Faculty & Staff

Emily Morrison is a professional actor and arts administrator. DC theatre credits include performances
with 1st Stage; Unexpected Stage, American Century Theater and Scena Theater, and a WATCH award
for Best Actress (Silver Spring Stage). Emily formerly held public relations and marketing roles with WAMU, In Series,
Constellation Theatre and American Century Theatre. Emily is a graduate of the Studio Acting
Conservatory and also trained in Los Angeles with Actors’ Circle Theatre and A Noise Within. She serves
on the board of Ex Pats Theatre and is a former Board President of the Actors Center.

Kate Ferrell (she/her) is a dedicated arts professional coming to SAC from The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Arts Management at American University, where she is developing expertise in every aspect of arts management, from financial literacy to fundraising to nonprofit law. Kate has a strong passion for performing arts marketing and is determined to increase the accessibility of the arts through the use of digital spaces. Kate strives to bridge creativity and strategy to further her commitment to supporting the sustainability of the performing arts sector. In her personal time you will find Kate curled up with a book, at a theatre seeing whatever show she can find, or playing fetch with her golden retriever, Jupiter.

Michelle Norris is a professional actor, arts administrator, and instructor for various styles of dance and movement. Theatre projects have included performances in DC and Frederick in addition to commercial, television, and industrial roles. Michelle also works as a seamstress or costume designer for local projects. Most recently, Michelle worked as a teacher and administrator at a dance conservatory, but in the past has worked in publishing, business management, and executive search. Currently, Michelle is a student of Studio Acting Conservatory, but also has past acting training at American University, in addition to training across various institutions in multiple methods and styles of dance and movement.

Joy Zinoman is a master teacher and the founder of both Studio Theatre and the Studio Acting Conservatory. She has been teaching and directing for over 40 years in the US and abroad, and created the Conservatory’s core acting curriculum. Before retiring from Studio Theatre, she directed 70 productions and garnered over 225 Helen Hayes award nominations for the Theatre, and she received numerous awards including Outstanding Direction and Visionary Leadership in the Arts. Training: Northwestern University, Radcliffe College, American University.

Joy Zinoman is a master teacher and the founder of both Studio Theatre and the Studio Acting Conservatory. She has been teaching and directing for over 40 years in the US and abroad, and created the Conservatory’s core acting curriculum. Before retiring from Studio Theatre, she directed 70 productions and garnered over 225 Helen Hayes award nominations for the Theatre, and she received numerous awards including Outstanding Direction and Visionary Leadership in the Arts. Training: Northwestern University, Radcliffe College, American University.

Carol Arthur joined the faculty in 2003 and has performed locally at Studio Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio 2ndStage, The Source Theatre, Longacre Lea Productions, Adventure Theatre, Atlas Performing Arts Center and is a former member of Psychochuckles, a comedy improv group. She is a Wammie award nominated steel pan player in the DC area band Little Red & The Renegades. Training: Oberlin College, Studio Acting Conservatory.

Nancy Bannon is a performer, writer, director and teacher. Recent acting work: Occupied Territories – Off Broadway and regional. As writer/director: five short films and in theater: Cornfield, Puncture, The Pod Project (all NYC) and as Movement Director: Romeo and Juliet (Broadway) and Murder Ballad and Pas de Deux (Studio Theatre). Recipient of 3 Princess Grace Awards and a Bessie Award (NYC). Former faculty member: SUNY Purchase, Rutgers University and master classes at The Juilliard School, NYU and various universities. Training: The Juilliard School

Diana Bradley has been a certified Alexander Technique teacher since 1979. Diana has taught in the DC area for over 38 years, including at Arena Stage, the University of Maryland and the Baltimore School for the Arts. Diana teaches around the U.S. and internationally. She is on the faculty at the Barstow Institute, a summer residential workshop and Chesapeake Bay Alexander teacher training program (CBAS) in North Carolina. She has been on the faculty of the Studio Conservatory since 2007. Her private practice is located in Takoma Park, MD.

