ACT Academy Director

Fall 2020 Instructor: Alice in Wonderland Play Lab

Past Academy Classes: 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)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Puss in Boots (Director), The Three Musketeers (Director), Getting to Know Once Upon a Mattress (Stage Manager), Little Women (Music Director and Stage Manager), Into the Woods Jr. (Stage Manager), Captain Louie Jr. (Stage Manager), The Christmas Doll (Music Director), The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. (Stage Manager), Narnia (Music Director), Scrooge! (Music Director), Seussical Jr. (Music Director)

About Sorrel: Sorrel has been performing in theatre and music since she was a child, including with the Houston Grand Opera, and has been a director and teacher in theatre, private voice, and choirs for over 25 years. She studied vocal performance at The Eastman School of Music and The Ohio State University and has performed in numerous choral and theatre groups across the DFW Metroplex. 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 and is now working as the CMSE voice teacher. Inspired by her work with public school students, Sorrel returned to the University of North Texas in Fall 2020 and is currently working on a post-baccalaureate Bachelors in Choral Music Education, a post-baccalaureate Bachelor of Arts in Music History, and 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!

Past Academy Classes: Acting for Musical Theatre (Fall 2017), Auditions Workshop for Teens (Fall 2016)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., The Importance of Being Earnest, Mary Poppins Jr., The Music Man Jr., Into the Woods Jr. (Director), The Nutcracker (Music Director)

About Alex: Alex came to The ACT for the first time in Fall 2015, as the director for Into the Woods 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.

Past Academy Classes: Musical Theatre Explorations - Monday After School (Spring 2018), Fairytale Characters and Scenes for Young Actors - Monday After School section (Fall 2017)

Recent Projects at The ACT: The Nutcracker (Costume Designer), The Three Musketeers (Set Designer), Anything Goes YPE, Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Disney's The Lion King Jr., Grease: School Version Musical Theatre Teen Intensive, Winnie the Pooh KIDS Musical Theatre Camp, Honk! Jr., James and the Giant Peach Jr., Dear Edwina Jr., Seussical Kids TNT Show, 101 Dalmatians Field Trip Series, Elf Jr., Wizard of Oz YPE, My Son Pinocchio Jr. (Director & Choreographer); Seussical KIDS, Singin’ in the Rain Jr., Aristocats KIDS, Jungle Book KIDS, Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., Three Little Pigs, 101 Dalmatians, Rockin’Tale of Snow White, Goldilocks, The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever (Camp Producer, Director, and Choreographer); 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th Annual Toady Awards (Director); The [Somewhat] True Tale of Robin Hood (Set Designer), Music Man Jr. (Asst. Director and Choreographer); Alice in Wonderland Jr., High School Musical Jr., Ever After, Rapunzel (Camp Producer & Choreographer); Captain Louie Jr., Annie Jr., The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr., Narnia, Willy Wonka Jr., Aladdin Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., A Christmas Carol, The Phantom Tollbooth Jr., Sleeping Beauty KIDS, Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Prince and the Pauper, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Winnie The Pooh (Choreographer)

About Jack: Jack is the Director of Special Programming here at The ACT! He first joined The ACT as a performer at the age of 8 and is so glad to be back directing, choreographing, teaching, and more! Jack has over 15 years of experience in acting, singing, and dancing. He has performed at several theatres in the DFW area, including Casa Manaña, Artisan Center Theatre, Garland Civic Theatre, Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, and Frisco Community Theatre. Jack is beyond thrilled to get to share his passion for the stage and join The ACT Academy family!

