Kristie Copeland has been teaching, directing, and choreographing for students of all ages over the past twenty years.  She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in musical theatre from Abilene Christian University.  She also trained as a musical theatre performer through CAP21's Pre-Professional Program in New York City.  Kristie began the theatre program at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock ISD fifteen years ago and is still serving as the head director. Under her direction, Cedar Ridge has been competitive in the Texas UIL One-Act Play contest and won The Heller Award for Best Musical Production for their performances of Ragtime and Legally Blonde.  They have also won the Heller Award for Musical Theatre Choreography for nine different productions. In 2019, Cedar Ridge theatre made its Broadway debut on the Gershwin stage for a special benefit concert, Arts for Autism, hosted by Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara. They returned in 2023. Kristie has taught students of all ages throughout the community.  She has taught voice and dance classes at the Greater Austin Dance Academy (GADA) in Round Rock.  She joined the creative team for Summer Stock Austin, choreographing their production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2018) and co-choreographing with Ginger Morris on last year's production of Grease.  She has also taught at the Texas Arts Project camp for young performers and hosts a summer musical theatre workshop at Cedar Ridge each year. Kristie was asked to present at the Texas Dance Educators Association convention in Houston, where she had the opportunity to assist other dance educators with musical theatre choreography.  She holds her Texas teaching certification in theatre, dance, and physical education, where she has chosen to spend her career in the public school system, giving back to the community. Kristie has spent her career instilling a love for musical theatre and theatre with students from all walks of life and is excited to be working with the students at Zach North this year.