Mission - Provide outstanding live and online training for creatives worldwide. ACTLIVENOW is a group of world-class directors, performers, and industry professionals with decades of collective experience, helping to take your creative skills to the next level. We believe that accelerating your creative skills, by defining your role, developing compelling characters, delivering the truth and experiencing public performance will give you the edge you need to reach your artistic goals.
TONY CALABRESE - Award Winning Comedian/Director/Producer/Teaching Artist. A native of San Diego, Tony Calabrese has been performing comedy for the past 25 years. He talks about life, world events, marriage, kids, grandkids, the corporate world, and the trials and tribulations of not staying in top physical condition. Tony performs regularly at The Comedy Store, The Comedy Palace, The Madhouse Comedy Club and other San Diego and L.A. clubs and venues. Tony won the “Ultimate Laff-Down” at Flappers Comedy Club and is a two time finalist in the World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. His DryBar Comedy Special was released earlier this year and can be seen on Drybarcomedy.com
STEPHEN CARPENTER - Director/Screen Writer/Teaching Artist. Stephen Carpenter was born in Weatherford, Texas, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated UCLA Film School, and has written screenplays for hit movies OCEAN’S ELEVEN, BLUE STREAK, and SOUL SURVIVORS, which he also directed. Mr. Carpenter also created the hit Emmy-nominated series, GRIMM, for NBC. He has lectured often at USC Film School on screenwriting and pitching for studios and networks. Carpenter has published seven novels, including KILLER, the first of his Jack Rhodes Mystery series, which was Number One on Amazon’s bestselling Mystery list, and dubbed a “blockbuster debut” by Entertainment Weekly. Carpenter is currently developing a one-hour TV series based on his Jack Rhodes Mysteries. and just completed a major film script to go into production next month.
DEANNA DRISCOLL - SAG/AFTRA/ACTORS EQUITY Award Winning Actor/Director/Producer/Teaching Artist. DeAnna is a recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle award and the BACKSTAGE magazine’s Garland award. Most recently DeAnna was seen in the award winning production of The Quality of Life with Intrepid Theatre. Previous to that she was seen in Moxie Theater’s ‘Mud Blue Sky’’ and just before that she performed in ‘Bethany’ at The Old Globe Theater. Other theaters include: NSC Black Box (NY), Cockpit Theater (NY), Diversionary Theater, The Old Globe Theater, The San Diego Repertory Theater and more. Favorite roles include: Jeanette in Quality of Life, Frankie in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Grace in Bus Stop, Haley in Bad Dates, Eve Ensler in The Good Body, and Regan in King Lear. Television and film credits include: “Lincoln Heights”, “Point Pleasant”, “Veronica Mars”, “Decaf”, “Nixon Baby”. Commercial credits include: Union Bank, Pepsi, Sunny Delight, and AT&T.
HANNAH RYAN -Actor/Director/Producer Broadway Resident Director of Hamilton. Founding collaborator of Nettelworks: a creative collective Director: Confidence and The Speech (Theatre Row) All Dressed Up (Redhouse Arts Center) Riot Song (The Drama League: Joe's Pub) Every Path (La Jolla Playhouse & Moxie Theatre) Still Life (Keller Gallery) The Guys (Davenport Theatre) Ascended (Zoetic Stage) New York Theatre Workshop Gala (Plaza Hotel)
THOMAS HAINE-Actor/Director/Teaching Artist Tom, a founding member of the San Diego Shakespeare Society, has extensive acting and directing credits which include Tartuffe, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth, Hedda Gabler, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar. He has received formal training in directing from the Berkeley Rep and from Cambridge University in the UK. He has also trained with the Old Globe’s Jonathan McMurtry, Dakin Matthews, and Brendon Fox and with the San Diego Rep’s Todd Salovey and Sam Woodhouse. He is a graduate of the British American Drama Academy Mid-Summer Oxford Program (BADA) in 2010 and practices immigration and criminal law in his spare time.
