Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 35-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 36 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
In collaboration with the Producing Artistic Director, Robin (she/her) manages financial reporting to the board and funders, fundraising and grants, payroll, bookkeeping, and operations. Robin has worked in arts and nonprofit management for over 18 years. She served on the board of the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts from 2005-2015 and managed ArtSpace Herndon on a volunteer basis from the arts center’s launch in 2008 through 2012. She has worked for Traveling Players since 2015.
With a BA in Public Policy and Political Science from Duke University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Robin’s professional experience is in banking, marketing, strategic planning, and finance. In 2013, Robin was honored as one of three “Women in the Arts” by the Council for the Arts of Herndon and was recognized by the Town of Herndon with a Distinguished Service Award. She completed the Leadership Fairfax Lifetime Leadership Program in 2015. She has served on the Arts Education and the Teaching Artist Roster Panels for the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Robin’s mother Ruth was one of the first physical education (PE) teachers in the US, in addition to being a Girl Scout leader and camp director. Robin spent her youth in North Carolina exploring the outdoors with her family. The Ruthie Award, named in honor of Robin’s mother, is given out every summer to a residential camper and staffer who embodies Ruth’s spirit – boldly navigating the great outdoors while educating others to revel in our natural world.
Morgan (she/her) joined the Traveling Players community in 2007 as a student in the Thespian Ensemble and remembers well the days of being “a middle school theatre kid.” Today she is the Head of our middle school programs, fondly called our Thespian programs, teaching acting classes and directing plays throughout the year, including directing our Thespian Ensemble over the summer. This is her seventh year on staff. She spent six summers as a camper (Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes).
As the Director of Communications & Marketing, Morgan lets the community know about our programs and opportunities - as well as the ways the Traveling Players community can be a transformational experience and a touchstone for the rest of their lives.
Morgan has taught and developed new curricula for our community and middle school classes including Preparing a Role [Thespians] and Scene Study & Acting Technique [Thespians]. She co-developed and now leads our workshop “Embedded Bias in Classical Literature” (with Ryan Fields).
In 2022 she launched and now leads the Greater Washington Middle School Theatre Festival. This festival, hosted by Traveling Players, is exclusively for Middle School students and designed to help them connect and learn with peers from other schools while celebrating the joy of theater.
Recent Traveling Players directing credits include Carlo Gozzi's Green Bird, King Stag, and Blue Monster, Molière’s Tartuffe, The Odyssey by Gregory A. Falls & Kurt Beattie, PUFFS by Matt Cox, and The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, adapted to the stage by James DeVita. Previously, she served as our Assistant Director on Jane Eyre, The Learned Ladies, The Doctor In Spite of Himself, Tartuffe, Rumpelstiltskin, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Morgan also designs and constructs props for Traveling Players productions and mentors the Technical Theatre Apprentices during the academic year.
Other artistic work includes directing Mojo at Studio 115, and Assistant to the Director for Smile Lines at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, where she also worked in the box office for many years.
Emma (she/they) is the Head of our Elementary School Programs, teaching and directing our youngest students all year long, including our summer Mythology Ensemble. She is our Director of Programs and registrar, assisting families as they navigate the website and join the community. They started teaching with Traveling Players during the summer of 2019.
Growing up she was consumed by her love of Greek Mythology – reading whatever she could get her hands on. She studied Latin in school and even went to a Greek Mythology camp. She was also (and still is) a lover of the outdoors. From sleepaway camp to Girl Scouts, to white-water rafting, horseback riding, hiking, and high ropes courses, she loves adventuring in the great outdoors.
Her passion for theatre began with Musical Theatre – training in voice, dance, and even cello. Her interest in music and movement continues to inspire her directing. She loves creating rhythmic ensemble moments that allow students to work as a storytelling unit.
Through her time at Traveling Players, Emma has been lucky to direct three World Premieres written by our playwright-in-residence, Judith Walsh White: Eros & Psyche, Heracles, and Atalanta. Other Judy plays Emma has directed include Persephone, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire, as well as Alice in Wonderland by William Glennon.
She is currently directing Dracula: A Comic Thriller for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills winter festival. She also teaches Acting and Improv classes and is the lead teacher for our Girl Scout theatre badge program.
Previously, Emma was assistant director for Green Bird, Commedia Christmas Carol, King Stag, The Odyssey, Blue Monster, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire.
She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned her BA in Theatre.
Ryan (they/he) is the Co-Head of the High School Programs (with Jeanne Harrison), teaching year round and directing our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer. This is Ryan’s seventh year on staff. In addition to being a teaching artist, he is our Outreach Manager, connecting us with the local schools. He represented Traveling Players in ArtsFairfax's DEIA Cohort program in 2021-2.
Ryan’s a Traveling Players alum, and his closest friends remain those that he made as a high schooler performing Shakespeare with Traveling Players. He is a veteran of our Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes, and performed with Traveling Players at the Reston Multicultural Festival and the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap.
