Current Faculty

Ryan Scott Oliver (he/him)
(Co-Founder, Instructor)

RYAN SCOTT OLIVER was called “the future of Broadway… a major new voice in musical theatre” (Entertainment Weekly) and is “shaking up musical theater with his dark, twisted and genius work … [Oliver] could very well be musical theater’s answer to an auteur filmmaker or a gothic novelist” (Huffington Post). He wrote the music and lyrics for Jasper in Deadland, 35mm: A Musical Exhibition; Darling; Mrs. Sharp; Havana! with director Warren Carlyle, and more. He is the winner of a Larson Grant, Rodgers Award, among many other grants, fellowships and award for new musicals. He is currently at work on adaptations of the films Hugo (based on the 2011 Martin Scorsese film) with Christopher Wheeldon; Heart and Souls (1993) for Universal Theatrical Group; Junebug (2005), with Pulitzer-prize winning librettist Royce Vavrek; a trilogy of original musicals (including We Foxes, Rope, and Three Points of Contact). Find writings, videos, tweets, and more of his morbidly optimistic musings @ryanscottoliver on all platforms.

Masterclasses & Intensives

Kerstin Anderson (she/her; Acting)

Kerstin is a Vermont-born New York actor. Most recently seen as Simone in AFTERWORDS at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre and as Lucy Lemay in Unknown Solider at Playwrights Horizons. Other credits include: Ensemble and Standby/Alternate for Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (LCT), Maria in The Sound of Music (North American Tour directed by Jack O’Brien), and Row (Audible). She can be heard on Ryan Scott Oliver’s albums Darling: Live in Concert and Future Demons. She is so thrilled to be back with AT! @kerstanderson1

Afra Hines (she/her; Art/Biz)

Afra, currently in Funny Girl, and before that most recently seen performing in the Broadway musical Hadestown (where she understudied and performed the role of Persephone,) is a veteran performer with 9 Broadway credits to her name. Some of her favorites include SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical where she played Michael/Maid and understudied Disco Donna Summer (performing the role 25 times), In The Heights (Original Broadway Company with Lin-Manuel Miranda), Shuffle Along (Original Broadway Company alongside Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter and Joshua Henry with choreography by Savion Glover), Ghost (Original Broadway Company, understudy Clara/Louise), and Motown (understudy Tina Marie). She also spent a year on the First National Tour of HAMILTON (Angelica Tour) playing San Francisco and Los Angeles. Additionally, Afra was a Radio City Rockette for 7 years. You can see Afra in the miniseries Fosse/Verdon with Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams, on FX. Other television work includes Boardwalk Empire (Onyx Dancer), Curb Your Enthusiasm (Hamilton ensemble), The Detour (B.Frank ensemble), Mozart In the Jungle, and SNL. @afrahines

Will Reynolds (he/him; Vocal Coach)

WILL REYNOLDS is a NY based writer, performer, and educator. Will has written the music for The Violet Hour (based on the play by Richard Greenberg, developed by Manhattan Theatre Club and soon to be released as a studio cast album), Radioactive, Around the World, and The Sixth Borough, all with Eric Price, with whom he won the 2018 Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theater Writing. They are also featured songwriters on the AppleTV+ animated series Central Park. Will is the composer/creator of The Greenwood Tree (based on the Sonnets by Shakespeare), which was developed by the Stratford Festival in Canada. His song cycle Poems & Moon Songs has been produced as part of the Lincoln Center Songbook Series, with the song “Tavern” (text by Edna St. Vincent Millay) was featured on six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald’s album Go Back Home. His short musical The Whole World Is Watching was commissioned by Marymount Manhattan. Development opportunities include the Dramatists Guild Fellowship, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Goodspeed Writers Colony, and the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project. He is currently a finalist for the Johnathan Larson Award. Acting credits include DADDY LONG LEGS Off B’way, PASSION at Classic Stage (cast album on PS Classics), EMMA at the Old Globe and Streaming Musicals, A ROOM WITH A VIEW at the 5th Avenue/Old Globe, the American premiere of LOVE STORY at Walnut Street, and the national tour of MAMMA MIA! He is on the faculty of Pace University, Molloy College/CAP21, and is the music supervisor for Musical Theatre College Auditions (MTCA). With Eric Price, he founded This MT Space - an educational platform for the next generation of musical theater writers. He is a member of AEA, ASCAP, and SAG. Carnegie Mellon alum. www.willreynoldsonline.com

