meet our centerstage SUMMER 2024 faculty
Tessa Awald - Choreographer, Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition and Heathers: Teen Edition
Tessa is thrilled to join Centerstage Theatre Company this summer as choreographer for Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition and Heathers: Teen Edition. She has performed professionally at BDT Stage, Lone Tree Arts Center, and Lakewood Cultural Center. She has been doing theatre since the age of 3 and continues to enjoy theatre (especially the choreography part). She represented Colorado at the state level as a Colorado State Thespian Officer for the 22'-23' school year where she advocated for arts education and more diversity in the arts across Colorado schools. Tessa was head choreographer for Monarch High School Theatre from 2021-2023. She choreographed all productions, including Mamma Mia! and The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson the Musical. She has studied choreography with Liz Kimball, a former Broadway performer. Tessa is currently a student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is currently teaching dance this summer at The Dance Front. She is enthusiastic to be part of the team to encourage all interested in theatre to discover their artistic gifts and watch every young performer find their special light and find joy in performing. 
Kelly Bidstrup Graham, Costume Design
Kelly holds a BA in Music from MSU Denver and an MA in Theatre from CU Boulder. A Jill of many trades, she is a music director, pianist, costumer, prop technician, puppeteer/puppet maker, artist, composer, performer and educator. In her career she has been a classroom teacher, artist, speaker, business owner, and participator in the gig economy. The common thread is making places better for having been a part, and making seemingly impossible things possible. 
Helen Campbell, Stage Manager, Bingo's Birthday
Helen (she/they) is a Colorado born and raised performer, director, stage manager, and choreographer. Recent highlights for her include directing the musical "BARE: A Pop Opera" at The Arts Hub and choreographing "Shrek Jr" at CenterStage Theatre Company. Some of their favorite past roles include performing as Heather Duke in Heathers, Peter/Boy in Peter and the Starcatcher, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Lavender in Matilda, and Grace Fryer in Radium Girls. With a passion for education, performance, and the power of the arts, Helen is thrilled to be working with the next generation as a part of the CenterStage team. 
Thor Cloninger, ASM Wizard of Oz
Thor is thrilled to be back at Centerstage as an Assistant Stage Manager! He has been performing all over Colorado since he was 11 years old, and is currently studying theater at Denver School of the Arts as a rising senior. Some of his favorite projects include: Newsies Jr. (Assistant Director), The Triangle Factory Fire Project (William Sheperd/Isaac Harris) The Bacchae (Dionysus) Abigail/1702 (John Brown)The Imaginary Invalid (Cleante), Little Shop of Horrors (Orin), Bright Star (Daddy Murphy/Stanford), Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), Frozen Jr. (Weselton), and Footloose (Ren McCormack) He has also been in a multitude of short films, including True North (Buddy) and Camp Douglass Fir (Bradley). He's also had the honor to work with the education center at the DCPA, performing as Theo in the original play Bridge by Patton Coughlin at the Colorado New Play Summit. He will be working for them this summer as a Teacher's Assistant. 
Fiona Cubillas, Stage Manager High School Musical Jr, Wizard of Oz YE
Fiona is in her third year at the University of Northern Colorado, where she is pursuing a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in CLD (cultural linguistic diversity). She has been involved with CenterStage/Tapestry Theatre since 2013 and is continually excited to be working with such a wonderful company. Previous stage managing credits with CenterStage include Be More Chill, Legally Blonde Jr., Shrek Jr., Cinderella, Fame Jr., Guys and Dolls Jr., Matilda Jr., Once Upon a Mattress, Music Man Jr., Newsies Jr., and Mean Girls Jr. She has also recently been seen onstage in Bright Star, Legally Blonde, and Cinderella. 
Molly Fickes, Choreographer, High School Muscial Jr
Molly is a Denver based actress, dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor. In the past few years, she has choreographed Fame Jr, Guys and Dolls Jr, Aristocats Kids, Music Man Jr, The Lion King Jr, and The Little Mermaid Jr. at CenterStage Theater Company. She has performed at various theaters in Colorado including Town Hall Arts Center, Miners Alley Playhouse, The Aurora Fox, Vintage Theater, and The Candlelight. Her favorite roles include Finch in Newsies, Little Sally in Urinetown, and Amy March in Little Women. Molly has experience doing and teaching a variety of dance styles, her favorite being musical theater jazz. She loves teaching kids because she has fond memories of growing up doing dance and theater, and hopes she can help build confidence in the next generation of performers! 
