TATE ACADEMY
THEATRE AT THE ELLEN
MARY JO LUDIN
ARTISTIC/EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Mary Jo earned her BA in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton. Upon graduation, she joined the Walt Disney Company as a performer and worked throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition to her work on stage, she was also involved behind-the-scenes doing production work and auditioning talent for Disney. Mary Jo is a founding member of the
award-winning Friends and Artists Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles. She has directed multiple productions at The Ellen Theatre including Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, Oliver!, Annie,
A Christmas Carol, and The Sound of Music, and loves sharing her passion for theatre.
CONNOR BERKOMPAS
ACTING & DIRECTING
Connor graduated from The Boston Conservatory's BFA program with a concentration in Directing and Classical Acting. As an actor, he has worked with numerous companies including Opera North, New Repertory Theatre, Musical Theatre West, and the recent Montana TheatreWorks production of Damn Yankees, starring as Joe Hardy. Connor currently works as a freelance director and teaching artist, and is a founding member of Nervous Theatre.
annabella joyVOCAL COACH
Annabella earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from the renowned Boston Conservatory. Her professional work includes performances at American Repertory Theater in Boston, and multiple musicals at Theatre By the Sea in Rhode Island. She is also a founding member of Nervous Theatre, creating and performing works throughout Bozeman and across the country. Annabella studied classical piano, voice, and ballet from the age of three, and enjoys sharing her passion for the arts with the community.
MALIA LUDIN
DANCE & MOVEMENT
Malia is a professional dancer and choreographer. At 17, she moved to New York City to study at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, and received additional training with the Bolshoi Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance. After spending several years dancing professionally in Chicago, Malia is currently spending time in her hometown and sharing her passion for theatre and dance with the community.
Tessa Welsch
ACTING & DIRECTING
Tessa is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in fabulous New York City. She holds a degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in directing, and loves being involved with every aspect of theatre! More information about Tessa coming soon...
Kristin wilcox
ACTING & MOVEMENT
Kristin teaches English and Theatre at Belgrade High School where she enjoys sharing her love of theatre and literature with the youth of our community. She enjoys performing and has appeared on stage in Mame and Dancing at Lughnasa, and at The Ellen Theatre in Oliver!, Once Upon a Mattress, and as Mrs. Cratchit in the recent production of A Christmas Carol. Kristin is overjoyed to join the staff at TATE Academy and looks forward to exploring the art of acting with the students.
MARK KUNTZ - GUEST FACULTY
ACTING & DIRECTING
Mark is a professional actor, director, and filmmaker with many years of experience. He is a veteran of eighteen tours with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks & Schools, including ten tours as a company manager. In addition, Mark has performed with Montana Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theater, Seattle Repertory Theater, The Ellen Theatre, and Bozeman Actor's Theatre. He directed TATE's recent productions of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hamlet, and Much Ado About Nothing.