Genevieve is thrilled to be back at NCT where she started her teaching career over a decade ago! She graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Education. Her experience includes Nashville Children’s Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Lexington Children’s Theatre, and Kaiser’s Room, a non-profit in NYC that teaches theater to students with developmental disabilities. With her passion for working in the arts with young people, Genevieve loves jumping into their imaginations to create new worlds, make connections, and tell stories.

Eve Petty is a Nashville-based theatre artist. Though a Tennessee native, she moved to Nashville to pursue an education in acting at Belmont University. In school, she discovered her passion for stage combat and theatre for young audiences. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance and Directing. Her artistic interests include new works, performance art, combat choreography, and theatre by/ for young artists. Eve is currently working with Nashville Children’s Theatre as a Teaching Artist and with other local theatre companies in various capacities. Eve loves performing just as much as she loves working behind the scenes and contributing to the creative process of local productions.

Gerold Oliver is a proud Nashville native who has been teaching theatre for seven years. He has been seen on stages around Middle TN including Studio Tenn (It’s A Wonderful Life Radio Play), Nashville Repertory Theatre (Pipeline, Shakespeare in Love), Nashville Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, Jitney), Chaffins Barn (Sister Act, Newsies), and Nashville Children’s Theatre (Ghost, Pete the Cat, Wizard of Oz, Diary of Anne Frank).

Luke McGuire is a Nashville-based actor who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Performance. During his time at MTSU, Luke discovered his passion for theatre for young audiences through performances designed for children, including sensory-friendly shows. He was also a member of the Story Bandits, a group of actors at MTSU who performed stories written by children, encouraging young audiences to engage in creative writing. Luke has been a part of the education team since 2021 and is excited to teach and inspire a love of theatre in children.

Derek Whittaker, a native of Nashville, has performed professionally for just over twenty-five years. He holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from UT Knoxville, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from MTSU (where he is currently an Adjunct Theatre Professor). Derek is fortunate to have performed and directed both around the country and around the world. Closer to home, his work has been seen onstage at Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Studio Tenn, and Chaffin’s Barn. As a child, Derek saw his first show at NCT and even trained here briefly under local legend Ruth Sweet. He considers himself very lucky to be a part of the NCT family – sharing the magic of live theatre and encouraging young artists to think, feel, live, laugh and grow!

Eric D. Pasto-Crosby is proudly a native of Nashville, but he graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.F.A. in performance. He has performed with: Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Studio Tenn, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Stage One, Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, and People’s Branch Theatre. A loyal member of the Society of American Fight Directors and a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

Chad Parsons hails from Philadelphia, PA and is a Theatre Artist who has attended West Chester University where he received his BA in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre. After graduation, Chad pursued his career as a professional actor, he has had the opportunity to perform at/with Norwegian Cruise Lines, Walnut Street Theatre, Fulton Opera House, Media Theatre and OCTC to name a few. Chad is a two time Barrymore Award Nominee for his work in Fiddler on The Roof and Joseph . . Dreamcoat. After years of performing Chad turned to education and directing. Chad has directed over 25 productions with children and recently has been directing professional actors in such shows as Wizard of Oz, James and the Giant Peach and Fiddler On The Roof. Chad is excited to join the NCT family and will be going back to the classroom himself in August to gain his MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from UNCG.

Cameron L. Mitchell is an international artist known for his transformative storytelling. Cameron is starring in the movie “Dating My Past” that premiered internationally in Curacao and is out on streaming platforms. An award-winning actor, Cameron is known for his role as Corey Maxson in “Fences” (Nashville Rep) which received the award for Best Contemporary Drama, and the role of Sunny in “Ghost” Based on the book by Jason Reynolds at the Nashville Children’s theater. As a speaker he has presented for: Disney, Legacy Foundation in Japan, Nafasi Art Space in Tanzania, and PBS among others. Honored as a Poet Laureate, Cameron has been mentoring youth as a teaching artist for ten years and continues to make strides to inspire the next generation.

IG: @Camspeaks1

Becky Pierce is thrilled to be teaching for Nashville Children’s Theatre! A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Becky holds a BFA in Theatre performance and an MA in Humanities/Theatre from the University of Louisville. Prior to moving to the Nashville area in 2020, Becky was a teaching artist for Stage One Family Theatre teaching camps, classroom residencies, and with the Disney Musicals in the Schools program. She also taught Theatre at Jefferson Community and Technical College and has taught both middle and high school theatre for Walden School and middle school music for Louisville Collegiate School. Teaching theatre to young people is inspiring and leading them to learn self expression and confidence is extremely rewarding!

James Rudolph II has been a professional performer for over 15 years and has been on stages all around town and abroad. A Nashville native himself, James grew up coming to this theatre as a child and being able to now pass the magic on as an adult is an honor and a privilege he doesn’t take lightly. Favorite NCT performances include: Lahdalord (James and the Giant Peach), The Cat (Einstein is a Dummy), The Snail (A Year With Frog & Toad), Man In Suit (Dragons Love Tacos), and Uncle Homer & Sheep (Charlotte’s Web). In addition to performing and teaching James is working on a degree in music, sharpening his skills in violin, piano, and trombone.

