Meet the Cast of TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined!
Douglass Burks*
(Blind Pew / Captain Flint / Puppeteer)
A veteran of Dallas area theater, Mr. Burks has worked with Dallas Children’s Theater for many years as an Equity actor, stage manager, sound designer, and director. He is a founding member of the nationally acclaimed Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts and has earned the distinction of Master Puppeteer. A popular actor with DCT audiences, Doug will be remembered for his many roles on the DCT stage, which include The Giver (The Giver), Goodnight Moon (Larry the Tooth Fairy), James and the Giant Peach (Old Grasshopper), Peter Pan (Captain Hook), Young King Arthur (Merlin), The Emperor’s New Clothes (the Emperor), The Mummy’s Claw (Sir Nevil Blore), Jungalbook (Baloo), Holes (Mr. Sir), and Treasure Island (Long John Silver). He also portrayed the title characters in Frankenstein, The Reluctant Dragon, The Canterville Ghost, and the 2001 production of The BFG (Big Friendly Giant). Mr. Burks was a member of the first graduating class of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas.
Alyssa Cavazos**
(Kid / Morgan / Ensemble)
Alyssa Cavazos is elated to be making her DCT debut with this all-star cast and crew! Regional credits include: Perfect Arrangement (Millie) and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Ensemble & Diva/ Marion US) at Uptown Players; The Grown-Up (Rosie) at Flexible Grey Theatre Company; in the reading of Our Space (Facebook) at Pegasus Theatre; in the reading of Another Set of Issues (Harriet) at IMPRINT Theatreworks; The Final Battle (Taylor) at Camp Death Productions; Cymbeline (Helen/Ensemble) at Martinit Theatre NYC; and Miss Saigon (Yvette) and The Music Man (Ensemble/Dance Captain) at Western Playhouse Theatre. She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Abilene Christian University. Alyssa would like to thank Dallas Children’s Theater for this wonderful experience, Drew for his undeniable support, and God for His many blessings.
Bwalya Chisanga**
(George / Ensemble)
Bwalya is delighted to be making her debut at DCT! Credits include: Heathers (Heather Duke) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park) at Collin Theatre Center. She has also worked with The Firehouse Theatre and Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. She would like to thank her parents, friends and family for their constant love, acceptance and support; and the cast, crew and production team for this lovely experience and opportunity!
Jeffrey Colangelo
(Billy Bones / Israel / Ensemble / Fight Choreographer)
Jeffrey is a writer, director, actor, fight director, co-founder of Prism Movement Theatre, and ensemble member of Cara Mía Theatre Co. He has been working in the DFW area for the last four years for theater companies like Cara Mía Theatre Co., Undermain Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare, WaterTower Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, and Dallas Theater Center. With Prism Movement Theatre, he has helped a number of original productions come to life like Galatea, Animal vs. Machine, Gog and Magog, and BruNO and lOUIe. He has also written a number of original plays like Pun: A Play on Words and Renaissance Fighters. Jeffrey is also a graduate of the Southern Methodist University theater program and earned his B.F.A. in Theatre in 2013.
Sally Fiorello
(Puppeteer / Pirate / Ensemble / Puppetry Design)
Sally is a Master Puppeteer, director, and senior designer with the critically acclaimed Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts. Since 1973, she has designed over 40 original puppet productions and continues to perform annually with the troupe. She also served as Art Director for Kathy Burks’ award-winning television pilot DISCOVERY OUTPOST. Sally began her association with Dallas Children’s Theater in 1984 where she has served as a director, designer, actor, and consultant for numerous DCT productions. In 1998, she joined the staff as Producing Director of National Tours, overseeing the growing demand for DCT performances throughout the USA and abroad. Active with many arts organizations including The Haymarket Theatre, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pegasus Theatre, and several major touring companies, Sally has been a recipient of the Dallas Theatre Critics Forum Award.
Aaron Jay Green*
(Ben Gunn)
Aaron is thrilled to be returning to Dallas Children’s Theater! Previously spotted here in Jungalbook (Bagheera), other area credits include She Kills Monsters at Theatre Three; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Theatre Too; The Grown-Up at Flexible Grey Theatre Company; and The Full Monty at Uptown Players. He thanks his cast, crew, and DCT for making this experience such a…wait for it…… treasure!
Matt Holmes*
(O’Brien / Ensemble)
Matt Holmes is very excited to be returning to Dallas Children’s Theater this fall! Matt is an actor, cellist, and filmmaker in the Dallas area. He was last seen in Jungalbook here at Dallas Children’s Theater. Local and regional work: Perfect Arrangement and It’s Only A Play at Uptown Players; Day Light at Theatre Three; Red at Theatre Arlington; Who Am I This Time? at Circle Theatre; Suckers with IMPRINT Theatreworks at the FIT Festival; The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare Dallas; Becoming Santa Claus at The Dallas Opera; Blink at Ochre House Theater; and The Adventures of Flo and Greg at Echo Theatre. TV/Film/Commercial: Blueberry Hall; Scandal Made Me Famous; Price to Fame; Dr. Pepper commercial; Pizza Hut commercial; Under Armour print; Vindication television series; and Saving Harper Ross television series. He is proudly represented by The Campbell Agency. @holmesmattholmes.
