NEXT PERFORMANCE
MARCH 29, 2025!
(Enter during one of five time slots starting at 5:35pm. Once inside you may stay until 10pm.)
A BROOKLYN DREAM explores the family dynamics of three generations of Brooklynites, as each aspires to achieve their own version of the Dream. Audiences follow a young Kaves as he reveals the deeply personal inspirations behind his artistic voice.
It’s an underdog tale about finding your talent, living personal nightmares and keeping family close - and their stories closer.
MR. KAVES
Michael 'Kaves' McLeer, widely recognized by his moniker Kaves, is a distinguished artist, designer, and creative visionary. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Kaves’ artistic journey began with graffiti, where his early work captured the raw energy and rebellious spirit of Brooklyn’s streets. Over the years, his practice evolved into a multifaceted exploration of art, film, and music, often exploring themes of identity, urban life, and the interplay between historical and contemporary influences. His signature style merges visual art with storytelling, creating immersive experiences that engage audiences. He has collaborated with numerous brands and institutions, including Audemars Piguet, Porsche, Aston Martin, the Museum of Modern Art, Jaguar, NIKE, and Rockstar Games.
Kaves’ newest installation is the immersive art exhibit Brooklyn Pop, an ambitious project that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. This work integrates films, an exhibit with artifacts, handmade sets and artwork into a single, cohesive experience. Brooklyn Pop illustrates the borough’s profound influence on popular culture through cinema, music, and art. Central to Brooklyn Pop is A Brooklyn Dream, an immersive play created, written and directed by Kaves. This play takes place within the exhibit and continues his tradition of storytelling by narrating a three-generational story of a young Brooklyn artist.
ALBA ALBANESE [DONNA]
ALBA ALBANESE is an actor, multidisciplinary artist, writer, and creator from Brooklyn, New York, celebrated for her ability to merge classical performance with cutting edge technology. Her innovative work spans film, tv, multimedia, interactive, immersive experiences, and storytelling that redefines artistic boundaries. With a seven-year tenure in the Off-Broadway show Sleep No More, Alba created and performed original character that captivated audiences. She also wrote, composed, and starred in the Off-Broadway immersive musical Serenade, featured by The New York Times. Her one-woman show, The Raven, a collaboration with Microsoft and an official selection of the New York Film Festival, exemplifies her visionary approach to integrating theater and emerging technology. Alba has performed alongside celebrated artists on iconic New York stages and in major studio films. Her groundbreaking projects have been showcased at prestigious festivals, including the Future of Storytelling Summit, Tribeca Film Festival, and Lincoln Center’s New York Film Festival, earning widespread acclaim. Recognized with numerous grants, Alba’s work amplifies diverse narratives and challenges traditional formats of storytelling. Her commitment to artistic innovation continues to inspire and push the boundaries of creative expression.
QUINN McLEER [YOUNG KAVES]
QUINN McLEER is a Brooklyn-born writer, rapper, and actor who honed his craft at the esteemed HB Studio in New York City. His credits include the TV show The Brooklyn Way, the short film The Shoemaker, as well as numerous music videos.
ANTHONY O’CONNELL [YOUNG KAVES]
ANTHONY O’CONNELL is a New York-based actor and writer. As a youth, he enjoyed emulating his favorite actor Leonardo DiCaprio, with his younger brother Tim around the house. But after studying abroad in Florence, Italy, followed by a life-changing trip to California and a ten-day meditation "sit", he decided to take his first acting class in Manhattan. It was official; he had the acting bug.
Anthony O’Connell graduated with a BA in Theatre from the City University of New York (CSI) and subsequently studied at the world-renowned, Stella Adler Conservatory. Most recently, he’s studied at HB Studio under veteran instructors Jim Boerlin and Mercedes Ruehl. Anthony has acted in the feature film “Don Q” as the second lead opposite Armand Assante (of “American Gangster”) and Vincent Pastore (of “The Sopranos”). On the stage, he has most recently acted in Beau Willimon’s, ‘Farragut North’ and “The Laramie Project” at the St. Jean's Players Theatre. He also continues his stage work at The Metropolitan Opera House and loves to write.
