BSS Teaching Artists

Farah Alvin
Jeffrey Bender
Tracy Bersley
Marc Bruni
Tituss Burgess
James Calleri
Paul Castree
Paul Davis
Carmel Dean
Colin Donnell
Alison Franck
Patrick Goodwin
Kate Grant
Kimberly Grigsby
Ann Harada
Curtis Holbrook
Justin Huff
Lorin Latarro
Lisa Leguillo
Michele Lynch
Lindsay Mendez
Jodie Moore
Tommy Newman
Vince Pesce
Michael Rossmy
Holly-Anne Ruggiero
Sarah Saltzberg 
Mark Schneider 
Kate Shindle
Judine Somerville
Jessica Stone
Robert Tatad
Nikole Vallins
Eric Woodall

Farah Alvin has appeared on Broadway in NINE, THE LOOK OF LOVE, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, GREASE! (and national tour), and MSG’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. She received a 2009 Drama Desk Nomination for her role as Missy Miller in THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES Off-Broadway. Other Off-Broadway credits include I LOVE YOU BECAUSE (Marcy), Jewish Rep’s KUNI-LEML (Libe), CAM JANSEN (Linda) and IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE…(Imogene). Recent Regional credits include Mother in RAGTIME (White Plains), Marge in BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO (Ogunquit) and she originated the role of Mabel in PIRATES!…(Goodspeed, Papermill, Huntington). Farah has appeared as a soloist with the National Symphonies of The United States and Canada among others. Numerous recordings include the original cast recording of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE (PS Classics) and Frank Wildhorn’s concept album for JEKYLL AND HYDE (Atlantic Records). In addition to her theater work, Farah is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Her album of original folk/jazz music entitled “someday” is available at www.farahalvin.com.

Jeffrey M. Bender has choreographed fights and taught stage combat classes for the last 13 years at high schools, colleges and theater companies around the country.  He is primarily an actor and was most recently seen in Washington, DC performing at Arena Stage in the world premiere production of A TIME TO KILL.  He has been a company member at the Shakespeare Theater of NJ for over a decade and has performed in numerous productions there.  Regionally, he has worked at Lincoln Center Theatre,  Metropolitan Opera,  Old Globe in San Diego,  Denver Center Theater Company,  Seattle Repertory Theatre,  The Acting Company,  Delaware Theatre Company,  to name a few.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Tracy Bersley: (Director/Choreographer). New plays/adaptations: SUNJATA (Loft Theatre); TIBET: THROUGH THE RED BOX (HERE Theatre, Lincoln Center Lab); AWFUL ROWING TOWARD GOD & ANATOMY OF TOUCH (Ontological), RAPPACCINI’S DAUGHTER (Jim Henson Festival), LORD OF THE FLIES (McCarter Theatre First Stage Co.). Other plays: BLOOD WEDDING (Provincetown Playhouse, NYU), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, WINTER’S TALE (McCarter; Princeton Univ.), MACBETH (Syracuse Stage), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Arcadia Shakespeare; Philadelphia), MEASURE FOR MEASURE AND GREEN BIRD (Purchase Repertory Theatre), Musicals: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Syracuse Univ.), SECRET GARDEN (College Light Opera Co., Cape Cod). Operas: COSI FAN TUTTE (American Singers Opera Project), THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER (Lincoln Center Lab). Choreography: PARIS COMMUNE (The Public, dir: Steve Cosson/Civilians), PERICLES, REVENGER’S TRAGEDY & WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN (Red Bull Theatre, dir: Jesse Berger), LOVE CHILD (Primary Stages, Dir Carl Foresman); ST. JOAN OF THE STOCKYARDS (PS 122, dir: Lear DeBessonet), JANE ERYE & TEMPEST (The Acting Company, dir: Davis McCallum), MAX & RUBY (Lortel/Theatrewrorks USA, dir: Randy White), ROMEO & JULIET (Williamstown, dir: Will Frears), WINTER’S TALE (Juilliard, dir: Harris Yulin), OLIVER (Experimental Theatre Wing, NYU, dir: Lear DeBessonet). Tracy most recently wrote and directed a new adaptation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND for the Dorset Theatre Festival and will be choreographing ON THE LEVEE for Lincoln Center (LCT3) this spring. MFA in directing; Syracuse & faculty at Princeton University; also a Drama League Fellow.