Silas Gordon Brigham is a Voice, Presence and Second Circle Coach certified with Patsy Rodenburg. His coaching is rooted in social justice education, informed by his study of martial arts and meditation, and shaped by his own acting experience. Silas coaches actors both privately and in production. Most recently, he was the vocal coach and fight choreographer for First Maria Ensemble’s NYC production of Macbeth, as well as a cast member. Silas is also passionate about working with non-actors and has years of experience helping a range of students to uncover their most effective and authentic presence and voice. He has led group workshops designed specifically for young folks at numerous schools and summer programs in the DC-area, Philadelphia, Maryland and Virginia; most frequently working with students at the Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School in Western Massachusetts. As an actor, Silas has appeared locally at Studio Theater, Mosaic Theater Company, and DC Fringe Festival. His film work includes the award-winning Ultrasonic and The Legacy Sessions—which he co-produced. Training: BA in Theater Studies from Guilford College; Studio Acting Conservatory; Patsy Rodenburg Master Teacher Certification Program.

Zach Campion is a certified Assistant Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and draws upon the Knight- Thompson Speechwork methodology for dialect and accent modification practice. Zach has coached voice and dialects locally for productions at Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, 1st Stage Tysons, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and UMBC. Training: BFA, Performance and Production, Texas State University-San Marcos; MFA, Voice and Speech Pedagogy, Virginia Commonwealth University.

José Carrasquillo is a DC based theatre practitioner and educator with 3 decades of experience.  He has been Producing Artistic Director at Freedom State in DC (1989-1996) and at The Group Theatre in Seattle (1996-2000).  He currently serves as Director of Artistic Programming at Ford’s Theatre. He has directed at most venues in our region including GALA Hispanic Theatre, The Kennedy Center, 1st Stage, Theater J, Round House Theatre, Olney Theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Avant-Bard, The In-Series, and Woolly Mammoth. Recent credits include: Happy Days, After the Fall, The Body of an American, Sotto Voce, El Paso Blue, Don Juan Tenorio, Nat Turner in Jerusalem and Rhinoceros. He has taught/lectured or directed at: Theatre Lab, UMD-College Park, Catholic University, Julliard School of Drama, National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Interlochen, University of Washington in Seattle, University of Ohio in Athens, Cornish College for the Arts, Paso Nuevo (GALA), Theater J, 1st Stage and Imagination Stage.  Jose is the recipient of a Mary Goldwater-Theatre Lobby Award for his direction of The Maids at Avant-Bard and a Helen Hayes Award for his direction of The Brothers Size at 1st Stage.  He is a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee and sits on the Advisory Board of Theatre Washington.

Jacqueline Chenault is a DC-area actor and performer. She has worked extensively in DC area theatres, including Studio Theatre, Folger Theatre, Folger Consort, Arts on the Horizon, Brave Spirits, the Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, 4615 Theatre Company, and numerous projects with the Capital Fringe Festival. She is a 4615 Theatre Company Member. Training: The George Washington University, Tooth & Claw Combat Arts, British American Dramatic Academy, Studio Acting Conservatory.

Mary C. Davis has worked as a teaching artist for many local organizations including Shakespeare Theatre Company and Round House Theatre. Some of her favorite acting experiences include: Merchant of Venice and House and Garden, Trinity Repertory Company; Boeing Boeing, Greenbrier Valley Theatre; As You Like It, The Here &  Now; The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Studio Theatre; Our Town, National Players. Training: MFA in Acting, Brown University/Trinity Rep; Studio Acting Conservatory; BA in Theatre, The George Washington University.

Kate Debelack is an actor and director. She is the Associate Artistic Director of The Klunch and a company member of Arts on the Horizon. Acting credits include: The Shakespeare Theatre, Kennedy Center, The Studio Theatre, Taffety Punk, Forum Theatre, Solas Nua, Longacre Lea, MetroStage, Cherry Red, the New York International Fringe Festival, and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. Directing credits include Capital Fringe, Arts on the Horizon, and the One Minute Play Festival. Training: Western Washington University, the Cabaret Conference at Yale, Studio Acting Conservatory.

Denise Diggs has taught voice for over 30 years at the Baltimore School for the Arts. She also has taught at Towson University, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and privately for media professionals. She has appeared at Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Center Stage, Olney Theatre Center, La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, Round House Theatre, Theatre of the First Amendment, and Everyman Theatre.

