2016 Presenters

Aaron Burns
Guest Artists, Colorado Film School
A native of Colorado, Aaron Burns graduated from Chapman University’s MFA film production program. He most recently appeared in Groove Auto’s “Kitty Kreations” TV spot and in Haylar Garcia’s feature film “Gnaw.” He teaches acting and video production at the Colorado Film School.
Steven Ramon Abaroa
Adjudicator, Arizona Thespian State Board
Steven has been acting since he was eight years old. He received his formal training at Brigham Young University, then South Utah University through the Utah Shakespeare Festival and more recently at the Shakespeare London Globe Theatre. He teaches Theatre Arts at Highland High School in Gilbert, AZ. He is a member of the Arizona Thespian State Board where he serves as the chairman of the rules committee.
Abby Green
Guest Artist, Relativity School
Originally from Boston, MA, Addy began performing on stage at the age of eight in musicals including The Sound of Music, Grease and Oliver. She continued to build repertoire appearing in main stage productions of Robin Hood, The Crucible and Blood Wedding. Upon graduation, Addy found her niche in film and television and has booked multiple feature films, episodics, commercials, and music videos, including work with The Black Keys, American Poltergeist and Sophie Gold: The Diary Of A Golddigger.
Addy’s passion for travel and assisting young talent makes her an ideal candidate for nurturing Relativity School applicants and allowing them to find their holistic trajectory in the entertainment + media industry.
Adrian Holguin
Guest Artist
Adrian Holguin has been improvising since 1990. He was the Artistic Director of Impulse Theater for 16 years. He can still be seen haunting the stages of the Denver Improv community from time to time. Since 1997 he has taught Mathematics and coached the improv troupe “Spontaneous Combustion” at Smoky Hill High School.
Adriane Wilson
Guest Artist
Adriane Wilson is a graduate of the UNCO musical theatre program. She has performed in professional productions both stateside, and overseas in Aviano, Italy and Heidelberg, Germany. While working with James Madison University’s Children’s Playshop, she originated the role of Woman in White in Joshua’s Quest by Kyle Fackrell. Most recently, Adriane returned to her alma mater as a guest artist for Little Theatre of the Rockies’ 2016 season. Favorite credits include: The Addams Family Musical (Morticia), Gypsy (Louise), Oklahoma (Laurey Williams), Swing! (Anne), Rent (Mimi).
Jonathan D. Allsup
Guest Artist
Jonathan has been a professional stage manager for 12 years. His previous work includes stage manager/assistant stage manager for Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and production stage manager and managing director for Creede Repertory Theatre. Jonathan holds a degree in theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He teaches theater workshops and classes at universities including Metropolitan State University of Denver and American College Theatre Festivals across the nation.
Brett Ambler
Adjudicator, The November Theatre Company
Brett Ambler has been working in Colorado for the past 4 years. Favorite local roles include Buddy Holly (The Buddy Holly Story), Princeton/Rod (Avenue Q), Malcom (The Full Monty), Prince Herbert/Historian/Not Dead Fred (Spamalot), and Pinnochio (Shrek) all at BDT Stage. At the Arvada Center he played Emmet Forrest in Legally Blonde. And in Richmond, VA he played The Cat In The Hat (Seussical The Musical) and Snoopy(Y.A.G.M.Charlie Brown) at The November Theatre, formerly Theatre IV. When not on stage Brett might be making music or getting outdoors.
Annika Merkel
Guest Artist
Annika Merkel is a graduate of the UNC acting program. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has sung with and for tony-winning performers such as Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Annika has also sung in many venues in Denver as well as weddings and private events within the state of Colorado. She is an actress with Donna Baldwin Agency and an adjudicator for the Bobby G Awards. Favorite roles include Bonnie (Bonnie and Clyde, Denver premiere) and Mayor/Ma Ferd (The Toxic Avenger, regional premiere).
Jessica Austgen
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
JESSICA AUSTGEN teaches for DCPA Education during the school year and summer. She has acted locally with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the Arvada Center, Curious Theatre Company, the Aurora Fox and Theatreworks; she also performs long-form improvisation at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse and is on the cast at Impulse Theater. Ms. Austgen earned her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder and received an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Denver.
Blake Babbit
Filmmaker/Actor/Guest Artist, New York Film Academy
Blake Babbitt if the founder of 383 Productions, an independent film production company headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Recent projects include an indie short Sunday 1287 and a feature length documentary I Heart Jenny. Blake occasionally directs plays. In his New York directorial debut Blake won a ‘best play’ award for his direction of emerging playwright Josh Billig’s Benefit of Friends at the American Globe Theatre. Blake’s Off-Broadway acting credits include Baylis in Blackbird, Berowne from Love’s Labors Lost in the 45th Street Theatre’s annual Shakespeare Festival, and Joe/Syrup in the premiere Dan Savage’s of Seeking Savage Love at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Blake has also worked closely with Oscar and Tony Award Nominee Murray Schisgal (Tootsie) on a reading of his new play Wallstreet Fandango. Other past theatre credits include roles in Flags, A Servant of Two Masters, Suburbia, Lover’s and Other Strangers, and The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare. TV and Film credits include Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX), Mr. Wiskers (web series), Bottom Feeders (web series), and Passed Over (web series).
Nathan Balser
Guest Artist
Nathan Balser just joined the Performing Arts Department at Western Wyoming Community College . He was recently in New York performing on Broadway. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in Modern Dance from the University of Utah.
Jason Banks
Guest Artist, University of Colorado
Jason Banks is the Instructor of Lighting, Projection, and Design for Theatre & Dance at the University of Wyoming. Jason has served as lighting director for festival headliners such as Candlebox, Boys II Men, and Smashmouth, and has served as designer for Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Opera Columbus amongst many others. Additionally, he has designed freelance regionally and exhibited at the 2007 Prague Quadrennial.
Stuart Barr
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Stuart is the Technical Director for DCPA Education. He was the Technical Director and Associate Producer for the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center from 1999-2007. He has been involved in the entertainment world since 1985 with a career that has spanned technical directing, producing, set design, lighting design, acting, directing, stage managing, and radio broadcasting. Colorado theatres where Stuart has designed or built sets include: Town Hall Arts Center, The Arvada Center, Country Dinner Playhouse, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, PHAMALY, The Aurora Fox, Imagination Makers, and Colorado Stage Company. Stuart has taught set construction at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and Arapahoe Community College. He has directed for Coal Creek Community Theatre and Lafayette Community Theatre. Stuart has also performed for television, film, outdoor drama, theme parks, regional and community theatres and is a member of Actor’s Equity. His broadcasting credits include radio stations WSIF and WKBC.
Paul A. Belden
Workshop Presenter, KIDSKITS
Paul A. Belden has performed professionally for children for the past 34 years. Beginning with the Storytellers resident company of the Denver Children’s Museum, he went on with his Children’s Theater/Elementary Education degree to become one of the founders and owners of KIDSKITS, Inc. This renowned local theatrical company included a performing troupe of 6-16 year olds, a conservatory and talent agency. Among the many successful former members is Tami LoSasso, the talented director at Lakewood High School. Paul continues to entertain as his character Dornob, performing mime, magic, juggling, storytelling, songs and balloon animals.
Ashley Bellet
Workshop Presenter, Oklahoma City University
Ashley Bellet is the Assistant Professor of Costume Design at Oklahoma City University. She received BAs in English and Theatre Design from The University of the South at Sewanee, and her MFA in Theatre Design from The University of Memphis. She has taught previously at The University of Memphis and the University of Tulsa. She has designed scenery and costumes for The University of Tulsa, Theatre Tulsa, Light Opera Oklahoma, Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Playhouse, and Theatreworks in Memphis. She is an active member of KCACTF Region 6 and Vice-Commissioner of Programming for the Education Commission of USITT.
Monte Black
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
Mr. Black is the Coordinator of the Dance Minor program at the University of Northern Colorado. He carries with him an array of choreographic and directing credits ranging from the musical theatre stage to the concert dance arena. While at UNC, he has choreographed 42nd Street, West Side Story, Brigadoon and Carousel for the Musical Theatre program and directed and choreographed Footloose: The Musical. He has choreographed Hairspray, The Music Man, Chicago, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, Damn Yankees, Oliver, Annie, and AIDA for the Little Theatre of the Rockies, and directed and choreographed LTR’s productions of The Full Monty and SWING: The Musical. Mr. Black also is the director/choreographer of an annual fall dance/theatre production based on the holidays of Dia de los Muertos and Halloween entitled Miranda’s Nightmare. He has choreographed numerous pieces for the annual CPVA Gala and for main stage dance concerts. Including a full-length modern ballet entitled Dierdre of the Sorrows and a dance musical entitled Punks: A Love Story. His interests in jazz, modern, dance technology, collaborations with other artists and his vast performance history make him a vital and inspiring artist and teacher.
Hilary Blair
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Ms. Blair is a professional actor and voice-over artist with over 25 years of teaching experience. As an educator, she has worked across the US and in the Denver area with a variety of businesses, business professionals, schools, arts centers, and theatres including teaching “Voice In Performance” at University of Denver and Metro State. Ms. Blair is also part of the creative team that developed and continues to disseminate the Teaching Artist Training (TAT) program across the country. Locally, she has acted with the Arvada Center, the Shwayder Theatre, Industrial Arts Theatre, Shadow Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company. She toured four seasons with the DCPA’s Living History High School Residency Program and is now co-director. In addition, Ms. Blair is the voice coach for Count Me In and Make Mine a Million $ Business . She holds an MFA degree from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA from Yale University. She is a member of Toastmasters and VASTA.
Sondra Blanchard
Workshop Presenter, Professional Actor
Sondra Blanchard is a professional actor, teaching artist and clown who has been creating and performing original plays both nationally and internationally for the last fifteen years. Clown-wise, she has worked with the New Pickle Circus, Big Apple Circus Clown Care, and performed her one-woman shows, among them Fly!Trap. Sondra has studied with such masters as Bill Irwin, Yury Belov, Dodi DiSanto, Jeff Raz, and Ronlin Foreman. Locally, she is adjunct faculty at UNC and mentoring at Naropa University. She has also taught at Community College of Aurora, the Arvada Center, The Art Underground, and choreographed for Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids. Sondra holds an MFA in Theatre: Contemporary Performance from Naropa University and is a graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre.
J. David Blatt
Adjudicator, William Inge Playwriting Festival
J. David Blatt (Scenic Designer) is the faculty scenic designer at the University of Northern Colorado. He has over 125 different design and directing credits. While at UNC, he has designed the sets for “Marathon 33”, “Once in a Lifetime”, “Aida”, “Raisin in the Sun”, “Sweeney Todd”, “You Can’t Take It With You”, “Harvey”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Cosi Fan Tutte” and many others. His worked has appeared in the Virginia Shakespeare Festival, the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, the Wayside Theatre, Little Theatre of the Rockies, Creede Repertory Theatre and several other companies. He received his MFA in Design from the University of Utah and has taught with the University of Tulsa, Wichita State, Idaho State and Viterbo University. While at these schools, he has received several design awards from ACTF, sending work to both regional and national conventions. He continues to work with the William Inge Playwriting Festival, having designed the tributes for (and working with) Arthur Miller, Neil Simon, Stephen Sondheim, Tina Howe, Arthur Laurents, Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones, Paula Vogel, and Arthur Kopit. He is a strong advocate for the arts in Colorado education and loves coming yearly to the Thespian Festival!
Alberto Bonilla
Workshop Presenter, Professional Actor
Alberto is originally from Gilbert, Arizona, where he received his BA in acting at Arizona State University. He also attended The British American Dramatic academy Academy in Oxford, England, before moving to the east coast to receive his MFA from Rutgers University at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Recent TV credits include Law and Order:Criminal Intent (recurring role), The Sopranos (Alonso), and in a recurring role on All My Children as “”Tommy”” the intern. Film credits include Knight Fighters “Guy”(lead), The Nanny “”Juan,”, Angel“Angel”(lead), and a TV sitcom pilot called Strait no Chaser with Bronson Pinchot (Perfect Strangers). Alberto also freelances fight/stunt directing. Currently, Alberto runs an independent film company, is a playwright and director in residence at the 78th Street Theatre Lab in New York, and is Assistant assistant Director director of Admissions admissions at the School for Film and Television. “Walking to America” was his first published play.
Kate Boyles
Workshop Presenter, The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas
Kate is a graduate of The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas – Summer 2010. She is a senior at Smokey Hill High School and has previously worked for the Aurora Fox Theatre.
Brandon Bill
Director, Music Director, Actor
Brandon is a proud graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. An award winning director/music director and nominated performer, Brandon has worked with many theatre companies around the state as well as performing with the Walt Disney company. Some of Mr. Bill’s favorite credits include: Shrek The Musical (Shrek), The Producers (Max Bialystock), The Full Monty (Dave), Titanic the Musical (Director/Music Director), Nevermore (Music Director – regional premier), Spamalot (Sir Lancelot), Marry Poppins (George Banks), I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Man 2), A Christmas Carol (Director), The Fantasticks (Music Director), The Wizard of Oz (Lion).
Linda Brennan
Workshop Presenter, Professional Actor
Linda Brennan is on the faculty of AADA, (Voice and Speech Department Chair), South Coast Repertory, and Theatricum Botanicum, where she teaches voice, speech and dialects. Film and TV credits include American Pie, The Scorpion King, Sonny, That’s Life (CBS), The Hughleys (UPN), For the People (Lifetime). Besides extensive individual coaching, Linda has coached hundreds of theatre productions includingStreetcar Named Desire (South Coast Rep), The Crimson Thread(Pasadena Playhouse), Arms and the Man (A Noise Within), Old Times(El Portal Center for the Arts) and The Nibroc Trilogy (Actor’s Co-Op). Linda has an MFA in Acting from Brandeis University and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. She has presented at ATHE (The American Theatre in Higher Education) on various topics, includingTake the Valley Out of the Girl! and is a voice and speech consultant forBraintracks Audio in Los Angeles. Linda is a licensed psychotherapist in the state of California, where she works with performing artists experiencing performance anxiety. Linda is a member of SAG, AFTRA, and the Television Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Linda is a member of VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association). Her article, T’s and Sympathy: Adventures in the Hollywood Dialect’s Tradeappears in the VASTA Journal, “Essays on Voice and Speech”.
