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Originally hailing from the Intermountain West, Colin now lives in Madison and teaches English and Theatre Arts at Waunakee High School. He loves working with young performers in all areas of theatre as they grow into confident, accomplished storytellers. Some of his favorite topics to teach are Fashion History as well as Costume Design. Colin received his BA in History Education and BFA in Theatre Education from Utah State University. He is thrilled to be teaching at CTM!
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Grant Borcherding is currently studying Theatre and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is originally from Madison and has worked with professional, community, and high school theaters in the city as an actor and assistant director. A former actor, student, and intern at CTM, Grant is thrilled to be able to teach with the organization he’s grown up with most of his life.
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Sky is a full-time teaching artist, choreographer, director, and performer born & raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a graduate of New Orleans Center of Creative Arts & studied Music Therapy at Loyola N.O. Directorial credits include All Shook Up, The Lightning Thief, The Little Mermaid, and most recently Shrek The Musical. Regional stage credits include In The Heights (Daniela) and Caroline or Change (The Washing Machine).
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Isabel Celata is a performer and teacher based in Madison, WI. On stage, Isabel performs across genres in musical theatre, opera, and concert work. Favorite performances include Jenny (Company, FST), Johanna (Sweeney Todd, UW Opera), and Sophie (Mamma Mia!, Theatre Memphis). Isabel holds a Doctorate of Vocal Performance from UW-Madison, a Masters of Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelors in Music from Rhodes College.
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Abi Charbonneau, a Midwest-born theater artist and choreographer. Working as a multi-hyphenate theater creator, she has collaborated with the New York City Ballet, The REV Theater Company, Theatre Aspen, First Stage, Overture Center, and more. Her recent credits include the REV on Tour 2025 Season and Les Femmes Mosquetaries at the New York Theater Festival.
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Jen Connelly (she/her) is excited to join CTM this summer! Jen is an early-childhood music and theater educator who values building confidence, encouraging self-expression, and nurturing creativity through music, movement, and dramatic play. Jen also teaches Music Together classes at Monroe Street Arts Center and serves as the Office Administrator at Nichols Voice Studio. Jen holds a B.A. in Communicative Disorders from UW–Madison, an education that continues to drive her commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all children and their caregivers.
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Caitlyn is a Voice and Piano Instructor at Janesville Academy of Music and a passionate performer, educator, and arts advocate. With experience in over 20 theatrical productions, she brings extensive knowledge in vocal performance, musical theatre, and storytelling to every lesson. Her background both on stage and in arts leadership allows her to guide students in developing strong technique, artistic expression, and confidence. As an emerging entrepreneur and creative professional, Caitlyn is committed to inspiring young artists and cultivating a lifelong love for music, performance, and the transformative power of the arts.
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Karen Ebert has most recently worked for CTM as props master and scenic painter. She has been involved in all aspects of theatre in Milwaukee, La Crosse, Italy and Madison. Karen is also an ESL tutor and an avid reader who loves the power of stories onstage and off. She enjoys sharing her love for theater.
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A 2008 graduate of NYC’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Lisa has been working professionally in the Madison area for over a decade. Recent music direction credits include work with CTM (Newsies; Pigeon…Extravaganza), Music Theatre of Madison (Trevor; Bridges of Madison County; Marry Me a Little), Sun Prairie Civic Theatre (Wizard of Oz), Madison Country Day School (Legally Blonde Jr.; Annie Jr.), and Madison College (Cabaret). Lisa is a 2002 CTM summer program alum, and delighted to be joining the team this year!
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Moe Freesemann has directed 15 musicals, most recently Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast (Outstanding Musical–2023 Jerry Awards) with Monona Grove HS. She was Director of Algoma HS Musical/Community Theater. Moe holds a Masters in Library Information Science from UW-Madison and Bachelor’s in English & Education. She teaches English with WI Virtual School and enjoys spending time with toddler Charlotte, 3 chickens, 2 dogs, and very patient husband.