Cammie Kolber, Director, High School Musical Jr
Cammie began performing with CSTC in 2000, and has been involved ever since! She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Music Education (vocal) and currently teaches K-5 general music at Village East Elementary School. She began directing summer camps for CSTC in 2012 after being involved as a counselor, stage manager, and music director for camps and other CSTC productions in years prior. In 2013, Cammie toured with Up with People, where she performed throughout the US, Mexico, and Europe. Since her return she has performed in many theater productions in the area, continued her work directing CSTC summer camps, and music directed many of the Tapestry Theatre musicals. 
Kyle Lawrence, Director, Harry Potter Book 5
Kyle J. Lawrence (he/him) is a Denver based teaching artist and performer, versed in Shakespeare, musical theatre and modern drama. A product of the DCPA Education program, Kyle is a passionate believer in student centric practice, accessibility, and ensuring a safe and intellectually stimulating environment for each student. Kyle is thrilled to be joining the CenterStage faculty this Spring, and is looking forward to teaching and learning with the brilliant stars of tomorrow. 
Emily Norman, Director, Bingo's Birthday, Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter Book 6
Emily is a Louisville-based director, theatre practitioner, and educator. She has worked on many shows in different capacities, but her favorites include Cloud Tectonics (director), The Lock & Key Speakeasy (director), Antigone (Ismene), Beau Jest (Sarah), and the award-winning Death and Harry Houdini (SM). Emily holds an MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities from NYU and has studied Community-Engaged Theatre in Ireland and Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Emily has taught and directed theatre to young people from ECE to high school and has worked with DCPA, MACC, KidStage, and Watershed School. When not at the theater, you can find Emily putting her organizational and directorial skills to use as an event planner. |
Sierra Matz - Lead SM, Drowsy Chaperone Jr, ASM wizard, ASM/AD Harry Potter 6, ASM - Heathers, The Musical
Sierra (she/they) grew up performing in Colorado and is now attending the Clark Honors College at University of Oregon. Currently studying psychology with a minor in music, she’s very passionate about the importance of performance, education, and community. Sierra has loved participating in CenterStage performances, some of her favorites including Maureen in Rent, Chloe in Be More Chill, and Young Alice in Bright Star. Regional credits include Annie at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, Scrooge! at Candlelight Dinner Theatre, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Boulder Dinner Theatre. She is incredibly excited to work as an educator with the amazing staff and students at Centerstage! 
McKayla McDonough - Choreographer, Drowsy Chaperone Jr
McKayla is a veteran performer with credits ranging from Broadway National Tours, Norwegian Cruise Lines and The 5th Ave Theatre in Seattle; to numerous regional theatres across the Denver Metro including BDT Stage (Boulder’s Dinner Theatre) and The Arvada Center. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Musical Theatre from The University of Northern Colorado. McKayla draws inspiration in her choreography and classes from the multiple dance teachers and choreographers she’s worked with across the country and the world, from Broadway Dance Center in NYC to Cleo Parker Robinson in Denver. 
Michael Ryterski, Director, High School Musical Jr, Stage Manager, Heathers, The Musical
Michael is a Directing and Communications major at Pace University in New York City. He is thrilled to be working at Center Stage for his 7th consecutive summer. Michael has been active in New York City's theatre scene, creating devised ensemble pieces and collaborating with the Pace Musical Theatre program to Assistant Direct Big Fish. Recent performing projects also include: Bright Star (Jimmy Ray), Mamma Mia (Sky), Book of Revelations (Fate). Michael recognizes the importance of theatre and its ability to empower youth, he thanks you for supporting Center Stage Theatre Company. 
