Staff
Permanent Staff
Samantha Hoppe (she/her/hers) has been working with KFAD since 2019, filling multiple roles throughout the year. She has choreographed, directed, and music directed for several shows including, Lion King Jr., Seussical: The Musical, and more. Outside of KFAD, Sam is a teacher at Shorewood High School specializing in Psychology, Sociology, and History. She received her degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Sam is also a trained dancer, having spent almost 20 years studying tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical/contemporary, hip-hop, African, modern, and pointe. She has performed in musicals around the state, in roles such as Sour Kangaroo in "Seussical: The Musical," Rusty in "Footloose," and many ensemble roles. In addition to performing, Sam has choreographed and directed several musicals for KFAD and high schools around the state. Serving as KFAD's Executive Director, Samantha hopes to help the organization grow by providing more opportunities for kids to learn how to use their voice on the stage of life!
Samantha Hoppe
Executive Director
shoppe@kfad608.com
Seasonal & Production Staff
Karly Swords
Matilda Jr.
Costumer & Instructor
Karlyn is a recent graduate of Rockford University with a B.F.A. in Acting/Directing. Since graduating in May she is in the process of finishing her graduate degree in teaching. Her recent work consists of MOMologues 2: Back to School (Lynette), The Good Doctor (Mistress, Old Lady, Peasant), Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Frances), God of Carnage (Veronica Novak), The Effects of Gamma Rays in Man-in-the-Marigolds (Janice Vickery), Candide ( Ensemble), and Richard III (Ensemble). In her directing credits include Dear Edwina Jr. at Stage 212 as well as other tech theatre credits such as stage manager for a children’s theatre in her hometown, Ottawa IL. She now works as a costume shop manager for Rockford University.
Robert Strader
Camps, Workshops, & Classes
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Danielle Lang
Matilda Jr.
Assistant Director
Danielle is a regular performer for kfad and has been part of six productions so far. She is 16 and is very excited to continue doing so much with kfad.
Aurora Miller
Matilda Jr.
Choreographer
Bio Coming Soon!
Leilani Schaller
Matilda Jr.
Show Director
Leilani Schaller (she/her/hers) is a senior at Beloit College studying theatre, education, and English. She recently studied abroad at Goldsmiths University in London, taking multiple courses on various aspects of theatre and performance during her time there. After finishing her studies at Beloit College, she plans on becoming a teacher. She has acted in many musicals and plays throughout her high school and college career, in roles such as Alice Beineke in "The Addams Family Musical," Elinor Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility," and Jennifer McClintock in "The Book Club Play." She has previously worked with KFAD during Summer Camp 2022. "Willy Wonka Jr." is the first show Leilani Schaller has directed for KFAD.
Hayden Urish
Matilda Jr.
Tech Director
Hayden has been the working with KFAD for the last year ensuring lights and sound go on without a hitch. His first show with KFAD was Lion King Jr in Fall of 2022.
Lucy Parlapiano
Camps, Workshops, & Classes
Instructor
Lucy (she/her/hers) has previously directed at various locations in Rockford, IL. Lucy assistant directed KFAD's production of Seussical and Lion King Jr. In addition, she has been involved with summer camp and outreach programs.
Rachel Parsieau
Matilda Jr.
Music Director
Rachel Pariseau (she/her/hers) is a private music teacher and professional musician in Beloit, Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano from Brigham Young University - Idaho, a Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from Illinois State University, and a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from Austin Peay State University. She has spent many years working with vocalists as a vocal coach in both classical and theatrical music, and has accompanied for various choirs and musicals throughout her graduate degrees and beyond. She is currently choir director and youth music director for her church.
Brooklyn Westbury
High School Musical
Assistant Director
Brooklyn Westbury (she/her/hers) is a current senior at Beloit Memorial High School. She has participated in 9 theatrical productions with The School District of Beloit since 5th grade, acting onstage and helping with behind the scenes work. Brooklyn helped with hair and makeup for KFAD’s production of The Lion King Jr. which led her to joining the production team for Beauty and the Beast Jr. She is also scheduled to be involved in Summer Camps.
Autumn Lloyd
Summer Camp
Music Instructor
Autumn Lloyd, or as the students call her, Ms. Lloyd, has degrees in Choral and General Music Education from UW Stevens Point and a Masters in Vocal Pedagogy also from UWSP. She currently teaches K-12 General and Choral music at Granton School District. She is ecstatic to be back with KFAD again this summer! Autumn has been involved in KFAD since she was five years old,making my debut as an elephant in "It's a Jungle Out There." Since then she has been in numerous shows and operas and have started a theatre program at her current school. Autumn also had the privilege to teach classes with KFAD last summer. She have a passion for the voice and molding voices, but also likes having fun while doing so. Autumn is looking forward to working with each and every one of you!