Camp Staff

Each summer we thoughtfully assemble a group of artists and educators to provide excellent arts instruction for campers of all ages and abilities. This enthusiastic staff is dedicated to making sure each camper is recognized and appreciated for who they are and the art only they can make.

Brandon Martinez (Visual Arts Instructor)

Brandon Martinez was born and raised in Northwest, Washington D.C. While following his older brother’s footsteps as a young artist, he was accepted to and graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a visual artist. While attending Duke Ellington, Brandon was the youngest artist to have artwork in the archives at the White House. Brandon had the pleasure of meeting Barack and Michelle Obama multiple times and was on ABC’s Good Morning America by the age of 14. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, Brandon started his teaching career at Valley Charter Middle school in Los Angeles. After 2 years of teaching in LA, Brandon returned to the East Coast to continue teaching art at Woodmoor Elementary School in Baltimore County, where he is currently still teaching.

Why I Teach: I teach because I was once a struggling student that needed better guidance. If it wasn’t for my teachers' wisdom and guidance, I don’t know where I would be today. I want to honor my teachers by teaching the next generation what they taught me.

Art Can: Art can literally change your perception of the world and humanity. Art is essential to society as it stimulates creativity, reflects culture, fosters empathy, provokes thought and contributes to basic motor skills.

Classes Taught: Mask Making, Printmaking, Drawing & Painting, Clay Characters 

 

Chloe Lanyi Lari (Visual Arts Instructor)

Chloe Lanyi Lari is an illustrator and arts educator based in the D.C. Metro area. Her artwork has appeared in juried exhibitions at the Arlington Arts Center, MICA Decker Exhibit and MICA Fox Galleries, and her writing has been published in Gargoyle Magazine and Grim & Gilded. She has been a member of the Voices of Now program at Arena Stage for ten years, seven of which were spent with the Mentor Ensemble, and her animation has appeared in several Voices of Now films. Chloe is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with a degree in illustration. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in arts education.

Why I Teach: To help uplift young artists' voices.

Art Can: Change minds, tell stories, and connect us to each other.

What I love about CAS: The dedication within the CAS community to creativity, kindness, and fun!

Classes Taught: Illustration, Art Through the Ages, The Art Show, Comics & Cartooning

 

Dave Johnson (Theater Instructor)

David Johnson is a theater teacher, actor, director, and improvisor with a B.A. in drama and an M.F.A. in acting. He has taught theater and improv since 2004 for numerous clients, such as Washington Improv Theater (where he is the most senior teacher, '04 - present), Arena Stage, Washington College, Ohio University, Mount St. Mary's University, Richmond Improv Festival, North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, and Fairfax County Public Schools (among others). An acting and improv coach since 2005, his clients have included actors, improvisers, and the improv groups onesixtyone (Washington Improv Theater's original troupe), Press Play, The Lodge, Oh That Baby, Commonwealth, and Boom Crunch (and many more). He has been a member of the improv groups onesixtyone, Dr. Fantastic, Werewolf Mcbutterbone (Winner of WIT's Tournament of the FIST), Dial M for Nasty, and Topher and Dave (among many others). He has extensive acting experience in scripted productions at theaters such as The Kennedy Center, New Dramatists, Theater Alliance, Catalyst Theater Company, Center Stage, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and continues to act in films, on stage, and in web/TV shows and commercials.

Why I Teach: To help others along on their journeys.

Art Can: Art can uplift and heal.

What I love about CAS: It is a community of artists abounding with positivity, creativity, and supportiveness.

Classes Taught: Improv, Acting, Long-Form Improv

 

Hasan Crawford (Theater Instructor)

Hasan Crawford is a performing artist and educator from Northern VA who is currently based in Los Angeles and is ecstatic to be joining Camp Arena Stage this year! Hasan graduated with his B.F.A. in theater with a concentration in musical theater from George Mason University (Recipient of the Excellence in Performance Award). After graduating, he relocated to Los Angeles to delve into the many facets of art that the city has to offer. Previously, he was the Company Manager of the Grammy winning choir Tonality and a tour manager for the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. He is a company member of Theatre West in L.A. and has worked on the sets of films for companies such as Netflix (Family Switch), Amazon (Candy Cane Lane), HBO and has done commercials for household brands. Hasan is a teaching artist for Tiny Spotlight, an organization that goes into Los Angeles County Charter Schools and collaborates with students in grades K-6 to produce a musical for the school, and is apart of LA County’s Environmental Defenders, a group that goes into LA County Schools to educate the youth on ways to protect planet Earth.

