Education Programs Faculty

Adrian Cerrato (he/him) is an Actor/Director in the Seattle area. In addition to teaching for SCT he also teaches Theater for Studio East and acts in several children’s shows throughout the state. As an actor Adrian has worked for SCT, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It, GreenStage, SecondStory Repertory Theatre and Burien Actors Theatre. Adrian received his BA in Drama from the University of Washington.

Alyssa Jiwani (she/her) is thrilled to be working with Seattle Children's Theatre! Alyssa is a multi-hyphenated artist and educator, and recently graduated from New York University's Tisch School of Drama with her BFA in Drama/Acting, an Applied Theatre minor, and an Educational Theatre minor. Alyssa is incredibly passionate about increasing inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, and representation in the theatre industry, and believes that empowering the rising generation of artists is the best way to do so! Some of her work in this regard has been featured by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Actor Aesthetic, Broadway Podcast Network, Broadway World, and more. Alyssa also teaches with Seattle Theatre Group, Dandylyon Drama, and the Aga Khan Foundation/Jubilee Monuments.

Angela Rinaldi (she/her) has been a Teaching Artist at Seattle Children’s Theater since 2003, teaching Musical Theater, Actors Toolkit, Sketch Comedy and Drama Quest and directed Once on this Island for SCT’s summer season in 2009. She studied dance at Cornish College and has taught theater classes at Youth Theater Northwest, Kidstage Everett, Stone Soup Theater, The Evergreen School, Spectrum Dance Theater, Evergreen City Ballet, and Whitman College Summer Dance Programs. Angela has served as Resident Music Director and Choreographer for Chinook Middle School and Bellevue High School and is excited to return with the BHS students to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland this summer. She has written Dracula, A Gothic Musical for BHS and it has been an annual production since 2015.  Angela has composed over 275 songs for Variety Plus Theater, which she cofounded with her husband in 1995, writing and producing original musical adaptations of classic children’s tales. www.varietyplus.org. Angela currently serves as Principal Musician at Spectrum Dance Theater, Dance Musician at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Cornish College, and STG’s Dance for Parkinson’s.  As a proud member of the Musician Association Local- 76, she is promoting her Meditation and Ballet CD’s which can be found on Apple Music, iTunes, and Spotify. www.angelarinaldimusic.com. 

Ariel Rose Horton (she/her) is a Seattle actor/educator who loves supporting children to explore, create, and play through theatre. Ariel moved to Seattle after earning a B.A. in Theatre Performance and Creative Writing from Whittier College. For the past few years, she has toured bullying prevention plays to students across Washington as a member of Taproot Theatre’s Road Company. Off-road, Ariel has performed on Taproot’s main stage and with other local companies including Greenstage Shakespeare and Dacha Theatre. When she’s not performing or teaching, Ariel loves planting plants, listening to audiobooks, and taking long naps with her dog-son, Louie. 

Beth Pollack (she/her) is a Seattle-based performer, dramaturg, teaching artist, and arts administrator. A longtime SCT collaborator, Beth is a graduate of SCT’s Apprenticeship Program, and was both a Drama School Intern (Summer 2014) and a Drama School student. As an educator, Beth has worked with Seattle’s Young Shakespeare Workshop, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Jet City Improv, ACT Theatre, and Dacha Theatre, where she is a proud company member. Beth holds a BA in Theatre Studies and the Historicization of Dramatic Literature from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and would be happy to explain what that means. More at www.beth-pollack.com. 

Brighid Leonard (they/them) is a theater-educator and playwright from Missoula Montana. Most recently, they have worked as a long term theater substitute at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, and Aki Kurose Middle School in Seattle. As an educator  Brighid is interested in the ways theater can create community, inspire action, and give students the opportunity to tell and interact with their own stories. Brighid likes to create plays independently [Slievenamon (2022)] as well as collaboratively [Untethered (2023), No Disrespect in the Ladybug Camper (2021)].  In 2022, Brighid worked with another playwright and two songwriters to create “Untethered”, a queer musical that went on to be a semi-finalist for the Eugene O'Neill National Music Theatre Conference, and win the KCACTF Region 7 Music Theatre Award. When not working, Brighid likes to cook, swim, and fabric paint. 

