Directory

David Sullivan Senior Director of Instruction New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Directing, Boston University; MA in Teaching, Boston University; MA, Theatre, Brown University; BA, Theatre, Providence College; Co-Founder, Producing Artistic Director, Fat Violet Theater; Stage directing & producing credits include Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, Regional, and Edinburgh Fringe; Film producing includes short film Drum & Bass; Former Head of Theatre at Rowan University, City University of New York – Lehman College, and University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

Constantine Scopas Director of Instruction New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
Studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Pasadena Playhouse School of Theatre; Studied with Peter Gordon, John Rust, Frank Bolger, Max Fischer, Harry Mastrogeorge, Francis Letton, Hugh Whitfield, Dennis Moore and Thelma Carter

Jonathan Bolt Company Co-Director New York Campus

See Feature

Fields of Study
Acting, Directing

Jonathan made his Broadway debut in the original production of Look Homeward, Angel. He has since appeared on and off-Broadway, television in films and worked extensively at major regional theaters, playing leading roles in more than 100 productions as well as directing more than thirty - among those the premieres of Arthur Miller's The Archbishop's Ceiling and Paul Zindel's The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. As a writer, his first play, Threads, premiered at New York City's famed Circle Repertory Company. To Culebra and The Whore and the h'Empress premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville. His experience directing a Communist Bulgarian theater company led to his romantic comedy, Dancing in the Dark. Author of two full-length musicals: Eleanor, An American Love Story, which has been produced at theatres around the country, including Ford's Theatre in Washington; and Glimmerglass, recently produced at the Goodspeed Opera House. He has written six plays and musicals produced by Theatreworks USA, America's largest producer of theatre for young audiences. He is a recipient of playwriting grants from the New York State Creative Artist, Program, the Pilgrim Project, the Berilla Kerr Award and The New York Drama League.

Degrees and Studies
Studied with Sanford Meisner; Appeared in TV series, films, and played leading roles in 100+ theatre productions-directing 30+; Author of two full-length musicals and six plays; Recipient of playwriting grants from New York Creative Artist Program, Berilla Kerr Foundation and The Drama League

Barbara Rubin Company Co-Director, Core Faculty—Shakespeare, Voice & Speech, Director New York Campus

Barbara began her directing career at the renowned Market Theatre in her native Johannesburg, South Africa. Since relocating to the US in 2000, she has worked on Broadway as an Associate Director (Streetcar Named Desire, The Elephant Man, The Dance of Death), as assistant director to Athol Fugard on Sorrows and Rejoicings at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ and in New York at Second Stage. She made her Off Broadway directorial debut at The Women's Project in 2004 and continues to direct locally and internationally. Her most recent international credit was in Antwerp, Belgium in the summer of 2010, at the invitation of an Academy graduate.

Barbara also works as a dialect coach for theater and film. She has coached such luminaries as Hilary Swank, Terence Howard, Jennifer Hudson and Academy graduate Elias Koteas. Barbara was the dialect coach to Rosemary Harris, Jim Dale and Carla Gugino on Athol Fugard's The Road To Mecca on Broadway (2011). She recently worked on all three productions of Fugard's residency at The Signature Theatre: The Blood Knot, My Children! My Africa! and The Train Driver (2012). Barbara is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors' Lab.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Dramatic Art (cum laude), University of The Witwatersrand, South Africa; Associate Teaching Diploma, Speech and Drama, Trinity College, UK; Studied with Uta Hagen, Carol Rosenberg, Patsy Rodenberg, Kristen Linklater and David Harryman; Seasoned international stage director; Dialect coach for theater and film; Member of Lincoln Center Directors' Lab

Deborah Picone Librarian, English Composition Tutor New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Adelphi University; BA, Lehigh University; MLS, Long Island University/C.W. Post; Certificate of Archival Management; New York State Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate

Sheila Bandyopadhyay Head of Movement Department, Core Faculty—Movement, Alexander Technique New York Campus

Sheila Bandyopadhyay is an actor and movement specialist. Her collaboratively devised work has been seen at the West End Theater, the 72nd St Theater Lab, Brooklyn's Brick Theater, the Boston Center for the Arts, and the Minneapolis and Montreal Fringe Festivals. Sheila's classical acting credits include work with the New England Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare East, Shakespeare & Company, Stages on the Sound and One Shot Productions among others. Additional teaching and coaching credits include work with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, The Linklater Center, Shakespeare & Company, NYU Gallatin, the Upright Citizen's Brigade, Breakthrough Studios, Emerson College and Alexander Technique New York City's Teacher Certification Program.

Degrees and StudiesMA, NYU; BA, Theater Arts, Brandeis University; Physical Theater Studies, Dell’Arte International; AmSAT Certified Teacher, Alexander Technique; Advanced study in Movement for the Actor with Merry Conway and Susan Dibble; Teaching credits include The Linklater Center, Shakespeare and Company, NYU-Gallatin and Alexander Technique, NYC's Teacher Certification Program

David Dean Bottrell Acting, On-Camera Technique New York Campus

Bottrell began his career in New York as an actor and playwright at such prominent theatres as the Second Stage, the Public Theatre, La MaMa, the Long Wharf, Studio Arena and the Actors Theatre of Louisville. In addition to acting, he has written screenplays for 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, MTV Films, Paramount Pictures and Disney Feature Animation. His script, Kingdom Come was made into a successful feature film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Jada Pinkett Smith and LL Cool J. He is probably best known for playing the creepy, homicidal "Lincoln Meyer" on season three of Boston Legal. His recent guest star and recurring roles include such shows as Modern Family, The Blacklist, SVU, Longmire, Rectify, Mad Men, True Blood, Justified, Criminal Minds, NCIS, CSI, Castle, Bones and Days of Our Lives. Bottrell is the creator of the acclaimed Sci-Fest LA: The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival and has won over 17 awards for his directing work. He has taught scene study, camera acting and audition technique for the New York and Los Angeles campuses of AADA as well as the UCLA Professional Screen Acting Program, the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory, and the SAG-AFTRA Continuing Education Program.

Degrees and Studies
Studied Meisner Technique with William Esper. Experienced performer and playwright. TV guest star roles include Modern Family, The Blacklist, Boston Legal, Mad Men, Criminal Minds and True Blood. Screenwriter for 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, MTV Films, Paramount Pictures and Disney.

Joel Brady On-Camera Technique, Career Preparation New York Campus

Degrees and Credits
AOS, American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Recent film and TV credits include recurring roles on Boardwalk Empire, Season 2 and Law & Order: SVU; Featured in such films as Men in Black III and The Judge

Megan Campisi Movement New York Campus

Megan Campisi is a co-founder of Gold No Trade theater company and a New York-based performer, playwright and teacher. Her original plays include: Brementown (2005—Winner of the French Alfa and ADAMI prizes); Nutmeat (2006); Floating Brothel (2008); and The Pinks (2012). The Subtle Body was a semifinalist for the 2014 O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Megan is a recipient of TCG’s Global Connections grant and the Yale Lustman Award for Artistic Achievement. Megan has taught at Yale University, the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the Neighborhood Playhouse. She was a 2013 and 2010 guest artist at the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools teacher conference and a 2012 guest artist at the Asia-Pacific Activities Congress in Shanghai.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, L’Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris; BA, Yale University; Commedia dell’arte with Antonio Fava, puppetry with Philippe Genty, and Shakespeare at RADA

Maxon Davis Shakespeare, Alexander Technique New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Shakespeare & Performance, The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting, George Washington University; BA, University of California, Berkeley; AmSAT Certified Teacher, Alexander Technique; Performed at New York Classical Theatre, Hudson Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Montana Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Rep, Marin Shakespeare Company, Magic Theatre, among others

Chris Dolman Acting New York Campus

Chris Dolman teaches First Year Acting and Second Year Audition Technique Workshops at The Academy. He is also an adjunct assistant professor for CUNY - Queens College's Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance where he teaches directing and acting classes, including Marketing the Actor, an audition class he created that focuses on the business of working as an actor. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab where he produced and directed Date with a Stranger for the American Living Room Festival. This past year, Chris was invited to participate in the renowned LaMama International Symposium for Directors in Spoleto, Italy. Chris has directed professionally from Maine to Florida. In New York, Chris directed the Off-Broadway world premiere of Fathers & Sons, at 42nd Street's Theatre Row. Favorite theatre projects include Long Day's Journey Into Night, Red, True West, Artand The Kathy & Mo Show. He was the Founder/Producing Artistic Director of the Edgartown Theatre Company, an Equity theatre that produced in New York City and on Martha's Vineyard. As an actor he has worked Off-Broadway, in regional theatre and on television and radio. He recently directed and produced the SAG short film Box that will be shown in various film festivals.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Florida State University, Asolo Conservatory of Professional Actor Training; Studied acting with Kathryn Gately, Roger Rees, Neal Kenyon; Directing with Luca Ronconi, Ping Chong and Ruth Maleczech; Member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab; Extensive directing credits Off Broadway and regionally; Founder/Producing Artistic Director of Edgartown Theatre Company

Jay Dunn Movement New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Theatre, L’Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris; BA, Theater, Middlebury College; Taught at American University, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Whistler in the Dark Company, The Center for Movement Theater, DC & NYC; Pedagogic Assistant to Dody DiSanto

Kyle Fabel Guest Director, Acting New York Campus

As an actor, Kyle Fabel has appeared on Broadway in The Farnsworth Invention and A Free Man of Color. As a professional director, Kyle has worked regionally at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Merrimack Theatre, and Portland Stage Company. Kyle is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC) union and AEA, SAG/AFTRA.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, NYU/Tisch; BA, Marquette University; Broadway work: Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention, A Free Man of Color; Regional work: The Primrose Path, Guthrie Theater; The Farnsworth Invention, Feydeau’s Private Fittings, La Jolla Playhouse; Breaking the Code, Barrington Stage Co.; A Steady Rain, TheaterWorks Hartford; The Real Thing, Pioneer Theatre; Closer, The Dead Eye Boy, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; The Taming of the Shrew, Williamstown Theatre Festival; The Last Hurrah, Huntington Theatre; Cymbeline, Loot, Hartford Stage; Tony Kushner’s Hydriotaphia, Alley Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center

Michael Flynn Guest Director New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
BA, Theatre, University of Scranton and studies acting at Matthew Corzine Studios; Producing Artistic Director of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival where he directed productions including: Romeo and Juliet, The Tavern, and The Pirates of Penzance; Associate Director to Broadway’s It’s Only A Play; Served as the Assistant to the Playwright for The Nance on Broadway; In the Off-Broadway production of Freckleface the Musical

George Heslin Guest Director New York Campus

For over ten years George has served as Artistic Director for New York based Origin Theatre Company, the company launches the work of European playwrights in America. George is also Artistic Director of 1st Irish, New York's annual festival of Irish theatre. He has directed numerous projects in New York, Boston, Ireland and Brussels. Served as adjunct professor at Nassau Community College and Lehman College.