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Stacey Garbarski is an actor, writer, improvisational performer, director and Co Artistic Director and owner for local theatre company “Are We Delicious?” They obtained their undergrad degree in Theatre Performance from Edgewood College in 2016. She was the recipient of the KCACTF Irene Ryan Award for “Best Performance in a New Play or Musical” and previously received three Irene Ryan Nominations. Along with a 20+ year career in the arts, Stacey is a veterinary professional working in ER and Oncology and is on the path to becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician.
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Kelly Garrow has directed, choreographed, and accompanied theatrical performances for over 10 years. Her primary experience has been with youth and she has worked with age groups varying from 5-18 years old. Kelly teaches voice, piano, and band instrument lessons to people of all ages. She attended UW-Whitewater where she earned her Bachelor’s of Music with a focus in Music History and Theory. She is excited to share her passion with the wonderful people at CTM.
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Madison is delighted to be joining the CTM family. She is currently studying Theatre and Drama and Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has performed in a variety of shows, but has also worked behind the scenes as a director and producer. Madison is beyond excited to be teaching and cannot wait to bring her passion for the stage and comedy into the classroom
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Lindsay Gleason (she/her) is thrilled to join CTM’s Team of Teaching Artists! In addition to her role as a teaching artist, Lindsay is CTM’s new Associate Education Director! Before CTM, Lindsay worked as a Lead Teaching Artist and K4-4th Grade Academy Director at First Stage Children’s Theater, teaching both in-house in First Stage’s Theatre Academy as well as in dozens of schools and community centers across the Milwaukee area. Lindsay is also a freelance director, dramaturg, and choreographer, an avid Human Centered Designer, and currently a Design Education Fellow with Design for America. Lindsay graduated with B.A. ‘s in Theatre: Directing and Dramaturgy and Social Entrepreneurship from North Central College in 2022.
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David Hart IV is overjoyed for his first summer at CTM. Born and raised in Madison, David earned his degree in Jazz Studies at Loyola University New Orleans. Since his return, he’s been continuing to teach music and play shows around town. While he’s done musical directing for other programs, he’s incredibly excited to continue at a program like CTM. In his free time, David loves to appreciate art, crochet, and longboard!
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Lindsey Hoel-Neds is a Madison-based teaching artist, director, designer, and dramaturge. She holds a BA in English and Theatre Education from Ripon College and an MA in Theatre Research with an emphasis on Theatre for Youth from UW-Madison. Lindsey has taught and directed drama programs at several public schools in southern Wisconsin, but now enjoys the variety of freelance life. She works with CTM, Overture Center, Milwaukee Rep, Badger Pre-College, Prairie Music and Arts, and several Madison-area community theatres and schools.
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Tayah is a graduate of London’s East 15 Acting School and brings experience as an actor, director, and theatre practitioner. Her directorial work spans youth productions including Into the Woods Jr, Shrek, and The Sound of Music at La Canada Junior Theater, alongside co & assistant directing credits at Glendale Centre Theatre and the Alex Theatre (Los Angeles area). Onstage, her performance credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Black Comedy, and the title role in Richard II. Tayah is also an events floral designer who loves traveling, spending time outdoors, going on adventures with her 2 kiddos & partner, and sharing her passion for the arts with young people. She is thrilled to join the CTM team!
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Gina is a choral educator in Cambridge, WI. Favorite directing/choreo credits: Mamma Mia! (Marshall HS), Footloose, YPE (Sun Prairie Civic Theatre), High School Musical Jr. (Nikolay MS) and Grease (Cambridge HS). Favorite acting credits: Joanne in Rent (SPCT), Maggie in 42nd Street (Middleton Players Theatre). She is playing Vi in Footloose this summer and will be working on her MFA in Theatre Directing from Roosevelt University this next year.
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Michael Kelley is a local director, actor, and baritenor. He recently appeared as Figaro in University Opera’s Le nozze di Figaro, Charlie in A House not meant to Stand, and will be appearing as Col. Pickering in Middleton Players Theatre’s My Fair Lady. He directed Oracular Studios’ 12 Angry Jurors this past January as well.
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Chloe Maier recently graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor’s in Theatre & Drama and a certificate in Dance, and she is so excited to put her studies to use with CTM this summer. She originally hails from Wausau, WI, and trained for 15 years at the Central Wisconsin School of Ballet, where she first fell in love dance and performing. She has choreographed for high schools and community theater in Wausau as well as at UW-Madison.
