Staff

 

Directors

Deb Gottesman
Deb Gottesman is a professional actor who has appeared frequently at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, where she starred in the world premiere of Wonder of the World. She has also performed at Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Source Theatre, Theater Alliance, and with the Washington Shakespeare Company, among others. She received her M.F.A. in Acting from Catholic University and has taught theatre in a variety of settings, including Woolly Mammoth and American University. Along with Buzz Mauro she is the founder of Center Stage Communications, a unique consulting firm specializing in the application of acting techniques to the business world. Together they are the authors of three books on applied acting: The Interview Rehearsal Book, Taking Center Stage, and The Best Answer, all published by Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Putnam.

Buzz Mauro
Buzz Mauro is a Helen Hayes Award nominee who has performed extensively with Signature Theatre as well as at Ford's Theatre, Studio Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, the Potomac Theatre Project, and with the Washington Shakespeare Company. He received his B.A. from Yale University and has an M.F.A. in Acting from Catholic University. Along with Deb Gottesman he is the founder of Center Stage Communications, a unique consulting firm specializing in the application of acting techniques to the business world. Together they are the authors of three books on applied acting: The Interview Rehearsal Book, Taking Center Stage, and The Best Answer, all published by Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Putnam.

 

Associate Director

Jane Coyne
Jane Coyne's multi-faceted career background includes vocal performance, arts administration and senior level business. She enjoys singing jazz standards and musical theatre repertoire. She has performed extensively throughout the U.S. with various orchestras and big bands, including the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Having also served as a senior executive and officer in the international corporate world, Jane had opportunities to acquire valuable marketing, public relations, development, educational outreach and general management skills, which she has chosen to put to use in the arts. Prior to joining The Theatre Lab, Jane served in various senior level capacities with National Philharmonic, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, The Cedar Rapids Symphony, and her ongoing passion, Musicians For The World. As Associate Director of The Theatre Lab, Jane's efforts are focused on public relations, marketing, educational outreach and development functions.

 

Program Administrator

Amal Saade
Amal Saade is a graduate of the 2007 Theatre Lab Honors Conservatory Program. She has recently performed with The Olney Theatre Center, The Kennedy Center's University Playwrights' Workshop, The Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, and in staged readings at The Washington Shakespeare Theatre, The New Playwrights' Forum, and with The Theatre Lab at Theater J.  She received a B.A. in Dramatic Arts and Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and attended the British American Drama Academy.  Amal also worked as an assistant director in the 2007 Summer Acting Camp for Kids.

Interim Financial Manager

Erin Kaufman
Erin Kaufman has taught in the Summer Acting Camp for Kids since 2005. She has recently performed with The Theatre Lab at Theatre J in The Holocaust Project, VSA Arts at The Kennedy Center, The Capital Fringe Festival at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Madcap Players, Landless Theatre Company, and at The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. Erin is a graduate of American University's Department of Performing Arts where she received a B.A. in Theatre Performance. She also attended the British American Drama Academy in 2004.