COMMUNITY SPONSOR
WINNER – SEASON ONE
Caitlin Greene
Great at dad jokes. Loves long walks on the beach with face masks. Instagram: @caitlingreene
Life Amplified Founder
Deb Kelley
Deb founded the award-winning Life Amplified in 2014 as the philanthropic side of her company, The WriteOne Creative Services. Typically, a music festival would be at a theatre with ticket sales donated to a local, grassroots charity; however, these are strange times we are living in. Life Amplified A CAPELLA UNDERCOVER, Deb’s 15th showcase – this time a secret singer game show – is meant to be a FREE boredom buster for both the performers and the ticketed public. Only because of Covid-19 were the incredible performers, the best in their field and always in demand on stages across the country, available on short-notice. Deb thanks each one of them for donating their time and thanks you for coming to enjoy the game show! Stay safe.
Judge
Peter Nason
An actor, director, and theatre teacher, Peter Nason fell in love with the theatre at the tender age of six when he saw Mickey Rooney in “George M!” at the Shady Grove in Washington, D.C. He has appeared in dozens of productions around the country, helmed several films and directed over thirty plays. His love of the theatre, and his passion for the craft of acting and directing, has led him to reach hundreds of Florida teenagers to help make the stage their home. In 2014, he started a new theatre program for disadvantaged middle school kids and is the chairman of District 11 Jr. Thespians. A graduate of the University of Alabama and the Scuola Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy, Peter is an award-winning playwright and has written for various periodicals and newspapers. Since 2014, he has been one of the Tampa-St. Petersburg reviewers for Broadwayworld.com. Peter resides in Wesley Chapel, Florida with his beloved Boston Terrier, Ike.
Judge
DJ Holt
Donald B. Holt, Jr., better known as D.J., is very proud to work both onstage and behind the scenes as Treasurer and sometimes director for mad Theatre of Tampa. Audiences may remember D.J. from Personals, Reefer Madness
Judge
Karla Harley
Karla Hartley (Producing Artistic Director) is proud to be guiding Stageworks Theatre — named Best Theater in 2014 — into an exciting and prosperous future. A third generation native of Tampa, Florida, Karla Hartley is currently the Producing Artistic Director and runs a thriving business as an independent theatrical artist. She has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector for the last 30 years.
Karla is also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Theater and Dance for the University of Tampa and has taught in the juvenile justice system and the foster care system. She has designed, performed in or stage managed hundreds of performances from the Kennedy Center to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and sat on the board of the International Performing Arts for Youth for two years. Karla received a BFA in Theater Studies from Boston University in 1992.
As a director, she has helmed over 60 shows of varying sizes and styles, including a more than a dozen world premieres. She is the winner of two Jeff Norton awards for directing and was nominated for the Theater Communications Group’s Alan Schneider Award for Excellence twice. She has Best Of the Bay Awards for Best Sound Design 2010 and Best Director 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015. She was also named The Artist Most Likely to Have Been Born on the Planet Krypton by Creative Loafing 2013 as well as Best Director Award from Theater Tampa Bay for her work on The Motherfucker With the Hat in 2015.
Alyssa Cabrera
FIRST RUNNER-UP SEASON 1
Alyssa Cabrera, formerly known as Baby Yoda and first runner up in the inaugural season of Life Amplified A Capella Undercover, is thrilled to be judging season 2! Alyssa is a junior Musical Theatre and Journalism major at the University of Tampa and is currently a music teacher at Rockatar Music Academy and Studios. Some theatre credits include: Cinderella in Spanish Lyric Theatre’s production of Ybor City Cinderella, Pocahontas in the high school premiere of Disenchanted, and Delilah Strict in Zombie Prom. She cannot wait to continue to bring joy and enthusiasm to viewers with season 2 of this wonderful show!
Ann Lehman
2020 marks Ann’s 17th year in Florida. Born and raised in the Detroit area, she first moved to Colorado where she honed her theatrical skills. She is happy to be involved with her first singing competition and hope you enjoy the contest.
Tom Bronson
Tom enjoys singing, acting, and playing trombone to get his performance fix. He has been singing in barbershop quartets and choruses since he was 8 years old. He didn’t start acting until his senior year of high school and he picked up his trombone again about 10 years ago when asked to join the ska band Fall On Purpose. He has worked at both Disney and Busch Gardens as a singer. He’s on Facebook, but he doesn’t really have a performer site.
