Coordinator of the DMR Pre-Professional Troupes: Katie Wall

Director of Spotlight Players: Melissa Charles
Director of the Junior Stars Troupe: Kathryn Salem

Director of the Dream Team Troupe: Melissa Charles

Director of the All Stars Troupe: Haydn Haring

Resident Music Director: Xavier Taylor

Resident Acting Instructor: Claire Chandler
Choreographer/Dance Technique: Amani Matthews

Pre-Professional Troupe Assistants:  Chloe Anderson, Soren Corbett, Gwyneth Fahy

 

• Spotlight Players: Grades 1–3

• Junior Stars: Grades 3–5

• Dream Team: Grades 5–8

• All Stars: Grades 8–11

• Coming Soon: College Prep (10th-12th grades)
   

Grade ranges intentionally overlap. Because admission is by audition or invitation, students are placed in the troupe that best matches their experience, readiness, and individual training needs.

The Spotlight Players is DMR’s youngest pre-professional troupe, newly created for students in grades 1–3 who demonstrate enthusiasm, focus, and readiness for more structured theatre training. Through acting, singing, movement, storytelling, and ensemble work, students will develop strong foundational performance skills while learning what it means to be a responsible and supportive member of a troupe. The program balances developmentally appropriate instruction with the expectations of a a more advanced ensemble, giving young performers opportunities to build confidence,, collaborate with others, and share their work in performance.  This troupe will rehearse only during the first semester and will perform at the Fall Pre-Professional showcase.

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The Junior Stars pre-professional program is an intensive education in theatre with an emphasis on musical theatre, ensemble work, and audition technique. This program is geared to students in 3rd-5th grades. While our year will focus on group training, there will also be some private instruction tailored to student needs. 

The Dream Team was created for advanced and dedicated performers in middle school who aspire to pursue a career in the performing arts.  Dream Team training includes comprehensive theatre education from Broadway and Professional Teaching Artists, with an emphasis on musical theatre, ensemble work, and audition technique. In addition to group classes, students will receive  1-on-1 instruction in a supportive and fun learning environment. Dream Team students will showcase their work for family and friends in the fall and spring.

The All Stars Troupe is for performers who want to take their craft to the next level. By working closely with Broadway and Professional Teaching Artists, All Stars students will develop their acting, singing and dance skills through classes, rehearsals, and mock auditions. Classes will include Acting Technique for Theater/Film & TV, Audition Prep, Ensemble Creation & Collaboration, Voice & Performance, as well as various styles of classes in Singing and Dancing. In addition to group classes, students will receive 1-on-1 instruction in a supportive and fun learning environment. ​

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The DMR JTF Troupe is a  group of students who are passionate about furthering their skills as actors, singers and dancers and chosen to represent DMR Adventures and Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Junior Theater Festival. The Junior Theater Festival (JTF) is the worldʼs biggest and widely regarded as the best celebration of young people coming together to perform musical theater.