Where kids can make a scene!
STAFF
Corey Dunne, MFA/Arts Leadership- Seattle University
EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Corey Dunne started working with TRYPS in 2006, and in the ten years that followed served in many capacities including: Education Director, Production Manager, and Executive Producing Director. She moved to Seattle in 2017 to pursue her MFA in Arts Leadership at Seattle University and served as the Education Director at Studio East Training for the Performing Arts until she returned to Columbia in 2021 to work in the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs. TRYPS is Corey's theater home and she is thrilled to carry on Jill's legacy.
Lexi Potes, BFA/Theatre for Young Audiences-Stephens College
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Lexi Potes grew up in Ashland, Missouri. She earned a BFA/Theatre for Young Audiences in 2019. Ms. Borisenko has been a Lead Teaching Artist with TRYPS ranging from Creative Drama to Encore productions. Her first theatre experience was in 2013 as a very reluctant 12-year-old who was encouraged to audition for TRYPS’ “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” She is so glad she did! In eight years, she’s grown from a student to an actor to a teacher. She loves collaborating with the TRYPS team and seeing her students' growth in confidence onstage and off.
Email: education@trypskids.com
Lauren Stevenson, BFA/Theatre for Young Audiences-Stephens College
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lauren was born and raised in St. Louis, but relocated to Columbia with her fiance to be closer to her TRYPS family. She is a dedicated and gifted teaching artist at TRYPS Children's Theatre, as well as a prop designer, painter, editor, and volunteer for special events. Lauren’s first theatre experience was being in the ensemble of “Fiddler on the Roof” for a children's theatre back in St. Louis. She had an absolute blast and has never stopped being involved in theatre since. Lauren is proud to be a part of the TRYPS family. No matter your age or level of experience there is a place for you within our walls. We meet our students right where they are at and we all encourage and support each other.
Email: production@trypskids.com
Jill Womack, MFA/Theatre-UNC Greensboro
FOUNDER & EMERITUS EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ms. Womack is the founder and Executive Artistic Director for TRYPS. Since 2000, she has produced and directed over 100 productions and raised over $4 million for the company through education programming, plays, outreach, grants, and events. She is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Coolfont Scholarship and the Kennedy Center’s Award of Excellence. She was Inside Columbia’s Teacher of the Year and a 2019 Finalist/City of Columbia Progress Awards. She is most proud of the TRYPS commitment to helping children become the stars of their own lives and its commitment to producing outstanding arts education and programming for Central Missouri children, families, and elementary schools.