Our Team
Full-Time Staff
HILLARY C. DREW
With a BA in Theatre from University of Central Florida, Hillary (she/her) 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!”
BEN RUSH
For over 25 years, Ben (he/him) 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 the 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, South Eastern Theatre Conference), and the title role in Shakespeare's Macbeth (Best Actor Thespian Award Winner). 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.
Recently his work has been seen on Season 9 of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, with Jim Henson’s Muppets, and on a new cirque spectacular for the DRAGONE company. Credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional, and Educational productions.
ALEXA BROOKE LAMBERT
Alexa Brooke Lambert (she/her) joined the Wellesley Theatre Project team in Summer 2016, and has felt at home here ever since. She earned her BA in English: Theatre Arts Concentration and Psychology: Developmental Disabilities Specialization from The University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where she focused primarily on stage management, production management, and performance, and served as President of The Off-Broadway Players. Recent stage management credits outside of WTP include working with Playwrights’ Platform, Tempest Productions, and Apollinaire Theatre Company. Also outside of WTP, she is the Social Media Manager for Lucozzi Portraits, runs her own Etsy shop, and is a devoted dog mom.
HANNAH SHIHDANIAN
Program Director, Resident Teaching Artist, Director & Choreographer
hannah@wellesleytheatreproject.org
Hannah Shihdanian (she/her)
serves as the Program Director and Resident Teaching Artist for WTP, and this is her 13th year! She has a BA in Theatre Performance from The University of Vermont and works professionally as a performer and freelance teaching artist. She also runs her own dance fitness community which offers virtual and in person classes for adults and young adults. Hannah has performed in New York, Boston, Maine, and Texas. She has worked with the A.R.T., Greater Boston Stage Company, Reagle Music Theater, The Umbrella Stage Company, Artbarn, Babson College, and others in the New England area. You can catch her on stage this spring in Hello Dolly with Lyric Stage Boston. Her three kids love coming to WTP and this has been a home away from home for all of them.
Adjunct Faculty
ERIC ANDERSON JR.
Eric Anderson Jr. (he/him) has worked as Musical Director with WTP on many projects, including In the Heights, Spring Awakening, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and many more! When not at WTP, he teaches voice and piano lessons from his studio in Stoughton, MA and is an adjunct theatre faculty member at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Eric previously lived in Bloomington, IN, studying at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and taking part in a wide range of theatre productions as producer, director, music-director, and – in one last-minute situation – a follow-spot operator.
ANDREA BROOKS
Teaching Artist
Andrea Brooks (she/her) is
a performer, choreographer, and teacher in the Greater Boston area. She has been dancing and performing for 14 years, and has pursued her dance training in ballet, tap, lyrical, modern, contemporary, Pointe, hip hop, musical theatre jazz, choreography, and dance pedagogy. She has performed in musical theater productions at both high school and college level.
Andrea graduated from Springfield College in 2019 with a major in Psychology and a minor in dance. While at Springfield College, she danced under the direction of Sarah Zender, was a member of the Best of Broadway Club, Dance Repertory Company, and the SC Dancers Club where she performed in numerous events, festivals, and shows. She has also performed with the Center Stage Dance Team at various locations including Boston Celtics games, Step Up 2 Dance competitions, Canobie Lake Park, and Universal Studios! More recently, Andrea has performed with Alive Dance Collective and is currently a member of OnStage Dance Company. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for performance with the young students that she teaches. Outside of dance, Andrea is a clinical psychologist working with children and families in the Greater Boston area and enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and hanging out with friends.
