Get to Know the OLE Team
Hello from all of us at On Location Education! We’ve spent the last few months on the OLE blog introducing some of our amazing set teachers, including Stacey Hirn, Margaret Cox, Wissam Nasr, and Michelle Bohlen. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, our team at the On Location Education office has been working remotely, but we’ve stayed connected through weekly meetings and collaborative projects as we wait for the industry to reopen. Today, we’re introducing our staff who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make on-set education possible around the globe.
MEET OUR STAFF:
Alan Simon – President and Founder, On Location Education
How long have you worked at OLE? Since February 1, 1982.
What is your background? I have a degree in English with a minor in Education. But, at heart, I am, always was, a performer. I love song interpretation as well as film and television work.
What led you to OLE? New Screen Actors Guild regulations in the 1980s led to a conversation with industry representatives about the need for a fully realized set tutoring company, which incorporated in 1982…and the rest is history. It’s been a thrill providing services to thousands of theatrical, television, and film projects since then.
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? Working tirelessly to keep both companies afloat and to remain relevant to production companies, parents, and teachers: our core constituencies.
Karin Farrell – Vice President, On Location Education
How long have you worked at OLE? As a teacher since 1996 (or 1995??) and in the office since 2000.
What is your background? My Bachelor's Degree is in Music Education. I studied trumpet and voice in college as well as educational pedagogy. After college, I spent some years performing as a trumpet player on a national tour and as a singer/actress (and teacher!) on national tours.
What led you to OLE? In 1995, my husband, who is a musical director, was going out with the national tour of the Royal National Theater production of Carousel (Nicholas Hytner, director). I wasn't auditioning for the show, but we wanted to travel together. After inquiring about the teaching position with the production, they introduced me to Alan Simon and OLE, suggesting that I interview. OLE hired me to be the touring teacher for the three elementary students on the show, which was a wonderful experience! A few years and a few shows later, then current OLE Associate Director, Shari Honig, needed a replacement for a three month leave of absence. I accepted the temporary position, which ended up being anything but temporary. :) The rest is history!
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? My 10-year-old daughter and I are enjoying time at our family's lake cabin in Northern Minnesota, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and golfing.
Have you found a new hobby since the pandemic began? Cooking is not a new hobby, but I've discovered Sam Sifton's wonderful and calming daily New York Times cooking articles! They are bringing me tremendous joy.
Jodi Green – Director
How long have you worked at OLE? I started off as an on-set teacher with OLE 32 years ago. I moved up to the management staff 10 years later.
What is your background? I have a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a minor in Communication. I have Master of Arts in Theater, with a concentration in theater management.
What led you to OLE? I have been a theater geek since my early teens, which led me to become friends with some actors on Broadway. I became friendly with some performers from Evita, a show that has young actors in the cast. I became intrigued by the world of young actors. I went to see Nancy Opel, who had moved from Evita to Teddy and Alice, another show with young actors in it. In the Teddy and Alice Playbill there was an article about Alan Simon and On Location Education, which led me to interview with OLE. Ironically enough, Andrew Harrison Leeds, who was Quentin Roosevelt in Teddy and Alice, was one of the Gavroches I taught during the year that I was the touring teacher and wrangler with Les Miserables.
Do you have a favorite experience/memory working with OLE? My year traveling with Les Miserables as teacher and child wrangler was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire life, right behind getting married and having my son. I had seen the show in London's West End and vowed that I would somehow be a part of the production. I went from being a sub child wrangler on the Broadway company of the production, to having OLE place me on Third National Tour. As OLE's Director, I have had the honor and privilege of continued work on the subsequent Broadway revivals and national tours of the show.
Deena Biewend – Associate Director
How long have you worked at OLE? I’ve worked at OLE since 1994 or 1995!
What is your background? I have a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and pursued post-graduate studies in Speech Language Pathology
What led you to OLE? I moved from upstate New York, where I went to school and worked, to my home state of Florida. The type of position I held in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation did not exist in Florida due to different insurance regulations, so I began looking for a non-traditional job in education. I came across a newspaper ad for OLE. I contacted Alan, Jodi put me on my first tutoring job at MGM Studios in Orlando, and the rest is history.
