ABOUT COLLEGE AUDITION COACH
"Expert, Mary Anna Dennard, believes strongly in the advantages of a college education in theater."- New York Times
A little history: Mary Anna Dennard founded College Audition Coach in 2000. It is an innovative, comprehensive package of complete support for the college audition process. President, Mark Christine, joined College Audition Coach in 2005 using his expertise to focus on song rep and acting the song. At its very core is the Senior Prep Program, launched in 2011 and the first of its kind for performing arts applicants. In addition, College Audition Coach offers consulting, coaching, master classes and unlimited resources for students, families and independent college advisors.
"College Audition Coach enabled me to be the most prepared I could possibly be. With all that knowledge, coaching, and hard work behind me, I was free to enjoy the auditions without a barrier of stress"
Emily,Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
MEET
MARY ANNA
FOUNDER
Mary Anna Dennard is a nationally recognized college audition coach and author of two popular guide books: I GOT IN! The Ultimate College Audition Guide For Acting And Musical Theatre, and Before I GOT IN! The Young Teen's College Audition Guide For Acting And Musical Theatre. You might recognize her writings for the New York Times Theatre Section, The Huffington Post, Backstage, and Getacceptd.
She also conducts master classes throughout the country and has served as a guest instructor for the Broadway Dreams Foundation, Broadway Teachers Workshop, Broadway Dallas (formerly the Dallas Summer Musicals), Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute (SSTI), Cleveland Musical Theatre, RISPA, College Audition Prep Weekend (CAPW) and The Performing Arts Project (TPAP).
She received her training on a talent scholarship at The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and in 1980, began working as a casting director in Los Angeles. Her fifteen years of casting credits have garnered Clios, Emmys, a Peabody Award, and Academy Awards.
MEET
MARK
PRESIDENT
Mark Christine is a New York-based music director, actor, and nationally recognized college audition coach. He has worked with College Audition Coach since 2005 helping high school students prepare for their college theatre and musical theatre program auditions. Additionally, Mark has developed a successful professional coaching studio in New York with clients appearing on Broadway, in National Tours, in regional productions and on television.
As a performer he made his Broadway debut in Waitress, and appeared in the 1st National Tour of Waitress as both a musician and cast member. Additional credits as a pianist/keyboardist, arranger, musical director, and orchestrator: Guthrie, Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre Center, The Jungle, Signature Theatre DC, La Jolla Playhouse, and others. As an actor: Mark Taper Forum, Denver Center, Guthrie, A.C.T., La Jolla Playhouse, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and the acclaimed US National Tour of Peter Brook's, The Suit.
Mark has been on faculty and taught guest workshops at numerous acting and musical theatre programs including: Pace, Arizona, Guthrie/Minnesota, Michigan, UC San Diego, Stella Adler Conservatory, and New York Film Academy.
He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a focus on music direction from the University of Michigan (Summa Cum Laude) and an MFA in Acting from UC San Diego / La Jolla Playhouse.
MEET HUNTER
COACHING ASSOCIATE
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka is an award-winning Broadway actor best known for his nearly two years starring on Broadway as Henrik in the Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, and Elaine Stritch.
Hunter began his association with Mary Anna in 2001 when he was a student in the Dallas Summer Musicals academy. When he applied to colleges five years later, he asked her to coach him as a private student. He graduated with a BFA in Acting/Musical Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University on full scholarship, and they have remained close colleagues ever since.
Hunter is proud of his post as professor of acting at the Texas State University’s summer Nexus musical theatre program. The nation’s most popular college programs continue to engage him to teach as a guest artist in musical theatre and acting including: Baylor, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, Texas State University, Webster University, Southern Methodist University, Oakland University, University of Arizona, University of Alabama, Viterbo, Shenandoah Conversatory and Texas Tech.
In recognition of his impressive list of accomplishments, the Dallas Summer Musicals chose to honor him with the prestigious Fullinwider Award for his contribution to the arts. Previous recipients include Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark and Tony Nominee Stark Sands.
MEET JADE
TEAM MEMBER
Jade Lambert-Smith first began her association with college audition coach in 2018. She holds a BA in Drama from Spelman College and a Masters in Directing from Miami University. Jade is a theatre practitioner who is intentional about creating opportunities for artists in underrepresented communities. She is the founder of PG Entertainment, a family-focused production company committed to developing innovative and inspiring arts experiences for today’s modern family.
Jade has served as the instructor of acting for Spelman College’s Department of Drama and Dance and as the Artistic Engagement Associate at the Alliance Theatre where she dramaturged numerous productions including Seussical, In The Red and Brown Water, Good Night Moon, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel, Gem of the Ocean, Radio Golf, and Doubt. She continues to realize her commitment to Atlanta youth by teaching and conducting acting, directing, voice, and performing arts workshops for the Alliance Theatre and Fulton County Arts Council. Jade proudly served as the director of theatre at Tri-Cities High School.
PRAISE
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT COLLEGE AUDITION COACH
"College audition coach's Online Prep was a clear, detailed map that helped me navigate the intense and confusing world of college auditions"
Henry,Carnegie Mellon University,
School of Drama and Music Theatre
"I learned so much about the college audition process, so when it was time to audition I was confident and able to just focus on being present in the room!"
Jackson,University of Michigan Musical Theatre
"Online Prep made me feel more prepared and inspired that I ever thought possible. I felt like I knew all the secrets to sharing my true and authentic self with every audition"
Alexa,Pace University Musical Theatre