Caroline Needham is a local teacher and theater professional. She earned her Bachelor’s at Willamette University (Theatre & English), her teaching credential at Cal Poly Humboldt, and her Masters at Walden University. She received additional theater training at the British American Drama Academy Shakespeare Program in London. She is certified by the Society of American Fight Directors in unarmed & single-sword combat. Most recent fight choreography credits include: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Peter and the Starcatchers, Man of La Mancha, Noises Off! (Ferndale Rep); City of Angels, Romeo & Juliet, She Kills Monsters (Eureka High School); Hamlet, Cabaret, Dial M for Murder, King Lear, Pippin, Richard III, and Oklahoma! (NCRT); Heathers the Musical, Evil Dead the Musical, Julius Caesar, and Peter & the Starcatchers (Cal Poly Humboldt).

Julie Eccles-Benson is a teaching artist for the Humboldt County Office of Education, and teaches acting for OLLI. She has also taught for KidCo, RCT Conservatory, the California Shakespeare Theater, and Colorado College.

Julie’s acting credits include American conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep., San Jose Rep., The California Shakespeare Theater, and Seattle Rep. among others. Julie has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from U.C. Davis and completed her post-graduate work at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Ruthi Engelke is an educator, facilitator, performer, director, connector, organizer, writer, weaver, and guide. She's been teaching theater of one form or another since high school. In 2017, Ruthi founded Theater of the Oppressed Humboldt, conducting workshops & forums in Humboldt County. She served as Board Chair of Redwood Curtain Theater (RCT), Board Chair of Pedagogy and Theater of the Oppressed Inc., and Board Chair of Austin Circle of Theaters. Ruthi has acted & directed theatrical productions locally for RCT, North Coast Repertory Theater, Ferndale Repertory Theater, EXIT Arcata, and the Arcata Playhouse. Ruthi taught secondary theater, speech, and English for 15 years in Texas public schools before moving to Humboldt. She holds a Masters in English Literature and Composition from the University of Houston CLC and a Bachelors of Art in Theater from the University of Texas.

Isabel Semler is a performer in Humboldt from San Francisco. She trained locally at Dell'Arte and continues to create work with her ensemble as well as perform in local productions. She is a credentialed CA teacher for both primary and secondary and currently teaches 2nd grade at Laurel Tree in Arcata.

Craig Benson is a locally well-known actor/director/choreographer at NCRT, RCT, FRT, HLOC, Dell Arte and Cal Poly Humboldt. He has extensive experience on both sides of the audition process.

Elizabeth “Liz” Whittemore wears many hats as an actor, singer, director, vocal coach, and teacher. She started her theater career in Humboldt county with three Irene Ryan nominations at Humboldt State and soon decided to transition into coaching, teaching and directing. She is an accomplished vocal coach, taking clients of all ages, as well as directing and music directing. Selected works: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (NCRT), and Rock of Ages: Youth Edition (McKinleyville Union School District). She is currently directing Potato Gumbo at EXIT Theatre and hopes to continue sharing her knowledge, especially with youth.

AJ is an actor, artist & martial artist. He has performed & trained for 15 years on stage, screen, and in competition. AJ refined his acting in 2019 when he studied at the American Conservatory Theater Summer Intensive and Shakespeare Intensive. He is double majoring in Theater & Religious Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt. As an instructor, AJ prioritizes awareness, engagement, and dynamic movement. He encourages actors to become aware of their environment & respond honestly to both imagined & real circumstances.