KIDSTAGE hires highly trained professional artists and arts educators and provides them with additional training in child development and KIDSTAGE techniques.

Most teachers have at least two years experience teaching youth in the performing arts before joining the KIDSTAGE staff. Instructors are also required to pass a Washington State Patrol check and complete the Village Theatre Conduct with Minors form and an extensive orientation before working with students.

• KIDSTAGE Staff

  
  

  Kati Nickerson
  Director of Education

  Dedicated to youth development and arts education, Kati has guided Village Theatre’s youth education program for 15 years, reaching over 54,000 young people, families, and teachers throughout the region annually. A northwest native, Kati grew up in Bellevue and quickly found a passion for the arts. She directed her first production at 12 years old at Highland Jr. High in Bellevue. At Interlake High School, she played her favorite roles as Nellie in South Pacific and the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, and soon thereafter attended Western Washington University. There she studied theatre through the Actors Intensive program, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with an emphasis in theatre and education. From there, Kati then enjoyed a 10 year career in communications and marketing, before her next move was made clear as she witnessed the positive impact of theatre education on her two young children. In 1996, Kati founded SKY Theatre in Snohomish County. Two years later she joined Village Theatre and has had the distinct honor of working with thousands of young people teaching KIDSTAGE classes, Pied Piper workshops in schools, and directing such musicals as Peter Pan, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

  
  

  
  

  Suzie Cameron Bixler
  Associate Director of Youth Education

  Suzie Bixler enthusiastically joined Village Theatre in 2003, days after leaving high tech corporate life to follow her lifetime passion of working in a theatre. Ms. Bixler has directed Aida, The Little Mermaid Jr., Seussical Jr., 13, High School Musical, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, and the 2005 Last Exit for KIDSTAGE. In her fourteen-year tenure as the KIDSTAGE Programs Manager at KIDSTAGE she has produced over fifty shows for KIDSTAGE including several original musicals. Ms. Bixler has a B.A. in theatre arts from Western Washington University with concentrations in both directing and acting. She has performed at Intiman, Seattle Children's Theatre, Renton Civic, and the late Pioneer Square Theatre. Her directing credits include Crimes of the Heart, Steel Magnolias, A Shayna Maidel, Royal Gambit, The Death of Bessie Smith, and The Firebugs. Ms. Bixler also was in the 1985 Village Theatre KIDSTAGE production of Bye, Bye, Birdie.

  
  

  
  

  Janet Cole Hamilton
  Education and Outreach Manager, Issaquah

  Janet Cole Hamilton rejoined educational theatre after a nine year sidetrack in corporate America. Armed with a BA in theatre arts from Western Washington University and a Washington State initial teaching certificate in drama through the University of Washington, Janet enjoys the challenges of each new project within the vast Village Theatre Youth Education program. Janet has worked as a theatre artist throughout the Puget Sound region with Arts West, Civic Light Opera, Renton Civic, Driftwood Players, and many others. Directing credits include Romeo and Juliet, Penguin's South Pole Christmas, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Sylvia, The Foreigner, The Woman in Black, and A Midsummer Night's Dream for KIDSTAGE. Personal motto: duck for luck.

  
  

  
  

  Maurianna Zingarelli
  KIDSTAGE and Outreach Manager - Everett

  Mauri Zingarelli has a passion for bringing theatre to students of all ages and backgrounds. With nine years of teaching experience with organizations like KIDSTAGE, Seattle Rep, and Young Women Empowered, Mauri started out as "KIDSTAGE Kid" over 20 years ago and is thrilled to be back designing the KIDSTAGE classes and outreach programming. Dedicated to the notion that every child deserves arts education, Mauri is trained in arts education advocacy, racial equity, and creative facilitation. She holds a BA in Peace Studies and Documentary Filmmaking from Chapman University.

  
  

  
  

  Angela Linder
  Youth Education Administrator - Everett

  Angela Linder is entering her sixth season with Village Theatre. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, and enjoys bringing her "grammar guru" skills to the Youth Education department. She has a background working in the preschool environment, as well as in an office environment, and loves the unique blend of creativity, energy, laughter and collaboration that surround her in the Youth Education office.

  
  

  
  

  Joel Arpin
  KIDSTAGE Production Manager

  Joel is super excited to be a part the KIDSTAGE staff! Joel is now entering his 10th year with KIDSTAGE, working as a student in various roles including directing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and designing lights for Into the Woods for Summer Independent. He graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in Theatrical Management and Design.

  
  

  
  

  Aaron Alonso
  KIDSTAGE Production Manager - Everett

  Aaron loves how he gets the opportunity to collaborate with so many passionate young artists and watch firsthand their growth as performers and as people. He was a KIDSTAGE kid and stage manager before joining the Village Theatre family, working at theatres including KIDSTAGE Everett, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Mount Baker Theatre, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, The Kennedy Center, and his alma mater of Western Washington University. He gives his deepest thanks to his family, friends, and mentors for their constant love and support as he valiantly attempts to put his theatre degree to good use. His personal motto: “I can MacGyver that!”

