ALUMNI STAFF MEMBERS

PRIYA AYAR
Associate Director: Group 3
Priya is an actor, writer, director, and teacher. She recently directed War of the Unheard at the Public Theater/NYSF last June. Acting credits include The Road Home directed by Larry Sacharow, as well as plays at EST, HERE, LaMama, Provincetown Playhouse, Seattle Rep, and MTC. TV/Film: IFC’s Earheart, Barbara Kopple’s Children of War, Cosby, and she currently appears as Melanie on All My Children. Priya has a BFA and MA from NYU, and her one-woman show will return to NYC in 2003.

EMILY PAIGE BALLOU
Production Manager
Emily is a recent arrival in NYC from Athens, GA, and is honored to be working with CTC for the first time. She holds dual degrees in drama and biology and is working toward stage managing professionally. Previous productions include "The Laramie Project"
and "Marisol" in Athens and "Crooked" with Johnny Belle Productions at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

CLARA BOWDEN-KERBY
Ethics Education / Assistant Director
Clara attends the University of Hawaii at Monoa and is serving a 6 month internship at CTC-NYC with the hopes to apply her learning to starting a CTC chapter in Hawaii. Clara has traveled through out the world, having lived in several Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and South-Asia. She was a performer and teaching artist with the renowned ARTWORKS Visual Arts Theatre in Australia, where she engaged thousands of children and youth in dialogue through an interactive visual arts residency in public schools throughout Western and Northern Australia. Her love for dance led her to join the MekeArt Tribe, a contemorary Fijian dance troupe based in Suva, Fiji. She is now part of a traditional hula group, Halau Hula o Hali'ileo, performing regularly at the Drums of Paradise Luau in Kauai, Hawaii.

JEFF BOLDING
Associate Music Director
Jeff Bolding is Choral Director of the renowned Abyssinian BaptistChurch. He has performed solo for Rev. Butts and Rev. Dino Woodard at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and has received critical acclaim for his innovative music arrangements. Jeff would like to thank Mehr for being a beam of light and pure joy to work with.

CHANEL BOSH
Associate Director Group 1
Chanel is a graduate of the school of theater at Long Island University and has worked with children and youth for several years. She has been singing in musical theater since childhood and loves the kids in her cast of Miss Spider's Tea Party.

JOE BRADLEY
Band Director
Joe is an aspiring amateur jazz musician and has enough talent to do it for a living if he felt like l iving on oatmeal for the next six years. The last project he was in was a fusion band (jazz-rock). Joe has been the devoted administrator to CTC on Saturdays keeping the program in operation in the truest process which promotes racial harmony and social responsibility through the arts...so that children can be agents of change in the world around them

ANDREW BROWN
Group 4 Director
Andrew graduated from Columbia University as triple major in American history, Political Science and Middle East History. Drew has been acting professionally from the age of 12 and trained and studied at the Paradise Theatre Company at Carnegie Hall (Fred Kareman), and has read and performed with critically acclaimed playwright / actor Wallace Shawn, and Oscar winning director, Andre Gregory, and actress Julianne Moore. Drew's belief in working with children and youth through their critical years of adolescence comes from a profound conviction that reaching adulthood is not achieved by some magical accident, but by the investment and attention of dedicated adults.





AKEEBA BUTLER
Company Manager
Akeeba Butler studied American Culture at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where she began working with youth as a mentor in the Philadelphia Public School System. She is currently a Young Women's Leader in SGI-USA World Peace Organization. She is happily completing a degree in American Urban Studies at Metropolitan College of New York.

LAKRESHA DIAZ
Set Design / Art Projects
Lakresha has been involved in CTC from its very first season, as a set designer, costume designer, and teaching art classes. The most rewarding part of the experience for her has not been how great the children look on stage or how proud the parents gleam in the audience, it has been the moments throughout Saturday rehearsals when a child says something so simple but brilliant about how we can all get along.

LEDA DUIF
Administration / Founding Board Member
Leda has been with CTC since the first season. She graduated in London with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Italian and has a Master's degree in Latin American Politics from the Institute of Latin American Studies, "Being involved with CTC allows me to participate in this unique education process which promotes racial harmony and social responsibility through the arts...so that children can be agents of change in the world around them."

NANCY EWING
Playwriting
A reading of my recent play, Leaving Watermaine, starring Ernie Hudson (HBO's Oz & Ghostbusters) & Grammy Winner, Stephanie Mills, received outstanding responses from the New York Theater scene and is being considered for various off-Broadway theaters. As an actor, I replaced Angela Basset on Broadway in JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE and I have been featured in television's LAW & ORDER & various national commercials.

RONA FIGUEROA
Musical Theatre & Voice
Rona made her Broadway debut in the principal role of Kim in Miss Saigon and is currently on Broadway in the production of LES MISERABLES for which she has played the lead character, Eponine. She has also starred in two feature films: DRAGON HEAD II and THE SENSITIVE GUY.


