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Tom Michal
Resident Photographer
Production Assistant
Resident Photographer
Production Assistant
Teralyn Tanner
Director of Education
Youth & Adult Acting Instructor
Director of Education
Youth & Adult Acting Instructor
Mary Fishburne
Adult Musical Theatre /Youth Musical Theatre Master Class Instructor
Adult Musical Theatre /Youth Musical Theatre Master Class Instructor
Emily Giant has her BA in Theatre with a focus in Performance from Miami University of Oxford, OH. She is a former member of
Thrall's Children's Theatre, an international traveling children's operetta troupe, and is currently an ensemble member at Sprouts
Children's Theatre in Mount Pleasant. Her most recent roles include Princess Hannah in The Princess and the Pea and the
Empress in The Emperor's New Clothes. She also assistant directed Streamline's Productions of Annie this past fall. Currently,
Emily teaches the Youth Acting Class and Youth Musical Theatre Master Class, whose productions of How To Eat Like a Child,
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Broadway Babies have been a huge hit in the community.
Thrall's Children's Theatre, an international traveling children's operetta troupe, and is currently an ensemble member at Sprouts
Children's Theatre in Mount Pleasant. Her most recent roles include Princess Hannah in The Princess and the Pea and the
Empress in The Emperor's New Clothes. She also assistant directed Streamline's Productions of Annie this past fall. Currently,
Emily teaches the Youth Acting Class and Youth Musical Theatre Master Class, whose productions of How To Eat Like a Child,
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Broadway Babies have been a huge hit in the community.
Jo Ellen Aspinwall is a veteran high school teacher and guidance counselor. About five years ago, she took a break from the
classroom to focus her full energy on the world of theatre. Since then, she has earned an MFA in Directing from the University
of Southern Mississippi , directed and/or designed fifteen productions, and co-founded Storytree Children’s Theatre. She is now
a permanent resident of Charleston and is happy to be reconnecting with her teaching roots.
classroom to focus her full energy on the world of theatre. Since then, she has earned an MFA in Directing from the University
of Southern Mississippi , directed and/or designed fifteen productions, and co-founded Storytree Children’s Theatre. She is now
a permanent resident of Charleston and is happy to be reconnecting with her teaching roots.
Jo Ellen Aspinwall
Adult Directing Instructor/ Resident Director/Set Designer
Adult Directing Instructor/ Resident Director/Set Designer
Teralyn Tanner is incredibly happy to be part of the amazing team that is Charleston Acting Studio. She earned an MFA from the
University of Montana, and prior to joining CAS, she worked for a variety of theatres including, Missoula Children's Theatre,
Florida Studio Theatre and the Blue Man Group. She's traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Asia bringing theatre
to children from all walks of life, and last year she returned from a 15 month engagement in Daegu, South Korea, where she
developed a children's theatre program that utilizes the tools of theatre to teach English in an unconventional and enjoyable way.
University of Montana, and prior to joining CAS, she worked for a variety of theatres including, Missoula Children's Theatre,
Florida Studio Theatre and the Blue Man Group. She's traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Asia bringing theatre
to children from all walks of life, and last year she returned from a 15 month engagement in Daegu, South Korea, where she
developed a children's theatre program that utilizes the tools of theatre to teach English in an unconventional and enjoyable way.
John volunteers with Midtown Productions after a long career in management and consulting. He has a M.B.A.in Information
Systems Management from George Mason University and a B.S. in Commerce from The University of Virginia. John studied
piano, clarinet, voice and guitar. He has enjoyed conducting band, choral groups and English handbell choirs and performed
with the U. Va. Glee Club. A highlight memory is that of walking on for a performance at the US Marine Barracks “Prelude to
Taps" with Cast A of Up With People. Theater Credits include: A Christmas Harlequinade, Mother is a Freshman, On a Clear
Day You Can See Forever. Sound Design and/or Engineer with Midtown Productions: Educating Rita, Over the River and
Through the Woods, Last Train to Nibroc, and Greater Tuna.