Carly Squires Hutchison (she/her) is a passionate teaching artist, director, and choreographer who has been teaching drama, dance, and musical theatre in Seattle since 2013. Carly has taught with Seattle Children’s Theatre, The Evergreen School, Creative Dance Center, Village Theatre, DASSdance, Foundry10, Backstage Dance Studio, Spectrum Dance Theatre, and at Central Washington University where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance Performance. Carly has directed and choreographed throughout the greater Seattle area. Additionally, Carly has performed locally with SCT, Village Theatre, StoryBook Theater, Taproot Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Wooden O (Seattle Shakespeare), and SecondStory Repertory. Carly brings a buoyant and positive attitude to her teaching and loves seeing her students grow. She says, “The arts are a way to connect communities and get to know people from all different walks of life. While exploring our theatrical selves we are learning to work together, take turns, speak kindly towards ourselves and others, and have fun while trying something new.” Carly is currently earning her MA in Theatre Education through University of Northern Colorado.

Claira Eastwood (she/her) is an actor and educator based in Seattle, WA. She holds a BA in Strategic Communication with a minor in Drama, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Teaching. Claira was a member of the 2023 Drama School Internship program and is so thankful to be sticking around. As an educator, she especially enjoys working in process-based theatre arts, as well working with viewpoints, improv, and devising. Her work has an emphasis on consent-based artistry and social-emotional learning.

Daniel Self (he/him) is a versatile and passionate teaching artist with over 20 years of experience in the performing arts as an educator, collaborative pianist, and woodwind specialist. Equally at home at the piano, in the pit doubling on woodwinds, or leading from the podium, Daniel brings a wealth of performance and teaching expertise to every musical setting. As a dedicated educator, he teaches private lessons in piano and woodwinds across the greater Seattle area through Off The Wall Music, Iovanni Music Academy, and Half Note Music School. Daniel tailors each lesson to the student’s individual needs and goals, creating a supportive, engaging environment that nurtures both musical growth and personal expression. Daniel’s extensive experience in musical theatre includes over a decade as the resident Music Director for Athens Creative Theatre in Georgia. His work spans music direction, vocal coaching, orchestration, conducting, and live performance. Some favorite projects include Anastasia, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sweeney Todd, Mary Poppins, and Titanic: The Musical. His freelance career has taken him to stages across the Southeast and Pacific Northwest, where he has performed as a pit musician, soloist, and collaborative pianist. Beyond the stage, Daniel has led numerous community music initiatives, founding ensembles and programs that make high-quality music experiences more accessible. His work is grounded in a commitment to building community through music, artistic collaboration, and storytelling. Guided by curiosity and a deep belief in the power of the arts to connect people, Daniel is proud to share his knowledge and passion for musical theatre with the next generation of artists.

David Quicksall (he/him) has been a Teaching Artist in Theater for 30+ years. He received his MFA in Acting from UCLA and has worked professionally in the theater as an actor, writer, and director across the country. As a Teaching Artist, David trained with The Bernstein Center and its affiliate, the Nashville Institute for the Arts. David also taught for five years as a Wolf Trap Artist, working in Head Start Centers in both Nashville and at the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. In Washington state, David has been a Teaching Artist for Arts Impact, the Seattle Shakespeare Company, and for Seattle Children’s Theatre. In 2020, David worked in partnership with Arts Impact and Creative Start to develop state-wide curricula for arts-infused lessons in theater and Social Emotional Learning. David has been a Teaching Artist and Actor at SCT since moving to Seattle in 1998. As an actor at SCT, his most memorable performance was in the 2011 and 2015 productions of “Robin Hood,” with the 2015 production performing on Broadway at the New Victory Theater in New York City.

Delvin (DJ) James (he/him) is a San Antonio native and has had the opportunity to refine his performing craft and study via a successful career performing, touring, and teaching over the past decade. He is an award winning performer in theater for young audiences and also former Glee Club Director at a private music school for excellent youth. With a love of art and interest in the avenues of its expressions, DJ “wears many hats” and holds close to his heart the opportunities he has also been able to be behind the table (stage management, choreography, sound design). ‘Everyone wants to be understood, and sometimes, when words fail, art is there to speak for us’. 

Ellen Dessler Smith (she/her) is a local actor/ director who has worked on many stages around town including (but not limited to): Village Theatre, Reboot, Seattle Musical Theatre, ArtsWest, Bainbridge Island Performing Arts, and is on the board of ReAct Theatre. She has toured schools around the country with Living Voices and Small Change Original Theatre. Is a teaching artists for Stone Soup Theatre and works with The Criminal Justice Training Center, UW Medical Center, Effective Arts, and Life Center NorthWest as a scenario actor. She rounds out her theatre work with being a voice over artist and emcee.

Emily Stone (she/her) is a performer and teacher who grew up in Miwok Territory by the Cosumnes River (Sloughhouse, California). Coming to SCT this summer straight out of the MFA in Acting program at the University of Washington School of Drama, Emily has found some of her greatest fulfillment in teaching and working with students at UW. She thrives on helping students discover confidence and joy in performance, and to learn to access and trust their own innate creativity and intelligence. She is delighted to be able to work with young artists at SCT. Outside of performing on UW’s stages, in Seattle Emily has performed at On The Boards, Macha Theatre Works, and workshopped an original show with The Shattered Glass Project. She also holds a B.S. in Molecular and Environmental Biology from UC Berkeley. Her other passions include building supportive community ties with unhoused neighbors, community organizing in general, book clubs, local history, house plants, whales, and visiting the gorgeous waters and forests of this land.

Eric Bradler (he/him) is excited to be back at SCT this summer where a musician with a speciality in accordion can feel at home. He received his MM from the University of Denver and has been a classroom educator for over twenty years, teaching students from preschool age through college. In addition to his work in the SCT studios, Eric has been seen on the mainstage in productions including Into the West, Mario and the Comet, The Little Prince, 101 Dalmatians, and Aristocats.

Hana Oh (she/her) is a theatre educator and artist in the Seattle area. She got her BS in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children from SUNY Brockport, where she also minored in Theatre and took part of school productions. As a firm believer in the power of storytelling – and a storyteller herself – Hana hopes to empower students to explore their imaginative worlds and create their own narratives. It is one of her joys in life to witness their ideas spark and to accompany their creative journey. When she is not teaching, she can be found working backstage or in the booth for productions with local theatres. Outside of the theatre world, she you can find her reading, crocheting, exploring the city, or thrifting.

James Schilling (he/him) is an actor, playwright, and educator based in Seattle, WA. He has taught with Village Theatre KIDSTAGE in Everett and with Seattle Children’s Theatre, and has participated for several years in Freehold’s Engaged Theatre Tour to bring shows and workshops to incarcerated people throughout Washington. He is honored to return to SCT and share his passion for collaborative storytelling and for education surrounding mental health and social emotional wellness through theatre. James earned his B.F.A in Theatre - Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in 2018 and is an avid tabletop roleplayer.

Jillian Faulk (she/her) is Seattle based actor and teaching artist originally from Richland Washington. She attended Central Washington University where she majored in Theatre Performance, and specialized in neuro-diverse theatre education. She has been on several stages in the area and is passionate about all things related to the arts. She currently lives in Kirkland with her partner and beloved cat.

Jo Ben-Shmuel (she/her) is a Seattle-based actor and teaching artist who centers queer joy, accessibility, and compassion in her work. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts, and has been involved in theatre since early childhood. She is dedicated to honoring the queer experience as that of joy and educating students of all ages on the importance of generosity in theatremaking.

Josh Padilla (he/him) is excited to return to his teaching artist roots at Seattle Children’s Theatre. Josh holds a BA in theatre from New Mexico State University, his home state, and has been living and performing as a theatre artist and musician in Seattle for the past 10 years. Josh finds inspiration in the always ambitious students that he has taught and the community of musicians he gets to collaborate with on a weekly basis. Josh has been a teacher in the Rainier Valley for three years, with the final year being the performing arts specialist. He learned through teaching that his true passion is helping others and facilitating problem solving in tangible ways for people of all ages, but especially children.

