After an unexpected tragedy, six teenagers find themselves in a mysterious limbo where each is given one final chance to tell their story. Blending dark humor, unforgettable music, and heartfelt emotion, Ride the Cyclone is a wildly original musical unlike any other.
Percy Jackson never asked to be a hero. When Zeus’ lightning bolt is stolen and Percy is accused, he must embark on an epic quest through a world of gods, monsters, and prophecy to prove his innocence and prevent a war among the gods.
Join Gerald and Piggie as they discover that friendship, laughter, and a little courage can make any adventure unforgettable. Filled with catchy songs and lovable characters, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” JR. is a heartwarming musical the whole family will enjoy.
When powerful publishers threaten their livelihood, Jack Kelly inspires a band of courageous newsies to stand together and fight for what’s right. Filled with unforgettable songs, heart, and determination, Newsies JR. is a story of courage, friendship, and the power of unity.
When Buddy the Elf discovers he’s actually human, he sets off on a heartwarming adventure to New York City in search of family, belonging, and the true spirit of Christmas. Filled with laughter, holiday magic, and unforgettable songs, Elf The Musical is a festive treat for all ages.
Over three decades, childhood friends Kayleen and Doug find themselves brought back together through life’s unexpected twists, heartbreaks, and healing. This touching and intimate drama explores the enduring power of friendship, love, and finding hope in the most unexpected places.
Through unforgettable music, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, Godspell brings the timeless teachings of Jesus to life in a fresh and inspiring way. Filled with hope, joy, and powerful messages of love and compassion, this beloved musical is a celebration of faith, friendship, and community.
785-827-6126
The CTA season runs September through April and will conclude with CTA CenterStage in May. CTA classes still meet during USD 305 in-service days, however, the following breaks follow the school district schedule with exception to weather:
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Break
Winter Break
Spring Break
Theatre Salina and Center for Theatre Arts will make decisions about weather cancellations seperate from USD 305 decisions as the variables involved in those decisions are seperate. For the most recent information on closures, please refer to the Center for Theatre Arts Facebook page.
n Street Dance Company, Intermediate Jazz, Intermediate Tap, Hip Hop III-V, Conditioning, Advanced TapMaggie Spicer Brown grew up in the Salina area, was very active with Theatre Salina, and graduated from Salina South High School in 2010. Maggie went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Music from Oklahoma City University before moving to New York City, where she lived on and off for the better part of 7 years. During that time Maggie worked as a professional actor with favorite credits including Mamma Mia and Matilda at Casa Manana in Texas, Freaky Friday and A Little Night Music at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and the North American tour of The Wizard of Oz. Maggie has also been able to choreograph many musicals at Theatre Salina as well as pieces for the summer contemporary shows. In 2020, Maggie directed her first mainstage musical, Freaky Friday, and went on to direct 2021 Summer Stage production of Descendants, the 2021 fall opening musical of Fiddler on the Roof and Descendants at Casa Manana, a professional equity production house. Maggie has loved being a teacher for CTA and is very honored to be step into the role of Education Director!
Elizabeth-Ali is the Director of Operations at Theatre Salina and has been teaching at Center for Theatre Arts for 6 years, in the fields of Acting, Vocal, and Dance. Miss Ali Studied Theatre at KWU, business and social science at KSU, current attends OU for a master’s in Arts Management – Theatre, and carries certificates from other universities. She has been performing in theatre since 1991 and her first production at Theatre Salina was in 2006. She has performed in over 40 productions, directed over 7 productions, choreographed for over 8 productions, and performed in a traveling performance troup. Her passion for teaching arts is strongly rooted in consent forward practices and creating a greater sense of self awareness and confidence in students using critically reflective and responsive teaching styles tought by Viola Spolin, Dr. Stephen Brookfield, Zaretta Hammond, and Alex Shevrin Venet. Miss Ali also introduces trauma informed and consent forward practices in her classroom influenced by her training as a Certified Drama Well-Being Practitioner, Certified Consent Forward Artist, and Mental Health First Aider certified in Teens and Adults. Her favorite performance credits are Judy Bernley from 9 to 5 The Musical, Marie Curie in The Half-Life of Marie Curie, and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof.
