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Born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Dara Jade Tiller was born to be a storyteller. After studying Theatre at the University of Kentucky, she was part of the Actors Theatre of Louisville Professional Training Company. Dara then worked in theatre and film in Chicago, New York and across the United States before returning to Louisville. She was most recently seen in Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy at Actors Theatre of Louisville and produced and starred in To Battle by José Pérez IV with Louisville Hivemind Artist Collective. Some of her favorite roles have been Mina in Dracula, Titus in Titus Andronicus, and Babe in Crimes of the Heart. She played Jamie Bell's wife in the award-winning film, Donnybrook, appears in Midway to Love on The Hallmark Channel, and has numerous commercial credits. Dara is an on-camera acting coach and has taught all ages, focusing on imaginative play and audition techniques.

Jessica began her lifelong relationship with the performing arts at age three, performing onstage while her father played music in the pit, and she still loves playing piano, dancing, and creating for self-efficacy, emotional processing, and self-expression. She is a lifelong learner and uses her wide range of trauma-informed expertise—arts integration, habit change, mindfulness, movement, energy work, and visual and linguistic mediums—ushering her students and clients to soar beyond their comfort zone. A few recent career highlights include creating a mindfulness program as a behavioral alternative and for literacy support at a Title One school. She has also presented at the National Conference for Teachers of English and attended the ¡Habla! Institute in México for her work with arts integration and literacy pedagogy with multilingual and systemically marginalized adolescents.

Precious Perez, also known as “the blind reggaetonera” is a new artist with American and Latin roots. Born in Boston to a Puerto Rican family and currently a resident of Kentucky, Precious is entering her new musical era after graduating with a double major in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Berklee College of Music. Her musical path from an early age has been accompanied by great influences in Latin music, which gave birth to her purpose: “To be the first blind reggaetonera in the Latin music industry, breaking the mold.” Her story and music have led her to be featured in spaces like grammy.com and Telemundo. Precious actively works to make space for music professionals with disabilities, serving as President of Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD.)

Lance G. Newman II has an artistic practice that is varied, multifaceted and interdisciplinary. Twenty years of poetry writing and performing; Ten years of theater and acting; five years of visual artistry; and several published articles. These various forms of expression have all contributed to an artist that is truly a “jack of all trades and master of none, but better than the master of one.” Warmly known as ‘Mr. SpreadLove,’ he seeks to affect the world in a positive way.

Talleri McRae (she/her) is a theatre artist, educator, disability scholar, and inclusion/access specialist based in Louisville, KY. Over the last 10 years, Talleri has forged partnerships with theatre artists and educators in Kentucky, Texas, Alaska, California, and Illinois. While completing her MFA for Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities in Austin, TX, Talleri researched how casting choices apply to perceptions of theatre and disability with young people. As an independent contractor working regionally and nationally, Talleri teaches and collaborates with Actors Theatre of Louisville as well as The University of Louisville, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, The Kentucky Arts Council and The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE). Talleri holds a BS from Northwestern University and an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Keith McGill is thrilled to be a teaching artist for Actors Theatre. He also teaches with Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Stage One Family Theatre, Commonwealth Theatre Center, and Shakespeare Behind Bars. In addition to teaching, Keith is also an accomplished actor, and has appeared in productions with local theatre organizations, such as Stage One, and Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Recently, he has directed plays with Actors Theatre and Stage One.

Joy is a teacher, researcher, and award-winning writer focused on topics related to accent work, identity, cultural sensitivity, and equitable coaching practices. New York Theatre credits include The Great Leap and Nomad Motel at Atlantic Theatre Company, Among the Dead and Once Upon a (Korean) Time at Ma-Yi Theatre, and additional collaborations with Comedy Central, NAATCO, and New Dramatists. Select regional credits include The Sins of Sor Juana, Smart People, and Sense & Sensibility at American Players Theatre, Dracula at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Chonburi International Hotel & Butterfly Club at Williamstown Festival, and The King and I at Drury Lane.

Julia is a Broadway actor, educator, and organizational consultant working at the intersection of artistry and strategy. She grew up in Northern Virginia, where she first fell in love with musicals through movie-musical DVDs from the public library and touring productions at the Kennedy Center. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University and launched her career in regional theatre and new musical development, including Evita at North Shore Music Theatre and workshops of Diana (David Bryan), Only Gold (Andy Blankenbuehler), and Williamsburg (Tom Kitt).

In 2019, Julia joined the national tour of Hamilton as an offstage swing, covering the Schuyler Sisters and an ensemble track. She made her Broadway debut in 2022 as Angelica Schuyler and continued performing with multiple Hamilton companies across North America.

In 2025, Julia founded AlloImpact, a boutique consulting firm supporting arts and healthcare organizations through research-based leadership development and organizational strategy. She relocated her home base to Louisville, Kentucky in 2023 to focus on how this work can benefit regional arts organizations and strengthen the broader cultural ecosystem.

As a teaching artist, Julia brings curiosity, rigor, and care into the classroom, encouraging students to explore deeply, think critically, and create with joy. Whether in a rehearsal room or a strategic planning session, her work is grounded in one belief: the future of the arts depends on how we treat people.

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Devin is a working actor with credits on Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, and more. Classically trained in a conservatory setting, she earned her BFA in Acting and Theatre Arts from Rose Bruford College in London, England. Her work is grounded in precision, presence, and a willingness to lean into discomfort. Devin believes the most compelling performances come from actors who balance sharp instincts with emotional openness, and know when to get out of their own way. She continues to build a dynamic career across stage and screen.

Carly Riggs got her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and began her career as a performer before transitioning her focus to arts education. For the past decade, she has served as the Engagement Director at Down Syndrome of Louisville, championing the cause of inclusive arts. Her unwavering commitment to this transformative power drives her mission to provide individuals of all abilities with opportunities for self-expression and exploration through the performing arts. Carly's unique blend of creativity and advocacy has had a significant impact on fostering a more inclusive and vibrant arts community.