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FAQs

Please read through these frequently asked questions to see if we can answer your question. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please feel free to contact us.

COVID-19 procedures and policies are subject to change as local ordinance and guidance changes.

What precautions are you taking to keep students and staff healthy?
We take the health and safety of our students and staff seriously. Please read through our CoronaVirus Response page and the FAQ’s below.

What do I do if I’m sick or someone in my family is sick?
If your child feels sick at all, for any reason, PLEASE STAY HOME. Send an email to registrar@paacolorado.org and include the symptoms you are experiencing. Any student who has a fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting is required to stay home until they are symptom free for 24-48 hours. 

What happens if my child gets sick at PAA?
We understand that not all illnesses will be COVID19 related, but we need to provide a safe place to handle illnesses. A staff member will be monitoring the student. We will call the parents when a child reports being ill. 

What happens if a student, staff or faculty member tests positive for COVID?
PAA will consult professional care givers and follow current local and state health guidelines.  

FACILITIES

Are the restrooms cleaned regularly?
Yes! While we encourage students to utilize the bathroom facilities before coming to PAA, selected restrooms are available for use and are cleaned, disinfected and sanitized regularly during programming.

What is PAA doing to help increase ventilation in the classrooms to reduce the spread of COVID?
We have many commercial HEPA filtration units for rooms and have installed air unit filters with MERV13 or HEPA filters. We know the ACR or air change rate for each of our rooms, and are able to maintain safe capacities in each space.

What cleaning protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the children and staff?
PAA uses a line of cleaning products that have been approved by Tri-County Health from a company called Buckeye. Buckeye provides both a sanitizer and disinfectant that are used properly according to their labels.

 

Classes

What is the teacher to student ratio in classes?
Depending on the class, the ratio can range from 1:2 to 1:15.

Does PAA offer classes or camps for my 3 year old? 
PAA offers opportunities for Pre Kindergarten children during spring, summer and fall sessions.

What kind of classes does PAA offer?
We offer many different types and levels of classes that are curriculum driven and age appropriate in acting (improv, auditioning, character and scene development) , voice, dance (hip hop, musical theater, ballet, tap) and technical theater (set build, make-up, props, costumes, directing).

What items does my student need to bring to class?
Students need to bring a water bottle, and dance shoes (if applicable). Please label all personal items.

What is the dress code?
We ask that students wear clothes that allow for ease of movement and cover private areas of their body.

Do you have recitals?
At the end of each semester PAA holds a Shareformance so each class can showcase what they learned. These are usually held on or near the last day of the semester at or near the same time the class would normally be held. Shareformances are free to attend.

Does PAA offer adult dance classes?
Typically, YES! Although our current semester does not have any adult dance classes scheduled. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when we have new adult class offerings.

 

Shows

What staff do you have for each production my child is in?  
Faculty production teams include a Director, Choreographer, Music Director, Technical Director, Stage Manager, Props Manager, Costume Designer, Sound Designer, and Light Designer. PAA supports the faculty production teams with staff members that include our Production and Site Manager, and Artistic Director.

How many students are in a show?
There are 10-50 students in a show depending on the age and level of the production.

What items does my student need to bring to class/rehearsal?
Students need to bring a water bottle, dance shoes (if applicable), pencils, and script every day. Students will be told when lunches also need to be brought. Please label all personal items.

What is the dress code?
We ask that students wear clothes that allow for ease of movement and cover private areas of their body.

What is the absence policy?
For last minute or emergency conflicts contact Sam Leahy at registrar@paacolorado.org, or 303-900-7041 x0. Please be advised that more than two unexcused absences, or many additional new conflicts not listed on the conflict sheet provided at auditions, may result in recasting.

What should students wear under costumes?
We ask that every student provide a base to wear under their costume. Unless otherwise instructed, the base costume is: Non-baggy shorts and tank tops in a neutral color without writing or graphics, and/or a dance leotard and tights for females. This clothing needs to be brought in at the beginning of tech week. The base costume will stay on site at PAA until the completion of the program.

