FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

From Broadway, Disney, and beyond we have an awesome lineup of guests ready to "meet" you from the comfort of your home! Guests will go live on our Facebook and be taking questions from our audience so mark those calendars, prep those questions, and get ready! (All times listed are Central Time) Rob Lott - Wednesday, April 8th @6:30pm Donnie Hafele - Friday, April 10th @1:00pm Ephie Aardema - Monday, April 14th @1:00pm Lily Brooks O'Briant - Thursday, April 16th @1:00pm Vanessa Lee - Friday, April 17th @1:00pm Kyle Fowler - Monday, April 20th @1:00pm Noel Katz - Thursday, April 23rd @6:30pm David Thornton - Tuesday, April 28th @1:00pm Mark Rosenthal - Wednesday, April 29th @1:00pm Jere Hunt - Thursday, April 30th @6:30pm Kai Ealy - Saturday, May 2nd @6:30pm Sami Kosinski - Tuesday, May 5th @1:00pm Eddie Stalzer - Thursday, May 7th @1:00pm Stephanie Roberts - May 12th @6:30pm Ben Lipitz - May 14th @1:00pm Laura Oldham McCann - May 16th @1:00pm Matt Turner - May 19th @1:00pm Marissa Rosen - May 26th @3:00pm Tracy Christensen - June 18th @1:00pm Willem Butler - July 15th @6:30pm Matt Meigs - July 19th @1:00pm Join the Facebook Event: bit.ly/FPCTA_Special_Events FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES ROB LOTT PRINCIPAL ACTOR AT WALT DISNEY WORLD, FREELANCE WRITER, DIRECTOR, & PODCAST HOST WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8TH - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) Twitter/Instagram: @RobALott LeadingCreativePodcast.libsyn.com An actor, a director, a reader, a writer, a thinker, and a speaker-upper. Rob has been a professional performer and director for almost twenty years. He and his teams have created intimate atmosphere shows as well as spectacle stage productions for large audiences. His passion lies at the intersection of Leadership and Creativity. You can hear his thoughts on Leadership and Creativity on his regularly hosted show, The Leading Creative Podcast. Rob and his wife, Kate, live in Orlando with their dogs, C.J. and Toby.

DONNIE HAFELE TECHNICAL PRODUCTION PLANNER WITH DISNEY PERFORMING ARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL)

Donnie is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida and has loved Disney since he was young. He was a band student throughout middle and high school which had a lasting impact on his passion for the performing arts, especially within the youth communities. Donnie started with Disney in 2014 and has been lucky enough to be a tech with Disney Performing Arts (DPA), Disney's Animal Kingdom, resort shows, and special events.

EPHIE AARDEMA PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS TUESDAY, APRIL 14TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL)

Instagram/Twitter: @ephieaardema Ephie was in the original cast of “Bridges of Madison County” on Broadway, Dawn in the first national tour of “”. Tai in the “Clueless” musical, and, most recently, played Harriet in “Emma” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Ephie was currently upposed to be playing Miss Honey in “Matilda” at a theatre in Boston, but like everything else currently, was unfortunately cancelled due to pandemic. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

LILY BROOKS O'BRIANT PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) https://www.lilybrooksobriant.com Lily Brooks is a thirteen-year-old actress best known for her current role as Mandy Wight on ’s ‘The Show’. Lily Brooks has been acting since the age of 5, starting in community theatre in Memphis, Tennessee. After asking her parents for nearly 8 months to do film & TV, Lily Brooks signed with agent & landed a lead role, playing Dolph Lundgren’s daughter in the film, ‘Shark Lake’ at age 8. Lily Brooks was elated to play the role of ‘Matilda’ in the US National Tour of ‘Matilda the Musical’, traveling the country at the age of 9. She voices the character of ‘Birdie’ on the popular kids podcast ‘Six Minutes’ and has appeared in numerous short films and on Amazon’s ‘The Tick’. In her free time, Lily Brooks loves spending time with her family & their dog, Rebel, laughing with her friends, singing and lending a hand to various charitable organizations raising awareness for anti-bullying and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

