Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
SPOTLIGHT: JONATHAN DAVIS
FEB 2026
Which classes have you taken at Verve?
Audition Master Class, Scene Study, Film Acting, Commercial
What’s the best thing/most valuable thing you learned at Verve?
The best thing I’ve learned at Verve Studios, is to care. We must care about our characters and our character’s lives in order to portray our stories successfully.
Who/what are your early influences?
My early influences were Denzel Washington and Will Smith. I loved the vastly different roles they would partake in over the course of their careers, even until this day.
What has been your favorite role or project to date?
My favorite role to date has been a project call Zero Hour, where I play an artificial intelligence agent who responds to suspected bomb threat on the top floor of a downtown building during an exclusive party.
What is a dream role or project?
Anything James Bond.
What is up next for you/do you have any projects lined up?
I’m currently in rehearsal for “Jitney” from the great playwright August Wilson at Black Theatre Troupe. It’s set to run in February of 2026 and is directed by Rachel Finley.
What do you do besides act?
I recently got into gardening. I also love to travel, and try all new foods around the Valley.
What are you watching/reading?
I’m currently watching Drive to Survive, The Witcher, Stranger Things and The Last of Us. Occasionally I rewatch Peaky Blinders! Currently I’m reading “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor” by Donald J. Robertson.
Do you have any local small business recommendations to share?
Better Days Kava! Instagram: @betterdayskava
What are your socials and links?
IG: @iamjonathandavis_
IMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/mobile/name/nm14334171/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
#vervestudiosaz #aspiringtoworkingactors #studentspotlight
SPOTLIGHT: KATE DONICK
JAN 2026
Which classes have you taken at Verve? Youth Professional Training Program, Youth Audition Master Class
What’s the best thing/most valuable thing you learned at Verve? It’s been both fascinating and challenging to transition between theatrical to on-camera acting styles. Through my training at Verve, I’ve learned the different ways that I have to approach each form. It’s a total mindset shift, more than I ever would have discovered without the help of Amanda and Ashley.
One of my other favorite things about the studio is its expansive library! I had an upcoming audition for a beautiful show called Silent Sky and was lucky enough to borrow the script from the Verve library to do some audition prep. The stars aligned and I booked my dream role, Henrietta Leavitt!
Verve has also been an incredibly supportive community, even outside of class. As I went through the complicated process of signing with my first agent, Amanda and Ashley were a huge help!
Who/what are your early influences? Well, I’d like to think this is just the start of my career and that I’m still building my brand and influences. But, as of now, I love the film work of Greta Gerwig and the theatrical work of Lauren Gunderson.
What has been your favorite role or project to date? What a tough question! I’d probably have to say playing Ruth in the Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds at Ghostlight Theatre. The show was a tough - but important - story on the effects of abuse within a family. My character, Ruth, showed some of the rawest effects of the broken relationships. It was challenging, portraying the volatility of her personality as well as medically accurate seizures was probably one the most challenging things I’ve had to do onstage, but it was incredibly fulfilling to tell such an important story. I’m proud to have received an ariZoni Award for the performance, in the category “Actress in a Supporting Role” for an adult play - at age 16!
What is a dream role or project? While I’ve done quite a bit of live theatre, I’m still learning all about the film, commercial, and TV world! So, for now, probably anything in the on-screen sector is most exciting to me.
What is up next for you/do you have any projects lined up? Up next, I’ll be performing an absolute dream role of mine: Jo March in Little Women! Check it out at ActorsPLAYground this January.
What do you do besides act? Outside of acting, you may find me in the ocean - I’m a certified open water scuba diver! Some other interests of mine include embroidery, robotics, and civic engagement.
What are you watching/reading? his week I haven’t been able to put down former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern’s memoir, “A Different Kind of Power.” Acting related, Michael Shurtleff’s “Audition” is also proving to be quite an interesting read.
Do you have any local small business recommendations to share? I’m a big fan of Mother Culture Sourdough. Spencer’s Place coffee shop, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is another great organization.
What are your socials and links? My Instagram handle is @kate_donick
#vervestudiosaz #aspiringtoworkingactors #studentspotlight
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SHELLY BOUCHER
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SHELLY BOUCHER
Who/what are your early influences? Such a hard but great question! I loved doing theatre and took a lot of dance growing up. I had a dance teacher that really made me feel like I could achieve anything. Acting wise, I have a lot of respect for the different techniques and favorite actors include Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett.
Classes taken at Verve? SO MANY! Commercials, Shakespeare, Teleprompter, all the flavors of VO, Scene Study (favorite) and private coaching!
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?Besides techniques (hello seven steps—I see you!), allowing yourself the freedom to explore a role and to even fail at something to get better. That and to really do the prep work, being prepared makes all the difference. Overall, I feel like everyone at Verve is part of the great community that lifts each other up and celebrates successes while growing together. I really value the friendships I’ve made there.
