INDUSTRY SHOWCASE5.23.2011

VVervew w w . V e r v e S t u d i o . n e t

Presents

itsScene Study Students

inShowcase 2011

Mallory AdamsMichelle Allen

Cody BallentineSarah Chapman

Judith Tobi EisenbergMitch Etter

Steven FajardoAshley FaulknerMarcella Grassa

Timothy K. HermanShambra Holguin

Jessica HoltKaren LewsaderMitch MorrisonAaron Seever

Dan TaylorKenda ThorpeRichard Wales

VVerve

The ScenesBAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil SimonStraight-laced Paul and free-sprited Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. The drama with their new apartment has pushed them past the honeymoon stage fast. Comedy.

Ashley Faulkner...................Corie Dan Taylor............................Paul

DIVERTING DEVOTION by Mike O’MalleyAfter Carol returns home after a long absence, Peter and Carol realize their relationship may not have survived long-distance after all. Drama.

Cody Ballentine..................PeterMallory Adams....................Carol

SPIKE HEELS by Theresa RebeckLydia, the sensible lawyer in sensible shoes, confronts Georgie, the from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks assistant in spike heels, about her relationship with Lydia’s fiancée. Drama.

Sarah Chapman..................GeorgieMarcella Grassa...................Lydia

FOOL FOR LOVE by Sam ShepherdMartin has just burst into a motel room and knocked Eddie down thinking his date May was in trouble. Frustrated, she has locked herself in the bathroom while her “cousin” and her date sort things out. Dramedy.

Timothy K. Herman..............EddieSteven Fajardo....................Martin

MAIDS OF HONOR by Joan CasademontSisters Izzy, a hopeful Investigative–reporter and Annie, in-denial about her ex-fiancée, debate talking their sister Monica out of getting married. Dramedy.

Kenda Thorpe......................IzzyShambra Holguin................Annie

PLEASE HAVE A SEAT AND SOMEONE WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY by Garth WingfieldDavid and Sue sit there week after week in their shrinks’ waiting room reading magazines. Who says you should never talk to strangers? Comedy.

Aaron Seever.......................DavidJudith Tobi Eisenberg..........Sue

ROUNDING THIRD by Richard DresserDon, an overly-aggressive Little League head coach, meets his newly assigned assistant coach Michael. Comedy.

Richard Wales.......................DonMitch Morrison......................Michael

SUPERIOR DONUTS by Tracy LettsRandy, a beat-cop, has her eye on Arthur, a Chicago-area donut shop owner. Drama.

Mitch Etter.............................ArthurKaren Lewsader....................Randy

DMV TYRANT by Christpher DurangJane Agnes is having a very bad day at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Comedy.

Jessica Holt...........................ClerkMichelle Allen.......................Customer/Jane Agnes

Please join us for a reception immediately following the showcase.

Special thanks to Lora Blume, Victoria Lipman, Pat Tinney, Pat Tinney, Jr., David Williamson, Karen Lewsader, Paul DeNigris, Copper Star Coffee, Compass Craft

Services, Fernando Teson, Christian Starry, Metropolitan Arts Institute, Phoenix Film Foundation, Jason Carney, Webb Pickersgill, Keegan Ead and Jennifer Pfalzgraff.

The ActorsMallory Adams is pleased to participate in her 4th showcase with Verve. In previous showcases, Mallory played a Tupperware saleswoman in Mamet Women, Donna in The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, and Jennie in The Shape of Things. Recently, Mallory starred as Ben Affleck in Class 6 Theatre’s Arizona Premiere of Matt and Ben. She continues to shape her craft and gain artistic intelligence through the help of Amanda Melby and the classes at Verve Studios. As Albert Einstein once said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Thanks, Amanda for all that you do.

Michelle Allen has lived in the Phoenix area for over 25 years. She has appeared in several productions at the Herberger Performance Outreach Theater. In addition to stage work, her credits also include film, television, commercial, voice over and modeling. Michelle has studied at Verve Studios under Amanda Melby since 2007. Michelle is represented by Dani’s Agency.

