Life Amplified PAJAMA PARTY Virtual Playbill

Michael C de Baca

Michael is very excited to be joining this talented group of performers for his second season as part of Life Amplified! Since moving to the Bay, Michael has become well-known in the Tampa theatre community. His latest roles have been: Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; Dracula in “Dracula: The Vampire Play”; Owen Musser in “The Foreigner” (Winner – Carrollwood Players Nancy Award for Best Supporting Actor; Nominee – Broadway World Regional Award for Best Actor); and was a featured member of “Pop Goes America” and the Life Amplified Showcase. He leads the PRIDE Employee Resource Group at Nielsen’s largest office in Oldsmar and regularly hosts karaoke across Tampa for Trashcat Karaoke. Michael is an avid backpacker and lives in Tampa with his fiance Robbie and their cat Piper.

Adriane Falcon

Adriane is a Native American who is very proud to be a part of this Tampa Theatre community! She is usually behind the scenes stage managing such shows as Caught in the Net at CWP and It Shoulda Been You at mad Theatre of Tampa. She was recently on stage as Princess Badroubladour in Disenchanted! with mad Theatre of Tampa. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her, and especially her brother for bringing her groceries!

Drew Eberhard

Drew is very busy in and out of the theatre world.Drew works full time as a Hair Dresser and Makeup Artist. In the theater world, Drew is an accomplished Actor, Singer, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer, Hair/Makeup artist, and Director. He has been seen on and off stage in the Tampa-Bay area at The Straz Center, and Regional Dinner Theatres such as The Show Palace. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Theatre with a concentration in Hair and Makeup Design & Choreography from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Drew is a Contributing Arts Reviewer for Broadwayworld.com.

Jessica Moraton

Jessica has most recently been seen in the Straz Center’s production of Shout: The Mod Musical (Green Girl). She has also been in several mad Theatre of Tampa productions: Man of La Mancha (Housekeeper/Fermina & Choreographer), 9 to 5 (Maria), Company (Marta) and Spring Awakening (Adult Woman). She is also a trained dancer and choreographer and she/her choreography has been in various productions over the past 15 years. When off stage, she is a marketing supervisor for Mercury Insurance and a group fitness/burlesque/dance instructor at T-Fit in Palm Harbor. She is married to the best woman/T-Rex ever, Amber, and is the mother to coolest 12 year old ever, Evan.

Athena Schorsch

Lizzie Athena Schorsch is a Connecticut born and raised performer. She moved to St. Pete for college and has been a volunteer for several different performances around Tampa Bay over the last several years. Recently she lost her grandmother and has been grieving and healing through song. She is extremely glad to be able to put her voice to good use in lifting the spirits of others especially in times such as these. Music is a powerful thing and can be a much needed medicine when hugs are not an option and loved ones are spread so far apart.

Nancy Fueyo

Nancy has been involved in theater for many years. Professional credits include: Carnegie Hall, Sr. Margaretta Sound of Music, she is part of the singing duo “A Moment in Time.”

Jessica Mazza

Jessica Mazza is thrilled to return to Life Amplified, virtually. While in Tampa, Jessica acted on a variety of community stages & loved it. She was also a member of St. Peter Claver’s Gospel choir. In Chicago, she is a singer, shaker, and guitar player with the Chicago Saddletramps. It has been amazing to perform the blues, country, and rock & roll on stages all over the city & surrounding suburbs.

Constantine Kyriakou

Having come off the stellar “Breast Advice” last year, Mr. Kyriakou is working through isolation with a steady regiment of video games and ridiculous movies.

Jason Abreu

Still very green to the world of entertainment but doing his best to adapt and build on his skills.

Karli Marie Gundersen

Karli has been in several shows in there Tampa Bay Area, Her favorite roles include “Lucy” in Jekyll & Hyde, “Princess Fiona” in Shrek, “Nadia” in Bare and and “Diana” in Next to normal. You may have also seen her as a backup singer for Josh Groban in Tampa! She has also been awarded best leading actress in a musical for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing theater community.

Joel Ferrer

“Joel is humbled to be a part of Life Amplified Pajama Party, and sincerely hopes that you are all being safe and taking care of yourselves, and that you all enjoy the show.”

Aaron Washington

Been in Tampa since 2007 and has the privilege to work with many fantastically talented people and worked at some of the greatest theatre Companies here in Tampa. AS well as Events Coordinator and All Around Theatre Guy at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Oliver Sprague

No stranger to the theatre, Oliver has been performing for the Bay area for a long time! He is proud to be performing alongside all of these amazing musicians and entertainers, as we try to bring some light to the world during this dark time.

Brent Walker

Brent Walker is an elementary music teacher in the Metro Denver area. He recently moved to Colorado from Tampa, and Florida will always be home. He is adjusting well to the climate, having recently become an avid skiier. Brent has a 12-year-old daughter named Sophie, and she is also musically inclined. She followed in Brent’s footsteps and sings and plays the piano and French Horn.

