Musical Theatre of Anthem is an award-winning, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2008 by Jackie and Jeff Hammond.
The mission
of Musical Theatre of
Anthem (MTA) is to develop
youth and adults within
the field of performing
arts while enhancing their
intrinsic creativity and
brokering their vast talents.
MTA trains and educates
youth so they can become
the artists, patrons,
and leaders of tomorrow
while providing opportunities
to adults to empower them
and foster their creativity.
Some of our principles
include casting all who
audition in select productions,
presenting high quality
shows that everyone can
enjoy, and providing a
positive environment where
performers can practice
teamwork and communication
skills while experiencing
the pride of accomplishment.
The vision for MTA first
came together when Jackie
and Jeff worked on Pinocchio
where Jackie was the Director
and Jeff designed and created
the sets. Since then,
they have decided to bring
together their strengths
in theater and business
in order to provide a
first-rate theatre experience
in Anthem.
Here’s what performers of all ages have to say about MTA:
"Joining MTA has been one of the best choices I have ever made! I have been able to try so many new things and learn so much from so many great people. We work hard and have so much fun! The friends I have made are amazing and I hope we will all be on Broadway together someday! Thanks MTA!!" - Maddie Lopez
"I have only been at MTA for one year and I’ve already learned so much! The producer/director, Ms. Jackie, only hires the best people to create the shows and they all work really hard to make sure everyone gets a moment to shine. MTA is a big home where everyone works together and the end result is always fantastic! I never want to go anywhere else." - Anya Rogers
"When I first started with MTA, I didn't know how to act or dance. MTA taught me to be confident, smile and to "strut your stuff". After only a few rehearsals, I improved, a lot! I have learned the basics of theatre, made so many friends and have so much fun! Thank you so much to all the directors, choreographers, and volunteers of MTA." - Madeline Wessel
"I am so happy to have found MTA. I know I am loved, taught, safe, and assured much fun when I'm at rehearsals! I feel that everyone involved in the productions are one big family! The friendly environment makes me feel comfortable to be myself, so I never hold back. I know that the directors are there to help me grow as a performer and want to see me shine! The amazing opportunities I have been given make me want to be a part of every show in the future! All of the extraordinary directors bring something new to each show making sure that every performer has a memorable experience. MTA helped me find my passion in life- Performing. Thanks MTA for helping me become the person I am today!" - Kailyn Toussaint
"I love MTA so much. I’ve had so much fun in the 5 shows I’ve done and I’ve made so many friends! All of the directors are so nice. I am so happy I started MTA. It’s so great. The dancing is so fun and I love the singing! I can’t wait for all the other shows I’m going to do!" - Julia Toussaint
"At MTA it isn't just a community theatre, it is an experience of a lifetime that you will never forget."
- Samantha Pear
"MTA has been one of the great highlights of our daughter's life. She has grown as a person and a performer in these past few years. Being surrounded by such positive and deep caring people have made a tremendous impact on her character. She is motivated to push herself to new levels due to the inspiration she receives. The children involved are magnetic and the talented and professional direction is impressive. MTA is one of the very best gifts in a child's life." - Karrie and Dane Schalk
"I am so happy to have found MTA. Everyone makes me feel like I am special. I have learned that there are no small parts, only small actors. I love performing up on stage and MTA has given me the experience to do that. I look forward to participate in more shows!!" - Payton Chadwick
"Since joining MTA, I've become more confident and made so many friends. It's such a great experience. We work so hard and the reward is, the shows are amazing! I love working with the amazing directors and choreographers, I've learned so much from them. Everyone is so friendly and I feel like we're all one big family! I wouldn't change one thing about my experience. I look forward to performing in every MTA show in the future! :)" - Kailyn Toussaint
"Jackie's stellar artistic direction has developed our 11 year old daughter into an emerging singer and actress. Most importantly, she truly cares about everyone in MTA where all players are special.” – Lyle Kishbaugh
“MTA is such a great way to learn more about theatre and performing with people who are fun to be around. Every show I have been involved in there has been such a great experience for me! The shows are high quality and the directors that are brought in always bring something new and interesting to the theatrical experience as a whole.” – Zac Coffey
“My sister and I love MTA. The people and directors are so much fun to work with! Jackie Hammond and Rachael are the best! We will continue to perform and work with MTA as long as we can.” - Alyssa and Madison Peters
