Guest Artists’ Bios
Jessica Austgen, Workshop Presenter. Jessica has been onstage with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival (CSF) as Phebe in As you You like Like iIt, Macduff in Macbeth and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing. Her regional credits include the title role in Miss Julie, and a role in Curious Theatre Company’s The Dead Guy, The Women, Comic Potential and Last Train to Nibroc. She has served as a member of CSF’s Living Shakespeare troupe since 2005, performing Shakespeare and facilitating workshops across Colorado. Jessica earned her B.F.A. in performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Hilary Blair, Workshop Presenter. Hilary Blair is workshop coordinator and a teaching artist for the Education Department of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). She is co-director for the DCPA’s Living History high school residency program with whom she toured as an actor for four seasons. She is a stage actor who also works extensively in radio/television commercial and is an Emmy Emmy-nominated voice-over artist. As an educator, director, guest artist and administrator, Ms. Blair has worked across the nation for more than 20 years. She enjoys performing and teaching improv with Out Of Our Heads and Do It Better. She holds an Masters MFAof Fine Arts Degree from the National Theatre Conservatory and a Bachelor BAof Arts Degree in Child child Psychology psychology from Yale University.
Monte Black, Adjudicator. Mr. Black holds a Bachelor BSof Science in Theatre theatre and Dance dance from the University of Wyoming with emphasis in choreography and performance and received an Masters' MFAof Fine Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with emphasis in choreography and teaching. Specializing in jazz dance, he has studied with Master master teachers Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, and Frank Hatchett. He toured nationally with the 15th anniversary revival of the The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and has performed in many outstanding regional theatres nationwide, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Roy Clark in Paint your Wagon, Joanne Worley in Hello, Dolly, and Eddie Bracken in Babes in Toyland. Mr. Black 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 West Side Story, Brigadoon and Carousel for the Musical Theatre Department along with Damn Yankees and Annie for the Little Theatre of the Rockies. Mr. Black is director/choreographer of an annual fall dance/theatre production based on the holidays of Dia de los Muertos and Halloween, and is also a contributing choreographer to the annual spring main stage dance concert. His interests in jazz, modern, and dance technology coupled with his vast performance history make him a vital and inspiring artist and teacher.
Lanny Boyer, Adjudicator. Lanny is flattered to be welcomed back again to the Colorado Thespian Conference to help assess some of the nation’s most talented performers. A recent graduate of the University of Northern Colorado’s acting program, he has once again returned to northern Colorado as a graduate student pursuing his education degree in theatre and music. Having played roles such as Tony, in West Side Story; Eugene, in Biloxi Blues; Huck, in Big River; Jinx, in both Forever Plaid & Plaid Tidings; Doody, in Grease!; Rocky, in Damn Yankees; Marcellus, in The Music Man; Augustin Magaldi, in Evita; and stole the show as Lightning, the horse, in On the Razzle by Tom Stoppard. Lanny relishes the opportunity to help cultivate and guide young talent. He’s spent time in each of the region’s top Dinner dinner Theatres theatres including Boulder’s famous Dinner dinner Theatretheatre. In 2003, Lanny composed the original score for the play, Gently into the Night, and in addition to helping front the national act, Kahuna Beach Party, he also pursues his own career performing music under his own name. Break-a-Leg!
Alberto Bonilla, Workshop Presenter. 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.
Kerstin Caldwell, Workshop Presenter. With a strong background in training from Chicago’s Second City and Improv Olympic, Kerstin can be found teaching improvisation in high schools around the Denver area. Kerstin is also a founding member and the Educational educational Coordinator coordinator for the Denver Improv Festival, which currently celebrated its third anniversary. Although improve is thought to be funny, Kerstin thrives on teaching solid foundational improvisation skills. Her focus is in helping actors to create well-developed characters and tell amazing stories when time is of the essence.
Jennifer Carrabetta, Workshop Presenter. 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.
