Joni Martin

JONI MARTIN, Artistic Director


Joni Martin has been a long-time theater artist and performed extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in Dramatic Arts from U.C. Berkeley and also studied with the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco. She first became involved with children's theater over 20 years ago when she joined The Jolly Orange Company, a nonprofit theater company specializing in educational theater for primary grades. Locally, Ms. Joni has directed productions for the Trilogy School of Performing Arts, the Ela Theater Company, Lake Zurich School District 95, and local area churches.


RECENT DIRECTING CREDITS:
Shoemaker and the Elves, 2009, Cinderella, 2009 AristoCats, 2008 Hansel and Gretel, 2008 Pied Piper, the Musical, 2007 Christmas Presence, 2006 Captain Bree and Her Lady Pirates, 2006 Willy Wonka, 2005 Out Of Tune, 2004 Believe!, 2003 Snow White and Rose Red, 2000

Kate Zwiefelhofer

KATE ZWIEFELHOFER, Musical Director


Kate Zwiefelhofer holds a B.A.degree from Wheaton College with a Theater emphasis and a minor in Vocal Performance. She has taught drama and music with Only A Stage, Christian Youth Theater (CYT), and JuMP Company (Junior Musical Playhouse). She has performed in numerous productions in the Chicago area and has over 10 years experience directing musical theater. For the past 9 years, she has also developed and directed a Summer Fine Arts Camp, introducing children to the world of Fine Arts. Kate is currently Musical Director for Young Actor’s Studio Chicago, as well as, a private voice and piano teacher.


RECENT DIRECTING CREDITS:
Shoemaker and the Elves, 2009, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, 2009
The Lemonade Kid, 2008
David Rock, Goliath Roll, 2006
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, 2004
Little Shop of Horrors, 2002
Leave a Light On, 2001
Roger & Hammerstein's Cinderella, 2000


Mandy Skinner

MANDY SKINNER, Choreographer


Mandy Skinner has been dancing since the age of 11. She studied tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and modern dance at her family's dance studio, JEM Studios, for seven years and danced competitively for five years, winning many top awards. Mandy has also been teaching dance for the past eight years and has been an instructor at JEM Studios, Trilogy Dance, Ela Theater Company, and Young Actor's Studio Chicago. Mandy holds a B.A. from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Marketing Communications and a concentration in Public Relations. She also studied modern, ballet, and jazz and performed in several dance shows during her time at Columbia. Mandy is thrilled to now be able to share her passion for dance and the arts with the many talented people at YASC.


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ANNE MORROW, Ph.D., Board of Directors


Dr. Morrow holds a degree in Educational Administration from Stanford University. She is a longtime patron of the arts and has been responsible for fund-raising for various cultural arts projects, including restoration of the historic Napa Valley Opera House and funding the Lincoln Theater. Dr. Morrow is a longtime teacher of English and foreign languages to children at the secondary level. She is currently acting Fund-raiser Chair and Educational Advisor to Young Actor’s Studio Chicago. She resides with her husband in Lake Barrington. They have four daughters and ten grandchildren.