Ryan directs our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer, breathing new life into Shakespeare’s plays: As You Like It (their favorite play), Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Henry IV, Part 1 (Shakespeare’s first history that Traveling Players produced). Ryan has also been an assistant director on Commedia Christmas Carol, and Hecuba as well as working on earlier productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and Jack and Beans. Ryan is currently directing Jane Eyre for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills festival.
Ryan has developed new curricula for our community and high school classes, including Scene Study & Acting Technique, Preparing a Role, and Ryan's Playlist (an introduction to queer & female playwrights). They co-led two workshops: Embedded Bias in Classical Literature (with Morgan Shotwell) and Directing 101 (with Jeanne Harrison).
Ryan is a Muhlenberg College graduate in Theatre and English. While an undergraduate, Ryan starred in Allentown Public Theatre’s production of The Island by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona.
About to begin her eleventh summer at Traveling Players, Katie (she/her) has spent seven years as a student, plus four on faculty working with our Thespian Ensemble. She has assistant directed Moliere’s Doctor in Spite of Himself, Imaginary Invalid and Gozzi’s Blue Monster, all performed by our Thespian Ensemble. Since her first show in 2011, she has performed with the Thespian Ensemble, Shakespeare Ensemble, Shakespeare Troupe, and participated in the numerous classes offered throughout the academic year.
Katie is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts) with a BFA in Theatre with a minor in Education. Katie was selected to serve as Comedy Consultant for the VCU Undergraduate Research Grant Production of Noises Off. As such, she offered assistance in standup comedy, physical comedy, and hosted a Comedy Night Performance for the cast and community. She was the president of VCU’s student theatre, Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre and the team captain for the VCU house improv team.
Katie can’t wait to be at camp this summer! In fact, she is already planning all of the fun games and activities for her rehearsals!
Eleanor (she/her) is a Traveling Players alum and is excited to return for her second year on staff. She is a rising junior at Rice University, where she is studying bioengineering. Eleanor is involved with several student theatre groups and has joined the leadership team of the Rice Players, Houston’s oldest student-run theatre company. As an Academic Fellow at her residential college, she helps her peers through difficult classes like physics. Aside from school and theatre, Eleanor enjoys listening to music and doing jigsaw puzzles. Eleanor is looking forward to an amazing summer for everyone at camp!
Emma (they/she/he) is thrilled to be joining the Traveling Players team this summer! They are a junior at George Mason University, pursuing a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore & Mythology. As a kid, she used to write plays for her cousins to perform during summer break, and she is excited to be able to help bring a more refined theatre experience to the campers this summer. In his free time, Emma can be found working on his latest story idea, playing music, or organizing incredibly niche data in a color-coded spreadsheet for fun.
Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 35-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 36 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
This is Aurora's (she/her) first summer working with Traveling Players, and she is thrilled to be combining her love of theatre with her love of the outdoors! Aurora Fox is an actress and writer, who hails from a small town in Alaska. Despite her rural upbringing, Aurora had an early affinity for theatre, performing in one of her state’s only theatre programs since she was eight years old. At seventeen, Aurora packed up and moved to NYC, attending AMDA’s Conservatory, and then graduating Summa Cum Laude from The New School University. She is currently a theatre instructor for children in Brooklyn, and is an avid reader, biker, and dog-petter. Aurora is passionate about theatre equality, sharing the gift of performing with everyone.
Emma (she/her) is a recent graduate of Louisiana Tech University, and is beyond excited to spend this summer with the Traveling Players Ensemble. She is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, studying Stage Combat under Fight Master, Mark Guinn and Fight Director, Andrew Ray. Emma has been a part of Louisiana Tech University School of Theatre’s productions since she was 14 years old. Working not only as an actor but as Fight Capitan, Wardrobe Supervisor, House Manager, and many more. Outside of Theatre, Emma enjoys spending time with children, working as a Substitute teacher in Elementary Schools. She has served in multiple Leadership Positions including President of the Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega, Secretary of ACTS at Louisiana Tech University, and spent her Senior Year as a Freshman RA. Emma is looking forward to spending this summer with the Shakespeare Troupe and spending time with everyone at Traveling players.
Natalie Mullanaphy (she/her) is thrilled to spend her first summer with the Traveling Players as an assistant director. Natalie majored in theatre at Rowan University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in acting and directing in 2022. Natalie is excited to be working with Shakespeare’s classics and Greek plays because of their rich history in storytelling (and she loves a challenge.) Other theatre interests include capturing life in documentary theatre and devising her own work. A few of her interests outside of the performing arts world are natural history, working with animals, and being outdoors. During the rest of the year, Natalie is a school teacher sharing her love of storytelling with her students.
Casey (he/him) has choreographed fights for Traveling Players since 2006. He has served as fight director for more than 200 academic and professional productions, including the Folger Theatre, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Rorschach Theatre, Studio 2ndStage, and National Players. His work at universities includes American, Catholic, Gallaudet, and North Carolina School for the Arts. Casey has served on the faculty of Rapier Wit Studios in Toronto and the Paddy Crean Workshop as well as numerous regional workshops in the U.S. He is a company member with Rorschach Theatre, affiliated teaching artist with the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and regular presenter at the Folger Library. A Certified Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors, Casey has been a guest instructor for Fight Directors Canada and Nordic Stagefight Society. Holding a doctorate in theatre history, he has taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, Old Dominion University, and George Mason University. He now teaches at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Country.
