OUR TEAM
Musicals are the most efficient way to deliver all of the arts disciplines in one package. Singing, acting and dancing introduce young people to music, language arts and physical education.
Timothy Allen McDonald, a respected educator, playwright (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter) and director; Tim founded iTheatrics to create innovative programs that allow students to experience the transformative power of the arts.Before founding iTheatrics, Tim created Music Theatre International’s Education Division, working side by side with theatrical greats, including Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Schwartz and Sheldon Harnick, to create age-appropriate versions of classic musicals.
Read Tims Full Bio
Susan Fuller holds a BFA in Theatre Design and Production with a focus in Stage Management from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Susan earned her Equity card as a stage manager while working on Children of Eden at the Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton, Ohio and discovered her passion for children’s theatre in college, when she was the stage manager of the CCM Preparatory Production of School House Rock Live! JR. Susan serves as Managing Editor and as mommy for Beckett James and big boy August Henry..
Marty Johnson is an experienced director, teacher and playwright in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and, as Director of Education and Resident Director at iTheatrics, he supervises iTheatrics’ professional development series for teachers, Junior Teaching Intensives, the Broadway Academy and various other workshops. He is a contributing author of the musical theatre curriculum for the MacMillan/McGraw-Hill “Spotlight on Music” textbook, and currently is on the board of TYA/USA, the national service organization promoting the power of professional theatre for young audiences.
Cynthia Ripley taught for 33 years as a vocal educator and music department chair of the Gowanda, New York, Central School district. There she produced and directed over 100 productions, compensating for her lack of a budget with creativity and enthusiasm. She wrote the original Annie JR. Director’s Guide, and in 2005 Cindy was selected as one of 39 educators nationwide on USA Today’s 2005 All Star Teacher Team. Cindy is connected worldwide as online support “guru” for MTI Showspace, giving advice and support to teachers using Broadway Jr. and MTI Kids materials. She serves as iTheatrics’ Lead Educational Consultant, and teaches at all Junior Teaching Intensives as well as student/teacher workshops nationwide.
Steven G. Kennedy began his career as a performer in New York and touring productions such as Me and My Girl, Oklahoma!, Crazy For You, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Toy Shoppe (in which he had the distinguished honor of acting alongside the one and only “Gambler,” Kenny Rogers). He now serves as Vice President of Publishing for iTheatrics as well as Broadway Junior’s Resident Choreographer. He is a workshop leader for iTheatrics professional development programs including the Junior Teaching Intensives. He has choreographed the national tours of Broadway Junior on Tour, Disney’s Discover Theatre, The Ant and the Elephant, the hit production of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and A Year With Frog and Toad as well as the off-Broadway production of Dear Edwina.
Lindsay Weiner Lupi was part of the first generation of young people who experienced the transformative power of the arts through Broadway Junior. She attended NYU and graduated with a BFA in acting from the Tisch School of the Arts. Upon completing her degree, she has since acted in and music directed numerous productions in NY at such venues as The Players Theater, the 45th Street Theater and The Triad. She recently received her Master’s degree in Music Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She first worked with iTheatrics stage managing the Disney Theatrical and MTI Education workshop of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. and now serves as the Music Supervisor and Education and Administrative Associate.
Rob Rokicki is a songwriter, performer, music director and educator in NYC. He’s a member of the Dramatists Guild, Actor’s Equity, and alum of the Tony Award-winning BMI workshop. Rob wrote the music and lyrics to the acclaimed Off-Broadway adaptation of the Percy Jackson book, The Lightning Thief. He co-authored two award-winning musicals: Love, NY and Strange Tails. Rob has performed in national tours, at Carnegie Hall and regionally. He has music directed Off-Broadway and for iTheatrics where he serves as their Finale guru. BA, BFA University of Michigan. His first studio album featuring Broadway friends is now available on iTunes. www.robertrokicki.com
Laura Jo Schuster holds a BS in Theater Performance with a Minor in Literature from the University of Evansville. She moved to the Big Apple and began focusing on writing, and has been working as a writer, editor, proofreader, and transcriber since 2009. As a playwright, Laura Jo has worked with various independent theatre groups around NYC, including The Group Lab, Flux Theatre Ensemble, and Amios. At iTheatrics she serves as a proofreader and editor in the Design Studio, and is thrilled to help bring the magic of musical theater to young people.
Jiana Odland grew up just outside of Chicago, Illinois and was immediately absorbed into the world of musical theatre at the age of six. Ten years later, at the age of 16, she met the fine folks at iTheatrics. She has since been working in performance, lighting and audio design, stage management, and directing. Jiana then spent four years touring North America, Europe, and Asia as a performer and musical theatre teacher. Recently, she has helped produce live events for major companies across America. Jiana is thrilled to have found her way back to iTheatrics as an Education Associate, and is so grateful for the opportunity to keep sharing musical theatre with the world.
Daniel J. Mertzlufft graduated from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, with degrees in Music Education and Composition with a concentration in voice. He is an active teacher, music director, composer, and arranger. He has composed, arranged, and orchestrated music for productions around the world, most notably in New York City, San Francisco, CA, St. Louis, MO, and Sydney, Australia with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Original works include “House Rules: The Musical” and “The Letter: A New Opera.” He currently leads workshops at the international iTheatrics Junior Theatre Festivals, Junior Theater Celebrations throughout the United States, and specialized music workshops for the Shubert Foundation and the NYC Department of Education. As Music Associate at iTheatrics he serves as a secondary Finale Guru, assistant music director, and dedicated doorman.
Vichet Chum Vichet Chum has been an artist since his very first appearance onstage in purple lederhosen in The Sound of Music in the 4th grade. He went on to pursue his BFA in acting at the University of Evansville and an MFA in acting at Brown University/Trinity Repertory Company. As an actor, he’s worked at Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Guthrie Theater, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Weston Playhouse, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Trinity Repertory Company, the Cherry Lane Theater, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, Incubator Arts Project & several other theaters. As a playwright, he is the 2018-19 Princess Grace Playwriting recipient, and his plays have been workshopped at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the Alley Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the New Harmony Project, Space on Ryder Farm,