Crew
John Lant
Producer & Director
John is a 30-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over five hundred television, film, and theatrical productions as a creative entity and/or production manager. John professionally apprenticed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and in New York with the Lincoln Center, Julliard, Circle Rep, Circle in the Square, WPA, Hudson Guild, LOOM and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He participated on several national tours including Phantom of the Opera (PSM – 2 Tours), Evita (SM), Singin' in the Rain (Flyman/Rigger), One Mo' Time (PSM), Gypsy (ME), The Three Musketeers (PSM), Connecticut Ballet (PSM) and Aeros (TD). He has worked with such musical touring artists as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and The Beach Boys. John is an award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, in New York and Los Angeles with over three hundred productions to his credit. His productions have played at Cal Arts, The Odyssey, Ivy Substation, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, the Jewel Box Theatres, and Write Act Repertory, garnering DramaLogue Awards, Diamond Awards, a ADA Award, LA Weekly, Garland, ADA, NAACP, Ethel Casey nominations and LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week & Recommends, with his past associations, including World Premiere LA Recommended Pilgrim (WCLO contract – Associate Producer), Oscar for Short Film The Washing Machine Man, Sundance Finalist Moment of Gracie (Producer), Upside Down, Rightside Up (Feature Film – Producer), XM Radio’s # 1 Rated Radio Theatre Show New Frequency-Theatre of the Mind (Executive Producer – 5o Live Shows), Symphology and Carrot Talk (TV Pilots - Director), Interlochen (Resident Lighting Designer – 2 years), Bakersfield Musical Theatre Camp (Executive Director – 7 years), 3 time DramaLogue winner Out On a Whim; Best Direction, Actress, and Musical Direction (Producer), DramaLogue winners Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fleas (Lighting Designer), The Other Five Percent (Lighting and Set Design), Modigliani; Choreography (Director), NAACP Winner Reap the Whirlwind (Producer), West Coast Premieres of Kafka’s The Trial; Ovation nominated Set Design, Wallace Shaw’s The Fever, Theresa Rebeck’s Loose Knit (Producer), Picks of the Week Rimers of Eldritch and Faith After Dark (Producer), Orange County’s Register’s and OC Weekly’s Pick’s/Recommended Productions of Arm’s and the Man, Master Class and Dancing at Lughnasa (Director) at Long Beach Playhouse, the World Premiere, starring John Aniston, The Penis Monologues (Producer - JBTC & Odyssey - 6 months). As a Producer of Willard Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue the production was just nominated for two 2009-10 NAACP AWARDS. Film and TV work include Army of Darkness, The Hard Way, Year of the Dragon, King of New York (Crew), Power Rangers (Coordinator - 2 Years, SAG Puppeteer), Renegade (Lead Man), CBS Radford Directing Workshop 2 year Program for 3 Broadcast, under Howard Storm. John received the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000 and 2001, and received Award of Excellence in Direction in Long Beach. He received 2 Letters of Recognition from the State of California for his theatre company’s work on Domestic Violence in 2008 and 2009. He has been on several Boards for the Arts including Write Act Repertory, Grow and Learn Inc., American Indian Scholarship Fund, California Public Interest, and is the President of The Little Company L.L.C. His professional membership include(d) IFP West, LA Stage Alliance, Interlochen Alumni Association, International Association of Jazz Educators Senior Staff, the National Tony Award voters, and ALAP. He is the CEO of JBTC Prod., and the Producing Artistic Director of Write Act Rep and Hollywood Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles.. He currently lives in New York, while commuting to LA, with playwright and author Joan M. Kessler and beloved dog Sierra, and currently serves as Production Manager of Carnegie Hall with over 850 events being produced in the four separate event spaces per year at THE HALL.
