Meet the Cast of HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The new musical How to Dance in Ohio, inspired by Alexandra Shiva’s Peabody Award-winning documentary of the same name, begins previews on Broadway tonight, November 15. The musical will officially open at the Belasco Theatre on December 10, 2023.

With book and lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik (she/her), music by Jacob Yandura (he/him), choreography by Mayte Natalio (she/her), and direction by Sammi Cannold (she/her) – all making their Broadway debuts - How to Dance in Ohio is a heartfelt new musical about the desire to connect and the courage it takes to put yourself out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a challenge that breaks open their routines as they experience love, stress, excitement, and independence. How to Dance in Ohio is a story about people on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing down hopes and fears, ready to take a momentous first step…and dance.

Meet the cast below!

Caesar Samayoa

(he/him)

Dr. Emilio Amigo

Original Broadway companies of Come From Away (Kevin J./Ali); Sister Act (Pablo); The Pee Wee Herman Show. Off-Broadway/ regional: Evita (Perón), A.R.T./STC; Los Otros (Carlos), A.R.T./New York; Love’s Labour’sLost(DonArmado),TheDelacorte Theater; Bernstein’s Mass, Carnegie Hall; Yale Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, Tectonic Theater Project, Seattle Rep. Film/TV: Come From Away (Apple TV+); “Ray Donovan” (Showtime), “The Blacklist” (NBC). A wards: HOL A José Ferrer Tespis Award.

CaesarSamayoa.com @CaesarSamayoa

Desmond Luis Edwards

(he/they)

Remy

 Desmond and his fabulous hair are incredibly excited to be making their Broadway debut! Theatre: How to Dance in Ohio (Remy) at Syracuse Stage. Big thanks to my family for their endless support and to the entire Ohio company!

@the.dez.edwards @bohemiagroup_

Amelia Fei

(she/her)

Caroline

Amelia (Yi-Hsuan) Fei is a performer from Taiwan. It’s been a dream come true to get to tell this beau- tiful story since 2021. And now, she is making her Broadway debut with the most loving people! Some previous credits include Avenue Q and The King and I. Endless love to her parents and her Ohio family.

@amelia_bedeliafei 

Madison Kopec

(they/she)

Marideth

Broadway debut! Returning to Ohio on Broadway after the world premiere at Syracuse Stage is a dream come true. Madison originated the role of Emma in Indigo at The Human Race Theatre. To my amazing family, Sara Bartlett and the entire cast and creative team of Ohio, thank you!

@madison.kopec @bohemiagroup_ 

Liam Pearce

(he/him)

Drew

 Broadway debut! Previous credits include Rent (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Legally Blonde (The Muny). Endless thanks to the Ohio family and to his team at Buchwald & Lakey Wolff. To his beautiful friends—you make him feel anything is possible. Play hard! Get a treat! LOVE you mean it!!!

@liam.pearce

Conor Tague

(he/him)

Tommy

Conor is extremely excited to be nally making his Broadway debut! He has starred in multi- ple fundraising concerts and cabarets with EPIC Players and Action Play organiza- tions. Conor would love to thank his friends and family for their love and support in helping him chase his long-awaited dream!

conortague.com

Ashley Wool

(she/her)

Jessica

Broadway debut! NY/regional: Jessica in How to Dance in Ohio (Syracuse Stage), Kira in Xanadu, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Amy in Company. Dedicated to the real Jessica Sullivan, and in loving memory of James Gerth, Alan Case, and Molly Bennett. Ephesians 4:29.

www.ashleywool.com @ashley_wool

Imani Russell

(they/them)

Mel

 Imani is honored to make their Broadway debut with Ohio! Imani has performed Off-Broadway and is an emerging voice actor. They also release music under the name NANí. Imani is a proud Black+Boricua, queer and disabled artist who believes in art as an act of love and community.

@imanithecowboy imanirussell.com 

Haven Burton

(she/her)

Terry

Broadway: Rent, Legally Blonde, Shrek, Kinky Boots, Violet. Proud mother of three and an advo- cate to the autism and Down syndrome communities. Dedicated to my son, Hudson, who leads with a courageous heart in a world not designed for him. I hope our story leaves you curious, kind and willing to challenge the world around you.