JEANETTE KNIGHT - SAG/AFTRA/Actors Equity/Director/Choreographer. Jeanette has played over twenty roles, ranging from Rose in The Woolgatherer at the Tony award winning Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, to Shen Te/Shui Ta in Brecht’s Good Person of Szechuan to Roberta in Going to a Place Where You Already Are. But her most demanding role was Louise in Always, Patsy Cline, which played to sold out audiences in 2011 and 2013. From 1997-2006, she worked full time as the Education Program Director for the McCallum Theatre, supervising a faculty of fourteen teaching artists and helping coordinate and judge the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Competition. She served as the Executive Director for the Beaumont Actors Studio. She has been teaching acting and directing at the Idyllwild Arts Academy since 2006, where she directed several highly lauded productions. Other theaters/venues she has directed for include the Indian Wells Theatre, Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Canyon Theatre, Truckee Meadows Community College, Brewery Arts Center, Coachella Valley Repertory and the Green Room Theatre, directing Hamlet. In 2014, as Artistic Director for the Indio Performing Arts Center, she conceived of and carried out the first Coachella Valley Improv Festival, which has been re-branded as the Joshua Tree International Improv/ Comedy Festival, now in its fifth year. In 2017, she received the Most Inspirational Award from the Desert Theatre League.
JORDAN MILLER -Actors Equity, Actor/Producer/Director/Teaching Artist Jordan holds a BFA Acting, North Carolina School of the Arts. Winner: 2013 Craig Noel Award, Best Ensemble "Les Miserables" Nominee: 2013 Craig Noel Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical, "Enjolras, Les Miserables" Winner: 2009 San Diego Craig Noel Award, Best Featured Male in a Musical "Volodya, Bed and Sofa" Winner: 2008 Inland Circle Theater's Guild Excellence in Theater Award, "Frank Butler, Annie Get Your Gun". Jordan has taught lessons for children, teens and adults in acting, Shakespeare, musical theater, stage combat, and opera aria performance. Jordan has worked in all acting industries including live theatre, regional musical theater, film, television, commercials, live action stunt shows, radio and the occasional international cruise ship! He served as resident director for Point Loma Opera Theatre from 2015-2017, and has directed for several professional theaters including Lamb's Players Theatre, where he currently serves as resident Fight Director. His background enable him to teach in-depth acting craft and stage techniques for beginner through advanced based on the philosophies and techniques of Stanislavsky, Uta Hagen, and primarily from his Alma Mater's Dean and mentor: Gerald Freedman, whose methods are outlined in "The School of Doing" acting instructional book by UNSCA alum Isaac Klein.
KEVIN MAHONEY -Director/Actor/Teaching Artist. Kevin earned his Master’s of Fine Arts in Acting from West Virginia University’s conservatory program, where he also taught acting classes and directed student plays. While attending WVU Kevin performed in numerous University productions, including Three Sisters (Vershinin), Comedy of Errors (Antipholus S & E), Angels in America (Joe Pitt), Our Country’s Good (Harry), and Boys Next Door (Klemper). After graduate school Kevin earned scholarship to study at HB Studio. While at HB he studied acting technique with William Hickey; Performing Shakespeare with Uta Hagen, and a Master Class led my Herbert Berghof. Kevin later attended master classes in NYC with Michael Beckett and Michael Howard. His professional theatre credits include the Old Globe’s production of Bus Stop (Carl); Arcade Theatre (LA) True Believer (lead); East Lynne Theatre’s (NJ) productions of Anna Christy (Matt Burke), Rain (O’Hara), and You And I (Maitland); Tribeca Theatre (NYC) El Salvador (lead); and the Princeton Repertory’s production of Comedy of Errors (Antipholus S). Kevin also performed in numbers films, including Exorcist Chronicles (Netflix); Backgammon (NY Film Festival) *best comedy, A Darker Silence AFI (LA Directors Film Festival), Exodus (History Channel, and Nazi Terror (History Channel).