VANESSA LEE DISNEY PERFORMER FOR SHOWS AND PARADES FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) Hello, my name is Vanessa Lee and I’m originally from Laredo, Texas. I started working for World Disney World right after college. I had been dancing and performing my entire life and I knew I wasn’t finished at the end of college. I had several friends who encouraged me to audition to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, because that is what you do in Texas. I just knew Dallas wouldn’t be a perfect fit for me. I had to find other options. I had a friend who was performing at Walt Disney World and loved it so I decided to audition and, thankfully, got the job. I’ve been performing in shows and parades across property for eight years now! Times flies when you’re having fun! Through out my Disney Career, I've had the privilege to perform on live international television for "Despierta America" on Univision and "Ant and Dec Saturday Night Takeaway Show" for British Telelvision. I've also performed Festival of The Lion King on "The View" featuring Whoopi Goldberg and cast. My other endeavors include various performances in Disney Parks Christmas Day Special, including the 2018 opening performance with and Sarah Hyland. My greatest accomplishment has been, being invited to perform "Jungle Book Alive With Magic" at the White House for Michelle Obama at the Kid's State Dinner in 2016. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES KYLE FOWLER EQUITY PERFORMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD AND FINANCIAL COACH MONDAY, APRIL 20TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) www.kyledfowler.com www.ramseycoach.com/flipthescript Facebook: @kyledfowler or @ftsfinancialcoaching Instagram: @celticturtle18 or @ftsfinancialcoaching Kyle is a full-time equity performer at Walt Disney World. His home stage is Finding Nemo: the Musical show at Animal Kingdom where he plays Mr. Ray/Chum as well as Marlin. He is also a friend of Kristoff for the Christmas show on the castle stage at Magic Kingdom and the Frozen Sing Along show at Hollywood Studios. Kyle is a Dapper Dan and a member of Voices of Liberty. Kyle grew up in St. Louis, MO and went to Millikin University where he got a BFA in Music Theatre as well as a minor in dance. He lived in NYC for eight years, working for multiple cruise lines (including Disney), touring in Japan and the US, as well as multiple regional theaters. Kyle and his wife moved to Orlando almost five years ago, which is also when he started working for Walt Disney World. He has been involved in numerous projects with Disney as well as just recently recorded a voiceover for the new Cirque du Soleil show "Drawn to Life," which will be making its debut at Disney Springs this year. In addition to projects at Disney, Kyle performs with a Frankie Valli tribute show traveling across the country and Canada. He is also involved in the commercial scene and has booked numerous commercials since living in Orlando. In addition to performing, Kyle is a certified financial coach, working with individuals and couples on gaining control over their money and achieving their financial goals. NOEL KATZ SONGWRITER/MUSICAL DIRECTOR AT THE MIRACLE PROJECT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23RD - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) Noel's career began over 40 years ago with the Hollywood improv troupe, Off the Wall, where he worked with the then-undiscovered Robin Williams. He returned to his native New York as the youngest member of the BMI Writing Workshop under Lehman Engel. He’s had seventeen musicals produced, including Such Good Friends, which premiered in 2007’s New York Musical Theater Festival, winning three NYMF Awards and two Talkin' Broadway Citations, including Best Musical. He wrote a musical comedy in which he actually married casting director Joy Dewing at the Soho Playhouse, with singing bridesmaids, preacher, parents, and four-year-old flower girl. His Gilbert and Sullivan-esque backstage mystery, Murder at the Savoy, sold out at the 50th Edinburgh Festival, got five stars from The Scotsman, and has since been produced four more times in Great Britain. His latest musical, Identity, came out of an unusual process in which over a dozen young people on the autism spectrum contributed ideas and then performed it in Beverly Hills. His other musicals include Area 51, On the Brink, The Pirate Captains, The Christmas Bride and five revues for Second City. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

