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PSA Faculty
Lisa Matsko Hamilton
Lisa Matsko Hamilton is the founder and director of the Professional School for the Arts in Torrance, where hundreds of children, teens and adults have been trained in singing, dancing and acting since its opening in 1991. She has assembled a world-class faculty of professionals that are excellent teachers as well as performers. Ms. Hamilton herself, who received her MFA in music theatre at the University of California, Irvine, focuses primarily on the areas of voice and music theatre training and college preparation. Her students have gone on to Broadway, national tours, regional theatres and civic light operas. Others have attended prestigious performing arts programs at schools such as the University of Michigan, UCLA, The Boston Conservatory, University of Arizona, NYU, Juilliard, AMDA, USC, Point Park College, Emerson College, UCI, Syracuse University, Yale and Northwestern. Ms. Hamilton is a recipient of the Fine Arts Award from the City of Torrance. She also heads the Professional Arts Education Center, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to raising scholarship funds for deserving performing arts students. Ms. Hamilton believes that as a PSA student, whatever your particular aspiration, we care about you specifically. Our focus is to tailor your training and education to meet your unique performing arts goals.
Kim Arnett
Kim Arnett is thrilled to be returning to PSA after living in Las Vegas for the past 3 1/2 years where she was the dance captain for the production of Mamma Mia! During that time, she also left for 6 months to dance captain the 1st National Tour. Before that, she was part of the Broadway/National Touring company of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. She can be seen on the A&E DVD of Peter Pan. Kim has toured through Europe as well with productions of My Fair Lady and 42nd Street. When she is home, she can be seen in productions with such companies as CLO of South Bay Cities, Theater League, and McCoy Rigby Entertainment. A lot of Kim's early training started as a ballet dancer and studied with companies such as Pennsylvania Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and then was a trainee with Hartford Ballet before moving into musical theater.
Gerard Babb
Gerard Babb, music theatre and acting, is proud to be a founding faculty member at the Professional School for the Arts. While Gerard enjoys working with all his students from ages 8 to 80, his specialty is helping high school seniors hone their monologues and songs for college performing arts auditions. Former students have gone on to attend programs such as those at the University of Michigan, Boston Conservatory, UCLA, NYU and University of Arizona, and others have seen such success as Tony and Emmy awards. Gerard is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild and has an MFA in acting with an emphasis in music theatre from the University of California, Irvine.
Todd Buonopane
Todd Buonopane appeared on Broadway as Roger in Grease and in the original Broadway company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway, he was seen in Henry & Mudge, Don't Quit Your Night Job and The Butter and Egg Man. Regional favorites include Nicely in Guys & Dolls, Mr. Snow in Carousel, Ralph Malph in Happy Days, Herschel in Gemini, The Musical (Barrymore nomination) and the 2001 National Tour of Godspell. On television, Todd can often be seen as Jeffrey Weinerslav on 30 Rock. Other tv and film credits include Grey's Anatomy, The Black Donnellys, Law & Order: CI, Storyforia and the new films A Kiss For Jed Wood and Girls Will Be Girls 2012. Todd received a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan.
Roger Castellano
Roger Castellano works extensively as a Director/Choreographer of Theatrical and Special events. He has had great opportunities to work and collaborate with many Professional Regional Theatre Companies such as Musical Theatre West, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, Laguna Playhouse, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Performance Riverside, International City Theatre, The Center Theatre Group, The Phoenix Theatre in Arizona, and Music Theatre of Wichita in Kansas.
He has also created original shows, parades, and special events for companies like Sesame Street Live, Sanrio Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and has worked with personalities like Reba McEntire, Stevie Nicks, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Natalie Cole, Christopher Reeve, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Bennett, Bill Cosby and Walter Cronkite, to name a few.
Theatrical Awards include LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Nominee for best choreographer (THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Cabrillo Music Theatre, JEKYLL & HYDE Cabrillo Music Theatre, THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Musical Theatre West), Los Angeles Times Critics Pick (ME & MY GIRL Musical Theatre West), Drama Logues Critic Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Choreography (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC The Center Theatre Group), Drama Logues Critic Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Choreography (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES The Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities), Drama Logues Critic Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Choreography (OLIVER The Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities), StageSceneLA Best Choreography (GUYS & DOLLS Cabrillo Music Theatre), Inland Theatre League Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Director (SUESSICAL Performance Riverside), Inland Theatre League Award Nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Director (THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN Performance Riverside, SOUTH PACIFIC Performance Riverside), Inland Theatre League Award Nominee for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Choreographer (THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN Performance Riverside, SOUTH PACIFIC Performance Riverside), AriZoni Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Best Choreography (A CHORUS LINE The Phoenix Theatre.)
Lisa Datz
Lisa Datz is best known to NY audiences for her work on Broadway and Off in the original companies of “Titanic” and “The Full Monty”; “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”, “In the Wings” at the Promenade, “Weird Romance” at the York Theatre Company, and Sondheim’s “Saturday Night” at Second Stage. Lisa has been seen on screen in the feature films, “The Perfect Holiday” (produced by & starring Queen Latifah), “Ghost Town” (dir. David Koepp), and “Spectropia” which appeared at the Lincoln Center Film Festival, as well as the featured role of “Olga” in the reading of an upcoming film written by and starring Jamie Foxx, and most recently the role of “Dex” in “Stumptown”. Lisa has also been seen on television in “Law & Order”, “Hope & Faith”, “Law & Order: Trial By Jury”, “The West Wing”, “Guiding Light”, “As the World Turns”, “All My Children”, “One Life to Live”, “Blues Clues”, as well as live announcing the “VH-1 Do Something Awards” in Los Angeles two years in a row. She performed with rock legends Joe Jackson and Todd Rundgren in the anniversary concert of “Up Against It” at Joe’s Pub in New York, wrote and produced “Datz Life” with her older brother, musician Mike Datz, at Ars Nova in New York, as well as numerous developmental projects with legendary composer Maury Yeston, composer of the feature film, “Nine”. She has performed in many regional theater plays including the roles of Meg in “Crimes of the Heart”, Julia in “Two Gentlemen of Verona”, Kari in “The Pavilion” written by Craig Wright, Elizabeth in “Ace” at the Old Globe Theatre, Samantha in “Empire”, Mattie in “Heartland”, and Violet in “Violet” for which she received a Jeff Award nomination.
Jon Engstrom
Jon Engstrom (Director/Choreographer) has worked throughout the United States, Europe & Asia. Productions that Jon has directed & choreographed for major venues include: 42ND STREET, THE KING AND I, WHITE CHRISTMAS, Stephen Sondheims SATURDAY NIGHT (Los Angeles premiere), BYE BYE BIRDIE, THE DESERT SONG, MY ONE AND ONLY, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, THEYRE PLAYING OUR SONG, DAMN YANKEES, WEST SIDE STORY, EVITA, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, MAME, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, HELLO DOLLY, MY FAIR LADY, NO, NO, NANETTE, INTO THE WOODS, ANYTHING GOES, OLIVER, OKLAHOMA, SWEET CHARITY, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CAN-CAN,BRIGADOON, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (Director) & CRAZY FOR YOU (Choreographer). Jon was guest director/choreographer for Pepperdine University's prestigious fall musical for five years in a row. Jon has also been guest director/choreographer and teacher for a number of other educational institutions including the prestigious University of Michigan's Theatre Department. He is currently on staff at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. Jon's career started with a Ford Foundation Scholarship. He went on to become a soloist with San Francisco Ballet. He was an original member of the Eliot Feld Ballet and was also guest artist with the Lar Lubovitch Company before moving on to The Great White Way where he was a featured dancer in five Broadway musicals: NO, NO, NANETTE, THE PAJAMA GAME, VERY GOOD EDDIE, WHOOPIE! & 42ND STREET (Dance Captain of the original 1980 Broadway production) & two National Tours: CHICAGO & SEESAW. Jon has been fortunate to work with such notable director/choreographers as: Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Donald Saddler, Donald McKayle, Alan Johnson & Danny Daniels. Jon is a proud member of SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society).
Barrett Foa
Barrett Foa can be seen each week as Eric Beale on the hit CBS drama, “NCIS: Los Angeles.” Currently in its third season, the crime procedural also stars Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, and Linda Hunt. “NCIS: Los Angeles” airs Tuesdays at 9pm on CBS and is the #2 scripted show on television. Since moving to Los Angeles in January 2009, Foa has guest starred on “Numb3rs” and “The Closer,” (opposite Kyra Sedwick) and has played recurring roles on both the original “NCIS” and “Entourage” as Ari’s assistant, Matt.
Prior to Hollywood, Foa starred on Broadway in Avenue Q as Princeton / Rod, and in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Leaf Coneybear. He was featured in the original Broadway cast Mamma Mia!, and can be heard as Jesus on the 20th anniversary cast recording of Godspell.
Foa has played leading roles off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theatre, The York, New York Theatre Workshop, and The John Houseman, as well as at such reputable regional venues as Bay Street Theatre (starring opposite Charles Busch), Paper Mill Playhouse, Hartford Stage and The Shakespeare Theatre, D.C. (starring in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing), TheatreWorks in CA, The St. Louis MUNY, North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Maine State Music Theatre, and Music Theatre of Wichita.
Born and raised in New York City, Foa graduated from The Dalton School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He attended Interlochen Arts Camp for four summers, studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from one of the nation’s top musical theatre programs: The University of Michigan. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Broadway: Avenue Q (Princeton & Rod), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), Mamma Mia! (original cast). Off-Broadway: The Drunken City by Adam Bock (Playwrights Horizons), Godspell (Jesus; 2000 cast recording), Tio Pepe (The Public Theatre SPF), Cupid & Psyche (Cupid). Regional: Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio; dir. Mark Lamos) at Hartford Stage/Shakespeare Theatre, D.C., The Lady In Question (by/starring Charles Busch) at Bay Street, Pirates! (the innocent Frederic) and Camelot (the evil Mordred) both at Paper Mill, Henry Krieger's Kept at TheatreWorks in CA, The Fantasticks at St. Louis Muny. Workshops: Michael John LaChiusa, Duncan Sheik/Steven Sater, Adam Bock, Joe DiPietro. Numerous readings with Project Shaw and Food For Thought. TV: Series Regular on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” (tech operator Eric Beale.) Guest stars on “Entourage,” “The Closer,” “NCIS,” “Numb3rs,” "Six Degrees." Proud: Native New Yorker, Interlochen Arts Camper, University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department graduate.
Danny Gurwin
Danny Gurwin has appeared on Broadway in LITTLE WOMEN, URINETOWN, THE FULL MONTY (also National Tour), THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, KISMET (Encores!), and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (NYC Opera). Off-Broadway, he has been seen in SHAKESPEARE’S R & J, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, A NEW BRAIN, KUNI-LEML, CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, and THE THING ABOUT MEN to name a few. In Los Angeles he recreated his Henrik in the LA Opera production of NIGHT MUSIC with Victor Garber and Judith Ivey, starred in the all-star concert of PROMISES, PROMISES, the new musical MOST WANTED at La Jolla Playhouse, as well as HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the Pantages. He has also been seen in starring roles at MTW in Long Beach. Danny has also performed evenings of Strauss, Sondheim, Bernstein, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, among numerous others, with symphonies across the country. His solo concerts “Miracle of Miracles” and “Sail Me Away” are currently on tour. TV credits include “Desperate Housewives”, “The Young & The Restless”, & “Law & Order”. As a renowned teacher & guest artist Danny has taught and directed at the University of Michigan, UCLA, Western Michigan University, Youngstown University, both the prestigious Las Vegas and Orange County High Schools of the Arts, the Showchoir Camps of America, and is currently on the faculty of AMDA in Los Angeles. Danny holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan.
