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Meet Our Teachers

Sorrel McCarthy

Director of Education

 
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Director of Education

Fall 2023 Instructor: {Slightly} Fractured Shakespeare Play Lab, 7 Worst Jobs of the Middle Ages Play Lab

Past Academy Classes: All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play Play Lab, Scenes for Teens: Directing 101, The Enchanted Bookshop Play Lab (Spring 2023), A Wrinkle in Time Play Lab, Puss in Boots Play Lab, Captain Dangerous Play Lab (Fall 2022), The Entire American Revolution (in 40 minutes or less) (Spring 2022), 7 Worst Jobs of the Middle Ages Play Lab (Fall 2021), Fantastic Mr. Fox Play Lab (co-teacher with Emily Godwin) (Fall 2020), Alice in Wonderland Play Lab (Fall 2020),Oceans of Fun Musical, The Catnapper Mystery and Other Tales, Law & Order: Fairytale Unit, Arrow Christian Academy Theatre Instructor (Spring 2020), Macbeth Play Lab (Fall 2019), Beauty and the Beast Play Lab (Fall 2018), Scenes for Teens: Acting and Directing (Spring 2018), Monkey, Monkey: The Magical Adventures of the Handsome Monkey King Play Lab (Spring 2017), Characters and Scenes for Young Actors-two sections (Spring 2017)

About Sorrel: Sorrel has been performing in theatre and music since she was a child and has been a director and teacher in theatre, private voice, and choirs for most of her adult life. A graduate of the University of North Texas in 2012 with degrees in political science and social science, she served as the interim choir director at Coppell Middle School East in the Fall of 2019, followed by working as the CMSE voice teacher. Sorrel returned to the University of North Texas in Fall 2020 and is currently working on a post-baccalaureate Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance, as well as a Masters in Education with a 4-8 social studies teaching field. 

Sorrel began performing and volunteering at The ACT in 2012 in the role of Mrs. Fezziwig and as the music director for A Christmas Carol. Since then, she has directed, music directed, and stage managed many mainstage productions at The ACT, and became the Director of Education in 2016. She believes passionately in the power of the performing arts to transform the lives of young people and bring them into a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. She looks forward to meeting your children in classes!


Alex Bigus

 
 

Past Academy Classes: Scene Studio: Musical Theatre Skills Intensive (Spring 2023), Acting for Musical Theatre (Fall 2017), Auditions Workshop for Teens (Fall 2016)

About Alex: Alex came to The ACT for the first time in Fall 2015, as the director for Into the Woods Jr., and has gone on to direct many more mainstage shows (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., Mary Poppins Jr., The Phantom Tollbooth Jr., Flat Stanley Jr., and Once On This Island Jr.) Alex holds a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Musical Theater from the prestigious Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University. He has trained with some of the country's top voice and theatre professionals and has worked with performers in national tours, concerts, Summerstock, and regional theaters across the country.


Erin Bixler

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: Stone Dragon Stew

About Erin: Erin Bixler is a senior at the University of North Texas. She is pursuing a BA in Theatre while also obtaining her teaching certification in Theatre Arts. After she graduates, she hopes to get a job at a middle school or high school as a theatre director.

Erin has been involved in theatre since elementary school, and loves every aspect of it. She started her theatre journey with performing, but now finds immense joy in teaching and costuming! Erin is so excited to be a part of the ACT family and to share her love of theatre with students this semester!


Hannah Bowen

 
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Past Academy Classes: The Actors Conservatory Show Choir (Assistant Director-Spring 2020, The Actors Conservatory Show Choir (Assistant Director-Fall 2019), The Wizard of Oz Play Lab (Saturday section)

About Hannah: Hannah began performing at The ACT in middle school, and she loved every minute of it!  She holds a Bachelors of Music Education with a Vocal focus, and has taught middle school choir for five years. She has directed several school productions, as well as directing and music directing at several local theatres. Teaching is her passion, and she always loves working with the kids at the ACT!! 


