Drama
At Trinity Academy, our commitment to the performing arts extends beyond mere instruction; the school is dedicated to imparting these skills within the framework of a Christian worldview. In our approach, characters, conflicts, and story lines are examined through the lens of scripture. By aligning theatrical elements with biblical principles, creativity and artistic expression are seamlessly interwoven with the timeless truths found in the Word of God. This perspective not only enhances the learning experience but also encourages students to explore their creativity within the context of a faith-based foundation.
Director: Amy Shelden has taught at Trinity since 2019. She has served as a teaching artist and development consultant for Christian Youth Theater, along with serving in directing, stage management, lighting design, and music roles. She has also worked as a teaching assistant for advanced acting courses at Wichita State and Newman University and performs professionally as an actor and singer. She received the Jester Award for Outstanding Director from Music Theatre of Wichita in 2022 and has been nominated for the award each year she has taught at Trinity.
BA in English Literature with a minor in Theatre from Friends University. Masters in Theatre Education from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
E-mail: ashelden@trinityacademy.org
Photos
Events
November 2 – 4, 2023 – The Little Prince
February 22 – 24, 2024 – Hello, Dolly!
April 18 – 20, 2024 – British Isles Showcase
Awards
2023 Jester Awards
- Outstanding Ensemble/Chorus
- Outstanding Pre-High School Performer – Kash Wheeler
2023 Jester Nominations
- Overall Production
- Director – Amy Shelden
- Leading Performer – Gabby Tanner (Katherine)
- Cameo Performance – Travis Mercier (Mr. Roosevelt)
- Pre-HS Performer – Kash Wheeler (Les)
- Vocal Music Direction – Michelle Henderson
- Ensemble/Chorus
- Production Number – “The World Will Know”
- Artistic Guest – Blair Hanning and Rile Reavis (Choreography)
- Scenic Design – Amy Shelden
- Design Guest – Margie Rees (Costume Design)
- Technical Achievement – Erin Vance (Stage Management)
- Program Design – Joni Atteberry
2022 Jester Awards
- Outstanding Production
- Director – Amy Shelden
2022 Jester Award Nominations
- Outstanding Production
- Director – Amy Shelden
- Leading Male – Dan McVay (Curly)
- Vocal Music Direction – Michelle Henderson
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Artistic Guest – Ethan Harmon & Stevie Mack Furlong (Choreography)
- Scenic Design – Amy Shelden
- Design Guest – Gina Kohn (Costume Design) & Dan Harmon (Lighting Design)
- Program Design – Joni Atteberry
2021 Theatre Kansas Awards
- Overall Production – Tarzan
- Supporting Actress – Rachel Mullen (Kala)
- Supporting Actor – Davis Green (Terk)
- Pre-High School Performer – Patrick Marcolesco (Young Tarzan)
- Ensemble/Chorus – Tarzan
- Vocal Music Direction – Michelle Henderson
- Program/Poster Design – Joni Atteberry
2021 Theatre Kansas Nominations
- Overall Production – Tarzan
- Direction of Show – Amy Shelden
- Leading Actor – Ian Carroll (Tarzan)
- Supporting Actress – Rachel Mullen (Kala)
- Supporting Actor – Davis Green (Terk)
- Pre-High School Performer – Patrick Marcolesco (Young Tarzan)
- Ensemble/Chorus – Tarzan
- Production Number – “Trashin’ the Camp”
- Orchestra Direction – Michelle Henderson
- Vocal Music Direction – Michelle Henderson
- Choreography/Staging – Sheldon Mba
- Stage Crew – Tarzan
- Lighting Design – Dan Harmon
- Sound Design – Adam Akers
- Program/Poster Design – Joni Atteberry
2020 Jester Awards
- Best Ensemble/Chorus
- Best Production Number
- Vocal Music Direction
