Dillon has been directing plays for as long as she can remember. As a kid, she recruited her siblings to act in living room productions. Growing up in Ojai, California, a community of artists, Dillon found a wealth of mentors to support her performing arts passion. In addition to styles and methods, her early teachers instilled in her a work ethic that continues to serve her today.  

Out of high school, Dillon began building her directorial tool kit. She first moved to Los Angeles where she joined a professional performing arts group called the Young Americans. With YA’s, she trained as a professional musical theater performer. Next, Dillon was accepted to the University of California, Santa Barbara where she received her bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts. She traveled abroad after graduating to start a theatre program for a prep-school in Nottinghamshire, UK. With this accomplishment, she moved back home to design a multipurpose theater center and performing arts program for the renowned Ojai Valley School. Dillon’s work at both institutions increased enrollment and helped rejuvenate the schools’ summer programs.  

After years of working with children and families, Dillon became increasingly moved by the therapeutic power of performing arts. With mental-health in mind, Dillon moved to Boston where she earned a master’s degree in Social Work form Wheelock College. During this time, she directed for the award-winning Watertown Children’s Theater and interned at an organization called, Playmakers. At Playmakers, a Life is Good-sponsored nonprofit, she trained caregivers to help children with trauma. In Boston and California, she also worked as a therapist for middle and high school-aged students.

When Dillon got back into theater full-time, she found her clinical education allowed her to create a uniquely transformative environment for performers.  Dillon has lived in Boulder with her two boys since 2012. Locally, she worked as a director for The Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids and The Actors Academy for the Performing Arts before starting the Spark.  Dillon sees The Spark as both the culmination and beginning of her life’s work—an ethical performing arts space where invigorating and wonderful things happen.  

Mary Beth Ward comes to The Spark community with 20 years experience in professional theater management and program development. In pursuit of the arts, education and a desire to inspire others to explore perspectives is at the fore front for this artist. Their work in youth development programs creates the most satisfying parts of their resume: Production Manager at West Coast Dance in San Diego; Program Manager at Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids in Boulder/Denver; Production Stage Manager at TADA! Youth Theatre in NYC; Theater Arts Program Director at Camp Cedarbrook and Arts Program Consultant for the Association of Cedarbrook Camps. It is with enthusiasm to continue sharing a passion for the arts that Mary Beth joins The Spark team.

Nikki Weber has always been drawn to the performing arts. With a love for the unique experience of both performing onstage and working behind the scenes in a variety of roles, she found that no matter what life path one pursues, a foundation in performing arts absolutely comes in handy. After collaborating with talented professionals focused on a thorough, healthy approach to youth performance in her younger years, Nikki was inspired. She went on to graduate with a double major in Theater and Business Administration with a specialization in Vocal Performance at Eckerd College with the goal of working on the education and management side of theater. 

In Florida, Nikki produced and directed a play for V-Day, a global movement committed to fighting domestic violence, the proceeds of which were donated to victims of abuse. She studied drama in London, England and after graduating went on to work professionally around Florida -- most notably performing at Saint Petersburg City Theatre and the Saint Petersburg Shakespeare Festival. She recently performed in London with the Little Foxes Theatre Company in As If, an As You Like It adaptation.

Since joining the Spark community in 2019, Nikki has performed in multiple productions-- some favorites being Into the Woods (Baker's Wife) Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood, Ensemble), & The Addams Family (Morticia). Nikki officially came on as Company Manager in mid-2021 and she is so grateful to have a day job in the industry. Nikki also works one-on-one with students, primarily in audition prep work and acting technique. She loves helping young actors develop their talent, film a self-tape like the pros, and dive into creating unique characters through physicality and vocal work. Nikki is beyond excited for the opportunity to continue her work with such passionate and innovative artists and students!

Originally from Colorado Springs, Amanda made the move to Denver recently to pursue her dream of performing professionally. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from Lindenwood University in St. Louis, then spent a year in Silverthorne, CO as a teaching artist at Theatre SilCo. These days, she fills her time teaching, performing, auditioning, and princessing! Recent roles include Grace in Cinderella at The Spark, Ensemble and Anya U/S in Anastasia at The Candlelight, and Marie in The Story of the Nutcracker (Miners Alley Performing Arts Center). When she’s not at the theatre, you’ll probably find her baking, doing nail art, or with her nose stuck in a book!

‍

Amy Sheff Neumann is an actress/social worker, and she is
passionate about using her training in both mental health
and theater to help create positive, healthy theatrical training
environments for aspiring performers.

