Zak Barnett
(Master Teacher, CEO & Founder)
Zak is widely regarded in the industry for cultivating a generation of breakout stars. His clients, past and present, range from Broadway to Hollywood to Bollywood, from critically acclaimed up-and-comers to breakout stars and icons.
- Broadway Legend and Tony/Emmy Winner, Kristin Chenoweth
- Icon and 4X Emmy Winner, Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
- Breakout stars Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale), Jonathan Daviss (Outer Banks), Victoria Moroles (Plan B, Liv, and Maddie, Teen Wolf, Never Have I Ever), Lukas Gage (White Lotus, Euphoria), Ami Park (Alaska Daily, This is Us), Tabayana Ali (General Hospital), Jordan Hull (The L Word: Generation Q), Paul Mikel Williams (Jurassic Park: Camp Cretaceous, Westworld) Jadah Marie (Julie and the Phantoms, Descendants 3) and Austin Abrams (Walking Dead, Euphoria, This is Us)
- Critically Acclaimed Up and comers – Storm Reid (Euphoria, The Last of Us), Danielle Macdonald (Dumplin, Birdbox, The Tourist), Elizabeth Teeter (Star of Beetlejuice on Broadway), Sidhant Gupta (Bollywood’s “Jubilee”) and Rosa Salazar (Undone, Made Runner, Alita Battle Angel).
- He has also helped support legendary directors like Kenny Ortega (High School Musical, Hocus Pocus, Newsies, The Descendants, Julie and the Phantoms) in bringing out the best performances from their cast.
Currently, Zak has over 250 students working as series regulars on major television shows, as well as hundreds of others working as guest stars, co-stars, and major roles in both studio and independent films. Among his students and clients, past and present, are numerous NAACP, SAG, People’s Choice, Golden Globe, and Emmy winners. He also consults for directors, productions, and networks, to ensure both individual actors and entire casts rise to the occasion of their best performance possible.
Michael Connors
(Director of ADULT PROGRAMS & faculty, ZBS Teacher)
Michael Connors is a Director, Acting Coach, and Actor who received his BFA from SUNY@Purchase Acting Conservatory. In addition, he trained at The Michael Howard Studios, Judith Weston’s Actor/ Director Lab, DNA Directors Lab, and The Barrow Group in NYC. Acting credits include Ray in a critically acclaimed production of Blackbird at The Met Theater, the West Coast premiere of the play Wake at The Fremont Centre Theatre, and the films Slocum Chandelier and You and Me. Directorial credits include Orphans (which he also acted in) co-starring Beau Mirchoff (Flatliners, Awkward) at The Hudson Mainstage, and the West Coast premiere of Limonade Tous Les Jous, starring Megan Boone (The Blacklist) which was honored with three LA Weekly Theatre Awards. He has taught and coached privately, is on the faculty of NYFA, and has taught for The Michael Woolson Studios. Michael has worked Off-Broadway and regionally, as well as in film & episodic TV.
Martha Gehman
(ZBS Teacher)
Martha is an extraordinary acting teacher who has had rare and extensive experience in a multitude of theatrical-formats, including film and television. She comes from one of the great American theatrical lineages having grown up in theaters around the world with her mother, Academy Award Winning actress, Estelle Parsons. Exposure to acclaimed playwrights, actors, lyricists, choreographers in the stage arts and crafts has provided her with a teaching ability rarely found.
She is a member of the Actor’s Studio and has worked with and for Lee Strasberg, Elia Kazan, Arthur Penn, Ellen Burstyn, Ann Jackson, Lee Grant, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken, John Madden, Garry Marshall, and Michael Blakemore. As a teacher, she apprenticed under Sandra Seacat. Martha is also a director and has been teaching for 25 years. Some of her private clients include Jane Fonda, Beyonce, Common, Rhea Perlman, Alison Sudol, Rami Malek, Justin Chatwin, Joelle Carter, Erin Richards, Saffron Burrows, Grant Show and Katherine LaNasa.
