Our Program
Theater National Panelists
Theater
Chair / Tina Marie Casamento is a casting associate for NETworks Theatricals. Currently, she is in a development deal with EMI Music Publishing for a Broadway musical. She owns a thriving coaching studio and recording business. She has been presented with the Teacher Recognition Award by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for her work as a musical theater coach.
Tarell Alvin McCraney, 1999 YoungArts Winner in Theater, is the newest ensemble member at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, a member of Teo Castellanos /D Projects in Miami, and is in residence at New Dramatists, New York. His plays have also been staged by Steppenwolf, the American Conservatory Theatre, Seattle Rep, Marin Theater Company, the Magic Theater and the Guthrie Theater. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has directed
the production of Hamlet in the Young People’s Shakespeare season.
Michael McElroy, 1985 YoungArts Winner in Theater, is an actor with numerous Broadway performances and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2004. As a composer, McElroy received a 2005 Grammy nomination. He is the founder and Musical Director of Broadway Inspirational Voices, a gospel choir comprised of Broadway performers and is the head of Vocal Performance in the Department of Drama at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
Jennifer Waldman, 1993 YoungArts Winner in Theater, is a well-regarded director, choreographer, movement coach and actress. She has served as an Associate Director, Assistant Choreographer and Assistant Director for national and international works. She has served as the movement coach for various productions at the Tony Award-winning Ailey Theatre, the Cape Playhouse, The Depot Theatre and the Adirondack Theatre Festival. As an actor, she has appeared on Broadway in the first national tour of Wicked, and as the dance captain for the first national tour of Titanic. She has served as the Associate Executive Director for the National Music Theater Network. Along with her work at the Jen Waldman Studio, she currently serves on the Educational Advisory Board for New Perspective Theatre Company and is the co-founder and Executive Producer of 4good Productions.