Tim Rosser (he/him; Voice Teacher)

Tim Rosser is a Brooklyn-based voice teacher who specializes in Pop, Contemporary Musical Theatre, and Classic Musical Theatre styles. Tim studied music at Oberlin Conservatory and since then has pursued a 14+ year career as a voice teacher, vocal coach, music director, and pianist here in New York City. He’s worked with many of Broadway’s biggest stars in these capacities, and on several Broadway shows as a pianist and conductor. Tim is also an award-winning songwriter, with his songs being performed and recorded by Lindsay Mendez, India.Arie, Noah Galvin, Billy Porter, Lillias White, Krysta Rodriguez, Kerry Butler, Rebecca Luker, and many more. Tim teaches voice lessons with Lindsay Mendez, as well as in his own voice studio, and is an instructor at New York Vocal Coaching in Manhattan. He's thrilled to be joining Actor Therapy once again this summer! @timrosserisoninsta

Michael Lowney (he/him; Voice Teacher)

Originally from Missoula, Montana, Michael is a New York based actor and teacher. Michael made his Broadway debut as Etienne in the 2010 Tony Award Winning Revival of La Cage aux Folles where he understudied and performed the role of Jean-Michel alongside Kelsey Grammer and Tony winner Douglas Hodge. He went on to play the role of Jean-Michel in the production’s First National Tour starring George Hamilton and Christopher Seiber. Michael made his solo cabaret debut at Feinstein's/54 Below and has performed at many other New York venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub, Birdland, and The Metropolitan Room. In 2018, Michael released "You Are Here," a solo album adapted from his Feinstein's/54 Below cabaret. Michael received a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and has continued to study acting in NYC with Craig Carnelia, Scott Freeman, and Bob Krakower.

Sara Jean Ford (she/her; Voice Teacher)

Sara was recently seen playing Jellylorum in the new revival of CATS on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. Smitty in How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Petra in A Little Night Music and Finian’s Rainbow. Sara holds the unique distinction of performing in two Broadway shows in the same week; Petra in ‘Night Music’ and Christine in ‘Phantom...’. Sara produced, wrote and starred in her own adaptation of Calamity Jane in Concert for sold-out audiences at Feinstein’s 54 Below. Off Broadway: Sara starred as Louisa in the The Fantasticks and can be heard on the Original Revival Cast Recording. National Tours/ Regional: Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera. Jenny in the world premiere musical, Sousatzka in Toronto, Canada. Sunday in the Park With George- Dot, Crimes of the Heart- Babe, Candide- Cunagonde, Carousel- Carrie, and Nellie Oleson in the world premier of Little House on the Prairie -The Musical at The Guthrie Theatre. She has appeared as a star soloist numerous times at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Disney Hall. She can be heard on Michael Jackson’s HIStory album, Harry Connick Jr.’s When my Heart Finds Christmas, and The Addams Family Values soundtrack. As well as teaching Voice and Acting privately, Sara is on the Voice and Acting Teaching faculty for the Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF). She has taught her Acting/ Voice masterclass at theatre and Opera programs all over the country including Carnegie Mellon University, Loyola University, Binghamton University, and the Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY. Sara graduated with a BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious Drama program.

Jason Wetzel (he/him; Masterclass/Accompanist)

Jason is a New York City pianist, music director, and conductor. Broadway: After Midnight (Assistant Conductor), Shuffle Along (Music Assistant); NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, City Center Encores!, BroadwayCon (Music Supervisor), NAMT and NYMF Festivals; National Tours: 9 national tours including Young Frankenstein, Jersey Boys, Wicked, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Numerous regional credits, including 13 seasons at Maine State Music Theatre, as well as Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Northern Stage, and The Fulton Theatre. Also, pianist and vocal coach for the Walt Disney World Company.

