Faculty & Staff

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller

Director, Musical Theatre Conservatory

ryan.miller@ocsarts.net

Bio coming soon!

Amelia Barron

Amelia Barron

Manager, Musical Theatre Conservatory

Teaches: Production & Design Overview; Theatre Overview; Contemporary Vocal Styles

amelia.barron@ocsarts.net

Ms. Amelia Barron (MT, ‘09) has been teaching dance and musical theatre in Los Angeles and Orange County for the past 16 years. She is a proud Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) alumna, and now faculty member and Conservatory Manager at OCSA. Ms. Barron has also served on the Artistic Team for the esteemed company Shakespeare Orange County for 7 years.

Ms. Barron has been directing, choreographing, and producing shows in Orange County for the past 12 years with productions at Orange Coast College, Shakespeare Orange County, OCSA, Huntington Central Park, and Grand Central Art Center. Some of her favorite projects include Pirates of Penzance, Mamma Mia, Antony + Cleopatra and As You Like It. She was the associate director for the launch of Temptation! an original musical adaptation by Peter Uribe. 

Ms. Barron is an accomplished vocalist and has had the privilege to work with some of the top names in musical theatre and jazz. Some of her favorites include Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line), Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight, Wicked), Tony-nominated Matthew Morrison (Glee, Light in The Piazza), Tony-nominated Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast, Hercules), David Burnham (Wicked, Light in the Piazza), Danny Gurwin (A New Brain, The Scarlett Pimpernel), Grammy winner Barbra Morrison, and Jeff Hamilton (The Jeff Hamilton Trio, Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra). Ms. Barron has been featured on several award-winning albums and in music videos.

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Donald Amerson

Donald Amerson

Instructor

Teaches: History of BIPOC Theatre

donald.amerson@ocsarts.net

Mr. Don Amerson has attempted to change the world paradigm through the arts and public policy. He achieved a Master of Fine Arts in drama/theatre for young audiences from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. Mr. Amerson has worked with the Mayor's Office of Detroit, Community-Oriented Policing Services through the U.S. Department of Justice, and Budget Management through the Executive Office of the President of the United States. His artistic career started in New York as an actor, writer, and director of fringe projects. Mr. Amerson currently teaches at OCSA where he is the passionate Thespian Troupe Director. He teaches acting, improvisation, experimental theatre, and theatre for social justice. Mr. Amerson is very proud to have had a play produced in London, studied Commedia Dell'Arte in Italy, created theatre curricula for several schools, and privately coached many successful students.

Elise Arndt

Elise Arndt

Instructor

elise.arndt@ocsarts.net

Ms. Elise Arndt is a San Clemente native and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in musical theatre from American University. The granddaughter of a Broadway veteran, Ms. Arndt always knew she wanted to be on stage. She spent 8 years living in New York City to continue her training with the best in the business while developing her parallel career in teaching. Ms. Arndt has performed in theatres regionally, toured, worked off-Broadway, performed in countless cabarets and has credits in the television, film, and commercial space. Her biggest artistic achievement to date has been the inception of her award winning one woman show Sing, Bibi, Sing!, which she wrote and starred in, that chronicles the life of her grandmother, Bibi Osterwald, who was an accomplished Broadway performer. She continues to audition, work, and train across mediums which allows her to bring a very present real world experience to her teaching and her students. Ms. Arndt has taught at schools all over New York City, multiple performing arts studios around Southern California, and continues to privately coach young students across the country in voice, acting, and audition prep. Ms. Arndt has been teaching for a decade and is thrilled to be joining such incredible colleagues at OCSA. 