John Lavelle
(ZBS Teacher)
Originally from New York, John spent much of his career appearing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regionally, and at The Royal Shakespeare Company. John received a Drama Desk Award for his work in The Royale at The Lincoln Center Theatre and he is a member of IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles. He has appeared on TV and Film in numerous roles, most notably portraying Roy Reed in Ava DuVernay’s Academy Award-nominated film Selma. As a voice artist, John has worked for Disney, Netflix, Dreamworks and is the voice of the beloved children’s book series Nate the Great. He is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and has studied at The Upright Citizens Brigade where his improv team Some Kinda Monster performed. John is the author of several plays including Inhalation (O’Neill Finalist), Sinner’s Laundry (Ovation recommended), Gertrude (Max Lerner Award) and his work has appeared in the ABC Discovers Talent Showcase. Over the years, he has mentored and taught with education programs such as Young Storytellers, The Usual Suspects, Stella Adler’s Art of Acting Studio, as well as leading Shakespeare workshops.
Susan-Kate Heaney
(ZBS Teacher)
Susan-Kate Heaney is an actor, writer and filmmaker. Originally from New York she now resides in Los Angeles. She’s a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She has appeared most recently as Nurse Mackenzie on The Mindy Project (HULU), as Renee in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (HULU), Shirley in Masters of Sex (Showtime), and opposite Bryce Dallas Howard in the comedy Pant Suits. As a filmmaker, her work has appeared in numerous festivals (short The Openers won Best Comedy at the Broad Humor Comedy Festival) and she recently co-created and co-wrote SK & J, a comedic digital series about breaking into Hollywood. She has written and performed in many comedic solo shows, most recently Facebook with Mom (Second City, The People’s Improv Theater, Fringe) and Mop-oholic (UCB, The People’s Improv Theater, iO West). Susan-Kate also performs regularly in commercials, stand-up comedy, improv, sketch and voiceover (recent audiobook: “Mean Girls” for Scholastic), and hosts a podcast (and live show at the Comedy Central Stage) called “The Quirks”.
Shelby Wulfert
(ZBS Teacher)
Shelby Wulfert is an actor, singer, and voice-over artist. She pursued her passion for the arts at an early age – studying acting, singing and dancing, and starring in musicals and stage productions at her high school and local theaters. She broadened her experience off-stage, doing commercial and voiceover work. Shelby landed her career break when she joined the Disney family as one-third of the team of actresses that bring the twin characters to life in the hit series, “Liv and Maddie” (Disney 2013-2017). Other credits include Swiped (TV Movie), Major Crimes (TNT) and Betch: A Sketch Show (2015-2018)
ELAINE WHAE
(ZBS Teacher)
Elaine Whae is a first-generation Asian American actress, dancer, and model from Houston, Texas. After completing her studies at Boston University she was inspired to chase her passion for performance art and moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to pursue a professional dance career. While training and working with LA’s most esteemed talents, Elaine quickly found herself with opportunities in the modeling and acting industries, thus leading to her transition into commercials and TV/Film in 2019. She is best known for her recurring co-star on Saved By The Bell (reboot) and her role as Max in Work which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2022. Elaine’s passion for the arts is matched by her drive for positivity and impact, as she spends her time being involved in many community-building organizations as well as coaching individuals on mindfulness and self-healing. Elaine’s presence in TV/Film is just beginning to bloom and she hopes to continue representing her fellow Asian American community on screen.
christian durso
(ZBS Teacher)
Christian Durso is a classically trained actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He has created, executive produced and written television shows for Netflix and HBO, and has adapted novels into films for Sony. He has performed Shakespeare professionally in regional theaters across the country including Shakespeare Santa Cruz, The Old Globe, Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, among others. He has taught Shakespeare and Voice and Speech to high school students at the Old Globe and the La Jolla Playhouse. A proud member of Actor’s Equity and the Los Angeles based IAMA Theatre Company. Christian holds an MFA in classical theatre from the University of San Diego and a BFA in drama from NYU.
Amy Reece
(ZBS Teacher)
Amy started her career as an actress working in both film and television. She has had the good fortune of studying with many legendary teachers such as Roy London, Kenneth McMillan, Janet Alhante, and David Proval. Amy has also studied at Boston University and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Growing up in a theatrical family has given Amy a unique perspective and a deep reverence for the creative process. She had the rare opportunity to begin witnessing the audition process from a very young age. This experience has informed her teaching. It is important to Amy in both her roles as casting director and acting coach to create a respectful, safe environment for actors to explore different parts of themselves and encourage them to find their own voice. In 2000, Amy decided to shift her focus from acting to casting, joining the family business under the name Perry/Reece Casting. Through Perry/Reece Casting, she has cast hundreds of movies of the week, series, and miniseries that have aired on NBC, Hallmark, Lifetime, Sci-Fi, Spice, and other major networks. She has discovered many top stars of today including Kristen Bell, Shailene Woodley, and Abigail Breslin to name a few.
