Nadia Santos was born in Portugal.  Her academic and artistic background includes obtaining a degree in Theater Studies at the Performing Arts School in Porto, the Erasmus Program (European exchange students’ program) in England, the Clown Course at École Philippe Gaulier in France, and the Thierry Salmon Project’s International Itinerant Course of Theatre Improvement in France, Italy and Portugal. She has worked for the National Theatre in Porto and Lisbon, and for the Teatro Aberto and Chapitô Companies in Lisbon. In 2006, she worked in Italy with director Carlo Cecchi. She has worked regularly on television series and soap operas, and her film debut was with director Joaquim Leitão. Nadia would like to thank the Calouste Gulbenkien Foundation for their scholarship, her family for their unconditional support and everyone at Michael Howard Studios for an incredible, exceptional year!

Julie Grenier has experienced growth in her craft as well as in life from participating in the One-Year Conservatory Program at Michael Howard Studios.  Prior to her studies here, she had a supporting role in the independent film Absent Father, did a day's background work on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and has enjoyed competing in National Dance Competitions across the country for five years.  Julie has big dreams and aspirations, and she is excited to be one step closer to them by performing here today. 

Annalaina Marks was born and raised in Erie, PA, and moved to New York City in 2005 to pursue a modeling career.  Shortly after relocating, she was referred to Michael Howard Studios, where she took her first acting class, and not long after, she booked the feature film Made of Honor, in which she acted opposite Patrick Dempsey.  She recently shot the feature film Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, where she worked with Matthew McConaughey. She has fallen in love with acting and isn’t looking back.  In her spare time, Annalaina still plays water polo two days a week on an all-boys team and volunteers her time to help the less fortunate. She plans on changing the world and the way people treat each other.

Rebbeca Reid has worked internationally as an actress, appearing on the stages of London in plays such as Henrik Ibsen’s The Doll’s House and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as films such as David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises and Your Angel Face Is Going to Hell, which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. She is one of the founding members of the Institute of New Cinema. Prior to coming to New York, Rebecca studied at Circle in the Square and with Felicitas St. Croix in Canada. She is currently in development on a new film project by Academy Award-nominated director Charles Ferguson and is establishing a new theater company with fellow members of Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory.

Mary-Claire Alford got her start in the arts with Summerfest Theatre in Birmingham, AL. After graduating from Wheaton College (IL) in 2006, where she majored in Sociology, she moved to New York to pursue a career in the theatre. Prior to coming to Michael Howard Studios, Mary-Claire studied at NYU's Stonestreet Studios and CAP21. Some past credits include The Maderati, My Shakespeare Brings All the Boys to the Yard, Pop, The Sound of Music, Steel Magnolias, Lord of the Flies, Scrooge, Guys and Dolls, Cinderella, Megaheros, and Christmas Rappings. 

Scout Durwood is a New York City-based actor and cum laude graduate of Amherst College, where she majored in Political and Social Activism through Theatre. She wrote and produced two solo shows, including On My Reel about her experience in reality TV. 

Tracy Park was born and raised in Korea and moved to New York City in the summer of 2007. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and English Literature, and has just completed the One-Year Conservatory at Michael Howard Studios. She recently made her New York City debut in 12 Angry Women presented by Michael Howard Studios.

Lindsay Kabus is a native of Atlanta, GA.  She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies. Recent credits include The Maderati and Trojan Women.  She is now a permanent resident of New York City and looks forward to continuing her career in the Big Apple.

Rachael Patten was raised in California, where she studied with UCLA's Performing Arts Institute and The Actor's Gang, and was a part of Dragon Productions Theatre Company for a year. Upon arriving in New York, Rachael studied at The Lee Strasberg Institute, then Larry Singer Studios, and finally found her way to the One-Year Conservatory at Michael Howard Studios. Credits include Let Me In (music video for The Avon Junkies), 12 Angry Women, Anais Nin Goes to Hell and North Shore Fish.

Trevor Murphy comes from Ireland and is now based in New York City.  Theatre credits include The Maderati, Our Country's Good, A Family Affair, Twelfth Night, The Cherry Orchard (Workhouse Theatre, London), In the Shadow of the Glen, as well as Buffalo Bill Has Gone To Alaska and Lunch (both at University College, Dublin).

Josh Evans was born and raised in New York City and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Art from UNC Chapel Hill.  Some of his acting creditcs include The Maderati, The Last Night at Ballyhoo, La Turista and The Son of Arlecchino.  Josh would like to thank all the drama teachers as well as the Michael Howard Studios staff for their undying support over the past year.  He would like to dedicate this performance to his mother and father.

Abdel Gonzalez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts and Psychology from Drew University in 2005 and also attended London’s British American Drama Academy in 2004. Abdel’s credits include work with Communicable Arts Theatre Company, Grandma’s Moustache, and Higher Ground, amongst others. He would like to thank Gabrielle Berberich and everyone at Michael Howard Studios for an amazing year and, of course, would like to give a shout-out to his family and friends for their unconditional love and support.

Molly Montgomery is a New York City-based actor. She studied the Meisner Technique in Chicago with Kathryn Gately and Richard Poole and attended Stella Adler upon moving to New York. She is a graduate of Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory and currently studies with Karl Bury, Alex Neil and Deborah Kampmeier.

