MEET OUR TEACHING STAFF!
Tiffany Austin is a Converse College graduate, where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education with an add-on certification in Elementary Education and a minor in Dance. She grew up dancing and training right here in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Tiffany has attended the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and American Ballet Theatre summer intensives and has choreographed multiple productions for the Spartanburg Youth Theatre. She is thrilled to share her passion for dance with others!
J.R. Bloomer is a 2020 graduate of Limestone University, where he earned a BFA in musical theatre. Though a Gaffney native, and a recent Spartanburg transplant, he has been involved with SYT for years as a part of SYT’s educational tour, SYT on Tour. Over the years, he has been involved in countless productions in the Upstate. With experience in performance, education, directing, sound design, and props, he loves all different parts of the creative process. Outside of theatre, J.R. enjoys spending time at the movies with his wife, Bre, and taking care of their pet snake, Persephone.
Anneka Brannon is a recent graduate of Wofford College, where she earned a BA in theatre and humanities. She is experienced both onstage and offstage, with favorite areas being acting, directing, and scenic carpentry. Anneka is an SYT alum, and she is stoked to return as an instructor!
Alexa Cotran is a native of Columbia, SC, and currently works as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Spartanburg High School. Alexa holds a B.M. in music education with a vocal performance certificate from the University of South Carolina Honors College, as well as a Masters of Music in choral conducting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. While in Columbia, Alexa worked as one of the music directors for Town Theatre's Youth Theatre program. She taught voice lessons, as well as musically directed the youth productions. Outside of the classroom, Alexa has loved performing since she was a child. She was involved in performances at Town Theatre, in the Broadway Bound Theatre Company, Opera at USC, and Mercer University Opera. If she is not rehearsing a choir or in a theatre, you can find Alexa playing with her two cats, trying new restaurants, or exploring a new city!
Ashley Crane is an actor and filmmaker who grew up performing at Spartanburg Youth Theatre, where she first stepped onstage in third grade. After earning her degree in communications and cinema arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University, she's had the opportunity to work in film, TV, commercials, and theatre up and down the east coast. Ashley is proud to be back at the Spartanburg Youth Theatre as an instructor and assistant director. She continues to work professionally in film, television, and theatre. In addition to her work on set and on stage, she serves as Director of Programming & Education for the Tryon International Film Festival, as the City Producer for the 48 Hour Film Project South Carolina, and as a board member for Reedy Reels Film Festival. Ashley is passionate about helping young storytellers discover their creativity and confidence through performing and visual arts.
Chelsea Durrah is a voice teacher and choral director in the Upstate. She believes that the inherent vulnerability of singing often leads individuals to develop unsustainable habits that can negatively impact their vocal health. Her mission is to guide students toward vocal freedom by helping them rediscover ease and efficiency in singing!
Oliver Ellis graduated from Converse College with a BA in theatre. He has worked with several upstate theatre companies including Glow Lyric Theatre, Proud Mary Theatre Company, and Ballet Spartanburg, and is now the Scene Shop Foreman for Spartanburg Little and Youth Theatre. When he's not working, he can usually be found reading, sewing, or crocheting at home.
Elijah Gittens is from Spartanburg, SC, where he grew up making short films with friends and discovered his passion for storytelling. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2025 with a B.F.A. in film and television, where he gained hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and equipment while learning the realities of filmmaking. Elijah has served as a director, producer, assistant director, and editor on narrative films, as well as music videos, corporate productions and commercial/branded content. Excited by the opportunity to inspire the next generation of artists and creators, he is thrilled to serve as an instructor for SYT.
Anne Graff currently serves as a staff accompanist at Converse University and is thrilled to be joining the staff at SYT. A lifelong lover of theater, Anne began working as a musical director and pianist while a student at Tufts University in Boston, where she earned a BS in biology, despite spending much more time in the theater than the lab! She went on to earn an MA in piano performance from Hunter College in New York City. Anne has worked as a teacher, music director, choir director, and pianist for numerous organizations, including the Berkeley Repertory Theater, Alameda Children’s Musical Theater, and Altarena Playhouse in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Trinity Church Wall Street, 92Y, and the New Victory Theater in NYC. Outside of music, Anne loves a good book, a cup of coffee, hanging out with her family, and exploring the Upstate!