Maggie Cochran, Workshop Presenter. Maggie is the make-up, retail and costume manager of Norcostco Denver, Maggie has taught professional make-up workshops for five years around the Denver metro area. Maggie is also a proud member of Hunger Artists Ensemble Theatre. Her recent directorial work includes Letters to Home, an original Hunger Artists production, and An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe. Maggie holds a Bachelors bachelors of Arts arts in Theatre theatre from The Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Jennifer Condreay, Adjudicator. Jennifer Condreay just retired in June after 30 years of teaching high school theatre. After receiving an M.A. from the University of Denver, her career started at Boulder High School and then moved to the Cherry Creek School District. A former Alliance for Colorado Theatre president, she received the Colorado Theatre Educator of the Year award, the English English-Speaking Union Fellowship to study with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and three Cherry Creek teacher Teacher of the Year Awardsawards. She taught theatre at an international high school (TASIS) in London, and established a theatre exchange program with a high school in Paris. He has directed 22 musicals, two of which were featured on the Thespian main stage in Lincoln. Jennifer is now working for School tours Tours of America, designing Broadway show tours for high schools and acting in local theatres.
Bud Coleman, Workshop Presenter. Bud Coleman is an Associate associate Professor professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Chair chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. A former dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Fort Worth Ballet, Kinesis, and Ballet Austin, he has directed / choreographed Seussical, A Grand Night for Singing, Pippin, Wonderful Town, Songs in the Key of . . . Caffeine (also librettist), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Mikado, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along, Lysistrata, Dames at Sea, Hair, Six Degrees of Separation, the opera Being of Sound Mind, and numerous other productions. Bud has a Ph.D. in Theatre theatre History history and Criticism criticism from the University of Texas at Austin, and his publications have appeared in the St. James Press Gay & Lesbian Almanac, qlbtq.com, New York Native, Theatre History Studies, The Austin American-Statesman, Theatre InSight and Choreography and Dance. With co-editor Judith Sebesta, they will publish Women in American Musical Theatre: Essays on Lyricists, Writers, Arrangers, Choreographers, Designers, Producers, and Performance Artists, 2007.
Theresa Collins, Workshop Presenter. 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 Masters master’s in Directing directing from Roosevelt University. She considers herself a “Jill of All Trades,” ; besides theatre classes, she also teaches PE/Aerobicsaerobics, core language arts classes, various electives, and she advises the school newspaper. She has been an aerobics instructor off and on since the late ’‘80’s! Go leotards and leg warmers!
Laurence Curry, Workshop Presenter. Laurence Curry is a teaching artist for the Denver Center Theatre Academy, an education department of The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Curry has national film credits in Asteroid, Strange Land, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead and national commercial credits for Coors Light, Schwinn and Ford Motor Company as well as performance performance-education experience. Dance has always been a big part of his life. He spent a year dancing for Oakland’s Savage Jazz Dance Company at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre. He is most proud of his roles in Othello, Six degrees Degrees of Separation, To Kill A a Mockingbird and the film picture of Priority.
Joe DeMers & Danielle Hatley, Workshop Presenters. Joe and Danielle are known for their crazy air steps and energetic style of dancing. They are very versatile dancers ranging from modern Jazz jazz to vintage blues to performance Lindy Hop. Since they started competing together in 2006, they have won over 30 national titles, with most notable, Lindy Hop placements at national jitterbug Championshipschampionships, Boston tea Tea Party Strictly, Camp Jitterbug Strictly, and Rhythmic Arts festivalFestival; they dance on the 4four-time International international Championship championship team, 23 Skidoo. They continually train and travel worldwide for dance movements and techniques. They pride themselves with preserving original dance styles while continually striving for new ideas.
Meaghan K. Dunham, Adjudicator. Meaghan has worked as a professional actor, director, teacher, and guest lecturer since 1984, and is dedicated to promoting a passion for the theatre arts in young people. She earned her B.A. in theatre performance, dance, and design from Michigan State University, and her M.F.A. in Directing directing from the Hilberry Repertory Company at Wayne State University. She is currently the director of theatre at Grosse Pointe South H.S. and is very proud to have presented several main stage productions at the International Thespian Festival. Through her professional association with the Educational Theatre Association and the Michigan Thespian Organization, she hopes to continue inspiring and enlightening artists for years to come.