  
  

  
  

  Casey Craig
  Village Theatre Issaquah Institute Manager/Instructor

  Casey Craig is a local performer/choreographer/arts educator based out of Seattle, WA. He has taught and choreographed for several arts organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest, most recently working with Village Theatre and Cornish College. Casey spent the 2016/2017 academic year as resident choreographer, and stage dance instructor, for the Central Washington University Theatre Arts department. Performance credits include West Side Story (Baby John, 5th Avenue Theatre - 50th anniversary production), Zanna, Don't! (Zanna, Contemporary Classics), Hello Dolly (Barnaby, Village Theatre), and The Music Man (Tommy, ART).

  
  

  
  

  Jessica Low
  Institute Manager/Instructor - Everett

  Jessica Low has worked with KIDSTAGE since 2005 with credits including: Urinetown, The Addams Family, The Wizard of Oz, Anything Goes, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, High School Musical, Once Upon A Time in New Jersey, Disney’s The Jungle Book, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and Honk! Jr. Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from UW and works as a performer, director and choreographer. She recently Associate Directed Village’s Singing In The Rain and Billy Elliot. In 2014 she won the Gregory Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Wild Party with Sound Theatre Company. Other Credits: The 5th Avenue, Arizona Theatre Company, Harlequin Productions, ArtsWest, Capital Playhouse, Seattle Musical Theatre, Coeur d‘Alene Summer Theatre, Centerstage, Bainbridge Performing Arts and the Bigfork Summer Playhouse. She is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

  
  

  
  

  Sean Lally
  Education Assistant/Instructor

  Sean started out his theatre career setting lights and sound. He then moved on to the stage with the KIDSTAGE SummerStock production of Ragtime. During college, he continued to perform and expand his knowledge of music and theatre and is member of the 2015 graduating class of Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with focuses in conducting and vocal performance. Sean completed his KIDSTAGE Arts Education internship in 2013 and has been teaching KIDSTAGE classes as a full-fledged teacher since 2014. He joined KIDSTAGE administrative staff in fall, 2016.

  
  

  
  

  Ayana Uriu
  KIDSTAGE Production & Programs Assistant - Everett

  Ayana Uriu is proud to be part of the KIDSTAGE family. A graduate of Everett HS, Ayana attended Western Washington University and earned a B.A. in Theatre. In her four years with KIDSTAGE, she’s worked on many shows including Godspell, Seussical Jr., How to Succeed, The Addams Family, and Hairspray. Ayana also works with the Evergreen MS Drama Club and has worked as Production Assistant for Village Theatre Mainstage productions.

  
  

  
  

  Ruthann Tacher
  KIDSTAGE Registrar and Coordinator, Issaquah

  Ruthann Tacher is very happy to be part of the KIDSTAGE team. Ruthann received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts from Colorado State University and also has a teaching credential. She has worked in both the non-profit world as well as in Education, and is thrilled to be able to work for Village Theatre! In her spare time she loves supporting the Seahawks!

  
  

• Issaquah Instructors

  
  

  Megan Adams

  Megan Adams has been performing for over 25 years and has trained in theatre and dance at the University of Washington, Cornish, Spectrum Dance Studio, and Westlake Dance Studio. Her experience ranges from director, to choreographer, to singer, to dancer, to teacher. Ms. Adams has also performed with Seattle Hip Hop Groups In-Effect, Breed, and Cruz Control. Ms. Adams currently teaches at Westlake Dance center in Seattle and is a KIDSTAGE teacher of all ages.

  
  

  
  

  Ben Bentler

  Ben Bentler has been teaching voice for over ten years and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and is proficient in Alexander technique. He uses an integrated form of movement and acting technique to tell stories through the art form of voice. He has worked as an accompanist, conductor, and musical director on a wide range of musicals in a variety of theaters; from high school programs to professional venues. Through all of his experience and dedication, he has been recognized as best music director at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, in addition to other accolades. Some of his notable credits include being the conductor and pianist at the acclaimed Marriott Theatre in Chicago; music director and accompanist for the 5th Avenue Theatre; music director, conductor, and accompanist for a number of professional productions at the Porchlight Music Theatre in Chicago; and serving as the resident music director and conductor for some of Broadway's most beloved and award-winning shows at the Spokane Civic Theatre in Spokane, WA. Ben enjoys teaching and mentoring all levels of students, from those who are singing their very first note, to those ready to take the next steps in their career. His students have moved onto work on Broadway and regional theatres across the country as well as get accepted into conservatories all over the world. Music will always be an important part of his life, and he invites you to be a part of this amazing art form. He is currently accepting new private voice students and looks forward to working with each individual voice to produce a healthy and safe voice.

  
  

  
  

  Kasha Browning

  Kasha Browning has been teaching at Village Theatre for the last two years. A former KIDSTAGE kid, she received her BA in Theatre from the University of Washington with an emphasis in Directing/Youth Education, Spanish and Chicano/a Studies. She has been involved in KIDSTAGE Summer Independent productions onstage as Rosalia and as a designer/dialect coach for West Side Story and hair and make-up designer for All Shook Up. When she isn't onstage she is usually traveling around Europe and Mexico speaking Spanish. She is currently pursuing her Post-Baccalaureate Washington State Teacher Certification through CWU.