“I had a great experience with my performance and the rehearsals at MTA's inaugural performance in September. I learned a lot about stage performing and acting and how it all comes together. I enjoyed all of my fellow performers and working with the directors. I would say to anyone, please consider MTA as one of the most if not the most professional Musical Theatre Company in which to act and sing in the entire State of Arizona.” – Martha Kohler
“From doing the MTA summer camp, I really had a great experience and a good time. Jackie Hammond put together a really great show just in two weeks! I also learned about a lot of different types of Broadway Music and a bit of sight singing. I used to really struggle with choreography but MTA really helped me with it and answered my questions. I can not wait to audition for future performances to learn and help me with my voice and choreography.” – Olivia Freeman
"Moving to Arizona was a very exciting time for our family. The most challenging task was finding a new theatre home for our 10 year old daughter. We feel so blessed to have found MTA, where she has been able to continue her passion for theatre under the direction of extremely talented directors, Jackie Hammond and Rachael Killeen. The warm and welcoming environment at MTA instantly made her feel at home and we look forward to enjoying many wonderful productions at MTA in the years to come." – Teresa Long
“I have loved being involved in MTA's shows. It has been a great experience and I have learned a lot.” – Taylor Ellsworth
“MTA has offered me the opportunity to reconnect with the stage and with people from all walks of life. It brings children and adults together to appreciate, create, and grow in one of the most unique forms of art. I have seen myself, and all of those involved in the shows, grow in this craft. When we have such a wonderful environment to work in, it makes me want to put my whole heart into what we are creating and that’s what MTA does. I have loved working with all the talented performers involved in MTA as well as the support from the directors and Mrs. Jackie Hammond. The Musical Theatre of Anthem is truly an organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together.” – Sarah Brayer
 has been teaching music and theatre for over twenty years. She graduated with honors from San Jose State University where she majored in Creative Arts and minored in 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 from 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 an ariZoni nomination for her portrayal of Cinderella in Into the Woods. Other favorite roles have included Gino/Harpo Marx (Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine), Lily and Miss Hannigan (Annie), Cathy (Last Five Years), and the Witch (Into the Woods). Jackie has worked with all ages in theatrical performances from age five through adult. She composed original arrangements of many musical theater songs for San Jose State University’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 California and Arizona, including one of the nation's largest youth theaters in San Jose. Directing and performing experience includes well over seventy shows to her credit with prestigious theaters such as American Musical Theatre of San Jose (Equity Theater, over 2600 seat house), 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 Jose, Young People’s Theater, and iTheatre Collaborative and Arizona Broadway Theater performing in Jeff Kennedy’s Christmas Cabaret.
Some of her favorite directed productions have been Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Annie, both in California and Once on this Island (ariZoni nomination) and Pinocchio here in Arizona. Jackie has also taught numerous workshops with some of the previously mentioned theaters.
Jackie has held many titles including Miss Santa Clara County and was third runner-up in Miss California State. She has participated in and judged countless California state scholarship and talent competitions, as well as talent competitions in Arizona. Her original music can be found at http://www.jackiestewart.net. In addition to being involved with theater, Jackie has been a classroom teacher and Reading Specialist. Jackie has also taught music in schools for many years. Jackie teaches music at The Caepe Preschool and Show Choir at The Caepe School. She also teaches private voice lessons, and her students have performed professionally and in national tours. In addition to Jackie’s musical talents, she is married to her husband, Jeff, and they have twin children who are the lights of her life. It has always been Jackie’s dream to open her own theater and she thanks everyone for their wonderful support.
brings with him extensive
business education and
years of work experience.
He has been working in
the business and technology
fields for the past 10+
years and is currently
working in the Technologies department
of a Fortune 500 financial
services company. Jeff
has a MBA in Technology
Management from the University
of Colorado and a Bachelor's
Degree in Entrepreneurial
Management from San Francisco
State University where
he graduated with honors.
He also completed a semester
of study at the International
Arnhem Business School
in the Netherlands.
