An introduction to the cultural histories, performance techniques and diverse social and economic influences that shape contemporary American acting and stage productions as we recognize them today. Over a five-week semester, students participate in acting exercises, scene work, class lectures and open discussions of current events. Students work as an ensemble, developing original scenes and apply learned fundamentals of dramatic structure, writing and direction.
Stephanie Stowe, has been an Adjunct Lecturer with Lehman College’s Department of Journalism, Communication and Theater (JCT) since 2005. This is her sixth year teaching for Lehman's College Now program. A graduate of New Mexico State University Stephanie studied with Tony award-winning playwright and Academy Award nominated, Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser God). Her newest play, So Comes Night is in development for a spring 2018 workshop production, and she is currently collaborating on a new musical, Good People. Acting credits include; She Stoops to Conquer, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Oedipus Rex, Speed the Plow. American Southwest Theater Company. Prelude to A Kiss. Arvada Center for Performing Arts, National Tour credits; Twelfth Night and The Miracle Worker. Special thanks to the superb student actors and writers and to Ginaury Vasquez, Michael Manswell, Tiana Marenah, David Gantz, Jay Gurka, Griselda Santiago, Tracy Mejiaurena, and of course, our tech maven and goddess, Amira Mustapha. Thanks everyone, you made this summer FLAWLESS!
Ginaury Vásquez is thrilled to be a part of the College Now family and work with such an amazing group of ladies. Her theatre credits include What If, Off Off Broadway, In the Heights at Lehman College, County Cavity with Art Defined Productions, Price of Silence with the POS Theatre Company, Día de los Muertos, and various performances with the Children’s Theatre Company at Lehman College. She is a Lehman College alumna, where she graduated summa cum laude earning a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology. Gina is pleased to have played a part in the development of "EX•PRO•GEN CO." and couldn’t be prouder of her class.
Francheska Colon is a rising senior who attends South Bronx Preparatory Academy. She comes from a huge Dominican family and will be the first of her family to attend college. Throughout her high school years, she has been a part of the annual school musical. During her sophomore year, she was part of the musical 9 to 5, where she played a career driven woman. Her junior year, she was cast in, In the Heights, where she played the mother of a college dropout who was fighting to keep her family together. She was introduced to theatre through her Global Studies teacher, who saw a lot of potential in her, which she highly appreciates. She joined College Now, and enrolled in the theatre class, because she wanted to be a part of another play and express her love for the stage. During her free time, she enjoys reading as well as watching multiple TV shows on Netflix.
Naomi Cordero is a 15-year-old Dominican who attends Bronx Latin High School as a sophomore. She is very kind, funny, trustworthy, and an overall great friend to many. She enjoys walking in the park, and in her free time, listens to music, and talks to her friends. Academically she is strong in several subjects, and is overall a very intelligent and open-minded person, with much ambition.
Lucy Funes is a 17-year-old rising senior, who can rarely be found without earbuds on. She loves music and has a weak spot for Nirvana, as well as cheap books at thrift shops considering that she also loves reading. She also writes a lot, maybe a bit too much. Her favorite food is sushi, favorite ice cream flavors are mint chocolate chip and cookies with cream and her favorite written play is Hamlet by William Shakespeare, while her favorite Broadway production is the revival of Once On This Island. Lucy’s dream school is Columbia University and her dream majors are somewhere among literature, psychology and theatre. She’s a Pisces and in true fish nature she is drawn in by large bodies of water and very much enjoys swimming. “Shout out to all the fellow Pisces!”
Nayeli Gomez is a rising senior at Forest Hills High School. She is of Mexican descent and was raised in Queens, alongside her two loving yet annoying siblings. Nayeli has taken three law elective classes at school as well as joined a law program at NYU, but did not feel a drive to further pursue that career. During her free time she loves binge watching TV shows and reading “Young Adult” books. She also adores working with children and has previously volunteered at C.C.B School of New York, to help kids with their summer school homework assignments. To explore her career options and enhance her understanding of theater Nayeli joined Lehman’s College Now program. She hopes to gain new friendships and be less timid in front of large crowds.
Jasmine Hyman is a rising senior at the Institute for Collaborative Education. She started acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse when she was in elementary school and continued education at their junior school until her sophomore year of high school. She started this program to gain acting and playwriting experience and to continue learning theatre.
Sara Mandelbaum is a rising senior whose favorite subjects are Physics and Art. She has been in previous productions: The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, and Annie. She is also fascinated by food science and baking. She enjoys theater and decided to take this class to broaden her understanding of acting, and the formation of a production. She has enjoyed this class immensely and wants to thank all of her teachers in making this class possible.
Martin Ochoa-Dreyfus is a rising senior at Humanities Preparatory Academy. He is sixteen and hopes to pursue a career in chemistry and business. He is passionate regarding the nurturing of all forms of art, and believes that each person’s way of expressing himself or herself through art should be celebrated and praised. What he hopes to accomplish through College Now, is further confidence regarding his artistic abilities and to establish connections with wonderful fellow artists and form friendships. He will most definitely find a way to integrate art into his future endeavors.
Henry Onyeke is a rising junior at the High School of Computers and Technology at Evander Childs HS Campus. Henry excels at subjects in the mathematical fields, but has recently found interest in acting and creating a story. Henry hopes that this experience can help his confidence and allow him to be more outspoken when dealing with people. He also wants to learn about himself and possible future career choices. Acting gives Henry a surge of excitement when he is working in collaboration with other actors. This is Henry’s first acting experience and hopefully this will lead to more acting experiences.
Miguel Ramirez is a 15-year-old Dominican, who is a sophomore attending Bronx Latin High School. He enjoys listening to music like rap, rock, and pop; anything he believes is nice. When he feels inspired, he writes poetry, or a short story or a literature related piece. He also likes to dance, skateboard, and play sports, such as football and basketball. He is kind and easily approachable. In his free time, when he isn’t listening to music, he likes to watch Netflix.
Kayandra Rodriguez is a rising senior at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing Arts. She enjoys singing and frequently performs singing gigs with Sing Harlem Choir, and at her church. Kayandra is an only child and in her free time she watches horror movies. Participating in the College Now Art of the Theater class has helped her become more open to new ideas and experiences.
Jania Sanders is a 16 year old, rising junior from the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. She wanted to take this course because she loves the art of theatre and expressing herself through performing onstage, which allows her to step out of her comfort zone. She’s interested in learning about the history of theatre. In the past, she has been in many plays with different professional acting programs and has written her own monologue, plays and helped develop a short film with other actors. Besides theatre, she is a music major in her school, and plays several instruments. Jania has always been on the honor roll and participated in the National Honor Society in her school. She hopes to share her talent and love for the arts with many people and become successful at following her dreams.
Emmanuel Tawiah is a senior at Bronx Early College Academy. He loves to play basketball, and plays on his school’s basketball team. His friends call him Eman or ET. His favorite color is blue and his favorite food is pizza. Eman is a kind and funny guy. He goes to church every Sunday, takes care of his grandma, and feeds her dog. He chose theater to bring out his inner character and show everyone a different side of him. He hopes to stand out and/or communicate better to people and himself.
Chloe Wilson is a rising senior who attends New Visions Charter High School for Humanities in the Bronx. Originally from Brooklyn, she loves theater and has taken the College Now theatre class to deepen her experience in the theater arts, and develop her own skills. She wants to pursue a career in theater, as an actress for film and TV. Although she seems like a theater buff, she is a strong academic student as well. She believes it’s more than just being creative and having a voice, it’s being someone you are not, to create a spark in someone else. Chloe hopes to gain more experience from the College Now Theatre program that will help her pursue her dreams as an actress.
