Notable Alumni

Class of 2020

Ethan Korvne

Ethan Korvne is a composer and sound designer from Akron, OH and based in Chicago. Recent freelance composition/design credits include: Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the Chicago premiere of Tambo & Bones at Refracted Theatre Company (2 Joseph Jefferson Awards – Original Music in a Play and Best Sound Design). Ethan graduated in 2024 from The Theatre School at DePaul University with a BFA in Sound Design. Listen to his work and more at: ethankorvne.com

Class of 1999

Erika Wright

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Class of 2009

Christopher Bozeka

​Tenor Christopher Bozeka is quickly becoming recognized for his “expressively captivating” performances, as well as his “beautiful, piercing tone” (San Francisco Chronicle). In 2022-23, he will make his debut with Livermore Valley Opera as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, returns to the Metropolitan Opera roster as Second Priest cover in the holiday production of The Magic Flute, debuts the title role in Le comte Ory with Opera Southwest, joins Houston Grand Opera as the Fourth Jew in Salome, and makes his company and role debut at Central City Opera singing a role TBA

Class of 2022

Jamir Thompkins

Jamir Tompkins, also known as Antonio Mere, is a multifaceted talent hailing from Akron, Ohio. He has established himself as an independent music artist, producer, sound engineer, actor, and forward-thinking visionary in the entertainment industry.

Class of 2014

Carly Ameling

Carly Ameling is a resident of NYC who was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. She has performed all over North America with the National Tour of Mean Girls and at select regional theatres. Favorite credits include Mean Girls (Swing, US Cady & Karen), Rock of Ages (Sherrie Christian), You’re A…Charlie Brown (Sally Brown), and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl). She is a proud alum of AMDA NY & Akron School For the Arts!

Class of 2002

Dred Geib

Dred Geib Is a Production Designer at IBG Designs. He specializes in Props, costumes, and set design for Theatre, Film, and Live events.

Class of 2020

Abby Lyman

Abbs Lyman (she/her) is a 2024 Graduate of Manhattan School of Music. There she studied Musical Theatre and also pursed various directorial projects. Abbs is currently making her regional theatre debut in Bye Bye Birdie (Ensemble) at The Argyle Theatre on Long Island. Favorite credits include Forget Me Not (Ro) and a staged reading of Good Luck In Space (Priscilla Mullins). Abbs would like to thank her parents, Jen and Marty, for their unconditional love and support. This performance, as with all, is dedicated to her sister Caroline. Instagram: @_.abbs www.abbslyman.com

Class of 2016

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is an Akron native who specializes in various artistic disciplines, including music, production, cinematography, photography, and acting. He credits his upbringing, which encouraged him to embrace a diverse range of skills He proudly identifies as an artist.

Class of 2016

Tessa DiTirro

Tessa DiTirro is an Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter at WEWS News Channel 5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tessa is a proud graduate of the Akron School for the Arts and The Ohio State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in music. Tessa has been working in television for the last decade, serving as an anchor and reporter in Wheeling, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tessa has covered numerous major stories, but her biggest accomplishment is giving the people of Northeast Ohio a voice. She dreamed of coming home to work in her hometown television market and realized that dream in 2023. Tessa's background in the visual and performing arts vocal program and theater productions at Akron School for the Arts helped to mold her into the on-air talent she is today. Tessa is an advocate for the arts and arts education. She enjoys getting involved in Northeast Ohio and is currently serving as a mentor at Urban Community School in Ohio City. When she is not working, Tessa enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and family. She enjoys staying active, visiting our local parks, and trying any and all restaurant recommendations!

Class of 2007

Marisa (Wintrow) Jones

My name is Marisa Jones. I grew up in the arts-particularly in theatre and dance! I live in Akron with my husband and our daughter-who is now enjoying an arts education. I worked briefly with Firestone Theatre as a costume mentor, I now help out at Miller South as their costume coordinator for their musicals. I am a proud nurse at Akron children’s hospital, and also volunteer at Akron Civic Theater.