Systems Management from George Mason University and a B.S. in Commerce from The University of Virginia. John studied
piano, clarinet, voice and guitar. He has enjoyed conducting band, choral groups and English handbell choirs and performed
with the U. Va. Glee Club. A highlight memory is that of walking on for a performance at the US Marine Barracks “Prelude to
Taps" with Cast A of Up With People. Theater Credits include: A Christmas Harlequinade, Mother is a Freshman, On a Clear
Day You Can See Forever. Sound Design and/or Engineer with Midtown Productions: Educating Rita, Over the River and
Through the Woods, Last Train to Nibroc, and Greater Tuna.
Thomas Michal (T-mike) has been performing on the stage and working behind the scenes in Charleston for the last 15 years. He is
a well accomplished Actor, Comedian, and Improv Artist; as well as Set Builder, Grip, and Lighting Technician. Thomas has
performed in several shows at the Charleston Acting Studio such as: "Crimes of The Heart", "Short Attention Span Theater", and
"Over The River and Through The Woods". Behind the scenes Thomas has worked as a Production Manager for The Charleston
Acting Studio on "The Shadow Box" and "Reefer Madness", as well as being a grip for "The Notebook" which was filmed in the
Lowcountry in 2002. Thomas is a diverse company member who brings a renaissance set of skills to our theater.
a well accomplished Actor, Comedian, and Improv Artist; as well as Set Builder, Grip, and Lighting Technician. Thomas has
performed in several shows at the Charleston Acting Studio such as: "Crimes of The Heart", "Short Attention Span Theater", and
"Over The River and Through The Woods". Behind the scenes Thomas has worked as a Production Manager for The Charleston
Acting Studio on "The Shadow Box" and "Reefer Madness", as well as being a grip for "The Notebook" which was filmed in the
Lowcountry in 2002. Thomas is a diverse company member who brings a renaissance set of skills to our theater.
Mary Fishburne has her BA in Musical Theatre from Vanderbilt University. After a successful musical theatre career in New
York City, the circumstances of her life brought her back to Charleston, SC, where she and her husband have recently settled.
With the arts thriving in Charleston, she is so honored to be a part of the talented community. She has recently performed in
South Pacific, Robber Bridegroom, Musical of Musicals (The Musical). When Mary is not performing, you may find her teaching
voice lessons and musical theatre workshops throughout the community. Visit Mary's website www.maryfishburne.com for a
sneak peek into her exciting career.
York City, the circumstances of her life brought her back to Charleston, SC, where she and her husband have recently settled.
With the arts thriving in Charleston, she is so honored to be a part of the talented community. She has recently performed in
South Pacific, Robber Bridegroom, Musical of Musicals (The Musical). When Mary is not performing, you may find her teaching
voice lessons and musical theatre workshops throughout the community. Visit Mary's website www.maryfishburne.com for a
sneak peek into her exciting career.
Kristen Bushey holds a BA in Theatre with emphasis in Acting and Costume Design/Construction from the College of Charleston.
She has designed costumes for Midtown Productions of Greater Tuna, Last Train to Nibroc, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown,
Over the River and Through the Woods, Educating Rita, Proof, Out of Sterno, Short Attn Span Thtr, and Rock 'n Roll Heaven.
Kristen is the Operations Manager at The Charleston Acting Studio where she manages the education program, box office
operations and is a general "jill-of-all-trades." In her spare time, Kristen is a local actress having performed in productions such as
Shorts! Fun-Size Theatre, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Lie of The Mind, Road to Nirvana, and Balm in Gilead.
She has designed costumes for Midtown Productions of Greater Tuna, Last Train to Nibroc, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown,
Over the River and Through the Woods, Educating Rita, Proof, Out of Sterno, Short Attn Span Thtr, and Rock 'n Roll Heaven.
Kristen is the Operations Manager at The Charleston Acting Studio where she manages the education program, box office
operations and is a general "jill-of-all-trades." In her spare time, Kristen is a local actress having performed in productions such as
Shorts! Fun-Size Theatre, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Lie of The Mind, Road to Nirvana, and Balm in Gilead.
Doug Clinton is a New Englander, an AmeriCorps Alum, a Kentucky Colonel, and Chairman of the Board of Midtown Productions.