Rod Bagheri

Rod Bagheri

Director of Unplugged, Instructor

Teaches: Music Theory, Voice Rep and Tech II

rod.bagheri@ocsarts.net

Mr. Rod Bagheri is a local actor, music director, pianist, and improviser. He has worked as a music director on shows and readings for A Noise Within, The Candlelight Pavilion, and 3D Theatricals among others. Additionally, he served as the assistant conductor for The Pageant of the Masters, and currently teaches voice, piano, and improv in Orange County and Los Angeles. Mr. Bagheri was recently in the National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet as the Jerry Lee Lewis understudy. Other regional credits: Davey in Newsies (3D Theatricals), Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Candlelight Pavilion), Jesus in Godspell and Henry in Next to Normal (The Wayward Artist).

Elizabeth Bagnol

Elizabeth Bagnol

Instructor

elizabeth.bagnol@ocsarts.net

Ms. Elizabeth Bagnol is a San Francisco native with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Master of Social Work degree from UCLA, where she also studied acting, screenwriting, creative writing, jazz, and ballet. Ms. Bagnol interned as a psychiatric school social worker for LAUSD. She is currently a seasonal Educational Case Manager for OC Foster Youth Services, and owns a private counseling practice as a LCSW specializing in students challenged with ADHD. Ms. Bagnol became a Registered Drama Therapist at SoCal Drama Therapy Centre and participates in playback theatre. She co-directed and wrote an original playwright, Mother Nature and Epic Earthly Battles, with her daughter, Zabby, where current OCSA students participated to benefit villages ravaged by war in Uganda. She participates in theater projects, like Homeward LA, in collaboration with actors to support the homeless and vulnerable populations. Ms. Bagnol has a passion for integrating social emotional learning in an educational curriculum to help students apply mental health and self-care skills before transitioning to independent college and career lives, while helping them explore their gifts, talents, and professional prospects.

Ms. Bagnol found her love for community services at Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic, San Francisco Women Against Rape, LA/Skid Row homeless shelters, and House of Peace Eternal Domestic Violence Corporation. She became a senior social worker working with OC Courts and the Children and Family Emergency Response Unit, Family Reunification Program, and Special Programs/Investigations. Ms. Bagnol specialized in Methamphetamine Lab Training and helped implement the first Safely Surrendered Baby Act in OC. Her life passion is to help people discover their gold nuggets of purpose, passions, and treasures within and to cultivate healing through the creative arts disciplines. When she's not working, Ms. Bagnol loves movie time with her family and friends, and coffee with extra cream at unique cafes around the world.

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Crystal Dancer

Crystal Dancer

Instructor

crystal.dancer@ocsarts.net

Ms. Crystal Dancer is thrilled to be teaching at OCSA! She has been dancing, roller skating and doing musical theatre in Orange County since she was a kid. She danced down the streets of the Disneyland Resort for 15 years. She’s worked for Tokyo Disney Resort as a roller-skating pixie. Ms. Dancer also choreographed and starred in her own 50’s roller-skating swing dance show at Universal Studios Japan. She has been working in entertainment production for the past 10 years at the Disneyland Resort and Knotts Berry Farm. Ms. Dancer is an Orange Country School of the Arts, Musical Theatre alumna and a teacher for both the Musical Theatre and Arts & Enterprise conservatories. She also owns CPDW, her own production company that works with multiple event companies across the US, including The Young Americans. Ms. Dancer is a choreographer for Knott’s Berry Farm and OCSA’s Musical Theatre. She teaches dance, acting and production at Stagelight Performing Arts in Brea, workshops at Musical Theater West, and is a substitute teacher for OCSA’s sister school, California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley. When she has time, Ms. Dancer can be found baking with her two kids or loving her menagerie of animals, all named after desserts. 

Barbara Dodge

Barbara Dodge

Instructor

Teaches: Theatre in Action

barbara.dodge@ocsarts.net

Ms. Barbara "B.J." Dodge is a semi-retired teaching artist. She worked at California Institute of the Arts, from 1984-2017, in the School of Theater, and with Community Arts Partnership at Plaza de la Raza, making original plays and adaptations of plays with youth from Lincoln Heights, CalArts students and alumni, and artists from Los Angeles and beyond. In the past 30 years, Ms. Dodge has worked for South Coast Repertory Theatre’s Youth Conservatory, Center Theatre Group Education, and Shakespeare Los Angeles. She got her Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts from CSULB, and her Master of Fine Arts in speech and dramatic arts from the University of Iowa. In addition to working with Musical Theatre and Acting conservatories at OCSA, Ms. Dodge teaches and directs occasionally as an adjunct for Cal Poly Pomona, CSULB, and at Plaza. She also serves as the Theater Chair of California State Summer School for the Arts, an immersive, multi-discipline residential program.

