--- title: Friends’ Central Alumni/ae Shaping the Arts and Media description: Friends' Central School alumni are shaping the arts and media landscape, from award-winning filmmakers to viral podcasters and innovative visual artists. image: https://blog.friendscentral.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20copy.png --- - [About Us](http://friendscentral.org/about) - [Admissions](http://friendscentral.org/admission) - [Academics](https://friendscentral.org/academics) - [Athletics](http://friendscentral.org/page.cfm?p=501) - [Arts](https://friendscentral.org/arts) - [Campus Life](https://friendscentral.org/campus-life) - [Request Info](https://info.friendscentral.org/free-guide#_ga=2.50017889.679910470.1731592311-467942295.1720540655) [![FRIENDS' CENTRAL SCHOOL](https://blog.friendscentral.org/hubfs/FriendsCentral%20-Mar2018/Images/text-wide.png) ![FRIENDS' CENTRAL SCHOOL](https://blog.friendscentral.org/hubfs/FriendsCentral%20-Mar2018/Images/text-narrow.png)](https://www.friendscentral.org/) Outstanding Quaker Education Since 1845 | Nursery - 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Below is a look at some of the notable alumni putting their stamp on contemporary media. ![Untitled design copy](https://blog.friendscentral.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20copy.png?width=1600&height=800&name=Untitled%20design%20copy.png) ## 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*](https://www.nytimes.com/by/natalie-kitroeff), 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](https://www.instagram.com/thedogist/?hl=en), 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*](https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahdobro/phoebe-bermans-gonna-lose-it-brooke-averick).   ## 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](https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/ecologist-film-andrew-nalini-nadkarni-media-20231025.html) 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*](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/how-musa-brooker-animated-waffles-mochis-wondrous-culinary-world). **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*](https://mainlinetoday.com/life-style/amelia-boscov-tripping-film/?fbclid=IwAR05eqbs8YpU4lqPPrQ4wReG9__0GAHvgGaPTV7o2bGfkSQXAzvAfEmxGn0_aem_AVxfnP6jL9qvrvef0NhxydKDIPVnyf-g_3gQXsXrI6r8Z57tJra6HSY8F5I97wnMSZw&mibextid=Zxz2cZ).   ## 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*](https://www.broadwaynews.com/benj-pasek-shaina-taub-and-joshua-harmon-announce-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*](https://deadline.com/2026/03/disney-stepsisters-akiva-schaffer-gregor-mand-cinderella-1236764361/). **Amber Williams ’08:** Recently making her official Broadway debut in [*Tammy Faye*](https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2025-26-season/punch/), 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](https://www.bu.edu/cfa/magazine/articles/2024/a-redemption-arc-in-three-acts-actor-mark-arnold/), 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](https://www.friendscentral.org/arts) 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? - [**Connect with Admissions**](https://www.friendscentral.org/admission) - [**Schedule a Campus Tour**](https://www.friendscentral.org/admission/admission-events) Previous: [Inside This Year’s Senior Projects](https://blog.friendscentral.org/inside-this-years-senior-projects) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Ffriendscentralschool%2F%3Fhl%3Den%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/school/friends'-central-school/) **See what Friends' Central has to offer.** [Early Childhood](https://www.friendscentral.org/academics/lower-school/early-childhood) [Lower School](https://www.friendscentral.org/academics/lower-school) [Middle School](https://www.friendscentral.org/academics/middle-school) [Upper School](https://www.friendscentral.org/academics/upper-school) [Request Info](https://info.friendscentral.org/free-guide#_ga=2.100048030.1618653794.1731936007-1951728694.1731437353) [Visit FCS](https://www.friendscentral.org/admission/admission-events#_ga=2.165592127.1618653794.1731936007-1951728694.1731437353) [Apply Now](https://www.friendscentral.org/admission/apply#_ga=2.65926062.1618653794.1731936007-1951728694.1731437353) [RSS Feeds](https://www.friendscentral.org/news#) [All posts](https://blog.friendscentral.org/all) [Friends' Central School](https://www.friendscentral.org/) Middle & Upper School Campus Grades 6-12 1101 City Avenue Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-649-7440 [Directions](https://www.friendscentral.org/about/directions) [Campus Map](https://www.friendscentral.org/about/middle-upper-map) Lower School Campus Nursery - Grade 5 228 Old Gulph Road Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-642-7575 [Directions](https://www.friendscentral.org/about/directions) [Campus Map](https://www.friendscentral.org/about/lower-map) - [Apply Now](https://www.friendscentral.org/admission/apply) - [Support FCS](https://www.friendscentral.org/support-fcs) - [Request Information](hhttps://info.friendscentral.org/free-guide) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.friendscentral.org/privacy-policy) - [Site Map](https://www.friendscentral.org/site-map) - [Accessibility](https://www.friendscentral.org/accessibility-statement) [Powered by Finalsite](https://www.finalsite.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Friends' Central School", "url" : "https://blog.friendscentral.org/author/friends-central-school" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-01T17:42:14.782Z", "datePublished" : "2026-09-01T17:25:53.000Z", "headline" : "Friends’ Central Alumni/ae Shaping the Arts and Media", "image" : [ "https://blog.friendscentral.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20copy.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.friendscentral.org/friends-central-alumni/ae-shaping-the-arts-and-media", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.friendscentral.org/hubfs/FCS_PrimaryLogo_Navy_rgb.png" }, "name" : "Friends' Central School" } } ```