Act, Sing and Dance with us!
Spotlight Summer 2020
Camp sizes are limited and fill up quickly so register early!
Summer Camp Directors are highly regarded working musical theatre professionals. See bios below.
BRAND NEW VIRTUAL OFFERINGS!
Teen Virtual Musical Theatre Master Classes ~ Ages 12-18
Dates: June 15-25, weekdays, 9am-3pm
Fees: $450 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Spotlight MTA is thrilled to bring leading professionals of the stage and screen from Broadway, Los Angeles and Portland together for our first ever Virtual Summer Camp! Our camp will be comprised of focus workshops in many essential elements that every young actor should have experience with. It is perfectly suited for students looking to embrace their inner triple-threat while furthering their knowledge of acting methodology and practices that make for well rounded artists. Master Teaching Professionals from Broadway, Film, Television, Disney Parks and Regional Theatre will lead live, interactive, skills-based Master Classes in the subject areas listed below. Class size limited in order to allow for individual instruction.
Fees: $450 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Spotlight MTA is thrilled to bring leading professionals of the stage and screen from Broadway, Los Angeles and Portland together for our first ever Virtual Summer Camp! Our camp will be comprised of focus workshops in many essential elements that every young actor should have experience with. It is perfectly suited for students looking to embrace their inner triple-threat while furthering their knowledge of acting methodology and practices that make for well rounded artists. Master Teaching Professionals from Broadway, Film, Television, Disney Parks and Regional Theatre will lead live, interactive, skills-based Master Classes in the subject areas listed below. Class size limited in order to allow for individual instruction.
Sampling of Workshop Offerings and Master Teachers
for more details of individual artists; full bios are at bottom of page or click artist's name for external link
Hip Hop & Muscial Theatre Dance Deon Ridley (Broadway & National Tours, Las Vegas)
Voice-Over Study Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Broadway, Television, Disney Soundtracks)
Yoga, Meditation & Breathing for the Actor Robert Head (National Tours, Cruises, Regional, Yoga Instruction)
Singing Styles Jon Quesenberry (Regional, Original Compositions & Arrangements, Music Direction)
Uta Hagen Acting Technique & Singing Master Class Joe Abraham (Film, Television, National Tours, Regional, Author)
Meisner Acting Technique Caitlin Brooke (Regional, Film, Certified Yoga Instruction)
Character/Scene Study & Cold Reads Damien Lorton (International Performer, Producer, Artistic Director)
Acting the Song & Singing Master Class Christine Negherbon-Abraham (International & National Tours, Regional, Choreographer, Author)
Musical Theatre History Bryce Britton (University Musical Theatre Professor, Regional, Playwright)
Improvisation & Knowing Your Type Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Broadway & National Tours, Film, Television)
for more details of individual artists; full bios are at bottom of page or click artist's name for external link
Hip Hop & Muscial Theatre Dance Deon Ridley (Broadway & National Tours, Las Vegas)
Voice-Over Study Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Broadway, Television, Disney Soundtracks)
Yoga, Meditation & Breathing for the Actor Robert Head (National Tours, Cruises, Regional, Yoga Instruction)
Singing Styles Jon Quesenberry (Regional, Original Compositions & Arrangements, Music Direction)
Uta Hagen Acting Technique & Singing Master Class Joe Abraham (Film, Television, National Tours, Regional, Author)
Meisner Acting Technique Caitlin Brooke (Regional, Film, Certified Yoga Instruction)
Character/Scene Study & Cold Reads Damien Lorton (International Performer, Producer, Artistic Director)
Acting the Song & Singing Master Class Christine Negherbon-Abraham (International & National Tours, Regional, Choreographer, Author)
Musical Theatre History Bryce Britton (University Musical Theatre Professor, Regional, Playwright)
Improvisation & Knowing Your Type Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Broadway & National Tours, Film, Television)
"Make 'Em Laugh!" Virtual Musical Theatre Camp ~ Ages 8-11
Dates: July 20-24, weekdays, 9am-3pm
Fees: $300 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Instructors: Robert Head, Laura Bryan Birn, Nick Condon, Laila Murphy & Amber Kiara, full bios are at bottom of page
Laugh, learn and let loose in this fun, high energy, musical theatre virtual summer camp using comedic material to explore the gift of "timing". In the mornings, the focus will be on acting, singing and dancing with our afternoons consisting of two “further training” skill-based sessions. “On Camera Class” students will learn how to confidently audition for camera work in the Portland area. At the end of the day, we will work on our spontaneity and co-create in the moment during our "Intro to Improvisation" session. It's going to be a blast!
Fees: $300 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Instructors: Robert Head, Laura Bryan Birn, Nick Condon, Laila Murphy & Amber Kiara, full bios are at bottom of page
Laugh, learn and let loose in this fun, high energy, musical theatre virtual summer camp using comedic material to explore the gift of "timing". In the mornings, the focus will be on acting, singing and dancing with our afternoons consisting of two “further training” skill-based sessions. “On Camera Class” students will learn how to confidently audition for camera work in the Portland area. At the end of the day, we will work on our spontaneity and co-create in the moment during our "Intro to Improvisation" session. It's going to be a blast!
