Christine Ebersole - American Academy of Dramatic Arts

AADA 

The Journal of 

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts 

Fall 2007 

AADA Alum 

Christine 

Ebersole 

2007 Tony Award © 

Winner for 

Actress in a 

Musical 

“I really believe in 

The American Academy 

of Dramatic Arts. 

It’s an establishment 

that has proven itself 

over and over again. 

I’m proud to have 

gone to that school.”

From Roger Croucher 

AADA President & CEO 

Dear Students, Alumni and Friends: 

On both coasts another Academy School year has begun and we are truly 

excited about the year ahead. Among all our activities we are proud to boast 

of fine Companies in New York and Los Angeles. I invite you to go to our website to check the schedule 

of shows and to join us for one or all of these performances. 

I am also pleased to welcome internationally acclaimed actor Alfred Molina to AADA as a member 

of our Adjunct Faculty in Los Angeles and Dr. Neal King to our Board of Trustees. Dr. King’s extensive 

experience as an educator makes him a wonderful addition to our board. 

In this issue of the Journal we feature an interview with two-time Tony Award winning actress and 

alum Christine Ebersol as well as news of many of your classmates and colleagues. Your response to 

this new Journal format has been most gratifying and, as a result, many of you have gotten back in touch 

with us after several years. I urge you to keep in touch through our website or through our Alumni 

coordinators; Joe Garcia in Los Angeles or Hope Ewing in New York. Information on how to get in touch 

with Joe and Hope directly is enclosed within. We love hearing from you and sharing your news and hope 

that you visit us soon either in Los Angles or New York. 

Best wishes, 

AADA Welcomes 

Neal King, PhD, to our Board of Directors: 

In a previous issue of our Journal, we announced our articulation agreement with 

Antioch University, Los Angeles and it is our pleasure to welcome its president , 

Neal King, Ph.D. as the newest member of our board. Dr. King has been President of 

Antioch University Los Angeles since February 4, 2007. He was previously its Provost 

and VP of Academic Affairs and joined Antioch University in the fall of 2004 at its New 

England division. Dr. King is a psychologist by training and was in private practice in Northern California for 

fourteen years and has served in a variety of faculty and administrative positions in non-profit, public 

and private for-profit and state settings. In addition to serving in an advisory capacity to three of the six 

regional accrediting bodies for Higher Education in the U.S. he also taught high school English in California, 

London, Laos and Algeria. We are delighted to have Dr. King join our board.

Legends of the Academy 

AADA celebrates its 

rich heritage at a gala 

evening in New York 

Tony Award 

Winner, and 

Mistress of 

Ceremonies, 

Julie White 

On Monday March 26,AADA 

celebrated the careers of three 

outstanding alumni at the Legends 

of the Academy gala dinner and 

award ceremony held at Broadway’s 

historic Hudson Theater in New 

York City. 

The evening, hosted by Tony Award 

winner Julie White, celebrated the 

careers of Anne Bancroft, Charles 

Durning and Gena Rowlands with a 

combination of still photographs, 

film clips and tributes by friends, 

colleagues and associates of the 

honorees. Among those present 

to salute our honorees were actor 

Denis Leary and legendary 

director Arthur Penn. Among 

the AADA alumni entertaining 

that evening was Lisa Brescia 

(currently entertaining New York 

audiences with her appearances 

as Elphaba in the hit musical, 

Wicked) who brought the gala 

audience to its feet. 

The Legends Gala was chaired by 

Sam Gores, AADA alum, board 

member and Chairman of 

Paradigm. Over 500 patrons, 

friends, alumni and guests of the 

Academy attended the evening. 

The awards themselves, engraved 

sterling plates, were a 

contribution of the prestigious 

English firm Asprey. 

Honoree 

Gena Rowlands 

Star of Rescue Me, 

actor Denis Leary 

Charles Durning 

AADA Students celebrate the evening 

Honoree Charles Durning with actor Denis Leary 

and AADA President and CEO Roger Croucher 

Legendary Director, Arthur Penn 

Academy Alumni and Staff 

Academy Trustee and Event 

Chairman, Sam Gores and his 

wife, Jensen 

Academy Board 

Chairman Sam Davis

Three time Tony Award nominee 

and AADA Alum, Christine 

Ebersole, in her critically acclaimed 

role in Broadway’s Grey Gardens. 

“I think Grey Gardens is a defining 

moment in my life. I recognized 

when I was 20 years old that this was 

what I wanted to do in my life and I 

have always had a passion for it.” 

Christine 

You’re best known as a musical theatre 

performer. Why did you choose AADA 

over schools or conservatories that 

specialize in musical theatre? 

It’s interesting because I didn’t get into this 

business to pursue musicals but to pursue 

acting. I was a student at McMurray College 

(Jacksonville, Ill) and I was sent an AADA 

brochure from a friend. My theatre teacher 

urged me to leave and to go to New York. I 

went to the regional audition and from that 

I was accepted. My very first show was a 

play on Broadway and I do more television 

and films than Broadway musicals. 

What did you learn at the Academy 

that you still use today? 

The work ethic that AADA stresses is really 

important and the service to the play. 

Servicing the play and servicing the character 

is the most important thing and that 

was emphasized at AADA. Acting on the 

stage is a team sport. The importance of all 

that was really emphasized at the Academy. 

Do you still take any classes? 

No I don’t. I haven’t taken acting class 

since the early 90’s when I studied in 

Los Angeles with a wonderful teacher, 

Harry Mastrogeorge. [Harry Mastrogeorge 

is an AADA alum, class of 1950, and a former 

Academy instructor]. It was important 

for me to do that then because it’s a way of 

reconnecting with your craft that I think 

sometimes gets lost in television and film. 

Is acting on the stage different than 

acting on film or television? 

It’s just a different animal than working on 

the stage. The fundamentals are the same 

and the foundation that you create – but 

it’s a different muscle. There is a different 

energy where something on television or 

film is more contained. The energy has to 

be contained and the movement needs to 

be contained. 

I am

an actor who happens 

to be able to sing 

Ebersole Interview by Kathleen Germann 

Can you explain what you mean by the fundamentals? 

It’s fundamental in terms of your training. I think it’s always 

good to start with the classics and then you branch out from 

there. That’s what AADA taught – it’s getting back to the 

basics. And keeping it connected in that way to yourself and 

to your craft. 

In Grey Gardens you played two women who are 

actual people.What sort of research did you do to 

prepare for these roles? 

Certainly the Act Two character was devised by the DVD 

[the 1975 Maysles Brothers documentary, Grey Gardens] 

and listening to the rhythm, music and cadence of her voice 

as well as her posture and how she carried herself. Act One 

was much more out of my imagination. 

What is a typical day like? 

Wednesday is really the hardest day of the week because 

you’re still at the beginning of the week and you have two 

shows but there really is nothing typical. It’s about conserving 

your energy so that you can dole it out over the week and 

you just take it one day at a time. 

This role won your third Tony nomination. How did 

this nomination differ from your previous nominations? 

This time was more fraught with expectation because 

everyone was expecting me to win so there was the 

pressure of winning. More than that, when we [Grey Gardens] 

received ten nominations that was really the win for me 

because we worked so hard on this project for two and a 

half years and when everyone said it’s never going to get to 

Broadway, I just didn’t believe that. 

You were instrumental in getting this show 

to Broadway. 

That’s really true. Everything I have done on stage on that 

level had been a revival so this was the first time at this 

level that I took on a project that I was on board with from 

the beginning. In that sense that changed the dynamic and 

changed my position because I wasn’t just a gun for hire – I 

was an active participant in the development of the show. 

Because I received the lion’s share of the accolades when the 

show was Off-Broadway, that gave me the confidence to 

move this forward. I wouldn’t have received those accolades 

if I wasn’t a part of what I consider a great work of art and 

in that sense it was an easy sell for me because I believed in 

it so completely. 

There is talk of Grey 

Gardens going to London. 

It’s something we are working on 

right now. Talking to producers 

and theatres. 

Would you do this for something 

you weren’t acting in? 

Yes, absolutely. 

You must have developed 

some new skills during this 

process. 

Yes – certainly it’s been a 

tremendous learning experience 

for me – it’s something that 

doesn’t feel like it’s foreign to 

me – it’s like a natural fit for me. 

Any other projects that you 

want to let us know about? 

On the producing end, I’m looking 

at the next horizon, and the next 

horizon for Grey Gardens is London 

and then hopefully a film version of 

the musical. 

Are there any actors who you would like to work with? 

There are a lot of people. The first person who comes to 

mind is Alan Rickman. He is a friend and I would love to 

work with him at some point. 

Do you get nervous if you know that someone whose 

work you respect is in the house? 

I love knowing who’s out there. I really get excited and it 

inspires me. 