Arden Claire Lowrie

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Past Academy Classes: Captain Dangerous (Fall 2022), Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre, Arrow Christian Academy Theatre Instructor (Spring 2021), Regards to Broadway Homeschool (Fall 2020), Arrow Christian Academy Theatre Instructor (Fall 2020), Dinosauring - A Prehistoric Musical (Fall 2019), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Play Lab (Assistant Teacher),The Trial of Goldilocks Play Lab, Storybook Drama Adventures (Spring 2018), The Adventures of Peter Rabbit Musical Play Lab (Fall 2017)

About Arden Claire: Arden Claire has been involved at the ACT since she was a child and loves working with kids of all ages! Musical theater is her forté, and she has worked hard to hone her skills in acting, singing, and dancing. Arden Claire has served as The ACT’s summer camp director and enjoys summers full of fun, creativity, and of course, musicals! She loves being an instructor at the ACT Academy, saying “There is so much joy to be found in teaching kids - something that is such a huge part of who I am.”


Ashlyn Cramer

 
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Past Academy Classes: Broadway Bound: Lyrical and Jazz (Fall 2020), Beginning Musical Theatre Dance (Spring 2020)

About Ashlyn: Ashlyn is loving every minute of at The ACT!  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades English Education from Baylor University, and is a English/Language Arts teacher and dance instructor at a local middle school.  Ashlyn’s favorite dance styles include jazz, lyrical, worship, and of course musical theater!  Some of her most memorable performances include: Super Bowl XLV halftime show and Baylor’s All-University Sing.


Emily Godwin

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Past Academy Classes: The Very UNMerry Adventures of Robin Hood Play Lab (Fall 2021), Fantastic Mr. Fox Play Lab (Spring 2021), Alice in Wonderland Play Lab (Fall 2020), Stone Soup: The Musical (Spring 2020)

About Emily: Emily was fortunate enough to be a part of 17 productions at The ACT during high school! She also spent four of her Spring Breaks as a Star counselor for the children's camps at The ACT, as well as teaching theatre camps at A Body In Motion dance studio. She is so excited to teach your kids on staff at The Actors Conservatory Theatre!


Lara Harris

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: Ants in My Pants, The Best Little Theatre in Town

Past Academy Classes: Thwacked! A Fractured Tale, Pajama Party! (Spring 2023), Panda and the Moon, Broadway Bound: Musical Theatre Songs & Scenes, Disney Magic: Musical Theatre Songs & Scenes (Fall 2022), Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre Homeschool, Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre After School (Spring 2022), Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre Homeschool, Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre After School (Fall 2021), The Little Engine That Could- Early Learners Musical, Trolls: Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre, The Three Billy Goats Gruff- Early Learners Musical (Spring 2020), Pajama Party - Early Learners Musical, Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre (Fall 2019), Mr. Rhythm’s Circus Musical Play, Welcome to the Jungle! Musical Play, Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Monday Homeschool), First Steps in Drama: The Little Red Hen Musical Class, Musical Theatre Dance & Voice-Monday Homeschool (Fall 2018), Treasure Trunk Theatre, Musical Theatre Explorations (Monday Homeschool), Group Voice 10+-Saturdays (Spring 2018), Homeschool Fairytale Characters and Scenes for Young Actors (Fall 2017), Homeschool The Adventures of Peter Rabbit - Musical Play Lab (Fall 2017)

About Lara: Lara holds a Masters of Music degree from Texas State University, specializing in vocal performance and education. Although her musical journey began in the world of opera, the adventure has lead to teaching college voice and nurturing a private voice studio. As the vocal director for Valley Creek Church-Denton campus, she also uses her gift to grow the next generation of worship leaders!


Madison Juneau

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: Broadway Beat

Past Academy Classes: Bugz! A Musical (Spring 2023), A Barnyard Moosical (Fall 2022)

About Madison: Madison is a current music education and voice performance student at the University of North Texas, where she is actively involved with UNT Opera and other ensembles, and where she has been featured as a soloist with the UNT University Singers. She has worked for Denton ISD as a ESD Lead Instructor at Adkins Elementary and loved working with her students. Madison has a deep passion for children and is super excited to meet your children in classes and to make some beautiful music!