Rae (he/they) is a 2022 graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre, and is thrilled to be returning to Traveling Players as an assistant director for the mythology ensembles! They have most often served as a lighting designer, designing five shows while at JMU. He has also performed in and co-created a student-devised work, Snack Time Nostalgia, along with a solo performance piece he wrote entitled, “Gender, I Barely Know Her!” While having experience in creating many kinds of theatre, they have always most enjoyed youth theatre. In their free time, they enjoy learning fun shark facts, perusing the LEGO website for the latest sets, and cheering on Ovechkin and the Capitals. He is ecstatic to meet this summer’s mythology ensembles!
Ryan (they/he) is the Co-Head of the High School Programs (with Jeanne Harrison), teaching year round and directing our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer. This is Ryan’s seventh year on staff. In addition to being a teaching artist, he is our Outreach Manager, connecting us with the local schools. He represented Traveling Players in ArtsFairfax's DEIA Cohort program in 2021-2.
Ryan’s a Traveling Players alum, and his closest friends remain those that he made as a high schooler performing Shakespeare with Traveling Players. He is a veteran of our Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes, and performed with Traveling Players at the Reston Multicultural Festival and the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap.
Ryan directs our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer, breathing new life into Shakespeare’s plays: As You Like It (their favorite play), Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Henry IV, Part 1 (Shakespeare’s first history that Traveling Players produced). Ryan has also been an assistant director on Commedia Christmas Carol, and Hecuba as well as working on earlier productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and Jack and Beans. Ryan is currently directing Jane Eyre for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills festival.
Ryan has developed new curricula for our community and high school classes, including Scene Study & Acting Technique, Preparing a Role, and Ryan's Playlist (an introduction to queer & female playwrights). They co-led two workshops: Embedded Bias in Classical Literature (with Morgan Shotwell) and Directing 101 (with Jeanne Harrison).
Ryan is a Muhlenberg College graduate in Theatre and English. While an undergraduate, Ryan starred in Allentown Public Theatre’s production of The Island by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona.
Ryan (she/they) is so excited to return for her second summer with Shakespeare Ensemble! She is a junior at Smith College where she studies Film and Archival Studies, works as a residential advisor, and directs/organizes student-led theater. Their obsession with Shakespeare started in high school when she directed Much Ado About Nothing with her friends and now she can’t stop thinking about these funny little plays. They also enjoy spending time outside, having visited many National Parks during her teenage years. Some other special interests include ghosts, tabletop roleplaying games, and obscure facts about prominent nobility of history.
Topher (he/him) is thrilled to be on the Shakespeare Ensemble team. This is his first summer working with Traveling Players Ensemble and he can’t wait to meet everyone! Topher is a Junior at William and Mary where he studies Theater and Psychology. He recently debuted as a director with a production of Gallathea at William and Mary. His favorite play is Henry V, and he would love to tell you about it. He was first introduced to Shakespeare when he read Henry V in first grade. His other interests include fencing and writing.
Morgan (she/her) joined the Traveling Players community in 2007 as a student in the Thespian Ensemble and remembers well the days of being “a middle school theatre kid.” Today she is the Head of our middle school programs, fondly called our Thespian programs, teaching acting classes and directing plays throughout the year, including directing our Thespian Ensemble over the summer. This is her seventh year on staff. She spent six summers as a camper (Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes).
As the Director of Communications & Marketing, Morgan lets the community know about our programs and opportunities - as well as the ways the Traveling Players community can be a transformational experience and a touchstone for the rest of their lives.
Morgan has taught and developed new curricula for our community and middle school classes including Preparing a Role [Thespians] and Scene Study & Acting Technique [Thespians]. She co-developed and now leads our workshop “Embedded Bias in Classical Literature” (with Ryan Fields).
In 2022 she launched and now leads the Greater Washington Middle School Theatre Festival. This festival, hosted by Traveling Players, is exclusively for Middle School students and designed to help them connect and learn with peers from other schools while celebrating the joy of theater.
Recent Traveling Players directing credits include Carlo Gozzi's Green Bird, King Stag, and Blue Monster, Molière’s Tartuffe, The Odyssey by Gregory A. Falls & Kurt Beattie, PUFFS by Matt Cox, and The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, adapted to the stage by James DeVita. Previously, she served as our Assistant Director on Jane Eyre, The Learned Ladies, The Doctor In Spite of Himself, Tartuffe, Rumpelstiltskin, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Morgan also designs and constructs props for Traveling Players productions and mentors the Technical Theatre Apprentices during the academic year.
Other artistic work includes directing Mojo at Studio 115, and Assistant to the Director for Smile Lines at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, where she also worked in the box office for many years.
About to begin her eleventh summer at Traveling Players, Katie (she/her) has spent seven years as a student, plus four on faculty working with our Thespian Ensemble. She has assistant directed Moliere’s Doctor in Spite of Himself, Imaginary Invalid and Gozzi’s Blue Monster, all performed by our Thespian Ensemble. Since her first show in 2011, she has performed with the Thespian Ensemble, Shakespeare Ensemble, Shakespeare Troupe, and participated in the numerous classes offered throughout the academic year.
