from Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She earned her first Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2017, Kimberly completed her second Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Professionally, Kimberly has worked as an educator at 3 major institutions of higher education, as a professional fundraiser for the arts and in medical sales, including pharmaceuticals for Johnson & Johnson. While in medical sales, Kimberly was an award-winning consultant on the local and regional level. She has extensive experience working in challenging areas and bringing them to success.

In the community of Tucson, she is a past board member for the YWCA and Ronald McDonald House and Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona. While serving on the boards, she has used her voice to raise over $400,000. Kimberly is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.Inc. Kimberly was selected and has served as a Lead Facilitator for LeaderShape – a National Leadership Institute that focuses on leading with integrity. In 2005, Kimberly was given the Young Alumni Merit Award for the College of Liberal Arts from Southeast Missouri State. This award is given to distinguished alumni who have shown distinction and service in their field and community.

Kimberly has a passion for creating and presenting workshops in the area of women, self-value, leadership and friendship. She has presented at local, regional and national conferences and has served as keynote speaker for several organizations.

Her personal philosophy is –To whom much is given, much is required.

... getting to be onstage with the cast of 42nd Street for the Gypsy of the Year Awards at the Palace Theatre. Favorite roles include Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls-Colorado), Valencienne (The Merry Widow—UA Opera) and La Fee/Fairy (Cendrillon—UA Opera). She has always loved the Titanic story and is humbled to be a part of the retelling with AE. She wishes to thank her husband and children for their support and love, and AE for all their amazing productions and programs! She has a Bachelor of Music degree from UA and studied with Professors Hirst, Roe and Swensen, and with Hilda Hirst at the Manhattan School.

... having been a medical software upgrade coordinator, a real estate transaction manager, and the Programs and Volunteer Coordinator at the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA). Her first career aspiration as a child was to be Dorothy Gale so becoming part of the Arts Express family felt like the culmination of a journey. She loves getting onstage in AET productions, typically performing in three to four productions per season and sometimes getting to use some of her performance specialties including clog dancing, Irish dance, and puppetry. Her artistic passions include choreographing and teaching clog dancing and musical theatre routines, directing two clogging exhibition troupes, and costuming. She is thrilled to help support musical theater in Tucson, and grateful to have the opportunity to be both onstage and behind the scenes at Arts Express Theatre.

It's no wonder since she lends a hand to so many areas of theatre operation, from set building and costume construction to house managing, backstage crew and more!  She started building at age 4 with her dad (ask her about building her own loft bed) and later started sewing clothes for dolls.  Her college years were focused in Interior Design and a chapter of her career was in wedding planning.  FAMILY is a big part of what Ami is all about: it is what brought her to Tucson, it was the link to her work at Arts Express Theatre AND working alongside her daughter, Destiny (AET's Resident Make-Up Designer) and mother, Kandy (Head Volunteer-Concessions) is what keeps her days bright! She thanks her AET family for all their love and support.

Paolo grew up working on cars and building all sorts of things in the hot sun. He has a passion for figuring out how things work which led him into the trades from a young age. Much of that time included working as a handyman with a knack for hands-on problem-solving.  This led to professional work in auto shops, concrete, carpentry, and lock smithing. Meanwhile, Paolo discovered his artistic side in music and composition.  Now, he is furthering his creativity and technical expertise in the areas of set construction and sound design.  Paolo is over the moon to be working at AET, combining his trades experience with a love for the arts!

Diana brings her many years in theater, talent for organization and passion for mentorship to her new position at Arts Express Theatre as Director of Production. Recently the Stage Manager for Grease at Arts Express Theatre, she is also currently the Production Stage Manager for Ballet Rincon. She continues her freelance light and sound work, speaking engagements and technical theater consultation. She will always be grateful to have spent many wonderful years as the Production Stage Manager at Invisible Theatre. Favorite past productions in technical direction, stage management and design include GREASE, MEAN GIRLS, THE NUTCRACKER BALLET, THE BOOKSTORE, LAST FIVE YEARS, GODSPELL, TRUMBO, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, LET FREEDOM SING, and SWAN LAKE. She is now looking forward to all that is to come with her new theater home, and is forever thankful to all who have contributed in so many ways with their love and support over the years.

