Sarah Mallory graduated from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in 2008 earning a B.S. in Physical Education with cross-endorsements in Health Education and Dance Education. Sarah has had the opportunity to work with Paul Dennis of the Limon Company, Jennifer Muller, the Paul Taylor II Company, Hubbard Street, cast members of Broadway’s the Lion King and the Albano Ballet. Sarah earned a M.S. in Special Education from CCSU in 2010 and 092 Administrative Certificate from Sacred Heart in 2014. Sarah served as Vice President of Dance for the Connecticut Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance from 2010-2012 and Secretary from 2013-2014. Sarah currently serves on the Connecticut High School Dance Festival planning committee. Sarah started teaching at ACT in the fall of 2008 as the Physical Education and Health teacher, and Ballet and Hip Hop teacher. In 2013, Sarah took on an administrative position as Dean of Students and in 2015 became Principal. She believes she has found her forever home at ACT; a place where she can share her passion for the arts with her students.

Jessica started as the administrative assistant for Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) in February of 2011 after graduating from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Business Administration. While in her senior year at ECSU, she completed an internship at the Windham Chamber of Commerce and organized that year's Home & Business Expo at the Eastbrook Mall in Mansfield. Jessica's administrative support skills spring from working as an office assistant at a family-owned company for many years. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with her husband, dog, and cat.

Dan has been teaching at ACT since 2007. Since graduating from Lyndon State College in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, he has been working on enhancing his video/film production skills. In 1988, Dan worked as a production assistant for Castle Rock Entertainment during the filming of Lord of the Flies. After moving back east, he was hired by Colony Cable in Rhode Island, where he was named director of photography and senior editor in the video production division. Dan was Director of Production and Co-Owner of QMedia in New London, CT, for four years before joining ACT. In his spare time, Dan is an avid golfer and sports enthusiast.

Kelli has been serving as the Family, School, & Community Liaison at ACT and QMC since September 2023 and brings over a decade of experience supporting families and youth. Her background includes working with children and teens facing mental health challenges, adults with acquired brain injuries, and families in early childhood education programs. She graduated from Western New England College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minors in Social Work and Athletic Coaching. Kelli is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Sacred Heart University. Outside of school, Kelli and her family enjoy camping and spending time on the sidelines of various sports fields. She is passionate about building strong relationships with students and families and is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive school community.

Kristina Dukette graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2007 with a B.S. in English and a concentration in Secondary Education. She earned her Master’s degree in Secondary Reading and Language Arts from the University of St. Joseph in 2012. Before coming to ACT in March 2022, Kristina taught middle school English/Language Arts for 15 years. When not at school, she stays busy being a Cub Scout & Little League mom to her two sons, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

Raised in a household that combined the best of both her Chilean and American heritages, Jane Glenn is very proud to be working as a Special Educator at ACT since 2007. Jane holds a degree in Latin American Studies from The University of Connecticut, a Master’s of Science in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University and a degree in Administration from Sacred Heart University. Jane is committed to the unique and specialized program at ACT that allows students to explore and reach their creative and academic potential. During the summer months Jane works as a Dean of Students for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Personally, she has lived in and traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe, and finds that the unique experience of ACT is the culmination of her varied interests. Jane feels privileged to work with young people who share her passion for creating and appreciating the arts.

Anna Hall is the School Counselor at ACT. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 earning a M.S in Counseling for Education, and earned her undergraduate degree at CCSU in 2016. While attending Central Connecticut State University, Anna was a member of the University Singers and participated in Spring 2013 concert tour in China and Japan. Anna’s love of music began at a very young age, and she is excited to have both of her passions -- for the arts and for counseling -- meet at ACT. Prior to joining ACT, Anna was the School Counseling Intern at Terryville High School. As a School Counselor, Anna looks forward to assisting students through high school and thereafter. In her free time, you can find Anna singing, doing crafts, watching crime shows or spending time outside.

Prior to teaching, David lived and served as a missionary in Guatemala, Central America. David is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where he majored in Spanish and secondary education. He also holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a minor in ESOL. David has completed study abroad programs in both Madrid, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica. While in college, David served as the Spanish club president and the student government roundtable coordinator. In these roles he was able to participate and manage many community service projects with the Spanish speaking community of Rochester, NY. Since 2003, David has worked as a community college instructor, high school Spanish teacher, and coached both soccer and wrestling.

