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Stanley Greene Media Training Center
Instructor Bios

Commercial Voice-over with Johnny Heller
Johnny Heller is a veteran commercial voice over talent with hundreds of spots to his credit. He has narrated over 200 books including titles for children, young adults and adults. He is a 2005 recipient of the highest award the industry offers - the Audie - for his narration of The Happiest Toddler on the Block. He has been named one of the top 50 voices of the 20th Century by Audiofile Magazine and is a winner of over 15 Golden Earphone Awards.
Johnny is a veteran stage and television actor as well as a stand up comic and nationally known speaker. His plays have been produced in New York and Chicago and his articles have appeared in various papers and magazines.

Vocal Technique with Gerritt VanderMeer
Gerritt VanderMeer was once described as "the most academically overqualified actor ever to graduate from Purdue University." With degrees in Engineering and German, and an MFA in acting from the UCLA Shcool of Theater, Film, and Television, this might very well be true. Professional credits range from LORT theaters and national tours to daytime TV, promos, and film. If you sometimes cringe when you listen to a recording of your own voice, if you would like to become more comfortable working with a microphone, then this is a class that will offer you the opportunity to explore and expand your vocal instrument. Bring material that interests you, or work with the instructor to develop diagnostic tools and techniques that will help you better understand and use your own voice.

Editing with Susan Janet Cooper
Susan Janet Cooper has worked in the biz since 1986 and has been involved with the SGMTC as instructor and/or co-chair for the past 11 years. She will edit your tapes (VHS or S-VHS format only) and put together a reel for you to submit to agents, casting directors, etc. Please note that we do try our best, but cannot forsee difficulties with the equipment and also do not pretend to be a professional editing facility. We do, however, provide a service to help out our fellow actors as much as possible, so please regard it as such. Don't forget to bring a blank tape to edit your clips onto!

Improv Workout with Mitch McGuire
Scene Study with Mitch McGuire
Mitchell McGuire is an actor with a career of over 40 years and has studied at the Goodman Drama School, Herbert Berghoff, Salem Ludwig, Arthur Storch, Eugenie Leontovich and Tamara Dakahanova. He has performed in most venues including Broadway, Off Broadway and Film. He was one of the founders of both the Manhattan Punch Line Theatre and The New Group Theatre Companies. He was last seen as Jorgenson onstage in Other Peoples Money at the Engeman Theatre in Northport. He has served on the board of AFTRA for over 15 years.

Improv Workout
The workout session includes trying out new improv games and is designed to inspire both beginners and advanced improvisers to try out new characters, situations, dialects and physical realities. The beginner will learn to trust their instincts and will be amazed at what lives within them. Improv helps performers relax while onstage and will never again fear “going up.” Advanced AFTRAn’s will have a chance to show off their stuff and play games they never have tried or bring in some they love. A real free-for-all and fun for all.

Scene Study
Designed for AFTRAn’s who either are working on a new monologue and need incisive feedback and direction, or someone or two who want help in finding a scene to do. We also will help those who are preparing to create a video of a mono or duologue, but the focus will be on the performance. The videotaping will not be done in this class, but can be scheduled in another SGR class. Mr. McGuire will help you shape your creation, make it believable and make it worthy of showing at your next audition.

Cold Readings and Commercial Auditions with Richard Arcelay
Richard Arcelay has worked in television, film, theater, and as a voice talent for film and commercials. His start in Daytime TV came the New York soap "The City" and has done principal on-camera work on National and regional commercials, industrials as well as Equity. He feels having a strong monologue that suits the artist is essential to every performer.

Audio Books with Robin Miles
Robin Miles brings a lot to the table. She began narrating audiobooks at AFB's Talking Book Studios in 1994 and worked regularly for several commercial producers in numerous genres for 9 years. In addition to having over 120 audiobook titles and several narrator awards to her credit, her acting credits range from Broadway and regional theater to feature and documentary film to Primetime TV and soaps. Listen closely, and you'll hear her voice in the American Museum of Natural History, conducting internet-based sexual harassment training, imparting New York's legal codes for visually impaired lawyers and in dozens of feature films, TV shows and radio spots. An accent specialist with a love of language and literature, she coaches and directs in a way both actors and laypersons immediately understand. In the past 6 years she has taught acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, ESL at Kaplan's NY International Center, coached managers for Merrill Lynch, and been Assistant Professor of speech for SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theater. She holds a BA in Theater Studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama and a certificate from the British American Drama Academie Summer Program at Oxford. Currently, Ms. Miles directs audio books at Talking Books Productions, John Marshall Sound and Live Oak Media.