... with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management and an MA in Theatre Studies with an emphasis in Directing.  A long time Southern Arizona resident, he has a passion for the performing arts and the positive impact that it can have on our community.  He currently lives in Oro Valley with his wife and young son, and works hard to support a number of organizations around town.  He serves as the Executive Director of the Tucson Pops Orchestra and the Director of Special Projects for the FOX Tucson Theatre.  As a member of the Emerging Leaders Council through the Tucson Metro Chamber, he’s developed a deep-rooted love and connection with our region.  With Arts Express, he looks forward to continuing to strengthen the organization’s commitment to education and the performing arts for everyone in our community.

He has performed and directed at regional and stock theaters throughout the U.S., appeared in Off Broadway productions, and made his Broadway debut in the original GREASE. He went on to direct two national tours of the hit musical featuring performers: Frankie Avalon, Bowser from ShaNaNa, and Charo. He also directed 4 regional productions including a production at The St. Louis Municipal Opera featuring 75 local teenagers. His other Broadway credits include CITY OF ANGELS and the revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. He performed for U.S. Presidents 4 times, performed in Central America and Mexico for the United States State Department, at The Edinburgh Theater Festival and at The I LOVE NEW YORK Celebration in Amsterdam. His television appearances range from THE COSBY SHOW and THE SOPRANOS to THE GOOD FIGHT, EVIL, and NEW AMSTERDAM, including 9 LAW AND ORDER appearances. He is most proud of his work as FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of the first theater workshop for the disabled-the NTWH for which he received The Timmy Award.

His career has taken him all across the country where he's been involved in virtually every kind of theatre from educational to professional (and everything in between). Now residing in Tucson, he hopes to bring his years of experience to the directors chair once again. Some of his past directorial credits include, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Big River, The Secret Garden, The Boys Next Door and AACT award winning--Forever Plaid.

Later, she became the drama teacher at Salpointe Catholic High School; passing her experience in stagecraft to the next generation, directing many popular and critically acclaimed productions along the way. She accrued numerous personal accolades, including Southern Arizona Drama Teacher of the Year in 2012, the National High School Musical Theater Awards Southern Arizona Best Director and Best Show in 2014, and Best Show in 2016. Working with Arts Express, she hopes to move to another stage in her career: broadening her outreach to the larger community, with productions that build bridges, foster empathy, and perhaps create a little magic.

A member of Actor’s Equity Mr Nugent has performed in the National Tours of Cat’s, Grease and Godspell and has played regionally in Forever Plaid,Oklahoma, Anything Goes, 42nd St to name a few. He has starred as Bobby Child In Crazy For you at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Playhouse,George M at the Grandbury Opera House in TX and Bill Snibson in Richmond VA’s The Mill Theater.
He currently resides here in Tucson and is an adjunct Instructor at Pima College Fine Arts Dept teaching Movement and Dance for actors.
Most recently his work was seen in the award winning Cabaret this past Fall at PCC. His next project is directing The Addams Family this Summer at the QJTT in New York’s The Hampton’s.

 romantic leads to evil assassins and everything in between. A theatre major originally from Ohio, he has worked with a variety of theatres throughout the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Favorite roles include "Chris" in "Miss Saigon", "Stone" in "City of Angels", "Leo Bloom" in "The Producers", and his most recent role of "Sir Robin" in "Monty Python's Spamalot". When not on stage, Michael works in the tech industry and loves gaming, hiking, and traveling.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wyoming in Theatre & Dance and continued his education in the United Kingdom, earning his Masters of Performance in Musical Theatre from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and received an MFA in directing form the University of Idaho. Chris Will loves teaching and is a theater professor at Pima Community College. He starred as Neville in the Arts Express production of A Secret Garden and is the resident director for the company's Monte Awards program.