Amy has been teaching acting for over 20 years. She finds meaning in teaching and enjoys supporting and fostering young artists, emboldening them to follow their dreams.
GABRIELLE ELYSE
(ZBS Teacher)
Gabrielle got her start by working for Disney and appearing on top shows including “Liv and Maddie” and “Austin & Ally.” In 2014 she landed her first series regular role as Josie on Nickelodeon’s “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, & Dawn.” She continued her work with Nickelodeon recurring on the network’s long running hit series “The Thundermans” from 2014-16. While getting her start on Disney & Nick was an amazing opportunity to open doors for Gabrielle, she wanted to pursue characters and opportunities outside of that world and accomplished that goal throughout 2016. Gabrielle appeared on the hit TNT drama series “Rizzoli & Isles,” then on “Teen Wolf” for MTV, and went on to book “The Catch” for ABC, “Dimensions 404” and “Blackish.”
Miguel Luciano
(ZBS Teacher)
Miguel Luciano is a true multi-hyphenate artist, born and raised in Miami Florida. As an actor, director, teacher, producer, and host, Miguel has paved his own way in a myriad of artistic mediums. Young audiences might know him from his lead role on the Nickelodeon series “Talia in the Kitchen”, which is still being aired around the world today. His TV resume also includes several national and international commercials and other Film/TV credits, and his new film “Dare to Say Yes” will be premiering later this year. Miguel just finished an extended run in the iconic musical “Cabaret” at the historic Manuel Artime theater, in the challenging and provocative starring role of “Emcee”. As a coach and director, Miguel has directed and coached in Miami, New York, and LA for 15 years now and has private acting students who have gone on to Broadway, TV, and film. Miguel’s teaching/directing credits range from directing at the award-winning Miami Children’s Theater, to master classes at various magnet schools, and directing at the Frenchwoods Festival of the Performing Arts. To stay updated on Miguel’s newest projects and adventures, make sure to follow him on Instagram: @themiguelluciano
Samia Mounts
(ZBS Teacher)
Samia Mounts is a conservatory-trained actor, singer, and writer currently based in LA after over a decade in New York City. Her background is in theatre, voice-over, and music, and she adores every available medium for artistic expression. Favorite theatre credits include Viola in Twelfth Night, Alicia in The Thanksgiving Play, and Winnifred in WITCH. You’ve heard Samia’s voice in national commercial campaigns for Kayak.com, Bud Light Lime-A-Rita, and Infiniti, as well as in the Pokemon television series and The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf on Netflix. She currently works predominantly in voice-over of all kinds, and performance capture for video games — top secret project announcements coming soon! Samia is thrilled to be teaching at ZBS, the first acting studio in LA that really felt like a home.
Amie Farrell
(ZBS Teacher)
Amie Farrell is a professional working actor, director and acting coach for almost four decades. Her vast career has spanned from one end of the United States to the other. Acting credits include roles in Oscar nominated films “MANK” with David Fincher and Clint Eastwood’s “AMERICAN SNIPER”. On television, Amie has been seen in guest star and recurring roles on “THIS IS US”, “GREY’S ANATOMY”, “CRIMINAL MINDS”, “iCARLY” and “RAVEN’S HOME and more. She has worked with such fellow actors Bradley Cooper, Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Raven Simone, Krysten Ritter, Milo Ventimiglia, Whoopi Goldberg, John C Reilly and Uma Thurman. She holds a B.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has played on some of the country’s most prestigious theatre stages, including The Geffen, Pasadena Playhouse, Playwright’s Horizons, Milwaukee Repertory, Missouri Repertory, ICT, Rubicon Theater,Sierra Repertory, LA Shakespeare Festival, Fort Worth Shakespeare and more. Amie’s theatre directing credits include MS HOLMES AND MS WATSON IN APT 2B at ITC, DISGRACED with Interact Theater Pulitzer Prize Winner Series,TROJAN WOMEN, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and HAMLET, and in the podcast realm, with original productions for Meet Cute and Theater aLIVE and the upcoming film GROWN FOLK MISADVENTURE .
