May's Featured Artists
JESS ADAMS (Masks/Devised Work & previously your faithful salon mixologist) is a theatre
artisan and performer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a graduate of The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received the David A.
Hammond award for Excellence in Dramatic Art. She has also studied mask,
physical, and ensemble-based theatre disciplines with SITI Company, Dell'Arte
International, Teatro Punto at the Lecoq-Lees Studios, and Double Edge Theatre
Company. Since moving to New York, she has worked primarily on ensemble-devised
projects and experimental theatre with various groups, including the Wandering
Fools Ensemble, of which she is a founding member. Recent favorite projects
include WAKE (devised with Columbia Stages), The Caucasian Chalk Circle
(Wandering Fools/Shanghai Experimental Theatre Festival), and Bubbles with Hope
(DUMBO Arts Festival).
PJ ADZIMA (Actor) is currently working towards his BFA in Acting with a minor in Musical Theater at Marymount Manhattan College. New York:Last Kiss, Bespoke Musicals (York Theatre). Regional Credits: The Wizard of Oz, Annie, The Sound of Music & Snow White (Surflight Theatre), the titular role in Hamlet (Hampshire Shakespeare Company). University: Far Away, Trifles, Discredited, and a member of both the Nutz & Boltz Improv Troupe and Comedy Schmomedy Sketch Comedy.
BEN BOECKER (Composer/Lyricist) is a musical director, baritone, and composer/lyricist in
NYC and on Long Island. He is a
second-year member of the BMI Musical Theater Writing Workshop, and his
original musical, Spellbound! was just debuted at the Underground Lounge in
April. As a singer, Ben has performed on
Broadway in the chorus of the Irish Repertory's gala benefit of Camelot, and off-Broadway as a soloist in the world premiere of
Philip Springer's Trunk Songs. A student of voice for the past nine years, Ben's teachers include Ron
Meixsell, Jeanette LoVetri, Nicole House, and Matt Shepherd Smith.
MIA CANDY (Photographer) is a South African
photographer and writer interested in the relationship between education and
creativity. She has over 6 years' experience in creative leadership training,
often focusing on how kids can use art, writing and photography to express
their ideas. Most recently she has been exploring film photography as a medium,
and in doing so has come face to face with the question of whether some art is
just ‘bad’. Mia has a BA in English Literature from the University of Cape
Town, and in the fall of 2014 she will begin her Masters in City and Regional
Planning at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She hopes to design
public spaces that will encourage people of all ages to create, and to play.
AUSTIN COATS (Choreographer) is a BFA Commercial Dance Major at Pace University. He has been dancing since his freshman year in high school, and has worked with choreographers and teachers such as Scott Jovovich, Chloe Arnold, Susan Misner, Cherice Barton, Paul Sutherland, and Jessica Hendricks. His most recent performance was in Pace University’s annual Dance Concert, Dance Out Loud, this spring in a piece set by Andy Blankenbuehler and an aerial piece by Joshua Dean, among others. Originally from North Carolina, he choreographed and performed for the theatre group, The Talent Company, of which he is a founding member.
JORDI COATS (Producer) has found herself filling many roles in the New York theatre community. Previously, she has worked with Binder Casting, Tara Rubin Casting, and Telsey + Company casting, as well as produced and directed several pieces in the area. Most recently, she assistant produced and assistant directed the award winning production of "Volleygirls" at this years New York Musical Theatre Festival (Best of Fest). She is a graduate of the Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in NC, she founded The Talent Company, a theatre company for middle and high school students in the Uwharrie region that is currently in its 7th season. Jabali.
MATTHEW RAY ELLIOTT (Actor) is proud to be participating in his second Le Salon BKLYN. He was recently involved in Thespian Production's "Theatre Madness - Take Two” where he performed Nick Probst’s “Transparency”. This summer he is happy to announce that he will be performing as Orlando in As You Like It and Yasha in The Cherry Orchard at The Red House in Syracuse. He will return there in the fall as Leaf Coneybear in Spelling Bee. “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength.” - Corrie Ten Boom
ASHLEY GUNSTEENS (Producer) is a Brooklyn-based actor and director with a penchant for movement and ensemble-based work. Her favorite projects include recent work on What Every Girl Should Know ("Best Ensemble" NY Fringe Festival 2013), Volleygirls The Musical (“Best of Fest” NYMF 2013), All My Children, Julius Caesar, and How I Learned to Drive. She is also the creator of the NYC fashion & lifestyle blog, SOUTHbySOHO, which you can read HERE. www.ashleygunsteens.com
JEN JOHNSON (Actor) can be seen in guest appearances, promos, v/o, animated, commercial, featured vocals on: CBS, NBC, Fox, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and MSNBC. Also, Carolines, Gotham, Don't Tell Momma, Foxwoods, Manhattan Center and LA's Studio C: "Chicks w/ Shticks" (hosts Mario Cantone, Judy Gold) Rob Bartlett comedy tour (Bartlett) and her one woman show "My Life's Path!! ...what is it?" Recent Short Films: Blind Leading the Blind , Customer #935, The Favor, Member of Obie Winning NYS Theater Caravan (acclaimed European fest. winners). www.jennifercjohnson.net, J.H.A. Mangement.
SCOTT VICARI (Actor) is an actor, writer, and improviser currently residing in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studied at the Gaiety School of Acting, the National Theater School of Ireland, and is currently honing his improv stills at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Some of Scott's favorite past roles include Peck in How I Learned to Drive, Macduff in Macbeth, and Haemon in Burial at Thebes. Scott is currently preparing to play Leandre in a production of Scapin at Theatre Row running from 5/28 - 6/8. www.scottvicari.com