Darlesia Cearcy

(she/her)

Johanna

Dar. Lee. See. Ah. Broadway veteran whose shows include Ragtime (Sarah/Helen Hayes A ward nominee); Shuf e Along (Lottie Gee); Color Purple (Nettie); Once on This Island (Erzulie); The Book of Mormon; The Goodbye Girl. Viva Award nom for single “Everlasting” on MTV. TV: “FBI,” “The Watcher,” “Madame Secretary,” “House of Cards,” “Elementary.” urvisionhousse.com IG: @darlesiacearcy.

Carlos L. Encinias

(he/him)

Kurt/Rick/Hawkins

Passionate educator and writer from Albuquerque. Broadway: Les Misérables (Fueilly), Mamma Mia! (us Eddie/Father A), Good Vibrations, Scandalous. Off- Broadway: Altar Boyz (Juan/Abe/Mark). World premiere of A Crossing, Barrington Stage (Arturo). Grateful to share Ohio with the world! Thanks to Boo@BLOC, familia, amigos, Joe, Luca, Marco!

CarlosLEncinias.com @carlosluisnyc 

Nick Gaswirth

(he/him)

Michael/Derrick

 Broadway: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and A Christmas Story. Tour: Wicked, A Christmas Story. NY: York Theatre, NYMF, Fringe. Regional: Cleveland Playhouse, A.R.T., Syracuse Stage, 5th Avenue, Arden Theatre, Westchester Broadway. BFA, University of Michigan (Go Blue!). Hi Jammers, hi Beazie!

Melina Kalomas

(she/her)

Amy/Shauna

Theatre: Phantom of the Opera (Madame Giry; world tour), Les Misérables, Mel Brooks’ Y oung Frankenstein (national tours), Grey Gardens (Little Edie alternate; Ahmanson), Mary Zimmerman’ s Arabian Nights (Berkeley Rep/Kansas City Rep), The Light in the Piazza (Franca Naccarelli; South Coast Rep). TV: “As the World Turns” (CBS), “Grimm” (NBC). Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. 

Cristina Sastre

(she/her)

Ashley Amigo

Broadway debut! Regional: Legally Blonde and On Your Feet! at The Muny, Spring Awakening (Wendla, Round House Theater), In the Heights (Nina, Lyric Theatre OKC), Mamma Mia! (Sophie, Theatre Aspen). BFA TXST MT19. Oceans of love for my family and friends who always believed in me.

Jean Christian Barry

(they/them)

Understudy

It's their Broadway debut! Recently in Heavyhead, Stranger Sings! and Dory Fantasmagory. Much love to this cast, crew and creative team! Big thanks to my rep (The Mine) and my friends/family!

@jean__christian 

Collin Hancock

(he/him)

Understudy

Collin is ecstatic to be making his Broadway debut! Most recently: The Prom (WPPAC), Kinky Boots (Forestburgh Playhouse). Much love to his siblings Galen and Graham, who inspired this Massachusetts boy’s dream, and his incredible parents.

@collin.hancock 

Hunter Hollingsworth

(he/him)

Understudy

From SUNY Purchase graduate to Apollo nalist, to making his Broadway debut as a swing, Hunter Hollingsworth came a long way. He thanks everyone for all the support he needs to make him a success. 

Marina Jansen

(they/them)

Understudy

Broadway debut! Proud member of Elon University’ s music theatre program class of 2025. Love to my family, Hannah and pet cat Mango. Proud autistic actor! Enjoy the show! 

Instagram: @mar1najansen.

Marina Pires

(she/her)

Understudy

Marina Pires is a Brazilian actor, singer-songwriter based in the Hudson Valley. Broadway debut! Ashley Amigo in How to Dance in Ohio (Syracuse), Marian in The Bridges of Madison County (Signature Theatre), On Your Feet! (Broadway rst national). For my best amigos: Mom and Dad.

IG: @marinampires

Martín Solá

(he/him)

Understudy

Broadway: On Your Feet!, The King & I, Coram Boy, La Bohème. Plays for the Plague Year (The Public). TV: Father Russo in “Archive 81” (Netflix), “FBI,” “Law & Order: SVU.”

martinsola.com 

Ayanna Nicole Thomas

(she/her)

Understudy

Ayanna is delighted to make her Broadway debut! She was born in the Bronx, NY, and grew up in Los Angeles. Thank you to Manhattan School of Music, the creative team and her mom for every- thing.

IG: @ayannanicolethomass