The Theatre Arts Conservatory was born from the idea that every single young artist should first and foremost believe in themselves. Inspired by the teachings of the late Rose Pedone Maloney, TAC faculty aims to explore different methodologies and sharpen the skillset of every artist who walks into the studio space. We embrace every individual for their uniqueness and hope to cultivate within them, a lifelong passion for (and participation in) the arts.
All of our classes are taught by professional faculty who have extensively trained and worked in the performing arts. Students will study various techniques to enhance their audition, rehearsal and performance skills for the stage and screen. Each student will receive generous one on one attention as well as learn to work cohesively as an ensemble, building trust in each other and in themselves. We pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and safe environment where every artist can come to learn, refine and flourish.
All of our classes are taught by professional faculty who have extensively trained and worked in the performing arts. Students will study various techniques to enhance their audition, rehearsal and performance skills for the stage and screen. Each student will receive generous one on one attention as well as learn to work cohesively as an ensemble, building trust in each other and in themselves. We pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and safe environment where every artist can come to learn, refine and flourish.
Rose Pedone Maloney
FACULTY
Ms. Alessandra Valea Alessandra has her BFA in Musical Theatre, with a triple emphasis in Dance, Acting and Choreography from The Boston Conservatory. She has performed all over the North East from New England to NYC and all across Europe! Aside from performing, she is a certified teacher through Dance Educators of America for over fifteen years and a freelance director/choreographer. Some favorite theatrical performances: West Side Story (Intl Tour- Anita U/S), In the Heights (Vanessa), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Rachel Jackson), The Jungle Book (Dir. Mary Zimmerman/ Choreo. Chris Gatelli), Bridges of Madison County, (Marian/Chiara), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Aurora), The Apple Tree (Princess Barbera) ... the list goes on. Notable choreography credits include: #BARS III: The Loophole, (The Public Theater, NYC), Public Speaking’s HAIR:50 (The Public Theater, NYC), The View Upstairs (SpeakEasy Stage, Boston), Spamalot (N.H.T. Award Nom.), Fingerpaintings (Playwrights Horizons NYU), Jay Adana’s Larsen Legacy Concert (American Theatre Wing/Adelphi), Dirty Secrets (Tony & the Kiki), Cabaret (The Boston Conservatory), Reefer Madness (The Boston Conservatory), Dancing At Lughnasa (The Boston Conservatory) , Urinetown (The Boston Conservatory), I Love You Because (The Boston Conservatory) and The Duke Ellington Nutcracker (Metuchen Dance Centre). She currently serves as the Director of Metuchen Dance Centre and is the Artistic Director of their pre-professional dance company, Dance Reflections. She is a proud NYC member of Actors Equity Association and an (equally as proud) alumna of Metuchen Dance Centre. |
Ms. Kerri McNeill Kerri began her theatrical/dance career at just 2 years old right here at Metuchen Dance Centre. Her love for the performing arts blossomed here at MDC through her senior year of high school, where she graduated as Senior Captain of Dance Reflections and a Student Teacher. Kerri is also an accomplished actress, having performed all over the tri-state area professionally since she was just 8 years old. She is a certified dance teacher through Dance Educators of America with 15 years of teaching experience in all styles of dance and theater. She also went on to study the arts for her undergrad and received her B.A. in Musical Theatre & Dance from Wagner College. Upon graduating, Kerri toured the U.S. as Dorothy in the B’Way National Tour of The Wizard of Oz. She took her dreams to the west coast and quickly pursued a career in television production. After living and working in Hollywood for 5+ years at NBC Universal Studios, CBS Studios & Facebook Watch, she is back on the east coast. Favorite theatrical roles include: Little Women: The Musical (Jo March), A Funny Thing Happened… Forum (Psuedolous), White Christmas (Judy Haynes), Legally Blonde (Serena), Julia Caesar: A Play For Unprecedented Times (Kris) nominated for best actress in a new play for Broadway World Regional Awards 2021, RENT (Mimi Marquez). Choreography credits include: RENT (Exit 82 Theatre Company), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Asst. Choreographer-Middlesex College), The Duke Ellington Nutcracker (highlights- Metuchen Dance Centre). Kerri recently developed the new Summer Theatre Intensive at Middlesex College, and has been teaching Musical Theatre classes across New Jersey since her return from Los Angeles in 2020. |
Mr. TJ McNeill TJ has been acting professionally since the age of 10 years old. A graduate of Metuchen Dance Centre, TJ has gone on to study with some incredible acting instructors and theatre artists including but not limited to Ernest Wiggins, John Basil (The American Globe Theatre), Dr. E. Teresa Choate, Holly Logue, Richard Lawson, as well as Rachel Evans. He also holds a BFA in Theater Performance from Kean University. TV/Film credits include; As the World Turns, Her Side of the Bed. Select Stage: Hamlet (Hamlet), Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch), Pirates of Penzance (Police Sargeant), Rabbit Hole, (Jason), Deathtrap (Clifford), Urinetown (Bobby Strong) and many more. He takes pride and his ability to communicate the importance of breath work, mindfulness and script analysis when it comes to approaching material. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge gained over the span of 25 years in the industry with these young artists. |
Ms. Jackie Jacobi Ms. Jackie Jacobi – Jackie is thrilled to join the TAC Team, and got involved with MDC when her daughter began dancing at two-years-old. As a performer, she’s acted and directed across NYC and NJ and currently co-facilitates the drama program at Metuchen High School. She holds a BS from NYU, and MFA from The New School. A few favorite acting credits include NYC productions of Hamlet (Ophelia), Eugene O’Neill’s Thirst, Urinetown (Hope), Godspell (By My Side), and NJ performances of Circle Mirror Transformation (Theresa), Doubt (Sister James), Our Town (Emily Webb), and Enchanted April (Rose) among many others. Directing credits include equity showcase productions of Sondheim’s Assassins, and It’s Only Life, which was accompanied by composer John Bucchino, as well as many productions for both adults and youth across NJ. By day, she teaches high school English, and is a published young adult novelist. As a drama teacher, Jackie strives to help young actors find their voices, and believes that theater serves as both a craft that can be honed, as well as means for self-expression. |