House Operations Manager and Camps Administrator

Past Academy Classes: Behind the Scenes Theatre Arts Practicum in Sewing

Recent Projects at The ACT: Elf Jr. (Costume Mistress), Seussical KIDS for TNT (Costume Mistress), The Aristocats KIDS camp, Singin' in the Rain Jr. Teen Intensive, Seussical KIDS camp (Costume Mistress and Camp Administrator), The Lion King Jr., Grease: School Intensive, Willy Wonka Jr., Winnie the Pooh KIDS (Camp Adminstrator)

About Lesa: Lesa learned to sew at the age of nine and made most of her own clothes through high school, including formals for prom. She taught a beginning sewing class for her homeschool co-op for several years. Coming to The ACT in 2006, her first volunteer job was to help with costumes. In 2015, Lesa was the costume mistress at The ACT for My Son Pinocchio, which was directed by her son Jack. Since that time, she has costumed Elf Jr., Seussical KIDS, Aristocats KIDS and Singin’ in the Rain Jr. Lesa loves to sew and sees that the skill has been declining among the last three generations! She wants to share her love of this art form and help “fuel the fire” to bring it back. Not only useful for mending tasks, it can be an outlet for creativity, especially when used in the theatre arts!

Spring 2020 Instructor: The Actors Conservatory Show Choir (Assistant Director)

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

Recent Projects at The ACT: Beauty and the Beast Jr. , Aladdin Jr. (Director)

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!! 

Upcoming Projects at The ACT: The Rainbow Fish Musical (Director)

Past Academy Classes: 13 Colonies - Play Lab, Arrow Christian Academy Theatre Instructor (Fall 2019), The Light in the Library - Play Lab, Arf! Welcome to Doggie-Town - Introduction to Musical Theatre (Spring 2019), Under the Sea - Introduction to Musical Theatre, The Shakespeare Project - Play Lab, E-I-E-I Oops! - Introduction to Musical Theatre (Monday After School), Vacation on Mars: Journey Through the Solar System Musical Play Lab (Spring 2018), Treasure Trunk Theatre (Spring 2017), The Odyssey Play Lab (Spring 2017), The Actor's Toolbox (Fall 2016)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Frozen Jr., The Sound of Music GTK, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Stuart Little, Peter Pan Jr., The [Somewhat] True Tale of Robin Hood, and Little Women (Director); Singin' in the Rain, The Jungle Book KIDS, We Are Monsters, Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., 101 Dalmatians KIDS, The Rockin' Tale of Snow White, Junie B. Jones, and My Son Pinocchio (Stage Manager)

About Lindsey: Lindsey is an East Texas native who now calls Dallas home! A returning teacher for the ACT Academy, she holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. Lindsey has worked with several companies and theatres around the DFW including Stage West, Dallas Children’s Theatre, and CAST.  Lindsey has a passion for sharing her love of theatre to future generations and loves working with her ACT family!

CAMPS DIRECTOR

Upcoming Projects at The ACT: Junie B. Jones The Musical TNT Show, Journey of the Noble Gnarble (Director)

Past Academy Classes: 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)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Alice in Wonderland Jr., Anything Goes YPE, Aladdin Jr. (Camp Producer & Director), Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. (Set Designer), Madagascar Jr., Willy Wonka Jr. Musical Theatre Camp (Director), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Assistant Choreographer), Winnie the Pooh KIDS, The Jungle Book KIDS, The Aristocats KIDS, and Seussical KIDS (Assistant Director, Choreographer, Junior Campers Director), Elf Jr. (Stage Manager)

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 is The ACT’s current summer camp Director and just wrapped up a summer 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.” She looks forward to a another great semester at The ACT.

Fall 2020 Instructor: Beginning Dance for Musical Theatre

Recent Projects at The ACT: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. (Choreographer)

About Ashlyn: Ashlyn is new to the ACT, and is loving every minute of it!  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.

Past Academy Classes: Stage Combat (Fall 2018)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Puss in Boots, Aladdin Jr., The Three Musketeers (Fight Choreographer)

About James: More info coming soon!

