Brooke began her relationship with Making Books Sing in 2005 when she worked as a teaching artist. A professional actor, Brooke has performed in Micronesia, Asia, Indonesia and Europe. For the past ten years, she has worked in both theatre and film in New York City while also attending two graduate programs. She holds an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School (New School University), as well as an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University. Brooke received her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing and Theatre from Northern Michigan University. Her background in the arts is deeply rooted in a passion for contemporary and experimental theatre. While attending NYU, Brooke studied the philosophies of Anne Bogart, Tadashi Suzuki, Paulo Freire and Augusto Boal. Their techniques and theories greatly influenced Brooke's educational pedagogy. Before returning to Making Books Sing in 2007, Brooke worked as a playwriting and theatre teaching artist at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ.

Emma has happily worn many hats at Making Books Sing since 2009. During that time she’s been involved in the artistic development of Tea with Chachaji, The Storyteller’s Candle and Sky Boys, as well as managed the company’s successful $50,000 Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the anti-bullying play Alice’s Story. Emma has worked in various capacities on a variety of theater projects in New Brunswick, NJ and New York City, and has held positions at Florida Studio Theatre, Samuel French Publishing, New Dramatists and Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, among others. She holds a BA in English from Rutgers University and an MFA in Dramaturgy from Brooklyn College.

Kimberly joined Making Books Sing’s staff in 2006. A native New Yorker, Kimberly has worked in the non-profit sector at Studio Museum in Harlem, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Jericho Project and The Doe Fund. In addition to her professional experience, Kimberly has raised funds through her philanthropy efforts for the following NYC-based organizations: Project Enterprise, The Point CDC, Lower East Side Girls Club, CityKids Foundation and The Door. For these efforts, Kimberly earned Trace Magazine’s “2007 Black Girls that Rock” title. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, Kimberly has also attended Brooklyn College and Parsons School of Design. Kimberly is a proud wife and mother of one.

Josh loves Making Books Sing. Josh’s TYA directing credits include The Wizard of Oz (Forestburgh Playhouse), Freddy the Flat-Faced School Bus (Theatre Building Chicago), All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten (Eudamonia Theatre), and Charlotte’s Web (Evanston Children’s Theatre). Josh was Founder and Artistic Director of Apex Theatre Company in Chicago, and is also certified as a technical trainer and by Apple as a film editor. Education: BS in Theatre, Northwestern University; MFA in Directing, Brooklyn College. Proud Associate Member of SDC. Josh is digital: www.joshpenzell.com.

Max Arnaud is an actor, writer, director and teacher. He studied at Tulane University (BA) and West Virginia University’s College of Creative Arts (MFA). He teaches for Making Books Sing, PS 87 Afterschool, Young Playwrights and formerly at Multicultural Music Group’s Integrated Arts Project. He directs plays for young people at the Brooklyn Players Summer program as well as full-length productions for adults at of Brooklyn Players Community Musical Theater. At the college level, he taught introductory and first-year acting at West Virginia University. At Greenbrier Valley Theatre he led student playwriting workshops culminating in fully produced showcases of new work. As an actor, he has performed in over 50 plays. Recently, Max played a leading role in Upstate, an independent feature film by Ground Glass Productions (LA Film Festival 2010.) His play Daydream toured the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit in the Summer of 2010.

Ria Cooper is a Brooklyn-based teaching artist who uses theatre and yoga as tools to educate and build community. Ria has worked both domestically and internationally, most recently in places as varied as the five boroughs of New York City, New Orleans and Rwanda. She received her children's yoga teaching certification from Karma Kids Yoga in New York. She holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the CUNY School of Professional Studies, a certificate from the National Theatre Institute, and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Oberlin College. Ria teaches yoga, theatre and arts & crafts to young people in New York City.

Rachel Evans is an actress, playwright and teaching artist. Her one woman show Jew Wish, which she wrote, produced and starred in, was part of the 2010 NY International Fringe Festival. Past Off-Broadway credits include: The Blue Bird (Urban Stages), and Macrune’s Guevara and Richard and Anne (Mirror Repertory Company). She holds a BA in Theater and English from Tufts University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Applied Theater at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. www.jewwishtheshow.com

Melissa Gordon is an actor, writer, musician and comedian who is proud to call New York her home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Ithaca College and has also studied at the National Theatre Institute, Upright Citizens Brigade, The Groundlings and Magnet Theater. Melissa has performed with the Manhattan Children's Theatre, Traveling Lantern Theatre Company and most recently worked with Making Books Sing in a production of If You Really Loved Polar Bears... at the Bronx Zoo. Melissa performs regularly at the Magnet Theater with her musical improv team Mint Condition and is also a member of the Story Pirates. Melissa feels very lucky and extremely proud to work and perform with so many wonderful people.

Jennifer Houseal, a singer and theatre artist, has been an MBS Teaching Artist since 2004. She has also taught theatre to 1st through 6th graders in NYC public schools, after-school programs and summer camps for organizations such as Manhattan New Music Project, Oasis Children’s Services and the MoMA P.S. 1 Museum. Jennifer has performed in productions of original musicals in NYC, such as The Passion of George W. Bush and Fitz and Walloughs Get It in the End, and also completed Manhattan School of Music’s Professional Musical Theatre Workshop in 2006. In addition, Jennifer is a costumer who has worked on Off-Broadway musicals, such as Menopause, the Musical and SHOUT! The Mod Musical, and most recently designed the costumes for the Creative Arts Team Youth Theatre’s shows From Time to Time and The Power Game. Jennifer has a BA in Theatre Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Applied Theatre from The CUNY School of Professional Studies.

Kalle Macrides absolutely loves working as a teaching artist with Making Books Sing. She has also taught with the Woman's Project Theater, Brooklyn Summer Players, Queens Cultural Partnership, Brooklyn College, Polytechnic Institute of New York University and was the Education Director for the Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. Kalle holds an MA in Performance Studies from NYU and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mac Wellman’s playwriting program at Brooklyn College. Kalle is an actress, playwright and executive director of Adhesive Theater Project. She’s also a new mom!

Taryn Matusik grew up near the foothills of the Adirondacks, but has called NYC home for nearly two decades. She holds a BA from The University of Georgia in Art History, a dual MA from The City College of New York and an MPhil from Columbia University. On a PhD track, Taryn instead followed her inner compass to Circle in the Square Theater School’s two year professional program, although she continues to give talks at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Taryn trained as a teaching artist through an apprenticeship with Daniel Sklar. This training, along with her experience teaching undergraduates at Columbia University, set her on the path of Aesthetic Education and employment by Lincoln Center Institute in 2006. Since then, Taryn has ventured into schools and worked with educators on behalf of Making Books Sing, Theater Development Fund, Women’s Project, Creative Arts Education, as well as LCI. Taryn is deeply passionate about her work with students and, as an avid reader herself, is thrilled to be able to offer her abilities, training and spirit to Making Books Sing. As an actor, Taryn has performed in theater, film and TV in the NYC area, as well as regionally. With several writing projects underway, Taryn’s current focus is on producing a recently completed script for a short film about subjectivity.

Liz Parker is a passionate performer, director and educator. Her work has been used to address social issues including school violence, depression, child abuse and trauma. Liz has performed regularly in all five boroughs of New York City over the past ten years and has also performed in theaters across the United States while on tour with two productions for young audiences. She loves creating new work as evidenced in her one-woman show Mr. Morning Mends His Mind, as well as more recent co-created works including a children’s piece, Blown Away By Poetry. Liz holds a master’s degree in Applied Theatre from the City University of New York. She especially enjoys working with puppets, stilts and kazoos.