EJ (she/her), after leading up our day camps for two summers, is joining us this Fall! She has a BFA in Theatre Directing from Belmont University, where she spent three years teaching with Nashville Children’s Theater. She works in the DMV area as a Stage Manager and Assistant Director, most recently with Shakespeare Opera Theatre. EJ also teaches with Next Stop Theatre’s Stars on Stage program.
Of all the artists, EJ loves working with young artists the most. Their imaginations are vast, and they are excited to learn and explore! Her highest goal in the classroom is to build confidence, foster creativity, and create a safe and inclusive space. She believes that theatre can inspire hope by exploring stories, bringing joy, and creating friendships. She is a lover of physical comedy, creative drama, and of course, Greek mythology!
Judith Harmon (she/her) graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.A. in Costume Design and Business Entrepreneurship. She is an award-winning cosplayer and founder of the business Sew What?!. She has designed or worked on more than fifty productions (including Beauty and the Beast, Steel Magnolias, and The Christmas Revels) with thirteen different organizations and schools. When she isn’t costuming a production, she teaches costume design, sewing, and theater to children of all ages. She has designed several of Traveling Players' school-year productions - Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Treasure Island, and Orlando. To keep up to date with productions, check out the portfolio site www.sewwhatcostumes.com
Rae (he/they) is a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. A graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre, they are thrilled to be returning to lighting the Thespian Remount! Rae is Traveling Players' resident lighting designer and elementary school director/assistant director. Traveling Players' lighting designs include: Cymbeline, Hecuba, Odyssey, Ariadne’s Thread, Romeo & Juliet, Comedy of Errors, Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Jane Eyre, Orpheus & Eurydice, Treasure Island, and Orlando. They spent their college years creating, writing, designing, teching, and performing in both mainstage and student-produced works. While having experience in many kinds of theatre, they have always most enjoyed youth theatre. He currently teaches 6th grade at Franconia Elementary, where he also assistant directed their production of Newsies Jr. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his bearded dragon (John Henry "Doc" Holliday), perusing the LEGO website for the latest sets, and cheering on the Capitals.
After serving as Assistant Director and Co-Lighting Designer for Shakespeare Troupe's 2024 summer tour of Hamlet, Fern Middleton is beyond excited to be joining the team as the scenic designer for the Dionysian Festival. Currently, Fern is a lighting designer for Elon University, where they will return this next semester to work on Romeo and Juliet. Before that, they were a lighting technician for Shenandoah University, and Fern earned a BA in Theatre Arts at Furman University and an MFA in Drama with a Concentration in Design at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Their specialties are design for the stage and devised theatre. In addition to working as a lighting designer for multiple shows over the past 10 years, they also have extensive experience in performance and directing, including studying Commedia Dell’Arte and clowning at Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. They value the collaborative and supportive nature of theatre above everything. Especially with their work in devised theatre, they believe the best art is revealed when everyone’s unique, artistic voices are heard. They are excited to be back with Traveling Players!
Jenna Heleen (she/her) is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where her studies focused on Costume Design and Construction, Dramaturgy, Fashion History, and Dramatic Literature. She has worked as a stitcher and wardrobe crew member at Wolf Trap Opera, Folger Theatre, and Arena Stage, and is also about to begin her fourth year as Costume Director for Kilmer Middle School’s annual musical. Jenna was the Head of the Costume shop for Traveling Player’s 2023 residential camp and has designed five shows for them: Eros and Psyche, Green Bird, Tartuffe, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Always eager to integrate her love of theatre with her love of history, Jenna has also worked on several projects researching and reproducing historical fashions.
In addition to her loves of theatre and history, Jenna is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She grew up attending Camp Coles Trip, a much-beloved Girl Scout outdoor adventure sleep-away camp, and eventually spent three summers working there as a Unit Counselor and then Lifeguard and Windsurfing Instructor. In 2022, Jenna spent three months living in London as a volunteer at Pax Lodge, one of the five world centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. While there, she led activities for Guides and Scouts as young as 6 and as old as 60, many of whom came from places as distant as Ghana and Taiwan.
