Staff Bios:

Deborah Haber, Producing Artistic Director

Deborah Haber co-founded Rochester Children’s Theatre more than twenty years ago. Since then, she has had a hand in guiding all aspects of the company’s amazing journey, from corralling professional actors through three performance venues (the Memorial Art Gallery, the School of the Arts and Nazareth College Arts Center) to shepherding fabulous kids through musical mazes – all the while finding ways to keep the lights shining on the stage.
Ms. Haber has been involved in professional theatre since graduating from Nazareth College oh-so-many years ago, first as a full-time actress in Rochester’s now-defunct children’s theatre company, Tic-Toc Players. From there, she delved in corporate theater, dinner theater, commercial and film work, art direction and gallery management before returning to her first love: children’s theater. She thanks Stuart Burke for sharing the vision in founding Rochester Children’s Theatre, and the company’s many generous supporters over the years.

Mark Scott Almekinder, Set Designer & Builder

Mark Scott Almekinder has more than 28 years of experience performing for various regional theater companies including Rochester Children’s Theatre as well as Tic-Toc Players, Blackfriars Theatre and Downstairs Cabaret Theatre. He has worked with Rochester Children’s Theatre since its very first production, Androcles & the Lion (Pantalone), in 1991, and has since played major roles in many RCT productions. At any given time, Mr. Almekinder is usually performing in at least one of RCT’s Plays on Tour shows that bring literature-based theatre into area schools. He is also indispensable in RCT’s backstage work, building imaginative props and sets. He has also designed many of RCT’s sets, including Charlotte's Web, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Oliver.

Frank Cavallo, Production and Tour Manager

Frank Cavallo was a founding member and director of Waverly Productions at the Mendon Playhouse. He was also the production stage manager for several seasons at Rochester's Geva Theatre Center, and has stage managed for other regional theaters in Syracuse, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Richmond and New York City.  He also toured for Poetry In Motion with Ms. Salome Jens' one woman show, About Anne..., presenting the work of poet Anne Sexton. Working with RCT marks a gratifying return to performing for young audiences, which he did with the Tic-Toc Players at Nazareth College Arts Center in the early 80's.

Danny Hoskins, Associate Director of Innovation and Theatre Education

Danny Hoskins is an actor, director, teacher and playwright. A Rochester native, Mr. Hoskins has worked regionally at the Hartford Stage Company, Alliance Theatre Company, Festival Theatre of St. Croix, Trustus Theatre and The Wings Theatre in NYC. He has toured nationally with his one man show, The Hamlet Project, and internationally in London and also in the Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Sibiu, Romania, with a company he co-founded: Pineapple Productions. Since returning to Rochester, Mr. Hoskins has performed with Blackfriars Theatre, JCC Centerstage, PUSH Physical Theatre and Rochester Children’s Theatre. He serves on the Board of Directors at Blackfriars Theatre and has worked with Young Audiences of Rochester developing and teaching arts based residencies. Mr. Hoskins also works for Teaching and Training by Design, a theatre-based corporate training firm, and teaches acting at both SUNY Brockport and the University of Rochester. His musical, Raise Your Sword, received its debut workshop production at JCC Centerstage in 2008 and another of his adaptations, Dracula, received it’s world premiere at Geva Theatre Center with PUSH Physical Theatre in 2009. Mr. Hoskins holds an MFA from the University of South Carolina.

Janine Mercandetti, Communications and Special Events Manager

Janine Mercandetti is an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer. Her professional career has led her all over the country to perform on stage, screen and television. Her favorite Off-Broadway and regional stage credits include Edges (Woman 2), A New Brain (Rhoda), and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Woman 2). At RCT, Janine has played "Joy" in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella and "Mrs.Darling / Daisey Jukes" in Peter Pan. She is also the choreographer for and a cast member in RCT's touring production of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Janine earned her B.F.A. in Acting from DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama conservatory acting program. She studied vocal performance, on full scholarship, at The Eastman School of Music. She has over 15 years of tap, jazz, and ballet training.

Lana Momano, Resident Costume Designer

For thirty years, Lana Momano has used her creative talents as a costume designer for stage, film and television productions. In addition to building costumes, she designs the hair styles and makeup effects, creating the total look for each character. Her imaginative and meticulous designs have graced many Rochester stages including Geva Theatre, Rochester Broadway Theatre League, Blackfriars Theatre, Center Stage and School of the Arts. Ms. Momano joined the RCT staff ten years ago, and has found designing children’s productions to be rewarding in unimagined ways! She is excited and proud to play a part in bringing theatre’s magical world to the young people of the Greater Rochester community.

Meghan Haines, Office Manager Associate & Director's Assistant