Performing Arts Faculty

Robert Aronowitz

Robert Aronowitz is a New York City based SAG-AFTRA Stunt Performer, Fight/Intimacy Coordinator, Actor, and Certified Combat Instructor. Robert is the Co-Founder of Neutral Chaos a company that offers choreographic solutions, private combat instruction, and masterclass training opportunities in the greater New York City area. Robert is also the founding coordinator of a 3-day stage and screen stunt workshop, “The Tourist Trap” held annually in Orlando, Florida.

Blanche Baker

Blanche Baker is an actress of stage, screen and television. After attending Wellesley College, Blanche made her television debut in the miniseries Holocaust, for which she won an Emmy Award. Her feature films include Sixteen Candles, The Handmaid’s Tale with Robert Duvall, Raw Deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Kevin Bacon HBO film Taking Chance. She was part of the Yale Repertory Theatre and Anna Sokolow’s dance troupe. Her theatre roles include Steel Magnolias and Edward Albee’s Lolita with Donald Sutherland. Blanche is Senior Faculty at the New York Film Academy where she teaches in both the Acting and Musical Theatre Departments. She wrote and directed the award-winning short films Streetwrite and Make America Safe.

Matthew Bellows Acting for Film Instructor

Matthew Bellows is a classically trained actor with an MFA from the prestigious Old Globe. With over 50 current tv and film credits to his name, Matthew’s credits range from the professional stage in Anna Christie, The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure (and more) to Television in The Mandalorian, recurring roles on New Amsterdam and Snowfall, and major roles on FBI International, United States of Al, Brooklyn 99, as well as big studio features, The Gray Man, Captain Marvel and Hereditary to name a few.

Michael Bershad Acting for Film Instructor

BA, Criminology, University of MD. Trained with Stella Adler, Michael Shurtleff, David LeGrant. Series regular, 2 seasons, “Capitol”. Theatrical Agent with Stephan Gray Artists. Casting: Glenn Larson Prods, White Eagle Prods (Sylvester Stallone). Cable Ace Awards Judge, 5 years. Produced 3 films, including the feature, “Dispatch” (Netflix, Amazon), which he also wrote and starred in.

Charissa Bertels

CHARISSA BERTELS is a Broadway actress and champion of new musicals. Charissa recently toured the country in the first national tour of If/Then, starring Idina Menzel, La Chanze and Anthony Rapp. She made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway cast of Pasek & Paul’s Tony-nominated musical A Christmas Story, and later reprised her role at Madison Square Garden. As part of the singing ensemble for New York City Center Encores’ productions of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Lady Be Good, her work can be heard on the subsequent cast recordings, featuring Megan Hilty and the legendary Tommy Tune.

Charissa starred to rave reviews in her original one-woman musical, My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend, at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT), for which she received an IRNE award for Best Solo Performance. Her newest collaboration, The Uncivil Ones (Finalist: Rhinebeck, NextFest @ Latte Da, Live & In Color; Semi-Finalist: NAMT, O’Neill), features unheard female, trans and non-binary voices from the Civil War and garnered the 2019 Special Mention for the Women in Arts & Media Coalition Collaboration Award.

She can be seen in two of NYFA’s original musical films: “Gingerbread House” and “It Is What It Is”.

www.charissa.nyc

Lauren Ann Brickman

As an actor Lauren has appeared on screen in such projects as FBI: most wanted, Bull, Gloria Bell, Alterlatino, Stuffed with Lisa Lampanelli, and much more including being a former house performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade & a company member of The Story Pirates. As an educator Lauren has worked at Adelphi University, Montclair State, CUNY City Tech, CUNY Queensborough, and the University of Iowa where she earned her MFA in acting. Lauren is also a published writer for periodicals such as Glamour magazine & freelance director. She is also the 1/2 of the comedy duo we Stan together.

Kathryn Jane Calahan

Kathy Calahan is a Broadway performer, teacher, and choreographer–and is happiest when her skills help to inspire future generations. She is currently teaching tap and theatre dance classes at the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at NYFA, Dance Molinari, and the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. She has taught voice at the MTC’s School of Performing Arts, LaGuardia Community College, The Broadway Artists Intensive, and The Broadway Arts Lab. Kathy enjoyed a five-year run in Broadway’s Mary Poppins, where she performed as a swing, covering over 10 parts, including Bird Woman, Mrs. Corry, and Miss Lark. She toured nationally in the original production of Ragtime, shared the stage with Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot, and danced in Randy Skinner’s pre-Broadway production of White Christmas. Favorite regional credits include Dolly in Annie Get Your Gun, Josie in George M!, Polly in Crazy For You, and Woman 2 in And the World Goes ‘Round. As a choreographer, Kathy’s credits include White Christmas, Cole!, The Fantasticks, How to Succeed…, The Melody Lingers On, and Broadway’s Easter Bonnet Competition. Kathy received her BFA from The Boston Conservatory, and was trained classically in voice and piano at The Eastman School of Music. Teachers and mentors: Bob Audy (tap), Luigi (jazz), and Rita Shane (voice).  www.kathycalahan.com

Nick Cartell

Nick recently completed a two and a half year run as prisoner 24601, aka Jean Valjean on the National Tour of Les Misérables. He was previously seen in Paramour, the first musical produced on Broadway by Cirque Du Soleil, where he was a standby for and performed the three male lead roles. He also appeared in Scandalous the Musical, written by TODAY show host Kathie Lee Gifford, about the life and trials of Aimee Semple McPherson, and can be heard on the Original Broadway Cast Recording. Nick made his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated 2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, understudying the roles of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot and the High Priest Annas, all three performed. He has also toured the U.S. and Canada in The Phantom of the Opera.
​​​​
Nick has sung with the South Coast Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony and as a member of the critically acclaimed group The Broadway Boys. In March 2019 he performed his first solo show, Bringing it Home, to a sold out room at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Nick and his wife Christine are also the creators of Broadway Fights Ovarian Cancer, a benefit organization raising awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer research.
​
A graduate of Arizona State University with a BFA in Theatre, Nick enjoyed a brief stint in Japan performing with a certain famous Mouse. While there he met his incredible wife, actress/singer Christine Cartell.

Christopher Cass Acting for Film Instructor

BA in Theatre, University of Georgia. NY and LA credits include “Rounding Third,” “Jerusalem,” “Gaining Ground,” “RFK” (Off-Broadway), “Sleepwalk,” “Born in the RSA,” “Much Ado” (Central Park), “Henry V” (Off-Broadway) and “Macbeth.” Television credits include: “ER,” “Like Family,” “Tucker,” “Fired Up,” “Cedric the Entertainer,” “Night Court,” and many more.

Kristy Cates

Kristy Cates has been a professional actress in New York City for over two decades. She made her Broadway debut in the Original Broadway Cast of the smash hit, Wicked, as the understudy to Idina Menzel, and can be heard on the iconic cast recording. She went on to play the lead role of Elphaba in Wicked (Broadway, First National Tour, Chicago), Miss Bassett in Finding Neverland (Broadway), Grandma Josephine in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Original Broadway Cast/Cast Recording), Jerry Springer: the Opera (Carnegie Hall), as well as numerous off-Broadway and Regional productions.

She is a professional voiceover artist and has been heard on national tv/radio commercials for such brands as Subway, Almay Cosmetics, Chase Bank, PNC, and more. Kristy is an original member of NYFA’s Musical Theatre faculty dating back to 2009 and has taught master classes in musical theatre technique worldwide. In 2019, she was named “Young Alumni of the Year” by her esteemed alma mater, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, for her combined accomplishments in performance and teaching. Kristy is honored to be the current Chair of Musical Theatre for the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at The New York Film Academy.

José Alberto Venutolo Chirinos

José Venutolo is a freelance Filmmaker based in New York City since 2010, he works as a Director, Producer, Editor, DIT, Videographer, and Educator. Born and raised in Venezuela he found his way to New York in 2008 and pursued studies in filmmaking at the New York Film Academy from 2008 to 2010, he’s fluent in Spanish and English, and conversational Italian. Teaches Directing and Editing at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) and is currently the Director of the NYFA Teen Summer Camps at the New York City campus; he has worked as an educator in video production and editing for The Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) as well. In his 13 years career his has work on a range of video productions from Narrative to commercial, including Short and Feature Films, Advertisement, Institutional videos, PSAs, Documentaries, and Music Videos, frequently wearing many hats on a production.

