Faculty

Faculty

Meet our Caring & Experienced Instructors

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) Academy’s instructors are some of the Washington, DC area’s most intuitive and experienced faculty for musical theatre instruction. 

Director of the pre-professional program & pre-pro Dance instructor

tony thomas

With a career spanning over 40 years, Tony has toured, performed, and worked as a professional artist, scoping a range of television, film, stage, concert dance, and design work. Growing up within an entertainment based family, his international travels and residencies through Europe, Australia, Japan, and the U.S., have exposed him to intriguing cultural practices and art forms, cultivating the performing artist and designer we see today. Triple-Threat trained and an award nominated artist – Tony delivers innovation to acting, singing, and dance; while connecting his core strengths in Ballet, Modern, Latin, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre. His directing technique involves movement, gesture-work, creative staging, and detailed physical character development - ultimately driving the story through visual interest. Always aiming to redefine the wisdom and artistry of the legends, Tony’s expressive style and pedagogy enforces focus, fluidity, innovation, and precision in the arts and entertainment industry.

Current Program: The Pre-Professional Program

instructors

KURT BOEHM


Boehm joins Adventure Theatre MTC after two decades of experience as an award-winning Director, Choreographer, Teacher, and Actor. Across the DMV, he has worked as an educator at The Catholic University of America, Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre, George Mason University, Toby's Dinner Theatre, Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Kids In Dramatic Study, Centennial High School, Alice Deal Middle School, and ATMTC. Boehm has also Directed & Choreographed for The Keegan Theatre, Imagination Stage, The Mac-Haydn Theatre in New York, Washington Savoyards, Toby's Dinner Theatre, and ATMTC. As a Helen Hayes nominated Actor, his work has expanded to Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, The Broad Stage in LA, ArtsEmerson in Boston, and at home in the DMV. You have seen his work on our stages at The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Imagination Stage, The Keegan Theatre, Toby's Dinner Theatre, & Monumental Theatre Company. Boehm earned his Bachelors of Music from The Catholic University of America and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

Current Program: College Prep

EVAN CASEY


Evan Casey has worked as an actor, director, and teacher for over two decades. In addition to his extensive stage work -- which has allowed him to perform in DC, New York, and numerous regional theaters across the country -- his most recent television work includes roles on HBO's We Own This City, and FX's Impeachment: American Crime Story. His voice can be heard on numerous audio book recordings for Graphic Audio, and on the recent hit podcasts Circle Round and Who, When, Wow!. He has taught acting for Howard Community College, National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Theatre Lab, Signature Theatre, and Adventure Theatre-MTC, among others. His most recent directing credits include multiple promotional short films for the Nevada Department of Education, and the online production of the world-premiere play Holler with The Clear Branch Collective.

Current Program: College Prep

LILA COOPER


Lila Cooper (She/They) is a Theatre Teacher and Performer in the DMV area - she is thrilled to be joining the ranks at Adventure Theatre! Lila grew up in Maryland and found her passion within the arts at a young age. Throughout life, the joy of storytelling has driven her to continue learning, growing and sharing. Lila went to Wagner College (Staten Island, NY) and earned a BA in Theatre Performance in 2021. After graduating, Lila made the decision to return home to explore her interest in teaching. She had the wonderful opportunity to serve as the Theatre Education Apprentice at Round House Theatre from 2022-2023. Since then, Lila has taught & directed at Round House Theatre, Imagination Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Drama Learning Center, Blackrock Center for the Arts, and now - Adventure Theatre MTC. Lila feels incredibly honored to have the opportunity to teach the next generation of theatre artists about the power of theatre - that through expression, kindness, creativity, freedom, and so many other beautiful aspects of storytelling, we can all come together to find common ground. We can all find joy!

Current Program: Broadway Prep and Mini Musical

ANGELA INGRAM


Angela Ingram, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a life-long dancer and for the past 20 years has taught dance educator is a master instructor. Starting ballet at the age of 9 where she was trained in the Cecchetti Style of Ballet, Jazz,Tap, and Hawaiian. Angela built her dance experience through training in New York City which included the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater , Fred Benjamin, Frank Hatchet, Luigi, Bob Fosse Styles of Jazz, and Martha Graham, Angela then became interested in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance, upon seeing how folkloric dance influence contemporary dance styles, such as jazz. She traveled to Havana, Cuba and Bahia, Brazil several times studying Folkloric dance. She applies traditional and folkloric techniques, and her experiences to her instruction of Ballet, Modern , Fosse and Luigi-styles of Jazz. Angela encourages her dancers to understand the cultural context of their dance style to reach a higher quality of movement and to connect with the experiences that originated the dance technique they are bringing to life.