 

 

Marc Bruni is the Associate Director of Broadway’s Anything Goes.  He has directed many shows in New York and across the country, including Fanny (City Center Encores!), Ordinary Days (Roundabout Underground), St. Louis MUNY: The Music Man (Kevin Kline Award Nomination), Sound of Music (Kevin Kline Award Nomination), My One And Only, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Other directing credits include 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Papermill/PTC), Such Good Friends (NYMF Directing Award), High Spirits (York), Glimpses of the Moon (Oak Room), Lincoln Center Songbook, and gala performances for the American Theatre Wing, Eugene O'Neill Center, EST, and NYMF. Associate on fourteen Broadway shows, including Legally Blonde (NY/Tour/London/MTV "Search for Elle Woods") and Irving Berlin's White Christmas (NY/Tour/12 companies internationally). 

 

Tituss Burgess has starred on Broadway in the original Broadway casts of the recent GUYS AND DOLLS revival as Nicely Nicely, as Sebastian in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Hal Miller in JERSEY BOYS, and Eddie in GOOD VIBRATIONS. Regionally credits include THE WIZ at La Jolla Playhouse, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Music Center at Strathmore), and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Kansas City Starlight). Television: “The View,” “The Today Show,” “Late Night With David Letterman.” He holds a BA in music from the University of Georgia. His solo CD, “Here’s to You,” is available on iTunes.

 

James Calleri is a Broadway, television and film casting director.  Theater: 33 VARIATIONS with Jane Fonda on Broadway, FUERZA BRUTA (from the creators of DE LA GUARDA). Other past Broadway credits include: A RAISIN IN THE SUN with Sean Combs, CHICAGO starring Usher, and JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD starring Christopher Walken.  Also: Playwrights Horizons (10 seasons) including such plays as BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION, LOBBY HERO, SMALL TRAGEDY, GOODNIGHT CHILDREN EVERYWHERE, VIOLET to name a few. Classic Stage Company including last seasons UNCLE VANYA with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard and THE SEAGULL with Dianne Wiest and Alan Cumming.  Other: The Long Wharf, (upcoming NY production of THE GLASS MENAGERIE), The Flea, Soho Rep, The Culture Project, Naked Angels, New Georges, stageFARM, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Rattlestick, The Playwrights Realm and many seasons of SPF (Summer Play Festival) and NY Stage & Film.  TV: ARMY WIVES, LIPSTICK JUNGLE, Z ROCK, ED, HOPE & FAITH, MONK, the critically acclaimed A RAISIN IN THE SUN on ABC, also pilots for ABC, Fox, NBC.  Film: Merchant Ivory’s upcoming THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION and ANOTHER EARTH. Also HEIGHTS, THE WHITE COUNTESS, LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS, THE JIMMY SHOW, READY? OK!, and TROUBLE EVERY DAY. PETER & VANDY (Sundance 2009), ARMLESS (Sundance 2010).  Awarded six Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. Member CSA.  James Calleri is the co-author of ACTING PROFESSIONALLY: RAW FACTS FOR ABOUT CAREERS IN ACTING published by Palgrave Macmillan this year and is currently writing AUDITION: THE RULES AND ROMANCE OF LANDING THE JOB with his associates Paul Davis and Erica Jensen.

 

Paul Castree has appeared in nine Broadway shows, including 9 TO 5, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HIGH FIDELITY, ALL SHOOK UP, MOVIN’ OUT, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, FOOTLOOSE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, and GREASE! as well as the Nation Touring Companies of BYE BYE BIRDIE with Tommy Tune and 9 TO 5.   Off-Broadway, he has appeared in FOREVER PLAID.  At the NYC Opera, he appeared in THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, and on television, he appeared on CAROLINE AND THE CITY. Paul is the recipient of the prestugious Dora Award in Canada and Los Angeles' Ovation Award for his stage work.  Paul is a native of Rockford, Illinois.