As an actor he has played across America, Ireland and London's Westend. He is a graduate of Samuel Beckett Centre Trinity College, Dublin and The Abbey Theatre Dublin Directors Program. He has directed fourteen productions at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Degrees and Studies
Studied with Uta Hagen at HB Studio; Graduate of Samuel Beckett Centre Trinity College Dublin and Abbey Theatre Dublin Directors Program; Extensive acting and directing career in EU and US; Artistic Director for Origin Theatre Company and 1st Irish Theatre Festival and has received numerous awards for his dedication to culture from New York City among others

Rosalie Joseph On-Camera Technique New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
Emmy-nominated casting director; Former ABC Primetime Casting NY Vice President and CBS NY Director of Primetime Casting; Cast numerous pilots, movies, specials and series; Recent TV credits include pilots of CW's Tomorrow People, Murder in Manhattan, Guilty and Golden Boy; Episodic casting of The Mysteries of Laura, Golden Boy, Body of Proof, Sherri; Theatre casting credits include Woody Harrelson's Bullet for Adolf; Film casting credits include Hook, The Godfather Part III, Kansas and Jack, also several MOWs and miniseries

Gwen Kelso Shakespeare New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Shakespeare & Performance, The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting, George Washington University; BFA, Acting, Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Webster University; Co-Founder, Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre; Performed at Austin Shakespeare, Shakespeare Theatre Co./ACA, St. Louis Shakespeare Company and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; TV/film credits include MTV High School Stories, Pan Am; 2014 Best Actress Award, Fringe NYC

Zenon Kruszelnicki Core Faculty—Acting New York Campus

See Feature

Fields of Study
Acting

Zenon taught a directing workshop at the London's Studio National Theatre for 14 young emerging directors and presented The Graphical Method of Text Analysis and Making the Graphical Production Project of The Cherry Orchard. In January 2011 he taught an acting workshop at London’s Central School of Speech & Drama. In 2004 he was a dialect coach for Willem Dafoe. The same year he collaborated with the Wooster Group on a new production entitled Poor Theater. He co-produced a documentary about the making of Andrzej Zulawski’s 1982 cult classic Possession starring Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani. He teaches acting, movement, and directs at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

He is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, the International Federation of Actors (FIA), Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC), Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Actors Equity in Poland (ZASP). Zenon graduated in 2000 with an M.F.A in Theater Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School, a university in New York City. Prior to directing, he received his M.F.A. in Acting from The National Academy of Drama in Poland. During his studies, he worked with Rena Mirecka and Zygmunt Molik, both actors at Jerzy Grotowski’s Laboratory Theater on improvisation within structure, montage of physical action, plastic exercises, and vocal production. Zenon's work is based on overcoming psychological barriers, discovering sources of energy in the human body, physical and vocal training. From 1998 to 2000 he was the Liberace Scholar awarded by the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts. In October 1999 he received The Candle of Understanding Award in the Production of Talking Books from The Jewish Braille Institute of America. Zenon's education and teaching represent the diversity of his background, unique professional experience and strengths, and the ability to serve in multiple capacities as director, actor, teacher and acting coach. He offers a versatile professional experience, a genuine passion for the craft and an international sensibility. Zenon speaks Polish (native), English, Russian, German and Italian.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Directing, The New School for Drama; MFA, Acting, National Academy of Drama, Poland; Worked with Rena Mirecka and Zygmunt Molik from Grotowski’s Laboratory Theater on improv, physical motion and vocal production; Fluent in Polish, English, Russian, German and Italian

Maggie Low Acting New York Campus

A lifetime member of the Actors Studio, Maggie Low studied with William Esper, Wynn Handman and Tim Phillips. A member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA, she has performed at La Mama, HERE, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Theatre Works, One Dream Theatre, NJ Shakespeare Festival (Gertrude in Hamlet with Lili Taylor, Jared Harris and Richard Harris). Feature films and television appearances include The Cold Lands, Poverty Outlaw, Postcards from America, Burnzy’s Last Call, The Houses That Are Left, and a guest lead on Law & Order. Maggie taught at NYU/Tisch Playwrights Horizons Theater School from 1998-2013 and teaches classes in Audition Technique for her private studio, maggielow.com.

Degrees and Studies
William Esper, Wynn Handman, and Tim Phillips

Christopher McGovern Vocal Production, Musical Theater Performance, Song Interpretation New York Campus

Christopher McGovern has been with The American Academy of Dramatic Arts since 2011. A highly sought after vocal coach and musical director, he has accompanied Tony Award winners Heather Headley, Rupert Homes, Jason Alexander, Cady Huffman and Steve Kazee, among others. Additional concert work includes appearances with Tony nominees Alison Fraser, Max Von Essen, Liz Callaway and Tovah Feldshuh. Christopher is the long-time pianist and arranger for the original Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, Tony nominee Susan Egan, including several national tours and a performance at Carnegie Hall. His songs have been featured on CDs he produced for Ms. Egan (Coffee House, Winter Tracks, Live), as well as Tony nominees Rebecca Luker (Leaving Home) and Alison Fraser (Men In My Life), and original Rent cast member Gilles Chiasson (Slow Down). Theatrical writing credits include the libretto and score for Lizzie Borden (Goodspeed Musicals); music and lyrics for the Award-winning Cagney! (Off Broadway in 2015); libretto, original songs and dance arrangements for the hit regional musical Backwards In High Heels; music and lyrics for Dr. Radio; and several songs for Disney Worldwide Entertainment, including the world premiere original castle projection show Let The Memories Begin for both US parks, and Once Upon A Time and Color Of The Wish for Disney/Tokyo. His six original musicals for children, produced by Stages Of Imagination, won a National Parents Choice Award. Other NY theatre credits as Musical Director and pianist include: Still Getting My Act Together (music by Nancy Ford, starring Gretchen Cryer); Marry Harry (Signature Theatre, directed by Kent Nicholson); Ionescopade; That’s Life (Outer Critics Circle nomination); Breathe (American opera Projects); Love Linda (directed by Tony winner Richard Maltby, Jr.); Two By Two (directed by Tony winner Martin Charnin); The Jazz Singer; Schmidt & Jones Roadside; Identical Twins From Baltimore; Sheba; and The Fishkin Touch starring Mike Burstyn and Joan Copeland. He was the Music Supervisor for the US/international tour of Fame, and his favorite regional credits include Hair; Next To Normal; Pajama Game; and the regional premieres of Amanda McBroom’s Will’s Women; Spitfire Grill; Last Five Years; and Another Summer (starring Marni Nixon). Christopher has taught master classes in audition technique and song interpretation in several American universities including Texas Christian University of Arizona and University of Miami, as well as a special concert/master class appearance with Susan Egan at the Teatro Astral in Buenos Aries.

Degrees and Studies
BM, Vocal Performance (magna cum laude), concentrations in Composition and Piano, Temple University; Studies in piano and duo piano at Settlement School of Music, Philadelphia

Christine McKenna Career Preparation New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
AOS, American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Bachelor of Laws, Queens University Belfast; Freelance casting director specialized in independent projects ranging from new media to film and theatre; Casting Associate at Harriet Bass Casting

Lisa Milinazzo Guest Director New York Campus

Nominated for two LA Weekly Awards. Recently directed 3D HAMLET, featuring Alec Baldwin, Michael Emerson and Richard Easton (Edinburgh Fringe festival and Irish Arts Center, NYC.) Her short film The Query, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. She has directed theatrical premieres of Eve Ensler, Alexandra Gersten and George F. Walker, among other notable playwrights. Directing credits include: Rattlestick Theatre, Origin Theatre Company, Capital Repertory, Fundamental Theatre Company, HB Playwright's Foundation (w/Amy Wright), Home for Contemporary Art, Alice's 4th Floor, HERE; Fleetwood Stage, Schoolhouse Theatre, Axial and Saint Genesius (LA). Actress/director with The Actors' Space Acting Company. Adapted/directed Chekhov's The Black Monk, (starring Tony Award Nom., Marin Ireland) Connelly Theatre, NY. Teaches a private Directors & Actors Lab and at NYFA in NYC. Performance/lecture: Poland, Canada & the US. Van Ameringen Foundation Grant, Tisch SOA Scholarship and USA Rehabilitation Services Fellowship.

Degrees, Studies and Credits
BFA and MA, Tisch, NYU; Studied with Alan Langdon and Nikos Psacharopoulos; Film credits include The Query featured at Cannes Film Festival; Three Midtown International Theatre Festival and two LA Weekly Award nominations, premieres for Eve Ensler and George F. Walker at Rattlestick, Capital Repertory and Edinburgh Fringe w/Alec Baldwin, Michael Emerson and Richard Easton

Nurit Monacelli Acting, Movement New York Campus

Nurit was a company member of International Wow, a member of Anne Bogart's Directors' Ensemble at Columbia University, and has worked and trained with the innovative theater Blessed Unrest. A leading actress in award winning independent films that have circulated nationally in over 20 festivals, she has appeared Off Broadway at the Drama League, New Georges, The Culture Project, HERE and the Flea. Regional credits include many Shakespeare plays including Andrei Serban's Merchant of Venice. TV credits include All My Children, As the World Turns, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Internationally, Nurit has performed at the Andrews Lane Theatre in Dublin and the Moscow Art Theatre.

