Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Gizel Jimenez, Triple Threat

Growing up, Gizel Jimenez had no idea she would wind up a successful and celebrated actress.  Painfully shy, she couldn't imagine performing in front of a live audience, much less making it a career.  But that all changed after Gizel got her BFA at the University of Florida's New World School of the Arts.  She never looked back - and has worked ever since. Her credits include: Olivia, the teenager estranged from her mother, an undocumented immigrant in the acclaimed Off-Broadway show, 'Miss You Like Hell.'  Gizel played the Mistress in 'Evita' and Rosalia in a National tour of 'West Side Story.'  Regional Theater includes roles in 'Oklahoma,' 'In The Heights.'  She's also appeared on HBO's 'Divorce,' 'Law & Order SVU,' and 'The Tale of Two Jimmy Chins.'   This is an open, honest, emotional conversation with one helluva creative woman.

Deborah Grace Winer, Author and Dramatist

You're about to meet yet another accomplished, creative female powerhouse. Deborah Grace Winer is an: author, dramatist, historian and producer. And...she's also a leading expert on the American Songbook and Musical Theater. Her shows have celebrated such icons as Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. As you'll hear, Deborah's career is a rich and varied one.

Sharon Washington, Actress

You're about to meet and get to know award-winning stage, film, television actress and playwright, Sharon Washington. Her eclectic career spans more than 25 years and with it a long list of credits.

 

She recently made her debut as a playwright with her highly acclaimed one woman-show, "Feeding The Dragon." It's set in the St. Agnes branch of the New York City Public Library. Why? Because that's where Sharon lived with her mother and father, the library custodian. Sharon takes us on her creative career path in this fascinating, honest, engaging conversation.

Jenifer Foote, Broadway Actress

Jenifer Foote's resume in a word? Wow! She's a New York City-based actress, dancer, choreographer/associate director and teacher. Jenifer's Broadway credits include: "Hello Dolly!," "She Loves Me," "Holiday Inn," "On The Twentieth Century," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Follies," "Rock of Ages," "A Chorus Line" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Jenifer's also taught master classes in vocal performance, scene study and dance. You'll want to meet this creative woman, whose passion for her work is contagious!

Tracy Geltman, Theatrical Company Manager

Clearly, mounting a Broadway show is a herculean task that requires the talents and expertise of a whole cast of characters, far beyond the actors you see on stage. One of those players is the Company Manager. Who? In case you didn't know, the job of a Company Manager is one of the toughest in the theater. You're about to find out why. Tracy Geltman began her career at Maine State Music Theater as an apprentice before coming to New York, where she worked on "Hairspray," "War Paint," "Fun Home" and "The Band's Visit," to name just a few Broadway hits. Listen in as she talks about her love of theater and what it's like to be the Company Manager.

Lucie Canzoniero, Student Photographer

Meet Lucie Canzoniero, who certainly has the creative street cred, just not the age. Lucie is a freshman at New York City's prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts Her major is technical theater, but she has many interests and talents. They include: photography, film and....wrestling! Lucie started taking pictures about 4 years ago. Last Spring she had the opportunity to accompany her dad to India where he was working on a documentary about an organization that helps girls, rescued from sex trafficking, get jobs and start new lives. Lucie, took lots of pictures and says the experience was inspirational and sparked in her a desire to "take pictures for the rest of my life." She'd better! You're in store for a very refreshing, open, honest conversation with one very classy female.

Amy Engelhardt, Singer/Songwriter/Actress

Meet yet another very talented, funny, creative woman. Amy Engelhardt is a composer, lyricist, singer and teacher. Quite frankly, it would take several paragraphs to list all her credits. And clearly, there will be many more to come. So why not just sit back and enjoy a conversation with this dynamo. You'll be glad you did.

Amy Marcs, Actress and Playwright

Amy Marcs has been there, done that. She's an actress, playwright, voice-over artist, professor and ordained interfaith minister/spiritual counselor. And...she's also the writer and star of her critically acclaimed one-woman show, "Nice Tits," during which she shares life as a breast cancer patient and survivor. Amy's story is raw, brutally honest and absolutely hilarious. And quite frankly, so is our conversation. So sit back and get to know this warm, open, funny, creative woman.

Sheila Head and Norma Lana, Entertainment Professionals

Sheila Head and Norma Lana, two very funny, accomplished and creative women have joined forces both personally and professionally. They first met at voice over auditions - one thing led to another and 4 years ago they got married. Sheila, an actress, comedy writer and improv pro and Norma, also a writer, actress/producer, media trainer put their talents together and are behind the pulpy comedy, "Hollywood Nurses." Sheila's the co-writer, Norma, the producer. In case you had no idea, "the mid-1950s was the heyday of pulp novels and the unique expression of queer sexuality in paperback." We talk about that and lots of other 'stuff' in this no-holds barred, hilarious, engaging conversation.

Lois Robbins, Actress

Lois Robbins is one busy actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles on the daytime soap operas - One Life to Live, Loving, Ryan's Hope, and All My Children. She has also guest starred on Sex and The City, Law and Order, Kingpin and Once and Again. Lois' film credits include Blowtorch, Juvie, and Ithaca, directed by and starring Meg Ryan. Then there's theater. She has starred in a pair of world premier musicals - My History of Marriage and A Time for Love. Lois has also written a one-act play - L.O.V.E.R - Baring it All. And if all that isn't enough, she's writing a novel. Listen in as Lois shares talks about her varied and accomplished acting career.