Meet our Summer Teaching Artists!

Mary has been a theatre kid ever since she saw CATS at 5 years old. She started taking theatre classes when she was 11, and continued throughout high school, where she was the president of her ITS chapter. She majored in Generalist Theatre at Tarleton State University and loves every aspect of theatre!  She is an alum of the honorary theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega. Some of her favorite roles have been Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Earthworm (James and the Giant Peach), and Charlotte Hay (Moon Over Buffalo). When Mary is not at kidsActing, she likes to bake, read, cuddle with her three cats, and perform one-woman musicals in her car. She is also a company member of Cold Frame Collective, a local community theatre group.

I'm Jalie! I'm a proud kidsActing alum, and this is my third summer working here! I'm a sophomore at Transylvania University in Kentucky studying sociology and theatre. I can't wait to meet everyone and do some super fun shows this summer!

Maggie has been working at kidsActing as a Teacher's Assistant for about a year and is so excited to be working the summer camps! They are currently pursuing a Musical Theater major at ACC. They love making art, performing on stage or the screen, reading, hiking and playing video games and D&D when not working or at college. :)

Kenzie first stepped on stage at the age of 12, and hasn't left since. She completed her BA in theater at Keene State College. While acting was her specialization, she also studied comedy improv, technical theater, costume design, and set design. After graduating, she moved to Sydney, Australia where she continued to study theater and film at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. While in Sydney, she was also trained in the Meisner Technique. Afterward, she moved to New York City where she acted both on stage and screen. She continued her studies with several local New York acting coaches. In March of 2021, she relocated to Austin to continue acting. When not acting or teaching, she loves hiking, kayaking, and playing with her dog, Bondi.

Auden Beauvois is a rising third-year BFA Acting major at the University of Texas at Austin, originally from Baltimore, MD. He began performing in sixth grade as Milo in "The Phantom Tollbooth" and has since appeared in nearly 20 productions nationwide. His favorite roles include Harry Wormwood (Matilda), Troy Bolton (High School Musical), and Antonio (Twelfth Night). He’s also worked on national commercials and short films, and has a special love for acting on camera. Outside of his art, Auden enjoys building computers and watching movies, and is super excited to share his passion for theatre this summer!

David has played with the national touring companies of The Who's Tommy, Once on This Island, and many others. He began his professional career as music director in summer stock at the age of 16. Since then he has been involved with hundreds of musicals. Among his favorites are Most Happy Fella, Guys & Dolls, and Victor/Victoria.

Henry is a student at UT Austin pursuing a degree in the Department of Theatre & Dance. As a former kidsActing kiddo, he is stoked to be teaching and hopes to pass on his love of theater to the next round of kidsActing students! He is a recurring actor and writer on UT's televised late-night sketch comedy show, Longhorn Latenight. In his free time, Henry is an American Coaster Enthusiast (the theme park kind, not the coffee table kind), and a contentedly mediocre knitter.

Eli Cabello is so thrilled to be involved with KidsActing! He is currently a student at UT Austin, majoring in Special Education. He’s participated in over 35 shows in the last five years, in acting, teching, directing and more. He can’t wait to share his love of theatre with all of you!

Lowell Bartholomee is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts where he studied film. He has been a video designer for theater since 2002 and has provided designs for the Rude Mechs, the Dirigo group, Red Then Productions, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, Breaking String, Austin Playhouse, and several other companies. Lowell's designs have been awarded the Austin Theater Critics Table and B. Iden Payne Award. He is also an award-winning actor, director, and producer. Lowell teaches and mentors students in Sound Design at Southwestern University.

Harper is so excited to be part of the summer team. In her free time, she loves taking dance classes, going on walks, and grabbing coffee. She's also a former kidsActing student, where she discovered her love for performing and musical theatre. She has previously volunteered at her dance studio and at Dell Seton Medical Center, and is going to college to pursue a career in nursing.

Ava is a rising junior at UT Austin studying Playwriting and Directing. She has been acting since she was ten years old when she performed in Elf the Musical with Kids Acting. She is excited to be returning for her second summer as a teacher! Recently, she has worked as a Wardrobe Supervisor for Willy Wonka, teacher of The Princess Bride at Headwaters, and a Stage Manager for Mary Poppins. She can’t wait to meet your kiddos! 