What advice would you give to our current students 

who are just embarking on acting careers? 

What sustains an artist is their passion because there is a 

lot of rejection in the world at large and certainly in their 

chosen career. Passion and commitment to sharing your 

God-given gifts is really what can sustain you. Ultimately, you 

are putting yourself in a position of service in helping the 

world become a better place.

An interview with Carol Nadell, 

Owner and Founder of 

Selective Casting 

Working in Industrials 

Can you explain to us what an 

“industrial” is? 

I like to say that an industrial is a film, a 

video, a play with a purpose. It may be 

to educate, to train, to market. It can be 

very entertaining but, unlike other areas 

where the purpose is solely to entertain, 

an industrial has another purpose, 

usually to educate, as well. 

How much money can an actor 

expect to earn doing industrials? 

An actor can make as much money 

doing an industrial in one day as they 

will make in a week doing an Off- 

Broadway play. There is usually a flat 

fee – no residuals although the rules 

are changing. 

How did you become a Casting 

Director? 

I was an actress and I had a friend who 

worked in one of the major corporations 

– this was before there were 

independent casting directors – and 

they needed actors. I brought in my 

friends and the company was very 

happy with them and told me that this 

could be a terrific cottage business for 

me. Initially I declined, because I was an 

actress. When I left acting, I didn’t 

immediately turn to casting, it took five 

years. But I would do some casting 

occasionally. One day the New York 

Times was doing a story on corporate 

television and the reporter had heard 

that I was an “expert” in this field.The 

story came out and I was quoted, and 

people told me that I was good in business, 

so I took a business course, and in 

1988 my agency, Selective Casting was 

born. It feeds me both financially and 

emotionally because I am able to help 

actors and run a business in a way that 

I would like to be treated. 

How do you audition actors? 

I bring actors in when I have something 

for them. I don’t do generals. I don’t see 

monologues; I hear them on scripts in a 

cold-reading. I sit with them and I talk 

to them and I get to know them.To be 

an effective casting director you have 

to like actors.When spending the time 

this way I get to form an impression of 

them. I like to say that I don’t have a 

pool of actors, I have a river – actors 

are constantly changing. 

How much input do you have 

as the CD? 

It depends upon the client.As a job 

comes in, actors will immediately come 

to mind.The initial session with the 

client is small – approximately 6-10 

actors.The client relies upon me to be 

the screener. After the initial session I 

will be in the room with the director, 

producer and the client who will 

choose their favorites.They show their 

client (who may be a corporate client) 

their choices and then the field is narrowed 

down.There have been times 

when I have been asked for my input. 

And this is when having personal 

knowledge of the actor is important. 

What is a typical Day? 

It depends upon the industrial. Like on 

a soap, there is not a lot of rehearsal 

time.An actor has to do his homework. 

Acting is acting. It’s playing off someone’s 

behavior. It’s [an industrial] hard 

because it’s done for a purpose; they 

are not necessarily a piece of cake – it 

can be difficult because it’s not organic 

and the actor has to make it organic. 

There may be language that is difficult 

as in the case of an industrial for a 

pharmaceutical company. 

What is one of the more interesting 

projects you have worked on? 

I was working for a religious theme 

park in Branson, Mo. when I was asked 

to find an actor to play Jesus. I found 

an AADA alumnus for the part! 

Sometime later, the theme park was 

working on a piece about Adam and 

Eve, and they asked me to find the 

same Jesus. I called the actor, who happened 

to be vacationing in Singapore at 

the time. My client flew the actor in for 

one day to play Jesus and flew him back 

to Singapore. 

Any Pet Peeves? 

Actors who don’t come with a headshot, 

don’t take responsibility and who 

have such insecurities that they come in 

with a chip on their shoulder. Being so 

focused on getting the job as opposed 

to having the experience of auditioning. 

When actors come in they should make 

decisions and bring something to the 

table. I would rather see an actor make 

a strong choice, and from there I can 

make adjustments. 

Any advice? 

An audition starts the moment you 

come into the room. Be yourself and 

see it as an opportunity. I want actors 

to be wonderful as much as they want 

to be wonderful. In the end, it may not 

be the role for you but that doesn’t 

mean that you are not right for something 

else. We’re all in this creative collaboration 

together.We all have roles to 

play; you’re allowed to ask questions.As 

Kipling wrote, “If you can dream and 

not make dreams your master.” It’s a 

tough business. If you have the dream – 

pursue it. Give yourself five years and 

after those five years give yourself 

another five years…

Who is Training 

Ivana 

Shein, 

Toronto, 

Ontario 

“I chose AADA because I wanted 

to train with teachers who were living 

and working in LA”. Before auditioning 

for AADA, Ivana had studied at the Lee 

Strasberg Theatre School in NYC and 

at the Public Theatre’s New York 

Shakespeare Festival Summer Lab. She 

had had two supporting roles in feature 

films but felt that she was missing a 

foundation. “I wanted the experience of 

waking up every day and going to study 

acting whether or not I was in the 

mood.” 

Ivana also studied playwriting at the 

National Theatre School of Canada and 

chose AADA because the Academy 

would allow her the freedom to 

continue to write in the afternoons 

while keeping up with the standards of 

a conservatory. 

Do you remember your 

audition pieces? 

Yes! Hermione from A Winters Tale and 

a piece from a play everyone should 

read that is a Canadian classic called 

The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine. I 

played Ernestine and in the piece she 

enters into their apartment really mad, 

so I used the door of the audition 

room. I remember the audition was in 

The Four Seasons in Toronto. And I 

thought to myself, if I work really hard, 

maybe one day I’ll be staying here as an 

actress. But what I really remember 

about that day was a feeling of excitement 

and that anything was possible. 

There was a lot of light in the Four 

Seasons that day. 

Tim Covington, 

Eastpoint, 

Georgia 

Tim participated 

in the drama 

program in his high 

school and took a 

drama class in his 

senior year. 

Did you consider any other 

training programs? 

Yes, I remember applying to Valdosta 

State University in Valdosta, GA and I 

looked into AMDA, but I did not apply 

there because they focus on musical 

theatre and that did not interest me. I 

wanted to pursue a career in film and I 

was confident that the Academy offered 

the training that I wanted. I chose the 

LA campus because of its location and 

my interest in film, but the Academy 

has opened my mind to acting in many 

areas. 

While at AADA Tim has played Tom 

Clayton/Agate in Waiting For Lefty, Jack 

in Boys Life,Tabu in Hotel Paradiso, 

Robert Obosa in Advice to the Players, 

Delbert Tibbs in The Exonerated and Sir 

Anthony Absolute in The Rivals. 



Yes! Tom’s monologue in The Glass 

Menagerie and Trinculo in The Tempest. 

Jennifer 

Fouché, 

Detroit, 

Michigan 

Before 

auditioning for 

AADA, Jennifer 

had been singing 

professionally for 

several years and 

had an album 

that went Gold 

in the UK. 

“A year or so before I came to the 

Academy I landed a role in The 

Cincinnati Black Theatre Company’s 

production of A Tribute to Motown. Once 

I got the role and found out I had to 

act as well as sing. I realized I loved 

acting on stage and that I could be as 

happy acting as singing but I knew in 

order to do that I needed the training. 

I only applied to this school. It was 

my mother (who had been an actor 

during the entire time I was growing 

up) who knew about the Academy. She 

and my father have always taught me to 

be specific in my goals and really go for 

what I want.” 

at AADA 



Definitely! I auditioned with a piece 

from Euripides’ Hecuba and for my 

contemporary piece I did Jeanette 

from Neil Simon’s The Last of the Red 

Hot Lovers. The Hecuba monologue is 

one that I keep in my audition 

repertoire. It’s so beautiful and powerful, 

not to mention it must be good luck 

since I got into the school! I thought 

I was a singer who would probably 

never act.The Academy showed me 

that all my life, I’ve been an actor who 

could sing... 

Declan 

Sammon, 

Dublin, Ireland 

Declan performed 

in plays 

and musicals in 

high school 

before enrolling 

in AADA. He first 

heard about 

AADA when his 

father saw an 

advertisement in the Irish Times in 

December of 2004. 

Did you consider any other 

training programs? 

Yes, I did consider other conservatories 

and actually was accepted into three 

schools in London (Arts Educational, 

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts 

and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School).As 

tempting as each one of those were, 

the pure gravitational pull of New York 

City made up my mind for me. 


audition? 

Yes, very well. I auditioned at a hotel in 

London for Roger Croucher in January 

‘05. I auditioned with a speech by 

Berowne in Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s 

Lost which was really a meditation on 

falling in love with someone not so easy 

on the eye! My modern piece was from 

All My Sons by Arthur Miller - George’s 

incendiary speech in the Keller’s house 

toward the end of the play; nice and 

explosive, so that’s why I chose it!

