Theatre Faculty

Seth A. Travaglino, Musical Theatre

Seth Travaglino is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance. He studied under the late Jeff Norton in the Suzuki Method of Actor Training, the Alexander Technique, and through extensive physical training. His work has been seen all over the Tampa Bay area in more than 200 theatrical productions over the past 10 years. Mr. Travaglino has won awards for direction/choreography on productions of Cabaret and Urinetown as well as for performance as Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men. His directing/choreography credits also include such shows as Bat Boy, Footloose, Little Women, Company, Godspell, Beauty and the Beast, Fame, Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, and many more. On stage he has performed professionally in productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, & Las Musas Latinas. Other favorite roles include Harold Hill (Music Man), Hysterium (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Pat Gilbert (State Fair), Paul/Al (A Chorus Line), Kodaly (She Loves Me), Geoffrey (The Lion in Winter), and countless others. Prior to his assignment at Blake, he worked as the Theatre Director of Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy (2000-2004) and as the Theatre Director at Independent Day School in Tampa (2002-2010). In both positions his students won the highest honors possible in multiple categories at District and State Thespian competitions as well as Access Broadway National competition.

David Mann – Acting

David Mann is the Director of Acting Studies at Blake School of the Arts. Mr. Mann has worked as a professional actor for over fifteen years, appearing in playhouses in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and others. Favorite lead roles include Brodie in “The Real Thing” at Pasadena Playhouse, Edgar in “King Lear” at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, and Hamlet in “Hamlet” at New Theatre in Miami. He has been teaching acting for ten years, with previous appointments including the University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and the New World School of The Arts in Miami. He is an active member of the actors' union, Actors Equity Association. Mr. Mann holds a B. F. A. from New York University and an M. F. A. from the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre. He lives in Temple Terrace with his wife and two children.

 

Mike Wood – Theatre Design (Lighting, Scenic, Sound)

Mike Wood is a graduate of The University of South Florida and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatrical Design. He is one of the most in-demand theatrical lighting designers in the Tampa Bay area and his work has been seen throughout the country. Recent major highlights include: The Wizard of Oz, Forbidden Broadway, Chicago, Bat Boy: The Musical, West Side Story, Seussical The Musical, HAIR, The Rocky Horror Show, Gilgamesh (National Tour), Fiddler on The Roof, and countless others. He has designed lighting for The Straz Center, The Mahaffey Theatre, The Gorilla Theatre, Theatre USF, The Plant City Players, The Frenzie-Life Theatre, Shorecrest Preparatory School, and many many others. He also designs lighting for numerous Tampa and St. Petersburg area dance companies, both educational/amateur and professional.

In addition to his responsibilities at Blake and his freelance design work, Mike owns and operates a full-scale production design, consultation, and staffing company which provides equipment and services for everything from wedding receptions to theatrical shows to corporate parties. With his company, he has worked in nearly every major central Florida area hotel ballroom or meeting center.

Mike is very excited to be joining an amazing team at Blake and looks forward to working with a great group of student technicians, designers, and performers, as well as a distinguished and talented family of collaborators and faculty members. He loves working with students and sharing his art and craft in hopes to inspire others to do the same. He looks forward to being able to use his industry knowledge and connections to provide internship and employment opportunities for his students so that they can gain real world knowledge and experience as a part of the design program at Blake. Eventually, Mike hopes to one day be working on Broadway. His work at Blake is dedicated to the memory of Jeffrey Norton, a colleague and friend whose death (and life) changed the Tampa theatre community forever. Jeff, you will never be forgotten by any of us. Visit Mike's website.

 

Jared M. Porter - Costume Design, Stagecraft