Vance Fulkerson, Workshop Presenter. Vance Fulkerson serves as Professor professor of Theatre theatre Arts arts and Director director of the Musical Theatre Program at UNC. Network television credits include The Dance Machine. He directed the national Broadway tour of Hair. At UNC, his direction and choreography credits include A Chorus Line, Brigadoon, Big River, Carousel, Chess, Evita, Forever Plaid, Camelot, Godspell, Guys and Dolls, Falstaff, Death of a Salesman, A Few Good Men, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, House of Blue Leaves, Oliver, South Pacific, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Gypsy, Sweet Charity, and My Fair Lady. His students have compiled an impressive list of credits, including leading roles in the Broadway productions and national tours of Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon, A Chorus Line, Chess, How to Succeed in Business, Carousel, Passion, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Showb Boat, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, The Full Monty, Satruday Saturday Night Fever, Ragtime, Kiss Me Kate, The Donkey Show and Guys and Dolls. Other students have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Opryland, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Disney and Holland Cruise Lines, Bally Grand (Las Vegas) and numerous Equity national tours. An active presenter at regional and national workshops, Professor Fulkerson taught musical theatre at the University of Utah and at Loretto Heights College before his 1990 UNC appointment. He received his BS from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and his MA from the Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
Brian Hapcic, Workshop Presenter. Brian Hapcic 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
Ray Horne, Adjudicator. Ray has been a guest adjudicator at the Florida State Conference for many years. Currently, he is working with Music Theatre International, traveling a great deal adjudicating, speaking, and doing workshops. He is always thrilled to work with youth, encouraging them to use their talent. He is an active member with the Georgia Theatre Conference and Southeastern Theatre Conference, serving on both Boards boards of Directorsdirectors. Mr. Horne has been inducted in the Educational Theatre Associations Hall of Fame, as well as the Georgia Theatre Associations Hall of Fame. He recently retired after overmore than thirty 30 years as a high school theatre educator. He is delighted to be attending the Colorado Conference conference for the first time, and desperately hopes to see snow on the ground.
Brian Hughes, Adjudicator. Brian studied at the Gaiety School of acting Acting in Dublin, Ireland, and has worked and studied with some of the top names in theatre, including Barry McGovern, Peter Woodward and Eric Morris. Brian spent the several years in Los Angeles working in film and television as an actor, casting director and producer. He produced and co-produced several 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 stage, and Colorado in 2004 and has been seen in productions of The Winter’s Tale, An Ideal Husband, Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Aare deadDead, The Scarlet Letter and The Imaginary Invalid.
Jennifer Johnson, Workshop Presenter: Bachelor of Arts Degree BA degree in Dance 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 arts community for over 12 years. Jennifer is a former Bronco Cheerleader and her passion for the promotion of dance is demonstrated by her commitment to share her talent with youth. Jennifer is on the staff and serves on the Board board of Directors directors of Dance Arts Studio.
Geoffrey Kent, Workshop Presenter. Geoffrey is a professional Fight fight Director director and stage combat teacher based out of Denver, Colorado. He is an instructor at the National Theatre Conservatory graduate program and the University of Denver and has taught at universities across the country. Geoff is the resident Fight fight Director director for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Opera Colorado. www.thefightguy.com
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.
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 in Funny 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 Televisiontelevision, Radio radio and Hosting 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 website at http://www.jodielangel.com www.jodielangel.com.
Heather Lawrence, Workshop Presenter. 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 in Macbeth, 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.
John Leonard, Workshop Presenter. John Leonard is an Associate associate Professor professor of Musical musical Theatre theatre 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 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 Fantasticks, 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 “Best Director' Director” and 'Best “Best Musical'Musical”). While at UNC and Little Theatre of the Rockies, John has directed/choreographed, Always...Patsy Cline;, The Secret Garden, My Fair Lad;y, No, No, Nanette;e, The Sound of MusiMusic;c, My Way.. : A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra;, 42nd StreeStreet;t, A Grand Night for SinginSinging;g, Grease;, Cabaret, Side Show,; Grand Hotel, 1940’'s Radio Hour, The Boyfriend;, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the UkrainUkraine;e, and directed West Side Story, Damn Yankees, Annie, Stuart Little, and Charlotte's 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.
Mary Lucas, Workshop Presenter. 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.
