STAFF BIOS

AMY FARA LONDON (Co-owner and co-director at Class Act Musical Theatre) has been involved with Class Act since 1988 when she performed in The Wizard of Oz as the Tin Man. She was hooked on theatre ever since. Amy attended California State University, Northridge for her M.A and B.A in Communication Studies. Studying to be a college professor, Amy focused on the dynamics of human communication and the process of learning. She specifically studied diversity, relationships, speaking anxiety, and performance. Thus, both careers melded into one. She is currently a tenured professor at Oxnard College and when she is not teaching, she loves and appreciates her time at the theatre. With 12 years of directing experience, Amy has directed multiple shows including A Chorus Line, Annie, Annie Warbucks, Peter Pan, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, and Disney's High School Musical. Amy looks forward to the opportunity to add Into The Woods to her resume. Amy’s energy, enthusiasm, and experience with children make her an asset to Class Act Musical Theatre.

YARIV SPONKO (Co-owner and Co-Director at Class Act Musical Theatre) graduated with a Master's Degree in Film Production in April of 2001 from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. During his education there, he has produced five 35 mm. spec. commercials and has written and directed several short, award-winning narratives. He has also written three feature-length screenplays. He acted in his first play when he was 12 years old and has been involved as a theater actor and director ever since. Yariv is enthusiastic about creating a Performing Arts Center where artists of all ages can test the boundaries of their artistic abilities and learn from the collective experiences of professionals in all aspects of the entertainment industry.

RANDI ORELEMANS (Assistant Director) recently received her B.F.A. from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts where she studied musical theatre at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. While in New York, she also received training at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center. She has appeared as leads in shows such as Bat Boy, Working, and Our Town as well as several musical theatre reviews. Randi has been with Class Act Musical Theatre since she was four years old, has appeared in hundreds of Class Act shows, and is thrilled to return this summer for her 8th year of teaching.

JESSICA LOUISE (Assistant Director) has always had a passion for the performing arts since her first dance recital at age 4. Having 16 years of professional dance experience and 10 years of acting and vocal training, Jessica loves sharing her talents and experiences with Class Act Musical Theatre. Her love for performance began at El Camino High School, where she diligently participated in sports, student council, choir, and of course, musical theatre. She continued her education at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Peer Health Education. She was active on the UCSB campus coordinating and performing in Community Outreach Performances and appearing as an active soloist in the UCSB Gospel Choir. After her recent graduation from UCSB, Jessica is ecstatic to be back at Class Act, teaching and working with her favorite people on earth!

ERICA ROBSON (Choreographer/Dance Instructor) has been a working dancer, actress, teacher, director and choreographer in the field of performing arts for over a decade. As an alumnus of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Erica is currently teaching dance as well as directing and choreographing for the Musical Theatre Ensemble. Her directing and choreography credits include Sweet Charity, Big River, Alice in Wonderland, On the Town, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hello, Dolly! , 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Fame; The Musical, Footloose, The Tale of the Tape, Music Man, Oliver, and various dance concerts. Her film credits include featured roles in Ocean’s Eleven, Monkeybone, and Bedazzled. Erica was a series regular on Ultimate Revenge and can be seen on The Drew Carey Show, Nikki, and Monk. Her National and International Tours include A Chorus Line, Jane’s Addiction, and Chayanne. Erica’s goal is to continue to inspire and contribute excellence in the field of performing arts.

GUY SCOTT EDWARDS is Class Act’s full-time Acting Coach. His first group acting workshop at Class Act was a smashing success. Guy began studying the great craft of acting in1985 at The Actors Workshop in Rockville, Maryland. From 1993 to 2000, Guy also studied with method acting coach Al Guarino, once acting coach to Michelle Pfeiffer and many others. Some of Guy’s credits include various episodes of The Wonder Years, Heat, Crimson Tide, Autobahn, The Doors and several TV commercials. Guy brings over 20 years of experience and training in all aspects of acting, the audition process, scene study, dialects/accents, and character development to Class Act. We are honored to have him as part of the Class Act family.

CECE BULLARD (Vocal Coach) started her career in musical theater, performing in New England community and summer stock productions throughout her teen years and into college. After moving to Los Angeles, she became a session singer, working with artists as diverse as Tori Amos, Eddie Money, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John , Bill Medley, Cheap Trick, White Lion and Graham Nash, in between live performances on the road with Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge, Connie Stevens, Glen Campbell, Mickey Dolenz, Johnny Rivers, Poco and French superstar Veronique Sanson. She has been the TV commercial voice of Nivea Skincare, Target department stores, McDonald’s, the California Lottery, Honda and Nissan, and sang themes for ABC network television and the dramatic series “Once and Again.” You have seen her onscreen as the face of Noxzema, Peter Pan peanut butter, Chrysler, Jack in the Box, American Savings Bank, Kraft Ranch Style Dressing, Burger King, Kleenex and many others. Cece trained with theater legend Stella Adler, among others, and studied voice with Robert Edwards. She is delighted to be sharing her enthusiasm and love for musical theater with the great kids of the Class Act family!

DR. MELISSA SKY-EAGLE (Musical Director), a native of Arlington, TX, holds a Bachelor of Music from Texas Christian University, a Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts from the Thornton School of Music of the University of Southern California. Melissa’s academic degrees are in piano performance; she is an accomplished classical musician. She teaches piano privately and also at California Baptist University in Riverside.

KEVIN BERNTSON (Comedy Improv Instructor) holds a MFA in Acting from UC San Diego, where he also taught acting and public speaking for two years to undergaduates. He has been a professional actor for seven years, appearing in such shows as JUDGING AMY, WILL AND GRACE, RENO 911, and MONK, and several national commercials. Kevin has also worked at such prestigious regional theaters as La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Rep, San Diego Rep, and the Sinn Theater in NYC. Most recently, Kevin is a member of The Groundlings Sunday Company, and has spent the last five years at The Groundlings School, the finest and most competitive comedy program in Los Angeles.