YOSSI CHAIKIN
Paris
Yossi Chaikin was born and raised in Qiryat Motzkin, Israel, and was introduced to theater at a very young age. He spent his teens dancing and performing all over Israel in different festivals such as Festival Carmiel (2006) and Red Sea Joy (2008/2009). In 2004, Yossi competed on Nickelodeon’s Adraba Next Generation and was chosen to tour with Mayumana, performing all across the country.
Yossi then attended the Juilliard School, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After graduating, he performed at venues such as Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim Museum, Place Des Arts in Montreal, The FOX Theatre in Detroit, and the Private Bank Theatre in Chicago. Recently, Yossi performed throughout the country with the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Naphtali. Currently, he is the co-dance captain and swing in the Chicago company of HAMILTON: An American Musical .
LAUREN TANNER
Helen
Lauren Butler is thrilled to be in Gilded! Originally from Wichita, Kansas Lauren graduated Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of Dance and Entertainment with a bachelor of performing arts. Recent credits include: The Bodyguard at Paper Mill Playhouse and the 1st National Tour, Saturday Night Fever National Tour and West Side Story at The Muny. She would like to thank her husband, family and teachers for their constant love and support. All praise and glory to God.
JJ BUTLER
Menelaus
JJ, formally of Birmingham, AL, is a professional performer now currently residing in New York City. He is a proud alumni of the University of Alabama where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. Credits include the National Tour of Saturday Night Fever where he was an ensemble member and understudy for the lead, Tony Manero. Television credits include Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, and Just Dance, Shanghai. Alongside performing, JJ is a passionate teacher, choreographer, and owner of his brand, Linao. All credit to God, and much love to his beautiful wife, Lauren. Roll Tide!
MORGANA MAUNEY
Athena/Ensemble
Morgana Mauney has worn many hats since she graduated from Southern Methodist University. Post graduation, she ran away with the circus and danced in Le Grande Cirque and later hopped in Santa's sleigh in Christmas on Broadway. Morgana has been a fitness model on HSN, host on QVC, performed in music videos and has freelanced with several companies in NYC including Inclined Dance Project, Beth Liebowitz and Artists, and Thistle. When not performing, Morgana can be found with her nose in a book, working out, or having dance parties with her husband on the Upper East Side.
Sophie Lee Morris
Aphrodite/Ensemble
Sophie Lee Morris. Nat'l tours: Chicago (Mona), Dirty Dancing (Swing, u/s Baby/Lisa). Regional: Riverside Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Theatre Raleigh. TV: "Law and Order: SVU," "Gotham." TCU grad. Thanks to the wonderful team at Take 3 and my loving husband.
SARAH BUSCAINO
Hera/Ensemble
Sarah is a NYC based performer and she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Gilded again! Some of her favorite credits include: NYC: Pigmalion (NYC Opera) Regional: Chicago (Riverside Theatre) Saturday Night Fever (Walnut Street Theatre) Memphis (Riverside Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre) Broadway Bares 26 (Hammerstein Ballroom). Workshop: ONLY GOLD (Andy Blankenbuehler). Concert: Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre, Dance Iquail. Proud member of AEA. BFA from Marymount Manhattan College. All of my heart to my family and Kevin for the constant encouragement and support! Learn more about Sarah’s upcoming projects @sarahbuscaino www.sarahbuscaino.com
SAMANTHA LAWTON
Ensemble
Samantha has performed for television and music videos (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the Red Hot Chili Peppers), theater (Swing!, Legends in Concert), and prestigious venues such as Jacob’s Pillow, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Whitney Museum, and the United Nations. Along with her husband (and fellow Gilded performer!) Brian Lawton, she has traveled the world performing, teaching, and directing in their speciality Swing/Lindy Hop and the Ballroom dances. Together they are the directors of the Broadway show Swing! for Norwegian Cruise Line, and the director/choreographers of the National Tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas. @samanthallawton
ERIN KEI
Ensemble
Erin is so excited to be a part of the Gilded family! Off Broadway: MAVERICK, TEMPLE OF THE SOULS, National Tours: ELF THE MUSICAL! Regional: Phoenix Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Casa Manana. Film/TV: THE PATH (Hulu original), SCENARIO (summer 2019). Syracuse University BFA. Shout out to her friends and family for their love and support. Special gratitude to Miss Sandler. #bleedorange
LUCAS MELFI
Ensemble
Lucas Melfi is a New York based dancer and choreographer. He received his BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Elon University in May 2017. He has performed as a company dancer for TERRANOVA Dance Theatre, The Kearns Dance Project, RAD | Renay Aumiller Dances, Natalie Marrone & the Dance Cure, and Gerri Houlihan. He has also performed works by choreographers such as Gaspard Louis, Summation Dance Company, Trent Williams, and Diane Coburn Bruning. He has danced in festivals throughout the country, including the American Dance Festival, The Austin Dance Festival, the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, and the NC Dance Festival Tour. Lucas has also presented his own choreography at several festivals, including the American Dance Guild Festival in NYC and the EMERGENCE Choreography Showcase in North Carolina.
BRIAN LAWTON
Ensemble
Brian Lawton is so excited to be part of Gilded and such a talented team! Brian enjoys traveling the world teaching and performing with his wife and dance partner, Samantha Lawton (also in Gilded!). Their specialty, Lindy Hop, has brought them to venues such as Jacob's Pillow, Fire Island Dance Festival, Madison Square Garden, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and across the globe! They have recently returned from teaching in India and being featured performers on the Norwegian Bliss. Some of his favorite credits include Swing! (Gateway Playhouse), Comedy of Errors (Delacorte), and the Red Hot Chili Pepper's music video "Go Robot". He has directed and choreographed a collection of musicals and is excited to return as the Choreographer and Associate Director for A Charlie Brown Christmas National Tour. @sam_and_brian
JESSE KRAMER
Ensemble
Jesse Kramer (Ensemble) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Gilded! Favorite credits include: Off-Broadway: 8 Million Protagonists, Nat’l Tour: Sweet Charity (Daddy’s Asst.) Regional: Peter Pan (Slightly/Dance Capt.), Seussical The Musical
( Wick 1/Dance Capt.) Cats (Mistoffeles), West Side Story 3 times! (A-Rab, Big Deal), Footloose (Bickle/ Dance Capt.). “Thank you Kristen for allowing me to
help tell this beautiful story, and for creating impactful theatre that needs to be
seen.”
KORY GELLER
Ensemble
Kory is thrilled to return to the world of Gilded! Kory has danced with Broadway Dance Lab, The Chase Brock Experience, and at the Guggenheim, Symphony Space, and Judson Church. Theatrical credits include Flat Rock Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, and various NYC workshops. Kory has taught at McCarter Theatre, CAP21, Rider University, and master classes across the country. korygeller.com