Kristina Freeland is thrilled to return as the vocal teacher for Musical Theatre IV/V! When she’s not teaching or performing at Theatre Salina, she works as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at her private practice, Gold Leaf Counseling. Kristina earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with an emphasis in Lifespan Human Development from Kansas State University, where she also completed two years of musical theatre training. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University.An active performer, Kristina has appeared in numerous productions at Theatre Salina. Most recently, she was seen on stage in Waitress: The Musical, The Little Mermaid, The Odd Couple, and Matilda: The Musical. In her free time, she loves reading, spending time with her best friends, doting on her seven chickens, and creating culinary masterpieces for her incredibly supportive husband, Michael, and their three boys: Gabriel, Dominic, and Oliver.
Addilyn is an Oklahoma native and a senior at Salina Central High School. She has been involved in Center for Theatre Arts since elementary school and continued into Theater Salina productions in middle school.
Lindsey Rojas is entering her 9th year teaching Music Theatre for Center for Theatre Arts! She has most recently been seen on the Theatre Salina stage in Waitress, The Odd Couple, Tiny Beautiful Things (CTA After Dark), and served as the Production Director for Shrek the Musical Jr. (CTA). Outside the theatre, Lindsey serves as the Early Education Initiatives Program Director for Child Advocacy and Parenting Services, and is an instructor for the American Heart Association and Kansas Child Care and Training Opportunities. She studied Speech and Theatre Education at Kansas Wesleyan University where she received her degree in Psychological Services – Educational Counseling. Lindsey has been involved with productions both on and off the stage and was part of the improvisational group, Almost Actors. Lindsey has experience in acting, directing, choreography, and stage and fx makeup. She has three spirited children, Kenley, Holland, and Bellamy, and loves to share new experiences with them, bargain shop, change her mind, and laugh with her best friends.
Alice Hilt has directed, musical directed, assistant directed, and designed over 75 productions in her 24 years of teaching. She is currently the debate and forensics coach at Salina Central. Prior to moving to Salina, Alice taught at Garden City High School for thirteen years, the last five as the head director of GCHS Theatre. She previously taught and directed theatre, debate and forensics at St. Mary’s Colgan High School in Pittsburg, KS for 9 years. She is a two diamond coach with the National Speech and Debate Association, former chairperson of Pittsburg Community Theatre, and she is a Fund for Teachers Fellow. Ms. Hilt served for five years as the secretary of Kansas Thespians. Ms. Hilt is a Crystal Apple winning teacher & previously was USD 457 Kansas Teacher of the year nominee for 2024. She has training from Pittsburg State University, Shakespeare and Company, Broadway Teachers Workshop, NSDA and EdTA Conferences. Three years ago, she won the Jester Award for outstanding direction for Jekyll & Hyde. She has also been nominated and awarded Jester Awards in Lobby Display, Set Design, and Lighting Design. Alice is excited to be working with theatre students at CTA and Theatre Salina.
Robyn grew up in Pittsburg, KS and spent most of her childhood at Pittsburg Community Theatre. She comes from a theatre family and has three sisters who have taught theatre in Kansas. She was previously the fashion/ interior design teacher and costume designer at Garden City High School for 12 years. She is a six-time Music Theatre of Wichita Jester Awards costume design winner and twelve-time nominee. She is a Fulbright and Fund for Teachers Fellow. Her undergraduate degree was in English Education from Pittsburg State University and she received her MA in Theatre from the University of Houston in 2023 through which she received training from The Lincoln Center, Chicago Actor’s Studio, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, & Shakespeare’s Globe.
