life, beginning dance classes with Providence Ballet at the age of four, and currently dancing as a company member. She graduated from North Kingstown High School’s Music CTE program and was an active participant in NKs drama department. Molly joined RIYT in 5th grade and has been performing and directing with them since. After high school, Molly studied in New Orleans for a year, joining her schools Haitian Modern dance team. Right now, Molly is teaching dance classes through Hasbro Children’s Hospitals Healing Arts Program. She is currently majoring in Elementary Education and Entertainment, rehearsing for Providence Ballet’s upcoming show, and is excited to choreograph for one of her favorite musicals with RIYT. She is so happy to be back!
Melie Hayes
Lion King Jr & Cinderella: Camp Manager/Intern Mentor
Finding Nemo Jr: Puppet Designer/Instructor
Melie Hayes is a proud RIYT alumni, who is launching a professional career in theater education and arts administration. Melie graduated from The University of Rhode Island in 2023 with a dual degree in Human Development and Family Science and Theatre Design and Technology, and has worked with companies like Trinity Rep (Child Coordinator, Education and Accessibility Intern), Weston Theatre Company (Production Assistant), Brown University (Stage Manager), TEDxURI (Assistant Stage Manager), Wilbury Theatre Group (Assistant Stage Manager), and is looking forward to building a full career within theater education! Additionally, Melie is passionate about access within theater and conducted a research study her senior year about the usage of warning lights as a form of sensory friendly performance.
Rebecca Macri
Scenic Designer
Rebecca Macri is a multimedia artist with 20+ years of painting experience. She painting theatre scenery as a volunteer for her son’s school production of Beauty & the Beast. Rebecca graduated from Boston College with degrees in Studio Art and Biology, and took continuing education classes in illustration and design at the Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited her work in Rhode Island and Boston, including AS220, Warwick Center for the Arts, and the Boston Arts Festival. www.rebeccamacriart.com
Prepare RI Internship Program
Every summer we are joined by high school seniors from across the state as part of the Prepare RI Internship program. Students gain hands-on experience in theatre production and choose roles based on their own interests.
