Faculty Directory

Simon Kiser

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Simon Kiser is an East Coast-based stunt coordinator, fight choreographer, and martial artist with the Society of American Fight Directors. They’ve worked in the field for over twenty years, have choreographed for the National Players, PigPen Theatre Company, and various off-Broadway houses, and are currently an associate instructor at the New York stage combat school Neutral Chaos.

Chris Knight

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Chris Knight was born in Wiesbaden, Germany and hardened by the sweaty, nearly chewable, humidity of Florida. He combines his unconditional love of art history with his conditional love of technology, topping it off with a flair for the cinematic and an uncompromising eye for detail.His work has appeared in or on Vogue, People, MSNBC, ABC, Oxygen, Ocean Drive, GQ and others.
Chris is the author of “The Dramatic Portrait,” a Profoto Legend of Light, and an instructor at Pratt Institute as well as the New York Film Academy.

Ronald Kopp

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Ron Kopp has been a regularly featured film commentator for NPR, the “Dr. Video” columnist for barnesandnoble.com, and the Film Programmer for the Paramount Center for the Arts. He is currently in post-production on a short fiction film, “The Resurrection Love Song.” His feature-length version of Jeff Cohen’s play “The Soap Myth” has been broadcast on PBS. Both “The Soap Myth” and his documentary “I Will Refuse to Bubble” are distributed by Digital Theatre. Ron joined the faculty of the New York Film Academy in 2010. He teaches Documentary Cinema Studies and hosts master classes with visiting filmmakers.

Michael Kushner

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Michael Kushner is NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate and one of the most sought after theatre photographers for headshots, portraits and backstage photography. Michael is the Executive Producer of the EMMY Nominated series Indoor Boys. His book, How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate, was released in the Spring of 2023 and published by Routledge Publishing of the Taylor & Francis Group. Michael has recently joined the board of the new regional theatre, Core Theatre Group, based in Warwick, NY. In true multi-hyphenate form, Michael served as the Director of Programming for The Green Room 42, providing the space with sold out programming post pandemic. Film: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). Performance: On the Town at Barrington Stage (Pre Broadway, Directed by John Rando), Much Ado About Nothingat Barrington Stage (Directed by Julie Boyd), Sons on the Prophet at GableStage (Directed by Joe Adler). He is the creator of his one man show, Moo With Me (Directed by Max Crumm). In June of 2021, Michael’s one person musical cabaret Michael Kushner Sings His Hits for Pride was part of 54 Below’s reopening programming as the industry opens after the CoVid-19 pandemic. Photography: Featured in The NYTimes, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, Women’s Wear Daily, and more. Creator of The Dressing Room Project. Michael has photographed Hillary Clinton, Tom Hanks, Patti LuPone, Idina Menzel, Julie Andrews, and many more notable artists. Producing: Emmy Nominated web series, Indoor Boys, created by Wes Taylor and Alex Wyse, XaveMePlease, starring Isaac Powell, (Frameline43 Festival in San Fran). Michael is one of the founding members of Musical Theatre Factory, currently in residency with Playwrights Horizons, and was awarded the first ever MTF Builder Award. Michael produced and directed (as well as performed in) the sold out evening of 54 Celebrates Mel Brooks, starring Richard Kind, Veanne Cox, and more. During CoVid-19, Michael has stayed active in the theatre community by serving as Director of Photography and producing virtual events such as Moments in the Woods (A Virtual Gala for the HFWAA featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, nominated for a BroadwayWorld Award), Betsy Wolfe’s A Pants Optional Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play featuring The Skivvies with Laguna Playhouse, and Leslie Kritzer’s Holiday Show for The Actors’ Home. Active participant with Covenant House. In 2020, Michael served as 2020 KeyNote speaker for Florida Thespians. Michael was recently awarded the 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Ithaca College. Michael teaches theatre business to the advanced NYU performance students at The Lee Strasberg Institute as well as the New York Film Academy.

Stephanie Jean Lane

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Stephanie Jean Lane is an actor, dancer, director, and teacher based in New York City. She was a company member of Punchdrunk’s Sleep No Morefrom 2018-2022, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Guthrie Theater, Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company, Elm Shakespeare, LaMaMa ETC, The Brick, in Edinburgh and Shanghai, and on TV and film. Prior to her acting career, Stephanie danced professionally for Ani Javian, Rocha Dance Theater, and The Painted Ladies. She teaches acting, movement, and voice at New York Film Academy, coaches privately, makes original work for stage and film, and collaborates and creates with Society Theatre Company. MFA: NYU Grad Acting.

