Press Reviews

"Akia is able to keep many complicated, moving parts working together toward a single goal.  In my work with her,  she was the central hub that kept the spokes of the wheel spinning in unison. "
- David Anthony,  Actor, Producer, Musician

"After 21-years performing w/ Blue Man Group in 4 countries, I've worked w/ a lot of company managers.  Akia is the best."

"Akia has the remarkable gift of perpetual grace, open ears, calm in multi-tasking and an inimitable, palpable drive to keep things on the plane of fairness and balance.  It's been awesome to watch her evolve her incredible ethic over the 10-years I've known her."

"Aside from the easy manner (disguising a powerful and constant work ethic), Akia is also a true person of the theater.  Her Love for it is real, her investment is deeply personal and she guards and contributes to the wider theater community's value system more effectively than many I've encountered over a 21-year career.  She's amazing!"

- Pete Simpson, Actor/Performer/Teacher, Blue Man Group, Elevator Repair Service 

​"Quite possibly New York's best independent theatre producer. Akia has enough energy, knowledge, and organizational strategy to power the Lower East Side. I cannot recommend her enough!"
- Stephanie Plaitin, Company Manager of Carrie Ahern Dance, and Independent Arts Administrator

"Akia is by far one of my favorite people to work with. As a director, and in general, she is one of the most caring people I have had the pleasure of stage managing for. Akia has a way of making every individual person she is working with feel like they are valued and they have ownership of whatever project they are working on together."
​-Jenna Rafferty, Stage Manager 

"Akia is one of the most visionary artistic directors I've ever known. She knows how to make the most out of few resources, while keeping her actors and staff motivated, and making people believe in their work, art, craft and self to achieve heights of creativity they may not have thought they could.  A confidante, mentor and friend, I wouldn't have seen how bright my own artistic flame can burn without her guidance"
​-Josh Hyman, Actor , Comedian

"Akia is one of the most organized and well prepared people I know.  she knows how to anticipate and knows how to deal with whatever comes up.  If Akia is in charge of something, I can rest assured that it is done."
Erez Ziv, Managing Director FRIGID/Horse Trade Theater Group

"Akia is a true powerhouse when it comes to all things theatre. She has an incredible determination, motivation and drive, and she makes things happen. She's a doer and a creator with an incredible vision. Rarer still, she has the perfect combination of big-picture dream and down-to-earth efficiency that successful leaders must have. I'm proud to work with her."
​-Hayden Field, Actress

"Akia is a gifted director, a passionate theatre artist, and a caring human being. Having worked with her for nearly a decade (and that is saying something when theatre folks can stick together for so long), I can easily say Akia is one of the wisest, most approachable, and dedicated theatre artists I know. Akia is an asset to the New York Independent Theatre." - (John Patrick Bray, PhD, MFA, Playwright). ​

"Akia is a dedicated and talented Company Manager. I have had the pleasure of working with her for the last 10 years at Blue Man Group. She has been a tremendous help and guiding force through my own transition from the Stage Manager to the Production Stage Manager. I recommend her with the highest regard."
-Bernadette Castro, Production Stage Manager 

"Akia is one of the most ambitious, dedicated, and tenacious theatre artists I have worked with. The amount of work she generates as Artistic Director of Rising Sun Performance Company is truly stunning, and still it is always driven by her passion for her work and her commitment to empowering other artists and their individual creative vision."
​-Eric Parness, Artistic Director Resonance Ensemble,   Director, & Actor 

"It's hard to fathom anyone exists that is more sharp-minded, warm-hearted, good-spirited and profoundly reliable as Akia Squiteri." 
 - DeLisa M. White, Director 

"She doesn't sleep. Ever.  While we're selfishly slumbering away, she's thinking up dozens of ways to make the world safe for art and love"
Paul Weismann- Actor, Playwright, Director

"She's the hardest working woman in show business”
Jason Tyne-Zimmerman-Theatre Educator & Director 

"I finished the run of my show, Pointless Rebellion, last night, and I have to say, the Frigid Festival was one of the best experiences I have had in years! The vibe was great, the community helpful, and Erez, Morgan, and Akia truly went “above and beyond” in every way. As someone who was tentatively putting out a brand new work in progress and very fearful about doing so, I don’t think I could have possibly found a more supportive environment! Go, FRIGID!" 
Elisa, Independent Theatre Artist & Producer 