What do you do besides act? I feel really lucky to work behind the camera as a producer/production manager. I primarily work on commercial projects but enjoy longer form as well. I also teach kids about filmmaking. They’re natural creators and make super fun edited videos!
Favorite role/project? Working on Raising Buchanan and having a fun role in the film is at the top of my list. Playing a fun character role in the play Eric & Elliot at Childsplay is also a favorite!
Dream role/project? I don’t think I have a specific dream role, I love to act and perform. Honestly, I really want to grow and continue to get better so the dream is anything that allows that to happen.
What have you been doing creatively? I just started a podcast! It’s called lifehacks with shelly boucher! I’d love it if you gave it a listen or if you have any great hacks, let me know—come be a guest!
Favorite Quarantine entertainment? I really enjoy spending time with my kids and we played a lot of games when we were ‘stuck’ together.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over? I’m going to Disneyland! Not really, but it’s on the list. I am really interested in working on creative projects with other artists. I’d like to direct something.
Your links:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifehacks-with-shelly-boucher/id942568785
Instagram: @ imshell, https://www.instagram.com/imshell
READ MORE: https://vervestudio.net/success-stories
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: BOBBY McMILLION
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: BOBBY McMILLION
Who/what are your early influences? Steve Lichtenstein (Actor), and John Paul Paquette (Actor). It is personal conversations that I have had with theses veteran actors that really gave me the inspiration, and courage to further pursue voice acting.
Classes taken at Verve? Intro to Voice Over, Voice Over Editing, Advanced Voice Over Workout
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)? Verve is the very first class I took when I decided to seriously pursue Voice Over. I learned a lot from Gene in the Intro class of how to be a professional, and how to seriously approach voice over. I remember being super excited about the feedback I received from Gene from the voice recordings we completed in class. The Voice Over Editing class also helped in a HUGE way. I learned VERY quickly, a voice over artist has to be able to properly operate, and edit your recordings.
What do you do besides act? For my “Day Job”, I am an Insurance Claims Adjuster. I spend a lot of my time investigation insurance claims. I spend a lot of my time talking to people over the phone. This is kinda where my Voice Over interest started. Over the years, I constantly hear people say, “You have a great speaking voice”, or “You sound like a Radio DJ”. I just laughed it off, until an actor mentioned something to me about doing Voice Over work.
Outside of work, I am a huge sports fan. I love watching, and attending sporting events, like basketball, football, and baseball. I also love coaching as well, and spending time with my wife, and daughter.
Favorite role/project? My favorite role I’ve landed to date is for an Animation Pilot that is to be pitched for a TV series. For this project, I was working with voice actors from across the world. It was a blast meeting all of the other actors, and listening to everyone go over their lines when practicing on Zoom meetings.
Dream role/project? I consider myself a nerd, or geek for all of the Super Hero shows, and also Video Games. I would love to be apart of a Major Animation, and/or Video Game VO project.
What have you been doing creatively? When I’m not working, or Auditioning, I am creating my own video content to put out on social media, and Youtube. I look at it as a way to practice my craft, and continue to push the boundaries of my creative limits, while trying to market myself all at the same time.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment? During the Quarantine, we discovered The Masked Singer, and it has become our favorite family show, and is MUST SEE! While we were stuck in the house, going back and watching all of the previous seasons really helped us out, A LOT!
We also made it a point to take day trips on the weekends during the Quarantine to get out of the house. Whether up north, or anywhere to get out of the City, and away from people, and just explore Arizona.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over? First thing we did was eat at a restaurant. Take out never taste the same when you have to reheat your food.
Your links:
Twitter: @Bobby_Voiceover , https://twitter.com/Bobby_Voiceover
Instagram: @b_mcmill40, https://www.instagram.com/b_mcmill40/
Discord: McMillionVO#3331
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmQn65A14xr5dyplR1xdXVA
Aaron Seever
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: AARON SEEVER
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: AARON SEEVER
Who/what are your early influences?
Uta Hagen, Stanislovski, Meisner, Larry Moss, Paul Giamatti, Daniel Day-Lewis, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon
Classes taken at Verve?
Core Technique, Scene Study, Get Personal, Film Acting, Movement, Commercials
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
Making adjustments immediately...taking direction. Being required to do this every week in Scene Study, helped me develop the ability to take direction on set or in rehearsal. Its a muscle that I only developed through years of weekly scene study.
What do you do besides act?
Write, Produce, Direct. I also have a business I run with my brothers.
Favorite role/project?
Stage- Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker
Film- Krit in Finally, You
Dream role/project?
Any project large or small where I could work with A-list actors and or Directors.
What have you been doing creatively?
Writing. The past 4-5 years mostly film although currently starring as Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker at Hale Theatre in Gilbert.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Mountain Biking and writing.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
Bike through Eastern Europe
Your links:
Instagram: a_arontheexplorer
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TYNECKIA LEWIS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TYNECKIA LEWIS
Who/what are your early influences?
