Board of Directors

Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas

President

Scott holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from LSU and an MBA from Texas A&M.  He is currently a Principal Engineer at ExxonMobil. Scott has held various positions over the 25 years he has worked for ExxonMobil.

He became involved with NYT in 2017 when his oldest daughter joined the production of Beauty and the Beast. Scott has served as the backstage manager and sets committee team lead for several shows.

Scott and his wife Kristin have two daughters (Sadie & Delanie) and live in The Woodlands.

Richard Martinez

Richard Martinez

Secretary

Richard loves to serve the Lord in multiple capacities. He loves to share Gods word with young people and currently serves as the teen Sunday school teacher at Koinonia Baptist Church. He loves also spending time with his family. Richards and his wife, Susan, have four young kids that are active in NYT and various sports.
Richard uses his MBA and finance degree to pursue his role in software sales in the oil and gas trading industry. He is also an entrepreneur at heart who loves real estate, finding arbitrage, and developing businesses.
Richard has served NYT in the past as web developer and is currently serving on the board as secretary.
Justin Parks

Justin Parks

Executive/Artistic Director

Justin has directed tons of musicals including Peter Pan, Godpsell, 24 Hr Musical and Charlie Brown for NYT.  As an actor he has been featured in shows including Singing in the Rain, Blood Brothers, Footloose, West Side Story and Drowsy Chaperone. Justin co-founded CYT Chicago/Spotlight in 1997 and led that program through 2013. He was also a part of several start-up youth theaters across the country. His day job is running Theater by Design, a specialty costume and prop rental business.

He holds a BA in Religion with emphasis in Theology from Point Loma Nazarene College.  Mr. Parks has served Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Willow Creek in artistic endeavors.

Justin and his wife, Rachel and five kids (Jillian, Micah, Liberty, Jackson and Saylor) live in Shenandoah.

Brian Cabote

Brian Cabote

Board Member

Brian and his wife Audra have four kids – Mirra, Brent, Gavin, and Kyle – all of whom have participated in numerous shows with NYT, starting back in 2017.  Brian has served backstage, built sets, ran spotlights, and worked front of house on previous shows. The impact of NYT’s ministry on his family has been awesome and he is so thankful for this organization.

Brian grew up in suburban Chicago where he learned to despise winter. He holds a B.S. in Geology from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and an M.S. in Geology from University of Alabama. He has over 25 years of experience as a business leader working around the world for Chevron.

The Cabote family is happy to be settled in The Woodlands.


NYT Staff

Emily Currid

Emily Currid

Business Director

Emily gets to experience the joy of living life with her funny, loving, kind-hearted husband and partner for life, Arch. She also has the pleasure of raising two adorable humans, Kaitlyn and Liam, and one feline princess, Diamond. Emily enjoys binge watching Netflix, hiking, camping, kayaking, all things Dr. Who, reading, crafting, and working out. Spreadsheets are her love language. She despises carrots and prays for world peace. Emily is also a gymnastics coach/Xcel team coordinator at Maximum Athletics and a certified Holy Yoga instructor, 200 hr.

Jennifer Solomon

Jennifer Solomon

Marketing & Development Director

Jennifer has over 22 years of experience in marketing and public relations. She created Inspire PR & Marketing in 2012, a public relations and marketing communications business dedicated to assist small to mid-sized companies. In 2013, Jennifer founded North Phoenix Family magazine, an online community resource for families in the North Valley area of Phoenix, and served for five years as the publisher and editorial director.

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and earned her master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Born and raised in Southern California, she moved her family to Arizona where they lived for 11 years prior to moving to Texas in 2017. Jennifer and her husband, Brent, have two children, Tristan and Kayden.

Jessica Kotrla

Jessica Kotrla

Education Director

Jessica was born and raised in Oklahoma, spent 10 years of married life in Atlanta and now lives in Texas with her husband of 24 years and their 3 teenagers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in education and a master’s degree in School Library Media.  She is a former high school English teacher and former school guidance and academic director. Jessica has homeschooled her kids since 2009 and joined the NYT community in 2018 where she has served as a parent volunteer, House Manager, Show Producer, Class Coordinator, and Day Camp Coordinator. She enjoys great books, any music, and eating her vegetables with a side of junk food.