Musical Theatre Virtual* Intensive Camp Rock ~ Ages 8-13
Dates: July 20-30, weekdays 9am-3pm (Performance on Thursday, July 30 @ 12:30pm)
Director/Choreographer: Kristen Paige
Musical Director: Essie Canty Bertain
Fees: $475 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
A VIRTUAL* musical theatre intensive camp where students put on a musical production in two weeks! All campers will be cast in roles that provide them opportunities for growth in acting, singing and dancing. A teenage girl desperately wants to spend her summer in a rock camp, but the only way she can get in is by working in the kitchen. When a teen pop star overhears her singing, he sets out to find the girl behind the voice. Everyone has a moment in the spotlight in this high energy rock musical adventure! *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
Director/Choreographer: Kristen Paige
Musical Director: Essie Canty Bertain
Fees: $475 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
A VIRTUAL* musical theatre intensive camp where students put on a musical production in two weeks! All campers will be cast in roles that provide them opportunities for growth in acting, singing and dancing. A teenage girl desperately wants to spend her summer in a rock camp, but the only way she can get in is by working in the kitchen. When a teen pop star overhears her singing, he sets out to find the girl behind the voice. Everyone has a moment in the spotlight in this high energy rock musical adventure! *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
Musical Theatre VIRTUAL Instensive for Teens ~ Ages 14-18
Dates: July 20-30, weekdays 9am-3pm (Performance on Thursday, July 30 @ 2pm)
Director/Choreographer: Megan Smith
Musical Director: Adam Joseph Young
Fees: $475 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
This two-week VIRTUAL* musical theatre training intensive provides all cast members with opportunities for broadening their skills in acting, singing and dancing. Train with two of Portland's Top Musical Theatre Award Winning Professionals. *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
Director/Choreographer: Megan Smith
Musical Director: Adam Joseph Young
Fees: $475 – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
This two-week VIRTUAL* musical theatre training intensive provides all cast members with opportunities for broadening their skills in acting, singing and dancing. Train with two of Portland's Top Musical Theatre Award Winning Professionals. *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
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Musical Theatre Fun! ~ Ages 5-7
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Dates: July 27-30, 9am-12pm (Demo on Thursday, July 30 at 11:30am)
Director: Sean Powell
Fees: $185 - – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Sing, dance and act each day with this intro to musical theatre VIRTUAL* camp. Build confidence, develop skills and have fun while acting, singing and dancing to favorite Broadway tunes. Campers will make new friends while learning some fun songs and dances to share with their families at the end of the in person camp. *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
Director: Sean Powell
Fees: $185 - – due in full at time of registration, no refunds
Sing, dance and act each day with this intro to musical theatre VIRTUAL* camp. Build confidence, develop skills and have fun while acting, singing and dancing to favorite Broadway tunes. Campers will make new friends while learning some fun songs and dances to share with their families at the end of the in person camp. *It was our intention to hold this camp in person however circumstances deemed it unsafe so a virtual camp will be offered instead.
IN PERSON CAMP LOCATION
Christ Episcopal Church
1060 Chandler Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Have questions? Call Sara Kennedy Adams at 503-740-6088
Christ Episcopal Church
1060 Chandler Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Have questions? Call Sara Kennedy Adams at 503-740-6088
SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR BIOS
JOE ABRAHAM is a veteran performer and teacher who has been working in show business for nearly 20 years and is thrilled to continue the journey and share everything he can along the way. Broadway: Hairspray, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Tours/Regional: Shrek The Musical, CATS, Singin’ in the Rain, Young Frankenstein… among others. On television Joe has appeared in shows such as S.W.A.T., UnREAL, Revenge, Hart of Dixie, and the FX Mini Series American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson, and also made his feature film debut working with Clint Eastwood in Jersey Boys. You will also see Joe in the upcoming movie version of The Prom on Netflix. Joe is a long time teaching artist and when not on stage travels the country leading inspirational and motivational workshops for actors, singers, and dancers of all ages. www.TheThrivingArtists.com
DAMIEN LORTON is an actor, singer, director, producer and instructor. Damien found his passion for music at a very early age and by the time he was seven he was traveling the globe performing with the likes of Bob Hope, Art Linkletter, Phyllis Diller, Wayne Newton, Sarah Brightman and Luciano Pavarotti, to name a few. Damien and Nicole Cassesso co-founded One More Productions with the hope of creating and producing quality theater at a professional level and an affordable cost, making the arts accessible for everyone in the community. In 2008, One More Productions embraced the City of Garden Grove, CA, and the historic GEM Theater as its permanent home. Since co-founding One More Productions, Damien has produced and directed over 80 fully staged musicals, plays, new works, events and fundraisers, helping to raise over $200,000 for other non-profit organizations. One More Productions has teamed with community organizations such as The Speech and Language Development Center, The Rotary Club and The Orange County Imperial Court to host events and fundraisers for the organization’s various philanthropic causes as well as The City of Garden Grove to provide events for youth of the community. OMP has also teamed with the Garden Grove Unified School District to host educational field trips, knowing the importance of theater for children, not only as an outlet, but also as an educational tool. He has been honored with The LA Times Man of the Year Award, 101 Most Influential People by the Daily Pilot, The Paul Harris Fellow Award, The St. James Family Honors Award as well as being recognized by The City of Garden Grove in appreciation of significant contributions made to the community. Damien is also the 2020 Citizen of the Year and Americana Award Winner. Damien is also a mentor and vocal coach. In his time as an instructor he has seen over 40 of his students continue their passion at some of the top colleges and performing arts institutions throughout the country. He has students at Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, NYU, Stephens Woman’s College, Bentley University and Berklee College of Music in Boston, to name a few. He has students performing throughout the world on cruise ships, at major amusement parks and regional theaters across the US. He loves his connection and giving back to the younger generation thru music and art.
