About Diane…
Actress * Educator
Diane Acciavatti ignited her ‘Theatrical Career’ in the innocent and natural environment of her own backyard in Florham Park, New Jersey. At the age of four, she was writing, choreographing, directing, and performing Screenplays, Theatrical Productions, and Opera/Ballets for her family, friends, and neighbors. She was always a considerate entrepreneur; charging 2 cents admission, (including refreshments of Cool-Aide and Cookies), with grandparents and babies admitted for free!
Dianes’ professional career was launched after her 1981 graduation from Seton Hall University (magna cum laude/Psychology and Fine Art); when she received full scholarships to the most prominent “triple-threat” (act, dance, sing) Performing Arts Schools in NYC. Within four years, she achieved academic acclaim from The Nat Horne Musical & Dramatic Theater, The American Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts, Clarke Center for The Performing Arts, and The Frederick Douglass School of Performing Arts. She also received a ‘Playwriting” scholarship from the Graduate Playwright Department at Drew University.
Her Off-Broadway debut was in 1982 at Cami Hall (the junior Carnegie Hall), where she performed her solo work called “Tribal Moments” (her original “Dance/Drama/Poetic/ Musical Theater” performed to her exhibition of Clay Sculptures). Since this critically acclaimed NYC debut, Diane has originated many Off-Broadway ‘leading roles’ in such plays as: Earthlings (by Earl Wilson, Jr.), Slight Return of Jimi Hendrix (by Preston Bates), and her critically acclaimed (self-produced) One Woman Show entitled; The Moonlight Station, WDIA, just to name a few. Her Broadway Debut was in 1990 at The Ernie Martin Theater in “Pilgrims Progress”, (adapted by The Landas Twins). Her Tour Performances as Morales (A Chorus Line), Anita (West Side Story), and The Nurse (Doctor In Spite Of Himself) also escalated her recognition as a ‘gifted Actress’.
Diane is also recognized for her original roles in many NYC Independent Films; such as the Sci-Fi Cult Thriller, Cuny Island (critically acclaimed as ‘The Hostess’) (dir. Ron Armstrong), Blood and Chocolate (‘Nina’) (dir. Shelly Kusnitz), and the cult spoof, Slammer Girls (‘wild inmate’) (dir. Chuck.Vincent), to name a few. And, if one can prevent the all-fearing blink, one may actually ‘see’ Diane in her first blockbuster motion picture (reading a Twilight Zone Paper Back, in a leopard jumpsuit, in a NYC subway station) in Crocodile Dundee; or as a Mafia daughter in Spike of Benson Hurst. (Remember…no blinking!)
Dianes’ Voice is known Internationally from Voice Overs and Narrations for Audio Books, CD Roms, Telephone Prompts, and Radio and Television Ads such as: Toys R Us and Oshkosh B’Gosh (Japan & USA Nationwide), MAACO (co-starring with Burt Reynolds), BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln Mercury, Golds Gym, SE Johnson&Johnson, and Holts Cigars (60 second Ad playing during intermissions, on the Big Screen, at the Wachovia Spectrum Indoor Sports Arena in Philadelphia), just to name a few.
Dianes’ Radio Personality may also be remembered from her Dedication Show on 105.5 WDHA, her Overnight Show on Smooth Jazz CD101.9, her hosting of The Starbucks Channel on XM Satellite Radio, or her numerous ‘Guest Artist’ appearances (for her ‘critically acclaimed’ original Solo Radio Theater Performances) on 99.5 WBAI or 89.9 WKCR.
In 1981, as a Seton Hall University Field Thesis, Ms. Acciavatti developed, financed, and executed “Arts In Fusion”( a unique eclectic program which incorporates All of The Performing Arts for All Educational Systems). For her Degrees in Psychology, she created “Rehabilitation Through The Arts”, tailoring her “Arts In Fusion” format for Integrity House and Odyssey House (in-patient Rehabilitation Facilities for substance abuse), where she successfully conducted ‘group therapy’ sessions with her most unorthodox and innovative techniques.
In 1986, Diane became an official Educator of the Performing Arts upon the reception of her Teaching position at New York University (Creative Arts Team, CAT), where she instructed Acting from 1986-1989. By 1990, on a minimal grant, she successfully conducted her program, “Arts In Fusion”, at Montclair State University.
Diane has also been invited to instruct The Performing Arts, as an adjunct, at County College of Morris; and has taught The Dramatic Arts at numerous Adult Schools in Morris and Essex Counties, including the Caldwell Adult School and The Annex in Manhattan.
Ms. Acciavatti has been critically acclaimed for her work as a Performer, as well as an Educator, in such publications as: The New Yorker, Back Stage Magazine, The Off Broadway Review, Dance Magazine, Night Life( by Allison Steele, “The Night Bird”), Arts Magazine (WBAI weekly Radio Magazine), and Art Attack Magazine (WKCR weekly Radio Magazine).
Some of Ms. Acciavattis’ NYC Critics’ Quotes include:
“There is an arresting authenticity to Acciavattis’ embrace of a character. She attests to a fertile imagination for communicating a multiplicity of diverse, eccentric personas. It is quite clear that she possesses loads of talent.” John Michael Koroly, WRTN?WROX Radio, Off Broadway Magazine
“Diane Acciavatti is ‘The Female Al Pacino’.” Award Winning Playwright/Director, Otto Maximilian
“Diane Acciavatti is one of the most talented and versatile performers that I have ever seen. Her performances are ‘Stunning and Stellar!’ She is our American Anna Magnani.” Award Winning Director/Choreographer, Nat Horne
“Diane Acciavatti is like a Ferrari. There is no limit to her exquisite performance!” Charley Connelly, Program Director, WQCD Radio
“Diane Acciavatti has more Voices and Characters than The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She orchestrates and conducts her ‘signature talents’ with perfection!” Frederick Geobold, WBAI Radio/ Theatrical Arts Magazine
“Diane Acciavatti is the most flexible and talented Actress and Voice Actress that I have ever known in my life. PERIOD.” Bill Kates, Director (NYC Division) XM Satellite Radio
“Ms. Acciavatti has unfolded ‘other’ dimensions of my Being. She aesthetically escorts you to the edge…reveals your wings….and then reveres in your flight! Diane has mastered ‘Teaching’ like a Martial Artist. ‘When her eyes meet Yours, You are Both in The Know’.” Sonny Nevius, Junior, Martial Artist, Musician.