Matea was born and raised in Hays, Kansas and attended Thomas More Prep-Marian Jr/Sr High School and Fort Hays State University. During her time at FHSU, she was a part of Dr. Ivalah Allen’s vocal studio, performed in several musical productions and operas and was a semifinalist at NATS four years in a row. She has a heart for service and teaching and has over 7 years of experience serving the Catholic Diocese of Salina as a Totus Tuus teacher, Prayer and Action staff member and religious education teacher. Currently, Matea works for the Diocese of Salina as the Communications Coordinator and Photographer where she is a content manager of several social platforms, podcast producer and assistant editor of publications. She also has her own photography business, For Greater Glory, and enjoys photographing weddings, seniors, families and local theatre productions.
She has many years of theatre and music performance experience, which began in middle school, performing with Heartland Community Theatre (now Hays Community Theatre) as a daughter in the ensemble in Fiddler on the Roof and continued through high school and college, performing in over 35 shows. Matea joined the Theatre Salina family in 2020 with her first mainstage production, FREAKY FRIDAY, and has continued performing and directing ever since. Matea is also the Musical Director at Sacred Heart High School. She is humbled to have the opportunity to teach Music Theatre II/III Music for the Center for Theatre Arts and looks forward to meeting her young performers.
Amy is so excited to return to CTA for her 5th year of teaching dance! Amy was born and raised in Salina. She trained for 14 years at Peggy Simms School of Dance where she was a member of the Peggy Simms Show Troupe, the studio’s elite dance company. During her six years as a Show Troupe member, she had the opportunity to perform across the state of Kansas and United States including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and with Norwegian Cruise Lines throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Amy also co-led the Salina Parks and Recreation summer dance program for 2 years. Amy’s degree is in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University, in Minnesota, where she worked as a family therapist for 10 years. Amy and her family moved back to Salina in 2018 and she has thoroughly enjoyed having dance back in her life.
Miss Kenzie would like to begin by saying, “Hello Friends!”. She has been teaching for 4 years now with kids of all ages. Her training includes Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Ballet. This fall she will be attending Kansas Wesleyan University to study nursing and keep dancing on KWU Dance Team. “Can’t wait to meet all of you guys!!”
Bradyn Houltberg is a very active soloist and teacher, collaborating with choirs and the local community theatre for many different events. Is an elementary music teacher at St Mary’s Grade School. She graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in 2023.. Bradyn has performed in many community theatre productions at the Theatre Salina. She teaches Stage Door 1 and directs CTA productions. On the side, she teaches vocal lessons to an arrange of students and sings for various events/groups in town. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks, listening to good music, and baking.
Alison Hiatt is a Salina native and grew up training at Peggy Simms School of Dance. She earned a minor degree in dance at the University of Kansas where she had the opportunity to study with many world-renowned guest artists, attend a summer intensive with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago, and perform with local touring companies including the Cohan/Suzeau Dance Company and Bowery Dancers. She has been involved with Theatre Salina and Center for Theatre Arts as a performer, choreographer, and dance instructor for the past 16 years. She has also been involved with several Salina Symphony productions as a dance performer and choreographer. Alison holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas and works as a nurse practitioner in medical oncology at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. She enjoys running, yoga, hiking, and spending her husband Jared and two children Caroline and Will.
Mary King has been in multiple shows at Theatre Salina, including Waitress, Sweeney Todd, and The Prom.
Claire has been dancing since the age of three and competing since four, with extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary styles. She began choreographing at 13 and has since earned numerous awards for her work.
She studied Dance at Wichita State University, where she was a member of the Shocker Dance Team. Claire is now the Head Dance Team Coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, leading the Coyotes to their second-ever conference championship in 2024. In addition, she is a company dancer with the Universal Dance Association under Varsity Spirit, traveling internationally to dance, coach, and judge.
