Wellesley Theatre Project's Cast of Characters are made up of Teaching Artists- theatre professionals and degreed educators; along with experts in theatre operations, design and technical direction.
With decades of experience on stage and behind the scenes, our talented and friendly teachers will provide exceptional instruction, and win over students with their infectious enthusiasm and clear direction.
WTP has a growing and committed board of directors who volunteer their expertise in financing, fund development, marketing and theatre management.
For more information on joining our board of directors contact info@wellesleytheatreproject.org
With a BA in Theatre from University of Central Florida, Hillary has a decade of experience working professionally as a teaching artist, director, producer, and youth theatre program director in Colorado and Florida. In these capacities, Hillary took a leadership role in her community as an arts advocate and was instrumental in growing existing programs both artistically and administratively. Her work with community outreach, marketing efforts and grant preparation, was critical to both the organizational impact on the community, but also its ability to be sustainable.
Hillary began her love for theatre at the age of three. Knowing the positive impact it brought into her life, her passions grew into a desire to share this art and her skills with the next generation. Hillary is very excited to begin a new journey at WTP, and becoming a part of the Wellesley Community.
“I believe that the theatre arts further one’s character, understanding, and growth as an individual. My goal as an educator is to inspire students to create, explore, think critically, have an understanding of what’s going on around them and enjoy every minute of it!”
For over 20 years, Ben has worked in all aspects of the theatre as a performer, director, designer, technician, carpenter, and youth educator. Ben attended Florida School of the Arts majoring in Acting and pursuing his Associate in Science degree. Later, he formally expanded his knowledge in Technical Direction with a B.F.A. from University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
As a performer, Ben grew into such roles as Romeo (Romeo and Juliet), Cervantes/Quixote (Man of La Mancha), Harold Hill (The Music man), James Leeds (Children of a Lesser God - Best Actor, SETC 2007), and the title role in Shakespeare's Macbeth (Best Actor, District V Thespians 2007). Ben was honored to be a part of the nationally cast World Premiere of RAGTIME: School Edition, and featured on the Original Cast Recording of that production.
Ben worked professionally in Orlando as a stunt performer at Universal Studios Orlando as well as an actor with regional houses such as Florida Children's Repertory Theatre, Orlando Rep, and Mad Cow Theatre. As a child of educators, Ben followed his own desire and dream to teach.
Ben began by working with high school students as a technical design consultant. Then, he directed and taught both youth and adults through performance camps, classes and productions with various Orlando organizations. Ben furthered his practical experience with the commercial technical side of the performing arts while working with PRG. Ben co-founded Wellesley Theatre Project to pursue his passion for teaching and he looks forward to training the next generation of artists. www.benjamindrush.com
"Life is all about choices, and so is art. By playing a character, creating a dance, or designing a world; an artist can and will affect themselves as well as others. My goal is to allow our students to take ownership over the art and the world it exists in. By doing so, they hone a craft and learn valuable life skills- all while gaining the courage to find their voice, make their choice, as a Citizen Artist."
Fall 2012 Staff
Hannah Shihdanian (Choreographer): Hannah found her love for the theatre at the age of three when she would introduce herself to strangers as “Dorothy” after her favorite character in the ruby red slippers. Since then, Hannah studied Theatre at the University of Vermont where she graduated as a sister of Alpha Delta Pi and the captain of the Catamount Dance Crew! She also studied Commedia dell’arte in Rome (2010). Now she works as a Zumba Instructor, Choreographer, and Actor! Her professional credits include Sheila (A Chorus Line, Emerson Umbrella), Bebe (A Chorus Line, Reagle Music Theatre), Zebulun’s Wife (Joseph…Reagle MT), Joanne (Godspell, Turtle Lane Playhouse), Consuelo (West Side Story, TLP), Lulu (Cabaret, Woodland Theatre), Rocker (Tonya and Nancy, Club Oberon), The Donkey Show (Club Oberon). She will be sporting a new blonde hair-do in her next role as Elle Woods in October! Hannah is so happy to be a part of the WTP team!
Pei-Chun Lin, piano/flute/voice.
Pei-Chun Lin's advanced music education was first propelled when her extraordinary talent in Piano, Flute and Voice performance were noticed by the prominent National Kuo-Kuang Academy of Arts in Taiwan. This is where she was selected to attend under full scholarship and receive her Music Diploma in Chinese Music Performance and Composition. Pei-Chun completed her formal education in United States when she received her B.M. from The Berklee College of Music and her M.M. at the Longy School of Music. Throughout her advanced college studies, she had been fortunate to study with world renown professors, musicians and composers including conductor Tibor Pusztai, flutists Matt Marvuglio, Wendy Rolfe, Vanessa Mulvey, pianist Ray Santisi, composer Armand Qualliontine, jazz musicians George Garzone and Charlie Banacos. All of which have been a great influence helping her to obtain a very high level of piano performance in the Classical, Jazz, Modern American and Popular musical styles as well as gaining expertise in teaching, conducting, directing, composing.
For the last nine years, Pei-Chun has held a position as the Children's Choir Director and Organist at the Kings Chapel Church in Boston. At the Cambridge School of Weston, she is Head Piano Faculty Member, Conductor of the New England Asian Instrumental Ensemble and Conductor of The Cambridge School of Weston Theater Orchestra where she co-directed well-known musical productions such as Chess, Carousel, Beauty and The Beast, Anything Goes and Once Upon A Mattress. Most recently, Pei- Chun Lin was honored to be selected and commissioned by the Chinese government to compose original music to accompany a Beijing Style Opera. The Chinese music she wrote accompanied a well known play called "The Beauty Trap" that is based on a very traditional story about Confucius. In the Summer of 2011 "The Beauty Trap" Beijing Style Opera was performed during a five week tour of China. Currently piano/flute/voice faculty member at The Cambridge School of Weston, Boston Piano Academy and Brimmer and May School.