Lisa McLeroy is a founding Co-Chairperson of NTPA’s Deaf Theatre and currently serves as Chairperson. Additionally, Lisa’s first ever NTPA production was the Brothers Grimm, where she played the roles of the Devil and Woodcutter. Lisa received her Bachelor’s from Abilene Christian University then served 20 years in the hotel industry. She pivoted her career to the education industry, where she currently serves as American Sign Language (ASL) teacher since 2010. When Lisa is not teaching, she can be found volunteering as Co-Chairperson for Texas ASL Educators every summer. Outside of teaching and volunteering, Lisa enjoys hanging out with her family, playing board games, and watching professional football.
Paul is a founding Co-Chairperson of NTPA’s Deaf Theatre and currently serves as Vice-Chair, Finance Director, and Set Build Coordinator. Paul served in the US Air Force for 10 years, including 7 years at the White House and currently works as a Sr IT Manager. Meryl, Paul’s spouse of 35+ years, who was born profoundly deaf, continues to inspire Paul with her tireless advocacy and education efforts for Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. It’s through her advocacy that he became involved with the Deaf Theatre. In addition, Paul does voice acting for Deaf Theatre performances, performs and works backstage in NTPA Community Theater productions, and is a member of the NTPA “T-25 Club”, which helps build sets for all NTPAs Theater troupes. Paul thanks his spouse and 3 grown children for their love and support.
Brendon Feagans received his Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He has worked in the North Texas area teaching ASL since 2017, and loves educating students on the wonders of the Deaf community. Brendon has been a state licensed interpreter of the Deaf since 2017. He has also been a part of the Deaf theatre board since its inception, and has been involved as an actor and behind the scenes in a supporting role.
Jessica Bowen has lived in the North Texas area her entire life. She was in the first show production for Deaf Theatre, Deaf Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices as Eliza from My Fair Lady. Jessica had joined Deaf Theatre Board in Fall 2023 and is excited to see the growth of Deaf Theatre. She is involved in the Deaf community events and enjoys volunteering for Dallas Hearing Foundation and NTPA – Deaf Theatre. Jessica graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2016 with BA in Applied Arts and Sciences.
Lindsay Chandler has been an Interpreter for the Deaf for over 25 years. She is currently the Lead Interpreter for Plano Regional Day School for the Deaf and serves on the board of the Texas Association of Parents and Educators for the Deaf. Her most important role is “mother” to an 11 year old child who is Deaf and who loves acting. While you will never see her on stage, you will likely see her working behind the scenes as she learns how to fulfill the duties of her newest role of “Theater Mom.” Lindsay has enjoyed her time serving on NTPA’s Deaf Theater board as she knows the opportunities it provides are invaluable.
Pauline Decker has been a Deaf Education teacher for over 20 years. She is in her 20th year with Plano ISD. Pauline received her Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Studies from University of North Texas and her Master’s in Deaf Education from Texas Woman’s University. She loves advocating inclusion for all Deaf students. Pauline has been part of NTPA’s Deaf Theater board since its induction and has helped where needed for each Deaf production. She is excited to continue to see the access NTPA provides for its cast and its audience.
Misty Felner has been an ASL teacher with Plano ISD for the past 10 years. She started her teaching career as a Deaf educator in Dallas, where she taught elementary Deaf and Hard of Hearing students for 6 years. She then took a 10 year hiatus from teaching to start her family. Misty also enjoys working as an interpreter in the Deaf community. She is a board member of the Deaf Theater for NTPA. In addition, Misty acted in the first two productions for the Deaf Theater, Deaf Showcase: A Union of Hands and Voices as well as “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Alix Gavin is an Austin native who received her Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and her Master of Deaf Education at Texas Woman’s University. Alix is new to the Dallas region where she currently works at Plano ISD as an Elementary teacher and at Collin College as an ASL professor. Since exploring the theatre world for the first time in 2023, she’s been involved in three NTPA Deaf Theatre productions: It’s a Wonderful Life, Brother’s Grimm Spectaculathon, and Wizard of Oz. The uniqueness of theatre world has driven her passion to increase awareness for the Deaf community and importance of accessibility in all forms of arts. When Alix is not on the stage or teaching, you can find her traveling to various State and National parks with her dog.
Melissa Harguess is excited to be a Board member of the Deaf Theater troupe at North Texas Performing Arts. She has been involved with theaters for over twenty years, both on and off the stage. Melissa attended BTWHSPVA (Arts Magnet) in Dallas, then graduated from Baylor University. She has designed lights and costumes for several theaters around Dallas, Houston and Waco area. Melissa is currently designing and running the lights for the NTPA’s Deaf Theater troupe. In her free time, she enjoys photography, road trips to new places and curling up with a good book.
Bambi Joe is passionately committed to empowering the Deaf community through her work with the NTPA Deaf Theater. Based in Dallas, she plays a vital role in fundraising and collecting donations to support the theater’s mission of providing inclusive and enriching opportunities for Deaf youth. With two Deaf parents, her dedication to this cause is deeply personal. Her mother, who is Deaf, had a profound love for acting, which inspired her to become involved with the Deaf theater. Her role is driven by a heartfelt desire to honor her mother’s legacy and support others in experiencing the transformative power of the arts. In addition to her role, Bambi enjoys spending time with her family and takes pride in her Dallas roots, where she continues to foster a vibrant and supportive community for Deaf individuals.
Sabrina received her Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University as well as received Associate of Science from Dallas College. She ran a student organization as a President of Tech Deaf Culture Alliance during her time at Texas Tech. Sabrina participated in two NTPA Deaf Theatre productions which is Brother Grimm’s Spectaculathon and Wizard of Oz. Her friend was the one who introduced Deaf Theatre world to her so now Sabrina enjoys acting with cast mates. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her dogs and family/friends. Sabrina is currently in veterinary technology program to study veterinary medicine and earn her veterinary technician license.
Bobbie Jo Palazuelos received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University, as well as Master’s degree from University of Northern Colorado. She was involved in the Gallaudet University Theatre and Collin College Theatre. Bobbie Jo has taught ASL to various children and adults at educational sites for 20+ years. Outside of working, her most enjoyable leisure activity is traveling to different countries with her husband, and they have a long wish list. Bobbie Jo looks forward to advocating and seeing the growth of NTPA’s Deaf Theatre.
Kelly was born in Dallas, Texas, where she attended several schools within the Dallas Independent School District. Since childhood, She has aspired to be an actress, with support from her mother who enrolled her in summer plays. Kelly’s education included Brookhaven, Richland, and Collin College. She participated in plays at church, where she met actor Pat Boone and was guided by teachers like Carol Trigg, who influenced her acting journey. Despite limited opportunities for Deaf actors, Kelly learned from Deaf actor Mark Branson for 12 years, who introduced her to various acting techniques. Aside from acting, she enjoys reading, walking, running, dancing, drawing, painting, and snow skiing in a few places like California and Colorado.
Richard was born and raised in Abilene, Texas. He attended the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin for 13 years. In 1996, he graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in Industrial Technology. Richard enjoys working with light and technology, especially in theatre. He has been the ASL Lab Manager at Collin College for four years, and was an ASL Lab Assistant for one and a half years prior to that. Richard takes great pleasure in being a part of the North Texas Performance Arts community to support activities for the Deaf.