CONNECTICUT
ANGELA DIGENNARO Drama Instructor
Orange
Angela graduated from Adelphi University in 2001 with a BFA in Acting. She went on to perform throughout New York City in various productions for the Eugene Ionesco Festival, and for Amnesia Wars productions of Survivor: Vietnam and Keanu Reeves Saves the Universe. She has worked for Manhattan Theatre Club and Barrington Stage Company. She spent the last 3 years on the other side of the desk working as a Talent Agent for Innovative Artists Talent and Literary Agency. She is very excited to be joining the PAP family.
JEREMY FUNKE Drama Instructor
Prospect
Jeremy has a degree in English from Harvard University, where his directing credits include Strindberg's The Father, his original A Counterfeit Presentment, Several Evenings of Shakespeare, and Hamlet. He has worked with numerous local and regional theatres throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. His credits include: As You Like It (Ensemble), Three Musketeers (Bicarat), Henry IV (title role) and Red Noses (Pope Clement VI), The Tempest (Caliban) and Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio), The Crucible (Judge Danforth) and Kevin (Redboy Burn), The Nerd (Axel), I Hate Hamlet (Barrymore), Proof (Hal) and Match (Mike, Subscribers Award, Outstanding Featured Actor). Jeremy is Artistic Director of New Works New Haven, and serves on the Board of Directors for Rhode Island's Striving Artists Theatre Company (for which he is also a contributing writer).
ELISE A. MURPHYMULLIGAN Drama Instructor
East Haddam, Guilford, Norwich
Elise is a local teacher and actress. She is currently teaching theatre, children's theatre and speech communications in many schools throughout Fairfield County, as well as writing numerous children's plays. Elise studied acting at Boston University and then went on to study educational theatre and psychology at New York University. While attending school in New York, She studied with a number of reputable teachers in Manhattan, as well as receiving a scholarship to study at HB studios in Greenwich Village. She has her Masters in Teaching from Sacred Heart University here in Connecticut.
Elise also teaches theatre and writes children's' plays with TigerTale Theatre and with Stamford Theatre Works' School for the Performing Arts, which she helped in creating and establishing more than ten years ago, Elise has taught theatre arts with The Boys and Girls Club of Stamford and at The Urban League. She also redesigned the educational program of Dr. LivingSound, an in school assembly program, for The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk, for which she performed as Dr. LivingSound for a time. Elise has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, several films, commercials and music videos. Elise is thrilled and excited to be joining the wonderful group of professionals at Performing Arts Programs, Inc.
CAROLYN PAINE Drama Instructor
Enfield
Carolyn holds a BA in Drama from University of Hartford where she earned stage credits including The Philadelphia Story (Tracy Lord), Measure for Measure (Isabella), Conduct of Life (Leticia), Noises Off (Brooke), as well as roles in The Laramie Project and As You Like It. She also has studied acting at the Chelsea Rep Lab in NYC working with the Actor's Project. Carolyn also has an accomplished dancing career that has taken her all over the world performing with several choreographers and companies, most recently in her native Boston in the popular Urban Nutcracker with BalletRox. In addition to featured roles in independent films, commercials, and print work, Carolyn has performed with Shakespeare Now Theatre Company in Boston, with Square One Theatre in Stratford, CT, and has toured with Classical Player's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. In CT, she has been in The Crucible with New Works (New Haven) and was in The Foreigner with Park Road Playhouse, where she was nominated for a 2007 Milo Award for Best Actress in a Comedy. When she is not performing, Carolyn has taught dance and drama passionately throughout New England with Performing Arts Programs, Park Road Playhouse, and The Dance Center.