When not researching, sewing or Scouting, Jenna can be found engaging in general geekery with her sister, reading, baking, watching documentaries, and consuming copious amounts of tea.
Isaiah (he/him) is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre with concentrations in Acting and Arts Administration. While there, he worked as a Student Technical Assistant at the Ferguson Center of the Arts and was Vice President of the improv comedy troupe “Laugh Out.” He previously taught Theatre and Photography/Videography at The Marshall School in Fredericksburg, VA. Some of his favorite roles from the past include Caliban in William and Mary College’s production of A Tempest, Conrad in Christopher Newport University’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, and Dr. John Prentice in the Glen Allen's Cultural Art Center's production of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Outside of work, you can find him playing video games or fumbling with his camera.
Morgan (she/her) joined the Traveling Players community in 2007 as a student in the Thespian Ensemble and remembers well the days of being “a middle school theatre kid.” Today she is the Head of our middle school programs, fondly called our Thespian programs, teaching acting classes and directing plays throughout the year, including directing our Thespian Ensemble over the summer. This is her seventh year on staff. She spent six summers as a camper (Thespian and Shakespeare Ensembles, as well as Commedia and Shakespeare Troupes).
As the Director of Communications & Marketing, Morgan lets the community know about our programs and opportunities - as well as the ways the Traveling Players community can be a transformational experience and a touchstone for the rest of their lives.
Morgan has taught and developed new curricula for our community and middle school classes including Preparing a Role [Thespians] and Scene Study & Acting Technique [Thespians]. She co-developed and now leads our workshop “Embedded Bias in Classical Literature” (with Ryan Fields).
In 2022 she launched and now leads the Greater Washington Middle School Theatre Festival. This festival, hosted by Traveling Players, is exclusively for Middle School students and designed to help them connect and learn with peers from other schools while celebrating the joy of theater.
Recent Traveling Players directing credits include Carlo Gozzi's Green Bird, King Stag, and Blue Monster, Molière’s Learned Ladies, Tartuffe, The Odyssey by Gregory A. Falls & Kurt Beattie, PUFFS by Matt Cox, and The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke, adapted to the stage by James DeVita. Previously, she served as our Assistant Director on Jane Eyre, The Learned Ladies, The Doctor In Spite of Himself, Tartuffe, Rumpelstiltskin, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Morgan also designs and constructs props for Traveling Players productions and mentors the Technical Theatre Apprentices during the academic year.
Other artistic work includes directing Mojo at Studio 115, and Assistant to the Director for Smile Lines at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, where she also worked in the box office for many years.
Judith Harmon (she/her) graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.A. in Costume Design and Business Entrepreneurship. She is an award-winning cosplayer and founder of the business Sew What?!. She has designed or worked on more than fifty productions (including Beauty and the Beast, Steel Magnolias, and The Christmas Revels) with thirteen different organizations and schools. When she isn’t costuming a production, she teaches costume design, sewing, and theater to children of all ages. She has designed several of Traveling Players' school-year productions - Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Treasure Island, and Orlando. To keep up to date with productions, check out the portfolio site www.sewwhatcostumes.com
Rae (he/they) is a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. A graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre, they are thrilled to be returning to lighting the Thespian Remount! Rae is Traveling Players' resident lighting designer and elementary school director/assistant director. Traveling Players' lighting designs include: Cymbeline, Hecuba, Odyssey, Ariadne’s Thread, Romeo & Juliet, Comedy of Errors, Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Jane Eyre, Orpheus & Eurydice, Treasure Island, and Orlando. They spent their college years creating, writing, designing, teching, and performing in both mainstage and student-produced works. While having experience in many kinds of theatre, they have always most enjoyed youth theatre. He currently teaches 6th grade at Franconia Elementary, where he also assistant directed their production of Newsies Jr. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his bearded dragon (John Henry "Doc" Holliday), perusing the LEGO website for the latest sets, and cheering on the Capitals.