Richard Burk
Theatre and Dance Program Director, Casper College
Richard is the Program Director of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. Holding degrees from Simpson College (B.A. in Theatre Arts) and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign(M.F.A. in Acting), Richard is a member of the “Master Acting Teacher Program” at the Actors Center in New York City. He was invited to teach acting and Artistic Make-up in the “I Have a Dream” program, co-sponsored by the American Embassy and Universidad del Valle in Guatemala City last March, and was subsequently invited to participate in New York Artists’ Boot Camp in Guatemala in May, 2014. In July, 2011, Richard directed The Magdalene by James Olm, at the Off-Broadway Theatre at St. Clement’s on 46th street in New York.
Will Burns
Workshop Presenter, Sound Designer
Will is the winner of the first sponsored Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival national award for Excellence in Sound Design. He is the Designer of over 30 professional and college productions in theatres ranging from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Will has taught workshops and classes at United States Institute of Theatre Technology symposia, at colleges, and for Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas. He has been nominated as ‘Rising Star’ at USITT.
Harrison Butler
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
Harrison is an actor and a director and teaches acting, voice, and movement at the University of Northern Colorado. His theatrical experience began right here in Colorado at Durango High School. His love of the theatre quickly grew and eventually led him to New York City after attending the Colorado State Thespian Convention in 1997 to attend acting conservatory at the School for Film and Television, now the New York Conservatory for Performing Arts. During his time in New York he worked as an actor in film, commercials, and theatre. Credits include the play What Remains at the New York Fringe Festival, several leads in independent films, including Leaving the Garden and False Start. He received his Bachelor’s of Acting at the University of Northern Colorado and then went on to pursue his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also received a certification in Voice Studies from Barney Hammond. Acting Roles at the University of Texas include Constantin in Big Love, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Ganya in the premier of a new adaptation of The Idiot. Professional Roles in Austin include Mr. Mayor inSeussical the Musical at ZACH Theatre and Eros in Re: Psyche at the Blue Theatre and the University of Texas. Harrison is proud to be back in his home state of Colorado, teaching at his alma mater, and looks forward to more great theatre here at the University of Northern Colorado. Previous roles here include Jonathan Harker in Dracula: The Case of the Silver Scream for which he received an Irene Ryan Nomination, Jack Ross in A Few Good Men, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. He has also been seen in Little Theatre of the Rockies productions, including roles as Ben in The Sunshine Boys, Dr. Jeremiah Mears in God’s Man in Texas, and Mitch in Tuesdays with Morrie. In the spring of 2011, he will direct The Adding Machine in the Norton Theatre.
Jennifer Carrabetta
Workshop Presenter, Cherry Creek Dance
Jennifer was the drama director and dance teacher at Chaparral High School in Parker from 1998–-2004. Her directing/choreography credits include Les Miserables, West Side Story, Once on This Island, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, and many more. The Indiana University graduate now stays home with her little girl, Isabella, and works with Cherry Creek Dance and local Thespians thespians from time to time.
Chris Parr
Guest Artist, St Vrain Theatre Company
Chris Parr is the owner and Artistic Director of the St Vrain Theatre Company. He has worked with several high school theatre companies, community theatre companies and professional dance and theatre companies. He is an accomplished actor, director, and tech. He has worked with several groups and organizations on helping to promote their programs and shows. As well as designing sets, creating props, and special effects.
Bud Coleman
Workshop Presenter, University of Colorado Boulder
Bud Coleman is Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Colorado Boulder. A former dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Bud has directed and choreographed many musicals. September 2008, he directed and choreographed the musical Company in Vladivostok, Russia, and was selected to be a 2009-10 Fulbright Lecturer in Japan. Publications include Women in American Musical Theatre and Backstage Pass, A Survey of American Musical Theatre. In March 2017 he’ll direct and choreograph Fiddler on the Roof at Mahidol University in Thailand.
Theresa Collins
Workshop Presenter, Professional Educator
Theresa Collins is the theatre director at Centaurus High School, has been teaching theatre for 23 years and has directed more than 90 workshops in high schools, middle schools and community theatres. She has a master’s in directing from Roosevelt University. She considers herself a “Jill of All Trades”; besides theatre classes, she also teaches PE/aerobics, core language arts classes, various electives, and she advises the school newspaper. She has been an aerobics instructor off and on since the late ’80s! Go leotards and leg warmers!
Bill Conte, PhD
Workshop Presenter, Casper College
Bill Conte, PhD, Theatre, The Graduate Center, City University of New York; M.A., Theatre, New York University; B.A., Writing and Literature, New York University. Before coming to Casper College, Bill was active in the New York City theatre scene for over 25 years. As artistic director of the Sicpa Ensemble (Staten Island Center for the Performing Arts), Bill staged productions of T.S. Eliot’s Waste Land at an abandoned industrial site and a retelling of the Prometheus legend over four acres of grounds at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. For three years the group produced new work in storefront theatre spaces in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and staged experimental performance art events in venues throughout the city. As artistic director of Theatre SanGreal, Bill translated the entire Divine Comedy of Dante and staged Inferno in a successful off-off- Broadway run in Soho. In cooperation with the New York City Department of Parks, he staged the Paradiso at Midland Beach on Staten Island as a dance-theatre event accompanied by original music performed by a full orchestra. His productions of Macbeth and The Tempest were also staged on the beach on sets crafted from drift wood and other detritus, and since joing the staff at Casper College, he has directed productions of You Can’t Take It Wth You, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), andDeath of a Salesman. Bill is the recipient of numerous grants and awards for his work in the theatre. His doctoral dissertation, “A Spectacle to the World”: The Performance of Christian Virgins and Monks in Late Antiquity, examines the “performativity” of early Christianity and demonstrates how the Church Fathers used ideas of performance to construct Orthodox Christian identity.
Rena Cook
Workshop Pressenter, University of Okalhoma
Rena Cook is Professor of Voice at the University Of Oklahoma School Of Drama where she teaches voice, speech and dialects. In her 20 year career, she has served as voice and dialect coach for over one hundred shows including Cosi, The Real Thing, The Beauty Queen of Leenaneand Richard III. She conducts the voice master class for the national Irene Ryan Finalists at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. Rena holds an MA in Voice Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, an MFA in directing from the University of Oklahoma. Her new book Voice in Action: A Young Actor’s Guide to Vocal Expression is published by Methuen Drama. She has taught at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and at Central School in London. Her voice workshops are favorites at Thespian Conferences throughout the US and UK.
Dee Covington
Workshop Presenter, Curious Theatre
Dee Covington is a founding member of Curious Theatre Company, a nationally recognized professional theatre company dedicated to engaging the community in important contemporary issues through provocative modern theatre. She works with Curious as an actress and director and also serves as the Education Director of the award-winning youth playwriting program Curious New Voices. Dee has discovered that one of the benefits of producing new plays is the opportunity to work closely with living playwrights. Through her work with Curious New Voices she is able to share her knowledge of new plays, playwrights and trends in American theatre with her writing students.
Laurence Curry
Workshop Presenter, Curious Theatre
Mr. Laurence Curry has worked professionally as an actor, dancer, and choreographer the past fifteen years internationally. With the Denver Center: Full time teaching artist, Hip Hop Jambalaya (director), Living History program (actor), Streetcar Named Desire, The Madwoman, Fences (Company actor). Laurence received his BA from the University of Northern CO. Most recent work includes, Curious Theatres Collapse, the movie Assassins Code, dancing in Opera Colorado’s Rusalka and choreography for Live Well 2012.Curry has a BA in Theatre and Dance from University of Northern Colorado. He has worked professionally as an actor, dancer, martial artist and choreographer over fifteen years. Favorites include- Film and Commercials: Asteroid, Strange Land, Things to Do in Denver When Your Dead, Coors, Nintendo, Ford, and Schwinn. Dance Companies: Oakland’s Savage Jazz Dance Company, Monster Shop Bumpin, Mora Porvida. Stage: The Denver Center Theatre Company’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Zoo Storyperformed in Ireland, Arvada Center’s production of Aida. Kaiser Permanente’s educational theatre programs, Imagination Makers Theatre Company, DCTA Living History program.
Mary Dailey
Adjudicator, Musical Director
Mary Dailey is a music director and vocal coach in Denver. She has extensive experience as a music director and audition accompanist for main stage productions and children’s theatre. Venues include Town Hall Arts Center, Avenue Theatre, Aurora Fox Theatre, Country Dinner Playhouse, Pinnacle Theatre, Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, and the Lakewood Cultural Arts Center. Favorite productions include “The Fantasticks”, “Phantom”, “Secret Garden”, “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, “Crazy for You”, and “Love Perfect”. Mary is the recipient of the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2011 Henry Award for Music Direction (“Chicago”, Town Hall Arts Center). She has also been honored for her work in musical theatre by BACKSTAGE WEST in Los Angeles and the Colorado Coalition of Community Theaters. Mary has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in voice and accompanying, a Masters in Education, and a K-12 Principal’s License. She recently retired from 27 years in Colorado schools where she taught music at all grade levels and was an elementary and high school administrator.
Dan Hiester
Actor/Guest Artist, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Dan, a proud Colorado native, has been consistently involved in theatre since the age of six. Dan received his BA in theatre and integrative studies through the University without Walls at Loretto Heights College and his MA in theatre directing from the University of Denver. He has directed over 350 workshops throughout the state for all ages and populations. In addition to many freelance projects, Dan has worked at the Denver Center Theatre Company, the Changing Scene, El Centro Su Teatro, The Vintage, Gates Planetarium, The Jones Theatre, Westcliffe, University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. He helped found and direct City Stage Ensemble, L’Alliance & Co, Theatre-in-the-Park, and Shakespeare-in-the-Sangres. He continually strives for new levels of accomplishment, growth, and relevancy as a professional theatre artist and educator.
Brenton Daviau
Guest Artist
Brenton Daviau is a Colorado based actor, designer, and director that has been involved in many theatrical projects over the last 7 years and currently serves on the board for Creative Revolution Theatre Company. He was last seen in “Run For Your Wife” and “Caught in the Net” by Ray Cooney. Other credits include “Talk Radio,” “The Picture That Was Turned to the Wall,” “The Blue Monster,” and “The Cider House Rules.” Directing credits include CRTC’s murder mystery “Murder in the Stacks” and the Commedia style “The Love of Three Oranges” by Carlo Gozzi. He is also contracted out for lighting design, operation, and physical theatre workshops. Brenton graduated from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Theatre Arts. He would like to thank his family, friends, and loving wife for all their support. See more at www.creativerevolutiontheatre.org.
Joe and Danielle DeMers
Workshop Presenters, www.joeandnelle.com
Joe DeMers and Shauna Marble are champion Swing Dance instructors from Denver, CO. They have toured the world teaching and performing from South Korea to France, Australia, Canada, Israel and all over the US. They have choreographed for and performed in many theater productions, including SWING! the Musical, In the Heights, and Hairspray. Joe is the 2015 National Dance Teacher of the Year, teaching middle school dance in Denver Public Schools as his day job. Shauna is the Artistic Director of Prairie Playhouse in Brighton, CO.
Ethan Bach
Digital Artist, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Ethan Bach is an artist living and working in Denver, Colorado. He works on solo and collaborative media projects, including documentary video, interactive video installations, and the immersive digital dome. He has been called a visionary and “an artistic meteorologist of sorts who observes the surrounding human climate and forecasts what is to come” by The Santa Fe Reporter. Ethan graduated from The Evergreen State College with a BA in Media Production and subsequently completed an MFA in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Bach has presented at such international art events as Aqua Art Miami, Electrocuciones Electrocutions in Madrid, and the Bangalore Queer Film Festival. Ethan Bach has given formal talks on art and technology at the Bucharest International Biennial for Contemporary Art, New Media Caucus / CAA Conference presentation, and the ix Symposium (International Symposium on Immersion and Experience).
Ethan fuses STEAM modalities in his teaching. He comes to Think 360 Arts with experience teaching college and high school students, college staff, and professional artists. His work (performance, residencies, and workshops) can integrate with Science, Math, Contemporary World Problems, History, and Art. Ethan Bach is also in the process of obtaining his yoga teacher certificate.
Alex Evert
Guest Artist, Fearless Theatre Company
Alexander Evert is a Denver-based theatre director, writer, producer and actor. He is a co-founder and Artistic Producer of Fearless Theatre. His Fearless directing credits include devised works Young Volcanoes and I Hope We Can Still Be Friends, as well as bold re-imaginings of Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet. Fearless Theatre was formed in the summer of 2014 with the mission of producing a wide variety of shows designed to stimulate a new generation of audiences, and providing opportunities to a diverse community of artists. Now in its third season, Fearless is putting its unique spin on classics such as High School Musical and Titus Andronicus.
J E R Friedenberg
Workshop Presenter, Wake Forest University
(BA Wake Forest University, MFA Carnegie Mellon University) Director of Theatre and Senior Lecturer at Wake Forest University where he has taught for over 20 years, Mr. Friedenberg’s background is in design and production, directing and producing. In addition to work in the professional theatre, he has served on the boards of several theatre and arts organizations. For the past 8 years, he has focused on the admissions and recruiting process in education and has lead workshops and panels on this topic for various groups. Mr. Friedenberg is a director, producer, KC/ACTF Respondent, and Adjudicator for State and Thespian organizations for design, stage management, marketing, and 1-act events.
