jaradoa theater

APRIL NICKELL (Founder, Managing Artistic Director) grew up in San Jose, CA and first knew she was a director when she staged a performance of Let’s Hear It For The Boy in the third grade. She directed some more in high school, including a production of Twelve Angry Jurors (there weren’t enough boys for Twelve Angry Men). April entered Pepperdine University on an acting scholarship, but continued to direct. She came to New York City to participate in the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab and she never left. She has directed regionally and in New York for the Neva Theater Company and Haven Productions. April directed Serenade and The Small of Her Back for Jaradoa, and she has collaborated with Anika on her show, Shafrika, The White Girl, since its conception. Beyond directing, April has worn a wide variety of hats in the theater. She has served as a script consultant on plays and films. She stage managed in regional theaters and associate produced Off-Broadway. She toured the U.S., Scotland and Israel as a technical director for the Reduced Shakespeare Company. She has taught theater in NYC public schools, and used drama therapy with public school children whose lives were affected by 9/11. She works as an acting coach and teaches acting and directing classes. April has come to realize that this diverse theater background was actually a straight path toward becoming Managing Artistic Director of Jaradoa Theater, a company that she has been dreaming of for years.

ANIKA LARSEN (Co-Founder, Associate Artistic Director) made her performance debut singing carols with her brothers and sisters for the guests at her parents’ annual Christmas parties (her mom thought they were the Von Trapps). Since then she has been in Avenue Q, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Rent on Broadway. Off-Broadway she played an angry, teenage mechanical-bull-rider in Zanna, Don’t! (Anika’s wicked psyched that at cocktail parties for the rest of her days she’ll be able to say she was in the original casts of Xanadu and Zanna, Don’t!). Also Off-Broadway, she played the true love found in How to Save the World and Find True Love in 90 Minutes, and a girl pirate named Juan in Miracle Brothers at the Vineyard Theatre. Anika played Hannah in Jaradoa’s inaugural production, Serenade, and she collaborated with April to create Jaradoa’s third production, Shafrika, The White Girl, a play with music about her childhood growing up in Cambridge, MA with 9 brothers and sisters of various races and nationalities. She majored in theater at Yale University, and she is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

DARYL RAY CARLILES (Actor) is representing the South in New York, having been born and raised in the small town of Henderson, North Carolina. He performed in numerous productions in NC before pursuing acting on the coast of Florida and the craziness of the west coast in Los Angeles. Now finally at home in New York City, he has enjoyed performing in shows such as The Lesbian Bathhouse, A Christmas Carol, and the children's production The Caterpillar Hunter. Also look for Daryl in several film projects, including Gary King's "What's Up, Lovely!" Being an active improv performer and a madman on the dance floor fills most of Daryl's days and nights. He feels excited and blessed to be a part of such an incredible company. You can keep up with Daryl on his website @ www.darylraycarliles.com

NILS OLAF DOLVEN (Founding Member, Composer) is the composer of the musicals Serenade and Beatles, among other projects. Serenade, with words by Tony Award-winning Rachel Sheinkin, is an expressionistic musical that has been under development through a series of readings in New York City and at the Bridewell Theatre in London. It had a workshop at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York in 2005, directed by Christopher Ashley (Tony-nominated for Rocky Horror Show) and choreographed by Benjamin Millepied (NYC Ballet). Beatles, with book and lyrics by the author Lars Saabye Christensen, tells the story of four boys growing up in Oslo in the sixties. It had an extended successful run at the Oslo Nye Teater in 1999. Nils is the recipient of the 2000 Frederick Loewe ASCAP Award for Outstanding Talent in Composition for Musical Theatre. He was recently honored with a 2005 Fellowship from the Baryshnikov Arts Center. In January, 2004, Nils answered an invitation to become a guest lecturer in composition at the Chung Ang University in Seoul, Korea. Nils trained in piano with Mark Nippierd, conducting with Karsten Andersen, and composition with Trygve Madsen. He participated in master classes in conducting in England and Sweden and has been active as a musical director. He holds an undergraduate piano degree from Barratt Due Music Conservatory in Oslo and an MFA in composition for theater from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