DEON RIDLEY has performed both on and off Broadway. His Broadway Credits includes A Christmas Carol starring Frank Langella at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and The Lion King. In 2001 Deon performed with the King of Pop Michael Jackson at Madison Square Garden along with a line of celebrities including Whitney Houston, Usher, Jill Scott, Mya, Missy Elliott, Monica, Al Jerau, Deborah Cox and Gloria Gaynor for Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Internationally Deon has performed in many shows including Cats in Hamburg, Germany and has been featured in shows throughout Europe and Asia. On tour Deon has been seen in shows such as Damn Yankees and Fame the Musical. In 2003 Deon was featured as leading dancer and dance captain for Grammy Award Winning singer Celine Dion in her Las Vegas premiere show called A New Day at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with Director Franco Dragone and Emmy award winning choreographer Mia Michaels. His most recent credits includes the world premiere of Secondhand Lions the Musical at 5th Ave Theatre in Seattle with Emmy award winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse and The Wiz at Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, Spamalot at the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. Deon was featured as a dancer for Netflix's hit series The Get Down and was also featured as a dancer for Weight Watchers commercial starring Ana Gesteyer.His work as a choreographer include having choreographed several music videos for recording artists in the entertainment industry and most recently Hairspray the Musical for Maltz Jupiter’s Conservatory for the Arts, Assistant Choreographer for NYU Tisch School for the Arts production of In the Heights,and Associate Choreographer for Meadow Brooks Theatre Production of Sistas the Musical in Rochester, Michigan. Deon has choreographed for events throughout Las Vegas with Marketing Entertainment Company Freestyle Xpressions choreographing for events such as opening night gala for Michael Jackson’s This Is It movie Premiere at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
RAYMOND JARAMILLO MCLEOD, Broadway veteran, appears courtesy of DrM Studios. Recently Mr. McLeod appeared as ‘Wreck' in the Tony Award winning production of "Wonderful Town". He has also worked in shows with such stars as Michael Crawford (Dance of the Vampires), Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti (Metropolitan and Los Angeles Operas), Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel(The Wild Party), Will Smith (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and Kristin Chenoweth and Hugh Jackman in On the 20th Century. Not to mention the 400 movie soundtracks...however, his daughters only know him from his work with Disney on the soundtracks Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Pocahontas and The Nightmare before Christmas. (You can also hear him at Disneyland with those Grim Grinning Ghosts and Yo Ho-ing with the Pirates).
TYRICK WILTEZ JONES has been in the entertainment business since he was 16 years old and has been fortunate to work as a performer, choreographer, and director. He was last seen on stage playing Jagwire in the US Tour of Bat Out of Hell. He is currently playing the role of Kent in Stick Fly at Michigan's Meadow Brook theatre, a production for which he is also assistant director. Broadway credits include: Howard in Finian’s Rainbow, Hairspray (for almost 4 years). Broadway National Touring credits include: Miss Saigon, Seussical, Fosse, and Show Boat. Regional credits include: Johnny Manhattan, Mom’s Gift w/Cindy Williams, Higher Education, The Wiz, Once On This Island, Witness Uganda, From My Hometown (WILDE Award), A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, Chicago, and many others. Other credits include: 60th Annual Grammy Awards 'Sam Smith Performance' (background singer), New York City Center ‘ENCORES!’: Finian’s Rainbow (Henry). Concert: PHISH 2011 New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden (featured singer/dancer), Mary Wilson of the Supremes Motown/Rock and Roll North America Tour (featured background singer), and US Premiere of Sacred Ellington starring Jessye Norman with the Carnegie Hall ‘HONOR’ Series. Tyrick has been featured in many readings/workshops in NYC and has made numerous film and television appearances throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Some Film Credits include: Back to Me (Independent Short), Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah & Dolly Parton as the Assistant Choreographer and Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine. Tyrick’s voice was heard singing background off-Broadway and around the world on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships in John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean.
Although Tyrick’s passion is Acting, he particularly enjoys working with young, up-and-coming performers.
CHRISTINE NEGHERBON-ABRAHAM recently appeared in The Little Mermaid, Oliver, Yankee Doodle Dandy & Mary Poppins (Associate Choreographer) at MTW! She also choreographed their production of Holiday Inn. Christine toured Nationally/Internationally with My Fair Lady (Eliza u/s), Best Little Whorehouse (Starring Ann-Margret), 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Chicago & The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Favorite regional credits include: Elizabeth (Young Frankenstein), Jennyanydots (Cats at The Muny/Sacramento Music), Mrs. Wilkinson (Billy Elliot). TV credits: Hart of Dixie, Haunting Evidence. Christine has directed and choreographed all over the United States. Select credits include: 42nd Street (Norris Theatre), Hairspray & White Christmas (Mac-Haydn Theatre), Billy Elliot (Alaska Center for Performing Arts) and Crazy for You, West Side Story, Cabaret (DeSales University). Christine is a Master Teacher Artist with both the Segerstrom Center and Center Theatre Group. She is on faculty at Studio School and Palos Verdes Performing Arts. She is Co-Founder/Author of www.TheThrivingArtists.com with husband and actor, Joe Abraham. They have 2 children and live in LA.
