a downloadable pdf with our fantastic Faculty bios

St. Thomas Playhouse
2016 Summer Staff & Faculty
Natalie Battistone
SPACC
Acting
Department
Joel Bejot
Musical Director
Disney’s
AristoCats Kids
Peter Burke
Choreographer
Disney’s Beauty &
The Beast, Jr.
SPACC Dance
Department
Grant Carey
Shrek/Mentor
Summer Theatre
Project
SPACC Music
Department,
Guest Artist
NATALIE is an actor from the east coast with a BA from UVM in
Classical Civilizations/Theatre and an MFA in Acting from the
American Repertory Theater at Harvard/Moscow Art Theatre School.
She has worked professionally with various companies including the
American Repertory Theater, Capital Classics Shakespeare Company
and the Boise Contemporary Theater. She is here in Idaho as a
resident artist with The Spot and is absolutely delighted to get into
the work this summer at SPACC!
JOEL is excited to be the Music Director for AristoCats Kids! He
has studied music his whole life, having grown up in a musical
family. He studied piano, voice, and organ in college, and received
a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance in 2010. He has worked
in churches, sung in choirs, and performed recitals in New York,
Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, and Idaho. Since moving to the
Wood River Valley in 2013, he has worked with singers and
instrumentalists for St. Thomas Church and Playhouse. He
founded both the St. Thomas Evensong Choir and the St. Thomas
RSCM Children’s Choir. He lives in Hailey with his wife, Jessica,
and three kids, all of whom are attending camp this year.
PETER relocated to the Wood River Valley from New York City in
May of 2013 where he now works for Community School as the
Video Production and Drama Specialist. He is also on faculty with
Footlight Dance Centre, where he teaches Ballet, Jazz and Hip
Hop. Additionally, he is a founding member of The Spot, founding
member of Sun Valley Film Festival's Future Filmmaker's Forum
and a committee member and veteran choreographer for St.
Thomas Playhouse. A graduate from NYU Tisch School of the Arts,
Burke studied musical theater, classical theater, experimental
theater and dance both in New York and Amsterdam. GRANT is a composer, singer-songwriter, music director and
actor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has written original music
for a variety of plays, short films, and ballets. Favorite scores
include Angels in America with The Spot, How I Learned to Drive,
boom!, and Much Ado About Nothing. Acting credits include
Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Cider Mill
Playhouse, Henry/Music Director in Next To Normal at The Spot,
Friar Laurence with Ithaca Shakespeare Co., and Tim in Eigengrau
at the Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca, NY. He is very much looking
forward to portraying the role of Shrek in Shrek the Musical with
St. Thomas Playhouse this summer. Grant is the co-founder and
co-songwriter of indie folk group Summer Underground. In 2016,
Grant began his first solo music project Private Victories. Grant
holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Ithaca College.
More at grantcarey.xyz, summerunderground.com, and
privatevictories.xyz.
Alyssa Joy Claffey
Musical Director
Disney’s Beauty &
The Beast, Jr.
SPACC Music
Department
Alec England
Director
Disney’s Beauty &
The Beast, Jr.
Mentor/Actor
Shrek the Musical
SPACC Acting
Department
Sara Bradshaw
Gorby
Production &
Education Director
Choreographer
Shrek the Musical
Kayla Hanson
Production
Assistant
Mentor/Actor
Shrek the Musical
SPACC Acting
Department
ALYSSA has taught elementary and middle school music at
Community School since 2006. Before moving to Ketchum, she
played violin in the Boise Philharmonic for four years while
attending Albertson College of Idaho, where she received her BA
in Music Education and Violin Performance. During her time at
Community School she has created a String Orchestra and Show
Choir program in the middle school, and introduced an Elementary
School Orchestra. Through St. Thomas Playhouse and
Community School her Music Director credits include: Seussical,
Jr., Into the Woods, Jr., Alice and Wonderland, Jr., Once on This
Island, Jr., Captain Louie, Jr., How to Eat Like a Child, The Little
Mermaid, Jr., Annie, Jr., Honk, Jr. and Jungle Book, KIDs, Tommy,
Hair, Pippin, Footloose, Willy Wonka, Jr., 101 Dalmatians, Jr.,
Pirates of Penzance, Jr., Aladdin, Jr., and Jungle Book, Jr.