Michael Isaac*
(Squire Trelawney / Ensemble)
Michael has been blessed to perform all over the globe with some favorites including The Full Monty (four times!); Jekyll & Hyde; 1776; Songs for a New World; Honk; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; and just finished Kiss Me, Kate. He wants to thank his family and friends for the endless love and support; and of course his baby boy, Chewbacca. You can follow Michael at @weperformfit.
Ivan Jasso*
(Captain Smollett / Ensemble)
Ivan Jasso is excited to return to the DCT stage after last being seen in Jungalbook (Sherakhan). Ivan is a multidisciplinary artist and has worked with several theater companies in the DFW area including Cara Mía Theatre Co., Shakespeare Dallas, Kitchen Dog Theater, Undermain Theatre, Ochre House Theater, Amphibian Stage Productions, and Dallas Theater Center. He is signed with the Mary Collins Agency.
Stephanie Cleghorn Jasso
(Mother Hawkins / Ensemble / Chad)
Stephanie was previously seen in DCT’s production of Jungalbook. She has worked with local theater companies including Undermain Theatre where she is a company member; Ochre House Theater; WaterTower Theatre; Amphibian Stage Productions; DGDG; Shakespeare Dallas; Dallas Theater Center; Cara Mía Theatre Co.; The Tribe; Shakespeare in the Bar; Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico; Dead White Zombies; Theatre Three; and Teatro Dallas. In 2015, for her work in Lydia, Stephanie received recognition for Outstanding Acting Performance by the DFW Theater Critics Forum and Best Actress by TheaterJones.
Karl Schaeffer*
(Dr. Livesey / Black Dog / Ensemble)
Karl has appeared in many DCT productions including last season’s Blue. Additional credits include Skippyjon Jones; Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat; Night of the Living Dead; Pinkerton!!!; The Emperor’s New Clothes; Babe, the Sheep-Pig; Holes; The Mummy’s Claw; Pecos Bill; The Island of the Skog; Frankenstein; The Stinky Cheeseman…; Honus & Me; Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; The Pied Piper’s Magic; Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!; Go, Dog. Go!; Charlotte’s Web; Balloonacy; Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook; and Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium. He also performed with Dallas Theater Center, Shakespeare Dallas, and Theatre Three. Karl is an Artist-in-Residence at DCT and teaches video acting classes for the DCT Academy.
Marcus Stimac
(Long John Silver / Fight Captain)
Marcus is absolutely thrilled to be making his debut at Dallas Children’s Theater in one of his favorite stories: Treasure Island. You may have seen Marcus performing on many of Dallas’ local stages with: Shakespeare Dallas, Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Upstart Productions, Theatre Three, Shakespeare in the Bar, and others. Marcus also provides the voice for many different characters for Funimation. He is very thankful to have this wonderful opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show! Arrrgh!!
Katy Tye
(Jim Hawkins / Movement Director)
Katy is a theater artist in the Dallas area. She has performed locally at multiple theaters, worked with Pilobolus Dance Theater, and has written original plays such as I’m A Girl But My Favorite Color is Blue. Katy co-founded Prism Movement Theatre in 2014 and also helps run Shakespeare in the Bar; two Dallas-based theater groups. Katy received her BFA in Theater Studies from Southern Methodist University in 2015.
Asaf Mor
(Pirate / Ensemble)
Asaf is a multi-disciplinary circus performer trained under Evgeni Baranok of the Moscow State Circus. He has been a regular cast member of Lone Star Circus® with notable solo performances on Aerial Rope in Oh là là (2014), Cyr Wheel in Zingari (2015), and Hula Hoops in Cirque Joyeux (2018). He was also a featured Straps performer in the 84th Hadi Shrine Circus (2017) and a special guest performer at the 69th Intl Jugglers Association Convention (2016).
Josh Porter
(Pirate / Ensemble)
Josh Porter helped with the original workshop for TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined!, and is now excited to be making his official debut with Dallas Children’s Theater in the full production. He received his BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University in 2014. He has worked with Dallas Theater Center and as an actor and director for Prism Movement Theatre.
TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined! is NOW PLAYING! Get your tickets today for the cruise of a lifetime.
Photos courtesy of the actors.
Pirates are everywhere these days. International “Talk Like a Pirate Day” was a few weeks ago (did you celebrate?). Halloween is around the corner – a night you are guaranteed to see at least a few different pirates vying for candy. And, of course, DCT’s TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined! is playing right here in Dallas!
We hope all of you will join us for another exceptional year of storytelling as only DCT can provide. Your shared family moments of wonder and surprise begin now with your ticket order for DCT’s 35th Anniversary Season.
You and I are most likely familiar with many of the titles and stories that are in our upcoming season. We’ve read the books or even seen the films, but to see our kids’ faces when those stories come to life, live right in front of us… is one of the magical moments that we get to experience as grownups. You won’t want to miss it, and your children will always remember it.
There’s no better place than DCT to create fond, family memories!
TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined!
#1: Read the book. On sale in the DCT store, one is rated for ages 8 – 12 and up; the other is perfect for ages 4 to 6.
#4: Practice your pirate! DCT produced six videos with Captain BJ along with activity sheets to get you familiar with the lingo. Check them out.