Sara Lesley

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: The Story of Beauty and the Beast

Past Academy Classes: Acting & Scenes for Young Actors (Spring 2023), Arf! A Canine Musical (Fall 2022), Never Eat A Talking Lobster Play Lab (Spring 2022)

About Sara: Sara has served as the Theater Director at E.D. Walker Elementary School in Dallas, Texas and at DeLay MS in Lewisville, Texas. A patron of the ACT since 2007, she has set designed and worked on tech teams for mainstage shows since 2019. She has a BA in Secondary Education and a MBA in Bilingual Education. She is passionate about providing a way for children from all backgrounds to experience the magic of the theater.

Sara has been involved in the performing arts since she was a child. She sang her first solo at the age of 5 and directed her first show in the 8th grade. She has traveled across the United States and overseas with different performing groups, singing and acting in various venues. She is excited to begin a new chapter of teaching theater and is thrilled to call the ACT home!


Shelbie Mac

 
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Past Academy Classes: It’s A Wonderful Neverland Play Lab, Stone Soup (Spring 2022), Too Much Noise! (Saturday), Three of a Kind, Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit Play Lab (Fall 2021)

About Shelbie: Homeschooled all her life, Shelbie grew up with a grassroots knowledge of music and arts supplied by her pianist mother, regularly singing with her two sisters as a trio with family and at local events.  At the age of 14, she ventured into the world of theater and found herself swept up in an enthusiasm for performing. After graduating from Travis Academy of Fine Arts, she endeavored to improve her singing, dancing, and acting, through the means of private training and conservatories, such as Circle in the Square Theater School (New York), and KD Studios (Dallas).  She has performed for a variety of different venues, local and out of state, including The National WWII Museum, MLB Texas Rangers, Dallas Children's Theater, Lyric Stage, Eisemann Center, Stage West, and Casa Manana.

Offstage -- or backstage, rather--Shelbie is an award winning visual, mural, and scenic artist of 15 years. Her work has been acclaimed by critics, on multiple stages in both Tarrant County and New Orleans alike (including The National WWII Museum, Water Tower Theater, and Lyric Stage). Through teaching and collaboration in the arts, she aims to assist in her students' character and social development, creating a safe space for creativity to thrive.  A big kid at heart and with a big heart for kids, she is thrilled to be teaching at ACT!


Bryn McCarthy

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Past Academy Classes: The Very Very Gingerbread Man (Fall 2020), Mary and Her Little Lambs (Spring 2021)

About Bryn: Bryn McCarthy has been with the ACT since she was a child and has participated in all areas of the theatre. She has been working with the ACT Academy since its beginning in 2016 and has had experience with all ages as an assistant and teacher. She is a student at The University of North Texas, pursuing her bachelors in Emergency Management. She is so excited to work with your kids and can’t wait to see their bright and shining faces!


Abigail Phillips

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: Everyone Gets Eaten By Sharks Play Lab

About Hannah: Abby is absolutely thrilled to be teaching at the ACT! She started acting in theatre productions in the third grade and immediately fell in love with the art form. She has lived and breathed theatre and filmmaking her whole life, and has recently graduated with a degree in Media Arts and a minor in Theatre from the University of North Texas in May of 2023. She has a passion for teaching, acting, writing and directing plays and short films. She is so excited to continue spreading the love and joy of theatre at the ACT! 


Eliana Reece

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MAINSTAGE MAKE-UP DESIGNER/CO-COORDINATOR

Fall 2023 Instructor: Tap & Jazz Homeschool, Tap & Jazz After School, Advanced Tap & Jazz, Triple Threat, Just Tap

About Eliana: Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Eliana began her dance training at the age of 3, graduated from the Commercial Dance Department at the Orange County HS of the Arts (OCHSA), and was a 4 year member of the National Champion Long Beach State Dance Team. While earning her degrees in Film and Spanish at CSULB, she returned to OCHSA as a dance instructor, which also allowed her to be mentored by top choreographers in Los Angeles. She was also a dancer for a modern/contemporary company called The Brockus Project, taught summer Dance Team camps for US Spirit Leaders, and became a Los Angeles Rams Cheerleader. She seized the opportunity to relocate to St. Louis with the Rams to develop a new cheerleading program, providing their choreography, scheduling public appearances, styling swimsuit calendar photo shoots, and coordinating GameDay entertainment. She also co-founded the Jr. Rams Cheerleader program.