CHRISTOPHER CAVALLO
Teaching Artist
chris@wellesleytheatreproject.org
Christopher Cavallo (he/him) has been a theatre educator for over fifteen years, in addition to working as an actor, director, performance coach, vocal director and choreographer. He successfully led and implemented a comprehensive musical theatre curriculum and program for a performing arts school in Connecticut in which the culminating objective was to prepare high school students for collegiate and conservatory training in musical theatre. Many of his students have gone on to study musical theatre in higher education, as well as working in regional theatre, national tours, and theme parks. Chris has also collaborated with Goodspeed Musicals, iTheatrics, The Hartt School, Broadway Artists Alliance, and the Musical Theatre Lab with FineLine Theatre Arts on various educational initiatives. Christopher is a member of the Musical Theatre Educator’s Alliance, Educational Theatre Association, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and the Broadway Teacher’s Workshop. He served as the department teaching assistant for the BFA Musical Theatre program at Emerson College, as well as a musical theatre adjudicator and workshop presenter for the Massachusetts and Northeast Thespian Festivals. Christopher has also worked with Boston University’s Wheelock Family Theatre, Lyric Stage Company of Boston, and the Pre-College Musical Theatre Program at Emerson College. Some favorite past directing and choreography credits include: Edges, John and Jen, Little Women the musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, Once Upon A Mattress, Seussical, and The Little Mermaid. He holds a Masters in Theatre Education with a focus in higher education in musical theatre from Emerson College. One of Christopher's passions lies at the intersection between high school and higher education where he has worked with numerous students through the years navigating the college audition process. Chris is excited to work with the students of Wellesley Theatre Project and to join this wonderful arts community!
JULIA DETER
Director, Choreographer & Teaching Artist
julia@wellesleytheatreproject.org
Julia Deter (she/her) is a Boston-based director, choreographer, and educator. Julia is thrilled to be working with WTP again after choreographing Bright Star, Matilda, Charlie Brown, and directing/ choreographing Urinetown and Spring Awakening. Other Boston-area direction & choreography credits include The Old Man & the Old Moon (The Umbrella Stage Company), Birdy (A.D., Commonwealth Shakespeare Company), Hedwig & the Angry Inch (The Umbrella Stage Company), See Rock City & Other Destinations (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Avenue Q (Arts After Hours), Peter & the Starcatcher (Footlight Club), Next to Normal (BTD), West Side Story (Turtle Lane), A Chorus Line, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Singin' in the Rain, and The Producers (all at The Umbrella). In a previous life as a performer, she was seen in the National Touring companies of 42nd Street (Ensemble) and All Shook Up (Dance Captain), and the European Tour of Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), among others. She has worked backstage with the Broadway companies of 42nd Street, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and with the Radio City Rockettes. Julia is an Honours graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London, and teaches performing arts throughout the Boston area.
LYDIA JANE FURLONG
Lydia Jane Furlong (she/her) joined The Wellesley Theatre Project family as a Teaching Artist in the summer of 2017, and has directed many productions here including Clue, Alice Through the Looking Glass, and Puffs. Outside of WTP, Lydia is a Boston Public School Teacher at Boston Adult Technical Academy and a Resident Teaching Artist for Boston Lyric Opera, specializing in Arts Integration for English Language Development classrooms. Lydia has directed, taught, and performed all over the country and in the Greater Boston Area. She holds an MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and a BA in Film Production from Elon University.
MARY HADDAD
Teaching Artist
Mary Haddad (she/her), A born and bred Bostonian, Mary Haddad studied and performed with Children’s Ballet Workshop, Boston Ballet, and Harvard Summer Dance Center, and holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Mount Holyoke College. She trained in London at The British American Drama Academy and holds an MFA in Theatre Education from Emerson College. Mary has performed in over 30 countries in principal roles in musicals including Grease, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, 42nd Street, Chicago, and Hey, Mr. Producer, as well as kicking up her heels on the high seas as Singer/Dancer for Jean Ann Ryan Productions aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. She has taught at dance and theatre programs throughout New England including at Emerson College, as well as spending 8 years with Broadway Classroom, an education program through Broadway.com. Her choreography has been seen in local commercials, as well as productions of Newsies, Bye, Bye Birdie, Mary Poppins, State Fair, Joseph...Dreamcoat and High School Musical. She most recently choreographed Gypsy at Mass Arts Center. Mary is also an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
ARIELLA KASMER-JACOBS
Teaching Artist
Ariella Kasmer-Jacobs (she/her) is very excited to join the Wellesley Theatre Project family for the Head to Hogwarts Camps! Ariella holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and a diploma in Musical Theater from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London). She currently working on her MA in Theater Education from Emerson.