Current Programs: Ballet

RAY ingram


Ray (he/him) is a theatre professional as well as a student of theatre who's had a long history of performances, as well as a deep connection to Adventure Theatre. He is currently enrolled at Bowie State University, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts while also being on the program executive board. He was previously enrolled at ATMTC Academy as a student and has been working for the company for the last 3 years as a Director/Choreographer. While he constantly works on being a playwright and a director, he wishes to aspire his students to Carpe Diem/Seize the day!

Current Programs: Acting Foundations

LENOX KAMARA


Lenox Kamara (he/him) is an emphatic DCMetro theatre artist. With his West African roots, and embracing identity through queer, black, and pop culture, his artistry has always been rooted in cultivating community. As a director, Lenox guides actors of various skill levels to feel confident and curious on how to ignite characters and stories on stage. In each classroom and/or rehearsal space, every student will have the opportunity to sharpen their preparation, patience, personality, and positivity as a performer. By using holistic rehearsal practices, improvisational exercises, script analysis, while activating voice & movement, Lenox teaches acting with grit and grace. Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Credits: SMTTP 2023 Sessions II & III (Acting TA/Director), Jingle in July (Director), Q.Fest 4.0 (Director). Education: Bachelor’s in Theatre Studies; focus in Directing/Producing (Towson University) & Associate of Arts in Theatre Performance (Montgomery College)

Current Programs: Broadway Prep and Mini Musical

Perry Medlin


Perry Medlin DIRECTING /CHOREO: Live Arts - Pippin (Live Arts), Follies (choreographer), The Legend of Georgia McBride, High School Musical Jr., Violet. Four County Players - Young Frankenstein, The Laramie Project (live-streamed), R&H’s Cinderella. PERFORMING: Virginia Theatre Festival - Spamalot. Live Arts - Guys and Dolls. Four County Players - White Christmas. TEACHING: Signature Theatre, Adventureland-MYC, Tandem Friends School, Live Arts, Orange School of Performing Arts.

Current Programs: Elementary Program

MELROSE PYNE


Melrose is thrilled to be back teaching at Adventure Theatre! Melrose has been a teaching artist and performer in the DC area for over 10 years. She most recently choreographed a production of Once Upon a Mattress at Barrie School in Silver Spring. One of Melrose’s greatest accomplishments was starting her own dance studio in Iwakuni, Japan. She is a proud recipient of the Impact Iwakuni Award, presented by the Commanding Officer of MCAS Iwakuni, for her contributions and dedication to improving the air station for military families living abroad. Melrose has taught at other prestigious institutions such as Round House Theatre, Joy of Motion, and Metropolitan School of the Arts. Some of her favorite DC performance credits are Keegan Theatre: Legally Blonde (Asst. choreographer/swing); NextStop Theatre Company: Singing in the Rain (Zelda); Monumental Theatre Company: Pippin (Ensemble); NextStop Theatre Company: Catch Me If You Can (Dance Captain/Ensemble); Keegan Theatre: American Idiot (Dance Captain/Ensemble); Adventure Theatre: Oliver (Ensemble)

Current Programs: Adult Dance Classes

Bryan Stopak


Bryan Stopak (he/him) is a multi-talented artist based in DC. His creative journey has taken him from the vibrant arts scene of New York City to the artistic hub of Philadelphia, where he earned his BFA in Directing from The University of The Arts. With a diverse skill set as a Choreographer, Designer, Director, Playwright, and Performer, Bryan has left his mark on the regional theater scene. Bryan was also a featured choreographer in the Capital Fringe Festival for “LIFE! A comedic opera in three acts.” Bryan's creative influence extends to the educational realm, as he has worked with numerous MCPS schools as a Choreographer, Designer, and Director. Currently, Bryan is channeling his dedication as a Pom coach at Magruder High School.

Current Programs: Out of School Time

Melissa Wilson


Melissa Wilson (she/her) is a recent graduate of Eastern Washington University's Musical Theatre Program. This will be her first time working with Adventure Theatre and she is thrilled at this new opportunity. Since moving to Maryland just a few months ago, she has jumped into the local theatre scene, taking part in classes, leading drama clubs at local schools, and acting in Food for the Gods (Khunum Productions).

Current Programs: Out of School Time