Andrea Dantas Establishes New York Theater Company, Conservatory

Parting ways with her former partner, in light of reports of inappropriate behavior, theater artist Andrea Dantas ("Fragmented Frida") has established both the Andrea Dantas New York Theater Company and the Andrea Dantas Conservatory Theater School & Repertoire.

The Theater Company's inaugural production will be Frank J. Avella's "Vatican Falls," a fictional work based on factual accounts and events, set against the backdrop of the Catholic sex abuse scandal. Ms. Dantas will direct the controversial piece. The play's turbulent history includes the cancellation of the 2011 world premiere the night before it was scheduled to open in Rome, Italy.

The Conservatory offers two types of programs: a two-year course that faithfully follows The Meisner Technique as well as short courses that include: The Biopic Project, an advanced characterization class, and an Intensive Scene Study on Ibsen & Chekhov. Applications are currently being accepted via a letter of interest and interview with open calls being held at the end of January.

Dantas hopes to create a "safe place for artists" and "an environment of total integrity." Dantas: "Unfortunately I learned that the hard way, through the hurtful disappointment of a previous partnership and its misconduct toward students. It is time we begin to work toward a healthy artistic community where actors can solely focus on their acting, so that our industry can change for the better and can impact the world positively through storytelling."

Classes will be held at TheaterLab, 357 W36th St., NYC/Venue for "Vatican Falls" TBD. More information can be found by visiting www.andreadantasnyconservatory.com and on Instagram: @ADnewyorkconservatory.

Andrea Dantas was last seen on the New York stage in the World Premiere of her play, "Fragmented Frida," at BAM, where she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. She teaches a legitimate two year program on the Meisner Technique as well as several workshops at major acting studios around the world in cities such as: Paris, Rome, Madrid, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro (the only Meisner Technique teacher to be a part of the International Acting Exchange Festival). Andrea has been performing professionally for 20 years all over the world. Her studies include: RADA in London, Teatro Olmetto in Milan and Playhouse West in Los Angeles. Andrea won Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 PHW Film Festival in L.A. for the film Daisy's. Directorial works include: Harold Pinter's Betrayal, Samuel Beckett's Endgame, What The Flowers Say (inspired by the works of Garcia Lorca) and Such Nice Shoes.

Photo Credit: Brian Parillo