As an acting coach Amie is honored to have clients ranging from 7 years old to 77 years young in genres from comedy and drama. These actors are working on a plethora of shows, including STRANGER THINGS,GREYS ANATOMY, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, ALL AMERICAN, FRASIER, THE MS PAT SHOW, THE ROOKIE: FEDS, THE UPSHAWS, THIS IS US, MINX, FROM SCRATCH, ALL THAT, YOUNG SHELDON, ROBBIE and more.
Amie’s coaching approach is based in a strong skill set and pure play. Equally mixing the two to bring each actors’ unique perspective to life in the story.
Danielle Ofarrell
(ZBS Teacher)
Danielle O’Farrell is a classically trained actor and voiceover artist with a BFA from the Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts and her MFA from the Old Globe/University of San Diego. On stage, she made her Broadway debut in The Lehman Trilogy, and has performed with many regional/Off Broadway theatres (Ars Nova, Chicago Shakespeare and the Old Globe being particular favorites). She produced (and performed) Brewed at 2017 NYC Fringe (Excellence in Direction award.) She has voiced campaigns for Geico, K-Mart, Vespa, and Novartis, as well as bringing to life dozens of audiobooks on Audible.com. As a teacher, she has guided students from elementary to graduate levels, and as a reader, worked closely with Roundabout Theatre Company for several years in casting. In addition to teaching, she currently works as an Imagineer for Disney Live Entertainment, producing shows and experiences around the world.
Bailey Humiston
(ZBS Teacher)
Bailey Humiston is a Los Angeles-based actress, singer, and producer originally from Buffalo, NY.
Bailey has appeared on hit TV shows like The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBOMax), Pam & Tommy (Hulu), and The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS). Her film credits include American High’s fifth feature film, Sid Is Dead, the award-winning humanitarian short Backlog, which screened at Cannes and over 20 festivals worldwide, and Great American Family’sThe Christmas Spark with Mario Lopez.
An ensemble member of LA’s acclaimed IAMA Theatre Company and Rogue Machine Theatre Company, Bailey’s LA theatre credits include starring roles in shows such as Bad Jews (Whitefire Theatre), Nice Girl (Rogue Machine Theatre) and Songs For A New World (Chromolume Theatre).
Bailey is a proud member of the Television Academy and SAG-AFTRA.
Yvans Jourdain
(ZBS Teacher)
Yvans Jourdain is a Haitian-born actor, acting coach, and storyteller known for his grounded presence, emotional depth, and versatile body of work across film, television, theater, and voice performance. Born in Port-au-Prince, Yvans moved to Asbury Park at the age of five, where his passion for storytelling and performance first began to take shape.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University before receiving his MFA in Acting from Arizona State University, where he also studied directing under acclaimed theater director Marshall Mason. Combining the discipline of classical training with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Yvans brings a rare psychological insight and authenticity to both his performances and his teaching.
Yvans has built an extensive career spanning television, film, theater, commercials, and voice acting. He is widely recognized for his recurring role as Councilman Howser on the acclaimed NBC comedy Parks and Recreation. His television credits also include appearances on The Upshaws, 911, Days of Our Lives, Grey’s Anatomy, The West Wing, Monk, Alias, Will & Grace, The Shield, Ghost Whisperer, My Name Is Earl, Judging Amy, The Riches, and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
In voice work, Yvans appeared in Season 2 of the podcast drama Bronzeville under the direction of Laurence Fishburne. On stage, his theater credits include productions of Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelve Angry Men, A Few Good Men, Comedy of Errors, Cymbeline, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Flags, and Box. He also portrayed Henry Williams in the 2017 Canadian Stage production of Helen Lawrence at Royce Hall.
Beyond acting, Yvans is a passionate educator and mentor. He currently teaches the Adult Core Hybrid Class at Zach Barnett Studios in Los Angeles and offers private coaching, helping actors cultivate truthful performances rooted in emotional honesty, craft, and human connection.
Krishn Ghiya
(CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER)
Krishn comes to ZBS after successfully working globally in the UK and India. He is a graduate from UCLA and holds a Masters in Marketing from the University of Nottingham, and a Bachelors of Business Management from Christ University in India. He also holds certificates in retail analytics from TCS, Media Literacy from Christ University, ‘SAP 01’, and New Models of Business Society from the University of Virginia. Prior to coming to ZBS, he was a Membership Coordinator at American Marketing Association, a Marketing Associate at the European Union, and an Executive in Client Servicing at Ogilvy & Mather. He is excited to be jumping into the LA entertainment industry. He will be overseeing the entire operations of the studio, along with marketing & branding strategies.