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RACHEL KLIPPEL
Teaching Artist
Rachel Klippel (she/her) hails from Chicago as an artist both on the stage and in the classroom. She is currently serving on faculty at Walnut Hill as well as working towards completing her Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Before coming to Boston, Rachel served as an adjunct voice professor at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University as well as High School District 214 in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Selected performance credits include include: Ms. Barley in Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Porchlight), “Clara” in The Light in the Piazza (Theo Ubique), Sweeney Todd (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and “Celeste I” in Sunday in the Park with George and “Aggie” in The Game’s Afoot (Peninsula Players). Catch the latest news and performance schedule at www.rachelklippel.com.
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ERICA LUNDIN
Choreographer
Erica Lundin (she/her) is so happy to be part of the Wellesley Theatre Project family. Erica is a local actress and choreographer, and has been dancing since she could walk! She started dance when she was 3, and grew up at a competitive dance studio. Erica’s love of theatre began a few years after that, and she has been in (at least) a musical or play a year since then. Erica began choreographing musicals in high school, and continued choreographing dance numbers for her college dance company. Some of Erica’s recent choreographer credits include; Legally Blonde, Pippin (Chelmsford High School), Orlando (Lyric Stage Company), Margo Veil: An Entertainment (Suffolk University). When not choreographing, Erica can be seen on stage performing herself. Some performance credits include; The Nutty Suite (Refine Dance Studio) Head Over Heels, 42nd Street (Umbrella Stage Company), Swan Lake in Blue (Greater Boston Stage Company), A Chorus Line (Arlington Friends of the Drama). Erica can also be found dancing with the Refine Dance Company based in Danvers, MA.
CAITLYN LURIA
Studio Greeter & Teaching Artist
caitlyn@wellesleytheatreproject.org
Caitlyn Luria (she/her) is a recent graduate of Salem State University with a BFA in Theatre Performance and is thrilled to be joinging the WTP team after being a participant back in 2017! Caitlyn got her start in acting in the 3rd grade and hasn't stopped since, gathering a deep appreciation for all aspects of theatre. As a performer, some of her favorite roles include Wendla (Spring Awakening), Cinderella (Into the Woods), and Gertrude McFuzz (Seussical). She can't wait to meet and get to know so many talented young performers!
ELISE MIWA
Teaching Artist
Elise Miwa (she/her) is a performer, educator, fitness professional, photographer, and WTP alum. Elise grew up dancing competitively and performing in youth, community, and professional theater in the Greater Boston area. Favorite credits include WTP's Rent (Mimi) and Pippin (Dance Captain), Grease (Sandy), and Legally Blonde (Serena). Elise holds a B.A. in Dance with concentrations in Dance Science, Dance Education, and Performance from Muhlenberg College. She is now pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Boston University. In college, Elise performed and choreographed for the Muhlenberg Circus and danced in numerous student and faculty choreographed works. She is the Lead Flexologist (stretch therapist) at StretchLab in Wellesley, and also owns and operates Elise Miwa Photography, specializing in performing arts photography.
ELSA RAMSEY
Costume Designer
Elsa Ramsay (she/her) is delighted to bring her love of costuming to the Wellesley Theater Project. She has previously worked on some of the props for WTPs How to Train Your Dragon Junior and is delighted to be back for 101 Dalmations. Her recent works include Suessical Jr, Willy Wonka Jr, and designing costumes for a series of innovative dance performances at The Perry-Mansfield School of Theater and Dance in Steamboat, CO. In her free time she enjoys building puppets inspired by her favorite movies. She has her degree in Costuming & Props from the Savannah College of Art and Design. More of her work can be found online at www.elsathefool.com and @elsathefool on instagram.
BERNIE BALDASSARO
Choreographer & Teaching Artist
Bernie Baldassaro (he/him) is a performer, director, choreographer, and teaching artist fresh off the Broadway National Tour of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a Swing and understudying the roles of Mike Teavee and Augustus Gloop. He is honored to be back with his WTP family after serving as the IMPACT choreographer for the 2020-2021 season and teaching Musical Theatre Dance. A Boston-native, he has taught dance and acting for North Shore Music Theatre, The Young Co. at Greater Boston Stage, Artbarn Community Theatre, Venturing Studios, Refine Dance Studio, and On Your Toes Dance and Theatre Co. He is also currently on faculty at Noel Smith Voice Studio as a dance instructor and audition coach. This past June, he directed and choreographed Aladdin for North Shore Music Theatre and Theatre by the Sea’s Fairytale Touring Company and he will be choreographing Frozen Jr. for NSMT’s Education Department later this summer. You can catch Bernie spreading Christmas cheer across the country on the Broadway National Tour of Elf the Musical this coming holiday season! Proud alum of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre.
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CORRINE CALDERBANK
Corrine Calderbank (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Wellesley Theatre Project. She earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in May 2020. In college, she was president of the student run theatre club on campus - Actors Creating Theatre - while also being involved with the performing arts at Kutztown Area School District. Most recently, Corrine earned her M.A. in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre from Emerson College in May 2022. During the day, Corrine is a paraprofessional with the Public Schools of Brookline.
JAMES CANNON
Sound Designer
James Cannon (he/him) is a freelance audio engineer, sound designer and music producer from Chicago, IL. Recent credits include: The View Upstairs (Speakeasy Stage), The Rape of Lucretia (Boston Lyric Opera), Well, Straight White Men (Hovey Players), The Rocky Horror Show, Passing Strange (Moonbox Productions), The Last Wide Open, The Old Man & The Old Moon (Umbrella Stage Company) and NIGHTTOWN: An Operatic Reimagining of James Joyce’s Ulysses (Lowell House Opera). In his free time, he enjoys Crockpot Cookery and cooking up hip-hop beats as The Culture. His latest instrumental project, Sketches can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Bandcamp, and any digital music store you can think of. This is James' first time working with Wellesley Theatre Project and he is delighted to have been invited to the team!
RILEY CONSTANTINO
Teaching Artist
Riley Constantino (she/her)is very happy to be back in at WTP after Assistant Directing Winnie the Pooh, KIDS. She just finished her first year at the University of Vermont where she is majoring in Elementary Education. Riley has performed and interned for countless Wellesley Theatre Project productions throughout the past 10 years, including Spring Awakening and Legally Blonde (Elle Woods). She has continued performing in college through her A Cappella group, Viridescent. Huge thanks to WTP for welcoming her back to the family with open arms!
AMBER RUTH CROSSMAN
Choreographer & Teaching Artist
Amber Ruth Crossman (she/her) is so glad to be joining WTP to continue to work with young people in developing their passions and confidence. Amber received her BA in Sociology from Brandeis University where she was highly involved with theatre as an actor, director, and music director. Currently, Amber is studying for her MA in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre at Emerson College. Some previous teaching artist positions have found Amber at The Walnut Hill School, The Cambridge School of Weston, The Riverbend School, and Needham High School. Theatre has been a place for Amber to explore and grow and discover, and she is thrilled to get to support those same paths of growth and discovery for the talented students at WTP.
SAM EVANS
Teaching Artist
Sam Evans (she/they) is a teaching artist and multi-hyphenate theatre-maker originally from California. They graduated from Chapman University in 2023 with a B.A. in Theatre Studies and a triple minor in English, Education, and Philosophy. She is currently earning an M.A. in Theatre Education at Emerson College.
KYLIE FLETCHER
Choreographer
Kylie Fletcher (she/her) is a theatre maker, director, and educator originally from Seattle, WA. She has taught with ArtBarn Community Theatre as a Drama Specialist and is a Resident Teaching Artists with the Boston Lyric Opera. Kylie’s scholarship and research is in Anti-Oppressive Practices in the Theatre for Young Audiences Devising Room, and she is currently the Dramaturg for a nonverbal play for the very young produced by Arts on the Horizon in Washington, DC. Kylie holds a BA in Theatre Arts with minors in Music and Management & Leadership from Boston College and an MFA in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre from Emerson College.