A trained violinist and native New Yorker, Nurit is intrigued by how various cultures and art forms overlap. In addition to performing and teaching, Nurit coaches privately and produces new work.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Moscow Art Theater School/ART at Harvard University; BA, Brown University; Trained with Scott Zigler, Marcus Stern, Andrei Droznin, Margaret Eginton, Caymichael Patten, The Barrow Group, Extensive acting credits include theatre, film and TV

Josh Moser Voice & Speech New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Performing Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design; BA, Acting/Directing, West Chester University; Certified Fitzmaurice Voicework Instructor; NYC-based actor and vocal coach

Angela Nahagian Movement New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
Graduate, American Repertory Theater, Moscow Art Theatre School; Select credits include: ART’s Donnie Darko, Cardenio, When It's Hot, It's Cole; MXAT’s Celebration and Three Sisters, Anthropology’s The Blue Room, Page 73’s Another Beautiful Day, Zellerbach Playhouse’s Escape from Happiness, Bay Area Opera’s The Magic Flute; Founder of Close to Six Company

Adele Nickel Alexander Technique New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
BA, Writing, New School University; AmSAT Certified Teacher, Alexander Technique; Teacher, Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique; Professional modern dancer with Liz Gerring Dance Company, international Battery Dance Company, San Francisco Ballet, Oregon Ballet, and back-up dancer for Grammy Award-winning St. Vincent

Burke Pearson Core Faculty—Acting New York Campus

Longtime member of the acting company at Circle Rep; acting credits in regional and Off-Broadway, including the Public Theatre and the Kennedy Center; films and television. Villager Award, Best Actor (Box Office by Elinor Jones), Drama Desk Award, Best Ensemble (Balm in Gilead by Lanford Wilson). Directed at various theatres in New York and elsewhere, and The Academy. Taught in Seattle, and at Circle Rep in New York, and long-time faculty member at The Academy.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Portland State University; Studied acting with Katharine Sergava, Uta Hagen, Marshall Mason, Rob Thirkield, William Esper, James Tuttle and Michael Moriarty; directing with Marshall Mason; voice with Clyde Vinson, Robert Neff Williams; Longtime member of Circle Repertory Co.; Award-winning actor, credits include theatre, film and TV

Susan Pilar Core Faculty—Acting New York Campus

Susan Pilar has performed in New York with Lincoln Center (Broadway), Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public Theatre (NYSF), Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Raw Space (Actor's Studio). Her regional credits include; the Guthrie Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in San Francisco, The Shakespeare Theatre (The Folger), Passage Theatre and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Her TV and Film credits include: Law & Order, The Cosby Show, One Life to Live, Guiding Light and the independent movie, The Waiting Room. Susan moved to New York where she continues to work and live. When not performing, Susan is busy teaching, directing and coaching privately. She is also proud to be a core faculty instructor at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she has been teaching and directing for the past 14 years. Susan also teaches acting and audition technique at the T. Schreiber studio. Currently she co-created The FUSE with casting director Scott Wojcik, which is in its 7th successful year.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, American Conservatory Theatre; BFA, University of Southern California; Fellowship, The Shakespeare Theatre–The Folger: Performance credits include Lincoln Center–Broadway, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public–NYSF, The Guthrie, Ensemble Studio Theatre; Founder of Reel Intentions, a production company that creates actor demo reels

Andrew Polk Guest Director—Audition Technique New York Campus

Andrew Polk has been the Audition Technique Instructor at The Academy for the past 4 years. He also teaches at NYU/Playwrights Horizons School, A.C.T. in San Francisco and has taught at One On One Studios in New York, Emory University, among others. Additionally, Andrew is a director for the third year students at The Academy, most recently having directed reasons to be pretty by Neil LaBute. Andrew is a professional actor whose credits are: In New York: Burning, Mouth To Mouth and Critical Darling (New Group), The Accomplices (Drama Desk Nomination), Walmartopia (Minetta Lane), The Green Zone (Lincoln Center), Flight (Lucille Lortel), Vick's Boy (Rattlestick), The Truth Teller (Circle Rep.), among many others. Broadway Tour: Biloxi Blues (Helen Hayes nom.). Regional: The Homecoming, November and Speed-The-Plow (A.C.T.), At Home At The Zoo (Philadelphia Theatre Co.), A New War (Long Wharf), Dinner with Friends (Alley Theatre), Love! Valour! Compassion! (Philadelphia Theatre Co., Barrymore Award), Angels in America (Alliance Theatre), Arena Stage, Ford's Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Trinity Rep, among many others. Film and TV: The Closer, 30 Rock, Lights Out!, Butterflies of Bill Baker (in production), Coming Up Roses, Private Parts, Entropy, all three Law & Order shows, Third Watch. Associate Artist at American Conservatory Theater. Founder of The Cape Cod Theatre Project.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Tufts University (Fulbright Scholar); Studied acting at London’s Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, Wynn Handman Acting Studio; Member of Circle Repertory Company; 22+ years as professional actor; Nominated for 2007 Drama Desk Award; Former faculty at ACT, Rice and Emory Universities; Founder of The Cape Cod Theatre Project

Janis Powell Head of the Acting Department, Core Faculty—Acting New York Campus

Janis Powell has trained, directed and coached hundreds of actors, directors, writers and producers working On and Off Broadway, in regional and international theatre and film and television. She has served at The Academy since 1979 as a member of the Core Faculty since its inception, as Director of Instruction of the evening program for 23 years and of the full-time program for three years. Janis has directed more than 50 main-stage productions in New York City, including Off-Broadway's Bartenders, nominated for an Outer Circle Critics Award, Sylvia and Dancing at Lughnasa for The Snarks Ltd., Bedroom Farce at The Gloria Maddux Theatre and An Inspector Calls for the Amateur Comedy Club. She directed 20 productions for The Academy Company, most recently Suddenly Last Summer and Becoming Memories. Janis has taught and directed in many venues including HB Studio, T. Schreiber Studio, The Neighborhood Playhouse, The John Houseman Theater, The University of Texas at Austin and Lexington for the Performing Arts. She is the founder and artistic director of NYC non-profit theatre company Spiral, Inc. and teaches professional acting workshops for Janis Powell Studio in Manhattan.

Degrees and Studies
BFA, Theatre, University of Texas; Trained at Hollins University; Studied acting with William Esper, Herbert Berghof, Gene Frankel and Circle in the Square; Directed and coached hundreds of actors, directors, writers and producers in theatre, film and TV; Founder and Artistic Director of Spiral, Inc. and Janis Powell Studio

Dennis Reid Guest Director New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
Yale School of Drama graduate; Directed Silent Voices world premiere at Uganda’s National Theatre; Jerome Fellowship recipient for one-man show Mandingo of Manhattan; Performed regionally at Spoleto Festival, Cider Mill Playhouse, Guthrie, Kennedy Center, Yale Rep; In New York at HERE, NADA, The Public Theater, CSC, La Mama and En Garde Arts

Thomas Rene Head of Voice & Speech Department, Core Faculty – Voice & Speech New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MA, Voice Studies, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London; BS, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Worcester State University; Worked at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (MA/MFA Voice Studies), Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Performance Preparation Academy and College of Staten Island; Professional voice and accent/dialect coach

Dan Renkin Stage Combat New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
BA, Drama/Film, University of California, Irvine; Trained at Grotowski Workshop and Circle in the Square; Studied with Robert Cohen, Moni Yakim, Jonah Emsig, Terese Hayden, Jacqueline Brookes, among others; and combat with B.H. Barry; Extensive experience includes stunt coordinator for TV series and fight coach at Metropolitan Opera

Lester Thomas Shane Shakespeare New York Campus

Directed over fifty productions in Europe, New York and Regional Theatre including Artistic Director, Shakespeare at the Met, Jacksonville, FL; Director in Residence, The Basic Theatre; Cleveland Public Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Vineyard, Pulse Ensemble, Charlottesville New Play Festival. Actor (Mercutio, Puck, Dromio, Tartuffe) and Company Voice and Movement Master, Alabama Shakespeare Festival. People's Light (Ariel). Screenwriter: Tyrone Power, Carmen Miranda, James Brown (A&E, Biography), Nazis and the Occult (Discovery) Fox: The First 50 Years (AMC) Walk Like A Man (SBN). Author/performer of the award-winning one man show, Mortal Coil, which opened in Norway in April 2012 under his direction. With Penelope Brackett author: Seven Keys to Success Without Struggle. Speech and Dialect Coach in New York and regional theatre. Faculty member: New York Film Academy; Pace University. Member: AEA, SAG, AFTRA, SDC VASTA.

Degrees and Studies
BFA, Carnegie Mellon University; Trained in speech with Edith Skinner, voice with Robert Parks and Fran Bennett, directing with Lawrence Carra, acting with Jewel Walker and Mordecai Lawner; Workshops with John Barton, Patsy Rodenburg, Cicely Berry, among others; Directed 50+ productions in the E.U. and U.S.

Jennifer Smolos Director of Summer Programs, Associate Faculty, Vocal Production Coordinator New York Campus

See Feature

Fields of Study
Vocal Production, Musical Theater Performance

Jennifer Smolos has been teaching at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts since 2006. Voted one of Backstage Magazine's Best Vocal Coaches in NYC in 2009, Jenn has helped numerous students, of all levels of experience, to access and develop their own unique instrument with freedom for ultimate expressivity and communication in a multitude of musical styles. She also currently serves as a Professor of Voice at NYU's Steinhardt School in addition to maintaining her busy private studio at The Singer's Forum in Manhattan. Her students are studying at the world's top conservatories and appearing on numerous tours and regional stages. As a vocal coach and musical director, she has worked on numerous theatrical productions including Carousel at Yale University, Vinegar Tom and Cloud Nine at The Academy, and the annual American Academy of Dramatic Arts Company Showcase. As a performer, Jenn has appeared in numerous regional theater productions, tours and Off-Broadway projects. She also appeared in films at The Sundance Film Festival in 2009 and the TriBeCa Film Festival in 2008. She has additional training in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School. She is currently working on her PhD in Educational Leadership at NYU Steinhardt.

Degrees and Studies
PhD candidate, Educational Leadership, MM and BM, Vocal Performance, Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedgogy, NYU-Steinhardt; Studied voice with Dianna Heldman, Michael Ricciardone and Edith Rice; Acting with Arthur Storch, William Wesbrooks, Diane Ciesla and The Actors Studio; Voted one of Backstage Magazine’s Best Vocal Coaches, NYC (2009)

Eleanor Taylor Alexander Technique New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MM, Vocal Performance, University of Minnesota; BM, Vocal Performance, New England Conservatory of Music; AmSAT Certified Teacher, Alexander Technique; Affiliate faculty, Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique; Professional classical soprano; Performed with American Opera Projects, Light Opera of New Jersey and Brooklyn BEAT Festival

Michael Toomey Shakespeare New York Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Lecoq-based Actor Created Theatre, London International School of Performing Arts and Naropa University; BA, St. Lawrence University; Founding member, Split Knuckle Theatre Company; Teacher, Shakespeare & Company’s Professional Training Program; Actor, fight choreographer and director at Shakespeare & Company

Robert Tunstall Theatre Dance New York Campus

Robert has performed in World Tours with A Chorus Line (Bobby), 42nd Street, and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow). Robert has also performed at the Kennedy Center. His appearances include the 35th anniversary celebration (with Angela Landsbury and Celebrate Broadway, with Linda Eder and John Lithgow). Guest Teaching Artist: Stephens Collage, Princeton Dance Theatre, US Performing Arts Camps, The Harkness Center and the Alvin Ailey Extension.