‍
Amy has worked across the US as an actress, director, and
teaching artist. She has appeared at The Spark as Mae Tuck
in Tuck Everlasting, The Sour Kangaroo in Seussical, and
Fester in The Addams Family. Prior to arriving at The Spark,
Amy appeared on Broadway in Peter Genarro: A Dancing
Man, and she has toured nationally in The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer (Becky Thatcher) and Annie (July). Regional
credits include the Kennedy Center, Ford's Theatre,
Syracuse Stage, Round House Theatre, MetroStage,
American Century Theatre and Toby's Dinner Theatre. She
also spent 17 years as a company member of Now This!,
DC’s only professional musical improve troupe.

‍
Amy holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and
has taught and directed young performers at Young Actors
Theatre, Imagination Stage, Round House Theatre, Long
Lake Camp for the Arts, and The Ensemble Theatre
Community School (ETC). Amy also has spent many years
mentoring and training actors with disabilities in the DC
metro area at both Imagination Stage and ArtStream.

‍
By day, Amy works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S).
She graduated with an MSW from Catholic University in
2008 and spent the beginning of her career working primarily
in child and adolescent mental health. Amy now has a
private practice here in Colorado, where she specializes in
perinatal mental health. Amy’s mental health experience
includes helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate

trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, and
relationship challenges.

Angela Hunt holds a PhD in theatre from the University of Colorado Boulder and teaches at Fairview High School. She has performed professionally with regional theatres in NY, ID, WV, KY, UT, and CO. Some of her favorite roles at The Spark include Mary Poppins,  Margaret White in Carrie, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, Alice Beineke in The Addams Family, Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Mrs. Peacock in Clue.

‍

Although still fairly new to Colorado, Bobbie Renee is right at home with theatre. Performing since she was eight years old but her passion for storytelling was truly ignited during high school. Bobbie Renee graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University (Savannah, GA) with a BA in Theatre Performance and has had the wonderful opportunity to take the stage all across The Low Country. Physicality in performance and big comedy are a few of Bobbie Renee’s favorite areas of story telling. Since arriving in Colorado she has been able to devote her career solely to performing as well as mentoring, teaching, and directing the upcoming generation of performers. A few of her favorite roles include: Rosalind (As You Like It), Pickles (Trailer Park), Harry Potter, Myrtle, Bippy, and several others (all in Puffs), and Agnes (She Kills Monsters). She is absolutely thrilled to be working at The Spark.

Jeffrey is an erstwhile web developer, having spent his career working mostly with non-profit organizations on their digital engagement and fundraising efforts. He also has a background and avid interest in psychology and the therapeutic arts and sciences. He comes to the Spark stage as a lifelong fan of the Theatre; has spent time learning and playing improv in Austin, DC, and Denver; and now does his best to sing harmonies in the Superior Community Choir. He loves the community and expressive space that third places like the Spark can offer! In his free time you can find him e-biking on the beautiful trail network here on the front range or playing music in a ukulele jam.

‍

Casey Caplin is a Boulder-based actor and teaching artist who has been performing since childhood. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and a minor in Dance from the University of Colorado Boulder, where their training focused on physical storytelling, character development, and ensemble-based performance.

As a mentor, Casey supports actors in building emotionally grounded and physically connected work. They emphasize early use of beat work to understand character objectives, incorporate elements of Meisner technique to foster truthful reactions, and draw on Viewpoints to explore spatial and physical dynamics. Her teaching encourages presence, clarity, and collaboration. Performance credits include Carrie: The Musical, Eurydice, Next to Normal, and Beauty and the Beast: In Concert, with CU Boulder and The Spark. Casey also has experience in theatrical and special effects makeup, which informs their attention to visual and physical detail in character creation. They are grateful to be part of The Spark community and excited to share what they’ve learned with the next generation of emerging artists!

‍

Ian holds degrees in Theatre, Communications, and Educational Studies. He enjoys getting to use all three aspects of his collegiate training while working at The Spark. He enjoys working alongside young artists as they discover and create their own personal sense of identity, integrity, and philosophy as both a performer and person. His favorite part about performing and mentoring at The Spark is finding ways to inspire love and enthusiasm in every word, action, song, and dance and helping fellow performers do the same. He believes that even the darkest and saddest of characters can make choices that are led by a foundation of inner joy and wonder. He has been previously seen at The Spark as Jesse in Tuck Everlasting and The Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz.

‍

Jackie studied criminal justice in college with plans to join the ATF after graduation. After working for the federal government for less than a year, she realized her heart is still in theater and that's how she came across the Spark! Stage Managing allows her to let out her inner control freak and boss people around...to reasonable degrees of course!

Kate has been working in the field of music since the age of 17 (2001). Her first job was accompanying a local community choir, and since then has never looked back. Some of her favorite career highlights: winning two DownBeat awards, composing and playing for a 45 minute silent film, accompanying a choir of 800 people, being staff pianist for summer camps, music directing a community German choir for 6 years, composing a short musical, getting a message at midnight to come play with an orchestra the next day, and flying to Sacramento, CA no matter where she is to play for a fundraiser show every winter. (These are just a few of the many, many wonderful moments she has experienced along her musical journey). Currently, she lives in Superior, CO and is deeply focused on composing new music for choirs, as well as writing a choir warm-up book, a full length musical, and training for a triathlon in the fall of ‘23.