Lauren Burke
Lauren is a classically trained mezzo-soprano who has been performing for over 30 years across the southeast. Some of her recent roles in the Tampa Bay area have been Katisha in “Hot Mikado” and Mme. Phoebe Dinsmore in “Singing in the Rain.”
Brent Walker
Brent Walker has been singing for as long as he can remember (which, admittedly, isn’t as long these days). His first public performance was at 6 years old, and he has been singing nonstop ever since. Even though most of his performances are in the shower without an audience, Brent has appeared in numerous church and school musicals and some local theater plays. He currently teaches Elementary School Music in the Denver Metro area from the comfort of his basement and looks forward to the day he can return to the classroom with the students he loves so much.
NaTasha McKeller
NaTasha is a local artist from Queens NYC most recently seen in Mad Theatre’s production of Disenchanted! as The Princess Who Kissed The Frog she says “I love performing, I love music & I love what they allow me to do, and that is giving back, its changing a life, at times it’s even saving a life…… IT’S DEEP. I’m a singer and songwriter who creates both from my experience and my heart. My music (the words I write and the songs I sing) is intentional and purposeful. I put into the world what is needed songs of truth, inspiration, encouragement, joy, love and soul. I do it to uplift people’s spirit, help them relax, forget their worries & groove out so they truly enjoy themselves and CELEBRATE LIFE & LIVING.” “God created me to make a difference and I do that through the gifts of singing, writing and entertaining.” NaTasha inspirational style of singing is a mixture of Old School R&B, Jazz, Neo-Soul and a touch of Reggae. NaTasha feels that it is blessing to be able to give back through performing. Outside of performing, she is a mentor and tutor to teens in her community. She performs in community events, especially those created to uplift and bring awareness. She lives to uplift people’s souls so that they enjoy themselves and celebrate life and living. NaTasha is thankful for her daughter McKenzie London, family, and friends for their love, support, and unceasing prayers.
Jessica Jax
JESSICA JAX is so excited for Life Amplifed! Past roles include: Elaine (Arsenic and Old Lace), Alysha/Too Much Too Soon (AMERICAN IDIOT), SISTER AMNESIA (NUNSENSE! & NUNSENSE 2 & NUNSENSE JAMBOREE), Roz Keith (9 TO 5), Mrs. Meers (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE), Fraulein Schneider (CABARET), Miss Hannigan (ANNIE) and an ensemble member in every show you could think of! She also helped lead Little Big Deal Productions into its first foray into the Tampa theatre scene with BROADWAY’S GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL. Best luck to all the contestants
Life Amplified Founder
Deb Kelley
Deb founded the award-winning Life Amplified in 2014 as the philanthropic side of her company, The WriteOne Creative Services. Typically, a music festival would be at a theatre with ticket sales donated to a local, grassroots charity; however, these are strange times we are living in. Life Amplified A CAPELLA UNDERCOVER, Deb’s 15th showcase – this time a secret singer game show – is meant to be a FREE boredom buster for both the performers and the ticketed public. Only because of Covid-19 were the incredible performers, the best in their field and always in demand on stages across the country, available on short-notice. Deb thanks each one of them for donating their time and thanks you for coming to enjoy the game show! Stay safe.
Alyssa Cabrera
FIRST RUNNER-UP SEASON 1
Alyssa Cabrera, formerly known as Baby Yoda and first runner up in the inaugural season of Life Amplified A Capella Undercover, is thrilled to be judging season 2! Alyssa is a junior Musical Theatre and Journalism major at the University of Tampa and is currently a music teacher at Rockatar Music Academy and Studios. Some theatre credits include: Cinderella in Spanish Lyric Theatre’s production of Ybor City Cinderella, Pocahontas in the high school premiere of Disenchanted, and Delilah Strict in Zombie Prom. She cannot wait to continue to bring joy and enthusiasm to viewers with season 2 of this wonderful show!
Judge
Aaron Washington
Aaron Washington has been in the Tampa area since 2007 and has been fortunate to work with most of the theatres as an actor both community and professional. A graduate from Wright State University with BFA in Theatre Studies with an emphasis on Performance. He has done truck and bus tours of State Fair and Five Guys Named Moe. Taught High School Drama and Directed and/ or Choreographed over 50 productions and is currently Events Coordinator and Theatre Manager for the Carrollwood Cultural Center.
