Joe has been developing arts-based youth programs for over 10 years. He was leading an otherwise ordinary life until he went to the theater one night and saw a play that changed his life forever. He made it his mission to make the kinds of plays that would change the lives of others, particularly young people. He wrote and directed his first children’s show, Mustache the Musical and has been hooked ever since. In collaboration with the Chain Theatre’s leadership team, Joe oversees the Chain Links program and spearheads the Story Lab curriculum. When he’s not doing that, he’s writing surreal satires, dreamy dramedies, and symphonic space operas.

Caroline is an actress, writer, and singer. For years, she’s taught voice lessons to students of all ages. Passionate about improv comedy, she’s studied at Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She played a lead in the feature thriller Mermaid Down, and appears in Amy Poehler’s upcoming Amazon series Harlem. She had rave reviews as the lead in the Off-Off Broadway comedy A My Name Is Allison at The Tank NYC in Manhattan. Caroline wrote and starred in the musical A Self-Help Guide To Killing Your Boss, which sold out shows in New York and Los Angeles. Her new play, Time Biter, premieres this fall in Manhattan.

Cat is an actor, singer, songwriter, puppeteer, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Virginia. She has taught children and adults how to play instruments, how to harness their voice, and how to bring puppets and everyday objects to life! For over a decade, she has performed professionally Off-Broadway, at regional theaters across the country, on tour across the world, on cruise ships, and in film, TV, and livestream media. A lifelong student of creativity, she loves working with others to help them dig into their own creative side. Most of all, she believes you don’t need some special talent to create art— you just need yourself and your own special point of view!

Dana is a 20+ year veteran of the professional stage in NYC and across the globe. A third-generation teacher and storyteller, she has a background in educational outreach from the esteemed Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, where she also helmed the Cherry Hill Summer Theatre. An accomplished solo performer and playwright, she has led workshops for youths and adults at the International Women’s Theatre Festival, Caryl Crane Youth Theatre at BGSU, and Mercury Theatre Company in Cleveland.

Laura is a comedian, actor, writer, artist, and educator originally hailing from Westchester. Through Irondale’s STEM to STEAM program, Laura teaches improv to hundreds of high schoolers across four of the five boroughs of NYC. Beyond her work with high schoolers, Laura has experience teaching children as young as three years old. She has performed in Off-Off Broadway productions in NYC and had several of her own plays produced in festivals around the city. As a comedian, Laura approaches life and teaching with joy and a sense of humor. She loves to get students to come out of their shells, have fun, and become the most confident version of themselves.

Markia is a teacher and performer originally from Baltimore. For the last eight years she has taught a musical theatre intensive course at the Hippodrome theatre. She began her training in theatre at the Baltimore School for the Arts and continued her studies at Point Park University, earning her a BFA in acting. She has performed regionally and Off-Broadway. When she isn’t performing, she is teaching. Theatre education is one of Markia’s passions; whether it’s teaching musical theatre techniques or coaching a monologue or a scene, it doesn't matter, she loves it all!

Michael is an actor, writer, director, and composer/lyricist originally from Baltimore. He has taught acting, writing, and music to kids five-18 for over 10 years all over the East Coast. With several national tours, regional theatre, national TV and film credits, and over 50 scripts that have been read or produced around the country, he has a wealth of experience to impart to young driven artists! When he’s not creating, he’s petting his dog Roxie, reading books, playing video games, and touring local breweries.

Robyne is an actor, director, producer, and playwright from the Carolinas. A veteran educator, she has developed education programs for Sonnet Repertory Theatre NYC and The Gilbert Theatre NC, and was adjunct professor at Point Park University and Fayetteville College. She is a member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. She has worked as an actress Off-Broadway, regionally across the states and studied internationally with some of the finest teachers in the industry. She is best known for her work in Gossip Girl and If It Ain't Broke, Break It opposite Richard Kind and Steve Guttenberg. When not teaching and coaching, she is writing award-winning projects for film and TV, and producing her plays Off-Broadway.

Sam has spent many years working with children as a camp counselor, substitute teacher, and mentor. Since the earliest days of his education, Sam has had a deep passion for the arts and humanities. After spending five years in Los Angeles, Sam moved to New York and founded his theater company, Blue Otter Theater. He has acted in and produced numerous plays, most notably the original musical A Self Help Guide To Killing Your Boss. In his free time, Sam loves to play music, go out to eat with friends, write plays, work out, and play video games.