F.A.M.E Members
Basia Staszel Emano
Has over 20 years experience in the Entertainment Industry under various roles and titles including; Talent, Manager, Casting Director and, most recently, Marketing Assistant at Broadway in Chicago. Basia has always been passionate about the Arts and Humanities and is thrilled to use her background and skills to give back to the artistic community through F.A.M.E.
Lucy Free
A seasoned downtown Chicago events producer and planner, is excited to be a volunteer member of F.A.M.E. and bring her background to the forefront. Lucy, is currently working with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and is passionate about the arts and F.A.M.E.’s mission to provide resources and development to young artists.
Naomi Hoover
Retired after 28 years in the investment business in Michigan and returning to her birthplace; Naomi looks forward to bringing her fundraising and volunteering experience to help F.A.M.E. in their endeavors .She has a passion for helping individuals to reach and accomplish their dreams.
Mary Rita Mitchell
Mary has been involved with theatre for many years. She taught English at Morton High School where she also spent ten years as a member of the theatre department. She has experience as a director, choreographer, production assistant and with set design for musicals, talent and variety shows, skits, dramas, one-acts, and dance shows. She assisted in running grammar school theatre workshops, and worked as a production assistant and sceneographer at Riverside-Brookfiend High School. Additionally, Mary Rita has twenty years of experience with the Ballet Legere of River Forest, and has worked with such organizations as The Cenacle Theatre Company of Pilsen, the Savoyaires of Evanston, and currently, as a production assistant with the Lira Ensemble, artists in residence at Loyola University of Chicago.
Patricia Mocco
Patricia is bringing her leadership and Chicago community involvement experiences to benefit Foundation of Artists Mentored In Entertainment (F.A.M.E.). She is currently the manager of Accounts Payable at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is also in their BFA Program with an Arts Administration Focus.
Few of the many local Chicago community services she is involved in includes; President of the 1000 W. Washington Condo Association, Member of the NOWL(Neighbors Of West Loop), and member of the 27th Ward Committee. Patricia is very passionate about bringing to the local Chicago businesses and State Representatives, awareness of the mission of F.A.M.E.
Amanda Neidhardt
Amanda Neidhardt is familiar with the struggles young dancers have in the beginning of their career, because she was one herself for a few years as a professional dancer in Los Angeles. Then, longing to create she returned back to her hometown in Austin, Texas and became the Artistic Director of an adult and a children’s dance company. Inspired by wanting to help artists like herself Amanda’s passion then drove her to attend law school in Chicago. She graduated from The John Marshall Law School with a certificate in Intellectual Property in 2012. Amanda has a deep passion for charitable work and is excited to bring her experience as an artist and as a lawyer to the FAME team.
Tom Rusnak
Tom has been involved in the Fine and Performing Arts for over 40 years as an educator, director, designer, facility manager and performer. He directed the 2002 Illinois Theatre Association All-State production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE , spent twenty five years as technical director for the Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago, light design and technical advisor for the Ballet Legere of River Forest , Citylit and as director for the Cenacle Theatre Company of Pilsen and the Savoyaires of Evanston. He currently serves on the technical staff of the Lira Ensemble of Chicago, artists in residence at Loyola University, a position he’s proudly held for over thirty five years. Tom is a staunch supporter of the performing arts and sees F.A.M.E. as a wonderful way to promote them through this mentoring program.
Jacqueline Saland
A recent NYU Tisch Drama graduate, is very excited to be a member of the F.A.M.E. community. As a Chicago-based actress, model, and voiceover talent she is happy to bring her performance background to help the development of other young artists.
Basia Staszel Emano
Has over 20 years experience in the Entertainment Industry under various roles and titles including; Talent, Manager, Casting Director and, most recently, Marketing Assistant at Broadway in Chicago. Basia has always been passionate about the Arts and Humanities and is thrilled to use her background and skills to give back to the artistic community through F.A.M.E.
Lucy Free
A seasoned downtown Chicago events producer and planner, is excited to be a volunteer member of F.A.M.E. and bring her background to the forefront. Lucy, is currently working with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and is passionate about the arts and F.A.M.E.’s mission to provide resources and development to young artists.
Naomi Hoover
Retired after 28 years in the investment business in Michigan and returning to her birthplace; Naomi looks forward to bringing her fundraising and volunteering experience to help F.A.M.E. in their endeavors .She has a passion for helping individuals to reach and accomplish their dreams.
Mary Rita Mitchell
Mary has been involved with theatre for many years. She taught English at Morton High School where she also spent ten years as a member of the theatre department. She has experience as a director, choreographer, production assistant and with set design for musicals, talent and variety shows, skits, dramas, one-acts, and dance shows. She assisted in running grammar school theatre workshops, and worked as a production assistant and sceneographer at Riverside-Brookfiend High School. Additionally, Mary Rita has twenty years of experience with the Ballet Legere of River Forest, and has worked with such organizations as The Cenacle Theatre Company of Pilsen, the Savoyaires of Evanston, and currently, as a production assistant with the Lira Ensemble, artists in residence at Loyola University of Chicago.
Patricia Mocco
Patricia is bringing her leadership and Chicago community involvement experiences to benefit Foundation of Artists Mentored In Entertainment (F.A.M.E.). She is currently the manager of Accounts Payable at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is also in their BFA Program with an Arts Administration Focus.
