Alexandra Acosta is a proud member of OMB since 2020. She is a bilingual actress from Barranquilla, Colombia who moved to the States at a young age. She moved to New York to study at Circle in the Square theatre school and since graduating, has appeared in off-broadway productions, national tours, and television. Notable credits include: Awkwafina is Nora from Queens (Comedy Central), Law and Order; SVU ( NBC), Law and Order; Organized Crime (NBC), Our Trojan War (B.A.M.), Collected Shorts by Theresa Rebeck (Cherry Lane Theatre). She's a proud member of Actor's Equity and SAG-AFTRA. 

Jeanette Bonner is an award-winning actor, host, producer, and creative entrepreneur. Her NYC credits include work with Ars Nova’s ANT Fest, Primary Stages, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and she has toured nationally with her solo show “Love. Guts. High School.” as well as “Sesame Street Live.” TV Credits include Max series “Gossip Girl” and “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.” Jeanette is also known for her production company Kelly’s Pool Hall Productions which has created and produced award-winning content in narrative film, theater, digital content and podcast. She is the Creator of two digital series, “Ghost Light” (IndieFlix) and “The Scoop” (Access Video On Demand), which won a Bronze Telly Award for Best Unscripted Online Series and was a final selection for Bravo TV’s Pitch & Development Lab. She is also the producer & host of Davey Award-winning feminist dating podcast #single. She is a graduate of the theater and dance program at Trinity College in Hartford and is a licensed NYC tour guide; when not acting or producing, she can be seen introducing newcomers to the joys of New York! 

Dan Domingues has been a proud OMB company member for 17 years. His most recent appearances include Dial M for Murder at Virginia Stage Company and A Sherlock Carol at Westport Country Playhouse.  Other regional theater credits include Tales from the Guttenberg Bible starring Steve Guttenberg, at George Street Playhouse and Bay Street Theater.  His Off-Broadway credits include Mark Shanahan’s A Sherlock Carol at New World Stages, The Public Theater (The Tempest, Wild Goose Dreams, Fidelis, The Great Immensity), 59E59, Rattlestick, Abingdon, BAM, INTAR, Atlantic, and Cherry Lane. Other major regional work includes roles at Barrington Stage, Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Guthrie, Goodman, New York Stage & Film, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pioneer Theatre, Long Wharf, and Portland Stage.  Film & TV includes Zoo, Run All Night, Future ’38, In Stereo, New Amsterdam, West 40s, Blacklist, Royal Pains, and Law & Order. Dan holds an MFA from the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard, is an associate artist with The Civilians and co-host of the movie podcast Hot Date with Dan & Vicky.

Julia is an actor, singer and puppeteer based in NYC. Her recent works include playing Mr. Pout-Pout Fish in the national tour of the children's musical The Pout-Pout Fish and performing as the lead puppeteer for SunriseVx, an interactive entertainment platform for kids with cancer. She is proud to be a part of the OMB team spreading the magic of theater to communities she holds dear. Education: BFA in Acting at NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Shubhangi Kuchibhotla was most recently seen as Connie In Dance Nation at Olney Theatre Center. Other regional credits include: Cat/Machine Master in “P.Nokio: A hiphop Musical” at Imagination stage, Medusa in “Medusa” in NY Theatre Fest, Olivia in “Twelfth Night” with Her Majesty and Sons, “Miss Holmes Returns” at Greater Boston Theatre Co, “Be Here Now” at Everyman Theatre, “Right to be Forgotten” at Arena Stage, “White Snake” at Constellation Theatre. She is a classically trained Indian dancer in the art form of Kathak, and a proud UMBC alumni!

