Teaching Artists

Hartford Children's Theatre is very proud of its diverse and talented Teaching Artists!  We use the term “Teaching Artist” because all of our teachers are highly trained theatre professionals who have ties in multiple artistic communities.  They perform, direct, create and teach because of their passion for theatre and their deeply rooted commitment to working with children.  They come from all over the state (and beyond) to bring their expertise and love of the arts to our students. 

Nick D’Angelo

Nick D’Angelo has a background in technical theatre. Most recently he was production designer and technical director for Miami Stage Company and Miami Children’s Theatre where he designed and constructed sets for such shows as Les Miserables, Cabaret and 42nd Street.

He also was an instructor for Creative Camps theatre camp where he created a technical theatre program for kids interested in the technical aspect of shows. He is very proud to be a part of Hartford Children’s Theatre and is looking forward to new opportunities working with children and introducing them to the wonderful art that is theatre.

Emely Larson

Emely Larson is one of Hartford Children's Theatre's most sought after Teaching Artists! She has taught at our "home base" for many years - working successfully with students of all ages while teaching such classes as Let's Act, Comedy Improv and Teens Making Scenes.

She was our "Teacher of the Summer" this past season for our popular Summer Youtheatre Program! Emely has also been a vital part of our outreach programs - bringing her enthusiasm and expertise to Hartford High and Girls, Inc. at the Salvation Army, just to name a few. Some of her specialty classes include Social Issues Improvisation, Monologue Building and Shakespeare.

She is a highly trained professional, having earned her BFA from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and also works as a professional actress and lead singer for her band "Hardwood." Emely's love of the arts and skill as a teacher make her a wonderful addition to every program she becomes involved in!

Jill Luberto

Jill Luberto has been a teaching artist with Hartford Children's Theatre for the past five years teaching a variety of classes for all ages. She previously directed a production of Anne of Green Gables for the educational department in 2005.

Jill holds a B.F.A in Performing Arts with concentrations in acting, and dramaturgy from Eastern CT State. She also has a year of graduate credit from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in Youth Theatre.

As a performer Jill has had the privilege of performing Off-Broadway twice, as well as at the Greensboro Fringe Festival, as an American College Theatre Festival competitor, and as a participant in the Eugene O'Neill Puppetry Conference working along side members of the Jim Henson Company.

Jill serves as a member of the Windham Theatre Guild play-reading committee, is founder of the Fantastic Forum- a community playwriting group, and is a proud member of the CT Rollergirls Derby League serving on their board of directors.

When not running around puppteering, acting, improving, writing, mask making, directing and telling ghost stories, Jill leads a quiet life as a special education reading teacher for Windham High School in Willimantic, CT

Suzanne Sayers

Suzanne Sayers is an actor, storyteller, artist and educator. She received her Master’s degree in Education from the Creative Arts in Learning program at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Suzanne is a Master Teaching and Performing artist through the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism. In addtion to working at Hartford Children's Theatre, Suzanne works with Hartford Stage through their Education department and  also as a Teaching Artist throughout schools in CT, and performs "Drama Around the World" her multicultural storyelling performance.  Suzanne is also a certified Master Gardener and works as a Garden Consultant and Designer.