We are excited to have Brinn returning to kidsActing this summer.

Since they were just eight years old, Saturn has been with kidsActing in so many ways! They've loved every role they've been, whether onstage as an actor, backstage as crew, in the audience as a spot op, or before performances as a TA-- and now a teacher. After spending this past year at ACC, Saturn is looking forward to moving to a small NJ university where they will study musical theatre and pre-health science. But before that, Saturn is excited to spend the summer combining their passions by helping and watching young actors grow and shine on the stage! 

Sophie Gallia is entering her seventh summer at kidsActing, and she is more than thrilled to be back! After attending the program as a kid, she is fulfilling her dreams by continuing to spread joy into each and every one of her students! Outside of work, you will often find her sewing, making various props, or helping in other areas of kidsActing behind the scenes! 

This is Kayla Garrett's 3rd summer teaching at kidsActing! She is a Film & Theatre major at Texas State University. She is also a former scare actor and has done acting training with coaches in LA. She is so excited to have another awesome year! 

We are excited to welcome Kieran to kidsActing this summmer!

Hey I'm Bubba and I'm extremely excited for this summer! There's nothing I love more than singing, dancing, and acting. I love having fun and staying active around Austin. I've worked for Kids Acting for a year now and I am absoultely loving it!

Aubrey Meiron is a current Junior at the University of Austin Texas. She is studying Radio-Television-Film, and started doing theatre while in high school. She loves performing on stage, and telling people’s stories through that art form. Can’t wait to continue strengthening that passion during summer!

Kate Merrill is a second year kidsacting teacher from Austin! She is a current student at Ball State University where she is earning her BFA in musical theatre. Growing up, kidsActing was one of her favorite summer camps so she is so excited and blessed to be teaching and to be able to pass on the fun experiences to other children and hopefully inspire them to pursue theatre! 

Parker Miller is a kidsActing student turned teacher! He's been with kidsActing ever since he was three years old and has participated in almost 50 productions ever since! He loves how these camps have shaped his life and hopes to give that same wonderful experience to other kids! Acting follows Parker wherever he goes, as he also love to play Dungeons & Dragons in his free time! He's looking forward to teaching this summer!

kidsActing summer camps sparked Nate's love for theatre starting at age 5. Since then, he's explored just about every area of theatre, and especially loves lighting design, playwriting, and directing. He just completed his first year as a Theatre Education major at The University of Texas at Austin, and over the past year has been teaching weekly classes and helping many kiddos build confidence and creativity on stage. He is so excited to spend his first summer as a teacher, helping campers discover the same love of theatre that started his journey! 🎭✨

Monica is so excited to begin working with the students of kidsActing!  She has spent her career directing musicals and teaching voice lessons in musical theater.  She has a Masters In Music from UT Austin and spent all of her teaching career in Texas.  Her first love is Broadway and she is devoted to helping students sing musical theater in a healthy and appropriate way, so they can sing it for their lifetime.  Let's get started!

Anthony Neuendorff has been involved in theatre for most of his life. As a former student here himself, Anthony found his love for theatre on the kidsActing stage and has been involved with the company since 2012. Wearing many different hats throughout the years, Anthony has found himself mainly stage managing and directing the many different productions put on during the school year, as well as teaching summer and break camps. When he is not teaching, Anthony is active in the Austin community theater scene, getting to take to the stage himself on occasion, or he is at home hanging out with his two adorable fur babies, Peach and Hermione. Anthony hopes to bring a compassionate, engaging, and approachable energy to the classroom and onto the stage to bring out the best in each and every student.

Theatre has been in Tess Nielsen's life since she was 9 years old, when she started at kidsActing. She is thrilled to be returning as a teacher! She is a born and raised Austinite and is attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, as a screenwriting major and disability studies minor. Teaching and working with kids has always been a passion of hers as she loves working with young minds. She loves to listen to music, learn new things, and hang out with friends! She is very excited for this summer!

Mikaela Pace is a voice teacher and performer based in Austin, TX, with a passion for helping young artists grow in confidence and creativity. She currently teaches private voice lessons in Leander ISD and Rock ISD. Companies she has performed with include Austin Opera, Georgetown Palace Theatre, and ATX Musical Theatre Collective. Her summer performances include Anything Goes at Bastrop Opera House, concerts with Chaski and Beerthoven Concert Series, and Magic Flute with Opera Arlington.

