Staff
Paul Griffin, Founder & President, Managing Director, CP-NY
Having led the founding of City at Peace, Inc. in Washington, D.C. in 1994, and served as its Artistic Director for five years, Paul is currently leading the creation of City at Peace—National. With over 15 years of experience working in the field of youth development and the arts, Paul has presented workshops and performances for major organizations and events such as the Children’s Defense Fund’s Annual Conference, Kaiser Permanente’s Building Hope Conference, District of Columbia Superior Court’s Task Force on Family Violence, National Multicultural Institute, The American University School of International Studies, and George Mason Institute of Conflict Resolution. In 1993 Paul was honored at The White House as a Tomorrow’s Leader Today sponsored by Public Allies; in 2005, Paul received the Changemaker Award from Public Allies and the National Hamilton Fish Institute for Award for Service.
Sue Lee Troutman, Development Director
Sue Lee joined City at Peace at the beginning of 2009 in the newly created position of Development Director. She brings with her eight years of broad-ranging fundraising experience, most recently as development director at Equality Now, a women’s human rights organization. Originally from California, she moved to New York City more than six years ago to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the City’s numerous nonprofit organizations. Prior to becoming a nonprofit development professional, Sue Lee was working toward a Ph.D. in political science at U.C.L.A. and a career in academia. She has no regrets about leaving to do grassroots social justice work and is very much looking forward to making a difference through City at Peace.
Kelly Claus, Program Manager
Kelly Claus, a native of Texas, is grateful to have found a home at City at Peace-New York as Program Manager. Most recently, Kelly acted as Paint Club Coordinator for Publicolor, another NYC youth development non-profit organization. Previously, she held the position of Education Director for Nashville Opera where she developed and coordinated all student education and singer-training programs. In summer 2006, Kelly acted as Co-Director and Clinician of the International Arts Academy, which brought together teenagers from England and the state of Georgia to write and produce an original musical. Kelly recently gave her professional directorial debut with the children’s opera The Emperor’s New Clothes, as well as youth performances of Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors for Nashville Opera. Kelly has taught private and class voice lessons at the Academy of Music and Drama (TN) and Middle Tennessee State University, and has been featured in several operatic roles including Susanna (Marriage of Figaro), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance). Kelly holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from Middle Tennessee State University, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Angelo State University in Texas.
Jeff Flowers, Artistic Director - Saturday Program
Jeff Flowers began his career in the Theatre at age 16 when he performed in a Midsummer Night’s Dream in High School. He graduated with honors from UCSB in 1996 with at B.F.A. in acting. Soon after graduating, Jeff studied acting at the private Actor’s In Training school in Goleta, CA. While studying acting at A.I.T. he became a founding member of that schools theater company Bugeye Theatre. With Bugeye Jeff originated the role of Christopher in “Oscar’s Lips”, directed “Class of ‘77″ and performed in “A Boy’s Life.” In 2002 he performed in as Valentin in “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” which he helped co-produce. In 2003 he directed “My Cup Runneth Over” and performed as Bruce in “Beyond Therapy.” While studying acting at AIT, Jeff was hired as the Artistic Director of three satellite City at Peace programs in Santa Barbara County. In 2002 he took over the Artistic Directorship of the Santa Barbara City at Peace program where he directed and produced the show’s. “Homeland Insecurity,” and “Red Carpets and Closed Doors.” City at Peace-Santa Barbara was recognized by the City of Santa Barbara as the Youth Service Agency of the Year. In 2004, Jeff moved to New York City and soon began as Artistic Director of CPNY. He is grateful for the opportunity to continue his passion for teaching, directing and making theater that makes a difference.
Elizabeth Howard, Artistic Director - Tuesday/Thursday Program
Elizabeth was born and raised in Chicago. At the age of 18 she moved to the East Coast to further her education at Loyola College of Maryland. After college she moved back to her hometown and returned to her first love, acting and theater. While back home, she had the privilege of performing on many of the wonderful stages Chicago has to offer. She also was fortunate enough to study at the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre and the equally notable Victory Gardens Theatre. She moved to New York to continue her career. Since her arrival, she has been working consistently in both film and theater and working with the youth and staff of City at Peace-New York for the last five years.