After serving as Assistant Director and Co-Lighting Designer for Shakespeare Troupe's 2024 summer tour of Hamlet, Fern Middleton is beyond excited to be joining the team as the scenic designer for the Dionysian Festival. Currently, Fern is a lighting designer for Elon University, where they will return this next semester to work on Romeo and Juliet. Before that, they were a lighting technician for Shenandoah University, and Fern earned a BA in Theatre Arts at Furman University and an MFA in Drama with a Concentration in Design at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Their specialties are design for the stage and devised theatre. In addition to working as a lighting designer for multiple shows over the past 10 years, they also have extensive experience in performance and directing, including studying Commedia Dell’Arte and clowning at Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. They value the collaborative and supportive nature of theatre above everything. Especially with their work in devised theatre, they believe the best art is revealed when everyone’s unique, artistic voices are heard. They are excited to be back with Traveling Players!
Jenna Heleen (she/her) is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where her studies focused on Costume Design and Construction, Dramaturgy, Fashion History, and Dramatic Literature. She has worked as a stitcher and wardrobe crew member at Wolf Trap Opera, Folger Theatre, and Arena Stage, and is also about to begin her fourth year as Costume Director for Kilmer Middle School’s annual musical. Jenna was the Head of the Costume shop for Traveling Player’s 2023 residential camp and has designed five shows for them: Eros and Psyche, Green Bird, Tartuffe, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Always eager to integrate her love of theatre with her love of history, Jenna has also worked on several projects researching and reproducing historical fashions.
In addition to her loves of theatre and history, Jenna is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She grew up attending Camp Coles Trip, a much-beloved Girl Scout outdoor adventure sleep-away camp, and eventually spent three summers working there as a Unit Counselor and then Lifeguard and Windsurfing Instructor. In 2022, Jenna spent three months living in London as a volunteer at Pax Lodge, one of the five world centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. While there, she led activities for Guides and Scouts as young as 6 and as old as 60, many of whom came from places as distant as Ghana and Taiwan.
When not researching, sewing or Scouting, Jenna can be found engaging in general geekery with her sister, reading, baking, watching documentaries, and consuming copious amounts of tea.
Isaiah (he/him) is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre with concentrations in Acting and Arts Administration. While there, he worked as a Student Technical Assistant at the Ferguson Center of the Arts and was Vice President of the improv comedy troupe “Laugh Out.” He previously taught Theatre and Photography/Videography at The Marshall School in Fredericksburg, VA. Some of his favorite roles from the past include Caliban in William and Mary College’s production of A Tempest, Conrad in Christopher Newport University’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, and Dr. John Prentice in the Glen Allen's Cultural Art Center's production of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Outside of work, you can find him playing video games or fumbling with his camera.
Jeanne (she/her) founded Traveling Players Ensemble to give theatre students a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing artistic community to grow up in. She serves as both Producing Artistic and Executive Director, including vision and creative leadership for all educational and artistic activities, organizational direction, and staff management. She collaborates with staff on programming and marketing. She coordinates with the board on partnership development, finances, budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Jeanne continues to teach and direct all year long for Traveling Players, including directing Shakespeare Troupe in the summer. In her 36-year teaching career, Jeanne has taught for The Folger Shakespeare Library, Catholic University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Loyola University (MD), Chapin School (NYC), and Interlochen Center for the Arts (MI), where she directed the Shakespeare program. Jeanne has worked in camping for 37 years, directed two other camps, and is a certified Camp Director (American Camp Association) and Instructor with the American Red Cross.