Andy Lyons, Workshop Presenter. Andie Lyons is the Program Manager for Rainbow Alley, Denver’s only GLBTQ drop-in space. In this position, Andie oversees the creation of safe space for GLBT and questioning youth between the ages of 13 and 22, including planning weekly programming, coordination of support groups and services, and providing crisis intervention as needed. Andie works closely with local agencies serving youth to provide resources for young people utilizing the Alley, and to advocate for GLBT youth in schools and other community organizations. Andie has worked with youth communities for over five years, serving as an anti-violence educator, program coordinator, and community facilitator for various youth-oriented agencies and projects. In addition to her work with Rainbow Alley, Andie is a volunteer crisis advocate for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, and leads national trainings on youth empowerment for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Mark Maranto, Adjudicator. After surviving child actor status in productions like the National Tour of On Golden Pond and The Goodman Theater of Chicago's Chicago’s first A Christmas Carol, Mr. Maranto went on to complete his actor training from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. For the past fifteen 15 years he has coached speech individual events in the state of Illinois where he has guided multiple students to state and national field rounds in Original Comedy, Original Oratory, and Special Occasion Speaking; he has directed six state finishing Performance in the Round selections. Additionally, he has directed numerous plays and musical productions, including his own adaptation of Anne Tyler's Tyler’s short story, “Teenage Wasteland.” Mr. Maranto holds a Masters master’s degree in Theatre theatre Directing directing from Roosevelt University, and is thrilled to return each year to this amazing conference, as he believes wholeheartedly in the incredible power of theatre.
Steven MacDonald, Workshop Presenter. Steven -has worked as a professional Stage stage Manager manager in regional theatres in Seattle and Southern California, ; as a Technical technical Director director for high schools, universities and professional companies, ; and as a lighting and sound Designer designer for over 60 productions. Steven is currently the Production production Manager manager at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and spends his summers at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
Brian McManus, Workshop Presenter. Brian has performed and studied improv for more than 10 years, including 5 five years in NYC where he studied with members of the People’s Improv Theater, the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, Armando Diaz and more. He performs and teaches at the Bovine Metropolis Theater and coordinates the Bovine School of Improv. A major proponent of “‘Yes, and…’ ” as a life philosophy, Brian pursues consistently successful scenes through strong characters and relationships on stage and explores the moment where nothing evolves into improvised joy.
Tom McNally, Auditor/Workshop Presenter. Equity actor Tom McNally is Professor professor of Theatre theatre Arts 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/Adjudicator. Gillian McNally serves as Assistant assistant Professor professor of Theatre theatre Education education at the University of Northern Colorado. She has extensive experience particularly with underserved, low low-income populations in some of this country’s most harshly economically challenged cities. Recently, Gillian worked with TRIO, a National national Program program which helps low low-income and first first-generation students gain access to college. Before coming back to her home state of Colorado, Ms. McNally served as the Resident resident Teaching teaching Artist 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 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 M.F.A. in Drama drama and Theatre theatre for Youth youth from The University of Texas at Austin and a B.F.A. in Acting acting from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
Pamela Jamruszka Mencher, Workshop Presenter. 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 aArts and dance at red Red Rocks Community College. In addition to her responsibilities at the Collegecollege, 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.
Kathy Morath, Workshop Presenter. Kathy Morath, Musical Theatre. , New York. Broadway credits include Joseph Papp's Papp’s Pirates of Penzance and Nick & Nora. Off-Broadway she has appeared in the role of The Girl in The Fantasticks, Personals, The Wonder Years and David Ives’' All in The Timing Timing, among others. Regionally she has played leading roles at The Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dallas Theatre Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Barter Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera, Chatauqua Opera, Wolf Trap and The Kennedy Center. TV & Fand filmilm credits include Law & Order, ; Walker, Texas Ranger, ; Alice in Concert, ; Hostage, ; All My Children, ; and General Hospital. In addition, Kathy has written (with Bruce Coyle and Dennis Bailey) Channeling Doris Day, which she has performed extensively across the country. . She hHas also served as an adjudicator for the National Endowment for the Arts. Training: Brown University.
James Olm, Workshop Presenter. James Olm is the coordinator of the Musical musical Theatre theatre program and instructor at Casper College, in Casper, Wyoming. He has directed numerous dramas and musicals, from professional to high school theatre. He is also a composer/playwright, having written four musicals, with one developmentally read at an Offoff-Broadway theatre in NYC.
Mona Wood-Patterson & Charles Ford, Workshop Presenters. Mona and Charles have been the theatre directors at Durango High School for the past eighteen 18 years. In addition to their work at DHS, they combined their expertise to found their own theatre company, Merely Players, as well as the Durango Shakespeare Festival. They taught theatre in England as Fulbright recipients and their theatre program was recognized as an outstanding school by the Educational Theatre Association.
Jodi Papproth, Workshop Presenter. Jodi Papproth has been a theatre teacher and director since 1993. She received her BFA from Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and her MA in Directing directing from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is the one-woman theatre department at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs where she teaches drama, advanced acting, theatrical makeup, improvisation, and Tech Theatre. Jodi was named Colorado Theatre Educator of the Year by the Alliance for Colorado Theatre (ACT) in 2005. Jodi is returning to the president position for ACT for two years and remained a member on their Executive executive Board board for several years.
