Our team consists of the highest caliber professionals the entertainment
industry has to offer...
Julianna Schauerman
President & Founder
Julianna has been working as a producer, director and choreographer for the past 25 years. Her background is in professional theatre performance and choreography, having worked on more than 150 Shows throughout her career. Julianna was introduced to the world of Corporate Theatre and Entertainment during her performing years and was enamored by the level of creativity and magnitude of productions. From 1987 to 1994 she was a producer, performer and project manager with the Showplace, a corporate theatre production company. In 1995 she joined with another production company and became executive producer for corporate events throughout the world. Julianna founded what is now Zakarak Productions in 1998. In addition to corporate productions, Julianna and Zakarak are in the creation process of musical theatre and entertainment productions for the public.
Declan Weir
Technical Producer
Declan began his career as a film and stage actor, and technical director. Achieving fame and fortune on stage was just the beginning. Off stage, Declan began his own production/scenic design company, Declan Weir Productions, Inc. (DWP), a Philadelphia based entity. Declan has been Owner and President of DWP since its inception in 1991. His client list includes SmithKline Beecham, MC3, Centocor (a division of Johnson & Johnson), Boston Lyric Opera, Philadelphia Flower Show, Olympics (Atlanta & Australia), American Music Theatre Festival, numerous Broadway productions, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministries (NCYC), Commerce Bank (WOW Awards), the American Bible Society and the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Declan brings with him creative intellect, artistic flair, a sincere commitment to client satisfaction and a truck-load of passion. His responsibilities include overall production management as well as working with the team's in-depth focus on creative and artistic development.
John Monforto
Producer
John has done just about everything for Zakarak over the past ten years. Now serving primarily as a producer, John is one of the most seasoned and respected corporate entertainers in America. John has created, produced and performed material for some of the largest corporations in the world. John is also a fantastic impersonator. Some of his most famous work includes the Blooz Brothers, Elvis and Rocky, which received a ringing endorsement from former Philadelphia mayor and current Pennsylvania governor, Ed Rendell.
Chris Sapienza
Producer / Music & Arrangements
For the past 8 years Chris has performed many duties for Zakarak including script writing, music composition, theme creation, studio recordings, stage and musical direction, coordination with venues and local talent, speech coaching for executives and coordination of lighting and sound design. He's worked with such theatrical companies as Disney Cruise Line, Walnut Street Theatre, Human Race Theatre and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Film/TV credits include Law and Order: SVU, Unbreakable and Twelve Monkeys. Chris also has an extensive background in the Voice Over industry and has been heard on commercials across the country.
Carol Welch
Project Manager, Aramark Education
Carol started with Zakarak in 2001 working as a production associate on various events. In 2004 she became the project manager for the Aramark in-school nutrition shows which she continues to this day. She manages up to 600 shows per year throughout the country. As a former nursing instructor and administrator, the switch to show management has utilized her skills in organization while adding a whole new creative aspect to the work.
Ed Robins
Director / Project Manager
Ed worked as a professional stage director in the Philadelphia area during the 1990's. His credits range from children's theater to high school, college and professional theater. In 1999 Ed changed direction somewhat as he worked as a project manager for exhibit development for the Pacific Science Center and The Experience Music Project, both in Seattle Washington. Ed has been with Zakarak for the last 10+ years.
Fran Brookes
Stage Manager
Fran has stage managed productions for Zakarak for the past 10 years. Fran has managed individual productions and entire tours at just about all of the venues where we’ve performed. He brings over 20 years of production and stage management experience for such organizations as the Arden Theatre Company, The National Catholic Youth Conference and numerous Sales and Incentive Meetings for various pharmaceutical companies. He also has been a teacher and technical director for Abington Friends School in the metro-Philadelphia area.