Krista Gano
Workshop Presenter, Colorado School of Acting
Krista has 15 years experience working in the entertainment industry. She worked with Tony Award-winning producer Stephen Eich at The Geffen Playhouse. At the Geffen, Krista worked on producing 4 shows per year, along with special event performances, such as Marcel Marceau and the 1st Annual Gala Celebration hosted by Jason Alexander and Annette Bening. In 2002, Krista became the Executive Director of The Groundlings Theatre. In addition to producing 5 shows a year, she also produced The Groundlings 30th Anniversary Season, including a Gala celebration co-hosted by alumni Will Ferrell, Cheryl Hines, Chris Kattan and Lisa Kudrow. Under her leadership, The Groundlings expanded The School and Training divisions, launching the careers of Kristen Wiig (SNL), Jim Rash (Community) and Stephanie Courtney (Flo on the Progressive Commercials). Since leaving The Groundlings in 2006, Krista co-founded the company Innovative Improv Solutions where she creates communication training classes that are rooted in improvisational exercises, and are tailored to their client’s specific goals and needs. Clients include Sony Electronics, 20th Century Fox, ESPN, Blue Sky Animation Studios, My Space, The Grammy’s and UCLA. Most recently, Krista has begun to pass on her knowledge to up-and-coming actors by teaching at the Colorado School of Acting. She is thrilled to see others take strides forward, whether an actor who takes a risk to find a deeper place or an executive who realizes how to better motivate others. It is a privilege to be a part of those moments.
Garrett Ayers
Guest Artist, Colorado State University
Garrett Ayers is Special Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing at Colorado State University who has worked as an actor and director with some of the world’s foremost theatre companies including The Wooster Group, The Workcenter of Jerzy Growtowski, and Thomas Richards in Pontedera, Italy.
Garrett Haggard & Margo Hanschke
Theatre Artist, St Vrain Theatre Comapny
Margo Hanschke is on the faculty at CCU and serves as both accompanist and teacher of music theory. She also plays piano with a number of local orchestras including the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, and Stratus Chamber Orchestra (formerly Musica Sacra). She has Masters Degree in Music Theory from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Colorado Christian University. She enjoys playing the keyboard on the worship team at her church. When she finds time in between being a teacher, homemaker, and mom of twins, Margo loves performing in musicals and at the local coffee shop where she enjoys singing songs from some of her favorite artists including Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and many others.
Garret Miles Haggard grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas. Being the youngest 5 musical kids, Garret found his niche in singing and performing at the age of 5. Garret is a graduate of Colorado Christian University with a BA in Music Performance – Voice where he participated in several performances on and off campus including the 2014 production of Meet Me in St. Louis, The Music Man, Voices Beyond the Veil, South Pacific, and many fall, Christmas, and spring showcases as a part of the University Choir and the School of Music. Garret was also honored by participating in the 2015 CCU School of Music Gala and Honors Recital as a select performer. Garret has performed twice in Carnegie Hall, in the state capital buildings of Kentucky and New Mexico, and in various cities across the US as a choir member and soloist. Garret has been teaching and coaching voice, choral music, and musical theatre for the past 8 years and is currently on staff as a coach at Headliner Vocals where he teaches group and private lessons for the greater Highlands Ranch area.
Gavin Mayer
Theatre Artist, Arvada Center
Originally from Colorado, Gavin Mayer is a professional director and teacher. Some of Gavin’s directing credits include: Arvada Center: The Mountaintop (Henry Nomination for Best Director of a Play), White Christmas (Henry Nomination for Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical), She Loves Me (Henry Nomination for Best Musical), Disney’s Tarzan (Broadway World Nomination for Best Director of a Musical), A Christmas Carol the Musical, Curtains (Henry Nomination for Best Director and Best Musical), Miracle on 34th Street and Legally Blonde (True West Award winner for Best Musical, nomination for Best Director of a Musical) (Arvada Center) Other credits include 4000 Miles, Over the River and Through the Woods (Cherry Creek Theatre), Guys and Dolls: in Concert (Lone Tree Arts Center) and Forever Plaid (Post Playhouse). Gavin is an adjunct professor of theatre at the University of Northern Colorado and holds a MFA in Directing from Florida State.
Shelly Gaza
Adjudicator
Shelly Gaza is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, specializing in Voice & Speech and Acting Styles. She has an MFA in Acting from Wayne State University, a BFA in Acting from Millikin University, and has studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Shelly is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Actors’ Equity Association and is Chair of the Denver Actors’ Equity Liaison Committee. As an actor, Shelly has worked with theatre companies across the country including the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Paragon Theatre (Denver), Talisman Theatre (Chicago), and The JET and Hilberry Repertory Theatres in Detroit. She received the 2003 Oscar Wilde Award for Best Actress for her work in A Streetcar Named Desire at Hilberry Repertory, and the 2006 Finlayson Acting Award at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Shelly has also performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and done film, television and radio work including national commercials for HGTV, Red Roof Inn Hotels, and Coors Light. Shelly has taught theatre at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Wayne State University, the Actor Training Program at Utah Shakespeare Festival/Southern Utah University, Lake Dillon Theatre Company, and the Eliot Street Collective in Denver. Shelly now lives in Thornton, Colorado with her husband and two children.
Gail Gober
Guest Artist, Red Rocks Community College
Gail Has been a Lighting Designer in the Denver area since 1985. Gail has won two Henry Awards for “Outstanding Lighting Design”. Gail Is currently teaching at Red Rocks Community College.
William Goldyn
Workshop Presenter, Theatre Educator in LA
William Goldyn was nominated by his students and was chosen as one of the top theatre arts educators in Los Angeles. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and a Center Theatre Group “Bravo Award” recipient who has directed over 40 high school productions, including Peter Pan, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast, The Shadow Box and Dreamgirls. His award-winning production of The Crucible recently returned from performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Besides receiving an MA in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Mr. Goldyn was also educated in Oxford, Prague, and Vienna; for the latter, he was chosen as one of only fifteen teachers in the United States. He currently teaches all levels of acting and directing, Play Production, Advanced Voice & Speech, and Improv at a new and ground-breaking visual and performing arts school in Downtown, Los Angeles.
Tim Grant
Actor and Guest Artist
Tim Grant is a graduate of Catawba College with a BA in Theatre, and has been acting professionally in theatre and film for over 20 years. He directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scapino!, Bridge to Terabithia, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Comedy of Errors, and The Moon is Down . Tim has taught Technical Theatre for Actors, Acting for the Camera, and every spring, Shakespeare. Before moving to Denver in 2002 he worked extensively with the Children’s Theatre of and for many seasons with such programs as StARTS at Winthrop College, Queens College Shakespeare Camp, and The Old Courthouse Youth Theatre. In addition to his work with kids in the theatre genre, he worked with Corrigan & Johnston Casting Agency, and worked on numerous films and commercials.
Stephen Gregg
Playwright/Guest Artist
Stephen Gregg’s plays include This is a Test, Small Actors, One Lane Bridge, Twitch and many others. His just-published play, Crush, was featured on the cover of the Dramatics magazine and played on the mainstage at the 2016 International Thespian Festival. He teaches himself to write plays, one tweet at a time at @playwrightnow
Garret Miles Haggard
Guest Artist, St Vrain Theatre Company
Garret Miles Haggard grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas. Being the youngest 5 musical kids, Garret found his niche in singing and performing at the age of 5. Garret is a graduate of Colorado Christian University with a BA in Music Performance – Voice where he participated in several performances on and off campus including the 2014 production of Meet Me in St. Louis, The Music Man, Voices Beyond the Veil, South Pacific, and many fall, Christmas, and spring showcases as a part of the University Choir and the School of Music. Garret was also honored by participating in the 2015 CCU School of Music Gala and Honors Recital as a select performer. Garret has performed twice in Carnegie Hall, in the state capital buildings of Kentucky and New Mexico, and in various cities across the US as a choir member and soloist. Garret has been teaching and coaching voice, choral music, and musical theatre for the past 8 years and is currently on staff as a coach at Headliner Vocals where he teaches group and private lessons for the greater Highlands Ranch area.
Margo Hanschke
Guest Artist, St Vrain Theatre Company
Margo Hanschke is on the faculty at CCU and serves as both accompanist and teacher of music theory. She also plays piano with a number of local orchestras including the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, and Stratus Chamber Orchestra (formerly Musica Sacra). She has Masters Degree in Music Theory from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Colorado Christian University. She enjoys playing the keyboard on the worship team at her church. When she finds time in between being a teacher, homemaker, and mom of twins, Margo loves performing in musicals and at the local coffee shop where she enjoys singing songs from some of her favorite artists including Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and many others.
Brian Hapic
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
Brian has been working in theatre and the entertainment industry since 1989. Before arriving at UNCO, he was employed as a Professor of Lighting and Sound Design at the University of Southern Maine, as well as the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a member of USITT and I.A.T.S.E. local 339, and has completed designs for theatre, opera, dance, television, video, and media installations. Some credits from over 100 designs include work with such companies as the Maine State Music Theatre, The Southern Arena Theatre, The Montana Repertory Theatre, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, and The University of Southern Mississippi Repertory Dance Company. He earned his MFA in Lighting Design and Technology from The University of Montana, and a BA in English from Ohio University. In 2004 he was awarded the KCACTF Faculty Fellowship for meritorious achievement as a professor of Lighting Design.
Melissa Faith Hart
Workshop Presenter
Melissa Faith Hart first had the idea of setting Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter to music when she was 19, while attending college in Boston, Massachusetts, and reading the classic, compelling novel. It sparked her to compose the music and lyrics for “Be Still My Child” – the first song that started her down the multi-year path of creating a full-fledged musical. Developed over the years while Melissa balanced school, motherhood, and a professional career in training and sales, today Scarlet Letter…the Musical represents Melissa’s life’s opus and embodies the dream of seeing her words and songs on stage. “I feel blessed to be a mother myself and in many ways understands Hester’s road and drive for her daughter Pearl,” she says. Melissa began acting and singing in school, church plays and musicals, and then ventured out to local community theaters as an actor and director.
Lawrence Hecht
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Lawrence Hecht has been acting, directing and teaching professionally for more than 35 years. In his 15th year with the DCPA, he is a company member with the DCTC. He was a company member, Conservatory Director, Artist and Repertory Director at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco for more than 20 years. Mr. Hecht has worked with numerous regional companies including; Curious Theatre Company, Creede Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, Berkeley Rep, the San Francisco New Play Festival, San Diego Rep, and Modern Muse. He is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and has an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theatre. Film roles include Neal Prescott in The Scream Trilogy.
Erik Hellman
Guest Artist
Erik is a professional actor based in Chicago where he has appeared at Steppenwolf Theatre: Honest, Elephant Man and Huck Finn; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: The Madness of King George, Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Edward II and Court Theatre: Arcadia, Titus Andronicus, Comedy of Errors and The Mystery of Irma Vep for which he was nominated for Chicago’s Jeff award. Other Chicago credits include Writers’ Theatre, Timeline Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Chicago Dramatists, Next Theatre, The House and Strawdog. Regionally, Erik played the title roll in Romeo and Juliet at Indiana Repertory Theatre and other leading roles at Milwaukee Repertory: I Just Stopped By to See the Man; Houston’s Stages Theatre: Mr. Marmalade and Oh, The Humanity; The Geva: Dracula; Shakespeare Santa Cruz: Romeo and Juliet and All’s Well That Ends Well and as Macbeth Off-Broadway at the Mirror Rep. Erik’s film and TV work includes The Dark Knight and The Chicago Code. Erik grew up in Denver, attended East High School and mentored with Tony Church, founding member of the RSC and emeritus head of DCPA’s three year training program. He is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Markas Henry
Workshop Presenter, University of Colorado
Markas Henry is an Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder where he teaches Costume Design, Makeup Design, Illustration & Rendering and Fashion History.Professional costume and scenic design work has been seen on Broadway (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast), Off-Broadway (The Great American Trailer Park Musical), Film (Elf) and two Britney Spears US/ World tours. Markas‘ Colorado designs have been seen on the stages of Curious Theatre, Opera Colorado, Theatre Aspen, Telluride Rep and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. His costume designs can be seen in the recently released film Leading Ladies, set in the world of amateur ballroom dance and starring/ featuring several dancers from SYTYCD? (www.leadingladiesmovie.com)
Matthew Herrick
Workshop Presenter, Professional Actor
Matthew Herrick is a multi-faceted theatre artist and educator, recently transplanted from a vigorous acting and teaching career in New York City, to Greeley, as a Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Northern Colorado. Matthew has taught singing, acting, and voice/speech throughout NYC and beyond. His students can be seen in leading roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, Disney parks, and major regional theatres throughout the country, as well as multiple scholarship recipients to the top Musical Theatre programs in the country. He previously taught at NYU Tisch School of the Arts at CAP21, The University of Texas at Austin, and various private studios throughout NYC and Utah. With his equal understanding of singing, acting, speech, and dancing, Matthew believes in developing musical theatre actors through continual inter-disciplinary correlative training – where the actor, singer, and dancer are ‘one.’ As a performer, he has worked throughout the NYC industry, from musical theatre to Greek drama, to soap operas, commercials, concerts, cruise ships and beyond. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The University of Texas at Austin and his BFA in Musical Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University. Matthew is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and the National Association for Teachers of Singing.
For more info, visit Matthew Herrick’s website.
Kent Homchick
Guest Artist, University of Colorado
Kent has practiced his craft as a scenic designer in several American regional theaters, including the American Conservatory Theater, The Seattle Repertory Theater, PCPA Theaterfest, and The Denver Center Theater Company. Kent is a free-lance designer and an Associate Professor of Production Design for the College of Arts and Media, University of Colorado Denver. He received his MFA from the Carnegie-Mellon School of Drama.
Presenter’s digital portfolio
Brian Hughes
Workshop Presenter, Openstage Theatre
Brian Hughes studied at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland, and has worked with some of the top names in theatre, including Barry McGovern and Eric Morris. Brian spent many years in Los Angeles working in film and television as an actor, casting director and producer. He has produced and co-produced music videos, commercials and short films, including A Love Letter to Steve McQueen (official selection, Dances with Films), Situation Normal (COLA award nominee) and Impersonal Impression (winner, Slamdance: Anarchy Film Festival). Brian returned to the Colorado stage in 2004 and has been seen in productions of The Winter’s Tale, Nickle and Dimed, Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Scarlet Letter and Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. He has served as the President of the Board for Openstage Theater and Company in Fort Collins and currently works as the Executive Director for KRFC-FM.
