Madison Aquilone

Madison Aquilone graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in English. She enjoys writing plays, directing, and stage managing. She grew up performing at Matthew’s Playhouse and once was a School of Theatre student herself. She is so excited to now be able to teach students once like her. Her goal as an educator is to create a safe space where students can feel comfortable making creative choices and delving into character exploration. Outside of the theater, you could find her readings, writing, or spending time with friends and family.

Keetha B.

Keetha B. is an actress, director, playwright, writer, and theatre educator. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Redeeming History Productions, a production company creating work that celebrates the marginalized global majority. She is a theatre teaching artist and has been working with K-12 students for over 15 years. Keetha B. strives to create space for all who wish to learn the craft of acting.

Priscilla Bagley

Priscilla Bagley is an internationally renowned Singing Voice Specialist with a roster including Grammy and Tony winners, Metropolitan Opera competition winners, and Certified Platinum recording artists. An adjudicator for the NATS National Musical Theatre Competition, she also serves on the Executive Committee for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Eastern Region in New York. Priscilla is a member of NATS, NYSTA, FMEA, NAfME, and SAI Friend of the Arts. She holds a Master's in Music History and Literature and a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance, graduating with honors. With over 25 years of teaching and coaching and 30 years of international performance experience, Priscilla has worked in film, television, and the recording industry since 1998, promoting global music and diverse musical styles.

Mary Lynn Bain

Mary Lynn Bain holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has enjoyed performing since she first auditioned for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at Matthews Playhouse and is happy to come full circle to teach this year. Since moving back from New York in 2020, she has enjoyed performing and teaching in Charlotte as well as Concord, North Carolina with Old Courthouse Theatre. 

Sarah Baumgardner

Sarah Baumgardner is a graduate of Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA where she received her BA in Vocal Performance and a BS in Psychology.  She has done Masters work in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and received a Masters of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay.  An avid sacred music performer, Sarah is most often found singing for local church events and has served in ministry prior to taking on her role at MPH. Most importantly, Sarah’s passion is in encouraging others to explore their musical gifts and she brings that enthusiasm to each class and lesson.

Marisa Becker

Marisa Becker is the Summer Camp Coordinator for Matthews Playhouse. She has been hard at work putting together these amazing camps for the Matthews/Charlotte community. Before joining, she was a preschool teacher and used her passion to create creative learning opportunities that have easily moved into doing the same for Matthews Playhouse. She loves music, traveling with her family, and all things nerdy. She truly believes that how much theater experience can enrich someone's life, and she is honored to be part of Matthews Playhouse summer.

Harrison Bumgardner

Harrison L. Bumgardner is an accomplished, active baritone performer and teacher. He has performed many roles with the Levine Jewish Community Center, Central Piedmont Community College, UNCG Opera Theatre, and Opera Carolina. In February 2020, he sang with Andrea Bocelli on stage as an Opera Carolina Featured Artist performing the Quartet from Act III of La Bohème. As a performer, Harrison joined Matthews Playhouse, for the 2011 production of Sound of Music as Admiral Von Schreiber, while his lovely wife Jennifer Reid Bumgardner played Mother Abbess. He opened his private voice studio, The Bumgardner Voice Studio, in 2013 and has been helping singers find their best sound ever since. He joined Matthews playhouse as a Summer Camp Teacher in 2021 and has enjoyed being part of the MPH team ever since. He is looking forward to this new year of School of Theatre.

Nicole Cumbo

Nicole received a B.M. in Musical Theatre and a B.M. in Classical Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. In addition to performing professionally around the USA, she has taught and directed internationally at various children's theatres and music schools. She loves empowering young artists to develop true confidence and realize their potential. Nicole has many fond memories of growing up performing at the Playhouse and she is excited to be back teaching and music directing!
 

Ra'Saun Elliott

Charlotte, North Carolina resident, Baritone Ra'Saun Elliott has established himself as a versatile performer in the realms of classical and musical theater. Elliott's journey into the world of music began to flourish during his time at Wingate University, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance. Under the mentorship of esteemed instructors, he honed his craft, mastering the techniques essential for both classical and musical theater genres. Elliott's passion for the stage has led him to perform with local and regional music companies, including Opera Carolina, QC Concerts, NC Opera, and Matthew Playhouse. Recently, Ra’Saun debuted as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in "Ragtime" with QC Concerts at the Booth Playhouse in the Blumenthal Arts Center, a milestone moment that promises to showcase his depth as a performer and solidify him as an exceptional young artist in the world of music and theater.

