Darcie Roberts
Artistic Director
Award-winning Broadway Actress
Private Voice Instructor
UCI Guest Instructor
Troy Magino
Artistic Consultant
Award-winning
Director/Choreographer
Disney Creative Consultant
Instructor UCI/USC
Meredith Patterson
Guest Artist
Accomplished Actress
Broadway
Televsion
Film
Commerical
Jazz Vocalist
John Glaudini
Guest Artist Musical Director
Award-winning
Musical Director/
Composer
Janet Renslow
Guest Artist
Award-winning
Choreographer
Disney Creative Team
FACULTY
Our instructors combine for over 100 years of industry experience.
Each faculty member has excelled in the industry and each bring decades of unique perspective to the table. We have handpicked our instructors based on their unique qualifications and our personal experience with them. They are respected working professionals in the entertainment industry. And our friends. We aim to spend 3 days getting to know you and teaching you as much as we can.
DARCIE ROBERTS
BROADWAY ACTRESS/DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER/VOICE INSTRUCTOR
A legitimate triple-threat, Variety describes Ms. Roberts’ talents as “vulnerable” and “earnest”, able to make a “potent impression” with “superior comic skills.” The Hollywood Reporter calls her “wonderful” and “versatile”. Her portrayals have been called “warmhearted” and “instinctive” by the Houston Cronicle, while her comic turns have been compared to Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball, and Carol Burnett by critics around the country. The Philadelphia Inquirer said that “Darcie has a winning freshness, a sturdy singing voice and an uncommonly intelligent way with a lyric” and Tommy Tune called Darcie’s singing, dancing, and acting a “dream” while Theatre Week described her voice as a church bell echoning through an umpopulated landscape.
Darcie made her Broadway debut at 19 in the Tony Award winning musical, CRAZY FOR YOU in which she covered the voice of The Little Mermaid Jody Benson in the leading role of Polly. She has co-starred with Broadway legend Tommy Tune in BUSKER ALLEY Darcie created the role of Millie Dillmount in NYC’s NAMT Festival and then was cast in the First National Tour of THROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE for which she won a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Ms. Roberts has appeared in Broadway leading roles of the Tony Award winning original productions of DREAM, AIDA, and CURTAINS. She starred in the First National (pre-)Broadway Tour of Barry Manilow’s COPACABANA. Darcie understudied Brooke Shields in LEAP OF FAITH, and has starred in the European Tour of 42nd STREET as Peggy Sawyer and was seen in the First National Tour of ANDREW LLOYD WEBER’S ASPECTS OF LOVE.
Darcie has appeared in concert for the LINCOLN CENTER SONGBOOK SERIES with Jeanine Tesori, as a guest vocalist in evenings with Jason Robert Brown, Bea Arthur and Angela Lansberry and has starred with the MEMPHIS and PHOENIX SYMPHONYS. She can be heard on the Original Cast Recordings of CURTAINS, WINTER WONDERETTES, and BILLION DOLLAR BABY and has done vocal studio work for Disney, HBO, and Radio City Music Hall.
Ms. Roberts has been awarded the Drama-Logue Best Actress Award for Lizzy in BABY, an Independent Best Actress Award for Sally Bowles in CABARET and a received Best Actress in a Musical nominations for the Helen Hayes Awards, National Touring Awards and Barrymore Awards for Best Actress in a Musical.
Darcie can be seen in EVERY LITTLE STEP and has appeared on THE TONY AWARDS (2007), THE ROSIE O'DONNEL SHOW, various morning shows across the country. She has been heard in radio commercials, voice overs, and live radio performances.
Troy has worked extensively as Director, Choreographer and has had the pleasure of presenting his work at Musical Theatre West, Cabrillo Music Theatre, The Welk Resort, San Diego Musical Theatre, Sierra Rep, Cape Fear, The Reagle, Casa Manana, Music Theatre of Wichita, and USC.
Mr. Magino has taught at USC's School of Theatre and at UCI Musical Theatre Program.
At Disney, he serves as a creative development consultant where he has helped to guide and develop several high level creative concepts for DISNEY'S Theme Parks and serves as a Consultant Show Director.
Troy is married to Darcie Roberts and they have 3 amazing sons.
CREDITS
DIRECTION and CHOREOGRAPHY credits: Neil Sedaka's BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO, ALTAR BOYZ, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, GUYS AND DOLLS, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, and JOSEPH..., HOW TO SUCCEED..., LITTLE WOMEN, and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, CHRISTMAS MY WAY.
CHOREOGRAPHY Theatrical credits: ...MILLIE, GIGI, BRIGADOON HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.
