Stories that Soar! Creative Team
Arts Integration Programs Staff
Dallas Thomas
Director of Arts Integration Programs, is proud to lead the Arts Integration Programs at Literacy Connects, guiding a talented, mission-driven team of artists and educators that regularly make magic and empower youth through an array of programs. She holds a BFA in acting from Oklahoma State University and has been involved in program development, production management, and education since 2005. Having performed and taught throughout Oklahoma and Arizona, she finds deep fulfillment in utilizing the performing arts to amplify youth voices. Dallas champions creative expression, community building, and storytelling as catalysts for positive change.
Cecy Abarca
Education Programs Manager, is a proud native of Tucson. Before joining staff, she worked with Literacy Connects as a performer, teaching artist, and workshop presenter. She manages the Arts Integration team of talented teaching artists and four different education programs. She feels grateful every day to share in the STS! mission. Cecy earned her AA in Theatre from Eastern Arizona College (2017) and her BFA in Theatre Education and Acting from the University of Northern Colorado (2019). This performance is dedicated to the one and only Marcelo Abarca Jr, her Dad. I love you Apa!
Frankie Corey-Gelb
Arts Integration Programs Coordinator, holds an AFA with a theatre concentration from Pima Community College and is in her eighth year as an ensemble member with STS! As staff, she encourages creativity by teaching technical and theatrical skills to youth K-12. She recently starred in PUFFS as Sally Perks/et al. at Live Theatre Workshop, and in HAIR as Leata/Tribe at Arts Express Theater. She's very grateful to be a part of this community, and hopes you enjoy these children's wonderful imaginations as much as we do!
Jordan Siebert-Anderson
Arts Integration Programs Assistant, is beyond elated to be returning for his 10th year with STS! and his first year on staff. He is proud to be part of both the production and the teaching side of the Arts Integration Department's multitude of programs. He dedicates the show to his Cragin Elementary students, Cecy, and Amaya.
Cyndi LaFrese
STS! National Project Manager, has been working with STS! as an actor, stage/project manager, and teaching artist for over a decade. She has performed with various theatre companies throughout Tucson, and she co-hosted and produced the radio morning show, “Cyndi and Chris in the Morning” on My 92.9FM. Now she is thrilled to be on staff at Literacy Connects.
Marchus Lewis
Stories that Soar! Production Assistant, is thrilled to contribute to the vibrant STS! community this season. With a deep passion for theatre, he sees it as a vital tool for societal dialogue. Holding an AFA in visual and performing arts from PCC, Marchus has been with STS! since 2018 and joined staff in 2023 as the Arts Integration Production Assistant, AKA Magic Marchus. Thank you for supporting local theatre.
Eddie Rodriguez
Arts Integration Production Manager, is thrilled to be part of the Arts Integration Progam team, creating magic, using imagination, and project managing with STS! Eddie is a Tucson native, actor, director, technician, short filmmaker, and a motorcyclist fanatic with an AFA in Visual and Performing Arts from Pima Community College. Eddie has performed with many theatre companies, including The Rogue, BorderLands, Live Theatre Workshop, and more. His numerous credits include Puffs (Once Act for Young Wizards), DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, MAMMA MIA!, TARTUFFE, TECUMSEH, IN THE HEIGHTS. Thank you to my parents, Q, teachers, mentors, friends, and my beautiful partner, Taylor. Peace.
Stories that Soar! Creative Team
Danielle Adams
has a BA in Psychology and Human Development and has worked with children at varying developmental levels for years. Dani has a passion for theatre and has been acting since she was 12. STS! is where her passions collaborate to create.
Babacar Ba
is a recent graduate of the UA BFA acting program. He has had a blast working with STS! and being able to support youth theatre through live performances.
Daniel Baez
is a student at UA and is a Teaching Artist on the Arts Integration Team. He is grateful to share the magic of storytelling with so many schools and students this year. He has been a part of theatre as an actor and technician since elementary school and has loved being able to put those skills to work to inspire students of all ages.
Jordan Douglass Benson
is a fluffy unicorn of sass and whimsy. He loves to bang on things and make obnoxious noises which makes him a perfect fit for STS! When not being silly on stage he enjoys project managing and producing a cacophony of sound from the foley stand.
Zuleyl Castro
is a Tucson native with a love for creative endeavors and shenanigans. Her love for performance began in the fourth grade when she starred in her school’s production of Suessical. Zuleyl is a theatre student at the UA, does weekly improv shows with the Charles Darwin Experience, and performs with various theatre companies. Zuleyl is loving her time with STS!
Dante Crossroad
has been acting professionally in Tucson since 2023 when they appeared in PLAZA SUITE with Oro Valley Theatre Company. They have also appeared in PUFFS at Live Theatre Workshop and THE BOOKSTORE at Invisible Theatre. Dante's skills include street dancing (popping and locking), singing, accents, and voices, all of which make them excellent at characterization. They can usually be found at Valley of the Moon, a fairyland park and historic landmark in Tucson where kindness to all is the golden key to happiness. Dante is thrilled to be able to share their talents with STS!
Gianbari Deebom
(She/They) is an actor, singer, director, teaching artist, and student filmmaker in Phoenix, AZ. She is pursuing her bachelor's degree in theatre (acting) at ASU. Gianbari holds an AFA in Theater from Pima Community College and has worked with numerous theaters, including Scoundrel and Scamp, Live Theater Workshop, The Rogue Theater, and more. She feels incredibly grateful to be playing with STS! Gianbari believes the arts enable us to share community, laughs, and heal together. Stay Updated: linktr.ee/Ms.Deebom
Jordan Fouts
is proud to be in her 3rd season with STS!, and had fun bringing children’s stories to life this year. Jordan has been performing on stage for over a decade, with a specific interest with musical theater. Some of her past roles include Mal in Disney’s Descendants the Musical, Anybodys in West Side Story, Sister Mary Downey in Disaster!, and Ensemble in Rent. Jordan is pursuing a BFA in Film and Television production and a minor in the French language at the UA.