What shoes does my student need?
FOR CLASS/REHEARSAL: If your student has dance shoes, please have them bring the shoes each day. Other than dance shoes, tie on shoes are recommended for students. Please do not wear “light-up” shoes. Closed toe shoes are required for all tech theatre students.

FOR PERFORMANCES: Dance or Jazz shoes (nude or black) are required to be worn for Fall and Spring performances and for Shareformances (unless otherwise instructed by the teaching artist).

Do you offer a shoe exchange?
PAA has an informal shoe exchange. If your student has outgrown a pair of dance shoes, they may be able to find a pair that fits them in the exchange box and swap. There is no charge for a shoe exchange swap.  However if you take a used pair without donating a pair, the charge is $5. Please note that this service is voluntary, not guaranteed and not monitored.

What are auditions like?
Audition information can be found here.

Where do performances and rehearsals take place?
Fall and Spring Rehearsals and Classes take place at our facility on County Line Place in Highlands Ranch. During Spring and Fall Tech Week for shows, rehearsals will move to our performance space, located in St. Lukes UMC on South Broadway in Highlands Ranch.

Musical Theatre Summer Camps are located at St. Lukes UMC , Rock Canyon, Mountain Vista and various other schools for the entirety of the camp.  Half Day summer camps take place at PAA County Line Place.

Do your shows require tickets?
Most PAA performances require a paid ticket for admission. Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the door. Shareformances and Outreach performances are free to attend.

Can parents watch auditions or rehearsals?
In order to create a supportive, non-distracting environment for the students, we do not allow adults to view students’ while auditioning, rehearsing, or in classes.

 

General Information

How can I contact someone at PAA?
Sam Leahy is the Production and Site Manager for PAA. She supports our families and acts as your liaison. If there are any questions concerning a production or class, please contact Sam at registrar@paacolorado.org or 303-900-7041 x0.

What is the Student Drop Off and Pick Up Procedure?
Drop Off: During the Fall and Spring PAA programming, students may be dropped off, or their adults can accompany them into the building to sign in. 

Pick Up: During class or rehearsal pick up time, please be prompt at pick up! Refer to the calendar for your program for pick up times. There is a late fee that applies when students are chronically picked up more than 15 minutes after their program ends.

Do you accommodate allergies?
Please notify PAA if a student has an allergy we need to be aware of for safety. Please do not bring food for the entire group out of respect and safety for those who have allergies. PAA makes every attempt to provide a nut-free zone for those students who are allergic to nuts during the lunch and snack periods for their program.

What is your cell phone policy?
Every moment at PAA is an opportunity to learn and be engaged. Cell phones are to remain in bags during classes and rehearsals unless they are used as rehearsal tracks. In case of an emergency please call Sam Leahy at 303-900-7041 x0.

Do you have a lost and found?
Students who leave items behind can find them on the PAA lost and found table, usually located near the check-in table. If not picked up by the completion of Fall or Spring programming, items will be donated and discarded.

How can I place an ad in the program or become a PAA Sponsor?
If you’d like to know more information about how you can support PAA with your company or business, please email Dr. James Ramsey or call 303-900-7041 x1.

Are you on Social Media?
We post lots of fun pictures and updates about our programs to our social media accounts. Follow us to keep up-to-date on the latest: facebook.com/paacolorado, @PAA_Colorado on Twitter, @paacolorado on Instagram.

 

Audition FAQs

 

Will every student have a role in the show?
Yes! Every student will have a role in the show and will be involved in the rehearsals! The exception is our Conservatory Level program where the auditions model professional auditions and not every student will get a role.

Can parents watch the auditions?
No, we ask that adults please wait outside the audition room. This allows the students to fully participate in the process without additional distraction.

Who are the people in the audition room?
The director is the person who oversees the entire show, and also does the acting and blocking (where you move on stage) rehearsals. The choreographer creates and teaches the dances with the cast, and may also do other parts of the show depending on how the director and choreographer choose to work together. The music director is in charge of all of the singing and music for the production. They work closely with both the director and choreographer to make it all tie in together. Occasionally, additional PAA Staff may also be in the room, someone like our tech director or production assistant.