Producer & Director
John is a 30-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over five hundred television, film, and theatrical productions as a creative entity and/or production manager. John professionally apprenticed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and in New York with the Lincoln Center, Julliard, Circle Rep, Circle in the Square, WPA, Hudson Guild, LOOM and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He participated on several national tours including Phantom of the Opera (PSM – 2 Tours), Evita (SM), Singin' in the Rain (Flyman/Rigger), One Mo' Time (PSM), Gypsy (ME), The Three Musketeers (PSM), Connecticut Ballet (PSM) and Aeros (TD). He has worked with such musical touring artists as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and The Beach Boys. John is an award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, in New York and Los Angeles with over three hundred productions to his credit. His productions have played at Cal Arts, The Odyssey, Ivy Substation, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, the Jewel Box Theatres, and Write Act Repertory, garnering DramaLogue Awards, Diamond Awards, a ADA Award, LA Weekly, Garland, ADA, NAACP, Ethel Casey nominations and LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week & Recommends, with his past associations, including World Premiere LA Recommended Pilgrim (WCLO contract – Associate Producer), Oscar for Short Film The Washing Machine Man, Sundance Finalist Moment of Gracie (Producer), Upside Down, Rightside Up (Feature Film – Producer), XM Radio’s # 1 Rated Radio Theatre Show New Frequency-Theatre of the Mind (Executive Producer – 5o Live Shows), Symphology and Carrot Talk (TV Pilots - Director), Interlochen (Resident Lighting Designer – 2 years), Bakersfield Musical Theatre Camp (Executive Director – 7 years), 3 time DramaLogue winner Out On a Whim; Best Direction, Actress, and Musical Direction (Producer), DramaLogue winners Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fleas (Lighting Designer), The Other Five Percent (Lighting and Set Design), Modigliani; Choreography (Director), NAACP Winner Reap the Whirlwind (Producer), West Coast Premieres of Kafka’s The Trial; Ovation nominated Set Design, Wallace Shaw’s The Fever, Theresa Rebeck’s Loose Knit (Producer), Picks of the Week Rimers of Eldritch and Faith After Dark (Producer), Orange County’s Register’s and OC Weekly’s Pick’s/Recommended Productions of Arm’s and the Man, Master Class and Dancing at Lughnasa (Director) at Long Beach Playhouse, the World Premiere, starring John Aniston, The Penis Monologues (Producer - JBTC & Odyssey - 6 months). As a Producer of Willard Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue the production was just nominated for two 2009-10 NAACP AWARDS. Film and TV work include Army of Darkness, The Hard Way, Year of the Dragon, King of New York (Crew), Power Rangers (Coordinator - 2 Years, SAG Puppeteer), Renegade (Lead Man), CBS Radford Directing Workshop 2 year Program for 3 Broadcast, under Howard Storm. John received the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000 and 2001, and received Award of Excellence in Direction in Long Beach. He received 2 Letters of Recognition from the State of California for his theatre company’s work on Domestic Violence in 2008 and 2009. He has been on several Boards for the Arts including Write Act Repertory, Grow and Learn Inc., American Indian Scholarship Fund, California Public Interest, and is the President of The Little Company L.L.C. His professional membership include(d) IFP West, LA Stage Alliance, Interlochen Alumni Association, International Association of Jazz Educators Senior Staff, the National Tony Award voters, and ALAP. He is the CEO of JBTC Prod., and the Producing Artistic Director of Write Act Rep and Hollywood Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles.. He currently lives in New York, while commuting to LA, with playwright and author Joan M. Kessler and beloved dog Sierra, and currently serves as Production Manager of Carnegie Hall with over 850 events being produced in the four separate event spaces per year at THE HALL.
Rocco Vitacco
Music Direction
Rocco is a Chicagoan and a University of Dayton (Ohio) graduate, has been an actor, composer, lyricist and a musical director for numerous Broadway musicals touring the USA. As a writer he wrote special material for Las Vegas revues such as Red, Hot and Blue, Tickle My Fancy and Bottoms Up!, and as a keyboard accompanist he played for Totie Fields, Martha Raye, Geraldine Fitzgerald and recorded albums with Vivian Blaine and Virginia O’Brien. As composer/lyricist he wrote the musical Hollywood! Hollywood!, which premiered in L.A. in 2005 and NYC in 2010, and the 2011 NY premiere of Have You Tried Sexxx? He wrote the music and lyrics for Will Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue, which premiered in L.A. in 2009, and for Dean Parker’s Haywire, which premiered in L.A. in 2011. Rocco has appeared on television in Boston Public, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and numerous commercials. He is currently collaborating with Will Manus on the new musical, Gold Rush Follies. He has studied with Michael Donovan, Orly Sitowitz, Joe Reich and Stephen Book.