Why I Teach: To inspire and show the youth that their gifts and the power of storytelling have meaning.

Art Can: Heal us, change us, and make us better human beings.

What I love about CAS: It is a community of artists abounding with positivity, creativity, and supportiveness.

Classes Taught: Acting for the Camera, Acting

 

Jennie McGrath (Visual Arts Instructor)

Jennie was born in D.C. and was a CAS camper for many delightful summers before becoming a CIT and now an instructor. She just finished her bachelor’s in sociology at Bryn Mawr College where she worked as a classroom aide in the Phebe Anna Thorne Preschool.

Why I Teach: So that I can foster a supportive classroom community and a love of art and learning

Art Can: Inspire emotion, action, and change

What I love about CAS: The people and the community values!

Classes Taught: Fantastical Art, Jewelry Making, Art Oasis

 

Jessica Featherson (Dance Instructor)

Jessica Featherson is an educator, choreographer, performer, and wellness coach from Washington, D.C. She is excited to join Camp Arena Stage this summer and share her passion for creativity and the performing arts. Jessica has performed with NYC based companies, Laurie M. Taylor/Soul Movement and Eryc Taylor Dance at festivals such as Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out, Harlem Stage E-moves, and the International Festival Avante Garde in Merida, Mexico. Currently, she is working with Washington, D.C-based artist and choreographer Ronya-Lee Anderson. She was a featured choreographer in the production MANIFEST as part of the Kennedy Center’s Social Impact Series in partnership with Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center. Jessica has studied abroad in Mexico and Brazil, and is especially focused on the relationship between music and dance in specific cultural regions. She has also traveled to Havana, Cuba with choreographer Ronald K. Brown to study folkloric and contemporary dance under the auspices of the Joyce Theater Foundation travel program. Jessica has been on faculty at Ballet Hispanico's School of Dance, Rutgers University, Richard Wright Schools, and currently serves as adjunct dance faculty at American University and Prince George’s County Community College.

Why I Teach: To inspire and empower the next generation of artists and creatives.

Art Can: Heal and foster intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.

Classes Taught: Dance Party, Contemporary Dance, Musical Theater Dance, Jazz Dance

 

Kayla A. Warren (Theater Instructor)

Kayla A. Warren is an educator, choreographer, and performer from Philadelphia. She is currently the Community Engagement Programming Coordinator at Arena Stage after serving as the 22-23 school programs fellow. Selected directing credits include: POTUS (Arena Stage) and Toni Stone (Arena Stage). She has traveled to West Bengal, India with Theater Alliance and collaborated with artists from South Asia to devise and perform theater pieces about Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.). She then returned to D.C. to co-direct performances exploring I.D.E.A. on the collegiate level. Selected choreography credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Montgomery College, Maryland) and Urinetown: The Musical (Howard University). Favorite roles include the Leading Player in Pippin (Howard University) and Courier in Day of Absence (Theater Alliance). Kayla has a passion for youth empowerment and believes that one of the best pathways for this initiative is through theater. She is also a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusion within theater education. She is a graduate of Howard University with a B.F.A. in musical theater.

Why I Teach: Because I love helping and watching students develop into their best selves.

Art Can: Heal, inspire, and be really, really fun.

Why I Love CAS: Great company + amazing art + the warm sun = perfect summer vibes!

Classes Taught: Musical Theater, Disney Medley

 

Kevin Thorne II (Theater Instructor)

While I am on this earth, it is my life's mission, as an actor of color, to have a deliberate purpose for my work. I want it to be known that African Americans are not a monolith. We are complex and beautiful beings that have so much storytelling to be unearthed. Each show, project, or class I teach is geared towards getting the audience or students to recognize and normalize this. I advocate exploring our truths, our frailties, our insecurities, our strengths, our rituals, and our passions in a pure unfiltered presentation, as I do.

Why I Teach: Teaching allows me to inspire and guide the next generation, fostering a love for learning and critical thinking. I teach to create an environment where curiosity thrives, where students feel empowered to explore their potential, and where education becomes a transformative journey. Seeing students grow, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals is the most rewarding aspect of my career. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about making a lasting impact on their lives and preparing them to contribute positively to society.

Art Can: Heal, awaken people, excite them, make people care, create lasting change, build bridges between cultures and so much more.

