Administration
Riley Madlock – Head of School, Head of Dance
Riley Madlock joined the NTPA family in 2020 and now serves as the NTPA Academy Head of School and Head of Dance, as well as, NTPA’s first Resident Choreographer. Riley has a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Dance from New Mexico State University and a BA in Mass Communications from Ouachita Baptist University. Prior to joining NTPA, she served as dance faculty at New Mexico State University and co-founded/directed the NMSU Hip Hop company. She was the resident choreographer for The Muses Project in Hot Springs, AR for six years and danced abroad post undergrad. Riley has choreographed for drill and dance teams around the country. Her choreography has won numerous awards at studio, high school and collegiate levels and has been adjudicated at American College Dance Association conferences throughout the south. Riley has trained and performed with many professionals around the world including Dmitri Roudnev of the Bolshoi Ballet, Gavriel Spitzer of Batsheva Dance Company, George Staib of StaibDance and T. Lang Dance. Favorite NTPA credits include Bonnie & Clyde, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Wild Party, Freaky Friday, and Hadestown. Riley sends love to her family, Matthew, Charlotte, and Noodle, for their never ending support.
Lyz Miller – Core Academic Department Head
Lyz is originally from Connecticut, where she grew up with parents who had deep roots in education and theater. She inherited her parents’ love for both at a young age. Now living in Frisco, she has passed this love onto her two boys. Lyz has a bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College with a double major in Mathematics and Theatre. She also went on to earn a masters from the University of Florida and is a certified Mathematics teacher. Currently she is a faculty member of the NTPA Academy.
Kira Kerstine – Guidance Counselor
Kira Kerstine is excited to be join the NTPA Academy family as Guidance Counselor. Kira is a school psychologist who specializes in individual and group counseling, psychoeducational testing, positive behavioral supports, consultation, and classroom-based interventions. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Kira has always had a passion for theatre and the arts. Kira completed her undergraduate work at The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in psychology and minored in child development. Kira earned her masters in school-clinical child psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in her hometown of New York City. While originally planning to move back to Texas right after graduate school, she took a detour to Cincinnati, Ohio after meeting her husband, Jeff.
Throughout her 17 years in Cincinnati, Kira worked with children and adolescents in both the public and private school settings. In 2016, Kira moved backed to Texas with her husband and three children. Her youngest son, Jake, performed in his first NTPA production in 2017 and she and her family have called NTPA home ever since. Kira is thrilled to begin this new journey where she can combine her two passions of helping children become their best selves and her love of theatre.
Melissa Winton – Head of Technical Theatre, Resident Director of Immersive Theatre
Melissa Winton studied musical theater at Seminole State University in Orlando, FL, before earning a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University. She has certifications in Special Effects Makeup, Theatrical Design, and Roman Architecture. Melissa is an industry professional with extensive experience in immersive storytelling within the Haunted Attractions Industry. Known for designing emotionally charged, full-sensory experiences that place audiences inside the narrative, Melissa brings years of expertise in practical effects, scenic design, costume and makeup design, and scenic painting to the Academy.
Faculty
Gabrielle Collins – Managing Director of Accessible Theatre
Native to Texas, Gabrielle attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development, Youth and Community Studies, with a concentration in Special Populations and a specialization in Disability Studies in Movement Science. Prior to attending UT, Gabrielle received her Associates of the Arts in Dance from Collin College, during which she began her journey as a dance educator and choreographer. A lifelong appreciator of and advocate for inclusivity and accessibility of the arts, Gabrielle is excited to be working with both NTPA – Starcatchers and NTPA – Deaf Theatre to provide quality performance art experiences to all who walk through the doors of NTPA!
Shannon Hauser – Adjunct Director
Shannon received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Education from Bowling Green State University where she focused on the biomechanics and kinesiology of dance. She also minored in theater with an emphasis on Shakespeare and directing and was an inaugural member of Beautiful Kids Independent Shakespeare company. She directed Waiting and The Interview during her time at BGSU and choreographed close to 40 performances between the school of theater and school of dance.
After graduation, Shannon moved to Lake Tahoe where her the opportunity to expand a local Royal Academy of Ballet school into the competitive dance world presented itself. Shannon was the competitive director of Tahoe Dance School for 10 years. Former students have gone on to dance with Alvin Ailey, Sean Curran and Doug Elkins. She partnered with Tahoe Theater Workshop and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival where she got to continue her love of Shakespeare.
