Dylan Bailey

Dylan Bailey is a Raleigh-based theatre artist. He holds a BFA in Theatre for Youth from ECU. As a teaching artist, he works with RLT, Applause! Youth Theatre, NCT, Seed Art Share, TAP, and The ArtsCenter. He also often works with Burning Coal Theatre as an actor and a stage manager. When not on a stage or in a classroom, he enjoys writing or adapting new TYA plays!

Flora Bare

Flora Bare is a former USA National Champion, nine-time All-American and Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame gymnast from the University of California, Davis. She received her MFA from the London International School of Performing Arts in Lecoq-based physical theater and has lived, trained and been a theater and circus performer and maker in California, New York, Italy, Uruguay and London. Flora’s particular focus as a performer, director, educator and creator is on highly physical and daring storytelling through a devised, collaborative process. 

Samantha Childers

Samantha Childers holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Elon University and is a PROUD Applause! alumni. Samantha has been involved in the Summer Theater camps since she was old enough to participate, and now she teaches them! Samantha is the Choral Director at North Brunswick High School out on the NC coast and is so thankful to the Applause! program for introducing her to ensemble performance!

Samantha Corey

Samantha is a Raleigh actress and teaching artist and a proud alum of Applause! Cary Youth Theatre! Samantha has a B.A. in Theatre Performance from Appalachian State University and is over the moon to come full circle and work with Applause!.

Everett Edwards

Everett holds a B.F.A. in Arts Education from Howard and an M.A. in Education from Lesley University. Currently Technical Director at Millbrook High School, he previously taught drama and technical theatre at Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts for 23 years. Everett finds strength in teaching healthy life habits through theatre and looks forward to sharing his expertise with Applause! students.

Elizabeth Evert Smith

Liz studied drama at the Long Island, NY High School of the Performing Arts, Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York City, Herbert Bergdorf Studio, and The Real Stage. Liz has performed as an actor in numerous venues, was a founding member of the Rogue Theater Company, and has been teaching, coaching, and directing professional and student actors for nearly 20 years.  

Emily Freer

Emily Freer is a Raleigh-based actress and teaching artist. She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from William Peace University and teaches around the area at places such as The Justice Theater Project, Raleigh Little Theatre, North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, and of course, Cary Arts Center! She is passionate about creating an environment for students to have fun, be safe, and learn about the world of theatre. 

Barbette Hunter

Barbette holds a B.A. from NC State University and has over 25 years of experience working as a director, stage manager, and award-winning professional actress in theater, film, TV, and radio. Barbette has been teaching theater for youth at Applause! and Raleigh Little Theatre for nearly two decades. 

Tony Pender 

Tony is an award-winning performer, director, and designer who has developed and taught educational programs and workshops in NC and GA. Tony studied theatre and acting at UNC-Wilmington and NC School of the Arts, and has worked extensively on and off stage throughout the southeast.   

Lauren Polak

Lauren graduated from NC State University with a B.A. in Arts Applications and has been sewing and making costumes for herself and others since she was very young. Lauren's costumes span from historical reenactments to self-designed steampunk to super fun cosplays. She’s excited to pass on her enthusiasm for costuming and geekdom. 

Timsy Rowe

Timsy Rowe is new to the Cary area but has been teaching theatre for three years in junior high and high school. She received her degree in Theatre Education from Southern Utah University and has taught a variety of classes and directed several productions, most recently Seussical, Jr. She loves directing and watching students fall in love with theatre as much as she has. When she's not teaching, Timsy loves performing and working behind the scenes with lights and sound. She also loves reading, hiking, and finding new restaurants! 

Kathleen Rudolph

Kathleen attended her first Broadway show at age 6 and has never stopped loving theatre.  She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Communication Arts from Marist College and has studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and Herbert Berghof Studio, all located in New York. Kathleen is a local director, teaching artist and actor with over 25 years of experience, and the founder of the Peak Ensemble Players.   

Kai Smith

Kai Smith has over 15 years of theatrical experience ranging from directing and acting to technical work in lightning and stage management. They hold a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has participated in over 24 productions across multiple communities.

Maura Stewart

Maura holds a B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill and M.F.A. in fashion design from SCAD. An instructor in the fashion marketing department at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, Maura is working on her own collection of whimsical party dresses and ready-to-wear clothing.

Stacie Whitley

Stacie is a graduate of Meredith College's theater arts program and has her Master’s in Public Administration from NC State University. Stacie has worked professionally as an actor, technician, and director for Tecumseh! in Chillicothe, OH, College Light Opera Company in West Falmouth, MA, and White Iris Light Opera Company in Raleigh, NC.  

Renee Wimberley

Renee is a local teaching artist, director, actor, and arts integration advocate. She has taught drama to students from kindergarten to college-age in community theaters, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and in various NC school systems and universities. Renee is creative director of Seed Art Share where she produces site-specific plays, teaches arts integration programs, and creates opportunities for families to experience art together.

Liam Yates

Liam Yates is an actor, director, writer and has performed Shakespeare internationally since 2015. He studied at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, specializing in theatre education, film and radio, stage combat, and Shakespearean performance and analysis. He has worked with such local theaters as NCT, Moonlight Arts & Entertainment, and Theatre Raleigh.