The Professionals Profiles
Mike Caron
Mike Caron is a professional actor and assistant director currently working on Nickelodeon's, "iCary" with Miranda Cosgrove.
Mike's career in Hollywood spans 14 years in which he has been able to participate in all facets of Hollywood production.
Soon after arriving, Mike landed a recurring part on the soap opera, "The Young and the Restless." He also appeared in various movies with Beverly D'Angelo in "Widow's Kiss" and Richard Dreyfuss in "Lansky." He acted in the movie, "It's All About You," with future "Corey in the House" star, John D' Aquino. He arrested Stacey Keach in the "Mike Hammer" TV shows and was revealed to be the villain in an episode of "LA Heat."
Later, Mike started working for two seasons as an assistant director on the hit Nick show "Drake and Josh". After "Drake and Josh" completed its run, Mike then began work on Nickelodeon's, "Zoey 101." After four seasons, the doors finally closed on Zoey and her friends at Pacific Coast Academy. It wasn't long before a new one opened to the world of 2 girls named Carly and Sam and their pal Freddie. The show is called "iCarly" and Mike has worked on it since the pilot. It is currently in its second season.
Mike has been blessed to work with some outstanding talented people within the industry and has also been asked to participate and read in various acting and audition workshops in Los Angeles. He has worked with casting directors Harriet Greenspan and Don Phillip Smith to name a few and has been known to use his acting talents to play various parts in a "Drake and Josh" or "iCarly" producer run thru!!
"I have worked with many people, but I have to say that Michael's insight and knowledge in this business makes him a guest not to be missed." - Lane Napper acting coach/choreographer
Nancy Carson
Nancy Carson, owner of the Carson-Adler Agency, is internationally respected for high quality representation of young performers. An expert in her field for nearly 30 years, Nancy has been interviewed often on international television and is sought after as a speaker at industry seminars throughout the U.S.
As an advisor to the Actor's Equity Association's Children's Committee, Nancy actively works for the rights of professional children. In the early 80s, she negotiated for her young clients and set the standard for requiring tutoring for children on tour, and was instrumental in getting mandatory tutoring written into the Equity Production Contract for Touring Companies. More recently, Nancy has been on the forefront of the movement requiring Broadway producers to provide tutoring starting with the rehearsal period and continuing until one week after opening night.
Nancy was also a leader in the movement toward non-traditional casting of children, representing the first African-American and Latino orphans in Annie, the first Asian and African-American girls to play "Cosette" and the first girl to understudy Gavroche in Les Miserables.
She is on the speakers panel of the Screen Actor's Guild Young Performers Committee and is a member of the National Association of Talent Representatives. Nancy is also the author of Raising a Star - the parents' guide to helping kids break into theater, film, television or music.
Diane Hardin
Diane's method of teaching grew out of a successful career as an actress in theatre, television and film. A love of the art of acting and desire to nurture young talent led to the creation of Young Actors Space, the most respected training ground for young actors in LA since 1979. YAS has trained many of the entertainment industry's brightest young stars. In 2000, Diane took her enthusiastic improv teaching style to New York, where she was welcomed with full classes and professional results. Diane now works in Los Angeles as a private coach and career consultant. Her past and present students include Jessica Biel, Kirk Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kellie Martin, Danny Masterson, Hillary Swank, and Elijah Wood, amongst many others.
Bruce Kronenberg
Bruce Kronenberg has been in the voice over business for 18 years. Originally represented by J. Michael Bloom & Associates, he has also been a client with ICM Voiceovers in Los Angeles, where he originally worked with Marla Kirban and with Paradigm in New York. He is currently signed with Atlas Talent. He has done voice over campaigns for Mountain Dew, Campbell's Soup, Tyco Toys, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Pepsi Cola, Celebrity Cruise, Taco Bell, Pringles, Castrol Motor Oil, Time Warner Cable and Planters Nuts. As a promo artist, he has worked for CBS, ESPN, MTV, VH1, National Geographic and The Discovery Channel. He teaches a technique for voice overs that enables you to interpret commercial copy with a freshness and originality that comes from a strong acting point of view.