William Ilkley
Workshop Presenter
William trained at Rose Bruford on the B.A. (Hons) Theatre Arts Course and his regional theatre credits include Bolton Octagon, Manchester Royal Exchange, Newcastle Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, Theatre Clwyd, Watford Palace, Harrogate Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Derby Playhouse, Leicester Haymarket, York Theatre Royal, and The West Yorkshire Playhouse. He was a leading actor with John Godbers’ Hull Truck Theatre Company from 1988 to 2001 and has worked often on the West End. Touring Theatre includes the Edinburgh Festival, Donmar Warehouse, the Swan Theatre RSC Stratford, and numerous National Tours. William has over 80 TV credits and numerous film credits, with the BBC, Walt Disney Productions, and North Country Pictures. He owns and runs the company DRAMART PRODUCTIONS LTD., which specializes in running performance arts workshop courses for schools and colleges, with courses taking place in Spain, Greece, Italy, South Africa, USA, Stratford and London. You can visit their website atwww.dramartproductions.co.uk. William’s Official Website is www.williamilkley.com.
Brian Jackson
Adjudicator
Brian is a University of Northern Colorado graduate with a BA degree in Musical Theatre. He has been working performing in the Boulder/ Denver area for the past 14 years. Most recently Brian was seen at BDT Stage in “The Buddy Holly Story”, and earlier this year had the privilege of directing and choreographing “Forever Plaid.” Favorite rolls include Sir Lancelot in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Smudge in Forever Plaid, Franz Libkind in The Producers, Nikki/Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q and Cornelius Hackel in Hello Dolly. Brian has also has the opportunity to be the lighting designer for productions of Shout, Nunsence, and multiple Pops Concerts. Brian also spent 5 years choreographing and doing lighting design for the BDTA. Brian is thrilled to return to the Colorado Thespian Convention as an adjudicator after going thru the process as a high school student 18 years ago. Break a leg!!
John Jankow
Adjudicator
John is known to Colorado audiences for performances with Rattlebrain Theater, Paragon Theater, and Impulse Theater, as well as work at Little Theater of the Rockies at UNC. In the Portland, OR, he was in critically acclaimed productions at the Artists’ Repertory Theater, including Wit and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde.
Jenna Moll Reyes
Guest Artist, Curious Theatre Company
Jenna Moll Reyes is a local Denver actor, currently performing at Curious Theatre Company’s Hand to God as Jessica/Jolene. Jenna was last seen at Curious Theatre Company’s Water by the Spoonful as Orangutan. You may also recognize her as Grandma in Sweet and Lucky or Juliet in Shakespeare in the Parking Lot’s: Romeo and Juliet (Denver Center of Performing Arts). Other Credits include Serena – Legally Blonde the Musical, Dee Lee – Smokey Joe’s Café (Town Hall Arts Center), Amanda/Lily – 4000 Miles (Miners Alley Playhouse, *Westword’s “Best of Denver” for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy), Elizabeth Cursa/Connie – Saturday Night Fever (Arvada Center), Tilly Evans – She Kills Monsters (Aurora Fox Theatre), Mimi Marquez – Rent (Ignite Theatre) and Nina Rosario – In The Heights (Vintage Theatre). Be sure to catch Jenna in January-April as Elma in the show Bus Stop as part of the Arvada Center’s first black box repertory season. She is also a proud former Colorado Thespian Student State Officer (2006-2008). Jenna Moll Reyes graduated high school from Denver School of the Arts, received her B.A. in Musical Theater from the University of Northern Colorado, and is currently being represented by Radical Artists Agency. Feel Free to go to jennamollreyes.com for more info on her and upcoming projects.
Jennifer Johnson Lowe
Choreographer, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Jennifer Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Barat College and the Barat Conservatory of Dance in Lake Forrest, IL. She has danced and taught throughout the Denver Metro area and has contributed to the Denver Arts community for over 14 years. Jennifer is a former Denver Broncos Cheerleader and her passion for the promotion of dance is demonstrated by her commitment to share her talent with youth. Jennifer also serves on the Board of Directors of Dance Arts Studio. She has choreographed over 10 shows for different Colorado high schools, and currently instructs a movement class for people afflicted with Parkinson disease.
Jennifer Stafford
Lyricist/Playwright, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Jenny Stafford is a book writer, lyricist, and playwright. Her lyrics have been heard on Broadway (Paramour), as well as off-Broadway and at various venues across the country. Her works include Prodigy (workshop productions through Collaborative Development Project, Two Rivers Theatre Company, and Indiana University), To Have and to Hold (produced by Prospect Theatre Company), Cinderella (commissioned and produced by the Spotlight Youth Theatre), Two Bugs are Better Than One (commissioned by the New York City Children’s Theatre, all with Willem Oosthuysen), The Artist and the Scientist (with Brandon Anderson, produced at CAP21), The Star Child (with Sarah Underwood and Josh Freilich, produced at Frenchwoods), and Awakening (with Joel B. New and J. Oconer Navarro). Her work has been featured at the Lincoln Center Songbook Series (The Lyrics of Jennifer Stafford), Prospect Theatre Company, The National Alliance for Musical Theatre Songwriter Salon, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, 54 Below, Ars Nova, Joe’s Pub, and numerous other NYC venues. Awards include finalist status for the Yale Institute for Music Theatre, the Eugene O’Neill Musical Theatre Conference, and the Ronald M. Ruble New Play Competition, as well as second prize in the McLean Drama Company Playwriting Competition, and the Paulette Goddard Award. She’s been an Artist in Residence at Goodspeed Musicals, CAP 21, the Ross Ragland Theatre, and the Berkshire Playwrights Theatre. Dramatists Guild member; MFA NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Sarah Johnson
Professor/Guest Artist, Colorado State University
Sarah Johnson: is a PhD candidate in Theatre and Performance at The University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on intercultural theatre and the influence of Japanese traditional performing arts on American playwriting. Valuing artistic practice as a form of research and scholarly pursuit, she also continues honing her craft as a new play and production dramaturg. She recently completed her MFA in Dramaturgy at the University of Iowa with her thesis focusing on the influence of Japanese noh and kabuki theatre on Tennessee Williams’ late plays. Previously, she spent a year in Japan seeing theatre and teaching English to children and was also a Directing and Dramaturgy Intern at Portland Stage. She received her BA in Theatre and Anthropology from The University of Denver.
Price Johnston
Guest Artist, Colorado State University
Price Johnston is Director of Theatre at Colorado State University, where he teaches lighting, sound, and projection design. Price has designed over 200+ productions Nationally and Internationally, including the 2015 Drama Desk Nominated: Donogoo (The Mint Theatre – New York, NY), Lost/Found/Lost (Isadora Duncan International Dance Festival – Kransnoyarsk, Russia), 1776 (Chopin Theatre – Chicago) and the Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway (Stephen Sondheim Theatre – New York, NY).
Billy Johnstone
Guest Artist, AMDA
Billy Johnstone is a performer/director/choreographer and a 25-year faculty member at AMDA in NYC. He appeared on Broadway in both the record-breaking and final companies of the original run of CATS as well as in National/International productions of A CHORUS LINE and WEST SIDE STORY. Professional directing/choreography credits include productions of GYPSY, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (CT Critics Circle Award) and most recently the South American premiere of FAME the MUSICAL in São Paulo, Brazil. In addition to teaching at AMDA he has been a guest teaching artist at University of Michigan, Wagner College, and UC-Irvine. Mr. Johnstone is a Connecticut native, received his training at The Boston Conservatory and hosts THE BROADWAY RADIO HOUR which broadcasts out of Wesleyan University in CT.
Dr. Laura Jones
Workshop Presenter, Colorado State University
Dr. Laura Jones is a professor of theatre at Colorado State University. Dr. Jones served as Associate Chair in CSU’s School of the Arts and Director of Theatre for nine years. Laura’s directorial credits span a forty-year career and include titles from the classical canon (Rostand’sCyrano de Bergerac and Shakespeare’s The Tempest) as well as twentieth century classics (Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple – both the male and female versions). She has directed numerous musicals (personal favorites include Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, and West Side Story) and children’s theatre productions (The Emperor’s New Clothes and James and the Giant Peach). With a special interest in plays by and about women from Susan Glaspell’sTrifles to Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, Laura is drawn to plays that examine gender roles and sexual orientations: Diana Son’s Stop Kiss, Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine, and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. Her productions have been chosen as regional finalists by the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, most recently in 2005 and 2008, and she was awarded a KC/ACTF national fellowship in dramaturgy in 2009.
Rebecca Joseph
Workshop Presenter, Vintage Theatre
Rebecca Joseph is a Denver native who has worked on Broadway and in the West End in addition to professional theatres in Seattle and Denver. She has a Master’s Degree in Theatre Studies from the University of London and a Bachelor’s Degree from New York University. Rebecca loves to work behind the scenes to help mount productions and specializes in doing challenging musicals on a small scale.
Elizabeth Karsell
Workshop Presenter
Elizabeth Karsell (Director of the Colorado School of Acting) has taught performing arts at Macy Gray Music Academy and Silverlake Conservatory in Los Angeles, as well as at her own studio just outside New York City. Elizabeth continues to act in films, in addition to creating projects and coaching actors. Her performing background includes leads in over 25 plays and musicals, with title roles in Cinderella and Gypsy, and over a dozen films including Waking Up in Reno with Billy Bob Thornton, and a turn as Judy Garland in Warner Brothers’ James Dean. She holds a degree in Communications and Music from DePauw University, and has worked in film production and development at Michael Douglas’s Furthur Films in New York, and the Spark Factory in Los Angeles. Elizabeth loves to help young actors gain the confidence and professionalism they need to get where they want to go. She, along with her husband Troy Horne, have an acting school devoted to teaching acting in the digital age. Their school, the Colorado School of Acting has two locations: Lakewood and Centennial, and you can find out more information by visiting http://coloradoschoolofacting.com
Michael Kary
Guest Artist , Grand Canyon University
For the past 12 years, Michael has been working as an actor and writer in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. His credits include: Fame on 42nd Street (Original New York Cast); Hay Fever (New Jersey Shakespeare); Trojan Women, Pericles, Taming of the Shrew, Smash!, and Twelfth Night directed by Jack O’Brien (The Globe Theatres); Bandido! written and directed by Luis Valdez (San Diego Rep); Ivona, Princess of Burgundia (Sacred Fools Theatre); and Smoke on the Mountain (Lamb’s Players Theatre). He is co-founder of Nobody in Particular, an award winning production company with whom he has written and produced three television pilots (Deal With It, Little League, and Surviving Out of Doors with Louis) and a Shakespeare workshop for high school students. His plays include: The Servant and the Fool, Dial P for Peanuts (with David Hayes), and a one man show currently titled: God Knows What. Michael holds an MFA from the University of San Diego and is currently directs productions and teaches acting and writing at Grand Canyon University.
Kayla Diaz
Guest Artist
Kayla Diaz is currently the drama teacher and troupe director at Sagewood Middle School in Parker, CO. Along with chartering the school’s inaugural thespian troupe, she has continued to grow Sagewood’s opportunities for young students to find their passion and voice. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a BA in both acting and theatre education.
Andrea Kehler
Workshop Presenter, Broadway Training Intensive
Andrea Kehler is the Producing Artistic Director of Broadway Training Intensive (formerly Broadway Comes To Denver, and now expanding beyond the Denver area), and the Creative and Marketing Director of Broadway Bound Kids in New York City. Andrea began her professional performing career in her teens when she appeared with the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Favorite performing credits include How to Succeed… (Hedy La Rue), Cinderella (Anastasia), Nunsense (Sr. Robert Ann), Cut to the Chase (Little Angela), Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow & Toto puppeteer), Snoopy (Woodstock), Peter Pan (Tinkerbell),The Gregory Hines Tribute. She has been honored to perform with and/or work along-side legendary entertainers including Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen, Sam Harris, Terrence Mann, Alix Korey, and Charlotte d’Amboise. Directing and choreography credits include Seussical, All Shook Up, Bye Bye Birdie, Dear Edwina, Behind the Camera, Road Trip, and multiple musical reviews. She directed the dance program and founded the acting program at The School of Blessed Sacrament in NYC, co-created and directed Summer Theatre Project in Denver, Colorado, and has taught in programs ranging from The Butler University Department of Theatre (while still an undergraduate student), to the Denver Center Theatre Academy at the DCPA, and many schools and studios across the country.
Mary Ann Kehler
Workshop Presenter, Broadway Training Intensive
Mary Ann Kehler successfully trains singers ranging from working professionals to those other teachers have labeled “tone deaf.” She is one of only 70 teachers of Speech Level Singing in the world to have attained Level III or higher certification and is also the Executive Producer of Broadway Training Intensive (formerly Broadway Comes To Denver, and now expanding beyond the Denver area). Mary Ann trains singers of all styles and her students include musical theatre professionals, pop recording artists, lead singers for rock and R&B bands, classical choral soloists,voice teachers, music educators, worship leaders and singer/songwriters. She is a college audition coach and has students in top colleges and conservatories all over the country. She is co-author of a book on auditioning for college programs which will be published later this year. Mary Ann is a musical theatre director with over 65 shows to her credit. Companies under her direction have appeared with the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing…, been televised live in Europe, twice appeared in the opening number of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, entertained on the White House Ellipse and at Lincoln Center, in addition to dozens of high-profile events in the Rocky Mountainregion. Mary Ann is on the founding board of International Voice Teachers of Mix and is a mentor for other teachers in that organization. Her studio is in the Denver Technological Center; she teaches regularly around the country, and worldwide on Skype.
