Jillian has directed and/or choreographed numerous productions all over the Bay Area, as well as Southern California. She received her BA in Theatre and Dance from Chapman University while fulfilling a dream and dancing in the parades at Disneyland! She was constantly supported by her mother while growing up and performing, and was lucky enough to work with her on several shows. Her mother remains her drive and inspiration. She also thanks her husband for his support while she is at rehearsals and he is watching their beautiful twins, Kellen and Ellora.

Lindsey Duran has been working with children's theatre companies in the Santa Cruz area for the past 7 years. Her most recent works include 42nd Street (All About Theatre/2013/ Director),The Little Mermaid (TIM/2013/Director), Oliver (Cabrillo Stage/2014/Ensemble,Child Wrangler), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Director, Choreographer 2014) and Phantom Tollbooth (TIM/2014/Director). When she is not directing, choreographing and performing, she is found working at a preschool in Santa Cruz.

Cory Meyers comes to Theater in the Mountains with over 10 years of experience in costuming musical theater. She has enjoyed watching musical theater her whole life and began working on costumes when her own children became involved in theater as actors. Most recently, she designed and created costumes for Peter Pan, Hairspray and Shrek with All About Theatre in Santa Cruz, CA. Cory is most happy when she is in the midst of her family and/or working on a creative project. She is thrilled to be working with the staff, parents and kids at Theater in the Mountains.

Nilla Conti is an architect who loves to design and create almost anything. She loves the theatre and the amazing freedom to imagine something that doesn't exist that it brings. The Phantom Tollbooth is her fourth project as a set designer with Theatre in the Mountains, after Aladdin, Willy Wonka and The Wiz.

Meg Fischer is thrilled to be vocal directing The Phantom Tollbooth and Narnia, her sixth and seventh TIM productions (previously Peter Pan 2014, Little Mermaid 2013, Willy Wonka 2012, Gretel and Hansel, 2012 and Beauty and the Beast, 2011). During the school year, Meg serves as Lead Outreach director for Peninsula Youth Theatre's "Play In a Box" program and directs and vocal directs for PYT in both their Centerstage and Stories On Stage programs. This season, Meg will be directing Into the Woods and vocal directing Once Upon a Mattress. Meg is a performer herself, appearing most recently as Erzulie in PYTAA's Once On This Island.

Kyle Fox believes that when approaching the position of stage manager it's important to remember it's not just the stage that's being managed, because that would be easy, it just sits there. Now the set pieces, props, actors, curtains, running crew, and backstage volunteers... that's a different story. but after being onstage the last few years with Festival Theater Ensemble he looks forward to returning behind the scenes to help shine a light to avoid someone tripping or patching up a problem with gaff tape.

Rick Orlando enjoys the unique challenges that each production presents. Rick has been involved in nine TIM productions. In addition to running the sound system during the performances, he has been steadily upgrading the equipment used for all TIM productions to improve the audio quality of our performances. He hopes that we will eventually have an audio system capable of showcasing all of the actors vocal talents.

Jonathan Frank brings both his creative and technical background to the show. As a veteran mechanical engineer who worked for both Universal Studios and Walt Disney Imagi-neering, Jonathan has engineered and worked on the design and installation of many theme park shows and rides. Jonathan has worked nine Theatre in the Mountains productions as lighting designer, and he always strives to add a little more tech and flair to each show.

Kevin Arnold is the man behind the camera. He is responsible for filming and producing videos for the cast and their families to enjoy, and also has provided most of the candid photos on the Theatre in the Mountains website. A veteran of over 15 TIM productions, a Steering Committee member, and the TIM Webmaster, Kevin has enjoyed being part of an organization that provides an incredible opportunity for the children in our mountain community to develop confidence, self-motivation, friendships, and theatrical skills in a supportive and exciting environment.

Geoffrey Ward is no stranger to the stage. Geoffrey has been involved in theater, film, and music since the late ‘70s. Starting his career in theater as Takaberry in Sunnyvale Community Theater’s production of ‘How to Succeed’, Geoffrey later went on to star in the role of Jesus in San Jose Civic Light Opera’s production of ‘Jesus Christ Super Star’ with Heather MacRae. Moving to Southern California in the early ‘80s to complete his Bachelors’ degree in communications and to pursue acting, he would regularly have 5 & under parts (bit parts) on the day time soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’. After leading a top 40’s rock and roll band for 12 years, Geoffrey decided to go back to his first love, theater. Having directed shows for the ‘This Side of the Hill Players’ in Half Moon Bay, and founding and directing shows for the ‘Scotts Valley Performing Arts’ theater group in Scotts Valley, Geoffrey makes his second directing appearance with TIM’s production of ‘Narnia, the Musical’.

Alexis King (Costume Designer) has had a long love affair with design. From designing stage clothing for rock bands and site specific interiors for nightclubs to more recently running her own residential interior design practice and becoming an adjunct professor of interior design at the California College of the Arts, she lives her life immersed in art. Designing the costumes for Narnia has been nothing but fantastic. The costume crew is amazingly talented and we have had a crazy fun time being creative together.

Richard Hall is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Studies. As a trumpet performer, Richard has performed as a part of many different musical groups ranging from small jazz combos to pit orchestra and wind ensembles. Mr. Hall has performed in many places throughout California and Europe. As a pit musician, Mr. Hall can be seen in the orchestra pits for many theater groups in the bay area such as, CMTSJ, SCP, Contra Costa Musical Theater (CCMT), and various schools and organizations in the area. As a Musical Director, Mr. Hall has conducted pit orchestras for college, high school and community productions of “City of Angels”, “Urinetown”, “Annie”, “ Oliver”, “Honk!” and “The Wizard of Oz”. Most Recently he could be heard on trumpet as a part of the orchestra for “Barnum”, “Spamalot” and “Singing in the Rain” with Lincoln High School and for the West Coast Premiere of “Big Fish” with the Palo Alto Player.

Ann Wilson is a theatre lover, dance teacher, photographer, retired pre-school teacher and a new mother. She grew up in the Bay Area and focused her free time enjoying dance, sports and performing in plays with LAYT (Los Altos Youth Theatre). Her passion to work with youth started as from a young age and her first official job was assisting at a musical theatre camp. She since has enjoyed caring for children, teaching dance and has been performing in multiple dance groups both here and abroad, including the SJDT Nutcracker.

Lorna Kohler MFA teaches voice, winds, guitar, piano and Orff Schulwerk at her studio here in the mountains. Recent playing gigs include oboe and English horn in Oliver for Cabrillo Stage, Beauty and the Beast for CYT Santa Cruz, and English horn in Tchaivovsky's Nutcracker Ballet for San Jose Dance Theatre. Ms. Kohler was Vocal Director for the Theatre in the Mountains Rising Stars production of 101 Dalmatians and is delighted to be back for Dinosaurs Before Dark. She loves witnessing the growth of the children as they bring the play to life and is grateful for all the adults whose time and talent makes the magic happen.