Our 1-on-1 Series Instructor Bios

Franklin Trapp

Franklin began his theatrical career at the Forestburgh Playhouse, as a Resident Company member and also appeared in a national tour of Annie! and also performed at various regional theatres, including the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. In 2004, Franklin took a hiatus from the theatre, during which time he earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University and subsequently practiced in Atlanta, Georgia for the world’s largest law firm. When he learned that current producer Norman Duttweiler was looking to retire, Franklin could not resist the opportunity to return to Forestburgh and maintain and grow the rich cultural legacy that the Playhouse provides for Sullivan County. Franklin has a long association with the Forestburgh Playhouse beginning in 2001 as a Resident Company Member. He remained at the Playhouse every summer through 2004, earning his equity card, writing and directing children’s shows, directing cabarets and directing mainstage productions such as the Playhouse’s first production of The Sound of Music. While at the Forestburgh Playhouse, Franklin appeared in numerous productions, including, 1776, Titanic, Ragtime, My Fair Lady, Witness for the Prosecution, Catch Me If You Can, Miss Saigon, Evita, La Cage Aux Folles, and Hello Dolly!, to name a few. Franklin has parlayed his legal and theatrical experience into his love for arts education and has taught numerous courses (in NYC, Rider University, Montclair State University, Nazareth College etc.) in musical theatre, acting, audition techniques, public speaking and interviewing techniques.

Andy Hudson 

Andy Hudson is grateful to the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy for allowing him to continue to work with talented young artists! At the Forestburgh Playhouse, he has directed Madagascar and Seussical and music directed Into the Woods, Shout!, The Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, Mamma Mia!, and The Rocky Horror Show. Other favorite music direction credits include: The Fantasticks, Mame, The Marvelous Wonderettes (Allenberry Playhouse), Hairspray, Beehive, The Great American Trailer Park Musical (The Little Theatre on the Square), Little Shop of Horrors, Peter and the Starcatcher (Creede Repertory Theatre), and Memphis (Red Mountain Theatre Company). SuperKids, his third musical for young audiences, enjoyed its world premiere in 2018. Love always to Mom, Dad, Dan, and Brian. Find him online at AJTHUDSON.COM.

Nick Place 

Nick Place has performed throughout the United States as a collaborative pianist and music director in both musical theatre and opera. A member of musical theatre faculty and a vocal coach at Rider University, he maintains a studio in New York City. As a frequent audition pianist in New York, he is in-tune with the Broadway industry. His current coaching students perform on and off Broadway, at major regional theaters, on cruise lines, and throughout the theatre entertainment industry. His arrangements have been heard in the 2016 New York production of “Spamilton,” at the Forestburgh Playhouse, and at numerous universities.

Benjamin Sears 

Benjamin is thrilled to be (virtually) back at Forestburgh!  Ben has had the pleasure of being a two time ResCo Member, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist at Forestburgh Playhouse!  Some favorite acting credits include National Tours: CATS 1st Nat’l (Mungojerrie), A Bronx Tale (Handsome Nick, u/s Calogero).  Goodspeed: The Music Man (Ensemble, u/s Tommy Djilas).  Forestburgh Playhouse: Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun)  Newsies! (Race, u/s Jack Kelly)  Crazy For You (Sam).  The Lex: West Side Story (Snowboy, Dance Captain, u/s Action)  Newsies! (Race, u/s Jack Kelly).  Proud AEA Member. 

Caitlin Evans 

Caitlin is delighted to be joining the FB (virtual) Academy! Past choreography credits include Urinetown, The Wedding Singer (APTC), Head Over Heels, 42nd Street, Chicago HS Edition, Heathers HS Edition, Zombie Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Anything Goes (Helen Hayes Youth Theatre). Select performing credits include Anything Goes (Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse), Sweet Charity (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Pippin (Legacy Theatre), Chicago, Hairspray, & The Full Monty (Allenberry Playhouse). She has her BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University, and is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Brian Michael Hoffman

