PTW’s Expert Faculty will Help Your Child Soar
Each of our teachers brings to PTW their professional expertise and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers. From Broadway and SAG-AFTRA veterans to industry experts, the PTW team is equipped to provide unparalleled guidance and mentorship to every artist, at every level of development. PTW’s growing success as the tristate area’s leading performing arts school has much to do with its top notch faculty—hand-picked by Executive Artistic Director Dean Kravitz, a veteran artist & educator with a keen eye for talent, empathy & a bold presence in an encouraging learning environment. He selects elite professionals with high-level training who love teaching and sharing their expertise, experience, and love for the theatre with others. They are gifted, award-winning artists who are currently active in their respective fields.
The PTW Difference
PTW faculty are skilled in “teaching the whole performer.” In addition to their extensive resumes in award-winning stage & screen work, faculty members draw from a wealth of research-based teaching methods to engage aspiring artists of every ability and every level of development. These methods include but are not limited to Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset which focuses on hard work, skill-building, and personal breakthroughs; differentiated instruction which ensures each student receives the attention, encouragement & learning opportunities they need to thrive as an individual; and Bloom’s Taxonomy, which helps students organize their learning objectives in a clear and useful way, empowering benchmark successes throughout the semester.
Dean Kravitz
PTW Executive Artistic Director & Music Director
Teaching Areas: Song Interpretation; Musical Theatre Performance; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep; Private Lessons
Dean began his studies at age 5 on the violin, adding piano at 7. After debuting at Carnegie Hall at age 11, he received the Van Cliburn Award for piano performance at age 13. Dean studied violin, piano, composition, and scoring at the Eastman School of Music where he won the Duke Ellington Award for Outstanding Arranging and Composition. He also received the highest score in the BMI Musical Theatre Songwriting competition in 1986.
Dean graduated with honors from Yale University in 1987 where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Composition. While there, Dean composed, orchestrated, and musical directed Experiments—a full-length musical performed live at commencement—and studied orchestration with Juilliard faculty alumnus Jacob Druckman and composition with Nine composer Maury Yeston. Dean has also studied jazz improvisation with legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods. He has studied vocal pedagogy and voice therapy at Westminster Choir College and choral conducting at University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Dean is a New Jersey Certified Teacher, having received his Masters in Teaching in 2008, and recently served as Choral Director for the School District of the Chathams.
Through his production companies Dean Kravitz Music (DKM) and Elasticmusic, Dean has composed, orchestrated, and performed for over 150 National and Regional TV/Radio commercials from major advertising agencies in New York, Boston, Dallas, and California for products such as Pepsi, Toys R Us, McDonalds, Reebok, Motorola, Lady Footlocker, Hefty, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Clairol. Dean has composed, orchestrated, and arranged music for several cartoons on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. programming, plus music that premiered the TV Land network. His music still plays across the airwaves and in digital spaces.
Howard Kravitz
1930-2009
PTW Founder
Howard received his Bachelor of Science at The Juilliard School and his Master of Arts from Columbia University. He was certified in the state of New Jersey in both Supervision and Administration, and served New Jersey Public Schools as a devoted teacher and Director of Music for 35 years. In 1992, Howard left the public school system to serve PTW full time, ensuring the school’s rapid and continued expansion in both enrollment size and course offerings. Howard’s compositions and arrangements have been performed worldwide by such notable leaders as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, and Phil Woods. He wrote arrangements for WABC-TV, The ARLENE FRANCIS Show, and other iconic programming. PTW upholds Howard’s commitment to the performing arts and carries on his legacy of spotlighting what’s unique and beautiful in every performer.