Eliana stepped away from dance and the entertainment industry to raise her children, but discovered The ACT in Fall 2017 while looking for an activity for her daughter. It didn't take long to reignite her love for the arts and she is excited to be back and actively engaged in choreography for several of our mainstage shows! Eliana feels passionately about pushing her performers to build their dance vocabulary, challenges them with stylized choreography, and is a stickler for solid technique. She looks forward to building foundational dance skills in ACT Academy dancers that will build their confidence and aid them in their musical theater pursuits.


Kate Roy

 
 

Past Academy Classes: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Spring 2023), Treasure Trunk Theatre (Spring 2018) - Class Assistant, Storybook Drama Adventures (Spring 2018) - Class Assistant

About Kate: Kate has been performing in theater since she was 4 years old and joined the ACT family in 2007. She fell in love immediately and was able to participate in nearly 50 productions with The ACT over the years. As soon as she graduated, she was eager to stay involved and began stage managing. Kate is a UNT graduate with a bachelors degree in special education, and is so excited to enter her own elementary classroom in the Fall of 2023. She is very thankful for the continued opportunities to stay involved with The ACT, and is looking forward to teaching your kiddos and seeing them grow!


Angela Senter

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General Production Manager and Resident Stage Manager

Past Academy Classes: Call It! Stage Management Basics (Spring 2023), Call It! Stage Management for Teens (Fall 2020), Call It! Stage Management for Teens (Spring 2019), Auditions and Movement for Young Actors, Call It! Stage Management for Teens (Spring 2018), Call It! Stage Management for Teens (Fall 2017)

About Angela: Angela is the General Production Manager and Resident Stage Manager at The ACT and has stage managed, directed, taught, and worked tech for ACT shows and camps since 2004.  She earned a BBA from Trinity University in Illinois, studying the odd combination of Management, Accounting, and Fine Arts. She has been involved in the performing arts since she was a child, directing her first show at the age of 17! In addition to her own multiple roles on production teams, she has also trained most of the adult stage managers at the theatre. She is especially well known, however, for her work with ACT teens, instilling in many of them (as well as in adult volunteers) a true love for the art and responsibility of working in behind-the-scenes theatre positions. After countless productions at The ACT, she is excited to share her experience and knowledge at our theatre, training the the next generation of theatre arts lovers!


Shaun Senter

 
 

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Fall 2023 Instructor: Triple Threat

Past Academy Classes: Triple Threat, Cinderella Musical (Spring 2023), Triple Threat (Fall 2022), Triple Threat (Spring 2022), Triple Threat (Fall 2021), Triple Threat (Spring 2022), The Actors Conservatory Show Choir, Triple Threat I - Beginning to Intermediate Levels, Triple Threat II - Advanced Levels (Spring 2021), Regards to Broadway (Fall 2020), Triple Threat I - Beginning to Intermediate Levels (Fall 2019-current), Triple Threat II - Advanced Levels (Fall 2019-current), Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice Practicum, Mixed Levels Musical Theatre Dance & Voice Practicum, Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Monday After School), Peter Pan Play Lab (Monday After School), Broadway Bound - Advanced Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Monday After School), The Wizard of Oz Play Lab (Monday After School), and First Steps in Drama: Mary and Her Little Lamb Musical Play Lab, The ACT Show Choir (Spring 2017-current), Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Spring 2018), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Play Lab (Spring 2018), The American Revolution: 1763-1789 - Musical Play Lab (Spring 2018), Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017), Fantastic Mr. Fox Play Lab (Fall 2017)

About Shaun: Shaun first joined The Actors Conservatory Theatre 15 years ago as a child actor. He began teaching with The ACT Academy in the Fall of 2016 just after graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Classical Vocal Performance emphasis at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. While earning his degree, he taught voice, dance, acting, and piano lessons to kids and adults of all ages, and traveled across the United States and overseas performing with multiple music groups of varying styles. He has worked with many theaters around DFW, including Dallas Children’s Theater and Casa Mañana, and has several years of on-screen film experience. He is happy to call The ACT his home and to be teaching your kids at The ACT Academy for another semester.


