Journey Artists and Teachers

David is a playwright, theatrical violence designer, and director who has taught stage combat and playwriting for Journey since 2014. He is the co-author of the book Theatrical Violence Design: Safety, Illusion, and Story in Stage Combat Choreography and is the Resident Playwright of Love Street Playhouse in Woodland, Washington, where he also regularly directs. His plays have been published and produced across the country, including at Journey Theater, Magenta Theater of Vancouver, and at Love Street Playhouse. His work nearly always includes some historical element, reflecting his love of history since his double major in Theatre and History in college. He is also a professional American Sign Language interpreter for the Deaf, and on the rare times when he’s not working, he can be found in his woodshop, crafting furniture using traditional hand tools.

Melissa has worked for Journey as a teacher, director, and designer since 2014—developing much of the acting curriculum and directing sixteen shows, including Scrooge!, A Wrinkle in Time, and most recently, Around the World in 80 Days.  As a set designer, she has helped create the sets for thirty-four Journey shows.  Locally, Melissa also directs and designs at The Love Street Playhouse in Woodland, currently working on the musical The Spitfire Grill.  Before moving to Washington in 2012, Melissa lived in Chicago and worked as the Managing Director of the award-winning Lifeline Theater.  She has taught acting, theater history, and stagecraft at North Park University Chicago, The University of Missouri-Columbia, and the University of North Texas.  She holds a B.A. and M.A. in theater and a Ph. D in Theater History, focusing on women in sixteenth-century Italian commedia dell’arte.  Melissa is also a certificated teacher with endorsements in elementary education and theater. Fun Fact: Melissa was the stunt double for Marisa Tomei in the 1993 movie The Untamed Heart.

Claire is so excited to be back at Journey. Claire started performing musicals in her teens at Journey, so she is excited to now use those skills to teach more Journey students.  Sher eceived her bachelor’s degree in theater from Grand Canyon University and went on to perform professionally in Tigard, Phoenix, and in a national tour of Cat in the Hat. Recently she has been teaching dance and acting for Dance Fusion NW and choreographing the musicals for Ridgefield High School. Let’s learn what unique talents God has given us to shine his light!

Starleen is currently a music teacher for Cornerstone Christian Academy. Her first Journey show was directing Cinderella in 2004, and she has been a part of over 40 Journey shows since, as either a director, musical director or actor. She wishes for her personal journey to bring glory to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31-32

Julianne Bodner is a Portland-based Scenic Designer. Select credits include The Other Place (21ten Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Gather Repertory Theatre), The Last Yiddish Speaker and Predictor (Oregon Contemporary Theatre), and A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Penguin Productions). She is also the Charge Scenic Artist for Stumptown Stages. Julianne was recognized nationally for Excellence in Scenic Design at KCACTF in 2023. She plans on attending an MFA program for Scenic Design after gaining a few years of hands-on work experience. Julianne has been the Theatre Teacher at Cognizart 360 Arts Camp for the past two years.

Kendra grew up in Vancouver, WA. She now teaches Choir, Leadership, and Spanish at Seton Catholic College Prep. She graduated from Gonzaga University (23’) with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, and a minor in Psychology. She has always been passionate about teaching music, and has been involved in music ministry at local churches since she was young. Kendra taught piano lessons, and also worked as a Music Director and accompanist for Spokane Children’s Theater while in college. As a soloist and actress, highlights include performing the role of Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, singing in a Masterclass with Dr. Julia Bentley, singing as a soloist for multiple movements of Bach’s “Magnificat” with the Spokane Symphony, portraying Sister Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, and more! Kendra is dedicated to teaching the whole person: academically, socially, and emotionally. She believes that every student walks in the door with a different story, informing every student‘s different learning needs, and firmly believes that everyone has a voice!. She is excited to be able to teach through a program that is based on our love for the Lord, and glorifying the Lord through our talents and voices!

Hannah’s been obsessed with entertaining people since toddlerhood, and has been honing her skills ever since. After growing up singing, dancing, and falling in love with musicals, she earned her B.A. in Theatre with a Music Minor (vocal performance) from Western Oregon University. Stage credits include The Boyfriend, Guys & Dolls, Seussical The Musical, Almost Maine, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Legally Blonde The Musical. She’s also appeared in many variety shows, including being a guest vocalist for Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway National Tour.

