NICK KOUGIAS | Director
Alumnus of St. Edward's University (B.F.A., Acting/Directing) in Austin Texas, Nick continues to balance his professional teaching career. Nick was last seen in Our Town (The Stage Manager, To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), Equus (Martin Dysart), and the world premiere of Born on a Sunday (August Strindberg) written by T.J. Walsh. He worked as a stagehand on the shows Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel, and Cinderella, for Casa Mañana, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Forum for the Scott Theater, and the Broadway touring show The Phantom of the Opera at Bass Hall. Nick would like to thank the Administration and faculty of Eaton High School for their continued support, to Courtney McDonald for all of the hard work put into this production, to the parents of the entire company of The Addams Family, and most importantly, to his loving wife and five kids for all of their love and support.
COURTNEY MCDONALD| Assistant Director
Ms. McDonald is excited to have worked with the cast and crew of Addam's Family. This is her thirteenth year in the Fine Arts Department at NISD and her sixth year as the Assistant Director of Theatre at Eaton School. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she studied Speech Communications. She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for all the work they have put into Peter Pan. She would also like to thank the EHS administrators, Mrs. Miles and Nick Kougias for their mentorship.
PAUL ELDER | Conductor
Paul Elder was born and raised in El Paso, TX. Upon graduating high school, Mr. Elder began his studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas eventually transferring to the University of North Texas where he studied Jazz Performance and Music Education. Mr. Elder returned to the University of North Texas where he earned his Master’s degree in 2001. Mr. Elder currently serves as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair for V.R. Eaton High School. The 2022-23 school year marks his 27th year in public education. In addition to his teaching responsibilities Mr. Elder is still an active working musician, and can be seen performing with the Ricki Derek Big Band, Nuevo Mi Son, as well as other groups in the D/FW metroplex. Mr. Elder is a member of The Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and serves as the TMEA Region 2 Jazz Coordinator. Mr. Elder is a proud husband to wife Stephanie, father to Abigail who recently graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and now is attending Stephen F. Austin for postgraduate work, and Keegan who is a Sophomore at The University of Oklahoma where upon graduation will commission into the United States Navy.
JOEL ROBERTS | Music Director
Joel Roberts is currently serving in his seventh year as director of Choral Activities at Eaton High School. Joel graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in vocal music education in 2005 where he received a full tuition scholarship for music and performance. During his time at LSU he was the recipient of the Baton Rouge Opera Guild scholarship along with performing many roles in both the Musical Theatre and Opera programs. He has two children, Jude and Hope. In his 13 years of teaching, Joel has taught at both Jr. High and High School levels in Louisiana and Texas and has had the privilege to lead many productions throughout his career including "Hairspray", "Grease", "King and I" as well as "The Wizard of Oz" and last years "James and the Giant Peach". Joel would like to thank his colleagues, students, and administrators at Eaton High School for helping make the show a success and is looking forward to sharing in the excitement of "The Addam's Family".
