Who's who in the cast
Kimberly Eilian
Producer / Director / Teacher
Kim is delighted to be back at Hayground Camp for season two of Magical Musical Theatre. Starting at the young age of four, Kim has followed a lifelong pursuit of performing arts and theatre.
After first visiting NYC with her theatre troupe from University of California Irvine, Kim was smitten with the big city and never left (her first thought upon arriving in an NYC taxi cab from JFK: “Wow, this is just like the TV show Taxi!”).
After two musical Bus and Truck Tours across the Midwest and countless singing and dance classes in NYC, Kim decided it was time to settle down into a teaching career, specifically teaching kids. Her first teaching job was in a little dance cabin at a sleep away camp in the Adirondacks, which she now recognizes as the beginning inspiration for Little Barn.
Kim’s notable teaching jobs include “Darien Dance Center,” “The Dance School” (her own studio), and summer camp/after school programs at “Children’s Aid Society'' in Harlem, where she perfected her strictly musical theatre teaching style and method. Kim would like to thank her husband, Kevin, and two boys, Jerome and Lewie, for their continued support, love and inspiration. She would also like to thank her other true love and muse: the happy, beautiful children that come alive in class and on stage doing classical musical theatre. She hopes that Little Barn will inspire her own kids and the children of the Hamptons to pursue performance, become artists, and find joyful encouragement through the magic of musical theatre.
Hal Miers
Hal is excited to be returning for his second season at Little Barn! At only 6 years old, Hal performed in a production of “Miracle on 34th Street” and has been singing and dancing ever since. He is a proud member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild and recently graduated with an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. Hal also enjoys writing (particularly with his left hand) and enjoys doing stand up comedy. Some of his favorite theatre credits include: Frankenstein (Off-Broadway), A Little More Alive, His Girl Friday (Barrington Stage Company), The Sound of Music (National Tour), Chicago, Pride and Prejudice (Hangar Theatre), Fiddler On The Roof (PA Shakespeare Festival), and Grease (La Commedia Dinner Theatre). Television credits include “As The World Turns” and “Saturday Night Live.” Hal would like to thank Kim and Doug for this wonderful opportunity in the Hamptons!
Molly Williams
Molly is ecstatic to be making her Hayground debut this summer, teaching and performing in such an inspired environment! Originally from Kansas City, MO, Molly has had an innate passion for the arts her whole life and moved to New York City directly after high school to pursue her dreams.
After studying Musical Theatre at the distinguished Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway, she took off on the national tour of “Lonesome Traveler,” singing alongside Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Her love for the theatre also led her to become a certified Teaching Artist, teaching playwriting, acting, and dance at schools, dance studios, and various other places.
Molly’s well-rounded skill set additionally includes being an aerialist, singer-songwriter, musician, and variety artist in the NYC club circuit. She is a SAG actress with her favorite credits being “Hustlers,” “Dickinson,” and a featured guest on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Other notable theatre credits include performances at Ars Nova, Carnegie Hall, Irving Plaza, and Circle in the Square Theatre. Molly would like to thank her momma for her unwavering love and support and also the creativity of the children she teaches for inspiring her daily.
Violet Tzu-Hsuan Wang
Violet is delighted to visit the Hamptons for the first time ever this summer and meet all her new friends and students! Born and raised in Taiwan, Violet began her training in classical music at the age of 4, starting with piano. She later approached the cello, which became her inseparable companion. She received her BFA in Music from the National Taiwan Normal University with a major in cello and a minor in piano. She also studied composition and percussion for a couple years amongst her time there.
During her freshman year, a musical theatre workshop held in Taipei majorly sparked her curiosity for acting, ultimately leading her to move to the Big Apple to explore the wonder of the theatre.
After two years of expert training at Circle in the Square Theatre School’s Musical Theatre program, Violet is now professionally performing and teaching in New York City. She also has a great passion for classical drama, including Shakespeare, as well as exploring accents and dialects of speech. Some of Violet’s favorite theatre credits include “Twelfth Night: The Musical Adaptation” (Feste, Clocktower Players), Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” (Mrs. Cheveley), and “Romeo and Juliet” (Lady Capulet, Titan Theatre Company).
The teachers are wonderful role models for my kids. My son and daughter always learn so much. This is truly their favorite class!
Our Guest "Superstars"
Janelle Cortes
Adult Cardio Dance Instructor
Jannelle Cortes is a multi-talented choreographer, instructor, and performer with expertise in various dance forms including Ballet, Modern, Middle-Eastern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, West African, Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, and Samba.
She began dancing with the Academy of Theatrical Arts in her hometown of Washington, DC at the age four. In her formative years she studied at Washington Ballet. Jannelle moved to New York City in 1997 to study Political Science at Fordham University. She took full advantage of their affiliation with the Alvin Ailey school; strengthening her technique in Modern and African dance.
Jannelle’s diverse repertoire led her to create Groovefit, a dance-fitness company that strives to make movement accessible to all body types, ages, and abilities.
Since 2006, the Groovefit format has been implemented at Bronx Dance in Alvin Ailey Arts and Education, the Ailey Extension, Broadway Dance Center, New York Sports Club, Equinox, Reebok Sports Complex, and Asphalt Green.