Kim Lancaster holds a BA in Music (Voice and Flute), an MA in Educational Leadership from University of Northern Colorado and Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania. Kim has performed professionally with a local a capella choir for 15 years and loves the challenge of multi-part music and the comradery of artistic people. Additionally, Kim is a K12 school principal and a private flute and voice instructor and is active in multiple local community theater companies. Some of her favorite roles include Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Be with The Spark, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Marmee in Little Women, Morticia Addams in The Addams Family, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. Kim lives in Longmont with her partner Andrea and her two children and their sweet mini bernedoodle puppy Winston. Kim believes theater is a place where students can build and experience a sense of belonging, find their people, and explore their passions. She has loved theater and music since she could talk and is so honored to be part of The Spark theater community.

‍

Malary Nicoletti has a BA in acting directing and theatrical design (costumes). She has been teaching, coaching and directing for over 15 years. She most recently directed HAIRSPRAY, ALADDIN, and JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, as well as PUFFS, CLUE, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and RADIUM GIRLS with The Spark.

‍

Malary has also costumed multiple Spark productions, including MARY POPPINS, TUCK EVERLASTING, SEUSSICAL, and THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Malary is also a seasoned performer, with favorite roles including Mrs Antrobus from THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Mrs Malaprop from THE RIVALS, Chris from RUMORS and Ernestina Money from HELLO DOLLY!. Malary is thrilled to be a part of the Spark community!

Molly Spain is an actor/director/musician/artist currently based out of Colorado. She is thrilled to be back in her hometown and at The Spark after having lived and worked in both New York and London. Her biggest passion is storytelling, with a focus on safe and playful exploration. She has performed globally, including a Jewish Immigrant in Ragtime, Tiblyn in Firebringer, and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Outside of performing, she is also a musician, creating music under the project ‘Molly in the Stairwell’. Molly is also the founder and Artistic Director of Little Foxes Theatre Company, a company dedicated to bringing the history and the future of theatre together in harmony. She is over the moon to share her passion for the industry and inspire the next generation of artists to explore and expand their craft!

Natalie is thrilled to be a part of The Spark! Recent Spark credits include: Cinderella, 25th Annual, Carrie, Radium Girls, The Addams Family, Seussical, and Tuck Everlasting. Other performance credits include: The Prom (Town Hall Arts Center); Say My Name (LOCAL Theater Company & Insight Colab Theatre); Spring Awakening and Loveville High (CU Boulder); and performed abroad in the London New Year’s Day Parade. Training: BFA in Acting, University of Colorado Boulder. She would like to thank the team at The Spark for the opportunity to be part of the company, and her family and friends for their endless love and support.

‍

Rachael is a veterinary technician by day, but has been involved in local community theatre for the last 14 years. Two and a half years ago Rachael jumped into costuming as well as acting. She has performed and costumed across the northern front range with her family. Some of her favorite roles have included Marmee in Little Women the Musical, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, Penny in Urinetown, and most recently Mrs. Potts in In Concert - Beauty and the Beast at The Spark this summer. Rachael has enjoyed leaning into her creative side with costumes and has enjoyed costuming shows like Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, Newsies, and Once Upon A Mattress.

‍

Sydney, first being raised in Boulder Colorado, grew up loving everything about musical theatre and started her training in dance, acting and singing when she was 4 years old. Throughout her time in Boulder, Sydney trained extensively in dance and movement arts, participating in The Shift Dance Collective, Imagination Circus Arts and Perry Mansfield's Professional Program. After leaving Colorado she moved to California and was casted as a dancer/performer at Disneyland resorts, during this time Sydney also won 3rd place for her choreography in the San Diego National Fringe festival at 17 years old. She then relocated to Chicago to study Dance and Musical theatre at Columbia College Chicago. Since school Sydney as been a Choreographer, dance teacher and Director in studios all over the San Diego area. Most recently being the Artist Director and choreographer of GC Dance Company's Ballet of The Beauty and the Beast. Sydney teaches, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Modern, contemporary, Hip Hop, and Dance Improvisation. she is a firm believer in the power of the arts and all it can teach you, her top teaching priority is to create a safe, encouraging space for all dancers to go on their own dance exploration. Sydney in the past 5 years has found a true love for choreography, she has choreographed many performed pieces, including even full length shows, but she is particularly excited about Matilda. It's one of her favorite shows and when she hears the music she can't help but groove, for this show she envisions strong jazz funk and hip hop influenced movement with of course, childlike innocence. She encourages everyone to listen to the music and let the beat inspire rhythmic grounded movement.