Anna Maria Cianciulli Acting for Film Instructor

Anna Maria’s work as an actor, director, writer, and producer has received nominations, awards, and recognition at many film festivals throughout the world, including Cannes.

Sanford Meisner personally assigned her the exclusive rights to bring out his seminal book, On Acting, in an Italian language edition (La recitazione – Dino Audino Editor 2007).

Anna recently played the co-star role of Juliana Chiari in the CBS series East New York, opposite Richard Kind, ended the filming of Maladaptive Daydreaming, and is currently filming My Mother is an Astronaut (2023).

She can be seen playing Gertrude on all major platforms in Hamlet/Horatio, a feature that has won 14 best film awards at festivals in the US and abroad. She also played a principal role in the Lifetime feature film Stealing Chanel.

Her solo-created short 33 Breaths was shot during the pandemic and was a finalist in the 2020 Single-Take Challenge.

Anna has produced, co-written, and coached the actors on the set of Life After Her, a multi-award-winning film shot in New York selected by the Short Corner of the Cannes Film Festival. Her film Stay has received a Special Mention from the Ouchy Film Awards Winter 2016.

As a theater director, actor, and producer she has worked with Kevin Bacon, the late Tony and Golden Globe-winner Brian Dennehy, the Academy Award winner Roberto Benigni, and the Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated Tony Danza.

Her work has been seen at: The Kitchen for a BAM event, Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Station, Joyce Soho, St. Peter’s Church, the American Museum of Natural History, and The Players Club.

Anna co-produced Tribeca in Rome – a cultural partnership between the Tribeca Film Festival and the Rome Film Festival, including the Steps and Stars Award received by Robert De Niro.

As an Acting Coach, she consulted with Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, Alessandra Mastronardi, Kick Kennedy, and Santigold, among others. She was the on-set Acting Coach of Yelo, a short film directed by Adrien Boublil (Cannes 2013).

Anna is also an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University Film MFA Program and at the Feirstein School of Cinema MFA Program.

Miguel Cruz

Miguel Cruz is a television and film director with credits that include nearly 200 TV episodes. Shows include two seasons of the number one Spanish sitcom Aida and the Emmy winning Caiga Quien Caiga. Cruz directed and produced feature film Vulnerable, which starred renowned Spanish actress Paula Echevarria. He has also developed a remake of the Argentinian blockbuster Permitidos for 20th Century Fox Studios. Cruz’s most recent project was as director for the Disney show Bunk’d. As well as a NYFA instructor, Cruz is the Director of NYFA’s Fulbright Program Initiatives, a member of the Directors Guild of America, a former Fulbright Scholar, and serves on the board of the Fulbright Association of LA.

J. Claude Deering Acting for Film Instructor

BFA from Stella Adler Studios at NYU’s Tisch School. Theatre credits include two seasons at The Williamstown Theatre Festival. A member of Lincoln Center’s LCT Directors LAB. Film and TV credits include “Side Effects” (dir. Steven Soderbergh), “The Ugly Truth,” “Room 104” (HBO), “NCIS,” “Entourage,” “12 Deadly Days” (YouTube Red), and “Inside the Box” (ABC/Shondaland). Digital producer/writer/director for Funny or Die, CollegeHumor, MSN, Fullscreen, and Chiat/Day.

Christine de Frece

Christine has been teaching vocal technique for 19 years. Her students can be seen performing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, cruise ships, and in regional theaters across the United States, Canada and internationally. She is currently a voice specialist at New York Film Academy and former Chair of Vocal performance at Circle in the Square Theatre School. As a Musical Director, Christine has directed productions of Cabaret, Urinetown, The Music Man, Gypsy, Meet Me in St. Louis and A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To The Forum. Christine is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge (BMus Vocal Performance) and Circle in the Square Theatre (Professional Musical Theatre Workshop). As an actress, Christine has been seen in productions such as Titanic, It Shoulda Been You, Ragtime, Rumors (Carbonelle Award Winner), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Follies, And The World Goes ‘Round, Cinderella, and many more.

Maria Del Bagno Acting for Film Instructor

Graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, apprenticed under renowned master choreographer, Jaime Rogers, and the “Father of Jazz Dance,” Luigi. Over 25 years of experience as a dance instructor. Named one of L.A.’s top choreographers by L.A. Jazz Dance Foundation.

John Dion Acting for Film Instructor

MFA in Directing, University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts; BA in Visual Arts-Media, University of California San Diego; 8-Week Program, New York Film Academy. Feature, series, and short film credits with Hallmark. Extensive film festival play including Palm Springs, Clermont-Ferrand, and Austin. BAFTA LA and Emmy Foundation College Television Awards student nominations. Short film television distribution on Canal+, Shorts International, and Mediaset.

Debra Dragotto Acting for Film Instructor

MFA in Screenwriting, UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, & New Media; BA in Drama, Hofstra University. Debra has studied Shakespeare at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, and Film Production at the School of Visual Arts, as well as private study with some of the leading names in the acting world. She has won numerous Drama-Logue Awards for stage directing, as well as the Jack K. Sauter Award for Artist Merit from UCLA, where she was also selected to direct her film after a year-long elimination process. Debra has credits in Acting, Directing for stage, film, and television, as well as for Casting Director, and Television Producer.

Andrew Eisenman Acting for Film Instructor

MFA in Theater Arts and Acting, Brandeis University; BA in Drama, San Francisco State University. Founding Company Member of Leviathan Lab and American Bard Theater. Directed at Leviathan Lab and Ma-Yi Theater Company in New York and Our Gang Teen Ensemble in LA. As an actor, Andrew has performed with various professional companies such as The Public Theater, New Group, Ma-Yi Theater, and the National Asian American Theater Company.

Kadina de Elejalde Acting for Film Instructor

Kadina de Elejalde is an actress and Acting teacher who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, most notably in HBO’s Indictment: The McMartin Trial, Richard the Second, and The Haunting. She has also worked extensively in the theater in both Los Angeles and New York; Her credits include “Another Part of the House” by Migdalia Cruz at Classic Stage Company, and “Bicycle Country” by Nilo Cruz at The Strasberg Theater in Los Angeles. She is committed to working on new plays, and was the recipient of a Dramalogue award for her work in The Padua New Playwright’s Festival. Presently, she is an Acting Instructor at New York Film Academy, but has also taught at Columbia College Hollywood and Woodbury University in Los Angeles. She recently was interviewed on a podcast series called Best In Fest which is titled “The Essence of Character.” She holds a Masters Degree in Acting from the Yale School of Drama.

Tim Fannon Acting for Film Instructor

MFA in Acting, Brooklyn College; BS in Theater, Skidmore College; trained at the Royal National Theatre and the British Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Extensive stage experience and commercials; film and television roles include “Kidnap”, “Bar Flies”, “After I’m Dead”, and “Review with Forrest MacNeil”. Founding member/artistic director of Fovea Floods Theater, and company member of Moving Arts.

Cathy Giannone Russo Acting for Film Instructor

BFA from Strasberg Institute at NYU. Lifetime member of Actors Studio. Has taught at Artist Theatre Group and Third Street Theatre. Recipient of two Drama Circle Awards and four DramaLogue Awards. Cathy Giannone is known for her work on The Bogus Witch Project, CB4 and The Little Rascals Save the Day.

Maria Gobetti Acting for Film Instructor

MA and BA in Theatre, UCLA. Artistic Co-Director at The Victory Theatre Center, with over 80 directing credits. Maria directed the critic’s choice world premieres of Jon Klein’s Suggestibility and Wishing Well. She also directed and produced the critic’s choice production of David Mamet’s Oleanna; the world premieres of American Iliad by Donald Freed. Maria was the 1992 recipient of Women in Theatre’s Outstanding Achievement In Theatre Award.

