amanda Montoni
writer. director. choreographer.
a wearer of many hats
full of sweet madness
“ Amanda Montoni is a natural-born leader in the theatre world. As a director/choreographer, she brings a sense of humility and passion that allows her actors and dancers to reach their fullest potential on the stage.”
/ Matthew frenzel /
Dear Reader,
Storytelling has always been a constant in my world.
I hope this site welcomes me into yours.
With arms open wide,
I welcome you to my sweet madness.
With Love,
Amanda Montoni
“Montoni uses words to create vivid and honest images that readers can truly connect with.”
/ dena civello /
My Story - About Me.
You are sitting on your bed in your childhood home. Let's say in Queens, New York. You received your very first fancy notebook. The first page opens. Pen in hand. Ready to go.
All you can do is stare at the white, purple-lined, empty page. Your hand is dancing from the anticipation of pressing the pen onto the uncrinkled paper.
You draw the lines of those first letters. Those first letters became words. Those words take your 8 or 9-year-old self to another world. This is the moment. This is the moment you knew.
…That was the moment I knew I would be a writer.
I wrote poetry and stories almost every day since then. 15 years later, I decided to take the plunge and write not only for myself but for others.
“
I knew I had something I needed to share with the world. Not so much that I wanted people to read and like my poetry, but I needed to publish Trains, New York, and the Love (or lack thereof) That Goes Along With Them for me. It was something I needed to do.
I am a woman of many passions, and that is what drives me – Passion.
Director, Choreographer, Actress, Dance Teacher, and Writer are only a few of my titles. What started out as a hobby in school became my entire life. I can honestly say that my dreams of becoming a New York-based Director, Choreographer, and Writer have come true. It’s only up from here, and it’s possible for you too.
I started dancing when I was 2 years old. Little did I know that I would not stop. At all.
Dance is the reason I am confident. It is the reason I am comfortable with my body, and my teachers are also to thank for that. It is the reason I am an adaptable human. How could I have possibly known at 2 years old that Dance would be my doorway to navigating through this world?
My teachers were - and still are - some of the most influential people in my life. They have taught me life lessons that I reciprocate to my students. They are the reason why I chose to become a dance teacher myself.
Dance isn’t just about flaunting what you’ve got. It’s about loving yourself unconditionally while working with others to create something beautiful. Dance is a strength that provides the confidence to believe in oneself. An art form that nourishes us to reach for the stars no matter how rough the journey may seem. It makes me feel good. It comforts me. It strengthens me when I’m down. With Dance, I am never alone.
The connection between me and Dance grew over the years. Classes on Saturdays and after school at that local dance studio on Long Island became classes 3 nights a week. From there, a venture into musical theater took shape.
Dance = Confidence.
Dance enables me to be and believe in myself. It can for you too. That is what I teach my students. You are beautiful the way you are. Show it off!
I did plays and musicals in school. I then ventured into community theatre groups in Queens. Which later branched out to local and professional theatre companies on Long Island. Next, the Choreographer Hat was passed to me, and I did not hesitate to catch it.
After a few more years, I became a producer. Little old me from Queens Village, NY became a co-founder of a theater company! That theatre company is now one of the most known community theatre companies in Queens. Royal Star Theatre is a dream come true for a troop of 7 determined and hard-working theatre-lovers. We’ve been around since 2015, and we don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. The 8 or 9-year-old me never even thought of becoming a producer/board member of anything. Seriously, that thought never even crossed my mind.
Finally, I started wearing the "Director" hat. Let me tell you, I never ever want to stop wearing this one.
The art of storytelling through movement and music moves me in ways I didn’t know I could experience.
Musical Theatre is transformative. It is like getting hit by a massive gentle wave and then letting the water drip off of you, drop by drop. Slowly. It is clarity. It is dramatic. It is catharsis.
Live theatre is the culmination of all of my passions colliding into one. Peace is not the right word to describe it. Theatre is collaboration - a machine of moving parts all working together to make a well-oiled, cared-for story come to life. When I’m involved in theatre as a patron or on the team, all is right in my world.
Years have flown by. Now, I have been involved in Show Business as a career for over a decade. My years as a credited New York-based Director and Choreographer continue to grow, and I couldn’t be happier.
Let’s smile more.
Whatever project I am working on, it is a priority for me to create a supportive, focused environment filled with joy and laughter.
But writing has always been another outlet for expressing myself. It has been a lifelong friend. I am published in many anthologies and self-published poetry collections. You can check them out here.
Most recently, I became a children’s book author. My dance background helped me out with this one. Bella the Buck-Toothed Ballerina fills my heart with new and exciting ventures every day.
“Writer” and “Playwright” are 2 more hats I have in my closet to choose from on a daily basis.
My intent is for readers to find solace and companionship in my work, just like theatre and stories have for me.
As you can see, I wear many hats. I am a woman full of passion. Some would say I am “as mad as a hatter.” Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I question if I do resonate with The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, and it’s not because the story by Lewis Carroll just happens to be one of my favorite books.
Am I mad? Probably. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sweet madness is what got me here.
Dreams come true. Yours can too.
You are not alone. I’m here for you.