About Denise Simon Acting & Coaching
Denise Simon Acting & Coaching was established in 1994 to meet the needs of child performers and their families. DSAC is recommended by New York’s top Agents, Managers and Casting Directors for their ability to coach young actors without them looking coached. Using different acting techniques from the Meisner approach in truth and simplicity to Laban Movement, Denise and her team teach young performers through private and group classes. Through a myriad of exercises, games & simple technique students are empowered, encouraged and challenged to reach beyond their current grasp while building confidence and having fun. Their classes and industry workshops attract both established and emerging talent. Class size is small, enabling students to receive individual attention using age appropriate material to remain natural and honest. DSAC is also known as the best source available for objective guidance in career consultation for young actors and their parents. They coach and consult hundreds of children and young adults who appear regularly on Broadway and in TV and film.
Denise Simon, Founder
Denise is a veteran of the industry as an actress, teacher, director, casting director, and personal talent manager. She has been teaching young actors in the craft of acting for over 30 years and provides private consulting to guide young actors and their parents through the challenges inherent to show business. She works with high school students on their college auditions and guides them through the performing arts college admission process. As a certified life coach, Denise works with clients of all ages to help them find balance and satisfaction in their lives. Her life coaching skills give her insight into clients’ needs. For parents of young performers, this means guiding them to be more effective in their role as an advocate for their children. Denise’s training helps her understand that, in the process of pursuing an acting career, children can develop their character and abilities in ways that impact them positively throughout their lives. With Denise’s assistance, children learn meaningful life lessons that they take with them in whatever careers they choose later on.
Denise is a contributing expert columnist to Backstage.com, a member of the NY SAG AFTRA Young Performers Committee, The Actors Fund Looking Ahead committee , The National Alliance of Acting Teachers and has actively led seminars for Actors Equity Association, SAG- AFTRA, and other organizations throughout the country. Denise has also worked with corporate firms to lead acting and improvisational training for their employees.
For ten years, Denise was an associate with Fox Albert Management, one of the leading talent management companies in New York, where she managed such clients as Scarlett Johansson, Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino, Lacey Chabert, and Judy Reyes (NBC’s Scrubs).
A graduate of Florida State University with a B.F.A. degree in theatre, Denise has studied acting with renowned teachers, including Wynn Handman, Burt Reynolds, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Larry Silverberg. As a casting director, Denise cast the award-winning independent film, “No Letting Go,” directed by Jonathan Bucari.
Denise has been the on-set coach for the award-winning television show, “Teen Kids News,” and for Fox television’s “The Following.”
Denise is the author of Parenting in the Spotlight, How to raise a child star without screwing them up, published by Thomas Noble Books and available on Amazon and the host of Parenting in the Spotlight podcast on Spotify, Apple and Google.
Meet Our Staff
Zudhi Boueri
Associate Teacher
Zuhdi Boueri is a first generation Middle Eastern American Actor and Teaching Artist born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He is fluent in English, Arabic and various forms of Texan. After completing his BFA in acting from Texas State, he went on to receive a full-ride scholarship to study in the MFA Acting Program at Penn State University. He’s also studied abroad at London’s National Theatre and Capetown’s South African National Arts Festival. As an actor his work includes a film for Amazon Studios, a Starz original pilot, and a new feature starring Billy Crystal. Zuhdi has taught young artists across NYC with experience in Meisner, Laban, Chekov, and other various methods. He lives in Manhattan with his puppy Arlo who is fluent in English, Arabic and Doggie Treats.
Julia Marie Peterson
Associate Teacher
Julia Marie Peterson is a seasoned acting coach, teaching artist and Alexander Technique teacher. Julia is a graduate of the elite programs at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, LAMDA (London) and The Philadelphia School for the Alexander Technique. Julia has been a teaching artist at NYU, LSTFI (Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Production) and theatre programs across the country. Currently, she coaches individuals and principal cast members in film productions. As a coach her goal is to support the creative team in their creative work. She is honored to be an in-house director at OTR Repertory Company, directing two plays for the 2021/2022 season. Other resident theatre companies include Candle House Collective & Living Lotus. She recently co-starred in the Brazilian blockbuster and Cannes-winning film, Bacurau. www.JuliaMariePeterson.com
Anthony de marte
Guest Dance Teacher
Anthony de Marte is a New York-based musical theatre performer, educator, and choreographer. He received a BA in Theatre and Dance from Muhlenberg College, and additionally, studied musical theatre at The School at Jacob’s Pillow and physical theatre at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. His favorite performance credits include Joe Pesci in “Jersey Boys” with Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Jimmy in “White Christmas” at Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Ensemble u/s Santa in “A Christmas Story” at the John W. Engeman Theatre, and LeFou in "Beauty and the Beast" with KJK Productions. As an educator, he has taught musical theatre and dance for over 10 years in both Manhattan and Westchester County at many schools, dance studios, and workshops. His choreography has been featured in the JCE Jazz Dance Project, at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn, and in many musical theatre productions. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. IG: @anthony_demarte anthonydemarte.com
Ned Lott
Associate Teacher
Ned Lott has a wide range of producing, voice directing and casting experience for animation. Ned has directed vocal sessions with Jodi Benson as Ariel for “Little Mermaid”projects and has cast and voice directed current and former Broadway actors including Ben Vereen, Kristen Bell, Reeve Carney, and Lea Salonga for animation roles. He is currently Voice-Directing and Casting two Animated Feature films, one out of Peru called “Ainbo” and one out of South Africa called “Seal Team”, along with recently casting country singer Kasey Musgraves in the latest Studio Ghibli Animated English dub.