Jarrett William Koski

Jarrett W. Koski – Jarrett holds a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. Jarrett is the 2017 Broadwayworld.com recipient for Best Choreographer: Disaster the musical with mad theatre of Tampa. Performance roles include Newsies (Davey), Heathers (feat. ensemble) It Shoulda Been You (Marty), 9 to 5 (Joe) Joseph. . .Dreamcoat (Levi), Legally Blonde (Aaron/Carlos), Superstar (Peter), Into the Woods (Baker), Mary Poppins (Bert), Charlie Brown (Snoopy), Pippin (Pippin), Godspell (Jesus), and Urinetown (Bobby Strong). Past directing includes: Elf Jr, 9to5: the musical, Singin’ in the Rain Jr, The Addams Family, Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr, Godspell Jr, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast. Jarrett is very grateful to be able to do what he loves and very thankful for all of the love and support he has received over the years. “SHSO!” This is for you Victoria Rose!

Gabe Flores

Gabe is an active director, writer, and actor in the Tampa area. Notable acting credits include Taylor in Brooklyn (SLT),  Dan in Next to Normal (NYNE), Lucas in If/Then (NYNE) and will soon portray Benny with In The Heights (SLT). Aside from acting, Gabe has directed numerous productions including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (CWP), Lend Me a Tenor (Carrollwood Cultural), The Producers (CWP), The Last Fiver Years (NYNE). Gabe has written and directed his own work that has been presented in Tampa, Kansas City, and New York. Aside from theater, Gabe works for Hillsborough County Schools and raises his daughter Penny with his wife Trisha.

Allan T. Anderson

Before moving to New York City Allan was very active in the community theater scene in Tampa, his favorite (and last) portrayal before he moved was the part of the Emcee in “Cabaret”. He’s missing Florida a little something extra because of wonderful people who come together to do something like this. Hope you enjoy the show!

Lisa Negrón

Omar & Lisa Negron have been singing together for almost 20 years in coffee houses, at festivals, in theatres, and other events throughout Central Florida. Lisa is a professional voiceover actress and audiobook narrator working from her own studio. Omar is a graphic artist for Legoland Florida and also has his own freelance graphics business.

Omar Negrón

Omar & Lisa Negron have been singing together for almost 20 years in coffee houses, at festivals, in theatres, and other events throughout Central Florida. Lisa is a professional voiceover actress and audiobook narrator working from her own studio. Omar is a graphic artist for Legoland Florida and also has his own freelance graphics business.

Ash Ryan

Ashley Ryan Lord is an elementary music educator, performer, dancer, and mixed media artist. She has been seen on stage around Tampa Bay at Stageworks Theatre and often at Carrollwood Cultural Center and coming up this summer at the Straz!

Jason Ensor

Jason has called the stage his second home for 20 years, performing in all sorts of venues and variety shows. He also has had the privileges of bringing to life some of the most beloved characters of musical theater, credits including Marius in Les Miserables, Baron von Geigern in Grand Hotel, Cinderella’s prince in into the Woods, and Jekyll and Hyde in Jekyll and Hyde the musical to name a few. he continues to show passion in each roll and each song, and thrives on bringing to life the stories and songs that enlightened the hearts of those who witness theatre. He continues his journey each day, hoping to one day fulfill his dream in playing his dream role on Broadway…. The Phantom of the Opera.

Trevor Rockwell Salmon

Trevor Salmon is an up-and-coming actor in the Tampa Bay Area. After many years away from the arts, Trevor put his stage combat expertise to work in Hat Trick Theatre’s Night of the Living Dead as their Lead Ghoul. Following up with a starring turn in Dreamhouse Theatre’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life as George Bailey, Trevor has gone on to star in such musicals as Nice Work If You Can Get It as the lovable Duke Mahoney and The Jungle Book: A Musical in its North American debut as the villainous Shere Khan.

As a performer, Trevor began his studies with music, studying piano for over 15 years and moving onto studying voice under first William Renfroe and then under Christopher Holloway. He has since added extensive work in stage combat with the crew at Team Dynamite Productions. As an actor Trevor is primarily self-taught, studying theory and learning from his fellow cast and directors.

Trevor is thrilled to be returning to MAS Community Theatre for Titanic: A New Musical as both Herbert Pitman and The Major after previously performing in their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He has recently played Christopher Sly in Taming of the Shrew and Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing for the St. Petersburg Shakespeare Company as well.

