the creative team

Founder / Artistic Director

Alyssa Jiwani (she/her) is an actor, director, choreographer, singer, dancer, teacher, and arts administrator from Seattle, WA. Alyssa Jiwani is a current student at New York University’s Tisch School of Drama, pursuing a double major in Theatre and Theatre Education (BFA Drama and BS Educational Theatre). Alyssa is passionate about increasing diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity in the theatre industry, which is why she created The Virtual Theatre Co! She believes that the way to change the theatre industry is by providing quality arts education to young artists, and giving them a safe space to create. Her work in this regard has been featured by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Actor Aesthetic blog and podcast, Broadway World, and more! Alyssa loves her TVTC family so much, and is so excited for what the future holds for TVTC! alyssajiwani.com

Education Director

Emma Cort (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate artist from Pennsylvania who currently resides in NYC. She is a current student at New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts obtaining a BFA in Drama. Emma comes from a background in virtual learning and is passionate about teaching young artists from all over the world. She has performed in numerous theatre, television, film, and comedy performances over the years and continues to work as a professional actor. At TVTC, Emma leads the improv troupe,TVTCoMEDY, and organizes outreach events with schools. Previous TVTC credits include Steel Magnolias (director), Beauty and The Beast (director), Almost Maine (producer) and The Disney Cabaret (producer). In addition to productions and classes at TVTC, she serves as a private instructor for students. Emma is so thankful for TVTC and the ways we collaborate to create theatre over Zoom. Instagram: @emma.cort

Productions Director

Leanna Niesen (she/they) is a stage manager, choreographer, teacher and director. Originally from Madison, WI, they are a current student at Muhlenberg College majoring in Theatre and Dance. She is passionate about mentoring young theatre artists and creating safe, positive, and accessible spaces to make art. They have stage managed numerous school shows, as well as professional and regional productions. At TVTC, Leanna helps creative team members through the process of developing virtual shows. Previous TVTC credits include Back on Broadway Cabaret (director/choreographer), DCOM Cabaret (choreographer), Vanities (stage manager), and Out of Bounds (stage manager).  She is so grateful to be a part of TVTC's wonderful community and to have the opportunity to make theatre with artists all over the world! Instagram: @leanna.niesen

VNW Director 

Eliana Coe is an 18 year old writer and performer from the Seattle area. Coe has performed at The 5th Avenue Theatre on their mainstage and as a part of their Rising Star Project, the Village Theatre Mainstage and Kidstage, Showtunes Theatre Company, and Studio East. Coe has written musicals at both Village Theatre Kidstage with their Kidstage Originals program and for The 5th Avenue Theatre with their Rising Star Project’s 10 Minute Musicals program. Coe was a part of the writing teams for both Sincerely Yours (2018) and All That Glitters: A Rock Legend (2019-2020) which premiered at Kidstage and she was a part of the team of Listen which premiered with the Rising Star Project. Eliana is currently co-writing Breaking Point the Musical with Rylynn Davis. Coe will be pursuing a BFA at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the coming years.

Aimee Lefkowicz is a songwriter, actress, and vocalist from Seattle! She will be a freshman at Berklee College of Music in the fall studying Contemporary Writing and Production, and minoring in musical theater! She has been involved in various youth led local organizations/productions for the past four years, including working with organizations such as Seattle Theater Group and Northwest Folklife Festival. Creating accessible youth-focused art spaces is so essential and Aimee is so excited to be a part of this important project, bringing artists together virtually, and continuing arts education/opportunities during this challenging time.

Elleda Spitzer is a multi-hyphenate artist from the Bay Area, California! She studies Theatre at the University of British Columbia, pursuing a double major in either political science or sociology. Elleda is passionate about TVTC’s mission to make theatre for accessible and inclusive, and is so grateful to have found a home here as the Assistant Productions Manager and Co-Apprenticeship Program Coordinator! Her favorite roles were the Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods) and Lucy Grant (Bright Star). Elleda was also the assistant stage manager for the world premier of Sympathizer, and producer for Frozen Jr. (TVTC). Thank you! Elledaspitzer.com

Maya L'Abbe is so excited to be apart of this program. Some of her past favorite credits include The Pajama Game RSP (5th Ave.) Mary Poppins (SE), Crazy for you (NHHS). She is beyond grateful to have this opportunity! She can't wait to work with you!