Darnell Eaton is a legendary Improv Actor in Washington, DC with 15 years of experience in improvisation. He can be seen performing regularly at the Washington Improv Theater Ensembles The Broken Bones and Lena Dunham Improv: Your Black Friends. Former member of the highly acclaimed Washington Improv Theater’s iMusical The Improvised Musical, he has performed in a number of improv venues in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and all throughout the Washington, DC area. Darnell has previously performed in the DC Capital Fringe Festival and was featured in Cristina Garcia’s Lesbians and the Men Who Love Them, Nu Sass Productions  22 Boom and Benjamin Lockshin’s Caveat. He has also performed in Pinky Swear Production’s Use All Available Doors, TBD Immersive’s In Cabaret We Trust, Brave Soul Collection’s WTF Happened to Baby Sister Jane, Momentum Inc.’s Not My Baby, DC 1 Minute Play Festival, and Atlas Intersection Festival and has participated in other local theater projects in the DC area. Darnell spends his time offstage teaching improv to adults and children through Washington Improv Theater and is an alum of the Studio Acting Conservatory.

Julie Garner has been a professional actor, improvisor and educator for nearly two decades. A two-time HHA nominee, some local theatre credits include: Studio Theatre, The Welders, Constellation, Faction of Fools, Forum, and Rorschach Theatre. In addition to many film, voice over, and commercial credits, Julie performs regularly with improv comedy groups such as Last Ham Standingand Comedy Sportzat the DC Improv. She is currently the Theatre Specialist at the Smithsonian NMAH, where she develops and performs three critically acclaimed interactive theatre programs.

Jeff Hamlin is an accomplished musician and music director. Since earning his Bachelor of Music degree, he has worked as a producer, writer, arranger, and musician, primarily in Nashville and the DC metro area. As a past member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW), Jeff performed as a soloist in several cabaret shows, including Love Songs and Other Fairy Tales, Stops Along the Way, and Let Me Be the Music: the Songs of David Friedman. More recently, he has served as the music director and pianist for performances by the D.C. Cabaret Network, Maggie’s Cabaret, and local artists. Training: Southwest Baptist University, Georgetown University Law Center, and Studio Acting Conservatory.

Robb Hunter is a Certified Fight Director and Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and an SDC Director/Choreographer. He has choreographed movement/violence for The Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Signature, Washington National Opera, Olney Theatre Center, Fords Theatre, and of course, more than 20 productions at The Studio Theatre. Robb is Choreographer in Residence at American University and on faculty at The Shakespeare Theatre’s Academy for Classical Acting and at Catholic University. He holds an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sandra Kammann is a director, choreographer, performing artist, playwright, and anthropologist. Her works include: Crack Between the Worlds: The Goddess Returns, a Helen Hayes nominated adaptation of Aeschylus’ The Eumenides; Duir-wyyd: The Dreamer’s Doorway, Women’s Voices Theatre Festival; and The Forest Beckons, archetypal performances developed in ancient forests. She is the Founding Director of Fertile Ground, a non-profit exploring the impact of performance on consciousness. Sandra holds an M.F.A. in Performance and an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology: Performance of Myth and Ritual (Honors) from The George Washington University.

Mark McKinnon is an actor and Founder of McKinnon Acting Studio. As an actor, his credits include Blue Bloods on CBS, Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+, Survival of the Thickest on Netflix, and The Waiting Room on BET. As an acting coach, Mark established McKinnon Acting Studio; an on-camera acting studio in Prince George’s County, MD. Since 2012, his studio has coached and consulted thousands of actors, helping his students book roles on almost every major network, cable, and streaming channel.

Peg Nichols is a DC- based writer, editor, actor and director. She has appeared in productions at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Kennedy Center, Source Festival, Annapolis Shakespeare Company, 4615 Theatre Company, Strand Theater, and others. Film credits include a variety of television programs, industrials, and broadcast news appearances as an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. Training: Central Michigan University, Studio Acting Conservatory.

Madeleine Burke Pitt has performed at Studio Theatre and Studio 2ndStage as well as at many other DC theatres, including The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, The Keegan Theatre, and Solas Nua (Helen Hayes nomination). Madeleine taught and directed youth theatre for over 10 years and has also taught workshops at American University and the University of Maryland. Training: Catholic University (MFA program), Studio Acting Conservatory.

Otis Cortez Ramsey-Zöe is a care worker, dramaturg, director, theatre arts educator, and Literary Manager at Arena Stage. He has developed new works at such institutions as Sundance Institute, Kennedy Center, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Center, and National New Play Network. He has led modules in dramaturgy and antiracist theatre practices at Yale School of Drama and held posts in Theatre at Northeastern University, Dramaturgy at Carnegie Mellon University, Women’s Studies and Honors Humanities at University of Maryland, Performing Arts at American University, and Theatre Arts at Howard University. He was Associate Artistic Director at banished? productions, Future Classics Program Coordinator at The Classical Theatre of Harlem, and Literary Manager at Center Stage.

