Meet Our Teachers

Richard Banden – Principal

Richard is truly honored and grateful to give students the opportunity to grow in their confidence, self-expression, creativity, and love of the performing arts at The Stage School. He and his wife Amanda have been providing top quality training in the performing arts to students across Chicagoland since 2008. Prior to starting The Stage School, Richard performed and taught with numerous companies including Missoula Children's Theatre, Nevada Theatre Company, Victory Gardens, Piven Theatre, Quest Theatre Ensemble, Bailiwick Repertory, Talisman Theatre, plus numerous others. Film and television credits include The Weatherman, The Lake House, and ER. These days Richard is giving his focus on being a husband, father, and Principal at The Stage School. He hopes you will join the Stage School family, and we can give your child the tools to succeed, both on and off the stage.

FALL TEACHING TEAM

KAYLEAH WILSON - DRAMA TEACHER, DANCE TEACHER

Kayleah Wilson is thrilled to be working with The Stage School! Originally from Arizona, she grew up in the arts, performing every chance she got! She is the recipient of an “AriZoni Award” (the Tony’s of Arizona) for Lead Actress in a Musical. Since moving to Chicago, she has gone from on stage to behind the scenes, where she has played the role of Director, Music Director, Choreographer, and Stage Manager. Working with the Devonshire Cultural Center in Skokie, she has Choreographed teen productions of Big Fish, Cinderella, Mean Girls, and Guys and Dolls. She has musically directed Legally Blonde, Spamalot, and most recently, Anne of Green Gables. She is also a dance instructor, specializing in Tap Dance. When not working in the Arts, Kayleah enjoys reading, bullet journaling, and building her Princess Entertainment Company, I’ve Got A Dream Entertainment! @IveGotADreamEntertainment

Allison Sword - The Premier Program

Allison is so excited to be at The Stage School! She is a teaching artist and actor in the Chicagoland area. She calls Andersonville home now, but recently moved from Columbia, Missouri where she grew up and went to school, earning her BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College. While in Columbia she taught hundreds of children of all ages for over 6 years at TRYPS (Theatre Reaching Young People & Schools) Institute - the same theatre where she first stepped on stage and fell in love with acting. She recently directed a production of The Wizard of Oz at TRYPS and worked as a fellow for the Okoboji Summer Theatre, and while here in Chicago she has performed with New Millennium Theatre Company, Public House Theatre, and Three Brothers Theater Company, among others. As a teacher she loves playing creative, fun games that teach fundamental theatre skills - as well as skills for just about everything else. Children's Theatre is a place where every child can grow and express themselves in their own unique way, and Allison cannot wait to make some art with the students at The Stage School.

Esther Farley - The Premier Program

Esther is so thrilled to be joining the Stage School! She is a multimedia artist, choreographer and performer in the Chicagoland area. Growing up in Downers Grove, Illinois, Esther was fascinated with the performing arts from a young age. In 2021, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, specializing in Choreography and Jazz Dance. After graduation, she then went on to dance with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater in Chicago. Most recently, Esther is the artistic director and choreographer for an up-and-coming dance collective, Bodies of Water, where she is trying to push the boundaries of equitable art spaces in Chicago. Esther is looking forward to fostering creativity and growth among the students at The Stage School, helping every child flourish and have fun in their own unique way.

SAMIE JO JOHNSON -DANCE TEACHER

Samie Jo is so excited to be working with The Stage School! She grew up at her mom's dance studio in Northern Colorado and has been performing her whole life. While living in Colorado, Samie Jo choreographed and performed in several dozen musicals and plays at her local theatre Jesters. It was here that she developed her passion for introducing people of all ages and skill levels to the joy of telling stories through dance. Prior to moving to Chicago, Samie Jo got their BFA in Theatre Performance from The University of Evansville in Southern Indiana, then spent a year in Seattle performing in a devised production with Annex Theatre and Shakespeare in the Parks with Greenstage. Samie Jo has studied various theatre making techniques, often with an emphasis on movement and physicality, across North America and Europe. In Chicago, they've worked and studied with Kerfuffle, Steep Theatre, Quicksilver Shakespeare, Cuckoo's Theatre, Stage Left, and Imagination Theater.