Director of Production

Director of Production

Chris Hendrix

Chris was born and raised in Conroe. He owns a training business that focuses on leadership, sales and communication skills. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Verizon as a Senior Trainer and Curriculum Developer.

He and his wife Sara have been married 17 years and serve as junior high leaders, as well as marriage leaders at The Crossing. They, along with their son John, have attended and served there for over 8 years.

After attending several NYT productions, they decided to enroll John in Peter Pan. Chris has headed up concessions at each show and accepted the role of Production Manager for A Christmas Carol. He loves the community of NYT and looks forward to being a part of many shows in the years to come.

Rachel Holland

Rachel Holland

Technical Director

Rachel has been involved with National Youth Theater since 2016 when her oldest daughter attended NYT classes in the spring and then decided to be a part of Joseph that fall. She has been the production manager for several shows since and absolutely loves getting to be a part of the theater world with her kids.

Rachel and her husband Ryan have been married for almost 22 years and have four kids who love singing, dancing, and acting.

Rachel grew up being very active in choir and band, but didn’t realize how much she also absolutely loved theater until she got involved in theater with her kids!

She loves getting to be a part of this ministry that helps kids and teens grow both in artistic excellence and in their relationship with Jesus.

Katherine Beumer

Katherine Beumer

Marketing Coordinator

Katherine was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She moved to Hockley, Texas in 2010 with her husband and two daughters.

Musical theater became a love of Katherine’s when she was a young girl and got to attend shows with her grandmother who had season tickets every year to the Buell Theater. In the summer of 2021, Katherine and her family found NYT and have loved being a part of the NYT family ever since. Her family is thankful to have found a youth theater whose focus is the love of Christ.

Katherine and her family love to serve alongside each other in their church Arena Ministry (Mutton Busting, Barrel races, etc..). She and her husband also serve in Student Ministry. Katherine also enjoys reading, league bowling with her family and homeschooling her two daughters Karly and Becca.

Andrea Brazzell

Andrea Brazzell

Special Events Coordinator

Andrea lives in Spring, Texas with her fantastic husband Daniel and their four children Matthew, Joshua, Julia, and Jazzelyn. Andrea has enjoyed home schooling her children for over 10 years. She has served on the leadership team at her co-op for 4 years and has enjoyed teaching classes such as history and yearbook as well as serving in teaching positions in Cub Scouts and AHG. Andrea loves to travel and explore the world and different cultures with her family. In recent years, she has also discovered a love for reading. Most days you can find her in her happy place – in the kitchen cooking while listening to an audio book.

Andrea is thrilled to join the staff of NYT and hopes to combine her 15+ years of experience in customer service as well as her 5+ years of work in children’s ministry to glorify the Lord by being a part of a program that honors him and gives him all the glory.


Parent Volunteer Leaders

Angel Pawlak

Angel Pawlak

Production Manager

Angel was born and raised in Texas. She has been happily married to her husband, John for almost 18 years. They have a 14 year-old daughter, Ashley. Angel became involved with NYT when her daughter was cast in Lion King Jr., and they were welcomed with open arms. They have been a part of three shows and two summer camps. Ashley loves all things theater related which has provided an avenue for wonderful friendships and experiences for them. NYT has become a second family for the Pawlak’s. Angel has served at NYT in sets, props, green room, costumes, usher, and house manager. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, volunteering, and doing crafts. Angel is a lover of Christ and loves that NYT’s mission is to help nurture children’s relationships with Christ through theater.

She traveled the world as a flight attendant for 10 years, and served in the United States Air Force Reserve for 6 years. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She believes that you are never too old to learn. She is blessed to be a stay at home mom that homeschool’s their daughter.

Kelly Moore

Kelly Moore

Production Manager

Kelly Moore is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison in Family Consumer Journalism with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations. Prior to moving to Texas 5 years ago, Kelly was the Director of the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford, IL.

