Frisco Youth Theatre Spotlight #4

Name: Brianna S, Frisco Youth Theatre Actor

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Hobbies: Singing, dancing and acting.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Birthday cake

Favorite Coffee or Beverage: Frapuccinos

Favorite Color: Pink

How did you hear about FYT?

I found it online and also heard about it from some friends at school

How long have you been involved with FYT? Since January 2015

What productions have you been in? Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Seussical, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and The Little Mermaid

Do you prefer plays or musicals? Musicals

What role / production has been your favorite? Ariel in The Little Mermaid

What other training or background do you have that you would like to share? I have been dancing Ballet and Flamenco since I was 6 years old. I am also in Varsity Choir, Theater II and Theater Production in my high school.

Why did you audition / want to be a FYT ACE?  I want to continue to improve my acting skills, have the opportunity to be around kids who are as passionate as me about musical theatre. Also I want to become a mentor/FYT ambassador for younger actors, dancers and singers.

Name: Sylvia S., mother of Brianna

What did you want your daughter to get out of theatre? Brianna is dedicated to pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. She wants to gain as much experience as possible before she applies to different universities.

Why North Texas Performing Arts/FYT? Because of the variety of productions, directors and performing opportunities offered throughout the year. Also, we love the talented, dedicated and passionate kids that participate in the shows. It is a great learning experience!

What skill set are your bringing to the team of volunteers here at FYT? I have been working in international marketing for more than 22 years. I'm responsible for print media, websites and trade shows worldwide. I do all the creative and customize it in different languages for specific international markets.

Anything else you would like to share? I speak Spanish and French. I also dance Flamenco and I love to paint with pastels and oils.

Frisco Youth Theatre Spotlight #3

Frisco Youth Theatre Volunteer Blog   

by: Kimberly Hunt

Ever since I can remember I have loved singing, dancing and acting. I was fortunate enough that my parents had the time and money to support my education in these areas. As a kid, I was involved in private voice lessons with Kaye Wright, school talent shows & plays at Carlisle/Schimelpfenig, competition dance at Miss Billy's School of Dance, classes at Young Actors Studio and productions at Plano Children's Theatre. I even convinced my mother I needed an agent! Being an actress is all I ever wanted to do with my life until I grew up and "life" happened. My family moved from Plano, TX to Stillwater, OK when I was 14 years old. The local high school did not even have an auditorium at the time. Still, I went on to eventually graduate from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK with a BA in Theatre that came with an extensive acting resume. 

My parents encouraged me upon graduating college to "get a job with benefits". It was time for me to completely fend for myself. I ended up working as an Account Executive at Stillwater Radio. I loved this because my boss would allow me to go on auditions whenever I wanted and I even got to write and voice over many of my clients' commercials. My father took notice of my new found sales skills and set me up with an interview at his old company to help me get a "big boy" sales job. At the same time, I had been going on many auditions and was not booking anything substantial. Finally, when I did book something noteworthy, they wanted to film at the same time I was going to head off for training for my new sales job.

I had a choice to make. I ended up picking a stable career in sales that I am proud to say has lasted seven years so far. I am now married to my best friend that I have known since I was fifteen. We have a handsome little one year old boy, a home in Frisco and a Morkie named Sassy.

While my career has been demanding, my company, Netsertive, recently implemented Volunteer Time Off. I decided that I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and give back to my first love, Theatre. I was so excited when I contacted Plano Children's Theatre to learn that Frisco Youth Theatre has been established. I am looking forward to working with everyone to bring valuable experiences to the youth in this area that only theatre can provide. I hope to update you all as I continue on this new journey.

Frisco Youth Theatre Spotlight #2

Aubrey L, Frisco Youth Theatre Actor

About Aubrey
*Hometown - Plano, TX
*Hobbies -  drawing, theatre, and video games
*Favorite ice cream - chocolate chip cookie dough
*Favorite beverage - strawberry kiwi snapple
*Favorite color - black, red and purple



Aubrey has been involved with PCT since 2009 started Summer Camps.



Aubrey prefers musicals
Aubrey's favorite role was Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz was her favorite musical performed June 2015 at FYT under the direction of Nick Mann.

As a mom, I want Aubrey to gain confidence, friendships, and enjoy her experience while in rehearsals, and shows at PCT. I am so proud of Aubrey and enjoy every moment I see her tech week and performances. I am the mom that loves to attend every show and see both casts perform.  I cherish every moment my daughter can perform, feel confident on and off stage, as well as, gain more friendships from each show. I feel my daughter works best with positive feedback from directors and her peers.        - Jeanie L.