Brian Loeffler
Musical Theatre Department Chair
Teaching Areas: Show Director & Choreographer; Song Interpretation; Acting; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Brian’s long list of credits includes Broadway’s Grease starring Rosie O’Donnell, plus national & international tours, including Bye Bye Birdie starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking; West Side Story (Riff); and Oklahoma! (Will Parker – 50th Anniversary Production). He has served as director and choreographer for myriad regional productions, including Jerry Springer: The Opera; Urinetown: The Musical (Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award and After Dark Award for Choreography); Pirates of Penzance; Grease; Disney’s Aladdin; A Chorus Line; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Anything Goes; Damn Yankees; The Wizard of Oz; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Wit and Wisdom of Will’s Women: A Shakespeare Celebration, which he conceived and co-created; and Big River at the Mercury Theater in Chicago, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Carousel Dinner Theatre in Ohio, Seaside Shakespeare Festival in Nantucket, and Milford Theatre in Pennsylvania.
Brian has more than 15 years of teaching experience. Former students include Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire, Bully, Dawson’s Creek, Murder by Numbers, Funny Games) and Emmy-nominated actor Patrick Wilson. He is a member of both The Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and recently performed in The Taming of the Shrew at the New York Fringe Festival. Brian is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and resides in New York City.
Sherry Lorraine Harrington
Jr. Jr. Department Chair
Teaching Areas: Acting; Dance; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Sherry is an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and began dancing at age 4. She studied dance for 14 years at Anna Marie’s Academy of Dance, learning Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. She was a member of the Elysian Dance Company, performing at various venues in the Philadelphia area. When Sherry performed in her first musical for her high school’s production of Funny Girl, she was bitten by the acting bug and went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She then moved to New York for a decade, performing in local and regional theaters and short films, and continuing her studies in acting and dance. She began teaching dance and musical theatre at a children’s enrichment center, where she found her niche! After relocating to Central Jersey, Sherry joined the faculty of a local dance studio, teaching Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre to students from ages 3 to adult. She also cofounded and served as the head of the Acting Department for the inaugural year of the studio’s Musical Theatre program. Sherry continues to share her passion for the performing arts with her students, and is thrilled to be a part of the PTW family!
Carlie Craig
Comedy Crew Instructor
Teaching Areas: Voice; Acting; On Camera; Song Interpretation; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
After nearly a decade in Hollywood actively working as an actor and producer, Carlie recently relocated to New York to continue developing musical projects across television & theatre and to elevate her teaching career, all under her creative banner Queen Cornelius Entertainment. An accomplished musical comedy writer, performer and multi-hyphenate artist, Carlie is most known as a cast member on the 15th season of MADtv, where she performed spot-on impressions of vocal powerhouses Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth, plus a plethora of original characters. Additional television credits include Will & Grace, First Impressions with Dana Carvey, and Kevin Hart’s LOL Network series The Donors. Carlie couldn’t be prouder to be spearheading the PTW Comedy Crew and sharing the gift of improv and character creation with her talented students!
Rosena Hill Jackson
Teaching Areas: Voice; Song Interpretation; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
On Broadway, Rosena has performed with Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Baby Face, k.d. lang, Vanessa Williams, and Gladys Knight and Fantasia in After Midnight. Other Broadway credits include Come Fly Away (Featured Vocalist); The Color Purple (Church Lady) starring Fantasia; Monty Python’s Spamalot (Lady of the Lake) starring Tim Curry & David Hyde Pierce; Imaginary Friends (Mrs. Stillman); Oklahoma! (Ellen) 2002 revival starring Patrick Wilson; Riverdance on Broadway (Soloist); Marie Christine (Ophelia) starring Audra McDonald; and Ragtime (Sarah’s Friends). For the inaugural Nation Tour of Ragtime, Rosena portrayed Sarah. Off-Broadway credits include Cotton Club Parade at New York City Center with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Lost in the Stars at New York City Center; Tin Pan Alley Rag at the Roundabout; and IN Gathering. Regional highlights include Man of La Mancha (Aldonza); Baby (Pam); Dreamgirls (Michelle); Cinderella; Chess; Gypsy; Kiss Me Kate; La Cage aux Folles; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Carmen; and La Boheme. Rosena has performed internationally for three seasons with Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers & Band, touring Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Hungary, and The Netherlands as a featured soloist.
As a concert soloist, Rosena, has performed at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops; Teatro di Massimo Symphony Orchestra, Teatro di Lirico Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Florida Sunshine Pops, Long Island Philharmonic, Sarasota Symphony, Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic’s recording of Carousel “Live at Lincoln Center” appearing on PBS.