Emily Brooks is an actress, choreographer, and teaching artist beginning her junior year in Northwestern University's World Literature and Musical Theatre (performance and choreography) programs, where favorite credits include (as a peformer) Legally Blonde, a reading of Adam Gwon's Scotland, PA, and (as a choreographer) Machinal. Back home in Seattle, she's performed at Village Theatre (2018 Festival of New Musicals), Second Story Repertory (Anne in Anne of Green Gables),The 5th Avenue Theatre (Rising Star Projects 2015-2017), Studio East, and Village Kidstage, and has interned at Taproot Theatre and the 5th Avenue Theatre.

Patrick Coy-Bjork is an actor, director, playwright, and video editor from Waunakee, WI. They are currently a junior pursuing a Theatre and English major at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. At Macalester, Patrick has performed in “Twelfth Night” and “Como La Tierra” as well as serving as assistant director for Thunderbodies. In high school, Patrick directed and performed in his original murder mystery comedy “Nothing More Deceptive.” At TVTC, Patrick works as a Social Media Coordinator and Technical Director. Additionally, he helps lead the company’s comedy troupe: TVTCoMEDY. They are so excited to be a new member of TVTC and are always eager to create and share theatre with everyone! Instagram: @pcoybjork E-mail: pcoybjork@gmail.com

Teresa Bocalan is a New York-based, Seattle-born actress who feels extremely fortunate to be doing what she loves, whether it’s on a stage or in a little Zoom box. National tour: Junie B. Jones (Lucille). 54 Below: CARDED with TheaterWorksUSA. Village Theatre KIDSTAGE: Rent (Mimi), How to Succeed... (Smitty). Must love dogs. Proud AMDA alum!  www.teresabocalan.com

Shira Schleifer is an actress, vocalist, director, playwright and teaching artist from New York.   She is a current graduate student at NYU Steinhardt pursuing an MA in Educational Theatre. Shira has performed in numerous theatre productions where past credits include the Witch in "Into the Woods", Paulette in "Legally Blonde", Annie in "Annie" and Chava in "Fiddler on the Roof". Most recently, she directed a zoom musical entitled In and Out of the Woods, an adaption of Into the Woods for her senior theatre honors project. Through her work with The Brooklyn Children's Theatre and Riverdale Repertory Company she discovered her passion for theatre education. She believes in creating accessible theatrical opportunities for all while nurturing compassionate and well rounded artists. 

Lucy Martin is a current BFA Acting major at Penn State University. She is originally from Arlington, VA and has been involved with theatre since she was a young child. Lucy studied at Signature Theatre in high school in the Signature Conservatory acting program. Some of her favorite roles include Sophie Scholl (White Rose), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), and Jules (Winter Break), which she performed in a staged reading with Stars in the House. She is passionate about providing opportunities to young artists and is so excited to be a part of The Virtual Theatre Company team!

Annie Coulson is a rising sophomore at NYU Tisch majoring in musical theatre at the New Studio on Broadway and minoring in politics. She is originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland but now her address is in NYC. She started doing theatre since I was 7 years old and has never stopped! She prides herself on being an advanced tap dancer for over 12 years. Annie is super passionate about all things mental health, the importance of women in politics and puppies. She is so excited to start this journey! 

Artemis Zara Gültekin is an actress, playwright, who also loves singing, playing the violin and dancing. She is from Ankara, Turkey, and is currently a freshman at NYU Tisch School of the Arts majoring in Drama, attending Playwrights Horizons Theatre School. She loves all things theatre and is so excited to be part of such an amazing company!

 Workshop Coordinator

Lucy Domingo is a 7th grader at The Overlake School, and is and avid musical theatre performer. Lucy is best known for her Broadway Podcast Broadway Brains, where she has interviewed over 36 Broadway stars and people from the theatre industry. She is using her connections to Broadway stars to bring them to TVTC so they can teach for us! Lucy loves theatre so much and cannot wait to do theatre again!

