Deaf Actor, Mom, Former PS347 Teacher
Lauren Ridloff taught kindergarten and first grade at P.S. 347 for nearly a decade (2002- 2011). She is the mother of two Deaf boys and a strong proponent of an ASL-positive academic environment like P.S. 347. Her breakthrough role was in 2018 with her lead performance in the Broadway play Children of a Lesser God, for which she was nominated for several awards, including a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She was subsequently cast in The Walking Dead as Connie and as Marvel’s first Deaf superhero Makkari in the film Eternals.
Dickie Hearts collaborated with P.S. 347 on an ASL music video of Remember Me in 2021. He is an actor and 3x national film contest winner. His TV credits include a recurring role on Netflix's Tales of the City (2019), a supporting role on HBO's High Maintenance (2020), and a costarring role on Netflix's Grace & Frankie (2017). Stage credits include NY Deaf Theater's Maple & Vine and IRT's Stepchild, Please Untranslate Me, and Trash. Dickie Hearts continues to push for more Deaf LGBTQ+ BIPOC visibility and representation onstage and onscreen. Dickie is repped by Rossi Talent Management (RTM) and Nicolosi & Co.
Deaf, Gay, Multiracial Actor
Deaf Teacher Assist, Lexington School for the Deaf
Born in Queens, NY, Danny is a Teacher Assistant at Lexington School for the Deaf. Danny graduated from Gallaudet University and majored in Theatre Arts. His theatrical experience includes” “RED, WHITE, BLUE”, “THE THREE RING OF CARMEN”, and “STAGED” at Lexington, as well as “FENCES”, “URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL”, and “SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY” at Gallaudet. There he was part of one of the first student production designer teams, “CHARLOTTE’S WEB.”. Danny was also in the MTV Commercial “BLAME MTV.” He thanks his family, friends, and the Theatre Art Department from Gallaudet University.
Mom, PTA Member, Cheese Shop Owner, & Documentarian
Alana splits her time between running the family business, working in documentaries & news, and volunteering at P.S. 347 where her Deaf daughter and hearing son both attend. She does all she can to support ’47’ and believes in its unique potential. She is so grateful for the Deaf community and how they have welcomed her family with open arms. ASL is dear to her heart and she aims to one day become truly fluent! Alana is currently developing a documentary on Deafness and cochlear implants.
Dad, NBC News Director of Photography
Ryan Robbins is the proud father of two P.S. 347 students -- one Deaf and one who just doesn't listen ;) He has worked in media for many years, initially in print as a writer/editor and for the last 15 years on the television side, and is currently the Director of Photography for NBC News. He much prefers trail running to pavement, plans to nose-kiss his kids if he can spot them roadside during the marathon, and suspects that he might be just a tad sore the following morning.
Dad and Wafflemaker
Joe Morse is the proud dad of two amazing kids, neither of whom attend P.S. 347, but he is super excited to be able to help fundraise for such a wonderful school! When he isn't awkwardly jogging through the pre-dawn NYC streets, Joe can usually be found making waffles for his kids or looking for creative ways to apply his music composition degree to his day job, working in Compliance for a hedge fund. On race day, look for the guy slumped over at a 90-degree angle and clutching a bagel in each hand.