PDF program - Verve Studios

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INDUSTRY SHOWCASE
5.23.2011
Verve
3 4 5 $ ) / 3
Presents
its
Scene Study Students
in
Showcase 2011
Mallory Adams
Michelle Allen
Cody Ballentine
Sarah Chapman
Judith Tobi Eisenberg
Mitch Etter
Steven Fajardo
Ashley Faulkner
Marcella Grassa
Timothy K. Herman
Shambra Holguin
Jessica Holt
Karen Lewsader
Mitch Morrison
Aaron Seever
Dan Taylor
Kenda Thorpe
Richard Wales
The Scenes
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon
Straight-laced Paul and free-sprited Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense
of the word. The drama with their new apartment has pushed them past the
honeymoon stage fast. Comedy.
Ashley Faulkner...................Corie
Dan Taylor............................Paul
DIVERTING DEVOTION by Mike O’Malley
After Carol returns home after a long absence, Peter and Carol realize their
relationship may not have survived long-distance after all. Drama.
Cody Ballentine..................Peter
Mallory Adams....................Carol
SPIKE HEELS by Theresa Rebeck
Lydia, the sensible lawyer in sensible shoes, confronts Georgie, the from-the-wrongside-of-the-tracks assistant in spike heels, about her relationship with Lydia’s fiancée.
Drama.
Sarah Chapman..................Georgie
Marcella Grassa...................Lydia
FOOL FOR LOVE by Sam Shepherd
Martin has just burst into a motel room and knocked Eddie down thinking his date
May was in trouble. Frustrated, she has locked herself in the bathroom while her
“cousin” and her date sort things out. Dramedy.
Timothy K. Herman..............Eddie
Steven Fajardo....................Martin
MAIDS OF HONOR by Joan Casademont
Sisters Izzy, a hopeful Investigative–reporter and Annie, in-denial about her exfiancée, debate talking their sister Monica out of getting married. Dramedy.
Kenda Thorpe......................Izzy
Shambra Holguin................Annie
PLEASE HAVE A SEAT AND SOMEONE WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY by Garth Wingfield
David and Sue sit there week after week in their shrinks’ waiting room reading
magazines. Who says you should never talk to strangers? Comedy.
Aaron Seever.......................David
Judith Tobi Eisenberg..........Sue
ROUNDING THIRD by Richard Dresser
Don, an overly-aggressive Little League head coach, meets his newly assigned
assistant coach Michael. Comedy.
Richard Wales.......................Don
Mitch Morrison......................Michael
SUPERIOR DONUTS by Tracy Letts
Randy, a beat-cop, has her eye on Arthur, a Chicago-area donut shop owner. Drama.
Mitch Etter.............................Arthur
Karen Lewsader....................Randy
DMV TYRANT by Christpher Durang
Jane Agnes is having a very bad day at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Comedy.
Jessica Holt...........................Clerk
Michelle Allen.......................Customer/Jane Agnes
Please join us for a reception immediately following the showcase.
Special thanks to Lora Blume, Victoria Lipman, Pat Tinney, Pat Tinney, Jr., David
Williamson, Karen Lewsader, Paul DeNigris, Copper Star Coffee, Compass Craft
Services, Fernando Teson, Christian Starry, Metropolitan Arts Institute, Phoenix Film
Foundation, Jason Carney, Webb Pickersgill, Keegan Ead and Jennifer Pfalzgraff.
The Actors
Mallory Adams is pleased to participate in her 4th showcase with Verve.
In previous showcases, Mallory played a Tupperware saleswoman in
Mamet Women, Donna in The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, and Jennie
in The Shape of Things. Recently, Mallory starred as Ben Affleck in Class
6 Theatre’s Arizona Premiere of Matt and Ben. She continues to shape
her craft and gain artistic intelligence through the help of Amanda
Melby and the classes at Verve Studios. As Albert Einstein once said, “It
is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression
and knowledge.” Thanks, Amanda for all that you do.
Michelle Allen has lived in the Phoenix area for over 25 years. She
has appeared in several productions at the Herberger Performance
Outreach Theater. In addition to stage work, her credits also include
film, television, commercial, voice over and modeling. Michelle has
studied at Verve Studios under Amanda Melby since 2007. Michelle is
represented by Dani’s Agency.
