The Academy of The Company Theatre has a number of highly trained and experienced private lesson teachers. We offer private lessons in Acting, Voice, and Dance. Lessons will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis and are dependent on teacher availability. Generally, students will meet with their teacher once per week at a mutually convenient time. We also offer audition prep lessons for students who would just like one or a few lessons, rather than a full semester.
Payment Policy
Payment for lessons must be made within 24 hours of any given lesson. Students who fail to pay for their lesson will not be allowed to continue with lessons until payment has been made. We are unable to offer financial assistance for private lessons. All payments for private lessons must be made through our online registration portal, DanceStudio Pro.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel or postpone a lesson, you must directly notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance of the lesson. You will be charged the full amount for the lesson if you fail to notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance.
Questions
Please direct all questions to
Robert McDonough,
Education Coordinator.
Email: academy@companytheatre.com
Phone: (339) 469-1776
teachers
acting
danny bolton
Danny Bolton is one of the busiest acting coaches in the New England area – with acting and business professionals who are looking to elevate their monologues, scene work, audition prep and business presentations. Danny maintains a regular roster of working professionals in film, television and commercials as well as Broadway, regional theatre and community theatre. He works regularly with students preparing for college auditions, on-camera talent prepping for video submissions and working professionals devising dynamic presentations. Simply stated, Danny loves to coach actors on any material they may need to present and creates a comfortable, workable environment to bring out the performer’s best work. In addition, Danny loves to draw upon a wealth of resources to find and tailor material that is suitable and dynamic for the actor’s needs. A member of Actors’ Equity, Screen Actor’s Guild and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Danny has experience on both “sides of the table” and brings that perspective to his coaching work.
Christa Dunn
Christa is originally from San Diego, CA. She studied Theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where she developed a love of classical theatre. Christa went on to study Shakespeare at The American Globe Theatre, and supplemented her education with classes at Juilliard and Shakespeare and Company. Christa worked for several years as an actor and director in small theatres in NYC and on tour. More locally, Christa has worked with various theaters on the South Shore and the Cape. She has worn many hats over the years, having been a prop mistress, set painter, costumer, stagehand, makeup artist, and a dresser in addition to performing. Christa teaches acting, improv, and Shakespeare here at the Academy of the Company Theatre. She also runs a group called TheatreLab, where local theatre artists meet to do readings and workshops of plays with an eye toward inclusive, diverse, age-blind, and LGBTQ+ friendly casting.
Christie Reading
Christie is a proud graduate of Emerson College where she received her Masters in Theatre Education. Christie also attended Bridgewater State University for Theatre, Graphic Design, & New Media. She has been acting in theatre and film for 30 years, working and teaching in Boston. She currently teaches Digital Cinema and Broadcasting at a local vocational school. You may recognize her as Agatha Trunchbull in The Company Theatre’s production of Matilda. Christie recently won the 2023 Broadway World Boston Award for Best Actor in a Musical for her performance as the Trunch this year. Other credits include: Miss Pennywise in the Walpole Footlighter’s producton of Urinetown, Frauline Kost in Norwood Theatre’s production of Cabaret, Ensemble in The Company Theatre’s production of Something Rotten, Janet in The Walpole Footlighter’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone, Women in The Company Theatre’s production of The 39 Steps, & Reggie Fluty in Massasoit Theatre Ensemble’s production of The Laramie Project (for which she received a Dash nomination). Commercial & Film credits include: Honda/ Nissan for Peters of Nashua New Hampshire, Condè Nast Farm Commercial which was featured and sponsored by Delta Airlines, & the upcoming new movie, Challenger starring Zendaya. For the past several years, Christie has been working as an instructor for The Company Theatre and recently directed their teen edition of CHICAGO, which received the 2023 Broadway World Boston Award for Best Theatre for Young Audiences.
voice
Ohad Ashkenazi
Ohad Ashkenazi began singing professionally in 2012, performing in competitions, musical theater productions, and with his band singing original material. His training includes a diploma in Vocal Performance from the Rimon School of Music in Israel, and a degree in Contemporary Writing & Production with a concentration in Musical Theater Performance from Berklee College of Music. Ohad has experience leading choirs & ensembles, as well as working with students in private lessons & group classes. He specializes in vocal anatomy and physiology, using an evidence-based approach that aims to demystify the voice and help students of all levels and genders build a reliable and sustainable relationship with their instrument. Being a bi-lingual singer himself, Ohad also works closely with non-native English speakers to improve their listening skills, sharpen their pronunciation, and help them achieve a fluid, natural sound.
