MEET THE PLAYHOUSE JR. FACULTY

Lauren Rogers Hopkins is Flat Rock Playhouse's Director of Education, Apprentice Director,and Playhouse Jr. Director/Choreographer. She received her B.F.A in Music Theatre from Elon University. She grew up at Flat Rock Playhouse in the YouTheatre program and later worked for the theatre as an educator, choreographer, and the summer Apprentice director. In New York, Lauren assisted Germaine Salsberg at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway and performed with Germaine’s tap group, Les Femmes. Lauren was also the studio director, performance program director, tap coordinator and choreographer for Bluffton School of dance in Bluffton, SC. Her choreography won Entertainment Awards & Critics Choice Awards at Onstage New York, and she was nominated for the MTA Choreography Showcase at LA Dance Magic. As a performer, Lauren is a member of the Actor's Equity Association. Favorite credits include Jennyanydots in Cats, Sarah in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Tammy in Hairspray and Silly Girl in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. Lauren is so thankful to be back at Flat Rock Playhouse doing what she loves most! www.laurenrhopkins.com

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Ethan Andersen is Flat Rock Playhouse’s Resident Music Director and has also served as a writer, actor, apprentice director, and apprentice in his 11 years at the playhouse. He was the music director and conductor of the Saturday Night Fever national tour and Elon University’s Music Theatre program. On Broadway, he’s played piano for Mean Girls and Company and conducted for BCEFA’s Easter Bonnet Competition. As a writer, Ethan is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, ASCAP, and Dramatists Guild. His musical, Rootabaga Express!, can be seen every summer across the street at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, and his educational shows, Letterland Alive! and Greetings from North Carolina! were the inaugural productions for the Playhouse Jr. program. Ethan received a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. ethan-andersen.com 

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Zoe Zelonky recently relocated to Asheville from Springfield, MO. She received her BSEd in Speech and Theatre Education from Missouri State University and served as Youth Program Director at Springfield Little Theatre for 6 seasons. Zoe has directed several musicals, including The Lightning Thief, Grease: School Edition, and Willy Wonka Jr., and enjoys her time onstage in shows like The Addams Family (Wednesday), Kinky Boots (Lauren), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), and others. Zoe is so grateful to be a part of the western North Carolina theatre community!

 

 

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Christa Mattheus has had a passion for theatre since a young age. She has been introduced to all sides of theatre throughout her life. She began this journey in 2015, appearing in The Wizard of Oz. She continued that journey throughout her schooling, appearing in many shows, including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Hamlet or Does Father Reeeeeeally Know Best, and many other wonderful productions. Some favorites of hers include Timon in The Lion King, Lily in Annie, and she auditioned once again for The Wizard of Oz and was cast as the Wicked Witch. She is pursuing a degree in Theatre Education and is excited to educate the younger generation. Another experience Christa was a part of was the teen ensemble at Studio 52, her senior year of high school. Lastly, Christa's most exciting theatre involvement was over the summer of 2022 as a Studio 52 Summer Intern. Christa is ecstatic about continuing her dream of teaching theatre.

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Eleanor Palmer's love for teaching was absolutely born in the education programs at the Flat Rock Playhouse. Starting classes and performances at the age of 5 and continuing into her high school years helped her develop the confidence and empathy she carries with her today. After graduating from Appalachian State University in 2019 with a BFA in Studio Art, she worked as a studio manager at Klaystation in Raleigh, NC. She taught wheel throwing classes and led art camps for children in the summer. Eleanor moved back to Hendersonville, NC in 2020 and began her childcare career at Montessori Country Day where she worked with children from 1-5 years old. Currently, she works as a lead teacher of 3-4 year olds at Wild Oak Independent School. This brand new school values play based learning, connecting children with nature and the benefits of Montessori foundations in the classroom. As a teaching artist, Eleanor uses the arts to introduce and practice the fundamentals of math, science, language, fine motor skills, communication and social/emotional development. She is passionate about the power of creativity. Expression through artistic mediums can encourage authentic communication, mindfulness and confidence in all ages and across all spectrums.

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