ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS
Elevate your theatre journey to new heights at the Virginia Thespian Festival!
🌟 Immerse yourself in a realm of boundless possibilities, where workshops reign supreme and the magic of theatre comes alive.🌟
🎭 Ignite your passion with Theatre Performance workshops that unveil the art of captivating storytelling.
🎶 Find your rhythm in the world of Musical Theatre sessions, where every note resonates with your soul.
🎨 Unlock the secrets of Technical Theatre, crafting immersive worlds that transport audiences.
🎓 Embark on an enlightening experience with Theatre Education workshops, nurturing the leaders of tomorrow's stage.
📝 Dive into the craft of Dramaturgy and Playwriting, where imagination takes center stage.
Our festival is a haven of growth and transformation. For your students, it's a canvas of unique opportunities. For you, it's a platform of professional development unlike any other.
Step into a world where dynamic and exhilarating workshops are led by seasoned theatre professionals. From dancing and vocal mastery to auditions, improvisation, makeup, costuming, set design, lighting, stage combat and more, we cover it all. Theater games, team building, and immersive experiences await you.
Our 2024 Workshop Schedule can be found in our Eventsential App as an example of what types of workshops have been hosted in the past!
Elevate your craft, spark your imagination, and be part of the theatre magic. Get ready for the Virginia Thespian Festival – where workshops shape dreams into reality. 🌈🎬✨
🎶 Find your rhythm in the world of Musical Theatre sessions, where every note resonates with your soul.
🎨 Unlock the secrets of Technical Theatre, crafting immersive worlds that transport audiences.
🎓 Embark on an enlightening experience with Theatre Education workshops, nurturing the leaders of tomorrow's stage.
📝 Dive into the craft of Dramaturgy and Playwriting, where imagination takes center stage.
Our festival is a haven of growth and transformation. For your students, it's a canvas of unique opportunities. For you, it's a platform of professional development unlike any other.
Step into a world where dynamic and exhilarating workshops are led by seasoned theatre professionals. From dancing and vocal mastery to auditions, improvisation, makeup, costuming, set design, lighting, stage combat and more, we cover it all. Theater games, team building, and immersive experiences await you.
Our 2024 Workshop Schedule can be found in our Eventsential App as an example of what types of workshops have been hosted in the past!
Elevate your craft, spark your imagination, and be part of the theatre magic. Get ready for the Virginia Thespian Festival – where workshops shape dreams into reality. 🌈🎬✨
Look for updates in December 2024 with the schedule for 2025!
Interested in being a guest artist at the 2025 Virginia Thespian Festival?
Click the link below to visit our guest artist page to learn more!
Click the link below to visit our guest artist page to learn more!
Check back here frequently for updates regarding guest artists
which will be added as information becomes available!
which will be added as information becomes available!
2025 HEADLINER GUESTS
Kennedy Caughell Kennedy Caughell is a Broadway performer and Voice over Artist, who was raised on a small Oklahoma ranch and is now based out of New York City. She got her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University and shortly after graduating performed across the nation and abroad as Heather in American Idiot. Kennedy then traveled the country by broomstick in the National tour of Wicked, covering the role of Elphaba. She performed on Broadway and in the Tony Awards in shows such as Great Comet and Paradise Square, and played Carole King on Broadway in Beautiful: the Carole King Musical and led the National touring production.
She has most recently been spotted playing Elsa in Frozen on several regional Disney premieres. Other regional credits include Tick, Tick, Boom! At the Kennedy Center, directed by Neil Patrick Harris, & Sonya in Great Comet at PCLO. She has a passion for developing new work, and helping the next generation achieve their dreams! Shows in development: Superyou! & Far From Canterbury. Film/TV in Law & Order: SVU, Parked For Love, and The Outlier. Twitter/Insta: @KennedyCaughell.
Workshop(s): Acting Through the Song, The Art of Auditioning.
She has most recently been spotted playing Elsa in Frozen on several regional Disney premieres. Other regional credits include Tick, Tick, Boom! At the Kennedy Center, directed by Neil Patrick Harris, & Sonya in Great Comet at PCLO. She has a passion for developing new work, and helping the next generation achieve their dreams! Shows in development: Superyou! & Far From Canterbury. Film/TV in Law & Order: SVU, Parked For Love, and The Outlier. Twitter/Insta: @KennedyCaughell.
Workshop(s): Acting Through the Song, The Art of Auditioning.
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Brittney Mack "The Queendom calls her "The Queen of the Castle" for her breakout roll as the original Anne of Cleves in Broadway's SIX the Musical. Brittney Mack is a Grammy Nominee, Drama Desk Winner, and 2x Drama League Nominee for Distinguished Performance. Born on Chicago’s southside Brittney had the incredible opportunity attend The Chicago Academy for the Arts College Prep High School where she majored in Music Theatre. She then furthered her training at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in L.A. then NYC where she graduated. Brittney Mack is a teaching artist and industry coach that believes there is no point in having gifts and talents if you aren’t going to share them with the world. Most importantly she is working to inspire her any and everyone who needs a little reminder that "YOU CAN DO IT!”
Teaching/Talk Back/Special Appearance credits include: How to Slay Workshop, Broadway Evolved, Broadway Sings, Broadway&NYC Tours Inc., Chicago Music and Acting Academy, International Thespian Festival, Artist and Beyond, JTF, Broadway Con 2020/2022, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Gala,2nd Stage Theatre Gala,Broadway Theater Gala, AMDA and more. Fav credits include: Broadway: SIX (Anne of Cleves) Tour: Memphis (Networks).Kennedy Center: Spells of the Sea. Regional: SIX, Four Women(The Nina Simone Story), Music Man, Cinderella, The Wiz, Beehive, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Avenue Q, All Shook Up, Shrek, Rent, and many more. International: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. TV: “Empire.” CEO and Founder of HowtoSlay. @BrittMack8 @howtoslayu Workshop(s): How To Slay |
Michael Minarik Michael Minarik is the sole owner and director of the prestigious musical theater conservatory, The Institute for American Musical Theatre located in NYC. Michael went to Oakton High School in Northern VA, and has had a diverse and eclectic career in the arts spanning over 25 years. He has performed on Broadway in Les Miserables, the original cast of Rock of Ages and Matilda. He has also been leads on 4 national tours including The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Phantom, Urinetown and Little Women. Michael has also performed in numerous regional theaters like Papermill Playhouse, Signature Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Marriott Lincolnshire theater etc. Michael is also a Tony Nominated Broadway Producer, with Rock of Ages. Michael was the lead producer of the off Broadway hit, Fat Camp the musical. In addition to this, Michael has also had the privilege of singing God Bless America for the NY Yankees over 13 times. Workshop(s): Business of The Biz.
Tevin Davis Tevin Davis is an actor, singer, musician, music director, and has also have gained large attention as a comedic content creator. As a Virginia Thespian Goochland HS alumni, recently was a cast member on the last season of Survivor on CBS. Tevin is a Richmond-based artist who has said "'This island's mine.' Those are some of the first words spoken by Caliban in The Tempest, a role that actor Tevin Davis recently played before interviewing for (Parade Magazine). (Tevin) is bringing that attitude from page to the Survivor stage, making his first trip out of the United States a memorable one. He's used to making wins out of losses, discovering his passion for acting after the death of his idol Whitney Houston. More recently, Tevin lost his father, then was told shortly after he would be on Survivor. So he aims again to turn devastation into motivation, and with his exuberance and zeal, it's curtains for the competition." - Parade.com. Tevin is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). Some of Tevin's recent work includes - Previous Music Direction: Pass Over (ASC), Fences (Va Rep). etc. PREVIOUSLY AT American Shakespeare Center (Acting): Fred, Old Joe – A Christmas Carol; Caliban in The Tempest/Une Tempête, U/S Pericles in Pericles, U/S Moses and Kitch – Pass Over; Prince, Peter, u/s Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, etc. OTHER THEATER: VIRGINIA REPERTORY THEATRE: Pinocchio, The Wiz, Fences; RICHMOND TRIANGLE PLAYERS: Sugar in Our Wounds, etc. & TV: The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Songs and Stories (PBS). Workshop(s): Survivor and Theatre with Tevin Davis.