  
  

  
  

  Andrew R. Coopman

  Andrew R. Coopman is a new teaching artist, director, actor, and improvisor to the Seattle area, and couldn’t be more excited to be joining the theatre scene in the Emerald City, especially at the Village Theatre! In 2012, he received his BA degrees in Theatre- Performance and Community Based Theatre from Whitworth University and, more recently, completed his MA at New York University-Steinhardt in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities, with an emphasis in youth theatre production and applied theatre. Previously, Andrew has worked with Missoula Children’s Theatre as a touring Actor and Director, and was a teaching artist in the New York city area at Opening Act and Stages on the Sound. He couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the teaching artist teams at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Studio East, and Village Theatre-Issaquah, and directing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Driftwood Players. His teaching and theatrical passions include acting, improv, directing, creative storytelling and movement, process drama, musical theatre, stage combat, and dance.

  
  

  
  

  Tony Curry

  Tony Curry has been one of Seattle’s busiest theatre artists for over 20 years. He has performed at many of Seattle’s Theaters including The 5th Ave, The Seattle Children’s Theatre, The Village Theatre, The Empty Space, A Contemporary Theatre, and The Seattle Group Theatre. His work in Television includes roles on The Fugitive and Northern Exposure. As a writer, Curry’s plays have been performed all over the country. In 2002, he was commissioned by the Seattle Opera to help create a children’s adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute for both on tour and recording. Seattle has seen the premieres of nearly a dozen of his plays. Divine Hysteria: Armageddon Outta Here, the first of his Hysteria Trilogy, was produced Off-Broadway in New York at the Nat Horne Theater. He was playwright-in-residence for the Portobello Theatre Company in NYC which saw the New York premieres of Follies and Foibles, Habits and Waiting On Line Without The Bast’d. He was the recipient of the 2000 Artist Trust Fellowship for Playwrights for his play, Unidentified Flying Object.

  
  

  
  

  Melissa Fleming

  Melissa has been a voice instructor at KIDStage since 2013. Prior to teaching, Melissa performed at Village Theatre, Harlequin Productions, Florida Studio Theatre, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Celebrity Cruises. She has musical directed at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Olympia Family Theatre, and Mount Rainier High School. Melissa teaches voice, piano, and guitar at Kaleidoscope School of Music in Issaquah. Her students have gone on to study music in college, some have performed at Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, and 5th Ave Theatre, and others perform solos regularly in their school assemblies and musicals. Melissa is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Eastside Vocal Federated Music Club (EVFMC). Learn more about Melissa’s teaching style and studio at: www.melismaticstudios.com

  
  

  
  

  Ann Evans

  Ann Evans has been a vocal instructor/coach, performer and theatre arts educator for 30 years, with experience coast to coast. She teaches master classes for singing actors at many universities across the US and been a master teacher/lecturer and cabaret artist for NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) conferences. Holding BFAs in theatre and music, Ann is passionate about cross-training and has taught acting and dance as well as directed, choreographed and produced numerous productions. At the moment, Ann runs a lively vocal studio in Seattle focused on Broadway style, while performing and teaching master classes across the country. A member of AEA and NATS, Ann finds joy and value in teaching what she learns as an active artist.
  
  Her online publication, www.thebeltbook.com is the premier resource dedicated to helping singers find and examine belt and belt mix literature for music theatre.

  
  

  
  

  Evan Hildebrand

  Evan Hildebrand is an actor, director, and teaching artist from the Tacoma area, and he is ecstatic to join the KIDSTAGE family! A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a BFA in Theatre, emphasis in Acting/Directing, Evan has been performing for more than 13 years and has found his love of teaching through the Arts Eduction Internship with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE and the Drama School Internship with Seattle Children’s Theatre. Evan also teaches for The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in Tacoma, WA and ManeStage Theatre in Sumner, WA. Favorite roles include Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (MST), The Stage Manager in Our Town (PLU), The Cat in the Hat in Seussical (MST), and his favorite show to direct has been Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepherd and Patti Smith.

  
  

  
  

  Kristin Holland

  Kristin Holland is a Choreographer, AEA Performer/Dance Captain, and Teaching Artist with over sixteen years of professional theatre experience. A life-long dancer, her background includes thirteen years of studio dance training and assisting before achieving her BA in Dance and minor in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. Since graduating with honors in 2002, she's worked almost non-stop in Theatre and Dance in Seattle and New Jersey, performing in over thirty musicals and choreographing and assisting on more than fifty. Highlights include performing in the original company of DISNEY'S ALADDIN at the 5th Avenue Theatre (directed and choreographed by Tony Award winning director Casey Nicholaw) and winning the 2012 Gypsy Rose Lee award for Outstanding Choreography of a large budget musical for Village Theatre's, THE PRODUCERS.