Matt is a previous High School Drama Teacher currently located in Tucson, AZ and is the Resident Intimacy Director & Consultant for Arts Express Theatre. He has been noted as a “trailblazer” for his work in education and has worked at East West Players, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and was a guest artist at the Ottawa School of Theatre. He currently is a Teaching Artist and Curriculum Developer for Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) while studying for his PhD in Higher Education emphasizing in “Theatre for Social Change” at the University of Arizona where he is also the Recruiter for the College of Fine Arts. Matt also co-founded Consent Creatives of Arizona which works towards safety, consent, and healing for rehearsal rooms and the community all across Arizona. Matt has served as a Grant Committee Member for the National Endowment for the Arts and is also the recipient of The Field NYC’s Fiscal Sponsorship for Social Justice Practitioners.

She is excited to be returning to Arts Express, where she served as Resident Costume Designer for seven years. She recently received her MFA in Costume Design from Purdue University, where she designed several shows, including Bright Star, El Mito: Or the Myth of My Pain, and Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play. She also recently worked at American Players Theatre as an Assistant Designer for their 2023 and 2024 seasons. She is especially passionate about research and combining dramaturgy with costume design.

was seen on Broadway in the original company of "The Prom," and has completed 6 seasons as a Radio City Rockette. Some of her other favorite performing credits include, "Cabaret" at the Goodspeed Theater, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” on NBC, The Today Show, SNL, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Mariah Carey LIVE at MSG, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and was a company member with the Sarasota Ballet. She has also been cast in multiple Broadway Developmental Labs and Workshops getting to work with Tony winning choreographers like Susan Stroman, Christopher Gattelli and Casey Nicholaw. She received her training from University of NC School of the Arts where she graduated high-school with a ballet concentration. She then continued to dance professionally with the Sarasota Ballet before starting her career in New York City. Shelby choreographed "A Chorus Line" here at Arts Express back in 2021.

music theory at Pima College and directing the Pima College Orchestra. Musical experiences include leading choirs, bands, and orchestras for TUSD, Desert Christian High School, and Sahuarita Public Schools, and playing piano for Gaslight Theatre and Tucson Boys Chorus. Anne has served as music director for four local churches. She has earned three degrees from the University of Arizona, including the Bachelor’s in Piano Performance and Music Education, and the Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Choral Conducting. Anne and her husband Jonathan have four grown children and enjoy outdoor activities and home improvement projects.

She recently retired from over 27 years as Music Director/Pianist at the Gaslight Theatre where she performed in thousands of shows in over 130 productions. Since 2001, Linda has been Music Director at Unity of Tucson.

she spent 30 years in Tucson (working at the University of Arizona - ART, the Arizona Theatre Company (“Emma”, “Xanadu”, “The Music Man” and music directing many productions for SOS – their summer youth theatre program), Arizona Onstage Productions and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, among others) before moving to Phoenix 5 years ago. While in Phoenix, she performed with Arizona Broadway Theatre, Phoenix Theatre and other area theatre companies, as well as music directing productions at the Hale Theatre, Desert Stages Theatre and the Black Theatre Troupe. She has played for the National Tours of “Wicked”, “West Side Story”, “Legally Blonde”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Annie”, “Beautiful”, “An American In Paris” and “The Little Mermaid”. She is very excited to be returning to the Tucson theatre community.