Kate Baldwin (she/her; Masterclass)

Kate starred as Irene Molloy opposite Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce and Gavin Creel in the hit Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, for which she was nominated for the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle awards. She originated the role of Sandra Bloom in Big Fish on Broadway and earned accolades and a Drama Desk Award nomination for her work as Leslie Lyntonn Benedict in Michael John LaChiusa’s Giant at The Public Theatre. She received a Drama Desk Award nomination for her role as Jen in Keen Company's 20th Anniversary revival of Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald's John & Jen. She garnered critical acclaim and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Tom Kitt and John Logan’s Superhero at Second Stage. It was her starring role in the 2009 revival of Yip Harburg's and Burton Lane's hit classic musical Finian's Rainbow, which drew Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle Award nominations and put her on the map as "a real musical theatre star." (New York Post). Kate has appeared in the Broadway casts of The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wonderful Town. She starred in The King and I at Lyric Opera of Chicago Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto), The Women at The Old Globe, Henry V at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, I Do, I Do at Westport Country Playhouse, She Loves Me at the Willliamstown Theatre Festival, and The Music Man and South Pacific at Arena Stage, earning a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She has performed in concert with the New York Pops, Boston Pops, National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Portland Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Chicago Symphony, the American Songbook series at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and at the legendary New York nightclubs Feinstein’s, Birdland and 54 Below. Her concert work also includes several appearances with Stephen Sondheim as a featured performer in his critically acclaimed evening, “A Conversation with Stephen Sondheim.” On television, her work includes a guest star on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” and a featured role in the PBS filming of Stephen Sondheim’s "Passion." Kate’s debut album on PS Classics, “Let’s See What Happens” features Lane and Harburg songs from both stage and film. Her second album celebrates the work of lyricist Sheldon Harnick and is entitled, “She Loves Him.” She is a graduate of Northwestern University and lives with her husband and son in Maplewood, NJ. @realkatebaldwin

Derek Klena (he/him; Masterclass)

Derek is an American actor and singer currently starring as Christian in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge. He originated the role of Eddie Birdlace in the stage adaptation of Dogfight and played Fiyero in the 10th anniversary company of Wicked on Broadway. In 2016, he originated the role of Dmitry in Anastasia on Broadway. In 2020, Klena was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Nick Healy in Jagged Little Pill, a role which he originated at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2018. He has made appearances on several television series such as Law & Order: SVU, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Blue Bloods. @derek_klena

Holly Buczek (she/her, Casting Director)

Holly Buczek is no stranger to auditions, having been in the business as a performer since she was 5 years old! After graduating from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and while performing at Vital Theatre Company, Holly discovered her passion for casting when the artistic team asked her to step in and cast Vital Theatre’s award winning seasons of new, family musicals. Her enthusiasm and drive for casting has advanced her quite rapidly in the world of casting, allowing her to work with Tara Rubin Casting as an intern, Michael Cassara Casting and Joy Dewing Casting as an Associate and currently, Wojcik/Seay Casting as a Casting Director, all the while maintaining her own business through HDB Casting. Holly has a keen eye for exceptional performers, a unique talent for “thinking outside of the box” and a razor-sharp memory for people and faces. Holly prides herself on creating a warm and structured casting environment for both teams and talent, that allows performers to be uninhibited and bring the best of their work and personality to the table. Ongoing projects with Wojcik/Seay Casting: Arvada Center, Engeman Theater, Riverside Theatre, Tuacahn Center for The Arts, Theatre Aspen, Theatre Raleigh, Rent National Tour, Jesus Christ Superstar – 50thAnniversary Natioanl Tour, Kinky Boots National Tour, Motown National Tour, Jekyll & Hyde Korean Tour, Dream Girls Korean Tour, PJ Masks National Tour, Odd Squad National Tour, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood National Tour, Church & State (Off-Bway) & The Hunt With John Walsh (CNN). With HDB Casting, she continues as the resident Casting Director for Vital Theatre Company, among others.