Few of the many local Chicago community services she is involved in includes; President of the 1000 W. Washington Condo Association, Member of the NOWL(Neighbors Of West Loop), and member of the 27th Ward Committee. Patricia is very passionate about bringing to the local Chicago businesses and State Representatives, awareness of the mission of F.A.M.E.
Amanda Neidhardt
Amanda Neidhardt is familiar with the struggles young dancers have in the beginning of their career, because she was one herself for a few years as a professional dancer in Los Angeles. Then, longing to create she returned back to her hometown in Austin, Texas and became the Artistic Director of an adult and a children’s dance company. Inspired by wanting to help artists like herself Amanda’s passion then drove her to attend law school in Chicago. She graduated from The John Marshall Law School with a certificate in Intellectual Property in 2012. Amanda has a deep passion for charitable work and is excited to bring her experience as an artist and as a lawyer to the FAME team.
Tom Rusnak
Tom has been involved in the Fine and Performing Arts for over 40 years as an educator, director, designer, facility manager and performer. He directed the 2002 Illinois Theatre Association All-State production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE , spent twenty five years as technical director for the Lithuanian Opera Company of Chicago, light design and technical advisor for the Ballet Legere of River Forest , Citylit and as director for the Cenacle Theatre Company of Pilsen and the Savoyaires of Evanston. He currently serves on the technical staff of the Lira Ensemble of Chicago, artists in residence at Loyola University, a position he’s proudly held for over thirty five years. Tom is a staunch supporter of the performing arts and sees F.A.M.E. as a wonderful way to promote them through this mentoring program.
Jacqueline Saland
A recent NYU Tisch Drama graduate, is very excited to be a member of the F.A.M.E. community. As a Chicago-based actress, model, and voiceover talent she is happy to bring her performance background to help the development of other young artists.
F.A.M.E. Mentors
Taylor Mallory "Auxiliary Master of Ceremony”
Taylor is now a part of the Chicago music scene, he is penning hits with the Dupée Productions team and having them placed in shows like the Style Network’s “How Do I Look”. He has also been featured as an actor in various commercials and was an on-air VJ for Akoo. He is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and entertainer. He has collaborated with or opened for artists like Mary Mary, David Banner, India Arie and performed at places like Schuba’s, Manifest, The Double Door, Subterranean, African Festival of the Arts, and Milwaukee Brewer’s Tailgate.
Taylor is now a part of the Chicago music scene, he is penning hits with the Dupée Productions team and having them placed in shows like the Style Network’s “How Do I Look”. He has also been featured as an actor in various commercials and was an on-air VJ for Akoo. He is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and entertainer. He has collaborated with or opened for artists like Mary Mary, David Banner, India Arie and performed at places like Schuba’s, Manifest, The Double Door, Subterranean, African Festival of the Arts, and Milwaukee Brewer’s Tailgate.
Ashleigh Ashton Since becoming the first F.A.M.E. winner in 2012 at 16 years old, Ashleigh Ashton has enjoyed many incredible opportunities. Now 19, Ashleigh has written over 150 songs, was featured in a national T-Mobile commercial, won the Rialto Idol, and was a finalist in the Colgate Country Showdown. In 2014, Ashleigh won Chicago Independent Music Award's Best Pop Artist in Chicago. Last year, she performed at music festivals in New York, Florida, and California.Ashleigh also has a passion for acting. She is an alumni of Piven Theatre's Company and a member of Second City. Ashleigh speaks at colleges and high schools, inspiring and empowering people to reach for their dreams. Ashleigh is honored and thrilled to be working as a mentor with F.A.M.E
Brenda Pickleman "On-Camera/ Film Coach" Brenda began her acting career over 25 years ago and is currently one of Chicago's busiest and most prolific onscreen actors. Her credits include numerous TV appearances plus starring, costar, and supporting roles in movies such Groundhog Day, Looking for Lola, Unconditional Love, U. S. Marshals, Hit and Run, and Save the Last Dance. Brenda has also done hundreds of commercials and voice-overs. Over the past 25 years, not only has she directed and produced films of her own, but she has trained dozens of actors, many of whom are currently working both here and in LA. She continues her acting studies in LA and brings back to Chicago the unique perspectives of that city for inclusion in her acting workshops. brendapickleman.nowcasting.com
FAME PHOTOGRAPHER
Marlon Cordero
Born in Iloilo City, Philippines. He began his photography career in 2007 when he started photographing his two daughters. What was just a hobby, soon turned into an interest in capturing special moments. By 2010, he entered into fashion photography and fell in love with that area of photography. Marlon also works at photographing special events such as weddings, parties, portraits of both adults and children, as well as landscapes. He has a Facebook Page at MCordero Photography and maintains an Instagram account at Marlon Cordz.
FAME PHOTOGRAPHER
Marlon Cordero
Born in Iloilo City, Philippines. He began his photography career in 2007 when he started photographing his two daughters. What was just a hobby, soon turned into an interest in capturing special moments. By 2010, he entered into fashion photography and fell in love with that area of photography. Marlon also works at photographing special events such as weddings, parties, portraits of both adults and children, as well as landscapes. He has a Facebook Page at MCordero Photography and maintains an Instagram account at Marlon Cordz.
Auxiliary Members
Kamil Bartosczcze Owner of KB Entertainment. Kamil’s passion is in music, lighting and D.J.
Kamil Bartosczcze Owner of KB Entertainment. Kamil’s passion is in music, lighting and D.J.