Serger Jimenez is a recent graduate of Converse University, where he earned a dual degree in musical theatre and Hispanic studies. Throughout his time at Converse, Serger was actively involved in numerous theatrical productions, both on campus and in the broader community, gaining experience as a performer, collaborator, and creative leader. With a deep passion for storytelling, Serger is especially committed to using theatre as a tool for education, empowerment, and cultural connection. As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, he understands the transformative power of the arts and is driven to make theatre more accessible to under-served communities! Now, Serger is focused on sharing his love for performance with the next generation. He hopes to teach, mentor, and inspire local youth through SYT and help them find their voices.
Rachel Johnson is an SYT alum, and a graduate of Wofford College with a BA in theatre and music. Aside from teaching, Rachel has combined her passions to become a music director and composer for musical theatre. Her favorite works so far have been composing the music for the world premiere of The Missing Moon by Kerry Ferguson, and arranging/ composing the score for Failure: A Love Story at Wofford Theatre. When not at the theatre (which is rare), Rachel enjoys reading, playing piano, and cuddling with her poodle named Poodle.
K. Ray Jones performs at theatres all across the upstate – Spartanburg Little Theatre, Centre Stage, Glow Lyric Theatre, The Warehouse and Proud Mary Theatre Company. He was also the theatre/drama teacher at High Point Academy. He strives to teach students the possibility of creating, especially in roles like Sebastian in The Little Mermaid at the Spartanburg Little Theatre. When not onstage, Ray teaches at Cyclebar Spartanburg and travels all over as a front man with the Emerald Empire party band company. Ray challenges students to always find joy in imagination and play regardless of their age.
Skylan Kimbrell is an actress based in the upstate and is excited to join the team at SYT this summer! She is a graduate from Converse College, where she earned her BA in theatre. She previously taught theatre at High Point Academy, and enjoys helping students find the joy and creativity in performing! With over ten years of experience in the theatre, she transitioned into film acting, where she’s booked jobs on Lifetime, Oxygen, and more. She can’t wait to help others find their love of story telling!
Laurelyn Korfhage is so excited to join the SYT team! Laurelyn graduated from Oklahoma City University with a BM in Music Theatre. She then went on to become certified in Music Education EC-12. Since moving to the Upstate, Laurelyn has continued to perform professionally while running her music studio, Lessons with Laurelyn. She works consistently with Greenville Theatre, Mauldin Theatre Company, and Greenville Theatre's educational tour. With over 15 years of choreography experience for musicals, show choirs, and dance programs, she has learned how to create fun and effective movement for all skill levels. Laurelyn can't wait to continue igniting a passion for performance with the youth of Sparkle City.
Liam MacDougall is a professional actor and teacher/coach of acting based in Spartanburg. He has over 18 years of acting experience and is a graduate of Brown University’s MFA acting program (Class of ’22). He is trained in stage combat, movement, and clown work. He runs Sparkle City Improv, an improv company based out of Spartanburg and Scrappy Shakespeare, a touring theatre company bringing devised Shakespeare work to the upstate. He is the full time instructor for theatre at Spartanburg Community College. He is also the co-owner of Big Brain Theatre Company, so check out our website at bigbraintheatre.com and come see a show!
Amy Novak is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. A Maryland native, she began her dance training at the age of three at the Edna Lee Dance Studio under Ashley Canterna-Hardy, Mary Moran, and many others. She began teaching and choreographing at the age of seventeen. Amy attended the University of Utah and graduated with a BFA in ballet and minors in business administration and nutrition. While there, she taught ballet, jazz, contemporary, and character dance classes at local studios, as well as choreographing several group and solo pieces for university performances and competitions. After graduation, she danced as a trainee with Ballet Idaho during their 2021/2022 season before joining Ballet Spartanburg as a company artist in 2022. Amy teaches dance in various schools and studios around Spartanburg County and loves to help students improve their technique and encourage them to find their artistic voice in the studio. She is excited for the chance to teach at Spartanburg Youth Theatre!
