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TAS+SD Founder and Director COURTNEY COREY - Head Instructor / Director and Playwright in Residence

Nominated for the 2020 Excellence in Theatre Education TONY AWARD, Courtney is proud to bring her years of experience in theatre and innovative curriculum to San Diego’s young theatre artists. From the original Los Angeles and Chicago companies of WICKED, as well as both the 1st and 2nd National Broadway tours of RENT, Courtney has also worked onstage at exceptional theatres such as the La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, and the San Diego Rep. This work has culminated in strong connections to the country’s top theatre professionals, many whom teach master classes at TAS+SD.

She knows the importance of being a globally-minded artist, and frequently travels to Central America, exploring the arts, studying from master teachers, and connecting with other artists. She is currently devising curriculum for Consejo Nacional de las Artes Escénicas in Cuba. Courtney has lived in Japan and spent the summer of 2011 teaching music at “Summer Scene,” a large arts program in Shenzhen, China. From her many journeys, she is pleased to offer a new spectrum of theatre arts classes at the THEATRE ARTS SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO.

San Diego Magazine named Courtney Corey as one of “50 People To Watch.”  Having taught privately, and at universities and high schools throughout San Diego County for almost two decades, Courtney recognizes each student’s unique learning style, works with her students to establish goals, and encourages growth by positive reinforcement.  She values the artistic process and believes that children, teens, and adults possess wonderfully creative and innovative ideas that should be expressed through the arts.

Playwriting credits include: THE ISLAND OF BAD KIDS + THE SKY HAS FALLEN + TALENT, TEXAS + PINOCCHIO VERSUS THE WHALE + LE GRANDE BATAILLE CULINAIRE + QUEEN OF HEARTS + THE JUNGLE BOOK, all of which she collaborated with composer Matt Armstrong. She co-wrote PANDORA AND THE JAR OF HOPE with Wendy Maples for La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW FESTIVAL 2019, to sold-out audiences. Other TAS+SD projects include: CATS + THE FOOLISH TREE + THE GIRL IN THE SEA + AVERAGE EXTRAORDINARY + HANABI. She directed Katie Brady’s THE TEST, which won "Best Musical" at the San Diego International Fringe Festival. Other directing and choreography credits include: CABARET, EVITA (Lewis Family Playhouse), THE TENDER TRAP (Actor's Asylum), A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (San Diego Junior Theatre), as well as many productions of RENT across the country. She has co-produced the SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL.

On any given day, you may find Courtney teaching, directing, choreographing, designing, or building!  She is involved in every aspect of the theatre arts and is proud to share these crafts with her students. 

MATTHEW ARMSTRONG – Music Supervisor and Composer in Residence

Matthew Armstrong is the coordinator for Visual and Performing Arts in the San Marcos Unified School District, as he leads top music programs (Jazz, Percussion, Digital Music, A.P. Music Theory, as well as Salsa, Samba, and Steel Drum ensembles) at San Marcos High School.  In 2014, he was awarded "Teacher Of The Year" for the San Marcos Unified School District, and in 2015 received the CEMA Southern Border Section Outstanding Music Educator Award.  Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State, he is a highly sought after performer, clinician, and arranger. As a performer he freelances throughout San Diego and regularly performs in San Diego Symphony chamber ensembles, has held the position of principal percussionist with the California Chamber Orchestra, and works regularly in jazz and Dixie ensembles.

Mr. Armstrong has taken groups to prestigious events all over the world including Japan, England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Australia, China and special performances at the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, the Bands of America National Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble Festival and concerts for U. S. Presidents. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Percussive Arts Society, and the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association. Mr. Armstrong teaches and performs as an Innovative Percussion Artist. Matthew has composed original scores for TAS+SD - PINOCCHIO VERSUS THE WHALE, LE GRANDE BATAILLE CULINAIRE, QUEEN OF HEARTS, and THE JUNGLE BOOK.

WENDY MAPLES - Production Director, Devised Theatre Educator

Originally from New York, Wendy holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Education from Arizona State University and a M.A. in Theatre from San Diego State University.  Throughout her studies, she had the opportunity to direct a variety of student work, one-act and full-length plays.  In 2005, she was nominated for a BRICK Award, honoring pioneers in youth service.  A member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, she has presented her work "Nationally" in Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Canada.  She currently serves AATE as the Youth Network Chair, highlighting exciting theatre created for and by young artists throughout the United States.  In 2006, Ms. Maples founded Step UP Theatre, in which she also served as artistic director, continuing her commitment to provide children with an early exposure to the performing arts.  In 2009, she was one of thirty directors selected nationally to attend the Directors Lab West in Pasadena.  On stage she has appeared in "Dog Sees God," "Fair Use," and "Pippin" at the Diversionary Theatre and most recently, "Orange Julius" at MOXIE Theatre.  She is a founding teacher at High Tech Middle in Chula Vista, teaching theatre in a Project Based Learning environment to students in grades 6-8.  Wendy is a 2017 CO-Laborative Mentor at TAS+SD for THE COMEDY OF ERRORS and has recently directed ANIMAL FARM, THE BULLY PLAYS, and co-directed THE BFG PROJECT. She has led many devised theatre workshops at TAS+SD, including JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and the OUTSIDE THE BOX PLAY FESTIVAL