Have you found a new hobby since the pandemic began? I have finally been able to start filing my tens of thousands of photos in my iPhoto library. I am officially up to January 2018 - I’m on the home stretch now!
Lauren Stamm – Associate Director
How long have you worked at OLE? I have worked for almost 1.5 years as an Associate Director, but I had been with the company for seven years prior to that as an on-set teacher!
What is your background? I have a degree in Biology with a Teaching Certification in Secondary Education.
What led you to OLE? I had already been working as an on-set teacher with OLE for years, so it felt like a natural transition to move into my current role as an Associate Director.
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? My wife and I took a 25+ hour road trip to a cabin in Black Hills, South Dakota to escape NYC for a bit and visit my sister!
Madeline Alt – Associate Director
How long have you worked at OLE? I’ve been with OLE since August 2016 – four years!
What is your background? I have aMasters in Marriage & Family Therapy, am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and worked as a Certified School Guidance Counselor.
What led you to OLE? I found OLE through a series of unexpected (but very fortunate) events that involved a Craigslist ad and a random stop on our summer road trip. It was fate!
Do you have a favorite experience/memory working with OLE? My favorite experience is seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular come together every year - I love Christmas and getting to see the kids’ months of practice come to life on the big stage is really special!
Shelly Cohen – Director of Permitting Services
How long have you worked at OLE? It will be six years in September: three years part-time as an Administrative Assistant, and three years as the Director of Permitting.
What is your background? I have a Master’s in Music (Vocal Performance) and spent many years performing in Opera and Musical Theatre. After that, I worked in the staffing industry as Director of Operations for a temporary staffing agency, placing administrative professionals in temporary and permanent positions.
What led you to OLE? I was teaching voice lessons and looking for a part-time job to fill some extra hours. I was interested in the part-time admin job that was advertised because OLE works with the entertainment industry, and a lot of the responsibilities of the position were similar to what I had been doing at the staffing agency. The job, and the company, seemed like a great fit!
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? Well, we adopted a puppy, and she definitely keeps us busy! Maggie is the sweetest. Photo below for cuteness.
Janine LaDouceur – Assistant to Karin Farrell, Vice President
How long have you worked at OLE? I’ve worked at OLE for eight years!
What is your background? Prior to working at OLE, I held various administrative and managerial roles in the Music, Interior Design, and Education Industries.
What led you to OLE? This position at OLE is similar to my previous work experiences in the education and entertainment industries.
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? I’m enjoying working remotely and being able to spend more time with my Yorkshire Terrier!
Lisa LaDouceur – Contracts Director
How long have you worked at OLE? I’ve worked at OLE for almost three years.
What is your background? I have a background in administration prior to joining OLE as the Contracts Director.
What led you to OLE? I found OLE through my twin sister, Janine LaDouceur!
Do you have a favorite experience/memory working with OLE? I always look forward to the annual OLE Ice Cream Social.
Bri Germano – Administrative Assistant
How long have you worked at OLE? I have been at OLE for 1 year and 2 months.
What is your background? I have a background in administrative roles, but I have been in school in a 5-year program for my Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Masters in Adolescence Education for grades 7-12.
What led you to OLE? I was drawn to this role at OLE because I had experience in other administrative roles. I also liked that OLE is involved in education since I am going to school for education.
What are you doing to stay busy (or have fun) this summer? I am keeping busy this summer by spending my free time with my dog, Kiwi, and cat, Raven. My fiancé and I love taking Kiwi on long walks, hikes, and playing outside. When we are not with them, we will be in the pool!
Looking for personalized education for your children this fall? On Location Education and The School for Young Performers are here to help. Check out our Virtual Learning Offerings page for more information.
To stay current with the latest in the entertainment and education industries as they prepare to reopen, be sure to visit our Industry Updates page.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
-The team at On Location Education
Shelly’s puppy, Maggie.