Taking a leap of faith, Kelly, her husband Dan of 16 years, her son Aidan and daughter Adelyn moved to Texas to soak in all the South had to offer. One of the many blessings that walked into their lives was NYT.

Kelly has had the privilege of being the Production Manager for Elf the Musical and jumped at the chance to dive into Finding Nemo Jr. When Kelly is not producing, she spends lots of time at the swimming pool in a similar role for the Riptides Swim Team or cheering on her Tomball Cougar football player in the stands.

Judy Doyle

Judy Doyle

Costume Manager

Judy grew to love theater while working on the costume committee in 2019 and has been costuming kiddos ever since then. She looks forward to the excitement of summer Day Camps and summer shows each year! Her organizational skills and enthusiasm for learning gave her 11 years of success teaching as a certified public school teacher, and now as a homeschool mom. Currently, she is the Activities Director for a local homeschool group, teaches a 1st-3rd grade history class, bakes, and enjoys playing several musical instruments.

Shelbea Combs

Shelbea Combs

Sets Coordinator

Shelbea is a mother of 3 beautiful children and wife to an amazing husband! She has a passion for the Lord’s church and loves people! Shelbea loves to serve and share the Lord with all she can, which is why she is thankful to have found a youth theater whose focus is to shine the love of Christ. She has used her love of art and scenic design for multiple NYT shows and is honored to serve as Sets Coordinator for all NYT shows. Shelbea and her family found NYT in 2021, and they have been hooked ever since! Musical theater has been a love of hers for as long as she can remember, growing up in a musical family.


Visiting Artists

Carla Prescott

Carla Prescott

NYT Studio Director/Choreographer

At an early age, Carla Prescott developed a passion for pursuing excellence in the arts as a way to glorify God. Growing up, youth theater was a highlight of her activities and being able to do community theater with her sisters and her father is an experience she will never forget. As she ended high school, she recognized a love for choreography and spent a summer choreographing for the same youth theater.

Pursuing dance performance, in addition to choreography, Carla chose to study Dance Education at Hope College. She completed her student teaching at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, and graduated with awards in both Dance Pedagogy and Choreography. While at Hope she studied under incredible teachers such as Steven Iannacone (Nikolais Dance Theater), Maxine DeBruyn (Martha Graham), and Linda Graham (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company). Carla danced with Hope College’s company, Strike Time, that went into the public schools teaching about the art of dance. She also performed with and was the artistic director of the company Sacred that was a ministry to area churches.

After completing her degree, she spent three years performing with the company Ad Deum in Houston, TX. This opportunity gave her the chance to perform and learn from teachers and choreographers from all over the country including: Randall Flinn (Ad Deum), Stephen Rooks (Graham Company), Hope Bokin (Alvin Ailey Company), and Caleb Mitchell (Houston Ballet). During that time she also helped direct and choreograph for Ad Duem’s second company. Her choreography was selected to open Project Dance in Time Square in 2005. During this time, she taught dance in Houston at studios and city schools where she partnered with the programs 21st Century and Young Audiences.

After meeting her husband Andy, they moved to Calgary, Canada. In Calgary, she performed with Corps Bara Dance Company and studied ballet at the Alberta Ballet School of Dance. Upon returning to the United States, three years and two kids later, she moved to The Woodlands, teaching for several local dance studios and both choreographing and directing the Ballet Excelsior Trainees for one year. Now as a mother of four daughters, homeschooling and teaching her girls performing arts, she is thrilled to use her experience and love of dance to serve the NYT community.

Mirra Cabote

Mirra Cabote

NYT Studio Instructor/Choreographer

Mirra has been dancing for 12 years and is passionate about spreading the joy of dance. She spent a year as a company dancer and teacher at Magnify, specializing in teaching ballet technique and ballroom dancing. In college, she has continued her dance journey with a ministry-based women’s performing arts group. In summer 2022, Mirra began her work with NYT by interning for You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. She loves spending time with her family, brewing kombucha, and putting her Pomeranian in silly outfits. Her very favorite thing is fostering dance confidence and collaboration in the studio. Mirra is currently studying nursing, with the goal of becoming a nurse midwife in the future.