Judge
Georgia Kosloski
Georgia is excited to be a judge. She has done many many professional and community theatre shows in the Tampa Bay Area. Favorite singing roles include Yente, the matchmaker, Fiddler on the Roof, Madame Dubonet, The Boyfriend . She loves to improve and play with her audiences. Being on stage is one of her greatest joys. She is blessed to have a wonderful family with two amazingly-talented daughters and the most patient, loving man as a husband. She has a small indoor farm with: 4 Guinea Pigs, 3 Dogs, 2 rabbits . She is a masseuse and always try to rub people the right way !
Judge and Theatre Commercial Spokesman
Nora Paine
Nora found her love for theater in a tiny town in South Carolina called Due West. Over her four years at Erskine College, she found her passion for stage managing and stage managed over 16 productions. After finishing graduate school, she came to Tampa in 2008. Doug Wall answered her email, and she found her new theater home, New Tampa Players.
Today, Nora is the president of New Tampa Players. She is most at home pushing set pieces in her black tech clothes. For the past two years, she has directed two Penguin Project productions: Aladdin Jr and Peter Pan Jr. She has been inspired by the magic that is created when “I can’ts” turn into “I cans”.
Nora is a mom of 4 wonderful, creative kids. During quarantine, Nora has found peace in playing the trombone, reading, and rewatching one of her favorite shows: Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Ashley Ryan Lord
Ashley Ryan Lord is an elementary music educator, performer, dancer, and mixed media artist. She has been seen on stage all around Tampa Bay at Stageworks Theatre and often at Carrollwood Cultural Center and coming up next summer (2021) at the Straz!
Nancy Fueyo
Nancy has been involved in theater for many years. Professional credits include: Carnegie Hall, Sr. Margaretta Sound of Music, she is part of the singing duo “A Moment in Time.”
Michael C. Silvestri
Born in New York, Michael first stepped foot on stage some 44 years ago. A student of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY, he was most recently seen as Joe Gillis in EOT’s production of “Sunset Blvd. Other roles include Lt. Frank Cioffi in “Curtains” and Jimmy Winter in “Nice Work If You Can Get It” at FWP, Zaza/Albin in “La Cage aux Folles” at Carrollwood Players, Prof. Ted Schieder in “Disaster”, George Howard in “It Shoulda Been You”, and Franklin Hart in “9 to 5” at mad Theatre of Tampa, and as Hysterium in “Forum” and Robert Livingston in “1776” at EOT. His second love is writing, and he has a novel, some essays, a collection of poetry, a musical, and a handful of screenplays that desperately need his attention.
Jarrett W. Koski
Jarrett W. Koski – Jarrett holds a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. Jarrett has been awarded the 2017 Broadwayworld.com Best Choreographer for Disaster! Performance roles include: It Shoulda Been You (Marty), 9 to 5 (Joe) Joseph. . .Dreamcoat (Levi), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), Into the Woods (Baker), Mary Poppins (Bert), Charlie Brown (Snoopy), Pippin (Pippin), Godspell (Jesus). Jarrett is very grateful and thankful for all of the love and support. “SHSO!” This is for you Victoria Rose! Sam, you’re “simply the best!” MORE!
Instagram: @jarrettwkoski / Website: www.jarrettwkoski.com
Katie Ward
…Does my face really look like that? Yikes. Instagram: xf0rthebetterx or KatieWardMusic Twitter: xf0rthebetterx Facebook: Facebook.com/KatieWardMusic YouTube.com/KatieWardMusic
Angel Borths
Angel Borths, much like a stray puppy, has never before stayed in one place for more than 3 years. She has finally found her forever home in Tampa and with the local comedy troupe, Nine and Numb. Angel is also career arts educator by day and answers to “Mommy” at night. As often as her busy schedule allows, Angel performs with local community theatres/groups and teaches acting workshops for kids.
Oliver Sprague
No stranger to the theatre, Oliver has been performing for the Bay area for a long time! He is proud to be performing alongside all of these amazing musicians and entertainers, as we try to bring some light to the world during this dark time.
Lauren Butterfield
Lauren Butterfield is a physician by day and a musical theater junkie by night! She loves to entertain… the wackier the character the better! When she is not able to perform on stage, she enjoys performing for her 2 children who usually roll their eyes and leave the room. Tough crowd! Lauren has been seen in the Tampa area down at Manatee Players in Bradenton all the way up to Spanish Lyric in Tampa. Her most notable performance in the last year was getting the thrill of playing Kate Monster and Lucy T Slut in Eight O’clock Theater’s production of Avenue Q.
