Angela Barch-Shamell has been teaching at CCT for seven years. She has a BFA in
Acting from The Ohio State University and an MFA from the University of
Virginia. She began teaching in 1989 at the Singers Workshop, here in Columbus,
where she taught singers how to apply acting techniques to the performance of
their songs, two of her students went on to be finalists on Star Search. She
taught Drama 202, Introduction to Acting and Directing to undergraduates and
grads at the University of Virginia and while there, served as co-author and
editor for the University of Virginia instructor handbook for Drama 202. She is
an adjunct professor in Theatre Arts at Ohio Dominican University and Stage
Combat at Otterbein College. She teaches the Shakespeare Intensive at the
Columbus Torah Academy. She is a private acting coach for actors of every age.
She has directed two productions at CCT and last served as Associate Director
for CCT's production of Jungle Book. Her greatest joy is raising her three year
old daughter Olivia, who reminds her, on an hourly basis, what is to be child
and that learning and teaching opportunities are all around us!
Jessica
Chelton
Jessica Chelton is a Musical Theatre graduate from American University.
After years of performing she decided to pursue her love for Children’s
Theatre while teaching for the South Carolina Children’s Theatre as well as
for Columbus Children’s Theatre. She has been teaching at Columbus
Children’s Theatre for over 5 years. She currently is in her third year as
the Head of Lower School Drama at Columbus Academy. She enjoys working for
both CCT and Columbus Academy.
Alan Christy
Alan Christy has been acting and teaching for over a decade, training and
teaching in such far away places as Europe and South America, where he won a
Humanitarian Award from the U.S. Embassy for his work at the Cultural
Institute of Brazil and the United States. Alan is a native Ohioan and
earned his Bachelor's degree at Ohio University's School of Theatre. As a
working actor, Alan has extensive experience in film, television and
voiceover for the radio and internet. Of his many roles, you might have seen
him on CBS's Inflammable alongside Kris Kristofferson or Marg Helgenberger,
on the W.B.'s Dawson's Creek with Katie Holmes, on stage as Danny Zuko in
Ohio Valley Summer Theatre's production of Grease or you might have heard
his voice on the radio or the internet without even realizing you had. His
favorite role is as an educator, to share in the spirit of play, the many
rich aspects of our human experience and expression.
Donna Doone
Donna Doone holds a Masters of Art Degree with an emphasis on Children’s
Literature and Process Drama from The Ohio State University. A veteran
teacher of 30+ years, Donna has taught special populations, public and
parochial education, and dance and drama instruction. She presents
workshops on the local, regional, and national level, advocating the
essential place of the arts in the core curriculum. At present, Donna
teaches Creative Dramatics and Social Skills classes with Gahanna Jefferson
Schools, is on CCT’s staff, and is a presenter in the Columbus Metropolitan
Summer Reading Program. Donna is married to Jim and has two young adult
children, Michael and Maura.
Deb Hanna
Deb Hanna is trilled to be teaching with CCT for her seventh year. During
the day she teaches High School. In the evening, she is either directing or
acting at
Cloak & Dagger dinner theatre.
Amy Lang
Amy Lang is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where she received
her B.A. in Theatre. In addition to being a teacher Amy got her start at CCT as
an intern, performing in one of the annual Children's Writing Projects, as well
as performing in West Side Story, and Cinderella. Amy is also a choreographer
for CCT, having worked on Wolf Tales, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Eric Nassau
Eric Nassau has been teaching with the Columbus Children's Theatre for 6
years. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BFA in Fine Arts
and a Minor in theatre, specializing in Lighting Design. During that time,
he also organized and acted as Artistic Director for the all-student
S.O.A.P.(student one act plays) Box Theatre. Eric has also been "the face of
CATCO" working as Box Office Assistant Manager and sometimes taking on the
persona of the Reverend Reynolds Baker-James when training new employees.
Before arriving in Ohio, Eric was an instructor, stage manager, and musician
for the Hartford Children's Theatre in Hartford, CT. In his free time, Eric
also pursues a career as a singer/songwriter, performing over 100 folk shows
a year around the country.
Jen Richards
Jen "Pen" Richards is a freelance writer and arts instructor. Jen is a
former elementary school teacher of Olentangy and Dublin City Schools. She
studied drama at The Ohio State University while pursuing a doctorate in
Early Literacy Studies, at Northwestern University as part of her Masters
degree in Teaching Learning Processes and at Ohio Wesleyan University as
part of her studies to earn certificates as a Reading Specialist for grades
K-12 and an Elementary Education teacher for grades 1-8. Jen has taught
children's literature and language arts at Capital University and The Ohio
State University.
Tatyana
Yassenov
Tatyana Yassenov has her MD in Theater, Art and Education from Baku
Azerbaijan Theater Institute/Former Soviet Union. Before coming to the U.S.
in 1992 she was a full time actress and director in the professional Russian
Drama Theater. In Columbus she worked with Grandparents Living Theater,
performed and directed with different theater companies including the OSU
Theater Department. She taught acting at the Davis Discovery Center, CCT and
private schools for many years. Currently she writes and performs with
"Howling at the Moon" Theater Company. Her passion and biggest love is
children. They keep her as young and happy as they are!