A native of Sarasota, Florida, Rosena’s debut CD If You Believe combines jazz, gospel, and show tunes in honor of her late father. Rosena and her husband, Grammy Award-winning trombonist Jason Jackson, run Jack & Hill Music. They perform original compositions and arrangements of jazz tunes and selections from The American Songbook.
Meghan LaFlam
Teaching Areas: Voice; Acting; Song Interpretation; Piano; Guitar; Songwriting; Professional, College & School Show Audition PreP
Meghan is a thoroughbred thespian and musical theatre vocal master. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory, where she studied classical voice, with an emphasis in Linklater Technique. Meghan studied Shakespeare and classical acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her professional credits include Sweeney Todd (Joanna), City of Angels (Mallory) with Lyric Stage Company, Henry V (Katherine) at Colonial Theater, Spring Awakening (Thea) with Gloucester Stage Company, and My Fair Lady at Bay Street Theater.
Sara Gallo
Teaching Areas: Voice; Dance; Acting; Song Interpretation; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Sara is a Philadelphia native and a graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she majored in Musical Theatre with an emphasis on Dance. Sara trained under Nadia Pavlenko & Max Ponomarenko at Elite Dance Academy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and began her training with an emphasis in ballet. Sara has gone on to perform at the country’s top regional theatres, including the MUNY, Theatre Under the Stars, North Shore Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheatre & more. Sara was thrilled to be a part of the regional premieres of Mamma Mia! as Ali (MUNY), Matilda as Mrs. Wormwood (Tuacahn), and Cinderella as Gabrielle (Tuacahn). Sara made her Broadway and National Tour debut in 2022 with 1776 The Musical and appears on the Hallmark Channel‘s A Holiday Spectacular as Sophia the Italian Rockette. She also founded “The Broadway Masterclass Series” – a program in collaboration with her alma mater high school in Montgomery County – where they bring Broadway to middle school and high school students, to educate and inspire the next generation, sharing the many career possibilities within the arts. Sara strives to bring out the best in every student in an individualized, positive, and welcoming learning environment.
Taylor Elise Gautier
Teaching Areas: Acting; On Camera; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Taylor has been involved in theater for as long as she can remember. She always knew that working in the arts was her biggest passion. At 15, she started training professionally at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, and went on to earn her Associate’s Degree in Theater from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 2022, she graduated from Lehman College with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater, as well as a 4.0 GPA. Taylor has starred in multiple short films and been cast as a recurring character in the new Amazon Prime series Narcissists of New York City. Teaching has also been a passion of Taylor’s. She has taught acting classes for multiple different organizations, including day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as after school programs for kids. She has also directed a full-length play, and directed university-level students for Acting 101 classes. Taylor is very happy to be working with PTW and hopes to inspire her students, instilling in them the love that she shares for the craft of acting.
David Guggino
Teaching Areas: Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Ballet
A Joffrey Ballet alum, Jersey boy David began his dance training at age 5; by 12, he was performing professionally with The Rainbow Company in Philadelphia. David trained with Rennie Harris, Pure Movement, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, and at the Joffery Ballet at The New School where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
David’s choreography credits include Off Broadway’s What Guys Do! (Choreographer, Director, Producer); West Side Story; The Rocky Horror Show; New Dance Group’s Sid in the City (Creator, Choreographer, Producer); A Beautiful Sadness produced by The Muse Theater. His commissioned works include We Were Always Coming Back at Symphony Space; Conversations; The Life; Sid in the City (excepts); What Guys Do! (excerpts); and Cosmic and Opposing Forces. Recently, David created a new event called Slam!Bam!Dance! which premiered at acclaimed Brooklyn venue The Knitting Factory.
His theatre highlights include Ward 9 (Bobby Fisher), West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Grease. Company credits include National & International Tours with Momix, Joffrey Ensemble, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, and the Chase Brock Experience, through which he was able to combine his interest in concert dance and theater. David is a member of Actors Equity Association and lives in New York City.
