Patricia McKeon Padrick Founder, Director, and Lead Acting Instructor
With early roots in Community Theater, Patricia was bitten by the acting bug at a young age. Many joyful years were spent within the caring mentorship of her local community theater in New Jersey. Acting, singing, dancing, set building, costume making and enjoying the support and camaraderie of fellow thespians aided in her character development and fed her passion for the performing arts.
Her formal study of acting began at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City when she was eighteen. She later joined the ranks as a professional actor by becoming a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association.
Since moving to Georgia, her passion for theater and love of working with children have led her to direct local amateur theater productions, design and manage the Red Clay Theatre's Summer Drama Camp, and establish The Actor's Edge, a provider of top quality performing arts training for children and adults.
In addition to teaching and developing programs for The Actor’s Edge, Patricia is also very involved as a regional judge with the Georgia chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Georgia High School Association One Act Competitions (GHSA), and the Shuler Hensley Awards. Additionally, she and select students proudly participate in various community festivals in Duluth and Suwanee each year.
"Sharing that wonderful creative journey with children as they explore who they are and who they can become on stage is so incredibly rewarding! I am honored to be invited into this inspired process with my students."
Dave Pileggi Adult Improv & Acting Instructor
Dave is a full time actor who first got involved in the performing arts as a
youth by filling in for a role in a church play. In 2007, after working in the corporate world for many years, his wife convinced him to audition for an
improv troupe in Atlanta called Playing in Traffic. He is now one of their main stage actors.
Dave continues to study improv under their director Brian Chapman, a 15 year veteran. In addition to appearing in numerous commercials,
films, industrials and TV pilots, Dave also travels the country performing improv shows with the travelling troupe he founded, Ragamuffins Improv.
Once he began instructing actors one-on-one in improv and character
development, Dave realized that having the gift is great, but cultivating and multiplying the gift in others is even
greater.
Janie Hitchcock Dance Instructor
Janie was born and raised in Atlanta, in a house full of song. As a genuine triple threat, Janie is a passionate teacher, student, and admirer of musical theatre. She began her dance training at the age of five at the Decatur School of Ballet, and began her official training as an actor at age 13 with The Alliance Theatre and Georgia Shakespeare, among others. Janie holds a B.A magna cum laude in Theatre & Performance Studies from Kennesaw State and danced at the semi-professional level in college. Today, Janie is active in the Atlanta theatre scene and performs in several productions a year, including theatre, dance and film. Her choreography credits span both stage and screen, including Kiss Me Kate! and My Way at The Highlands Playhouse in Highlands, NC. Janie has taught all styles of dance to ages three to adult for more than five years, and her personal teaching style is marked by her efforts to impart her own love of dance and the world of performance to her students.
Wendy Wynne Acting Instructor
After getting her degree in Dramatic Arts, Wendy experienced great success in both modeling and acting. Her modeling portfolio includes work in The Atlantan Magazine as well as being the face of Pür Minerals makeup. Along with starring roles in multiple theater productions, Wendy has been in both national and regional commercials as well as appearing in multiple industrials, films, and TV projects such as being a host on the Do It Yourself Network. Wendy's knowledge of the industry and her craft combined with her great sense of humor make her a fantastic teacher for students of all levels and ages.
Chris Cole Harris Acting Instructor
Chris brings more than twenty-five years of acting experience to the classroom, having studied the Meisner Technique at Playhouse West in Hollywood and in workshops presented by New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse. Her professional credits include NYPD Blue, LA Law and numerous episodic television programs, films and theatrical shows.
Chris has taught with Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre educational program, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, among numerous others. Chris combines her love of craft and love of working with children and adults to provide a truly nurturing and inspiring environment for her students. As Chris states, "The true joy of teaching comes when you see in a student's face those ‘light bulb moments’ when they understand the techniques and the actor becomes the character."
César Restrepo Vocal Instructor
César graduated from Truett McConnell College with a bachelor's degree in music and a concentration in performance. Driven by his love for classical singing and opera, César began singing under the tutelage of Dr. Sandy Calloway.
César is actively involved at the GSOC (Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra Chorus) where he has performed major choral works. He is also part of Capricho Español (Spanish Caprice), a truly cultural Project, performing folklore Spanish music in venues such as culture festivals, museums, art galleries, etc. César has featured in different performing arias and duets in Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni, Leoporello), Le Nozze di Figaro (Figaro), La Traviata (Giorgio Germont), among others. His vast repertoire of musical styles ranges from Jazz & Opera to Praise & Broadway.
César believes that proper vocal technique should be implemented with all singing styles, and then more focus may be applied to the natural voice. He has a passion for teaching and focuses his students on performance just as much as instilling fine technique. "I see in each student a great Performer; let me unlock the potential!"
Shar-Reese Alfred Vocal Instructor
Shar-Reese Alfred, native of Columbus, Ohio is a Vocal Coach, Songwriter, Music Director and Self Published Author. She is a graduate of Wittenberg
University and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and Dance with a Music Minor. Her professional credits include singing back-up for R&B and Gospel greats Jennifer Holiday, Peabo Bryson, The Clark Sisters, and Michael Boublé.
Entertainment is a vital part of Shar-Reese’s life and as former Artistic
Director for Jamocha Arts she hosted two annual festivals showcasing aspiring music, theatre and dance artists at the Legendary Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. Shar-Reese has also had the honor of being a *T.O.P.S.
Performer* and Theatre Workshop Host for the Karamu Theatre, the first Historically Black Theatre in the country. For the past several years she has also been the Youth Pastor at her church.
Since arriving in Atlanta Shar-Reese has taken the local performing arts community by storm as she teaches children and adults voice, piano and acting. In Miss Shar’s words, “As a teacher I believe passion is imperative to great success and perfect practice makes perfect!”
