Actors / Teachers
Olivia Simone,
Founding Director
Founder and Principal Director of ‘Off The Beaten Track Productions’, Olivia Simone, studied at NIDA and has a successful career in theatre, TV and film in Australia. She developed OTBT in Australia 10 years ago, to provide work opportunities for starting-out actors, with a vision to deliver an innovative and uncommon acting experience to her students. Her professional acting credits include: Australia-wide tour with the Bell Shakespeare Company in lead roles, Viola in Twelfth Night, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and TV roles on; All Saints, Dance Academy, Winners and Losers and Love My Way. She produced and stared in “The Girl Who Loved the Beatles”, which toured from Sydney to LA. Most recently she performed in the production of “Ruben Guthrie” at the Matrix theatre in West Hollywood, where she was nominated for ‘Best Actress.’
She is currently living in Los Angeles. Her most recent short film Azzurro, that she wrote, produced and stared in, has been touring festivals world wide and awarded Best International Short Film at The Santa Monica Film Festival. She is currently planning to film feature film ‘Rosa’, in Australia and Southern Italy, in homage to her Italian Heritage. Her other projects are in the FILM/TV section.
Hedy Wetherford
Creative Coordinator
"I love teaching kids and helping them to grow and thrive while creating, allowing every student to feel seen and empowered through performance."
Hedy has a deep passion for the performing arts and the magic it holds. She loves bringing this passion for the performing arts to kids, to help them express themselves creatively in a fun and encouraging way. Hedy loves working with kids, and has taught students at Kaplan and through private tutoring, been an entertainer for kids parties, and taught/directed many kids acting camps. Hedy adores helping her students to grow and thrive while creating, allowing every student to feel seen, heard, and empowered through performance.
As a working actress and singer, Hedy has performed in many plays and musicals, most recently in a new musical about Shakespeare's life called 'Ever Will' as Anne Hathaway and in 'Annie' as Lily St. Regis. She also has been in commercials, short films, television shows, and voiceover, most recently for EA Sports' video game 'Skate.' She also attended The Groundlings to the highest level for improvisation and sketch, and performed in many sketch and improv shows on their mainstage. She recently attended RADA's Shakespeare program in London, where she performed in 'Twelfth Night' as Olivia. Hedy has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern California. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.
Iman Nazemzadeh
"I love teaching kids and inspiring them to come out of their shells, develop confidence and have fun."
After graduating from Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts in 2004, with an emphasis in acting, Iman began his professional career as an actor in Los Angeles. Just before his arrival to LA, he was cast in "Sin City" as well as landing a recurring role on NBC's "LAX.” His professional endeavor continued making guest and recurring appearances on shows like, "24," "CSI: Miami," "Judging Amy," "The Closer," "General Hospital: Nightshift," "NCIS," and most recently “NCIS: Hawaii.”
In 2009 he produced the comic short film, "Not Necessary," which screened at the Illinois International Film Festival and Action On Film Festival, winning Best Comedy Short at both festivals. In 2014 he wrote and directed the short film “Still Here,” which opened at The Palm Springs International Short Film Festival and won Best Short Film Director at Noor Iranian Film Festival. Iman continues to train as an actor while working professionally.
Kate Shean
Katee Shean was born and raised in San Jose California. At a very young age she developed a passion for dancing, and started her training. She was the top female on Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance, and went on to tour with major artists like Taylor Swift, JLo, and Rihanna. She was able to fulfill her dream of dance and perform all over the world. She then took her understanding of emoting and storytelling with her as she discovered a love for another creative field; acting. She has trained with leading coaches such as Lesly Kahn and Co., Michael Woolson, Howard Fine Studios, Groundlings, and more. Katee has worked on many television shows and films, and continues to hone her craft daily. She has also been fortunate to help in casting offices and really get a behind the scenes look on how to approach self tapes and auditions. Katee also earned her Bachelors Degree in Education from Chapman University. She loves working with the younger generation, and being able to help them on their creative journey. She is looking forward to being a part of the Off the Beaten Track Summer Camps and can’t wait to start working with the kids.
Madison Vice
"I teach because I know the arts can change a child’s life, just like they changed mine."
Madison Vice is a professional actor and teaching artist with a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theatre in Connecticut. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers, she loves working with children and teaching them the art of acting—sharing her creativity, joy, and love for storytelling both onstage and in the classroom. She has performed in numerous theatrical productions across the country, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hartford Stage), The River (TheaterWorks Hartford), Princess and The Frog (Theatre West), The Proxy Marriage( Goodspeed Opera House) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Monomoy Theatre). Since moving to Los Angeles she has continued to hone her craft with classes and workshops. She has appeared in several commercials, episodic tv shows, short and feature films. Her most recent short films have had festival runs in Los Angeles including LAShorts and LABRFF. She also works for a Princess party company on weekends where she performs and brings joy to kids in the form of their favorite Disney Characters!
Carmen Scott
"I share my love of storytelling to help young artists shine and most importantly have fun."
Carmen Scott is a multi-hyphenate artist and coach with a love for teaching children performing arts and witnessing them grow through creative expression. She highly values art as a critical aspect of the human experience and the developmental benefits it has for children. She Executive Produced and acted in the Emmy nominated web series Razor Tongue and associate produced 1946 the movie, a ground-breaking documentary, which was long listed for an Oscar. She received a full scholarship to study improv at iO West and has performed on house teams at Second City and the Pack theatres. She can be seen in commercials for Pie Five Pizza, Northrop Grumman, and Ally bank. She performs with Snack Run Improv and Uninvited Guests sketch team. She is passionate about the utilization of mindfulness and creative expression to cultivate confidence, creativity, and communication skills. She leads executive-development/team-building experience, The Art of Play, that combine mindset/mindfulness with facilitated play (improv-based games).
Rhyan M. Adams
“The best part of teaching is learning from the brilliant little teachers in front of me every day.”
A native of Columbia, SC, Rhyan Michele is an international performing artist, writer, creative director, producer and teacher. She’s earned a BA in Theatre from the University of South Carolina and a MS in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. Her studies at the Second City of Chicago have afforded her experience in sketch, improvisation and comedic writing, enhancing her impeccable timing and strengthening her delivery. Rhyan is the Creative Director of the award winning improv troupe, A Tribe Called Melanin and a regular player in the Rockin’ Awesome Improv Show. She’s credited for various roles in film and television and can be seen performing on stages about the country.
Claire Wunschel
"I love giving kids a safe space to be themselves and exercise their creative muscles"
Claire got her start in theater at age three and has been passionate about performing ever since. Over the years, she has also discovered a love for filmmaking, earning her bachelor’s degree in Directing in 2024. Claire is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the arts with young people, guiding them in acting, filmmaking, and creative expression. Teaching is both a privilege and a joy for her, and she loves helping students discover their own voice, build confidence, and explore the magic of storytelling on stage and on screen.
Carlos Duarte
"Given the chance, Kids can do the most amazing acts. Action through Film and stunts gives students a avenue to test their physical limits and display an energy with the right direction, to make what looks impossible, possible! All while making a core memory they can take with them the rest of their lives."
Carlos Duarte is a stunt performer, fight director and educator. He helped develop the live-action family interactive pirate show “CARIBBEAN BUCCANEERS” for Ocean Adventures in the Dominican Republic. He also was the assistant choreographer for “PIRATES IN PARADISE” in Bermuda. Television credits include: "Seal Team"(CBS), "Legion"(FX), "Homeland"(Showtime), "Deadliest Warrior" (Spike TV) and "68 Whiskey"(Paramount Network). Movie credits: MARVELS WAKAND FOREVER, CASSIDY RED, INSIGHT, to name a few. Carlos is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors, SAG-AFTRA and The Television Film Academy.