Jeff Celentano was born and raised in Pemberton, New Jersey, a small rural town with maple trees and its own Main Street. Jeff began his career as an actor while living on the East Coast. The actor-turned-writer/director has effectively combined comedy and drama with his personalized style.

At 21, the New Jersey native left the Garden State for New York, where he studied acting with legendary coach Stella Adler and later became a long-time student of Sanford Meisner’s at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Today, he is an award-winning director and one of the most sought-after instructors in Hollywood.

Jeff is a talented and award-winning director. He directed actors in his films, such as Diane Lane, William Petersen, Michael Wincott, Stephen Baldwin, Chris Penn, Michael York, Rade Serbedzija, Steven Brand, Tom Berenger, Armand Assante, Faye Dunaway, and rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes.

His most recent project that is currently in theaters includes “The Hill” starring Dennis Quaid, Colin Ford, Joelle Carter, and country music singer Randy Houser, as well as the psychological thriller “Black Water Lane” featuring Dermot Mulroney, Minka Kelly & Maggie Grace.

Jeff’s films have played in theaters coast to coast in the USA and internationally and have been aired by Showtime, The Sundance Channel, and HBO. Jeff has since worked as an actor in more than 22 films, including legendary director Robert Altman on “The Player.”

His workshops in Scene Study, Cold Reading, and Script Writing are all-time favorites, and often have waiting lists to attend. He has created a fantastic Adult Master Class program for those talented individuals who want to push their acting skills to the extreme.

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A native South African, Musetta’s no stranger to the entertainment world. She debuted on stage at the age of 4. As the daughter of a ballet teacher, her childhood was filled with numerous stage and dance performances, and after school, she qualified as a ballet teacher herself. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and Psychology and soon landed the plum job of anchor host for an MTV-like television show in South Africa.

Shortly after arriving in the USA, she became part of the world she used to host, appearing as the 'dream girl' in more than twenty music videos for top recording artists, including Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Chris Isaak. But her critically acclaimed stage performance in the original South African play Soweto's Burning provided her transition to the big screen.

Her first notable role was as Zander Tyler in the action-adventure TV series Super Force. In 1997, Musetta portrayed Sindel in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, the sequel to the original video game adaption Mortal Kombat.

Musetta has also done multiple national commercials for Lancôme, Sanyo, McDonald’s, Diet Coke, Mercedes, Heineken, Skittles, Yoplait, Amazon Echo, DSW, and many others. She also played Agent 24-7 for Prudential Real Estate.

She can be seen in over 40 feature films, including Kicking & Screaming with Will Ferrell, Gunshy with Diane Lane, O Brother, Where Art Thou with George Clooney and John Turturro, Wild Wild West with Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh and Will Smith, The Cell with Jennifer Lopez, and Breaking Point (opposite Academy Award nominee Tom Berringer & Armand Assante.)

Her television credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek: Voyager, Xena: Warrior Princess, Frasier, The Bold and the Beautiful, NCIS, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and Hawaii Five-0, and she can be seen in music videos for Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Tina Turner.

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As an actor, Brent has the recurring role of Smitty on the hit ABC television shows The Rookie and The Rookie: Feds. This is the fifth season Brent has appeared on The Rookie. Brent’s much-anticipated documentary, It’s a Rockabilly World, was released by Virgil Films in the fall of 2016. It’s a Rockabilly World became the #3 music documentary on iTunes shortly after its release. The film explores the fascinating subculture of Rockabillies. Rockabilly is a global phenomenon that embraces some of the most colorful characters you’ll ever see and the finest music.

In 2014, Brent met incredible success with Chasing Beauty, the hard-hitting documentary film that reveals the dark side of the modeling industry. After the film premiered on Logo TV, Chasing Beauty became the #1 documentary and #1 independent film on iTunes. Chasing Beauty also enjoyed a successful run on Netflix. BuzzFeed named Chasing Beauty one of the top ten fashion documentaries ever made.

In 2013, Brent’s award-winning documentary Behind the Orange Curtain was picked up for distribution by Filmbuff and enjoyed numerous successful screenings across the country. Behind the Orange Curtain illuminates the opioid epidemic that is killing many today.

Brent co-wrote and directed the inspirational film Welcome to Paradise, released in 2007. Welcome to Paradise has enjoyed massive success in the faith-based market. The film stars Brian Dennehy, Crystal Bernard, and Jim O’Heir. The Dove Foundation gave the film its highest rating and said, “This fantastic story is all about love, faith, endurance, and forgiveness.”