Wolf Gaona
is a Mexican/American professional stage and film actor, and drama teacher with a BFA in Performing Arts from the University of Sonora. A trained as an actor, dancer (contemporary & ballet), and singer, he has performed across the North American continent. He is involved in the Tucson theater and film community. His last film production was “Single Minded”, and his most recent theatre production was “In The Heights” with Arts Express Theater.
Tristan Kissel
loves acting and being creative. Working with Literacy Connects' Arts Integration Programs allows him to act and be creative that in the coolest ways imaginable. He's finishing up his second year with STS! as both an actor and teaching artist. He looks forward to being part of the growth and future of STS!
Savannah Martinez
is a proud Tucson native and graduate from UA with a BS in Criminal Justice and MA in Public Administration. She participated in the STS! High program before becoming a member of the STS! professional ensemble in 2017 where she takes on acting, stage management, and project management. Savannah is grateful to inspire creativity and promote active literacy through STS!
Celeste Mims
is thrilled to be a cast member of STS! It is so fun to be a part of an amazing team. STS! allows me to grow creatively by trying innovative ways to express myself and share stories through the arts. It is so fulfilling to see students of all ages empowered to write their own stories using the wonderful world of their imagination!
Amaya Ravenell
is wrapping up her second year in the STS! ensemble and she has loved every second of it. Amaya has also been an Arts Integration Teaching Artist for 3 years. She is grateful to teach students to love theatre and find their voices through creative expression. STS! has been a great part of her life and she is excited for what the future holds!
Lily Reese
is a senior at the UA and holds an Associate’s in Vocal Performance from Pima Community College, and has been musically entertaining for many years now. She loves working with STS! and getting to be a part of making children’s stories come to life!
Ammi Robles
is a performer, photographer, and visual artist from the border town of Agua Prieta, Sonora. Co-founding "Las Fronterizas," a collective of women artists from Sonora and Arizona, she actively participates in live performance installations across U.S./Mexico border communities. In 2023, Robles entered Tucson's professional theater scene when joining the STS! cast, marking a significant milestone in her acting career. Ammi celebrated her musical theatre debut with Arts Express Theater's recent production of "In the Heights."
Abril Ruiz
is a twenty year old actress born in Mexico. She is pursuing a bachelor's in film and television. She participated in STS! High when she was a theatre student at Desert View High School. She recently appeared in Antigone 3.0 at Borderlands Theatre. Mostly finds artistic expression in flower arranging and can be founding helping out at her family's food truck business.
Anel Schmidt
is a native of Sonora, Mexico. She holds a BA in Theater from La Universidad de Sonora. Anel was awarded “The Best Actress in the state of Sonora” for her role in “El Monje.” Anel moved to Tucson in 2004 and continued her career in the US acting in multiple theater productions. Since 2009 she has been an actor with STS! She is the proud mom of Renée and Liam.
Renee Schmidt
is a Native Tucsonan and student at the UA. She is studying Business, takes numerous acting classes, and performs on the side. She recently played Morticia Adams in Pima Community College's production of The Addams Family. When she’s not acting, she practices her skills in guitar, piano, and writing music. She loves working with STS! and has been grateful to work alongside her talented mother Anel Schmidt as well!
Daniel "Sly" Slipetsky
Accompanist, is a free-lancing jazz pianist & tuba player who has happily made Arizona his home (transitioning from Delaware) since the summer of 1997. Since moving to the Grand Canyon State, Sly has been fortunate to earn his living strictly as a performing musician: everything from solo piano, to piano/vocal duos, to jazz combos, to big bands, to salsa bands, to traditional New Orleans 1920s jazz, to pop/rock, to church praise bands, to theatrical accompaniment, to mock radio shows with a little bit of Looney Tunes voice acting.
Pete Swan
Music Director, is a jazz drummer, educator and music producer/owner of Pete Swan Productions. He leads the Pete Swan Trio & Quintet and Big Band Express. His private teaching studio focuses on jazz drumming. Pete is honored to be part of the STS! Family, which combines all the elements of music, education and production in the service of changing the lives of young people.
Wolfgang Wang
is a musician who always sought to understand other musical cultures by deviating but also incorporating his classical upbringing. From singing across all voice parts in different choir settings; to playing and coordinating in various contemporary bands, Wolfgang has also experimented with electronic sound designs; and leading as well as conducting and arrangement work for vocal/instrumental ensembles. From these experiences on top of Wolfgang's own writing style, he synergizes relationships between people and sound to draw out the potential of music that can be produced and enjoyed.
Myani Watson
is a Tucson native that has worked with STS! since 2017. STS! was one of the first organizations she joined after graduating from UA with a BA in Theatre Arts. She has also performed with Old Tucson, Winding Road Theater, Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, Invisible Theatre, and Arts Express Theater. She currently shares a studio with her cat she adores.
Gretchen Wirges
is an actor, director, stage manager, and costumer at many Tucson Theatre stages including Scoundrel & Scamp, Old Pueblo Playwrights, Winding Road, Arizona Onstage, The Rogue, Arizona Theatre Company, Unscrewed Theatre, Tucson Improv Movement, and Live Theatre Workshop. She holds a master's degree in English Literature and Education and plans to start her PhD in Fall of 2024.