Fall 2020 Instructor: Stone Soup: The Musical

Current Projects at The ACT: Shrek Jr! (Dance Captain)

Past/Recent Projects at The ACT: The Importance of Being Earnest, Crushed (Stage Manager), The Rockin' Tale of Snow White (Tech Crew), The Jungle Book Kids!, Sleeping Beauty Kids!, Winnie the Pooh Kids! (Camp Counselor). 

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. Emily wishes to pursue a career in teaching theatr and is currently enrolled in classes at Collin County Community College, while teaching a theatre class on Thursday evenings. She is so excited to join the Academy staff at The Actors Conservatory Theatre!

Spring 2020 Instructor: The Little Engine That Could- Early Learners Musical, Trolls: Songs & Scenes for Musical Theatre, The Three Billy Goats Gruff- Early Learners Musical

Past Academy Classes: 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)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Alice in Wonderland Jr., Aladdin Jr., Sleeping Beauty KIDS, The Lion King Jr.. Willy Wonka Jr., Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Ever After-The Musical, The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever, Goldilocks & the Three Bears, 101 Dalmatians KIDS, The Three Little Pigs, We Are Monsters, The Jungle Book KIDS,  Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS, Seussical KIDS, Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Willy Wonka Jr., and The Lion King Jr. (Camps Music Director)

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!

Past Academy Classes: Beauty and the Beast Play Lab (Fall 2018), Antigone: Study and Performance - Play Lab, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk - Play Lab (Spring 2018), Fairytale Characters and Scenes for Young Actors (Fall 2017)

Recent Projects at The ACT: The Aristocats KIDS (Summer Camp Classes Instructor)

About Rhiannon: All of her life, Rhiannon has held a passion for the arts, whether onstage or off. Rhiannon has been acting since the ripe age of three, but first came to The ACT hen she was fourteen. Since then, she has worked backstage, on tech, and with summer musical theatre camps. Rhiannon also works with other theatres as an actor, and has received training in theatre from professionals at the National Student Leadership Conference in New York City. She wants to foster an appreciation for character development and authentic connection to the arts within children and is excited to continue teaching for the ACT Academy!

Past Academy Classes: Musical Theatre Magic - 75 Years of Disney, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring - Play Lab (Fall 2019), Preschool Drama Rama, Auditions and Movement for Young Actors (Spring 2018), Musical Theatre Dance & Voice, Fairytale Characters and Scenes for Young Actors - Monday after school (Assistant - Fall 2017 )

Recent Projects at The ACT: The (Somewhat) True Tale of Robin Hood, Peter Pan Jr., Seussical KIDS Camp (Stage Manager), Aristocats KIDS Camp (Camp Counselor)

About Samuel: Samuel Moran is a college student, where he is pursuing degrees in Musical Theatre and Journalism. He graduated from Coram Deo Academy in May 2018 and has been involved at the ACT since 2012! Recently, he performed in the Teen Intensive Grease: School Version, as Cat in Honk! Jr., in James and the Giant Peach Jr. as Earthworm, in Seussical KIDS as Horton, and in GTK Once Upon a Mattress. as Sir. Harry. Other major roles at The ACT have included Buddy in Elf Jr., Tommy in Music Man Jr., The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz Young Performers Edition, Jack in Into the Woods Jr., Donkey in Shrek Jr., and Louie in Captain Louie Jr. In addition to 20+ ACT mainstage productions, he has also performed in productions at Lyric Stage in Irving and Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Samuel has had a passion for theatre since he was little and intends to continue it as a major in college this fall! He is grateful for the opportunity to develop the skills of your child and is honored to have been a part of their journey in the performing arts.

