Act One Theater Arts provides a safe, fun, and encouraging learning environment staffed by professionally trained teachers. Students will explore all elements of theater and become the best performer they can possibly be. Through our classes, showcases, and musical productions, students will gain knowledge and experience, develop confidence, and build lasting friendships.
~ Act One Staff ~
SHARON DUCHI (Owner, Director, Musical Director, Producer) received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and fifth year Middle School Endorsement from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She has been a certified teacher in the states of California and Virginia since 1992, and has written, directed, and musically directed numerous school-wide shows both large and small. Sharon has been involved in various aspects of singing, acting, and musical theater since grade school, and has enjoyed performing in many theater venues and vocal groups in Michigan, Virginia, and Southern California since a very young age. Sharon has Directed, Musically Directed, and Produced numerous award-winning productions, which include RENT-School Edition, Little Women The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Footloose, “13″, The Wedding Singer, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Chorus Line, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Aida, Oklahoma, Godspell, Into The Woods, Seussical The Musical, High School Musical, Jungle Book, Cinderella, Annie, Mulan, and Grease. Some of her favorite acting credits include Rona Lisa Perretti (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), The Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing…), Mrs. MacAfee (Bye Bye Birdie), Lady Beaconsfield (Jekyll and Hyde), and Mrs. Fezziwig (Scrooge).
GEORGE C. ORTIZ, JR. (Choreography) began his official dance and performing arts training as a company member with the 24/7 Dance Company on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He received a scholarship to The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, CA at the age of 17, and was signed with Dorothy Day Otis (an agent representing him for Dance, Commercial and Theatrical). He quickly began to work with L.A.’s top choreographers, directors and actors. George has worked on many films and has traveled the world on tours with many different artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Shayanne. He can also be seen dancing and acting on numerous television shows. George has danced in and choreographed multiple music videos, and he has danced for Michael Jackson, Offspring, Smashmouth, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin. George now commits his gifts and talents to teaching.
PAUL KEHLER (Guest Director) Paul is excited to be a part of “Spring Awakening” and “The Wedding Singer” at Act One. He recently finished a run of “The Secret Garden” (Archibald Craven) at the award wining Chance Theater in Anaheim and is happy to now be directing again. Some of his directorial credits include: “Parade”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Pippin”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Joseph and the Amazing…” all at the Old Town Community Theater in Temecula as well as “Nunsense II”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Footloose”, “Into the Woods”, “Once Upon A Mattress”, “Oklahoma”, “Carousel”, “Grease”, and “Children of Eden”. Paul has been performing for 23 years and has been seen in many productions throughout California including: “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (Adam), “Beauty and the Beast” (Gaston), “Sweeney Todd” (Sweeney) “Into the Woods” (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), “Sweeney Todd” (Judge Turpin), “RENT” (Collins), “Jekyll and Hyde” (Jekyll/Hyde), “Guys and Dolls” (Sky Masterson), “The Fantasticks” (El Gallo), “Assassins” (John Wilkes Booth), “The Music Man” (Harold Hill), “The Last 5 Years” (Jamie), “Songs for a New World” (Man 2), “The Pirates of Penzance” (The Pirate King), “Scrooge” (Scrooge), “Damn Yankees” (Joe Hardy) and “Godspell” (Jesus) with Act One! Paul was recently on the 2009 Garland’s Critic’s list (BackStage publication for performers) for his performance as John Wilkes Booth in “Assassins” at The Chance Theater in Anaheim and has received 6 ITL Awards for various performances in the Inland Valley Area as well as an ITL for his Direction of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at the Old Town Community Theater.
DANIELLE PEIG (Choreography), currently signed with DDO Artist Agency, trained and worked with Choreographer Brian Friedman, Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh, Kevin Maher, Tyce Diorio, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary, Joey Dowling, Tabitha and Napoleon, and MORE! She holds a BFA for Choreography/Dance from California Institute of the Arts where she also received a full semestral scholarship to further her training in Europe and London Contemporary Dance School. Today Danielle is a company member of Sonya Tayeh Dance, and recently worked as a dancer on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”, with Brian Friedman and Tyce Diorio on “So You Think You Can Dance”, and Broadway Dance Center’s “The Pulse”. Other credits include: top 16 girls on SYTYCD, soloist dancer in Sonya Tayeh’s “The Endurance To Move”, Los Angeles Jeff Buckley Tribute Show, and MORE! Danielle has appeared in magazines such as “Dance Spirit” and “Discount Dance Supply” where she was one of the cover models, and was chosen as “one of three up and coming commercial dancers” in a DS’ Commercial Kings and Queens article.
BREANA FRANGIPANI (Choreography) attends Palomar College with a major in Dance. She trained at Temecula Dance Company for five years (including four years on the competitive dance team), and at the California Institute for the Arts. Breana has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Modern dance. She has been involved in many local productions, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pippin, Scrooge, Kiss Me Kate, A Chorus Line, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie, Mulan, Footloose, and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.