ALEC is a Theatre Arts graduate from Boise State University.
Though his emphasis was in Dramatic Writing, he has worked in
many different facets of theatre production including performances
in St. Thomas Playhouse’s productions of Fame!, West Side Story,
and Urinetown; HomeGrown Theatre’s production of Bloody,
Bloody Andrew Jackson; and BSU Theatre Majors’ Association
production of U.S. Drag. He has also written and directed two
original short plays, Urine Love and Mama, and worked as a Stage
Manager for BSU Theatre Majors’ Association’s original production
of The Second Circle, Part Two, and Boise State University’s
production of The Pirates of Penzance.
SARA Was born and raised in the Wood River Valley and has
worked as a singer, actor and dancer as well as working behind
the scenes as a director, choreographer and producer. Sara began
with Playhouse on its second production, Godspell, in 2002. For
the last thirteen years Sara has collaborated with many artists in
building and growing programs for St. Thomas Playhouse. As
Education Director, she created Company B Performing Arts
Day Camp, Summer Theatre Project and SPACC (Summer
Performing Arts Conservatory Camp). Community Theater is the
place where Sara’s heart finds true joy. The discovery, magic and
opportunity for the growth are boundless. Other teaching credits
include, WRHS Performing Arts Academy and Pioneer Montessori
School. Sara still love to perform! Recent roles include; Isabella in
The Birthday Feast with STP Children’s Tour, Spring Awaking and
Next to Normal at The Spot and Irene Malloy in Hello, Dolly!.
Favorite roles include, Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Laughing Stock),
Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Super Star (STP) and Trinculo in
The Tempest (nexStage).
KAYLA has been actively involved with theatre ever since the
third grade. She recently graduated from Boise State University
with a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in performance and
a Certificate in Cinema and Digital Media Studies. Her film
credits include “Amy” in Everything Grows Dim and “PsychoKiller Raggedy Ann” in The Hanging Man. Her theatre credits
include “Izzy” in Seminar, “Chorus Member” in The Cure at
Troy, and most recently, “Cressida” in Shakespeare’s Troilus
and Cressida. ALISON has lived and worked creatively in the Wood River Valley for 23 years. She is inspired
by the beautiful environment, her supportive family, and the incredible community that
surrounds her. She owns her own small business teaching art classes and summer camps out
of her home and art studio in Hailey. During the Holiday season Alison can be found decking
the halls of her clients homes. She has costumed many local productions including The
Community School’s versions of High School Musical, and a 60’s version of Shakespeare’s
Midsummer Nights dream. Her costume design has also been in many nexStage productions
including, Charlotte’s Web, Alice in Wonderland, and James and the Giant Peach, as well as
many productions for St. Thomas Playhouse. Alison also loves to paint in molten beeswax! Her
encaustic paintings are in private collections nation wide. She teaches this technique through
SVCA and in her home. She is once again truly thrilled to be a part of the St Thomas Playhouse
summer children’s programs and is continually grateful to St. Thomas for being the place
where she discovered her true calling of working with kids and living a creative life so many
years ago!
Alison Higdon
Art Director
Costume Designer
Disney’s Beauty & The
Beast, Jr.
SPACC Art Director
KAMIE developed her love of theater first as a performer. She spent her youth
participating in various vocal groups, show choirs, and musical theater productions.
Favorite roles include Annie (Annie), Rosie (Bye, Bye, Birdie), Millie (7 Brides for 7
Brothers), and singing with her four sisters as The Hobbs Sisters. Most recently, she
was thrilled to perform locally with STP as Mama Noah (Children of Eden). After
pursuing a career in management consulting and starting her family, Kamie returned
to theater as the Musical Director for Children’s Theatre of Oahu (CTO) from 2006 2011. Since 2008, she has directed, produced and/or stage-managed all of CTO’s
annual productions including Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and currently CTO’s The
Three Musketeers. She has taught music and drama in both school and church
settings, including working with Company of Fools’ Stages of Wonder, and is a
proficient music editor, recording artist and pianist. A mother of four, Kamie graduated
from Brigham Young University summa cum laude with a degree in Business
Communications.
