ENCORE E.T.C.

    Shana Dirik

Shana has been performing with community theater groups north and west of Boston for the last 25 years, piling up accolades and an impressive resume of roles. Named the 2009 Best Actress in a Musical, Small Company, by the Independent Reviewers of New England for her performance as Mrs. Lovett in the Cambridge-based Metro Stage Company’s production of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd’’, this Equity Actor has been cited for her critically acclaimed performances as Charlotte in Metro’s “A Little Night Music’’ and as Aunt Bessie in December’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,’’ a co-production of the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and Boston Children’s Theatre, earning praise in that show from Globe critic Don Aucoin for both comic timing and vocal skills. Early this year she played Mama Maddalena in “Nine” at Boston company Speakeasy Stage Company.   Shana was just nominated for her second IRNE for Best Supporting Actor in a Small Company Boston for her role as Charlotte in "A Little Night Music".  Award ceremony is April 24th---congratulations and best of luck Shana! She lives in Acton with her husband and two children.

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OUR INSTRUCTORS for other ETC workshops

   
Lisa Marcus Jones  

Lisa Marcus Jones has been a professional musician for 25 years. After graduating from Yale University, Lisa lived and performed in Spain for four years. Upon returning to the Boston area, she studied Piano and Arranging at Berklee College of Music, where she earned the John Dankworth Award for arranging.  As a pianist and singer, Lisa has worked with jazz, flamenco, latin and musical theater groups, most notably “Flor de Caña and “Boston Jazz Voices”. Favorite previous shows include “Godspell”, “Odysseus, The Man and His Music” and “The Me Nobody Knows”. Lisa is currently Cantorial Soloist at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough.


Laryssa Doohovskoy

An accomplished soloist, Laryssa Doohovskoy has performed numerous recitals both in the United States and Abroad.  She has performed in several operas and operettas.  In 2003, Laryssa performed as the alto soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria with the choir of the Church by the Sea in Bal Harbour, FL, a performance broadcast worldwide on Direct TV.  She has also performed chamber works on several occasions with members of the New World Symphony. 

A long time resident of the Northeast, she earned her undergraduate degree from New England Conservatory (BM, Vocal Performance).  She continued her studies in South Florida earning a graduate degree from the University of Miami (MM, Vocal Performance).  While at UM Laryssa was awarded a Teaching Assistantship and the Provost Scholarship for study in Salzburg, Austria.

Currently Laryssa is an active freelance musician and runs a thriving private voice studio in Acton.  She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

 
 
Chuckle Sandwich
David Nicholson, Matt Linden, Mitchell Ward,
Paul Bierwagon, Phillip Oxnard and Sky Alverez   

Chuckle Sandwich is Acton Boxborough’s newest and funniest Improv troupe. Founded in 2009, they perform at events for Proscenium Circus, AB Chorus events and other local events. 2010-2011 members are David Nicholson, Matt Linden, Mitchell Ward, Paul Bierwagon, Sky Alverez and Phillip Oxnard.  We are pleased to have several members of their troupe share their games and techniques!

  


Shayna Garlisi
 
A well known and respected Choreographer, Shayna most recently choreographed Annie, Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin and Frog and Toad. Prior, she has choreographed a variety of shows for several local organizations including Footloose, Cats, Aristocats Kids, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, Grease and Bye, Bye Birdie.  A 2003 graduate of Elmira College, Shayna received her degree in education with a minor in dance.  While at Elmira, she served as Danceline’s Vice President and was a choreographer for a local dance studio, receiving recognition for her competition choreography as well as a hip hop scholarship.  Shayna is currently the Assistant Director at West Concord Dance Academy where she has been both an instructor and a student for 20 years.  She is an active member of The Dance Teachers Club of Boston.  Shayna is a Special Education instructor in the Weston Public schools and working towards her Masters Degree in Education.


 
Gina Flaherty

Gina is a Certified Zumba Dance and Fitness Instructor as well as teacher and choreographer.  Gina began her formal training in 1975 and has since taught classes in many styles of dance including hip hop, salsa, lyrical, and ballet.  In recent years, she has enjoyed lending her talents to local musical theatre groups while choreographing shows such as 13 The Musical, Into the Woods, Aladdin, Leader of the Pack, Footloose, and Cats.  Gina enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance and fitness.


Jimmy Tran "Mr. Jimmy"

Mr. Tran trained on the professional level in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom, and Modern Dance. He’s performed at various events and camps, with workshop sessions throughout the Greater Boston area. As a former member of Boston University's "VIBES" Hip-hop & Reggae dance group and the BU Ballroom dance team, Mr. Tran's wide variety of dance is displayed in his own stylistic expression which encompasses his well-rounded training.  Mr. Tran is currently an instructor at West Concord Dance Acadamy.


Lynda Burgess

Founder and Managing Director of The Acton Cooperative Theatre (The ACT).  Originally from New York, Lynda studied Music, Communications , Audio Engineering and Dance while working at one of NYC’s top radio stations.  Since moving to Massachusetts, she has performed with several local theater companies, Produced and Directed for local theatre organizations, and worked with Emerson Hospital and Partners Healthcare.