LAURA OSNES - 2019 Musical Theatre Master Class
Laura Osnes made her film debut in the Hallmark original movie In The Key Of Love this August. She was last seen on Broadway starring in the Tony Award winning musical Bandstand (Drama Desk, Drama League nominations), which was filmed and released in movie theaters nationwide via Fathom Events. Other Broadway credits include Cinderella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Drama Desk Award; Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Astaire Award nominations), Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde (Tony Award nomination), Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Astaire nominations), Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater’s South Pacific, and Sandy in Grease. Other New York/regional credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel and Crazy For You (Manhattan Concert Productions), The Threepenny Opera (Drama Desk Award nomination; Atlantic Theater Company); City Center Encores! productions of The Band Wagon, Randy Newman's Faust, and Pipe Dream; The Sound of Music (Carnegie Hall); On The Town (Boston Pops); Carousel (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Broadway: Three Generations (Kennedy Center). Her television credits include Fosse/Verdon (F/X), Elementary (CBS), Six By Sondheim (HBO), Live From Lincoln Center: Bernstein On Broadway, A Capitol Fourth (PBS), Sondheim: The Birthday Concert, and the Kennedy Center Honors salutes to Barbara Cook (2011) and Dustin Hoffman (2012). In addition to touring the country with her popular concert series Broadway Princess Party, her many concerts and cabarets include performing with Michael Feinstein, the New York Philharmonic, The New York Pops, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Boston Pops, The National Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearing in such venues as Carnegie Hall, The Café Carlyle, Lincoln Center, and The Smith Center in Las Vegas. She can be heard on several original cast recordings and her two solo albums- Dream A Little Dream: Live at The Café Carlyle and If I Tell You: The Songs of Maury Yeston. @lauraosnes

EDEN ESPINOSA - 2015 Musical Theatre Master Class

Eden is most recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked.”  She has also performed the role of the green witch in both Los Angeles and San Francisco to critical acclaim. Other musical theater accomplishments include originating the title character in “Brooklyn the Musical” from the original workshop through its Broadway run, starring as Flora in the Reprise Theater Company’s production of “Flora the Red Menace,” and playing Maureen in the closing company of “Rent,” the final performance of which was filmed live for Sony, and is available on DVD and Blu-ray. Eden is also well recognized from her many television appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The 2008 Tony Awards, The 2008 Alma Awards performing with Bebe Winans, Law and Order, and Ugly Betty.  Her voiceover credits include several episodes of Robot Chicken, MAD TV, and Sasha Caylo in Titan Maximum.  Known for her powerful and emotionally charged vocal style, she was the featured soloist in “Magical,” the fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort and can be heard on such recordings as “Hair” (BCEFA benefit recording), “The Maury Yeston Songbook,” “Bright Lights, Big City,” “John McDaniel Live at Joe’s Pub,” and Scott Alan’s “Dreaming Wide Awake.”  Currently, Eden is touring in support of her award winning debut album Look Around that has made it onto the iTunes pop charts alongside many of today’s most notable pop vocalists.  Look Around includes several modern Broadway hits arranged with a pop sensibility aimed at pleasing both die-hard Broadway fans and mainstream pop music listeners alike.

MARK MYARS - 2015 Broadway Dance Master Class

Mark was the Associate Choreographer on If/Then, one of Broadway's most original new musicals from the Pulitzer Prize winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey and directed by Michael Greiff. He will be reunited with these amazing creatives this fall as they mount the National Tour of If/Then! Since its conception, Mark has been the Associate Choreographer of In Your Arms, a new dance-play written by ten esteemed playwrights, composed by Stephen Flaherty, helmed by Christopher Gattelli and premiering this fall at The Old Globe. This past summer he worked alongside Lorin Latarro as the Associate Choreographer of Beaches, directed by Eric Schaeffer.

Mark was the original Dance Supervisor of the international smash hit Wicked and has remounted Wayne Cilento's Tony-nominated Choreography for over seven companies worldwide including London's West End, Australia, Japan, and Germany. Mark is proud to have choreographed Born to Dance!, a revue that re-lives and re-conceives Broadway's most iconic dance moments throughout the last several decades and stars six of Broadway's most captivating dancers. With every opportunity Mark has been honored to choreograph for an organization he supports himself, BC/EFA. Some of that work can be seen in the Opening Number of Broadway Bares: Happy Endings as well as in the state of Kansas for Broadway Bares: United Strips of America. In addition to choreography, Mark is a Guest Musical Theater Teacher at Broadway Dance Center, STEPS, Broadway Theatre Connection, and Broadway Dreams Foundation. He teaches Master Classes throughout the country.

