Acting Bios
Acting Bios
Caroline Festa
Caroline Festa is originally from Long Island and is a NYC based actor and creator. She attended Syracuse University where she received her BFA in Acting.
Since graduation in 2018, Caroline has been fortunate to work on some exciting projects, ranging from Shakespeare, to new play development to some short film work!
She is excited to bring her knowledge from the audition world and from her training into the studio!
Jerome Vivona
Artistic Director: Jerome Vivona began his training on Long Island as a ballet dancer eventually landing in Ali Pourfarrokh's class in Port Washington. Shortly afterwards he was accepted on Scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and made his debut with the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group. During that time Jerome was highly sought after for his portrayal of the Blue Bird in the pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty. He was then cast as the Nutcracker Prince in the New Jersey Ballet's holiday production under the direction of Carolyn Clark and Edward Villella. As a Soloist with the NJB he had the privilege of working with Agnes DeMille on "Rodeo", was cast as the lead in Robert North's "Let's Go South" and danced in Antony Tudor's "Jardin aux Lilas" among others. Jerome would then travel to Edmonton, Canada to join the Alberta Ballet under the direction of Ali Pourfarrokh. While there he featured in both new works and classic ballets such as: "Games", "Tango", "Coppelia" and the Nutcracker. He moved next to California to dance with the Oakland Ballet under the direction of Ronn Guidi. Jerome was featured in many new and contemporary ballets including the world premieres of "Gypsies" and the reproduction of the Nijinsky ballet "Le Train Bleu" featured in Dance Magazine. He returned to the NJB and began auditioning for Musical Theater. His first role was that of Paul in A Chorus Line at the Bucks County Playhouse, which led to him being cast in the National Tour of Jerome Robbins' Broadway where the legendary Jerome Robbins himself rehearsed him. Jerome then joined the Paris Company of West Side Story. Returning home, Jerome toured the US and Japan in Guys and Dolls Directed by Jerry Zaks and Choreographed by the late Chris Chadman, starring Lorna Luft. Jerome made his Broadway debut in the same show starring Nathan Lane. Soon after, Jerome opened on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying Directed by Des McAnuff and Choreographed by Wayne Cilento, starring Matthew Broderick, Megan Mullally, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Stamos. As Dance Captain, he took the show on the road with Ralph Macchio. Jerome assisted Wayne Cilento on his next Broadway project Dream, a Johnny Mercer Musical starring Leslie Ann Warren. Jerome went on to feature in the original Broadway casts of Seussical, the Musical Directed by Oscar Winner Rob Marshall and Choreographed by Tony Winner Kathleen Marshall, and then Kiss Me,Kate Directed by Tony Winner's Michael Blakemore and Kathleen Marshall. Jerome was then featured in the Kander and Ebb musical Curtains, directed by Tony Winner Scott Ellis and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Rob Ashford, and starring the Emmy and Tony Award Winner David Hyde Pierce.
During that time, Jerome went on to become an award winning Director/Choreographer staging such shows as: How to Succeed…, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity, Footloose and The Producers. While also writing/directing and choreographing the original shows An American Canteen in Paris and Spotlight Broadway for the James L. Nederlander Organization and Celebrity Cruise Lines, respectively.
OLIVIA REED (ATDW Studio Theater Program Director)
Olivia Reed (B.M. Musical Theatre, The Catholic University of America) is enthusiastic about joining the American Theater Dance Workshop faculty this year. An alumni of ATDW, Olivia has developed a successful career as a professional actor, teaching artist, and educator in the DMV and New York areas. Olivia has a strong background in dance, training in Ballet, Pointe, Theatre Dance, Tap, Musical Theatre, Modern, and Jazz. While earning her degree she focused seriously on Ballet, Tap, Theatre Dance, and Jazz. Vocally, Olivia is a classically trained Soprano, and while attending CUA studied with Doug Bowles who helped transform and blossom her voice to be versatile in the world of theatre.
Upon graduation from CUA, Olivia joined the National Tour of "Mamma Mia!” and then immediately went on to work in Equity houses regionally. Theater has allowed Olivia the opportunity to live and perform internationally in Seoul, South Korea while doing “Dreamgirls”, and music has allowed her the opportunity to travel Western Europe with an honors chorus. Her journey as an actor continues to be fruitful, working with Broadway choreographers, directors, and cast-mates. In addition to work on the stage, Olivia has a growing on camera career in commercial print. Some of her favorite credits and show photos can be found on her website at www.oliviaashleyreed.com and IG @livreed26.
Olivia continues to work professionally in theater while cultivating a career as a higher education lecturer of dance. Before joining ATDW, Olivia was on faulty at Catholic University teaching Tap and Theater Dance. One of the beauties of being a teaching artist is that Olivia can bring what she is learning and experiencing in real-time to her students. That way, the perspective is always fresh and the information accurate for what the business is currently seeking. More than anything, Olivia is passionate about helping students cultivate strong technical skills so that no matter what field they may find themselves in, they can instantly recall the discipline that it takes to master new skills. The theater industry is multi-faceted, and Olivia believes her students should be as well. It brings her joy to share the beauty of the arts with her students and create with them every day.