Classes Taught: Acting Scenes, Auditioning, Physical Theater, Acting Technique

 

Minjoo Kim (Design/Visual Art Instructor)

Minjoo Kim is an internationally working lighting designer who approaches design from dynamic and diverse visual perspectives. Select D.C. credits include Fat Ham at Studio Theatre, Ink at Round House, King of the Yees at Signature Theatre, and The Brothers Paranormal at Olney Theatre. Off-Broadway credits include Demon at The Bushwick Starr. Regional credits include The Far Country at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Fast at City Theatre, The Chief at Pittsburgh Public Theater, The Royale at Kansas City Rep, Clue at Bristol Riverside Theatre, Violet at TheatreSquared, Life Sucks at Cygnet Theatre, One in Two at Diversionary Theatre. International credits include South Korea; The Two (Space Owul), Crimson Girl (Dongsoong Art Center), Die or Not (Seoul Art Space Mullae), China; Mask on/off (Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre).Her work The Royale was selected for the National Exhibit at Prague Quadrennial in 2023. Website: minjoo-design.com

Why I Teach: I want to give students time to experience and learn many things without limitations. It gives them chances of meeting diverse people as well as genres that they have not experienced. I believe we not only learn a lot from the great intuitions of theater-makers but also have invaluable experience in cooperating with them.

Art Can: Be made by everyone if you are eager to do it

Classes Taught: Theatrical Design, Setting the Stage, Mini Masterpieces, Painting

 

Reed Roddy-Johnson (Music Instructor)

Reed Roddy-Johnson is a D.C.-based musician, songwriter, and theater artist. He is classically trained in piano and plays jazz guitar and bass around the city, performing at shows as small as your neighbor’s dinner party and as big as D.C.’s Blues Alley. He also plays in bluegrass and old time jam bands in his free time, where he plays whatever instrument is lacking, whether it be mandolin, banjo, guitar, or even harmonica. He teaches private lessons to ages 5–15. He has directed and performed in a number of Voices of Now devised theater plays at Arena Stage and worked as administrative support for the 2024 Voices of Now Festival. He is currently enrolled at Sterling College VT to study environmental studies and outdoor education.

Why I Teach: To give young artists a voice.

Art Can: Heal and change the world!

What I love about CAS: The community! I have gone from camper to CIT and now, I am going into my first summer as an instructor. I’ve gotten to see a number of other people go this same route, from camper to staff member, and it’s really special to get to be a part of a place that nurtures us and promotes such growth!

Classes Taught: Beginning Rock Band, Rock Band & Songwriting, Devised Theater, Ukulele & Singing

 

Sarah (Accompanist)

Sarah is a music educator and artist from Jericho, Vermont. She has previously taught classes in piano, guitar, songwriting, and rock band at Fusion Academy Alexandria, and has music directed productions for Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre, Encore Stage and Studio, TAP, and St. Mark’s Players. She has been playing piano collaboratively for choirs and musicals since she was in middle school and throughout her time at Smith College, where she graduated with a B.A. in Music in 2020. She is so excited to collaborate with campers and create some great music during her second summer as camp accompanist! When not behind the piano, she can be found writing songs on her guitar, jamming with her band Les DiploRats, and substitute teaching at Hardy Middle School.

Why I Teach: To help young artists find the confidence to share their unique voices and ideas.

Art Can: Communicate the things we struggle to put into words

What I love about CAS: Seeing so many different talents come together, and all the amazing art they create!

 

Savina Barini (Theater & Dance Instructor)

Savina is a graduate of Howard University's BFA Musical Theatre program, Savina has studied musical theater, restoration comedy, Shakespeare, and devising techniques in Idaho, New York, D.C., and London. They most recently closed for colored girls at ArtsCentric Baltimore and Look Both Ways at the Kennedy Center Family Theater. Offstage, Savina is a playwright and teaching artist, having worked with St. Thomas Playhouse, Sage School, Sun Valley Center for the Arts, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and Howard University teaching dance, movement, voice for the stage, Shakespeare in performance, and ensemble building to K-12 and undergraduate students.

Why I Teach: It reminds me there's always more room for compassion and more room to have fun than I think.

Art Can: Connect and liberate us. It can transform us if we let it.

Classes Taught: Musical Theater Dance, Acting, Improv

 

Skye Lindberg (Theater Instructor)

Skye Lindberg is an actor, yoga instructor, and artist currently based in New York City! She grew up right outside of D.C. in Annandale, Virginia and is thrilled to be returning to Camp Arena Stage. Skye is a graduate of George Mason University, holds a bachelor's degree in theater with a dance minor, and completed an acting and production apprenticeship with American Stage in Saint Petersburg, FL. She previously served as the media relations associate at Arena Stage. She has recently toured with the National Theatre for Children through Florida performing Energy Endgame, a play about energy conservation, and spends time being active and following her acting and writing goals. She's ready for the best summer ever!

