MANDY EPLEY

Mandy Epley holds a masters degree in Education Administration from Lamar and a BFA in Acting and Directing from Sam Houston State University. Mandy serves Comal ISD as the Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Programs. She taught high school theatre for 16 years. Her productions qualified for Region multiple times and her students performed at the state meet in 2009.

In addition to acting and directing professionally, she has served as a Camp on the Coast director at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and Artistic Director of Inception Theatre. In 2012, Mandy was named Texas Educational Theatre Association Educator of the Year, in 2009, Brandeis High School Educator of the Year, Northside ISD High School Educator of the Year, and KENS5/SACU Excel Award winner.

RENEE BUCHANAN

Renee Buchanan taught in the Texas public school system for over 25 years with most of that time spent teaching theatre. She has a background in early childhood education, special education, secondary English, theatre, speech and debate.

Renee had five UIL One-Act-Play State appearances and won the State Championship in 2006.  She has co-author theatre curriculum books for Maestro Theatre and is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicator and Officials organization.  She is also a committee member for Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Arlington and East Tarrant County.

PATTY MACMULLEN

Patty MacMullen has directed high school and middle school theatre for almost four decades. While teaching in public schools, her students advanced to the Texas UIL OAP State Meet five times placing third at state in conference 4A in 1999 and again in 2007. In 2012, her students advanced to the division II state championship contest in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS), placing 1st runner up for the state championship title.

Recently, her students were selected as the Duet Acting state champions at the 2019 TAPPS Academic meet. Patty has also directed productions which were chosen to perform at the Texas State Thespian Festival Main Stage (2003 & 2006), the International Thespian Festival Main Stage (2007) and Chapter Select Showcase (1997 & 2009), and the Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival (2010, 2015, 2018, & 2021).

LISA HALE

As a high school director, Lisa Hale made two appearances at the UIL State Meet where her shows placed first (2006) and second (2004). She has been awarded the Texas Educational Theatre Association Educator of the Year and served on the S&P Committee for TTAO.

Currently, she is teaching theatre at Collin College and enjoys conducting workshops and directing at summer camps as well as working as a UIL adjudicator and contest manager. Lisa is a big believer in theatre arts education. Growing up in rural West Texas, the UIL One Act Play and the Summer Theatre Workshop at The University of Texas were opportunities that cemented her dream to be a theatre artist and educator. Programs like MAP will continue to train and inspire students and teachers from smaller Texas communities to reach their artistic potential!

Christian Erben

Christian attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, earning her B.A. in Theatre, 2021. She now serves as Admission Counselor for Southwestern, recruiting students and assisting them through the application process. She brings her expertise in college admission to Maestro and the College Audition Workshops.

In high school, she had the privilege of being Rick Garcia’s student, and got involved in the Maestro Arts Project. Within her theatre degree, Christian emphasized primarily Stage Management, and has stage managed at the professional level throughout college.  She was able to perform in and direct productions through her university as well, and plans to continue participating in theatre in her adult life. She loves Maestro Arts Project and everything it stands for, and is so excited to be part of the team.

Mandy is a K-12 theatre program consultant for Enhance the Arts and is one of the authors of the Maestro Theatre Publications, LLC. Teacher Resource for Theatre Education. Mandy is also a guest instructor for workshops and clinics across the state.

RENEE BUCHANAN

Renee Buchanan taught in the Texas public school system for over 25 years with most of that time spent teaching theatre. She has a background in early childhood education, special education, secondary English, theatre, speech and debate.

Renee had five UIL One-Act-Play State appearances and won the State Championship in 2006.  She has co-author theatre curriculum books for Maestro Theatre and is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicator and Officials organization.  She is also a committee member for Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Arlington and East Tarrant County.

 Patty was inducted into the Texas Thespian Hall of Fame in 2011. She’s been a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials for nine years. Patty currently serves as Director of Theatre at Hill Country Christian Upper School in Austin.

LISA HALE

As a high school director, Lisa Hale made two appearances at the UIL State Meet where her shows placed first (2006) and second (2004). She has been awarded the Texas Educational Theatre Association Educator of the Year and served on the S&P Committee for TTAO.

Currently, she is teaching theatre at Collin College and enjoys conducting workshops and directing at summer camps as well as working as a UIL adjudicator and contest manager. Lisa is a big believer in theatre arts education. Growing up in rural West Texas, the UIL One Act Play and the Summer Theatre Workshop at The University of Texas were opportunities that cemented her dream to be a theatre artist and educator. Programs like MAP will continue to train and inspire students and teachers from smaller Texas communities to reach their artistic potential! 

 Christian brings her expertise in college admission to Maestro and the College Audition Workshops.

CHRIS ERBEN