Instructors

Diana di Grandi

Stage Director, Kids on Stage Theater Program

Managing Director of the theatrical company, Up In One Productions, Ms. di Grandi is a veteran producer, director and actor. She studies with Tim Phillips at his Actor’s Studio in NYC, and has worked in community and regional theater as well as Off-off Broadway. Her credits include Annie (Producer), I Remember Mama (Director), Mame (Vera Charles, Co-director/Producer), The Odd Couple (Director/Producer), Alice in Wonderland (Director), Kiss Me, Kate (Director), Babes in Toyland (Director), The Glass Menagerie (Amanda Wingfield), Cinderella (Director), Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn), Love Letters (Melissa), Same Time, Next Year (Director/Producer), Agnes of God (Sister Miriam Ruth), The King and I (Producer), The Miracle Worker (Annie Sullivan), Pygmalion (Eliza Doolittle), The Heiress (Cathrine Sloper) and Medea (Medea).

Lisa Lynds

Stage Director, Kids on Stage Theater Program

A former professional actor, Lisa holds a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College.  She has taught acting to kids and teens in NYC, Westchester, Connecticut, and various schools in Dutchess County.  She has appeared in leading roles at the Center in such shows as Three Penny Opera, Oklahoma, Into the Woods, Chicago, Christmas Carol, Cabaret, and Company.  She will be seen next in Man of La Mancha.  She taught Kids on Stage this past fall and is the proud mother of Spencer.

Babette Fasolino

Education Director, Workshop Instructor

Babette has served as Executive Director of Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center in Poughkeepsie and as Marketing and Promotions Director for the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. She is pursuing her Masters Degree at Marist College and holds a Bachelors Degree in Radio/TV/Film from California State University at Long Beach, where she worked for the Long Beach Symphony, Long Beach Civic Light Opera and the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center before her trek to the East. In addition to her work at The CENTER, Babette is a contributing writer for Ulster Publishing and teaches workshops in the non-profit industry at Dutchess Community and Ulster Community Colleges.

Lou Trapani

Artistic and Managing Director

Lou holds a Bachelor's Degree in Dramatic Literature from Hofstra University and is a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the national honor society of college dramatics. He also holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College/CUNY and is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society of public administrators, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the national honor society of business administrators. Lou has been actively involved in the theater for over 40 years and regularly acts, directs, designs, produces, and stage manages.