What do I need to prepare for auditions?
PAA typically provides a selection of short monologues to choose from, a few song excerpts to choose from, and one dance routine to learn. These materials are provided to you when you register for the show, so the earlier you register, the more time you have to prepare for the audition.

Where do I find the audition material?
Please check your inbox! You will receive an email from registrar@paacolorado.org with the audition material for your show.

When will I know my role?
We will email the cast list typically 2-3 days after auditions. This may vary so please be patient with us. If you don’t receive any email within a week please check in with our producer, registrar@paacolorado.org.

How will I know my role?
PAA will send an email.

What if I don’t get the role I was hoping for?
This is one of those tricky things that doesn’t have a perfect answer. We suggest talking your feelings out with an adult you trust, then taking a new look at the role you have been given with the goal of finding a way “in” to making friends with your character.
It could be fun to imagine you are interviewing your character to find out what they like, dislike, their dreams and hopes, their fears and maybe a secret too. This type of game is fun no matter if your character is a person or animal! Try looking for clues in the script to help figure out who your character is, and then use that information to invent things that feel right to you about your character and their journey through the story.

Do you have callbacks?
Our Conservatory level program is the only PAA program for which we model our auditions after professional auditions, with callbacks and cuts. All other PAA shows have one-day auditions, without callbacks, and every student is assigned a role.

 

 

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Amy Arpan

Amy Arpan has worked professionally as an actress, show host, variety artist, improviser, fight choreographer, clown, and director for 22 years.

She is represented by Radical Artists Agency, and you may have seen her competing in the ‘Dish Network Challenge’ and zooming along on an electric scooter in the ‘Colorado Lottery’ Commercials.

Past local credits include Ella Enchanted at the Arvada Center; Mrs. Soames in Our Town at Miners Alley; the Conductor and Engineer in The Polar Express; Madame Volange in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Miners Alley; Characters in Crisis for the Colorado Police Departments; and directing Fright Fest and the Summer Illusion Shows at Elitch Gardens. She is also a local weekly Trivia and Bingo Host.

Favorite out of State Credits and Clients
include: Nickelodean, Royal Caribbean,
Disney Cruise Lines, & Cedar Fair Theme Parks , Shakespeare Carolina, ChickSpeare, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte,.

In addition to Clowning around with her Ringling Brother’s Circus School training, she is also fond of Juggling, Improv-ing, Performing Magic, Balloon Twisting, Lip Print Reading, Stilt Walking, Mascot work, Puppeteering, Show Hosting, and Character Roaming. She has been the owner and principal performer for Amy Arpan’s Illusions And Confusions since its founding in 1998.

John Boggs

John Boggs is a pianist, composer and vocalist based currently in Thornton, Colorado. He holds a DMA in Composition from the University of Colorado Boulder, a M.M. in Composition from the University of Michigan and a B.F.A. from Bard College. Previous piano instructors include German Diez and MaryAnn Griebling. He taught students of all ages and experience during his undergraduate and graduate studies.

At Bard College he studied voice with tenor Rufus Müller. He has sung such roles as Jamie in The Last Five Years, The Lecturer in Reefer Madness, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He teaches repertoire in the genres of musical theater, art song, pop and opera. He currently is a Choral Pro for both the Ars Nova singers and the St. John’s Episcopal Compline Choir. In 2016, John co-founded Renaissance and Contemporary a cappella group, Solis, to promote new works from local and national composers.

His music direction includes Pippin and Rocky Horror Picture Show with the Bard Musical Theater Company. In 2017 he music directed Centerstage Theater Company’s production of Godspell, and most recently their 2021 production of Theory of Relativity.

He has had composition premiers by such groups as the American Symphony Orchestra, University of Michigan’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, DaCapo Chamber Players, Ars Nova Singers, the Columbine Chorale, 303 Children’s Choir (now Vocal Coalition), the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and new music ensemble Contemporaneous. He is the co-founder/co-writer as well as the keyboardist and vocalist for experimental rock band Fifth Veil, and is delving into the world of film and interactive game scoring.

