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Our Team

Managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and staffed by a team of professionals, EVCT has grown from one production and one workshop to an award-winning, perennial education-based children’s theatre, bringing exceptional theatre to the community.

Artistic Director, Bryanna Patrick Blanco

Bryanna is an AriZoni Award-winning local director, as well as an adjunct professor of Theatre and Film at South Mountain Community College.

Working with Arizona Theatre Company, MET, Stageworks, Maricopa Community Colleges, and Southwest Shakespeare Company she has been teaching and developing academic, professional and community performing arts classes in Phoenix for over twenty years.

She most recently directed She Kills Monsters and A Doll’s House at SMCC, Circle Mirror Transformation at MET, and Urinetown and Is He Dead? at Arizona Theatre Company.

She has a Bachelor’s of Art from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Theatre Education and Outreach from The University of Arizona. She is supported by her wonderful husband, Aaron, and kids.

She is ecstatic to carry on the amazing work done here at EVCT!

Teaching Artists

Breona Conrad

Bravo Director
Classroom Instructor
Voice Teacher
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

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Aaron Blanco

Main Stage Director
On the Spot Improv Troupe Director
Stage Combat Choreographer

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Joel Cranson

Main Stage Director

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Jamie Gilbert Merrell

EVCT Express Director
Classroom Instructor
Jr. Improv Troupe Director
Literature Alive! Director

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Shira Schwartz

Adaptive Theatre Instructor

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Jenna Officer

Jenna Officer

Voice Instructor
Classroom Instructor
Stage Manager

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Taylor Stroupe

Main Stage Director
Classroom Instructor
Costume Designer

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Alyson Avery

Alyson Avery

Assistant Instructor

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors sets policies and procedures for the operation of the organization, as well as providing fiscal responsibility for the continuing success of EVCT. Board members are volunteers who meet on a monthly basis to complete tasks that are determined by our annual Operational Plan.

Elected officers include President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, all serving two-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms (except for Treasurer, who has unlimited terms). Members-at-Large are elected for one-year, unlimited terms. Board membership is limited to a minimum of five members, maximum of fifteen.

Board members have minimum dues of $250 per year, which can be paid monthly. Each board member is expected to attend all board meetings, fundraisers, and participate on at least one committee. Board members also serve as community advocates, promoting EVCT programs in any way possible.

Lisa Olson

President

Kathleen Richards

President-Elect

Justin Curtis

Vice President
Volunteer Coordinator

Julie Krause

Treasurer

Rachel Butler

Secretary
Sponsorship Coordinator

Members at Large

Ellie Lagergren

Alumni Association President

Addie Wurster

Grant Writer

Ashley Blanford

Stage Management Specialist,
Talent Development Professional

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Jeff Koski

Architect

Office Staff

Brenda Cranson

Business/Office Manager
Main Stage Director

Grace Kuhn

Grace Kuhn

Studio Assistant

Madeline Armistead

Studio Assistant

Bryghton Patrick Blanco

Studio Assistant

Interested in being part of our team? Check out our open positions for Teaching Artists and internships on our Careers page.

Want to contribute as a member of our board? Download the application or send resumes to [email protected].

Download Board Member Application
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Theatre for Kids by Kids

Mailing Address

PO Box 20514, Mesa, AZ 85277

Rehearsal Studio
4501 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205
Performance Venue

Mesa Arts Center
1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201


Voice: (480)756-3828
Email: [email protected]

EVCT is a 501c3 nonprofit, with EIN 86-0599251. Donations to this organization are tax exempt.

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© 2025 EVCT

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Ashley Blanford


Stage Management Specialist,
Talent Development Professional

Ashley Blanford joined the Stage Management team at East Valley Children’s Theatre in 2023 and has helped bring productions like Elf Jr. and Fantastic Mr. Fox to life. She’s also worked behind the scenes with Southwest Shakespeare, Ronin Theatre, and All Queer Shakespeare, and loves being part of the vibrant Arizona theatre community.

With nearly 10 years in People Operations, Ashley has a knack for keeping things organized, documented, and running smoothly—a skill set that blends perfectly with the fast-paced world of live theatre.

When she’s not in the theatre, you can find Ashley serving as the Director of Attendee Relations for Phoenix Fan Fusion, playing tabletop or video games, practicing yoga, or spending time with her beloved cat. Originally from Salem, Massachusetts, she’s excited to bring her passion, creativity, and teamwork to the EVCT board.
joined the Stage Management team at East Valley Children’s Theatre in 2023 and has helped bring productions like Elf Jr. and Fantastic Mr. Fox to life. She’s also worked behind the scenes with Southwest Shakespeare, Ronin Theatre, and All Queer Shakespeare and loves being part of the vibrant Arizona theatre community.

