RYAN SCOTT OLIVER is a 2009 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient and wrote the music and lyrics for Mrs. Sharp (2008 Richard Rodgers Award Winner, at Playwrights Horizons July 2009 starring Jane Krakowski, dir. by Michael Greif), Darling (Pace New Musicals 2009), the song cycle Out of My Head, Quit India (commissioned by UCLA), and the music for Angus Oblong's The Debbies. A collection of his work, Rated RSO, was recently seen at Joe's Pub, where it will return January 2010 following an engagement at the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). His work has also been heard on the hit YouTube TV show The Battery’s Down ("This is Your Life" among others) and in showcases presented by Summer Play Festival (SPF), The York Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, William Finn & Barrington Stages, New York Theatre Barn, Monday Nights New Voices, and the Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles. He is a 2007 Dramatists Guild Fellow and the recipient of numerous awards including the first-ever ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award for Excellence in Lyric Writing, the Margo Lion Award for Excellence in Adaptation (Mrs.Sharp, with Kirsten A. Guenther), the Looking Glass Theatre Favorite Production Award (Out of My Head) and the John Denver New Composers Award. Currently he is the Executive Director of the Pasadena (PUSD) Musical Theatre Program in California, produces The Spotlight Cabaret in New York City, and is at work developing a commission by Broadway Across America as well as We the People for TheatreWorksUSA, directed by Alex Timbers, which will premiere Off-Broadway in 2010. B.A. Music Composition, UCLA; M.F.A. Musical Theatre Writing, NYU-Tisch, a proud member of A.S.C.A.P. He is currently represented by Jessica Sarbo at The Gersh Agency.

ROBERT SHAPIRO. As a composer/lyricist, Rob’s songs have been featured at Barrington Stages, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, the Duplex, New York Theatre Barn and Don’t Tell Mama. As a producer, he has collaborated with Ryan Scott Oliver on The Spotlight Cabaret at the Beechman as well as RATED RSO at Joe’s Pub and Boston Court in Pasadena. Rob is a member of A Broken Umbrella Theater and Toi Trade Theatre Companies, and he works for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. MFA: NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (2007). www.rsmusicals.com.

TRAVIS GREISLER has been working in the theatre since the age of nine appearing on Broadway in The Who’s Tommy, Radio City Music Hall’s Xmas Spectacular and the Nat’l Tours of Les Miz and Big. A graduate of Northwestern University, his work as a director has lead to productions of Into the Woods, Edges, The Wild Party (Lippa), Jesus Christ Superstar, Company, Little Shop of Horrors and The Who’s Tommy. He has assisted for directors like Michael Greif, David H. Bell, Dominic Missimi, James Brennan and Paper Mill Artistic Director Mark Hoebee. Recent projects include the workshop of Andrew Lippa’s The Man in the Ceiling for Disney Theatricals, Hey, You Know What Movie Would Make a Good Musical?, and Ryan Scott Oliver and Kirsten Guenther’s Mrs. Sharp. For more information please visit www.travisgreisler.com

B.T. (Brett) Ryback won the 2007 Tennessee Williams One-Act Competition for his play Weïrd.  His play A Roz By Any Other Name was the winner of the 2007 Henrico County Theatre One-Act Competition.  Both are published in The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008.  As a composer/lyricist, he has written music and/or lyrics for Out of a Book; Quit India (Richard Rodgers Award Finalist 2007); High School! (UCLA’s Francis Ford Coppolla One Act Festival); and Shoulder Pads, a movie musical.  He is a regular composer for Milwaukee’s Skylight Opera Theatre’s Education program, Kidswrites, which pairs the uncorrected writing of inner-city grade school students with professional actors and composers.  He also served for five years as the composer/lyricist for Next Act Theatre’s Next Actors Summer Theatre for Youth, during which time he composed music and lyrics for five original musical theatre pieces in collaboration with Milwaukee’s inner-city youth.  He holds a B.A. in Music Composition from UCLA.

Acting credits for theatre include: The History Boys (AhmansonTheatre), Mary’s Wedding (Colony Theatre), On Your Toes (Reprise!), Red Herring, The Master of the House, Shear Madness (Laguna Playhouse), Hello, Dolly! (Skylight Opera Theatre), Over the Tavern, and Inspecting Carol (Milwaukee Rep).  TV:  House, How I Met Your Mother, and Cupid.  Webseries:  LG15: The Resistance.