Habeas Corpus by 

Alan Bennett, 

director Paul Blankenship 

Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson, 

director Charles O’Hara 

A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard, director Barbara Rubin 

New York Graduation Plays 

Anna K by Eugenie Leontovich, 

director Jack Wann 

Come Back to the Five 

and Dime, Jimmy Dean, 

Jimmy Dean by Ed Graczyk, 

Director Lisa Milinazzo 

Move Over, Mrs. Markham by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, director Jonathan Bolt

Los Angeles Graduation Plays 

Necessary Targets by Eve Ensler, director Debra DeLiso 

The Exonerated by Jessica Blank and 

Eric Jensen, director Scott Reiniger 

The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, 

director Tim Landfield 

The Importance of Being Earnest 

by Oscar Wilde, director Jules Aaron 

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ 

When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, 

director Shirley Jo Finney 

The Curate 

Shakespeare of As 

You Like It 

by Don Nigro, 

director 

Karen Hensel

Guest Speaker and Tony Award nominee, 

Eve Best 

Student Speakers Jennifer Fouché and Klemen Novak 

President and CEO Roger Croucher with award recipients Sarah 

Ahlgren, Molly Donovan, Declan Sammon, Selene Beretta, Nicky 

Villiarimo, Eve Best, Gemma Fearn and Lyle Blaker 

New York Class of 2007 

Roger Croucher with Guest Speakers Alan Cox and Eve Best

LA Division President, 

James Warwick 

Los Angeles Class of 2007 

Graduates 

John Canizzaro 

(with camera) and 

Andrew Boryski 

Guest Speaker Alfred Molina, 

AADA student Alex Woronuk and 

LA Division President James Warwick 

Guest Speaker 

Alfred Molina 

Graduating seniors 

Giordana Diaz, 

Oriel Martin and 

Marilyn Chase 

Graduating seniors Floriane Merzougui, 

Larissa Bonaci, 

Kirsten Buch and Gianna Elice 

New alumni Edward Chavez, Kathryn Bridal, 

Adrian Harrell and Robert Booker 

Nia Witts and 

Jeronimo Hill show 

off their diplomas

AADA Alum Lisa Brescia 

Soars as Elphaba in 

Broadway’s Wicked 

As the understudy for Elphaba 

how much notice are you given 

before you actually go on? 

It varies, depending on the cause of Julia 

Murney’s (current Elphaba) absence. If 

she has a planned absence due to a 

scheduled concert or a vacation, I am 

notified far in advance, as soon as the 

schedule is confirmed and approved. If 

she is feeling a bit under the weather, it 

could be as little notice as one and a 

half hours, though Julia is extremely 

considerate, and understands that hair, 

makeup and wardrobe all need time to 

prepare for an Elphaba switch. She generally 

gives at least two hours notice, 

and usually more. 

How long does it 

take to get into 

costume and 

make-up? 

The folks who 

make it all happen 

are who we call 

The Green Team. 

There is one 

fabulous dresser 

Kathe Mull, who is solely there for 

Elphaba. She has the perfect mix of 

costume expertise and all of those 

other invaluable characteristics that 

make a fantastic dresser like focus, generosity 

and intuition. A very talented 

makeup artist, Jimmy Cortes begins the 

“greenifying” at 7:30 and wraps it up 

just after the “places” call. Usually he’s 

completed the face, neck and ears and 

is finishing up the hands by the time the 

show begins. And Chris Clark, the head 

of the wig department, does a fantastic 

job with Elfie’s hair. There are a couple 

of wigs which are re-styled throughout 

the show as Elphaba evolves. 

What is that process like? 

It’s a chance to simply sit still before 

the show, connect with the “Green 

Team” and mentally prepare for the 

performance. It’s actually 

a great pleasure getting 

ready for the show. 

Getting the make-up off, 

on the other hand, is not 

my favorite activity. It’s tedious. 

Do you have to be 

in the theatre every night? 

No, though I do need to be within a 

five block radius of the theatre in case 

of an emergency. Both witches 

(Elphaba and Glinda) have standbys, and 

we both need to be close by. I’m taking 

college courses to complete my undergrad 

degree, so generally I’m at the 

theatre in my dressing room, studying, 

though I do venture out to see other 

shows which are within five blocks. 

All this and you’re in school? 

I’ve always wanted to get my undergrad 

but was at a loss about how to travel 

to regional jobs and deal with the 

quirky scheduling in shows while trying 

to attend classes with any consistency. 

A friend mentioned Empire State 

College, part of the SUNY system, 

which has an online degree program. I 

started a year and a half ago, part-time, 

and it’s been fantastic. All the course 

subjects are general education requirements, 

so the people at the theatre 

tend to get an earful about things like 

nutrition, the Middle East, feminism or 

psychology...psychology in particular has 

been fun. I go around asking everyone 

about their fears and encouraging them 

to devise treatment plans...they humor 

me and treat me well despite my 

badgering. 

Were you familiar with the show 

and/or book before you accepted 

the role? 

I had seen the show on Broadway 

during previews with the original cast. 

I was blown away. The writing, the performances, 

the designs, direction and 

Lisa with makeup artist Jimmy Cortes 

choreography....all of it left me breathless. 

I was unfamiliar with the book, but 

recently received it as a gift and will be 

reading it while on a break from school. 

Is it fun to fly? 

I was absolutely terrified for the first 

few performances, now I feel pretty 

comfortable.Without giving away any 

technical secrets...I am very secure and 

safe when flying. Our crew is top-notch 

and makes certain that all of the actors 

who are airborne during the show are 

safe, whether harnessed, on a moving 

platform or in a “bubble” (like Glinda 

the Good Witch). 

What was the audition 

process like? 

I auditioned three years ago in an initial 

screening process, and at the time, it 

ended there. Then, last fall, I played 

Cleo in Twyla Tharp’s The Times They Are 

A-Changin’ on Broadway, and I believe 

that some creative team member(s) 

saw my performance in that production. 

As a result, I was brought in to 

sing and read for the entire creative 

team. A couple of days later, I got the 

news that they wanted me to join the 

NY company. 

How long will you be with Wicked? 

Do you have any projects planned 

for after this show? 

My contract at Wicked ends mid- 

November, and nothing is clear beyond 

that at this point in terms of the show 

or other projects. I’m optimistic. For 

now, I’m just enjoying the show, my 

schooling, the summer and the privilege 

of working in the theater. These ARE 

the good days!

Gabriel Barre Interview by 

Kathleen Germann 

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Gabriel Barre, 

an AADA alumnus (1977), accomplished director and 

Tony-nominated actor. 

In what ways do you value the training you 

received at AADA? 

I came to AADA directly from high school. One afternoon I 

was on the corner of 28th and Park and I was thinking about 

class work and I realized how much of yourself you have to 

invest in becoming a good actor. That as an artist you have 

to be aware of everything – especially behaviors. The teachers 

at AADA were instrumental in getting me to that point. 

Ian Richardson, who directed me in A Mid-Summer Night’s 

Dream and Herbert Maches also continue to influence me 

today. Ruth Neuman would get us tickets to see Broadway 

shows, and I formed lasting relationships with my classmates 

by going to see plays with them. 

Do you remember your audition piece? 

Yes, it was the “nose” speech in which Cyrano lists the 

myriad ways he might have been insulted had the young 

nobleman,Valvert, who has just insulted him, possessed a 

small portion of wit.Years later I would play Cyrano at the 

New Jersey Shakespeare Festival where I met my wife 

(actress Tricia Paoluccio) who was playing Roxanne. 

What was your first acting job? 

My first Equity show was Barnum. But my first job after 

AADA was with Richard Morse who was an instructor at 

AADA who taught mime. After graduation we toured 

throughout the world including Greece and Afghanistan. 

Eventually we operated our own theatre company in NYC, 

and I stayed with that company for about five years. 

Last year you directed a National Tour of Pippin 

which originated at the Goodspeed Opera House. 

Are there any particular challenges in directing for 

a tour? 

The casting for the tour took months because I was looking 

for a group of people who could sing and dance and were 

interesting and fun. I was able to find actors who worked 

really well together and bonded together. Although that tour 

is over, the actors continue to keep in touch and to get 

together.Technically, there were also challenges.The space 

at the Goodspeed was small with very limited wing space, 

but we knew we would play larger houses on tour so we 

had to work with two physical sets and scales.All the sets 

were built a year before the tour. 

As a director what type of input do you have 

in the casting? 

Usually 100%. Sometimes there is a collaborative process 

involved in a new play – but generally as a director 

I have the final decision. I look for people who have the 

appropriate attitude, professionalism and behavior and who 

will work well with others. If there is an actor I haven’t 

worked with before, I call other directors they have worked 

with and ask for their input. As a director I also receive 

phone calls from other directors asking about actors. 

