Instructors

2011 Theatre Conservatory Camp Instructors and Bios:

Kristina Sutherland, Seattle, WA – Playwriting/acting/auditioning

Kristina is the Executive Co-Artistic Director and co-founder (along with the lovely and talented Desiree Prewitt) of Macha Monkey Productions, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to producing fearless, funny, female theatre since 2001. Kristina is a producer, performer, teaching artist, playwright and director. Her directing credits include Fall Off Night by Allison Gregory, Dukthul by Red Eagle Soaring, The Cowgirl Play by Sutherland and Prewitt, GameGirl by Jennifer Pratt, and Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl. She is also the author of Macha Monkey’s most recent critically acclaimed production Franklin and Figaro and the co-author of The Cowgirl Play, R (The Swashbuckling Tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read), and Live Girls Do Elektra. Kristina currently works as a teaching artist for both ACT Theatre’s Young Playwright Program and Macha Monkey’s Monkey Works Program. www.machamonkey.org

Gin Hammond, Bellevue, WA – Voice/acting/movement

Gin received her MFA from the A.R.T. at Harvard University/Moscow Art Theatre. She teaches at Cornish College of the Arts and Freehold Studio Theatre, and has performed across the U.S. and in Russia, Germany, Ireland, Scotland and England.  Her voice(s) can be heard on audiobooks, radio plays, and video games such as World of Warcraft, Halo 3 ODST, Super Granny, and Cake Mania.  www.ginhammond.com

Andrew McMasters, Seattle, WA – Acting/commercials

Andrew is the Artistic Director of Wing-It Productions, the producer of JET CITY IMPROV. He has been producing theater in Seattle for over 19 years and holds an MFA in Drama from the UW and a BA in Theater from Temple University. He is also the Executive Producer of the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater, and is active in the Seattle theater community in many capacities. In addition to managing and participating in local nonprofits, Andrew teaches and works as an actor nationwide.

Anna James Miller, Wenatchee, WA – Dance

Anna is a local, national, and international performer and choreographer with 13 years of teaching experience. Anna has trained with Sonia Dawkins, tap legends Savion Glover and Diane Walker, and faculty members from PNB, Cornish, Ballet Hispanica, Redwood Concert Ballet, and many more. Performance credits include “Dance This” at the Paramount Theater, Fusion Dance Company, Seattle Musical Theater, Leavenworth Summer Theater, Rhythm Knights Dance Troupe, Northwest Ballet Theater, Ballet Bellevue, Belleuve Opera, Seattle Opera, ABC-Tokyo, and more. An involved member of the local arts community, Anna teaches dance in Wenatchee at ADPA, offers private instruction in a variety of techniques all over the Wenatchee Valley, has choreographed productions for the Wenatchee Appleaires, Music Theatre of Wenatchee, and Leavenworth Summer Theater, and is full-time Managing Director of Icicle Arts in Leavenworth.

Shana Pennington-Baird, Seattle, WA – Voice lessons/musical theatre workshop
Shana brings over 15 years nonprofit experience in artistic presenting, directing, acting, finance, communications, development, and production. She has over ten years teaching theatre to ages 4-19. She has worked at various theatres including A Contemporary Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre, the Bathhouse Theatre, Cabaret Productions, Seattle Shakespeare Fest, Civic Light Opera, Oregon Cabaret, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Mystery Cafe, and Storybook Theatre as both a performer and arts administrator. In 2006, Shana won the Business in Excellence Award at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center for outstanding commitment to community, employee morale, and creating an exceptional workplace. In 2009, Shana joined ICTF as Director of Education for the Icicle Creek Theatre Festival Summer Conservatory.  She also works for ACT Theatre as the Event and Venue Manager.

Camp Counselors: Colin Marshall and Melissa Madsen