Cody Ballentine is a native of Arizona. He currently is a Junior at Arizona
State University, where he is majoring in Film and Media Studies. Cody
started taking acting classes at Arizona State and has now been taking
classes since July 2009 with Verve Studios. He has been working hard
this past year doing a few short films, a feature film, a commercial for
TedsList.com and he was recently a baseball player in his first national
commercial for Gillette. He is represented by Dani’s Agency.
Sarah Chapman is an experienced actress, model, singer and
songwriter, most recently appearing as “Dakota” in My Secret
Language of Wishes with the Black Theatre Troupe. Sarah also won
Best Actress at the A3F for the film Continuum. Theatre includes The
Play about the Baby, with i-Theatre Collaborative, critically acclaimed
Equus and Killer Joe with Nearly Naked Theatre. Sarah is a graduate
of Southwest Shakespeare’s Conservatory, studied acting and music
at SCC and is forever honing her craft. Sarah is thrilled to join Verve
Studio’s 2011 showcase and is seeking representation in all areas.
Judith Tobi Eisenberg is thrilled to be acting at the Verve Studios
Showcase. Her most recent role was that of Nadia 1, 2 and 3 in
Lenin’s Embalmers at Theatre Artists Studio. As well as an actor she is
also a playwright, screenwriter and producer. She is currently working
on producing and acting in her first short film project, Kerry and
Angie, which she obtained the rights to after last year’s Verve Studios
Showcase.
Mitch Etter began his study of acting and the theatre arts at the
University of Texas in Austin. After quite a few years’ hiatus, he
continued his studies with Amanda Melby at Verve Studios and Carol
MacLeod at Theatre Artists Studio. Mitch has appeared with several
theatre groups in the Tucson and Phoenix areas, including Live Theatre
Workshop, Desert Players, Southwest Shakespeare Theatre, North
Valley Playhouse, MCC’s Stage Door Players, Space 55, Theater Works
and Theatre Artists Studio. Mitch is the recipient of an Arizoni Award for
his portrayal of Robert in Stage Door Players’ production of Proof.
Steven Fajardo was born in New Mexico and moved to Phoenix with
his family in the early 80’s. During his early adulthood, he also lived in
northern and southern California then returned to Phoenix. Having his
first experiences as an actor during adolescence, he is determined to
again pursue his passion for the footlights. In 2010 he participated in
stage readings for the Pandora Festival, and has been studying with
Verve Studios for more than a year.
Ashley Faulkner is an Arizona native with a strong passion for acting
and music. Working in many mediums, Ashley will always find her way
to a film set or stage. Ashley is quickly building her resume working
on short films with valley filmmakers. Most recently she has performed
with Central Community Theatre in Jesus Christ Superstar and Paradise
Valley Community College’s production of Compleat Female Stage
Beauty. Ashley continues to study with Amanda Melby at Verve
Studios and has had the privilege of studying with Elayne Stein, Susan
K. Brigham, and Dee Rich.
Marcella Grassa, has always had a passion for the performing arts.
Recently while she was dancing and singing with a local Phoenix
band, Of the Earth, she was inspired to take voice and acting lessons
with Amanda Melby and Jennifer Pfalzgraff of Verve Studios. After the
first week, she was hooked. She recently worked with James E. Garcia
of New Carpa Theater Company as an understudy and production
assistant for “Performing 1070 Short-Play festival”. Marcella is so very
grateful for the positive influence and support of Amanda Melby and is
looking forward to performing in her very first Verve Studio Showcase.
The Actors
Tim Herman’s interest in acting developed at a young age but his
academic work officially started as a student at SCC and ASU. After
many years of perusing other creative interests and anomalous
performance training, Tim joined Verve in 2009 to begin a more
comprehensive and harmonious study of the craft. Tim has participated
in several film projects where he has performed in background and
supporting roles. Tim’s approach has always been one based in
professionalism and hard work as his goal is to gain extensive and well
rounded training prior to attempting to become a working actor.
Shambra Holguin has been a hair stylist for 11 years and has enjoyed it
very much. Shambra has always had a passion to pursue acting but
it wasn’t until the summer of 2010 that she finally took the initiative. I
began taking classes at Verve Studios and it has been one of the most
exciting adventures of her life. She looks forward to achieving her
goals of finding representation, and becoming a successful actress in
both film and commercials.