Something that I learned at AADA is to have the proper 

attitude and professionalism as an actor and I expect to see 

this in others. 

Do your acting skills help you in directing actors? 

Very much so. I have also learned a great deal by watching 

other directors. 

You directed the Barnum & Bailey Circus. 

What was that like? 

It was a very different environment than theatre, closer to a 

corporate atmosphere. I helped to develop the show that is 

on tour now. 

You have some interesting special skills listed on 

your resume: wire walking, stilt walking, juggling 

and unicycling. Did your special skills help you 

with the circus? 

I have always been interested in circus skills. I was in the 

original cast of the show Forever Plaid, and because I could eat 

fire, that became something my character did.That skill is 

now in the character description, but other actors bring their 

unique skills to that role. 

You directed Eartha Kitt in the tour of Cinderella. 

What was that like? 

I have worked with Eartha Kitt seven or eight times now. 

She is wonderful to work with. 

Do you have projects coming up that you want to 

let us know about? 

I am working on a production of All About Us which recently 

premiered at The Westport Country Playhouse. It’s a Kander 

and Ebb musical based on Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our 

Teeth, and I am currently working on getting that show to 

New York. 

Gabriel Barre, segued his 

skills as an actor to become an 

accomplished director. His 

special skills run the gamut 

from wire walking to fire-eating 

and he has used his AADA 

training in everything from 

Broadway to the Ringling Bros 

and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Around the World 

Spotlight on Sweden 

Within a year of graduating from 

AADA in 2004,Yohanna Ida Hedlund 

worked on the independent film Sex and 

Sushi, was an extra in the blockbuster 

Hitch and returned to her native Sweden 

to pursue acting opportunities at home. 

Since returning to Sweden she 

played the lead role in the independent 

film Molly i Världen (Molly in the World), 

played a part in the television production 

Beck (which is similar to the US 

CSI series) and played the role of Sara 

in the mockumentary The Scoop. 

She is currently working on another 

fake documentary Against a Deadline 

which depicts the struggle of three 

young people as they try to make it big 

by making a film for the Sundance Film 

Festival. She is negotiating a role in a 

Danish feature to be shot next spring. 

Meet Your 

Alumni Coordinators 

Originally from 

Buffalo, New York, 

Hope Ewing has 

been working in 

development for 

New York City nonprofits 

for the past 

five years. She comes 

to AADA from the 

Metropolitan Opera. 

After achieving her BA in English and 

Women’s Studies from Binghamton 

University, Hope followed her passion 

for both art and activism by working 

with a variety of modern dance and 

human services organizations, including 

Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre and 

Advocates for Children of New York. 

Hope has a lifelong love of theatre and 

has studied dance since the age of five. 

She is honored to become part of this 

venerable institution. 

When preparing for a role,Yohanna 

remembers what she learned from 

Jackie Bartone and other AADA instructors. 

She tries to build her actions from 

the story and the specific experiences 

of the character. Most of all she says 

that she has learned to be, “extremely 

disciplined and to never take my acting 

skills for granted.” 

Joe Garcia is an AADA alumnus (1984). 

He has worked as an actor in theatres 

throughout the US and has been the 

recipient of many awards including the 

L.A. Ovation, Backstage Garland, MATY 

and numerous Dramalogue recognitions. 

Joe has been on the directing staff of 

AADA Los Angeles for ten years and 

looks forward to making new friends 

in his new post as our LA Alumni 

Coordinator. 

Hope and Joe are looking forward to getting to know you.They can be reached via 

e-mail at hewing@ny.aada.org or jgarcia@ca.aada.org. 

Welcome 

ACADEMY COMPANY 2008 

In New York 

Carmel Amite, Carmiel Israel 

Ashley Anderson, Knoxville,TN 

William Apps IV, Frazier, MI 

Selene Beretta, Canberra,Australia 

Jeanine Brinell, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Amy Browne, Melbourne,Australia 

Steven Lee Edwards,Austin,TX 

Gemma Fearn, Cheshire, England 

Jennifer Fouché, Detroit, MI 

Gregory Henits, Stroudsburg, PA 

Rick Kissack London, England 

Matthew Krause, Fountain Hills,AZ 

David Lanson, Scottsdale,AZ 

Tommaso Matelli, Lake Como, Italy 

Joshua Mayes, Romeo, MI 

Phoebe Middleton, Manama, Bahrain 

Klemen Novak, Ljubljana, Slovenia 

Beky Parry, Manchester, England 

Madeleine Pramik, San Francisco, CA 

Declan Sammon, Dublin, Ireland 

Jonathan Harper Schlieman, New York, NY 

Katharina Stenbeck, Stockholm, Sweden 

Vinicius Vieira, São Paulo, Brazil 

In Los Angeles: 

Marc Amadin,Turlock, CA 

Ryan Beard, Southampton, England 

Dan Behnke, Chicago, IL 

Allison Bennett, Parkersburg,WV 

Larissa Bonaci, St. Paul’s Bay, Malta 

R. Benito Cardenas, Delano,CA 

Krystle Connor, Las Vegas, NV 

Timothy Covington,Atlanta, GA 

Jolon Dante,Vancouver, 

British Columbia, Canada 

Roff Grimes,Advance, NC 

Jeronimo Hill, Mexico City, Mexico 

Daniel Jeary, Ringmeo, England 

Sam Krutzfeldt,Wetaskiwin,Alberta, Canada 

Corey MacIntosh,Truro, 

Nova Scotia, Canada 

Jonny Marlow,Aspen, CO 

Floriane Merzougui, Saint Etienne, France 

Sarah Rosson, Long Beach, CA 

Mary Grace Shaffo, Chico, CA 

Jenna Shaw, Orange County, CA 

Ben Stranahan,Aspen, CO 

Kathy Thomas-Aldrich, El Paso,TX 

Julie Vadnais, Ojai, CA 

Nia Witts,West Palm Beach, FL 

Diana Yekinni, London, England 

The year will culminate in a Showcase for 

industry professionals on February 20th 

for our New York Company and March 31st 

for our Los Angeles Company.

Florence 

Henderson 

Awards 

Johanna Day (1984) was the recipient of the Helen 

Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in a Resident 

Play for her work in The Rainmaker at Arena Stage. 

Will Gartshore (1996) is the recipient of the 

Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 

a Resident Musical for his role in Assassins at 

Signature Theatre. 

Linda Brennan (1983, and Faculty) was awarded 

the Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship by the California 

Association of Marriage and Family Therapists at 

their awards ceremony last May. 

Gena Rowlands (1952) was nominated for an 

Emmy Award for Actress in a Miniseries or movie 

for her role in What if God Were the Sun. 

Mary Jo Slater (1967) has been nominated for two 

Emmy Awards for casting; Casting for a Miniseries, 

Movie or Special for The Starter Wife and Casting for 

a Drama series for The Tudors. 

1940’s 

Lauren Bacall (1942) will star in the feature film 

Wide Blue Yonder. She was the guest of honor at the 

Haugesund Film Festival in Norway. 

Charles Durning (1948) will be in the feature film 

Audie and the Wolf. 

Don Rickles (1948) received a life-time achievement 

award – the Pinnacle Award at the Aspen Comedy 

Festival. He was also the subject of a documentary, 

The Rickles Factor, by director John Landis. 

1950’s 

Edwin Beschler (1951) received the Best Actor 

Award in the 2007 Playwrights Platform Festival of 

Short Plays in Boston, MA. He continues to act in 

plays, films and commercials in the Boston area. 

Florence Henderson (1953) unveiled her onewoman 

show, All the Lives of Me, at Joe’s Pub, at New 

York City’s Public Theater in June 2007. She was 

also the recipient of the Gypsy Award, an award 

presented by the Professional Dancers Society that 

recognizes performers for long careers as stars of 

musical productions in every medium. She can also 

be seen in the film Venus and Vegas. 

Neville Mur (1958) is a playwright residing in 

St. Louis, MO. His play Brooklyn Bagatelle was given a 

public workshop in St. Louis, and his two ten-minute 

plays were finalists in the Spectrum Short Play 

Festival at the First Run Theatre also in St. Louis. 

1960’s 

Danny DeVito (1966) was honored at the Karlovy 

Vary Film Festival with the Crystal Globe for his 

contribution to world cinema. His recent acting 

credits include the feature films Reno 911!: Miami 

and Nobel Son. He is at work on the upcoming 

feature One Part Sugar. 

Pamela Gray 

with 

Victor Garber 

Jane Keitel 

with actor 

Brendan Burke 

Alumni SPOTLIGHT 

Craig Dudley (1966) played Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth 

Night at the Tri-state Actors Theater in Sussex, NJ. 