Badiene Magaziner
Badiene Magaziner is an outstanding and highly respected International voice teacher with studios in the NYC and the greater NJ/Philadelphia area. Although Badiene's career was in opera and Broadway, over the past 10 years, she has become one of the foremost experts in teaching R&B, Pop, Rock, Jazz and Gospel, as well as opera and Musical Theater. Her students, both children and adults, have appeared in many Broadway shows including MARY POPPINS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, SHREK THE MUSICAL, 13 THE MUSICAL, THE BOY FROM OZ, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE PRODUCERS, RENT, OKLAHOMA, MISS SAIGON, LION KING and NINE. Badiene with her student, PJ Verhoest backstage with Hugh Jackman after a performance of "The Boy from Oz." Her students have also been featured in the National Touring Companies of ANNIE, OLIVER, DORA THE EXPLORER, and MAME, as well as in BROADWAY KIDS, AMERICAN GIRL THEATER, and in various DISNEY venues. Her Pop, Rock and R&B students have received PLATINUM RECORDS (Jaheim) and have appeared on AMERICAN IDOL, STAR SEARCH, AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, and AMERICA'S MOST TALENTED KID.
Badiene teaches SPEECH LEVEL SINGING, a vocal technique that has garnered over 120 Grammy Awards Badiene with Natalie Cole and has been used by stars including Michael Jackson, Josh Groban,and Natalie Cole. She was personally invited by famed Hollywood vocal coach, Seth Riggs, to become his first certified Seth Riggs' Speech Level Singing associate on the east coast. Speech Level Singing technique is regarded by several entertainment professionals to be the most effective and commercial vocal method.
"The audience leaped to its feet roaring approval when Badiene Gray (Magaziner) came onstage for her curtain call." - Washington Post-Joseph McLellan
Badiene has successfully coached singers, dancers, and actors in every aspect of musical performance, Badiene with her student, Matthew Gumley after the Mary Poppins opening nightand has shared her expertise at the Speech Level Singing Institute in Los Angeles. In addition, she has conducted Master Classes on "Selling a Song," and is the presenter of the MANHATTAN SHOWCASE PROJECT, a series of performance classes geared towards helping performers develop their skills.
Her young students have also won leading roles in their middle school, high school and community productions, as well as scholarships to major programs and institutions including New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, The Mannes School of Music, Eastman School of Music, The New School, Berklee School of Music, Indiana University's Jacob's School of Music, Graz International Opera Program, The Hart School of Music, American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Metropolitan Opera coach, Joan Dornemann's International Vocal Arts Institute.
"First honors went to Badiene Gray, a Philadelphian with German experience and a voice and presence of character, who gave a Magda Sorel of the highest intelligence, emotionally compelling, vocally fine-grained." - OPERA NEWS-Charles Jahant
As for her own history, Badiene holds a Master's Degree of Music in Voice Badiene and Giorgio Tozzi as Musetta and Alcindoro from the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she was awarded a full scholarship, studied voice with Beverly Peck Johnson and starred in LA BOHEME and DON PASQUALE at the American Opera Center, currently The Juilliard Opera Theater. Shortly after graduation, Badiene was invited to star in numerous operas and operettas throughout Europe. She appeared as Fiordiligi in COSI FAN TUTTE, Donna Elvira in DON GIOVANNI with Benjamin Luxon and Nicolai Gedda, Eurydice in ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE, and alternately as Mimi and Musetta in LA BOHEME. Together with Jose Carreras and Katia Ricciarelli, Badiene sang Musetta in a gala performance of LA BOHEME.
In a string of highly acclaimed Washington Opera performances at the Kennedy Center Badiene and Eduardo Villa as Tosca and MarioBadiene starred as Magda Sorel in GianCarlo Menotti's THE CONSUL, having been chosen for the role by the composer. She had earlier been a finalist in the Pavarotti International Voice Competition. Badiene also sang the title role of TOSCA with the New Orleans Opera, Connecticut Opera, Virginia Opera, Boston Opera, and the Buffalo Opera.
