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AMT ENTERTAINMENT
AMT has essentially two goals. One is to move a show onto Broadway - not because Broadway is the absolute definitive mark of excellence in theater, but because if you're a professional, you want to be at the top. You want to be in the World Series, the Super Bowl, to win an Academy Award. It gives you something to strive for and it pushes you to extraordinary lengths. So yes, we want to move a show onto Broadway, but we also want something perhaps even more significant. Our second goal is to make a difference in people's lives. We want to do new shows, to encourage innovative writers and directors and to do children's shows, which get young people involved at an early age. Another aim is to work with other professionals outside of the country, like our spectacular successes with acclaimed director Mauricio Cedeno and the amazing artists of Guadalajara, Mexico. We also want to feature cabaret because, well, it's just fun. AMT will serve as an inclusive theater to the people in our immediate area, to draw on their energy and solicit their opinions, because without our audience, we are nothing. So please come with us on this magical carpet ride and let's see where it takes us.
Tony Sportiello
Artistic Director
AMT Theater
Meet the Team
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Producer of AMT Theater
al tapper
Al Tapper wears many hats. Besides being Producer of AMT, he considers himself a renaissance man whose various careers as a Broadway composer, lyricist, playwright, humorist, baseball maven, leveraged buyout specialist and philanthropist have woven a rich tapestry of distinction and success. He recently won a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting for his exuberant 2013 documentary Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy; this follows his acclaimed 2004 film “Broadway: The Golden Age”. He has written songs and lyrics for numerous musicals, including Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle, From Where I Stand, National Pastime, All Aboard, The Paparazzi, David and more. He is co-author of two joke books — A Minister, a Priest, and a Rabbi and A Guy Goes into a Bar – and is a notable collector of baseball memorabilia. His musical National Pastime has played in Cooperstown and his latest documentary on the great hitter Ted Williams is available online.
Artistic Director
tony sportiello
Tony Sportiello is a playwright and producer whose work has been seen all over the country and all over the world. Along with Al Tapper he has written the book for the shows National Pastime, All Aboard, The Paparazzi and Upside Down. National Pastime has played in New York, Washington, Phoenix, Austin, Wilkes Barre, The Major League Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and Guadalajara, Mexico. His play Star Power has been performed in London, Tickets, Please! in Los Angeles and Crossed Wires in China. He produced the musical Sessions, which ran for 300 performances Off Broadway. The ultimate goal is to have a Broadway show but in the meantime he's looking to work with theater artists and colleagues to help make AMT the ultimate 'regional theater' for Hell's Kitchen, bringing original shows, children's theater, cabaret and more to the area.
Producing Director
tamara flannagan
Tamara Flannagan has performed many roles on and off stage. She received her BFA in Technical Theatre from Florida Atlantic University, where she spent her days building sets, and her nights acting. Her love of Shakespeare began here, performing Hermia and Miranda and later Amiens, Blanch, Lady Capulet and Lady M. She studied with Zoe Caldwell and moved to NY after being offered a full scholarship to study acting at the Circle In The Square Theatre Conservatory. She’s a founding member of The A-Train plays, which ushered in a movement of plays conceived and performed in 24 hours. Behind the curtain, Tamara has held a multitude of positions, both on and off Broadway. Some of her skills include light and set design, master electrician, set construction, set painting, stage management and production stage management, most notably in Oklahoma with the Tulsa Ballet. Outside the theater you might catch her work in the windows of FAO Schwarz, on a flagpole around Rockefeller Center, or in a gallery in the neighborhood. She is very excited to put all her skills to work as a part of the AMT family.
General Manager
Sharon osowski
Sharon is happy to be teaming up with Tony and Al once again. Their previous managing partnerships have included Algonquin Theatre Productions where she managed, along with her partner, Joan Pelzer, shows such as LOL and the musical, Sessions. Prior to that she co-founded Liquid Productions and produced several off-off Broadway shows such as RSVP, It’s A Girl Thing and The Lunch. She was also co-founder of the YOLO Theatre Company where she produced and performed in Trust, Age of Pie and An Evening of Georges Feydeau One-Acts. While living in Indiana, Sharon co-managed the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, where she produced and performed in musical reviews featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichal and Cole Porter, a year round production of Plain and Fancy by Joseph Stein & Albert Hague and various children’s shows.
Deputy Creative Director
kelli maguire
Kelli has performed on Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theater, cabarets, cruise ships, on television and in films. She was in the musical version of It's A Wonderful Life with Brian Stokes Mitchell and David Hyde Pierce. She has worked with AMT several times in the past, originating the roles of Sunshine in Sessions, Mary in National Pastime and Betty in The Paparazzi. She loves teaching singing and acting to young children.
Executive Producer/Marketing Director
joan pelzer
Joan Pelzer is an entrepreneur, #thinkertainer, marketer, host, producer and actor. Joan thinks outside the box about how to tell a story. She splits her time as the Executive Producer and Marketing Director for AMT Theater, President and CEO of a digital marketing agency, Joan Pelzer Social, Executive Producer of radio show The Arthur Power Hour, and Vice President of The New York Association, a United Nations NGO. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy Morocco and American Voices, Joan conducted marketing and production workshops and training for professional Moroccan theater troupes, producers, and students throughout Morocco and in NYC. You may have heard her on AM970 The Answer guest hosting The Arthur Aidala Power Hour radio show. She has appeared on Follow Me Friday with Joan + Priya, 21st Century Entrepreneur Radio with J.C. Maldonado, and was an on-air brand expert and presenter for ShopNBC and Home Shopping Network on behalf of the Royal Doulton China and Crystal Brand. Joan holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from Fordham University GBA, and a BA in Communications from State University of New York at Oswego. Let's work to #GetStuffDone for us, NYC, and the world.