Cody Ballentine is a native of Arizona. He currently is a Junior at Arizona State University, where he is majoring in Film and Media Studies. Cody started taking acting classes at Arizona State and has now been taking classes since July 2009 with Verve Studios. He has been working hard this past year doing a few short films, a feature film, a commercial for TedsList.com and he was recently a baseball player in his first national commercial for Gillette. He is represented by Dani’s Agency.

Sarah Chapman is an experienced actress, model, singer and songwriter, most recently appearing as “Dakota” in My Secret Language of Wishes with the Black Theatre Troupe. Sarah also won Best Actress at the A3F for the film Continuum. Theatre includes The Play about the Baby, with i-Theatre Collaborative, critically acclaimed Equus and Killer Joe with Nearly Naked Theatre. Sarah is a graduate of Southwest Shakespeare’s Conservatory, studied acting and music at SCC and is forever honing her craft. Sarah is thrilled to join Verve Studio’s 2011 showcase and is seeking representation in all areas.

Judith Tobi Eisenberg is thrilled to be acting at the Verve Studios Showcase. Her most recent role was that of Nadia 1, 2 and 3 in Lenin’s Embalmers at Theatre Artists Studio. As well as an actor she is also a playwright, screenwriter and producer. She is currently working on producing and acting in her first short film project, Kerry and Angie, which she obtained the rights to after last year’s Verve Studios Showcase.

Mitch Etter began his study of acting and the theatre arts at the University of Texas in Austin. After quite a few years’ hiatus, he continued his studies with Amanda Melby at Verve Studios and Carol MacLeod at Theatre Artists Studio. Mitch has appeared with several theatre groups in the Tucson and Phoenix areas, including Live Theatre Workshop, Desert Players, Southwest Shakespeare Theatre, North Valley Playhouse, MCC’s Stage Door Players, Space 55, Theater Works and Theatre Artists Studio. Mitch is the recipient of an Arizoni Award for his portrayal of Robert in Stage Door Players’ production of Proof.

Steven Fajardo was born in New Mexico and moved to Phoenix with his family in the early 80’s. During his early adulthood, he also lived in northern and southern California then returned to Phoenix. Having his first experiences as an actor during adolescence, he is determined to again pursue his passion for the footlights. In 2010 he participated in stage readings for the Pandora Festival, and has been studying with Verve Studios for more than a year.

Ashley Faulkner is an Arizona native with a strong passion for acting and music. Working in many mediums, Ashley will always find her way to a film set or stage. Ashley is quickly building her resume working on short films with valley filmmakers. Most recently she has performed with Central Community Theatre in Jesus Christ Superstar and Paradise Valley Community College’s production of Compleat Female Stage Beauty. Ashley continues to study with Amanda Melby at Verve Studios and has had the privilege of studying with Elayne Stein, Susan K. Brigham, and Dee Rich.

Marcella Grassa, has always had a passion for the performing arts. Recently while she was dancing and singing with a local Phoenix band, Of the Earth, she was inspired to take voice and acting lessons with Amanda Melby and Jennifer Pfalzgraff of Verve Studios. After the first week, she was hooked. She recently worked with James E. Garcia of New Carpa Theater Company as an understudy and production assistant for “Performing 1070 Short-Play festival”. Marcella is so very grateful for the positive influence and support of Amanda Melby and is looking forward to performing in her very first Verve Studio Showcase.

The Actors Tim Herman’s interest in acting developed at a young age but his academic work officially started as a student at SCC and ASU. After many years of perusing other creative interests and anomalous performance training, Tim joined Verve in 2009 to begin a more comprehensive and harmonious study of the craft. Tim has participated in several film projects where he has performed in background and supporting roles. Tim’s approach has always been one based in professionalism and hard work as his goal is to gain extensive and well rounded training prior to attempting to become a working actor.

Shambra Holguin has been a hair stylist for 11 years and has enjoyed it very much. Shambra has always had a passion to pursue acting but it wasn’t until the summer of 2010 that she finally took the initiative. I began taking classes at Verve Studios and it has been one of the most exciting adventures of her life. She looks forward to achieving her goals of finding representation, and becoming a successful actress in both film and commercials.