Stan Zimmerman STAN ZIMMERMAN is a man of many mediums (TV, film and theatre). He’s been nominated for two WGA Awards for Best Comedy Writing – The Golden Girls and Roseanne. Stan’s also written and produced on Gilmore Girls, co-created the Lifetime sitcom, Rita Rocks, wrote on both Brady Bunch movies and rewrote the ABC-TV movie of Annie. Stan has a BFA-Drama from NYU/Circle-in-the-Square and has directed LA productions of The Diary of Anne Frank, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, A Tuna Christmas, Gemini, Spike Heels and his original plays -- Meet & Greet, Knife to the Heart, Have a Good One, and Yes Virginia (also Judson Theatre-Pinehurst, NC). Stan directed Off-Broadway’s Hyprov (Daryl Roth Theatre). TRWplays has published and licensed his works: Yes Virginia, Silver Foxes and his suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go., which he performs in across the U.S. Zimmerman & Berg wrote last year’s Lifetime hit Christmas movie, Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas. Stan’s book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore was released by Indigo River Publishing. He appeared as the "Bartender” on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live (Bravo) to promote it. Stan returns to Virginia after appearing in his play Right Before I Go. in October 2023 and directing Yes, Virginia in November 2024, both at The North Street Playhouse in Onancock.
Audition with work with Stan Zimmerman Right Before I Go by Stan Zimmerman (The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls) brings to life the last words written in letters by individuals lost to suicide — including celebrities, veterans, kids that were bullied, LGBTQ, and the clinically depressed — and those who have survived suicide attempts. Since its acclaimed first performance at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2015, the play has traveled across the country, raising awareness and offering hope for suicide prevention.
Workshop(s): Audition Workshop, College 1 on 1s Workshop, Acting For Screen - One Liners Cold Reads.
Audition with work with Stan Zimmerman Right Before I Go by Stan Zimmerman (The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls) brings to life the last words written in letters by individuals lost to suicide — including celebrities, veterans, kids that were bullied, LGBTQ, and the clinically depressed — and those who have survived suicide attempts. Since its acclaimed first performance at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2015, the play has traveled across the country, raising awareness and offering hope for suicide prevention.
Workshop(s): Audition Workshop, College 1 on 1s Workshop, Acting For Screen - One Liners Cold Reads.
VTF 2025 Workshop Presenters
Matthew Allar, a native of Pennsylvania, is a scenographer based in Williamsburg, Virginia. An Associate Professor of Theatrical Design, Matthew is the resident Scenic Designer for The College of William & Mary. Recent work includes production design for the New York premier of East 14th and Joseph Haydn's Le Pescatrici for the Zempleni Music Festival, Tokaji, Hungary. Additional scenic design work includes productions of Shakespeare's R and J (Michael Sexton, dir.), All My Sons (Victor Pappas, dir.), Arcadia, Hair (Elizabethtown College) A Lie of The Mind, Marat / Sade, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cabaret (Cornell College), Top Girls (Albright College), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Three Sisters, Songs For A New World (Eastern Univ.) and The Pillow of Kantan (Muhlenberg College) as well as the New York premiers of several works including Samuel IV, Playing House, and the Peccadillo Theatre Company's revival of All God's Chillun Got Wings. As a lighting designer, credits include the recent NYC productions of Baby With The Bathwater, Dancing at Lughnasa, You Never Can Tell and Studio 42's annual The Starving Artist's Ball. Additional credits include design work, both here and abroad, for several television networks including MTV, VH1, TV Land, Nick at Nite, Nickelodeon, and Noggin. A former Associate Director of Design for the New York Television Festival, and co-founder of both M.A.D. Inc., and Cabana Creations LLC, Matthew's education includes Muhlenberg College, The University of London, and New York University. Matthew has taught at Cornell College, Elizabethtown College, and Nazareth College and is a Member United Scenic Artists #829</p>
Workshop(s): Wizard Wands and Hobbit Sticks
Workshop(s): Wizard Wands and Hobbit Sticks
Robyn Berg is an Associate Professor and the Acting Chair of the Department of Theatre and Cinema at Radford University. She teaches performance courses, directly regularly in the season, is a Registered Yoga Teacher and co-hosts the podcast STAYING ME WHILE BEING YOU: a wellness journey for actors (available on Spotify and Apple podcasts). Workshop(s): Where Arts and Wellness Intersect.
Lara Berich: Assistant Professor of Costume Technology with West Virginia University, Draper / Tailor since 2007 with the Santa Fe Opera, Freelance Draper / Tailor. Workshop(s): Make Your Fabric do Your Bidding (Costuming).
Stacy Blackburn holds an MFA in Stage Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Professional Theatre Training Program. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for 26 years, Stacy is currently the Production Manager/Prof of Stage Management at Virginia Tech. Previous to joining VT, Stacy was the Academic Production Manager/Head of the BFA SM program at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Stacy was also the PSM for STAGES St. Louis for 6 years. Stacy has worked and continues to work for many theatres throughout the country, including Merry-Go-Round Playhouse (now The Rev), Florida Studio Theatre, Surflight, and the Sharon Playhouse. Stacy also serves as the chair of the financial oversight committee for the SMA and vice-chair of the College and University Division for VTA. Workshop(s): Creative Solutions for Stage Managers, Are You Ready to Call a Show?
Emily Blankenship-Tucker began her career as a professional performer when she joined the Jack Tale Players and Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre company in 2001. Today, she carries on that work in both companies and is a member of the teaching faculty at Ferrum College, where she serves as Director of Appalachian Music and Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Music and Theatre, while also performing, music directing, composing, and sharing directing and technical responsibilities. Her recent theatrical credits include Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (Ma Otter, Director, Music Director), Twelfth Night (Music Director), Nunsense (Sister Mary Amnesia, Music Director, Choreographer), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Director, Music Director, Choreographer), and Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn). Emily teaches classes in music, theatre, creative drama, and social dance; she leads and performs with Orchestra Appalachia, Ferrum College’s touring bluegrass and old-time ensemble and “house band.” Emily is also a founding member of the nationally touring “hot-folk” trio After Jack. She holds degrees from Alfred University and Union Institute & University, and an M.F.A.-I.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. Workshop(s): Show and Tell (Ensemble Work)
Rachel Blankenship-Tucker is a graduate of Radford University’s Department of Theatre and Cinema. She joined the Jack Tale Players and Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre in 2010, and continues to work as a performer, stage manager, tour manager, social media designer, and member of the leadership team. In addition to her work as a theatre artist at Ferrum College, Rachel serves as the Artistic Director of Bluegrass Brass and performs with Orchestra Appalachia. Rachel is a founding member of the nationally touring “hot-folk” trio After Jack. When she is not performing, Rachel is an avid forager and wild mushroom enthusiast. In 2023, Rachel was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, which recognizes strength of character and service to the community. Workshop(s): Show and Tell (Ensemble Work)
Richard Breen has been a professional actor since 1981 and has been teaching theatre since 1996. he has performed in 6 National Tours worked in many Regional Theatres. Workshop(s): Get Up and Out Of That Chair
Anthony Brooks West Virginia native Anthony Brooks has been designing and directing in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania for over 20 years. he has directed and designed many shows for the Youth Summer Theatre Workshop at the Historic Apollo Civic Theatre including, Mary Poppins, Titanic, Big Fish, The Spongebob Musical, and Hadestown Teen Edition to name a few. Currently, Anthony serves as the Technical Director and Theatre Lecturer at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg Maryland. Workshop(s): Expand Your LED and Intelligent Lighting Inventory.
Doug Brown As Department Chair, Doug brings over 21 years’ experience teaching at High Point University. He teaches multiple levels of acting in the department of theatre and dance, as well as directing and performing in the production season. Doug has directed over 20 productions during his tenure with the department. His directing credits include A Christmas Carol, Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Working by Stephen Schwartz, and Periphery by Ed Simpson, These Shining Lives by Meanie Marnich, The Diary of Anne Frank by Wendy Kesselman, and The Amish Project by Jessica Dickey. Acting credits include Pa Joad from The Grapes of Wrath, Pozzo from Waiting for Godot and Joe Keller from All My Sons. Doug also enjoys nurturing and encouraging young aspiring artists and has worked extensively with the Lexington Youth Theatre directing multiple productions including Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast, Annie, and The Sound of Music. Doug earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rockford University, a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, and certification to teach the Meisner Method of Actor Training from Larry Silverberg’s True Acting Institute. Workshop(s): Beginning Meisner Techniques for Acting Students and Teachers.
Will Butler is an award-winning set designer, builder, and educator whose work can be seen on high school, collegiate, and professional stages throughout Middle Tennessee. After more than 15 years of experience, including 8 years in the classroom, he launched Butler Scenic Co. as a one-stop shop for design, construction, and educational services. In addition to his professional endeavors, he remains committed to teaching budding theatre artists how to design creatively and conceptually, as well as to train technicians how to properly and safely build sets. You can follow his work on Instagram @butlerscenicco. Workshops: http://www.butlerscenic.com Workshop(s): Color Me Stoked!, Are You Smarter Than a Tape Measure?