Lindsay Price, Workshop Presenter. Lindsay is the primary writer for Theatrefolk, an independent publishing company that sells plays to high schools around the world. Most recently her play THE FLYING BANDIT The Flying Bandit appeared at the Showboat Festival Theatre in Port Colborne, ON, and SHATTERED Shattered was performed by Constellation Theatre Company in Dorset, England. Both WAIT WAIT BO BAITWait Wait Bo Bait and STROKE STATICStroke Static reached the All Ontario level of the Sears Drama Festival, and EMOTIONAL BAGGAGEEmotional Baggage was performed at the State level of the Florida Thespian Festival.
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 and is currently working at Opera Shop.
Mike Rock, Workshop Presenter. Mike Rock has been a fixture at Thespian events including The International Thespian Festival and many state conferences. He is a founding member of ComedySportz and The Bert Fershners on Comedy Central. He has had guest appearances on Law and Order, Conan O’Brien, Viva La Bam, MTV’s Damage Control, TRL, VH-1’s Awesomely Bad Hits, and The Guiding Light. He’s the voice of Property Ladder on TLC and has done numerous commercials and voice-overs. He holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin and is both an actor and writer.
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.
Tracy Salter, Workshop Presenter. Tracy Salter teaches Advanced Acting Styles II, Advanced Vocal Production, Stage Dialects, Stage Speech II and Experimental Directing. She also serves as vocal and dialect coach for the UNC Department of Theatre Arts and Dance productions. Prior to teaching at UNC, Tracy lived in New York City where she worked as an actress, director and producer. She also taught conflict resolution and social/emotional skills using drama and drama therapy techniques in many NYC inner inner-city schools. Past performances include: Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Jaques in As You Like It, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Night’s Dream, Dr. Livingstone in Agnes of God, Mayella in To Kill a Mockingbird and Mary in Vanities. Tracy received her BFA from Graceland University and her MFA from the University of Florida where she was afforded the opportunity to participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Tracy also served as the Director director of Theatre Strike Force; , a University of Florida improv troupe voted “"Best Playmates"” in Florida Leader magazine’s, “Best Reasons to aAttend Florida Schools” Issueissue.
Mitch Samu, Workshop Presenter. Mitch Samu is a professional Music music Directordirector, Conductorconductor, Composercomposer, and Accompanistaccompanist. Mitch has accompanied over 25,000 auditions in his career as both a pianist and a Music music Directordirector. He has over more than 200 productions as Music music Director director to his credit during his career. Some of his Broadway credits include: The Lion King, Saturday Night Fever, Little Shop of Horrors, Crazy for You, Christopher Durang’s Musicalmusical, Adrift in Macao, Side Show, Dreamgirls,and Jesus Christ Superstar. He is the composer of major choral works written for the church including; Jesus, the last mile.., God’s Trombones, and a Christmas musical Just a Miracle. His full-length musicals include: We’ll beat the Odds, Jesus the Last Mile, a Passion Musical and Motherhood: The agony Agony and the Ecstasy? Mitch is the creator of 3 Steps Back, a 30-minute touring musical for children 5–-11 years old around the issue of abduction awareness.
Kim Steiner, Workshop Presenter. Kim is currently the Music music Supervisor supervisor of I Love You, You’'re Perfect, Now Change, having music directed shows in New York, Boston, San FransiscoFrancisco, San Diego, Reno, Chicago, and all over the country on the National national Tourtour. He was also the Music music Supervisor supervisor of the show Forbidden Vegas. On BroadwayB'way: Nine, High Society, In My Life. Off Broad'way: The Fantasticks, Forbidden Broadway (2001, 20th Anniversary, SVU), FAMEFame, the musicalMusical. National Tours: Forbidden Broadway, Forbidden Hollywood. International: Phantom of the Opera. Regional: Guys and Dolls (Leon Rabin Award nomination –- Best Musical Direction), When Pigs Fly, As Thousands Cheer, La Cage aux Folles, the World world Premiere premiere of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Kiss of the Spider Woman, among many others. Kim has conducted/played for many talents such as Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Sam Harris, Oleta Adams, among others. He played, arranged and co-produced the 2001 Broadway Cares, Equity Fights Aids AIDS CD, Home for the Holidays. He is also a proud member of the Central Nyack Fire Department.