Zachary Keller
Adjudicator, University of Northern Colorado
Before joining the faculty of UNC’s School of Theatre, Zachary served as an Instructor in Penn State University’s School of Theatre where he also received his Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Scenic Design. His recent scenic design credits include Sir Patient Fancy, Assassins, The Apple Tree, Ordinary Days (world premiere), Pentecost, Parade, WPSU’sMusical Theatre Spotlight 2006-2009. He has been a Sound Designer for numerous productions ranging from straight plays like The Laramie Project and Mother Courage & Her Children to large cast musicals such as 42nd Street and Jekyll & Hyde. Zak has also served as a Scenic Charge Artist or Prop Master for dozens of productions. In all areas of design and technology, Zak specializes in digital integration, ranging from virtual modeling and lighting to large-format printed scenery and props, to projection and interactive soundscaping. He has been an active Member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology since 2001 and the Professional Photographers of America since 2006. This year, WPSU’s Musical Theatre Spotlight 2009 was Honored with the Mid-Atlantic Emmy® for best documentary. In 2005, Zak was honored with the Herbert J. Bailey Endowed Graduate Fellowship at Penn State. In 2008, he was twice honored as both a recipient of a Creative Achievement Medal from Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and as the recipient the School of Theatre’s Anne Gibson Award for Professional Development in Theatre Design and Technology. He has also been honored several times for meritorious achievement in scenic design and sound design by The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Brian Kelley
Workshop Presenter, Metropolitan State University
Brian Kelley holds and MFA in Technical Direction from Ohio University. He has worked in both professional and educational theatres. They include The Des Moines Metro Opera, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, The Washington National Opera, Olney Theatre Center, Ohio University, University of Arizona and Ashland University. He is currently the Technical Director for the Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Theatre Department. Brian is a member of USITT.
Tanner Kelley
Guest Artist
Tanner is an active music director, performer and teacher around the Denver-Metro area. He is the Executive Music Director for Inspire Creative where he has directed, performed, conducted, and music directed shows, summer programs, and children’s choirs for the last 8 years. Tanner is the High School Music Theatre Education Director for StageDoor Theatre and has music directed for Dylan’s Down With the Arts, St. Luke’s Performing Arts Academy and recently, his company was granted partnership with the PACE center in Parker where he now music directs and teaches classes. He is a frequent performer at the Adams Mystery Playhouse, a musical theatre and acting judge for Denver’s ThesCon and is a performing arts teacher for the Douglas County School District. Tanner has sung with groups such as The Sound of the Rockies, All State Mixed and Men’s Choir, Spin Quartet, The Colorado Korean Choir, Calvary Baptist, Littleton Chorale, and The Candlelight Singers. He is a proud member of the Evans Choir, with performance credits including the opera “The Poet Li Bai,” (Los Angeles production) and Bravo! Vail Musical Festival with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Tanner was ranked 1st place in musical theater singing in the 2010 national association of teachers of singers competition for Colorado/Wyoming, and has a DCSD Apple Award Nomination, which recognizes Outstanding Teachers. Some favorite credits include: Shrek: The Musical (Broadway World Nomination), Barfee in Spelling Bee, Mr. Andrews in Titanic, Mushnik in Little Shop, Buddy in Sideshow, Maestro Spinelloccio in Gianni Schicchi, Barrel in Urinetown, Lycus in Forum and Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls. Tanner is a graduate from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, holds his Colorado Teaching License through MSU Denver and is a Master of Music Ed student at ASU.
Kent Welborn
Artistic Director, Bovine Metropolis Theater
Kent Welborn is the Artistic Director at the Bovine Metropolis Theater in Downtown Denver. He has been in love with improv since high school when he took his first improv class. He continued the love affair in college when he was one of the original members of Left Right TIM, CU Boulder’s improv comedy team. Before graduating and leaving LRT, Kent traveled with them to Chicago, LA and Edinburgh to perform and learn. After graduating college, Kent continued his love affair with improv and started performing and taking classes (Grad Class 55!) at the Bovine Metropolis Theater. That was 2010 and since then he has been performing, directing, or teaching improv like a crazy person with many different groups and wonderful people. On a side note, if you know of a good cheeseburger, let Kent know because he will want to eat it.
Brenda King
Workshop Presenter, University of Colorado
Brenda is Costume Shop Foreman for the University of Colorado’s Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as the Costume Director for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She also managed costume shops at the George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, NJ) for eight seasons, the McCarter Theatre (Princeton, NJ) and Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ). Brenda also designs costumes. Recently her design for Morisot Reclining at the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company received a Henry Award Nomination, and a 2009 Camera Eye Award. Other experiences include working at Carelli Costumes (New York, NY) creating costumes for Broadway shows, movies & operas.
John Knight
Adjudicator
John, who has been teaching and directing high school drama in Illinois since 1988, currently directs theatre at Glenbrook South High School in the Chicago suburbs. Active in the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association as well as the Illinois Theatre Festival, John holds an M.A. in Directing directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. John has also performed professionally for many years around the Chicago area, where he has worked with several directors from the Goodman and Steppenwolf Theatre.
Cherity Koepke
Workshop Presenter
Ms. Koepke was drawn to music at an early age. A lyric soprano, she began singing at the age of 15 and has performed such roles as Eponine and Fantine (Les Misérables), Guinevere (Camelot), Maria (The Sound of Music) and The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). In 2004, Ms. Koepke won the prestigious Thespian Tribute award for her performance of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. She attended the University of New Mexico, where she earned a double Masters in Vocal Performance and Child Psychology & Behavioral Studies. Ms. Koepke also minored in theater, receiving additional training in directing and improvisation. In 2001, Ms. Koepke began working as a behavior specialist with the Albuquerque Public School System where she incorporated her training in music and theater into her student’s curriculum. She continued to study theatre, becoming a Shakespearian trained actress through the Addison program in Houston, TX. She has performed such roles as Katherine (Taming of the Shrew), Ophelia (Hamlet) and Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing). Well-versed in both performing and directing the classics, Ms. Koepke has directed productions such as, Inherit the Wind, The Tempest, A Little Night Music, Pirates of Penzance and A Lion in Winter. Her operatic work began in 2002 with the Santa Fe Opera as an artist-in-residence where she performed various roles throughout New Mexico including Norma (Norma), Liu (Turandot), Musetta (La Bohème) and Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel). During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Ms. Koepke performed as a soloist with the Santa Fe Opera at the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Disney Theater in Albuquerque. She also served as Director, Librettist and Vocal Coach, for their “Let’s Make an Opera” program which guides students as they create, produce and perform their own original opera.

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ms. Koepke came to Opera Colorado in 2007, where she directs the Opera Colorado Young Artist Residency Program and leads the Education & Community Engagement department. In addition to abridging and designing productions for the company’s Opera on Tour program, she has directed Opera Colorado’s touring productions of Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Hansel and Gretel, The Barber of Seville and Carmen. In 2012, Koepke directed the student matinee production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. In February of 2015, Koepke directed the world premiere concert reading of Lori Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter. In 2016, Ms. Koepke served as artistic director for the 10^th Anniversary Gala of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Jodie Langel
Workshop Presenter
Jodie will next be seen in the Prepre-Broadway tryout of “The Tale of Two Cities” at the Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, FlFL. Jodie was last seen starring in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change in New York. She premiered on Broadway as in the role of Cosette in Les Miserables while still attending NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (CAP 21), and later went on to play the role of Eponine. Her Broadway tour credits include the role of Bertrande in the Prepre-Broadway tour of Martin Guerre (including runs at the Guthrie, Ahmanson, and Kennedy Center, the Narrator in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Grizabella in the National Tour of CATSCats, where she was the youngest person to ever portray the role. Regional credits include: Eva Peron in Evita at the Aladdin Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas and The North Carolina Theater, Robin in the revival of Smile, Fanny Brice inFunny Girl, Chess at Paper Mill Playhouse directed by Rob Marshall, the lead in a brand brand-new musical at the legendary Eugene O’ Neill Theater Conference directed by Bobby Long bottom, and the West -Coast premiere of The Thing about Men. Jodie has been a featured lead soloist for President Clinton, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra, the celebrated Lyric and Lyricists series at the 92nd Street YMCA, and the Mets/Yankees Subway Series! Jodie had the distinct honor of singing the National Anthem at the re-opening of the American Stock Exchange alongside Governor Pataki and New York City’s firefighters and policeman. Jodie also was awarded “Best National Anthem Singer of 2007” by the Mets. Jodie has much Television, Radio and Hosting experience, having last hosted the VH1 T.V. show “Singing Scentsations“, a reality show for rock star moms who sang at the Grammy Awards. She has also been featured on CNN, NPR and top radio programs all over the country. Jodie was one of the head teachers at the American Idol Camp in 2007. She holds an M.F.A in Acting acting from U.C.L.A.UCLA and has taught at U.C.L.AUCLA, The New School for Drama, and the Seth Riggs Vocal Camp in Los Angeles. She holds her own Musical musical Theater theater intensive in New York City called “Making it on Broadway,” aptly named after her bestselling book, both in the Summer summer and Winter winter and around the country. She also currently coaches and teaches and upcoming seminars are always available at her Jodie Langel website.
Heather Lawrence
Workshop Presenter/Adjudicator
Heather studied acting at the University of Northern Colorado where she earned a B.A.BA in Theatre theatre and with The Denver Center Theatre during its 2003 summer intensive program. Since her return to the stage, Heather has become a recognizable presence on the Northernin Colorado theatre working with Openstage Theatre and Company, Bas Blue and Denver’s Curious Theater Company. Some of her credits include Hermione in The Winter’s taleTale, lady Lady Macduff inMacbeth, Wanda in Dirty Story and ScheherezadeScheherazade in The Arabian Nights. Most notably, Heather performed in the Regional regional premiere of the 365 play cycle by Suzan-Lori Parks at the Curious in Denver and last December, she received the 2006 Ovation Award for Best Supporting Actress from the The Denver post Post for her portrayal of Zillah Katz in Openstage’s production of A Bright Room Called Day.
Leah Springman
Guest Artist, Theatre Event Alliance
Leah Springman has built a career spanning the theatre and live event industries. She earned a BA in Theatre from UW-Madison and an MFA in Lighting Design from UC-Irvine. Theatrical experience includes 7 seasons at the Utah Shakespearean Festival and LD and ALD work at numerous regional and local theaters around the country. On the live event side, for over seven years Leah served as Lighting Director for Radiance Lightworks, Inc.—a Los Angeles area company which specializes in lighting design for trade shows, corporate theatre and themed entertainment. In this role, she designed and managed annual productions and permanent attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood and led the lighting & rigging design and management for all U.S.-based trade shows for Mattel, Inc. Leah founded Theatre Event Alliance in order to provide opportunities for theatre educators, students & professionals to broaden skill sets and increase awareness of available career paths in the live event industry.
John Leonard
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
John Leonard is the head of the Musical Theatre program at the University of Northern Colorado. A native of St. Louis, John directed/choreographed the 1983-84 St. Louis Pops Concert and Dames at Sea, and was the recipient of the 1984 Regional Director’s Award. John received his MFA from the University of California, Davis, and went on to direct/choreograph many musical productions in the San Francisco and Bay area including, The Sound of Music, A Chorus Line, Side by Side by Sondheim, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Anything Goes, and A Grand Night for Singing (for which he received two 1997 Bay area “Arty Awards” for ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Musical’). While at UNC and Little Theatre of the Rockies, John has directed/choreographed Falsettos, Always…Patsy Cline, The Secret Garden, My Fair Lady, No No Nanette, The Sound of Music, My Way… A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, 42nd Street, A Grand Night for Singing, Grease, Cabaret, Side Show, Grand Hotel, 1940’s Radio Hour, The Boyfriend, and directed Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Damn Yankees, Annie, Stuart Little, and Charlotte’s Web. John also directed/choreographed My Way for the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania, Godspell for GCTT, and choreographed My Way at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Amy Long
Adjudicator
Amy Long has been a professional teacher in Northern Colorado for almost 14 years and holds an MA in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently works teaching drama to kindergarten through fifth grade students and has produced and directed over 20 plays specializing in work with children of all ages. Amy has collaborated with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to create curriculum overview samples for drama in the elementary classroom as well as integrate theatre and health instructional unit samples. The CDE has also partnered with Amy in the classroom to film her instruction as a drama teacher as part of a database for educators to create baselines for assessment for instruction. She has also worked on the national level to benchmark student work and performances using the new national drama standards.
Jay Louden
Workshop Presenter
Jay Louden, Assistant Professor. Jay holds an MFA in directing from the University of California, Irvine a BA in Theatre from Indiana University and completed the Professional Actor Training Program at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. His regional theatre acting credits include: “The Foreigner” and “The Philadelphia Story” at Alaska Repertory Theatre, “You Can’t Take It With You” at Arizona Theatre Company, “A Christmas Memory” and “Richard III” at the Mark Taper Forum and “Who’s Happy Now?,” “The Comedy Of Errors,” “Macbeth” and “Julius Caesar” at the Old Globe Theatre. His film and television credits include: “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Opposing Force,” “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” “Remington Steele,” “Jake and the Fat Man” and “The Young and the Restless.” He has directed over 40 productions in professional and educational theatre including: “Tartuffe,” “The Hot l Baltimore,” “The Diviners,” “Twelfth Night,” “Major Barbara,” “The Winter’s Tale,” “Bullshot Crummond,” “Buried Child,” “Little Shop Of Horrors,” “Rumors,” “The Dining Room,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Heidi Chronicles.” In addition, he was certified by the National Society of Fight Choreographers and has choreographed over 20 fights for numerous productions.
Mary Lucas
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Mary has been painting professionally for over twenty years. She began her career at the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. Since then she has had the good fortune to work in such well-known theatres as the Old Globe in San Diego, the La Jolla Playhouse, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. In Denver, she also worked for Chameleon Studios, a small independent company, painting interiors, television sets and various projects for nationally and internationally known companies. She loves working at UNC and living in Greeley with her husband, and three children.