KATELYN GEARY
Stage Manager
Katelyn Geary (she/they) is a classically trained soprano who holds a Master in Music and an Artist Diploma in Opera Performance from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge. As a theater technician, Ms. Geary’s show credits include L’Elisir d’Amore, Don Giovanni, Cendrillion, O Pioneers!, Gianni Schicchi, City of Angels, Le nozze di Figaro Iolanthe, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and A Little Night Music. As a performer, Katelyn’s notable performances include Amore in Paride ed Elena, Maguelonne in Cendrillon, Stella in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Annina in La Traviata, and Buffy in A Wedding. Ms. Geary teaches private voice and piano lessons as a freelancer, and regularly directs and works with various theater groups throughout Massachusetts. Visit her website for more information: www.katelyngeary.com
JESS HARMS
Jess Harms (she/her) is on a mission to remind us that we all belong by exploring the vulnerabilities of being human on stage. With a Master's in Theatre Education from Emerson College, she is a creative combo of educator, artist, and your personal hype squad. She has directed over 75 shows (so far!) and was awarded the MA state award for Best Director. Her productions have earned the state award for best production seven times and national honors. She empowers educators as a Pre-AP Arts National Faculty member and theatre arts curriculum writer for the CollegeBoard. In 2014, she founded the Massachusetts Thespians Chapter to encourage, advocate, and promote theatre in our schools.
TYLER JOHN
Teaching Artist & Master Carpenter
Tyler John (he/him) is a scenic designer and theatre educator based in Rhode Island. He has been an actor and a theatre maker for 22 years. At 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for 7 years documenting military operations through photography, graphic design, videography, social media management, public affairs, and journalism. While in the military, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Southern New Hampshire University. He left the military to pursue a Master of Arts in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre at Emerson College in Boston. While in this program, he started working as a professional scenic designer and taught himself 3D modeling & CAD. He owns and operates Center Stage Designs, a graphic and scenic design business, and theatre product shop, and works as a freelance educator in theatre, photography, and various arts-based design subjects. He currently works as the Technical Director/Teacher at Wellesley High & Middle Schools.
Halle Katz
Choreographer
Halle Katz‘s (she/her) journey with WTP began in 2012, when she stepped on stage as Enid Hoops in their first production of Legally Blonde. A lifelong mover and shaker, Halle has always felt called to practices that spark our creativity, fuel our curiosity, and deepen the way we care for ourselves, one another, and the world around us. From stages to schools to senior centers, this philosophy has guided her career as a guidance counselor, teaching-artist, and educational consultant. Most recently, Halle partnered with Open Door Arts to design and lead an adaptive dance curriculum for students at the Higginson Inclusion School in Roxbury, MA. Blending movement, music, and mindfulness, her classes expanded arts integration and reimagined social-emotional learning across 11 classrooms. Previously, Halle led family dance programming at JCC Boston, where she taught creative movement to preschoolers and established a creative class for neurodiverse teens. Previous teaching positions also include Urbanity Boston (Dance for Parkinson's Disease), Dance for All People, Needham Community Adult Education, Temple Aliyah, Babson College, and her own Movement & More. Looking back, Halle has been dancing for as long as she can remember, spending much of her youth taking part in theater productions and training with hip hop dance crews at The Dance Academy, Fierce Collabo Dance Inc, and Impulse Dance Company. Her strong foundation in contemporary and urban styles ultimately led her to discover a love for freestyle dance, choreographing, and coaching; while attending Brown University, Halle started a recreational dance community and worked to expand dance spaces for beginner dancers. These days, Halle continues to grow her personal and professional movement practice, studying cultural dances from around the world, performing with Party Excitement Entertainment, and training in a variety of healing-arts modalities; Halle holds practitioner and teaching certifications from The Embody Lab, Brain-Compatible Dance Education Teaching Institute, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She gives thanks to teachers, mentors, and visionaries who share her belief that movement is a universal language and dance is for all people.
JENNIE MCGUINNESS
Music Director, Voice Teacher,
Costume & Puppet Designer
jennie@wellesleytheatreproject.org
Jennie McGuinness (she/her) is a graduate from New York University’s Steinhardt School with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, with a specialization in Musical Theatre. In the years since graduation she has performed professionally in New York, Regionally and Nationally, including the National tours of Elf, the Musical! and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Recently, she has enjoyed breaking into the local theatre scene performing I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change with the Concord Players and The Old Man and The Old Moon at the Umbrella.
With WTP she has had the amazing opportunity to work with the students as a Music Director (Frozen, James and the Giant Peach), Costumer (Frog and Toad, Mary Poppins, Bright Star), Puppet creator (Cinderella, Disney’s the Little Mermaid, Frozen, Seussical, Through the Looking Glass) and Voice Teacher. She is incredibly grateful for the WTP family and the amazing impact they have on the local community.