Kristi Vaughn

Kristi Vaughn

Director/NYT Studio Instructor

Kristi’s family joined NYT in 2017 and have been hooked ever since! Her music background is almost exclusively in church, but she has dabbled in the secular world as well. Her husband, Cody, and daughters Ashton and Kaitlyn are her greatest treasures. She is an ardent admirer of all the brilliant and beautiful ways we can learn to use the gift of the arts to worship our Creator! 

Kristi and her husband have led worship teams all of their adult lives. She has also had the opportunity to direct choirs, and has sung professionally on and off over the years. She’s a teacher at heart, homeschooling her children, as well as serving in children’s ministry since the age of 13. Music and teaching young people are 2 of her most favorite things, and she is honored to be serving at the junction of those passions at NYT! What a privilege it is to help guide young believers in honing their gifts to bring glory to the name of Jesus!

Aimee Bowles

Aimee Bowles

Director

Aimee trained in singing, dancing, and acting from age three through college. Blessed with a rich choral life, she has enjoyed singing in incredible choirs all through high school, college, and into adulthood. At LSU, she began to serve in the worship band at her college ministry. Since then, she has continued to serve in this way, and now helps lead others in worship at her church (Redeemer Church) in Tomball, alongside her husband, who serves as the executive pastor and worship leader. In theater, she has been a featured dancer in the ensemble, held side character and principle roles, and painted sets. While she has not performed in some time, she often jokes that she would “come out retirement” for the chance to play Glinda in Wicked.

In her “spare time,” she directs a Classical Conversations campus in Tomball and plans Disney vacations for families. She loves traveling, decorating really early for holidays, and being with her husband Kevin, and their four amazing kids: Judah, Canaan, Annie, and Hallie. Aimee categorizes herself as someone who is “easily moved,” as pretty much any form of beauty (a pretty day, a majestic little league home run, literary passages) can cause her traitorous tear ducts to activate, but music stirs in her soul such joy and worship of the great God who created this beautiful means of expression.

David Brooks Horn

David Brooks Horn

Director

David has been a director with NYT for three years, through numerous shows including Music Man Jr., Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Willy Wonka, and Shrek Jr. When not directing, he enjoys acting in the Lone Star Summer Musical, composing music, and leading worship at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. He has a lovely wife, Diana, and his pride and joy, his son, Lucius.

Holly Jasso

Holly Jasso

Director

From a young age, Holly has been directing and performing in church and for family. Every Christmas her family would take a seat as she and her sisters would reenact the story of Jesus, costumes and all. In 2005, she earned her bachelor’s of fine arts in theater from Sam Houston State University with a teaching certification. Her credits include: Anything Goes (Charity), Cinderella (Queen), Shadow Box (Agatha) and was a costume designer for Romeo and Juliet at Sam Houston State University. Holly was the assistant director for CYT’s, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of OZ and assisted choreography for Godspell. She enjoys spending her time singing, studying theology and reading to her little love bugs, Caleb and Danika.

Lisa Morales

Lisa Morales

Director

Dr. Lisa Morales’ musical journey began at the age of three with Suzuki violin lessons at Oklahoma City University. As a violinist with the Charleston Youth Symphony (SC) and violin performance major through college, she studied with Dr. Won Mo Kim (Charleston Symphony Orchestra), Tiberius Klausner (University of Missouri – Kansas City), Dr. Donald Portnoy (University of South Carolina), and Leonard Feldberg (University of New Mexico).  Vocal studies with Drs. Aija and James Shrader included master classes with the renowned vocal pedagogue Richard Miller of Oberlin Conservatory followed by a year of intensive study with Florence Birdwell (teacher of Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O’Hara among others). While on staff at Tulsa Opera, Dr. Morales worked with nationally and internationally known singers, directors, and conductors and developed an opera appreciation course in conjunction with the University of Tulsa. Recently, she continued advanced study in the field with vocal pedagogy and conducting institutes at Boston Conservatory, Southern Methodist University, and the University of North Texas. Additional graduate coursework at the University of Houston-Moores School of Music has enabled her to learn from Professor Melanie Sonnenberg and the generous voice faculty associated with MSM.