Michael Lerner joined the ACT faculty as Director of the Acting Pathway in 2023. He is an acting teacher, director, actor, playwright, fight choreographer and puppeteer. He has directed and taught professionally throughout CT and the northeast for the past 37 years. He holds a B.A. in theater and English from Connecticut College, an M.S. in Educational Theater from SCSU and he attended the National Theater Institute for his conservatory training. Michael has performed regionally in many theaters in Seattle, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Michael specializes in working with young theater artists to discover their individual acting skills, personal talents, and natural abilities so they can perform at their personal best!

Chris received his degree in Political Science and History from the University of Connecticut and his Masters in Teaching from the University of New Haven. Prior to joining ACT in 2021, he worked in various alternative education and public school settings. He loves teaching and engaging with students on the subjects of human nature and how they can impact the world around them. Outside of work he enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors, particularly down by the shore.

Ava R. Molnar has been with ACT since 2017 and is the head of the new Integrated Arts and Management pathway. She received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Clark University and her M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts with a concentration in Performance Creation from Goddard College. She is an award winning poet and performer and has had her plays produced across New England. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Windham Theatre Guild and is a member of the Windham Music, Arts, and Culture Commission.

Sarah Murphy began sewing and making costumes through museum education work and historical reenactment. Her costume portfolio includes several historical reproductions from the Renaissance through the Victorian era. She studied at Smith College, earning a B.A. in History in 2005. She earned a Connecticut Social Studies teaching certificate in 2008 from the University of Saint Joseph. After teaching in a few long-term substitute positions, she came to ACT to teach Costume Design in 2013. Sarah is currently pursuing a Masters in Art Education from Central Connecticut State University.

Math teacher Randy Nokes is proud to be part of the ACT community. He chose teaching as a career while attending CCSU, where he earned a B.S. in History and Social Studies Secondary Education. Following his passion for archaeology, Randy completed a master’s degree at Western Washington University. Upon returning to Connecticut, he began working as an archaeological technician at the Pequot Museum while continuing graduate studies in archaeology at UCONN. Randy has been teaching in Connecticut middle and high schools since 2007, and earned teacher certification in mathematics in 2010. In his free time he enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, running, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Katherine Popovic (“Kasia”) holds a master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music. She has had performances throughout the United States and Europe including venues in Hungary, Poland, England, Washington D.C., and New York City. In 2005, she became an Artists International Alumni and performed her Carnegie Solo Debut as an award winner for the Artists International competition. She taught through Education Through Music in New York City, held private studios at the Brooklyn Conservatory, and instructed students at the community school of the arts at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Outside of ACT, Mrs. Popovic is a devoted mother of her three daughters. She has been a teaching artist at the ACT school since 2007.

James Rowley received his B.S. in Mathematics in 2018 and a M.S. in Secondary Education in 2019 from Eastern Connecticut State University. He loves both Mathematics and the arts, and has several years of experience doing both in Northeast Connecticut. He has been teaching at ACT since 2019, and is fortunate to be able to work with students who are interested in and passionate about the arts.

Stacy Vocasek has taught English and creative writing in Connecticut for over 20 years, and has been a steady figure in both departments at ACT since 2010. Miss Vocasek received her B.S. in Secondary Education and English from Southern CT State University where she also received recognition in creative writing and professional writing for business and industry. She holds an M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction that focuses on CCSS Leadership from Concordia University, Portland. Miss Vocasek has studied at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C., with the National Endowment for the Humanities, and has presented numerous workshops about creativity and collaboration both locally and nationally. Her poetry has been featured in several journals, and she has won places in several contests in CT and beyond.

Theresse Weigand-Watkinson is a dancer and choreographer and a graduate of the University of the Arts with her BFA in Dance and Certification in ©Franklin Method - The Art of the Plié. She has performed in Connecticut, Philadelphia, New York, Rhode Island and Washington D.C. and has choreographed works in Connecticut, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Massachusetts. Theresse has been a recipient of the Young Choreographers award and has had choreography selected for showcase highlights in Philadelphia. She previously worked with String Theory School of Music and Cathy Weber Cooper as choreographer on a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in 2022; Into the Woods as choreographer and assistant director in 2023 and Mean Girls as director and choreographer in 2024. Theresse was also assistant director and co-choreographer for ACT’s James and the Giant Peach Jr. show in Summer 2025 and is excited to join the Windham Theater Guild as choreographer for their Fall 2025 showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Theresse brings a well-rounded dance background to the ACT Dance Pathway. From previously being a dance major at ACT herself, to now being able to bring her experience and knowledge to current students; she is excited to continue the education of dance and the arts.