Abby (she/her) is a Milwaukee-based director, choreographer, actor, and teaching artist. Since graduating with a B.A. Theatre and Communications in 2022 from Wisconsin Lutheran College, Abby has worked at First Stage, Sunset Playhouse, Lake Country Players, and various educational theater programs across all age levels. She currently serves as the Community Enrichment Director at Kids From Wisconsin, bringing arts programming to underserved communities. Recent directing credits include Beetlejuice Jr. at Sunset Playhouse and Antigone at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Evan (he/him) is a theater director and youth theater educator in the Milwaukee area. He studied directing at both Case Western Reserve University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. While Evan is new to the Milwaukee area, he brings decades of theatrical experience from San Diego, California, to London, England, and beyond! He is absolutely honored to be able to join Character Kids and spread his love for the art and craft of theater to the next generation! Some of Evan’s favorite productions include directing youth versions of Into the Woods, Aladdin, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown in San Diego as well as Snow White and the Seven Endings and J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan for Kids both at Sunset Playhouse in Wisconsin. Follow him on Instagram @thesunnysidewevanb

Lyd (any pronouns) is happy to be back as a teaching artist for Character Kids! They are an Associate Artist with Character Kids’ sister company, Forte Theatre Company. Along with performing full time, she teaches voice virtually and in person at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha. They love to spend their free time cuddling her cat Calvin and writing short stories.

Kaylene (she/her) is a California raised artist who as of 2020, has called Milwaukee her home! She first taught with Character Kids back in 2022, and is so thrilled to return! Theatre has always been her first love, and she hopes to help others find that love through teaching! When not performing, she can be found hanging out with her kitty, Sibella and seeing as much theatre as she can--she especially loves seeing her friends perform!

Molly (she/her) is an actor and educator in the Milwaukee and Madison areas. An associate artist with Forte Theatre Company (FTC), she feels it is a privilege to teach and guide the next generation with Forte’s sister company, Character Kids. Some of her favorite roles include Little Red in Into the Woods (FTC), Artemis in Finder and the North Star (Children’s Theatre Madison), Amy in Little Women (FTC), Eden in Between Two Rivers (Sunstone Studios), and Imogen in Cymbeline (Whirligig Productions). Follow her on Instagram @molly_kempfer

Sandra (she/her) graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2010 with a B.A. in Music, focusing on operatic voice. Her performance career as a soloist and chorister spans a vast number of groups and program collaborations including The Florentine Opera, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Bel Canto Chorus, Milwaukee Chamber Choir, Chant Claire Chamber Choir, Shorewood Players, and many others. Recently, she has been working with Skylight in their Education Department for KidsWrites since November of 2021.

Sean (he/him) is thrilled to be joining the Character Kids team! He has a background in musical theater, classical vocal training, and Acting/improv training at Second City. Sean has previously appeared as Billy (Anything Goes), Jean Valjean (Les Misérables), Pippin (Pippin), and Fred Gailey (Miracle on 34th St). With a huge passion for the arts, Sean is so happy to be passing that joy to the children of tomorrow!

Caleb (he/him) is very excited to be joining Character Kids as a teaching artist! He recently graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He has previously worked with Outskirts Theatre Company (Rent), Forte Theatre Company (The Secret Garden), and had the pleasure of Assistant-Directing Trout Theatre’s company debut of Tartuffe this past summer. He finds great joy in sharing his love of theatre with the next generation of artists! Follow him on Instagram: @calebandlawr

George (he/him) is a Milwaukee based actor, producer, and theatre educator. Previously, he has worked with Milwaukee Rep (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, TITANIC, AS YOU LIKE IT), Door Shakespeare (ROMEO AND JULIET, EMMA), The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (RIDE THE CYCLONE), Optimist Theatre (MUCH ADO, TAMING OF THE SHREW), Skylight Music Theatre (JULIET AND ROMEO), Summit Players Theatre (MUCH ADO, MACBETH), Forte Theatre Company (INTO THE WOODS), and Vanguard Milwaukee (LUNGS). As an educator, he has worked with Milwaukee Rep, First Stage, and Door Shakespeare's Camp Will. He holds his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Music from the College of Wooster.

Jessica (she/her) is so excited to be joining Character Kids this fall! As a recent graduate from Carroll University with a degree in theatre arts and psychology, she is prepared to share her passion of theatre to young aspiring theatre makers. She is also a playwright and director as well as an actor, with credits such as Sally Jackson in The Lightning Thief and OG Howland in Men on Boats. When Jessica is not teaching you can find her at the local thrift store or working on a new script!

Megan (she/her) is so excited to be back with Character Kids for her third year! When not teaching, Megan performers at various theaters around the Milwaukee area. A few of her favorite roles include Katherine in Newsies, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Louise in Gypsy. Megan also assistant directed at Catholic Memorial High School for seven years. She is so excited for this year!

Rose (she/her) is excited to join the Character Kids team! She graduated from Carthage College with a BA in Theater and a minor in Communications. She also has voiceover training from Such a Voice. Some of her favorite roles include: voice acting as Zelie/Aerwyna/Igraine in Merlyn and Arthur Part 1 (Secret Handshake Productions), voicing Pam in Search for an Ending (Renaissance Theaterworks), and performing as Alex/Sebastian/Andile/Florence in Welcome to the Zoo (Kohl’s Wild Theater). Acting is her passion and she’s eager to share her love of theater with the next generation of young performers! www.rose-reichert.com.

Vivian (she/her) is thrilled to return to Character Kids this year! She is a recent graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in both Theatre Performance and Corporate Communications! She is currently working as an actor at various theaters around the Milwaukee area. Some of her favorite roles include A CHORUS LINE (Cassie), 9-5 (Judy Bernly), ANTIGONE (Creon) and SILENT SKY (ANNIE). She cannot wait to meet the inspiring young performers involved with Character Kids this year!

Teagan (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of the Character Kids team! She is a graduate of the UW-Stevens Point Theatre Department, and has been teaching theatre in the Milwaukee area for just over a year now. As a life-long lover and participant of the theatre, Teagan is honored to be helping pass on this love and art to the next generation!