Drama Studio

Overview

Drama Studio

Our focus is tuning students’ physical and vocal instruments through personal exploration and ensemble collaboration. Our entire freshman year is spent building a foundation that will support students in their four years at TU. Actors take a deep dive into exploring vulnerability, understanding of self, and supporting peers in all aspects of our craft. We believe that building ensemble and creating an environment where students can take risks is a shared responsibility. Students will study acting, theater history, voice and speech, improvisation, and technical theatre. All of this prepares students for their sophomore thru senior years where students will compete in the annual Shakespeare Monologue Competition, produce full productions, and work with professional theatre artists through partnerships with arts organizations from across New York City.

Drama Spotlight

Partnership with TDF

Through our incredible connection with Theater Development Fund, our young actors attend Broadway productions, work with numerous theater professionals and are afforded the opportunity to apply for a yearlong mentorship with a Broadway professional.

Drama Studio Snapshots

Noah
Hougland

A New Yorker by choice and a Texan by birth, Mr. Hougland is an artist and educator who has spent his life doing what he loves – creating. After attending a nationally recognized performing arts high school in Dallas and earning an undergraduate degree in theatre from SMU, he spent a decade pursuing a career in the NYC entertainment industry, working on short films, off-Broadway plays, and independent features. His directing work ranges from contemporary musicals to classical plays, and he has designed, installed, and built the lighting and scenery for dozens of high school productions.
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Lisa-Erika James

Ms. James, holds an MFA from Columbia University in Theater Directing- she was the first African-American woman to earn this degree. Additionally, Ms. James holds MA from New York University in Educational Theater. Ms. James is a veteran teacher and has taught with the Department of Education for nearly two decades and has directed and produced over 50 productions. James was also the Associate Director of Education at Lincoln Center Theater. Ms. James is fluent in Spanish and is an avid reader and writer.

Ted Nusbaum

Mr. Nusbaum, currently on sabbatical, is a playwright, screenwriter, director and actor who enjoys teaching Drama at Talent Unlimited. Mr. Nusbaum sold, optioned and published several original works including “Pischer” (Samuel French), “Bank Street” (John Wells Productions), “Quick Sticks” (Teddy Zee) and “Stronger Than Oak” (The Inhabitants). Mr. Nusbaum played several supporting roles in Off-Off Broadway productions in the early 2000’s, studied Long Form Improvisation at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and trained in the Meisner Technique with Larry Silverberg. Mr. Nusbaum spent two weeks at La Porte Peinte Centre pour les Arts, in Noyers, France in 2019 as an Artist in Residence working on what would become his latest play, “The Institute.” He holds degrees from The Actors Studio Drama School, Columbia University and The Colorado College.
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Christina Peacock

Christina Peacock is an actor, director and theater educator who got her start in the world of education after her theater company, Breathe and Rhythms, was hired to work in the NYC public school system. Mrs. Peacock has worked as an actor at Public Theater, Ohio Theater, The Kitchen, New York Theater Workshop, PS 122, St James Church, Aaron Davis Hall, and Playground Theater. In addition, she directed shows at The Nuyorican Poets Café and John Jay College, developed curriculum with Barnard College and worked at The Painted Bride Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia. In 2016, she returned to Theater for The New City where she previously performed The Life of Violet, to perform in the world premiere of The Sorcerers, a play about xenophobia, interracial marriage, and witchcraft. Mrs. Peacock holds a BFA in Theater from CCNY and an MS in Multicultural Education from The College of Mt. St. Vincent.
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Alex Turner

As a professional teaching artist, performer, improvisor, deviser, and director, he activates drama with young artists to help them understand their authentic selves and express that knowledge to the world. Alex has performed professionally with Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, National Players, Pointless Theatre Company, Rorschach Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and We Happy Few Productions. His ctaught with companies including Arena Stage, Emursive Productions, Imagination Stage, National Players, Educational Theatre Company, and Young Actors Theatre. Alex trained at the University of Richmond, University of London, and The iO Theatre, ultimately earning his Master of Science in Educational Theatre degree from The City College of New York. Alex is proud to be an Arthur Miller Foundation Fellow and the national recipient of the 2023 Winifred Ward Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
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