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If you know a child who would benefit from a new experience in a fun and supportive environment, Matthews Playhouse Summer Camp 2022 is the place to be! With themed camps for ages 4–18 years old, children can participate in full or half-day camps during the months of June, July, and August!
The Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is known for its outstanding live theatre productions, which have delighted audiences in the greater Charlotte region for more than 2 decades. But we’re also known for our outstanding Summer Camp sessions, which have served thousands of children in our region since Matthews Playhouse began in 1995. We won’t go into all the reasons why Summer Camp at Matthews Playhouse is among the best in the state (here are six just in case you’re curious), but in this post, we’re highlighting our Matthews Playhouse Summer Camp staff!
Our summer camp staff is made up of professional actors, directors, musicians, choreographers, theatre educators and former School of Theatre students who loved our program so much, they are back to pass along what they learned to the next generation. Keep reading to see “Who’s Who” on the Matthews Playhouse Summer Camp staff.
Meet the Matthews Playhouse Summer Camp Teachers!
Marisa Becker, Summer Camp Coordinator & Teacher
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 camps!
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.
Jesse Buchanan
Jesse Buchanan has just returned to Charlotte after 6 years in Colorado. She has led dance schools and theatre programs for over 10 years, and still occasionally performs. Jesse has a passion for all things Theatre and Dance and can’t wait to share that passion this summer!
Maddie Coggin
Maddie Coggin just finished her second year of teaching at Ridge Road Middle School. She has always wanted to be involved in theatre but discovered her passion for teaching before receiving her Bachelors in Theatre Education with a minor in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies from Appalachian State University! In her free time, she loves to go to Dunkin', make Tiktoks, hang out with her friends, her cat Banner, and walks on the Greenway!
Lillian Crowley
Lillian Crowley grew up performing in productions at Matthews Playhouse and has been involved in its Summer Camp and School of Theatre as a student and an intern. She is looking forward to returning and teaching this summer. Lillian has many years of experience working with children, including assistant teaching at C.O.S. Kids in Matthews, teaching in Afterschool at Carmel Christian. She is currently teaching swim lessons at Charlotte Swim Academy. “Introducing children to music, dance, and theater is a passion of mine, and I am excited for this year at summer camp!”
Hannah Daniels
Hannah is excited to spend her first summer at Matthews Playhouse! She graduated from Appalachian State University and previously taught at Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock, NC. She currently teaches theatre at Ardrey Kell High School. She is excited to share the magic of theatre arts with her students. Hannah loves amusement parks, snow, and all things sparkly!
Neifert Enrique
Neifert Enrique (he/him, they/them) is an actor, musician, and teacher currently located in Rock Hill, SC. You may recognize him from past Playhouse productions of Forum and Godspell, and CPCC productions of Evita, Newsies, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. And he LOVES cheesecake...like a lot!
Adrianna Eve
Adrianna Eve (She/He/They) is a local choreographer and studio owner in the Matthews area. She has been choreographing professionally for 5 years and began working at Matthews Playhouse last fall. Adrianna has a Master's degree in philosophy with a concentration in epistemology and phenomenology, and is currently in graduate school pursuing a Master's in legal studies. Their current artistic work includes their upcoming showcase "Death of a Royal" coming June 12th. Adrianna can't wait to work camps at Matthews playhouse this summer!
Parker Hallman
Parker Hallman recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Theatre Education. Peter has been acting since he was 6 years old, and loves Musical Theatre and Puppetry. He is currently teaching adapted curriculum special education at Lincolnton Middle School, and looking forward to spending time with Matthews Playhouse this summer!
Marissa Hertzfeld
Marissa has been involved with Matthews Playhouse for over 10 years. 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. When she is not at school or the Playhouse, you can spend time outdoors with her husband and sweet pup.
Emily Hunter
Emily Hunter is a freelance choreographer and dance educator in the Charlotte area. Before shifting full time to choreography, Emily performed regionally with the Merry Pranksters, in New York and Charleston with Meredith Monk's dance company House, and locally with Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Summer Theatre, and Theatre Charlotte. Since 2012, she has choreographed over one hundred musicals in the Charlotte metro area. Emily is currently the artist-in-residence choreographer for Northwest School of the Arts Musical Theatre Department. She teaches dance and musical theatre at Davidson College, Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Country Day, and Theatre Gap Initiative.
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 fourth year teaching — recently accepting a position at Butler High, after spending the first three years at Monroe 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’ve been! He loves sushi, cats, tattoos, games with his friends, and the gym! His favorite shows are 1984, Jekyll & Hyde, Next to Normal, and Sweeney Todd.”