  
  

  
  

  Kate Jaeger

  Kate Jaeger is an actor, director, educator and improviser. In addition to teaching for Village KIDSTAGE and Institute, Kate also teaches at Jet City Improv and Seattle Children’s Theatre. She has directed youth of all ages in shows for Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre and ArtsWest. As an actor, Kate has had a varied and exciting career. Favorite roles include Darzee in The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi at Seattle Children’s Theatre and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables at Village Theatre (for which she won a Gregory Award.) Kate has been a member of Jet City Improv since 2004.

  
  

  
  

  Davida Kagen

  Davida Kagen, a native Philadelphian, was the leading lyric soprano for the Wuppertal Opera in Germany as well as many other major opera houses throughout the U.S. & Europe, in over 30 leading roles. She has taught singing at Cornish College for the Arts and University of Washington for the theater department's PATP program and was faculty member of Western Washington University’s music department for 10 1/2 years as well as maintaining a private voice studio in the Greater Seattle area where she has had the privilege and pleasure to train many of the areas finest singers for musical theatre, pop, jazz and opera.

  
  

  
  

  Danny Kam

  Danny Kam holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University, with concentrations in Acting and Directing. Outside of the Theatre Arts Department, he studied Vocal Pedagogy, performed extensively as a soloist with Western’s Music Department, and founded an original concert series, Fresh Hot Songs, which had four sold-out installments. As a director, Danny recently directed Once On This Island, Jr. for KIDSTAGE. As an actor, Danny has performed with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Mount Baker Theatre, and Contemporary Classics, among others. As a teacher, he also works with Seattle's Broadway Bound Children's Theatre, and teaches private voice/acting lessons at Kaleidoscope School of Music in Issaquah. He is so thrilled to be working with KIDSTAGE, after growing up in this wonderful program and performing in several shows, including The Spitfire Grill (Caleb), trust me (Seth), Joseph... (Levi) and Les Miserables (Grantaire).

  
  

  
  

  Lindsay Kujawa

  Lindsay is thrilled to be joining the KIDSTAGE team this season, as she cannot get enough of teaching theatre/dance to young people! Originally from Wisconsin, Lindsay graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with degrees in Theatre Performance, Education and Dance. She is loving the PNW lifestyle, and loves working within such a vibrant arts community with groups such as the education department at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Intiman, Studio East, Dandylyon Dramaand Lyric Light Opera. Prior to moving to Seattle Lindsay taught at the Renaissance School for the Arts in Appleton, WI where she completed her student teaching, and choreographed over 20 musicals across the state. In 2009 she (along with her now husband) also founded Introspect Arts, which is a performing arts group completely run and performed by young adults under the age of 25 who wish to create original art aimed at inspiring social change. Lindsay has a strong passion for the arts and education, and hopes to pass her enthusiasm along to her students. See you in class!

  
  

  
  

  Lindsey Larson

  Lindsey Larson is a a singer, dancer, actor, director, choreographer, fitness instructor and former KIDSTAGE kid! Lindsey studied theatre at The Boston Conservatory and then moved back to Seattle in 2010 where she has been performing, teaching and enjoying the Pacific Northwest ever since! She cannot wait to dance, play and learn with the students at KIDSTAGE!

  
  

  
  

  Sheady Manning

  Sheady is a musical theatre student and is excited to make his debut this summer as a KIDSTAGE instructor. A former Village Kid sheady has been with KIDSTAGE for 5years and do the past 3 years has been a TA/intern for various camps and classes. As well as being a performer around the Seattle area sheady has also worked as an instructor/choreographer at Skyline High School, The Girl Scouts of Western Washington, and Blue Dog Dance Studio.

  
  

  
  

  Michael Matlock

  Michael Matlock is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a BM in Composition. Before that he was a KIDSTAGE kid, performing both on stage and at the piano. And now he is excited to be working with the next generation of young talent! Favorite credits include music directing with Summer Independent performances of Sweeney Todd and West Side Story. In his spare time he also writes and records with the band Kuribo's Shoe.

  
  

  
  

  Michael McClain

  Michael McClain is a Seattle based Performer, Director, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist. Michael received a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Oklahoma City University as well as a double minor in Directing and Theatre Design and Production. Before moving to Seattle, Michael was teaching at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre as one of their main Teachers and Directors. He loves working within a vibrant arts education community such as, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Youth Theatre Northwest, Village KIDSTAGE, and Studio East. Recently, Michael joined on as a teacher with the company Foundry10 and helped create a program that focused on the importance of Theatre and how it can help kids learn to read. Lastly, he is excited to be apart of STG’s National Disney Musicals in Schools Program this upcoming year.