Robert’s Choreography credits include: Cats, Evita, Wonderful Town, Carousel, Les Miserables, A Funny thing happened on the way to the Forum and Deborah Gibson live in concert. He assisted choreographed for the feature film The Master of Disguise (with Dana Carvey). He had the opportunity to speak with Academy alumni Florence Henderson after her performance in Off-Broadway's Singular Sensations. When asked if she had any advice for his students, she said "A teacher at the Academy said something to me that has stayed with me my entire career... Keep a cool head and a warm heart.” Robert most recently filmed an episode for Tru TV’s Caught Red Handed, which will air this fall.

Degrees and Studies
Graduate, American Musical and Dramatic Academy; Studied acting with Larry Singer and Randolf Pearson; Dance with Phil Black, Mark Esposito and Casey Colgan; Voice with Meg Bussert and Camille Wiendorn; Experience includes world tours with A Chorus Line (Bobby), 42nd Street and The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow); Appearances in Secret Lives of Stepford Wives (Jonathan Nyce), “Duck Sauce” music video for Radio Stereo and in The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer, starring Julia Roberts, produced by Brad Pitt

Misti Wills Guest Director New York Campus

Degrees in Studies
MA in Theatre Education, Emerson College; Directed numerous Off and Off-Off Broadway productions; Studied directing with Anne Bogart and Michael Mayer, acting with David Mamet; Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and League of Professional Theatre Women

Matt Neves Director of Instruction Los Angeles Campus

Fields of Study
Directing, Business, Arts Management, Acting

Matt Neves was most recently the Head of Theater at College of the Desert, the Artistic Director of Riverside Repertory Theater and the Chair of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region VIII. Matt has also served as the Producing Artistic Director for Performance Riverside and the Director of Arts Administration at Southern Utah University. Previously, he was the Associate Artistic Director for the Neil Simon Festival and Associate Managing Director for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Directing credits include Grey Gardens, Spring Awakening, West Side Story, Assassins, La Cage Aux Folles and Fiddler on the Roof for Riverside Rep; How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Secret Garden, Christmas Carol: On the Air, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Oklahoma!, The Mikado, and Chicago for Performance Riverside; Rumors, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Broadway Bound, Chapter Two, and Fools for the Neil Simon Festival; Born Yesterday, George Washington Slept Here, You Can’t Take It With You for Hale Center Theater; Saturday’s Warrior/The White Star for Omega Productions; Miss Saigon for Dixie State College; Lend Me a Tenor, Beyond the Horizon, How To Succeed, Forum for SUU; The Laramie Project, Biloxi Blues for College of the Desert.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, University of Exeter (Directing, Shakespeare); MBA, Illinois State University (Arts Management); BA, Brigham Young University (Acting, Directing).

Judith Bohannon Core Faculty, First Year Coordinator—Director, Acting Los Angeles Campus

Ms. Bohannon has appeared in more than 300 commercials and provided voices for many cartoons, movies, and commercials. She has performed in theatres across the country. Among her favorite stage roles are leads in LuAnn Hampton Laverty Oberlander (The Colony), Witness (Lincoln Center), Wait Until Dark (St. Louis) and Remembrance (Long Beach). She also has created roles in many new plays and was a member of Circle Rep West and the Colony in Los Angeles. Ms. Bohannon has directed numerous plays, including the West Coast premier of Daughters of Heaven and Autographs. Other directorial credits include Glengarry Glen Ross, Tracers, Independence, Orphans, Picnic, Agnes of God, Uncommon Women, The Remember, Amazing Grace, All My Sons and The Crucible. She taught at Nashville's Belmont University and Long Beach City College. In 1983 Ms. Bohannon began teaching Acting at the Academy where she discovered the love and privilege of giving back what she has learned to people who are serious about working hard to grow in the art and craft of the profession. She shares her home with her beloved Irish Setters and three silly white cats.

Degrees and Studies
MA, Northwestern University; BA, Georgetown College; Studied acting with Uta Hagen, Michael Shurtleff, John Lehne, A.J. Antoon and Jose Ferrer

Betty Karlen Company Director—Acting, Directing Los Angeles Campus

See Feature

Fields of Study
Acting, Directing

Karlen has been an actor for over 30 years. She was a regular on Fame for three seasons, a regular on The Bronx Zoo, and appeared as guest star and co-star in episodic TV from 1980-2000.

She has directed over 200 stage productions. She was Director of Community and Outreach 1998-2001 and Associate Artistic Director of the Actor's Alley Repertory Company housed at the El Portal Center in Los Angeles' NOHO Arts District 1990-1996. She has been a Guest Director and Producer at USC's MFA Graduate showcase at the Court Theatre. Karlen has been a Core faculty member at The Academy since 1986 teaching First Year Acting, Second Year Acting, directing exam plays, and is the Director of Showcases presented to the industry. She has been the Director of the Academy's Repertory Company in Los Angeles from 2000 to the present.

Degrees and Studies
Studied at University of California, Los Angeles and City College of New York; Professional training with Herbert Berghoff, Lee Strasberg, Curt Conway and Eric Morris

Jules Aaron Guest Director Los Angeles Campus

Aaron has directed over 250 plays from Off Broadway to the major regional theatres including The Public Theatre (N.Y.), the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre, Noho Arts Center, etc. Artistic Director of Grove Shakespeare Festival, and the Unit Theatre (N.Y. and L.A.), He is the winner of the Granada Davis Chair, as well as Ovation, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Drama Critics' Awards, Bay Area Theatre Award, and 23 Drama-Logue Awards. He has directed Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Ralph Waite, Michael Learned, Lee Meriwether, Jane Carr, John Victory, Jeff Demunn, Debbie Garvitte, Gary Sandy, among many others. His current projects are The Paris Letterat Group Repertory Theatre, I Will I Can for Broadway in 2013, and Hunger and Ethel Sings at the 45th Street Theatre in New York in the spring of 2013.

Degrees and Studies
PhD, New York University; Directed the Philadelphia Theatre Company and 250+ plays; Recipient of Ovation, LA Weekly, LA Drama Critics, Bay Area Theatre Awards & 23 Drama-Logue Awards

Abel Arias Improvisation Los Angeles Campus

Abel Arias went to UC Santa Cruz where he majored in Theatre Arts and began his foray into teaching. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2004, Abel has studied with many schools of improvisation and has essentially been performing consistently in various groups for over a decade. He currently performs as a member of the ComedySportz (CSz) Main Company. Abel has been seen in many commercials and on the TBS comedy, Angie Tribeca. He is very grateful for the opportunity to teach at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Theater Arts, UC Santa Cruz; Certificate Program, UC Santa Cruz. Trained at The Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade and ComedySportz.

Carolina Barcos Acting Los Angeles Campus

Carolina Barcos is an actor, director, producer and professor of theatre in Los Angeles. She is a big advocate of theatre and the co-founder of Big Dog Little Dog Productions, a not-for-profit theatre company designed to provide culture, education, entertainment and support for young artists in the Los Angeles community. She has performed in over 40 plays in Los Angeles and New York City. She received critical acclaim for playing the role of Beth in A Lie of the Mind, by Sam Shepard and was nominated for the Ralph Freud Scholarship for Excellence in Acting. Some of her theatre performances include playing the role of Antigone in Sophocles' Antigone, Marie in Woyzeck and Cecily Cardew in the Importance of Being Earnest. Her recent film credits include Exquisite Continent directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, Send, Got Papers, Café con Leche and The Music Box. Her television credits include the pilot In Plain View and Jerry Zucker's, Sands of Passion. Carolina has taught at UCLA, NYU, AADA, CAP 21, West Los Angeles College, Antelope Valley College, Cal State Northridge and the Power House Theatre. She has produced and directed over 60 one-person shows and 14 plays.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Skidmore College; MFA, UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television; Co-founder of Big Dog Little Dog Productions; Performed in 40+ plays in LA and NYC, produced and directed 60+ one-person shows and 14 plays

Cheryl Baxter Movement Los Angeles Campus

Cheryl has been in the entertainment business for over 30 years working in theater, commercials, film and television. She started her career as an assistant choreographer to Gene Kelly and Kenny Ortega in Coppola's film, One from the Heart and went on to work with Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her. She can be seen in over 20 films including Xanadu, Tap, Pennies from Heaven, 500 Days of Summer, and the new Muppet Movie. Cheryl has danced beside such legends as Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr., The Nicholas Brothers and Donald O'Connor. Some of her favorite television credits are Glee, General Hospital, the Academy and Golden Globe Awards, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, and Mike and Molly. Theater performances include the Los Angeles and First National companies of Cats and 42nd Street and over 10 companies of Sophisticated Ladies including the live telecast from Broadway. She has directed and choreographed theater productions nationally and internationally for Sesame Street Live, Universal Studios and Disney, and has been teaching movement to actors at The Academy for many years.

Degrees and Studies
30+ years’ experience in theatre, film and television; Studied at University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University; Assistant Choreographer to Gene Kelly and Kenny Ortega; Studied acting with Beverly Sanders

Steve Bean Advanced Camera Acting, Scene Study Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
Faculty, Department of Drama, Carnegie-Mellon University; Studied with Mel Shapiro (UCLA); TV guest star and co-star credits include Ray Donovan, Shameless, Justified and The West Wing; Specialized in improvisation; Studied and performed with The Groundlings

Brenda B. Beck Core Faculty, Events Coordinator—Voice & Speech, Dialects, Director Los Angeles Campus

Beck has been a member of the faculty for 20 years; the last 8 as a Core member, Brenda also serves as Events Coordinator, directs student examination plays and coaches student productions. She works as a professional voice, speech and dialects coach in film, television and theatre, having coached over 100 theatrical productions, including the world premiere of the musical Great Expectations, Bent, and Please Do Not Touch the Indians. She has coached for dialect in films such as Chasing Indigo and If and for television, most recently for the new Orbit Gum campaign. She also coaches and directs actors and singers in voice, speech, dialects, Shakespeare, and text/scene analysis. As a performer she has appeared in film, television, and predominantly theatre, touring around the world, including for the USO/DOD. Favorite roles include Katharina, Olivia, Lady M, Betty/Ellen in Cloud Nine, and the Marquise in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. She was a founding member of Plays On Words Theatre Company, an award-winning Los Angeles-based company. She particularly loves Sondheim, Shakespeare, and the plays of Pinter, Stoppard and Ayckbourn. Member of AEA, SAG, VASTA, AAUP.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Acting, University of Southern California; BA (with honors), University of Nevada; Coached 100+ theatrical productions; Studied with Tad Danielewski and others; Studied voice and speech with Patsy Rodenburg, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Kristen Linklater and Rocco Dal Vera

Lauren Marie Bertoni Sitcom Acting Los Angeles Campus

Originally from New Jersey, Bertoni graduated from Monmouth University with degrees in Education and Communication. Lauren been teaching and coaching acting in Los Angeles for the last five years and she was also the youngest Studio Teacher in the United States. In California, a Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker is a dual-credentialed teacher. Lauren holds both elementary and secondary teaching credentials, has passed an exam on California Child Labor Law and has completed a Studio Teacher training course. Lauren is certified to teach any subject grades k-8 and High School English in California and New Jersey and is an accomplished tutor in all subjects.
She is also currently working toward becoming a Nationally Board Certified Educator. She specializes in working with child and young adult actors, and is experienced and trained to work with autistic and other special needs children.

