RSVP CCM Acting Class of 2025 Senior Showcase

Becca G. Anderson

Becca G. Anderson (they/them) is a Black, queer artist from Washington, DC. They are devoted to creating and amplifying work by marginalized voices. They have extensive training in voiceover, stage combat, movement and Shakespeare, and they are prepared to tell these stories in as many unique ways as possible. Educational credits include Nell in John Proctor is the Villain, Usher/God/Understanding in Everybody and #00 in The Wolves. Professional credits include understudying at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Oak Park Festival Theatre. Their artistic passions extend beyond acting; they assistant directed the world-premiere musical The Light Chasers at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, directed the short film "Sonder," and produced CCM Acting’s annual BIPOC Theatre Project. When they’re not acting or directing, they’re probably crocheting or justifying their love for math. Ask them about their tortoise! 

Brandon Cook

Brandon Cook is an actor and artist originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he received a BFA in Acting. His credits at CCM include Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, Micke in Let The Right One In (Co-production with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company), Felix in Frankenstein, Greg in The Burials and CB in Dog Sees God. He has also been involved with several regional productions, understudying at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Richmond Shakespeare Festival. Additionally, he starred in the music video for “poison” by Feems, which won a NATAS Ohio Valley Student Emmy.

Madison Burnett

Madison Burnett is a midwestern artist whose sharp wit and relatable charm is a staple in her wide arrange of work. Both on and off camera, her writings, illustrations and performances are regarded for their earnest and tender grit, showcasing all the bumps, cracks and hiccups life loves dishing out. The recent CCM graduate is trained in stage combat, movement, voice and contemporary acting.

Gavin Duffy

A recent graduate of the UC College-Conservatory of Music, Gavin Duffy has a passion for telling queer stories on stage and on screen. Favorite recent roles include Jonah in the film "Happy Hour" and Benny in "For Angels." He recently produced Transmigration, CCM Acting’s festival of student-devised work, and loved helping others ignite their creativity. Born and raised in the midwest, Gavin enjoys rock climbing and growing his mustache.

Staylie Grace

Staylie Grace (they/she) is an edgy and soft, secretive and vulnerable actor. On fire for both stage and film, they have shown to be multi-faceted and always passionate, playing roles such as Winnifred in Witch and Love in Everybody. An advocate of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, she is roused to create relevant, provocative characters. When Staylie Grace is not honing their craft, she is making a new recipe or mothering her two cats Saigon and Kahlúa.

Nico Graves

Nico Graves (they/he/it) is a queer, Cuban-American, neurodivergent actor from Miami, Florida. Described as a whirlwind of energy, Nico always gives their all, as seen in roles like Charlie in The Light Chasers, Dylan in Love and War and Scratch in Witch. Short film credits include Jax in "The Book of the Dead," for which they won the Best Ensemble Award at San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival and Best Duo Performance at the Queen City F3 Festival. Nico is happiest in the weirdest aspects of storytelling. They have interests in Shakespeare, stunts, motion capture and voice acting for cartoons and video games. When they are not acting, you can find them skating on their Heelys or uncovering the mysteries of the universe.

Joysoline Ivory-Smith

Joysoline Ivory-Smith (she/her) is a Black actress who is particularly interested in uplifting and arming BIPOC stories through uncovering nuance and humanity. She has received training in consent and intimacy, Commercial Voice Over Technique, Acting for the Camera and Kristin Linklater voice and speech work. She also has training in Suzuki, Viewpoints, Laban, Unarmed and Armed stage combat and Mime from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of music (CCM) Acting BFA program. She has trained as a Supernumerary in Cincinnati Opera’s production of Aida produced by Cincinnati Music Hall. She has also worked as an ensemble member in Ilya Kaminsky's Deaf Republic produced by Cincinnati State in conjunction with the sign language department and Deaf Association. Throughout her time at CCM she has been featured in Everybody as Girl/Time, Transmigration Production of “Who Lives on Drury Lane” as Teapot, Media Production capstone film original “Walking in the rain” as Jasmine, CCM BIPOC film original “Sonder” as Kennedy, and recently CCM Mainstage production of Emilia, directed by Bridget Leak, as Emilia 2. When she is not on stage, Joysoline can be seen in the wings drawing in one of her many sketchbooks or in the margins of her scripts. She can also be caught singing any song from Wicked or any of Cynthia Erivo's discography. Seriously ask her about track 6 on Cynthia Erivo vol. 1.

Evan Kupersmith

Evan Kupersmith is an actor and musician from Atlanta, Georgia. He recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned a BFA in Acting and a minor in Music. CCM credits include Danny in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Professor Plum in Clue and Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale. Professional credits include understudying Macduff in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth and originating the role of Blake in Know Theatre of Cincinnati’s world premiere rock musical The Light Chasers. Evan’s original music can be found on all streaming platforms. Evan is proudly Jewish, the world’s biggest New York Giants fan and loves a good slice of pizza.

Erin Lynch

Erin Lynch is a multifaceted actress and artist, and a recent graduate of CCM’s BFA Acting program. Originally from Westport, Connecticut, Erin is passionate about theatre, with training in stage combat, movement, contemporary and Shakespeare acting. Erin grew up dancing and has continued her dance training in jazz and ballet throughout her time at CCM. Credits at CCM include Everybody in Everybody and Tricia in Dog Sees God. She also understudied Hero in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of Much Ado About Nothing. Erin had the honor of studying at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland, where she trained in devising theatre, voice and scene work. Aside from acting, Erin is passionate about directing and devising new work. At CCM she co-directed John Proctor is the Villain, and directed the musical Ride the Cyclone. Erin is on the literary team for the Finborough Theatre in London, where she gets to read submissions of new plays. She is pursuing a career in theatre and film and has a special interest in creating new work. 

