Levels Staff

ETHAN MANN ... Director of Levels

Ethan has been the Director of Levels since 1998. He began his career in youth development as a counselor in New York's Liberty Partnership Program, and holds advanced degrees in both English and Counselor Education. He served as a middle school guidance counselor before joining the Levels staff. Ethan serves regularly as a parent member on his school district's special education committees. He brings a strong background in music and theatre, and most significantly his previous experience as a guidance counselor and educator, to his role as Levels' Director.

BARRY WEIL ... Assistant Director & Theatre Program Coordinator

Barry has been a theatre artist for nearly three decades and has been working with teenagers since 1992. He became assistant director of Levels in November of 2000. As an actor, he has appeared in over 80 stage productions, and in several films, most notably playing the role of Elvis Presley in the midnight "cult" film The Return of the King? (no, not the one with the hobbits). He is also a playwright, director, filmmaker and award-winning poet. However, Barry is probably best known for his work as a puppeteer and character designer, whose puppets and masks have been seen in many NYC theatre productions including The Steampunk Haunted House, Hope & Anchor, Screaming Shrubbery, Uktena, Feast of the Dead, Funny as a Crutch and Unauthorized Magic in Oz. Barry and his creative partner Tanya Khordoc are Co-Artistic Directors of Evolve Company (www.evolvepuppets.com), and have been playing with puppets very seriously since 1996. Their work together includes Evolution, Secrets History Remembers (featured at the 2009 Puppeteers of America National Festival in Atlanta, Georgia), The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Robot, The Taste of Blue, Becoming and The Most Radiant Beauty. Barry and Tanya were also given the honor of directing, designing and performing the world premiere of former Czech President Václav Havel's play Motormorphosis for Untitled Theatre Co. #61's Havel Festival in NYC. Finally, Barry has been inside the "Audrey II" plant in so many productions of Little Shop of Horrors that he's starting to sprout leaves.

KRIS BAUMAN ... Jr. Levels Coordinator & Music Program Coordinator

Kris Bauman is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing professionally since he was sixteen. He studied jazz performance and composition at The New School's jazz and contemporary music program, where he learned from such masters as Reggie Workman and George Garzone. Kris has performed extensively in and around New York City since his arrival here in 1996, and has also toured Europe several times. His performances can be heard on many rock, jazz, and R&B albums, and he was featured with bassist Alexis Cuadrado on NPR's Studio 360. He currently performs with his own bands "worldclass," a modern rock group, and "The Dang-it Bobbys," a "country/eastern" band (www.thedang-itbobbys.com). He has collaborated with producer Mike Barnard (Christina Aguilera, The Strokes), recording artist Bilal (Def Jam Interscope), Ilhan Ersahin (Nublu records), and most recently choreographer Zach Morris. www.krisbauman.com

ZACH MORRIS ... Dance Program Coordinator

Zach Morris is a director, choreographer, author, visual artist, filmmaker and brings with him years of experience working with young people. His work has been seen internationally, around the U.S. and at numerous venues in New York City. His dance/theater work has received a New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Award, the Henry Boettcher Award for Excellence in Directing, the NYC Fringe Fest Award for Excellence in Choreography, and he has been granted residencies or commissions from Danspace Project, The Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Swarthmore Project, Epiphany Theatre Company, and others. Zach is a Co-Director of Third Rail Projects (www.thirdrailprojects.com) and has also served as the Co-Creator and Co-Director of the Westbeth New Works Program and The National and International Programs Associate at Dance Theater Workshop.

MICHAEL MEEHAN ... Audio/Visual Coordinator

Michael has been the Video Instructor, and Producer of LTV since July of 1996. His background in the field is extensive, having broad corporate and educational video experience. He also produces freelance projects for such companies as Covenant House and Weight Watchers through his own production company Pro-Am Partners. Michael is a recipient of a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Award for producing the CUNY Cable series Cultural Connections.

ALYSON BRADBURY ... Art Program Coordinator

Alyson graduated from Sarah Lawrence College where she studied fine arts and psychology. She then attended Pratt Institute and received a master’s degree in creativity development and art therapy. Her first position was working on the adolescent in-patient unit and the pediatric emergency room at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC in 1997. Alyson then worked at The New Neutral Zone with homeless adolescents. There she developed an arts program that included fashion, art, and talent shows with the youth. She currently works with LEAP (Learning through Expanded Arts Programming) a program that puts artists in classrooms in NYC to enhance learning and problem solving through creativity. Alyson is a strong believer in the importance of creativity and the arts. She has found it to be an invaluable tool for expression, building self esteem and community. She is thrilled to be a part of the creative community at Levels.