Lynda Goodfriend Creative Director of Acting for Film

Creative Director

Lynda received her BFA from Southern Methodist University. She has also studied with the legends, Lee Strasberg and Sandy Meisner​. Lynda is a veteran of both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions appearing in shows such as Good News, West Side Story, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Boyfriend. She was a series regular​ on the iconic hit television show “Happy Days,” and on the series “Who’s Watching the Kids,”​and “Blanksy’s Beauties.” She guest starred on shows such as Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Vegas. She has also appeared in feature films such as “Pretty Woman,” “Taxi Driver,” “The Front,” “Beaches,” ​and “Nothing in Common.”​ Lynda was owner and principle instructor of the Actors Workout School for 15 years with locations in both Los Angeles and Orange County. Her theatre, the Actors Workout Theatre in NoHo, won numerous awards for its theatrical productions. She has also directed for television and film including a Disney pilot and the television movie Four Stars. Lynda opened her management company in 1983 and developed many actors’ careers until she became Chair of the Acting Department for NYFA in Los Angeles in 2011.

Deidre Goodwin

Deidre Goodwin has been in 8 Broadway shows and has made numerous television and film appearances. Some of her Broadway credits include A Chorus Line (Shelia Bryant), Chicago (Velma Kelly), and Nine (Our Lady of the Spa). She can also be seen in the Oscar-winning film Chicago, Every Little Step, Ocean’s 8, and more. TV appearances include Chicago Med (NBC), Pose (FX), Broad City (Comedy Central), Madam Secretary (CBS), Divorce, Season 3 (HBO), and 30 Rock (NBC). As a voice-over artist, she can be heard on numerous promos on BET. She is currently The Voice of WCBS 880 and KYW Newsradio. Deidre is also a Choreographer and Director.

Miraj Grbic Acting for Film Instructor

Miraj Grbic is a Film, TV & Theater actor with more than 60 films and TV Shows including Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, The Hunting Party, Fast & Furious, Babylon, American Horror Story, SWAT, Santa Clarita Diet etc… He studied Acting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo and got his MA in Acting. He started working on Films and on the main stage of the National Theater Sarajevo in the late 90s. He worked on Films and TV shows in US, Bosnian, Croatian, Turkish, German, Australian, Irish and Italian productions while starring on TV Shows and in Theater for more than two decades in plays from Shakespeare, Chekhov, Moliere, Camus and many others. Miraj is currently filming a studio feature film and is teaching Acting for Film and Business of Acting at the New York Film Academy Los Angeles.

Dave Hanson Acting for Film Instructor

Dave Hanson is an internationally published and award winning playwright, television writer, actor, improvisor and comedian known for his work on Chelsea Lately, Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck and for his play Waiting For Waiting For Godot.
Originally from Seattle, Wa, Dave studied theatre at Whittier College, The Oxford School of Drama, and long form improv at UCB (LA/NY), IO West (LA) and The Second CIty LA.

Diana Henry

Diana Henry is an award winning professional actor with over 25 years experience in television, theatre, film, voice overs and commercials. Since 2009, Diana has been a series lead regular on ABC’s “What Would You Do?”, appearing in over 70 episodes. Other credits include: co-star roles in “The Equalizer”, “The Sinner”, “Law & Order”, “The Blacklist”; and female lead in the feature film “Fortunes”. Diana captured three NY Emmy Awards as the presenting host in “The Lineup: Best Sports Movies”, featuring Fran Healy, Spike Lee, and Chazz Palminteri. She is also a private coach for children and teens, focusing on the audition process for performing arts high schools and colleges. In 2010, she co-founded The Drawing Board NYC, a collective of screenwriters, playwrights, and actors dedicated to developing new works through table readings. Diana has an MFA in Acting at Rutgers University – Mason Gross School of the Arts, studying under William Esper and Maggie Flanigan; and a BFA in Acting at Miami University in Ohio.

Drew Hirshfield Acting for Film Instructor

As an actor Drew Hirshfield has appeared in new and old plays around the country (at places such as Magic Theatre in San Francisco, Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, and many others). Other credits include a first Broadway National Tour, network TV, and independent film. He’s been nominated for a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award and he once played a lemur, professionally. Drew has trained with, and completed a pedagogical teacher-training program under, clown and physical acting master teacher Christopher Bayes and has studied with the renowned clown Aitor Basauri of Spymonkey. He is a trained practitioner of the Michael Chekhov Technique. Drew is a an alum of the National Alliance of Acting Teacher’s Teacher Development Program.

Isabella Hoffman

A native Chicagoan, Isabella Hofmann began her acting career as a main stage member of Chicago’s Second City (alongside fellow company members Richard Kind and Dan Castellaneta.) She was also in several Chicago theatrical productions such as Painting Churches at Wisdom Bridge, Teibele and Her Demon at Northlight (for which she was nominated for a Jefferson Award), and Uncle Vanya at the Goodman Theatre (opposite John Mahoney).

After being cast as an Irish immigrant in the television movie Independence (for which she received The Western Heritage Award), Isabella moved to Los Angeles where she went on to become a series regular on such shows as Dear John (with Judd Hirsch), The Boys (with Chris Meloni), Homicide: Life on the Street (Melissa Leo, Andre Braugher, Daniel Baldwin), and Beggars and Choosers (Christina Hendricks). She’s also recurred on The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Providence, JAG, The Practice, and Criminal Minds.

Her feature credits include Dreamer, West End (in post production), Burlesque, Princess Diaries II, Little Chenier, Touched By A Killer, Tripwire, and Renaissance Man.

Hofmann still lives in Los Angeles with her son Atticus, and continues to work in film, television, and theater.

Kenny Ingram

Kenny Ingram is proud to have been a part of the New York Film Academy’s musical theatre faculty for four years as a tap and jazz dance instructor. He also has had the pleasure of teaching tap for NYFA’s high school summer programs. Mr Ingram is currently in Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway.

Corey Johnson Acting for Film Instructor

Corey Johnson is an actor and writer and holds his MFA in Acting from the University of Southern California.

TV credits include NBC’s Mr. Mayor, ABC’s One Life To Live, Adam Ruins Everything on TruTV, and Jennifer Falls on TVLand. He can be seen as Dave in Buddy and Bernice, produced by Kevin Hart’s LOL Studios, streaming on Peacock. He appears alongside Robyn Lively, Bart Johnson, and Arden Myrin in the feature film, Strong Father, Strong Daughters and can be seen in the 2019 Sundance hit, Greener Grass.

He has performed on Los Angeles stages (Sacred Fools, Four Clowns, Malibu Playhouse), regionally (AZ Theater Company, River Rep, Seven Angels), and internationally (Toulouse Opera House). Corey has performed improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade and collaborates regularly with his sketch team, Onassis (SF Sketch Fest, Friar’s Club Sketch winners).

As a writer, Corey is the creator of The 39 Years of Rory and Dylan and A VeryGood Home for the College Humor platform, DropOut, and was a contributing writer for The Onion News Network.

He is a part-time lecturer at Chapman University and was an Artist In Residence at Central CT State University.

Bob Kale Acting for Film Instructor

A partial list of the projects Bob has worked on as a casting director would include: Broadway (Most for Nat’l Tour as well)— Souvenir, King Hedley II (August Wilson), An Inspector Calls, A Tale Of Two Cities, Little Women-The Musical, The Who’s Tommy, Titanic-The Musical (1996), The Life, Jekyll & Hyde (1996), The Scarlet Pimpernel. Off-Broadway includes—Frank McGuinness’ Gates Of Gold, Dracula, Dietrich & Chevalier, Over the River and Through the Woods, Avow, The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, Tap Dogs. Tours include—The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, Nunsense (25th Anniversary Tour), Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk starring Savion Glover; Television—HBO’s Scarred City, Due South, Elmo’s World: Happy Holidays!, PBS Sesame Street, Cosby Mysteries, As The World Turns, and the miniseries Sally Hemmings (NY Casting). Feature Film includes—Jack & Jill (additional NY Casting), You Don’t Mess With The Zohan (additional NY casting), I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (additional NY casting), Beavis and Butthead Do America (NY Voice Casting), The Quest for Camelot (NY Voice Casting), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (NY Voice Casting), Big Daddy (NY Casting), Little Nicky (NY Casting).. See www.bobkaleonline.com for more information.