DAVID HOWARD THORNTON PROFESSIONAL ACTOR TUESDAY, APRIL 28TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) David Howard Thornton is a Huntsville native and former #FantasyKid! He is an actor known for work in stage, film, and voice over. He is best known for his roles as Grandpa Who/ Grinch understudy in the 1st - 5th national tours of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical", the voice of Shizoku and others in the video game "Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom", various characters on the animated children series "Super Wings" and "The Bravest Knight", The Joker in the YouTube series "Nightwing Escalation", and Art the Clown in the film "Terrifier" and the upcoming "Terrifier 2"(for mature audiences only). David also won a 2018 Fright Meter Award for Best Actor and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Art the Clown, as well as a 2017 Voice Arts Award nomination for his performance on the scripted podcast Western "Powder Burns"(Apple Podcasts).

MARK ROSENTHAL PROFESSIONAL FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER & STAGE COMBAT WEDENSDAY, APRIL 29TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) www.mark-rose.com

Mark is a NY based Stuntman, Fight Choreographer, and Actor. He attended AMDA - NY, and the New School, where he received his BFA in Musical Theatre. Then, he moved to Orlando, FL and played the German Mechanic in "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular" for 5 years before moving back to NY. He has been choreographing fights since 2009, and now has multiple credits choreographing fights for both Asolo Rep in Sarasota, FL, and Trinity Rep in Providence, RI. He has also performed stunts on TV shows like "Gotham", "Blacklist", "Quantico", and did motion capture for "Star Wars: Fallen Order" and the (hopefully) upcoming game "Lords of the Fallen 2". FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES JERE HUNT DANCER & WARDROBE SUPERVISOR WITH RIOULT DANCE NY. FREELANCE DANCE TEACHER AND CHOREOGRAPHER. THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) www.jerehunt.com IG: @jerehunt FB: @jerehuntdance Jere Hunt, a native of Huntsville, AL, received his BFA in Dance from Marymount College under the direction of Katie Langan. He has been a member of Rioult Dance New York, a modern dance company based in , since August 2010. Mr. Hunt has danced with numerous companies and choreographers, and was an apprentice with the Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman. He has been a guest teacher and lecturer at colleges, high schools, and dance studios across the country. As a choreographer, he has created works for students at City Center Ballet, Ballet Tennesee, Lee High Magnet Minors and the Dance Ensembles at Grissom High School. His piece, Acceptance, won “Best Modern Piece” at the Panoply Choreography Competition in 2013. He is a member of the Dance Department Advisory Board at Marymount Manhattan College.

KAI A. EALY PROFESSIONAL ACTOR SATURDAY, MAY 2ND - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) www.kaiealy.com Instagram: @kaiealy Tiktok: @kaiealy Kai A. Ealy studied acting in Alabama before moving to Chicago to pursue his career. Kai was last seen as ISA in the Chicago Premiere of Kill Move Paradise (Timeline Theater). Other credits include: Manny Padilla in The Adventures of ugie March, written by Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright David Auburn, (The Court Theater in Chicago), CARDBOARD PIANO (Timeline Theater); A RAISIN IN THE SUN (TheatreWorks Colorado); Shiller’s MARY STUART (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); FRANKLINLAND (Jackalope Theater); 30th Annual Young Playwrights Festival (Pegasus Theater Chicago); MIGRATION (eta Creative Arts Foundation). Television credits include Chicago Fire (NBC). Kai is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

SAMI KOSINSKI PRODUCTION ASSISTANT WITH DISNEY PARKS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TUESDAY, MAY 5TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) Sami started with Walt Disney World as a Disney College Program participant at Kilimanjaro Safaris. After finishing up a Stage Management program at the University of Illinois, She moved down to Florida full time and spent seven seasons working with Disney Performing Arts as a Guest Talent Coordinator and Duty Coordinator. Currently her role as a PA has kept her busy working on special events at Resorts, Disney Springs, and Disney's Hollywood Studios!