Gabrielle Mignonne

Gabrielle Mignonne is an actor and musician from Seattle, Washington, and a recent graduate of University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. She has undertaken extensive training in Shakespeare’s classics, stage combat, voiceover, acting for the camera and devised work. Professional credits include originating the role of Nicole in the world premiere of the musical The Light Chasers at The Know Theatre and understudying Hermia in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her performance as the lead in the short film "Never Alone" earned her the title of “Best Actress” at the Cincinnati Fright Film Competition. When she’s not in the rehearsal room, you can find her playing guitar, exploring the outdoors, or trying to learn how to cook from ChatGPT. 

Debra Najor

Debra is an actor with strong Greek and Assyrian roots from Detroit. Her favorite roles include Yvette in Clue and Elizabeth in Witch. She’s understudied at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and you can watch her film debut in "That Groovy Rotten Smell." Aside from her miming beret, Debra has worn many hats: assistant director of collegiate productions, indie-film producer, and, most recently, award-winning director—her first short film "Crescendo" earned Best Long Student Fiction at the Ohio Valley Emmys.

Yodeet Nymberg

Yodeet Nymberg is a passionate and determined actress whose journey began in Ethiopia and has flourished in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she has spent the majority of her life and career. She is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she earned her BFA in Acting. CCM credits include roles such as Ismania in Trojan Women/Lysistrata, Somebody in Everybody, Emilia 3 in Emilia, Roberta in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea as well as participating in numerous student and independent film projects. Professional work includes understudying in the Playhouse in the Park's new rendition of A Christmas Carol and voiceover work, lending her talent to three seasons of the podcast drama "Small Victories" as Nina. When she's not on stage or in the studio, Yodeet enjoys traveling the world and immersing herself in diverse cultures. A proud nanny, she treasures her love for children, cooking and creating meaningful moments with loved ones. Yodeet is excited to take the next step in her journey as she prepares to move to Los Angeles.

Kenny Rayborn

Kenny Ray is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio where she recently just graduated from CCM with her BFA in Acting. She has recently appeared in Frankenstein as Agatha and Perdita in The Winter’s Tale at CCM. She has also appeared in Flyin’ West as Minnie Dove Charles at The Falcon Theater and as the role of Kiera in BLERDS at The Know Theater.

Cassandra C. Reeves

Cassandra C. Reeves (she/her) is an ambitious actor and dancer from Cincinnati, Ohio. With a fervor for Shakespearean verse and classical text work, she has been seen as Ophelia in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, Amiens in Richmond Shakespeare Festival’s As You Like It, Paulina in CCM Acting’s The Winter’s Tale and Puck in CCM Opera’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Contemporary credits include Ivy Watkins in John Proctor is the Villain, and Kai in the world premiere of the musical The Light Chasers at the Know. In addition to acting, Cassandra is a committed teaching artist, leading classes at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy. She also works as a private audition coach for high school and middle school students. Cassandra’s hobbies include playing the violin and cooking tofu.

J.J. Sanchez

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, J.J. Sanchez is a multifaceted actor who recently graduated the BFA Acting program at CCM. She is trained in contemporary and Shakespearean acting, stage combat, voice over and dance theatre. Beyond CCM, she hopes to use her comedic wit to create new theatre works that encourage relevant conversation. Along with her sharp comedic timing, she has a passion for telling diverse coming of age stories especially regarding the queer feminine experience. She is also an advanced singer with training ranging from rock to classical. Music has become a key aspect of J.J.’s storytelling. In her spare time, she loves to play silly little video games and make her silly little friends laugh.

Palini Sunkara

Palini Sunkara is an actor and singer from Atlanta and a newly minted graduate from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. She was recently seen as L in Peerless at The Human Race Theater and as Genevieve in the Emmy Award-winning student film "Crescendo." Credits at CCM include Emilia 1 in Emilia and Somebody in Everybody. Palini strives to use her artistry to create South Asian characters who shatter the status quo. She also loves pickles.

Wyatt Toloczko

Wyatt Toloczko is a multi-faceted actor from Shelbyville, Kentucky. A recent grad of CCM Acting, some of Wyatt’s favorite stage roles include the naive but passionate Mason Adams in John Proctor is the Villain and the Aquavit-loving Jocke in Let The Right One In. Off the stage, Wyatt’s passions lie in on-screen and voiceover performance. From the short film "Crushed" to the Indie videogame "Monochrome Pixels," Wyatt finds joy in all mediums. When not performing, Wyatt enjoys playing guitar in his band epiphany. and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Hannah Toronto

Hannah is an intuitive, witty, and multi-faceted actor. She earned her BFA in Acting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied Suzuki, viewpoints, voice over and stage combat. She also studied Practical Aesthetics at the Atlantic Acting School. As well as appearing in award-winning short films at CCM, Hannah also has expertise in producing devised theater and directing. She is passionate about building art from the ground up that encourages political change and social empathy. She loves long bike rides outside, playing Scattegories and writing music on her guitar. Hannah has also earned her minor in French!

Jahmiya Bre’nae Quarles

Jahmiya Bre’nae Quarles is an actress, originally from Washington DC. She is a highschool graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and a recent graduate from CCM with a BFA in Acting. She has participated in multiple theatre and film productions including, Lysistrata/ Trojan Women, Clue! and Emilia, etc. Jahmiya has gained training from The Accademia Dell'arte in Arezzo, Italy and Stella Adler’s Film and TV Intensive in Los Angeles, California. Outside of acting, Jahmiya values family, loves music and enjoys being in water. She looks forward to having a family of her own and pursuing her career in Los Angeles focusing on Film and TV.