Performances: August 27-September 5
142 Throckmorton Theatre's youth division, Marin Youth Performers, provides affordable, engaging and educational theatrical experiences for young people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and produces high quality theatrical productions with performers of exceptional potential and talent.
Marin Youth Performers Staff
Director of Youth Programs
Adam Saville is 142 Throckmorton Theatre’s Youth Program Director. For the past several years, Adam has taught in Mill Valley’s top-notch K-8 school district where he received the Golden Bell Award for Outstanding Educators and the Terwilliger Award for Teaching Excellence. Before beginning his teaching career, Adam directed a youth theatre camp for several years and managed the renowned J*Company Youth Theatre in San Diego mounting professional caliber productions involving children ages 6 to 18. Adam’s love of theatre began at the age of 9 when he was cast as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. By the time he was 18, Adam had participated in over 50 theatrical productions through the San Diego Junior Theatre and had trained at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and the San Diego Theatre of Creative and Performing Arts.
Program Staff
June Cooperman (Choreographer) has been choreographing musical theater for the past eight years, including MYP's production of The Music Man and several Mill Valley Middle School musical productions. She is happy pursuing eclectic dances interests, ranging from ballet to ballroom to Bulgarian, as well as tap dance and jazz. Prior to her life as a mother, choreographer, and dancer, June was a primary care physician in San Francisco and Boston.
Sandra Davies (Class Instructor) has taught improv and creative drama to children and adults all over the bay area including Steve and Kate's Camp in Marin, San Francisco and Berkeley, as well as at the Mill Valley Recreation Center. Ms. Davies formed her own improv troupe, 'The YeaSayers', after she completed two years of improvisational classes and workshops at the College of Marin.
Joan Deamer (Director) has taught at Dominican College and MVMS for the past 20 years where she has produced and directed the spring musical with a professional creative team involving over a hundred students, faculty, parents and community members. Joan received a Milley Award in 2000 for her artistic contribution to Mill Valley, and a Terwilliger and Golden Bell Award for teaching excellence. In 2003, Joan directed and produced Some Like It Hot here at 142 Throckmorton with high school and college students.
Jonathan Fadner (Music Director) is a performer of classical, jazz, and folk music. As a performer he has been seen singing and playing in venues from San Diego to the Bay Area at such places as the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, the Handlery Hotel, and every street corner and park in between. He graduated with honors from UC Berkeley's music department. Jonathan is also a composer whose works have been performed in the San Diego area, as well as the Bay Area. A long time choral conductor, vocal coach, and music teacher, Jonathan truly loves what he does.
Anna Stearns (Class Instructor) has been involved in theatre for the past 22 years. She studied drama at UC Santa Cruz where she also participated in their renowned Shakespeare festival for several seasons. Anna works extensively with StageWrite, a non-profit outreach program that goes into San Francisco elementary schools to bridge drama, playwriting and literacy. For the past 10 years, Anna is best known as the Mill Valley School District's 3rd/4th/5th grade music teacher, where she incorporates movement, theatrics, and storytelling into her teaching.
Jessica Nicholson (Music Director, A Cappella Ensemble Director) has taught vocal music for the past 12 years. After receiving a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, Jessica began her career teaching music to students of all ages, both privately and in the classroom. Currently, Jessica is the choral director at Mill Valley Middle School. Over the past 10 years, she has built the choirs from the ground up, into a large, award-winning program serving over 500 students. Her choirs consistently receive superior ratings at competitions and festivals. She also works extensively with teenagers as a vocal music director for local musical theater productions and variety shows. Jessica is the recipient of a Golden Bell Award for outstanding educators, and the Terwilliger Award for teaching excellence.
Nora Thomas (Instrumental Internship Director, Conductor, Music Director) received her Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from Chico State where she was a graduate assistant to the Chico State Bands, conducting three different ensembles, teaching privately, and class piano to music majors. From 2005-2008 Nora was also the Associate Conductor and Youth Program Administrator for the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra. For the last several years Nora has taught music for the Mill Valley District and has taught a Kodaly Certification Program at the University of Central Missouri, teaching music teachers from all over the United States in graduate level courses. Primarily a single reed specialist, Nora has played regularly with the North State Symphony in Northern California, and principal clarinetist with the Juneau Symphony.
