Lisa Regina
"Vance"/Executive Producer
Lisa Regina has worked as a professional Actress and Acting Coach in NYC for over 28 years. Lisa stars in ‘Dismissal Time’ as the outspoken history teacher, Sharon Vance. As an actress, Lisa films and TV credits include, The Sopranos, All My Children, and national commercial campaigns for Delta Sky Miles, K-Mart and Macy’s. Lisa was the on-air host for the 2010 Maxwell Football Awards. Lisa plays ‘Vera’ in the feature film, “79 Parts” winner of the Audience Choice Award.
Lisa studied at New York University in the School of Educational Theatre and studied film production and screenwriting at NYU’s Tisch School for the Performing Arts and has formerly taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Today, Lisa coaches TV & Film Actors across the country via Zoom. Lisa works closely with Industry professionals and is often contacted directly by New York City’s finest film schools, casting directors and legit agents to assist in casting and for student referrals.
Lisa has coached her actors on film sets, alongside A-list actors, such as, Robert DeNiro and Matt Damon. Some of Lisa’s student’s success stories include, Jaden Michael -Netflix ‘Colin in Black and White’ and ‘Vampires vs. The Bronx’, Michael Mazzeo “GEICO’S Marco Polo , Cameron Ocasio- Nickelodeon’s ‘Sam & Cat’, Vinny Vella Jr. ‘Analyze This’, Jimmy Marchese- ‘The Good Shepherd,’ Stephanie & Dane Mautone- ‘The Voice’ and many more. Lisa’s coaching was also featured on BRAVO’s hit series The Real Housewives of NJ, as she coached Theresa Guidice’s daughter Gia, for a major motion picture audition with ‘The Rock.’
She has a passion and love to serve our Military Community through her film productions, ‘Heroic Episodes’ and ‘The Shades’, an official selection of the Cinequest Film Festival and Berlin Lift-Off. The project’s cast and crew consist of Military Veterans, working as consultants and actors. Over the last 5 years, Lisa has interviewed 100s of Military Veterans to form Heroic Episodes script. Heroic Episodes provides a platform for all Veterans to share their stories, offering a universal message of hope and healing.
Lisa founded a domestic violence non-profit, 501C3, A Write to Heal, Inc. and presents as an international keynote speaker, some engagements include the YWCA Washington, D.C. and Zurich, Switzerland Women’s World Council.
André Joseph
Director/Producer/Screenwriter
ward winning NYC-based filmmaker and educator Andre´ Joseph had a love for movies from an early age. He began his career making short films with family and friends on home video. Andre´ attended the New York Film Academy summer program in 2001 where he first gained experience working with 16-millimeter film and later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College in 2006 where he received a bachelor’s degree in Film.
In 2008, Andre´ formed his own indie film production company, AJ Epyx Productions. Since then, the company produced three professionally made feature film projects as well as four award winning short films. Among the company’s most successful projects include the crime thriller VENDETTA GAMES (Winner for “Best Urban Action Film” at the Cinemax-sponsored 2017 Urban Action Showcase and now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi) and the dramatic short film THE SAXOPHONIST (Winner for “Best Film” at the 2018 NY Jazz Film Festival and now streaming on The BeBop Channel app). As of 2021, Andre´ is currently in post-production on his next short film, DISMISSAL TIME, an anti-bullying tale loosely based on a high school incident. In addition to film projects, Andre´ has also freelanced as a videographer and editor for companies such as Vintage NYC Magazine and NBC Entertainment.
Andre´ is also highly active in educating aspiring young filmmakers who seek to produce their own movies someday. He produced three online video courses on film production and screenwriting at the learning website, Skillshare. In 2021, Andre´ taught a 6-week summer film and video program to students at IDEA Center for the Arts in Camden, NJ. He has also served as a guest lecturer at various institutions including Wesleyan University, Essex County College, Brooklyn High School for the Arts, and Emerson College.
Troy Sill
"Thompson"
Troy Sill is a veteran actor. He has appeared in over fifty stage productions, including at Jeff Daniel’s Purple Rose Theatre Company, and recently Off Broadway with Rich Little in “Trial on the Potomac”. Sill holds an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School. Off stage, Troy is a New York City school teacher working with incarcerated youth.
Oliver Feaster
"T.K."
Oliver Feaster is thrilled to be taking on the role of ‘TK’ in André Joseph’s upcoming drama “Dismissal Time”. Oliver graduated in 2019 from Temple University, earning a bachelors degree in Theater, with a concentration in Acting. Some of his previous film credits include, Luv Don’t Live Here Anymore (2015), Petty Theft (2020), and Viral (2021). Oliver would like to thank his friends and family for always being supportive of him, and also to Andre’ who trusted and believed in him to bring this important character to life.
Jay Pastelak
"Deacon"
New to acting, Jay has held major supporting roles in several original plays as a member of the Gypsy Stage Company, including Love and Merger, The Irish Wake of Paddy O’Toole, and Nora Swan: Murder Most Personal. His stage credits include Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman, Vasili Svietlovidoff in Anton Chekov’s Swan Song, Weller in The Gin Game, and Norman in On Golden Pond.
Jay’s film and television credits include Good Stuff, Birthdays and Christmas, Getting Even, and The Jury Speaks, among others.