Bertoni has worked in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and New Jersey as a Freelance Script Supervisor. As a comedian she has been featured on E! Channels' count-down shows, specifically, Forbes Celebrity Countdown, where she pokes fun at Oprah Winfrey, Bono, Johnny Depp and Keith Richards.

Degrees and Studies
BS, Education and Communication, Monmouth University; Certified Studio Teacher in California; Specialized in coaching child and young adult actors; Studied with Penny Templeton, Hank Shobe and Jane Seaman; Experienced in script supervising and stand-up comedy

Mary Bleier Core Faculty—Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Ms. Bleier is dedicated to linking the arts with activism and healing. With a background in psychology and bodywork, she integrates the mind/body connection into her approach as an acting teacher. Over the past twenty years, she has collaborated on original theatrical pieces in Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Los Angeles through venues such as Highways, the 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Barbara’s Access Theatre, LunaSea Theatre and the Celebration Theatre. As a writer, she has created work through the Writing as a Healing Art Program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and developed new plays and projects with the Women's Playwright Outreach Project, Wicked Women's Writes and Writers at Work. Bleier taught drama and directed at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences for many years, and she began teaching at The Academy in 2002. Along with being a proud core faculty member at The Academy, she is also the faculty coordinator for Drama Educator Workshops, and director of many Exam Plays, One Acts and Company productions.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Antioch University; AA, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Studied acting with Betty Karlen, Maria Gobetti and Craig Ng; Studied mind/body connection at Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing

Patrick Bonavitacola Acting Los Angeles Campus

As an actor, Bonavitacola co-starred in the soap opera Santa Barbara, and was featured in the films, Who Done It to Whom, and Norman Rockwell’s America. On stage he starred in productions of the Basic Training of Pavlov Hummel, View from the Bridge, Glass Menagerie, and Death of a Salesman.

As a writer, Bonavitacola wrote jokes for Tim Allen, sketches for In Living Color, and scripts for As the World Turns and Seinfeld. He has also had plays performed at The Actors Studio and The Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Bonavitacola has directed critically acclaimed productions of Oleanna, The Unexpected Man, and The Faith Healer. The Advocate Newspaper in Williamstown, MA put him on its list of “Best Directors” for Oleanna in 2000 -- a list which also named Gwyneth Paltrow as Best Actress for her work in As You Like It at The Williamstown Theatre Festival.

For the past 20 years Bonavitacola has trained actors in LA and NY. He is on the faculty of The Lee Strasberg Institute along with The Academy. Lastly, he has been associated with The Actors Studio for more than 35 years, first as an actor, and for the last 15 years as a member of the Playwright/Directors Unit.

Degrees and Studies
BA, University Of Massachusetts; The Lee Strasberg Theater Institute; The Actors Studio. Studied acting with Lee Strasberg, William Greaves, and John Lehne.

David Dean Bottrell Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Linda Brennan Head of Voice & Speech, Core Faculty, Student Advisor—Voice & Speech, Dialects Los Angeles Campus

Brennan has been a member of the Academy faculty for 24 years. Her film and TV credits are extensive and include American Pie, The Scorpion King, Sonny, That's Life (CBS), The Hughleys (UPN), and For the People (Lifetime). Besides individual voice and dialect coaching, she has numerous production theatre coaching credits which include Streetcar Named Desire (South Coast Rep), The Crimson Thread (Pasadena Playhouse), Arms and the Man (A Noise Within), Old Times (El Portal Center for the Arts), The Nibroc Trilogy (Actor's Co-Op), and Susannah (Opera Pacific). Brennan has presented at the ATHE (The American Theatre in Higher Education) yearly conferences on various topics, including Take the Valley Out of the Girl! She is a member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer's Association). Her article, T's and Sympathy: Adventures in the Hollywood Dialect's Tradeappears in the VASTA Journal, Essays on Voice and Speech. Linda is a member of SAG/AFTRA and the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Degrees and Studies
PhD, Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute; MFA, Acting, Brandeis University; MA, Psychology, Antioch University; BA, Theatre, California State University; AA, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Alba Emoting certified; Studied with Rocco Dal Vera, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Kristin Linklater and others; Extensive coaching credits

Adam Chambers Physical Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Adam Chambers graduated from The American Academy in 2003 and then he did the Third-Year Company Program. He got an agent from the Company showcase and started working right away. He has been seen on TV shows like NCIS, Married, CSI: Miami, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Without a Trace, ER, Threshold, Good Luck Charlie, Zeke and Luther, Days of Our Lives, Young and the Restless, and many more. He is most known for his work in Disneys "Girl vs Monster" and the series he did "i <3 Vampires," "My Alibi," and "The Adam Chambers Show." He has starred in many features films and done many commercials as well. He is also the Artistic Director of LOFT Ensemble theatre in the downtown LA arts district. Where he produces 6-7 mainstage shows a year along with monthly stand up, improv, and music shows. Adam is also the lead singer of the musical comedy band "The SHOW." They are looking at going on tour this year after playing all over LA last year.

David Conolly Improvisation Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
BA, Performing Arts/Drama (honors), De Montfort University (formerly Leicester Polytechnic); Trained with Dip Acting, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London; Recipient of Silver Lei for Excellence in Filmmaking; 30 years’ experience in film, theater, television, stand-up comedy and improv

Brian Danner Stage Combat/Fencing, Director Los Angeles Campus

Corinne Dekker Vocal Production, Advanced Vocal Production and Sitcom Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
BFA Musical Theatre, The Boston Conservatory; Vocal Performance, McGill University.

Debra DeLiso Acting, Solo Performance, Director Los Angeles Campus

Debra De Liso is a critically acclaimed actor and award-winning director. She is the recipient of the Los Angeles Woman’s Theatre Festival Rainbow Award for her decades of creating multi-cultural and diverse theatre. She has earned critical acclaim playing roles ranging from Agnes in Agnes of God at the Edinburgh Festival, to Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire. She also aged from 31 to 86 years old in the World Premiere of Donald Freed’s 1951-2006, and co-starred in The Einstein Plan with James Cromwell. Gamers know her as the voice of Razshagal and the Valkyrie Pilot in Star Craft. From 12 to 20 Debra was a competitive gymnast and dancer. She served as the Chair of the Physical Education Department at LACHSA for 8 years, wrote her Master's Thesis on "The Physicalization of a Role," and is a Hatha Yoga instructor. She continues her joy of fostering new works, including guiding the writing and direction of over 300 One-Person Shows; several have been featured in festivals in NY and Europe. DeLiso received a three year California Arts Council Grant to teach acting and playwriting at a woman’s prison.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Acting, UCLA (Fellowship and Best Actress Award); MA, BA, Theatre, California State University (Best Actress Award); Royal National Theatre, London; Theatre artist for 30+ years; Member of Classical Theatre Lab and Artistic Director of SAIPRO; Hatha Yoga instructor

Chris Eckert Improvisation Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
Graduate, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The Groundlings School and Upright Citizens Brigade, Los Angeles; Main company member, The Groundlings, Los Angeles; Improv Instructor, The Groundlings School; Creator, The Gale and You Paid To Die Tonight (LA Weekly top pick); Numerous TV and national commercial credits include Raising Hope (GLAAD award) and The Comeback

Anna Ferraro Musical Theatre, Vocal Production, Accompanist Los Angeles Campus

Ferraro has played piano from a very early age. Her inclination to be a supporting player led naturally to a career in piano accompanying, most notably at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, but encompassing classical, jazz, and pop styles in a wide variety of professional situations, not limited to musical theater. Ferraro continues a long career in liturgical music, as well. She has served several churches as organist and/or director of music. Currently she is organist at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Tustin, California, and accompanist at Temple Judea in Laguna Woods, California.

Ferraro is a prolific composer and songwriter. She spent several years performing regularly at local coffeehouses and has self-produced several CD's of original music. In addition she has produced or co-produced several concerts featuring her original music (plus the work of others) at churches where she has been on staff.

Degrees and Studies
BM, California State University; Studied piano with Leigh James Unger; voice with John Peck and William Hanrahan; Self-produced CDs and concerts featuring her and other artists original music; Organist and Music Director for local churches and temples

Jane Fleiss Brogger Camera Fundamentals Los Angeles Campus

Jane Fleiss trained with Stella Adler at NYU School of the Arts and began her career on the NBC Daytime drama The Doctors. She subsequently appeared onstage, in feature films and on television both in New York and Los Angeles. TV credits include guest starring appearances in Grey’s Anatomy, ER, Without A Trace, Crossing Jordan and The Guardian. Broadway: Leading roles in Fifth of July, Crimes of the Heart, Strange Interlude, I'm Not Rappaport, Of Mice and Men, Getting Married, Search and Destroy, My Thing of Love, and An Inspector Calls (Joseph Jefferson nomination). Regional Theatre appearances include: Nora, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie, The Seagull, Twelfth Night , A Midsummer Nights Dream, Keeley and Du, and LA Drama-Logue Awards for Molly Sweeney (Mark Taper Forum), Ghost in the Machine (South Coast Repertory) and Springtime for Henry (Globe Theatre). Ms. Fleiss is also on the faculty of The Art of Acting Studio/Los Angeles where she teaches Acting Technique and Scene Study. In addition to her work with Stella Adler, Ms. Fleiss studied with Uta Hagen, John Barton and Cicely Berry (Royal Shakespeare Co.) and is a member of the Actors Studio.

