Recommendations

Dawnnie Mercado Dawnnie Mercado & The Academy Training Center Legacy LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM Dawnnie Mercado's Clients & Current/Former Acting Company Members. ******************************************* March 1, 2007 Dear Dawnnie, I wanted you to know that Belle has booked Chasin' the CAT project. From all reports, she did very well. Belle has now booked 2 for 2 she on the auditions after working with you!!! Your training for her is invaluable, and your support is incredible!!!! Again, Thank you for everything. Sincerely, Esther Burgess Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 Dear Dawnnie, I wanted you to know that Belle has just booked a principle part, Abby, in a Student film "The Entry". This was the first audition she attended since the private coaching she took with you last week on auditioning techniques. I want to really thank you for all your time and effort, and also wanted you to know that we think you are great - as a person, a teacher and a coach. The results definitely validate that you are a successful acting instructor. I know that Belle will continue to work hard, and we hope will make you proud. Sincerely, Esther Burgess Theatre Creators Kids ********************************* “I am a student of Theatre Creator Kids. I enjoy this class very much. I am an actor and have been through many classes that were great, but not enough of a challenge. With this I feel I can be unbridled to experiment and explore my talents and range. As well as that I feel like this class will go far! It really deserves a good home. Dawnnie is an awesome teacher. She really gets on your level and helps you find who your character is or lead you to where you’re going with the changes. So in other words this class helps with practicing your craft as well as being fun. I feel comfortable to be myself and my character" -Deeonna Lanay Gonzalez “Zoë (6 years old) is now working on her second production with Theatre Creators Kids and very much is looking forward to the next. She has always thoroughly enjoyed it and looks forward to it every week. I think that the training that you give will help her as she grows up, in establishing self confidence and comfort in front of others, something that is best achieved on stage and with a director that encourages such freedom." -David Berger “Theatre Creator Kids has been a wonderful experience for my entire family. Those of us who participated and those of us who were audience members agree this program is a wonderful creative outlet and learning experience for our children. I currently have three children enrolled in the program. My intention is to continue on with the theatre group as long as possible. I will recommend this program to all who inquire. Dawnnie Mercado is an unbelievable instructor. Her natural ability to connect with the children, coupled with her knowledge of the arts and enthusiasm is infectious. I have been impressed with what I've been able to see thus far, I can't wait to see what is around the corner." -Angela Ingram Dawnnie Mercado Coaching, and Academy Students ************************************ "I have been so impressed with all that Jessica has learned and is continuing to learn under your tutelage. Dawnnie, you are a fantastic coach, and I feel very fortunate to have found someone that is not only very talented, knowledgeable, supportive, and challenging, but also someone who is extraordinarily gifted in inter-relating with kids. Jessica respects you and learns something new in every session. She's also having a lot of fun and enjoys working with other kids with similar goals. You are helping Jessica (and me) more than you know. Best regards,Dorcas" We were told to quote her completely. Thank you Dorcas. Jessica Fikejs has been studying with Theatre Creators Academy since January 2006, and appeared in our last show "Broadway Bound Kids" having recently also joined our Theatre Creators Kids program. "Dawnnie not only coached me in a nice, supportive way, but she also taught me how to analyze & tear my scripts apart so I can do it on my own. That's really important because I've had crazy, last-minute script changes & you need to be ready. The cookies didn't hurt either." -Evan Egas, 12 “Finally, I found an acting coach that has all the right stuff! Dawnnie Mercado is a multi-talented, working actress that comes from both experience and education. She has been able to pass along genuine knowledge and expertise from a real place of knowing and doing. Most importantly though, she has the gift of connecting with both of my kids on a personal level which has created an atmosphere for learning and growing in their acting abilities. Her approach is low-key, but direct and very effective. My kids like her for her warm, caring nature and how she nurtures their developing skills. I highly recommend her for time and money well spent both in teaching and coaching!" -Mrs Bailey Theatre Creators Collective ************************************* “The Theatre Creators Collective has grown so much just within the last few months and has a bright future. It is organized and professionally run with the main goals being to share and create art with other actors as well as with the community. Our leaders have the background, experience, and mostly the heart to run this company. I have felt comfortable and able to grow within a positive, supportive group...But, not only has theatre been our main focus. It is an opportunity to share our personal projects that we are working on and also work on TV/film projects...to work on all aspects of the business...to better prepare ourselves as actors out in the working world. The opportunity to have the freedom to reach our personal and collective goals will make this a progressive, respectable organization." -Lindsay Metter, Member of Theatre Creators Collective since August 2005 "The Theatre Creators experience has been nothing but positive for me since day one. It’s an ideal place to consistently improve your work in a family like group" -Joey Napoli Member since 2005 "Theatre Creators Collective is the third theatre company I have belonged to. It is the first that is truly concerned with turning struggling actors into working actors. Dawnnie’s enthusiasm for the group’s success and her desire to produce well trained actors has convinced me that she can pull off anything she sets her mind to." -Michael Judson Pratt Member, Theatre Creators Collective “I am currently a member of Theatre Creators Collective-Adults of Theatre Creators Inc., owned