Stephanie Anne A. Cabacoy approaches all that she does with a passion for building strong meaningful relationships. As the Director of Marketing, Stephanie oversees group sales, manages the marketing and sales strategy, and serves as the main point of contact for community partnerships. Stephanie Cabacoy has masterfully heightened the American Shakespeare Center’s global presence, communicating the timeless enchantment of Shakespeare to audiences through captivating campaigns and innovative outreach. In her dual roles, Stephanie, as the Director of Development, takes great joy in being able to be part of the audience journey with ASC. From the patron’s first visit to their first donation to honoring and celebrating a planned gift, Stephanie takes immense pride in her commitment to community engagement. She has been instrumental in establishing partnerships with the Staunton Kindness Challenge, the Shenandoah Valley Juneteenth Organization, Mental Health of America, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Stephanie also serves on the Staunton Tourism Advisory Board and collaborates with the Staunton Downtown Development Association. Since joining ASC in 2014, she has continued to build bridges between both local and national organizations and the work being produced on the Blackfriars stage. Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Arts Management from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Mary Baldwin University. If you are interested in joining forces with American Shakespeare Center, reach out!
Kelly Williams Carlson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She received her BA in Musical Theatre and Secondary Education from American University and her MA in Directing from Roosevelt University. After spending 15 years as the Theatre Department Chairperson at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and 2 years as the Artistic Director of Dundalk Community Theatre at CCBC, Kelly now focuses on intimacy direction, coaching, and consulting. She has studied with Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) and Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC). Recently she has done intimacy work for productions of SPRING AWAKENING, JEKYLL & HYDE, HEATHERS, BONNIE & CLYDE and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK. Kelly has directed/choreographed over 50 productions in the Baltimore/DC area and worked with companies such as Imagination Stage, StillPointe Theatre, Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Street Lamp Theatre, Just Off Broadway, and the Theatre Lab. She has served on the executive boards of the Maryland Thespians and the Maryland Theatre Education Association. She was the national recipient of the 2018 Inspirational Theatre Educator Award from the Educational Theatre Association. Workshop(s): Intentional Intimacy: Choreographing Moments...
Scott C Chapman has been actively designing scenery and/ or lighting professionally and academically for the last 20 years – (select credits) Lighting Design for Stranger Sings, Young Frankenstein, Tempest, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and Romeo & Juliet for Wolfbane Productions; Scenic & Lighting Design for The Little Mermaid, and Lighting Design for Xanadu at The Prizery; Lighting the World Premiere (Cleveland) and NYC premiere (Town Hall) of Kris Kringle The Musical. Scott is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer at Longwood University; BA Theatre Design - SUNY Buffalo; MFA Stage Design - Southern Methodist University. Workshop(s): Stage Lighting Demystified.
Eugene Channell began his career as an actor, trying to find his place at Spartan Stage Studios, gradually advancing to the role of director for various productions. He then discovered a passion for fight choreography and becoming a fight captain.
Ian Claar is a lighting designer and staged violence/intimacy choreographer and has been involved in theatre and the performing arts for almost 20 years. He is an Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and is the Managing Director of the Noble Blades, stage combat troupe. Ian is a proud Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and Stagehand of IATSE, Local 22. Workshop(s): Intro to Unarmed Stage Combat, Intro to Longsword, Basics of Theatrical Intimacy, Stage Combat meets Stagecraft.
Dr. Edward Cohn, originally from New York, is an Actor, Director and Theatre Professor. He earned his Masters in Theatre from New York University and his PH.D. in Theatre from Bowling Green State University. He has acted and directed in New York, London and throughout the US. He teaches classes in Acting, Musical Theatre, Creative Dramatics, Devised Theatre, Dramatic Literature and Theatre for Social Change, as well as workshops in Stage Combat and Drama in Ministry. Recent professional credits include Detective Dufonte in "Recipe for Murder", Julian March in "42nd Street", Arthur in "Camelot" and Frederick in "A Little Night Music". Workshop(s): Stage Combat - Eppes and Foilwork.
Curtis Craig Sound Designer/Composer/Media Designer/Professor at Penn State University. www.curtiscraig.com Workshop(s): Non-Performance Careers in Theater.
Ronda Craig - Production Manager - Penn State Workshop(s): Theatre Under The Hood - A guide to the who's who behind the curtains.
Gretta Daughtrey (Lighting Design)(she/her) has designed with several local theatre companies, area schools, and universities. Past theatrical designs for Jewish Family Theatre include RENT-School Edition, Cabaret, The Prom, Anything Goes, and others. Additional local designs include H*tlers Tasters (5th Wall); Dr Faustus, Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and An Iliad (Richmond Shakes). She has also designed several productions for Henrico Theatre Company and the Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell. Recent dance projects include several performances during the VCU 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years including both site and theatre work (Pathfinders, TWO TRUTHS: Truth 1, DanceNOW 2024, Enouement) Gretta has also designed for KDance at Firehouse Theatre and University of Richmond University Dancers Concert 2024 (Moving Bodies/Bodies Moving). Gretta works in Systems Integration for Barbizon, specifying lighting and control systems. Workshop(s): How Do I Learn Lighting On My Own?
Kris Danford is an Associate Professor of Voice and Speech at Penn State University. As a professional voice and text coach, her work has been seen in multiple shows at Jewel Theatre Company, Joy The Musical (George Street Playhouse), Annabella in July (North Coast Rep), Hood (Asolo Rep), and Oklahoma! (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). Acting credits include The Communist Revolution (Ashland New Plays Festival), The Fair Maid of the West (Riverside Theatre), The Winter’s Tale (Asolo Rep) and The Last Five Years (Asolo Rep). Kris is an Associate Professor of Voice and Speech at Penn State University. She holds an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, and is an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®. Workshop(s): Intro to Fitzmaurice Voicework.
Haley Davis is an actor, director, educator, and artist based in Staunton, Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi and Her Master of Letters and Master of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University. Haley’s scholarship and practice centers on inclusion and access for women and nonbinary folks performing Shakespeare and other Early Modern plays. Haley is the creator of the Women in Shakespeare portrait series. This series is ever-growing and focuses on women from Shakespeare's canon and their relationship to objects they are often associated with, or perhaps reduced to. Now an AP Faculty member for James Madison University’s School of Theatre and Dance, Haley enjoys teaching and mentoring young theatre artists with an interest in classical work. Workshop(s): Creating Connection: Partner Work on Stage.
Sean Devereaux teaches improv and sketch comedy at the Push Comedy Theater. At the Push he co-created the hit shows, Pushing Dragons: An Improvised Dungeons & Dragons Adventure, The 666 Project: A Horror Anthology, Tales from the Campfire: The Improvised Ghost Story, and Panties in a Twist (the largest all-female sketch comedy show in the country). Sean loves comic books, WWE, Doctor Who, and Dungeons and Dragons. He hopes to pass his nerdom on to his 10-year-old son… much to his wife’s chagrin. Workshop(s): Introduction to Long-Form Improv.
Torie Dunlap has a decade of experience directing and choreographing for students of all ages across Northern Virginia. She is based at StageCoach Theatre Company in Ashburn, where she manages the youth and teen theatre education program. Torie also takes on many roles behind the scenes at StageCoach and in LCPS - directing, producing, choreographing, stage managing, and working tech. Some of Torie’s favorite past projects include directing “Ride The Cyclone” (2024) and producing an original historical drama, “Into The Valley Below” (2023). She can’t wait for an amazing weekend at VTF! Workshop(s): Design as Dialogue: How Visuals Elements Tell the Story, Herding Cats and Making Magic: Introduction to Directing Children's Theatre.
Dirk Durossette (Scene Designer) Dirk has been designing scenery and teaching design, and drawing and rendering for the theater for the past 15 years in and around the Philadelphia region. Off -Broadway-The Outgoing Tide and Any Given Monday. He has designed for Amaryllis Theater Company, Azuka Theater (Barrymore Nomination-Skin and Bone), Act II Playhouse (Any Given Monday-World Premier), Enchantment Theater Company (National Tour-Harold and the Purple Crayon), Theater Exile, 1812 Productions (First Day of School-Philadelphia Premier), Delaware Theatre Company, EgoPo, Freedom Theater, Flashpoint Theater, InterAct Theater Company, Lantern Theater (Barrymore Nomination- Skylight), Luna Theater, Painted Bird Productions (A Few Small Repairs-World Premier), Theater Horizon, Portland Opera (Maine), The Wilma Theater ( Leaving- Associate Designer-American Premier), Temple Theaters, Temple Opera Theater, University of the Arts, Drexel University, Lawrence University (Wisconsin), Peabody Institute (Baltimore), West Chester University, Villanova University, The University of Memphis. He teaches design at The University of the Arts, Rowan University, and Villanova University. M.F.A Temple University. Workshop(s): 3D Printing and Model Making.
