The Permanent Cast of Dreamstreet

Nicole Funaro
Nicole is sassy. A perceptive and strong New Yorker, Nicole is surrounded by her big family complete with nieces, nephews and cousins, many whom fill the audience at performances. Nicole, who Susan recently dubbed “Big Red,” learns choreography quickly. She learns her part and everyone else’s too. A strong self-advocate, Nicole often takes on her Access-A-Ride when it’s late. When she’s not giving her audience the Funaro ‘attitude,’ Nicole is at Brooklyn College where she has been responsible for maintenance work for more than 6 years.

Kendra Smith
“Pop and Lock” Kendra has got soul. A young lady with quiet dignity and a passion for hip-hop Kendra is easy-going and fun. Once you get her laughing, she can’t stop. Sometimes you might even see some laughing tears. Kendra is finishing up school. She spends her summer learning job skills at Mainstreaming-at-Camp (MAC) in Frost Valley with her friends and volunteers her time with preschoolers, playing and dancing at the Kingsborough YMCA.

Idris Alston
Idris is always ready with a complement, a check of how you’re doing, or an offer to help. Idris’s ability to engage an audience is uncanny. His deep voice resonates, his rhythm is inherent and his smile and laugh can brighten anyone’s day. Idris exemplifies what happens when you give someone the opportunity to express himself and to inspire others to do the same. Idris is a special mentor to newer members of Dreamstreet like Maurice, and for kids with special needs who find their voice through the arts.

Greg Giannone
A master of improvisation, Greg is the Dreamstreet comedian and helps keep things unpredictable. He transforms a character and brings chemistry to comedic duos. Greg was born with great timing. Give him a stage and he’ll make you laugh. He’s inspired by classic comedy like Mash, All in the Family and Johnny Depp’s role in Pirates of the Caribbean. Greg learns work skills at The Guild for Exceptional Children, completing projects for local businesses and organizations. Greg likes to email and use the computer. He often dedicates performances to his late mother and father.

Kristine Samuel
Kristine brings to Dreamstreet her endless enthusiasm to learn and a powerful voice. Kristine's voice has already carried through Madison Square Garden and from the Central Park Bandshell, at the Central Park Challenge, and she dreams of much more. Kristine listens intently to direction and corrections and can always be counted on to remember choreography. Kristine loves all things social, shopping in the mall and working at a Special Education program as a teacher's aide for 9-12 year olds.

Maurice Ford
Maurice is always ready to rehearse, and thanks to his enthusiasm, has grown remarkably in his ability. Maurice’s movement is so natural. He will follow and match what Susan or one of the artists teach him and you know he is listening because he will repeat what you say to him. Maurice is sweet, handsome and polite. He is developing more of his own voice at every rehearsal. The artists have all taken on a mentoring role with Maurice and everyone is learning from this. He attends a YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network Day Habilitation Program where he enjoys doing volunteer work in the Brooklyn community. Maurice is also learning to play the cello.

Nicole Figueroa
Nicole is a quiet beauty who takes her time to move with grace and fluidity. She loves being in front of an audience, performing in a group dance number or reciting her verse of Phenomenal Woman. During the day, she attends a day program where she performs work activities. Nicole recently became an aunt. She loves her family and her long-term boyfriend Jeffrey.

Anna Garcia
As Anna dances to Concentrate, Dreamstreet’s hip-hop number, you see that’s exactly what she does: concentrate. Anna joined Dreamstreet in 2007. She was born to move and began dancing ballet, tap and jazz when she was 13 years old She’s sharp and tough. Anna lives in a group residence in Brooklyn. She brought her boyfriend Stanley to Dreamstreet too. When she’s not keeping time, Anna writes her own lyrics in English and Spanish, works at her employment training program and puts together some fierce outfits.

Mary Kate Graham
Since becoming a performer, Mary Kate who was a shy, vulnerable teenager, has become a woman who commands an audience. She inspires you when she recites Namaste, from ancient Sanskrit, or when she works the stage with Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman. Mary is the mother-hen of the group and can always be depended upon. Greg and Gary (her boyfriend of 15 years), call her “the queen,” and treat her accordingly. Mary Kate works several days a week as a classroom assistant at The New York League for Early Learning’s William O’Connor Preschool for children with special needs.

Jeffrey Resnick
You know exactly where Jeffrey’s exuberant personality comes from when you meet his family. They can all be counted on to bring fun and laughter in the room. Jeff loves to read his poems to the ladies in the room, but his heart belongs to his long-time girlfriend Nicole. Jeff attends a YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Day Habilitation Program in Brooklyn Heights where he volunteers, helping in the community and learning job skills.

Gary Ruvolo
For years, Gary has known exactly what he wants out of life. He wants to act and to share his love and his life with Mary Kate. Gary is professional: focused and really understands what it means to be ‘in character.’ He has appeared on television series like Law and Order, NYPD Blue and Sesame Street and wants to continue his acting career in both film and TV. Gary is treasured for his caring nature by his girlfriend, his family and his best friend and future best man, Greg.

Paul DeVincenzo
Paul simply loves to perform. He demonstrates his joy of movement, music and collegiality on-stage with a huge smile and light in his eyes. Paul twirls, shakes and shines on stage, in rehearsals, or simply when engaged in conversation with his best friend since childhood, Kristine. He is always ready with a hug, some gossip about celebrities or some Broadway history. Like Greg, he attends the Guild’s Day Program, and organizes and cleans at Petco, Kingsborough College and a senior home.

Stanley Warren
Stanley joined Dreamstreet in 2007 with his girlfriend Anna. He brings his bright smile to the performance group and is always willing to learn new things. He loves to sing along to the music the group performs to, no matter how many times we’ve heard the song. Stanley lives in a group residence, attends an employment training program and is always there for Anna and his new Dreamstreet friends.