PRESIDENT-
James Warwick was born in England and trained at London University/Central School of Speech and Drama. He graduated with the Spotlight award for the most promising actor of the year and spent much of his early career in regional theatre learning his craft. Subsequently, he played many leading roles in London’s West End theatre including The Rocky Horror Show, Pride and Prejudice, On The Spot, The Real Thing, And Then Were None and The Secret Lives of Cartoons. On national tour, Dr. Faustus, The Rivals, A Winter’s Tale, Arms and The Man and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Mr. Warwick starred in many filmed series for BBC Television and PBS Masterpiece Theatre including Partners in Crime, Lillie, Edward VII, The Bell, Rock Follies, Dr. Who, and The Nightmare Man. In 1995, Mr. Warwick toured America as Arthur in Camelot, followed by Sir Robert Chiltern in An Ideal Husband on Broadway, directed by Sir Peter Hall. James' American TV credits include guest star roles in Alias, Murder She Wrote, Babylon 5, Hart to Hart, Civil Wars, in addition to many character commercials and radio plays for LA Theatre Works. He then started directing theatre on a freelance basis; now over 30 productions in US regional theatres. He was associate artistic director at both the Chester Theatre Company and the Berkshire Theatre Festival in MA, and artistic director of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. In 2003, Mr. Warwick began his association with The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, directing dozens of productions for the Academy Company, and between 2007/2008 served as Interim President of the Los Angeles Campus. During this period, James was awarded The Dramalogue award for outstanding achievement in theatre, the Showcase award for best director and for several years running was named one of the top ten directors in New England. In October 2009, Mr. Warwick was nominated President of Theatre of Arts in Hollywood, where he has found a new passion…. to pass on the great traditions in the skill and craft of theatre, television and film to a new generation of actors and directors.
MANAGING DIRECTOR -
Having a love of the arts and being born into an artistic family, Liz Martinez has always desired to play a role in the development of artists in the entertainment field. Upon earning a bachelor degree in 2002 from Woodbury University in Humanities and Management, Liz set out to the east coast to begin her career in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining Theatre of Arts, Liz was the director of The Black Lily: A Women in Music Series – a non-profit weekly event in Philadelphia that served to give female artists the opportunity to hone their artistic development. Started at The Wetlands in New York's Village in April of 1999 before moving to the permanent venue at The Five Spot in Philadelphia, the acclaimed series has featured performances by several of today's most celebrated artists. Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and Macy Gray are among the many artists that have graced the Lily stage. As Managing Director for Theatre of Arts since November 2006, Liz oversees curriculum development, faculty management and general school operations. Throughout her time at TOA she has overseen the acquisition of our permanent theatre space, The Arena Stage, and our recent membership of The National Association of Schools of Theatre, the highly regarded national accreditation agency.
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS -
Jason Weiss comes to the Theatre of Arts after a long career in New York City. Jason has appeared on stages all around NYC, including, The Ford Center, 2nd Stage, The Cherry Lane, The Lamb, La MaMa, ETC, The Greenwich Street Theatre, 29th Street Rep, Minetta Lane Theatre, Abingdon Theatre, and The Looking glass among many others. Regionally, Jason has performed at The Hippodrome Theatre, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Princeton Rep, and Flat Rock Playhouse. He has worked with theatrical luminaries such as Harold Pinter, John Patrick Shanley, Charles Strouse, and Jerry Herman. Jason Spent 3 years playing the role of Evan Nander on ABC’s One Life to Live. Other TV and film Credits include, All My Children, Trackers, Crib Crashers, Shipwreck, Nina, The Book of Me. He has been seen in 5 nation commercials and his voice can be heard in over a dozen voice-overs. Aside from his many acting credits, Jason was a founder and artistic director of the off-Broadway theatre company Legend Productions. Jason Has taught acting, improv, theatre history, and script analysis at the University of Florida and The T. Schreiber Studio. He was also the artistic director and head instructor at The JW Studio, an advanced actor-training studio in NYC.Jason holds an MFA degree from the University of Florida, and a BFA degree from the University of Miami. He is a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild, Actors Equity Association, The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Society of American Fight Directors.
THEATRE MANAGER- 
Christian Meoli is a Los Angeles based actor/writer/producer/director/promoter and honored to be associated with the prestigious Theatre of Arts school. His OCTOMOM THE MUSICAL ran for 10 sold-out weeks at The Fake Gallery. Meoli’s had major roles in the films LOOKING FOR JIMMY directed by Julie Delpy, PERSONS UNKNOWN with Naomi Watts, THE LOW LIFE opposite Rory Cochrane and Ron Livingston and made his screen debut in ALIVE directed by Frank Marshall. Since then, Chris has guest-starred on over fifty episodic television shows recently on DOLLHOUSE, ELI STONE, LIFE, COLD CASE, WITHOUT A TRACE, EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS and for four seasons played the role of Boz Bishop opposite Cheech Marin and Don Johnson on NASH BRIDGES.Soon after Chris began the production company Cabaret Voltaire, which held residence at The Steve Allen Theater for three years and has continued to produce over 100 live events, featuring the best of LA’s performers over the past six years.
REGISTRAR/PRODUCTION ASSOC. -
Judi Davidson joined the staff in October 2006 as a financial advisor, and became Registrar of Theatre of Arts in February 2007. She has studied and worked under many performing art forms, including classical piano, flute, voice, music composition, marching band, and drama. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Judi earned dual Bachelors’ in Music and Psychology from Fort Lewis College in CO. Other accomplishments include performing with the Denver City Opera Company, and working on small-scale live productions. In addition to assisting with scheduling classes, maintaining course lists, keeping the grades and general school operations, Judi also assists with technical aspects of the student productions at the Arena Stage.
ACCOUNTANT -
Wei Shao is a practical accountant with diverse experience and knowledge in various fields. Wei holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Accounting from University of California, Los Angeles. She came to Theatre of Arts after nearly three years working with Continental Management Group. Before joining CMG, Wei worked in Japan for four years with a team of leaders from customer-focused companies. Her goal was to experience and develop a better perspective of the import/export business in order to successfully serve both the service providers and buyers. After that, Wei decided to broaden her horizons in America, where she began her formal education. She started at Theatre of Arts in 2008.