EDDIE STALZER PRODUCTION PLANNER AT THE AMERICA GARDENS THEATRE IN EPCOT AT WALT DISNEY WORLD THURSDAY, MAY 7TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL)

Eddie originally started with the company as an Entertainment Technician, working various special events and concerts held throughout Walt Disney World. He attended the University of Miami and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Engineering. Post graduation Eddie worked as the Assistant Director of Recording Services, at the University of Miami, where he taught students how to do live recording and live sound reinforcement for the Frost School of Music's performances. Currently as a Production Planner Eddie helps to coordinate all of the technical needs for concerts at Epcot, helps create schedules for the technicians, and trains other technicians in the various technical roles at Epcot.

STEPHANIE ROBERTS PROFESSIONAL VOICE OVER ARTIST TUESDAY, MAY 12TH - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) Stephanie Pam Roberts is a NYC based professional voice over artist who works mostly from her home studio. She's voiced numerous commercials, cartoons, explainer videos, kids apps, corporate projects, and more and has worked for companies like Samsung, Amazon, Uber and Spotify. When she's not recording, she can be found directing musicals for kids of all ages and enjoying family time with her husband and almost 3 year old daughter. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES BEN LIPITZ PROFESSIONAL ACTOR - PUBMAA IN DISNEY'S THE LION KING THURSDAY, MAY 14TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Ben-Lipitz/ Twitter/Instagram @BenLipitz Ben Lipitz is a professional actor primarily known for his work on Broadway in Disney's The Lion King. Mr. Lipitz has worked twice for legendary director, Sidney Lumet and makes his home just outside New York City. He is a memebr of The Actors Studio and is a CalArts Alumnus School of Film/Video. "Love and kisses to Rosalie, Matthew and Mikaela" Some of his credits include: STAGE: Over 6,200 performances as Pumbaa, Broadway/ National Tour of Disney’s The Lion King. God of Carnage; The Producers (Walnut St. Theatre); Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof (Broadway Live); Red, Hot and Blue (Goodspeed Opera, Papermill Playhouse); Just So (Goodspeed Opera); ART; Dirty Blonde; Laughter on the 23rd Floor. TV: Law & Order: SVU, The Sopranos, Law & Order, 100 Centre Street, Homicide, Gotham. FILM: The Giraffe and Find Me Guilty (with Vin Diesel). LAURA OLDHAM MCCANN MASTERCLASS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT STUDIO TENN/SCHOOL ASSOCIATE AT NASHVILLE BALLET SATURDAY, MAY 16TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) Laura Oldham McCann is a Fantasy Alumni and Huntsville native! She is an AEA singer/actor/dancer now living in Nashville TN. She's performed in 7 different countries and several significant venues in the U.S. including the Kennedy Center, The Shubert Theatre of New Haven, Grand Ole Opry, and 54 Below. For 5 years Laura performed as a Merry Murderess on the international/national Broadway tour of Chicago the Musical. She's had the pleasure of working with Grammy winner Brandy, John O'Hurley, Brent Barrett, Eddie George, Paige Davis, and Anne Reinking just to name a few. Other favorite credits include Janet van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (Carbonnell Nomination best actress in a musical), Maggie in A Chorus Line, Kate Monster in Avenue Q (New Hampshire Theatre Award nomination best actress in a musical), Judy in 9 to 5, and 3 years with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (understudy to Tony Nominee Jennifer Simard). She's workshopped shows for Norwegian Cruise Lines, produced/performed cabaret at The Metropolitan Room, performed in the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and presented her one woman show at Matthew Corozine Studio. She currently heads up the masterclass program at Studio Tenn and guest teaches for Red mountain theatre company, Belmont university, lipscomb university, and various studios around the south. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

