The Production Team
Blair Cromwell
Director
Blair has been running the theatre at DHS since 1987. She holds a Masters in Education: Theatre/French. She was the recipient of the Oregon Thespians Melba Day Sparks Award for Teaching Excellence in Theatre, and the Rex Rabold Award from the Oregon Theatre Arts Association. Blair also was part of the teaching staff at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 27 years.
Yvette Geissinger
Technical Director
Yvette is a happy transplant to Oregon after living and working in Wisconsin, Florida, Washington, DC, and Virginia. She graduated from Viterbo College (now University) with an emphasis in Technical Theatre before working in several venues, most notably Arena Stage and The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC.
Sharon Oberst
Choreographer
Sharon Oberst is Professor Emerita of Dance at Western Oregon University where she taught and served as Head of Dance for 32 years. She performed with the Houston Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars. Oberst choreographs historical theatrical productions such as Romeo and Juliet and Pride and Prejudice and has directed and choreographed numerous musicals including Kiss Me, Kate, Victor/Victoria, West Side Story and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
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Aaron Fawcett
Director
Aaron was our choreographer for many years and works as a Director and Acting Coach periodically for DHS Theatre. He has a background in Directing, Acting and Dance. He holds a BS in Theatre and a Master in Education: English from Western Oregon University.
Hannah Fawcett
Director
After graduating from Southern Oregon University with a BFA in Theatre, Hannah joined the 2019 Acting Company of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. While at OSF, she performed over 100 times in As You Like It. Hannah is a teacher and director with Children's Educational Theatre and the Artistic Director of Struts & Frets Theatre Company. She is thrilled to be back at her alma mater (Yahoo, DHS class of 2014!) and has recently directed Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol, and Twelfth Night for DHS theatre.
Laura Kilip
Music Director
Laura is a singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, and choreographer, that graduated with a masters of music in 2017 focusing on American Vernacular Music and Musical Theatre at Western Oregon University. She teaches private voice lessons and has been vocal director for our last two musicals! She is also a freelance singer and performs at wineries and restaurants throughout the Willamette Valley.
Paul Malone & Osvaldo Torres
The Fake Fight Company
Founded in June of 2018 by Osvaldo Torres and Paul Malone, TFFC teaches and designs “Stage Combat” or fight choreography for live theatre and film. The company also offers classes and workshops. Based out of the Salem/Keizer area, TFFC began by working with several different high school drama programs and local theatre companies. The Fake Fight Company is always open to new clients and opportunities!
The 2022-2023 Thespian Board
These 7 students help us run our program! They keep track of all thespian achievements and activity, as well as represent our department at various thespian events!
Lily Williams
Lily is a sophomore this year at DHS! She appeared last year onstage in The Yellow Boat, Pride and Prejudice, and All Together Now!
Lily also worked with Struts & Frets Theatre Company on Anatomy Of Gray in 2022 as Tiny Wingfield. Lily is a big fan of the Percy Jackson books.
Emmaleigh Hausler
Brandon Williams
Emmaleigh is a senior at DHS this year. She was State Champion in Stage Management in 2022 at the Oregon Thespian Conference. Emmaleigh's favorite movie is Howl's Moving Castle.
Brandon is a sophomore at DHS. Las year, he appreared in All Together Now!, as Mr Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, and The Yellow Boat.
Brandon loves Dutch Bros. Any kind, all kinds of Dutch.
Nikki Vanaken
Nikki has been involved in theatre since 7th grade. She mainly enjoys being on stage with her classmates, but also loves doing some behind the scenes work. From doing her first high school play without an audience, she simply can't wait to get back and make something amazing with her theatre community!
Trystan Stephens
Malcolm Meling
Trystan is a sophomore at DHS. He was seen last year in All Together Now!, as Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice, and he was the light board operator for The Yellow Boat. Trystan is also heavily involved in Scouts. He was elected Lodge Service Vice-Chief of Oregon.
Malcolm is a junior at DHS. He is a member of the Advanced Theatre class and was last seen onstage in Twelfth Night as The Priest.
Savanna Young
Savanna is a junior at DHS. She was last seen in The Yellow Boat. She is also a member of the cheerleading squad.