In addition to working
for a large corporation
for the past 5+ years,
Jeff has many years of
experience working for
small, start-up companies
in a variety of roles
including Marketing Manager,
Quality Assurance Manager,
Office Manager, and Assistant
Head Instructor at a martial
arts school. He has also
been running his own web
design company for the
past 5 years.
moved to Anthem from Wilton, CT in 2005 with her husband Lyle and daughter Jessica. Evon worked for 20 years at PB Capital (a US subsidiary of Germany’s Postbank) and its predecessor, BHF-BANK. For over 10 years, she was the Chief Credit Officer where she supervised the credit and loan administration staff responsible for the overall approval process of a $4 billion portfolio focusing on investment grade, middle market and real estate accounts. When she is not spending time with her family, Evon enjoys volunteering as Box Office Manager for MTA, assisting her daughter’s MTA theater events and school activities, baking (with the help of the Food Network), pursuing her daily workouts, tennis and swimming.
was Vice President, Human Resources and Executive Committee member for Richemont's billion dollar Western Hemisphere warehousing, retailing and manufacturing operations embracing upscale brands including Cartier, Mont Blanc, Baume & Mercier, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin and Dunhill.
Prior to Richemont he was head of human resources for Cendant and Moore McCormack Resources, both Fortune 500 companies.
His senior level experience covers the Americas and international activities in all management areas such as employee and labor relations, benefits, leadership, business objectives strategies, compensation, staffing, training and development.
A contributing author, editor and presenter, he has served on the Boards of Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Stony Brae (for profit), ElderHouse (adult day care) and presided over numerous professional societies.
Mr. Kishbaugh holds a BS in business from the University of Connecticut and has taught at the graduate level. Semi-retired, he participates in several school associations, numerous church committees and a lay ministry. He attempts to break 100 in golf and resides in Anthem with his wife and daughter.
graduated
from Villanova University
in Villanova, Pennsylvania
in the early 1990s. Tamara
received her Bachelors
Degree in Liberal Arts.
The Lees have three children
and Anthem has been their
home for the last 6 years.
Since graduating from
Villanova, while working
as a teacher, Tamara went
on to receive her Masters
in Education (M.Ed.) at
Cabrini University, and
her Reading Specialist
Endorsement at the University
of Phoenix and she also
has her Early Childhood
endorsement. Tamara now
has 15 years experience
in Education. Tamara currently
serves as the director
of the caepe
preschool and the
head of The
Caepe School.
Tamara and her family
are invested in the Anthem
community. She embraces
her role as a leader for
our youth. She is also
a leader in the field
of education. Tamara has
developed and executed
a variety of trainings
and workshops for both
teachers at the school
level, as well as the
district level and parents.
Tamara also received the
Pride award in 2006 presents
by the Deer Valley Unified
School District, here
in Arizona.
Together, with her husband
Darren, the Lees have
cast their vision of serving
children and adolescents
by combining their interests,
talents, education, and
training and forming the
caepe, and then The Caepe
School. Tamara is honored
to serve on the Board
of Musical Theatre of
Anthem. She welcomes this
role in a continued effort
to serve in her home community.
is a Product
Administration Manager
who brings 14+ years of
diverse business experience
working for a leading
innovator in the development
and manufacturing of high
performance, energy-saving
films and glass products.
She has worked within
and managed most aspects
of the business from procurement,
planning, inventory, sales,
sales operations and now
complete product management
for the day to day operations
of the business unit through
to accountability for
the P & L on a $15M
product line (annual gross
sales).
Although she is based
right here in Anthem,
her corporate office is
in Northern California,
her manufacturing plant
is located in Germany
and her customer is based
out of Singapore with
a strong presence in over
27 countries worldwide.
Her ability to support
all aspects of the business,
maintain strong relationships
with people from all over
the world along with her
keen attention to detail
have made her a valuable
team member within her
company. Her educational
background is in Computer
Information Systems and
Business/Communications.
Stacey is a devoted wife
to her husband of over
14 years and a loving
mother of two.
is very honored to serve on the board for Musical Theatre of Anthem. She looks forward to supporting and aiding in the success of such a marvelous theatre.
Almost nine years ago, the Wessel family made the grand community of Anthem their home. Diane, a native of Arizona, is a devoted wife to her wonderful husband, and a loving mother, to their amazing two children. With the privilege of being a stay at home mom, Diane enjoys many opportunities of volunteering. Before her children were school-aged, she served on the board for The MOMS Club where she welcomed new members and organized playgroups. Now, she loves volunteering at school, where she attends field trips and helps in the classroom. Through her daughter’s passion of theatre, Diane is delighted to volunteer in many aspects for Musical Theatre of Anthem.