Often doubling as choreographer and sound designer, Jeanne has directed over a hundred theatrical productions. Recent productions include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Commedia Christmas Carol (her own adaptation), Comedy of Errors, Hecuba (Kenneth McLeish’s translation of Euripides), Taming of the Shrew, Antigone by Jean Anouilh (based on Sophocles), Dust by Sarah Daniels, and Cymbeline.
An expert in mask, Commedia dell'Arte, and physical training for actors, Jeanne has presented workshops at the National Conference of the American Alliance for Theater & Education (AATE). She holds an MA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA in Directing from Catholic University.
She served as a judge for Theatre Washington’s Helen Hayes Awards as well as the English-Speaking Union’s Shakespeare competition. She served as a panelist for Virginia’s Commission for the Arts and Maryland’s Council for the Arts & Humanities. Her lesson plans are published in The American Girls Collection, a Teacher’s Guide. She was selected as one of ArtsFairfax’s three 2015 Middle School Artists-in-Residence, and she also received ArtsFairfax’s 2016 Strauss Artist Award for her distinctive fusing of physical and classical theatre.
Judith Harmon (she/her) graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.A. in Costume Design and Business Entrepreneurship. She is an award-winning cosplayer and founder of the business Sew What?!. She has designed or worked on more than fifty productions (including Beauty and the Beast, Steel Magnolias, and The Christmas Revels) with thirteen different organizations and schools. When she isn’t costuming a production, she teaches costume design, sewing, and theater to children of all ages. She has designed several of Traveling Players' school-year productions - Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Treasure Island, and Orlando. To keep up to date with productions, check out the portfolio site www.sewwhatcostumes.com
Rae (he/they) is a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. A graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in Theatre, they are thrilled to be returning to lighting the Thespian Remount! Rae is Traveling Players' resident lighting designer and elementary school director/assistant director. Traveling Players' lighting designs include: Cymbeline, Hecuba, Odyssey, Ariadne’s Thread, Romeo & Juliet, Comedy of Errors, Alice in Wonderland, Commedia Christmas Carol, Dracula: A Comic Thriller, Jane Eyre, Orpheus & Eurydice, Treasure Island, and Orlando. They spent their college years creating, writing, designing, teching, and performing in both mainstage and student-produced works. While having experience in many kinds of theatre, they have always most enjoyed youth theatre. He currently teaches 6th grade at Franconia Elementary, where he also assistant directed their production of Newsies Jr. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his bearded dragon (John Henry "Doc" Holliday), perusing the LEGO website for the latest sets, and cheering on the Capitals.
After serving as Assistant Director and Co-Lighting Designer for Shakespeare Troupe's 2024 summer tour of Hamlet, Fern Middleton is beyond excited to be joining the team as the scenic designer for the Dionysian Festival. Currently, Fern is a lighting designer for Elon University, where they will return this next semester to work on Romeo and Juliet. Before that, they were a lighting technician for Shenandoah University, and Fern earned a BA in Theatre Arts at Furman University and an MFA in Drama with a Concentration in Design at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Their specialties are design for the stage and devised theatre. In addition to working as a lighting designer for multiple shows over the past 10 years, they also have extensive experience in performance and directing, including studying Commedia Dell’Arte and clowning at Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. They value the collaborative and supportive nature of theatre above everything. Especially with their work in devised theatre, they believe the best art is revealed when everyone’s unique, artistic voices are heard. They are excited to be back with Traveling Players!
Jenna Heleen (she/her) is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where her studies focused on Costume Design and Construction, Dramaturgy, Fashion History, and Dramatic Literature. She has worked as a stitcher and wardrobe crew member at Wolf Trap Opera, Folger Theatre, and Arena Stage, and is also about to begin her fourth year as Costume Director for Kilmer Middle School’s annual musical. Jenna was the Head of the Costume shop for Traveling Player’s 2023 residential camp and has designed five shows for them: Eros and Psyche, Green Bird, Tartuffe, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Always eager to integrate her love of theatre with her love of history, Jenna has also worked on several projects researching and reproducing historical fashions.
