Our team.
Dominick LaRuffa Jr.
Founder
Dominick recently wrapped the Off-Broadway world premiere of ‘TIL Death starring opposite Tony Winners Judy Kaye and Robert Cuccioli. Just after doing double duty; simultaneously leading the world premiere of Powerhouse (A.R.T NY) Off-Broadway and producing The Kite Runner on Broadway. Dom is most commonly known for his film and television work with more recent credits including Paul on the long running hit CBS/Paramount+ legal drama Bull, a recurring role on Gravesend (Amazon), the Martin Scorsese epic The Irishman (Netflix), and soon to be co-starring in the psychological thriller feature, Abandoned Heights.
Dominick is the founder of Blue Collar Artist Studio. He is an acting coach, producing and development consultant, dramaturg, and a six-time Tony award nominated producer. Off-Broadway principle roles include How Alfo Learned to Love (59E59), My Big Gay Italian Midlife Crisis (The Theater Center), My Big Gay Italian Wedding, My Big Gay Italian Funeral, among others.
For over a decade, he has successfully provided insights and relationship introductions for those interested in backing commercial Broadway productions and feature films. His approach includes offering educational content on the processes, risks, and potential returns through articles, webinars, or workshops, and hosting networking events where potential backers can meet industry professionals. Additionally, we provide personalized consulting services to help clients understand the market, identify opportunities, and assess project viability. By collaborating with established production companies, theaters, and film studios, he offers clients access to exclusive opportunities. Dominick is always honest about the inherent risks of investing in entertainment, sharing success stories and testimonials to illustrate potential benefits while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations by providing clear disclaimers and offering general information. We also provide detailed reports and analysis of the Broadway and film markets, including trends, financial performance, and future projections.
His work as a Broadway producer has garnered him Six Tony Award nominations. Favorites includes:: All The Way, You Can’t Take It With You, On The Town, Deaf West Theatre’s Revival of Spring Awakening, The Realistic Joneses, China Doll, Six Degrees of Separation, American Son, The Lifespan of a Fact, and Betrayal.
Tony Harkin
General Management & Accounting
Tony Harkin is a multi-hyphenate artist and financial professional with specializations in performance and dramaturgy. While attending Western Connecticut State University for his BFA in Musical Theatre, he found a passion for financial management, beginning with being the bookkeeper of his department. Tony took that chance and ran with it, leading to years of growing success in general management and business management for artistic projects, most recently as the general manager of Powerhouse Off-Broadway. In his performance life, Tony has worked regionally across the US, with favorite shows including Forbidden Broadway and Peter and the Starcatcher. He is a UCB/PIT trained comedian, and most evenings you can find him doing improv in a basement.
Jenilyn Noelle Rodriguez
Head of Film Production
Jenilyn Noelle Rodriguez is an American producer, actor, writer, singer, songwriter, director, and Holistic Spiritual therapist living in the New York City area for over 18 years. A Lifer: She got her start in the entertainment industry as a child in commercials and local stage productions and has never stopped. She has worked in film, television, commercials, streaming series, music videos, regional theater, and has written for & performed off-Broadway in an all-female comedy show called "Fine Funny & Female." Her rock band Sixes Wild featured Jenilyn and her sister Jessica singing as a duo together. They performed live and recorded a studio album called "Wanna Play?" Jenilyn has gotten to work with incredible industry professionals both in front of the camera and behind it. She has been featured in projects such as: "A Most Violent Year," "The Good Wife," and many more. As a producer, she has worked on over 30 films in just under 10 years, with no end in sight. She is beyond thrilled to be directing Blue Collar Artist Studio's second film called "The Eulogy" - set to film December 2023!
Aitan Shachar
Senior Staff Writer
Aitan is a writer originally from Israel, now living in NYC, where he earned his BFA in Acting from Pace University. Aitan has worked on countless screenplays and TV Pilots. He is the co-writer of the award-winning short film “Compliance”, starring Dominick LaRuffa Jr and Robert Funaro (Sopranos) - which received Nominations for Best Short at SoHo and Hoboken International Film Festival, and won Best Sci-Fi and Actor awards at Southern Shorts, and Something Wicked Festival. The pilot script that followed “Compliance” was a semifinalist for the Austin Film Festival Script Competition. Outside of his own projects, Aitan has devoted many years into honing his craft as a skilled storyteller. He has consulted on numerous films, pilots, and web series’, utilizing his love of structure and attention to detail, making him an essential part of the process for all his clients. Aitan spent a year working as a PA on Law & Order: SVU, which solidified his love for the TV and Film industry. His most recent project, a folk-rock musical he co-wrote, titled “Foxbrier Lane” is gearing up for a workshop reading in Maryland at the end of July.
Pat Patterson
Line Producer
Pat has been in the production business, in theatre and film, with a brief foray into opera, for over twenty years. She is an accomplished actor and an award-winning producer, giving her a unique perspective on storytelling. However, she has chosen to be on the other side of the camera, producing her own projects and assisting other creatives to bring their dreams to fruition as a Line Producer and Executive in Charge. Pat has been involved in all aspects of production, from the first concept through post-production and distribution. At each stage, she has brought her expertise to bear with skills in script analysis, investor top sheets, production budgets, film tax credit application and audit preparation, cost analysis, final production accounting, and all SAG Signatory preparation and compliance. She brings to each project an intimate knowledge of the independent world of filmmaking, a strong work ethic, effective communication skills, both written and verbal, an ability to triage/problem solve, a healthy sense of humor, as well as a great mac and cheese recipe for 40.
She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity, and the Producers Guild of America.