In 2003, Brent directed 100 Mile Rule, a dark comedy that stars the talented Maria Bello, Jake Weber, and Michael McKean. 100 Mile Rule won Best Picture at the Stony Brook Film Festival and was the closing night film at the prestigious Cinequest Film Festival.

Brent is adept at directing all types of genres. Actors are comfortable working with Brent because of his experience as an actor and someone who speaks their language. Brent began his acting career at 18 and has starred in over 50 films. Brent attended the University of Missouri as a theatre major. Brent believes storytelling and getting performances from actors are the heart of what a director does.

As an actor, Brent is frequently cast as a character with authoritative menace but is also known for his flair for comedy.

Paris Arrowsmith is a classically trained actor, teacher, and graduate (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) from London, England, and is a BBC Nominated Voice Over artist. Known for Hanna, Philomena, Nice 2 Meet U, and The Last Ship, Multiple commercials, and Voiceover spots since landing in LA in early 2014.

During his 3 years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Paris studied with some of the world’s most prolific and talented acting teachers (John Bezzcitza, Dee Cannon, Nick Barter, Helen Strange…), working on Classics, Poetry, Dance, Modern Text, Voice, Movement, Singing, and advanced skills acting techniques. Paris has taught voice-over and acting for over ten years with students worldwide, online via Zoom, in person, and on location.

He is currently teaching Meisner technique classes, character development, and voice. His Shakespeare workshops are filled with young actors who admire the works of William Shakespeare. Many Orange County School of the Arts students attend his workshops regularly. Paris is passionate about storytelling, creates monthly radio plays and performance projects, directs all over California, and has been rubbing shoulders with industry professionals since childhood. Not only will students gain acting skills in Paris’ classes, but they also will get the social skills needed to grow as a performer as well. Paris is dedicated to helping grow creative minds; take a class with him and grow your skills off his years of experience.

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Barbara Wyner is our accomplished Talent Coordinator with an extensive background in the acting industry. Her impressive career includes performances in Off-Broadway plays and directing equity musicals in New York City.

Currently a credentialed Theater Arts teacher at a charter school in Orange County, she passionately produces and directs Shakespearean plays and two musicals each year, inspiring young actors to embrace the stage.

As a proud Casting Society of America member, Barbara has lent her expertise to casting films in Los Angeles. She is also the founder and director of the Millis Community Theater, where she has directed and produced various plays that resonate with local audiences. In addition to her directing work, Barbara was the assistant director at The Boston Conservatory of Music and was honored to dance as a backup with the renowned Alvin Ailey Theater in New York.

She is also a credentialed Martha Graham dance teacher, bringing her deep knowledge of movement and performance to aspiring dancers.

At The Performer's Academy, Barbara teaches The Kids Dynamic Acting Class, conducts master classes for the SPiN competition, and serves as the director for our Actor’s Forum. She shares her invaluable experience and passion for the arts with the next generation of performers.

Johnny Timko started his career in the entertainment industry when he was 3.5 years old. His mother, famed talent manager Coretha Timko, had him cast in a baby commercial.

Johnny is known for being on Little House on The Prairie (1977), Battlestar Galactica (1978), The Love Boat (1979), and Hot Moves (1984), and director John Hughes wrote a part for him in the cult favorite Weird Science (1985). Johnny teaches intro to acting classes, scene study, cold reading, and on-camera commercial workshops.

His classes are extremely popular and a starting point for every actor who wants to work in the business. His energy and dedication make a class fun and a great resume builder. Johnny also is a set coach for significant networks, running lines and coaching actors before they shoot their scenes for television.

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Harper O’Loughlin is an actress, singer, and dancer from Orange County, California. She is a Theatre Arts major at Saddleback College and has been doing theatre since a young age. She has experience blocking, choreographing, and stage managing many theatrical productions and designing hair, makeup, and costumes.

Studying under-seasoned actors and dancers from Broadway and Film, she has learned different acting and dance styles, including tap, jazz, and ballet.

Harper has been our Musical Theater Director and Camp Director since the 2021 season. In her free time, Harper plays Columbia in a shadow cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show and is part of a roller derby team.

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Abigail Cox started her career here at The Performer's Academy. After signing with her talent manager and agent, Abigail worked in Hollywood before returning to continue her education as a BFA in Acting at the nationally recognized program at California State University, Fullerton.