Neil Ginsberg
Teaching Areas: Show Director; Song Interpretation
Neil Ginsberg’s first experience in musical theater was playing piano for a production of Annie where the dog playing Sandy ran off the stage into the audience! Since then, he’s played piano and music directed a ton of shows including the Off Broadway and National Tour productions of Forever Plaid and Nunsense. He has made music at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Pantomonium, the New London Barn Playhouse, HERE Arts Center, and the Henry Street Settlement, among other theaters and venues. He has taught at The Juilliard School, Opera America, Brooklyn Friends School, and Avenues, and currently teaches at Kent Place School. He composes choral music performed by children and adults all over the world. One of his favorite gigs was improvising music as a silent movie accompanist at the Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles. He lives in Maplewood with his theater and music-loving family consisting of daughter Tabitha and wife Michelle Tattenbaum.
Elizabeth Southard
Teaching Areas: Voice; Song Interpretation; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Elizabeth has worked extensively in musical theatre, on Broadway, and in National Tours. Beth starred on Broadway as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, a role she also performed in the Vancouver production and for the National Tour. She was chosen by Harold Prince to star as Magnolia in his latest revival of Showboat in its First National Tour. She also appeared Off Broadway in Jack Eric Williams’ Swamp Gas and Shallow Feelings as Sherlyn. Other tours include: Christine in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom, and The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond. Regional highlights include Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Claudia in Nine, and Sukey Tawdry in Three Penny Opera.
Elizabeth has appeared as a guest soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony with Marvin Hamlisch, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Anchorage Symphony, and the Flagstaff Symphony. She also toured throughout Germany and performed at the Opera Comique in Paris. Elizabeth received her degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College School of Music. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and went on to receive first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Beth is joyously married to actor Gary Mauer and plays Mommy to Nicholas and Eden. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA).
Ava DeMary
Teaching Areas: Song Interpretation; Acting; Dance; Audition Technique; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Ava is a New York area actor, singer, and dancer who received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Television, Voiceovers, and Commercials at Pace University. She made her Broadway debut at age 8 in the Tony Award-winning musical Billy Elliot and went on to appear in the Broadway revival of Evita and with the original Broadway company of Matilda. Ava currently appears as Teen Davie Adams in the HBO Max series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin; the forthcoming feature Sweethearts, written and directed by Jordan Weiss; and the independent feature Fresh Kills, written and directed by Jennifer Esposito.
Stephanie Kurtzuba
Teaching Areas: Song Interpretation; Acting; On Camera; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
A versatile actor and producer, Stephanie has had the privilege of being directed by such acclaimed filmmakers as Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Stephen Daldry, Sir Richard Eyre, and Phylicia Rashad. Alongside these legendary directors, she has graced the screen with iconic talents including Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, and Hugh Jackman. Her artistic journey spans film, television, and live theatre. She has appeared on the silver screen in The Wolf of Wall Street; Annie (2014); and The Irishman. She has delivered memorable performances in recurring roles on popular TV series, including The Good Wife and Blue Bloods. And she has graced many a Broadway and Off Broadway stage, including as part of the original casts of Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot.
Dr. Darian Clonts
Teaching Areas: Voice; Song Interpretation; Professional, College & School Show Audition Prep
Darian is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) at Pebblebrook High School as a vocal major. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he studied voice under Dr. Uzee Brown, Jr. Darian served as a member, soloist (tenor), and accompanist for the world-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. David Morrow. He received his Master of Music degree and Doctor of Music degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied voice with Dr. Brian Horne. While attending Indiana University, he earned a minor in Musicology and a certificate in Vocology.
Darian has an extensive and wide-ranging performing career, from opera to gospel. He has performed with several prestigious opera companies, including Cincinnati Opera, The Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, The Princeton Festival, The Atlanta Opera, and the Indiana University Opera Theater. Some of his operatic roles include Benvolio (Roméo et Juliette), The Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Mingo (Porgy and Bess), Hérrison (L’Étoile), Goro (Madama Butterfly), and El Remendado (Carmen).