Elizabeth Franz (1962) was in The Autumn Garden 

at the Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer 

Jane Lynahan Karklin (1967) is now devoting her 

time to writing. 

Sandy (Burstein) Rochelle (1963) wrote, directed 

and produced the feature length documentary Silent 

Journey which profiles her son David who is autistic 

and deaf. 

Mark Sadan (1963) produces doc-dramas for the 

National Road Safety Foundation. Most recently he 

produced and directed The Other Breakfast Club,a 

documentary about patients who suffered traumatic 

brain injuries as the result of automobile accidents. 

Mark is also one of the original film producers of 

Sesame Street. 

Wendy Tetley Tonkovich (1969) is a speech/language 

assistant at an elementary school in Vermont. 

James Whitmore Jr. (1968) has been directing 

episodes of Jericho, NCIS and The Unit. 

Richard Zavaglia (1968) appeared on stage with 

Lou Diamond Phillips in A Few Good Men at the Casa 

Manana Theatre in Fort Worth,Texas. 

1970’s 

Lee Colee–Atnip (1977) resides in Texas where she 

is involved the music department at Texas Women’s 

University as an actor and director with the 

Wimberley Players. 

Beth Broderick (1977) continues to work on 

television’s Lost and will be seen in the feature 

thriller Timber Falls. 

Kim Cattrall (1974) is in the feature film Shortcut 

to Happiness. 

Rita (Cocchiarella) Conlon (1976) performed in 

local and regional theatres, spent four years in the 

US Air Force and is currently working for an 

international law firm in Manhattan. 

Michael Countryman (1976) was on stage at 

NYC’s Second StageTheatre in the premiere of 

The Butcher of Baraboo, directed by Judith Ivey. 

Carol Crittenden (CJ Critt) (1976) recently 

performed her solo show By Rail in NYC and in 

Dallas. 

Paul DeBoy (1977) covered two roles in Sarah 

Ruhl’s, eurydice at Second stage in NYC. 

Christine Ebersole (1975) will star in the role of 

Margo Channing in Applause for City Center’s 

Encores! in February. The role was created onstage 

by Lauren Bacall (1942). 

Michael 

Countryman 

Ann Marie Famularo (1979) lives on Long Island 

where she is a dance teacher and choreographer. 

Cristina Fontanelli (1977) appeared at Feinstein’s 

at the Regency Hotel in NYC earlier this year. 

Lance Hannify (1976) is on the executive board of 

the San Diego Actors Alliance and is a special events 

designer. He has two sons who are pursuing acting 

and singing careers. 

Dennis Haysbert (1977) will star in the feature 

film Saravia. 

Lori (Kornhaber) Kaye (1975) is the Executive 

Producer for Bravo’s First Class All the Way. 

Carmela Lanza (1979) moved to Baltimore last 

year to pursue an MFA degree in theatre at Towson 

University. She has been producing and directing 

community inspired theatre that explores social and 

emotional issues, and is also an artist-in-residence in 

K-12 schools. 

Wanda Libardi (1973) was appearing in cabaret 

this summer in Williamstown, MA. In November 

she will appear at the New Colonial Theatre in 

Pittsfield, MA. 

Jeffrey Markle (1979) co-starred in two episodes of 

Grey’s Anatomy and will be seen later this year on Las 

Vegas. On stage, he played Durdles in The Mystery of 

Edwin Drood which was presented by the Sacred 

Fools Theatre in Hollywood. 

Dan McGeachy (1975) is currently directing and 

performing in Nashville,TN. 

Dennis Nichols (1972) and Michael Wilhelm (1978) 

performed in the stage adaptation of All I Really 

Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The play was 

produced by All for One Productions in Fort Wayne, 

Indiana, of which Dennis is a charter member. 

Donna Pescow (1975) recently guest starred on 

The Soprano’s and Crossing Jordan. 

Paula Rand (1978) has a studio where she teaches 

many different styles of singing. 

Eric Roberts (1977) will play a mafia kingpin in the 

feature film The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman 

Returns and can be seen in the feature film Witless 

Protection. On television he can be seen on the 

popular series Heroes. 

Hester (Mary Ann) Schell (1974) teaches film acting 

at the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking 

and Fine Arts Foundation. Along with acting, she 

produces social conscious documentary videos. She 

is currently in post-production on her short film 

Ju$t Under a Million.

1980’s 

Karen Abercrombie (1981) is an actress/singer/ 

songwriter who recently presented As Told by Mary, 

a one-woman drama, at the Lamont Library in 

McGraw, NY. 

David Brian Alley (1989) appeared in Stones in His 

Pockets at Playmakers Repertory in Chapel Hill, NC, 

and A Flea in Her Ear with the Clarence Brown 

Theatre at the University of Tennessee, where he is 

a resident artist and member of the acting faculty. 

Hank Azaria (Sum) will be back on Broadway this 

fall when he plays David Sarnoff in The Farnsworth 

Invention which is scheduled to open November 

14th at the Music Box Theatre. 

Douglas Carter Beane’s (1980) Xanadu will begin a 

National Tour in summer 2008. 

Eliborio Beltran (aka Eli Gemini) (1986) is the 

director, host, editor and executive producer of That 

Denton Show, a local cable program in Denton,Texas. 

Kim Brockington (1980) continues to play Felicia 

Bordeaux on Guiding Light. She will also understudy 

the role of Mrs. Muller for the national tour of 

Doubt. 

Adrien Brody (Sat) is in the feature films The 

Darjeeling Limited and The Brothers Bloom. 

Anna Clinton (1990) is a psychotherapist. She 

continues to sing and act part-time. 

Angela (Egic) Collins (1986) helps to facilitate 

local meetings teaching American Sign Language and 

Law of Attraction. She has recently worked with 

Manhattan Theatre Source and Medicine Show, was 

the assistant stage manager for the New York Deaf 

Theatre’s production of Brilliant Traces, and was the 

stage manager for Theatre 5’s Madame Bovary. 

Jennifer Coolidge (1982) appears on NBC’s improv 

showcase Thank God You’re Here. 

Richard Crowley (1980) resides in New Hampshire 

where he works as an on-air personality for Nassau 

Broadcasting. He is currently a performing member 

of Northeast Shakespeare Ensemble and teaches 

improv comedy at Northern Stage in White River 

Junction. 

Johanna Day (1984) will be featured on stage in 

Edward Albee’s Zoo Story and Homelife at New York 

City’s Second Stage Theatre. 

Illeana Douglas (1983) is in the feature film Expired, 

which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 

Mary Ellen Eppert (1986) is a freelance writer and 

astrological consultant living in Toronto, Canada. 

Will Gartshore 

Johanna Day 


Peter Gadjics (1984) published a 4,000 word article 

in the July/August issue of The Gay and Lesbian 

Review/Worldwide. 

Steven Gallagher (1989) recently played Quince in 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Riff Raff in The 

Rocky Horror Show for The Canadian Stage Company 

in Toronto. He also appeared in the Toronto premiere 

of William Finn’s Elegies: A Song Cycle. 

Beth Glover (1989) played Mayor Matilda Hyde in 

the first national tour of All Shook Up. She also 

appears in national commercials for ASPCA and 

Verizon. 

Acia Gray (1981) is the artistic director and 

founder of Austin-based Tapestry Dance Company 

which received an NEA touring grant to support a 

tour of The Souls of Our Feet, a celebration of tap 

masterpieces. 

Pamela Gray (1986) was in Present Laughter at the 

Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. 

Bruce Greenwood (1981) can be seen in the feature 

film National Treasure: Book of Secrets with 

Nicholas Cage and Helen Mirren. 

Wilbur Edwin Henry (1981) was onstage at Round 

House Theatre in Bethesda, MD in Orson’s Shadow. 

Cherie Young Hickman (1981) is a massage 

therapist and energy worker in Sterling,VA. She is 

also mentoring a program that is connecting a 

Head-Start program in Loudon,VA. to the area’s high 

school drama department. 

Matthew Hughes (1989) is teaching drama at an 

international school in Japan. 

Jane Keitel (1983) was in The Good German at 

Shadowland Theatre in Ellenville, NY, with an 

extended run at Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. 

Elias Koteas (1983) will star in NBC’s Fort Pit about 

a derelict police precinct in Brooklyn. 

Jerry Lambert (1980) recently guest-starred on 

television’s Brothers and Sisters and Til Death. He can 

also be seen in the feature film Smother. 

Kyle Larsen (1980) is part of the comedy team 

“Buddy and Honey”. She is also a ballroom dance 

champion. 

Matthew Lester (1986) lives in Atlanta where he 

does voice-over work. He is currently recording the 

audio book of Hi, My Name is Jack. 

