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PERFORMING ARTS INSTRUCTORS

Kaetlin 2 headshot.png

ARTS DIRECTOR
PA DEPARTMENT HEAD

KAETLIN LAMBERSON DAVIS

Kaetlin Lamberson graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and minor in Political Science.  At SEMO she served as President of University Dancers United and Senior Senator for the Holland College of Arts and Media.  Here she was awarded the President’s Spirit of Southeast award and Outstanding Senior for Conservatory of Theatre and Dance.  After graduation, Kaetlin worked with COCAedu for a summer internship, and began teaching dance in Columbia, Illinois.  Because of a passion for Arts Advocacy, she currently serves as a board member with Missouri Citizens for the Arts and has for two years.  In this time, she has attended many advocacy events at the local, state and national levels to advocate on behalf of the Missouri Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.

PERFORMING ARTS INSTRUCTORS

​April McCandless grew up at DaySpring training in musical theater, dance, and drama. She graduated from Stephens College with a BFA in Theater Arts. During her time at Stephens College, April received training and experience in acting, directing, stage management, and technical theater. During college she spent a summer at a professional summer stock theater in Okoboji, IA working on 9 full productions in 10 weeks. Since graduating, April has found her passion directing musicals for children and teen performers as well as passing on her love of theater to her students. April has directed more than 12 musicals here at Dayspring but some of her favorites have been: Seussical (2013), Little Mermaid (2014), and Jane Eyre (2015)
April McCandless

Musical Theatre 1 | Musical Theatre Coordinator

​April McCandless grew up at DaySpring training in musical theater, dance, and drama. She graduated from Stephens College with a BFA in Theater Arts. During her time at Stephens College, April received training and experience in acting, directing, stage management, and technical theater. During college she spent a summer at a professional summer stock theater in Okoboji, IA working on 9 full productions in 10 weeks. Since graduating, April has found her passion directing musicals for children and teen performers as well as passing on her love of theater to her students. April has directed more than 12 musicals here at Dayspring but some of her favorites have been: Seussical (2013), Little Mermaid (2014), and Jane Eyre (2015)

Katie is a graduate from Stephens College with a BFA in Acting. While at Stephens, Katie acted, directed, designed, stage managed, and everything in between. Since moving back to St. Louis, she’s worked on multiple productions as a props designer and scenic painter for professional companies as well as high school theatre programs (where she teaches students prop building and painting techniques and how to work with props/scenery on stage). Teaching, especially in the arts, has been a passion of hers since she was in classes herself. Being a quirky kid from a small town, the arts provided her with a sense of belonging, and it was then that she made it her mission to continue to give kids that same opportunity.
Katie Orr

Intro to Musical Theatre

Katie is a graduate from Stephens College with a BFA in Acting. While at Stephens, Katie acted, directed, designed, stage managed, and everything in between. Since moving back to St. Louis, she’s worked on multiple productions as a props designer and scenic painter for professional companies as well as high school theatre programs (where she teaches students prop building and painting techniques and how to work with props/scenery on stage). Teaching, especially in the arts, has been a passion of hers since she was in classes herself. Being a quirky kid from a small town, the arts provided her with a sense of belonging, and it was then that she made it her mission to continue to give kids that same opportunity.

Rachel Yarbrough graduated from Missouri Baptist University with a double major in Theatre and Psychology. She has been performing for the past 19 years and has been working professionally in theatre for the past 5 years! Some of her favorite shows she has been a part of have been Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella, and Songs for a new World! In her free time she enjoys reading, finding new coffee shops, and traveling. She hopes that by the end of this year her students feel empowered, excited, and ready for their next show!
Rachel Yarbrough

Musical Theatre 1

Rachel Yarbrough graduated from Missouri Baptist University with a double major in Theatre and Psychology. She has been performing for the past 19 years and has been working professionally in theatre for the past 5 years! Some of her favorite shows she has been a part of have been Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella, and Songs for a new World! In her free time she enjoys reading, finding new coffee shops, and traveling. She hopes that by the end of this year her students feel empowered, excited, and ready for their next show!

We would like to welcome Claire to the performing arts department as our new MT3 teacher!
Claire Baur

Musical Theatre 3

We would like to welcome Claire to the performing arts department as our new MT3 teacher!

​Actor, mime and clown. Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He received a B.A in Theater from the University of Puerto Rico. He has over 15 years of experience in professional theater, TV, film and commercials. He studied mime and physical theatre in The School for Mime Theatre in Gambier, Ohio and clown theatre with the former Cirque du Soleil’s clown, Alex Navarro. He was contracted for specialty character work for the Walt Disney Company. His performances have taken him to the USA, Puerto Rico, Spain and Mexico. In St Louis, he has worked with Annoyarts, St Louis Shakespeare and Mustard Seed Theater receiving high reviews for his acting and lighting design work. He is also the co-founder and executive director of Kinetic Tapestry, a physical theatre company and circus arts studio based in St Louis.
Jaime Zayas

Circus Arts | Engineering

​Actor, mime and clown. Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He received a B.A in Theater from the University of Puerto Rico. He has over 15 years of experience in professional theater, TV, film and commercials. He studied mime and physical theatre in The School for Mime Theatre in Gambier, Ohio and clown theatre with the former Cirque du Soleil’s clown, Alex Navarro. He was contracted for specialty character work for the Walt Disney Company. His performances have taken him to the USA, Puerto Rico, Spain and Mexico. In St Louis, he has worked with Annoyarts, St Louis Shakespeare and Mustard Seed Theater receiving high reviews for his acting and lighting design work.
He is also the co-founder and executive director of Kinetic Tapestry, a physical theatre company and circus arts studio based in St Louis.

Eliana Steele graduated from Missouri Baptist University with a major in Theatre and minors in Accounting and Business Administration. Currently, she works at MBU in the Accounts Payable office and as the director of the university’s drama ministry team. She also enjoys directing Take 3 Christian Theater, a local home school theater company. When not prepping for a rehearsal, Eliana loves spending time with her family, taking walks (preferably while barefoot), snuggling dogs, and staying involved at church. She is passionate about storytelling through theatre and the impact it can have on people’s lives.
Eliana Steele

Musical Theatre 2 Instructor

Eliana Steele graduated from Missouri Baptist University with a major in Theatre and minors in
Accounting and Business Administration. Currently, she works at MBU in the Accounts Payable office
and as the director of the university’s drama ministry team. She also enjoys directing Take 3 Christian
Theater, a local home school theater company. When not prepping for a rehearsal, Eliana loves
spending time with her family, taking walks (preferably while barefoot), snuggling dogs, and staying
involved at church. She is passionate about storytelling through theatre and the impact it can have on
people’s lives.

My name is Alecia Plotzke, and I am excited to be music directing Musical Theatre 1 students this year! I am a licensed Speech Pathologist, with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a BA in Developmental Psychology, and a passion for musical theatre. I look forward to encouraging your student’s growth as performers!
Alecia Plotzke

Musical Theatre 1

My name is Alecia Plotzke, and I am excited to be music directing Musical Theatre 1 students this year! I am a licensed Speech Pathologist, with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a BA in Developmental Psychology, and a passion for musical theatre. I look forward to encouraging your student’s growth as performers!

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