TEACHING ARTISTS

ERIK HADDEN

Erik is a Frederick native and former Comedy Pig whose acting experience, though focused on improv, is varied. Overseas, he was a founding member of the improv troupe at the Courtyard Playhouse in Dubai, now an international hub of improv performances and training. He has trained in improv under Impro Theater based in Los Angeles, Patty Stiles and Geoffrey Dolan. He has performed and taught both long and short form and musical improv. He is currently a member of the International Theatresports Institute, a worldwide network of improvisers. He has acted in web commercials, short films (winning Best Acting in Frederick’s 72Fest in 2008), plays and voice-over work for radio & TV commercials. 

 

THOM HUENGER

Thom Huenger is a local educator, performer, and composer of music. Since joining the MET in 2012, he has composed the music for numerous productions including, Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood, Oedipus Rox, and the award winning Young Olympians. Thom has been teaching music since 2009 and has a private lesson studio at the MET. He holds a bachelors and masters in music composition from Shepherd University and Shenandoah Conservatory, respectively. For the last seven years Thom has also run the FUN Camp musical theatre sessions.

 

TAD JANES

Tad holds a BFA in Acting/Directing from West Virginia University, an MA in Arts Administration from Goucher College and a MA in Ensemble Theatre from The University of Kent, Canterbury, UK (spring 2018).  Tad has taught classes and workshops in Chicago and at numerous college and high school theatre festivals. He is the Program Manager for Theatre at Frederick Community College (FCC), has taught at Shepherd University, FCC, and The Ensemble School, directed at both Shepherd and McDaniel College, has adjudicated at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, is the Artistic Director of Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET), and is one of the founders of the MET and The Ensemble School.

 

MATT LEE

Matt Lee has been involved with the Frederick theatre community since childhood, when he started taking classes with the Ensemble School. Since becoming a MET company member, he has taught teen improvisation and scene study since 2012. A graduate of Hood College, where he’s been a guest instructor, Lee has taught improvisation workshops at Frederick Community College, Mount St. Mary’s University, and York College, as well as teaching drama for children in the FCPS FAST program. He is currently MET-X Artistic Director and has worked throughout the area as an actor, director, and writer.

 

SARAH LEEMBRUGGEN

Sarah has been working in children’s theatre for over 20 years as an educator, director and stage manager. Before moving to Frederick, Sarah worked at Imagination Stage in Bethesda as a member of the education team working in house and at MCPS as part of their satellite program. Sarah began teaching at The MET in January of 2017. She was in the summer production of Young Camelot and the Fight for the Holy Grail, with MET X. Sarah is an active member of The British Players a community theatre company that produces British plays and events, her favorite productions being Old Time Music Hall and traditional British pantomimes.

 

LAURA STARK

Laura K Stark has been performing and teaching improv for over 20 years.  She has performed with such companies as New York Improv, Gotham City Improv, Washington Improvisational Theatre and currently the MET’s Comedy Pigs.  She has participated in Improv festivals in NY, Baltimore and in Washington DC.  She has taught children and adults theatre and improv throughout her career; Western Connecticut College, Black Rock Center for the Arts, within Public School systems in Connecticut and Maryland and for the last 5 years at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre.  She has been an invited speaker for Frederick County Public Schools, taught Improv at Mt. St. Mary’s University to their Communication Studies students as well as their Resident Assistants training program and to Senior Citizen Care Givers.  Currently, Laura resides in Frederick County with her husband, dog and three children and is an Ensemble Member with the Maryland Ensemble Theatre. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah University.

 

 

Maryland Ensemble Theatre