Katie is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts) with a BFA in Theatre with a minor in Education. Katie was selected to serve as Comedy Consultant for the VCU Undergraduate Research Grant Production of Noises Off. As such, she offered assistance in standup comedy, physical comedy, and hosted a Comedy Night Performance for the cast and community. She was the president of VCU’s student theatre, Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre and the team captain for the VCU house improv team.
Katie can’t wait to be at camp this summer! In fact, she is already planning all of the fun games and activities for her rehearsals!
Jillian (she/her) is incredibly excited to be joining the Thespian Ensemble team for the second year. Jillian is currently attending American University, where she is studying Musical Theatre. This past year, Jillian was an understudy in Cabaret and performed in Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower. With Traveling Players, Jillian has been AD for the Thespian Ensemble last summer, and AD for Ariadne’s Thread in spring of 2022.
When not working on theatre, Jillian can be found painting, writing music, doing photography, or making TikToks for @travelingplayers
Can’t wait for another amazing year with the Traveling Players family!
Cayla (she/they) is so excited to be joining the team at the Traveling Players Ensemble. They recently finished the winter/spring tour with Missoula Children’s Theatre. She is a proud member of the NAACP, FRESHH Theatre Company, and a former member of the Kennedy Center Youth Council. In 2018 she won third place for her dramatic performance at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in San Antonio, Texas. In 2019 she won BroadwayCon Star to be Competition, placing first against twenty people. Her favorite show credits include Mama Euralie in Once on This Island, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Keyshawn in The Ties that Brake.
Traveling Players commissions original plays for the Mythology Ensembles from renowned DC-based educator and playwright Judith Walsh White (she/her). A student of ancient myth, she has written ten plays based in world mythology, including nine commissioned by Traveling Players: Pandora’s Fire, Perseus and the Rock Star, Monkey King, Atum’s Eye, Ariadne’s Thread: the Adventures of Theseus and the Minotaur, Persephone, Atalanta, Heracles, and Cupid & Psyche. Two of these were subsequently published by Theaterfolk, listing our first Mythology Ensemble as Original Cast, and have since received performances in Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Canada, the UK, and Gibraltar, as well as throughout the US, including The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville.
Judith is an award-winning teacher, playwright, poet, director, and actor specializing in ensemble-guided playwriting and work with young artists. Profiled in The Washingtonian in 1987 as one of DC’s ten best teachers, Judith taught drama and speech for over 20 years at the Holton-Arms School, where she trained Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She taught drama to Jeanne Harrison, Traveling Players’ Producing Artistic Director, starting at age 4, and served six years on Traveling Players’ board of directors. She mentored teachers through the Center for Inspired Teaching (run by Aleta Margolis, another of her former students). As an actor, her range has included Off-Broadway to dinner theatre. She did graduate work at Oberlin, American Conservatory Theatre (ACT), and as a Northwestern University Fellow. She was most recently directing at St. Patrick’s School.
Emma (she/they) is the Head of our Elementary School Programs, teaching and directing our youngest students all year long, including our summer Mythology Ensemble. She is our Director of Programs and registrar, assisting families as they navigate the website and join the community. They started teaching with Traveling Players during the summer of 2019.
Growing up she was consumed by her love of Greek Mythology – reading whatever she could get her hands on. She studied Latin in school and even went to a Greek Mythology camp. She was also (and still is) a lover of the outdoors. From sleepaway camp to Girl Scouts, to white-water rafting, horseback riding, hiking, and high ropes courses, she loves adventuring in the great outdoors.
Her passion for theatre began with Musical Theatre – training in voice, dance, and even cello. Her interest in music and movement continues to inspire her directing. She loves creating rhythmic ensemble moments that allow students to work as a storytelling unit.
Through her time at Traveling Players, Emma has been lucky to direct three World Premieres written by our playwright-in-residence, Judith Walsh White: Eros & Psyche, Heracles, and Atalanta. Other Judy plays Emma has directed include Persephone, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire, as well as Alice in Wonderland by William Glennon.
She is currently directing Dracula: A Comic Thriller for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills winter festival. She also teaches Acting and Improv classes and is the lead teacher for our Girl Scout theatre badge program.
Previously, Emma was assistant director for Green Bird, Commedia Christmas Carol, King Stag, The Odyssey, Blue Monster, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire.
She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned her BA in Theatre.
Rae (he/they) is a 2022 graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre, and is thrilled to be returning to Traveling Players as an assistant director for the mythology ensembles! They have most often served as a lighting designer, designing five shows while at JMU. He has also performed in and co-created a student-devised work, Snack Time Nostalgia, along with a solo performance piece he wrote entitled, “Gender, I Barely Know Her!” While having experience in creating many kinds of theatre, they have always most enjoyed youth theatre. In their free time, they enjoy learning fun shark facts, perusing the LEGO website for the latest sets, and cheering on Ovechkin and the Capitals. He is ecstatic to meet this summer’s mythology ensembles!