COMMERCIAL/TV/LIVE EVENT: LG'S WORLD TEXTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (Director) THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (Choreographer), ABC’s Daytime Salutes BC/EFA (Segment Choreographer), AMENA CELL PHONES (Spain - Several SAG commercials) (Choreographer / Ast. Chor), NBA's All-Star Game Halftime Show on NBC (Additional Choreography by/ Assistant to Creative Director/Assistant Choreographer),
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: DISNEY’S California Adventure (2009-13), FEELS LIKE HOME, aka: The Notebook (Director), RADICALOVE (Co-Writer, Dir./Chor), NBA's All-Star Game Halftime Show on NBC (Assistant to Creative Director),
PERFORMER CREDITS:
THEATRE - 3 Broadway First National Tours in principal, ensemble, and swing/understudy roles, over 20 AEA Regional/NYC productions, 10 productions with Radio City Music Hall, Several live events, commercials, industrials, voice overs, Broadway developmental workshops and over 40 productions with Disney and Universal Studios.
TV - NBA All-Star Game Half Time Show, RCMH One Voice, Another World, Late Night with David Letterman, SuperBoy, Disney Very Merry Christmas, Disney Videos, various commercials and music videos.
INSTRUCTION: University of Southern California: Musical Theatre Workshops, University of California, Irvine: Musical Theatre Dance, Various Guest Teaching and Master Classes with Jason Robert Brown, Jason Alexander, and others.
BEST DIRECTOR HONORS
‣ 2012 NAACP Best Director Nominee
‣ 2010, 2009 Outstanding Achievement, Stage Scene LA
‣ 2010, 2009 Director, Stage Scene LA
‣ 2009, 2007, 2006 LA Times Reader’s 4 Stars, Critic’s Choice Production
‣ 2009,2007,2006 Critic’sPick, BackstageWest
‣ 2006 IRNE (Boston Area) Best Director
‣ 2007 Director of The Year, Stage Scene LA
‣ 2007 Best Musical (runner up), Stage Scene LA
‣ 2006 The Best of LA Theatre Top 10 List, In Magazine
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY HONORS
‣ 2012 NAACP Best Choreographer Nominee
‣ 2010, 2009 Choreographer of The Year, Stage Scene LA
‣ 2010 National Theatre Awards, Outstanding Choreography
‣ 2007 LA Drama Critic’s Circle, Best Choreography Nominee
‣ 2006 IRNE (Boston Area) Best Director Award
‣ 2007 Choreographer of The Year (runner up)
Mr. Glaudini is an Ovation award winning musical director, accomplished pit player (pianist and keyboard programmer) on both coasts; and a composer, orchestrator and arranger. Working as a professional musician for over 25 years, primarily working in the New York theatre on Broadway and Off Broadway, and currently in Los Angeles and Orange County John brings a wealth of perspective and experience to everything he does. From recording and sequencing shows to doing music preparation, John is vetted in all areas of music for the theatre. His original work has been published by Samuel French and R&H Theatricals, and his musicals have been produced in theaters around the country and abroad. Not only is he an excellent musician and a joy to work with, but he is an all around nice guy.
CREDITS
As Musical Director: for Musical Theatre West-- Sweeney Todd (Ovation award), Altar Boyz (LA Drama Critics Circle nom), Andrews Brothers (Ovation Award nom), I Love A Piano, Spamalot; For McCoy-Rigby-- Spring Awakening, Miss Saigon; For Musical Theatre Guild-- Aspects Of Love, Street Scene; For California Conservatory Of The Arts-- Andrew Lippa’s A Little Princess (West Coast Premiere), Defying Gravity, A Light In The Piazza, Curtains.
As arranger/orchestrator: Fantasy Faire (Disneyland), Minnie’s Fly Girls (Disney’s California Adventure); Heaven Help Us (Florida Stage; Denver Center), The Prince and The Pauper (Lamb’s Theatre), I Love A Piano (Denver Center, Florida Stage), Pete ‘n’ Keely (John Houseman). He co-wrote the revues, Are We There Yet?, A Christmas Survival Guide, and I Love New York (NY Bistro Award - Best Revue) which have been playing throughout the country. His career began assisting composer Stephen Flaherty on the shows Lucky Stiff, Ragtime, Seussical, and the film Anastasia. He has worked in the music departments on the pre-Broadway productions of 9 To 5 (LA), Legally Blonde (San Francisco), Spamalot (Chicago), Bounce (Kennedy Center), and A New Brain (NYC)--to name a few.
He is a member of the Dramatist Guild and an alumni of the BMI Workshop in NYC. As a composer, his show, How The Nurse Feels was accepted into the Disney/ASCAP workshop (LA) and had a successful reading at New World Stages (NYC). A revue of his music was performed at Birdland in NY.
John is married to actress and CSUF professor Maria Cominis and is proud of his 13 year old cello/piano playing son, Charlie.
Meredith has established herself as one of Broadway's triple threat ingenue's. Hailed by critics as an actress that is "exquisite, a beguiling delight possessing a refined touch in both physical and verbal humor."As a dancer with "a rare combination of spirit and vulnerability, and a lit-from-within radiance!" And her singing is "exquisite, she is blessed with a rich voice and has a glowing presence that permeates every note she sings, every step she dances and every line she speaks."