He also has experience teaching students with developmental disabilities. He provided accompaniment for Tapestry Theater’s productions of Elf, School House Rocks and Shrek Jr. He was previously employed with Imagine’s CORE day program, where he instructed group music classes using midi over wifi to create the feeling of being in a band and orchestra.

 

 

Katie Reid

Resident Acting Director

Katie is thrilled to be returning to her beautiful home state of Colorado after 15 years away performing and teaching professionally in NYC and Chicago. Katie holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The University of Oklahoma. In Chicago, Katie taught and directed in several performing arts programs, directing/music directing over 20 shows with ages K - 12, including multiple pilot productions with MTI and Disney theatricals. She also worked in events and development at American Theater Company and as Production Manager for the award-winning program, BRAVO Performing Arts, in Oak Park. Theater credits include the National Tours of South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), 'S Wonderful (Jane), and Annie (Ronnie Boylan). Regional theater: Nunsense (Sister Robert Ann), Last Five Years (Cathy), Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), Princess and the Pea (Queen u/s), Land of Forgotten Toys (Queen), Full Monty (Pam), Ordinary Days (Claire), Broadway: The Big Band Years (featured singer), Sweeney Todd, and The Who's Tommy. She is excited to be a part of the PAA staff!

acting@paacolorado.org

 

Jana Wesson

Jana Wesson is thrilled to be back at PAA! As a former alumni, Jana is excited to be continuing with PAA as a staff of the outreach program. Since her last show in 2013 Jana has gone on to do community theatre at the Pace Center and Wesley Players Theatre Company, starring in shows such as Singin’ In The Rain, Mary Poppins, The Music Man and many more!

McKensey Struzik

McKensey graduated from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a BA in Acting and a Minor in Musical Theatre in 2016.  Since, she has taught children’s theatre at various studios in Virginia as well as in Colorado.  She has taught dance, private voice and group acting classes as well as choreographed, music directed many productions.  She has tap danced for 17 years and had the opportunity to study under tap dancers such as Savion Glover, Chloe Arnold, Maude Arnold, and Jason Janas.  She is thrilled to teach tap with PAA this year and can’t wait to get started.

Andrew McGlothen

Andrew McGlothen is thrilled to be back for his 2nd summer with PAA. Originally from Texas, Andrew has been fabricator, scenic painter, director and actor for over a decade. He’s had the privilege to work for companies like the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities, Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids, Denver Comic Con, Visionbox Studio and many others. If you need something designed or created, he’s your guy. When not working in theatre Andrew is a Graphic Designer and coffee snob. He’d like to thank his husband and dogs for the support and PAA for the opportunity!”

 

Jennifer Maggi

Jennifer Maggi grew up dancing in Orange County, California at the Pacific School of Ballet from the age of 5 to 18. Throughout her years there, she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, and Tap. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Fullerton with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern. While completing her degree, Jennifer performed and choreographed for numerous professional dance shows and showcases as well as participated in the Limon Dance Intensive under Collin Connor. After graduating, Jennifer returned to Cal State Fullerton to choreograph the BFA Musical Theatre main stage productions of Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party, and Cry Baby. In 2014, Jennifer was cast as a performer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California where she danced and portrayed famous Disney characters in the Pixar Play Parade, Paint the Night Parade, The Frightfully Fun Parade, and The Christmas Fantasy Parade. She moved to Denver in May 2019 and is so excited to join the team at PAA and share her passion for dance with her students.

Kathryn Dudley

Kathryn Dudley is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and stage manager based in Denver. She attained her Bachelor of Arts in both Dance and Theatre from Gustavus Adolphus College where she received the Distinguished Dance Student Award and graduated with honors. Originally from Minnesota, Kathryn has worked with various theatres around the Twin Cities such as Children’s Theatre Company, SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development, and Daytripper’s Dinner Theatre. Some of Kathryn’s favorite performances were with ...and Company, of which she is a founding member. Along with the 4 other founding members, Kathryn choreographed, directed, produced, and performed in 2 shows for the MN Fringe Festival. Her work has also been featured in shows by Minneapolis Ballet Dancers, Zenon’s Zone Program, Sarah Hauss, and COHORTS. Kathryn is a company member, resident choreographer, and production manager for 21/40 Productions where she enjoys exploring every facet of the performing arts. As an educator, Kathryn is passionate about sharing dance with people from all walks of life and lives by Alvin Ailey’s famous words: "Dance is for Everybody”.

Jennifer Lillibridge

Jennifer Lillibridge came to Colorado from Los Angeles where she earned her BA in Theater Arts and Directing at Occidental College. For several years after college she was a proud member of Actors Equity and worked throughout the Greater Los Angeles area as an equity production stage manager and scenic artist for several prominent theater companies. Since moving to Colorado, Jennifer has been at D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School as their theater program’s director and costume designer. She and her husband Adam, enjoy creating stories and having wild adventures with their daughter Juniper and two dogs.

Aria Faddis

Aria Faddis grew up in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Colorado in 2017. She began dancing at age twelve and has since discovered how much she loves to share her love of dance with children. Aria has a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in teaching from the University of Montana and spent one season dancing with Off Center Dance Company in Boise before relocating to Colorado.  Aria currently teaches at studios across the Denver Metro area as well as working as a choreographer for D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School. When she is not dancing, Aria is visiting as many National Parks as possible and enjoying exploring all Colorado has to offer.

Rachel Snyder

Rachel Marie Snyder is so excited to be returning to PAA! She has been teaching musical theatre and dance for over 8 years at studios in New York City and across the country. She shares her passion for creativity and self-expression in the classroom and on the stage. Rachel has performed internationally as a vocalist with Aida Cruise Lines and regionally in roles such as Sherrie in Rock of Ages and Maggie in 42nd St. She continues her lifelong training in dance, acting, and theatre in New York, and loves to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of young artists.

Steph Holmbo

Steph Holmbo is an actress, dancer, singer, poet, creatoe. Steph received her BFA from New York University's Atlantic Theatre Company and worked off-broadway with the dance company Mitra Dance Collective for 3 years. Since moving to Denver she has performed at several theaters including Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Miners Alley Playhouse, Town Hall Arts Center, and originated roles in two world premiere musicals with Mitch Samu. In 2020, Steph wrote and performed in her one-woman show and again, creating a story around how we listen in a world where everyone is talking. Steph is passionate about storytelling, justice, and finding hope in especially difficult situations. www.stephholmbo.com

Darin Drown

Darin Drown is in his 18th year teaching choir at Grandview High school in Aurora, CO in the Cherry Creek School District, and 30th year of teaching.  His choirs have consistently received the highest ratings at festivals around the United States and have been featured performers at the Colorado Music Educator’s convention several times.  In addition, Darin directed the 120-man Sound of the Rockies barbershop chorus to 7 medalist performances in international competition in the Barbershop Harmony Society, reaching as high as 3rd place.  Darin has traveled all over the world coaching men’s and women’s acapella quartets and choruses.  He also sings in Storm Front, the 2010 International Champion barbershop quartet.  He has been named Teacher of the Year in two different schools over his career, as well as a District Teacher of the Year.  He took over directing responsibilities for the Velvet Hills Show Chorus in Colorado Springs for the past three years.

Cambel Rule

Cambel Rule has been with PAA for three years working a assistant technical director in order to help bring imagination to life. Cambel attends Metropolitan State University of Denver. majoring in history and minoring in theater. he looks forward to working on all of the great shows PAA has lined up this year.

 

Rebecca Givens

Rebecca has more than 30 years of experience practicing law both in private practice and as in-
house counsel. Her areas of concentration include contracts, real estate and finance. Through
her years leading corporate legal departments, she is well versed in the legal challenges facing
Colorado businesses and in risk mitigation through inter-departmental collaboration. Rebecca is
currently a partner at Moye White LLP, which is a patron member of Colorado Business
Committee for the Arts, and she currently volunteers with Colorado Attorneys for the Arts on
their vetting committee. Rebecca holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of
Nebraska – Lincoln and a J.D. from Creighton University.
Rebecca is passionate about the arts and energized by youth. She sees PAA as a wonderful place
for young people to discover their own passion for the arts in an inclusive and supportive
environment that helps develop teamwork and self-expression while simultaneously building
confidence.

Valerie Igoe

Her regional credits include The Other Josh Cohen (Denver Center), Beehive, the 60's Musical (Lone Tree Arts Center), Tomfoolery (Aurora Fox), Shout! The Mod Musical (Town Hall Arts Center), Rock of Ages, Annie and Footloose (BDT Stage), Annie, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and The Full Monty (Rocky Mountain Reperatory Theatre), and Junie B Jones, the Musical (Arvada Center). Training: BFA Musical Theatre, Nebraska Wesleyan University. Valerie is a member of Actor's Equity Association.

 

Lynzee Jones

Lynzee holds a BA in musical theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. She first found her love of all things theatre while growing up in Durango, Colorado and has been privileged to be able to make a career of it! She has been acting professionally since 2009 and continues to do as much performing as possible in the Denver area.

Lynzee has always enjoyed working with children and has found so much joy in blending her two passions in teaching children’s theatre! She has been directing and choreographing children’s theatre since 2012, as well as teaching workshops and coaching young actors and singers. She is thrilled to be a part of PAA!

Chelley Canales

Chelley Canales has been performing professionally in the Denver area and beyond for 25 years with companies such as Town Hall Arts Center, The Arvada Center, The Aurora Fox, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Vintage Theatre and Theatreworks. She has choreographed youth productions at PAA, the JCC and American Academy and is thrilled to work with the hard working and talented cast of Moana, Jr.
Chelley also takes to the stage as a Benefit Auctioneer, helping non-profits raise funds for their missions.

Julia Tobey

Julia Tobey is thrilled to be back home in Colorado after 15 years living and performing all over the world. After graduating from Eaglecrest High School and earning her Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice with minors in theater and dance from the University of Northern Colorado, she worked as a professional singer / dancer / actor / model / director / writer and producer in NYC, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Nashville, Orlando, Toronto and aboard cruise ships.Some favorite off-Broadway, TV, film and regional theater performing credits include: TWELFTH NIGHT (Olivia), original cast MOD ROCK THE MUSICAL (Gillian), ABC pilot ST FRANCIS (Kandi), HAIRSPRAY (Velma) - Henry Award Nominee, BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Belle), BRIGADOON (Fiona), INTO THE WOODS (The Baker’s Wife), and CABARET (Frenchie). She is thrilled to be playing Betty and covering Jeannie in Miner’s Alley upcoming 2023 production of THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL with Piper Lindsay Arpan as director/choreographer and show Composer and Lyricist, David Nehls as music director.Julia completed five Principal Singer / Dancer and Vocal Captain contracts with Disney Cruise Line, Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland including the original cast of VILLAINS TONIGHT! (Cruella DeVil) by [title of show]’s Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell. With her international touring act inspired by The Andrews Sisters, The Beverly Belles, Julia has opened for Meghan Trainor, Katharine McPhee and Seth MacFarlane, appeared numerous times on Hallmark’s “Home & Family” TV show, and is a headlining act aboard Disney Cruise Line and Cunard ships and arts centers across the country. Julia sings with the female vocal trio Black Iris Collective as well. Julia is Founder of Give 5 Productions and works as a professional theatrical and corporate entertainment producer.  She executive produced Footloose at Parker Arts in 2022 and is executive producing Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville at Parker Arts in summer 2023.In 2016, Disney hired Julia to create, produce, triple cast, choreograph, direct, costume and maintain The Silver Lake Sisters. This live enhancement ran five shows a day for several months in Anaheim’s Hollywood Tower of Terror’s lobby before the attraction closed.She lives in Denver with her husband Heath and kiddos Lily Jean and Hudson Johnnie. She loves attracting hummingbirds to her yard and going on camping trips with her family.Oh, and she’s a big ol’ nerd who loves to laugh. Let's play!

 

Daniel Mason

Daniel holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado.
He has studied T’ai Chi academically as well as practically. Daniel earned a
bachelor’s degree in Traditional Eastern Arts with an emphasis in T’ai Chi Ch’uan
from Naropa University where he completed a teacher’s training program. After
his studies at Naropa, Daniel began teaching in 1996 in Boulder, CO.
While implementing his Corporate Stress Management & Senior Citizen
Wellness Programs, Daniel has lead hundreds of people to experience the many
benefits of T’ai Chi.

 

Tobi Johnson-Compton

Tobi Johnson-Compton has been dancing most of her life and has danced, taught, and choreographed throughout Colorado.  She has been teaching jazz, modern, ballet and tap for over 30 years around Colorado, most recently at PACE Center in Parker and The Arvada Center before that. She not only teaches and choregraphs but performs and stage manages as well. Her choreography credits include Disney’s Newsies with Inspire Theatre/PACE Center, where she was nominated for a Henry Award for choreography; resident choreographer for Overland High School, where her choreography was nominated for a Bobby G award for Sister Act; Mary Poppins, Lutheran High School; Shrek the Musical, West Side Story, Grease, and Sister Act with Inspire Theater/PACE Center. Performance credits include the premiere of Idris Goodwin’s 3 person play, Blackademics (Ann) and Tobi’s very first straight play! Musical theater credits: The Addams Family (Grandma) and Tuck Everlasting (Ensemble) – Vintage Theatre; Mary Poppins (Ensemble), Spamalot (Laker Girl) and Hairspray (Cool kid) – Inspire Theater/PACE Center. Tobi enjoys everything about theater and loves watching it all come together from behind the scenes putting it all together, to the heart and soul the performers bring to the stage.

 

Kat Gabriel

Kathleen (Kat) Gabriel is a performer, artist, and educator who is delighted to be teaching with PAA and back in their hometown of Denver, CO.  Kat attended Denver School of the Arts and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Drake University (Des Moines, IA); they also studied acting abroad for three months at the Moscow Art Theatre School through the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute.  Kat spent nearly two years touring the US and Canada with the Missoula Children's Theatre where they taught, directed, and performed with local kids in shows like Blackbeard the Pirate and Snow White.  When they are not on or around the stage, Kat can be found drinking coffee, crafting, and/or petting the nearest dog.  Thank you to everyone at PAA and my family!

 

Caleb Sporrer

Caleb is going to Texas State University for their prestigious BFA program next fall. Caleb will be there to talk about Caleb's audition experience from Pre-qualifications to acceptances.  For students thinking about applying for musical theatre and acting BFA programs, he will give an overview of his experience, the recommended timeline for the application and what students can expect from the audition process in general. If you aren't sure where to start for college auditions, this is a great opportunity to ask questions from a students who just successfully went through the process!

 

Gavin Juckette

Gavin Juckette (He/They) is a non-binary teaching artist fresh off their 3-year stint in Valencia, Spain where they obtained their Masters of Music in Voice, with an emphasis in Production, from Berklee College of Music. With theatre and music degrees for a base, and 12+ years in the industry, Gavin is thrilled to expand their career to teaching the arts that they love so dearly. Along with songwriting and producing, Gavin is working to deepen their support of the LGBTQIA+ community, participating in outreach programs and involvement in organizations that share the same passion. Gavin hopes to take part in nurturing the musical community with their experiences from home and abroad while continuing to grow with every new experience. Brilliantly put by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius."

Melanie Ware

Melanie has been with PAA as their Properties Master for six years and teaching classes for five. Melanie received her BA in Theatre from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in May of 2016. Between Acting, Directing and Properties Design she has roughly 12 years of theatrical experience. Favorite PAA design credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Addams Family.

 

 

 

Stephanie Hesse

Stephanie is thrilled to join PAA, and is very proud of this group of talented kids!  With a BA in both Theatre and Dance from Colorado Mesa University,  Stephanie has performed with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Avatar Movement Dance Company, and in several musicals in the Denver area including 9 to 5, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, and West Side Story. Choreography credits include: A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder, Hello Dolly!, She Loves Me, 13: The Musical, and Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.