As a teacher, Hannah’s passionate about inspiring joyful confidence and instilling a foundation of professionalism that will empower students wherever they go. Teaching credits include beginning movement and tap (City Dance Theatre), acting and theatre dance (SKIT Theatre), and guest choreographer for Once on this Island (Howard Street Charter School) and CATS (Willamette Girls Choir). She’s also volunteered for various church productions and children’s programs.

Hannah lives in Vancouver WA with her husband and two kids.

Andy Bryant is excited to work with Journey Theater after many years.  Andy was music director in “the old days” for several shows, including Beauty and the Beast, Narnia, and Honk. Andy and Tobie, his wife of 33 years, have 4 kids and 3 grandchildren. Andy recently retired from his 30+ year career as a hydrologist for the National Weather Service, and he, Tobie, and their son Aaron run a cut flower farm called Battle Ground Blooms.

As a  recent graduate of Union High School, Katie has a rich background in performing arts, both on stage and backstage. Katie has been a part of the Journey community since 2021. With a deep passion for Journey and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers, Katie is thrilled and grateful to join the teaching staff. Her experiences have not only honed her skills but have also fueled her enthusiasm to inspire and guide upcoming students in their artistic endeavors!

Jessica got hooked on theater in elementary school and took every theater class offered at Cornerstone University, participated in shows, and co-led a church theater and improv group during summer and Christmas breaks. In 2007, she began teaching and directing for Journey. When her first child was born, she took a break until she could rejoin the community as a parent when her daughter became old enough to participate in classes and shows. Three more children, various church productions, and many parent committees later, she stepped back into a teaching role with Journey. When her youngest turned eight, she was thrilled to jump back into directing for Journey with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, TYA (2025).

Jessica is a home educator with additional classroom experience through co-ops, Sunday school, and camps. Aside from theater and teaching, she loves to coach soccer, read, go camping, and take care of her orchard and garden. She is so grateful to God, her husband, Peter (who steps in to take care of their rowdy group of four active children) and for Journey, that she gets to participate in such an amazing theater community.

Vincson is a graduate of Abilene Christian University with a degree in theater. He holds an MFA in Acting for Film from New York Film Academy. Stage credits include Othello in Shakespeare’s Othello, Martin Luther King Jr. in Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop, as well as Black Panther and Goofy for the Disney Cruise Line. Vincson was featured as a guest artist at ACU and directed their 2020 Cornerstone production of American Son. Recently, he’s had the privilege to direct, produce and write two Easter productions and a Christmas production for the largest African American church in Portland, OR. 

Beka has directed over 20 shows and taught numerous classes during the lifetime span of Journey Theater. She was Journey’s founding Artistic Director, helping launch the program in 2002. After her time there, she spent seven years on the road as a Road Manager for a Christian rock band.

Currently, Beka is the Senior Media Strategy Manager at GTMA, a digital marketing agency. Her company relocated from Los Angeles to Vancouver, WA, bringing her back to Journey Theater to direct again.

In her free time, she enjoys creating sketch videos and watching the Chicago Bears. Basically, Beka finds joy in anything involving an audience, especially her audience of one (the Lord)!

Cheri is the proud mother of two wonderful students who have both participated in Journey in the past and thoroughly enjoyed the program. Personally, she has had the pleasure of participating in three of Journey’s captivating summer plays. Her love for drama started during her junior high years when she took her very first drama class, and it has only grown stronger over the years. She is truly passionate about inspiring other families to embrace and love drama just as much as she does. Throughout her journey, she has been actively involved in over 30 plays within academic and local theater groups. Cheri wholeheartedly believes that she has been blessed with her theater experiences and has prayed to use these skills for a greater purpose. God granted those prayers with numerous opportunities to utilize these skills, not only for personal growth but also to bring joy to others. She has truly enjoyed volunteering in the children’s ministry at her church, being involved in skits, VBS dramas, puppets, worship, choir, and large group education. These fulfilling experiences have enabled her to teach and mentor at Journey for over 15 years.