Sonali Olivia

Sonali is ecstatic to be performing with Life Amplified this evening! Life is such a gift! Sonali’s most recent role was with Vivid Theatre Productions where she portrayed the role of “Amiga Gringa” in the gripping, dramatic play titled “In the Blood”. Prior to that she was cast as “Kaa” in the heart felt musical “Jungle Book, A Musical” at Carrollwood Players, which was directed by Drew Ebernard. Her love for theatre began with her involvement in LSA Repertory Theatre Company, and shortly after, she became involved in Community Theatre and local short films. Her favorite roles she has portrayed include Rissa in “The Detective Dinner Theatre Dinner Show”, Titania in “A Midsummer Nights Dream”, and Ophelia in “Anna of The Tropics”. Sonali is also a performer with Tim Pan Alley Productions- where she has performed for a groovy 60’s and 70’s music tribute show. She has also performed for Tim Pan Alley’s well known Broadway Revue show. When shes not performing, Sonali is a local Recruiting Manager. She spends her extra time outside in the sun, probably in her hammock somewhere. “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” -Wendall Holmes

Layla Kuck

Layla is a member of 6299 at Alonso High School. Her most recent production there was playing the role of Ben/Lisa in the musical Disaster. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for helping her better her craft every day.

Tom Bronson

Tom tends to perform in anything he has time for. Recently, that’s not very much, but he still tries. He has been cast in Into the Night with Powerstories Theatre. It was originally slated to open in May, but something happened to delay opening. He can’t quite remember what it was, but he thinks he remembers it being significant. Tom is an educational consultant, by trade. Basically, he flies around the country working with teachers and schools. It’s fun work, but it also prevents him from doing too many shows since, for some odd reason, directors seem to want him present for rehearsals and performances. Go figure. Tom dedicates this, and every, show, to his son Carter. We’ve only done one show and one commercial together so far, but we both hope to make it many more.

Heather Lynn Mendoza

Heather is on stage every chance she gets and is the lead singer of the band Electric Woodshed (battle of the bands winners). Heather has appeared in Disenchanted (Sleeping Beauty), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Betty), Company (Jenny), Hairspray (Tracy), Rent (Pam), among others. She was also in mad Theatre’s production of It Shoulda Been You (Jenny), which won her the award of Best Actress in Tampa Bay.

Vanna T. Scarlett

Vanna T. Scarlett is a self-proclaimed “strong independent, black catholic, white Christian woman who don’t need no man”. Coming from a musical theatre background, Vanna has graced the stage in productions including La Cage Aux Folles, Bare: A Pop Opera, and The Rocky Horror Show. She is excited to have been invited to take part in this event and share her talents with her Life Amplified family again.

Michael Silvestri

Born in New York, Michael first stepped foot on stage some 44 years ago. A student of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY, he was most recently seen as Joe Gillis in EOT’s production of “Sunset Blvd. Other roles include Lt. Frank Cioffi in “Curtains” and Jimmy Winter in “Nice Work If You Can Get It” at FWP, Zaza/Albin in “La Cage aux Folles” at Carrollwood Players, Prof. Ted Schieder in “Disaster”, George Howard in “It Shoulda Been You”, and Franklin Hart in “9 to 5” at mad Theatre of Tampa, and as Hysterium in “Forum” and Robert Livingston in “1776” at EOT. His second love is writing, and he has a novel, some essays, a collection of poetry, a musical, and a handful of screenplays that desperately need his attention.

Josh Hayes

Josh Hayes is very excited to be apart of this pajama jam:) his Favorite Credits include: THE WIZARD OF OZ(Tin Man) SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ(Frederick), BEAUTY & THE BEAST(Monsieur Darque) MARY POPPINS(Northrbook) A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD (lizard, Father Frog) and RENT (Tom Collins.) In 2015 Josh, released an independent R&B album “RELAX RELATE RELEASE” available on SPOTIFY and recently released a single on ITunes, google play, amazon and many more digital stores called “So Hot”. Please Follow Josh on all social media @joshhayesg Thanks to my husband Adam, mom, Gwen & dad, James for all their love & support

Shawn Rice

Shaun’s creative pursuits have led him from the South to the Big Apple and Beyond. He has been touring the globe and performing regionally for over ten years. His most notable role was touring the US and Asia as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family Musical. Recently he has also begun to delve into the worlds of Directing and Voice Over Acting. He currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida in order to be close to his goddaughter and family.

The Chicago Saddletramps

Michael and Jessica fell in love, and now play music in their living room constantly. Jessica was thrilled to open the Life Amplified Commends event in 2016 in Tampa and they’re both excited to share in the music for the Pajama Party.

Sonali Olivia / Jason Ensor

“As Aristotle once said, LOVE is a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”

Life Amplified Founder

Deb Kelley

Deb founded  the award-winning Life Amplified in 2014 as the philanthropic side of her company, The WriteOne Creative Services. Typically, a music festival would be at a theatre with ticket sales donated to a local, grassroots charity; however, these are strange times we are living in. Life Amplified PAJAMA PARTY, Deb’s 14th showcase is meant to be a boredom buster for both the performers and the ticketed public. Only because of Covid-19 were the incredible performers, the best in their field and always in demand on stages across the country, available on short-notice. Deb thanks each one of them for donating their time and thanks you for coming to enjoy the festival! Stay safe.