London Keller is a freshman musical theatre major at Marymount Manhattan College. She has been doing theatre since she was 7 and is absolutely passionate about the arts and arts education. Her favorite roles include: Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray”, Ursula in “The Little Mermaid, Jovie in “Elf The Musical” and Nancy Taylor in the amateur world premier of “Groundhog Day the Musical.” She is a classically trained singer and frequently teaches classes in acting and audition prep. 

Jessica is so excited to be a part of the creative team! She is a current freshman at NYU Tisch's New Studio on Broadway and will major in Drama. She has been singing for as long as she can remember and adores theatre. She also loves to not only perform, but be behind the scenes as well!

Creative Team Member

Victoria Brown is a Junior Entertainment Business major with a directing minor at Oklahoma City University. She has been passionate about theater and the arts since she was 12. When not in the theatre or in class Torie loves to relax by watching Netflix, Reading, or hanging out with her best friends 

Kat Capili is an American actress with Filipino heritage. Like many young performers, singing sparked her passion for performing on stage. For more than 7 years, she has been performing on stage as a singer, actress, and musician. At the age of 16 she began screen acting, and has since been admitted to the New York University Tisch School of the Arts to retrieve her BFA in Drama.  

Lauren Barkman is a 20-year-old musical theatre major at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Originally from Bucks County, PA, Lauren began dancing at age 8. She loves all aspects of the creative process. She has acted as a performer, choreographer, dance captain, and stage manager on various productions. Performance credits: Newsies, Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, and The Miracle Worker. Choreography credits: Tarzan, Sweet Charity, and The Wizard of Oz.

Talia Pirron is a singer, actress, and musical director from Richmond, Virginia and a current freshman at the University of Virginia studying music and French. Talia began singing when she was 6 years old and hasn't stopped since. She attended a high school for the performing arts where she was a double major in voice and musical theater and is a trained classical soprano in addition to her theater training. She also sang with a children's choir throughout middle school and high school, with whom she had the privilege of performing on world stages such as Lincoln Center, The White House, and Carnegie Hall. Talia is extraordinarily passionate about music and theater and is so excited to be a part of The Virtual Theater Company team!  

Mariela Rivero is currently pursuing a BFA in Acting & minor in Film Studies at Pace University in NYC, where she is also a member of the Honors College. Prior to entering Pace, she was an understudy and intern at Delaware Shakespeare. Outside of performing, she is passionate about teaching, mentoring children, and making theatre more diverse and accessible. Additionally, she is a media intern at SoHo Shakespeare Company, where she writes for the blog on all things Shakespeare. Insta: @marielarivero.nyc

Fabiano Nardone (he/him) is an emerging theatrical performer, passionate about self-expression and individual growth. Fabiano is a current freshman BFA Contemporary Theater major at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Most recently, Fabiano has been interning with the Seattle Children's Theatre, bringing a virtual Musical Theatre education to the regional area. From choreographing and teaching to performing on stage himself, Fabiano is super excited to be immersed into the online theatre scene once again!

Mia is an actress, singer and dancer based in New York City and Seattle, Washington. She is currently a junior in the BFA Musical Theatre program at Pace University. Her love for theatre began when she was 13 years old, performing in various shows around the Washington community. Since then, she has performed with various theatre companies in New York City and regional summer stock companies.   

 Caitlin Sarwono is a 3rd year Music Education major at the University of Washington. She has been performing in musicals since she was in 7th grade and started teaching music junior year of high school. She has been working at the Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts teaching voice classes and summer camps for kids. Caitlin music directed Miscast Cabaret at her high school as well as Heathers the Musical at Ballyhoo Theatre. She loves teaching and is so excited to have this opportunity to work with you!

Vincent Bennett specializes in dance! He has been training all his life, and has developed technique in multiple styles over the years. He has been a musical theater performer for the last 5 years, and has performed all over the Seattle area. Prior to theatre, he was trained in classical ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Styles Vincent specializes in include ballet, tap, and musical theatre jazz.

Hannah Castrogiovanni is a sophomore year musical theatre major at New York University. She has been studying classical and musical theater singing for almost 7 years now. She became interested in pursuing musical theater as a career during high school and now is working towards being a professional performer in the heart of New York City!

Creative Team Member

Creative Team Member

Creative Team Member