JOSEPH D’ONOFRIO [JOE]
JOSEPH D'ONOFRIO is an accomplished actor who has enjoyed both comedic and dramatic roles throughout his career. D'Onofrio began his acting career by landing roles in such films as "Good Fellas" (1990) as Young Tommy, Jungle Fever (1991) by Spike Lee, and played Slick in Robert De Niro's "A Bronx Tale" (1993), His passion for acting continued in the comedies, "The Pallbearer" (1996) The Deli" (1997) as well as dramatic roles such as Big Vinny in the drama “Friends And Romans (2014) and “Back in the Day” as Matty (2016)
D'Onofrio also worked in television during these years with recurring roles on ”30 Rock’ (2009-2010), "The Black Donnellys" (2006-2007), and "Are We There Yet?" (2010-2012). D’Onofrio most recently tackled roles in the feature film Comedy “A Brooklyn Love Story “(2024). Played Al Capone in the film Don Q (2024) And the Thriller Cold Betrayal (2023) He is currently working in a recurring role on the TV show Gravesend (2022-2024) He is recurring on the show Power Book 3 Raising Kanan (2022-2024) as Carmine. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.
AL LINEA [AL]
AL LINEA has been involved in the film industry for the past two decades, both as an actor and writer, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He's an experienced actor known for his authentic qualities, menacing look, and distinctive voice, and he also speaks Sicilian fluently. He consistently delivers very strong performances in every character role, having appeared on film and television throughout the years. He will be appearing as Rossi in the action drama Mafia Wars set in Rome, starring Tom Welling, released October 11th, 2024. Al Linea is represented by Erika McFadden.
NICKY PETITO [SAL]
NICKY PETITO born in Belleville, NJ, is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry known for his impersonations. Nicky has collaborated with Spike Lee multiple times, including the "Do the Right Thing" 30th and 35th Anniversary block parties, where he portrayed Sal. Spike Lee complimented his "Sopranos Intervention Reenactment" and asked him to reenact a scene from "Mean Streets." Nicky was cast as a Wall Street businessman in Spike's Coin Cloud commercial "The Currency of Currency" and soon had his first TV co-star on NBC's "New Amsterdam. Through the years, Nicky has appeared in dozens of shorts and indie features.
As a filmmaker, Nicky directed the cult fan film "Halloween Obsession" and several other shorts. He founded Paisan Con, the first Italian-American pop culture convention, featuring celebrities like Lorraine Bracco, Eric Roberts and Nick Turturro. The convention included an Italian-American hip-hop show with Justina Valentine from MTV's "Wild n' Out," where Nicky performed rap parodies as Tony Soprano.
Nicky's priority is now to bring his passion project "The Devil's Son on Clinton Road" to the big screen.
ADAM KASTER [TONY]
ADAM KASTER is a Temple University graduate and former Brooklyn resident for 10 years. Off-Broadway: Drama Desk Nominated The Golden Bride (Folksbiene). Regional: Gaston in Beauty & the Beast (Walnut St. Theater), Tony in West Side Story, Bill in Mamma Mia, and Ram in Heathers: The Musical. Film/TV: "America's Next Top Model" and "The Hunted:Encore" (Web). Adam spends his free time as a securities lawyer for a large law firm.
MARK McNEIL II is an actor, writer, and producer, quickly emerging as a premier young talent in entertainment. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he is featured in the Universal Studios film, Shooting Stars, streaming on Peacock.
MARK McNEIL [MOOKIE]
NICHOLAS TURTURRO [LIEUTENANT]
NICHOLAS LOUIS TURTURRO is an actor and artist based in Brooklyn. He works throughout New York's theatrical landscape, frequently on new works, and has been seen at Classic Stage Company, Soho Playhouse, The Tank, Lenfest Center for the Arts, and The Flea Theater. Additionally, he is an experienced film and commercial actor, having worked on festival-screened shorts and commercially with brands like SimpliSafe, Bumble, and Yahoo. In his own time, he self-produces live painting performances focused around his visual art practice.
GIL SWEENEY [BASEBALL FURIE]
GIL SWEENEY is an actor and musical theater artist from New York. He studied at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Recent credits include The Happening(Neo), Headspace (Arthur), and Being Ariodante (Thug/Statue).
