BARRY PEARL

Annette Cardona's professional life has been dedicated to a career in the entertainment industry, a career that spans all major aspects of the performing arts. A multi-talented actor, dancer, singer, Annette's versatility and charismatic presence has captivated and touched audiences throughout the world. Drawing from this rich and varied background, Ms. Cardona enhanced her creativity and experience to include teaching, writing, directing and producing. A respected artist, Ms. Cardona performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Reagan, sharing this honor with Mary Martin, John Raitt and internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. She has worked with noted Directors/Choreographers Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett in "Sweet Charity," "Coco," "Promises Promises" and was Chita Rivera's standby in Meredith Wilson's "1491." Filmed on location in Nicaragua, Ms. Cardona starred in the controversial Haskell Wexler/George Lucas motion picture "Latino" and co-starred as Cha Cha di Gregorio opposite John Travolta in the hit movie musical "Grease." Other notable stage appearances include her portrayal of La Nina opposite Anthony Quinn and most recently as Perla sharing the stage with Elizabeth Ashley in Tennessee Williams' "Red Devil Battery Sign," Aldonza/Dulcinea in "Man of La Mancha" with Hal Linden, the Acid Queen in the Rock Opera "Tommy," Anita in “West Side Story” and multiple roles in "Candide" for the distinguished Leonard Bernstein. Highlights from her television career feature starring roles on "Magnum P.I.," "Incredible Hulk," and the Emmy Award winning PBS special "Musical Comedy Tonight" opposite Juliet Prowse. Ms. Cardona appeared as a guest soloist at the Alhambra Palace Theatre in Granada, Spain, has toured nationally with the Lola Montes Spanish Ballet and has also performed in concert at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre and Century Plaza with Bob Hope, Ricardo Montalban, Vikki Carr, Steve Allen, George Burns, Lynn Redgrave, Edward James Olmos and Paul Rodriguez. She is the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress. Ms. Cardona holds degrees in Theatre and Psychology and teaches the techniques of Acting, Dance/Movement, Speech and Interpersonal Communication, both as a college professor and private coach, guest lectures in the area of communication effectiveness and has worked as a consultant to various Arts and Education programs. As a mental health clinician, Ms. Cardona utilizes the performing arts as an adjunct to the therapeutic process and has incorporated the use of theatre to reach and motivate culturally diverse at-risk youth. Inspired by the powerful results of this psychoeducational intervention, Ms. Cardona co-wrote, produced and directed the musical drama "Second Chance." This Equity production, seen by over 250,000 high school and college students throughout the Los Angeles, San Francisco and Nevada regions, has received enthusiastic notices and created a significant impact in initiating dialogue between educators, students and parents. Ms. Cardona completed her graduate studies in Clinical Social Work at the New York University and is currently on faculty at California State University, Northridge.