ROBERT HEAD is a NYC based musical theater performer and pianist, but was born and bred in the PNW. Portland area credits include Portland Center Stage (Fiddler on the Roof), Broadway Rose (Joseph, Hairspray, Plaid Tidings, Holiday Hit Parade), Lakewood (White Christmas), Northwest Children’s Theater (Seussical), Pixi Dust productions (Legally Blonde). Regionally Robert has performed at the Tuacahn Amphitheater (Utah), Mercury Summer stock (Ohio), Fingerlakes/MTF (New York). Additionally, Robert worked as a singer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in Saturday Night Fever and most recently Robert performed around the US and in Seoul, South Korea with the national tour of Something Rotten! (Ens/Nick&Nigel u.s).
JON QUESENBERRY is a music director, keyboardist, and vocal coach in Los Angeles, currently serving as music director for the new immersive production of Broadway's Rock of Ages: Hollywood. Favorite credits: "Burn the Floor", "Rock of Ages" (Norwegian Cruise Lines), "Fly By Night", "American Idiot" (Portland, OR). He is partly responsible for the 2017 Off-Broadway musical flop, “Matthew McConaughey Vs. the Devil”, serving as composer, co-lyricist, and music supervisor. Instagram: @_jonathanq
BRYCE BRITTON received his Master of Fine Arts degree in theater direction from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in directing from the University of Puget Sound. He is a Theatre Generalist with a specialty of Musical Theatre at Ohio University, Shepherd University, Penn State University and most recently created the BFA of Musical Theatre at West Virginia University. His extensive professional credits include Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT, Village Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Contemporary American Theatre Festival. With a passion for Original Theatre, he has worked on numerous new works with the Village Originals Festival and the Seaberry Quinn Playwriting Festival. He is an active member of Actor's Equity Association, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, was the recipient of the Milo Cline Award and was Volunteer of the Year at Hazelton Federal Penitentiary for his work with lifetime inmates creating a re-imagining rock opera version of Macbeth. Some of his favorite directorial credits include West Side Story, Pippin, Into the Woods, Extremities, Sleuth, The Dumb Waiter, The Grapes of Wrath, Humperdinck’s opera version of Hansel and Gretel, An Actor’s Nightmare, Sweet Charity, Spamalot, Kiss Me Kate, Eurydice, and Kurt Weil's opera Street Scene.
CAITLIN BROOKE, after 10+ years in NYC and LA, is now a Portland-based actor, musician, and instructor. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of California, Irvine, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein University. Recent work includes: Rose in Dogfight (San Francisco Playhouse), Paulina in The Winter’s Tale (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Clara in Passion (Claire Trevor Theatre), and Clytemnestra in The Electra Project (dir. Mihai Măniuțiu, Romanian National Theatre.)
LAURA BRYAN BIRN received her BFA in drama from the University of Southern California's acting conservatory program. She has also studied at the highly competitive and elite Northwestern University theatre program. It was shortly after her graduation that she made her television series debut on "The Young and the Restless." She played the role of Lynne Bassett, the perpetually love-sick-and-single secretary at Paul Williams Investigations, for 16 years on CBS-TV's number one daytime drama. It is a role that has garnered Laura an enormous and loyal following around the world. During off days from "Y&R," Laura has made time to appear in guest-starring roles in episodes of other series, movies of the week and feature films. In addition, she has amassed numerous theatre and commercial credits before and during her time at "Y&R." Laura is excited to have relocated to the Northwest, even with all the rain! She will be hands-on with students as the on camera class instructor. She brings to Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy and to all students a wealth of knowledge from her career thus far in the business of acting.
NICK CONDON has been improvising, teaching and coaching for over two decades. A Minneapolis native, he studied and performed at The Brave New Workshop,the country's longest running satirical comedy theatre. Since then he has performed in nearly every state. In 2006 he moved to Talkeetna, Alaska where he served as Creative Director of Denali Drama and Iditaprov. While in Alaska he produced, directed, taught, and performed all over the state. He moved to Portland in June of 2016 to teach, coach, and perform at Curious Comedy and Oregon Children’s Theater. He is currently a member several troupes in Portland including Bliss,Tire-swing, Pipes:The Improvised Musical, and Solitaire: The Improvised One Man, One Act Comedy.
AMBER KIARA is a New York based Actor from Portland, Oregon. In New York she has worked as an actor, singer, Runway model, Sketch Comedy writer/performer, and playwright. She has performed in venues like the Lunt Fontanne Theatre and Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with names such as Kristin Chenoweth, Randy Graff, Bebe Neuwirth, Mary Mitchell-Campbell, and more. Off the stage, she has directed several staged readings through the Oregon Children’s Theater Bully Plays Project, as well as one acts independently. Amber has written two musicals, one of which was produced in the Fertile Grounds 4X4=8 Festival, as well as working as a sketch comedy writer and performer for A Scene of New York in NYC. She also wrote, produced, and starred in a one woman show that managed to raise over $8,400 for the World Vision Organization. Amber has several on camera acting credits and served as PA for the short film Unfunny. She has taught musical theatre classes in both large classroom settings and private coaching sessions for children aged 4-14, and still volunteers as a teacher through ASTEP, an art-oriented charity organization run by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Amber was born in Singapore, and has lived in several countries and travelled extensively. She remains a Dual Citizen of the US and England.