Mr. Ryback is based in LA, and is currently writing the book for Darling (Pace New Musicals 2009) with Ryan Scott Oliver, the music for Liberty Inn with Dakin Matthews, and the book, music, and lyrics for The Tavern Keeper’s Daughter.

K.J. HARDY serves as the Resident designer for Joe's Pub at the PUBLIC Theater. Regional design credits include NYSF, NYC Fringe, Signature Theater, Classical Thater of Harlem, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Lincon Center out door festival, Nyc Summer Stage, Irving Plaza. Proud memeber of USA/829 designers union and resident of the east village.

DANIEL SETH is thrilled to be back with RSO, Travis, and this incredible team! Favorite credits include work on Avenue Q (Golden Theatre), Jerry Springer: The Opera and Family Guy Sings! (both at Carnegie Hall), High Fidelity (Imperial Theatre), Saved (Playwrights Horizons), Zanna Don't (York Theatre), and The Battery’s Down. Currently, Daniel is assisting director/choreographer Christopher Gattelli and composer/lyricist Robert Lopez on several projects in development.

NICK BLAEMIRE is thrilled to be a part of this awesome, loud night. BROADWAY/TOURING: CRYBABY (Original Cast), GLORY DAYS (Music and Lyrics), ALTAR BOYZ (Abraham, 1st National). REGIONAL: James Lapine's MRS. MILLER DOES HER THING (Simon, Vineyard Playhouse), THE UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF SAMANTHA BROWN (Adam, Orange County Performing Arts), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour, Casa Manana), CALVIN BERGER (Calvin, Gloucester Stage) and Joe Iconis' THE BLACK SUITS (Chris, SPF @ the Public Theatre. FILM/TV: The Assassination of a High School President (starring Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton), “Guiding Light”. Proud University of Michigan Graduate. As a songwriter,Nick is working on a new original musical with his buddy James as a commission for Broadway Across America. Thanks for having me RSO!!

www.jamesandnick.com

ALEX BRIGHTMAN is currently playing a munchkin on Broadway. Thanks to Travis and Brett for making this evening look and sound spectacular. Thanks to Lindsey, for being here. And the biggest thanks of all to Ryan for his kick-ass tunes that continue to inspire me every single motherf***ing day! Life is good.

MAT BURROW is thrilled to sing more of RSO's music after RATED RSO at Joe's Pub in May! He is a proud grad of The University of the Arts (MT 08), is a proud member of AEA, and is currently Judy Gold's manny. Thank you thank you thank you to Travis, Brett and to this kick ass cast! RSO- I am obsessed with you. Love to the phamily and family! Check out my comedy band The Rickety Stares on youtube!thanks!

JEFF CUTTLER is so thrilled to perform RSO's awesome music again after appearing in Rated RSO at Joe's Pub this past May. Previous credits include the National Tour of RENT where he understudied and performed the role of Mark, Maccabeat! (NYMF), Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Wagon Wheel), and In The Bubble (AMTP).  BA Communications/English Northwestern University.  Huge thanks to RSO and Travis.  Love to family and friends!

JENNIFER DeROSA is SO, so excited to be a part of Rated RSO goes NYMF!!!!  A recent graduate of Pace University’s Musical Theater program, Jennifer had the opportunity to play the role of Ursula Morgan in Ryan Scott Oliver and B.T. Ryback’s Darling (Pace New Musicals).  Since then she has sung the role of Ursula in Rated RSO shows at the Theater at Boston Court in LA and Joe’s Pub, NYC.  (Love and gratitude to Ryan and Brett, whose brains and generosity inspire me every day. And thanks to Amy and Rob for getting me out of my pajamas.)

CAIT DOYLE currently stars in Hot Mess in Manhattan, for which she won the 2009 MAC Award. Favorite credits include Underwear: A Space Musical (FringeNYC), The Last 5 Years (San Francisco premiere), Wizard of Oz (Syracuse Stage), john & jen (New Hampshire premiere), and All Men are Asses, All Women are Crazy (world premiere, Manhattan Rep Theatre).  Cait is a proud grad of Syracuse University, member of AEA, and recently got fired from her day job!  Thanks to Ryan Scott Oliver: musician, friend, and master of the theme song.