SHERA HAASE - SINGING TEACHEr

Shera is excited to be back teaching singing at Park Ridge Stage School this Summer!  She is a graduate of Wichita State University where she studied Music Education.  A Kansas native, Shera graduated from Wichita State University with a B.F.A in Musical Theatre in 2008.  After college she preformed as a singer/dancer for the Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO.  In 2013, Shera joined The Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tours as a Tour Actor/Director performing and directing The Frog Prince and Rapunzel. This past year Shera has performed in several Great Plains Theatre shows. She was Cat in The Cat in the Hat, Sister, in Damn Yankees, and last December she performed in the musical She Loves Me. 

 In her free time Shera enjoys volunteering at Music Theatre for Young People (Wichita, KS), playing her ukulele and spending time with friends and family, which includes her mom’s 6 cats!

ANDY BREITBARTH - SINGING TEACHER

Andy is so excited to be joining The Stage School this summer as a singing teacher!! He is a graduate of Michigan State University and is currently an elementary school music teacher in Crete-Monee. He has experience directing and music directing all ages through school and community theater productions. Although he loves the directing side, he remains an active performer and is always auditioning for shows across the Chicagoland area! Theater has brought so much joy, community, and confidence to his life and he looks to bring the same into every production he is a part of. Outside of theater he enjoys going to Cubs games and hanging out with his dog Sammy! 

Alex West - Drama Teacher, THE PREMIER PROGRAM

Alex West has been teaching and directing since 2011, and has an associate’s in child development from Ashworth College. A performance artist who has worked in Minneapolis, Denver, and now Chicago, Alex loves helping students discover the magic of theater through staging, choreography, and song.

jordyn Prince - drama teacher

Jordyn Prince is so excited to be returning to The Stage School and making her return back to the Chicago community after living in New York City. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she received her BFA with double concentrations in Directing and Theatre for Young Audiences from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She has worked with the educational programs at Theatre Aspen as a Lead Teacher and Chicago Children’s Theatre as a Teaching Artist. Outside of the classroom, she has been the wearer of many hats in theatre, including directing, performing, and collaborating on devised experiences. Previously, she has worked with Birch House Immersive (Resident Artist), Theatre for the New City, HB Studio, Redtwist Theatre, Theatre Unspeakable, Victory Gardens Theatre, and has collaborated on workshops for new projects in NYC. She’s a current TYA/USA member and was a member of the SDCF Observership Class. In her spare time, she loves going on spontaneous adventures, taking amateur photos on her iPhone, and watching videos of sloths.

BIANCA PIETRO - DANCE TEACHER

Bianca is looking forward to being back at The Stage School as choreographer this summer! As an Illinois native, she grew up dancing with Joel Hall in Chicago, Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited and Donna Johnson in the suburbs , and training in Ballet with Avnun Yakobuv and Watmora Casey. With a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University and a Master’s in Educational Studies from University Hniversity of New Hampshire; she continues to her passion for teaching through theatre education. For the past 9 years, Bianca spent her time living with her husband and 3 children in New Hampshire choreographing professional productions on the Seacoast, as well as, over a dozen Youth and Teen productions. She was the Youth Education Director and Coordinator at a community theatre for over 4 years teaching theatre to ages 3-19! As a trained musical theatre dancer and singer, Bianca also enjoyes performing in professional and community productions! Some of her favorite credits include:  Maggie (A Chorus Line; Seacoast Repertory Theatre), Ariel and Choreographer (Footloose; Rochester Opera House), and Tina/Fantasy Dancer/Nun (Sister Act The Musical). 

ADDITIONAL TEACHING STAFF

EMILY SHANKMAN - SINGING TEACHER

Emily attended The Boston Conservatory and Lawrence University, two intensive conservatory programs where she explored Opera, theater, ensemble music, psychology, dance, management and arts education. She has fostered a lifelong interest in working with children. Over the past two years, she explored her passion with teaching children at Greenfields Academy as their After School Coordinator and Teaching Guide. Her experiences in child care and education have ranged from nannying, to teaching private music and drama lessons, and most recently, group mentoring during and after the school day. She recently spent the better part of three years working in the New York City public school system, developing and implementing arts-driven social emotional programming for children in low-income neighborhoods. She whole-heartedly believes that every child should be encouraged to try something new and take a giant leap towards self-discovery in a safe, supportive environment. This passion has brought her to The Stage School and is eager to continue serving as a singing instructor. In her free time, she loves to cook for her friends, see new theater, play violin, and run around with her dog.