LAILA MURPHY is a proud graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Flute Performance and Musical Theater. Most recently, Laila performed as Signora Naccarelli in Light in the Piazza with Mock’s Crest Productions. Other performance credits include; Eponine in Les Miserables with Broadway Rose Theatre, Erzulie in Once on This Island with Stumptown Stages, Fantine in Les Miserables with Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, Julie LaVerne in Showboat with Lakewood Theatre Company (OTAS Award for Best Supporting Musical Actress). She has also performed with The Portland Opera, Artists Repertory Theatre, Opera Company, and Anonymous Theater. She won first place for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Music Theater Competition in 2011. As a flutist Laila has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Broadway Across America, and continues to play in pit orchestras around town. She has been teaching voice, flute, and piano in the Greater Portland area for over 15 years and is THRILLED to be teaching at Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy!
ADAM JOSEPH YOUNG completed his BA in Music at Marylhurst University and plays/instructs piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar and bass, plus voice and music theory. While attending Marylhurst University, he performed in Gilbert and Sullivan light operas: The Pirate King (The Pirates of Penzance), The Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe), and Sergeant Meryl (The Yeoman of the Guard). He also played the role of Doctor Pangloss in Candide and the title role for Marylhurst University’s final production of Sweeney Todd. For 13 years, Adams served in the United States Army; Utah National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002. He has worked with supporting deaf and hard of hearing individuals, has served as a substitute teacher and is also a trained Choral Conductor. Currently, Adam works as a Piano Technician: repairing, restoring and tuning pianos. He has been Music Director for Stumptown Stages since May of 2018, and has lead Evita, Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown: The Musical (PAMTA nomination: Best Music Direction), West Side Story, and most recently worked with Spotlight students in productions of A Christmas Carol and Mamma Mia.
MEGAN SMITH is so excited to be returning to Spotlight for this year’s summer camp! A graduate of Central Washington University with a BFA in Musical Theatre Cum Laude, Megan works as a professional choreographer, performer, director and teaching artist. Upon graduation, she was hired as the resident choreographer and dance instructor for the Central BFA Musical Theatre Program and is now employed as the resident choreographer for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Megan has worked across the Northwest including Oregon Children’s Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Pixie Dust Productions, Seattle Musical Theatre, Leavenworth Summer Theatre, Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, Dance Fusion NW and Walt Disney World.
KRISTEN PAIGE has been teaching, performing, and choreographing for over 20 years. Raised in the Midwest, she obtained her Bachelor’s in Theatre from Truman State University in Missouri before heading to New York City where she performed Off-Broadway. She followed this up with a move to Los Angeles where she acted professionally, was a motion-capture artist for several animated television series, and taught theatre and dance. It was at this point Kristen fell in love with arts education - leading to 10 years as a high school drama instructor in LA. Kristen now brings that same energy and passion to Portland where she teaches theatre, music, and dance at several studios and choreographs for Oregon Children’s Theatre. She is honored and excited to be teaching at Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy.
ESSIE CANTY BERTAIN is a California native but has been happy to call the Pacific Northwest her home since 2011. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY. Essie has performed with several local theatre companies including Broadway Rose (Oklahoma!) and Beaverton Civic (Songs for a New World and Into the Woods) and most recently, she received a Portland Area Musical Theatre Award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as "Nina" in Stumptown's "In the Heights." Since moving to Portland, Essie has taught private voice and piano lessons, and finds no greater joy than teaching and watching her students learn, grow and succeed as performers.
SEAN POWELL received his BFA, and was a Presidential Scholar, in Theatre from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Sean performs professionally in musical theatre and has been seen locally on stage at Broadway Rose, Bag & Baggage, Post 5, Lakewood Center for the Arts, Live On Stage, and through Third Rail Repertory Theatre's Mentorship Program. He has previously directed summer camps for Spotlight and taught in the Little Stars program. Sean recently received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College and currently teaches Kindergarten in Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, WA. Sean is excited to return to Spotlight and can't wait to work with all the young budding performers!