Amanda is thrilled to be returning for her second summer of kidsActing. There is nothing quite like the energy of young performers finding their voices on stage! When the curtain falls on summer, you can find her back in the classroom teaching Theater or ELA, where she gets to blend her love for storytelling and literature. Off the clock, she is usually recharging with her favorite hobbies: playing video games, catching up on anime, or getting lost in a good book. When she's not immersed in those worlds, her favorite place to be is simply relaxing and making memories with her fiancé.

Kate is currently an honors nursing student at Simmons University in Boston but is a born and raised Austinite. She has been a part of the kidsActing community for the past four years and is looking forward to another amazing summer! She is so excited to support the kids on their journey with finding their voices and she can’t wait to see them shine on stage. 

Lexie Porter has been a musician since she was 4 years old, ever since she picked up her first instrument. She has had a love for teaching ever since she gave her first lesson just over a decade ago and is so excited to have a class of her own!  She met her husband through a shared love of music and bands like Alice in Chains and Deftones. As much as she loves to jam out, she's always had a home in choir and musical theatre where she got her start as a vocalist, and a passion for helping young students find their sound and start their journey into the world of musical theatre. She can't wait to see what beautiful music we can make and to watch you all grow into wonderful performers!

Kenzie has been with KidsActing for four wonderful years! She’s thrilled to share her passion for teaching your children. She’s eager to see the kids shine as they act, sing, dance, and discover new activities and skills. With 14 years of acting experience, Kenzie recently wrapped up her lead role in the show, “The Collective.” She’s really looking forward to seeing you soon!

Alaina is originally from Austin but is currently a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. She is pursuing her BFA in Acting and Directing with a Business minor. She previously performed with KidsActing for 7 years and has continued to work in film, television, and theatre. Appearing in many shows, among her favorite roles are; Young Frankenstein (Inga), Descendants the Musical (Mal), and Dead to the Last Drop (Ariel). Outside of school and work, Alaina enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking with her dog, Carson, working on her Legos, or reading a good book next to her cat, Jasper. 

Samantha Sariti has been performing and acting since she was 6 years old. She's been teaching with kidsActing for the past 4 years. Theatre is truly her passion, and she loves getting to share her knowledge and experience with your kiddos. As much as she loves performing herself, teaching theatre is genuinely her favorite thing to do. She's currently studying to become a child psychologist, and she is so excited for this summer!

This will be Ashley's 4th summer with kidsActing but she has been teaching acting for around 8 years. She started acting herself when she was 7 years old in a program similar to kidsActing and fell in love with it and continues to love it everyday. She is very excited for another amazing and fun summer.  

Phoebe is a former KidsActing student who has been working summer camps for 10 years now! During the school year she works with early elementary students in Pflugerville ISD. Phoebe loves music, animals, and art of all kinds. She is looking forward to another fun summer of drama, comedy, singing, and dancing! 

Hannah Smith is a graduate from Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Dance. She is originally from Apex, North Carolina, but now calls Austin her home. She is excited to be joining the KidsActing family again this summer. Hannah has performed in shows such as Elf the Musical, The Lightning Thief, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When not performing or teaching, Hannah loves to bake, play board games, and hang out with her tuxedo cat named Shadow!

Gracie Torgerson is an incoming sophomore at the University of Michigan studying vocal performance. She has been involved in theater for six years and choir for ten, with some of her favorite productions including Mary Poppins and Matilda. Gracie loves singing, going on adventures with friends, and watching Formula 1. This is her first summer with Kids Acting, and she is so excited to see campers grow in confidence and creativity while having a ton of fun along the way. She can’t wait to meet everyone and is looking forward to an amazing summer!

Audrey is so excited to be teaching at kidsActing! She has six years of theater experience and is an incoming sophomore majoring in Theatre Education at Texas State. She is passionate about helping students express themselves, build confidence, and discover the joy of performing. Her favorite part of theater is the sense of community. Working together, supporting one another, and having fun is what she's all about! She also loves dance and using movement as a creative and playful way to tell stories. She can’t wait to create, laugh, and make memories this summer!