Gerry McIntyre
Gerry McIntyre -- as a director/choreographer -- SOON OF A MORNIN off Broadway Lions Theatre; ONCE ON THIS ISLAND - Martin Beck Theatre, Virginia Stage, Actors Theatre Of Louisville, La Mirada Theatre (Robby and Drama Logue award for best director, Ovation nomination for choreography and best musical); AINT MISBEHAVIN - Actors Theatre CHICAGO - Ogunquit Playhouse; JOSEPH....DREAMCOAT starring Diana Degarmo and Anthony Federov Lyric theatre; BELLS ARE RINGING - Pasedena Playhouse; ANYTHING GOES - Madrid Theatre as a Choreographer; SIDE BY SIDE - Berkshire Theatre Fest.; A SAINT SHE AINT - Westport Playhouse; LAURA COMSTOCKS BAG PUNCHING DOG (LA weekly nomination Best Choreography); TV - ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW, DESIGNING WOMEN, MAJOR DAD, GOLDEN PALACE. As a perfomer (Broadway) - CHICAGO, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, ANYTHING GOES, UPTOWN IT'S HOT, JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT a role for which he was one of three Americans chosen to be in the movie, starring Donny Osmond. He is also in the award winning documentary AFTER THE STORM. He also just directed/choreographed CHICAGO at Ogunquit Playhouse and won Broadway World Best Choreographer! He also choreographed Sammy & Me at the Alliance and Soul Doctor in New Orleans.
Karen Morrow
Karen Morrow was raised by operatic parents in Des Moines, Iowa and turned to "the theatre" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The next stop was every major musical theatre, cabaret and concert hall from New York to Honolulu! In New York, she starred on Broadway in I Had A Ball; Joyful Noise; I'm Solomon; Music, Music; The Selling of the President; The Grass Harp and the Tony Award winning Drood. Off Broadway, her starring roles included Sing Muse; The Boys From Syracuse; five seasons with the New York City Center during it's golden years of musical revivals and most recently she starred in the National tour of Show Boat. On Television, Karen starred as a regular on "The Jim Nabor's Hour" "Friends," "Tabitha" "Ladies' Man," "Goodnight Beantown," "Song by Song," and "Great Performances" for PBS; "Singing" for CBS; and has been a guest star on "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," "The Tonight Show," "The Today Show," "Alice," "Too Close For Comfort," "Loveboat," "Falconcrest," "Murder She Wrote," "Night Court," to mention just a few; and radio's Garrison Keillors' "A Prarie Home Companion." Karen has sung with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Honolulu, Pacific, Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestras and can be heard on eleven albums. She is the recipient of an Emmy, the coveted Theatre World Award, and five Dramalogue Awards. Visit her website at www.karenmorrow.com.
Jeffrey Polk
Jeffrey Polk is always happy and proud to be a part of PSA. Credits Include: Banzi – THE LION KING (Pantages Theatre Los Angeles.) Annis – JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (U/S Tour McCoy/Rigby). SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ (1st U/S tour, Australia, Japan, Germany, Las Vegas with Gladys Knight. Little Moe – FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE (Broadway, U/S Tour / L.A. Ovation Awards – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical). Master of Magic EFX (Las Vegas, MGM. Mic hael Crawford’s U/S.) Marcellus – THE MUSIC MAN (West Coast Tour Theatre League). Richie - A CHOURUS LINE (Santa Barbara CLO). Benny Southstreet – GUYS & DOLLS (Sacramento Music Circus, McCoy/Rigby.) Barnaby – HELLO DOLLY (Sacramento Music Circus.) Judah – JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNO COLORED DREAM COAT (The Muny, St. Louise, MO., Starlight Theater Kansas City, MO.) Ken – AINT’ MISBEHAVEN (CLO South Bay Cities.) Rhythm Boy – MY ONE AND ONLY (Long Beach CLO, Sacramento Music Circus, San Jose CLO, Casa Manana, Ft, Worth TX. Claridge Hotel Atlantic City, N.J. Chip – ON THE TOWN (Casa Manana Ft, Worth TX. Ensemble – RAGTIME (Musical Theater West) Directed and Choreographed - SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. L.A. Times Critics Choice, and has choreographed the show numerous times with Director Glenn Casale, with the blessings of Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Corky Hale Stoller.