Cody Carlson
Cody’s been performing on stage since he was a wee little nugget. More recent productions include EOTs- Avenue Q (Princeton/Rod), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), Stageworks-Avenue Q (Trekkie/Nicky), NTP- Violet (Monty). His passion has always been the arts. Cody’s wishing everyone the best during these hard times.
Madison Claire Rice
Madison has been performing and directing locally (pre-quarantine) for the last 9 years. Favorite roles include Josie (A Moon for the Misbegotten), Rafaella (Grand Hotel), Nadia (BARE), Nettie Fowler (Carousel), and Aldonza (Man of La Mancha). Madison also runs a local performance group (Tarpon Sings!) which raises money for local organizations.
Athena Schorsch
Lizzie Athena Schorsch is a Connecticut born and raised performer. She moved to St. Pete for college and has been a volunteer for several different performances around Tampa Bay over the last several years. Recently she lost her grandmother and has been grieving and healing through song. She is extremely glad to be able to put her voice to good use in lifting the spirits of others especially in times such as these. Music is a powerful thing and can be a much needed medicine when hugs are not an option and loved ones are spread so far apart.
Jessica Mazza
Jessica Mazza is thrilled to return to Life Amplified, virtually. While in Tampa, Jessica acted on a variety of community stages & loved it. She was also a member of St. Peter Claver’s Gospel choir. In Chicago, she is a singer, shaker, and guitar player with the Chicago Saddletramps. It has been amazing to perform the blues, country, and rock & roll on stages all over the city & surrounding suburbs.
Kevin Lara
Kevin has done 6 shows with Mad theater of Tampa. Titles including Rent, where he played Angel. Cabaret and Spring Awakening. Since the birth of his son, he has gone on a hiatus from the theater world. He is so exited to get a chance to perform again. You can follow me on Instagram @kevininspace also on twitch @kevininspace
Vanna T. Scarlett
Vanna T. Scarlett is a self-proclaimed “strong independent, black catholic, white Christian woman who don’t need no man”. Coming from a musical theatre background, Vanna has graced the stage in productions including La Cage Aux Folles, Bare: A Pop Opera, and The Rocky Horror Show. She is excited to have been invited to take part in this event and share her talents with her Life Amplified family again.
Jason Ensor
Jason has called the stage his second home for 20 years, performing in all sorts of venues and variety shows. He also has had the privileges of bringing to life some of the most beloved characters of musical theater, credits including Marius in Les Miserables, Baron von Geigern in Grand Hotel, Cinderella’s prince in into the Woods, and Jekyll and Hyde in Jekyll and Hyde the musical to name a few. he continues to show passion in each roll and each song, and thrives on bringing to life the stories and songs that enlightened the hearts of those who witness theatre. He continues his journey each day, hoping to one day fulfill his dream in playing his dream role on Broadway…. The Phantom of the Opera.
Julia Rudgers
Best known for her acting talents, she also sings like a siren. You’ve seen her on Tampa bay stages and she’s worked out of state. She does a lot of voice over work as well. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Heather Lynn Mendoza
Heather is on stage every chance she gets and is the lead singer of the band Electric Woodshed (battle of the bands winners). Heather has appeared in Disenchanted (Sleeping Beauty), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Betty), Company (Jenny), Hairspray (Tracy), Rent (Pam), among others. She was also in mad Theatre’s production of It Shoulda Been You (Jenny), which won her the award of Best Actress in Tampa Bay.
Jonathan O’Brien
Jonathan O’Brien is an aspiring musician and actor from St.Petersburg Florida! Jonathan has previously studied music theory and euphonium performance but heavily enjoys performing on the stage. Notable credits include: Spring Awakening at Eight O’ Clock Theatre(Ensemble), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Francis Wilson Playhouse (Charlie Brown) and Titanic at Francis Wilson Playhouse (Band master Hartley). Instagram-@johnny0b Twitter-@johnnyt0b
Dawn Clark Dougherty
Bio coming soon!
Brandy Jacob-Gold
Bio coming soon!
Heather Johnson Brooks
Bio coming soon!
Diana Fye Rogers
Bio coming soon!
Alejandra Sepulveda Colon
Bio coming soon!
Pete Clapsis
Bio coming soon!
Kay Brown
Bio coming soon!
Mary Trzcinski
Bio coming soon!