Team Category: Instructors

George Gilbert

Equipped with a suitcase full of props, masterful sleight of hand, and a knack for the comedic, George has been using his talents to amaze and amuse audiences around the globe for over a decade.  Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, George first found his love of magic in elementary school after reading a book on Harry Houdini, whom he has since made very proud.  He has performed all over North America and Europe to raving review, chasing his childhood dream of mystifying audiences while making them laugh.  Whether George is performing his award winning act in a theatre, at an outdoor festival, or on national television, he is sure to astonish even the most skeptical audiences with his quick wit, natural charm, and clever illusions.  George produced and hosted Baltimore’s “Some Variety” show twice, and has taken his show to Germany (Sankt Wendel Magic Competition) and Scotland (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) to rave reviews.

  • Eustis Busker Festival 2016 (1st place winner)
  • Eustis Busker Festival 2018 (3rd place winner)
  • Featured on Travel Channel’s “Big Time RV – Two For The Road”

 

Brittany Sparkles

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Brittany has over twenty combined years of dance, theater, cheerleading, martial arts, and circus training. She is a graduate of the elite National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Melbourne, Australia, from where she earned a Bachelor’s of Circus Arts, specializing in aerial acrobatics and object manipulation. From quirky and cute to hard-hitting and action-packed, Brittany is a versatile performer and has been enchanting audiences with shows and classes all over the world– including the USA, Australia/New Zealand, and El Salvador– with her whimsical charms and powerful imagination. Most recently, she has been on tour across the country, under the Big Top with several traditional American circus companies, such as Cole Brothers Circus and George Carden Shrine Circus. She is rarely seen without her trademark pixie smile.

  • Tasmanian Circus Festival 2011
  • Melbourne Juggling Convention 2012
  • Cole Brothers Circus 2016
  • George Carden Shrine Circus 2017

 

Daniel Israel

Daniel’s hard-working ethics, cool demeanor, and witty banter set him apart as an industry-leading entertainer. With over six years of experience in both street performing and shows at festivals, fairs, and churches, Daniel is a natural performer, whose daring escapes and cheeky contortions keep audiences in awe. He recently won 3rd Place People’s Choice Award at the Seaport Village Busker Festival in San Diego, CA, and is a local favorite in SWFL. Also hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Daniel travels the country with his well-loved 7-foot unicycle, straitjacket, and juggling clubs, always ready to amuse and entertain. His “comically kooky” style is fun for all ages, and maintains a professional, sophisticated edge that appeals to all. Outside of performing, Daniel is also a skilled video editor and runs a successful YouTube channel.

  • Seaport Village Busker Festival 2019 (3rd Place People’s Choice)
  • Began studying circus arts under George Gilbert in 2013

 

Stephanie Mas was born and raised in Miami, Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Florida State University in 2009. With much gratitude, Mas is a company member with Urban Bush Women and has performed nationally and internationally since June 2013. Through her facilitation work with Urban Bush Women’s BOLD program (Builders, Organizers, and Leaders through Dance) she has instructed many different dance classes and community building workshops in many different higher education programs and social justice organizations throughout the United States. In addition to working with Urban Bush Women, she has also had the opportunity and still continues to collaborate and make work with Paloma McGregor, Millicent Johnnie, Megan Kendzior, Megan Bascom, and BODYART. During the Spring of 2013, she underwent a teacher training program through Laughing Lotus NYC and received her 200hour RYT Certification in Vinyasa Yoga. Mas now calls SW Florida home and has enjoyed working closely with the local dance programs in Lee County Schools, including North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts and Cypress Lake Middle School. She has thoroughly enjoyed building community with Southwest Florida thus far and is looking forward to sharing space with all of you soon.

Science Fiction enthusiast, teacher, actress, singer and lover of all things Theatre, Sonya’s interest in the performing arts began with her 8th grade Drama class. Her interest soon became an obsession when she starred as Dr. Van Helsing in her high school production of Dracula. Since then, she has incorporated her love of theatre in as many areas of her life as possible.  As an English teacher at a private school, she instituted a Drama and Speech program; she has produced and directed original plays for her church and community; and pursued her passion of acting in television, film and the local stage. Sonya connected with the Alliance in 2012, performing as the Lady Orange in For Colored Girls and later continued her involvement as Director of several shows. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful theatre in Ft. Myers that acknowledges and celebrates our cultural differences while exploring the universal ties that bind us all together.

Sherry’s goal is to create space for women to come together, to learn to dance in ancient and modern body-affirming ways, to connect on many levels and to have fun doing it!

Sherry has always been interested in ethnic dance, and has been teaching for over 20 years. She is a 2002 Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Danse Orientale Award recipient, a Tribal Grooves® and Level 5 certified Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance® instructor, and is the director of Caravan Project Florida. She teaches Cabaret and Tribal Belly Dance styles throughout Southwest Florida, offering regular weekly classes in Cape Coral, Ft Myers and Naples. Also, she has trained in Hawaiian Hula and other Island dances at the prestigious Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, and teaches adult Hawaiian Hula classes and directs a local Polynesian Dance troupe. Her Belly Dance & Hula Connection dancers often perform at local cultural festivals and she is a popular event organizer in the area, hosting workshops, shows and events, as well as hosting sold-out Hawaiian Luaus for Cape Coral Parks and Rec. In addition, she is a member of the international Gypsy Caravan Dance Company performing troupe, is a Principal Teacher for the style, and organizes many of the Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance® World Summits; the next one is coming up in Hawaii for October 2019! You can find out more on her website www.bellydanceSWFL.com

Sonya McCarter
Sonya is a Director, Actress and Mentor. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful Theatre in Ft. Myers that features strong African-American characters and stories. Sonya has appeared in television (Burn Notice), film (The Florida Project) and theatre. Her directing credits include: The Bluest Eye, Ma Rainey, Seven Guitars and Raisin in the Sun. She holds two Master’s Degrees in Oral Interpretation of Speech and Theatre Arts.

Derek Lively
Derek has appeared in productions ranging from Shakespeare to Eugene O’Neill and has worked in regional theaters and Off-Broadway, including The Public Theater and LaMama E.T.C. His solo show, Welcome To My Soul, which he wrote and performed, led to a first-look development deal with NBC (Universal). He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.