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Theatre builds confidence, community, and strength
Founded in Los Angeles California in 1980, Young At Heart Theatre is a program designed to bring arts education to children of all ages, interests and backgrounds. From acting, to voice, dance to set design we give students the space to learn all aspects of theatre with training and performance.
We are a place of inclusivity for all community, families and artists who want to be involved. We believe that theatre and the arts can impact the world greatly and change it one person at a time. There are many future directors, actors, producers and more just waiting for the opportunity to explore and discover their talents. With the arts and arts education comes the ability to discover things within yourself and about the world. It is about building confidence, community and family.
This program is one from the heart, and founded on the idea that every child should have access to arts education. The Arts help heal trauma and build resilience and this is so needed right now in Sonoma County. Review our current programs here.
Team
Katie Watts- Whitaker
Executive and Artistic Director
At the age of four Katie began her lifelong theatrical career in a production of Peter Pan directed by her Mom, Gloria. Born into a theatre family Katie spent her entire childhood and adolescence on the stage and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to discover her love for the arts. Born in San Francisco, raised in Los Angeles, Katie knew from a young age what she wanted to do with her life and that theatre would always be at the center of it. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena California, Katie continued her career and passion as an actress, singer, choreographer and children’s theatre Director. She has performed, directed, choreographed and produced hundreds of plays and musicals all over Los Angeles. Katie earned a B.A in English Literature from California State University Northridge where she studied Creative Writing. She was last seen on the A&E series, “Bates Motel” and in “Church and State” at The Raven Theatre in Healdsburg. Katie is a songwriter and plays in the band, “Whitaker and Me” with her awesome and talented husband Dennis. For over twenty years now she has dedicated her life to directing and teaching theatre to children and young adults. She has now moved back to Northern California with her husband and sons Soul and Lennon and wants to bring her passion and love for theatre to children and young adults living in Sonoma County. Her goal is to give to children the joy of theatre that truly changed her life.
Kelly Butler Considine
Music Director, Instructor
Kelly Considine has been teaching music in Sonoma county for 20 years.
She has a BA in music education and a teaching credential. She is a full time music teacher at Tomales Elementary School and Bodega Bay School, teaching preschool through 8th grade music.
Kelly has been the musical director for many musicals at the Raven, including Shrek and Young Frankenstein.
Kelly has also directed over 20 youth and teen musicals, including Alice In Wonderland, the Lion King and the Sound of Music, and has run many summer camps for kids over the years.
Tyler Anthony
Instructor
Tyler is so happy to be back teaching a summer camp at the Raven Theater! Tyler graduated from the SRJC with a theater arts degree and is now currently located in Los Angeles. Tyler has done many shows here at the Raven, from Shrek to Young Frankenstein, and even co-directed The Wizard of Oz. Tyler is super excited about this summer and can’t wait to get started!
Dennis Whitaker
Director of Marketing and Technology
Dennis is the CEO of Astra Digital Marketing in Napa. He has a background in marketing, web design, photography and business. He is also a musician and audio engineer and has worked on many theatre productions for children and adults. He is thrilled to be working on a program that he believes to be so important for the world in our current climate. Dennis is the guitarist and songwriter for the band “Whitaker and Me” with his wife Katie and he currently resides in Sonoma County with his family, dogs and guitars. His talents do not include writing about himself.
Mary Watts
Director of Operations
Mary’s two passions are community and Theatre. She currently is the Deputy Director for Community Action Partnership, the largest non-profit in Sonoma County. CAP partners with low income families and individuals to help them to achieve economic and social stability. Mary is the past President for The Wine Country Young Democrats and last year was awarded, “Young Democrat of The Year” from The Sonoma County Democratic Party. Mary holds a B.A in Political Science from San Francisco State University and a Masters in Public Administration from Sonoma State. Born into a theatre family, Mary spent her entire childhood on stage and continues to embrace her love and passions for theatre arts.
Gloria Watts
Founder
Born in the Los Angeles San Fernando Valley, Gloria began her theatrical career as a child, directing plays in her home with her three sisters. She worked as an actress on stage and film, and television and stepped into her favorite role as “Mom” when she had her first daughter Katie in 1978. Gloria began her teaching career in Northern California in 1980, where she directed “Peter Pan” at The Jewish Community Center. She continued on the path of bringing theatre arts to children when she moved back to Southern California with her family and three daughters. This started a lifelong career as a teacher, Director, Producer, and mentor for Children of all ages. She has taught at Pierce College, Welby Way Elementary, Round Meadow School, and Bay Laurel, to name a few. Gloria founded the Hidden Hills Players and Bell Canyon Broadway and has run both programs for over 30 years. In 2007 she received the “Women In Theatre Los Angeles” award for her lifelong dedication to bringing Arts to children and the community. Gloria earned a BA in Theatre in 1969 from Cal State University Northridge.