Kenna has been a part of Journey since 2018 and has been in 20+ shows over the years. Some of her favorite roles have been Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Ariel in Footloose. Since 2023, she has also been involved in the Musical Theater Studio. Along with that, she has enjoyed being dance captain for several Journey productions. Through her time in Journey, she has developed a love and passion for dance. Journey has always provided her a supportive place to grow as both a performer and person; she is so thankful for the opportunity to teach and now give back in this way. Performing and dancing bring her so much joy, so she feels blessed to use them as a chance to serve. She gives all the glory to God and hopes to shine for him above all else. Colossians 3:17

Kristen is thrilled to be back at Journey and is excited to work with students to create something spectacular. She is an author, actor, and singer who performs primarily at Love Street Playhouse in Woodland. Her most recent roles with Love Street have been Shelby Thorpe, in The Spitfire Grill, Sherlock Holmes in Miss Holmes, and Patsy Cline in Always, Patsy Cline. She was also blessed to have the opportunity to start the theater program at Cedar Tree Classical Christian School where she directed for five years. When not on stage, Kristen writes “The Starcluck Adventures” series for kids (under the name Kristen Gwen), and she enjoys traveling and hiking the trails of the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.

Olivia Johnson has been performing in musicals, plays, and award-winning radio dramas for over 20 years with lots of training along the way – mostly in Southern California, where she grew up. Dream roles she played include Lily St Regis in Annie, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Viola in Twelfth Night, and Shelby in Steel Magnolias. While getting her degree in education, she started and ran a youth theatre program where she and other staff taught youth and teens all aspects of theatre – including tech. Olivia has directed and choreographed several youth productions, as well as some adult productions. Some favorites include Guys & Dolls Jr, The Secret Garden the Musical, and Elf the Musical Jr. She can sometimes be seen teaching improv and other theatre craft at Firstenburg Community Center for their Homeschool Classes. Most recently she can be found at Magenta Theater where serves on the board, is in charge of the volunteers, and occasionally acts and directs. She has also performed at Love Street Playhouse. Olivia comes by her love of theater honestly, as her dad is an actor and dancer and her mom is an actor and singer.

Ana Grayce has been in love with dance since before she really knew what it was. Even when she was little, her mom had no doubt about where God was taking her in life and put her right into dance class. With 10 years of dance training under her belt, Ana Grayce began her teaching journey during COVID with Zoom dances classes and going on from there to choreograph musicals for a local community theater, which she absolutely loved. She grew up doing musical theater and participating in multiple community and professional shows in Gresham, Portland and Eugene.  She served many years as a teacher assistant which lead to her becoming an all around substitute teacher for all dance classes in her studio. During that time she had so many amazing role models and people to look up to that helped lift her up into what God was calling her to do. She looks forward to being able to do the same for others at Journey. 

Ryan is excited to be joining the Journey teaching team in helping students grow their theater skills-guiding them to take risks, build confidence, and discover their creative voices. Ryan developed his love for performing in theater back in his school days and local community theater. Recently, he was seen in Singin’ in the Rain. During the school year, Ryan can be found teaching 5th graders in Evergreen Public Schools and supporting his daughter’s personal passion for Journey’s shows and classes.

Jeff is a seasoned director, teacher, choreographer, and performer. He has directed over 25 shows throughout his career and has also performed in five of Journey’s summer theater productions. Jeff’s extensive knowledge of musical theater and his ability to bring out the best in his cast and crew have led to numerous successful productions. He is committed to highlighting each cast member, believing that “there are no small parts” in his productions.

Kileah is a home educator, chicken wrangler, cozy knitter, occasional choir director, and avid reader who has been a part of Journey with her family since 2014. She is a published author and enjoys teaching science at a local co-op, coordinating Tuesday night classes for Journey Theater, directing music for Journey productions, and volunteering at a local organic farm in Brush Prairie.

Micah is a PNW native, husband, and father who enjoys belting out ballads, crafting and drinking great coffee, and collecting board games. He first directed music for Journey in the 2015 production of The Wizard of Oz and has been hooked on theater life ever since! When he’s not working you can find him singing in the choir at church, enjoying the outdoor beauty of the PNW, grilling, creating something new at his sewing machine, or enjoying a game time with family and friends.

When not flossing her cat’s teeth or overfeeding her rescue chihuahua, Myronie loves acting, improv, writing, and directing. She has written and directed two full-length productions as well as directed over 20 shows, her favorites being Peter Pan, Aladdin, and Mary Poppins. 

She earned her Master’s of Divinity degree because she always wanted to find the humor in the Bible. She has studied improv at Second City and was a national improv judge for several years.