I remember watching Fame growing up. Debbie Allen scared me and made me feel better. She was/is very inspirational.
Classes taken at Verve?
Film, Commercial, Voice Over, Scene Study, Improv, Movement.
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
How to incorporate improv across the board has been invaluable. And I’ve made some lifelong friends whom I’m thankful are in my life.
What do you do besides act?
I am on an audiobook narration journey...stay tuned. I’m also taking ballroom dance lessons. Here’s a chuckle, my instructor is still trying to stop me from moving my hips.
Favorite role/project?
I played a homeless woman who did not like being disrespected. I got to look a total mess. And I got to do a little killing and drag someone across the floor. Completely opposite of how others see me and we had so much fun filming.
Dream role/project?
The Mandalorian jetted to the top of my project list from episode 1.
What have you been doing creatively?
A lot of writing: plays, shorts and features. One of my plays is final. Had some great editing rounds and virtual table reads. Wrote/directed/edited/produced my first micro-budget short, Thanksgiving Dinner. I have several scripts in various stages. And I have a mentor, Michael Castelaz (connected with by Vera Herbert) who’s provided a lot of insight and direction. And let me know that I wasn’t completely crazy and off my rocker.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Coloring. Finally got some colored pencils and I have no idea what took me so long to discover this greatness.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
How do I choose? There are so many people to see & hug, so many restaurants/bars to sit for hours, so many stores to walk around aimlessly. I’ll be able to go to the movies again. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally a four-movie day for me. At this point the first thing I might do is break down and cry.
Your links:
www.twitter.com/TYNECKIA_LEWIS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LYDIA MARTINEZ
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LYDIA MARTINEZ
Who/what are your early influences?
To meet famous people and to have the experience to be on set with them is why I wanted to start acting.
Classes taken at Verve?
*Audition Techniques Film & TV *Cold Read Techniques *Voice Over Character *Transformative Action Verbs *Best Audition Monologue *Creating a World on Green Screen *Voice Over Commercials *Voice Over Workouts* Improv Commercials Workshop *Hosting, Film & T.V. Camp* Sitcom, Comedy, Single & Multi Cam Workshop *Improv Animation Workshop
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
How to be confident and comfortable on camera and in audtions. Remembering to improv and use the correct eyelines while auditioning live or for selftaping. How to muti task & break down scrips for memorization. Most importantly I learned how to be a good student, while in class, there is so much to learn from these amazing coaches.
What do you do besides act?
Play my Xbox one with my brothers, make tik toks, play with my dog Diva, spent time with family and friends. Go swimming whenever I can.
Favorite role/project?
Mia in Fort Night, it was my 1st horror film. My favorite movies are horror movies by the way. I loved the experience of filming it and playing scared.
Dream role/project?
To be a lead in a feature film or TV show.
What have you been doing creatively?
Lately I've been interested in fashion. I had my parents buy me a scrap book & I have been drawing and designing clothes, for fun mostly, but one day in the future I hope to have my own fashion line.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Watching tik toks, spending time with family, playing video games, and dressing up my dog Diva.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
Go on a family vacation and have sleep overs with all my friends.
Links to keep up with you:
lydia-martinez.com
https://www.instagram.com/lydia_martinez_actress/
http://imdb.me/Lydia-Martinez-Actress
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SAYLOR BILLINGS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SAYLOR BILLINGS
Who/what are your early influences?
My Mom, Carol Burnett, and Gilda Radner.
Classes taken at Verve?
Several and Private with Amanda whom I undoubtedly tortured!
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
I learned to contain my focus/energy, which is what the technique taught me. Just like athletes not only train for their positions but condition their bodies, actors must do the same. You train for a specific role but you must first have to condition your senses, brain, body for acting.
What do you do besides act?
Audition. (Which I think is a completely different skill set.) Write, Stand-up comedy, Sports: Swimming, Biking, Fencing, Weight lifting.
Favorite role/project?
I've really enjoyed creating Joan {in The Arc of Joan podcast, now available]. I think with a bit more focus she could be a great character.
Dream role/project?
I would like to recreate 'the great Paducah swim meet debacle of 1978' and work steadily as a 'character' actor.
What have you been doing creatively?
I wrote, acted and produced an audio-sitcom: The Arc of Joan.
Created a new character, Katie Sidehustle, a ne'er do well influencer. Working on my herb garden. Oh and I built a Japanese inspired courtyard for the side of the house.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
D'Artagnan Chaos DeCoconuts. Our kitten we got in early Feb. 2020. Pure joy.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
My mom had her 'last big hurrah travel' planned for Australia and New Zealand, so I'll be her sherpa for that and then more travel probably.
Links to keep up with you:
https://billibatt1.podbean.com
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9296210/
https://www.facebook.com/Billibatt.Productions.The.Arc.of.Joan
