Current Staff
The Black Box Team is made up of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds including business, law, computer science, theatre management, acting, music, art, film production, and education. The team makes special attempts to use its variety of complementary talents to help make the Black Box a special and supportive space for students. The below faculty members are actively involved in classes, camps, productions, or offering private lessons for the current production and educational season.
Tricia Acton
Tricia has always loved the theatre and continues to be a participant, patron, and promoter of theatrical arts in her native Boone County. She studied solo and choral music while performing first with Lebanon High School’s Charisma and Madrigal Singers, then with the Purduettes at Purdue University. She studied instrumental music, playing the flute in the LHS Tiger Pride Marching and Concert Band and tenor saxophone in the LHS Jazz Band. Whether on stage singing as Maria in the “Sound of Music” or supporting a cast while playing in the pit band, Tricia knows first-hand how important theatrical experience can be to a child’s complete development.
The mother of three sons, Tricia has encouraged each one to participate in school productions, both onstage and backstage, as well as the many opportunities offered by Black Box Theatre Company. She believes a well-rounded person has not only had success with the three R’s of traditional education, but has also met the challenge of the three C’s of theatrical participation, namely confidence, collaboration, and character.
Tricia brings over 28 years of business and managerial experience to her position as Executive Director. In her professional role as vice president of a nationwide wellness company, she has coordinated the schedules of clients and screening teams while managing the cost of doing business. She also has an extensive background in training, mentoring, and supervising individuals. Her dedication and skills help Black Box Theatre Company meet its financial and organizational growth goals in order to serve the children of Boone and surrounding counties, giving them a place to feel safe, be encouraged, and to shine.
Brandy DeVol-Moss
Brandy DeVol got her start in the entertainment industry by helping manage her daughter’s career as a child actor and variety/circus performer. In helping her daughter navigate the “showbiz” waters into adulthood, Brandy realized that she also had talents to share. This led to becoming a producer with Mark Rose Productions, where the team made several award-winning films, and taking on the role of Artistic Director at the Black Box Theatre Company.
Brandy has a love of independent film, live performance, voice-over work, circus, and clowning. Her passion to share these not-so-traditional art forms with the next generation led to her creating the Black Box Bozos, a clown alley for Jr Joeys (kid clowns) that has grown to be the largest youth clown alley in the world. She also directs plays, musicals, Bozo events, and shows at the Black Box. In addition to directing, she teaches several classes and camps throughout the year. Brandy loves directing and teaching, but she gets the most joy out of helping the BBTC spread our mission of “Teaching Character to Build Character” to the youth of our community.
Kelley Hulse
Kelley grew up in a small town in southern Illinois. She graduated valedictorian of her high school and went on to further her education at Ball State University. While attending BSU, she took classes in acting, music, dance, Shakespeare, design, and more. She had the opportunity to observe auditions, listen to casting panels, direct shows, and perform on stage and in front of a camera. Some of her more notable stage roles include Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), and Little Red (Into the Woods). Her notable film work includes a national commercial for Ball State University and several short films partnering with SONY to provide test footage for a new line of 4K cameras.
She graduated from Ball State University magna cum laude with a BA in Theatrical Studies, a minor in marketing, and Academic Honors in Writing, originally intending to pursue casting and talent management. However, after starting at Black Box in the Fall of 2016, she fell in love with the mission and realized her true passion was teaching.
Since joining Black Box, Kelley has played a part in numerous shows: The Lion King Jr, Beauty and the Beast Jr, The Little Mermaid Jr, Frozen Jr, Willy Wonka Jr, Mary Poppins Jr, Into the Woods, and Tuck Everlasting — just to name a few! Whether it be directing, costuming, stage managing, or stunt coordinating, Kelley loves being a part of the amazing processes at Black Box.
Along with shows, Kelley has brought a number of educational opportunities to Black Box, including dialect, puppetry, and voice lessons. She is also head of the Internship Program and Game Master for the Black Box LARP Club.
While still teaching and helping with shows at Black Box, Kelley is honored to serve as Director of Student Services. It is her goal to support each child through their growth at Black Box while ensuring every student has access to educational opportunities that will challenge them and continue to enhance their skills.
Kelley is a cat person who loves D&D and video games. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her husband, Sean, their two cats, Daenerys Targaryen and Jinora, and their dogs, Howl and Naga.
Katie Walters
Katie is an elementary music teacher by day, theatre director and teacher by night, and artist by midnight. She began teaching in Lebanon in 2016 upon graduating from the University of Indianapolis. In 2023, she was named Distinguished Educator of the Year for Perry-Worth Elementary. Katie comes from a long line of educators and music lovers. In fact, one of her earliest memories was sitting in the pew next to her mother trying to sing the songs from the hymnal like her, before even being able to read. This led to a love of all things music, but especially singing. While her primary instrument is her voice, she also greatly enjoys playing the ukulele.