Katie Beddoe (she/her) has a passion for process-based theatre arts. Her classrooms always have a focus on social justice, mental health, and the creative ownership of young people. And of course, there's always a LOT of laughs! In every class, she encourages students to grow their strengths as individual performers and members of their communities. In addition to dramatic arts, Katie loves to make art with her hands and embraces the opportunity to introduce a variety of artistic mediums to the theatre-making process. She has a BA in Applied Theatre, and is a certified Mental Health First-Aid practitioner. When working with SCT, you can find her teaching Creative Drama, Acting, Devising, and SEL-focused classes with all ages! She also participates in Engagement and Schools programming off-site.

Kenyon Meleney (he/him) is an performer, writer, teacher, and all-around creative born and raised in Seattle. Having come up through SCT’s Drama School and various other theaters in the area, he went on to earn his BA in Theater from Occidental College in Los Angeles. Before and after graduating, he taught acting and Shakespeare around both Seattle and LA, including Taproot, Harlequin, and A Noise Within, until deciding to pursue an MFA. In a complete about-face, Kenyon was thrust into the world of devised performance and education with The Pig Iron School in Philadelphia, and hasn’t looked back. Combining a plot- and objective-driven theater background with a formal education in more abstract ways of creating has manifested in a deep passion for original storytelling, world-building, and character-creation. When he’s not teaching or performing, Kenyon is working on a sci-fi radio drama, playing D&D with his friends, or hiking amongst giant trees. Coming up, his MFA capstone project, “The Tri-State Coalition for Symmetrical Intelligence presents the Very Large Magnet Quenching Particle Collider Grand Opening Ceremony” will see a return with performances in fringe festivals around the country next year. Coming back to SCT is a wild blast from the past and he’s thrilled to be returning as a teaching artist!

Kyleigh Archer (she/they) is a director, designer, puppeteer, and theater teaching artist. Graduated from Cornish with B.F.A in Theatre, in both the acting and technical realms; they have spent the last 8 years working with school districts and non-profits to bring the joys of theater, story telling, and improv to students. They are currently the Artistic Associate at Broadway Bound and a teaching artist at Seattle Children's Theatre.

Libby Peterson (she/her) learned the value and honor of entering a young person’s world by watching her Mom and then later her sisters. She has now been working professionally with youth, families, teachers, and administrators for 20 years. Libby is delighted to return to the PNW after 10 years in the Northeast where she received her graduate degree from Yale and made a life in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and kiddo (her two favorite people). Theater has been home for her with two degrees in drama and experience in acting, costuming, directing, producing, program administration, and teaching. Libby’s activism has taken her on the journey of identity, social location, self-education, power sharing, and community building. She has learned so much from so many people and helped lead anti-oppression trainings across the nation. She is glad to challenge the isms and phobias of all sorts and grateful to learn about each person’s experience through their own voice and perspective. The work can feel immense, and also, Libby believes we can work together towards liberation for all people.

Maia Nowack (they/them) grew up in Seattle, where SCT was a big part of developing their love for theatre. They graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre, where they discovered their love for teaching. Maia is returning to SCT after some time away and completing an MA in Dance Pedagogy at the University of the Arts in Helsinki, Finland. Maia was also a drama school intern in 2015 and a teaching artist apprentice at SCT, and has experience teaching dance, movement, and drama to students of all ages. Maia is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where students can expand their creativity. When not working, Maia can be found knitting, crocheting, and enjoying the beautiful PNW nature.

Marquicia Dominguez (they/them), known as QuiQui to most, is a Director, Actor, and Teaching Artist in the Seattle area. In 2012 they received a B.F.A in theatre from Cornish College of the Arts and received a Master’s in Education: Applied Behavior Analysis Programing and Instruction from Arizona State University in 2018. Additionally, they are a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and have been offering private yoga classes since 2013. QuiQui has worked with such companies as: ACT, Book-It, Greenstage, Seattle Repertory, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. QuiQui currently works as a Teaching Artist for Seattle Theatre Group’s Broadway Inclusion Program. Outside of theatre, they are a Board Certified Behavior Analyst where they use imagination and creativity to teach life skills to individuals with autism. Their desire is to create inclusive arts programs for all types of learners, no matter that individual’s abilities.

Marty Smith Cubine (she/they) is a multi-hyphenated actor and teaching artist. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts, she settled in Seattle to be a full-time performer and arts educator. They have been on stage at SCT in The Little Prince, in the touring show Ghosted, and have also acted in productions at ACT and Harlequin theatres. As an educator, Marty has taught every age from 3 years old to adults and specializes in bringing social-emotional learning into theatre and arts education. Marty lives in the Bothell area with her husband, dog, fish, and tortoises.

Marylynn Gwatiringa (she/her) has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Missouri Valley College, and an MFA in Theatre Performance from Lindenwood University. She has worked for Climb Children’s Theatre in Minnesota, Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri and Almasi Collaborative Arts in Harare, Zimbabwe. After exploring various occupations in Advertising, ESL (English as a Second Language) and HR, she returned to her love of the arts by beginning a doctoral program in Honolulu. May, 2023 marked the completion of her first year in the pursuit of a PhD in Performance Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Marylynn is thrilled and honored to be embarking on her third summer with Seattle Children’s Theatre!

Megan Felise Garcia (she/her) is a Performer, Teaching Artist, and Choreographer based in Seattle, WA. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i where she trained in Hula, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Modern Dance. She has an extensive background that ranges in volunteering with children and professionally teaching Academic and Artistic Programs. For the 2021 – 2022 School Year, Megan was an Elementary School Drama Teacher with the Hawai’i Department of Education. She is also a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher and Barre Instructor. Megan has taught for Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts, South End Stories, Seattle Theatre Group, and was a “Choreographer Mentor” for the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Rising Stars Production of Something’s Afoot. Aside from teaching, Megan has performed with Trial and Error Productions’ Hope to Hiroshima Project with Gabrielle Kazuko, ZTHEORY Heels Dance Company, Zay’s Baes Performance Company, Tint Dance Festival, Local Short Films: Harmony of a Feather and A Whole New World In Focus, and Ballet-Burlesque Company Verlaine and McCann onstage. This season, Megan performed Flying Choreography as the "Ariel Double/Ensemble'' for Theatre’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre).

Priya Hendry (she/her) just graduated the University of Washington with a degree in Drama: Performance and Law, Societies, and Justice. She is deeply passionate about the accessibility of arts education and believes that theater has the power to make and change worlds. Her classroom centers joy, community and the belief that creativity requires "failure" far more often than "success". Outside of performing and teaching, she is a lover of cats, getting lost in a good book, and afternoons spent outside in the sun.

Robyn Wilkinson (she/they) graduated with her BA in Theatre Arts from Loyola Marymount University in 2023 and just completed her MA in Theatre Arts at San Diego State University. Robyn grew up doing youth theatre and is excited to bring SCT campers the same amazing experiences she had as a kid. Most recently, Robyn has been working as a Teaching Artist for Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, offering free classes for both kids and adults. She believes deeply in the power of theatre to help growing (and grown) humans to develop essential life skills like self-confidence, communication, teamwork, empathy, and more!

Tatyana Emery (she/they) is a Tufts University graduate invested in creating community through theatre education. As a theatre maker, Tatyana seeks to create safe classrooms in which students feel comfortable to write and rewrite their personal narratives-bringing to life the stories that inspire them on stage. As an educator, they are proud to have worked with organizations such as The Theater Offensive, Central Square Theater and Tufts Children’s Theatre in building strong youth ensembles where students are invited to embrace the theatre of the everyday.

Thalia Wolff (she/her) is a dancer, director, playwright, and bicoastal teaching artist captivated by the unique capacity of the performing arts to enable individuals to boldly, playfully imagine and embody new worlds together. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature-Theatre from Reed College and will be pursuing her Master of Arts in Theatre Education and Applied Theatre at Emerson College this fall. Thalia has taught and supported classes with Seattle Children’s Theatre, Central Stage Theatre, Galletta School of Dance and Performing Arts, Reed College, Portland Stage Company, and STAGES Youth Theater. She is thrilled to be working with the wonderful teachers, staff, interns, and student-artists at Seattle Children's Theatre for the second time this summer! 

Zoë Carr's (she/her/they) passion for acting was ignited through improv and Shakespeare summer camps in her hometown of Boise, Idaho. After earning a BA in Theatre Arts and Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University, she has built a diverse career as an actor, scenic carpenter, and props master, contributing to productions ranging from the EMMY Awards (carpentry) to the Boise Bard Players (acting). Zoë has taught students ages 4 to 18, with experience at New Village Arts in Carlsbad, CA, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Boise Contemporary Theater’s Theatre Lab. She is deeply committed to the ongoing effort of making theater more accessible and believes in its transformative power to foster connection, joy, and profound introspection.

Zoey Reese (she/her) is a Seattle transplant, originally raised in the desert of New Mexico. Her favorite animal is her dog Tofu, the most awesome role she ever had was Peter in Peter Pan (flying!), she loves camping with her wife, and she will always eat more noodles! After studying at Oklahoma City University, she’s spent the best part of the last few decades working with young people as a music and theatre teaching artist, a dancer with all ages at the National Dance Institute, a children’s theater Education Director, and a facilitator with middle, high school, and university students doing eco-based service-learning throughout Southeast Asia. Her performance experience is lifelong and ranges from roles in musical theatre, Shakespeare and Mammet, to on-camera and voiceover performances as well. She believes children’s theatre, and young people’s education in theatre should be of quality, be caring and curious, and most importantly FUN!

Allyndreth Smyth (they/them) is a rising senior at the University of Washington in Seattle as a History and Drama Design major. They have been enjoying theatre since before they could talk, and went from being onstage in the early years to finding a love of props and directing in high school that they are now honing in university. Allyndreth is a huge movie and musical nerd, and could spend hours discussing adaptations for the screen and stage, especially if it’s about DC comic books! They love spewing random facts to anyone who will listen, and telling stories through art to connect with others.

Charlotte Seaver (any pronouns) is a playwright, director, and actor born and raised in Seattle, Washington. They are currently a rising senior at Cornish College of the Arts, majoring in Acting and Original Works. At Cornish, Charlotte has been trained in stage combat, acting, improvisation, playwriting, and directing. Having been a part of the Teaching Artist Internship last year, Charlotte is so excited to come back to SCT and help more young artists explore and create. Outside of theater, Charlotte enjoys puppetry, jewelry making, and drag performance.

Chloe Williams (she/her) is a theater practitioner from Wilmington, Ohio. Her goal is to make theater accessible and enjoyable for thespians of all ages through the creation of inclusive environments. Her focus and passion lie in theater education and stage management, something she has been able to practice during her time at Ohio Wesleyan University. While Chloe is not practicing theater, she enjoys cooking, baking, and trying new kinds of ice cream.

Elise Andrew (she/her) Kiowa and Chichimeca, Current North Seattle College student and a proud member of Red Eagle Soaring Youth. With Aspirations in arts and stage management, I have spent 7 Years with Red Eagle Soaring, delving into various facets of theater, from script writing to stage management, set design, and acting. Fun Fact I love video games, I enjoy playing them in my free time with my siblings.

Miranda Haines (she/her) is a trained stage manager, actor, and self-taught photographer. Originally from Sacramento, California. She has been involved in theatre since early childhood and there found a passion for the arts and storytelling. She is proud to have worked with great theaters in the Seattle area such as the 5th Ave Theatre, as a head usher and Broadway Bound Children's Theatre, as a stage manager. She hopes to pursue screenplay writing and directing in the future! 

Ona Alumbaugh (she/her) is a stage manager, theatre artist, and educator. She recently returned to the Seattle area after graduating from Saint Louis University in Madrid, Spain where she studied Spanish and performing arts. At university, Ona supported the theatre department as a stage manager, director, and instructional assistant. She believes that theatre is an important tool for community building, problem solving, and personal growth and is passionate about making theatre and the arts accessible to all. Ona loves to travel and speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Willa Barnett (she/her) is an educator, storyteller, and musician from Seattle, WA. She holds passion for collaborative creation and as a proudly disabled artist works to prioritize accessibility within the classroom. As a former SCT student, she is thrilled to have the chance to return as an educator and continue a tradition of joy and empowerment through theatre arts. She recently graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, with a degree in Theater Studies. When she is not teaching or making, you can find her playing with dogs, traveling, or reading at the park.