Music Direction
Rocco is a Chicagoan and a University of Dayton (Ohio) graduate, has been an actor, composer, lyricist and a musical director for numerous Broadway musicals touring the USA. As a writer he wrote special material for Las Vegas revues such as Red, Hot and Blue, Tickle My Fancy and Bottoms Up!, and as a keyboard accompanist he played for Totie Fields, Martha Raye, Geraldine Fitzgerald and recorded albums with Vivian Blaine and Virginia O’Brien. As composer/lyricist he wrote the musical Hollywood! Hollywood!, which premiered in L.A. in 2005 and NYC in 2010, and the 2011 NY premiere of Have You Tried Sexxx? He wrote the music and lyrics for Will Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue, which premiered in L.A. in 2009, and for Dean Parker’s Haywire, which premiered in L.A. in 2011. Rocco has appeared on television in Boston Public, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and numerous commercials. He is currently collaborating with Will Manus on the new musical, Gold Rush Follies. He has studied with Michael Donovan, Orly Sitowitz, Joe Reich and Stephen Book.
*Colton Pometta
Choreographer
Colton Pometta is a native of Northern California who now calls Manhattan home. He is an alumn of Circle in the Square's Professional Theatre School and Interlochen Arts Academy, and has completed a Contemporary Drama course at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Recent regional choreography credits include Surflight Theatre and Maples Repertory Theatre. Favorite professional credits: Tobias in Sweeney Todd, Dickon in The Secret Garden, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Camille in A Flea in Her Ear, Snoopy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Arpad and Headwaiter in She Loves Me. Colton has also appeared as an opening solo act for Carol Channing. Proud member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA. Thanks to Lou, John, and Tchia for this opportunity.
Choreographer
Colton Pometta is a native of Northern California who now calls Manhattan home. He is an alumn of Circle in the Square's Professional Theatre School and Interlochen Arts Academy, and has completed a Contemporary Drama course at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Recent regional choreography credits include Surflight Theatre and Maples Repertory Theatre. Favorite professional credits: Tobias in Sweeney Todd, Dickon in The Secret Garden, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Camille in A Flea in Her Ear, Snoopy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Arpad and Headwaiter in She Loves Me. Colton has also appeared as an opening solo act for Carol Channing. Proud member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA. Thanks to Lou, John, and Tchia for this opportunity.
Samantha L. Vella
Associate Producer
Samantha is a Utica, New York native with her BA in Performing Arts: Music Concentration from Wells College. While she's been with the Write Act family for almost 2 years, this is her first time on stage in New York City. She's super thrilled to flex her comedic and musical chops with this amazing cast. She has performed in Wells College's Choral and Early Music ensembles in vocal and instrumental ensemble member capacities. She's also written jingles for, and performed in, Wells College's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (TANYS Award for Best Ensemble), and has sung backup for Steven Stull in SWIRL, The 2011 Faculty Dance Concert. Since joining the Write Act Rep NYC team in early 2012, she has been filling her dance card with everything from sound design to box office management and intern coordinating to producing. She's also a member of Carnival Girls Productions and debuted her first short written work, Clean Slate, at the 2013 Bridge Street Run Festival. Some favorite credits include: Clean Slate (Writer / Producer); Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies (Associate Producer/ Sound Design / Stage Manager); Geeks! The Musical (Associate Producer / Stage Manager); Look for the Women (Sound Design / Production Associate). She's currently developing new works and looks forward to creating something new with the ever growing Write Act Rep NYC crew and her amazing Carny Girls. Thanks to her family and friends for their relentelss support and love. Big Danke schoen to John and Lou for giving her this wonderful opportunity!
Erinn Conlon
Publicity
Erinn is excited to be working with Write Act Repertory! Erinn moved to NYC to put a little more excitement in her life and pursue a career in the arts and entertainment arena and so far the big city has not disappointed. Recent productions include Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies!, Geeks! The Musical, Veils, Miss Valentine, and Richmond Shepard’s Captain Crash vs. Zzorg Women. Much love and gratitude to her family and friends for all of their support and guidance, without which she would be lost. Follow her on Twitter @erinn_conlon!