MAINSTAGE MAKE-UP DESIGNER/CO-COORDINATOR

Spring 2020 Instructor: Just Tap, Tap & Jazz for Musical Theatre - Level 1, Tap & Jazz for Musical Theatre - Level 2, Triple Threat I - Beginning to Intermediate Levels, Triple Threat II - Advanced Level

Past Academy Classes: Just Tap, Tap & Jazz for Musical Theatre - Beginning Level, Tap & Jazz for Musical Theatre - Level 2, Triple Threat I - Mixed Levels Musical Theatre Dance & Voice, Triple Threat II - Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice (Fall 2019), Tap & Jazz for Music Theatre, Hip Hop for Musical Theatre, Elementary Tap & Jazz, Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice Practicum, Mixed Levels Musical Theatre Dance & Voice Practicum (Spring 2019), Tap & Jazz - Upper Elementary, Tap & Jazz - Middle/High (Fall 2018)

Current Projects at The ACT: Shrek Jr. (Choreographer)

Upcoming Projects at The ACT: The Rainbow Fish Musical, Junie B. Jones The Musical TNT Show (Choreographer)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., Puss in Boots (Set Designer), Anything Goes YPE, Beauty and the Beast Jr., The Sound of Music GTK, Madagascar Jr., Grease: School Version, Aladdin Jr., Mary Poppins Jr. (Choreographer)

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.

General Production Manager and Resident Stage Manager

Past Academy Classes: 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)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Aladdin Jr. (Stage Manager), Mary Poppins Jr. (Stage Manager), Getting to Know Once Upon a Mattress (Director), Peter Pan Jr. (Assistant Director), The Music Man Jr. (Stage Manager), Alice in Wonderland Jr. (Director), Narnia (Assistant Director and Stage Manager), Rapunzel (Director), Willy Wonka Jr. (Stage Manager), Aladdin Jr. (Stage Manager), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Director)

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 more than 40 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!

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Spring 2020 Instructor: The Actors Conservatory Show Choir, Triple Threat I - Beginning to Intermediate Levels, Triple Threat II - Advanced Level

Fall 2019 Instructor: The Actors Conservatory Show Choir, Triple Threat I - Mixed Levels Musical Theatre Dance & Voice, Triple Threat II - Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice

Past Academy Classes: 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, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018. Spring 2019), 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)

Current Projects at The ACT: Shrek Jr. (Director)

Upcoming Projects at The ACT: Magic Tree House: The Knight at Dawn KIDS (Music Director)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Frozen Jr. (Music Director), Anything Goes YPE, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Madagascar Jr., Grease: School Version, Aladdin Jr., Peter Pan Jr., Singin in the Rain Jr. (Music Director), Alice in Wonderland Jr.. Stuart Little, James and the Giant Peach Jr., Dear Edwina Jr. (Stage Manager)

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.

Spring 2020 Instructor: Cinderella Musical

Past Academy Classes: Characters & Scenes for Young Actors, Bugz! Musical (Fall 2019), A Dragon in the Mix - Play Lab, Welcome to the Jungle! Musical (Instructor), The Wizard of Oz Play Lab Monday and Saturday sections (Assistant Teacher), Advanced Musical Theatre Dance & Voice, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Play Lab (Assistant - Spring 2018)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Pinkerton!!! (Director), Frozen Jr., Madagascar Jr. (Stage Manager), The Lion King Jr., Willy Wonka Jr. (Juniors Director), Winnie the Pooh KIDS Camp (Assistant Choreographer/Assistant Director), Aristocats KIDS Camp (Stage Manager)

About Jenna: Jenna performed at the ACT from 2010-2018 and currently attends UNT for Theatre, with a concentration in Teacher Certification. She is an actress in the DFW area and has performed in various shows at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, Ohlook PAC, and Denton Community Theatre. Jenna has also worked behind the scenes for 20+ ACT productions/camps as a stage manager, choreographer, junior director, and tech crew. Theatre is her passion and she is so excited to share her love for the arts with your children through the ACT Academy!

Spring 2020 Instructor: Nuts! Musical

Past Academy Classes: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Play Lab (Fall 2019)

Upcoming Projects at The ACT: Magic Tree House: Knight Before Dawn (Director)

Recent Projects at The ACT: Frozen Jr. (Choreographer), Aladdin Jr. (Director)

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.

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