Women to Watch on Broadway:
2025
Shariffa Ali
Director/Theater Adminstrator/Artist
Shariffa Ali is a director, producer, and interdisciplinary artist committed to storytelling and creative leadership. Originally from Kenya and South Africa, she has worked with The Public Theater, The New Group, and Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts. Her work spans theater, Afrofuturist VR, and humanitarian-focused collaborations, with productions showcased at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Classic Stage Company, and the Sundance Institute Lab.
Rebecca Aparicio
Director
Rebecca Aparicio (she/ella) is a New York-based bilingual director and writer dedicated to developing new work. Her recent directing credits include BEASTGIRL (Kennedy Center), JARDÍN SALVAJE (GALA Hispanic Theatre), and The House on the Lagoon (GALA Hispanic Theatre). She has collaborated with theaters such as A.R.T., the O’Neill, Playwrights’ Center, and Ars Nova.
Cherine E. Anderson
Broadway Co-Producer. Marketing & Communications Executive
Cherine E. Anderson is a Broadway producer and marketing executive known for her innovative strategies and commitment to diversity in theater. With a background in communications from Fordham University and experience in marketing major brands, she transitioned into Broadway marketing in 2004, contributing to productions like The Color Purple, Trip to Bountiful, etc. and pivoted into co-producing in 2021 on such productions as A Beautiful Noise, Hells Kitchen, Gypsy and more. As a co-producer and advocate for inclusivity, she continues to shape the theater industry by developing multicultural productions and expanding audience engagement.
Dr. Lauren Britt-Elmore
Executive Director
Dr. Lauren Britt-Elmore (she/her) is an arts management leader with 20+ years of experience in theater, academia, and policy. She is the Executive Director at The Flea in New York City. She has held roles at Columbia University and The New School, and worked as a dramaturg and director. She holds degrees from Wesleyan (BA), Columbia (MFA), and Harvard (EdD).
Dottie Cannon
Producer
Dottie Cannon is the Vice President of Human Resources at Kith and a seasoned HR leader specializing in talent management and executive recruitment. A lifelong arts enthusiast, she has a rich background in dance, music, and theater, which shaped her passion for supporting the arts. As an Associate Producer at LaChanze Productions, she continues to merge her business expertise with her love for the performing arts, actively investing in and contributing to theatrical productions.
Francisca Da Silveira
Playwright
Francisca da Silveira is a Cape Verdean-American playwright and TV writer whose work has been featured in ArtsBoston, The LA Times, and American Theatre Magazine. Her plays have premiered at theaters across the U.S., including Company One, InterAct Theatre, and Cleveland Public Theatre. She has been a fellow with The Public Theater, Playwrights’ Center, and The Apollo, and is the 2024-2025 Tow Playwright-in-Residence at WP Theatre.
Emma Deane
Lighting Designer
Emma Deane is an Indigenous lighting designer and a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, whose work spans theaters across the country. Her recent designs include productions at the Guthrie Theater, Signature Theatre NYC, Round House Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Kansas City Rep, among many others, with additional collaborations at Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama and a proud member of USA 829, she continues to shape theatrical storytelling through her dynamic and evocative lighting designs.
Camilla Dely
Costume Designer
Camilla Dely is a South African costume designer and visual artist working across theater, opera, and dance. She is fueled by collaboration and imaginative challenges and is equally passionate about text-driven and devised processes. Her work spans international, regional, and off-Broadway productions in both traditional and unconventional spaces, with notable recent designs at the Almeida Theater (London), American Repertory Theater, Alley Theater, The Playwright’s Realm, and The Utopian Theatre Asylum. Camilla is a Watson Fellowship and 1/52 Project Grant recipient and holds an MFA in Design for Stage and Film from NYU Tisch.
Julia Dunetz
Producer
Julia Dunetz is a Tony Award-winning theatre producer dedicated to developing new works that amplify underrepresented narratives through song and storytelling. Her Broadway Co-Producing credits include ROMEO + JULIET, SUFFS, PARADE, JUST FOR US, and SEA WALL / A LIFE. Julia is a Producer at Level Forward where she focuses on their theatre work and, amongst other projects, is developing a musical adaptation of THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT. She has previously held roles at Seaview, SpotCo, and RCI Theatricals and is an Associate Member of The Broadway League and a graduate of Cornell University.
Tiffany Nichole Greene
Director
Tiffany Nichole Greene is a Freelance Director and World-Builder with a passion for the exploration of Relationships and Human Frailty. She strongly believes in the artists’ ability to have a great impact on every individual who encounters our work. Tiffany is a 3-time NYTimes Pick and an Obie Award Recipient. She specializes in new work and play/musical development and holds an MFA from Brown University/Trinity Rep and is a proud member of SDC.