LIZZ PETRAKIS Dance Instructor
Woodbridge
Lizz received her Bachelor's degree concentrating in Human Services from the University of Connecticut. She has been training dance for 20 years at Top Hat Dance Academy in her home town of West Haven, CT where she excelled in jazz, tap, and lyrical. Under the direction of Diane Esposito and Sharon Minnix, she became a member of award-winning competition lines for 10 years. Lizz also studied various jazz styles under Christine Gambardella and Jean Sabatine at the University of Connecticut, where she had the opportunity to choreograph a number of solo, duo/trio, and small/large group dances. Some of her most well-known choreography pieces were featured in an independent study project, during which she was also a principal character in Jessalin Newbury's Love and Learn jazz story. Lizz had the opportunity to choreograph the musical A Little Night Music for UConn's Huskies on Stage. She was a member and Co-practice Coordinator of the UConn Tap Team and became the President of the UConn Tap Club. Lizz taught advanced jazz classes for the Hawley Armory in Storrs, but when she is not formally teaching, she still spreads her love of dance to anyone willing to learn. She is continuously trying to improve her technique and broaden her horizons by taking master classes at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. This is Lizz's first session with Performing Arts Programs and she is very excited to have this opportunity.
DANIELLE PROCACCINI Drama Instructor
South Windsor, Wethersfield, Newington
Danielle recently graduated from Salve Regina University with a degree in Theatre Education, and is very happy to be coming back to Connecticut where she grew up and came to love the performing arts. She has both performance and technical theatre experience. Some on-stage credits include Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl), Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, My Favorite Year, and Wonderful Town (featured dancer) with the West Hartford Summer Arts Festival. Her favorite backstage credits include Little Women (Assistant Stage Manager) at Salve Regina, and Singin' in the Rain, Happy Days, and 1776 (Properties Run Crew) at the Goodspeed Opera House. Danielle is thrilled to be a part of the PAP team and looks forward to learning together with the students.
NORMAN CAMPBELL Dance Instructor
Simsbury
Norman studied at the Greater Hartford Academy for the Arts. During his time at the academy he performed in shows such as A Chorus Line, and The Experience of Harriet Beecher Stowe. He attended the University of Hartford as a Dance Major where he performed soloist roles in ballets such as Romeo and Juliet. He has performed professionally with the CT Opera group in their production of Aida and was a guest principal with Ballet Rox in the Urban Nutcracker, performing various dance techniques. He is also a founding member, principal dancer, and choreographer for Hartford based CONNetic Dance. Due to his dedication and passion for spiritual movement Norman is a constant guest choreographer and teacher for churches in the community of Greater Hartford. Norman was a superior dance instructor for several summers at the Hartford Friendship Kids Camp, where his warmth for both the children and dancing was featured in the Hartford Courant. He also teaches at The Dance Center in West Hartford. Norman is thrilled and eager to begin his journey towards educating children in the fine arts.
LINDSAY RESTIANO Dance/Drama Instructor
Simsbury
Lindsay is a graduate of the University of the Arts with a BFA in Jazz Performance Dance/ Theater. She is currently a member of Eclipse Modern Dance Company, and performs with the magician David Garrity. Lindsay was a part of the Entertainment Department with Six Flags New England for over two summers. When she is not performing, she teaches at Dance Arts in Westfield, MA and The Dance Center in Chicopee, MA. Lindsay is very excited to be a part of such an amazing program and have the ability to share her passion and knowledge with others.
CHRISTIAN SHABOO Drama Instructor
Stamford
Christian is a recent graduate of Quinnipiac University with a degree in English and concentrations in Sociology, Media, and Theatre. Christian took on many various roles in the Quinnipiac Theater including: Romeo and Juliet (Balthasar), Playboy of the Western World (Jimmy Farrell), The Beggar’s Opera (Matt of the Mint), and Dead Man Walking (Hilton Barber) Christian has also been involved in other various Quinnipiac performances including Don’t Throw the Tomatoes, a sketch comedy variety show and numerous Quinnipiac Dance company performances.