Erin O'Neil is an avid performer, teacher, and musician. She earned degrees from Radford University and Converse College and now teaches middle and upper school music & theater at Spartanburg Day School. Erin has worked on both the administrative, performance, and educational sides of the theater (Asheville Lyric Opera, Opera Roanoke, Spartanburg Day School) and loves everything that goes into making a production run! Since moving to SC, you may have seen her performing with Spartanburg Little Theatre (Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Rocky Horror, Footloose, Rent), Gaffney Little Theater (Steel Magnolias), Centre Stage (Mamma Mia), Proud Mary (Becoming), and Converse Opera Theatre (Alcina, Speed Dating Tonight, Hansel and Gretel). When she's not singing or rehearsing for a production, you can usually find Erin walking around downtown with her two friendly Huskies, Zeke and Aurora, and her partner, Austin--or trying to rescue every animal she sees!
Sydney Pereira is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Auburn University where she earned her BFA in musical theatre with a concentration in wigs and costuming. She has been acting for 12 years and had the opportunity to hone her skills as a theatre artist at Auburn as an actor in mainstage productions while also serving as the assistant wigs technician for the department. She made her professional acting debut in 2023 as part of the inaugural cast at Lost Island Theme Park with RWS Entertainment. Her love of theatre extends past the stage and the costume shop and into her passion for inspiring and uplifting the next generation of theatre artists. There is no greater joy than watching new theatre makers learn the power of storytelling and how to fully embrace their creativity. She is thrilled to be joining the teaching staff at SYT!
Adam Sanders has been the Artistic Director of SYT since 2015. Adam grew up in Spartanburg and developed his love for theatre at SYT. He loves leading the theatre that raised him! He previously worked with the South Carolina Children's Theatre as a teaching artist, director, and touring actor. Adam's favorite part of his job is directing, having directed many productions including Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, Songs for a New World, Disney's The Lion King Jr., The Drowsy Chaperone, Disney's Newsies Jr., Godspell Jr., Disney's Freaky Friday, Elf the Musical Jr., Disney's Aladdin Jr., Mamma Mia, Seussical Jr., and many more. Outside of the theater, he's an instructor at CycleBar Spartanburg. While Adam loves all his roles, his favorite role is husband to his favorite person in the world, his beautiful wife Kelsey!
Mary Thalassinos is a 2020 graduate of Wofford College where she received a BA in theatre and has been working with SYT ever since! She is the drama teacher for Duncan Elementary and has experience working professionally as an actor, educator, sound designer, choreographer, and director at various theaters including SYT, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Centre Stage, and Greenville Theatre. She is also a company member of Big Brain Theatre Company, performing improv and various productions around the area. A Spartanburg native, she is thrilled to be working with SYT - the place where she fell in love with theatre so many years ago!
Maddie Tisdel is excited for her first season as Education Coordinator at the Spartanburg Youth Theatre! She graduated cum laude from Converse University with a double major in musical theatre and history. She has worked professionally in the Upstate since 2018 at the Warehouse Theatre, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Centere Stage, Glow Lyric Theatre, Scrappy Shakespeare, Sparkle City Improv, and her favorite place, SYT! She loves being an instructor and director here; helping kids connect through the joy of play and storytelling. She also loves broadening theatre accessibility in Spartanburg through SYT On Tour. Outside of theatre, Maddie enjoys cooking and baking, gardening, and spending time with her partner Austin and her cat Al.
Emily Rose Watts is SYT's Scene Shop Assistant. Starting as an intern at SLT in 2021, she is glad to be given the opportunity to grow with this theater’s productions. Emily Rose graduated from Converse University with a BA in theatre. Previously she has worked with GLOW Lyric Theatre, Ballet Spartanburg, and the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra.