Dina Sarno Slawson (Artistic Director/Owner/Resident Instructor/AEE and RKC Director)

Dina Slawson is owner and Artistic Director of Academy of Theatre Arts and The ATA Theatre.  Her many projects include the nationally recognized Rockin’ KidsClub, the ‘tweensight drama series and several other endeavors both in NYC and LA.  She was also 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 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 a BA from Lemoyne College and an MA from SUNY Albany.  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.

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 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.

Erin Zimmerman (Resident Instructor, RKC Choreographer, 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 found the joy and pride she feels when watching the students perform is greater than the joy she used to feel when performing.  Erin would like to thank the rest of the ATA staff for their constant support and always making her laugh, Dina for all of the amazing opportunities and experiences she has been afforded in the last 3 years, and of course her parents for always believing in her dreams.  Always remember: "The theatre is magic and blessed are those who make that magic."

Dell Howlett (adjunct Instructor: Academy Encore Ensemble) 

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 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. Although he makes his home in New York City, he looks forward to traveling back and forth to ATA to work with members of Academy Encore Ensemble in voice, dance and acting.  He thanks Dina for her passion and dedication and for giving him a second home here in Buffalo!