BRAD BRADLEY - 2015 "How To Survive A Broadway Audition" Master Class

Brad Bradley is a San Diego native who is currently nominated for Best Director and Best Choreographer for The San Diego Critics Circle Awards for his production of SPAMALOT at Moonlight Amphitheatre.  His Broadway credits include the original casts of SPAMALOT, PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, ANNIE GET YOU GUN (w/ Bernadette Peters & Reba McEntire), THOU SHALL NOT, STEEL PIER, BILLY ELLIOT, and the special Broadway event, CHITA: A LEGENDARY CELEBRATION.  Brad starred as Patsy opposite Gary Beach's and Richard Chamberlain's King Arthur on the 1st National Tour of SPAMALOT.  Recently, Brad made his Lincoln Center debut in I AM HARVEY MILK and was part of the Broadway Bound Alliance Theatre's TUCK EVERLASTING.  FUN FACT:  At age 12, Brad was a backup dancer for Michael Jackson in a Pepsi commercial.

EVAN D’ANGELES - Director, #happysadmadfun&everythinginbetween at TAS+SD, 2015 Guest Instructor "CATS"

In 1996, Mr. D’Angeles made his Broadway debut in Miss Saigon.  Favorite roles include Angel in RENT (First National Tour), Quasimodo in Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (World Premiere), and Terk in Disney’s Tarzan (Post-Broadway Regional Premiere), CATS (German Company), and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Boston and San Francisco productions).  He continues to broaden his multi-talents as an actor, writer, director, and producer to create new works with a mission to encourage the next generation of performers to create art which transforms, heals, and enlightens the world. 

NEIL DALE - 2014 Guest Acting and Musical Theatre Studies Instructor

Neil began acting at the early age of 10 and has continued his professional career to date. He was born in Liverpool England and has been blessed enough to act and perform all over the world.  As a successful TV actor Neil’s English credits include, “Brookside” (Channel 4 TV), “Coronation Street” (Granada TV), “World In Action Special” (Granada TV), “Watching” (Granada TV), “The Bill”  (London TV), “Children’s Hospital” (Adult Swim TV) and "SouthLand" (NBC/TNT) just to name a few.  His theatre credits include “Les Miserables,” “Miss Saigon,” “Starlight Express,” "The Buddy Holly Story," “Evita,” “Cats,” “Godspell,”, and is currently playing the role of Thenardier in Lambs Players Theatre's production of "Les Miserables."  With over 30 years of on the job experience, Neil’s passion is to help actors of all ages reach their full potential. By sharpening and honing their skills, not only in the audition room but just as importantly outside of the audition room, he hopes to help build their confidence and knowledge so they can always be at their best. 

EMILY PADGETT - 2013 "Triple Threat Workshop for Teens" 

Ms. Padgett appeared as Daisy in the La Jolla Playhouse production of SIDESHOW and recently reprised the role on Broadway in 2014. Other Broadway credits include ROCK OF AGES (Sherrie), LEGALLY BLONDE, and GREASE, as well as the world premiere of FLASHDANCE (Alex).

JAMES VAZQUEZ - 2013 "Triple Threat Workshop for Teens" / 2017 CO-Laborative Mentor "The Comedy of Errors"

Mr. Vasquez is an award-winning theatre and film director. A partner in Daisy Three pictures, their latest film, THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID, starring Anne Heche, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. READY? OK! and 29TH AND GAY, both directed by Mr. Vasquez, have played film festivals throughout the country. Theatre directing credits include THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, both at The Old Globe, as well as West Coast Premieres of Fair Use, [title of show] (SD Critics Circle nominations for Outstanding Direction and Resident Musical), and Twist at Diversionary Theatre. 

DORY RIGOPOULUS KAFOURE, M.A., CCC-SLP - 2013 "Singers' Vocal Intensive" Workshop

Ms. Kafoure is a licensed speech pathologist specializing in the voice. She uses Lessac, Estill, and Alexander techniques to help singers utilize their instruments safely and effectively. “My passion is voice development, preventing voice misuse, and helping people discover unique body energies they can use in their everyday lives.” 

DIONI MICHELLE COLLINS - 2012 "Stage Acting versus Acting for the Camera" Workshop

Ms. Collins is a San Francisco native who fell in love with the arts at a very young age.  She was seen in the original Los Angeles and Chicago companies, as well as the Broadway production, of WICKED.  Other Broadway credits include:  RAGTIME and TABOO (written by Boy George, and produced by Rosie O’Donnell.)  Dioni’s passion for performing on stage has also helped her to transition to TV, film and voice overs.

She can be seen as the character Melody on the Hit Nickelodeon/ Nick Jr. show THE FRESH BEAT BAND. Other TV credits include: UP ALL NIGHT (NBC) with Christina Applegate and Will Arnett, COMMUNITY (NBC), NICK SWARDSON’S PRETEND TIME (Comedy Central) ; HUGE (ABC Family), THE FRED SHOW (Nickelodeon), and ‘TIL DEATH  (NBC).