BRANDON GILES (Scenic Designer) is from Huntington, West Virginia, "the fattest city in the U.S." according to the CDC, and the home of Jesco White, the Tap Dancing Outlaw. Some designs include Curtains (Stepinac, regional & European premiere), The Small of Her Back (Jaradoa), The White Widow (Passajj Productions), Beef (Crown Point Festival), Macbeth (SNYC). Assistant and associate designs: Serenade (Tobin Ost, Jaradoa), The Yellow Wood (Lex Liang, NYMF, dir: B.D. Wong), Shape of Metal (Lex Liang, Origins Theatre, dir: Brian Murray). Brandon also worked on the short film "Freud's Magic Powder", a quick look at the doctor's research of cocaine and its effect on his life. It's a love story. Brandon is the proud owner of a Bender Ball, Shamwow!, and a Ronco Showtime Knife Set. Since childhood, his dream has been to own a Ronco Electric Food Dehydrator. Brandon is easy influenced by infomercials. bgilesdesign.blogspot.com

GREG GORMAN (Graphic Designer/Art Director) received a BFA in Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design. He began his career in Boston, where he designed for Houghton-Mifflin, and then provided creative direction and design for a small design firm that he co-founded. Greg's desire to work in fashion led him to NYC to work at Donna Karan for the DKNY and DKNY Jeans brands, and then at Toth Brand to oversee art direction for Nautica's youth lines, Nautica Jeans and Nautica Kids. At Carlson & Partners, Greg art directed advertising campaigns for Polo Boys and Chaps Ralph Lauren. He then worked as a senior art director at Armani Exchange. Last year Greg accepted the position of Senior Photo Art Director for L.L. Bean. Greg also enjoys designing artwork for the theater, and has worked with Ergo Theatre Company, Neva Theater Company, and most recently, Jaradoa, for whom he created the artwork for Serenade and The Small of Her Back.

CHRIS HARBUR (Actor) went to high school at St. Andrews in Nassau, Bahamas, where he discovered his love of reggae dance moves and speaking Bahamian. He is a graduate of University of Miami Conservatory, class of '06, and was most recently in Hawaii and Alaska directing, choreographing and performing with local kids in an original production of The Little Mermaid. Chris' NYC credits include Jaradoa's Serenade, State Champion, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and several shows a week with the improv group 8 Is Never Enough at the Laugh Factory in Times Square. TV credits include "Gossip Girl", "CSI: NY" and this season's premiere of "Law & Order." He is supremely grateful to God for making each day a pretty awesome adventure.

JOHN HARRISON (Founding Member, Actor) hails from Austin, Texas, where he worked on a number of film, stage, and commercial projects. He has traveled most of Europe and worked as a model through agencies in Paris and Milan. He moved to New York City to study acting at the William Esper Studio, where he teamed with other grads to form the Strings Attached Theater Company. John and his wife enjoy vintage swing dancing and have performed as dancers for both theater and film. On TV, John recently played the role of Mark in several episodes of "Guiding Light", and he could be seen in a Gillette razor ad campaign, dodging baseballs hit by Derek Jeter and soccer balls kicked by Thiery Henri. John is excited to be a part of Jaradoa Theater and is thrilled to work with such an incredible group of people! To learn more about John, please visit www.johnwesleyharrison.com

JOSHUA HENRY (Founding Member, Actor) grew up in Miami, Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in musical theater from the University of Miami. He is currently making his Broadway debut in In the Heights. Joshua starred as Thomas in Jaradoa's inaugural production, Serenade. Before that he could be seen Off-Broadway in In the Heights, in Being Alive directed by Billy Porter at Westport County Playhouse, and as Judas in Godspell at the Paper Mill Playhouse. On film, he can be seen in Sex and the City the Movie, and on television, he was featured in NBC's "Kings." Joshua thanks God, AEA, and family for their support. He is excited to face the challenges ahead.

AMANDA HUNT (Founding Member, Actor) is originally from Atlanta, GA, where she graduated from Piedmont College with a BA in Theatre. She also studied at The British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. In New York, she has studied extensively with The Barrow Group and has taken improv with Gotham City Improv. She is a singer-songwriter and was in a band called Somewherefound. She has done many plays, independent films, and commercials and was most recently seen in The Fringe Festival's Unusual Suspects and Jaradoa's production of Serenade. Favorite roles include Luisa in The Fantastiks, Feste in Twelfth Night, Cookie in Neil Simon's Rumors and Brenda in Soul Searching, a new rock opera. Amanda is also a teaching artist. She is very grateful for the love and encouragement of her husband Lee, a true Godsend.