Dr. Morales’ students are successful performers and have been welcomed into the Houston Grand Opera High School program, Sam Houston State University musical theater and theater programs, the University of Houston-Moores School of Music, Wichita State University musical theater program, and Oklahoma City University Petree School of Music, to name a few. Additionally, students who have trained with Dr. Morales are now featured singers and performers in various semi-professional and professional venues, including Disneyland in Orlando!

Dr. Morales has worked in higher education for over 20 years, developing curriculum, establishing and building programs, and designing extracurricular activities. Her research interests focus on the interdisciplinary nature of learning and encompass vocal health, the connection between bel canto and musical theater style singing techniques, performance practice and programming, and the economic impact of war/effectiveness of reconstruction efforts within two primary contexts: the War of 1812 and the Marshall Plan. At LSC-Tomball, she provides leadership for the direction of the music program, teaches honors music appreciation and private voice students, and directs vocal ensembles. Previously, she has served on the faculties of University of Tulsa, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and North Central Texas College.

Angela Ward

Angela Ward

Vocal/Directing Intern

Angela lives in Willis with her husband of 21 years and enjoys homeschooling her entourage of four amazing children, three of whom are active in NYT performances (still working on the fourth!).  She helped start and lead a local homeschool co-op for five years and teaches writing and grammar classes on the side. She and her husband have been active in church ministry since they were first married. Music and theater have always been a huge part of her life. Angela has been active on several worship teams as a vocalist and keys player. She also helps to oversee her church’s student worship team. Angela has written and directed several dramatic performances for kids’ summer camps at her church. She was a theater major for a time in college and has been in several musical performances, most recently as a dancer in Singin’ in the Rain. She is thrilled to join NYT in honoring Christ through the arts!

Katrin Young

Katrin Young

Vocal Director

Katrin Young has been in love with music her entire life. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Woman’s University. Katrin taught in public school as a choir director for two short years before deciding to be a homeschooling mom. She has directed various choirs, and has given private piano lessons for the past 20 years. Katrin does life with her husband, Jonathan, and her four kids- Carter, Mitchell, C.J. and Aria. She considers music a beautiful gift from the Lord, and turns it into ministry every chance she gets.

Kristel Williams

Kristel Williams

Vocal Director

Kristel Williams is a mother of three dramatic children and lover of Jesus and all things musical! She comes from a big family of musicians and singers. Consequently, Kristel started singing in church when she was 5 years old and has led worship in church her whole life! She also coaches the youth of her church with worship and teaches them the foundations of leading a worship service.

Kristel’s children started doing theater in 2017 and she helped vocal direct four shows for that theater. She came to NYT in 2019 when her kids auditioned for Frozen Jr. Kristel started officially working with the kids of NYT in the summer 2021 at the Teen Beach Camp and vocal directed for Lion King fall 2021. She is honored to work with your kids and hopes to not only lead them as a vocal director but pour the love of God over them in our time together.

Watching them grow brings her great joy and her desire is to help young people grow in their gifts and help cultivate leaders of the next generation. Kristel’s favorite part is when she see the light come on in your kids eyes when they realize what they are capable of doing! God has a big plan for their lives and she humbled to get to be a small part of it.

Jaylyn Richards

Jaylyn Richards

Choreographer/NYT Studio Instructor

Jaylyn is a Colorado native (but got to Texas as soon as she could)! She began her journey in performing arts at a very young age when she was signed on with a successful talent agency. There, she learned concepts of public speaking, working behind a camera,  and lessons that she still carries with her today. Soon after, Jaylyn began to study dance which became a predominant part of her life from her elementary years to college. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and a little acro. Once she became a member of her studio’s company, she spent years performing at local events and across the country, including SeaWorld and Disneyland. She also competed at dance conventions and received training from Master Dancers that were frequently brought in as guest teachers at her studio. Jaylyn also was a member of her high school’s award winning POM squad. During her time there, she competed at nationals in Florida twice. Jaylyn was honored to be a featured dancer and have pieces of her choreography highlighted in this televised competition.