Rachel A. Kaufman

Rachel A. Kaufman is a multi-instrumentalist Brooklyn native who has music directed and/or played for well over 300 musicals and cabaret shows world-wide. She has been thrilled to be part of NYFA’s wonderful faculty since 2013. Theater credits include: Off-B’way: Tale of Two Cities (10th year reunion concert), Goldstein (with Julie Benko & Megan McGinnis), A Taste of Things to Come (Lorin Latarro, dir.); Tours: Rent, Phantom of the Opera, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café; Regional: Tom Jones (North Shore), Hallelujah, Baby! (Arthur Laurents, dir.) Rachel can also be seen playing for auditions, improv comedy groups, at churches, synagogues, piano bars, and restaurants. She has worked with such Broadway greats as Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee, Hinton Battle and Pat Birch, just to name a few. Rachel holds a B.A. in Music (and Russian) from the University of Chicago

Phil Kaufmann Associate Chair of Acting for Film

MFA in Acting, Yale School of Drama; BA in Drama, Dartmouth College. TV appearances on “Law and Order”, “Harry’s Law”, “The Mentalist”, as well as many commercials. Director of several short films, including pilot presentation, “Intelligence” and Emmy-nominated short-form series, “Send Me”.

Bryan Kazmarck Acting for Film Instructor

Director of Standing Eight. Kazmarck is a New York based filmmaker whose films have screened at a multitude of film festivals domestically and internationally. He has directed 3 shorts and a feature. His feature, Terminal Legacy, a sci-fi thriller, was released on Dec 1, 2015. His short, The Portland Empire premiered at the 2012 Festival De Cannes, and proceeded to sell to Shorts International (U.K.) and to the Worldwide Mobile Movie Theatre App in the U.S. He also the owner of Open Fire Films.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Suzanne Kent

Founding company member of The Groundlings Theatre Company in Los Angeles and created the Sunday Company program at The Groundlings. Over 30 feature film credits, including “Middle Men,” “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid,” “Nuts,” “The Boost,” and “History of the World: Part I”. Television series regular roles on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” “St. Elsewhere,” “The Garry Shandling Show,” and “Brotherly Love.” Voice actor on “Rugrats,” “The Wild Thornberrys,” and “Rocket Power”.

Stephanie Jean Lane Acting for Film Instructor

Stephanie Jean Lane is an actor, dancer, writer and director based in New York City. Recent theater: Regan in King Lear (opposite Patrick Page) at Shakespeare Theatre Company, dir. Simon Godwin; Hecate and Agnes in Punchdrunk’s long-running immersive show, Sleep No More (2018-2022). Other theater: shows The Guthrie Theater, Elm Shakespeare, and Berkshire Theater Group; workshops at Lincoln Center and the Public Theater. Film and TV: Law & Order, Elementary, Enloquecer (Palm Spring ShortFest selection), and Dish (feature film). Stephanie danced professionally for several years in NYC. Her original work for stage includes Lighthouse Triptych, produced at LaMama ETC, Dixon Place, The Brick, and in Shanghai; Sweat Spot 101 with Diana Ramirez, produced at the Walker Theater; My Unfinished Girl, co-created with Kyra Sims and Sarah Todes and produced at The Cell. She is a performer, writer, and director with Society Theatre Company. Her first short film, Fort Trumbull, won Best Narrative Short at the Mystic Film Festival in 2021. Stephanie teaches acting, movement, and voice at New York Film Academy and coaches privately. BA: Barnard College; MFA: NYU Grad Acting.

James Lane

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

Matt Lopez

Matt Lopez first started dancing at the age of 10, performing for a Filipino dance troupe in New Hampshire. He majored in theatre at Northeastern University and transferred to the University of Central Florida, where he danced at Walt Disney World. Matt performed with Hilary Duff in the Christmas Day Parade televised on ABC. He also worked as the mascot for the New England Patriots. In the spring of 2010, Lopez was featured in the Go-Go Segment on “Live with Regis and Kelly.” His other notable past stage/television performances include dancing for Sean Kingston and Wyclef Jean on a kids programming show on PBS, as well as for Demi Lovato on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Matt now lives in New York City, where he is currently dancing and choreographing with his partner, Melissa Ramos-Lopez, who previously danced for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. In April 2012, Lopez was the audition facilitator for a Nicki Minaj performance and was chosen as a lead dancer in Times Square for the debut of her album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.” Matt choreographed for the 5-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots Cheerleaders, the pre-game performance at Madison Square Garden for the NY Knicks and for R&B/Pop artist, Sid Haywoode. In 2015, he was selected as one of the Top 12 Dance Convention Teachers in the U.S. by “Dance Informa Magazine.” Lopez is currently teaching hip hop and street jazz at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Sarah Lawrence College and the New York Film Academy.

Karl Maier

Karl Maier began his training at the age of 19 with Boston Ballet, the American Academy of Ballet (at Vassar College), and with the dance and aerial/circus arts programs at the University of New Hampshire.

During his career as a dancer and aerialist Karl has had the privilege of working for and performing with many inspiring artists. Highlights include Vanessa Williams, Mark Dendy, Micky Dolenz, and Robert Lepage.

Select Credits: Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the national tour of Pippin (aerial captain), and eight years of dancing and flying with The Metropolitan Opera. Karl can be seen on PBS’s Great Performances at the Met, dancing and flying in many operas including John Adams’ Grammy Award winning Dr. Atomic. Karl is also a master technician on the rolling globe.

T.J. Mannix

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.

Peter Marciano Head of Acting

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.

Jason Marquette

Jason Marquette graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Performance credits include the original cast of the 1st National Tour of the revival of 42nd Street, The Musical, theme parks and regional theaters all across the country. In 2008 he mounted his self-produced NYC production The Next Step. His direction and choreography has also been seen in the SUNY New Paltz Production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company, Wittenberg University’s Fall Dance Concert, Working Mother Media’s annual NYC Worklife Congress Gala as well as music videos, corporate events and various showcases in New York and around the world. He is the owner of Marquette Productions and MPower Dance Workshops.

Mr. Marquette is also on the judging and teaching faculty with Spotlight Dance Cup and GuiDANCE Experience. He has been teaching for over 20 years in cities across the US and internationally in Helsinki, Finland; Guayaquil, Ecuador, Guatemala City and Alberta, Canada. He’s on faculty with the DanceTeacherWeb Live Conference in Las Vegas for and appears on their website offering tutorials in Tap. Jason taught at the first annual SoFlo Tap Festival in Lake Worth, FL and was on the faculty of Resonance, a northeastern US based travelling tap festival. He was on faculty at various studios in New York City including New Dance Group, The Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center for 6 years teaching Tap and Theater Dance and has taught at the Alvin Ailey School. He is currently on faculty teaching tap at the New York Film Academy, New York City campus; Jazz and Tap at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts as well as several other studios in the metro area. Jason keeps busy travelling to teach, adjudicate and choreograph all over the country.

Jenna Mate Acting for Film Instructor

Jenna Mate is a director, actor, composer/lyricist, and audition coach who has worked extensively both in New York and Los Angeles. She holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, a Masters in Educational Theatre from University of Houston, and an MFA in Directing from Stony Brook University. She was the Associate Producer for the Southampton International Theatre Festival, where her focus was supporting playwrights in the development of new works. Her original musical, ECO, was featured at New York Musical Festival in 2017. Recent directing credits include Lilith in Pisces (NY Summerfest) Art (Guild Hall) and A Steady Rain (Guild Hall.) She aims to create a nurturing, energetic environment where her students can explore and grow.

George McGrath Acting for Film Instructor

George began his career as an actor in New York. He performed with the Groundlings in Los Angeles from 1983 – 1992, where he also taught, directed the Sunday Show, and directed and created the long-running “Your Very Own TV Show.” He was one of the original writers of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and was a series regular on that show. He was inducted into the TV Theme Song Hall of Fame for co-writing the series theme song. He co-wrote the Paramount film “Big Top Pee-wee,” and created and starred in Nick-at-Nite’s first original late night series, “On the Television,” which he also co-executive produced. He co-starred with Tom Hanks and Sally Field in the feature film “Punchline.” He wrote the FOX TV movie “Based on an Untrue Story,” and had a recurring role on HBO’s “Tracey Takes On,” a series he also wrote and produced. Other TV appearances include “Whose Line is It Anyway?” (the London and New York productions). He has received four Emmy nominations – for writing “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” writing and producing “Tracey Takes On,” a series for which he also won a GLAAD Award.

