2001–2009: Student, mainstage performer & T.S. counselor

“First and foremost, BPA gave me a home away from home. There’s no question that had I not had that loving and supportive artistic community, I would not be where I am, and more importantly, who I am, today.”

Dylan found his love for acting at Bainbridge Performing Arts when he was eight years old and hasn’t looked back since. After spending practically every waking moment he could at BPA, whether taking classes, rehearsing and performing, watching shows, or simply hanging out in the lobby, he left Bainbridge in 10th grade to study theatre at Idyllwild Arts Academy. He then studied acting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he earned his BFA. Since graduating in 2016, he’s been living in Los Angeles, working as a professional actor on stage and in film and television. A few of his credits include Halloween & Halloween Kills; Netflix’s You; Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer; and Apple TV’s Lady in the Lake, releasing in early 2024.

IMDB Link

1998–2006: Student, mainstage performer

“Bainbridge Performing Arts has always felt like a second family. The years I spent at BPA honing my skills helped to launch me from the island to Hollywood, and the experiences I will always hold dear in my heart. I have been blessed to have started my journey there and am thankful to all the actors, directors, staff, and volunteers for their love and support in my continued success.”

After spending much of his childhood and teenage years at BPA, Brandon attended the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California, after his graduation from BHS. He later returned to Seattle and continued his education at the United Stuntmen’s Association International Stunt School in Mukilteo, Washington. Now a SAG actor based in Los Angeles, Brandon works as a stuntman and actor. His credits include American Ninja Warrior, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Amazing Race, several Adam Sandler movies, and a FedEx commercial shown during the 2022 Super Bowl.

IMDB Link

2003–2010: Student & mainstage performer

“Growing up and being involved with Bainbridge Performing Arts was fundamental to me not only building the career that I now have but to becoming the human being that I am. Having a safe space to grow with other young, sensitive souls like myself at such a pivotal time was an irrevocable big bang that became the beginnings of how I saw the world, and myself in it. Thank you, BPA, for all that you did for me and continue to do for the community. You raised me! And you will always be one of my first homes.”

Dove Cameron is an award-winning actress and Sony-Columbia recording artist. She is best known for playing both eponymous characters on Liv and Maddie, for which she won an Emmy, and playing Mal in all three films of the Disney Descendants franchise, for which she won Favorite Movie Actress at the Kids’ Choice Awards. Other TV work includes Apple TV’s Schmigadoon and Schmicago, Hairspray Live, Agents of Shield, The Mentalist, and Shameless. Film work includes Vengeance, Dumplin’, Barely Lethal, and Angry Birds. Theatre credits include Clara in Light in the Piazza (London and Los Angeles), Cher in Clueless: The Musical (New York), and Sophie in Mamma Mia (Los Angeles). In 2022, she won the American Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year and MTV’s Best New Artist Award.

IMDB Link

2002–2008: Student & mainstage performer

“BPA is where I grew up, learning how to put myself out there and work together with my friends, castmates, teachers, and directors towards a common goal. Above everything, BPA gave me friends for life.”

Cassidy is currently a buyer on Nordstrom’s At Home merchandising team. She helps select the assortment of merchandise for physical Nordstrom stores in the US and Canada, as well as their online site. As a graduate of UW, she lives in Seattle with her husband, Roland. Singing continues to be her personal passion, and, as he can probably attest, Cassidy’s go-to songs consist of a very healthy mix of show tunes.

1995–2008: Student, mainstage performer & T.S. counselor

“I was an outgoing, gawky kid who loved to perform from an early age. The immense support and unconditional acceptance I felt at BPA—both from adults and peers—boosted my confidence and let me know that it was okay to be me. I also made lifelong friends. In fact, two of my best friends—both of whom I met at BPA—were recently in my wedding! I will forever be grateful for the community I found at BPA and for its ongoing influence in my life.”

Hannah was involved with Theatre School as a student, a teacher, and a mainstage performer. She currently is head of production at the Exactly Right podcast network and the lead producer for the hit podcast My Favorite Murder. Previously, she booked late-night stand-up comedy for Jimmy Kimmel Live, served as the talent producer for Comedy Central’s Drunk History, and worked as the guest booker for the comedy podcast network, Earwolf. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Matt, and their pup, Frankie.

https://www.hannahkcrichton.com

2008–2012: Student & mainstage performer

“BPA was a place of acceptance and my second home. No matter who you were, you found a community there that allowed for the continued growth of your talents and yourself.”

