The Performer’s Academy
Natalie Costa, Owner
This school was created and has continued to flourish because of the passion and dedication of those involved. I, Natalie Costa, am a mother of a now 18 year old daughter who made every mistake there is to make when it comes to helping her child get into modeling and acting.
When my daughter was 5 - I attempted to get her an agent and get her in the "biz". She looked like (so we were told) a baby Brook Shields. I paid thousands of dollars for useless portfolio pictures (which I never needed) and was signed by an incompetent "manager" who never got her an agent - all they did was sell me pictures! By the time we got any attention from our "reps", my daughter's teeth fell out and she looked nothing like her expensive and useless portfolio.
My daughter was at age 5, very beautiful, but very shy. I was told by a agent at Ford that, "she's cute now, she'll be cute in six months - get her some training" as she stood in his office, hiding behind my leg and picking her nose!
Regardless of a potential career as a model or actress, I wanted her to be a confident young woman who could speak in public and hold her own in whatever career path she would someday choose. I wanted to put her in an environment that provided classes that are fun and have a solid foundation to nurture their ability to perform and build self-confidence.
As a former dancer, I knew the type of facility I wanted for my child and when the opportunity presented itself, the academy was created.
THE STAFF IS WHAT SETS US APART:
There is no other facility in Orange County that hosts such individuals as Jeff Celentano, Brent Huff, Musetta Vander, Johnny Timko, Rudy Mella, Bernie Guzman , Randall England, Philip Schwadron Randi Drisoll, and Roland & Adriane Jenster. All resumes are available on imdb.com
These individuals work in the entertainment industry every day of their lives. Jeff Celentano has completed directing his feature entitled, “Breaking Point”, starring Tom Berringer, Armande Assante & rapper Busta Rhymes.. The film has been purchased by Lionsgate and is schedule to be in theatres this fall. He directed a feature called "Say It In Russian", starring Faye Dunaway. He is also in negotiations with a family feature called "Whiskers", which is being cast by Joey Paul Jensen of "That's So Raven", "Even Stevens" and a host of other shows on Disney and Nickelodeon.
Brent Huff completed a film that he directed and co-wrote called “Welcome to Paradise” starring Brian Dennehy and Crystal Bernard. Over 200 students and family members from The Performer’s Academy appeared in this feature. He also recently returned from Russia where he directed a feature called, "The Profit" starring Eric Roberts.
Jeff and Brent have spent their lives in front of the camera as actors and now spend their time behind the camera as film directors. Their resumes speak for themselves.
Musetta Vander has over 40 feature films on her resume and currently can be seen as Agent 27/7 for Yahoo/Prudential Realty. She just came home from Romania where she filmed “Dorm Daze 3” for National Lampoon. She is also a documentary film director, editor and Master of QiGong.
Natalie and Brent are collaborating on a film titled, "Behind The Orange Curtain", which investigates the untimely death of teens in Orange County, California due to prescription drug overdose. The outpouring of support from parents who have lost their children to this horrific epidemic has been amazing. They are currently filming and updates will be posted about screenings and scheduled release dates.