He has served as a Lighting Designer of Midtown's productions of Greater Tuna, Last Train to Nibroc, Over the River and Through
the Woods, Educating Rita, Proof and Out of Sterno. He is also the author of the plays The Life and Times of Princess Sophia,
The Prophecy of the Shoe, and Princess Tabasco Saves the Universe, which have been performed by young people across the
country and abroad. Most recently, Doug took to the stage in Midtown's production of SHORTS! Fun Size Theatre where he was
an actor (Small World and Surprise!) director (Dear Blue Eyes) and a playwright (Raspberry Beret).
He has served as a Lighting Designer of Midtown's productions of Greater Tuna, Last Train to Nibroc, Over the River and Through
the Woods, Educating Rita, Proof and Out of Sterno. He is also the author of the plays The Life and Times of Princess Sophia,
The Prophecy of the Shoe, and Princess Tabasco Saves the Universe, which have been performed by young people across the
country and abroad. Most recently, Doug took to the stage in Midtown's production of SHORTS! Fun Size Theatre where he was
an actor (Small World and Surprise!) director (Dear Blue Eyes) and a playwright (Raspberry Beret).
Tony Brown has been a fixture at CAS for over 4 years. AS our #1 intern, he has served on the Set Building and Marketing crews
for all CAS performances and events, as well as Productions Assistant for our productions of: Reefer Madness, Always Patsy Cline,
Forever Plaid, Rock 'n Roll Heaven, Shadow Box, Graceland, Crimes of the Heart, Visiting Mr. Green, Out of Sterno, Proof,
Educating Rita, Over The River and Through the Woods, Last Train to Nibroc, SHORTS! Fun-Size Theatre, Greater Tuna and
Broadway Babies. He runs tech for all of our acting class showcases and makes sure the theatres are clean and ready for
whatever is about to happen at any given time.
for all CAS performances and events, as well as Productions Assistant for our productions of: Reefer Madness, Always Patsy Cline,
Forever Plaid, Rock 'n Roll Heaven, Shadow Box, Graceland, Crimes of the Heart, Visiting Mr. Green, Out of Sterno, Proof,
Educating Rita, Over The River and Through the Woods, Last Train to Nibroc, SHORTS! Fun-Size Theatre, Greater Tuna and
Broadway Babies. He runs tech for all of our acting class showcases and makes sure the theatres are clean and ready for
whatever is about to happen at any given time.
Ryan is the Founder and Creative Director of The Charleston Acting Studio. He designs sets, sound, lighting, and posters for
many of the shows produced by Midtown and has directed many of the productionsas well, including The Boys Next Door,
Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Reefer Madness: the Musical. Ryan has a BA in Theatre Performance from the College of
Charleston & has worked on nearly every stage in the lowcountry. Favorite performances include Rock n' Roll Heaven, Awake &
Sing, An Ideal Husband, Clue: The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Forever Plaid and Tony & Tina's Wedding. Ryan lives in New
York working as a videographer with Elemental Legal Video.
many of the shows produced by Midtown and has directed many of the productionsas well, including The Boys Next Door,
Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Reefer Madness: the Musical. Ryan has a BA in Theatre Performance from the College of
Charleston & has worked on nearly every stage in the lowcountry. Favorite performances include Rock n' Roll Heaven, Awake &
Sing, An Ideal Husband, Clue: The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Forever Plaid and Tony & Tina's Wedding. Ryan lives in New
York working as a videographer with Elemental Legal Video.
Linda Oltmann Walker is the co-owner and instructor at Trudy’s School of Dance as well as Midtown's resident choreographer.
She has been dancing since the age of three and she teaches ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and shag. She is also trained in Hawaiian
and Tahitian dancing. She has been attending professional dance conventions since age 12, and has studied under many
professional choreographers. These include Gus Giordano (the “Jazz Master”), Frank Hatchett (faculty member at Broadway
Dance Center in NYC), Gene Medler (creator and director of the NC Youth Tap Ensembte), and locally under Robert Ivey. Many
of her productions have been presented in Piccolo Spoleto, the famous yearly arts festival in Charleston. Linda was also
choreographer with “The Villagers”, a 1966 televised rock and roll show, which has been the subject of the musical production
entitled “Summer of ‘66”, which played in Myrtle Beach, S. C. for two years. Linda also serves on Midtown's Board.