She married her husband, Marty, in 2004 and has two sons and two cats. Shannon took a teaching hiatus to stay home with her boys while they were young but has loved her return to the performing arts where she can share her passion with the next generation.
Kameron Knott – Collegiate Pursuits Program Director
Kameron started working with NTPA in 2019 as a Choreographer and Assistant Director. He has also been working as an integral part of the Collegiate Pursuits production team since its inception. A native of Texas, Kameron holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama; Acting Emphasis and a minor in Dance from the University of Oklahoma. In addition to his work with NTPA, he has worked professionally in many aspects of the entertainment industry with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, EarthX Film Festival, and the Actor Factory. Kameron has also worked as a professional actor in New York City for the past several years. Favorite past performances include The Proposal (Chubukov), Sylvia (Greg), Angels in America; Perestroika (Joe), City of Angels (Sonny/Fight Captain), and Biloxi Blues (Hennessey). Favorite NTPA projects have included Cabaret, The SpongeBob Musical, Oklahoma, Tuck Everlasting, Mamma Mia, and Frozen Jr. In addition to continuing to serve as a Choreographer and Director, Kameron now also leads the educational efforts of the Collegiate Pursuits program overseeing workshops, classes, and lessons to prepare students in grades 8-12 who are planning to pursue a performing arts degree in college.
Gregory McKnight – Senior Technical Director
Gregory has been working in film and video production for over 20 years and is a seasoned theater technician, having worked in multiple venues across DFW over the past two decades. He currently serves as the Senior Technical Director at NTPA where he leads all technical theatre programs across NTPA and teaches technical theatre classes at NTPA Academy.
Since joining the NTPA team in 2017, Greg has served as a director and music director for many shows and has written several original scripts that have premiered on NTPA stages including fan-favorites “The Adventure of BetaKid” and “The Adventure of GammaKid.” He also spearheaded the NTPA Studios program providing a new opportunity for students to learn and experience film production. Greg has been a musician since the age of 7 and has played piano professionally for over a decade.
Kerry Murdock – Managing Director, NTPA – Frisco
Kerry has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Central University (OK) with a minor in Musical Theatre and an M.Ed. in Multicultural Literature from Xavier University (OH).
Kerry has spent the last 25 years working with children as a teacher, choir director, storyteller, director, costume director, and piano teacher. Kerry also serves as Show Manager for multiple shows, including the Immersive Production the students perform each semester.
She has a passion for instilling a love of reading in young students and enjoys implementing her acting skills to bring books and stories to life. Kerry has enjoyed participating in theatre in many different roles across six states. Her favorite memories are sharing the stage with her three children in several productions. Now that they are taking the stage on their own, she is excited to see their love of performing grow.
Peyton Churchwell – Resident Director
Peyton Churchwell is a University of Louisiana-Monroe alumni, and he graduated with a Bachelors in English Education. His ULM VAPA Performance credits include Ubaldo Piangi in Phantom of the Opera, Captain Venderdender in Candide, and Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye, Birdie. His Strauss Theatre credits include Ensemble/Chorus member in Mamma Mia and Mr. Bumble in Oliver! The Musical. He has also performed at the Rose Theatre in many plays, including the role of Wilson in Whose Wives are They Anyway?, and he performed as Macduff in CA Studio’s Zoom production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Peyton studied with the Music in the Marche program in Mondavio, Italy, in the summer of 2018 where he sung the roles of Don Ottavio and Basilio in the opera scenes production. In 2019, Peyton directed the Neville Junior High Drama Club in their production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He recently traveled to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to perform the role of Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosí Fan Tutte for the Matador Opera Workshop.
Denise Forney – Adjunct Director
Denice found a love for theater in high school and headed to NYC to attend The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. She then utilized her knowledge to teach high school theater until her move to TX. Now with her own daughter starting her theatrical journey she is happy to get back to being in the director’s seat.
Zayde Vetter – Senior Resident Director
Zayde is a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, receiving her B.A. in Theatre with minors in Communication and Psychology. Her acting resume includes Pugsley in The Adams Family, Florence in Souvenir, a Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, and Jaquinetta in Love’s Labors Lost. During a study abroad program at Oxford, her passions grew to include directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy. Some of her previous directorial productions include The Glass Menagerie, Ugly Lies the Bone, and Into Evil: a Musical Revue, as well as debuting at NTPA as Assistant Director for Frozen Kids.