Rozz Nash, Choreographer – Tuesday/Thursday & Saturday Programs
Rozz Nash (a San Francisco native) has been in the NYC mix for over a decade and continues to churn out innovative and exciting work in the realms of the performing arts, education, and activism. She has been a musician for over 13 years touring the world with bands such as Groove Collective, DJ Towatei, and her own band Red Lotus which recently completed a 30-city European tour. Over the years she has appeared in various commercials, radio spots, and major print ad campaigns. Rozz also co-founded WERISE, a women’s artist organization that empowers women to take charge of their artistic careers and to develop their business acumen. Her latest non-profit venture is a political organization based in New York called the NYC Lucy Stoners, which was created to encourage single women ages 18-35 to get involved in the political sphere and register to vote. Rozz is a dedicated teaching artist as well, and has facilitated performing arts residencies in over fifty NYC public schools. Rozz has worked for Learning through an Expanded Arts Program (LEAP) for over ten years teaching in various areas including dance, drama, music, and literacy programs. She is a trained professional dancer with over 27 years of experience. Rozz is also a very accomplished musical theater and acting director having produced over 25 musicals and plays. Rozz has choreographed nine City at Peace productions, and has been with the organization since 2003.
Danny Rockett, Musical Director – Saturday Program
Danny Rockett is thrilled to be writing and music directing for City at Peace. Danny is also music director and composer at Nitestar, a sex education theater company, He has composed for television and stage and and toured with numerous bands including, Ham and Burger, Bad Teenage Moustache, God The Band, The Education of Max Bickford (CBS) , and Conjoin Us!. Danny has performed on Broadway in Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar. He has recorded 9 different albums, and currently works as a voice over artist, vocal coach and voice teacher. Danny also helps run “Artesanal Sweets” a gourmet, custom cake business with his beautiful wife Natascha. Danny has written music for City at Peace productions “Dream This” and “Off the Page”.
Seth Rothschild, Musical Director – Tuesday/Thursday & Monday/Wednesday Programs
Seth Rothschild is a songwriter and music producer. He was a member of the band Gingersol, on guitar/keyboards/vocals (from their re-incarnation in 1999 until 2005). They spent the first part of this decade tirelessly touring, sharing bills with such artists as Pete Yorn, Kings of Leon, Stars, The Deers, Lenny Kaye, The Minus Five, The Smithereens and Mary Lou Lord (and also served as her back-up band). Seth produced, recorded and mixed their 3 critically-acclaimed, full-length releases. Since Gingeresol’s conclusion, he has set up shop in Brooklyn, and begun to write and produce records for other artists and compose for film and commercials. He has just completed a record with his new band, Quarry Hill, with whom he continues to perform. Seth has written and directed music for City at Peace’s Winter 2009 production, “Under the Lights”, and is currently working with the Monday/Wednesday cast for youth in foster care.
Jamilia Hall, Choreographer – Monday/Wednesday Program for Youth in Foster Care
Jamilia Tanai Trendlor Hall began her dancing career at The Edwin Holland School of Dance in Miami, Fl. Eager to pursue her dreams, she relocated to NYC to receive the intense training needed to take these dreams to the next level. Jamilia graduated Salutatorian of her 2004 class at Long Island University, receiving her B.F.A. in dance studies. Since then, Jamilia has performed in videos of artists Miss Angelina, Joan Jett, J’zebehl and Elephant Man and has danced behind freestyle recording artist Safire, Tan Tan, JoJo 7, Lanz and Miredys. Other credits include performing with Dance 2xs, Vissi Dance, opening for recording artists John Legend and Chris Brown, and appearing in Carnival showcases with Bullet, Bam Bam, Hollywood, Romayo, Ohhh, Antonio Boss, Robert Taylor Jr. and Kelly Peters. Jamilia has toured and performed on UK stages with DecaDance Theatre and was recently spotted dancing on MTV’s The College Humor Show’s “Awkward” rap video. Along with her knack for performing, her choreography credits include the “Welcome Back Mase Concert,” DJU/Hart to Hart 2005/06 showcases and 80’s cover band, Buffalo Stance. She has appeared in the Dance Spirit magazine May/June 2007 issue for the urban wear spread and interview and now also teaches African and Hip Hop dance in the Perichild program and at IS 220. When she’s not dancing, Jamilia is singing monthly in a new hit show entitled Crazy Sexy Disco.