Carrie Roth
Carrie Roth is a sophomore at UNC studying human development and family studies. Carrie loves reading, being outside, and, obviously, theatre. She’s excited to be working with Matthews this year!
Andrew Sickles
Andrew is currently double majoring in Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Central Florida, and plans to produce and direct in the future. This will be his 7th summer working, and he is excited to see the kids' love of theatre. He has also done numerous shows around the Charlotte area, including Matthews Playhouse.
Rasheem Shabazz
Rasheem was born and raised in New York City, where he has been performing since he was 3. He was featured in the film "Blood Done Sign My Name" (Student #1) and on TV in "Under the Dome" (Jones). Rasheem is a familiar face at Matthews Playhouse and has performed at several local theatre companies including Children's Theatre of Charlotte.
Winston Sims
Winston Sims has been the Theatre Arts teacher at Marvin Ridge High School since 2008. He earned a BFA in Theatre Education and an MEd in Theatre from UNC-Greensboro. He has appeared on the Matthews Playhouse stage as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Lord Farquaad in Shrek, and the Cat in the Hat in Seussical, among others. Winston enjoys building LEGO MOCs, playing video games and baking. He lives in Indian Trail with his wife, Alex, and their two children, Veda Grace and Elliott.
Ali Tyler
Ali Tyler is a junior at Wake Forest University majoring in communications. She loves musical theater and has been singing for as long as she can remember. Ali has been involved with Matthews Playhouse since she was 5 years old, and it’s a second home to her. Outside of musical theater, she loves to play video games and reading. “This summer is going to be amazing, and I can’t wait!”
Meet our Summer Camp Interns
Seth Furr
Seth Furr began his Matthews Playhouse journey at the age of 14, when he enrolled in one of Matthews Playhouse’s School of Theatre classes. Since then, he has performed in several MPH productions, including The Lion King Jr., Miracle on 34th Street (2018), and It’s A Wonderful Life (2019). Seth is a Theatre major and Digital Media minor at Anderson University’s South Carolina School of the Arts where he has performed in Guys & Dolls and Shakespeare’s Richard III . Next fall, Seth will be the Sound Designer for Anderson University’s productions of Silent Sky and SESSIONS: A Recovery Piece. He will also play Elisha Whitney in their fall production of Anything Goes.
Avery Hammersmith
Avery has attended Matthews Playhouse since she was 2 years old for dance, theatre, and music. She’s currently a sophomore at Cuthbertson High School and will graduate in 2024. Over the past few years, Avery has had the opportunity to do many productions from Matthews Playhouse, Cuthbertson High School, and Innovation Drama Academy. She is excited to work this summer doing her favorite thing...theatre!
Abby Matula
Abby Matula is currently studying Music Education at Converse University. She has been a lover of the arts from an early age and enjoys creating and sharing music. Abby is a fan of super heroes, playing dungeons and dragons and all things Disney, and is excited to get to know all the campers this summer!
Madison Moraja
Madison Moraja is a Junior at Weddington High School. She has been at Matthews Playhouse for 13 years, participated in acting camps, worked as an apprentice for 3 years, and now has the opportunity to intern a second year. Madison runs track at Weddington High School, where she broke 4 school records and qualified this year for Nationals. Her hobbies include piano, baking, singing and gardening, and she has three siblings, all of whom have been part of Matthews Playhouse. Her brother, Jake, is currently at the Naval Academy. Madison’s twin brother, Josh, and sister, Isabella, are both involved this summer with the Matthews Playhouse 2022 camps!
Kevin O’Rourke
At 19 years old, Kevin O’Rourke will enter his sophomore year at Appalachian State University. He is a long time musical theatre fan and a longer time musical theatre performer. Kevin has been involved in theatre for much of his life, and has no intentions of stopping soon. While it is not Kevin’s first time at Matthews Playhouse, it is his first time interning here. Kevin looks forward to working with students and helping them enjoy their time here at Matthews!
Hanah Wooten
Hanah Wooten is a sophomore at Appalachian State University working towards a degree in Choral Music Education, and was recently seen in Godspell at Matthews Playhouse last summer. Outside of classes and school work, she is a dedicated member of the Appalachian Musical Theater Club, where she frequently performs in shows, cabarets, and music directs. “Being an intern for MPH summer camps has been a great way for me to build my resume & get more experience with teaching, and I am THRILLED to be back!”