Originally trained as a painter, Jay comes to acting after a thirty-four year career as a photographer and teacher. Since his retirement from teaching, he has trained at The Walnut Street Theater and with Ken McGregor in Philadelphia.
Kat Walsh
"Simonson"
Kat Walsh has been working as an actress for the past 8 years. She is a passionate method actress. Kat has been cast in film projects, TV pilots and regional commercial work in the Philadelphia area. Kat is also a writer and recently completed a fantasy children’s book. Kat studied Theatre Arts at Bloomsburg University with a focus on acting for TV/Film. She continues to study acting under seasoned professional coaches in the New York and Philadelphia area. Thank you to Lisa Regina for your coaching and guidance in this industry and helping to create wonderful opportunities! Thank you André Joseph for being brave and bringing your story to life in order to help others!
Kayla J. Minore
"Candice"
Kayla J is making her film debut in Dismissal Time as ‘Candace’, and couldn’t be more honored to be apart of the project. Though just transitioning from theatre to now tv and film, she has already learned so much about the art of the business. Her most recent credit includes working as a featured background in a TV pilot special. She would like to thank her family for their constant support, her acting coach Lisa Regina (executive producer and cast member) for the continuous opportunities, and André Joseph for allowing her to be apart of this special short film.
Sarah Dolhansky
"Chantelle"
Sarah Dolhansky is a New York based actress who’s most recent credit includes the role of Amy Wright in the feature film New World Order: Dark Prince. She has recently graduated from Rowan College of Gloucester County where she majored in film studies. Sarah would like to thank director / writer André Joseph for trusting her with his story and giving her another opportunity to act. She would also like to thank executive producer /actress / coach Lisa Regina for introducing her to André, as well as offering her guidance and support throughout the filming process.
Isaiah Faircloth
"Larry"
Hi! My name is Isaiah Faircloth, I am originally from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, and proudly a former West Virginia Thespian, upon graduation, I was fortunate enough to receive a Full Ride scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic arts, where I concluded my studies in May of 2021. Following graduation, this film being one of the most special projects to date, I would like to thank André for being so supportive from the beginning to end of production, and for digging in the courage within to shine the light on this experience, and most importantly this story. I’m thankful to be apart of this vocal wave alongside this cast, and crew.
Denise Spaulding
"T.K.'s Mom"
Over the years, Denise Spaulding has played principal parts in numerous commercials and industrials, and has been a hair and makeup model on QVC, most notably with Sherri Shepherd for Luxhair wigs. In addition, she holds Masters and Educational Specialist degrees, and works as a Learning Disabilities Specialist in several New Jersey schools.
Greg Lassik
Cinematographer
I have a theory that there is beauty in everything, including things that aren't so appealing. I love to find that beauty and capture it. I have been doing just that since 1997.
My first work on a feature documentary came in 2015 with Back In Time and was followed in 2016 by Running The 184. In 2020 I began editing a new documentary called "On Board."
I am a father of two boys and a husband to a beautiful woman. I love my family and I love working hard to support them.
Matthew Hackett
Music Composer
Matt is a Staten Island native specializing not only in music composition but also sound design. He previously composed Andre ́ Joseph’s short films Night Stream, The Dinner, and the feature film Vendetta Games. Other music credits include the short films Wake Up Grey and The Mid-Level.
Konstantin Soukhovetski
Special Guest Pianist
KONSTANTIN SOUKHOVETSKI is rapidly earning a reputation as a “young pianist who captivates” with his “distinctive lyricism”, “immaculate technique” and “vigor...refinement... and drama”. Highlights of Konstantin’s career include appearances with Johannesburg Philharmonic and Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as part of his South African tour as well as Miami Symphony Orchestra, Richmond, Austin, Auburn, Westmoreland, Virginia and Asheville Symphony Orchestras. His solo performances took him to London's Wigmore Hall, New York’s Weill Recital and Zankel Halls at Carnegie Hall, Phillips Collection in Washington, DC and Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland to name a few. Following his 2006 William Petschek Debut Recital Award performance at Alice Tully Hall, in New York’s Lincoln Center, The New York Times headlined its review: “Romanticism so intense it warms up Philip Glass.”
Konstantin is an alumnus of The Juilliard School where earned BM, MM, and AD degrees under the tutelage of Jerome Lowenthal. Born in Moscow to a family of artists he studied at the Moscow Central Special Music School,
under the auspices of the Moscow State Conservatory, with Anatoly Ryabov.
Polly Mathias
Hair & Makeup Artist
This is MakeUp Artist Polly Pockets! Polly graduated from MakeUp Designory (MUD) NYC for Fashion, Beauty & Special Fx makeup. One of the top makeup schools in the country. Polly is also a licensed Cosmetologist, who graduated from Robert Fiance Beauty. Since graduating, Polly’s makeup has been in Editorials, Magazines, Runway, Weddings and also TV and Film. She won 1st place at the Premiere Philadelphia Show 2019 for Fantasy Make Up and she has won some Social Media Make Up Contests as well. Polly strives to make her clients feel beautiful inside and out! She is also very keen in making clients feel comfortable with a clean and sanitized workstation. Polly is very passionate about her work and is a true Artist. She thanks to her Aunts who pushed her to pursue her dreams as an artist and never gave up on her.