Paul Davis is a casting director with James Calleri and Associates, casting a variety of theater, TV and film projects. Current and upcoming projects include: "Army Wives" season 4 for Lifetime TV, "The Forrest" and on stage: 33 VARIATIONS, GREY GARDENS, VENUS IN FUR, & A RAISIN IN THE SUN on Broadway. Paul also casts for stageFARM, the Playwrights Realm, the Summer Play Festival (SPF) and Epic Theatre Ensemble. TV: “Lipstick Jungle” for NBC as well as pilots for Fox and NBC. Film: Armless (Sundance 2010), Peter & Vandy (Sundance 2009), the short "A Nick In Time" (Sundance 2007) and the indie feature "Ready? OK!". www.callericasting.com.

 

Carmel Dean  hails from Perth, Western Australia, where she received a B.Mus from the W.A. Academy of Performing Arts. She is currently the Musical Director of the Broadway musical AMERICAN IDIOT, based on the songs of the Grammy Award-winning band Green Day, with whom she also performed on the 2010 Grammy Awards. Carmel came to the USA in 2001 on a Fulbright Scholarship, and in 2003 graduated from NYU with a Masters in Musical Theatre Writing. She has worked closely with the Tony Award-winning composer William Finn, and was the Vocal Arranger and Associate Musical Director on his musical, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, which ran on Broadway for almost three years. Carmel has also served as Chita Rivera's musical director for many of her national and international concert appearances. Other New York credits include: EVERYDAY RAPTURE; VANITIES; ELEGIES: A SONG CYCLE, and co-composer of SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE with William Finn.

 

 

Colin Donnell  currently stars as Billy Crocker in Broadway’s Anything Goes.  He also starred on Broadway in Jersey Boys and in the Broadway National touring companies of Wicked (Fiyero) and Mamma Mia! He played Young Ben in the Encores! Series Production of Follies at City Center and was seen as John Truitt in Meet Me in St. Louis at Irish Rep and Off-Broadway in Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver. Regionally, he played Otto in the world premiere of Edward Albee’s Me, Myself and I at the McCarter Theatre, starred as Johnny in the world premiere of Johnny Baseball at ART for Diane Paulus and in the world premiere of the revised production of Studs Terkel’s Working the Musical at Asolo Rep. Television roles include the ABC television series Pan Am.

 

Alison Franck is a casting director with Liz Lewis and Assosciates, casting for Broadway, Off-Broadway and Television.  She was the Resident Casting Director for Paper Mill Playhouse for 10 years. She has cast over 50 productions for Paper Mill including the Broadway transfer of I'm Not Rappaport, starring Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Past Paper Mill productions include The Baker’s Wife, Baby, Ragtime, The Full Monty, 1776, and Funny Girl. Other regional productions include Pirates! (Conceived and directed by Gordon Greenberg at Goodspeed & Paper Mill), Hairspray and Les Miserables (North Shore Music Theatre), and 2007's mini-tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (directed by Scott Schwartz and choreographed by Patti Colombo at TUTS / Paper Mill / North Shore / TOTS). She recently completed the casting of the National tour of Guys and Dolls, and has cast tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Ain’t Misbehavin’. Independent film: Broke Even (Best Drama, 2000 NY Independent Film Festival). TV series: Al Franken's "Lateline," "Soul Man," "Talk to Me." Pilot casting: "Madigan Men" and "Freaks & Geeks" (2000 Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series.

 

Patrick Goodwin joined Telsey + Company in 2006 after graduating summa cum laude from Drew University with degrees in Theatre Arts and Political Science. Telsey + Company’s Broadway casting credits include MEMPHIS, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ELF, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, 9-TO-5, A LIFE IN THE THEATRE, REASONS TO BE PRETTY, BLITHE SPIRIT, NEXT TO NORMAL, ROCK OF AGES, RENT, WICKED, IN THE HEIGHTS, SOUTH PACIFIC, HAIRSPRAY, LEGALLY BLONDE, COMPANY, NOVEMBER, GREY GARDENS, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, ALL SHOOK UP, TARZAN, and SWEENEY TODD and the upcoming productions of SPIDER-MAN, SISTER ACT, GODSPELL, and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Film credits include JONAH HEX, MARGIN CALL, MAINSTREET, HOWL, LOVE AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE PURSUITS, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE, SEX AND THE CITY 2, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, DAN IN REAL LIFE, PIECES OF APRIL, RENT, and many more. Telsey + Company is also responsible for casting several national tours, off broadway productions, regional theatre productions, commercials, and television projects. Patrick is a member of the Casting Society of America.

