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The American Theatre of BEing

Human First. Truth as the Source. To BE, Not Perform.

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Sunday Event Announcement

Calling all Experienced Professionals interested in the Film and Entertainment Industry

About Us

The American Theatre of BEing is an arts and entertainment initiative with a mission to equip, train and certify individuals in various professions with tools to succeed in the entertainment industry. ATOBE is more than a training program, it is a pipeline for talent, collaboration, and opportunity within the film and entertainment industry.

Industry professionals who are interested in teaching, mentoring, or joining the ATOBE professional database are encouraged to participate and help shape the future of creative production.

Participation in ATOBE not only allows professionals to mentor and inspire the next generation but also positions them as recognized contributors within a growing creative ecosystem. As film and media production continues to expand across communities, having a strong network of trained professionals ensures that local talent is prepared and ready to support industry projects.

Founder

Actress and Professor, Dr. Tonea Stewart, a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, has lived in Montgomery, Alabama since 1990. She is a professional actress, play director, national museum exhibit director, tenured Professor and retired as Dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts at Alabama State University.

She was the first African American female to receive a doctorate from the FSU school of Theatre and the first McKnight Doctoral Fellow in Theatre Arts.

Sessions

Duration

8 Weeks

Platform

Online and In-person

Class time

60 or 90 minutes

Who Can Participate

A successful movie industry training program involves a diverse range of creative and technical professionals who contribute to film and television production. Classes include instruction from hair stylists, barbers, makeup artists, trained actors, wardrobe specialists and more. Classes will be offered in many of the areas listed below:

Cost to participate

$200 per student which includes your listing in the ATOBE exclusive database. Your business information will remain active in the database for two years.

Location: (In -person only)

Armory Learning Center

1018 Madison Avenue / Montgomery, Alabama 36104)

Meet our Award Winning Team

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Dr. Tonea Stewart

actress

Thomas H. Stewart

producer

Sterfon Demings

Hair Designer

Randolph (Randy) Matuscak

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Benefits

By participating in ATOBE classes, industry professionals can:

Share their expertise

with emerging talent interested in the film and entertainment industry

Strengthen the local creative workforce

by helping train individuals in industry-standard practices

Expand their professional network

by connecting with other creatives, instructors, and production partners

Increase visibility for their services

within the entertainment and creative community

Become part of an exclusive ATOBE professional database

A key outcome of the ATOBE program is the development of a curated database of trained and experienced professionals. This database will serve as a resource for production companies, film projects, theater productions, media organizations, and creative partners seeking qualified professionals for upcoming opportunities.

Outcomes

Participants in the American Theater of BEing (ATOBE) training process gain access to industry knowledge, professional skills, and career pathways that prepare them to work in the film, television, and performing arts industries. The program is designed to develop a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to multiple aspects of production while also strengthening the creative economy within their communities.

Our Programs

Through these outcomes, the ATOBE approach contributes to both individual career development and broader industry growth, helping communities cultivate a workforce capable of supporting film and television production at a professional level.

Industry-Specific Training

Participants receive targeted training that prepares them for careers /contract opportunities in various film and entertainment industry roles.

Professional Skill Development

Individuals build technical and creative skills required for on-set production environments, including collaboration, time management, professionalism, and industry safety practices.

Workforce Readiness

Participants gain practical knowledge of how film and television productions operate, enabling them to transition into internships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.

Expanded Career Pathways

The program introduces participants to multiple entry points within the entertainment industry, helping them explore careers in production support, costume departments, makeup teams, and other creative roles.

Networking and Industry Exposure

Participants connect with professionals working in film, television, theater, and media production, creating valuable relationships that support career advancement.

Creation of a Professional Talent Database

ATOBE establishes a database of trained professionals that production companies, studios, and creative organizations can access when seeking qualified local talent for projects.

Confidence and Professional Identity

Participants leave the program with a stronger understanding of their talents and a clearer pathway to building a sustainable career within the entertainment industry.

Strengthening the Local Creative Economy

By preparing a skilled workforce, the program helps attract film productions to the region while creating employment opportunities for trained professionals.

Class Registration

Our Partners

Dr. Tommie “Tonea” Stewart

Award winning actress, director, professor, and founder of the American Theater of Being.Nationally known for transforming youth through performance and arts based character development.

Website: www.tommietoneastewart.com

Thomas H. Stewart

Emmy-recognized film producer, director, and educator with nearly two decades of experience in media, arts instruction, and curriculum based youth programming.

Website: www.thewazigroup.com

Sterfon Demings / Hair Designer and Stylist

Nominations: 1 Primetime Emmy, 2 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards, 1 NAACP Image Award / Winner of The Trailblazer Award and The Hollywood Beauty Award

Sterfon Demings, a master hair cutter and exceptional stylist, is known for his unique ability to work with various types and textures of hair. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Demings studied with master hair designers at The Vidal Sassoon London and Santa Monica, California Academy, the John Atchison salon in New York and The Rusk’s of Scotland to name a few. From salon to set, Sterfon is equally comfortable. Featuring,TV and print work. Sterfon is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Randolph (Randy) Matuscak

Randolph (Randy) Matuscak has spent his entire adult career working in the juvenile justice system. His experience includes serving as a juvenile probation officer and as Intake Director for an all-male residential treatment facility. Since 1997, he has testified as an expert witness in cases involving youth initially charged as adults, advocating for their return to juvenile jurisdiction, and later in cases involving individuals serving life sentences for offenses committed as juveniles following Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016). He has also worked as a mitigation specialist in death penalty cases and has taught at California University of Pennsylvania and Point Park University.