He also has Written, Directed and Choreographed tributes for the Hillcrest Country Club, THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN with B. Gordy and THE MUSIC OF LEIBER AND STOLLER which was also performed at Poway Performing Arts. Also a member of Musical Theatre Guild and an Young American Alumni.
Greg Schreiner
Greg Schreiner is the pianist, narrator and producer or Hollywood Revisited - A Tribute In Costume and Song (www.hollywoodrevisited.com). He is the owner of over 300 movie costumes worn by the great stars of Hollywood. Included In his collection are such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Lana Turner, Bing Crosby, Barbara Stanwyck and Ginger Rogers. He has appeared with his collection on numerous television shows Including AMC's Hollywood Fashion Machine, A&E's the Incurable Collector, Entertainment Tonight, Turner Classic Movies and the Montel Williams Show. Some of these costumes are on display at the new Hollywood Museum In Hollywood, California where Greg is curator of Special Collections. Hollywood Revisited has traveled to Japan, Europe and recently toured Florida and Illinois. Mr. Schreiner holds a Master of Arts degree from Western Illinois University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is currently on the music faculty at Santa Monica College and Cerritos College. In 2003, Greg was selected for Inclusion In Who's Who In America. He has several recordings in release including a Hollywood Revisited CD available at Amazon.com. Greg was composer/performer for the educational television series, Masters of the Silent Screen. For the past 27 years he has been the president of Marilyn Remembered, a club devoted to preserving the memory of Marilyn Monroe.
Hank Stratton
Hank Stratton was recently seen as Isaac Reed on the CBS drama THE UNIT. He has made numerous appearances on television and in film, including recurring roles in HEROES, AMERICAN DREAMS and FAMILY LAW; and many guest appearances which include THE CLOSER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, THE PRACTICE, and FRASIER. He has starred in many films made for television, including an adaptation of THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER in which he starred on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane. He had the privilege of playing “Berowne” in LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works Festival. He starred in the Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall collaboration of CABARET, the Tony Award winning production of Michael Frayn’s COPENHAGEN, the ground breaking off-Broadway hit JEFFREY, and LADY IN THE DARK at Encores. His regional theatre appearances include starring roles at The Arena Stage, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, and the Huntington Theatre Company. Hank has served as a guest artist for educational institutions around the country, including master classes at AMDA, Los Angeles, The Academy for Classical Acting in DC, and the Professional School of the Arts. He also serves as the west coast casting consulting for the Roundabout Theatre Company. He is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Chryssie Whitehead
Chryssie Whitehead - THEATRE/TOURS: Broadway Revival A Chorus Line(Kristine), The Studio (Signature Theatre), The Producers (1st National Tour), All Shook Up (Goodspeed), Fosse (1st National Tour), Radio City Rockettes, Paul McCartney’s “Driving Rain” Tour, TV: Castle, The Mentalist, Melissa and Joey, Revenge of the Bridesmaids (ABC Family TV Movie with Raven Simone and Joanna Garcia), In Plain Sight, Greys Anatomy, Two and a Half Men, All my Children, Boston Public, The Tony Awards, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. FILM: Every Little Step (Documentary on the casting of A CHORUS LINE), Meet Dave, Save the Last Dance, The Producers, Farm Girl in New York, RiffRaff. COMMERCIALS: Mac, Subway, Kraft, Country Inn and Suites. Proud Faculty member at The American Musical Dramatic Academy, Los Angeles.