Maria Lidstone (1985) is writing a book about her 

childhood in South Minneapolis. She was recently 

in the film Tusamehe about the devastating effects 

of AIDS. 

Jennifer 

Coolidge 

Patricia Lynn-Strickland (1982) is the music and 

drama teacher at St. Bonaventure High School and 

Our Lady of the Assumption School. Patricia also 

serves as Artistic Director for the Ventura 

Impromptu Players. 

Shelley Malil (1987) played supporting roles in the 

feature films Ping Pong Playa, Columbus Day and 

Crossing Over. 

Holly Martin-Baker (1986) made her Broadway 

debut this fall in Rent. 

Cheryllynne McNeil (C1987) is a stand-up comedian 

who is currently performing at comedy clubs 

throughout the west. She was recently featured on 

Comedian X. 

Brian Scott Miller (1987) co-wrote and co-directed 

the film The Pink Conspiracy. 

Carrie-Anne Moss (1988) played Julie in the feature 

film Disturbia, a 21st century update of Rear Window. 

Marie Oliver (1982) is running her own writing and 

editing business, Clarity in Writing and Editing, in 

Corvallis, OR. 

Frank Patano (1981) holds an MBA degree from 

Azusa Pacific University. He is the benefits manager 

at the University of La Verne, in La Verne, CA and 

also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for 

Parson’s Nose Productions in South Pasadena. CA. 

Lonnie Quinn (1987) became the weathercaster for 

WCBS-TV in New York in April, 2007. He forecasts 

the weather on the 6pm and 11pm newscasts. 

Dan Remmes (1987) has been commissioned to 

write the book for Grumpy Old Men the musical 

which is expected to debut on Broadway in 2008. 

Gerianne (Smith) Smart (Eve 1986) is President 

and owner of Smart Communication, Inc., an 

advertising sales and marketing firm located in 

Ferrisburgh.VT. Gerianne produced and co-wrote 

the film The Summer of Walter Hacks which she will 

be submitting to film festivals at the end of this year. 

Keith Randolph Smith (1986) played Snug in 

Shakespeare in the Park’s A Midsummer Night’s 

Dream. 

Frank Spinelli (1983) has appeared in numerous 

stage productions and independent films. He 

co-founded No-Pants Theatre Company and is now 

concentrating on writing. He lives in the Bay Area 

with his wife,Angie. 

Timothy Stickney (1985) played Hamlet for Take 

Wing and Soar company in NYC and Prince Escalus 

in The Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park’s 

production of Romeo and Juliet.

Bruce 

Greenwood 

James Tunstall (1988) is at work on the film John 

Wesley and was the company manager for Triad 

Stage in North Carolina this summer. 

Drew Ward (1980) is a theatre arts teacher at 

Santiago High School in Corona, CA and is a founding 

board member of Christian Arts and Theatre of 

Corona. He is active in community theater. 

1990’s 

Rachel Archuletta (1999) brought her one person 

show Do the Voices in My Head Bother You? to 

Mendocino, CA.The show originated with a twentyminute 

piece Rachel first developed in Debra 

Deliso’s class. Rachel is next pursuing bringing it to 

the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

Timothy Babcock (1990) performed in I Am My 

Own Wife in Provincetown this summer. 

Eion Bailey (1996) will star in the indie film Canyon, 

a film about honeymooners who have lost their way 

hiking in the Grand Canyon. 

Rene Bharti (1998) owns a music company and 

recording studio in Toronto. She is also doing lots of 

voice-over work. 

Stephen Bowman (1995) can be seen on Bravo’s 

reality series Flipping Out. 

Stefan Brogren (1993) is currently in his seventh 

season as Archie “Snake” Simpson on the Canadian 

television series, Degrassi:The Next Generation. 

Kathleen O’Rawe Clabby (1992) is a dance 

instructor at the North Carolina Theatre 

Conservatory and the Raleigh School of Ballet. 

Valerie David (1996) and Aaron Fili (1996) were 

seen in REVEAL, an evening of thought provoking 

monologues by emerging playwrights at Roy Arias 

studios in NYC. Valerie’s play Two-mur Humor: He’s 

Malignant; She’s Benign was selected to be part of the 

2007 New York Fringe Festival. 

Jeremy Davies (1990) stars in the feature film 

Rescue Dawn. 

Brian Ferrari (1991) has been the host of the 

weekly series Bri-Guy’s Media Surf on the Manhattan 

Neighborhood network for the past 10 years. Brian 

is also an actor and a writer who recently wrote 

and starred in the short film Straighten Up. 

Nicole Forester (1993) continues to play Cassie on 

Guiding Light. 

Will Gartshore (1996) appeared in Orson’s Shadow 

at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD. He is 

slated to appear in their upcoming production of The 

Book Club Play next spring. 

Mark Grinhaus (1998) has recently enrolled at 

York University and is working toward his MFA. 

Nicole Forester 

with actor 

Robert Newman 

His theatre company, Bound to Create Theater has 

been touring shows that he has written. 

Tanja Grupp (1992) lives in Berlin with her family. 

She is currently at work producing an independent 

film. 

Wesley (Managbanag) John (1992) has been busy 

working on stage, television and in commercials. He 

also appeared as a Samurai on Nickelodeon’s 

Ned’s De-Classified. 

Kim Marie Jones (1994) has her own health and 

fitness business. Kim is a graduate of St. John’s 

University. 

Matthew Lillard (1990) will play an Air Force 

colonel responsible for watching over an alien in 

Area 52 on NBC. On the big screen he will be seen 

in American Summer. 

Zena Dell (Stephens) Lowe (1994) is writing and 

directing a short film Hard Shell. 

Galadriel Masterson (1992) has been writing and 

producing music professionally. Her current band, 

Pretty Boys, will soon make their UK debut headlining 

a London festival. 

Robin Matthews (1994) played Gail Borah in the 

Sean Penn film Into the Wild. Robin was also the 

head of the make-up department on this film and 

she has worked on several other projects with Mr. 

Penn including All the King’s Men. 

Kelly Melachouris (1998) performed in Guys and 

Dolls for the Gallimaufry Theatre Group in Laguna, 

CA. 

Sharon Moist (1993) works as a personal 

development and career coach to entertainment 

industry professionals. 

Tim Stickney 

Tony Nappo (1991) has been very busy acting in 

the feature films Jumper, Killshot and Saw 4. He can 

also be seen in the Canadian indies Hank and Mike, 

This Beautiful City and in the Lifetime mini-series The 

Gathering. 

Dael Orlandersmith (EVE) starred in The Blue 

Album, which she also co-wrote, at the Long Wharf 

Theatre in New haven, CT. 

Jessica Pimentel (1999) played the role of Mathilda 

in The Clean House at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors 

Theatre. She made her feature film debut in John 

Singleton’s Illegal Tender. 

Susan Porro (1994) stars in the film Able Killer and 

will also be seen in the feature The Minsters with 

John Leguizamo and Harvey Keitel. 

Jose Restrepo (1992) is currently playing Sonny 

LaTierre, one of the T-Birds, in the Broadway revival 

of Grease. 

Blake Robbins (1993) has been busy directing the 

24 hour plays for the Elephant Theatre in Los 

Angeles; starring in and producing the film Bunker 

Hill and working on stage in the Monkey Puzzle Tree 

at the Ojai Theatre Festival and Sometimes a Great 

Notion at the Portland Center Stage. He recently 

had a guest appearance on the television series, 

Without a Trace. 

Zuleikha Robinson (1997) will star in the television 

series New Amsterdam about a police detective who 

is secretly centuries old. Lasse Halstrom is the 

director. 

Emily Barnes-Rodrigues (1997) was the acting and 

dialogue coach on the short film Love Like Wind. 

Jaret Sacrey (1993) is living in Los Angles with his 

wife Gillian Brashear (1993). He is the recipient of 

the Ovation Award for his work in Killer Joe; has 

designed sets for the LA theatre community and has 

directed two short films. Jaret and Gillian both 

starred in the musical Weedwacker at the Hayworth 

Theatre Center in Los Angeles and are currently 

on stage in Sylvie at the Odyssey Theatre in 

Los Angeles. 

Kathy Searle (1999) stars in the Off-Broadway 

show My First Time. 

Mark Shunock (1998) is currently playing Timon in 

Disney’s national tour of The Lion King 

Scott Stevens (1999) works in business development 

in Bangkok,Thailand. 

Stacy (KomLosy) Stewart (1995) is living in 

Portland, Maine, where she works at the University 

of Southern Maine as a student coordinator and 

academic advisor. She acts and directs for local 

community theatres and is the proud mom of 

11 month old Ozzie. 

Jason Tendell (1994) played Poins in Henry IV, Part I 

at the Theatre Banshee in Burbank, where he will 

also appear in Power. Jason has also done some 

voiceover work for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead 

Man’s Chest and a new Playstation 3 title. 