Tommy Montgomery is an actor, comedian, musician, and children’s theatre artist. He received his BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, and shortly after moving to NYC completed a year-long Off-Broadway run as Jim/Andy in The Office! A Musical Parody. Now, he spends his days performing children’s theatre as an actor with Only Make Believe, as an actor and guitarist in musical puppet shows with Shadow Box Theatre, and as a music therapist and guitarist with Creative Speech Therapy NYC. By night, he is a sketch comedian and house performer at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Second City NYC, BoogieManja, Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT), and The Rat. Tommy was the mascot “Blaze” for the 2024 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, and he was a contestant on Season Two of the trivia game show THE FLOOR hosted by Rob Lowe on FOX. IG: @tommy_montgo Website: tommymontgo.com

Ryan Pater is an educator, clown, and theater maker based in Brooklyn, New York. He performs and co-hosts a regular clown show in NYC called the Idiot's Hour and teaches devising workshops with his company Write Foot Workshop.

María Peyramaure is a bilingual Spanish, SAG-AFTRA and AEA actress, clown, teaching artist, and devised theater collaborator. María has worked on many regional and off broadway stages giving life to deeply emotionally rooted characters that explore the diverse Latinx experience in America, and can be seen in the upcoming film CHARLIEBIRD, winner of the Tribeca Festival.

A proud Only Make Believe company member since 2018 Maria says that "making kids (and adults) laugh through the goofiness of play is an utmost source of joy. Seeing our audiences grow and flourish by the empowering invitation to use their own imagination and creativity through our shows, brings me joyful hope for humanity and a whole lot of gratitude to be a part of it." www.MariaPeyramaure.com

Diego hails from the Washington DC area, but has been a New Yorker since 2007. He has been an OMB actor since 2009 and is thrilled to be a part of such an incredible organization. When not playing with OMB Diego is a Senior Account Director at Arsenal New York a visual communications & marketing company.

Vanesa is thrilled to be returning to Only Make Believe. Once again lending herself to this wonderful organization and being able to make believe with these superstar kids. Recent credits include: BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY (American Stage Theatre) Company in Florida, GROWING UP series (Disney+) and BLUE BLOODS (CBS).

Reza is an actor and writer, who began his career as a child in South America, working with his mother as clowns. He originated the role of Rafael in the Tony-nominated play Clyde’s by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, and also appeared on Broadway in Sweat (Studio 54). Regionally, he has performed at major theaters across the country including the Mark Taper Forum, Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Arena Stage, and Folger Theater.

Meagan Kimberly Smith is a mixed-race actress, facilitator and entrepreneur based in NYC. She is the Co-founder of Mixed in America: a community organization which creates trauma informed support groups and workshops for multiracial adults, kids, businesses, schools and affinity groups. Meagan has led workshops for Google, Northwestern, Public Highline schools and many more. Meagan received her BFA in drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Some of her credits include: Comedy Central’s Other Two, Blindspot on NBC, Pig Iron's Path of Pins, and American High's Banana Split. Her teaching experience includes: Lincoln Center Education, Girl Be Heard, The Stuttering Association for the Young, Bartol’s Advanced Trauma informed training, Girls First, Arts to Grow, NC Black Repertory Company, and UNCSA’s Summer session. Meagan hopes to bring diversity, depth and humor to every stage she has the privilege of stepping on, and deep listening and validation to every group she facilitates.

Off-Broadway: Swan Lake Rock Opera; Yellow Rose; A Symphony for Portland; Once Upon a Mattress; The Deciders; The Last One Left. National Tour: As You Like It; Tartuffe; Treasure Island; The Jungle Book; The Gingerbread Man. NYC Equity Showcase: Hamlet (title); Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio); Othello (Iago); The Tempest (Ariel); One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (McMurphy); Guys & Dolls (Sky). Regional Favorites include The Emcee in Cabaret (Classic Theatre of Maryland), and the title roles in Macbeth (Classic Theatre of San Antonio) and Willy Wonka! (Magik Theatre). TV/Film: "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Billions," "Severance," "Life & Beth," "Law & Order," and others. Recipient of six ATAC Globe Awards. Graduate of CUNY Brooklyn's M.F.A. Acting Program. Love to Carolyn.

Casterline Villar (She/Her) is a Dominican, Bronx born New Yorker and multi-disciplinary artist. She graduated from SUNY Fredonia with BFA Acting and BA Psychology degrees. She is also an alumni of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Atlantic Acting School. She can often be found working her hand at art forms such as puppetry, voiceover, staged combat, and more. If not that, she'll be watering her plants, listening to podcasts, and indulging in the best coffee.

