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.
Staff
Bryanna Patrick Blanco
Main Stage Director
Main Stage Producer
Breona Conrad
Classroom Instructor
Voice Teacher
Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Aaron Blanco
Stage Combat Choreographer
Joel Cranson
Jamie Gilbert Merrell
Classroom Instructor
Jr. Improv Troupe Director
Literature Alive! Director
Shira Schwartz
Brenda Cranson
Main Stage Director
Jenna Officer
Classroom Instructor
Camp Instructor
Stage Manager
Taylor Stroupe
Classroom Instructor
Costume Designer
Bryanna Patrick Blanco
Artistic Producing Director
Main Stage Director
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!
Breona Conrad
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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.
Aaron Blanco
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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.
Jamie Gilbert Merrell
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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.
- Main Stage Director
Joel Cranson
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.
Shira Schwartz
Shira Schwartz
- Adaptive Theatre Teacher
Board of Directors
An integral part of East Valley Children’s Theatre is its Board of Directors. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Board 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.
Board members have minimum dues of $175 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
Billie Schomer
Cindy Schaible
Dan Cortes
Members at Large
Diane Leibrand
Rachel Butler
Addie Wurster
Jackie Zebell
Chrissy Pate
Ellie Lagergren
Advisory Board
Kathie McMahon
Alan Crawford
Marcie Hawkes