After a career as an actor and theatrical producer, 

Jason Wolk (1990) turned to producing films and 

commercials. To date he has produced over 100 

commercials for clients such as Nissan,Visa, and 

Coca-Cola. Jason is a graduate of USC and lives with 

his wife Jody and their two sons in Encino, CA. 

Carrie Yaeger (1999) was in Write Club NYC’s 

production of Growing Pretty. 

Maeve Yore (1998) is currently on stage in Sister 

Cities at the Gloria Maddox Theatre in NYC. Todd 

Cowdery (2006) is the Medical Technical Adviser on 

the production.

Brian Zarka (1998) focused his career on directing 

and is currently directing a music video for the band 

Sapo Sue. He also directed a short Super16 called 

Sunshine. 

2000’s 

Robert Adamson (2004) will be seen in the ABC 

Family series Lincoln Heights, a new series about a 

family living in an inner-city neighborhood. 

Derek Ahonen (2001) will be directing his play The 

Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side at the Gene Frankel 

Theatre in NYC. 

Patrick Allen (2006) performed in Rosecrans at the 

Santa Monica Playhouse. 

Emily Barlow (2005) is featured in the short film 

The Query, directed by Lisa Milinazzo (faculty).The 

film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier 

this year. 

Joe Bartolotta (2004) recently participated in two 

staged readings of new plays at the KNF Festival in 

New York. 

Edward Bennett-Coles (2004) wrote and performed 

in Two Storm Wood for Shotgun Theatre 

Company in London. 

Artie Ray Bergeron (2004) has been busy with 

various types of work including commercials and 

films. He is currently filming the lead role in the 

indie film Em. 

Sarah Berry (2006) plays a cheerleader in the film 

Gracie. 

Julian Brennan (2005) has enlisted in the US 

Marines for four years of active duty. 

Kacie Brown (2002) and Leena Lambert (2006) 

were in South Coast Repertory’s Educational 

Touring Program.They appeared in the musical Bad 

Water Blues, A Coral Reef Mystery. 

Brittany (Sarkisian) Carson (2006) has been busy 

with voice-over work for commercials and video 

games and acting in the feature film Bratz. She is 

working on stage in the new musical City Kid. 

Michael Cortez (2007) was in NYC’s Fringe 

Festival in To Be Loved along with AADA alumni 

Nicholas Gorham (2003). Michael was also in 

Goodnight Bobby, Goodnight John at the Richmond 

Shepard Theatre in NYC with alumna Roisin 

Donnelly (2007). 

Scott Cote (2001) has worked with Disney 

Creative Entertainment as part of their new musical 

Twice Charmed, which is based upon Cinderella. Scott 

can be heard on the original cast recording.This fall 

he will play LeFou in Beauty and the Beast at 

Max Crumm and 

Jose Restrepo 

Elizabeth Franz 

with 

Mamie Gummer 


Northern Stage Theatre in White River Junction, 

Vermont. 

Max Crumm (2006) is starring on Broadway as 

Danny Zuko in the revival of Grease. Max won the 

role on the reality television series Grease:You’re the 

One That I Want. 

Ewa da Cruz (2004) continues to play Vienna Hyatt 

on As the World Turns. Ewa was an award presenter 

at the NY graduation ceremonies. 

Danny DeLillo (2005) recently completed a UK 

national tour of Romeo and Juliet and Richard III. 

Ambr Falck (2006) appeared in several short films 

and on stage in Derek Ahonen’s (2001) While 

Chasing the Fantastic at the Krane Theatre in NYC. 

Adam Fujita (2006) was in Dark of the Moon at the 

Chashama Theatre in NYC and played Borrachio for 

The Drilling Company/Shakespeare in the Parking 

Lot’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. 

Olga (Mougoyianni) George (2001) teaches 

Meisner technique at the Theatre of Changes in 

Athens, Greece. 

Luke Grimes (2004) has worked on the indie films 

War Eagle and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, which 

premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and will have 

a wide theatrical release later this year. 

Heidi Lind Hopstock (2005) has been accepted 

into the theatre program at Rose Bruford College in 

Sidcup, England. 

Phillip James (Phil Brown) (2005) recently played 

Hal in Henry IV Part I for the Richmond Shakespeare 

Festival in Virginia. 

Natasha Kozaily (2007) is studying music at Cardiff 

University in Wales. 

Kristin Leim (2005) did some studio recording in 

Nashville and worked on the feature film Let Them 

Wait. Kim Hamilton (2005) also worked on the 

film. 

Karla Menjivar (2003) recently performed her 

one woman show, Middle School, at Highways 

Performance space in Los Angeles.This is a piece 

she first developed in Felix Pire’s class at AADA. 

Karla also finished a run of Los Illegals for the 

Cornerstone Theatre Company also in Los Angeles. 

Judy Merrick (2007) played the lead role in 

Knuckleball in the Iowa Fringe Festival. Judy also 

produced Pigeon Man Apocalypse for the New York 

Fringe Festival 

Angela Milton (2006) made her directorial debut at 

the 78th Street Theatre Lab with A Night in 1948. 

She also appeared in the plays Moll and Spontaneous 

Combustion #29 in NYC. 

David Newham 

Ewa da Cruz with 

Assistant Director 

of Instruction, 

Jackie Bartone 

Jared Morgenstern (2005) was on stage in Porn and 

Happiness:You Can’t Have Both at the Gene Frankel 

Theatre in NYC earlier this year. 

Puy Navarro (2001) produced and starred in Life is 

a Dream, a pro-human rights theatrical event at The 

Culture Project in NYC. 

David Newham (2005) landed a recurring role on 

the hit TV series 24. David can also be seen on the 

big screen in Charlie Wilson’s War with Tom Hanks, 

Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and in 

The Invasion with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. 

David Orta (2002) is working as an associate producer/personal 

assistant on the children’s television 

show The Magic Paint Box. 

Mary Anne Puntoriero (2000) owns and operates 

a slipper design company with her mother in 

Sydney, Australia. Mary Anne was married earlier 

this year. 

Leslie Rishkofski (2005) worked on the indie films 

Stan and A Quiet Little Marriage. 

Colt Romberger (2005) enlisted in the US Air 

Force. 

Stephan Rumphorst (2005) lives in Berlin where 

he produced the short film Voll Krass. He also directs 

plays for the Theater der Erfahrungen. 

Rodrigo Santacruz (2001) resides in Mexico City 

where he plays Willy in the Mexican Soap Opera 

Codigo Postal. He also plays a nightclubber in the film 

The Air I Breathe. 

Jessica (Wilson) Savage (2005) co-founded the 

dance troupe The Peach Tartes and she has been 

performing with them and producing shows 

throughout NYC. 

Kim Shaw (2004) can be seen in the feature films 

The Babysitters with John Leguizamo and Cynthia 

Nixon and Greetings from the Shore. 

Trace Sheehan (2005) has moved to LA where he 

is working as a development coordinator for Prana 

Studios, an animation company based in India with 

offices in Los Angeles; and for Flame Ventures, an 

independent production company, where he helps to 

pitch and develop new ideas. 

Melia Smith (2006) has completed work on the 

indie short Lightening and the feature film Rich From 

Within. 

Holly Stotelmyer (2006) worked as an extra in the 

feature film I am Legend. 

Lisa Tamashiro (2004) performed in the sketch 

comedy, Monty Pythongs, at the Next Stage in Los 

Angeles.

Tom Poston 

Elyse Tirrell (2006) is living in Osaka, Japan where 

she understudies the role of Elphaba in The 

Universal Studios’ production of Wicked. 

Nathalie Tolentino (EVE 2000) has been busy with 

commercials, print work, short films and theatre. 

Ryan Turner (2000) graduated cum laude from 

Towson University with a BA in theatre. 

Elizabeth Wehner (2000) has been contracted by 

the Los Angles Opera and will appear in several 

productions this season. 

Ashley Williams (2005) has been involved with 

NiteStar Theatre, an AIDS prevention theatre in 

education company. Earlier this year Ashley cofounded 

Mind the Art Theatre and Studio. 

Nathan Willis (2006) was on stage at the Long 

Island City Centre for the Arts in Atonement. 

Haley Zale (2007) played Catherine Simms in The 

Foreigner for the Chenango River Theatre Company, 

a brand new professional equity theatre, located in 

Greene, NY. 

John Brant (2006), Mark Noonan (2005) and 

Adam Vorrath (2006), were in Someone Who’ll 

Watch Over Me at the Gene Frankel Theatre in NYC 

earlier this year. 

This spring the Hallmark Channel premiered 

Pandemic with Academy alums Eric Roberts (1977), 

French Stewart (1985), Renee (Wexler) Taylor 

(1952), Scott Michael Campbell (1991) and David 

Newham (2005). 