Brian Luedloff
Adjudicator, University of Northern Colorado
Mr. Luedloff is Professor of Music and Director of Opera Theatre at University of Northern Colordao, where he has directed twenty-five productions. Professionally he has directed nearly one hundred opera and theatre productions across north America. Mr. Luedloff was appointed Artistic Director for Opera Ft. Collins in 2011. He was a Directing Fellow at Boston University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing, in affiliation with the Huntington Theatre Company. He pursued Advanced Acting studies at the American Conservatory Theatre, and his undergraduate studies were in music and theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he was a company member with the Missouri Repertory Theatre (now the Kansas City Rep) and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Marco Robinson
Acting Guest Artist
Marco Robinson is a Denver Actor and Photographer. Some previous credits include Bill in the Daniel Green’s new musical THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS with Theatre Aspen, Eddie Birdlace (DOGFIGHT), and Radames (AIDA) with Little Theatre of the Rockies, Link Larkin (HAIRSPRAY), Balladeer/LHO (ASSASSINS), Anthony Hope (SWEENEY TODD), and Eugene Jerome (BROADWAY BOUND) with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. An actor with Donna Baldwin Agency and the Bi-Coastal KMR, Marco has been working in commercial/print work as well, including work with Best Buy/Geek Squad, Dominos Pizza, Goodwill, Red Robin and the Air Force Academy. Marco is a recent graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and in 2010, he was awarded the Gold Award for Best Actor in the Colorado Springs Gazette’s BEST OF THE SPRINGS
Mare Trevathan
Movement Theatre/Guest Artist, Think 360 Arts for Learning
LOCAL’s Associate Artistic Director Mare Trevathan has been a teaching artist with Think 360 since 2010, specializing in Movement Theater and guiding students in the creation of their own plays. LOCAL Theater Company is passionate about theater as a powerful tool for enhancing literacy, promoting self-expression, and building essential communication skills.
Mare has received “Best Actress” nods from The Denver Post, Westword, OutFront, Denver Daily News, Rocky Mountain News for her work with LOCAL, Curious Theatre Company (where she was a Company Member for just shy of 10 years), Denver Center Theater Company, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and many Colorado performance groups. A voice over artist, Mare has narrated over 250 audiobooks for the Library of Congress.
Mare studied at American Conservatory Theatre; University of Washington; SITI Company in NYC, Skidmore and DU; and at the Denver Center Academy and elsewhere with masters including Mark Rhodes, Augusto Boal, Tina Landau, Anne Bogart, Yuri Belov and Larry Pisoni.
Mare has taught theatre workshops at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Theatre Academy; CU Boulder; CU Colorado Springs; Wolf Theatre Academy (at the JCC); Mizel Museum; Kaiser Permanente; and in many, many K-12 classrooms. Mare directs Kaiser Permanente’s anti-bullying play “Choose Your Life” which tours Colorado elementary schools.
Matthew Polis
Guest Artist, NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Matthew recently returned to Boulder after 20 years in New York City. He is the founder of boutique sound house, SoundSpace, and has been sound designing and mixing films for nearly 20 years. His combined story driven approach to sound design and technical mastery in the mix room has earned him respect amongst his peers in the indie film world with over 150 credits. Matthew’s works include Appropriate Behavior (Sundance, BAM), Growing Up Coy (ITVS, Denver Film Festival), I Believe in Unicorns (SXSW), Peter and Vandy (Sundance) David Blaine: Beautiful Struggle & What is Magic, Evolution of a Criminal (SXSW, Full Frame, ITVS), The System with Joe Berlinger, Food Chains (Berlin), Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon, Seymour: An Introduction (Telluride, Toronto, NYFF). And he is the head of post audio for TED Conferences.
Matthew is also an adjunct professor at his alma mater, NYU Tisch School Of The Arts for post audio and mixing.
Kody Maynard
Adjudicator
Kody Maynard is the theater educator and director at Challenger Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kody is also the acting coach at Pine Creek High School and has returned to both of these schools as a theater professional and alumni of their programs. Academically, he focused his bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado on Theater Education and his master’s degree on Human Communication. As a part of this educational journey, Kody stepped into the role of playwright and produced two one act pieces performed on campus titledGET OUT and Glare. Professionally, Kody followed his childhood dream of performing for the Disney Company and worked at the Orlando site for four years seasonally while pursuing his two degrees. Kody has recently directed The Just So Stories and has coached the cast of Pride and Prejudice.
Tim McCracken
Workshop Presenter
Mr. McCracken is a professional actor, teacher and playwright, having performed in theatre, television, and film for 25 years. He has appeared in numerous theatre productions in New York and around the country. He also has performed locally with the Denver Center Theatre Company, Curious Theatre Company, the Arvada Center, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and Stories on Stage. Timothy has taught at many universities nationally. He has an MFA in Theatre from the National Theatre Conservatory and a BA in Theatre from Whitman College.
Steven McDonald
Workshop Presenter, University of Denver
Steven is an Assistant Professor at the University of Denver, where he serves as the Technical Director/Production Manager for the Department of Theatre. Previously, he spent 16 years as the Production Manager for Theatre & Dance at the University of Colorado. Since beginning his academic career in 1994, he has taught Stage Management, Sound Design, Properties, Lighting and Stage Technology. Steven has worked for a variety of performing arts organizations, including the Seattle Rep, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Curious Theatre Company, the Colorado Dance Festival, Rocky Mountain Revels, and 20 seasons with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Steven earned his MFA in Theatre Design & Production from the University of California, Irvine.
Brian McManus
Guest Artist
BRIAN McMANUS • Mr. McManus received a BFA in Theater Performance from the University of Colorado. He has studied and performed the art of improvisation for 20 years, including five years in New York with the Upright Citizens Brigade, The People’s Improv Theater, the renowned Armando Diaz and more. Brian teaches adult and teen improv classes for the Denver Center Academy, and acts as a guest teacher at Denver School of the Arts and various local high schools. Yes, and…
Tom McNally
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
Equity actor Tom McNally is professor of theatre arts at the University of Northern Colorado where he serves as artistic director of The Little Theatre of the Rockies and coordinator of the Acting Program. In 1994, Professor McNally was named National Theatre Arts Teacher of the Year, by the Educational Theatre Association. The following year he was named Higher Education Educator of the Year by the Alliance for Colorado Theatre. He serves on the board of the Higher Education Council of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Alliance for Colorado Theatre. He is the author of the textbook Acting: The Active Process. Tom McNally came to UNC from Pennsylvania State University where he was director of undergraduate studies and co-coordinator of the professional acting program. From 1973 to 1982, Professor McNally served as chairman of the Department of Theatre and Music Theatre at Loretto Heights College. He received his BA from Regis College and his MFA from the University of Denver and studied in the New York studio system.
Gillian McNally
Workshop Presenter, University of Northern Colorado
Gillian McNally serves as assistant professor of theatre education at the University of Northern Colorado. She has extensive experience particularly with underserved, low income populations in some of this country’s most harshly economically challenged cities. Recently, Gillian worked with TRIO, a national program which helps low-income and first-generation students gain access to college. Before coming back to her home state of Colorado, Ms. McNally served as the resident teaching artist for People’s Light and Theatre where she created the Professional Development Program for teachers. The program was honored with the Educator 500 Award from the Institute of Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship at West Chester University in May of 2005. Also at People’s Light, Gillian worked with New Voices, the nationally recognized program, which works with diverse urban and suburban high school students in Philadelphia. At the university level, Ms. McNally has taught undergraduate and graduate theatre and/or arts education courses for The University of Texas at Austin, Temple University, West Chester University and Arcadia University. A proud Longhorn, she holds an MFA in drama and theatre for youth from The University of Texas at Austin and a BFA in acting from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
Pamela Jamruszka Mencher
Workshop Presenter, Rocky Mountain Theatre Association
Pamela is the Chair chair for the Visual and performing Performing Arts department Department and the Founder founder and Program program Director director of Theatre theatre Arts and dance at red Red Rocks Community College. In addition to her responsibilities at the College, she serves as Grants grants and Development development Director director for the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association and is a playwright, actor, director, and costume designer.
Michael Gunst
Actor/Guest Artist, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Michael Gunst has toured, taught, and performed in educational settings for over 35 years. As a creator and collaborator of original material Michael’s work has been with Boston’s Studebaker Theatre Company, Faustwork Mask Theatre, Toronto, Circus Flora, St. Louis, among others. In Colorado Michael has performed with the Colorado Shakespeare Company’s Arts in Education program, and locally in Denver and Boulder theatres. He received his MFA from Brandeis University. “Gunst’s impressive handiwork is on full display…imaginations will be ignited,” says The Daily Camera, Boulder, COabout Michael’s show Four Wishes. He has been touring Four Wishes since 2007 after he won the Boulder Fringe Festivals “Pick of the Fringe”.
FOUR WISHES “visually impressive …well-crafted…educational and fun” -CBC-
Adapted from a Wabanaki tale written by Joe Bruchac, Four Wishes is the story of four Abenaki men who yearn for more. The traditional teaching tale is unfolded with an elegant and eye-catching collection of puppets, masks, props and an engaging narrative. The entire production is performed by a buckskin-clad Michael Gunst, who slips naturally from one character to another. One man is greedy for many worldly possessions, the second for stature so he can be taller than anyone, the third seeks immortality, while the last wishes to be a better hunter so he can provide for his people. They journey by canoe to visit Gluskabe, a great creator who will grant such wishes. But what happens if they open their medicine pouches too soon?
“This graceful, well-crafted production out of Boulder, Colo., is well-deserving of a broad audience” -Winnipeg Free Press-
Mike Rock
Hollywood Guest Artist, @itsmikerock
Mike Rock is an actor & improviser based in Los Angeles. TV credits include Black-ish, The Goldbergs, Modern Family, After Lately, The Mentalist, Monk, Conan O’Brien & many commercials. Currently the voice of NFL Replay and formerly voice of Chelsea Lately on E! He improvises full-length plays on stage with Impro L.A: Shakespeare, Chekhov, Jane Austen, Dorothy Parker, Nancy Drew, George S. Kauffman & TV’s The Twilight Zone. He served as president of the national ComedySportz improv chain. Co-created, produced & performed sketch comedy in NYC, L.A. Montreal, Edinburgh, Aspen, Austin and on MTV, VH-1 & Comedy Central. He has been performing & teaching improv at ITS / EdTA & high school theater festivals since before your parents met. Find him online @itsmikerock < twitter/instagram/snapchat
Mitch Samu
Musical Theatre Guest Artist, EasrthSky Productions
I have spent my career in the world of Musical Theater as a Music Director and Pianist. As a professional musician, I have been involved in over 500 productions during my career. I have been “on the bench and at the table” for over 20,000 auditions.
New York / Broadway Touring / Professional Credits: Lion King, Little Shop of Horrors, Saturday Night Fever, Hairspray, Mama Mia!, In the Heights, Grey Gardens, Nunsense (with Danny Goggin), Kiss of The Spider Woman, Suessical, Baby! (The Revival), Ragtime, Jersey Boys, 3 Mo Divas, Scarlet Letter, Across the Universe (Directed by Julie Taymor), Annaleigh Ashford, Sam Harris, Martin Short, Melissa Benoist, Lise Simms, Robert Johnson, Ken Medema, Cleo Parker Robinson
Molina Speaks
Spoken Word Artist, Think 360 Arts for Learning
Molina Speaks is an Artist of the people and for the people. Molina hails from a small gritty working class town you might think of as “nowhere.” He proves there is Soul everywhere. Molina balances humble roots and urban grit, street smarts and cultural knowledge, lyrical skills and philosophy. Speaks is a Writer, Poet, Playwright, Emcee, Performance Artist and Recording Artist. He is a Chicano/Latino/Indigenous/Mestizo Futurist, a live poetic scribe, a professor of cultural and media studies, a publisher, producer, community educator, and all around human bridge. Molina Speaks advocates for the voices, stories, and power of youth and communities of color.
Molina has released 16 independent DIY albums under various artist names. During this time he has shared the stage with many big names, all of whom take a back seat to his communities, young audiences, and collaborating artists. Molina has performed at hundreds of events nationwide. These appearances include festivals, universities, music venues and lounges, cultural gatherings, community centers, alternative schools, elementary schools, youth jails and treatment centers. Molina Speaks is not a pop artist. He challenges us to be, see, think, feel, speak, and act on our truths, creativity, convictions, fantasies and dreams. Every presentation and performance is unique to the time and space in which it is experienced.
Molly Schommer
Guest Artist
Molly Schommer has been a performer all her life. She played Amber Von Tussle in the junior national cast of Hairspray, and will be continuing to train at UNC. She spent a year and a half in Los Angeles, CA after graduating from high school, and was represented by Osbrink agency and Dolphins Entertainment. She trained in studios such as Richard Brander Acting Studio, Berg Studio, and The Imagined Life with Diana Castle.
Neil Truglio
Stage Combat Artist, Modest Arts
Neil Truglio has been an artist and educator in the Denver area for 15 years. He has written and directed work for the University of Colorado-Denver, as well as high school programs such as Eaglecrest High School. Neil’s production of Frankenstein was featured at the Colorado Thespian Conference in 2013. His feature film work has been seen all over the world including screenings at Denver Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival and the American Film Festival in Poland. Neil currently serves as educator for the Denver Film Society and Artistic Director for Modest Arts, a college preparatory program for high school students who wish to forward their skills through production and design. www.modestarts.org
Patrick Newell
Workshop Presenter, University of Wyoming
Patrick, baritone, is the founder of the Musical Theatre program in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wyoming. He is also the resident Stage Director of Helios Ensemble in Dallas, Texas. As a performer he has been seen in roles such as Sweeney Todd, Miles Gloriosus, Schaunard, Figaro (The Ghosts of Versailles), and Captain Corcoran. His Direction credits include The Magic Flute, The Medium, Into the Woods, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Songs for a New World. His Music Direction credits include A Little Night Music, The Secret Garden, A Chorus Line, The Last Five Years, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. His productions in small venues with Helios Ensemble have received critical acclaim, and lead to a series of presentations with the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Los Angeles. His vocal students have performed in national tours and in regional theatre productions across the United States. He holds the Doctor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University, where he also received his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees.