Vanda Eggington

Vanda Eggington

Instructor

vanda.eggington@ocsarts.net

Vanda Eggington teaches as an adjunct professor at Vanguard University and Concordia University. She also teaches in the Musical Theatre Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts. Specializing in vocal and piano pedagogy, composition and choral conducting, she is a graduate of California Lutheran University and Sherwood Music Academy. Ms. Eggington has her Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in English from American College of Education. She was on a full-time staff for Lamb’s Players Theatre in San Diego for 25 years as a performer, and the resident musical director and composer.  She has written numerous arrangements and original compositions for a variety of productions.  She is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed hit shows Boomers, American Rhythm, Love Makes the World Go ‘Round and The Beat Goes On.  She is currently working on a new production for Lamb’s Players Theatre entitled R-E-S-P-E-C-T: The Amazing Music of the Women of the 60’s which will debut in April 2022.

Cynthia Karim

Cynthia Karim

Instructor

Teaches: Stage Makeup

cynthia.karim@ocsarts.net

Cynthia Karim has worked as a professional makeup artist and licensed Aesthetician since 1975. She began her tenure at the OCSA as a designer and teacher in Special Effects Makeup, Hair, and Wig Design in 2001. She also works at the university level and in the industry including SNL and MadTV. Mrs. Karim also earned her special effects makeup certification from Paramount Studios, Hollywood.

Ron Kobayashi

Ron Kobayashi

Instructor

Teaches: Beginning Keyboard

ron.kobayashi@ocsarts.net

Ron Kobayashi is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton and has taught since the 1980s both privately and in the classroom. Mr. Kobayashi was recognized as a Role Model and Inspiration for Asians in the Field of Music by the Orange County Asian Business Association in 2005.

As a pianist and composer, Mr. Kobayashi has performed and recorded in a variety of musical settings. He has performed with Mel Torme, Peter Frampton, Margaret Whiting, Tom Scott, Kenny Burrell, Peter White, Jerry Van Dyke, comedian Bob Saget, and Paula Kelly Jr., as well as the Modernaires. Additionally, Ron and his band have shared the stage with David Sanborn, the rock group Berlin, Eddie Palmieri, David Benoit, Cirque Du Soleil, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Mr. Kobayashi’s jazz trio has recorded five CDs and one DVD to date, receiving airplay around the world. In 1992, he performed for President Bill Clinton. Additionally, in 1996 his jazz trio was awarded Outstanding Jazz Group in Orange County by the Orange County Weekly. And in 2012, they were nominated for Best Jazz by the Orange County Music Awards. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Kobayashi's television appearances have included: featured performer on The Johnny Yune Television Show, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and several appearances on the TVONE series Life After. For five years, he served as Music Director for the Annual Hollywood Diversity Awards, where stars, including Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, and George Lopez were honored. Several cuts from his Trio’s discs were used in the Gary Busey movie, Sam and Janet.

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Tamara Paulino

Tamara Paulino

Instructor

tamara.paulino@ocsarts.net

Ms. Tamara Paulino studied voice at Carnegie Mellon University and earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory. Her performing endeavors have taken her from many performances at the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in her hometown of Delaware, to the national and international tours of Bye Bye Birdie, Nickelodeon’s Rugrats Live, and Dora the Explorer Live, with unprecedented sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall. She feels extremely blessed to have spent ten years performing on stage and touring throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines. She is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association, the union representing professional stage managers and actors.

