MEET THE THEATRE RALEIGH ACT TEAM
Amanda Blaire Thompson
Creative Director
Resident Director
Blaire is a native of Raleigh who was in Music Education before starting Raleigh ACT in 2012 with just two classes. She grew up performing in musical and drama productions, school, church, and local community theaters.
Blaire is grateful that she gets to perform regularly with local professional theatres, North Carolina Theatre and Theatre Raleigh.
She also continues her professional development with voice lessons, vocal pedagogy classes, and acting and directing workshops.
Blaire is thrilled that Raleigh ACT recently celebrated 13 years and is now Theatre Raleigh ACT! It has been an honor to pour her heart and soul into its development. Teaching students and watching them grow in technique and confidence is Blaire's ultimate passion.
Blaire is grateful to the amazing families of TRACT who have made this theatre like a family. She is also grateful to her favorite people - Bryn, Luke, and Mom for always supporting her!
Lauren Tompkins
Assistant Creative Director
Resident Music Director
Lauren Tompkins is a singer, actor, voice teacher, music director, audition coach, and accompanist. Her first time working with Theatre Raleigh ACT was accompanying a summer masterclass camp in 2015 and she has been with us through camps, classes, workshops, Voices on Broadway, and JTF ever since.
Lauren strives for musical excellence but, above all, loves watching our students build confidence in their musical abilities and in themselves.
Hailing from the Midwest, Lauren received her BM in Voice Performance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her MA in Voice Performance from the University of Iowa.
Since moving to the Triangle, she has performed on stage with many area theatres and opera companies, and enjoys being able to share her experiences as a performer and educator with all her students.
Tim Malboeuf
Assistant Creative Director
Director, Resident Choreographer
Tim is a professional actor, director, choreographer and educator based in Raleigh, NC. Tim earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College in 2019, where he honed his craft while performing across the East Coast. After graduating, he further advanced his professional career in New York City, gaining valuable performance experience and continuing his education. Over the years, Tim has expanded his expertise into choreography and direction, earning nominations and awards for his work. He is deeply committed to theatre and athletic education, specializing in a wide range of disciplines including dance technique, acting, vocal technique, audition coaching, college audition preparation, professional orientation, and tumbling/gymnastics. With a versatile skill set and a dedication to fostering artistic growth, Tim is passionate about inspiring and educating the next generation of young professionals!
Amanda Rae Melody
Head of Rising Stars and Homeschool Programs
Director
Amanda Rae Melody (Director) Amanda grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and she has always loved the stage! She spent much of her childhood performing in children’s musical theater in both touring companies as well as local community theater. She has toured nationally and internationally with multiple choral and musical theater companies. She has taught, written, choreographed, and directed for schools, churches, and theaters. She even met her husband in a community theater! Theatre Raleigh ACT has been a place where she can combine her passion for musical theater with her passion for loving and encouraging children to grow and learn. There is nothing more rewarding than watching them find a place where they truly belong. When Amanda isn’t at Theatre Raleigh ACT, she loves homeschooling her three amazing, talented kids, painting and creating art.
Bridget Soberanes
Director
Bridget Soberanes grew up in Niagara Falls, NY, where her journey in the arts began. In 2009, she moved to the Triangle area and has since worked as a developmental therapist, youth mentor, theater director, and Creative Arts Director specializing in the field of special education. Some of her favorite directorial credits include Junie B. Jones Jr., Seussical the Musical, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Space Pirates, A Seussified Christmas Carol, and Mean Girls Jr., to name just a few. A theater enthusiast to the core, Bridget loves to act, sing, dance, and direct. She has been involved in theatrical productions since childhood, where she discovered her spark and dream to make the arts accessible to people of all abilities, ensuring they feel loved, seen, and heard. With 20 years of experience, Bridget is dedicated to empowering everyone through the arts. She and her business partner are currently working on an innovative project aimed at making their dream of accessible arts a reality. Bridget inspires everyone with her mantra: “They are kind. They are unique. They are creative. They are able.” She firmly believes that every individual deserves to experience the joy and fulfillment that the arts bring.
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Kelsey Walston
Choreographer
Kelsey walston is an accomplished musical theatre artist with nearly a decade of professional experience. Based in New York City during much of that time, she honed her craft at some of the most prestigious dance and acting studios from the same teachers who consistently mold performers for Broadway and beyond.
Kelsey has traveled throughout the country, working with renowned theatre companies (NCT, Theatre Raleigh, The Hollywood Bowl, Riverside Theater, The Palace, Westchester Broadway Theater, and many others) to collaborate with incredible actors, creatives, and artists who bring a wealth of expertise in various dance styles as well as musical theatre performance.
Kelsey is thrilled to be back in her hometown, helping shape the next group of passionate actors from the Triangle. Kelsey developed her love of Musical Theatre Performance at the North Carolina Conservatory and could not be more thrilled be working with Raleigh ACT to share her love of performance with the next generation. A huge thank you to Blair for creating a space where it’s possible to foster creativity and confidence in young dancers, where it’s possible to inspire and empower students through engaging classes that emphasize technique, expression, and teamwork.
Paula Bass
Assistant Director
Paula has been a staple of Theatre Raleigh ACT for almost its entire existence. She previously owned her own dance theatre and she ran the drama team of 2 different churches. Paula grew up around theatre and performing - her grandad was a country singer and her cousin is the original Cowboy from The Village People! A proud graduate of Enloe High School, Paula has lived in Raleigh her entire life, raising her children and now enjoying quality time with her grandchildren and beloved dog, Ellie.