Publicity
Erinn is excited to be working with Write Act Repertory! Erinn moved to NYC to put a little more excitement in her life and pursue a career in the arts and entertainment arena and so far the big city has not disappointed. Recent productions include Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies!, Geeks! The Musical, Veils, Miss Valentine, and Richmond Shepard’s Captain Crash vs. Zzorg Women. Much love and gratitude to her family and friends for all of their support and guidance, without which she would be lost. Follow her on Twitter @erinn_conlon!
Maya Graffagna
Graphic Designer
Originally from Tokyo and Connecticut, Maya holds a BFA in Fiber from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). She has been actively involved in theatre, mostly as a Costume Designer for 6 years, and is one of the original members of the theatre company Rivals of the West in Baltimore, MD. Her recent productions include Sophia and Hollywood! Hollywood! (Write Act Repertory), and Fifth of July (Stella Adler Studio of Acting). She is also excited to be Write Act's Graphic Designer. Thank you to my family and friends for your support! Visit: www.mayagraffagna.com
Graphic Designer
Originally from Tokyo and Connecticut, Maya holds a BFA in Fiber from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). She has been actively involved in theatre, mostly as a Costume Designer for 6 years, and is one of the original members of the theatre company Rivals of the West in Baltimore, MD. Her recent productions include Sophia and Hollywood! Hollywood! (Write Act Repertory), and Fifth of July (Stella Adler Studio of Acting). She is also excited to be Write Act's Graphic Designer. Thank you to my family and friends for your support! Visit: www.mayagraffagna.com
Moses Akempta
Production Associate
Born and raised in New York, Moses recently graduated from Pace University, where he discovered his love and passion of film and the entertainment industry. While working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Communications Arts, Moses participated in creating Battle Behind the Bottle, a short documentary on Portugal’s cork industry, as part of the school’s annual student documentary class. In addition to writing and directing two short student films, the aspiring director also worked for the entire 4 season run on the web series Math Warriors where his roles ranged from Production Assistant to Grip to Assistant Camera.
Since joining the Write Act Repertory family, Moses has assisted in theatrical productions such as Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies, Sophia, and Hollywood! Hollywood! Moses would like to thank his family, close friends, mentors and the team at Write Act Repertory for being there for him. Much love to all of you!
Production Associate
Born and raised in New York, Moses recently graduated from Pace University, where he discovered his love and passion of film and the entertainment industry. While working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Communications Arts, Moses participated in creating Battle Behind the Bottle, a short documentary on Portugal’s cork industry, as part of the school’s annual student documentary class. In addition to writing and directing two short student films, the aspiring director also worked for the entire 4 season run on the web series Math Warriors where his roles ranged from Production Assistant to Grip to Assistant Camera.
Since joining the Write Act Repertory family, Moses has assisted in theatrical productions such as Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies, Sophia, and Hollywood! Hollywood! Moses would like to thank his family, close friends, mentors and the team at Write Act Repertory for being there for him. Much love to all of you!
Daniel Mamut
Production Associate
Daniel Mamut, a native New Yorker, is currently a sophomore in college with anticipated majors in film and tv production and theater. He is a former graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School 12’, and is eager to get a start in his career in the entertainment industry. Formerly, solely a visual artist, this has been a great year of change and opportunity for him to grow and pursue his passion of theater. He has many interests: Acting, Production, Playwriting, Directing, and Animation. He has some voice over experience, can do multiple accents, and can speak three languages; Russian and Spanish. He has worked for Write Act Rep as a production associate for the past summer shows Sophia and Fabulous! He has also worked as an Assistant Stage Manager on the recent show Hollywood, Hollywood. He is open to any opportunity that meets his interests, and hopes to continue to grow in New York City.
Production Associate
Daniel Mamut, a native New Yorker, is currently a sophomore in college with anticipated majors in film and tv production and theater. He is a former graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School 12’, and is eager to get a start in his career in the entertainment industry. Formerly, solely a visual artist, this has been a great year of change and opportunity for him to grow and pursue his passion of theater. He has many interests: Acting, Production, Playwriting, Directing, and Animation. He has some voice over experience, can do multiple accents, and can speak three languages; Russian and Spanish. He has worked for Write Act Rep as a production associate for the past summer shows Sophia and Fabulous! He has also worked as an Assistant Stage Manager on the recent show Hollywood, Hollywood. He is open to any opportunity that meets his interests, and hopes to continue to grow in New York City.
*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association
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