 

Kate Grant has spent a life in the theatre as a teacher, writer and actress. After graduating from Juilliard, she appeared in over one hundred plays at such theaters as the Roundabout and Public in New York. Her first full-length play, THE WOUND OF LOVE received the Berilla Kerr Award in playwriting and went on to full productions at at the Actors Studio, Penguin Repertory Theater, the John Houseman Studio Theater and Provincetown Repertory. Her newest play received readings at the Barrow Group Theater and the Abingdon. Her screenplay THE PRACTICE ROOM is in development with Brooklyn Independent Studios. She recently acquired her Doctorate in Arts and Letters at Drew University. She teaches acting and writing for performance at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

 

Kimberly Grigsby is the music director for Julie Taymor and U2's Broadway musical SPIDERMAN, which is scheduled to open in February 2010 at the Hilton Theatre. She was conductor and music director of Broadway's SPRING AWAKENING (music by Duncan Sheik) and supervised the London production. She was also music director of Broadway's recent revival of GREASE. Music directing/conducting credits include, on Broadway, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (lyrics & music by Adam Guettel); CAROLINE OR CHANGE (music by Jeanine Tesori); THE FULL MONTY (music by David Yazbek); YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN and TWELFTH NIGHT (music by Jeanine Tesori); and Off-Broadway, SPRING AWAKENING (music by Duncan Sheik), TWO GENTLEMAN OF VERNONA (Shakespeare In the Park) ; SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED (various composers, lyrics by Mark Campbell); JUNIE B. JONES (music by Zina Goldrich); THE IMMIGRANT (music by Steven Alper); RADIANT BABY (music by Debra Barsha); and TWELFTH NIGHT (music by Duncan Sheik). For her work on CAROLINE OR CHANGE in Los Angeles, she received the 2005 Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle Award for Music Direction; and for The Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of ELEGIES (lyrics & music by William Finn) she received the 2005 Barrymore Award for Music Direction. Additional regional credits include FLOYD COLLINS (music by Adam Guettel) and THE FIRST PICTURE SHOW (music by Jeanine Tesori). Other collaborations include MY LIFE IS A FAIRY TALE and ORPHAN OF ZHAO, both with lyrics & music by Stephin Merritt for Lincoln Center Festival; LOVE'S FIRE (Adam Guettel); O PIONEERS! (Kim Sherman); FOOLS RUSH IN (Steve Marzullo); TELAIO: DESDEMONA (Susan Botti). Ms. Grigsby holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and Manhattan School of Music.

 

Ann Harada originated the role of Christmas Eve in the Broadway and London productions of AVENUE Q. Other Broadway: 9 to 5 (Kathy, u/s Violet), LES MISERABLES revival (Mme. Thenardier), SEUSSICAL (Marshal, u/s Gertrude, Mrs. Mayor) and M. BUTTERFLY (Comrade Chin). Off Broadway: FALSETTOLAND (National Asian American Theatre Co.), THE MOMENT WHEN (Playwrights Horizons), 4 original musicals at the Vineyard Theatre where she is a charter member of the Community of Artists. Film: FEEL, HAPPINESS, HUDSON RIVER BLUES. Recent TV: LIPSTICK JUNGLE (as Victory Ford’s mother), THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, CASHMERE MAFIA, JOHNNY & THE SPRITES.

 

Curtis Holbrook, one of Broadway’s top dancers, originated the role of Action in the Tony nominated revival of West Side Story and starred as Brad in the film Hairspray. He has also starred on Broadway as Sonny Malone in XANADU, FOLLIES (Encores!, Young Buddy), ALL SHOOK UP (Dean Hyde), THE BOY FROM OZ, TABOO, FOSSE and FOOTLOOSE. Off-Broadway he appeared in SAVED at Playwrights Horizon (Roland) and RADIANT BABY at the Public Theater. He also appeared in Julie Taymor’s film ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and on television’s “Law & Order: SVU,” “All My Children” and “As the World Turns.”