Why I Teach: To empower young people to change the world and stay true to themselves.

Art Can: Heal, teach, and connect us.

Why I Love CAS: How supportive the entire CAS family is! Coming back here feels like coming home.

Classes Taught: Yoga & Stretch, Make a Play, Start Your Novel

 

Sven Klingen (Film Instructor)

Sven Klingen is a filmmaking instructor at Arena Stage’s Camp Arena Stage. Previously he has worked as a teaching assistant at Maine Media Workshops and College. Sven was able to work alongside filmmakers, poets, Steadicam operators, and directors. Prior to this, he worked as a production assistant at Loud Communications in Baltimore. Sven also worked as a marketing volunteer at I’Raise Boys and Girls to promote their community events for youth mental health and art programs. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Filmmaking. While living in Savannah, he worked as a freelance filmmaker to connect with the community and local bands making music videos.

Why I Teach: To guide people to fully express themselves creatively and authentically.

Art Can: Free your means of expression and let you learn more about yourself and others!

Classes Taught: Stop Motion Animation, The Magic of Practical Video Effect, The Afternoon Morning Show, Short Film

 

Taylor Nevin (Sewing/Fashion Instructor)

Taylor Nevin is a graduate of University of Kentucky with a B.S. in merchandising of apparel and textiles and theatrical costume design. Taylor is currently a masters student online at University of Nebraska studying material culture and textile studies and has worked in product development at major companies such as Disney, Beirn, and Manebi.

Why I Teach: I teach because I love to see someone be proud of themselves and what they have made.

Art Can: Art can make you smile and I love to smile!

Classes Taught: Fashion Upcycling, Sewing in a Straight Line

 

Teralin Jones (Theater & Voice Instructor)

Teralin Jones is from Nashville, TN and is more than excited to be the Voice Instructor at Camp Arena Stage! They are a multi-hyphenated artist with skills in writing, directing, producing, and performance. She most recently closed the Jagged Little Pill North American Tour in the role of Frankie Healy and is currently in HAIR at Signature Theatre in the role of Emmeretta. Additionally, Teralin is the proud producer and director of viral sensation, Heathers: The Musical at Howard University (where she also graduated with her B.F.A. in musical theater.) She is an alumni of the National Theatre Institute and the Lin-Manuel Miranda Family Fellowship. In her behind-the-table career, Teralin has worked at Amazon Prime Studios on their Animation Development Team and at NextStop Theatre as director for their Little Mermaid Jr. Summer Camp.

Why I Teach: I teach because I am empathetic to the gaps I had during my arts education and believe a well-rounded education can create more confident performers and people.

Art Can: Change the World!!! Art is such a powerful tool for liberation, both personal and societal and can create empathy for all sorts of people groups which makes us a kinder planet.

Classes Taught: Musical Theater Audition, Calling All Actors, Show Choir, Acting the Song

 

Zoë Hall (Dance Instructor)

Zoë Hall is a dancer, choreographer, and performer originally from Annapolis, MD, now residing in Washington, D.C. She works alongside the Community Engagement team as the Training Programs Manager at Arena Stage. Zoë is also a company member of the contemporary dance company, Capitol Movement. Training and performing for over a decade in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop, Zoë loves nothing more than spreading her passion for dance.

Why I Teach: To inspire and foster young people’s love for art. It’s a joy and a privilege to be able to teach young people.

Art Can: CIgnite change, inspire oneself and others.

What I love about CAS: It's inspiring! It is a space filled with joy, laughter, and art, I look forward to it every year!

Classes Taught: Musical Theater Dance

 

Aaron Carter (Teaching Apprentice)

Aaron Carter is an actor, a cameraman, an athlete, and a drummer. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Aaron has loved the arts since he was a kid. Recently graduating from Bishop McNamara High School, Aaron was the cameraman for the football team for two full seasons and has also been a part of his school's African music and dance program since his freshman year. Performing in various productions throughout his high school career, his most recent role was Malcolm X in his recent Sankofa production. Aaron will be studying theater with a minor in film studies at James Madison University and is thrilled to be back for his third summer.

Why I Teach: I have the privilege and honor to share my art with other artists.

Art Can: Inspire!

What I love about CAS: I was once a camper myself, and this community truly is beautiful. You learn something about yourself and how others impact you and your art.

Classes Taught: Pick-Up Sports