DAMIEN LORTON is an actor, singer, director, producer and instructor. Damien found his passion for music at a very early age and by the time he was seven he was traveling the globe performing with the likes of Bob Hope, Art Linkletter, Phyllis Diller, Wayne Newton, Sarah Brightman and Luciano Pavarotti, to name a few. Damien and Nicole Cassesso co-founded One More Productions with the hope of creating and producing quality theater at a professional level and an affordable cost, making the arts accessible for everyone in the community. In 2008, One More Productions embraced the City of Garden Grove, CA, and the historic GEM Theater as its permanent home. Since co-founding One More Productions, Damien has produced and directed over 80 fully staged musicals, plays, new works, events and fundraisers, helping to raise over $200,000 for other non-profit organizations. One More Productions has teamed with community organizations such as The Speech and Language Development Center, The Rotary Club and The Orange County Imperial Court to host events and fundraisers for the organization’s various philanthropic causes as well as The City of Garden Grove to provide events for youth of the community. OMP has also teamed with the Garden Grove Unified School District to host educational field trips, knowing the importance of theater for children, not only as an outlet, but also as an educational tool. He has been honored with The LA Times Man of the Year Award, 101 Most Influential People by the Daily Pilot, The Paul Harris Fellow Award, The St. James Family Honors Award as well as being recognized by The City of Garden Grove in appreciation of significant contributions made to the community. Damien is also the 2020 Citizen of the Year and Americana Award Winner. Damien is also a mentor and vocal coach. In his time as an instructor he has seen over 40 of his students continue their passion at some of the top colleges and performing arts institutions throughout the country. He has students at Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, NYU, Stephens Woman’s College, Bentley University and Berklee College of Music in Boston, to name a few. He has students performing throughout the world on cruise ships, at major amusement parks and regional theaters across the US. He loves his connection and giving back to the younger generation thru music and art.
DEON RIDLEY has performed both on and off Broadway. His Broadway Credits includes A Christmas Carol starring Frank Langella at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden and The Lion King. In 2001 Deon performed with the King of Pop Michael Jackson at Madison Square Garden along with a line of celebrities including Whitney Houston, Usher, Jill Scott, Mya, Missy Elliott, Monica, Al Jerau, Deborah Cox and Gloria Gaynor for Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Internationally Deon has performed in many shows including Cats in Hamburg, Germany and has been featured in shows throughout Europe and Asia. On tour Deon has been seen in shows such as Damn Yankees and Fame the Musical. In 2003 Deon was featured as leading dancer and dance captain for Grammy Award Winning singer Celine Dion in her Las Vegas premiere show called A New Day at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with Director Franco Dragone and Emmy award winning choreographer Mia Michaels. His most recent credits includes the world premiere of Secondhand Lions the Musical at 5th Ave Theatre in Seattle with Emmy award winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse and The Wiz at Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, Spamalot at the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. Deon was featured as a dancer for Netflix's hit series The Get Down and was also featured as a dancer for Weight Watchers commercial starring Ana Gesteyer.His work as a choreographer include having choreographed several music videos for recording artists in the entertainment industry and most recently Hairspray the Musical for Maltz Jupiter’s Conservatory for the Arts, Assistant Choreographer for NYU Tisch School for the Arts production of In the Heights,and Associate Choreographer for Meadow Brooks Theatre Production of Sistas the Musical in Rochester, Michigan. Deon has choreographed for events throughout Las Vegas with Marketing Entertainment Company Freestyle Xpressions choreographing for events such as opening night gala for Michael Jackson’s This Is It movie Premiere at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
RAYMOND JARAMILLO MCLEOD, Broadway veteran, appears courtesy of DrM Studios. Recently Mr. McLeod appeared as ‘Wreck' in the Tony Award winning production of "Wonderful Town". He has also worked in shows with such stars as Michael Crawford (Dance of the Vampires), Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti (Metropolitan and Los Angeles Operas), Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel(The Wild Party), Will Smith (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and Kristin Chenoweth and Hugh Jackman in On the 20th Century. Not to mention the 400 movie soundtracks...however, his daughters only know him from his work with Disney on the soundtracks Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Pocahontas and The Nightmare before Christmas. (You can also hear him at Disneyland with those Grim Grinning Ghosts and Yo Ho-ing with the Pirates).
TYRICK WILTEZ JONES has been in the entertainment business since he was 16 years old and has been fortunate to work as a performer, choreographer, and director. He was last seen on stage playing Jagwire in the US Tour of Bat Out of Hell. He is currently playing the role of Kent in Stick Fly at Michigan's Meadow Brook theatre, a production for which he is also assistant director. Broadway credits include: Howard in Finian’s Rainbow, Hairspray (for almost 4 years). Broadway National Touring credits include: Miss Saigon, Seussical, Fosse, and Show Boat. Regional credits include: Johnny Manhattan, Mom’s Gift w/Cindy Williams, Higher Education, The Wiz, Once On This Island, Witness Uganda, From My Hometown (WILDE Award), A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, Chicago, and many others. Other credits include: 60th Annual Grammy Awards 'Sam Smith Performance' (background singer), New York City Center ‘ENCORES!’: Finian’s Rainbow (Henry). Concert: PHISH 2011 New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden (featured singer/dancer), Mary Wilson of the Supremes Motown/Rock and Roll North America Tour (featured background singer), and US Premiere of Sacred Ellington starring Jessye Norman with the Carnegie Hall ‘HONOR’ Series. Tyrick has been featured in many readings/workshops in NYC and has made numerous film and television appearances throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Some Film Credits include: Back to Me (Independent Short), Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah & Dolly Parton as the Assistant Choreographer and Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine. Tyrick’s voice was heard singing background off-Broadway and around the world on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships in John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean.
Although Tyrick’s passion is Acting, he particularly enjoys working with young, up-and-coming performers.
