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Erica Washington ​ ​ Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Pete Oliver-Krueger Pete Oliver-Krueger is a master carpenter, set designer, director, actor, and classical singer ...plus a product consultant and software engineer. As Technical Director for InterAct he is tasked with constructing the traveling sets for InterAct's main stage performances, designing special effects, and overseeing anything else with a technical component. As a product consultant and software engineer he mentors startups, large organizations, and non-profits in the DC metro area, teaching them how to do more with the resources they already have. He got his start at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, and his software architectures power multiple government agencies including the FDA, NASA, and the Pentagon. He has led many high-profile teams, including the relaunch of TD Ameritrade's new online trading platform, and the first DC Metro Trip Planner. Theatrical & Product Design, Multimedia Design CTO / Technical Director Back

Tina Canady Tina Canady is a black, queer theater artist. Since earning her BFA in drama from NYU, Tina has worked with several theaters across Baltimore, including Single Carrot Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, and Submersive Productions, LLC, where she serves as an artistic associate. Tina is passionate about creating new works, arts integration and continuing to cultivate her black joy! When she's not performing or teaching, she can usually be found playing board games, laughing or buying new wacky socks! Drama Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Erica Washington ​ ​ Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Ashton Schaffer ​ Drama Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Hannah Fogler Hannah Fogler (she/hers) is a performer, teaching artist, director, and makeup/SFX artist for theatre and film. A certified educator, Hannah teaches in Baltimore City Public Schools as well as working widely throughout the area as a teaching artist with Baltimore Center Stage, Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Single Carrot Theatre, and Drama Learning Center. Her resume includes performing credits in Shakespeare, youth theatre, and modern drama as well as a wide array of experience in directing, production, technical theatre, and design. In addition to her work as a performer and teaching artist with InterAct Story Theatre, Hannah is InterAct’s resident headpiece/hair/makeup SFX designer. Her work in makeup/SFX is highly respected in both the theatre and the film industry for her work, which was nominated for Best Makeup by World Music & Independent Film Awards (2016). Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Steve Wolf Steve Wolf (he/him/his) works with marketing concepts and graphic design and for the last 25+ years is a designer, photographer, and actor in the DC Metro area. Steve worked for many years with the Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre program training front of house customer service and providing box office and marketing support. In his spare time, he helps with website and layout for Hexagon's musical, satirical, political comedy revue and their charity work. Drama, Visual Arts Design & Publications Manager Back

Khaleshia Thorpe-Price Khaleshia Thorpe-Price (she/hers) is an Imagination Cultivator. She has worked in the field of arts education since 2000. As the owner of of "Dramatic-play," Khaleshia has facilitated residencies and workshops for children and adults throughout the DC Metro Area and nationally. She has worked with many organizations including Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Young Audiences of Maryland, Folger Shakespeare Library and the Ford's Theatre. She co-wrote A Journey with Jazz, an interactive performance experience for young audiences, for Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts and performed in this production with the Wolf Trap Jazz Trio. In addition, Khaleshia has created content for the Music Box Family Concert Series at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and performed as the host of this series with members of the BSO. Khaleshia has a BA in Theater Arts from Morgan State University and an MA in Arts Management from the University of Central Florida. Drama Stories on Stage Back

Tom Teasley Tom Teasley, described in the Washington Post as “a multi-instrumental genius,” maintains a unique career as a solo percussionist, composer, and collaborator. He is a Drummie Award winner for “World Percussionist of the Year by Drum! Magazine. Tom is a multi Helen Hayes Theatre Award recipient for outstanding sound design (nominations in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2019). Tom tours frequently worldwide, performing and presenting clinics for the instrument companies he endorses, including Yamaha, Vic Firth, Sabian, Remo, and Gon Bops. His educational book /DVD, An American Approach to World Percussion, is published by Alfred Publishing. Tom is a five-time WAMA (Washington Area Music Award) World Music Instrumentalist of the Year. A six-time recipient of a Fulbright-Hayes grant for performances in the Middle East, Tom collaborated with indigenous musicians and gave historic performances by invitation of U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Samoa, Oman, and Jerusalem. He has been an artist-in-residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tom has collaborated with the National Symphony as both a soloist and composer. As an international collaborator, he has performed by invitation in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Samoa, and Korea. Tom earned the Artist-of-the-year award from Young Audiences of Virginia for his creative and educational presentations. His CDs receive international airplay and acclaim. He has been the subject of numerous feature articles in Modern Drummer Downbeat and Drum! Magazines. World Music, Drumming Teaching & Performing Artist Back

Culturespot MC "Accessible Arts" by Karen Shafer March 29, 2017 “What I really loved, what really excited me, was being able to teach through the arts, being able to really connect with kids and reach kids who might not get a chance to see things like theatre and opera if we don’t bring it to them.” ​ “ …Even in the midst of a negative situation, [InterAct] creates something positive…” ​ “Such experiences can help children learn empathy and communicate more effectively. ” < Back to Press

