Meet Your Winter 2011 Academy Staff
Chris Taylor - Director of Education
Chris is a native of Orlando, FL and is a graduate of the UCF Conservatory Theatre, where he holds the BFA and MFA degrees in acting. Chris has performed throughout the Central Florida region, including tours with Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Artificial Intelligence INC., Mad Cow Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Chris' tenure in Orlando included a scholarship to the University of Central Florida, a sponsorship from the Florida Theatrical Association, and two ACTF nominations.
Winter 2011 Courses:
- Alice in Wonderland (121-22-20)
- Harry Potter in Diagon Alley (121-33-10, 121-33-20)
- Shakespeare Alive. (121-45-10)
- Marketing Yourself (121-67-10)
Benjamin Bentler (Music Director)
Ben is the Resident Music Director at Spokane Civic Theatre and is thrilled to be joining the Civic team. Ben's roots are in the Midwest where he earned his degree from the University of Iowa in Vocal Performance. He has extensive experience in music direction as well as directing, working both professionally and in community theatre. Recent productions include "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Reefer Madness," "Annie," "Cinderella," and the highly acclaimed "Wonderful Town," at the Englert Theatre.
During his college years, he did nearly 25 productions as Music Director, Director, and Accompanist for productions including Washington Theatres "A Year with Frog and Toad," Porchlight Music Theatre's "It's a Wonderful Life," and "Phantom of the Opera," and "City Circle's Gypsy" and "Bat Boy."
In Iowa City, he has helped rebuild his hometown community theatre and created a strategic plan for it's future. Also, he has worked to create a very strong public image for the company. While in Iowa City he taught well over 300 students over the course of 4 years and continues to teach locally in Spokane and nationally as well.
Winter 2011 Course:
- Broadway Blockbuster Singout (121-47-10)
Karla Morrison
Karla has a B.A. in Elementary Education and holds endorsements in K-8 Elementary Education, Theatre, and Middle Level English/Language Arts. She currently works as an Educator for the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, and as a substitute teacher for East Valley and Central Valley Schools. She studied drama and dance at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena California, completing an 18 month intensive program. She has been involved in several Spokane Civic Theatre productions as well as a production of Nunsense II at Center Stage. Her passion is teaching kids and integrating the Arts into all areas of education!
Winter 2011 Course:
- Swashbuckle and Shasay (121-11-10)
Scott Doughty
Winter 2011 Course:
- Annie audition Prep (121-33-20)
Bryan Durbin
Winter 2011 Course:
- Stage Combat (121-48-19)
Darnelle Preston
Darnelle Preston received the Bachelor of Music degree, Magna Cum Laude from San Francisco State University. She holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University. Ms. Preston was chosen as a Vocal Fellow to the Tanglewood Music Center where she received the C.D. Jackson award for excellence in performance for the 1986 season. Ms. Preston has appeared with the Utah, Billings, Carmel, Washington D.C. Masterworks, Handel & Haydn Society, Muncie and Nashville Symphonies. Her solo appearances throughout the Northeast have included performances of Bach’s “b minor Mass” and “St. John Passion”, Handel’s “Messiah”, Haydn’s “Creation” and Poulenc’s “Gloria”. Opera roles include the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro’, the Cake Box Lady in Argento’s “Postcard from Morocco” and Lady Billows in Britten’s “Albert Herring”. Ms Preston has performed locally with the Spokane Symphony, the Northwest Bach Festival, Allegro – Baroque and Beyond, Zephyr, Spokane Opera and Coueur d’Alene Summer Theatre. She is currently the Associate Director of the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus.
Winter 2011 Course:
- Small Group Voice Training (121-34-10, 121-24-20, 121-58-20)