Madison Dolchan Hi! My name is Madi. I am 25 and I have my BFA in Performance Theatre from Catawba College. I am originally from Maryland but have traveled across Europe before settling back in NC. I have worked professionally designing and stage managing but am excited to be back at my Alma Mater where I act as the F.O.H./ Box Office manager and where I teach the Management Production Studio. Workshop(s): Auditioning for Musical Theatre
Nan Ficca has worked in the theatre business for 33 years and she continues to work as a writer, producer, casting director and filmmaker. Her resume includes producing credits for stage dramas, comedies, musical theater, and theater for young audiences. Writing credits includes plays for young audiences co-written with her husband Ray (and produced by City Kid’s Theatre) as well as award winning short films. Nan has also written and produced a Telenovela style short film for the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University as part of an NIH grant to help educate target audiences about important screenings for breast cancer and she is currently writing and producing another focused-on skin cancer with the same collaborators. At NCDA, Nan teaches the business of acting and the art of self-producing. She established the Artist's Project at the Conservatory, which gives free performance space and production mentoring to alumni producing their own work. Nan has been a producer/ co-creator for Capital Fringe Festival shows over its 17 year history, as well as in the 48-Hour Film Project and other independent theater and film projects. Nan was producer of the DC Non Equity Auditions the largest theatre cattle call in the DC Metro area from 2012 until Covid killed in person auditions in 2020. She has served as a delegate to the League of Washington Theatres and a board member and board president of the Actors' Center. She shares her life with husband Ray who is a theatre and film actor, director, producer, casting director and writer. Workshop(s): Directing for Stage Plays.
Ray Ficca is a graduate of both Georgetown University and the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. He is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers; and served as co-chair of its Washington, DC, Equity Liaison Committee for seven years. With over 150 professional theatrical productions to his credit, Ray’s regional theater highlights include: Anything Goes (Olney Theatre, MD), The Baltimore Waltz (Keegan Theatre, DC), Proof (1st Stage, VA), Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Wayside Theatre, VA), Rough Crossing (Metro Stage, VA), Barefoot in the Park (Theater on the Hill, MD), How to Write a New Book for the Bible (Round House Theatre, MD), Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol (Next Stop Theatre Co., VA), Tony ’n’ Tina’s Wedding (Mechanic Theatre, MD & Hanna Theatre, OH), Arsenic and Old Lace (Way off Broadway Theatre, MD), and Sleeping and Waking (Charter Theatre, DC). Ray has also appeared in several feature films directed by John Putch, including Route 30, Too!, Route 30 3, and The Father and the Bear. Most recently, he worked with John in Asheville, NC, for Hallmark Channel’s A Biltmore Christmas, which premiered in November 2023. Ray served as Artistic Director of Totem Pole Playhouse from 2008 to 2013. He is the President and senior faculty member at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC. Workshop(s): Front of House: The Heartbeat of Live Theatre
Nicholas Fuqua is currently the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Catawba College, where he enjoys his role as music director for the theatre department, as well as teaching voice and string instruction. Prior to his appointment, he served as theatre director and auditorium manager for Clarksville Community Schools. Before that, he spent seven years in the JCPS school district in Louisville, Kentucky, concluding his tenure as the Fine Arts Facilitator and Performing Arts Department Chair. He also worked as the music director for Art and Sol Youth Theatre and was a champion of the arts at Mesa Arts Academy Charter School in Mesa, AZ. Nicholas earned his M.M. (Master of Music) in musical theatre and opera performance from Arizona State University in 2012, followed by his M.Ed. (Master of Education) from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He also holds an M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) in Theatre Directing and Pedagogy from the University of Idaho. Professor Fuqua specializes in vocal training, musical theatre workshops, musical theatre performance, audition preparation, and musical theatre history. Workshop(s): Auditioning for Musical Theatre
Daniel Gordon serves as chair of theatre and dance at Winthrop University. As a professional theatrical lighting and scenic designer, he has designed for the Cuban Classical Ballet, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival and its annual Shakespeare by the Sea productions, which has provided free Shakespeare in the park to south Florida for the last 33 years. He is active with the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) and the National Association of Schools of Theatre, currently serving on its board of directors. Workshop(s): Choosing the College thats Right for YOU, Preparing Your Design/ Tech Portfolio.
David Hadinger Mentored by Joel Friedman, the first director for Joseph Papp’s NY Shakespeare Festival, David Hadinger has performed in over 100 Equity and SAG-AFTRA gigs (Coast to Coast and Internationally). He lived in LA for twenty years and performed at all of the major studios (Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal, Paramount, Fox, Sony & CBS Radford. His notable productions include: performing with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom as one of the “Black Pearl Pirates” in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest; playing the title role in the horror film, Reeker; and the following TV shows — scenes with Minnie Driver in Speechless, Tony Shalhoub in Monk, Rashida Jones in Parks and Recreation, Richard Schiff and Janel Moloney in The West Wing, Olivia Rodrigo and Madison Hu in Bizaardvark, and playing the “Soup Monster” with Jerry Trainor in iCarly. Additionally, David was the voice actor for the “Hobgoblin” and “Shocker” in the video game Marvel Comics Spider-Man: The Sinister Six, and performed in 65 commercials. Prior to joining NAZ, David served on the faculty at Azusa Pacific University and Nebraska Wesleyan University. He enjoys mentoring students and teaching all levels of acting for the stage and screen, Shakespeare, auditioning, movement, voice, dialects and accents. Education: MFA in Acting, University of Pittsburgh; MA in Theatre Arts, University of Akron; BA in Theatre Arts, University of Akron. AEA/SAG-AFTRA davidhadinger.com Workshop(s): Simply Acting.
Kara Hankard (she/they) is the Group Sales Coordinator at The American Shakespeare Center. She arranges group discounts for folks to see plays, take tours, and participate in workshops. They enjoy working to make theater visits more affordable and accessible for groups! Kara is also an actor, improviser, and teaching artist living in the Shenandoah Valley after spending most of their life in New York City and Connecticut. She earned her BA in Acting from Pace University and her MLitt and MFA in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University. Kara started working at the ASC as a teaching artist in grad school and is delighted to continue working here, combining her loves of live performance, dramaturgy, and community engagement. Her Master of Letters thesis combined text analysis, performance reviews, and queer studies in ‘Bisexual Possi-Bi-Litites: A Bi Reading of As You Like It and Twelfth Night.’ Their MFA thesis, ‘Role for Performance: Embodying Distinct Characters Based on the Dungeons & Dragons Moral Alignment Chart,’ focused on showing character differentiation using physical, vocal, and floor pattern movement choices.
Professor Tom Haughey serves as the faculty technical director and sound design mentor for all shows produced by the Department of Theatre and Dance. Through more than a decade of experience in both professional and academic settings, he has developed a broad range of technical skills that allow him to bring a unique perspective to the classroom and stage. He teaches courses, such as stagecraft, sound design, scenic construction and rigging and AutoCAD, trains students in the practical application of theatre production and scenic construction. Thomas' professional experience in scenic design and production includes work for Wilmington Drama League, Elizabethtown College, The University of Connecticut, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Beaver College (now Arcadia University), The People's Light and Theatre Company, and ESPN, as well as numerous seasons of one-a-week summer stock in New Jersey. He is a member of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology. He has been recognized with certificates of merit for sound design and technical achievement from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), region 2. Thomas has also been published with his work in the museum studies minor in Anthropology and Sociology, most recently including WCU 150th celebration, 50 years of Earth Day and Faces of the Berlin Wall. When not busy, he consults on theater infrastructure projects for local high schools and still plays soccer. Workshop(s): Getting to Know Q-Lab, what can BACKSTAGE and eSET do for your students.