Mark Mocahbee Chair of Acting for Film

Mark Mocahbee has over 35 years of professional experience as a director, writer, actor, and producer. His extensive work on both sides of the camera includes numerous film and theatre productions with such distinguished artists as Barry Levinson, Dustin Hoffman, Jon Jory, Edward Albee, David Petrarca, and Rebecca Miller. Mocahbee holds his BS and MFA degrees from The University of Miami, and has worked at many of the nation’s premier theatre venues, including the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Shakespeare & Company, and Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. Mocahbee has served on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Xavier University, and Miami University at Oxford.

Keshav Moodliar

Keshav Moodliar is an actor from New Delhi, India. He graduated from Delhi University and majored in English Literature. After graduation Keshav applied to, and is the first Indian, to be accepted into The Juilliard School’s MFA in Acting program. At Juilliard in his final year he played the swimmer ‘Ray’ in the play ‘Red Speedo’. Since graduation Keshav has performed Off-Broadway with The Acting Company. He played the role of The Duke in Measure for Measure and was also in Native Son which was heralded as one of the best plays of 2019. He also played Romeo in The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s production of Romeo and Juliet. He recently wrapped shooting the pilot for a new television show for FX which stars Chris Messina and Ari Graynor. He can also be seen in the mini series SINK SANK SUNK starring Laura Linney which is available on Revry TV

Anne Moore Chair of Acting for Film LA

Anne Moore has been teaching at New York Film Academy since 2010, and has been an Associate Chair in the Acting Department since 2014. In that time, she has created and produced the Student-Directed Plays Series and Alumni Industry Showcases. Her TV credits include: GREY’S ANATOMY, LIFE, VEGAS, SEX AND THE CITY, and LAW & ORDER. Her NYC Off-Broadway theater credits include: SUMMER ’69 the Musical (Douglas Fairbanks Theater) and SIT N’ SPIN, co-written by Ms. Moore (Atlantic Theater). She also was one fourth of the critically acclaimed sketch comedy group, “THE FLYING QUEENS,” and had her own multi media show at Catch a Rising Star entitled, “Anne Moore and More and More.” In 2006, Ms. Moore directed and produced the award winning short documentary, CZECH DAZE. She graduated Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York City with a BA in Theater and Film, and studied Meisner Technique at William Esper Studios.

Stephen Nachamie

Stephen Nachamie is an award-winning stage and film director and an accomplished arts educator.

Broadway: She Loves Me – (Associate Director)

New York: Little Shop of Horrors – Reunion Concert (with Alan Menken), Small Town Confessions (with Alice Ripley and Daisy Eagan), Buyer and Cellar, My Name is Asher Lev, Rounding Third (Penguin Rep), Animals Out of Paper (Hudson Stage Co) Driving Miss Daisy, Torch Song Trilogy (with Seth Rudetsky)

Regional: Sweeney Todd (starring Carolee Carmello), Becoming Dr. Ruth (Cincinnati Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof, Tick, tick…BOOM!, (New Rep), Sex with Strangers, 4,000 Miles (Capital Rep), The Whipping Man (Omaha Playhouse), Lady Day… (WHAT and Capital City Theatre), Camelot, 1776, A Chorus Line (Olney- Helen Hayes Award), West Side Story (Italian Tour).

Film/TV: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade/NBC, Stand Still (Telly Award – Direction)

Concerts and Opera: Music City Christmas (solo shows with Kellie Pickler, Tituss Burgess and Mickey Guyton for the Nashville Symphony), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Steamboat Springs Symphony)

NYFA: Head Over Heels, Carrie on the mainstage, and the Award-Winning Movie Musicals, Winning New York, Bang! Boom! Pow! and What’s Left.

BFA from NYU. Proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

http://www.stephennachamie.com

Gerald Owens Acting for Film Instructor

BA in Speech Communication and Theatre Art, Wake Forest University; MFA in Acting and Directing, Florida Atlantic University. Gerald Owens is an actor, director, voiceover artist, and acting teacher who has been working in the entertainment industry since 1982. His work has included feature films, television series, TV and radio commercials, plays, and improvisational productions.

Professionally, Gerald has appeared on-screen and on-stage with such luminaries as John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Christopher Walken, Jeffrey Donovan, Alice Ghostley, Robert Hays, Sharon Gless, Tom Sellick, Robert Urich, Dennis Farina, Scott Caan, Michael McShane, Ann Crumb, John Schneider, Don Johnson, Keegan Michael Key, and Philip Michael Thomas, in addition to many other notable actors. He has also worked with such directors as Barry Sonnenfeld, Tim Matheson, Ted Kotcheff, Damian Harris, Allan Arkush, and many others and studied acting with Dom Deluise, Burt Reynolds, and Tony Sheperd, to name a few.

For five years, he was program chairman of Miami’s PAAF Actors’ Workshop, where he taught scene study, cold reading, monologue, and improvisation classes. He has also taught improvisation at the John Robert Powers School in West Palm Beach and directing for the Palm Beach State College Film Department. Gerald Owens served as the company’s producer, staff instructor, business manager, and artistic director of the Laughing Gas Comedy Improv Theatre Company.

Corey Pepper Acting for Film Instructor

BA, SUNY at Binghamton. Founding member of National Lampoon Players, studying improv with Chris Barnes and Michael Haggarty. Graduate of Warner Bros. Comedy Writers program. Thirty years experience as actor, writer, comic and teacher. Has appeared in such projects as “Studs Lonigan” for NBC, and “The Quickening” for A&E.

Ben Mehl Acting for Film Instructor

Ben Mehl is best known for his role as Dante on Netflix’s YOU. He has taught Movement and Shakespeare’s Clowns at the NYU Graduate Acting Program, where he also received his MFA and completed a teaching mentorship in Movement under Jim Calder and Voice under Scott Miller. He teaches at the New York Film Academy, HB Studio, and has also taught at The Public Theater, Red Bull Theater, Vim Vigor, Clown Gym, the Refugee Youth Summer Academy, the New School and as a private coach. He is a member of The Actors Center and a volunteer at the 52nd Street Project. Acting credits include: TV: YOU, THE GOOD WIFE, SUPERNATURAL INVESTIGATOR. Film: VIRAL BEAUTY, THE FLY ROOM, OFF-DUTY.Off-Broadway: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL; (Red Bull Theater); PERICLES, COMEDY OF ERRORS (Public Theater). Regional: THE CRUCIBLE, YENTL (Cleveland Playhouse); TROUBLEMAKER (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (Williamstown Theatre Festival); HENRY V (Two River Theater); LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST (Chautauqua Theater Company). Other New York: DANNYKRISDONNAVERONICA, JULIUS CAESAR (Wheelhouse Theater); AT THE TABLE (Fault Line Theatre); HABIT (P.S. 122)

Patricia Phillips

American actress and singer Patricia Phillips has altered the history of American Broadway theatre, twice. Known for her power-house soprano, Patricia’s is the first woman of color to portray the Tony Award winning role of Carlotta in the longest running show in Broadway history, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. She is also the only woman of color to appear in KINKY BOOTS on Broadway. Classically trained at Carnegie Mellon University, Patricia has a wide range of stage and film credits including the Emmy Award winning Live at Lincoln Center production of SWEENEY TODD starring EMMA THOMPSON, the US premier of JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA at Carnegie Hall starring Harvey Keitel, the Tony Award winning productions of BAZ LUHRMANN’S LA BOHÈME (OBC), THE SECRET GARDEN (OBC) and THE SOUND OF MUSIC (OBC Revival). She can be heard on three original cast recordings on DreamWorks, Columbia and RCA.

Some of Patricia’s television credits include BILLY ON THE STREET, SHADES OF BLUE, THE TONY AWARDS and THE SOPRANOS. Her film credits include EVERYBODY’S FINE where she performed alongside Robert De Niro. Patricia has appeared as the guest soloist with many symphony orchestras including The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Minnesota Orchestra, The Indianapolis Symphony, The Bay Area Symphony, The Harrisburg Symphony, The Sioux City Symphony, and The Virginia Symphony.