Nathan Sherwood Liang (he/him) is a composer, producer, and instrumentalist from San Francisco, CA. As a child, Nathan was influenced by the classical and jazz standards enjoyed by his family, and he began his musical education at age eight with the jazz pianist Ken French.
Studying jazz piano, and teaching himself trumpet, guitar, and mandolin with the help of friends and family, Nathan made his way through high school where he played in his school jazz band and studied music theory. Outside of school, Nathan’s jazz trio had regular gigs at a supper club (plus a few performances at other events in San Francisco), he also scored several independent films and plays and entered an original piece in an art competition for climate awareness (winning the Bowseat Judges Pick Award in 2020).
After high school, Nathan took a gap year and continued to develop his interest in scoring: composing original music for more films and plays, studying music theory, orchestration, and film scoring with Berklee and NYU, and embarking on a “100 days of composition” project on Instagram—where he wrote a short original orchestral piece every day for 100 days.
Now Nathan is majoring in music at Williams College in Massachusetts. He recently worked with a professor on a project funded by the National Science Foundation. He traveled to Ireland, where he recorded sounds of the coast and made The Storm Orchestra – virtual instruments created out of those recordings. Read more about it here. He continues to write and produce whenever he can, and is excited to keep learning about music! https://nathansherwoodliang.weebly.com/
Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 35-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 36 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
Casey (he/him) has choreographed fights for Traveling Players since 2006. He has served as fight director for more than 200 academic and professional productions, including the Folger Theatre, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Rorschach Theatre, Studio 2ndStage, and National Players. His work at universities includes American, Catholic, Gallaudet, and North Carolina School for the Arts. Casey has served on the faculty of Rapier Wit Studios in Toronto and the Paddy Crean Workshop as well as numerous regional workshops in the U.S. He is a company member with Rorschach Theatre, affiliated teaching artist with the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and regular presenter at the Folger Library. A Certified Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors, Casey has been a guest instructor for Fight Directors Canada and Nordic Stagefight Society. Holding a doctorate in theatre history, he has taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, Old Dominion University, and George Mason University. He now teaches at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Country.
Jenna (she/her) is a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where her studies focused on Costume Design and Construction, Dramaturgy, Fashion History, and Dramatic Literature. While at Sarah Lawrence, Jenna costumed multiple productions (including Disaster! The Musical, Everybody, and The Princess Bride Shadow Cast) and was employed for three years as the Costume Shop Manager. After graduating, she worked as the Costume Director for Kilmer Middle School’s production of Into the Woods Jr. Always eager to integrate her love of theatre with her love of history, Jenna has also worked on several projects researching and reproducing historical fashions. In addition to her loves of theatre and history, Jenna is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She grew up attending Camp Coles Trip, a much-beloved Girl Scout outdoor adventure sleep-away camp, and eventually spent three summers working there as a Unit Counselor and then Lifeguard and Windsurfing Instructor. This past Summer, Jenna spent three months living in London as a volunteer at Pax Lodge, one of the five world centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. While there, she led activities for Guides and Scouts as young as 6 and as old as 60, many of whom came from places as distant as Ghana and Taiwan. When not researching, sewing or Scouting, Jenna can be found engaging in general geekery with her sister, reading, baking, watching documentaries, and consuming copious amounts of tea.
Kansiny Nguyen (she/her) earned her BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts). With a passion for creativity and attention to detail, Kansiny approaches each project with a fresh perspective, blending her technical expertise with a unique artistic vision. Her designs reflect her individuality and showcase her dedication to the craft. During VCUarts, she honed her skills in garment construction, draping, patternmaking, tailoring, textile selection, fashion forecasting, fashion illustration, and 3D design.
Aside from the technicalities of design, she is also eager to explore the intersections between fashion and theatre, expanding her knowledge into costume design. She strives to become a better storyteller and admires designers who create collections with significant meaning. For her, buying a piece from such designers is akin to purchasing a chapter in their book. Therefore, costume design plays a crucial role in her creative journey. It allows her to delve deeper into the narrative. She believes that costumes hold the power to enhance characters, evoke emotions, and transport audiences into different worlds.
Beyond her work in fashion, Kansiny finds joy in painting and actively shares her passion by teaching illustrating skills to young students.
Sariah Roberts (she/her) is so excited to be working with Traveling Players this summer as head of the scene shop. Sariah earned her BA in Theatre Arts Studies with an emphasis in scenic design from Brigham Young University and is preparing for her MFA at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in the fall.
While at BYU Sariah was able to work in both the scene shop and the prop shop and act as lead painter on many of the main stage productions. She worked on 5 main stage productions as either stage manager and scenic designer such as North Star and Godspell. Sariah has also worked on 12 different student directed projects including her own that she directed: A Chorus Line.
When Sariah is not involved in theatre she loves reading, playing and watching DnD, making earrings, kayaking, and learning about art and other new things.