  
  

  
  

  Michael Nutting

  Michael Nutting is entering his second season with Village Theatre. He earned his Bachelors in Piano Performance and Music history at Western Washington University. Upon graduation, he moved to Seattle to pursue his career in the arts and is keeping busy directing musicals, music directing, teaching piano, accompanying, composing, arranging, and, of course, teaching for KIDSTAGE. Most recently, Michael music directed Seattle Musical Theatre’s spring show “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

  
  

  
  

  Brandon Peck

  Brandon is so excited to join the Village Kidstage team! He is a Music Director/composer based in Seattle. Favorite Conducting/Music Director credits include Legally Blonde at Seattle Musical Theatre, Kiss of the Spider Woman at Second Story Rep, Associate Music Director for the Main Street New Musical Festival, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray, and Legally Blonde at Nathan Hale High School and Peter Pan for Ovation!. He holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the U of WA.

  
  

  
  

  Nick Perry

  Nick is a former KIDSTAGE kid who went on to receive his BA in dance from Western Washington University. Some of his recent projects include playing Dream Curly in Oklahoma at the Broadway Rose Theatre, and playing Headband Boy in The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of A Chorus Line. Nick is also an aspiring circus artist and training for his power yoga teacher certification.

  
  

  
  

  Tanesha Ross

  Tanesha Ross was grown and shaped as a performer by the vast and rich theater and music community in Seattle. She is a Cornish graduate, and has performed at Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Childrens Theatre, which all propelled her to New York where she performed on Broadway and a Broadway National Tour. She has taught with ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty) working with children in Florida, New York and South Africa. She is also trained in Kindermusik. Her philosophy is everybody can sing! Yes, that means you!

  
  

  
  

  Tim Symons

  Tim Symons is a KIDSTAGE alum (1990-1999) and is thrilled to be able to work with the program that raised him. Since his “graduation” from KIDSTAGE, Tim has taught numerous classes and music directed a number of productions in Issaquah and Everett. With Brian Yorkey, Tim has composed the scores for Last Exit, Trust Me and A Perfect Fall, all written and performed in collaboration with the Issaquah KIDSTAGE Company. Tim has been the Resident Music Director for Village Theatre since 2005, and has music directed many productions on the Mainstage, including 42nd Street, Meet Me In St. Louis, Show Boat, Beauty and the Beast, CATS and The Who’s Tommy.

  
  

  
  

  R.J. Tancioco

  R.J. Tancioco Favorite music directing credits: Joseph…Dreamcoat, Cabaret, Hair, Smokey Joe's Café at The 5th Avenue Theatre; The Gypsy King, Chasing Nicolette, Stunt Girl, Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, Evita, Peter Pan, Grease, and Joseph...Dreamcoat at Village Theatre; Piece, Iron Curtain, and Cold Turkey for Village Originals; Making Tracks at San Jose Repertory; The Wedding Banquet for 2G (Second Generation); Sisters of Swing at Broadway Rose; Plaid Tidings and Bat Boy at ArtsWest; Rent: School Edition at Seattle Children’s Theatre; New Voices series, A New Brain, and The Last Five Years for Contemporary Classics; and Songs for a New World for Raggedy Z Productions. Recording credits: TMC Work's Katie Tomlinson’s Original Passion, David Austin's A Christmas Carol and Every Little Vow; Jennifer Paz's Awakening. During the day, Mr. Tancioco is an instructor (over 10 years) to Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE classes and shows (High School Musical, The Wiz, Into the Woods, The Secret Garden, Once On This Island, Children of Eden, Les Misérables, Seussical, and Footloose), was the touring musical director for Adventure Musical Theatre (It Happened at the World's Fair and Klondike!) at 5th Avenue Theatre, is an avid vocal coach, arranger, composer, and enjoys educating youth and young adults for theatre.

  
  

  
  

  Julia Thornton

  Julia Thornton has been teaching and music directing with KIDSTAGE for several years and is excited to back this year! She is a music director, pianist, accompanist, vocalist, and teacher who received her BA from the University of Oregon in 2011. She currently teaches musical theatre classes and music directs both youth and professional shows at numerous theatres around the area as well as teaches private piano and voice lessons to students of all ages. Most recently her work on Kentridge High School's award winning production of Hairspray was nominated for Best Music Direction at The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards. Last season she was seen music directing the Gregory Award Winning Production of Into the Woods. In addition to musical theatre, Julia enjoys playing, singing, and learning about many other genres of music from all over the world. See her next Associate Music Directing Pippin at KIDSTAGE Issaquah! Visit her at www.juliathornton.org.

  
  

  
  

  Kayla Walker

  Kayla Walker is an actress, dialect coach, and theater educator. She is a proud graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, holding a BFA in Theater and Original Works. Recently, you may have seen her work in Julius Caesar with Seattle Shakespeare Company. As a coach and actress, she has worked with A Contemporary Theatre (ACT), Washington Ensemble Theatre (WET), Theater Schmeater, Taproot Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and Village Theatre. This fall, you can see her work as an actress in I Am Of Ireland with Book-It Repertory Theatre, or her dialect coaching on Mary Poppins with Village. She is thrilled to be back for a second year to teach at KIDSTAGE. Most of all, she looks forward to directing the premiere KIDSTAGE Shakespeare of As You Like It, running in rep with Like You Like It the musical, opening in January.

