The Centaur Stage grew out of acting classes taught by Gillien Goll and was formed by a group of actors who wanted to expand their artistic growth into other interdisciplinary areas such as writing and directing.  With that goal in mind, their first production, “Apartment Stories,” was an evening of short plays written by actor member Louis Lembo and directed by company members. 

 

This production was followed by a new adaptation conceived and directed by Gillien Goll, with Assistant Director/Choreographer Robert Gilbo, of “Spoon River Anthology” presented on Theatre Row.  The response to this was so enthusiastic that this production received a second run and was asked to perform a shorter version for Lincoln Center’s Meet the Artist Program as well as giving a complimentary performance for the Hudson Guild Senior Center. 

 

The Centaur Stage also did several readings and a staged reading of Ms.Goll’s immersive play, “Bandstand: A Reelin’ and a Rockin’.”

 

And now The Centaur Stage is embarking on a new adventure, to expand into film, with the short film, “From Venus With Love,” written by Ms. Goll with a cast that again includes several of her acting students.  www.FromVenusWithLovefilm.com

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Gillien Goll – Artistic Director

 

Gillien is the founding Artistic Director of The Centaur Stage, which grew out of an acting class she was teaching. In addition to teaching acting, she is an actor, director, writer, and producer. She also teaches Public Speaking and Presentational Skills for business.   She has appeared in several award-winning short films, (one of which she wrote) which have screened in over 80 film festivals. Gillien has been teaching acting at AMDA since 2002 and has also taught at Fordham University, among other schools. Acting credits include such iconic television series as Sex & the City, Chappelle’s Show, The Sopranos, and Saturday Night Live.  She has also worked with Robin Wiliams, Elliott Gould, Mary McDonnell and Stephanie Miller. Along with other films and web series, she has worked Off and Off Off Broadway, including the Obie winning “West Village Chronicles” and one woman show “Hector.”  She holds a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.A. from Hunter College. www.GillienGoll.com

 

Robert Gilbo - Treasurer

 

Robert Gilbo, a founding member of The Centaur Stage, has worn many hats in his theatre career. Beginning as an actor and dancer, he  played Zach in the national tour of A Chorus Line, and appeared Off Broadway in the Steppenwolf production of Balm in Gilead (John Malkovich, director), in addition to many regional credits. He has directed classics and developed new work in New York and around the country. As the Associate Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre, he was the recipient of multiple Barrymore Award nominations. He recently directed Centaur’s Gillien Goll in Robert Heide’s play Hector in a site-specific production for Peculiar Works Project. Robert is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute, and has producing credits on and off Broadway. He is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, Drama Desk associate member, and continues to work as a consulting producer, dramaturg and director.

 

Daniel Hamelin

 

Born in Spingfield, MA, Dan became involved in regional theater at Stage West in West Springfield, Mass., starting with a production of "The Night Of The Iguana" directed by Davey Marlin-Jones and then a summer of work at the Wayside Theater in Middletown VA., where he appeared in " A Streetcar Named Desire," also directed by Davey Marlin-Jones.  Moving to New York City, he studied acting with Gillien Goll and became a founding member of The Centaur Stage, appearing in its initial four productions. He was co-owner of a jazz club in the city and then moved to Las Vegas, where he worked in hospitality at the Bellagio Hotel for many years, while always keeping in touch and supporting The Centaur Stage. Dan looks forward to contributing to its growth going forward.

 

Florence Regina

 

Florence Regina is an award-winning producer/actor/director/motivational speaker. Her production company, Soleil Films, produces films, staged productions, and events. From NYC to LA, she’s performed as an actress on stage, film, and TV. She’s also had several national commercial spots. Her acting credits include: The HBO Max drama series, The Flight Attendant; the CBS TV series, Bull; Comedy Central’s Broad City; and more. She’s produced several notable events, including A Focus On International Short Films: An Evening Of Haitian Filmmaking, which was presented by the Women In Film International Committee and Los Angeles City Council President, Eric Garcetti (now Mayor of Los Angeles). She spent 3 years as a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Diabetes Association's African American Diabetes Task Force, where she became a motivational speaker. Today she’s an award-winning motivational speaker, who travels and speaks about different topics. She is a member of the Board of Directors for The Haiti International Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA. For more info  visit: www.FlorenceRegina.com

 

Lisa Michelle Sanders

 

Lisa Michelle Sanders received her undergraduate degree in Drama/Musical Theatre at Fordham University at Lincoln Center, NYC. She has performed as an actress in a variety of Off-Off Broadway plays, Regional plays, on TV, in independent films and NY local/regional commercials. She was one of the original members of The Centaur Stage and appeared in their first four productions. In addition to acting, Lisa has been a singer/songwriter performing her original music in multiple Folk Rock, Hard Rock and Alternative Rock bands for over 20 years. Lisa received her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology in 2007 and at present works with the geriatric population, specializing in Dementia and other Neurologic Disorders. www.LisaMichelleSanders.com

 

Laura Dowling Shea - Secretary

 

After an early career as an actor, Laura transitioned to the corporate world ultimately becoming a Sr. Director at a Global Corporate Travel Organization and holds a Global Leadership Professional (GLP) designation from the Wharton School of Business.  Since returning to stage and screen Laura has appeared on TV and produces and stars in indie projects.  Her award winning projects have screened globally and won awards including the NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and Television) Grand Prize and Best Comedy for her series "Scratch This"  Laura won multiple Best Actress awards  for “Great Expectations!” and “The Spilling,” both appearing on the ShortsTV Channel on DirectTV.  She Executive Produced the feature film “Fluidity,” now on Showtime and also produced and appears in the TV pilot “The Last Resort" with Roscoe Orman.  She appears in the film” How to Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom,” which screened at the prestigious BFI London Film Festival. www.LauraDowlingShea.com

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MISSION STATEMENT

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The Corporation is formed for the purpose of providing visionary leadership in arenas through which artists can experiment and grow. In this environment, artists will be supported to venture into the interdisciplinary facets of acting, directing, and writing for film, stage, and new media. In furtherance of these charitable, educational and cultural purposes, the Corporation shall:

 

(a) Provide an arena whereby artists can display their craft and engage with their audience

 

(b) Offer classes and instruction in which artists can be creative and expand their craft

 

(c) Create opportunities for both the artistic community and the community at large to experience and discuss works in all stages of development

 

(d) Support a diverse slate of artists in forging connections with an equally diverse audience through work that affirms our common humanity

 

(e) Conduct any and all lawful activities which may be useful in accomplishing the foregoing purposes.

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