MATT TURNER PUPPETEER WITH WALT DISNEY WORLD TUESDAY, MAY 19TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) Matt Turner’s love of puppetry started at a young age. He got first puppets when he was three years old. Growing up Matt did puppets at his church, for school talent shows, and birthday parties. He graduated from the University of Connecticut where he majored in puppetry and attended puppetry workshops by Sesame Workshop. In 2011 Matt started working at Walt Disney World as a puppeteer. There he performs with a variety of different types of puppets. One of his favorite experiences was in 2016 when he helped open the show The Muppets Present Great Moments in American History. For this show Matt was trained by the Muppet performers to bring their characters to life. Matt also continues to pursue puppetry projects outside Disney. Most recently in 2019 he performed in Jane Henson’s Nativity Story. MARISSA ROSEN PROFESSIONAL SINGER AND ACTRESS TUESDAY, MAY 26TH - 3:00PM (CENTRAL) @themarissarosen www.marissarosen.com www.youtube.com/Risseroni If you just saw Kristen Chenowith when she came through Huntsville then you saw the incredibly talented Marissa!! A born & raised New Yorker, Marissa was most recently seen making her Broadway debut in For the Girls with Kristin Chenoweth! Off- Broadway: R.R.R.E.D., The Marvelous Wonderettes, My Big Gay Italian Wedding, Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Regional/Tours: A Taste of Things to Come, Jawbreaker, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grease, Legally Blonde, Bare, & Into the Woods. She has had the privilege of singing backup for Shoshana Bean, Patti LuPone, Jessica Vosk, Betty Buckley, Marty Thomas, Frankie Grande & Lillias White to name a few. She is also an audition, vocal & branding coach. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

TRACY CHRISTENSEN COSTUME DESIGNER THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) www.tracychristensen.com. Tracy Christensen designed the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close, Candide at Carnegie Hall with John Lithgow, Lady in the Dark, starring Victoria Clark for MasterVoices, and Carousel for London’s English National Opera. Recent premieres include Scotland, PA off Broadway, The Willard Suitcases for the American Shakespeare Center, Anne of Green Gables at the Merry Go Round Theater (2018 Syracuse Area Live Theater Award nomination) and Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice off Broadway. Other projects: Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Folger (Hellen Hayes nomination), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Cincinnati Playhouse) Noises Off! (Asolo), Oklahoma (Goodspeed), Mamma Mia! for Great Lakes Theater (2018 Cleveland Critics Circle Award), Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (film for HBO with Audra McDonald), Souvenir (Broadway), Sherwood (Playmakers Repertory), Seussical for TheatreworksUSA (Lucille Lortel nomination), and Hand To God (TheaterWorks Hartford). 10 seasons: Chautauqua Theatre Company. Faculty member at Purchase College SUNY for costume design. WILLEM BUTLER WINNER OF BROADWAYWORLD'S "NEXT ON STAGE" WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH - 6:30PM (CENTRAL) @killemwillem www..com/c/WillemButler Willem is a junior at Elon University and is majoring in Musical Theater. He has been performing since he was 4 years old and has too many theater credits to count. Willem is a Huntsville native and recently won BroadwayWorld's National "Next On Stage" competition! FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

MATT MEIGS PROFESSIONAL ACTOR SUNDAY, JULY 19TH - 1:00PM (CENTRAL) @Matt_Meigs (Instagram) Matt Meigs got an abundance of training in the community theatre and high school theatre scene as a native of Huntsville, AL. He’s tried hard to make a name for himself, but he knows he’ll never be as famous in Huntsville as his own mother, the grand dame Linda Meigs. BROADWAY: "", "Carousel", "Holiday Inn", "Tuck Everlasting", "Matilda". NATIONAL TOURS: "Wicked", "Mary Poppins". : "Rock of Ages" (Franz). REGIONAL THEATRE: MUNY, Flatrock Playhouse, Theatre By the Sea. BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University in NC. "My last unfulfilled dream has been to be on a tour that sits down in Huntsville, but it hasn’t happened yet!!"

WE WILL CONTINUE ADDING GUESTS SO BE SURE TO CHECK IN OFTEN! INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OF OUR GUESTS?

EMAIL [email protected]. FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN'S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS: ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA) SERIES

WE WILL CONTINUE ADDING GUESTS SO BE SURE TO CHECK IN OFTEN!

INTERESTED IN BEING ONE OF OUR GUESTS?

EMAIL [email protected].