InterAct in Schools Scroll Down Touring productions and arts-in-education programs for learners of all ages Since 1981, InterAct Story Theatre has brought a wide variety of educational, interactive performances, plays, and assembly programs to schools, libraries, and community venues, all throughout the area, delighting children, families, and educators alike. InterAct Story Theatre is partnering with schools and community partners across the country to deliver in-person and virtual/online options for workshops, artist-in-residence programs, performances, family programs, and professional development opportunities for educators and artists. ​ Follow the links below. Boxes saying “Available Online!” next to a program title means, in most cases, the program can be either presented virtual or in-person. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask us about designing a program just for you and your students! One of our favorite things to do is to design programs with our partners...in fact, many of the programs you see on our website were originally designed in response to requests by parents, teachers, kids, and community partners. Contact us or request more info to talk with us about how we can present or design an in-person or virtual/online arts program for your school or your community. We’re cooking up some new and creative online programs—so check back with us or join our mailing list to stay in the loop with the latest information! REQUEST MORE INFORMATION Performances & Assembly Programs Arts Education & Arts Integration: Classroom Workshops Arts Education & Arts Integration: Artist-in-Residence Programs Out of School Time Programs KidStory Theatre Parent Workshops & Literacy Events Staff Workshops & Trainings Clinics & Master Classes Professional Development Residencies Back to Home Page Add to Mailing List

About Us Scroll Down Our Vision and Our Mission Arts are for everyone, and everyone learns through the arts! InterAct Story Theatre is a theatre for young audiences and multidisciplinary arts-in-education organization based in Wheaton, Maryland, an urban district just outside of Washington, DC. ​ Our mission is to create meaningful, accessible, interactive theatre and arts learning experiences for kids and the people who love them--especially to those who experience economic, social, or geographic barriers to equitable arts access. We believe that every kid, every grown-up, everywhere deserves great theatre, whether or not you can get to a theatre building. We believe that everyone, everywhere can learn and grow through artistic creation and exploration. And we believe that the arts help foster communication and understanding in our communities, because the arts help us express our ideas, our hopes, our emotions and our experiences when words alone are not enough. ​ ​ We create and produce original theatre for young audiences (professional artists performing for children, youth, families, and communities); present arts programming in our local community; and design and implement innovative, engaging, effective theatre and arts-based educational programs for all ages and stages. In our educational work, we are dedicated to providing quality performances, arts-infused workshops and artist-in-residency programs for students, teachers and families throughout our region and across the country. As experts in arts education and arts integration, InterAct is committed to producing arts programs with artistic integrity and direct relevance to the educational objectives of the schools and community organizations we serve. Our merry band of performers and teaching artists weave their artistry in theatre and drama, music, dance, creative opera and filmmaking with content curricula for students and teachers of all ages. InterAct Story Theatre creates performances and arts learning opportunities for all ages in: Drama and Theatre Applied Theatre Playwriting and Devising Improv for Actors Music Creative Opera Dance Creative Movement Media Arts and Technology Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Arts Our Core Values Humans treating Humans like Humans Our work at InterAct Story Theatre—on stage, in the community, in the classroom, and behind the scenes, are driven by these core values: Arts are for everyone, and everyone learns through the arts People above things Be open, be transparent, be inclusive Compassion and respect above all Diversity ✴︎ Equity ✴︎ Inclusion ✴︎ Accessibility We are a proud member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education , and strongly align with AATE's Equity and Inclusion Statement: We believe in equity, justice, and inclusion for all. We believe our work is stronger by the many voices, perspectives, and experiences we bring to the organization and the field. We will actively welcome and include all people regardless of race, socioeconomic class, color, national origin, religion, diverse perspectives, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, neurological or physical ability, veteran status, legal status, or education level. ​ As a company dedicated to creating arts and arts learning opportunities for all and motivated by the belief that Arts are for everyone and everyone learns through the arts, the goals of DEIA are near and dear to our hearts. We have been actively implementing our DEIA action plan, which we consider to be a living, evolving part of our mission. We are inspired by the work and transparency of so many in our field. Goal 1: By July 2023, InterAct Story Theatre will develop, produce, and publish a clear, transparent, and consistent set of equity primes for all functional areas that articulate our DEIA-driven mission, vision, and values in a concrete way to internal and external stakeholders. Goal 2: By June 2023, InterAct Story Theatre will advance racial equity in the workplace and all areas of operations by creating equitable, sustainable artistic, instructional, and operational opportunities, with systems of accountability and assessment. Goal 3: By June 2024, all public programs produced and presented by InterAct Story Theatre in Montgomery County and Prince George's County will offer participants the opportunity, welcome, and resources to engage meaningfully in the arts experience in either Spanish or English. Goal 4: By June 2024, 90% of all public programs produced and presented by InterAct Story Theatre in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties will offer fully accessible opportunities for arts participation for persons with disabilities. Goal 5: By June 2023, InterAct Story Theatre will create explicitly supportive and brave spaces for LGBTQ+ students, parents, artists, staff, and volunteers in all areas of programming and operations, and will implement specific training and accountability protocols for company members in creating supportive and brave spaces for LGBTQ+ students, parents, artists, staff, and volunteers. Anchor 1 InterAct Story Theatre Company Members Hansin Arvind Performing Artist ​ Kelly King Teaching & Performing Artist Dance Penny Russell Teaching & Performing Artist Puppetry Steve Wolf Design & Publications Manager Drama, Visual Arts Jordan Brown Performing Artist Nancy Krebs Teaching & Performing Artist Music Tom Teasley Teaching & Performing Artist World Music, Drumming Tierra Burke Performing Artist ​ Marian Licha Teaching & Performing Artist Drama, Storytelling Khaleshia Thorpe-Price Stories on Stage Drama Hannah Fogler Teaching & Performing Artist Ali Oliver-Krueger Executive Artistic Director Drama, Music, Opera, Storytelling, Puppetry Emily Townsend Artistic Administrator and Literary Manager Creative Drama, Dramaturgy, Devising Lenore Blank Kelner Founder Drama, Creative Drama Pete Oliver-Krueger CTO / Technical Director Theatrical & Product Design, Multimedia Design Erica Washington Teaching & Performing Artist ​