Along with dance, Jaylyn also has a love for theater and has fond memories of  being in musicals, a theater troupe, and learning from some very talented people as a student director. She studied nursing and theology in college, which seemed to go hand in hand as a RN. Jaylyn found nursing to be quite a ministry, serving the sick and trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus to her patients and their families. 

After college, Jaylyn met the love of her life, Jason and they now have six wonderful kids, Hannah, David, Abigail, Rachel, Andrew, and Elizabeth. She has a heart for serving and  missions. One of her favorite moments on the mission field is putting together a dramatization of the message of the gospel (because of a language barrier) and performing it for a village in Senegal, Africa and Tijuana, Mexico. She has gone on missions to many countries and served at numerous ministries including Focus on the Family, Youth Alive (where she got to work with one of her role models, Christine Caine) and Oral Roberts Ministries to name a few. She also loves kids and is happy to get to serve the NYT community.

Erica Gallegos

Erica Gallegos

Director/Choreographer

Erica Gallegos has been performing for over 18 years and is passionate about spreading the love of Jesus in every avenue that is brought her way, especially the Performing Arts. “I have found that the people who are usually drawn to the arts the most, are those that have a desire to be heard and to make an impact on people, their city, or even the nations for the better. THESE are men and women after God’s own heart!”

Erica works as a certified figure skating coach, here in Houston; as well as a choreographer and dance instructor for Magnify School of Dance for over 4 years. She also has years of dramas and musicals, show choirs and formal choirs, and vocal competitions under her belt. These include performing at Epcot (Disney World, Orlando), Lincoln Center (Manhattan, NYC), The Miller Outdoor Theatre, The Wortham Theatre Center, and Discovery Green Park (Downtown Houston). She has served as, Assistant Director for NYTs musical production, Frozen Jr., and Choreographer for NYTs musical production, Matilda.

Jenny Moyado

Jenny Moyado

Choreographer

Jenny has been dancing for over 13 years and is passionate about sharing God’s love with children and adults through the art of dance. She loves teaching and has been a dance instructor for Magnify School of Dance for over four years. Jenny specializes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, partner dancing and worship dance. She is also a charter company member for The Magnify Dance Company.

She is also a professional choreographer. Jenny has served as the dance director/choreographer for Joyful Sound for multiple years and has choreographed multiple shows for NYT (such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, NYTs 24 Hour production of High School Musical, and guest choreographer for Willy Wonka).

Shana Manna

Shana Manna

Director/Choreographer

At age 3, Shana watched the entirety of The Sound of Music, and has never looked away from theatre ever since. A ’97 local graduate from Tomball High School, she went off to The Boston Conservatory to pursue an education and career in Musical Theatre. During her time in Boston, she had many incredible opportunities to play in various productions across town, including Hair, The Grapes of Wrath, Amal and the Night Visitors, and Gypsy. She moved to New York soon after and continued her career doing several productions. Eventually, Texas called her back home.

Recently, she performed in the Owen Theatre’s Smokey Joe’s Cafe, winning Best Lead Actress and was also nominated as Betty Hanes in White Christmas. She now is happily married and a mother of 5 – homeschools, tutors, occasionally does voice lessons, teaches fitness classes, accompanies the worship band at church, and juggles life and all of the “jobs.” (Keeping busy is her favorite!)  Her most recent passions are writing musicals for young children, and starting a Worship Arts program at her home church, Redeemer Church. She is overjoyed to be added to the NYT cast of characters and prays that God is seen, known, and loved through her time here!

Abigail Collier

Abigail Collier

Choreographer

Abigail Collier has been dancing for 16 years and has trained in classical ballet, modern (Limón & Graham), tap, pointe, hip-hop & lyrical. She has had the privilege of teaching at Magnify for 4 years and she adores her work. Dance/movement are Abigail’s passions and she hopes to always share it positively with her students/peers.

