2022 Faculty

Kate Fortin began working in theater back in 2013, directing shows for the OnStage

Children’s Theater Education Program at the Morton Roxy Theater. In 2015, Kate graduated

from The Evergreen State College with a degree in Visual and Theater Arts. Shortly after

graduating, she joined the staff at Pacific Northwest Theater as the Scenic Designer, and

continues to design the sets to this day. During the winter of 2019, Kate worked as the

Stage Manager for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the Mt. Rainier Railroad and

Logging Museum. She’s volunteered locally as a Stage Manager for productions at The

Evergreen Playhouse and Olympia Little Theatre. In addition to being part of the CTE team,

Kate also works as a facilitator for the challenge course at the Cispus Learning Center and

runs a face painting party business. In her spare time, Kate is active in the local Sacred

Harp community and enjoys working with the Peninsular Railway and Lumbermen’s

Museum to promote their seasonal events.

Louise has been involved with CTE since 2006, as a parent and Board member. After 2008 she became more involved –  running registration and coordinating volunteers for the shows. She has worked in the office during the CTE season for several years and manages the administration of CTE during the off-season.

Paul has enjoyed being part of CTE since 1997, and in 2010 he became the Spotlight Workshop Director. A graduate of The Evergreen State College, he holds a degree in Theatre and Education. Paul is on loan from New York, but local credits include shows at Harlequin Productions, Capital Playhouse, Theater Artists Olympia, Olympia Family Theater, Olympia Little Theater, and the Northwest Playwrights Alliance. He would like to thank all his family and friends for their love and support.

Melissa Maañao is excited to be part of the CTE family! She has music directed at Village Theatre's KIDStage, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Olympia Family Theatre, and various schools in the greater Seattle area (K-12). She has performed at Village Theatre, Harlequin Productions, Bainbridge Performing Arts, Seattle Musical Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre, and as a production singer for multiple cruise lines. Melissa recently completed her Masters in Teaching and teaches choir during the school year. She is excited to sing with you!

Kristin Burch is absolutely jazzed to be joining the CTE Team and spending this summer in Bikini Bottom! An Olympia native, Kristin began performing at age 4, and was even a CTE kid herself back in the day!  She is now a professional singer, dancer, actress, and choreographer, and she has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre (Acting/Directing) from Pacific Lutheran University. From early childhood Kristin trained with many prestigious dance academies, studied music and acting, and was a competitive gymnast. She also graduated from modeling school, worked in film and television, and sang in local and national talent competitions. Kristin has appeared on many local stages including several productions at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, SecondStory Repertory, and Seattle Musical Theatre.  Some favorite credits include The National Tour of Disney's The Little Mermaid (Andrina), The International Tour of West Side Story (Anybodies), Rock of Ages, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), A Little Night Music (Petra), and Oliver! (Nancy).  

Sending a big thank you to Kathy, and so much love to Mychal, Sienna, and Ezra!