Ms. Paulino has been teaching in the Musical Theatre and Classical Voice conservatories at OCSA since 2016. She also has been a director, choreographer, and voice teacher and director at several studios in the area. Ms. Paulino is constantly grateful for the opportunity to share knowledge with her students, and be richly fulfilled by watching their talents grow and their dreams and goals come to fruition.

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Trisha Rapier

Trisha Rapier

Instructor

Teaches: Musical Theatre Vocal Rep & Tech III

trisha.rapier@ocsarts.net

Trisha Rapier is thrilled to join the teaching staff of the Orange County School of the Arts.  Trisha recently relocated to Southern California from New York City where she worked as a professional actress, singer and dancer for nearly 20 years.  She appeared on Broadway acting opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz (Liza Minnelli u/s and performed) and was the understudy for Victoria Clark and Carolee Carmello in Sister Act (Mary Martin of Tours, and Mother Superior u/s and performed.) She toured the nation in The Who’s Tommy (Mrs. Walker u/s and performed) and continues to tour perform with the Off-Broadway hit Forbidden Broadway where she impersonates Broadway Stars such as Barbra Streisand, Julie Andrews, Idina Menzel, Carol Channing, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Some of her notable Off-Broadway credits are Forbidden Broadway, NEWSical, Her Song at Birdland, Shout! The Mod Musical, Nerds:// A Musical Software Satire (Myrtle), and Golf: The Musical.  Trisha has starred in numerous regional theater productions that include Diana Goodman in Next to Normal, Rose Stopnick in Caroline, or Change, Vicki Nichols in The Full Monty, Eva in Evita ,  Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Ellen in Miss Saigon,  Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls , and Agnes in Agnes of God.  She can be seen on Cartoon Network’s Delocated

Trisha is a UCLA graduate and the recipient of the Carol Burnett Award and the Spotlight Award of the Los Angeles Music Center. Trisha began coaching young actors on their Broadway auditions several years ago through Broadway Kids Auditions in NYC. She has also taught Master Classes in Audition Technique for graduate students at UCI’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Trisha looks forward to bringing her experience and passion for teaching to the Musical Theater Conservatory students at the Orange County School of the Arts.

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Julian Rymar

Julian Rymar

Instructor

julian.rymar@ocsarts.net

Mr. Julian Rymar (IM, ‘15) is a Southern California native and proud OCSA Instrumental Music alumnus! He’s a classically trained clarinetist with a Bachelor of Music in performance from DePaul University and a Master of Music in performance, as well as an Artist’s Diploma from California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Rymar’s primary teachers include Burt Hara, Håkan Rosengren, Julie DeRoche, and Anthony Parnther. He’s also worked with many renowned clarinetists such as Steve Williamson, Larry Combs, Andrew Lowy, and Michele Zukovsky among others.

Mr. Rymar is an aspiring orchestral musician and lover of all types of music both new and old. He grew up hearing his dad play classic rock on guitar and piano, attending his mom’s musical theatre rehearsals, and studying classical music ranging from centuries old masterpieces to contemporary, experimental art music. He enjoys learning new instruments and has always been motivated to develop a broad musical appreciation to be the best collaborator he can be.

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Jenny Moon Shaw

Jenny Moon Shaw

Instructor

jennymoon2@aol.com

Ms. Jenny Moon Shaw started performing professionally from the age of six. She holds a bachelor's degree in drama and theatre arts from Birmingham University, England and trained to teach theatre at the London Central School of Speech and Drama. She was Director of Performing Arts and Head of Drama at a high school for nine years, and was twice nominated for National Teacher of the Year. Ms. Shaw’s excellent skills in the art of teaching earned her the county position of Advanced Skills Teacher. She moved to America in 2012 where she began performing professionally in regional theatre. Ms. Shaw became a resident teaching artist for Segerstrom Center for the Arts and has been there for eight years. She also works as a freelance director and choreographer.

Christopher W. Smith

Christopher W. Smith

Instructor

christopher.smith@ocsarts.net

Bio coming soon!

