Tony Braithwaite

Artistic Director

TONY BRAITHWAITE: Act II has been an artistic home for Tony since 2003 when he first began appearing in many of Act II‘s most acclaimed and popular productions, including My Fair Lady, Art, Boeing-Boeing, Iron Kisses, Stones in His Pockets, Good Evening, Say Goodnight Gracie, Laughing All the Way, Heeere’s Tony!, First Impressions; and Look Mom, I’m Swell! For nearly two decades, Tony has worked in and around Philadelphia as a director, comic, writer, and actor with theatres such as the Kimmel Center, Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Montgomery Theater, 1812 Productions, and others. He is a 13-time Barrymore Award nominee, a 4-time emcee, and a 3-time winner (2 wins for performances at Act II - The Big Bang and The Story of My Life.)  Since 1995 Tony has also been the Director of Dramatics at his beloved alma mater, St. Joseph's Prep.

Howie Brown

Managing Director

HOWIE BROWN graduated with a Broadcast Journalism and Political Science degree from Syracuse University in 2003.  As a Teach for America corps member teaching 5th grade Math and Science in South Philadelphia, Howie received his Master's Degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph's University in 2005.  After working in Washington D.C. for several years in politics (as the Executive Assistant for current National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling) and again as a teacher (4th and 5th grade at D.C. Prep Charter School), Howie returned to the Philadelphia area to pursue his love of theatre arts.  As an actor he has appeared on many area stages including at Act II (First Impressions and Heeere's Tony!), and is an Assistant Director and Improv Instructor at his beloved alma mater, St. Joseph's Prep.

Beth Dietzler

Business Manager

BETH DIETZLER graduated from DeSales University with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Acting/Directing and has been working with Act II Playhouse since August 2008. Beth has worked as House Manager and Box Office Assistant at DeSales University and University of Delaware Reperatory Theatre and brings over ten years of customer service expertise, including 6 months spent in Walt Disney World. Beth resides in Delaware County with her husband Jeff and son Christopher.

Andy Shaw

Production and Company Manager

ANDY SHAW is happy to have joined the Act II team. He received his MA in Theatre from Villanova in 2010.  He serves as the Master Electrician for Villanova Theatre and has worked as a carpenter and electrician for Villanova Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Amaryllis Theatre, and Act II.  He has also worked as a lighting designer for Upper Merion Consortium for the Arts (Smile!, Into the Woods, Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Jr.) and Butros and Bels Theatrical Emporium (Cloud 9, Savage/Love, The Importance of Being Earnest, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You? (Philadelphia Premiere), and The Complete History of America (Abridged)).  He received his BA in Theatre, English and Music from Mt. St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD in 2007. Favorite roles include: Algernon (Importance of Being Earnest), Touchstone (As You Like It), Ira Stone (Laughter on the 23rd Floor), Bobby Child (Crazy For You), George (The Actor's Nightmare), and being part of the 3-man cast of The Complete History of America (Abriged).

Bill D'Agostino

Communications and Education Director

BILL D'AGOSTINO received his MA in theatre from Villanova University and his BA in theatre arts from Brown University. Bill's original plays for kids, Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe and Fairy Tale High School, premiered at Act II Playhouse and Montgomery Theater, respectively. As a theatre educator, Bill has also taught for Montgomery County Community College, YMCA of the Upper Main Line, Gamut Theatre School in Harrisburg, and various elementary schools in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. As a dramaturg, his credits include Time Stands Still, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Sylvia, The Pride of Parnell Street, The Tempest (Act II); Don't Talk to the Actors, Big Boys, Alice in Wonderland (Montgomery Theater); Raising Jo (PlayPenn); and Medea (Villanova Theatre). As an actor, Bill has performed for Family Stages, Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival, Popcorn Hat Players and other theatres. Bill was an award-winning journalist for newspapers in California and Maryland. Since 2010, he has served on the Literary Committee for the Philadelphia Young Playwrights. Bill is a proud member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and Theatre for Young Audiences USA.

Carolina Millard

House Manager

Carolina Millard graduated from Muhlenberg College with a double major in Theatre and Dance. Recently, she completed a one-month mask intensive with Pig Iron Theatre Company. Her notable performances are Bye Bye Liver: The PhiladelphiaDrinking Play, Punch Theatre’s Architecture, Kelia Cordova Dances' Volcano, My Love, and Dance Theatre X’s World Headquarter’s.