Our Story:

The Yellow Finch Project is based on the "Red Kite Drama Time" curriculum created by Jacqui Russell, Artistic Director of the Chicago Children's Theater, and David Rench, Special Education Teacher at the Agassiz School in Chicago.   We were trained by Jackie during a hurricane and have since taken the world by storm.  Combining the best of several educational and theatrical disciplines, Yellow Finch Project has created a unique program that opens doors for children who struggle with communication to celebrate their creativity and cultivate new connections to the community.

YELLOW FINCH Team

TARA O'BOYLE, Artistic Director

Tara launched The Yellow Finch Project in 2012, after attending a production of the Red Kite Project and discovering the incredible world of special needs theater. She worked in her youth as an actress and stage manager, which evolved to a career in arts production. Tara is currently a Media Producer at Tanata Productions, which she co-owns with Patrick Denny. Tara teaches a variety of Yellow Finch drama classes, and has acted and directed in all of the Yellow Finch live theater productions. She considers herself outrageously lucky to be surrounded by the current team of dedicated and multi-talented Finches. Education: BA in Drama from Vassar College and a graduate of the Circle in the Square Professional Acting Program. SAG/AEA

BETH HOWES, M.A., CCC-SLP 

Beth is a speech/language pathologist with twenty-five years of experience with young children, and has worked with many types of speech and language impairments including language delays and disorders, learning disabilities, speech and phonological issues and pragmatic/social language difficulties.  Beth co-founded The Rivendell School in Brooklyn, NY in 1995, and currently provides speech and language services to preschoolers in home and at school. She also lends her extensive support and experience to the children for all of our theater programs and live shows. Education: MA Speech/Language Pathology Northwestern University.

BETH SULLIVAN, M.A., Special Education

Beth has been a Special Education teacher for over twenty years. She originated self-contained classes in two local school districts, and has worked with students with varying levels of need and abilities. Beth is currently providing Early Intervention services in home and school settings.  She is a core member of our special education support team, and is a guiding force for all of our educational programs. Education: MA Special Education Lehman College + 30 additional credits.

PATRICIA SPARGO, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

Patricia has been a licensed Clinical Psychologist since 1990, and is experienced in evaluation and treatment (behavioral problems, autistic spectrum disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, parent/child relationship issues), predominantly with young children and their families. Previously, she was a Montessori teacher and developed educational programs.  In the distant past she was a dancer, actress, and stage manager. Patricia is one of our resident authors, who contributes her writing talents to our live, touring theater productions. She also spearheads Yellow Finch classes in Theater Games.  Education: BFA & MFA, Dance Theatre, New York University School of the Arts; Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, New School for Social Research.

DONNA REILLY, Special Education

Donna Reilly is one of the Yellow Finch Project's extraordinary volunteers.  She was a special education teacher for 32 years and brings not only her extensive knowledge to Yellow Finch, but also endless creative ideas and positive energy.  In addition to volunteering for the Yellow Finch Project, she has a flower business called "Flowers from Wonderland" and plays in several bands with her husband and a group of friends.  In addition to creating our signature “Yellow Finch” song, we want to extend extra thanks to Donna for her indispensable roles as our resident Costume Designer, Musical Director, Composer, and Narrator in all of our touring productions.

JOAN KAZER, Speech Pathologist, MS, CCC-SLP

Joan Kazer is one of the Yellow Finch Project's committed volunteers. Joan lends her special education talents to our classroom programs, and she is also a talented actress, who has delighted audiences in our touring productions of “A Wisp of Air”, “Bookmarks” and “It's All About the Give and Take”.  Joan retired from the Bedford Central School District, where she worked for 33 years as a Speech/Language specialist.  During her career in Bedford, her work included stints at Bedford Hills and West Patent Elementary Schools, as well as Fox Lane Middle and High Schools. Throughout, she supported families and served students with a wide range of abilities, including those with special needs, developmental disabilities and autism.  Education:  BS - Case Western Reserve University; MS - Teachers College, Columbia University.