CURRENT MISSION

Taking a bit of a respite from my job and I am looking to meet new and interesting people. I have a trip to Sicily planned this summer, and that's one of the major reasons why I joined this page. But, heck, if you come to NYC, let me know.

ABOUT ME

Hello everyone! So, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am an Italian-American who grew up in New Jersey. My family (way back)stems from Naples and Sicily. My parents grew up in Brooklyn, NY and then took us and raised in Jersey. I came to live in NYC after finishing graduate school in 2002. I've been here since then and plan to be here for a long while. Not many cities like New York. I absolutely love it! I am teacher by day and night. If any of you teach, you know what I mean. I am the Associate Artistic Director of a performing arts high school in Manhattan where I run the theatre program as well as teach acting and directing. In addition, I have my own theatre company (The Strain Theatre Company) that I founded and am the artisitic director of. I live theatre everyday of my life. I'm pretty fortunate that I have a job that I enjoy and look forward to each day. Lately, I have actually been trying to do less theatre because it's been consuming my life for the last couple years. It's time for a break and that's why I'm here on Couch Surfers.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Contact me. I'd love to show you around the city and grab a coffee or drink with you. I love meeting new people and sharing stories with them.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None. A former student of mine told me about it.

Interests

Theatre, Acting, Directing, Movies, Italy, Sicily, Food, Cooking, Books, The Yankees, Bruce Springsteen, Tennis, Soccer, Fresh Pasta, Fresh Coffee, Desserts, Family.

• arts
• books
• performing arts
• acting
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• desserts
• running
• drinking
• movies
• coding
• soccer
• tennis
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Yes, of course: Cinema Paradiso, The Bicycle Thief, The Godfather, Raging Bull, Moonstruck, Dead Man Walking, In the Name of the Father, Hoosiers,Bruce Springsteen, Richard Ford, T.C Boyle, Phillip Roth, Plays: A View from the Bridge, Death of a Salesman, The Indian Wants the Bronx, The Crucible, All My Sons, Macbeth, Hamlet, Our Town, etc, The Group Theatre, Sean Penn, Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Connor Oberst, Van Morrison.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Geoffrey Rush's recent performance on Broadway in the play Exit The King. My first two trips to Europe in 1997 & 2000, particularly my visits to Italy.

Teach, Learn, Share

My teaching mantra at school is TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK- IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO! Someone once told me that talent is as common as horseshit, but perseverance and tenacity is what it is rare. That's the code I live by. Don't talk about doing something - do it!

•