CHRISTINE NEGHERBON-ABRAHAM recently appeared in The Little Mermaid, Oliver, Yankee Doodle Dandy & Mary Poppins (Associate Choreographer) at MTW! She also choreographed their production of Holiday Inn. Christine toured Nationally/Internationally with My Fair Lady (Eliza u/s), Best Little Whorehouse (Starring Ann-Margret), 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Chicago & The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Favorite regional credits include: Elizabeth (Young Frankenstein), Jennyanydots (Cats at The Muny/Sacramento Music), Mrs. Wilkinson (Billy Elliot). TV credits: Hart of Dixie, Haunting Evidence. Christine has directed and choreographed all over the United States. Select credits include: 42nd Street (Norris Theatre), Hairspray & White Christmas (Mac-Haydn Theatre), Billy Elliot (Alaska Center for Performing Arts) and Crazy for You, West Side Story, Cabaret (DeSales University). Christine is a Master Teacher Artist with both the Segerstrom Center and Center Theatre Group. She is on faculty at Studio School and Palos Verdes Performing Arts. She is Co-Founder/Author of www.TheThrivingArtists.com with husband and actor, Joe Abraham. They have 2 children and live in LA.
ROBERT HEAD is a NYC based musical theater performer and pianist, but was born and bred in the PNW. Portland area credits include Portland Center Stage (Fiddler on the Roof), Broadway Rose (Joseph, Hairspray, Plaid Tidings, Holiday Hit Parade), Lakewood (White Christmas), Northwest Children’s Theater (Seussical), Pixi Dust productions (Legally Blonde). Regionally Robert has performed at the Tuacahn Amphitheater (Utah), Mercury Summer stock (Ohio), Fingerlakes/MTF (New York). Additionally, Robert worked as a singer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in Saturday Night Fever and most recently Robert performed around the US and in Seoul, South Korea with the national tour of Something Rotten! (Ens/Nick&Nigel u.s).
JON QUESENBERRY is a music director, keyboardist, and vocal coach in Los Angeles, currently serving as music director for the new immersive production of Broadway's Rock of Ages: Hollywood. Favorite credits: "Burn the Floor", "Rock of Ages" (Norwegian Cruise Lines), "Fly By Night", "American Idiot" (Portland, OR). He is partly responsible for the 2017 Off-Broadway musical flop, “Matthew McConaughey Vs. the Devil”, serving as composer, co-lyricist, and music supervisor. Instagram: @_jonathanq
BRYCE BRITTON received his Master of Fine Arts degree in theater direction from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in directing from the University of Puget Sound. He is a Theatre Generalist with a specialty of Musical Theatre at Ohio University, Shepherd University, Penn State University and most recently created the BFA of Musical Theatre at West Virginia University. His extensive professional credits include Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT, Village Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Contemporary American Theatre Festival. With a passion for Original Theatre, he has worked on numerous new works with the Village Originals Festival and the Seaberry Quinn Playwriting Festival. He is an active member of Actor's Equity Association, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, was the recipient of the Milo Cline Award and was Volunteer of the Year at Hazelton Federal Penitentiary for his work with lifetime inmates creating a re-imagining rock opera version of Macbeth. Some of his favorite directorial credits include West Side Story, Pippin, Into the Woods, Extremities, Sleuth, The Dumb Waiter, The Grapes of Wrath, Humperdinck’s opera version of Hansel and Gretel, An Actor’s Nightmare, Sweet Charity, Spamalot, Kiss Me Kate, Eurydice, and Kurt Weil's opera Street Scene.
CAITLIN BROOKE, after 10+ years in NYC and LA, is now a Portland-based actor, musician, and instructor. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of California, Irvine, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Otterbein University. Recent work includes: Rose in Dogfight (San Francisco Playhouse), Paulina in The Winter’s Tale (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Texas Shakespeare Festival), Clara in Passion (Claire Trevor Theatre), and Clytemnestra in The Electra Project (dir. Mihai Măniuțiu, Romanian National Theatre.)
LAURA BRYAN BIRN received her BFA in drama from the University of Southern California's acting conservatory program. She has also studied at the highly competitive and elite Northwestern University theatre program. It was shortly after her graduation that she made her television series debut on "The Young and the Restless." She played the role of Lynne Bassett, the perpetually love-sick-and-single secretary at Paul Williams Investigations, for 16 years on CBS-TV's number one daytime drama. It is a role that has garnered Laura an enormous and loyal following around the world. During off days from "Y&R," Laura has made time to appear in guest-starring roles in episodes of other series, movies of the week and feature films. In addition, she has amassed numerous theatre and commercial credits before and during her time at "Y&R." Laura is excited to have relocated to the Northwest, even with all the rain! She will be hands-on with students as the on camera class instructor. She brings to Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy and to all students a wealth of knowledge from her career thus far in the business of acting.
NICK CONDON has been improvising, teaching and coaching for over two decades. A Minneapolis native, he studied and performed at The Brave New Workshop,the country's longest running satirical comedy theatre. Since then he has performed in nearly every state. In 2006 he moved to Talkeetna, Alaska where he served as Creative Director of Denali Drama and Iditaprov. While in Alaska he produced, directed, taught, and performed all over the state. He moved to Portland in June of 2016 to teach, coach, and perform at Curious Comedy and Oregon Children’s Theater. He is currently a member several troupes in Portland including Bliss,Tire-swing, Pipes:The Improvised Musical, and Solitaire: The Improvised One Man, One Act Comedy.