Patricia currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at The New York Film Academy and New Jersey City University. She taught previously at Carnegie Mellon University, NYU Tisch New Studio on Broadway and at The Hun School in Princeton.

Patricia Lives in the greater New York City area where she savors dual citizenship between the United States and Italy and she will always consider her son, DIF, her finest production of all time.

Johanna Pinzler

Johanna directs at regional theaters and college theater programs in New York City. She teaches acting, directing and comedy at Marymount Manhattan College and NYFA’s Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre. She serves as an Artistic Associate at Summer Rep Theatre in Santa Rosa, CA.

Michelle Potterf

Michelle Potterf’s Bio-
Michelle came to NYFA from a 9-year run in the Musical CHICAGO on Broadway where she played Go-to-Hell Kitty and the understudy for the lead, Roxie Hart. She was also chosen to work side by side with Ms. Ann Reinking as the Dance Captain for Chicago the Musical on Broadway. Michelle has also had the privilege of constructing and overseeing a special one night performance by the incredible Chita Rivera at the Hotel Pierre. Michelle has danced professionally in such productions as Crazy For You (International tour), The Will Rogers Follies (National Tour), Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney World.) She has been a featured dancer in the remake of the Stepford Wives movie and as a featured Dancer in a National Ebay commercial directed by Sam Mendes, as well as many other TV appearances. She has also taught dance in the NYC Public school system through The National Dance Institute under the direction of the legendary Jacques d’Amboise. Michelle earned a BFA in Dance from Missouri State University. Currently she is head of the dance department within the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at the New York Film Academy.

Lee Quarrie Academic Advisor

Lee is a writer and actor in the Lady Bits Sketch Comedy group, and is an award winning filmmaker. Her short film “Patchwork Dreams” won grand prize at the Beijing International Screenwriting Competition in 2013. You’ll be able to see her short film “Earth Laundry” in multiple film festivals in 2023/24. And look for Lee’s latest book of monologues for film actors being published in 2023.

Julio O. Ramos Acting for Film Instructor

MFA in Film Directing and Production from UCLA; BA in Journalism from Universidad San Martin de Porres (Peru). Julio is the Writer/Director of “A Doctor’s Job” and “Behind the Mirrors,” films that were showcased in Telluride, Camerimage and CFC WorldWide, awarded with top prizes at Palm Springs ShortFest, Nashville and La Habana. He is an Alum of the Berlinale Talent Campus.

Dan Renkin

Dan trained with renowned co-founder of Shakespeare and Company and TONY-recipient B.H. Barry, after studying at UC Irvine and Circle in the Square. His work as actor, stage fighter and fight director has ranged from The Metropolitan Opera to ‘As the World Turns,’ from creating roles with Kirk Wood Bromley’s fabled Inverse Theatre and New York Theatre Ballet to coaching fights on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and whatever you’re doing next. He was among NYFA’s Musical Theatre founding faculty, and also teaches for Circle in the Square, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Five Towns College. Past/guest faculty: HB Studio, Juilliard School, Cap21. He was delighted to be nominated for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Vermont Awards for his performance in The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged). Recent fight direction includes the world premieres of MONTE CRISTO, FRANK, and the new musical LOVELESS TEXAS, and touring productions of Robin Hood, Peter Pan, and Treasure Island for Summer Theatre of New Canaan, as well as work at Queens College, Montclair State University and in indie film.

David Robinette Associate Chair of Acting for Film

MA in Performance Theory/Playwriting, California State University, Northridge and BA in English/Creative Writing, Hunter College. Television actor with appearances on “The Young and the Restless,” “Law & Order,” “As the World Turns,” and “All My Children.” Film role in “Cry Funny Happy,” Official Selection at Sundance.

Rico Rosetti Acting for Film Instructor

Rico Rosetti has been acting, directing and coaching for over two decades. Teaching credits include classes or workshops at The New York Film Academy, Rutgers University, The Pratt institute, UW-Milwaukee, Delaware County Community College, The Acting Studio in Philadelphia, and The Mississippi Summer Arts Institute. He has directed plays across the country, with a focus on new works, including the award-winning A Gentleman From Mississippi, which debuted Off-Broadway and toured nationally. Rico was a founding member in several regional companies including The Actor’s Lab Theatre, The Acting Studio in Philadelphia, and Cornerstone Theater Co in Milwaukee. TV credits include Law & Order (prime), Homicide: Life on the Streets, The Guiding Light and All My Children. Other acting credits abound, primarily in regional theater and off-off Broadway. Rico received his MFA in Acting from Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts.

Mary Thomas Sala

MFA in Performance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is a Certified Lessac Kinesensic© Trainer. She is a professional actor, voice over artist, author and has taught Theatre, Acting, Shakespeare in Performance, Dialects, Voice, Speech and Movement for a combined 32 years.

Robert William Schneider

Robert W. Schneider received his BA in Political Science from California Lutheran University and his MFA in Directing from Pennsylvania State University. He holds academic appointments at Penn State University, New York Film Academy, and Mt. Union. He has guest lectured at Yale University, Kent State University, UCLA, USC, and throughout London. Professor Schneider is one of the most recognizable figures in the field of online education. His new book, 50 Key Musicals, will be published by Routledge Press in 2022.
As a director, Robert has worked with such theatres as Center Theatre Group, Walnut Street Theatre, Manhattan Theater Club, York Theatre, Second Stage Theatre, and Lincoln Center Theater, as well as for PBS and Fox Seachlight. His work has been acknowledged with the Ovation Award, StageScene LA Award, BroadwayWorld Award, and the MAC Award.
In this capacity, he has also collaborated on projects with some of this century’s greatest artists including Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Audra McDonald, Emma Thompson, Seth McFarlane, Christina Aguilera, Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster, Christopher Durang, Kristen and Bobby Lopez, Jason Alexander, Joe Iconis, Jane Lynch, and many others.

Matthew Singletary Acting for Film Instructor

Matthew Singletary is a freelance director of theatre and film currently residing in Los Angeles. He has directed over 70 plays at theaters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and all over the United States. His short films have been seen at festivals across the country and internationally. ​Considered an “actors’ director,” Matthew has a passion for new play development. He has directed over 20 new plays for the American stage and worked with numerous playwrights in developing their plays from inception through staged readings and finally full production. For three years, Matthew served as a Festival Producer for The Road Theatre Company’s Summer Playwrights Festival in Los Angeles – the largest new play reading series in the country. He received a BA in Theatre from Alma College (MI) and an MFA in Directing from The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (NJ). During his career, he has taught at colleges in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Michigan, Texas and California. He is currently a faculty member at The New York Film Academy in Burbank and at El Camino College in Los Angeles, CA.​

Dave Solomon

DAVE SOLOMON is an award-winning New York-based writer and director working in both theatre and film. Recent stage credits include directing the first national tour of TOOTSIE THE MUSICAL and PUMP UP THE VOLUME (MTFest London). He also directed a unique cinematic-theatrical hybrid production of Adam Gwon’s ORDINARY DAYS for Pittsburgh Playhouse, that he co-conceived with Emmy-winning designer Jason Ardizzone-West (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live”). He wrote and directed the award-winning short film PHOTO OP (starring Randy Harrison) and his upcoming film BRENDA & BILLY AND THE POTHOS PLANT (starring Santino Fontana and Sarah Stiles) will have its world premiere in Summer 2023. Solomon also assisted Bill Condon on the films MR. HOLMES and DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and served as Condon’s Associate Director on the revised production of SIDE SHOW on Broadway, at La Jolla Playhouse and the Kennedy Center. Solomon has also been an Associate Director to Joe Mantello and Scott Ellis, and has worked on fourteen Broadway productions including TOOTSIE, MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, 9 TO 5, PAL JOEY SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (2008), THE RITZ, CURTAINS, MARIO CANTONE’S LAUGH WHORE and ASSASSINS. He was an Associate Producer and Assistant Director on “A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE” and his play, MARGARET AND CRAIG, premiered at NY Stage and Film and was also seen as part of The New Group New Works starring Mario Cantone and Marin Ireland. Additional stage credits include THE DODGERS (Hudson Theatre, LA), THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (Le Petit, NOLA), MARRYING MEG (NYMF) and SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR (with John Bolton and Eve Plumb). He has been a resident artist at SPACE on Ryder Farm and is a graduate of Vassar College.