Development Director
ZOË reeve
Zoë Reeve is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on the body’s interpretation of history and health in relation to sites. She is influenced by her global south upbringing, learning and performing Korean traditional dance under master teacher Jeong Ju Mi, and dis-ease in her body. Her themes include heritage, women’s health and notions of belonging. Zoë is trained in ballet, physical theater, Korean Traditional dance, and museum exhibition design. She has a BA in Drama and an MA in Choreography. While completing her MA she choreographed/produced/performed in the critically acclaimed Outside & Beside Herself at the South African National Arts Festival based on the works of Virginia Woolf. Zoë has performed in South Africa, South Korea, England and the USA as a dancer and physical theater performer, she has also taught drama in all four countries. She is currently working on a dance film project, writing and illustrating a children’s book and developing a multi-disciplinary exhibition on women’s health. The AMT family has welcomed her with open arms and she is looking forward to continuing the great work they have done so far.
Youth Artistic Director
mary lauren
Mary Lauren is a passionate and multifaceted artist who loves to tell stories. She has been directing and educating artists for almost 20 years. She has had work seen Off-Broadway and regionally as a Director, Writer, Performer, Producer and Choreographer. She is a proud member of AEA, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. As artistic director of Heart String Theatrical she created the streaming live/filmed piece Loving You Always. Her cabarets have raised money for artists and for organizations including the NAACP and ACLU. She has written several new works including; My Shadow and Me (Cape May Stage) and Start With I Do (Chain One Act Festival) which is an audience choice award winner. She choreographed and was the lead dancer in the film, Dream of Spring which has been featured in festivals all over the world. She loves working with young artists and finds inspiration from their exuberance and stories. She has directed over 50 productions with young artists including original pieces and published works; Seussical, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast etc. Find out more about her on instagram at MaryLaurenW or on her website at marylaurenonline.com
New Work Development Director
mimi warnick
Mimi is a director and artist based in NYC. Mimi chose to study and pursue a career in theater because she has seen and experienced the transformative powers it can have on young people, audiences, and communities. She is very excited that AMT is providing a local theater home for the Midtown Manhattan community. Mimi has an extensive background directing Musical Theatre, New Work, and Theatre for Young Audiences throughout the Northeast and New England areas. A few of Mimi’s NYC directing credits include USED at New York Theater Festival, Love Potion Tango with Village Playwrights, Asst. Director on Hear/Now Live! with Keen Company, and the Asst. Director on The Bachelor Girls with SHE NYC Arts. Mimi was a director on Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s The Mad Ones digital lab, and has directed at Upper Darby Summer Stage in Philadelphia for the past five seasons. Mimi has also worked in creative and production capacities with Jujamcyn Theaters and Keen Company. Education, BFA Emerson College. mimiwarnick.com
U.S./Mexican Liaison Officer
LAURA IÑIGUEZ
Laura Iñiguez is a Mexican Musical Theatre performer in her natal city Guadalajara. She's been performing for over 15 years, interpreting characters such as Elphaba from "Wicked", Donna from "Mamma Mia!", and Sandy from "Grease". She had the opportunity to be a backup singer for international stars Jon Secada and María del Sol in the Michael Jackson tribute concert "Unity Latin Tribute". Laura has also worked as a producer, participating, among other projects, in bringing the first Off-Broadway musical to Mexico: "Sessions", which founded her relationship with AMT. Her international work doesn't stop with AMT, as she's also a contributing editor for BroadwawWorld in Mexico. You can follow her on IG @sirenaisabel.
Film Liaison
JACK FELDSTEIN
Jack Feldstein is an award-winning scriptwriter and neon animation filmmaker and director. His almost thirty neon animation films, including The Ecstasy of Gary Green, The Adventures of James Joyce and A Wondrous Film about Emma Brooks have screened worldwide from New York's Lincoln Center, NYC to Rotterdam International Film Festival to Sydney International Film Festival. His neon animation films about scriptwriting, The Fantastical World of Scriptwriting and The Psychology of Scriptwriting have also been internationally acclaimed. His neon animations inspired top New York Fashion designer Norma Kamali to create neon fashion and together Feldstein and Kamali created 3D fashion films for NY Fashion Week. As a scriptwriter, his scripts A House Like Any Other and Three Months with Pook have won prizes in Australia and Britain. Falling in Love with Mr Dellamort, the musical he wrote was recorded as a podcast by top Broadway stars. Originally from Australia, he now lives in New York City.
For more information please see his website at JackFeldstein.com or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Feldstein
Artistic Promotions Director
PETE DORTON
Pete Dorton is an award-winning actor, producer and writer based in New York City, originally from Pitsburg, Ohio. He has performed as an actor and produced numerous films, plays, and hosted events. As an actor, Pete was awarded Best Actor for his short film "Lou" at the Chelsea Film Festival 2017. He just finished acting in and executive producing the feature film "In Fidelity" starring Chris Parnell, Cara Buono, Dennis Haysbert, Willow Shields, and Illeana Douglas releasing in November. The drama "Bobcat Moretti" starring Vivica Fox which he executive produced was released in August 2023 and reached number one on Starz three weeks in a row. Pete also executive produced the feature film "Werewolf Game" starring Tony Todd, Bai Ling, Lydia Hearst, and Robert Picardo, which will be released soon. He has three short films he just wrapped in post-production. He's also a founding partner of YOLO Theatre Company and AMT International Film Festival.