A Salina native, Claire has taught at Theatre Salina since 2018, where she has choreographed and performed in numerous productions such as, Disney’s Newsies, Disney’s Freaky Friday, Rock of Ages, Seussical the Musical, and Mean Girls. Lastly, Claire works at Revolution School of Dance, where she coaches and choreographs for the Competitive Dance Team. She is thrilled to return to CTA to share her passion for dance with students.
Mackenzie Martinez has been involved in theatre for 5 years. She has taught ages 3-16 in baton twirling for 4 years. She is currently a Sophomore at Kansas Wesleyan University studying music education while also studying theatre. She is also a returning member on the Kansas Wesleyan dance team. She has performed in numerous Theatre Salina productions such as Birthday Candles, Waitress, And The Little Mermaid. She also performed as a lead in Center For Theatre Arts Mean Girls. She served on the exec board at her highschool, as well as student directed a one act. Her dream is to become a Theatre and or Music teacher for any age. She has a huge passion and love for all things performing arts.
Tru Haesemeyer is 21 years old and from Lincoln, KS. She currently attends Kansas Wesleyan University with a major in English and a minor in Business. At Kansas Wesleyan, she has been involved in many things such as choir, DECA, theatre, and am also a captain of the KWU dance team! I have a strong passion for dance and would love to make it my full-time job. She taught dance all throughout high school for kids ages 3 until 18. While teaching there she led many classes alone and has choreographed over twenty routines in high school. She grew up in the studio Post Rock Dance Academy where she was in classes for about eight years in total! Last semester she also aided in an acro class for Revolution Dance Studio. This summer, she taught a ballet class, choreographed for SpongeBob The Musical, the contemporary show, and also Dancing with The Salina Stars!
Stephanie Gerry is an Instructional Assistant with the Salina Public Schools. A native Nebraskan, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Music degree from Wichita State University. She has extensive performing experience, including appearing with Wichita Grand Opera, Dorian Opera Theatre, Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company, and the Great Plains Theatre Festival. Favorite roles at Theatre Salina include Rosalie in School of Rock, Elsa in The Sound of Music and Doris in Miracle on 34th Street. In addition to singing, Stephanie enjoys playing piano, violin and mandolin, and she is a keyboard player in the worship team at her church. She is married to Matt Gerry, and is the proud mom of Adele and Lydia. In her free time, she loves to read, go to thrift stores with her husband, and spend time with her two dogs, Otis and Olive
Hollis Murdock is a junior at Salina South High School. She has been taking dance classes since the age of three, has been a student at CTA for five years, and is currently in her third year with Iron Street Dance Company. Hollis is also a member of her school’s dance team, the Peppers. Last year, she assisted with the Tap/Jazz I/II class and has been recognized as Iron Street’s “Top Tap Student” for two consecutive years. Over the summer, Hollis worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA, where she led a “Dance Club” for the children. Hollis is excited to continue working with kids and to further develop her tap experience through teaching.
Amanda is Southern born and raised and has lived in Salina for the past nine years. Before taking on her greatest role as wife and mother, she attended Mississippi State University where she studied Communications with an emphasis in Theatre. While there, she was very involved with the school theatre as well as Starkville Community Theatre. At both, she was stage manager and assistant director for several productions. Upon moving back to Alabama, she attended Huntington College and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She is wife to Patrick and mom to four very active boys, Atticus, Nathaniel, Sam, and Charles, and one very sweet toddler, Charis. She is a first year teacher at Love N Learn. She joined the Theatre Salina Family in the summer of 2019 as stage manager for Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY. She has since stage managed several productions, recently directed The Odd Couple the Female Version, is an acting teacher for Theatre Salina’s Center for Theatre Arts Education program, is an active member of CTA’s booster club, and is a very involved volunteer. She is very excited to continue to share her passion for the theatre arts with all of you!
Kaiden is a Salina native and graduate of Salina Central in 2024. He is now studying music education at Kansas Wesleyan University and has been involved in several things at Theatre Salina as well-most recently playing Tobias in the KWU/Theatre Salina cooperative production of Sweeney Todd.