"Akia is our personal wonder woman"
Madame Venus of Swampbytche (Touring Band) 

“Akia will emerge as one of the important directors of the 21st Century” 
-John Patrick Bray, Playwright, Director, Actor and Teaching Artist

"Akia is one of the fiercest people I've ever worked with. Her passion, creativity and stamina are incredibly inspiring. I feel very lucky to have crossed artistic paths and continuously work with her to create groundbreaking art."
-Raiane Cantisano, Actress

"Akia has been a wonderful and supportive collaborator for thousands of artists. She works HARD, and still contributes her all to every project she is a part of. Aside from being talented, perceptive, motivated, and inspirational, she also manages to be a warm and welcoming presence in every scenario. I personally am beyond grateful for the opportunities she has facilitated in my growth as an artist and helping me realize and specify my goals and mission. I would recommend, if you get the opportunity to work with this spectacular person, to do it!"
-Ellie (Beth) Mae Miller, Actress, Playwright 

"Taking an internship with Rising Sun 5 years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career. Akia is a joy to learn from and work with. She’s caring, generous, intelligent and immensely creative. She has a keen directorial eye and provides excellent acting coaching for actors at any stage in their career. One of the many reasons why I love working with Akia is that she's ambitious; she doesn’t let us settle when the stars are in reach! She pushes everyone around her to be their absolute best. She helps us grow as artists and as people. I’m honored to have had the chance to work with her as a literary manager, dramaturg and performer. Some of the work I am most proud of are the shows I collaborated on with Akia."
-Maggie Kissinger, Actress, Dramaturg and Literary Manager

"I have worked with Akia in a number of capacities over the past fifteen years. She has produced plays I have directed, her company has premiered several plays I have written, and our companies have collaborated on a number of projects. She she is a pleasure to work with -- highly organized, thoughtful, resourceful, and committed to encouraging and enabling creativity in all of her collaborators"
​-Kitt Lavoie, Director, Playwright, Artistic Director and Teacher 

"Akia is a powerhouse of talent, grace, and love. From working with Akia through Rising Sun Performance Company and the New York Innovative Theatre Awards, I have come to fully grasp the quote "if there's a will, there is a way". Any tough situation I am put in, Akia manages to positively, productively, and flawlessly guides me through a solution and plan for everything that needs to be done. I have learned incredible amounts of skills in time management, organization, stage management, house management, and more with the help and direction of Akia and feel blessed to be able to work with such a talent. Akia's work ethic and and skills are priceless and truly something that cannot be replicated easily. If you have an opportunity to work with Akia in any capacity, take it. You won't regret it."
-Justin Hsu, Stage Manager & Actor 

"Akia has an extraordinary presence. A joy to work with, when she enters a room she exudes a welcome spirit and openness to the creative process, that would allow any actor to feel at home and comfortable to make huge leaps and big risks. She knows how to mold a safe environment for an actor to develop work in or grow their craft. I have found her direction to be insightful and challenging. "
-Andrea Cordaro, Actress, Producer- Fusion Box Films

​"Akia's boundless energy, administrative precision, and genuine inter-personal panache frequently impress me. She consistently brings out the best in new and emerging theatrical talent with her keen eye for effectively applying their individual strengths. Akia, amazingly, demonstrates grace under extreme pressure and excels at communicating how to helm even the most uniquely avant-garde vision into an organized production experience."
-Hillary Cohen, Judge Coordinator, New York Innovative Theatre Awards

"Akia is a committed Producer, who is relentless in the pursuit of her vision"
-Mia Anderson, Actor & Director 

"Akia is a force of nature! She creates an open, passionate, and respectful environment in which enthusiastic artists thrive. I’ve enjoyed opportunities to flex my creative muscles and to make bold choices in new works, knowing Akia has my back."
-Donna Latham, Playwright 

"I have worked with Akia as a producer on many occasions and there are very few people in the city that know as well as she does what needs
to happen for a show to be a success"
- Erez Ziv, Managing Director Horse Trade Productions/FRIGID