Frank Stewart, Workshop Presenter. Frank is a professional actor and an entertainment attorney. He holds a Masters 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 National 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.
Kenny Storms, Adjudicator. Kenny Storms is the Academy academy Registrar registrar and part part-time teaching artist for the DCTA. He received his B.A.BA in Actingacting, Directingdirecting, and Education education at the UNC. He has taught children and teens at the DCTA, Island Theatre Workshop in Martha’s Vineyard, and completed his student teaching at Ponderosa High School. His most recent stage credits include Death and of a Salesman for the Denver Repertory Theatre, and Land of the Dolls at the Bug Theatre. In 2006 he produced and directed 4.48 Psychosis for the Boulder International Fringe Festival and was the Artistic artistic Director director for the Denver Repertory Theatre Company.
Kristy Jo Stupka, Adjudicator. Is Kristy is an award award-winning theatre director with degrees in both theatre and education. She is on the staff of the professional theatre, The Alliance,, and has had the privilege of directing for Ms. Jane Fonda and Turner Broadcasting, as well as with the Jimmy Carter Project in Georgia. She is the former theatre director for the Dekalb School of the Arts (and brought them victory in their state one one-act play competition). Kristy Jo has been a guest at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently directing theatre in Atlanta and assisting with film casting in Los Angeles.
Jeannette Triomphe, Adjudicator. After her fifteen 15-year career as Director director of the Musical Theatre Program at the University of Northern Colorado, Jeannette Triomphe is enjoying her return this year directing Opera Theatre at UNC. Her work in theatre has involved the direction and and/or choreography of more than seventy-five75 productions in educational, community and professional theatre. Some of her credits include: A Chorus Line, Evita, Quilters, Anything Goes, Oklahoma! Amadeus, Candide, Die Fledermaus, Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Peter Pan, Into the Woods A Lion In Winter, A Christmas Carol, Quilt, The King and I, A Little Night Music, The Secret Garden, and many musical theatre and children’s theatre touring productions. Jeannette holds an MFA in Dance dance from the University of California at Irvine and a BA in Theatre theatre Arts arts from California State University, Fullerton. Her love and support of the arts in Greeley continues to be the driving force in her roles as Artistic artistic Director director of the Greeley Community Theatre Troupe, the Arts Alive Committee and Administrator administrator of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anne Toewe, Workshop Presenter/Adjudicator. 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 biology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and an MFA from Tulane University in Louisiana.
Jodi Youmans-Jones, Workshop Presenter. Jodi is currently the Coordinator coordinator of the Dance dance program and Resident resident Choreographer choreographer for the Casper College department Department of Theatre and Dance. She has both her bachelor’s degree in Theatre theatre and Dance dance and her masters of Fine Arts degreeMFA in Dance dance performance and Choreographychoreography. She has performed, choreographed and taught many genres of dance including Musical musical Theatretheatre. Some of her musical theatre credits include Oklahoma, Chicago, Anything Goes, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Forum, and most recently, beauty Beauty and The beastBeast, and Thoroughly Modern MilleMillie. Jodi’s workshops are high energy and hands-on so be ready to move, perform, and, of course, have fun.
Megan Van De Hey, Adjudicator. Megan is thrilled to be back in Colorado after spending the past 7 seven years working in Chicago with various artists, theatre companies and performance venues. She was last seen in Curious Theatre’s World Premiere Musical Mall-Mart. Other Colorado credits include: Littleton Town Hall’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Patsy Cline in Always Patsy Cline at LTR, The Smell of the Kill at The Avenue Theatre, and Party of One at The Playwright Theatre. Megan is a three-time Chicago Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee nominee for Outstanding Leading/Supporting Actress and this year was nominated for an Ovation Award through the The Denver Post. Megan can be heard on the original cast recording of the musical "Madame X" and was featured in the opening act for Russell Crowe's Crowe’s band 30-Odd-Foot-of-Grunts at the Chicago House of Blues.
Kelly Van Oosbree, Workshop Presenter. 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.
Scotty Walsh, Workshop Presenter. Scotty Walsh is a professional circus performer and cabaret artist, specializing in comedy trapeze, spaghetti juggling, and comedy magic. He studied Ccommedia Dell'Arte dell’arte at the Scuola Dell'Attore Dell’Attore Comico with Antonio Fava and specializes in the role of dimwitted agile-bodied servant, Arlecchino. An instructor at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts in Seattle as well as at the Boulder Circus Center, he has appeared with C’'koi Ce Cirque, Circus Contraption, and the Banana Moon Circus, and collaborated with members of Cirque Du du Soleil and Teatro ZinZanni.