Justin Huff has been a casting director at Telsey + Company for 7 years and has worked on the following projects: Broadway/Tours: NEWSIES, LEAP OF FAITH, PORGY & BESS, BONNIE & CLYDE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, ROCK OF AGES, 9 to 5, IN THE HEIGHTS, SOUTH PACIFIC, WICKED, RENT, NEXT TO NORMAL, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE COLOR PURPLE, BETTE MIDLER: THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON (Vegas), HAIRSPRAY, CRY-BABY, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, GREY GARDENS, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, TARZAN, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, A CATERED AFFAIR, ALL SHOOK UP; Film: I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, SEX AND THE CITY, SEX AND THE CITY: 2, DAN IN REAL LIFE, THEN SHE FOUND ME, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, IRA AND ABBY, JONAH HEX.  Justin studied Musical Theater at Millikin University in Decatur, IL and AMDA in New York.

 

Lorin Latarro grew up right outside New York and spent her childhood shuttling in and out of the city for dance class and seeing every show possible. She hand-wrote her Juilliard application on the bus to New York, auditioned, and was accepted to Juilliard. Upon graduation, Lorin danced with The Martha Graham Company. She then traveled the world with MOMIX, a company full of theatrical tricks and visual play.  Swing! was Lorin’s first Broadway show. It was a dream come true, and when the show closed, She cried and cried at the closing night party, sure her career was over. She thankfully, proudly, just finished her 12th Broadway show. Lorin approaches her dancing from a character's point of view and has had the opportunity to explore wonderful roles - from “Brenda” in Movin’ Out to “Lady of the Lake” in Spamalot. Every show equipped her with new perspectives and unique tools toward becoming a choreographer.  Lorin has worked with a wide array of inspiring Broadway artists including Kathleen Marshall, Mike Nichols, Twyla Tharp, Rob Ashford, Jerry Zaks, Scott Ellis, Casey Nicholaw, Rupert Holmes, John Kander, Ann Reinking, Bob Avian, Michael Blakemore, Gary Griffin, Andy Blankenbuehler, Jonathan Kent, Rob Rischer, David Loud, David Chase, Patrick Vachariello, Rob Berman and Paul Gemignani.

 

Lisa Leguillo is the Associate Director of WICKED on Broadway and has directed productions of WICKED in Australia, Germany and throughout the world. She provided the musical staging for LAUGH WHORE on Broadway and has worked with Joe Mantello on Broadway’s FRANKIE AND JOHNNY & TAKE ME OUT and all the productions of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. As an actor, she appeared in eight Broadway shows; on TV in Sex and The City, NYPD Blue and NY Undercover; and in the films Changing Lanes, Center Stage, Everyone Says I Love You and HBO’s Angels in America.

 

Michele Lynch combines fifteen years of professional dance experience with over ten years as a leading choreographer. She brings innovation and inspiration along with a collaborative approach to the Entertainment industry. Her work has been described as “fresh, athletic and inspiring.” Michele was recognized with a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for her choreography in “HAPPY DAYS, THE MUSICAL” at Goodspeed Opera House as well as a Garland Award for her choreography in “13” at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.  “Michele Lynch’s elating choreography is one of the show’s real assets”, says the NY Times of her work in “HAPPY DAYS”. The LA Times says of her work...”Michele Lynch’s vivacious choreography mixes street moves with more traditional razzle-dazzle”, Variety has described her choreography in ‘13’as “athletic and pulp-culture aware”, Entertainment Today describes it as “striking and whimsically youthful”.  She loves the challenge and creativity associated with choreographing new musicals. “HAPPY DAYS, THE MUSICAL”, “LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE”, “IDAHO!”, “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S”, and “GOGO BEACH” are just a few of the new musical projects she has collaborated on.  Michele has also collaborated on many new plays. She was the choreographer for the 7 time Tony Award winning play “THE COAST OF UTOPIA” at Lincoln Center. She has worked with director Mark Rucker on 3 plays with music and choreography: “LEADING LADIES”, “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE”, and “ROUGH CROSSING.”  Her choreography has been seen on Broadway, Film, TV, Industrials and on a variety of stages nationally. Other Broadway credits as Associate Choreographer include the multiple Tony Award winning musicals “HAIRSPRAY” and “THE FULL MONTY” and “URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL” as Assistant Choreographer. She also choreographed the movie CAMP for IFC films. Michele has travelled the world and country setting companies of “HAIRSPRAY” and “THE FULL MONTY.”  As a performer, Michele has danced on the 62nd Academy Awards, kicked her heels at Radio City Music Hall as a Rockette, and performed on Broadway in “VICTOR/VICTORIA”. She has also danced in commercials, TV specials, movies, and Industrials.