Melissa carubia
Melissa Carubia (they/she) has a masters in composition from The Longy School of Music at Bard College and as the Resi at ACT, has musical directed over two dozen shows. They are also an actor and teach techniques that combine good musicianship and theatricality together. They also teach sight-reading, basic piano, and music theory. They work with all ages and genders.
christopher landis
Christopher Landis holds a Bachelor in Music Education with a Vocal Certificate from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. He earned his Masters in Theater Education from Emerson College. Christopher has had the pleasure of teaching all grade levels, including collegiate workshops. He is currently the middle school choral director at Hingham Middle School. Christopher focuses on teaching adolescent voices with an emphasis in vocal physiology. He encourages proper vocal health at all age-levels, and believes that an understanding of one’s instrument promotes strong musicianship. Christopher has performed with the prestigious Baltimore Opera Company, as well as numerous community and regional theaters. Christopher has been a guest conductor for the Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA) middle school honor choir, as well as an adjudicator for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeastern District (SEMMEA) Junior and Senior Auditions.Christopher’s students often qualify for Junior, Senior, and All-State Honor Choirs. Some of his former students have attended such prestigious schools as NYU, Syracuse, and Ithaca. Christopher currently has students on Broadway, as well as the Canadian premiere of the Tony Award winning musical, “SIX”. Christopher resides in Pembroke, MA with his husband, Joe, and their ‘floral arrangement’ of dogs (Daisy and Violet) and cats, (Sage and Lily).
jeanne lucas
Jeanne Lucas believes that humans of any age and experience can learn to sing well with support, nurturing, and encouragement. A lifelong lover of singing and vocal pedagogy, Jeanne holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance from the Longy School of Music at Bard College and the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University and has studied with various master teachers and pedagogues. As Music Director for community choruses and churches, and as a private voice teacher, she has helped students across a range of age and experience to cultivate and share their voice with the world. As a professional singer on musical theatre stages, opera stages, and recital halls, with bluegrass bands, jazz combos, period instrument ensembles and in choral groups touring abroad, she draws from a wide range of musical influences with an equal commitment to authenticity and joy. As the parent of two Company Theatre teens, she believes strongly in ACT’s mission to build creativity and self-confidence through the arts and specifically through the art of singing in an environment of challenge, support, and fun! Every voice is a world to explore. Let’s start the journey.
stephanie mann
Stephanie Mann has been described as being a ‘great dramatic centerpiece’ with a ‘stunning voice’. A native of Richmond, VA, she has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University and a M.M. in Opera Performance/Voice from The Boston Conservatory of Music. An active performer in the Boston Area and beyond, she is equally at home in Musical Theatre and Opera. An active proponent for creating and encouraging artistic opportunities, she has served on several Boards in the area including Boston Singers Resource and The New England Gilbert & Sullivan Society. She created the Boston Opera Project (which eventually morphed into Boston Opera Collaborative) in 2004 which produced two fully staged productions, Blitzstein’s Regina where she also sang the role of Alexandra ‘Zan’ Giddens and the Metro Boston premiere of Mark Adamo’s Little Women, also singing the role of Amy March. Her goal in teaching Voice is to help each student find their own individual, healthy voice. Her technique is Classically based, but with the ability to adapt to healthy Musical Theatre and other styles. With her background in Acting, she encourages her students to not only find the best way for them to sing a song technically, but also how to bring in other aspects of Acting and movement to create well-rounded performances, whether they be in concert, in auditions, or merely singing in the car. When she is not performing, she can usually be found knitting, hanging out with her two cats, or flitting between watching reruns of Law & Order: SVU and training for her next RunDisney race.
Yusef Saife
Yusef Saife, a Berklee College of Music graduate from Argentina, studied vocal technique with renowned professionals like Lisa Thorson, Donna McElroy, and Peter Eldridge. Majoring in Professional Music with concentrations in Performance and Music and Health, he developed a holistic approach to teach singers how to master their voices and preserve their vocal cords for the long term. With experience as a professional musician, he effectively guides students through audition success and exploration of diverse music genres. Additionally, being a skilled pianist, he incorporates self-accompaniment techniques specifically for vocalists. Having performed across America and Europe in 6 different countries, he is proficient in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.
dance & acting
Brad reinking
Brad Reinking is an award winning performer, director, choreographer and educator. He joined the TCT family onstage in 2021 as Lonny in Rock of Ages, starred as Shakespeare in Something Rotten, and then jumped “behind the table” to choreograph Matilda. For ACT, he directed and choreographed The SpongeBob Musical and Elf The Musical JR., and is directing the upcoming Peter and the Starcatcher. Around town, regional credits include Trinity Rep, North Shore Music Theatre, The Hanover Theatre, Lyric Stage, Wheelock Family Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Reagle Music Theatre and many others. He has served on the education staff at North Shore Music Theatre, Greater Boston Stage, Kids Through Arts, Wheelock Family Theatre, and right here at TCT! Brad holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He lives in Boston with his partner, Andrew, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Belle. For more information, visit bradreinking.com