Kelly Willis
Artistic Director / Teacher
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Kelly has been teaching Acting, Voice, Dance, and Musical Theatre for more than 25 years. She received her BA in Theatre and Dance from the University of Missouri, and her Graduate work was in Acting and Directing at SIU in Carbondale Illinois where she taught Voice and Diction for the Stage, Stage Dialect, Movement for the Actor, Stage Combat, and served as Assistant Choreographer for all the main stage musicals.
As a professional, Ms. Willis has performed extensively on the East Coast, in the Midwest, and toured nationally. Locally, she has performed with the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Eastside Musical Theatre, and Leavenworth Summer Music Theatre. In addition to performing, Ms. Willis was the Artistic Director of the Musical Theatre Department at the Washington Academy of Performing Arts for seven years. She has directed and choreographed productions at Redmond High School, Redmond Jr. High, Evergreen Jr. High, Civic Light Opera in Seattle, as well as SecondStory Repertory in Redmond. |
"Theatre has always been an integral part of my life. I have been educating and directing young people in theatre for more than 25 years. I love what I do and love to share that joy with my students. My favorite part of teaching and directing is watching young people find out more about themselves, and gain a new personal confidence as they experience the magic of theatre."
Kelly Willis
Kelly Willis
Bethanie Willis
Co-Founder / Teacher / Choreographer
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Bethanie is a graduate from Northwestern University where she earned a double major in Psychology and Neurobiology. Bethanie has taught for many different performing arts organizations such as The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts, Village Theatre’s Kidstage, SecondStory Repertory, and Broadway Bound in Seattle.
Additionally, she has been the Choreographer or Assistant Choreographer for shows such as Oliver!, Mulan Jr., Footloose, and A Chorus Line. Recent professional credits: The Little Mermaid (Atina) & The Wiz at 5th Avenue Theatre, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Dorothy & Aunt Em u/s) at Seattle Children's Theatre, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Lucy u/s) at Village Theatre, Porgy and Bess (Featured Chorus) at the Seattle Opera, Crowns (Yolanda) at Taproot Theatre, and SHOWTUNES' The Bridges of Madison County (Carolyn) at ACT Theatre. Favorite Village Theatre Mainstage credits: "Dreamgirls," “Aida”, and “Show Boat." Previous readings: 5th Avenue Theatre's Pump Up The Volume and Village Theatre's My Heart Is The Drum. |
Madison Willis
Diversity Director / Teacher (Acting) / Choreographer
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Madison has been choreographing for the past four years in productions at her school (Skyline High School) for shows such as Pippin and Mary Poppins. In 2014, Madison was awarded the 5th Avenue Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in Pippin as the Leading Player. Madison has also received a nomination for her choreography at the 5th Avenue Theatre Awards in 2015 for her work on Mary Poppins.
Madison has been teaching at The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts for 4 years as well as other organizations. She has choreographed two Redmond Academy productions: “High School Musical” and “Willy Wonka Jr.” Madison is a graduating senior and this Fall will be attending Pacific Lutheran University working towards a degree in communications and a minor in Musical Theatre. |
Caitlin Sarwono
Academy Teacher (Music)
Caitlin Sarwono is currently working towards her degree in Music Education and is thrilled to be teaching Elementary Voice and the Young Ones Musical Theatre class at the Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts.
Caitlin is a former RATA student and throughout the years she has performed in 16 of RATA’s full scale productions, some favorites include: The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Children of Eden (Eve), and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Caitlin has also assistant music directed for multiple RATA shows as well as at Redmond High School and Ballyhoo Theatre.
Along with teaching at RATA, Caitlin is currently music directing Ballyhoo Theatre’s fall musical, Heathers the Musical. She is also a teacher at Ellipsis Academy where she teaches 2nd and 3rd grade math classes along with private tutoring sessions.
The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts has been a home to Caitlin since she was 11 years old, and she’s so happy she gets to return as a teacher this fall.
Caitlin is a former RATA student and throughout the years she has performed in 16 of RATA’s full scale productions, some favorites include: The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Children of Eden (Eve), and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Caitlin has also assistant music directed for multiple RATA shows as well as at Redmond High School and Ballyhoo Theatre.
Along with teaching at RATA, Caitlin is currently music directing Ballyhoo Theatre’s fall musical, Heathers the Musical. She is also a teacher at Ellipsis Academy where she teaches 2nd and 3rd grade math classes along with private tutoring sessions.
The Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts has been a home to Caitlin since she was 11 years old, and she’s so happy she gets to return as a teacher this fall.