Conservatory Faculty

OUR INSTRUCTORS

ANDY HARMON

Andy Harmon is a writer, stage and film director, and teacher. He has directed plays at venues in the US and Europe, including The Manhattan Theatre Club in New York, Donmar Warehouse in London, and Wasa Teater in Finland. His writing includes the plays Freud’s Golem and La Comedia: Dante’s Journey to the Gates of Paradise (with Boel Larrson) and the book Change Journey: Voices of the Creative Quest, a resource for writers. Trained in improvisation by Viola Spolin, he holds a BA and MFA from Brandeis University and has taught acting and improv in London, Stockholm, Paris, and Los Angeles, as well as at the CVRep from 2012-19.  In addition to the Frank and Harry web series, his films include The Virtuoso and the restoration and editing of the recently discovered Actor Aid footage for the Live Aid YouTube channel. The Writers Studio that he founded at the CVRep in 2012 now continues to meet independently every two weeks on Zoom.”

DARREN HELD

Darren is the Creative Director of Held2gether, Improv for Life – an improv comedy school and performance space in Long Beach since 2010. A graduate from New York’s Stella Adler Conservatory, Darren went on to perform in several stage, film, and TV productions on both coasts.  His improv and sketch comedy background includes The Groundlings, Upright Citizens’ Brigade, Second City, and Held2gether.  He’s directed hundreds of sketches and improv comedy shows and worked with hundreds of companies utilizing the amazing tools of improv to enhance confidence, communication, and leadership skills. His mission is to empower people from all backgrounds through the power of comedy.   

TERI RALSTON

Celebrated actress Teri Ralston shares her many years performing on Broadway and around the world, providing students with a unique insight into the art of and joy of singing. Her extensive acting career, includes the Broadway shows YOUR OWN THING, JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, and the original productions of Stephan Sondheim’s COMPANY and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Her association with Sondheim has continued over the years performing or directing 10 of his works, which includes playing Sally in 3 productions of FOLLIES, Madame Armfeldt in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and SIDE-BY-SIDE-BY-SONDHEIM in which she starred with Peggy Lee. She was also in the original cast of BAKER’S WIFE, with music by Stephen Schwartz, and had the pleasure of being the leading lady in Cy Coleman’s HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN. Favorite roles she performed are Mama Rose in Gypsy, Mame in MAME, Dulce Mae in BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE, Sally Bowles, and later, Fraulein Schneider in CABARET, Cousin Nettie in CAROUSE and Maria, and Mother Abbess in productions of SOUND OF MUSIC. Teri has performed worldwide in cabaret and was the soloist with Michael Feinstein and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl and the New Mexico Symphony.  She is featured on 7 original cast albums, 3 CDS recorded in London, and a solo CD, I GOTTA GET BACK TO NEW YORK.

Teri has also been teaching for most of her professional career.  She got her BA and teaching credentials in Theatre and Music at San Francisco State University. Through the years, she has continued to coach voice, teach seminars, teach at performing arts high schools, and teach and direct at USC, UC Irvine, San Francisco State University, University of Louisville, Chapman, and Cal ST. Fullerton. She taught at AMDA (American Music and Dramatic Arts) in New York for 13 years, and part of the year teaching at the Musical Theatre University in Palm Springs, CA.