Kurt Csolak

CREDITS:
BROADWAY - FUNNY GIRL, STAGE – NYCC THE TAP DANCE KID, CARNEGIE HALL, AYODELE CASEL'S CHASING MAGIC (MASS), THE NEW 42ND STREET (MN), TOP HAT (LAB) (NYC), WHITE CHRISTMAS (NY), TAP DOGS (WORLD TOUR & DOMESTIC), THIS GAME FOR TWO, LAST FIVE YEARS, HOT SHOE SHUFFLE, RHYTHMIC CIRCUS (TOURING), DORRANCE DANCE, CALEB TEICHNER & COMPANY, 80’S LIVE (AC), RAT PACK (AC), THE BURLESQUE SHOW (AC), THE JAM PROJECT, WORLD DANCE O-RAMA, TAP UNITED, CAPEZIO GALA, A GREAT BIG WORLD, XBOX KINECT, TARGET SPECTACULAR, CATS PAYING DUES, TV/FILM- SPEED RACER, THE NEXT GENERATION (SPEED), NBC’S WORLD OF DANCE (S1), ALIENTOLOGISTS. NYU – BA FILM PRODUCING & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS, CEO – SOLARC PRODUCTIONS, NYC

“Striking the right balance between having years of experience, industry connections, standards for success, relentless drive, and being a mother of children who are currently working in the industry, Leesa is probably the most qualified person to find, nurture, elevate, and launch talent into successful performing arts careers.

I’ve seen time and time again my mother go above and beyond for every one of her students and clients, treating them with the same consideration and care like her own children. My entire life, she has instilled in me and my brothers a positive work ethic and mindset about the industry and life that continue to ground me with everything I do. Of course, it’s cliche to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without her, but I wouldn’t have had a quarter of the opportunities and growth of my own talents if it wasn’t for her direct actions of networking and pushing me into the right circumstances and rooms of people. The fact that I’ve gotten to travel the world performing is because of actions she’s taken to get me with the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

If you are reading this, either as a parent of a talented child or are considering a life in the arts yourself, you’ve stumbled upon THE best resource and door into succeeding in this industry. Endeavoring into the arts as a professional is one of the hardest industries to break into and the rejection and confusion of how the industry operates can be crushing. I’ve witnessed first hand the lives Leesa and LBC Talent have changed over the years: not just helping various children, teens, and adults land roles and launch careers in the performing arts, but gifting them with direction, purpose, and newfound confidence in who they are as human beings and that their wildest dreams are indeed possible.”

Kevin Csolak

CREDITS:
FILM: STEVEN SPEILBERG’S WEST SIDE STORY MOVIE (DIESEL), DISCONNECT (SHANE), WE COULD BE NINJAS (ERIC) TV: ANIMAL KINGDOM ON TNT (ANDREW), BOARDWALK EMPIRE (WILLIAM THOMPSON), JESSICA JONES (KEITH), THE MICK (STEWART), INSIDE AMY SCHUMER (BOY BAND), MYSTERIES OF LAURA (SPENCER SCHOFIELD), KC UNDERCOVER (ADAM), MORTIMER GIBBON’S LIFE ON NORMAL STREET (ELLIS), BLUE BLOODS (LUKE RYDER), AS THE WORLD TURNS (DANIEL HUGHES), ALL MY CHILDREN, GUIDING LIGHT. STAGE: WEST SIDE STORY OG BROADWAY (A-RAB), MEAN GIRLS OG BROADWAY (SHANE OMAN U/S AARON SAMUELS), JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE PEPSI SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW, VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS WITH HAYLEY KIYOKO, THE PROM LAB & NATIONAL THEATRE, DC (KEVIN), KNICKS CITY KIDS, BURNT PART BOYS (DUSTY), CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S WINTUK (JAMIE), HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL (BUGSY-WHO U/S DANNY-WHO), MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL, VOICE OVER AND INDUSTRIALS.

“It is remarkable how inspiring and influential Leesa and LBC Talent has been for so many in and around the industry. Being Leesa’s son I got a first hand look at how she utilizes her years of experience to selflessly guide her clients, recognize their goals and dreams (that once were fantasy), and make them a reality. I also got to witness how many producers, directors, casting offices and talent alike appreciated her professionalism and drive. I never dreamt of working with Steven Spielberg, being in three Broadway shows or holding a recurring role on a tv show. LBC Talent instilled a work ethic and mentality that supported and boosted me and others alike to understanding that our wildest dreams are right there for the taking. It is vehemently challenging to find words to describe the gratitude I hold for her and LBC Talent’s team. I would not be where I am today in my career if it wasn’t for Leesa and her expertise. I owe it all to her. LBC Talent is the catalyst that everyone needs to properly understand their potential, be given the spark to ignite their career and to fully understand the entertainment industry as a whole. Leesa is constantly diving deeper and learning more to remain relevant and abreast of what’s what in the industry today. If you feel like you have that spark and/or want to enter the entertainment industry correctly, look no further.”