Degrees and Studies
BFA, New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Studied acting with Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Sondra Lee, John Barton, and Cicely Berry.

Joe J. Garcia Guest Director, Acting, Directing Los Angeles Campus

Garcia has been part of the directing team at the Los Angeles campus for 15 years. He directs both First and Second-Year plays as well as Third-Y ear Company plays. Originally hailing from Houston, Texas, he has worked as an actor in film, television and theaters all across the nation for over thirty years. Garcia is a multiple Dramalogue, BackStage West and L.A. Ovation award winner. Some of his television credits include: The Gilmore Girls, The Practice, Malcolm in the Middle, E.R., and Beverly Hills 90210. Film credits include: The Man in the Iron Mask and Daredevil.

Degrees and Studies
AA, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; 30+ years’ acting experience for film, television and theatres across the US; Recipient of multiple Drama-Logue, Backstage West and Ovation Awards

Michele Martin Gossett Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Gossett has been at The Academy for 20 years teaching acting and directing exam and Company plays. She has been a founding member and administrator of four theatre companies: Actors Entrance Conservatorium, Las Vegas Lil'l Theatre; 55th St. Playhouse, NYC; Eric Morris Acting Workshops and American New Theatre, Los Angeles; and Mojo Ensemble Theatre Company, in Hollywood. There she honed her acting and directing skills. At the Mojo Ensemble she was the Artistic Director and Co-Managing Director and she also began teaching workshops.

Degrees and Studies
Studied with Uta Hagen (HB Studio), Warren Robertson, Wynn Handman and Eric Morris; Founding member of four theatre companies including Mojo Ensemble, where she was Artistic and Co-Managing Director

Rob Hahn Voice & Speech, Dialects Los Angeles Campus

Since 1998, Rob has coached actors and business professionals in dialect work and accent reduction. He has coached hundreds of actors and over 50 theatrical productions. From Shakespeare to Mamet, Rob has coached more than 25 dialects, from British to Yiddish to Filipino to West African. He has also provided coaching for film and television, such as British coaching for Omid Abtahi in the Showtime series, Sleeper Cell. Rob has also worked with Dominic Bowden, host of New Zealand Idol and a number of other television projects. Most recently, Rob was on the set of ABC's Revenge, providing dialect coaching to Emily VanCamp. Rob writes and performs comedy and continues to audition. He has appeared in a number of commercials, theatre productions and films.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, California State University; BFA, Acting, Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Webster University; Coached and provided dialect coaching for hundreds of actors for film and television and 50+ theatrical productions in 25+ dialects; Writes and performs comedy

Perry Hart Head of Vocal Production—Vocal Production, Musical Theatre, Director Los Angeles Campus

Hart has been with The Academy for almost 20 years; as an accompanist, music director and vocal production teacher. At the same time he was the vocal coach and vocal arranger for Holland American Line under directors John Charron, Mark Knowles, Carla Kama, Patti Colombo and Tommy Tune for 14 years. Hart is a musical director for professional, locally-produced musicals, such as Baby, The All Night Strut (winning him best musical direction from the L.A. Drama Critics' Circle), Night Club Confidential, Blues in the Night (winning him a Dramalogue Award of Excellence and the NAACP's Award nomination for best Musical Direction), The Joni Mitchell Project, and At Long Last Cole starring Carol Burnett. He has performed in several national tours, including one with Debbie Reynolds. For television he was music director for the Emmy nominated Glenn Miller Band Reunion for PBS. He has long performed concert and night club work, either solo or with his jazz trio, String of Pearls. Since 1966 he has been the choral assistant for the Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

Degrees and Studies
Music Major, Voice, UCLA—Men’s Glee Club; 20 years’ experience teaching at The Academy; Vocal coach/arranger for Holland America with directors John Charron, Patti Colombo and Tommy Tune; Recipient of LA Drama Critics’ Circle Award, a Drama-Logue Award and NAACP’s nomination for Best Musical Direction

Karen Hensel Core Faculty—Acting Styles, Director Los Angeles Campus

Hensel is a core faculty member of The Academy and has been teaching Acting Styles there for over 33 years. She has also been associated with South Coast Repertory Theatre for 28 years as an actress and Head of the Adult Theatre School. She is best known to American audiences as Doris Collins, Sharon Newman's mother, on The Young and the Restless (CBS), 1994-2011. She has also had recurring roles in four series, For the People, The Guardian, Magnificent 7 and Hope and Gloria and guest starring roles in a plethora of other series, such as: The Practice, Judging Amy, ER, Star Trek, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Murder She Wrote, Frasier, Wings, and Murphy Brown. She was directed by Anthony Perkins in Psycho 3 and by the British director Stephen Frears in Skip Tracer.

She has performed at the American Conservatory Theatre, The California Actor's Theatre, Shakespeare Orange County, Mark Taper Forum, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Westwood Playhouse, the Old Globe in San Diego and on Broadway in Zoot Suit with Edward James Olmos.

Degrees and Studies
AA, Mime and Moliere, The American University in Paris; Diploma, American Conservatory Theatre; Acting Internship, Old Globe Shakespeare Theatre; Award-winning actor, director and writer; Actor at South Coast Repertory Theatre for over 28 years and Head of Adult Theatre School

David Hernandez Stage Combat/Fencing Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
AA, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Expert in weapons and unarmed combat; Co-founding member and Fight Choreographer at Sword Fights, Inc.; Several TV appearances and LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Honorable Mention

Valorie Hubbard Acting Professionally, Audition Technique, Stage to Screen Los Angeles Campus

Hubbard's background is in the theatre. She has worked on Broadway, Off Broadway and many regional theatre's around the country. She was a member of an international theatre company in Wroclaw Poland at the famed Lab Theatre and worked closely with Zbigniew Cynkutis from the Grotowski Company. She also worked with Joe Chaiken on a female version of Tooth of Crime. She appeared in the world-premiere of Moon Under Miami with John Guare. Hubbard has been a guest star on many television series, including Glee, True Blood, Lopez Tonight, Good Luck Charlie, How I Met Your Mother, and Desperate Housewives. She has been in more than a dozen films including Divorce Invitation with Elliot Gould, White Trash Christmas with Beverly D'angelo, The Smell of Success with Billy Bob Thornton, Resident Evil: Extinction and The Hannah Montana Movie.

Degrees and Studies
BFA ,Goodman School of Drama/DePaul University; Credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theatre, TV and film

Suzanne Hunt-Jenner Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, Audition Techniques, Acting Professionally Los Angeles Campus

Suzanne Hunt is an actor, director, producer, and teacher. She began her career as an international model and has appeared on the pages of dozens of fashion magazines, in over 80 commercials, network television shows and in films, acting alongside such notables as James Stewart, Joan Collins, Lynn Redgrave, Andy Griffith, and Alf. She has also appeared in many award-winning stage plays, including Del Shore's long-running comedy, Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got the Will. Hunt is an Artistic Coordinator at the Classical Theatre Lab in West Hollywood, and a member of the award-winning Road Theatre, where she has directed and produced several highly praised productions of new plays.

Hunt teaches a variety of classes at the Academy and is also an adjunct faculty member at Pasadena City College, where she teaches acting and directs student productions. She has also taught at CSUN and CSULB. Additionally, Suzanne lectures on the business of acting and has a forthcoming book on the topic. As a community volunteer, she has taught acting and created children's shows for some of LA's inner-city schools and has worked with SAG's BookPALS literacy program. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Acting/Directing, MFA, Theater Arts, California State University; BA in Theater/Acting, UCLA; Certified teacher, Michael Chekhov Acting Technique; Studied at The Actor’s Studio, Meisner Technique with Robert X. Modica; comedy with Harvey and Michael Lembeck; Trained in Viewpoints, Suzuki Method and Fitzmaurice

Brent Jennings Guest Director, Acting Los Angeles Campus

Jennings is foremost an actor and secondarily a director. He has been directing exam and Company plays at The Academy for six years. He occasionally teaches acting at other educational institutions, but is more often invited to be a guest director on campus.

Jennings has had a long career as an actor. So far he has performed in more than 24 films and guest starred in over 65 television series or TV movies. He was last seen on film as an assistant coach in the film Moneyball with Brad Pitt. This past TV season he performed on the series, Touch, Veep, Harry’s Law, Glee, and Grey’s Anatomy.

He was awarded Emerson College’s Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award, two Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards for Best Actor in a Play for his roles in Bedfellows and East Texas Hotlinks, and the New England Theater Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play, among others. He has served as an on-site evaluator of Theater Programs for the National Endowment for the Arts and is the co-founder of the Drama Ministry at Ward AME Church in Los Angeles. He is a member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Arts.

Degrees and Studies
BS, Dramatic Arts and Mass Communications, Emerson College; Graduate, Teacher Development Program, The Actor’s Center, NY; Actor in 24+ films and guest star in 65+ TV movies and series; Recipient of Emerson’s Alumni Association’s Achievement Award, two Drama-Logue Awards and New England Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction

Mark Knowles Core Faculty, Head of Movement, Movement & Dance for the Actor, Period Dance, Musical Theatre, Directing Los Angeles Campus

See Feature

Knowles directed and/or choreographed over 300 theatrical productions nationally and internationally including the South American premiere of La Cage Aux Folles in Buenos Aires, Big Bang! in Singapore, Hysterical Blindness and the Rockettes in New York, and many productions in the Los Angeles, such as Nite Club Confidential, starring Barbara Eden, and the West Coast premiere of The Good-bye Girl. Film and television shows include The Ice Pirates, at MGM, Small Wonder, at Fox, Boone, at CBS, and a promo for Married With Children, and Columbia Bandstand for Columbia Pictures Television. He served as senior director at Stiletto Entertainment for four years, directing and developing production shows for ships on the Holland America Line. Knowles is the author of four books, The Tap Dance Dictionary, Tap Roots: The Early History of Tap Dancing, winner of the American Library Association’s 2004 Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Text, The Wicked Waltz and Other Scandalous Dances, and The Man Who Made the Jailhouse Rock: Alex Romero, Hollywood Choreographer.

Degrees and Studies
M.A., Visual and Performing Arts, Antioch University McGregor; B.A., Wesleyan University. Studied Dance with Roland Dupree, Jaime Rogers, Joe Tremaine, Louis DaPron.