Liz Stanton Acting for Film Instructor

Liz Stanton teaches Acting (Meisner), Voice & Movement, and Improvisation at the New York Film Academy. As an actor, singer, sound designer, composer, director, and teacher, she is a multifaceted theatre artist. She is the Theatrical Development Producer for Convergences Theatre Collective. She has performed in numerous professional productions in New York City, regionally and internationally (England and India). Her opera, based on The Bacchae, was featured as a work in development at the EstroGenius Festival. She has created award-winning devised theatre pieces, composes music for theatrical sound designs, and teaches physically embodied acting and voice. Liz received her MFA in Theatre: Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. One of her most recent projects is The Woman Who Was Me – a play for one woman. The show was nominated for five Innovative Theatre Awards, including for Outstanding Solo Performer.

Carol Stanzione Acting for Film Instructor

BFA in Acting, New York University Tisch School Of the Arts/Strasberg Institute. Acting credits include “Orange Is The New Black”, “Side Effects”, “Deliver Us From Evil”, Eminem’s “Stan” music video and the west coast premiere of “The Manchurian Candidate”, as well as many radio commercials and animated series. Has cast, directed and produced over 200 voiceovers for TV, film and radio.

Micah Stathis Acting for Film Instructor

Stathis was a Production Manager for Manhattan Neighborhood Network for over four years. He quickly expanded his skills as a freelance Cinematographer and Director. He has experience directing a wide variety of television and film shoots, commercials, music videos, narrative films, documentary films, and live events.

Riley Steiner Acting for Film Instructor

Riley joined NYFA in 2014 and teaches all levels of Technique and Scene Study, specializing in Acting Styles and Shakespeare.

Her stage work includes Ophelia in Sir Anthony Hopkins’ production of Hamlet on the HB Studio stage in New York. Riley worked as a voice actor alongside Tom Hanks in Toy Story, and can be heard screaming “I GOT HIS SWEATBAND!” in Disney’s Hercules. She is also remembered as the fatally doomed Page Bowen on General Hospital.

As a playwright, two of her plays have been included in the Plays in Progress Series at the award winning Utah Shakespearean festival. Her first play, Tumcumcari has enjoyed three productions in Los Angeles. She directed the play in 2014 at the Whitemore Theatre in North Hollywood.

She has directed a handfull of Shakespeare plays at NYFA and participates as a guest director in The Road Theatre Company’s Summer Playwrights festival.

She studied acting with Uta Hagen for over ten years and now teaches her methodology. In 2010, Riley went back to school to complete her education. In 2014, she graduated cum laude with a BA in Theatre and an MFA in Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies , both at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA.

Tyler Stillwill

Tyler is a teacher and an interdisciplinary artist from Los Angeles who performs (in an actory, singery and musiciany way), composes, writes, clowns, directs, paints, illustrates, sculpts and makes music. They’ve had plays and musicals produced in small theaters in Detroit, Austin, Chicago, Seattle and Off Off Off Broadway. A one time Children’s Theatre Artistic Director, International Marketing Executive, College Professor and Tattoo Artist. Featured in the web series “Staying Together” (https://vimeo.com/317707828), they’ve ridden their bicycle up and down mountains all over the world, but only ever mistaken for a criminal in Japan. But that’s a story for another time.

Melissa Sullivan Acting for Film Instructor

Melissa Sullivan received her B. F. A. in Theater at Cal Arts and is a Lifetime Member of the Actors Studio. Sullivan has worked extensively in film, television and theater as an actor and producer. Film credits include, Finding Red Cloud, Sweet Underground, S.F.W. and Poker Face. TV credits include, Shameless, Hawthorne, Dragnet and E.R.

Sullivan’s theater credits include, Stella in Streetcar Named Desire, winning her the LA Ticket Holders Best Supporting Actress Award, Veronica in The Interview, in which the LA Times called her a “mesmerizing performer”, The Girl in Mr. Paradise, Honey in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Mary Jane in The Dead, Miss Julie in Miss Julie, Karin in The Bitter Tears of Petra Van Kant, Marta in Waiting for the Parade, Katrin in Mother Courage and Her Children, and many more.

Sullivan was production designer and producer of the feature, Roommate Wanted, which played at Salem Horror Film Festival, Bahamas International Film Festival and Shriekfest, with distribution by Indican Pictures. She produced and starred in the web series, The Millionaires on Amazon Prime. Sullivan is a singer-songwriter with a debut album, Late Last Night, Apple Music/Spotify. She performs regularly at the renown, The Hotel Café’.

Martin Thompson Acting for Film Instructor

Martin Thompson earned his BFA in Acting at East Carolina University, before going on to study with Uta Hagen at HB Studio in New York, The Actors Studio, American Theatre of Actors, and with Wynn Handman at The American Place Theatre. He has appeared in over 100 productions on the New York stage, and in regional theatres nationwide. His motion picture credits include starring with Kevin Costner in The New Daughter, opposite Paul Rudd in Wanderlust, and with Colin Firth in Main Street (the final screenplay by the legendary Horton Foote.) On television, he has appeared on NCIS: LA, Criminal Minds, Scorpion, Comedy Bang Bang, Uncle Buck, and the first season of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels for Showtime.

Cle Thompson Acting Instructor

BA in English, Beloit College. Extensive acting experience in off-Broadway productions, national tours, and feature films including A 2nd Before Hell Freezes Over, VS, Funny Valentines and Beyond the Blue. She has worked with legendary film composer/arranger Elmer Bernstein, sung in clubs from New York to Los Angeles.

Matthew Toronto Acting for Film Instructor

MATTHEW TORONTO – After a two-year stint on Netflix, Matt’s coming-of-age feature, FACE 2 FACE, which he wrote and directed, continues to inspire audiences on Paramount +, Epix and several other platforms. Besides an array of award-winning features, shorts, pilots and web series, Matt recently directed two features to be released by Artist View Entertainment in 2023 and is scheduled to direct two more this year. Matt earned his MFA in directing from Penn State University where he later joined the faculty and taught acting, directing and musical theatre for eight years. On stage, Matt directed the world premiere of the widely renowned musical ORDINARY DAYS as well as a long list of plays and musicals in New York City, Los Angeles and across the country. He began his professional career as an actor, performing in national tours, Off-Broadway and in celebrated regional theatres. He also spent five seasons in the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR dancing alongside the Rockettes! A father of three, Matt loves to tell stories that reveal humanity in unexpected ways.

Charley Tucker Acting for Film Instructor

As a teaching artist, Mr. Tucker has worked at New York University (co-teacher with Phylicia Rashad), American Globe Theatre (Shakespeare First Folio Technique), University of Texas/ Austin, Muhlenberg College, Penn State University and New York Film Academy where he is currently teaching Scene Study and the Meisner Technique.
HEDDA GABBLER (American Globe), UNCLE TOM’S CABIN (The Drama Dept.- Workshop Co.), MISALLIANCE (Pennsylvania Center Stage), DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS (American Stage), SIX DEGREES OF SEPERATION (Florida Studio Theatre), and AMERICAN BUFFALO (Asolo Conservatory Theatre- guest artist). Film and T.V.: CURDLED (Miramax), AMY SCHUMMER SHOW (Comedy Central), TENNESSEE (Lee Daniels Entertainment), and several television and radio commercials. Currently Mr. Tucker has 2 films in production.

David Vando

Mr. Vando’s works include the award winning THE KING’S CLOWN performed both in America and England, the book and lyrics for a musical adaptation LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST for the Folger Library Theatre, an English adaptation of THE THREEPENNY OPERA, BUGLES AT DAWN a musical based on THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, SONG OF THE LARK, a musical passion play of Saint Joan, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LEONARDO DA VINCI, EROICA, about the deafness and death of Beethoven and SHAKESPEARE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, now in its third printing, which teaches you how to “translate” and use quotes from the Bard in the new millennium for everything from corporate mottos to epitaphs with over 700 outrageous examples. His latest work is the film HAMLET/HORATIO, the story of Hamlet told through eyes of Horatio, in which he wrote the screen play and acts two roles.