Channie Waites is an applied theatre practitioner, performing and voice-over artist, director, educator, and facilitator. She has worked and collaborated with youth, senior citizens and social justice leadership programs in the United States, Rwanda and South Africa, as well as facilitated workshops within supportive housing communities and corrections facilities. Channie has toured and performed professionally in the United States and abroad. She is the actor for Literature to Life’s one-person adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel If Beale Street Could Talk. Channie has received several honors and acknowledgements for her audiobook narrations including most recently Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott, nominated for a 2020 Audie. Channie was a co-founder of Capacity Arts, a theatre collective that created highly interactive historical dramas and developed tailored leadership workshops to lift-up untold stories, build empathy across dividing lines, and deepen participants’ analysis of historical and present-day conditions. Channie has been program director for The International Theater Project (ITP) –Rwanda since 2013 where she has co-directed five original plays devised by youth and led professional developments at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village and the Rwinkwavu Community Learning Center and Library in Rwanda. Channie has a M.A. in Applied Theatre from the School of Professional Studies-CUNY and has a B.A. in Theatre with a minor in Anthropology and Dance from Penn State University.

Amber discovered her passion for theatre at a young age and has been performing ever since. From singing in her church choir to taking the stage in various productions, theatre has always been a central part of her life, and she is deeply passionate about storytelling. Amber earned a BA in Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and went on to complete an MFA in Acting from the University of Florida. In addition to her work as a theatre educator and artist, Amber is also a passionate video game enthusiast!

Megan (she/her) is a DC-based theatre artist whose work has been seen at Arena Stage, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Folger Theatre, Solas Nua, Mosaic Theater Company, Virginia Repertory Theatre, and others. She has been an OMB company member since 2015. Education: BFA in Acting, Shenandoah Conservatory.

Irene Hamilton is a DC-based actor. Her work onstage has been seen at Studio Theatre, Imagination Stage, Keegan Theatre, Taffety Punk, Adventure Theatre, Rorshach Theatre, Spooky Action Theatre, and more. She is a company member at Arts on the Horizon and Synetic Theatre.

Laura C. Harris joined Only Make Believe in 2017. Laura performs regularly in the greater Washington, DC area at theatres including Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Round House Theatre, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Theater J, Mosaic Theater, and Folger Theatre.  In addition to working on stage, Laura can be seen in myriad commercials and training videos and heard in audiobooks. Laura graduated from Middlebury College. More information can be found at her website: www.lauracharris.com.

Julia Klavans has been a proud OMB company member since 2025. Regional credits include productions at Kennedy Center TYA, New Victory Theatre, Northern Stage, and Drury Lane. Around DC, Julia has been seen in shows at Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Keegan Theatre, Constellation Theatre, GALA, Faction of Fools, Adventure Theatre, Arts on the Horizon, and Smithsonian's Discovery Theatre. In addition to her work as an artist, Julia works in medical education, focusing on gynecological health and advocacy. Julia is an alum of UMD College Park and Baltimore School for the Arts.

Raven Lorraine (She/Her) is an interdisciplinary artist currently based in the DC/Baltimore area. Fulfilling her dream as storyteller, she has worked as an Actor, Director, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist for over 10 years collaborating with companies such as: Arts on the Horizon, Theatre Alliance, Bowie State University, Educational Theatre Company, and several schools and libraries across the country. A proud member of Actor's Equity Association, she has performed in shows with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Synetic Theater, Hampstead Stage Company, National Theatre for Children, Quill Theatre, Convergence Theatre, TheatreLAB, The New Theatre, Little Island Theatre NYC, and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts TYA. Film and voice over credits: "Ellen" in the film Shanidar on which she also serves as a Producer; “Liki” in Dark City, a video game from 4615 Theatre Company, and other shorts and industrial films. Raven is a company member with Only Make Believe, Synetic Theatre, and serves as a Facilitator with The Conciliation Project. When not directing or in performance, Raven utilizes her tools as a performer and teaching artist by helping medical students grow in their patient care and bedside manner through her work as a Standardized Patient. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts.