Abigail is most known for the short VR film "Anne," which was reviewed by publications such as Entertainment Weekly, TMZ, Hollywood Reporter, and more. She has also appeared in TV shows like Henry Danger and national commercials such as Ensure. On stage, she has performed in musicals and plays such as The Rocky Horror Show and will appear in several upcoming Orange County productions.

She became our Musical Theater and Camp Director in 2022 after assisting with the camps in 2019. When not acting or teaching, Abigail is also a classically trained musician who has played the flute for over a decade.

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Samantha Mirabal is  a Triple Threat Performer, originally from Tampa, Florida. Her performing arts career started with Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy. Where she quickly reached a competitive level at the age of 7 when she joined the Universal Movement Dance Company. She Added acting and singing training at the age of 10 and joined Tampa Bay Triple Threat Theater.

While in her studies at Mary Jo's she trained with some of the top industry professionals such as Marinda Davis, Zachary Heller, Susan Quinn, Al Blackstone, Dee Caspary, and many more. She won several awards such as "Future Star Award" (Starpower National Talent Competition), "1st Place and Top Score Overall" (Battle of the Stars), "Stand Out Scholarship in Musical Theater" ( given by Al Blackstone at Nuvo).

After completing her training in Florida she continued training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York where she received a Talent and Academic Scholarship. She trained with Ray Virta, Jason Chaet, Roxana Stewart, Kristi Kelly, Rockford Sansom, Daniel Singer, Dan Daily, Sheila Head, and many more. She graduated from the Acting program in 2017.

She started working as a Performer out of her pure love of the arts. Since then, she has been making appearances on both the stage and screen, including as a Former company member of the Vanessa Long2Dance Company, a Featured actor/dancer in The New York Renaissance Faire, and a cast member of Eight is Never Enough Improv Comedy group. Today, she continues educating the youth in performing arts while pursuing her own career.

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Taylor Wooten is currently a member of the Actors Equity Association and received her BA in Theatre (Performance Emphasis) from SDSU. When not at PA, she works in Entertainment at Disney and believes vocal coaching is necessary for a career in the arts and something that should be fun.

Her background is in theme park entertainment (8 years at LEGOLAND CA & Seaworld San Diego) and musical theatre. She has been performing professionally onstage for the past 16 years. Her favorite roles include Belle in the tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Amalia in She Loves Me.

Other lead roles include Cosette in Les Miserables, Maggie Winslow in A Chorus Line, and Luisa in The Fantasticks! She hopes to bring empathy, education, and enthusiasm to every student she works with.

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Alecs Vildosola began his involvement in the entertainment industry very early on, doing his first commercial at age 3 for a McDonald’s Spanish commercial. He went on to do 12 more. He’s come a long way since those days, and his background education, combined with his many years of working in the entertainment field, has given him a wealth of experience and knowledge to give his clients a severe approach to being competitive.

Bilingual in both English and Spanish, he went on to appear in the Spanish kid’s variety-educational show, “Via Alegre.” He was in the original first pilot casting of “Married with Children,’ and is a recognized national speech forensic winner, giving presentations with national companies.

With an extensive theatrical background, he has done speech coaching at Long Beach City and Cerritos College, where he led his teams into a National Champion win, beating out bigger recognized teams like Brown University.

Most recently, you may have heard his voice (without even realizing it) on national commercials like Best Buy and several pharmaceutical companies. His series of talks, “Loud Conversations for Small Ears,” with significant companies encompasses his comedic skills with eye-opening leadership development.

Shea Buchanan has been a passionate and dedicated choreographer at Laguna Hills High School for the past four years, where she has made a significant impact on the performing arts program. Throughout her tenure, she has collaborated with students and faculty to develop a vibrant theatrical environment that fosters creativity and self-expression.

Most recently, Shea took on the challenging role of directing and choreographing the engaging musical The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, a project that showcased her ability to blend innovative choreography with a compelling narrative, leaving a lasting impression on both the cast and the audience.

In addition to her hands-on experience in the theater, Shea holds an Associate of Arts degree in Theater Arts and Behavioral Sciences, equipping her with a solid foundation in performance and an understanding of the psychological elements that contribute to effective storytelling. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Education, where she strives to refine her skills and deepen her knowledge of the field.

Beyond her work as a choreographer, Shea is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for her students, encouraging them to explore their potential and find their unique voices in the world of theater.

Her expertise, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire her students and elevate the quality of productions at Laguna Hills High School, making her an invaluable member of the artistic community.

*CPS Permit Pending Approval