	Commercial Voice-over with Johnny Heller Johnny Heller is a veteran commercial voice over talent with hundreds of spots to his credit. He has narrated over 200 books including titles for children, young adults and adults. He is a 2005 recipient of the highest award the industry offers - the Audie - for his narration of The Happiest Toddler on the Block. He has been named one of the top 50 voices of the 20th Century by Audiofile Magazine and is a winner of over 15 Golden Earphone Awards. Johnny is a veteran stage and television actor as well as a stand up comic and nationally known speaker. His plays have been produced in New York and Chicago and his articles have appeared in various papers and magazines.

	Vocal Technique with Gerritt VanderMeer Gerritt VanderMeer was once described as "the most academically overqualified actor ever to graduate from Purdue University." With degrees in Engineering and German, and an MFA in acting from the UCLA Shcool of Theater, Film, and Television, this might very well be true. Professional credits range from LORT theaters and national tours to daytime TV, promos, and film. If you sometimes cringe when you listen to a recording of your own voice, if you would like to become more comfortable working with a microphone, then this is a class that will offer you the opportunity to explore and expand your vocal instrument. Bring material that interests you, or work with the instructor to develop diagnostic tools and techniques that will help you better understand and use your own voice.

	Editing with Susan Janet Cooper Susan Janet Cooper has worked in the biz since 1986 and has been involved with the SGMTC as instructor and/or co-chair for the past 11 years. She will edit your tapes (VHS or S-VHS format only) and put together a reel for you to submit to agents, casting directors, etc. Please note that we do try our best, but cannot forsee difficulties with the equipment and also do not pretend to be a professional editing facility. We do, however, provide a service to help out our fellow actors as much as possible, so please regard it as such. Don't forget to bring a blank tape to edit your clips onto!

	Improv Workout with Mitch McGuire Scene Study with Mitch McGuire Mitchell McGuire is an actor with a career of over 40 years and has studied at the Goodman Drama School, Herbert Berghoff, Salem Ludwig, Arthur Storch, Eugenie Leontovich and Tamara Dakahanova. He has performed in most venues including Broadway, Off Broadway and Film. He was one of the founders of both the Manhattan Punch Line Theatre and The New Group Theatre Companies. He was last seen as Jorgenson onstage in Other Peoples Money at the Engeman Theatre in Northport. He has served on the board of AFTRA for over 15 years. Improv Workout The workout session includes trying out new improv games and is designed to inspire both beginners and advanced improvisers to try out new characters, situations, dialects and physical realities. The beginner will learn to trust their instincts and will be amazed at what lives within them. Improv helps performers relax while onstage and will never again fear “going up.” Advanced AFTRAn’s will have a chance to show off their stuff and play games they never have tried or bring in some they love. A real free-for-all and fun for all. Scene Study Designed for AFTRAn’s who either are working on a new monologue and need incisive feedback and direction, or someone or two who want help in finding a scene to do. We also will help those who are preparing to create a video of a mono or duologue, but the focus will be on the performance. The videotaping will not be done in this class, but can be scheduled in another SGR class. Mr. McGuire will help you shape your creation, make it believable and make it worthy of showing at your next audition.

	Cold Readings and Commercial Auditions with Richard Arcelay Richard Arcelay has worked in television, film, theater, and as a voice talent for film and commercials. His start in Daytime TV came the New York soap "The City" and has done principal on-camera work on National and regional commercials, industrials as well as Equity. He feels having a strong monologue that suits the artist is essential to every performer.

	Audio Books with Robin Miles Robin Miles brings a lot to the table. She began narrating audiobooks at AFB's Talking Book Studios in 1994 and worked regularly for several commercial producers in numerous genres for 9 years. In addition to having over 120 audiobook titles and several narrator awards to her credit, her acting credits range from Broadway and regional theater to feature and documentary film to Primetime TV and soaps. Listen closely, and you'll hear her voice in the American Museum of Natural History, conducting internet-based sexual harassment training, imparting New York's legal codes for visually impaired lawyers and in dozens of feature films, TV shows and radio spots. An accent specialist with a love of language and literature, she coaches and directs in a way both actors and laypersons immediately understand. In the past 6 years she has taught acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, ESL at Kaplan's NY International Center, coached managers for Merrill Lynch, and been Assistant Professor of speech for SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theater. She holds a BA in Theater Studies from Yale University, an MFA in acting from the Yale School of Drama and a certificate from the British American Drama Academie Summer Program at Oxford. Currently, Ms. Miles directs audio books at Talking Books Productions, John Marshall Sound and Live Oak Media.