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD (Founding Member, Actor) is a native of Toledo, Ohio and a graduate of Fordham University, where he co-founded and conducted the award-winning Fordham Glee Club. He's since served as choral conductor at Community United Methodist Church in Jackson Heights. Theater credits include: B-way: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off B-way/NYC: How to Save the World...90 Minutes (Original Cast Recording), Dragapella!, It's Karate, Kid! The Musical (NY IT Award Nom. Outstanding Lead Actor), Sunfish, Izzy! , and the upcoming Wonderland for Frank Wildhorn. Tours: Spelling Bee (1st Nat.), Jesus Christ Superstar (European), Godspell (2001 Nat. Tour Cast Recording), and Grease (w/ Cindy Williams). Fav. Regional: Songs for a New World (Actor's Playhouse), Grease (Carousel), Smokey Joe's Cafe (John Engeman Theater). Currently a nominee for two New Hampshire Theater Awards for his work at the Weathervane Theater: Best Actor in a Musical (Flick in Violet) and Best Supporting Actor (Angel in Rent). No stranger to the NYC cabaret scene, Kevin recently produced "Comme Tu Veux" at the Laurie Beechman and sang the title song for William Finn's "Infinite Joy" at Joe's Pub. You can also see Kevin's lithe frame as Osama Bin Laden in Morgan Spurlock's latest release, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? Kevin dedicates his work with Jaradoa to the Jesuits who taught him the importance of service in our lives. Art is Power!

TELLY LEUNG (Founding Member, Actor) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. Broadway credits include the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song, the 2005 Roundabout revival of Sondheim's Pacific Overtures, and Rent (Steve & Others, Angel). Telly originated the role of Boq in the Chicago company of Wicked. Other credits include Song in M. Butterfly (Philadelphia Theater Company), Barnaby in Hello, Dolly! (The Muny), Godspell (Paper Mill Playhouse), Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar (Sacramento Music Circus), Thuy in Miss Saigon (PCLO), Lun Tha in The King & I (NCT, with Lou Diamond Phillips), Toby in Sweeney Todd (Four Seasons Theater), Children of Eden (Fords Theater), and The Bernstein Mass at Carnegie Hall & Kennedy Center. He is featured in Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (on DVD & Blue-Ray) as a member of the closing cast of Rent on Broadway. TV: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Recordings include Flower Drum Song (DRG records), Pacific Overtures (PS Classics), "Wall to Wall Sondheim Live From Symphony Space," Dear Edwina (PS Classics) and his own EP of original Pop/ R&B music, "Getaway," on Mopptopp Records. Please visit www.tellyonline.net.

STEPHANIE MARTINEZ (Arts Educator) is proud to be a part of the Jaradoa family. She was a Swing in Shafrika, The White Girl and made her Jaradoa performance debut when a fellow castmate got sick on opening night! Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Stephanie is a graduate of the University of Miami, where she was president of the Federation of Cuban Students. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. She is on faculty at Young at Arts in Bronxville, NY where she teaches music and theater to students ranging from pre-K to high school. Stephanie has also worked in New York, Homestead, FL and South Africa as a volunteer teaching artist empowering youth through art.

KELLY MCCREARY (Founding Member, Actor) Recent credits include Exposed! The Curious Case of Shiloh and Zahara, which earned her a Best Actress nod from the Midtown International Theater Festival, and Precious Little with Clubbed Thumb at the Ohio Theater. Kelly made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning rock musical, Passing Strange. Other New York and regional credits include Jaradoa's inaugural production, Serenade; The Tempest for the Bermuda Festival of the Arts; Emmie Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change (Centerstage); a summer at the Williamstown Theatre Festival where she appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cabaret and Main, Eurydice, Kilroy Was Here and Bloody Mary; ...and Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi (Sundance Theater Lab); Color Me Dark (Kennedy Center national tour); Secret Order (Merrimack Repetory Theater); The Dinosaur Musical (Arden Theatre Company); and Love's Labor's Lost and A Flea in Her Ear (Chautauqua Theatre Company). Television credits include "Cyberchase" and the new incarnation of "The Electric Company", both on PBS. In 2009, she can be seen on the big screen as a winking bridesmaid in Wedding Bros. Kelly is a native of Milwaukee, WI, where her life on the stage began in a sixth grade musical. She is a graduate of Barnard College.

EILEEN RIVERA (Founding Member, Actor) was born and raised in Queens, New York, and graduated high school in San Francisco, which she considers her adopted hometown. She is the only Jaradoa member to perform in all three Jaradoa productions to date, most recently Shafrika, The White Girl. Her performances in Serenade and The Small of Her Back were met with critical acclaim. Other credits include Michael Weller's Beast (New York Theatre Workshop - dir. Jo Bonney), Sides: The Fear is Real (Culture Project - dir. Anne Kauffman), Dogeaters (Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival - dir. Michael Greif), and The Long Season (Perseverance Theatre - dir. Peter DuBois). TV: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order," "Conviction," "All My Children." Training: Boston University.