Brian O’Sullivan
Adjudicator, Music Theatre International
Brian is the Director of Amateur Licensing for Music Theatre International in New York City. He is thrilled to be adjudicating at the Colorado Thespian Conference once again this year. He was a high school thespian himself once upon a time, and has loved theatre ever since.
James Olm
Workshop Presenter, Casper College
James Olm is the coordinator of the Musical Theatre program at Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. This past June, his newest musical, The Magdalene – of which he was composer/playwright/lyricist – opened Off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clements in New York City. In The Magdalene, he worked closely with Tony Award-winning director and lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. Olm has written three other musicals, composed music for many dramas, and is published with Samuel French, Inc. in New York. He has directed or musically directed over forty dramas and musicals, from professional to high school theatre.
Hillary Olson
Adjudicator, Imagination Makers
Hillary a BA in Acting and Directing with a minor in Business from the University of Northern Colorado and has been an actress and patron of the Denver Metro Arts Community since the age of two. Her favorite roles include Helen Barabander in Who Will Carry the Word with Open Stage Theater Company and Melody (a bunraku-style puppet) in Kids on the Block (a puppet show about bullying that served over 3,000 students in the Metro area) that Hillary also directed for The Children’s Museum of Denver. Hillary has taught arts education programs, written and directed children’s theater productions and developed acting classes for The Children’s Museum of Denver, Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids, The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Backstory Theater Academy and The City of Northglenn. She is currently a board member of the Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation and is also the After-school Theater Education Coordinator for Imagination Makers.
Kelly Van Oosbree
Workshop Presenter, Barbizon Lighting
Kelly Van Oosbree is a sales representative for Barbizon Light of the Rockies, which is a one-stop source for sales, service, installation, and integration of lighting equipment and accessories for the Theatretheatre, Film film and Televisiontelevision. Barbizon has been in business since 1947 and Kelly has been involved in theatre since 1979—- growing up with a mother that who is a director and a father that who is an electrician. She holds a B.A.BA from the University of Iowa in Theatre theatre Arts arts with an emphasis in lighting and set design. Kelly was the Master master Electrician electrician for Walden Family Playhouse—- a professional children’’s theatre owned by Walden Media. She has also worked for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts as a technician and designer for DCPA’’s Special special Eventsevents. Kelly is also an annual presenter at the Colorado Community Theatre Festival.
Charles Packard
Adjudicator
Charles Packard began his professional career as a Stage Manager then migrated to tech/design. In 1997 he moved to Denver and launched No Necktie Productions, providing scenic and lighting design and construction for theatres across the front range. In 2000 he joined the Aurora Fox full time as technical director while continuing freelance activities on the side. Charles is now the Executive Director of a rapidly growing Aurora Fox.
Patrick Elkins-Zeglarski
Guest Artist, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Mr. Patrick Elkins-Zeglarski is the Associate Director of Education and Curriculum Manager. His theatre teaching credits include Central Washington University, University of Northern Iowa, University of Queensland, and community colleges in California, Arizona, Maryland, and Iowa. Directing credits include theatre company and university productions. Acting credits include performance and training nationally as a freelance dramaturg. Patrick bridges his interests in theatre and education as national faculty for Lesley University’s School of Education. Patrick has a BA from the University of Northern Iowa and an MFA from Arizona State University.
Pat Payne
Workshop Presenter
A Colorado native has been involved in theatre since childhood, began producing and directing at 18 years old and has gone on to produce nearly 50 theatre productions and concerts. He is also founder of Spotlight Theatre Company where he serves as Executive Producer. Producing highlights include: 12 Angry Men (Henry Nominated Best Ensemble), I Love, Your Perfect, Now Change (the Denver Edition), An Evening with Charles Langley, Charles Langley: Home for the Holidays” (a 6 concert sold out tour), Spotlight Theatre Co’s And Then There Were None. In addition Pat is an accomplished director of plays and musicals all over Denver. Named 2009 Best Director by the Boulder Daily Camera for his production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! Other directing credits include; Hairspray and Ragtime (asst. Director) Arvada Center Shape of Things at Silhouette and most recently A Chorus Linewith Ignite Theatre. Other related activities include Former Managing Director BDTA Academy, Past President Firehouse Theatre Company Board of Directors, Past Board Member SWAG, Past Board Member Troupe Theatre, and current Board Member: Colorado Theatre Guild. Pat holds a BA in Theatre emphasis Directing from the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Mike Pearl
Acting Coach, Guest Artist
Dr, Mike Pearl comes with a long history of working with Colorado State Thespians, and directing. Currently he can be seen on stages across Colorado, playing numerous roles.
Samantha Provenzano
Workshop Presenter
Samantha Provenzano was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She recieved her B.A. in Acting from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently on the improv house team The Factors at the Bovine Metropolis Theater. Samantha is excited to work with the Colorado Thespians for the first time and especially excited for the Junior Thespians, where she will be doing scene work on both monologues and scenes.
Josh Putnam
Adjudicator
Josh Putnam is the Artistic Director of Catchpenny Kids Theatre Company. For the last five years, Josh has been a tireless innovator in Denver’s theatre community. While his goal is to change lives on a holistic level, he has found that creating an integral art within theatre makes all levels of performance accessible to more people. You may have seen him as a Shakespeare Festival judge, or doing audition workshops throughout town. Josh has also remained active in Denver’s acting community by being a part of shows with Mirror Image Productions, and doing various film projects, like a recently filmed commercial spot. He would love to give some recognition to UNC Greeley and Dr. Mary Schuttler for showing him what it truly takes to be an educator, and an overall artist. He is very excited to take part of Thespians this year!
Rachel Kae Taylor
Guest Artist, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Rachel is an accomplished artist and performer. She is currently the at-risk coordinator and a teaching artist for DCPA Education where she teaches everything from storybooks to Shakespeare to how to sew sequins. Rachel toured with the education program for many years and as a professional actor, she has performed in New York, Los Angeles and Ohio as well as many productions with the DCPA. Rachel holds BA degrees in both theater and fine arts with a sculpture emphasis from the University of Colorado and a Masters of Fine Arts in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory.
Erin Ramsey
Workshop Presenter
Erin is an advanced/actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and is trained in many different fighting styles including unarmed combat and swordplay. She choreographs fights and teaches stage combat to students of all ages, all along the Front Range. She graduated from Metropolitan State College with a BFA in Technical Theatre and Design. In addition to fight choreography, she is also a stage manager, scenic designer, and theatre technician.
Ed Reggi
Guest Artist
Ed Reggi is a Theatre and Voice instructor at COCA. He is also the director of Paper Slip Theatre and has a BFA from Fontbonne University. He has studied improvisation with The Second City and with Paul Sills of New York City’s New Actors Workshop. Besides touring and performing nationally, Reggi produces the annual Saint Louis Improv Festival.
Kayla Reynolds
Adjudicator
Kayla Reynolds is currently is the drama teacher and troupe director at Sagewood Middle School in Parker, CO. Along with chartering the school’s inaugural troupe, over three years she has continued to grow Sagewood’s opportunities for young students to find their passion. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a BA in both acting and theatre education.
Robert Michael Sanders
Guest Artist
Robert Michael Sanders (Actor / Director)
Robert has worked successfully in the entertainment industry for over 25 years in theatre, film, music and television, and is an award winning songwriter, actor and director, Robert has directed over 40 productions as a director and has been fortunate to have worked at most all of Denver’s premier Theatre’s.
Some favorite credits include; Murder Ballad, Forever Plaid, Tell Me on a Sunday, Getting Out, The Love List, Man Of LaMancha, Skin of Our Teeth , I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Ragtime, Wizard Oz, The Wedding Singer, The Full Monty, Memphis, A Christmas Carol. Robert is a member of ASCAP, AEA, CTG and the Recording Academy.
Richard Robichaux
Workshop Presenter
Richard has worked with Al Pacino, Susan Sarandon, Billy Crystal and many other great actors and directors. His theatre credits include leading roles at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., Yale Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and great theatres in New York, California and everywhere in between. His work has been seen on every major network and at the Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals. A frequent guest artist he has worked with the Juilliard School, Yale School of Drama and the NY Conservatory to name a few. MFA: Rutgers University.
Robyn Yamada
Guest Artist, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Robyn attended the University of Northern Colorado as a piano performance major. A seasoned performer, she has appeared in multiple theatre productions including Guys and Dolls, She Loves Me, Grease, West Side Story, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Singin’ In The Rain. Robyn’s musical performances were featured in the 2014 Bobby G Award winner Joseph, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In addition to teaching and performing at the DCPA, she is the staff pianist for the Grammy Away-winning Cherry Creek High School vocal music department. She has been an accompanist, performer, instructor and arranger for more than 20 years. Robyn is a voice, piano, music theory and composition instructor. Her vocal arrangements have been featured in many performances including the Bobby G Awards ceremony. She has been the Musical Director for numerous shows with DCPA Education’s Teen Company and has provided musical direction for DCPA Education’s Master Class Projects.
Roger Hanna
Guest Artist, Colorado State University
Roger Hanna is Head of Design and Assistant Professor of Set Design at CSU; in New York City he has received three Drama Desk nominations, three Henry Hewes Design Award nominations, and a Lucille Lortel Award.
James Rogers
Adjudicator
James joined the School of Theatre Arts and Dance as the Technical Director in the fall of 2009 as an emergency hire. James is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and completed half of his M.F.A. at Florida State University before taking the position here at UNC. James is excited to return to work along side his fellow faculty as a full time permanent employee. It has been James’ goal to work in academic theatre ever since he joined the theatre program as a student. Some of James’ past design credits include Scenic Design, Technical Direction and Carpentry; Florida State University Production of Hush: An Interview with America; UNC School of Theatre Arts and Dance productions of Into The Woods and A Few Good Men; The Little Theatre of the Rockies productions of Forever Plaid, Sunshine Boys, Nunsense; Florida State Production of New Horizons: New Play Festival ‘08. James has also been involved with Little Theatre of the Rockies for five seasons since 2003 and became the season Technical Director of LTR in 2010.
Royce Roeswood
Theatre Guest Artist
Royce Roeswood is an actor, playwright, improviser, director, and teaching artist based in Denver, CO.
Michael Ruckles
Adjudicator
Michael Ruckles serves as musical director/private voice faculty for the School of Theatre at the University of Northern Colorado. Originally from Cañon City, he studied piano at the University of Southern Colorado before completing a degree in Voicevoice/Music music Education education at UNC. Michael lives in Greeley with his wife, Lindsay, and their basenji, Figaro. He maintains a busy private studio specializing in technique for Musical musical Theatre theatre and Contemporary contemporary Commercial commercial Musicmusic. At UNC, Michael teaches private voice and music, directs the two main stage musicals, the Freshman Practicum, and the NYC Agent Senior Showcase. Recently, Michael worked as vocal coach/assistant musical director for a demo recording of the rock musical Chess produced for Sir Tim Rice. Michael was the guest musical director for Voices of Freedom, a Denver fundraiser benefiting the victims of 9/11, and in 2001, sang backup for Sarah Brightman’s “La Luna” tour. Michael spends July in Tampa where he is on the faculty at Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project. He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Chris Russell
Fight Instructor
This is Chris Russell’s third year working with Erin Ramsey at the Thespian Conference. You can usually see him around town performing in various shows, not all of which include fighting, but rather a different type of choreography. He recently finished A Chorus Line, and will be opening A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum soon. Thanks to Erin, the teachers and all the students for keeping the arts alive
Tracy Salter
Adjudicator, Graceland University
Assistant Professor of Theatre, Tracy Salter, is the Coordinator of the Department of Theatre at Graceland University. Tracy came to Graceland after teaching, directing and acting at The University of Northern Colorado. Her specialties include Voice and Dialects, Shakespeare, Greek Theatre and Improvisation. Tracy received her MFA in Acting from the University of Florida and is proud to be a part of the Iowa State Thespian Conference. She is looking forward to meeting the students!
Sam Roberts
Guest Artist, St Vrain Theatre Company
Sam Roberts is a founding member of the St Vrain Theatre Company. She has participated with several theatre companies around the area. She is an awarded actress as well as an accomplished theatre tech. She has directed several one acts in all sorts of environments. She is an education major at the University of Northern Colorado.
Sammie Harroun
Guest Artist, University of Northern Colorado
A recent graduate from the University of Northern Colorado, Sammie fuses her two greatest passions: theatre and education. Though acting initially brought her into the world of theatre, design and technology caught her attention. Sammie hopes to focus on Theatre for Young Audiences including making theatre more accessible while advocating for theatre being part of life for as many children as possible. Sammie splits her time between many facets of theatre and education. Currently, she works part time as a substitute teacher, mostly in elementary classrooms, as well as part time as a drama teacher and guest artist at the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities. Sammie teaches everything from pre-school art and drama programs to large scale workshops combining a variety of age groups to integrating drama and its practices into the traditional classroom so that students can find a new way of experiencing learning. She hold a BA in Elementary Education with a Creative Drama concentration, and a BA in Design and Technology for Theatre with an emphasis in lighting design.
David Saphier
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
DAVID SAPHIER is in his thirteenth year as a Teaching Artist for DCPA Education. Before moving to Denver, David interned in education departments at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and The Coterie Theatre. He was last seen on the stage as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night for the Denver Victorian Playhouse. David directs for DCPA Education’s Middle School Performance Program and has also served as production dramaturg for DCPA Theatre Company. Mr. Saphier received his BA at The Colorado College and his MFA in Theatre for Youth at Arizona State University.