Laura Grill Jaye
Composer/Arranger
Laura Grill Jaye is a multifaceted composer, vocalist, and educator whose work spans folk, rock, jazz, and theatre, with a deep passion for arranging and reimagining music across genres. As one half of the longtime musical duo Grill and Chowder with Shayok Misha Chowdhury, her original musicals have been developed at prestigious venues like Ars Nova, New York Theatre Workshop, and Joe’s Pub, while her personal songwriting was showcased through the Laura Grill Band’s national tours and albums. In addition to building Meridian Academy’s Music Department, she serves as a lecturer at MIT, directing the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and teaching songwriting, with collaborations that include Jacob Collier, Audra McDonald, and Braxton Cook.
Crystal Monee Hall
Composer/Lyricist
Crystal Monee Hall is a powerhouse singer/songwriter, actress and vocal director/arranger/producer whose career spans roles on Broadway (RENT), TV (HBO’s High Maintenance and Walker), movies (Disney’s WISH), and sold out tours with Ben Platt and Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead) . She has collaborated with an array of top artists, from providing backing vocals for Oleta Adams and Patti Austin, to performing with Thomas Rhett at Madison Square Garden and being featured in Cynthia Erivo’s PBS special. A recipient of The Lilly Awards’ “Go Write a Musical” award, and the Black Theatre Coalition’s inaugural Composer Fellowship award, Hall’s songwriting has been showcased in Kristin Chenoweth’s live concerts, and her latest EP If You Breathe has been praised by Billboard Magazine. Crystal is the composer of the new musical 3 Summers of Lincoln, currently playing at La Jolla Playhouse.
Harmony Harris
Producer
Harmony Harris, is a multi-hyphenate artist. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre from Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. She believes in creating more opportunities for the black community and other marginalized groups to shine their light in entertainment.
Erica A. Hart, CSA
Casting Director
Erica A. Hart, CSA was born and raised in Washington, DC, and studied film and television at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She started at ABC Primetime Casting and then moved to independent casting. TV/Streaming: BLACK MIRROR (SEASON 6 US CASTING), A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW (SEASON 4), THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE, JODIE, BUST DOWN, THE GIRLS ON THE BUS, THE EQUALIZER (SEASON 4 & SEASON 5) and SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST (SEASON 2). Broadway: CHICKEN & BISCUITS, PASS OVER, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. FILM (Selected): WE STRANGERS (SXSW), VEO VEO A FAMILY (TRIBECA), THE SURROGATE (SXSW), LAPSIS (SXSW), CUPIDS (TRIBECA), and NATIVES (SXSW). OFF-BROADWAY: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF (NYTW), SATURDAY CHURCH (NYTW), SCARLETT DREAMS (MIDNIGHT THEATRICALS). Regional: EL COQUI (LONG WHARF THEATRE). MUSIC VIDEOS: FIGHT FOR YOU (H.E.R. - OSCAR WINNING SONG) and GET SOME (GHOSTED - PREMIERED AT SXSW). Erica is a two time Artios award winner, is on the Board of the Casting Society, a member of the TV Academy, and an educator at different colleges and universities. Website: www.hartcasting.com
Rachel Kaufman
General Manager, 321 Theatrical Management
Rachel Kaufman is a General Manager at 321 Theatrical Management, with recent credits including Kimberly Akimbo (Broadway, Tour), The Outsiders, A Strange Loop, and Is This a Room & Dana H. An alumna of the Broadway League’s Rising Stars fellowship and the TEDxBroadway Young Professionals program, she has also worked at the Atlantic Theater Company and DR Theatrical Management. Rachel holds a dual BA in Theatre Arts and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College.
Cathy Kwon
Associate General Manager, Foresight Theatrical
Cathy Kwon is an Associate General Manager at Foresight Theatrical, bringing her extensive Broadway experience to the role. She has worked as Company Manager on several Broadway shows including Holiday Inn: The New Irving Berlin Musical (2016) and A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (2013). Cathy also served as a Business Representative at USA829, representing designers in live performance. Cathy’s expertise in managing production operations has made her a key figure in the theater industry.
Liesl Lar
Producer/Director/Writer
A former Disney Latin America television star, Liesl grew up on theater stages and
television sets before moving behind the scenes. Her journey from Mexico to Manhattan was challenging, but resilience led to projects for Walt Disney Studios, Netflix, and Pixar, before joining Hearst Magazines as a Producer for Cosmopolitan and Seventeen—work that yielded fun cross-over projects with Broadway stars. Liesl is the Founder and Chief Creative Office of Teague Theatrical Group. This award-winning
company develops and produces theater and media, directly and through its Emerald
Drive production banner. Projects include Real Women Have Curves, Good Night, and
Good Luck, Stereophonic, Appropriate, and MJ Australia. Projects in development
include The Thing About Jellyfish, Kissing in Manhattan, and The Boy Who Wanted to
Rock. A recent Broadway News article highlighted Liesl’s commitment to amplifying
Latin voices and diverse perspectives and her exploration of how the U.S. theater
industry can create a connection to Latin America, similar to its relationship with the UK.