Lester Thomas Shane (Faculty) directed Asylum as 

part of The Wonderland One Act Play Festival. 

Among the cast were Kiki Bertocci, Krystal 

Blackman, Randy Blair,Tommy Buck, Natalie 

Johnson, Ricky Johnston and Kat Procko all from 

the class of 2006. 

Alumni as Authors: 

Hélène Cardona’s (1989) newest book The 

Astonished Universe is a book of poetry written in 

English and French. 

Mary Carter’s (1990) second novel, Accidentally 

Engaged, hit the bookshelves earlier this year. 

Terry Farley’s (1971) autobiographical work Distant 

Reaches was published earlier this year. 

Basil Hoffman (1962) is the author of Acting and 

How to be Good at It. 

Julianne Lee (1982) is a novelist residing in 

Tennessee. She is the author of an historical fantasy 

series and she has published three novels to date: 

Knight Tenebrae, Knight’s Blood and Knight’s Lady which 

is due out in early 2008. Julianne is also active with 

the Steeple Players in Hendersonville. 

Accidentally 

Engaged by 

Mary Carter 

Miriam Perrone (1987) is a playwright living in 

Georgia. Her book of poetry Cry Me a River will be 

published this fall. 

Don Rickles (1948) released Rickles’ Book: a Memoir, 

earlier this year. 

True Grace:The Life and Times of an American Princess 

was published earlier this year. 

Celebrating: 

Christine Arnold Schreoder, Director of 

Development, Media and Strategy, and her husband 

Bob welcomed baby Elizabeth Mata Schroeder on 

July 19, 2007 

Kathryn Haskett (2004) gave birth to Lochlyn 

Amanda Cutt in October 2006. 

Phillip James (Phil Brown) (2005) and Emily 

Barlow (2005) were married September 28th in 

North Carolina. 

Sylvia Jefferies (1995) welcomed her son James in 

October. 

Brian Zarka (1998) married hair designer Lauren 

Kristina Wise on May 19th. 

Remembering: 

Tom Poston (1947) passed away April 30th at the 

age of 85. Poston was a versatile and veteran performer 

who was best known for his roles as the 

comic bumbler. He received an Emmy Award for his 

work on The Steve Allen Show and was nominated for 

his roles on Newhart and Coach. His numerous television 

credits include guest appearances on Will & 

Grace, Murphy Brown, Just Shoot Me, and That ‘70s 

Show as well as regular work on Mork and Mindy and 

Bob and a ten year turn as a panelist on To Tell the 

Truth. Prior to his acting career Poston enlisted in 

the Army Air Corps and subsequently flew troops to 

the European War zone during World War II.While 

searching for postwar employment he read an interview 

with Charles Jehlinger and was inspired to 

attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His 

film work included roles in Cold Turkey, Rabbit Test, 

Christmas with the Kranks and The Princess Diaries2: 

Royal Engagement. Mr. Poston is survived by his wife, 

actress Suzanne Pleshette. 

Eleanor Renee Robinson (Eve 2007) July 19, 2007. 

Eleanor graduated from the Evening Division on 

Saturday, June 30, 2007. During her second year she 

played April in Hot L Baltimore, Margaret Brennan in 

The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Lula in Wedding 

Band. To each role, she brought a sensitive understanding 

of the human condition, growing more each 

moment as an actor and a person. She had the 

warmest smile and was everyone’s biggest fan. It is 

well-known fact that she gave the best hugs.We are 

so proud that she is an alumna of this program and 

school.We will miss her dearly. 

Rickles’ Book 

James Bell (1973) May 4, 2007. James was an 

accomplished musician, composer, lyricist and 

producer. He played lead guitar with numerous 

rock/blues bands. 

Jimmy Bernstein (aka Jesse Black) (1955) January 

8, 2007. His most notable role was in The Wrong 

Man with Henry Fonda. He also had a successful 

career in real estate and founded Delta Realty in 

Athens, Georgia. 

Susan (Robinson) Elliott (1963) April 12, 2007 

in a fire in her home in London. Susan had been 

married to actor Denholm Elliott and established 

a hotel complex in his name in Ibiza Can Bufi 

where people who are HIV positive can enjoy a 

free stay. She is the author of Denholm Elliott, 

Quest for Love. 

Veronica Lally Kehoe (1976) April 7, 2007. An 

actress and producer, she encouraged and supported 

new American plays through the work of her 

company Gypsy Road Company. 

Alexander Molina (1963) April 12, 2007. Mr. 

Molina appeared on One Life to Live, All My Children 

and most recently on the prime time series Ed. 

He appeared in numerous commercials and print 

advertisements and on stage at regional theatres 

such as the Goodspeed Opera House and 

Cincinnati Opera House. 

Sister Marguerite Morrissey (1942) May 5, 2007. 

Sister Marguerite entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of 

Peace in 1953. She taught and served as principal in 

schools in Washington and California while she 

earned her masters degrees in theatre arts and 

theology. She was technical advisor and played the 

role of Sister Immaculata in The Runner Stumbles. 

Mary Margaret Sherer (Dillon) (1951) February 

16, 2007 in New London, CT. 

Hazel (Woodhouse) Shuster (1946) April 14, 2007 

in New Jersey. She was a member of the Valley 

Players in Watchung, NJ. 

Please submit your news to news@aada.org, or to 

The Journal of American Academy of Dramatic Arts, 

120 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016. 

Don’t forget to include your class year and campus.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Samuel Davis: Chairman of the Board 

William Blinn, Vice-Chairman 

Jolyon F. Stern, Vice-Chairman 

Roger Croucher: President and CEO 

E. Robert Goodkind, Secretary 

Gregory Taft Gerard, Treasurer 

Robert E.Wankel, Chairman Emeritus 

Wallace Albertson 

Mary de Liagre 

Claudia Faris 

Jeremy Feakins 

Alan A. Fischer 

Michael Gardner 

Sam Gores 

Felix Grossman 

Brian Henson 

Neal King, PhD 

Jonathan Pollard 

George C.White 

HONORARY TRUSTEES 

Conrad Bain 

Roger S. Berlind 

George Cuttingham 

Lee Granger 

Frank Langella 

Robert Redford 

James Warwick: 

LA Division President 

Robert Reddington: 

Chief Financial Officer, COO 

Dr. Nina LeNoir: 

Director of Instruction, LA 

Constantine Scopas: 

Director of Instruction, NY 

Christine Arnold Schroeder: 

Director of Development and Strategy 

Karen Higginbotham: 

Director of Admissions 

Elizabeth Lawson: 

Director of External Relations 

The Journal is published at 

AADA New York and distributed 

free to alumni, donors, press and 

members of the entertainment 

industry. 

Executive Editor: 

Christine Arnold Schroeder 

Senior Editor: Kathleen Germann 

Contributors: 

Faith Ball 

Elizabeth Lawson 

Pete Tufel 

Jill Van Hee 

Design: J & E Design, Inc. 

Photo Credits: 

LA graduation series by Luke Moyer © 2007; 

LA graduation by Maxine Picard © 2007; 

NY graduation and play series by 

Mark Wyville © 2007; 

Gala photos by Scott McLane © 2007; 

Florence Henderson by Kevin Yatarola/ 

Joe’s Pub © 2007; 

Pamela Gray by T. Charles Erickson © 2007; 

Michael Countryman by Joan Marcus © 2007; 

Will Gartshore by Carol Pratt © 2007; 

Johanna Day by Scott Suchman © 2007; 

Jennifer Coolidge by Paul Drinkwater/NBC © 2007; 

Nicole Forester by Lorenzo Bevilaqua/PGP © 2007; 

Tim Stickney by Joseph Marzullo/Retna Ltd. © 2007; 

Grease by Joan Marcus © 2007; 

Elizabeth Franz by Carol Rosegg © 2007; 

Christine Ebersole by Joan Marcus © 2007; 

Cover photography by Mark Rupp © 2007; 

Back Cover by Luke Moyer © 2007; 

Jane Keitel by Carol Rosegg © 2007; 

Joe Garcia and Ivana Shein by 

Kathleen Hirai ©2007; 

Both campuses are accredited by NAST, 

the New York campus by MSCHE and the 

Los Angeles campus by WASC/ACCJC. 

America’s First Drama Conservatory 

AADA New York 

Founded 1884 

120 Madison Avenue 

New York, NY 10016 

212-686-9244 

AADA Los Angeles 

Founded 1974 

1336 N. LaBrea Avenue 

Hollywood, CA 90028 

323-464-2777 

Editorial Office 

American Academy of Dramatic Arts 


New York, NY 10016 


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Christine Ebersole - American Academy of Dramatic Arts

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