Sam Harvey is a professional actor, singer, dancer based in New York City. Originally from Nebraska, Sam moved to the city to study musical theatre at AMDA. After a decade in New York, Sam has been seen on hundreds of stages around the globe. A few of his favorite credits include: Zack Morris in the Off-Broadway hit, (Bayside! The Musical!) which ran for 3 years as a New York Times Critics Choice, as well as playing Stacee Jaxx in the (10th Anniversary National Tour of Rock of Ages.) Sam’s greatest joy is making people happy through his art. His goal is to share this passion of theatre with those who pursue it and help nourish their creative spirit. Workshop(s): Jumpstart Into Acting
Aubrey Deeker Hernandez As an actor, Aubrey Deeker Hernandez has appeared internationally in “Love’s Labor’s Lost” at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, Off-Broadway in the world premiere of “The Liar” by David Ives at Classic Stage Company, and in 13 productions as an affiliated artist at the Tony Award-winning Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., including “King Lear” directed by Bob Falls, Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet” and Octavius Caesar in “Antony and Cleopatra.” Other credits include the title role in “Hamlet” and Tom in “The Glass Menagerie” (Denver Center Theatre Company), Prior Walter in “Angels in America” (Wilma Theater, Barrymore Nomination), “An Enemy of the People” (Goodman Theatre), “Boom” (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Helen Hayes nomination), “The Walworth Farce” (Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes nomination), “A Fox on the Fairway” (Signature Theatre, Ken Ludwig world premiere), “The Grapes of Wrath” (Ford’s Theatre, directed by David Cromer), and productions at The Old Globe, South Coast Rep, Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Folger Theatre, Theatre J and Everyman Theatre, among others. Television credits include Ridley Scott’s “The Man in the High Castle,” “True Blood,” “The Wire,” “The Mentalist,” “Castle,” “Backstrom,” “NCIS,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “Crisis,” as well as the films “So the Lord Must Wait,” “A Matter of Time,” “Distance,” “Leave No Marine Behind” and “The Seer.” He is a proud member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. He has taught in the Master of Fine Arts acting program at UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Dean College, Stella Adler LA and AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Deeker Hernandez is a former Kenan Foundation Artist-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., a Boomerang Fund grant recipient for excellence in the arts and the recipient of a Theatre Lobby Award for an emerging artist. He received his undergraduate degree from the School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and his Master of Fine Arts from The Old Globe and the University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program. Workshop(s): Acting for the Camera - Getting Started!
Katie Hoppe has been studying stage combat since the age of 16. She has studied with the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC; the Summer Shakespeare Program at the University of Notre Dame, and at Roundhouse Theatre in Maryland. Katie has performed as part of the cast for both the Maryland Renaissance Faire and the Virginia Renaissance Faire. She had participated in conferences in Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Banff, Alberta, Canada. Katie continues to study stage combat and historical martial arts; she currently serves as the Secretary for The Noble Blades. Katie participated in the VTA in 1999 and is excited to be back!
Angelique Ilo (Choreographer/Director) Under the dynamic direction of Michael Bennett, Angelique began her theatre career in the landmark Broadway musical, A Chorus Line. A veteran of the Broadway stage, she has 5 Broadway shows to her credit; Crazy For You, Steel Pier, Contact, Wedding Singer as well as many National Tours. She was featured in the Mel Brook’s movie, The Producers. From fashion, print and television commercials her career has run the gamut from selling Dr. Scholls Sandals on TV to print ads for Seagrams Whiskey. She can be currently seen in online advertising ads ranging from Credit Cards to Belsomyra sleep medication. Ms. Ilo was the Associate Choreographer for Crazy For You regionally and worldwide, including productions in Australia, Japan, Holland, Brazil, and in the U.S. for the New American Dance Machine and for PBS’s series, Great Performances. She continued to Korea and to China to choreograph the Tony Award winning production of Susan Stroman’s Contact. Most recently, as Associate Choreographer, Crazy For You was revived for a successful run in London’s West End 2023 season. Other choreographic and stage direction credits include regional productions of A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, Leader of the Pack, And the World Goes Round, Jerry’s Girls, Pajama Game at the Goodspeed Opera House and the Lyrics and Lyricists concert series celebrating Betty Comden and Adolph Green at the 92 St. “Y.” She has held an adjunct position as professor of Musical Theatre and Choreography at NYU, and visiting guest artist at Montclair State, Sarah Lawrence, Encontrart Theatre School- Brazil and the Shanghai Theatre Academy. During this 2024 season, Angelique has directed and choreographed Crazy for you for the acclaimed Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine and currently running, she has directed Disney’s Frozen, a co-production for the Ogunquit Playhouse and The Music Hall in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Workshop(s): Broadway Bootcamp Dance, The Dance Call: A Dance Workshop for Musical Theatre Success, "A Chorus Line" Sieze the Stage Broadway Dance Workshop!.
Josh Jenkins is a Technical Director, Designer, Electrician, Stagehand, and more. He has worked in some form of the performing arts for more than 25 years. He holds an MFA in Technical Direction for Carnegie Mellon University and his BS in Theatre from the College at Brockport, SUNY. He is an avid artist who loves classical music, photography, painting, and the great outdoors. He believes that learning technical crafts are fundamental for all theatre practitioners and to teach and inspire the next generation of designers and technicians. Workshop(s): Copyright oh Copyright, Designing your Design Portfolio.
Arne Johnson (he/him) is Resident Scenic Designer and Lecturer of Theatre & Art at Hollins University. He is a veteran theatre professional with over 35 years of experience in props, scene shops, and design studios as well as an accomplished scenic sculptor specializing in large carved forms and specialty construction project. Arne worked at various theatres including Tantrum Theatre (Ohio), Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) and SLO Rep Theatre (California), and Utah Opera. He holds a BA in Studio Art and Sculpture from Humboldt University and an MFA in Studio Art (Sculpture and Digital Media) from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Workshop(s): Drawing 3D Visualizations for Beginning Designers.
Ashleigh Junio is a teaching artist who holds a dual Masters Degree in Musical Theatre Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from NYU, where she was also a member of the voice faculty and a Singing Voice Specialist associated with the NYU Langone Voice Center. She is a current voice and acting faculty member of of Broadway Artists Alliance of NYC, and has also worked as a voice teacher for Cap 21/Molloy University and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. As a professional performer, she appeared in the National Tours of Elf (u/s Deb) and Tikki Tikki Tembo (Woman 1), and her regional credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Princess Puffer), Godspell (Joanne), Grease (Jan), Parade (Mrs. Phagan), Twelfth Night (Maria), The Children’s Hour (Karen), The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (Pace), and performances at New World Stages, Birdland, and The Joyce Soho. Additionally, Ashleigh holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the New School University and is a graduate of AMDA. Oh yes, and she's a HUGE musical theatre nerd who loves sharing the art form with the talented students of the Virginia Thespians organization! Workshop(s): Healthy Broadway Belting, Storytelling for the Musical Theatre Audition
Sarah Koehn is an award-winning, veteran theatre educator and props artisan from Wichita, Kansas. During her 19 year teaching tenure, she directed 59 productions and was the proud sponsor of Thespian Troupe #3540. Among other honors, Koehn was a semifinalist for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year. She worked as a Props Artisan for Music Theatre Wichita on their regional premiere production of Disney’s Frozen. She most recently undertook a complete design and build of the Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II puppets. She loves dogs, hip-hop, building stuff, and a student who wants a problem to solve. Workshop(s): Building Props, Prop Culture: Props from the Bottom Up
Venus-Tyané Kuya is a dynamic leader with a passion for storytelling, creativity, and making an impact that echoes across the globe. Currently the Culture and Engagement Director at Desert Sage School, Venus-Tyané brings a flair to everything she touches. As an International Teaching Artist, she specializes in Foley, Devised Theatre, and helping people unlock the magic of their own personal stories. Her journey in the arts began in Berlin, Germany, where she studied Musical Theater, and she holds a B.A. in Global Arts & Culture and Global Education. Since then, she’s been bringing her unique blend of creativity and passion to stages around the world. Whether performing for Nickelodeon, Stories that Soar!, or at iconic venues like Friedrichstadtpalast and Jazzclub Neukölln, Venus-Tyané has built a reputation for turning every performance into an unforgettable experience. Venus-Tyané has toured extensively, sharing her talents in countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, India, South Korea, and Japan. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply passionate about the transformative power of the arts and the importance of storytelling across cultures. Her love for the arts—paired with her deep belief in the power of people’s stories—has fueled her commitment to creating positive, ripple effect change wherever she goes. From the classroom to the stage, Venus-Tyané is dedicated to inspiring others to tap into their own stories and express themselves in bold, creative ways. Her work reminds us that when we embrace our unique voices and cultures, we have the power to create connection, inspire change, and make the world a more vibrant place. Workshop(s): From Tomato to Marinara: Theatre From Scratch, Sizzle in a Hot Tin Pan: Live Foley Sound, Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Better Together
Steven Lamprinos is originally from Los Angeles, California. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and has worked on various film and television projects. In Los Angeles he has worked with Wolfskill, Insurgo, Maverick, Cornerstone, Stages, Zoo District and Revolving Door theater companies. He was a founding member of Revolving Door Productions and the Tribune Theater. In Virginia he has appeared at the North Street Playhouse in Barefoot in the Park, Our Town, Black Comedy, Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, Right Before I Go, Bark, and The Thanksgiving Play
Mahea “Mahea Lani” Leofa made her big move to Hollywood, CA in 2010 from a small town in California called Ridgecrest and is a proud AMDA Alumni. She has worked with artist such as Todrick Hall in his Viral Beyonce video in 2011. Post graduation, Mahea collaborated with her fellow AMDA Alumni’s to continue her artistic journey in Acting and Directing. In 2017 Mahea Directed an original play Stringmates, that later received two nominations for the Hollywood Fringe Festival and was later recognized by the committee as New Female Director. Her passion for the arts is what led her to move to her Dream City of New York in the Summer of 2022. Workshop(s): Jumpstart Into Acting
Josh Loar is a Senior Consultant and Principal with Charcoalblue, the global consulting firm. He has over 20 years’ experience designing audio, video, lighting, and control systems for theatres, concert halls, museums, theme parks, and corporate campuses, as well as other spaces and events. He has designed sound/video content and lighting for countless stage productions. Josh has served as a designer and engineer for Walters-Storyk Design Group, The Producers Group, Technical Multimedia Design Inc., and others. His clients have included Google, Walt Disney Imagineering, Cushman Wakefield, The Obama Foundation, and more, and he served as lead AV designer for the new Perelman Center for the Performing Arts in NYC. Josh is also an accomplished FOH and recording engineer, having worked with artists including Paul Simon, David Byrne, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Rickie Lee Jones, Philip Glass, and many more. He is an educator who has taught every age of students, from preschool to graduate school, at schools including Yale School of Drama and Michigan Technological University. He is the author of The Sound System Design Primer (Routledge, 2019) as well as many journal articles. He is also a multimedia artist, musician, producer, director, and creator of assorted weird things. Workshop(s): Design Thinking and Low-Cost Execution
Martha Louden is Chapter Director for West Virginia Thespians and a professional member of EdTA. With a B.F.A. in theatrical design from Ithaca College and an M.A. in theatre education from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as many years as an educator and work in community theatre, she has extensive experience in all areas of theatre. She is also the Artistic Director for the Ravenwood Faire, a medieval faire under the auspices of the Ravenwood Foundation. Martha has been teaching workshops nationally for state and international thespian festivals for many years. Workshop(s): Sewing For Dummies, Breaking the Code of Patterns.