Languages other than English: Dutch
Elise Robertson (she/they) is excited to be designing for Romeo & Juliet this summer. This is Elise’s fifth year as a camper with Traveling Players and her eight show with them. They have previously had the opportunity to design the sets for Traveling Players' productions of Alice in Wonderland and Heracles. She has a passion for technical theater, and also enjoys history and English in school. They can always be found watching a documentary or reading. Elise will be attending NYU Tisch for technical theater following her time at Traveling Players this summer. Elise has been heavily involved with many productions at her school. They have had experience with everything from set designing, construction, stage managing, and sound board operation.
Sariah Roberts (she/her) is so excited to be working with Traveling Players this summer as head of the scene shop. Sariah earned her BA in Theatre Arts Studies with an emphasis in scenic design from Brigham Young University and is preparing for her MFA at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in the fall.
While at BYU Sariah was able to work in both the scene shop and the prop shop and act as lead painter on many of the main stage productions. She worked on 5 main stage productions as either stage manager and scenic designer such as North Star and Godspell. Sariah has also worked on 12 different student directed projects including her own that she directed: A Chorus Line.
When Sariah is not involved in theatre she loves reading, playing and watching DnD, making earrings, kayaking, and learning about art and other new things.
Languages other than English: Dutch
Sidney Martinez (she/they) is incredibly excited to be a part of the Traveling Players for the first time this summer! They recently graduated with a BA in Technical Theatre at Rider University. There she had the opportunity to study all aspects of technical theatre and have a stage management and scenic design concentration. Sidney also worked at Rider’s theatre department as a theatre technician in the props department. During their time at Rider, Sidney stage-managed multiple different types of productions in dance, comedy, and opera. She also scenic designed her school’s main stage productions of Polaroid Stories and Love and Information. In their free time, Sidney enjoys reading, doodling, playing Stardew Valley and rewatching Supernatural for the millionth time.
Languages other than English: Spanish
Jenna (she/her) is a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where her studies focused on Costume Design and Construction, Dramaturgy, Fashion History, and Dramatic Literature. While at Sarah Lawrence, Jenna costumed multiple productions (including Disaster! The Musical, Everybody, and The Princess Bride Shadow Cast) and was employed for three years as the Costume Shop Manager. After graduating, she worked as the Costume Director for Kilmer Middle School’s production of Into the Woods Jr. Always eager to integrate her love of theatre with her love of history, Jenna has also worked on several projects researching and reproducing historical fashions. In addition to her loves of theatre and history, Jenna is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She grew up attending Camp Coles Trip, a much-beloved Girl Scout outdoor adventure sleep-away camp, and eventually spent three summers working there as a Unit Counselor and then Lifeguard and Windsurfing Instructor. This past Summer, Jenna spent three months living in London as a volunteer at Pax Lodge, one of the five world centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. While there, she led activities for Guides and Scouts as young as 6 and as old as 60, many of whom came from places as distant as Ghana and Taiwan. When not researching, sewing or Scouting, Jenna can be found engaging in general geekery with her sister, reading, baking, watching documentaries, and consuming copious amounts of tea.
Kansiny Nguyen (she/her) earned her BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts). With a passion for creativity and attention to detail, Kansiny approaches each project with a fresh perspective, blending her technical expertise with a unique artistic vision. Her designs reflect her individuality and showcase her dedication to the craft. During VCUarts, she honed her skills in garment construction, draping, patternmaking, tailoring, textile selection, fashion forecasting, fashion illustration, and 3D design.
Aside from the technicalities of design, she is also eager to explore the intersections between fashion and theatre, expanding her knowledge into costume design. She strives to become a better storyteller and admires designers who create collections with significant meaning. For her, buying a piece from such designers is akin to purchasing a chapter in their book. Therefore, costume design plays a crucial role in her creative journey. It allows her to delve deeper into the narrative. She believes that costumes hold the power to enhance characters, evoke emotions, and transport audiences into different worlds.
Beyond her work in fashion, Kansiny finds joy in painting and actively shares her passion by teaching illustrating skills to young students.
Abigail (she/her) lives in Argentina. She is a certified Lifeguard and is currently working in open water, but also has experience in pools and rivers. During the year she trains and does life-saving competitions, which is a sport that practices rescue techniques. In her free time she usually goes kayaking & canoeing and she especially loves swimming. She has two cats and a dog – she is going to miss them a lot. She knows this summer is going to be amazing!
Languages other than English: Spanish
Ness (any pronouns) will be working their first summer at Traveling Players this year. They are a Junior at VCU, majoring in theatre performance with a minor in history. Ness loves reading, being outdoors, and animals. Last summer they did study abroad in Greece and would love to travel more in the future. They could talk all day about their favorite music and shows if you let them. They are so excited to go to camp!
Che Flory (they/them) is going into their senior year at North Dakota State University where they are pursuing a BFA in Performance and double minoring in Creative Writing and Literature. They are an actor, director, and writer with far too many projects going on at any given time, but that’s the way they like it. They love new work, classical work, and the circus. They are also the chair of Newfangled Theatre Company. They are an avid traveler, and they spend every bit of their free time with their nose in a book. This is their first year at camp, and they are excited to dive right in.