Sarah Kirwin
Guest Artist
SARAH KIRWIN • is well immersed in the Denver improv community, having taught and performed for the past 17 with Denver Center for Performing Arts as well as Bovine Theater. She has led workshops with the AAPI Emerging Leaders Program and the Denver Improv Festival. She performs at the DCPA in the improvised show Cult Following. Ms. Kirwin also has had numerous improvised TV appearances including a three-year run in Family Feast on the Starz/Encore movie channels. She has performed improv nationally at many festivals including the Chicago Improv Festival and the Ladies Are Funny Fest
Sasha Fisher
Guest Artist, Arvada Center
Sasha Fisher trained at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in her native London, and is an Associate and Licentiate of LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). She joined British Actor’s Equity Association in 1987 and is currently a member of the RADA Network of the Americas. Her work on stage and screen spans everything from Shakespeare to the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to BBC TV drama and Thames Television series, she has worked extensively in British Theatre including London’s West End and fringe theatres. She has twice earned London’s TimeOut Critics’ Choice Award.
Siobhan Gleason
Guest Artist, Colorado State University
Artisan at Colorado State University. Siobhan specializes in special effects makeup, costume craft design, props, and hair design. She has designed makeup for shows such as Evil Dead: The Musical, The Hobbit, Turn of the Screw, and Night of the Iguana. Presented by Siobhan Gleason, CSU
Skylar Ely
Guest Artist
A native to Colorado, Skylar has a degree in Theatre Education and a History Endorsement from the University of Northern Colorado. After starting his theatre career with the Union Colony Civic Center and Arvada Center, he has since worked as a Stage Technician at The Walt Disney World Parks, Technical Director in the Cherry Creek School District, Safety Coordinator of the Santa Fe Opera, and as a member of the stage management team of The Boston Lyric Opera.
Allison C. Smith
Adjudicator
Allison’s life of performance began when she was five years old, falling in love with the arts and how being on stage made her feel. She worked hard at it and eventually found herself lucky enough to be accepted into the Theatre Acting program at the University of Northern Colorado. After achieving her BA, Allison moved to Denver to put her education to practice. Allison has had the privilege of performing in a wide range of shows throughout the Denver theatre community including “A Very Dark Holiday Festivus” and “Leading Ladies” with Vintage Theatre, “Killers and Other Family” at the Edge Theatre, “The Wiz” with Afterthought Theatre, “Dearly Departed” at Spotlight Theatre Company, and with Firehouse Theatre she performed the role of Grace in “Tigers Be Still”. Her favorite role over the years was as Gwen in Firehouse Theatre’s performance of “Coronado” in 2012 where she was hired to replace an actress at the start of tech-week rehearsals. This whirl-wind and powerful experience was an opportunity that she felt was awe-inspiring and life-changing. Allison continues her craft and aspires for greatness with each performance, though has recently taken some down-time from the world of theatre to pursue her master’s degree in counseling at Regis University. Allison is thrilled to have been a part of the Colorado Thespian Convention over the years, and is honored to have the privilege of adjudicating performances by talented young individuals and hopes that her feedback will be helpful in their growth as performers.
St Vrain Theatre Company
Director/Producer, St Vrain Theatre Comapny
Ryan Dohoney is the owner of Envision Production Group and Envision Entertainment. He is also the technical director for the St Vrain Theatre Company. He has worked with countless theatre companies and professional theatre organizations all over the set. He has won several awards with the Colorado Community Theatre Collation Festival. He has worked with several high school theaters around the area. He is also a founding member of the St Vrain Theatre Company..
Chris Parr is the owner and Artistic Director of the St Vrain Theatre Company. He has worked with several high school theatre companies, community theatre companies and professional dance and theatre companies. He is an accomplished actor, director, and tech. He has worked with several groups and organizations on helping to promote their programs and shows. As well as designing sets, creating props, and special effects.
Tamara Meneghini-Stalker
Workshop Presenter, University of Colorado – Boulder
Tammy L. is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Colorado-Boulder where she teaches movement, voice and acting. She is an Associate Instructor of the Fitzmaurice Voicework and a certified teacher of the Williamson Physical Technique. As a professional actor and member of the Actors Equity Association, she has worked extensively in New York and Chicago. She has received numerous Joseph Jefferson citations for her acting work in Chicago, most notably, COMPANY, ANIMAL FARM, and SWEENY TODD. Most recently she directed a production of CHICAGO, the musical at Creighton University that was awarded the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Award for Best Musical Production in Omaha.
Ted Stark
Workshop Presenter
Ted Stark has been hired by several companies including The Santa Fe Opera and Central City Opera to teach their interns resume/portfolio composition and presentation. Before becoming a Senior Instructor of Costume Technology at The University of Colorado, Ted worked professionally in New York City for several Broadway costume shops. Additionally, Ted runs a professional costume construction business, tascocouture, whose work hasbeen featured on stage at The Santa Fe Opera, The Alley Theatre, Papermill Playhouse, Boston Ballet, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago. To see his work, visit tascocouture.com.
Steven McDonald
Theatre Artist, University of Denver
Steven is an Associate Professor at the University of Denver, where he serves as the Technical Director/Production Manager for the Department of Theatre. Previously, he spent 16 years as the Production Manager for Theatre & Dance at the University of Colorado. At DU, Steven teaches Stage Management, Sound Design, Properties, Lighting and Stage Technology. Recent design work includes Sound Designs for Spamalot at PACE, Evita at Phamaly, and Ghosts of Us for Athena Project, as well as designs for Little Theatre of the Rockies, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Systryst Theatre, and Edge Theatre Company, Steven has worked for a variety of performing arts organizations, including the Seattle Rep, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Curious Theatre Company, the Colorado Dance Festival, Rocky Mountain Revels, and 22 seasons with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Steven earned his MFA in Theatre Design & Production from the University of California, Irvine.
Frank Stewart
Guest Artist
Frank is a professional actor and an entertainment attorney. He holds a master’s in acting from Northwestern University. He has studied professionally with Robert Lewis and Jose Quintero, among others. Mr. Stewart has numerous credits to his name in acting including theatre, television and motion pictures. Mr. Stewart is a frequent guest at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, and has enjoyed numerous visits to the Colorado State Thespian Conference. Mr. Stewart was a high school thespian and is currently based in Los Angeles, California.
Tanner Kelly
Guest Artist
Tanner is an active performer, teacher and award winning music director around the Denver-Metro area. He is the Executive Music Director for Inspire Creative where he has directed, performed, conducted, and music directed shows, summer programs, and children’s choirs for the last 10 years. Tanner is the High School Music Education Director for StageDoor Theatre and has music directed for the PACE Center, Stagedoor, Dylan’s Down With the Arts and St. Luke’s Performing Arts Academy. He is the founder and owner of Music@Mainstreet a private studio for music, dance and performing arts lessons in Downtown Parker, is a frequent performer at the Adams Mystery Playhouse and is the founding choral and musical theatre director at Parker Performing Arts School where he also serves as the Department Chair of the Performing Arts Department. He is a proud member of the Evans Choir, with performance credits including the opera “The Poet Li Bai,” (Los Angeles Production), Bravo! Vail Musical Festival with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and recent performances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Recent accolades include: Love Perfect (Broadway World Nomination: 2016) West Side Story (Winner, Outstanding Musical Director: Broadway World 2015) Shrek:The Musical (Broadway World Nomination 2014), a DCSD apple award nomination and was the musical theatre winner of the 2010 national association of teachers of singers competition for Colorado and Wyoming. Tanner is a graduate from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, holds his Colorado Teaching License from MSU Denver and will receive his Master’s in Music Education from ASU this spring.
Timothy McCracken
Guest Artist, DCPA Education Department
TIMOTHY MCCRACKEN • Mr. McCracken is the Head of Acting for the Adult Programming at the DCPA – Education Department. He is a professional actor, director, teacher and playwright, having performed in theatre, television and film for over 25 years. He has appeared in numerous theatre productions in New York City, and in regional theatres around the country. He also has performed locally with the DCPA Theatre Company, Curious Theatre Company, the Arvada Center, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, BETC, Local Theater Company, and Stories on Stage. He has appeared in Film, Television, and numerous national commercials over the years. Timothy has taught at many universities nationally. He has an MFA in Theatre from the DCPA’s National Theatre Conservatory, and a BA in Theatre from Whitman College.
Todd Wallinger
Playwright, Colorado Theatre Guild
Todd Wallinger is an award-winning playwright, with over 400 productions in 46 states in 9 countries. Seven of his plays are published by Pioneer Drama Service. HOW I MET YOUR MUMMY won the 2015 Beverly Hills Theatre Guild Play Competition for Youth Theatre. RUMPELSTILTSKIN, PRIVATE EYE won that same award in 2014. Todd serves with the Colorado Theatre Guild as a judge for their annual Henry Awards. He makes his home in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Anne Toewe
Workshop Presenter/Adjudicator, University of Northern Colorado
Before joining the theatre faculty at UNC, Ms. Toewe lived in Miami, Florida, where she taught at several universities, and designed costumes for numerous regional theatrical productions as well as several music videos. Among Ms. Toewe’s favorite designs are The Rocky Horror Show(Summer Rep., Boca Raton, Florida), Eclipsed (New World School of the Arts, Miami, Florida), Angels in America (New Theatre, Miami, Florida) and Romeo and Juliet (South Dade Auditorium). While in Florida, Ms. Toewe received a Carbonell nomination for best costume design for James Joyce’s The Dead at GableStage (Miami). Prior to living in Miami, Ms. Toewe lived in New York City, where she was an assistant designer on numerous Broadway productions. Ms. Toewe holds a BS in biology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and an MFA from Tulane University in Louisiana. She is currently working on her PhD in Theatre at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Megan Van De Hey
Adjudicator
Megan has been a professional actress for over 15 years. Regionally Megan has performed at the Arvada Center, Curious Theatre Company, The Aurora Fox, Vintage, The Avenue Theatre, Little Theatre of the Rockies and Littleton Town Hall to name a few, and is fortunate enough to make her full time living as a performer in Colorado. Megan has been a multiple Henry, Ovation, True West, and Marlowe award winner since re-locating after spending 7 years building her career in Chicago, where she was a 3-time Joseph Jefferson Nominee. Megan is a proud card holding member of AEA and currently serves on the Equity Liaison Committee.
Andrea Villa
Workshop Presenter
Andrea has worked in Hollywood as a story editor, writer and short film director. He is now an ontological coach practicing in the Boulder area offering coaching to individuals and organizations. In his spare time, he volunteers for Inner City Outings providing wilderness education for under privileged youth. He is a level 2 TRE practitioner.
Allison Watrous
Workshop Presenter, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Allison is the Director of Education and has been a Teaching Artist with the DCPA for the past 18 years. .Allison is an actor, director and teacher..Recent roles include Corryn in Gidion’s Knot, Sally in Talley’s Folley and Meg in Crimes of the Heart all with Sis Tryst Productions and Kelly Young in the Denver Center’s production of Just Like Us..Recent directing credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs at Miners Alley and Big Love at the University of Denver. She will be directing Bus Stop at the Arvada Center this upcoming February. Allison is on faculty of the University of Colorado Denver and Denver School of the Arts. She is a proud graduate of the National Theatre Conservatory.
Janine West
Adjudicator
Janine is a retired theatre educator, having completed a 28-year teaching tenure at Wray High School and Boulder High School, respectively. She served on the Colorado State Thespian Board (and was an original board member) for 17 years and was the Colorado chapter director for five of those years. For the Educational Theatre Association, she served as a territorial director for three years and was a leadership coach for seven years. In 2004, she was inducted into the Colorado State Thespian Hall of Fame, and in 2007 was inducted into the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame. Much of her spare time is now spent volunteering as a Canine Coach for the Behavior and Training Department at the Longmont Humane Society.
William Radar
Magician, WellAttended
William Rader has been a professional magician for the past 10 years. His clients include Prudential, MassMutual, Craftsy, and Copyblogger. Two years ago he founded WellAttended which is an easy to use online box office. William works with theatre professionals to help promote and sell more tickets to productions.
William Rader
Magician, WellAttended
William Rader has been a professional magician for the past 10 years. His clients include Prudential, MassMutual, Craftsy, and Copyblogger. Two years ago he founded WellAttended which is an easy to use online box office. William works with theatre professionals to help promote and sell more tickets to productions.
Asédo Wilson
Adjudicator
Asédo has performed in plays such as Captive Audience, Romeo and Juliet, The Colored Museum, Tartuffe, Angels in America and Ragtime. He has also appeared in the films Twisted and Looking for Sunday. Currently he is in the process of writing a one man show entitled Things That Make My Brain Itch. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2006 with a BA in Theater Arts. This summer, Wilson began work on his MA degree as part of the Theater Education Intensive at UNC. This is his first year at Colorado Thespians and is looking forward to this year’s conference.
Ken Womble
Workshop Presenter, Southern Methodist University
Ken Womble received an MFA in acting from Southern Methodist University and a BFA in acting from Florida State University. He has appeared in two Off-Broadway premieres, and in several regional and summer stock productions. Film and TV roles include the title character in the independent film Bartleby, and recurring parts on Guiding Light, General Hospital and All My Children. He studied acting with master teachers Michael Howard and Warren Robertson in New York. His preparation in voice and Shakespeare included four months of private study with Claudia Anderson, a Linklater-designated teacher, and work with Tina Packer at Shakespeare & Company’s month-long intensive. His adaptations of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet have received over 35 productions around the country. Ken was invited by Anna Strasberg, Lee Strasberg’s widow, to teach film acting at the famed Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles, and has taught film acting workshops at various college and high school conferences. Ken coaches acting privately and professionally, and has directed over 50 plays. He has directed for television as well, and wrote and directed/wrote two documentary films. He is a member of Actors’ Equity, SAG and AFTRA.
Jodi Youmans-Jones
Workshop Presenter, Casper College
Jodi is currently the coordinator of the dance program and resident choreographer for the Casper College Department of Theatre and Dance. She has both her bachelor’s degree in theatre and dance and her MFA in dance performance and choreography. She has performed, choreographed and taught many genres of dance including musical theatre. Some of her musical theatre credits include Oklahoma, Chicago, Anything Goes, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Forum, and most recently, Beauty and The Beast, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Jodi’s workshops are high energy and hands-on so be ready to move, perform, and, of course, have fun.