"If I have postpones my words about Madga Sorel to the end, its because I find myself almost speechless when I consider Badiene Gray, who brought us all to tears when she sang 'To This We've Come.' It stopped the show." - WMGS-Washington, D.C.- Calvin LeCompt
From 1997-2003, Badiene produced the "Erik's Wish Benefit Concert" in New Jersey. She developed and conducted the Erik's Wish Choir, a performance choir that performed with her in the show at many charity events. Badiene has been on the Jury of several vocal competitions in the United States and Russia. Badiene and Larry KingAlong with other luminaries such as Kevin Eubanks of "The Tonight Show" and "Star Wars" director, Irv Kershner, she was recently honored by The Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. Badiene was invited by renowned Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano, Dolora Zajick to contribute her expertise at her Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Badiene had the honor performing at many charity events, honoring politicians and dignitaries including President Clinton, Prime Minister John Majors, and Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and TV personality Larry King. Studios: NJ (856) 795-1458 NY: (212) 873-2939
Lane Napper
Lane is an accomplished acting coach, actor, dancer and choreographer, having worked and been featured in a long list of television appearances, videos, commercials, stage productions, and voice-overs.
Lane's work can be seen on television's iCarly, Drake and Josh, Zoey 101, All That, Cosby, and The Drew Carey Show. Plus, recurring roles on All My Children, Suddenly Susan, and The Nikki Cox Show.
Besides television, Lane's work with actors/dancers in the Broadway productions of The Color Purple, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, The Sound of Music, and Gypsy has made him one of the most coveted and sought after teachers on the scene today. Some of Lane's clientele include Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Touchstone, Disney, CBS, Discovery Channel, and Fox-TV.
In April of 2006, Lane was featured in American Girl magazine as "Acting coach to the stars." He also appeared in the September 2007 issue of Pop Stars magazine with Miranda Cosgrove.
Whether your goal is personal or professional, Lane will help you find the part of yourself that's missing. He is simply the best. — Michael Boyce New York City Opera
Janet Palazzotto
Janet Palazzotto, a mother of a former child actor, is an independent child welfare advocate who has devoted the last 12 years to educating families of child performers and improving the laws and regulations aimed at protecting minors in the entertainment industry.
Janet began her journey without any working knowledge of "show business" and had to learn her lessons “the hard way”. She has experienced first hand the good, the bad and the ugly trying to navigate through the intricacies of the business without any readily available assistance or resources, and has discovered a great deal about the workings of the industry. She since realized the importance of parental education in managing a child’s acting career, and begun sharing her knowledge and experience with others.
For many years Janet has worked in close contact with the Consumer Protection Board, State Boards of Education, Professional Unions and government agencies concentrating on improving protections for child performers’ employment, education and welfare. Janet keeps a very close eye on the industry developments and happily shares her knowledge and experience with what has now become a very large network of families. She helps parents of aspiring actors and child performers to make informed decisions about their children’s acting career and education.
Christine Rudakewycz
Christine Rudakewycz has wrangled children in the Broadway productions of Gypsy, The Coast of Utopia, Caroline or Change, and Annie Get Your Gun. Her wrangling experience also includes the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Distracted (off-Broadway), 4 national and international tours, and 7 regional productions at Paper Mill Playhouse, White Plains PAC, and Helen Hayes PAC. Christine has also worked as a tutor for 10 additional Broadway productions, 14 TV shows and 3 films, specializing in math and science. She has a master's degree in math education from Teachers College / Columbia University, and will soon spend two years in Ethiopia teaching math at Sandford International School.
Jennifer Rudin
Jennifer Rudin is Director of Casting and Talent Development for Disney Theatrical Productions in New York City. Jennifer spent five years as head of casting for Walt Disney Animation Studios and won the 2006 Artios Award for casting Chicken Little. Additional animated films include Meet the Robinsons (2007 Artios Nomination), The Wild (2006 Artios nomination), Academy Award Winning film The Incredibles and Academy Award nominated Brother Bear. Upcoming films include The Princess and the Frog (starring Anika Noni Rose) and Rapunzel. In Los Angeles, Jennifer cast the Los Angeles premiere of Jason Robert Brown's musical "13", winner of the 2008 LA Drama Critics Circle Award. Her next project will be the upcoming Broadway production of Ben Elton's play "Popcorn." Jennifer has taught Master Classes at NYU, Boston Conservatory, Northwestern University, Emerson College, Webster University, Baylor University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder and University of the Arts.