Annie Bulow is a singer/songwriter, actress, and dancer. She toured with Idaho Shakespeare Festival, in the Shakespearience 2007 production of Much Ado About Nothing in the role of Hero. She performed in many musicals, including Boise Music Week’s 2004 production of ‘The Wizard of OZ’, as Dorothy Gale. She danced 4 years with Balance Modern Dance Company, and had the honor of singing an original song (trio) written for the Dalai Lama during his visit in Sun Valley, Idaho. Annie was a Repertory member of The New Heritage Theatre Company as: Abigail Williams in The Crucible, Emily in Our Town, and Monica in Avatara.  Annie's film and commercial experience includes: Autumn Angel with Super Red Pictures, and Throbbing Springs with Incognito Productions; the Boys & Girls Club commercial with the Ralston Group, Idaho Reports and Idaho Family Christmas with the Idaho PTV.  Annie resides in Brooklyn, and will continue professional training and career opportunities in NYC.

Richard Vallejos is extremely grateful to be working with such a talented company. Richard made his film debut in 2007 opposite Brian O’Halloran (Clerks, Clerks II) in Brutal Massacre. He attends Michael Howard Studios and is part of the One-Year Conservatory. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kean University. Richard would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for their continued love and support.

Maggie Benedict hails from South Africa and is now very happy to call the Big Apple her home. The Musical Theatre graduate's credits include Snoopy!!!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Jesus Christ Superstar.  In New York, she has appeared in Anais Nin Goes to Hell (Best New Play – BTW Unbound Festival 2007) and Does Anyone Know Sarah Paisner (Intravenous Theatre).  She is proud to be in the company of the generous actors involved in this production.  She will be appearing this summer in a new play at the New York Fringe Festival.

Aaron Calafato hails from Berea, OH. He attended Bowling Green State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theater/Film Performance. Aaron played the lead role of Todd in Richard Greenberg’s The Authors Voice and was William in an original play entitled Not Enough Light. He began acting in student independent films, then teamed up with fellow student and aspiring film director Jay Ellison to portray the lead role of Captain Don Todd in Ellison’s film The Forgotten Promise (2004), which won first prize at the BGSU Film Festival. In addition, he performed in and produced five independent student films, most recently No Faces (2006), which Aaron also wrote. After moving to New York, he made his television debut as a New York City Police Officer in the ESPN original mini-series The Bronx Is Burning. Most recently, he was cast as the lead understudy as Tom in the Two River Theater’s production of The Glass Menagerie. Aaron currently studies under Karl Bury.  Before this year, he had also studied with Austin Pendleton and Arthur French at HB Studio.   

Hollis Fox recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, where she appeared in Waiting for Lefty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Vanishing Marion. Upon graduation she moved to New York City to attend Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory. She is thankful for the wonderful experience and knowledge garnered at Michael Howard Studios this year. It has truly been a life-changing time, and she would like to thank everyone for their creative and personal support. Mom, I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart).

Alex Levi-Gardes is a native of Washington, DC. Alex has tried his hand at different styles of entertainment, from writing, stand-up comedy, broadcasting, to improv, until finally deciding to study acting at the age of twenty-five. Alex spent one year at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and then enrolled at Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory.

Daniel Kaplan is a New York City-based actor and musician. Prior to living in New York, he studied Philosophy and Mathematics at the University of Rochester, and Classical Piano and Composition at the Eastman School of Music. He has performed throughout the Northeast, and is currently establishing a new theatre company with fellow members of the Michael Howard Studios’ One-Year Conservatory.

Mikaela Martin has worked and trained as an actor in Australia for the last ten years and is now based in New York City. Theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Hitler’s Daughter, Traitors and the title role in Rich and the Second. In 2007, she received a national theatre nomination for Best Actress/Best Production for her solo show Antidote, which she also performed at Michael Howard Studios this spring. She has narrated several talking books and has appeared in a number of independent films. Mikaela took the Summer Conservatory at Michael Howard Studios in 2007 and simply couldn’t stay away.

Christina Graziano was born in Cape Coral, FL. She started modeling at the age of twelve, but then found her true passion in acting. She pursued her dreams and then moved to New York City as soon as she graduated Cape Coral High School, where she completed one year of the School of Film & Television. She would like to thank all of her peers and the faculty, especially Gabrielle Berberich, for giving her this amazing opportunity. Also, she thanks her parents for all the love and support. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Tristan Fisher launched her career in the performing arts at the age of three, when she began dance and gymnastics training and soon developed a passion for singing and acting. Tristan has performed in large venue events as a dancer/cheerleader in the Orange and Hula Bowls, and she also sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game. She attended Syracuse University, majoring in Musical Theatre. Her acting credits include 12 Angry Women, Naked Girl on the Appain Way, Bye Bye Birdie, West Side Story, Antigone, The Odd Couple.

Ayanat Ksenbai moved to New York from Kazakhstan to study acting. Her professional credits include a number of commercial Kazakh feature films: Leilla’s Pray (2002, winner of multiple Russian film festival awards), The Nomad (2005, Kazakhstan’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 79th Academy Awards), Man – Wind (2007), Ulzhan (2007, official entry into the Cannes, Toronto and Munich Film Festivals in 2006), amongst others.

Renzo Rios is thrilled to be completing his Conservatory experience at Michael Howards Studios. Last year he also finished core conservatory classes at the Acting School of South Florida and summer training at the Terry Schreiber Studio. He recently appeared in The Maderati, Anna in the Tropics and Don’t Drink the Water. You can also see him starring in a Sonic Drive-In commercial.