KAT MYERS - DANCE TEACHER, THE PREMIER PROGRAM

Kat has her undergraduate degree in musical theatre from Western Illinois University and her graduate degree in education with a specialization in early childhood from Ashford University. She has worked as an actor, teacher, choreographer and director for companies such as Lexington Children's Theatre, Missoula Children's Theatre, the Beverly Arts Center, Riversong Dance Studio, TheatreWorks Florida, and the Mundelein Park District. Some favorite roles include Bridgey Sullivan in Oz and Mrs. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  When she is not on stage or in the classroom, Kat enjoys watching football and snuggling with her dog, Nugget.

SARAH GRAMERCY - PREMIER PROGRAM

Sarah holds a BFA in Theatre from Michigan State University where she specialized in musical theatre. Also a classically trained vocalist, Sarah has received superior ratings across the state of Michigan as a solo performer in addition to performing with small ensembles. Sarah’s professional performing opportunities are credited to Parallel 45 and Summer Circle Theatres. As a children’s theatre performer and camp counselor is where Sarah first discovered she could combine her interests of the arts and working with young children. Upon moving to the city of Chicago, Sarah brought her love of musical theatre to the field of early childhood education. This fall she will be assisting in a pre-kindergarten classroom at Francis W. Parker School in addition to helping with the production of their middle school musical. She is so excited to be bringing her experience to The Stage School and is looking forward to meeting lots of new faces!

STEPHANIE FROST - DANCE TEACHER

Stephanie fell in love with dancing at two years old when her parents put her in ballet and tap classes while they were living in Schaumburg. Then at age five, her family moved to Evanston and she began taking hip hop classes and fell in love with that style even more! As time went on, she discovered that she not only loved hip hop but dance in general and started to branch out and try as many styles as she could! When she wasn’t taking hip hop workshops from her favorite choreographers, she tried samba classes and was in musical theatre productions throughout middle school and high school. She even got a job working at T.E. & Company, a local performing arts summer camp, which was her very first job ever! After graduating from Evanston Township High School, she attended Dominican University where she earned her BA in Fashion Merchandising. There, she joined the dance team - the Starlettes - as a freshman and even became Captain her senior year. This is where she got more acquainted with jazz, tap, and contemporary. Stephanie currently teaches at Dance Is My Everything, a hip hop-only dance studio in her hometown of Evanston. She is beyond excited to share her passion for the art of dance with the next generation of performers at The Stage School!

Thressa Schultz - Drama Teacher, Premier Program

Thressa Schultz is thrilled to be teaching at The Stage School. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre and Applied Dance minor from The University of Minnesota Duluth. Thressa was recently honored as an Irene Ryan nominee and has been awarded most dynamic scene partner. She placed in the top final rounds for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for two consecutive years (Region 5). She has been involved in many professional and collegiate works these past few years, from stage to film - including Singing in the Rain (Lina Lamont), the World Premier of Maxa the Musical,  the adaption of Sinclair Lewis’ Main Street (Carol Kennicott), and Alice In Wonderland, an immersive outdoor theatre experience at the Glensheen Mansion (Alice). Other Regional roles include Footloose (U/S Ariel Moore) and Xanadu (Euterpe). Most recently she wrapped her first national commercial for Scheels modeling Steve Madden. Thressa has been teaching Musical Theatre classes, Acting, and Dance professionally for the past three years, and is currently the new resident Children’s Music Director at the Citadel Theatre. Thressa loves working with the next generation of artists and knows the future is bright. When she’s not teaching or on stage, she is working as a freelance photographer, specializing in headshots. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her fiancé and their cat named Charlie. 

erica zintek petro - Dance teacher

Erica Zintek Petro was born and raised in Chicago and received her B.F.A. in acting from Wright State University in Ohio where she trained in several acting methods and styles including: Improv, Shakespeare, Stage Combat, Stanislavski, Meisner, and Viewpoints, which she trained directly with Tina Landau of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Upon graduation, Erica spent four years traveling as a Tour Actor/Director with Missoula Children's Theatre having the unique opportunity to work in schools, theaters, military bases, and communities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Over her four years with Missoula Children's Theatre, she has performed and directed  such shows as "Cinderella", "The Princess and the Pea", "Rumpelstiltskin", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", and "Beauty Lou and the Country Beast". Erica has spent the past seven years as a Teaching Artist specializing in both Children’s Theatre and Dance working with several companies on both the north and south sides of the Chicagoland area. Erica is thrilled to continue working with the students of The Stage School and is looking forward to helping each student reach their goals as a performing artist!