She has been dancing since the age of three and she teaches ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and shag. She is also trained in Hawaiian
and Tahitian dancing. She has been attending professional dance conventions since age 12, and has studied under many
professional choreographers. These include Gus Giordano (the “Jazz Master”), Frank Hatchett (faculty member at Broadway
Dance Center in NYC), Gene Medler (creator and director of the NC Youth Tap Ensembte), and locally under Robert Ivey. Many
of her productions have been presented in Piccolo Spoleto, the famous yearly arts festival in Charleston. Linda was also
choreographer with “The Villagers”, a 1966 televised rock and roll show, which has been the subject of the musical production
entitled “Summer of ‘66”, which played in Myrtle Beach, S. C. for two years. Linda also serves on Midtown's Board.
Sheri Grace Wenger has been an actress, director and drama teacher since the mid-70’s, Sheri
founded Sheri Grace Productions in 1989, and Midtown Theatre in downtown Charleston in
1998. Since 1999, Sheri has been a theatre series coordinator for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival,
creating and producing Cabaret at the Midtown Theatre, Piccolo in the Footlights, and Piccolo at
The Charleston Music Hall and Piccolo @theStudio. As a director, Sheri’s favorite productions
include her original musicals; Rock’n’Roll Heaven, Women With Attitude, Soul Of The 60’s and
Broadway Divas. Other favorites include: Over The River and Through The Woods, Forever
Plaid, Master Class, A… My Name Is Alice, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Blood
Brothers and Picasso At The Lapin agile. In 2007, Sheri and her son, Ryan Ahlert, opened The
Charleston Acting Studio on James Island to offer classes and live theatre to the community.
Sheri is currently the President of the League of Charleston Theatres, aka Theatre Charleston.
founded Sheri Grace Productions in 1989, and Midtown Theatre in downtown Charleston in
1998. Since 1999, Sheri has been a theatre series coordinator for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival,
creating and producing Cabaret at the Midtown Theatre, Piccolo in the Footlights, and Piccolo at
The Charleston Music Hall and Piccolo @theStudio. As a director, Sheri’s favorite productions
include her original musicals; Rock’n’Roll Heaven, Women With Attitude, Soul Of The 60’s and
Broadway Divas. Other favorites include: Over The River and Through The Woods, Forever
Plaid, Master Class, A… My Name Is Alice, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Blood
Brothers and Picasso At The Lapin agile. In 2007, Sheri and her son, Ryan Ahlert, opened The
Charleston Acting Studio on James Island to offer classes and live theatre to the community.
Sheri is currently the President of the League of Charleston Theatres, aka Theatre Charleston.
Daniel Kuhn
Teen and Adult Class Instructor/Private Acting Coach (film and stage)
Teen and Adult Class Instructor/Private Acting Coach (film and stage)
Mr. Kuhn was trained in the craft of acting in both conservatory and university settings at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts,
NYC and West Virginia University on full tuition performance scholarship. He has been acting for 32 year's on stage, in film and
voice over, directing for 28, coaching and teaching for 24. In addition to performing in Charleston, he has performed
professionally in evey state but Alaska and Hawaii, including 16 national tours, and regional productions from Boston to L.A. He is
a member of the Actor's Equity Association with more than one hundred stage productions to his credit. He has taught actors of
all levels, develop their craft at summer camps, summerstock, high school and private coacking. Many of his students have
gained admittance to some of the country's best acting schools such as Tisch at NYU, Yale, Carnegie Mellow, A.A.D.A. and
others. Working with adults as well, Mr. Kuhn has helped many more seasoned actors prepare for auditions, land roles and grow
as actors.
NYC and West Virginia University on full tuition performance scholarship. He has been acting for 32 year's on stage, in film and
voice over, directing for 28, coaching and teaching for 24. In addition to performing in Charleston, he has performed
professionally in evey state but Alaska and Hawaii, including 16 national tours, and regional productions from Boston to L.A. He is
a member of the Actor's Equity Association with more than one hundred stage productions to his credit. He has taught actors of
all levels, develop their craft at summer camps, summerstock, high school and private coacking. Many of his students have
gained admittance to some of the country's best acting schools such as Tisch at NYU, Yale, Carnegie Mellow, A.A.D.A. and
others. Working with adults as well, Mr. Kuhn has helped many more seasoned actors prepare for auditions, land roles and grow
as actors.