RESIDENT ARTISTS
LR Savage
LR Savage’s writing frequently contemplates family dynamic, behaviors around loss, and themes of avoidance and secrecy. Savage has written three plays and two feature screenplays. Her screenplay OFF BROADWAY was a finalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s 16th annual American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest. Her most recent works include the limited podcast THE RAT KING, produced by The Shrill Collective, and two theatrical plays BLUE GUM, BROOKLYN and SILENT TREATMENT, which were each presented as part of Writer’s Block and MCS’ New Works Series (2023 and 2024 respectively.) A longtime friend of MCS, Savage takes special joy in crafting worlds to be realized by the studio’s roster of talented artists. Her writing orbits around two simple ideas: people are interesting, and life is beautiful. She writes from Brooklyn, New York.
Movement Coach
Tessa Faye
Tessa Faye is the founder of Tessa Faye Talent, a Career Consulting business for those pursuing creative endeavors professionally. She keeps a bi-coastal roster of 200+ actors, coaching privately via Skype, and jumps behind the table from time to time as a Casting Associate, Creative Consultant, and Producer. She has cast for both voiceover and stage, with accounts ranging from small animation projects to large scale Shakespearean productions. Tessa is the resident stylist for Aaron Lenhart Photography and an on-set coach for StavisFilm. She sits on the producing teams of ABNORMAL (world premiere, Theatre Row), TALENTED PEOPLE DOING THINGS (Green Room 42), BEEOTCH (new media series, 2019 release), TALK TO ME (world premiere, TheaterLab), SCRIBBLE ITCH (NYC workshop), THAT ONE NIGHT IN RIVERSIDE (NYC reading), and THE PORTRAIT OF MRS. HOPPER (NYC reading) - and is the lead producer on an upcoming experimental revival of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. As a performer, she has appeared regionally at Goodspeed Opera, Arkansas Rep, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Weathervane, Gretna Theatre, St. Michael's Theatre, Seven Angels, and Pittsburgh CLO, but her two daughters prefer watching her in syndication on THE ELECTRIC COMPANY and listening to her voice on POKÉMON (on their iPads.) She is a member of Actors Equity, a client of The Krasny Office, and a graduate of the University of Michigan's Musical Theatre Program.Tessa is a published author (COCO COUNTS HER COUSINS, illustrated by MCS' Chelsey Hill), and a guest teacher at Kent State University's Porthouse Theatre Academy. As a student of Matt's for 7 years, she credits MCS as the place she truly honed her craft and looks to help current students move that beautiful work they do within these walls, into the audition room. Consultations include guidance on headshot, resume, website, reel, social media, branding, audition material selection, self taping, and agent/manager meetings, as well as contract negotiation and assistance with Backstage, Actors Access and other online platforms designed to up your opportunities as an actor.
TessaFayetalent@gmail.com tessafayetalent.com
Career Coaching
James T. Lane
From Philadelphia. West End: The Scottsboro Boys, A Chorus Line - Revival (Palladium Theatre). Broadway: Chicago (Billy Flynn), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul), King Kong the Musical, The Scottsboro Boys (Ozie Powell/Ruby Bates), Chicago and A Chorus Line (Richie Walters). National Tours: Jersey Boys, Cinderella, Fame the Musical. Regional Theatre: Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely) Virginia Stage Company, Mary Poppins (Bert) Drury Lane Theatre, The Wiz (Tin Man), Broadway at Music Circus, The Old Globe, The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) The Muny, A.C.T and Dallas Theatre Center. Encores/Off Center: Promenade, Grand Hotel, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope Concerts: Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, Ottawa Symphony and many more. James is the creator of a one man show entitled “Triple Threat” that just played an Off Broadway run to great acclaim at Theatre Row in New York City. Look for streaming information, booking, as well as future performance dates at www.jamestlane.com. Mr. Lane teaches music theatre dance when and wherever anyone will let him!
Instagram: @jamestlane www.jamestlane.com
Movement Coach
Randy Graff
Randy Graff won the Tony and Drama Desk Award for her performance in “City of Angels.” Her other Broadway credits include: “Mr. Saturday Night,” opposite Billy Crystal, “Fiddler On The Roof” (2004 revival/Drama League Nomination) opposite Alfred Molina, “A Class Act” (Tony, Drama Desk Nominations), “Moon Over Buffalo” with Carol Burnett, Neil Simon’s “Laughter On The 23rd Floor” with Nathan Lane, “High Society,” “Falsettos,” and the original Fantine in “Les Misérables.” She won the Lucille Lortel Award for her work in Richard Greenberg’s “The Babylon Line” for LCT and was a Drama League Nominee for Paula Vogel’s ‘The Long Christmas Ride Home,” at the Vineyard Theatre. Randy has served on the musical theatre faculties at NYU and Manhattan School of Music. She is trained in Meisner technique and uses it in the root of her teaching “Acting Through Song.”
ramdallah@aol.com
Musical Theatre Teacher
Theatre 68 is a bi-coastal theatre company dedicated to nurturing actors, writers, directors and producers in the realization of their creative and professional identity. The theatre company is committed to facilitating positive social change through artistic excellence and professional transformation.
Founded in Los Angeles on February 14, 2001, the New York City chapter of Theatre 68 was founded on August 29, 2011 and was based at Tony Award Honored Drama Book Shop Inc for over 8 years.
For the first time since the closing of the original Drama Book Shop, Theatre 68’s NY chapter has found another permanent residence to call home. We are proud to announce that our Founder and Artistic Director, Ronnie Marmo, has joined forces with Acting Coach and Author, Matthew Corozine, to present Theatre 68 at MCS Studios!
Located steps away from Penn Station, Theatre 68 now will once again have roots planted in this great city!
Chris Russell
Chris Russell is an actor, filmmaker, and acting coach. Recent TV credits include FBI, Blue Bloods, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The Deuce, and Law and Order: SVU. He has written and directed several series and short films, which have been recognized at numerous prestigious film festivals across the country. Five years ago, he discovered his second passion in coaching actors, and has been consistently teaching a popular on-camera class ever since. Chris is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and collaborative atmosphere in his classroom, pushing actors to elevate their work, as well as develop an understanding of how to navigate the business of film and television.
On Camera Technique
Johanna Tacadena, CSA
Johanna is a casting director and founder of T CREATIVES CASTING which casts nationwide for commercials, print, voice-overs, industrials and independent films. Former co-owner of BreakThrough Casting, Johanna has worked with directors such as Andrew Semans (RESURRECTION), Joel Souza (CROWN VIC), Kevin Phillips (SUPER DARK TIMES), Frank Lotito (GROWING UP SMITH) and Ramaa Mosley (LOST CHILD). With a BA in Dance from the University at Buffalo, Johanna has performed on Broadway and regional theater as well as on-camera in national and regional commercials. Johanna also works on set as make-up artist for commercials, videos and films. With over thirty years in the industry, Johanna loves to advocate and consult with fellow actors by sharing her experiences to help give talent the competitive edge.
johanna@tcreativescasting.com
Casting Director