Jessica Ann Holt is a local actress with experience in stage, film and voice over work. Most recently she completed a voice over project for Defero and a series of voice overs for IFP/PHX. She is a graduate of Utah State University with a B.F.A. degree in Theatre Performance. Some of her favorite past roles include Moxie in RELATIVE VALUES, Sue Bayliss in ALL MY SONS, Madame Pernell in TARTUFFE and Dawn in UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. She currently studies with Amanda Melby at Verve Studios and is seeking representation.

Karen Lewsader has never worked a day in her life but she makes a good living and actually gets paid for having fun! She loves film acting and singing and has been in several productions this year. She teaches a life skills program in the Phoenix inner-city middle schools. Having been a police officer for the past 25 years in Phoenix, Karen recently retired and now works for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Admin from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern AZ Univ. Karen likes to sing, play guitar and scuba dive.

Mitch Morrison graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Cinematic Arts. He then moved to Los Angeles where he attended the prestigious American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film Studies. Mitch graduated from AFI with a master’s degree in film producing. After graduation, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona to write screenplays with his father. After having several of their scripts optioned, Mitch wrote and directed an eighteen-minute short film entitled, “Modem Mary.” Mitch performs stand-up comedy in Phoenix and LA and is currently an acting student at Verve Studios.

Aaron Seever grew up in California, but has lived in Phoenix for the past nineteen years. His film credits include numerous independent films shot here in Arizona, including SMALL HAPPYS, RED CORVETTE, CHARLES, DEGRADED, BLUE VELVET, PARADIGM, CHIEF, THE ELDER, CHERRY ON TOP, VIRTUE, GRIEF, O’BEST BELOVED, and HAPPY HOUR. In the future, Aaron plans to pursue filmmaking and is working on writing his first feature length screenplay. He is represented by Dani’s Agency.

Daniel Taylor was born in Arizona and moved to Missouri at the age of 8. Growing up in a small Midwest town he had always dreamed of acting and performing for others’ enjoyment. Always being the class clown and the center of attention at parties, gatherings, or with friends and family, he decided to pursue his love of acting and joined Verve Studios. There he found his passion for acting and realized his dream of bettering himself and learning as much as possible about the business. Dan has since been in numerous short films, challenges, and is an active member in the film community.

Kenda Thorpe has been acting for most of her life. She began by appearing in local TV commercials in Kansas. She has studied acting extensively at both Mesa Community College and at Arizona State University. She has continuously studied with Amanda Melby since October 2010. Her goal is to be a working actor.

Richard Wales has enjoyed the many opportunities that studying at the Verve Studios have brought him. These opportunities have lead to parts in several community theatre projects, including “Unnecessary Farce”, an ariZoni award winner for Best Play, and a role in a feature film entitled “Suspicion” which recently ran at the Phoenix Film Festival. Rich is grateful for the opportunity to participate in his third Verve Studios Showcase. He is thankful for the patience of his loving wife, and is very appreciative of Amanda Melby for her continued positive support and her ability to bring out the best in all of us.

The Studio Owner/Head Coach

Amanda Melby, a native Minnesotan, made her way to Phoenix via Southern California, Washington, DC and Cleveland. She has worked as a professional actress for over 20 years and is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. In addition to acting and teaching, she works as a producer, writer and spokeswoman. She was the Executive Director of IFP Phoenix 2005-April 2011. She is a three-time Emmy® nominee for her work as Producer and Host of the television show SCREEN WARS, was honored as the 2007 Phoenix Film Foundation Board Member of the Year, with the 2008 Layne Award and was nominated for the 2011 Governor’s Arts Award for her contributions to the Arizona Entertainment Community.

Amanda can be seen in the feature films JAKE’S CORNER with Richard Tyson, Danny Trejo and BJ Thomas, FAREWELL DARKNESS, NETHERBEAST INCORPORATED with Darrell Hammond, Steve Burns, Dave Foley and Jason Mewes, MADISON HALL, THE MAJESTIC with Martin Landau and Jim Carrey and THE LANGUAGE OF KICKBALL. Her short film credits include CULT STATUS, IMPOTENT, VIEWFINDER, SMALL HAPPYS, THE FENCESTITUTE, COCKTAIL WIZARD, THE DARKNESS OF LIGHT, among others. Her TV credits include S.I.S. (Spike TV), BOSTON PUBLIC (Fox), THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS), AdTV and SCREEN WARS (AZTV).

