Peer Advisors

Hi, my name is Gabbie Pisapia! I’m a New York-based actor, singer, and songwriter. After an eventful childhood full of singing and dancing, I continued my theater education in Manhattan, attending the Professional Performing Arts High School as a drama major. In my senior year, I made the decision to continue that theater education moving from PPAS to PPA at Pace University, working to receive my BFA in Acting.

Since attending Pace University, I have taken part in several Mainstage and student productions. In addition, I have worked an internship with Yonder Window Company on their DREAM Project. 

I am also receiving my minor in Not for Profit studies because of my passion for social work and helping to shape the next generation of artists. I have vast experience in volunteer and arts-oriented charity work. When I’m not at school you can find me embracing my love of teaching, working with students both in acting, music, and circus. I am very excited to have completed my final semester of college and begin exploring all of the opportunities that are coming my way in the future as a professional actor. 

Hi, I’m Berfin Berber and I’m a New York based actor and deviser. I’m originally from Istanbul, Turkey but have been a US resident for over 4 years now. After attending French school in Istanbul for 16 years, I decided to pursue theatre in undergraduate and recently got my BFA in Acting from Emerson College in Boston. 

Political theatre for social change is my life’s passion and combined with my decade-long experience with devising, I found myself in immersive, experimental and poignant productions all throughout my collegiate career. Now I’m excited to transition to the New York theatre scene and explore what the city and I have to offer each other. 

I was the most recent Education Intern at Yonder Window Theatre Company and worked closely with this year’s New York Teen Shakespeare Intensive. That experience incited a genuine curiosity in theatre education which led me to become a peer mentor for Stagepunch.  From International student to International Newyorker, I am ready to pour my heart and soul into advisory, guidance and perhaps some delicious food talks. 

My philosophy is be yourself and move at the speed of trust in order to find Truth. During your college audition, it’s not just the school auditioning you, it’s also you auditioning the school. This process is a game of matchmaking and I want you to have the head start. 

Hi! My name is Daniel Strausman. I’m a New York based actor who received a BFA in Acting at California Institute of the Arts in 2019. I have always had a wild imagination but my passion for acting really started when I was 13 years old, being a part of my school’s musical productions and shows. My first encounter with Shakespeare and the true craft of acting, however, was when I was 15 years old and met Katie and Elke in their Teen Shakespeare summer program. I absolutely fell in love with Shakespeare and classical theatre and have been in love ever since. I went back for the following summer and after that attended Emerson’s pre-college program for acting. 

During my time at CalARTS I was in many productions, including Shakespeare, experimental theatre, dance, and film. In 2018 I went to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for their 8 week summer Shakespeare program. There I delved further into the text, technique, and characters that make Shakespeare great. Not to mention going to the Globe Theatre and his birthplace! 

Since graduating I’ve been doing freelance projects for both theatre and film. I’ve worked with Yonder Window in a couple of their Zoom readings and, most recently, have signed with the agency Bonafide and Emerging Artists. I’m excited to share my experiences and help incoming students realize their dream of acting and learn the secrets to a successful audition.