Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts
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      • Administration
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    • Theatre for Young Audiences

Our Acting Teachers

Ankit Madhira
(he/him)

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Ankit Madhira has loved working with such a talented group of young performers! Ankit is a trained actor and received his MFA in Acting from Easter 15 Acting School in the UK.

He has performed in many theatre and film productions in the UK and US working as an actor, writer, singer, and stage manager.
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Ankit recently began teaching acting and has loved getting to share his knowledge and love for theatre. He is still actively acting in productions himself.

Ellen Dessler Smith
(she/her)

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Ellen is local actor/ director who has worked on many stages around town including (but not limited to): Village Theatre, Reboot, Seattle Musical Theatre, ArtsWest, Bainbridge Island Performing Arts, and past president of the ReAct Theatre board. She has toured schools around the country with Living Voices and Small Change Original Theatre.

Ellen is also a teaching artists for Seattle Children's Theatre, Studio East, and Stone Soup Theatre. She also works with The Criminal Justice Training Center, Effective Arts, and Life Center NorthWest as a scenario actor.

Ellen rounds out her theatre work by being a voice over artist and emcee at Seattle Center.

Callison Hopkins
Acting Teacher/Front Desk Admin
​(she/her)

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Callison Hopkins, a certified English & Drama teacher of 12 years and one of the PNW’s newest Southern transplants, has directed many plays, summer camps, and musicals with casts of all ages and has served as Artistic Director for a local theatre in the greater Memphis area.

Callison was awarded Best Director by the Northwest Mississippi Theatre Alliance for Steel Magnolias, The Game’s Afoot, Little Women the Musical, and Murder’s in the Heir as well as Best Special Effects for Matilda Jr.
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Although Callison only recently found a home in Seattle in May 2025, she looks forward to serving her new community through theatre education. 

Matthew Ninh 
(he/him)

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Matthew Ninh is an Acting Teacher at Redmond Academy and a graduate of Rutgers University, where he earned his BFA in Acting. He is passionate about fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages creativity, confidence, and a lasting appreciation for the performing arts in young actors.
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Locally, Matthew has performed with ReAct Theatre, Pork Filled Productions, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Film Institute, and Three Wink Productions. He is represented by Big Fish NW and works professionally as an actor in the Seattle area. Matthew also serves as a Volunteer Advocate with the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse.

Sri Kanduri
(he/him)

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Location

18001 NE 76th St., Ste #100
Redmond WA, 98052

(425) 881-2773

Contact Us

Any questions? 
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For questions and more information, please contact [email protected]
Privacy Policy for Redmond Academy of Theater Arts
Redmond Academy of Theater Arts will: 
1) not share or sell a donor’s or individuals information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. 
2) only share or sell personal information once the donor or individual has given the charity specific permission to do so. 
​

  • Home
  • Classes & Camps
  • Shows
    • Casting for Oz & Guys & Dolls
    • Auditions
    • Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus
  • Donations
    • Gala 2026
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team >
      • Administration
      • Acting Teachers
      • Dance Teachers
      • Music Teachers
    • FAQs and Policies
    • Careers
    • Sponsorships
    • Our Board
    • Academy Internships
    • Academy Scholarships
  • Birthdays
  • Contact
  • Community Involvement
    • Theatre for Young Audiences