PAULIE NUGENT [RALPH]
PAULIE NUGENT has enjoyed over 30 years in the performing arts. He got his start in the feature film A BRONX TALE (Stickball Kid uncredited), then in 1993 became a full-time member of THE LORDZ of BROOKLYN. Paulie went on to write, produce, and perform nationally and globally on both his solo projects and for multiple notable artists, including LBDA/Sublime, Bible Code Sundays/Elvis Costello, Burn Unit, and Skunk Records.
JEFFREY DONALD THOMAS
[GHOST OF FOX]
JEFFREY DONALD THOMAS is a multi-hyphenate artist based in Brooklyn. He attended NYU Tisch for Photography while simultaneously training as an actor at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. After graduating in 2022, Jeffrey began working as an actor, photographer, music producer, and independent filmmaker.
SHAWN PARSONS [BONES]
Based in New York City for more than twenty years, SHAWN PARSONS is an Alabama native is best known for co-starring with Nick Offerman in "The Gunfighte," an internationally acclaimed short film. Other notable roles include “The Pig” in the final season of FX's "Justified," as “Sam” in The CW series "Containment,” countless Indie films, and being cut out of every major studio film he’s ever been in. Shawn is also an Americana singer-songwriter, and his music can be found on all major streaming platforms.
MARA KAYE [BARBRA OF BROOKLYN & COOKIE]
Bred and buttered in Flatbush Brooklyn, irresistible vocal force, MARA KAYE is the girl Jazz Lives calls “one of New York’s great gifts to the world”. She’s got “a voice that sounds like Louis Armstrong’s trumpet at a rent party” [Jimmy Vivino, Conan O’Brien Show] and a sharp comedic savior faire that’s reminiscent of some of the early comediennes of the stage and screen. Mara’s debut single, the forever iconic love song, IT HAD TO BE YOU, can be heard on steady rotation on LA’s jazz station, KJAZZ 88.1 fm and features roots piano legend Carl Sonny Leyland. Her second single, DYSTOPIAN BLUES, an original tune, was featured on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ and performed live on CBS News in 2020. She wrote and sang the hook for Brooklyn rap legend AZ’s track, NEVER ENOUGH, featuring renowned rapper Rick Ross.
Mara’s voice has soaked into the walls of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Smalls, Cafe Bohemia, Mezzrow, her beloved Sunny's Bar in Red Hook BK, The Green Mill in Chicago, the streets of New Orleans and even as far as Moscow Russia. She created and performed her role of the chanteuse, Marion Rhodes in the Off-Broadway show, Sleep No More.
She has shared stages with Blues giants Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Vivino, John Primer, Taildragger, Jontavious Willis, Jerron Paxton and recently opened the Topanga Blues Festival in Southern California. Early on in her career she toured the US with the Yerba Buena Stompers, a true traditional jazz band of venerable jazz veterans, led by her mentor, banjo/ guitarist John Gill. Members of the band have played with the legendary Turk Murphy, Leon Redbone, The Woody Allen Jazz Band and some have even backed up Louis Armstrong himself.
Mara has most recently teamed up with virtuosic bass player and arranger, Marlon Martinez and his big band, The Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, collaborating on new arrangements of iconic Billie Holiday and Billy Strayhorn tunes and original Blues tunes.
What’s that old saying? ‘You can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but you can’t take the Brooklyn outta the girl … The Wall Street Journal thinks this vivacious Brooklynite is “proof that things are getting better”.
TAWNY DOLLEY [ROSIE]
Born and Raised in Santa Ana, California, TAWNY DOLLEY has entertained audiences in theatrical productions around the globe since the tender age of nine, when she got her start performing in the Kids’ Chorus of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with The Really Useful Company at The Orange County Performing Arts Center. At eighteen, she went on to become one of the youngest Vocalists ever hired at The Disneyland Resort, when she was hired to sing with the Acapella Group “Groove 66”, created by Acapella Legend Deke Sharon; performing alongside talents like future Tony Nominated Actor Eden Espinosa.