ROSE MOONEY
Rose Mooney (she/her) has been part of the WTP family for a year now teaching classes, private lessons, and music directing How to Train Your Dragon, Finding Nemo Jr, and Annie KIDS. Rose is a music director, teacher, and singer/songwriter from Newton, MA and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Previous music directing credits include Newsies Jr. at Greater Boston Stage Company and Best of Broadway at Pierce Elementary School in Newton. When she’s not teaching or music directing, Rose is performing in her own band and solo gigs around Boston, some highlights including Breaking Sound at Caffè Nero, The Burren, The Red Room, and Newton’s 4th of July celebration singing the national anthem. Her styles include pop, folk, musical theatre, and Celtic. Rose hopes to continue to inspire her students and audience through her music.
DIONYSUS RIVERSON
Teaching Artist
Dionysus Riverson (he/him) hails from sunny and hot Phoenix, AZ, and has enjoyed living in the much cooler Boston area since 2022! Dionysus has been involved in theatre for as long as he can remember, performing theatre with his family from a very young age. Over the course of his decades of theatre training, Dionysus has had the amazing opportunity to learn the arts of choreography, costume design, stage management, and directing. Dionysus also began playing violin and viola in his formative years, and played in various symphonies and chamber orchestras throughout high school and college. He holds a BS in Music Composition and Theory with emphasis in Vocal Performance from Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, Arizona; and is currently in his final year of gaining his MA in Theatre Education at Emerson College. He has over a decade of experience teaching private and group lessons on the violin, viola, voice, and piano, and is also passionate about teaching the art of composition. As a trans man, Dionysus has particular expertise and personal experience working with transitioning voices. He takes a holistic approach to all of his teaching, understanding that creating music is about more than just learning how to play an instrument. Dionysus is passionate about sharing his love and knowledge of theatre and music with anyone who wants to learn! He takes a holistic approach to all of his teaching, emphasizing that creating art requires both teacher and student to take into account both their physical and emotional well-being. When he isn't creating art, Dionysus loves to relax by enjoying nature or being a couch potato with his beloved dog, Leo.
HEATHER ROTONDI
Heather Rotondi (she/her) is a passionate theatre lover from Billerica, MA. She enjoys being involved with shows on the stage, behind the stage, at the back of house and as an audience member and has loved being a part of WTP since Puffs from its 11th season. She holds a Masters of Education Administration: Higher Education Option from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and enjoys the transferable skill set it's given to strengthen her theater skills while working with members of WTP. Outside of WTP, Heather is a Human Resources specialist that fills her free time with community theater, seasonal camping, travel, her family & friends and her cats.
NADINE SA
Nadine Sa (she/her) is overjoyed to be returning to Wellesley Theatre Project. By day, Nadine is a call center representative for a laboratory company and by night, she enjoys working with various theater groups in the Greater Boston Metrowest area. Favorite shows that she has stage managed include Titanic the Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Secret Garden; Little Mermaid, Something Rotten; Mountaintop and Who Will Sing for Lena? When not involved with theater, Nadine enjoys traveling to new places and all things Disney.
KEN RUSH
Costume Designer
Ken Rush (he/him) is a retired high school theatre teacher having taught in Texas and Florida for 36 years. He has directed over 200 productions with several winning local, state and national titles. His acting credits include the national tour of Jekyll And Hyde and Hello Dolly with Marilyn Maye. Rush has also been featured in regional productions of Camelot (Arthur), Pirates of Penzance (Major General), Fiddler on the Roof (TEVYE), Lend Me A Tenor (Max), Broadway Bound (Jack) and My Fair Lady (Doolittle). His talents also include playwriting having written five plays one of which, Independence, took first place at the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the Florida Theatre Conference. Ken celebrates 46 years of marriage to his beloved wife Sara, having met in the Theatre Department of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He is the proud father and incredibly proud grandfather of daughter Jessica (Broadway Actress), son-in-law Eric (Broadway Actor), son Benjamin (Artistic Director of Wellesley Theatre Project), daughter-in-law Jennie (Actress), Elliot (greatest granddaughter in the world) and the newest member of our crew Archie (the greatest grandson ever and the individual, who will carry the Rush family name into the next generation of our family tree.)
