Dina Sarno Slawson (Artistic Director/Owner/Resident Instructor/AEE and APG Director)
Dina Slawson is owner and Artistic Director of Academy of Theatre Arts and The ATA Theatre. She was Co-Founder and president of Teen2Teen…Theatre is for Life, a not for profit organization celebrating cultural diversity and racial tolerance for young adults through theatre both in Western New York and New York City. She was also the director of nationally recognized Rockin’ KidsClub. She has been performing, creating, writing, directing, and producing theatre for children and young adults for over twenty years and has had the privilege of seeing her students perform on Broadway in 2006 and 2007. Before owning her own businesses, she was a secondary school English teacher and Drama Director and has also been a Teaching Artist in theatre, dance, and the visual arts for Arts-In-Education. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including Small Business of the Year 2006, 40 Under 40, Outstanding Women in Business, Athena Award Nominee, 2003 Woman of Merit, and 2007/2008 Woman of Excellence for the National Association of Professional Women. Most recently, she was awarded by unanimous vote “2008/2009 National Outstanding Woman of the Year in Children’s Entertainment and Theatre” by the National Association of Professional and Executive Women. She is honored and privileged to live out her dream with her ATA family both on and off stage each and every day.
Tom Doyle (Vocal Director: Academy Encore Ensemble)
Tom Doyle received his BS & MM in Vocal Performance from SUNY at Fredonia. He recently retired from teaching vocal music in the Kenmore Schools where he directed the Musicals and formed the Award winning “Company of Song” Show/Concert Choir. He was co-founder of the DeeJay Players who introduced dinner theater to WNY over 30 yrs. ago. He presently teaches private voice lessons, travels as a vocal adjudicator, is a student tour director along with being a part-time professor at Buff-State. Tom has sung extensively throughout WNY and is the Tenor for the “Classic Elements” and “In-Concert” vocal quartets. He resides in Williamsville with his wife, Cindy and their two youngest sons who are members of the highly successful local band “More than Me” His two older sons live in LA where they compose and are pursuing musical careers. Tom is no stranger to the Buffalo Theater where he has stage and music directed as well as performed in numerous productions. Tom is honored to have joined the staff at ATA and to be working with the AEE Theatre Company.
Erin Zimmerman (Resident Instructor, Theatre Administrator) Erin Zimmerman has been immersing herself in the theatrical world since the young age of four. She has trained in dance for over fifteen years and has performed in numerous musicals. She received a BA in Theatre/English from SUNY Geneseo in 2007. Her experiences there allowed her to delve deeply into all aspects of production including set construction, sound design, stage management and front of house duties. Erin was also a member of Geneseo's Musical Theatre Club, where she had the opportunity to not only perform with the group but also direct and choreograph numbers for their bi-annual review. Erin has always had a love for the stage and especially the art of dance. Since joining the staff at ATA in the summer of 2006, Erin has realized the sense of joy and pride she feels from working with the ATA students is unlike anything else in the world. As the years go on she is continually amazed by the experiences and opportunities Dina brings to the kids and is honored to be a part of them. Erin would like to thank the rest of the ATA family for the love and laughter they bring to her life, Dina for allowing her to live her dreams every day, and of course her family, for always being there. “If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it and let it become you and you will find great things happen for you, to you and because of you.”
Toni Marie Dentico (Choreographer: Academy Encore Ensemble)
Toni Marie Dentico trained with David De Marie where she studied jazz, tap and ballet for 17 years, while a student of his she was awarded the title of Miss Jr. Dance of WNY 1980 and Miss Dance of WNY 1981 and Miss Dance of America 1982. She was a member of his core group of dancers that performed at Artpark, Kleinhan’s and the M and T Plaza and won many competitions regionally and nationally. During her reign as Miss Dance of America she taught and performed all over the US, and was able to model and dance in Osaka, Japan. She holds a position as a staff judge for the Sand Dollar Production Dance competition. She is the head choreographer for the St. Joseph's Collegiate Swing Choir as well as choreographer for the St. Joseph's high school musical. She has been the choreographer for the Academy Encore Ensemble since its inception and staff member at the ATA Theatre for six years. She truly enjoys working with each and every member of ATA, to see all the elements come together, and to watch the company members grow in knowledge and skill. Thank you Dina for bringing us all together to create magic!
Leah Schneider (Resident Instructor) Leah Schneider is a graduate of The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. While attending school she performed regularly with the Crane Opera Ensemble in such productions as The Mikado, The Threepenny Opera, Orpheus and the Underworld, and various scene programs including The Marriage of Figaro. While at Crane she was chosen to sing in master classes led by such guest artists as renowned operatic baritone, Nathan Gunn and vocal coach, Warren Jones. In Buffalo, Ms. Schneider has performed with O'Connell and Company, Alleyway Theater, in the world premiere of the original musical, Italian Serenade and Opera Sacra in their production of Suor Angelica. Ms. Schneider made her solo debut in 2007 singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in Hansel and Gretel and as a featured soloist. She has returned to the BPO as a guest soloist this past Christmas season and also in the concert, Poulenc to Puccini. Ms. Schneider has competed in various singing competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. She currently performs regularly with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and the Westminster Presbyterian Choir. Ms. Schneider was born and raised in Buffalo and grew up singing and touring with the Western New York Children's Chorus, now Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus, under the direction of John Fleischman. Along with performing regularly she also teaches private voice lessons and is on the voice faculty at the Community Music School of Buffalo. Ms. Schneider is thrilled to continue this year as an active teaching artist with the Arts in Education Institute of Western New York as well as begin a new adventure teaching voice & acting at the Academy of Theater Arts in Williamsville, NY.
Dell Howlett ("Gimme Shelter" workshop production director )
Dell Howlett is a professional actor who has been in the Broadway casts of Aida, The Lion King and Bombay Dreams. Dell has also performed in major shows such as Pippin, West Side Story and Rent in Toronto, Los Angeles, London and Italy. Dell has made numerous commercials and Television appearances and can also be seen in the movie Across The Universe. Dell is a college recruiter and professor of musical theatre for the renowned Tisch School for the Performing Arts at NYU in New York City. He received his BFA from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia. He will next be seen on Broadway in the original production Langston in Harlem. He thanks Dina for her passion and dedication and for giving him a second home here in Buffalo!
Lisa LeCuyer (adjunct Instructor: Academy Encore Ensemble)
Lisa LeCuyer received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Niagara University; she has been training in tap, jazz, and ballet since the age of four, and has also been performing on stage since the age of six. She is an accomplished vocalist and SAFD certified in stage combat. Locally, Lisa has performed with Kavinoky Theatre, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Lancaster Opera House and at Niagara University was Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Roxie in Chicago, and Chava in Fiddle on the Roof to name a few. Lisa’s recent regional credits include the lead performer in VeggieTales Live at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, performing in a national tour of A Christmas Carol, Ado Annie in Oklahoma! with the Cincinnati Arts Association. Lisa has been working with Prather Entertainment Group for the past two years and will soon reviving her role as the title character in The Unsinkable Molly Brown at the Dutch Apple Dinner theatre in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Lisa is thrilled to be a part of this amazing organization, and would like to thank Dina and Erin for this enriching experience, along with their constant love and support.