Arianna Snow, Bingo's Birthday
Arianna is a longtime CenterStage alumni both on and off the stage. She specializes in working musically with children between the ages of 0 and 6. Professional CSTC credits include The Addams Family (director / musical director), Frozen Jr. (director / musical director), Crescendolls Jazz Choir (musical director), Into the Woods (stage manager) and Tapestry Theatre’s Once Upon a Mattress (musical director). After studying musical theatre at the University of Northern Colorado for 3 years, Arianna switched majors and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Arianna finds the biggest joy in getting to make music with the youngest of us. 
Melissa Williams, Director, The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. An active performer and teacher in Colorado, Melissa is at home in front of the footlights as an actor or working backstage as a director, stage manager, or set & prop designer. Melissa has directed over 20 productions at Centerstage Theatre Company in the last 10 years. She also teaches a busy private vocal studio - South Boulder Vocal Studio. Some favorite directing projects include Avenue Q, Into the Woods, Bright Star, Next to Normal and a filmed version of She Kills Monsters to name a few. Melissa thrives on “thinking outside box” when it comes to theatrical spaces and productions. An advocate for arts education as well as a certified intimacy director, Melissa believes in the power of the performing arts in developing people's confidence, creativity and sense of community. When not teaching or directing, you can find Melissa performing on the stages around Colorado and beyond.
Zoe Wiley, Stage Manager, Harry Potter 5 & 6, Assist. Choreographer, Drowsy Chaperone
Zoe is thrilled to be back on the CenterStage team as stage manager for the Harry Potters and assistant choreographer for Drowsy Chaperone. She's been performing since 4 years old and loves sharing the joy of storyelling with other kids starting their theatre experience! To further this passion, she worked to promote diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity in Colorado theatre as a Colorado State thespian Officer during the 23'-24' school year. Zoe was also head of choreography and set painting during her time at monarch high school, helping her explore the tech side of theatre to supplement her love for acting. She has been dancing with multiple studios for many years and her favorite styles are hip-hop, contemporary, and swing! This fall Zoe will be persuing an Acting BFA at UNC Greeley. She hopes to be able to help kids discover their love for theatre and dance as well as the magic of storytelling this summer! 
Steve Wilson, Director, Harry Potter Book 5 (also CSTC Executive Artistic Director)
Steve has been administrating, directing, teaching and performing in Colorado for over 30 years. Deeply dedicated to arts education, he joined the CenterStage/Tapestry team as Executive Artistic Director in August 2021. He holds an MFA degree in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory (part of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts) and a BFA degree in drama from the University of Southern California. As theatre director recent credits include: Matilda and Newsies (Town Hall Arts Center), The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong (Vintage Theatre Company), Crazy for You, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Sound of Music (Candlelight Dinner Playhouse), Fiddler on the Roof (Ovation West) and An Ideal Husband (The Naples Players). He garnered awards for “Best Director” from both the Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera as well as four Henry Awards (Colorado’s Tony Award) for “Best Direction of a Musical” for his productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Urinetown, Man of LaMancha and Beauty & the Beast for PHAMALY Theatre Company. Steve also received a Denver Post Ovation award as “Best Director of a Musical” for PHAMALY’s Joseph... and Side Show as well as a “Best of Westword” award for “Best Direction of a Musical” for PHAMALY’s Beauty and the Beast. In addition, he was the recipient of the 2014 “True West Theatre Person of the Year” award. For 14 years he served as the Artistic Director of PHAMALY where directing credits included Grand Hotel, Damn Yankees, Once Upon a Mattress, The Pajama Game, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Our Town, How to Succeed, Little Shop of Horrors, The Elephant Man, Fiddler on the Roof, It’s A Wonderful Life and Annie. Additionally Steve has directed: Poignant Irritations (world premiere and winner of “Best New Play”), The Sisters Rosensweig and The Cradle Will Rock (Mizel Center); over 30 major productions for the Wolf Theatre Academy; Chinglish (Aurora Fox Arts Center); Cyrano de Bergerac (Compass Theatre Company); Androcles and the Lion, The Prince and the Pauper, The Last Paving Stone, Tomato Plant Girl, The Snow Queen, Art Dog, The Jungle Book and Sleeping Beauty (Denver Children’s Theatre); Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors (Bug Theatre); Oliver! (Town Hall Arts Center) and Twelfth Night (The Theatre Group). |