KEITH GODBOUT
Composer / Songwriter
Keith Godbout is a singer, songwriter, and pianist. He has studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and at the Massachusetts College of Art. His nightclub performances have been sponsored by the Camel Nightlife Series, and have been regularly featured on the “Camel Page” in the Village Voice. He is very pleased to have been part of a project as
great as the Children’s Theatre Company, where the ideals of peace and unity are expressed by the world’s greatest community – kids!

WELDON GRAY
Costume Design
I designed the turtle costumes for YERTLE THE TURTLE and sent them all the way to New York City for you to see. Out here in Chilliwack, I am most well known as "Weldon the Wacky Wizard." I design and construct famous cartoon. Some of my most famous work includes recreating the cast of FLINTSTONES!! I also have a "Wacky Van", which looks like a circus wagon and I travel far and near performing magic and puppetry....who knows maybe I will suddenly appear in your town!!

JOYCELYN JOLLY
Choral Director
JOYCELYN JOLLY is a freelance 'cellist and visual artist. She is the former director of the School of Nations Children's Chorus in Brasilia, Brazil and the New York City Baha'i Choir. She is currently director of Affinity Strings and teaches 'cello and violin at the Suburban Community Music Center in Murray Hill, NJ. Her favorite current projects is Tale-Spin a program of international folk tales told in words and music for schools, libraries and community centers in the New York tri-state area. Her favorite color is turquoise and her favorite music is laughter.

ERICK LASSITTER
Art Director
A native of Missouri, Erick has been painting and drawing since the age of nine, over twenty years ago. In that time he has received a two year diploma from the acclaimed Capazzi De' Loma Institute for Art in Florence, Italy. He completed a three-year program at the Academy of Visual Arts in St. Louis, Missouri where he finished first in his class. At Missouri State University, he received the Jonathan Craig Scholarship for young artists, and the University Award for outstanding achievement in contemporary art. He has had numerous solo exhibitions in both St. Louis and Los Angeles. His work is in corporate and private collections. He has been featured in such publications as the LA Times, St. Louis Post, Venice magazine, Discover Hollywood, Variety, and the international art magazines, Art News and Art Forum. Last spring he was chosen and featured to be on Leonardo Di Caprio's website as a young up and coming LA artist.

ERICA LIEZ
Speech Coach
Erica recently earned her BFA in theatre from West Virginia University, where she produced a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues. Erica is also a twotime slam champion in WV and has recently been recorded on Down Through the Roofi, due out in 2003 on Soundvizion Records.

AMY LODER
Facilities Coordinator
Amy is a graduate of the Cab Calloway High School of the Arts where she was a visual art major. At this time Amy is working towards her Bachelor's degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She joined CTC at the end of 1999 and was amazed by the capacity of the children. "I am back for my first full season and I can't wait to see what these kids have in store", Amy says.

KAREN KAZEMZADEH
Art Exhibition Curator
Karen has worked at the Whitney Museum of American Arts at the Director’s office; and is Senior Administrator of European Furniture at Christie’s. Karen has her degree in Art History from the University of Buffalo and studied cello under principal cellist of Buffalo Philharmonic.

JOHN KEATING
Drama
I am a member of the award winning off-Broadway theatre company, the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Centre, and the Independent Shakespeare Company. I have also performed in leading downtown theatres and regionally at Hartford Stage. Films include Fairytale of New York with TRI-STAR PICTURES and The Sensitive Guy.

FIANA KELETA
Costume Designer
Fiana is a Design Marketing student at Parson's School of Design. After designing and creating costumes for the critically acclaimed off-Broadway dance hit, The Beat, Fiana was immediately attracted to the Children's Theatre Company. "As a Baha’i, service to humanity should be one of the most important aspects of one's life," says Fiana, "and to be able to offer my craft in the arts through a positive medium, is truly fulfilling."

MONIKA KENDALL
Voice & Music
I received my Voice & Music Degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. I began my career at High School of Performing Arts and since then I have performed with Steve Allen in the MIKADO and various roles in Off-Broadway musical theater productions, such as Maria in Westside Story. I am thrilled to have a hand in shaping the talents of such gifted children.

SHIDAN MAJIDI
Associate Director
Shidan has been working with Broadway Producer and Tony Award-Winner Carmeron Machintosh (Les Miserables, Cats, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins). Shidan has vast directorial experience in the professional theatre. He is the founder of the 'interactive theater group', THE ONE PEOPLE PROJECT, which has received extensive media attention.


TERRI MUUSS
Associate Director: Group 4
Terri is an actor, poet, teacher, director, and social worker. She is the writer and performer of the one-woman show, Anatomy of a Doll which has performed throughout New York City. The show received grants from NYFA and also received The Daily News’ “Best Theatre-Pick of the Week”. She has taught the workshop, “Youth Development Through the Written Arts” at both Rutgers University Social Work Continuing Education Program. Some stage credits: Masha in The Seagull, Donna in The Taffetas (VT, NJ, NY, and Ireland), and Helena in Midsummer Night’s Dream. She directed many plays including Athena Reich’s rock opera, Athena Under Attack and Lisa Danser’s, A Missing Peace. Terri also teaches theatre, dance, and playwriting to children and adolescents with the company TADA! She received her MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work. For Bookings: Talulanewt@nyc.rr.com

RACHEL MADRIS
Assistant Director Grp 2
Rachel Madris is thrilled to be working with the Children's Theater Company this season! She is originally from New York, but currently goes to Oberlin College in Ohio, where she is a Women's Studies major and a Theater minor. She has always been extremely passionate about the arts, and last summer she co-wrote, directed and produced a play called Sunlight, Moonlight, Lamplight at the Producers Club in Manhattan. Next semester she will be studying abroad in South Africa with the School for International Training.

CHRISTIANNA NELSON
Creative Writing
At three, Christi played Toto to her mother's Dorothy and started on her own yellow brick road of theatre adventures. Later, she attended Harvard University, where she took theatre classes and creative writing classes with Jamaica Kincaid and Seamus Heaney. Christi has been honored to receive the Academy of American Poets and Joan Grey Untermeyer Poetry prizes. As an actress in NYC, Christi has performed in many city and regional theatre venues, as well as film and television.

LAMBRENI OGLETREE
Associate Producer / Group 1
Lambreni graduated from the Tisch School of Arts at New York University in Classical Theatre and Experimental Theatre. She has worked extensively with children from developmental years through middle school. She teaches after-school drama and movement, and sees Children’s Theatre as a way of giving from her ‘craft’ back to the community.

CELESTINA ORTEGA
Choreographer / Gumboot
Celestina Ortega is a native of Boulder, Colorado. She recieved her training with Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, and the Academy of Russian Ballet. She has also danced in abroad in Europe. Her company experience includes Dance Imprints-NY, Russian Ballet CO, David Taylor Dance Theater-CO and Eternia Dance Theater Copenhagen, DK. She currently teaches dance and yoga for children in the South Bronx. She is very excited to work with the Children's Theater Company.

ANGELA PINTI
Choral Director
Singing since she was a wee girl herself, Angela knew, first hand, the positive effects music can have on ones’ wellbeing. Ms. Pinti hold a Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College where she portrayed roles in Hansel and Gretel and The Magic Flute. Former Artistic Director of the Poughkeepsie Boys Choir, Angela is overjoyed for this opportunity to share with and learn from everyone involved – staff and children alike.

 

ANNA RHUE
Creative Movement
I have been a resident dancer with the DIVERSITY DANCE WORKSHOP since 1997. Most recently I began choreographing a duet entitled DREAM OF REALITY. Currently I am completing my Bachelors of Arts degree in DANCE EDUCATION and CREATIVE MOVEMENT for children between 4-6 years old. I am honored to work with the first caliber staff of the CTC and these inspiring.

KAMAL SINCLAIR
Dance / Choreographer
I am a dancer/actor and I write and publish my own poetry. I have performed in the long-running Broadway hit, STOMP, with whom I have toured internationally. My touring experience has included Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Macau, Germany, Brazil and Chile. A Graduate of NYU's Experimental Theatre Wing, I choreograph for various dance companies in New York and Los Angeles.

ALANDA SPENCE
Choreographer
A graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Alanda has had the privilege of acting, singing, and dancing all over the world. Above all other places, though, she is very excited to have her first season with the Children’s Theatre Company and give back to kids the same performing pleasures she has discovered in life.

MARGUERITE STIMPSON
Associate Director: Group 3
Marguerite Stimpson is a recent graduate of the A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. She has performed internationally in Italy, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, & the United States. Regionally, she has worked at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Diary of Anne Frank, Proof, and Closer. She has also appeared on NBC's ED.


RAMIN TALAIE
Photography
Ramin studied photography at the Cooper Union School in New York. Ramin’s photography has been published in Time Out New York, The New York Times, and other publications. He and was been featured in solo and group shows in New York City and Brooklyn. CTC’s photography workshop is to view an image through children’s eyes with a pure vision. Their vision is uncorrupted, unrehearsed, and therefore untainted.

DIMITREA TOKUNBO
Bookmaking & Illustration / Art Instructor
Dimitrea Tokunbo is familiar with city life and is the critically acclaimed illustrator of SIDEWALK CHALK. A freelance illustrator and graphic designer, she studied illustration at Moore College of Art for Women. Ms. Tokunbo is currently producing for Cricket Magazine and is working on illustrations on the life of Phyllis Wheatley.

NICOLE WEINBERG
Set Design / Technical Director
Nikki, a senior in the NYU Drama/Tech Dept, has worked as both set designer and technical director f or numerous productions including Mother Courage and Café Cantante. She has served as Technical Theatre Specialist at French Woods Festival, participating in design and construction for over 27 shows, including the designs for Into the Woods and Annie. She has interned for Law and Order’s art department as well as in the production office for Sesame Street. Thanks to Mom and Dad, LP, AS, KT, EK, LLM, JA and BM!