Amy Van Horne Acting for Film Creative Director

Creative Director of the Acting for Film Department in New York

Amy Van Horne is an actor, teacher, and professional on-camera audition coach. She holds an MFA from Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of the Arts where she studied under the tutelage of Master Teachers William Esper and Maggie Flanigan. Amy has been a professional film and television actress for over 20 years, working in both LA and New York. Having firsthand knowledge of the many technical challenges actors face working in front of the camera on professional film/TV sets, Amy developed and led on-camera acting technique, scene study, and audition technique classes that she taught for over 10 years in LA. Teaching actors to find freedom on camera became Amy’s passion, and she returned to New York in 2013 to train as a master teacher under her mentor Maggie Flanigan. Selected film/TV credits include: Cost of Living, The City, The Big Easy, Hitz, Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place, Push, Veronica’s Closet, Family Rules, The Beach Boys: An American Family, Judging Amy, Strong Medicine, Cold Case, and Final Sale. She has also appeared in dozens of national network commercials. Amy joined the New York Film Academy in 2017.

Vladimir Velev

Vladimir Velev grew up in Sofia, Bulgaria admiring American movies and television from afar. He has studied Latin American and Ballroom dancing from the age of six and trained with the top teachers in the competitive dance world as well as in other styles of dance. Vladimir is a former Austrian national champion and quarterfinalist of both the World and European Professional Latin Championships. Since moving to the United States, he has established himself as a sought-after instructor, performer, and competitor. He joined the Musical Theater department of the New York Film Academy in 2016.

Victor Verhaeghe Acting for Film Instructor

Victor is currently workshopping a musical he wrote: Doormen, The musical, with Royal Family Theater. COP-DOC, a short film/web series that he wrote, produced and starred in, has picked up several awards in festivals this year, with more on the way. Currently in development with a production company. As an actor, Victor continued his work on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” as Antonio, the doorman, which is ironic since he is writing a musical about doormen. He shot the feature film, Bad Education, with Hugh Jackman, Alison Janey and Ray Romano, that is now running on HBO.

Other recent work: Feature Film, Peel with Emile Hirsch and Amy Brenneman, guest starring role on The Americans, and the lead in another feature, Bride in the Box. Victor is also producing a series of videos called, What if… based on the idea of what if we tried love instead of guns, love instead of hate. He has already produced and shot four of these videos and continues writing and raising funds for more in the series.
He also has another short film that he wrote and starred in, doing well on the festival circuit called, The Parker.

Bill Waldinger

In addition to his faculty position at NYFA, Bill is also on the faculty at The Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, Molloy College’s CAP 21 Musical Theater Program and the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Certified by Luigi to teach the Luigi Jazz Technique, Bill has recently been filmed and interviewed for the recently released feature film Uprooted which chronicles the history of Jazz Dance. He has coordinated workshops bringing together the techniques of Luigi and Matt Mattox with classic musical theater choreography. Bill also frequently travels the world As a Master Teacher. He has also developed absolute beginner “Dance Classes For Singers” at The Singers’ Forum. As a performer, Bill has appeared in musical theater, concert dance, commercials, music videos, television and industrials. Highlights include regional and Off-Broadway productions of A Chorus Line (Paul in the first regional production), Carousel (Carnival Boy), Kismet, Drood, Oklahoma! (Dream Curly), A Funny Thing…, Guys and Dolls and Godspell. He was a company member of The David Storey Dance Works and Labyrinth Dance Theater. He has danced in commercials, music videos, was a featured dancer on the television show Soul Alive and appeared in videos for the Theater Dance Workshop.

Paul Warner

Paul Warner is an award-winning director and educator, whose more than 50 productions span film, theater, and opera. He most recently directed the feature film, HAMLET/HORATIO, which premiered on Amazon in June 2021, and subsequently enjoyed limited theatrical release in 2022. HAMLET/HORATIO has been the recipient of 15 international festival awards. Prior to HAMLET/HORATIO, Warner directed a new musical, RIVER OF STONE by Drama Desk nominee Peter Melnick with book by Ty Defoe which premiered at the Jaffa Festival as well as Wendy Whelan of the New York City Ballet in the premiere of WOMEN: THE WAR WITHIN, a dance-opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun and Obie-winning writer Matthew Maguire, which premiered at The Baryshnikov Arts Center. Film credits include the feature FALL TIME (Lionsgate) starring Mickey Rourke (nominated for The Grand Jury Prize in competition at Sundance), IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (Sundance premiere), the disco movie musical, KAYA: TASTE OF PARADISE (lyrics and music by Anna K. Jacobs (Teeth) and book by Jerome Parker as well as David Michalek’s PORTRAITS IN DRAMATIC TIME, with Alan Rickman, William H. Macy, and Holly Hunter (Lincoln Center Festival premiere), for which he directed the actors and served as Executive Creative Consultant. Warner is a graduate of Harvard and The American Film Institute and the recipient of numerous honors including The Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation for sustained achievement in directing. He has served on the faculties of: NYU, SVA, and SUNY Purchase, amongst others. Currently, he is a senior instructor of Directing, Acting, and Producing at The New York Film Academy. Paulwarnerofficial.com

Matthew Webster

Matt Webster is a New York City based actor and writer. As an actor, Matt has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on National tours, and recently won Best Actor for his portrayal of Johnny Pope in A Hatful of Rain (BroadwayWorld.com). As a writer, Matt’s plays and musicals include: BACK; JAY AND THE CONTEST; ALEX FOX: AMERICAN HERO; and his original musical KINGDOM COME. With his frequent collaborator Taylor Ferrera, Matt has co-written several shows, including: a new 4 actor version of CINDERELLA; DEMOCRACY, DAY 1; COUNTY FAIR – A COUNTRY HITS MUSICAL; and PROPAGANDA! THE MUSICAL. Matt’s pilot script, BACK, won Best Pilot at the 2022 Santa Barbara International Film Fest. Matt received his BFA in Acting from West Virginia University where he was named the outstanding graduate from the College of Creative Arts. Matt is a founding member of the Magic Forest Theatre Company, and co-owner of the production company Propaganda Theatricals. Matt won the Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriting and currently works as the Creative Director for Broadway’s Andrew Lippa. www.TheOtherMattWebster.com

Wysandria Woolsey

Wysandria Woolsey originated the role of The Sugar Bowl in Disney’s Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and is featured on the cast recording and in the national commercial. She performed the role of Carlotta in the Broadway production of “The Phantom of the Opera” and was in “Parade at Lincoln Center,” both directed by Hal Prince. Other original Broadway shows include: “Aspects of Love” and “Chess,” both directed by Trevor Nunn. In Europe she was Grizabella in the Austrian production of “Cats,” and has performed in numerous national tours including “Whistle Down The Wind” (dir. Hal Prince), “Zorba” with Anthony Quinn (dir. Joel Grey), “On the 20th Century” as understudy to Imogene Coca, and “Song and Dance” as stand-by to Melissa Manchester. She was a featured soloist in “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber” (dir. Arlene Phillips). Other regional and stock credits include: “City of Angels,” “Blood Brothers,” “A Chorus Line” and “Street Scene.” She has also appeared as a soloist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra in both Cleveland and Breckenridge Colorado, and was featured in the Lincoln Center Tribute to Alan Jay Lerner and at in a “Tribute to Stephen Sondheim” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Joshua Zecher-Ross

JOSHUA ZECHER-ROSS has worked on over 100 productions in New York and around North America as a music director, supervisor, conductor, arranger, and electronic music designer, and has been a music director and accompanist at PCMT @ NYFA since 2014. Broadway: Be More Chill (conductor sub). Off-Broadway: Sweetee (music director/conductor), Broadway Bounty Hunter (rehearsal pianist). Recently: The Louder We Get directed by Lonny Price at Theatre Calgary. Other NY credits include songs in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and many shows at clubs and venues around NYC. Other regional credits include Barrington Stage Company, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, George Street Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre, Sharon Playhouse, The Village Theatre in Seattle, WA, and The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, Illinois. Joshua is also a musical theatre instructor at Actor Therapy, and he holds a Bachelor of music in vocal performance from the Steinhardt School at New York University. www.joshuazr.com @joshuazr1311