Here’s what some of Tappan’s alumni have been up to.
Ella Manning
Bonnie, Anything Goes!
Hi, I’m Ella Manning! I left Tappan in 2015 and I’m now a junior at Pioneer High School. At Tappan, I did every show in my 3 years there. From Oliver!, to Bye Bye Birdie, to Anything Goes!. I loved every second of it and wouldn’t trade my experiences with Tappan Players for the world. It’s an incredible opportunity to get to do what you love right in your own school! I loved it so much, I continued with theater at Pioneer and am a member of Pioneer Theater Guild. As I get closer to my senior year and graduation, I’m looking forward to pursuing studies in Musical Theater and hopefully then, a career! This dream may have never crossed my mind if it weren’t for Tappan Players and I’m forever grateful for that!!
Zack Pearlman
Zack is an television and film actor best known for his roles in “The Intern” and “Why Him” alongside the likes of Robert DeNiro, Anne Hathaway, and James Franco. He’s also provided the voice for Snotlout on the long-running “DreamWorks Dragons”.
Ian Masson
Conrad, Bye Bye Birdie! (2014)
Ian definitely caught the acting bug after his work with Tappan Players. He’s appeared in multiple shows with the Huron Players at Huron High School and also in two Shakespeare in the Arb productions. At Huron, he’s been in the cast of productions of “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” “Titus Andronicus,” “Macbeth,” and in 2017, “Much Ado about Nothing.” He’s also been in Huron’s shows “The Uninvited,” “Guys and Dolls” and “The Fantasticks.” He was Stephano in the 2017 Shakespeare in the Arb production of “The Tempest” and was a musician in “Love’s Labour Lost.” Ian also is an avid guitar player, and also plays the upright bass and viola da gamba.
Mayer Hawthorne
Known back then as Andrew Cohen, Hawthorne is a Grammy-nominated singer, producer, DJ, songwriter, and producer. He started his career was a hip-hop DJ before recording his own soulful songs. Back in 2003, he appeared as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Tappan Player’s production of “Guys & Dolls”
Sophia Mattosian
Fagin, Oliver! (2013)
Besides being in the Burns Park Players throughout elementary school, I had very little acting experience before auditioning for Oliver! But I loved to sing, so I decided to go for it and I have never regretted it. When I discovered I would be playing a female Fagin, I was both excited and concerned. I soon realized, however, that I had nothing to worry about. The directors and instructors were so helpful in guiding along such fresh actors and there was never a time when I didn't receive support from the other kids in the productions as well as the adults running the show. I have so many fond memories from Oliver! that I will continue to hold close to my heart. Being a part of the Tappan Players also gave me the confidence to continue with singing in high school and college. I was in several choirs in high school and I am now in an A Capella group at Oberlin College in Ohio.
Odin Biron
While studying at the University of Michigan, Odin had an opportunity to study in Russia with the Moscow Art Theater. This led to further stage work and his role in the hit Russian medical sitcom Interns.
Allison Mertzman
Director (2014-2016)
I have been lucky to be a part of the Tappan players since 6th grade. My very first show was Into the Woods and I was hooked! I was fortunate to become the first teen group leader and from there became assistant choreographer and eventually the director for 3 years. I now live in Los Angeles, CA taking care of my daughter (with another on the way!) I also help people plan their Disney Trips as a travel agent.