KURT ROBBINS (Actor) was in the original company of two Off-Broadway shows, Infertility: the musical that’s hard to conceive and The Water Coolers. Other credits include the first national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie as Trevor Graydon. A native of Santa Barbara and a graduate of UC Irvine, film credits include A Beautiful Mind. Kurt thanks all the awesome family and friends who encouraged him to never give up. With God, ALL things are possible!

ROBERT E. SCHNEIDER (Producer/General Manager) grew up on Long Island and received a BA from Hampshire College and a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He began his theatre career as an associate at the Theatre Guild where he worked on the national tours of Shirley Valentine; Stieglitz Loves O’Keeffe; Love Letters and Driving Miss Daisy, and the Broadway engagement of State Fair. He was Assistant Company Manager for the 1996-97 A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. Highlights of Robert’s eleven year association with Maria Di Dia as a General Manager/Associate General Manager/Company Manager include Blue Man Group; Broadway On The Bay; Broadway On Broadway; Stars in the Alley; Nothing Like A Dame (benefitting the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative of the Actors’ Fund of America); The Donkey Show; Charles Aznavour On Broadway; Paul McKenna’s Hypnotic World; Saint Lucy’s Eyes; Dragapella!; Love, Janis; Zanna, Don’t!; Nobody Don’t Like Yogi; Here Lies Jenny; Address Unknown; The Downtown Plays at the Tribeca Theatre Festival; Joy; Hilda; and Sealed For Freshness. Robert was General Manager for Backhouse Productions’ presentation of Anne Nelson’s Savages and a Co-Producer of the 2006 NYMF production of Josh Walden’s All Is Love. Robert was a Producer and General Manager of Off-Broadway’s Summer ’69 and Producer for Jaradoa’s productions of Serenade, The Small of Her Back and Shafrika, The White Girl. Most recently, Robert was General/Company Manager for Flamingo Court at New World Stages. He is admitted to the bars of New York and New Jersey and is a member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM).

SHELLEY THOMAS (Actor) has roots in Yonkers and Hopewell Junction, NY. A graduate of Syracuse University (BFA, Musical Theatre), her first professional NY production was as Kate in the cult hit Zanna, Don’t! (Off-Broadway/Original Cast Recording) with the lovely Anika Larsen. They rode a mechanical bull together, and now Shelley is a member of Jaradoa! She appeared in Shafrika, The White Girl as Britta/Nissa, which was her first production with Jaradoa. Other credits include Rent (National/Int’l Tour), Brooklyn, the Musical (Broadway), Sheila’s Day (Market Theatre in South Africa/Crossroads Theatre), world premiere of The Women of Brewster Place (Arena Stage/Alliance Theatre), The Bluest Eye (Long Wharf/Hartford Stage) and lots of regional theatre (La Jolla Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus). TV/Film: NBC’s “Kings”; independent films New Brooklyn and Immaculate Misconception. She is also a touring background vocalist for Vanessa Williams. Proud member of Actors Equity Association and of the loving Thomas family. Love and thanks to fiancé Frank for being wonderful and for creating www.shelleythomas.blogspot.com for me.

ANDREA VARGA (Founding Member, Costume Designer) most recently designed costumes for Jaradoa's new musical Shafrika, The White Girl. She also designed the Jaradoa's premiere of Serenade by Rachel Sheinkin. In addition to her freelance work in NYC, she is a faculty member at SUNY New Paltz, where she has designed costumes for productions including Blood Wedding, Measure for Measure, Our Town (scenery and costumes), Urinetown the Musical! and The Pirates of Penzance. Other work includes the Cimerosa opera L'Italiana in Londra at Manhattan School of Music, and the premiere of a new play, Phenomenon at Here Arts Center with Nerve Ensemble. Last summer she was delighted to design A Year With Frog and Toad at Dorset Theatre Festival where she previously designed Talley's Folly with her wonderful and supportive scenic designer husband, Nathan Heverin. Andrea is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, and a proud alumna of Florida State University and Utah State University. She grew up on a small farm in Northern Utah with 4 siblings and a bunch of pets. While she is happy to go back and visit the beautiful mountains several times a year, she is very glad to be an adopted New Yorker. Examples of her work can been seen on her website: www.andreavarga.com