who we are

Sam Viverito

All Things HAPI

Known as an international director/choreographer, Sam has worked in such diverse places as South Korea, Canada, France, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Mexico, England, South Africa, Bali, Puerto Rico, Australia, Dubai, UEA and ALL over the USA.

Juggling both legitimate and corporate theater has given Sam a long and successful career.  Whether it is a show at Madison Square Garden or a show for 4-year-old children, Sam always makes sure the audience leaves HAPI.  He hopes this Festival will serve the community and its inhabitants to the fullest.  

For more information please visit Sam’s Website.

T. Scott Schriefer

All Things Producer

Scott’s talents have been realized through theater, international world expos, theme parks, national celebrations, and dozens of meetings and events for Fortune 500 companies.

He has held the positions of CEO of the US division of a French entertainment systems group, founding partner of a Los Angeles-based event management/production company, and Executive Producer of an Australian theme park.

For more information please visit Scott’s Website.

Kyle Dixon

All Things Scenic

Kyle is an award-winning production designer hailing from NYC.  His artwork can be seen in Beijing, China as well as across the United States. Kyle has designed concert events for Faith Prince, Tommy Tune, Pam Tillis, and the North Carolina Gubernatorial Inauguration Gala for which he received the Telly Award.

In addition to theatre, Kyle accepts fine art commissions and is the designer of North Carolina’s historic Elizabethan Gardens’ Winter Lights, a ten-acre holiday display.

For more information please visit Kyle’s Website.

Susan Goulet

All Things Light

Over the past 30 years, Susan has worked on several incredible projects from the ground up including the Bay Street Theatre Festival in Sag Harbor, NY while at the same time pursuing a career as a head of department at several Broadway theatres.  As a lighting designer, Susan has had the honor of working with Julie Andrews, Linda Eder, The Mabel Mercer Foundation (at their yearly Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center) and many others.  During the pandemic, Susan worked with Haley Swindal creating several events as lighting designer, videographer and production manager. Susan is currently the House Electrician at the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway.

Anessa Marie

All Things Music

Anessa’s song cycle, Finding Beautiful, premiered at NYMF in 2019 and her 6-movement piece for symphony orchestra and solo piano, “A New York Renaissance,” will premiere in New York City in 2022.  She regularly music directs concerts in the NYC cabaret circuit and serves as Resident Music Director for Trans Voices Trans Cabaret (TVTC), a bi-monthly cabaret featuring an all-TGNC identifying cast.

Anessa also works as a gender consultant in theatre, film, and TV and she is the founder and director of the Phoenix Trans Chorus of NYC.  Passionate about arts education, Anessa is a Broadway ambassador with Broadway for Arts Education (BAE), volunteers with the Youth Pride Chorus, and regularly works with LGBTQIA+ youth as a musician and teaching artist.

Patti Cook

All Things Food

Patti has been Concession Manager for Circus Arts Conservatory’s “Circus Sarasota” for over 22 years.  Along with the circus, she has owned and operated The Boar’s Den and Sir George’s Garden Fresh at the New York Renaissance Faire.  Comfortably catering small intimate gatherings to events and parties with upward of 2,000 people, Patti is looking forward to bringing her expertise to the Hapi Festival. 

Rafael Palacios

Circus Liaison

From a 3rd generation family of Trapeze artists Rafael made his first professional appearance at CIRCUS CIRCUS on the Las Vegas Strip at the age of 5.  Since then, Rafael have performed for Pope John Paul II, was presented the Cirque d’ Monte Carlo’s “Coveted Clown Award for Lifetime Achievement,” won the German equivalent of a Daytime EMMY Award for his Children’s Afternoon Special and with his family was honored with a Bronze plaque in the “Ring of Fame,” at the Ringling Museum, in Sarasota, FL.

Todd Hanebrink

Community Liaison

Tod was a Lead in Las Vegas’s Cirque Du Soleil ZUMANITY and has performed on Broadway in WICKED and Twyla Tarp’s MOVIN OUT, as well as a music video with Madonna.  He is also a three-time DOVE AWARD Winner with his former 2000 Christian Pop Group RAZE! 

He is currently also pursuing a career in Personal Training.

Circus Sarasota

 Founded in 1997 by Pedro Reis and his wife, Dolly Jacobs, Circus Saratoga is a one-ring, European style circus presenting performers from around the globe.   Florida’s only professional, not-for-profit circus has since grown into a multi-dimensional company.

The Circus Arts Conservatory is an educational outreach program that encourages community engagement and legacy.  The Humor Therapy Program which connects with people in local care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, rehab center and more brings the joy of circus arts to those in need.  The Sailor Circus, established in 1949, is a permanent professional school who’s purpose is to bestow the history and circus arts to youth ages 8-18.

 The Circus Arts Conservatory received the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Award in the Arts Organization of the Year category in 2005. In 2012 and 2015 the Chamber awarded Circus Sarasota and The Circus Arts Conservatory respectively with its Small Business Cultural Organization of the Year Award.