With nearly 10 years in People Operations, Ashley has a knack for keeping things organized, documented, and running smoothly—a skill set that blends perfectly with the fast-paced world of live theatre.

When she’s not in the theatre, you can find Ashley serving as the Director of Attendee Relations for Phoenix Fan Fusion, playing tabletop or video games, practicing yoga, or spending time with her beloved cat. Originally from Salem, Massachusetts, she’s excited to bring her passion, creativity, and teamwork to the EVCT board.

Taylor Stroupe


Main Stage Director
Classroom Instructor
Costume Designer

Jamie Gilbert Merrell


Adaptive Theatre Instructor

Shira Schwartz is thrilled to be able to focus all of her time and energy at EVCT after retiring from the classroom. With more than 20 years of experience in the public school setting, she loves working with children of all ages and abilities but has a special passion for working with those who are neuro-divergent. She has a Bachelor’s in Theatre and a Master’s in Education and is double certified by the AZ Department of Education in Theatre and Dance. Shira loves working with students of all ages and abilities and firmly believes that theatre is for everyone.

Jamie Gilbert Merrell


EVCT Express Director
Classroom Instructor
Jr. Improv Troupe Director
Literature Alive! Director

Jamie Gilbert Merrell’s passion for theatre began at a young age. That passion was solidified when she was cast in a production of Seussical, the Musical, Jr. From there, she has participated in and performed in over 30 shows, including classics like A Doll’s House and Tartuffe, as well as shows specifically meant for children like Wizard of OZ and Alice in Wonderland. Her greatest love is improv comedy. She has performed in several improv troupes and even created her own improvised podcast called A Bit of Funny. She is excited to share her knowledge and love with the children at EVCT.

Joel Cranson


Main Stage Director

Joel Cranson has been serving as one of EVCT’s Main Stage Directors since 2010. He has also served on the Board of Directors. He received ariZoni awards for his direction of The Goat’s Gruff (2010) and Camelot & Camelittle (2019). Joel has fond memories of directing Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, Huff n’ Puff, Charlotte’s Web, Arya’s Rock, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Disney The Lion King, Jr. (ariZoni nomination), The Frog Prince, and other EVCT shows as well. When not directing, he enjoys spending time with his family, cosplaying, playing video games and watching movies.

Aaron Blanco


Main Stage Director
On the Spot Improv Troupe Director
Stage Combat Choreographer

Aaron is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s B.F.A. Acting program with a stage combat certification. He is a professional Phoenix actor and stage combat choreographer. His recent credits include Beau Jest at the Hale (Bob), Peacemaker at Phoenix Theatre (Bluey), and various roles/stage combat work with Southwest Shakespeare. 

Aaron would like to thank Bry and his beloved daughters for their continued support in his acting career.

Breona Conrad


Bravo Director
Classroom Instructor
Voice Teacher
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Breona Conrad is a multi-faceted theatre artist who can be found onstage throughout the Valley. She serves EVCT in the classroom as a skill building teacher, director of the Bravo troupe, a Summer Camp instructor, choreographer for main stage productions, and teaching voice lessons. She has worked with Ronin Theatre Company, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Flagstaff Shakespeare Company, Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, The Bridge Initiative, Stray Cat, Class 6, and BLK BOX PHX. Breona is also a teaching artist for ASU Gammage and an adjudicator for the High School Musical Theatre Awards. She also works as a member of both the Molly Blank Fund Arts Integration Teaching Artist Program, and the Disney Musical in Schools Teaching Artist Program.

Jenna Officer


Voice Instructor
Classroom Instructor
Stage Manager

Jenna is currently pursuing her degree in Musical Theatre at Mesa Community College. As a teacher, she specializes in voice and dance and works with students ages 5–19 through classes, camps, and private lessons. She also serves on production teams as a Music Director and Stage Manager.

Jenna has been dancing for 15 years, training in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and beginning tap and hip hop. She grew up singing in choirs, where she served as a section leader, choir president, and teaching assistant—jazz choir being her favorite!

She began performing in musical theatre 10 years ago. Some of her favorite credits include Genderbent Heathers (Dancer, VCP), the regional premiere of We Are the Tigers (Mattie, VCP), Be More Chill (Dancer, MCC), and The Lightning Thief (Katie G. & Female Swing, MET).

Jenna is passionate about sharing her love of theatre with the next generation of artists and helping them grow both onstage and off.