Jackie Hammond (Producing Artistic Director) is a two-time ariZoni Award-winning Musical Director and National Youth Arts Award-winning Musical Director who has been teaching music and theatre for over 25 years. She graduated with honors from San José State University (Creative Arts and Musical Theatre). Jackie is a graduate of the American Musical Theater Artists’ Institute where she rigorously trained in voice, dance and acting, as well as Shakespeare, improvisation, and stage combat. She also spent a summer studying opera with the chairman of the music department of Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Jackie has extensive experience in the performing arts and professional theatre where she has played leading roles in many musical productions, and has also received ariZoni Nominations for her portrayal of Cinderella in Into the Woods; she is a eleven-time ariZoni nominated Vocal Director and has received four NYA Nominations as Director and Vocal Director, as well as an NYA Award for her vocal direction of CATS, with co-vocal director Shawna Weitekamp. Favorite roles have included Gino/Harpo Marx in Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine, Annie (twice)as Lily and Miss Hannigan, Cathy in The Last Five Years, the Witch in Into the Woods, and Fantine in Les Misérables alongside her daughter Noelle Hammond who played the role of Little Cosette. Jackie has worked with performers ages 2-adult. She composed original arrangements of songs for San José State’s Touring Group, “Company One” where in her college years, she performed with them, as well. Jackie has vocal directed, directed, and choreographed for many theatres in CA and AZ, including one of the nation’s largest youth theaters in San José. Directing and performing experience includes well over 100 shows to her credit with prestigious theaters such as American Musical Theatre of San José (Equity Theater), Cabrillo Stage, Foothill Music Theatre, This Side of the Hill Players, Second Stage West, University Theater, Desert Foothills Theater, Theaterworks, West Bay Opera, Children’s Musical Theatre of San José, Young People’s Theater, iTheatre Collaborative, Phoenix Theatre, and Arizona Broadway Theatre performing in Jeff Kennedy’s Christmas Cabaret. In addition to working in theater, Jackie teaches private voice lessons and held the title of Miss Santa Clara County. She would like to thank her husband, Jeff and her helpful mom for their support. Jackie loves spending time with the lights of her life., her twin children, Lennon and Noelle who always fill her days with entertainment, smiles and love.
Shawna Weitekamp (Choreographer) is so happy to be back at MTA where she has received many awards and nominations for her work as Director, Choreographer, and Music Director. Some of the shows she has worked on include Sweeney Todd (D/C), The Addams Family (D/C), The Secret Garden (D/C), Seussical Jr. (MD), Legally Blonde Jr. (D/C/ MD), Les Miserables (C), Cats (co-MD), Carrie the Musical (Co-D, C), Into the Woods (C), Freckleface Strawberry (D/C/MD), Shrek Jr. the Musical (C), Thoroughly Modern Millie (D/MD), and has twice worked on You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (D/C/MD) just to name a few. Thank you, Jackie, for continually giving me opportunities to expand and rediscover my creativity. Thank you to the cast, crew, and parents for all your hard work. Special thanks to Melissa, Sarah, Julia, and Alison. Much love to family and friends, my wonderful husband Nick, and our sweet girls Kennedy and Lucy (So excited to watch you shine)!
Melissa Davis (Director/Co-Vocal Director) is honored to be directing Junie B Jones Jr. at MTA! She realized her passion for singing at a young age, and it led her to perform in several theatrical productions through high school and college. She graduated from the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA in 2010 after completing their 2 year actor training program. Since graduating, she went on to complete her BA in Child Adolescent Psychology. She has performed locally at Brelby Theatre Company and more recently, in Sweeney Todd and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at MTA. For the last 5 years, she has been the K-6 Music teacher and drama club director at Ridgeline Academy and loves it! Thank you so much for coming and supporting the arts. Enjoy the show!
Sarah Brayer (Co-Production Stage Manager) is so excited to be working on this magical show. Sarah has been with MTA since its first show and has since had the honor of working on many shows with incredibly talented staff and actors. She enjoys all aspects of theatre including acting, directing, choreographing, and co vocal directing. Sarah won a NYA for outstanding choreography on MTA’s production of Legally Blonde Jr. (Co-choreographed with the fabulous Shawna Weitekamp). Sarah would like to thank her family for all their support. Enjoy the show!