meghan kasanders -  DANce teacher

Hailed by Opera News Magazine as “a wonderfully promising, rich dramatic soprano” and “a master of her craft” by Opera Wire, Meghan is quickly establishing herself as a rising star in the world of music. Meghan has been featured on stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, Dallas Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Virginia Opera, Staatsoper Hannover, the Nürnberg Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, Des Moines Metro Opera, Dallas Symphony, and more! After honing her craft through her studies at the International Meistersinger Akademie in Neumarkt, Germany, Rice University, and The Juilliard School, Meghan extends her passion for music beyond the world of performance, where she excitedly engages with younger generations. With experience working with students spanning the ages of 3 to 23, her educational journey has covered everything from fun-filled virtual singalongs to engaging university masterclasses. Meghan's absolute favorite spot is the rehearsal room. To her, every individual possesses a unique voice, and her mission is to create a fun and safe environment where every voice is heard! Fueled by her unwavering passion for music, theater, and arts education, Meghan is so excited to be back at The Stage School as a Singing Instructor!

HANNAH STIBBE - THE PREMIER PROGRAM

Hannah is so excited to join The Stage School family! Hannah, long time boyfriend and their trusty pup Belle recently moved to Chicago in early Fall so Hannah is thrilled to share her love for theatre to the next generation. She was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota where she began her love of theatre at a young age. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa to attend Drake University. She graduated in 2018, Magna Cum Laude, with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BSE in Secondary Education. During her free time she likes to workout, cook, binge watch the next best show, listen to podcasts, travel and...sleep. Hannah can't wait to meet all her new students!

DYANNA DANIELS - DANCE TEACHER

Dyanna Daniels began her dance training in 2003 through Western Illinois University’s dance department and the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Dance Troupe. She received her Bachelor of Business in Marketing from WIU and her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University.  Dyanna is the owner of DLD Dance Center in Downers Grove, where she strives to inspire Dignity, Love, and Diversity through dance. Dyanna is also an Adjunct Professor at North Central College and Aurora University. Offering a safe and inclusive environment wherever she teaches is the most important thing to her. Dyanna has had a wonderful career of performance, choreographing, teaching, and directing. Over the years, her choreography has been featured at World of Dance Chicago, Midwest Wizard World Conventions, Carnival Choreographer’s Ball Chicago, Prelude Midwest, Going Dutch, MotorCity Casino Detroit, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and The Chicago Auto Show! Dyanna also had a long career of choreographing Flash Mobs where she received the opportunity to choreograph for Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition in 2013. She recently co-directed North Central College’s Spring Dance Show ‘Surrender’ and choreographed ‘Don’t Say Me’ for Aurora University’s Spring Musical ‘Fugitive Songs’.

Dyanna is very involved in the community. She volunteers and works with Chicago Peace Camps, Local Schools, Churches, Food Pantries, and other charity events in addition to offering a scholarship program at her studio for underprivileged youth. “I just want to share the gifts God gave me with others. I want to be like the teachers I remember for making a difference in my life and the lives of others.”

marsae lynette - Dance teacher

Marsae Lynette is an interdisciplinary artist, activist, educator, and scholar currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. She has also earned an M.F.A. in Dance at the University of Michigan in 2023 and a B.F.A. in dance at Marygrove College. Her graduate portfolio includes certificates in Arts, Entrepreneurship & Leadership, World Performance Studies, and a fellowship to study Afro diasporic dance in Cuba. Choreographing and teaching at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the University of Michigan has allowed her to develop a pedagogical mission of cultural and personal expression through theatrical and screened renderings of ritual. Marsae’s interdisciplinary choreographic series "Reconnecting Currents” merges scholarly research, environmental activism, and artistic practice focusing on themes of cultural identity and ecological consciousness. Most recently she is the recipient of the Global Water Dances Site Leader award (2023). For more information please visit her website https://www.marsae-eleda.com 

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Ashley Laverty - Drama TEACHER