Rowan is a SAG-AFTRA actor and writer who has appeared in numerous television commercials, small television roles, a lead role in a pilot, as well as short films in the U.S. and Canada. Rowan also wrote, produced, and starred in the short film Bottled Up, which earned multiple international awards, including Best Actress in the LA Indies. She is currently writing a book series.

Website

IMDB Link

1995–2005: Student, mainstage performer & staff

“BPA is where I learned I was capable. It’s where I was first asked to solve problems on my own and discovered I could.”

Liz was a devoted Theatre School student at BPA for nearly 10 years. She graduated to become a teaching artist in between her college semesters at Hampshire College, where she majored in Narrative Media. After graduation, she became a video producer and then a full-time employee at BPA, serving as BPA’s Director of Education. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she writes for episodic television. In her spare time, Liz manages BPA’s social media and is a member of the BPA Advisory Committee.

Website

2004–2009: Student & mainstage performer

“BPA set my life in motion in so many ways. It’s where I met my first lifelong friends, it’s where I fell in love with storytelling and transforming, and pre-show jitters. It’s where I discovered what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It was a place where we were safe to be our full, wild, weird, and creative selves. I think that’s rare in adolescence, and I am forever grateful for it.”

After leaving Bainbridge, Annika moved to LA to study and pursue a career in acting. She graduated from USC’s drama school in 2016 and has been working professionally ever since, starting out performing on webisodes and short films. In the past few years, she has starred in seven TV movies and independent features. Her most recent, Four For Fun, appeared at the Sedona, Catalina, and Portland film festivals in 2022.

IMDB Link

2007–2010: Student & mainstage performer

“BPA was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It was like my church—where I went to find my people and feel seen for who I really am. Whether I was in the audience, where I grew up watching shows before I performed, or on stage, BPA is so much one of the reasons I am who I am today. I am forever grateful.”

Claire is an international singing coach who teaches students from all over the world. Her clients have appeared on The Voice and American Idol, on Broadway, and in major films and TV shows such as Songland, Modern Family, Shameless, and on Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. Her clients range from students who have never sung before to singers sent by agents and studios for training. She also works directly in recording studios, helping to fine-tune performers between takes.

Claire studied voice for over 18 years—in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. She has helped thousands of singers learn to navigate all styles of singing (Pop, Rock, Musical Theatre, R&B, and Opera) while keeping their voices strong and healthy.

Website

1997–2011: Student & mainstage performer

“BPA was truly a second home to me growing up! It gave me a place to play and explore, and to develop myself as an artist and person. I discovered my lifelong love of performing at BPA, and I hope I can return to the stage one day!”

While it has been a while since last performing in musical theatre, I am still very active on the stage! For the last five years, I have been performing with the Seattle Men’s Chorus, which has been an absolutely amazing experience. Most recently, I had the honor of performing a solo with the Seattle Symphony during our joint Pride Pops concert. When I’m not performing at Benaroya or McCaw, I spend my time as a quality control analyst at a pharmaceutical company in Lynnwood as a member of the Cell Biology team, where I test the potency of our drug product.

2005–2013: Student, mainstage performer, T.S. counselor

“The skills I developed at BPA Theatre School, both working onstage and behind the scenes, taught me teamwork, how to manage my time, and to problem-solve. It also taught me to think on my feet and how to exhibit grace under pressure. Theatre school was an essential part of helping me to build confidence, to discover a passion for the arts, and it was my home away from home growing up. I met many of my lifelong friends through BPA and am so grateful for the magical childhood it gave me.”

Catherine is based in Los Angeles and works as an assistant for Amazon Live Sports Production. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Communication. Catherine has worked in various capacities at Amazon in Seattle, and in 2020 she joined the Live Sports Production team based in Los Angeles as they were building the inaugural season of Thursday Night Football. Her job takes her across the country throughout the football season, and she is looking forward to eventually transitioning into Production Management.