Jason Styres (he/him; Casting Director)

Jason is a casting director whose work is currently represented internationally. He and his colleagues place an emphasis on creating an environment for teams, producers, and performers to effectively and efficiently put together exemplary groups of collaborative artists in order for a project to realize its fullest potential, all the while never sacrificing the humanity of the process. He was named one of the "industry players you need to know" by Backstage. He cast such projects as the Tony Award Best Musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Broadway & 1st National Tour, and 2nd National Tour), the hit Off-Broadway comedy Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic, the current national tours of Bartlett Sher’s productions of Fiddler on the Roof and The King & I, Josh Prince’s breakthrough Dance Lab NY (FKA, Broadway Dance Lab), Magic Mike Live in both Las Vegas and London (alongside Channing Tatum & Alison Faulk), Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (National Tour), Dames at Sea (Broadway), The Lion King (Broadway & National Tour), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (National Tour), Trip of Love (Off-Broadway), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Broadway), and for over 15 different productions for the prestigious New York City Center Encores! series. He has worked with such directors and choreographers as Darko Tresnjak, Camille A. Brown, Josh Prince, Warren Carlyle, Josh Bergasse, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Marc Bruni, Casey Nicholaw, Kathleen Marshall, Josh Rhodes, John Doyle, Randy Skinner, and James Lapine — amongst many, many others. Other credits include Hartford Stage, New York Philharmonic, the York Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), San Francisco Symphony, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), TUTS Underground, Queensbury Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, and various other theatres. He cast the three-time Emmy nominated production of Carousel (NY Philharmonic/PBS), the smash-hit television show So You Think You Can Dance, and the highly praised HBO documentary Six by Sondheim. Some recent favorite projects include Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Prancing Elites Project, and How You Look At It — a brand new dance short by Wendy Seyb, currently gathering awards across the country in various film festivals. He also worked with Nathan Mitchell and Alexander McQueen/Document Journal on their highly lauded immersive project for New York Fashion Week (S/S 2017).

Anna Noble (she/her; Dance)

Anna Noble is a performer, choreographer, Movement director, and founder of Noble Acts, LLC. She is a bi-coastal freelancer working in NYC and LA represented by MSA agency. Anna trained at the School of the Hartford Ballet, American Dance Festival, Walnut Hill School of the Arts, the Ailey School, Joffrey Ballet, Northwest Dance Project, Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts (EMIA) and Dominican/Lines. As a performer, Anna is known for her work in the cast of the 2018 Broadway Revival of Carousel as well as her appearances on the FX television series Fosse/Verdon choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler. She has been seen in the world-premiere musical adaptation of The Flamingo Kid, directed by Tony-award winner Darko Tresjak and in Warren Carlyle's Tony-award winning musical After Midnight on the Norwegian Cruise Line's Escape as a lead principal and ensemble dancer, and as a featured dancer in Ragtime The Musical at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Anna has performed in music videos for artists Alicia Keys, Todrick Hall and Yahira Music and has worked and performed for choreographers Hinton Battle, Warren Carlyle, Jason Sparks, Jesse Robs, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Clifton Brown, Matthew Rushing, Troy Powell, Rachelle Raks, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Meredith Rainey, Heidi-Austin Cruz, Matthew Kenan, Ronald K. Brown, Camille A. Brown, Ferdinand De Jesus, Vincent Hardy and more.

