Anita Riggio, Conceiver, Book Writer, Lyricist, Producer, has illustrated and/or written more than two dozen books. Her work has been recognized with many honors, and her archives are housed at the Northeast Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Connecticut.
In 2009, the National Theatre of the Deaf, commissioned Anita to write an adaption of her picture book Beware the Brindlebeast that toured nationally. That adaptation sparked the writing of Hear Me, a wholly original musical that blends Anita’s lived experiences as a teacher in the Deaf community, a children's book author/illustrator, and a perfectly flawed human. anitariggio.com
Samantha Saltzman, Co-Director, is a New York-based director with nearly two decades of experience working on large-scale musicals and intimate new works. She specializes in the development of new musicals, and her work spans both world premieres and reimagined classics. She has served as Associate/Resident Director on Broadway and West End productions including The King & I, My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, Matilda the Musical, The Color Purple, and the world tour of Phantom of the Opera.
As a director, she has helmed new musicals, developmental workshops, and large-scale live events, including LadyShip and the Drama League Gala honoring Steve Martin. She is a Drama League Directing Fellow alum who gravitates toward musicals characterized by their emotional resonance and fueled by theatrical joy. samanthasaltzman.com
Sila Shaman, Composer, is a composer and pianist whose work spans film, television, theater, dance, and experimental music. Her compositions have been praised for their ability to shape improvised moments into emotionally resonant, polished works of art. With a versatile musical voice and a collaborative spirit, Sila brings a powerful sense of intimacy and cinematic scope to the world of Hear Me. silashaman.com
Karen Dearborn, Co-Director / Choreographer, began her career as a professional dancer in New York City before transitioning into choreography, direction, and education.
Her journey into Deaf culture began in her twenties when she became deaf and later studied American Sign Language with Deaf actor and storyteller Sam Edwards. She studied at the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD) and went on to serve on the faculty of NTD's Professional Summer School for ten years.
Karen has choreographed and directed more than 80 works for concert, dance, theater, and musical theatre. Her choreography has been seen in national tours for NTD (The King of Hearts, Under Milk Wood) and in regional theaters such as North Shore Music Theatre, Pennsylvania Stage Company, and Muhlenberg Summer Theatre.