2001–2009: Student, Mainstage performer, T.S. counselor

“Growing up gay and unsure of who I was, BPA was my sanctuary. It was where I felt safe, accepted, and free to be unapologetically who I wanted to be in an unconditional and non-judgmental environment. BPA did not just tolerate me; they celebrated me and allowed me to feel talented and proud of myself in all aspects. They taught me how to be independent and how to engage with many different types of people—from children to adults of all ages. BPA boosted my confidence, taught me how to have presence and command attention in many different areas of life, taught me to believe in myself and my dreams, fostered lifelong friendships, and beyond everything, it was a blast. I will cherish my years at BPA for the rest of my life.”

Jake earned his undergraduate degree in 2013 from Occidental College in theatre, then pursued comedic television and commercial acting in Los Angeles. Because of the pandemic and coming to the realization that psychology has many of the same elements of empathy and fascination with the human condition that he encountered in theatre, he returned to graduate school to get his master’s degree in clinical psychology, specializing in LGBT+ affirmative therapy. Jake plans to provide care and support for LGBT+ identified individuals and incorporate drama therapy into a practice to continually work with the healing power of theatre.

2005–2009: Student, mainstage performer

“BPA encouraged me to be myself, taught me how to rely on others, and it instilled a forever love of the arts. While those things are important and noteworthy, nothing comes close to the lifelong friendships and the unmatched sense of community that nurtured me within those theater walls.”

Lexi received her MBA from Portland State University and started working for one of her favorite athletic brands, Lululemon, as a project manager focusing on process improvement within their footwear category. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, concertgoer, and foodie, enjoying all that Oregon has to offer with her dog, Beans.

2002-2011: Student & Mainstage performer

“BPA was vital to my growth through my childhood and teenage years. It gave me an outlet for performing and discovering who I was and allowed me to form really important friendships and bonds. I was very shy in most other aspects of life, but onstage and at BPA I felt like I was allowed to be my full and true self. While I don't consider myself an actor anymore, I did pursue it through and after college and BPA gave me a strong foundation to eventually go on to graduate with my BFA from NYU Tisch. I'll always be grateful for the impact that BPA has had on my life.” 

Molly lives in Brooklyn, New York and works as a Fashion Photographer and Model. She was discovered as a model through an acting agent and then found her passion for photography through modeling and realizes she wouldn't be where she is now if it weren't for acting. Her modeling clients have included Target, Allure Magazine, Dr Jart/Sephora, NYT Style Magazine, TJ Maxx, Saks 5th Avenue, Nordstrom, and Universal Standard. As a photographer she’s shot for Savage x Fenty, Rebel Magazines, as well as numerous modeling agencies such as Elite Model Management, One Model Management and Women Management. 

http://www.mollytellekson.com

1976-1987 BPA student

“What didn’t I get out of my time at BPA!? A community raises a child and establishes the bounds of encouragement and imagination by which that child can measure, be inspired, and grow. That decade, roughly from when I was seven until I was 18, mapped the course of my life.  I grew up embraced by the folks that made BPA happen and found encouragement and a place to begin giving concrete form to my dreams. I was also challenged by artists who trusted I had something to contribute, which meant the world to me as i started to grow into myself. BPA was elastic to the passion I brought to the theater, stretching and conforming based on how I could contribute, whether that was running spotlight, designing, keeping track of props backstage, and performing – even alongside my dad as Young Scrooge to his Scrooge. I really grew up back in the days of BPA’s Greasepaint and my community of peers from that time inspire me to this day. I have to credit so many BPA teachers, including Susie, Dennis, Karen and Adele for the foundation that helped me to launch my own life of theater-making. BPA is where I learned how to dream and it’s where I learned about the generosity of spirit. These were the seeds of my imagination, and the measure by which I understand myself to this day. BPA taught me about theater, but most importantly, it taught me that theater is the people that you make it with. I couldn’t have asked for a better community.”

David Zinn moved from Bainbridge Island to New York City in 1987. He lives in Brooklyn (studio!) and Philadelphia (husband!) and designs scenery and costumes for theater and opera. Recent Broadway credits include scenic design for KIMBERLY AKIMBO and FUNNY GIRL; costume design for ALMOST FAMOUS; and both scenery and costumes for THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL and FUN HOME. He’s designed Off-Broadway and at theaters and opera houses across the nation. Overseas he's designed at the National and Young Vic (UK), the Berlin Staatsoper and Theater Basel. He's received Tony, Drama Desk, and Obie awards for his work.

David accepts the Tony in Set Design for The Humans and thanks Susie Burdick, former Education Director

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgruo9F8_hc

http://www.mrdavidzinn.work