In her first year, a student came up and told her about Black Box Theatre Company and asked her to come to watch him in The Lion King, Jr. that summer. After seeing the show, Katie knew she wanted to become involved! She started working at Black Box in the summer of 2018 and has loved every moment spent with the students and staff! The constant creativity and camaraderie have been inspiring and have led her to teach a variety of classes ranging from singing, acting, dancing, and art. Katie hopes everyone gets a chance to come experience the Black Box magic of “Teaching Character to Build Character”.
When not working, you can find Katie spending quality time with her husband, Joel, and their two curly-headed cuties, Lincoln and Juliet. Once everyone else goes to sleep, she stays up into the midnight hours working on her watercolor art. This is where her brand name, Midnight Blooms, comes from. Katie believes it is important to show children that you can be more than just one thing and to follow where their passions lead them.
Taylor Moss
LEAD TEACHER / INSTRUCTOR / Choreographer
Taylor Moss
Taylor Moss began performing at the tender age of five when she sang in her first talent show. Since that time, she has trained in nearly every medium, including film, stage, variety, dance, and more. She has won multiple film and acting awards and is currently represented by Jeffrey Loseff Management (based in L.A.) and agent Scott Tucker of Talent Fusion (based in Indianapolis).
Taylor is a classically trained ballerina. She has studied dance primarily with MaryLou Hume and Don Steffy and has taken many master classes from professional teachers and performers. She shares this talent with the Black Box by choreographing shows (Mary Poppins Jr, Big Fish, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, etc) and teaching dance classes.
She is also a professionally trained circus artist, focusing on aerial arts (Lyra, flying trapeze, static trapeze, corde lisse, and more), but also other circus arts including clowning, contortion, juggling, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Black Box Bozos, which has become the largest Jr. Joey alley in the world.
Taylor is also an accomplished vocalist and trains here at Black Box with Kelley Johnson.
Another talent that Taylor brings to Black Box is her expertise in makeup application and design. She has lent her hand to multiple productions and has helped elevate the characters to the next level.
Notable stage roles include Abigail Williams in The Crucible, Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Sandra Bloom in Big Fish, performing all over the United States as her alter ego Hoops the Clown, Alice in The Addams Family, and many more. Taylor is currently a student at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI where she is double majoring in Theatre and Translation & Interpretation (world languages).
Neil Acton
Neil Acton is a sophomore majoring in Vocal Music Education at Ball State University with nearly a decade of experience in performance and arts education. He brings a well-rounded background as a performer, director, and instructor.
For the past seven years, Neil has taught at Black Box Theatre Company, working closely with young performers in both classroom and rehearsal settings. He has directed numerous plays and musicals, building a strong foundation in storytelling, leadership, and collaborative artistry.
In addition to his directing work, Neil has taught private lessons for over a year in ear training, voice, acting, and audition preparation, allowing him to tailor instruction to individual student needs. As a vocalist, he sang bass with the Purdue Varsity Glee Club for two years and currently performs with the Ball State Chamber Choir. His performance background also includes nearly ten years of acting experience.
Neil continues his professional development through university coursework and acting workshops and is passionate about mentorship and the power of the performing arts to build confidence, character, and community.
Chloe Scott
Lead Teacher / Instructor
Chloe Scott
Chloe is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Communication and Marketing. She started as a student at Black Box when it first opened back in 2012, and was involved in many shows such as The Little Mermaid Jr (Sebastian), Willy Wonka Jr (Mike Teevee), Beauty and The Beast Jr, The Hobbit (Gollum) and Annie Jr.
Chloe took dance lessons at Sherry, Terry, and Jill’s School of Dance for 4 years and was a Tigerette for 2 years. She also participated in the Follies community musical for 4 years. When she isn’t teaching at Black Box, she enjoys spending time with her husband Brayden, and the rest of her family. She owns The Balloon Bar, a balloon decor company, where she gets to spend most weekends celebrating special events with her clients.
Chloe teaches a variety of classes at Black Box including but not limited to Jr Ensemble, Movement Ensemble, and Intro to Musical Theatre. She feels blessed to be able to share her skills and passion for theater with so many talented staff and youth in the very same place that sparked her creativity and love for performing years ago.
Samantha Buckway
Lead Teacher / Instructor
Samantha Buckway
Samantha was born and raised in Ogden Utah, but her family moved to Lebanon in 2017. With over 30 years of experience as a pianist and almost twenty of them teaching piano students of her own, it’s safe to say that music has played a pivotal role in her life. She was a member of her High School’s top Madrigal and Concert Choirs, as well as a member of the Jazz Band. Musical Theatre also became a huge love for her during her school years when she had the opportunity to join the casts of Annie, Footloose, and Children of Eden.
