Who’s Who

Zakarak – It’s All Good!

 

Corporate Entertainment – Corporate Event Management – Special Events

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.


Chris Sapienza

Producer / Musical Director

For the past 15 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

Office Manager

Carol started with Zakarak in 2001 working as a production associate on various events. In 2004 she became the project manager for the Aramark, managing up to 600 shows per year throughout the country. Currently, she is the office manager. 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.


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).


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

Production Choreographer / Associate Producer / Performer

For the past 15 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 / Associate Producer / Performer

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.


 

Jim Salamone

Recording Technician