Neifert Enrique

Neifert Enrique is an actor, musician, technician, and educator. He recently graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelors in Theatre and Music and has been active at Matthews Playhouse for the past few years. His most recent acting roles include Pablo in "Sister Act", Judas in "Godspell", and Rooster in "Annie". In his free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, making TikToks, watching movies, playing piano, and puzzles.

Adrianna Eve

​Adrianna Eve is a local choreographer from Matthews, NC with a M.A. in Philosophy and Applied Ethics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been working with Matthews Playhouse since September of 2021. Adrianna is the executive director/choreography of the Adrianna Eve Company (also located in Matthews, NC). Currently, Adrianna is pursuing a M.A. in Legal Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Peoples Law at the University of Oklahoma. Adrianna’s teaching philosophy includes creating a safe and encouraging environment for all dancers in efforts to boost confidence and aid students in finding their own artistic expression!

Allie Hardin

Allie Hardin grew up doing theatre at Matthews Playhouse (and loving every minute of it)! Her favorite memories include Children of Eden, Zombie Prom, and a Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. Over the years, she has participated in a variety of local productions both on stage and behind the scenes. Now also equipped with 4 years of experience as an elementary teacher, she is thrilled to combine her love for theatre and teaching to help the next generation create their own wonderful memories at Matthews Playhouse! 

Corlis Hayes

Corlis is excited to be teaching at the Matthew Playhouse School of Theatre. Corlis is a member of the faculty in the Division of Arts and Communication at CPCC in Charlotte, NC. Most recently she has joined the faculty of a nonprofit called Theatre Gap Initiative (TGI) that helps students use a gap year to prepare for auditions to get into BFA programs under the leadership of Corey Mitchell. She has served as Chair of The Theatre Department at Morgan State University and Livingstone College as well as headed Johnson C. Smith University Drama Program. Her many directing credits include: The Miracle Worker, Fences, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.  Most recently she was given the opportunity to direct By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at Winthrop University. Corlis has received several awards and acknowledgements for her direction. Last fall she received Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) Best Director for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Brand New Sheriff Productions (BNS). In addition, she received Best Director for Fences, (BNS) and Broadway World 2020 and MTA Best Director 2019 for Two Trains Running (BNS). Currently, Corlis is on The Board of Directors of Theatre Charlotte, where she serves as Chair of The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She is grateful to be given the opportunity to return to her roots stimulating the imagination and creativity of children.

Marissa Hertzfeld

Marissa has been involved with Matthews Playhouse for over 10 years, both as a teacher and as a performer. She currently serves as the Theatre Director at Piedmont High School. She is passionate about working with students to develop their theatrical skills and creativity and thoroughly enjoys teaching and directing for the School of Theatre. When she is not at school or the Playhouse, you can find her spending time outdoors with her husband and sweet pup.

Sarah Howe

Sarah Howe, a graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Charlotte, NC. While in high school, Sarah began fostering her love of working with children while working at Open Door Studios as an assistant teacher. In college, Sarah spent much of her senior year working with Attack Theatre as the Assistant to the Arts Education Manager, Allison Popieski. Under her leadership, Sarah was able to continue growing her passion for non-profit work and accessibility in the arts; most notably in her work as the Production Director for a new accessible arts initiative, The Adaptive Dance Series. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Modern Dance from Point Park University in 2021, and could not be more excited to be returning to the Charlotte area to continue her passion for teaching with non-profits and helping students learn to love their own movement styles.

Jamie Hutteman

Jamie Hutteman enjoys an active career in theatre education, acting, and directing. She holds a Master's degree in Acting from the University of Florida and has worked with a number of professional and community theaters throughout the southeast. Locally, she has worked with Union County Playmakers, Davidson Community Players, the VAPA Center, Old Courthouse Theater, and Fort Mill Community Playhouse. Jamie loves animals, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is excited to share her knowledge and love of theatre with the talented young actors at Matthews Playhouse!

