Sydney Sinclair is ecstatic to start her first year at VCT! She is a performing artist (Actor, Director, Educator, Singer, Dancer, and Intimacy Choreographer) with a B.F.A. in Acting and minor in Directing from Oklahoma City University. She has worked as a director and actor in Oklahoma City as well as a children’s educator, choreographer, and intimacy director for children's theatre’s in the DFW area. Some of her favorite directing credits include SHAKESPEARE’S OTHER WOMEN by Scott Kaiser (Oklahoma City University), choreography of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Alan Menken (Arise Acting Studio), and assistant direction of THE SCHOOL FOR LIES by David Ives (Oklahoma City University). Some of her favorite acting credits include Evil Gabbi in SHE KILLS MONSTERS, Jen in ALL THIS INTIMACY, and Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Kate is an actor and arts educator. She holds a B.F.A in Acting from Western Carolina
University’s School of Stage and Screen. Prior to working at VCT, Kate served as a founding
team member and Associate Artistic Lead at Calliope Stage Company. Her education experience includes serving as a summer camp director, teaching artist, and an in-classroom preschool teacher. Kate’s favorite artistic experiences include, CALLIOPE SHORTS: FIRSTS with Calliope Stage (Artistic Producer), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at WCU (Blanche DuBois), THE WOLVES at WCU (#2), THE ANOMALY, a WCU Student Film (Noelle), and her time as an Acting Apprentice at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. She is excited to call Roanoke home and return to creating magical theatre in the Appalachian Mountains. When not at the theatre, Kate enjoys reading, hiking, camping, yoga, and spending time with her dog Corky the Yorkie.

Mandy Masching is a teaching artist/director/choreographer/dancer/actor with a B.A. in Dance from Roehampton University, London. After moving from Wales in the UK in 2005, Mandy has enjoyed exploring Virginia and was excited to find a vibrant theatre scene. She has enjoyed working with local professional and community theatre groups to bring dance and theatre to life including City Modern Ensemble, Attic Productions and the Virginia Children’s Theatre. Mandy’s goal is to pour confidence into each performer while stretching their technique and instill in them a desire for a strong work ethic with fellow performers. Recent favorite productions include directing an original play Dear Nannie (2023) at Attic Productions and choreography for Attic’s Wizard of Oz youth production (2022).

Courtney Bowen (she/her) is studying for a BA in Theatre at Lenoir-Rhyne University
in Hickory, North Carolina. She grew up in Salem, Virginia, and is looking forward to
being home in the Blue Ridge Mountains this summer. She is thrilled to be interning
with VCT! She has a background in both acting and technical theatre. Her favorite
acting credits include Poppy Taylor in NOISES OFF and Kate Keller in THE
MIRACLE WORKER. Technical credits include WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS
(Tech Crew/Lighting Team), NOISES OFF (Props Manager/Construction Crew), FUN
HOME (Assistant Stage Manager), and SHREK THE MUSICAL JR (Head
Wardrobe).

Sarah-Lindsay Merriman currently attends Radford University as a double major in both Music and Theatre! At Radford, she has participated backstage and onstage in productions in the theatre department and in the music department's opera. Growing up she was an active member of her local community theatre and the amazing opportunities and mentors she had inspired her to pursue theatre in college! Throughout high school and college she has interned at community theatres working as a director for their summer production camps, mentoring teenage counselors, and teaching dance classes and camps. In the future, she hopes to create more accessible and healthy theatre spaces for children and adults!

Frances Barnett is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she is studying Theatre Education. She has stage managed multiple productions with UNCG and directed two short productions through a UNCG program called "Workshop".  When not doing theatre or in class, Frances loves watching TV and going thrifting with friends.

Emma Lehman is currently a rising senior theatre major at the University of Mary Washington where she is specializing in choreography. Some of her favorite credits with the university's theatre program have been Twelfth Night (choreographer), Matilda the Musical (assistant choreographer), and Men on Boats (Sumner). She also works for the theatre department as a scene shop assistant. Outside of theatre, she enjoys drawing and spending time outdoors. She is excited to be working with Virginia Children's Theatre!