We're so excited to have assembled a talented and experienced production staff for our 2020 show!
Here's a look at our crew that will be leading the way this coming summer...
Director - Melissa Ebert
Meet Melissa!
Melissa Ebert began dancing when she was 2. She danced all through high school and then found ways to grow her passion. While at Marquette University, Melissa performed and choreographed for a Hip Hop Troupe called Hype. She was a choreographer for the annual Fashion Show Fundraiser and graduated with a minor in dance.
After graduation, Melissa became an instructor for Kaleidoscope Dance Studio from 2004-2013 teaching tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. She returned to KDS in 2018 and really enjoys sharing her love of dance with the KDS dancers and families.
In the 13 years that Melissa has been a teacher at Chilton Middle School, she also choreographed 16 middle school and high school musicals.
Last year was the first year that Melissa joined the KAYT family as a choreographer. This year, Melissa is joining the production team as the director. She is very excited to make her directing debut with an organization that she believes showcases our community youth in such a positive way.
Music Director - Natasha Verhulst
Meet Natasha!
Natasha Verhulst currently teaches 5th-8th grade chorus, 5th-7th grade general music, and 5th grade band lessons at Kiel Middle School. Natasha graduated from St. Norbert College in 2015 with her Bachelor’s in Music Education and certification in instrumental, vocal, and general music. She is currently working on her Master’s in Music Education with emphasis in Kodály at Holy Family College in Manitowoc, WI.
Natasha has experience acting in musicals at Kiel High School, playing a few lead roles in the Castle Theater. During her college years, she decided to take on a different side of theater, and play flute, piccolo, and alto flute in the pit orchestras for Knight Theater productions. Natasha has been the vocal director for a college production of Into the Woods, high school productions of Bye Bye Birdie and Legally Blonde the Musical, and last year she joined in for her first KAYT production of Annie Jr.
In the community, Natasha has enjoyed many experiences through the years, including playing in the Kiel Municipal Band and teaching Drama and Singing Broadway Hits during summer School. Natasha also enjoys bringing Native American culture into education, and has presented on this topic at conventions and workshops throughout the state, served on a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee for the Feierabend Association of Music Education, and has worked with the Wisconsin State Music Association in conjunction with PBS to create multicultural resources for the music educators of Wisconsin. Natasha hopes you enjoy yet another wonderful production put on by the Kiel Area Youth Theater, which she believes is a great opportunity for youth in the area gain experience and have fun while fueling their passion for the arts!
Choreographer - Jessica Schrage
Meet Jess!
Jess Schrage is happy to be back as choreographer for KAYT’s 2020 show Flapper!, Jess’ fourth season as choreographer.
Jess took dance classes until graduating high school, continued to be involved in the arts throughout college, and graduated with a minor in music. Jess is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and she has continued her involvement in the performing arts throughout the years. For the past few years she volunteered with Pankratz Arts Exchange, a local arts non-profit, and she still enjoys performing when she gets the chance.
Jess hopes she can spread her love of jazz with the KAYT kids as we bring back the Roaring 20s.
Stage Manager: Brittany Schneider
Meet Brittany!
Brittany is ecstatic to be back for her third summer with KAYT!
A recent graduate of the theatre program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she has spent this past school year on the stage management team at UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, sub sound board operator for STC's "Addams Family," and volunteering when she can for STC.
She would like to thank everyone at KAYT for welcoming her back and her friends and family for supporting her through the past few years!
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to this talented crew as we look forward to our 2020 production!
