faculty
JEFF ALAN-LEE (Acting)
has taught and directed young people for over 18 years, both in New York and Los Angeles. He was Andrew McCarthy's co-star in Warner's feature, The Beniker Gang, featured in Whispers In The Dark, co-starred with Andrea McArdle in the Broadway tour of Snoopy and in Huck Finn (directed by Broadway legend Joshua Logan). Television includes guest-star roles on As The World Turns, The Street (Universal TV), Could it Be a Miracle and many others. Other leading roles in professional regional theatres include: Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Lion In Winter, Orphans King Lear, and Losing It (Directed by Home Improvement's Andy Cadiff), and most recently critical acclaim for the lead role in The Zoo Story with Mark Taper Foundation and Deaf West. Jeff has a BFA from New York University and has taught and directed at private schools, public schools, youth shelters as well as teaching and directing children and teens at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institutes in New York and Los Angeles. Some of his students include Shia LaBeouf and Scarlett Johansson among many other great actors.
Megan Zakarian Adell (Acting)
was recently the Director of Educational Development at Nelvana Communications, a leading animation company, where she oversaw the educational content of animated television series airing on PBS, Nick Jr. and the Disney Channel, including The Berenstain Bears and George Shrinks. As a drama teacher, Megan has over 10 years experience with children ranging in age from 3-20. She has taught and directed at Campbell Hall School, Flintridge Preparatory School, Sherman Oaks Elementary, The Gooden School, Creative Kids, and Kids on Stage. She has also produced and taught InterPlay, a summer arts program for under-privileged youth at the prestigious Interact Theatre Company. Megan has a B.F.A in Undergraduate Drama from New York University, and studied for over 4 years at Lee Strasberg Studios in New York and Los Angeles.
Michelle Snyder (Acting)
After studying World Arts and Cultures at U.C.L.A., Michelle went on to study acting at The Lee Strasberg Acting Studio where she became an acting and directing member of Strasberg's "September Company." She has been acting in theatre since the age of seven when she made her debut as Alice in Alice in Wonderland at C.S.U.N. Some of her favorite theatre credits include Angels in America and Golden Boy at Strasberg, Dangerous Liaisons and Orpheus Descending at the Globe Playhouse. She has also assistant directed and acted in several films, some of which are Star Twins opposite Jeff Fehe, Silent Assassin, and Static Sunrise III. Lastly Michelle has danced and acted in countless music videos for musical acts such as Death Cab for Cutie, Junior Senior and I'm a Robot. Michelle has been teaching children and teens for over twelve years. Her experience spans everything from teaching special education pre-school for the public school system to teaching, animation and reading comprehension for various non-profit organizations, to coaching kids, teens and adults for film and stage throughout Los Angeles.
Tory Christopher (Acting For The Camera)
owned his own talent agency for over eight years, specializing in development of on-camera talent for motion pictures, television and commercials. His client list includes past and present recurring characters on 8 Simple Rules, The Gilmore Girls, Joan Of Arcadia, Judging Amy, That's Life, Buffy, The Vampire Slayer; numerous film projects and a myriad of national commercials. He was also an improv and stand up comic at THE LAUGH FACTORY and THE COMEDY STORE. In addition, he has acted on stage, film and television throughout Los Angeles, was a morning talk show host on several radio networks, and is currently producing two new films in his production company. He has degrees from the University of Texas and UCLA's extension programs in writing and directing. He has taught and directed numerous students throughout the Southland for film and television audition coaching.