AMBER KIARA is a New York based Actor from Portland, Oregon. In New York she has worked as an actor, singer, Runway model, Sketch Comedy writer/performer, and playwright. She has performed in venues like the Lunt Fontanne Theatre and Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with names such as Kristin Chenoweth, Randy Graff, Bebe Neuwirth, Mary Mitchell-Campbell, and more. Off the stage, she has directed several staged readings through the Oregon Children’s Theater Bully Plays Project, as well as one acts independently. Amber has written two musicals, one of which was produced in the Fertile Grounds 4X4=8 Festival, as well as working as a sketch comedy writer and performer for A Scene of New York in NYC. She also wrote, produced, and starred in a one woman show that managed to raise over $8,400 for the World Vision Organization. Amber has several on camera acting credits and served as PA for the short film Unfunny. She has taught musical theatre classes in both large classroom settings and private coaching sessions for children aged 4-14, and still volunteers as a teacher through ASTEP, an art-oriented charity organization run by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Amber was born in Singapore, and has lived in several countries and travelled extensively. She remains a Dual Citizen of the US and England.
LAILA MURPHY is a proud graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Flute Performance and Musical Theater. Most recently, Laila performed as Signora Naccarelli in Light in the Piazza with Mock’s Crest Productions. Other performance credits include; Eponine in Les Miserables with Broadway Rose Theatre, Erzulie in Once on This Island with Stumptown Stages, Fantine in Les Miserables with Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, Julie LaVerne in Showboat with Lakewood Theatre Company (OTAS Award for Best Supporting Musical Actress). She has also performed with The Portland Opera, Artists Repertory Theatre, Opera Company, and Anonymous Theater. She won first place for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Music Theater Competition in 2011. As a flutist Laila has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Broadway Across America, and continues to play in pit orchestras around town. She has been teaching voice, flute, and piano in the Greater Portland area for over 15 years and is THRILLED to be teaching at Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy!
ADAM JOSEPH YOUNG completed his BA in Music at Marylhurst University and plays/instructs piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar and bass, plus voice and music theory. While attending Marylhurst University, he performed in Gilbert and Sullivan light operas: The Pirate King (The Pirates of Penzance), The Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe), and Sergeant Meryl (The Yeoman of the Guard). He also played the role of Doctor Pangloss in Candide and the title role for Marylhurst University’s final production of Sweeney Todd. For 13 years, Adams served in the United States Army; Utah National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002. He has worked with supporting deaf and hard of hearing individuals, has served as a substitute teacher and is also a trained Choral Conductor. Currently, Adam works as a Piano Technician: repairing, restoring and tuning pianos. He has been Music Director for Stumptown Stages since May of 2018, and has lead Evita, Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown: The Musical (PAMTA nomination: Best Music Direction), West Side Story, and most recently worked with Spotlight students in productions of A Christmas Carol and Mamma Mia.
MEGAN SMITH is so excited to be returning to Spotlight for this year’s summer camp! A graduate of Central Washington University with a BFA in Musical Theatre Cum Laude, Megan works as a professional choreographer, performer, director and teaching artist. Upon graduation, she was hired as the resident choreographer and dance instructor for the Central BFA Musical Theatre Program and is now employed as the resident choreographer for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Megan has worked across the Northwest including Oregon Children’s Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Pixie Dust Productions, Seattle Musical Theatre, Leavenworth Summer Theatre, Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, Dance Fusion NW and Walt Disney World.
KRISTEN PAIGE has been teaching, performing, and choreographing for over 20 years. Raised in the Midwest, she obtained her Bachelor’s in Theatre from Truman State University in Missouri before heading to New York City where she performed Off-Broadway. She followed this up with a move to Los Angeles where she acted professionally, was a motion-capture artist for several animated television series, and taught theatre and dance. It was at this point Kristen fell in love with arts education - leading to 10 years as a high school drama instructor in LA. Kristen now brings that same energy and passion to Portland where she teaches theatre, music, and dance at several studios and choreographs for Oregon Children’s Theatre. She is honored and excited to be teaching at Spotlight Musical Theatre Academy.
ESSIE CANTY BERTAIN is a California native but has been happy to call the Pacific Northwest her home since 2011. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, CA and New York City, NY. Essie has performed with several local theatre companies including Broadway Rose (Oklahoma!) and Beaverton Civic (Songs for a New World and Into the Woods) and most recently, she received a Portland Area Musical Theatre Award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as "Nina" in Stumptown's "In the Heights." Since moving to Portland, Essie has taught private voice and piano lessons, and finds no greater joy than teaching and watching her students learn, grow and succeed as performers.
SEAN POWELL received his BFA, and was a Presidential Scholar, in Theatre from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where he trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Sean performs professionally in musical theatre and has been seen locally on stage at Broadway Rose, Bag & Baggage, Post 5, Lakewood Center for the Arts, Live On Stage, and through Third Rail Repertory Theatre's Mentorship Program. He has previously directed summer camps for Spotlight and taught in the Little Stars program. Sean recently received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College and currently teaches Kindergarten in Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, WA. Sean is excited to return to Spotlight and can't wait to work with all the young budding performers!