As a singer, Susan’s appearances in over 40 opera, operetta, musical theater and orchestral works across the US have garnered both critical acclaim and popular appeal for her warm, lovely voice, effortless singing and immediate believability. Favorite roles include Violeta in La Traviata, Mim in La Boheme , Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Lady Shayne in Noel Coward’s Bittersweet, and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. One highlight among many was her appearance as a part of San Francisco Opera’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations. She brings this extensive experience to her voice studio, imparting solid vocal technique, dramatic ability, languages, and musical skills. Susan works with students of all levels. Locally, Susan directed the successful Opera on the Streetcar for the Opera Guild of Southern Arizona, including a popular first time flash mob opera chorus on Tucson’s Streetcar. She has written, produced, and directed several children’s shows. She also produced ‘Sounds of hope, a benefit concert boasting over 140 musicians from The University of Arizona, Tucson Boys Chorus, members of the Tucson Symphony and chorus which benefited Habitat for Humanity‘s work in Sri Lanka after the tsunami of 2004.

Bio Coming Soon!

Simone began dancing at the age of 7, she continued training over the years with workshops and conventions across the country with high-end choreographers - Savion Glover, Mandy Moore, Paula Abdul, JT Hornstein, Denise Leitner and many others. Currently Simone is in her 13th year at Salpointe Catholic High School and 5th year choreographing for Arts Express. Simone’s professional achievements include work with Salpointe Pomline, Dance Force-1 Productions, Gaslight Theater and Danswest Productions and the 2001, 2005 and 2009 Link Cotillions. She thanks her husband Scot, children Lincoln and Maxine and her mother, for their support and love.

A member of Actor’s Equity Mr Nugent has performed in the National Tours of Cat’s, Grease and Godspell and has played regionally in Forever Plaid,Oklahoma, Anything Goes, 42nd St to name a few. He has starred as Bobby Child In Crazy For you at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Playhouse,George M at the Grandbury Opera House in TX and Bill Snibson in Richmond VA’s The Mill Theater.
He currently resides here in Tucson and is an adjunct Instructor at Pima College Fine Arts Dept teaching Movement and Dance for actors.
Most recently his work was seen in the award winning Cabaret this past Fall at PCC. His next project will be directing Into The Woods this coming Summer at the QJTT in New York’s The Hampton’s.

She was also the show’s Dance Queen. From the age of 8 when she starred as Dorothy in her 3rd grade production of “The Wizard of Oz,” Robin was sure she wanted to be an actress and singer. Growing up she took advantage of living close to Broadway and saw many shows on the Great White Way. After “Grease” closed she went on to choreograph many national and regional companies of the show, staying true to Pat Birch’s vision of the 50’s. Robin went on to do a cabaret act, regional and summer stock shows, commercials, voice-overs and industrials. Robin changed in careers in the 90’s however she never lost her love of performing.

She was also seen on Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE on NBC and has been cast in multiple Broadway Developmental Labs and Workshops getting to work with Tony winning choreographers like Susan Stroman, Christopher Gattelli and Casey Nicholaw. She received her training from University of NC School of the Arts where she graduated high-school with a ballet concentration. She then continued to dance professionally with the Sarasota Ballet before starting her career in New York City.

Bio Coming Soon!

By day, Mike teaches Computer Science and Theatre at the Academy of Tucson High School; by evening, Mike continues to stay involved with various theaters around town including Winding Road, Unscrewed Theater and Old Pueblo Playwrights. As always, he wishes to thank his family for their unconditional love and support.

She is also the Production Stage Manager for Ballet Rincon and has just completed her latest freelance project, the musical Mean Girls, as Production Stage Manager. Past positions include Technical Director and freelance light and sound designs. Additional examples of freelance work includes the stage management of and calling of multi-media theatrical productions, ballet and other dance genres, musicals, and stage plays as well as the light design for the premier of a new production, and running rails. Diana is also an independent technical theater consultant for venues.

 was with "Crazy for You" at Pima Community College. She has had a few roles on stage but loves the role of being behind the scenes. She earned her BFA in Theatre Education from the University of Arizona and followed her passion for working with high school students for over a decade (mostly at Tanque Verde High School). She has directed over 40 productions, including the first musical at TVHS, earning the "Up and Coming" award from Arts Express. Debbie has thoroughly enjoyed her first experience here and being part of the theatre community again.