KATIE GASSERT is a recent graduate of Cap 21 at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.  At Tisch she performed in Into the Woods (Witch), The Full Monty (Susan Hershey), Cabaret (Sophie), Company (Susan), and the Tisch Gala at the St. James Theatre hosted by Billy Crystal.  In New York she was most recently seen in NYMF's About Face (Gloria Fitzpatrick) along with numerous demos, concerts (Rated RSO at Joe’s Pub), cabarets, and readings (RSO's Darling) and this past seasons Radio City Christmas Spectacular commercial.  She is just off the national tour of Seussical and could not be more excited to reunite with the fantastic Rated RSO team!  Thanks to family, Patroon, PIE and the one and only RSO!

VICTORIA HUSTON-ELEM is overjoyed to be joining the absurdly talented cast of Rated RSO. Most recently, Victoria was seen wielding a cast-iron skillet and singing moonshine lullabies in the Off-Broadway musical, Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge (Prospect Theatre Co). Other credits include: Little Women (Village Theatre), Meet John Doe (Goodspeed Operahouse), Tess (York Theatre Co), and The Hidden Sky (Prospect). Victoria can be heard belting behind the beltress herself on Kate Pazakis's debut live album, Kate Pazakis: Unzipped (with fellow RSO cast member, Eric Michael Krop). The album is available on iTunes and in stores from PS Classics. Victoria would like to thank Ryan for trusting her without ever having met her, Travis for his endless faith and talented contacts, and her parents for anything and everything in between. Syracuse alum; proud member of AEA.

MORGAN KARR was born and raised in Nashville, TN and a graduate of Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. Currently: All Shook Up at Ogunquit Playhouse. Most recent NY credits: VOTE! The Musical at NYC Fringe Festival, Everyday Rapture at Second Stage Theatre and Spring Awakening on Broadway. Other theatrical credits include Lippa's The Wild Party, EDGES, Fiddler on the Roof, and South Pacific. He also performed his solo show “Morgan Karr : An Awfully Big Adventure” at Joe’s Pub in March and will return to Joe’s Pub with a solo concert as part of the Ghostlight Records Fall Series on October 19th at 11:30pm. Thanks to Ryan and Travis for keeping me in the RATED RSO family! http://www.morgankarr.com

GEOFFREY KIDWELL is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television. He is a transplant from southern California and is thrilled to be a part of Rated RSO at NYMF after having performed in the original Rated RSO at Joe's Pub. Regional credits include The Senator (Hello Again), Cliff (Cabaret), and Doody (Grease). Many thanks to Renee Glicker and everyone at About Artists Agency. Proud member of Actor's Equity. www.AuditionConnection.com/Geoffrey Kidwell

ERIC MICHAEL KROP is a Bay Area, CA native. Eric started singing in church at age 4 and it has been his drug of choice ever since. Nothing makes him happier than getting to perform for people. He moved to NYC permanently in 2005 and has enjoyed every moment. Past NYC credits include Brunch, The Musical, Scott Alan's "Monday Nights New Voices", Kate Pazakis: UNZIPPED (available on PS Classics), and various other concerts and benefits in the city. You can check out his original pop tunes at www.myspace.com/ericmichaelkrop.

LINDSAY MENDEZ can currently be seen Off-Broadway as Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Westside Theater.  Earlier this year, she was seen Off-Broadway serving as a “Mennonette” to Sherie Rene Scott in 2nd Stage’s critically acclaimed production of Everyday Rapture.  Lindsay was an original cast member of the recent Broadway Revival of Grease, playing the role of Jan.  Regional/Tour credits include: Footloose (Sacramento Music Circus, Kansas City Starlight), Princesses (NAMT, Goodspeed Opera House, 5th Avenue Theater), Grease, (European Tour, Fulton Opera House), Call Me Madam (Reprise!), Go the Distance, and The Lyrics of David Zippel (Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kaufman Center).  Lindsay was born and raised in Southern California, and attended the Orange County High School of the Arts as a Musical Theater Major. She is the lead singer of the new, hip cover band, “Limbsakimbo.”  Check it out!  www.Lindsaymendez.net

PRESTON SADLEIR Feels like the coolest kid at the party to be singing with this talented group!  He will gladly rock out to RSO jams till the day he dies.  Preston played Noah in the most recent production of Mrs. Sharp at Playwrights Horizons alongside Jane Krakowski, directed by Michael Greif. He released 2 albums with European pop-group T-Minus Friday. He is a recent graduate of the Music Dance Theater program at Brigham Young University.  Preston has done Footloose a lot.