Amir Korangy Guest Director, Acting Los Angeles Campus

Amir Korangy is a seasoned director, actor and educator with over thirty years’ experience working in the U.K and U.S. He attended George Washington University, studied directing at Catholic University and holds an MA with Merit from Middlesex University, London.

He has produced and directed over a hundred plays ranging from classics to contemporary in the U.K. and U.S. In addition to his extensive stage work, his acting credits include the lead in Breath of Life which received a BAFTA nomination as well as guest starring roles for BBC, HBO, Channel Four U.K., London Weekend Television, Thames Television, Granada, Warner Brothers, 20^th Century Fox, CBS and ABC. His most recent credits include guest starring roles in NCIS Los Angeles, recurring role in Scorpion, the lead role in the feature film Stepping High, as well as roles in Night at the Museum 3, Silicon Valley and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Mr. Korangy has worked as a visiting professor at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, E 15 Acting School, University of Essex, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, The School of Science of Acting, and was the professor of Theatre History for the London Program at Pepperdine University. During his tenure as the Head of MA and BA in Performance Program at Mountview |Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Dame Judi Dench became the President of the Academy and the Performance programs received the Michael Elliot Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Drama Training. He was a major contributor to the Standing Conference of University Drama Departments on Teaching Stanislavski in the U.K., co-directed the BAFTA newcomers Los Angeles Showcase and has been directing the Drama U.K. Los Angeles Showcase for the past three years.

He is thrilled to have been a faculty member and Guest Director at The Academy for the past 5 years.

Degrees and Studies
MA (merit), Middlesex University; BA, George Washington University; Seasoned educator, director and actor; Directed 80+ plays from classic to modern; As Director of Acting Program at Mountview Academy, London, received the Michael Elliot Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Drama Training; Worked for CBS, ABC, BBC, HBO, Warner Bros., 20^th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, including lead in BAFTA-nominated Breath of Life; Visiting Professor in U.S. and U.K.

Frank Krueger Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Krueger served as Managing Director of The Sanford Meisner Center and is a founding member of the Annex Film Group. He directed productions including: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Edmond, Three Sisters, and The Heidi Chronicles. He produced the film project The Lurking Man as well as wrote and produced the feature film 20 Feet Below: The Darkness Descending. Select television credits include: The Mindy Project, NCIS:LA, CSI: Cyber and Scandal.

Degrees and Studies:
BA, The College of New Jersey. Studied acting at William Esper’s Studio, HB Studio, The Meisner/Carville School.

Tim Landfield Core Faculty, Director of ACYA—Acting, Theatre History, Directing Los Angeles Campus

See Feature

Fields of Study
Acting, Theatre History, Directing

Mr. Landfield is a Core Faculty member at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and coordinates the Internship Program as well as the Academy’s Conservatory for Young Actors (ACYA). He teaches Acting, Theatre History, and Shakespeare, He has also directed over 60 productions at The Academy, including Baby With The Bathwater, Loose Knit, As You Like It, Tartuffe, The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Othello, The Shape Of Things, Blue Surge, The Lady From Dubuque, and The Marriage Of Bette And Boo. Outside of The Academy Tim directed a production of Much Ado About Nothing at The Old Zoo in Griffith Park, A Maiden’s Prayer at the Raven Playhouse, and a production of Twelfth Night at Vista Hermosa Park near downtown Los Angeles.

In the summer of 2010, Mr. Landfield presented two symposiums at ATHE, the national conference for theatre educators. One presentation was titled “The Actor’s Journey As Sacred Story Teller” and the other was a presentation of The American Academy of Dramatic Art’s grading rubric for assessing actors.

Mr. Landfield is also a professional actor whose Broadway credits include Tartuffe, The Crucifer Of Blood, Arsenic And Old Lace, Wild Honey, Rumors, Company, and The Sound Of Music. He was also in the original production of Christopher Durang’s Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You. and The Actor's Nightmare. Film credits include Cheetah, Masquerade, and The Cooler with Alec Baldwin and W.H. Macy. He has also guest starred in numerous television shows. He regularly performs at South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, California.

Mr. Landfield runs a private acting program in Hollywood, The Acting Gym, where he teaches and coaches professionals, advanced students, and directors.

Degrees and Studies
BA (with honors), Hampshire College; Studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse; Studied with Larry Moss; Member, The Shakespeare Workshop, New York; Professional actor, director and veteran of seven Broadway shows with numerous regional theatre appearances; Guest starred in 30+ TV shows and several feature films

Natalie Hope MacMillan Vocal Production Los Angeles Campus

Natalie Hope MacMillan earned a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied acting, directing, and script-writing. She has worked professionally in the theater for years, performing with The Acting Company, Mainstreet Theatre, and A Noise Within among others. Also a director, Natalie works most frequently with the Actors Co-op, where she recently directed a world-premiere musical.

Degrees and Studies
BFA, Tisch School of the Arts; Graduate level studies at A.R.T./MXAT Institute and the National Theatre Conservatory. Studied singing with Dr. Christian Nova, Jennifer Goodrich.

Ben Martin Acting, Director Los Angeles Campus

Martin is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, as well as SAG/AFTRA and Actors Equity. Having received an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University (when it was still called Carnegie Tech), he has - in addition to 150 recorded books - over 200 stage productions to his credit. He has worked Off-Broadway, Summer Stock and LORT theaters. In Los Angeles he has served as Dialogue Coach for Warner Brothers and has appeared in several episodes of Alien Nation. In addition to The Academy, he has taught acting and directed productions at the California Institute of the Arts School of Theater and at the Los Angeles City College Theater Arts Academy. He is also a member of LA’s acclaimed Open Fist Theater Company.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Stage Directing, Carnegie Mellon University; BA, CUNY, Queens College; Studied with Lewis Palter, Charles Werner Moore and Edith Skinner; Member of Open Fist Theater Company; Credited with 200+ stage productions, 150 recorded books and several film and TV movies; Served as Dialogue Coach for Warner Brothers

Sandy Martin Guest Director, Acting, Scene Study Los Angeles Campus

Martin appeared in over 70 plays in NYC before leaving for LA, where she became a teacher at The Academy. She co-founded Hothouse Stage Co. producing plays as: The Killing of Sister George, an LA Weekly's Best Revival of the Year winner and the West Coast Premiere of Prairie Avenue. For six years Martin was the Associate Producer with Esparza/Katz Productions producing Gettysburg, Milagro Bean Field Wars, directed by Robert Redford, and Selena. Moving into television she became President of Edward J. Olmos Productions at ABC.

Martin had recurring roles on Big Love, as the creepy, Selma Green, and as Mac's mom on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She has guest starred in numerous hit shows: CSI, The Closer, Nip Tuck, Shameless, Weeds, Saving Grace, Cold Case and Desperate Housewives. Playing Grandma in Napoleon Dynamite led to roles in Marley and Me and, currently, Seven Psychopaths with Colin Farrell, Woody Harelson and Christopher Walken. In 2011, she appeared in the critically acclaimed Tennessee Williams' last play, A House Not Meant to Stand at the Fountain Theatre. Martin was nominated for an Ovation Award and an LA Weekly Award for best Female Lead in a Play.

Degrees and Studies
AOS, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Scene study with Uta Hagen; Former President of Edward J. Olmos Productions/ABC; Acting career spans 40 years; Co-founder of Hothouse Stage Co.; Recurring roles on Big Love and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and numerous TV and films including Napoleon Dynamite

Sandra Massie Voice & Speech, Dialects, Theatre History Los Angeles Campus

Massie performed with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and an Off Broadway one woman show called Virtuosa. She has had 25 years acting in regional theatres, LA-Pasadena Shakespeare Co., and The Grove Theatre. She directs at Long Beach City College, Pasadena City College and Academy exam plays. She has taught at NYU Conservatory, AMDA NYC, Cal State University, Long Beach, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum Theatre, Pasadena City College, and Long Beach City College. She is a member of SAG/AFTRA/AEA, VASTA, ATHE, and NADT. She coaches voice, speech, & dialects for film, television, theatre, and private clients.

Degrees and Studies
MA, Theatre and MFA, Acting/Directing, California State University; MA, Antioch University; Drama Therapy, British American Drama Academy; London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art; Studied with Uta Hagen and Tim Phillips; Teacher training in Michael Chekhov Technique; Studied Fitzmaurice, Linklater and Rodenburg voice techniques

Michael Matthys Physical Acting Los Angeles Campus

A professional actor for over twenty years, Matthys most recently appeared as Dr. Treves in the Mechanicals production of The Elephant Man. Other local credits include appearances at The Ahmanson, The Colony, Odyssey, West Coast Ensemble, NOTE, LATC, Falcon, Shakespeare Festival/LA, and six shows at A Noise Within. He started his AEA career under the direction of Garland Wright at The Guthrie where he played Treplev in Mr. Wright's production of The Seagull which has been archived at Lincoln Center. Matthys is one of the artistic coordinators of The Classical Theatre Lab in West Hollywood, where he recently directed a critically acclaimed production of Exit the King and has performed numerous Shakespearean roles including Toby Belch, Valentine, and Oberon.

Film work includes a leading role opposite David Carradine in Full Blast, Nightwatch (with Ewan McGregor), Destiny Turns on the Radio, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone's BASEketball. His most notable TV appearance was as Dr. Kent on Grey's Anatomy. He is a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.

Degrees and Studies
MFA, University of Minnesota; BA, Buffalo State College; Studied acting with Howard Fine, Playhouse West and Steppenwolf West; Studied voice at Shakespeare & Company and with Adele Cabot; Studied Viewpoints with SITI, Anne Bogart and Alexandra Billings; Professional actor for 20+ years; An artistic coordinator of Classical Theatre Lab

Mark McCracken Improvisation Los Angeles Campus

Mark is a 1985 American Academy of Dramatic Arts graduate. He began his acting career immediately after leaving The Academy with shows Off Broadway. Tapped for the Florida Shakespeare Festival in 1986, he re-located to Miami, cutting his professional teeth on commercials, TV and film. There he discovered his greatest passion: improvisation, soon after becoming a member of the local improv comedy sensation, Mental Floss. Years later he left Florida to tour as a stand-up comic and eventually re-located to Los Angeles, where he continued his comedy improv work with ACME Comedy Theater, Comedy Sportz and Impro Theatre. Utilizing another passion for monsters and special effects, Mark has also appeared in several features and television shows. He is currently performing comedy improv full time at Universal Studios Hollywood. He is grateful for this opportunity to give back at the locus of where his fires for creativity and performing were first stoked.