Marian Woodington (she/her) is a senior at James Madison University where she studies Vocal Music Education, and she is so excited to be back for her second year as a lodge leader at camp! She is a singer, song-writer, and musician who is in charge of the JMU Choirs YouTube Channel. Marian also has a great love for the outdoors and camping! She acted in some student-written and directed shows during high school, and has transferred a lot of what she learned into her solo performances. Marian has been a Dungeon Master for our D&D Improv, and is so excited to continue her time with Traveling Players to make some more wonderful memories at camp!
Rodrigo (he/him) is very excited about this summer’s camp! This will be his second summer with Traveling Players and he is beyond excited to be a part of making a fun and memorable summer for the kids! He is from Argentina and is currently working at a swimming pool and a primary school. His other interests are doing physical activity, sharing good times with the people around him, and being with his two dogs. He worked as a lifeguard in lakes, dams, and swimming pools. He is a certified lifeguard and physical education teacher.
Languages other than English: Spanish
Dave (he/him) is the owner/operator of MTR – Mobile Truck Repair based in Leesburg, VA. He has been a mechanic for over 40 years and has been with Traveling Players since 2014. Dave specializes in large diesel vehicles – he has a CDL, clears snow in the winter, and is a licensed vehicle inspector in VA. He cares a lot about his big purple friends out on the road – he checks to make sure they’re safe and even decks them out with “Curb Appeal.” He customized several of our buses, including putting chrome hubcaps on our beloved Ophelia.
Rachel (she/her) has been a Traveling Players staff member since 2007. She has directed the Shakespeare Ensemble since 2013, earning her the title of most experienced staffer on Skyline Drive (15 tours!). Over the years, Rachel has directed the Traveling Players’ Love’s Labour’s Lost, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Julius Caesar and The Merry Wives of Windsor, as well as assistant directed Twelfth Night, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Scala’s The Fake Madwoman.
As a performer, Rachel specializes in classical acting, improv, Commedia dell’Arte and clowning. She regularly appears locally with Faction of Fools Theatre Company and Dr. Dour & Peach. She holds a BA in Theater from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has also trained with Dodi Disanto, Antonio Fava, Washington Improv Theatre, Second City, iO, National Theater Institute, St. Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy and Staniewski Centre for Theatre Practices Gardzienice.
A lifelong lover of nature, Rachel enjoys hiking, back woods camping, and being in the rain. She holds NOLS Wilderness First Aid certification. She has a Commercial Drivers License and trains Traveling Players bus drivers. Rachel is an American Sign Language interpreter and a graduate of the Interpreter Training Program at the Community College of Baltimore County.
Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 35-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 36 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
Emma (she/they) is the Head of our Elementary School Programs, teaching and directing our youngest students all year long, including our summer Mythology Ensemble. She is our Director of Programs and registrar, assisting families as they navigate the website and join the community. They started teaching with Traveling Players during the summer of 2019.
Growing up she was consumed by her love of Greek Mythology – reading whatever she could get her hands on. She studied Latin in school and even went to a Greek Mythology camp. She was also (and still is) a lover of the outdoors. From sleepaway camp to Girl Scouts, to white-water rafting, horseback riding, hiking, and high ropes courses, she loves adventuring in the great outdoors.
Her passion for theatre began with Musical Theatre – training in voice, dance, and even cello. Her interest in music and movement continues to inspire her directing. She loves creating rhythmic ensemble moments that allow students to work as a storytelling unit.
Through her time at Traveling Players, Emma has been lucky to direct three World Premieres written by our playwright-in-residence, Judith Walsh White: Eros & Psyche, Heracles, and Atalanta. Other Judy plays Emma has directed include Persephone, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire, as well as Alice in Wonderland by William Glennon.
She is currently directing Dracula: A Comic Thriller for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills winter festival. She also teaches Acting and Improv classes and is the lead teacher for our Girl Scout theatre badge program.
Previously, Emma was assistant director for Green Bird, Commedia Christmas Carol, King Stag, The Odyssey, Blue Monster, Ariadne’s Thread, and Pandora’s Fire.
She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she earned her BA in Theatre.
About to begin her eleventh summer at Traveling Players, Katie (she/her) has spent seven years as a student, plus four on faculty working with our Thespian Ensemble. She has assistant directed Moliere’s Doctor in Spite of Himself, Imaginary Invalid and Gozzi’s Blue Monster, all performed by our Thespian Ensemble. Since her first show in 2011, she has performed with the Thespian Ensemble, Shakespeare Ensemble, Shakespeare Troupe, and participated in the numerous classes offered throughout the academic year.
Katie is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCUarts) with a BFA in Theatre with a minor in Education. Katie was selected to serve as Comedy Consultant for the VCU Undergraduate Research Grant Production of Noises Off. As such, she offered assistance in standup comedy, physical comedy, and hosted a Comedy Night Performance for the cast and community. She was the president of VCU’s student theatre, Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre and the team captain for the VCU house improv team.
Katie can’t wait to be at camp this summer! In fact, she is already planning all of the fun games and activities for her rehearsals!
