2024 Staff

Kate Fortin is a theatre professional with a passion for all aspects of the performing arts. In 2015, she graduated from The Evergreen State College with studies in Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, and Music. She served as the Artistic and Educational Director for the Morton OnStage Children's Theatre Education Program from 2013 to 2015. From 2015 to 2024, she worked as the Scenic Designer for Pacific Northwest Theater, designing backdrops for over 40 productions. Kate has stage managed at Olympia Little Theatre, The Evergreen Playhouse, and spent two seasons professionally acting and stage managing THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum. Kate has performed with the Olympia Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers (OlyCLAW) and is currently in the rehearsal process for her role as Sonya in an upcoming Fall 2024 production of Uncle Vanya. In 2023, Kate became the new Program Director for Creative Theatre Experience. Last summer being her first with CTE, she's been working hard ever since to learn and grow as she builds deeper connections with the program and all those involved. Kate is thrilled to be returning to CTE for the 2024 season, and can't wait to see what the summer has in store. When Kate isn't busy gearing up for CTE, she facilitates team building activities on the Challenge Course at the Cispus Learning Center and operates a small business as a traveling face painter and glitter artist. Outside of her work life, Kate is a fiber artist, Old Time fiddler, and Sacred Harp singer.

Boaz (who uses all pronouns) is a former middle school teacher and current PhD student at the University of Washington. Born and raised in the PNW, they live in Tacoma with their dog and cat. She is thrilled to get the opportunity to work with CTE this summer and can't wait to see all of the amazing performances that students are going to put together.

Melissa is a middle school choir teacher for the Olympia School District.

Music directing credits: CTE, Capital HS, Village Theatre's KIDStage, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Olympia Family Theatre, and various schools in WA.

Performing credits: 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.

Dale Sharp is the returning Technical Director for CTE and after just finishing his first year in the classroom teaching Stagecraft at YHS, he is pleased to bring some new and exciting things to the festivities this summer. A graduate of WWU with a focus on Acting and Theatre Education, he finds great joy in sharing the magic of theatre with upcoming theatre makers and CTE is one of his favorite things about the year. A large shout out to the people who have helped him grow as an artist and educator and to the staff and board members of CTE for continuing to provide a welcoming space to play during the summer for all ages.

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Ashley is a local choreographer, director, and teaching artist and is excited to be spending her first summer with CTE! Having trained with the Radio City Rockettes and internationally decorated ballroom professors, she loves to help students build confidence through expressive movement and storytelling.  She regularly choreographs mainstage productions throughout the South Sound, at local high schools, and coaches high school seniors for their college auditions. Most recent choreography credits include Rock of Ages, Evil Dead the Musical, The Producers, The Pajama Game, and Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits.

Ren Miller is excited to return to CTE for their eighth year. They have loved learning from and growing with CTE as a student, intern, stage manager, and now as an office assistant. They look forward to finding new ways to help the students grow, learn and, most importantly, have fun.

Kelly is excited to return to CTE with 13 years of previous experience on the CTE music faculty. Her experience includes having musically directed shows for River Ridge, Rainier and Yelm High Schools as well as the Olympia School District Education Foundation. For the past 22 years Kelly has accompanied a variety of music students, musicals and choirs. Currently she accompanies choirs at Yelm high school and directs their musicals. She enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and 4 children.  

A running start student graduating from both high school and SPSCC this year, Liv will start at The Evergreen State College this fall to pursue a degree in botany. Starting theater their sophomore year of high school as an assistant stage manager, becoming stage manager the following year, and finishing their senior year as drama club president, they also have experience in many aspects of technical theater. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her house plants, painting, hiking and gardening.

Alysa Purdy is a Seattle based lighting designer/technician as well as a Yelm High school alumni. After being introduced to lighting in the high school's stagecraft class, lighting became a passion. Post high school, Alysa pursued multiple jobs in lighting, starting as a stagehand. Alysa has worked at venues such as Lumen Field, WaMu Theater, the Tacoma Dome, Seattle's Neptune Theater, and many others.  Excited to share her passion, Alysa is joining CTE this summer to bring lighting to the next generation!

Kassie Hoisington is an incoming sophomore at UW, majoring in dance and biochemistry. Prior to going to college, Kassie danced with Johansen Olympia Dance Center for 12 years where she studied ballet, jazz, hip hip, tap, contemporary, and worked as a TA. She also danced with Ballet Northwest for 6 years, and served as a company liaison her senior year. This is Kassie’s first summer with CTE since being a student and she is so excited to share her passion for movement!

Brittany Wilcox has been involved with theatre and childcare in various places across Washington State and is pleased to be returning to CTE for a little bit of both this year. Last year was her first year with CTE and she enjoyed it immensely. When not doing theatre, you can find her doing makeup, reading and writing, and playing with her dogs and cats at home.