2020 Jester Award Nominations
- Best Overall Production – Godspell
- Direction of Show – A. Shelden
- Best Leading Actor – H. Castro-Miller (Jesus)
- Best Supporting Actress – H. Hawks (Anna Maria)
- Best Ensemble/Chorus
- Production Number – “Day by Day”
- Vocal Music Direction – M. Henderson
- Artistic Guests – C. Moody, S. Mack (Choreography)
- Stage Crew – S. Kamau, K. Wilson and team
- Scenic Design – A. Shelden
- Program Design – J. Atteberry
2018 Jester Awards
- Best Supporting Actor – E. Harmon (Harold Bride) – Titanic the Musical
2016 Jester Awards
- Vocal Music Direction – M. Henderson – Man of La Mancha
- Scenic Design – S. and J. Longhofer – Man of La Mancha
- Lobby Display – A. Mershon – Man of La Mancha
- Leading Actress – C. Boesen (Kathy Selden) – Singin’ in the Rain
- Leading Actor – J. Boesen (Cosmo Brown) – Singin’ in the Rain
2015 Jester Awards
- Overall production – Pirates of Penzance
- Direction of show – J. Longhofer, Pirates of Penzance
- Leading actress – C. Boesen (Mary Lennox), The Secret Garden
- Leading actor – J. Boesen (Archibald Craven), The Secret Garden
- Musical direction – M. Henderson – The Secret Garden
- Choreography/staging – Y. Dozier – Pirates of Penzance
- Stage Crew – The Secret Garden
- Scenic Design – J. Longhofer, The Secret Garden
- Sound – C. Buettgenbach – The Secret Garden
- Graphic Design – L. Werhan, J. Atteberry – Pirates of Penzance
2014 Jester Awards–
- Barbershop Quartet (S. Brunson, J. Copeland, C. Maine, B. Mosley) – The Music Man
- “Moonfall Quartet” (M. Heinrich, C. Hoppock, S. Mack, G. Ejibe) – The Mystery of Edwin Drood
2013 Jester Awards-
- Overall Production – Fiddler on the Roof
- Leading Actor – C. Ryker – Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye)
- Instrumental Performer – J. Oare – Fiddler on the Roof (The Fiddler)
- Scenic Design – D. Harmon – Fiddler on the Roof
- Sound – C. Buettgenbach – Fiddler on the Roof
2012 Jester Awards –
- Leading Actor – C. Ryker – The Fantasticks (El Gallo)
- Supporting Actress – M. Heinrich – Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts)
- Production Number – “Be Our Guest” – Beauty and the Beast
- Stage Crew – Beauty and the Beast
- Costumes – Dr. J. Longhofer & K. White – Beauty and the Beast
- Lighting – S. Longhofer – Beauty and the Beast
2010 Jester Awards –
- Outstanding Light Design – S. Longhofer
- Outstanding Sound Design – K. Longhofer
- Outstanding Direction – Dr. J. Longhofer
- Outstanding Overall Production – Oklahoma!
- Outstanding Musical Direction – M. Henderson
- Outstanding Supporting Actress – C. Moore (disciple) Godspell, K. Johnson (Ado Annie) Oklahoma!
- Outstanding Supporting Actor – S. Vechery (Jud)
- Outstanding Cameo Performer – P. Cole, (Dream Laurey)
- Outstanding Choreography – Y. Dozier
2009 Jester Awards –
- Outstanding Ensemble – Guys and Dolls
- Outstanding Production Number – “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” – Guys and Dolls
- Outstanding Musical Direction – M. Henderson – Guys and Dolls
- Outstanding Choreography – Y. Dozier – Guys and Dolls
- Outstanding Actress – H. Gribble – Guys and Dolls
2008 Jester Awards –
- Outstanding Overall Production – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Leading Male Performer – A. Kessinger (Joseph) – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Production Number – “Those Canaan Days” – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Musical Direction – M. Henderson – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Choreography/Musical Staging – Y. Dozier – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Outstanding Lighting – L. Mullen – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat