Jeanne E. Harrison, Founder and Producing Artistic Director
In her 21year teaching career, Jeanne has taught theatre for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, Loyola University (Baltimore), John Moores University (England), The Chapin School (NYC) and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne is currently serving as a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards. As an expert on Commedia dell’Arte and a physical trainer for actors, Jeanne has presented at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education. Her lesson plans have been published in The American Girls Collection's Five Plays: Teacher's Guide and Scripts, which outlines how theatrical play can deepen a student's understanding of history. She has studied dance with members of Alwin Nicholais', Merce Cunningham's and Eric Hawkins' modern dance companies. She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MFA in Directing from Catholic University, a Camp Director certification from the American Camping Association, is an Instructor with the American Red Cross, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Jeanne has worked in camping for 22 years, directed two other camps (including Valley Mill Camp), and is on staff with Calleva's outdoor education programs.
Leah Vonderheide, Director of Programs
From her undergraduate work at Davidson College in North Carolina to her MA in Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, Leah’s coursework has included the study of French theatre, theatricality in film, and experimental film. During her summers at Davidson, Leah worked as a River Guide and Backcountry Trip Leader for Davidson’s outdoor orientation program, The Odyssey, leading groups of first-year students on whitewater sections of the French Broad River and backcountry sections of the Appalachian Trail. As a member of the coordinating committee for the Washington, DC International Film Festival, Leah recently organized Cinema for Seniors, a free screening that served over 300 senior citizens.
Toby Mulford, Associate Artistic Director
Toby holds an MFA in ensemble-based physical theater from the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater. He has also studied with Commedia dell'Arte master Antonio Fava and with faculty from the Moscow Art Theater School. He is a member of Faction of Fools, DC's only company dedicated specifically to Commedia dell'Arte. His play Crawdaddy was performed at the 2009 Festival of Animated Objects in Calgary, Canada. For TPE he has directed Carlo Gozzi’s Love for Three Oranges and Blue Monster, both of which were performed as part of the International Children’s Festival, hosted by Wolf Trap.