ABOUT OUR FACULTY

We believe that teaching is an art form. The very best devote themselves to creating a safe space while also challenging students to never settle for their second best.

MAGGIE FLANIGAN

Founder and Master Teacher Emeritus

Maggie established the Maggie Flanigan Studio in 2001 to offer smaller acting classes and to give individual attention to serious actors in a conservatory-based program.

CHARLIE SANDLAN

Artistic Director and Master Teacher

Charlie joined MFS in 2005, and decided to devote his professional artistic career to not only training serious, aspiring actors, but also to the ambitious vision Maggie laid out when she opened her NYC acting conservatory in 2001. Charlie bought the Maggie Flanigan Studio in 2012 and with his leadership and passion, has turned MFS into one of the most respected acting studios in the United States.

Acting

Erin-Cherry

ERIN CHERRY

Cold Reading, Monologue, Private Acting Coach

Erin Cherry is an accomplished actress with a BA in Theater from the University of Nevada, and an MFA in acting from Rutgers University. She has trained under renowned acting teachers and has received an Emmy Award for her role as Brenda on After Forever. As a teacher and private acting coach, Cherry aims to nurture simplicity in her students’ approach to acting by guiding them to step into their characters and illuminate their humanity.

DARIUSH KASHANI

Director Professional Actor Business Program, Acting Faculty

Dariush Kashani received his MFA in Acting from Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he trained with Maggie Flanigan & Bill Esper. Kashani’s career as an actor includes the Tony Award winning productions of The Band’s Visit (Barrymore Theater) & Oslo (Vivian Beaumont Theater / LCT). He also received an Obie Award (Outstanding Cast) for the off-Broadway production of Oslo (Mitzi Newhouse / LCT).

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SUMMER ACTING PROGRAM

BEGINS
JUNE 10TH

Call To Schedule an Interview

(917) 794-3878

MOVEMENT & VOICE

AMANDA QUAID

Voice 3

Amanda Quaid received her BA from Vassar College. She was part of the first cohort to certify in Miller Voice Method, and was also certified as an Advanced Breathwork Practitioner by the International Breathwork Foundation. She has trained in diverse approaches to voice and speech, including Knight-Thompson Speechwork, Fitzmaurice and Linklater voice work, Patsy Rodenburg, and Edith Skinner.

MIDORI NAKAMURA

Voice 1, 2, 4

As an actor, Midori has worked in film, TV, on Broadway and Off-Broadway. Midori was made a Designated Linklater Teacher in 2019. In addition to the Maggie Flanigan Studio, she teaches voice for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, The Linklater Center in New York, and NYU Tisch at The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute. Midori also coaches private clients in both acting and voice.

SARA FAY GEORGE

Movement 1 & 2

Sara Fay George, an experienced acting, movement, and energy work educator, has a diverse background in disciplines like Shakespeare, Ballet, and Energy Anatomy. Trained at the William Esper Acting Studio, she co-founded the box collective and developed the Holistic Method. Sara focuses on embodied learning, personal growth, and helping students unlock their full potential.

TINA-MITCHELL-faculty

TINA MITCHELL

Movement 3 & 4

Tina Mitchell, an Australian international theater artist based in New York, is an actor, director, and teacher with extensive training in various performance techniques. As co-Artistic Director of Chopt Logic Productions, she creates socially relevant, interdisciplinary performances worldwide. Currently an Assistant Professor at Long Island University, Tina fosters individual growth, empowering students to become lifelong learners in the performing arts.

PATP FACULTY

ANNIE MCNAMARA

Acting Coach

Annie, a Ph.D. student at Brown University, pursued her dream to become an actress in NYC, studying under Maggie Flanigan. Over 20 years, she has earned various accolades, including a Tony nomination. She has worked with experimental theater company Elevator Repair Service and appeared on screen. As a teacher, Annie emphasizes living truthfully under imaginary circumstances, encouraging students to bring themselves to the play, finding their truth in each character and situation while maintaining their humanity.

NICOLLE MEDINA

Life Coach

Nicolle Medina, a certified Life Coach and Meditation Teacher, has 7 years of experience empowering individuals, professionals, and organizations like Simon Sinek Inc. and Lululemon. A proud Maggie Flanigan Studio graduate and former actor, Nicolle is dedicated to helping clients find purpose, work-life balance, and authentic alignment for a fulfilling life.