Since then, Tawny has gone on to share the stage with artists Solange, Rachel Platten, John Legend, Vintage Trouble and many more. At the New Orleans Essence Festival, with Grammy award winner Estelle, she appeared as one of the opening acts for Prince. Performing in “Top Rock” with Live Productions, she commanded the stage as a rock star. On the infamous Las Vegas Strip, she starred in Vegas The Show, portraying legends like Lena Horne, Gladys Knight, And Tina Turner. She played Ms. Brown in one of For The Record Production’s earliest incarnations of For The Record: Tarantino. She played Etta James to much critical acclaim on a six year run with the Broadway National Tour of “A Night With Janis Joplin” and went on to become Associate Director and Associate Choreographer for Patti Wilcox on its last North American Production at the Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans. Tawny also appeared as Etta James in the BroadwayHD Production of A Night With Janis Joplin, which was filmed at the award winning La Mirada Theatre. On tour with the legendary rock n roll band Vintage Trouble, she also appeared with them on their Emmy Nominated Episode of AXS TV’s “If These Walls Could Rock”. Talent and range make a place for Tawny in any venue. The memorable voice echoes long after the lights go down.
As a passionate actor, dedicated to excellence, Tawny, a recent graduate of the Two Year Training Program at the Terry Knickerbocker Conservatory In Brooklyn, New York, was named The Spring 2024 Notable Student of the Season. She currently resides in New York City.
DAVID McKITTRICK [BONES]
DAVID McKITTRICK grew up in New Jersey and moved to New York City in the late 1990s. About eight years ago, he discovered his passion for acting and quickly fell in love with the craft. Since then, David has performed in numerous plays across NYC, honing his skills and building his stage presence.
In 2019, he executive produced and starred as the lead in Hungry Ghosts, an award-winning short film written and directed by Mark Borkowski. His on-screen credits also include roles in popular television series such as Blue Bloods, FBI: Most Wanted, and Godfather of Harlem.
David is a dedicated student of Karen Giordano at Urban Angels, continually refining his artistry and deepening his connection to storytelling.
JANA ARCIDIACONO [BUNNY]
JANA ARCIDIACONO is a recent graduate from Terry Knickerbocker’s 2 year Meisner Conservatory program. She completed Voice 4 and Clown 4 with Matthew Dudley and Justin Cimino respectively. Her studies also include Method Acting with Tony Greco and multiple classes with the Stella Adler Studio. She recently co-starred in The People’s Cabaret, a community theater project created and performed by WAPGAP Theater Company. She had a role in Amala, a short film and is excited to be a part of A Brooklyn Dream, playing Bernice aka “Buunie” playing Mahjong, fussing with Dutchie, and gossiping with her best friend Cookie.When she isn’t acting Jana is a Registered Nurse Supervisor at Village Care
Nursing and Rehabilitation. She is a practitioner of Iyengar Yoga and you will find her every week in a local 5 Rhythms class, dancing, and sweating her prayers. She loves being a mother to her son Nove and bringing him along to her rehearsals, performances, and dance classes, raising another creative in New York City.
ALEX KOSTKA [SQUIRTS]
ALEX KOSTKA is an American actor whose resurgence into acting in 2021 landed him a recurring role in Hulu's newest true crime series "Where is Private Dulaney?" directed by Joshua Bennett. No stranger to honing his craft, he trained for 2 years with esteemed Meisner teacher, Terry Knickerbocker, in 2023-2024. Alex is managed by Maryann Raposo of Dream Maker Talent based out of New York.
EMILY FEINSILVER [YOUNG BARBRA]
Emily Feinsilver is a Musical Theater major at Professional Performing Arts High School. She fell in love with performing in her first middle school production of Oliver. Since then, she has performed in several productions in her school and with Kidz Theater, and serves as an Ambassador and Mentor to the KT community.
TEAGHAN HELM [DUTCHIE]
Teaghan Helm is a 12-year-old student at a performing arts middle school, where he focuses on drama. Last year, he took on the role of Michael in Mary Poppins, and this year, he’s excited to be playing a lost boy in Peter Pan. In addition to his love for acting, he enjoys playing soccer and football, and he treasures spending time with his friends. He is also dedicated to saving up for a motorbike that he hopes to buy soon.