Kaitlyn Tice

Kaitlyn Tice

Instructor

kaitlyn.tice@ocsarts.net

An alumna of OCSA (Musical Theatre, Class of 2002), Ms. Kaitlyn Tice holds a Master of Arts in Shakespeare from The University of Birmingham, UK and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Cal Poly Pomona. She recently spent a year in Stratford-upon-Avon, England studying with the Royal Shakespeare Company where she directed, acted, and studied alongside some of today’s best Shakespeare scholars. Ms. Tice is the Artistic Director of A Muse of Fire, an all woman Shakespeare company. She is a director throughout Southern California, having directed productions with The Shakespeare Institute, Covina Center for the Performing Arts, Cal Poly Pomona, La Mirada High School, Hunger Artists Theatre Company, Art for Art's Sake, and various children's theatres. Ms. Tice is also an actor and has performed all over the world.

Some of her favorite roles include: Nurse - Romeo & Juliet, Constance - Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet with The Shakespeare Institute, Mercutio - Romeo & Juliet, Desdemona - Othello, Jacques - As You Like It, Petruchio – Taming of the Shrew, Mrs. Bennet – Pride & Prejudice, Catherine Hiatt - The Last Five Years, Mrs. Chevely – An Ideal Husband, Katherina - Taming of the Shrew, Beggar Woman - Sweeney Todd, Titania - A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carrie Pipperidge - Carousel, Mrs. MacAfee - Bye, Bye Birdie, Ophelia - Hamlet, April - Company, Jenny - Shape of Things

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Terri Treas

Terri Treas

Instructor

Teaches: Acting for the Camera

terri.treas@ocsarts.net

Terri has one of the most well rounded careers of anyone teaching in Hollywood today.  From Broadway musicals to starring in television series and films to moving behind the camera as a writer/producer for hour television dramas to directing short films and web series, Terri has learned the skills necessary to be successful in each medium. Teaching has always been a passion for Terri.  Even while she was a working actress in film and TV, she taught for Jeff Corey, one of the most respected acting teachers in Hollywood. 

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Terri started her show biz career at 15 years old as a scholarship student at the Joffrey Ballet.  She appeared on Broadway in eight shows including “Pippin,” “Working,” “My Fair Lady” and “Dancin.’” The movie “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” brought Terri to Los Angeles. She went on to star as the sexy alien love interest Cathy Frankel in the FOX hit television series “Alien Nation.”  The series was so loved by its fans that FOX make five “Alien Nation” movies of the week for the network. Her television credits include series regular roles in "DEA," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and "Santa Barbara," and many guest starring roles.   Some her feature films credits are "The Fabulous Baker Boys," "House 4," "The Nest," "Little Miss Millions," and "All That Jazz."

 

Always in search of more creative challenges she turned her attention to writing and moved behind the camera as a writer producer for hour television dramas.  She wrote and produced for “Silk Stalkings,” “Nash Bridges,” “Pacific Blue” and for “Felicity” and creator J.J. Abrams of  “Star Trek” and “Star Wars The Force Awakens” fame.

Terri has also taught at the Masters Writing Program at USC and directed their One Act Play Showcase.  Ms. Treas has been a lead teacher at The Playground, an on-camera conservatory for kids and teens, where she has taught the advanced and Professional Programs.  One of the graduation films from her Professional Programs, which Terri co-wrote and co-directed with Danielle Vernengo, was a finalist at the Broad Humor Film Festival. She has directed 6 short films for the Playground Professional Program. She has appeared on “Oprah,” “Good Morning America” and been interviewed by all of the major newspapers in the country.