Merri Sugarman
Guest Teaching Artist
Merri Sugarman is a top NYC Casting Director with Tara Rubin Casting. Office credits include Broadway and National Tour productions of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Aladdin, Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon, Dear Evan Hansen, SIX, School of Rock, King Kong, Indecent, Cats, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia! and The Producers. In 2000, Merri moved to Dreamworks Studios as the Casting Executive in charge of TV Pilots and Series, including Spin City, and the critically acclaimed The Job, starring Denis Leary. She was then offered a position as the Director of Casting for Dramas and Movies at ABC Television, overseeing the casting of Alias, NYPD Blue, and The Practice. She is the very proud CD of the critically acclaimed web series SUBMISSIONS ONLY and also boasts many TV & film projects, workshops, and readings, including the new musical TREVOR, based on the Oscar-winning short film.
Mark J. Parker
Associate Teacher
Mark J. Parker is an acting & media coach, filmmaker, podcaster, casting director, digital content creator, and SAG-AFTRA member. After living in New York for 14 years, he moved to Kittery, ME in 2020. His voice is heard on podcasts Release Date Rewind, Clocktower Players Jubilee Podcast Theater, interACT Audio Productions, and Add This To Your List. His short film Family History is streaming on the 2021 film festival circuit, while his 2016 short Sticks is streaming on Prime Video, and his next short Twin (working title) is currently in post-production. Mark has worked on TV series and films throughout the years, from broadcast series 30 Rock and Ugly Betty to cable series Celebrity Ghost Stories and talk shows Live! With Regis & Kelly and Wendy Williams. He cast 7 seasons of the ABC hidden camera series What Would You Do? at ABC’s Lincoln Square Productions, along with other TV & streaming content for the network, and has cast independent films, including the upcoming short Kings & Queens. He graduated from Fordham University and received a certificate in Producing from NYU’s School of Professional Studies.
Michael Hauschild
Associate Teacher
Actor, Improviser, Writer, Film Maker. Has performed at the Second City in LA and Upright Citizen's Brigade in NY, toured nationally with the Skinny Improv, and is a featured improviser on ABC's "What Would You Do?". A few TV and Film credits include The Black List, Law and Order SVU, feature film (Untitled) and national spots for Snickers, Samsung, Oculus and Blade. Is currently a resident member of the Habitat Theater Company and the Improvised Repertory Theater Ensemble. Is currently a staff writer for the Emmy winning comedy talk show "The Mystery Hour". Teaching credits include The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Barbizon, Weist-Barron studios and various confreres and workshops nationwide.
Krisha Bullock
Guest Teaching Artist
LA based youth Casting Director, KRISHA BULLOCK is one of the most influential, award-winning casting directors in the industry today. Her impressive credits include DANGER FORCE, SIDE HUSTLE, HENRY DANGER, GAME SHAKERS, iCARLY, ZOEY 101, VICTORIOUS, and more! Ms. Bullock is the recipient of the Casting Society of America’s Artios Award for Excellence in Casting for her work on “iCarly” and has been nominated for dozens of additional Artios Awards. In addition to casting, Krisha has mentored thousands of hopeful young people, helping them break into the industry. She has guided many up-and-coming actors who have gone on to massive success, including the Oscar-nominated Hailee Steinfeld, who, to this very day, utilizes some of Krisha’s advice.
Jazelle Foster
Associate Teacher & Marketing Director
An actor mostly known for her recurring role in ABC’s What Would You Do?! with John Quinones, Jazelle has worked with brands such as Uber, Jameson, Olay & Target. Jazelle is trained in the Meisner technique and holds a BFA in theatre performance . She is known for her connection with the students, marrying truthfulness and fun each and every day.
Flannery Bogost
Administrative Assistant
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Flannery is an NYC-based actress. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media from Georgia State University, and has trained all over the country. She has performed in productions at the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre and brings experience instructing both on-stage and on-camera acting. She enjoys writing, painting, and her favorite movie is Romeo + Juliet (1996.)