Rachel Rubin Ladutke is a playwright, director, and teacher of theatre based in New Jersey. She is excited to return to VA Thespians, where she was a Guest Artist in 2023. During the pandemic, Rachel developed and workshopped three full-length plays on Zoom. She curates a twice-monthly virtual play reading series, States of Play. Rachel's writing exercise "Mapping The Story" appears in The Playwright's Toolbox, newly out in print from Applause Books. Her play THE WAY HOME was featured in the 2023 Rogue Theatre Festival. Two of her short plays, THE FINAL SEANCE and COFFEE WITH PEARL, were recently featured on the podcasts Airplay and Theatrical Shenanigans, respectively. Workshop(s): The Joy of Virtual Theatre, Directing New Plays, Playwriting 101.
Clark Mantilla Sharing his love for musical theater with the world, one duet at a time! Clark On Stage is the online persona of Clark Mantilla, a proud musical theatre alum of NYFA College of Film, Media and Performing Arts. Now based in New York City, he recently took on the role of The Baker in Into The Woods, with prior performances in RENT as Roger and Les Misérables as Feuilly/Ensemble in the Philippines. Workshop(s): Clark on Stage: Sing It Live!
Rhys McClelland is an award-winning director and theatre educator. Before moving to the Shenandoah Valley, Rhys worked at the Birmingham REP and the Chichester Festival Theatre in the UK, and the Public Theatre in NYC. Favorite directing credits include Iphigenia at Aulis, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Henry V, Journey's End, King John, Clive Barker's Revelations, and the world premier of Lisa McGee's The Heights for the National Theatre Connections Festival. Rhys is a recipient of the 2004 Directors Guild of Great Britain Award, and a Sunday Times Award for innovation. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and serves on the board of the Virginia Thespians. Workshop(s): Clowning for Actors.
Bradford McMurran is the co-creator of the Push Comedy Theater. McMurran studied acting at Old Dominion University and trained in improv at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater (NYC). He has also trained with members of the Second City, Improv Olympic, and Annoyance Theaters. Brad is the creator of The Pushers Sketch and Improv Comedy Group and the head writer of the Off-Broadway hit, Cuff Me: The 50 Shades of Gray Musical Parody. As the co-artistic director of the Push Comedy Theater, McMurran helped create Date Night, The Unusual Suspects: The Improvised Murder Mystery and The 666 Project: A Horror Anthology, and Tales from the Campfire: The Improv Ghost Story. He is currently the head of the Push Comedy Theater’s Corporate Improv Training Program. Brad has been writing, teaching, and performing comedy for nearly 20 years. He is a producer of the film, How to Ruin the Holidays, and is in pre-production for the upcoming TV series, Red – The Not So Ordinary Detective. He calls Portsmouth, VA aka God’s Country his home. On a personal note, he enjoys history, murder mysteries, and especially lasagna. Workshop(s): Introduction to Long-Form Improv.
Ginny McMath is an American actress, comedienne, singer, artist, and voice over personality, best known for her TV work. She had a recurring role on the hit show, "The Middle", and has guest starred on many other shows: “Grey's Anatomy", “Third Rock From The Sun”, Rizzolli and Ilses”,"Will and Grace", “ Malcom in the Middle”, “That 80’s Show” to name a few. She was on the soap operas, “The Guiding Light”, and “Passions”. She is a MAC award winner for her one woman show, "Mostly Dyed Blond." She has starred in many regional and off-Broadway theater productions. She created the role Boo, and starred in the hit, "Bark, The Musical" which was the 2nd longest running show to ever take L.A by storm. She starred in “Yes, Virginia” by Stan Zimmerman recently. Her book, “Broken Headbone" a book full of divorce humor was her first book and is in the works for a T.V. show. She is also a Mindfulness counselor and has 4 Mindfulness certifications. She created the MindLaugh Mindfulness technique and has published three Mindfulness children’s books.
Alyssa Melder is an NYC-based actor most recently seen in Friends! The Musical Parody Off-Broadway and Jenna in one of the first pre-release productions of Waitress (MT). She is a proud producer and co-facilitator of Clark On Stage- Live Productions. Alyssamelder.com Workshop(s): Clark On Stage: Sing it Live!
Angelo Merenda, Theatre Lab's IT/Technical Director has worked freelance as an audio technician, lighting director, and production manager for over 20 years on the East Coast. New York credits include Manhattan School of Music, Webster Hall Quarterly Arts Soiree and the Moving Beauty Dance Series. In the DC area, he has worked productions at The Studio Theater, Shakespeare Theatre, and Constellation Theatre, and served as Production Manager for Rainbow Theatre Project. Prior to joining The Theatre Lab, he managed local crews for touring rock and roll and Broadway shows for the Modlin Center for the Arts in Richmond, VA. Workshop(s): Scenography and Stagecraft, Careers in Tech Theatre.
Dr. Iris Goode-Middleton is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Hampton University and the Director of Student Theatre. She is a choreographer, director and playwright. Her most recent works include, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, Choir Boy and Pipeline. The majority of her work centers around the Black experience and theatre for social change. Workshop(s): Singing and Dancing as Storytelling.
Matthew Miller is a designer, Equity stage manager, and faculty member in Design & Production at Temple University - heading both the the Stage Management and Theater Education programs. He's worked in production capacities in most genres of performance, in venues large, small, and outdoors across the nation and Chile. He is an OSHA Instructor, safety consultant with Safe Makers, and has recently published "Means of Egrets" - a children's book about safety. See his work at: mbradfordmiller.com, safemakers.org, meansofegrets.com; and on Instagram @meansofegrets @safemakers and follow his band! @alfiejacksonduo
Workshop(s): Theatre Safety for ALL, Production Safety on a Budget, Turning the Page: Improving your DEI&A Efforts.
Workshop(s): Theatre Safety for ALL, Production Safety on a Budget, Turning the Page: Improving your DEI&A Efforts.