Deborah Riley is a life-long dance artist and more recent practitioner of Laban Movement Analysis, the basis for teaching movement arts to people of all ages and abilities. As a touring artist and educator, she has performed throughout Europe and the US as well as choreographing over 40 original works for her company, Deborah Riley Dance Projects. She was an artist-in- residence at DC’s Dance Place from 1988 – 2017 and retried as Co-Director of this legendary institution in 2017. In 2016 she was honored with the Pola Nirenska Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance.

Serge Seiden has been a Conservatory faculty member for 23 years and is currently the Managing Director & Producer of Mosaic Theater Company of DC. During his 25 years at Studio Theatre he was the Producing Director and Casting Director and directed more than 30 productions including Bad Jews, the highest grossing show in Studio history.  Serge most recently directed Eureka Day with Conservatory alums Regina Aquino and Sam Lunay for Mosaic’s 5th Season and has directed at Synetic, MetroStage, Olney, Adventure, and Theater J. Awards: Helen Hayes Award/Outstanding Director, Resident Musical. Training: Swarthmore College, Studio Acting Conservatory.

Colette Yglesias Silver has taught dance at The Dance Exchange, the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and The Street 70 Theatre Apprentice training program and has been on the faculty of Studio Acting Conservatory since 1981. She was the artistic director of Dance Arts/Moving Arts from 1980-87. Training: The Academy of the Washington Ballet, The Juilliard School.

Tom Story is an actor and director based in Washington DC.  He has appeared as an actor in over 75 productions in DC, New York City, and in many cities throughout the country. He is an Affiliated Artist at The Shakespeare Theatre Company where he has starred in works by Shakespeare, Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum directed by Alan Paul), David Ives “School For Lies” and many others.  He is a Cabinet Member at The Studio Theatre where he has been featured in many contemporary works. Favorites include AE Houseman in “The Invention of Love” and Lewis in “The Wolfe Twins” by Rachel Bonds and directed by Mike Donahue.  He recently directed “At The Wedding” to critical acclaim at Studio where he made his directorial debut with “MOTH”. He also directed “Terminus” by Mark O’Rowe at Studio.  At The Berkshire Theatre Group he has acted in sixteen productions, including Peter in “The Heidi Chronicles” and Ishmael in “Moby Dick: Rehearsed” At BTG he directed the critically acclaimed Design For Living.   He made his Barrington Stage Company debut last summer in Cabaret.  He has directed at American University, Solas Nua, Imagination Stage and he helmed the box office hit The Legend of Georgia McBride  at Roundhouse Theatre.  Tom is a graduate of Duke University and The Juilliard School.  He has received nine Helen Hayes nominations  and a Fox Foundation Fellowship.  He studied acting with Michael Kahn and directing with Joy Zinoman.

Matthew Vaky was a member of The Guthrie Acting Company in Minneapolis and worked as an actor, director, and writer for Mixed Blood Theatre, SteppingStone Theatre, The Illusion Theatre, and The Playwrights Center. Locally, he has performed for Center Stage, Spooky Action Theatre, GALA Hispanic Theatre, and Quotidian. His one man show ROGER (Not His Real Name) was produced in New York at the United Solo Festival. Matthew teaches at Capital City Charter School. Training: Carnegie-Mellon University, University of St. Catherine.

Elizabeth van den Berg has served as vocal and dialect coach for over 50 productions in the DC area, including with Joy Zinoman: American Buffalo, Shining City, A Number, and Beauty Queen of Leenane. Elizabeth is emerita Professor of Theatre Arts at McDaniel College. She was named one of four top teaching artists nationally by KCACTF in 2005, and was awarded a Kennedy Center Gold Medallion in 2006, and again in 2015. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Screen Actor’s Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Grad Acting Program.

Anderson Wells is an actor, singer, and member of the acting faculty at the Conservatory. Along with Studio, he has worked with theatre education programs at Arts on the Horizon and Centerstage. He has performed as a singer with DC’s award-winning groups Vox Pop and The Lobby. Acting credits include Rep Stage, The Welders, Brave Spirits Theatre, The Hub Theatre, and Encore Stage & Studio. Training: BFA, Acting, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Studio Acting Conservatory.