Staff - ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Staff

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Before joining the Academy of Music Theatre, Executive Director Debra J’Anthony served as the executive director of the Shea Community Theater in Turners Falls, Mass., for sixteen years. During her tenure there, she was awarded the Community Theater Association Back Stage Award and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Official Citation. In addition to her work as an arts administrator, Debra taught flute and chamber music at Stoneleigh-Burnham and Eaglebrook schools, and has performed professionally as a musician throughout North America and Europe. Her passion for the arts takes many forms. Debra is a published poet, and is a current board member of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and MassCreative. Debra is a member of the Hampshire Regional Tourism Council, Paradise City Cultural District Committee, Massachusetts Cultural Council Gaming Mitigation Panel, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and New England Presenters.


Melanie Slabaugh is happy to be joining the team at the Academy of Music Theatre. Before moving to Massachusetts, she taught high school English, speech, and theatre in Ohio, where she also co-chaired the theatre department and directed numerous productions. She also served as assistant general manager at the Amish Country Theater in Ohio, where she also appeared on stage as a regular cast member in the comedy shows. Melanie was active in her local community theatre in Ohio, and is eager to continue learning and growing at the Academy of Music. She holds a master’s degree in theatre from the University of Akron. In her spare time, Melanie loves to read, write, listen to podcasts, and play with her two rowdy cats.


Dori Parkman is a former owner/producer of the Starlight Dinner Theater that was located in Orlando, FL. She has produced sixteen Broadway-style musicals including Cabaret, 42nd Street, The Sound of Music, Grease, Singin’ in the Rain, and Nunsense: A-Men! Most recently, she was the General Manager for WAM Theatre in Berkshire County and later became Director of Finance. Dori has also previously worked for the Front of House for Blue Man Group in Chicago, managed the call center for Blue Man Group in Orlando, and also spent several years as a talent scout for kids. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and an Accounting Assistant Certificate from Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut. In addition to her work with the Academy of Music Theatre, Dori is also a bookkeeper for several organizations, mostly in the nonprofit sector. She is proud to be raising a strong-willed young daughter and an affectionate and happy son.


Kyle Lawrence is new to western Massachusetts, having just moved here from northern Utah where he’s been an active part of the theater community for the past 16 years. His experiences in theater range from being an actor and director, to designer, composer, and educator. He studied Musical Theatre at Weber State University, and has a Level 2 Certification in Evidence Based Voicework from Maddie Tarbox Vocal Studio. As an educator he loves helping students to find their home in the arts. He encourages students to explore and excel as individual artists and as collaborators of the theater, striving to support safety, respect, and cooperative creativity in the arts.


Kadence Cole comes to the Academy from her hometown in Georgia. She first got involved with Massachusetts’s thriving theatre scene by working with Berkshire Theatre Group for their 2018 and 2019 summer seasons, where she worked as a Box Office Assistant and Accounting Intern. When she isn’t working on shows for the Academy, you can often find her writing scripts, learning about the circus, and hosting boardgame nights.


Emily Leue is returning to theater after taking time off to focus on her family. Previously, she has worked at The American Repertory Theater, The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, Showmotion, Inc., The Des Moines Metro Opera, The Yale Repertory Theatre, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. She is a graduate of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University. At home, in addition to her human family, she has chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, a large vegetable garden, and a rather enthusiastic English Shepherd who watches out for everyone