Director & Choreographer: Shayla Mellen
Vocal Director: Matt Dunn
The Academy Players (AP) is a new, audition-based performance opportunity within the Academy of Children’s Theatre (ACT). In tandem with the skills learned through ACT semester classes, Academy Players students will receive additional training and a performance opportunity through a full-length junior production with performances held on March 27-28.
Find out all the details about this new progam and performance opportunity!
Musical Theatre, Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Shayla Mellen has a Bachelors of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with a Dance Major and Theater minor which she received at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. As well as an Associate of Arts in Dance Performance on a full-tuition scholarship from Casper College. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and dance and theater are her absolute passion. She has been in many musicals, plays, and dance shows such as Double-Sided Coin, Collective Trust, Mary Poppins, The Wedding Singer, Six Characters in Search of an Author, A Rock N Roll Fantasy, and an adaptation of Charlotte’s Web through dance. She is the Show Choir and Musical Choreographer at Vista Ridge High School and Show Choir Choreographer for Falcon High School. Shayla has also choreographed some of her own original dance shows such as Resurgence and Psyche through UCCS. She has loved being a part of the ACT staff for several years now.
Musical Theatre, Acting, Voice & Dance
Matt Dunn is grateful for the opportunity to join the Academy of Children’s Theatre. Matt is an actor, singer, dancer, and teacher from Orange County, CA. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from California State University, Fullerton and has performed in various regional productions around the Los Angeles area. Matt started singing and acting when he was 8. He has a vocal performance background and has sung at venues like The Hollywood Bowl, The Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. He trained under a direct student of acting mogul Konstantin Stanislavski and has extensive dance training in tap, jazz, and ballet. One of Matt’s favorite performances was with the original production company of Rock of Ages on contract with Norwegian Cruise Lines. Matt has a passion for teaching and has 10 years of experience as an acting coach, voice teacher, and dance instructor. Apart from theatre, Matt is the proud father of 3 children and owns a local dog training company with his wife, Jenny.
7005 Carefree Circle N
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
(Please contact ACT for any questions)