In the past year, Myronie has been in five short films, as well as her first national commercial. As an empty nester, she’s excited to work with Journey because she loves working with kids and watching their confidence flourish on stage.

Rebekah has been a home educator for the past 28 years. She joined the Journey family in 2022 and has worked backstage on various parent committees. She’s grateful for her family’s patience with, and support for, her work with various nonprofits. Her volunteer work includes serving as an admin for her homeschool CoOp, running craft workshops at VBS and summer camps, and teaching for the Dame School at Ft. Vancouver, for the National Park Service. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys creating new products for her small business, putting around in the greenhouse and cuddling her grandbabies.

Averi Mason is a dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer in the Vancouver/Portland area. She has been dancing since she was two years old. She started at Columbia Dance then transferred to Liz Borromeo Dance when she was seven. She now dances with Vancouver Movement Collective, and has been doing so since 2022. The dance styles she focuses on are contemporary, ballet, jazz, and musical theater. Averi has attended multiple prestigious dance intensives including the Joffrey Ballet School at Joffrey West LA, as well as NW Dance Project’s Summer Dance Platform. Besides dancing, Averi enjoys musical theater and singing. She is also a teacher and choreographer at Vancouver Movement Collective. She hopes to provide an encouraging environment where dancers can learn and thrive.

Karina has loved journey ever since her first summer camp in 2013. She has learned so much from this community and loves giving back whenever she can! With a passion for musicianship, play, and hard work, she enjoys working with the talented and studious Journey Theater youth, pushing them to become the best performer they can be, while having a lot of fun along the way. Theater is a special art that is intrinsically connective, and that family that Journey has built is what keeps her coming back for more!

Trevin has been involved with Journey since 2016 and has loved every second of it. He is so excited for this opportunity to get to teach and invest in the younger students and this next generation of performers! Some of Trevin’s favorite roles that he’s played are Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose, Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and Lord Farquaad in Shrek: The Musical. Trevin has always been passionate about the arts, having played piano for 10 years, enjoying reading and/or writing fiction (especially fantasy), playing D&D with his friends, and plenty more. This Fall, Trevin will be attending George Fox with a major in Business Management and a minor in either Worship Arts or Theater. He’s very thankful to all of his loving and supportive teachers, mentors, friends, family, and most importantly, God. Philippians 4:13

A native of Vancouver, WA, Erin spent 14 years in the San Francisco Bay Area working as a teacher and a professional actor on stage, films, commercials, and television. She ran the drama and musical theater departments at the Marin School of the Arts and has directed over 25 student plays and musicals. Erin has been blessed to have performed in great shows, including Annie Get Your Gun, Quilters, Godspell, Seussical, Proof, The Crucible, Lovesong, Macbeth and many more. Erin has a BA in Education from Concordia University, a Masters in Counseling from San Jose State, and supplemental authorizations in history and theater education. 

Annalisa holds a BA in Music from Thomas Edison State University, specializing in Vocal Pedagogy and Musical Theater. A Journey alum since 2013, she’s choreographed productions such as Frozen, Secret Garden, Willy Wonka, and Annie. She’s loved performing in musicals like Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Little Women. Outside the theatre, Annalisa is a voice teacher at Elizabeth’s Music School. She’s taught dance, music and drama at a private school, and she helped develop/direct theatrical programs at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Annalisa loves food blogging, spending time with her husband, discovering the joys of being a new mom, and playing with her theater-loving dog.

Cole is a Whitworth graduate with degrees in Theatre, Education, and History.

He is passionate about allowing space for collaborative theatre making with his casts loves approaching rehearsals with an open mind. Cole is also a Journey Theater alum, and performed in shows and improv teams from the ages of 11 to 18. He loves Journey Theater for how it provides students of varying ages opportunities for artistic expression and does so in a safe and respectful community setting

Maggie,a Journey alum, is a graduate student at George Fox University’s School of Counseling. She joined her first improv team in 2013 and has since competed in 5 regional youth improv competitions; which resulted in two first place medals and an All Star Award. Maggie went on to be a performing member of Whitworth University’s improv club, Coolwhip. She loves how improv facilitates opportunities for play, storytelling, confidence, and collaboration. She began dancing at the age of three and never really stopped! Most recently, Maggie choreographed Journey Theater’s production of The SpongeBob Musical. She loves how dance is a vehicle for expression, connection, and storytelling.