Pam Ware, EdTA Leadership Coach/Adjudicator. Pam is a veteran theatre educator and director of 38 years. She has served as president of the Educational Theatre Association, Region III Director of EdTA, and former state director of both Alabama and Georgia. Pam has been inducted into both the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame and the Georgia Thespian Hall of Fame. In 1993, she was named a Milken National Education Recipient and in 1999 received the Educational Theatre Association's Founder's Founder’s Award. Her productions have performed main stage at the International Thespian Festival five times and her productions have been state champions seven different years in Georgia. Not only does she direct a full season of eight shows annually at Gainesville High School, but also she has directs directed at the Summer Community Theatre for the past 28 summers. Ten years ago, she founded an adult musical theatre troupe, The Georgia Mountain Players.
Janine G. West, Adjudicator. Janine is a retired theatre educator, having completed a 28 28-year teaching tenure at Wray High School and Boulder High School, respectively. She served on the Colorado State Thespian Board (and is an original board member) for 17 years and was the Colorado Chapter chapter Director director for five years of those years. For the Educational Theatre Association, she served as a Territorial territorial Director director for three years and was a Leadership leadership Coach coach for seven years. In 2004, she was inducted into the Colorado State Thespian Hall of Fame,; and this September was inducted into the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame. Much of her spare time is now spent as a dog trainer at the Longmont Humane Society, and she also is secretary for the Rocky Mountain Jack Russell Terrier Network.
Ken Womble, Workshop Presenter. Ken Womble received an MFA in Acting acting from Southern Methodist University and a BFA in Acting acting from Florida State University. He has appeared in two Off Off-Broadway premieres, including We're All Lucky to Have Seats on Phil Rizzuto Day at Jason'’s Park Royal. In regional theatre and stock he has played such roles as Richard in The Lion in Winter at North Coast Repertory Theatre, and Morgan in The Drawer Boy at the Little Theatre of the Rockies. 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 Linklater-designated teacher, and work with Tina Packer at Shakespeare & Company's Company’s month-long intensive. His adaptations of A Midsummer Night's 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. He also taught acting classes at Los Angeles Valley College and does private professional coaching. He has directed over 50 plays, including Welcome to the Moon at the American Renegade Theatre, Split at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and Variations On on The the Death of Trotsky at Saddleback College. For television he directed the situation comedy pilot Under the Desk. He wrote and directed the documentary film, Wally Huntoon, A Life By Design, about a California scene designer, and is currently co-writing and directing the first-ever documentary on bestselling novelist James Michener, James Michener, Inside Out. The film, which is being produced through UNC, is scheduled for completion in 2007 with plans for national television distribution. At UNC, Ken teaches Audition Techniques, Advanced Acting Styles I, Beginning Acting, Scene Study and Intro to Theatre. He is a member of Actors'’ Equity, SAG and AFTRA, and was recently chosen for inclusion in Marquis Who'’s Who in America.
Mama Yeye, Workshop Presenter. Mama Yeye is the brain child of 100 Sekeres, best known and loved by all her students as Mama Yeye. The Atlanta Cultural Community calls her the “Sekere Woman of Atlanta.” She is a Yoruba descendant raised and inspired by the variety of ethnic sounds, tastes and rhythms from the Diaspora. She delights in teaching the ARTS because it’s an opportunity to create a positive change everywhere. She uplifts the Yoruba code of “Iwapele” which means good character. Her most recent credits are Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Carolina, Washington State, choreographer for the 7 Stages World world premiere of “Maria Kizito,” Youth Creates Peace Summer program Program Character of the Arts Program in Georgia and Atlanta Workshop Players Summer Theatre Camp. Returning from Nigeria, Mama Yeye is continuing her success as a playwright with “Ojo/Rain” which premiered with the IB Theatre Students of Atlanta International School and Florence Falcon Theatre. Recently, Mama Yeye choreographed “Colored Girls” at the Georgia College and State University and Performing with GiWayen Mata’s “Tribute to the Mothers.” She is currently busy writing another play. Her new book is on her experiences as an Ifa Devotee. Mama Yeye will continue teaching residences, classes and workshops in her local community. www.mtspace.com/yeyeolri