Victoria Pérez-Maggiolo
Victoria is a multiple award winning accomplished bilingual theatre artist with over 25 years of experience as a singer, actor, director, writer and as a teaching artist. Hailing proudly from Puerto Rico and calling Buffalo, NY her home, she is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Raíces Theatre Company, the only Latino(e) theatre company in WNY dedicated to telling Latino(e) stories. In Buffalo she has performed and directed with almost every theatre company. She believes in the power of theatre to bring awareness, serve as a reflection and ultimately, transform.

Jake Grear
Jake is a professional theatre practitioner based in Buffalo, NY, specializing in musical theatre performance, stage management and directing. He graduated from Buffalo State University (‘23) with a BA in Theatre Arts, the Dean’s Award for Excellence, and a certification in Foundations of Theatrical Directing. Some of his favorite credits include: CARRIE THE MUSICAL (Director, Bellissima Productions), LEGALLY BLONDE (Assistant Director, MusicalFare), NEXT TO NORMAL (Production Assistant, MusicalFare), KINKY BOOTS (Ensemble, MusicalFare), HEATHERS THE MUSICAL (Ram Sweeney, ART of WNY), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Assistant Director & Stage Manager, BSU), PIPPIN (Pippin, BSU), MEDEA (Assistant Director & Stage Manager, BSU) and many more. www.jakegrear.com

Alicia Rainey
Alicia is a former educator of 13 years additionally acting as a co-director and choreographer for middle school musicals at Westminster Charter School where she developed a passion for serving students and families in education. She is an alumni of SUNY Empire State College with an A.S. in Health in Human Services and is the founder of Layla’s Love Mentoring Program. Alicia has served as the Arts Engagement and Education Assistant for 3 years now and is thrilled to offer her voice as a part of this growing theatre community.

Ricky Needham
A WNY native, Ricky is an Artie-Award winning actor whose worked on & off many professional stages. Upon receiving his BA in Theatre from SUNY Buffalo State, he went on to study at The Second City Theatre in Chicago, IL. Since returning to Buffalo, he’s been seen on big & small screens, and on professional stages across town. He is an ensemble member at Road Less Traveled Productions, as well as a current Rep Company member at The Kenan Center in Lockport. He is also the Teen Reality Theatre Coordinator for PPCWNY, working with High School students to use theatre as a tool to navigate teen life, socioeconomic challenges, and more. Past stage credits include Tony in WEST SIDE STORY (MusicalFare), Drew in ROCK OF AGES (D’Youville’s Kavinoky Theatre), Will Bloom in BIG FISH (Second Generation Theatre Co), Monty in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (MusicalFare at Shea’s 710) and many more. He is thrilled to join a team so passionate about making the arts as accessible as possible & dedicated to bringing the magic of theatre directly to students across Erie County!

Email the Chief Engagement and Education Officer, Victoria Pérez-Maggiolo.

Email Arts Education Coordinator, Jake Grear.

Email Arts Engagement Coordinator, Alicia Rainey.

Email Resident Teaching Artist, Ricky Needham.