Joe Mobley, originally from Kennett, Missouri, graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance from Belmont University in 2019. He is a Board Member of Verge Theater in Nashville and a member of the Gnu Tales improv team. He is excited for his first summer teaching at NCT after being an intern there in the summers of 2018 and 2019.

Jon Royal is a professional director, teaching artist, and actor with extensive experience in arts education and program development for Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and many others. Jon has also taught in partnership with the Vanderbilt University Kennedy Center’s TRIAD camp for kids on the autism spectrum. Jon holds a BA in Theatre from Middle Tennessee State University.

Kara Y. Kindall is a Theatre Artist, Educator, and Arts Leader from Nashville, Tennessee. She serves as the Coordinator of the Performing Arts for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.  Previously she served as a Consulting Teacher of the Related Arts for Clarksville Montgomery County Schools (2019 – 2024) and as Theatre Chair at Nashville School of the Arts (2006-2018).  She received a BS in English and Theatre from Austin Peay State University, an MFA in Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and an MA in Teaching from Trevecca University. She works as a consulting teacher, teaching artist, director, producer, actor and commissioned playwright.  Past collaborations include the Found Movement Ensemble, TM Productions, Theater Bug, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and The Radicle: An Artist Collective.

Trey Smith is new to NCT and very excited to be here! He is originally from Abilene, TX where he received a BFA in Acting from Hardin-Simmons University. Teaching experience includes Kids Camp/Theatre Workshop at Starlight Mountain Theatre and Beginner Tap at Dance Discovery Studios.

Nick is a Nashville-based actor and educator originally from Boston. He earned his B.A. in Theatre from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he studied as a recipient of a Fellowship in the Arts. Nick has worked onstage with prominent Nashville companies including the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Repertory Theatre, and here at the Nashville Children’s Theatre. He has performed in multiple productions of Nashville Shakes’ Education Experience Tour, bringing live theatre and workshops to students across the region. Nick is thrilled to continue this work alongside the amazing students and artists here at NCT!

Abigail McCurdy is a director, writer, and designer originally from Fort Worth, TX and currently based in Nashville, TN. She is a recent graduate of Belmont University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing. Her theatrical pursuits include devised theatre, experimental movement composition, symbolistic scenography, Theatre of the Absurd, and all things ensemble-focused. Beyond Nashville Children’s Theatre, Abigail has collaborated with Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Actor’s Bridge Ensemble, Circle Players, and other companies across the south. She believes that playfulness is the heart of discovery, and that prioritizing vulnerability and honesty in creative spaces is the first step toward better things. Abigail encourages artists and audiences alike to embrace discomfort and relentless self-reflection.

Harlequine Clay is a Wilson County–based teaching artist and arts educator. She holds a degree in Music Education from Fisk University and is the founder of Creative Hearts Collective in Lebanon, Tennessee, where she teaches music, movement, and creative arts to children and families. Harlequine is passionate about nurturing creativity, confidence, and expression in young artists and is excited to support students at Nashville Children’s Theatre as a substitute teaching artist.

Matthew Marcus is a composer, performer, music director, and theater educator originally from Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2025 with a major in computer science and a minor in music composition. During his time at Vanderbilt, he was a music director and actor for the student organization Vanderbilt Off-Broadway. He is so excited to be joining NCT as a teaching artist! Outside of NCT, Matthew is a musical theater and programming teacher at The Curve, a homeschool enrichment program, and a music director for the Williamson County Parks & Rec Children’s Theater.

Charlie Alexander Clay III began his professional acting career at age 14 with Storling Dance Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, performing for three years in their acclaimed production, The Underground. Since then, he has appeared in numerous theater productions, including Puffs (Pacific Okinawa Players, 2023), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Audience of One, 2024), and Sister Act (Cumberland University, 2025).
Charlie is the founder of Clay Channel Productions and co-starred in his original short film, Digital Deputy. Passionate about inspiring the next generation, he is dedicated to helping young artists build confidence, creativity, and strong storytelling skills. Charlie is deeply grateful to God and to the amazing team at Nashville Children’s Theatre for the opportunity to encourage and equip emerging talent.

Stokeley Ellison, “Teacher Stokeley,”  is excited to be a teaching artist at NCT after being a Teaching Artistry Intern this past summer! She has had the pleasure of working with young people for the last 5 years in different spaces, and now is thrilled to be combining her teaching experience and theatre experience. Stokeley discovered her love for TYA after touring South Florida with Florida Studio Theatre’s show, Playwriting Is Your Superpower! This show allowed her to teach elementary students how to write plays and be confident in their works! She believes theatre is for any and all and brings us all together! 

Caton Taylor is an artistic multihyphenate and teaching artist. Originally from Murfreesboro, she moved to Chattanooga to pursue a BA in Theatre: Performance, where she appeared onstage and behind the scenes of many local theaters. She’s also a proud alum of Shakespeare and Company’s Summer Shakespeare Intensive, which first sparked her interest in theatre education. Caton first came to NCT as an intern in 2025, and she’s absolutely thrilled to be joining this incredible group of teaching artists. 