Kristin Yancy (she/her, Dance)

Kristin is a dancer, actor, singer and creator based in Brooklyn, New York. She is so deeply grateful to be back onstage (live!) and thrilled to be making her Muny debut! Some favorite credits include: The Cher Show (Broadway), Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway, u/s Disco Donna), Queen of the Night (off-Broadway, Nadia), The Who’s Tommy (direction and choreography by Josh Rhodes, The Kennedy Center), West Side Story (Guthrie Theater, u/s Anita), Hostage, a film by Ryan Heffington and Bliss, a new musical (world premiere, The 5th Avenue Theatre). Kristin is a producer and co-owner of immersive theatre company MinuteZero. Proud WashU grad! kristinyancy.com

JV Mercanti (he/him; Acting)

JV served as the casting director on the Broadway revivals of Romeo & Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Cyrano de Bergerac with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner. Prior to that he spent many years as a casting associate at Roundabout. Numerous regional and university credits. MFA from Rutgers University, BA from NYU's Gallatin School. JV spent two years teaching Acting and Directing at the University of Miami. His monologue book series, IN PERFORMANCE, is published by APPLAUSE BOOKS.

Neda Lahidji (she/her; Voice Teacher)

Known for her incredibly rich and flexible voice, American-Iranian Actor and Lyric-Soprano Neda Lahidji is equally adept at singing in an array of genres including musical theatre, opera, jazz, and popular. In addition to performing, Neda is the Owner and Founder of NL Vocal Studio in Los Angeles. She works with celebrities and high profile clients as a Vocal Health Coach, Vocal Consultant, Singing/Voice Rehabilitation Specialist, Vocal Coach and Voice Teacher. Her clients can be seen on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, TBS, the CW, and Ryan Murphy’s The Prom. She is a certified Vocal Health First Aider from the Vocal Health Education in the UK. Neda also works with professional and aspiring singing actors, with vocal health, 8-shows-a-week stamina, and career longevity as her top priorities. Her fun and empowering approach has helped build powerful voices and rehabilitate singing and speaking voices with vocal injuries or technical challenges. She received her Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice and a minor in Sociology from Chapman University. Neda holds a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from NYU. Neda has attended the Tanglewood Music Institute, Oberlin Conservatory, Operafestival di Roma, Operaworks, and Songfest. She is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award from The Kurt Weill Foundation at the Lotte Lenya Competition. She was chosen by Victoria Clark to sing one-on-one with her at New York City Center's Front and Center master class. Neda is based in Los Angeles but works with clients all over the country and internationally. @nedalahidji

L Morgan Lee (she/her; Masterclass)

L Morgan Lee is an Obie award-winning actress and storyteller and the 2021 recipient of The Mark O'Donnell Prize. Her current performance in A Strange Loop on Broadway garnered her the distinction of being the first openly Transgender actress to originate a role in a Pulitzer Prize winning piece of theatre and to be nominated for a Tony Award. L Morgan was recently cast to portray the title role in the British musical adaptation of the novel, The Danish Girl being workshopped in London. She is also developing a number of projects - including a new play, formerly titled, The Women (2021), last seen in Ars Nova's Vision Residency. In the studio, L Morgan can be heard singing Simon and McGuire's "The Dream" on The Rainbow Lullaby Album (Broadway Records). "She needed a hero, so that's what she became."

Michael Mendez (he/him; Masterclass)

Michael is currently a full-time Musical Theatre Professor at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. He received his BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Arizona and is currently working towards his MFA in Directing at the University of Idaho. Broadway: Chaplin (Original Broadway Cast). NY Credits: Hey! Look Me Over! (City Center Encores!), Fat Camp the Musical (Off-Broadway). Regional credits include: Man of La Mancha at Westport Country Playhouse, How The Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe, Damn Yankees at Goodspeed Opera House, Peter and the Starcatcher and The Music Man at Weston Playhouse, Grease at North Shore Music Theatre, Billy Elliot at North Carolina Theatre, The Full Monty at American Music Theater of San Jose, and Paquito’s Christmas at The Kennedy Center.

