Our Professional Staff

Fredi W. Browne - Fredi is a veteran of the entertainment industry having achieved success as a Broadway performer (the original cast of Rent), a theatre producer-director, a television actress and model/spokesperson. 

Paul Chalakani - Paul holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Rider University and an M.F.A. in acting from George Washington University. He has trained professionally in Washington, D.C. and NYC, most notably with Robert Lewis, a founding member of the Actor’s Studio. Mr. Chalakani has worked as an actor / director nationally, off-Broadway, and locally for over 25 years. 

Dan Cooley - Dan is a Director/Actor from Monmouth County and has performed in theatres in NYC/NJ as well as appearing in independent and student films. Over a cumulative 10 years, Dan has studied acting, directing and playwrighting with Ralph Colombino, Joey Madia and John Bukovec. Dan is the Resident Director for New Mystics Theatre Co., a traveling teen company that performs socially relevant pieces and fights for social justice. Dan is also a teacher at Actor’s Playground and Arts Middle School. 

Julee’ Merrill Csuri - Julee’ earned her B.F.A. from The Boston Conservatory, an M.A. in Ed. from Columbia University, and completed postgraduate studies at the Dance Notation Bureau and the Laban Institute of Movement Studies. In addition to teaching various types of dance (ballet, modern, interpretative, Flamenco) for many years, Julee’ is a Certified Yoga Instructor and an accomplished costume designer, weaver, and creative artist. She also has taught classes for community and educational outreach programs. 

Vincent Daniele - Vincent is a musician (bass/guitar), vocalist, producer, and teacher and is currently a member of the Jersey-based band, “Cats on a Smooth Surface”. He has recorded background vocals for Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and Donna Summer, as well as numerous television commercials. 

Megan Sambataro Donovan - Megan received her B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. For the past six years she has been performing theatre in NYC and NJ, as well as acting in independent and student films. Currently, Megan is also Managing Director of the New Mystics Theatre Co., a non-profit theatre company that tours schools presenting workshops on bullying and other social issue plays. She also teaches at The Actors Playground. 

Amy Fredericks - Amy holds a B.F.A. in Music. She is a soloist with the Arcadian Chorale and has served as Musical Director for numerous community and high school theater productions. She is currently teaching private voice and piano. 

Bruce Gallipani - Bruce is a seasoned drum pro having performed in the U.S. and abroad with several rock-n-roll touring outfits since the late seventies. He is the founder and director of Rockit! For Kids, a dedicated live-performance program for kids ages 8-16. As a teacher, he not only imbues his students with proper technique but also emphasizes the importance of group interaction and community involvement. 

Samantha Guistiniani - Samantha holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Kean University. She is currently teaching for The Learning Experience, Charlie Choo Choo Enrichment Programs. With a specialty in creating early childhood theatre and music programs Ms. Guistiniani is a wonderful addition to this very popular component of our Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy classes. 

Kate Havel - Kate holds a B.A. in Art Education from Kean and an M.A. in Dance Movement from Wesleyan. She is a dancer / actress / singer (SUGAR and ZORBA off-Broadway) and has many dinner theater, nightclub, summer stock and children’s theater roles to her credit. A former member of Actor’s Equity, SAG, and AFTRA, Kate studied at HB Studio, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in NYC. She recently retired from full time teaching. 

Keith Heimann - Keith holds a M.F.A. in music from The Julliard School, with postgraduate work at Westminster Choir College. He is currently a professor of music and Department Chairperson (Performing Arts) at Brookdale Community College. Mr. Heimann appeared on Broadway in “The Phantom of the Opera”, and also appeared with The Santa Fe Opera, The Los Angeles Opera, The Houston Grand Opera, The New York Grand Opera and The Vienna Kammeroper. 

Joan Kilcommons - Joan holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Speech and Theatre Arts. A retired principal with a lifetime of arts advocacy, she is one of our key outreach instructors. 

Paolo Lanna - Paolo has been specializing in partner dances since 1995. He has toured with Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, as well as “Swing Dance America” and “Forever Swing” The Big Band musical revue that featured Michael Buble’. He has appeared on several television/film programs from CNBC’s “Great Stuff” to “The David Letterman Show” demonstrating the lindy hop. He continues to hone his knowledge and skills of these classic American dances by teaching and performing throughout the world. Paolo is a co-founder of events such as the “Summer Jamboree Dance Camp” in Italy, “Central Park Swings” and “Swing Remix.” 

Vincent Mottern - Vincent received a B.A. in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and is currently a chorus director and music teacher for Knollwood School in Fair Haven. He is a multi-talented musical theatre director, musician, composer and performer. 

Marc Muller - Marc is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and is an accomplished musician, arranger, and writer/producer. As a musician (guitar, keyboard, bass, banjo, violin, drums), Marc has toured with Van Zant, Shania Twain, Tommy Shaw, Surreal McCoys and numerous others. He has performed and/or recorded with Nickelback, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Branford Marsalis, Elton John, Carly Simon, John Waite, Dr. John, Blood Sweat and Tears, and many more. 

Robin Oddo - Robin holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Monmouth University and has numerous stage and television acting credits. Her passion for the arts, teaching and community have been her inspiration in the development of the Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy traveling troupe which performs in senior centers. 

Lori Olson - Lori holds a B.A. in Elementary Education/Fine Arts with a concentration in Theatre. A director for Musical Theatre, private acting coach, and a triple threat performer, she brings abounding energy and expertise to her very popular classes. 

Joseph Russo - Joseph has a B.A. in Communication Arts and an M.A. in Theatre and Human Communications. He is currently the Director of the Drama Program at Red Bank Regional High School and has been teaching, acting, and directing for over 38 years.

Anthony Jude Setaro - Anthony has a B.A. in Communications Radio/TV from Monmouth University and is the founder of The Acting Conservatory in Ocean Grove. He studied in New York and was trained in the Stanislavski, Mesiner, and Method techniques. As an educator, Anthony has worked with the Monmouth County Park System, Forrestdale Middle School, served as Drama Director at Red Bank Catholic High School, and has served as head of the Young Actor’s Program at the Actor’s Training Institute in Eatontown. Anthony’s students have appeared in several professional productions on stage, television and film (including featured roles in The Wrestler, Life on Mars, Law and Order, and Gossip Girl) as well as in local and national television commercials. Anthony also has successfully coached students who are auditioning for university performing arts programs at some of the most prestigious schools in the country (Boston Conservatory, NYU, Marymount Manhattan, among others).

Thomas Stanton - Tom’s impressive career as a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher makes him a valuable addition to our staff. From ballet to hip-hop, swing dance to tap, television to Broadway... his passion and enthusiasm abound. 

Melanie Taylor - Melanie has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of theatre, and for the past 12 years has shared her knowledge as a teacher at Raritan High School. She is an accomplished and award winning director, stage manager, and makeup artist. Melanie is the Vice-President of the New Jersey Drama and Forensics League, and is the Artistic Director/Co-Founder of the St. John's Community Playhouse in Hazlet, currently in its 5th season.