Gail Stephenson
Business Administrator
With over 35 years in administration, business ownership and event planning, Gail comes to Theatre Raleigh ACT with the experience needed to make sure that parents and students are informed and everything is organized for a smooth operation. She is the oldest of six children, grew up in Cary and is the mother of three and grandmother to seven. Gail has a genuine love for children of all ages. As Blaire’s Mom, she also has a vested interest in the success of Theatre Raleigh ACT!
Amy Harvey
Accountant
Amy owns Harvey Bookkeeping Services and has been with us since 2021. She has taken the burden of managing the accounting so that Blaire can concentrate on the creative side of Raleigh ACT. Amy has a daughter that was also one of our students.
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Rebecca Marlowe
Choreographer
Rebecca Marlowe is so excited to be a part of the Theatre Raleigh ACT family!
Rebecca graduated from Wagner College summa cum laude majoring in Theatre. National Tours: Billy Elliot: the Musical (Swing/Tracy Atkinson) Other Credits: Anything Goes (Mrs. Harcourt/Dance Captain), Small Town Story (Gwen), Dance Project 2018/2019 (Dancer/Dance Captain), A Little Night Music (Frederika), A Chorus Line (Maggie) Pirates of Penzance (Isabel).
Rebecca has worked with ITheatrics for over 15 years continues to work with MTI/iTheatrics on their choreography videos and the workshops of new junior shows.
Jenika Cool
Instructor
Jenika Cool attends UNC Chapel Hill and is a dramatic art major with an education minor. She grew up performing in Raleigh ACT’s productions, and began interning for the younger classes when she was a freshman in high school. She had her directorial debut in the spring of 2024 with Jump Up’s James and the Giant Peach Jr., and most recently choreographed Track 1 of Giants in the Sky for Track Out Camp. Jenika is forever grateful to Raleigh ACT for giving her a place to be herself and do what she loves, and is thrilled to provide that experience to others.
Lanif Azcona
Stage Manager & Camp Instructor
Lanif Azcona is a singer-songwriter and producer who graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting and Minor in Recording Production and Engineering. Since 2022, Lanif has been a part of the Theatre Raleigh ACT family, juggling roles as a stage manager, production team member, and social media guru - all while bringing energy and creativity to summer camps. Whether behind the scenes or shaping the spotlight, Lanif thrives on crafting unforgettable experiences.
Jenika Cool
Instructor
Jenika Cool attends UNC Chapel Hill and is a dramatic art major with an education minor. She grew up performing in Raleigh ACT’s productions, and began interning for the younger classes when she was a freshman in high school. She had her directorial debut in the spring of 2024 with Jump Up’s James and the Giant Peach Jr., and most recently choreographed Track 1 of Giants in the Sky for Track Out Camp. Jenika is forever grateful to Raleigh ACT for giving her a place to be herself and do what she loves, and is thrilled to provide that experience to others.
Lanif Azcona
Stage Manager & Camp Instructor
Lanif Azcona is a singer-songwriter and producer who graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting and Minor in Recording Production and Engineering. Since 2022, Lanif has been a part of the Theatre Raleigh ACT family, juggling roles as a stage manager, production team member, and social media guru - all while bringing energy and creativity to summer camps. Whether behind the scenes or shaping the spotlight, Lanif thrives on crafting unforgettable experiences.
David Henderson
Advanced Acting Instructor
David Henderson is the founder and co-artistic director of Honest Pint Theatre Company. Most recently he appeared as James T in the Theatre Raleigh production of BARBECUE. Other recent roles are Joey in A STEADY RAIN, Richard in RICHARD III, Thurston in GREATER TUNA, Leontes in A WINTER’S TALE and Salter in A NUMBER. Favorite roles include Charlotte in I AM MY OWN WIFE, Tracy in THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, Lombardi in LOMBARDI, Hamlet in HAMLET, Sweeney in SWEENEY TODD, Chuck in THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, Ulysses in ANNAPURNA, Joey in A STEADY RAIN, Fr. Laurence in ROMEO AND JULIET, Iago in OTHELLO, Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, John Adams in 1776, Bobby in COMPANY, and Henry in HENRY V. For the past 11 years he has served as the acting coach for DPAC Rising Stars and for the past 31 years, he has played Jacob Marley in TIP’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. Thanks to all of you that support the arts! Drink Deep!
Cristina
Duchesne-Rivera
Technique Instructor
Cristina can be seen in Ordinary Things by Living Word Studios and Office Joe by Diesel Jack Media. As an instructor, she shares her passion for film and musical theatre. Performing in Regional Theater productions such as The Prom (Theatre Raleigh), Native Gardens (PlayMakers Repertory Company), On Your Feet! (North Carolina Theatre), and Man of La Mancha (Triad Stage). Having earned a degree in UNC Greensboro’s B.F.A. intensive Acting Program, she has furthered her training on-camera and stage growing in methods such as Stanislavsky, Linklater Technique, Meisner & Uta Hagen. With a lot to offer, she has been teaching at Theatre Raleigh ACT for 3 years and hopes to stir the creative desires of many more students.
Ellary Hileman
Stage Manager
Ellary Hileman is the Stage Manager for the Jump Start and Jump Up classes as well as Performance Company. Ellary has been with Raleigh ACT for eight years, debuting as Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical KIDS. A senior at Leesville Road High School, this Fall Ellary will be attending Shenandoah University to pursue a BFA in Stage Management.