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, Vocal Coach
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.
Alexander Davis
Production Manager/Tech Director
Alexander Davis (he/him) is a New England-based actor/musician. He recently graduated from Point Park University Summa Cum Laude earning his BFA in Musical Theater. Some of Alex’s favorite productions from undergrad include Fun Home (Music Director), Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan), and Steel Pier (Happy McGuire). At Rhode Island Youth Theatre, he has been seen in the roles of Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Shrek in Shrek Jr. Alex loves working with RIYT as it allows him to share his knowledge and talents. He hopes to inspire at camp just as he was inspired in his time at RIYT! <3
Bryn Martin
Program Director, Voice & Acting Coach, Makeup & Wig Designer
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
Molly Wren
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!
Audrey Voccio
Technical Staff Trainer, Production Assistant
Audrey Voccio has been passionate about theater for most of her life. A 2023 graduate of North Kingstown High School, she was deeply involved in the school's music and theater departments, serving as the stage manager for the 2023 production of Grease. Audrey was also honored with a nomination for the Outstanding Stage Management award through the PPAC Ocean State Star Awards. She is now a rising junior at Ohio University, majoring in International Business and Strategic Leadership & Management, with a minor in Stage Management and a Sales Certificate. Audrey is also a stage manager in the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts at Ohio University, where she continues to pursue her passion for live performance and production. She joined Rhode Island Youth Theatre (RIYT) in high school and credits the program not only with helping her grow in confidence, but also with giving her the opportunity to witness that same growth in others, something she considers one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Melie Hayes
Camp Manager/Intern Mentor/Puppet Designer
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
Cooper Cardone
Composer/Website Admin
Cooper Cardone is a NYC-based actor, singer, and composer from Rhode Island with a B.A. from Brown University in Music and Theater Arts. In 2018 he was nominated for the Jimmy Awards for his portrayal of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Cooper wrote the music for RIYT’s Frieze Frame (2024) and Rock Show (2022), which won the 2022 BroadwayWorld RI Award for Best New Play or Musical. He is currently performing in Speakeasy Die Softly at Carmine’s in Times Square, composing independently for musical theatre, and working as a stagehand for various Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. www.coopercardone.com
Melissa Toler
Costumes and Props Artist
Melissa Toler is an artist and designer based in RI. A RISD graduate, she has a BFA in apparel design. After working for many years as a surface designer in the textiles industry, she recently returned to her roots in costume design. This Fall, she was honored to be nominated for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Awards for best costume design in a musical. Additionally, she is a painter and illustrator working in watercolor and acrylic mediums. www.melissatolerart.com
Catie Flynn
Camp Manager of Mary Poppins Jr, Young PlayRIYTs Mentor
Catie has been affiliated with RIYT for almost 25 years, starting when she performed in her first summer show, Hello Dolly! Since then, Catie has held various staff positions such as Musical Director, Director, Stage Manager, Secretary of the Board of Directors, and Young PlayRIYTs mentor. She is excited to be back this summer as the Camp Manager for Mary Poppins, and to continue working as a mentor for the Young PlayRIYTs program.
Catie has a diverse educational and professional background. She holds a B.A. from Rhode Island College, an M.Ed. from Boston University, and also studied voice at Berklee College of Music. She worked for 10 years at the college level in various administrative roles, most recently in Accessibility Services, and served as an academic coach/advisor for students with learning differences. She currently works for Rock-a-Baby Music Classes, performing for young children ages 6 months to 4 years, and their caregivers. Her most demanding (and rewarding) role these days is as a mom of a 2 young children.
Edwin DeShazo
Sound Designer
Edwin DeShazo graduated with a BA in Broadcast Communication Arts from San Francisco State University and soon thereafter began a career in Sound Engineering in Los Angeles. After a few years working in recording studios in LA, he returned to San Francisco, where he worked in recording studios before joining Merl Saunders & The Rainforest Band as their live sound engineer. Edwin travelled with the band for several years, working all over the U.S., as well as Canada and Japan. After leaving the road and working for various sound companies and venues in the SF Bay Area, he found a home at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA. Over more than 15 years, he handled all live sound needs for their eclectic variety of music, comedy and theater, as well as recording shows for the theater’s archive. After the pandemic, Edwin, his wife and two children moved to East Greenwich, RI, where he began working with RIYT, the Rhythm & Roots Festival and the Rhode Island Folk Festival, among other venues.
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.