Zayde believes that theatre has the power to inspire and foster growth. She is extremely excited to join the team at NTPA and hopes to encourage the love of theatre in the next generation of thespians.
Elena Maldonado-Dunn – Program Director, NTPA Plano
Elena Maldonado-Dunn has been involved in theatre since the age of six. They have a degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Directing from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, and directed two off-Broadway premiers before moving to Texas. Elena is passionate about Shakespeare, stage combat, and transforming the lives of youth through theatre and the arts. Favorite shows include Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Hadestown. Elena is eternally grateful to the entire NTPA family, as well as their fantastic girlfriend, their parents, and their three furry sons, Oliver, Teddy, and Duck, for their everlasting support.
Jessica Whiteman – Adjunct Faculty
Jessica Whiteman graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Theatre and a minor in Applied Theatre Arts/Education. She went on to receive her M.A. in Theatre Administration from Rowan University. While she grew up performing, Jessica discovered her passion for directing when she was 16 years old while directing the musicals for Camp Chai at the Jewish Community Center. Over 20 years later, Jessica still spends her summers directing there. From 2009-2022 Jessica taught middle and upper school theatre and directed at Parish Episcopal School. Favorite directing titles include: Little Women, Les Mis, Matilda, and Working to name a few. She stepped away from the classroom when her son, Logan, was born so she could focus on her role of a lifetime – mom. Jessica is thrilled to return to the classroom and to be a part of the NTPA family.
Rae Dalley – Adjunct Faculty
Rae Dalley is a certified makeup artist with a passion for transforming performers through SFX (special effects) makeup. In addition to her expertise in SFX, she holds certifications in beauty makeup, hair styling, airbrush, and body painting, making her a versatile force behind the scenes.
A 2022 graduate of the NTPA Academy, Rae performed in over 20 productions during her three years as a student. Now at 20 years old, she returns to NTPA, excited to share the same passion for theatrical makeup that first sparked her journey five years ago.
Hannah Staton – Adjunct Faculty
Hannah Staton is a freelance performing artist who has been currently based in Europe and Thailand to participate in various projects and has been a dance instructor and choreographer located in Dallas, Texas for the last 2 years and in North Carolina for 4 years on and off. Hannah was born and raised in Thailand, where she first began dancing at a local studio in 2005. In 2021, she graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ (UNCSA) with her BFA degree in Contemporary Dance and minor in Arts Entrepreneurship. Hannah was trained under various instructors and performed in works at UNCSA by Robert Battle, Yin Yue, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, José Limón, and others. After graduating, she became a company member with SUAH African Dance Theatre before moving to Dallas, Texas to be a residency artist with Zion Dance Project and to continue to explore her love for freestyle and be involved in the local dance scene. Recently, she has completed a Research Program through Arts&Studios with Evelien Jansen in the Netherlands.
Hannah is very excited to share and give knowledge of different dance styles at NTPA for this fall semester!
Niquel Barnett – Adjunct Director
Niquel Barnett is a proud graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in Theatre Performance, Niquel Barnett is a founding member of the sketch comedy troupe, Rent Free, and has spent the last 3 years performing with them throughout Texas and Oklahoma. In addition to performing, Niquel has a passion for teaching and has led numerous theatre camps at North Texas Performing Arts. Recently, Niquel Barnett has enjoyed directing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and assistant directing The Little Mermaid and Ride the Cyclone. She is grateful for the opportunity to bring stories to life and for the support of Cat Nobile, Addison Jaynes, and the incredible artistic community here at NTPA.
Amber Burroughs – Adjunct Director
Amber started performing at a children’s theater at the age of 8. Later that year, Amber watched on her television an 11-year-old winning an Academy Award. Little Amber never forgets thinking “I can do this as a job? KIDS can do it as a job?!” Ever since that moment, her dreams of a career in acting have always remained consistent. She went on to audition for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City during her senior year of high school. She received a scholarship and embarked on what would be her most formative years of training thus far, learning from coaches who worked alongside the great Sanford Meisner.
Some of her roles in the theater include Grace Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Dotty Otley in Noises Off. Her on-screen roles include the silly dancing mom in The Family Dollar commercial, various roles in numerous award-winning Independent Films, and a guest starring role in the Lifetime series Army Wives, where she shared the screen with the great Sterling K.Brown.
Amber’s favorite role will always be being a mother in her real life, She has been raising her four girls for 20 years, and she believes they are her magical super power! Being able to be present and playful in her time at home with them allows her imagination and improv skills to always be at work!