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

​

​

​

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 

​

​

 

 

Dusty McNabb Campbell is excited to return to the Rock. She began her love for the stage at a very young age and it continued all of her life. She earned a B.A. degree in Drama, along with a licensure in theatre education from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Dusty has directed many shows including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, as well as many original scripts. Dusty's journey in the world of teaching began in 2006 when she started working with Flat Rock Playhouse's YouTheatre. Over the years, she honed her skills and served 16 years as the Arts and Events Director for Grace Center, where she spent time writing, directing, and acting. Currently, Dusty holds the position of Executive Director at the Brevard Philharmonic in Brevard, NC.

 

​

​

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 Playhouse Jr., her senior year of high school. Christa has now been a part of the teaching faculty for two seasons and is beyond ecstatic about continuing her dream of
teaching theatre at Playhouse Jr.

​

​

Angie Harrel is an actor, director, theatre educator, acting and voice coach, and arts advocate. She has an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School (formerly at the New School) and has appeared on stage, film, television and commercials. Favorite roles include Rosalinde in As You Like It (Stuart Vaughan), Blanche in Roads Not Taken: Early Works of Tennessee Williams (Joseph Ragno and Laura Maria Censabella), and Margaret in Cat on Hot Tin Roof (Mark Hartfield). Teaching credits include Harrison School for the Arts, Bethel University, Alliance Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare, Synchronicity, and Bay Street Theatre, as well as vocal coaching for CNN. Angie recently relocated to Western North Carolina and is delighted to be working for the first time with Flat Rock Playhouse!

​

​

​

​

Lenora Thom is a conductor, pianist, organist, teacher and arranger who moved to Asheville in 1998. For over twenty years, she enjoyed a busy and varied professional career in the New York City area, where
she held Music Director positions with the New Jersey Choral Society, the Riverdale (NY) Chamber Orchestra, the Kean (NJ) Chamber Symphony and at numerous churches and synagogues. Ms. Thom was Music Director of the Asheville Choral Society from 2000-2010 and has also acted as Assistant Conductor for the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Music Director for the Flat Rock Playhouse, Music Director at the Asheville and Hendersonville Community Theatres, Music Director of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, and Chorus Master for the Asheville Lyric Opera. Ms. Thom has conducted countless musical theatre productions for off-Broadway, regional, summer stock, and university
theatres. A life-long, award-winning pianist, she has performed in recital, cabaret, and chamber music concerts throughout the Northeast and WNC. Lenora maintains a busy voice and piano studio, and finds time for choral/orchestral arranging as well. Ms. Thom studied at Juilliard, the Hartt School of Music,
Trinity College, Peabody Conservatory, and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors.

​

​

Amanda Tong is honored to be teaching these awesome future Vagabonds! Born in Michigan, lived in New York City for several years and now resides in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband and pup. She received her Bachelor’s degree with honors in Fine Arts at Oakland University. She has traveled all over the United States performing. Some of her past favorite regional credits include: Regional Premiere FLASHDANCE (Gloria);  INTO THE WOODS (Cinderella); ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE (Rachel); MAN OF LA MANCHA (Antonia);  SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Stephanie)*Winner for Most Impressive Actress in a Lead Role; GODSPELL (Robin); MARVELOUS WONDERETTES (Cindy Lou); Regional Premiere ROCK OF AGES (Constance, u/s Sherrie); CRAZY FOR YOU (Polly); I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE (Woman 1); A FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS; DAUGHTER OF SOCIETY (Herself) *New York SummerFest Winner for Best Vocalist in a New Musical; A WALL APART-Air Supply Musical New York Musical Festival. Amanda was a member of the USO Show Troupe where she has had the honor and privilege to travel all over the world performing for our troops, veterans and their families. You may have seen her on the Rocks stage in their Christmas Show the last two years as well as Judy in A Chorus Line, Annelle in Steel Magnolias and in Cinderella. Proud member of Actors Equity.