Teal DePaola

CREDITS:
KNICKS CITY DANCER (NBA TOURS, NYC, LONDON, CHINA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC), FEATURE FILM- TRAINWRECK, YANDEL MALAVE NEW YEAR’S EVE TIMES SQUARE, LOS PREMIOS JUVENTUD PITBULL & ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, GENTE DE ZONA FT. LOS DEL RIOS ,CHIQUIS RIVERA, UNIVISIONS COPA AMERICA, THE LEXINGTON LINE & LIFESTYLE FASHION MAGAZINE, ACUVUE COMMERCIAL

“Leesa provides more than just professional advice to those interested in furthering their career, she provides the fire beneath believing in yourself. She brings out your best strengths and teaches you the ways to utilize them in ways to become successful doing what you love. Having worked with her being my close mentor for 15+ years, I am different in my daily perspective of life while working through the right mindset to more quickly move up levels in a career. Using some of these tools can help you in any passion for the future, her expertise is focused in the talent and arts industry but can offer much more to help you find your natural strengths and how to overcome and grow beyond known weaknesses. She teaches the importance of networking, and having humbleness while growing confidence retrospectively. Not knowing where the first leap into the industry would take me after my competitive dancing lifestyle, I could never have guessed with each new small step forward all of the accomplishments to come about. Not only was I able to continue dancing becoming a professional at the age of 18, but I ended up finding myself along the way of the dance career making it much more through print modeling jobs, a commercial, a well-known movie, brand ambassador events, and performances with numerous high listed artists. The tools LBC Talent has to offer are of a wide variety and at a high-quality standard. I can’t express enough of the gratitude I have towards LBC Talent, I would not have reached my greatest potential otherwise.”

Cameron Clifford

CREDITS:
STAGE; BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL - BROADWAY AND INTERNATIONAL TOUR (MICHAEL), WAITING FOR GODOT, BROADWAY (THE BOY), ON GOLDEN POND (BILLY RAY JR.), FIRST WIVES CLUB (JASON), FILM; THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS (ED), COMMERCIAL; KLEENEX, MCDONALDS, VERIZON WIRELESS, TV; 30 ROCK, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, TEAM UMIZOOMI, AWARDS; 2013 BROADWAYWORLD AUSTIN, TX – BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL TOURING PRODUCTION – BILLY ELLIOT, 2013 INDEPENDENT REVIEWERS OF NEW ENGLAND (NOMINEE) – BEST PROMISING PERFORMANCE BY A CHILD ACTOR – BILLY ELLIOT, 2012 BROADWAYWORLD LOS ANGELES, CA – BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN MUSICAL TOURING PRODUCTION – BILLY ELLIOT

“At a young age, Leesa Csolak saw my potential and immediately guided me into the right acting, dancing, and vocal training to prepare me for the industry. She gave me the understanding and skills to take on my auditions with excitement, focus, and joy. Less than a year after gaining representation I made my Broadway debut, and two years later booked my second Broadway show along with several national commercials, voice overs, and a movie. I owe these experiences to Leesa and LBC talent. Her understanding of the professional world and commitment to help me succeed steered me exactly where I wanted to go. Thank you for everything!”

Jeremy Bonnell

CREDITS:
TV – BOARDWALK EMPIRE; COMMERCIAL – NUTELLA, RONZONI, CHUCK E CHEESE, LORD & TAYLOR, MICROSOFT, SHOPRITE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, WORLD’S ASTONISHING NEWS

“Leesa’s experience and expertise were unquestionably the keys to Jeremy’s success as a young actor. With her deep industry ties, she was able to introduce us to a manager who she knew would be a good fit for Jeremy. She provided ongoing guidance to both Jeremy and me throughout the audition, call back and production processes. She recommended a top photographer, arranged solo and group lessons as needed, and made herself available to answer questions, provide moral support, and calm the nerves of the actor and mom-ager when we were facing new situations. We would highly recommend LBC Talent to those seeking guidance in navigating the professional acting world. Leesa made the dreams of a young actor attainable, and she shared in the joy of his success. We loved calling Leesa to say, 'He booked it!' "

Echo Picone

CREDITS:
FILM; THORP (NOT YET RELEASED) OFF BROADWAY- TREVOR, THE MUSICAL (MARY) REGIONAL; ANNIE WITH ANDREA MCARTLE (ANNIE), THE BEDWETTER, BROADWAY WORKSHOP, VOICE OVER; PINKALICIOUS & PETERIFIC (KENDRA), WEATHERING WITH YOU (KANA), THEATRE DEMO WORK; GRETEL, THE MUSICAL (GRETEL), MUSIC INDUSTRY; ROCK ‘EVERYTHINGIST’ DEVIN TOWNSEND, NATIONAL COMMERCIALS, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR WEB SERVICES AND INDUSTRY VIDEOS AND WILL BE PERFORMING WITH MR. TOWNSEND IN ROYAL ALBERT HALL IN LONDON SOON.