James Lane

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James T. Lane- From Philadelphia. West End: The Scottsboro Boys, A Chorus Line – Revival (Palladium Theatre). Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate (Paul), King Kong the Musical ,The Scottsboro Boys (Ozie Powell/Ruby Bates), Chicago and A Chorus Line (Richie Walters). National Tours: Jersey Boys, Cinderella, Fame the Musical. Regional Theatre: Mary Poppins (Bert) Drury Lane Theatre, The Wiz (Tin Man), Broadway at Music Circus,The Old Globe, The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) The Muny, A.C.T and Dallas Theatre Center. Encores/Off Center: Promenade,Grand Hotel, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope Concerts: Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, Ottawa Symphony and many more. Mr. Lane teaches music theatre dance when and wherever anyone will let him! Instagram: @jamestlane www.jamestlane.com

Rafael Lessa

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Rafael Lessa is a filmmaker with over 14 years of experience working for players like Amazon and Netflix. He transitions between commercially successful TV projects and artistically relevant films on the international stage. His latest feature film as a screenwriter, “Rule 34”, won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno and has screened in multiple festivals such as Busan, Tallinn Black Nights, and Newfest. In addition, Rafael was the head writer and co-producer of the show “Lov3” for Amazon and won the Brazilian Writer’s Association award. He also wrote seasons one and two of “Samantha!”, a Netflix series. He’s also the head writer of “The Adventures of Jose and Durval” for Globo, the 4th biggest network in the world, and produced by Latin America powerhouse O2 Films (City of God). Rafael has also collaborated with filmmaker Alex Moratto as a screenplay consultant for his films awarded at the Independent Spirit Awards and Venice Film Festival. Rafael began his screenwriting career with the short “Tá,” winner of the Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival. He holds an MFA degree with Honors from Columbia University and a joint MBA in the Business of Entertainment from the University of Southern California.

Jack Lipson

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Multi-musical-hyphenate Jack Lipson composed the theme and score to zenroom, a new sitcom starring Cheri Oteri. The LA-native-turned New Yorker co-writes music, lyrics, and -stars alongside his twin brother in Jack & Benny Lipson’s “sensational, clever, and astute” revues across the country. They also penned Miranda, Please!, an “opera buffalo,” and Brainstorm, a song cycle of their material.

The LA Phil commissioned Jack to co-curate and -arrange a Weimar-era Berlin cabaret for their 2020 Weimar Festival. MD highlights include 3 shows with writer Mark Saltzman: Romeo & Bernadette (off-Broadway 2022), Another Roll of the Dice (arrangements/orchestrations, world premiere 2019), and Alice, Formerly of Wonderland (vocal arrangements); Sweet Charity (dir. Kathleen Marshall with Laura Bell Bundy, Reprise 2.0), Dot Dot Dot (TheatreWorksUSA), and on Welcome to Chippendales (with Andrew Rannells, Hulu).

Jack has piano’ed and sung supporting Idina Menzel, Josh Groban, esperanza spalding, Darren Criss, Broadway legend Barbara Dixon, and many more at venues from The Hollywood Bowl to Disney Hall. Jack currently writes in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop and earned his Bachelor’s in music composition at UCLA.

Diakeim Lyles

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A native New Yorker, Diakeim began his career in the business attending LaGuardia HS of the Performing Arts.

He continued studying acting with a focus on filmmaking, and spent a year abroad at Middlesex University in London via SUNY Binghamton’s BFA program.He completed a stage manager/PA apprenticeship at the Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College, working with prominent actors like Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell. His diverse training led him to pursue film/TV casting on commercials and several independent films, including The Hebrew Hammer and The Caller Returns. Diakeim Lyles has been a commercial casting for the last 21+ years and now works independently with various casting houses in the New York area including: Brooke Thomas Casting, Envision Studios, House Casting, Allison Twardziak Casting, Liz Lewis Casting to name a few. He is also a private virtual acting coach and teaches commercial audition classes. Actors respond to his outgoing personality making them feel relaxed during auditions so that clients always get their best performance. He loves casting.

Christopher Macdougall

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Christopher Macdougall is an attorney based in NYC, where he represents individual and business clients primarily in the arts and entertainment fields, including film, television, music, dance, theater, and literature. He also represents small businesses and startups. While his practice is primarily focused on deal making, transactional work, and general business advice, Mr. Macdougall has dispute resolution and litigation experience. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Macdougall serves as outside business affairs for L.A. Dance Project, a nonprofit dance and arts organization.

