FACULTY

Brooke Robyn Dairman, Director and Co-Founder of Professional Youth Theatre, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and Columbia University (Masters).  A trained dancer, Brooke began her performance career immediately after completing her education.  She danced with multiple jazz and modern dance companies before launching a successful musical theater career in New York City in 2007.  She continued her professional performance career through 2017 as a member of the Actor's Equity Association.  National tours: Peter Pan (Tiger Lily, Peter u/s); Damn Yankees (Lola u/s); Hello, Dolly! starring Sally Struthers (Mrs. Rose, Minnie Fay u/s); How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Punky Who); and All Shook Up.   In addition to performing in and dance captaining All Shook Up, Brooke had the honor of choreographing this national touring production which gave her invaluable experience and insight into the show-development process.  Brooke has also choreographed several well-reviewed professional regional productions throughout the country and takes great pride in having served as dance captain for many acclaimed choreographers.  Brooke was the Dance Training Advisor for NYCinMA, a pre-professional musical theater training program in Boston, and she has taught master classes in dance and theater throughout the country.  In addition to serving as Director of PYT, Brooke is the Co-Director of our sister program, The Dance Loft, which sets the standard for pre-professional dance training on Long Island. Brooke is also a licensed social worker and places great emphasis on the mental health and wellbeing of the young performers with whom she works. Visit Brooke's website for more information.  

Dr. Lauren Barchi, Musical Director and Associate Artistic Director at Professional Youth Theatre, is a Long Island native who continues to perform and teach throughout the tri-state area. She received her Doctorate in Music at Rutgers University where she also received an Artist Diploma in Opera. Roles she has performed include Lady Billows in Albert Herring, Countess in Le Nozze Di Figaro, Blanche in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Monica in The Medium, 1st Lady in The Magic Flute and Jenny in There Once was a Girl named Jenny, a Kurt Weil review.  Dr. Barchi also enjoys recital and solo work. She was a guest artist at Anna Maria College in an all Bach recital. She has also been the Soprano Soloist in Les Noces by Igor Stravinsky with NYU chorale and the soloist for Touchstone by Scott Melillo with the Ridgewood Concert Band. In addition to being an active performer, Dr. Barchi is a voice teacher in north and central New Jersey Jersey and Long Island. She received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and music education from Ithaca College and her Master of Music in vocal performance from New York University. While at NYU, she received an advanced certificate in vocal pedagogy and taught voice lessons as an adjunct professor. In addition to her roll at PYT, she is an adjunct professor at Long Island University in the musical theater department. 

Thomas Riley earned his B.M. in Voice Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College and his M.M. in Choral Conducting under the renowned Donald Brinegar at California State University Los Angeles. He is the current Choral Director and Theater Director at Hewlett High School and held these positions previously at Lawrence High School. Mr. Riley has been a professional performer since he was 12 years old and has sung at many extraordinary venues including the Metropolitan Opera House, Caramoor Festival, and Carnegie Hall, where he made his soloistic debut when he was just 16 years old. Riley uses this love for the stage to encourage his students to be fearless musicians. Riley’s choirs have performed at countless school, community, and professional events, in addition to their regular concert season. Although teaching has become his first priority, Riley’s love of performance has never left. He has performed several seasons with eVoco Voice Collective and continues to better his musicianship with other minor musical projects in the greater New York area. He loves working with our PYT students and serves as Musical Director of our Youth and Junior productions along with instructing our Group Vocal classes.

Nathan Costella is an accomplished actor, director, and teacher with a rich background in regional theaters, schools, and teaching studios across the United States. He is a Meisner Technique trained actor, having trained with Matthew Corozine of Matthew Corozine Studio in NYC. Some of his favorite acting roles throughout the years include Vic in The Ratpack Lounge, The Pitman in Titanic, Robby the Stockfish in Urinetown, and originating the role of Jasper in the jukebox musical Welcome to Gator Grove at Cornwell’s Dinner Theater, among many others. Some notable directing credits include Music Director for the production of Triassic Parq at The Kaleidoscope Theater in Houston, TX, Assistant Music Director on productions of Spring Awakening, Little Shop of Horrors, and Reefer Madness at EaDo Playhouse in Houston, TX. He also served as Music Director for the production of Shrek Jr. at The Pearl Theater in Pearland, TX. In addition to his theater work, Nathan is a dedicated educator, having taught voice and piano to students of all levels. He has served as a private voice and piano teacher in the NYC metro area. Nathan is an alumnus of West Virginia University, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education with a minor and theater. Nathan is so excited to be a member of the team at PYT and bring his love of theater to prepare the next generation of actors!

Olivia Button (she/her) is a Dancer, Singer, and Actor who values collaboration and individuality. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she discovered her love for theater through dance and community productions alongside her triplet siblings. Having studied under Dr. Lauren Barchi at Long Island University Post, she recently graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre. With a deep love for dance, she thrives as both a skilled performer and a costume designer. When she’s not on stage, Olivia enjoys playing the violin and pottery! A fun fact about her—she can juggle! Olivia is thrilled to draw upon her versatility as a faculty member at PYT, serving as a voice teacher, costume designer, and assistant to the directorial staff. Olivia is also a member of the faculty at PYT’s sister program, The Dance Loft.

Laura Stracko is a Broadway, film, and TV actor. She is currently on the Broadway National Tour of Suffs (Alva Belmont / Phoebe Burn) but stays engaged with PYT remotely. Laura is trained in the Meisner acting technique and has studied voice at various studios around the country. Some favorite past roles include Tessie Tura in Gypsy (Theatre Aspen), Grizabella in Cats (Royal Caribbean), and so much more! She has appeared on Blue Bloods, as well as in the Original Broadway Cast of Diana: The Musical on Netflix, and can be heard talking about her Broadway experience on the Life's But A Song podcast. To see what she's up to in real time, give her a follow on Instagram @thisisLauraStracko.

Maurice Dawkins is currently on the road with the Broadway National Tour of The Lion King but enjoys returning to PYT as often as he can to choreograph for our productions and teach master classes. A musical theatre and contemporary ballet dancer, he has performed with THE PROM and CATS Broadway National Tours, as well as with numerous regional theatres and dance companies. He is an alum of LaGuardia High School for the Arts and Sarah Lawrence College, and trained at various performing arts institutions in NYC such as Broadway Dance Center, STEPS, Manhattan Youth Ballet, and Rosie’s Theatre Kids. Maurice is committed to being a champion for and fostering the artistic growth of his students!

Zachary S. Berger hails from Niskayuna, NY and has appeared in both the U.S. tour and the international tour of CATS (Munkustrap); Jekyll and Hyde (World Tour); Hello, Dolly! National tour starring Sally Struthers (Cornelius u/s). Off-Broadway: The Kid, All That Glitters (Liberace). Regional: 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor) at Sacramento Music Circus, My Fair Lady (Freddy) at Theater by the Sea, The Little Mermaid (Scuttle) at Theater by the Sea; Holiday Inn (Ted Hanover) at Drayton Theater Festival; Chasing Rainbows at Flat Rock Playhouse (Clark Gable); Sting’s The Last Ship at Pioneer Theater Company (Arthur/Gideon u/s). Zach currently splits his time between NYC and Chicago, performing in both professional musical theater communities, but enjoys returning to PYT to teach whenever his schedule allows. Graduate of the prestigious Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, BFA Musical Theater/Drama. So much love for my teachers, friends, and family who have challenged me and supported me along the way. Member of AEA. “Spread love.”