Her Los Angeles theatrical credits include understudying for Peri Gilpin as Gwendolyn in FRASIER GONE WILDE: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at the Mark Taper Forum, starring as Sonia in the LA premiere of LIFE x 3 at the Elephant Asylum, as Doris in SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR at the Long Beach Playhouse, and as Amy in the premiere of CHENILLE STEMS AND COCO MIDRIB at the Secret Rose Theatre. Regional theatrical credits include the Cleveland Play House, Porthouse Theatre, Dobama Theatre and Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.

Locally, she has appeared at Phoenix Theatre and Theatre Artists Studio: SHAKESPEARE’S FRIENDS, RIDING TO BETHLEHEM, KISSING, COLLECTED STORIES and MEDEA’S GHOST.

She has studied with Howard Fine in his Master Class in LA. Amanda is an accomplished cellist and holds a BA in theatre and English from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. She is repped by The Leighton Agency (AZ), Blair Silver Management and Artists Management Agency (CA). She can be found online at: AmandaMelby.com, Facebook.com/AmandaMelbyActress and Twitter.com/AmandaMelby.

Amanda is the owner of Verve Studios, teaching Scene Study, Get Personal, Advanced Commercials, TelePrompTer, Teens, Kids, Voice and Cello.

She is grateful to her students for their trust and hard work, her coaches for their dedication and professionalism and the Industry for attending and supporting the work at Verve Studios. Together, we will continue to raise the bar in Arizona.

Jennifer Pfalzgraff Susan K. Brigham Diane Senffner Core, Commercials, Teens, Kids Film Acting Accents/Dialects

Coming up at the StudioAccents and Dialects: British Intensive with Diane SenffnerWEDNESDAYS, June 1-22, 2011; 6:30-9 pm (ages 16 +)

Film Camp Monday-Friday 8:30 am-1:30 pmTeens (ages 13-17), June 6-10 with Jennifer PfalzgraffKids (ages 8-12) June 20-24 with Jennifer Pfalzgraff

Adult Ongoing Scene Study with Amanda MelbyMONDAYS: 1-4 pm and 6:30-9:30 pm

Advanced Commercial Workshop with Amanda MelbySATURDAY, August 20; 1-5 pm

Commercials with Jennifer PfalzgraffWEDNESDAYS, July 20-Aug 24, 2011; 6:30-9:30 pm

Get Personal with Amanda MelbySATURDAYS, August 13-20, 2011; 9 am – 12 pm

The Core with Jennifer PfalzgraffWEDNESDAYS, Sept 28-Nov 16, 2011; 6:30-9:30 pm

Katherine Stewart Chris Redish Dee Rich Shakespeare Honest Improv Sub-Scene Study

The Coaches

Mailing Address: 4848 East Cactus Road #505-551, Scottsdale, AZ 85254Phone: 480.659.8957

E-mail: Amanda@VerveStudio.netWeb: www.VerveStudio.net

Facebook and Twitter: /VerveStudiosAZ

VVerve

The Studio

About Verve StudiosVerve Studios is a boutique music and acting studio with locations in Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Since 2005, Verve Studios has offered classes for the serious and dedicated actor and musician. The coaches at Verve are working, seasoned, professional actors and teach proven methods and techniques. Verve classes are nurturing, honest and intense and will bring out, encourage and help shape the artist through creativity, truth and discipline.

Verve ClassesThe training at Verve Studios focuses on both the craft and the business of acting and creates flexible, dynamic working actors, who respect and understand the process and one another.

Courses include the Foundational Classes, which lay the foundation of acting technique and provide a place and opportunity to build on that foundation, and the Complementary Classes, which are designed to give a well-rounded education and the ability to be successful in any medium.

Both the Adult and Teens classes feature Foundational and Complementary Classes. Kids classes are preparation for the more vigorous Teens curriculum and for those kids and parents who seek or already have agency representation.

In addition to group classes, Verve Studios offers personal one-on-one coaching in Acting, Voice and Cello.