Prior to joining Disney in 2002, Jennifer was a freelance casting director for film and theater in New York City. Her independent films have premiered at such prestigious film festivals as the Tribeca Film Festival, the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Hamptons Film Festival and the Hollywood Film Festival, among others.
Jennifer served as resident Casting Director from 2001-2002 for the esteemed Ensemble Studio Theater in New York City. Her other theater credits include the national tour of "The Syringa Tree" directed by Larry Moss; "Theater District" (Steppenwolf Theater); HB Playwrights Foundation, the Young Playwrights Festival, and New York Stage & Film. She has also cast hundreds of national television commercials; including the famous "Can you hear me now?" campaign for Verizon.
Born and raised in Manhattan, Jennifer was a professional child actress from age eight to seventeen and starred in numerous television movies, plays and commercials. She is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a past Board Member for the Casting Society of America. In her spare time, she is an avid cyclist and Board Member for the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel.
Judy Savage
Judy Savage is a veteran of over thirty-five years in show business. The Savage Agency is recognized as one of the premiere talent agencies for kids and young adults.
She began in Detroit,Michigan as a stage mother and manager to her three talented children…Mark, Tracie and Brad.
Mark, the eldest of her offspring had a remarkable voice, and landed the role of "Young Patrick" in the National touring company of MAME, starring Celeste Holm. With three small children and eight suitcases, the Savages took to the road for eight months. When the tour ended, they returned to Detroit, packed up the rest of their things, and moved to Hollywood. All three children had very successful careers in television, feature films and theatre. They were also cast in many,many commercials.
One by one the Savage kids went off to college and into related fields of the entertainment industry. As her last child graduated from high school, Judy, realizing she was "addicted" to the business, opened the doors of The Savage Agency, where she would continue to build the careers of talented young actors. This February will mark her 30th year in business as a highly regarded talent agent for young people. Judy has had dozens of clients appearing on television series and many more doing commercials, feature films and theatre.
Over the years, many young actors have passed through her doors and grown into adult acting careers. She has nurtured the careers of performers such as Kelly Martin, Danica McKellar, Elizabeth Berkley, Chad Allen, Heather Tom, Hillary Swank, Chrisopher Castile, Ashley Johnson, Ross Malinger, Larisa Oleynik, Danielle Fishel, Jodie Sweetin, Taran Smith, Mackenzie Rosman, Barry Watson, Chris and Danny Masterson, Lyndsey Bartilson, Luke Edwards, , Rider and Shiloh Strong, Soren and Grace Fulton, Brittany Curran, Amanda and Alyson Michalka, Scott Clifton, Kyle Howard, Allison Mack, Bumper Robinson,Nichole Tom and Dylan and Cole Sprouse. This year's breakouts include Lucas Grabeel of High School Musical 1 and 2 and 3., Zach Mills of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Jason Dolley of Cory in the House and OOPs, Shailene Woodley on Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Ryan Wynott on The Pryors.
20 some years ago, after twenty one audits from the IRS, Judy married her accountant, Phil Kal. They make their home in Toluca Lake.
Judy Savage is a member of the Association of Talent Agents, Women in Film and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She's on the board of the Actor's Fund Looking Ahead Program, helping kids 12-18 to transition from acting to college or other careers. In 1999 Judy was named businesswoman of the year by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. She is seen regularly on talk shows and quoted in many books regarding how to get started in the Business. She can be heard every Monday morning at 6:47 and 8:47 am discussing children and young adults in the entertainment industry with her daughter Tracie Savage on KFWB. She was also honored in 2008,in Variety magazines Youth edition, celebrating The Savage Agencies 30th year in business.