Samantha is a mom to five amazing kids and currently homeschools three of them. She and her husband Jared absolutely love attending the choir performances, ballet and piano recitals, and musical theater shows that come along with having all of their kids involved in the world of performing arts. In her spare time, if she gets any, she also enjoys crocheting, baking, and just spending time with her family.
Samantha is passionate about teaching and loves working with children of all ages. She is very excited to be joining Black Box as an instructor and she’s looking forward to helping the students of Black Box discover their own love of music and theater.
Deanna Jones
Lead Teacher / Instructor
Deanna Jones
Deanna Jones, born and raised in Lebanon Indiana, has a passion for serving the children and young adults in her community. For years she has been an avid fan of theatre and the arts, watching many productions both professional and community-based. She also has an affinity for special needs students and is making a positive difference working alongside the instructors at Black Box. She worked in child care for over ten years before joining the United States Postal Service from which she will be retiring in 2024.
Mat Lageman
Lead Teacher / Instructor
Mat Lageman
So about Mat… Mat is a SAG/AFTRA actor who hails from Columbus, Ohio. Although he attended Wright State University, The Second City Conservatory in Chicago made him an offer he could not pass up, and thus he moved and lived in Chicago for years doing Theater at the Angel Island Theater as well as improv at Second City, Annoyance Theater, Improv Olympic and also with the Noble Fools Theater Company performing professionally in their long-running production of Flannigan’s Wake. From there, he moved to Hollywood, California where he furthered his improv training with The Groundlings Theater, IO West, UCB, and performed MainStage at Second City in Hollywood. He did professional theater with the Open Fist Theater company as well as Shakespeare productions at The Colony Theater in Burbank. He is professionally represented and has done many commercials as well as movies such as Air Collision and Super Cyclone. He has performed on TV in The Late Late Show with James Cordon and The Wil Wheaton Project. In a bold move, Mat decided to leave it all and moved to Zionsville, IN to raise his daughter. He can currently be heard as the voice of the monster in James Wan’s Malignant. Mat can also do a dead-on impression of a clown horn or sleigh bells. Go on. Ask him. Seriously.
Teghan Denlinger
Costumer / Instructor
Teghan Denlinger
Teghan Denlinger is from Northeast Ohio and graduated from Cedarville University with a BA in Theatre Performance and Design. There she performed, directed, and worked in the costume shop. Her favorite experience to date was directing and costuming her capstone Ada and the Engine by Lauren Gunderson.
Some roles Teghan has performed include Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, Ruby Gillis in Anne of Green Gables, Catherine Sloper in The Heiress, and Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical. She attended graduate school at University of Memphis for one year pursuing an MFA in Directing. There she also worked as a draper in the costume shop, constructing costumes for many of their mainstage productions. During her time in Memphis, she directed an immersive show in the round called Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan.
Outside of theatre, Teghan loves spending time with her husband Zach, along with friends and family, especially if it includes playing board games. Some of her hobbies include sewing, watercolor painting, and hiking.
Olivia White
Lead Teacher / Instructor
Olivia White
Olivia White is a Lebanon High School graduate student attending Aquinas College studying elementary education and theatre. Throughout high school, she had been a part of Tigerettes Lebanon Color Guard, Charisma Show Choir, plays, musicals, and more. In college, Olivia is a member of the AQ Dance team, Education club, Conferencing and Event Services, and theatre on campus.
Island Fasel
Instructor
Island Fasel
I became a member of the Black Box family when I moved to Indiana in third grade. Not only have I been in their musicals, but I’ve also enjoyed their clowning program and various summer classes.
I currently work backstage for many Black Box productions and assisted with Frozen Jr’s movement group.
I have a passion for dancing. I am currently the dance captain for Lebanon High School’s show choir. I have been trained in classical ballet and tap for 13+ years. I also have experience with jazz, hip-hop, and musical theatre-based dancing. I love working with children and enjoy passing along my knowledge of dance.
Kendra Thurnall
Instructor
Kendra Thurnall
My name is Kendra Thurnall. I have been married for 27 years. I enjoy spending time with my 3 kids and my 5 grandkids. Anytime with them is the best.
I have always had a heart for little ones. I have been working with children since high school, everything from in-home settings, daycare settings, before/after school care, and school classroom settings.
I have always enjoyed working with littles. I love to see their eyes sparkle, when their faces light up with excitement, and the joy they have at the smallest of things. Being around them just brings happiness, joy and love. It makes my heart full.