Darian is member of the Music & Worship Arts staff at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange, and serves on the Board of Directors for the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He also holds memberships with the National Association of Negro Musicians, the African American Art Song Alliance, the Collegiate Music Society, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In 2022, Darian was selected to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing intern program. He currently serves on the voice faculty at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, and at William Paterson University. In addition to his faculty positions, Darian maintains a private voice studio of students from various age groups. He has taught as an associate instructor at Indiana University in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. His musical research focuses on opera and African American music, and he has lectured on his research at schools and institutions across the United States.
Pro Track Industry Professionals
David Vaccari
Casting Director
Formerly with Telsey and Company, David is an independent casting director, focusing on commercials, film, and television. His film projects include Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson; The Intern, starring Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway; Focus, starring Will Smith; and The Kitchen, starring Melissa McCarthy. He has also contributed to the casting of Friends With Kids, Howl, and Jonah Hex, and collaborated with Gus Van Sant on Restless; Paranoid Park; and Finding Forrester, starring Sean Connery. Other projects include Rachel Getting Married; Then She Found Me; Across the Universe; Ira and Abby; Keane; Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power; The Bone Collector, starring Denzel Washington; and Pieces of April, which earned an Oscar nomination for Patricia Clarkson.
David also has cast numerous TV pilots, notably NBC’s This Is Us, as well as I’m Dying Up Here; Penny Dreadful; Nightcap; Murphy Brown; A Gifted Man; House of Cards; NOS4A2; and Time After Time, reuniting with childhood friend Marcos Siega.
David boasts a portfolio of over 1,500 commercials, collaborating with esteemed directors such as Martin Scorsese, Barry Levinson, Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, Christopher Guest, and many more. His expertise extends to casting for musical theater productions, including groundbreaking shows like the original Broadway production of Rent; The Capeman; Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me; and Hairspray. David has collaborated with luminaries like David Mamet, Eric Bogosian, Woody Allen, Estelle Parsons, and Al Pacino.
He has taught at Brown University / Trinity Rep, Stonestreet Studios (a drama conservatory of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts), and at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. A member of the Casting Society of America, David is a three-time nominee for their Artios award for excellence in casting.
Victoria Kress
Leadership Team; Theater, TV & Film Agent
The Osbrink Agency, New York & Los Angeles Offices
Formerly with A3 Artists Agency, Victoria has recently established the east coast office of esteemed talent agency The Osbrink Agency. Specializing in representing young adults and children aged 6-25, Victoria has curated an impressive roster of talent. Her clients have secured series regular roles on acclaimed shows like Young Sheldon; This Is Us; and the Netflix hit Dash and Lily, among others. Additionally, they have made significant breakthroughs in feature films such as Jordan Peele’s Us; Doctor Sleep; and the live-action adaptation of The Lion King. Victoria’s keen eye for talent and her dedication to nurturing emerging performers have solidified her reputation as a leading agent in the industry.
Sunday, April 27, 1-4:30pm
Mallory Levy
Director, Youth Division; Agent
DDO Artists Agency, New York Office
Mallory specializes in working with young actors (ages 6-26) across TV, film, theatre, and commercials. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Mallory previously held positions at CESD Talent Agency and Innovative Artists. Her clients have appeared in Broadway productions such as The Lion King, A Beautiful Noise, and Tina Turner, as well as National Tours including Frozen, Hello Dolly, The Sound of Music, Rent, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Hamilton. Mallory’s clients have also made appearances on popular TV shows such as The Blacklist, Law & Order, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Life & Beth, Billions, and New Amsterdam, among others. With Mallory’s expertise and dedication, she continues to nurture and guide emerging talent, facilitating their growth and success in the entertainment industry.