 

Lindsay Mendez just completed the Off-Broadway run of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES at The West Side Theater. Prior to that, she was seen serving as a “Mennonette” to Sherie Rene Scott in 2nd Stage’s critically acclaimed production of EVERYDAY RAPTURE, directed by Michael Mayer. Broadway: GREASE (2007 Revival, Original Cast, directed by Kathleen Marshall). Other credits include: BAND GEEKS! (NAMT), RATED RSO; THE MUSIC AND LYRICS OF RYAN SCOTT OLIVER (The Kennedy Center, NYMF), FOOTLOOSE (Sacramento Music Circus, Kansas City Starlight), PRINCESSES (NAMT, Goodspeed Opera House, 5th Avenue Theater), GREASE, (European Tour, Fulton Opera House), CALL ME MADAM (Reprise!), GO THE DISTANCE, and THE LYRICS OF DAVID ZIPPEL(Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kaufman Center). Recordings include: “Grease” (OCR), “New York City Christmas” (a benefit for ASTEP), and “Everyday Rapture” (OCR). Lindsay is the lead singer of the new, hip cover band, “Limbsakimbo.” She will soon be seen playing Laura the flautist, in the Goodspeed Opera House world premiere of “BAND GEEKS!”, by Tommy Newman, Gaby Alter, Gordon Greenberg, and Mark Allen. (www.Lindsaymendez.net)

 

Jodie Moore's Broadway conducting credits include AMERICAN IDIOT, HAIR, 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL, SPRING AWAKENING and HAIRSPRAY. Off-Broadway: AVENUE Q and TOZIC AVENGER. 1st National tours: 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, HAIRSPRAY, AIDA, RENT and FOOTLOOSE. She has played in numerous Broadway orchestras, most recently PROMISES PROMISES. One of her favorite credits is playing Madison Square Garden with Jeff Beck and his orchestra.

 

Tommy Newman is a book writer, composer, and lyricist. Awards: Frederick Lowe Award, 2007; Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center Fellow, 2004; Lois Garren Award, People’s Choice Award—American College Theatre Festival, The Kennedy Center, 2004. Composer: WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE, CONECUH PEOPLE, ANTIGONE, SUNDAY IN MONTGOMERY (Troy University, Davis Theatre) “29”, with Gaby Alter (Provincetown Playhouse), TINYARD HILL, with Mark Allen (Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Red Mountain Theatre, Human Race Theatre, Goodspeed, NAMT 2007), WE THE PEOPLE (Theatreworks USA), and BAND GEEKS! with Allen, Alter and Gordon Greenberg (Goodspeed 2010, NAMT 2009).
He holds a BS, Music Education and Business, Troy University. MFA, Musical Theatre Writing, Tisch. He can be found on the web at www.tommynewman.com.

 

 

Vince Pesce is the Associate Choreographer of Broadway’s Anything Goes (2011 Tony Award – Choreography.)  He recently won a TINA Award for his choreography in the Off Broadway production of Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party (Acorn Theatre).  He served as Kathleen Marshall’s Associate Choreographer on the Broadway productions of The Pajama Game starring Harry Connick, Jr. (2006 Tony Award – Choreography), Wonderful Town (2004 Tony Award – Choreography), and Little Shop of Horrors.  Vince Directed/Choreographed a tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Mexico City Company of Victor Victoria and Choreographed the National/International tours of ‘S Wonderful (World Premier), Cinderella starring Lea Salonga, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Oliver!, as well as Dancing With Abandon for the New York Fringe Festival and the pre Broadway workshop of Lucky Break Directed by John Caird.  His television choreography credits include: the HBO special "Tracey Ullman: Live and Exposed" starring Tracey Ullman, "Clash of the Choirs" starring Patti Labelle, Nick Lachey, and Michael Bolton (NBC/Series Choreographer), "Grease: You’re The One That I Want" (NBC/Series Choreographer), "Holiday Splendor" starring John Davidson (Disney Channel), "The Music Man" (Associate Choreographer) starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth (ABC/Disney), and "Once Upon a Mattress"  (Associate Choreographer) starring Carol Burnett and Tracey Ullman.

