Friends’ Central School (FCS) in Wynnewood has long been an elite incubator for creative storytelling, preparing students for top-ranked university arts programs and highly successful careers in Hollywood, Broadway, and global digital media. From EGOT-winning songwriters to viral podcasters, FCS alumni/ae are heavily represented at the highest levels of the entertainment industry.
Below is a look at some of the notable alumni putting their stamp on contemporary media.
The Digital Visionaries & Podcasters
Natalie Kitroeff ’07: After five years as a New York Times foreign correspondent and bureau chief in Mexico, Natalie now co-hosts The Daily, the paper’s flagship news podcast, bringing global news analysis to millions of listeners daily.
Elias Weiss Friedman ’06: The creative force behind the internet phenomenon The Dogist, Elias has built a global community of millions by traveling the world to capture the unique personalities of dogs and their owners.
Julian Shapiro-Barnum ’17: Famous for his massively viral web series Recess Therapy, Julian is moving to late-night television with his new YouTube show, Outside Tonight.
Brooke Averick ’14: A major internet personality and co-host of Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast, Brooke recently added author to her resume with the May release of her debut romantic-comedy novel, Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It.
Independent Filmmakers and Animators
Lauren Elizabeth Harris ’12: Founder of Pathway Pictures and winner of Columbia University's Arthur Krim Memorial Award, Lauren produces bold indie films, including a recent project set right inside a Quaker school.
Andrew Nadkarni ’13: Andrew’s Oscar-shortlisted directorial debut, Between Earth & Sky, took the documentary world by storm, winning Best Short at major film festivals before airing on PBS. Integrating sustainable community care and trauma-informed practices into his filmmaking process, Andrew’s work tells generational stories that echo deeply with audiences everywhere.
Musa Brooker ’91: An accomplished stop-motion animator , producer and director with credits in Elf and SpongeBob Squarepants. Musa recently directed episodes of the hit children’s series Waffles + Mochi.
Amelia Boscov ’16: A versatile filmmaker and author, Amelia recently won the Independent Publisher Book Award for her children's book, Do You Speak Bear?, alongside festival praise for her film Tripping.
Screen & Stage
Ana Nogueira ’03: A massive creative force in Hollywood, Ana penned the script for DC Studios' Supergirl and has been tapped to write the upcoming Wonder Woman reboot and Teen Titans feature film.
EGOT Winner Benj Pasek ’03: Benj is one of the most successful contemporary songwriters in musical theater, film, and television. His many accolades include writing the music and lyrics for Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen and the lyrics for La La Land and The Greatest Showman. Currently collaborating on a highly anticipated new musical, Unorthodox.
Ben Feldman ’02: The Emmy-nominated actor (Mad Men, Superstore, Silicon Valley) continues to dominate the screen, currently starring as a series regular on CBS’s hit comedy Ghosts.
Doug Mand ’00: Following his work co-writing The Naked Gun (2025), Doug is currently developing the script for Disney's upcoming live-action film, Stepsisters.
Amber Williams ’08: Recently making her official Broadway debut in Tammy Faye, Amber was also selected for the prestigious Disney Discovers Talent Showcase and features on hits like Blue Bloods and Harlem.
Mark Arnold ’75: A veteran Hollywood actor with a decades-long career, Mark’s extensive credits range from the 80s classic Teen Wolf to dozens of television guest star and comedic appearances.
Visual Artists
Sonya Sklaroff ’88: Celebrated globally, Sonya is renowned for her vibrant, atmospheric oil paintings of New York City cityscapes, with features in international publications like Le Figaro.
Carolyn Lazard ‘05: Awarded the prestigious MacArthur "Genius" Grant for their incredible work exploring the intersection of health, accessibility, and visual art. Through video, installation, and sculpture, Carolyn challenges traditional ideas of productivity and standard definitions of ability and displays . Their groundbreaking work has been exhibited at major global institutions, proving that academic rigor and artistic advocacy go hand in hand.
Lindsay Bedford ’07: A high-level creative director and designer, Lindsay shapes visual identities and aesthetic trends for top-tier global fashion and commercial brands.
Behind the Scenes at FCS
The success of our alumni is a direct reflection of the arts curriculum at Friends’ Central School. Across all artistic disciplines, our students are given the facilities, resources, and faculty mentorship needed to truly develop their talents and take their creative work to the next level.
To hear directly from our department chair and student-artists, watch the video below.
Interested in learning more about our community and creative programs?