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PAUL VALLEY
Teaching Artist
Paul Valley (he/him) is a teaching artist who has recently moved to eastern Massachusetts. As an actor, Paul has worked on and off Broadway including Hurrah At Last, Arms and the Man, Silence! (The Musical), Any Given Monday as well as the Tony nominated Broadway revival of 1776. Regionally, Paul has appeared at the Shakespeare Theatre of Washington DC, The Old Globe of San Diego, The Goodspeed Opera House, The Denver Center and the Wellesley Rep Theatre. He has appeared extensively on television including Blue Bloods, Elementary, Third Watch, Ed, Another World, Guiding Light and One Life to Live. As a teacher and vocal coach, Paul has taught at the Juilliard School, Queens College, Wellesley College, American University, Louisiana State University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Internationally, Paul has taught at the New York Film Academy in Shanghai, Florence, Beijing and New York. Paul received his MFA in Vocal Pedagogy from VCU, his BFA from American University and trained as an actor at The Juilliard School where he also maintained a professional teaching observership for two years in Voice and Speech.
DAVID WRIGHT
Director & Music Director
david@wellesleytheatreproject.org
David Wright (he/him) has been on and behind stage for over thirty years, balancing performing, directing, music directing, and teaching in and around Boston. David is the founding artistic director of the first student-run musical theatre group at Northeastern University. Notable roles include Ricky Taylor in Bat Boy (EMACT for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Seymour in Little Shop, and Baker in Into the Woods. Recent music direction credits include: 13, Lightning Thief, Addams Family, Elf Jr, and premieres of June B. Jones KIDS and Madagascar KIDS (WTP). When not buried in a music score, David is a s special education team chair for the Newton Public Schools. Thank you to the entire WTP family for another memorable production.
KATIE SCHOLL
Studio Greeter, Sound Designer
Katie Scholl (she/her) has been involved with WTP since its first season in 2012, and is thrilled to return to the tech booth as Sound Designer and Audio Engineer! Katie received her degree in Music Performance with an emphasis on Music Technology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has been on stage since she was 5 years old, including performing in WTP’s inaugural production of Seussical as Mayzie La Bird. Katie recently completed her fourth contract with Princess Cruises as a multi-instrumentalist performing on Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, and vocals, where she also had the opportunity to develop and perform her own solo vocal jazz show in the ship’s atrium. As a sound designer and engineer, she has recorded and mixed vocalists, instrumentalists, bands/orchestras, and theatrical productions, including serving as an audio engineer for the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music throughout her studies. From 2020-2021, she also acted as Virtual Audio Editor for WTP, including mixing individually recorded vocal tracks for the virtual summer productions of Newsies and World Turned Upside Down Cabaret, as well as hybrid productions of Matilda Jr. and Urinetown. Recent WTP credits include The Lightning Thief (Sound Effects Designer), Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark (Music Director), Big Fish (Audio Engineer), and James and the Giant Peach (Audio Engineer).
KENNEDY VAN CLEVE
Teaching Artist, Choreographer & Costume Designer
Kennedy Van Cleve (she/her) is theatre artist who is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Education at Emerson College, building upon an Bachelor’s degree in Theatre with an emphasis in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Northern Iowa. Kennedy works as a director/choreographer, performer, dramaturg, costume designer, and teaching artist, working at institutions such as Walt Disney World, American Repertory Theatre, and Orlando Repertory Theatre. With blending together her different creative disciplines, Kennedy creates an integrated approach to theatre that empowers young students to become well-rounded theatre artists. Kennedy teaches students to embrace both the artistic and technical abilities, cultivating skills in performance, design, and storytelling. Kennedy works to inspire the next generation of theatre artists to confidently engage with the art from new perspectives on the stage and beyond.
LUKE VAN CLEVE
Teaching Artist, Scenic Designer
Luke Van Cleve (he/him) is excited to be working with WTP this fall. Luke is a Graduate of the University of Northern Iowa where he studied Design and Production of Theatre. For the last 3 years, Luke has worked for SeaWorld Orlando as a scenic carpenter. He recently moved to Boston to work for the American Repertory Theatre as a scenic carpenter. He also works as a freelance scenic designer, recently designing, Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It, and Shrek the Musical. Luke can’t wait to share his passion for creating and teaching theatre!