Michael Rossmy has directed stage combat and performed on Broadway in SUPERIOR DONUTS, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and the Lincoln Center production of CYMBELINE.  Regionally, he staged fights and performed in THE THREE MUSKETEERS at Seattle Repertory Theatre, PIRATES or GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLUNDER'D at the Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse and Huntington Theatre, in the opera of CYRANO DE BERGERAC at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and others. In television and film, he has acted in The Guiding Light, Law and Order SVU, and Angels in America. He has served as a fight director beginning with A Tale of Two Cities and he is a lecturer in acting at Yale School of Drama as well as delivering guest lectures at the New School for Drama and the Neighborhood Playhouse.

 

Holly-Anne Ruggiero is the Artistic Director of imPULSE Theatre in New York City and the Creative Development Director for NOLA/NY in New Orleans. She is also a General Partner of NOLA WINE LLP, which is producing an upcoming North American Tour of the hit Off Broadway musical, WINE LOVERS. Broadway/National Tour/West End: JERSEY BOYS (Resident Director); Billy Crystal’s 700 SUNDAYS; WALKING WITH DINOSAURS; DRACULA; METAMORPHOSES; ZHIVAGO – Music by Lucy Simon; MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; COVER GIRLS. Recent Credits: WINE LOVERS; STEEL MAGNOLIAS; AIDA (Le Petit Theatre, New Orleans); ALL SHOOK UP, Starring Sally Struthers and Cady Huffman (Ogunquit Playhouse); WHITE NOISE: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL (NY Workshop; Le Petit); BANG THE LAW (St. Ferdinand Church, New Orleans); GENTLEMAN’S WISH; WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? (Barrow Group, NY); JOURNEY TO JERSEY BOYS (Ars Nova, NY); WINE LOVERS(Triad Theatre, NY); FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, THE MUSICAL! (Cherry Lane Theatre, NY), PLATFORMS (Theatre at St. Clements, NY); DANCING WITH ABANDON; INVENTING AVI AVIV (Abingdon Theatre, NY); MORGAN KARR: AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE (Joe’s Pub, NYC); PANDORA (45 Bleecker), POSERVILLE; CITY OF LIGHT (Book/Director).

Sarah Saltzberg: On Broadway, Sarah Saltzberg played Logainne Schwartzandgrubenairre for two years in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She created and developed her character in C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E (upon which Spelling Bee is based), which she co-produced at the Theatorium in NYC, and appeared in both Barrington Stage productions. She has appeared off-Broadway in Junie B. Jones (Lucille Lortel), in her one-woman show Dear Diary (Broadway Spotlight Series, Ars Nova), as well as throughout NYC in long form improv comedy with the Upright Citizen's  Brigade. Sarah can be seen in the late night Broadway themed improv show Don't Quit Your Night Job, which she co-created and co-produces (www.dontquitnyc.com).   Currently, she is represented off-Broadway with the comedy Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage, which she co-wrote with Ken Davenport.  

Mark Schneider was the Resident Director of Billy Elliot: The Musical on Broadway from 2009-2011 and in 2009, was the Associate Director of Jason Robert Brown’s all teen cast rock musical, 13. From 2003-2008, Schneider worked extensively with director Doug Hughes, serving as his regular assistant and associate director. Memorable collaborations include John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning, Doubt, the New York premiere of Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius, the Tony-nominated revival of Inherit The Wind starring Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy and A Touch of the Poet starring Gabriel Byrne. Regional directing credits include Boeing-Boeing for San Diego's Old Globe and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers upcoming for the MUNY in St. Louis.  Mark is a Drama League Directing Fellow, member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and a member of the SDC.

 

Kate Shindle has appeared on Broadway in LEGALLY BLONDE (Vivienne), CABARET (Sally) and JEKYLL & HYDE (Lucy). Other NYC credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Helena), SYMPATHY JONES (Sympathy, NYMF Outstanding Individual Performance Award), THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS (Kassan), CHILDREN OF EDEN (Yonah) and PIPPIN (Leading Player) in World AIDS Day Concerts, and assorted performances at places like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center (Avery Fisher Hall and the American Songbook Series), Birdland, Joe's Pub, and Ars Nova. Regional credits include: AFTER THE FALL (Maggie) at The Alley, RESTORATION (Daphne) at La Jolla, HIMSELF AND NORA (Nora Barnacle) at the Old Globe, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, GYPSY, INTO THE WOODS, and THE MOUSETRAP. Kate has written and/or hosted numerous television specials and programs, and has been published by Newsweek, Salon.com, and The Advocate. TV/Film: CAPOTE, THE STEPFORD WIVES, WHITE COLLAR, ATWT. Random crown-related celebrity: Miss America 1998. Proud Northwestern alum and current Eastern Regional Vice-President of Actors Equity Association.