CHARLES PETERS-Actors Equity/Actor/Director/Writer/Teaching Artist Charles Peters is an award-winning actor and director. He began his professional career at the age of ten when he was cast in a television pilot. He studied for two years at the Dallas Film Actors Lab with the legendary Adam Roarke. Later he moved to Los Angeles where he landed roles in feature films and television shows (General Hospital) with such stars as Robert Loggia, Tim Daly, Kelly Preston, and Roseanne Barr. Charles has appeared in over 50 films. On stage, Charles toured nationally with the hit comedy Triple Espresso for five years and totaled over 2,000 performances. Charles has also acted in over 100 plays and musicals. As a director, Charles has directed over 30 plays, musicals and variety shows. He served as the associate artistic director at OnStage Playhouse and Scripps Ranch Theatre. Charles is also a writer and has written over 20 short stories which are published online and 3 full length plays. He began teaching acting 15 years ago. His extensive experiences on stage and backstage provides Charles with a unique way to communicate with actors. His next project is White Guy on the Bus by Bruce Graham which opens May 30th at OnStage Playhouse.
NANCY ROSS -International Vocalist/Director/Teaching Artist It all began at one of San Diego’s most loved children’s music schools: Nightingale Music. It was there, in 2016, that Nancy began developing her childhood education philosophy which would later be know as Movers & Groovers. (Shaking & Peace-Making are still implied, but lost the battle against the laws of effective branding.) Nancy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has performed in musicals and plays across the country, and has taught music, theatre, and dance since 2012
DAVID SEIN - Managing Director/Producer/Playwright. David has been producing, directing and writing plays for the past 35 years. Productions include; Love/Sick, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, Kimberly Akimbo, America's Finest City, Cafe Risque, Steel Magnolias, Sylvia, Tuna Christmas, Fuddy Meers, Driving Miss Daisy, Romantic Fools-PLAT, The Obiturist,-Northpark Playhouse, A Midsummer Night's Dream-NTC, An Honest Arrangement-New Perspectives Festival, Only In New York- PLAT, Greater Tuna,-PLAT, Polish Joke-PLAT, Food For Thought-PLAT, Goodbye Charlie- Cabrillo Playhouse, Belle of Amherst-La Jolla MOCA Theatre.
TORI RICE - Playwright/Director/Teaching Artist Acclaimed playwright Tori Rice brings stories to life on stage and beyond. As co-host of the Hey Playwright podcast, she fosters conversations about the craft. Her work has appeared at theaters and festivals across the country, including Arizona State University, Edmonton Fringe, FUSION Theatre, Magnetic Theatre Company, The Marsh, New Village Arts, and Scripps Ranch Theatre. She also designs immersive experiences in unexpected places—like cafés and courtrooms! Her interactive play SISTERS IN THE SYSTEM, exploring the lives of two young women in foster care, toured throughout San Diego. Tori’s plays have earned spots in the William Inge Theatre Festival New Play Lab, the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, the Valdez Theatre Conference Play Lab, and she is an alumnus of the Kennedy Center Summer Playwriting Intensive. Her writing has appeared in The Arizona Republic, The Phoenix Gazette, Planet Magazine, and collections published by Smith & Kraus and Southeast Missouri State University. Tori holds an MFA in Playwriting from ASU, is a founding member of Teatro Las Hermanas (alongside frequent collaborators Mabelle Reynoso and Zulema Reynoso), and proudly holds memberships with AATE, the Dramatists Guild, Honor Roll!, La Mesa Sunrise Rotary, Playwrights’ Center, Scripteasers, and TYA-USA.