Julia Mattison
Librettist
Julia Mattison is a NY-based writer, actor, and musical comedian. She’s appeared on Broadway (Godspell), TV (Jimmy Kimmel Live!), and in film (How to Be Single). Julia co-wrote Death Becomes Her and Is Anyone Alive Out There? on Audible, and created the viral Joel & Julia’s Advent Carolndar. She performs original comedy in NYC and is represented by Namoff & Co and WME.
Meg Powers
Costume Designer
Meg Powers is a costume designer and interdisciplinary artist whose work spans filmmaking, puppetry, and sequential art, driven by a deep empathy for character, historical subcultures, and the transformative power of storytelling. Their craftsmanship has been featured in opera, film, television, and Broadway, with notable design credits including Boat Day (2024), Lewberger and the Wizard of Friendship (2023), and The Lightning Thief (2022). A graduate of Yale’s Geffen School of Drama and Purchase College, Powers is a recipient of the 2023-2024 1/52 Project award, recognized for their innovation in costume design and construction.
Andrea Prestinario
Producer
Andrea Prestinario is a queer, award-winning performer and producer based in New York City. Known for roles in Fun Home, My Fair Lady, and Oklahoma!, she co-founded Ring of Keys, supporting queer artists in musical theatre. Andrea has produced Queering the Canon and sMOkeyTOWN. She is an Artist Ambassador for the NYCLU and Board Chair for Ring of Keys. Andrea lives in Harlem with her wife, actress Klea Blackhurst.
Rebecca Prowler
Director of Creative Operations, Super Awesome Friends
Rebecca Prowler (she/her) has a wide-reaching background in content and social media strategy, art direction, project management, and partnership marketing. She has contributed to over two dozen Broadway productions including Girl From The North Country, Plaza Suite, Company, Purlie Victorious, Water For Elephants, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, and Angels in America. She is passionate about using the digital space to invite new audiences to experience relevant, thought-provoking theatre. Rebecca is a Clio Silver Award winner, a Webby Award nominee, and holds degrees from Columbia University (MA) and American University (BA).
Katharine Quinn
Creative Brand Strategist
Katharine Quinn is the founder of And That's Showbiz, a multi-faceted Broadway marketing and media company taking a digital-first and fan-forward approach to amplifying theater beyond traditional spaces. From viral TikToks to photography, video production, influencer activations, partnerships, and fan events, ATS advances Broadway brands where audiences most frequently engage. The company's newest venture, a YouTube channel hosting 5 original Broadway streaming shows, garnered 235,000 views in its first month, featuring Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson, Tony winners Alex Newell, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Clint Ramos, alongside Kerry Butler, Laura Bell Bundy, Krysta Rodriguez, Sam Pauly, Noah Ricketts, and viral TikTok choreographers Cost n' Mayor. Through these contemporary formats, Quinn is redefining Broadway media and bringing theater's innovators directly to fans worldwide. www.andthatsshow.biz @andthatsshow.biz @itskatharinequinn
Hannah Tran
Projection Designer
Hannah Tran is a designer for performance and media with a passion for new works and movement, based in Brooklyn. She holds a Masters of Fine Arts in design from the Yale School of Drama. Proud member of Local USA 829.
Mfoniso Udofia
Playwright
Mfoniso Udofia is a Nigerian-American playwright and educator whose works, including Sojourners and Her Portmanteau, have been produced at major theaters like New York Theatre Workshop and American Conservatory Theater. A recipient of the Horton Foote and Helen Merrill Playwright Awards, she is commissioned by theaters like Huntington and Round House. In television, she has written for Pachinko, A League of Their Own, and Lessons in Chemistry (Emmy-nominated), and developed films for HBO and Amazon.
Teresa L. Williams
Set Designer
Teresa L. Williams is a New York City-based set and production designer originally from New Orleans, blending her architectural background and cultural heritage with a passion for storytelling. She thrives in collaborative environments, crafting immersive worlds that deepen the connection between story and audience while evoking emotional resonance.
Qween Jean
Costume Designer
Qween Jean is a New York costume designer who has fully committed her voice to the advocacy of marginalized communities. She has designed costumes for Liberation, Swamp Dwellers, Wedding Band, Jordans, Macbeth In Stride, Walden, Amen Corner, Seagull, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball at PAC NYC. Qween founded Black Trans Liberation, an organization that provides weekly access, food, groceries and housing resources for the TGNC community. Jean is the author of Revolution is Love: A Year of Black Trans Liberation (Aperture). In 2023, she joined the Board for TCG. 2024 Audelco Award, Obie Award for Excellence in Costume Design; finalist for NYC David Prize. MFA from NYU Tisch. Learn more at blacktransliberation.com