KATHLEEN MAHAN Drama Instructor
Fairfield, Wilton
Kathleen attended the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. As a performer she appeared at the Carousel Dinner Theater in Maine, the Shubert Theater in New Haven, and the National Musical Theater Network in New York. She has also performed with many children's theater companies throught the Northeast. Kathleen is the stage director of the Westchester Girls Choir and directs the children's cantatas at the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY. She is very excited about working with the attending children of Performing Arts Acting Classes.
YVONNE MARCHESE Drama Instructor
Easton
Yvonne earned her BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso and studied acting with the Barrow Group (NYC). She is a professional actress, teacher and coach. Regionally, she’s performed at the Hartford Stage, New Jersey Repertory Company and with The National Theatre of the Performing Arts. Her Off-Broadway credits include performances with Kings County Shakespeare Company, Dixon Place, Monsterless Ensemble and Women’s Shakespeare Company. She was nominated for Best Actress for the Denver Drama Critics Awards for her portrayal of Anne Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She’s worked with children through The Women’s Project’s: Ten Centuries of Women’s Playwrights Program, The Shakespeare Playground and City Lights Youth Theatre. She’s very excited to be part of the Performing Arts Programs team and is looking forward to learning with the students.
TROY CURTIS Drama Instructor
Somers
Troy received his formal training from Maggie Kline as a member of the Golden Goose Players and has been working with youth in a theatre capacity for over 10 years. In 2003, as a member of the Americorps educational theatre team, Troy worked with inner city San Jose youth to create a theatre curriculum focused on social issues. Troy has worked professionally in nearly all aspects of theater from set design and construction to stage manager. In 2002 Troy wrote and directed Glass Spiders, which was produced at Central Connecticut State University.
KATHRYN SCHMITT Drama Instructor
Ledyard
Bio Coming Soon!
KELLY BOYLIN Drama/Dance Instructor
Kelly attended The Boston Conservatory as a musical theatre major. She is a graduate of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts. Her credits include: Urinetown (Hope), Evita (title role), 42nd Street (Maggie Jones), Writing Pictures:The Harriet Beecher Stowe Story (Harriet Beecher Stowe ) and the premiere of The Kid Who Played the Palace (Alyson Lucci), as well as performed in over 15 plus productions in the New England area. Kelly is a two-time winner of the Goodspeed Opera House Guild Award in musical theatre.
ESTHER ERICKSON Dance Instructor
Ester is a graduate of NVCC with an Associates Degree in Fine Arts and certificate of Dance. She is a lifelong resident of Bristol, Connecticut. Esther was chosen to perform with Earl Mosley’s Diversity in Dance Professional Modern Company. She participated in the USA World Showcase and was awarded 1st place in the adult dance category. For the past 6 years, she has provided instruction and choreography for numerous local pageants and shows. She has been recognized by the Miss America Association for her opening number choreography and performances. In addition, Esther provided dance instruction for competitive dance groups and received the Choreographer of the Year award representing Connecticut for the American Dance Awards. She is looking forward to the opportunity to share her love for dance with the children participating in the Performing Arts Programs.
KRISTY CHAMBRELLI Drama Instructor
Kristy has mounted Operatic and Musical Theatre productions throughout the United States and Europe. She was the program Opera Director for the Asolo Art Song and Aria Festival. She has directed for many universities and colleges including Worcester Polytechnic Institute, New England Conservatory, and Florida State University. She recently worked on the NBC/BBC Holiday Special, Clash of the Choirs with the New Haven Choir. She holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory and studied Opera Directing at Florida State University School of Music. Some of Kristy's upcoming engagements include: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for KCT and Adams Opera House, NH; The Threepenny Opera for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA; and her production of Witchwife: A Requiem for Susanna Martin has been selected for the prestigious 2008 Three Choirs Festival in England.
IRIS McQUILLAN-GRACE Drama Instructor
Iris is an alumni of ECA and Emerson College where she received a BA Theater Studies in Acting/Arts Management. She has performed all over the United States and in Europe since the age of five. She has worked with Elm Shakespeare, Long Wharf, Ivoryton Playhouse, Pasadena and New England Shakespeare Festivals and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas. She is currently the Shakespeare/Theater consultant for NAFI schools in Waterbury, and is very excited to be working with PAP and meeting all of her students!