  
  

  
  

  Eia Waltzer

  Eia Waltzer has been working with KIDSTAGE for the last 9 years. You may have recently seen her choreography in KIDSTAGE's productions of Legally Blonde, Rocket Science, The Music Man, West Side Story, Footloose, High School Musical, and Godspell. In addition to teaching dance and choreographing for various high schools and theaters around western Washington, she has completed her Masters in Teaching and is currently teaching music and theater to elementary aged students in the public schools.

  
  

  
  

  Zoe Wilson

  Zoe Wilson is a teaching artist and director passionate about creating spaces of transformation through theatre. For the last five years Zoe has been working with youth creating original plays, coaching monologues, and directing productions at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Youth Theatre Northwest, and Seattle Theatre Group. Zoe holds a BA in Theatre Arts with minor in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota.

  
  

  
  

  Nathan Young

  Nathan Young is a music director, arranger, composer and vocal coach. Nathan studied vocal pedagogy and orchestration. Nathan has been an instructor and music director since 2010 He is passionate about conducting and accompanying. His favorite shows he has music directed have been A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 42nd Street, Shrek, The Jerry Springer Opera and Les Miserables He is especially passionate about creating unique and powerful textures from musical theatre vocal ensembles. Some of his favorite work is working with large choruses in both golden area shows and contemporary. Nathan is currently collaborating on several new works as the music supervisor and in the process of composing 2 new shows. Nathan approaches vocal ensemble with every level of detail from the beginning. There is nothing more thrilling than 8 staves of vocal harmony!

  
  

• Everett Instructors

  
  

  Jaimee Alonso

  Jaimee Alonso is thrilled to return to KIDSTAGE! Jaimee has had a love for theatre for as long as she can remember. She has been in a number of shows, such as Anything Goes (Ensemble) at KIDSTAGE, Kiss Me Kate (Hattie) in high school, and First Person (Roxie) at Western Washington University. She has since retired from acting and now focuses all of her time in the classroom and uses theatre as one of her foundations for working with young children. Jaimee is passionate about supporting our youngest students in the classroom and finds her purpose in allowing children to see themselves and their families in their learning through the materials that are carefully chosen, the experiences that are shared with families, and the stories that are told. She is a senior at Western and majors in early childhood education with a minor in education and social justice. This fall, she is entering her last year where she will be student teaching in a second-grade classroom!

  
  

  
  

  Marguerite Ainsworth

  Marguerite Ainsworth is so excited to be back at Everett Kidstage after completing the Arts Education Internship last summer! A KIDSTAGE kid who performed in Legally Blonde and Hairspray, Marguerite is now a junior at Whitworth University, studying community-based theatre and voice. She also teaches drama to grade schoolers with Spokane’s Shine Youth Fund. Recent credits include Medea in Whitworth’s Argonautika, Kid’s Korner Playwright Fest at Spokane’s Stage Left Theater and My Fair Lady with the Spokane Civic Theatre.

  
  

  
  

  Krista Cassidy

  Krista Cassidy (she/her/hers) is finishing up her studies for a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theatre at Western Washington University. She is a teaching artist and singing actress in the Seattle area, and was originally a KIDSTAGE kid before participating in the Arts Education Internship at Village Theatre which led her to become a returning instructor this summer! Krista has music directed several summer camps of all ages, and she has loved every unique experience that has helped her to learn and grow in youth arts education. She also participated in the Open Jar Institute, a Broadway intensive in New York City, and has competed at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Musical Theatre. Krista will also be playing keyboard in the orchestra pit for KIDSTAGE’s SummerStock production of Les Miserables in August.

  
  

  
  

  Duncan Frost

  Duncan Frost is thrilled to be joining the KIDSTAGE faculty in 2017 after performing in Village Theatre’s Billy Elliot in 2016. Duncan works as an actor, director and teaching artist throughout Puget Sound, including work with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Key City Public Theatre, Seattle Public Theatre, Foundry10 and a number of local schools. Before coming home to the great Pacific Northwest, Duncan spent eight years in Minneapolis working and training with the Children’s Theatre Company, The Guthrie Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre and Troupe America. While attempting to count all 10,000 lakes, he received his BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training program. He has a funny dog who is somewhat long.

  
  

  
  

  Aimee Hong

  Aimee Hong is thrilled to be working with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE - Everett! Music Directing credits include: [Title of Show], Carnival, Into the Woods (Bellevue College), Sweeney Todd, The Boy Friend (Renton Civic), How I Became a Pirate (Secondstory Repertory), The Wizard of Oz (St Luke's Theatre Company), as well as many projects with Studio East and McClure Middle School. She is an Adjunct Music Faculty member at Bellevue College, working with the Concert Choir and teaching Class Voice. Aimee also teaches for The Seattle Symphony and Studio East. She received her Music Education degree from Western Washington University.