Aiyana Hewitt Mehta (they/them) is an arts administrator and musician. She started her arts administration journey in 2018 at the Walla Walla Symphony. During her time there, she discovered her passion for community engagement and continued on to become Community Programs Manager at Seattle Opera. Aiyana plays trombone and has played with groups such as Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra and Philharmonia Northwest. She is thrilled to be working at SCT as the Engagement Programs Manager and looks forward to continuing to connect with her community through a youth-focused lens.

Brianna Canning (she/her) is the School Partnerships and Programs Manager at Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT). She joined the SCT community in June 2021 as a Teaching Artist intern, and then was welcomed to the Teaching Artist faculty starting in the fall of 2021. Before diving into the world of theatre education, Bri focused on stage management and production management, both at her college and on a regional level. She moved to Seattle after graduating in May 2021, eager to join the theatre community. In addition to working as a Teaching Artist with SCT, Bri has also worked as a residential faculty member and after-school supervisor at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, WA. Brianna completed her undergraduate education at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where she received a BA in Government and Legal Studies, and Latin American Studies. While in college, she was a Head Proctor for Residential Life, President of the student theatre group on campus, and worked for the Bowdoin College Department of Theatre and Dance in various capacities. In addition, Bri was invited to study abroad at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in Mérida, México, in the Spring of 2020 where she fully engaged in the Spanish language and Mexican culture. Brianna is ecstatic to be working full time at SCT. She loves theatre for its unique capacity to cultivate empathy, and produce social and political change through storytelling and community-building. Additionally, she is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to create, imagine, and learn about themselves and others. In her free time, Brianna enjoys baking and eating cookies!

Era McClure (she/her) brings a passion for education and the arts to her work. Raised in Detroit, MI, she holds a degree in Social Work and has served as a mentor and educator in Seattle Public Schools, where her teaching philosophy focuses on social-emotional learning and culturally responsive instruction. Era has a love for combining creative expression and education and is excited to contribute towards the inspiration of young minds through the magic of theater in SCT’s Education & Engagement Department. When not at SCT, Era enjoys exploring creative outlets in her free time, including reading, spending time outdoors, and attending community events.

Gabriela Tatone (she/her) is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where she got her BA in both Theatre and Sociology, researching how child-geared arts programs emphasize inclusivity. After graduating, she started her journey with SCT as a Teaching Artist Intern in 2020 and transitioned into Teaching Artist Assistant soon after. With her passion for inclusive educational theatre, she has worked in a variety of positions such as director and choreographer at The Performer's Academy in her home state of California, International Intern at Chickened in London, and Acting and Musical Theatre Interns at Tacoma Arts Live. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with SCT and hopes to grow even more as a theatre educator and administrator!

Madeline Lipkin (she/her) is thrilled to be joining the Drama School team! Having spent the entirety of her high school and college years in and around the theater, she is buzzing to return to the enthusiasm and fun of the theater world. Previously, Madeline worked as a Studio & Programs Coordinator at a visual arts nonprofit in San Francisco, as well as in research and office management in her home state of Massachusetts. Her ideology towards working with children has always centered around agency, self-efficacy, and learning from mistakes, values she learned and embraced in her theater education. She's energized by SCT's mission and can't wait to contribute to the Theatre's legacy!

Tiffany Maltos (she/her) is the Adrienne Dillard-Coons Director of Education & Engagement at Seattle Children’s Theatre, former Staff Writer for TYA Today, and a founding member of the BIPOC in TYA Advisory Board. She graduated from Bowdoin College in 2011 with a degree in Interdisciplinary English/Theatre and focus on Theatre for Young Audiences. She received her Teaching Certificate in 2012 and taught in a high school before officially transitioning her career to theatre. Tiffany was an SCT Drama School Teaching Artist Intern in 2013 before returning to her hometown of San Antonio, TX, where she was the Education Department Manager at The Magik Theatre and a teaching artist for The Classic Theatre. Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest, Tiffany served as a board member for Theatre Puget Sound from 2017 – 2020 and is a current trustee of the TYA/USA Board. In 2021, Tiffany was named in American Theatre Magazine’s Role Call for her practice as an administrator, teaching artist, and arts activist. Tiffany has been featured as keynote moderator, contributor to Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Futures for Theatres for Young Audiences, speaker for the Listen, Learn, Lead webinar series (TYA/USA), and TIMEOUT with Brodrick (podcast).