You can directly contact him by emailing krishn@zakbarnett.com.
Bipasha Gupta
(Administrator & Analyst)
Bipasha brings over 15 years of experience in administration, data analysis, and client relations to Zak Barnett Studio Inc..At ZBS, she enhances efficiency through data-driven insights, office management, and cross-functional collaboration, supporting the company’s mission to deliver exceptional creative experiences. Previously, Bipasha excelled as a Guest Experience Champion at Holiday Inn Pune, ensuring outstanding guest satisfaction, and as a Fraud Analyst at HSBC Global Resourcing, earning multiple awards for process excellence, including the “Superstar Award.” A people-centric professional, Bipasha excels at fostering collaboration and building relationships to enhance team success. Outside of work, Bipasha enjoys painting, dancing, and cooking, infusing creativity into her professional endeavors.
Devika Shekhawat
(Administrator & Analyst)
Devika Shekhawat brings her expertise in administration and analytics to Zak Barnett Studios, where she plays a key role in supporting both the creative and operational sides of the studio. Since joining in 2023, she has streamlined business processes, strengthened client services, and provided strategic insights through research and data analysis. With an MBA in Human Resource Management and a background in psychology, Devika combines analytical thinking with a people-centered approach. Passionate about building strong systems and relationships, Devika ensures that the studio’s community of artists, students, and staff are supported with both efficiency and care.
Barnet Bain
(Oscar and Emmy Nominated Producer, Writer, and Director)
Barnet Bain’s credits include Oscar-winner What Dreams May Come (producer), Emmy-Award nominee, Outstanding Made for Television Movie, Homeless to Harvard (executive producer), The Celestine Prophecy (writer, producer), Jesus (aka The Jesus Film) (writer), and The Lost and Found Family (director). Barnet consults and trains business leaders and private clients who are committed to high performance. Through his creativity workshops Barnet guides people of all ages and walks of life to expand their vision of what is possible, and develop their gifts and talents with passion. Barnet is the author of The Book of Doing and Being: Rediscovering Creativity in Life, Love and Work, Simon & Schuster/Atria, July 2015. He can be heard as co-host of Cutting Edge Consciousness Radio on KVTA AM Talk Radio in Southern California in conversation with thought leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries from the worlds of culture, commerce and consciousness. www.barnetbain.com.
Patricia Cogley
(Education and Human Rights Activist)
Patricia Cogley leads strategic partnerships for Adobe’s flagship philanthropy program, Adobe Youth Voices. For the past eight years Patricia has spearheaded Adobe Foundation’s global grants portfolio for organizations committed to the intersection of arts, community, and social change. In addition to leading AYV’s scholarship program and network of grantees, she has designed and managed large-scale international summits, supporting a movement of leaders committed to young people’s creativity. Previous to Adobe Patricia worked as an education consultant, youth media program leader, and exhibition designer. She holds a Masters in International Education and Human Rights from University of San Francisco.
Carol Goldwasser
(Casting Director)
Carol Goldwasser is an independent casting director who has worked for over twenty years in Los Angeles and New York. She’s cast actors who have received Kid’s and Teen Choice Awards, Imagen Awards, Young Artist Awards, and Emmy Award nominations for their roles. Her series work includes Austin & Ally (Kids Choice Awards Favorite TV show), Dog with a Blog, I’m in the Band and Hannah Montana (Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Comedy). Other series include Out of Jimmy’s Head and The Hughleys; telefilms include Good Luck Charlie: It’s Christmas! and The Boy Who Cried Werewolf. Carol assembled a rotating cast for Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. The play won an L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for Unique Theatrical Event. She has been nominated for eleven Casting Society of America Artios Awards for excellence in casting, winning the honor twice, and was a Heller Award nominee for Television Casting Director of the year. Carol is a member of the Television Academy and the Casting Society of America (Bio from IMDB).
SARA ISAACSON
(Casting Director)
Sara is a casting director based in LA, and has also worked as an agent at Greene & Associates Talent Agency, and as the Manager of Casting and Talent at Lifetime Television. As a Casting Director, she has worked on many shows including Fringe, Bates Motel, The Mentalist, Scream: The TV Series, Midnight, Texas, and Law and Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders. Sara is a proud member of the Casting Society of America, and served on the Board of Directors for two years.
