Walid Chaya News

Studio For Performing Arts LA is producing a one-time special engagement production of the hilarious play 'Check Please,' starring a break-out cast of diverse LA actors.

Studio For Performing Arts LA and Walid Chaya have announced their next virtual open call diversity initiative on May 8th, 2021, to help performers of MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) descent raise their acting profile and visibility to a panel of film and television talent agents, directors, producers and casting professionals.

Now from pitch 'to screen' instead of 'to stage,' The People's Improv Theater ('The PIT') launches a new virtual Old School Sketch Show ('OSSS') continuing with the legacy of their longest running sketch comedy program.

Moonlit Wings Productions wrapped its 2020 season of virtual performing arts camps this week with a special guest appearance from Brandon Hudson known for Broadway’s HAMILTON and HEAD OVER HEELS as well as the new Netflix films, THE PROM starring Meryl Streep and Dolly Parton’s CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE.

'The Show Must Go Online,' a new virtual musical produced by Walid Chaya, Artistic Director/Founder of Moonlit Wings Productions, premiered online today.

Young performers participating in Moonlit Wings Virtual Broadway Camp ended the week meeting with 10-year-old star Arwen Monzon-Sanders, from Disney's first national tour of 'Frozen,' the musical.

Teenage Star Grace DeAmicis, from the Tony-award winning play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” popped in to chat about her training and experiences working on Broadway with young performers at Moonlit Wings Productions.

More Broadway Stars, Casting Directors, Talent Agents - oh my! The action continues at Actors Connection Performing Arts Camp, the ultimate summer camp for young performers in NYC and LA. 

Several Broadway Stars made guest appearances at Actors Connection's Performing Arts Camp last week with meet and greets plus autograph sessions - see photos below and for a video visit youtu.be/w2nNxlkcg-4.

Broadway's Madison Lagares surprised young performers yesterday at Actors Connection Performing Arts Camp with a special discussion about acting in "School of Rock".

Triple-threat talent is on the rise this week as New York City's most popular on-camera program for Kids & Teens returned to the historic Film Center. Created by Director Walid Chaya, performers ages 7-16 break into the industry and train with 12 Casting Directors, Talent Agents and Broadway Stars in one jam-packed week.

Broadway Star Cheech Manohar from "Mean Girls" the Musical made a guest appearance at Actors Connection's Performing Arts Camp yesterday with a meet and greet and autograph session - see photos below!

SpongeBob Squarepants the Musical star Gaelen Gilliland, also known for Broadway's Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Wicked and more, dropped by Actors Connection over Presidents Day Weekend to meet with Kids & Teens participating in a Broadway masterclass.

Ashley Griffin's (creator of the pop culture phenomenon Forever Deadward) new play The Shadowlands will have a premier industry reading at La MaMa on Thur. November 9th produced by the THML Theater Company.

This month's cast features many talented writers such as Walid Chaya (NBC), Christine Piniero (MTV), Melissa Aquiles (TruRV), Jack Frederick (UCB Maude), Sandy Chansamone (Broadway Comedy Club), TJ Young (Caroline's), Raymond Morency (The PIT), Luis Leon (Would You Rather), Patrice Walker (The PIT) and is directed by Sean Christian Taylor (The PIT).

"Free Art Friday" is back with three new shows at Moonlit Wings Productions (MWP) playing across the National Capital Area, see photos below! These scripts are winners of Moonlit Wings annual international playwriting contest with free admission for the public on certain Friday's this summer.

Actors Connection Performing Arts Camp is back for a final week of intensive summer events for young performers. Director Walid Chaya created the program to jump-start emerging careers for actors through events and master classes with a dozen New York TV, film, commercial and theatre pros.

Moonlit Wings Productions has presented over fifty free world-premieres of new theater-for-youth productions every summer since 2008.  This Friday three new shows play across the National Capital Area and admission is FREE for the public!

Yesterday Kids & Teens at Actors Connection Performing Arts Camp ended their weeklong program with a special treat, a class and Q&A with Felicia Finleyfrom Broadway's Mamma Mia, Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Wedding Singer and more. Finley just closed a production of All Shook Up at The Muny where she starred as Miss Sandra.

Director Walid Chaya invited celebrity child acting coach Denise Simon to join him for a chat with parents of Actors Connection's latest Kids & Teens camp. Together they discussed hot topics for parents including self-submitting for Broadway and film/TV auditions, the differences between an agent and manager and how to keep in touch with these pros and grow your network.