MATT CORNISH Drama Instructor
Matt received his MFA in acting from The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and holds BAs in Theatre and Music from Susquehanna University. He has been seen in the Conservatory’s recent productions of The Wild Duck (Molvik), Measure for Measure (Pompey), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Rev. Crisparkle), and as Pa Ubu in their production of Ubu Roi/Ubu Enchained. Elsewhere, some of his favorite roles have included Koko in The Mikado, Noah in Two by Two, Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, and Sorin in The Seagull. He recently created the role of Emmanuel Girthmore as an original cast member of the new Christmas Musical, The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree with Harris Productions based in New York. Matt has happily coordinated programs in performing arts at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT, and coordinates their yearly Theatre Week program.
KEELY KNUDSEN Drama Instructor
Keely received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and her Master’s Degree in Drama from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Keely has performed as a singer/dancer/actress/choreographer with Cornerstone Productions’ on-going variety musicals and Elm Shakespeare Company. In addition, she has performed in musicals, classic and contemporary plays, ballets, puppet shows, operas, jazz concerts, mime shows, on-camera, in symphonies (bassoon), and behind a radio microphone. Highlights of her performing venues include the Public Theatre, Long Wharf, Carnegie Hall, and the Edinburgh Festival. Her directing credits include Playing for Time, which was ranked #1 in the state of Utah in 2001. She has held a position as faculty in the theatre department at Quinnipiac University since 2002. Keely will be directing the world premier of Erik Orton’s historical musical The Drummings at the Long Wharf Theatre this fall as well as appearing at Carnegie Hall a third time in an Alexander Nevsky concert.
MEGAN LAPORTA Drama Instructor
Megan graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance and an English Minor. She has studied voice under the instruction of Adele Paxton, and Zehava Gal of Westminster Choir College. She has performed in everything from operas to musical theater. Megan is currently a section leader at South Congregational Church in Hartford, a member of the Hartford-based professional singing group Voce, and a member of the Sounds of Joy Choir. In addition, Megan has studied dance for over eleven years and has directed and choreographed many variety shows. She eventually intends to pursue her Masters of Music in vocal performance at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Megan has been an instructor with Performing Arts Programs since 2006 and she is excited to continue her teaching.
MARIAH SAGE LEEDS Drama Instructor
Mariah is a professional actress and teacher. She earned her MFA in acting from Brown University and her BFA in Drama from NYU. Mariah has performed with theaters across the country including; The Cleveland Playhouse, Trinity Rep (Providence, RI) and The Public Theater (NYC). Mariah has taught acting to grades 1-12 as well as to University students at Brown, NYU, and Quinnipiac University and she is very excited to be working with the children of Performing Arts Programs this session.
MARIA LONETTI Drama Instructor
Maria is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, and she will be graduating this Spring from The New School University with a BA in Liberal arts with a focus in psychology and performance. Some of her credits include: Agnes of God (La Voe di Angelica), Tales of a Forth Grade Nothing (character performer), Anything Goes (Bonnie), A View from a Bridge (Catherine) and Italian American Reconciliation (Janice), among other shows. Maria also has a background in dance and was also involved with the pageant circuit in Florida for a time. Maria is overjoyed with the opportunity to work with young actors and actresses.
DAVID McCAMISH Drama Instructor
Hailing from the Bluegrass state, David has performed and directed throughout the US. He has taught acting and produced shows in NYC for the past six years. He was seen on the boards in the Off-Broadway Comedia Del Arte Production of St. Arlecchino. Other Off-Broadway and NYC productions include the World Premier of Unbecoming, Measure for Measure, a new translation of Jean Anouilh's The Lark at the Sandford Meisner, Hamlet, Waiting for Godot, Henry V, Terkels' Race and The Boys Will Be The Boys, in which David co-wrote and played the role of Stan Laurel. David has also worked as a fight choreographer for American Globe's "Bard-a-thon", The CRG Collective, and Tub Films' indie productions of Lady E and Kung-Fu Christmas. Some of his other Film credits include: Kate & Leopold, Private Parts, Looking for Harrison, Jungle to Jungle and HBO's Path to Paradise. David latest production is raising his son with his loving wife.