ALI STROKER played the role of “McKenzie” in the reading of Mrs. Sharp by RSO and Kirsten Guenther at Playwrights Horizons with Jane Krakowski.  Some of her Theatre credits include: Alive at Ten, Daughters, Only Children, Post Secret: A New Play, Into the Woods (NYU), Pippin  (CAP21), Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, The Boys from Syracuse (Surflight Theatre) Ali just performed in the ABC Diversity Showcase and can be seen on Sesame Street this fall, and a MasterCard Commercial.  She would like to thank her family, friends, Jed and Pete for their constant support and love!  

GRACE WALL is a recent transplant from California. Grace is a graduate of UCLA’s Ray Bolger musical theater program. Martha (Guys and Dolls at the Hollywood Bowl w/ Brian Stokes Mitchell and Ellen Greene, Pamina (The Magic Flute, a children’s opera, Falcon Theatre), Luisa (The Fantasticks, Hudson Backstage), Violet (Sideshow, UCLA), Paper (The Times directed by Gordon Hunt), Rated RSO L.A. and NYC productions, and Zelda (Gulls, Theatre @ the Boston Court in which she recently received an award for best supporting female performance by L.A. Weekly).  TV: “90210,” “DB Cooper”.  Love to the fam.  A thank you and congratz to long time pal RSO.

NATALIE WEISS recently performed in the ensemble and understudied Elphaba in the 2nd National Touring Company of Wicked.  Her favorite readings include Darling written by Ryan Scott Oliver, and Tina Girlstar which was workshopped at New York Stage and Film.  Natalie has performed all over New York City at esteemed venues such as Birdland, the Duplex, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and Joe's Pub. Regional: Kennedy Center in D.C, Pittsburgh CLO, North Shore Music Theatre.  Recordings: RSO and Kirsten Guenther's Alive At 10 (Mrs. Sharp), Scott Alan's Keys, Goldrich and Heisler's Dear Edwina.  Natalie was an American Idol Season 4 semi-finalist but is most well-known for her YouTube videos. She has gained an international following through her top hits, ("And I Am Telling You", "I'm A Star", "Quiet", "The Spark of Creation", and "I Believe In You And Me"), which have reached over 100,000 views.  Penn State-BFA mt.   As a vocal coach in NYC, Natalie focuses on strengthening the mix/belt/head voice, acting fundamentals, and music literacy.  Natalie is thrilled to be doing an encore presentation of Rated RSO with the whole gang!!

ALEX WYSE was last seen in Scott Alan's Monday Night New Voices featuring the music of Katie Thompson, and in the workshop of RSO and Kirsten Guenther’s Mrs. Sharp alongside Jane Krakowski, directed by Michael Greif. Next he can be seen in Bill Russell’s The Last Smoker In America (NYMF). Regional credits include Speech & Debate (Elliot Norton Award for Best Production, Best Ensemble Nominee), The Cherry Orchard, Our Town, Honk, The Lion In Winter, Urinetown, She Loves Me, Lord of the Flies, and Summer of ’42. TV credits include “Greatest Kid Concoctions” and “Handel’s Messiah Rocks” alongside J. Robert Spencer and LaChanze, both filmed for PBS, and he can be heard on the children’s music album N’Fusion. BFA: Boston University. Alex is eternally grateful to RSO for including him in this awesome event. Visit www.alexwyse.com.

KRISTINA VNOOK is beyond thrilled to be taking part in Rated: RSO! Recent NYC credits include: John Tartaglia's New Fangled Variety Show (Comix), Is Life Worth Living? (The Mint), Kicking A Dead Horse (The Public), Native Speech (Boomerang Theater Co.), The Yellow Wood (NYMF '07, dir. BD Wong), Ana 3/11 (Fringe '06).Other credits include Bare, All Shook Up, The Spitfire Grill, The Wild Party, Ragtime, and Urinetown, all at Pace University.

HILARY LEAVITT just got back from working her second summer in the Pines of Maine at Quisisana Resort where she stage manages their rotating season. Past stage management credits include Ragtime, Little Women, and Urinetown all at Pace University where she is currently pursuing a Dual BA degree in Theater Arts – Directing and Film & Screen Studies. She has had the pleasure of directing, associate directing, and assistant directing several shows there including The Spitfire Grill, Tick, Tick…Boom!, All Shook Up (dir. Donna Drake), BARE (dir. Bob Cline), and Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party (dir. Amy Rogers). Other Credits include The Yellow Wood (2008 NYMF, dir. B.D. Wong), The Weathervane Theater (NH), and RATED RSO at Joe’s Pub.