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Jay Wallace

Jay Wallace

Instructor

Jay Wallace recently returned to OCSA after serving as Chair of Theatre and founding the Acting and Musical Theatre conservatories at OCSA’s sister school, California School of the Arts - SGV. Directing credits include:  Splendor In the Grass, Rumors, The Diviners, Pippin, Newsies, Steel Magnolias, Charley’s Aunt, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and August Osage County as Adjunct Professor and Guest Director at Santa Ana College.  As an actor, Mr. Wallace has performed on both stage and screen over the past two decades. He has received his Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Emporia State University and Masters of Fine Arts in theatre from California State University, Long Beach.

Advisory Board

Danny Gurwin

Danny Gurwin

Assistant Professor

School of Theatre, Film and Television

University of Arizona

Danny Gurwin is currently the head of musical theatre at the University of Arizona, Tucson. He is a MAC and Arty-Award winning director, as well as a Broadway World, Eddon, and Barrymore award-winning actor and singer. He holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of Michigan; his Broadway credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Full Monty, Urinetown, Little Women, Kismet, A Little Night Music, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Off-Broadway, he starred in Forbidden B’way, The Thing About Men, Kuni-Leml, R & J, and many, many others, as well as numerous television and regional shows, concert work, and cast recordings.

As a renowned director, teacher, and guest artist, Mr. Gurwin has coordinated and taught at University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles, Western Michigan University, Youngstown University, Clark College, American Musical and Dance Academy – Los Angeles, Las Vegas School of the Arts, Professional School for the Arts, Showchoir Camps of America, Making It On Broadway Intensives, and the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts. 

“OCSA is graduating some of the country’s finest, upcoming students in Musical Theatre.  Any college or university is lucky to have them joining their ranks!”

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Dr. Ivan Fuller

Dr. Ivan Fuller

Professor of Theatre

Chair, Theatre & Dance Department; Associate Dean, School of Fine and Performing Arts

Rider University

Dr. Ivan Fuller serves Rider University’s Westminster College of the Arts as a professor of theatre, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department, and associate dean of the School of Fine & Performing Arts. He teaches courses in Theatre History, Script Analysis, and Dramatic Literature.

Prior to coming to Rider University, Dr. Fuller was a professor of theatre at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota over twenty years, where he served as chair of the Performing & Visual Arts Department. He was the founder and artistic director of the Bare Bodkins Theatre Company, which produced summer performances of Shakespeare in Sioux Falls. In addition to his work as a director, actor, theatre educator, and poet, he is a playwright. Dr. Fuller received his undergraduate degree in theatre from Butler University and his master’s and doctorate from Bowling Green State University.

 

"OSCA's commitment to creating the best possible training program for musical theatre is very impressive. They not only studied what higher education institutions require of their students, they sent team members to my school to observe first-hand. This is compelling evidence of how seriously OSCA cares about developing a program of study that will best prepare their students for the next level of education on their way to becoming exceptional artists."

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JV Mercanti

JV Mercanti

Head of Acting for the Musical Theatre Program

Pace University School of the Arts

JV Mercanti most recently directed the critically-acclaimed premier of Songbird at the 59E59 Theater, as well as the premier of World Famous at Theater for a New City. He is currently the head of acting for the Musical Theater program at Pace University’s School of the Arts, and previously, he spent two years teaching Acting and Directing at the University of Miami. He served as the casting and associate director on the recent Broadway revival of Romeo & Juliet with Orlando Bloom. He cast the Kevin Kline revival of Cyrano de Bergerac, co-starring Jennifer Garner. He also spent many years as a casting associate for Roundabout Theatre Company, working on numerous Broadway, off-Broadway, and West End productions.

He has many regional and university credits, including: Floyd Collins, Odile’s Ordeal, Icarus, and The True History of the Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World, a play that took place almost entirely in the dark. Mr. Mercanti holds an MFA from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Studies. He is the author of the monologue book series In Performance, which is published by Applause Books. www.jvmercanti.com

"In my time at Pace I've been fortunate enough to audition, teach, and conduct Master Classes with OCSA students. They are receiving some of the best theatrical training, not just in the Los Angeles area, but in the country. The faculty and the facilities are unparalleled. I hope that we at Pace continue this long-term collaboration.”

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