ROBIN VEITH
(Producer)
Robin is currently a Co-Executive Producer on Syfy’s The Expanse. She was most recently a Consulting Producer on Cinemax’s Outcast and a Supervising Producer on NBC’s Believ. She started her career on staff of Mad Men, where she wrote five episodes of the show’s first three seasons, with three of her scripts receiving Emmy nominations, and one a Writers Guild nomination. While with Mad Men, she earned three Writers Guild Awards (two for Outstanding Drama Series and one for Outstanding New Series), as well as a Peabody Award. During the off season of Mad Men, she penned the live variety show The Mad Men Live Revue, which enjoyed sold out shows at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. She went on to be a Producer on Law & Order: SVU and was a Co-Producer on FX’s Lights Out prior to that, writing two episodes of its first season. She also recently completed a rewrite of the film Cripple for Gilbert Films. Her proudest achievement remains her Golden Elephant for Best Boss on Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus 136th tour.
ZACH GUGGENHEIM
(Philanthropist)
Zach Guggenheim is a retired owner of an Art Restoration business in New York and London. A native of New York City, Mr. Guggenheim holds a PhD in Philosophy from Columbia University, a M.A. from Oxford University and a J.D. From Yale University. Along with his sister, he Co-Founded the Guggenheim Trust, a private Foundation that helps the world with hunger issues, clean water, sexual abuse, children’s health, women’s issues and safety issues. He has also helped raise money for NY Presbyterian hospital, Sloane-Kettering and St Jude’s Hospital. Mr. Guggenheim married and moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1989. He now spends time volunteering at Cedars-Sinai on the Cardiac floor.
Dwayne Calizo
(In Spirit and Memoriam: Co-Founder, Master Voice Teacher)
Dwayne Calizo was a visionary activist, artist, teacher and friend, without which, there would be no ZBS. He passed away a couple of weeks prior to us opening our doors. The social programs he designed are named in his honor.
Dwayne Patrick Calizo (Boobie/Kekoa/Mama) was the truest of Bohemians. A devotee to the transcendent power of art, activism, teaching, friendship, family, the underdog, irreverence, diversity, laughter, forgiveness and above all, LOVE. As his mother said, Dwayne had no black book where he wrote down the people he would not forgive, and when he did feign writing in one (purely for dramatic affect), he did so with disappearing ink. He had a voice unlike any of us had ever heard, and an unrelenting belief that everyone could sing. EVERYONE had a voice that needed to be heard. In retrospect, it may have been because it was lonely singing from the next world; somehow still, he managed to pull many of us halfway there
Dwayne frequently told the story of when all the neighborhood kids would gather outside his bathroom window in the plantation town he grew up on the North Shore of Hawaii, shouting requests as he sang in the shower. They called the game “Radio”; Dwayne took a lot of showers. He went on to attend the University of Hawaii where he won numerous national awards for classical singing. He then moved to Los Angeles and created “The Space”, a community art and music venue, which served as a safe space for rival gangs to interact/create art with one another. Following that, he was a hospice nurse during the early days of the AIDS crisis, putting his own life on the line to help others pass with dignity and grace.
Dwayne then moved to San Francisco, meeting up with his new partner Zak where he formed ghosttown experimental theater, followed by the Experimental Performance Institute, the first BA, MA and MFA Program in Queer and Activist Performance in the world with a group of SF-based artists, as well as Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, dedicated to Queer Artists of Color, Trans Artists and Artists living with HIV/AIDS. As an individual artist, he originated 7 Rock Musicals, 10 original dance theater pieces and 5 solo albums, and collectively was awarded some of the most prestigious artistic grants and awards in the country.
His life both in Hawaii and San Francisco was a beautifully composed song, filled with countless verses of relationships with family and friends. Dwayne’s teaching, producing and artistic work has impacted innumerable artists and activists across the globe, and at the time of his death, he was gearing up to launch a Zak Barnett Studios in Los Angeles. He died committed to the things he loved: his beliefs, his partner, his art, his family and his friends.
Dwayne struggled with many things: mental illness, AIDS, poverty and Addiction. I say this because Dwayne taught us to stand up for ALL of who we are, and to use humility, commitment and love to navigate through. He died a hero. His ohana also included 16 nieces and nephews, 27 grandnieces and nephews and more true friends, and dedicated students then one could count.