Jessica Ann Holt is a local actress with experience in stage, film and
voice over work. Most recently she completed a voice over project
for Defero and a series of voice overs for IFP/PHX. She is a graduate
of Utah State University with a B.F.A. degree in Theatre Performance.
Some of her favorite past roles include Moxie in RELATIVE VALUES, Sue
Bayliss in ALL MY SONS, Madame Pernell in TARTUFFE and Dawn in
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. She currently studies with Amanda Melby at
Verve Studios and is seeking representation.
Karen Lewsader has never worked a day in her life but she makes
a good living and actually gets paid for having fun! She loves film
acting and singing and has been in several productions this year. She
teaches a life skills program in the Phoenix inner-city middle schools.
Having been a police officer for the past 25 years in Phoenix, Karen
recently retired and now works for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s
Office. Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Admin from Northern
Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from
Northern AZ Univ. Karen likes to sing, play guitar and scuba dive.
Mitch Morrison graduated from Central Michigan University with a
bachelor’s degree in Cinematic Arts. He then moved to Los Angeles
where he attended the prestigious American Film Institute’s Center
for Advanced Film Studies. Mitch graduated from AFI with a master’s
degree in film producing. After graduation, he moved to Scottsdale,
Arizona to write screenplays with his father. After having several of
their scripts optioned, Mitch wrote and directed an eighteen-minute
short film entitled, “Modem Mary.” Mitch performs stand-up comedy
in Phoenix and LA and is currently an acting student at Verve Studios.
Aaron Seever grew up in California, but has lived in Phoenix for the
past nineteen years. His film credits include numerous independent
films shot here in Arizona, including SMALL HAPPYS, RED CORVETTE,
CHARLES, DEGRADED, BLUE VELVET, PARADIGM, CHIEF, THE ELDER,
CHERRY ON TOP, VIRTUE, GRIEF, O’BEST BELOVED, and HAPPY HOUR.
In the future, Aaron plans to pursue filmmaking and is working on
writing his first feature length screenplay. He is represented by Dani’s
Agency.
Daniel Taylor was born in Arizona and moved to Missouri at the age
of 8. Growing up in a small Midwest town he had always dreamed
of acting and performing for others’ enjoyment. Always being the
class clown and the center of attention at parties, gatherings, or with
friends and family, he decided to pursue his love of acting and joined
Verve Studios. There he found his passion for acting and realized his
dream of bettering himself and learning as much as possible about
the business. Dan has since been in numerous short films, challenges,
and is an active member in the film community.
Kenda Thorpe has been acting for most of her life. She began by
appearing in local TV commercials in Kansas. She has studied acting
extensively at both Mesa Community College and at Arizona State
University. She has continuously studied with Amanda Melby since
October 2010. Her goal is to be a working actor.
Richard Wales has enjoyed the many opportunities that studying at
the Verve Studios have brought him. These opportunities have lead to
parts in several community theatre projects, including “Unnecessary
Farce”, an ariZoni award winner for Best Play, and a role in a feature
film entitled “Suspicion” which recently ran at the Phoenix Film Festival.
Rich is grateful for the opportunity to participate in his third Verve
Studios Showcase. He is thankful for the patience of his loving wife,
and is very appreciative of Amanda Melby for her continued positive
support and her ability to bring out the best in all of us.
The Studio Owner/Head Coach
Amanda Melby, a native Minnesotan,
made her way to Phoenix via Southern California,
Washington, DC and Cleveland. She has worked
as a professional actress for over 20 years and is
a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. In addition
to acting and teaching, she works as a producer,
writer and spokeswoman. She was the Executive
Director of IFP Phoenix 2005-April 2011. She is
a three-time Emmy® nominee for her work as
Producer and Host of the television show SCREEN
WARS, was honored as the 2007 Phoenix Film
Foundation Board Member of the Year, with the
2008 Layne Award and was nominated for the
2011 Governor’s Arts Award for her contributions
to the Arizona Entertainment Community.
Amanda can be seen in the feature films JAKE’S CORNER with Richard
Tyson, Danny Trejo and BJ Thomas, FAREWELL DARKNESS, NETHERBEAST
INCORPORATED with Darrell Hammond, Steve Burns, Dave Foley and
Jason Mewes, MADISON HALL, THE MAJESTIC with Martin Landau and Jim
Carrey and THE LANGUAGE OF KICKBALL. Her short film credits include
CULT STATUS, IMPOTENT, VIEWFINDER, SMALL HAPPYS, THE FENCESTITUTE,
COCKTAIL WIZARD, THE DARKNESS OF LIGHT, among others. Her TV
credits include S.I.S. (Spike TV), BOSTON PUBLIC (Fox), THE YOUNG AND
THE RESTLESS (CBS), AdTV and SCREEN WARS (AZTV).