Degrees and Studies
BA, UNC-Greensboro; AB, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York City. Studied at the ACME Comedy Theater-LA, Groundlings-LA, Impro-LA, iOWest, and Comedy Sportz-LA.

Jamie Nichols Movement & Dance for the Actor, Period Dance Los Angeles Campus

Jamie Nichols is technically articulate teacher critically acclaimed for eloquence of her dancing and choreography. She is the recipient of 6 Lester Horton Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement and honored by the Dance Resource Center with the “Furthering the Visibility of Dance Award”. Her career has crossed over commercial dance choreographing art films and music videos and appearing as a dancer in several films. As a prolific choreographer and producer, Artistic Director of Fast Feet, a contemporary dance company (1980-2003).

In the professional dance community: adjudicator for the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, the McCallum Theatre Institute’s Choreography Festival and Open Call in Palm Desert, Executive Production Committee for the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Board of Directors of Jazz Dance L.A. Foundation, Board of Directors of Dance Resource Center of LA and panelist for the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Grants.

As a producer: Co-Producer of The Los Angeles Dance Invitational (nine years), Co-Producer Bethune Theatredanse/Ray Bradbury’s Frost & Fire, produced modern dance icon Marion Scott’s Spirit Dances at Highways and Executive Producer of the 16th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards. As the Executive Producer/Founder Celebrate Dance, she has produced over 70 professional dance companies at the historic Alex Theatre since 2006. She is also the founder of the educational program in conjunction with Celebrate Dance; “Bringing Professional Dance Into The Classroom” and outreach program for young underserved dancers. www.celebratedance.org

Degrees and Studies
Producer of numerous professional dance events in Los Angeles; founder and executive producer of Celebrate Dance; Master teacher and adjudicator of professional dance; Served on multiple art organization boards; Recipient of six Lester Horton Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement and Dance Resource Center’s Furthering the Visibility of Dance Award; Studied with Jaime Rogers, Eugene Loring, Stefan Wenta, Elle Johnson, Joe Tremaine, Hama and others

Ian Ogilvy Guest Director Los Angeles Campus

Ian Ogilvy has appeared on both sides of the Atlantic in leading roles in over 75 television programs, including I, Claudius, Upstairs Downstairs, Murder She Wrote, Murphy Brown, Caroline In The City, Diagnosis Murder and Early Edition. He is best known for playing the iconic role of Simon Templar in The Return of the Saint. He has played leading parts in London's West End, in such plays as Design for Living, Three Sisters, Happy Family, The Common Pursuit, Rookery Nook, The Waltz of the Toreadors, The Millionairess, Sleuth, Stage Struck and Run for Your Wife. As a young actor he worked extensively in Britain's repertory theatres, doing a new play every two weeks. In Los Angeles, he has appeared in Sleuth, Present Laughter, My Fair Lady and Love! Valour! Compassion! His films include Death Becomes Her (with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn), My Life in Ruins, Witchfinder General, Wuthering Heights, Waterloo, The Sorcerers and many others. He has a TV Times Award, three Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards, a Los Angeles Times Critics' Circle Award and was nominated for an Ovation Award. He is a regular Visiting Director at The Academy, directing everything from the One Act Plays program to Company Productions.

Degrees and Studies
Graduate of Eaton College and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; Studied Audition Technique with Denys Blakelock; Appeared in 75+ TV lead roles both sides of the Atlantic, and on stage in London’s West End; Recipient of TV Times Award, three Los Angeles Drama-Logue Awards, Los Angeles Times Critics’ Circle Award and Ovation Award nomination

Scott Ramp Make-up, Director Los Angeles Campus

Ramp has taught at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts since 1985. As an actor, he has appeared in a variety of professional productions from Shakespeare to musical theatre, including a principal role in a National Touring Company production of La Cage Aux Folles with Broadway legends Larry Kert and Harvey Evans. In 1992, he began to turn his artistic focus to special effects make-up. He has designed and run several large-scale productions for Universal Studios Hollywood and has had his products used at most Six Flags Theme Parks. He has personally designed and run Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest event each October for over 20 years. He is also the owner and founder of The Scream Team (screamteam.com), an online company specializing in prosthetic make-ups for films, Halloween events and the general public. He has worked as both an actor and a make-up artist for dozens of commercials, industrials and independent films. He is also a director, having directed productions at The Academy, in Oregon and in the Los Angeles area. He is proud to be a part of The Academy family for over 30 years.

Degrees and Studies
BA, University of Oregon; AA, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Studied make-up with Dick Smith; Acted in stage productions from Shakespeare to musical theatre, and as actor and make-up artist for dozens of commercials and films; Designed and ran large-scale productions at Universal Studios and 20+ years at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Carl Reggiardo Guest Director, Styles I & II Los Angeles Campus

Reggiardo has been directing first and second year students' plays at the Academy for the past 32 years. In addition to his Academy directing, this past year he directed Richard the Third with John Walcutt (The Walls Have Eyes) at the Orange County Shakespeare Festival, acted with Dennis Krausnick (founder of Shakespeare and Co.) in King Lear. He acted in Henry V with David Denman (The Office) and played the title role in Julius Caesar at the Orange County Shakespeare Festival. He has performed at the Old Globe in San Diego, the Ahmanson Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Westwood Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, Cincinnati Playhouse, and Berkeley Repertory. He has been the recipient of 3 BackStage West Directing awards and 7 BackStage Acting Awards. He appears occasionally in films and guest starring roles on television series.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Theatre, San Francisco State University; Certificate, American Conservatory Theatre (Awarded Scholarship); Recipient of three BackStage West directing awards and seven BackStage acting awards; Background includes acting and directing at Orange County Shakespeare Festival, plus film and TV guest star roles

Scott Reiniger Acting for the Camera, Director Los Angeles Campus

As director for stage and television, Reiniger has worked with thousands of actors including Ryan Phillippe, Bruce Davison, Jean Smart, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Dan Ackroyd, Ed Asner, Holland Taylor and Bill Macy.

He guided the development of 50 new works for the stage including the Pulitzer Prize Winner, The Kentucky Cycle and mounted over 20 productions at major U.S. theatres including The Mark Taper Forum. His television credits total 200 episodes on USA Cable, E! Entertainment Television, Discovery Network and plays for television for Tri Tel Inc.

Acting credits on stage, in film and television include starring in the original George A. Romero Dawn of the Dead.

Degrees and Studies
BA, Theatre, Rollins College; Advanced training at Circle Repertory, American Conservatory Theatre, The Actor’s Studio and American Stanislavski Theatre/Sonia Moore; Studied film and TV at UCLA and AFI; playwriting/screenwriting at Truby's Writers Studio; Guided development of 50 stage works and 20 productions; Director credits include 200 TV episodes

Laura Jean Salerno Sitcom Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
BFA, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University & Shakespeare Globe Theater, London; Instructor, Actors Comedy Studio LA & UCLA Oxbridge summer programs; Studied with Kevin Kittle, Barbara Marchant and Mark Rylance; 20+ years’ experience in theatre, film, TV and stand-up comedy; Numerous TV guest star and co-stars appearances include The Middle, Off Their Rockers, Days of Our Lives and The Mentalist

Tyler Townsend Acting for the Camera Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
Graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Film/TV experience includes work with CBS, ABC, Discovery, SPIKE, VH1, Comedy Central, Lionsgate, Mark Burnett, Al Roker Entertainment, Gurin Co, and others

Alexandra Wright Voice & Speech Los Angeles Campus

Degrees and Studies
MFA, Harvard University/Moscow Art Theater; BA, University of Southern California; Theatre credits include: Bec in Sierra Madre Playhouse’s LA Premiere of 4000 Miles, Helena in Theatricum Botanicum’s A Midsummer Night's Dream and Igraine/Edmund in Lear, Rosalind in ART’s As You Like It

Amanda Zarr Styles I & II Los Angeles Campus

MA, University of Washington; BFA, Chapman University; Studied with Thomas Bradac, Dennis Krasnic, Andrew Wade, David Hammond and Jon Jory

NEW YORK CAMPUS

LOS ANGELES CAMPUS

Join us at an Info Night Event

Upcoming Open House Events

Over 50 audition locations

As Academy Graduates, We Are
Connected to Something Special

Dec
11

Dec
11

Dec
13

Jan
9

Archive Giving Campaign

Help The Academy Digitize and
Preserve its Historic Archives

Featured Faculty

JONATHAN BOLT

Company Co-Director

TIM LANDFIELD

Core Faculty, Director of ACYA—Acting, Theatre History, Directing

JENNIFER SMOLOS

Director of Summer Programs, Associate Faculty, Vocal Production Coordinator

BETTY KARLEN

Company Director—Acting, Directing

MARK KNOWLES

Core Faculty, Head of Movement, Movement & Dance for the Actor, Period Dance, Musical Theatre, Directing

ZENON KRUSZELNICKI

Core Faculty—Acting

Directory

OUR LEGACY

OUR TRAINING

MEET THE ACADEMY

NEW YORK CAMPUS

NEW YORK CAMPUS

LOS ANGELES CAMPUS

LOS ANGELES CAMPUS

FULL-TIME PROGRAM

COMPANY PROGRAM

SUMMER PROGRAMS

YOUTH PROGRAMS

FOR EDUCATORS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

APPLY

EVENTS

AUDITION

INFORMATION

FINANCIAL AID

CONNECT

Join us at an Info Night Event

Upcoming Open House Events

Over 50 audition locations

ACADEMY ALUMNI

As Academy Graduates, We Are Connected to Something Special

NEW YORK EVENTS

NEW STUDENT EVENTS

LOS ANGELES EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS - see all

Dec11

Dec11

Dec13

Jan9

LATEST NEWS - see all

ACADEMY GIVING

Archive Giving Campaign

Help The Academy Digitize and Preserve its Historic Archives

STORES

Featured Faculty

JONATHAN BOLT

Company Co-Director

TIM LANDFIELD

Core Faculty, Director of ACYA—Acting, Theatre History, Directing

JENNIFER SMOLOS

Director of Summer Programs, Associate Faculty, Vocal Production Coordinator

BETTY KARLEN

Company Director—Acting, Directing

MARK KNOWLES

Core Faculty, Head of Movement, Movement & Dance for the Actor, Period Dance, Musical Theatre, Directing

ZENON KRUSZELNICKI

Core Faculty—Acting

Directory

As Academy Graduates, We Are
Connected to Something Special

Dec
11

Dec
11

Dec
13

Jan
9

Help The Academy Digitize and
Preserve its Historic Archives