Chelsea is an award-winning choreographer from San Diego who recently relocated to Vancouver. Having grown up in the theatre world since age 4, Chelsea has performed in over 80 shows and tour groups, and at the age of 14 began choreographing and teaching dance classes for a national children’s theatre company. Since 2007, Chelsea has choreographed both professional and non-professional shows all over the United States, as well as Uganda. Her training includes places like Broadway Dance Center in NYC and Academy of Performing Arts in San Diego, she is also an alumnus of the Pulse Teacher Workshop and the Stage Door Connections Workshop with Andy Blankenbuehler. Chelsea is a recipient of the Portland Area Musical Theatre Award, Inland Theatre League, National Youth Arts, and Director’s Choice Award.

Jeanna has over 25 years of experience as a dance instructor and choreographer.  She finds joy in working with beginners up to professionals.  Her musical theater work includes choreography and performance in Journey’s summer productions of Mary Poppins and for Shrek The Musical.  She has also choreographed many of Journey’s youth productions, including Singin’ in the Rain, Aladdin Jr., and Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. Choreography credits also include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Charlie Brown, and The Mikado.  One of Jeanna’s greatest thrills was performing in the opening dance for The New York Radio City Rockettes.  In addition to her passion for dance and theater, Jeanna a teaching degree from Whitworth University.    

Jemmé has been around since 2002 as a camper, class student, kid performer, class and camp teacher, director, office employee, improv coach, summer show performer, tech crew and now joins the ranks as parent!
Outside of her love for Journey Theater, she loves her hubby, being a full time mom to her two babies, spending time with friends and convincing Bethany Larson we should do Hello Dolly as a summer show.

Lauren, a Journey alum, is a dance teacher and choreographer in the Portland metro area. Lauren began dancing at age eight and has trained in tap, jazz, swing, hip hop, contemporary, and ballet. As a teacher and avid Jesus follower, Lauren desires for her students to be dancers of excellence with a strong foundation in the Lord that they will carry with them wherever He leads them in life.

Lillian has been in the Journey community for 10 years, having participated in 15 shows and numerous classes. She has been dance captain in multiple shows, and developed a love for dancing, specifically tap, in her time at Journey. Some of her favorite roles have been Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. She loves the support and love created in the journey community and wants to continue and grow that spirit in her time there. She has a passion for acting and is planning pursuing screen acting in the future.

Colleen has been teaching dance and choreographing through the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years for dance studios, high school dance teams, summer camps, and youth theater. She holds a Washington State secondary teaching certification in Dance and is a full time high school counselor. In 17 years at Union High School, she founded and led the Union Dance Team to accomplishments at the State and National level, choreographed various musicals, and taught dance classes. Colleen was inducted into the Washington Dance Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021. She feels blessed to have joined the Journey teaching family in 2023.

Angela Thomas holds the belief that connectedness and personal investment are the heart of teaching. She is committed to ensuring her students thrive through their growing passion for music. Angela earned her Master’s in music education from Eastern Washington University and her Bachelor’s in vocal performance from Judson College. She has performed in various venues and genres, including classical and musical theater. She currently owns a business where she teaches private voice lessons.

Trina was introduced to Journey Theater in 2018 when her daughter signed up for a summer camp and never left. She has enjoyed working on many different Journey parent committees and was excited to give back in a different way through teaching. While Trina never had the privilege of taking the stage in theater, she enjoyed the stage as a dancer for many years. Trina has spent her entire career working with kids of all ages as a pediatric occupational therapist. She loves finding the “just right” challenge for every child and helping them see their own amazing potential.

Rhonda has been with Journey since 2002. She has taught classes/camps and directed/choreographed numerous shows throughout the years including Junie B Jones, Fiddler on the Roof, and Beauty and the Beast. She has enjoyed her time with Journey Theater and loves watching her own kids participate in the program. She loves playing board games with family, dinner with friends and cuddling with her puppy.

Kiana was raised in Vancouver and has been a part of Journey since 2003. She has loved directing Journey productions including, The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast. She is excited to serve as the TREK advisor and bring community to our high school students. Kiana graduated from Grand Canyon University with a B.A. in Christian Studies. She is proudly married to her husband, Garrett, of 9 years. Together, they have three children.