FTC Theatre Arts Division Faculty

Dr. David Krasner

Professor and Chair of Theatre
BFA in Acting, Carnegie Mellon University; MFA in Acting, Virginia Commonwealth University;
Ph. D. in Drama, Tufts University

Dr. David Krasner has been teaching acting and theatre for 40 years.  He was a professional actor in New York for 12 years, and has appeared on both stage and film. He was the director of undergraduate theatre studies at Yale University for ten years, Head of the B.F.A. acting program at Emerson College for five years, Dean of the School of the Arts at Dean College for five years, Head of the graduate directing program at Southern Illinois University for two years, and taught acting, voice, speech, movement and directed plays at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York for nine years. Not surprisingly, many of his past students have also gone on to win Obie and Tony Awards.

Dr. Krasner studied acting under Paul Mann, Kim Stanley and Barbara Loden, and holds a Ph. D. in Drama from Tufts University. He is the author and editor of eleven books covering topics from Method acting, theatre history, dramatic literature, modern drama, African American theatre, theatre and philosophy, American drama, dramatic theory and criticism. He serves on the board of editors for Stanislavsky Studies, Theatre Journal, and African American Review. He was the recipient of the Betty Jean Jones Award for the best teacher of American theatre and drama (2008), and has twice received the Errol Hill Award from the American Society for Theatre Research for the best work on African American Theatre (1998, 2002). He is also the co-editor of the University of Michigan Press’s series on Theatre. As an actor, he last performed Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge in Massachusetts, which can be seen on YouTube.

Kaelem Camper

Acting, Adjunct
Temple University (B.A.) and Long Island University (M.F.A.)

Kaelem Camper is an actor from Philadelphia, PA who has written numerous plays, as well as directed shows as he crafts his personal consent-based pedagogy. Upon earning his Masters, he became an adjunct professor at both Long Island University and Five Towns College. He also has multiple certifications from Theatrical Intimacy Education (T.I.E.) which he puts into practice in both his educational work, directorial work, and his intimacy coordination. As an actor, he has starred in musicals Tick, Tick, Boom and Orange is the New Musical, plays Dog Sees God and Zooman and the Sign, Shakespeare, The Tempest and multiple devised works. He has directed many original plays, devised pieces, and multiple first year college showcases. Recently, he, along with his friend Brett Wolfe, created a new theatrical film company called The Wonderstruck Uncut. For the company’s opening season, Kaelem starred in a film titled “Quandaries of the Living”, which he also wrote. He also directed a film titled “Tumor”. kaelemvoncamper.com wonderstruckuncut.com

Michael Kauffman

Technical Director, Assistant Professor, Head of Design and Technology

Michael Kaufman is a designer, technician, and production manager who has worked countless productions at a myriad of New York venues. After initially training at Bard College, he worked professionally at The Fisher Center for The Performing Arts, The Tilles Center, Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, The Landmark on Main Street, The John W. Engeman Theatre, The Argyle Theatre, and other venues. He has also spent several years in the live event technologies industry, working with local specialists such as Bestek Lighting and Staging, Shadowbox Design Management, and Luminous Designs.

Joel Bernard Steinberger

B.A. Queens College, M.F.A. The American Conservatory Theater

Joel Bernard is an actor from New York City. He trained at F. H. Laguardia H. S. of Music and Art and of the Performing Arts, The Moscow Art Theater, and The American Conservatory Theater. In 2008, he co-founded Benefit of the Doubt Theatre Company in which he has worked as an actor, director, and Co-Artistic Director. In San Francisco, he starred in the American Conservatory Theater’s productions of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh at the Geary Theater, and Love and Information by Caryl Churchill at the Strand Theater. In New York City, he starred in Head First Theatre Collective’s production of This is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan at Primary Stages/45th Street Theater, Don Juan in Chicago by David Ives at the Krane Theater and the English language premier of Phantom Pains by Vasily Sigarev, a collaboration between Benefit of the Doubt Theatre Company and the Sixth Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre. In Ireland, he starred in Pizza Man by Darlene Craviotto at the Town Hall Theater in Galway, as well as The Playboy of the Western World at the Bank of Ireland Theatre. Film and TV credits on iMDB.com (as Joel Bernard).

