Dana Cretsinger

MUSICAL THEATRE DIRECTOR, VOICE

Eric Domuret

Theatre Director, Shakespeare, Stage Combat

Eric Domuret is the Associate Professor of Drama at the University of St. Thomas, the founder and Artistic Director of Apprentice Productions Theatre, as well as an award winning Director and Playwright.  He received his MFA in Theatre Directing at Middlesex University in London where he studied with Dame Janet Suzman, Royal Shakespeare Company director Leon Rubin, and the late National Theatre scholar John Russell Brown. In 2019 Eric won Best Musical and Best Direction for the Houston Tommy Tune Awards. He is a director and workshop leader both in the United States and abroad. Eric is an accomplished playwright whose works include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lord of the World, Ismay's Inquiry as well as a number of short one act plays. Eric was a speaker and workshop leader at the IUGTE conference in Carrara, Italy where he conducted his workshop on Greek Theatre Performance techniques. This culminated into a performance of Euripides' Ion in Houston at The University of St. Thomas. In London, Eric's adaptation of Ismay's Inquiry, was performed in conjunction with London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as well as a short adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s Child’s Talk. He was the fight director for four seasons with the Trinity Shakespeare Festival in Fort Worth, and served as a workshop leader for Texas Christian University. Eric is also an accomplished performer having won the Best Actor Broadway World award for his portrayal of Dan in Next to Normal. Acting Credits include: Jinx Forever Plaid, Jean Valjean Les Miserables, Barrett Titanic: the Musical, Professor Baher Little Women the Musical Paul Sycamore You Can’t Take it with You, Father Flynn Doubt. Having begun his career in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park, Eric has been seen in numerous productions in DFW, Houston, New York, and multiple city US tours.  Directing credits include Forever Plaid, Hamlet, Henry V, Big River, The Woman in Black, Romeo and Juliet, The Crucible, The Miracle Worker, Bright Star, Little Women: the Musical.  He directed his own award winning world premier adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice which has since been produced globally and licenced by Heartland Plays, Inc.  

In addition to being Chair and Associate Professor of Drama at The University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, Eric has developed curriculum and helped to spearhead the BFA in Theatre Education Degree. He specializes in Directing and collaborating on new works with students. His TEDx Talk from the University on progress in theatre can be linked from his website. Eric is also an Entrepreneurial Artist collaborating with his wife and servicing the Houston area with independent projects, business start-ups, and workshops. More information about Eric can be seen on his website at www.domuret.com .

Dana Lewis

Choreographer

Dana Lewis came to Spark during Hello Dolly and we fell in love with her! Dana was the Resident Choreographer for Stages St. Louis for 15 years, where she choreographed over 40 productions. She was on the dance faculty for Webster University where she taught jazz and musical theater styles. Additionally, Dana has taught numerous master classes around the country. Dana is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Dana attended Florida State University and has a degree in Dance.

Deborah Chumley

Theatre director

Deborah was born and raised in Colorado and began performing at a very young age. She continued nurturing her love of performing at Hastings College in Nebraska, where she received a BA in theatre with an emphasis on acting, music, and directing and continued her post graduate work at Colorado Christian University in English Literature. Deborah has taught and directed for various theatre groups in Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas including SHINE Performing Arts, Young Actors Academy, Cabaret Theatre, Hastings Community Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, and Trinity Lutheran, as well as serving as the Children’s Academy Director for Stageworks Theatre and Artistic Director for the Rotunda Children’s Theatre and Theatre Arts Academy Director for the A.D. Players. Her favorite shows she’s directed include: Into the Woods, Annie, The Drowsy Chaperone, Alice in Wonderland, Disney’s Frozen Jr., Aladdin Jr. and The Little Mermaid, Elf Jr., We Will Rock You, A Wrinkle in Time, Heathers, Willy Wonka Jr. and Footloose. When she is not teaching or directing, Deborah is busy running her photography business, Echo Creative Photography, and being a wife to her amazing husband, Scott, and mom to her three awesome kids, Hannah, Ethan, and Hunter. Deborah loves teaching and working with kids and teens and believes that theatre should inspire and well as entertain. She has a strong desire to help kids express themselves as individuals in a creative and safe environment and strives to help students reach their full potential, no matter their age or experience.

Katie Macaluso

Dance, Theatre director, Art

Raised in a performing arts household in Houston, Katie was trained in piano, voice, acting, visual art, and dance as a child. Though she was first an on-camera actress, she discovered a love for musical theater by age 9 and began performing on stage. She attended HSPVA for dance, then was invited to be a Director/Choreographer's assistant at HITS in 2000. She taught acting and dance at Main Street Theater, expanding their outreach program to at risk youth in 2001 before pursuing a career in mental health. Katie worked for both the Arizona Department of Behavioral Health Services and the Regional Behavioral Health Authority during which time she piloted programming for at risk youth. In reprieve from her clinical work, she developed performing arts programs for at risk youth within the Quality Care Network as well as for other non-profit performing arts agencies. While still in Phoenix, she taught on-camera acting for Elizabeth Savage Talent, musical theater for Desert Foothills Community Theater, and was the resident Theater/Dance Teacher for Bella Vista Private School. Returning home, Katie resumed teaching while acting as the Senior Associate Director and Choreographer of Aeon Theatrix. She has since taught at Wildfish Theater, Main Street Theater, and The Shlenker School, among other places, and has been a guest teacher at TUTS and Houston Ballet. Katie now feels honored to be counted among the talented teachers at Spark and is excited to be sharing a passion for the arts with such truly amazing kids.

Estus Stephens

Theatre director

Estus Stephens has been acting and performing most of his life. Beginning in Oklahoma as a child actor, Estus made appearances in films like the Christian indie movie “Rebirth” and commercials (Taco Mayo, Steinmart). Estus made the switch to the stage eleven years ago after relocating to Houston with his family. His professional stage credits include “A Christmas Story”, “James & The Giant Peach”, and “Scrooge” at TUTS, and “The Nerd” at Texas Repertory Theatre, “Whistle down The Wind” at Queensbury, as well as numerous other stage credits locally. Estus had the honor to workshop a new Broadway musical “The Book Thief” as part of an all star cast including Will Swenson, Rob Rokicki, and Michael Park among other tremendous talents. He has studied performing arts in Houston and NYC and is currently a student LSC and University of Houston studying theatre and education. Estus’s first love is acting and directing, receiving awards for both at the Junior Theatre Festival in 2019/2020. He is thrilled to be working as a Director at Spark where he grew up doing shows and learning from the best and hopes to help inspire the next generation of actors.

Victoria Scarmardi

Dance

Victoria Scarmardi is a Houston native, bilingual, jack of all trades with ten years of teaching experience both recreationally and competitively. She has taught introductory to advanced levels of tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, gymnastics and musical theatre. Her passion for dance and theatre really shines during her classes as she believes hard work and fun go hand in hand. From tiny tots to teenagers, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to work with Miss Victoria.