Who's Who at MPAC
The active learning environment at MPAC is made possible by the outstanding performing arts faculty members that serve both the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools (ANC) and Bryn Athyn College (BAC).
Naomi Haus-Roth; MPAC, BAC, ANC
B.F.A., M.S.T. Rochester Institute of Technology
Mitchell Performing Arts Center Director
Naomi Haus-Roth has been the Director of the Mitchell Performing Arts Center since 2001 where she has designed sets for The King and I, Wit, A Christmas Carol, and Anne of Green Gables, among others.
She teaches Scene Design and Production for the Bryn Athyn College and is the Advisor for the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools Theatre Club.
Her regional theatre credits include over a hundred productions, many as a Prop Master/Artisan at the McCarter (Princeton, NJ), Goodman and Northlight Theater companies (Chicago). Her artisan credits also include stints in Chicago at the Steppenwolf, Royal George, Shakespeare Repertory and Court Theatres; and Broadway projects include The Roundabout and Walter Kerr Theatres.
Kaia L. Merrell; MPAC, BAC, ANC
B.A., DeSales University
MPAC Assistant Director
This is Kaia's first year as Assistant Director at Mitchell Performing Arts Center; however, she spent last year designing several productions and dance concerts for both the high school and college.
Kaia received a BA in technical theater from DeSales University with a concentration in lighting design. Most recently she has worked as the Tent Master Electrician at Barrington Stage Company, as well as the Resident Assistant Lighting Designer at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and is a current member on their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Her visual portfolio is available to view here.
Jessica Bostock; BAC
B.A., Ashford University; M.A., Arcadia University
BAC Performing Arts Head, Dance Ensemble Director, Dance Instructor, Theatre Director & Choreographer
Jessica is an award-winning choreographer who has taught and choreographed many styles of classical and contemporary dance, both privately and academically, for two decades. Jessica danced professionally in the Philadelphia area for a number of years with Bina Kachine, Dance! and was the owner and artistic director of In Motion Dance Studio. She has choreographed and directed numerous shows for high school, college, and professional theatre productions, at such places as Bucks County Playhouse, Steel River Playhouse, LaSalle University, and T4Y Playmakers. She was recently made the Director of Children’s Theatre Programming for The Resident Theatre Company of West Chester, PA. She is currently on the faculty of Bryn Athyn College as both an assistant professor of dance and theatre and the head of the performing arts program.
Baird Kistner; ANC
B.A., University of Richmond; M.A., Villanova
ANC Freshman and Junior Boys English, Fall Drama Director
Mr. Kistner received a Bachelor of Arts with dual major in Theatre and Classical Civilizations from University of Richmond in 2002. He received a Master of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in script writing from Villanova University 2006. Since then, he has worked in both academic and professional theatre.
Interesting facts about Mr. Kistner:
- In over 50 different productions there are only two positions I have never held: Make-up and costume dresser.
- Started as a Economics major in 1998; did not begin pursuing theatre as a major until Fall of 2000.
- Paid for 95% of Master's program by working as graduate assistant in Vasey set shop at Villanova University from 2004-2006.
- Originator of the "Scotsman" intermission tradition begun in 1996.
- Co-writer and one of the three original founders of ANC's Better Announcement Coalition.
Chris Waelchli; ANC
B.Mus., Catholic University
Fundamentals of Art, Choral Music, Performing Arts Portfolio, Stagecraft, Music and Technical Theater Director
Sarah Gladish; ANC
B.A., Brandeis University; M.Ed., Holy Family University
ANC Dance Instructor, Dance Ensemble Director and Choreographer
Ms. Gladish is trained in many styles of dance including ballet, modern, hip-hop, and jazz. Her dance and theater experience includes such varied performances as the Crucible, One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest, Camelot, and the Nutcracker. As a student, she also toured with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.
She has taught at public and private schools in downtown Philadelphia and in the surrounding area. At ANC she runs the dance program, teaches Performing Arts Portfolio, and choreographs for the Spring Musical.