Her Los Angeles theatrical credits include understudying for Peri Gilpin
as Gwendolyn in FRASIER GONE WILDE: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING
EARNEST at the Mark Taper Forum, starring as Sonia in the LA premiere of
LIFE x 3 at the Elephant Asylum, as Doris in SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR at the
Long Beach Playhouse, and as Amy in the premiere of CHENILLE STEMS
AND COCO MIDRIB at the Secret Rose Theatre. Regional theatrical
credits include the Cleveland Play House, Porthouse Theatre, Dobama
Theatre and Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.
Locally, she has appeared at Phoenix Theatre and Theatre Artists Studio:
SHAKESPEARE’S FRIENDS, RIDING TO BETHLEHEM, KISSING, COLLECTED
STORIES and MEDEA’S GHOST.
She has studied with Howard Fine in his Master Class in LA. Amanda
is an accomplished cellist and holds a BA in theatre and English from
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. She is repped by The Leighton
Agency (AZ), Blair Silver Management and Artists Management Agency
(CA). She can be found online at: AmandaMelby.com, Facebook.
com/AmandaMelbyActress and Twitter.com/AmandaMelby.
Amanda is the owner of Verve Studios, teaching Scene Study, Get
Personal, Advanced Commercials, TelePrompTer, Teens, Kids, Voice
and Cello.
She is grateful to her students for their trust and hard work, her coaches
for their dedication and professionalism and the Industry for attending
and supporting the work at Verve Studios. Together, we will continue to
raise the bar in Arizona.
The Coaches
Jennifer Pfalzgraff
Susan K. Brigham
Diane Senffner
Core, Commercials, Teens, Kids
Film Acting
Accents/Dialects
Katherine Stewart
Chris Redish
Dee Rich
Shakespeare
Honest Improv
Sub-Scene Study
Coming up at the Studio
Accents and Dialects: British Intensive with Diane Senffner
WEDNESDAYS, June 1-22, 2011; 6:30-9 pm (ages 16 +)
Film Camp Monday-Friday 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Teens (ages 13-17), June 6-10 with Jennifer Pfalzgraff
Kids (ages 8-12) June 20-24 with Jennifer Pfalzgraff
Adult Ongoing Scene Study with Amanda Melby
MONDAYS: 1-4 pm and 6:30-9:30 pm
Advanced Commercial Workshop with Amanda Melby
SATURDAY, August 20; 1-5 pm
Commercials with Jennifer Pfalzgraff
WEDNESDAYS, July 20-Aug 24, 2011; 6:30-9:30 pm
Get Personal with Amanda Melby
SATURDAYS, August 13-20, 2011; 9 am – 12 pm
The Core with Jennifer Pfalzgraff
WEDNESDAYS, Sept 28-Nov 16, 2011; 6:30-9:30 pm
The Studio
About Verve Studios
Verve Studios is a boutique music and acting studio with locations in
Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
Since 2005, Verve Studios has offered classes for the serious and
dedicated actor and musician. The coaches at Verve are working,
seasoned, professional actors and teach proven methods and
techniques. Verve classes are nurturing, honest and intense and will
bring out, encourage and help shape the artist through creativity,
truth and discipline.
Verve Classes
The training at Verve Studios focuses on both the craft and the
business of acting and creates flexible, dynamic working actors,
who respect and understand the process and one another.
Courses include the Foundational Classes, which lay the foundation
of acting technique and provide a place and opportunity to build
on that foundation, and the Complementary Classes, which are
designed to give a well-rounded education and the ability to be
successful in any medium.
Both the Adult and Teens classes feature Foundational and
Complementary Classes. Kids classes are preparation for the more
vigorous Teens curriculum and for those kids and parents who seek
or already have agency representation.
In addition to group classes, Verve Studios offers personal one-onone coaching in Acting, Voice and Cello.
Verve
3 4 5 $ ) / 3
Mailing Address: 4848 East Cactus Road #505-551, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: 480.659.8957
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.VerveStudio.net
Facebook and Twitter: /VerveStudiosAZ