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).

Babette Fasolino

Education Director, Little Kids on Stage

Babette is the Education Director for The CENTER. She has served as Executive Director of Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center in Poughkeepsie and as Marketing and Promotions Director for the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. She holds a Masters Degree at Marist College in Communications & Organizational leadership and 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 teaches at Marist College and Dutchess Community College.

Shannon Fitzsimons

Little Kids on Stage, Kids on Stage Intermediate, Shakespeare, Stage Combat

Shannon is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College holds a BA of Arts in both Theatre and Music.  This winter she co-directed Muhlenberg's Mainstage Producton of "The Possibilities" by Howard Barker, which has been nominated to travel to this years American College Theatre Festival.  Shannon has recently accepted an acting position with Enchantment Theatre Company, based out of Philadelphia, for their National Tour of Harold and the Purple Crayon.  Shannon has been teaching with the Center since 2006.

Caitlyn Herzlinger

Shakespeare, Stage Combat Instructor

Caitlyn is a  native resident of Hyde Park, and graduated last May with her BFA in Acting from SUNY Fredonia. Since then, she has worked professionally, touring with Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre in Minnesota, and she attends school at Western Illinois University for her MFA in Acting. At WIU she works with some of the best professionals in the stage combat realm. She is certified in both broadsword and unarmed with the Society of American Fight Directors, as well as in numerous weapons with Dueling Arts International. This summer Caitlyn plans on attending an Unrehearsed Shakespeare Workshop in Eureka, Illinois, while assistant teaching at a three week long stage combat workshop for the SAFD. She is happy to be escaping from the flat terrain of the mid-west and returning to NY for several weeks. With a full brain of knowledge now, she is excited to give back to the community that gave so much to her. 

Jessalyn Kilgour

Workshop Instructor

Jessalyn is a theatre major at Suny New Paltz. Her recent credits include Ceres in The Tempest, Backstage running crew/props for Gypsy, and Lady Bountiful in A Christmas Carol. At school Jessalyn works in the box office and is on paint crew for Blood Wedding. She looks forward to working with everyone this summer.

Lisa Lynds

Stage Director, Kids on Stage Theater Program

Lisa holds a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College. She spent many years as a professional actor, working in theater, film and television. Lisa is a familiar face to audiences at The CENTER and around the Hudson Valley, having appeared in over 20 shows. Recent roles include Rose in "Gypsy," and the upcoming CENTERstage production of "Tommy" as the Acid Queen. She is currently directing the hilarious "Psycho Beach Party." She loves working with young people and the theatre, and feels extremely fortunate to be able to do both.

Morgan McKinley

Workshop Instructor

Morgan is studying theatre arts at SUNY Ulster and has also attended SUNY Fredonia's theatre program, where she was part of the deck crew for Fredonia's production of A Christmas Carol.
This fall Morgan will attend SUNY New Paltz as a theatre major with a concentration in performance. She is currently getting ready to play the role of Betty in  All in the Timing at SUNY Ulster opening April 16.

Emily Suzuki

Workshop Instructor

Emi divides her time between the Hudson Valley and Japan. She is a Junior at Arlington High School and enjoys photography and tennis. She also likes to explore with her friends, have picnics on the Hudson and bake desserts for people.

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.