 

Justin Ray

Justin Ray

Guest Choreographer

Justin began his theater training with CYT/CCT San Diego during his junior year of high school. He started taking dance classes while getting an AA degree at a community college. Justin continued training in acting and singing while simultaneously working professionally in local San Diego theaters. He received an 8-month intensive dance scholarship from the Academy of Performing Arts in San Diego. Not long after, he transferred to UC Irvine majoring in drama for a short while before joining the Chicago company of Wicked. After 18 months performing in Oz, Justin decided to move to Hollywood to pursue an acting career in TV/Film. He has since starred in a few independent feature films and occasionally returns to the stage. Some of his favorite theater credits: Wicked (Ensemble), CATS (Rum Tum Tugger), West Side Story (Riff), Gypsy (Tulsa), Music Man (Tommy Djilas). Some Film credits: 1 Chance 2 Dance (Netflix), Disaster LA (On-Demand), Attack of the Killer DonutsFortune Defies DeathLiving with Models (YouTube).

On a personal level, Justin has been a Christian for most of his life. He remembers accepting Jesus Christ as his savior while praying with his father when he was 5 years old and he has lived in faith ever since.

Sara Morris

Sara Morris

NYT Studio Instructor

Sara was born and raised in the Houston, Texas area. She grew up dancing at a local dance studio until she joined and helped lead her high school’s drill team. Sara earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Texas, where she also met her husband, Vincent, and began teaching dance. After having her first baby and moving back to the Houston area, Sara’s been staying home with her children and teaching dance classes at local dance studios and schools. She’s been married for 6 years and has 3 children: Calla, Clifford, and Crislyn. Her husband is a musician and band director, so their family is passionate about sharing their love of the arts with the next generation. Sara has previously worked at a pregnancy resource center and experienced issues with infertility, so she loves to come alongside others on their pregnancy journeys and is pursuing becoming a doula.

Britanie Long

Britanie Long

NYT Studio Instructor

Hello! My name is Britanie Long. I have a wonderful husband named Jon and three children: Preslie (10), Brilyn (9), and Asher (4). I grew up attending gymnastics, tumbling, and dance classes all of my life. I was also a cheerleader throughout junior high, high school, and into college. I worked as a coach for a competitive cheer team in college and also continued to take jazz and hip hop classes into my college years. I have a masters degree in science for Speech Language Pathology but have chosen to spend the last 6 years homeschooling my children. We discovered the magic that is NYT during Grimm Jr., in which my then 8-year-old daughter was cast. I was put on the props team where I met some of the most amazing women who quickly became great friends. From then on we were hooked. I am most honored to be a part of this amazing group of people on the Narnia directing team as an assistant choreographer to the very talented Mrs. Jaylyn Richards. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to know this directing team and the deeply inspiring people they all are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Lyndze Deyo

Lyndze Deyo

NYT Studio Instructor

Lyndze was born and raised in the Houston area. She began local theater productions at the age of 4 along with voice lessons and competitive dance in tap, jazz, ballet, and musical theater styles. Her talent led to her working full time in Houston theaters including The Alley, Main Street and TUTS. Some of her favorite theater productions were Seussical the Musical, Sound of Music, and Guys and Dolls.  Lyndze was eventually recruited by an agent and moved to Los Angeles for 3 years to work doing voiceovers, short films, modeling, and commercials. She trained alongside actors like Austin Butler. After 10 years of professional work and over 75 productions, her family moved to East Texas and Lyndze began public school where she focused on her academics.

Lyndze’s passion for the arts was reignited as a young adult after watching a performance at a local high school. For the last 3 years, she has been working at a local church in charge of their programming and summer camps/events. She has enjoyed teaching and training her team of 75 kids and adults to lead worship, teach Bible lessons, put on skits, and grow in their understanding and confidence of how to use their gifts to glorify the Lord. She is very excited to be diving back into the world of performing arts with a priority placed on bringing honor and glory to God in excellent training and productions.

Lyndze and her husband Ryan have been married for five years and are some of the most outdoorsy people you will ever meet. They met rock climbing, and the adventure has only continued since then. They have one cat and want to have a big family one day.