Rebecca Gushin
Associate Casting Director
Alyssa Weisberg Casting
Rebecca has been a bi-coastal casting professional for over 20 years. Now mostly exclusive to New York, her career has included work on Broadway, in television, and in film, for both independent and studio features. Her film credits include Before We Go, Allegiance, The Vicious Kind, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Run All Night, Wiener-Dog, and the recently released indie feature Adam the First starring David Duchovny and Oakes Fegley. TV credits include Dickinson (Seasons 2 & 3) for Apple TV+, FBI (pilot and Season 1) for CBS, the final season of Younger for TVLand/Hulu, Uncoupled for Netflix, and the upcoming limited series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live for AMC/AMC+. She is a graduate of the Brearley School for Girls in New York City and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Sunday, May 4, 1-4:30pm
Maureen E. Rose
Vice President, Adult Commercial Division; Youth & Adult Voiceover Division Agent
Osbrink Agency, Los Angeles Office
Maureen is a graduate of the Visual and Performing Arts program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Since joining the Osbrink Agency in 2004, Maureen has made significant strides in building the Voiceover Division into one of the industry’s top competitors. In addition to deploying her expertise in voiceover, she assumed leadership of the Adult Commercial Division after her ninth consecutive year at the agency. Maureen’s standout qualities include her keen eye and ear for talent, her passion for dialogue directing, and her commitment to developing talent.
Jen Rudin
Casting Director
Jen is an award-winning casting director and author of the book Confessions of a Casting Director, published by HarperCollins. Jen began her career as a professional child actor in New York City. She spent seven years as casting director and executive at The Walt Disney Company, casting such beloved animated feature films as The Incredibles, Chicken Little, and The Princess and the Frog, and overseeing the Broadway casting and domestic tours for The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and High School Musical. Recent casting credits include, among others, the Netflix animated series Arcane and Dead End: Paranormal Park. Jen wrote and executive produced the short film Lucy in the Sky, starring Whoopi Goldberg, under her previous banner, Purple Glasses Productions, and cast the late Peter Bogdanovich’s final film She’s Funny That Way. She’s currently casting multiple films and a new musical.
Sunday, May 18, 1-4:30pm
Ashley Acarino
Manager
Nouveaux Management
Ashley has facilitated bookings for clients across a wide spectrum of projects from household names like Nickelodeon, Google, Disney, and Apple to renowned entities such as American Girl, Red Lobster, and Capital One. Ashley has secured opportunities for talent across various industries; her clientele’s work spans diverse sectors including entertainment, technology, retail, and more. From iconic brands like Sesame Street and Pillsbury to major corporations such as AT&T, Walmart, and Amazon, Ashley has ensured her clients’ visibility in prominent campaigns and productions. Ashley’s portfolio also includes collaborations with notable shows and franchises like Law & Order, Good Morning America, and Nickelodeon Animation. She has facilitated engagements in film projects such as Bride Wars, Side Effects, and Billy Elliot, demonstrating her expertise in navigating both television and cinema landscapes. Representing a range of talent, Ashley provides opportunities for print models, voiceover artists, commercial actors, theater performers, and film and TV actors. Her extensive network and keen eye for matching talent with appropriate projects have solidified her reputation as a respected professional in the industry.
Barry Shapiro
Owner, President & Casting Director
Herman & Lipson Casting
Barry boasts over 35 years of experience as a successful casting professional. His recent clients include industry giants like L’oreal, ESPN, Advil, and Verizon, among others. Beyond casting, Barry is passionate about teaching on-camera workshops for all ages. Before becoming a casting director, he managed a rehearsal studio for Broadway shows and worked as a producer for a leading fashion commercial director. During his extensive tenure at Herman & Lipson Casting, spanning over 37 years, he has cast more than 8,000 commercials, both voiceover and on camera, for renowned brands. Barry’s work extends globally, casting commercials across various continents, fortifying his reputation as a trusted industry professional.
Sunday, May 18, 1-4:30pm
David Doan
Vice President, Young Talent in the Theatrical Department
CESD Talent Agency
With over 20 years of industry experience, David excels as a youth agent, specializing in booking young actors for TV, Film, and Theater projects. Previously, David held pivotal roles as Head of the Theatrical Department at Generation TV, Talent Manager at J. Mitchell Management, and Casting Director for Nickelodeon. During his tenure at Nickelodeon, he contributed to the casting of successful pilots such as Victorious and Big Time Rush, earning a nomination for a 2012 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for Nick Jr.’s Bubble Guppies. David’s dedication to nurturing and launching the careers of young performers has garnered widespread recognition. He was featured in Variety’s 2015 Youth Impact Report, alongside fellow industry leaders, for his impact across media and entertainment. The Talent Managers Association honored David with a Heller Award for Northeast Youth Agent of the Year in 2019 and 2022.
