 Name: Shakira Barrera Hometown: Englewood, NJ Academy/Year: Theater-2008 College Attended: Rutgers State University Current Profession: Actress, Humanitarian What are some of your favorite BCA moments? Some of my favorite moments at BCA had to be during our school assemblies. I still remember how seriously I would take them. I HAD to do at least 1 every semester. It was mostly a promise to my 14-year-old self about leaving a “legacy” behind. I remember always wanting to be involved. I was absolutely known as the dancer. That’s mostly how everyone knew me, including teachers and staff, but more importantly, the upperclassmen. Didn’t we all just want the attention of the older, cooler crowd (wink)? How did BCA help shape your career? (Ex. Did you end up pursuing a major similar to your academy? Did you end up going a totally different direction?) I decided to stick to the “dancer” label and pursed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Rutgers State University, graduating from Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2012. What are you currently working on? Passion projects etc? I am currently ambassador of a non-profit organization that I am very proud to discuss. The 501C3 is called “Amigos De Nicaragua,” which translates into “Friends of Nicaragua” for the English speakers. We are currently helping Nicaraguan doctors that are refugees in Costa Rica and who are preparing to take an exam that will grant them the license to continue to practice medicine. It is such a wonderful blessing to be able to help our fellow brothers and sisters, who have had hope taken away from them and have been ripped from their countries unjustly. “Amigos De Nicaragua” has been featured on CNN International and Univison, along with other media. I would love for you to join in on the journey of helping these professionals reintegrate back into society. You can follow our Instagram page- @amigosdenicaragua or our Facebookpage- @Nica Azul Y Blanco for ways to DONATE or SPREAD THE WORD. We are currently looking for sponsorships or partners interested in collaborating and helping refugee students and families.
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 Names: Eileen Conneely, Emily Lowinger & Stephanie Regina Hometowns: Little Ferry, Teaneck, Ridgewood Academy: AVPA Theatre Class of ‘08 Current Town: Wood-Ridge, NYC, & Brooklyn What are some of your favorite BCA moments? Going to Boston Market during rehearsal breaks. We were such frequent patrons, some of us even had Boston Market VIP cards. How did BCA help shape your career? (Ex. Did you end up pursuing a major similar to your academy's? Did you end up going a totally different direction?) BCA’s theatre program gave us an incredible education, plus our AVPA family, many of whom we still see on a regular basis. What are you currently working on? Passion projects, etc.? We are working together as Heck No Techno, a musical sketch comedy group with a Black Mirror vibe. Our first ever show was in May 2018 and while it had many stand-alone sketches, it also featured a healthcare (or hellcare) thruline, which we’ve been expanding upon ever since. This past June we did a full-length healthcare show at Caveat, called Explanation of Benefits. Explanation of Benefits combines live music with history, storytelling, and a chance to gain some useful info and catharsis when it comes to our crazy healthcare system. It was such a success that we’re going to perform version 2.0 in August. Come check it out! Or, if you have a healthcare story or perspective that needs to be told, please reach out to us! Feel free to add any additional information you want to feature. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hecknotechno.  Name: Katherine (Kat) Sliclen
Hometown: Washington Township Academy: AVPA (Visual) 2009 Current Town: Philadelphia Current Job: Designer/Owner: Stone Cooper What are some of your favorite BCA moments? When I think of my happiest moments at BCA, the first that come to mind are memories from assemblies and being apart of fabulous and engaging projects like making videos with Mr. Lang, Skills USA, touring Disney World sophomore year and countless hours spent during 'frees' with some of the people I still consider my best friends. How did BCA help shape your career? BCA helped shape my career (as a self-employed jeweler) because it allowed me to explore and foster my artistic background and talents through an independent, creative and nontraditional way. It planted the seed that I could pursue art as a career and that creative endeavors would remain a lifelong passion. While I didn't actually major in fine art at my liberal arts college, I never stopped making art and after graduating, I discovered an entrepreneurial (work)drive and curiosity that I strongly believe took shape at BCA. What are you currently working on? Passion projects, etc.? Running all aspects of my company, Stone Cooper, keeps me busy and inspired! Currently I sell my handcrafted bohemian jewelry line at about a dozen stores, including some West Elms in NJ and PA, in my shared boutique in Philly, and online, on stonecooper.com. Follow along on social media to see what I'm working on and say hi!  Name: Brittany O'Brien
Hometown: East Rutherford Academy: AVPA (Visual) 2011 Current Town: Hoboken Current Job: Graphic Designer at OshKosh B'Gosh/Carters What are some of your favorite BCA moments? Some of my best memories include the visual academy's annual Print Week celebration, chatting with Mrs. D.K. during my free mods, field day (go yellow!), and somehow managing to get a B in Mr. Russo's Physics class junior year. How did BCA help shape your career? BCA allowed me to study art and design at an extremely early age, which gave me a great advantage when starting college and entering the workforce. I remember being in design classes during my junior year of college and noticing that some of the other students had never even used the Adobe Suite. I felt really lucky that I had been using the programs since I was 14. If I had gone to my public high school, I would not have been able to study art whatsoever, since the board cut the art electives due to budget restrictions. I am extremely grateful for having access to all the visual equipment and having the opportunity to learn from such an amazing teaching staff, especially so early on in my career. What are you currently working on? Passion projects, etc.? I currently work full time for the children's company, OshKosh B'Gosh as an Apparel Graphic Designer. I spend my days in Manhattan creating designs for girls' graphic t-shirts. I also started my own business a year ago, Brittany Paige Designs, which specializes in hand-lettered and illustrated products including greeting cards, prints, enamel pins and other accessories. My designs are currently in 6 stores and I have participated in several craft shows and fairs! Feel free to add any additional information you want to feature. You can check out my website at brittanypaigedesigns.com and follow me on instagram @brittanypaigedesigns  Roger An is a 1999 graduate from AAST. He is a veteran 3D Artist who has worked on TV commercials, feature film, music video, video game cinematic, and virtual reality. He has worked on projects for brands including Nike, Cartoon Network, HP, and the Yankees.
Roger's recent career highlights include working as VFX Supervisor for a Drake's Snack Food commercial this year and 3D modeling and texturing the end city for the refreshed HBO Feature Presentation intro. Roger has been working on a short film for 9 years during his free time, and it was just accepted into several film festivals. Roger directed, wrote, animated, and acted in "Alpha Fish." |
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