Michael Ogborn
Original Music & Compositions
An Emmy and Barrymore Award winner, Michael has been composing original music for Zakarak for the past 6 years, including several numbers specifically written for and performed by the Radio City Rockettes. He made his Off-Broadway debut in 1993 with the critically acclaimed musical revue, Box Office of the Damned and has worked steadily in the theater for the past twenty years, composing original musicals, cabaret revues, song cycles and special material. His work has been produced at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Arden Theatre Company and The Wilma Theater (Philadelphia, PA), City Theatre (Pittsburgh, PA), Horizon Theater (Atlanta, GA), The Diversionary Theater (San Diego, CA) and Theater LaB (Houston, TX).
Mike Lurz
Lighting Designer
Mike has been with Zakarak for 7 years as our resident Lighting Designer and Programmer. He brings over 25 years of experience touring with many rock and alternative acts through the 80's and early 90's. He has extensive experience with corporate, political, sports and special events; as well as convention shows and some large festivals. He currently enjoys a diverse client base and the occassional U.S. and Europeon tour with Norwegian recording artist “Sissel”.
Dori O'Dea
Costume Designer
Dori O'Dea is a native of Pennsylvania and has joyously worked with Zakarak as a costumer and wardrobe stylist for over 5 years. In addition to designing costumes, she is an established stage actress who has performed in Philadelphia with the Arden, Wilma, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Philly Theatre Caravan, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. In Chicago, she studied with the original ensemble members at Steppenwolf Theatre and then moved on to Seattle to perform with Seattle Children's Theatre and Artswest. Now busy "un"settling in NYC, she is happy to have co-founded the theatre company known as the Cockeyed Optimists aka CEO Theatre and is the designer and owner of Ike Designs Jewelry.
Jennifer Polish Quinn
Production Choreographer / Production Associate / Performer
For the past 8 years Jennifer has choreographed several productions for Zakarak as well as appearing both onstage and backstage. She has had the fortune of staging The World Famous Radio City Rockettes, the well known "Quick Change Act" of David and Dania from "America's Got Talent" and several other well known acts from Las Vegas, Florida and California. Jennifer also staged the dancers for The Hannah Montanna “Best of Both Worlds” DVD Dance Mat national commercial. Having had extensive dance training for over 20 years alongside some of the top dance teachers in the country, including Frank Hatchett, Karen Herbert, Doug Caldwell, Mia Michaels and Ann Reinking, to name a few, has certainly promoted her as a dancer/singer/actor in several top theatrical companies: Holland America Cruise Line, Wolfgang Bosch European Touring Company, Vee Corporation and The Walnut Street Theatre.
Peter John Rios
Production Choreographer / Performer / Production Assistant
Peter John Rios has worked with Zakarak for 7 years as a choreographer and dancer for corporate events, training seminars, award shows and more. Peter works primarily in Philadelphia as a performer, choreographer, tap company member/instructor and director. He's worked at Walnut Street Theatre, the Kimmel Center and other Philadelphia venues.
Kristine Fraelich
Lead Vocalist - Performer / Production Associate
Kristine has been working with Zakarak Productions for over 10 years. Other credits include the Broadway production of "The Civil War" directed by Jerry Zaks, and the Narrator in the first national tour of "Joseph and .....Dreamcoat." She received a Barrymore nomination for her portrayal of nurse Betty Gow in Michael Ogborn's "Baby Case" at the Arden Theater. She played the role of Eva Peron (Sun/Mon/Tues) in "Evita" at the Walnut Street Theater, Ellen in "Miss Saigon" at the Lenape Performing Arts Center. She performed at Carnegie Hall with the Broadway Gospel Choir and Linda Eder. Kristine also performed with Jason Robert Brown at Symphony Space In New York in "Songs for A New World."
Jim Salamone
Recording Technician
Michelle Powers
Make-Up Coordinator
Amanda Fanelli
Choreographer / Performer
Georgianna Inglis
Choreographer / Performer
Tracy Drew Kelsey
Choreographer / Performer
Megan Lacomchik
Choreographer / Performer
Christy Wilhelm
Choreographer / Performer