Amanda Pickard Hardie - Voice and Acting Coach
Amanda is honored to share her love of the performing arts with the girls of Curtains Up. Her love for the arts started when she was a child growing up in India. The Little Mermaid was her first inspiration and “Annie” was her first role. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia and completed high school at DeKalb School of the Performing Arts. She continued her training in Musical Theater through out college at Shenandoah Conservatory and Huntingdon College. When not onstage, Amanda is a teacher and coach and nanny....she loves kids!!
Jennifer Salberg is a director, producer and a philanthropist who has personally invested her blood, sweat, and tears into a theatrical community for children. Jennifer's life purpose is to ensure that every child she comes in contact with finds their voice and exudes confidence.
Jennifer's journey from the stage of Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas, took her to New York City. As a young adult she achieved success in film, television and off-Broadway theatre. Her greatest role in life was yet to come - Motherhood. With the birth of her two leading ladies, Hannah and Olivia, Jennifer's new found journey would have "every child to shine in the spotlight."
In 2000, Jennifer Salberg founded, Applause for Kids Performing Arts Studio (AFK). AFK started with just 6 students and grew to 120 students in the first year. As the school's numbers grew, her students' self-esteem grew. AFK is a witness to the transformation of shy or self-conscious children into ones that exude effervescence of self-confidence. Since then, families, schools and children's organizations have partnered with Applause for Kids for the benefit of Georgia's precious children.
Later in 2005, Jennifer would recognize a different kind of need. Atlanta's gifted children needed a venue to showcase their talent. With a clear cut vision and unlimited passion, Jennifer embarked on a journey that would attract and cultivate Atlanta's superstars - thus the birth of the Atlanta School of the Performing Arts (ASPA). Over the years, Jennifer and ASPA's alumni have entertained the Who's Who of Atlanta.
After building Atlanta's first Children's Theatre, a 250 seat state of the art venue in the heart of Buckhead, Georgia, the Buckhead Business Association recognized her achievement by bestowing her with the coveted Business of the Year Award in 2006. The following year Nickelodeon awarded Jennifer Salberg and Applause for Kids the "Parent's Pick Awards."
Jennifer is proud having mentored, inspired, and helped students from diverse backgrounds achieve their goals in local theatre, in prime time television, National Tours and on Broadway. However, she is most proud of her students and families who embrace her mission of allowing "every child to shine in the spotlight." This mission is the cornerstone of Curtains Up Incorporated, a non-profit 501 c-3 Theatre Company. With this new endeavor, Jennifer's desire for all children to experience the magic of theatre has now come full circle.
Barbara Uterhardt - Program Director
Barbara has been acting, directing, and teaching since she graduated from Emory University in 1999. As an actor and director, she has worked on over 100 productions with Atlanta theaters such as Actor's Express, ART Station, Aurora Theatre, Jewish Theatre of the South, The Shakespeare Tavern, Theater Emory, and OnStage Atlanta. She has been recognized as "one of the most under-used actors in Atlanta" by Creative Loafing, "always dependable" by Southern Voice, and as a "Top 10 Director" by the Sunday Paper. Barbara is currently the Artistic Company Manager of OnStage Atlanta and hopes to keep the 37-year old company going strong. She has taught theatre to children of all ages as well as adults all around Georgia and is dedicated to making the Performing Arts an integral part of everyone's life. She is thrilled to be sharing her love for the Arts with these wonderful kids!