 

Judine Somerville has appeared on Broadway in HAIRSPRAY as one of the Dynamites, THE LIFE, ON THE TOWN and CRAZY FOR YOU.  She appeared at Radio City Music Hall as a Rockette and is also a Dance fitness coach and motivational speaker.  Judine attended the renowned High School of Performing Arts as well as the Alvin Ailey School.

 

 

Jessica Stone has appeared on Broadway in BUTLEY, THE ODD COUPLE, SMELL OF THE KILL, DESIGN FOR LIVING, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, & GREASE.   Off-Broadway, she has appeared in CRIMES OF THE HEART, KRISIT, THE COUJNTRY CLUB, JUNE MOON, TENDERLOIN, & BABES IN ARMS. National Tours include GREASE and BYE BYE BIRDIE with Tommy Tune.  Regional: Huntington, Mark Taper Forum, GeVa, the McCarter and six seasons at the Williamstown Theater festival. Favorite productions include SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, SHE LOVES ME, SPRINGTIME FOR HENRY, BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, WHERE'S CHARLEY, 7 TONIGHT AT 8:30. Film: How Do You Know, Failure to Launch, Loverboy, Signs, The Ice Storm . T.V.: Series regular: "Conrad Bloom," "Mr. Rhodes," "Here and Now." Guest Star: "Sesame Street (mrs. sparklenose)","The Good Wife", "Law and Order", "3 lbs", "CSI Miami ," "Ed," "Caroline in the City." Jessica recently directed an all male production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Robert Tatad has choreographed and staged numbers for Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, Jane Krakowski, Kristen Chenoweth and Gwen Stefani as well as corporate events for T-Mobile, Walmart, Coty, and Vidal Sassoon. On Broadway, Robert served as the Assistant Choreographer for the 2005 Tony Award winning revival of La Cage Aux Folles and the Associate Choreographer for the Broadway, National Tour, Toronto, and Australian productions of Rock of Ages. As a performer, numerous film, television, music videos, and concert performances include Vanessa Williams, Paula Abdul, Donna Summer, Debbie Gibson, Rita Moreno, and Rosie O’Donnell. Theatre credits include the Broadway companies of Miss Saigon and Flower Drum Song, the National Tour of Dreamgirls, and the German company of Cats.

 

Nikole Vallins is an associate at Binder Casting. Nikole has worked in casting for the past six years. As a member of Binder Casting she has worked on the Broadway/National Tours such as: FINIAN'S RAINBOW, Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, A CHORUS LINE, GYPSY, THE THIRTY NINE STEPS, GREASE, LION KING, DREAMGIRLS, IS HE DEAD?, INHERIT THE WIND, JOURNEY'S END, VIRGINIA WOOLF, SWEET CHARITY, MOVIN' OUT, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, CHICAGO, past and current seasons of ENCORES! She also worked on the dance casting for the feature films of HAIRSPRAY and NINE.

 

Eric Woodall, is a casting director with Tara Rubin and Associates.  His casting credits are numerous, including the Broadway productions of MARY POPPINS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, BILLY ELLIOT, SHREK, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE COUNTRY GIRL, ROCK N’ROLL (US casting), THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION,YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, LITTLE MERMAID, MARY POPPINS, MY FAIR LADY, PIRATE QUEEN, LES MISÉRABLES, HISTORY BOYS (US Casting), SPAMALOT, JERSEY BOYS, 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, PRODUCERS, MAMMA MIA!, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, GOOD VIBRATIONS, BOMBAY DREAMS, OKLAHOMA!, HAPPINESS, FLOWER DRUM SONG, IMAGINARY FRIENDS, METAMORPHOSES, FROGS, CONTACT, THOU SHALT NOT, and A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.