ABOUT US
The organization was started to create an environment for seniors and teens to reconnect and for dedicated, diverse, professional artists to share their talents on stage and off. The name spectrum reflects the diversities we draw from generationally, artistically and culturally.
Our Mission
To provide a space in which people from many different backgrounds can come together and create shared experiences.
CRAIG ANTHONY BANNISTER
Founder & Artistic Director
A native New Yorker (Harlem to be exact), Craig is a product of a loving, small, supportive family who instilled the values and foundation that led to a track to the arts. The New York Board of Education, including the competitive Bronx High School of Science and C.U.N.Y.'s Lehman College is where he honed the skills needed to open the doors that led to jobs in other industries, including many years as a Medical Assistant, all the while working and training as a performer.
After graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Arts Management, he joined a local theatre company (M.A.T.) where he worked and trained as the lead male actor under the direction of Klehotas Tshyre. Many of the company's performances were for youth correctional facilities, women's shelters, and community events—truly the hardest and most gratifying audiences. At the same time Craig was performing and training with "Harlem's Godfather of Dance" LaRocque Bey, whose style was influenced by the dance historian Katherine Dunham.
Ernie McClintock, Arthur French, and Austin Pendleton were early influencers/teachers who helped shape Craig’s skills as an actor. He has been seen on the Off-Off and Off Broadway stages in roles including George Murchinson in "A Raisin in the Sun", Jacques Roux in the Castillo Theatre's "Marat Sade", and an updated version of Shakespeare's "Othello" playing the title role.
As a dancer, Craig has performed with The Phyllis Rose Dance Company, Children of Dahomey, The Seventh Principle, and Les Guivoires, appearances were in venues as varied as school assemblies, Joyce Soho, Aaron Davis Hall, and Jacobs Pillow. There has always been a teaching artist component with these dance companies that has enriched all of the experiences.
Touring with National Theatre for the Performing Arts led to a pivotal meeting with Ellen Lieberman, who as acted as a director, mentor and friend. That meeting led to ten summers as a performer and one summer as director of the teen intern program with Connecticut Free Shakespeare.
Craig's directing credits include "The Rosa Parks Story" and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" for National Theater, as well as "A Christmas Carol" for the Thirteenth Street Repertory. His producing credits include Castillo Theatre's production of "A Season in the Congo" (which included a youth, adult, and senior cast). Craig also acted as Associate Producer for the Gallery Players production of "Mrs. Bob Crachit's Wild Christmas Binge".
Craig currently is a member of the acting staff of Only Make Believe, an interactive theater company that takes shows into hospitals and care facilities for children.
Founder & Artistic Director
A native New Yorker (Harlem to be exact), Craig is a product of a loving, small, supportive family who instilled the values and foundation that led to a track to the arts. The New York Board of Education, including the competitive Bronx High School of Science and C.U.N.Y.'s Lehman College is where he honed the skills needed to open the doors that led to jobs in other industries, including many years as a Medical Assistant, all the while working and training as a performer.
After graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Arts Management, he joined a local theatre company (M.A.T.) where he worked and trained as the lead male actor under the direction of Klehotas Tshyre. Many of the company's performances were for youth correctional facilities, women's shelters, and community events—truly the hardest and most gratifying audiences. At the same time Craig was performing and training with "Harlem's Godfather of Dance" LaRocque Bey, whose style was influenced by the dance historian Katherine Dunham.
Ernie McClintock, Arthur French, and Austin Pendleton were early influencers/teachers who helped shape Craig’s skills as an actor. He has been seen on the Off-Off and Off Broadway stages in roles including George Murchinson in "A Raisin in the Sun", Jacques Roux in the Castillo Theatre's "Marat Sade", and an updated version of Shakespeare's "Othello" playing the title role.
As a dancer, Craig has performed with The Phyllis Rose Dance Company, Children of Dahomey, The Seventh Principle, and Les Guivoires, appearances were in venues as varied as school assemblies, Joyce Soho, Aaron Davis Hall, and Jacobs Pillow. There has always been a teaching artist component with these dance companies that has enriched all of the experiences.
Touring with National Theatre for the Performing Arts led to a pivotal meeting with Ellen Lieberman, who as acted as a director, mentor and friend. That meeting led to ten summers as a performer and one summer as director of the teen intern program with Connecticut Free Shakespeare.
Craig's directing credits include "The Rosa Parks Story" and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" for National Theater, as well as "A Christmas Carol" for the Thirteenth Street Repertory. His producing credits include Castillo Theatre's production of "A Season in the Congo" (which included a youth, adult, and senior cast). Craig also acted as Associate Producer for the Gallery Players production of "Mrs. Bob Crachit's Wild Christmas Binge".
Craig currently is a member of the acting staff of Only Make Believe, an interactive theater company that takes shows into hospitals and care facilities for children.
Board of Directors
SAMANTHA IVES
President Samantha is a conservatory-trained actor who has performed with Tony and Oscar winners and has helmed successful productions as a director and as an award-winning editor. She has been seen in over 100 commercials and print ads. Sam is active in her volunteer leadership roles as a Board President, Chair of Educational Excellence, VP, and District Leader for various arts and civic organizations. Sam currently leverages her expertise in the arts, volunteer outreach, and community organizing to collaborate with industry leaders in both the arts and political landscapes throughout New York’s five boroughs and in Westchester, working tirelessly for equitable housing and progressive education policy. |
CARLYLE G. LEACH
Treasurer Far-reaching entrepreneurial leadership positions within business, educational, and non-profit sectors have enabled Carlyle Leach to compile a significant record of professional accomplishments. Carlyle has started two companies--one which presently assists in raising capital for alternative investments and for business start ups, acquisitions, and growth. In the field of education, Carlyle created the concept for and was the founding principal of a New York City public high school. Additionally, he was director of the Junior Scholars Program, an academic enrichment and mentoring program at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Carlyle has supervised organizations ranging from three to 100 employees and organized and delivered on going and hands on professional development to his staff. Carlyle founded the Dukes Baseball Club for young baseball players in New York City and continues to coach and raise funds for the organization. Carlyle lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two sons. |
RON DIZON
Secretary A native New Yorker, Ron Dizon is a Theatre graduate from Baruch College and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting Conservatory Program. His theatre credits include "Miss Saigon" (Riverside Theatre), "A Chorus Line" (Paul/Broadhollow Regional Theater), "The Choice" (TNC’s Dream-Up Festival), "Brecht in the Park" (Elephant Run District) and Genesis Repertory’s production of "Avenge - The Spanish Tragedy" – which he was nominated Best Supporting Actor at the Spotlight-On Festival Awards for his role as the Page. As a TV/Film actor, Ron has had costarring roles on TV shows like "Law & Order: SVU" and "Broad City", and starred in the indie film "Rooftop Heist", as well as the award-winning comedy short film "A Box Came to Brooklyn" . He has also been seen in commercials for Spectrum Cable TV, Allstate, X-box and Fox Business. Ron is an active advocate for Arts in education and for LGBTQ homeless youth. He continues to teach acting, improv and hip-hop dance for NYC's LMproject and works as the Event Manager for the Downtown Alliance in Lower Manhattan. |