Featured Artists
Take a moment and browse our growing list of featured artists. We are pleased to report that the Art Centre Theatre has brought together the most eclectic and unique pool of directing and musical talent that can be found in community theatre. Whether it is a doctor turned award winning playwright, a local University Professor's realization of a lifelong musical vision, or a husband's tribute to his wife's battle with brain cancer, each one brings a unparalleled skill set to the work they are producing. We are blessed and grateful to have them all. If you have a project you are aching to produce, a song you want to hear sung or an idea you want debated, please feel free to contact us, these people did.
George Variames
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Von Daniel
Gaining inspiration from his grandfather and motivation from performers such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx, Von Daniel has begun to surprise and entertain audiences of all ages with his energy and talent for comedy and improvisation. After toying with the idea of performing stand-up for more than five years, this 6'7 native New Yorker decided to "get up or shut up." Since his first appearance at the Addison's Impov in Texas, Von has made his way to performing in comedy clubs all over the country. "I love to make people laugh. It put them at ease, even if it is for only a short period of time."
If his height, demanding voice, and stand-up routine do not impress and excite you, Von's multi-talented skill base will. In addition to performing stand-up, he also moonlights as an Actor/Model and Voice Over Talent, he also runs an improv comedy troupe called Locked Out Comedy. He's here, he's there, and soon to be everywhere! www.vondaniel.com
Laurie Windham
Laurie has played keyboards and sung in various bands, as well as written countless pop, rock and jazz songs. Laurie enjoyed a successful career in the high-tech industry, building a multi-million dollar consultancy and writing two books, Dead Ahead: the Web Dilemma and the New Rules of Business and The Soul of the New Consumer, both of which are available worldwide in 10+ languages (Allworth Press, 1998, 2000). She spoke at conferences in Brazil, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Japan and Korea and in business centers across the US, China and Europe. She was profiled in Fortune Magazine, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal and Business Week. She was also featured guest on Ziff- Davis, CNN and Bloomburg talk show broadcasts as an expert on consumer behavior in the Internet Age. Several years ago, Laurie returned to her first love Musical Theater and recruited her long-time friend, McMillen, to rekindle their successful partnership and participate in the creation of Give Me A Break.
BARBARA MCMILLEN
Co-Author and Musical Director for upcoming March production of “Give Me A Break”
Barbara McMillen has been singing, songwriting and playing the piano since she can remember. Her music career ranges from piano bars to touring bands performing all genres of music including musical theater, jazz, folk, bluegrass, country, blues, Top 40 and rock. She has played opening acts for stars such as Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Asleep at the Wheel, Rusty Weir, Albert Collins, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rex Allen, Jr., Reba McEntire, and Red Stegal at major club venues and large outdoor festivals.
Barbara studied music, and composition at North Texas State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She left her full time job as a music therapist to travel on the road with her own band for a number of years. After settling down to a career in production and composition, she gravitated back to music therapy part time, and manages to find time to work with memory loss patients. She also occasionally performs at festivals, conferences and private parties.
Barbara’s composer credits include album cuts, television, films, and musical theatre. She’s won the Mercom Gold Award and a US Film & Video Silver Screen Award for original music and lyrics on various film projects, and acted as a co-writer of the theme music for the nationally syndicated Billy Bob’s Country Countdown. In musical theatre, she’s co-written When I Was A Dinosaur, No More Christmas, and Give Me A Break.
She’s also produced and hosted her own TV shows, Texas Music Magazine and Songwriter Spotlight, which featured local talent as well as special guest celebrities like Reverend Horton Heat, Robert Earl Keen, Gloria Estefan, and Tito Puente, Jr. Her Musical acting credits include local productions of Little Mary Sunshine, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, and It’s A Wonderful Life.
Barbara is Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College and Founding President Emeritus of the Dallas Songwriters Association, a nonprofit educational organization that assists songwriters in learning the craft and business of songwriting. She also serves as editor of Songwriters Notes. She has produced a number of songwriting conferences and lectured at many others. She is co-owner of the Texas Music Group an umbrella company for record labels, publishing, production and music consulting companies. She is a voting member of the Producers Wing of National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Lon Rogers
As a physician, Lon Rogers has practiced medicine in the fields of pediatrics and dermatology. His writings include a recently published novel, The Between Season, and the stage play, Evening Star Rising, produced in February 2010 by Plano ArtCentre Theatre. He resides in
Everett Newton
Everett Newton is a criminal defense attorney and partner in the law firm, Berlof & Newton, P.C. For four years, he hosted "The Everett Newton Show," a law-oriented talk show, on KLLI-FM, a local CBS Radio affiliate. He plays guitar, as well as writing the music and lyrics, for the hard rock band Little Morphine Annie, whose music is featured on the soundtrack of two different independent films. His play, "Taxidermania," is a light-hearted comedy about a taxidermy shop in East Texas, and the madness that ensues when its employee, Granger, tries to persuade its owner, Roy Don, to save their failing business by obtaining dead animals from the local zoo and selling them on the internet.
Nora Sweeney
Norah Sweeney Villanueva is recently returned to DFW after several years in New York City working as an actress. She received her MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. She teaches at Tarrant County College and is thrilled to be working with The ArtCentre Theatre.
Klay Rogers
Klay Rogers is a fifth generation Texan and a lifetime resident of North Texas. His career as a Certified Public Accountant hasn't kept him from following his creative passions. Oil Change the Musical Comedy is his second writing project and first as a playwright and lyricist. The music has been written by his brother Brent Rogers of Portland Oregon.
Klay has been a lover of musicals since childhood. He's participated in school productions from elementary school to high school. He has also added dramatic touches to his speaking and bible teaching assignments at his local church. Oil Change the Musical Comedy is largely based on the true life events of Klay's ownership of an oil change business in Farmers Branch, Texas.
Klay has committed a portion of the ticket sales of Oil Change to the National Brain Tumor Society in honor of his late wife Teresa Rogers. Based in San Francisco California, the NBTS is a leading research and support organization for those suffering from brain tumors.
Rochelle Hudson
Rochelle is thrilled to join the staff at Art Centre Theatre and work with the talented children and adults that are at ACT.
Rochelle became interested in drama in high school, when she joined the Drama Club. She went on to perform in the high school productions, where in her senior year, she won the award for "Best Supporting Actress". After high school she attended Texas State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, with a Communications minor.
She has been the drama teacher at Cornerstone Christian Academy, directing full length drama and musical productions, encompasing everything from the audition process, directing, to audio, lighting, costumes and sets. Rochelle has also been envolved in over 13 of her daughter's productions. She helped in many capacities, ranging from costumes, tickets, lighting, sound, assistant directing to show mom. She also currently acts as manager to her daughter's acting and singing career.
Rochelle is married to John Hudson and has two children Tori Hudson and Brad Hudson. When Rochelle is not in the theatre world, she is watching her son play select baseball, where he is an outstanding catcher and pitcher. Rochelle is happy to be on staff and looks forward to many new adventures at ACT.