MTA hires a number of highly experienced professionals to be part of their production staff. Here are some of our production staff members:
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Sarah Brayer (Production Assistant) has been with MTA since Season One as a performer and production assistant. She is also an Elementray School Teacher who enjoys working with children of all ages.
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Sherry Henderson (Director and Choreographer) has been with MTA since Season One and is a veteran of the stage, starting her career at age 7 in the Broadway production of Annie. This was followed with musicals such as, 42nd Street, The King and I and the Wizard of Oz. She has performed at Radio City Music Hall with Liza Minnelli and toured the US and Europe with her show, Steppin' Out. Sherry has also been acknowledged with local awards including a "Zoni" for best choreographer. Sherry has been teaching dance and choreographing for over 18 years and currently she is teaching Musical Theater and Jazz at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy and Bender Performing Arts Center.
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Laura O’Meara (Director) has been with MTA since Season One. She was a drama teacher at a private Christian school in Illinois where she produced and directed musicals with 120+ students, ages 6-14 for five years. She also served on and eventually led the drama team at her church for almost eight years, where she acted in and/or directed weekly dramas and full-scale adult and children’s musical productions. Musical theatre is truly her passion, and giving children the opportunity to experience the benefits and thrills of it all is one of her life’s most fervent goals. Laura is also a third grade teacher at Gavilan Peak here in Anthem.
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Ginette Maria Rossi (Vocal Director) has been an elementary school teacher for 11 years in public and private schools. She’s been teaching private voice for the past year and joined MTA in 2010 as the Assistant to the Vocal Director, Jackie Hammond. Originally from Nutley, New Jersey Ginette has her double bachelorette degree in Liberal Arts and Education with music minor from Seton Hall University. As a teacher in New Jersey she wrote and directed the Assumption Schools Winter Holiday Performance and was a keynote speaker on the Inclusion of Orton-Gillingham at the New Jersey State Reading Conference. She studied with Metropolitan Art Performer Pina Mozzani from NYU and toured internationally with the Seton Hall Choir. Performances include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, State Capital, St. Anne De Beaupre and Notre Dame Cathedral in Canada.
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Wesley Sullivan (Lighting Designer) is a theatrical lighting designer who has returned to Phoenix after graduating from the University Nevada Las Vegas with an MFA in Lighting Design. In Las Vegas he worked for Lance Burton and most recently was the Assistant Lighting Designer for "Stomp Out Loud," at Planet Hollywood Casino. He also worked for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago during their Telluride Colorado residency. Wes is glad to be back in Phoenix with his beautiful wife, but unfortunately misses the casinos sometimes, though his pockets don't.
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Shawna Weitekamp (Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer) has been with MTA since Season One and is an AriZoni award winner for performing and choreography. She has been nominated multiple times for her work with MTA. She has also choreographed Spelling Bee at Phoenix Theatre and ASU, Reefer Madness (AriZoni Award), Batboy (AriZoni Nomination), Les Miserables (AriZoni Nomination), Narnia (AriZoni Nomination), 13 the Musical (AriZoni Nomination), Children of Eden (AriZoni Nomination), Grease, Vahalla, Gilgamesh, Little Shop of Horrors, Taffetas, Children of Eden, and The Quiltmaker's Gift just to name a few. Shawna has also been performing professionally for over ten years.
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Zac Coffey (Production Assistant) Zac Coffey is 20 years old and loves to perform, write plays, and eat delicious foods. Zac has lived all over, and has studied theatre at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow. Fresh off successful productions of his award winning one act play "The Meaning of Enchantment" at The International Thespian Festival and Interlochen Center For The Arts, Zac is writing a new full length play "The Animals War" which will combine music, dance, and spoken word in what is sure to be a new and exciting challenging piece of theatre. Zac loves working with MTA and is very proud to have been among the first performers to work with such a wonderful theatre in such a great enviornment. Zac enjoys teaching improv and acting at MTA SPAI every summer and seeing his kids grow and grow and get better and better.
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Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) has a group of elite, award-winning performers (teens and adults) who tour around the valley to serve their community. They have performed at countless holiday events, festivals, nursing homes, fairs, and the annual Daisy Mountain Veterans' Day Parade. If you would like to have MTA perform at your event, please contact Jackie Hammond, MTA Outreach Director at musicaltheatreofanthem@gmail.com
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