Hannah Simpson

 
 

Past Academy Classes: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Play Lab

About Hannah: Hannah is currently a Theatre Education major at the University of North Texas and loves working with students on all things theater! She started theater at the age of 12 and has since performed in and stage managed over 30 productions. She has assisted several theater classes throughout DFW and she hopes to continue her career as a high school theater teacher after she graduates. You can also find Hannah at The ACT as a stage manager and camp director!


Cynthia Starnes

Past Academy Classes: Nuts! Musical (Spring 2020), The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Play Lab (Fall 2019)

About Cynthia: Cynthia is in her fifth year as the Theatre Director at Calhoun MS, where she has directed/produced over a dozen shows including Twelve Angry Jurors, Fame, Annie, Into the Woods, and Steel Magnolias. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from USIU, she performed on stage in San Diego and LA, appeared in national commercials and print campaigns, and co-starred in features and television. She has taught acting, dance, and pageant preparation over the last 20 years to a variety of ages.  She is thrilled to be part of the ACT family because it is exciting to watch the growth of students artistically and individually.


 

Jamie Williams

 

Past Academy Classes: Stone Soup (Co-Instructor), Sing A Song of Aesop, The Entire American Revolution (in 40 minutes or less) (Assistant Instructor)

About Jamie: Andrew (Jamie) Williams earned his BA in Theatre at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where he developed a love for Shakespeare and the primal simplicity of the early modern stage. He taught children's theatre and performed in North Texas until 2016, when he relocated to Beijing, China to teach English as a second language for a British primary school. In 2019 he left China to earn his MA in Creative Writing at the University of Nottingham in the UK, where he continued to perform for local theatre. Now back in the States, he is eager to be back in the world of theatre again and help young actors find their own creative voices.


Janna Wise

 
 

Fall 2023 Instructor: The Little Red Hen

About Janna: Janna was raised in Arizona where she received her BA degrees in English and German and a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Arizona.  She did her library internships at BYU in Utah where she also reviewed books for the BYU Children’s Book Review. 

Janna and her husband moved to Texas in 1999 and raised their five children here. Janna has enjoyed teaching preschool, piano lessons, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and being involved with the Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Music Programs at her church.  She especially finds joy sharing her love for children’s literature. Janna is so excited to bring her love of teaching children to the ACT!


Laura Wise

Past Academy Classes: The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs

About Laura: Laura has been assistant teaching at the ACT since 2019 and has done many musical performances both in school and out! She is currently a senior at Hebron High School, where she is involved in several extracurricular activities and her school’s choral program. Laura wishes to pursue a job in speech pathology and has been accepted into the University of Texas at Austin for class of 2026. She is so excited to teach your kids and put on a performance together!


Meet Our Class Assistants

 

Elam Drew Coates

Spring 2023: Cinderella Musical, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Fall 2022: Disney Magic: Musical Theatre Songs & Scenes

EMBRY ANN Coates

Fall 2022: Arf! A Canine Musical, Academy Lobby Attendant

Claire Gscheidle

Spring 2023: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Fall 2022: A Barnyard Moosical

Hadley Keenen

Spring 2023: The Enchanted Bookshop, Cinderella Musical

Fall 2022: Captain Dangerous

Jackson Hougnon

Spring 2023: The Enchanted Bookshop, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Hailey Matthews

Spring 2023: Pajama Party!, Thwacked!

Fall 2022: Panda and the Moon, Broadway Bound: Musical Theatre Songs & Scenes, Academy Costume Assistant

Jordan Matthews

Spring 2023: All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Acting and Scenes for Young Actors, Academy Lobby Attendant

Fall 2022: A Wrinkle in Time, Puss in Boots, Academy Production Assistant, Academy Lobby Attendant

Spring 2022: Sing A Song of Aesop, Never Eat a Talking Lobster

Kamden Reece

Spring 2023: Pajama Party!, All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play

Fall 2022: Panda and the Moon

Sara Ryan

Spring 2023: Bugz!

Fall 2022: A Barnyard Moosical

Spring 2022: It’s A Wonderful Neverland

 

Questions? Contact Us At [email protected]