In addition to her loves of theatre and history, Jenna is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She grew up attending Camp Coles Trip, a much-beloved Girl Scout outdoor adventure sleep-away camp, and eventually spent three summers working there as a Unit Counselor and then Lifeguard and Windsurfing Instructor. In 2022, Jenna spent three months living in London as a volunteer at Pax Lodge, one of the five world centers run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. While there, she led activities for Guides and Scouts as young as 6 and as old as 60, many of whom came from places as distant as Ghana and Taiwan.
When not researching, sewing or Scouting, Jenna can be found engaging in general geekery with her sister, reading, baking, watching documentaries, and consuming copious amounts of tea.
Casey (he/him) has choreographed fights for Traveling Players since 2006. He has choreographed fights for more than 500 professional and academic productions, including the Guthrie Theatre, Folger Theatre, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Studio Theatre, Wolf Trap Opera, National Players, Washington National Opera, Castleton Festival, Constellation Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, and Ford's Theatre. He is a three-time Helen Hayes Awards nominee in fight direction.
Academic productions include Georgetown, American, Gallaudet, and Catholic Universities, along with the University of Maryland in both College Park and Baltimore County. He has taught for the University of Maryland, George Mason University, University of Mary Washington, Peabody Institute, Shepherd University, Catholic University, Regent, and Old Dominion University, as well as serving as a regular guest artist for the Shakespeare Theatre and Folger Library. A Certified Fight Director with the Society of American Fight Directors, Casey has been a guest instructor for Fight Directors Canada and Nordic Stagefight Society. He is certified by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) and serves as an instructor for SAFD to certify the stage fighters of tomorrow.
Isaiah (he/him) is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre with concentrations in Acting and Arts Administration. While there, he worked as a Student Technical Assistant at the Ferguson Center of the Arts and was Vice President of the improv comedy troupe “Laugh Out.” He previously taught Theatre and Photography/Videography at The Marshall School in Fredericksburg, VA. Some of his favorite roles from the past include Caliban in William and Mary College’s production of A Tempest, Conrad in Christopher Newport University’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, and Dr. John Prentice in the Glen Allen's Cultural Art Center's production of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Outside of work, you can find him playing video games or fumbling with his camera.
EJ (she/her), after leading up our day camps for two summers, is joining us this Fall! She has a BFA in Theatre Directing from Belmont University, where she spent three years teaching with Nashville Children’s Theater. She works in the DMV area as a Stage Manager and Assistant Director, most recently with Shakespeare Opera Theatre. EJ also teaches with Next Stop Theatre’s Stars on Stage program.
Of all the artists, EJ loves working with young artists the most. Their imaginations are vast, and they are excited to learn and explore! Her highest goal in the classroom is to build confidence, foster creativity, and create a safe and inclusive space. She believes that theatre can inspire hope by exploring stories, bringing joy, and creating friendships. She is a lover of physical comedy, creative drama, and of course, Greek mythology!
Jeffrey Robb is a Brooklyn-based actor/writer and the originator of our D&D Improv class. During the pandemic, he crafted the curricula for our D&D Improv, an ongoing cooperative role-playing game, and offered it virtually. He has been a DM (Dungeon Master) or mentor DM ever since, for Traveling Players and many other groups of kids and adults, in person and online. Originally from Washington DC, Jeffrey has spent ten summers with Traveling Players, six as a student and another four as an acting teacher & assistant director - and still another four years as a DM. He received his BA in Theatre from Muhlenberg College, where he concentrated in Acting and Performance Studies and received the department's Artist Thinker Award. Recent acting credits include Brilliant Traces at the Chain Theatre and Hook & Eye’s The Chamber at Vassar College’s Powerhouse Theater. He is a company member of New Orange Theatre and recently collaborated on their production of Wood Demon.
Traveling Players Studio
Tysons Corner Center – D1L
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102
P.O. Box 1315
Great Falls, VA 22066