Ryan (they/he) is the Co-Head of the High School Programs (with Jeanne Harrison), teaching year round and directing our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer. This is Ryan’s seventh year on staff. In addition to being a teaching artist, he is our Outreach Manager, connecting us with the local schools. He represented Traveling Players in ArtsFairfax's DEIA Cohort program in 2021-2.
Ryan’s a Traveling Players alum, and his closest friends remain those that he made as a high schooler performing Shakespeare with Traveling Players. He is a veteran of our Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes, and performed with Traveling Players at the Reston Multicultural Festival and the International Children’s Festival at Wolf Trap.
Ryan directs our Shakespeare Ensemble over the summer, breathing new life into Shakespeare’s plays: As You Like It (their favorite play), Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Henry IV, Part 1 (Shakespeare’s first history that Traveling Players produced). Ryan has also been an assistant director on Commedia Christmas Carol, and Hecuba as well as working on earlier productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and Jack and Beans. Ryan is currently directing Jane Eyre for Traveling Players Thrills & Chills festival.
Ryan has developed new curricula for our community and high school classes, including Scene Study & Acting Technique, Preparing a Role, and Ryan's Playlist (an introduction to queer & female playwrights). They co-led two workshops: Embedded Bias in Classical Literature (with Morgan Shotwell) and Directing 101 (with Jeanne Harrison).
Ryan is a Muhlenberg College graduate in Theatre and English. While an undergraduate, Ryan starred in Allentown Public Theatre’s production of The Island by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona.
A retired social worker with a focus on families and adolescents, Zena (she/her) brings expertise on childcare, risk management, and mandated reporting laws affecting childcare workers. She leads a Child Abuse Prevention workshop at Traveling Players’ summer staff orientation and remains on call to the staff as necessary. Zena is the proud parent of two former Traveling Players campers. Zena Carmel~Jessup has been with Traveling Players since the beginning — training our staff in child safety since 2003. Zena served on our Board of Directors for six years, including serving as our first Chair.
In her role as Outreach Specialist at REI, Rhonda facilitates community partnerships. On behalf of Traveling Players, she facilitates and deepens community partnerships (especially with parks and governmental organizations) and teaches Leave No Trace outdoor principles to Traveling Players staff and campers. She also advises on gear and can your backpack fitted perfectly. She is at the Tysons store, just a hop from the Traveling Players Studio, and loves to see Traveling Players families stop by to gear up for summer! Say, “Hi!” if you’re in there! Rhonda served on our Board of Directors for six years, including serving as Chair, and helmed our Nominations Committee for about a decade, welcoming new talent onto our board.
Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 35-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 36 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
Claire L. Tse (she/her) is a master diversity and leadership facilitator. She uses years of corporate experience to develop practical business workshops. Elements of cultural competence, context conflict resolution, and leadership mindset infuse her well-received presentations. Her current work involves identifying methods to overcome generational, racial, and gender biases so teams can develop both tactical and strategic successes.
Leah Block (she/her) is a rising junior at the University of Michigan. She is pursuing a BFA in Performance: Directing with a minor in Social Class and Inequality. Her most recent credits include assistant directing the University’s production of Antigone and assistant stage managing the University’s production of Hair. Some of her favorite projects have been acting in the Basement Arts devised production of SHE and collaborating on a student project of Simple Verses in Technicolor. She hopes to pursue a career that combines therapy and theatre into a program for underprivileged youth. This will be her first summer with Traveling Players and she is very excited to assistant teach the Acting Studio day camp.
Kennedi Roland (she/her) is a recent graduate from Shenandoah Conservatory. Originally from Springfield, VA, Kennedi has been pursuing her passion for theatre for over 10 years. Starting in middle school with aspirations of being an actor, Kennedi has been able to hone her acting skills throughout her undergraduate journey, while being able to explore and try her hand in directing, writing, choreographing and producing. In her time at Shenandoah, Kennedi has stepped up as Head Board Member of Hypnos Theatre and Performance Company, a completely student run theatre company that focuses on furthering inclusivity in terms of gender and diversity; In addition to being the President of “Shut Up, It’s Shakespeare!”, a student led group that produces two full length Shakespeare shows a year. This past semester Kennedi had been fortunate enough to direct Ntzoke Shange’s For Colored Girls and Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Kennedi continues to pursue a career as a theatre maker, she is not only excited to grow as an artist herself, but to open doors for the next generation of young artists to come in after her.
Hannah (she/her) is a Traveling Players alumna, having performed in Shakespeare Troupe. She is so excited to be starting her second summer as a Traveling Players staff member! By the summertime, she will have finished her first year at Muhlenberg College, where she studies Theatre with a concentration in acting. Additionally, she is a Creative Writing/Journalism and Italian Studies double minor. Hannah has performed in several dance and theatrical productions at Muhlenberg this past year. She is an active member of Muhlenberg’s Asian Student Association and the Muhlenberg Dance Association. Her passion for both performing arts and writing has lived with her for as long as she can remember. But when she isn’t dedicating time to creating, she enjoys listening to music, reading, or spending time with her miniature dachshund, Boy.
P.O. Box 1315
Great Falls, VA 22066
Traveling Players Studio
Tysons Corner Center – DL01
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102