  
  

  
  

  Lee Ann Hittenberger

  She has taught theater to kids from Village Theater (Combat Instructor), West Sound Academy (Drama Instructor), Bainbridge Performing Arts Theater School (1st thru 8th grade including workshops in film and stunt fighting), Edmonds Children’s Theater Camp (Education Director), Stone Soup (Teaching Artist), Tacoma Little Theater (Fight Combat Instructor), Bainbridge KidiMu (Brain Dance), Costume Construction for the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and Garment Construction for the Art Institute of Seattle and Roosevelt High School. Ms Lee Ann is the Education Coordinator for Youth Theater Camp in Kitsap. She directed Charlotte’s Web for Edmonds Community College. Professionally she has produced stage fight and/or dance choreography for numerous regional groups including BPA, Driftwood Players, Burien Little Theater, Freehold Studio Series, Mountaineer Forest Theater, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, Jewel Box (Poulsbo), Greenstage, Seattle Prep, Madrona School and Lakeside Middle School. She trained at Freehold Studio, has an AA in Fashion design from Seattle Art Institute, and BS in Occupational Therapy from U of W with additional training in The Brain Dance from Creative Dance Center. She has skill proficiency in 8 stage combat weapons with the Society of American Fight Directors. Ms. Lee Ann has worked for PNB, 5th Ave Theater, ACT, Paramont, Intiman, & Seattle Opera through the Theatrical Wardrobe Union and has performed professionally with Village Theater, Civic Light Opera, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, Renton Civic, and Minnesota Rep. She has assisted at Cornish College with teaching stage combat with Fight Master Geof Alm.

  
  

  
  

  Carly Hutchison

  Carly Hutchison is excitedly a new teaching artist at KIDSTAGE in Everett! She has taught dance and musical theatre at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Backstage Dance Studio, Spectrum Dance Theatre, and Central Washington University (CWU) and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance Performance from CWU. Carly has also choreographed The Drowsy Chaperone (Liberty High School), Disney’s Aladdin Jr. (Issaquah Middle School), Urinetown (Seattle Children’s Theatre Drama School), and A Christmas Carol and The Tempest at CWU. In addition to teaching and choreographing Carly is a local performer and has worked with Taproot Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Wooden O, and Village Theatre including: Show Boat, Meet Me in St. Louis, 42nd Street, and Funny Girl. Catch her this Winter as Sally in Taproot Theatre’s A Charlie Brown Christmas.

  
  

  
  

  Kate Jaeger

  Kate Jaeger is an actor, director, educator and improviser. In addition to teaching for Village KIDSTAGE and Institute, Kate also teaches at Jet City Improv and Seattle Children’s Theatre. She has directed youth of all ages in shows for Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre and ArtsWest. As an actor, Kate has had a varied and exciting career. Favorite roles include Darzee in The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi at Seattle Children’s Theatre and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables at Village Theatre (for which she won a Gregory Award.) Kate has been a member of Jet City Improv since 2004.

  
  

  
  

  Danny Kam

  Danny Kam holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Western Washington University, with concentrations in Acting and Directing. Outside of the Theatre Arts Department, he studied Vocal Pedagogy, performed extensively as a soloist with Western’s Music Department, and founded an original concert series, Fresh Hot Songs, which had four sold-out installments. As a director, Danny recently directed Once On This Island, Jr. for KIDSTAGE. As an actor, Danny has performed with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Mount Baker Theatre, and Contemporary Classics, among others. As a teacher, he also works with Seattle's Broadway Bound Children's Theatre, and teaches private voice/acting lessons at Kaleidoscope School of Music in Issaquah. He is so thrilled to be working with KIDSTAGE, after growing up in this wonderful program and performing in several shows, including The Spitfire Grill (Caleb), trust me (Seth), Joseph... (Levi) and Les Miserables (Grantaire).

  
  

  
  

  Autumn Fire Lambright

  Autumn Fire Lambright has been a KIDSTAGE kid since she was six years old, has been in or involved in over nineteen productions with KIDSTAGE, and has completed KIDSTAGE’s Arts Education Internship. Autumn graduated dental school in 2015 and is a practicing Dental Assistant at Harbour Point Orthodontics. She is also exploring what it’s like to be on the developing side of theatre, as she is helping write a musical with foundry10. Autumn is passionate about the transformative power and beauty of theatre, and loves sharing her passion with young minds. This is Autumn’s first year as a KIDSTAGE instructor and she is very excited to teach “Skills for theatre, skills for life.”

  
  

  
  

  Chelsea LeValley

  Chelsea LeValley Actor/teacher/director on the East and now West coast as she is a recent Seattle transplant! She’s toured with and trained Missoula Children’s Theater actor/directors and in addition to Village Theater teaches with Stone Soup Theater, and has assisted at Seattle Children’s Theatre. BFA Music Theater, Elon University in NC ’11.

  
  

  
  

  Mary McIntosh

  Mary McIntosh has been seen on stages ranging from McCaw Hall in Seattle to The Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from UArts in Philadelphia. Mary is a professionally trained ballerina, who has performed with many companies including: Pacific Northwest Ballet. She previously taught at Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre.