and operated by Dawnnie Mercado-Barrera, since its inception in August of this past year. I am an active filmmaker and performer and before joining the Collective, I gained theatrical and literary experience on my own, writing and directing four short films, one to award-winning status, performing professional stand-up comedy around Los Angeles and the country and continuing my theatrical dramatic experience with the odd play maybe once a year and taking writing workshops trying to find an outlet for my literary expression and work. Since I’ve joined the Collective, I have been able to experience not only my theatrical development but my literary development as well and validation of its worth and expression to the community and for myself. It has been a tremendous experience which I hope to continue in the future and hope to expand upon, not only for myself but for the other artists in the Collective as well.” -Maria Menozzi Member, Theatre Creators Collective Executive Director, The Los Angeles Women of Comedy Principal, Zoey Films and Zoey Productions THE ACADEMY LEGACY BELOW: ********************************************************** "Academy Kids provides the young professional with an understanding of the business and seasons these young actors, strengthening their ability to compete in the industry". Joey Paul, Casting Director – Nickelodeon "These classes are so much fun and kids really get to tap into their imagination." Valerie McCaffrey VP, Feature Casting - New Line Cinema (Casting Director – "Babe", "Now & Then", "Problem Child") "As any casting director will tell you, casting children can be a dream or a nightmare! Whenever I see that there are children in any of my projects, I call Academy Kids… I know then that the auditions will be professional, positive and even fun for both the children and me." Rosemary Welden, Rosemary Welden Casting "I have always been delighted when a child from Academy Kids comes in to audition. I can always depend on them to arrive on time, have the material prepared and to give the best auditions! Their professionalism is a definite plus." Iris Hampton, Casting Director – Power Rangers, MMPR Productions, Inc. "Academy Kids clients deliver the goods". Robin Nassif, Independent Casting Director "Academy Kids… First rate kids always" Bob McDonald, McDonald/Bullington Casting "Quality, excellence and top notch kids" Lori Cobe, Independent Hollywood Casting Director "Academy Kids - Some of the best young talent around!" Jeff Gerrard, Commercial Casting Director "No matter how large or small the part – we know that Academy Kids will come through with the talent" Christy Dooley – Casting Director, "The Bold & The Beautiful" "If you are looking for professionalism, well-prepared kids… go no further than Academy Kids!" Doug Murphy, Talent Agent, Youth Division - Talent Group Inc. "Academy Kids always provides reliable, solid talent!" Michael Donovan, Donovan & Hardwick Casting "Academy Kids has a tremendous ability to find some of the best kids in the business." Gabrielle Schary – Commercial Casting Director "Academy Kids is as good as one stop shopping. All your needs for kids can be met with one phone call". Cathi Carlton, Commercial Casting Director "For guidance and direction of young talent, I always rely on Academy Kids for quality we can trust." Rita Vennari – Sutton, Barth & Vennari "All my top booking kids have trained at Academy Kids. They are heads above the rest!" Steve Simon, Creator of Young People’s Division – ACME Talent & Literary Agency "The training program at Academy Kids is first rate. Their kids are refreshing, professionally trained, and take this town by storm." Tony Hannagan, Children’s Agent, Dorothy Day Otis "Excellent, exciting and always a star! The Academy Kids Training Program is the best!" Krisha Bullock, Casting Director, Nickelodeon "All That" & "Kenan & Kel". "The training received at Academy Kids gives young actors a professional edge." Francene Selkirk, Commercial Casting director Shooting From the Hip Casting "TJ Stein and Bethany Contance are great managers. I enjoy having them as my managers." Sydney Berry, Child Actor – Co-Star, "Hope Floats" & "Soldier" "There is always something special about a kid trained at Academy Kids" Robin Lippin, Independent Casting Director ("Saved By the Bell") "Academy Kids classes are a wonderful venue for young actors dedicated to success." Bonnie Ventis, Jodi Alexander – Youth Division - Kazarian, Spencer & Associates "Academy Kids provides high quality training for all levels." Meredith Fine, Children’s Agent – Coast to Coast Talent Group "The progress my clients have made in their classes is impressive. They are excellent!" Larry Corsa, Talent Agent – Children’s Division -Epstein, Wycoff, Corsa, Ross Agency "The class environment is fun, supportive, encouraging and very professional. I’m impressed." Judy Kerr, Acting Coach, Author and former Dialogue coach on "Seinfeld" "In my opinion Academy Kids is among the forefront of children’s management companies." Mimi Michel, Children’s Commercial Talent Agent, Hollander Talent Group "I rely on Academy Kids for everything! I could never have been in this business without their support. They are my friends, my family and both my children’s manager!" Rosemarie Berry, Mother of child actor Vincent Berry – Star of Free Willy 3 & Breakdown " I can always count on Academy Kids for solid well-trained talent. There is always a rising star at Academy Kids." Abby Bluestone, Youth Division–Innovative Artists "Academy Kids consistently sends us terrific children. It’s comforting to know we have a team of managers that we can depend on." Arlene Schuster-Goss, ASG Casting – Commercial Casting Director "We rely on Academy Kids Management to provide us with top of line talent. They always come through!" Steve Erdek, Humphry/ Erdek Commercial Casting "The training and guidance given at Academy Kids really makes a difference!" Barbara Buky, Commercial Talent Agent – Bobby Ball Talent Agency "The education and advice they offer parents is extremely valuable." Jean Page, Founder - Page Management "I’ve always been impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of a kid trained at Academy Kids – Keep studying!" Julie Ashton, Casting Director, Fox Family Cannel "Continuous training is important to all young actors. Academy Kids classes are among the best!" Dana Edrick, – Coast to Coast Talent Group "It’s wonderful to see such an honest and warm team working with and guiding young actors!" Vic Sutton, Sutton, Barth & Vennari Agency