Alan Simon
Alan Simon created, and has been at the helm of, On Location Education (OLE) for 25 years. Simon was educated at Brooklyn College and began his career as a per diem substitute teacher and performer. This experience paved the way for starting up On Location Education and building it into a nationwide organization. Since then, OLE has worked in all media, including television, film, theatre, the recording industry, and circuses. Simon is considered an authority on the educational needs of young performers and has written and conducted many seminars on the subject. He is co-author of The Young Performer's Guide: How to Break Into Show Business, a valuable resource for young performers and their parents. In addition, he is co-chairperson of the Screen Actors Guild's Young Performer's Committee, New York Branch, and a member of the Young Performer's Committee of the Actors' Equity Association. Simon organizes seminars for both unions that bring together recognized authorities from all sectors of the entertainment industry to instruct families about the realities of show business. Simon is also an active member of The Broadway League (formerly The League of American Theatres and Producers). In this capacity he has played an integral part in the development of the League's Broadway Speakers Bureau which brings professionals to college and university students to offer a behind-the-scenes look at other theatre related occupations.
Simon also performs his own one-man cabaret show in New York City and vicinity.
Steven Sobotta
(Director of Marketing for the Actors Federal Credit Union)
Steven Sobotta has been with Actors Federal Credit Union since 1998 serving as their Director of Marketing. In 2004 he was instrumental in formulating ActorsFCU's Child Performer Trust Account. ActorsFCU is a full-service not-for-profit banking cooperative. They offer all of the current modern services we have come to expect, like online banking, electronic billpayment and a NYC leading fleet of more than 200 ATMs. As they have expanded their offerings, which include a branch office in LA, they have been sure to stay true to their mission of providing maximum service at a minimum cost to their members. As such their Child Performer Trust Accounts and Coogan Accounts have no required balance and no maintenance fees. You are invited to visit their website at actorsfcu.com to review all of their cutting-edge services. All fund on deposit at the Credit Union are insured to a minimum of $250,000 by the Federal Government.
ActorsFCU is located in NY at:
165 West 46th Street-14th floor
New York, NY 10036
and in LA at:
5757 Wilshire Boulevard-Suite 655
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Any of their offices can be contacted at 212.869-8926.
Amy Stoller
Amy Stoller (Stoller System Dialect Coaching & Design) has been Resident Dialect Designer at the Mint Theater Company since 1997, where her next production will be Lennox Robinson's Is Life Worth Living? She is also Production Dialect Coach for Anna Deavere Smith's Let Me Down Easy, opening Off-Broadway in October at Second Stage. Amy enjoys working with young actors, and has frequently coached for Nickelodeon's hit children's series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! New York and regional theatre clients include Pearl Theatre Co.; Keen Co.; Long Wharf; American Repertory Theatre; NY Musical Theatre Festival; SPF; Boomerang Theatre Co.; and Distilled Spirits Theatre (winner, 2000 OOBR Award for Northanger Abbey). She also maintains an active private practice, coaching individual performers and "civilians." Amy is a member and officer of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA). For more information, please visit www.stollersystem.com.
Kate Thomas
Kate Thomas is currently the Director of The School at Steps a division of Steps on Broadway (www.stepsnyc.com). She also teaches Advanced Ballet Repertory at the school at steps.
As an artistic director and choreographer, Thomas is known for creating ballets that range from deeply emotional personal stories to intricate interpretations of a wide variety of music. From "So What" set to Miles Davis's 1955 classic to "Requiem" set to Handel's Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno (a "visceral portrayal of grief"), Thomas' work touches its audiences by applying intelligence, wit and a challenging ballet vocabulary.
Originally a modern choreography, her work was presented at Dance Theater Workshop, the WestbethTheater Center, the 92 Street Y, Ballet Arts at City Center, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Thomas' choreography took a new direction when she began creating works on pointe. "Dreaming Albemarle" a ballet in six sections was presented by To the Pointe as part of its 10th anniversary season. Thomas choreographed a segment of "Cinderella Dance, Cinderella Sing" for Lincoln Center's "Real to Reel".
In 2008 Thomas was awarded inclusion in the "Ballet Builders" The New Choreographers on Pointe choreographer competition. Her ballet "Caution and Measurement" was performed at the Danny Kaye Playhouse April 12 and 13, 2008. "Caution and Measurement" depicts the darker side of intimacy and the loneliness one can experience in spite of it.