Hannah Marks

​Hannah Marks is a recent Charlotte transplant with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre. She has been seen professionally in New York City, Fayetteville, and the Raleigh-Durham area, where she was a part of several regional premieres and workshops. Some favorite roles include Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Martha (Heathers, regional premiere), and Extraordinary Girl (American Idiot, regional premiere). She has taught acting and voice to students of all ages, and has the most fun working through material with her students and seeing the spark in their eyes. When not performing or teaching, she can be found writing or reading a good book curled up with her cat

Brooke McCarthy

Brooke McCarthy holds her MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia, and is joining us after completing her post-MFA at Virginia Tech. Through her experiences teaching at UGA and VT, she has cultivated a passion for teaching and prides herself in fostering a collaborative environment that is both enjoyable and pedagogically rich. Her style is akin to creating a playground for actors which emphasizes personal authenticity to ensure a truthful artistic experience. She is an actor, singer, teacher, playwright, dancer, creator, comedian, and award-winning solo artist. She recently won Solo Performer of the Year, Best Selling Show in NYC’s Frigid Fest, Best of Fest at Hartford Fringe, Philly Fringie Audience Choice at Philly Fringe, and Spirit of the Fringe at the St. Lou Fringe for her original show How to be an Ethical Sl*t. She’s currently developing her latest show Gaslighting: The Musical! Brooke has performed internationally at the Medieval Theater Conference and regionally with Aurora Theatre, Broadway Theatre of Pitman, and Philly Improv Theatre.

Stefanie Nicholson

Stefanie has a BFA in Theater/Performance from the University of Georgia. She has toured professionally with Patchwork Players in Columbia, South Carolina, and has been teaching and directing in the Charlotte area for over 15 years. Stefanie joined Matthews Playhouse in 2003, and enjoys teaching summer camps and directing year-long theater classes. Stefanie loves working with children and believes theater promotes teamwork, builds self-confidence and strengthens imagination.

Krys Paschen

Krys is a theatre educator, performer, and director located in Charlotte, NC. He has been with the Playhouse as a teacher since 2019. He is currently in his fifth year teaching— currently as the Theatre Director at Butler High! As a graduate of App State, he majored in Theatre Education. Krys has one simple mission in his theatre philosophy: to make theatre a safe and inclusive place for everyone, no matter where you come from and no matter where you’ve been! He loves sushi, cats, tattoos, games with his friends, and the gym! Some of his favorite shows include: 1984, Jekyll & Hyde, Next to Normal, and Sweeney Todd! 

Robert Rankin

From 2004 to 2022, Robert Rankin performed with the CPCC Opera Theater being cast in a number of productions from chorus member, ensemble and several principal roles which some include the Father in Seven Deadly Sins, Don Alphonso in Cosi Fan Tutti, El Remendado in Carmen. Mike in CP's theaters production of Freaky Friday. Millie in Three Bone's Theater production of Toni Stone. Robert has gained stage managing credit for CP Opera Theater productions of Old Maid and a Thief, The Medium, Hansel & Gretel, Three Bone Theatre's productions of The Glorious World of Crowns Kinks and Curls as well as Thoughts of a Colored Man, Don Hall's production of The Big Hustle. Robert has worked as a production assistant in several local theater productions most recently including BNS Theatre productions of The Piano Lesson and Clydes, Theater Charlotte's production of Mountain Top, Free Reigns theater production of A Soldiers Play, Rock Hill Theater's production of Shakin the Mess out of Misery .

Winston Sims

Winston Sims is a graduate of UNC—Greensboro, where he received his BFA in Theatre Education and an MEd in Theatre. He has been the Theatre Arts teacher at Marvin Ridge High School since 2008, as well as an adjunct instructor at Wingate University and CPCC. He has performed in many musicals at Matthews Playhouse, including The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Shrek (Farquaad), and Seussical (twice as the Cat in the Hat), as well as provided props for various plays, and taught Acting Intensive summer camps. As an educator, Winston works to create and maintain a safe space where students can be who they are and supports them to grow at their own pace.

William Taylor

William Taylor is thrilled to be joining Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre for his first year. As a Matthews native, William spent many summers as a kid performing on the Matthews Playhouse stage and this summer had the honor of co-teaching several camps. William is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Theatre Education. William graduated from App State magna cum laude and received the Trimella Chaney award for excellence in Theatre Education. When William is not at Matthews Playhouse, he is the theatre teacher at Concord High School, the home of the Stage Spiders! Besides teaching, William enjoys collecting vinyls, playing video games, watching sports, and hanging out with friends. He can't wait for a great semester to grow alongside his students and fellow teachers!