Angela Mickey
Managing Director, Casting
Liz Lewis Casting Partners
With over 24 years of experience in the industry, Angela specializes in casting for commercial, voiceover, film, TV, and theater projects, with a focus on comedy, real people, and theatrical casting. Angela enjoys collaborating with both seasoned professionals and emerging talents, tailoring unique plans for each project and serving as a valuable partner in the production process. Her outstanding work earned her the 2019 Heller Award for Best Northeast Commercial and VO Casting. She is also a proud member of CSA’s Equity in Entertainment committee.
Recent animation/podcast voiceover projects include Dee and Friends in Oz for Netflix; SuperKitties for Disney Jr; Get Rolling with Otis for Apple TV+; The Snow Globe in conjunction with Chick-fil-A; This Job is History for Wondery; and Killer Questions with Daryn Carp for ID. Recent film projects include Martyr of Gowanus, Lifetime’s 12 Days of Christmas Eve, The Legend of Lake Ronkonkoma: The Lady of the Lake, Filipino production The Girl Who Left Home, Hallmark’s One Royal Holiday, Where Are You Christmas?; and Mystic Christmas.
Recent on camera commercial projects include those for Spectrum, UberEats, DCU, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tillamook, DoorDash, Woodbridge, NJ Lottery, and Marriott. Recent real people projects include New York Presbyterian, Aleve, NorthAmerican Bancard, Chevy (Spanish language), Wells Fargo (Spanish language), and JC Penney (Spanish language), plus a variety of editorial projects for Condé Nast in the health and wellness space.
Saturday, June 21, 11am-2:00pm
Merri Sugarman
MCasting Director
Tara Rubin Casting
A former actress, Merri is widely recognized as a master teacher, mentor, and industry leader. Her workshops on audition materials, college showcases, and navigating the entertainment industry have gained nationwide esteem. Renowned for her warmth and personalized approach, Merri’s expert coaching has guided countless actors toward successful careers. Her casting office has been instrumental in bringing to life some of Broadway’s most beloved shows, including SIX, Dear Evan Hansen, Ain’t Too Proud, School of Rock, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Trevor the Musical. Her extensive experience includes casting for Broadway, National Tours, Chicago, Las Vegas, and international productions of acclaimed shows such as Spamalot, Jersey Boys, and Jesus Christ Superstar. In addition to her work on Broadway, Merri has cast for Off-Broadway productions, including Clueless the Musical, and for numerous regional theaters, including the Paper Mill Playhouse and The Kennedy Center. She’s also involved in TV and film projects, workshops, labs, and developmental readings, showcasing her versatility and depth of experience in the entertainment industry. Merri’s contributions extend to web productions, as she serves as the casting director for the critically acclaimed web series Submissions Only. With her keen eye for talent and dedication to nurturing performers, Merri continues to leave a lasting impact on the entertainment landscape.
Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick
Casting Director
Danielle is a Casting Executive and New York Casting Director for Nickelodeon, Paramount Plus, Awesomeness TV, Nick Preschool, and Noggin. She oversees the casting of pilots, series, TV movies, digital content, podcasts, and promotional material for these networks. Danielle has led nationwide casting searches and open calls, both virtually and in cities across the U.S. and Canada, identifying fresh talent for a range of Nickelodeon projects. Her casting credits include shows like Slime Time, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Drama Club, The Barbarian and the Troll, The Astronauts, Side Hustle, Blue’s Clues & You, and many more beloved series. Her work has helped shape iconic Nickelodeon content that includes titles like Big Time Rush, Victorious, Dora The Explorer, and Bubble Guppies. Danielle plays a vital role in developing new talent and guiding the creative vision of Nickelodeon’s extensive range of programming.