"Echo Picone began with Leesa’s programs when she was four years old. By this time her talent was outpacing what we felt we could support and foster, but the other music schools we brought her to had no idea what to do with her, with suggestions that ranged from group Kindermusik classes to working with a vocal coach one on one. Nothing seemed even remotely a good fit. We were lucky enough to find Leesa who immediately saw Echo’s potential and proposed a plan of action that was fun and supported Echo’s needs and drive to get her talent out there! When I realize I am working with someone who knows what they are doing I am confident letting them be in charge, and that is exactly what we did, with confidence, with Leesa. I took Leesa’s seminar on navigating the world of professional kids and it was invaluable. It gave me solid expectations and it also gave me a knowledge base to not be the parent that accidentally weeds their child out of the industry by acting in ways that are not appreciated by the people who call the shots (and that happens too often!) Thanks to Leesa’s guidance and her connections, Echo was signed by CESD bi-coastally across all departments by age 5. Echo is grateful to Leesa and her experience for opening the right doors for her to be able to do what she loves to do!"

Hailey DeStefano

CREDITS:
FILM; THERE WAS A BEGINNING (LEAD 1), TV; HUNTERS, THE UNBREAKABLE KIMMIE SCHMIDT (AVA), STAGE; GREEN ROOM 42- NYC, THE DUPLEX-NYC, FEINSTEIN’S 54 BELOW-NYC, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (TI MOUNE), THE WIZARD OF OZ, GREASE, AWARDS; TOP VOCALIST AWARD- ONSTAGE NY, FINALIST – 101.5 BIG JOE HENRY’S TALENT SHOW

“When we first realized our daughter’s passion for acting and singing, we had no idea what to do with it! Thankfully we found LBC Talent, where Hailey began training in acting, dance, and voice. Leesa and LBC Talent helped Hailey realize her strengths and develop them into serious skills. Further, Leesa helped Hailey find representation and the confidence to audition, get callbacks and build her resume with small roles on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Hailey loves working with Leesa on her self tape auditions; Leesa’s coaching is top notch! As a “Momager,” I appreciate the guidance I received in LBC Talent’s helpful seminar on navigating the business with my child. Not gonna lie, it’s pretty scary; there’s a lot to know, but I certainly felt so much more informed and prepared after the seminar. It’s been a few years, and I still refer back to the binder of notes that we received! I would not hesitate to recommend LBC Talent to anyone with a talented kid serious about getting into performing arts professionally!”

Alex Apgar

CREDITS:
TV; THE DEUCE, EVIL LIVES HERE, STAGE DAD, FILM; THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH PAUL, THE SEARCH FOR THE MORTICIAN’S APPRENTICE, TAKE MY BREATHE AWAY, ANDRES, SECRET POOL, THE CANNIBAL KILLER, THE KILLER CLOWN MEETS THE CANDYMAN, THE ADVENTURES OF CHEAP CHAD, MUSIC VIDEO; BAD TATOO, COMMERCIAL; UNCO JAPANESE TOY COMPANY, KIDZLANE TOY COMPANY.

“It is really difficult to move from being a lead in a school production to working professionally as a child performer. It is critical to learn from someone who knows the industry and Leesa, the Principal at LBC Talent, really prepared Alex for what it takes to make it. She works with industry leaders in dance, acting, and singing to ensure that young performers stand out from the rest. I attended one of her seminars and learned the business from the inside. I watched her prepare Alex for auditions – her advice was always honest and well informed. Alex has been working professionally for the last five years, only auditioning for and accepting paid work! Work permit in hand – he is called to audition for every role to which he applies! He has done it all – music videos, television, film, and advertising. Whether he decides to pursue a career in acting or not, Alex has gained valuable skills and experience which will make him a success in any profession. LBC Talent has been a big part of his success.”

Tayten Kieffer

Credits:
Signed with Edge Talent January 2021, The Polar Express by Rail Events Productions - Hero Child, Google Fiber Commercial Rom Com, Google Fiber Commercial Spelling Bee, Heinz Commercial Radio Spot, Super Wings Cartoon- Eric S6, E 609, Judge Junior Podcast S1 E1, Lhadalord in James and the Giant Peach, LBC Talent's ProKids On-Tour Vocal Troupe, Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka Jr.

“Tayten always wanted to be in theatre, and had fun in the elementary school shows. When he wanted to learn more, we found the Leesa's school in 2019 and he immediately found his second home! Dance, acting, and vocal groups filled up his week, as we watched him create meaningful friendships while building confidence. Not long after, we attended Leesa's Professional Kids & Teens Seminar, and our eyes were opened to the unique professional side of what he simply loved to do. We had no idea how to navigate this world, and Leesa was an amazingly supportive resource as we started to dive into youth acting. Learning so much from the classes and lessons and working directly with Leesa to prepare an audition set, Tayten was signed with Edge Talent in early 2021. He booked his first commercial that April. Now, Tayten is doing a few auditions a week and is thrilled with each unique experience. Having a local professional with so much knowledge is the reason Tayten found success so quickly. Whether he continues in this business, or not, he will always know that Leesa is the mentor that put him on the starting block. As parents, we will always be thankful for the perspective we learned from Leesa. It's a big industry with rewards and challenges, and her guidance during and throughout this process has made all the difference.”