GABY LeBARON -Choreographer/Teaching Artist Gaby has worked with ActLiveNow Jr for 3 years as a choreographer for Seussical, Annie, and Willy Wonka as well as Aristocats Summer Camp, and Addams Family Fall Workshop. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and Theatre in 2022. She loves working with kids and getting to see their creativity and personality shine through their performance. is a recent UCSD graduate and she majored in Theatre and Dance. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and began doing musicals when she was 15. She was on her high school dance team, Maroon Magic, and has always loved performing. Some of her favorites musicals she has been in are Bring It On The Musical, Legally Blonde, and Mamma Mia.
MERANDA LONG - Music Director/Actor/Teaching Artist Meranda Long grew up performing in Boulder, CO and has been an actress since she was 8 years old! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater and Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA, and went on to follow a career as a film actress and teaching the arts to all age groups. She spent the last 6 years in Southern CA teaching yoga, music, dance and acting in camps, theatrical schools, and working with young actors on various film and commercial sets. You can find her on screen in films such as “Fall City” or “The Last Laugh” on Amazon Prime, and soon on her upcoming film “His Monster.”
JENNIFER HEDAYAT - Director/Teaching Artist/Stage Manager Jennifer has directed, produced, and choreographed over thirty plays and musicals during her tenure as a Drama and English teacher. She loves to add her unique spin to productions, once turning Carlo Gozzi’s commedia. The Love of Three Oranges, into a modern musical, and staging Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window with film sequences to interact with live actors. Her love of improv flourishedduring fifteen years coaching Comedy Sportz, a competitive high school league inspired by the methods of Viola Spolin, the mother of improvisation. Jennifer writes, produces, and co-hosts a senior-care-themed podcast called Sandwiched. Newly relocated from Los Angeles, she, her husband and two dogs enjoy empty nesting in charming Point Loma.
COCO SEIN - Producer/Production Manager Coco is Production Manager for ActLiveNow Jr. with past shows Seussical Jr, Annie Jr., and currently Willy Wonka. She has been working for the Point Loma Playhouse since 2008. Coco has been the Treasurer of Point Loma Playhouse since 2017. Currently she is Production Manager for First Date. She believes the most important responsibility of the Production Manager is the development of a highly motivated and collaborative team. Coco’s Production Manager experiences included; Tally’s Folly, Circle Mirror Transformation, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, Clever Little Lies, Building The Wall, Wally’s Cafe, and LOVE/SICK.
SOFIA CHOLEWCZYNSKI - Music Director/Actor/Teaching Artist Sofia Cholewczynski is thrilled to be working with Act Live Now! Her love for musical theatre started at age seven and she has pursued it ever since. Sofia graduated from USC in 2023 with a BA in Theatre Acting and minors in Vocal Arts and Psychology. She is passionate about healthy singing, creating beautiful harmonies, and proving that everyone has a home in musical theatre. She has performed in lead roles in many musicals and plays throughout her high school and college career and is excited to work on such a fun show!
KASEY PAQUETTE -Stage Manager Kasey is thrilled to be the Stage Manager for Willy Wonka Jr. Previous productions include: The 24 Hour Experiment, The Tempest, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Three Musketeers and Nunsense. Her favorite part of stage managing is watching actors develop their characters and then put it all together to bring the audience into their world. The joy at the end of each show is worth all the pain in the middle of tech week! When she is not at the theater she enjoys family, pets, reading and drinking wine on the porch.
JOY NEWBEGIN - Actor/Singer/Dancer/Educator. Joy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine. Locally, she has performed on stages at The La Jolla Playhouse, the Old Globe, The Moonlight Amphitheater, LEGOLAND CA, SeaWorld and both San Diego Zoo parks. Favorite choreography credits include: 8-Track: Sound of the 70s (New Village Arts), Beauty and the Beast, Addams Family, Mamma Mia (Westview Theater Company), Little Mermaid. National Tour: (staging assistant) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. When not performing Joy loves teaching the next generation of artists. She has found fulfillment in leading children to their inner confidence and inspiring a deep love for the performing arts. Her goal is to create a positive environment where all students can thrive, and gain skills beyond the classroom and stage.