  
  

  
  

  Ellen McLain

  Ellen McLain enjoys a busy career in theatre, opera, voice-over, and teaching. She received her Bachelor and Masters Degrees with Honors in Music from The New England Conservatory in Boston. Ellen’s Broadway credits include My Fair Lady with Sir Rex Harrison and Peggy Lee in her show, Peg. Regional and national theater credits range from Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman (Montana Rep/Nat/l. tour) to Mimi in La Boheme (Seattle Opera Outreach). She served on the voice faculty of Cornish College of the Arts from 1996 to 2001 and has had a private voice studio for over twenty-five years. Ellen is also well known in the computer game community for her voice-over work in Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Portal 2.

  
  

  
  

  Meagan Moffat

  Meagan Moffat grew up at KIDSTAGE for nearly 10 years before completing her Arts Education Internship and working as a Cast Member at Walt Disney World. She is a dance teacher and choreographer at several studios in the greater Seattle areas and is the current Pathway to Institute dance instructor here at KIDSTAGE. Meagan has worked in film, theatre, and modeling, is over the moon to be sharing her love of theatre with the next generation of artists!

  
  

  
  

  Aaron Norman

  Aaron Norman has a background in vocal performance and vocal health/technique. Aaron has performed in a wide range of musical arenas from singing the lead role of Cesare in Handel’s Giulio Cesare to singing backup for Stevie Wonder, and now currently working as the director of music at Emerald City Bible Fellowship in Seattle. In 2016, Aaron had a blast working on Hairspray with KIDSTAGE and has had just as much fun working on The Lion King Jr. in 2017. Aaron looks forward to future productions with Village Theatre.

  
  

  
  

  Michael Nutting

  Michael Nutting is entering his second season with Village Theatre. He earned his Bachelors in Piano Performance and Music history at Western Washington University. Upon graduation, he moved to Seattle to pursue his career in the arts and is keeping busy directing musicals, music directing, teaching piano, accompanying, composing, arranging, and, of course, teaching for KIDSTAGE. Most recently, Michael music directed Seattle Musical Theatre’s spring show “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

  
  

  
  

  Lukas Poischbeg

  After completing the Arts Education Internship, Lukas Poischbeg is ecstatic to join KIDSTAGE as a dance and musical theatre instructor. Lukas started as a KIDSTAGE kid and has worked on over twenty productions through the program. He holds an associate’s degree in arts and sciences and is working towards his BA in dance and education through the University of Washington. Lukas has a wide dance background with training from ARC School of Ballet, Westlake Dance Center, the Studios, and Village Theatre. Lukas views his role as a mentor and instructor as one of uncovering, activating and nurturing his students’ own mental elaborations of knowledge. He monitors and guides his student’s own thinking and learning to help them grow in their capacity. “When we learn to take risks, and express ourselves in front of others, we develop valuable life skills beyond theatre or dance.”

  
  

  
  

  Tanesha Ross

  Tanesha Ross was grown and shaped as a performer by the vast and rich theater and music community in Seattle. She is a Cornish graduate, and has performed at Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Seattle Childrens Theatre, which all propelled her to New York where she performed on Broadway and a Broadway National Tour. She has taught with ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty) working with children in Florida, New York and South Africa. She is also trained in Kindermusik. Her philosophy is everybody can sing! Yes, that means you!

  
  

  
  

  Faith Russell

  Faith Russell has been working in Seattle as an actress, teacher, choreographer, and director for the past 20 plus years, and is so excited to be with KIDSTAGE for another session of fun! She has also been pleased to teach and direct for Taproot Theater's Acting Studio in Seattle, and for Studio East in Kirkland. She was in Village Theatre's production of Once on This Island and can often be found at Storybook Theatre!

  
  

  
  

  Hannah Schuerman

  Hannah Schuerman has been involved in KIDSTAGE for five years. She is currently studying Theatre Performance at Seattle Pacific University. While at KIDSTAGE she was seen in shows such as Into the Woods, Children of Eden, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Urinetown. After graduating she plans to pursue musical theatre and hopes to continue teaching throughout her life.

  
  

  
  

  Katy Tabb

  Katy Tabb is an instructor of dance for the KIDSTAGE Institute program in Everett. Past KIDSTAGE choreography credits include: HAIRSPRAY, HELLO MY BABY, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, ANYTHING GOES, and SHREK. She most recently choreographed SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN for the Village Theatre Mainstage and will be choreographing NEWSIES this fall. She loves sharing her passion for dance with her students.

  
  

  
  

  Pamela Turpen

  Pamela Turpen has been dancing for 24 years. She received her BA in dance performance with an emphasis in choreography from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She has taught and choreographed many dance forms to all ages and levels for 18 years, choosing to focus on classical jazz, classical modern and musical theatre dance.
  
  Locally she has performed with 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Opera, SD Prism Dance, and Arc Dance Productions. You may have seen some of her choreography at The Moore Theatre, Chamber Theatre, Broadway Performance Hall, and various clubs and cabarets in the Seattle area. She also has done local commercial and film work as well as corporate modeling for numerous photographers around the country. She hopes to inspire audiences with her vision and to push the limits on how we approach storytelling on stage.