Camilla Morrison (she/her/hers) is a Costume Designer, Draper, Artist, and Teacher. Camilla is an Assistant Professor at Radford University. She earned her MFA in Costume Design and Technology at Louisiana State University and her BA in Theatre from Salisbury University in Maryland. Camilla was a 2020-2021 North Dakota Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellow from which she created her devised work “Of the Earth: Stories of Women in North Dakota” by interviewing women from North Dakota and creating costumes based on their collective experiences surrounding aging, motherhood, relationships, and being a woman in North Dakota. Camilla was named an Emerging Artist in the 2019 USITT Exhibited Artists in the Prague Quadrennial, where her devised work, Nightmares Are Dreams, Too, was exhibited. Companies with which Camilla has worked include Empire Theatre Company, Theatre B, Black Hills Playhouse, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Serenbe Playhouse, and Hangar Theatre. Previously, Camilla worked at the University of North Dakota as a Teaching Assistant Professor and in the Washington D.C. area as a freelance Costume Designer, Stage Manager, Teaching Artist, and Arts Administrator. Camilla is the recipient of the Joanne Grant Scholarship for Excellence in Theatre from Salisbury University and the Board of Regents Fellowship from Louisiana State University. Workshop(s): Special Effects Makeup Basics: Bruises, Lacerations and Burns, Cel Shading Costumes and Makeup.
Eve Muson is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Head of the B.F.A. Acting program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her professional directing credits include Inexcusable Fantasies (Strand Theater, Prague Festival Fringe, FringeNYC), Speech & Debate and Las Meninas (RepStage), Venus, Big River, and Peter Pan (Olney Theatre Center,) and many productions at Boston Playwrights Theatre, American Stage Festival, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is the principal director for GRRL Parts, UMBC’s festival of new plays by women: for this annual project, Eve has directed premieres by Sheila Callaghan, Tanya Saracho, Lucy Thurber, Ellen McLaughlin & Timberlake Wertenbaker. She serves as a director in new play development at WordBRIDGE Playwrights Laboratory. Workshop(s): From Entrance to Exit: Mastering Your Audition Space.
Jeffrey Todd Parrott is a professional actor and has been a part of over 50 productions at theaters all over the country including Asolo Repertory Theatre, Theatre Raleigh, Peninsula Players, Saint Michael's Playhouse, and more. He can also be seen in tv and film, including a recurring role on the NBC hit television drama Chicago Med. He earned his BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University, and his MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. He has worked with and studied from world renowned leaders in the industry, including Craig Carnelia, Susan Egan, Aretha Sills, Larry Silverberg, and Broadway directors Dexter Bullard and Frank Galati. He is a board member on Virginia Thespians, and a proud union member of both AEA and SAG/AFTRA. His research interests are: Spolin Improvisation Meisner Technique Exploring Musical Theatre as Heightened Verse. Workshop(s): Shakespeare to Sondheim: Exploring MT.
Wes Reid is new to Barbizon this year. He is originally from North Carolina and values his education in technical theatre and design from UNC-Wilmington. He has spent most of his life as a Technical Director for school fine arts departments as a teacher and design advisor. His experience in scenic, lighting, and sound design has helped him as a teacher and a theatre professional over the years. His foremost goal as a teacher was to make sure the students learn the proper processes and that they produce the best show they possibly can. Now, as a Systems Integrator for Barbizon Lighting, he hopes to help every client with their goals.
Cristina Rose is delighted to be returning to the VA Thespian Festival this year with Push Comedy! Cristina is an Actor, Comedian, and Stage Manager in the Hampton Roads area. They teach improv at Push to pre-teens, teens, and adults! They are passionate about our community, and the positive impact that creative play contributes to our personal growth at all ages. Workshop(s): Introduction to Long-Form Improv.
KB Saine is a director, dramaturg, intimacy choreographer, author, educator, and theatre historian with over two decades of experience. KB served for six years as the producing artistic director of sycamore rouge in Petersburg, VA; and has worked in the above capacities with artists and theaters in Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, and New York. Her professional service includes extensive work with the black theatre network (the national organization of black theatre professionals, academics, and practitioners), where she is honored to serve as a past president. She is the producer/host of the black theatre history podcast and the current director of the contemporary theatre studies program at Shepherd University. Workshop(s): Creating Pictures with People, Rehearsal Scheduling for Directors.
Lane Savadove is Head of Acting and Directing at Rowan University in New Jersey. The founding Artistic Director of EgoPo Classic Theater in Philadelphia, in its 30th season. He’s directed over 50 shows for EgoPo, Off-Broadway, Regionally, Internationally and National Public Radio. Resident director of the National Cultural Center of Indonesia (1996-7), Artistic Director of Jean Cocteau Repertory (2004-5), Associate Artistic Director the Living Theater (1989-90). Independence Foundation Fellow, Drama League Directing Fellow, Shubert Fellow, Henry Luce Fellow, TCG Leadership recipient. Works include: Beckett’s Company (NPR and 6 cities); world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ House Not Meant to Stand (Southern Rep.), world premiere of John Guare’s 10-hour Lydie Breeze Trilogy. 2017 Barrymore award for his staging of Chekhov’s Seagull. MFA in Directing from Columbia Univ. and BA from Haverford College. Previously, Directing faculty at NYU, National University of Indonesia, and Loyola-New Orleans. Workshop(s):
Dr. Ronda Scarrow is an Associate Professor in the Theatre, Art, and Graphic Design and Animation Department at Longwood University. She currently serves as the Program Coordinator for Theatre, Theatre Education, and Liberal Studies. Currently she is the University Representative to the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). She has over 30 years of classroom instruction on the middle school, high School and collegiate levels in Speech, Theatre and Education fields. She is a lifetime member of the Virginia Theatre Association, a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and The University of Richmond (Virginia) has honored her twice for her outstanding commitment and contribution to Education as Outstanding Educator in Visual and Performing Arts at Virginia’s Governor’s School. Her research interest are: • Student-centered learning • Classroom engagement • Teacher presentation skills Workshop(s): How Do I Prepare? (College auditions.)
Kearston Dillard-Scott is a Theatre graduate of Randolph (Macon-Woman's) College. Her 20+ years of experience in lighting include Assistant Lighting Designer at the Virginia Opera in Norfolk, VA and the Atlanta Ballet in Atlanta, GA. She also designs lighting for dance programs across the Mid-Atlantic. She is a master lighting programmer with in-depth experience on various consoles. She has even worked on several film productions, as Art Director and even Assistant Stunt Coordinator. Her deep understanding of lighting, rigging, projections, sound, and video shines through in her Barbizon role of the past 6 years as Outside Sales Associate, dedicating herself not only to helping venues enhance their lighting but also educating individuals to better utilize lighting to help tell a story. Besides being a wife and a mother, she enjoys video games, singing, and doing art with her collection of art stationery, to include over 500 Sharpie markers. Workshop(s): Tech Olympics/Stagehand Showdown
Louise Schwarz is a Senior Admissions Advisor with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Ms. Schwarz has an extensive background in both higher education and the performing arts, as an administrator, teacher, and artist. Selected previous work experience includes Northern Stage, NYU, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, Binder Casting, New Dramatists, Oklahoma State University, Hofstra University, Actors’ Equity Association, and WP Theater. She holds an MFA in Playwriting from Columbia University, an MA in Higher Education & Student Affairs from NYU, a BA in Drama from the University of Georgia, and is currently completing her MSEd in Theatre from The City College of New York. Her award-winning plays have been produced and developed at the Mark Taper Forum, New York International Fringe Festival, Stage Left Theatre, Pandora’s Box, Horizon Theatre, Playwrights’ Round Table, and Railroad Playhouse, among many others. Residencies include the Edward Albee Foundation, Blue Mountain Center, and Atlantic Center for the Arts. Ms. Schwarz grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. Workshop(s): The Audition Monologue.
Jessi Shull has been an arts educator, choreographer, and performer in the DMV for over a decade after graduating from Elon University with a BFA in Dance. She currently works with NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon as their Director of Education, in addition to her work as a freelance choreographer and actor. Workshop(s): Dance Audition Skills, Dance for the Musical Theatre Stage.
Danielle Sirinsky holds a BFA in Musical Theater Performance from the University of Michigan. Originally from Chicago, Ms. Danielle has taught, performed, and choreographed throughout the Chicago, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia areas. Ms. Danielle was with The Loudoun School of Ballet in Leesburg, Virginia for twelve years as the Director of The Rising Stars Department, and at Dance Academy of Virginia for two years as one of the Directors of Programming. She is currently a full time musical theatre instructor and choreographer at Not Just Dance Theatrical Arts Studio in Chantilly. Her Broadway and Tap Choreography has won numerous awards at National competitions. She loves to assist actors, singers, and dancers navigate their training needs as they prepare for college auditions through her private coaching. Ms. Danielle lives in Leesburg, VA with her husband, two teenagers, and two kitties, and is thrilled to be a part of the VTF guest artist team! Workshop(s): Musical Theatre Dance Technique
Bob Smith was a high school theatre director for twenty years. He served on the Board of Virginia Thespians for over 30 years. He has a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.F.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He has worked on over 100 productions directing, designing, building, and choreographing fights. Workshop(s): Scoring Your Script: Advanced Acting
- Jeremy Smith is Former EMT, Former techie, and the Chief Safety Officer for Virginia Thespians. Workshop(s): Theatre Safety, Design Thinking and Low-Cost Execution
Natasha Staley is an Associate Professor of Voice and Acting in the School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. She is an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and a Certified Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork, innovative methodologies for voice, speech, and dialect training. Natasha works professionally as a voice and dialect director. She has coached productions at the New Swan Shakespeare Festival (California), Barter Theatre (Virginia), and Asolo Rep (Florida). She is an active member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). Natasha received her MFA in Acting from Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory. Workshop(s): Investigating Accents.