Kaisha Huguley (she/her; Art/Biz)

Kaisha S. Huguley is a New York based actor, singer, entrepreneur, creative, & educator originally born and raised in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Kaisha performed in solo cabaret, @kaishacreates, A One Woman Showcial making her Green Room 42 Debut. Some of Kaisha’s stage credits include Kinky Boots (The Engeman; and Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Miracle on 34th Street (The Argyle Theatre), The Full Monty (Argyle Theatre) and Revelation: The Musical (The Players Theatre). When Kaisha is not on the stage, she’s creating content for her online fanbase on her TikTok, Podcast: A Kaisha Story, YouTube Channel, and Blog. She finds enjoyment in creating authentic and inspirational content documenting her journey to making her artistic and creative dreams a reality. Additionally, Kaisha is the Director of Diversity & Cultural Creative Initiatives as well as a Faculty Member at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York. She develops curriculum and teaches courses on the business of the arts & entertainment industry. Kaisha is committed to giving back to the next generation of artists & creatives. @KaishaCreates

Natalie Weiss (she/her; Masterclass)

Natalie Weiss gained an international following from her performance videos and popular YouTube web series, "Breaking Down the Riffs." As a private vocal coach and master class teacher, she trains performers across the US and throughout the world. Natalie guides singers with her trademarked method to break down riffs and runs from pop icons and often refers to her mission as “Pop Singing for Dummies.” Natalie is one of the most sought-after voices among new musical theatre writers and is a soloist on several albums by numerous new musical theatre composers. She just completed a run of the off-Broadway show Emojiland as a Construction Worker. She is part of the vocal ensemble on the acclaimed soundtrack for The Greatest Showman, can be heard on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen as one of the Virtual Community Voices, and is one of four singers on the main jingles for The Incredibles 2. Other credits include Everyday Rapture on Broadway, national tours of Les Misérables and Wicked, and regional productions of Ghost and Chess. Natalie received her BFA in musical theatre from Penn State University. She has plans to develop an online riff course within the next few years. For more info, visit her website. (@thenatalieweiss on socials.)

Tislarm Bouie (he/him; Dance)

Born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, he attended the Professional Performing Arts School (NYC) and received his B.F.A in Dance from the University of the Arts (Philadelphia). His Film/TV credits include In the Heights, Saturday Night Live, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Live from Lincoln Center, and Mrs. America. His theater credits include Gary: a Sequel to Titus Andronicus (Broadway), Carmen (Houston Grand Opera), Blueprint Specials (The Public Theater), and regional productions of Annie, The Bodyguard, and Swing! He danced for Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jon Batiste, Bebe Rexha, Ronald K. Brown/ Evidence Dance Company, and Norwegian Cruise Line. His print and commercial credits include Vogue, Estèe Lauder, Dior, Cadillac, Toyota, Samsung, and Champ Sports. As a choreographer Tislarm’s work has been featured in Dance Magazine, Brooklyn Dance Festival, New York Theater Barn, Young Choreographers Festival, Ars Nova, and MonetXchange. This spring he will be choreographing “The Wiz” directed by Zhailon Levingston at The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati. He is the founder and CEO of production company Planet Bouie.

Drew Gasparini (he/him; Masterclass)

Drew Gasparini is an award-winning musical theatre composer/lyricist and singer/songwriter. Some of his musicals include the Broadway-bound adaptation of The Karate Kid (with original screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen), as well as Its Kind of a Funny Story for Universal, and The Whipping Boy (both with writing partner Alex Brightman). In 2020 Drew wrote his semi-autobiographical song-cycle We Aren’t Kids Anymore. The piece is now currently available for license through Concord Publishing. He has performed his brand of theatre concerts all over the world from his regular shows at 54 Below, to performances at Lincoln Center in NYC, The Kennedy Center in D.C, and alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. The popularity of Drew’s theater concept album I Could Use a Drink has led to sold out concerts all over the globe, including a concert production at the Garrick Theater in London’s the West End in 2021. In 2019 Drew co-wrote the songs for the highly publicized Super Bowl advertising stunt, Skittles Commercial: The Musical starring Michael C. Hall. The show went on to win several advertising awards and was voted #1 best Super Bowl ad of 2019 by Forbes. Drew’s songwriting has also been heard on TV in shows such as NBC’s Smash and The Biggest Loser, CMT’s Gainesville, Oxygen’s The Next Big Thing, and ad campaigns for Hotels.com, and Ford.