mainstages is happy to present our Summer 2024 Theater Directors,Teaching Artists and Performers!

Aaron Kaplan (he/him)- Teaching Artist, Asphalt Green

Aaron Kaplan is an actor and teaching artist currently based in NYC, with roots in ATL and LA as well. He has appeared in multiple films and series, performed in numerous tours and off-broadway shows, and studied with a diverse selection of teachers all across the country in addition to teaching his own workshops in multiple states. At its core, Aaron’s work is all about affecting his audience. Whether he is tickling the funny bone of thousands or helping one person deal with something difficult in their lives, as long as Aaron has affected someone in a positive way, he has done his job. Art has always been a source for change, it can and will change the world. Visit TheAaronKaplan.com for more!

Anna Frankl (she/her)- Performer

Anna Frankl-Duval is a London-born, Brooklyn-based actor and voiceover artist. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts New York. Some of her voiceover work includes voicing national and international commercials for Palo Alto Networks, 23andMe, Slack, and Abbott Medical, as well as a series of augmented reality children’s books for BooksARalive called Meet the Animals. Her off-mic work spans both film and theatre, including Anarchy at NPTC, the fierce leader of a resistance group in The Resistance, a baffled British Embassy employee in American Deportation, and writing, producing, and starring in If Only, which screened at festivals worldwide, picking up several award nominations, including one for Anna for Best Acting at the Festival of Cinema NYC. www.annafranklduval.com

Anna Medley (she/her)- Teaching Artist, Asphalt Green

Anna Medley (she/her) is a New York City based performer and teaching artist originally from Louisville, KY. She recently graduated from the Actor's Studio Drama School with her MFA in Acting. She also has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Samford University. When she's not performing, she also enjoys playwriting, directing, dramaturgy, and, of course, teaching. She is so thrilled to be teaching with Mainstages and continuing to share her love for performance, artistry, and collaboration with the community.

Ben Rivers (he/him)- Performer

Ben Rivers born & raised in NYC. He studied drama at Laguardia-The High School of Performing arts in NY.  Ben has appeared in many productions throughout his career including “Sesame Street”, “Native Son” and the Hit N.Y.C stage play “Platanos & Collard Greens”. Ben has been a featured player of Mainstages shows, workshops & gameshows for over 10 years! Ben enjoys Improv and creating new things. His performance this summer is dedicated to his two sons Elijah & Ari.

Hannah Freeto (she/her)- Teaching Artist, Eisner Camp

Hannah Freeto is thrilled to be joining mainstages this summer! Hannah is a recent graduate from IU South Bend where she earned her BFA in Theatre Performance with a minor in Marketing. She has been on stage and off since she was 6 years old, and is currently a working actor/director! Last summer, she spent her time in New York City at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting to further her career. While not on the stage, you can find her reading, playing games, spending time with friends, or hanging out with her cat, Peggy. Hannah is so excited to create, collaborate, and inspire the next generation of artists. https://www.hannahfreeto.com/ @hannahjfreeto

James DiSandro (he/him)- Teaching Artist, PS 178 and PS 196K

James DiSandro is a Brooklyn-based actor from Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Kenyon College with a B.A. in Drama and Philosophy, he moved to New York City in hopes of pursuing a career in the performing arts. James will appear in the New York Theatre Festival in the spring and is incredibly excited to be joining the Mainstages family!

Jonathan Arana (he/him)- Performer

Jonathan Arana originally from Southern California and has been a teaching artist for over 10 years. He has taught kids all over the country and is thrilled to be a part of Mainstages here in NYC!

Kamala Rose (she/her)- Performer

Kamala Rose is a Brooklyn based singer and actress. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BM and completed training at the William Esper Studio. Having performed in many TYA shows, she is always happy when her passion for performing can be used to entertain audiences of all ages.

Madeline Whiteshell (she/her)- Teaching Artist, Explorer Day Camp and PS 169

Madeline Whitesell is a Brooklyn-based director and teacher whose work deals with the intersections of music, theater, and visual art. Madeline works with the very old and very new, aiming to derail the current conventions of opera and music-theater. She takes particular inspiration from contemporary dance, light art, pedagogy of the oppressed, dialectical materialism, and her experience with chromesthesia . She has developed work with Beth Morrison Projects, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The PROTOTYPE Festival, National Sawdust, The HERE Arts Center, FringeArts, The Tank, Opera NEO, Opera on Tap-New York, The Manhattan LGBT+ Community Center, and The Krannert Center for Performing Arts. Her music video Isolate was an official selection at the 2022 Ann Arbor Film Festival.

Maggie Connick (She/Her) - Teaching Artist, Camp Canadensis and LUHI

Hello! My name is Maggie Connick and I am a recent alum from West Texas A&M with a BFA in Acting. I am a traveling teaching artist/performer. I was recently traveling the North West teaching kids the amazing art of theatre, and I'm excited to start the incredible work here in New York. Theatre is an amazing art for children to develop and grow.

Mary Murphy (she/her)- Teaching Artist, PS 266 and PS 21

Mary Murphy is an actor/voice-over artist and theatre educator who is delighted to join the talented team of teaching artists at Mainstages. As an actor she has performed in theatre, film, TV, animation, audio dramas, radio, and video games. A few of her recent credits include the one woman play An Evening With Lola Montez that originally premiered at Capital Fringe, It’s A Wonderful Life at Arkansas Rep, a streamed performance of the play Near Nellie Bly, and the audio dramas Newfield, and Frontier Gentleman. She can be heard voicing various characters on Disney, LeapFrog, Audible, and the Center For New American Media. She is also a regular performer on the award-winning radio play series Fireside Mystery Theatre, The NoSleep Podcast, The Wicked Library and To the Manor Borne By Robots. Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and Irish Equity. marymurphyonline.com

Meredith Fox (She/Her) - Teaching Artist, Substitute

Meredith is an NYC-based performer and teaching artist originally from Lancaster, PA. She was most recently seen making her Off-Broadway debut in FunikiJam's, "Totally Awesome Summer!" She originated a role on the "CoCoMelon LIVE!" national tour, and has performed in regional theatres around the country, and as a Cast Member at the Walt Disney World Resort. She graduated from Elon University, where she received her BFA in Music Theatre and BA in Arts Administration.

Niamh McCarthy (she/her)- Teaching Artist, JCH Bensonhurst

Niamh McCarthy is a teaching artist and performer from Brooklyn, New York. She is a student at Binghamton University pursuing a double major in theatre and psychology. Niamh can be frequently seen on stage in the NYC area. She has performed at various off-Broadway venues such as the Triad Theatre and Don't Tell Mama Piano Bar. As a teaching artist, she is able to combine her passions by using theatre to nurture the growing minds of children. Niamh is a passionate believer in the importance of arts education for children of all ages. She hopes to share the joy of performance with her students.

Nico Raimont (he/him)- Teaching Artist, Elmwood Day Camp and Explorer Day Camp

Nico Raimont is a Latin musical-comedy writer, performer and director from South Florida. He has an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU and a BA in Theatre from Nova Southeastern University. He has performed across the US from Joe’s Pub to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His original work has been performed at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Pregones / Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Chelsea Factory and more! His children’s musical The Busy Bees’ Great Adventure received its World Premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, FL and will be performed again this fall. www.nicoraimont.com

Valentina De Giulio (She/Her) - Theater Director, Camp GUCI

Hi! My name is Valentina and I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I've been acting since I was little and I am currently finishing my degree in Directing. I hope to create a production where children are proud of themselves, but also enjoy the entire process!