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Rebecca is a Wisconsin made theatre artist currently based in Phoenix. She is an alum of CTM and is so excited to return to Summerstage this year! Rebecca earned her BA in Theatre Practices from UW-Milwaukee and is now earning her MFA in Theatre for Youth & Community at Arizona State University. Outside of school she works with autistic adults in the theatre program at First Place PHX and is the Director of Educational Programming at Phoenix Youth Theatre. Rebecca is passionate about creating accessible theatre for all students. In her free time she likes to bake, crochet, and read.
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Karen Polnitz (she/her) is over the moon to be adventuring with new friends at Children’s Theater of Madison! Karen is a playwright, performer, choreographer, and educator who enjoys growing alongside each new group of students she is able to guide in exploration. She holds a B.A. in Playwriting from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Teaching from Fresno State University. She co-owned and taught at Community Dance and Theater, taught high school Spanish and Dance for five years, and practices open mic and spoken word performances around town.
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John Scoville, DMA, is equally at home teaching piano through his private studio and at Stoughton Center for the Arts, collaborating with instrumentalists and singers, as organist-pianist at McFarland Lutheran Church, and on the board of Madison Area Music Educators. Dr. Scoville has held positions with Interlochen Arts Camp, Opera Santa Barbara, Ojai Youth Opera, San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto, Ensemble Theatre Company, and UW-Madison. He has performed in master classes for Tara Helen O’Connor, Denis Bouriakov, Gil Shaham, and Anne Epperson and in recital with Julie Davies, soprano, and flutist Taylor Irelan among many others.
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Michael is a freelance Director/Choreographer and proud Arts Educator who previously, choreographed Cinderella, Peter Pan, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Billy for CTM. Most recently he choreographed It’s a Wonderful Life (Capital City Theatre) and Patience (Madison Savoyards). Michael serves as Artistic Director for Wisconsin Singers (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Choreographer for Kids from Wisconsin (Wisconsin State Fair). He is a proud 30-year Member of Actors’ Equity Association and an Associate Member of The Society for Stage Directors and Choreographers. Michael would like to thank Brian Cowing for this incredible opportunity.
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Stephen G. Tabor (Director) is a Madison transplant with Kentucky roots. He holds an MFA in Theater (Directing) from Southern Illinois University and a BFA in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre, Directing) from Western Kentucky University. In the Madison area, he has directed with First Act Children’s Theatre, Prairie Music & Arts, and Edgewood College, and he currently lectures in Acting at UW-Madison and Edgewood College. Recent TYA directing credits: The Princess Bride; Lemonade and Lies; The Emperor’s New Clothes; and 101 Dalmatians.
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Aidan (he/him) is excited to teach for his first time with CTM! Aidan holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from UW-Milwaukee with training and education in American Sign Language. He previously has taught for the past three years at First Stage in Milwaukee. Aidan also loves to perform and most recently has been seen as Judas in Godspell, Bobby Strong in Urinetown, and Otto in Spring Awakening. He looks forward to getting to know the CTM family!
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Amy L. Welk has taught many classes for younger children at CTM, including Movers and Shakers, Sing Out, and Sing Out in Summer. She continues to marvel at children’s ability to tell stories in many ways. Amy is the Director of Bernie’s Place Inc., a childcare center for the University. Amy has a BFA in Theatre Performance from UW-Whitewater and attended Graduate School at the University of London: RHC. Favorite acting roles include: National tour: Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider); Regional: Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), White Christmas (Martha), Oliver (Nancy), Showboat (Julie), 1776 (Ben Franklin), Fiddler on the Roof (Golde), Anne of Green Gables (Marilla), Follies (Hattie), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Mrs. Meers).
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CTM Mainstage music directing credits include A Christmas Carol, The Lightning Thief, Cinderella, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Stella Luna, Freaky Friday, Matilda, Willy Wonka, How I Became A Pirate, Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly, Madagascar, and Seussical, along with countless summer camps! Mark teaches 6th-8th grade general music in Fitchburg. markwurzelbacher.com