Our Staff
Matias Ponce
Teaching Artist
Greenway Reads
Matias Ponce is a Mexican American actor, he has played in various T.V. roles, films, and plays. Most recently he appeared in ABC’s General Hospital and in Cartel Pictures’ Sci-Fi film “Echo Base” now streaming on Tubi. In 2017, Matias Ponce had the honor of portraying Henry Reyna from Luis Valdez’s “Zoot Suit” with Oscar nominated actor Demián Bichir; It was revived for its 40th Anniversary at The Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles and directed by Luis Valdez. In 2011, he made his first Los Angeles stage debut in “Short Eyes” by Miguel Piñero at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Matias Ponce was born and raised in The Old South End of Toledo, Ohio. He is an only child to his father Domingo G. Ponce, who was originally from Querétaro, México, and his mother, Anna Maria Ponce, who is a first generation Mexican American from Toledo, Ohio. He cites his mother for getting him into acting. He started in local commercials for Buckeye Cablesystem, the company where his mother worked. He also performed at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre and worked as a model and actor with Starbound Models and Talent Agency. He graduated from Libbey High School in 2007 and moved to Los Angeles, CA in September 2009. Matias Ponce is a teaching artist and has worked with many non-profit theater organizations teaching theater education within LAUSD. He also teaches creative writing to incarcerated adults within the California state prison system through InsideOUT Writers. He continues to work with theatre director José Luis Valenzuela and the members of the Latino Theater Company.
Alex Alpharaoh
Teaching Artist
Greenway Reads
Alex Alpharaoh is a nationally recognized, award-winning actor, writer, spoken word poet, solo performer, and teaching artist from Los Angeles. Alex is the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle 2018 Solo Performance of the Year award for his work on his autobiographical solo show titled WET: A DACAmented Journey, which was revamped at Greenway Court Theatre in the fall of 2022. Alex is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, as well as a member of the Dramatist Guild of America. He is a 2022 Disruptors Fellow, a 2023 Theatre Makers Fellow with Musical Theatre Factory, and a 2023 Anteaus Theatre Company’s NEXT Commissions writer. As an arts educator, Alex teaches a FunDaMentals of Spoken Word and Performance Poetry class where he fuses writing techniques with experiential acting, creating a powerful toolset for self-expression and healing. Alpharaoh has been acting professionally for over 15 years and has been a lyricist for over 25 years. He has performed, taught, and facilitated workshops at colleges and universities throughout the country, including USC, UCLA, Occidental College, Yale University, and Princeton University among others. His first poetry book titled Chimeras Dream On Barren Lands will be published in December 2023 under El Martillo Press.
Jonny Perl
Teaching Artist
Drama/GreenwayREADS
Jonny Perl is thrilled to be part of the GIA team. As an arts educator, Jonny has worked with the Miracle Project, Young Storytellers Foundation, Five Star Theatricals, Special Olympics, and LAUSD. As a creative executive and producer for Cinemation/Little Stone Productions, he develops and produces new Broadway musicals and animated films. Most recent: the animated feature PAWS OF FURY for Paramount/Nickelodeon. Upcoming: the West Coast premiere of the musical Farewell My Concubine. Jonny also regularly music directs, accompanies, and leads piano bar singalongs. He is best known for his interactive musical theatre content on TikTok @Jonny.Perl. He is a graduate of UCLA.
Shihan Van Clief
Teaching Artist
Voice Activated
“A word merchant whose currency is honesty” Los Angeles Times. Along with being the 1st and only poet to have a poem named ‘download of the week’ on iTunes; this National Poetry Slam Champion and 3 X National Poetry Slam Finalist has been featured on a variety of media outlets including 7 appearances on 6 seasons of HBO’s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, NBC, Oxygen Network, Current TV, ESPN, Nike Battlegrounds, Reebok, Adidas, NBA, CNN, Artisan Films Belly DVD, Complex and Billboard Magazine, several national commercial spots, 5 National Tours including the Tony Award Winning Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour and 2 Spoken Word documentaries, SP!T and the sequel to 1997s cult doc Slam Nation, Slam Planet. Shihan recently signed an exclusive Sponsorship deal with Sports Giant, adidas and is the current voice for The Sprite Street Mix, a radio program broadcasted in over 13 countries in Africa. His abilities to transcend cultural and generational boundaries have made Shihan a much sought after talent. I Am A Poet.
Nicole Mathis-Berman
Teaching Artist
Greenway Fairfax Dance Company
Nicole Mathis-Berman is a dance artist and educator committed to making movement accessible, expressive, and culturally relevant. She hold an MFA in Choreography, an M.Ed. in Education, a BFA in Dance, and is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher. As the dance teacher and director at Fairfax Senior High School, she works closely with students and families to create artistic experiences that reflect the diversity and creativity of our community.