Micky Chorny

MICKY CHORNY

Personal Performance and Business Coach

Micky is a personal performance and business coach. She is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA in Drama. With over 8 years of experience, Micky has coached and led seminars in both English and Spanish to thousands of individuals, teams and leaders of several kinds of organizations- helping them learn communication skills, conflict management, goal-setting, customer service, improving team culture and productivity, and effective leadership.

Katie Healy

KATIE HEALY

Breathwork for Actors

Katie was the co-founder and Artistic Director of a NYC based theater company, Ruddy Productions, that specialized in new works and in championing immersive talent. As a practitioner, Katie has studied under Reiki Master Kari Buzewski, Breathwork facilitators David Elliott and Erin Telford and is currently studying in more somatic, embodiment work.

MACKENZIE LANSING

On-Camera and Self-Taped Auditions

Mackenzie Lansing, an actress known for roles in HBO’s The Deuce and Mare of Easttown, trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Maggie Flanigan Studio. She focuses on fostering a sense of play, strong work ethic, and protective mindset for a successful career. Upcoming films include True Love and Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Mackenzie teaches part-time, sharing her audition techniques and industry insights.

JAYME WOJ

Combat

Jayme Woj is an actor, filmmaker, and fight coordinator. He holds a MFA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a BFA in Theater & Film from Columbia College Chicago. Jayme serves as a master instructor at Theatrical Combat NYC and is the Co-Founder of TandemVision, a production company that empowers actors to self-produce their own independent films and series.

SHARI ANGEL

Film History

Shari Angel, a devoted film enthusiast and educator, holds a BA from Pace University and an MA from NYU. With more than a decade of experience in film and TV programming, she has curated for HBO, Lionsgate, and film festivals. Passionate about sharing her love for cinema, Shari teaches Film History at Maggie Flanigan Studio.

JESSICA HOLT

Script Analysis

Jessica Holt is a distinguished theater director, educator, and MFA graduate from Yale School of Drama. With 20 years of experience, she has worked at prestigious theaters nationwide and taught at renowned institutions such as American Conservatory Theater and Stanford University. Passionate about storytelling, Jessica employs a holistic approach to script analysis helping actors create impactful characters and story arcs.

JEANA SCOTTI

Theater History

Jeana Scotti, an MFA in Playwriting from Rutgers Mason Gross and BA in Theater and Performance holder, has taught theater at Purchase College and Rutgers University. Her plays have been showcased in multiple venues. As an educator, she centers students’ interpretations and emphasizes diverse voices in shaping the future of theater.

NATHAN WINKELSTEIN

Shakespeare

Nathan Winkelstein, known as ‘The Pied Piper of Shakespeare’, is a renowned acting coach with a BA in Theater and MFA in Classical Acting. As the Associate Artistic Director at Red Bull Theater for seven years, he has extensive experience in acting and directing. Nathan’s philosophy emphasizes deep textual analysis and faith in spoken words to create truthful, three-dimensional characters.

ADMIN STAFF

Wally

Studio Mascot

Wally, known also as Wally Boy, Watermelon, Walter, Wawa, and Wallito has been roaming the halls of MFS since 2018, and has put himself in charge of toys, rubs, hugs, and scratches. Wally is half Shar-Pei and half Beagle, is scared of balloons, and whines if he doesn’t get a treat after every walk.

Trish Barillas

Media Manager

Trish Barillas is a Latina Life Coach specializing in anxiety, breakups, and marketing. Trish has worked as a Marketing Manager for Bacardi USA as well as a Freelance Social Media Manager. She is the author of the first-ever Instabook @afaceofanxiety an autobiography of her journey living with anxiety/panic disorder.

Logan Ricket

Studio Manager

Logan is an actor/director/producer and a proud graduate of the Professional Actor Training Program at Maggie Flanigan Studio. Logan earned his BA in acting and directing from Alma College. He works professionally as an actor in NYC and regionally. As an arts administrator, Logan served as the Company Manager and Development Director of Michigan’s most award winning theater, Performance Network, during its final 4 seasons. Learn more at www.loganricket.com or follow on instagram @loganricket.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS