Finding My Niche!

In this season ending episode, I will recap my journey into the making of Why Wait and listen a couple past podcast of my friends telling the story of how they became involved with the film. You'll hear from Melissa Brooke Ward and Derek Albert about how they got involved. 

There is also some great news!!  Why Wait has been selected to be a part of the Garden State Film Festival, and will premiere Sunday March 28th at the Paramount Theater between the hours of 12:15pm and 2:30pm. 

Tickets are now on sale on the festival's website. You can click on this link www.GSFF.org

To connect with yours truly https://dakoyenneproductio.wixsite.com/dpllc, www.stefano-karen.com, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, 

In this episode, I interview my good friend, singer, and teacher Kimberly Fuller,  a gifted and versatile singer. Even though her voice is rooted in gospel music, her signature sound and impressive range can easily cross over into other music genres like Contemporary Christian, Country, and R&B to name a few. When she is not teaching, she is singing. Her musical background includes lead vocals for the East Carolina University Gospel Choir, Spirit Power Music, and TJ Music Group, Inc. Her motivation for singing is to spread the message of God's love through the gospel of Jesus Christ. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Terry and their son TJ.

You can connect with Kimberly through her social media platform at Facebook

In this week's episode, I talk with my good friend, Producer and Compose Marcus Garvey Daniels II. Marcus currently teaches at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, New Jersey. During his tenure at the school, he has grown the vocal program from a study hall to five separate vocal ensembles with his top outreach group, The Leading Tones, being selected to perform on the Lifetime TV's hit show Pitched Slapped and winning the SINGSTRONG NY AND SINGSTRONG DC high school Acappella Championship.

With his Jersey roots he found his love for the arts at home with his musically talented family and in high school. Marcus is a graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in music; he was found many nights playing volleyball as middle blocker on the Men's Team or late nights in a practice room rehearsing with his vocal jazz group the After Hours, or any of the many performing groups he was involved in. This experience served him well, as he has worked in the entertainment field for the next 20 years with Guiding Light, As The World Turns, Hartford Stage, Crossroads Theatre, Boland Eggman Casting, Soho Rep, and Ten Grand Productions.

A gifted baritone, Marcus has performed in the Jazz Nativity at BB Kings, Endangered Improv, Composers Voice Concert Series, Chris Colaneri Jazz Ensemble as well as national and touring companies and various recordings. He is a member of NafME.

You can connect with Marcus through his social media at Facebook, LinkedIn

In this episode I talk with Barbara Moonsammy, who plays Mrs. Watson in the film Why Wait. Barbara is an actor from New Jersey. Married with two grown kids. She has worked on many independent, student, shorts, and a pilot, such as Under The Bridge and Inner City Rats which can be seen on Amazon Prime. She has taken classes at ATC Studios in Clifton NJ, and been coached by many acting coaches including one well-known coach – Anthony Montes. She has two scripts she is currently working on and looking to film summer of 2021

Barbara is also a professional photographer and you can follow her and see her work on Instagram.

You can also connect with Barbara on Facebook, Instagram, website

Amelia Grace has walked in Fashion shows for Lord & Taylor, including Charity Day supporting the American Cancer Society. Amelia is excited to be a part of her first film, Why Wait.

In this week's episode, I talk with my good friend, Sound Engineer and Music Producer Moise LaPorte.  Moise, or Big Moses as he is known in the music industry, has been one of the best-kept secrets among the R&B, Hip Hop and Club Music aficionados – until now.  He is emerging into one of the industries top producers; and stands above the shoulders of his peers in terms of sheer creative diversity in all of his productions and through the years he has acquired his own unique flavor that touches all within ears reach. 

Moses had the opportunity to work with superstar Mary J. Blige and co-produced her remake of “Let No Man Put Asunder” on her multi-platinum album entitled Mary.  He has been blessed to be singled out of the host of so many other producers, and has been afforded the opportunity to remix and produce for both major and independent labels such as Sony,  Funky Soul, King Street Sounds, Easy Street Soundmen on Wax, Jellybean Soul and Sony UK, etc.  Highly respected among his peers, he has recorded and produced many other top-billing singers such as Tonni Smith, Dawn Tallman, Tony Humphries, Josh Milan, Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Das Efx, 702, Barbara Tucker, Kevin Hedge, George Benson, Dihann Moore, Malik Pendleton, Jaheim, Joe, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill – just to name a few.

Most recently, he is working with Marc Sadane and has just formed his new record label entitled Musa Recordings and is ready to drop his first single entitled “Gave me love” by Sir Isaac as well as working with new talent -- putting together an awesome artist roster.  “I’m excited about my new label and the prospects of working with so many more talented artists.  I have truly been blessed.”

Moise also serves as the Executive Technical Director for Christ Church, leading a 20 member team of media crew and volunteers, to produce weekly programming for live events. He specializes in lighting, electrical, video and audio engineering and programming. 

Down-to-earth, good humored, laid-back and an absolute pleasure to work with can be said of Big Moses.  He comes up with such innovative, ground-breaking beats.

You can connect with Moise LaPorte on Facebook and at Shiny Rock Productions.

In this week's episode, I talk with Cinematographer, Producer, and Editor Cristian Castillo and how he became involved with the project  and the making of the film Why Wait. Cristian is based out of New Jersey, and has traveled all over the U.S. working on a variety of projects that range from Music Videos, Weddings, Short Films and Branded Content. Whenever he is not on set, he can usually be seen outdoors traveling, hiking, and enjoying time with friends and family. 

You can connect with Cristian on Facebook, Instagram and cristiancastilloproductions.

In this episode, I talk to Derek Alberti, who plays Alec Branson in Why Wait. He's known from the movie Gone for the Weekend, which was his first feature comedy film; where he plays the Boss Larry.

Derek is also part of the Central Jersey theatre's from South Street Players, 1st Avenue Playhouse, and Center Players. He studied at HB Studio in NYC.

You can connect with Derek at Facebook and Instagram

In this episode, we talked about the making of Why Wait and how she became involved in the project. 

Patrisha can be seen in the new webseries How to Make it Big.  She's done the Network National tour of Hairspray, appeared in such musicals as the Music Man, Memphis,  Smokey Joe's Cafe and Dream Girls. 

She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Visions Performing Arts Center, (VPAC) an organization with a heartbeat to reach people in a way that they are nurtured, uplifted and inspired to be their best self.  You can connect with Patrisha at www.visionstheperformingarts.com to learn more about her company.

You can also connect with her at Patrishagibson.com Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

On this episode we talked about the making of the movie Why Wait, and how she became involved with the project. 

Melissa has her BA in Theater Production and Communication from the University of Delaware. She studied at HB Studio in NYC, has done standup comedy at Gotham Comedy Club, and some of You might have seen Melissa in a past episode of Blue Bloods where portrayed Erin's assistant. 

You can connect with Melissa: Facebook and Instagram