Ara joins TCT as the new Executive Director having previously served as Managing Artistic Director of Yellow Spring Kids Playhouse (YSKP) in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Ara was instrumental in strengthening the fiscal and administrative affairs at YSKP from 2014-2017, including establishing critical fundraising efforts. Along with several other nonprofit leaders, Ara lead more than a dozen local nonprofits in a unified effort to raise funds for the Giving Tuesday event. In their first year under Ara’s leadership, the organizations raised over $76,000 within 24 hours. Ara has extensive experience in technical theater, including stage management, direction, as well as scenic, costume and lighting design. She's worked with Town Hall Theatre, PCPA Theatrefest, the Cardboard Box Collaborative, Rising Phoenix Theatre Company, YS Kids Playhouse, and Dare2Defy. Some favorite projects include the original musical, Alice, Although about Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Fefu and Her Friends, Pentecost, and Really Rosie. Ara is a graduate of Wittenberg University with a masters in theatre from Miami University. Katelyn is a proud graduate of the Cleveland State Theater Program (Class of 2008). Prior to TCT, Katelyn traveled North East Ohio as an Actor-Teacher for Great Lakes Theatre, bringing classics to the classroom. Her previous work at the East Cleveland Adult Activity Center has fueled her love for creating theater programming for Disability Community, which she directly applies while working on the Exceptional Inclusion program. As an actor she has been seen on such stages across Cleveland as, Cleveland Public Theatre, Karamu House, Ensemble Theatre, Theater Ninjas and of course, Talespinner.

Katelyn Merold steps into the role of Artistic Director for Talespinner Children’s Theater after serving the company as the Director of Education and Outreach for the past five years and as a TCT artist since 2013. In her role as Director of Education and Outreach, Katelyn worked to form neighborhood partnerships with local schools, libraries, homeschool groups, as well as being integral in the development of TCT’s new Exceptional Inclusion Program. Katelyn is a proud graduate of the Cleveland State Theater Program (Class of 2008). Prior to TCT, Katelyn traveled North East Ohio as an Actor-Teacher for Great Lakes Theatre, bringing classics to the classroom. Her previous work at the East Cleveland Adult Activity Center has fueled her love for creating theater programming for Disability Community, which she directly applies while working on the Exceptional Inclusion program. As an actor she has been seen on such stages across Cleveland as, Cleveland Public Theatre, Karamu House, Ensemble Theatre, Theater Ninjas and of course, Talespinner.

Asia is excited to join the TCT staff as an Education Associate. She is a recent graduate from Baldwin Wallace University. For TCT, Asia has taught Fall and Spring classes, as well as outreach programs with Providence House, Near West Intergenerational School, and Luther Memorial School. Asia has performed in two TCT touring productions, When the Lion Sneezed, and The Kid from Kittlerumpit. She was also a cast member in the Main Stage production of Tovic Tomte and The Trolls directed by Nina Domingue-Glover. Asia enjoys working at the various theaters around Cleveland.Katelyn is a proud graduate of the Cleveland State Theater Program (Class of 2008). Prior to TCT, Katelyn traveled North East Ohio as an Actor-Teacher for Great Lakes Theatre, bringing classics to the classroom. Her previous work at the East Cleveland Adult Activity Center has fueled her love for creating theater programming for Disability Community, which she directly applies while working on the Exceptional Inclusion program. As an actor she has been seen on such stages across Cleveland as, Cleveland Public Theatre, Karamu House, Ensemble Theatre, Theater Ninjas and of course, Talespinner.

Chrissy Margevicius originally from Cleveland, is an actor, musician, and teaching artist. She graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre (Music Minor) from the Molloy College/CAP21 Conservatory BFA program in NYC. As an actor, she’s recently performed at Shapiro Stages and The Madison Theatre in New York, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and Speak About It: a touring performing company dedicated to educating against sexual assault. Chrissy joined the TCT family in January as an actor and teaching artist. In addition to TCT, Chrissy is the Music and Drama teacher at St. Paschal Baylon School, and works as a teaching artist for Theatre Works USA.

Ali is a long-time professional in the theatre who has worked locally, regionally, and nationally as an actress, director, designer, puppet-maker, and teacher. She became dedicated to creative, intelligent and playful Children's Theatre in her late teens, and has returned to work with children and students frequently throughout her career. Her professional work in the Cleveland area has been seen and produced at such venues as Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland Institute of Music's Opera Stage, Beck Center for the Arts, Dobama Theatre, and Great Lakes Theatre Festival, to name a few. No stranger to starting up a new company, she was one of the original members/board of the critically acclaimed Bad Epitaph Theatre Company. Alison has always felt that Children's Theatre needs to be intelligent, creative, playful, and educational, and should engage every aspect of its audience, and its artists — minds, eyes, ears, hearts, imaginations… and energy.