Meredith just completed her 3 song Jazz EP, recording songs "Angel Eyes", "Little Did I Dream" and Sugar To Tea" with some of New York City's finest Jazz musicians; Tedd Firth, Tom Hubbard, and Warren Vache. Produced by Meredith and Aaron Weinstein.
Meredith debuted her solo jazz show "Sweet Old Fashioned Girl" at Birdland Jazz Club on 54th Street in New York City accompanied by a stellar jazz quartet of piano, upright bass, guitar and drums. . She made such an impression she was asked to play a return engagement in May. Then the prestegious Feinstein's asked her to debut her show in August as part of their summer series.
In the theater world, Meredith has an ecelctic resume. She recently worked for The Weinstein Company portraying the role of "Mary Barrie" in a reading of FINDING NEVERLAND opposite Broadway's Jullian Ovendon and Kelli O'Hara. She originated the role of Gwen Greene in the new musical RADIO GIRL, based on the hit 1938 movie Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, at Goodspeed's Norma TerrisTheater in Chester, CT. Working alongside Broadway's best creative team Christopher Gatelli (South Pacific), Daniel Goldfarb (Martin Short's Fame Becomes Me), Henry Krieger (Side Show, Dreamgirls), and Susan Birkenhead (Jellys Last Jam).
Meredith doesn't just stick to stage work, she seemlessly moves from one medium to another. Working on Broadway, TV, Recordings and Film. She made her soap opera debut in 2009 as Francesca onABC's All My Children nominated for a record breaking 19 Daytime Emmy Awards that year. She is also featured as one of the last 3 girls for the role of Val in the critically acclaimed A Chorus Line Sony Classics documentary Every Little Step.
On January 4th 2009, Meredith finished her spectacular run on Broadway at The Marquis Theater after originating the role of Judy Haynes in Irving Berlin's White Christmas.
Meredith is no stranger to Guest Starring on Network Television. Guest Starring on LAW & ORDER SVU, THE GOOD WIFE, new series MADE IN JERSEY, but she began her TV career with her hilarious role on ABC's BOSTON LEGAL in a 5 episode arch opposite Candance Bergen and Tom Selleck. Meredith lived the classic understudy's dream come true in 2001 when she took over the starring role ofPeggy Sawyer in the Tony Award Winning Revival of 42nd ST, making her Broadway musical debut.
Meredith's dream came true every performance, starring on Broadway in what's been deemed the best female tap dancing role in theater history from August 2001-August 2002. She also was the first only non-original principal to be recorded for prosperity with the prestigious Lincoln Center Archives. When her contract was up on Broadway Meredith was asked to star in a groundbreaking production of42ND ST in Moscow. Being the first American Actress to perform in an English speaking production in Russia.
In the summer of 2003, she graced the stage as Polly Browne in THE BOY FRIEND under the direction of the legendary Julie Andrews. In February 2004, Meredith made her Los Angeles theater debut starring as Louise Maske in Steve Martin’s hilarious adaptation of the play THE UNDERPANTS at The Geffen Playhouse for which she received critical acclaim. Meredith's feature film debut came in 1999 as Marilyn Monroe in Paramount Classics COMPANY MAN. She can be seen opposite the hilarious Bill Murray in Focus Features Film BROKEN FLOWERS, directed by Jim Jarmusch, as Lady Alyssa in Disney's THE PRINCESS DIARIES II: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT, in Sidney Lumet Feature BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, and co-starring as Catherine 'Cat' Curtis in A SECRET PROMISE.
Meredith resides in Los Angeles with husband Dustin Brayley and baby son Maxwell.
Janet currently works as a choreographer at The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim maintaining many of the shows. She is responsible for the early stages of creative development in new live entertainment productions and concepts. Leading and working directly with a senior production team, responsible for in some instances, in all aspects of entertainment mechanism. Collaboration with top WDI management and Disney producers, senior writers, scenic designers.
She recently celebrated a multiple award winning successful run of Miss Saigon at The Candlelight Pavilion (Broadway World.com Best Musical, Stage Scene LA Best Choreography, Inland Theatre League Best Choreography Nomination). Summer of 2011 Janet was awarded Best Direction & Best Choreography by Inland Theatre League for her work on Annie at The Lewis Family Playhouse. She was Associate Director/Choreographer for Music Theatre West’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie (Backstage Critic’s Pick) & Associate Choreographer for Thoroughly Modern Millie at Reagle Theatre in Boston (Boston Area IRNE Award).
Born & raised in Southern California Janet studied in New York, received a BFA in Ballet, taught dance in Germany, England & Switzerland. She has performed in France & various locations in the United States such as Music Theatre of Wichita, Performance Riverside, Music Theatre West, The Fireside Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, The New Theatre, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, The Crystal Cathedral, The Candlelight Pavilion, Holland America Line, including special events for Cessna Aircraft, Boeing, Singular Wireless, Coleman, Chase Bank & Scope.