Juliane was born and raised in Germany, where she graduated in acting at the ‘Fritz-Kirchhoff-School Berlin’ before she moved to Nashville. She worked as an actress for the children’s tour theater ‘Wackelzahn Hamburg’ and as a co-director for the ‘Keller Theater Hamburg’. She studied cultural science at the ‘Distance University Hagen’, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2024. Juliane worked as an actress for the American Immersion Theater, Nashville, and as a teacher for German and Theater at the German School Manhattan, in NYC. She is happy to continue her work at NCT after her 2025 summer internship and to learn lots of new things working with young people on stage.

Annalee McConnell is a Nashville native who grew up, as many children do, infatuated with stories on stage and off. She graduated from Rhodes College with a B.A. in English and Theatre in 2022 and has a M.Ed. from Lipscomb University. She is thrilled to join the Nashville Children’s Theatre education team as an alumna of the 2021 summer internship program, where she fell in love with the collaborative play and creative drama characteristic of NCT’s teaching philosophy. She currently serves as a full time educator of theatre, writing, and all things storytelling to middle grade students. Outside of her career as an educator, she actively seeks performing opportunities within the community, eager to engage with art as both an actress and audience member.

Eileah first joined NCT as a Teaching Artistry Intern in the Summer of 2023 and is ecstatic to continue creating, learning, and growing with these phenomenal young performers as a Teaching Artist. She plans on dedicating her life to making theatre more accessible and inclusive for all students, regardless of their ability level or background, and incorporates that belief into her work as a special education teacher with MNPS schools as well as a theatre educator. She firmly believes that art is a powerful tool to empower youth to speak out for what they believe in; to gain social, emotional, and academic skills; and to provide a safe space to explore and learn. Outside of teaching, Eileah can be found performing with various groups around Nashville.

With a love of education, Luna is a versatile pro who has been navigating diverse learning environments since 2015. Whether molding young brains in toddler classrooms or jazzing up language lessons for grown-ups, Luna is an experienced educator who lives and breathes the joy of continuous learning. Combining her experience in theater and education has been a lifelong passion of Luna’s. With a unique blend of educational expertise and a delightful theatrical flair, she continues spreading enthusiasm for education and the arts in the classroom like colorful confetti.

Grace Weaver is an educator, storyteller, and multidisciplinary artist based in Nashville, TN. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater for Youth from Samford University. Grace has had the pleasure of teaching, directing, and performing across the country, including with Virginia Samford Theater, Birmingham Children’s Theater, The Alliance Theater, and The Rose Theater. In every space, she strives to cultivate inclusive environments for all learning styles and provide agency for all young people. As a movement-based, ensemble-driven storyteller; some of her favorite projects have been Peter and the Starcatcher, The Giver, and Apollo: to the Moon. Additionally, Grace is a dancer, choreographer, pianist, and visual artist.

Piper Jones’ credits include Emmie Thibodeaux, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE (Street Theatre); Herself, THE RAY LEGACY (Studio Tenn); Ursula, THE LITTLE MERMAID (Nashville Children’s Theatre); The Neverbird, PETER PAN WENDY’S ADVENTURE TO NEVERLAND (NCT); Ensemble, RENT (Nashville Repertory Theatre); Season 14, AMERICAN IDOL. Piper is thrilled to be apart of NCT as a Teaching Artist. Being a Nashville native, Nashville Children’s Theatre played an integral part in cultivating her love for the arts. It is truly an honor to make art with such wonderful young actors, and an even greater privilege to have the opportunity to be a small part of their artistic development. Piper has a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music with a Performance emphasis from Belmont University and is a local recording artist, actor, and voice teacher.

Rachel Hansen is so excited to be returning to Nashville Children’s theatre. Rachel taught at NCT from 2010-2014, and she cannot wait to create art with the amazing campers again! Rachel earned her BFA in theatre education at Belmont University and is the theatre teacher at Fairview Middle School.

Tricia Combs is thrilled to be teaching with NCT. She holds her BFA in theatre performance from Western Michigan University and her MA in Educational Theatre from City University of New York. For nine years Tricia taught and directed with youth theatres and schools in NYC. During that time she also spent time in London, England and Pune, India studying and directing. For the last five years she has been the theatre teacher at Valor Collegiate Academy in southeast Nashville.

Maya is a Nashville native and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked at various professional theatre companies, including: Nashville Rep, Studio Tenn, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Children’s Theatre, the New Ohio Theatre (NYC). From studying Chekhov with the Moscow Art Theatre’s director (Slava Dolgachev) to performing Beijing Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in China, Maya has accrued theatrical knowledge that she shares by teaching. She has taught the dramatic arts for several years. Some of the organizations Maya has worked with include: CUNY Creative Arts Team (NYC), TPAC Education – Disney Musicals in Schools, Nashville Repertory Theatre, and now Nashville Children’s Theatre!