Thomas is currently working on “Appalachian Suites Project – Flowers of Darkness – The Women of Monangah” in collaboration with violinist, composer, Mark O’Connor.
Section one; “Premonition” was presented at “Premieres”, New Choreographers on Point’s invitational showcase held at the 92nd Street Y in October 2009. The ballet, inspired by the tragic coal mining disaster that took place in Monongah, West Virginia in 1907 was selected by John Prinz for “John Prinz and Friends” at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, April 5, 2009.
Thomas founded B.Muse Inc, a not for profit organization that supports her chamber ballet company Ballet Neo. B.Muse Inc. has provided dance programs, lecture demonstrations and performances to schools in Harlem, the South Bronx, and throughout Upper Manhattan. B.Muse Inc. received support from the New York State Council for the Arts, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Newman's Own Foundation, California First Foundation Citibank and others. Ballet Neo performs regularly as company in residence at the Riverdale Y in the Bronx, New York. The company will participate in annual benefit performances as well as offer full evening performances.
Nathan Yungerberg
Nathan Yungerberg began his career in 1990 as a professional model/actor and photographer. In 1996 Nathan opened Vision Management Group Inc, a full service-modeling agency in Minneapolis, MN. Nathan created and developed the children's division within the agency and booked kids for major clients like Target, American Girl, Best Buy, Manhattan Toy Company, and Parenting magazine. Nathan is currently based in NYC where he works as a photographer shooting for top agencies like Ford, Generation, Funny Face Today, Product and CESD. He is also the founder and director of the http://themodelchild.com, an online community for parents of child models and an informative e-book by the same name. Nathan has a deep, comprehensive understanding of the industry and is happiest when he can pass on his knowledge and enthusiasm to anyone considering getting their child started in the business
Nathan Yungerberg
Yungerberg Productions, LLC
www.nathanyungerberg.com
212-281-8290 Phone
646-478-9671 Fax
New York NY
Bridgette Megan Clark
Bridget Megan Clark (age 14) has been working professionally for 5 years. Bridget attends the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) in Manhattan NY since 6th grade. Bridget was born and raised in Brighton Beach Brooklyn and speaks fluent English and Russian.
Bridget started performing Ballet from the age of 3 and danced with the Brighton Ballet School of Russian Ballet for many years. At age 9 the "Foundry Theatre" was searching for children who could speak Russian & English for thier presentation of "K.I. For Crime" from Moscow, directed by Kama Ginkas . They contacted the Brighton Ballet and Bridget landed her first role in an Off Broadway production after auditioning. At that point she fell in love with acting!
Since then you will have seen Bridget in films like "Doubt" as Noreen Horan by Miramax, Pink Eye as Holly(Savage Roses Productions), The Roofer as Lily (Buffalo Run Productions/Philadelphia Independent Film Festival entrant),and many others. Television: Ugly Betty as Julia, Michael & Michael have Issues, Sarit Catz's Pilot "Marino's" as Angie Marino Commercials like Pillsbury and KMart.
On stage she has worked with Fred Willard in the Abingdon Theatre's production of Elvis & Juliet and 10 other Off and OOB shows and this September begins as the Under Study for both young female roles Laurie(13)/Nora(16-17) on Broadway in Emanuel Azenberg/Neil Simons Production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" at the Nederlander Theatre direected by David Cromer. She is very excited about this as she was born and raised in Brighton Beach Brooklyn; she felt she had to be part of the production!!!
She loves to act and perform and works very, very hard at it!!!
Kevin Csolak
TV; As The World Turns (recurring), All My Children, Guiding Light, MTV, Sesame Street. Broadway; How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Off-Broadway; Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk, Burnt Part Boys, Knicks City Kids. Film; Whatever Works, Feral Autumn, HipHop Homeroom, numerous commercials, VO and Print.
Kurt Csolak
TV; Voice of Speed for Nicktoons Speed Racer, the Next Generation, One Life To Live, As The World Turns. Film; HipHop Homeroom, Drop Out Prevention, Alcohol, the Killer Poison, Stage; Cats Paying Dues Tap Ensemble, DARK Vocal Quartet, numerous commercials, VO and Print.
Eric Nelsen
Eric Nelsen (18 years old) relocated from West Palm Beach Florida at the age of 13 to pursue his dream of acting and dancing. Growing up in suburban Florida made “Broadway” seem like an unattainable goal. However, after competing around the country in dance for several years, and winning such awards as “Junior Male Dancer of the Year” by Access Broadway, he was motivated to move to NYC to concur his dream. With the loving support of his mother, and the inspiration of his younger brother Matthew Gumley they packed their bags and made the move.
Shortly after moving, Eric was accepted into NYC’s Professional Performing Arts School where he attended for almost five years. He also signed with one of New York City’s greatest agents, Nancy Carson, for theatre and television and Innovative Artists for commercial and voice-over work.
Once signed, Eric’s career began to take off. He has starred on Broadway in the Tony Award winning composer, Jason Robert Browns, “13 the Musical” originating the role of “Brett” at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. He has also been seen on television, guest starring in such television shows as Nickelodeons “iCarly”, NBC’s “Law and Order” and took over the recurring role of Kevin Ross Marler on CBS’ “Guiding Light”. He has also done commercial work for such names as Cheerios, Toyota, Radio Shack, Mountain Dew, Pizza Hut, Starburst, and most recently JCPenneys.
Eric would like to thank and acknowledge his incredible singing teacher Badiene Magaziner, his agent Nancy Carson, his best friend and acting teacher Lane Napper, his extraordinary family, and of course, God.
Eric is proud to be a part of the Star Parent Networks efforts to offer support to fellow aspiring actors.
“Playing guitar is a hobby, schooling is a necessity. Performing…well, performing is my love. A love that flows through my veins and will never subside” –Eric Nelsen
Marina Micalizzi
15 year old Marina Micalizzi moved to New York at age 11 to train and pursue a career in the entertainment business.She is currently attending the Professional Performing Arts high school in Manhattan where her love for performing is inspiring her to work hard to achieve her goals. Marina made her Broadway debut in 2007 at the St. James Theater in Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! and is currently performing daily at the Imperial Theater as a “Ballet girl” and original cast member of the Tony award winning show “Billy Elliot” .Billy Elliot on Broadway – Official Site – Homepage She recently shared the stage at the Minskoff Theater with Liza Minelli, Jane Fonda, and Susan Sarandon in Broadway’s Easter Bonnet benefit for Aids. Her strength as a dancer in multiple genres was recognized in 2007 and she was awarded the title of “Elite Protege” becoming the youngest advanced level assistant on tour to choreographers from Fox’s hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance”.
Marina made her film debut in 2006 and can be seen in the role of a young witch skipping alongside Amy Adams in the Disney blockbuster “Enchanted” YouTube - "That's How You Know" from Disney's ENCHANTED (Full Clip) Other credits include performing for Britney Spears and at Lincoln center with Andre 3000 (Outkast). On 7/8/09 Marina was introduced by Vanessa Williams as a company member of Maria Torres new theater company “The Maria Torres Emerging Artist Project”at with performances scheduled in New York for July and August and in the UK at “The Magic of Salsa Kingdom”SalsaKingdom 2009 : : Dancers Videos
Marina hopes her career will inspire others and show them that the doors will open for those who work hard and never stop dreaming.
NicKayla Tucker
NicKayla Tucker, age 12 and 1/2, has been singing since the age of two. She started out in the church choir and, at the tender age of four, was a winner at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York City. She has several commercials to her credit, performed on an episode of Law and Order SVU, toured 22 cities with the National Tour of Annie and performed on Broadway as Young Nala in The Lion King. NicKayla gives God all the glory. She has been blessed with the opportunity to study dance at Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York City and dance in their 50th Anniversary Gala. She has also studied dance at The Washington School of Ballet. Washington DC. She was recently a featured singer at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Wilmington DE. NicKayla is an honor student and loves having sleepovers and “girls’ day out.” NicKayla is a dynamic motivational speaker. She just finished work-shopping a new Broadway play called “Radio Girl.”