Brian starred as “Horton” in the Off-Broadway revival of SEUSSICAL and returns to Forestburgh’s (insert whatever we’re calling this) Series after directing last year’s Spring Break MT Intensive and managing mischief as “Uncle Fester” in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Favorite regional credits include the “cognitively challenged” “Jiggs Thomas” in the Broadway- bound BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, “Seymour” (LITTLE SHOP…), “Patsy” (SPAMALOT), “Sancho” (MAN OF LA MANCHA), “Billis” (SOUTH PACIFIC), “Barfee” (..SPELLING BEE), “The Cowardly Lion” (THE WIZARD OF OZ), “Czolgosz” (ASSASSINS), “Charlie Brown” (YOU’RE A GOOD MAN…), “Filch” (THE THREEPENNY OPERA) and “Mr. Grimes” (ON BORROWED TIME, directed by Joel Grey). A graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts and Syracuse University, Brian’s performed at theatres across the country including Madison Square Garden, 54 Below, the Goodspeed Opera House, Sacramento Music Circus, the MUNY, Maine State, Syracuse Stage, Marriott Lincolnshire, Ogunquit Playhouse, Pioneer, Ivoryton, Two River, Alabama Shakes, Lyric Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh CLO. He led a barbershop quartet at Tokyo Disney Sea in Japan for 3 years, has performed in over 2,300 performances of ANNIE (some with Broadway’s original red-head, Andrea McArdle, and in the 2014 movie!) and can be heard on the SEUSSICAL, ANNIE: 30th Anniversary, ANNIE 2 and THE DRAGONSLAYERS cast recordings. Broadway/WBTA: LEGALLY BLONDE, THE ROYAL FAMILY, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, THE AUDIENCE (starring Dame Helen Mirren), LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL (starring Audra McDonald), NBC’s PETER PAN LIVE & THE WIZ LIVE, SNL, Sesame Street and HBO’s “High Maintenance.” WWW.BRIANMICHAELHOFFMAN.COM

Hannah Stephens

Hannah Stephens is a New York City-based director, actor, and teaching artist. Originally from Birmingham, AL, she holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Montevallo. She has toured nationally with both The Missoula Children's Theatre and The National Theatre for Children. She is currently the Media Director and Resident Director at The Play Group Theatre and a Resident Director with Theatre [Untitled]. 

Roque Berlanga

A California native, Roque is a director, actor, teaching artist and proud Associate Member of SDC. While in California, Roque trained with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and The Second City. Roque has served as a teaching artist for the past 15 years and specializes in teaching Viewpoints, Linklater, and Second City Improv.

Roque is currently the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre [Untitled] and their educational branch Actor’s Professional Theatre Conservatory (APTC) based in New York City. Roque spent three years as resident director at Stagedoor Manor, a professional theatre training camp for young artists in upstate New York. He also served as Artistic Director of the Allenberry Playhouse for three years in Pennsylvania.

Select directing credits include:The Whale Play (The Drama Book Shop), Bye Bye Birdie (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Theory of Relativity (Stagedoor Manor), Rent (Stagedoor Manor), Spamalot (Stagedoor) Into the Woods (Stagedoor Manor), Chicago (Allenberry), Footloose (Allenberry), The 39 Steps (Allenberry), Wait Until Dark (Allenberry), The Wedding Singer (APTC) and 13! (APTC).

Nicholas Rodriguez

Nicholas is a voice and acting teacher who has taught master classes and workshops all over the world.  He’s been on the faculty of the Broadway Dreams Foundation for 12 years and served as Artistic Director from 2012-2016.  He recently led a workshop on Musical Theatre singing for the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Nicholas is perhaps best known for his role as Nick Chavez on ABC’s One Life to Live (GLAAD Award).  His other television credits include Tommy (CBS) and Madam Secretary (CBS).  Film: Sex in the City II(also soundtrack), Still Here, Double Exposure. He recently completed a run as Joe Gillis opposite Alice Ripley in Sunset Boulevard at North Shore Music Theatre. Broadway/National Tour: Tarzan®,,  The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp) directed by Jack O’ Brien. Off-Broadway: Toxic Avenger, Almost Heaven, Death For Five Voices,Collette Collage, Bajour. Carnegie Hall:  Guys and Dolls. Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Hair. Regional: Carousel (Helen Hayes nomination), Destiny of Desire, Mother Courage and Her Children, Oklahoma! (Helen Hayes Award), My Fair Lady (Helen Hayes nomination) & Light in the Piazza at Arena Stage; The Ten Commandments at the Kodak Theatre; Paper Mill Playhouse, MUNY, Pittsburgh CLO, ZACH Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre. His debut CD The First Time… is available at www. psclassics.com. Nicholas has a BM and MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. www.thenickrod.com

Julio Rey 

Julio Rey is a professional actor, singer, and dancer based out of NYC. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Julio studied Musical Theatre at Penn State University. He was the 2019 male recipient of the Roger Sturtevant Musical Theatre award through the Actors Equity Foundation. Julio has worked with some of the biggest names on Broadway and has also been seen on TV and film. He is so excited to help you grow and learn through the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy! Forestburgh Playhouse Alum - ‘16 & ‘17 @julio.iguana

Andrew Binger

For the last ten years, Andrew has worked in a variety of academic and academic support capacities, peer tutor and peer tutor training and support, academic writing instruction and curriculum development. Andrew currently serves as the artistic director of Yendor Theatre Co. in Newark and has graced the Forestburgh Playhouse stage in To Kill A Mockingbird.