Writer and producer of award-winning radio shows on XM as well as NPR, Mr. Bergman is currently working for CBS/KFWB in Los Angeles. He began his radio career in the sixties at KPFK in Los Angeles with his groundbreaking free form show “Radio Free Oz” winning an Armstrong

MOLLY BRANDENBURG - TEACHER

Molly Brandenburg is a multi-disciplinary creative artist whose work includes writing, acting, singing, drawing, as well as producing and administrating theater. A graduate of The University of Southern California, Ms. Brandenburg’s theater pedigree includes acting training with such legends as John Houseman as well as Gary Austin, founder of the acclaimed improvisational company, THE GROUNDLINGS. She has performed at the EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL in Scotland, and her hit one-woman show, THE PEGGY JUDY COMEBACK TOUR, played to rave reviews in Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Francisco.

Ms. Brandenburg also served on the Board of Directors of the COMPANY OF ANGELS THEATER in Los Angeles for six years, overseeing major productions including WAITING FOR LEFTY, GODS OF LIGHTNING, TEN ANGRY MEN and the original comedy hit, MIDNITE MADNESS.

In addition to her theatrical credits, Ms. Brandenburg has worked for several years in advertising and marketing. Her clients include major ad agencies and top film studios such as Disney and 20th Century Fox.

Tony Abatemarco is an award-winning actor, director, writer, producer, and teacher. A graduate of THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL, he has appeared in numerous films and television shows, and has won top honors for his stage performances in BACH AT LEIPZIG, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, LA BETE, CAMARALENTA, and his originals, FOUR FATHERS and COLOGNE. Internationally, Mr. Abatemarco starred in PLATO’S SYMPOSIUM at the ICA, London and in ELECTRA in Delphi, Greece.

His directing credits include the Broadway production of LUCIFER’S CHILD starring Miss Julie Harris which he later adapted for A&E television. Winner of the first Ted Schmitt INNOVATION IN SMALL THEATRE AWARD, he has also mounted productions for THE MARK TAPER FORUM, PASADENA PLAYHOUSE, THE LOS ANGELES NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LA MAMA ETC, SANTA FE STAGES and THEATRE GREVIN, Paris.

Mr. Abatemarco has received two NEA Fellowships, a DGA/ SSDC GEORGE STEVEN OBSERVERSHIP, and was appointed Artistic Director of the JACQUES D’AMBOISE NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE at THE MARK TAPER FORUM where he also served as Guest Director. He teaches acting privately, is guest director/teacher at the USC SCHOOL OF THEATRE as well as an adjunct instructor at SANTA MONICA EMERITUS COLLEGE.

PHYLLIS KATZ - TEACHER

Phylliz Katz is an actor/writer/director/songwriter with extensive credits in TV, film, and stage. A former member and director of LA’s premiere improvisational company, THE GROUNDLINGS, and co-creator of THE GROUNDLING SCHOOL, Ms. Katz has been an innovator in improvisational teaching for over twenty years. Along with private coaching, she currently conducts writing, character development, and song improv workshops across the United States. Ms. Katz designed and directed the first improv program for THE VIRGINIA AVENUE PROJECT, has conceived and taught an improv workshop for writers at UCLA, and has given specialty classes and lectures for DISNEY, ARTS EXPAND, THE PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOPS, THE AUSTIN TX IMPROV FESTIVAL, JUDY CARTER’S STANDUP COMEDY CONFERENCE and the DIDI HIRSH COMMUNITY CENTER.

Her first film, CODEPENDENTLY YOURS, which she wrote and in which she stars, is currently in development. Former students include: J.J. Abrams (creator of the TV shows LOST and ALIAS and director of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III) as well as actors Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Griffin, Daryl Hannah, Jon Lovitz, and Julia Sweeney.