DANIEL SARNELLI Drama Instructor
Daniel has worked in the professional theater for the last fifteen years. As an actor he has worked with numerous companies including The MCC Theater, The Long Wharf Theatre, The Shubert Theatre, The Mill Mountain Theatre, The Allenberry Playhouse, The National Theatre of the Performing Arts, Elm Shakespeare Company and many others. His most recent work includes roles on Law & Order (the 300th episode) and All My Children. Daniel is one of our talented instructors and is very excited to be working with the children again this session.
MADALYN SHEEHY Drama and Dance Instructor
Madalyn is currently a student at Southern Connecticut State University where she is majoring in both Music History and Theater Performance. She began dancing at the age of four and has studied dance for fifteen years with Jill Chase of Shelton, CT. Recently, Madalyn has been in Cabaret (Rosie), Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs), and Pippin (Lead Dancer) at SCSU and in Cabaret (Kit Kat Girl) at the Connecticut Cabaret Theater in Berlin. Currently she is working on the role of Angel in a production of The Best Little W.H in Texas. She is excited about being a part of Performing Arts Programs.
ANGELA SPURIA Dance Instructor
Angela started her training in dance at the age of three in ballet, tap, and jazz, and from then competed and performed locally. She continued her dancing career at Marymount Manhattan College where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. During her four years at MMC she was able to perform original works from Martha Graham, Jennifer Muller, and Jiri Kylian. Angela is currently performing for Drumadics, a theatrical presentation of rhythm, dance and poetry and was also in The Albano Ballet Company's Nutcracker this season.
NICK TESTA Drama Instructor
Nick attended University of Hartford as a Fine Arts major, and just recently finished his Master’s Degree from Springfield College in student Personnel Administration with a concentration on College Age Psychology. He lives in Simsbury, where he has had extensive experience in singing, acting, directing, lighting and stage craft. Some of his past shows include: The Wiz (The High Lord & Ensemble), Grease (Vince Fontane), Guys and Dolls (Ensemble), Godspell (Ensemble), Will Rogers’ Follies (Will Rogers Jr.), and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up (Madbomber & Head Set Designer). Nick has also directed versions of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland at Renbrook Summer Adventure in West Hartford, CT, as well as versions of Damn Yankees and Peter Pan at Springfield College. He looks forward to starting with the Performing Arts Program’s team and excited to be working with students.
DARLENE VILLANOVA Drama Instructor
Darlene holds a B.S degree in Communication with a minor in English from ECSU. She also has an A.S degree in Media from MCC. She was trained in acting through the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute of NY. Darlene has worked as a local DJ for Radio Disney Hartford and as a freelance actress for 20 years. Her credits include both local and international commercial work, along with numerous television and film roles. She is an award-winning writer and director whose recent film won The Hartford International Film Festival of 2007. This film is currently entered in both the Rhode Island and Moondance International Film Festivals.
KIMBERLY WEST Drama Instructor
Kimberly has acting, directing, film and television credits to her name. In Atlanta, she worked for the Alliance Theatre Education Department for 13 wonderful and rewarding years. Here in Connecticut, she has directed several staged reading and short plays, including Women of Roswell, which performed at the American Globe Theatre in New York. Also in CT, she has had the fortune to work with Oddfellows Playhouse and with the Hartford Stage Education Department. Kimberly is delighted to be working with children again this session.
DANIEL LEE WHITE Drama Instructor
ADAM RICCIO Drama Instructor
KIRSTEN KENNEDY 
BETH REARDON Drama Instructor