Jimmy absolutely loves being an Only Make Believe Company Member. Credits: Ford’s: A Christmas Carol, Sister Act, One Destiny. Regional: Signature: Girlfriend (Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor), Sweeney Todd, Rent, Cabaret; Arena: Fiddler, Oliver. D.C.–Area: Olney: My Fair Lady; Imagination: Miss Nelson Is Missing; Constellation: Wild Party (Helen Hayes nom. for Best Actor); 1st Stage: Bat Boy [Helen Hayes nom. for Best Actor]; Other: Lyric Theatre: Newsies; Monumental Theatre Company: Co-Artistic Director. Training: B.M. Musical Theatre, Catholic University.

Ashley D. Nguyen she/her DC AREA: Signature Theatre: King of the Yees (Lauren Yee), Soft Power (Jing/Ensemble), Pacific Overtures (Swing); Olney Theatre Center: Waitress (Dawn), Dance Nation (Zuzu); Arena Stage: Ride the Cyclone (Swing); Ford’s Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Understudy); Theater J: The Hatmaker’s Wife (Voice); The Kennedy Center TYA: The Day You Begin (Min), The Dragon King’s Daughter (Xing u/s); Imagination Stage: Winnie the Pooh (Piglet); Keegan Theatre: Shakespeare in Love (Viola de Lesseps, Helen Hayes Nomination); Creative Cauldron: Into the Woods (Little Red); Studio Theatre: White Pearl (Ruki Minami u/s – US World Premier); Catholic University: A Little Night Music (Fredrika Armfeldt), The Wolves (#8), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park). EDUCATION: BM in Musical Theatre from Catholic University. Instagram: @ashley.d.nguyen Website: ashleydnguyen.com

DC AREA: Roundhouse Theatre: The Tempest (Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Supporting Performer); Folger Theater: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Second Shepherds' Play; Studio Theater: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Shakespeare Theatre Company: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream; Signature Theatre: West Side Story, The Threepenny Opera, Miss Saigon, Pacific Overtures; Constellation Theatre Company: White Snake, School for Lies; Keegan Theatre: The Undeniable Sound of Right Now, Shakespeare in Love.

Tia Shearer Bassett is an actor/creator who specializes in solo shows, children’s theatre, and playful theatre for grownups. She has been a grateful member of Only Make Believe since 2017. She also performs self-produced work like a poetic Zoom show featuring her son’s toys. Acting credits include The Kennedy Center (two national tours), The Second City, Imagination Stage, Baltimore Center Stage. She was an original company member at Arts on the Horizon, creating nonverbal shows for ages 0-6 and earning the title “Buster Keaton for babies," and she is a current company member of Happy Theater, making and sharing innovative family-friendly theatre for almost a decade. She is a certified Audio Description writer, co-creator of a web-series starring her leopard gecko: “Eugene Cheese Gets It Wrong,” and mom to an amazing kid.

Sam Slottow (he/they) is a Baltimore-based actor, musician and puppeteer. His work has been seen at Kennedy Center TYA, Arts on the Horizon, InterAct Story Theatre, Prologue Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Iron Crow Theatre, Compass Rose Theater, and Farmers Alley Theatre. In addition to performing, Sam works in medical education and outdoor recreation, focusing on improving safety and accessibility for trans individuals.

Harrison Smith is a multi-hyphenate artist from the DMV. On stage, he has been seen at Signature Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, The Kennedy Center, The Keegan Theatre, and more. His work has been recognized with multiple Helen Hayes award nominations. He writes and records music as part of baseball hat, an indie rock duo. Proud member of AEA. Proud company member of Only Make Believe since 2025.

NEW YORK: Broadway: Swept Away. REGIONAL: Arena Stage: Swept Away, Kennedy Center: Look Both Ways, Capital Rep. Albany: Once, Olney Theatre Center: Beauty and the Beast, A.D.16, Once, Signature Theatre: Light Years, Round House Theatre: Spring Awakening. Monumental Theatre Co.: Head Over Heels OTHER: Only Make Believe company member, songwriter for baseball hat. Instagram: @jsyg