Mitch Stark is the Founding Creative Director of Theatre Avenue, where he designs digital projections for the performing arts. For the last 14 years, Mitch has produced digital content for theatre and ballet companies, universities, and schools internationally. His work ranges from original illustration, animation, and motion design for productions such as Willy Wonka, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Lion King and beyond. Mitch travels the country teaching projection design workshops, conducts virtual learning sessions, publishes media content, and writes for theatre magazines and blogs. Mitch earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Ball State University, where he studied art and design, the humanities, and computer animation. Workshop(s): Projections 101: Getting Started in Your Theatre Program
David Steinmetz has over 35 years of professional experience as a Technical Director in the entertainment industry and education. A lifelong love of learning and building has propelled David to transform vision into reality for a wide variety of client’s time and time again. Some of his professional credits include Tony Award winning theaters and national tour, dance, opera, theme parks, corporate meetings, product launches, and displays. National and international credits include touring acts, conventions, trade-shows, and church conferences. David holds a BFA from Otterbein University (1993) and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Champaign – Urbana (2005). He is also a journeyman member with IATSE Local 346. David is currently the Technical Director / Associate Professor at Shenandoah Conservatory. Workshop(s): Building Scenery on a Budget, Rigging Fundamentals: How To Calculate Loads for Safe Operations.
Robby Steltz has worked in the theatre his entire life. Beginning with acting at the age of eight, Robby has since gone on to choreograph, teach, and now write for the theatre. Robby graduated from Augsburg University in 2018 with a Master’s in Playwriting. Since then he has written two award winning one acts: “The Circuit” and “Nellie” of which the second has become a full length musical as well. Robby’s playwriting career has only just kicked off, but his play “Nellie” has been performed in half of the United States and is still performed regularly. The first performance of “Nellie” was done by Narrows High School and went on to win second best one act in the state of Virginia. Workshop(s): Script Formatting
Julian Stetkevych is an actor, director, and Assistant Professor of Performing Arts at Elon University. He holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater and an M.F.A. in Performance Pedagogy from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and a Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through both the Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA) and the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium (GLMCC). https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/arts-and-sciences/performing-arts/ Workshop(s): Effortlessly Original: Auditions That Stand Out
Gerrad Alex Taylor (he/him/his) is an award-winning director and multidisciplinary theatre artist based out of the Greater Baltimore region and an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His current creative work and research centers around creating space that preserves history and celebrates culture of the Global Majority.
In 2021 he was named one of Baltimore’s “40 Under 40” by the Washington Business Journal. In 2020, he founded Chesapeake Shakespeare’s Black Classical Acting Ensemble (BCAE), an affinity space for black actors interested in training and exposure of the “classics” and what an expansion of the classical canon may look like today. In 2024, Gerrad joined colleague Lizzi Albert to take on the roles of Co-Artistic Directors of Perisphere Theater in Montgomery County, MD.
He holds a BA in Neuroscience from the Johns Hopkins University and an MFA in Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has worked with theatres and educational institutions across the country including the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Perisphere Theater, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Pacific Conservatory Theatre-PCPA, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, Everyman Theatre, Constellation Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Washington Stage Guild. He is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Workshop(s): Fighting with my Fone.
In 2021 he was named one of Baltimore’s “40 Under 40” by the Washington Business Journal. In 2020, he founded Chesapeake Shakespeare’s Black Classical Acting Ensemble (BCAE), an affinity space for black actors interested in training and exposure of the “classics” and what an expansion of the classical canon may look like today. In 2024, Gerrad joined colleague Lizzi Albert to take on the roles of Co-Artistic Directors of Perisphere Theater in Montgomery County, MD.
He holds a BA in Neuroscience from the Johns Hopkins University and an MFA in Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has worked with theatres and educational institutions across the country including the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Perisphere Theater, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Pacific Conservatory Theatre-PCPA, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, Everyman Theatre, Constellation Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Washington Stage Guild. He is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Workshop(s): Fighting with my Fone.
Lia Wallace is the Education Programs Manager at the American Shakespeare Center. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and earned her Master of Letters and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University and a BA in Shakespeare and Education from NYU Gallatin. Lia began as an ASC Education intern in January of 2012 before becoming a part time Education Artist and Playhouse Tour Guide. She joined the ASC staff full-time as the College Prep Programs Manager and Camp Director in April of 2016. She oversees a range of educational programming focusing on Shakespeare’s text and technology (highlights include the ASC Theatre Camp, a residential summer intensive for students ages 13-19, and the ASC Drama Club, an after school program for students ages 8-18) and often serves as dramaturg for ASC’s early modern productions. Workshop(s): Audience Contact in Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Stage Directons
Aubrey Whitlock is the Director of Education Programs at ASC. She holds an MA in Teaching from Chapman University, and both an MLitt and MFA in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University. She is a former classroom teacher, podcaster, and professional theatre practitioner. Workshop(s): Audience Contact in Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Stage Directions
Jordan Wolfe has been a professional stage and film actor for the last twenty years. He is the Artistic Director and Head of Theatre at Gannon University. He is a dialectician, Stage combat coordinator, and director. He loves to combine classical and modern styles to create new and exciting looks on stage. Workshop(s): Snap, Clap, stomp: (Character Work)
Cheryl Yancey is a Costume Designer and Professor of Design at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. She was previously on the faculty and the resident costume designer for Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales (now DeSales University) in Pennsylvania and the resident designer for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, in Centerville, Pennsylvania. She has also designed for the Washington Stage Guild, Washington, D. C. The George Washington University, Dorney Park in Allentown, PA, and Robin Miller Productions in Bethlehem, PA. Cheryl has also received American College Theatre awards for her costume designs for A Flea in Her Ear, A Man for All Seasons, and The Cherry Orchard. She has designed close to 300 productions. Her designs include: Young Frankenstein, Mamma Mia!, Show Boat, Crazy for You, Damn Yankees, Gigi, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, 1776, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Seussical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Shrek!: The Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot, the Wiz, Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady and Cinderella! She won Best Costume Designs for Grease by Broadway World Regional. She was nominated for Best Costume Designs for Cinderella! And her costumes for Pirates of Penzance were named one of the top 10 costume designs in the greater Washington, DC area. Workshop(s): Dying to Be Pretty, The History of Cosmetics (Makeup)
Jason A. Young is the Founding Producer & Artistic Director of The Vintage Theatre Company, LLC. Opened in 2012, The Vintage Theatre Company is dedicated to providing high quality theatrical education and professionally produced entertainment in West Virginia, while primarily featuring and uniting the many talented teaching and performing artists that call the Mountain State their home. Vintage Theatre Company is home to the state’s premier comedy troupe, The Fearless Fools, and the state’s only Shakespeare troupe, The Rustic Mechanicals. Through a partnership formed in 2015, through 2021, with Notre Dame High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the educational branch of the company, The VTC Academy, powered the award-winning Performing Arts Conservatory at Notre Dame High School, the state’s only high school for the performing arts program. In 2020, the PAC at NDHS was awarded the National Federation of High Schools’ Heart of the Arts Award for West Virginia. Workshop(s): Creating the #Shakespeareance, Carve Him a Dish Fit for the Gods: (Playwriting/ Cutting a show).
Aileen Zeigler is a bilingual theatre artist focused on the collaborative nature of theatre. She is a director, teacher, stage manager, scenic designer, costumer, props artist and more. Her work is inspired by her belief that we can build each other up and become better by knowing each other. A teacher at heart Aileen loves to engage students and set them free to create from their inspiration. She teaches courses in Acting, Technical Theatre, and Production. Aileen has directed over 30 productions with students including Catch Me if You Can, , Radium Girls, Cinderella, Into the Woods, Frozen JR. and La Verdad Sospechosa. She is an active leader in the International Thespian Society with whom she has provided workshops on audio creation lessons, musical theatre yoga, technical theatre and engineering collaboration, and model cornerstone assessments. She completed her MFA in Theatre Pedagogy and Directing at the University of Idaho. Workshop(s): Yoga Based Practice for The Performer, Special FX: Bring the Magic at Any Budget