Our Directors - Brady Stebleton

Brady Stebleton

North Texas Performing Arts and Frisco Youth Theatre Director 

BFA in Acting from SMU

Brady received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting From Southern Methodist University in 2013, and has since been focused on putting that degree to use! In addition to theatre, Brady works in television and commercial print and is represented locally by the Clutts Agency.  He also performs at elementary schools across the state teaching anti-bullying and character building shows.

Fun Facts about Brady Stebleton

Favorite Role you have played & why: Stephen Undershaft in George Bernard Shaw's "Major Barbara" because period British dramas are my jam!

Favorite show you have directed & why: The Addams Family Musical. It was my first musical in 6 years!

Dream role you have not played yet: The villain. Any villain. Just once, please!

Favorite candy: Twix

Favorite Starbucks drink: iced coffee w/splenda

Why do you do this? I love sharing my knowledge of the craft with the kiddos. On a purely selfish level, I truly learn more and more about acting and technique as I teach the kids, just by watching what they come up with.

Visit FriscoYouthTheatre.org for production and class information. 

Our Directors - Melinda Bellatti

Melinda Bellatti
North Texas Performing Arts
Frisco Youth Theatre Managing Director 

Melinda Bellatti received her B.S. in Speech/Theatre Education from Oklahoma State University where she was named a Top Ten Graduate and her M.S. in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas.  One of her greatest joys is knowing she has “opened the door to theatre” to a student. Currently Melinda is an Adjunct Professor of Communication at Collin College and Richland College. She taught speech, drama, and debate in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Plano Independent School Districts, being honored as Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year Runner-Up in H-E-B ISD.  She has taught speech and debate and directed productions for various home school organizations. Some of Melinda’s earliest memories are being at late night play rehearsals with her mother, who taught speech and theater for 30 years. Through performing in plays and musicals and competing in speech and debate tournaments to the state championship and national levels in high school, Melinda realized the value of the skills that are gained from these activities--skills like creativity, critical thinking, self-confidence, and teamwork. She pursued speech/theatre education in order to share these valuable life skills with others. Melinda serves on the Frisco DSO on the Go concert planning team and at her church. She enjoys listening to live local music, attending the theatre, and travelling with her family.

Visit FriscoYouthTheatre.org for production and class information. 

Our Directors - Jon Garrard

Jon Garrard
North Texas Performing Arts and Frisco Youth Theatre Director

BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University

Jon Garrard is a Dallas actor who received his B.F.A in acting from Southern Methodist University.  He was in numerous student and main stage shows for SMU including Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Black Snow, Shakespeare's Star Wars, and The Burial at Thebes.  This is his first year teaching at Plano Children's Theatre and he is beyond excited to meet with and work with everyone.

Fun Facts about Jon Garrard

Favorite Role & Why: Han Solo from Shakespear Star Wars: Verily, a Lost Hope. Why? Because I go to play Han Solo!!!

Dream role you have not yet played: Arthur from Tennessee Williams' Spring Storm

Favorite Candy: Snickers (satisfy my ever continuing hunger)

Favorite Starbucks Drink: Venti Iced White Chocolate Mocha with extra shot of espresso and chocolate syrup drizzled over the top

Why do you do this? I didn't get involved with theatre until I was a sophomore in high school. I had tried so many things before then, but didn't really feel like I belonged until I was able to be part of a show. That feeling caused me to pursue theatre further, all the way to getting a degree in it from SMU. It has established confidence, love, and respect towards myself and others. I want to help kids find these values and lessons like I did, but hopefully earlier!

Our Directors - Nick Mann

Nick Mann
North Texas Performing Arts and Frisco Youth Theatre Director
B.A. University of North Texas

Nick grew up in both the towns of Bowie, TX and Carlsbad, NM and is the oldest of four children. Even as a child, Nick was always interested in drama. He recalls the very first musical he created with stuffed animals and a tape recorder when he was in the 4th Grade! Nick graduated from the University of North Texas earning a B.A. in Theatre Performance and Education. His advanced training includes Song Interpretation with Tony Award-Winning Actress Betty Buckley, Meisner Acting Technique with Terry Martin and Improv and Sketch Comedy at The Second City Training Center.

Nick is also a Stand-Up Comedian and playwright. His play, Baby of Mine, was a semifinalist for the 2012 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. His favorite playwrights are Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill and Terrence McNally. Nick’s special talent is that he can name all the winners of every Academy Award in the Picture and Acting category (Hopefully that means he will win one)!

Visit FriscoYouthTheatre.org for production and class information.