Mr. Macdougall holds a law degree from Rutgers School of Law. Before attending law school, Christopher danced with the New York City Ballet for a number of years. With a background as a creative professional, Mr. Macdougall brings a unique and personal perspective to his legal practice.

David Mager Dean of Faculty Chair of Media Arts

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Chair of Photography

Native New Yorker David Mager has worked as a commercial photographer for over 20 years, shooting mostly in the publishing market. Clients have included Disney, DK, Scholastic, Der Speigel, McGraw-Hill, Penguin, Time Out NY, Parents Magazine, and Park Place Magazine, to name a few.

David is an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop Lightroom and has received a Master’s of Professional Studies from the School of Visual Arts as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University.

For the last 10 years, David has been teaching and sharing his industry experience with students at the New York Film Academy.

Mike Magliocca

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Mike Magliocca is a teaching artist with experience in acting, stunts, and both stunt and intimacy coordination. He has worked on studio, independent, and graduate student films, as well as Off-Broadway and Regional theaters. As an educator and artist, Mike has worked at NYU Tisch Graduate Program, Barnard University, PACE University, Brooklyn College Feirstein Graduate School, Skidmore College, Long Island University – Brooklyn, and many others. MFA in Acting – Brooklyn College. Coordinator of the NY Summer Sling, one of the world’s largest and longest-running workshops for stunts and stage combat. Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

T.J. Mannix Associate Chair of Performing Arts
(Acting for Film)

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T.J. Mannix has been teaching acting and auditioning for the camera and the stage for almost two decades. His former students can be seen on Broadway, in films, and on television as series regulars and guest stars. He is an alumnus of the University of Miami, Florida and has taught master classes across the U.S., Canada, and 14 countries.

T.J. has appeared in 85+ TV and radio commercials and roles on “Law and Order: SVU,” “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “All My Children,” “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and numerous appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”

He is 24-year veteran improvisor in NYC and Chicago, and has toured with several casts of The Second City/NCL. He was an original cast member and host of the innovative, “NY Times approved,” ”BLANK: the Musical” off-Broadway.

He is the founder of the 12th annual New York Musical Improv Festival http://www.NYMIF.com and is currently touring with the epic one-man improvised musical “LimboLand.” He admits to spending a very dark year working as a Mouseketeer.

Ben Maraniss

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Ben has worked extensively with Spaceman Media and Scrollmotion, creating dozens of short films, commercials, and interstitials, for companies such as AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, and Super Deluxe. He received his MFA in Film and Television Writing from the University of Southern California. First Things Last, a narrative iPhone application he co-created at Scrollmotion, was featured at the American Film Institute’s 2009 DigiFest. The International Screenwriters Association named Ben’s one-hour drama Weimar the Pilot Grand Prize winner in the 2015 TRMS competition. Another hour-long drama, Secret & Confidential, was listed on the Tracking Board as one of the 100 best pilots of 2016. Currently, Ben is working with producer Fredrica Drotos on an original series Ivan’s Hammer. His articles on cinema and pop culture have been featured in the N+1 Film Review Supplement.

Peter Marciano

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Peter Marciano is a New York-based actor and teacher from Syracuse, NY. He has been teaching at The New York Film Academy since 2015 and currently serves as the Head of Acting for The Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre and Head of Voice for the Acting For Film program. He is a Designated Linklater Teacher, having studied voice and Shakespeare under master teacher, Kristin Linklater, in Orkney, Scotland. He trained with Louis Colaianni and is a Certified Colaianni Speech Practitioner, specializing in phonetics and dialects. He has most recently performed in St. Lucy of the Eyes, Richard III, If Stars Are Lit, and Twelfth Night. He has taught voice, movement, and acting on three continents, and coached actors appearing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours. He is a Co-Founder of Purple Ribbon Shakespeare, a NYC based nonprofit theatre company. He holds an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.

Burton Mazzone

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Burton began performing in New York AEA productions at age nine, with credits including Gypsy, Oliver!, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Boyfriend, Phantom, Ragtime, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Camelot, and Pirates of Penzance. He has performed and directed internationally in Rome, Tahiti, Toronto, Easter Island, Basel, Madeira, Mallorca, and Geneva, and his TV/film work includes seven years on NBC’s 30 Rock, appearances on SNL, Vinyl, The Sopranos, Law & Order: SVU, and roles in projects directed by Woody Allen, Sydney Pollack, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. A graduate of the Hartt College of Music, Burton has also run a successful private voice studio in Bermuda since 2002 and in Zurich from 2008–2009. He is now teaching at NYFA, honored to work with its brilliant faculty and inspiring students.