MARY (Master Teacher/Choreographer), originally from California, received her BA in
Dance/Theatre from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. She trained at EDGE
Performing Arts Center and was awarded a scholarship at Jimmie DeFore Dance
Center. She has appeared in national commercials, film and performed in dance
industrials. She relocated to Ketchum, Idaho and for four years taught dance and
fitness classes in Southern Idaho and performed in local theatre. In 2000, Kennedy
participated in NDI’s Teacher Artist Training in New York City, moved to the Big Apple
and has been teaching with NDI ever since. In her 15 year career, Mary has taught
thousands of children in NYC, working with NDI’s In-School, After School and
Advanced Team Programs. She has taught at Teaching Artist Trainings throughout the
United States, and traveled internationally to China and Indonesia to teach, study and
perform. She is a graduate of the 92nd Street Y’s Dance Education Laboratory (DEL).
Mary is thrilled to return to Idaho this summer to teach for SPACC!
YANNA is a founding member of The Spot and earned her BFA in
acting from Ithaca College. Additionally, Yanna studied
Shakespeare and classical acting at LAMDA (London Academy of
Music and Dramatic Art) and Improv with New York’s UCB (Upright
Citizens Brigade). She was most recently seen in The Spot’s
production of Angels in America as Harper and in St. Thomas
Playhouse's Children of Eden as Yonah and Urinetown as Little
Becky Two Shoes. Kamie Hobbs Berkey
Director
Disney’s AristoCats Kids
Mary Kennedy
Guest Artist
SPACC
Dance Department
Yanna Lantz
Production &
Administrative
Assistant
SPACC Acting
Department
Art Director
Disney’s AristoCats
Kids
Sam Leeds
Guest Artist
SPACC
Acting Department
Sarah Lucie
Choreographer
Disney’s AristoCats
Kids
John Mauldin
Teacher
CO. B
Session 1 & 2
Melodie
Taylor-Mauldin
Teacher
CO. B
Session 1
SAM graduated with her BFA in Acting from Cornish College
of the Arts. After graduation Sam was able to work with
theatre companies like Book-It Rep, Washington Ensemble,
Annex, Seattle Rep and more. After moving to New York in
2013 Sam has been a part of several new-work play
festivals, been in a handful of short films and continues to
grow her career in voice-over. On top of her own creative
aspirations Sam has taught acting to all ages
in several programs across New York and New Jersey and
offers monologue coaching sessions to high school seniors
applying for BFA acting programs. She is so excited to be a
part of SPACC and it's incredible community of teaching
artists!
SARAH is a PhD student in Theater at the CUNY Graduate
Center and an adjunct lecturer in the City College of New
York’s theatre department. Her theatre reviews have appeared
in Show Business Magazine, Broadway Today, The Huffington
Post, Puppetry International, and The Advocate, the CUNY
Graduate Center’s newspaper. She is General Manager of
East Coast Artists and stage-managed their United States
premiere of Imagining O at Montclair’s Peak Performances
Series in 2014. She has worked as a freelance producer and
performed as a member of the Grace Period Blog collective
and in other shows and cabarets in New York City. She has
also worked as a preschool teacher, and as choreographer for
the La Brea Barnstormers summer theatre camp. Sarah has
her MA in Performance Studies from NYU Tisch, and BA in
Theatre from Boston College. She’s thrilled to be back working
at St. Thomas Playhouse this summer!
