Our Team

EPIC Leadership and Programs Team

A headshot of Aubrie, a woman with green eyes and reddish brown curly hair.

Aubrie Therrien (she/her), Executive and Artistic Director

Aubrie is the founder and director of EPIC and is dedicated to furthering inclusion in the arts. She was recognized as New Yorker of the Week for News 1 for her work in the field. She feels lucky to be surrounded by such EPIC people, all the time.

Jessica Saul (she/her), EPIC LA Program Director

Jessica joined EPIC as a mentor in 2017 and is now leading the expansion to Los Angeles as the Program Director.  She is dedicated to providing access, professional support, and mentorship for disabled artists and is so grateful to be a part of EPIC's growth. Beyond her EPIC pursuits, Jessica is a comedian, actress, and content creator.

Headshot of Travis, a man with strawberry blond hair is smiling and wearing a green shirt.

Travis Burbee (he/him), Associate Artistic Director

Travis Burbee is the Associate Artistic Director of EPIC Players . He has directed The Little Prince, The Tempest, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Travis also heads up EPIC’s in-school education classes and performances.

Headshot of Talia, a woman with dyed red hair, is smiling and wearing a royal blue shirt

Talia Eapen (NP), Director of Communications & Operations

Talia is native New Yorker who has supervised, managed, and trained educators and other organizational staff on inclusion practices. EPIC has cultivated her love of the arts and her passion for public service. She is also a stand-up comedian in NYC.

Headshot of Meggan, a woman with blue wire glasses, short grey hair, and hazel eyes.

Meggan Dodd (she/her), Director of Devised Theatre

Having retired two years ago as a prosecutor, Meggan is actively using her CUNY MA in Applied Theatre to create theatre for social change. She has been a proud member of EPIC Players since its creation. At EPIC, Meggan directs, writes and devises, and has a great time leading the weekly EPIC Plays.

Headshot of Alexander, a person with brown hair, a red bear, and blue eyes.

Alexander Reeves (they/them), Program Assistant

Alexander Reeves has worked as a theatre educator and vocal coach specializing in disability, neurodivergent and trans inclusion Since 2015. A former Disney World cast member, they are currently making magic as a musical theatre teaching artist, vocal coach, the program assistant and the co-director of EPIC Jr, a program for neurodivergent teens.

Headshot of Kylie, a woman with brown straight hair and brown eyes.

Kylie Hogrefe (she/her), Development Associate

Kylie Hogrefe is an NYC-based actor, writer, and stage manager who graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Along with being EPIC’s resident development associate, she has sung in multiple EPIC cabarets at Joe’s Pub and Lincoln Center and works with EPIC as a class mentor, stage manager, and actor.

Jamie Rose Hayes (she/her), Access Coordinator

Jamie actively consults in accessibility, inclusion and equity coordination for various organizations and nonprofits throughout NYC. Through her background as an American Sign Language/English interpreter, she found herself becoming an ambassador for advocacy on and off the job. This passion led her to strive for more awareness and education around the various preferences within the disability and diffability communities.

A headshot of Scott, a man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a grey blazer and white shirt.

Scott Evan Davis (he/him), Cabaret Music Director

Scott joined EPIC as our cabaret music director and has become an instant addition to our community! He is a multi - award winning composer/lyricist whose musical Indigo, (featuring Betsy Wolfe, Telly Leung and Sally Mayes and Matt Bogart) recently had its third Broadway workshop. Scott continues to work with EPIC as a vocal coach, director and teaching artist.

EPIC Mentors and Teaching Artists

EPIC mentors and teaching artists are an integral part of our company. EPIC Mentors work within our classes to ensure that every learners, no matter their style, is able to engage in the material we are presenting. Our Teaching Artists are professionals in the field work to create curriculum in the BE EPIC Method, to ensure classes are engaging and inclusive to all of our members.

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Max Baudisch

 

Alexander Reeves

 
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Dante Jayce

 

Will Ketter

 

Ellie Sondock

 

Gabe Girson

 

Jessica Saul

 

Cameron Walker

 

Sydnee Davis

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Miles Butler

 

Averil Carr

 

Devan Manning

“As a former teacher for students with disabilities, one of the things that I noticed most about your production was that there was intentionality in your character development. You cast the people first and were thoughtful in using disability so it did not appear as the predominant theme in the production. Any manifestations of disability were presented in a way that accentuated the character instead of distracted. It was also evident that you provided a high quality production and avoided the common tendency to lower the standards simply because . . . there were people with disabilities cast in the show. Congratulations to such a successful production and a refined approach to inclusive theater.”

— EPIC Audience Member

EPIC Board of Directors

  • Kathryn Ivie, Co-Chair

    Kathryn Ivie is the Co-Chair of the EPIC Board. She is a CHRO for nonprofit communities and an avid supporter of neuro-diversity and the arts.

  • Dr. Daniel Garfinkel, Co-Chair

    Dan Garfinkel is a family physician with One Medical Group and a lover of the arts. He often moonlights as the Emcee for EPIC Cabarets.

  • Stacy Nettleton, Secretary

    Stacy Nettleton is a partner in Weil’s Securities Litigation practice group. She is so proud to support and further the work of the EPIC Players.

  • Vincent Cesare, Treasurer

    Vincent Cesare is an associate with Nixon Peabody’s Global Finance group. He has been an EPIC fan since their inception and proud to now serve as part of the Board.

  • Belinda Lerner

    Belinda Lerner is the Executive Director for the NFL Player Care Foundation and Vice President of NFL Alumni Affairs and Retired Player Programs. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the JCC CSN and is the Mother of Ben, who is an EPIC Player.

  • Stephanie Torns

    Stephanie (she/her) is honored to be a board member of Epic. She is a singer, actor, and Broadway performer. Her Broadway credits include the OBC of Waitress the musical, and the Elphaba standby at Wicked the musical. Stephanie also has her own solo cabaret show that she has performed at 54 Below, Chelsea Table and Stage, and many other venues. When she isn’t performing, she is a Musical Theater teacher at AMDA in NYC. She loves teaching and getting to work with the next generation of performers.

  • Virginia Hoffman

    Virginia is an arts educator, administrator and philanthropist. She has been an EPIC fan and supporter for several years and is excited to further EPIC’s mission by sitting on the Board.

  • Michael Fegan

    Michael is the Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Dime Community Bank and a staunch supporter of arts access for the Autistic Community. His son, Eric, is a musician, performer, and music director with EPIC Players.

  • Jennie Glazer

    Jennie is the Chief Operating Officer at Coqual. She believes that music and theater are nourishing to people, and especially in today's divided, disconnected world, it brings us together to appreciate art and wonderfully talented performers.

  • Talia Eapen

    Talia is an ABA Therapist, comedian, and founding Board member of The EPIC Players and is proud to be a part of this growing and mission focused organization.

  • Aubrie Therrien

    Aubrie is the founder and director of The EPIC Players and is so lucky to be a part of this amazing community of artists.

  • Advisory Board Members

    Doreen Meyers • Amanda McFee • Robin Carus • Linda Therrien •

  • Board Advisor

    Michael John Carley