Ashley Laverty is a theatre maker originally from Worcester, Massachusetts. She is the founding Artistic Director of Kerfuffle, a theatre and dance company devoted to creating performances with and for children under 6 year olds. With Kerfuffle, she has developed and directed Nested, The Caterpillar's Footprint, and Goose and Gert, a co-production with The Rose Theater in Omaha, NE. A recent transplant to Chicago, Ashley has designed curriculum and facilitated Creative Drama, Acting, Improv, and Musical Theatre classes for children ages 2-17 around the country. She has directed many musicals and plays with young people ages 8-17, and she specializes in creative drama in the early childhood classroom.As an actress, Ashley has performed nationally for young audiences with the Omaha Theater Company at The Rose, the National Theatre for Children, VEE Corporation, Roxy Regional Theatre, and Vital Theatre Company. Ashley is also playwright for young and very young audiences. Her work includes Wynken, Blynken and Nod, The Music Makers, Nadine's Coloring Book, and Dotty Dot!, written in collaboration with Travis Kendrick, Ryan Cavanaugh and John Wascavage. Ashley is a co-chair of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education's Early Childhood Network, and she is the 2019 Ann Shaw Fellow with TYA/USA. She holds an M.F.A in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre from Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts.

JOANNA MECCIA - DANCE TEACHER

Joanna Meccia is a dance instructor, performer, choreographer and director. She received degrees in Dance and Kinesiology from Indiana University and has been instructing dance in Chicago-land for the past eight years. She has choreographed and performed with several contemporary dance companies, including Esoteric Dance Project and Project606 Dance. In addition to performing, she also served in artistic leadership with the Trifecta Dance Collective until 2020. As an independent choreographer, Joanna has presented her work at several Chicago festivals and co-produced performance experiences at Links Hall and in Chicago Public Schools with the support of an Independent Artist Grant from the Chicago DCASE. Most recently Joanna was a member of the 2020 New Dances Choreographer Cohort. She has directed and edited several short dance films, and is currently in collaboration on a new project with local musician Mooncess.

kelly lorenz - dance teacher

Kelly is thrilled to be working with The Stage School! A proud graduate of the undergraduate Musical Theatre Program at Western Illinois University, she also performed and choreographed for their University Dance Theatre. After performing at various regional theaters in the Midwest, she settled in the Chicagoland area, working with companies such as Music Theater Works, Metropolis Performing Arts, Big Noise Theatre, Theatre D, and The Annoyance Theatre. While in Chicago, she’s had the pleasure of teaching and choreographing at the Beverly Arts Center, Deerfield Family Theatre, Actor’s Training Center, and the Deerfield Park District. While not performing and teaching, she enjoys making custom decorated sugar cookies through her cottage kitchen operation, Blissful Betty, blissfulbetty.com 

Hannah L’Abri Miller - drama TEACHER

A teaching artist and director, Hannah is new to Chicago, but her experience is far reaching. Most recently she directed a reading of Mukbang for The New Colony Writer’s Room and Urinetown: the Musical for Stage Right Performing Arts in Kansas City. Urinetown was recognized as a Regional Broadway World Awards recipient for best non-professional musical in 2018. Hannah’s work was recognized in 2017 by the Kansas City Fringe Festival for production of a new play titled, Here Lies Joyland - the play received a "Best of Fringe" award.  In addition she has notable assistant director credits including the 2016 developmental Prince of Egypt workshop in New York City, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.  She is additionally a teaching artist for Skyline Studios in the Chicagoland area. Other teaching artist/education affiliation includes: The Coterie Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Madison Avenue Performing Arts. Hannah was the artistic apprentice at Bay Street Theatre, in Sag Harbor, NY for the 2016 season where she worked closely with notable Broadway artists throughout the summer. Hannah graduated with her BA in Theatre from Kansas State University in 2015.

Levi Denton-Hughes - The Premier PRogram

Levi Denton-Hughes(they/them) earned their BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia in 2018 and had been working as a performer and teacher since graduating! They moved to Chicago in 2020 where they continued teaching and performing, eventually leading them to take a contract with Virgin Voyages for a year as their “Unicorn Vocalist”. Missing land, they returned to Chicago and started teaching Voice, Piano, Ukulele, and Violin with Music House as well as guiding the Sunday Theatre Premier Program here with Stage School. They love what they do and hope you will too!