Kaiden started teaching Drama 4 Dudes in September 2024, and is returning this year for both that and now MT Showcase I-III as well! “I am so excited to get to learning and working in class to grow and create meaningful art together!”
Vickee has been teaching jazz, tap, and ballet since the age of fifteen! She studied in Sacramento at the Carmichael School of Performing Arts where she performed as part of its dance company, Concert Dance Foundation. Vickee also studied at Sacramento Ballet under Barbara Crockett and Capitol City Ballet with Nolan T’Sani. At the age of 22, Vickee became a member of Actor’s Equity performing in eight musicals in eight weeks for three seasons at Sacramento Music Circus. While in college, she was the lead dance teacher for Broadway Academy of Performing Arts, teaching tap, jazz, and ballet along with choreographing and leading three dance companies. Vickee also choreographed the Best of Broadway, a musical revue fundraising event for the Stanford Home for Children with a cast of 100+ adults and children, and multiple high school and community musicals.
After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, Vickee continued to teach, substituting at Dance Arts Center in San Mateo and Foster City Dance Theatre and performing in musicals. It was at an audition for A Chorus Line where Vickee met her husband, Michael, when he cast her as Cassie – and the rest, they say, is history! Vickee continued to choreograph musicals in the Bay Area and the Central Coast of California. After moving to Kansas, Vickee continued to be involved with choreographing, directing, and performing in musicals at Theatre Salina. She is very proud that she helped start up the education program that is now Center for Theatre Arts.
PAYMENTS
Monthly payments are due on the first of every month, no later than the 10th. A late fee of $5 will be incurred on your account for all accounts received past the 10th. Lessons will be suspended for accounts 60 days past due. Tuition is non refundable, regardless of attendance. All payments should be made directly to the office personnel so a receipt can be issued. Registration will only be considered complete once a payment has been made. No one will be permitted to take class without first paying. Returned checks will be assessed a $25.00 charge.
DISCOUNTS
Any student who registers for two or more classes in the same semester is eligible for a 15% discount. Discounts cannot be combined. One discount per person, per semester. Discounts not available for special workshops or camps.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Center for Theatre Arts turns no dedicated student away for inability to pay. Click the SCHOLARSHIP tab above for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Maggie Spicer Brown, Education Director, at 785.827.6126 or maggie@salinatheatre.com.
Center for Theatre Arts turns no dedicated student away for inability to pay. CTA students wishing to receive financial assistance must apply for scholarship. In order to offset the cost of operating the youth programs we ask that everyone pay at least 60% of the tuition for the classes/workshops you enroll in. This ensures we can continue paying our highly qualified staff. Any student, parent/guardian receiving scholarship is asked to repay the theatre with volunteer time.
Two types of scholarships are available, need based, and merit based. Need based scholarship applications will be reviewed and when approved, CTA will scholarship up to 40% of the student’s cost. The student or parent/guardian of the student will be responsible for paying the unscholarshipped portion of tuition. Need Based Scholarship applications may be submitted with the Google Form listed here:
Merit based scholarships are by invitation only, based on teacher recommendation and confirmed by at least one other CTA instructor. Merit scholarship students must have been enrolled for both fall and spring semesters of the previous school year with more than one CTA teacher, demonstrate strong leadership in the classroom, and show dedication to the program.
Every scholarship student will receive a specific volunteer assignment they are to complete throughout the year, along with a corresponding hourly rate that will be used to repay the scholarship moneys. All scholarship tuition will be earned through specifically assigned volunteer time.
Theatre Salina is a not-for-profit organization and we rely on the community for support to keep our programs running. Though some of these tasks may seem menial, please know that the theatre staff performs these tasks the rest of the year when volunteer help is not available.
For additional information, please reach out to the scholarship department Maggie Spicer Brown, Education Director, at maggie@salinatheatre.com or Elizabeth-Ali Schade, at ali@salinatheatre.com.
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