Kevin Burns

Adjunct Professor

Kevin Burns is a Long Island based creative. He began dancing as soon as he could walk; however, it wasn’t until later that he realized his true passion for musical staging and choreography. He has worked with companies and educational institutions across Long Island as an actor, choreographer, dancer, and educator. Kevin works with the incredible talents at Five Towns College as an Adjunct Professor, focusing on the principles of tap and jazz dance to further storytelling through dance and movement. He has also served as choreographer in the Five Towns College Performing Arts Center of the Theatre Arts Division’s Main Stage productions of Sister Act, Xanadu, Urinetown and Into The Woods. Kevin’s theatrical mission is to help shape the talents of all artists and to assist in creating a kinder, more inclusive world for all people through the arts.

Shorey Walker

Adjunct Professor
Since 2004, Shorey Walker has been changing lives and building careers for hundreds of actors. Whether it is to secure auditions, book jobs, or to sign with a Talent Agent or Personal Manager,

Shorey has been working as an Actor Business Coach with the experience, knowledge and commitment to making any acting goal a reality. Currently, as the Program Coordinator at The Growing Studio for the College Content, Shorey teaches The Biz of the Biz- Marketing Tools for Actors and Preparing for the Talent Agent Interview at over 45 Universities from across the US and UK.
Shorey is also a working actor in Theatre, Commercials, Hosting, Industrials, TV and Film. Pursuing a career in New York City since 1992, Shorey performed in eight Broadway National Tours, 13 years in a row of summer stock, 20+ regional theatre productions, 10+ Off-Broadway credits including the production of Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart at the Signature Theatre and can be heard as The Cat In the Hat on the revival recording of Seussical. Recent TV appearances include White Collar, Diabolical, Redrum, One Life To Live, The Eric Andre Show, Sprout TV and Deadly Sins.

Hali Bekofsky

Assistant Professor, Head of Dance, Co-Head of Musical Theatre
BFA in Dance, University of the Arts; MA in Education, Stony Brook University

Hali Bekofsky was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She was a competitive dancer from the ages of seven to seventeen and upon finishing high school attended the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia, where she graduated in May 2010 with a B.F.A. in Jazz Dance Performance. While attending UArts she received the Faculty Award for “Excellence in Dance”, was a founding member and soloist of the Xhale Dance Company, and, simultaneously, received her Certification in Nutrition for Optimal Health, Wellness and Sports through Stony Brook University.

After graduation she was honored to have the opportunity to dance for a year in Israel under the MASA Apprentice Program with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and upon returning to NYC, she worked with companies such as Michael Susten and Company, DeMa Dance Company, Leon Contemporary Dance Company, Amalgamate Dance Company, BEings Dance Company and performed different project works at APAP Festival, NYC REVERBdance, The Young Choreographers Festival and as a dancer for recording artist Ja’Shayla at Gap Stores. In 2013 she became a 200hr certified Vinyasa Yoga Instructor and from 2013-2016 she was the Creator/Co-Owner of Mindful Practice Workshop: Conditioning and Wellness for the Competitive Dancer which was featured in the February 2015 edition of Dance Studio Life Magazine. In addition to being at Five Towns College, she is a dance teacher in NY where she teaches multiple levels and styles, a choreographer for competitive gymnastic floor routines, and is a JV Dance Team Coach at a local high school. 

Dr. Rich Harris Jr.

Vocal Instructor, Adjunct

Dr. Harris has been teaching voice, acting, and piano for almost 20 years. Rich currently teaches at a South Shore public high school, where he serves as the Director of Musical Productions, Choral Activities, and the Music Theory program. Rich has spent years on the Tri-State band circuit as a vocalist and keyboardist.  During the early part of his career, he has worked extensively as a performer and educator while undertaking a Bachelors degree in Music Education, a Masters degree in Music History, and a Doctoral degree in Music History. Past accomplishments include being selected to the national touring companies of Rent and Movin’ Out as well as working on an MTV pilot show.

Mitchell Walker

Head of Musical Theatre and Vocal Production, Assistant Professor
BFA in Musical Theatre, University of Cincinnati

Mitchell Walker is a NYC based Director and Record Producer. He is also the Co-Founder of No Reverse Records, the Artistic and Creative Director for The Rusty Anchor Acting Company (RAAC). As a Record Producer he has worked on production with Greg Calbi, Six-Time Grammy Award Winner Alex Venguer, 3-Time Grammy Award Winner Oscar Zambrano. His records have been on the Billboard Top 10 Cast Album Chart, #1 on iTunes Blues and R&B charts, #1 on Amazon, and have won Broadway World’s Solo album of the year (2016) and the Decade (2010 – 2020). Releasing music by Grammy Nominated Singer Songwriter LOLO aka Lauren Pritchard (Spring Awakening), Hamilton Duo Saffron Lips (Stephanie Jae Park & Voltaire Wade-Greene), Original Studio Cast Recording Frankie! The Musical (Broadway Records), Classical Crossover Composer Blake Allen, and Broadway stars Blaine Krauss, Michelle Dowdy, and Alexa Green. As a director he has worked on Night of the Living Dead: The Musical at Theatre Row (Off-Broadway), Birthday Boy the Musical at The Davenport Theatre (Off-Broadway), The Last Five Years at Columbia University, Gemini starring Diana DeGarmo at Sony Hall, and DNA: Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young at Birdland. Member of Actors Equity Association. www.noreverserecords.com

Monica Athenas

Stage Management, Adjunct
BFA in Theatre Arts, Adelphi University

Monica Athenas is a Queens, NY based Stage Manager and theatre collaborator. She is the stage management professor of Five Towns College Theatre Division. She is currently working with KGM Theatrical as the Production Stage Manager for Asi Wind’s: Inner Circle. For more info on upcoming/current projects visit monicaathenas.com

Kelly Horsted

Vocal, Adjunct

Kelly Horsted enjoys an active career in NYC as an accompanist and vocal coach. He has a long relationship with American Opera Projects, where he has been a music director for Composers and the Voice Series since 2006. Through AOP, he recently participated as a music director for The Stonewall Operas, a joint collaboration with the Tisch GMTWP’s Advanced Opera Lab. He is also a regular collaborator at the Madison Lyric Stage where he recently music directed Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.  Other notable associations have included Chelsea Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, Long Island Concert Pops, The Wintergreen Festival, New Jersey Opera Theater, Friends and Enemies of New Music, and Five Words in a Line.  He has taught at Mannes College of Music, The Hartt School, Hunter College, Intermezzo, Five Towns College, OperaWorks, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, and the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at Tisch NYU as a thesis collaborator.  His Bachelor and Master of Music degrees are from the Eastman School of Music where he was a fellowship recipient and a 1st place Kneisel Competition winner.

Audra Moricca

Vocal, Head of Vocal Placement, Adjunct
Bachelor of Music in Applied Voice, Mannes School of Music; MA in Vocal Performance, Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College

Audra Moricca is a native of Northport, New York, began her musical studies as a violinist, studying at Manhattan School of Music. She maintains an active performing career and is a respected interpreter in both the operatic and concert arenas.  She specializes in the dramatic roles of Strauss, Verdi and Wagner, as well as the title roles of Tosca, Turandot, and Vanessa. Recent performances include appearances as Marcelina in Le Nozze di Figaro with North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and as Santuzza in Hotel Fables with Madison Lyric Stage.  With pianist Kelly Horsted, Ms. Moricca has performed and recorded extensive recital repertoire. Recent performances together include concert works Andromache’s Farewell, and Concert Arias K272 & K505 by Mozart, as well as Wagner’s Wesendonk Lieder and Debussy’s Chansons de Bilitis.  She maintains a private studio in Manhattan and Northport, NY, and has taught both pedagogy and performance classes. She is dedicated to the training of both classical and musical theater singers, and her students are frequently noted for extensive vocal range and power. Audra has had the pleasure of preparing singers for concerts, regional opera and musical theater. Audra is the voice coordinator at Five Towns College and has been a faculty member since 2001. She has also served as a past vocal faculty member at Molloy College and the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

Dan Renkin

Stage Combat Instructor
BA in Drama, University of California at Irvine
BA in Film Studies, University of California at Irvine
Certificate, Two-Year Professional Workshop, Circle in the Square Theatre School, NYC
Certified Stage Combat instructor and Fight Director with B.H. Barry (founder of modern fight direction,
co-founder BADC, and only Tony-recipient for fight direction)
Co-founder American Academy of Fight Directors, the only society with which Mr. Barry is a member

Dan Renkin assisted Tony-recipient B.H. Barry on Broadway’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and taught for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Circle in the Square, HB Studio and NYFA (founding faculty, Musical Theatre division.) He has fought and coached at the Metropolitan Opera and was a stunt coordinator on “As The World Turns.” Recent productions include Douglas Beane’s To Wong Foo and Hood! (NYC Workshops), R&J&Z (New Ohio), Poppea (Aspen Opera), Punk Rock (Montclair), Fruit Trilogy (Abingdon), Extinction (Guild Hall/Sawyer Spielberg), Monte Cristo (NLTP), Pirira (NYIT Award, Theatre 167), All My Sons (Alec Baldwin, Laurie Metcalf), and Loveless Texas (Sheen).