MEET OUR SUMMER THEATRE INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
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Richard A. Vitanovec,
Director/ Acting Coach
Richard (Ricky) A. Vitanovec is the Theatre Teacher, Director, and Designer at Easton High School and is also the Founder and Executive Director of Crashbox Theatre Company. Ricky holds a B.A. in Acting, a B.A. in Directing, a M.A. in Theatre Production, the terminal degree in Theatre, an M.F. A. in Theatre Arts, as well as Maryland and Florida Theatre teaching certificates.
Ricky has taught Theatre classes at Talbot County Public Schools for the past 20 years. In 2012 he formed a non-profit community theatre group called Crashbox Theatre Company. Some of the opportunities that Crashbox has provided are summer theatre intensives and Masterclasses with Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) instructors, collaboration with TONY Award winning professionals such as William Berloni of Berloni Theatrical Animals, instruction in acting, music, and dance, One Acts, Plays, Musicals, and educational excursions to NYC, Baltimore, Walt Disney World, and Washington, D.C. to perform, see professional theatre, and receive professional instruction.
Over the past twenty years Ricky has directed over 35 shows. These incluse Footloose, CHICAGO- Teen Edition, Legally Blonde, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet, Sound of Music, and Wizard of OZ. Locally, Ricky has been seen on stage in Rose’s Dilemma, Little Shop of Horrors, FOR ALL SEASONS’ “Heart and Music”, Mary Poppins, Noises Off, Annie, Cabaret, Godspell, Rocky Horror, Live!, and Sylvia. www.rickyvitanovec.com
Julie Hawley,
Music Director/ Vocal Coach
Julie Hawley is currently the Choir Director and General Music Teacher at Easton Middle School in Easton, Maryland. She began her musical career in elementary school by singing in choir and hasn’t stopped since! Over the years, Julie has performed as a soloist, in countless choirs, and in leading roles in both musicals and operas. She attended the University of Cincinnati: College-Conservatory of Music as a Vocal Performance major, and later transferred to Duquesne University to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education in 2010.
Julie began her teaching career with Caroline County Public Schools in 2011 as an Elementary General Music Teacher, Beginning Band and Orchestra Director, and Choir Director. Mrs. Hawley earned her Master’s Degree in Education with a focus in Teacher Leadership in 2018. In 2020, Julie began her current position at Easton Middle School with Talbot County Public Schools. Singing is her biggest passion, and she feels extremely lucky to be able to share her vocal and musical knowledge with her students every day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Erinne Lewis,
Choreographer
Erinne Lewis A native of Easton MD, Erinne Lewis is a graduate of Bowie State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. A current resident on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Erinne has choreographed and performed with various companies, troupes, and studios across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, Ms. Lewis has fulfilled the roles of Life Skills Instructor and S.T.E.A.M Arts Coordinator for Dorchester County Public Schools.
Choreographer for multiple Talbot County Public School musical theatre productions, some of Erinne’s works include “The Addams Family”, “Mary Poppins”, “ James And The Giant Peach”, “West Side Story” , “All Shook Up”, “Big Fish”, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”, “Shrek The Musical, and “Chicago Teen Edition”. Extending her talents into local theatres in her current area, Erinne has choreographed and performed with Tred Avon Players, Groove Theatre, FOR ALL SEASONS’ Heart and Music, Crashbox Theatre, Hope and Harmony and many more. Ms. Lewis’ also provides personalized choreography for auditioning students entering the strict and competitive dance and musical theatre programs at various universities including NYU, Boston Conservatory and The New School.
A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Erinne has creatively co-directed and choreographed “Pearls Of The Eastern Shore '' A Debutante Cotillion, is former inaugural President of Continuum Dance Company and a current member of Allegra! Women’s Choir. Ms. Lewis also holds the title of Talbot County Public Schools Stakeholder Committee Member and is a Talbot Arts Board Member.
Brienne A. Garland,
Choreographer
Brienne Garland has been dancing for over 40 years, teaching dance for over 25 years, and directing a studio and various dance programs for 23 years now. As the owner of To the Pointe. in Ridgely, she has been nominated as a Woman to Watch on the Eastern Shore in 2022 & 2023, while To the Pointe. holds the title of Chesapeake's Best of the Best Dance Studio 2022. Ms. Bri has been acting President of the Maryland Council for Dance, as well as VP of the MCD, and is currently a charter member of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association, a member of the National Dance Educator's Organization, a National Dance Foundation partner studio, and sponsors Junior & Senior Chapters of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Under her direction, the To the Pointe. Dance Company has performed in Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, HersheyPark, at pregame & halftime shows for the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Wizards, along with numerous local and charitable venues. Ms. Bri is an arts advocate, placing high importance on spreading a love for the art of dance with the community through performances (including the only full length Nutcracker on the mid-shore), and also by instructing for organizations such as Caroline County Rec & Parks, Talbot County Parks & Rec, and Crashbox Theatre. Always ready to learn, she continues her own education though online certification programs and the annual DanceLife Teacher Conference. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her, now adult, children who have both also performed with Crashbox Theatre in the past!
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Amber Vitanovec is the Assistant and Backstage Director for the EHS Theatre Department and is the Assistant Executive Director of the Crashbox Theatre Company. When there is a need, Amber combines her theatre experience with her extensive martial arts background to serve as a stage-combat supervisor. In 2009 Amber expanded her theatrical horizons and directed the EMS 8th grade play, Backstage. She’s also assisted backstage and with lights for SMMHS, CAPA, TAP, SMCC, CHT, and numerous Heart and Music productions. Amber holds a Master's Degree in TESOL and teaches English as a Second Language for grades K-5 at Chapel District and White Marsh Elementary Schools.