JOHN, praised by the Salt Lake Tribune for his“...polished
technique...” and his “...appealingly light, flexible tenor...” voice, has
appeared as a soloist with numerous organizations including the
Honolulu Symphony, Phoenix Bach Choir, and the Vancouver
Symphony. Stage roles include Alfredo in La Traviata, Scipione in Il
sogno di Scipione, Nanki-poo in The Mikado, Camille in The Merry
Widow, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Archibald Craven in The Secret
Garden, and the role of Stage Manager in Ned Rorem’s opera
adaptation of Our Town. He is also a member of acoustic trio Avenue
B with his sister, Leslie and friend, Jed Moss. Avenue B performs
everything from Opera to original folk songs. An active educator,
John is a consistent instructor at various music camps and a private
vocal instructor. He currently teaches for Boise State University, Sun
Valley Summer Symphony School of Music, and Pioneer Montessori
MELODIE is a consummate actress, dancer, and singer with a
degree in Music/Dance/Theater from Weber State University. While
still an active performer, she also works with children of all ages as a
choreographer and educator and is currently a faculty member with
Footlight Dance Centre. Stage Credits include ‘Mother’ in Mr. A’s
Amazing Maze Plays, Anna in The King and I, Eliza in My Fair Lady,
South Pacific, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Quilters, and the Glenn Miller
Big Band Show. Recent performances include The Sun Valley
Carolers, Lady Luck Trio, and in Company of Fools Production of A
Year with Frog and Toad. A believer in fostering young performers,
she co-founded MDT Workshop for youth 8-18 in Boise, Idaho, and
teaches for St. Thomas Playhouse Company B, Rise Up & Sing Vocal
Camp, and Boise State University’s Chamber Music Camp. She also
served as Artistic Advisor for Music Theater West. Brett
Moellenberg
Managing Director
SPACC
Acting
Department
Dorinda
Rendahl
Musical
Director
Shrek the
Musical
SPACC
Accompanist
& Guru
Jamey Reynolds
Set Design
Shrek the Musical
Beauty & The
Beast, Jr.
Kevin Wade
Director
Shrek the Musical
Production
Assistant &
Teacher
CO. B
SPACC Acting
Department and
Set Design
Disney’s
Aristocats Kids
BRETT is the managing director of St. Thomas Playhouse. He
has worked for Playhouse since 2009 in many roles and moved to
the Wood River Valley permanently in 2014. Favorite acting and
directing credits at STP include SubUrbia (2009), Urinetown
(2015) and Pippin (2010). Other Valley credits include Tempest
(SV Shakespeare) and his work at The Spot, where he is a cofounder (Next to Normal, ...Spelling Bee, Angels in
America, among others). He has also had the opportunity to work
with theatre legends Bob Moss (Enemy of the People, Ithaca
College) and Michael Fosberg (Marie Antoinette, Northwestern
University). Other favorite credits from around the country include
Translations, The Yellow Boat and his very own high school opus,
Boxed In, which premiered at Phoenix Theatre in Arizona. Brett is
a native of Phoenix, AZ and lives in Warm Springs with the love of
his life, Yanna Lantz and their border collie mix, Lyla.
DORINDA is currently the music teacher for Alturas Elementary. She
also serves as the accompanist for Colla Voce female vocal group at
Wood River High School. Dorinda has worked with Playhouse for the
past 10 years. She has music directed Co. B summer camps. She
has accompanied more shows than we can count, including HAIR,
West Side Story, Secret Garden, Music Man, King & I, Hello, Dolly! to
name a few. You may also see her playing for Community Upper
School musicals, Saturday Mass at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic
Church and is the accompanist at Church of the Big Wood. Dorinda
has an incredible gift for sharing her love of music. Always an
educator, she thrives in an environment where people are taking
artistic risks, learning and growing.
JAMEY has been designing and building sets for STP for
several years now, and truly welcomes the warm company
feelings that play such a major role with their productions.
He has been involved with almost all facets of the theatre all
over the world, from New York City to Munich, and
Melbourne to Los Angeles, and getting the opportunity to
explore this designing craft with STP is very, very much
appreciated.
KEVIN is once again thrilled to be a part of the amazing acting
faculty at SPACC, and to be directing the Summer Theater
Project. He holds a B.F.A. in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of
the Arts, and an MFA in Acting from the A.R.T./MXAT Institute at
Harvard University, is certified in hand-to-hand stage combat by
the SAFD, and is a member of Actor's Equity Association. Before
moving back to Idaho, he spent the last few years working with a
small ensemble of actors at the American Repertory Theater on
everything from acrobatics and biomechanics, to WW1 era
poetry, to Shakespeare, to adapting Russian classics for the
stage. Most recent credits include: an original adaptation of
Dostoyevsky's The Idiot which he performed with his ensemble in
Moscow, Russia. The World premiere of Bride*Widow*Hag, a
new play by Kim Rosenstock (New Girl). An Off-Broadway run of
the new musical The Light Princess (New York Times critic's
pick) at the New Victory Theater in New York, and Angels in
America at The Spot. He is a co-founder of The Spot, a theater
company and training center in Sun Valley, Idaho. Kevin is
committed to developing and performing shiny, new, important
work that moves him, and to the idea that theater is a beautiful
and powerful thing.